Speaking of reviews (excluding Yasin because AO3 exists)
jacm1888: thank you! I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Musiclover64: sorry to not match your expectations but this won't be a multi story, not really. If any character is introduced or shows up is merely a plot device, even if it is a former love interest.
When someone entered through the window, Benjamin cursed himself for not persisting with his original plan of always having a gun strapped to his belt, regardless of where it was. But he allowed himself to relax slightly when he realized the intruder was no other than Gwen Tennyson. Or, more accurately, Lucky Girl. With the cat ears and everything.
Gwendolyn took a few seconds staring at him. "Sorry, I couldn't warn you. I didn't want to go through Ben right now."
"Because of Charmcaster?" Benjamin guessed.
"Because of Charmcaster." Gwendolyn fell to the couch, looking straight at Benjamin with her completely purple eyes. "I don't know what Ben has in his head apart from worms. No offense, It's just-"
"None taken. And I get your point." He clarified. "Nothing could have prepared you for the eventuality of your cousin and nemesis walking around together."
"Yeah. Ugh. I just feel so... tired." Gwendolyn admitted. At the same time that she rubbed her eyes, her disguise vanished, and her purple form was replaced by white skin, red hair, and green eyes. "I never saw another one of him. Apart from Eon and future versions that were his future up until he met them. It's such a headache to think about this"
"I barely see myself in Eon, despite whatever things I was responsible for," Benjamin answered, remembering the hated time traveler. How that Ben Tennyson ended up in a position to not only not have an Omnitrix but to become a bitter and frankly pitiful time wanderer was beyond Benjamin's comprehension. He had been pretty bitter and resentful but Eon was on another level. "And yes, dimensional and omniversal talk is confusing at best. I'd leave the academic debate for Galvans."
"Can't disagree. But what's that about you being responsible for things? What's your story?"
Benjamin's face darkened. "Do not take offense, Gwendolyn... but are you here to interrogate me?"
Gwendolyn sighed, sitting straight. "Well, look. I don't trust Charmcaster for obvious reasons. She has blown every chance I gave her in the past. And I want to trust the other person closest to Ben right now. I know you don't have an Omnitrix and all that. Were you that terrible?"
"I was naive," Benjamin stated. "And immature. I thought I could play as judge, jury, and executioner. That if I had the power to decide, I should. It led to me losing a lot."
"What did you lose?" Gwendolyn questioned, but she immediately retreated, blinking. "I... I'm not trying to invade your personal space, I'm sorry-"
"No, do not apologize." He waved his wand dismissively. "I suppose I owe you of all people an answer. I lost friends and loved ones. And..."
Realization seemed to spark in Gwendolyn's emerald eyes. "We... we aren't friends, are we?"
"We were." Benjamin chuckled. "But I did something unforgivable, even if you were at the very least complacent in what I did before."
"Kevin?" Gwen took a guess. "I mean, I know you're from a different timeline. Did you and Kevin have a showdown? Were you ever friends to begin with?"
"Yes, to both questions," Benjamin stated. "That's one of the few... adventures of mine that seem to match your cousin's. But my course of action was different from Ben's."
Gwen wouldn't even try to hide the look of pain that flashed through her face. Ben had told him how he almost killed Levin, and only stopped himself at the last second, much thanks to Gwendolyn's begging. "I... How did I react?"
"You left." His answer was brief. "Like I said, you tolerated a lot from me. Some, you even agreed. Perhaps in my world, we were both raised differently to see things in a more somber way than you and your cousin."
"I left? To where?" Gwendolyn asked. Benjamin knew she wasn't outright ignoring what he said, but couldn't keep her curiosity in check.
"I imagine you went to Anodine with Grandma. Your parents never bothered to tell me." And that was true. He wasn't sure Frank and Natalie knew, but if they did, they chose not to tell him, which was incredibly annoying. But where else could Gwen have gotten to completely disappear like she did? "I haven't seen you in six years anyway."
"I noticed you looked older. Not too much. But you got a stubble." Gwendolyn remarked.
"I don't think I care enough to shave it." He told her with indifference.
"You don't look too bad." She pointed. "Are you... you know, dating?"
Benjamin froze for a moment but then shook his head. "Not since... things happened. I don't think I want to talk about it, but it's pretty much the reason I'm here."
