Do I really need to say it? Nope, still don't own Ben 10.

Chapter 3: Temporal Displacement

Ben Tennyson stared at Paradox, in utter shock. "Dr. Paradox? Why are you here? What's going on?" Ben asked.

"Be patient, friend. I'll answer all of your questions shortly. But first, I must comment on your appearance. What has happened to you to bring you to this state?" Paradox inquired.

Ben looked at the time-traveler, then answered harshly, "You're the one who can travel through time. You could see it. Julie…my love…. my life…everything that truly mattered to me….."

"Ahhhhh I see- a woman's love led you to this. Unfortunately, this is only the beginning" Paradox stated.

"Only the beginning? The beginning of what?" Ben asked, completely confused.

Paradox said, in his laconic tone, "I should take you with me. I can better show you rather than explain it."

Ben retorted "But you're still going to explain it to me, huh?"

In response, Paradox stated, "But of course. It will be just one moment…." The room was illuminated in a bright flash, and both the time-traveler and Omnitrix-wielder were gone.

When Ben's vision returned, he found himself a stranger in a strange land. Just where the heck was he? "Well-here we are." Paradox said, in anticipation of Ben's query.

"But where is here?" Ben asked.

"'Here' is a small celestial body called Infernia- long deserted of 'civilized' life." Paradox stated.

"So why are we here?" Ben asked.

"After the death of your beloved Julie", Paradox began, "you began to dump the duties of protecting Earth on your cousin and her fiancé- Gwendolyn and Kevin- did you know he proposed to her the night I came to see you?"

"No, I didn't", Ben sadly replied.

"Oh, sorry, got off track. Well, you did that, so you could locate Albedo, who had gone into hiding. It took you-"

"6 months" Ben interrupted.

"-yes, just what I was going to say. Anyway, here is where you located Albedo. And here…you finally ended your rivalry."

Ben looked stunned, but replied, "Ended it? How?"

Paradox simply smiled and pointed behind them- "Like that, I believe…"

Ben turned and saw himself- just a few years older. He had turned into DiamondHead and transformed his arm into a lance. On the other end of the lance was…Albedo. DiamondHead looked at Albedo, whose blood was dripping down the arm. "So, Albedo-how does it feel? I told you that I would make you suffer- like you made Julie suffer!" DiamondHead exclaimed.

"It this about that woman? You've held a flame for her for this long? You humans and your sentiment. But I told you….you attachment to her…would be your undoing!" Albedo weakly spoke.

DiamondHead asked, "What do you mean? Talk, creep!"

Albedo continued,"I have placed a thermal device into the planet's core. And the detonator is primed to my life force. When my life ends, the device will blow…."

"WHAT? How could you do this?" Ben inquired.

"I …sought to….eliminate you….and after what happened with your wife…I knew I had a motive to get you here. I may die, but from Hell's pits I will….win….I will…win…." Albedo's breathing had slowed, and DiamondHead threw the body off.

"No, my ship-I won't make it to the ship-NOOOOOO!" Ben screamed-

There was another bright flash, and they had returned to Ben's living room. Paradox spoke "Well, I think you get the idea."

Ben, who had been in complete shock during the vision, spoke. "So, Julie's death…would lead me to this….But why would you care?"

"Ben, I'm hurt. And I thought we were friends", Paradox spoke, mock hurt in his voice. "You death will have severe repercussions throughout the universe Ben. You're a hero-don't you understand?"

"But Gwen and Kevin, the others-" Ben said

"-could not face the challenges without you. You did not see how important you were." Paradox said, finishing the statement. Ben collapsed in the lounger, stunned.

Paradox continued, "Now for why I'm here. While there are rules for time travel, I believe there's nothing wrong for using time travel for the greater good- the ultimate salvation of the universe. I also have faith that you can do this. Who was the one who saved the universe from the threat of the HighBreed? I believe it was you, Benjamin."

Ben looked at the time-displaced scientist, excitement and hope in his eyes. "You mean, if I can save Julie, then that horrible vision won't happen?" Ben asked.

"Yes- that's the general idea. And having made the necessary calculations, you will be sent back in time five years- but you'll be arriving two days before Julie is kidnapped. Therefore, you will have ample time to prepare a plan for stopping Albedo and saving Julie. So, are you ready?" Ben closed his eyes-it was something many people don't get—a second chance.

When he opened his eyes, gone was the listlessness and desolation. Instead, in Ben's eyes was focused determination. "I'm ready Paradox." At that, there was another bright flash, and Ben's vision went from bright to dark as he travelled back in time.

A/N: Well, not much here. Just setting up the story and Ben's mission. I hope I kept paradox in character. If not, sorry. Read, Review, Comment!