Hidden inheritance

Chapter 6: What if: Gwen 10

She grabbed his hand and dragged him inside the vehicle.

Okay, this was completely unexpected.

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Vilgax angrily observed as the Omnitrix's pod was getting further and further away, right in direction of Earth.

He had managed to destroy the Uxorite's spaceship and leave the fight victorious and unscathed, but his prize had fallen on that damned planet.

The warlord swore to never return to Earth, ever again. Not after what the Plumbers, what Max Tennyson, had done to him. Repressed memories were resurfacing, and he felt himself about to snap.

He wouldn't fail this time, not again. He had failed carrying out his wife's last wish, he failed keeping his son safe and helping him grow, he failed defeating his inner demons. But it would be different now.

Part of him wanted to forget his old grudge and pain, and focus on getting the Omnitrix and finally finding healing after this whole time. The other part wanted to stay spiteful, angry, furious at the betrayal and humiliation he went through, so he'd give Max the treatment the old Plumber deserved next time they'd face each other. And considering where Vilgax was heading, it was likely very soon.

He knew he had to be careful when he'd land. Humans were so outdated in terms of knowledge and technology, they knew nothing of the outside world beyond their solar system and their stars, they could only imagine what exists away from Earth, but they knew nothing. They'd attack what they don't know if they felt threatened by it and would not hesitate harming their own at times, to which Vilgax was thankful he was born and raised away from that miserable place.

However, he wasn't as weak as ignorant as Earthlings were. He'd retrieve what he rightfully deserved, and would be powerful enough to put an end to the suffering he had been put through.

"No one controls the Omnitrix but me!"

Had he done this earlier, maybe things would be better.

Benjamin would've lived with him, he would've seen Vilgaxia's wonders and beauty. He would've been at his father's side, and Vilgax would've been at peace. But for now, he had an Omnitrix to retrieve.

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"Gwen, I swear, we've been doing this all summer long!" Ben tried to explain.

"All summer? News flash: this is our first day together."

"That's impossible. We've been on the road for weeks, taking on aliens, kicking bad-guy butt... I've gone hero, like, a thousand times!"

"T-heh! You, a hero?" she mocked.

"Ben, I got you from Madison Elementary School today, just two hours ago." said Max.

Ben frowned. Did someone erase Max and Gwen's memories while he was out? But they had a schedule and a calendar, and they would know what places they've been to and what day today was. Gwen was too much of a nerd to not know when summer began and when they just got rid of Kevin for a while, how would she not know?

And did Max really forget, or was this another of his excuses? Ben sighed as he realized he wasn't even considering he could still trust Max on this. One lie, one lie was enough to destroy everything between them, and Ben wished he had been the one lying, rather than having Max disregard everything he taught him back when Ben still thought they were related.

But everything was off. They acted as if it was really the first day of summer, as if...

...as if Ben had gone back in time.