Chapter 10 - Chapter 10 - Restart

Chapter 10[br]
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Restart[br]
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- Okay, the main power is on within 10 seconds! - exclaimed Upgrade and released the geothermic generator. The cable-like formations shrank and became his fingers. Then a humming sound filled his ears, as the device charged up. All of a sudden, the lights around him came to life, but some light bulbs exploded, or burnt out, because they were too old.[br]
- Great, now watch the gauges carefully, we have worked two weeks on this thing; we don't want any trouble! – Said Upgrade to his accompanies. Gwen and Teuron nodded. [br]
- Energy level on 5% - reported the alien.[br]
- Good. Report status after every 5% please. - Upgrade requested.[br]
- Energy level on 10%... 15%...20%... - responded Teuron monotonously. Ben watched the reactor absorbedly. The machine was built in the '90s, long ago before Kevin. He converted it with Teuron, who proved to be very supple in mechanics; his assistance was most helpful. They worked twelve or sixteen hours together, not even stopping for a little sleep. Gwen and Lantara couldn't see Ben's face; he remained Upgrade or Grey Matter for the time of the reconstruction. He knew if anything goes wrong today, they can start the whole procedure all over again. He strained his every nerve to react for even the smallest of problems. Teuron's voice echoed in his mind, but it seemed very distant. [br]
- …50%...55%. - Teuron reported.[br]
- Gwen? - Ben questioned.[br]
- It seems the cables and the transformers are holding on. - confirmed she.[br]
- Excellent. We should maintain energy level on 55%. Let it run for a few days, and if there's everything okay, we'll add more power. - Upgrade suggested.[br]
- Agreed. I already sent Myra to get a few men here to monitor the reactor. - smiled Teuron. [br]
- Good. If this thing works well, it will provide electricity for the entire city. [br]
- We had a rough day, my friend. Now, that we have power for over the half of the city, we must celebrate.[br]
- Sounds like a good plan. I meet you in a jiffy. - Upgrade sighed and finally reverted to Ben. After Teuron left, he walked to his cousin. [br]
- You did real good in the last two weeks, Gwen! Without your help, I don't know how I could fix all those transformers up. - said Ben gratefully.[br]
- It was nothing compared to what you did. - opposed Gwen.[br]
- Nah, I tuned up an old machine with Teuron… Yeah, it was difficult, but not that much…[br]
- It’s more than that. You have given hope to all these people. You have given them the chance for a new life![br]
- Yes. This is what I do best. This is my fate. – declared the man and clenched his fists.[br]
The first monitors have arrived, Ben quickly showed them a few simple task, and told them to report even the tiniest of malfunctions to him or Teuron. After that, he got out of the power plant with Gwen. They flew back to the new headquarters, which was in a former hotel. They heard happy laughter and sounds of revelry. Their eyes met, before they entered the building. The noises came from the conference room. Ben opened the door and stepped inside. Every survivor was there, except the three monitors of course. [br]
- Oh, come my friends, sit down beside me! – greeted them the alien. They did as he asked, and Myra gave them a glass, Teuron filled them with whisky then stood up. The people followed the example.[br]
- A toast! To our new friends and allies! We were strangers to them; they didn’t even know we exist! Still, they have come here to help us! Hurrah! – exclaimed he and emptied his glass. The people did the same, so Ben and Gwen also had to, because they did not wish to insult their host. After the toast, the women left to take care of the few children of the colony. At first, Myra didn’t want to go, but Teuron allowed no resistance. [br]
- Where are you going? – Ben asked when he saw his cousin standing up from the round table.[br]
- Oh, I’m exhausted…Gonna have a lovely sleep. – Gwen replied.[br]
- I should go too…[br]
- No, stay and have fun. You deserve it. [br]
- Okay, but if you need anything…[br]
- I know where to find you. – smiled Gwen and touched Ben’s forehead. The man watched her, until she closed the door behind herself. Then he turned to Teuron who gave a bottle of whisky to him.[br]
- Thanks, but I don’t think that would be a good idea… - Ben hesitated.[br]
- Come on, as far as I know, it’s a tradition! Go ahead, celebrate my friend! – said Teuron with a wide grin on his blue face. Ben caved in and accepted the gift.[br]
