Ben 10 Cosmology

“	It is a big Universe, Ben, full of wonder and variety and... yes, incredible grossness.	„
	~ Rook to Ben

Introduction

This page will cover Ben 10 Terminology and Cosmology. This page will use statements from the Ben 10 series, Novels, and Other verified information from secondary sources that are supported by the show. It will go over the Each Term and what each term mean and their supposed Inconsistencies throughout the show and propose what's best.

Canonicity

Material with direct narrative connections to the show are considered secondary canon.

Material without direct narrative connections to the show are considered alternative canon.

Attempts to scale or use content from outside material to the show will be under scrutiny of compatibility with the primary source material.

Comics:

• Hero Times Two: The comic book between Generator Rex and Ben 10 is considered a two-sided crossover and is regarded as secondary canon supported by the show.
• Parallel Paradox: In Ben 10 it appears to us that there are 2 Paradox, the first is Paradox which we always see in the show but the second is Parallel Paradox it appeared in the Parallel Paradox comic and also Parallel Paradox appeared in the show. Parallel Elena stated that the Vreedle Brothers tried to steal the Annihilargh device and it accidentally and destroy the universe, and Parallel Paradox stated that Ben, using Alien X, reshaped the universe and time, which was shown in the series. They also mention the story of Elena, who appeared in the Ben 10 show and movie.
• Ben 10 classic TPB 2: In this comic, Ben remembers meeting a future version of himself, this meeting was featured in the show. In one of the Scans, a reference is made about Ben 10.000 defeating Vilgax in the Future, which we have seen in the show what ben did to him.
• Ben 10: UA Issue #1: Jarett says that Rath had defeated him once before, which he was referring to the episode Con of Rath where Rath threatened him and Rath even remembered this in the comic.
• Halloween Special: In the comic this nameless character says that he wishes to dress up like Crashhopper due to saving a lady and her baby from rockets. Which refers to a scene from Ben 10 Omniverse in So Long and Thanks for All The Smoothies. To make it more consistent, these beings are aware of Kraaho species which were introduced in Ben 10 Omniverse - Hot Stretch.
• Ghost Ship: This is the first appearance/introduction of these beings that appeared in the Holloween Special mention above.

Games:

• Vilgax Attack: Ben, Gwen, and Kevin are amazed that Mor Otesi is a real, which they thought was an legend in show, also mentioned in the books, it actually exists.
• Cosmic Destruction: Psyphon tells about Pluto was destroyed long time ago, and this was shown in the show. Albedo stated that Ben had previously blown up the Omnitrix and taken the Ultimatrix from Albedo, also this was shown in the show.

The Movies:

• Alien Swarm: In the episode Revenge of the Swarm, Ben remembers the events that appeared in Alien Swarm, which is the defeat of Elena, and he even remembers Elena, whose first appearance was in Alien Swarm and did not appear again until the Ultimate Alien series. Also, Kavin said that Ben defeat Elena in the past (meaning in Alien Swarm), and Gwen also says that Victor Validus was not seen again for a long time.

Individual Timeline (2-A Dimensions Per Timeline/Branch) 4-D

Each timeline and its branches have the same parallel Dimensions. The universe is an infinite space that contains infinite number of dimensions each of which are separated by a barrier of space-time that is accessible by specific in-verse in-universe dimension connecting devices; ex: Dimensional disruptor, null-void gun.

3-D Space Per Dimension (High 3-A)

According to the episode Back with a Vengeance (Ben 10: Season 2, Episode 13): Gwen in the Null Void: "This place looks like it goes on forever. Max: "It does, so keep your eyes open."

According to the tertiary canon novelization of the Alien Force War of the Worlds Arc (Ben 10: War of the Worlds by Charlotte Fullerton): "Space. The vast and beautiful cosmos fills the view in every direction with its infinite star systems, colorful nebulae, and strange worlds."

According to the tertiary canon novelization of the Alien Force Plumbers' Helpers episode (Paradox: And, Plumbers' Helpers by Barry Hutchison): "With a final deafening scream, the alien creature was dragged into the van and sucked into the dark, empty, endless wasteland of the Null Void."

