A Certain Powerful Omnitrix 4: World War X

Warzone: Academy City

"So let me get this straight." said Kevin as he looked at the large gray Cerebrocrusteacean that was sitting next to him in the airship. "Birdway's informant is a giant crab named Cephalus....and now we're going to Academy City to free a bunch of aliens that are being experimented on?"

Ben and Mikoto looked at each other and shrugged. "Yep....that's about the gist of it."

Leivinia shook her head irritably. "Like I keep saying, the way you go about things is going to get you killed! Or worse. Going right back into Aleister Crowley's domain is precisely what he wants. And not to mention that place is practically a fortress now......the board of directors are using this war as an excuse to militarize all the espers in the city from level 3 and up."

"All the same.." said Helen Wheels as she checked the plasma pistols she had strapped to her side. "We can't just not do anything.....it's our job."

"You and your Plumber's Beauracratic nonsense!!" exclaimed Cephalus. "It's going to be the end of you idiots!!"

"How's that beauracratic?" Mikoto asked. "We're going to save innocents because we care, not because we want a promotion or something."

Birdway sighed. "You obviously don't know much about the people you work for......Even the Plumbers have their dark side."

"Come on!" said Ben. "You can't be serious. It's no wonder you and Mr. Crabby know each other, you guys practically shoot negativity out of your eyeballs.

"I'm not being negative." said Birdway. "I'm just noting from past experience. With light...there will always be darkness...Mikoto can attest to that...."

Mikoto looked downcast. "I hate to admit it....but Birdway's right....everything has a dark side.....and we all have to learn that eventually, no matter how hard it is...."

"Mikoto...." said Ben.

"Think about it Ben." said Mikoto. "Even the Omnitrix had it's dark side. We can't pretend that Ghostfreak never happened. And look at the Ultimatrix feature....if the Omnitrix was solely created to help others understand the beings of the universe and therefore grow closer together....then why was there an application made that turned those alien forms into living mega weapons? And look at this whole war.....if there wasn't at least some darkness involved then I doubt we'd be on this trip right now...."

Ben tried to say something, but couldn't. Mikoto was right....It was time Ben shut off that naive thought that behind every closed door lay something bright and shiny. He had already learned that lesson the hard way when Vilgax had brutally hurt his family. He should have remembered that lesson when Ghostfreak tried to take over his body.

"No!" said Ben. "I won't give in to this....there may be darkness in this world, there's no denying that, but just because there's the possibilty that what look like good people are dealing under the table, that doesn't mean that I won't help those who need it.....that's how you beat darkness....you persevere through it."

"And how do you plan on persevering through an ever darkening universe?" said Cephalus. "What's your secret weapon?"

"Glad you asked." said Ben. "Because as it so happens, she's sitting right next to me. I used to be just as grim about the world as you. In fact the whole reason I went to Academy City in the first place was to avoid the ones I cared about just so they would be safe from the darkness that constantly followed me around........But Mikoto showed me that it's not okay to just shut yourself away....sometimes you have to give the world a chance....otherwise you're a coward."

Mikoto stared at Ben feeling absolutely touched. "You know Ben....I've felt the same way for a while."

"Hmmm...." said Cephalus. "Most interesting......I see Azmuth has rubbed off on you boy...there may be hope for this desolate planet yet."