After Sunny and Albedo disappeared, Ben and his team went and reported it to Max. He would not be happy about this. That's what Benjamin Kirby Tennyson thought. Upon arriving at the base Gwen went to an empty room and began meditating trying to track the duo down while the rest headed towards Max. He didn't yell at them nor did he seem angry. He looked disappointed.
"I'm sorry we didn't get Albedo, Grandpa. We tried but then..." He trailed off as Max sat down on his chair with his hands covering his face.
"Fine, whatever, rest for the time being," Is all he said and Ben left his office.
After the whole conversation with Gwen and now Max, Ben knew that these two are angered the most. He was angry too but not that much.
Unlike his cousin or grandpa, he didn't have a balanced history with Sunny. They never really changed out or got to talk; they just saw each other and left the second.
He knocked on the door which Gwen was using. A few seconds later he heard her voice and he entered the room.
"Any luck?" He asked a bit hoping that she got anything on the two. Gwen sunk her head down and in frustration.
"None," She replied softly, "How was the talk with Grandpa?"
"He took it well it seems," Ben rubbed the back of his head nervously. He wanted to ask Max this but didn't want to upset him so he came to her.
"Hey, Gwen, I was thinking about this for a while," He then paces around the empty room both hands behind his head. "And I think we should leave them for the time being."
"What?! Are you insane?" Gwen asked, yelling even. This was probably one of the stupidest things her cousin could have thought of.
"What makes you think we can just leave Albedo alone, not to mention Sunny of all people?"
Ben held his hands up in defense, "Hey, easy I didn't say leave them alone for good just for a few days at least. And besides, you and Sunny meeting will only get your blood boiling again."
Gwen calmed herself down and gave out a heavy sigh, "You know how I feel about her, Ben."
"I know but that doesn't mean you should try and take this on yourself," Ben said and stopped walking and leaned against the wall, "We have the resources we need to find them, plus they can't hide forever."
He made a valid point. Wherever they are at the moment they can't hide forever and they know it. Sunny knows it and Albedo as well.
She just hoped to have Albedo back in custody. Their 'evil twins' working together makes her stomach turn.
"Come on, Kevin and Rook want to hang out later today, given that you came all the way here from college," Gwen looked at Ben and smiled.
"Sure why not," She said and the two exited the room.
---
Meanwhile, the 'evil twins' were at Albedo's hideout. It wasn't much but they figured they would stay here till the heat dies down or till a certain someone leaves.
Albedo isn't still fond of Sunny raising her everyday normal life for someone like him. She protected him and healed him as well. But a part of him was glad that she came to help.
Sunny was busy making his hideout a bit more friendly. She got her bed, her couch, TV, and even some movies from her apartment. She was arranging them and making sure it looked perfect but with him, the cave was structured so it was a bit hard to do so.
Albedo watched the purple head working on making his hideout like her home. And while watching he couldn't take his eyes off her even for a moment.
His mind replayed what happened at her workplace and outside. He selfishly tried to help her. She was nowhere weak but the thought of her getting hurt didn't sit right with him.
The Anodite hummed a song as she plugged in the TV and flopped onto the bed. She still wore his red jacket along with a shirt, long pants, and shoes.
He thought she threw it away or burned it but here it was on her.
"Hey, Anodite, how long will you stay here?" Albedo asked, a bit irritated and worried at the same time. Sunny turned to him and smiled warmly. His cheeks burned up.
"Why? Do you really want me gone that badly?" She faked being hurt but clenching her heart with her hand. Albedo scoffed and shook off his flustered face.
"No, your job. Don't you have a peaceful life to live?" Sunny stopped smiling and got up.
She walked over to Albedo who was sitting in a chair a few feet away from everything. She stopped in front of him with her hands in her hips
"Listen here, Albedo, you asked me if I wanted to throw away my normal life to save a criminal I barely know? You remember that right?" Indeed he remembers it, that, and also the punch to the chest as well. It still hurts a little.
"Of course, I do but I didn't think you would be stupid enough to go through with it," He spat outstandingly up meeting her eye level. He sounded angry.
