The feelings he was feeling was empty, sorrow, sadness. Ben was not himself for these two weeks. His hope has been stolen. How can he feel good or happy. It has been two weeks since Vilgax attacked Galvan Prime and killed Hope, his hope during the battle. Ben didn't let her death be nothing though. He beat the shit out of the Vilgax. Slammed him to ground, burned him and in the end he killed that monster. And Ben didn't regret it at all, if anything he feels like he should've done that sooner. Now Ben can be seen in the front of Mr.Smoothie, sitting on his car. He wears the his favorite jacket. Black version of his green signature jacket. It was a birthday gift from her. He didn't get it off since that day and he'll be damned if anything happens to it. The event made some major changes in Ben's personalities too. He was cold, showing no emotion, finishing the fight in most violent and quick way. He was a brooding superhero now. He thinks that he doesn't deserve to be called a hero. If he was he would've save her.
"Ben?" A soft voice called out to him. It was the voice of his best friend, cousin. Gwen. She took a break from college and came to Bellwood with Kevin after they heard the news from Rook.
"What?" His response was soulless. Like he wasn't paying attention at all, which he probably wasn't. It didn't matter to him.
"You okay?" She asked. She knew he wasn't but she asked anyway. She knew how much this affected him. While she was glad Vilgax was dead. She never thought Ben would kill him personally. To her Ben always had a dark side but he always suppressed that side and stayed the goof he was. But after that day, he let dark side took control. He still had a good heart and right intentions.
Ben just gave a light chuckle. "Yeah I'm fine. I'm flying because of happiness." He responded, clearly messing with her. How can he be fine. But she wouldn't understand. She doesn't know what he's going through. No one is.
"I know you are suffering but this isn't you." Gwen said. She just wanted her cousin back. Was it too much to ask? Ben didn't even turned to her. He was acting like she wasn't there. When Charmcaster first joined Ben and Rook, he was acting the same. Gwen didn't trust her and said that she was plotting something. Ben always played the Kevin card on her and paid no attention. He always believed in people. Even before Hope became a good person, in conversations Ben would say that he could see her doing good. Just with right mentoring. After a while when Gwen saw Ben, he was just super happy and having the time of his life with his team. He would constantly tease Rook, in exchange Rook would tell her about Ben's embarrassing moments from time that they were just duo. After first two months, they developed feelings for each other and in the end of the third month, Ben asked Hope out. Gwen didn't saw Ben that happy in her life before. Not even when he was with Julie. Ben and Hope were like life system for each other and they would work in sync in the fights. Villains never stood a chance. Until that day of course.
"This is me now Gwen. Take it or leave it." Ben answered with a harsh tone but Gwen didn't flinch, she knew he was like this to everyone these days. Even Azmuth was hesitant to approach him but surprisingly Ben was kinda nice to him but still in his unemotional, cold tone.
"Will you be okay?" She asked. Deep inside she knew the answer. Just wanted it to be wrong and that Ben would say he will. Ben just looked up to stars and remained silent. It was clear that he was in deep thought. He always was since that day. He was calm, collective. Doesn't talk that much if not necessary. After his change of behavior, even the villians were afraid. Animo admitted that he cancelled his escape plan. He knew he would be safer in a cell than outside. Everyone was worried about the hero of heroes. Hell even Paradox paid a visit to talk to him. No one knew what they talked but it helped a little but not enough.
"I don't know Gwen. I lost my Hope."