Dimensions

1. The Null Void: - It is a Prison Dimension, an infinite alternate/parallel Dimension that grids to the regular space by the Anur system (a inter-dimensional realm), confirming that the Null Void is a part of the universe. Further stated by Servantis who included the Null Void in the overall structure of the whole universe in the context of his statement, the Null Void has never been referred as Universe in the lore, neither is treated as one by anyone. It has just been treated as an extradimensional prison colony.
2. Anur phaetos: An inter-dimensional realm that exists between Dimensions and is a part of the known universe. It is also a home world of the Ectonurite species of the universe and it branches off in parallel and together with Ben's dimension (and all of infinite dimensions) such that each universe have its own Anur Phaetos.
3. Bladder Dimension: Gourmand species linked to a Trans-Spatial bladder Dimension where they store their food, Rook stated that is a part of universe wonders.
4. Dimension 12: A Pan-dimensional realm where time stood still. Kevin despite being aware of Dimension 12 claimed that universe is everything, further confirmed by paradox who said "there is always far more to the reality than we imagine" while referring to the multiverse means, what Kevin was aware of till know is just a universe and there is realities beyond even it.
5. Ledgerdomain: A realm that is made up of mana where Time flows differently and rules of physics is different here in the sense Sky and earth aren't parallel here. Confirmed by Gwen that it's a part of the universe. Also Legerdomain is just a homeworld of Charmcaster's species and rock monsters of the universe. So it's very logical to say as well that it's a part of the universe.
6. Rex's Dimension: A parallel Dimension similiar to Ben's Dimension where Rex lives, Ben compared this Dimension with the likes of the Null Void, legerdomain and the Null Void which are in-universe Dimensions in Ben 10, further it was shown that Rex Dimension and Ben's Dimension can be connected via Dimensional disruptor whose functioning is same as of the Null Void gun, A device that is only capable of connecting in-universe dimensions.
7. Dimension of Bezel: Every timeline/universe has a Dimension of Bezel where Charms of Bezel were created. Alternate Timelines were also shown to contain these charms which wouldn't be possible if this dimension exist outside the universe since alternate timelines branch from the prime Universe.
8. Simulated worlds: These worlds aren't similar to other Dimensions mentioned before and may not qualify as Universe, these Dimensions are results of programming/computer simulations which has taken the shape of reality. Examples: SumoSlammers game, Universe inside a Omnitrix.
9. Other Infinite Dimensions: According to Doctor Holiday at the end of the Heroes United crossover, there are infinite dimensions. The crossover frames the context of these dimensions as only in-universe Dimensions. They weren't used to refer to different universes, not once. Furthermore, Doctor Holiday's statement of "Infinite Dimensions" included the Rex's dimension, Ben's Dimension, and the Null Void, inherently giving the statement enough context for the universe to contain infinite dimensions. To support Doctor Holiday's statement, the secondary canon comic book "Hero Times Two" had Ben express his surprise of people from Rex's Dimension finding his own. According to Ben, there are many Dimensions to go through to find Ben's dimension. There are in-fact millions of them. But, as Ben was in hurry, it could be that he was throwing a random number to show how big the universe is. This is compared to Doctor holiday who had calculated the number of Dimensions and gave that statement calmly.
   1. The Universe or more like "multiverse of Dimensions" is infinite in size, and it was further supported by Duncan's statement of an infinite universe. "Quick question, how big is the Ben 10 Universe, is it infinite in size?" "Yes. Infinite"

Before the beginning of time, when nothing inside the white void existed, the Contumelia activated the Annihilargh which in turn created the Multi-dimensional Universe construct containing the timestream which contained the timelines containing infinite dimensions (the ones mentioned above). Similar to how everything in this verse is Ben centric, all other alternate timelines were created when Ben Prime received the Omnitrix, so there is no reason to assume those possibly infinite dimensions exist independently outside the timeline.