"Call it what you like but I saved you remember. If it wasn't for me you would have been in Plumber custody by now cursing in your cell for god knows how long," She shot back her eyes flaring with dark purple energy.
"Even so you didn't have to involve yourself," Albedo began, "You have a life you can look back to and be happy that it happened! Unlike me who's nothing but a criminal and a lowlife!" He yelled out startling her. She backed up a little as he continued.
"You should have just stayed in your little home and not bother with me in the first place! Revenge is my life, revenge is what drives me to become what I am now!"
"That's not true!"
Albedo looked at Sunny in shock. Her eyes teared up after yelled that out. Albedo scoffed harshly at this and spat on the ground.
"You don't know me, Anodite. I've told you vague stories about myself but not the real ones. You don't know how many I killed for my own selfish desires. I am Albedo! The one who will rule Galvan with an iron fist and kill Ben Tennyson!"
You're wrong... you're so wrong... you're more than just some vengeful man...
"That is who I am, Anodite. A vengeful Galvan wanting nothing but to prove himself to others..." He looked at her and held her composure. She wanted to slap him silly and just tell him that isn't the way things can turn out.
"So what, you're just gonna keep planning your revenge?" She choked on her words when asking that. Her fist clenched as she looked at him. She tried not to let her tears show but failed as one dropped down her cheek.
"I am and you are in the way," Albedo said coldly, looking down at her with his red eyes.
Even after all, she did it for him. He acts like a douche and throws her away like a piece of trash... just like her parents.
She looks down onto the ground, her eyes soften at the realization that Albedo will cast her away like them. She didn't want that.
"Please... let me help?" She asks softly but Albedo hears her.
"Just leave me and go back home like the good girl you are," He waves her off and walks away. He walks to his table filled with plans, "I don't need you, Anodite, that is final."
"You... you..." She clenched her fist harder letting her knuckles turn white. Her powers showed themselves as dark purple energy surrounded her hands.
"You jerk!" She yelled out in pure anger and shot forth a blast of high concentrate mana towards Albedo. He didn't have time to transform nor evade but the shot missed and destroyed the wall behind him.
"Hope you die a painful death, asshole!" She stormed off outside the hideout. She needs to cool off and so did he. The Galvan's eyes widened in both shock and fear.
She has this much power and didn't kill him. Plus she missed on purpose. He thought he was gonna die then and there but he didn't. And her words echoed in his head.
He kissed his teeth together in frustration. He realizes what he did was wrong but he didn't want her anywhere near him.
As he said, he's a criminal and a wanted one at that. She would get in trouble and may get hurt if she's not careful.
Wait, what am I thinking? Why do I care for her safety?! I should be caring for myself after that display!
He has made many enemies over the years and they would do anything to get to him. If they knew he started having a normal life with someone he cared for then... he doesn't know how he would react.
True she didn't need protection but what he did earlier today was something Tennyson would do for a lover...
At the thought of a lover, his face started burning and his cheeks turned pink. He shook his head frantically trying to erase that word from his mind.
He slammed his hands onto the table. Not in rage or madness but at the thought of caring for someone other than himself.
It was a scary thought.
---
Sunny was outside sitting on a rock, hugging her knees and wiping away the last of her tears. Luckily Albedo didn't see her cry after her breakdown.
What just happened feels too familiar for her. She did this once before but can't remember with whom. She hates how Albedo can't think of anything else besides his petty revenge.
She thought she finally got through to him but now she's back to square one. She gave out a tiresome sigh.
No, your job. Don't you have a peaceful life to live?
She shook her head at his question from earlier.
After the two of them teleported to the hideout, Sunny called her boss and told him that she was feeling down. So she got a few days off.
"What about my life is peaceful?" She asked herself. The question was obvious, it isn't.
She is an Anodite, an alien energy being who got banished from her homeworld to live on some rock she knows nothing about. She's the family's black sheep while Gwen is their hope and joy along with Ben. They got their attention the most and she envied them. So she started doing bad things to hide her jealousy of others.
Grandpa Max, who tried and spent time with her, told Grandma Verdonna to take her away. That was the first time someone gave her up like that.
