99. Another day in the Future

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(Future Max POV)

In good spirits, I arrived at Ben's base. Finally, he dealt with his problems, and we were able to reconcile. I am glad that a smile appeared on his face again and that now, I can once again give him my support, just like before. I really missed this. I never thought that Gwendolyn's idea would work so well, although I'm just glad about it.

As I entered the main living room, I saw Ben, who had shaved off his beard and immediately looked better and younger, and Kai, who had hardly changed in the last 15 years. They were talking to each other with a smile.

It seems that they have already managed to make up and the personal life of my grandson has also improved. Now, I can retire with peace of mind, without worrying that Ben will be left alone.

Unable to hold back a joyful smile, I went up to the children and greeted them: - Good morning. Kai, I'm very glad to see you. You look great.

- Hi, Grandpa. - Ben smiled and hugged me.

- Mr Tennyson, I'm very glad to see you too. - Kai said with a bright smile and hugged me as well.

- I see you have spoken. - I said with a smirk, looking at the shy Ben. He's 30 years old and he still reacts so funny when I discuss his relationship with him. It's nice to see that some things don't change.

- Yes, Ben asked for forgiveness. And I decided to have mercy on him and give him another chance. For now let's look at his further behaviour, and then maybe I'll say 'yes'. – with the same smirk, said Kai, mentioning something very significant.

- What? Ben, did you… - I asked in shock, realizing the meaning of the girl's words.

- Offer to marry. Yes, yesterday I asked Kai to marry me. - Ben said, rubbing his cheek in embarrassment.

- It is high time. I'm so happy for you. - I shouted, and pulled both children into a crushing hug.

- Grandpa, it's too early to rejoice. Kai said she would. We're not getting married yet. - trying to get out of my arms, said Ben.

- Hahaha… It doesn't matter. My grandson finally had the courage to propose to his girlfriend. You are finally old enough to take responsibility. There was a chance that I would live to see great-grandchildren. This is the best day of my life. - I shouted laughing with happiness, hugging Kai and Ben even tighter.

- Grandpa… - Ben said awkwardly, blushing with embarrassment, still trying to wriggle out of my arms.

Seeing that Kai was as embarrassed as Ben, I let them go and said more calmly: - I'm very happy for you. Please accept my sincere congratulations.

- Thank you, Grandpa. / Thank you Mr. Tennyson. - Ben and Kai said at the same time, holding hands.

- Kai, I told you a long time ago, call me Grandpa. Moreover, soon we will become relatives. - With a smirk, I said.

- GRANDPA! - Ben shouted, unable to stand my jokes.

- Ok, Ok. I'm kidding. Hahaha - Laughing at Ben's reaction, I decided to step back and stop bullying my grandchildren. I will have a chance to do it in the future.

- Anyway, are Lex and Ashley up yet? - I asked to change the subject.

- Today, I haven't seen them yet. - Ben said calmly, regaining his composure.

- I'm so glad to meet them again. I wonder if they have already met my alternate version? - Kai said with a smile, still holding Ben's hand.

- As far as I understand, not yet. - I said.

- It's a pity. - Kai said with sadness in her voice.

- Do not worry. But now, you can show your best side so that Lex and Ashley can quickly get along with your alternate version. - Ben said supporting his girlfriend.

- You're right. Thanks. - Kai returned a smile to her face.

- Maybe I should go wake them up then? - I asked.

- I think… - Ben tried to say something, but we were interrupted by the sound of the door opening. We all turned towards the sound and saw a very pleased Lex enter the room.

- Lex, good mo… - I was about to greet him, but stopped abruptly when I noticed that Lex was dragging something along the ground, holding it with his right hand.

- Good morning, Grandpa, Ben and a strange girl who I believe is Kai. Nice to meet you. - Lex said with a friendly smile, coming up to us, continuing to drag along the ground, as I now understood, someone's body.

Neither of us said anything, and we just watched in shock as Lex walked over to the couch and laid the body on it. Now we can see who it is. To our shock, we realized that this was Kevin Levin, our old friend/foe, who had been locked up in Null Void for the past three years. And he looked pretty bad.

His entire body was covered in bruises, his long hair, which he had grown since the age of 18, was almost completely burned. Luckily, he was alive and just unconscious.

- Kevin. - Ben said in shock, the first to come to his senses.

- Yes. I could not sleep, so I decided to personally see what happened to him. In general, if I omit all the details, he should now be in order. At least his sanity. As for his body, I'm not sure. - Lex said calmly with a shrug.

- What? How? What the hell? - Ben asked in shock, accurately describing our current state.

- Help him, somehow, and I'll go to the kitchen. Something made me hungry. And, it's time to wake up Ashley. - Lex said and left the room, completely ignoring us.

- Well, what was it now? - After a couple of minutes of silence, Kai asked.

Before Ben and I could say anything, Kevin twitched and shouted with fear in his voice, still completely awake: - NO. LEX, DON'T. I promise I'll be good. Please don't hit me anymore.

There was another deafening silence as we processed the new information and tried to make sense of what was happening. After a couple of minutes, Ben exhaled heavily and said, rubbing the bridge of his nose: - Fuuhh ... He, as always. Lex just can't sit still and not do crazy things on a whim. And after all, every time, he succeeds. Just an impossible person.

