Chapter Text
Ben knows who he is.
It's pretty straightforward honestly.
He is the wielder of the omnitrix, the most advanced piece of technology and the most lethal weapon in the existing universe.
So he never had much issue with figuring out his identity. Never had the time for it really. Ever since he got the omnitrix, fought with dozens of different species of aliens, went to space , time traveled, met his future self , met other versions of himself ….his future was pretty clear to him.
He knew what he had to do…save the universe.
He knew what to expect of his future… chaos, adventure, danger.
Maybe he didn't have the time to think about it.
Sure there were moments here and there when he had a voice in the back of his head asking questions about his worth without the gadget he wears.. kept repeating and echoing and echoing…..but that was nothing really, Honest.
There was also the brief period when he stopped wearing the omnitrix …but that was another matter.
At that time he was grief stricken with loss of Feedback, wound still fresh and pulsing.
He did think about what he wanted to become when he was in middle school. Had the chance to imagine himself in a future profession, maybe an astronaut, maybe a soccer player.
There were a lot of maybes back then. A lot of opportunities , a lot of possibilities. Which no longer existed now.
Since he chose to wear the omnitrix again.
He isn't sad about it, Honest.
It's not like he was ever good at studying or getting good grades. That was more of Gwen's department; always the golden child. He WAS pretty good at soccer though but well was.. He barely had the time now.
But back to the problem at hand which was really beginning to sour his mood.
Thinking about all these …..things....
The reason for his now ruined day stared back at him in the form of his plumber datapad.
“Who do you want to be in the future?Or Who are you now?”Those stupid questions glare mockingly at him. He glares back at it.
It's a sort of a quiz thingy..meant for assessing something. It's not entirely official or plumber related …it's just something Rook wanted to do ..something about learning the thought cycle of human adolescents or whatever he couldn’t care.
“If you are having issues with deciding then that is fine too.” Rook says.
“I have learned it is a very common reason for stress among teenagers and young adults. In fact the whole reason for this assessment is for me to determine whether you function as a normal human adolescent.”
“So you're saying I might be abnormal?” Ben asks voice as dry as the Sahara dessert.”
“ Well ... .you shapeshift into different species of intelligent life form on a daily basis. That surely has to have some sort of effect on your psychology?”
Ben frowns and doesn't say anything instead shifts his focus back to the problem once again.
“Why can't I put The wilder of the Omnitrix? Some people literally want to be me y’know.”
“That is a possession, Ben. ”
“Savior of the universe then?”
“ I am trying to know you outside of your role as THE Ben ten.”
Ben looks at him again sounding fed up…
“That’s literally the only important aspect of myself.”
He doesn't know why but Rook stops and looks at him weirdly at that. For a moment too long. He stares. It causes Ben to fell exposed in a weird way. Self conscious as if he had done something wrong.
Ben clears his throat which causes Rook to break out of his revere.
He sighs and says ,“If you want you can put on what you wanted to be during your childhood. Or during your high school graduation.”
Which..which... was.
Ben looks back at him from the corner of his eyes. Mouth thinning at the sides.
“I never graduated from high school,” he answers.
Rook falters …blinking. “But your plumber file-”
“It's an honorary degree. I couldn't keep up with school anymore.” he shrugs. “ It basically allowed me to finish high school without graduating.”
“Did you not try homeschooling? What about getting work-school credit? Surely they could have put you in a more flexible curriculum?”
“Everyone thought it would be better if I didn't go back ..because of other kids' safety and stuff. No school agreed to take me. As for homeschooling I guess I do get some stuff done here while I take the cadet required courses?”
“I-I apologise. I assure you if I had known I would not have brought this up. I understand why this might be upsetting to you.”
“ Pftt..nah!” Ben grins. “I never liked school anyway. It was so boring!! And what I do know is so much more important!”
“I see.” Rook says, his face looking sombre.
“Rook please! I am fine! Why the long face?”
“ I cannot see how you would be ‘fine’ with it. It seems like a very discriminatory act. Should they not be grateful for what you did for them? Helping you complete your education is the least they could do . That is quite literally their job”
“Hey like I said I never liked school anyway. And keeping others safe is literally my job. So it doesn't bother me. What do you say we ditch this and go get some smoothies?”
“Alright but…are you sure you are okay with this? Should we do something about it? Has Magister Tennyson not done anything? I am sure he will be more than happy to see into it if we-”
“Rook..rook. I am fine….Honest” his left eye twitches.
“Okay”
“OKAY!! Let's go then! There's this new flavour I got to try."
Ben speed walks. Exiting the room in a flurry.
Rook stares at the tab Ben left open. "Who are you now?" it says.
The blank answer sheet stares back.