Chapter Two: The Controversy: Part One

Quick Author's Note: Sorry for the delay! School started, and I was too lazy to do things… and there's been a lot of drama in my life lately. But I'm here now! Anyway, what happened during those five hours Ben and Albedo were stuck with each other in the warehouse won't be touched on immediately, but it will eventually be told over the course of the story. I promise. And I'll try to update more often.

Albedo woke up. It was probably early in the morning. He felt slightly disoriented. He was on a bed… and if he didn't know any better, he was in a car. He groaned, sitting up and rubbing his eyes.

And then he remembered something.

He was in a car. He was in an RV. Specifically, Maxwell Tennyson's RV. He stretched, yawning. He was in the 'Rustbucket' temporarily, at least, until all of the issues were cleared.

He looked outside a window. He guessed it was around 5 in the morning.

Well, if I'm awake so early, I might as well start the day. He stood up and went into the bathroom to take a shower. And also, make a proper mental review on just how I got here.

Two weeks previous…

This is not my best day. That was the thought running through Albedo's mind as he sat down on a park bench. He was grateful that his bag was waterproof, and that he had the appropriate clothing to endure this weather. He was also grateful that he had so few things that he could fit them in a backpack.

After all, when you're on the run, you have to pack light.

And part of the reason was Ben Tennyson. Truth be told, he had planned ahead for several things, but being dropped in on by Ben Tennyson was not one of the scenarios that he had foreseen.

He had had to make a quilt of truth and lies, leaving everything as ambiguous as possible so that the brat would be confused. He was particularly proud of the Wi-Fi story – it should be obvious that he had hacked the server! At least, it should obvious to any other being but Ben Tennyson.

Btu, he hadn't lied about everything. Contrary to what some of his former accomplices in crime might think, he knew how to tell the truth.

Azmuth had forgiven him. Why, and how, he didn't know. It seemed strange… no, impossible. It was one of the most impossible things he'd experienced in his life.

He shook his head and leaned forward a little. A hot white flash briefly lit up the landscape, putting everything in sharp contrast. Thunder boomed. He quickly calculated. The storm was closer than he'd originally thought. He stood up; he had to find shelter.

He walked briskly, though he was still deep inside his mind.

He took the shortcut, going through the alleys. He'd be there soon; he'd memorized the route.

Speaking about the forgiveness… he wondered if it was all a test; a joke. It would be cruel, but this was Azmuth. As long as he deemed something necessary, he'd do it, even if it involved manipulating or insulting the person he was trying to help.

But, anyway, the pity was that he still hadn't regained his Galvan form. It wasn't impossible, but Azmuth refused to do it. He still remembered what Azmuth had said.

"If you regain your Galvan form, you will still continue to err in your ways. Staying in this human form will allow you to learn the lesson of humility," he said. Albedo rolled his eyes. More like lesson of shame. Any which way, he was still being punished.

Azmuth had said that two months ago. And since he was stuck here, he'd had two months actually work out the specific intricacies of this body, since there was no way he'd be able to plan criminal activities for the moment.

He wasn't entirely comfortable with the body, but he had to deal with it. In retrospect, the human body was larger and more durable than the Galvan one, but the Galvan one had fewer troubles to take care of.

He sighed. Regaining his Galvan form wasn't the only thing he failed to accomplish. Getting off this planet was another.

He had been so close. He had just managed to get a weak, though consistent link to the Intergalactic Web, probably because there was a Plumber badge close by – the badges give an instant connection. He was preparing to see if he could get off this planet at least – Azmuth hadn't said anything about that.

But, just as something went right, something had to go wrong. Ben managed to stumble on his temporary home, and, as usual, put an instant damper on his plans. He wasn't going to stay there; knowing his DNA donor, he'd probably try to get him arrested.

Luckily, he'd already planned ahead in case something like this happened, the plan being to go to another warehouse. Most of his things were there already, and he was close to it, just a

After a little more walking, he found it and stepped inside.

A Few Days Later…

He had managed to do a little research. It would take a little while to decide which mode of transportation he preferred, but he was still getting off of this planet at least. He sighed. Now he could relax and –

BAM!

…forget it… He looked up and saw that the door had been opened. Or rather, kicked inwards.

A bit dramatic, I say. And then a Tetramand walked in. A Kineceleran and a Pyronite followed. They weren't armed. But seeing as they could do serious damage without weapons, he was still in trouble.

And he was in trouble for nothing at all this time. Well, at least nothing what had to do with crime. He stood up.

"What is it that you want?"

Silence.

"Or did you just come to look at me?"

"No, we didn't," the Pyronite said.

"What crime have I committed?"

"None, but you're supposed to have a legal guardian on this planet. We're taking you to him."

"How do I know you're telling the truth?"

They all held up Plumber badges in response. Albedo made a point of checking if there was the Multiversal web signal. When he was done, they were gawking.

"My plans haven't been the best lately, but any Galvan who has graduated from primary school should be able to do that half asleep," Albedo stated, rolling his eyes. Thoughtless of a Galvan who has graduated from a tertiary institution, with the highest honors.

"Well, you still have to come with us."

"I know." Azmuth, I look forward to hearing the explanation for this. I really do look forward to it.