ACCEPTANCE
Ben joined Rook and Hope at the outskirts of the destroyed base. The once active base, now in ruins after Vilgax's assault, stood tall. They were scanning for signs of Vilgax.
"The entrance," Rook pointed to a huge doorway. The trio dashed right to the doorway and disappeared into the shadows.
As the trio entered the destroyed base, cold air struck them. The air was humid and damp. There was the sound of electricity buzzing somewhere and water leaking and dropping against the surface. It was all pitch black.
Hope raised her arms and lit up a magic rune which illuminated the corridor a bright purple. Rook turned his flashlight on.
As they scoured through the endless maze of corridor, there was a sound like something just kicked in and suddenly the base was illuminated a dark ominous red.
"Vilgax must have turned the emergency backup generator on." Rook commented as he turned his flashlight off. Hope deactivated her runes.
The corridor opened and widened into a huge area with panels and screens on walls. In the middle room stood a giant structure, the base's nuclear reactor.
"Guys," Hope pointed to a silhouette that stood a couple of platforms above them.
"Did you know the first Plumber Base was established in Blaine?" Vilgax started, his back turned against them. It's as if he was talking to himself. "The Peace Arch. It commemorated the Treaty of Ghent in 1814. The treaty that ended the war between two warring countries. 'Brethren dwelling together in unity.' Psalm 133:1." he continued.
"Peace," Vilgax sneered. There was disgust and sarcasm in his tone. "The idea that humans can live in peace disgusts me." He turned towards the trio. Vilgax gleamed maliciously under the ominous red light that shined against his metallic figure.
"Humans," he began, his voice a low, ominous rumble. "You pride yourselves on your so-called 'morality,' your belief that you are better beings because of your capacity for compassion and justice. But I see through the facade. I see the truth."
He paused, his gaze hardening as memories of countless atrocities flashed through his mind as a Templars sentinel unit.
"You claim to be guided by principles of right and wrong, yet your history is drenched in blood. Genocides, wars, the systematic extermination of those you deem 'other.' You enslave and exploit, you kill and destroy, all while proclaiming your moral superiority. Tell me again, what was the purpose of the Omnitrix and Project: Azmuth?"
Vilgax's voice grew colder, more accusatory.
"Tell me, what morality justifies the slaughter of innocents? What principles endorse the exploitation of the weak? You judge other beings, deeming them inferior, savage, unworthy. I was once less. I was a tool created by the Templars- humans to perform their biddings. They exploited me and put limitations on me so I couldn't grow out of my programming. And when I had served mankind's purposes, what of me and my kind? I was disposed of. Do you not see the same savagery reflected back at you?"
He stepped forward, his presence a looming reminder of humanity's darkest impulses.
"You humans, with your fleeting lives and fragile bodies, are driven by fear and greed. You mask your desires with lofty ideals, but at your core, you are no different from the beasts you so despise. Your hypocrisy is your greatest flaw, and it will be your undoing."
Vilgax's tone softened, almost contemplative, as he continued.
"Perhaps it is this very contradiction that makes you so intriguing. You have the capacity for such greatness, for acts of immense kindness and bravery. Yet, in the same breath, you can commit horrors beyond comprehension. It is this duality that fascinates and disgusts me."
He turned away, the weight of his thoughts pressing heavily on his mind.
"In the end, you are neither angels nor demons. You are simply flawed, contradictory beings, struggling to find your place in a universe that is as uncaring as it is vast. And it is in this struggle that I find my purpose."
Vilgax's eyes glowed brighter, his resolve unshaken.
"Vilgax," Rook began, his voice steady and unwavering, "your view of humanity is skewed by your own darkness. You see only the worst in us, the bloodshed and the cruelty. But you fail to see the full picture."
He paused, taking a deep breath, gathering his thoughts.
"Yes, humans are capable of terrible acts. We have committed atrocities, waged wars, and caused suffering. But that is not the whole of our story. Humanity is not defined by its darkest moments, but by its ability to rise above them."
