My Universe 1: Ben kidnapped

Chapter 14: Trust

Disclaimer: I don't own Ben 10; however, I do own Sir Markus Leroy and Jinxer.

A.N.: Guess whose side this is? That's right, it's Albedo and Ben! :) Enjoy!

Rated: T (violence and violence reference)

Enjoy!

-Albedo's POV—

I had a feeling that this meant they canceled our deal. Which was fine too, I would just have to work with whatever was thrown at me like I always did. I reach for the controls, but suddenly a red light flares, showing that someone took control of the ship. Once again, I could deal with that. I stood, heading into the back area, looking around while I thought. "Well, hello there young…other Tennyson." Someone said suddenly, making me jump slightly. I would say it's because of the human body if anyone asked. I turn to see the Time Walker.

"Here to rescue Ben?" I ask, backing up slightly. "No, I'm afraid not. I'm here to help you." The Time Walker says, and only now do I realize he's drinking coffee. Where…? I don't even care…. "Help me how? Surly you know better than to interfere too much with people in time." I say, tilting my head. Maybe he was a hologram meant to stall me.

"Oh, of course, but there are ways I can help. Ben did tell you what I said last time. Think it over again. You have come to a fork in the road. If you choose one path then there might be better future, but if you choose the other you might be able to eliminate one of your enemies and he might be able to eliminate you. The second path is very destructive, but because the world isn't in immediate danger, I'll let you decide." Time Walker tells me.

Was this the same thing he told Ben? It worked both ways, if it was. I and Ben are each other's enemies. The second path is where one of us will die. We both live in the first, if I understand this. If either of us dies, there will be a lot of destruction. How odd…. "Well, you see later then, in another time. Oh, and in precisely nine minutes, drop or take cover." Time Walker says with a slight nod.

"Can't you warp Ben elsewhere? You've warped people before." I say, glancing over my shoulder. "Yes, but you've said so yourself that I shouldn't interfere too much. I'll take my leave." Time Walker says before disappearing. Of course he would leave now. Then again, I can't blame him. I hardly understand time travel myself, but it must be difficult, especially since he probably feels bad for having to leave.

I turn to look at Ben now. He was still asleep, and though he will likely leave me, I would have to take the risk. Then again, what risk would it be? I've decided I don't want the Ultimatrix, so there's no reason to want to keep him around any longer. Still though, with his Ultimatrix, he could at least help take down whatever bad guys come to attack. "Ben," I say, shaking his shoulder slightly with my left hand.

He mumbled in his sleep, and then he sat up slowly, looking annoyed. "Can I guess that you woke me because you need my help with fighting something?" Ben asks, taking his whiny, but angry tone. "That's correct. Time Walker was here, he told me something similar to what he told you. I think…we should work together." I say, looking to the back of the storage area. I wouldn't forget Time Walker's other warning either. It hadn't been quite nine minutes yet.

"Oh, work together? Why? Is it because you need us to work together this time?" Ben asks, still sounding angry. I suppose that's only reasonable. "I was going to give you to a new group of Forever Knights. They would copy the Ultimatrix to study and give me the original one, but they seemed to have…tricked me. I don't know who they're working with now, but I have a feeling it's Vilgax." I tell him.

"So, you do need my help. What's funny is you always get the short end of the stick." Ben says, laughing a bit as he stood up. I stood as well, though not laughing like a certain hero was. Suddenly Ben seemed to lose his balance, causing him to trip backwards a bit, and though I reached forward to grab his arm, he already caught himself on the wall behind him. "Are you alright?" I ask, watching him wearily. I had known the possible risk that I had taken when I gave him those drugs, but he had seemed alright until now.

"Dizzy…" Ben mumbled, putting a hand on his forehead. "It might be an after effect of the drugs or perhaps someone put the incorrect drugs in that bottle…." I say, thinking about everything that it might be. There were a lot of things it could be. "Thanks Al, seriously, you're such a great person." Ben says sarcastically. I was about to say something in return, but then I remembered something and turned to look around, and thanks goodness I did, as I spotted a nearby Forever Knight who was aiming at us with a blaster.

"Watch out!" I shout, shoving Ben to back of the ship as it looked as if the Forever Knight came from the front area of the ship. Now caught, the Forever Knight begins shooting at us. I manage to open a cabinet while dodging from the bullets, and then I grab a Plumbers' blaster before shooting back. "No, Sir, but I just spotted Albe—d..." The Forever Knight said, apparently talking to his master...or masters, but he didn't finish his sentence, as I finished him first.

