Chapter 20: Ben Tennyson No More: Part 2

I Don't Own Ben 10 or Any of the Respective Characters, The Rights Belong to Man of Action Studios and Cartoon Network

Author's Note:

* Hello and welcome to Chapter Twenty of the reboot!

* Sorry for another "no chapter" last Friday. I ran into some personal issues and I wasn't able to post at all last week. So, to make up for that, I'm posting two chapters tonight. Chapter Twenty here, followed almost immediately by Chapter Twenty One.

* Anyway, I don't really have anything to say in regards to this chapter, so let's get right into it!

Earth Prime

Monday, June 4th, 2018

Downtown Bellwood

Ben

One day of this anti-hero stuff later and I was still out on the streets of the city. I never returned home last night and Gwen was probably worried sick about me.

No, she's not worried about me, I thought. She's worried about Ben Tennyson. And Ben Tennyson isn't here.

I was currently sitting inside of a diner, enjoying some turkey and mashed potatoes with brown gravy. Just me minding my own business, until I overheard two police officers across the room from me getting notified of a bank robbery currently in progress. As they got up from their booth, I pulled money out of my wallet to pay for my meal, as well as to leave a tip and I then moved to exit the diner.

I knew where the bank was, as I had heard the address of the bank while they were being notified. After I left the diner, I stepped into a side alley behind the building and after putting my mask and gloves on, I dialed up the alien watch. I selected XLR8 and transformed. After that, I sprinted all the way to the bank. Once I had arrived, I wasn't surprised to see that the cops hadn't arrived yet. I sped into the bank, to see there were three to four criminals attempting to rob the place.

"Taking things that aren't yours?" I tutted. "You could really get in trouble!"

"What the—?" one of the thieves exclaimed as he turned to look at me.

"Looks like the freak wants to play!" another thief exclaimed as he pulled out a pistol.

He shot at me, but I was long gone after he had pulled the trigger. He looked around wondering where I had gone, before I appeared next to him. He seemed to be surprised and tried to attack, but I was faster. Before he could attack me, I whacked him in the chin with my foot, sending blood flying from his mouth. He dropped the pistol as he fell to the ground. I turned around to see the other three thieves looking at me in fear.

"Well?" I asked. "Who's next?"

All three of them exchanged glances, before pointing their pistols at me.

"Fair enough." I said, before sprinting to the right, out of their sight.

They all looked around, trying to figure out where I went. Using my speed and my fist, I sped past them, nailing all three of them in the head as I went. They all fell to the ground. I heard running from behind me and I turned, to see the guy I had nailed in the jaw running up to me. I heard someone running up to me from behind my back and I turned, to see the guy I had nailed in the jaw running up to me. Before he could hit me, I grabbed him by his baggy jacket and turned with him, throwing him into one of the other thieves.

"I'd recommend that you stay down after that." I said.

Of course, he didn't listen. The same thief I just dealt with got back up and ran toward me to attack. I used my tail to trip him once he got close enough. He flew upwards and I grabbed his foot while he was in midair. I swung him forwards, causing him to face plant the marble floor. Once he rolled over onto his back, I saw the blood on the floor. And I also saw that his nose, along with his mouth were plastered with his own blood. He had a few missing teeth, as well.

Oh my God! I didn't mean to go that far! I didn't know that would happen to him!

Just then, I heard the police sirens. I turned around to see a group of officers entering the bank, all of them pointing their firearms at me.

"On the ground, arms behind your head!" one of the officers exclaimed. "You won't be endangering anyone anymore!"

"I never meant to endanger anyone!" I replied as I put my hands up.

"Get on the ground and put your arms behind your head!" the officer repeated. "I won't tell you again!"

I should have realized from the very beginning that I wouldn't be able to talk my way out of this. But I didn't. My only option was to flee while I still could. And flee I did. I used XLR8's speed to zip past the police and out the doors of the bank. As I was fleeing, I was surprised to find Gwen waiting outside, only a short distance away from the bank.

Damn it, I immediately thought with guilt. Even if it can't be helped, I shouldn't have run away from home. I shouldn't have left her all by herself.

Even though it probably wasn't a good idea, I decided to come to a stop and talk with her for a second or two. So, I came to a stop in front of her, causing a look of surprise to appear on her face.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

She gave me a look of confusion before speaking.