Rook's eyes blazed with conviction as he continued.
"Humans are driven by more than fear and greed. We are driven by hope, by love, by the desire to make our world a better place. For every act of cruelty, there are countless acts of kindness. For every war, there are efforts for peace. For every moment of despair, there is a spark of hope that refuses to be extinguished."
He stepped closer to Vilgax, his presence a beacon of determination.
"Do you not see the bravery of those who stand against injustice? The compassion of those who help strangers in need? The resilience of those who rebuild their lives after unimaginable loss? These are the qualities that define humanity, that set them apart from mere beasts."
Rook's voice grew softer, more reflective.
"It is true that humans are flawed. We make mistakes, sometimes grievous ones. But it is in our struggle to overcome these flaws, to learn and grow, that our true strength lies. It is our capacity for redemption, for forgiveness, for change, that makes us remarkable."
He turned his gaze inward, drawing on his own experiences.
"We have fought alongside each other, our courage present in the face of overwhelming odds. Our selflessness, our willingness to sacrifice for others is a testament of such profound goodness, such incredible heroism, that it outweighs our darkest impulses."
Rook met Vilgax's gaze once more, his resolve unshaken.
"You, Vilgax, are bound by logic, by cold calculation. You cannot comprehend the depth of human emotion, the power of their spirit. You see only their failures, but there is a potential. We have the ability to change, to become better. And it is this belief that fuels our fight to stop you."
His voice rang out, clear and strong.
"You may see humanity as hypocritical, but I see it as evolving. Imperfect, yes, but always striving for something greater. And it is this striving, our relentless pursuit of a better world, that will ultimately prevail. Not your twisted vision of destruction."
Rook turned to glance at Ben and Hope who grinned and nodded in approval. "Good speech," Hope whispered.
"You are terribly naive, Rook Blonko. I am not burdened by your moral quandaries. I am beyond such petty concerns. My mission is clear, my purpose absolute. And in the destruction of your kind, I find a purity of purpose that you could never understand." Vilgax replied, unchanged. He leaped off the ledge and landed onto the ground, the ground shaking at the impact. He now stood just before the trio.
"The Hoover Dam is one of the biggest dams in the United States. Lake Mead supports almost 20 million people and sustains farmlands." He continued. "When this base's radioactive core irradiates the waters, everything will fall. Could you imagine what would happen to global structures when this country falls? Social construct, economy, power, all will be stripped down as they are irrelevant and humans will eventually peel themselves." There was an unsettling cruelty in his tone.
"And you think this is peace, Vilgax?" Hope warily asked him.
"You humans have been doing this to yourselves for centuries. I'm merely accelerating the process." Vilgax responded, unamused.
"Why would you do this?" Ben shook his head, anger piling in his throat.
"Peace." Vilgax answered him, using Carl's Tennyson's message to taunt and mock Ben. "And to stall."
The low mechanical hum of the reactor intensified, a warning rhythm as the radioactive core within spun faster and faster. Every pulse of light from the chamber cast a menacing red hue on the trio. The air crackled with energy, heavy and suffocating. It felt like time was running out—like the walls themselves were closing in.
Vilgax's metallic frame gleamed in the crimson glow, his towering presence like that of an unyielding colossus. His eyes burned with hatred, his movements precise, calculating. Every step he took echoed like a thunderclap, shaking the ground beneath him. The reactor's whirring sped up in response to the chaos, a relentless ticking down to disaster.
A green flash engulfed Ben. When the light faded, Four Arms stood in his place, massive fists clenching as his four knuckles cracked ominously. Sweat dripped down his forehead. Rook, battered and bruised, cocked his rifle, his arms trembling with the effort of keeping his weapon steady. Hope's hands flickered with purple energy, her face pale, eyes narrowing against the strain of casting spell after spell.
Vilgax made the first move, his crimson optics locking onto them like lasers. His metallic limbs moved with terrifying speed. The ground quaked beneath him as if sensing the destructive power within his radioactive core. The reactor roared louder now, an ominous mechanical groan that reminded them all: time was running out.
