6 - ||

…

"Prominence Whip!" Salamander swiped his right arm in arched motion, creating many fiery purple fire pillars that independently stretched out towards Heatblast.

The Pyronite spun and twirled himself through the air to skillfully outmaneuver each of the beams. However, though he avoided the initial attack, the beams eventually intersected on Heatblast and generated a large explosion, akin to a purple firework.

"Ha!" Salamander smiled sinisterly. "Just as I thought! The bigger the talk, the weaker the–HUH?!" He was cut off when Heatblast suddenly rocketed out of the smoke cloud and rammed into him.

"AAGHHH!" Bora yelled out in pained surprise as he went flying back.

"Was that attack supposed to hurt? It kinda tickled." Heatblast cockily remarked.

"Hmm?" Heatblast's attention was then peaked by the sudden appearance of a large wave. It lifted up the yacht and began carrying it back to the harbor. There was no way it could be natural! Was it by magic then?

His eyes widened as the realization struck him like lightning. "I see… Must be Lucy's doing. Maybe one of her spirits? Well…That's one way to dock a boat, I guess."

"HRAGH!" Heatblast turned back to Salamander, who was using his Red Carpet spell to get himself airborne again. He was soaking wet and frazzled, his expression crunched up with mad fiercity.

"DIE, YOU MONSTER!" A magic seal was summoned forth as he built up purple energy around him. "Hell Prominence!" He then released the energy into a large, powerful purple laser beam at Heatblast.

Heatblast shot off fire from his right hand to dodge the devastating attack, which split a line into the ocean. Explosions temporarily ripped across the water's surface before being doused by the waves, steam rising into the air.

Launching himself at Salamander once more, Heatblast delivered a round of fiery punches into the man's face and gut. Spinning around, he sent a fiery roundhouse kick into the man's torso, aided by flames thrusting out of his soles to provide an extra boost.

WHAAAAMM!

"AAAAAHHHH!" Salamander cried out as he went hurtling in the distance towards the marina.

…

The tsunami washed over Hargeon's marina and docks, causing substantial damage in the process. The yacht was now resting on its keel on a rocky shoreline nearby. Many townspeople ran out of their homes to investigate the disaster.

"What's going on?! Was there a tsunami?"

"Look! A ship just washed up on the harbor shore!"

Meanwhile, Lucy was not very happy at the moment. "What's the big idea?!" The blonde shouted angrily at Aquarius. She found herself back on the boat's main deck, clutching onto the railing to keep herself steady. "Did you have to wash me away with the ship?!"

"It was carelessness." Aquarius sighed, face-palming. "The ship got in the way and was washed away with you too."

"You mean you were aiming for me?!"

Aquarius shot Lucy a smug smile. "Don't call me for a while. I'm going on a week-long vacation with my boyfriend… and he's hot!" She emphasized the last part before disappearing in a flash of light.

"You don't have to rub it in!" Lucy grinded her teeth in frustration. She wouldn't admit it aloud, but she did feel a tad jealous of her spirit.

Lucy paused to take a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. Overhearing chatter nearby, she looked down to see townspeople gathering on the shore close to the beached boat. 'But I did it! With all this fuss, the army is sure to come now. All those girls are saved!'

Her expression then brightened. "I'm such a kind, considerate woman!"

"AAAAAHHHH!"

Lucy perked up at the sound of girlish screaming. Was one of the ladies inside the boat hurt? She received her answer when something, or rather, someone, suddenly crashed into the stern of the boat.

Salamander crashed through the yacht's ceiling, coincidentally landing near the same area where his defeated goons were lying on the floor.

One of the crewmen, who was covered in slashes and bruises, weakly lifted up his head and was shocked to see his boss lying on the smashed floor ahead of him. Salamander coughed up a bit of blood as he shakily pushed himself back up to his hands and knees. His decorative clothing was tattered and burned bruises were all over his face.

He had never seen him beaten so badly before!

Heatblast then flew into view, hovering in midair above the hole in the roof. "Ready for another round, Salamander? Or are you done already?" His eye holes narrowed. "Please tell me you wanna go on. I could really use the stress relief."

"Ben!" Heatblast glanced down to see Lucy running along the boat deck close by.

"Glad you're okay, Lucy. I'm assuming that wave was your doing?"