Moreover, These dimensions can't be separate independent universes since it has been shown that, alternate timelines contain parallel aspects of those dimensions such as Gwen 10k having a different set of Charms of Bezel, Ben 10k timeline having its own the Null Void, a possibly different Charmcaster and Hex who are natives of Ledgerdomain. These elements shouldn't exist in alternate timelines had these dimensions existed independently and do not branch along with the Prime universe.

Furthermore, in Hero Times Two, there was only one Omnitrix in all of the Dimensions that accessible to Rex's Dimension which The Pack tracked the signal of. This confirms that all these Dimensions are inside the Universe or a Single Branch. As Paradox said, each branch represents an alternate timeline where reality literally branches off and becomes a different timeline, each containing its own Ben Tennyson. If these Dimensions had been different branches, then Rex would have never been able to find the correct Ben as each Dimension would have contained Ben with a Omnitrix.

Note: It's quite general in fiction to refer to Universes as Dimensions but not the other way around unless proven or treated that way, so, universes being called Dimensions is not a contradiction but something that comes under common use. Legerdomain, the Null Void, Dimension 12 has never been referred as universes even by their own natives but just realms or Dimensions, same for the lore itself.

So Dimensions =/= Alternate Timelines in general

The verse isn't strict with its classification and is loosely playing with the term Dimension(s) and there are some inconsistencies which I am gonna address.

A Single Number = A Single Separate Spatio-Temporal Layer

Aleph-0 = An infinite number set of Spatio-Separate Temporal Layers which fit inside a Single Timeline

Terminology Inconsistencies

Ben's 23 dimension is reachable through "dimension" travel and is reinforced to be a dimension showing it's not an alternate timeline.

It's quite common in fiction to use terms like Dimensions loosely but they makes sense if there is context, alternate timeline can still be referred to as dimensions with context as even Maltruant called Ben 23 an alternate dimensional timeline counterpart twice.

Paradox calls No Watch Ben's timeline a universe. He then goes on to say there are many Ben Tennysons across those dimensions and later refers to them as branching timelines. In the same instance, he uses "universe" "dimension" and "timeline" interchangeably.

No Watch Ben's Timeline being called a Universe isn't an issue. Each universe contains infinite (2-A) dimensions (the ones mentioned in the first part of the blog) and there an infinite (2-A) number of such universes. Paradox differentiated between the terms, and as said above with context alternate Ben timelines can be referred to as dimensions.

Here Gwen calls Dagon's universe a dimension, yet here Dagon calls his dimension a universe and reinforces the idea that the prime universe isn’t connected to his because he has no control over it yet.

Dagon's world is an alternate dimension ,See how he refers to have control over only one universe despite having control over 100 dimensions. He may have control of one universe among the infinite universes but he only has control over 100 dimensions within the prime universe. He just doesn't have entire control in the prime universe because his powers were sealed off and he was thrown back.

Dagon then calls the universe a "dimension" again.

He basically didn't call the entire universe a dimension but basically the realm where Ben lives. Even Azmuth said that Dagon had enslaved 100 dimensions and seeks to enslave theirs. Should Dagon gain a foothold here, the entire universe falls since the only hope for the entire Universe was Ascalon. Lastly as said by @DontTalkDT .

I would say possibly infinite universe-sized dimensions per universe is alright, but the show is clearly playing loosely with its terminology and probably not strict in classification either. So if ya look at a feat of someone destroying the universe it should be considered whether universe means prime universe or also all dimensions (or something in-between) based on context.

Thus any statements of Universe's destruction would mean all the dimensions inside it only if they are coming up from characters having cosmic awareness such as Celestialsapiens or Professor Paradox as they are the one who could sense the destruction of all dimensions and not just with characters who have high intelligence as they Lack Cosmic Awareness.

In summary, the show is notorious for loosely playing its terminology towards dimension but as we know about the cosmology begins with a one universe and Timestream construct despite having a number of dimensions like Ledgerdomain being as old as time itself, it was determined considering other statements that a single universe consists of possibly infinite space-time dimensions.