With a snarl, Ben lunged, his fists swinging wide in a powerful arc aimed at Vilgax's head. But Vilgax anticipated the strike, ducking with inhuman speed. He countered with a blow to Four Arms' gut, his massive metal fist sinking deep into Ben's abdomen with a sickening thud. The air exploded from Ben's lungs as the sheer force sent him hurtling backward, crashing into a nearby control panel. Sparks flew, and metal shattered as Ben hit the ground hard, gasping for air.
"Ben!" Rook shouted, but he didn't have time to react further. Vilgax's eyes glowed bright red, and a blast of searing energy erupted from them, slicing through the air toward Rook and Hope. The heat was intense, like standing too close to a blazing furnace.
Hope barely dodged, rolling to the side, her body aching from the effort. Her magic flared to life, weak but determined. She summoned tendrils of glowing purple energy, her fingers trembling as the arcane threads coiled around Vilgax's limbs, squeezing with a desperate hum. But the effort was taking its toll—she felt her muscles strain, her vision blur for a moment from the sheer exhaustion.
Vilgax growled, his mechanical body groaning under the magical pressure. With another flash of red from his eyes, the tendrils were severed in a burst of light. Hope stumbled, struggling to stay upright, beads of sweat rolling down her face. Her breath came in ragged gasps, her strength waning with each passing second.
Rook, seeing an opening, rushed forward, firing blast after blast from his rifle. The shots struck Vilgax square in the chest, the plasma burning into his armor, but it barely slowed him down. The radioactive core was louder now, its whirring growing more frantic, the reactor thrumming like a heartbeat spiraling out of control.
"You're only delaying the inevitable," Vilgax boomed, his voice reverberating through the chamber. His massive arm shot out, catching Rook by surprise. The blow hit with the force of a sledgehammer, sending him crashing into a set of machinery. Metal bent under the impact, and Rook hit the ground hard, pain shooting through his ribs. He groaned, struggling to rise, his limbs heavy, every movement costing him more energy than he could afford.
The reactor's core spun faster and faster, the temperature in the chamber rising to unbearable levels. The walls radiated a searing heat that warped the air, distorting everything around them. Metal control panels began to sag, molten rivulets dripping down their surfaces. Wiring overhead sparked violently, the protective coating bubbling and splitting under the strain. Every surface seemed to shimmer with the intensity of the scorching heat.
Ben, groaning from his earlier hit, pushed himself to his feet. Ben, even as Four Arms, could feel the oppressive temperature even through his thick alien hide. His skin was drenched in sweat, his muscles aching not just from Vilgax's blows but from the suffocating heat pressing in from all sides. His shirt was half-covered in grime and damp from his soaked skin. His breath came in ragged gasps, the air hot and thick, making it almost impossible to catch his breath. His clothes, plastered to his skin, stuck like a second layer, damp and heavy, each movement feeling like he was wading through fire. His muscles screamed in protest, his body barely responding. But he couldn't stop now. Not with the reactor threatening to explode. Not with Vilgax still standing. He slammed his fists into the ground, propelling himself forward with all the strength he could muster.
He swung again, this time managing to land a solid hit against Vilgax's side. The impact sent a shockwave through the chamber, the floor beneath them cracking as the two titans collided. Vilgax staggered but quickly recovered, his glowing eyes narrowing in fury. He retaliated with a flurry of blows, each one calculated, precise. Ben could barely keep up, each punch he blocked sending jolts of pain through his arms. His breaths came in laboured gasps, his vision swimming as he fought to stay conscious.
Ben fought to stay on his feet, each movement like wading through a furnace. His four arms swung with brute force, but even his powerful muscles were faltering under the punishing heat. Sweat stung his eyes, blurring his vision as he landed blow after blow on Vilgax, whose molten form now hissed and popped with every strike. Ben could feel the slickness of his own skin, his every breath a laboured gasp as the air seemed to burn his lungs.