"Okay..." Despite her acceptance, it seemed like Gwendolyn wanted to ask more. But she had enough sense to not do that. "Sorry for bringing that up, I'm just worried about Ben."
"In that way? Because of Charmcaster?"
Gwendolyn waved her arms, exasperated. "I know, it's absurd. I should probably be more worried for my sake since Kevin was the one who made out with Charmcaster once." Her face darkened at that memory. Benjamin remembered something along those lines happening on his Earth. "I didn't expect Kai to break up with him. Well, I did in the beginning, but certainly not now."
"I don't know much about Kai Green." That was also true. Benjamin only met the girl once when he was a child, and never again after this. "But it seems like Ben was trying his best and that wasn't enough."
"Spot on. But I just..." She trailed off, resting her face on her hand, her elbow on top of the arm of the couch. "I don't want him to get deluded because Charmcaster is pretty. I know he is no ordinary boy, I know-"
"Trusting a Ben Tennyson around women is dangerous." Benjamin mused. "I talked with Julie, you know?"
"I beg your pardon?" Gwen snapped at him, eyes widening. He allowed himself to smirk at her reaction.
"Your cousin was away, doing who-knows-what with Charmcaster in the middle of the night. I think they were fighting some robbers, but I can't say for certain." He added the last bit when he saw the concern that was growing on Gwen's face, and Benjamin realized how that must have sounded at first. "And then Julie appeared early in the morning and I walked around with her, wearing a disguise mask. Half of the things she said don't make sense to me. Who is Hervé?"
"Her fiancée," Gwendolyn explained. "Did... did you tell him about that?"
"Of course I did. I very much scolded him like I was Sandra Tennyson herself. But we made peace afterward."
"I haven't been around with many people compared to Ben, but I can imagine if an ex shows up like that" Gwendolyn stated. "I mean, did you date Julie in your world?"
"Yes," Benjamin confirmed. "It was more a summer fling than anything. I haven't heard much from her since we broke up."
"Mhm..." Gwendolyn withdrew her phone from her pocket. "Look, Benjamin... you seem... different. You're certainly not Ben, but I think I'll trust you to keep an eye on him."
"I am not babysitting him, Gwendolyn."
"I know, I know," She nodded, eyes laced with frustration. "Just... don't let him do anything that will hurt him more, okay? I need to go."
"Bye. It was good talking to you..." And it was. Benjamin wasn't quite certain about how he felt about this, considering the years away from his own Gwen, someone who had been his closest friend for years since their summer trip, but then again, this wasn't his Gwen.
That being said, he had missed these talks.
"You too." The redhead smiled, and he watched as she morphed once again into her Lucky Girl outfit and jumped from the hotel window.
...
They had said goodbye to Eunice moments before they went to bring Cordella to the Alien Force's building, with Ben promising to text Eunice more, much to the researcher's delight. He was still wary of the look Hope was giving him but didn't pay much attention for now.
It was a twenty-minute drive until they arrived at the Alien Force's building. It was more wide than tall, but it was massive anyway. If anything, it looked more like a manor, with even a large garden outside the building itself, a large path leading to the doors starting at dark grey gates. Said gates were open, so Ben decided to drive inside, hoping they wouldn't mind a car over their grass. I mean, really, when did the Plumbers build this? Was he so deep into his failing relationship to notice the world around him? Maybe.
But it was better not to think that.
He stopped the car a few meters away from the manor-looking building, and Hope immediately left the car. Again, she was acting so weird... Cordella on the other hand was looking shy and didn't seem like she was aware of how she could open the car door.
"Ben..." Her voice was higher pitched than usual. "How do I-"
"Here." He leaned over the seat and opened the door for her. Cordella's face reddened, and the now human-looking girl seemed completely embarrassed at how simple the task had been.
"Thank you." She blurted, leaving the car. Ben chuckled and followed suit, soon afterward knocking on the twin wooden doors. Not three seconds later, he heard a commotion inside and the doors opened to the sight of Helen, Lucy just behind her.
"Ben!" The kineceleran greeted with a smile, which faded just slightly when she turned to face Charmcaster. But then, it completely vanished, replaced by total confusion. "Who are you?"
"This," Ben said. "Is Cordella. As for who she truly is, I think it's best if she shows you herself." Ben turned to face the pale girl.
