I don't own Ben 10.

Chapter 36: Rooting Out The Drama.

Mount Rushmore; Omnitrix City; February 18th, 2018; 11:41PM.

Most of the security for the base was airtight, however; after Eon's escape, he left a multitude of openings in their defenses. Sparks randomly exploded from different areas of the metallic walls and ceiling, just as a hooded figure dropped from the ceiling landing where Magister Trinity would normally keep watch, it was too dark to make out any distinguishing features, aside from the occasional flash of light from the ruptured live wires, revealing a metallic prosthetic forearm with some sort of gauntlet built into it.

He used his retina scan to get through the first set of doors, summoning the large elevator lift which led down into the sublevels of the base; he was prompted for a four-digit security key but, the intruder didn't hesitate, thinking for only a second before typing in Trinity's code which allowed him full access to said elevator. The doors slid open as he stepped into the lift, a light flashing over him revealed snow-white hair and a matching beard, cascading over him with each floor he passed.

The doors slid open revealing a dimly lit room, descending miles below the surface in a matter of seconds, the lights flickered but, he still found his pensive stare unbreakable; he was calculating everything down to the last decimal point as he felt the lift slowing down, approaching the ground floor. The man stepped through the corridor littered with piles of ash, slowly taking one step after the other, he stepped over one pile as he faced the holding case with his prize still sitting on a pedestal.

The dormant Omnitrix core that was taken from him by Prometheus, along with his hand, he looked over the prosthetic arm he was forced to wear, the fingers balled up into a fist he couldn't feel, just to express his rage. He reached his organic hand out and grabbed the core which responded naturally to his DNA, lighting up the hourglass symbol with a crimson bubbling energy. "I will be the ultimate."

Albedo lifted his prosthetic forearm, finding a manufactured slot perfectly fitted to an Omnitrix core; he twisted the core into his arm, the crimson energy that coursed through every wire and outline of his prosthetic cackled like lightning around his person, appearing like a shortened gauntlet now, not nearly as large Ben's, it surged with his own signature negative omni-energy.

It was late enough that nobody could notice him, he threw a tattered brown hood over his head as he left the building and walked through the streets in public. He didn't want to be recognized by any security or paparazzi or frankly anybody at all, even if it was late he took no chances. He walked at the same pace for nearly an hour before reaching New Xenon Square, there was a statue of Ben Tennyson with the words Hero of Heroes engraved below it. It been most recently carved and installed after driving Vilgax's armada away effectively ending a second war before it started.

On the ground at his feet were inscribed in golden letter that reflected off the moon light "Fallen but not forgotten; what tripe," he read off his own name engraved on a plaque along side Kevin and Kai; he turned around and found two granite pillars with the names off all the regular civilians Prometheus killed across the country, most specifically during his rampage in Bellwood. "I can't believe I defended this backwater world; it makes me physically ill…" he spat on his plaque before turning around and walking off into the foggy chilled night.

…

Omnitrix City; East District; February 25th, 2018; 2:05PM.

Everyone was afraid of clowns on some level, especially the cheaper ones but, most importantly the mass murdering psychopaths; after just receiving a large shipment of cash for the city banks being established throughout Omnitrix City, it only took a few months for the street level villains to make their attempt on taking the freshly loaded banks. Zombozo was being as careful as possible, especially after hearing what happened to his crew, he used a fire-extinguisher filled with toxic gas before quickly opening the bank door and taping the trigger over. Tossing it in quickly with people still in the bank. He laughed slapping his knee as they all began coughing and collapsing even the security guards choked on the customized tier-gas. Zombozo leisurely strutted in with a gas mask wrapped around his face, as a guard took aim at him with his weapon weakly, the clown chuckled in his face before kicking the weapon out of his hand.

"Oh, c'mon, this is funny! In a few seconds you'll all suffocate and die anyways! Have a laugh before you go out!" As he cackled maniacally through his mask, he turned and made his way to the bank-vault. "Now, where did I put that acid… oh right, always in the same spot," he patted down the flower pinned to his coat.

Suddenly, two whirlwinds of speed broke through the entrance releasing most of the gasses into the air; the black and blue blur began picking up and rushing everyone out of the building, one or two at a time, whilst the older, black, and white blur ran circles around the clown until he was too dizzy to stand. As he toppled over on his butt in a now empty bank, two Kinceleran stopped in front of him, forcing him to rub his eyes to ensure he was seeing straight, "What, now there's two of you?" he chided attempting to get back up as a bright flash of light interrupted him, Ben stepping forward confidently and pressing his combat boot down on the clown's chest.

"Maybe you're seeing double? I did spin you pretty fast," Ben pushed down a bit harder to keep him pinned on his back, "Kenneth, grab the stasis cuffs."

