100. An Old Problem, in a New Time

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- And how is he? - I asked as soon as Ashley and I entered the medical block.

Kevin was still unconscious and lying on the bunk. Gwendolyn sat next to him, in tears. Ben, Grandpa and Kai stood by and supported the girl as best they could.

- Everything is fine. I have treated all his injuries, but he is completely exhausted, so it will take some time for him to recover. - said Gwendolyn, holding Kevin's hand.

- Did you really just sneak into Null Void, find Kevin, beat him up and take all of his powers? - Ben asked me.

- Well, yes. What's wrong with that? & I asked, genuinely perplexed.

- Nothing. Nothing at all. - Ben said calmly, after which he simply walked out of the medical unit, leaving us.

- What's wrong with him? - Ashley asked.

- It's just that Ben tried to do the same thing many times, but he didn't succeed. - Kai said, looking anxiously at the door Ben came out of.

- I think he's a little upset that he couldn't save his best friend himself, and you did it without too much trouble. - Grandpa said softly.

- Is that how? I think I should talk to him. - I said and started to leave the room, but Gwendolyn's voice stopped me.

- Lex, wait. Thanks for saving Kevin. You didn't have to, but you did it anyway. I am very grateful that you returned it to me. - Wiping her tears, she said.

- Not for anything. It wasn't difficult for me. - I said lightly as I left the room.

Finally, I heard Grandfather say,: - That's the problem.

'I think I hit Ben's sore spot again. I need to make sure that the progress made in the last couple of days is not wasted just because I got in where I shouldn't have.' - I thought to myself as I walked to the main computer where Ben was.

- Are you really upset that I saved Kevin? - I asked as soon as I approached Ben.

- Not. Of course not. I'm very glad he's back. While it will take him a while to regain his lost trust, I'm sure things will get better. It's just… - Ben said, standing with his back to me.

- Does it upset you that I did it so easily when you didn't? - I continued.

- No… Maybe. Eh ... Most likely, you are right. - Ben said with his head down, with a derogatory smile.

- Does it really bother you that much that I'm better than you? - I asked, coming closer.

- No, just the opposite. I admire you. But I'm worried that I'm not as good as you. - Ben said honestly.

- This is stupid. - I said instantly.

- I know. You already said that the last time we met. - Ben said.

- Listen, Ben. I don't understand why you're unhappy. You have become much better than at 16. You became calmer, more reasonable, and even learned to fight. What can we say about the open Master Control. You have a girlfriend and a family that supports you. You fixate on something useless, while important things you lose sight of. You don't have to be the best and do everything alone. And you don't have to take responsibility for the entire universe. You can't do it alone anyway. On the contrary, it will only get worse. - I said trying to get my point across.

- But you manage everything alone, while constantly achieving success. - Ben raised his voice.

- It is not true. I have Morgana, who acts as my right hand. I have a Grandfather who acts as my moral compass and always supports me, standing somewhere behind. I am sure that if I need help, he will always be there and support me, even with banal advice. And I have my girls, for whom I am trying, and who are waiting for me. You have pretty much the same thing. - With emotion in my voice, I said.

- But… - Ben tried to say something, but I interrupted him.

- Shut up. You have the same support, you just push it away instead of accepting it. Don't pretend to be strong in front of those who love you. In front of others, perhaps, but not in front of relatives. You can calmly show your weaknesses, talk about your problems and ask for help from your relatives. Trust me, it won't make them love you any less. On the contrary, they will only be happy to help you. - I said sternly.

- You're right. Of course you are right. As always. But that doesn't change how you deal with all the problems without too many difficulty. And no matter how hard I try, I can't do the same. There is always a voice in my head that says I need to be better, more like you. And there's no way I can stop it. - Ben said, turning to face me, looking into my eyes.

- Ben, do you really think that everything is really as simple as it seems? - I asked.

- What? - Ben asked, not expecting such a question.

- Do you really think that I just come and solve the problem instantly, without any effort at all? If you really thought that was the case, then you are wrong. Before I do something, I have time to think it over a hundred times and prepare a plan. And all this is preceded by serious preparation, collection of information, as well as training of my skills. I don't stop for a second and constantly try to improve myself and prepare for the challenges ahead. Ben, ever since I found out how big the universe is, I've been preparing for 10 years to protect myself and my loved ones. - I said honestly, embellishing something.

- Truth? - Ben asked in genuine surprise.

- It's over. I didn't just hack into the Plumbers' Database. I was looking for information that could be useful to me and protect me. And of course, before the battle with Kevin, I found all the information and was ready for all his abilities. And with all this, I also make mistakes and make mistakes. - Nodding my head, I said.

- You? Are you make mistakes? - Ben asked in shock. I wonder what kind of image he built in his head? It looks like a little more and he believes that I'm God.

- I'm a human. Of course I make mistakes. Just for all occasions, I have prepared 101 plans to deal with trouble. And this is far from easy to do. - I said.

- Yes? I didn't think of that… - Ben said thoughtfully.

