Codecrash's-Ben Wonder

Chapter 1

The skies over the invisible island gifted to its inhabitants by the goddess Hera were eerily calm. It was hardly surprising given that only moments before the Aegean Sea skyway had been turned into an aerial battle ground for a three American fighter jets and a squadron of enemy planes. Anyone who had witnessed the fierce battle – even the elements of nature – would have given respectful pause as there had been no survivors on either side.

However, as calm as the skies were the silence was fated not to last.

Within the confines of the invisible barrier shielding the island from the world of man, the silent reverent skies were suddenly shattered as an enormous white vortex was torn through the very fabric of reality with an immense boom, putting the mightiest crack of thunder to shame.

All eyes within range of the resounding detonation looked to the skies to see the vortex swirling menacingly overhead.

Among them – riding horseback through the island's woods as she had so many times before – was the Amazonian princess Diana, who upon quickly reaching a clearing was able to look to the skies in time to see the vortex spew a black and green craft and something… that looked human from its swirling confines. "Great Hera," she whispered in awe at the strange sight.

It was then the vortex – having apparently serving its purpose – rapidly began to deteriorate before finally vanishing from sight altogether.

With the vortex in the sky gone all eyes watching immediately shifted to the two objects plummeting to the earth.

Flicking her horse's reins Diana and her steed quickly gave chase after the falling objects.

Little did she realize that day the chaos that was about to be unleashed upon Themyscira, herself and her beloved sisters.

BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10.

His mind a scattered haze, Ben Tennyson – or as he was known in his Anodite form Manafest – tried gathering his wits as he turbulently fell from the sky.

Disoriented by the sudden shift from night to day not to mention the unexpected skydive the teen hero frantically took in his surroundings searching for Ship only to notice the ground below was coming at him fast.

Thinking quickly he surrounded himself in a shielding sphere of emerald mana just moments before crashing into the ground or more accurately the water, striking it with such force that the impact emptied all the water pooled at the waterfall's base, sweeping away the women who had been bathing there in the ensuing tidal wave.

As the waterfall began to quickly refill the small lagoon Manafest let out a wounded groan as he staggered to his feet to take in his surroundings.

Immediately he arched a surprised brow as his gaze locked onto the several naked women rising to their feet as they returned his stare with their stunned gazes. "Not my most graceful landing but hey things are looking up," he commented to himself, with a big sheepish smile.

As everyone present exchanged various kinds of stares the Ultimatrix insignia on Manafest's chest began to spark and crackle with tiny flickering bolts of electricity. The dumb blissful smile disappeared from his face as he reluctantly looked down at the device. "Oh, you just know that can't be good."

How right he was. In a massive green flash of transforming omni energy Manafest was no more. In his stead now stood the Ultimatrix's Appoplexian form, a ferocious burly nine foot tall tailless bipedal tiger like being capable of unleashing brute force unlike anything most could imagine.

However this time Ben's transformation to Rath was much different from previous times. There was no control, no reason, no sanity of any kind guiding the Appoplexian. Only sheer raw rage that increased in unrivaled intensity with each step he took forward.

The surrounding naked women instinctively flinched at the creature's sudden transformation before immediately taking their stances, readying themselves for battle.

"RATH!" it ferociously bellowed with a roar that sent a fearful shiver shooting through the spines of even the most battle hardened of them. Each of them had seen their fare share of beasts and monsters in battle, but none had seen anything quite like this.

With feral eyes burning of raging intensity the likes of which none of them had seen before the tiger like creature before them gave a low menacing growl causing many of them to instinctively gulp nervously.

Then with another fierce roar the creature broke into a dead run ahead.

Quickly the surrounding Amazons sprang into action attacking the creature in a unified strike which ended before it could barely even begin.

Before she could even react the first of the female warriors was slammed hard in the stomach by Rath's fist then was grabbed by the hair and was sent hurling into two of her sisters who landed in the refilled pool with a mighty splash.

Enraged by their sisters' defeat the Amazons attacked with a vengeance only to be ruthless knocked down and sent flying into the water with their defeated sisters.

With no one else blocking his path the rage consumed Appoplexian began tearing his way into the woods, rampaging through the greenery like a force of nature possessed.

BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10.

