Ben 10 (Reader insert)

Divided We Stand

"The time has come!" Dr. Animo exclaimed passionately, looking out at his attentive audience. "Soon, I, Dr. Aloysius Animo, will bring about a new world order and they thought they could lock me up forever." He swings his fist down angrily, pausing to take in the praising squawks of the Seagulls.

Loyal birds they were. Dr. Animo thought to himself, rolling his eyes as laughter at his back echoed in the prison courtyard.

"You're not going anywhere Dr. Freakamo." One of the officer's laughed again, fist bumping his campion before they both left the Dr. alone. They'd rather watch the show from a distance, not wanting to catch the crazy coming from the older man.

Dr. Animo ignored it all though, knowing his imprisonment ended today. A high pitched cry warned him of his most loyal companion. Holding out a arm, he received the seagull that had notably more ruffled feathers than the others. Cooing at the bird, he held out a hand and grinned when the last piece he need dropped from the bill into his awaiting palm.

"Ignore them my pet." Dr. Animo murmured lovingly. "For you have been exceedingly loyal. Bringing the components I need one piece at a time. Raising his arm, the seagull fled his arm, allowing him to retrieve the main device from his jumpsuit.

A helmet, one almost a replica of its prototype back when he failed to get his rightfully deserved trophy. He plopped it onto his head, watching as the seagulls cried out and scattered to the sky, a smile spreading across his lips. He finally could reward the loyalty given to him.

"And now for your reward."

A buzz, low in tone, quickly rose in level as red sparked among the prongs on Dr. Animo's helmet. It shot off, striking the ruffled seagull in the chest. The transformation began, body stretching, growing as the feathers darkened in color. Longer neck, bigger claws, and overall too powerful for those measly guards to stop.

Dr. Animo didn't hesitate to hop aboard his new ride, grinning at the shouts of fear that filled the air. He was delighted when the two officers that had mocked him earlier rushed to stop him, a chance to show off they had never been right in their view of him.

A quick command, and Dr. Animo took off into the sky. Taking along with him the officers that now clung to the mutated seagulls claws.

"Put us down!" One officer shouted.

"With pleasure!" Dr. Animo hissed, giving a swift tap to the seagull's neck. It instantly released its prey, and the Dr. watched as the guards fell to their doom among the rocky waters that surrounded his imprisonment.  

"And the first thing I plan to do," Dr. Animo continued his speech, "is visit that snot-nosed brat, Ben Tennyson."

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The beach.

A prefect place to relax amongst the chaos of this summer filled with aliens, villains, and overall out of the ordinary experiences. One I accepted when Grandpa Max suggested to our group of four, and here we were now.

Finding the perfect spot to set up, free of the people also frequenting the beach. An Umbrella opened to cast shade and protect us from the harsh rays of the sun, beach lounge chairs to relax against, and all the time in the day to just rest.

Which was what I was doing. Drifting in and out of a dream-like state as Gwen laid beside me in her own chair reading, Grandpa Max to left working on some tech he had dug out of the Rust Bucket and decided to repair.

Are you enjoying this? I asked (Name).

You bet! This is the first time I haven't had to worry about you in a while. (Name) responded gleefully.