[Throne Room]

Scott quietly moved throughout the halls, trying to remain quiet as he gripped a piece of paper in his hand. He walked by a few guards, noticing their stoic, yet solemn expressions. It was nerve-wracking, but at least he had a choice, ready to be made and deliberated on extensively. Scott stopped in front of a pair of giant golden doors, and sighed. He looked down at the paper in his hands, and then looked to the Altnetrix.

Scott sighed. 'God, give me strength.' Scott thought.

Scott walked up to the doors and opened them up, noticing the princesses. They sat on their respective thrones, and they soon had their eyes fixated on him. Scott swallowed and entered, kneeling before the princesses, his mind wracked with distress. "Scott Baristo, did you come to a conclusive choice?" Celestia asked.

Scott nodded, not uttering a single word. He looked down at the paper, a look of uncertainty forming across his face.

(Two-and-a-half Hours Earlier...)

[Royal Courtroom]

Scott sat in his seat, pencil and paper at the ready as he gazed at the three individuals he believed had the best judgement, in one way or another. In truth, Scott didn't know anyone in this world who could give him sound, logical and reasonable advice. Applejack, the stranger from the road. Nocturned, a guard doing her job. Technorg, an alien gladiator turned prisoner and temporary hero. 'I'm so fucked.' Scott thought.

Scott cleared his throat and looked at the three individuals he selected. "I'm sure you three are curious as to why I called you here in this room, especially after the horrors that Automate had wrought upon innocent lives, correct?" Scott asked.

Applejack nodded. "What's this all about, partner? Clearly somethin' important is on the line, considerin' this is a room fer pencil-pushin' politicians." Applejack assumed.

"Technorg agrees with the pony. The air in this room is tense, thick with uncertainty and importance, though it does share some familiarity to the debate chambers back on Technorg's homeworld." Technorg agreed, looking around the room.

Nocturned sat up, their armor was essentially off for the time being, leaving them draped in some dark blue robes. "I'm not sure why you called me here, but I personally believe my presence will not be needed. Was never a fan of politics anyhow, so feel free to state your peace, I guess." Nocturned remarked.

Scott took a deep breath, and sighed. "I'm don't have to sugarcoat this, then, already this is a better start than I hoped," The three individuals look to Scott, noticing a pencil and paper in his hands. He wrote something down and soon passed it amidst the three that sat before him, showing two options.

Accept or Decline.

Technorg stared at the options and was confused. "Accept... or Decline? Technorg does not understand." Technorg said.

Nocturned looked to Scott, confused as the paper was passed to her. She was just as confused, if not dumbfounded, by the bareness and simplicity of the vote. "I've heard of political votes being less bare bones than this. Does the word 'Elaborate' exist where you come from?" Nocturned remarked.

Applejack looked at the paper, and could hardly believe how true the Detrovite and the bat-pony's words were. "Partner, what exactly are we votin' for?" Applejack inquired.

Scott was silent for a moment, but soon cleared his throat, ready to speak as clearly as he could. "Princess Celestia has informed me that Automate is truly no longer a threat to Equestria, for now. However, she's scared by the idea of Automate's defeat being a calling card, specifically for those who believe that Equestria's the place to be to cause havoc on a galactic scale. She's worried, incredibly and rightfully so. Automate clearly wasn't afraid to get a bit of blood on his compiled nanites if he had to." Scott then raised the Altnetrix upwards, showing it to the three. An expression of sadness and determination was painted on Scott's face, a mixture of two emotions he hadn't felt at once before.

The human took a deep breath, and sighed as he straightened up. "Even before Automate's defeat, they had every chance to strip the Altnetrix from me and gain the power that would ultimately determine that your world would've been in some serious danger, but they were too caught up in their own hubris and it gave me the chance to exploit it. I want to make things clear, Equestria, according to Celestia's own words, might be in more danger than what was, and I quote, "Prophesized". I don't know what she's on about, but I feel a sense of confliction between two parts of me. On one side, I want to go back home, back where I belong. Yet, on the other side, I can't, in good-conscience, leave this place, knowing aliens are here, and may try to cause problems for those who don't even know or even might be aware that they might be amongst them," Scott took another deep breath and thought for a moment, almost as if he was carefully picking his words. "That's why you three are here, one way or another, whether the first encounter was pleasant or downright horrible, you've met me and seen not even the bare minimum of what I can do. I seek your opinions, and your vote on the matter. Do I accept Celestia's offer and try to keep your realm safe from alien threats, or do I decline and find a way home?" Scott explained, taking a breath as he sat back down in his chair.

