https://youtu.be/MIdqSblTebw

Swampfire gulped. 

Raijin's Mom.. They had barely exchanged any words.. but Ben could already tell.. she was not somebody anyone should be looking to mess with on purpose on any day of the week.

Swampfire's root-like fingers flexed apprehensibly as he watched the massive metal cart pulled by 15 robotic horses, surrounded by armored scifi samurai, walking liesurely next to the house sized carriage. 

Sure enough, standing on top of the massive metal box was none other than the woman herself. 

Minamoto No Raikou.

Ben remembered her vaguely from History Class in his world, but he had always been depicted as a man wearing an iron helmet that prevented him from getting his head chomped off by Shuten Douji. At least that's all Ben knew about her myth.. aside from that, he had nothing..

Shuten tensed up next to him. He couldn't tell if her expression was that of elated anticipation, or tense readiness. She was smiling, but sweating at the same time. 

That's right, they were rivals, and the in their previous lives, Shuten had been killed by Raikou, albeit they had done it in an unfair way.  It was understandable if this was an emotional reunion of sorts. 

"Her power.. she's definitely a Servant." said Erice.  "I'm feeling a collosal amount of mana for her. Should we abort?"

"No." Hanzo's voice came in through their comms.  "We expected the Shogun to be here personally. What's surprising is she sent Raikou instead, which is actually better for us.."

"Speak for yourself, I ain't gonna fight mom.." Raijin's voice came in. 

"Y-yeah.." Ibaraki's voice also came in tentative. "This is.. a bit much."

"Stick to the plan." said Hanzo. "If anything, you two don't have to face her directly. As long as everything goes off without a hitch, we'll be retreating before they have a chance to strike back..  but.."

"If it does come down to a fight?" Swampfire muttered. 

"How you feel about it Boss?" Hanzo asked. "Thor? "

"I can take her.." Thor grunted. 

"Yeah, I'll head in." Swampfire said tentatively.

Thor snorted, his voice sounding amused through the comms unit. "C'mon kid.. show a bit more enthusiasm. Don't tell me the likes of her scare you.."

"Well she does kind of.. yeah." Swampfire muttered irritably. 

"I know what you're fucking capable of.. you duck back and I'll throttle you myself." Thor growled. 

Swampfire remained quiet. 

He was tentative about this for another reason. The way things had been prepared, everyone seemed to be implying a possible degree of preparation.. that is to say, everyone was prepared for the possibility of death.

This wasn't just some heroic raid on a drug deal, this was an ambush laid for an actual war against an opressive government.  And the last thing he wanted to do was kill one of his classmates's parents.

As if reading his silence, Thor spoke up.

"I swear kid, if you dare hold back just because she's your buddy's mommy, I'll beat you over the head myself. I better not see you hold back.."

"I'm not what you want me to be." Swampfire snapped angrilly.

"Don't give me that bullshit, takes one destroyer to recognize another. I better see the same boy who wrecked Maltruant, or I'll drag it out myse-."

"Thor." Hanzo growled. "Enough. He'll back you up, but if you're looking for a death without necessity, you'll have to get that done on your own terms, don't go dragging my boss into it."

"Fine.." Thor growled. 

"We stick with the initial plan.. everyone keep your positions, what with the small mountain here its natural that this is a place where they'd expect an ambush." said Hanzo. "Keep sharp."

"Alright Repo, you're up." Muttered Raijin. 

https://youtu.be/SRcD5-dOChQ

As if on cue.. a strange hooded woman in a kimono pranced out into the middle of the road.. and it took a second for Ben to realize that it was actually Repo crossdressing, but with well done make up that had been done personally by Shuten Douji's own makeup servants, his hair done into a very convincing Japanese female style. 

"Ohohohohoho! Oh dear me, it seems I'm lost!" Repo said in a girly falsetto voice. 

Swampfire just stared before looking at Erice and holding up both hands quietly in a very obvious "WTF" sort of gesture.

"Don't ask me, it was his idea.." Erice mumbled. 

Shuten was snorting, hiding her mouth behind a hand as if trying to stifle a desire to laugh. "Oh my... humans are quite amusing."

"Halt.." Raikou raised a hand.. and the entire procession came to a stop. "What..? Who is that? Stay on guard.."

"OOOOOH... so lost.. so.. lost.." Squealed Repo in his fake girl voice as he twirled like a ballarina towards the halted group of soldiers, the mechanical horses seemed to snort nervously as he did. 

"Ma'am.. if you would.. just stop..?" said a samurai captain nervously. "Uhh..?"

"IM.. SOOOOOOO LOST!!" Repo continued to cry out, taking out a bamboo fan and fanning himself in his continued falsetto voice. "OHOHOHOHOHO! If only a strapping young lad would help me find my way!!"

"Uhh.. there's something wrong here.." Asuka muttered through comms. "This isn't the usual bit Repo does in order to get somebody to invoke his power.. this is.. new.. unless.. NO DON'T TELL ME!"

"Huh?" Swampfire muttered. "What's wrong?!"

"Hmph.. get her out of here.. " said Raikou with a sigh.. we have no time to waste on strange peasants in the middle of nowhere. The Shogun wishes to finish our trip by midday tomorrow."

"U-uh.. v-very well." said the Samurai captain as he sheathed his blade and holstered his futuristic pistol. "Men.. keep on guard!"

The Captain and a few other men drew close to Repo with the Captain putting a hand on Repo's shoulder. "Okay man.. c'mon, lets get you the hell out of-."

"OHHHHH IM SOOOOO LOOOOOST!" Repo squealed hugging the man's neck.

"Uh yeah, we get it, you're very lo-."

