Hidden inheritance

Chapter 4: Incomplete Truth

Then it finally clicked.

Ben turned to Gwen, and was surprised to see he shared the same distrustful expression as her.

"We have to follow them!" they said in unison.

Both kids went silent when they realized they agreed on the exact same thing. Learning about Max's secrets and past life certainly changed their own lives.

"You also think they're up to something?" asked Gwen.

"I think Phil is also hiding things from us. Remember the very first time we met Animo?" asked Ben.

"Uh, yeah? We went to Washington DC and got attacked by Animo's mutant zoo animals collection? What does this have to do with Phil?"

"That day, I kept wanting a Sumo Slammers golden card, but you guys didn't want me to have it because saving people should already feel like a reward."

"Ben, we're getting off-topic."

"Grandpa is the one who taught us that from his old days, so why does someone from his old days do the same as me?" Gwen's eyes widened, as she started to think Ben was onto something.

"Where are you getting at?"

"I think Phil is the one behind the alien attacks we faced tonight. Look at how much he gets for saving people when proof of alien existence is supposed to stay a secret! I thought he wanted to get rid of me because... uhhhhh..." Ben realized he wasn't supposed to talk about Vilgax in this situation. "ummm... because... because I have the Omnitrix!" he managed to correct himself before following, "But then, he tried to get me to work with him when he realized I knew how to fend myself and that I could stop him."

"And then, he tried to rope Grandpa into his plan when he understood Grandpa would learn the truth sooner or later!" concluded Gwen. "Oh my god, Ben, you're right! Phil must be the one behind all of this, and Grandpa must've gotten away from us so he'd stop him by himself. Ugh, why does he keep insisting on working on his own? It's like..."

"Like everything he ever taught us only applies to us, and never to him." Ben said, visibly upset that Max was still lying to him and Gwen, even now. "We need to stop Phil before he does any harm to the town. Or us."

"Or Grandpa Max."

"Yeah, him too. I really could use some help for this one, wanna be in?"

"Why are you even asking, doofus? I'm not going to let you have all of the spotlight." she teased, before asking "You know, Ben, you changed a lot, recently."

"Huh? How so?" asked Ben, raising a brow.

"We didn't argue at all today. You didn't make fun of me or pull a prank on me, and now you didn't even try to leave me behind and go solo. And when we fought the space Mutts, even though you rushed in and went hero, you asked for my help (if you call barking desperately at me and showing me your smelly mouth a call for help). Even if Grandpa was the one helping you defeat them."

Ben crossed his arms, thinking of what to answer.

"I just think that if I was in a situation where bad guys could try to hurt my family, my friends and other people I care about, I should drop whatever I'm doing to help and protect you and everyone else." he said.

"Ben..." Gwen said, "that was... so corny coming from you!" she teased. "But I'm impressed. It means you're more mature than you were before. Does that mean you'll stop acting like a doofus all the time?"

"Yeah, don't count on it too much, dweeb!" Ben teased back. "I guess meeting Vilgax had more than one good thing coming out of it."

Gwen was about to say something else regarding Ben's behavior, but she changed her mind and decided to go straight to the point.