Alex Chase: Beyond The Multiverse

Chapter 2: The Past Rules!

*Eleven-year-old Ben Tennyson*

I sat with Gwen in the backseat of the Rustbucket, wondering what my problem was. It was all my fault. Feedback was gone because I hadn't listened to Gwen, once again. I had a disturbing pattern of not doing that.

Because I hadn't listened to her, I had nearly been killed by a robot drone who was after the watch, Grandpa had been turned into an alien worm, I had set off the Omnitrix's self-destruct mode and nearly gotten my cousin killed, which had been the worst feeling in the universe, even worse than losing Feedback.

Not to mention countless other near-disaster's. Only this time had been different. Because this time, we couldn't fix it. I couldn't have expected us to be able to fix my mistake over and over agian.

My total disrespect of my cousin had come back to haunt me. From now on, I'm going to listen to Gwen as much as possible during missions, I told myself.
I felt a warm hand on my shoulder and whipped around.

" Easy doofus, it's just me." Gwen said. I smiled as wide as I could, which was barely even lifting my mouth. It probably looked more like a frown. I didn't really care though.

" Oh, hey Gwen," I said without emotion. She had interrupted my total demolition of my self confidence. I was annoyed. Especially when I was about to get to the part about our first summer together.

I looked down at the watch again. Gwen's worried face came back. She sat down next to me. We both opened our mouths at the same time, but closed them once we thought the other was going to say something. It was pretty awkward, but I was too sad to care.

" I know you're mad at me," Gwen said suddenly. I perked up. This, I hadn't been expecting.

" Oh?"

" It's my fault. I just.....wanted to say I'm sorry. You don't have to forgive me, but I really am sorry." She said, playing with her hair. My mouth was wide open. Did she really just apologize for my mistake?

" How is it your fault? You didn't not listen to the creator of the watch, who told you not to use your favorite alien over and over, otherwise it would cause villains to come after it and break my spirit.

Or get mad at your cousin when she was trying to help. Or not listen to the same cousin when she gave you the idea that would've probably saved your arrogant butt." I said. She giggled, blushing at the cheeks.

" You really think my idea would've saved you?" She asked. I cracked a grin.

" Yeah, if only I had listened....You know what I wish?"

" What?"

" That things would go back to the way they where. Last summer. Remember?" I asked. Gwen smiled.

" Yeah. The first day of summer, when you got the watch. Lucky Girl, Enoch and the Forever Knights, all the lessons about being a better person, the fun times we had with Grandpa Max," she said.

" I miss it Gwen. I miss it a lot." I told her. She frowned, looking out the window as we drove past endless houses.

" Me too."

" Think things will ever go back to that?" She game me a wicked smile

" I know one thing that hasn't changed."

" What?"

" Your still the same doofus you where before that summer even started. Just with a couple attitude adjustments." She said. I laughed a little.

" Haha so funny. Something else that hasn't changed: You're the best friend ever." Gwen rolled her eyes.

" Very funny. You mean best cousin ever," she said. I shook my head.