"However will I find my way back.. WHEN Im LOST TO ALLLLL THESE SAVINGS!!!!?"

"eh!?"

https://youtu.be/rzXnQyNPbl8

"FWWWWWINNNNNNNNGGGGG!!" Repo whipped off his kimono to show he was wearing a business suit as he threw up a device that looked a bit like a leaf blower. 

"EHHHHHHHHHHH!!?" roared the captain, putting a hand on the hilt of his sword, looking utterly taken aback as his men did the same. 

"TIRED OF LEAF BLOWERS!?" roared Repo. "Sakura petals on your lawn? Maple leaves blowing through your window? But all those damn rakes and blowers can do is push them around to another place before they go flying back on your driveway right? THERE'S GOTTA BE A BETTER WAY!! Introducing the Repo-Matic LEAF SUCKER!!!"

"GOOOOODDAAAMNIT REPOOOOOOOO!!" screamed Asuka through her comms. "NOT THIS SHIT AGAIN!!"

"YEEAAH!" Raijin roared with excitement. "Leave it to Repo for some ACE Product placement!!"

"SHUT UP BOSS! THIS IS NOT THE TIME OR PLACE!!" screamed Asuka. 

"You see the Repo-Matic Leaf Sucker takes away the pain of watching leaves blow back onto your driveway, by simply sucking them all up!" said Repo as he operated his machine and began demonstrating its usage by using it to suck up a leaf.  "And letting you put them all in a bag instantly!! No more fuss about having to aim where to blow the leaves!! And it can ALL be yours for only 12 credits!!"

"12 Credits!?" exclaimed one soldier. "That's a steal!"

"Haku.." grunted the Captain. 

"Oh.. I.. i uh mean.. g.. get out of the way please civilian this is a government matter-."

"BUY NOW AND YOU'LL GET A SECOND SUCKER FREE!!" roared Repo. 

"HOLY SHIT THATS A SCORE ALRIGHT!!" yelled the captain suddenly. "LADY RAIKOU- we need some for the Shogun's barracks!!"

Raikou blinked.. then.. "W.. well.. it has been nearing fall season-."

"Sh-she's considering it.." Erice muttered as Shuten began rolling in the grass, squealing with barely contained laughter. 

The captain stepped aside as Raikou stepped forward. 

"We will take as much of your stock as you can provide.." said Raikou quietly. 

"THANK YOU FOR YOUR BUSINESS!" exclaimed Repo, holding a thumbs up as the sound of Asuka falling to the floor of her cockpit in incredulity resounded on the comms link. 

"And.. after that, I will take your head." said Raikou.

".... th... thank you for your- wait whaaaa?" said Repo, his eyes turning round like cookies.

"But not before answering a simple question." said Raikou. "The boy who resembles Bennimaru, leader of the Rebellion against the Shogun. The one they call Ben Tennyson. Where is he?"

Repo began to sweat profusely. "Whooooo?"

"Shit!" Asuka growled. 

"We're made..? Already!? But how'd they even known Ben by name-!?" snapped Raijin. 

"Does that matter!?" Hanzo growled. "Plan B! GO!"

Raikou hurled a hand to her sword and drew it in a flash and pointed it inches from Repo's face..

Swampfire felt a cold fist clench his chest as he made a start, fire charging into his fists, but Shuten grabbed his shoulder with a strong grip. 

"Hold!" Shuten growled. "Don't let your panic ruin the plan."

"B-But she's gonna-!"

"No she isn't.. I know her." said Shuten said calmly.  "Give him a chance.. we need his unique power.."

"I won't ask again.." Raikou growled.  "Where.. is.. Ben.. Tennyson? I know of you Foreigners from another world.. making friends with my dear Raijin and setting him on the wrong path.."

Repo gritted his teeth and grinned uneasily. "What.. gonna cut my head off? What ya gonna do bitch? C'mon!!!"

"You won't get a rise out of me with-."

"You know your daughter Ibaraki looks like a monkey! Wonder where he gets it fro-."

Raikou's eyes flared up and she hurled a back hand straight into Repo's jaw, sending him spiralling onto the ground, blood dripping from his chin. 

"Got it guys.. sorry about insulting your mom Boss." Repo choked as he lay in the dirt. 

"That's our cue!!" Shuten growled. "GO!"

"Insulting me is one thing.." said Raikou with a furious growl as she raised her blade.  "But my dear children.. are another thing entirely."

"SHEEEEEN!"

https://youtu.be/suktt2_Auo0

Raikou's eyes flared as another gleaming blade deflected her own..

Hanzo slid in front of Raikou as he grinned, deflecting her blade. 

"Hey there Genji Lady.. how's it going?" Hanzo growled. 

"Y-YOU!!" Raikou's eyes charged with might as purple electricity seemed to arch from her very irises. 

"KAAAACHEEEEEEEEENNNN!!" Sparks grinded off the two colliding blades as suddenly purple lightning arched down fromt he sky which was now filling with storm clouds.

Hanzo was sent sliding back on his feet as the ground between him and Raikou turned burnt from the power that had smote it.

"She's a servant alright!" Hanzo growled as he watched Repo retreat behind multiple Rebellion Shinobi and Ushiwakamaru leaped down next to him. 

"Hmph.. honored descendant.." said Raikou with a sneer as she and Ushi locked eyes."

"Honored Ancestor." said Ushi with a small smile before she disappeared in a sonic boom and reappeared above Raikou, hurling her blade down in a deadly slash. 

"KACHEEEN CHEEENCHEENCHEENCHEEEN!!"

A whirlwind of silverly slashes collided with each other, sending shockwaves throughout the convoy as Ushi and Rakou blitzed in and out of view, sending up dust while the samurai roared and charged at the multiple Shinobi and Yokai diving out of the wheat and hills.