- Ben, stop this. It doesn't matter how much worse you act than me. The main thing is that you are no longer a stupid child and are able to solve your own problems and take responsibility. In addition, you have already experienced a terrible tragedy and have grown out of it. It deserves admiration. Stop belittling your dignity, just do your job, and not forgetting about your family. - I said sternly, looking into Ben's eyes.

- So Grandpa told you everything, right? I really survived it, but not just like that and again not without your help. - Ben said wearily.

- I just brainwashed you. Just like now. - Waving my hand, I said.

- Not. You have done much more. You did what I couldn't do. You saved everyone. - Ben said gratefully.

- Saved? Grandpa said that all people were dead and you couldn't fix it even with the help of your most powerful heroes. What could I do? - I asked.

& Honestly, I still don't understand how you did it, but you really saved everyone. You appeared in my world, a year and a half after the incident when I had already destroyed the Omnitrix. Seeing my condition, you decided to help and the best way you came up with was to save those people so that this burden of guilt fell off my shoulders. - Ben said with difficulty, not wanting to remember those terrible events.

- But Grandfather said that these people died... - I said.

- They really were dead to the world. But only a year and a half. You went back in time, took all the people and left fakes in their place. Then you went back and released the people. They returned to the world again, while being in the future. Of course, everything did not go without difficulties, but it's better than if they died. - Ben said.

- Is that how? But at the same time, you still thought for a year and a half that they were dead? - I asked.

- Yes, you said that it would not have happened otherwise. And this, something like a payment, for a chance to return these people. To be honest, I didn't mind. One and a half years of hard life, nothing compared to the lives of hundreds of people. - With determination, Ben said.

- Didn't you try to do the same, but it didn't work out for you? - I asked.

- Yes, but Professor Paradox said that you have a lot more power and authority than any other Bens. Even more than the Professor himself. - Ben said.

- Why? : I asked, guessing where the legs come from.

- I don't know, no one explained anything to me. But I will forever be grateful to you for showing up and correcting my mistake. - Ben said sincerely.

- Yes? And why the hell are you limp again when I did so much to bring you back to normal? - I said indignantly.

- I know, I promised that I would never despair, but the eyes of those slaves and the conditions in which they were kept… - Ben said with a dull look.

- Yes, the world is a shitty place. But you should have gotten used to this by now, after all, you have a lot of experience. I don't understand why it hooked you so much ... If only ... - I said, I understand that something is not clean here.

Looking into Ben's eyes, I used telepathy and entered his mind, trying to let in information that didn't concern me. I have not done this before, as I respect privacy and never read the minds of my friends and loved ones, unless I use a little empathy. But it looks like it's needed now.

- What? What are you doing? AARRGHH… - Ben exclaimed and dropped to his knees in pain, holding his head as I searched his head for something. Or rather, someone.

And when I did find him, I angrily said: - Still, I was right. Ah, you bastard.

- Ghaa… What are you talking about? What are you doing? - Ben yelled as I started walking towards him.

: I'm solving your problem. - I said, taking Ben's hand and activating his Omnitrix.

After a flash of green light, in place of Ben was the Ghostfreak, which looked like the true form of Zs'Skayr'Sker, without a gray hide, with an inverted head and with tentacles.

- Why did you turn me into a Ghostfreak? - Ben asked, in the Ectonurite sample.

- That's why. - I said, creating a dome around us that would not allow anyone to get out of here.

And then, I created a magic construct in the form of a special magic circle, which I immediately placed under Ben, after which I used the spell: - Botigs Zaborito Carpis Nebegear Gais Liphan Intruders Utien.

- AAAARRGHHH… - Ben yelled as a beam of blue light hit him from the magic circle. The light completely covered the body of the ghost, and then his only eye shone and the spell began to work.

The Ghostfreak began to break into two parts and after half a minute, he completely split into Ben, in human form, and the Ghostfreak, without the symbol of the Omnitrix. More specifically, Zs'Skayr.

As soon as they separated, I shrunk the dome and locked one Zs'Skayr in it so he couldn't escape. At that moment, Ashley, Grandpa Max, Gwendolyn and Kai just came running, who heard screams.

- Zs'Skayr? - Ben asked in shock, getting to his feet while holding his head.

- What's going on here? - Grandfather asked, looking at the Ghostfreak in shock. In general, like the rest.

- It's all because of your influence, isn't it? You've been gently and subtly influencing Ben. - I said affirmatively.

- Lex, what do you mean? - Ben asked.

- It was because of him that you got worse. He lowered your confidence, developed an inferiority complex towards me, and also forced you to move away from loved ones who could help you and notice his influence. He is, your voice in head. - I said.

- But I spoke figuratively… - Ben said softly.

- I know, but it's all Zs'Skayr influence. This time, he acted much more carefully. - I said.

- This is true. This Omnitrix's defense is much better, but I was still able to break through it and begin to influence you, Ben Tennyson. - said Zs'Skayr in his terrible voice.