"Do you just regularly appear out of nowhere to talk to random girls that you see?"

"I guess it's my specialty."

"Whatever. Anyway, I had a hunch that you'd be at the bank trying to stop the robbery. Were you successful?"

"Only partly."

"I understand. I won't ask you any further about it. Um, you do remember me, right?"

I decided to tell a white lie, for whatever reason.

"I help a lot of people. You'll have to jog my memory."

"You saved my brother and I from a mutated monster last week."

"Okay, yep. Now I remember you."

Okay, yep. Now I remember you. Could I have possibly picked a dumber response?

I cleared my throat and spoke again.

"Anyway, you mentioned that you had a hunch that I would be here, at the bank. Did you want something?"

"I want to interview you. And I also want to ask a personal favor of you."

I should have known that she'd ask about that interview. Though, what's this favor that she wants me to do for her?

Before either of us could say anything else, I began to hear police sirens from behind me. I turned around and saw that there was a police car coming down the street in our direction. And no doubt they'd stop once they saw me.

"Get on my back, now." I said.

"Why?"

"If you want that interview, I'd advise you do what I say."

See did as I said and got onto my back, wrapping her arms around my neck. I took off after that and about a minute later, I had gotten her and I back to the old tenement building that I had set up shop in. Gwen eventually spoke, after recovering from the whiplash that resulted from the ride here.

"Is that how you treat all of the girls who take pictures of you?" she asked in a shaky voice.

I let out a shallow laugh.

"No." I replied. "Only the ones who are in immediate danger. So, about that favor?"

"My cousin, Ben, ran away from home yesterday and I need help in finding him. Here, this is a recent picture of him."

She handed me a picture of myself, which sure enough, was recently taken.

"I'll keep an eye out for him. If I see him, I'll tell him to go back home."

I once again felt guilting upon hearing her ask for my help in that... area. Just then, the hourglass symbol on my chest began to flash red. I was timing out. But I wasn't worried. The red flash occurred, reverting me back to my human form. I turned to look at Gwen with my mask still on.

"You really have to a wear a costume?" she asked with a quizzical look on her face.

"Yes. You see, unlike you, I have a secret identity to safeguard." I replied as the mask muffled my voice. "Now, do you want that interview or not?"

She nodded.

"Yes, let's get started."

As she spoke, she took out her phone and placed it on the table, screen side down. Along with that, she took out a notepad and a pen.

She must be recording our conversation, I thought. As well as taking notes on my responses to her questions.

Even though the mask muffled my voice, I still made an effort to try and disguise my voice.

"Fine by me."

"First question. I'm curious about your methods. Why aren't you as lethal with crime as you could be?"

"You ever heard about the classic 'great power and great responsibility' schtick? Just because you have a power doesn't mean that you can abuse it. So, I try to pull my punches, if that makes sense."

"Interesting. I guess you're a comic book fan, huh?"

"You kind of have to have at least read a comic in your life in order to want to do this."

"Fair enough, I guess."

"What's your next question?"

"Are you really human?"

"Yes, I am. All of the aliens that you see on the news, well, most of them, anyway, are actually me. This watch—"

I spoke as I lifted up my right arm and pointed at the alien watch.

"—is a piece of alien technology that I found. It allows me to transform into all those aliens."

"A piece of alien technology, huh? Where did you find it?"

"Sorry, but I'm going to have to keep that information to myself."

"Aw, you're no fun!"

I shrugged my shoulders.

"Sorry, I have to keep some things from other people if I want to protect myself."

"Okay, then. Next question. What's your motive for the things you do?"

"Do I really need a motive? Face it. This city is slowly breaking apart. And I want to do something about it. And if I can help and/or save a few people along the way, then that'll make me feel good about myself."

"That's uh, actually admirable. I'll be sure to quote you on that."

"Thanks. Wait, hold on a second. You're not going to submit this to the newspaper, are you?"

"Well, I would like to submit this to the editor and see if they would use it, just to do something different aside from all of the freelance photography that I'd done for them. Are you okay with that?"

"I guess I don't have a problem with it."

I should have remembered that she wanted to submit our interview to the Bellwood Post, she asked me about it herself yesterday, after all. But I didn't remember.

"Next question. Why do you call yourself 'Alien Guy'?"

