My Universe 1: Ben kidnapped

Chapter 10: Not so bad

Disclaimer: I don't own Ben 10.

A.N.: Chapter 10, so Ben has to be in this chapter. ;) Also, lobo solitario gave me an idea for this chapter, which I might have changed a bit, but it's still his idea originally. Thank you again lobo solitario!

Rated: T (violence and violence reference)

Enjoy!

-Albedo's POV—

Learning the controls to this relatively old model Plumbers' ship was quite easy, the only problem was that everything I had ever heard about the ships were true; they're slow, have bad security, and weak engines. I sighed in frustration as I glance at the onscreen map. Maybe I could stop somewhere, pick up a new ship and grab something to eat…curse my human needs. A beeping in my ear reminded me of my "actors", which I'd left behind on the mysterious planet. And speaking of the planet, how come I had no knowledge of it? I would contemplate over that later, when I'm less busy.

"I hope this is significant." I say after hitting button on my ear piece. "I told them everything…." I hear the person say, and I straightened slightly from leaning on the control panel. Cooper…. "That's just as I expected of you." I say, still shocked that he would call me this way. Of course, he was the one who gave me and my "actors" the ear pieces, and he did have one too, but…was he helping them? I could never be too sure.

"I'm sorry…if I can help in any way…." Cooper whispers, sounding broken. "Wouldn't that only betray them more? You did more than enough for me." I say, wanting to end the conversation that was already feeling like an unintentional guilt trip. "I'm off the job. It wouldn't betray them, and besides, I've decided I'd rather betray anyone but a friend." Cooper says and I shake my head at his words. Ben had a valid point: I wasn't Cooper's friend.

"Cooper, I don't want to endanger you." I lie after a moment of silence. I've heard humans say before that it's not a bad lie if it doesn't hurt them. That, of course, isn't true, but I would store the saying away in case I choose to use it as an excuse. "Don't worry about me, I'm fine." Cooper says, sounding as if he were telling himself that, which he was, since I won't listen to it. I sigh after a moment. It would come to nothing if I continue telling him things that he won't listen to.

"I'll contact you when I need something, until then…keep a close eye on the Pumblers', but make sure it doesn't look like you're spying." I say after a moment of silence. "Yes, I'll do that. Thank you…for allowing me to help." Cooper says his tone getting lower. I couldn't stand the way he sounded now. He was sad, and it was as if I were his lifeline. His every word sounded…desperate and in need of help. I couldn't handle it, "I just hope you make yourself useful."

"Oh, I will! I won't let you down." Cooper says quickly. "Good…" I hang up after that strangled word got out. He…worshiped me. Just what I thought I wanted. People looking up to me, and now I'm turning it down. People shouldn't become dependent on others, they should be independent. I sigh again, covering my face with my hands. That's when I remembered something: Ben.

I check the radar one last time before turning and heading into the back of the ship, where I had Tennyson tied in rope. I walk over and sit down, glancing at the hero who was unconscious still. Watching him for a few minutes I could tell he was breathing, but I could guess that he'd wake up soon. What would I do then? Leave him like that? Leave him wet and cold and likely hungry? I stood, already knowing what I would do as I open a cabinet and start searching it. As I suspected, they kept Plumbers' suits in here, not that I would let him dress up in armor, but before the Plumbers put the armor on, they put on a black slaggy one-piece suit.

I grab the one that would best fit, and then tossed it onto the floor just feet away from Tennyson. I search some more until I find what else I had been looking for: food. Sure, it was rations, probably not at all the same as chili-fries, but I don't have much of a choice. I finally find a blanket, and then I toss that to the clothing already on the floor. I sigh, and then I open a one of the five cans and begin eating the disgusting food. Probably healthier than chili-fries, but it wasn't the same.

Now, almost everything is set, but how will I stop him from using the Ultimatrix? How will I stop him from fighting me? I look around as I continue eating, pondering over my problems. Finally I stood, walking over to another cabinet. It didn't take long to find a medical kit. After going through the case for approximately five minutes, I find a drug that is used to put prisoners in a numb state. Perfect, though I had wished to find something more useful.

A noise behind me made me spin around to Ben, who was awake and trying to hit his Ultimatrix, which wouldn't be easy since his arms are stuck at both sides of him. "I hope we crash again!" Ben yells, seeming angrier than he had been earlier. Perhaps he was worried for Cooper. "If we crash again, then I hope we crash on a planet that has chili-cheese fries." I say, nodding slightly before walking over to sit a foot away from him. "What's that?" Ben asks, looking worriedly at the bottle and the syringe.

"It's something that will slow you down." I answer, getting the result I wanted when his scared face went back to angry. After injecting it into his arm, I put the bottle and syringe in a nearby can where trash goes, and then I pick up the canned food from where I left it on the floor. "How are you feeling?" I ask before sitting down again. "Like I've been…drugged…" Ben mumbles, apparently attempting to fight it.

Well, he probably can't fight me that well now…. I take a knife out of its holster at my side, which I realized may seem odd, since I don't normally carry such…oddly unused weapons. I start cutting the rope with it, and then I remove the rope and toss it to another side of the ship. "Ben, you're soaked, can you get dressed in this?" I ask, and it occurred to me that he must have been in the rain for hours. He nods and sits up, taking the black clothing. "If you try anything then I'll shoot you." I say, standing again and walking over to the cock-pit. Everything looked fine on the radar, so I grab my laser blaster and head back to the back of the ship, where Ben was latching the collar clasps of the black suit.

"Here, eat." I say, handing him the canned food, followed by a blanket, as he was still shivering. "If you think I will eat or sleep at a moment like, then you're crazy. The Plumbers will find me soon." Ben says, holding the can and blanket. I smile before standing and walking to the cock-pit. Around seven minutes later I walk into the back of the ship, where Ben was asleep on the floor, an empty can near him.

I chuckle under my breath before walking over to sit down next to him. Maybe it was time I give up on the Ultimatrix…. Maybe I should stop wasting my life. I was stuck like this…was it time to accept that and move on? Suddenly the entire ship shook. I stood, hurrying into the cock-pit, where I then spotted a huge ship on the radar. The Forever Knights were here…. Apparently they weren't going to wait on me.

Okay, the next chapter will go to the Forever Knights and ?. :)