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The tank cut through the forest like a specter, its engine reduced to a hum so low it barely stirred the leaves beneath the wide tires. The moonless night enveloped us, the stealth plates of the black hull swallowing the faint starlight, making the vehicle blend into the shadows of the trees. I leaned back in the reinforced seat, the cool metal against my back, the dashboard before me flickering in green hues that danced in the dark. Without the visor, shattered by Black Canary's scream, the air from the vents brushed my face—a strange but almost pleasant sensation. For a moment, I felt my shoulders relax—everything was working, the pieces of the plan clicking into place with a precision that almost made me smile.
Krag was in the rear compartment, hunched over a tactical screen, his white hair falling over his red eyes as he checked the sensors. Tira, beside him, polished a knife with smooth motions, the rhythmic sound blending with the hum of the three drones floating inside the tank, their green lights sweeping the space for any sign of trouble. Jek clung to an external handle, visible through the armored window, the forest wind tousling his coat as he whistled something off-key. Dren and Vok, at the back, gripped pulse rifles, steady shadows against the reinforced glass. They were few, but reliable—each doing their part, and I caught myself feeling grateful for it, even if I'd never say so.
"Turn right," I said, my voice calm, pointing to a detour on the dashboard's holographic map. A thin stream crossed the path, perfect for erasing our tracks. The tank swiveled with a hydraulic murmur, water splashing against the hull in muffled bursts, the damp terrain swallowing the tire marks. "Reduce heat," I added, my fingers brushing the controls. A drone floated to the panel, adjusting the system with a beep, the engine's heat dispersing in faint pulses that would fool any scanner. It wasn't just vanishing—it was becoming nothing, a void Earth couldn't touch.
Krag looked up, his pale face lit by the screen. "No sign of anyone, boss. But there's a rural road about 8 kilometers out. Pass it or go around?" He seemed at ease, which was good to see—maybe he felt the same relief I did.
"Go around," I replied, tapping the dashboard, the map showing a trail that avoided the road. "No attention for now. We're doing fine." Tira gave a half-smile, her knife pausing. "These Earthlings won't even feel us pass. It's like blowing out a candle." I chuckled low, a sound that came easier than I expected. "Candles, cities—we take what we want and vanish, Tira." Jek banged on the window from outside, pointing ahead—a drone confirmed it was just a bird flying low, nothing to worry about.
The tank pressed on, its hull adjusted to reflect the trees' shadows, the optical camouflage making us an echo of the forest. I relaxed further, my mind drifting. Things were going right—almost too right, I thought, the corner of my mouth twitching. *Since I reincarnated, it's like I stumble into victories like finding coins on the ground.* Ben, the Omnitrix kid, was out of the game for now, bruised and with that device timed out. Zatanna and Black Canary, names that carried weight, fell before me, their spells and screams unraveling like smoke. The Omnitrix gave up its secrets—the data was mine, a leap forward I could hardly believe. And the ship, hidden beyond orbit, was a secret the League would never touch. That's why the system gave me **50 points**—a quiet but real reward for what I'd achieved.
I closed my eyes for a moment, letting my mind call the system. It was my secret, an interface only I could see, like a voice whispering just for me. No one knew—not Krag, not Tira, not the drones. The mental screen flared, numbers and symbols spinning in the dark of my head, the gacha ready to turn points into tools. Five standard pulls, 10 points each, would use it all. I didn't hesitate—the moment was now. *Spin,* I ordered silently, my heart beating a little faster as the interface whirred.
The first pull stopped with a click only I felt. **Field Repair Sticker**. A patch with microdrones to fix cracks in the armor for one fight. The marks from Black Canary's kicks still lingered in my memory—this would keep everything intact. *Good start,* I thought, the interface confirming the item was stored in a hidden compartment in my belt.
The second pull came fast, a flash in my mind. **Sonic Dampening Clip**. A device to reduce attacks like that scream that broke my visor. I could almost hear the sound again—this would keep me steady next time. *That'll be useful,* I reflected, the system logging the clip in the same compartment.