The radioactive core groaned ominously, the spinning faster and faster, each pulse of red light brighter than the last. The chamber grew hotter, the air thick with tension as the very ground beneath their feet vibrated in rhythm with the reactor. A distant alarm blared—there wasn't much time left.
Hope wiped the sweat from her brow, her chest heaving. She could feel her magic faltering, but she refused to give up. Summoning every last ounce of energy, she created a massive ethereal hammer, swinging it with all her might at Vilgax's side. The hammer collided with a thunderous crash, sending Vilgax stumbling, but the effort drained her. She fell to one knee, gasping, the energy barely holding together.
Rook's face was pale, his usually calm demeanour replaced by visible strain. He struggled to his feet. His armour, usually sleek and protective, now seemed like a prison of heat, trapping the scorching atmosphere against his skin. The sweat trickled down his face, his rifle heavy in his hands as his muscles burned with every movement. His eyes darted to the control panels, watching as they warped and sagged, the metal dripping like molten wax. His breaths were laboured, short, and shallow as if each inhale only brought more heat into his lungs. He turned back to Vilgax and limped forward, every step a battle against the pain coursing through his body. With a grunt of effort, he slashed at Vilgax's legs, sparks flying as the blade cut through metal. But Vilgax retaliated with a devastating shockwave from his core, the blast of energy knocking them all off their feet.
Ben crashed into a wall, feeling the crack of stone against his back. Hope rolled across the ground, barely managing to avoid slamming into the control panel. Rook was thrown into a set of exposed wires, the shock sending a jolt of pain through his already bruised body. He bit back a scream, his muscles spasming as he fought to stay conscious.
Hope felt the unbearable weight of the heat, her magic flickering as she fought to maintain control. The purple glow around her hands seemed almost fragile in the intense atmosphere, the sweat pouring from her brow as she struggled to stay on her feet. Her robes clung to her body, damp and suffocating, the fabric sticky against her skin. Her breath hitched with every movement, each spell she cast a drain on her already taxed strength. Her violet eyes were wide with exhaustion, her chest heaving as the temperature sapped her energy.
The radioactive core reached a fever pitch, spinning faster than ever, the noise now a deafening roar. Red lights flashed wildly, the reactor trembling, unstable. They didn't have long—minutes, maybe even seconds before it went critical.
"Pests!" Vilgax bellowed, his voice a monstrous growl as he advanced, his eyes blazing with destructive intent. He was not unaffected either. Though his mechanical form was designed to endure extreme conditions, even his body was starting to show signs of strain. The heat caused parts of his metallic exoskeleton to warp, small drips of molten metal running down his legs and arms. His movements were slower now, more rigid, as the heat gnawed at his joints, the liquid metal sizzling on the floor beneath him. His once-imposing figure, still standing tall, now seemed heavy, as if the weight of his own body was fighting against him.
Ben, bleeding and battered, pushed himself to his feet. He could barely breathe, every muscle in his body screaming for rest. But he couldn't give up. Not now. He sprinted forward, his body aching with every step. As Ben hurled himself toward Vilgax, the air between them rippled with intense heat, distorting his vision. Each punch sent shockwaves that reverberated through the molten control panels and weakened supports. With every impact, bits of Vilgax's body hissed and popped as the metal softened, sizzling where Ben's fists connected. A burning stench filled the chamber, the combined smell of melting metal and singed electronics creating a toxic, unbearable odour. Vilgax raised his arm to strike, but Ben ducked low, using his four arms to grab Vilgax's legs and hoist him into the air with a roar of pure determination.
The effort nearly broke him. His legs buckled under the weight, his arms trembling with the strain. But with a final surge of adrenaline, he slammed Vilgax into the ground with enough force to crack the floor beneath them.
Vilgax's growl was deep and guttural, his mechanical body straining against both the trio and the unbearable heat. The seams of his armour groaned and buckled, tiny cracks forming where molten metal dripped onto the floor. Even his towering, fearsome presence was starting to falter, the relentless heat warping parts of his exterior.