Silence echoed through the room and looks of surprise and shock came from the two ponies in the room. Technorg, however, seemed perfectly aware of what his answer was now, taking the paper and making his vote. "Technorg has made his vote. Technorg wishes for you to stay. The way Technorg sees it, this world, if left to its own devices with aliens running around unabated, will fall. This world does not have Ben Tennyson, so with you around, you can ensure this world will be safe, so that it can flourish and show off its true potential." Technorg explained.

Scott was surprised by Technorg's answer, but kept his composure. The paper was passed to Nocturned, who was still shocked at the human's explanation. Nocturned took the pencil and marked down her answer. "You've got guts, human, I'll give you that. So, don't take it personally when I say it'd be embarrassing, infuriating and disheartening, to see a capable soldier such as yourself, blatantly disregard his duty to protect and serve. Princess Luna spoke to me after Celestia got onto me about our first encounter, it was some time after you and these two took to the ground and fought the monster yourselves," Scott raised an eyebrow. Nocturned sighed, seeming annoyed. "The princess told me, in her own words, that you were a capable soldier, a soldier who had seen things that have no right to being as crazy, or as plausibly true, as they sound. In my own personal opinion, the royal guard, as well as the Night guard, could benefit to learn a few things from a soldier such as yourself, especially after such a devastating loss. I get it, this isn't your home, you're essentially an outcast amongst all of pony kind, much like the big hulking orange orc over here, but you still fought to save our world from that creature. Ask yourself, human. What's stopping you from doing all that again?" Nocturned inquired.

Scott nodded, and watched the paper be passed to Applejack. Applejack looked down at the paper and took the pencil into her mouth, maneuvering the pencil to mark her answer. "Partner, don't take this the wrong way, I know ya probably wanna get back to wherever it is you came from, believe me, had it been me in your situation, home would be the first thing on my mind, no doubt about it. But, I feel like it'd be in yer best interest to stay. I don't know a whole lot about ya, but you were willin' to stay and fight to save Equestria, even after a couple bad first-impressions could've essentially led ya to leave without another word, and then Equestria would've been shipped up shit's creek in a boat riddled with holes, and all without paddles. If the princesses are worried 'bout more of 'em, that's a sign that usually means, your talents aren't gonna be squandered. From what the big feller's sayin', somepony back where you came from, is some powerful individual. If the princesses think they don't stand a chance, who do we rely on to deal with these types of threats, if the princesses can't handle it?" Applejack asked.

Scott was torn, but did feel a warm feeling inside him, though it was just for a moment. 'If I leave and more aliens show up, and they're less than friendly, I might as well have pony blood on my hands. The entire population of an entire species, dead, all because I left them defenseless. But, I still have a job to do... but, wouldn't I technically be shirking my responsibilities by not lending a hand? When did my job get so complicated!?' Scott thought.

Scott took a deep breath, and sighed. He took the piece of paper, got up from his seat, and moved towards the door that led to the hall. "Thank you all for casting your vote... I'll let the royals know of the final decision." Scott turned back and saw them looking at him. "You're free to go about your usual business and what have you." Scott stated, walking out of the room, the door closing behind him.

(Present Day)

[Throne Room]

"Scott Baristo, did you come to a conclusive choice?" Celestia asked.

Scott looked down at the piece of paper. A look of uncertainty formed on his face, but that soon faded as he took out a pencil and marked his own vote onto it. He looked it over, and though he felt as if a pit fell into his stomach, he knew he was making the right choice.