Swampfire could barely see through the dust as Erice rose into the sky and he charged forward, conjuring up multiple roots and vines behind him. 

As the alien hurled out massive flames, blowing aside Samurai, while using massive moving roots and vines to block incoming fire towards his allies, a memory flashed in his head

"Listen, Repo's power takes time depending on the power and vastness of whatever he's trying to 'reposses'. He's a living Magical Repo Man.  What he can repossess depends on how hard his opponent slights him. If he gets a black eye.. then he can take something equal to that black eye." Raijin had said during the planning phases of the assault.  "But thanks to Omni enhancing his power, he can 'exaggerate' whatever he's owed, meaning if he gets a black eye, he could use Omni to make it worth more, allowing to take his opponent for more.. like suing for a hundred and getting a million instead. But using Omni to enhance the slight takes time. We need to buy Repo enough time to Repossess that entire carriage.. cause whatever he repossesses, he can move and take with him for a limited amount of time."

5 minutes. They needed to fight for Five Minutes  while keeping Repo protected at all costs.

"YOU OKAY!?" Swampfire roared as he grabbed Repo from out of a barricade of Shinobi and slung him over to Erice who was hovering above the battle, using water wards to catch laser fire from the Samurai guns in mid air. 

"Bro! I'm focusing right now, can't talk!" Repo exclaimed. 

Sure enough Repo seemed to be rippling with green Omni Energy as reality twisted around him. The Carriage was bigger than a two story house, that much was understandable. 

"Get him FAR away!!" Swampfire exclaimed to Erice.  "FAR away as possible."

"What about you?!" Erice asked. 

"I'll help Hanzo with Raijin's Mom!" Swampfire said. "Go! We can't afford to make this anymore than a hit and run! We'll retreat as soon as Repo has that box!!"

"Got it!" Erice took Repo's hand. "Come on! Lets go!!"

"No need to tell me twice!" Repo stammered as Erice took him straight into the air, the two of them riding a massive tidal wave of water to boost their speed. 

Raikou's eyes flashed from across the battlefield as Erice sped off, as if her intuition instantly grasped what was happening. 

Using a powerful slash imbibed with purple lightning, she hurled out an explosive force that sent Hanzo and Ushi both skidding back at once. 

"That boy! Don't let him go! He's trouble!" Raikou roared. "GENJI WARRIORS! TAKE HIM DOWN!!"

It was terrifying to watch. 

Every Samurai on the battlefield, showing a frightening loyalty that felt almost inhuman, roared in unison, turning their blades and guns instantly on Erice and Repo's retreat. 

"HOLY SHIT!" Swampfire exclaimed. 

Multiple blasts of gunfire and electrified arrows soared through the air like an enchroaching wave of power, straight at Erice and Repo. 

Shuten however, ran past Swampfire and let out a heavy breath, blowing a wave of acidic alcoholic fumes from the sake bowl in her hand. 

The purple fumes caught all the arrows, turning them into dust as Thor flew in from above and whirled his hammer down, creating towering bolts of lightnign that obliterated the other plasma based projectiles. 

"Where'd you be without me?" Thor grunted as he stepped next to Swampfire. "Get your head in the game Tennyson! War appreciates beasts, not pacifists!"

"Shut up!" Swampfire growled as he and Thor turned towards the wave of warriors approaching them. 

The fighting was kicking up now. 

Malenia could be seen flitting through the soldiers, her golden helm glinting, her slender long blade held in the hand of her prosthesis, long as Sephiroth's own sword, and glinting with blood.. cutting and cleaving with precision and power that rivaled even Sephirah herself, her scarlet hair like a trail of death wherever she went. 

Raijin could also be seen in the fray as his massive club exploded with powerful bolts of electricity and he beat aside every foe with a divine ferocity not unlike a living god. 

And to top it off, EVA Omega had skidded onto the scene, using its massive arms to hurl devastating swipes through the army... only to suddenly have to veer back as what appeared to be a long serpentine monster with a main of feathers around its head and a lion-like visage, leaped onto it and began wrapping around it like a python. 

"They bought some Monster Spirits this time." Thor grunted as he watched EVA Omega struggle with the massive beast that was soon joined by 3 others. "This ain't a transport.. it's a war party.. they had others hiding apart from the convoy itself. They weren't just expecting us, they damn well near predicted the future!"

Thor glared at Swampfire. "You see what happens when you hold back!? C'mon.. wheres the Ben Tennyson who put such a scare on the military of one world that they had to nuke him?!"

"What do you WANT from me!?" Swampfire snapped. 

"What do I WANT!? I want the REAL Ben Tennyson! I want the destroyer!" Thor exclaimed. 

"ENOUGH! Both of you!" Shuten said. "Focus on the fight ahead of us!"

https://youtu.be/NGEzK2RY2o4

At that moment, a powerful slash of cutting steel blasted past the grassy fields behind Swampfire.. a wind so cutting that it sliced at the very core of his being just by being nearby, from a slash so skilled that it rivalled any cut that Hanzo had ever made before in Ben's own memory. 

A swordsman stood with his foot on Erice's neck, his blade pointed at one of her eyes as she sweat with shock, while he held up Repo by the collar of his shirt. 

Long blue hair tied in a long pony tail and purple samurai's robes.. his eyes appeared to be the gaze of one whose very life involved perfecting the art of killing to a science. 

"Sasaki Kojiro... or maybe that isn't right.. at least that is who I am believed to be I guess." said the long haired swordsman. "A pleasure to meet your acquaintance. Now who are you people? Are you perhaps Chaldea..? No.. There is no tree of emptiness in this world, so it is not a Lost Belt..  The Plumbers..? Ah yes... the Plumbers of course.. you're the students.."