"Y-yeah. One of my Zodiac Spirits, actually."

"That's pretty cool." Heatblast then looked over and grimaced at the extensive damage done to the marina close by. "Still, you might have gone a little overboard."

"Heh-heh…" Lucy looked away, awkwardly rubbing the back of her head.

As one of the goons stared at Heatblast longer, he noticed the green hourglass disk on his chest. The man gasped, finally connecting the dots.

"B-Boss… I think I know who this guy is…" The man stuttered, wide-eyed. "That symbol on his chest… The way he transformed… There's no doubt about it! H-he's that Take-Over Master from the papers! He's the real deal, Bora!"

"Don't call me that, you fool!" Salamander, or rather Bora, yelled, his voice cracking.

Heatblast perked up, recognizing that name. "Bora?"

"Eh?" Bora turned back to the Pyronite, bemused.

"Are you Bora of Prominence?"

"Oh? So you've heard of me." Bora smirked, using his Red Carpet spell to hoist himself into the air, a few meters away from Heatblast. "Well, I was a big deal a couple years ago before I left my guild."

"So, wait… That guy isn't the real Salamander?" Lucy asked herself. 'That means he isn't a Fairy Tail wizard at all!'

"Do you remember Juvia Lockser?" Heatblast curtly asked.

Bora cocked his head. "Eh? That gloomy rain chick from Phantom? What about her?"

"She was your girlfriend, wasn't she? Were you involved in all of this while you were dating her?" Heatblast demanded.

"Tch!" Bora clicked his tongue in annoyance. "I don't see how it concerns you."

"She's my friend." Heatblast clenched his fists tightly. "So tell me… Were you going to sell her like with those other girls?"

"Hehehe." Bora grinned wickedly. "You're smart. Fine, I'll admit… That was my original intention, yes. A wizard of her caliber would've fetched a fine price, but I soon realized she was far too gloomy for any big buyers to enjoy. So I called it off with her. Good riddance, if you ask me."

"...But he was the first man to show interest in Juvia… but Bora of Prominence thought Juvia was too gloomy…just like everyone else." The beautiful rain woman's sad words echoed in his mind.

Heatblast's fire became brighter and hotter as his anger boiled over. "I changed my mind again."

"Eh!?" Bora tensed up, feeling the fierce heat radiating off of Heatblast.

The Pyronite glared at the fake Salamander with a burning rage that rivaled the sun!

"I'm going to burn you to a crisp!" He roared.

…

Meanwhile…

In a small hut in the East Forest outside of Magnolia, Natsu sneezed while sleeping in his hammock.

"Urk! … Dumb…rogue wizard… Kick your…butt…" He murmured in his sleep, turning over on his side. "You too…stupid Gray…"

In a smaller hammock close by, Happy was also talking while sleeping. "Fish…" He sighed in content. "So yummy…"

…

"You stay away from me, you damn monster!" Bora panicked, summoning another magic seal. "Red Shower!" An onslaught of purple flaming balls fired out in a scattered formation.

Heatblast propelled himself forward with a fiery trail behind him, soaring in-between the blasts and tanking the ones that did hit him with no noticeable damage.

"The only monster I see is you!" Heatblast countered, delivering a powerful gut punch that sent Bora careening back all the way across town, crashing into the top of a building.

Lucy and the bystanders standing on the shoreline watched the fight between the fire users in awe.

'First, he was a fish monster… Then he changed into this fire creature… And there's the reports of all the other things he can change into.' Lucy thought. 'How…How can he change into so many things?'

"HYAAH!" Bora cried out in desperation, conjuring up a large sphere of purplish-red flames above his head. "RED SKULL!" With all of his might, the fire wizard threw the attack at the Pyronite.

As the large attack came hurtling at him, Heatblast extended his arms and caught the flaming ball with his hands! He then focused on his abilities and absorbed the fire into his body. The flames surrounding him became hotter and brighter as a result. "Heh. Not bad. Now let me show you some real firepower."

Heatblast rocketed himself across the sky like a missile, rearing back his right fist.

"No, no, no, no!" Bora cried out.

"This is for all those girls! For Lucy! For Juvia!" Heatblast unleashed a brutal, flaming right hook into Bora's face followed by a powerful explosion that illuminated the sky like the sun!

