“Ben 10 would be better WITHOUT Ben” (aka the lie)

Do you realize how disconnected everything in the Ben 10 Universe would be if Ben wasn’t involved?

Regardless of whether you love him or hate him, a lot of the story and plot lines for characters are directly connected to Ben’s involvement.

Did he or did he not find the Omnitrix (even if it was unintentionally and not specifically meant for him), and become the driving force behind Team 10 always fighting the good fight?

Ben is literally the reason Team 10 is so persistent in doing their job to protect the universe. 

In the OS, Max was shown to be a retired plumber and seemed as though he no longer wanted to take part in the alien fighting business. He almost resented it. 

“There is no family business. My hero days were over a long time ago.” – Max, “Truth”

vs a few years later 

(Source)

To add to this, in the beginning, both Max and Gwen always discouraged Ben’s constant drive to do what he thought was right, even if it wasn’t safe. This is understandable as they probably wanted to make sure Ben was as safe as he could be doing that sort of thing at the age of 10. But their apprehension implies they would not have been as motivated to be a hero like Ben was.

…until Gwen realized how special the Omnitrix made Ben feel. She realized that, even though she may be smart and talented on her own, she lacked something that made her “special.” 

Gwen: The world needs someone with the power of Lucky Girl.

Ben: Newsflash. I’m the only one with powers.

Gwen: Well, you can make that “one” a “two” now.

Ben: All that stuff you did it’s not you, it’s that charm.

Gwen: It’s not you either, it’s that watch.

Ben: You’re just jealous of me.

Gwen: Am not! 

(Ben 10 episode “Lucky Girl”) 

Regardless of the immaturity of this argument, it still proves that Ben being there and being so skilled with his alien watch is enough to make Gwen want to equate herself with him. 

It motivates her. Which is how she eventually becomes so skilled with alien magic herself.

I’d argue Ben inspired both Max and Gwen to get more involved in fighting evil because he was always so persistent. They often act like this was a flaw in his character, but in the end his stubbornness is what motivates him to never give up.

Ben reached out to help Kevin and give him a chance at redemption not once, but twice. 

It’s strange that people seem to blame Ben for Kevin being homeless and tormented as a child. Realistically, what could a ten year old possibly do to help? He had already offered Kevin a spot on his team back in Kevin 11.

“We can still be partners! We’d just be kicking butts for good instead of for ourselves. You could hang with us!” – Ben, “Kevin 11”

It’s obviously terrible what Kevin had gone through as a kid, but he was still mentally unstable at the time that Ben first met him. What else could ten year old Ben possibly do?

He tried. He always tried.

That is why it’s so important that Ben offered Kevin another chance at redemption when they met again as teenagers. Now Kevin’s state of mind was better/more controllable and Ben could actually do something to help Kevin’s situation as he was in a more authoritative position.

And in doing so, Kevin not only gained a best friend but also a great romantic relationship with Gwen. If it wasn’t for Ben, GWEVIN WOULD NOT EXIST!

Do you think Kevin would have given his life and sanity in UA if he didn’t feel like he owed Ben for all Ben’s done to save his life?

There is reason Kevin is a hero, and it’s because his best friend Ben inspired him to be that hero.

Kevin knew that Ben would have done anything to stop Aggregor, and in turn that inspires Kevin to do the same, in his own way with respect to his own abilities. Obviously it didn’t turn out the “heroic” way he probably intended, and since he’s been so in control of his abilities for a while Kevin probably didn’t think it would be an issue any more.

But still…there was a driving force behind his decision.

The relations between humans and aliens alike has greatly improved thanks to Ben’s innovative use of the Omnitrix.

So much that by Omniverse, humans and aliens literally live alongside each other. 

(Everyone likes to poke fun at the Alien Force episode “Alone Together” but) Ben’s accepting attitude towards Reiny (aka the power of friendship) greatly altered the way even one Highbreed looked at a human. Which ultimately led to the Highbreed agreeing to reconcile with not only humans but all other alien species. Which they previously wanted to annihilate! 

If Ben wasn’t the one wielding the Omnitrix, this might not be the case. Especially if no one was wielding it at all, then there would only be more conflict throughout the Galaxy and between alien races, especially their respective criminals.

Rook only has the opportunity to become a great plumber (as well as Magister) because he got the chance to work with Ben.

And subsequently if Ben hadn’t earned his title and status among the Plumbers, Rook might just have been another Plumber. Which is not necessarily a bad thing, but the experience he got to have while working along side Ben greatly adds to his skills and road to becoming Magister Rook Blonko. 

Which is very important to Rook’s character development since his family back home now sees him as a hero.

His sister, Rook Shar, joined the plumber academy because of him and his brother, Rook Ben is on his way to do the same in the future. That is inspiring and revolutionary considering how old school and traditional the values are back on his home planet, Revonnah. 

Ben is what connects all these stories together. He had a huge impact on all of these character’s lives.

Ben 10 just would not be the same without him.