Chapter 59: The Daily Life of Ben Tennyson (1)
"You are in serious trouble, young man!" Sandra Tennyson, Ben's mother, exclaimed loudly as she pulled him into the house.
The residence of the Tennyson family was elegantly furnished and quite spacious with an upper level that suggested a prosperous, if not affluent, standard of living.
To Hugo, however, the atmosphere felt strangely unsettling.
It bore too strong of a resemblance to his own childhood home... at least before his mother passed away and his father began hosting frequent parties there.
Yet this unease stemmed not solely from Hugo's past but also from the peculiar familiarity and nostalgia everything in this nightmare evoked for him since it begun.
Everything from the people, the internet and now this house was familiar and yet slightly different then his life at the same time.
It was almost as though it had been deliberately crafted that way by someone.
Hugo's thoughts were cut short as 'his' mother firmly seated him on the living room sofa, fixing him with a stern gaze while gripping the arm bearing the Omnitrix.
While it did seem like she was the dominate one in this situation, that was not the truth in the slightest.
In reality, Hugo was merely humoring the situation due to him acting as ben Tennyson. he could easily overpower her if he wished and snap her neck before she could even scream.
though he deemed that unwise.
"Young man, do you have any idea how worried we were about you?!" Carl, 'his' father, said in a furious tone.
"Our hearts nearly stopped when we saw you in that battle this morning! Why would you think it's a good idea to confront those fanatical knights when you're only sixteen sixteen?!" Sandra added with the same amount of anger in her voice.
Frowning, Hugo forced her to release his arm, although he made sure he didn't hurt her.
"I am an Awakened wielding the most powerful weapon in existence. Naturally, I would engage the Forever Knights. What do you expect me to do? Sit around and do nothing when I'm easily more powerful then all the knights combined?"
Hugo replied with irritation deliberately laced in his tone. Truthfully, he was uncertain if he was convincingly portraying the role of moody teenager properly.
Perhaps his dormant self would have known how to di instinctively, but the present Hugo, who spent much of his existence after awakening as an alien, lacked familiarity with ordinary human behavior.
Unaware of his internal conflict, the two concerned parents continued their charade.
"We expect you to behave like a typical sixteen-year-old! Attend school, pursue hobbies, spend time with friends, and perhaps even sneak out occasionally, not combat superhumans! Goodness, you can't imagine my relief when you avoided being infected by the nightmare spell but then you just had to go an awaken yourself the old way!"
Both of Ben's parents appeared caught between frustration and distress, angry at 'Ben' for risking his safety yet still profoundly worried for their only child safety.
Such concern was logical for any parent, especially in a world dominated by the spell.
Sandra and Carl understood this worry more than most people.
After all, they were both Mundane yet they connected to the demigod governing humanity, while their son wielded the universe's most powerful and dangerous artifact on top of said son being one of the most famous person in the world.
Hugo felt a pang of sympathy for them, but conceding to avoid danger as Ben Tennyson would only hindre his progress in this nightmare.
"This is what I want," Hugo said, raising his voice to sound angry. "Perhaps the issue lies with both of you, not me."
Carl and Sandra appeared stunned by his words, but Hugo pressed on.
"We live in the era of the nightmare spell, with our world being constantly invaded by the forces of corruption. People are infected by the spell's daily, confronting grave perils for humanity's survival!"
While the Beast God Realm's situation was less severe than Hugo's world, it still remained dire, which was a fact Hugo could leverage.
"As the grandson of a Supreme and the bearer of the universe's most powerful relic, I cannot hide when things gets rough! Infact, at times like this I should be on the front lines confronting all dangerous against the survival of humanity!"
Carl frowned, visibly agitated at the mention of Maxwell Tennyson, making Hugo realize that Maxwell Tennyson was Carl's father.
"But that's different! Others have no choice regarding their infection, but you do! Ben, you can choose to step back and live an ordinary life without risking your life everyday! And don't even get me started on your grandfather and your childish fixation on emulating him!" Though firm, Carl's tone held no malice in it, although they did reveal that Carl relationship with his father was not that good. Unlike ben, who apparently was incredibly find of his supreme grandfather.
At those words, Hugo inwardly smiled.
'I got him.'
"And why exactly is that? Why shouldn't I aspire to ascend and become a Supreme like my grandfather? He is safeguarding humanity, and instead of supporting him, you urge me to cease my efforts merely because they are dangerous?"
Carl hesitated, unable to formulate a reply against his reasoning.
Sandra seemed equally at a loss, her expression appearing defeated.
"Ben... sweetheart, we only want you to be safe... Could you at least try to be more cautious?"
Her words stirred a bitter nostalgia in Hugo, which he hated profoundly making him hesitate for a moment...
"I'll consider it," Hugo said, rising from his seat. "I'm exhausted and I would appreciate some rest rather than all of this shouting."
With that, he headed upstairs not waiting to continue this conversation.
It did seem childish but that was exactly what he was going for.
Even if ben Tennyson was mature for his age, he would definitely slip and not be perfect all the time.
'Trying to copy someone's else personality is exhausting... I should get some sleep' he thought as he looked for Ben's room.
