Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“It’s quiet. But is it too quiet?” Ben leaned back in a cheap plastic chair, handing his smoothie off to his right hand just as his left got too cold against the cup. As he had mused, it was a peaceful night. Ben hadn’t heard any sirens in the last two hours, and he knew that both his house and this Mr. Smoothies location were in earshot of a fire station. The only real source of noise was a buzzing incandescent streetlamp and a distant thrumming highway.

“Don’t say that,” Kai reprimanded. “You’ll summon Vilgax or something.”

He was on a date with his girlfriend, and it was a big one - he thought so, anyway - the six month anniversary. Jury Rigg had even converted his Timecycle back to the Tennspeed just for this, just to give her a romantic ride through the city. It wasn’t a loss in his eyes, he didn’t need to time travel now that the future seemed set. But it didn’t matter, because of course she had declined the ride and driven herself here, in this filthy decades-old Jeep Wrangler she had. Because of this they had too much time to kill before the next part of the date, and ended up, where else, but the very quotidian and unromantic smoothie chain. Not that Ben would ever complain about going there, though Kai was probably sick of it by now. If Ben didn’t know any better, he would think the night was going poorly. She wasn’t looking him in the eyes very much. The movie was his hope to win her over. It was some slow, important adult drama about money and power and corruption or whatever, something Ben would never see on his own, but Kai had shown considerable interest. So, he’d go for her, no problem. He even bought tickets for one of those nice dine-in theaters. He had never been in a relationship this long, and had by now made a habit out of putting in effort, even if it didn’t always pay off. Worst case scenario, maybe there’d be at least one scene in this film that didn’t bore him to tears.

“That’s the thing, though - if a night’s this quiet, something’s already on its way, whether I say so or not. I can feel it, in my gut.”

“Your gut’s about as smart as your brain,” she retorted dryly.

“Rude!” he protested, though he wasn’t genuinely bothered. He had thick skin by now, and took pride in that. If anything, he was more attracted to people who could make good jabs at him than ones who just showered him with praise. It meant to Ben that they’d gotten to know him.

“Well, I suppose that if you expect the worst all the time, you’re bound to be proven right eventually.”

“Exactly!”

“I’m not saying you’re right,” she corrected. “I’m saying you have confirmation bias.”

“Uh-huh.” Ben bit his lip, pretending to know what that meant and hoping it wasn’t another implication from her that he was just another ignorant white guy. Not that she was always wrong about that, though. I’ll look it up later, he thought. He didn’t want to be on his phone for such an important date, a courtesy she wasn’t really returning. Regardless, Kai knew he’d missed her point, and she rolled her eyes. Ben didn’t mind sitting in silence until it came time to head to the theatre. Things were awkward anyways. But Kai kept insisting on bringing up topics, and Ben had to amiably follow her lead.

“Did you hear about Belarus?”

“Bel-a-rus,” Ben gingerly repeated back the pronunciation. “Who is that?”

Kai gawped. “Ben, Belarus. The country? In eastern Europe? One of only three European countries not in the Council of Europe?”

Ben shrugged.

“Ben, these are things you should know.”

“Alright.” Ben pulled his straw out of his smoothie to suck a chunk of fruit that was blocking the bottom. “What about it?”

“The whole country’s on lockdown. Nobody’s saying why. There are rumors that they lost their nuclear warheads.”

“How do you lo-” Ben scoffed. “I guess everyone and their moms have nukes nowadays.” Even countries I’ve never heard of.

“The Russians gave them some after the Incurseans invaded,” she explained. “I guess they’re embarrassed about losing them so soon after, which is why they’re not saying anything.”

“Maybe some scientist schmuck tripped while carrying them down the stairs and they fell into a trash chute,” Ben joked without a crack of a smile.

“Ben, this could be serious.”

“Eh.”

“Ben!”

“What?” Ben snapped forward. “When you’ve dealt with weapons as crazy as the Annihilargh, you’re not exactly worried about nukes.”

Kai stared at him like he was the Annihilargh. Or, at least, crazy.

“The plumbers wouldn’t let any nukes go off, they could easily stop it. Especially now that the base is in the air.” He continued to justify it. “The defense grid can take out any missile the moment it leaves the ground.” He might have been exaggerating a bit, but he was coming from somewhere truthful, which Kai recognized.

“I suppose you’re right,” she admitted.

“HA! You saying I’m right! I’m gonna treasure this moment.”

That annoyed her enough to change the subject. “Uh, what smoothie are you drinking?”

Ben wasn’t helping. “Oh, no you don’t, little missy. Don’t think getting me to talk about this amazing limited edition Matcha Mango smoothie that I am DEFINITELY getting refills for is gonna make me forget you AGREEING WITH ME!” He said triumphantly.

Kai sneered. “What was that? You sounded like a deranged commercial, are you sponsored or something?”

“No - I WISH!” He yelled, tilting his head in the direction of the teenage cashier who was leering at them from the service window.

“Ben, one random underpaid employee isn’t gonna get you a sponsorship,” she said, curtly and quietly.

“Yeah, I know that,” he sighed, leaning forward. “But dontcha think my love for this place has made it to corporate by now?”

“Oh, I’m sure it has! Along with all the times you’ve gotten it blown up by a villain!”

“Hey! I cause as much damage to any other part of the city as Mr. Smoothies!”

“EXACTLY!” Kai blurted out, suddenly seemingly genuinely angry. “And you’re reckless, and irresponsible, and -” She stopped. Her face was bright red.

“Whoa,” he said, after an uncomfortable final sip from his drink. “Chill out, it was just a joke.”

Kai slumped. “Forget it, I can’t keep it up. Ben, I can’t do this anymore.”