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A few hours later, he felt a little dizzy, but he had a great time. Everyone told jokes and stories from the old times, their laughter echoed in the quiet night. However, Ben was in the center of the attention, the people hung on his words.[br]
- …Wait, wait, listen, there’s more! We stood in front of each other in the middle of a field. He stared at me and I stared back at him. Then he said: “You’re one sorry sight, Rockhead!” – Everyone in the room, looked at Ben, and waited. He drank and then continued. [br]
– I was like “What did he just say? With that face?” So I said: “That’s Diamondhead. And speaking of sorry sights, have you looked into the mirror lately?” – The men broke out in an unstoppable laughter. Ben told the story of his life, how he came to be, how he found the omnitrix at the age of ten, the battles with the villains, especially Kevin, everything. The hours passed by unawares, and it was dawning when everyone went to bed.[br]
Next day, Ben awakened late. He rubbed his head and recognized the empty bottle on the small night table. [br]
- Oh, man…- he sighed and went to the bathroom. Since the water service was not working yet, Ben opened his mouth and Artiquana’s icy waft came out of it. Soon, a small iceberg was formed in the bath tub. Then he stretched his left hand, and Heatblast’s fire beam melted the ice, and rapidly boiled the water. Ben looked at his work contentedly, when a familiar voice accosted him.[br]
- You always find a way for everything, don’t you? [br]
The man quickly turned around and recognized Lantara floating in the door. [br]
- Where were you last night? I was hoping we could talk a little, now, that the reactor is complete. – Ben said.[br]
- I’m sorry my love, but I needed some time on my own. I needed to think about my dreams… - replied Lantara and drifted closer to the man.[br]
- Dreams? What kind of dreams? – Ben surprised.[br]
- I’ll tell you everything later. You should hurry up with that bogie. Teuron expects you to share a meal with him. And you might need this. – said Lantara and threw a towel to Ben. [br]
- Thanks. [br]
The ectonurite smiled back passionately, and then she phased through the floor and disappeared. Ben stood still for a few more seconds, and then he took a short, yet relaxing bath. He toweled and put his clothes on with Xlr8’s speed. He arrived just in time for lunch. Every member of the colony was there. The lunch was corned beef with potatoes. It wasn’t the best meal ever, but everyone enjoyed it, aware of the fact that they can eat freely; no alien will disturb them anymore.[br]
- Hangover? – Teuron asked after the lunch.[br]
- Nope. – Ben smirked. [br]
- Good. So... you’re able to join me in a friendly combat practice?[br]
- Combat practice? With you? – Ben blinked in surprise.[br]
- Of course. I need to regain my strength, and the best way is through a simple challenge. – Teuron explained. [br]
- Well, I guess a little practice won’t hurt. When?[br]
- Two hours later?[br]
- Okay with me. – Ben agreed. [br]
[br]
There was a little crowd in the hotel’s huge park. Everyone wanted to see Ben and Teuron in action. Gwen and Lantara were there as well. The “opponents’ have arrived, and shook hands.[br]
- Are you ready? – Teuron asked.[br]
- I’m always ready. – Ben grinned. He took a few steps backward and transformed into Diamondhead. [br]
- Then brace yourself! – exclaimed Teuron and jumped up. In the air, his blue butterfly wings opened. On the ground, Diamondhead raised his hands and fired a pair of smaller projectiles. Teuron easily avoided them. He accelerated, and nosed down. The petrosapien ducked, then he made wide crystal grow out of the earth, right in front of the flying Teuron. But he turned around and touched the sea green formation with his feet for a moment, and then he headed back to Ben with new swing. He flew close to the surface, so Diamondhead had to jump up to keep away from Teuron. He fired bigger projectiles this time, but the alien evaded them with talented maneuvers. He landed in front of Ben, who immediately struck, but his fists went through Teuron’s body. He became a ghost, like Lantara. [br]
- What a… - Diamondhead went wide eyed. In his confusion, he did not recognize Teuron’s punch. Eventually he fell down to the ground. [br]
- You can change your protoplasma too?! – yelled he.[br]
- Yes, and I can do much more! – Teuron replied and gave Diamonbdhead a hand, to get up. [br]
