The first thing Ben feels is softness. A big, plush bed cradles him.
Weird. He blinks, expecting to see the familiar, if somewhat cramped, confines of his apartment. But no. This isn't his place. Not even close.
His apartment is compact and cozy. This room? This room is bougie.
Sunlight streams through massive windows, highlighting dust motes dancing in the air. The walls are a muted gold. Everything screams money. Trophies line a shelf. Ben squints, trying to make out the inscriptions. Soccer trophies? A picture sits beside them: a handsome young man with blond hair, grinning confidently.
Who the hell is that?
He tries to sit up, and a jolt of surprise courses through him. He feels… different. Younger. Energetic. The aches and pains that had become a constant companion during his years as a firefighter? Gone. The stiffness in his joints? Gone. Every old injury feels nonexistent.
"Ugh," he grunts, voice not his own. Deeper, richer.
What the hell?
A mirror stands across the room. Ben stumbles toward it, a growing sense of unease settling in his stomach. He raises a hand, and watches as a hand he does not recognize reaches up as well.
"Sorry, man, I didn't…," the words die in his throat.
The reflection staring back at him isn't his. It's the blond guy from the picture. The guy is him.
Ben reels back, a gasp escaping his lips.
No… This can't be happening.
He reaches up, fingers tracing the contours of his face. The high cheekbones, the strong jawline… not his. The blond hair, falling in a perfect, effortless wave across his forehead… definitely not his. The eyes. Piercing green, full of life… not the tired, kind eyes he knew.
This man is… striking. Handsome. Like a goddamn model.
Ben's old body was… average. Solid, dependable, built for work, not for looks. He had always been proud of what he was, a proud, if not conventionally attractive, firefighter.
This? This is a different league.
He takes in the rest of his reflection. Tall. Really tall. He guesses he's close to six-foot-five. His shoulders are broad, his chest muscular. A toned physique that speaks of hours spent in a gym.
This is… impossible.
He flexes a bicep, watching in disbelief as the muscle bulges.
What the actual fuck?
Panic starts to bubble in his chest. He runs a hand through his hair, feeling the smooth, unfamiliar texture. He opens his mouth, trying to speak, but no words come out. Just a strangled sound of disbelief.
He stumbles back to the bed, collapsing onto the soft mattress. He stares up at the ceiling, trying to make sense of the impossible.
His mind races, trying to catch up with the reality before him.
Okay, Ben. Think. What was the last thing you remember?
His last moments flash before his eyes. The fire. The kid. The climb. The explosion. Falling. He remembers twisting his body, trying to shield the girl from the impact. He had to protect her.
Was she okay?
He remembers seeing her in the arms of a couple before everything faded. That thought gives him a small measure of comfort. At least he managed that.
So, I died?
It's the only explanation that makes sense. He had to have.
But… how am I here? In this body?
The pieces slowly start to fit together. Not just dead, but reborn. Reincarnated. He shakes his head in disbelief.
This is some isekai bullshit.
Ben pushes himself off the bed. If he's going to be stuck in this new life, he's going to figure it out. He needs to understand his surroundings. He glances around the room again, taking in the opulence with a more critical eye.
This must have been his room. The original owner of this body.
He walks over to a large closet and pulls it open. Clothes. Lots of them. Suits, casual wear, workout gear. All designer. But something catches his eye. A lot of these clothes had a distinct color.
What is that color again?
He picked up one of the jackets.
It's... fuchsia?
He ended up picking out a black t-shirt, blue jeans, and a fuchsia jacket.
Satisfied with his choice, Ben leaves the room, stepping into a wide hallway. He is hit with the realization that he's inside a huge mansion.
Holy crap.
He wanders down the hall, passing framed paintings and expensive-looking furniture. The architecture is classic American mansion. Ben reaches the top of a grand staircase and pauses, taking it all in. This is a whole new level of wealth compared to his old life.
As Ben makes his way down the stairs, a voice calls out.
