Chapter 6 - Patching Things Up

Of course, Vilgax was no match for the combined efforts of the three generations.

By the time everyone returned to Bellwood (courtesy of Professor Paradox), Azmuth used the Mechamorph Armor to fix the front door of the Tennyson house, like he did for the Rustbucket five years prior.

Vilgax stood before the Tennysons, hanging his head in defeat, and the galactic authorities had him cuffed.

"Once you get placed inside the detention planet ship, Vilgax," Azmuth said to his former pupil, hands behind his back, "you will pay for what you've done."

"Hmph," Vilgax retorted. "And as for Tennyson, this isn't over. It's a very small galaxy. I will make sure our paths cross again."

"We shall see," Ben replied, crossing his arms.

"And as for you, Albedo," Azmuth continued, to Albedo, "it's back to your cell."

Albedo moaned. "I still hate you."

With that, the galactic authorities teleported away with their prisoners, leaving the Tennysons, Julie, Ship and Azmuth behind.

"Are you all right, honey?" Sandra asked Ben.

"I'm fine, Mom," he replied, bowing his head in shame. "And I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have blown off my punishment again, but you guys were in trouble. Vilgax would have killed you."

Ben looked at the front door.

"Well, I guess it's back to my room to await the even-harsh extension of my punishment."

As Ben walked off, Carl and Sandra looked at each other sadly, then at Max, who crossed his arms, then at their son.

"Actually, Ben," Carl began, "I think you've been punished enough."

Ben had a surprised look on his face in response as he was about to open the door.

"What?" he responded.

"The world was in danger, and we had to save it," Carl continued, showing off the Omnitrix on his wrist.

"The point is," Sandra added, "we've seen you in action. We know what you're capable of. Clearly, you know what you're doing."

Ben was about to shed tears of joy, and he hugged his parents, embracing them. Max was glad to see such an embrace.

"Hmm," Azmuth said, contently. "Wise words coming from a hero's parents." He then changed his expression. "But congratulations will have to wait. It seems you're needed in the Null Void. Dr. Animo has enslaved its inhabitants."

"Then what are we waiting for?" Carl replied. "What do you say, son? Ready for a real father-son outing?" With that, he showed off the Omnitrix again.

"You bet, Dad," Ben replied, flashing the Ultimatrix. "And I'm glad to be talking to you again."

Sandra got Ben's phone out of her purse and handed it back to him.

"Call when you get back," she said.

With that, Ben and Carl met up with Helen Wheels, a human/Kinecelerean hybrid, and Manny Armstrong, a human/Tetramand hybrid, in the Null Void, with Helen's half-brother Pierce, who has a human hybrid with half of an unknown species, with spikes coming out of his face. They then faced off against Dr. Animo, known in the Null Void as "D'Void", with Carl and Ben activating their devices, transforming.

Thus, the Alien Force had reassembled, with a new member joining the group—a parental figure. It goes to show you that in this universe, as well as yours, family is just as important as saving the world, no matter where you are.

Watching the events on a TV set inside a basement laboratory, a little pink creature with green hair that went up, green tail feathers, a pipevine swallowtail caterpillar back, chicken legs, a red cat nose with whiskers, and facial features and hands like a meerkat, looked amazed as it was eating popcorn.

"Wow," the creature said in a gruff Brooklyn accent. "Carl Tennyson is pretty much like… my dad. And I'm glad he patched things up with Ben in the end."

The End

Author's Note: The events in this chapter has combined elements from the dialogue in Act Three of "Grounded", the episode "Voided", and the movie Ben 10: Destroy All Aliens. The little pink creature is Armadillamingkat "Armie" Berkowitz, a Lion King OC based on his father Timon's monster form in the Timon & Pumbaa Season 2 episode "Monster Massachusetts".