I put my hand to mouth, motioning for Ben to stay quiet, and then I walk over to the motionless body before lowering myself so I could grab his helmet. The communication channel, as I had guessed, was still on, but there was no sound on the other side, so I switch it off. "Who was he reporting to?" Ben asks now, walking over to stand next to me, though keeping his distance. "A magnificent query, however, I don't have an answer." I snap a bit. I imagine that wasn't a particularly intelligent choice of action.

"Never mind, I have to go fix a mess that you made!" Ben snaps back, turning to the escape hatch on the ceiling of the ship. "I wasn't intentionally snapping at you, I'm not used to…not having all the answers. At the same time, I wish I didn't feel as if it's essential for me to have all the answers. Though you are correct, we should fix this messy situation I've created." I say, attempting to use a lighter tone, though I was so used to keeping my voice icy when addressing him. I noticed now that I had been able to use a kind tone towards him before. Why was that? Maybe it was easy for me to forget our past when I wasn't thinking about it.

"Did you just…make excuses for yelling at me?" Ben asks in disbelief as he turns to look at me with a raised eyebrow. "Well, as I have said earlier, I think we should heed the Time Walker's warning. If we're to not fight anymore, then shouldn't we act somewhat…civil to each other?" I ask in return, not sure what he was getting at. Suddenly Ben began laughing, but I wasn't sure why. "Look, even if you were intentionally yelling at me, it's not a big deal. I'm just glad I'm the one with the Ultimatrix. See? I have the upper hand already, so you don't have to be polite." Ben says when his laughter decreased a bit.

"You have the upper hand? Don't underestimate me!" I yell, unable to contain my anger. Why was he always so…sure that he was stronger than everyone else? And why was the back of my mind telling me that it's ironic of me to say that? "Gosh, you have temper problems though…. I didn't mean to offend you, but I do have the Ultimatrix." Ben says with an annoyed sigh. I hadn't heard him speak like this before. Maybe his so-sure attitude was how he helped himself. Maybe he was insecure and needed to think otherwise. What was it like being someone who had to save everyone?

"The fact that you have the upper hand is evident…. I don't have temper problems, though. I'm having trouble excepting you as anything other than an enemy." I say, looking down. "Well...that makes the two of us…. It reminds me of when Kevin joined me and Gwen. It was weird…he kind of acted like he belonged…and I was always…suspicious." Ben says and I look up in a bit of shock. I knew who Kevin was, but…well, I hadn't known this.

"Kevin had been a villain?" I ask before rethinking the question. I shouldn't be so interested in this, but it gave me…an odd hopeful feeling. "Yeah, we first met when I was ten, but he had been evil…wasn't his fault though, he's part Osmosian so when he absorbs too much stuff…he gets kind of mental. It's a long story…but later, we met again back when I was fifteen and…we needed Kevin's help. He's been with us since." Ben says and I just nod. When Ben gets an enemy, his enemies don't turn good, not generally.

Kevin was different though…could I have a chance at being a good guy? When would I finally be a trusted friend of Ben's? Would it be in years? I need to stop letting these delusions feed my future plans. Maybe it's better if I don't think ahead. I'll let what whatever happens happen. I'll trust Ben, even if that does seem odd to me. "We should go now. Are you feeling alright?" I ask and he responds with a nod before saying, "Big Chill is always ready!"

With that, he turned the Ultimatrix dial before hitting it. "It actually gave me what I wanted!" He says, now a Necrofriggian. "Yes, but be careful." I say, remembering how he almost fell not long ago. "Thanks for worrying." He says, a strange smile appearing on his alien face. "I'm not worried. I need you to be ready to fight." I say simply, though part of me was aware that that was a lie to him and me. I was slightly worried. Perhaps it was because I was realizing that all of this had been my fault. That he was the good guy.

"Yeah, okay." Ben says, turning to open the escape hatch located on the ceiling, but as soon as he opened it we both backed up. Standing before us in this now too small ship was Sir Markus Leroy of the Forever Knights, and Vilgax, the most monstrous alien who planned to rule the galaxy. Vilgax's plan was working out nicely. "Oh, Vilgax, we knew you'd be here!" Ben says, still in alien form…what did he call this alien? Big Chill…?

"You are going to work with him?" Markus asks in angry disbelief as he glares at me. "You were going to betray me?" I ask in return, raising an eyebrow. "Okay, enough chit-chat, its hero time!" Big Chill calls out. Who knew I would stand by Ben's side in a battle, though. I liked this, but how would this turn out? We were in a crowed ship with no way out. How would we survive? Well, it was a comfort to think that Ben has been through worse. Still, I had to wonder.

Okay, the next scene might switch to Ben's POV, but we'll probably stay on this side. Also, for now on I'll put my stories out on Saturday, so I'll probably skip next Saturday and post on the one after that.