MAX
I'm so proud of you kids.
BEN
We did it, Grandpa! We stopped Vilgax from being able to invade the Earth!
Max looks solmen.
MAX
I only wish you were right.
GWEN
(speaking up)
But he is right, Grandpa! We destroyed all the energy cores in the known universe.
BEN
Game over. The Earth is saved!
He, Gwen and Kevin high-five one another. Ben, however, notices that Max still looks sad. He's staring at the floor.
MAX
There is another.
The kids are floored.
BEN
Where?
GWEN
How?
KEVIN
Impossible. We took them all out.
MAX
You destroyed all the energy cores in the known universe, yes. But there's one more that's not in the known universe, per se. It's so far off the beaten track that I can only hope nobody else knows about it besides me.
BEN
How do you know about it, then?
MAX
Because if it turns out to be the energy core Vilgax gets his hands on to power his Null Void projector and take over the Earth, then the whole catastrophe is my fault!
The kids all gasp.
MAX
The final energy core in existence is in my own stash of alien tech in my old lair back when I was known as the Wrench in the Null Void!
Kevin facepalms. Ben sighs.
BEN
So we have to go into the Null Void to prevent Vilgax from opening the Null Void. Great.
(sighs)
And how do we accomplish this without our own Null Void Projector?
GWEN
I could try opening a portal like I did last time...
KEVIN
No way. That was too much of a strain for you.
BEN
And besides, there's no one in there familiar to you for you to lock onto.
Gwen sighs and rubs her forehead.
MAX
There's another way. But it'll be dangerous. And expensive.
Kevin winces.
MAX
You'll need what's called a Skeleton Key.
KEVIN
(grumbles)
Level 12 alien tech. Super rare.
He crosses his arms and turns away from the others.
KEVIN
I know a guy who's got one for sale. But he ain't cheap.
MAX
I can get you the cash. Or whatever it is this guy takes in payment.
BEN
How does a Skeleton Key work...?
GWEN
Let's worry about that after we get it.
EXT. OLD SHOP - DAY
Ben, Gwen and Kevin drive up to the front of a run down looking electronics store. Getting out of the car, they walk in. Kevin has a duffel bag over one shoulder.
INT. OLD SHOP - SALES AREA
A junk shop. Old appliances mostly. Behind the counter is FITZ, a human criminal. He is currently boredly reading a comic. He glances up at the sound of the door opening, then back down at his comic, then does a double take at seeing Kevin and stands up straight, smiling nervously. Kevin is instantly on his guard. He, Ben and Gwen walk up to the counter. He plunks the duffel bag on the glass top.
KEVIN
(mock pleasant)
Howdy Fitz.
(serious and suspicious)
You got what we talked about on the vid-net...?
FITZ
Uh, yeah, about that. Funny thing. Another guy came in and bought it right after I hung up with you.
He winces as though he expects to get slapped. Kevin slams his fist against the glass countertop, cracking it.
KEVIN
We had a deal...!
FITZ
Yeah, we did. But he offered me more money.
(laughs nervously)
Uh, b-but maybe I can offer you something else just as good--
KEVIN
Fitz, don't make me reach over the counter and grab you by the neck.
BEN
He'll do it.
GWEN
We've seen it. He's got a temper.
FITZ
(a little scared)
Boy, do I ever know.
(trying to be reasonable)
What do you want me to do, Levin? I already sold the thing!
KEVIN
A name would be nice.
FITZ
He didn't give a name and I didn't ask.
BEN
Can you describe him?
FITZ
(sighs)
He looked like a rat.
The other three look at one another.
FITZ
As in literally like a rat.
BEN
With spiky black hair?
FITZ
That's the guy.
KEVIN
(gritting his teeth)
Argit!
Making a fist, he turns and runs out of the shop. Screeching to a halt at the door, he looks over his shoulder.
KEVIN
Uh... did he say where he was going?
Fitz shakes his head.
KEVIN
Yeah, and you didn't ask, either. Man, I forgot how much this business sucked.
He shoves the door open and rushes out.
GWEN
I don't suppose he happened to mention anything at all about what he wanted it for?
Fitz just raises an eyebrow.
GWEN
Right. He didn't say... and you didn't ask.
She sighs and turns to go.
BEN
(a bit sarcastically)
Thanks for all your help.