Laying on the floor of his cell staring up at the ceiling as he had for so many centuries past Ares' eyes suddenly widened in surprise as he felt the pure psychic energy of intense raw psychotic rage growing near.

Quickly the imprisoned god of war rose to his feet as he tried to sense the source of such sweet anger trying to fuel his soul.

Standing vigilantly guard at her post the battle scarred Persephone turned to the cell's window to see what had stirred the war god. "My love what's wrong?" she whispered in concern.

Grinning a sinister smile Ares let out a dark chuckle as he allowed his soul to hungrily feast. "Nothing is wrong," he replied. "In fact despite our failed attempt to distract your sisters by exposing this island to the outside world the opportunity for my release has once again presented itself. Just think my beloved soon we will at last be able to share embrace."

"Why, what is happening?" she asked both in hope and nervousness.

"Rage," he replied, unable to help himself from licking his lips at the delicious fury radiating into his cell. "A rage unlike any I have ever sensed before. Its bitter taste is sweeter than the purest of ambrosia as it feeds me with the energy of more than a hundred battles. Even now with each passing moment it magnifies in intensity as it draws nearer to me."

"And with the blood moon's rise drawing near, it would seem the fates have smiled upon us my love," Persephone happily observed with a devious smile.

He nodded then scowled, bitterly casting his gaze at the shackles binding his powers. "If only I was rid of these accursed bands. With this burning anger alone fueling me I would be able to lay waste to all who would oppose me. None would stand in our way."

"What should I do my love?" she asked.

"Nothing," he replied as he sat back down on his bed of straw. "Whatever the owner of this wonderful rage may be I sense it will grant me my release from this cell. For now all we need do is wait."

BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10.

With a spear at the ready and a posse of her armed Amazon sisters at her side Artemis broke through the brush ready to attack whatever had fallen from the sky.

The redheaded warrior's eyes widened in shock as she was met with the sight of her fellow sisters grudgingly limping from the water, all sporting several bruises and contusions on their bare bodies.

Quickly Artemis and the others sprang into action to aid their sisters. "Tell me what happened here?" she asked as she helped one of them sporting a bad limp and a fat lip.

"Artemis it– it was unlike anything I've ever seen," the Amazon she was helping stammered with eyes wide with panic and shock. "It– it fell from the sky, it transformed into this– this beast unlike anything I've ever seen! It tore through us like– like we were mere dolls! I– I thought we were surely about to die, but–" She pointed a shaking finger towards a path of ruination cleaved into the forest by whatever had done this. "But it – it just left."

It was then Artemis heard the whinny of a horse as it and its rider broke through the woods.

"Artemis what has happened here?" Diana asked as she quickly dismounted from her mare to help her fellow sisters.

Artemis' gaze turned and locked onto the path of destruction left in the attacker's wake. "It would seem we have an unwanted intruder my princess," she replied, eyes narrowing as she realized the direction and likely destination of the attacker's path.

Quickly she handed her injured sister to another Amazon as she turned to her posse. "One of you take the princess' mare and go to the queen," she instructed. "Tell her to gather our sisters to defend Ares' cell, I think whatever did this plans to free him."

All eyes grew wide with fear before the nearest of them quickly sprang to her feet and mounted Diana's horse taking off in a full gallop to the palace.

"Come your highness, I fear the time has come for you to test your mettle in battle," she said taking hold of Diana's wrist and pulling the raven haired princess from the injured to place sword in her hand. "The rest of you tend to those who are wounded, then join us as quickly as possible."

Firmly gripping the blade in hand Diana nodded compliantly as they quickly gave chase down the path of destruction the creature had left in its wake.

As they ran down the newly cut path Diana couldn't help but nervously take note of the surrounding sights of freshly fallen tree trunks at the sides of the path, each had either been ripped out of the ground or mightily slashed down by a single clawed swipe.

Ahead an enraged bestial roar tore through the woods with intense fury, the likes of which an Amazon had not heard in centuries.

Diana was an Amazon born and raised with nerves of tempered steel; battle was in her blood and even though she had been trained to deal with all forms of enemy, but despite this she couldn't help but feel a pang of nervousness. Just what in Hera's name had been unleashed from the sky?

Steeling her nerves she focused on the matter at hand, keeping it from reaching Ares and freeing the imprisoned god of war.