"What?" She inquired, completely oblivious. Ben sighed.
"Turn back, will ya?" He instructed, his voice lowering. "Just take a few steps away so you don't damage anything."
The girl nodded, not quite understanding why she was doing this, but she trusted Ben as much as a lost puppy would to anyone who gave it food. Cordella took a few steps away, standing away from both the manor and his mom's car. She closed her eyes and a massive green flash emerged, blinding the four of them again. A second later, instead of the goth-looking girl, stood the immense crimson-eyed To'kustar, looking down to see that Helen had stepped – or, more appropriately speaking, rolled back, while Lucy was standing with a stupid grin on her face.
Ben was thrilled to hear that Cordella chuckled, a sound that reverberated across the lawn. The green flash repeated, and once more the goth replaced the To'kustar, and Cordella returned to their side, wearing the same smile as Lucy.
"I mean, the outfit was a giveaway, wasn't it?" Lucy commented, referring to Cordella's clothing, which only shrank in size, not changing too much. "So, she's the Way Bad that created conscience."
"Yeah," Ben confirmed, noticing that more people had arrived behind Lucy and Helen.
"Guys, did you see something? I was cleaning my room when suddenly there was a Way Bad outside my window, then it disappeared!" Cooper said, followed closely by Alan and Swift.
"Ben thought it would be funny," Hope said, alerting some of them to her presence, but everyone had heard enough to know she wasn't a threat. "This is Cordella. Like Lucy just said, the Way Bad that created a mind when Ben punched her in her head too hard."
"Then how the hell does she look... human?" It seemed like Alan had another word in mind, but chose not to go through with it.
"Simple." Ben took Cordella's hand, showing the Omnitrix symbol that enveloped her ring finger. "This is a Unitrix. It kinda works like my Omnitrix, but it only allows you to change you to one form." Suddenly, a thought sparked in his head. "Now that I think about it, is everyone home?"
"Um, yeah?" Cooper said. "Why?"
"Go fetch Manny. And Leander, if he's here. I'll tell you guys when everyone's gathered."
The other seemed to buy his idea, at worst mildly curious about what Ben had to say. Helen and Swift went to get Manny and Leander, and the two men joined the rest of them in the living room, sitting on the large couch beside the rest of the team. Ben stood in front of it, while Hope chose to stay by the door, while Cordella chose to sit in a lone armchair. It took a brief moment to explain who the goth was, and neither Manny nor Leander seemed very interested.
"So, what were you saying about the Unitrix?" Alan asked.
"I actually don't know how I didn't think of this before. Almost everyone here was subjected to DNA alteration, right?"
"Yes." Swift nodded, arms crossed. "I heard the Omnitrix can repair DNA, isn't that correct?"
"True," Ben said. "I've thought of that before, I just didn't think robbing you guys of your powers now would be very cool. I know you all grew to like your abilities."
"Damn right," Manny muttered.
"So, everyone but Alan is confined to their hybrid forms. And seeing how Cordella was a success in making her human, I just had the realization... do any of you want a Unitrix to yourself? Maybe so you can walk around in public without a fuss? I can't say I know what goes inside your heads, but-"
"We see your point." Helen cut him, though not in a rude manner. "I can't speak for everyone... but I don't think I could go back, Ben. It wouldn't be natural for me."
"Same," Manny added. "This is me now. Don't really want to run from that fact."
"Alright, I get it." Ben turned to the aerophibian beside Lucy. "What about you, Swift?"
Ben could see that she was hesitating. "Could something like this be arranged?"
"Of course. I just need to talk to Azmuth. He already made a Unitrix for Cordella, no reason why he wouldn't make one for others."
"But how does it work? We saw she has no difficulty going back to her To'kustar form..." Swift eyed the goth girl with suspicion as if Cordella would start stepping on them in a second.
"It's kinda like you completely change to human, in your case. Like, you will be ordinary, but that's the point. You can live like any other human does, with no limitations. Honestly, it's more than I can do with the Omnitrix. And it's all controlled with your mind, so no need to press anything like I do."
"And are there downsides?" Ben was quite surprised to see that Leander was the one who asked that.
