jacm: thank you very much! I did want to make Bad Ben have a good conclusion since while not a 1:1 on Ben, he did things any Gwen would go against. But there's still hope to make things right. And I do hope you always come pay a visit from time to time!

Sonu Siraj: thank you!

aPancake: thank you! Bad Ben is a character you can do a lot with since he seems similar to Ben, but also different. It's probably the closer to Ben we have if we exclude RAT Ben or No-Omnitrix Ben. While he was evil in the past, he seemed just as young as Ben was so more prone to make bad decisions. I purposefully had him aged up because it would justify him maturing more even if he fucked up recently.

Valtek: glad you think so!

Ben dropped to the couch, feeling his fingers sore from carrying so many bags. "Damn. I should have turned into Four Arms."

Hope wasn't being naive like him. She carefully landed the bags she willed to float earlier. No way she'd be carrying all this.

"I would suggest you go to a gym. Not like you're out of shape, but-"

"Yeah, I know." Ben grabbed the remote and turned on the TV. "Feels good to be home."

They had finally booked out of the hotel yesterday, and since his parents were always so busy, it wasn't an issue to have his room back. And since he was not an adult, no problem with Hope tagging along. It turned out that she made things much easier with her magic. They had just gotten home from shopping, where they finally bought a complete set of clothing for Hope. Now she could dress normally, as she was doing right now. She was wearing a comfortable purple shirt with a pair of dark blue jeans. Her hair now contrasted deeply with the rest of her look, but she at least maintained it tied.

"It still feels weird." She said, sitting beside him. "It was very abrupt. I imagined he would have wanted to stay more. If only for Elena."

"It wasn't his Elena." Ben had mixed feelings about the whole situation. But he would try to be a good friend... probably visit her soon. He was getting updates on her mental health after all. "Besides, the situation was probably too confusing. I think he learned enough."

"Probably." Hope shrugged, leaning her head over his lap. "We all have to improve ourselves one way or the other."

"Ain't that the truth?" Ben paid mild attention to the news on the TV. It reported on a series of alien-related incidents that had been unmasked by the new Alien Force. "Did we underestimate them?"

"Not really," Hope answered, also not drawing her full attention to the TV. "When we met them first, they didn't have either Swift or Leander. And now Cordella."

"I guess you can't brush away the fact they now have a Way Bad." And it was Cordella the one being interviewed by the reporter. Although it wasn't live.

"Yes, we searched and that led us directly to the culprit." The reporter then asked who said culprit was. "The information is a bit classified..." Ben had the feeling Cordella looked away from the camera, perhaps to someone else to see if she was doing a good job. "But we can say they are linked to the remnants of the Forever Knights. But... rest assured, it's now done."

"Her speech is already a lot better." Ben was genuinely impressed.

"She is probably taking English lessons, I reckon. It'd be funny to see her write as a Way Bad."

Ben let out a light chuckle. "Probably. Hey, I've been thinking-"

"Oh, really?" Hope seemed to understand it wasn't something trivial. "I've been thinking too."

"Go first."

"No, no, you said it first-"

"I insist."

"Ben, you go first."

"Hope, that's ridiculous."

"If you don't go first, I swear I will blast you out of the house."

"Alright, fine!" Ben rolled his eyes, throwing in the towel. "I've been thinking of leaving the Plumbers."

"Oh." It was clear that wasn't what Hope was expecting to hear. "What for?"

"Well, like Benjamin said, the Plumbers are pretty much space cops. I know it's a family tradition at this point, but... I don't know, I'm almost feeling it ain't for me. Don't get me wrong, I don't wanna stop saving lives-"

"Not like you need to. You saved enough lives and there are enough people to cover you now. And they do it for a living. You're not earning shit from being a hero."

"I know. But it was never about that. And I am earning stuff from being a hero. If I wanted to stop working right now, I could. But that's not the point."

