User:Cokedragon/FC/NWC

<!--Officer #1 (peaking out to fire a couple shots): Why haven't we taken this guy yet?!

He retreats behind a toppled table, startled.

AmpFibian: Hiya. Officer #1 (showing with his fingers): This close to shooting you. AmpFibian: Well, that makes us both lucky. (Whispering) Pretty sure that'd be a lot of paperwork for you. Officer #1: Well, are you going to do something? AmpFibian (sweetly): Oh, no, I just wanted to know about your day.

The officer slams the back of his head into the table.

AmpFibian: Seriously, though, what are we dealing with here? Officer #1: No, you're not serious. AmpFibian: I saw a crowd of people running away from something. So I ran where they were coming from. Officer (peaking again and firing): Drunken mall Santa's chucking bottles from a sack and firing at us. AmpFibian: Does it really take most of the Bellwood police and every guard in the mall to take care of that? '''The officer purses his lips. Shaking his head, AmpFibian peaks out and points to a store behind the slurring target.''' Get your guys to push him toward that store, I'll take it from there. A spark crackles on each of his hands. Officer #1: Are you gonna...? AmpFibian only grins.

'''A moment later, the officers and guards shift to face the store straight on. From the side, AmpFibian edges closer. The Santa misses three clean shots on him, before shooting the shut glass doors and making his way inside the store behind him. AmpFibian glances all those firing, saluting them. They stop on his mark as he slows in through the broken glass.'''

'''Sparks fly that shut out the lights inside. There's silence, then a verdant glow within the darkness. Squirting. A thud. Outsiders scratch their heads.'''

'''Minutes later, the lights come back on, and Spidermonkey emerges from the back room to showcase his masterpiece of webbing. The officers rush in, mall security tending to any remaining bystanders. Spidermonkey becomes XLR8.'''

XLR8 (to the Santa trapped on the wall): For the record, XLR8 could've swiped (in a flash, takes the gun off the floor) this before you even thought of firing. The Santa just grumbles. Thanks for the fun, though. Call me whenever— (to an officer trying to cut the webbing) when do you think he'll be available? A year? 6 months? 18 months? Throw me a bone. Officer #2 (struggling): Can you just cut these please? XLR8: Oh, right. He leans into the Santa, prepping to cut things up himself, and whispers. It's okay, I like to wait between dates, take your time. Officer #3: No, wait, keep him up. We heard you got a thing that can read minds. XLR8 (rubbing the back of his neck): Yeah...? Officer #3: Would save a lot of time if you could get a name out of this guy now. Officer #2: No, just cut him down; it'll be easier. Officer #3: He obviously doesn't have ID on him.

Ben times out.

Ben (sighing): Seriously, ten minutes— why ten minutes? Can't even run home in ten minutes. Many of the men in uniform, now manually ripping Spidermonkey's work, grate their teeth. Look, I worked hard on that. Unrelated, but can I get a ride home? Kiiinda flew here, and well, you know this thing. ... What, nobody?

'''[Slurping down Mr. Smoothy, Ben enjoys the ride back home in a squad car. He gets a call, reads the name “Cuz,” and puts down his drink.]'''

Ben: Gwen? Gwen: We were by your house for a bit, on our way out. Just wanted to say. Ben: Wait, you were? Wai-wait I need your help on something! Gwen: Ben, I have— Ben: No, I'll be there, in a minute. Gwen: We can do this over the pho— Ben: No, easier in person, look— (transforms into Ghostfreak and fazes through the car, then transforming into XLR8) XLR8: Couple blocks away. Gwen: Already in the car, Ben.

XLR8 races home and in through his open bedroom window, where Gwen and Kevin are standing at the door.

Ben (reverting): “Already in the car.” Gwen (lightly): Got you to come here faster. Ben (to Kevin): You did this, didn't you? Gwen: All me. Kevin: I'll gladly take the credit for corrupting her, though. Gwen (shoving Kevin, to Ben): What'd you need?

'''Ben moves over to his computer and turns it on. From hibernation, the two monitors show a lengthy form with text at every nook and cranny. He scrolls to the topic and reads the title.'''