FITZ
A pleasure...
He follows Gwen. Fitz frowns, then notices they left the duffel bag. He unzips it and finds it full of money. His eyes gleam. Suddenly a hand reaches in from offscreen and zips the bag shut again. Fitz jerks back in surprise as Ben grabs the bag from the counter and slings it over his shoulder.
BEN
Almost forgot this. Have a nice day.
Fitz just sighs.
EXT. OLD SHOP - EVENING
The three stand on the sidewalk by the car. It's gotten darker since they've been inside.
BEN
Now, where would Argit run off to with a Skeleton Key?
KEVIN
Not the Null Void. He hates that place.
GWEN
For the same reason as you, I imagine.
KEVIN
Pretty much. So odds are he's planning on selling it to someone.
BEN
Let's just hope it's not Vilgax.
Suddenly the lights around town flicker and dim.
GWEN
Hey! Some kind of power outage!
Suddenly, the lights actually brighten, almost unbearably. Many bulbs shatter. Electricity arcs along the powerlines and across electric signs and billboards.
BEN
It's now a power outage! It's a power overload!
In the distance, a power substation glows so brightly it seems like it's shooting a spotlight into the darkening sky.
BEN
I think I found where Argit is.
GWEN
That's right! Grandpa said the Skeleton Key also doubles as a capacitor! An energy storage device.
BEN
He must be testing the goods to make sure he's got the real deal.
The power overload continues, as does the minor destruction. One of the electrical cables comes loose and swings down. Ben leaps aside. Gwen puts up a shield while Kevin touches the brick side of Fitz's shop, taking on its properties to protect himself. Suddenly, however, one of the powerline poles topples over onto the top of his car, crumpling the hood and shattering the windshield. He is aghast.
KEVIN
Oooooh, nooo! Not my car! Always my car!
Kevin grits his teeth. He goes charging off ahead of the others.
GWEN
Kevin, wait!
BEN
Asking Kevin not to go running off in a rage is like asking the sun not to shine.
Tossing the duffel bag aside, he and Gwen rush off after their friend.
INT. POWER SUBSTATION
A large room full of Kenneth Strickfadden-esque electrical equipment. The controls are on an an elevated metal platform and consist of a huge bank of monitors showing various power readings and other data as well as the usual array of high-tech looking control panels and such. A crudely rigged device with a keyhole has been attached to one of the control console's outlets, and a gray-furred hand is turning the Skeleton Key in it as one would to start a car engine. Bluish electrical energy surges out from the plugged in device and flows over everything, bathing the room in bright light.
We pull back to reveal this is ARGIT. Beside him on the floor is a small metal carrying case for the Key. Behind him are two SHADOWY FIGURES who we can really only make out as silhouettes. Argit looks ecstatic and more than a little insane as the light from the energy flowing over the monitors above him covers him.
ARGIT
Ooooh, yeah! Look at this thing! Look at these power readings!
(laughs)
It's not just powering this whole station, it's powering the whole city!
(disgusted)
And people wanna waste this thing using as just another way of getting into that stupid Null Void.
He turns and walks over to his two (yet) unseen companions. He holds up a finger for emphasis.
ARGIT
Well, let 'em use it for whatever they what. As long as I get paid.
He rubs his hands together.
ARGIT
Oh, oh, boys, boys, we are gonna make so much primo mucho cashola from this thing!
Turning, he smirks down at the Key.
ARGIT
Better crank it all the way up, just to see what it can really do.
He turns it all the way to the right as far as it'll go. There's an ominous clonking noise. More and more blue energy flows out from the almost parasitic-looking machine. The building shakes ominously. Argit looks up in immense satisfaction.
ARGIT
Ooooh, yeah. What I'm gonna make sellin' this thing is gonna make what I paid for it look like pocket change!
KEVIN
(O.S.)
Good!
Argit and his men whirl to see Kevin standing in the entrance.
KEVIN
Then you can use some of it to pay for the damage you did to my car!
ARGIT
(annoyed)
Kevin...?!
(delighted)
Aw, Kevin! Kevy-wevy! Baby! What a nice surprise!
He walks to the handrail of the control platform and leans over it casually, acting smug. This only increases Kevin's anger.
