Kevin goes Rogue
Meanwhile walking in the forest…
"Ok, Ben. We need to find somewhere quiet."
"Why?"
"So I can think about what to say."
"I thought I told you. We're using the doctor as a scapegoat."
"No, Ben. It's against my ethics to lie."
"Hmm. Now's a good time to check up on Kevin, ehh?"
"Yeah, I suppose so. Only, he probably won't be too happy to see me after…"
"What?"
"Ben, you know what happened."
"Oh, right. That thing we did together. Yeah, Kevin's going to be pissed."
"Well, let's hope he doesn't go insane again and try to kill us."
"Dang it, Gwen. You jinxed it!"
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
"Lovers' quarrel?" Kevin sneered.
"No! It's nothing like that!" Gwen said, rather too hastily.
"I know what you two did, and it ain't right."
"It's right if it's true love, Kevin," Ben interjected.
"You took advantage of your cousin, Ben. That's messed up in virtually every culture."
"Look, you're just jealous because she chose me over you, so why don't you grow up, Kevin?"
"You know what, Tennyson? I think I will!"
"Kevin, I'm sure Ben didn't mean it."
"Enough! I'm sick and tired of you, Ben. First you steal my girl and then you come back and brag to me about how good she is in bed?"
"Whoa! We never had intercourse, I swear!" Ben shouted.
"You might as well have!"
"Calm down, you two. I'm sure we can talk this out peacefully," Gwen said quietly, always the pacifist.
"Stay out of it, Gwen. This is between me and Kevin."
"No, it's between you and the piece of dirt in front out you cause I'm out of here! I never want to see either of you again!" Kevin screamed out his fury and started to run away from Ben and Gwen, towards the boundary between the Frozen universe and Bellwood.
"Kevin! Come back! We need you!" Gwen pleaded as she ran after him. Ben grabbed her around the waist.
"Let go, Ben! I have to find Kevin!"
"No. I'm the one who made him mad, so I'm the one that has to go after him."
"Promise me you won't hurt him?"
"Why would I do that? I'm just going over to have a nice chat with Kevin, that's all."
"And if he refuses to come back, like he most likely will?"
"Even a knucklehead like Kevin can be convinced, Gwen. Just stay here and focus on the trial."
"Good luck, Ben."
"You too." Ben started to run (transforming into XLR8 would attract attention). Gwen teleported herself back to the castle, right on top of the king. There was awkward moment of silence when they noticed how close they were to each other.
"Gwen! Don't do that!"
"Do what?" she asked innocently.
"That teleportation thing. It scared the bejesus out of me!"
"Sorry about that."
"Anyways, where's your cousin? The trial's about to start!"
"Um, he had to take care of some business."
"Well, if he isn't here in one hour, we'll have to start the trial without him."
"Right. I'll make sure he's there."
Where Kevin is…
"Tennyson! Always ruining my plans!" Kevin fumed as he kicked a rock. It rolled a long ways before coming to a stop under the foot of Paradox.
"Kevin, what a pleasant surprise! What are you doing out here?"
"I thought you already knew."
"Indeed I do, but enlighten me all the same."
"Ben's such a douche bag! He stole Gwen from me!"
"That must hurt."
"I want to go home. I'm sick of this place."
"But what about the fun?"
"There is no fun anymore. Not with Ben around."
"What can I do to help you, Kevin?"
"Help me get back home!" Kevin demanded.
"So impolite, young man. Try again."
"Arrgh! I'm sick of everyone telling me what I should be doing or not doing!"
"There are rules for a reason, Kevin. They help protect you."
"I don't need protection."
"Oh, but you do. Only the most arrogant of fools think otherwise."
"I'm not arrogant!"
"Then prove it. Help Ben and Gwen out."
"Get out of the way, old man. I'm not going to say it again," Kevin warned.
"So crude and unrefined. I'm sorry, but no."
"I happen to respect you, so I'm going to assume you didn't hear that correctly. I said, get out of my way...NOW!"