Ben: Financial aid. You gotta fill out this form if you can't just pay for college, and I was thinking you could help me because I'm every known form of lost. Kevin: That's normal for you, though. Right? Gwen (sneering): I wouldn't have a clue how to do it, Ben, I'm sorry. Ben (ignoring Kevin): What do you mean— ? You're in college!

Gwen rolls her hands and pokes her head out like she expects Ben to realize something.

Ben: What? Gwen: 16 years old. Ivy League. Ring a bell? Ben (squinting, confused): Yes... ? Eyeing a shrugging Kevin. Gwen (glancing Kevin, to both of them): You don't think they offered me that without a full ride, do you?

Both mouth “oh.”

Gwen (coming over to the computer): But look, I can try to— Ben (waving his hand in front of her): No, it's— it's fine. Gwen: No, please, it's December; it's probably due soon. I can— Ben: You didn't have to fill it out? Gwen: Well, no, but— Ben: Then, it's fine. Just go home. I'll take care of it.

Gwen sighs, then remembers something.

Gwen (rubbing her arm and admiring the door): So... the Dean of Friedkin's about to run for Mayor. Ben (focused on the form): That's cool. Gwen: And he wants me to manage the campaign... Ben: Oh, nice. Uh, good luck. Gwen: And I kinda... I was wondering if you might want to donate, help out? Ben: Gwen, you're asking the wrong guy. '''He pulls up his bank accounts on one screen. Each balance is four digits, thanks to the mighty decimal point in the middle. He turns in his chair to face her, making way to show the screen.''' I'm a superhero working pretty much for free. Kevin: How 'bout you sell some stuff? 'How I always make money. Ben: Yeah, because you sell things you didn't buy in the first place. Kevin (opening his mouth, trying to form “no”s, only to start nodding): True. As the room falls silent, he looks to Ben's shut closet and starts walking. But look, crack open this closet, for instance— Ben (vaulting to his feet to tug Kevin back; flatly speaking): No, there's nothing of value in there. Kevin (fighting a smirk, reaching both hands): OH, now I gotta look. Gwen slaps a wall of mana before the closet, leaving Kevin cracking his neck like most crack knuckles. You're on his side? Gwen: Skeletons: you get to keep yours, he gets to keep his.

'''Kevin pleads to Gwen with puppy dog eyes, only for her blank stare to win a silent debate. She removes her wall and gestures he follow her as she heads out.'''

Kevin (scowling, to Ben): Well, if you do end up selling anything, tell me first. Going after Gwen. There's nowhere I can't get the most out of my— your!— money.

'''Ben simply nods in response, watching them go from his doorway. A minute on, he scouts around before delicately closing his door. He opens his closet, where dust sure has gathered, just not on the topmost Sumo Slammers toys. He grabs them and very carefully organizes them in one corner, only to leap to his feet and bear out his window. He's not hearing things; a thin layer of mana cloaks Gwen and Kevin just outside, Kevin's snickering unstoppable and Gwen's just slightly less so. He tilts his head toward his car, and with a weak snap of Gwen's finger, the two dissipate into a cloud of dust that swings, swirls, and sings on its way. When it reaches, shifting through the unimaginably thin space between the shut window and the rim, it places them in their seats, bursting out laughing.'''

'''Meanwhile, Ben picks through a myriad of trophies, some golden: all gifts, thanks for saving the universe from the Highbreed, depicted as monsters atop each and every one. Ben becomes Brainstorm.'''

Brainstorm: Now why in the quattuourdecigenarian heavens would the honorable Brainstorm enlist the aid of Kevin Ethan Levin, as plainspoken as they come, for something so trivial as appraisal? Quite certainly these articles are worth more than the GDP of every country combined, and if not, a being such as myself can find the answer in moments. (Eyeing one of the trophies closely) Nevertheless, it's— err, uh— beneficial, yes, to acquire assistance from colleagues insofar as I am concerned!

'''Tink, tink, tink. The still-reeling Kevin and Gwen look out to see Brainstorm on the hood of the car, tapping his claws about the windshield. The couples straighten out before Kevin rolls the windshield down like a regular window.'''

Kevin (disturbingly straight): Yes? Brainstorm: I see you two have yourselves in a bit of a guffaw. Care to enlighten me? I could always— Kevin: What are you here for, Tennyson? Brainstorm (clearing his throat): Ah, yes, erm— to strike while the iron's hot, I am proposing your particular area of expertise be utilized for the appraisal, enterprise-tier trading, and dealing of golden artifacts from long ago.