It didn't matter what it was they were facing, all that mattered was that soon it had to be stopped.

BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10.

Alexa glanced upwards to the broken treetops overhead as she cautiously ventured further into the woods.

Like her sister and the princess the red headed Amazonian scholar was also tracking the trail of an intruder. However, unlike her sisters however her quarry was a bird of a much different feather.

Like any other day before she had opted to find a quiet place to sit and read her books, this time choosing a quiet little meadow where she could be left in peace.

However that day things had played out a little differently as a white vortex had split the skies and a giant black and green behemoth of a craft had gone sailing overhead as it went crashing deep into the woods.

She knew she should not be investigating alone but unable to deny her curiosity Alexa had left her books behind to venture into the woods in search of the strange craft, tracking the trail it had left behind during its fall.

After several minutes she at last found what she had been searching for… in a manner of speaking.

Cautiously pushing her way through some bushes she was greeted with the sight of several overturned trees lining the sides of a large trench driven in the earth by the craft that had fallen from the sky.

However to her surprise and dismay she found no sign of the large craft anywhere. It was as though it had disappeared into thin air.

Nervously, she drew a dagger and cautiously wandered towards the crater while keeping an eye out for anything out of the ordinary.

Just then she heard something rustling in the nearby bushes. Quickly she ran and dove for cover behind a nearby boulder. "As a rock on the seashore he standeth firm, and the dashing of the waves disturbeth him not. In the instant of danger the courage of heart sustaineth him and the steadiness of his mind bareth him out," she whispered, fearfully reciting the words that she had always looked to in times where she needed strength.

As she fearfully repeated this mantra trying to gain the courage worthy of an Amazon the leaves of the bushes continued to rustle.

From within the bushes emerged the small black and green blob-like mini Galvanic Mechamorph named Ship.

Hearing a voice in distress Ship quickly hustled over to the boulder to see if he could help. Clearly whoever was behind the boulder was very frightened of something, and as a hero's sidekick it was his duty to help.

Crawling around the boulder Ship found a tall redheaded woman who obviously was in distress as she continued repeating the same words over and over again, eyes clamped shut in fear.

"Ship?" he asked, wondering how he could help.

Instantly Alexa's eyes snapped open to be met with the sight of the black and green mini mechamorph.

"Ship?" he asked again.

There was a long silence between the two, but then at last the redheaded Amazon let out a fearful scream as she hastily slashed her dagger at the unknown creature in panic.

"Shiiiiiiiiip!" he screamed as he fearfully scrambled away from the blade wielding woman fleeing in terror into nearby a hollow tree.

Alexa couldn't help but stare in surprise at the tree the strange creature had hidden in. Inside she could hear it making panicked sobs of fear.

Cautiously she approached the tree and peered through the knothole to see the bizarre animal curled into a fetal ball as it trembled like a lone leaf in the wind.

Feeling guilt well up in the pit of her stomach as she realized the creature had not meant her any ill will Alexa sheathed her dagger and reach her hand through the hole.

Seeing her hand coming towards him Ship quickly backed as far away from her hand as he could in terror.

"Don't be afraid little one, I promise you I mean you no harm," she said, slightly pulling her hand back in a show of good faith.

Ship nervously looked at the hand inches away from him as he tried to decide whether or not she was being genuine. After a moment of consideration he decided on giving the redheaded woman the benefit of the doubt and cautiously rubbed his head against the palm of her outstretched hand.

To further show she meant no harm Alexa gently caressed the odd creature's head as she hid her surprise of how its skin felt like cool metal.

Purring contently, Ship hesitantly crawled out of the tree trunk and into the woman's arms, hoping she would continue petting him.

As he affectionately curled up in her cradling arms Alexa couldn't help but smile as she continued to pet the purring creature. Although she had no idea what he was supposed to be the redheaded Amazon had to admit the small bizarre animal was cute. "So do you have a name little one?" she asked continuing to stroke his head.

To her surprise he looked up at her and nodded as though he understood her. "Ship," he replied.

The Amazon arched a surprised eyebrow at the strange creature. "You can understand me?"

Again he nodded as he purred happily. "Ship ship."

The sound of the creature's contentment brought a smile to her face. "I take it that's your name then?"

Ship nodded excitedly. "Ship ship ship."