"So, is this about having a normal life?" It was weird how she quickly deciphered it. "I don't want to be the catalyst for you abdicating the Omnitrix or something like that."

"I'm not abdicating the Omnitrix. It kinda is about having a normal life. I'm not excited to go on a crusade against villains alongside you. I know you're a completely different person, but my routine kinda ruined what I had with Kai. I don't wanna repeat the same mistake."

"It will never be like that." Hope assured him. "I'd be by your side if there was something. But fine, I get it. I... I get it." She trailed off, and Ben found himself frowning.

"What was it that you wanted to say?"

His girlfriend sighed. "Ben... I've been thinking about abdicating from Legerdomain."

He blinked. Did he hear that correctly? "Why would you do that?"

"For the same reasons as you." She said, getting her head up from his lap. "Addwaitya is dead. There isn't a threat to the realm anymore."

"Michael's still there."

"Please." Hope snorted. "It's fine. I intend on giving my rule to what was previously the ruling council. Before, you know. Everything went to shit."

"Mhm." Ben inched closer. "But are you willing to give up that power? I don't want you regretting it, and you fought so hard for your home-"

"I fought hard to take Addwaitya's grasp away from it." Hope corrected. "I wish to keep my castle. It's my current home, after all. But I can't focus on two things at the same time."

"Hope... you can't choose me over your home!"

"Ben, you are willing to choose me over your job." She spoke. "Being queen will just hinder my ability to give you attention. Plus, the realm can protect itself. We just need to take Michael away – because that's a thing I haven't forgiven your cousin for – and then I can make it right. We were never supposed to be tyrants... and..."

"What?"

Hope sighed deeply. "My uncle only proved his worth by relinquishing his entire collection of books to that university. I was devastated when I learned about it. But I get the point of sacrifices. Maybe..." She paused. "Maybe abdicating will prove that I can also have a chance, to anyone who may doubt it."

"I guess it's a good point, but I wouldn't wish to be the reason for you to throw it all away. It was your life."

"But I don't want it anymore, Ben." Hope took one of his hands into hers. "I want... this." She waved towards the bags. "A normal life. I'm not a seer. I had an aunt that could have prophetic visions, but it wasn't passed onto me. I don't know if we are going to be together until the end of time. But I want to go as far as fate is gonna let me. To know what I've been missing. I... I lost so much time..." Hope looked down. "I was cast away because of a tyrant, then I resorted to crime to survive. And then I got lost in illusions of grandeur."

"It's all in the past now. We can build something better."

"That's what I want." Hopes sniffed. "I want to go out. Study. Work. I am tired of living with such responsibility. I wouldn't abdicate all my power, just as you wouldn't give the Omnitrix away, but I want to know the world you fought to protect so much."

"It's brilliant." Ben smiled. "I think you will like it. We're both young. We have all the time in the world to... live, pretty much. Travel, go to parties, watch movies... and we can do all of that together."

"Oh, Ben..." Hope rubbed one of her eyes. "You've been a blessing. I barely know how to repay you for your kindness."

"A kiss might do it." Ben boldly answered, and Hope chuckled. She leaned closer and they shared a long and intimate kiss. One that soon started to evolve into something else.

"You said your mother wouldn't be home until evening?" Hope asked, a bit breathless.

"Pretty much." Ben's breath was just as labored as hers. "It's still like, four in the afternoon. We have a little bit of time."

"Good. You wouldn't mind taking this to your room, would you?" The smile she gave him sent heavy shivers through his spine.

"Not at all."

...

"So yeah, that's pretty much it." Ben finished, having told his grandpa he would leave the Plumber and his reasons why. For a few moments, he just stared at Ben, seemingly in some thought.

"Look..." Grandpa Max began. "Have you talked to your parents?"

