Two years have passed since that day. The disgraced hero, Ben Tennyson, was still missing. The price for him has increased, but most of bounty hunters have given up on finding him. Unknown to everyone, Ben was living right under their nose. Currently, he was sitting on his windowsill, gazing out of the window, in his run-down apartment. Going by the name Max, Ben has established a name for himself as Helpful Max. Everyone in the community would come to him with their problems. At first, Ben helped them free of charge, but someone suggested that he should charge them. Ben was agaisnt the idea, but after getting fired for punching his manager, he decided he would charge for his services. Yet, this didn't deter the community. Now, Ben was living a stable life. Ben was wearing a green hoodie, grey trackpants, and white sneakers. His hair was longer and he had a short stubble.
"This is interesting," Ben muttered to himself, taking a sip of the smoothie in his hand. He was looking at a strange man at the nearby bus stop. Normally, this wouldn't worry Ben, but for the past week, there has been an increase in Plumber agents across the area. Of course, this worried Ben. He sucked up the last of his smoothie. Chucking the smoothie at the pile of trash at the corner of his apartment, Ben decided to take a walk to calm his nerves. Suddenly, he heard a knock at his door. Instinctively, Ben pulled out his Plumber blaster. He heard more knocking as he edged slowly to the door.
"Is Max here?" Ben heard a girl's voice. Remaining vigilant, Ben position his right arm behind his back, hiding the laser while opening the door with his left. Opening the door, he saw a young girl wearing a blue shirt with a cat logo and a black skirt while carrying a dark green messenger bag. The girl had long, straight black hair with piercing green eyes.
"That's strange," Ben thought to himself. "She kinda reminds me of Gwen a little."
"Um, are you Helpful Max?" the girl asked.
"Yeah," Ben answered. "What do you want, kid?"
"I'm not a kid," the girl exclaimed, stomping her foot. Ben raised an eyebrow at her.
"For your information, I'm ten years old," the girl stated, holding up ten fingers.
"That's nice to know, kid," Ben replied. "Now then, tell me why are you here?"
"I need your help to find my parents," the girl answered.
"Go to the police," Ben responded, moving to close the door. "I only help people that are within my abilities."
"Wait," the girl cried out, but Ben had already shut the down on her.
"What a pain," Ben grumbled, rubbing the back of his head. "I never thought someone would come to me with a missing person case." Ben heard more knocking. He just ignored the knocking, placing his blaster on the couch. Suddenly, he heard a resounding crack. Ben turned his head to see his door flying towards him. Within a second, Ben rolled out of the way before looking to see the girl at the doorway, What surprised Ben the most was that the girl's skin looked like concrete.
"Didn't you here me knock?" the girl asked, breathing heavily. Ben stood up, wiping the dust off his clothing.
"Kid, who are your parents again?" Ben asked.
"My parents' names are Gwen and Kevin," the girl answered.
"And what's your last name?" Ben inquired.
"Levin," the girl told Ben. Ben's eyes widened before he looked closer at the girl.
"No wonder, she reminded me of Gwen," Ben thought to himself.
"Well, why won't you take a seat," Ben offered the girl.
"Thanks," the girl replied; her skin returning to normal. The girl walked over to the partly destroyed couch and sat on the good side. Ben brought a chair over and set it right in front of the girl.
"Now then, tell me what happened," Ben ordered, sitting down. The girl took in a deep breath.
"I don't really much about that day," the girl started off. "I went to school as usual. It was the last day of school, so Mom and Dad was planning something to celebrate. Apparently, it was like a family tradition." Ben nodded his head.
"Must have been planning the road trip," Ben thought to himself.
"But when I got home, I found my house completely wrecked," the girl finished.
"Ok," Ben replied. "So, you assume that your parents were kidnapped."
"No," the girl responded. "I've seen the house demolished before." Ben just looked at the girl before mentally shaking his head.
"So, do you think they have been kidnapped?" Ben asked.
"It wasn't until yesterday that a strange man in a lab coat told me that my parents were kidnapped," the girl answered. Ben raised an eyebrow at her words.
"And did this man lead you to me?" Ben asked, already knowing full well the answer. The girl nodded her head.
"Damn, Paradox," Ben thought to himself.
"Oh, I almost forgot," the girl said, clapping her hands together before rummaging through her bag. Ben watched as the girl brought something out of her bag.
