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"It's about time I end this." Kevin said, and with two fingers, he pointed upward causing dense dark purple crystals to bind Argits arms.
Argit was taken aback by the growing crystals around him and began to develop a new fear for Ben. But he didn't let that discourage him and tried to attack the crystals but his quills didn't budge to the surprise of Argit. He tried and tried again but the quills at the back of his head weren't moving.
Kevin descended slowly in front of Argit with Gwen in tow much to the horror of Argit.
"I could have handled him." Ben complained, transforming back to his base state.
"What have you become? You are not the Kevin I used to know!" Argit's statement caused looks of worry on Gwen's face and suspicion on Ben. They knew Kevin acted and talked differently ever since he came back, this Kevin was different. This Kevin didn't like to waste time in battles he could end immediately and every action he took carried a purpose behind it.
Ben and Gwen's curiosity spiked from Argit's words and they looked at Kevin for answers, hoping to get the answers they wanted, whether it was good or bad.
"You are not Kevin! You are a monster! I wouldn't trust him if I were you and I am a crook! Isn't it strange that Kevin is this powerful? I am sure he is hiding something." Argit continued to sow seeds of doubt in the Tennysons as they began to playback memories of Kevin flying for the first time in front of them and using strange attacks that resembled Diamondhead's without turning into Diamondhead.
"I will only ask once Argit. Is Volcanus still using that abandoned airfield?" Kevin's gaze met Argit, causing him to look away and nod soon after.
Kevin released Argit soon after but turned towards the Tennysons,
"I don't have to explain myself to you. You will do well to not get in my way, especially you Ben. This time, you might not survive fighting me." Kevin then took to the skies, causing a boom that cracked the ground below him. He flew using the clouds as cover as he made way for the abandoned airfield.
After my business with Argit was done, I left the Tennysons to look for Volcanus whom I had scammed in some dealings with him. I hope he finds my return pleasant.
It pains me that I left Gwen like that, but when can I tell her of what transpired at planet Sylvie? That I had a better chance of living a better life on that planet with a strikingly beautiful Queen who could keep winning Miss Universe easily? Or tell her that I could have been enslaved on that same planet? Or tell her my life and death experience with… with… Khan and Fate?
Or tell her how I survived certain death just because I held the philosopher's orb? And if not for the energy from the Omnitrix that leaked from me to cause a stop to that, I would have died.
I can't stop thinking about Khan and Fate. They wield too much power as if it were forbidden. That's why I sent Raven away. I can't have her this weak in the event I come across Khan or Fate again. Next time, I will be ready. Next time, I shall not cower before them. I was completely at the mercy of Khan who could have ended me anytime he wished after I led him to the room where the philosopher's orb was kept.
But first things first. I need to sell these crystals I modified to be better than Taydenite while I still had divine powers. Sometimes I wonder if I can still wield that power. And what about rogue Celestialsapien Sophia talked about? Ugh, these questions are for later. I have already arrived.
"It's times like this I wish we had Kevin's car." Gwen said while running on her mana discs and Ben running alongside her.
"Whatever… It's because of him, that we are running. We are running to find him." Ben caught his breath every now and then since he too was running but soon stopped.
"But you have been acting harshly towards Kevin as of late. You weren't even welcoming when you first saw him after his return." Gwen couldn't help but recall the moment Ben interacted with Kevin after so long.
"Oh, really Gwen. I don't get what's happening here or whether you like him…?" Ben began but Gwen could only divert her eyes at that.
"… But do you remember that he has double-crossed me, he even teamed up with Vilgax to take my Omnitrix! They could have succeeded too! They could have cut my arm, Gwen! Is it then you will understand that Kevin is a walking threat to me and those around him! Couldn't you see the way he treated his friend or partner in crime earlier? It looked like Kevin was going to kill him if he didn't give him his answer!" Ben pressed the matter, taking Gwen down memory lane.
"Did you see Argit? He couldn't even look at Kevin in the eyes again. He is right. Something has changed about Kevin." Ben finished his point and waved down a taxi.
Gwen stood frozen, her mind racing as she pondered Ben's revelation. She alone had detected the subtle lethal intent emanating from Kevin during their encounter at the farmland, where they had confronted Alan and unravelled the mystery behind the farm fires.
Something about Kevin had transformed. His very appearance had altered, and his demeanor exuded that of a tyrannical king but one with reason, a reason to express that part of him. As she observed him, Gwen couldn't shake the impression that he bore the weight of a profound burden upon his shoulders. Yet, simultaneously, he also projected an aura of determination, as if he possessed both the means and the strategy to confront his challenges head-on.
As someone who had watched action movies, Gwen likened Kevin to a man embarking on a perilous mission—a mission with far-reaching implications and an uncertain outcome.
Gwen contemplated silently as she stepped into the taxi hailed by Ben. She harboured a sense of unease, a gnawing curiosity about this transformed version of Kevin. While part of her hoped that Ben's assessment was inaccurate, she couldn't shake the nagging doubt that lingered in her mind.
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