- Ha ha, yes, it looks a lot like him. - Kai said with a laugh, looking at Kevin with pity. Yeah, the guy got it.

- Okay, it doesn't matter now. Grandpa, call Gwen. I think she'll want to see Kevin. In addition, we need the power of her Charm of Resurrection. - Ben said as he lifted Kevin's body into his arms.

- Right. - I said, pulling out my extra-phone and dialing Gwen's number.

- Kai, go to Lex and Ashley. Make sure he doesn't do anything again. - Ben said, on his way to the infirmary.

Kai just nodded and walked towards the kitchen. I just got through to my granddaughter and began to explain the whole situation.

***

(Lex POV)

After I finished preparing breakfast, I put everything on the tray and went to Ashley's room. I was in a great mood, so I even danced a little.

Further fight with Kevin went without any problems. I did my best to re-educate him, and when I knocked him unconscious, I turned into an Osmosian and absorbed all of Kevin's absorbed power.

I must say, it took a decent amount of time, since there was really a lot of energy. Looks like Kevin actually absorbed the powers of over 10,000 aliens. Although, as I thought, most of these aliens are weak inhabitants of Null Void. But, nevertheless, their quantity, in general, compensates for the quality.

To be honest, Kevin is my strongest opponent at the moment. To win, I used my second strongest alien and a few buffs. And although it seemed that I managed effortlessly, I really had to try to surpass Kevin. But now most of these powers belong to my Osmosian.

Once I absorbed all of Kevin's power, I immediately turned into a human, not wanting to risk it. I still don't know if my form is mutating like Kevin is. And I don't know if I can use the powers of other aliens. To be honest, I didn't want to experience the backlash from the Osmosian forces again. So as soon as I felt the pressure on my mind shields approaching, I canceled the transformation.

This time, there is no almighty time lord around to help me, so the Osmosian form is banned for the near future. I hope Hope finds a mind shield that I can use, just like Ashley did. But, nevertheless, I think this sortie was not superfluous. Perhaps I have a new candidate for second place.

With similar thoughts, I went into Ashley's room and saw how she was still sleeping, sprawled on the bed, exposing her breasts. For a second, admiring the view, I said, going to the bed: - Wake up, beautiful.

- Um, Lex? It's morning already? - Waking up at my voice, Ashley muttered, struggling to open her sleepy eyes.

- Yeah, it's time for you to get up. - With a smile, I said.

- I do not want. I can't. I can hardly feel my legs. You've gone too far. - Ashley said with a smirk, clinging to me and not at all embarrassed by her nakedness.

- Ha ha ha, you didn't say that last night. Who asked for more? - I said laughing, stroking her hair.

- Shut up. - Ashley said, punching me in the ribs.

- OK, sorry. But, it's really time for you to get up. Grandpa and Ben, and his girlfriend, have already arrived. - I said.

Hearing me, Ashley abruptly opened her eyes and abruptly jumped up and ran to the bathroom, saying in passing: - Why didn't you say before? We can't let them know what happened between us. I'll burn with shame if they realize that you and I ****, last night.

- You can take your time. They have things to do now. - I called through the locked door.

- Did you save that Kevin? - Ashley asked calmly.

- Do you understand that I want to do this? - I asked with surprise.

- I know you too well. When Grandpa Max told me about Kevin, I noticed how your eyes lit up. Not literally, of course, but it usually happens when you have an idea. You are too fond of being a hero and saving everyone from adversity. Also, I think you're becoming a combat maniac. - Ashley replied, turning on the water in the shower.

- Yes? You may be right… - I muttered, remembering the last two battles I fought. But my thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.

- Who's there? - Ashley asked, also hearing the knock.

- Ben's girlfriend, Kai. - I said, peering out the door with X-ray vision. And then I added: - You wash yourself, I'll talk to her.

But before that, I used the spell «Libertas Aeris» to clear the entire room of the lingering smell of sex. This, by the way, is a spell from Bezel's book. It's good that I still learned all the spells from there.

- Hey, Lex. - With a smile, said a beautiful 30-year-old girl with brown skin, long black hair and brown eyes, when I opened the door.

- Hello, Kai. Right? - I said with a friendly smile.

- Right. Kai Green. You don't know me yet, but I've known you for a long time. Pretty soon, you'll have to meet my version of your world. - Kai said with a smile, looking around the room curiously.

- Is that how? It's good. - I just said.

- Where is Ashley? - Kai asked, clearly beginning to suspect something.

- She's in the shower.

- Understandably. I see you've decided to have a joint breakfast, so I won't disturb you. When you're done, go to the infirmary, everyone has gathered there. - Pointing to a tray of food that lay on the bed, Kai said and left.

- Did she understand anything? - Ashley came out of the shower as soon as I closed the door.

- Not. I'm sure not. - I lied, smiling. Could see everything in Kai's eyes. She is a smart girl, and quickly put two and two together. But I don't want to upset my girlfriend, so it's best to hide it.

- It's good. Let's have breakfast and you can tell me about Kevin and how you fought him. - Ashley said with a smile as she wiped her wet hair as she sat down on the bed.

- Certainly. - I said, sitting down next to me, beginning my story.