Alexa couldn't help but giggle at the amusing energetic creature. "Well Ship I am Alexa, I am sorry I tried to hurt you."

"Ship ship ship," he replied forgivingly.

As she smiled and continued affectionately petting the creature's head her head suddenly snapped at attention, eyes widening in fear at the sudden sound of several trumpets blaring. It was an alarm that every Amazon on Themyscira knew and dreaded; a call to arms ordering all Amazons within its call to take up arms and assemble to protect the cell of Ares.

Noticing her hand had stopped short Ship looked up to his new redheaded friend to see the fear etched into her features. "Ship ship ship?" he asked worriedly.

"I am sorry Ship but I have to go," she said as she hurriedly stood up.

"Ship?" he asked.

Normally Alexa would have immediately found it odd that for whatever reason she could understand what the little mini mechamorph was saying or at least the gist of it, but at the moment her thoughts were too preoccupied with fear of the looming threat. "I must go to my sister Amazons to protect the world from being consumed by war."

No sooner had he heard her answer then Ship instinctively jumped up into her arms. It was a good thing he was here. If Alexa was going to protect the world then he was going help.

"Ship what are-"

Before the redheaded Amazon could even react then suddenly Ship began to swell as the black and green mechamorph blob enveloped her in his smothering embrace.

Fearing the creature was attacking Alexa desperately struggled to break free, but it was to no avail within moments her limbs were quickly engulfed in Ship's expanding mass.

As Ship's metal flesh began swathing over her face Alexa fearfully closed her eyes. "As a rock on the seashore he standeth firm, and the dashing of the waves disturbeth him not," she whimpered fearing these were her last moments. This was certainly the end for her. "In the instant of danger the courage of heart sustaineth him and the steadiness of his mind bareth him out."

And with that she went silent and waited for the end to come.

"Ship?" Ship's voice asked in concern.

Nervously she peeked open an eye only for both of them to snap wide open with the sight of the black and green suit of armor now clothing her body.

"Ship what-?" she began staring through the suit's visor.

Without warning she was interrupted by a ferocious roar that mightily tore through the surrounding woods causing Alexa to flinch and Ship to defensively sprout a large high tech cannon from the his right forearm to open fire in the roar's direction, taking out a sizable chunk of the forest in explosion that easily outmatched the bestial roar.

As the smoke cleared Alexa stared at the smoldering crater left in the wake of the blast before instantly whipping her gaze to the large smoking weapon that had suddenly emerged from her arm. "Hera, just what are you?" she whispered in both awe and fear.

"Ship," the armor innocently replied.

As another roar echoed in the distance the suit's visor instantly displayed a target symbol as its sensors locked onto the source of the roar.

"I take this means you want to help," she presumed, getting the distinct obvious impression of Ship's thoughtful intentions.

"Ship," he confirmed.

Guessing there was no way of denying her insistent new friend she sighed yieldingly. "Then let us go and face the enemy!" she proclaimed as she began running in the direction targeted by her visor.

Running towards the new threat Alexa couldn't help but note the closer to the enemy she ran the more Alexa felt herself swell with the confidence and enthusiasm of impending battle. Perhaps it was the fact that she would not be fighting alone, perhaps it was the call of duty to protect the world from Ares' wrath, or perhaps it had something to do with her newfound armor and its clearly destructive capabilities. Whatever the case for the first time in her life she felt like an Amazon, and it felt glorious.

BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10.

Waiting patiently in his cell for his impending release Ares couldn't help but grin in delight as he felt the psychic equivalent of a large battle suddenly surge to him, triggered by the brief use of a strange weapon. It had been brief to be sure but most rewarding.

His smile widened more sinisterly as his immortal mind abounded with the newfound knowledge of such a marvellous weapon. The imprisoned god of war could scarcely help but imagine what other destructive wonders awaited to feed his being beyond the invisible veil of his island prison. He had been gone a long time, and if there was one thing the god of war knew it was that man was a resourceful and imaginative creature when it came to killing each other.

With his freedom all but in sight his thoughts happily turned to his plans after his departure from the island. Soon he would cleave his mark into the world with a war the likes of which neither man nor god had ever before seen.

