Ben let out a sigh, continuing to scribble inside his notebook. He had gotten really good at this stuff recently. It was meaningless gabbles but Ben had a pretty gifted memory , So he could manage. Highschool has been a turbulent affair with the whole chaos regarding Diagon and Forever Knights but he had gotten over it. Although Ben had to take a year off to deal with that but overall, things really worked out for him.
"Where did you put my Laptop, Ben?" Gwen cried from downstairs.
Ben stretched his arms with a yawn as he put the huge biology book on the table. Tapping on the table with the pen in his hands, An irritated expression appeared on his face. Looking at his reflection on the nearby mirror, He ran his free hand through his unruly brown hair.
"What's up with me lately, I really get exhausted so easily while studying" Ben groaned inwardly. Rubbing the bridge of his nose in frustration, He let the pen fall on the floor. Perhaps he needed a break. Taking some moments to freshen up his mood didn't really seem like a bad idea.
His bedroom door opened suddenly and an annoyed scarlet haired woman around similar age barged in.
"Doofus!"
Ben turned to his cousin/roommate, giving her a dull look. "What?"
"Where did you put my laptop?" Gwen asked once again, Her eyebrows twitching in irritation.
"Perhaps your boyfriend took it. I already have my own, Why would I need yours in the first place?" Ben answered in a bored tone.
Gwen huffed in annoyance as without paying the slightest attention to her Ben went back to studies. She was about to leave, however something grabbed her attention. She noticed a folder sitting on Ben's desk. Her curiosity peaked as she opened the folder. It contained several important documents. Such as Ben's bank account statement, His passport, The approval of student visa for studying in Japan. She was really shocked after seeing it. Ben was going to Japan and he didn't even tell her, That was shocking.
"What's the meaning of this Ben?"
"Hmm.." Ben looked at his cousin and the articles in her hand, "I am planning to go overseas to pursue criminology and forensics. "
"But...to go this far..." Gwen gasped in shock.
"I am nineteen Gwen. I need to get on my own feet. Find my own way. I can't hang around in this place forever"
Gwen remained silent for a moment, as Ben leaned backwards on his chair. He blinked as he noticed Gwen's trembling hands which were glowing with mana
"You are going to another ...country just because you are ashamed of living with your cousin and your best friend?"
"I need to find my own identity like you guys, I thought you of all people would understand this." Ben explained in an emotional tone. Gwen's hands clenched into fists as she glared at her cousin.
"FINE. DO WHATEVER HELL YOU WANT."
Ben continued to stare as Gwen angrily stormed out of the door. There was a point in childhood when both of them used to butt heads with each other. However over time, As they grew up Gwen had taken the role of a pseudo parent. And she wasn't even older than him in the first place. It was always "Don't eat too much Ben" "Do your homework Ben" "Brush your teeth Ben". Yeah, It was really irritating. If she was ever this much nagging to Kevin, They would have never hooked up in the first place. He didn't know why she felt that he was a man child who needed her support in order to get his life in order.
Nope, He didn't. Ben would argue that to eternity if he has to.
Ever since Gwen had started attending Friendkin Institute, She had started displaying some strange antics. Her new goth style attire. Nerdy glasses, getting her ears pierced to wear those weird rings, Strange little mood swings at the drop of a hat, sweet as she usually was one moment and angry and aggressive the next. A part of him wondered about the crowd she was hanging around.
"IS IT TRUE, YOU ARE FINALLY LEAVING THE HOUSE, THIRD WHEEL TENNYSON!"
Ben frowned at hearing the voice. He hated that nickname and didn't know what gave Kevin idea to come up with something stupid like that. It was true that he had been having a hard time adjusting back to being a single ever since he and Julie broke up with each other. But that wasn't his fault that he was too busy while keeping up with the studies that he had no time to date. And Gwen felt that being the" pseudo parent" she was, she needed to be around him all the time just so he didn't feel depressed.
"Keep it down Levin, You are probably going to wake up the entire neighborhood at this rate."
"Is it true...The day of my victory had finally arrived. You are finally going to handover Gwen to me!"
