Chapter 8 - Chapter 8 - Home

Chapter 8[br]
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Home[br]
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It has been six days, since the trio encountered Raven in the desert. They have left the ocean of the sand behind and crossed the continent. Gwen and Lantara followed Ben's lead, but his aims remained unknown to them. He flew in front, as Jetray, and he didn't hear, that his friends were having an argument.[br]
- Where are we going? We have no idea, and soon we will eat up the rest of our supplies! We haven't stopped for two days, not even for a sleep, I had enough! - Gwen whispered angrily.[br]
- Will you stop complaining? He knows exactly what we're doing, I'm sure. - replied Lantara.[br]
- Then why doesn't he speak with us? Why can't he tell us what are we planning to do? - continued Gwen. - I'm going to talk to him, right now. [br]
- You're so stubborn, he just needs some time alone with his thoughts, that' all. - speculated the alien.[br]
- Oh, no, we will not going to play this game again! He was alone with his thoughts for years, back at the Omni-Tower! I demand to know, where are we going! - yelled Gwen.[br]
- He has so much weight upon his shoulders, why do you want to add more?[br]
- That's why we're here, to help him carry that weight, but if we don't know what troubles him, how could we possibly help?[br]
- You're right. Talk to him... - Lantara caved in.[br]
Gwen nodded and accelerated to reach her cousin.[br]
- Ben, may I have a word with you please?[br]
- Go ahead. - said the man shortly.[br]
- On the ground. - declared Gwen. Her expression allowed no contradiction.[br]
Jetray sighed and a few seconds later, he landed. Gwen and Lantara followed him. The omnitrix flashed as Ben reverted to his human form. [br]
- Ben, what's the plan? Where are we going? Our supplies will run out in a few days, and I'm concerned about you. What's wrong? - asked Gwen.[br]
- Nothing is wrong. Soon, we'll be able to replenish our sources... - said Ben with a rueful smile.[br]
- Were are we? - Lantara asked.[br]
- I don't know. - replied Ben, examined the debris on the ground and after a few seconds, Brainstorm's green aura picked up a dusty, scuffled sign. It was covered with rust, but the letters were still discernible.[br]
- No, it can't be... - gasped Gwen and Ben together.[br]
“Welcome to Bellwood, the most normal city in America!” [br]
- We're home.[br]
The time and the alien invasion spared the town, there were only minor damages. Ben looked around and suddenly stormed out with Xlr8's speed. Gwen and Lantara ran after him, but took them about a minute to catch up. The man stood in front of an old, abandoned house. The windows were broken, the roof fell in, and even the walls were full of holes. When Gwen noticed what Ben was looking at, her face distorted. Lantara blinked in perplexity, this place meant nothing for her, but she could comprehend Ben's emotions and understood him. She even recognized a teardrop in his eyes, so she quietly floated close to him and held his hand. Ben looked back at her gratefully, then his visage returned to the house.[br]
- This is where we used to live... very long ago... - explained he in a dying voice.[br]
Then he walked through the neglected front yard and entered his former home. As soon as he stepped in, memories began to assault his mind. Inside, everything was covered with dust, and spider webs, but seemed normal. Ben saw a smoky hole in the wall which led to the living room, where he recognized battle scars. The furnitures were knocked over, the floor was burnt, and the plastic casing of the broken TV melted. There were Diamonhead crystals bedded in the wall. Only then he noticed the two skeletons on the floor. Both had a long sea green crystal standing out of their ribs. Ben sank on his knees and roared in pain. Gwen arrived first.[br]
- Ben, what happ...aaahhh! - screamed she in horror.[br]
The man looked at his shaking hands. Then he looked into Gwen's eyes.[br]
- Raven was right... It's my fault... I'm... I'm responsible for everything... ha ha ha ha... for everything... laughed he insanely.[br]
- I'm sorry... I wasn't here to defend you... I'm sorry... - cried h and touched one of the skulls. [br]
Gwen and Lantara watched him silently, they could not do anything. [br]
- Oh, how touching... A family reunion! - mocked a raspy voice. Suddenly, GhostKevin became visible. He was sitting on the sofa. Wakened from the first shock, Ben's mind was flooded with hatred and anger.[br]
- AAAAAARRRRGH! - growled he and instantly morphed to Fourarms. He wanted to smash his enemy, but his fists phased through GhostKevin's body and only destroyed the sofa. The villain jumped into the air and solidified his protoplamsa, so he could kick the tetramand in the face. Suddenly, Lantara grabbed him and forced him to the ground. But GhostKevin's chest opened rapidly, and his yellow energy beam shot the alien, making her fly up. Meanwhile, Fourarms was already there, and he evaded his powerful blow only a nanosecond before. [br]
