Chapter 10: Farewell, Time to Begin a New Journey

Gwen then stares into my eyes with a determined expression and says,

"Ben, don't do this… Don't blame yourself. I don't… And I know for a fact that everyone else that you lost doesn't blame you either. I love you, Ben… We all do… Always will. I see how much this is eating at you and I know that it will keep haunting you as long as you live.

Even with what I'm saying right now, unfortunately, I know that you won't listen to me. The burden you bear is huge and you literally have the weight of the world on you… More so now, when you're all alone.

I'd love to say that I'm going to be with you, that I won't leave. However, we both know that I'm going to go back in time and try and fix everything so that none of this happens… Will you disappear though? What will happen to this world after I leave? Is it now a separate self-sustaining timeline?

I'm sorry but, I don't know. Honestly, I don't even know if I should hope for you to continue to exist or for this all to become as if it never happened… I hope that you will continue to live and that you'll find people that you can let in and trust. Please, try and live for yourself… No matter how long it takes just try and forgive yourself. For every one that cares about you. Deep down you know that's what they all want."

I sigh and lie down on the ground. Looking up to the stars while destruction is all that surrounds me. I start speaking,

"Look, I know that this is what they would've wanted, and I know that all I'm doing is just living in the past. I can't promise you that I'll forgive myself and move on as it likely will never happen… But I can at least tell you that I will try to live for myself, and maybe one day I'll be free from the prison that I'm still in."

'Do I really deserve freedom though… I know what they would've wanted but… I can't…I'll try?'

"Well, I honestly wish the best for you, Ben. I hope that one day you can smile and enjoy things as you used to before. What's your next step though? What are you planning on doing?"

"First, I'm going to travel around the world and check for survivors. Although Hex said that he and Charmcaster killed everyone, there is still a chance that people survived and are in hiding.

Next, I'm going to confront Azmuth and ask him why he didn't help me when I was trapped. I helped him when his planet was in danger… Although expecting nothing in return, but still… I would've expected him to at least contact me through the watch… So, why didn't he?

Finally, I'm also going to try and talk to Paradox for the same reason. Paradox, however, doesn't usually interfere so I just want to see his angle in all of this since you said that he talked to you about the whole time travel thing.

I have some idea about his reasons but still… Don't know if I'll get to talk to him though, since he is the one with the choice to appear before me.

After that, I don't know. Guess, I'll try to find a purpose or a reason for living. I'll still help anyone who needs it if I ever come across them. I'll also continue learning about the Omnitrix… It's the only comfort I had when I was… Anyways, that's all."

"Well then, Take care Ben. Good luck and all the best to you."

She approaches me and hugs me, and although I still flinch, I reciprocate, nonetheless. She then grabs the magic book and walks some distance away from me. She then starts chanting a spell. Suddenly, a triangular blue portal appears directly above her and sucks her in instantly.

'And that's that. I'll miss you cuz. Hope that you can fix everything and that you have a good life. If only you could've stayed with me… Enough depressing thoughts, time to go for a trip around the Earth.'

I then transform into Jetray and soar into the skies. Leaving behind me the place I was stuck in, freedom in a world that is already lost.

I start flying around the world looking for survivors. I had the Omnitrix look for any signs of life around the area I'm flying above. I kept doing this for days consecutively. 'My body doesn't require sleep or food anymore. It evolved past that to survive the torture.'

After searching for a week with no signs of life I decide to take a break. I land wherever was nearest and lay on the floor.

'Omnitrix I'm going to take a nap, keep scanning for any signs of life while I'm sleeping, and alert me if you find anything.'

'Order accepted; the user will be alerted if anything is found.'

'Well, although I don't need sleep, it's nice to relax for a bit.'

I then close my eyes and doze off. I then hear beeping in my head. 'Huh, right Omnitrix must have found something.

Omnitrix, what do you got for me? And how long was I sleeping for?'

'Lifeform signs detected. Location confirmed. The user has been sleeping for 2 hours and 22 minutes.'

'Thanks, Omnitrix. It's great that there are people left. Hope they're friendly…'