"Wh-what the heck!?" Swampfire growled. 

"That guy's technique, it could even rival Malenia's" Thor muttered. "I don't even think I ever saw Sigurn move that fast. A mortal so skilled that his blade reached the gods themselves eh? Now ain't that fascinating.."

"Well done Kojiro." said Raikou, stepping forward as the fighting slid to a halt.. and Samurai began confiscating the weapons of the thoroughly outnumbered ninja... 

EVA Omega was struggling as multiple giant mythical serpents anchored it to the ground. Ben had to admire the power of the God-Cyborg.. even with powerful mythical beasts each with power possibly equal to a vaxisaurian, it was still putting up enough of a fight to warrant 12 of the beasts  to keep it from struggling. 

"Your spirit here was admirable.. " said Raikou as she eyed Hanzo and Ushi, who were both standing to either side of her, sweating, panting from the fight they had just put up. "Truly the Genji had an amazing future with someone such as you at its helm, honored Descendant."

"Shut up, the Genji lost its honor when you served the Shogun of disaster!" Ushi spat. "I ride to reclaim that lost honor."

Raikou chuckled. "And how would you do that?"

"By challenging you to single combat!!" Ushiwakamaru roared. "You win.. we become your prisoners, I win, you let us retreat with our lives, that boy included!!"

"Smart.." Thor muttered. "She just needs to keep stalling her for a few more minutes and that hammer stealer's got our prize in the bag.. "

"Huh, so we ain't screwed yet." said Swampfire. 

Thor's bearded face turned into a slow smirk as he eyed Swampfire carefully. "And yet.."

Shuten's eyes turned to Thor venomously. "Your mind's cogs can be heard clinking from here Thunder god, if you do not divulge-."

"Come now Raikou.. from one Storm to another.. you can hardly say that girl is a worthy opponent for one such as yourself!" Thor called.

Ushi blinked, slightly stunned.

"What's he-?" Hanzo muttered. "

"Do you mean to challenge me? God of Thunder?" Raikou asked, turning her burning eyes on the Norse god. 

"Tempting as that is, mortal as you are, I already got my eyes on a few prizes I wish to smash, and I wanna be in perfect condition for when it happens." said Thor.  "But I heard what you said when you brought your forces down on us.. I heard exactly what you wanted. Ben Tennyson.. "

Thor gestured at Swampfire.

"You shit-." Shuten began, extending her claws as a shadow crossed her face, ready to gut Thor in an instant. 

Raikou stared at Swampfire for a moment, looking utterly confused. "That is not the Benimaru look-a-

"He's a shape shifter, that's his power." said Thor. "C'mon kid.. show em.."

Malenia strolled over next to Thor for a moment, leaning her golden helm quietly next to his ear. "What are you up to... don't tell me you're trying to turn him into you? Even after everything Sephirah told you about going beyond what Odin-."

"Shut it, I got my own reasons.." Thor muttered back. 

Swampfire scowled at Thor as he smiled down at him smugly. 

"Show em kid.. show em the destroyer." said Thor. "Cause unless he turns up, you're dead."

"Whose side are you on!?" Erice snapped. 

Swampfire didn't respond however, he merely stepped forward as a green light engulfed him, revealing Ben's human form as he strode over towards Raikou. 

Shuten gave a start, but Ben held up a hand, indicating that she should stay.

The oni queen gritted her fangs but stood back firmly, her eyes wide and alert. 

There was a silence as Ben approached Raikou, who was eying him with bright interest.. 

"Whatever you're going to do.." Hanzo muttered just a few feet away. ".. uh who am I kidding? What are you gonna do boss?"

"You oughta know.." said Ben. 

"Damnit, this ain't like you vs Ophelia boss.. this woman wants to kill you AND she has the power to do it." said Hanzo.

"I have the power to kill her too." said Ben. "And she knows it. And that's just what Thor wants.."

Hanzo sighed. "Yeah, that's what I don't like."

"Intrigueing.." said Raikou. "You don't strike me as reluctant, even though you weren't eager to call out to face me before.. "

"What can I say?" Ben muttered quietly. "I've trained with Omni, and I'm new at it, and I kinda wanna see what my limits are. You.. I could tell from your enhanced gaze. You know how to use it too don't you?"

Raikou smiled.

So this is what Gojo had meant..

When he said that Ben wouldn't be ready for Hanzo's world. 

Nobody in Ben's world had ever shown him a lick of Omni other than the Omnitrix itself. And yet here in Hanzo's world, people with the power to use it were just casually strolling down the street.. Had he not gone through his training, he would've died the instant he met this woman.

Looking at the bloody gash on Ushi's head and the blood splatter on her clothes told Ben enough.. and Hanzo was sporting a nasty wound on his side which he was clutching. 

This woman was probably stronger than Sephiroth when the entire Radiant Seven and the Lore Slayers faced him using Sephirah's body.

And back then, Ultimate Atomix alone wasn't even enough to defeat her. 

And Nobunaga was supposedly stronger than her...

For the first time in his life, Ben now felt it.. 

The Vastness of the Multiverse was terrifying to behold. 

As much as he hated Thor's intentions. And as scared as he was to be here facing this beast. There was one thing he couldn't deny or hold back. 

He had to know..

Ben let out a breath as he clenched his fists and bowed politely in the same way Hanzo showed him back during the Radiant War, as a method for inviting a polite duel.   

He had to know if he was ready to lead the Radiant Seven. 

Raikou bowed back, looking polite and reserved.  She held no hatred towards Ben. He was nothing but a set of orders to her. 

Eliminate The Benimaru Look-A-Like. 