- I thought you might drop in! Do you like my interior design? - grinned GhostKevin. By the style of his words, Ben figured, that Kevin must be in charge at the moment.[br]
- I'm gonna chop your head off! - shouted Fourarms, and one of his arms turned into Diamondhead's. He formed a spear and swung it. His attempt failed, his opponent went ghost again.[br]
- Benjie, Benjie, Benjie... Haven't you learned by now, that you cannot stop me?![br]
Gwen zapped him in the back. That was unexpected for him, so he became invisible. Fourarms changed into Wildmutt. His heat vision discovered GhostKevin, who was trying to attack Lantara. The vulpimancer was faster, he jumped in front of the villain, and cut his chest with his sharp claws. GhostKevin turned visible and drew back. Wildmutt approached him menacingly, then fired the spikes on his back, right at his enemy. He became ghost, but with a green flash, Wildmutt went Shockwave to preform a new trick. He clapped his enormous paws and the sound waves struck GhostKevin down. He looked surprised. [br]
- The shock wave effects you even if you're not solid! - said Ben and clapped his hands again. The shock wave imploded the front wall, and made GhostKevin fly out of the house. Ben followed him with Xlr8's speed and transformed into Benwolf. Before his nemesis could hit the ground he opened his mouth and the green sound waves went through GhostKevin's body. He fell down. Benwolf leaped there and punched him in the chest. Unexpectedly, the yellow energy beam came and burnt his fur. He flew back and reverted to Ben. After that, Gwen and Lantara attacked him, but he changed into black liquid. When he reached Ben, the mass shaped GhostKevin's skull. [br]
- Between you and me, your family was my first job after you've left. I just wanted to see your face, when you take a look at my work! Remember, I'm coming for you sooner or later! - hissed he and vanished with a wide devilish smile, right before Lantara's blast could hit him. [br]
- Ben, are you all right? - worried the ectonurite and helped the man stand up.[br]
- I'm gonna tear his spine out and stab his tainted heart with it! - Ben cursed. [br]
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A few hours later, Ben began to dig a hole at the backyard. He knew he could summon any of his aliens to speed the work up, but he insisted on the old fashioned spade, therefore the process was far from over. [br]
- Ben... - accosted him Lantara, and Gwen already jumped in the pit with another spade. [br]
- What are you doing? - asked the man.[br]
- Helping you. - replied Gwen.[br]
Lantara floated down to the hole as well. She also held a spade in her hands.[br]
- Listen, it's very nice of you, but I want to do this alone... They were my parents...[br]
- When do you get it on your head? If we're around, you never have to face anything alone. - smiled Gwen and hugged her cousin. Ben looked at Lantara.[br]
- You feel the same way? - he asked.[br]
- Of course! Remember what I said once, on Galvan Prime? Your battle is my battle, I'll be there to fight at your side, your struggle is my struggle, I'll be there to aid you in the time of need. Nothing can change that, my love, nothing. - assured him Lantara, and kissed him on the cheek. [br]
- Thank you very much! Both of you! You're the only one I ever need. - said Ben.[br]
With three hands, the job was much more easier, they finished within an hour. After that, Ben sewed the remains of his parents in a huge blanket and placed them on the bottom of the hole. He did not say anything, just saluted. Gwen and Lantara followed the example. They stood there like stones, for one minute. [br]
- Goodbye, Mom and Dad. - farewelled Ben and changed into Brainstorm. He picked up the pile of earth with his mind and softly released it above the hole. When he gave his last respect to his parents, he transformed into Jetray. [br]
- We better get going to find shelter for the night. We'll have a long day tomorrow. I want to reach Washington D.C. as soon as possible. - explained he and took off. Lantara followed him, but Gwen stayed for a few more seconds. She looked at the house once more and flew after her friends. Little did she know, that GhostKevin watched the whole funeral at the backyard. When it was done, and the trio left, he became visible. He stood in front of the pile which was the final resting place of Ben's parents and suddenly, a teardrop fell down on his face. It was the manifestation of Kevin's human emotions, no matter how much he hated Ben, even he found his last action cruel and sadistic. This feeling took control of him for only a few seconds, but Ghostfreak's cold mind reclaimed its rightful position. GhostKevin allowed himself a wide and evil grin, and disappeared in the shades. He had a new plan in mind.[br]
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