[center][img]https://preview.redd.it/omniverse-fanart-by-ethanpierceart-insta-v0-hc0vd4rnmz1b1.jpg?width=1080&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=1e17e51b9653de9bbc5d60d1d2ff751acd582d1c[/img][/center]
[b]|| Somewhere on the road to Bellwood, Earth[/b]

[color=7ea7d8]“What was that thing?”[/color] Gwen asked as she stared after the fleeing machine, then back at Ben’s towering rocky form.

Max wasn’t looking at the hole. He was looking at Cobblestone. He circled once, taking in the jagged stone plating, the massive fists, the sheer bulk.

[color=maxcolour]“And is this a new form?”[/color] He squinted. [color=maxcolour]“Did I hear you call yourself Cobblestone?”[/color]

Cobblestone shrugged, pebbles scattering off his shoulders. He gave a glance to his cousin, who gave him a knowing look before they both spoke in unison.

“[color=#3BFF4E]M[/color][color=#42F55D]i[/color][color=#49EB6C]n[/color][color=#51E17B]e[/color][color=#58D78B]c[/color][color=#60CE9A]r[/color][color=#67C4AA]a[/color][color=#6FBAB9]f[/color][color=#76B0C8]t[/color]”

Max blinked once, slowly.

[color=maxcolour]“Of course it is.”[/color]

Gwen pointed toward the broken wall, already moving.

[color=7ea7d8]“That thing can’t have gotten far. Let’s go.”[/color]

Cobblestone nodded, heavy footsteps shaking the ground as he lumbered after the android’s trail. Max and Gwen followed close behind.

[hr]

Cobblestone lumbered down the slope into the drainage well, each step sending a dull tremor through the concrete. Gwen and Max followed close behind. Whatever tension had been simmering between Ben and Gwen earlier was gone now, dissolved the moment the fight started. They moved together the way they always had. Focused. In sync. Back on the job.

The trail was easy to follow. There were gouges in the concrete, scorch marks along the wall, and a faint electrical hum lingering in the air. Ben kept his guard up, preparing for an attack from the shadows at every bend. 

The culvert opened into a narrow service tunnel. At the far end, a metal door hung crooked on its hinges, torn open from the inside. Cobblestone pushed it aside with one hand, stone fingers scraping against the frame.

Inside was a cramped workshop carved into the concrete wall. The air still hummed with residual power. Tools lay scattered across a folding table. Wires dangled from the ceiling like exposed nerves. A chair sat pushed back, still spinning slightly, as if someone had left in a hurry.

The lab had been cleared out minutes ago.

Realising they were safe, Cobblestone’s shoulders lowered, before letting the omnitrix’s light engulf him. Ben stood in its place, brushing dust from his shirt.

[color=springgreen]“Whoever was here… they’re long gone.”[/color]

Gwen stepped forward, eyes narrowing as she took in the scattered tools and humming equipment.

[color=7ea7d8]“This wasn’t some random workshop.”[/color]

Max moved to the nearest monitor. It flickered weakly, cycling through paused footage. Angles of the fight. Slow‑motion analysis of XLR8’s movements. Cobblestone’s punches. Transformation energy signatures mapped in glowing lines.

Ben froze as his stomach dropped.

[color=springgreen]“He was watching me.”[/color] He finally managed.

But he knew it was more than that. They hadn’t just been watching. Studying. Recording. Breaking him down piece by piece. He felt dirty at the thought. 

Gwen turned toward him, concern flickering across her face.

[color=7ea7d8]“Ben… you ok?.”[/color]

Ben didn’t answer, unease settling deep in his gut.

Max stepped back from the monitors, expression hardening as he put a reasssuring hand on his grandson’s shoulder. 

[color=maxcolour]“We’re not handling this alone. I’ll call someone to come secure the site.”[/color]

[color=7ea7d8]“Then let’s get out of here before whoever built this decides to come back.”[/color] Gwen added.

He was grateful for the two of them. It felt nice not having to go things alone after so long. He felt safe despite everything. 

Ben nodded, though his eyes lingered on the screens a moment longer.

They turned to leave.

As the trio stepped back into the tunnel, the lab lights flickered once.

In the far corner, perched silently on a bundle of cables, a small robotic monkey watched them with unblinking red eyes. Its metal fingers tightened around the pipe it clung to. A faint whir of servos followed them as they walked away.

Then it vanished into the shadows.