Ben10 & Digimon Tamers
Heroes and Humanity
Part 02: Humanity and Heroes
The Invasion – Chapter 035
Originally Written: Thursday October 29, 2015 1240AM to 217AM
. . . . .
Albedo looked at the school children sitting at the table directly in front of him with a space of easily ten feet between them. Despite the distance, there was no way one of them wouldn't notice him if they looked up. Albedo held in a sigh. Others at the surrounding tables look at him confused. Somewhere along the line, Ryo slipped away with Cyberdramon, a wide Tennyson-like grin on his face.
"He did this on purpose. That little troll." He muttered as he clenched his fists. In the time he was away, the Plumbers assigned to Fridge, Swamps and Hugh switched tables. They now were further into the facility, forcing Albedo to pass his previous students to reach them.
Small arms hugged him from behind suddenly. They were gentle enough that Albedo was able to prevent himself from swinging his fists out of sheer reflex.
"Professor!"
He heard a female speak, as a head pressed to his upper back.
Try as me might to do otherwise, Albedo found himself smiling. "Hello Saya." He spoke softly.
The young teenager circled around, shoes clicking softly. She stood in front of him, smiling brightly.
Albedo felt stiff. He knew it was not from the effects of the Incurseans, though he wished it was. A nervous heat spread through him.
Saya sniffled, wiping at her eyes, careful to not disturb her mascara. How she managed to keep up that makeup habit of hers throughout an invasion was above and beyond Albedo. The thought that she had even considered doing such was beyond him. It was just like he remembered though. Somehow managing the desire to learn and keeping up what billions of humans considered popular and beautiful and fashionable simultaneously.
He stood frozen, memories of Jenrya leaning up against him as Saya and various children listened to his every word as though it were part of some religious gospel, flowing through his mind. He could almost feel Jenrya leaning against him. See the children's smiles and their eyes light up in understanding, understanding only he could bring forth back then. It wasn't that long ago, but it still felt like a couple of human years instead of months. He was sure they found other teachers or students who could bring understanding to their eyes in his absence, even if they couldn't be there at the tutoring sessions all the time. They, his children, were too stubborn not to.
"We thought the Incurseans got you." Saya clenched her fists shaking.
Albedo shook his head, "I dare not let those slimy immoral oafs touch me."
Saya giggled.
"Mr. Akiyama and Mr. Matsuki were right!" Another voice called.
Albedo looked past Saya. All of the children and teens were standing, looking at him. He felt as though a giant spotlight shined on him. His throat felt dry and his tongue rough. His mind drew a blank.
He watched a few inches taller Akira Sonata leap from his spot at the table. As the child wrapped his arms around Albedo without a care in the world, the other students jumped up and surrounded him. Even Aimi with her trademark thick glasses, stood aways back, but stood anyway, looking in his general direction.
Albedo placed a hand on Akira's head, "Yes, yes, I'm alive." He waved his other hand. He dropped his hands. "i assume you've all kept up with your studies?" He ignored many adults looking at him and the teenagers warmly as he waded through the group of bodies. A chorus of "Yes professor!" rang out. He caught sight of the Plumbers watching him cautiously.
"Those frog people keep trying to take our textbooks." A child spoke up.
"A shame." Albedo frowned, "Incurseans know that to read a book you'd have to know how to read on a basic level." He turned and smirked. The older students laughed heartily. "I'm sure the Tamers won't let them take our books. They know how important a proper education is."
"Ms. Kato said that's why they're so strong." Aimi spoke up softly.
"Part of it." Albedo nodded. He folded his hands behind his back. "Part of one's strength is being able to formulate plans and problem solve. Similar to a high level of math dealing with logic."
"Like in coding?" A young female student with pigtails inquired.
"Precisely. And in science as well. You formulate a plan, form a hypothesis about the results, carry out the plan and base your next move on those results." Albedo knelt down in front of Aimi.
With shaking hands, she gently ran her hands over his face.
"I have not changed much." He murmured.
"You feel tired professor."
"I do?" Albedo held in a snort as she nodded. "How is that?"
"I-I'm not sure."