ARGIT
(laughs)
Did I break your precious little car? Look, Levin, why don't you do yourself a big, fat favor and skedaddle. I'm busy. I don't got time to catch up on old times.
He turns to go retrieve the Key. Kevin growls and, touching the metal floor to absorb its properties, rushes forwards. Hearing him, Argit turns. The first of the shadowy figures raises its arm. A huge mace on the end of a cable shoots out and clobbers him, sending him flying back, crashing through the wall. The mace then retracts and the two figures step into view, revealing themselves as TECHNORG and HUGH. The latter is trying his best to look mean and not doing a very good job.
ARGIT
Had enough?
KEVIN
Not yet...
Crashing back through the wall, the still metal Kevin comes rushing at the three again. Argit sighs.
ARGIT
Technorg, please do something about him.
Nodding, Technorg starts down the stairs.
ARGIT
(calling after him)
Uh, without killing him. Or hurting him too much.
Technorg pauses, raising one eyebrow, but then just shrugs and continues.
ARGIT
Hugh, just... stand there and look mean.
HUGH
I can do that!
KEVIN
Hey, ugly, who are you? Vulkanus' cousin?
TECHNORG
(angry)
Don't you dare mention that name to me!
Technorg meets Kevin head-on and the two fight.
KEVIN
Aw, yeah, I remember you now! That big stupid jerk from the Mega-Cruiser!
After the fight, Technorg handily defeats Kevin. Standing over his defeated opponent, Technorg throws his arms up.
TECHNORG
Raaaarrrrrrr!!! Technorg wins!
(smirks)
How much of a jerk am I now?
KEVIN
(weakly)
Still a jerk...
Hugh applauds politely.
ARGIT
Not so tough without your friend Tennyson, are ya?
Kevin struggles to rise. Technorg lifts one foot, as though to step on him and force him back down, but pauses, looking back at Argit.
TECHNORG
Tennyson? As in Ben Tennyson?
Hugh stops clapping.
HUGH
Huh?
ARGIT
Yeah. So?
TECHNORG
I will not fight Ben Tennyson.
Argit rolls his eyes.
ARGIT
I didn't ask you to! He ain't here, is he?!
Suddenly Ben and Gwen run in.
ARGIT
(yelps)
Gaaahhhhh!!! No, no, noooo!
BEN
He is now!
Technorg helps Kevin to his feet.
TECHNORG
Forgive me. I believed you and Tennyson were still enemies.
KEVIN
(dazed)
Don't mention it.
Gwen runs over and hugs Kevin. Ben shakes Technorg's good hand.
BEN
Good to see you again, big guy. But what are you doing here?
TECHNORG
Well--
KEVIN
Ben? All-powerful dimensional artifact being misused for evil? Catch up with your friend later!
BEN
Right.
He activates the Omnitrix and turns into an alien befitting the situation.
ARGIT
Do something! Stop him!
HUGH
You said all I had to do was stand here and look mean!
ARGIT
Well, look mean while hitting him...!
He points at Ben who comes charging up the steps. Ben's "fight" with Hugh amounts to Hugh lamely swinging at him and Ben casually batting his fists away. It's obvious neither wants to hurt the other, and, ultimately, Hugh just backs off rather than go through with actually taking a real swing at Ben. Turning human again, Ben advances on Argit, who is muttering to himself as he struggles to extract the Key from the device.
ARGIT
Traitors! Losers! Cowards! I gotta hire better goons!
(grumbles)
Stupid thing! It's stuck!
(turns and sees Ben)
Aaghhh!!!
A huge smile forms on Argit's face as he greets Ben like an old friend and starts trying to talk himself out of his situation.
ARGIT
Ben! Buddy!
(desperate)
Uh, look! That Key thing is stuck! See? So you'd better fix that problem before it overloads this whole place and kills a whole lotta innocent folks...
Turning, he hops the railing, landing on the floor below, and bolts for the door.
ARGIT
Me, I'm outta here!
Ben just unplugs the device rather than bother with the stuck Key. He sighs.
BEN
Technorg, would you...?
Right as Argit gets to the door, Technorg's huge hand grabs him by the collar of his jacket and yanks him back. He's dumped to the floor at the kids' feet. Everyone stands around him. Gulping, he rises to his knees.
BEN
So... let's talk.
