Okay, this story took root in my mind and just wouldn't let go. :)

Ben 10 belongs to Cartoon Network and Man of Action. Mythology belongs to its respective owners. Jocu, his brothers, King Lauhin, the Black Tickle Knights, the Rogue Knight, and Queen Bliss belong to guestsurprise. Summer and Forrest belong to VinnieStokerLover. Sage belongs to Steelcode. I only own Rachel, Sasha, Courtney, Megan, Chelsea, Sir Daniel, and the Knightmare Knight.

The Knightmare Knight

Chapter 1: Encounter

"Whew! I think this is just what we needed," Rachel said with a smile.

"Yeah, and it was so great of Whampire and Rook to take the kids to the water park today," Sasha said with a smile.

The two sisters were in the Tickle Realm visiting their dear friends and were currently walking through the Tickle Forest, enjoying the day and escaping the trees that tried to catch them, but they giggled as they were tickled by the leaves. "At least it's nice and cool here," said the older girl.

"True," the younger girl replied.

They had just arrived at a clearing and were about to sit down on the rocks when Rachel stopped, holding out an arm to stop her sister. "Something's wrong," she said.

"What is it?" Sasha asked.

"Someone's watching us and it's not Jocu."

Sasha then felt it too and she had to agree. It didn't feel friendly. "Who's there?" She asked.

Suddenly, dark-skinned creatures jumped out and surrounded them. "Nitians!" Rachel exclaimed in horror.

The two quickly stood back to back, looking at their enemies they had had more than a few run-ins with. "Grab them!" One of the Nitians cried out and they began closing in.

Rachel gently nudged Sasha. "Think your plant powers will work on the trees and plant life here?" She asked.

"I'll try," Sasha said and her hands glowed green. Rachel put two fingers to her head and concentrated.

Thankfully, the Tickle Forest realized what the girls were trying to do and immediately stepped in to help, but the Nitians then pulled out pruning tools and sheers, making the tickle trees shiver in fear. "You bullies!" Rachel exclaimed angrily.

"No one will help you wretched girls!" Another Nitian said. "Get them!"

But all of a sudden, a sword flew out of the bushes nearby and knocked a few Nitians back before swinging around like a boomerang and returning to the bushes. The struck Nitians suddenly screamed before turning to black dust, making the two girls jump in alarm. They had seen the enemies of their friends turn to black dust, but never with just a sword strike. It was a bit alarming.

A figure then jumped out from behind some of the trees and a sound like a sword slashing was heard and the Nitians fell rapidly, turning to black dust. The sisters were even more shocked and stood still as the dust filled the air and a figure started to come towards them. "Who is that?" Sasha asked.

Rachel noted the person's height. "The Rogue Knight?" She guessed.

But when the dust settled, they were looking at a knight they had never seen before. He was tall like Sir Daniel, the White Tickle Knight, but his armor was blacker than the Black Tickle Knights' armor and had steel-colored strips crisscrossing his chest and running down the length of his legs. A steel sword was in his hand and a starry cape that was a royal purple color hung from his shoulders.

"Who are you?" Sasha asked in a wondering tone.

With a gentle swish of his cape, the strange knight turned away and then vanished. "Wait!" Rachel cried out, but he was gone. "Um, thank you," she said softly.

"Was that…a tickle knight?" Her younger sister asked.

"He didn't act like one," the older girl said. "And his sword. It was made of steel."

They heard rustling and jumped, quickly becoming on guard before two familiar figures burst out of the bushes. "Rachel! Sasha!" Jocu exclaimed as Vivo echoed his cry.

"Jocu!" Rachel exclaimed.

"Vivo!" Sasha cried out as both sisters ran to their friends, almost tackling them with the force of their hugs.

"Are you two alright?" Jocu asked worriedly. "Father sensed something was wrong."

"We were ambushed by Nitians," Rachel told him. "And…they had gardening tools and were threatening the tickle trees."

"What?!" Vivo exclaimed in alarm.

"And that's not all," Sasha said. "A knight came to our rescue, I think."

"What do you mean?" The red Lauhinian asked curiously.

"He was tall like Sir Daniel," Rachel answered. "But…he had a sword. A sword of steel and his armor…it was blacker than the Tickle Knights' armor."

"And he had a cape that was purple with a starry pattern," said Sasha. "He didn't speak, but he attacked the Nitians."

"A swipe of his sword and they fell, turning to black dust instantly."

Vivo shuddered a little and held Sasha close. "Where is he now?" He asked.

"He vanished after Sasha asked who he was," Rachel said. "Do you guys know who he was?"

Jocu shook his head. "No," he said before sensing both girls were still in shock over what happened. "Come. Let's get back to the castle. We need to tell Father about this."

"Maybe he'll know who that knight was?" Sasha asked.

"He might," Vivo answered as the two Lauhinians picked up the girls and raced back for the castle, keeping their eyes open for any Nitians, thankfully not seeing any, but they didn't stop running until they were safely at the Tickle Castle and inside. Taking a moment to catch their breaths, the four of them headed straight for the throne room to speak with King Lauhin and Queen Bliss.

Well, what do you guys think so far? :)

Please leave a review, but no flames!

GoldGuardian2418