Zombozo raised his brow as the Kinceleran ran back and forth from outside in just two seconds flat, "If you didn't get my joke, than you just haven't heard my punchline!" by just lifting his arm, a boxing glove jettisoned out from his wrist, uppercutting the hero by surprise. "And here's dirt in your eye!" he quickly squeezed the pin on his chest, spraying fluoroantimonic acid across his leg forcing him to lift it just in time to roll out of the way of his next stomp.

Ken was going to speed over and grab him but, Ben held a hand up as if to stop him, he smiled spite having powerful acid burning through his suited leg, "Eyes, shin, whatever! You'll never catch me!" as soon as he ran out of the shattered bank entrance, he was met with an entire Plumber Unit accompanied by Rook and Wes who didn't seem very worried with all of their subordinates aiming their weapons directly at the villainous clown.

Ben rubbed his chin as he exited the bank with a casual strut, "Once upon a time, that would have knocked me out cold from that range…" he held his hand out so that XLR8 could toss him the stasis cuffs, "And my armor is already reforming."

"I-I… surrender?"

Ben took his wrists behind his back and locked the handcuffs around them, "We know."

…

Omnitrix City; Tennyson Tower; February 25th, 2018; 2:15PM.

Two speedsters ran up the side of the tower, twisting and turning around one another, enjoying the wind rush over their visors as they reentered the command center with a rush of air trailing their blur. Even Gwendolyn's pixie cut felt the breeze run through her hair, she turned to face them as they exploded in matching emerald flashes of light.

"That's what I'm talking about!" Kenneth shouted out of excitement as he circled the holodeck with his father not far behind. "They set em up, we knock em down!" Ben didn't hesitate to give his son a high-five that clapped perfectly, gathering Gwen's attention. While thrilled that her soon to be reset future son and fiancé were getting along so well, boding well for their future raising their own son themselves, there was still something on her mind that bothered her, narrowing her eyes at her soon to be husband.

"That's like the sixth bad guy this week!" Kenneth had purchased a new black and blue hoodie, his jeans were new as well considering the tattered shape they'd arrived in, they felt it best to stock him with a brand-new wardrobe.

Gwen tapped her foot, giving Ben a subtle glare from across the room, obviously trying to get his attention and did so successfully; Ben took notice and smiled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck slowly, "Why don't you go shower and get some rest before dinner? Your mother and I need to…" he glanced once more at her displeased expression, "Talk."

…

"You said we would have dinner with our parents almost an entire week ago, and you've been blowing me off every single time," Gwen argued with folded arms and furrowed brow.

Ben scoffed and turned around to face away from her, "I'm not blowing you off, I'm blowing them off… I have way more important things to deal with than-"

"Than me? Than your own parents?"

He sighed as his head dropped, "You know that's not what I meant."

"It was nice of you to put them up in a private suite at a five-star hotel but, you can't leave them there forever," Gwendolyn approached calmly and put a hand on his shoulder from behind, "I know how they've treated us hurts but, despite all of that, I still want them there at our wedding," she practically pleaded knowing just how sensitive he could be about their relationship with their own parents.

Ben turned around suddenly, with a feint glow of emerald anger in his eyes, "Why so they can give us disapproving glares and leave early? Or just RSVP and never show up?" he massaged the bridge of his nose, allowing the genetic energy to fade back into the depths of his pupils.

"All I'm asking for is dinner, four people, one table… if not for them or yourself," Gwen cupped the side of his face gently, looking deep into his eyes with her own glimmering emerald gaze, "Than do it for me?"

Ben sighed but, didn't give a response instead pausing and looking away, "Hey, dweeb, I did that thing you like so much three times that night, so you better-"

"Alright! Alright!" He couldn't help but feel the heat rise into his cheeks, recalling their intimate night after Eon's escape, "Just don't say that so loud, Kenneth is in the other room," he walked away feeling sheepishly embarrassed as even heroes had to have kinks apparently. "I'll make the reservation, book a table at one of the restaurants in New Xenon Square, it'll be just us four for the night… is that better?" he tried sweet talking her but, they'd known each other far too long, seeing right through him.

Gwen leaned back with a mischievous smile, "You want the restaurant empty so you can make a scene if you want to…"

"That's not," Ben glanced away at the prospect of giving them five years' worth of anger, flipping the table over on them and splattering them with their meals; he ended the thought with a long-exasperated sigh, "Yea, don't worry, I'm not gonna go ballistic on them."

…

Omnitrix City; East District; February 25th, 2018; 8:04PM.

Ben did his best to play nice, dressing up in the same suit he wore to the press conference earlier that month, a Tom Ford three piece, two button suit with a crimson tie that brought his outfit together. Gwen wore a teal blue strapless dress which cut off at the mid-thigh, the Petrosapien earrings she'd been gifted, matching white heels coupled with a custom white Coach wallet on a golden chain.