Kevin eyes Gwen.

Gwen (grinning): He found something he wants you to help sell.

Kevin nods, smugly eyeing Brainstorm— now featuring super enhanced groaning.

'''[With the group out, we look back to Ben's computer, particularly a monitor fitted with his bank information. As daylight retreats west, bear witness to his account balances soaring into the hundreds of thousands— and that's no decimal error.'''

'''Hours later, XLR8 swings into the window, timing out almost immediately. Shaking his head, he grabs several more knickknacks from a still sprawling pile and trips out of his window toward Kevin's car. Dumping them in his trunk, he takes Kevin's thanks and heads back inside.]'''

Kevin (sulking, to himself): No need to tell him that these are... probably... counterfeit...

He slams the trunk.

Ben's on the way to the front door.

Ben (to himself): Hundreds of thousands... can finally upgrade the setup. New computer, more monitors, can finally play Sumos II... He finicks with the door, eventually finding the right key. I could move out on this! Stuffing his key in his pocket on the way in: Oh, man... this is just—

'''Sobbing on the couch: Sandra, holding a family photo from before Ben could walk. Aunt Natalie is at her side.'''

'''Catching Ben's eye are the red gleams, green sheens, and white brilliance surrounding the living room. They brighten the night so well, with only a little help from the well-decorated Christmas tree. But the floor is bare, no presents yet. Ben pans about the whole room, smiling in a daze the whole time. His head jumps. Off to his room.'''

'''8:31 PM: Inside he takes a piece of paper and heads it “List.” “Mom” is the next line. He pens “new kitchen set,” “dress,” “some new clothes,” “new shoes,” each time crossing out. 8:32 PM.'''

Ben: Welp, I tried.

'''He slams the Omnitrix and becomes AmpFibian. He faces his door and focuses on his mother.'''

'''8:33 PM: Slamming AmpFibian's arm into a monitor, he manages to start a fire. Becoming Heatblast, he breathes out, then with one strong whiff, bends the fire into his form. Reverting to human, he peaks out his door.'''

Ben: Nothing to worry about, false alarm!

'''Although without an answer, he shuts the door and slouches to the floor, partly-burnt list in hand. “Mom” and a bevy of scratches are all that make the page. He pulls out a pen and etches “sleep on it” under her name, only to pen “Gwen” underneath.'''

'''[The next day, Ben is back at the mall. At a Terrahard computer store, he picks out a laptop: the Avalanche II with Class-700 processor. At a Control gaming store, he picks out a console: the AG4 Pro. And at a Jay jeweler, a thousands-dollar engraved diamond ring. On the way out of the last, he grabs his list, reading some from the bottom-up: Aunt Vera, Uncle Gordon, Clyde, Ken, Grandma Verdona, Joel, Camille, Uncle Frank, Aunt Lily, Grandpa Max... Gwen and Kevin are above, as is some chicken-scratch name with a heart in it, adjacent check marks. But topping the list still: “Mom,” adorned with “???”'''

'''Back from the mall, Ben struggles to pull all the gifts inside, not in trying to hide them from Aunt Natalie and the still-weeping Sandra at the entrance, but just by the volume of things. Having packed everything neatly haphazardly in one corner, he slumps into his chair with the list once more. Everything's checked out, except...'''

'''Ben jumps to his feet and transforms into AmpFibian once more. A minute of silence. A fist into his wall. A shriek, possibly an “ow.”]'''

AmpFibian (just narrowly avoiding his desktop with his leg): “It's easy!”

'''He spins the Omnitrix until it pops out. Projected is a full scale Alien X. He gazes at the hologram then slams down the Omnitrix. Or so his tentacles mean to. They stop just short of hitting it, hovering. Shaking his head, he twists the dial once more and pushes it down. Human again. He slides his back down the wall once more, dropping his head into his palms and brushing his hair into a mess. From his perspective, he's just looking at the underside of his computer desk, but right above is that paper.'''

'''Plopping into his chair, he scratches cursive mountains over question marks, trying to find meaning with his ink he alone can't. Until he flies off the page. He doesn't even notice. Straight out of his seat, back on his feet. Partly ripped now and burnt otherwise, that paper's useless. He swings his stronger arm out and twists that dial one more time. Projected: a head shot of the three-horned man of stars.'''

