Chapter 95: 94. Forward to the Future
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July 18, 2010.
For the rest of yesterday, I was lounging and spending time with my pet. The only thing I did was ask Morgana to look up information on this Artisan.
It turned out that he is quite famous in certain circles. Criminal circles, to be precise.
He showed up about two months ago, literally out of nowhere, and started selling his alien gadgets. And sometimes, he just gave them away for free to see how well they worked.
The police and the FBI have already caught several robbers who committed crimes with the help of this artisan's toys. Even the Special Extraterrestrial Containment Team, led by Lieutenant Steel, has even joined the cause, and they are actively looking for this inventor. Although the result they have so far is zero.
Ironically, even Morgana can't find Artisan. After scouring the internet, the only thing she found was the mention of his pseudonym on the dark web, as well as police reports of crimes associated with it.
It looks like this guy, possibly a girl, is extremely cautious and doesn't even use the internet. And he conducts all his operations with the help of antediluvian technology, like home phones and pagers.
Fortunately, there is one way to find this villain. To deliver his inventions to his customers, Artisan uses a regular courier service. It remains only to find this service and check its customer database.
Sooner or later, I'll be able to track the shipments I need and find Artisan. Morgana can do this without any problems, although this will take some time. Still, there is a lot of work to be done. It remains only to wait for the result.
I also examined and dismantled the hypno-clock itself to check the mechanism of operation. Inside, I noticed very familiar details that clearly belonged to Vilgax's drones.
It looks like Artisan really does act like a real vulture and is collecting alien technology left over from some of my battles and other alien appearances. It's possible that I won't even have to look for it myself. Sooner or later, we'll just be able to collide when he or his people will be begging.
Okay, it doesn't matter now. The clock's internal mechanism itself is powered by a Vilgax drone. The essence of the clock is to create beams of light of a special wave, with a special interval. This light affects the hippocampus and, in fact, causes the person's consciousness to fall asleep so that the subconscious mind comes out, already completely under the control of the one who is nearby.
Actually, nothing special. I'm even a little disappointed. It's just a skillful influence on the human brain. Fraud, nothing more. Although, the fact that it can work on some aliens is really impressive.
I decided to keep this watch as a keepsake. Perhaps they will even come in handy for me. For example, to fight ordinary people. Of course, I can do the same with telepathy, but it is not certain that the victim will survive this. Still, my control over telepathy is terrible. And so, with the help of a watch, it is much safer and easier.
When the girls returned from the shopping center, along with a dozen bags, they continued to ignore my presence and communicated only among themselves, obviously washing all my bones.
Grandfather, who had not bought anything, returned after them and took us to a country campsite, where we spent the rest of the day. And where, we decided to celebrate today's holiday.
Today, I got up early again and went to Paris to buy a special chocolate cake. Grandpa really liked it when we were here in the past. Of course, I had to wait until they made it to order for me, but I'm sure that grandfather will be happy to try this delicious cake again.
When I returned, Ashley was already awake and seemed to be waiting for me to talk about something. Seeing me, she immediately went in my direction and was about to tell me something, but, literally instantly, an orange portal appeared under my feet. Not expecting such a trick, since I did not feel any danger, I just fell into it and flew down.
I ended up in some kind of vertical tunnel that led to no one knows where. Although, to be honest, I can guess where this tunnel will take me. Given that today is Max's birthday and Ben Prime's words, it's not hard to guess what's in store for me.
Knowing perfectly well that nothing threatened me, I began to wait for this fall to end and I would arrive at my destination. But what I didn't expect was to hear Ashley's voice coming from somewhere above.
— LEX!!!
Looking up, I saw Ashley, who was falling in the same tunnels. But, unlike me, she did not understand what was happening and was in real horror.
- Ashley, what are you doing here? - I asked sincerely, pulling the girl to me with the help of telekinesis.
- You got sucked into some orange hole, so I jumped in after you. What's going on here? Where are we anyway? - Ashley screamed in panic, taking my hand.
- Do not worry. There is no danger here. As far as I understand, someone summoned me through this portal. - I said trying to calm the girl.
- Summon? What do you mean? - Ashley asked, holding me tighter.
- This portal is very similar to the effect of one spell from the Book of Archamada. Looks like someone from the future called me for help. And you at the same time. - I told the truth, trying to justify my knowledge.
- From the future? Are you saying that now we… - Ashley asked in shock, understanding my words perfectly.
- Yes, we are now traveling in time. - I said lightly.
- But… But, who could have done this? And why? - Ashley asked, again succumbing to her fear.
- I do not know. - I lied shamelessly, and then added: - But don't worry. I'm sure that nothing dangerous awaits us. As a last resort, we can always run away and then return home, after all, I know this spell and I can use it.
