Chapter 6: Mutual Gain
The guys were gone for training again, and Ben was relieved his cabin fever was gone for now.
He had yet to find a way to use the Omnitrix. Last time, he had to count on Kuphulu being free to help, and before, the Omnitrix's safety features had saved him. He wondered just how far the watch's capacities in saving his butt could go.
'If it can contain Alien X and a living planet like Gravattack, could it stop, like, a black hole or a Big Bang? Better not try it, I don't need Azmuth to put me on timeout with everything I do.'
Ben still felt he missed the good old times. Going out for smoothies, getting chili fries, going to the movies with Rook, visiting Kevin at his garage, talking teenage stuff with Gwen... This mission, while failed, took a lot of time on both his hero schedule and his regular teen schedule, Max would better give him a month worth of vacation for the time he lost in prison after this.
He wondered what he could.
Join the others in training? Sure, why not give it a try? It'd definitely be hard to keep up with the others fighting like puppets, but he could help.
Going to the other parts of the dungeons? The townspeople could've warmed up to him, but he seriously doubted it was the case, especially since some people didn't survive the battle.
Trying to get out? His Corruptura would immediately warn someone of his plan, and unless he could escape far away quick enough that'd be of no use, especially since Lord Transyl still had control over it, he could probably force Ben to come back.
He rested his hand on his forehead, right where the little critter was. It stayed on him for days, he couldn't imagine having something that tiny stuck on him forever. He actually felt it was going through his skin, though there was no pain unless he pulled on it or tried to squash it. And that thing was the bane of his time on this planet.
It was as if someone put a dog leash on him, like it gave him a semblance of freedom, but he still was a prisoner. He was marked as a slave, he couldn't disobey or run away, and as long as the Corruptura would be there, he'd never be able to be free again.
He had noticed the other prisoners were giving him glares when he walked with Crüjo a few days ago. They didn't like that he was more free of his movements than they were, looking like a privileged freak to them. He wished he could do the same for them, but he doubted it was possible without Whampire. And if he did, they'd try to kill him twice under his Vladat form.
He couldn't get Lord Transyl to free them, could he? Actually, he didn't even get how he could explain why he was treated differently. The vampire alien had chosen him, of all people, a human, as his personal slave. It almost felt like saying he was his favorite, except it didn't work that well if he was the favorite of a life-sucking overlord.
He was still confused on Lord Transyl's intent of keeping a close eye on him this way. He remembered the moment they've spent on the balcony, when the alien had tried to talk Ben out of fighting. Lord Transyl for some reason kept being interested in Ben, and it scared the young hero to know why. He said he couldn't afford to lose Ben, but why did he say that?
Ben felt useless up to that point, it was bumming him out. He didn't train, he didn't help, he couldn't help or fight on his own, he needed to be assisted to even do anything (he still remembered how the others literally dragged him to the throne room at the beginning, when he was paralyzed). So why would Lord Transyl even keep him?
He said he liked Ben's defiance, the way he still didn't give up or submit. Ben knew some bad guys loved doing that, where they like to see the good guys retaliate like in dog fighting, as if it was some kind of game to entertain themselves. But all Ben did was talking back numerous times and barely even try to escape. How was that any defiant? How was that enjoyable? How did someone who was supposed to be his enemy enjoy when he was being cheeky?
He even remembers when Lord Transyl seemed amused, when he was still dealing with Zs'Skayr. The man truly enjoyed that, even if they were meant to be enemies. Why did he like having Ben around like that, toying with him and getting uncomfortably close to touching him? He knew bad guys liked to torture the good guys, but this was different from the others. He was being treated differently.
Another thing Ben couldn't understand, was why he suddenly stopped fighting back for a moment. On the balcony, he just... suddenly gave up. He didn't remember what happened exactly, he just blanked out for a few seconds and let Lord Transyl get near, almost biting him before Attea went for a rescue. He hadn't minded what was going on at the moment, as if whatever was about to happen didn't bother him, and it's a thought that now scared Ben.
Why was he acting so weird? Why did he just, do that? It felt as if whatever Lord Transyl had in mind when keeping him around, it was affecting him well, he didn't know what he was doing anymore.
Could the Vladat have hypnotized him? But he failed last time, he couldn't just reattempt it and it'd suddenly work. That's never how powers work (he felt hypocritical for some reason he wanted to brush aside). Lord Transyl had something that ended Ben's struggle briefly, and it terrified Ben to know what else he could do.
And what terrified him even more, were the sudden chills he felt all over his body. He felt himself move and, without a second thought, he left the cell.
'What's going on?'