"Benny? Is that you, sweetie?"
A woman stands at the foot of the stairs, her expression a mix of relief and concern. She's beautiful, with familiar blond hair and green eyes. As she speaks, memories rush through him. A lifetime of moments, of laughter and love, of scoldings and support.
Sandra. Mom.
"Mom?" he responds, the word feeling foreign on his tongue, yet resonating with warmth in his heart.
Sandra's face softens. "Are you feeling alright, hon? You were up awfully late last night." She steps closer, her hand reaching up to touch his forehead. "You don't have a fever, but you seem a little out of it."
Out of it? Understatement of the century.
"Yeah, I'm fine, Mom. Just… tired," Ben says, hoping his voice doesn't betray the turmoil roiling inside him.
"Well, come on. It's already noon. Let's get you some food." Sandra leads him toward the kitchen, her hand resting lightly on the small of his back. The touch feels… strange. Comforting, yet undeniably new.
The kitchen is vast and modern, with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. A man is sitting at a large island in the center of the room, a mug of coffee in his hand.
Carl. Dad.
Carl looks up as they approach, a grin spreading across his face. He has brown hair, a build suggesting he still hits the gym, and kind eyes. "Well, look who finally decided to grace us with his presence. Noon already, Ben. Lay off the games, huh?"
"Morning, Dad," Ben says, forcing a smile.
Sandra shakes her head, a playful smile on her face. "Carl, be nice." She turns to Ben. "I made your favorite. Pancakes, bacon, and eggs. Eat up."
Sandra puts a plate in front of him, piled high with food. Ben stares at it, hunger gnawing at his stomach. He picks up a fork and takes a bite of the pancakes. Sweet, fluffy, perfect.
He eats, savoring each bite. The familiar flavors bring a sense of grounding to his chaotic thoughts. As he eats, he steals glances at Sandra and Carl. His parents. His new parents.
It feels surreal. Foreign, yet… familiar. He sees glimpses of their lives together, memories not his own, but now shared. Birthday parties, school plays, family vacations. A life he never lived, yet somehow knows.
He watches Sandra fuss over him, refilling his juice and asking if he needs anything else. He sees Carl reading the paper, occasionally glancing up to offer a teasing comment.
Ben smiles at Sandra. "Thanks, Mom. This is great."
Sandra smiles back, her eyes sparkling with affection. "You're very welcome, sweetie. Anything for my Benny."
Ben pushes his plate away, feeling surprisingly full. "I'm gonna go get some fresh air."
Carl lowers his newspaper, a slight frown creasing his face. "You sure you're okay, son? You seem a little… off."
"Just need to clear my head," Ben assures him, standing up from the island. "I'll be back later."
He starts to head toward the front door, but Carl calls out again.
"Hey, Benny! You forgetting something?"
Ben stops, turning back to see Carl holding up a set of keys and a leather wallet. "Your car keys and wallet. Don't want you wandering around without those."
Ben blinks, confused for a moment. "Oh. Right." He walks back and takes the items from Carl, a sheepish look on his face. "Thanks, Dad. I'm still a bit loopy."
Carl claps him on the shoulder. "No problem, son. Just take it easy."
Ben nods and heads out the door, keys jingling in his hand. He wonders where the garage is. He walks around the side of the mansion, following a paved path. Soon he sees it. A huge, multi-car garage. He pushes the button to open the garage door.
The sight that greets him is stunning. Rows of luxurious and vintage cars are lined up, gleaming under the fluorescent lights. Bentleys, Porsches, vintage Mustangs, and sleek sports cars. It's like a museum dedicated to automotive excellence.
Ben gawks, mouth slightly agape. This is insane.
He presses the button on his key fob, trying to locate his ride. [BEEP]
The sound comes from a sleek, low-slung vehicle parked near the back. A car that only Ben could dream of owning in his previous life.
No freakin' way.