Bora cried out as he was sent careening back across town again, crashing into the bow of his yacht. He smashed right through several decks all the way to the wooden hull. As the smoke cleared, Bora was lying in a pile of broken, splintered wood and debris. His clothes were burned and in tatters while second-degree burns and bruises covered him head-to-toe.

The slave trader groaned pitifully before succumbing to the intense pain, falling unconscious. Bora of Prominence was utterly defeated.

Heatblast landed on the rim of the hole Bora created in the deck, looking down at him with disgust. "I was right about you. You're even lamer in person."

…

It didn't take very long for a platoon of Fiore Army soldiers, who were stationed outside the city, to arrive on the scene. The women on board Bora's yacht were freed from the effects of the Sleep and Charm spells used on them. All of them were questioned and provided their testimonies before being released. Thankfully, none of them had been seriously injured.

Bora and his slave-trading crew, however, were significantly beaten up between the thrashings they received from Ripjaws and Heatblast respectively as they were put into chains and led away into prison wagons.

Before a burned and battered Bora was taken away though, Ben walked up to him. "Hold up!" He called out, stopping the soldiers escorting him. "I've got this for him." The Ultimatrix bearer placed a wooden board with rope tied on the ends over Bora's neck.

Ben placed his hands on his waist, nodding in approval. "I think it suits him."

Bora blinked twice and glanced down to see that the sign was, in fact, the autographed "Salamander" board that he had given to Ben earlier that day. The fire wizard dropped his head and moaned pitifully. Insult had been added to injury.

Lucy, who was standing nearby after giving her testimony to an army official, witnessed the scene and couldn't suppress an amused smirk. 'That was super cool!' She internally squealed.

After that, Ben and Lucy began walking away from the marina down a street together. He had his bag strapped to his back while she was still wearing her red dress with her purse dangling from her shoulder. Though they passed a few townspeople that were going to investigate the commotion at the marina, the two were mostly alone as they trekked down the road in silence.

'She said she wanted me to explain everything.' Ben mused. 'Is she waiting for me to talk or–'

"Hey," As if reading his mind, Lucy finally broke the silence, "I know it's late, but do you want to stop by a cafe? I think there's one that's still open."

Ben noted how subdued and timid her voice sounded. "Sure." He gently responded. "As long as you're comfortable with it."

Lucy wordlessly nodded, still frowning.

Later, the Ultimatrix bearer and Celestial Wizard were sitting outside of a quaint cafe at a small table. There were lampposts outside that provided enough light for them to see. Lucy had a cup of herbal tea while Ben was drinking a fruity iced beverage. He didn't know why, but the drink sparked something inside of him.

'It's like…I've tasted something like this…but better? More wonderful?' He would've pondered on that thought more but focused his attention instead on the despondent blonde girl in front of him.

Lucy rested her arms in her lap with her head down, silently staring at her teacup. Her red dress had been ruined by the ocean and, much to Ben's embarrassment, her underwear lines were clearly visible. He tried not to focus on that though, especially given Lucy's current emotional state.

Ben was quiet as he took small slurps of his drink. He didn't want to push her into talking before she was ready. Looking back, he had arrived to rescue her just seconds before she would have been branded. He couldn't imagine how frightened and potentially traumatized she was by the whole ordeal.

He perked up when Lucy let out a deep exhale. "First… I should thank you, Ben. You really saved me this time."

"You don't have to thank me, Lucy. It's fine–"

Lucy shook her head vehemently. "No, no it's not. I...I was almost branded, Ben. If you hadn't showed up, me and those other girls would've…we would've…" She broke down into tears, the true weight of what had nearly happened to her had finally sunken in.

Ben instinctively reached out to take Lucy's hands, gently holding them. "Hey, you're safe. Those girls are safe." He consoled her. "And those losers are locked up and going to prison. It's going to be okay."

Lucy continued to sob while Ben caressed her hands, offering quiet support. A short while later, Lucy finally calmed down and wiped the tears from her eyes. "T-thank you…" Her voice was shaky.

Ben nodded and smiled. "Anytime. Do you feel better?"

A small smile crossed her pink lips. "Yeah…A little." She then looked up at Ben. "So…you're him? You're the Take-Over Master?"