"He told me that once I found you, I was to give you this," the girl stated, handing something over to Ben. Ben's eyes widened in shock as he saw the Omnitrix in his hand.
"He said that once you saw this, you would understand what needed to be done," the girl told Ben.
"Damn, Paradox," Ben muttered to himself. "What is the meaning of this?"
"User DNA recognized. Commencing warp jump," the Omnitrix suddenly said before glowing blue.
"What the?!" Ben exclaimed before blue light enveloped the entire room. The next thing Ben knew, he found himself on the floor. He groaned as he turned his head to see the Omnitrix in his hand. He then stuffed it into his pocket before sitting up.
"Where the hell am I?" Ben grumbled to himself, looking around the room. "This is definitely not my apartment. What a minute, where is that girl?"
"HELPPP," Ben heard a scream. Immediately, Ben dashed to the window to see the girl being carried off by two hooded figures. Clenching his teeth, he moved away from the window. He then turned around and sprinted towards the window. The sound of glass breaking resounded through the area. He smirked as the figures turned around as he fell towards the ground. Without missing a beat, Ben rolled on the ground before running towards the figures.
"Take her away," one of the figures ordered, handing the girl over to the other figure.
"Understood," the other figure obeyed before lifting the girl up.
"HELPPP," the girl screamed even louder before she disappeared along with the other figure. The main figure then brought out a blaster. He turned around to find Ben right in front of him. Before the figure could pull the trigger, Ben grabbed the figure's wrist and flipped him over. Ben then grabbed the blaster before trying to pull it out of the figure's hand. To his amusement, the figure held on tightly to the blaster.
"Won't let go?" Ben commented before he stomped on the figure's head.
"ARGH!" the figure screamed.
"Let go," Ben ordered.
"Never," the figure responded. "I don't listen to the likes of you."
"Your loss," Ben replied before stomping the figure's head even harder.
"ARGHHH!" the figure screamed even louder. This time, he did let go of the blaster. Ben let go of the figure's wrist before picking up the fallen blaster. He then aimed it at the figure.
"Where have taken her?" Ben demanded to know.
"Why would I tell you/" the figure responded.
"Because I'm the one with the blaster," Ben replied. The figure stayed silent.
"Now, tell me. Where did you take the girl?" Ben asked again.
"I will never tell you," the figure answered.
"Fine by me," Ben replied before pulling the trigger. He didn't react as a laser beam disintegrated the figure's entire head.
"Was that really necessary, Ben?" Ben heard a voice ask behind him. Ben didn't respond as he turned around to see a man in a lab coat.
"I forgot you go by the name Max now," the man corrected himself.
"Professor Paradox," Ben drawled out before aiming the blaster at him. "What are you doing here?"
"That's not nice," the man known as Professor Paradox responded. "Is that how you greet an old friend?"
"I don't care if you're my old friend," Ben replied. "I want to know why you lead that girl to me."
"You don't even know her name," Professor Paradox responded, shaking his head. "It's simple why you're here. You're here to save the universe once again." Ben looked at Professor Paradox before lowering his arm.
"Why don't you ask the Ben of this universe to help you?" Ben asked. Professor Paradox shook his head.
"You still don't understand," Professor Paradox replied. "This is not an alternate dimension. This is your future."
"Ok," Ben responded. "I'm asking is why am I here? You should just ask my future self."
"I can't," Professor Paradox stated. "Currently, he is somewhere that even I can't go." Ben just looked at him before turning around.
"Have you forgotten?" Ben asked. "I am the disgraced hero, Ben Tennyson. Responsible for the death of an entire alien race."
"You know as well as I do that it wasn't your fault," Professor Paradox replied.
"It doesn't matter anyway," Ben said, walking away. "I'm going to find that girl, then drop her off at one of her relatives."
"Do you even know where to look?" Professor Paradox asked. Ben stopped walking before turning his head to look back.
"Is she within Bellwood?" Ben asked. Professor Paradox nodded his head.
"Then, I will find her," Ben replied, moving his head back.
"You won't survive," Professor Paradox stated as Ben walked away. Ben continued to walk away. Professor Paradox sighed before teleporting in front of Ben.
"At least, use the Omnitrix," Professor Paradox said. Ben looked at him before walking past him.
"I swore that I will never use the Omnitrix ever again," Ben stated.
"Then, why do you still have the Omnitrix in your pocket?" Professor Paradox asked. Ben's eyes widened as he felt the watch in his pocket.
