Chapter 14 – Lost Without It
The Quinjet descended onto the landing platform of Avengers Tower, its engines humming as it came to a smooth stop.
Inside, Ben Tennyson sat in silence, his fists clenched, his mind replaying the moment he lost the Omnitrix over and over.
Across from him, Steve Rogers observed quietly, his usual patience stretched thin.
Thor stood near the hatch, watching the city skyline, his jaw tight.
Wanda and Pietro, once aligned with Ultron, now sat opposite the Avengers, exchanging uneasy glances as they processed their betrayal.
As the jet finally landed, the hatch opened.
And no one said a word.
Ben was the first to step out, his movements stiff, his thoughts spiraling.
Then—
Steve broke the silence.
"Ben."
Ben stopped, his heart already pounding in anticipation.
Steve inhaled sharply, trying to keep his tone even. "It's going to be alright."
Ben didn't turn around.
Steve took another step forward. "We've lost things before. We can recover."
Ben remained silent.
Then—Steve's voice hardened.
"But you didn't just lose something," he muttered. "You lost the Omnitrix. And now, it's in the wrong hands. Again."
Ben's breath caught.
Steve folded his arms. "You've fought Vilgax, the Highbreed, the Incursians—you've beaten threats bigger than this. But that watch—you should have protected it better."
Ben's chest tightened, his body suddenly feeling too small.
His vision blurred slightly.
He felt like he couldn't breathe.
Steve noticed the shift, immediately regretting his words, stepping forward again.
"Ben, I didn't mean—"
But it was too late.
Ben turned sharply, running off, his heartbeat thundering in his ears.
The cold night air wrapped around him as Ben stumbled onto the rooftop, his breathing uneven, his head spinning with frustration, guilt, and overwhelming anger.
He leaned against the railing, gripping the edge tightly, forcing himself to inhale, to fight past the suffocating thoughts.
Then—
Soft footsteps approached.
Natasha Romanoff.
She didn't say anything at first. She simply stood beside him, staring out at the shimmering city below.
Then, finally—she spoke.
"You know," Natasha murmured, her voice calm, steady, "you're not the Omnitrix."
Ben blinked, his grip still tight against the railing.
Natasha continued, her tone carrying quiet wisdom.
"That watch? It's just a tool. A powerful one, sure—but it's never been you."
Ben inhaled sharply. "I—I don't know how to fight without it."
Natasha turned fully toward him, her eyes sharp. "That's not true."
Ben looked away, his jaw tight.
Natasha crossed her arms. "You saved people before you even knew what the Omnitrix was. You fought when you were just a kid. You never needed anything telling you how to be a hero."
Ben shook his head, frustration bubbling up again. "That's not the same—"
Natasha stepped closer, cutting him off.
"But it is the same," she murmured.
Ben exhaled, staring up at the sky, his mind racing.
Finally—he pushed himself off the railing, walking away.
Natasha watched as he disappeared into the stairwell.
And for the first time, Ben felt utterly lost.
Ben walked aimlessly through the city streets, his hands stuffed into his pockets, his frustration boiling over.
Every step felt wrong, every breath felt heavy.
Then—
Suddenly—
He screamed, his voice piercing through the cold air, raw, furious, desperate.
Pedestrians glanced at him in alarm—but Ben didn't care.
This wasn't just about the Omnitrix anymore.
It was about him.
Who was he without it?
How could he possibly fight Ultron and Albedo without the one thing that made him different?
He trembled slightly, his emotions threatening to explode again—
Then—
A voice from behind.
"Throwing a tantrum in the middle of the street?"
Ben froze.
He turned slowly—
And standing there, arms crossed, expression unimpressed—
Was Azmuth.
Ben's breath hitched.
Azmuth's eyes narrowed. "You're acting ridiculous."
Ben stared in shock.
Then—Azmuth sighed, shaking his head.
"Well?" the First Thinker muttered.
"Are you done crying? Or are we actually going to fix this problem?"
Ben's eyes widened.
And just like that—
Everything had changed.