The Branching Timestream/Crosstime (Low 1-C) 5-D

Ben 10 OV - Depiction of Alternate Timelines

Ben 10 OV - The Branching Timestream Structure

The Timestream is a collection of all timelines, a point in space-time where all past, present, and future timelines meet and intersect. It is a place where the timelines branch and shift. The main trunk is the linear temporality of Prime Ben's timeline, while the strands branching from it have different possible outcomes. Each such branched strand represents the temporality of that particular alternative timeline, and this process continues ad infinitum.

"Paradox: As Gwen guessed, cross-time is made up of parallel versions of the history we know. There are hundreds of them... a world where Gwen found the Omnitrix, a world where albedo turned to alien x and was trapped motionless for nearly a year, a world where you didn't have to destroy the Omnitrix to defeat Vilgax.

Ben 10K: Et cetera.

Paradox: Ad infinitum.”

-Paradox and Ultimate Ben 10k to the trio

With Paradox and Ben 10K, Paradox listed the alternate timelines as parallel versions of the history we know, referring to the prime timeline as the history they know and the alternative timelines as parallel versions of it. Paradox ended the conversation with ad infinitum, suggesting that existing timelines branch forever, again and again, making this a continuous process of branching.

"Think of time and space as this tree. Down here is when you were 10 years old. Right here is now. Up here is when you'll 30 be years old. The trunk is the main timeline. These branches represent alternate timelines, where reality literally branches off and becomes a different timeline, each containing its own Ben Tennyson."

-Paradox to No Watch Ben

"We are near the beginning of the Ben Prime Timeline. The trunk of the Ben Tennyson tree from which all other Ben realities diverge."

-Paradox to No Watch Ben

All theother timelines diverge as a result of different possible outcomes of Prime Ben's reality.

"So many different ways to tell a story but that's what makes them so interesting, you can never predict how they're going to turn out"

-Paradox to Prime Ben

Each story has different possible ways to be told which alludes that all possibilities have different outcomes.

Here Paradox divides Prime Ben's timeline into three snapshots/stories which are 10, 16 and 30 years old where each snapshot of Prime Ben's reality branches off and becomes a different timeline. Each alternative timeline also branches further as seen in the scan below.

While this tree was an easier explanation for NW Ben, other examples of snapshots branching can be seen here. With this we can conclude that all of the uncountable infinite timelines that branched out indefinitely from the main trunk which in turn at least contains an infinite number of dimensions where every possible real outcome can branch out into different realities and possibilities, making each single spatio-temporal layer a 2-A structure and this branching process continues with every other snapshot/story of the tree ad infinitum i.e. forever, again and again making the space-time tree a Low 1-C structure.

The Timestream is an infinite structure.

The Timestream Realm/Hypertimeline (1-C) 6-D

Ben 10 OV - The Pink Wall allows access to the Pre-Annihilarrgh Void

Ben 10 OV - The Rainbow-Black Realm of the Time Stream

"Leave now, and you may still catch Maltruant in the timestream." - Paradox to Ben

In Ben 10 Omniverse Season 6, Episode 1, Vilgax uses the Chronosapien Time Bomb (CTB) to destroy all branching timelines, except for No Watch Ben's timeline. The higher realm was unaffected by the CTB's destruction of the timeline branches. This realm has its own separate temporality from the branching timelines, as demonstrated by the Chronosapien's time powers. Since a Chronosapien's time powers only function with the existence of a higher temporal dimension, Clockwork was able to use the higher realm's temporal dimension to reverse the energy wave from the CTB that spread across the realm, thereby undoing the destruction of the other timelines.

This hypertimeline allowed Paradox and No Watch Ben to travel to a different version of the space-time tree that coexists with the space-time Vilgax destroyed.

This Hypertimeline bounds all of Universe with a system of cause and effect

The Timestream/Crosstime Realm is a superimposing hypertimeline that governs all of Universe post-Annihilargh events from beginning to end. It orders changes and different iterations of the Timestream across itself in a different forward direction, similar to how a timeline orders changes within it as snapshots across itself.