The restaurant was also a five-star establishment, Chef Gordan Ramsey himself was offered a handsome fee to be working in the city within the next month. Still, they had some of the finest meals and chefs available and the entire room to themselves; a soft and small orchestra played in the corner of the room to give it a bit more ambience. After the regular niceties and greetings, they all sat down and ordered.

Natalie was the first to comment on her daughter, "I love what you've done with your hair, sweetheart, it really brings out your eyes," as they sat, Gwen responded to the compliment with stride, smiling in return.

"Thanks, Ben always loved my shorter hair," she let the heat rise to her cheeks just a bit, glancing over to her fiancé who was giving a vacant thousand-yard stare passed their parents.

Frank sucked his teeth as their wine was poured for them by very well-paid servers, "You shouldn't base your appearance other's opinions, hun," it was about as civil as her father was going to be that night, along with his wine, he ordered a glass of whiskey o go with it.

They all greeted each other with civility but, Ben hadn't said a word since they sat down; Gwendolyn covered for this, bringing up their trip to Italy, and discussing how she had been helping Ben to construct the entire city they'd been staying in for the past week.

"We've already gotten a population of thirty-thousand people, with tens of thousands more applying for low-and high-income houses that are still under construction," Gwen glanced back at Ben who kept his pensive stare on the appetizers they ordered now, two flatbreads and a plate of bruschetta. She nudged him with her foot under the table, his head popping back into the conversation.

"Hm?" Glancing up to see his parents staring at him, expecting something from him, something for him to say but, he couldn't find the words. "Oh, right, by the end of the year we should have the entire city up and running, estimated pop' of at least four-million…" he spun spaghetti on his fork without really paying attention to the conversation, just droning out information he had been forced to memorize when he spoke to delegates and other state legislatures.

Carl was ecstatic, giving him a wide grin, "Well, that's fantastic son, I always knew you'd do great things," Ben used his enhanced sight and deductive abilities he could only came from a sample of a Galvan to read his body language, knowing for a fact he was sincere and honest. Ben gave his first and last smile that night, appreciating his father's support.

Frank only scoffed at this, "You think you can build an entire city almost as big as New York in just a year?" he grabbed the glass of wine that was set for him by a very polite young waitress, taking a long sip.

Still not looking up from the table, he responded, "Actually it's been four years… but, yes I do," Ben stuffed the noodles into his mouth so that he wouldn't have to speak out of sheer politeness, chewing and swallowing, "I spoke to the President the other day and she seemed thrilled at the progress I've made."

"You mean the progress your grandfather made?"

"Excuse me?" Ben looked up finally, staring directly into his Uncle's eyes, the entire table went silent, not a single utensil moved, "You think that I've been using my inheritance to build Omnitrix City?"

"Well, I certainly don't think you paid for it… you didn't even go to college!"

Lily put a hand on Frank's shoulder prompting him to get a hold of himself, this was supposed to be a civil interaction, "I'm just saying…" he trailed off without finishing his sentence but, yet again Ben ignored this for the sake of Gwendolyn.

Natalie already had her glass in her hand, swirling the red juices before taking a long sip of wine, "Well, how is college Gwenny? You should be graduating soon, right?" she tried to be as involved and supportive as possible but, only came off passive aggressively unaware.

"I already graduated from regular University with my Masters, I was doing an extra four years for a doctorate," Gwen corrected her mother as politely as possible, having not spoken to her in years left gaps in their lives on both ends.

"Was?" Frank raised his brow nearly spitting out his drink, the entrées arrived and were set in front of each of them with Ben having prime rib, "Don't tell me you dropped out to support this… overpriced science project of his?" he grabbed and heavily sipped his whiskey, his daughter noticing with a scowl.

As Ben was cutting his steak, he heard this and tried to keep calm, continuing to cut the meat into chewable pieces, "I didn't drop out, I took a break… just like I took a break from being a hero to go to school," she explained with a bit of defensive hostility.

"School is more important than this 'hero' business! If you could even call it that…" he asserted as suddenly; Ben's steak knife cut clean through the meat and porcelain plate, digging slightly into the wooden table. He exhaled a deep breath to keep his emotions in check, not allowing his frustration to get the better of him.

After another sip of his drink, he continued, "I mean, I bet living in a giant tower mansion is pretty comfortable, I'd drop out too…" Frank murmured as Natalie nearly hid her face from the conversation.

"Frank!" Natalie asserted lightly, practically begging him to stop antagonizing the two.

After a long pause, Ben still hadn't spoken much, so Gwendolyn took the reigns for him, "How was Italy?" she asked kindly.