"How do you know who I am?" Ben asked as he and Raikou began to circle one another, and both Ushi and Hanzo backed away slowly. 

"I know who you are because the Shogun knows who you are." said Raikou. "I must admit I had no idea when you showed up in the company of my son some time ago.."

Raikou's eyes gleamed in the direction of where Raijin was, currently surrounded by Genji Samurai as he glared out. "What did you tell him to bring him to your side..?"

"Nothing, he was always on my side." said Ben. 

"Truly? And Ibaraki?" said Raikou. "Did you convince her to run away to Shuten Douji as well?"

"You're spouting nonsense." Ben said. "I only just met Shuten."

"And yet you are now her master." said Raikou. "I looked into your eyes Ben Tennyson.. I know a warrior when I see it. You are a monster who is conflicted of its own strength. The power to make change lies in your very claws but you refuse to fully exercise it."

"DON'T call me a monster!" Ben growled. 

"Don't lie to yourself." said Raikou as her brow furrowed into a glare and purple electricity began to crackle from her violet irises.  "You are a destroyer... like me... "

Thor's voice echoed in Ben's head as Raikou spoke those words and flashes of dead people lying in droves... right before a Nuclear bomb was dropped on his head flitted through Ben's mind... Maltruant's mutilated corpse, blown apart with Ultimate Humungousaur's missiles..

The Temporal Beasts's cries echoed through his memories.

"SHUT UP!!" Ben roared as a green light flashed around him. 

Raikou reacted swiftly, as the white yeti-like Shocksquatch launched himself into the air above her. 

Omni rippled around the alien as he became far faster and stronger than he had been before.. Twiriling down at Raikou with lightning enveloped fists. 

Raikou swiftly stepped to the side as lightning fists smashed a crater into the earth next to her.

"Pathetic." Raikou muttered. 

Shocksquatch whirled around, hurling a powerful lightning bolt from his charged fur. 

Raikou's own lightning infused blade cleaved through the strike before she zoomed in at high speed and appeared next to Shocksquatch, slashing her blade at the alien's neck.

Shocksquatch gritted his teeth in shock as he barely leaped a way.. a small shallow cut appearing on his neck, blood flying and splattering to the ground. 

Raikou leaned forward and kicked the earth, causing her to break the sound barrier as she launched straight at Shocksquatch. 

Shocksquatch hypercharged his fur, causing electricity to explode around him in a wide arch, forcing Raikou to stop cold before she cleaved through the electricity with her blade, and then sent a powerful kick out.

Shocksquatch blocked the kick with one arm, but the force of a Servant's kick, combined with Omni Energy further enhancing its force, caused him to fly back, smashing a gouge straight through the field.. 

The alien stood up panting, kneeling on one leg. 

He had felt that all the way down to his bones. 

"He's stronger than last time." Hanzo muttered. "That Omni is potent stuff. I don't think I ever saw Shocksquatch move that fast.. and even I noticed a difference in my own moves when I started using a little of it against Raikou.. but.."

"Yeah.. Mom's a true master of it." said Raijin's voice on comms. "As much as I'd like to root for Ben.. she's just playing around with him right now.. Ben can whip out some stronger guys right?"

"Maybe.. but I don't think he wants to.." said Hanzo.

"Eh!? Why!?"

Hanzo turned quiet. "BEN! Come on.. this is embarrassing! ON YOUR FEET!!"

Shocksquatch's eyes went wide for a second. 

"Come on Ben.. this is embarrassing.. on your feet, you really think this is how my Boss is supposed to look!?" Hanzo grinned as he stood in the dojo of his house, arms folded, a bamboo sword in one hand.

Ben frowned, sprawled on the floor, his own bamboo practice sword off on one corner. "Come on.. how am I supposed to learn if you go hard from the beginning?"

Ophelia, who was watching to the side, frowned. "Hanzo.. I think.. this might be a little harsh for his first time learning Kend-."

"It's not about going hard or easy!" Hanzo growled. "It's about listening to your own instincts. You fight with too much hesitation.. If you have the power to win, then use it. I get that as a hero you have this fear of using too much power and going too far, but there are times where that's a crutch, especially when fighting an overwhelming foe who surpasses you!  I've seen your instincts Ben, you're a prodigy in combat, you shouldn't be losing this badly to me, even in a spar like this.. so pick it up! Stand up! We'll keep doing it as long as it takes!!"


Shocksquatch's eyes dimmed. "I.. I don't think I can.."

"It's not about CAN." said Hanzo. "it's about MUST. I know what you're afraid of.. I know what Thor's up to. But what you were in a timeline that no longer exists holds no merit in a fight for survival.  Don't hesitate. Fight for your life! Because if you don't, whose gonna save everyone else when you die!? A hero who fails to fight for himself.. will never be able to fight for others!!"

Hanzo glared ferociously. "YOU.. are NOT a monster.. You are a WARRIOR. ACT LIKE IT!!"

Shocksquatch stood up, his eyes turned fierce as electricity began to wrap around him in a more ferocious manner.. 

"Hmmm?" Raikou narrowed her eyes as she noticed the green ripples over Shocksquatch's fur and electricity.  "The erratic nature in which he used his Omni.. it's stablized?"

https://youtu.be/AMIFbeqH3Fs

Shocksquatch's eyes flitted open and he slammed both his fists together, and lightning pillars towered into the sky, splitting into powerful static as it hit the storm clouds gathered above.  "Alright then Raikou.. ya wanna fight!? Then step right up! Cause I'm about to toss these hands!!!"

Shocksquatch turned into a blur as his immense agility went into play, 

Raikou was forced to bring up her blade in a flash as a lightning infused shockwave exploded from the impact of an electrically charged fist. 