Scott looked up at the princesses, noticing the two of them looking at him, expecting an answer. He also noticed two other ponies that looked unfamiliar to him. One was a lavender purple unicorn mare, her body decorated with darker purple stripe-like patterns. The other was, supposedly, an older mare. She was taller than the purple pony, but had a more slender physique, was also a unicorn, but had a yellow and red mane with shimmering green eyes.

Scott shook his head and brought his focus back to the topic at hand. "Your highnesses, a conclusion has been reached, and..." Scott began to trail off, looking back down at the paper. He saw the results clear as day, and knew he had to. Four to Zero, in favor of staying. He felt off, he didn't know why he felt so uncertain, so excited, yet so unprepared, but he felt an unfamiliar smile form on his face, and he raised his face to the princesses, letting them see his expression. "It's a unanimous vote, in favor for my continued/extended stay in your realm. I don't know how long I'll be in your realm, but for as long as I'm here, I swear to you, nothing extraterrestrial will cause more destruction, or needless carnage, in your kingdom from here on out. I'll try my best, and give it all I got, if that's alright with you." Scott declared.

Celestia and Luna smiled, and the two other unicorns seemed to beam with a sense of shared appreciation. "Excellent news. I hope you don't mind, but we took some liberty of buying some unused property, and setting it up appropriately for you. Only the necessities and whatever may assist you with your basic dietary needs, and we've also stocked a few shelves with the most up-to-date books about Equestria, just so you can get a basic idea on what you might be in for." Luna explained.

Scott smiled, something that was feeling more and more familiar to him. "I appreciate such a forthright action, but I get the feeling that the residents of this high-class place, Canterlot, was it? I don't think they'll appreciate, let alone approve of your decision to let some non-equine creature with shapeshifting capabilities and otherworldly origins live amongst them in such a rich, stuck-up, upper class paradise. Excuse my disrespect, I mean no harm, let alone any offense." Scott stated.

Celestia snickered, but soon composed herself. "Your idea of disrespect is rather accurate to some of Canterlot's finest nobles, Scott Baristo, but that's nothing new to us. No harm, no foul, as they say. Hence why we're pleased to announce, that your new temporary homestead is not in Canterlot." Celestia reassured.

Scott was relieved, but also confused. "If it's not here, then where exactly am I taking up residence?" Scott inquired.

Celestia winked. "You'll see. I've arranged some special transport to get you there, and I've informed the mayor of your situation, so you'll have to expect them to drop by and visit, she loves to see fresh faces, especially when they're of the kinder sort." Celestia stated.

[Ben 10 Dimension]

[Earth]

Ben walked down the street, typing up a mass text as the starry night sky shines down, the deep and dark, yet illustrious blue-violet night sky in contrast to the various stars twinkling amidst the darkness.

Ben sent the text and put his phone in his pocket, listening to the chirping sounds of crickets, and watching several cars pass him by. "Okay, so the text was sent, now I just gotta wait for a reply. In the mean time, crime has been a bit slow, almost too slow. I'll grab a quick coffee, and be on my way, see if I can scope out anything unusual." Ben remarked.

Ben stopped and turned to his left, seeing a coffee shop right nearby. He walked up to the front door and was about to go inside, until suddenly, everything seemed to stop. Ben seemed to stop in place as well, but was clearly ready to throw down. He whipped around, ready to transform into an alien, until he went wide-eyed, seeing a familiar face... with an unfamiliar sense of dread coursing through him.

"Hello there, Benjamin. Lovely night for a stroll, isn't it?" A man called out. He sounded so familiar, he looked exactly like him, so why did Ben suddenly feel less safe?

Ben stared at a man in a tattered, torn, and thoroughly stained white lab coat. The stains ranged from a pale red, to sometimes pure gray and a sickly green. The goggles around his neck were cracked, worn-out, showed signs of wear and tear, and one of the lenses were basically gone. The gauntlet that he usually had, was now nowhere to be seen. His cane was also snapped in half, and he was clutching onto the upper half of it tightly. Ben looked the man in the face, seeing a calm, yet vaguely irate look in his twitching eyes. He had a calm, unnerving smile, and the slicked-back, well-kept black hair, it was now beginning to look very messy.