Ben crunched his cup. It wasn’t cold anymore. “What, the…this kind of date? Are you that sick of Mr.-”

“No. God, you’re dense. I. We should see other people.”

“What?” he said again, starting.

“I’m breaking up with you.”

“But we - but you -” He stumbled through his words, laughing nervously. “Aren't we, like, destiny or something? Won’t we just-” Normally Kai would have butt into his ramblings, but her lost expression alone was enough to silence him.

“I’m not what you want,” she stated, a thin trail of sympathy between her lips.

“What?” he said, again.

“And you’re not what I want, either.”

“What does that even mean, Kai?”

“You know what it means! You’re you, and I - we’re just not - I mean honestly, I could see me being happier with your partner!”

This perplexed him further. “R-Rook? What’s he got to do with this?”

“I’m not saying that to make you jealous, just to show - I dunno, I think you’d be happier too.”

I’d be happier? Is she saying I’d be happy for her, or, - or if I was with - instead - dammit, Kai! “Dammit, Kai,” he blurted. “Will you just tell me what you mean?”

She was nearly pulling her hair out by now. “I already have!” she shouted back. “I’m breaking up with you!”

That isn’t enough! Ben thought. Why won’t she tell me why?

“If you can’t deal with it, that’s not my problem!” She leapt to her feet, and made her way to that filthy Jeep.

“What do you mean it’s not your problem? This is happening because of you!”

“Oh, classic! Always blaming someone else! Have you even considered why this isn’t working?”

“Yes!” Ben pleaded. “That’s what I’m trying to figure out!”

Kai gave up. “If you don’t already know, I won’t be able to explain it to you!”

“What? But - I - but -” Ben blubbered angrily as Kai got into her car.

“Don’t worry about the movie, I already saw it.”

“KAI! ‘Don’t worry?’ Don’t you dare - KAI!” He shouted after her as she took off. He stomped angrily. “THESE TICKETS WERE EXPENSIVE, KAI!”

After everything, all the signs it was meant to be, all that effort, all that self improvement, all that… putting up with her! She’s just going to drop that nonsense on me then leave? He thought it would mean something. He thought they would mean something. He really did, up until the last minute, when she knew the whole time she was going to end it. He might even have pushed her hand by getting her upset. For all he knew, she would’ve kept up the facade for even longer. And for what? He breathed deeply. The rumble of her Jeep faded into the rest of the whispered cacophony of the city. It really was too quiet.

“Uh, sir -” the frazzled employee called from the window, “do you still want that refill?”

“No!” Ben yelled back. “Read the room!” He crashed into the Tennspeed’s seat. So what, do I go after her? No, screw her. I’m not letting her ruin my night. She'll probably come back around anyways. Maybe a little crime fighting will turn this around.

He was off to the Plumber base.

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Ben found the Plumber base uncharacteristically empty. Sure, things tended to slow down at night, but there was always something going on, and they couldn’t just clear out when Eastern Standard Time dictated it. He’d been walking around here once at 3:00 AM and there was three times as much activity then as there was tonight, at only 9:15. One guy in the docking bay worked quietly on something with his back turned. After that, it took Ben a while to see anyone. Nobody walking the halls. Blukik and Driba’s workshop was devoid of their bickering. Ben was almost worried, until he entered the command center, and found everyone.

Oh, good, they’re just in a meeting, he thought. If he hadn’t found them here, he would’ve turned around and bothered the one guy in the docking bay.

“There you all are!” He shouted. “Man, you won’t believe the night I’ve had.”

“This isn’t the time,” Max said sternly, his voice carrying easily past the people standing between him and his grandson.

“When is it ever ‘the time,’” Ben groaned, slinging his jacket over an empty chair. “So, anyways, I was on what I thought was going to be a normal date with Kai - we planned it a week earlier, but last minute she tells me she’s going to drive her-”

“BEN! Be silent!” The shout came from Rook, his voice uncharacteristically cutting like a knife through the room. Ben was stunned, then hit with the potential gravity of the situation when he assessed the Revonnahgander’s face. Even as he closed his mouth, his lips were locked in a half-snarl, his hairs were bristling, and his eyes were filmy. He was the only one giving Ben any attention, the rest of the Plumbers totally fixated on the monitors, fear in their eyes glistening with the cold green light cast upon them.

Okay, Ben figured out, something really serious is going on.

He sidled wordlessly up to Rook, who by now did feel bad for snapping, yet not enough to say something. He was too on edge.

Ben lowered his voice considerably to ask, “what’s up?”

Rook worriedly looked over his shoulder at one of the monitors, then back at Ben. “Someone has attacked the Plumber’s Academy."

Ben’s eyes widened. “What? What are we waiting for?” He grabbed Rook’s forearm. He could feel that it was tense, even through the sleeve of the proto-tech armor. “You should’ve called me. Let’s go help them!”

“It is too late for that. The enemy is already gone. We do not even know who did it.” Rook swallowed hard. “We - at the moment, we are picking up the - to say, we are focusing on assessment, and sending aid. Plumbers are dead.”

Ben looked at the others. They were speaking in a low tone on the comm lines, handing things off to one another without looking each other in the eyes, bowing their heads if they stepped away. Nobody could dispatch anyone or conclude anything. They were grasping for an action to take, if there was any. It was eerie. Ben squeezed Rook’s arm. “Rook, your sister - is she -?”

The corner of Rook’s mouth twitched. “I do not know.”

Rook Shar had almost graduated. She had already decided to go back to her homeworld for her first posting, to protect and be with her people. Ben remembered her eyes lighting up when she explained how she hoped her presence would lead the planet to a more progressive future. For that future to be snuffed out, in an instant, right at the starting line - Rook was clearly thinking the same thing. Ben’d never seen him like this before. He was completely spacing out, staring with blank horror at the floor. Ben knew Rook wouldn’t like to be frozen like this, so he tried to snap him out of it by asking, “how did this happen?” and, “what happened?”

