Hidden inheritance

Chapter 21: What if: Race Against Time

For both his sake and the galaxy's, Ben was fated to never leave the Earth.

Without a word, he lifted his coat and pressed on the Omnitrix symbol on his stomach, reverting back to his 10 years old human self. And since he wasn't done with all the pain this adventure had been, he broke down crying.

He felt so pathetic, humiliating himself in front of his father and basically rejecting the very reason of Vilgax's visit. He couldn't call himself Vilgax's son when he was nothing like him, he wasn't a strong, fierce and invincible leader, he was just a kid and that hadn't changed when he got the Omnitrix. Even now, all he did was hurt someone he cared about and almost lose them for good.

"I'm sorry, Dad! I'm sorry!"

"There, there..."

He felt Vilgax taking him into his arms, brushing his hair as he comforted the crying boy. He knew things were becoming difficult for Ben, and he was hoping his departure would fix it. But fate was a cruel thing, it wouldn't bring them solace this easily. This was the first time a problem at bigger scale than his and Max Tennyson's feud affected his son, he should've known there was more to bearing the Omnitrix than power.

Max...

Though Ben was still too young to understand how, Vilgax knew Ben would be unable to rid himself of the old man this soon. The old man had hurt them both, but even then...

...it was still hard losing someone you thought had your back all this time, even if you didn't get along anymore.

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

"Are you sure you don't need help, young master?" asked Kraab, looking at the tired boy. "You look exhausted, it'd be easier if one of us carried you home."

"I'll be fine." yawned Ben. Sixsix gurgled something, but Ben didn't need a translation to know what he was saying. "Yes, I'm sure!"

Day was about to rise, he had to get back to his room. Carl and Sandra hadn't shown awareness of what Max was doing, and during the talents show, they thought Wildmutt was part of his and Gwen's gig. He supposed they were pretending not to know again, but he had neither the energy, nor the time to think about it. He might as well never get the truth from them, turns out things wouldn't have been so different if he didn't meet Vilgax this summer.

He walked with his bodyguards on the streets, kicking away rocks he found on his path. If this was how things would be, then he'd have to adjust. Vilgax agreed to come visit Ben on weekends if he had the time, so they wouldn't lose contact like before. This wasn't what they were aiming for, but they didn't have much of a choice.

At least if he was gone for a long amount of time, Ben still had plenty to remember him by. The Forever Ninja walked next to them, carrying a capsule filled with water. The little squid monster seemed to gaze at its owner in concern, feeling Ben's distress.

He could explain this was the reward for second prize the headmaster gave them, as well as a 'thank you' for ridding him of the alien situation. It felt weird being thanked for something neither he nor his bodyguards were prepared for this time around, but at least it meant their efforts were worth it. That excuse would be enough for his... parents.

It'd be hard, but he'd have to settle down knowing that while they raised him, spent a lot of time with him and lived under the same roof as him, they covered up the fact he wasn't their biological son. He was too tired to care for now, but there would be a lot of tension the next few days, especially if they didn't spill the beans by next summer.

"Hey, Tennyson!"

Ben groaned, annoyed. He turned around to see Cash and J.T. walk by the street, a smug grin on their faces. He thought seeing Wildmutt at the magic show was enough to scare them, so what now?

"We asked your little cousin how you knew Wildmutt, and guess what? Turns out all you did was scare us with one of those fake Halloween costumes!"

'Wow, thanks a lot for the backup there, Gwen.'

"Yeah, can't count on your alien girlfriend dog this time!"

"Zip it, J.T.!"

Of course it wouldn't be that easy, would it?

He raised his hand towards the Omnitrix, then pondered on using his powers on them. They didn't need to know he could fight back, they'd just keep going. And it was stupid to reveal his secret to them this easily, he didn't need to transform, just to scare them.

"I don't feel like playing with you two tonight." said Ben, keeping a straight face as he beckoned from behind him.

The two bullies raised a brow until, from the darkness, three silhouettes appeared. It looked like three robot men from a sci-fi movie, did Tennyson just leave a geek comic convention?

"For once, I'll let you three have fun. Go wild on them, I feel more like watching tonight."

"With pleasure, young master." said Kraab, accompanied by Sixsix's eager grunt.

Ben sat on the grass in one of the houses' garden, listening to the ruckus they made. The two Bounty Hunters weren't even using their weapons while teaching the brats a lesson in harassing their liege while they had to watch from the beginning of school year. They couldn't help Ben with Plumbers around, but they sure as hell didn't stay indifferent to their treatment of Ben.

Human children could be so cruel towards one another when they didn't know each other's struggles. They didn't know Ben was unable to rekindle with his family, but they definitely knew they were causing Ben harm. So it was only fair that if Ben didn't know what made these kids such brats, he could definitely teach them to stay away from him for their own sake.

The Forever Ninja was also there, keeping the children in place as Ben observed the beating. They wouldn't die, just be roughed up enough to go back home crying, maybe a doctor visit or two. Not like it was any of Ben's business.

He picked the aquarium the robot had left for him, opening it and letting the squid monster exit its cage. The animal made a cry of glee as he reached out to it, picking it up and letting it climb on his shoulder. He petted the creature with a smile, glad he knew some people still had his back.

"Welcome to your new home, little buddy. It's not the best place ever and it's different from what you'd normally expect but... things just work that way, sometimes."

The little monster raised a tentacle to Ben's cheek, giving its owner affection it felt he needed. Its other owner wouldn't be back in a while, it knew it had to keep him company in the meantime. However, the squid creature's expression changed. It turned to an alley while still perched on Ben's shoulder, angrily screeching as it sensed danger.

Ben was quick to realize what was going on as he put the little pet on the fresh grass. "Stay right there, lil' buddy. I'll be right back."

He stood back up and looked at the alley far in front of him. Someone was staring at the show Kraab and Sixsix put, visibly unaware of Ben's presence. He decided he needed to clear things up if his guards were seen, even if it required brutal force.

"Man, aliens here too? Give me a break." said the silhouette.

"No way..."

The boy in the shadows turned to see who had spoken. He stared aghast, before walking towards Ben. Brown eyes, tired from hours of travel and running away, met with green eyes, themselves tired of hiding and fighting.

"I can't believe it... Tennyson?"

"Kevin?"

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