He walks towards it, his heart pounding in his chest. It's a Bugatti. The lines are elegant. The paint job a beautiful shade of deep blue. Ben runs a hand along the smooth hood, feeling the power humming beneath the surface.
He opens the door and slides into the leather seat. The interior smells of luxury. He takes a moment to admire the dashboard, the intricate details, and the craftsmanship.
Ben inserts the key and twists. The engine ROARS to life, a sound that sends shivers down his spine.
Music to my ears.
He backs the Bugatti out of its spot and slowly drives toward the garage door. As he waits for the door to fully open, he pulls out the wallet Carl gave him. He flips it open and pulls out his ID.
Benjamin Kirby Tennyson.
Ben stares at the name, his eyebrows furrowing. Benjamin Kirby Tennyson? The name sounds really familiar. Where had he heard it before?
Then it hits him. Wait a minute… Benjamin Kirby Tennyson? Isn't that the name of the kid from Ben 10?
The cartoon he was watching before he died. The one about the kid who finds a watch that turns him into aliens.
He shakes his head, chuckling to himself. What are the odds? It has to be a coincidence. The Ben Tennyson in the show wasn't rich or living in a mansion. He was just a normal kid who went on summer vacation with his Grandpa and cousin.
He puts the ID back in his wallet and takes a deep breath. He glances around, making sure the coast is clear, and then puts his foot on the accelerator.
The Bugatti surges forward, tires gripping the pavement. Ben grins. The world blurs as he accelerates, the wind whipping through his hair. He takes the car for a spin.
…
In the inky blackness of space, two vessels dance a deadly ballet. A massive, crimson warship, bristling with weaponry, stalks a smaller, silver spacecraft. Emerald energy streaks lash out from the silver ship, doing little to deter its pursuer.
Inside the warship's bridge, Vilgax, the Chimera Sui Generis warlord, watches the chase unfold on a massive display screen. His crimson eyes burn with impatience. "Increase speed!" he barks, his voice a gravelly growl that echoes through the bridge. "I will not be denied! I've come too far."
His subordinates scramble to obey, their fingers flying across consoles. Sparks erupt from damaged panels, the air thick with the smell of ozone.
"They're putting up a fight, Lord Vilgax," one of the officers reports, his voice trembling. "But their shields are failing."
"Then eliminate them," Vilgax snarls, clenching his fists. "I want that device, the Chaquetrix, in my possession. Alive or dead, I don't care. Just acquire the damn thing."
With a terrifying GRUNT, the warship unleashes a barrage of energy blasts. The silver ship, outgunned and outmatched, struggles to evade the onslaught. One shot connects, tearing through the ship's propulsion system.
[EXPLOSION]
Alarms blare on the bridge of the smaller ship. The pilot struggles to maintain control.
"Report!" a voice shouts over the comms.
"Engines are gone! We're losing altitude!"
Vilgax watches with grim satisfaction as the silver ship spirals out of control. "Prepare to board," he orders. "I want that Chaquetrix secured immediately. We can't waste time. Imagine, an army of alien hybrids at my disposal—unstoppable!"
But the silver ship is not yet defeated. With a last burst of defiance, it fires a beam of pure energy. The shot strikes the bridge of Vilgax's warship.
[KRA-KOOM]
The bridge erupts in fire and smoke. Consoles explode. The crew is thrown from their stations. Vilgax roars in pain as flames engulf him.
In retaliation, the crimson warship unleashes another barrage of fire, this time obliterating the crippled silver ship.
[MEGA BOOM]
But amidst the wreckage, a small escape pod is launched. It's a tiny vessel, barely bigger than a coffin, but it carries a precious cargo. Inside, secured in a protective cradle, is a round container with a heart-hourglass symbol. The Chaquetrix.
The escape pod hurtles through space, a tiny spark of hope amidst a field of ruin. Its trajectory is set. Its destination: Earth.
***
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Advance chapters are in my P@|r3on - Najicablitz