Anodite changes

I'm just not enough anymore

Another note – Just for story's sake, Alien X doesn't work like in canon. It's more of the Ultimate Alien or Alien Force version, because Omniverse is way too OP to tell a story with.

As Vilgax's hand draws nearer and closer, so too does Ben's end. He can only helplessly gape at his arch-enemy like a lamb to the slaughter. He can't believe it's ending this way—all that he's done with his friends, all that he did for the world, for the universe.

He closes his eyes, preparing for the worst and praying for the best, but he knows all hope may be lost. But then, out of the blue, a flying vehicle makes its way over the horizon at great speed. This looks like an Earth car.
"Wait, it can't... be, it's them!!"

"ROOOOOOM,
SCHHHHRRRR"

The sound of the spacecraft gliding and stopping toward Ben and the monster, Vilgax. Inside lies his best friends Kevin and Rook, and his cousin Gwen.
"Hey dweeb, need some help?"
"Thanks, you're a little late, by the way."

As they speak, Rook lifts his arm, ready to grip his best friend.
"Get on, the dweeb."

He finally steps into the spaceship, beaten and bruised.

"Why, Ben Tennyson, you don't give your enemies much credit," (his voice gets more menacing by the second) "If you think I'll just stand around as you fly off with your comrades to safety, then... you don't know me. So bow before the galaxy's ruler of STARS!! I am Vilgax, and I will destroy all before me!"

He blasts one last energy wave at the ship, which is so big that, if aimed properly, it would destroy it. But at the last second, Rook presses a switch, opening the emergency back door—revealing Kevin.

"Thanks for lunch, bro," he says mockingly, as he absorbs the gigantic wave of red energy into his palms.

As the ship flies away, an angry Vilgax remains.
"Tennyson! No matter. This is merely a setback, for anywhere you go or hide—I will be there. And once you're gone, the universe is next!"

The ship flies away, and Ben slowly but surely fades into unconsciousness, his cousin Gwen frantically and worriedly shaking him awake. But try as she might, it's no use—the hero Ben is all tapped out. Kevin also stumbles to the ground from too much energy.

Gwen says, "Are you okay, Kevin?"
She kneels in on both of the boys.
"Ye... yeah, that just happens when I consume too much power."
"You shouldn't do that to yourself, Kevin," she says sternly. "I was really worried about you. Gosh, both of you boys are gonna give me a heart attack!"

More than half an hour passed, and the team of adventurers are on their way to Earth. All was silent until Ben finally awoke. As his eyes slowly flutter, Rook comes into view—he had the ship on auto-pilot. He notices that Ben is awake and immediately tells the others,

"Guys! Benjamin is awake!"

They quickly come over to see the big news for themselves.
"Well, I'll be damned—Sleeping Beauty has finally risen from her slumber," Kevin mocks, as Gwen promptly punches his arm.
"Ouch! I mean—we're glad you're okay, dude."

Gwen chimed in as well,
"We were all just so worried about you."

Rook nods his head, and Ben turns his head away from the others.
"Yeah, I'm just perfect, thanks."
"What happened? Why are you so down?" Gwen asks, worrying about her cousin.

To which he quickly and angrily replies,
"What didn't happen? I just got my butt handed to me by an 8-foot giant monster. I'm supposed to be the hero, and it's the third time that I've lost! Every time I almost beat him, he's a step ahead. And when he almost beats me, I get my life saved by my friends!!"

"I'm just—I'm not enough... anymore."

Ben looks down.

"What? No, you are! It's just that he's too powerful, right Kevin?"

She looks in Kevin's direction, expecting some sort of response. When none comes, she nudges his arm.
"Right, right. He's just been using super advanced alien tech made by the Forever Knights. It's not your fault, dude."

Ben looks back from where he's laying down, which is pretty small since they're flying in Rook's RV.
"Thanks, guys, I appreciate it. I—I just wish there was more that I could do to stop him. I'm supposed to be the hero. I should be the one saving, not... getting saved. Maybe if Alien X wasn't so risky, I could stop Vilgax and any other bad guy!"

"But you can't, and that's okay. We know the sacrifice that you would have to make from choosing that alien, Ben," Gwen states, her worry for her cousin prominent.
"Just let us help you, bro."

"Of course, I know that you guys are here to help—I got that, and I do appreciate it. But as a hero, Ben Ten—I need to and I'm expected to save lives every single day, excuses aside. I can't do that if I'm too weak to fight... even Vilgax the... Conqueror or whatever."

Gwen soothingly said,
"Don't worry, Ben. We'll help you out. We always beat the bad guys, right?"

The last part sounded more enthusiastic, which lifted Ben's spirit more.
"Right... thanks, guys. You know, I don't say this enough—but I appreciate you all."
"Okay, who are you and what have you done with Ben?" Kevin says as they all laugh their way to Earth.