"I never picked that name. That's just what the newspapers call me. Though I'll say that I don't like that name, it's tacky. I'd rather be called something else."

"Okay, maybe I can help with that."

"Oh, yeah? What do you got?"

"How about Alien Man? Or, ooo, I like this one. How about Watch Boy?"

Watch Boy, huh?

"That's actually pretty good."

She winked at me.

"But it's taken. I'm pretty sure it is, at least."

"Oh, well that sucks. Um, can I ask you another question?"

"Go ahead."

"Have you ever thought about partnering up with someone?"

That question made me think about the reason why I left home in the first place.

"No, I haven't thought about it." I spoke after a few seconds of silence between us. "But even if I had, I don't think I could work with anyone. I don't want anyone endangering themselves by getting involved with me."

She gave me a confused look.

"You couldn't let someone help you out even a little bit? By providing you with information, intel?"

"The less people who are involved with me, the better."

"Well, I guess that's that. Actually, one last question. How do you feel about how the news and police calls you a menace?"

"I think that the criticism is harsh. I was just trying to help. I never meant to burn that building down. If it's not too much to ask, could you continue taking pictures of me? Try to help fix my reputation?"

"Of course. I'll do anything to help."

"Good. I'd appreciate it. Just make sure to stay safe while you're doing your freelance work."

"So, you want me to help you, but stay safe while doing it?"

"What did you expect from me?"

"Fair enough, I guess. Look, this has been great, thank you. But I have to get back home and continue looking for my cousin. Please remember your promise and try to keep an eye out for him."

"I will."

"Thank you again for this."

"Of course."

After that, she began to look around the room, before looking back at me.

"So, uh, how do I get out of here?"

I pointed at the door across the room from us.

"Go out that door and go left until you get to the stairwell. Go down the stairs until you get to the old reception area. From there, you can't miss the exit. Just be careful, this building is old and decrepit."

"I think I'm aware. Thank you for this nice conversation."

I gave her a nod.

"Don't mention it."

She then left through the door I pointed out and I was alone once again.

Unfortunately, she won't be finding me, I thought. Not if I can help it.

I walked over to one of the old tables in the room and pulled off my gloves, placing them down on said table. I let out a sigh.

"I hope she can help me out." I spoke to myself as I yawned.

I stood there in silence for a few moments, before I heard a voice.

"You know, I thought that you taught me better than this. You taught me a little bit about what it means to be a good person. Here we are now and I can't help but think that you aren't being a good person."

I turned to the window to see the young man perched on the windowsill, just looking at me.

"Hello, Ben. What have you been up to?" he asked. "And why are you here instead of at your house?"

What stood out most about him were his red eyes and his silver-colored hair. It was my clone, my double. It was Albedo.

Author's Note:

* And that's it for this chapter, I hope you all enjoyed!

* What did you guys think of this one when compared to the original version of Chapter Twenty? Did anything stand out to anyone? Give me any comments or questions that you may have in either a review or a private message, please. I am very curious on what you all thought of this chapter.

* Anyway, that's going to do it for me. I'm going to go now, so have a great day and bye.

Director's Commentary

* Okay, just like the last few of entries of Director's Commentary there's not as much stuff to talk about in this installment, either. To start off, I want to talk about a few changes that I made to this chapter, as well as the ending of the last chapter that I don't remember talking about. At the end of the original version of Chapter 19, Ben ended up putting a couple of criminals into the hospital.

* Not only that, but in the original version of this chapter, Ben brutally wounded one of the criminals attempting to rob the bank, resulting in the criminal's face being mangled and Ben showed no remorse. Just the idea of Ben being even a little violent rubs me the wrong way. So, I decided that it was for the best to significantly tone down how violent he can be. There will only be a select few moments where he'll actually become violent and those will be for good reason. So, I cut the aforementioned end to the original version of Chapter 19 and I made Ben actually seem remorseful when he saw what he had done at the beginning of this chapter.

* As for my second and last point of this installment of Director's Commentary, I changed up the interview between Gwen and Alien Guy in this chapter, just cutting the portions that I considered to be cringey or the ones that just didn't age well at all. With that said, it's time to wrap this up. Thanks for reading.

Next Chapter: Albedo explains where he's been the past couple of days. Later, Ben relunctantly tries to teach Albedo how to be a better person.