The brunet shrugged, clueless. "I guess? Is that what I'm being called?"

Lucy blinked twice. "You haven't read the latest issue of Sorcerer Weekly? You were the top story featured. With all the people you helped in those towns, you're becoming popular. I wouldn't be surprised if you're given an epithet soon."

"An epithet?" Ben titled his head, confused.

"Yah know, like a moniker. A nickname that describes you, basically." Lucy cleared up.

"I see… So like Titania? Or Salamander? Uh, the real Salamander, I mean." He quickly corrected.

"That's right." Lucy then looked at the brunet closely. "On that note, who exactly are you, Ben?"

'And here we go.' Ben took a few more sips from his fruity beverage, and then exhaled deeply. "I really wish I could answer that, Lucy." He twirled the straw in his glass.

"Why can't you? Do you not trust me?" She inquired, sounding a bit hurt.

Ben shook his head. "It's not that. It's because I can't answer it."

"Eh?" She was confused.

He clarified. "I have amnesia, Lucy. I don't remember much of anything about myself."

Lucy's brown eyes shot open in surprise. "S-Seriously?!" She was not expecting that!

Ben nodded, sighing. "You see, it started around three weeks ago."

The Ultimatrix bearer spent over half-an-hour summing up everything that had happened to him since waking up in the Worth Woodsea. From his time in Cait Shelter, his travels with the merchantman, and the criminals he had defeated and the people he had helped along the way.

"Whoa…" Lucy took Ben's explanation in stride. "... So, you came to Hargeon hoping to find a ride back home. But the country you say you're from wasn't on the map…?"

Ben nodded in confirmation. He then reached into his bag and pulled out his wallet, opening it and handing his "Driver License" card to her. "This was in the jacket I woke up in."

Lucy looked at the card. "Driver's License? Is this like a permit to drive a magic-mobile?"

"I…guess?" Ben sounded unsure. "What's a magic-mobile?"

"It's basically a horseless carriage. It's powered by a wizard's magical power." Lucy answered. "You won't see many of them since only wizards can operate them."

Ben suddenly had several new memories play through his mind.

A white motorhome with red and blue stripes…and an array of advanced technology.

A green muscle car with black racing stripes…and an array of advanced technology.

A mostly black sports car with green highlights…and an array of advanced technology.

Ben blinked twice to clear his head. "Huh… So they're like automobiles."

"I've never heard them called that, but I suppose…" Lucy looked at Ben's card more closely. "Bellwood…New York…United States of America…?" She looked back at him. "Ben, neither of these places are real."

His emerald eyes widened in shock. "A-Are you sure?"

"I'm positive. I don't mean to brag or anything, but I received a pretty solid education growing up. So I know my geography very well." Lucy shook her head. "I'm sorry, Ben. But these locations don't exist anywhere in the world."

"Oh…" Ben slumped his shoulders, his head dropping to the table. "But… I remember them. At least, I…I think I do? Grr!" He grabbed his head and pulled his hair while slamming his elbows on the table, growling. "Dammit! This is so frustrating! Why can't I remember?!"

Lucy looked at him sympathetically, her heart going out to her shape-shifting hero. 'Ben…' She couldn't imagine the situation he was in, or how he must be feeling. But still, she wanted to help him.

A storm of frustration and turmoil swirled inside Ben's head. Then, streaks of golden light broke through the storm clouds as he felt something soft grasp his left hand. 

He glanced up and was met by the sight of Lucy's warm, sweet smile as she held his hand in her right.

"I may not understand what you're going through, but I do care." Lucy told him sincerely. "I'll help you in any way I can, Ben. I promise you that."

Ben blinked a few times and felt all of his worries melt away…and his heart skipped a couple beats too. His face was also heating up. 'Pretty girls sure do have an effect on guys, don't they…' He inwardly mused.

Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Ben returned the smile. "Thanks."

"No problem." She softly replied, still holding his hand. "So… Do you have any idea what you're going to do now?"

"Well, I thought of maybe finding some type of magic that could restore my memories. I asked the guy at the magic shop, but he didn't know of any."

"There's a shock." Lucy remarked to herself, sounding sardonic.

Ben continued. "But he did suggest asking a wizard guild. There's so many of them, so there's got to be someone who can help. I just have to find out which guild to start with."

