Disclaimer: This is a parody inspired by the works of Cartoon Network. All characters that I have not created or borrowed from other sources are theirs. This is a Fan fiction and not meant to violate the rights of those who own the rights to the Ben 10 Series. I have no money and therefore not a good suing target. Thank you very much.

Hope Springs

Chapter One

Friedkin University, home to students and teachers, as well as it's own heroine and her villains. The heroine who was now trying to have a sandwich with her boyfriend and his alien dog. Which was normal here, given the natural weirdness which existed on these grounds.

A redheaded young woman and her dark-haired boyfriend were sitting near a part of the University's darkened halls. The woman, named Gwen Tennyon or as a hero Lucky Girl, had short red hair and green eyes. She had blue cat eye glasses, a blue hair hairclip, a light blue t-shirt with a darker blue collar, sleeves and a cat head emblem. A Blue plaid skirt, white knee socks. and blue sneakers. The man, named Kevin E. Levin, was a tall and muscular man with long straight black hair and brown eyes. He wore a black t-shirt with a ragged cut collar and sleeves, with a long sleeve shirt under it of grey stripes. Blue jeans with blue holsters for items, black running shoes and a lock on a wire with the number eleven on it finished his look.

"So that little field trip with Ben and Rook was amazing. Even if we had to do it on a deadline to make sure we got back for school to start. It was great while it lasted and we have to find a way to do it again." said Kevin as he was working on his hoagie.

"You're just saying that because you and Rook found a number of car parts and other tech for your rides." Gwen continued as she was a little less ill-mannered as she ate hers.

"And you didn't have fun sorting through alien magical artifacts and spellbooks when you found them? I'm sure that Professor Hex is getting giddy at the idea of studying them when you get done with it." he countered back between his chewing.

"The items I picked up are interesting, the university is happy I am lending them to it for study for as long as I'm here. The professor is hoping that by studying alien magic, we could find a universal unifying theory of mystical laws. A base code for magical processes. We know that magic has a name and source, but this could show I how it works in it's most elemental state." she said, excited at the ideas which could come from these studies.

However, it also brought up something else, "I'm still wondering where Charmcaster is. After the whole game show incident, she disappeared from her bag. She seemed to have gotten better during her time away from the Alpha Rune, making up with her uncle. I think she had been using the Rune as an anti-depressant and it was warping her thinking. Without it, she was making progess, and I hope she isn't going back instead."

A voice from the dark halls near them replied, "Aww... I didn't know you cared. And no, I haven't gone back to the Alpha Rune. It removed some of my issues, but gave me more trouble then it was worth."

The woman was slightly older then they were, and more buxom then Gwen. Her hair was silvery white save for the parts which she had dyed purple. Her eyes were purple as well, with Eye of Horus make up, multiple earrings in her ears. She wore a magenta coat with a pink gem on her chest wrapped in gold, black on her torso in a pattern as well. Pink highlighted purple marks, hearts on just below her shoulders and on her hips as the coat took on the appearance of a skirt with a pink trim on the bottom, and a large stip of purple between smaller then pink on the sleeves. Dark purple tights blended in with her shoes and matched the fingerless gloves she wore.

The two other people tensed up and moved into position where they could fight better, before the women in purple known as Charmcaster, spoke, "If I wanted to attack you, why removed the element of surprise. I have multiple chances to attack, but didn't. So this is either a friendly vist... or I am playing a longer game. If you can't tell, it's the former. As much as I hate to say it, I owe you Gwen for helping to clear my head and get it on straight. Or straighter. So I'm here to talk to you and my Uncle as thanks."

The two others relaxed a little bit as they figured they wouldn't be fighting shortly. Gwen nodded and then said, "Professer Hex should be in the library studying. We'll wrap these up and head there. They we can talk."

Moments later...

Gwen watched the two relatives embrace as they united. Hex spoke, "I hope this time you're more willing to follow the same path as I decided on."

"Yeah... Couldn't be more worse then the life I have been living. If you know what I mean. Besides, I am the protector of Ledgerdomain and the Alpha Rune." said the silver haired woman, as she mentioned her best action in the last span of her life.

"On the topic of the Alpha Rune, I hope that you're not over using it again." said the man with the skull face tatoo.

"I know. Not the best medicine. I have weaned off it and looked for other methods of making myself better as well as gaining power." She answered back, which surprised the two young people there.

"Why would you need more power? The Alpha Rune is all powerful and that makes you crazy as hell? Do you think it's a good idea to be looking for more power?" asked Kevin, getting the words Gwen was thinking in a more polite way out in the open.