Saundra couldn't help but speak up for the first time, putting a hand on her chest with a gasp, "It was amazing, we saw the most beautiful sights, the leaning tower, the Colosseums…-" her long drawn-out story about their trip was suddenly faded out, as he swallowed and refocused on the bowl of spaghetti in front of him, all Ben could see was fire. All he could feel was the fear that his parents were burnt alive on their own home. A holographic image of his childhood house in flames, the surrounding houses brought down to rubble, recalling the moments he stepped into the house and how it had been torn apart viciously.

"Right, Ben?" Gwendolyn nudged his shoulder beside him, looking for a response to a question he didn't hear her ask. Having zoned out.

He put on a fake smile which he was quite good at, "Yea, of course," he agreed on instinct using Gwen as a guide, though without breaking his smile, he glanced up at his parents specifically, "So, how long were you guys in Italy in the first place?" his tone wasn't rude but certainly passive aggressive.

Saundra and Carl gave each other knowing looks before his father cleared his throat, "We decided we needed to see more of the world since you two had moved-" Ben cut him off with the same smug smile across his face.

"That's not what I asked," he put his fork down on the broken plate and folded his arms on the table, Gwen lowered her eyes having known this was inevitable one way or another.

Saundra tried to defend her husband who was a bit taken aback by his sudden passive aggressive attitude towards them, "You know… we were just teenagers and you treated us like black sheep," Ben asserted before she could speak, quickly losing that fake smile.

Saundra gave Carl a glance before returning her gaze back to her son, Gwen trying to stay quiet as the matter was between him and his own parents. She had a sickening feeling that dealing with her parents would be shortly to come. "Ben, we never meant to hurt you, we were scared, we grew up in a different generation…" she tried to find an explanation but, Saundra suddenly couldn't find the words.

Carl watched closely as Frank took rather large sips of the glass of whiskey, he could only figure it was bad news; regardless, he spoke up, "Your mother and I saw a therapist together, we've faced and realized our mistakes… this world is changing, and we can't keep you at arm's length for changing with it," he knew what they were saying was genuine just like he had before but, still didn't believe it at first.

Ben blinked a few times before unfolding his arms, leaning forward, "What are you saying?" his eyes were narrowed with suspicion but, he listened to what they had to say.

Saundra gave a long sigh, "We know about the engagement, and we wanted to make amends… because," glancing back at her husband with a smile, she continued, "We love you and we always will; you've more than proved your maturity in these last few years, we couldn't be more proud," she scoffed, "Stopping alien invasions and finding true love, wherever it came from… that's an adventure any young boy dream of living out."

Frank put his second drink down, now empty, Ben could read his Uncle's body language and when he ordered yet another drink, he verbally announced it, "He's cut off for the night." The waitress nodded and returned to the kitchen area, with her pad and pen.

"Are you freaking kidding me?"

Carl placed his glass of wine, which he'd only finished half of, down on the table, "Nobody wants to see you drunk, Frank."

"Too late, he was hammered when he walked in," Ben announced, using the napkin from his lap to wipe his lip, "I could smell the alcohol through the breath mint, ya know? Your eyes were dilated but, you weren't slurring so I'd have to say you've been at this for a while," if he was going to be called out, he wasn't going to be civil with his Uncle who clearly wasn't in the right state of mind.

Natalie sighed and kept her eyes down; it was clear that his Uncle had developed an alcohol problem and that she really had no control over it, "Please, don't, not tonight…" she pleaded but, to no avail as she simply shook her head.

"A man cant have a drink with dinner? For god's sake."

Ben chuckled as his eyes flashed briefly emerald, "Don't take my name in vein, Frank," he joked which made most of the rest of the family lightly laugh along with him, Frank was already displeased but, now felt like he was personally attacked.

"Ha-Ha," he responded sarcastically, "There's only one god and it definitely isn't a trust fund punk like you."

"Why do you hate me so much?" Ben cut the tension himself, asking aloud directly at Frank the question that was burning In the back of the young-man's mind all night, his Uncle only scoffed in response.

"You're screwing my daughter, Ben!" he lashed out as Gwendolyn immediately spoke up with a shout.

Gwen's pupils flashed bright blue as she placed her hands on the table, "Don't talk to him like that!" her grip tightened, creaking the wood, and warping the table with her bare hands, until she felt Ben's calm palm over her hands. She was once again shocked by his maturity along with his parents and even Natalie.

Ben had a solemn expression of seeming uninterested but, pensively paying attention at the same time; he glanced up and made eye contact with his Uncle, "That's not it…" he declared for a fact, "See I've grown since we last talked, I can read body language, I can hear your heartbeat and tell when your lying, vocal linguistics…" they all looked at him in shock aside from Gwen who already knew these things. "You're mad about something else."

Carl shoved his brother's shoulder, "Don't you start…"

Frank once again dismissed his warning and continued to express his displeasure anyways, "You're a trust fund child building the countries biggest science project with money my father, your grandfather, left you… when you let him die."

