A/N: Here's the next chapter. It's not very long. But I wanted this chapter short, only focusing on what happened with Ben's family after beating Selina.

Morning has risen few hours since the conflict with Selina has ended. Grandpa, smelling the air and beauty, instantly tranquilised in peace of never having to be stuck in a hospital so long as he doesn't get himself hurt. In spite of making it certain he will be careful, grandpa has high focus for Ben and Gwen's safety that he'd put his life and body at risk if he needed to. After all, he is Ben's only relative of a parent, though grandparent.

Grandpa smells the air, breathing in the content set of particles absorbing inside him. "Ah, it's good to get out of here and get back on the road", grandpa expresses. He is presently walking on forth via his crutches. Grandpa is as bright as the sun generating an extensive amount of warmth. The pleasure growing widely adequate.

Ben shaped his face in a unhappy look, feeling like he shouldn't be the one happy with grandpa and Gwen after all the trouble he put on them. "I should probably leave now", Ben proclaims, rotating his frontside to a front direction different from the the direction Gwen and grandpa are moving towards.

Grandpa's face changed into a serious expression in an instant. "Leave where?", he questions, staring Ben who's back is turned on him an Gwen.

"I don't know. Someplace where I don't have to endanger anyone's lives. I could've lost you grandpa. I endangered Gwen's life when...", Ben fails to utter. The extreme bad feeling of learning Rojo, then what she would've done to them. The instant flashes of memories from yesterday. "I am such a doofus for not realising how idiotic it was for me to go in alone without backup or team support".

Grandpa closes his eyes, strongly lifting up his sympathetic expression. "Ben", he calls out, causing Ben to instantly open his eyes albeit not perceived by the old man or the 10-year-old girl. He sighs before moving his mouth. "Those past few days have been really difficult". Grandpa then thinks a sensible way to settle their problems aside. "But as of today, I'd like for us to move on from the past, as in regarding the Kevin stuff".

Ben turns around, facing grandpa. He nods, making a promise to never bring Kevin up or think about what had happened since that battle that resulted in things occurring.

"Uncaringly, some parents would evict their children to the streets, for them to handle themselves on their own. In your case Ben, I'm not giving myself to being so cold hearted in removing you out of my sight. You are family. We look out for each other. And you belong to us as one and always as the Ben I love and care for", grandpa explains, showing his utmost love for the boy, making Ben smile. "You did a good job out there Ben. Your way of showing how much you cared for me and Gwen has made you rightfully earn my trust".

Gwen brings a smile on her lips, knowing very well Ben and grandpa have finally reconciled after not properly interacting with one another in family fashion for a few days.

Ben is happy, comprehending on not needed to leave the family. Seeing the way he is strongly attached to Gwen and grandpa is the one thing he learnt from someone that said the importance of family.

Flashback ~ 2 years ago...

In another domain...

Ben and Albus are still talking about the topic of family in which Ben inclined to inquiring to know what would be best in both ways: whether to leave a family or not. As yet, Ben hears from Dumbledore the choice is up to him depending on what circumstances he will be weighed in.

"If you wanna hear what my choice would be if it was up to me?", Albus asks Ben, in which the latter weakly nodded. "You need a family supporting you. Fulfilling tasks, missions and duties all alone with no family attached won't help you learn. You need a family that knows what is the right way to solve problems you will face in future's reach. Not to mention how glorious it is to be with your own family".

Ben looks down, noting Albus' words to him.

"Do not destroy that one aspect of your life that will potentially be the only thing lifting yourself to greater lengths to find yourself at peace. You deserve a life", Albus advises.

Present Time

Earth

Ben, Gwen and grandpa have reached the presence of the Rust Bucket.

Whilst marking their final steps prior to getting inside the RV, Gwen ponders on yesterday about Ben's sudden composure being frozen. She turns to Ben. "So Ben what happened back there in the gym?", Gwen asked. "It's like you were possessed or something". She is concerned about Upgrade's brief frozen motion that happened yesterday.

"I don't know. It was like when I went Upgrade. I saw this monster. We were both floating through space, and he was talking to me", Ben explains.

Ben, Gwen and grandpa reached the Rust Bucket where grandpa opened the door for his kids to enter in whilst listening to Ben.

Ben started motioning his hands in gesture of describing what he saw in that other world of which he met face-to-face with the being. "He had a stoned crack-like face. Big red eyes. It seemed familiar like I've seen him not too long ago. He said I should be afraid", Ben addresses, subsequent to noting grandpa's sudden change in expression like he something hit him very hard that caused him to feel something. "Grandpa, you look afraid". He seems to be concerned about grandpa, believing he might know what Ben is talking about.

Grandpa hears Ben addressing what he perceived on his look. "I'm fine", grandpa assures them, though Ben isn't going to take it lightly in buying in to this. He turns to widely eye at Ben and Gwen. "And you'll be fine too". His tone appears to be casual and warm. "As long as we stay together".

Ben for a short moment showed a curious look merged with a serious aspect before changing it all into a smiley face, though he is pretending, knowing he will at some point figure out what grandpa is hiding from him. "Sounds good to me", he said.

Ben and Gwen enter inside the Rust Bucket.

Grandpa shows his smile towards them before immediately changing it into a worrying expression. He turns his gaze, looking up at the sky. He suspects a certain individual, of whom Ben describes, far away from Earth. If he is right about who that thing may be, he knows he has to train Ben if any case happens in which that enemy may appear in presence on Earth. The old man knows how strong and powerful the enemy is. He is an unstoppable force vastly and greatly dangerous than the foes Ben encountered from these past few days. One boy against this tyrant will result in Ben's death for sure. And Grandpa needed to ensure Ben won't suffer even if it goes as far as to putting his life at an extreme risk that could lay the outcome of leaving Ben and Gwen. Forever.

A/N: The next chapter was originally intended to set up a plot in regards to adapting the Ben 10 episode 'Permanent Retirement'. That episode introduced Ben's aunt. It didn't feel like it would be that relevant to Ben's story even though I did want to make plots out of the main focus, essentially plotting multiple adventures. I don't think Ben's aunt should be reintroduced in this fanfiction story. Perhaps in future stories. You may never know. For next chapter, I'm going straight away with the next significant plot to the story.