- Okay, okay… Phew… It's okay and we can go back. This is very good. - trying to calm herself, Ashley said, and then she asked me a question: - And what should we do?
- Just wait for the tunnel to end. - I said, and then seeing another portal, I said: - And this is the end.
We flew through the new portal, but, unfortunately, instead of a normal landing, we were in for a free fall, as we were at a kilometer height.
- AAAAAAAAAA ... - Ashley screamed in fear and began to fall down.
- What are you yelling at? You can fly. - hovering in the air with the help of telekinesis, I said.
- Oh, right. - Ashley said calmly before stopping in the air with the power of the Tattoo of Telekinesis.
- Wow. - I involuntarily said.
- Sorry. I completely forgot about it. There's just so much going on… - Ashley said softly, her cheeks flushed.
- Okay, it doesn't matter. - I said, and then looked at the city under our feet.
It was a big city, with narrow streets, tall skyscrapers, neon signs and flying cars. In general, a typical cyberpunk city of the future. As far as I understand, this is Omnitrix City.
- Lex, is that Mount Rushmore? - Ashley asked, who was also surveying the area and pointed to the Monument of the Presidents, which was visible a little to the side.
- Looks like it. Okay, let's go down and take a look. - I said, after which I began to fly down, trying to avoid flying cars.
- Wait for me. - Ashley shouted and flew after me.
When we reached the height of the buildings, we heard some noise in one of the lanes. Dropping even lower, and flying to the place where the battle was taking place, we saw how some armored humanoid rhinoceros fired laser shots from its horn, trying to kill two children. But, a woman in a blue hood came to their aid.
- Lex, isn't that… - Ashley asked, pointing to a ten-year-old red-haired girl who was now helping the boy up.
- Yes, it's Gwen. Ten-year-old Gwen. But that boy, this is the ten-year-old Ben-Prime, whom I told you about. - I said, pointing to the kid with the Omnitrix on his arm.
- But you said we were traveling into the future. Why are these kids here? You said you met them when they were 16 years? - Ashley asked without understanding.
- We are indeed in the future. Just look at this city. And on these aliens who walk quietly in the middle of the streets. But it looks like we're not the only ones drawn into the future. Although, this does not seem to be our future, but his. - I said, pointing to Ben.
- His? But how is this possible? Is this another alternate universe? How, with the help of a time travel spell, did we get to this world? - Ashley asked, completely confused about what was happening, while asking good questions.
- It's not exactly a time travel spell. This spell allows to travel through different temporary axes. With its help, it is impossible to get into the future or past of your world, in any case you will find yourself in an alternative reality, since your very presence will change the timeline. If you try and use a lot of energy, you can reach out to alternative worlds and their time axes. - I told what I recently learned.
- That is, someone pulled us out of our world and sent us to the future of an alternative world? - Ashley asked, finally beginning to understand the essence of the matter.
- I know it's complicated and confusing, but it's true. Although, this is only one option for the possible future of that boy. - I said with a sigh and pointed to Ben, who was in danger. While we were talking, the rhinoceros managed to neutralize the woman in the blue hood and was about to kill the children.
- Can you help us? - Ashley asked, looking at the dangerous situation, but at the same time, continuing to float next to me, seeing that I was inactive.
- No need. They will be helped now. - I said and, just after my words, someone very fast appeared and instantly neutralized the rhinoceros.
It was the XLR8, only it was taller, bigger, more muscular and faster. After he defeated the rhinoceros, the speedster talked to the hooded woman about it, scared Ben a little and sped off at great speed. Man, he's faster than me.
- It was that boy, only an adult? - Ashley asked as she watched the XLR8 disappear.
- Yes. He must be about 30 now. Everyone here calls him Ben 10'000. - I said and pointed to a large screen that showed a report about how Ben 10,000 neutralized a gang of smugglers yesterday. It seems that now his life is not such a fairy tale.
- And that woman is a grown-up Gwen. - Ashley said affirmatively, just as Gwendolyn removed her hood and revealed her appearance. And I'm actually very lucky. Adult Gwen is very beautiful.
- Right. Okay, let's go say hello. - I said and started to go down.
***
(3rd POV)
- So, you need Ben's help, then? - 10-year-old Gwen asked her adult self when they finished talking about the time travel spell.
- So, I'm only cool in appearance? What happened to a superhero like me? - 10-year-old Ben said smugly, talking about his adult version.
- Although our Ben owns all the secrets of the Omnitrix, he sometimes needs the help of others. I need you to help me reason with him. Recently, he has been completely driven away and is constantly heroic, almost without a break, while completely refusing to accept anyone's help. I want you to remind him that you can't do everything alone. And sometimes you need to have fun and relax. - said Gwendolyn, looking seriously at Ben.
