Hidden inheritance

Chapter 9: Picking up broken pieces

He felt something close to his face and saw a blur. He was about to swat it away, until he saw a Galvan on his respirator. "Right here!"

The Galvan jumped, and the Omnitrix on his back glowed green, before he turned into a Lepidopterran, a form Vilgax recognized well.

"Tada!" said Stinkfly, flying above.

"You, you..."

"I got Master Control!" he proudly declared, landing back on his feet as Wildmutt and transforming into Buzzshock. "I also got me some new guys!" he switched to Tenten and Shell-Shock in a flash. "Whaddya say?" If Vilgax's mouth was visible, he would've given Ben the proudest smile he could manage.

"Congratulations, Ben. You did it." The Bounty Hunters tilted their head at the amount of emotion their employer, Vilgax, was showing. "You've progressed far beyond all my expectations. You have full control over the Omnitrix, you know the right thing to do whenever I see you in action, you managed in only a few months something I could never do in years. Ben, I'm... I'm proud of you."

The young alien was obviously embarrassed by the compliment, scratching the back of his hard-shelled head, but he stopped Vilgax from getting closer and initiating a hug, leaving his father confused.

"Wait." he said. "I, I got another thing to show you. But, don't freak out, okay?"

Vilgax stared at Ben. He had another surprise for him? And Vilgax thought he was the one who would surprise his son with his latest capture...

Shell-Shock closed his eyes, and there was another flash of green. Vilgax saw Ben's silhouette get smaller, shorter. His human clothing was forming, but there was something unusual. Ben didn't look like he was changing to his human form, but the Omnitrix was putting itself on his wrist again while transforming. His head shape was different, he only had four fingers, his skin was becoming green...

Then Vilgax saw.

When the light faded, a young Chimera Sui Generis, with the same pure green eyes he swore to protect, was there, looking at him with a flustered look.

Ben wasn't sure he thought this through well. Would Vilgax like this form? Would he be happy to see him as a Chimeran too? Or would he be disappointed that Ben didn't look as impressive as his other forms? Vilgax showed interest mostly in his powers and achievements this far, would he accept this new alien?

Vilgax was silent. He hadn't expected this, he didn't think he would ever see Ben, his son, his human son, as one of his own. This was unprecedented for him, he never thought he'd see this happening with everything that surrounded Benjamin's birth.

So, without a second thought, he opened his arms wide.

"Come to me, little one."

Ben jumped in his father's arms, pressing himself against his chest. The man laughed with him, and for the first time in a decade, Vilgax's voice was devoid of anger, spite or frustration.

For the first time in his life, he felt his son was giving him all his trust, and he would end the world if it meant keeping it. He patted the boy's head, holding him close in an embrace.

..............................................................................................................................

Gwen took the bowls from the table, charged with doing the dishes.

Normally, it was Ben's turn, but he left after his latest burnout. He should hurry up and come back if he didn't want Max to worry. Or maybe that was his goal, she didn't know what Ben was thinking at the moment.

Sometimes, she wondered what was going on inside that kid's head. First, he's unmanageable, then he becomes easy to scare, then he becomes affectionate with her as if he didn't hate her, then when he returns to being a walking snot machine, suddenly he isn't as laid-back as he used to be.