But, “Ben, it is bad,” was all Rook managed to reply with.

After stroking his shoulder sympathetically, Ben decided to leave Rook to his processing. He navigated to his grandfather to get answers. “What’s the situation?” Ben asked.

Max sighed. He looked tired. He had been that way often, recently, at least within the last year. Ben knew for a fact that his regular shift should have ended by this time, so he did feel bad he had to be here dealing with this crisis instead of back home cooking up whatever “unique” concoction he was craving. “It was a surprise attack, multiple assailants, all heavily armed. We don’t know who it was yet, but at least one traitor who let them in is -” he rubbed the bridge of his nose and breathed shakily. “-suspected.”

“Anything else?” Ben posited after a moment.

“Not much,” his grandfather admitted. “This just happened. We’re trying to get more details.”

“Well, whatever you need me to do-” he trailed off at the end of his proposition.

“When time comes for a fight, you’ll be the first to know,” Magister Patelliday was the one to speak up this time. Max cleared his throat.

But Ben wasn’t sure he liked that. When time comes for a fight. Implying that, at this moment, there was nothing he could do. It put a pit in his stomach. He was in the same boat as everyone else, totally helpless with more questions than answers. There wasn’t even anything to talk about. I knew it. It was too quiet! If Kai were here, she’d give him a hearty “I told you so,” even though it didn’t really prove either of them right or wrong. It was just that something bad had happened. And the silence continued.

There had better be a fight, Ben thought indignantly. If not, things might get worse!

Chapter Text

Ben slept at the Plumber's base that night. He'd done it before, when the situation called for it, though he hadn't in a while. Not since it went to space, actually. That made it seem too far away, and too inconvenient. Doing so had a strange effect on him. He always got incredible sleep whenever he was onboard. The rooms were darker than his own back home, and he couldn't be bothered by cars driving by or neighbors' dogs barking. There was a gentle mechanical humming reaching out from the ceiling that made for perfect white noise. It was always perfectly cold. And, the thought of being in a heavily armed fortress surrounded by alert and capable colleagues put his normally restless mind at ease. And yet, he loathed the morning after. Waking in a white, barren room, on a cot in a hole in the wall, without family photos or his favorite cereal or the sounds of morning talk shows on the TV beyond the door to greet him … when he woke up at home, he got to start the day with what was left of his normalcy. When he woke up on the base, it was right back to work.

The Plumber's academy was shut down, and the nearest Plumber stations were ordered to house a small group of surviving cadets and staff each, both for their safety and so that their education wouldn't be impeded by the tragedy. Ben thought they should've been sent home, at least to give themselves and their families peace of mind. But, he supposed, after an event like this, the Plumbers felt it necessary to prepare recruits as soon as possible. It was urgent. They could be at war. In any case, they'd be safer in a Plumber base than they would be at home, depending on their circumstances. Well, they should have been safe at the academy.

Earth's base received one of these orders. Despite the urge to investigate or avenge, the Plumbers of Earth had to prioritize preparing for the arrivals for the rest of the day. Space was limited, so Ben was not going to be able to sleep there a second night. The moment he had finished scarfing down some mediocre viand in what you could barely call a mess hall, he was sent back to the room he stayed in to clean it up. There wasn't much to clean, anyhow, since it was a spur-of-the-moment decision to stay in the first place, and he hadn't brought many personal belongings. His breath stank of that fact. The most arduous task was changing the sheets - Ben had joked once that the fitted sheets were more fortified than the holding cells in the basement. They were tucked so tightly into the frames, that he broke a nail trying to yank them out. Once that ordeal was dealt with, he did odd jobs around the base. He let any Plumber running down the halls grab him for whatever they needed. Normally he'd complain about being jerked around in so many different directions, but having mundane, easily accomplishable tasks like moving more rations out of the deep freezers or supervising the transfer of the incarcerated to a different facility invigorated the once lost and in shock Plumbers, and Ben didn't want to get in the way of that. Especially not when with Rook, who pulled Ben aside mid-floor-mopping to help him make less of a hazard out of Blukic and Driba's area. Ben was glad to finally spend some significant time with his partner, whom he'd only caught glimpses of that day, aside from standing quietly next to him as they were all briefed first thing in the morning. But this was not the breath of fresh air he was hoping for. There was a weight on Rook's stiff and sad shoulders, and languor followed him. Those two Galvans were kittle and normally pushed Rook into losing his cool, but this time he just sighed, and made no comments about their antics. He wouldn't even criticize them when an obvious issue was discovered. Blukic and Driba themselves, who were unbothered when Rook was openly frustrated with them, were visibly shaken by his demeanor. Ben tried making a few jokes, nothing tasteless, to break the tension. Rook did not acknowledge his attempts. He got Rook to look him in the eye once. Ben was used to Rook's candor. The quietness that had come over him made Ben uneasy. It wasn't just that he was quiet - his troubled expression belied that he was thinking something, something he would not say. Not to Ben, nor anyone. Ben knew it wasn't a something he'd like.

He was right about that.

When the task was done, as best as it could have been, Ben decided he'd be frank, if Rook wouldn't.

"Hey." He grabbed Rook's wrist as the Revonnahgander walked out the door, not looking up from the checklist he had. Ben's gesture finally got him to be in the moment.

"Yes?"

"Penny for your thoughts?" Ben asked.

"A penny has next to no value. I am surprised they are still in circulation." He wriggled his wrist out of Ben's grip. "And, I would like to think my thoughts are worth more."