'''A green glow. A boom.'''

'''[The room around Ben falls away. Space in all its glory is where he hovers before the eminent personas.]'''

Ben (waving): Bellicus, Serena. Serena (uncharacteristically flat): Ben.

Bellicus groans, turning away a bit and mumbling to himself.

Ben (scattered): I was wondering if— Bellicus (swiftly): No. Ben (stopping, breathing deeply and restarting): I've been having trouble with AmpFibian, and I was wondering if you guys might be able to, you know, unlock my ability to read minds with him. Bellicus: No. Ben: Serena? Serena: Our minds are bound; we simply cannot change things about you. It would upset our balance: we the extremes, and you right between. Bellicus (dryly): Yes, that's the whole reason why. Ben: I'm not asking you to bulk me up, make me smarter or something; I just want you to, like, fix that— get the power or whatever. Serena: We cannot. Ben: Why— ? Whatever. Um, how 'bout this— Bellicus: No. Ben (brushing off the voice of rage, jovial): It may seem, like, minor— really minor. But... motion to tell me what my mom wants for Christmas.

'''Bellicus laughs. Serena lowers her head, shrinking away.'''

Bellicus: Even she's not on your side, kid. You're done. Ben: C'mon! It's a little thing, I know, it's just— Bellicus: “Little things” are her purview. This is not a little thing, you faux-righteous little runt. But of course, you wouldn't understand that. For Ben Tennyson, there's always a shortcut. Ben (grinning but unable to hold eye contact): Pfft, no, it's not. Bellicus: You haven't had a serious threat to deal with in the last year, and if something was even mildly challenging, you just come to us for some magical solution. Serena (still faced away): Bellicus, please... Bellicus: Your cousin asked for your help, and you weren't even paying attention. Extremely lucky I'm not her. Ben: I guess. Bellicus: And in the last 48 hours, you came into hundreds of thousands of dollars that required next to no effort. Ben: Well, hey, I saved the universe from the Highbreed. Bellicus: Oh, congratulations. You— and several members of your team— saved the universe, totally by accident. Coincidences, and what might just be the worst alien military in history, saved the universe from the Atasians. Ben: The Atasians... ? Bellicus (muttering): Motion to beat this kid senseless— Serena (still faced away): Bellicus... Bellicus (the size of his skull swells, green texture swapped for an internal inferno): Ben Tennyson, you're the insincere kind of man who gets told what their best friends want fifteen times and still forgets what, so you run down a list of generic items that are more likely things you want than they do, just because you know the worst you'll get is “oh, it's the thought that counts.” Ben (under his breath): Yeah, but... Bellicus: But. Nothing. You know, Azmuth is considering recalling that toy of yours— Plumbers' orders, because you have nothing left to offer. So you truly better look at yourself. Because kid, the tonnage of your selfishness in every other case is nothing compared to cheating to get a gift for the only person you have to thank for being alive right now. And know this: she can take that thing off your wrist and motion to undo that if she wants!

'''Silence. Bellicus's head returns to normal.'''

Bellicus (smug): What? No two cents there, kid? Serena: Bellicus! '''Her head bulges out, the green skin swapped for a roaming rainbow. Her brows are curved. Is she... angry?''' Bellicus (taken aback): Serena?

'''Her pursed lips quiver, shaking her head vigorously as her eyes shrink under lids. They're just barely open when she breaks the trend, swooping to Ben's side.'''

Serena (slurring at first): He doesn't mean that; (speaking slower, clearer) she would never do such a thing.

Ben's fake smile twitches, curling down to reflect the cataclysm in his eyes.

Ben (nasally huffing): I don't... see why not. Serena (pouting): Bellicus... says things. Ben (desolate): Motion to— The rest are feeble words. Serena (urgent): Bellicus?

'''Bellicus groans, and the bedroom returns. Ben's counterparts recede, leaving him alone. He can't stand, dropping onto his bed. He cups his face once more.'''

Ben (low): “You truly better look at yourself.”

He wipes his face.

Ben: You know why she's out there, crying. But you're just gonna ignore it, right? Let her keep thinking you don't care?