There was a deafening silence, tension that could suffocate the room if not careful, Ben's eyes began to glow but, he didn't seem angry in the slightest, "Is that really what you think of me? I invested Grandpa's money in government contracts… I turned his millions into billions… and I've used that money to build a city of intergalactic peace… I saved the fucking world twice! What the fuck else could you possibly want from me?" Ben felt his eyes glowing brighter but, couldn't contain it now as his emotions funneled through, "All I've ever wanted from you was your approval… and no matter how hard I try, all you can see is the worst in me."

As his eyes began to glow even brighter, he stood up from his seat, Frank not hesitating to take the opportunity to give his hostile opinion, "You and those glowing eyes, you think it intimidates people but, not me, you'll always be the same Alabama fuck who took my daughter…."

Gwendolyn stood this time, slamming her palms on the wooden table which accidently snapped in half this time, fragments of wood flying across the floor along with their meals. "That is absolutely enough!" she shouted with an echoed tone that caught their attention, it was an amplification of her voice she'd learned long ago, usually used to cast spells… not intimidate her father.

Saundra and Carl slid their chair back as their meals spilled over the tablecloth, converging in the center where it had snapped in two. Ben stood to put a hand on her shoulder, calming her as she noticed his saddened expression, he glanced back at Frank, "Actually, I mastered the eye glowing thing, it only comes out when I'm angry or sad," Frank caught this and allowed him to continue as he dusted himself off from fragments of food and shards of wood from his jacket, "And I gotta say, Frank, I'm all out of anger…" he gave a long exasperated sigh loudly and took his napkin from his lap that had fallen to the floor, tossing it on the table with a tear streaming down his left cheek, turning around as the door slid open for him, allowing him to walk out of the restaurant.

Gwen scowled at her father furiously, she was the most upset he'd ever seen her, she chuckled sarcastically and with tears forming in her own eyes, "I honestly can't believe you; I wasn't even going to bring this up but," she caught her parent's attention and Carl and Saundra could certainly hear it as well, "You know I had an addiction problem for months? I overdosed and I spent six weeks in the hospital," Gwendolyn took her napkin from her lap too, placing it atop her unfinished dish, "Ben spent every moment he could by my side, he came every single day to see me… and I never even got a call from you, either of you," she glared at her father as her aunt and uncle stayed quiet, looking away to avoid the drama after their son had left the room.

Gwendolyn stood up completely with a scowl aimed at Frank alone, who sat back with his drink still in hand, "Maybe if you had called us-"

"Don't pretend to care now, we tried calling you in the first year or two after we moved out but, it was clear you wanted nothing to do with us," Gwen pointed out firmly, swiping her hand through the air for a gestured emphasis, "Ben has done amazing things in these last six years and ya know what? He's made me the happiest I've ever been… but I guess that part doesn't matter much to you," her words cut like a knife into her father's heart, forcing Frank to stare back down at his reflection in his glass of whisky.

Gwendolyn took a breath, refocusing her attention and changing her expression, regaining her composure, "Aunt Saundra and Uncle Carl, we appreciate the support more than you could possibly know," Gwendolyn turned, using her left hand to open a portal spinning with golden light, attempting to catch up with her fiancé, "I have to find Ben, I'll talk to you later Mom… and…" she paused returning a glare to Frank who glanced up at her, "Ya know? I'm not really sure I have a Dad to talk to anymore."

As she stepped through the portal and vanished within the golden light, Carl and Saundra stayed seated only, the former was furious, "You have a lot of nerve, Frank, this city looks amazing, the suite we've been staying in is amazing, he had a limousine pick us up for a private fucking dinner, and you still couldn't help yourself…" he stood ready to defend his son till the night was through.

"Shut the hell up, Carl," the brother's had been arguing about this topic for years now, grabbing his drink from the table, "I don't care how much money he throws at us; it doesn't change anything," he went to take a sip of his drink when Carl quickly stood up knocking over his chair, grabbing the glass, and tossing it across the room, shattering against the wall.

Carl pulled out a hundred-dollar bill and handed it over to the nearest waitress with an embarrassed shake of his head in disappointment, Saundra was apologizing profusely to the young bus-boys picking up the mess around their table, as Frank stood quickly getting into his brother's face, "You're lucky I don't knock your drunk ass out for saying that to my son, you can get your own taxi back to the hotel," he felt relieved that his son booked them conjoining rooms that could be locked at either side, he left his hand out for Saundra to quietly take it, helping her out of her seat politely and giving one more scowl towards Frank before turning around and escorting his wife out.

Natalie shook her head at her husband, giving a long sigh having dealt with this for years now, "I told you not to make a scene, and somehow, the boy you kept calling a delinquent was more mature than you…" she stood up on her own, finishing her glass of wine and made her own way towards the sliding glass doors, "Boy am I glad there are two beds in our suite."