"Not that we know of. Euni- I mean Azmuth's assistant, she said that since it's a prototype, it needs some time turned off every day. For most of you it won't be an issue, but-" Ben glanced at Cordella, and naturally all the others did so as well. "Anyway, if you two are interested, we can arrange something. What I was going to ask you guys in the first place was..." He nervously looked back to Cordella. "She doesn't have a place to stay, and you guys already know I'm on a classified mission for the Plumbers. So... could Cordella be an addition to the team?"
There were some whispers, some shared words, and silence from a few members. Eventually, after quietly consulting with Lucy, Cooper spoke up.
"Well, given the circumstances, it would be insane of us to not take her just by sheer power. But... well, there will be a trial, think of it as an interview." The blonde man turned to Cordella, who nodded in return.
"I will do whatever you need me to do. Your concepts of partnership are still new to me... but I'm willing to indulge in whatever will make me truly human."
"Well, that's awesome!" Cooper was clearly not expecting words like these but processed everything fast. "So, is that all, Ben?"
"Pretty much." Ben turned to face Leander, and then Swift. "Ask Lucy for my number. I will keep you guys updated on the Unitrix situation."
The former Rooters nodded, and the group dispersed, most of the Alien Force leaving the living room. Only Lucy and Swift remained, alongside Cordella, and Hope who seemed pretty bored.
"You will do just fine, girl!" Lucy tried to cheer Cordella up. "I'm not human, see," Lucy briefly shifted to her Lenopan form. "I was just as confused as you when I started interacting with folk different from me. It's gonna be alright."
The red-eyed girl nodded, smiling shyly. "Thank you. Ben, you as well. This is all so confusing, but you are making it better."
Ben smiled sheepishly. "I'm glad to help, Cordella. Once Lucy explains to you what a phone is, she can get you my number and we will keep talking. I think we'll go now. I'm kinda hungry for some chili fries."
"Lucy told me you eat chili fries like you are an addict. She wasn't overstating it, it seems." Swift remarked. In response, the green-eyed boy flashed a smile.
"You have no idea."
...
Burger Shack had been closed.
What a disaster.
Ben found himself groaning, falling to the couch of the hotel room. Benjamin was in his room, apparently, asleep, despite being early evening. Sitting beside him, Hope was staring with some amusement.
"Well... I guess you will need to eat something else."
"I don't want something else," Ben whined.
"Would you rather stay hungry?"
"Maybe I do." Despite his words, however, he felt his stomach rumbling. "I'm tired. I miss your bed."
"Really?" The witch raised an eyebrow. "I would have thought you missed your own bed more."
"Yours is massive, it's comfortable. What else can I want?"
"Mhm..." Hope seemed in some thought. Ben quickly took notice.
"Care to tell what was up earlier?"
She slowly turned to him. "I don't know what you mean."
"When Cordella turned to human... I know what you said about her... clothing..." He felt like he was walking on eggshells. "And you didn't seem quite happy when Eunice hugged me."
"If anything, Ben, I was worried your attention would be diverted. You are practically a teenager, after all..."
"That's rich." He answered, voice dripping with sarcasm. "You know very well I am anything but a normal teen."
"I meant biologically." She stressed. "A man like you, fresh out of a break up sees someone who he almost kissed years ago..."
"Come on, are you serious?" Ben couldn't believe what Hope was saying. "That's not how my brain operates!"
"How should I know? You're the man-whore, after all." Now a smile graced her lips, and while Ben wanted to glare at her, he barely could muster it.
"I wouldn't start drooling over Cordella. I'm not fourteen."
"I'd hope so," Hope said, looking at the black skies outside the window.
"Why, really?" The question that was lingering in his mind was spoken out loud. "Why would you be upset?"
"Maybe I just don't think you should be going around with questionable people."
"Questionable." Ben echoed.
"By what you told me, Eunice is not even a human being. She is a device."
"That's not a fair assessment. I spent a whole fifteen minutes convincing Azmuth not to treat her like one of his inventions."
"It still doesn't change the facts." Hope insisted. "And Cordella... fine, she is cute, but she is a hundred feet tall alien."
Ben rolled his eyes. "' Even so, would you rather have me forget about these things because of a break-up? I'm sure Kai isn't wasting time."
"What makes you think that?" Hope looked up with some sympathy.
"I don't know. Just a hunch. I don't even want to check her Instagram. She's probably deleted all our pics together."