"I will let you keep the Omnitrix for now," Professor Paradox said, walking past Ben. "She's at an abandoned warehouse north of Bellwood. I would advise you to go to Mr. Smoothie. I left you a gift." Ben watched as Professor Paradox opened the portal.
"I will be back when you save her," Professor Paradox told Ben.
"How do you know I'm going to save her?" Ben asked. Professor Paradox looked back at Ben.
"Because that's who you are," Professor Paradox answered before walking through the portal. Ben watched as the portal disappeared.
"You put too much faith into me, Paradox," Ben muttered before he walk. To his surprise, he found himself in the middle of a nice suburb, but this wasn't what surprised him. It was the drastic change from what he remembered.
"Of course, it changed," Ben thought to himself. "I am several years into the future, but how far am I?" Ben looked up at the sky.
"It's around twelve o'clock," Ben muttered. "I better hurry." Ben then put his hood up before running off.
At Mr. Smoothies
Ben looked at the large hologram of Mr. Smoothie. He frowned as he saw that Mr. Smoothie was now a huge corporation.
"Why did you tell me to come here, Paradox?" Ben grumbled to himself.
"Excuse me," Ben heard a voice. He turned around to see a thirty-year old man.
"Are you by any chance Max?" the man asked.
"I am," Ben answered.
"Will you come with me?" the man told Ben. Ben put his hand on his blaster, but followed the man regardless. They walked for a while before entering a garage. Ben stood on guard as the man closed the door behind him.
"Why did you bring me here?" Ben asked.
"A year ago, a man in a lab coat asked me to fix this," the man answered, walking over to something covered by a tarp.
"Paradox," Ben groaned. "How much are you going to interfere with my life?"
"What did he ask you to fix?" Ben asked.
"This," the man answered, pulling off the tarp. Ben was shocked to see a large camper van.
"The Rust Bucket," Ben said. The man nodded his head.
"Apparently, this was destroyed a few years back," the man told Ben, who walked closer to the Rust Bucket. "It took me a whole year to rebuild it from the broken thing it was when it was first brought to me."
"Do you know what happened to it?" Ben asked.
Not really," the man answered. "All I know is that I was to rebuild according to these schematics." The man then brought out a blue piece of paper. He handed it over to Ben, who took a look at it.
"There were some interesting tech, but the man paid in handsomely, so I didn't bother questioning him," the man stated before bringing out a set of car keys. "Here's the key."
"Thanks," Ben replied, taking the car key.
"I will open the garage door for you," the man stated, walking over to a button. "Oh yeah, one question."
"What is it?" Ben asked, unlocking the Rust Bucket door.
'Do you have a man by the name of Max Tennyson?" the man asked.
"Yeah," Ben answered.
"After you're done using this, can you give it back to him?" the man asked. "This was originally his."
"Of course," Ben answered. "Can you tell me where he lives?"
"Yeah," the man replied, pressing the button. "I write it for you." The garage door rolled up as Ben walked into the Rust Bucket. He smiled as he reminisced about that rod trip eight years ago. He shut the door behind him before walking over to the front seat. He inserted the key before starting up the engine. He heard the familiar sound of the Rust Bucket. He gently pressed on the accelerator and felt the Rust Bucket go towards the open garage door. He stopped by the man and rolled down the window.
"Here's the address," the man told Ben, handing over a piece of paper. Ben took the piece of paper and read it. He smiled, recognizing the address.
"Do you know the place?" the man asked.
"Yeah, I do," Ben replied before pocketing the piece of paper.
"See ya," Ben said, driving off.
"You really didn't recognize me, did you?" the man responded before pressing the button once again. "Ben." Ben drove up the streets of Bellwood, heading north. Stopping out a traffic light, Ben pulled out the Omnitrix. He looked at it.
"Is this Omnitrix from my time or from the future?" Ben wondered before seeing the traffic light turn green. He quickly checked the Omnitrix onto the dashboard and drove off.
Later - At the Abandoned Warehouse
Ben drove down the streets of a dark alley. He looked at the Plumber radar on the Rust Bucket. He smirked as he saw life signs at the nearest building.
"Found you," Ben said before turning off the engine. He then flicked a few switches. He turned around as he saw a gallery of Plumber technology slide out.
"That guy knew his stuff," Ben commented, pulling down a large blaster. He slung it over his shoulder before taking out two small blasters and two blaster holsters. He slipped on the holsters and slipped the blasters into the holsters. He then grabbed a hologram projector.