Now all that was required to enact his plan was time, he thought smugly, sensing the boundless being of rage drawing ever closer. Thankfully due to his depowered state time was the only thing at the moment he had left.

BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10. BEN 10.

Roaring like the berserk beast he now was Rath wildly tore through the forest with the ferocity and unrelenting savagery of the monster of rage he had become.

Smashing tree after tree in his way into splinters and with the force of a runaway freight train he continued his path of destruction, single mindedly charging forward tirelessly and unrelentingly to some unknown destination ahead. The human turned Appoplexian had become a force of destruction – the likes of which only the forces of nature could rival.

Tearing his way through yet another tree the psychotic monster was suddenly blindsided and sent flying backward with mighty crash, knocking him out cold.

Eyes locked on their enemy Diana quickly withdrew her fist as she shifted her shielded arm into position as she took a battle ready stance, readily drawing her sword. "Know this now beast, your master shall never taste freedom again!" she icily proclaimed. "Your path of destruction ends here monster!"

Seeing the opportunity Artemis quickly charged the fallen creature, her large sword at the ready to taste the monster's blood. "As does your life!" she shouted as she swung the blade towards its neck.

Instantly the beast's enraged emerald eyes snapped open.

With a loud resonating clang the path of Artemis' sword was stopped dead in its tracks by the black claw extending from its right wrist.

Before Artemis could even react the creature was off the ground and its foot was slamming into her chest as he rebounded off her in mid air towards the princess with a mighty roar.

As the redheaded Amazon was sent crashing into a nearby tree trunk Diana's sword and shield met the tiger creature's claws in a locked stalemate.

Quickly Diana broke away from the attacking monster as she bashed his head with her now dented shield while thrusting her sword forward at the creature's heart.

To her dismay the creature – unfazed by the impact to it its head – grabbed the blade with its hand stopping it dead in its tracks then brought its forehead slamming into hers, sending her stumbling backward before she herself was quickly sent reeling to the ground with a powerful backhand.

Tossing Diana's sword aside the creature let out a mighty roar as it raised its fists upwards to bring them down heavily on the princess' head.

Suddenly Artemis' foot smashed into the creature's jaw knocking him away from the fallen princess.

"Thank Hera for you Artemis," Diana said as she quickly rose to her feet and readied herself.

As the tiger like creature turned to face them Artemis quickly unsheathed her reserve sword and tossed it to Diana. "Save what thanks you have for when we slay this beast my princess," she said as they stared the creature down and vice versa. "Besides what manner of warrior would the queen think of me if I we're to let you die in battle."

"You are the voice of modesty Artemis," Diana retorted never taking her eyes off the creature staring them down.

There was a long pregnant pause of silence between the monster and the defending Amazonian warriors.

Suddenly the tiger like creature slammed its right arm backward; sending it smashing through a large tree trunk at his side in a shower of splinters, then with near superhuman speed grabbed the trunk and thrust it downward bringing it crashing into the Amazons' midst like a mighty club.

As the tree came crashing down between them the duo quickly dove out of its path, Diana to its left and Artemis to its right.

But before Diana's feet could even touch the ground she received a heavy punch to the stomach then was grabbed and flung mightily against Artemis sending them sprawling to the ground in a tangled heap.

Emitting a low guttural growl the creature grabbed the fallen tree between him and his adversaries and tore it asunder with a single swift creaking crack of splintering wood before tossing the two pieces aside as though they weighed nothing.

As the monster stalked closer – claws at the ready, the two Amazon's groaned as they wearily rose back to their feet to fight.

Having lost her helmet during her collision with the princess Artemis quickly brushed some errant strands of hair from her vision as she once again readied her sword in unison with the princess.

Drawing closer to finish the job the creature's claws extended further from its wrists as he advanced towards them crushing Artemis' fallen helmet underfoot like a soda can before suddenly launching himself forward, clotheslining the two women in his hulking arms and bringing them all slamming to the ground.

Gasping for the air that had been suddenly knocked from their lungs, the two Amazonian warriors tried rising to their feet but to their dismay the creature was already standing over them menacingly before reaching down and grabbed their heads.

Barely able to move the duo could only watch as they were pulled from the ground and lifted by their heads as the monster readied to deliver the final blow of smashing their skulls together.