"Because of all that. The Alpha Rune is ultimate power, but the unfiltered power of the complete mastery of magic is too much for even the strongest minds. Given how broken most minds, especially mine was, it become a tool of mass destruction. The trouble is, this will not stop people from coming after it. It took Adwaita's use of the Rune to keep them from taking it. So it's only a matter of time before he or someone else comes for it. Given what flaming turtlehead and Ghostfreak did with it, it might be best for nobody like them to have it.

Which means that I have to have power, which I can control and won't make me out of control, as well as being powerful enough to protect the Rune and the realm it creates. As well as magic itself. I might not be the best guardian for all that, but I'm what you have for the moment." answered the sorceress as she pointed out the reasons for gaining power.

Gwen hated to admit it but, "She has a point. The Rune is easy to abuse, and even Ledgerdomain has elements which could cause major trouble if the wrong hands get a hold of it. It has to be defended. Charmcaster is up to the task, even when... not well. Mostly. So gaining power is not a bad idea... if we know what kind of power you have."

"A magician doesn't reveal all of her tricks..." The looks she was getting made her know she was not going to get to leave it there. So she moved to pull up one of her sleeves to display it. The device was a perfect replica, but in her colours. Magenta replacing white, purple replacing green as a trim, and a black screen. Instead of being square, it was now heart-like shaped, like the ones on her coat. It had the holographic interface in magenta, with the same head icons.

"You stole Ben's Omnitrix... and did something to it?" asked Kevin, as he recognized the device even with the changes.

"No...maybe... Well, he still has his, I just found a way to get my own. Or used one of the ways to come up with one. It's strange not many people thought to make their own, isn't it? I mean Vilgax spent years chasing Ben and getting ready to take him down for this... and then had Albedo who could have made them for him. I guess now adays revenge on Ben is more important then the Omnitrix." she began to ramble in a defensive way, trying to deflect from the shocks.

"It's not that easy to get an Omnitrix..." said the dark haired grease-monkey before the elder man spoke up.

"Actually it is, if you're determined to get one. Dr. Psychobos and Albedo have made their own from stolen designs. With that, there are must be dozens of ways to get one. Even if not aided by powerful magics. The major element which prevent most people from trying to make their own is going up again Mr. Tennyson and Azmuth. One who knows ways to use the device better then the inventor, and the inventor who knows more of the fuctions and flaws of the device better then the main user. Either one could shut down most users in time. Even without the device, the two of them are quite formable opponents." Everyone looked at him curious on how he knew all this, "Just because I am no longer a villain, doesn't mean I don't keep an eye in the world for threats."

Gwen absorbed what she was being told, thinking the best way to put it together for everyones benefit. Then she continued, "The threat is the people behind the device and not the device itself. Given you powers, your poistion and the questions of how you know how to get one, you don't fear Azmuth or my cousin stopping you."

"Not really. Besides, Azmuth would likely be interest in the potential of combining his invention with an active magic user for the data alone. Plus I am willing to make compromises, as long as they're not a burden. As I said, I need an edge against those who want the Rune and the kingdom around it." continued the silver haired woman, as she did make a point.

"You might be able to keep it them..." started the Tennyson woman before her boyfriend interrupted.

"Seriously, Gwen? We're letting little Miss Psycho have the most powerful device in the universe?" asked the dark haired man as he raised his hands in amazement.

"Little Miss Psycho is my neice, remember. And I doubt that Miss Tennyson has given thought to some compromises Charmcaster will have to make. Am I right?" answered Hex, who had been quiet and listening to this change of events.

"Ben and Azmuth will be notified, but I will recommend you having it for a probation period. I don't like you have all of that power, but if it keeps you off the Alpha Rune and keeps the powers your guard safe... sacrifices can be made.

You will tell anyone the Plumbers ask on how you can get an Omnitrix. Also you will be under Ben's supervision. If he can take out Albedo, he can take you out. These are just my recommendations, others may listen or ignore them, taking your Omnitrix from you. Understand?" said Gwen, a serious look on her face.

"Fine. We'll wait for you to call the space cops here, and get to know Uncle and you guys better."

Elsewhere...

Powerful beings, with the power to bend reality were watching. They had changed things, like that which was happening in the university, the city of Bellwood and elsewhere. The world had been changed, is changing and would be changed. As this universe had budded from the main timeline, they watched. Watched, wagered and waited. As the game began...

Mr. Smoothy, Bellwood, USA

Ben Tennyson, hero of the universe and wielder of the Omnitrix, was thinking of his romantic life. Which sucked. He had accidentally dumped Julie and had been dumped by Ester. He had thought of the sexual tension he had with his old crush Kai, but she had a boyfriend, so it was mostly in his own mind. So to paraphrase a saying, 'Lucky in saving the world, unlucky in love.'