Shocksquatch's face changed from its yeti-like demeanor to that of a wrathful deity as his eyes flashed with green electricity, yellow lightning erupting from his mouth and fur at the same time. 

"BOOOM BOOOM BOOOM!!" The alien blitzed in and out of view, as did Raikou, as the samurai was forced on the defensive with Shocksquatch's electrical fists moving at expert precision. 

"I.. It's like looking at a battle between two servants!" The Samurai Captain stammered.  "The hell.."

Raikou leaped back as Shocksquatch let out a ferocious roar, hurling a lightning blast from his mouth. super charging the ground. 

Shocksquatch raised his fists as Raikou avoided the attack, before slamming them back down and sending a wave of yellow lightning straight at her, the electricity flashing forward with near instant speed due to its nature. 

Once more, Raikou cleaved through the lightning with a single forward slash of her blade... but this time she panted, as if it had taken her a bit more effort.  

She smiled as she stood up.. 

"Something funny to you?" Shocksquatch growled as electricity ran down the metal circuits and bolts on the sides of his head. 

"Funny? No.. you just reminded me.. of when I used to train my sons and daughter.." said Raikou. "But I musn't think like a mother here.. as much as I wish to.."

Raikou's body exploded with power as she brought out a bow from her back, knocking an arrow from a quiver at her waist. "If I let down my guard around you for even a second, I'll end up dead.."

There was a sonic boom as the arrow broke the sound barrier, and Shocksquatch was forced to blitz backwards, the arrow creating a huge wind blast as it collided with the earth nearby, creating a massive rupture. 

The impact of the projectile was far more powerful than anything Ben had ever tried using an Omni enhanced Diamondhead.  This woman knew how to hide her power.

"FOOOMFOOOMFOOOMFOOOM!" Raikou knocked more arrows and fired them in such rapid succession, it was like she was using a machine gun. Servant abilities were truly terrifying to behold. 

Shocksquatch willed the Omni into his depth perception, reflexes, and his muscles and durability. 

"Don't just increase one thing." Gojo had reminded him during training.  "If you only increase muscle and not your bones, your bones will break when your muscles go beyond what your bones can handle. Consider all that you need to enhance at once to perform your task without causing unforseen consequences.. if you go super fast, then your mind must be super able to function at the same speed or you'll crash. If you want to be super hot, then your body also must be super heat resistant.. don't let anything have to play catchup." 

By increasing his reflexes, he increased his ability to percieve incoming attacks, but he also needed to enhance his speed, strength and durability so he could move in accordance with what he percieved.. all this would usually take 3 minutes for a normal person to think up.. but Ben.. a fighting prodigy, was considering all this in the instant that Raikou fired her attacks. 

"SHEEEN SHEEN SHEEEN BAAAMM!" Shocksquatch moved fast, dodging each and every arrow as he dashed forward ,blasting apart the last several arrows with a lightning bolst straight from his palm. 

He aimed a powerful electrically charged punch right at Raikou's face, closing the distance between them in an instant. 

Raikou smiled however and hurled up a forearm charged with purple electricity, blocking Shocksquatch's punch with a tremendous Omni enhanced arm block. 

For a moment there was silence as residual lightning crackled over the bodies of the two fighters, staring each other down. 

"I.. increadible.." Erice murmured from where she lay under Kojiro's foot. "He.. never looked like this during training.. I thought we were both around the same level.. but this.."

"If I had to take a theory on what's happening." said Kojiro quietly. "I would say he's finally stopped holding back. From what I gather, this boy is under the impression that as a hero, he musn't kill or needlessly slaughter. That is all well and good, but if a villain turns up that will turn you to ash if you don't turn them to ash in turn, then if you don't throw aside that philosophy for that instant, it will mean your death.."

"All this time.." Erice muttered. "Was Ben mentally handicapping himself? Was it because of that time with Kevin and the Ultimatrix? Or... maybe the Time Loops.. or..." 

Erice's face fell.  "It was because he had to kill Dragfeld isn't it? That AND the Time Loops.. and Kevin.. it's all of it.. I knew it.. He always seemed to fight less fervantly as time went by.. and.."

"To become a mindless killer.. a destroyer, it is not an honorable method of fighting, and it is not a method of battle I condone." said Kojiro. "However, death and the seeking of death is an undeniable part of surviving war. Therefore one must seek to be a destroyer with focus and purpose.. that is the kind of warrior that Ben Tennyson is learning to be at this moment in his battle with Lady Raikou.. or perhaps.. it is the type of warrior he has forgotten.. and is now just remembering.  "


Shocksquatch and Raikou slowly stepped back from each other..

"You're still holding back.." Raikou murmured. 

"You are too." Shocksquatch growled. 

"Are your mental barriers gone?" Raikou asked.

"Maybe.. Lets test it out.." Shocksquatch growled. 

"BOSS!" Hanzo exclaimed. 

Shocksquatch turned to look back at the samurai.

"Remember.. focus on your goal.. blind spots. She will expect you to attack them, therefore-?"

"Therefore I'll go for all the most obvious shit to make the blind spots less obvious, or do the opposite to psyche her out after she's heard what I just said." said Shocksquatch. 

"Bingo." said Hanzo. "And-?"

"Don't be afraid to hammer her blade.. Katanas are not good at blocking, just slicing." said Shocksquatch. 

Raikou grinned. "Ufufu.. my my.. is he your teacher or are you his Boss? Which is it?"

Shocksquatch grinned as he hammered a fist to the Omnitrix Badge on his waist. "HE'S MY FRIEND!!"

https://youtu.be/BUV7YtWs6bU

"BOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMM!" A massive golden bolt of lightning struck Shocksquatch as he grew more massive, and the four Prongs indicating the activation of an Ultimate Form slid out of the Omnitrix badge. 

