The Quest
Summary: Medieval fic. Prince Benjamin, Sir Kevin, and Lady Gwendolyn embark on a quest when their kingdom is annihilated by Vilgax and his forever knights to seek revenge and reclaim Bellwood. All the while, they must protect the sacred jewel, the Omnitrix, from the hands of evil. No aliens.
Rating: T, for imagery and possibly language.
Disclaimer: I am only borrowing the characters and some names, nothing more. The plot is my own.
Chapter 1
"Gwen, run!" Ben cried, shoving her out of her chamber doors. She stumbled on her long blue skirts, but recovered and gathered them in her arms so she could move more freely.
"Ben, come with me!" she cried, looking over her shoulder in fear.
She heard him cry out in pain and stopped in her tracks, long red hair whipping around. Gwen was relieved to see him appear, pulling the doors shut with a grim expression on his face. He quickly caught up to her, long sword gripped in his gloved hand. His chainmail, which was all he had the time to put on under the attack, glinted in the torchlight.
"Let us go!" he hissed, grabbing her upper arm and leading her quickly but cautiously down the corridor. Ben kept his green eyes locked ahead, alert for any of Vilgax's soldiers. Gwen watched behind them, eyes wide and full lips slightly parted.
They ran into no one.
"We must make haste to the secret door," Ben whispered a little breathlessly.
"But what of-"
"No time," Ben interrupted, knowing she was going to ask of their parents. "I'm sure they will meet us there. But my priority now is you, dear cousin."
Gwen knew it was not the time to argue, and silently followed him. They took many turns, most hallways shrouded in darkness, until they reached the throne room. The passage for which they were headed was hidden behind the tapestry, and it led outside of the walls of Bellwood to the forest.
"Wait," Gwen whispered, pulling free from his grip.
Ben gave her a dangerous look, but she ignored him and fetched the crown that rested on the king's cushion. Chanting a quick spell, she removed the central emerald from the crown and replaced it. Ben, seeing her intentions, nodded, and they pressed forward.
"Halt!" echoed a sudden voice.
The cousins whipped around in alarm to see a Forever Knight stalking toward them. Gwen quickly stashed the jewel in her belt. Ben slowly tensed the muscles in his arm, ready to swing his sword when the enemy was in reach. But it seemed the knight had the same ideas.
"Halt yourself!" cried a righteous voice.
The Forever Knight could not evade the sword that pierced underneath his armor, and he fell to the marble floor, dead. A young man in chainmail was revealed standing over him, blood dripping from the sharp tip of his sword. He looked up at Ben and Gwen gravely.
"Now might be a good time to escape, my lord, my lady," he said. "I will draw off the enemies. That should give you time."
"No," Ben said, relaxing his arm. "Come with us, knight. I have been injured in an earlier duel, and I shall need assistance in defending Lady Gwendolyn."
Gwen spoke. "You are Sir Kevin, are you not?"
"I am, my lady," Kevin replied. He moved swiftly forward, casting a wary glance over his armored shoulder. "I am afraid there is no time for chivalrous banter. We must go."
"Yes," Gwen agreed.
Ben turned without another word and swept aside the tapestry, revealing the door. They quickly disappeared, and Kevin shut the door behind him, making sure the tapestry fell back into place.
"Gwen, light," Ben said, hushed voice echoing across the stone walls. "Quickly, now."
A pink hue illuminated the tunnel, and cast strange shadows across their faces. Kevin, the tallest of the three, had to stoop slightly as the ceiling was low. Ben nodded, and they set off quickly but cautiously. Not many knew of the secret corridor, and it was hidden well from the outside, but that didn't mean it couldn't be found. They had to be ready for anything in the raid.
"Sir Kevin," Gwen whispered anxiously.
"Yes, my lady?"
"Have you any news of our parents?"
"I'm afraid not, my lady," Kevin replied sorrowfully. "But I am certain we shall meet them soon enough."
Ben said nothing, feeling sick in his heart. He was certain that they would not meet them soon enough.
For a long while, there was no sound but for the quiet echoing of their footsteps. A dim light could be seen in the distance, and they were gladdened by it. They would soon be out of the city walls, in safety, they hoped. But as they neared the exit, sounds reached them. At first they were unsure of what they were, but then they felt sickened.
It was screams. Their people were screaming as they were massacred by Vilgax's army. They tried to shut them out, but couldn't. All three of the young Bellwood citizens felt as though they were betraying their people. But it couldn't be helped. The watch guards had been killed without warning, most likely, and Vilagax's knights had entered swiftly and silently. Once they had reached the castle, they began the slaughter. The teenagers fervently hoped that at least the women and children had been allowed to flee, but knowing the ruthless ways of Vilgax, it was not likely.
Ben halted at the end of the tunnel, ears and eyes perked for danger. When none presented itself, he stepped out, sword ready. Still nothing attacked, and he motioned the other two forward. Gwen faded the magic in her hand, and the light disappeared. There was plenty moonlight to see by. They made a mad dash for the safety of the trees, knowing that they could be spotted from the turrets and shot down by archers. But they made it safely, and they continued onward into the darkness, followed by a chorus of terror and despair.
A/N: My first Ben 10 fic, even though it's completely AU. Hm. Still, I hope it's not horrible.
Remember, there are no aliens in this story. The Omnitrix is not a watch, it's a sacred jewel with mystical powers. Magic is used in this realm, so Gwen can use it. Kevin might be able to use it a bit, but I'm unsure about that.
Just to clarify the ages, though they might not be "historically accurate" for their ranks and whatnot. Ben and Gwen are seventeen, and Kevin is eighteen, possibly soon to be nineteen.
Thanks for reading! ^-^ I'll update as soon as I write the next chapter.