'Of course, I'm not lacking in women wanting a hero as a boyfriend. But it's not more then crazy crushes on their part, then again most normal women can't handle life with the Tennyson brand craziness. Which might explain why grandpa had more dates with aliens and my parents have a new age mentality. Most of us don't do normal well. So I'm guessing I'm going to need an alien or a human as odd as the rest of my family to my my romantic life work.' he thought to himself as he taste tested the various smoothie mixtures he had ordered.

'I do get more thoughtful when drinking smoothies some times. Wonder if it's related to what I drink?' he continued, as he recieved a call on his omnitrix. Stopping his sucking, he answered it.

"Ben, it's Grandpa Max. I got news from Gwendolyn. Charmcaster has come back." started the older man on the communicater, before being stopped by the brown-haired man with the Omnitrix.

"She needs my help kicking butt. I'll be right..."

"Stop Ben. Apparently Charmcaster is making admends, trying to turn over a new leaf. Which would be fine... except she some how created her own Omnitrix."

"WHAT?" shouted Ben, startling everyone in hearing range.

"Charmcaster is claiming she made it to help defend the Alpha Rune, but without using and being corrupted by the magical artifact. Given the contrast between the Rune and the Omnitrix, one is safer then the other. The Rune will need to be defended, no matter what. This might be the best option."

Ben hated to admit it, but that made some sense, but hated the idea of having to share the Omnitrix. He knew he was not defined by the device, but he liked the idea of being the only one with it. Except for Albedo's Ultimatrix... or Khyber's Nemetrix... or... you know, there was a lot more of them then he thought.

As quickly as those thought passed, Ben knew there was more. So was not surprised when his grandfather continued, "We decided to ask her to come here. So we can analyze her Omnitrix, get her how she was able to duplicate it, and judge if we should let her keep it. Which is why Azmuth is coming to Earth. We're sending you and Rook to pick her up. The two of you can keep a watch on her and make some judgement comments, plus the two of you are the most suited to dealing with a 'Trix wearer in the field then anyone else, other then Gwen and Kevin. Just in case."

"Well, it would be nice if some of our bad guys figured out crime never pays. Plus Charmcaster was more crazy and damaged then evil most of the time." Ben told his elder and superior in the Plumbers, not mentioning out loud how hot she looked. Even aliens thought so, if Hobble was an example. He instead said, "The evilest thing she did, killing an entire dimension plus me and my team, was the resurrect her murdered father. Good thing he convinced her to reverse it. Or I wouldn't be here."

"I can understand and hate that disaster, but we have to deal with what we have. The possibility of getting her away from the wrong path is important now. Especially since she's a powerful sorceress, commands Ledgerdomain and the Alpha Rune, and finally now has an Omnitrix. Because otherwise she would become one of the greatest threats we have seen. Even if she's just 'crazy and damaged' like you say. So Rook is picking you up for your escort any minute now. You know what to do. Just be careful, Ben. We don't need to offend or annoy her just yet. Not till she gets use to you."

"Understand, Grandpa. See you when we get back." said Ben as the Max's Plumbing truck, the disguise for the Proto-TRUK, pulled up. "Looks like it's time to go."

Elsewhere...

Adwaita watched from his mirror he had developed for scrying. Looking for a weakness of his enemy to exploit for his benefit. Which would have been much easier if she had kept using the Alpha Rune. She like him had discovered the corrupting power of the Alpha Rune, even with it's infinite magic. Instead she had a new power, one which he had not counted on. One which gave her allies he had not expected to face.

Collecting his thought, he concluded, "No matter. All of my enemies will suffer for crossing me. Taking my power. My kingdom. I'll merely have to make some small changes to my plans. Collect the right artifacts, convince the right allies to work for me. Perhaps take a look at the girl's allies, and the enemies of those allies who could be my allies."

He continued work on the magical tool he had been tinkering with, a charm of elements which would allow him to boost all of his elementals spells. Just like his natural powers aerokinesis boosted his wind spells. Weaponizing the elements was a common tool of magic users, which would make it easier to fight his enemies.

"I'll need many weapons. Many soldiers. Overkill is the best kill in this case. Swift actions will lead to defeat, cautious actions will lead to victory. This doesn't mean I can't test them for their flaws, their strengths." he said as he looked at the other magical items he had created or collected.

Including the equipment which he was using to make new servants. Instead of stone warriors which the usurper was using, he would use something stronger. Something better! He had a few options to work with, but had yet to settle on which ones and form to use.

He turned to his enemy, the usurper, who was waiting to leave one set of allies for another. Finishing his charms, he moved on to develop his new warriors. Preparing for the battle to come, where he would get what he deserved.