Hidden inheritance

Chapter 3: Confrontation

"You promise me there's no danger on this planet for you?" asked Vilgax, visibly upset.

"Yes. If I get into trouble, I know what to do." Ben said, showing the green bracelet on his left wrist to his father.

"Hmm, then don't tell Max Tennyson what I've told you about your real identity." said Vilgax.

"Um, okay? But why? You think he hasn't told anyone yet?"

"If he still didn't tell you when I arrived, it's better if he thinks you still are kept in the dark." explained Vilgax, returning to his sour mood from when Ben saw him in his vision. "He might do something to you once he realizes you know you don't belong here."

'That's like, every social outcast's nightmare.' thought Ben.

"My ship isn't too damaged, so I can get off planet and still make it fly until I reach one of my bases for repair. I'll be okay for now, thanks to your help." he said, ruffling Ben's hair. "Now, follow me if you want to go back to your family before night falls."

Ben could tell which word wasn't said positively, but he preferred to stay silent. At the same time, he too started having doubts regarding the importance the Tennysons held for the idea of family, now that he knew and felt that he was lied to.

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Max felt his heart skip a beat as she saw the Chimerian Hammer still flying, disappearing in the horizon. Yet still no sign of Ben. Gwen was next to him, and she seemingly started to be afraid for Ben too.

Vilgax was behind the mysterious robots that attacked them when Ben found the watch and when Rojo sent Max to the hospital, it was a more than valid reason to be worried. They had trusted Ben, and they would keep on waiting for him to come back. But if they didn't have any news soon, they might do worse than just lose their cool.

How are they going to explain to Carl and Sandra that, during a trip, he got kidnapped and taken on another planet by Max's old enemy? That was the worst thing that could happen right now and one of the many reasons Gwen felt she wouldn't get to see her grandfather anymore when they get home. She wished that Ben would hurry up and come back to them immediately, instead of making them worry about him more than in their entire lives.

Max, however, was more worried about how to get Ben back. He'd have to recontact the HQ, ask for permission to use one of their vehicles, potentially even having to come out of retirement to do so. And he'd have to follow Vilgax through space, chasing him to another solar system, all in hopes that the ruler didn't already end his grandson's life.

He trembled at the mental image that something ever happened to Ben because of him. He wasn't sure Ben would blame him for being past enemies with Vilgax, but if the king recognized Ben, god knows how much Ben could be able to stand the idea that his entire life almost took place in a dungeon or an alien prison for humans, all for Max's past deeds. The old Plumber knew how quick to dismay Ben could be towards others for keeping important things from him, he just hoped it didn't apply to him this time.

They could hear the news reports coming out of the RV, as they hoped something about Ben would be mentioned if he ever landed back into town rather than right back at them. Now the sun was getting down, the sky was darkening, and they were still waiting.

"That doofus, who does he think he is?! Making us worried sick about him when we could be, I don't know, eating marshmallows, watching TV, visiting a museum, going to the restaurant..." Gwen listed, progressively sounding concerned as she mentioned what she wished to do with her free time, with Ben coming along.

"Vilgax isn't getting away with this so easily, Gwen." he said, reassuring her. "When we get back to Mt. Rushmore, I'll send a signal to another nearby base, we'll-"

"Grandpa! Look!" Gwen shouted, pointing to what looked like a meteor in the sky.

Max observed the red flying object in the sky, until he realized it was heading right towards them. Taking a hold of Gwen, he jumped back and they both fell on the ground as the giant orb landed heavily, making a crater with its impact.

Both Tennysons looked at what seemed to be a giant spiky escape pod, one with a design that reminded them much of the ones coming out of Vilgax's ship. They saw a big red light coming out of its door and as the hatch opened, releasing steam as both metal pieces strayed from each other, they readied themselves, prepared to make the squid man's life a living hell with their bare hands for harming Ben.

"Somebody call for a hero?" came a teasing, pretentious voice.

Once the smoke cleared out, Ben appeared, a cocky grin on his unhurt, perfectly healthy face.

"You idiot!" said Gwen, giving him a jab on the shoulder.

"Hey! What was that for?!" Ben protested, wishing he hadn't lost his band-aid after becoming Upgrade.

"For scaring us, that's what!" she said, briefly hugging him (which could've surprised him if it wasn't for everything that happened today), before quickly pulling back. "So... um. Don't do that again."

Ben smiled. She really did care, deep down. But like hell she would admit it.

"What happened to that 'using one of the drones to escape' plan of yours?"

"Busted them all, ran out of choices. So I took the closest thing next to it. Much safer and smarter than just a robot, huh?" he stuck his tongue out, recognizing his cousin's sarcasm and retaliating.

"We're just glad you're alright." said Grandpa Max.

Ben took on a less amused expression as he turned to Max, suddenly having lost his chirpy attitude.

"Grandpa," Ben announced, "we need to talk."

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Vilgax paced around his ship, awaiting for his engineers to give the finishing touch to the Chimerian Hammer.

He had originally planned to take the Omnitrix, destroy the Earth, reaffirm his title as Conqueror of Worlds and annihilate all resistance, and failed. Yet finding Ben again after all these years of hiding Max Tennyson had inflicted on him made it all worth it.

He knew it would take time for Ben to accept his place on Vilgaxia, and he knew that his son still had too much attachment towards Earth, but it didn't discourage the ruler the least.

There would be a time where he would have his child back at his side, and Vilgax knew just how long Ben could stay away until he realizes where he truly belongs. He had lived the same problem. And after all...

Like father, like son.

If you like this story I suggest going to the original source here
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12886550/1/Hidden-inheritance

And if you want more like this I suggest going to the original author of this story Heato-kun's home page here
https://www.fanfiction.net/u/7748632/Heato-kun