With a mighty roar the berserk Appoplexian swung his arms, rocketing their heads towards each other then without warning, stopping suddenly.

Only inches away from each other's face the two Amazons stared at each other in confusion, wondering why they weren't dead. Quickly they turned to the creature to find its gaze was locked onto Artemis, its eye filled with a blend of psychotic rage, confusion, and for brief fleeting seconds flashes of struggling lucidity.

To their surprise their monstrous attacker immediately released Diana from its grasp as though it were coming out of some kind of trance.

Immediately Diana delivered a harsh blow to the creature's face, only to her dismay to have it gone completely unnoticed by its receptor.

Again and again Diana repeatedly struck him, each blow fiercer and more powerful than last, but still her attacks went unnoticed.

Artemis stared at the creature in disbelief as it continued to ignore the blows to its body while it continued to stare at her with green eyes painted a mixture of rage and confusion.

Even further to her surprise the creature lowered her to the ground and let go, huffing and snarling as though it were struggling against some unseen force until finally to her final shock… "Gwren? Gwren…" it said in an enraged yet pained guttural growl through clenched teeth, almost as though it were in the midst of a deep personal struggle. Out of what looked like pained desperation it clutched it head as it seemed to struggle with itself in agony. "Gwren hrlrp mrrre!"

For a brief moment the two amazons stared at the creature in confusion, it had only been moments away from smashing their skulls in but for some reason had stopped and let them go when it had seen Artemis' face.

However as puzzling the situation may have been, their curiosity quickly was pushed to the wayside as their warrior's instincts immediately kicked in. Acting as one the two warriors each launched a powerful uppercut into the creature's jaw, catapulting it up into the air and crashing back to the ground.

Both women clutched their hands as they winced with pain, striking the creature's jaw was like hitting Hephaestus' most tempered armor.

Their eyes widened in agonized shock as the beast let out a ferocious snarl as it stumbled back to its feet, slightly dazed from the united blow.

"Hera, what manner of beast is this creature," Diana breathed in awestruck disbelief, they had hit it's jaw with enough force to crumble a boulder to dust.

Instinctively Artemis charged the creature, delivering another mighty blow with her right fist, sending the beast once again reeling off its feet and crashing back to the ground. Without wasting so much as a second she kicked the creature in the ribs with a sickening crunch. "There will be time enough to figure that out once it has been chained up like the beast it is!" she shouted not letting up on her blows for an instant.

Instantly her fist was intercept by the creature's massive palm and was suddenly twisted around her back as it leaped high into the air.

Eyes filled with the rawest of rage as he continued to rise higher into the air the beast unleashed a ferocious roar as it readied to sling its Amazonian captive to the ground.

Suddenly in the blink of an eye the creature was struck full on in the chest by a large blast of green energy, momentarily causing it to loosen its grip on Artemis' fist.

Seizing her chance the redhead Amazon thrust her feet into the side of the monster's head, vaulting free from its presence while sending it crashing back to the ground.

As Artemis came landing to the ground and the tiger-like creature rose back to its feet Diana quickly charged the creature and delivered a powerful roundhouse kick to its chest once again sending it careening out of control and crashing through the trunks of several trees.

Panting heavily from near exhaustion the two Amazons stared in sheer agonized disbelief as their enemy once again rose to its feet. "Great Gaea," gasped Artemis staring at the beast as they once again readily took their battle stances.

With a mighty roar that thundered across the island the beast charged the duo, claws readily drawn for the kill when from out of nowhere the beast was suddenly knocked back by hundreds if not thousands of green energy blasts, endlessly barraging it without rest.

Diana and Artemis broke from their stances as they instinctively turned to see a large figure charging out of the forest, clad in black and green armor as it erupted its emerald energy onslaught from the weapons mounted on its arms.

Shielding itself with its arms the creature menacingly turned its wrath filled gaze on its attacker only for its eyes to immediately freeze in sudden shock. "Jrlrie?" it growled in confusion, looking at the armored figure with eyes of blended pain and withdrawn psychotic rage.

As the newcomer continued with its attack Diana and Artemis turned away from their newfound ally and back to the creature only to be left stunned with what they saw next. Flowing from the creature's eyes as it stared at the newcomer were tears. It was crying.

Immediately the creature extended the claw protruding from its right wrist and speared it into the ground at its feet, unleashing a colossal shockwave that shook the area like a massive earthquake.

