Ben was walking back to his room with Melody, Vamps, and Whampire. The snake was taken to the outskirts of the town and destroyed per Vamps' command.
"That snake did look deadly," Ben admitted.
"Yeah, it's for the best that it was destroyed," Melody said.
"Yes. That kind of snake needed to be destroyed on sight," Vamps said, now looking out into the distance.
"But I want to know more about them. What are they and how do you think it got here?" Ben said, now very curious.
"No need to discuss it now. For now tell me how you enjoyed the festivities tonight," Vamps grinned.
"I enjoyed it a lot!" Ben said, now grinning. "It wasn't as bad as I thought."
"Good because there will be another one later on this month," Vamps smirked.
"Oh great," Ben chuckled.
"Now then, tomorrow we are going to do some princely training Ben," Whampire smiled. "It will be a long day so you better have a good night sleep."
"Yes, you will need your rest," Melody smiled.
Ben nodded to them all and then headed to his room. It had been a long night, but an eventful one. As the others slowly went to their rooms, Melody walked out to her balcony and saw a figure waiting for her.
"I thank you for keeping such a low profile. I really need you to help protect the castle. Ever since the last battle, we don't have a captain of the guard," Melody said.
"Of course. I want to be there to help you wherever you can." The being replied quietly.
"I know that the others don't really know about you, but Vamps and Whampire will accept you if we talk to them," Melody said softly.
"Do not press them too much about it now. Just leave things the way they are now," the voice said gently.
"But I want you to be promoted now," Melody whined.
"Dear Melody…let things begin slowly. It will be alright…I promise," the being smiled, now placing a gentle hand on her face. "Now then…go and get some rest. I will continue to watch over you and the others like I always have."
"Thank you! I love you so much," Melody said, now hugging the being tightly and they cuddled her to their chest with the best care. But when they heard footsteps down the hallway, they quickly parted and the being disappeared into the night. Melody then quickly went back to her bed. After a few moments, she heard a knock on the door.
"Is everything alright?" Vamps' voice echoed through the door.
"Yes, everything is fine," Melody said. "Come in Vamps!"
And with that, Vamps walked in and sat on her bed, looking at his dear friend whom he considered a sister.
"Now then…you and Ben seem to be getting rather friendly," Vamps cooed, now arching an eyebrow.
"Yes. But Vamps…you don't have to worry," Melody started. "I like Ben, but we are just friends right now. We both have a mission to do and we're not ready for anything like…love."
"I'm glad to hear that Melody. Because you and Ben are still very young and you need time to learn about life before you begin the serious relationship of love." Vamps said gently.
"We understand," a voice said. Both turned and saw Ben come in. "I'm sorry. The door was open."
"It's alright. Come in Ben," Vamps said gently.
"Yes come in." Melody added. Ben nodded and walked in.
"Vamps, Melody and I are just friends. Neither of us are ready for a serious relationship," Ben said. Melody voiced her opinion too.
"You both are being very wise. Especially since you both have been given great responsibility. Perhaps in the future, you both can see about a relationship. But now is probably not the best time," Vamps said. "But please know I'm not trying to tell you what to do; I am just trying to give you all advice."
"Vamps calm down. We know," Ben smiled, now gently nudging Vamps.
"And yes…we know," Melody grinned, now hugging the king. He hugged her back and ran a hand over Ben's head, affectionately ruffling his hair.
"Hey!" Ben chuckled, but still allowing him to do it because he loved his oldest brother. After a few minutes, the family separated and went to bed.
As Ben walked down the hallway and into his room, he felt the golden ring in his pocket. The same ring he found near the serpent's cage. As he gently pulled it out, he saw a serpent-like insignia on it that glowed a light purple color. Curious, Ben tried the ring on just to see if it would fit. But then his Omnitrix glowed on and off. It was as if it was a flashing warning signal.
"No, I don't feel good about this," Ben said, now snatching off the ring and walking to the window. "If Vamps and Whampire said that that snake was bad news, then I want no part of it."
And with that, Ben threw the ring out into the night, hoping to never see it again. But as Ben turned and walked to his room, he grimaced at a slight pain on his hand. He looked down and his eyes widened in horror! The ring slowly formed back on his hand and glowed, making him grab his hand in pain.