Frank simply gave a long-exasperated sigh, shaking his head and sitting back down, the waitress came up from behind nervously and asked if there was anything else he'd like, "Just another glass of whiskey, neat, please."

…

Omnitrix City; Suburbia; February 25th, 2018; 10:14PM

Gwen entered through a portal still in her dress, her loft was relatively empty with an eighteen-year-old boy watching TV on their large holographic screen; he noticed and felt her arrival, so he turned his head, a bowl of popcorn in his lap, "How did dinner with Grandma and Grandpa go? Considering your coming home alone… I'd say not great?" Kenneth commented as he sat up right to speak to her allowing her to sit next to him, he muted the TV, glancing at his mother who he barely gotten to know before he lost her in his timeline.

She plopped down on the couch next to him exhausted, "Your Grandparents are very… stubborn, I guess we get that from them but, this just seems out of control," she placed a hand on her head and leaned back, giving out a long exhale. "Has your father come through here at all?"

Kenneth shook his head, chewing on popcorn before responding, "Nope, why don't you just track his mana or energy, or whatever," he was no sorcerer, he only learned the basics of his mystical as they weren't as useful as the Omnitrix was in battle.

Gwendolyn chuckled in response, looking over and noticing how cute her child turned out to be, feeling a passionate love for him in a way she couldn't describe… like she wanted to hold him and never let him go, "What?"

"Nothing," Gwen tittered, "You remind me of your father sometimes… and no, I can't track him… I taught him to block me if he wanted to," she finished by leaning back again and closing her eyes, another long-sighed exhale. "Boy do I regret that one," she joked.

"Why would you teach him that anyways?"

"It's more than just tracking, it's an essence but, besides that its about trust; just like I don't know everything about the watch, he doesn't know my strongest spells," she raised a brow hoping to impress her son somehow.

"Would you teach me?!" Kenneth nearly knocked the popcorn off the couch in excitement, bringing a smile to her face, she sat up and stretched her back.

"Maybe, first I have to find my fiancé…"

Kenneth gained a more serious expression, looking up into his mother's eyes, "I think I know where he went."

…

Bellwood Cemetery; February 25th, 2018; 10:01PM

Ben stood alone in the darkened graveyard, not needing the light to see at all like a nocturnal animal, he'd not only spent years fighting on the streets at night but, his enhanced vision allowed him to see clear as day through the night. Staring down at a plaque in the ground, he gave a sigh that sent a billow of humid fog through the chilly night air, having been thankful he'd worn the suit keeping him warm enough.

He stared down at the words inscribed in said plaque, he hadn't seen it the day of the funeral but, he'd visited many times in the past, 'Maxwell Tennyson; Astronaut, Beloved Father, Hero.' Stuffing his hands in his pockets, Ben couldn't get those last words Max had told him before sacrificing himself, 'I want you to promise me that you'll take care of your cousin, and your parents!' he heard his voice shout in his head as though he'd heard it just yesterday yet, it had been so many years.

"I want to keep everyone safe but, I don't know how well I'm doing without you… you always had the answers, the experience… I don't even know how I got this far," he said aloud to himself, the moon-light giving him ample sight through the dark, spite his own enhanced vision. "And Uncle Frank isn't making this easy, no matter how well I treat him or what amazing feat of heroism, I just wish you could tell me what to do," he glanced back down at his feet in shame, knowing what his bad decision cost that day, he closed his eyes as a cool mist of light rain sprinkled from the dark sky above.

He remembered something else that Max once told him, long ago when he was still just a ten-year-old jerk with a fancy new toy, he knelt down and looked him in the eyes, 'Being a hero isn't about letting others know you did the right thing, it's about you knowing you did the right thing.'

He had nothing to prove to anyone but himself, his courage, his passion, his perseverance, his nobility would all show in time; he wouldn't let this consume him, not now. Emily, Gwendolyn, Julie, and Lucy had already gone bridal shopping, all that was left was to pick the right dress. He had other things to focus on than his alcoholic Uncle insulting him so severely, he heard footsteps approaching from behind and knew exactly who they belonged to.

"Nice night," a man in a red coat with a black undershirt stepped forwards next to him, neither bothered by the rain, however; Ben didn't react. Spotting his white hair and beard, there was no need to guess who had approached, "You knew I was coming?"

Ben didn't take his eyes off of Max's grave, "When you activated it you started walking around with eight-hundred gigajoules per second on your wrist so, yea… I felt you, I just didn't know what you'd do," after another exasperated sigh, Ben glanced up at Albedo who didn't take his eyes off the grave, "If you're gonna attack me, we could always move-"

"I'm not going to attack you, not yet at least; besides I'd never desecrate this place… I'm a villain, not a monster," Albedo was clearly more in his right mind than he had ever been, but that didn't make him a good person, "We will meet again on a proper battlefield, and unlike this Prometheus you faced, my vengeance will particularly more subtle."

