It was hard to look into a camera instead of looking past it and looking at the people he really wanted to look at.
"My name is Rook Blonko. Most of you have not heard of me and I ask you to forgive me for my absence. I am your universe's Omnitrix bearer and I have come to learn there is a great deal of responsibility that comes with that."
Rook's gaze flickered away from the camera for a moment. Just a moment. Just long enough to get a look at his mentors, the people who'd inspired him to be a hero. Xylene, Bahrvad, Tetrax, and Wat-Senn had been the ones to teach him to be a Plumber, and then how to be something more than a Plumber.
"The Omnitrix is a device created by First Thinker Azmuth to allow one being to walk a thousand steps in the feet of another in order to better understand one another. It was intended to be a diplomacy tool and that is how I have used it but it can be so much more than that. The person who wields the Omnitrix has the potential to be a great diplomat but they also have the potential to be a great hero."
Rook looked to Ben, Kevin, and Gwen. Ben wasn't a superhero in this dimension like he was in all those other ones. They weren't even partners here. That didn't make him any less of a Ben than any of the other Bens. He had everything he needed to be a hero, even more than Rook.
"The Omnitrix has been more than that for me. Yes, I have learned about many worlds other than my own, like Galvan Prime and Earth. Yes, I have fought many villains in the name of good, like Vilgax and Zs'Skayr. Those accomplishments do not define what the Omnitrix is for me. Instead, I value it for the people it has led me to."
Malware, Albedo, Ship, and Eunice looked back at him and Rook tried his hardest not to meet their eyes. As much as he wanted to, he was still being filmed. He hoped they knew how much he loved them. Becoming the Omnitrix bearer had meant leaving behind the family that had raised him. Rook was grateful he'd found another.
"I do not know what path the Omnitrix will continue to take me on but I imagine whatever it is I do will be in the public eye. I hope you learn to cherish the Omnitrix as I have."
Rook let his eyes wander this time. They fell on Scout, his best friend and partner through all of this. Scout grinned at him, wagging his tail excitedly, and Rook felt some of the nerves wash away.
"I do not know what my future holds but I come with good news for the universe. After much debate and discussion, the Anur System will begin to open its borders. We will figure out what this looks like moving forward but for now, ships are welcome to enter the system and residents of the Anur system are encouraged to visit other planets."
Rook looked down, smiling to himself. It had been so long ago that he'd found the Omnitrix and it felt like all those years had been leading up to this point. Finally, it was time to move forward for all the universe to see.
"That is all I have to say today. I hope you will continue to watch me grow."
Author's Note: This is the end for now. I've been writing this for a long time and I want to take a break. I have more in mind to write but I think this is a good ending point. Hope you enjoyed!