"W-What on Earth?!" Ben gasped. "How did this happen?!"
Ben struggled to get the ring off, but he couldn't! It was solid and not moving! Within a few moments, Ben truly began to panic.
"What am I gonna do?!" Ben gasped. He then ran to his bed and sat down, running his hands through his hair in a panic.
"Why do you panic?" a voice asked. Ben spun around and saw the same alien with the long tail, but his upper body was similar to a Celestialsapien!
"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Ben screamed, but the alien flicked its' fingers and made the entire room sound proof.
"You humans are so emotional. Must you always scream at the sight of a new being?" the alien said, now letting his tail extend and curl around Ben's leg.
"GET OFF! Don't touch me!" Ben snarled, now reaching for his Omnitrix and slamming it hard. He then transformed into Wildvine! He then pulled free of the alien and got into a defensive stance. "You won't get this Omnitrix! I'll defend it!"
"Oh please young human. I am not interested in your silly alien device," the alien said, looking bored.
"Y-You're not here for the Omnitrix?!" Ben said in shock. Every alien wanted it!
"Hardly. I am not interested in that shape-shifting invention. I am here for one thing and one thing only." The alien responded.
"What do you want?!" Ben said warily.
"Why…you of course." The alien said, his voice deep and definitely self-assured.
"WHAT?! WHY?!" Ben said, now getting scared.
"I need a new pet and you will do nicely. I have owned many humans before but none as interesting as you." The alien said, now eyeing Ben up and down. "For the Vladat king to take in a human, you must be something spectacular. And I always get what I want in the end."
"You're crazy?! I don't even know who you are!" Ben snarled angrily.
"Oh my oh my, now where are my manners?" the alien said, now slithering to his full height. Ben cringed at how tall he really was and how frightening he appeared. "I am Prince Soren."
"Prince S-Soren?!" Ben gasped out.
"Yes. But I am sure you will learn more about me as the time permits." Soren said, now looking at Ben up and down. "I must say you are young, but you will do."
"No! I'm not going anywhere with you!" Ben huffed.
"Oh young Ben….unfortunately…you do not have a choice. When the time is right, I will take what is mine. You." Soren chuckled deeply, now disappearing into thin air. But his voice echoed around the room. "And do not worry. I take good care of every one of my pets."
Ben let out a cry in horror and soon Vamps and Whampire ran in there to see what was wrong. But the moment Vamps walked in, his eyes narrowed.
"Soren…" he growled out.
"What?!" Whampire said in horror.
"Yes. Concentrate Whampire. It is his energy signature in here!" Vamps said. He then turned to Ben in horror and saw the ring!
"Ben…where did you get that?!" Vamps said, his eyes widening.
"I found it next to that creepy serpent's cage! I tried it on and then when I felt like something was wrong, I threw it out the window! But then it came back! I don't know how it did but it came back!" Ben explained.
Vamps pinched the bridge of his nose in agitation and Whampire looked at the ceiling in despair.
"Ben…that ring is a slave ring. It was used by this ancient and terrible race from years ago," Vamps said, now sitting down next to Ben and examining his hand.
"That ring is a pact between you and the owner of that ring. No doubt that serpent was used to catch your curiosity but the ring was the real target," Whampire said.
"But will someone please explain what the ancient race is?! I'm confused and scared! That Soren alien was just in here and said he wants me!" Ben said in horror.
"Over my dead body!" Vamps hissed.
"That goes for me too!" Whampire thundered.
"Ben, Soren did this because he wants revenge. His kind and our kind used to be allies until they became greedy and power hungry. They tried to destroy us but we defeated them and banished them to the Black Galaxy. There they remained until it was rumored that they had died out." Vamps said.
"And he and Vamps were close friends before they became enemies." Whampire said. Vamps turned away in anger because it was true. He and Soren were great friends before their races went to war and almost obliterated each other. Ben saw the anger and fury in his eyes and could feel the tension in the room.
"We will protect you Ben. I don't know what he has planning, but we won't let anyone harm you," Vamps said gently. And with that, both brothers huddled around Ben and held him. They could sense his fear and they knew that Ben had a right to be frightened. Soren had made himself known as well as his intentions. He for some reason wanted Ben and they had to figure out why!
guestsurprise: What do you think will happen?