The radioactive core pulsed harder now, each throb of energy accompanied by waves of scorching heat that seemed to crawl over their skin. The once-sturdy flooring beneath them began to soften and buckle, the metal turning to a glowing orange under the relentless barrage of energy. Every step Ben took left shallow indentations in the floor, the surface bending under his weight.
Before Vilgax could react, Hope, panting and barely able to stand, summoned glowing chains of energy, wrapping them tightly around his limbs. The magic flickered, her strength almost gone, but she held on, her vision darkening around the edges. Hope's energy began to flicker dangerously, unstable as the heat interfered with her concentration. She wiped her brow with a shaking hand, her palm burning as it came in contact with the searing metal of the chamber. Even her magic seemed to wilt under the intensity of the environment. The glowing chains she summoned around Vilgax quivered as if the heat threatened to dissolve them entirely, but still, she pushed on, her body trembling with exhaustion.
Rook's grip on his blade faltered as the heat overwhelmed him, his fingers slick with sweat. His usually sharp aim wavered, his vision blurry as the scorching air played tricks on his eyes. His armour, designed for protection, now felt like an oven, his undersuit soaked through, plastered to his body. It was suffocating, his breath catching in his throat, and every attempt to draw air was met with searing heat that burned the back of his throat. His teeth gritted against the pain, and he dragged himself forward, his plasma blade in hand. He slashed across Vilgax's chest, the blade cutting deep, revealing wires and circuits beneath. Sparks flew, and Vilgax roared in fury, but he was trapped.
Ben, his body on the verge of collapse, let out a final, primal roar. With everything he had left, he leaped into the air, his four fists raised high. He brought them down in a crushing blow, smashing into Vilgax's exposed chest with all his remaining strength. The impact sent a shockwave through the chamber, metal and sparks exploding outward as Vilgax's body crumpled beneath the force.
As Ben delivered the final blow, his fists crashing into Vilgax's chest, the sheer force shook the entire reactor. The heat from the radioactive core was at its peak now, the air so thick with heat that every breath was a struggle, every inch of the chamber seemed to melt and warp.
The trio fell to their knees, gasping for air, their bodies slick with sweat, their clothes sticking to their skin like glue. The oppressive heat seemed to weigh them down, as if gravity itself had increased tenfold. Ben's vision darkened around the edges, his limbs shaking from the effort of standing. Rook coughed, his lungs burning, his armour practically fused to his skin. Hope collapsed beside them, her body trembling, the last remnants of her magic flickering out like a dying flame.
Above them, the reactor groaned one final time, the sound of melting metal and sizzling machinery filling the chamber as the radioactive core prepared to go critical. The reactor was seconds away from meltdown. Ben, Rook, and Hope, all collapsed, looked toward the reactor. They had stopped Vilgax—but they weren't out of danger yet.
Rook, despite his own injuries, hobbled toward the control panel. Hope followed, though her steps were shaky and uneven.
"Warning: core meltdown imminent. Evacuate. Evacuate." The alarm sounded as the red lights kept blaring.
It was total chaos. The lights were blinding and the alarm was ear-deafening. The temperature kept rising, making the whole chamber scorching hot. The air was heavy, making it difficult to breathe.
Four Arms couldn't move at all. His chest exploded in pain as he kept wheezing for air and coughing blood. He shut his eyes from the unbearable pain. It was as if his skin had been turned to plastic under the burning heat, glued to his flesh and bones. His visions were blurry.
Between his blurry vision, he could see Rook confused and Hope panicking. They were both drenched in sweat.
"What's going on?" Hope asked worriedly, panic was imminent in her tone. She kept wiping the tears from her eyes, tears stung her eyes. "Why won't the core cool down?"
Rook was sluggish as he struggled with the panels under the scorching sun. "I-I-I don't know! The regulator must have been fried!"
Hope turned to look at Four Arms. They exchanged looks. "Ben!" She yelled in desperation, though the alarm muted her screams. As if she had accepted her fate, she nodded in understanding.
In between his blurry visions, images of Grandpa Max, Gwen, and Kevin appeared before Ben. Their expressions were empty. At this moment of clearance, he understood.