Ben growled as Kevin jumped infront of him, Tears of happiness streaming freely from his eyes.
"Don't you think you are taking this little joke a bit too far, Levin!*
"To finally submit my girlfriend to me..." Kevin pumped his fists while looking at the sky, "Is this what you call a flawless victory!"
Ben grumbled in misery, Was there no end to this torturous day?
"Fine Levin, get out of my room and gloat about it all you want. I don't give a damn."
"Such joy must be known to the entire planet!" Kevin grabbed Ben's shoulders, shaking them violently, "This calls out for a grand celebration. Even an idiot like you can't deny that!"
"That is because I don't want to look like an even bigger idiot by arguing with you." Ben deadpanned.
"That is why you are such a sore loser!" Kevin patted his shoulders in a brotherly fashion, "As a man who has won this eternal war against you, I have every right to rub into your face. But don't worry Ben, You put up a good show. Not everyone can last against the world's best man like you did. . You even made me sweat"
"Are you even listening to me at this point?" Ben shrugged while putting his hands inside his pockets.
"Ha ha, It's easy to get you riled up Tennyson. " Kevin laughed out aloud, He continued with a cheshire grin, "By the way , where exactly are you going?"
"I still have to decide between a few places." Ben frowned.
"But still I would like to know where I am putting my money at?" Kevin became suddenly serious as he picked up the brochures lying on Ben's table, " All the way to Japan, No wonder Gwen is so pissed!"
Ben stood silent for a moment, completely in shock, Kevin giving his own personal money to someone, especially him of all people. That guy barely spent a penny on Gwen and she was his frigging girlfriend.
"Wait a minute...did you just say...you will pay for my EDUCATION!"
"Did I shock you once again? This calls for even more grand celebration. A celebration to end all celebrations!" Kevin grinned.
"Fees, school... explain please!" Ben responded.
"Ha ha take that Ben, You may have the Ultimatrix but I, Kevin Levin is thousand steps ahead of you. It's time to hit the booze!" Kevin cried
"Wait...What?" Ben dumbfounded. His brain unable to register what the hell was going on.. He quickly recovered and threw a nasty glare towards his former nemesis/present tormentor.
"Put the phone down Levin, There won't be any party tonight. Especially in my grandfather's home."
Kevin paused for a moment and looked at his friend, "But Ben how am I supposed to let the world know about your ultimate defeat at my hands if I don't throw any party to celebrate it!"
"Put it on Twitter for all I care!". Ben huffed in annoyance as he continued glaring the dark haired plumber/smuggler, "You won't be throwing any party in the house. Not on my watch."
Kevin let out a sigh and gently squeezed his shoulder, "Of course Ben, If that's what you want ...I will abide by your wishes."
Ben blinked. Not believing the Osmosian for a single moment. He knew better than falling into false sense of security just like that. Kevin continued with innocent child like expressions on his face.
"I was just caught up by my friend finally turning into a man and finding his own way in the world. It's about time for you to spread your wings and learn how to fly on your own!"
"Are we forgetting the fact that I saved the world, multiple times?" Ben asked, deadpanned. He eyed his friend rather suspiciously as he moved his hand from his shoulder. This wasn't a good sign at all. Kevin wasn't the one to back down so easily. This meant that even something worse was coming on his way.
"So did you find a place to stay for your education?" Kevin asked in a serious tone. Ben was a bit taken aback by his sudden thoughtful tone.
Ben shook his head , "For now, I have arranged for a temporary residence. I will find something on more permanent basis later on!"
"Hmm... So soon. ." Kevin nodded in a sagely tone. "A few years ago we were trying to kill each other.. "
"You haven't changed that much. First you were literally trying to kill me, Now you try to give me hear attack instead" Ben cursed under his breath. Ben eyed him suspiciously as Kevin started sliding towards the door. The moment he grabbed the door knob, his free hand reached out for his smartphone and he turned to Ben with a mischievous smirk.
"No" A deep scowl formed on Ben's face.
"About respecting your wishes earlier? I forgot to inform you a slightest detail!" Kevin's smirk grew even wider as Ben lunged towards him. However the Levin was a tid bit superior as far as reflexes were concerned, He easily managed to duck under Ben's attack.