He leaves one hand over both eyes, rubbing the other on his shirt.

Ben (laughing through a frown): People told you thank you, then you turned around and sold them... Everyone's gonna do the same with your gifts. Of course, he's right, why would anyone want anything you bought them? Took you five minutes right that stupid...

He gives the hand over his eyes to his mouth so he can glance the paper.

Ben (mumbling): Selfish. Both his hands camp on his lap. You're an idiot... you've got nothing going for you. So few months out, and who knows what you'll major in...

'''He stands up, takes the paper and crumbles it on his way out to the bathroom. There, he turns on the water but only uses the mirror. But he won't look up at himself.'''

Ben: What are you doing? What are you gonna do if (he glances the Omnitrix) it ends here? What if you don't end up Ben 10,000?

He bangs his fist on the sink sill.

Ben: You can stay here. Lots of people do it: stay at home till their thirties. Yeah, you don't have to trouble yourself with that. You've got time. You've got lots of time. You don't need to go. Do you really need to even go to college? Doesn't need to be this year, doesn't need to be ever.

'''He turns off the water, but a drop still hits. It's on the sill. He looks up at the mirror, glancing the falls.'''

Ben (wiping his face): I do.

'''[Ben's mother's asleep. It's the middle of the night when strong winds birth themselves out of a wormhole in the middle of her bedroom. Sandra wakes to the roar made, but notices no actual gust. She gets up, and intending to approach it, is met by Ben, and to his side, a figure unfamiliar to her.]'''

Sandra (loopy): What is... Ben, what's going on? Ben: Mom, this is Professor Paradox. He's a time traveler I met a few of years ago. Paradox: Well, more like tens, maybe hundreds, of millennia ago but— Ben: Me. I met him a few of years ago. Sandra: Time travel's real? I thought people made that up. Paradox: You'd be surprised how much of science fiction becomes science fact. Now, (raising out his hand for Sandra) come along.

'''[Sandra raises a brow at Ben, who nods her on to taking hold. The three are whisked away.]'''

Sandra: Where...

'''The details of the room— a kitchen and dining room adjacent— start to make sense. The oven says it's 5:37. The cracked-up old mahogany dining table, headed at one end up by a high chair. Streamers dangling from some thick paper coated in blue and purple stars, connecting a “3” to the ceiling. And a short blonde attending to her son in the chair. An arch off to her right separates this section of the home from a living room, loud from a large party.'''

Man (in the distance): Honey! Blonde (mouth full with a touch of her son's food; young, light, but familiar voice): Coming! Showing a spoon to the boy. C'mon, Ben, eat.

Sandra gapes, her brows frowning over her eyes that let one drop slide off onto the floor.

Paradox: You will have a brief period to relive this memory, relive this time. Sandra: I don't... I don't understand... Swinging her head to face the Professor. I don't want to change things. Paradox (pointing to her younger counterpart): You'll be back in her body; you'll have no memories from the future; you'll live as though this is the present. And as soon as you're done, we pull you out, and you get memories back.

'''Sandra looks to Ben. She tries to form a “thank you” but a light squeak is all that makes it out from her trembling lips.'''

Ben (to Sandra): Mom, you deserve this, before I leave you... for college. Paradox, let her in.

'''Her present self disappears. To her, the younger, nothing has changed. She picks Ben up and proceeds into the living room in search of the man that called her, her husband, in the crowd of names from Ben's Christmas list. Max's hair is still partly brown. Uncle Frank and Aunt Natalie more resemble college freshmen than graduates. But there are also two names we don't know— those of two parents with hair like oil slick— in more ways than one.'''

'''Sandra begins to wander, helplessly glancing as she moves, until she accidentally bumps into the woman of the black-haired couple. The man of the two has disappeared somewhere.'''

Sandra: Charlotte, did you hear my husband call me? Charlotte (black-haired, pale): Not sure, but... (playing with Ben's cheeks) who is this cute little guy? Sandra (sincerely): Not now, please, I have to find him. Charlotte: Well, let me take Ben off your hands while you look. The edge of Sandra's lip shrugs away, her head sinking back and her eyes looking anywhere but at the woman before her. Is Sunny not enough to prove I understand how to hold one now? Look, I promise. Sandra (exasperated): I don't... Charlotte: Pleeease. Sandra: Uhh... okay. She hands him over, slowly and carefully. Charlotte (playing with Ben): Oh, how are youuu little thing.