"i think I'm done," Ben said, pressing a button. The gallery slid back in. Ben then turned around before noticing the Omnitrix on the dashboard. He gazed upon it for a moment.
"Just in case," Ben thought as he picked it up and slid it into his pocket. He left the Rust Bucket. He sneaked over to the warehouse gate. He then pulled out the hologram projector. A radar appeared, showing four blips outside of the warehouse and multiple blips inside. Ben turned off the hologram projector and pocketed it. He peeked around the corner to see two armored men patrolling the front of the warehouse.
"Forever Knights," Ben muttered. "I can't believe they're still here." Ben then pulled his hood before climbing over the wall. He landed quietly on the ground before running over to a box. He then pulled off the large blaster off his shoulder. He checked its core.
"It's a very unstable core. It only has about ten to fifteen shots before it will explode," Ben told himself before grinning. "That's plenty." Ben then heard clanking behind him. Turning the safety off, Ben stayed kneeling behind the box. he heard the clanking get closer to him before stopping. Ben peeked over the top of the box to see a Forever Knight, checking the area. Ben took aim and waited for the Forever Knight to face him. As soon as the Forever Knight turned his head towards Ben, he fired. A singer laser flew through the air before disintegrating the head of the Forever Knight. Ben then jumped over the box before walking over next to the Forever Knight. He inspected the armor.
"Interesting," Ben thought to himself. "They've upgraded the armor. Lucky for me, they still have the same weak spot."
"Hey, are you ok?" Ben heard someone call out. Ben turned around and aimed his gun as he heard metal footsteps approach him. As soon as he saw a glint of metal, he fired. He cursed his foolishness as he saw the laser rebound off the armor of the Forever Knight. He quickly ran over to the slight stunned Forever Knight. At a closer range, Ben pulled up his blaster at the head of the Forever Knight and fired. This time, the laser disintegrated the Forever Knight's head. Ben watched as the Forever Knight's body fell onto the floor. He then ran off towards the front entrance of the warehouse. Ben tried to open the door to test his luck, but as expected, it was locked. Ben then pulled out one of his small blasters with his left hand. He shot the door handle before kicking the door open. He aimed both of his guns, expecting laser shots. To his concern, there was no reaction. Cautiously, Ben entered the warehouse. The warehouse was pitch-black wit no source of light. Out of experience, Ben moved right, walking near the wall of the warehouse. Then, he heard clanking. Turning his head, he saw two Forever Knights walking out of a doorway. One of them had a lamp while the other had a blaster. Slipping his small blaster back into its holster, Ben walked quietly towards the Forever Knights. As soon as he was certain he would be seen, he fired his big blaster at one of the Forever Knights. The laser rebounded off their armor, monetarily stunning the one with the blaster. The other swung his lamp around to see Ben running towards him. Before the Forever Knight could do anything, Ben placed his blaster right at his head and pulled the trigger. Without bothering to see the disintegration, Ben jumped to the left, just dodging a laser shot. He heard the lamp fall onto the ground as he aimed his blaster at the Forever Knight. He fired, but the laser missed. Cursing himself once again, he fired his blaster three times in quick succession. The Forever Knight dodged the first two lasers before taking the brunt of the third laser. Ben followed up by a fourth shot right to the head. For the fourth time that night, Ben disintegrated the head of the Forever Knight. He then picked up the lamp before walking over to the doorway. The lamp was his only source of light as he walked down a flight of stairs. Soon, he found himself in a large room.
"Where am I?" Ben wondered as he placed the lamp on the ground before pulling out the hologram projector. He saw multiple blips on the radar all around him. Then, he noticed a green blip to the let of him.
"That must be her," Ben said to himself before turning his head to the left to see a long hallway. Ben then pocketed the hologram projector and picked up the lamp. He then walked towards the long hallway.
"So, there are three people in my path," Ben thought to himself as he checked the core of his blaster. "And I only have two shots left." Ben just continued to walk before hearing metal footsteps in front of him.
"Dammit," Ben frowned before seeing the Forever Knight.
"HALT," Ben heard a voice call out. "Who goes there?"
"He must not be able to see me," Ben realized before grinning. "I could use this." He looked around him to see a statue. He quickly ran behind the statue, leaving the lamp behind. He got his blaster ready as he heard footsteps.
"Huh?" Ben heard someone say. "Who left this lamp here?" Ben peeked around the corner to see the Forever Knight pick up the lamp.
