A/N: The story continues. This tale is an effective translation of an alien language told through the viewpoint of a nonhuman who belongs to his own culture, some of their practices some people might possibly find offensive.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything from the Ben 10 Franchise, Man of Action does, I'm only borrowing a few things for fun. Please don't sue.

Merrowww….

The Life and Death of Alvin Gregory Beverly-Levin

First Festival

Amidst the bleak ruins of another time and race, my people set up shop. The tree trunk like feet of impossibly tall buildings whose tops scraped against the belly of the sky became saturated with the brilliant colors of paints and pots, pelts and cloth, and people and livestock. The streets were filled with a cacophony of voices, clicking from wagon legs and hooves, and the wind from high above. A few fights broke out here and there as people staked out their territory.

There were so many different kinds of People here, too.

All four Tribes mingled together. My own people strong and tall, the Standing Stone Tribe and our equally tall and wispy guides from the Rippling Breeze Tribe mixed with those already present in the ruins. The Scorching Sun Tribe had skin that was so dark a brown I wondered if they could vanish in the dark (Melvin, Teresa, and my dammy all laughed at that and warned me against asking that question to anyone in that Tribe). They were even skinnier than the Rippling Breeze Tribe and shorter than they were as well. Their very short tightly curled manes were the colors of flame. The Shifting Tides Tribe shared the mane colors of yellows and blues with the darker tribe, but they also had many green-manes. Their manes were worn either mid length and straight or long in matted looking braids. The people of the Shifting Tides Tribe were so short, too; their hes were shorter than the shes of both my Tribe and the ones of the Scorching Sun Tribe! What they lacked in height, however, they made up in weight; the Tides Tribe were very stout and heavy boned. Both of those tribes shared weirdly broad noses.

I caught a she-hatchling of the Shifting Tides Tribe staring in our direction with just as much curiosity as I had in theirs. I blushed when we locked gazes. She had very pretty but oddly slanted eyes and warm honey tinted skin.

….

We found a place to set up camp under a building at the edge of where two big hard trails ran into each other. It had more than enough room to keep our sheep and hounds comfortably. Nearby a small rectangular forest grew wild past the stone borders surrounding it. Small songbirds flew into out of it and the sounds horns clashing hinted at a good hunting ground.

My dam and her friend unhooked Nighthoof from the wagon and gave him a good brush down. The horse basked in their praise and chuffed in delight as they polished his flank scales. The wagon's legs folded up underneath it as it settled down and deactivated. Following the adults' example, we dismounted our sheep steeds and brushed them; Cloudside bleated happily and nibbled my shoulder as I rubbed down his leg scales.

After finishing with Nighthoof, Teresa went back to wagon to retrieve some bands bearing our Clan crest. We tied these bands around the necks of our sheep, hounds, and horse. Then, we tied some bands around our own throats. It paid to be careful.

"Greetings, my fellow Clan mates." My dam began. She cast a critical eye over the lot of us.

"Greetings, Anna of the Beverly clan." We replied in unison.

"Since we have new shoots with us, I'm going to explain how things are going to work. First, we go out in groups as we would on a hunt; do not stray far from your group mates. If you do get separated, find your way back here. Do not go off with strangers, you do not want to be kidnapped and sold off on the black market.

"Secondly, what we buy is for the Clan and only for the Clan; however, you may keep what you win. Third, watch the supplies as there are thieves out there. Someone will be here at all times to protect the wagon and the herd. If you try to steal from someone else, don't get caught. If you do get caught, you're on your own."

As she finished her speech, a loud thrumming pulse of energy filled the air. It was a little painful and rather annoying; my fellow hatchlings and I shook our heads and huffed as we tried to get rid of the strange sensation. The grownups gave it no more than a scrunch of the nose before heading out from under the building. We followed them and tried to ignore the thrumming.

The sides of the buildings were… glowing. Multicolored dots of light covered the formerly grey-white structures. The dots came together and formed the image of an adult. He had a long wavy red-brown mane held back with feather-decorated braids, a few silver streaks here and there betrayed his age. Intense green eyes stared out of his light brown-skinned face and the he's large horns were adorned with jeweled golden chains.

