Steven 10 Returns Part 1

Steven 10 Returns Part 1 is the first episode of Steven 10 Alien Force.

Plot
At a DNAlien Magiblot lair, the Highbreed Magiblot commander is informed of an individual leaking the alien's operations to the authorities for several months. The source of the leak has been located: Paul Tennyson. The commander orders that Max be eliminated to prevent further interference with their plans.

A soccer game is shown being held at Steven Tennyson's school. Steven, now 15, is his team's goalkeeper while bullies Cash and J.T. are among the opposing team. With little time left, Cash and J.T. nearly score a goal but are stopped by Steven just as the time stops. Following the match, Steven meets a girl named Alexandra, who congratulates him on his victory. Steven bikes to his grandfather's RV, the Rust Bucket and knocks on the door, unaware he is being watched. When no one answers, Ben sees that the lights inside are off. He finds the vehicle's key and manages to enter, finding the interior ransacked. The bathroom is empty despite supposed noises coming from inside. As he is leaving, Ben is attacked by a DNAlien and is unable to defend himself without the Omnitrix. The DNAlien momentarily loses sight of Steven, who takes advantage of the situation and scares off the alien with a fire extinguisher.

Steven attempts operating the vehicle's dashboard when a compartment opens with a device inside. The device contains a pre-recorded holographic message from Paul, who informs Ben of renewed alien activity on Earth that he is investigating and that the Omnitrix is safe with Ben. Ben does not notice the appearance of a DNAlien on the recording as it ends. Ben rushes home to see if Max was serious - the Omnitrix is indeed there in his room inside a box; Steven is confused of Max's motives.

Steven leaves to see his cousin at her karate class. Steven tells her he needs her advice on something - he shows her the recording, believing Paul is telling him to begin reusing the Omnitrix, but Gwen disagrees, remembering that it was always Steven's choice as to whether or not he wanted to use it. Steven says how he used to feel special wearing the watch, but Gwen tells Steven he was the one that was special. She warns that his regular teenage life will come to an end once he starts using the Omnitrix again, but Steven is confident Paul is in need of his help. The man watching Steven at the Rust Bucket reappears asking for the Omnitrix. Steven refuses and attempts to run, but the man pursues them and reveals himself to in fact be an alien known as Magister Labrid. He shoots Steven when the latter attempts to run; Gwen harnesses her greatly enhanced magical prowess to restrain Labrid; they interrogate him and learn he is a Plumber like Paul. He reports that Paul went missing in the middle of a case. The Magister suddenly realizes who he's talking to and apologizes for mistaking Steven for a random thieving child. He agrees to help them find Paul.

Steven then decides to wear the Omnitrix. The three head to an abandoned train station, having been informed by Max that an illegal alien tech delivery is being carried out by the Forever Knights. Taking cover, they watch as more shipments arrive followed by a green muscle car - out steps the Knights' supplier: Dave Levin, who Ben and Gwen instantly recognize. The trade takes place as planned - being delivered is a weapon called the Laser Lance, which Kevin tests on a nearby train car. Labrid is infuriated that Level 5 technology is present on Earth (the planet's standard being Level 2) - however, the human weapon suppliers are in fact DNAliens - the Magister uses his pistol to create a fire barrier between his group and the criminals. The Forever Knights, still continue to converge on them - Ben attempts to fight them through activating the Omnitrix, but the Omnitrix is dysfunctional.

Sali uses her powers to combat the Knights and creates a shield before them to protect Ben. Both Gwen and Labrid become immobilized by the DNAliens' slime-like salivary material. Ben watches the Omnitrix suddenly change its appearance on the spot - with his watch recalibrated, Ben sees a newer collection of species to transform - selecting at random, Ben finds himself transforming into a plant-based, odorous creature called Swampfire.

Ben uses Swampfire's great strength to fend of his enemies - he is unimpeded by incoming gunfire, which appears to harmlessly impale his body. A shot fired suddenly severs his arm, but his powers enable him to reattach lost limbs. Kevin, meanwhile, confronts Ben for revenge for his defeat and imprisonment years ago. His new abilities allow him to literally absorb any form of matter, resulting in his skin being composed of said matter instead. He and Ben duel. Kevin tries using a train car to attack Ben, but using Swampfire's ability of producing fire, Ben blasts the car, incapacitating Kevin. Labrid places special cuffs on Kevin that suppress his matter absorption ability.

With the Knights having escaped with the weaponry, Labrid wants Kevin to disclose their location as he set up the deal. Kevin agrees to help as he was never paid. They travel in his car. Labrid explains that the weapons deal would lead them to the alien activity Max mentioned, before Max vanished. Gwen jokes that Max is lying to them and is enjoying leisure instead, but Ben emphatically calls her off for it - this frustrates Kevin, who stops the car and tells Ben to apologize (this implies his future romantic interest for her). Ben does so, though Gwen understands his worries - Labrid points out Ben is the one with the Omnitrix and he should be trying to find Max. They arrive at a large castle. Gwen uses her abilities to lower the drawbridge, but the place is deserted. Kevin is sure this is still the right place and instructs them to look out for a hidden door. He accidentally knocks over a suit of armor - the sound awakens a massive dragon-like creature.

Major Events

 * Max Tennyson goes missing, which leads Ben and Gwen to go on a quest to search for him.
 * The Omnitrix recalibrates after Ben puts the it back on his wrist for the first time in roughly four years.
 * Kevin Levin returns after a four-year absence.

Character Debuts

 * Highbreed Magiblot
 * DNAlien Magiblots
 * Alexandra
 * Magister LodeSpace
 * Mrs. Tennyson
 * Sensei
 * Sparring Partner

Omnitrix Alien Debuts

 * Firey Underwear

Characters

 * Steven Tennyson (first reappearance)
 * Salli Tennyson (first reappearance)
 * Dave Levin (first reappearance)
 * Paul Tennyson (first reappearance; hologram)
 * Alexandra (first appearance)
 * Mrs. Tennyson (first appearance; cameo)
 * Magister LodeSpace (first appearance)
 * Cash Murray (first reappearance)
 * J.T. (first reappearance)
 * Sensei (first appearance)
 * Sparring Partner (first appearance)

Villains

 * Highbreed Magiblot (first appearance)
 * DNAlien Magiblots (first appearance)
 * Stormtroopers (first reappearance)

Aliens Used

 * Firey Underwear (first appearance)

Allusions

 * In Ultimate Alien, the title for the episode Ben 10,000 Returns is a play on this episode's title.
 * In both this and the first episode of the original series, Ben transforms into his fire-based alien first.
 * The soccer clothes Ben wore in the beginning of the episode are based off the clothes he wore in the original series.