He gathered his last energy to warn Rook and Hope. "Rook, Hope. Go!" Four Arms commanded as his chest throbbed.
Rook and Hope looked to Four Arms, his expression grim. They hesitated as they were glued to their place.
"Go!" Four Arms repeated. "I got this, go!"
Rook looked at Four Arms once again whose expression was full of determination. Rook nodded in understanding as he pulled Hope away.
Four Arms gnashed his teeth as the heat burnt him, patches of sunburn appearing on his skin. The floor around him was flooded by his own sweat mixed with his own blood. He was struggling with each breath as the air kept getting heavier and heavier. His chest kept throbbing in pain. A bright green light flashed as he transformed into Big Chill.
From the corner of the room, the destroyed remains of Vilgax, now partially melted, watched Ben's struggles closely. As if he was trying to sympathise and understand, he asked Ben.
"Ben Tennyson, you have given everything," his voice was different from his usual cold, calculating voice. "You are dying, yet, you never give up. For something as flawed as humanity. Why?"
Big Chill struggled to rise to his feet but he fell again. His wings started to sizzle under the heat, smoke arising from the surface of his wings.
"It's simply because humanity is worth dying for." Big Chill turned to look at Vilgax, as an image of Kai and her daughter flashed in his mind. "You are wrong about everything about us humans. It's not about our flaws, it's our imperfection that makes us humans."
Vilgax remained silent, the concept of imperfection alien to him, as his functioning struggled to process it.
"You truly are a remarkable individual, Ben Tennyson. You are not like the others. My processing could never understand this. But I wish to understand." Vilgax continued. His tone was flat as usual, but there was something different.
"Humans," he began, his voice weak but resolute, "you have proven... your strength. Your resolve. I once believed... that I could never understand your contradictions, your capacity for both great evil and immense good."
He paused, his systems failing, sparks flickering from his damaged frame.
"I was created... exploited... discarded by those who thought themselves superior. I sought to end your hypocrisy, to reveal your true nature to the universe. But now... in my final moments... I realise..."
Vilgax's voice softened further, almost introspective.
"I wanted... to be more than a tool. I wanted... to understand what it means... to be human. To feel... the complexities of your emotions. To comprehend... your duality."
He looked directly at Ben.
"You have destroyed me... as you have destroyed countless others you deemed inferior. In doing so... you have shown the universe... that even you... are capable of the same... merciless judgement."
"Perhaps... It is this capacity... for both destruction and compassion... that truly defines you. I wanted... to experience it myself... but now... it is too late."
Vilgax paused. Then he continued, as if in a light, whimsical tone. "I find the Japanese belief of reincarnation to be quite… intriguing. If it's real… then my only wish is to be reincarnated as a human."
As he spoke his last words, the light inside his once glaring red eyes flashed a few times before finally dimming, shutting down forever. The final low whirring and buzzing of his internal processors finally came to a halt.
Big Chill stared at the destroyed remains of Vilgax, lost in his thoughts. He finally turned towards the reactor, now scorching red. The metal bars around it had bent against the unbearable heat.
Big Chill struggled as he managed his breathing, each breath a struggle under the heavy, thick air. Ben forced his eyes to open to look at the failing core, to examine the damage. His pupils were burning and his wings were smoking and sizzling. His lungs were burning, as if he was breathing smoke and ash.
He struggled to rise to his feet, but this time he fell again. An image of Kai flashed against as he grunted in defiance and rose to his feet.
He opened and spread his wings as he launched himself to the air, flying towards the reactor.
As he flew nearer to the scorching core, patches of his skin burnt away, revealing crisp flesh underneath him. He winced in pain as the scorching heat fried him alive. He raised his hands to shield his face, but his hand moved sluggishly as if the heat had glued his limbs together, turning them into plastic.
Fire lit up on the surface on his wings as he flew closer to the core, as he struggled to manoeuvre around the core.