– You could have change alien form easily. Why didn’t you?[br]
- You can’t change. I thought, this way we’ll be even. [br]
- Wise thinking. Now, try another form, I can show you other tricks. – Teuron requested. With a green flash, Diamondhead became Xlr8.[br]
- Let’s see what you can do against Xlr8! – said he, and the windshield closed on his face. He stormed out and attacked with a series of rapid kicks. The alien blinked, but Xlr8 was gone. [br]
- Behind you! – The kineceleran yelled, and Teuron struck. Xlr8 evaded and kicked him on the face again. [br]
- Nice! – Teuron admitted and crunched his chin. Xlr8 ran towards him to attack again, but he grabbed the kineceleran’s arm, and tripped him up with one move. [br]
- Good reflexes… - he gasped. Ben couldn’t believe he was taken down again. He shook his head and quickly stood up. He began to run in circles around Teuron. Soon, a black and white tornado was swirling, and the people had to take a few steps back. But Teuron stood still in the middle of the tornado. He drilled his claws in the ground, so the wind couldn’t pick him up- After a few more laps, he was able to follow Xlr8 with his eyes.[br]
- Chill out! – he smiled and an icy waft came out of his mouth, which was familiar to Artiquana’s. Teuron created an ice streak on the ground. When Xlr8 reached it, he lost his foothold and slid a few feet on smooth ice. Ben changed into Heatblast and shot a ray of fire. Teuron closed his wings, so they covered his whole body, and they consumed the flames. The pyronite formed a fiery carpet and took off. Teuron opened his dark blue wings again and followed him. Their battle continued in the air, where they shot fire beams and ice rays on each other, but none could hit the other. The people were amazed by this friendly fight; they have never seen such moves. Eventually, they landed; their breathing was fast, and both of them were exhausted. Heatblast reverted to Ben. He shook hands with Teuron again.[br]
- Very commendable, Ben Tennyson! You’re an excellent fighter. I have not been in such good fight for years! – Teuron said.[br]
- You were great too. I couldn’t believe you’ve easily defeated two of my alien forms! – Ben responded. The people around them clapped for about a minute, and then the crowd broke up. Gwen came over to the man and spoke a few words with him, after that, she left as well. Lantara waited patiently, until Ben remained alone. [br]
- You really held back your powers, dear. – She smiled.[br]
- Yeah, I kinda did, but Teuron knows a few trick of his own, he’s a powerful and talented opponent. I’m glad he’s on our side. – Ben acknowledged.[br]
- Indeed. Can we talk now? I need to tell you something very important. – Lantara said.[br]
- Sure. Let’s walk in the mean time. – Ben suggested. The ectonurite nodded and they began to move to the back of the par, far away from the hotel. [br]
- So you’re seeing things? – Ben asked.[br]
- Something like that. These… visions appear in my dreams… and they are strongly connected to Raven. She sends me the images of the future… at least that’s what I think. – Lantara explained.[br]
- Go ahead. What do you see?[br]
- I… I see… - suddenly, her eyes began to glow and she converted to her full potential. [br]
- It’s still not over… The Earth is in danger… He’ll bring a new plague onto this world… The biggest and most powerful threat ever… They never stop… they never lose, and they never show mercy… They called the H…Aaaaahhh…- She unexpectedly collapsed and lost consciousness.[br]
- Lantara! Lantara! What happened?! Lantara! – Ben shouted. He quickly picked her up and ran back to the hotel with Xlr8’s velocity. He rushed into Gwen’s room.[br]
- Ben for the love of… What happened? – She asked nervously.[br]
- She was speaking about her dreams, or visions, whatever, and then she suddenly fainted. – Ben jabbered.[br]
Gwen touched Lantara’s chest. Her eyes had a purple glowing for a few seconds, then she released the ectonurite. [br]
- She’s not fainted. It’s worse. She’s in some kind of deep trance.[br]
- Whatever it is, you must do something to get her out of it! I cannot lose her! I can’t live without her! Try to bring her back! – Ben roared almost in tears.[br]
- I’m sorry Ben, but I can’t do anything… It’s beyond my powers. – Gwen replied sadly.[br]
- No, this is unacceptable! We have to do something![br]
- We can’t. If there was a way I’d know… But she’s strong… She’ll be able to snap out of it.[br]
- But what caused this trance?! – Ben asked.[br]
- I’m not sure… something dark … [br]
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