"Now," Ben shouted mentally as he aimed his gun.
'What's wrong/" Ben heard a second voice ask. Ben immediately moved back behind cover as he heard a second set of metal footsteps come near.
"There's a lamp here."
"Must have been left here by accident."
"That's impossible. This place is pitch-black and there are only enough lamps to be shared between two."
"Not really. Last week, Jeff and Mike left their lamp lying around. It took them the whole day to find it."
"Are they that stupid?"
"Yep. Come on. Let's go try to find who's lamp this belongs to." Ben couldn't believe his luck as he heard the two Forever Knight leave. Ben peeked around the corner to make sure it was safe. As soon as he was sure it was safe, Ben moved out of his hiding place and ran down the hallway. After a while, he saw a light at the end of the hallway. Slowing down, he pulled out his hologram projector. The radar revealed two blips, one yellow and one green.
"Found you," Ben whispered as he walked closer to the light. He then saw the silhouette of a door. He walked over to the door before knocking. Ben lifted his gun upward as someone opened an eye flap.
"Yes," the Forever knight was able to say before Ben disintegrated his head. Ben then kicked the door open to see the girl tied to a chair, unconscious. Ben quickly ran over to her and checked her for any injuries. Luckily, there wasn't any.
"Must have fainted from shock," Ben said, slinging his blaster over his shoulder. "Oi, kid. Wake up."
"Hmmm," the girl groaned before opening her eyes. "Mom?"
"No, kid," Ben responded. "It's Max." The girl's eyes widened in shock.
"Max?!" the girl exclaimed before Ben covered her mouth.
"No shouting," Ben shushed her. "You've been kidnapped. I came to rescue you." Ben then let go of the girl's mouth.
"What do we do?" the girl asked.
"You do nothing," Ben answered. "All you do is absorb that guy's armor." Ben then pointed the armor of the dead Forever Knight. The girl gasped in shock.
"I-I-Is he dead?" the girl stuttered.
"No," Ben lied. "I just stole this armor from their armory." Due to the darkness of the room, the girl couldn't see the blood on the floor.
"Oh, that's good," the girl replied before walking over to the armor. Ben watched as the girl placed her hand on the armor before her skin started to turn just like the armor.
"Now, come on," Ben ordered, grabbing the girl's hand. He then started running, dragging the girl. They ran down the corridor without any problems. They quickly reached the large main room. Ben looked round for a moment before seeing the flight of stairs.
"Come on," Ben commanded, turning his head to the girl huffing and puffing.
"w-w-wait," the girl wheezed out.
"We can't," Ben responded. "We're in enemy territory. This is where the hard work really begins." The girl just continued to breath in heavily, but she stood up. Ben nodded his head before grabbing her hand. He then ran up the flight of stairs with her behind him.
"This is too easy," Ben realized before coming face to face with a horde of Forever Knights aiming their blasters at them.
"Well, well, well," a voice said. Ben turned his head to see an armored man without a helmet walk towards him. Ben moved the girl behind him.
"You are an interesting man," the man stated, looking at Ben.
"How so?" Ben asked.
"No one has ever successfully infiltrated one of my warehouses," the man answered.
"That's nice to know," Ben replied.
"A man of your talents should not be involved saving a girl like her," the man stated.
"Why?" Ben asked.
"Do you not know who she is?" the man responded, surprised.
"I know who she is," Ben answered, gripping her hand even tighter. "I'm asking why shouldn't I save a defenseless girl?" The man looked at Ben.
"There is no point," the man replied, turning around. "I have met men like you. Men with unwavering convictions. What a pity. You could have been part of something greater." Ben grimaced as he heard the Forever nights take aim.
"Kill them," the man ordered. Immediately, Ben grabbed the girl and ran to the right. Ben gritted his teeth as laser was fired at them. Ben could feel the girl curl up in fear in his arms as he continued to run. Then, a laser flew through his stomach. Ben coughed up blood as he tripped and fell onto the floor. His blaster clattered across the floor. Luckily, the girl wasn't injured. Ben looked up to see Forever Knights grab the girl.
"Take her away," Ben heard the man order.
"n-n-no," Ben weakly called out before coughing up blood.
"MAX!" the girl screamed. "HELP ME."
"No ones helping you, little girl," the man said.
"Sir, what do we do with him?" one of the Forever Knights asked. The man looked at Ben before looking away.
