Nick flew overhead in his Aerophibian form of Jetray, the mass of smoke filling his nose as he swooped down, arriving at the Town Hall as he landed. “Mayor Mare is still inside!” One of the assistants stated with clear smolder on her fur, Nick narrowed his eyes, raising his three fingered hand just above his Omnitrix ready to switch until there was a massive crash through the window to the left. Grabbing the crowd of worried ponies attention, landing on the ground with Mayor Mare on the back of a mysterious pony, it was evident it was a mare from her eyes and general physical shape, clad in what appeared to be a sort of bright red and yellow costume with all sorts of bizarre equipment around her lower stomach as a sort of utility belt.

“Have no fear citizens of Ponyville, I’ve got this taken care of!” She stated as she pulled out from her utility belt what appeared to be some type of retractable super pogo stick, using it to hop up and directly over the Town Hall, she then pulled out what appeared to a Water Gun...which let out a MASSIVE gush of water, covering the entire building as the fire fully died down from the massive overflow.

The crowd cheered, along with the promptly gathered Mane Six, with a completely baffled Nick. Reverting to his human form, he raised his eyebrow, “that must be Equestrias strongest super soaker.” The wielder of the Omnitrix jokingly stated.

Mayor Mare adjusted herself as she looked at the mysterious mare, “oh sweet Celestia! You saved my life! What is your name mysterious hero?” She asked, the mystery mare then smiled widely.

“I am the monkey wrench in the plans of evil, I am the terror that gallops in the day and night, I am the bringer to the end of evil across Equestria with Celestia as my witness! I am the mare, Piercing Beam!” She introduced herself, taking a pose as a wider smile formed on her face.

“Wait...Piercing Beam? THE Piercing Beam?” Twilight asked curiously with a raised eyebrow herself, Nick having his arms crossed over his arms in a look of casual stoicism. “Who?”

Rarity perked up, “Piercing Beam is a hero that goes from city to town all over Equestria saving ponies with nothing but her self made gadgets and her wits!”

“She’s an icon to lil fillies like my sister, something for them to aspire to be. But she disappeared years ago...” Applejack followed up as Nick then asked. “That so huh?” He then glanced back to Piercing Beam, taking a step forward and approaching her. The grey furred mare with a nice black mane with yellow streaks in it tilted her head upward to look at the human. “You must be the famed Nicholas Taylor I’ve heard about over Canterlot. An honor to meet you.” She said as she extended her hoof to him, Nick narrowing his eyes. Something felt off about her.

Regardless, he took her hoof in his hand, shaking it firmly. “Good to meet you!”

The interaction of the two got the attention flashing cameras, taking photos of this meeting. “However I have come here on official business regarding you Nicholas,” she stated, Nick raising an eyebrow curiously. “Just call me Nick, and yes?”

“I challenge you, to the Heroes Crucible!” She shouted as she pointed a hoof toward Nick, the ponies of Ponyville gasping at this request. Nick’s curiosity grew.

“The Heroes Crucible? The gauntlet of trials that tries to show which hero is superior to the other? Banishing the loser to another town?” Nick’s explanation of the Crucible was spot on, Twilight looking at him with a confused expression before Nick chuckled. “I read too Twi. But to say to your offer? No.” Nick replied as Piercing Beam tilted her head.

“No? What do you mean no?” She asked.

“I mean no, negatory, outta, notta, zilch. I don’t want to.” He retorted, “the Heroes Crucible is nothing but a glorified dick measuring contest, which is why it was lost to the Equestrian History books, only needed to determine the disappearance of certain heroes. And I quite like my home in Ponyville, so. No.” Nick explained as he put his hands on his hips.

Piercing Beam approached him, getting directly in his face as she huffed. “You WILL accept the challenge!” She commanded as Nick narrowed his eyes. “Nope, I won’t, I’m gonna grab something to eat.” Nick said as he turned and waved them off, slipping his hands in his pocket as he said. “Stay a while though Piercing, the fillies like you.” He said glancing back with a smirk.

Piercing growled, her own eyes scrunching as she then said while the human walked away.

“Oh...I’m not going anywhere until my challenge is completed, and until I am considered a better more fit hero then you...”

“You can’t just ditch the challenge of the Heroes Crucible Nick!” Twilight stated, her and the girls having tagged along with Nick as an hour passed. The gang was currently sat outside a small restaurant, Nick leaning back in a chair as he drank what appeared to be a soft drink, popping the drink from his mouth, he said. “I can, and I did. The Heroes Crucible isn’t for me, and seeing as I’m rather brushed up on it, there is no penalty if I don’t accept the challenge in the first place. It’s meant to trap prideful unfit heroes, in which I am neither of those. Soooooo, nope.”

That was when Fluttershy spoke up, “oh I don’t know...I think it’d be fun for you to show off your powers and abilities in a more controlled environment that ponies aren’t running from! Along with that, my birds have been looking to be a part of an event again..”