Instinctively, he knew he had to go somewhere. He felt someone was giving him directions, making him come, beckoning him.
The Master of the Vladats was calling for his slave.
"How can you do this all day?" asked Scout, panting.
"What? Are you telling me you stopped training after last time we met?" teased Rook, laying on the ground too.
"No, I still do. But I can't keep up with you anymore." he heaved. "Where did you learn... to do stuff... that crazy?"
Rook had rolled a few acrobatics, showed new moves, had his Proto-Tool equipped with unusual weapons, and didn't seem that tired after the training. His old classmate and best friend from Plumber Academy had really changed during his time on Earth with Ben Tennyson.
"Ben has been quite... the source of inspiration for a few new moves. His recklessness and original way of getting himself in trouble often helped our creativity. You should see the techniques we have made. Though I am not sure you would be brave and irresponsible enough to consider trying one of them."
Both Plumbers laughed out, while the three henchmen next to them had been resting on the ground, against the wall.
"For people being tooled like puppets, you sound like you have a lot of fun over there." bemoaned Viktor, his muscles sore from the exercising.
"Hey, you... look like... you can... keep up too!" said a tired Crüjo.
"Unlike you two, I'm used to Tennyson and his friends' antics. I was thrown into space, another dimension, toyed around with a mad king and Tennyson's energy absorbing friend, turned into a living iron figurine before."
His comrades looked at him. "Well, beside the dimension and figure thing, seems like nothing has changed for you." shrugged Kuphulu.
"When did our lives become this weird."
"Probably when Zs'Skayr decided to endanger Ben and the rest of the Galaxy." said Rook, receiving a glare from the three men. They were still loyal to him after all, it would take time to agree on who's to blame for now.
Scout didn't need that. "Which time?"
"Hm?"
"Which time did Zs'Skayr do that? His time on Earth? Vilgaxia's invasion? What he did a few weeks from now? Another moment where he came back to life I have no knowledge of?"
Rook snorted. "You and Ben have a similar humor, a shame you did not spend time with him in a better situation than this."
"Yeah well, I wish he was there with us now. This place is depressing enough on its own." Scout said, looking at the training ground.
The other citizens were battling in pain, both physically and emotionally. Ben hadn't joined them yet, he looked healthy. At least it felt nice to know unlike everyone else, he managed to keep his head up (well, aside from the occasional self-doubts moments he witnessed). Looks like Lord Transyl didn't manage to take away his smile for the time being.
The Loboan Plumber hoped it'd stay that way.
Ben wondered what the vampire lord had in store for him this time.
Threaten him about torturing his friends to make him submit? Give up the Omnitrix to Zs'Skayr so he could make an alien clone army the way Vilgax did, except looking like Halloween monsters (that would actually look cool)? Use his powers in another way to make sure Ben would comply to his orders and act like a tool you put on a shelf?
Hard to guess which, his whereabouts weren't as known to everyone before as they were now. What he'd have to face was a mystery.
Seeing as he arrived in front of another door, he breathed in for a few seconds. He was called to come, it definitely wasn't going to be fun. He decided to knock before pushing the wooden door open.
As expected, he saw Lord Transyl and Zs'Skayr. Unexpectedly, this wasn't anything like a torture room or something akin to a headmaster's office. Was this... Lord Transyl's chambers?
Lord Transyl made Ben come to his room.
"Well, Tennyson has decided to join us again." said Zs'Skayr's throaty voice, as he raised his scythe. "I should've known you would've tried to escape sooner or later."
'That's the first thing anyone would do, ecto-face.'
"I summoned him to be here." hissed Lord Transyl. "You should stop making assumptions about my slave at every turn, only I know how to keep him in line and make him do my bidding."
'Yeah, right.'
"My excuses, Lord Transyl, but I have dealt with a pest like Tennyson for years. No matter what happens, he always tries to escape fate." The smile on Lord Transyl's midnight black lips suggested that wasn't necessarily a bad thing for them. "Even when he's under total control, he's a nuisance that requires a lot of effort to bring down."
"Understood, Ectonurite. Now leave, I have matters to discuss with him. He's my slave, it is my role to discipline him."
Ben felt Zs'Skayr was rolling his eyes too, even if those weren't at the same place as his were. He now found himself alone with the man, as the ghost alien phased through the floor.
He felt Lord Transyl's controlling stare directed at him, and he felt he couldn't move back or run away. Nothing new, in short.
"You needed me for something?" asked Ben, crossing his hands.
The Vladat approached him, his purple eyes gazing at the young hero. There was hunger, arrogance, power and dominance in the look he gave.