The third pull glowed with an internal beep. **Tactical Holo-Compass**. A terrain projector to navigate this messy planet. With it, I'd avoid bad trails while hunting the next step. *Practical,* I thought, almost smiling, as the interface stored the compass.
The fourth pull flickered slower, the mental screen trembling. **Muscle Booster Module**. An add-on for the **Mark I Amplification Module**, extending the duration of my swollen arms in combat, though with a risk of overheating. I remembered the weight of my fists against those heroines—a few more seconds would've been perfect. *This is good,* I felt, the system indicating the module was attached to the armor, hidden from prying eyes.
The final pull spun slowly, as if it knew the weight of what was coming. When it stopped, an image flashed in my mind. **Future Vilgax DNA Sample**. Thirty percent of the genetic code from a version of me I'd seen in glimpses—a cybernetic giant, stronger, tougher, who faced the Omnitrix at its peak. It was just data, needing machines to become something, but I felt a warmth in my chest, like touching an echo of who I could be. I'd been in a tank before, molded to grow—this was the next step. *More than I expected,* I thought, the interface sealing the file in a mental vault, beyond anyone's reach.
I opened my eyes, the real world returning with the tank's hum. Krag was still eyeing the screen, Tira polishing her knife, and Jek whistling outside. They had no idea—and that was for the best. "Something up, boss?" Tira asked, her red eyes glancing at me for a moment. I gave a half-smile, something unforced. "Just thinking about the road, Tira." She laughed, returning to her knife, and Krag shook his head, like he knew the trick.
"Drone, status," I said, my voice light. The sphere projected data onto the dashboard—no satellites, no radio, just the empty night. "We're clean," I said, almost to myself. The tank rounded a hill, avoiding a trail leading to a distant village, its lights barely visible on the horizon. The optical camouflage made us part of the darkness, the engine so low I could hear the rustle of leaves. Tira sheathed her knife, stretching. "This planet's too quiet. Almost makes you wanna nap." Krag gave a laugh, and I felt an echo of it—everything was so calm, so right.
The rewards were with me, tucked away where only I knew. The sticker would keep my armor solid, the clip would shield me from surprises, the compass would guide the way, the module would make my fists sing, and the DNA… it was like holding a piece of the future. I didn't have an exact destination—just some place where the plan would take shape. Lyra was out there, the Omnitrix data was mine, and the path felt less like a war and more like an open trail. For now, we were a shadow in the forest, and I was fine with that.
Krag, in the rear compartment, kept his red eyes glued to the tactical screen, muttering about the shifting wind direction. Tira, beside him, sheathed the knife she'd been polishing, stretching her arms with a lazy yawn that echoed the night's silence. Jek, outside, gripped the external handle, his white hair swaying as he pointed at something ahead—maybe firmer ground, visible through the armored window. Dren and Vok, at the back, checked their pulse rifles, exchanging quick glances, alert as shadows. The three drones hovered inside the tank, green lights blinking as they scanned the perimeter, their sensors catching every gust of wind. They were my extra eyes, my silent web, and I found myself grateful for them, even without saying a word.
"Head down the slope," I said, my voice calm, pointing to a curve on the map where the terrain dipped into a shallow valley. "It's more concealed." The tank complied, sliding with a mechanical sigh, the hull brushing tall grass that masked our weight. "Adjust thermal camouflage," I added, my fingers grazing a control. A drone whirred to the panel, recalibrating the system, the engine's heat fragmenting into weak pulses that would fool any scanner. It wasn't just fading away—it was becoming an echo, something Earth couldn't grasp.
A sharp beep cut the air, the dashboard flashing red with an urgency that made my heart skip—not from doubt, but anticipation. Krag looked up, frowning. "Encrypted call, boss. Just for you." I knew who it was before I touched the button. "Accept," I said, low, my finger pressing the command. Lyra's voice came through clear, firm, with a hint of excitement that made my eyes narrow.
"Vilgax, I found the place," she said, her voice slightly muffled, as if crouched in some hidden corner. "A Plumbers' base, buried in a mountain. Heavy camouflage, disguised entrances—it's the one from the records you gave me. Where Tennyson, the kid's grandpa, kept things. There's a portal gun inside… opens a path to the Null Void Dimension."