"I don't take orders from Losers!" Kevin remarked with a cheeky smile as he landed away from Ben in a sharp athletic display.
"I am so going Rath on you, You sneaky bastard!" Ben yelled as he rushed after the Levin. Beginning an endless chase of cat and mouse.
...xxxxxxxxx...xxxxxxxxx...xxxxxxxxx...
BANG BANG !
BANG BANG!
It's the DJ Levin rocking your house!
Live it up...Yooooooo live it up right!
Ben slumped deeper and deeper into his bean bag chair. Within a few hours the entire hall of his house had been turned into a discotheque, albeit a somewhat smaller one. He frowned deeper at his friend's antics. The music was so much louder than even if the entire planet was invaded by the combined might of incurseans and Highbreeds. No one inside this place would have noticed a single thing. Still as he looked around himself, He could still see people having fun thanks to the Osmosian's crazy party mode.
In the middle of the hall, he could see the house being filled with both human and non human guests. The infamous prankster of Tennyson family, Lucy Mann was also there. The Lenopan moved through the crowd with incredible amount of grace, Her body remaining in rhythm most of time as she slided closer and drifted apart from one of the guys who was closer to her, Basically dancing like crazy. Ofcourse Ben was surprised at the sight of Gwen's disastrous look a like relative from anodyne, Sunny...she tried her best to keep with the rhythm but anyone with the slightest ability to predict the future can tell that if they didn't want to end up in hospital in near future, They should stay away from her. As far as possible.
However Cooper Daniels decided to take the risk. Being the infamous womanizer that he was, he gave it a shot. He attempted to dance with her and he hung around for a while... until an erratic kick slammed into his goalpost and he fell on the floor like a rack of potatoes. Well, He still didn't leave his position, like a true soldier. And that's all that mattered for him. Argit just swayed to the music, that seemed to be the safest thing to do. Even with an id mask on, He was still down on luck.
But still, There were a lot of people who were having fun. Even though it came at some of his expense, They atleast appeared to be happy. Just when Ben was about to think that may be this party wasn't such a bad idea. Voice of self proclaimed DJ Kevin Levin boomed through the entire area.
"ALRIGHT, NOW I DEDICATE THIS SONG TO MY LAZY FRIEND SITTING ON A BEANBAG CHAIR , LOOKING ALL POUTING AND SAD. GET YOURSELF A BUXOM BEAUTY AND JUMP ON THE DANCEFLOOR! STOP ACTING LIKE AN EMO PRINCESS!
Ben facepalmed as the spotlights fell on him and a beautiful pink skinned girl, Her name was Ester...or something like that. The said girl blushed in embarrassment while Ben put down his drink in irritation.
"Damn! I am surely going to end up murdering this scumbag some day." Ben groaned
"Don't forget I keep all of my sheaths in the left drawer, Who knows, You may need them tonight!"
Ben simply palmed his face and cursed to higher heavens. He saved the frigging universe from from the likes of Maltruant and Diagon...so why he ended up being on the shortest end of the stick?
Why?
"I got to admit, ...Only Kevin Levin can throw a party like that to embarrass you." Ben snorted while hearing this. He turned around only to see Rook Blonko, His partner walking towards him.
Rook Blonko generally seemed like a pale skinned feline humanoid. He was a plumber from Planet Revonnah and in a very short time, He and Ben had developed a very good repo. They had become fast friends and operated much better as a unit. Just to cause less complications Rook wore an ID mask,. Giving him an appearance of some dark haired boy around Ben's age. Ben sighed in annoyance at Kevin's another piss poor attempt at hooking him up with someone. Ben didn't have any issues with Ester. Infact he met up with her during a rescue mission in a Kraaho colony. But the way she always kept blushing and stuttering around him, Ben didn't know if it was possible for them to go anywhere. Rook had arrived fashionably late to the entire scenario and even though he tried to look cool and collected, He clearly regretted that maneuver.
"I mean honestly, " Rook continued with a grin, "Leave it up to Kevin Levin to have a going away party two months before you leave...