"Why, yes indeed, my dear slave." said Lord Transyl. Before Ben knew it, the vampire alien towered over him, his face uncomfortably close to the teen's. "I recall telling you to stay put last time you joined a fight."
"And I remember saving your royal butt, you're welcome by the way." teased Ben with a smirk.
An impatient grunt came from Lord Transyl, whose evil smile still hasn't faltered. "It does not matter whether or not you did well, my slave. You still disobeyed a direct order. And while normally I'd punish you for that, your little show earned you some of my mercy."
"Great, so I'm not grounded or anything? Can I go now?"
Lord Transyl took his clawed finger to Ben's chin, his other hand behind Ben's back. "You still act as defiant as always, don't you, Ben Tennyson?" he chuckled at Ben's slight surprise. "No matter what I do, you still refuse to accept your new life in my empire."
"I don't care about all of that." said Ben. "If people are in danger, I'll intervene to help no matter what, you can't force me to change or abandon being a hero that easy."
Lord Transyl's grin growing did nothing to reassure him.
The Vladat's eyes were spiraling again, and once again, Ben felt relaxed, as if any worry he had before, any problem he encountered never happened at all. "You know your place is with me, not with those pathetic weaklings you call your 'friends'." he whispered with his husky voice, just enough for Ben to hear him, and serve him. "I have the power of a thousand armies, a thousand kingdoms within my grasp. All it would take for you to find the fortune you seek, the bliss of being mine, is to renounce fighting and assume your role by my side, my dearest and most exceptional slave."
Ben was hesitant. The daze he was in wasn't letting him think straight, and Lord Transyl's voice was compelling, charming, almost convincing him. Yet, that did nothing to discourage his sense of justice.
In a few seconds, Ben blinked and snapped out of the hypnosis, much like last time.
Lord Transyl hummed, caressing Ben's cheek. "You stand still, but it's only a matter of time before you stop resisting, Ben Tennyson."
"I hope I'll have enough of my brain left to see that, Lord Transyl." teased Ben.
His fear seemed to have dropped now that he knew what his opponent was capable of.
"Such a shame you still refuse to give in to the shadows, young human. Your performance as an imitation of a Vladat wasn't as disappointing as I would've expected." Lord Transyl retracted his hand from Ben's face.
"Hey, Whampire gave you a run for your money each time, you don't have to pretend to say you're impressed by me." said Ben.
"Impressed wouldn't be the right word. You were somewhat amusing, and I have to say I didn't expect you to reach that potential with my powers that fast."
"It's my thing, I'm a quick learner. I go with my guts, I don't need thousands of years of existence and learning royal manners to rival with you."
"You would have been an interesting subject had you been born a Vladat, rather than a mere human."
"I could've been and am a lot of things, thanks." Ben showed his wrist to the king, putting some distance between them. "Of course, it's not like I never learned how to use these powers six years ago. I'm not like the others you imprisoned, you're right, but I'm different in the sense that I knew how to fight for my life before you came into the picture. And I'm not going to let my friends put themselves in danger if they can't help it but I can."
His tone was determined, and while he still didn't look like he got the advantage in his battle of wills with Lord Transyl, it seemed to have made its effect. Lord Transyl took a few seconds to ponder.
His slave didn't and would not give up that easily. The more he was kept in cage, the more he tried to escape. It was pointless keeping him trapped if he'd fight back whenever he was brought back in. Then...
'All he needs is a bigger, better cage.'
"I hear you, my slave, and I understand your reasons. But you should still avoid damaging yourself too, I can't afford to lose you for such foolish reasons."
Ben rolled his eyes. 'So what, he cares?'
"For this reason, I will allow you to make a change in your imprisonment conditions." That piqued Ben's interest. "You will be able to choose how my rule over you goes, for once. You can choose to stay with your 'friends', while they're under my control and you'll have to watch them go through all that hard work and pain. Or... you could come by my side, leave the dungeons and become my one and only servant forever."
Ben stared at the man before him. He was... giving him a suggestion? This was obviously a trap. Another ploy to make Ben leave his friends and manipulate him into willingly surrendering. He had to choose to stay with them. But...
He hadn't done much beside joining them in the fight before. He fainted when he got them free, he let them fight for him, he needed assistance to go hero. He wasn't really being much useful while with them, he just stood there while everyone was fighting, suffering and dying.
The way he was currently, it wouldn't make much of a change if he was with them or not. They were all being puppeteered without control over their movements. He was the only one able to move freely, and he didn't do much. If only they weren't stuck like that...
"What about a third option?"