I straightened, the seat creaking under my weight. The Null Void Dimension—a void trapped outside reality, a place that swallowed what entered, where the Plumbers dumped problems they didn't want to solve. The portal gun was the key, small enough to carry but capable of opening doors no one else touched. I remembered the stories: a secret base, carved into rock, filled with Plumber relics, where Max hid tools like that. It was a prize I needed—not just for the dimension, but for what it could mean for my plan. "Coordinates?" I asked, my voice still light but with a warmth I didn't hide.
"Sent now," Lyra replied, quick. "About 200 kilometers northeast, in a rock formation. There are defenses—patrol drones, sensors at the entrances. I'm with the others, holding position. Should I force entry or wait?"
"Wait," I said, firm but not harsh. "Don't risk it yet." I paused, the corner of my mouth lifting. "But… grab what you can. Any tech, devices—loot everything until I get there." Lyra laughed, a short but sharp sound. "Already started, boss. There's stuff here that'll make you smile bigger than me."
"Good work," I said, and cut the call, the beep fading into silence. I turned to the dashboard, plotting the new route with a touch. The map spun, showing the path—long but direct, crossing plains and patches of woods to the mountain. "Course change," I announced, my voice almost lively, something that even surprised Tira. "Northeast. New target."
She crossed her arms, an eyebrow raised. "What's there, boss? More trouble for us to sort out?" Her tone was light, almost teasing. I chuckled low, tapping the dashboard. "A gift the kid's grandpa left behind. We're going to claim it." Krag nodded, returning to his screen, while Jek banged on the window, yelling something about the terrain—a drone confirmed it was just the wind kicking up dust.
"Drone, adjust camouflage," I said, relaxed. The sphere recalibrated the hull, the stealth plates now mimicking the dull gray of the plain, the tank dissolving against the ground. "Boost the sensors," I added, the other two drones blinking in response, their scans stretching to catch any shadow out of place. The tank picked up speed, the engine a whisper, rounding a rise where the wind erased our tracks. The new route was bolder—closer to areas that might have eyes—but the prize was worth it. *Lyra hit the mark,* I thought, my chest lighter than it had been in a while. *Everything keeps flowing.*
I laughed inwardly, my thoughts circling back to that streak of luck. *Since I reincarnated, it's like I stumble into victories like finding coins on the ground.* Ben was out, bruised, the Omnitrix timed out for now. Zatanna and Black Canary fell, their spells and screams nothing against me. The Omnitrix data was secured, a leap that still surprised me. My rewards—secrets only I knew—were proof of that. I closed my eyes for a second, the system's interface flaring in my mind, invisible to everyone here. The **Field Repair Sticker** would fix any scratches, the **Sonic Clip** would block surprises, the **Holo-Compass** would keep my course, the **Muscle Module** would add weight to my strikes, and the **Future Vilgax DNA**… it was a piece of who I could become, an echo of strength I felt once, in a tank, being shaped for greatness.
I opened my eyes, the tank humming as we crossed a ravine. "Krag, any signals?" I asked, casual. He shook his head. "Nothing, boss. Just the night." Tira huffed, stretching. "This planet's so quiet you can hear your own boredom." I laughed, the sound echoing low. She had a point. The village was left behind, a faint glow we ignored, the tank pressing steady on the new route. Lyra and the others were looting the base—tech, devices, anything that could serve. The portal gun was the heart of the plan, a door to the Null Void and beyond. The path was open, and I was more than okay with that.
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A few hours later, the tank slowed under the shadow of a mountain that sliced the sky like a stone blade. The journey here had been long—kilometers of detours through ravines and forgotten trails, the vehicle's black hull swallowing the night's light while keeping the world blind. I touched the dashboard, shutting off the engine with a mechanical sigh, silence falling heavily inside the compartment. A soft glow from the panel lit my face—without the visor, the mountain air came in cold through the vents, and I felt a quiet relief, as if every twist of the trip had brought me closer to what I wanted.