Holding the device that had been attached to the control panel, he struggles with the Skeleton Key a moment and then yanks it free. Examining it to ensure it isn't damaged, he nods in satisfaction, tosses the other device aside, and pockets the Key. He then kneels down to be eye to eye with Argit.
BEN
Now, since I know you didn't buy this thing so you could start up your own power company, that means you were going to sell it. Isn't that right?
ARGIT
(gulps)
Right you are, Benjamin.
BEN
Good. Now then. Who were you going to sell it to.
He stands up. Argit also rises, although a little unsteadily. He hesitates, swallowing.
ARGIT
Oh, uh, y'know, nobody in particular. Your standard bad guy swap-meet.
BEN
No way. You had a buyer lined up.
GWEN
Tell us who it is.
KEVIN
Or else!
ARGIT
Okay, okay. His name is--
Quick as a snake, Argit sticks his hand into his jacket and pulls a laser pistol from a shoulder holster, pointing it at the group in general and at Ben in particular.
ARGIT
Ha!
Technorg's hand reaches down and grabs Argit's wrist - no, his entire forearm fits in that huge hand! - and yanks him up. There's a crunch. Argit screams and reflexively pulls the trigger, firing laser blasts harmlessly into the ceiling. Holding him up in the air as his feet kick, Technorg glares at him.
TECHNORG
If you ever do that again, then your life will belong to me... and it will be very short. And very painful.
Argit gulps. Technorg drops him on his butt. Holding his injured arm, the gun slowly slipping from his stiff and twitching hand, Argit shudders and rises to his feet again.
BEN
Now. I won't ask again, Argit. His name. Now!
ARGIT
I can't say it! I'm afraid...!
Gwen tries to be reassuring, laying a hand on his shoulder.
GWEN
We can protect you.
ARGIT
No, I'm not afraid of him! I'm afraid of him!
(points at Technorg)
If I say the name he'll just get mad and hurt me again!
GWEN
Technorg, will you promise not to get angry at Argit?
TECHNORG
(grumbles)
I promise I will not.
GWEN
Fine.
BEN
Okay. Spit it out.
Argit nevertheless inches away from Technorg.
ARGIT
It's Vulkanus. He hired me.
Technorg roars in fury. Argit flinches and hides behind Ben.
ARGIT
Aaahhh! You promised!
Instead, Technorg turns and smashes some random equipment.
TECHNORG
And my word is my bond.
(grim)
But you will tell us more. Much more. And then you will take me to Vulkanus.
ARGIT
No way!
TECHNORG
I will spare your life and you will be richly rewarded.
ARGIT
Okay, so when do we leave?
Page 1:
Panel 1: The Rust Bucket II is flying through space.
Narrative Text: The Tennysons return to Earth after having achieved a great victory. However...
Panel 2: The Rust Bucket interior. It's on auto-pilot. MAX TENNYSON and the kids (BEN TENNYSON, GWEN TENNYSON and KEVIN LEVIN) are standing somewhere near the back, close to the entrance of the cargo bay. The flight controls and empty seats are in the foreground.
Max: I'm so proud of you kids.
Panel 3: Closeup of Ben, with Gwen and Kevin on either side. Max is visible on the left, looking solemn.
Ben: We did it, Grandpa! We stopped Vilgax from being able to invade the Earth!
Max: I only wish you were right.
Panel 3: Gwen speaks up.
Gwen: But he is right, Grandpa! We destroyed all the energy cores in the known universe.
Ben: Game over. The Earth is saved!
Panel 4: Ben, Gwen and Kevin high-five one another. Max still looks sad and stares at the floor.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Page 2:
Panel 1: Ben notices something is wrong with Max. He suddenly looks concerned.
Max: There's another...
Ben: Another what?
Max: Another energy core.
Panel 2: Ben and the other two reel from shock.
Ben: Where?
Gwen: How?
Kevin: Impossible. We took them all out.
Panel 3: Facing Max now. Kids seen from behind in foreground. Behind Max we can see over the controls and the backs of the seats and out the windshield.
Max: You destroyed all the energy cores in the known universe, yes. But there's one more that's not in the known universe, per se.
Panel 4: The kids look at one another in concern.
Max: And if it turns out to be the energy core Vilgax gets his hands on to power his Null Void projector and take over the Earth, then the whole catastrophe is my fault!