'''Sandra quits her panicking and looks to the younger Natalie for help. Her pumpkin-haired daughter is almost strapped to her.'''

Sandra (tapping Natalie's shoulders from behind): Do you know where Carl is? Natalie: No idea. I think I heard hi— Looking past Sandra, panicked. Charlotte has Ben! Sandra: I know, I know, she wouldn't let me step away without—

Natalie whispers something to Frank then begins pacing quickly toward Charlotte, tugging Sandra along and keeping Gwen in a one-handed grip.

Natalie: This is a birthday. No one's going to the hospital! Not again!

'''Charlotte is crouched on the floor, holding Ben over but not upright. Inches off, he slips out of her hands and onto his back. He breaks out in tears, Sandra already adjacent to pick him up. This is about the time Natalie's kid starts blowing raspberries at Ben, only making him louder.'''

Natalie: Gwen!

'''Charlotte's laughing, and only now does Sandra realize the state of affairs: the plates and cups on the floor, the babies crawling around, the noise. Now, Natalie's trying to ease a nasty Gwen while Ben's weeping crosses wailing territory. Twitching isn't totally out of the question.'''

Carl (Man, from upstairs, more urgent): Sandra! Sandra (under her breath): Oh, thank you. Calling back. Coming! Charlotte (extending her arms): Let me take him away so you can get upstairs faster.

Sandra's eyes are wide open, one slightly jittering.

Sandra (a bit loud, unwittingly raising her shoulders and speaking through her teeth): I think we'll put the kids in the pen!

Frank appears at Natalie's side for Sandra to pass Ben to, leaving her to run up to Carl, but at the very bottom stair, he appears.

Sandra (her shoulders drooping): You're... dressed. Carl (in a brown getup with a toolbelt): It can't wait. Sigh. I asked them to wait; I have to go right after we cut the cake. Sandra: Oh, that's fine. Carl: We need to cut the cake now, though.

Sandra's speechless.

Carl (for the whole room to hear): Guys, let's cut the cake! Sandra: I'll go get, um... Ken and Sunny.

'''Carl nods and proceeds over to the cake with the rest of the family. He grabs the lighter and sets the three candles over the homemade birthday cake, edibly drawn on with simplistic faces of Gwen and Ben. On a moment's notice, Sandra's at her side with Ben now in tow, and everyone's together. Natalie's at one side of Carl with Gwen in her hand.'''

Natalie (whispering, to Carl): Ken has this thing where... he really likes to blow out other people's candles.

'''Carl looks down, noticing Ken reaching for the top of the table. Carl kneels to his level.'''

Carl: Hey, guy, you want to blow out candles? Ken nods. Well, you can't blow these ones out. These are for your little sister, and for your little cousin Ben. And a really good older brother wouldn't blow out these candles. He'd let these two have their birthday, maybe even share his candles on his birthday. Ken twirls his foot, staring at the floor. Can you do that for me, (holds out a sideways hand, curled up) Ken? '''Ken lifts his head to the fist and bumps it with his own, grinning. Carl rubs in the hair and lifts Ken up.''' Wow, you're heavy.

Sandra watches Carl, unable to help a grin of some kind of pride.

Ken (proudly): Yes, I am.

'''Everyone sings. And the toddlers blow out their candles. In what feel like seconds, the minutes lead Carl to the door, everyone waving him off.'''

Carl: Bye, guys.

'''Everyone says “bye” almost in unison, not like a class conducted by a teacher to greet their guest speaker, but like a group of fans fighting to be the voice heard by their idol. The whole time Sandra's the one in his sights. She waves him off.'''

Sandra (older voice): Bye.

'''She doesn't realize she's out of the memory again, standing by Ben and Paradox's side. Puddles gather at her eyes and slip away when she just can't keep her eyes open anymore. She falls into Ben's arms.'''

Ben (his eyes heavy, too): I know... I miss him, too.

Not a word until she can adequately wipe her face on his shirt, then she turns to the oven clock: 5:47.

Sandra: Why 10 minutes? Ben: That much always worked for me.

[END OF ENTRY]-->