Nick’s brow scrunched, “as much as I love the sound of giving your birds some more to do. We’re talking about banishment from Ponyville, and I sincerely believe that neither of us are unfit.”

“I wouldn’t say so...” Rainbow Dash responded as she put her hooves down on the table, “while it may sound hypocritical from me, do you find it odd how aggressive she was with challenging Nick? It reminds me to much of when I first saw you all dressed as the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well.”

Rarity rubbed her chin with her hoof curiously, “now that you mention it, she did almost command Nick to accept her challenge...which is-“

“A sign of almost extreme pride and disbelief that I refused.” Nick took a deep breath as he heard a zipping noise, the legs of his chair being pulled underneath him as he fell backwards, his drink spilling all over him as he landed on his back. A note attached to a rock landing in front of him, sitting up, Nick took the rock and removed the note.

“Dear Nicholas Taylor, I inqu- inquer? She spelled in inquire wrong...bleh whatever, I inquire you reconsider my challenge, or else I will tarnish your name throughout the lands of Equestria that you are scared to face a mare in the Crucible.”

He shook his head and tossed the note aside, “so what if she tarnishes my name. Will anybody believe her anyway?”

Applejack sat in front of him, her hooves crossed over her chest. “Sugah you may have saved Equestria like we have, but regardless of that, I believe you should take the opportunity to really show your stuff. It takes a lot to build a good PR. It don’t take much to bring it crashing down.”

“And along with that, the lose of respect, means lack of coordination and cooperation from the civilians, making saving them way more difficult.” Twilight added further.

“AND NOBODY WILL COME TO YOUR PARTIES IF YOUR HATED!” Pinkie exclaimed as Nick glanced to her, the mare thinking. “Well...except me!”

That was when Starlight patted Nick’s shoulder, “I think you should do it Nick. It’d be a fun thing to watch for the kids, and along with that, you can at least knock Piercing down a peg for ruining your drink.”

“This is true...” Nick muttered as he looked down to his soaked jacket, Twilight pouting as Starlight shrugged. “What? I mean it’s true!”

Nick then stood up, “alright then. I’ll accept the challenge.” He smirked widely as he clenched his fists, “when do we start this showdown? 11 AM tomorrow?”

“In terms of the standardized rules, yes.” Twilight responded as Nick smirked even wider, “alright. Well. Guess I should change clothes... Get ready for my big day tomorrow!” He said as he made his way to the castle, “this should be-“ Nick paused as he muttered under his breath. “Interesting...”

“And today we have the first active Equestrian Heroes Crucible, between two of our heroes! Nicholas Taylor, the human far from home, and the returning Piercing Laser! Who will come out on top durning this? We’re not sure!” An announcer stated, three sitting at a table as Nick stood beside Piercing Beam with his arms crossed. The mare glanced up to him, smirking as she rubbed her hooves together. “Prepare to lose severely...”

Nick rolled his eyes, “well. I’m prepared for someone to lose badly.” He replied as the mare narrowed her eyes, bearing fangs that poked out from her teeth. “Why you little-“

That was when the announcer piped up, “the Heroes Crucible will be decided in 6 to 8. The victor is given bragging rights along with free reign to stay in the town they operate in. The loser? Is banished.”

“Like I said, major dick measuring contest.” Nick mumbled under his breath.

“Well, what are you waiting for then? What is the first trial?” Piercing asked anxiously. The announcer looking down at a piece of paper. “As any hero should have, the strength to save ponies. So, we have arranged these boulders in front of you, generously provided by Pinkie Pie.”

Rainbow Dash glanced to the side with a skeptical look to the party pony, who asked. “Whaaaaat? I’m still a Pie! We can tell good rocks from bad ones at a basic level!” She said proudly as Rainbow Dash then muttered, “yeah sure Pinkie..”

Nick rubbed his chin, “strength huh?” Clicking the faceplate of his Omnitrix, the holographic wheel presented itself.

“Well, while he fiddles with his toy! I will be lifting! As an earth pony, I am naturally physically stronger then unicorns or pegasi, however through proper use of leverage and equipment...” She wrapped a rope around her waste and around the boulder in front of her. Using what appeared to be climbing claws and digging them into the rock, with extreme difficulty, regardless she raised it up. Her hind legs shaking as she held it upward toward the sky. The ponies surrounding clapping at her success, up until the sound of Nick activating his Omnitrix core popping up was present.

“Any challenge of strength is a no-brainer...however,” he slammed down on the dial. Orange fur with tiger like strips growing along his body as the mass of it increased, his muscle growing as two large claws formed at the top of his hands. Letting out a massive roar, Rath the Appoplexian yelled.