Then it was her parents, her grandmother, her ex-boyfriend and now... Albedo.
She gripped the red jacket tightly and rubbed her fingers over the fabric.
"Do I truly don't know you? Then what was all that smiling for, dummy..."
She thought back to the time he smiled when they saw the movie together. It was a fun experience and she enjoyed herself more than you can describe it.
She smiled to herself and looked up at the night sky. The stars were out and glittering. The moon shows itself widely.
She can't quite remember a night where she just looked up at the sky and admired the view.
"Maybe if I wasn't such a troublemaker I'd have to earn their love and trust... maybe I wouldn't... have tried... to... kill..." Her eyes fell heavy as it closed on itself. Still hugging her knees, her head placed on her knees and a small smile on her lips.
"... them."
---
The next day came like a rocket. Yesterday felt like a dream that never happened but yet it did. He still couldn't believe it.
He looked over to the sleeping girl that was in bed –a blanket over her. He caught her dozed off outside in the cold wanting to somewhat apologize for what he said.
But when he saw that smile on her peaceful face he didn't want to wake her. He gently placed her in bed and pulled the covers over her.
He didn't sleep of course.
He was up all night trying to... to what exactly?
He didn't know but he couldn't sleep nor think straight. He glanced at her sleeping figure every once and a while.
All he could think was, was their conversations turn into a fight. For what's it forth he felt bad for trying to throw her away. She told him in confidence what her life was like and he was gonna do the same thing they did.
His tiresome red eyes glance over his watch. This is becoming a habit now. Every time he was in deep thought, about something about her or himself, he would glance over to it.
The device he badly wanted to create now has it but still feels inferior to Tennyson's. The Ultimatrix was supposed to be superior in every way but he lost all the time.
Maybe another Omnimatrix was to be made? No, no it would take too long for that to happen. Even if he had a new Omnimatrix it wouldn't help him. He can do with what he has at his disposal.
She was gonna wake up soon and needed something to eat. Albedo knows what he needs to do.
In a flash of red light, he turned into Negative XLR8 and sped to the city. He grabbed a few foods and drinks. He made sure he got everything he sped back to the hideout.
He then made the table clean, throwing his plans on the ground. He placed the food on the table and the drink next to it.
He was no cook so he didn't know which food was healthy. So he picked out eggs and bacon along with coffee. He didn't know what coffee she liked but he just chose the quickest one.
He smiled at himself for what he's done but quickly. Using the Ultimatrix to get someone food! But this isn't just someone...
He looked at her sleeping figure. She was still sleeping peacefully, a light snoring can be heard from her. He walked over to her and crouched down. He looked at her and gently rubbed her cheek.
He sighs, "What the hell am I doing?" He asked himself as he got up and sat in his chair again.
In deep thought, he looked at the Ultimatrix again. He wondered what he'll do from now on and if it's the right path.
Sunny woke up from her slumber and found herself in bed. She looked around and saw Albedo passed out on his chair and food on the table. She got up and walked over to the food.
Still warm.
She looked over at the sleeping white-haired teen and smiled. She knew it was his doing, I mean who else would do this.
She grabbed a nearby chair and sat down. She began eating away at her food and took a sip of her coffee.
It wasn't her usual but she didn't mind it. She was happy that he had gotten her food and now that she thinks about it...
Albedo must have brought her back into the hideout and placed her in bed. The thought of Albedo doing such a gentlemanly thing made her blush.
"Geez, why can't you be honest for once, Albedo," She mused herself and finished her breakfast.
---
Meanwhile Rook, Ben, Gwen, and Kevin were driving through Bellwood and Undertown searching for the evil duo. Gwen was a bit calmer than yesterday while Rook and Kevin were thinking about how to handle them and Ben didn't care.
Granted, he knows Albedo, the two of them fought for what felt like decades but it was nearly two years at this point. But when he saw his evil twin sped away with Sunny he saw something else which made him think twice.
Maybe Albedo was trying to be a better person? Or something along those lines.
He barely knows Sunny. He met her once and heard some stories from Grandpa Max and Gwen and that's it. She doesn't mind helping her out even if she doesn't want it.
