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.

The flash of light died out to reveal what looked like an older human, an averagely tall man with light brown neat hair, with Ben's green eyes, wearing a black bodysuit along with a coat. Along with that attire were black gauntlets with purple highlights, which looked somewhat familiar to Vilgax. He'd seen this kind of outfit in a history book during his youth, didn't he? But it was a long time ago, what was this new form?

"This guy, is named Eon. He's a Chronian from a planet that disappeared from time and space." said Ben in his new form, still looking down. "He wanted to take over the Earth, but was too weak so, he tried to use me to do it instead."

"And you defended yourself, right? That species has been weakened by its overuse of time powers, they couldn't have been much of a threat with your range of powers."

"I did but... he almost succeeded, I was really scared. For a moment, he was in control of my mind, I wouldn't be here with you if it wasn't for Gwen saving me." he said, sighing heavily. He wasn't as old as the Chronian who gave him this DNA sample, but it felt like it. "I attacked the Plumbers, I almost killed people. Kraab and Sixsix got restrained by that guy's goons and... Grandpa Max almost died."

Vilgax's expression switched to a shocked one. Though everyone could tell he hated Max, his face didn't exactly look pleased learning his archenemy was almost taken care of that night. Ben supposed Vilgax wanted to end Max himself, and while he wasn't enchanted by the idea, he had other stuff in mind.

"Bad people will keep coming if I keep the watch, and I can't let someone else have it. I got rid of Eon and saved the town before anyone noticed my absence, but it was so painful, so scary... This isn't like Ghostfreak, he planned to keep me transformed forever and never let me be me again. I was so scared I wouldn't see you again I..."

Tears started to stream down his cheeks as he closed his eyes, he couldn't believe what he was about to ask.

"I can't go with you. I'm sorry but, if people like Eon put you in danger, put Grandpa in danger, I'd never forgive myself, ever."

"Ben, listen. We're strong enough to take it, you and I." said Vilgax approaching him.

"No you don't get it, there'll always be more! Not even Clockwork was enough to stop him, he just came back when that portal he had was still working. And if it's not Eon, it'll be someone else, I can't let something bad happen to you or anyone on Vilgaxia if I follow you, I'll just cause trouble by baiting the problems directly here!"

"It's one problem, Ben. We'll find a solution, you know we're not easy to bring down. Come on, let's-"

"No! Please stop for a second!" said Ben raising his hands in frustration. "You've seen how many people are determined to get rid of me. As soon as word gets out that I'll leave the Earth, everyone is gonna try to follow and people will think I was the reason we risked the end of the world all the time! So please, let's just-"

He hadn't realized what he'd done until he looked at his father. Vilgax's expression was frozen, it looked like he stopped walking while Ben was ranting. His eyes widened, and he sent a purple beam to Vilgax, letting the squid man move again.

Neither of them spoke following this, only staring at each other in silence. Ben's head was full of conflicting thoughts, all he wanted was to go home and forget any of this just happened. And while he knew he could now go back in time, he knew it'd never fix the problems his family, both of them, went through.

Max was still willing to risk his life to save him, and as much as Ben was mad at him for not saying the truth, he also knew his grandpa did care as much as Vilgax had. So he couldn't just go against what Max taught him and bring ruin to innocent people he didn't know, regardless of how insistent and kind Vilgax had been this entire 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

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