"No, Kevin. Go back."
"Don't make me hurt you, old man!"
"So I'm an old man now?"
"Yes, you are. Now, please get out of the way so I don't have to clobber you."
"If I open it for you, promise me that you'll come back?"
"And if I say yes, will you leave me alone?"
"I shall."
"Yes."
"Yes what?"
"What do you mean what? I said yes. That was the agreement wasn't it?"
"I admit, I was a bit vague on that one. All right, I'll open the door for you."
Paradox opened the door to Bellwood and Kevin prepared to jump in.
"Don't bother contacting me. I won't be interested."
"Young lad, I'm sure we shall meet again someday."
"Next time I see you, I won't be so polite."
"Meaning?"
"I'll punch first and ask questions later."
"One day you'll regret what you're about to do, Kevin."
"And what's that?"
"You're going to join the Incurseans."
"Me? That's crazy! I may hate Ben, but I certainly won't help his enemies!"
"You know me well enough now to know that I am always right in the end."
"Enough talk out of you old man. And don't bother sending Ben after me! It won't work!"
Kevin slammed the door and hitchhiked the way back to his mom's house. He knocked on the front door. It was locked. On the door, there was a note. It read:
Dear Kevin,
I see that you are on a mission. Hope you come back soon. I'll be out getting some groceries to make your favorite beef stew. Say hello to Ben and Gwen for me!
Love you,
Mom
Kevin read the message and flew into a rage at the mention of Ben's name. He crumpled up the letter and chucked it into the trashcan outside. Then, he took out his keys and went inside.
Meanwhile back where Ben was…
Jesus! How does Kevin run so far so fast? I really need to take gym seriously like Gwen's been telling me!
Ben stopped to lean on a nearby tree stump. Paradox materialized in front of him.
"Professor Paradox?" he panted.
"Hello, Ben. You seem to need more exercise."
"Tell me about it. I've only been running for ten minutes!"
"So, I deduce you want to find Kevin?"
"Yup. Where is he?"
"You just missed him by a quarter of an hour. He'll be at his mom's house now."
"Great! Can you teleport me there?"
"I most certainly can, but I won't."
"And why not? I asked nicely."
"No,no. You've always been polite. It's your choice of words that's the problem."
"Since when did you turn into a Grammar Nazi?"
"Hmm. I think it was the second time I met you way back in Alien Force three years ago?"
"I'm terrible at grammar. Can you give me a hint?"
"Let's see. 'Can' in the way you're using it means physically able to. And of course, I am physically able to make portals, otherwise I wouldn't be known as the timewalker."
"Oh. I meant, may I make use of your portal to find and convince Kevin to come back?"
"You may." Paradox created the portal.
"See ya soon, Prof!"
"Hold on, Ben. I'm not done yet."
"But you created the portal and everything!"
"That was to save time so we could talk now."
"Go on…."
"Let me tell you about the future. Try as you might, you'll find out that you won't be able to convince Kevin to return."
"And?"
"You'll get into an argument. Words will be exchanged that neither of you really mean to say about each other. Kevin will ask you to leave. You, being the concerned friend, will refuse."
"Let me guess what happens next. We get into a physical fight and I kick his ass?"
"If you must you that vulgar term, no, you don't 'kick his ass'. Kevin's a lot more formidable since the last time you fought him."
"Yeah, so? I've got a few more aliens than last time. I can take him any day."
"I'm sure you'll try admirably. But don't be disappointed when you do fail. And lastly, you'll do something that you'll really regret, something that'll turn Kevin against us."
"What's that?"
"Something serious. I'd tell you not to get emotional over it, but I'm sure you would anyway. After all, it is human nature to grieve."
"Thanks for ruining my future, Paradox."
"Anytime, Ben, anytime. That is my job."
"Well, I guess I'll return oh so depressed."
"I'll come pick you up in an hour for the trial."
"Oh crap! Better run!" Ben jumped into the portal.
"Remember, Ben. One hour's all you get!" Paradox yelled, but Ben was already gone.