“LEMME TELL YOU SOMETHING PIERCING LASER, WINNER OF MANY OF THESE POINTLESS HERO CRUCIBLES! RATH WILL SHOW WHY RATH IS THE STRONGEST IN THIS CHALLENGE!” Digging his fingers into the boulder, he raised it up, throwing it in the air. “THE RATH SPECIAL, SERIOUS ROCK KICKING!” He exclaimed as he leapt up, kicking the rock past the residence of Ponyville and out into the Everfree.

Unleashing another massive roar, the sound of the Omnitrix timing out was present, Nick returning to his human form as he rubbed the back of his head. “Yeah, sorry about, but there isn’t anything wrong with variety...right?” He asked, the announcer stating, “the victor of this trial is Nicholas Taylor! The immense strength of his monster forms is astonishing, let’s see how much more we can see by the end of this day?”

Nick was ready to correct him and say aliens, but stayed quiet, making his way to the next trial, the sound of Fluttershys birds singing in harmony signifying the advancement. Piercing Laser dropped the rock, relinquishing her equipment as she followed not to far behind Nick. Her eyes narrowing as she looked at the human. Arriving at what appeared to be two building very lazily constructed with help from Rainbow Dash, who giggled softly as she sat in the stands with her friends. “A hero can be strong sure, however they need speed to accommodate this! So, we have set up a fake scenario!” The two buildings caught fire, “with two dolls resembling that of fillies inside! Rescue them and the first one out with the filly unharmed will be declared the victor!”

“Ha! Could the announcers not given me such a simple task, grabbing what appeared to be a grappling hook, she swung it up and attached it to the window.

Nick seeing as he had to leeway to dial up, “Omnitrix, recommended form?”

The Omnitrix began to beep and chirp to life, “Omnitrix recommends Cascan DNA. Would you like to nickname it?”

“If it’s what I believe it is, give it the Ben Tennyson name of Overflow.” He stated as it chirped in acceptance before transforming Nick. Water flowing over him as a nice red armor formed over his body, a breathing brace connected to the armor along with two top wrist mounted water propulsion devices, his fingers forming into three on each hand as he looked up at the burning building. “Alright, let’s get this filly!” He said as he launched himself in the air and crashing through the window, Piercing Beam having just entered the building as the race began.

Overflow taking the time to snuff out the flames in his way as he called out, “lil filly! Where are you!?” The raging inferno not penetrating the armor as he made his way, eventually coming upon a closet. Grabbing it and tearing it open, his green eyes came across the doll as he picked it up and held onto it tightly in one arm, using the other to continue to blast and control the fire before he launched himself out of the front door, his eyes narrowing as he looked at the perfectly maintained doll, handing it to the announcer, Piercing Beam came out soon after, placing her doll on the table as well with a little burn mark on its hoof.

“We declare Nicholas Taylor the victor!” The announcer exclaimed, the crowd stomping their hooves at his stellar victory. Overflow waved at them, his eyes glancing to Piercing who looked away from him with a huff. The sound of Fluttershys birds chirping once again, notifying the competition had advanced to the next round!

After an intensive day of trial after trial, the results were in. Piercing Beam looking to the side as Nick had an eyebrow raised, “this Crucible was a complete landslide! With contestant Piercing Laser only gaining a two points out of Nicks four! So, as announcers and judges. Nicholas Devin Taylor, we declare you the winner!” The main announcer spoke, approaching Nick, the human leaned down, allowing him to put a medal around his neck. “Every town is provided with at least one Crucible medal! So accept this!”

Nick shook smiled widely at the number of old timer cameras taking pics of him and Piercing.

“YOU HUMILIATED ME!” Piercing exclaimed as she narrowed her eyes at the human, Nick raising his hands up defensively. “Woah! Woah! It’s just a contest! Chill!” He stated, Piercing growling. “It’s more then that you have baked naked monkey! This contest was to put me on the map! Make me relevant again after the arrival of the Elements of Harmony, and especially you..” Piercing Beam walked off. Nick tilting his head, “uh. Where you going?”

She narrowed her eyes, “to plot. You will RUE the day you crossed paths with me Nicholas Taylor!” She shouted, galloping off.

Twilight stood beside him, “huh. Y’know? That weirdly reminds me of Trixie.” She said as Nick then nodded. “The showboating unicorn? Oh yeah, I agree with that wholeheartedly. Can’t be helped though. Pride is the downfall of people and ponies apparently.”

The alicorn nodded, “couldn’t agree more, now you’ve got a few reporters asking about the contest in further detail and what you thought of it. Sooooo, hop to it famous.” She said in a joking town as Nick simply rolled his eyes turning. “One at a time, please!” He stated.

Author's Notes:

Thought I’d have a lil fun with this chapter before we moved onto the next one, Piercing Beam is meant to be more of a gag villain then anything. But she’ll have her potential serious moments! Right now is a time for finding some things to do in Equestria outside of Erebus and the overarching plot, so, FILLER!

https://ben10.fandom.com/wiki/Jetray

https://ben10.fandom.com/wiki/Rath_(Classic)

https://ben10.fandom.com/wiki/Overflow