"Emperor Tern." My dam hissed with obvious dislike. So that was the face of our emperor, he wasn't as scary as I had imagined. Okay, yes he was scary. An unnatural screech filled the air before a voice flowed from everywhere and nowhere.

"I greet you, my fellow Absorbing People, Descendants of War Beasts, those of the Black Hand. I am aware that this year has been a difficult one but you must persevere, your clan mates shall return victorious from the Annihi on those foolish Incursion amphibians. I thank you all for your patience and shall be arriving shortly, until then let the Harvest Festival commence."

Merrowww….

The nervous sweat coating my palms made it more difficult than it should have been to carry a few baskets of wool. Raymond showed nothing but pure excitement as he carried three baskets of fruit and fungi. The thought of being robbed or worse put a shade on any excitement I felt about my first time going trading; while Ray, being much more confident than I, had no problem putting such dark thoughts out of his mind.

"This looks like a good place to stop." Melvin announced. He put down the youngling sheep he had been carrying and led them to the roots of a building that was missing its top half. A banner in the shape of serpent-like fish was tied to one the stone roots and waved in the breeze. We stood near the huge youngling and sat our baskets on the rocky ground. "Greetings, is anyone here wanting to trade?!"

"OF COURSE!" A voice bellowed from somewhere out of sight. I flinched at the frightening sound and crossed my arms nervously in front of me. Ray must have noticed my discomfort, as the half-Tribe hatchling lightly pressed his shoulder into mine. Neither of us expected what we saw when the owner of the voice came into view: a short, plump, broad shouldered he only two feet taller than us strolled out. Slanted leaf blue eyes gave each of us a good once over. When the he got to Mel, the Tides Tribe member gave the green mane a large friendly grin. "Green Giant!"

"Riptide!" Mel shouted before rushing to meet the much shorter he. The two rubbed cheeks like old crèche-mates. As he stood the dark orange-eyed he poked his friend's paunch, "Got a good head start for the Cold season, eh?"

"Of course," Riptide boasted puffing out his chest and giving his belly a hearty slap. "'Tis the mark of good fortune and better hunting! Who're the fry?"

"They are clan mates of mine; the shorter one is my brother." Melvin replied. "This is their first year of life and most certainly their first time trading. How about we show them how it's done, eh?"

"Sure." We followed the stout youngling into the roots of the building with our supplies in tow. The space where Riptide's clan had set up was clean and smelled strongly of salt. Air nests hung between stone columns and brightly colored stone and wood jars sat next to an odd looking wagon.

"Let's learn what we've got." Riptide mumbled as he looked through a group of large jars. The yellow mane moved three of them to the front. "For a sheep I'll give ya a choice of one of these: dried blubber, preserved roe, or fish jerky."

My half brother traded his sheep for roe and blubber. Melvin checked the contents of the large jars to make sure that the contents were satisfactory. Then he moved them closer to the entrance and crouched down next to the containers.

The stocky youngling turned to Raymond and me with a soft smile. "What is it that you wish to trade, little fry."

"I've got some fruit and fungi for sale." Ray responded without any hesitation. The half-tribe hatchling carried his baskets over to the Tides tribesman for inspection. Blue slanted eyes carefully examined the produce and thick fingers tested the firmness and dryness of the goods. Riptide brought a handful to his broad nose and sniffed. Satisfied with his examination, the stout youngling nodded to himself and went to retrieve two large baskets from his wagon.

"I will offer you two baskets of dried kelps for your dried fungi and fruits." Riptide lifted the lids on the baskets revealing dark flat stuff packed into the containers. "This is a good source of minerals and vitamins and an excellent addition to stews."

"Hmmm," The green haired hatchling looked over the weird flaky stuff carefully. "Just a moment, I want to get a second opinion on this." Ray trotted over to Mel and whispered something into his ear. The huge he then did the same to his smaller Clanmate before the hatchling trotted back over. "I accept your offer."

It was my turn then, and I'm not too proud to deny that I hesitated. I gulped nervously and presented my wares. The older male ran his hands through the soft blue wool. "Very nice, let me see what I can find for you."