A massive golden mane grew over the alien's head and forearms, his body turning yellowish brown while two obsidian horns grew out of his head.. and a wild line-like tail whipped back and forth behind him. 

"ULTIMATE SHOCKSQUAAAATCH!!!" roared the ultimate alien, his black fangs crackling with lightning as erupted out of the golden bolt of lightning, now towering over Raikou like a Storm God straight out of a myth. 

Raikou's eyes flashed as her body exploded with purple lightning. "I call on the power I conquered... the yokai within my body.. its power is now mine.."

"OH SHIT!!" growled Raijin. "BEN!! BE CAREFUL!! Th.. That power.. I can't believe Mom's using that!!"

"Ushi Gozen.." said Hanzo. "According to the legends.. it was a powerful oni that Raikou defeated along with the Heavenly Kings.. but the truth is that Ushi Gozen was actually Raikou herself, who was born part oni..  It is only in times of great rage and grief that Ushi Gozen can take over Raikou's body as a separate persona... however... after being reborn a servant in this era, Nobunaga helped her subjugate Ushi Gozen within herself.... allowing her to summon Ushi Gozen's power under her own mental control.. I don't think.. anyone's ever seen this power used in person in nearly a decade. "

Raikou stepped forward as storming lightning erupted from her body and she smirked wildly, her eyes wide as her hair flew back behind her and she lashed her blade out to the side, causing a shockwave that scorched the earth and caused the small hill nearby to become decimated into rubble.  "Come here.. little boy.. fleeting child..  I will show you.. just how very small you are."

Ultimate Shocksquatch merely gritted his fangs before raising both fists to the sky, letting forth an ear shattering lion-like roar. 

Towering golden lightning shot down from the storm clouds and infused itself into the Ultimate Alien's fur, giving it a glimmering static that almost shimmered like armor. 

Thor grinned as he watched Ultimate Shocksquatch roar furiously, his eyes alight with longing bloodthirst. "There he is.."

Raikou exploded forward.. turning into multiple purple electric afterimages as she cleaved her sword upwards at the alien. 

"KAAABOOOOOOOOMMMM!" Purple and Gold lightning clashed as Ultimate Shocksquatch used the fur on his forearm to block, sparks jumping from friction as the blade raked off it without a scratch, as if it were made of solid armor. 

Raikou's eyes flashed as she let out a flurry of slashes faster than the eye could see, and Ultimate Shocksquatch met her attacks with a flurried set of lightning punches. 

Raikou hurled a slash at Ultimate Shocksquatch's neck, only for her blade to bounce off the golden mane, part of it chipping and cracking..

Raikou's eyes went wide as she leaped away, right before Ultimate Shocksquatch raised a hand and creating a giant lightning sphere in his palm, slamming it down right where she was moments before. 

The earth shook wrathfully from the impact of the Ultimate Alien's attack, causing many nearby soldiers and ninja to stagger and wobble and take steps back in fear. 

Raikou eyed her chipped blade, then looked up as Ultimate Shocksquatch began walking closer, lightning rippling from his fur, static charging straight into the mane.. 

"I get it now.. when lightning infuses your golden coat, it hardens into armor, the more lightning, the harder it is-"

"- BOOOOOMMMMMMMMM!" before Raikou finished her sentence, she was forced to bring her blade up to her side as Ultimate Shocksquatch suddenly appeared next to her, hurling a devastating million volt punch at her side..

Raikou's lightning sparking eyes went wide as her feet skidded through the earth and she felt her bones rattle. 

He got faster!? AND stronger!? 

Was he using Omni to do it!?

No.. While the boy was quite good at using Omni for his age and time spent using it, Raikou knew the upper limits of how much he was currently capable of enhancing his power to.. he had reached the maximum cap on his current Omni enhancement output..  so then... why-?"

"BOOOM BOOOOOM BOOOOM!"

Raikou cleaved through more golden lightning spheres with her own lightning infused blade, before being forced to blitz back and forth as Ultimate Shocksquatch seemed to appear as multiple afterimages, smashing his charged fists down at multiple areas, turning the battle into a speed blitz barrage.. giant craters dotting the field. 

The fur was now glowing so brightly, it looked more like the alien was wearing pure lightning on its body... 

Of course..

It wasn't just armor. The MORE lightning charged into the alien's body.. the faster and stronger he became.. Lightning wasn't just adding to his defense.. it was adding to EVERYTHING..

"Tsk.. it was as if you found my perfect counter." said Raikou with a chuckle. "Heh.. fine.."

If you can't beat them..  hit them harder.. 

Raikou let out a wild surge of power as a pure static energy field seemed to erupt around her, sending the storm clouds above her into a frenzy..  

The earth shook as random bolts of lightning blasted the earth around her and she took her sword in both hands and smiled. "Yes.. Ushi Gozen.. I can feel it, you're thrilled too aren't you? So this is what it is like.. to face a warrior from another Universe.. What say you? Ben Tennyson?"

Ultimate Shocksquatch glared for a moment, lightning erupting from his eyes.  "You knew we were coming.. you know who I am... you say the Shogun knew... HOW!?"

"Don't you know Ben Tennyson? The Prophecy has long been on her mind.." said Raikou

"I'M NOT.. Benimaru!!" Ultimate Shocksquatch growled. 

"But you stand in his wake, you bare his face.. that alone is enough." said Raikou. "You cannot escape the one fact.. that either you die first.. or you will awaken the dragon that faces her in the end.."

"I didn't come fulfill a Prophecy!" Ultimate Shocksquatch growled.

"But you did come to shatter the Shogun's rule.." said Raikou. "Do you deny that?"

