Hidden inheritance

Chapter 3: Confrontation

"What?! But Ben-"

"If this doofus managed to win against Zombozo alone while cowering in fear like a baby, I think he got this. Now, let's go!" she said, running to the RV. Had Ben been in his human form, maybe she could've seen the grateful smile on he wanted to give her.

Max gave a last, saddened glance at Ben, before following his granddaughter into the vehicle. Both aliens watched the humans go inside the old car before going through a hole in the ship's windshield. Upgrade got to see that effectively, yes, the Rustbucket could fly. With space thrusters appearing from its sides like in movies.

"Now that that's taken care of, let me help." said Upgrade, leaving the drone for the damaged command panel under Vilgax's watchful eye.

The child had distracted them, interrupted their fight, subdued his drones, tricked the other humans, convinced them to leave and took matters into his own hands, all in a matter of minutes. Hard to believe he was just 10, because none of Vilgax's past opponents could've managed this faster. Even Max Tennyson took more time to get rid of the ruler in the past.

It was a wonder how Ben got caught in the first place.

"It was a reckless thing to do."

"Thanks, I'll take it as a compliment." answered Upgrade's robotic voice.

"You could've gotten hurt without my aid."

"I didn't and managed on my own, so that's a good bonus. Besides, if I didn't do anything, we would end up in alien afterlife before one of you wins. And if even if one of you won, I don't feel like seeing a slaughter today."

"You're going to be the death of me someday, you know that, son?" said Vilgax, crossing his arms, although his voice sounded more amused than anything.

"I'd rather not have you die for me, thanks. Aaaaand, all done!" announced Upgrade.

The incessant beeping had stopped and the red lights went off. They were safe for now. But the ship was still moving in the sky.

"Hmm, if you hadn't been lucky, the broken commands could've electrocuted you, and you would be quite injured with an alimentation like the one I use. But I guess you did it. Congratulations." said Vilgax, hiding some of his pride behind his breathing mask.

"Phew, never ask me to do that again! These letters are so complicated I almost thought I'd reduce this spaceship to pieces faster!" complained Upgrade as he went out of the keyboard, his singular eye half-closed out of tiredness.

"You did well for your first time driving a vessel like mine, maybe you'll receive one when we get home."

"I have to go back to Grandpa and Gwen."

There was a beat. Vilgax hadn't expected Ben's decision.

"What?! But why?!"

"I told them I would come back. You know that if I go with you, they'd know where to find me. And they'd take me back, just like the first time."

Vilgax frowned. "I've searched for you for years, Ben. I can't let you leave after finally finding you!"

"I still have a life over here, I... People can't expect me to disappear one day like this. They'd know if you were involved and all it would do would be bringing you more problems on your... on our planet. I'm sorry, but I can't go. Not now."

Vilgax clasped his head. Had he come to Earth sooner, maybe he could've taken Ben back so there wouldn't be any problem. But now he took too long, and his son wouldn't follow him. Had he fallen that low?

"All these years, and I keep failing her even more..." he muttered.

As he reverted back to his human form, Ben was unsure of what to say. He knew Vilgax had came on Earth to look for the Omnitrix, not him. But ever since he saw who he really was, they almost didn't talk about the watch at all. Was he that much of a priority for the ruler? He wondered if Carl and Sandra would've done the same in Vilgax's place. Although he doubted they've had alien technology anywhere in the house.