"Yeah, I did." Ben had shared his intentions with his mother soon after she arrived from work. And he had sent a text to his father since he was still in New York as far as Ben knew. Both had reacted well to the news. They weren't supportive, so to say, but they were also not opposed to the idea. Both Carl and Sandra seemed to get used to him being in mortal peril, it seemed. "They don't mind it. I hope you don't take this personally, Grandpa."

"I would never, Ben." His words seemed sincere enough. "I get your point. I don't know if she told you, but Gwendolyn is also not a registered Plumber anymore."

"I didn't know that," Ben admitted.

"Yeah. She told me similar things. And I don't judge you both. When you received the Omnitrix... You realize how much I had to cover up, right?"

"Mhm." Ben sure remembered how shocking it had been to find out his grandpa was part of a secret organization that fought aliens. The Plumbers's history was complicated, but Grandpa Max operated more as a black ops agent than anything. It was a far cry from the galaxy police the Plumbers had become.

"I knew the Omnitrix couldn't have been purposefully sent to you. But that didn't mean I couldn't try to guide you to use it, since I also figured it wouldn't be going away. And as any ten-year-old, you wouldn't not want to play with your new flashy toy."

Ben waited for Max to continue.

"I tried to make you someone who would care for others. It wasn't my intention to recruit you into the Plumbers at first. But I found it necessary to put all of this on track. But I understand your decision. You've played a big role, and I don't imagine you will ever stop being a hero."

"Probably not." Ben smiled. "Though I will let the team have their fun."

"It's been an optimal experiment." Grandpa Max remarked. "It also helps because they're eight. You're one. They can be in more places, and act quicker. And more importantly, you can finally take a break to see what were you saving."

"Charmcaster told me something along those lines. I guess that's true. I also want to show her what she has been missing out. In some ways, it's worse than Kevin."

"It's quite alright, champ. I will send all the paperwork to you through email. But consider yourself unemployed."

Ben had to chuckle at that one. "Thanks, Grandpa. For understanding."

Grandpa Max gave him a warm smile, clenching his shoulder. "Any time."

...

Hope was anxious.

Ben was a bit hysterical.

"I've told you; you may stay in the room if you'd prefer."

"I do want to be next to you, but can I?"

"Of course. You're not a kid or anything. Let me do the talk, and it's fine." It pained her just a bit to order him around. It was crazy, but she didn't want to be bossy towards Ben.

A heavy knocking was heard throughout the entire castle. Even though Hope had told Ben the doors were enchanted to be louder, since there weren't things as doorbells in Legerdomain, he still jumped, startled.

"Do you want me to get the door?"

"Eh... fine... I'll be in the dining room." Hope, along with Ben, had prepared a vegan dinner from Sandra's recipe book. It wasn't the most appetizing food out there, but she knew how stuck up some of the Legerdomain council could be. Though she liked the light food. Hope was never one to follow a diet but she maintained a slim body – and intended to keep it slim.

She got to the dining room and sat at the armchair at the end of the table. She intended on having Ben sit down by her right side, and the rest could scramble for seats. Magical golems would be serving drinks, but Hope expected the conversation to be short.

Three minutes later, they arrived. Most were humans, of course... Legerdomain didn't really have a native population. It wasn't a planet. Magicians and sorcerers found their way here throughout millennia, and from them, rock golems were spawned. Other beings also found their way to the land, including one alien that resembled a tiger a lot. And Addwaitya, of course. Some of these people were ancient... some were only a few decades older than Charmcaster.

"Greetings." Hope used her most formal tone. "I apologize for the sudden invitation. But I am glad you all could make it. Suit yourselves."

The seats were all taken, with Ben sitting down where she wanted him to. When all of them had their plates full, Hope chose to begin her speech. "I realize our realm has gone through turbulent times. Chaotic, even."

"Of course, my queen." Said Morgana. Named after a mythological witch that may or may not have existed. But Hope had made sure to know if she was Morgan Le Fay, and the answer was not positive. "We've all been suffering since your father passed away."