Albedo could only guess what was on her mind as she felt out his appearance. Anger burned a hole in him that he had even left them to begin with. He hadn't even said goodbye.
"Is that why you went away professor?" Aimi boldly asked. She gently tugged on a lock of his hair.
Behind her, Ryo laughed softly.
Aimi jumped and dropped Albedo's hair.
Albedo looked up at Ryo. He subdued his death glare if only so he wouldn't scare the surrounding humans. Even he knew they'd be wary of a girl touching an older man's face, reason why be damned.
"Albedo's been busy, assisting the Plumbers." Ryo proudly placed his hands on his hips.
As the students gasped in awe and wonder, Albedo refrained from looking to take a count of how many Plumbers were rolling their eyes or holding in a mocking snort. He did not think there many, for Ryo had spoken softly.
"Sometimes we call on smart guys and gals like Albedo to assist us in communicating with our fellow aliens."
"No way!" A boy spoke up, "You get to speak with the aliens, professor?!"
Albedo turned partially, remaining on his knees. "Occasionally."
"Many times they're friendly." Ryo gestured to the various aliens conversing and walking around the safehouse. "Other times, they're too hostile to be immediately reasoned with."
"Like the Incurseans?" A student asked.
"Mhm." Ryo nodded, "We were hoping Ben Tennyson and more experienced Plumbers based in America would be able to placate them, but it wasn't to be. Like some organizations, the Incurseans believe in violence to achieve their goals," Ryo looked solemn, "but we'll push them back." He clenched his fists. "We'll make them see that they wouldn't like it if we did this to them." He smiled an encouraging smile.
Albedo watched his children smile and cheer. He shook his head, and looked back at Ryo. he held in his look of disbelief.
"We hired Albedo again to help us behind the scenes." Ryo held a finger to his lips and grinned.
"Should you really be telling my students about my top secret work?" Albedo questioned as he stood up. He folded his arms as he looked at Ryo.
The group of students laughed as Ryo winked dramatically. Albedo caught a few onlookers, Plumbers included, shaking their heads in mirth. He held in a sigh. 'He planned this.' He refrained from clenching his fists. 'I'm going to throw him and make sure he lands on Attea.' He turned around.
"Professor...if you-?" Saya scrunched up her face in thought, "If you were working in Japan with the Plumbers stationed here...how come we didn't see you?"
"I was in hiding, at least until the Incurseans set off the incident weeks past."
"With all the aliens being revealed?" Someone else asked.
"Yes." Albedo sighed, "It's important that you remain silent about my whereabouts however. I trust you can do that?" The students looked at him confused. Aimi took his hand. Albedo watched one student place his hands heavily on the shoulder of another. Albedo watched them all, making sure he utilized his piercing gaze to his advantage.
"It's like my mom says, Shinichi."
"Yea..." The brunet male, Shinichi, nodded numbly.
Albedo watched understanding dull their eyes with surprise and worry.
"It's because you look like Mr. Tennyson, right?" Saya spoke after a long while of silence.
Albedo nodded, "The Incurseans are dumb enough to confuse me with Ben Tennyson or one of his relatives at least. So, you should return to studying and pretend you did not see me." He looked at the group hard. They nodded numbly processing this new information. "It is the adult's job to protect you, so do not worry about myself or any Plumber. Focus on your education."
Albedo watched them return to their seats with a chorus of "Yes, professor." He nodded in approval. He guided Aimi back to her seat. "Look after each other now." He managed to speak, despite his throat suddenly feeling constricted. His eyes burned and a heavy weight settled in his gut and on his shoulders.
He circled around the table, taking precious time to quickly overlook their work. He walked away, silent as a ghost when he finished. He looked at Ryo who kept on grinning at him. He glared at the Tamer and wagged his finger as he mouthed, 'I'm going to throw you through a wall, Akiyama!'
He wished he was capable of firing concussive beams from his eyes in his human form. Ryo just shrugged his shoulders and kept grinning. Albedo couldn't tell if Ryo meant 'Well you are sending me to my potential doom' or 'At least they're not as angry with you for ditching them anymore.'
Albedo fumed, ignoring the sight of Swamps, Fridge and Hugh grinning and laughing at him.