Ben smirked. There's the Rook I know. "Well, you usually give them for free. And I usually don't ask. So, what's up?"

"Right." Rook's face was again ruthful. "The thing is… I still do not know about my sister."

"Oh." This time, Ben grabbed his hand, and gave it a sympathetic squeeze. "I'm really sorry, man."

"I keep checking with communications and being told there is no news. The only word is on the cadets coming to our base. None of them are my sister." Rook squeezed back. It didn't take long for that to start hurting. Still, Ben didn't complain. "I do not know if she is alive or dead, or if the ones who did this are still out there, I - I did not become a Magister for this! Not to still be left in the dark when things matter!"

Ben shifted uncomfortably. "I wish there - is there something I can do to help?"

Rook breathed, stifling something. He let go of Ben's hand. "I am afraid not. I am…going to the academy to get answers myself."

"What? Rook!"

"I cannot sit around picking up after children when my own family has been attacked. I must join the fray and get to the bottom of things."

"I - yeah, I get that."

"This was going to be my last task before I set out."

Ben's eyes widened. He's leaving now? And this is how he was going to tell me? Would he even have if I didn't ask? God, Rook, you're just as bad as-! Ben knew this was getting to Rook badly. But the thought of his partner rocketing into an unknown like this, and right now, filled his stomach with tumbling rocks. "Then, I'm coming with you!"

"No, Ben," Rook dismissed the idea, though he seemed disappointed by his own words. "If this unknown aggressor attacks earth, we need you here to protect it."

"But I, but you - what about you? You can't just charge off out there on your own!"

Rook sighed. He put his hand on Ben's shoulder. Instinctively, Ben relaxed and relinquished his balance, letting Rook stabilize him. He had kept Ben standing like this before, when he really needed it. "I am and always will be your partner. But I am a Magister now, also, and must take initiative. I make my own orders now."

What does that make me? Ben pleaded to Rook in his head.

"Ben, please, do not be upset," he continued. "You know why I am going."

Yeah, but - I don't want to lose you too, he wanted to protest, but only turned his big green eyes away from Rook. "You sure you don't want me - to go with you? Flying off into space with no backup is more my thing."

"That is not true. You have had backup for nearly everything."

Looks like I won't for much longer. "Yeah, well, I'm just saying don't do anything stupid."

Rook frowned. He wanted to say, it was not my plan to tell you like this, but he couldn't figure out if saying so was worth it before Ben firmly shook his hand, gave him a half hug, and walked away to see if there were any floors that still needed to be mopped.

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Ben didn't see Rook off. It would weigh on his conscience, and he knew he'd make a fool of himself fighting for Rook to stay. The half-hug in the hall was as good as any other farewell Ben had gotten, maybe better than some. He still wound up grumpy, naturally. A moment of free time ballooned into a couple of hours spent blowing off steam in one of the smaller workout rooms. He'd started trying to keep in shape, per his partner's - ex-partner's? - advice. He hadn't seen much in the way of results. Still stuck with the same skinny frame, and he could only run a half-mile before feeling like he was going to die. "Maybe it kicks in when I'm done growing" was the excuse he'd say out loud, but deep down he was fairly certain he was doing something wrong. He didn't have the attention span to learn a new formal exercise routine, so his only frame of reference was that he could run for longer when he used to play soccer. He tried to remember the exact warm-ups and work-outs he and the team did at practice, but some things were definitely missing, and it felt wrong to do it anywhere but on an open field and any way but with a group of people. In his attempts to replicate it Ben would end up feeling wistful. Most of those people he trained with and played with were gone off to college by now. And Ben was still here, still in Bellwood, a lonely idiot wheezing over a treadmill. But that's not an excuse to slack off! he scolded himself, fighting through the smarting in his ribs. He should've taken a break some time ago.

Grandpa Max was the one who put an end to this. "There you are, Ben!"

"Oh, yeah." Ben stopped the treadmill. "What's up," he panted.

"What're you doing? The cadets'll be here in just a few minutes." Admittedly, he already had some disappointment in his grandson bubbling up, after he didn't show to say goodbye to Rook. It looked to him like the same old insouciance he'd been trying to help him grow out of. It didn't help that Ben was staring at him uncaringly. "Ben, you're soaked in sweat. You're gonna make them think there's some kind of problem!"

"Well, there's no problem," Ben lied, reaching for a towel. "I'll clean up." "Cleaning up" amounted to him wiping his face.

"I'm surprised you've been here this whole time. Don't you think Kai could use some catching up?"

Right. "Um, no."

"Careful, Ben," Max said in a voice that Ben couldn't decipher as being cheeky or stern. "If you want a relationship to work out, you shouldn't ignore the lady so much."

He's got bigger things to worry about than my failure of a love life. "I'm - it's - she's fine." He chugged what was left of the water he'd brought with him. There wasn't much. "Don't worry about it, it's fine."

Max furrowed his brow. "Oh-kay," he conceded. "Let's go."

The ship was pulling into the docking bay the same moment Max and Ben arrived, with everyone else waiting for both. It wasn't one of the Plumber's bulky transport ships, just a standard cruiser, which made sense, as there were only six passengers on board. The earth base was actually small compared to some of the others, so its guests were divvied up proportionally. Still, even a standard Plumber cruiser was a sight to behold, coming and going - elegant, stable, still larger than anything a human would see on the highway, hovering and turning smoothly as it landed. Its half-moon-shaped wings seemed to cast a shadow in every direction. Of course, it wasn't anything special to Ben by now. The high-pitched whirring of the engine and hissing of the depressurization were as mundane to him as the beeping of a backing up semi-truck.

