Hidden inheritance

Chapter 21: What if: Race Against Time

The sound of owls hooting through the night could be heard. Normally, birds like those didn't go that near humans or their loud vehicles. Even if in this case, this was neither a human driver, nor anything you'd normally find on Earth.

Its engine roaring with all its might, the Chimerian Hammer was safely hidden in the middle of Bellwood's park, away from human eyes.

That night, Vilgax the Conqueror of Worlds was expecting an answer. Benjamin's guards had urged him to return two weeks in advance, something concerning the Chronians. But it was also about time Ben made his decision.

Their deal was coming to an end, would he leave this planet and follow him as he'd been hoping all this summer? His father was welcoming him with open arms, and a room was waiting for him on Vilgaxia. Naturally, Max Tennyson might try to meddle, but if so, he'd trust Ben and his bodyguards enough to keep him away.

He knew that whatever establishment Ben was attending would not allow him out for his more... adventurous duties. Humans had a strict view on what they considered supernatural and where the heroic actions that Ben's feats fell into, his son wouldn't be free enough to use the power of the Omnitrix during the rest of the year. And if he knew Ben well, the boy would not want to stay inactive for months.

Especially not when he lived with those impostors that dared calling himself his parents while Vilgax had lost his family for years. It would all be fixed in time and place, he thought. After all, the Plumbers believed they were done with him, they wouldn't suspect him if Ben suddenly disappeared from the surface of the planet. Not like he'd expect them to care about his son, but Ben did wield the Omnitrix, they couldn't let a weapon such as that device slip away from their grasps, could they?

Psyphon wasn't enough of a threat on his own for the Plumbers to consider he'd take Ben to Vilgaxia, and no one but Vilgax's right-hand man would dare using his drones to take the Omnitrix away. In short, Ben would be safe with his father, away from Maxwell Tennyson's influence, away from danger. He'd finally assume his role as a future heir and follow him back home.

Unfortunately, time was not on their side.

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

"I... I can't."

"W...what?"

Ben looked down in shame, eyeing the Omnitrix. After everything that happened tonight, he'd never get a chance to go with Vilgax.

"I can't come with you... it's too dangerous. For you."

Vilgax gave his son a confused glance. "Ben, what do you mean? I am a warrior with years of experience, why would you think anything could threaten me if you went with me back home?"

"Because..." his fingers were fidgeting, he just couldn't risk losing his dad. It was already bad enough he almost risked Max's death earlier, no need to expand the list. "I realized that a lot of bad guys will come for me. Bad guys I probably can't fight the way I always do, just like this guy I fought earlier."

Vilgax huffed. What could Ben be possibly scared of? He proved himself many times before, what was it about this supposed newcomer that made him feel threatened?

"And who would that fiend be?"

Hesitating, he raised his left hand, looking at the dial. The DNA wouldn't override him this time, he'd be the one in control, but it didn't mean he wasn't uncomfortable transforming. He circled through his aliens and found the silhouette of the man that almost made him forget who he was. With a sigh, he pressed on the dial and felt his muscles expand.