"Let him die here," the man answered, walking away. "Let's go, men."
"Yes, sir," the Forever Knights obeyed.
"NOOOO," the girl screamed, struggling against her captors. Ben shakily looked up. Death threatened to take him.
"I can't die now. I need to save her," Ben weakly thought as he stretched out his hand towards her. Ben then saw a green glow. Ben turned his head to see his pocket glowing.
"The Omnitrix," Ben muttered before coughing up even more blood. He reached into his pocket before pulling it out of his pocket. He smirked as he understood why Professor Paradox gave it to him.
"Sir," one of the Forever knights called out.
"What?" the man asked, irritated.
"Look," the knight answered, pointing to Ben. The man turned around and his eyes widened as he saw Ben, glowing green, stand up.
"It can't be," the man whispered.
"What's wrong, sir?" one of the knights asked.
"I-I-It's him," the man stuttered.
"Oh, I see you recognize me," Ben weakly said, taking off his hood. The man's eyes widened even further as he recognized Ben. Ben strapped the Omnitrix on his left wrist before activating it.
"I-I-It' the disgraced hero," the man shouted. "BEN TENNYSON!" Everyone gasped in shock including the girl as Ben smirked.
"User recognized. User's health below optimal levels. Bypassing recalibration period," the voice from the Omnitrix said before showing a green hologram.
"IT'S HERO TIME!" Ben shouted before pressing on the Omnitrix. A bright, green light illuminated the entire room, blinding everyone.
"SWAMPFIRE," Ben shouted, now transformed into a green alien. The man could only shake in fear as the hole in Ben's stomach started to put itself back together.
"A-A-A-Attack," the man screamed. All of the knights started firing at Ben. Ben let the lasers hit him, knowing his body would instantly regenerate. The man saw this and looked over to the two knights holding the girl captive.
"Follow me," the man ordered. "We must make sure she doesn't escape." The two knights nodded their heads before lifting up the shocked girl.
"Uncle Ben," the girl whispered as she watched Ben lift his hand up. Fire then streamed out of his hands, hitting multiple knights. He then started running towards the girl. Multiple knights tried to block his path, but he barreled through them. He created a fireball in his hand as he saw the girl being carried towards the exit. He then hurled a fireball at the girl's captors. The explosion threw the girl and her captors upward. Tapping his chest, green light illuminated the room once again. Ben was now transformed into a blue and black alien with a tail known as XlR8. Ben then dashed towards the falling girl before catching her. The girl looked at Ben.
"Uncle Ben," the girl said.
"No," Ben replied. "I am not your uncle." Ben then ran out of the warehouse at high speeds. He then left the girl next to the Rust Bucket.
"Stay here," Ben ordered before running back into the warehouse. Ben then stood in front of the army of Forever Knights.
"It's time to put an end to you," Ben said before running towards the army. Using his supernatural speed, he incapacitated the entire army of Forever Knights before standing right in front of the man.
"H-H-H-How are you alive?" the man stuttered as Ben tapped his chest, reverting back to human. Ben just smiled at the man before grabbing his face.
"I don't know what you mean," Ben replied.
"You should be dead," the man stated. "Vilgax killed you." Ben raised an eyebrow at the mention of Vilgax's name.
"So, Vilgax finally got one on me," Ben responded before pulling out one of his small blasters. He then pressed it against the man's forehead.
"Y-Y-You will never survive," the man exclaimed in panic. "They will kill you and that Levin brat."
"If you say so," Ben replied before pulling the trigger. He watched as the laser disintegrated the man's head. he felt the blood splash on his hand and face.
"Do you have to kill, Ben?" Ben heard a voice behind him.
"It is a necessary evil," Ben answered, turning around to see Professor Paradox.
"I see you're wearing the watch," Professor Paradox commented. Ben looked at the Omnitrix around his wrist.
"I really didn't have much of a choice," Ben replied.
"You know you didn't have to save her," Professor Paradox told Ben.
"Saving her is repentance for my many sins," Ben merely said before walking over to Professor Paradox. "Now, take me to Azmuth, so he can take back the Omnitrix."
"Azmuth is dead," Professor Paradox told Ben. Ben looked at him in shock.
"How is that possible?!" Ben questioned.
"Vilgax," Professor Paradox answered. "It happened a year ago." Ben looked at Professor Paradox in surprise.
"It was him, who told me to get you from the past and bring you to the future," Professor Paradox told Ben.