I didn't have long to wait. Riptide returned with a large block of salt and two spools of silk. I knew enough from listening to Master Rowan's stories to know that salt was rare in our region and that while we could synthesize the stuff, supplies would eventually run out. I also knew that Lord Kala and some of the other high-ranking adults had garments made of silk and that the stuff was used on the walls and roofs of the tents for waterproofing. "T-thank you. I accept your offer to trade."

"No problems little fry." I tensed a bit when the Tides tribesman ruffled my hair. The blond glanced over at his green haired friend. "Why don't you folks join me and mine for lunch later? I know a great spot that's pretty hot."

Melvin stood and then bowed graciously. Ray and I did the same and then gathered our things. "We'll take you up on that offer, but first we have more shopping to do. See you my friend."

Merrowww…

I sighed in content. The light of the Sky Sire warmed the stone beneath me and I soaked up both with equal relish. It was nice to relax after running back and forth all morning. Nevertheless, we got all of our live wares sold (sheep were in high demand).

"I know that feeling little brother." I opened my eyes at the sound of Mel's voice. The youngling and his friend volunteered to keep watch over everyone while we rested and ate. Two of our hounds flanked him and the rest intermingled with the fat looking hounds of Riptide's Clan. They too were making the most out of the food provided by the Sky Sire.

After the star moved across the sky by a few hands, everyone got together their animals and said their goodbyes. I couldn't help but blush when one of Riptide's Clanmates, the young she I had caught staring earlier, complemented me on my "pretty eyes".

Still it was nice to get back to our camp and share stories.

Merrowww…..

Over the course of the next two days, we traded away the rest of our goods for new supplies (I discovered later that my dam and cousin had managed to steal quite a bit). We weren't the only ones taking care of business first, everywhere wagons and camps were packed with necessities for the coming year. For some, including myself, it was a challenge not to sample any of the new foods. The adults promised us a flavorful feast soon, but until then we supped on sunlight and anything we could catch.

Early on the third day of the festival ships, dotted the sky. Giant iridescent ships belonging to diplomats and ambassadors to alien worlds unfolded their legs and landed on the tops of the sturdier skyscrapers and in unused streets. Late that day the absolutely gigantic royal ship passed overhead. Blood red and black, the flag colored ship cast most of the ruins in shadow as it searched for a place to land.

The buzz of electricity filled the air and the buildings came to life once more. Emperor Tern's image was everywhere. "Greetings Children of Saber Death, your Emperor has arrived. I assume that you all have taken care of your Clans first, now I will treat all attending to games and fun."

The next morning we woke to the sound of music. Dancers adorned in jewels and paint preformed in the streets. Dressed as gods and beasts, they twisted and shook, stomped and clapped as they shifted forms with the beat. I saw the musicians playing their instruments on the ledges of buildings. Some bore faces of intense concentration while others seemed at ease and swept up in the emotions of their songs.

"Well, better late than never." I heard my dam comment. She crossed her arms and sighed. Blood red eyes glanced down at us hatchlings. "They're going to finish setting up the games soon and then I'll take you all out to play."

"I can't wait till they start serving up the food!" Melvin trotted up with a dreamy expression on his face. He rubbed his bare belly. "You folks have got to try the pan seared sea striders, they are so good."

"Melvin, do you want to take little ones out to eat after games? Tres and I are going out at sun set for the… more adult games."

"Sure, I'll hatchling sit while you shes are out gambling."

"I have no idea what you're talking about." The faint blush on her cheeks suggested otherwise.

Merrowww….

The next five days were spent feasting and playing games. I found out that my dam and Teresa made a great gambling team. Together the two of them won a Royal horse, a pair of pet Weiro, four heads of cheese, a ream of blue dyed leather paper, and a sword. Jack solved this really weird puzzle and scored some holofiles. We now have a humpback drophorn from Mel placing first in a tentacle-eating contest. The huge youngling had also done some wrestling in the Emperor's stadium.

Neither Edward nor Raymond actually won anything. Ed placed second or third in a number of games and she did not take it well. My half kin would skulk for hours after each loss. On the other hand, Ray was a graceful looser and preferred to make friends with those who bested him.

