A Certain Scientific Omnitrix: Book 5, Total War.

Awaki Musujime.

The dark dungeon didn't disturb Ben at all. He'd seen worse. At 10 years old, he had been forced to face his worse fears in the form of a psychic vampire clown who turned his cousin into a shriveled laughing nearly dead pile of bones and skin.

And at that same age, he had been briefly possessed by one of his own aliens, that than proceeded to escape and redefine the meaning of Freak, Ghost, and SCARY.

And the worst fear he had ever faced was dealt with months ago.. when he thought Impulser was going to kill Mikoto. 

Fear.. overall.. it was tough to make Ben feel it nowadays. But, Mikoto, with her it was a different matter. She had been clutching Ben's hand the entire time down through the dungeon. 

Ben figured Mikoto's life had been taken with a much different stride. She too had dealt with much at a young age. But rather than having to face brutal attacks from psychotic villains, she had dealt with foes from the shadows, who sought to manipulate and use her.

This kind of crazy had the side-effect of making people paranoid. And paranoia meant more fear.

Ben had been an alien punching bag, and Mikoto had been a cloning research puppet. What a messed up world they lived in.

When they reached the bottom of the dungeon, Mikoto was gripping Ben hard, and shivering.. it was a moment before Ben realized, that Mikoto wasn't scared.. she was cold! All she had was Rex's jacket, which had to be really embarrassing and uncomfortable.

Ben felt guilty, he should have gotten her some clothing on the way. Well.. not too late now..

There was a flash of green light, and Mikoto blinked in surprise as a blue and black blur raced past her and back up the dungeon stairs. After a few seconds, XLR8 returned holding a set of folded clothes in his arms.

"Whoah!" Mikoto said, taking the clothes. "Think you could get us a Big Mac and some snacks as well?"

"Sorry, I never thought about doing this earlier." said XLR8. "Feel kinda stupid to be honest."

"Our minds were all occupied, you've got nothing to be guilty about." said Itsuwa. 

"Rex.. why don't you and I scout ahead." said XLR8.

"Eh.. why us?" said Rex.

"I've got speed.. and.." XLR8 leaned his head close to Rex. "It's inappropriate to watch ladies while they change.."

"OOooooooh." Rex muttered as it dawned on him. "Okay.. let's scout ahead.."

XLR8 raced down the dungeon, darting from wall to wall, checking for traps or magic ruins of any sort while Rex walked around, putting his goggles on, and letting the lenses glow as he activated the night vision on them.

"Say Ben." said Rex. "So.. you wouldn't happen to know if there's a way for me to get back to my world would you?"

"No.." said XLR8. "Honestly, the Null Void is the only other dimension I've ever been to.. other than the Imaginary District. Sorry, I've got no answers for you."

Rex frowned. "Imagin.. what? Damn.. now what!?"

"Look." said XLR8. "I know how you feel.. I'll talk it over with Mikoto and Kuroko.. and if they don't mind, we could let you stay with us until you figure things out. Sound good?"

"Better then sleeping out under the stars I guess." Rex said with a grin.

Mikoto and Itsuwa emerged from the back of the passageway, Mikoto now dressed in a set of pink shorts and a hoodie.