So why? Why did it feel like Albedo didn't want him dead?
Ben let a sigh out. All this thinking was making him more confused but he came up with the answer when he saw Sunny saving Albedo.
Neither Gwen nor Grandpa Max would like it, hell Kevin would think the same. Rook on the other hand not so much. The Plumber officer didn't have a good handle on the subject.
He on the other hand can understand it but he has to confirm it before he jumps to conclusions.
This may change how he views Albedo from now on.
---
He stirs awake, a figure hovering above him as his vision becomes clear. His crimson eyes meeting her magenta ones, locked into each other as both of them stayed silent for the time being.
Sunny gave a warm smile to him while he returned it with his own. His wasn't warm but one of sullen and apologetic.
His eyes drifted away from her's. He didn't know what to say. He felt guilty. He had only held this feeling once and never again till now.
"Morning, sleepyhead," Her soft voice spoke out. She sounded a bit worried and relieved at the same time. He didn't bother responding, giving her the silent treatment.
"Thanks for the food. It was delicious," She giggled a bit and a blush appeared on his face, "It was really sweet of you, Albedo."
"Think nothing of it. I was merely doing what I thought was best," He said shyly knowing that the girl would tease him.
Damn, he really has a soft spot for her.
"Are you still tired?"
He shook his head, no, and proceeded to sit upright on the chair. He slept uncomfortably but he didn't mind. A chair was an upgrade from his usual prison cell.
"You could have slept with me in bed, you know?" She gave him a warm smile telling him that it was alright but Albedo shook his head. One for the nasty thought and second for no.
"It's fine, I'm used to this," Sunny looked at him saddened, realizing that he didn't get proper sleep at all. She felt bad that he couldn't enjoy a little nap.
Now that she thinks about it. How long has he been like this? From his time in prison to constantly on the run he isn't used to sleeping for very long or none at all. Her anger flared up but she calmed herself.
Albedo on the other hand was thinking about what to do next. He fell asleep before he could find an answer to his solution. Sleep wasn't an issue for him. He spent countless days and nights helping Azmuth build the Omnitrix, he was used to it.
Again his eyes darted to the device on his wrist. It glowed bright red for a moment, surging with power as it fades away a second later.
Suddenly a hand grasped where the watch resists.
"Hey," He looked up at her, his red eyes a bit tired from all the thinking, "What do you do about going out today. We can go watch another movie or walk around. Just do anything to get your mind off things," She said a bit excited for him to agree to it.
"... Sure, but there's one thing I need to do first," He told her and got from his chair. In a flash of red light, he transforms into negative XLR8 again.
"Stay here, I'll be back in an hour," He said, and before she could reply he was gone like the wind. It happened so fast it took her a moment to grasp the situation.
She held her hand by her chest and smiled to herself.
"Please come back, Albedo..."
---
In Undertown the gang is split in two with Kevin and Rook going to the Northside while Ben and Gwen are going to the South. They've been searching and asking around for hours now. Finding not even a trace of them. They had hoped one of them would show up here since this was a place for aliens.
Gwen didn't seem all that upset, she just wants to find Sunny and get this over with. She gave out a sigh of defeat.
They weren't in Undertown nor Bellwood. With Albedo's powers, they could be halfway across the world by now.
But as lady luck would have it a blur of red and black passed them. It stopped and turned to them. The symbol of the Ultimatrix was displayed on its chest.
"Albedo!" Ben exclaimed and ready his watch to transform but Albedo returned to his human form.
"Hold it, Tennyson I didn't come here to fight," He held up his hands showing them no hostility as Gwen roasted her brow in confusion.
"You? Surrender?" She asks, flabbergasted, holding back a burst of laughter that started forming, "You can't be serious?"
"Believe what you want, Gwendolyn, but I came to talk to Tennyson about something," The shape-shifting boy lowered his guard upon hearing him.
"Alright, but let's go over to a bar and talk about this," He agreed and followed the cousins to a nearby bar.
The bar's name was Blackhole and it was empty for now. The place is only crowded at night and this helps them in their favor because they need peace.