As the allied trio stumbled and faulted the beast broke away from the battle as it turned and leapt high into the air to continue onwards to its destination.

Out of range from its targets the large armored figure quickly lowered its arms and receded it weapons as it quickly walked towards the Amazon duo.

Expecting the worst from the newcomer as it approached them Diana and Artemis dove for their weapons, drawing them in battle ready anticipation.

Seeing the drawn blades the approaching armored figure immediately halted in its steps as its hands instantly morphed into twin hilts as blades of green light extended from them.

"Ship, no don't!" a familiar voice exclaimed from within the armor. "It's alright, they are my sisters!"

The two poised Amazon's arched their eyebrows as there was a brief pause, and then the figure's hands compliantly returned to normal as per the wearer's words.

Their eyes then widened in shock as the armor then fluidly shifted and withdrew from its wearer as it formed into a small blob like creature in the arms of Alexa.

"Ship?" it greeted timidly as it huddled against Alexa nervously.

"Alexa what- how-?" Diana began in confusion.

"Alexa what in the name of Hephaestus is that… thing?" Artemis demanded angrily.

"I honestly don't know Artemis, I just found Ship in the forest," Alexa replied as she hugged the black and green creature. "But I can tell you with certainty that he means well and only wants to help."

"Ship!" the blob affirmed with a nod.

Curiously Diana lowered her sword and curiously approached the little creature to study 'Ship' closer.

"My Princess don't!" Artemis warned, not lowering her guard for an instant. Eyes locked the blob in her sister's arms. "For all we know that thing is in league with that monster!"

Diana ignored the red headed Amazon's heed and instead reached her hand out to the small creature as a display she meant it no harm. "If it were Artemis then why did it come to our aid? Or armor Alexa with itself to protect her during this moment of crisis," she said as she slowly petted its head. Upon first touching its metallic skin it cringed worriedly then as she continued it relaxed and began to purr like a cat. Diana couldn't help but smile at the sound. "Clearly it means no ill will towards us."

"Ship," Ship affirmed with a content sigh.

With begrudging huff Artemis she reluctantly lowered her weapon glaring at it dubiously, unlike her sister and the princess she was as trusting.

"Besides," Diana continued. "There is much that needs to be understood. Didn't you notice how that creature let us go or how for a brief second it was struggling with itself? I could have sworn I even heard it ask you for help when it let you go Artemis. I think there is much more to all of this than meets the eye."

Ship concurringly nodded in agreement. "Ship," he confirmed. Ship had no idea what was happening to his friend but he knew that even as Rath Ben couldn't be so brutal. Something else had to be at work here and until he could figure out what he needed to stop Ben before he did something he couldn't undo.

Just then another thunderous bestial roar rolled through the air and followed by the united battle cry of hundreds of Amazons.

Their blood ran cold at the sound as the battle cries were silenced by a thunderous rumbling as the very ground shook beneath their feet.

Quickly Artemis sprang into action, making a mad dash for Ares' distant prison. "You waste too much time musing when our sister Amazons need us princess! There is a time for talk and a time for action!" Artemis shouted, as she ran towards the sound of the ensuing fray.

Agreeing that this was the time for the latter Diana redrew her sword and ran after the redheaded Amazon as Ship once again quickly reshaped itself back into its armor form, remerging with Alexa.

Instantly wings sprouted from the armor's back as the soles of Alexa's feet erupted with jet fire, launching her high up into the air.

Quickly she swooped down and scooped Diana and her sister into her arms before the suit increased the intensity of its propulsion, sending them rocketing to the distant battle like a cruise missile.

"I see your friend has many uses," Diana couldn't help but observe to Alexa.

"Yes, one can't help but wondering what else it can do," Artemis grimly noted.

Having seen Ship's gentle nature, Alexa couldn't help but smile, ignoring her sister's comment, though in all honesty she was rather eager to see herself. "Ship," she couldn't help but chuckle, mimicking her newfound friend's constant reply.

After a brief moment passed the airborne Amazon's were at last met with sight of the battle raging between their Amazon sisters and the creature. The sheer devastation was a sight that made the trio's eyes grew wide with shock. "Great Hera," Diana whispered in hushed horror.