"That's... unfortunate. Up until a month ago half of these words wouldn't make any sense to me whatsoever.
"Glad you could learn something from me." He flashed a grin, which caused her to roll her own eyes.
"You shouldn't forget about love, Ben." Hope returned to the subject. "But just... be wary."
"I mean, it's either that or just fully adhering to a single life, hooking up with people. Probably less dangerous considering how many villains I have that would threaten my family." Ben contemplated. "But you saw I barely spared Cordella a glance. I wasn't into her."
"Fine... And Eunice?"
"We're just friends now." Ben felt the need to remind Hope. "Like us. And you seem very focused on that."
"Again, what you are implying is beyond me." This time, Ben felt like she was lying. But how could he prove she was lying? Maybe pressing further? He wouldn't try to fool himself and say things with Hope had been completely friendship. There... had been flirting. And they had slept in the same bed, for God's sake. But she was also Gwen's main rival for the good part of a decade by now and had tried to kill his family, and succeeded in killing him once.
But who cares about logic now?
"I know we're friends, but not even Gwen's that interested in my love life."
"I'm simply worried. You deserve something better. Or... let me rephrase it," Hope added when she noticed the puzzled look he gave her. "You deserve something simpler."
"Like what?" Ben pushed further.
"Probably someone ordinary, that'd make you want to choose between love and being a hero." Hope mused, seemingly lost in thought.
"Been there, done that. Won't do a repeat of Julie."
"I'm aware. Then, someone who accepts you being a hero."
"Only someone who is involved with my hero life would accept that. Otherwise, I'm barely seeing her."
"Mhm..." The sorceress crossed her legs. "Well, maybe you do need one-night stands only to match your whorish nature."
"Stop saying that! That's absurd." Ben protested.
"Is it when you have had at least five relationships or flings with people?" Hope leaned closer, her light blue eyes defying him.
"That's... I only dated three people!"
"Oh, yes. Not like we're forgetting about that actress..."
"It was a publicity stunt I didn't even give my consent to!"
"Or the Validus girl."
"Benjamin is gonna hear you," Ben warned.
"Or maybe even the two intergalactic dictators who fought for your hand in marriage?"
"You know, Hope, the way you're saying, it's like every woman I encounter, I immediately have something going on with her!"
"Seems to be that way." Her eyes sparked; her face amused at his slight annoyance.
"Then it's kind of a wonder we were never falling for each other, isn't that, right?" He raised his eyes, challenging her, and was very satisfied to see her grin fading, replaced by narrowing eyelids.
"You were younger. Also repulsive. And also immature, nothing more than a spoiled brat that would ruin my plans"
"You sure don't think like that anymore, do you?" Ben dared to lean even closer.
Hope only glared further. "No. For the most part, no."
"And what part could be better?" Ben found his voice lowering to a whisper.
"Perhaps if you weren't staring at Cordella's cleavage I wouldn't be so upset."
"I wasn't. You were. When she was a To'kustar, for that matter."
"I was joking, you dense boy!" Hope hissed. "You weren't supposed to be anything more than flustered!"
"Perhaps it didn't help that you made me picture you with her clothes." Ben couldn't quite believe he was uttering those words directly to her, but it sure seemed to have an effect. Hope was taken aback, retracting a little bit, but soon her voice returned.
"And how did that image make you feel, Ben?" Now, she was leaning dangerously close, enough that he could smell the scent of her cologne. Was it a magical thing? Was it an actual bottle of perfume?
"What do you want to hear?" He did not intend to make this any easier for her, and she caught on to it quickly.
"Don't play dumb." The way she said that made him shiver, the tension growing further and further in the air.
"Do you just want me to admit that I thought you would look hot as hell wearing that?"
"Maybe..." Her voice faltered in the middle, and the sound of her voice crack made the hair on the back of his neck shiver. "Or maybe I just want you to stop speaking completely."
"Only if you make me." That's the opening Hope was waiting for, Ben knew it, so he wasn't surprised she took it without skipping a beat, lunging at him and pinning him down to the couch as their mouths connected, a wild kiss that made him think if this was actually happening, if it was real or if it was a dream...
The rational part of his mind would tell him it was a long time coming.
The other part would tell it to shut up and relish in her touch.
And of course, he complied. Gladly.