The first thing to come out of the ship was - a box. A large box, in fact, that was overfilled. There were lots of strange tools and gizmos and gadgets and whatnots peering over the top. Kevin could tell Ben what any one of them were, he thought. But as is, he was impressed with how well packed these foreign devices were, as it seemed they could fall out at any moment, but would not, even as the box was jostled and wobbling. It was being carried by something smaller than it. Ben saw two little three-toed feet underneath it.

"Is someone gonna help, or what?" came the voice of the box-holder.

It was Patelliday who came forward and took the burden, saving it from being dropped, and allowing Ben to see who was its bearer. He recognized the imp-like alien right away.

"Thanks! Glad someone stepped up," the Planchaküle complained. "None of those cadets would, little bastards." Ben was fairly certain this was a "she," from her bushy blonde bangs pouring over her frilled ears and raised spectacle goggles, and possibly the style of her overalls, whose pockets were also overflowing with tools, but beyond that he had no indication - same growly voice, pepper-shaped nose and frowzy grooming. Ben couldn't get a word in, before she inquired where she was going, and followed Patelliday to whatever that was.

"That's Burga," Max offered some answers. "She was one of the mechanics working at the academy. She'll be sharing the lab with Blukic and Driba."

"Poor thing," Ben sighed under his breath.

Max responded with a sympathetic chuckle.

The next to emerge were the cadets, all in those white, black and red suits. They were unblemished by experience. The first to skitter out was an interesting surprise - he didn't remember the name of the species, in fact, he wasn't sure he'd ever learned it. Insectoid, maybe? But it was Ball Weevil's species, whatever it was. It had slightly taller legs than Ben's transformation, and the tips of the antennae were a bit rounder and reddish, but otherwise he was a spitting image. The little guy seemed a bit in his own head; he didn't acknowledge anyone, and went right to looking around the room, circling the ship a few times, though not straying far. Ben tried to say hello, but that attempt went disregarded. The next two who came out were a bit more personable. One was clearly very excited to be there. It took a while to figure out what she was, as Ben parsed out and compared her aspects. She initially seemed similar to Chamalien, with a broad tail, long body, stocky legs built for jumping and climbing, and matte, grayish skin. But that wasn't quite right. Her skin was more blue than purple, and covered in spots. She had only two eyes, that were big and round and blue and sophisticated. The opening of her mouth was small, diamond-shaped, and didn't close quite all the way and was centered in her head. Most striking was her wispy white mane that framed her whole face, and was mirrored by the tip of her tail. Two dun L-shaped horns grew from her head. Ben knew what she was: something he'd never seen before.

"We're really here!" As she spoke, her mouth pulsated strangely, and as it opened more, Ben caught glimpses of large, pointed teeth swimming around inside. Ben wondered - if universal translators weren't in play, would her language sound anything at all like any other? "Ixbal, we're - is that Ben 10? No - it is, I can't believe it, he's really here!" Ben gave a cordial but casual wave. "Ixbal, look, it's him!"

The other alien she was talking to was much more familiar - a Polar Manzardill, who padded trepidatiously behind her more outgoing friend. This one was a darker blue than Arctiguana, and had a bashful face. She was slow to catch up with the more unfamiliar alien who rocketed down the ramp and right up to Ben.

"Humans shake hands, right? They're the ones who do that?" Before Ben could give her a yes or no, she had grabbed his right hand and was shaking it with both of hers. Her frog-like palms were warmer than he was expecting. "I am - this is just - wow!" She let go as quickly as she clamped on. "I - we're huge fans, I mean - I'm so thrilled!"

"You only learned about him, like, two months ago," Ixbal teased.

The new alien's face turned a darker color. It was obvious this was something the Manzardill had brought up before. "Yeah, but, like, what an amazing thing to learn about! And now I'm actually right in front of him? My life's gotten so crazy!" She gestured like she was going to shake his hand again, but stopped herself. "I'm Loevan, hi, this is Ixbal. I just - gosh, so you're the guy who can turn into any alien! It's really cool!"

Ben sniffed pridefully. "Thanks, it's no big deal!"

"Can you…turn into me?"

Ben hesitated. Her eyes had gotten even bigger. This inquiry looked like it meant a lot to her.

"Probably," Ben said. "What alien are you?"

Max put a hand on Ben's shoulder. "We're happy to have you two. Why don't I show you where you'll be staying?"

"Aw, gosh, I - can Mr. Ben come too?" Loevan asked.

"You've already made fools of us!" the final cadet cried from the ship, drawing everyone's attention to him. He was another puzzle, moreso when the sight of him made Grandpa Max swallow hard. He was something Ben recognized. Or did he? He knew this alien. He was sure he knew this alien. What was familiar may be different, or what was familiar was familiar. He wasn't sure which traits would help him figure it out, and which were unrelated to whatever he was thinking of. Tall. Green. Tendrils that made the head look like a crescent moon. A trio of harsh pink eyes, with a stare that could cut glass. Loevan yelped, and suddenly she and Ixbal had been pushed aside, away from Ben against their wills. It was a psychic force that did it, so Ben put the pieces together. They were pieces he had not held in a long time.

Xylene!

"I'm Corrif." Despite being so quick to get his fellow cadets out of the way, the Uxorite took his time to respectfully approach Ben and Max, giving them a salute when he came to a standstill. "I'd apologize for the behavior of my fellows, but I think I'm a bit above that."

Loevan scoffed.

"There's no need," Max assured everyone. "We're just glad you all are safe, and here, and we'll do our best to take care of you."

"Appreciated, Magister Tennyson." The Uxorite bowed.

"Yea, thanks a bunch!" Loevan cheered, earning her a dirty look from her disagreeable schoolmate.