Panel 5: Max has one hand in his pocket now, looking casual, although he's actually looking for one.
Ben: Where is this thing?
Max: It's so far off the beaten track that I can only hope nobody else knows about it besides me.
Ben: How do you know about it, then?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Page 3
Panel 1: Closer shot of Max.
Max: The final energy core in existence is in my own stash of alien tech in my old lair back when I was known as the Wrench in the Null Void!
Panel 2: Kevin facepalms. Ben sighs.
Ben: So we have to go into the Null Void to prevent Vilgax from opening the Null Void. Great. And how do we accomplish this without our own Null Void Projector?
Panel 3: Gwen steps forward with an idea. Kevin suddenly looks very protective.
Gwen: I could try opening a portal like I did last time...
Kevin: No way. That was too much of a strain for you.
Panel 4: Gwen sighs and rubs her forehead as Ben puts in his two cents.
Ben: And besides, there's no one in there familiar to you for you to lock onto.
Max: There's another way.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Page 4
Panel 1: The kids all turn and look at Max. Kevin is wincing, crossing his arms and turning away from the others.
Max: But it'll be dangerous. And expensive. You'll need what's called a Skeleton Key.
Kevin: Level 12 alien tech. Super rare. I know a guy who's got one for sale. But he ain't cheap.
Panel 2: Max tries to be reassuring. They seem worried but encouraged.
Max: I can get you the cash. Or whatever it is this guy takes in payment.
Panel 3: As Max heads off somewhere (towards the back of the ship), Ben looks at Gwen and Kevin.
Ben: How does a Skeleton Key work...?
Kevin: Well--
Gwen: Let's worry about that after we get it.
Panel 4: Ben, Gwen and Kevin stand outside of a run down looking electronics story. Kevin has a duffel bag over one shoulder. His car is parked nearby.
Narrative Text: Later...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Page 5
Panel 1: The shop interior. It's basically a junk shop. Old appliances mostly. Behind the counter is FITZ, a human criminal (Kevin's go-to guy from "Alien Swarm"). He is currently boredly reading a comic as Ben and the others enter.
Panel 2: Fitz glances up at the trio (although he really only reacts to Kevin). He smiles nervously. Kevin looks immediately suspicious. He clearly doesn't trust this guy. He, Ben and Gwen walk up to the counter.
Kevin: Howdy, Fitz.
Panel 3: He plunks the duffel bag on the glass top.
Kevin: You got what we talked about on the vid-net...?
Fitz: Uh, yeah, about that.
Panel 4: Fitz winces as though he expects to get slapped. Kevin slams his fist against the glass countertop, cracking it.
Fitz: Another guy came in and bought it right after I hung up with you.
Kevin: We had a deal...!
Fitz: Yeah we did. But he offered me more money.
Panel 5: Kevin is leaning over the counter towards Fitz menacingly.
Fitz: Uh, b-but maybe I can offer you something else just as good--
Kevin: Fitz, don't make me reach over the counter and grab you by the neck.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Page 6
Panel 1: Fitz nervously looks at Ben and Gwen. They look stone-cold serious.
Ben: He'll do it.
We've seen it. He's got a temper.
Fitz: Boy, do I ever know.
Panel 2: Fitz tries to reason with an increasingly angry Kevin.
Fitz: What do you want me to do, Levin? I already sold the thing!
Kevin: A name would be nice.
Fitz: He didn't give a name and I didn't ask.
Panel 3: Ben manages to suppress his annoyance and tries to be more diplomatic.
Ben: Can you describe him?
Fitz: He looked like a rat. As in literally like a rat.
Panel 4: The other three look at one another.
Panel 5: Same shot, though now they're looking at Fitz. Kevin is angrily gritting his teeth and balling up his fists.
Ben: With spiky black hair?
Fitz: That's the guy.
Kevin: Argit!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Page 7
Panel 1: Making a fist, he turns and runs out of the shop.
Panel 2: Screeching to a halt at the door, he looks over his shoulder.
Kevin: Uh... did he say where he was going?
Panel 3: Fitz shakes his head.
Panel 4: Kevin scowls.
Kevin: Yeah, and you didn't ask, either.
Panel 5: Kevin leaves in the background. In the foreground, Ben and Gwen continue talking to Fitz. They look interrogative.