Hugo had no knowledge of Ben's room location but he assumed it would be easily identifiable.
And soon enough, Hugo found it.
The wooden door had an omnitrix symbole adoring it and the word "Ben" on the top of it.
'... That's stupid ' Hugo thought as he opened the door and then immediately closed it to survey the space inside.
there was a bed next to the window and a bookshelf above it, which is neatly organized. On the right side of the bed was a table with a computer and a shelf of prizes and books which Hugo liked because that would give him a chance to learn more about ben and how ti emitate him better.
In front of the desk and the bed was a built-in wall wardrobe, and not too far away was also a TV that had a console beneath it.
various posters were adorning the walls, from ones that displayed hefty elderly men in minimal and bizzare attire that Hugo did not recognize labeled as "Sumo Slammers."
Lastly, Ben had a closet which seemed to be filled with random objects, including all sorts of toys and clothes.
It unmistakably belonged to a teenager.
"..."
Preferring not to dwell on Ben Tennyson's leisure interests, Hugo removed his shoes and jacket and collapsed onto the bed.
Here, in Ben Tennyson's home, he could lower his guard and rest safely, free from the presence of numerous Awakened and Ascended beings.
Fatigued from the day's events, Hugo allowed himself to sleep, not even caring about the potential of being transported to the dream realm.
In his sleep, the Omntrix glowed ominously, as if sending a signal to something...
Or someone.
———
[Elsewhere, outside of Bellwood]
Within a dark, vacant cave, a handsome teenager with unusual white hair and crimson ruby eyes wearing regular jeans and a stylish red jacket stood before a metallic table.
Infront of him was a bag full of chili fries which he was occasionally eating from like a brute. There was also multiple bottles of Mrs smoothie.
Upon closer inspection, the white-haired youth appeared to be making something, surrounded by scattered, costly technological components.
The object of his intense focus was an alien-like red gauntlet adorned with intricate crimson patterns.
"This was certainly wasn't a part of the plan..." the youth muttered, clearly showing his displeasure.
The ominous looking youth continued working on his project throughout the night, wearing a dedicated expression.
yet something seemed deeply wrong about him...
It was as though he did not belong in the body he was in...
———
[Somewhere else, ???]
A lone man wearing a strange white lab coat was quietly enjoying his tea inside a strange ever shifting dimension, filled with unimaginable horrors that would drive any sane person into madness and infect their soul with corruption, yet strangely enough, the man didn't seem to be bothered by these unholy beings, and none of the horrors seemed to care about the man either, as if he was not there at all...
The man, unbothered by the things happening around him took another sip of his tea as he relaxed in his seat.
then, he suddenly froze.
He turned his head into a certain direction, looking past the eternal void and beyond the harrowing creatures, untill his gaze reached a place that no other inhabitants of this void, even the eldest one, could perceive.
He then smiled, finished his tea and got up from his seat.
"So it's starting..."
———
[The Following Day]
Hugo awoke to the blaring alarm clock in Ben's room and rose from the bed slowly.
He felt quite strange about having slept so soundly without a worry in the world but he's glad he did nonetheless.
He was also happy that sleeping didn't transport him to the dream realm of this nightmare which was a big relief.
After washing his face, Hugo descended for an awkward breakfast with 'his' parents.
The meal was delightful, after all it was real food which was rare to come across in his world, but Hugo's mind was elsewhere, contemplating his plans for the day.
He had much to accomplish, for one he needed to get used to his new alien forms, train with his memories and prepare for the mission assigned by 'his' grandfather.
The last task was the thing he was most interested in because it seemed to be the path leading towards the conflict of this nightmare.
And so, Hugo was utterly dismayed when 'his' mother uttered four simple words, completely shattering his plans.
"Get ready for school."
School...
Hugo had not heard that word in a very long time...
The very idea of it seemed bizarre to him after everything he went through in the dream realm.
Nevertheless, Sandra and Carl insisted he attend, emphasizing the importance of education to Ben's future.
It was rather tragic that they believed any promising future awaited Ben Tennyson, given their world's impending doom by the hands of a malevolent deity...
Nonetheless, he failed to make anyway to avoid going into school considering the real ben Tennyson seemed to like going there with the excuse of 'Feeling normal'.
Feeling profoundly uncomfortable, Hugo went outside and entered the school bus, sinking into his seat.
As an Awakened individual—and Ben Tennyson— everyone was looking at him with admiration and reverence, although no one talked with him, seeing his foul mood.
two teenage boys—one with short black hair, the other with curly brown hair—observed him more intently then others making Hugo wonder if they were Ben's friends or something like that.
Regardless, Hugo disregarded them as irrelevant to the nightmare's events and so he didn't approach them.
Upon arriving at school, Hugo got off the bus and observed the large high school.
On the sideway, he noticed a young girl, approximately his age, with blunt black bobbed hair and brown eyes approaching him with cheerful expression on her face.
"Ben!"
She said, suddenly hugging him tightly, drawing attention and amused reactions from all passerbys.
Hugo might have mistaken her for an obsessive stalker and turned into bigchill to run away, but he recognized her voice.