The Insectoid had finally come around to join the group, but Ben was more fixated on the Uxorite. Something else put him apart from the others, aside from his lack of regard for them. It was the uniform he wore, unlike the cadets, black and blue and a bit too soon.

Corrif caught Ben staring. "Ben Tennyson, I do have to say it is an honor. I am also, uh, a fan of your work. Some day it'll be my work too, yeah?"

"That's - proto-armor!" Ben blurted in amazement.

"Like it?" Corrif beamed. "It was the last set made, just for me, before the Rooters got shut down!"

Ben shifted uncomfortably.

On the same note, Ixbal piped up. "Corrif, um, you know, we're not to talk about the Rooters."

"Buzz off, you smaller ones!" He said as he violently swung around, startling the meek Manzardill. "I'm trying to talk to Ben Tennyson!"

"Oh, get over yourself, Corrif!" Loevan retaliated, putting her hands on her hips. "Ignore him, Mr. Ben. He thinks he's better than everyone else just because he's a Magister's special little pet."

"That is a fallacy of causation," Corrif smugly corrected her. "I am Magister Kherrapin's protégé because I was already better than everyone else."

"Hey, come on now," Ben said, trying his best to mediate. "No one here is better than anyone! We're Plumbers, and we're all in this together!"

"Ben Tennyson, I know you don't mean that." Corrif scoffed smugly. "I know earth is one of the more 'politically correct' planets, but you don't have to be so humble around me!"

This threw Ben off and made him worry what he said was being disingenuous. He had no response either way. He looked at grandpa, trying to say help me with his face, hoping he'd step in and say something wise that could quell this cadet. But someone else stepped in, from off the ship, putting a hand on Corrif's shoulder - the final new face. "Come now, Corrif. You haven't earned the right to be this chummy with Ben Tennyson. Not yet."

"Yes sir," said Corrif, the once confident and braggadocious cadet instantly shrinking in his teacher's presence. It did accomplish what Ben was hoping for, but the words themselves didn't sit well with him. What does he mean, 'earned the right?' Anyone can be my friend, if I like them. What does he know?

Ben recognized the alien right away, despite him having a harsher expression than he was used to, and gnarly facial scars. He had that distinctive big, underbiting beak, stocky forearms and intense, feathery eyebrows. "You're an Astrodactyl!"

"A what?" The Plumber replied, squinting one eye. The other was completely white, sitting in a bed of scars, and apparently unresponsive.

Ben's face went red. "It's the name I made up. For the transformation I've got, of your species. In the Omnitrix."

Loevan giggled.

"I see," the Plumber responded, clearly unimpressed, which just made Ben blush more.

"Ben, this is Magister Kherrapin," Max explained, trying his best to be professional in the wake of his grandson's embarrassment. "We thought it would be best for him to be stationed here temporarily, both so he could remain with his star pupil, and fill in for Rook."

"Right," Ben said, disheartened further, "of course." I think if I have to team up with this guy, I'd rather Vilgax show up and kill me.

"Though," Patelliday had come back, cutting in dismissively, "Max 'n' I were doing just fine the two of us, before Rook was promoted."

"Oh, no doubt!" Kherrapin assured him, though Ben detected a tinge of sarcasm in his husky voice. "I'm sure you two run a very tight ship. But one can't be too careful with that new enemy lurking about."

Ben felt a sharp jab on his calf. He looked down. It was the Insectoid, prodding for his attention.

"I is Smick," he introduced himself.

"Nice to meet you," Ben said. It was not entirely truthful. Not, at least, for the lot of them.

Rook, he thought hopelessly, It's a shitshow here. What am I gonna do without you?

Chapter Text

Rook had been told once that “hate” is a strong word.

It did not make sense to him. Not for a while.

His family was blunt and opinionated. Many families were, but his especially. His mother always had a piece of her mind to give about town gossip or any of her daughter’s personal choices, and he couldn’t think of a single day in his life when he didn’t hear his father complain about something that had ticked him off at work. This propensity for caviling passed like blood to all their children, who constantly bickered and judged and pointed out each other’s faults. Rook loved them so.

He was actually considered the shy, most meekly mannered of his family. He had been teased by his siblings, and peers alike, for being so soft and polite. None would have guessed that he, above anyone else, would be the one, even the first, to leap into an industry of action. He was meek only compared to everyone else. He carried a bit of his family’s edge with him, wherever he went.

So, he was taken aback when, while visiting Gwen at college and ducking into loggia when the sky opened up, and he had barked out that he “hated the rain,” Ben, dripping wet beside him, whipped around and challenged him.

“Hate’s a strong word, Rook!”

This had confused him. Surely Ben did not love the rain, he had shrieked and bolted as it started up, just the same as him. But he seemed pretty genuine about it, despite that ever-present mischievous glint in his eyes.

Maybe that word has a different meaning in this language.

He prided himself on actually teaching himself English, instead of relying on the Universal translator field produced by his Plumber’s badge. It just seemed practical to him, in case he was out in the field and lost the badge, but still had to work with Ben or any of the other Plumbers on earth. He picked it up within a year, but still had much to learn about expressions and contexts, and anytime he noticed he was lacking in the understanding of something, it bothered him until the moment he could look it up and figure it out. That’s how he learned so quickly, I suppose. So, that day, the moment they got back to Kevin and Gwen’s rented house and dried off, Rook began digging.

Hate is a strong word.