In response, he wanted to say some self-satisfied nonsense again, but he was interrupted by a new voice.
- Then, if it's so simple, then why did you summon me here? - Lex said as he landed next to Gwendolyn.
- Lex, you really are here. I wasn't sure the spell would reach you. Fortunately, everything worked out. - Gwendolyn said with a smile, rushing to hug Lex.
- Who else is this? - Ben asked indignantly, as the newcomer drew all the attention.
- This is Lex Tennyson. He's an alternate version of you, from another world, and he's also the wielder of the Omnitrix. - said Gwendolyn, releasing Lex.
- Truth? - 10-year-old Gwen asked curiously, looking at Lex, noticing how different he was from her Ben.
In response, Lex only removed the disguise from his Omnitrix and showed it, and then turned to Gwendoline: - So you are the same Gwen that I met during the battle with the Aggregor?
- Yes, it was me. Eh ... What nostalgia. It's been 15 years ago. - said Gwendolyn with a smile.
- It's only been a couple of weeks ago for me. But, this is not the future of the Prime Universe. Or I'm wrong? - Lex asked with a frown.
- Right. Of course, this is one of the many alternative universes. But this comes from the Prime Universe, so those events also concern me. - Gwendolyn explained.
- How difficult it is. - Lex involuntarily said, trying to comprehend what had been said.
- Yes, there is. I can only give you advice, do not bother about it. You will get used. - Gwendolyn said with a laugh, and then she noticed that someone was standing quietly behind Lex.
- Ashley, you're here too. Good to see you. - said Gwendolyn good-naturedly, embracing the silent Ashley.
- Umm… Hello. - Ashley said awkwardly, accepting the hug, and then asked: - Do we know each other?
- Of course, we have seen each other many times. In your future, of course. - the owner of the Bezel's Charms, said.
- Yeah, everything is clear. - Ashley said quietly, although her face showed that she didn't understand anything.
- I do not understand anything. Who are they? What do you mean he's my alternate version? And why did you call them, if you need my help and I'm playing a major role here? - Ben yelled, unable to bear being ignored, like he was a spoiled child.
- You are… disgusting. - Lex involuntarily said, seeing the behavior of 10-year-old Ben with his own eyes, and was surprised how much Ben had matured in 6 years.
- What? How dare you... I'll show you now... - Ben shouted angrily, after which he turned into Diamondhead with the help of his Omnitrix and rushed at Lex.
At such a temper and thoughtless behavior, Lex could only roll his eyes. After waiting for Ben to be close enough, he moved a little to the side and tripped Ben in the form of Petrosapien. Ben, not expecting his target to get out of the way at the last moment, easily fell for the ruse and tripped over Lex's foot.
Before Ben fell to the ground, Lex grabbed him by the crystal growth on Diamondhead's back. Stopping Ben's fall, Lex lifted him up with one hand, and then pressed the Omnitrix symbol on the alien's chest with his other hand. With a flash of light, Ben became human again and fell on his ass, staring down at his body in shock.
- How you… Ben said in horror, not expecting to be defeated and turned into a human so quickly.
- Yeah… - Ashley said involuntarily, looking at Ben. She just couldn't believe that this boy was an alternate version of her Lex. They are too different.
- It's hard for you. Poor thing. - Lex said, looking sympathetically at 10-year-old Gwen.
- Sorry for his terrible behavior. - Gwen said bashfully, helping Ben to his feet.
Lex, just about to say something, was interrupted by Gwendolyn's communicator, located on her belt in the form of a cat emblem.
- [Danger. Sector D-15.] - The robotic voice said.
- And what is in sector D-15? - Gwen asked.
- Fort DNA. It is the largest DNA genetic database in the entire galaxy. - Gwen said seriously. At the same time, upon hearing those words, Lex's eyes shone with anticipation.
- Doctor Animo, that's definitely him. He created this rhinoceros and now wants to use the DNA database to create more of these creatures. We need to stop him urgently. I'm transforming. - Ben said, turning into a Stinkfly and flying away towards Mount Rushmore. It looks like his ego is hurt and he wants to heal it by beating Animo.
- Stop, Ben. You can't just fly there. It's dangerous there. - shouted Gwendolyn, and grabbing Gwen, she flew off after Ben.
After a moment of silence, Ashley asked awkwardly: - Did they just leave us here like that?
- Looks like it. Moreover, they did not even take this rhino. - Lex said and pointed to Animo's unconscious creature.
- And what do we do now? - Ashley asked.
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