Ben turned and allowed his eyes to flash bright emerald, floating up three feet and taking his hands out of his pockets, "I think you're still out of your depth, Albedo."

He chuckled in response, turning to reveal bright crimson eyes that flashed with rage, he himself floating up to eye level with Ben, "We share a genetic bond, both through our Omnitricies and our physical bodies but, don't worry I intend to severe the connection," he floated down and closed his eyes, the energy simmering away as he turned away from the grave, "Another time."

Ben landed on the grass as well, not wanting to provoke a fight here in any capacity, feeling foolish for trying to act tough only to find out that Albedo had evolved just like he had since his supposed death, prompting a question he forgot to ask, turning around, "How are you still alive?!" he shouted as quietly as possible, projecting his voice so the opposing shapeshifter could hear his question.

"Tell your girlfriend to ask Hope about it, I'm she'll tell you all about it…" Albedo used Kinceleran speed in his human form, rushing off in a blur of black and red.

It wasn't until then that a portal opened in front of him, Gwendolyn stepping through, rushing over to embrace him tightly, he returned the gesture by gently wrapping his arms around her petite waist, spite her six-pack. His hand drifted to her hips as he pulled back to look into his eyes, "I'm so sorry about what my Dad said to you, what he said about us…"

"It's okay."

Gwen blinked once or twice, "It is? You aren't upset?

"I was… but, I remembered a few things Grandpa used to tell me when I fist started going hero over ten years ago," Ben looked up at the sky where he was sure Max was looking down on him from the stars, "Being a hero isn't about others knowing you did the right thing, it's about knowing I did the right thing; if Frank doesn't want to accept me for who I am, than I'm okay with that."

Gwendolyn scooted a step closer and wrapped an arm around his, locking elbows, leaning her short-wet hair over his damp shoulder, "What about the wedding? Should we even send him an RSVP?" she asked referring to her Father who had just finished making a scene at dinner, she herself wasn't even sure that she wanted him around on her big day if he was going to act even close to as obnoxious he had been tonight.

Ben smiled after reminiscing about Max with such nostalgia, he leaned his head to the right just a bit to lay it atop Gwen's crimson pixie-cut, "Just keep him from the alcohol, and if he makes a scene anyways, I reserve the right to use XLR8 to strand him in an Australian hotel until we're finally…" He was joking until he realized what he was about to say, prompting her to look up and into his eyes, seeing the optimism returning to his emerald pupils, glowing brightly against the cloudy night environment. This somehow forced a giggle from her mouth but, she couldn't keep her eyes off his now. He didn't need to finish the sentence as she leaned up, reaching a hand up behind his head to run her fingers through his hair while she met his lips with her own, pulling him in close as they pressed more firmly together.

Gwen pulled back but, only an inch or two to keep her gaze locked on his own, finishing his sentence for him, "Until we're finally married, and just eight-months later, we'll be taking care of a baby boy who we already know is going to become a great hero like his father," She turned her head and placed her ear up against his chest as he stroked her hair, "Are you nervous about becoming a Dad?"

Ben blinked a few times, having barely had enough time to really give thought to the idea of being an actual father to an infant from this timeline, it's likely to be an entirely different experience than helping Kenneth and living with him temporarily. He reached around and wrapped a hand around her hip, caressing her side gently, "I'm not really sure, I've stared down evil alien warlords and corrupt politicians but, nothing has ever really shaken me like this does…"

She chuckled in response, looking back up into his eyes, "Don't be a doofus, you're going to be the best Father in the world, maybe even the Universe," patting down her hand flat on his chest to emphasize her point.

"I'll settle for better than our Fathers-" Quickly and without warning Ben gripped her by the shoulders and shoved Gwendolyn backwards into the dirt which had quickly become mud in the drizzling rain, falling faster around them as thunder echoed from the night sky. A crimson beam of energy passed through the space between their faces, where she would have been standing had he not pushed her; the beam carved through adjacent grass and gravestones leaving Max's still intact, thankfully.

Ben quickly shifted through visual spectrums of light with his enhanced sight, spotting the sniper immediately with his infrared, using his flight and enhanced speed to rocket up into the sky at nearly the speed of sound, landing atop a rooftop juxtaposed to the cemetery with a boom. His boots cracked the gravel at his feet, shaking the entire building below him.

When he arrived, he faced a single adversary, a younger thinner Tetramand clad in all black armor down his arms and torso, with four ion pistols holstered to either side of his hips. Ben took a few steps back as a hurricane of speed surrounded him, however; it was most certainly nowhere near the speed XLR8 could muster. The hero quickly dashed into action leaving a blur of color behind himself, he considered suiting up into his hero armor but, refrained until he knew what he was dealing with exactly. Using his own enhanced speed to catch the apparently female Kinceleran, her face hidden by a visor but, not the slim physique which was also clad in matching black armor to the Tetramand. He finally caught her by the neck, rushing her face first into a wall, hitting her helmeted head against the brick rooftop access entrance.