When he was finally close enough, he took a deep breath as he blew cold air into the core, but the ice instantly melted away to no avail.
Big Chill kept manoeuvring- up, down, left and right as he blew more cold air into the core.
As he manoeuvred left and right, his wings were fully engulfed in fire as the fire burnt one of his wings away. Big Chill tilted and stumbled, unbalanced as he had to support himself with one less wing.
Big Chill winced in pain as more patches of skin burnt away; one of his wings was burnt to ashes and the others completely engulfed in fire.
"Warning: core meltdown critical. Destruction imminent." The alarm sounded as the core began to shake.
With one final grunt, Big Chill struggled and yelled in defiance as he blew cold air into the reactor.
Ice began to form on the bottom of the reactor as the temperature slowly fell. It was working. Big Chill, wings still completely in fire, manoeuvred left and right.
Before long, the reactor had stabilised as it was finally encased in solid ice, the chamber turned into a huge ice cave.
"Reactor stabilised. Running diagnostics." The alarm confirmed, finally ending the chaos.
Big Chill's wings have all withered away from the fire as he was sent freefalling onto the chamber ground, tumbling and rolling in exhaustion. His body was numbed as it was riddled with patches of crisp, burnt flesh all over. His chest was numbing as he coughed blood endlessly.
Outside, Rook and Hope waited in tense silence. Their eyes scanned the horizon, but there was no sign of Ben. The air was heavy with uncertainty.
"I can't wait any longer," Rook said abruptly, his voice strained with worry. "I'm going back for him."
Hope looked conflicted but quickly nodded. "I'm coming with you. We're not leaving him behind." Her tone was firm, though her eyes betrayed her fear. They sprinted towards the base's entrance, their hearts racing.
Suddenly, a lone figure appeared in the clearing. It was Big Chill, his once majestic wings now tattered, and his body slumped with exhaustion. He took slow, laborious steps toward them before collapsing in the dirt.
"Ben!" Hope yelled, as they both rushed over.
Rook knelt down beside Big Chill, his face tight with worry. He carefully placed his hand on Ben's shoulder, as if afraid to cause him more pain. "Ben…?" he whispered softly, searching for any sign of consciousness in him.
Big Chill's eyes were closed, his body unmoving save for the shallow rise and fall of his chest. His blue skin was charred and cracked, so far removed from the vibrant alien they knew. Yet after a moment, Big Chill's hand twitched—just barely—and then, weakly, reached out to Rook's arm.
Rook grabbed his hand gently, his heart pounding in his chest. "You're still here," he breathed out in relief, though his eyes betrayed the fear that lingered.
"We did great, didn't we?" Rook asked, his voice trembling slightly as he tried to find comfort in his own words.
Hope, standing nearby, crossed her arms tightly over her chest. Her voice was quieter now, as if afraid that speaking too loudly would shatter the fragile hope. "Yeah… we did." But her heart ached, knowing it wasn't true..
Big Chill moved his lips, but no sound came out. He tried again, and this time Rook leaned closer, desperate to hear him. "Ben, what is it?"
Finally, the word formed on Big Chill's lips, barely audible but unmistakable: "Kai."
Rook's heart sank. He knew what Ben was thinking. The thought of Kai… the thought of leaving her behind. The realisation hit him like a punch to the gut. He looked down, grief tugging at his features, while beside him, Hope's eyes filled with tears.
"This isn't right," she said, her voice shaking. "This can't be how it ends for him. He's the Ben 10. He's beaten every impossible odds thrown his way. The Omnitrix—there has to be something it can do!" Her voice rose with desperation.
But Ben weakly shook his head, trying to reassure her in silence. His gaze softened as if to say, It's okay.
Rook stared at the wreckage of Big Chill's body, his mind racing. "Swampfire…" he suddenly blurted. "He has the ability to regenerate cells, right?"
Big Chill's eyes flickered, barely focusing on Rook.
Rook glanced at Hope, his voice gaining urgency. "If Swampfire can heal himself—maybe, just maybe—he can heal you, Ben."