White Void/Nothingness (At least 1-C (6-D), likely 1-B (25-D))

Ben 10 OV - White Nothingness Before Space and Time

"This time beast's egg will power your journey to places beyond even my reach." - Paradox to Ben

White nothingness is the precursor to the creation of the Universe. There is no time here as shown by Maltruant being unable to use his Time Manipulation and stated to be beyond Paradox's reach. Each seperate "Universe" started out with its own White void before an Annihilarrgh is activated and a "Universe" is created. Its causality depends on the creation of the Universe along with its Hypertimeline and it cannot access the higher causality of the realm outside it.

Pre and Post Annihilargh events

The Contumelia created the Universe via the Annihilargh from a white nothingness. The entire system is bound by a Time loop that goes past the boundaries of all time and space itself. Professor Paradox created this eternal time loop to trap Maltruant, which he will never be able to escape. The entire Universe itself is pre-determined ever since creation and before it. This is why when Alien X created an entire Annihilarrgh Universe, he changed the Mr. Smoothie logo as per the events of the Past Ben's memory and as per the Pre-Annihilarrgh events (everything was pre-determined, even the logo change).

The "Universe"/Annihilarrgh Universe

Ben 10 UA: Red faint glow is Ben's Annihilarrgh Universe

The Universe is made by the Annihilarrgh, inside which one can access to different versions of Timestream throughout the infinite Hypertimeline. Each big bang universe has its own different laws of physics as mentioned by Professor Paradox. Destroying or recreating such a structure can lead to violation of the Multiverse Preservation Act.

The Space Beyond/Omniverse (1-B)

The Space Beyond

"Now I see the universe for what it is, we are all dust bound by one enormous Universal force, no, not Universal, not even Multiversal, this Omniversal force continues forever, in every direction through every reality"

The Space Beyond is an infinite black void that extends past the boundaries of the "Universe" and encompasses an unknown number of them. This space separates Universes from each other and isn't accessible via general dimension crossing devices except by for the Map of infinity and the Chrono Navigator. This realm is the highest level of reality.

"I could never truly destroy you, you would only have not been not unexistent what could have not now been the past, present and partial future. To tear down and destroy is of no consequence or quality, to create is divine."

The Space Beyond has its higher space-time causality considering how the Chronal-Randomization Barrier acts as a medium for beings to interact with past/future versions of themselves independent of the existence of White void which has no space-time. Hence in order to function as such, the Space Beyond must have a higher order time axis.

So, in the higher causality history of the Space Beyond, all "Universes" were at some point, white void spaces. These white voids are not visible in the Space Beyond. The Contumelia travel the Space Beyond to new White Voids in their history. It's not until an Annihilarrgh is activated in the white void, that the "Universe" Hypertimeline structure is made and given time.

In the Hypertimeline present of the Space Beyond, there is a "bridge of time" from the lower dimensions to follow and reach the Space Beyond. In the Space Beyond's "past" before the Annihilarrgh filled the white voids, there was no "bridge of time" to reach the Space Beyond from the White Void Dimension.

The Omniversal Space-time extends past the Multiverse to all of its directions infinitely, which consists of all 26 spatiotemporal axes mentioned by the Cosmic Mom, which makes them fully sized and tier-able.

The Forge of Creation

Ben 10 UA - The Forge of Creation

Per Professor Paradox, the Forge of Creation is the source of the Universe's greatest power. It's where ideas become real. It is where Celestialsapiens like Alien X are born. The Forge of Creation is out of sync with All time due to a Chronal Randomization Barrier set by Paradox. It is entirely unreachable/inaccessible by anything but the Map of infinity, the inhabitants of the Forge, and Paradox himself.

Summary

Each Dimension inside a timeline: Universe level+ (4-D)

Individual Timeline: Multiverse level+ (Infinite 4-D)

Timestream/Crosstime: Low Complex Multiverse level (5-D)

Hypertimeline: Complex Multiverse level (6-D)

White Void/Nothingness: At least Complex Multiverse level (6-D), likely Hyperverse level (25-D)

The Universe: At least Complex Multiverse level (6-D), likely Hyperverse level (25-D)

The Space Beyond/Omniverse: Hyperverse level (26-D)

Discussions

Discussion threads involving Ben 10 Cosmology