This was the day, the day he could finally end; not only his boredom, but his newly found loneliness, and finally start a new chapter.
The Sylonnoid and Atrocian landed in the forest while Ben was reaching month seven. The butterflies in his stomach felt as if they were on fire with as much excitement tore through him.
"Here's the tanks." the Atrocian placed a small crate of well covered tanks at Albedo's feet. "Now how are we getting paid?"
"By my telling you of the particular price range of this particular serum. It should be selling around..." Albedo pulled out his tablet, the earthly form deceiving most around him, despite the access to interplanetary databases. "Lets see... ten pounds."
"Of what, you over-dramatic bastard?" the Sylonnoid snapped.
"Taydenite, of course, but that's just the minimum. The more desperate markets will pay up to nearly... wow... nearly 14,000 pounds of the highest grade taydenite..." Even Albedo was shocked, not imagining how expensive this concoction was.
"Maybe we should charge you something for it?" the Sylonnoid smirked.
"We had a deal. Just charge a little higher. And considering you got them for free, it's not like you would lose money." Albedo growled lowly.
"What deal?" the Atrocian popped his knuckles and growled in response.
"You see Albedo... Being outside of the law, we don't have to keep our deals. Especially-" the Sylonoid shoved Albedo against a tree and held him there with his arm across his throat. "with Galvan flunkies, who can't even tell the difference between an Omnitrix, and a cheap, fake knockoff."
"I'm warning you... Let me go..." Albedo choked out.
"Oh please, like you could do anything."
"Really?... What if I told you that I have a robot planted on your ship that with a simple trigger, will blow up the entire ship, serum, computers, all of it." Albedo smirked.
"You're bluffing."
"Like you said, we're out of the jurisdiction of the law. I can use whatever methods I like in ensuring that I receive my package. And besides, 'All is fair in love and war'." The Sylonnoid gave him an expression of extreme confusion right as Albedo's fist made contact with his face. The boy ran just far enough to show them the detonator. "I'm not above destroying your ship. And if you come any closer I'll do it, and even once it's gone, there's more hidden all around us. Your choice."
"Whoa, c-calm down 'Bedo, um... we were just messing with yo-"
"With your hand at my throat?! Yeah, I'm gonna believe that!"
"Alright, we'll take your advice, we'll just add a few zeros to the price. Look-" they started backing up to the ship, hands in the air, the wild eyes that Albedo had just a few moments ago, fading extremely slow, "L-Look, we're getting on the ship, and we're leaving." their hands were still up.
"Ain't ya gonna take the bot out our ship?." the Atrocian asked.
"No, of course not. though, by now it's hardwired in, so even if you find the robot, you can still just- poof, at any time I wish. I hope this guarantees your continued cooperation in making deals with me." he smiled smugly, as the door closed and began taking off.
Once it was out of sight, he pulled his tablet back out and called the two again.
"What do you want?"
"Just a reminder, dear friends. Watch your feet, he likes to wander, and crushing him, also detonates the bomb. Bye." He hung up and carried his spoils back to his lab. After setting the box down on the desk he looked at his hand as it shook. The experience excited him, in a way he hasn't been since his first exposure to the "negotiable" prices used in the black market. Not since Azmuth was still working on the Omnitrix and sent him out to retrieve more parts. Those exact idiots being the one's that he usually dealt with. Though back then, they had more of a crew, and were much fiercer. This, was as simple as stealing candy from a baby, and his younger self might berate him for being so excited over such a simple task. But it had been a while since the last time he had done something like this.
Albedo sat on his chair and spun around, just enjoying the feeling of slight nostalgia. Then he stopped and smiled, remembering why he did this, remembering his trip to the Pier with Cameron, sighing happily and just relaxing for a few moments. He checked the time, and stored the serum in an iron safe, but he made sure to bring home a single tank.
Cameron had been doing the same thing when he came back as when he had left. Albedo peeked into the neat room and gaped at the stench in the room. Regardless, he grabbed the febreeze that took it's place on the boys' dresser, and began spraying the area with the scent of clean linens. Once that was done he held Cameron's shoulders and kissed his cheek, looking over his shoulder at his notes so far.
"How is it?"
Cameron turned slightly, kissing his lover's lips gently while sighing, "I don't know, I've still got 5 pages to do. I did three while you were gone, where did you go anyway?"
"Mm, my lab, checking on things in there. It seems a few things fell apart while I was gone."
"I'm sorry for that." Cameron turned back to his work.
"Have you eaten?"
"Yeah, I had cereal, I mean you made it for me riii-" he saw the time and yelled in panic, leaving Albedo in a shocked stupor, once he was done yelling, his stomach growled loud and hollow.
"... I'll make us dinner then." Albedo marched into the kitchen and laughed, pulling out a couple of frozen meals to fix quickly.
'I've... I've really changed.'
Naru: There will be a third attachment to this timeline. Bear with me here.
Ben: Well, if there was ever a display of how Albedo's changed (but also not) I guess this chapter dictates that.
Naru: That's the point, and no, it wasn't Cam that did it. It just an eye opening moment for him. Change is okay, make the best of your situation, blahblahblah.
Ben: Read and Review