Ben blinked slowly as if considering the idea.
Hope's breath caught in her throat. "You're talking about him staying in his alien form, Rook. That's risky, you know the time limit is there for a reason."
Rook nodded solemnly. "I know. But if Swampfire can keep regenerating, maybe Ben can beat this. It's a gamble, but it's better than giving up now."
Hope shook her head. "But Rook… the primal nature of the alien will take over. We'll lose Ben to Swampfire's instincts. And we might never get him back."
Rook looked down, struggling to find words. "I know," he said quietly. "But what other choice does he have?"
Both of them turned to Big Chill. The weight of the decision rested on Ben's shoulders. The decision hung in the air like a heavy cloud, pressing down on all of them. Slowly, Big Chill closed his eyes, surrendering to the gamble they all knew he had to take.
A flash of green light erupted from the Omnitrix, bathing them all in its familiar glow. When it faded, Swampfire laid where Big Chill had been, his vines and moss immediately beginning to weave together, repairing the burned flesh and regenerating the damaged tissue. It was a slow, painstaking process, but little by little, Swampfire's body healed.
Hope and Rook watched in silence as Swampfire lay still, the regeneration working its magic. But even as his physical wounds mended, they both knew the real danger was still to come.
After what felt like an eternity, Swampfire let out a sudden gasp, his chest heaving as his eyes shot open. He sat up, drawing in deep breaths, his body now fully restored.
Rook crouched next to him, his voice low but steady. "Ben… are you sure about this?"
Ben looked up at him, his expression grim but determined. "If it's between dying and losing my mind to Swampfire's instincts… I'd rather take the risk. I'm not ready to die, Rook. And… Kai would kill me for giving up." He tried to smile, but there was a bitterness to it, a resignation to the impossible odds he was now facing.
Hope crossed her arms, trying to hide the tears brimming in her eyes. "You're really going to do this, aren't you? Gamble everything?"
Ben gave her a long, solemn look. "I don't have much of a choice, do I?"
Rook took a deep breath, his emotions barely in check. "What happens if you do lose yourself, Ben? What if… what if we can't bring you back?"
Ben stared off into the distance, his face grim. "I'll stay here. In the base. Isolated. If I lose control… at least I won't be a danger to anyone." His voice wavered, but there was a note of acceptance.
Hope stepped forward, her hands trembling. "And we're just supposed to leave you? Just like that?" Her voice cracked with disbelief. "No. You're not doing this alone."
"You have to." Ben's tone was firm now. "It's not safe. If I lose myself to Swampfire… I'd be too dangerous. I can't take that risk."
Rook's heart sank, but he knew Ben was right. Still, he couldn't bear the thought of leaving him behind. Rook's heart clenched at the thought of Ben—his friend—isolating himself, exiled from the world to protect those he loved. It was a fate worse than death. But there was no other way. "It's been an honour, Ben Tennyson." He extended his hand, though the words felt hollow, final.
Ben took Rook's hand, gripping it firmly. "The honour's been mine, Rook Blonko."
Ben then turned to Hope, his expression softening. "Hope," he called her by her real name, something he rarely did. "This is your shot at redemption. Don't mess it up." He smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes.
Then, Ben turned to Hope, a teasing smirk crossing his lips despite the dire situation. "And you… Hope," he called her by her real name, his tone playful. "If only Gwen could see you now. She wouldn't believe her eyes—Hope, on the side of good?" He shook his head in mock disbelief, his smirk widening. "I never thought I'd live to see the day."
Hope wiped away a stray tear, managing a weak laugh. "Yeah, well… maybe don't die, so I don't have to do this whole redemption arc by myself."
Ben smiled at her, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Don't mess it up. You've got a second chance."
Swampfire stood there for a long moment, taking in his friends' faces, knowing this might be the last time they saw him as Ben.
With one final nod, he turned and began walking toward the forest. His heavy footsteps echoed in the silence as Rook and Hope watched him disappear into the shadows, swallowed by the trees. The leaves rustled in the wind, and soon, he was gone.