Ben 10. This fic is more for myself than for anyone else. Even so, I hope that you will enjoy reading it.
On an early summer's day, sun rays had filtered through the minute opening of the tent flap, waking me from a dreamless sleep. Shifting about, my eyes fluttered open. I had always been an early riser, perhaps more so than my dear partner whom I share my resting space with. I turned my head to gaze upon his beautiful, sleeping face. Such smooth skin, such that would incite fiery envy were I to mind my appearance. Lengthy black hair draping over the sleeping bag, he looked more peaceful than I had seen him ever before. I decided to not disturb his well-earned rest, and quietly left the tent.
Sunlight filtered softly through the branches of the forest into the clearing where we had set up camp for the night. I could not help but to stretch my limbs and breathe in the cool air. It was indeed a wonderful decision to have taken a vacation here, camping in the wilderness. We had both been stressed beyond belief, working ourselves to the bone as so we could pay off certain debts that had accumulated over the years. I smiled to the sound of birds chirping, one that I had thought I would never hear again. Yes, I believe that we had earned this vacation.
XVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVX
In space, an intense battle had been occurring. One ship against another. Lasers flying out and missing, asteroids exploding right and left. The incredibly sizable ship, commanded by a well-known intergalactic warlord, was in hot pursuit of a smaller green vessel. Weaving through the asteroid field, the green ship was struck twice by destructive power before it had the opportunity for retaliation. However, the chance soon presented itself, and the smaller ship struck the hull of the warship.
Assessing the damage, a robotic crewmember aboard announced, "Hull damage twenty percent. Systems still opperational."
"I have come too far to be denied," growled a menacing voice from the shadows. "The Omnitrix shall be mine, and there is not a being in the galaxy that dares stand in my way!"
XVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVX
"Morning, sweetheart," I hear from behind. He's such a sap in the morning. I smile and turn to face him, placing my half filled mug onto the dirt. There he groggily stood, hair in a mess. He yawned loudly and walked over to where I sat to join me. Every time I lay my eyes upon him, I realize how truly blessed I am to have someone like him. He is the perfect human being: possessing a most exquisite, statuesque form, he stands in a league of his own beyond all other suitors that I have ever considered. Not to mention his outstanding charm, his cute awkwardness, his boundless kindness, his... Nevermind. To list his positive qualities would take an eternity.
"Good morning," I reply. "you ought to brush your hair. It's unsightly." I slip a playful grin to hint that I am merely joking. He still uses his hands to comb through it.
"Come off it, I just woke up," he mumbled. I respond in tone by leaning on his shoulder. Ah, to be a couple. It is fun to brag about what I possess that most of my peers do not. Enough being selfish, I suppose. He inspected my mug with a curious expression.
"You drink coffee?" he asked. I shook my head.
"No," I replied. "Just trying it out. Official camping feel, you know?" He chuckles, and I lightly pat his head. "What're we having for breakfast, Kitty?" To that, he points to the inactive grill stationed near the tents, clearly used to the nickname I had designated many years prior.
The rest of the morning was filled with inanities of similar calibre. Flirting, taking in the clean air of the campground, sort of enjoying the mystifying taste of charred hot dogs. I wish for this vacation to last as long as possible, and as peacefully and lovely as possible. Ah, to be young!
XVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVX
The raging battle continued. In danger of complete annihilation, the small green ship was shot dead-on by a powerful laser. In the cockpit of the sizeable warship, the robotic crewmember assessed the situation once more.
"Their propulsion system has been destroyed," it declared.
"Prepare to board!" the tentacled tyrant thundered raspily. "I want the Omnitrix now."
Suddenly, however, the green ship had taken the opportunity that the short recess of attacks had provided. It charged and fired a highly destructive beam directly at the cockpit. Caught in the resulting explosion, the warship had fired a laser of its own in self defense, completely obliterating the small green vessel.
With the green ship in pieces, the cargo held was ejected, sending a meteor-like object hurtling towards a new destination: Earth.
XVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVX
I had been tapping idly at my phone's dead surface when, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a shooting star.
"Hey, look," I pointed at the falling object. "a shooting star!"
Lifting his head from tending the dying fire, he gave an odd look and murmured, "But it's the middle of the day..." Then he made a double-take. "And it's headed right for us!"
He was correct, of course. The flaming meteorite was indeed hurtling directly towards our campgrounds. I became spastic.
"What? Are you fucking kidding me?" I rambled anxiously, paralyzed with fear. "I'm too young to die! There's so much to do! I haven't done anything with my life! Oh jeez, oh god, oh f-" Kitty grabbed me forcefully by the shoulders and shook me like a ragdoll.
"We aren't dying tonight, dumbass! Quit freaking out and LET'S GET OUT OF HERE!" he yelled, similarly panicked. He was definitely a far better candidate in a life-or-death situation than I. Taking me by hand, he dragged me swiftly away from the meteorite's apparent destination.
From afar, we observed as the foreign object collided in a firey explosion with our campsite, leaving behind nothing but ashes and a smouldering crater. I was shaken. One in a billion chance, my foot! I ought to purchase a lottery ticket at this rate. Casting aside meaningless thoughts, I stalked cautiously towards the newly formed crater alongside Kitty.
Standing at the edge, I saw it. A circular container, covered in unnatural ridges, opening slowly. A sickly green light trickled from the orifice, bathing our stunned faces. A watch-like object, with a brightly lit hourglass symbol on its dial. Unique.
"An alien object?" I softly spoke aloud to no one in particular, in natural disbelief. And disappointment. My desire for humans to be the first species to colonize space was immediately crushed.
"So it seems," said Kitty, in a state similar to my own. We glanced at each other for a mere moment, before my idiotic clumsiness caused me to trip and fall into the crater. I fell, of course, directly on top of the damnable object. Damn my insufferable luck!
"Chrona!" he called after me, sliding down the hole as quickly as he could after me. Unfortunately, it was of no use. The object had immediately attached to my wrist, spreading a horribly uneasy feeling throughout my body. In fear, I wordlessly scrambled to pry it from my arm, but it was to no avail. It was apparent to me that this is a permenant addition to my body.
Kitty had attempted to remove it as well, but once he saw that his methods caused me pain, he ceased his action. We opted instead to stare unhappily at the object.
"What say we fiddle with it?" I suggested, to break the silence. He crossed his arms.
"And if it blows your arm off?" he replied. "Or perhaps, it blows up the planet? I wouldn't touch it, if I were you." I thought I was the cautious one, but perhaps he is in the right in this situation. This is an alien device of untold magnitude. It could be a doomsday device that steals the DNA from sapient creatures living on a planet in order to preserve them in a zoo. Or, maybe it is just a watch for telling time. Of course, there is no obvious time telling function on it, as far as I can see. In fact, the only thing I can see on the dial is the strange hourglass shape. An hourglass, on a watch. Perhaps not as strange as one might think?
"Nothing seems to be happening," I noted, after waiting but a few moments. "it probably wouldn't hurt to just..." I touched the dial. Nothing happened. I saw Kitty visibly exhale in relief out of the corner of my eye.
"Don't screw with stuff you don't know about, Chronie," he urged, apparently stressed out. I was overtaken by curiosity, however, and did not heed his advice. I touched the crown, and the watch flickered to life! His eyes widened, finally silent, observing with similar fascination.
The hourglass figure in the dial changed to show a dark silhouette of a man-like being. Without further hesitation, I gently pressed upon the dial's surface, and was enveloped in a harsh green light.