…

…

Lucy lightly gasped as an idea struck her like lightning. Without warning, the cute blonde stood out of her seat. "I've got it!"

He was taken aback by her sudden exclamation. "Got what?"

She smiled widely as her brown eyes sparkled. "Let's go to Fairy Tail! You and me!"

"Fairy Tail?" Ben repeated, confused.

"Yeah! They're the best guild in the whole entire world!" She excitedly stated. "If any guild knows a way to cure your amnesia, it would have to be them, right?"

Ben momentarily mulled over her response and admitted that there was merit to it. "That's true…" He conceded. 'At the very least, maybe they could point me in the right direction…?'

"Also," Lucy went on, snapping Ben out of his thoughts, "you were right earlier today. If I want to join Fairy Tail, then I need to take the chance and apply myself! I shouldn't have tried to rely on someone else to get me in like I did with that Fake Salamander sleazebag." She clenched her left fist, smiling determinedly. "I'll join the Fairy Tail guild of my own accord!"

Ben nodded and smiled proudly at her.

"So… What do you say?" Lucy asked, hopefulness in her tone. "Do you wanna come with me?"

The amnesiac young man lowered his head, momentarily considering all of his available options. It didn't take him long though to reach a decision.

Ben lifted his head up and nodded. "Yeah. Let's do it."

Lucy smiled happily and immediately pulled him out of his seat and down the street alongside her. "ALRIGHT! LET'S GO!" She laughed boisterously.

Much to Ben's embarrassment (and inward delight), Lucy's hand was still grasping his left hand tightly and affectionately.

Notes:

And cut! We did it! We made it past the pilot! Cue Fairy Tail's Ending Song #1!

I'll admit, this chapter turned out to be longer than I expected. The longest one in this story actually. The scenes at the beginning with Ben asking around and learning the truth of his homeland ate up more of the word count that I presumed, but I do believe it was worth it story-wise.

Credit to Insane Dominator for offering a few suggestions that I took.

Several things I need to point out.

One, the version of Ripjaws used here is the one from the Original Series. Same voice actor too. UAF Ripjaws was lame in comparison. Omniverse's Ripjaws wasn't bad, but I do lean more toward the OS design and voice.

Second, the version of Heatblast used here is the Ben 10k Adult Pyronite form. Though, since Ben is still growing, he's not quite as robust yet. But he has reached the state of maturity to develop the "volcanic vents" on his shoulders. As for his voice, Steve Blum, of course! The best voice for Heatblast of all time. Period. Nuff said.

Third, Natsu and Happy made another appearance, but didn't stick around for very long once Ben revealed there was no dragon in town. I went this route for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I wanted to avoid the route that nearly every writer takes when they're introducing their OC or Crossover Character into the Fairy Tail pilot where they're essentially tacked on. Secondly, it makes things easier from a writing perspective without having to worry about what Natsu and Happy are doing over the course of the chapter.

Fourth, Ben was still holding back in his battle with Bora; otherwise, the firepower he produced would've incinerated him. So don't start claiming I'm nerfing Ben here. Bora is a scumbag, but I don't believe Ben (in any state) would cross the line here; especially when the antagonist is an entry-level baddie.

Fifth, Ben recalled several things in this chapter. One of them being a one-off Villain from the OS, his experience with Dragons, and the three automobiles he's familiar with (the Rustbucket, Kevin's car, and his own sports car). He's also on the verge of potentially (maybe) recalling a certain fruity beverage. Guess we'll see how long it takes him to remember.

Sixth, I'm honestly drawing a blank on what Ben's epithet could be. I'd rather not have to refer to him as the "Take-Over Master" forever. I do know of an appropriate time for when Ben could start calling him by his moniker, but I need to have one first. Feel free to offer suggestions in the review box or PM me. I'll, of course, credit you!

So, with that, everyone's favorite Celestial Wizard, Lucy Heartfilia, makes her debut! And she is determined to help her shape-shifting hero in any way she can. More on that in future updates!

Next update will be Ben and Lucy's arrival to Fairy Tail. While the latter is excited about joining, the former isn't so sure about that. Also, Makarov senses something amiss about Ben while two certain ladies take an interest in him. Meanwhile, Natsu will be Natsu.

As always, I appreciate the support and feedback I've received so far!