The trio took a seat at one of the tables. Albedo sat across Ben while Gwen sat next to him, not trusting the white-haired teen.
"Alright, talk Albedo," Ben said with a calmer tone in his voice, "I know you didn't just come to me for some chit chat or petty threats," He stated.
It wasn't this first-time Albedo threatened nor tried to blackmail him. He tried everything in the book and what he was doing.
"I have been thinking, Tennyson..." He started with both hands on the table. His red eyes eyed the watch on his right hand. The cousins gave each other a look and faced him again.
"How does one care for another?" He asked and this blew his mind off. Both Tennyson's looked at him with shock and confusion.
How many more times should either of them be a shock?
"What do you mean? Is this about Sunny?" Gwen asked, wanting to know of their other cousin and if she is somewhat safe.
"I wasn't talking to you, Gwendolyn," He told her with a lick of his tongue. She wanted to blast him away but Ben kept her from doing that.
"Gwen don't let me handle this," Ben said and held her hand telling her it was okay. He faced his evil twin and for this first time saw his tired expression.
The two may look the same besides the eye and hair color, but his skin is a bit paler and there are bags under his eyes. Makes you wonder if he's getting any sleep.
Ben let out a small smile on his lips. He knew what this was about but didn't say it outright, instead, "This is about Sunny right," Albedo nodded his head, "You only know each other for a few days at best so what's the deal?"
His right for all he knows this could be a spell she cast on him. No, that isn't what she would do.
She's better than that, I know it.
"Come on, Albedo, you wanted to talk and here I am. So talk or else I'm leaving this and the next time I see you I'm taking you in," His green eyes held no lie in his words. What he just said was the truth and nothing else.
Silence took over the conversation as neither one talked for those few seconds and just as Ben was about to stand up he spoke.
"Didn't you ever want a normal life, Tennyson?" He asked, no irritating, no sarcastic tone, no hatred. A genuine question.
When Ben looked at Albedo he saw how he wanted an answer. May it be right or wrong. He needs to know, he so desperately wanted to know.
Because of that one act of selfishness that she displayed by throwing her somewhat normal life away made him think about his choices.
He once took a chance at living a life here on earth. He tried to get his original form back but failed Thanks to Tennyson. And honestly, he keeps blaming Tennyson and Azmuth for his shortcomings.
He tried for years on end to prove to Azmuth he can do more, that he can be just like him... better even. But it failed.
The only thing he has now is his identity as a criminal and Ben's evil twin.
Ben let out a sigh of nostalgia, "Of course I did," Albedo looked at him in surprise, "I so badly wanted the Omnitrix gone cause it was making my life hell but when I learned that my Grandpa was in danger –that he needs me I put it back in cause I remember all those times it brought me joy."
"There were good ones on top of the bad ones but you learn to live with it and experience the joy of both. But..." Ben closed his eyes and smiled to himself.
"... It was thanks to the Omnitrix that I got to go on many adventures. See different planets, meet all kinds of species and learn to care for them all," Gwen only smiled at her cousin's answer.
It was thanks to the watch that she found her love for magic and her boyfriend, Kevin. If it wasn't for the watch then they wouldn't be here now.
"... I see, so that's your answer," Albedo leans back into his chair thinking about what he just said. Then another question came to mind.
"What if... what if I wanted a normal life? What if I wanted to stay human? Would I be able to do it?"
Both their eyes widened at his question. Does he want a normal life? No way... this was a prank, right?
Gwen then closed her eyes and confused trying to find an illusion to this spell but didn't sense one.
Ben on the other hand was speechless at this but also taken aback by this.
But will it work? Albedo is a wanted criminal the Plumbers wouldn't just sit idly by and let him roam free. Not after what he's done.
"I know this is a long shot but I wanted to ask you of all people, Tennyson. You're the only one I can ask this to," Albedo told him as his eyes moved to his watch.
Without the Ultimatrix... will I be free from this vengeful cycle?
He looked back at the two. They didn't know what to say and both didn't have words to respond.
Albedo looks down a bit saddened that he didn't get his answer right away but understood their reasoning.
They will never give him a chance at redemption not after what he's done. To so many people.