Earth has a significantly larger population than Revonnah. The United States alone had more people living there than his entire planet. With vast numbers of people living there for a long time comes diversity, then conflict, then hate. On earth, hate had led to riots, terrorism, wars, genocide. It was ugly research. Over the next several days, Rook fell into a rabbit hole of learning about all the worst mass murders that had happened here. He watched documentaries, read testimonies, looked at pictures of all the dead bodies laid out on the floor, and into the eyes of the men who had put them there. It gripped him like a plague, and gave him such an encompassing, gloomy disposition, that Ben had to intervene. “You’re gonna watch something fun, for once,” he insisted, dragging him by the arm all the way back to his parents’ house at the end of the work shift. Ben showed him some awful cartoon from way back when that was a ripoff of his earliest alien transformations, the “Super Alien Buddies” or something like that. They talked over it and made fun of it and Rook had a blast. Rook could not understand a word that the facsimile Four Arms character was saying, and when Ben replicated the accent, Rook laughed so hard and long he ended up coughing on the floor with tears in his eyes. It had, as he had once heard Ben say, “restored his faith in humanity.”

But Rook had learned his lesson, even though the result was him taking Ben’s original remark too seriously. Hate was a strong word in that it was strong, in that it had power and influence and could corrupt ordinary men into committing unspeakable acts. Rook would never again take such a word or such a feeling lightly.

So, that being said, Rook really very strongly disliked space.

That too was perhaps a bit harsh. He did think space was beautiful, and whether he directly admitted to it, he was grateful that passage through it allowed him to visit so many amazing places. Perhaps it was more accurate and helpful to say specifically he hated the passage part, that is, space travel. Moreso, he hated doing it alone.

When he first left for Plumber Academy, he had done so in a crowded shuttle full of chattering strangers of species he had never seen before, so he could people-watch to take his mind off of what was a radical upheaval in his life. While at the academy, he did show an aptitude for piloting spacecraft, but he did so while shadowing or being shadowed by a superior officer, and with at least three other cadets in the ship. From there, he went to Revonnah, where he had no need to fly out in space, only to look up at the vast starry expanse with new context in his mind. And then, after that, Ben was always sitting next to him.

Not anymore.

Ben could always fill dead space, with his chatter, or by putting music on, which Rook thought he actually had pretty good taste in. Probably the thing he had the best taste in, too, from what Rook saw of his food and entertainment preferences. But without Ben, there was silence. Noise doesn’t carry in space, after all, so all he had to listen to was the humming, beeping and clicking operations of the space ship. There wasn’t even the sound of wind against the windows, just substanceless black void all around him. It was isolating, if a little self-imposed. He didn’t feel like putting music on himself. So in all that emptiness, there was plenty of room for his anxieties to creep in. Stars that were once sources of wonder and inspiration, now served to remind him of how insignificant and far away from everything else he was. Chair and console and his own hands notwithstanding, his dreadful mission became the most tangible thing here. And it wasn’t just to investigate what happened to his sister anymore.

He had to tell his family.

About 5 hours into his trip he had finally gotten word that his sister was alive, but the relief was shallow in the wake of other information and lack thereof. She had not been taken to one of the Galvan, Cerebrocrustacean or Nemuinan hospitals, just a community one on the nearest planet, which meant either her injuries were not severe, or the Plumbers did not care about her. He shook the thought. Was she awake? Was she in a coma? Were her injuries severe? The one relaying the information could not say; he was a Plumber, not hospital staff. The gentleman remarked how Rook was one of the only ones prying into what happened to a loved one, namely because most others hadn’t even been told it happened at all. It wasn’t news anywhere, the Plumbers were making sure of it, only rumors that something had happened, but these rumors could not reach those without the means to receive them. Revonnah was predominantly a level 1 technology planet, with a handful of level 2 and 3 exceptions, like what Rook Ben was starting to explore. His household was the only one in his entire village with extranet access, and he and Rook Ben were the only ones who used it. Before going off world he tried to convince his friends and family to use it more often, but as far as he knew they did only twice - once, when Rayona wanted to visit, and again, when his father ordered the shuttle that would take Shar to Plumber Academy.

What would he tell his family?

That Shar wanted to become a Plumber because of him? That his father sent his sister to her doom? That, god forbid, Master Kundo was right? Rook gripped a control stick as his planet’s indigo shadow was cast upon his ship. No, I cannot lose my conviction. Not now. Not like this.

Revonnah was so behind things, he didn’t even need clearance to land. Just an unceremonious touchdown on any unoccupied plateau would suffice. The region was far from harvest time, and it was night. The farms were lifeless, and weeds that none bothered to handle at this time were encroaching unchallenged. Still, his landing, as it usually did, attracted a few villagers to flock to the spot and see who had arrived, or even marvel at the ship itself. Rook scanned their faces as they came up over the cliff. His family was not among them.

None, but Sheriff Wat-Senn. The old man was out in one of the fields, and started running the moment Rook’s ship was visible in the atmosphere. A dark sallow blush coated his saturnine expression. While others in the crowd looked at him with recognition and curiosity, Wat-Senn did with pity.

He knew.

“Son, what are you doing here?” He stumbled slightly to avoid a contraction, he only did when he was trying his best to be respectful.

“Where is my family?” Rook asked, as the other Plumber put his hand on Rook’s shoulder and began to escort him out of the small entourage, which was uncharacteristically losing interest. “Something terrible-” He knew. “I have to tell them. I had to, in person.”

“They’re not here, Blonko,” the Sheriff slipped up in a quiet voice. “I told them already.”

Rook let an involuntary “no” slip out under his breath.

Wat-Senn raised his voice slightly as he assessed that none nearby were following or listening. “I sent them on a shuttle to her hospital. I assumed you would be going straight there yourself. I’m sorry.”

Rook clenched his jaw. More time to wallow. More time to dread. More time alone. “Are they alright?” Rook asked.

“Not sure,” he admitted. “They wanted to go right away, I hardly had th’ time to talk t’ them about much else.” Wat-Senn laughed out loud. “Years of your father draggin’ his feet about goin’ off world, and now he’s off like a rocket! Shouldn’t have been like that, though.”