Ultimate Shocksquatch remained silent for a moment. "I came to help my friend Hanzo!! And that is enough!"

"Then you are indeed a destroyer! Like I.. a Destroyer of Demons, you are a Destroyer of Nations." said Raikou. 

"And a Destroyer of mortals." said Thor quietly from where he watched the battle. 

Ultimate Shocksquatch gritted his fangs for a second before closing his eyes momentarily, the powerful bolts of purple lightning erupting from Raikou and seemingly bathing his ape-like face in violet light.. 

"You know what? You're wrong.. I'm not a destroyer...  but.."

Ultimate Shocksquatch opened his eyes as massive towering golden lightning bolts rained down on his body, his mane rippling with electrical might, glowing as if he were a walking sun. "That doesn't mean.. I WON'T DESTROY IF THOSE I PROTECT NEED IT!!"

I'm sorry Kevin..  I'm sorry Dragfeld.. I'm sorry Tay.. all that stuff that happened between us in the past.. You guys let go of what happened then a long time ago..  hell Kevin, you even apologized for the stuff you said to me when we fought..   But even after that.. I was still letting the past hold me back.. 

Ultimate Shocksquatch charged, looking like a living bolt of gold lightning, as Raikou did the same, trailing her own bolt of purple lightning. 

And this time Ben wasn't aiming to knock an enemy out.. or to subdue a foe..

This time.. he was aiming to kill. 

When the two of them collided, all present except for Thor had to press their palms over their ears from sound splitting smashing blast of Thunder that streaked out from where they met. 

Lightning charged fists and slender lightning cutting blade.. they moved fast.. and powerfully, but with the amount of flashing lightning surrounding the two fighters as they clashed, nobody could clearly make the fight out..

During the brief flashes of lightning, they could see two silhuoettes colliding.. and appearing and disappearing in the din, as dust clouds and storm clouds gathered around them. 

Ultimate Shocksquatch suddenly leaped into the air.. as lightning charged around his fists, streaking down from the skies and charging into his very fur. 

A powerful lightning sphere erupted around his fist. 

"GOD SHOCK FIST!!"

Raikou smirked as the alien dove down at her and she thrust back her blade in preparation to swing it as powerful purple lightning struck it and began to charge like a nuclear payload about to burst.. 

"Behold.. my Noble Phantasm..." Raikou whispered. "VENGEFUL LIGHTNING OF THE OX KING!!"

Raikou swung her blade as Ultimate Shocksquatch drew close

Finally another bolt of lighting exploded down into the center of the battlefield that had now become charred beyond recognition.. shards of super heated molten glass littering the areas that used to be dirt.. 

Ultimate Shocksquatch and Raikou both leaped back.

Raikou clutched her arm, which was now limp at her side.. smoke sizzling from it, a black eye on her face... the tip of her sword cracked and shattered. 

Ultimate Shocksquatch clutched a part of his armored fur on his arm that had been cut and was bleeding red alien blood... one of the most protected parts of his body.. 

It was apparent what had happened.. Raikou had charged her blade beyond its limit to attempt to cut through Shocksquatch's fur.. which also succeeded in shattering the blade.. an impenetrable shield met an unstoppable spear. And the result was.. the spear was stopped and shield was penetrated. 

"Ben Tennyson is hardly a worthy name for you boy.." said Raikou. "I rename you here and now.  You are Ben Tennyson- Lightning Grasp.. You took the lightning of the OX King in your bare hands and crushed it.. "

"Uhhh.. not sure how that legally fits onto my passport.. but fine I'll take it.." Ultimate Shocksquatch muttered. 

"Now.. let us finish-" Raikou drew close, blinking blood out of her eye, panting wildly..

Suddenly however..

"Bwip.."

The giant iron carriage.. disappeared into thin air.. 

No puff of smoke..

No sparks...

It just.. stopped being there.

"MINE!!!" Repo said, grinning.

"YOU-!" Kojiro turned at Repo, clutching his sword, but before he could do much of anything, Malenia's gold blade slashed straight at him, forcing him to drop Repo and leap off Erice. 

"Thor!" Malenia growled. "Don't be an ass!"

"Tsk, guess that's the least eloquent she's ever spoken.. alright alright.." Thor hurled his hammer, and Mjolnir shot across the battlefield, slamming straight into Raikou's blade, knocking her back as she barely blocked in time, sending her flying into the dirt. 

"Much as I would've loved to see how that ended.. can't have you dying till I get to have another go with the Real You this time." said Thor with a chuckle as the hammer flew back into his outstretched hand. 

"RETREAT!" Hanzo roared without hesitation. "Boss now!!"

It was beautiful to watch, and a testament to how prepared for a chaotic change of plans Ushiwakamaru's shinobi were, that Hanzo's forces were all able to break away from the samurai and immediately set off multiple collective smoke bombs..

Even the monsters holding down EVA Omega were suddenly unable to clutch onto anything as bombs peppered their eyes, causing them to roar and release Asuka's cybernetic monster.

As EVA Omega dashed off at incredible speed, the earth shaking in its wake,  Shuten dove down and landed lightly next to Ultimate Shocksquatch. 

"Your human form master." said Shuten. "Quickly now.. I can't carry that big ape and move well.. even if I do have the strength."

Ben returned to human form in a flash of light as Shuten grabbed him under his arm and leaped into the sky with him.. somehow eliminating the G force surrounding them to keep Ben from getting whip lash with some uknown servant or yokai magic.. 

As Ben flew high into the sky with Shuten, he looked back over his shoulder to see Raikou standing amidst the smoke, staring back up at him with stern eyes, and a small smile. 

Her gaze sent one message:

"Someday... we will finish this fight."