"Why?" Ben asked.
"I do not know," Professor Paradox answered. ben raised an eyebrow.
"I may be a time traveller, but I don't always have all of the answers," Professor Paradox responded. Ben nodded his head before looking at the Omnitrix.
"So what do you plan to do, Ben?" Professor Paradox asked. "Do you wish to save the universe one more time or do you want to go back to your timeline?" Ben stayed silent before looking up at the sky.
"I don't know," Ben admitted, looking back down.
"If you ever decide," Professor Paradox said before chucking Ben something. Ben caught it and looked to see a ring.
"You contact me through this ring," Professor Paradox told Ben. Ben nodded his head before slipping the ring over his finger.
"Goodbye, Ben," Professor Paradox said before opening a portal. "I hope you make the right decision." Ben just watched as Professor paradox walked through the portal before it disappeared. Ben then looked at the sight of all of the unconscious bodies of the Forever Knights. Looking at his blaster, he knew what he had to do.
The Next Day
Ben leaned against the wall of the Rust Bucket. He was smoking a cigarette while wearing sunglasses. He was dressed in an entirely different outfit. Ditching the hoodie, he wore a black leather jacket with green outlines and a gray t-shirt. He was now wearing blue jeans and black sneakers. He also wore a pair of sunglasses and shaved off his stubble. His slightly long hair was the only thing he kept. He pulled out his cigarette and blew out a puff of smoke.
"mom says those are bad for you," Ben heard someone tell him. He turned his head to see the girl standing there with a large suitcase.
"Is that everything you own?" Ben asked. The girl nodded her head.
"Ok, then," Ben replied, unlocking the car door. He opened the door before looking at the girl.
"Are you sure about this?" Ben asked. The girl nodded her head.
"I hired you to find my parents," the girl answered. "I want to help you find them."
"It's your choice," Ben shrugged before walking into the Rust Bucket. He walked to the front seat and swiveled his chair around to see the girl lift her suitcase onto the Rust Bucket before wheeling to one of the bunk beds. She then slid it under one of the beds.
"Close the door behind you," Ben called out.
"Yes, Uncle Ben." the girl responded, walking over to the door and closing it. Ben watched as the girl walked over to him and sat down at the passenger seat.
"Who said you could sit there?" Ben asked, starting up the engine.
"Dad lets me sit here," the girl answered.
"Well, I'm not your dad," Ben replied before motioning his head. "Go to the back." The girl frowned before walking all the way to the seat around a table.
'Good girl," Ben said before pressing on the accelerator. The Rust Bucket drove off and headed towards the motorway.
"I never did get your name," Ben told the girl, keeping his eyes on the road.
"I will tell you my name if you let me sit at the front," the girl responded.
"Ok," Ben replied, shrugging his shoulders. "I don't mind to keep calling you kid."
"Please, don't," the girl responded.
"Then, tell me your name," Ben told her.
"Let me sit at the front," the girl insisted.
"No," Ben rejected, taking out his cigarette and snubbing it at the ash tray.
"Why not?" the girl questioned.
"Because only grown-ups are allowed at the front," Ben answered.
"I am a grown-up," the girl whined.
"First of all, a grown-up doesn't whine," Ben replied. He smirked as he heard the girl humph indignantly. Ben looked at the mirror to see the girl with a pout.
"I'm just kidding," Ben said. "It's no fun if I'm at the front all by myself." The girl looked at Ben in surprise before running over to the front.
"Thanks, Uncle Ben," the girl said, sitting down. She quickly buckled her seatbelt before smiling at Ben.
"Now then," Ben said. "Since I let you sit at the front, tell me your name."
"It's Aurora Benjamin Levin," the girl told Ben," But everyone calls me by my middle name."
"Of course, they do," Ben replied. "Alright, Ben. From now on, call me Uncle Max."
"Why?" the girl asked.
"I told you," Ben replied, rolling his eyes. "You already have an Uncle Ben. I am not taking his place even though you have never met him." The girl known as Arora looked at Ben before nodding her head.
"If you say so," Aurora replied before her smile widened. "Uncle Max." Ben smiled at her.
"Thanks, kid," Ben replied, ruffling her hair.
"Stop it," Aurora complained. Ben just smiled. At the hilltop, Professor Paradox smiled as he watched the Rust Bucket drive away.
"i see you made your choice, Ben," Professor Paradox smiled before disappearing in a flash of blue light.