Ben 10: Recalibrated

Chapter 7-Raph

Ben paced furiously around his room, his fists clenching and unclenching, barely able to contain the storm brewing inside him. His mind raced, replaying the battle over and over, each misstep, each moment where he could have ended it where Ray could have been stopped.

Ben: "How the hell did I let him get away?"

His voice echoed off the walls, loud enough that anyone in the house could hear. He slammed his fist down on his desk, the sharp sound cutting through the tension in the air. It wasn't just frustration. It was disappointment-disappointment in himself.

Kevin leaned back against the wall, arms crossed, his expression one of both irritation and understanding.

Kevin: "You weren't the only one who screwed up, Tennyson. That guys a psycho, but hes got smarts. More than we gave him credit for."

Ben: "Yeah, well, that doesn't make me feel any better!"

The door slid open, and Gwen entered, her brow furrowed with concern.

Gwen: "Ben, you can't keep blaming yourself."

Ben: "Why not? I let him escape! Again! He's running around with an Ultimatrix, doing whoever knows what, and it's on me."

She was about to respond when a hologram flickered into the center of the room. Grandpa Max appeared first, standing next to Azmuth, both figures slightly translucent but their expressions solid with concern.

Maxs voice was calm, but firm.

Max: "Ben, take a breath. I know it's hard, but beating yourself up won't fix anything."

Ben: "How do you know about that?"

Azmuth: "I placed a camera in your omnitrix."

Ben: "Wait, so did you see-"

Azmuth: "Yes. And it's disgusting."

Max: "We also saw the fight."

Ben: "Wll you should know how he played me like a fool!"

Max exchanged a glance with Azmuth, who cleared his throat. The small Galvan's face was as stern as ever, but there was something else in his eyes. Frustration? Even a hint of...confusion?

Azmuth: "Benjamin, even I am struggling to understand him."

That caught Ben's attention. Azmuth was never one to admit confusion, especially when it came to anything related to the Omnitrix or Ultimatrix technology.

Azmuth: "His actions are erratic. He doesn't follow any of the usual patterns, even those I would expect from someone with an Ultimatrix. His behavior, his motivations, nothing about him makes sense."

Ben: "What do you mean, nothing makes sense?"

Azmuth sighed, a rare sign of frustration.

Azmuth: "I've been analyzing his actions since he first appeared, and the results are...inconclusive. He doesn't seek the usual goals power, domination, or even survival. His decisions are reckless, unpredictable. It's as if chaos itself fuels him."

Kevin stepped forward, arms still crossed but his expression serious.

Kevin: "So you're saying we're dealing with a total maniac who doesn't even know what he wants?"

Azmuth nodded.

Azmuth: "Precisely. His mind operates outside the logical parameters I can typically track. He's not bound by the usual rules of combat or strategy. That's why he escaped. He doesn't think like any of us."

Ben slumped onto the edge of his bed, the weight of the words settling in. If even Azmuth couldn't figure Ray out, then what hope did he have?

Ben: "So what do I do, then? I couldn't beat him...I couldn't even stop him from getting away."

Maxs hologram took a step closer.

Max: "You don't give up, Ben. You learn from this. He's not going to be easy, but that doesn't mean he's unbeatable."

Azmuth's hologram crossed his arms.

Azmuth: "Exactly. You have an advantage over him, even if it doesn't feel like it right now. You're adaptable. Ray may be unpredictable, but that also means he's reckless. Sooner or later, that recklessness will be his downfall."

Kevin gave Ben a nod, trying to lighten the mood.

Kevin: "And next time, we won't be caught off guard. I'll make sure of that."

Gwen: "We're in this together, Ben. Ray's not invincible, even if he feels like it right now. You'll get another shot."

Ben looked up, the fire of determination beginning to replace the frustration.

Ben: "Yeah...you're right. I just have to think smarter."

Azmuth's voice, though stern, held a hint of reassurance.

Azmuth: "Exactly. Continue to adapt, Benjamin. He will not stop, but neither should you. Next time, you must be ready for anything."

Ben stood up, finally beginning to shake off the weight of his self-doubt. He turned to the holograms of Max and Azmuth.

Ben: "Thanks, Azmuth. I needed that."

Max smiled, his hologram flickering slightly.

Max: "We're always here, Ben, even if it's from another planet."

Ben nodded, a grin slowly forming on his face.

Ben: "Next time, Rays not getting away. I promise."

As the holograms flickered out, Kevin smirked, nudging Ben on the arm.

Kevin: "Now that's more like it. Let's see him try to outsmart all of us next time."

Ben chuckled, the tension lifting from his chest. Ray had escaped, but it wasn't over. Not by a long shot.