"We're here," I said, my voice light, almost a murmur, as I opened the hatch with a tap. The metal slid noiselessly, and I stepped out, my boots hitting the rock with a brief echo the night swallowed. The wind carried a dry scent of dust and metal, and before me, the Plumbers' base entrance hid—a crack in the stone shimmering with broken holograms, courtesy of Lyra. Fresh tool marks gleamed on the rock, loose cables swaying where sensors had been torn out. She didn't waste time.
I turned to the tank, where Krag and Tira's shadows were already moving, stepping down with firm strides. Jek jumped from the side, landing with a low grunt, his flowing coat settling over his shoulders. Dren and Vok emerged from the rear, pulse rifles in hand, red eyes scanning the darkness. The three drones floated behind me, their sensors blinking as they adjusted altitude, ready to map whatever came. "All of you," I began, my tone calm but direct, "get in there now. Find Lyra and her team. Focus on what matters—circuits, weapons, rare devices. Bring everything you can carry back to the tank."
Krag adjusted the portable screen on his arm, giving a short nod. "Anything specific you want, boss?" I smiled, the corner of my mouth lifting. "Anything that looks dangerous enough to be worth my time." Tira laughed, clapping her hands as if warming up for a fight. "That's more my speed. Let's clean the place out." Jek jerked his thumb toward the crack, already walking. "If there's anything shiny, I'll call." Dren and Vok moved without a word, their steps synchronized, the drones humming behind like floating shadows.
"Make it quick," I added, waving toward the entrance. They vanished into the crack, the drones' glow fading into the dark, the echo of boots against metal bouncing back. I stood still for a moment, the wind brushing my face, the mountain silent around me. My chest felt light—the plan was spinning like a well-calibrated machine, and I could almost feel the weight of the portal gun in my hands, the key to the Null Void Dimension. I closed my eyes for a second, the system's interface flickering in my mind, my untouched secret. The rewards—**Field Repair Sticker**, **Sonic Clip**, **Holo-Compass**, **Muscle Module**, **Future Vilgax DNA**—were with me, tools for a future I shaped with every step.
I returned to the tank, climbing in with an easy leap. "To the back," I said to the drone at the panel, my voice low. The engine came alive, a muffled rumble, and the vehicle rolled through the crack, the entrance's hologram dissolving like mist. The inner tunnel was wide, polished steel walls reflecting faint blue lights, the air heavy with an electric hum. The distant sound of scraping metal—crates, maybe—mixed with muffled voices, Lyra barking orders deeper inside. The tank stopped in a cavernous hangar, the space empty save for broken racks and signs of looting. I stepped out one last time, the drone adjusting the hull to blend into the hangar's shadows, the vehicle now a specter against the metal.
As I walked toward the central corridor, a sound made me stop—a voice, coming from the entrance, light and sharp, like someone toying with an invisible knife. "Wow, so the big alien they were talking about is just a collector of trinkets?" it said, the tone laughing at itself. "At least he's got good taste in picking places to clean out."
My body turned before I could think, my boots scraping the rock with a dry sound, every nerve on edge. The portal gun, Lyra, the looting—everything faded to the background, the voice pulling my attention like a magnet. My eyes cut through the darkness of the crack, where the broken hologram let shadows dance. A figure stood there, outlined by the faint light of the night, details blurred but their presence undeniable. For a moment, my breath caught—not fear, but a cold jolt, like recognizing something I hadn't expected so soon. Whoever this was, they weren't some lost wanderer.
I stood still, the drone beside me blinking silently, its sensors picking up nothing but emptiness. The figure didn't move, but the weight of the moment held me, the air in the base feeling denser. Not now, I thought, my fingers flexing, ready for anything. But the smile in that voice still echoed, too light to be a direct threat—yet I knew the game had shifted.
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Guys, I hope you like the chapter, it's to clear up some doubts that I noticed,No, this universe is not faithful to the animated films of the league nor the classic Ben 10, they are just strongly based, that is, if I change one thing from the "Canon" It's just because I want a certain thing to fit what I want for this story, yes, you can rest assured that I will not forgive the protagonist's hesitation in letting Ben go, much less the "flash" with two names
I hope you are enjoying it, and I would like to ask for your suggestions, because my creativity is dying and I don't want to Drop the story