Kevin: Man, I forgot how much this business sucked.
Gwen: I don't suppose he happened to mention anything at all about what he wanted it for?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Page 8
Panel 1: Fitz just raises one eyebrow and says nothing. Gwen looks annoyed.
Gwen: Right. He didn't say... and you didn't ask.
Panel 2: Ben and Gwen leave. Ben is visibly rolling his eyes.
Ben: Thanks for all your help.
Fitz: A pleasure...
Panel 3: Fitz frowns, then notices they left the duffel bag.
Panel 4: He unzips it and finds it full of money. His eyes gleam.
Panel 5: Ben's hand reaches in from off-panel and grabs the bag. Fitz jerks back in surprise.
Ben: Almost forgot this.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Page 9
Panel 1: As he walks towards the door he zips the bag up. A dejected-looking Fitz watches him go.
Ben: Have a nice day.
Panel 2: The three kids stand on the sidewalk by the car. Ben is now the one holding the duffel bag.
Ben: Now, where would Argit run off to with a Skeleton Key?
Kevin: Not the Null Void. He hates that place.
Gwen: For the same reason as you, I imagine.
Kevin: Pretty much.
Panel 3: More of them standing and talking.
Kevin: Odds are he's planning on selling it to someone.
Ben: Let's just hope it's not Vilgax.
Panel 4: The lights around town flicker and dim. Suddenly, the lights actually brighten, almost unbearably. Many bulbs shatter. Electricity arcs along the powerlines and across electric signs and billboards.
Gwen: Hey! Some kind of power outage!
Ben: It's now a power outage! It's a power overload!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Page 10
Panel 1: Over the kids' shoulders looking down the street. In the distance, a power substation glows so brightly it seems like it's shooting a spotlight into the darkening sky.
Ben: I think I found where Argit is.
Gwen: That's right! Grandpa said the Skeleton Key also doubles as an energy storage device!
Ben: He must be testing the goods to make sure he's got the real deal.
Panel 2: The power overload continues, as does the minor destruction. One of the electrical cables comes loose and swings down. Ben leaps aside.
Panel 3: Gwen puts up a shield while Kevin touches the brick side of Fitz's shop, taking on its properties to protect himself.
Panel 4: Suddenly, however, one of the powerline poles topples over onto the top of his car, crumpling the hood and shattering the windshield. He is aghast.
Kevin: Oooooh, nooo! Not my car! Always my car!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Page 11
Panel 1: Kevin He goes charging off ahead of the others.
Gwen: Kevin, wait!
Ben: Asking Kevin not to go running off in a rage is like asking the sun not to shine.
Panel 2: Tossing the duffel bag aside, he and Gwen rush off after their friend.
Panel 3: The power substation interior. A large room full of Kenneth Strickfadden-esque electrical equipment. The controls are on an an elevated metal platform and consist of a huge bank of monitors showing various power readings and other data as well as the usual array of high-tech looking control panels and such.
Panel 4: A crudely rigged device with a keyhole has been attached to one of the control console's outlets, and a gray-furred hand is turning the Skeleton Key in it as one would to start a car engine. Bluish electrical energy surges out from the plugged in device and flows over everything, bathing the room in bright light.
Panel 5: ARGIT is the one standing at the controls. Beside him on the floor is a small metal carrying case for the Key. Behind him are two SHADOWY FIGURES who we can really only make out as silhouettes.
Argit: Ooooh, yeah! Look at this thing! Look at these power readings! It's not just powering this whole station, it's powering the whole city!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Page 12
Panel 1: Argit looks ecstatic and more than a little insane as the light from the energy flowing over the monitors above him covers him.
Argit: And people wanna waste this thing using as just another way of getting into that stupid Null Void. Well, let 'em use it for whatever they what. As long as I get paid.
Panel 2: Turning to his unseen companions, he holds up a finger for emphasis.
Argit: Oh, oh, boys, boys, we are gonna make so much primo mucho cashola from this thing!
Panel 3: Turning, he smirks down at the key. He turns it all the way to the right as far as it'll go. There's an ominous clonking noise. More and more blue energy flows out from the almost parasitic-looking machine.
Argit: Better crank it all the way up, just to see what it can really do.
Panel 4: The building shakes ominously. Argit looks up in immense satisfaction.