“He may never want to leave the planet again,” Rook admitted sadly. “He will never let any of his children leave, either.”

“Now, Blonko, don’t say that,” Wat-Senn patted his back sympathetically. “They all knew the risks, and had come to peace with that, a long time ago. While you were away.”

“Did they?” Rook challenged. Despite Wat-Senn’s affirmative nod, Rook still had his doubts. Before he shot off into the stars, the only frame of reference they had for what being a Plumber or a hero was were Rook Ben’s silly TV shows and vague legends about saving the world. Rook knew the risks. He had researched extensively beforehand. But his family was being painted as naïve in his head.

Wat-Senn caught on that he was not a comforting presence. He had never really been the emotional or reflective type, and was often too in the moment for his own good. “How about you go see your girlfriend?” He suggested. “Rayona agreed to watch your family’s home while they were away.”

Rook’s dim light of a spirit shone just a flicker brighter. “Yes. I will do that.”

The Sheriff clasped Rook’s hand. “Let me know if you need anything, Magister.”

Rook nodded. He had yet to smile today.

.

.

.

Rook’s mother went to bed early, so his instinct when approaching his home at hours like these was to do so quietly. The gravelly roads were not his ally in this endeavour, but he had long since managed to navigate them. As such, Rayona did not notice him approach. But he saw her, through the dining room window. She was awake, and the sole occupant of the long table. She was scribbling something. She liked to doodle shapes, symbols, lines, patterns and flowers. She had fallen in love with the earth art of quilting, and was going to try and teach herself. Perhaps she was working on a plan now. The soft gas lamp illuminating her station was the only light on in the whole house. Its amber glow turned her blue face lilac and her lilac hair red. She always took such good care of her fur, and it showed in how it practically sparkled in the firelight. Rook finally felt his own warmth looking at her. His fingers rubbed each other in a hunger for comfort.

She heard him come in, and stared up with fright. Her expression, however, did not change once she recognized him.

“Blonko? What are you doing here? Why are you here? Why are you not with your sister?”

Rook sighed and sat down next to her. “I thought my family was still here, and I would have to tell them what had happened. I guess…you know as well? But I am tired now, and need a rest before I pursue this further. I know I can always find rest in you.”

Rayona did not meet his eyes. “I am… sorry about your sister.”

“I am going to find the ones who did this. After I see my family, after I make sure she is alright, I will set out to join the hunt. But in the meantime-” Rook stopped himself. Rayona was crying. “Rayona?”

She sobbed in shame for a while before giving a reply. “I am sorry, Blonko, I - I did not think you would come here, I, I needed more time to think about what, what I would say to you.”

Rook placed a hand on her back, but she shrunk away from it. “Rayona, I do not need you to say anything. There is not a thought about this anyone could give that has not passed my mind already. Of course you can talk to me about anything, but right now-”

“It is not about that!” She pounded her thighs with her fists in frustration. More sobbing.

“Do you need something to eat?” Rayona tended to be on the fainter side.

She shook her head, and cried some more. And after settling down, she went silent, staring blankly. Rook said nothing, either. She clearly needed time to put her thoughts together. “Blonko,” she said at the end of her tribulation. “You are gone too long.”

Rook blinked. “What?” he asked.

“You are off world too often. My family thinks it gives me shame, that I am with someone who is not here.”

“What does it matter what your family thinks?” Rook blurted, a sentiment he may not have carried a few years ago. Earth had individualized him, and that was novel for where he was from. He’d hoped Rayona had picked up on that too, after all, with how much he had changed, he wanted someone by his side who could change, too.

“They talk about it all the time. They mock you and mock me at any moment. You were once such a suitable prospect for me, and now you are a pariah. It may be only my family, I do not know. You are a hero to others, not to them.”

“What do you think?” Rook asked. His heart was in a desperate race.

“They say that if you have no loyalty to your family, or your planet, you have no reason to be loyal to me.”

“That is absurd!” Rook protested. “I am fighting for a better universe for everyone’s sake, yours included! Rayona, what do you think?”

She finally looked him in the eyes, with a sad, strained smile and tears still clinging to her eyes, taking their turn to sparkle in the gaslight. “They are wrong about those things. You are a hero, and wonderful.”

“So then what does it matter?”

“You are just not here.”

“Then, Rayona, we are on the same side -”

“But we are not!” Rayona leapt to her feet. “You are always on the opposite side of the galaxy from me! You do nothing but orbit me from afar like a moon, and I can do nothing but look at you and long for you. I cannot keep wishing for your path to change!”

Rook was aghast. This was how she felt, not her family. What could he even do to appease her? “Rayona, I do not understand - are you making me choose? Between you and my job, my duty?”

“I am telling you there is no choice!” she cried back. “There never was. It was naïve of me, to ever love a moon.” She sobbed. She looked at him. She smiled. She kissed him on the forehead. “Blonko. Go avenge your sister. Protect the innocent. That is your path, and I cannot resent you for it. I can only find my own.”

And that was the end of it. He had gotten his wish, Rayona had accepted becoming an individual. But in this she decided she was not bound to him. Rook was tired, and dragged himself to his and Rook Ben’s old bedroom to sleep, but the sight of it made him sick. How could it not? There on the wall were posters of a false hero, mocking the reality of a hardship he faced every day, that was now more than ever eating away at his heart. How could he rest at all, without turning a blind eye to what was going on around him in the world? Rayona was right. This was his path. He could not relent it. 

He left his family’s house. He left his family’s property. He left his family’s village, and then he left his family’s planet. Before the morning could even arrive, he was back in space, back to traverse the unkind void.

Suck it up, Blonko, you have a job to do.

He might just hate his job.