- So you were reinforcing Ben's negative emotions? Influenced his judgment? - Gwendolyn guessed.

- Yes, I wanted to slowly break him down so that he would give up, and I could have his body and the Omnitrix without any problems. - hissed Zs'Skayr.

- But how? You should have died over ten years ago. That time, I really tried to get rid of you. - Ben shouted, glaring at the ghost with anger.

- HA HA HA HA… Do you really think that I will just disappear like that? I will never stop trying to get the Omnitrix. HA HA HA HA. - shouted Zs'Skayr, laughing madly.

- It turns out that as soon as Ben received a new Omnitrix to replace the destroyed one, you again made your way inside and began to influence Ben. Almost 7 years. You don't have to be patient. - I said calmly.

- Yes, everything went according to plan. I almost succeeded, another year and Tennyson would have broken. But, then you appeared… - Ectonurite said, looking at me with anger.

- So that's why Ben got better? You stopped influencing him so that I didn't notice anything, and we all thought that Ben was reformed due to the influence of 10-year-old Ben. - I guessed.

- It's like that. And I almost succeeded, but you still noticed me. I'll kill you for sure, because of you my whole plan failed. - Zs'Skayr shouted.

- Lex, how did you notice the outside influence? - Grandpa asked looking at me.

- Honestly, quite by accident. From the very beginning it all seemed strange to me. Ben went through a very difficult period in his life, and it seemed strange to me that when he saw the cruelty of the world again, he began to change so dramatically. It seemed to me that Ben should have gotten used to this by now, given his experience. This did not go out of my head and after thinking it over, I began to suspect outside interference. And checking Ben's mind, I noticed a trace of a familiar presence. I just dealt with Zs'Skayr myself recently, so I figured it out quickly. - I said honestly.

- Thanks. - Ben said softly as Kai ran up to him and started hugging him.

- Now it's just a matter of dealing with you. - I said, looking at the ghost.

- You can kill me, but I'll still come back. I have hidden my DNA in many places in the universe, so that, finally, I will never die. - Zs'Skayr said indifferently.

- Unfortunately, this is true. Does anyone have an idea? - I asked, looking at everyone in the room. Ashley is of little use now, since she does not understand at all what is happening. But it seems that the rest do not know what to do, since no one answered my question.

'Doing as I did and subduing Zs'Skayr won't work since I don't have the full ritual that Hope used. And there is no point in destroying it. Ideally, he should be sealed so that he cannot transfer his consciousness to another strand of DNA. But here need the right material, magical with... Stop. I have an idea.' - I thought to myself, and came up with one idea.

- Your eyes are shining. You came up with something. - Ashley said as he walked over to me.

- This is true. - with a smile, taking out a sphere of magic metal.

- What is it? asked Gwendolyn.

- This is Hihiirogane. Solar metal. - I said, and I saw the fear in Xe'sker's eyes.

- Do you think he will help? - Ben asked skeptically.

- I'm sure. It's a magic metal, so Ectonurite won't be able to pass through it. And as the name suggests, this metal can absorb sunlight, which is deadly for Ectonurite. In theory, if lock Zs'Skayr inside, then he can only sit there, trying not to touch the metal. And it seems to me that he will also not be able to transfer his consciousness, since the metal will interfere with this as well. Is not it? - I said, looking at the ghost, who was terrified.

- STOP! - Zs'Skayr shouted in fear.

- Judging by your reaction, it is. In any case, we have no other options. If it doesn't work, he'll just die and you'll have to deal with him again. Nothing? - I said to Ben.

- Act. I'm no stranger to fighting him, though I'll be more careful now. At least there's a chance he won't be back for a while. - Ben said with a smile, hugging his girlfriend.

- Well then, let's get started. Ashley, I need your help. I can't transform into an Osmosian right now, so you'll have to create a prison. - I said to Ashley.

- I'm not sure I can do it. I'm not yet that good at creating and controlling the stuff I'm made of. - Ashley said uncertainly.

I was about to cheer her up, but a male voice stopped me and said: - I will do it.

- Kevin! - exclaimed Gwendolyn, seeing her lover, who appeared in the room no one knows when.

- I heard everything. Give me that metal and I'll lock up Zs'Skayr forever. - Kevin said calmly, turning to me.

Just in case, after telepathically confirming that Kevin's sanity was in order, I gave him the Hihiirogane. The rest looked at the guy with some wariness, but Kevin did not blunder and escaped everything correctly. After absorbing the solar metal, Kevin began to create a sphere that covered the entirety of Zs'Skayr, along with a magical dome that prevented him from escaping.

At the same time, Zs'Skayr screamed in horror and anger, cursing me along the way, promising to return and take revenge. When Kevin completely sealed the Ectonurite, we stood in silence for a few minutes, waiting to see if my idea worked.

- Everything seems to be working. - I said five minutes later, checking the sphere with x-ray vision. Inside, Zs'Skayr just levitated, trying not to touch the metal, and still cursing me.

- So, what is next? - Ashley asked, destroying all tension.