Argit: Ooooh, yeah. What I'm gonna make sellin' this thing is gonna make what I paid for it look like pocket change!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Page 13
Panel 1: Argit and his men (still on seen as shadows) whirl to see Kevin standing in the entrance. He's still all "bricked up."
Kevin: Good! Then you can use some of it to pay for the damage you did to my car!
Argit: Kevin...?!
Panel 2: Suddenly Argit looks excited and happy.
Argit: Aw, Kevin! Kevy-wevy! Baby! What a nice surprise!
Panel 3: Kevin is stone-faced.
Panel 4: Argit walks to the handrail of the control platform and leans over it casually, acting smug. This only increases Kevin's anger.
Argit: Did I break your precious little car? Look, Levin, why don't you do yourself a big, fat favor and skedaddle?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Page 14
Panel 1: Argit turns as though to retrieve the Key.
Argit: I'm busy. I don't got time to catch up.
Panel 2: Kevin growls and and touches the metal floor to absorb its properties.
Panel 3: Kevin rushes forwards. Hearing him, Argit turns.
Argit: Technorg, please do something about him. Uh, without killing him. Or hurting him too much. If it isn't too much trouble.
Panel 4: The first of the shadowy figures raises its arm. A huge mace on the end of a cable shoots out.
Panel 5: The mace clobbers Kevin, sending him flying back.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Page 15
Panel 1: Kevin crashes through the wall by the door, leaving a big hole.
Panel 2: The mace retracting as the two figures step into view, revealing themselves as TECHNORG and HUGH. The latter is trying his best to look mean and not doing a very good job.
Panel 3: Argit leans smugly on the railing. Behind him, the controls are continuing to go nuts, electricity arcing over them. Various screens show warning signs.
Argit: Had enough?
Panel 4: The hole in the wall Kevin made. One leg with a twitching foot sticks through it.
Kevin: Not yet...
Panel 5: Crashing back through the wall, the still metal Kevin comes rushing at the three again. Argit sighs.
Argit: Technorg, take care of him! Hugh, just... stand there and look mean.
Hugh: I can do that! I think...
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Page 16
Panel 1: Kevin and Technorg face off.
Kevin: Hey, ugly, who are you? Vulkanus' cousin?
Technorg: Don't you dare mention that name to me!
Panel 2: He and Kevin fight.
Kevin: Aw, yeah, I remember you now! That big stupid jerk from the Mega-Cruiser!
Panel 3: Technorg wins and slams Kevin violently to the floor. He reverts to normal.
Panel 4: Standing over his defeated opponent, Technorg throws his arms up. In the background we can see Hugh politely applauding.
Technorg: Raaaarrrrrrr!!! Technorg wins!
Panel 5: Technorg smirks down at his enemy.
Technorg: How much of a jerk am I now...?
Kevin: A big one...
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Page 17
Panel 1: Argit looks at the applauding Hugh.
Panel 2: Kevin struggles to rise.
Panel 3: Technorg lifts one foot, as though to step on him and force him back down.
Panel 4: Still leaning over the railing, Argit looks more smug and arrogant than ever.
Argit: Not so tough without your friend Tennyson, are ya?
Panel 5: Technorg pauses, looking back at Argit.
Technorg: Tennyson? As in Ben Tennyson?
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Page 18
Panel 1: Hugh stops clapping and looks surprised.
Hugh: Huh?
Panel 2: Argit looks annoyed.
Yeah. So?
Panel 3: Lowering his foot and turning towards his boss, Technorg looks resolute. Argit rolls his eyes.
Technorg: I will not fight Ben Tennyson.
Argit: I didn't ask you to! He ain't here, is he?!
Panel 4: Suddenly Ben and Gwen run in.
Ben: He is now!
Panel 5: Technorg helps Kevin to his feet.
Technorg: Forgive me. I believed you and Tennyson were still enemies.
Kevin: Don't mention it.
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Page 19
Panel 1: Gwen runs over and hugs Kevin. Ben shakes Technorg's good hand.
Ben: Good to see you again, big guy. But what are you doing here?
Technorg: Well--
Kevin: Ben? All-powerful dimensional artifact being misused for evil? Catch up with your friend later!
Ben: Right.
Panel 2: Ben activates the Omnitrix and turns into