Ben dusted his hands off and gave a slight exhale, barely winding himself to knock her down, she barely got to her hands and knees when he spoke up, "Haven't learned how to phase yet, have you?" he asked with a smile as he ducked avoiding a right cross that nearly took his head off, the Tetramand recoiled and swung again as the hero managed to turn and catch the second hook though, he needed both arms to defend against just a one armed swing that still pushed his boots through the gravel just to keep himself upright.

"Hurgh, o-okay, enough of this," Ben's pupils flooded with neon luminescent emerald energy that slowly encompassed the rest of his eyes in the seconds before he fired off a thick beam of omni-energy discharge into the Tetramand's chest. His durable crimson hide effectively protected him from being cut in half, which Ben anticipated, resulting in a concussive force that blasted the three-hundred-pound armored warrior back through the air, hitting the ledge while cracking a portion of it apart with his impact.

Having had enough of spectating from the ground, the firey red-head still standing beside her Grandfather's grave sighed and double tapped the Alpha Rune thar hung around her neck, "love you Grandpa," she murmured to the headstone before springing into action, "Who the hell are you?!" Gwendolyn shouted floating up from the street and looking down on the rooftop and the two attackers who were both relatively incapacitated. Now fully suited up in her nano-weave skintight blue armor, the glow hummed as it outlined her suit in blue mana light, "Why are you attacking us?!" What she wasn't expecting was a torrent of flames to strike her in the back by surprise, the attacker aiming from below the four-story building, on the street she had just flown up from. He was a Pyronite for sure but, his flames weren't nearly as potent as even the ten-year-old Heatblast she knew from their first vacation, singeing the nanotech cloth slightly but, not enough that it couldn't reform on its own.

"Agh!" Gwendolyn shouted in pain as another orb of fire struck her as she turned to face her opponent, this time knocking her out of her levitating stance and sending her hurtling towards the street again.

Ben shouted as he watched her smoke trail fall back out of sight, "Gwen!" he exploded on instinct, emerging instantly from a blinding flash of green light as a rush of black and white sped gracefully down the side of the building horizontally, stopping on a dime below his fiancé who landed in XLR8's reptilian arms, letting her down to her feet as she caught her second wind.

XLR8 transformed back into his human form, leaving one hand around Gwen's waist as they stood side-by-side against these unfamiliar yet familiar enemies, "What the hell do you want with us?" Ben shouted at the Pyronite who stood by in wait with orbs of fire prepared in either palm as the female Kinceleran and the young male Tetramand made their way to the ground floor, the former ran down the same way XLR8 had while the latter jumped creating a small crater in the asphalt with his landing.

Gwendolyn gasped as she was yanked by her arm while still slightly recovering, she attempted to break free but, even with her Keystone strength and graceful agile nature she couldn't get loose until she was tossed backwards landing on her back. Yet another enemy clad in an all-black padded suit that resembled Rook's own proto-armor approached with hostility.

The newest figure pulled a long sharp spike out from his forearm, seemingly directly from his own skin beneath the suit, before breaking it off and twirling it between his fingers. Silently, he advanced forth slashing at the air while Ben dodged between each swing expertly. "Normally," he ducked under a strike aimed for his head, hearing it cut through the air over his hair, "I'd be more inclined to play with you but," he popped his head back up right just in time for the sharp spear-like weapon to swing yet again for his face, only the hero of heroes frowned and caught the weapon in the palm of his hand with a burst of speed, "I'm beyond not in the mood tonight."

Ben turned and used the enemies grip on the spike against him, swinging it over his shoulder, the assailant going with it as he landed on his back in front of the alien-hero.

The Tetramand nodded knowingly toward the Pyronite as if they had planned for situations like this; they both stepped forward covering the Kinceleran, using the opportunity of Ben being distracted to combine their attacks. A super-strength sonic clap that sent a pressurized burst of air and sound offensively meeting a massive, condensed blast of flames which increased the intensity of the attack ten-fold.

The force of the blazing sonic blast knocked Ben off his feet through the air, flying ten feet away and denting an iron street-light with his back before toppling onto his hands and knees on the dirty asphalt. He hit the ground face first, the tall lamppost came tumbling down in front of him, shattering on the street where the sparks flew from the now exposed wires.

Ben tried his best to get to his hands and knees but, as soon as he did he noticed that the Tetramand had four barrels from his blasters aimed between his eyes, "You let Kevin Levin die, now you're going to pay in blood for it," He pressed the barrel up against Ben's forehead for emphasis, "We're the Rooters, and you're the coming storm."

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