Ben simply stared, and could only utter a single word. Not with appreciation and acknowledgement, but with concern, and unknowingly phrased it as a question. "Paradox?" Ben cautiously asked.

The man said nothing, but his smile seemed to become more and more unnerving. Something was clearly wrong, and Ben knew it. Paradox knew it, yet he asked a question, his calm voice no longer matching the almost psychotically calm expression on the man's face. "I hear you're looking for someone, a plumber, vanished without a trace, presumed dead. I can take you there, to him, to that other universe outside our own. You could say I'm quite, 'familiar' with such a universe, so to speak. What say you, Ben Tennyson? Shall I offer my assistance to you, and help you in the matter?" Paradox offered, offering his hand for a handshake.

Ben couldn't place why Paradox was making him feel so odd, like he was in the midst of a universe-sized crisis, but he knew he had to decline. "Uh, I'm okay. I've got a plan, and I figured it'd be best to just give you a break from dealing with me." Ben lied, trying to come up with a proper excuse.

Paradox's unnerving smile faded, leaving him with a wide-eyed frown. Time was still not continuing, and almost immediately, Ben scrolled through the Omnitrix and landed on the alien he was ashamed of not using sooner. Alien X. Even as Ben laid his eyes on the icon of one of his most powerful alien transformations, and got ready to transform... he still felt a sense of dread.

"You know, you're the second Ben Tennyson to refuse my help, and after all I've done for you, this is how you repay me, by denying my aide?! This is the second time this has happened, and I'm not exactly sure why this is happening. You are looking for the boy known as, Scott Baristo, correct? Perhaps I should just go visit him, and tell him that his world is moving on just fine without him and had been disowned by his hero, or maybe I'll give him a proper reason to not try and refuse my aide when I offer it on a silver platter, by eradicating the universe he's stuck in!" Paradox's voice roared out, echoing around Ben in a rage.

Out of options, he immediately slammed down the core, and transformed into the selected alien. One of his strongest forms.

The alien stood tall, humanoid in shape. It had three eyes. Two normal ones, and one that was turned sideways, and placed in the midst of his forehead. He had two horn-like protrusions coming out of his head. His body was a black mass of space, decorated in stars. He wore a pair of white and green gauntlets, even dawning a pair of gloves that covered his six-fingered hands. He wore green and white armor all across his body, and the Omnitrix was fastened to the alien's chest piece.

Paradox was no longer in-sight, but he was clearly still around. "Really, you're going to use the Celestialsapien? I forced you to turn back once, what makes you think I won't do it again, hm? What did you hope to accomplish with this?" Paradox wondered, mocking the star-clad entity.

Alien X said nothing, but he did end up snapping both of his fingers, and smashed the ground with his fist, causing some type of transparent mirror-glass stuff to shatter, letting time resume. Paradox groaned, seeming rather annoyed. "Of course, I forgot you have unlimited access to the full-power of a Celestialsapien, how could I forget!? Nevertheless, you're clearly unappreciative when a familiar face offers you some help. I'm not the bad guy, Benjamin! Fine, have it your way, Benjamin Tennyson, but mark my words. I'll always be watching, and you better watch your back." Paradox warned.

Alien X tapped the Omnitrix, transforming Ben back to normal, though he was clearly shook up. Ben, without a moment's hesitation, began to run, going full-sprint down the road, rushing past people with a look of fear in his eyes, and a sense of dread in his heart.

Ben couldn't think about anything else, not even the response he got to his mass text. All he could think about, was the dread. 'What the hell was that, and what the hell was his problem!?' Ben thought, keeping up the full-sprint as he ran, unaware of the streetlights flickering and glowing green as he passes by.

Author's Note

Finally, the epilogue is done. Scotty boy's staying in Equestria, and Ben's cookin' up a plan to try and find this other universe, so that'll be fun.

Also, big surprise, something's up with Paradox.

Don't worry, the next chapter will be out eventually. Life came up and pulled me away, but now I'm back, and ready to keep writing.