"Yes." Hope didn't want to linger on the memories now. She ate a bit before continuing. "I have come to a decision regarding my rule. I would prefer to relinquish my position as queen."

"That's preposterous." The tiger-like alien, who Hope didn't quite remember the name, spluttered out. He did have a tendency to be obnoxious. "The realm cannot operate without a ruler."

"I intend on passing the rulership to the council." Hope explained. "I trust you will not compromise the home we all share."

"We are for certain not inviting foreigners and trying to bring back the dead." That was Robert, who despite his ordinary name, was a French wizard from the 15th century whose mere existence was justified by the desire to annoy all those around him.

"Be quiet." Another wizard, Maximilian, this one being from an ancient German kingdom, hissed. "We all know your tendencies to slander the queen and praise the monster."

"Only one of them killed us all. And even now, she insists on bringing outsiders." Robert looked suspiciously towards Ben, who in return simply looked as if he had just realized he was the subject of conversation.

"Don't mind me. I'm only being a friend to her."

"That seems unlikely." Another witch, Esme, said from her seat. "Regardless... Legerdomain cannot operate without a ruler, my queen."

"There weren't kings when people first got here," Hope argued, feeling anger starting to boil up inside her.

"But one must hold the power," Morgana stated. "And you, daughter of Spellbinder, are the most powerful of us. Even if it was just to keep the ultimate abilities of the ruler away from greedy hands, you must remain queen."

"There can be something else." All eyes turned to Ben. "You could... let her be queen, sure. But she doesn't want to take a major role in your politics and decision-making. Maybe let her retain her position, like you said, to protect the power the ruler always has. But don't come to bother her unless things get really bad."

"If you don't mind me asking, who are you again, boy?" The tiger alien's tone was only half-disrespectful, but Ben only smirked in return.

"You're an Appoplexian, aren't you?" The statement caught the tiger by surprise. "I've met some of your kind. You're all just so angry. I'm Ben Tennyson, nice to meet you. I beat Addwaitya recently. No need to thank me."

"You're the one who can shift to other species, aren't you?" Ethelred, a very old Anglo-Saxon magician said. "Tales of your feats reach even here."

"That's me. So, what do you think of the idea?"

Maximilian turned towards Hope. "Are there still threats to the kingdom, my queen?"

Hope shook her head. "No. Not significant enough threats to require my presence. Though I will be here... if I am required."

"Those terms are acceptable." Esme declared. "May we finish our feast, now?"

"We may." Hope's words, despite her youth compared to these rotting figures, would be taken as sacred. And as such, they finished eating soon. Hope had an inward smile as she exchanged subtle looks with Ben.

...

"You did good," Hope said to him as they finally retired to her private quarters. She had replaced her traditional robes with a casual gown. Ben gazed upon her with a fond smile.

"It's the best compromise I could think of." He said. "It's not too different from what I got. But at the same time, your realm needs you more, there's also less demand for your protection."

"That is true. But I am troubled with the absence of Michael." Darkstar wasn't anywhere near her castle, it seemed. That was probably smart. Legerdomain was a big place, so there was plenty of room for him to hide and scurry around like the rat he was.

"It's no big deal." Ben tried to reassure her. "He'd never be a threat, we both established that."

Hope eyed him up curiously. "Something tells me there are other reasons for you to not want Michel around..."

"Maybe." He couldn't help but smile, it seemed. "You told me I'd want to punch him in the face if I saw him close to you. Not like I wouldn't do it for all the other reasons."

She chuckled. "Sure. But you wouldn't want that worm near your loving girlfriend, would you?"

"Never in a million years." Ben leaned to kiss her briefly. "When are we going back to Earth?"

"Oh, I wanted to stick around a bit. There are things I'd like to collect and bring back with me. And..." Hope crawled towards him, until she was almost straddling him. "This bed is so much better, don't you think?"

Hope found herself loving his dumb smile that followed her teasing. "I do. I wonder what things also feel better on this bed."

What a tease he was.