I managed to surprise myself and actually won a game. Sure, it was story challenge and all I got out of it was a stuffed leather snapdragon doll with glass eyes but I was proud of it. I even gave her a name: Chomp. I didn't win anything else, but that's okay. Sticking by Ray I got to make friends with people I would have never been confident enough to talk to in the first place.

It was kind of sad that the festival would be over once the week ended. I heard Mel and Teresa grumbling about how the Harvest Festival should be extended to a week and a half. If the festival did get extended though, they'd have to open up a tailor shop to let out people's clothes since all the feasts were making things a bit snug.

Merrowww…

The last day of the festival, we spent at the stadium watching fights. I stuffed wool in my ears to cut down the noise so that I wouldn't get a head/backache. I wish my dam had taught me that trick before the cheering of the crowd had given me a migraine bad enough that I could sleep the first time I was in the crowd. I think that it slips her mind sometimes that I'm not as tolerant of noise as she is. At that thought, I gave a sharp poke to her softer than normal side.

"You still grumpy about that?" She hugged me against her side and assaulted my plumper belly with tickles. Ray joined her in the attack and by the time they finished both of them were laughing too hard to notice my glare.

The crowd roared as Mel flipped his older opponent over his shoulder. Moving quickly the green mane pinned the older male and held him down as the referee counted. Whistles and cheers thundered from the stands as the large youngling was declared the winner. The two fighters bowed respectfully before leaving the ring.

"Good battle to you, Melvin of the Levin Clan, and good luck next time Sol of the Stark Clan." Emperor Tern's voice carried loud and clear over the stadium. "I hope this Harvest Festival was fruitful for you all. Our warriors will be pleased to hear how their families have prospered."

"Our warriors would be more pleased to hear that they could come home." A feminine voice rang out. Heads turned to find out who had spoken and a murmur started up. Did someone really speak out against the emperor? Why?

"Excuse you?" The Emperor growled. Intense green eyes scanned the crowd, searching for the one who spoke out against his word. Everyone knew that the Emperor's word was law, to speak counter to it was treason. "Who dares to disagree?"

"I dare!" Several rows over from us, a she stood proudly from her seat. Aluminum caps on her small horns and her sash marked her as an ambassador. Her yellow eyes quickly glanced over the crowd before locking with the Emperor's own. "I, Silvia Marco Lopez, Royal ambassador to the Galvin, challenge you for the title of Emperor."

"I, Tern Gloria Burn, Emperor of the Black Hand Empire, accept your challenge. We will fight one to one in unarmed combat. Where do you wish to do battle, and when?"

"We shall fight here and now, no need to inconvenience the masses when they're already assembled." The purple haired female moved to the nearest vomitory and began her decent. On her way to the play ground she braided her wavy mane and through off her jewelry and sash. Tern gathered his rust colored braids up into a ponytail and got rid of his own decorations. The tall male moved to the other side of the arena and absorbed a coat of stone from the wall. The challenger did the same before hopping unto the playing field. She sprouted a stone tail and morphed one of her arms into a mace. The challenged grew short sturdy looking spikes on his arms and claws on his feet. The pair circled each other silently before clashing.

"Watch closely little one," My dam whispered as she leaned in close. Her eyes looked as light as mine in the twilight. "You are about to witness history."

She didn't have to say anything. A strange spell seemed to have fallen over the crowd as we kept our eyes on the fight below. It felt like something dark and animalistic had come to the surface. Merciless predators with sharp appetites searched for weaknesses in the combatants. Who chose their blows better? Who knew when retreat was necessary? Who was more determined to win? What were they feeling as the two clashed?

Before the fighters broke away from each other panting in effort, we knew who lost. As one, the rows closet to the ring descended. The looser was torn to pieces and the winner shoved to the center of the mass to take and eat the best piece of the body, the liver.

Once the last scrap was devoured, the spell ended and we bowed to our new Emperor. Then everyone left to rest for the journey that was coming.

Merrowww…

Once the wagon and the animals were loaded up, we joined the caravan leaving the ruins. As interesting as our time away was, I was excited to be going home.

Merrowww…

A/N: Another chapter complete.