"Feh, Dude! What are you here for? Adding to my migraine or something like that?" Ben muttered
"I am here to give you a proper send off Ben -dude!" Rook responded as he leaned against the wall.
"I am not really leaving yet!" Ben rolled his eyes while taking a sip of his beverage, a proper send off to him, That's what this party meant for everyone, "So what do you plan to do in the future?"
"I am thinking about joining the medical division. Probably aiming for the surgical positions in moon base."
"You want to be a doctor?" Ben's eyes widened in curiosity, That was a new thing. He didn't know that before.
"It's more complicated than that but in layman's terms, you can say that!" Rook answered
"Good for you then!" Ben nodded.
"Well, I am really surprised to hear about you." Rook continued in a rather amused tone, "I never thought you of all people would go that far just for educational purposes. Why have you decided to move so far away from everyone and everything you know despite the fact that you still don't know where you are headed in life?"
Ben sighed as he contemplated how to phrase his reply, "I could just say something corny like I want a fresh start or a new beginning...but that would be nothing but a giant crock of shit."
"But!" Rook quietly added.
"I dunno buddy... perhaps I am looking for a new adventure, A new challenge to overcome." Ben shrugged, "May be I want to be far away from all that BS Servantis and his goonies put me through. Or hell, May be I just want to be by myself for some time!"
Rook grew silent for a while. He knew Ben had been getting relatively more and more frustrated as the time passed. His victories came at the cost of his personal life. And with relative peace settling in this was becoming more and more clear. And the fact that his relationship with Julie ended on such a bad note, His best friend Elena turning into a psychopath, Gwen and Kevin settling in and building successful civilian life, all those awkward family gatherings where people gawked at him as if he was an animal out from zoo and kept asking what he wanted to do with his life... Everything has been slowly driving Ben up the wall. Rook took a sip of his drink, His eyes not leaving Ben for a single moment.
"Fair enough!"
Ben sighed again as he folded his arms across his chest, " All I know is this. There is something missing with my life. Something that I desperately need right now. Whatever I'm looking for I'm not gonna find it here. Maybe I'll find it out there somewhere. Maybe I won't. But I'll never know If I don't try."
"You'll keep in contact, right?", Rook asked, some concern for his friend showing,
"Yep, Ofcourse I will.". Ben smirked, "It's not like I am gone for good and never going to come back. I will definitely visit you guys from time to time. Make sure that you remain in good shape and keep my city clean from the likes of Thumbskull and Fistina!"
"Ben -dude! It's definitely not me who have to remember about being in a good shape. Do you remember how many times I beat you in...
"That was pure coincidence!" Ben huffed in annoyance
"Records say otherwise!" Rook continued with a smug grin, Suddenly a serious look flashed on his face as he continued.
"MBI had grown tremendously as a science and technology giant in all those years. Their technology matches that of our own. And Japan is the central command of the MBI. If I were you, I would atleast think before going to a place where even Plumbers don't have any jurisdiction?"
"No jurisdiction? What do you mean by that?"
"They told us to back down and we had to. We didn't have much choice in the matter. We sent a few operatives in but no one managed to return alive from that damned building. Many armies of different countries tried to take over Japan due to the massive surge in technology MBI showed in recent years but somehow...none of them managed to do anything. Not even putting a single dent in their "castle". So Ben please be careful, Tokyo city might not be as simple as you think."
"I am the wielder of Ultimatrix Rook, As far as I am concerned, simple is overrated!" Ben let out a chuckle.
"Well,. As your friend and partner it was my job to warn you" Rook let out a sigh, He turned to the brown haired plumber and said with a smile, " Still, this is a celebration right? To new beginnings..." The feline like plumber raised his cup infront of Ben, as he had been taught before in his human custom's classroom.
Ben raised his glass to him as well "To new chapters!" With a smile both of toasted to each other.
So this is it. This is an AU as far as Ben 10 universe is concerned. Ben still have Ultimatrix, He is not world famous in the story. I took some liberties with Gwen and Kevin just so we can have some fun at their expense.