This was Julie Yamamoto, Ben Tennyson's girlfriend.
'This is problematic...' he thought, finding the idea of being this intimate with someone he barely know very uncomfortable.
"I'm glad you're not hurt," she said softly, Finally releasing him. "But are you alright? Gwen mentioned that you seemed down ever since the fight with the Forever knights..
."
Hugo shook his head with a confident smile, attempting to channel Ben Tennyson's youthful demeanor.
"It's fine, really. No need to worry," he replied, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Let's focus on surviving our school sessions before concerning ourselves with the Forever Knights."
Julie chuckled, her tension visibly easing at his words.
"Of course, although that's probably tougher than battling any nightmare creature..."
They proceeded to enter the school, chatting and laughing together.
To outsiders, they appeared as a cute young couple, but the reality was far more sinister as the young man beside her was not her boyfriend, but an imposter wearing his skin.
Moreover, this imposter was now contemplating the most neutral method to distance himself from 'his' girlfriend.
And some of these methods were not nice at all.
————
[Sme time Later]
Hugo navigated Ben's lessons with relative ease, finding no subject particularly challenging.
The history lessons were a good way to immerse himself in the culture of this world and how the existence of noble creatures, known as aliens, influenced it.
Things such as infrastructure, history and advancment.
There were many interesting facts, such as the founder of the plumbers, who was a man named George Washington who also happened to be the leader of the united states of America.
The concept of countries and presidents was quite alien to Hugo, who lived in a world ruled by the government and the great clans but nonetheless it was enjoyable.
The other lessons such as math and science made him want to turn into swampfire and burn the entire highschool in frustration but thankfully he controlled himself.
And so, while monotonous, the whole experience felt refreshing to Hugo.
After all, what awakened could claim to have had the chance to study the history of another universe?
It certainly surpassed talking with two ancient skeletons while navigating a nightmare desert on a flying ship
'Now that I think of it... What happened to Eurys and Azarax?'
The ancient skeletons were with him prior to Transcendent Kevin's assault but he had not seen them before entering the nightmare which made him quite worried.
After all, those two kept his company when he was going insane and so he felt indebted to them.
'... On second thoughts, Those two would be fine...'
Hugo might have feared that they would be mistreated by Beast's Realm survivors, but thankfully, the two were immortal.
If they endured the shadow god's curse for so long, they could withstand a few Transcendents
If anything, Hugo should be worried about the inhabitants of beast realm.
————
"Mmmmmhhh!"
Julie sighed deeply as she stretched her body
Their school time had just finished and She was walking with 'Ben' to her tennis practice, a topic she enthusiastically kept talking about after insisting he accompany her.
"... I'm sorry, Julie, but getting you there is the most I can manage. I'm quite busy at the moment" Hugo said, trying to sound sorry.
"That's alright... Though I had hoped for a proper date from the great Ben Tennyson himself~~~" she remarked, rolling her eyes dramatically. "But I suppose a girl can only dream of spending time with her boyfriend nowadays. What a pity."
Hugo smiled, scratching his head nervously. "I'm sorry, Julie... It's not that I prioritize other matters over you, but many people—"
"—need you, yes, I know, I know..." she interrupted, stepping in front of him to halt his walk.
With a gentle smile, she said "You'll always be a hero, and that's what I like about you the most, Just make sure you save some time for me, okay?"
'...'
Hugo regarded her impassively for a moment.
It now struck him how unjust life could be...
'Ben Tennyson truly had everything... fame, power, family, and a loving girlfriend on top of it all...'
The contrast between their lives, despite wielding the same relic, was almost ironic.
Yet, all these advantages ultimately failed Ben Tennyson, so Hugo resolved not to dwell on them for too long.
Finally, he simply smiled.
"Sure, I'd be an idiot not to."
Blushing slightly, Julie rose on her toes and kissed his cheek.
"You'll always be an idiot... but you're my idiot, so I'll allow it," she said, waving as she headed toward the tennis court. "See you later, Ben!"
Maintaining his smile, Hugo waved back at her.
Once Julie was out of sight, his smile fell and he wiped his cheek with a disgusted expression on his face
'How unpleasant...' he thought, nearly wanting to puke...
Yet as he kept walking on the calm streets of Bellwood, Hugo couldn't help but reflect deeply on the day's events.
It had been a calm and pleasant day, yet Hugo found it utterly distasteful.
After all, this was not his life and he was not Ben Tennyson.
And yet... Hugo felt—or perhaps wished to feel—a sense of belonging here for some strange reason he couldn't explain.
Ben Tennyson possessed everything Hugo had ever desired and more making such feelings only natural. Especially for someone who had spent half a year wondering alone.
'I didn't think a second nightmare being this tedious...'
After all, no other nightmare, except this one, truly encompassed all of Earth and made its challenger possess the person at the center of the universe.
annoyed, Hugo retrieved his phone to distract himself.
Upon opening it, he noticed a message in the messaging app.
A menacing grin suddenly spread across his face as he read its contents.
The message stated:
[Ben, we've uncovered clues about the Forever Knights mission. Meet us at Mr. Smoothy after school.]