"Come on!" complained Scout, once again laying on the ground with his best friend.
"I. Am. Exhausted."
"We still got 5 hours going before we can and have to rest." moaned Kuphulu.
"We already have to rest, we just can't." said Crüjo.
Training equaled suffering at that point. It made Scout wonder if Vladats had knowledge of how military training worked, because pushing them to the edge this way was not the way to go.
"I hope Ben is doing alright." sighed Rook. "With all that fuss over the mission failing, he needs it."
Their Corrupturas' eyes shone. This probably meant they had another ask to do. 'Great.' Then all of a sudden, their muscles relaxed, and they fell (well, they technically already hit the floor before that happened).
It took a few minutes for the group to react in any way. They were staying still, catching their breaths, making up for weeks of humiliation and pain. Scout was the first one to respond.
"We're free!" he gasped while he stood back, putting a hand on the wall to help himself.
"Rngh! What... what happened?" asked Rook.
"Hey, doc, any hint on what's going on?"
"No idea. Ah, my gears!" said Viktor, rubbing his back. "We can't be like this unless Lord Transyl or another Vladat decided to release us."
"That's impossible, we all know it." said Kuphulu, helping Crüjo stand back up. "You think Tennyson did something? I know for a fact even his Vladat form can't help, but it wouldn't surprise me if he's the one responsible."
"He has always been a wild card, even with the Plumbers." said Rook.
"Well, if he did anything, I'm hoping this lasts. I can't kick myself into high gear while restrained."
"Was that a pun?" asked the mummy alien. "I think Tennyson is rubbing on us way too much for someone we were supposed to murder a while ago."
Lord Transyl's eyes stopped glowing, and Ben was delighted.
"I will truly never understand how you can decide to put them above you. There isn't much honor in doing so when you have the choice of going with me."
"Never say never." teased Ben. "You'd be surprised as to how having company can save a life, even your own."
Lord Transyl slightly frowned. "You could've become something greater, such a shame, my dearest slave."
"Sorry, but if my friends are taking the bullet, I'm not taking any risk."
The teen felt lighter now that he struck a deal. Sure, they couldn't escape, but he wasn't the only one who could decide for himself now. It wasn't their way out, it wasn't the solution to all their problems, but at least it was a start.
He was about to exit the room, his task complete. He stopped, turning to the alien lord. "When people I care about are in the need, I'd do anything to make sure they'd feel safe and free. I can't let them down, I won't let them down."
The man smirked again at Ben's words. "I hope to be a part of that, my slave."
"Who knows?" Ben grinned.
He didn't realize Lord Transyl was standing in front of him again. He flinched when he saw him put his hands around Ben's head.
"However, do not forget yourself, Ben Tennyson. You are as important to my plans as you are to those friends of yours. Don't put yourself in unnecessary harm."
Ben gulped. The look in his eyes felt... different. It was less evil or cruel, it seemed... fonder, more curious than threatening. This was really new compared to the other bad guys. And before he knew it, Lord Transyl put his lips on Ben's Corruptura, his teeth brushing Ben's skin softly.
Ben stood speechless. He probably got another upgrade, but this still felt weird whenever Lord Transyl did that. It almost felt like a kiss...
"Okay. I'll... try not to die next time you put me on time-out." he said as Lord Transyl released him.
The lord was amused by Ben's attitude. "You seem to have gotten healthier." he said, his purple eyes inspecting Ben, looking at his inner parts and seeing life flow through the boy's body. "Your energy is significantly stronger, and you aren't as weak as you were when you fell before me. Have a good rest, my slave. You deserve it for what you do to those around you."
He saw Ben's heart beat faster. The poor boy was confused, not comprehending where his kindness and leniency came from.
"You may leave now."
"...thank you."
Ben finally left, going back to the dungeons. 'I think I'll never understand how stuff in the Anur System works.'
"Gimme more!" roared Crüjo.
"Already? I can't believe you haven't had your dose for the night." teased Kuphulu.
"Not all of us here have a body that can feed on anything just by touching it or shoving it into their skins, now pass me that."
Though Scout and Rook felt a bit guilty and still hesitant about eating, they had to admit they couldn't blame their cellmates for stealing plates from other prisoners. They hadn't been satisfied with their food for days, and they'd rather steal than fall sick for now. They did worry about getting a bad influence from this experience though.
"Hey guys." said Ben, arriving at the cell.
"There you are!" said Viktor. "You owe us an explanation, kid."
"What? No th-"
"Thanks, kid." cut him Crüjo. Ben gave him a look. "What? I learned to anticipate with you around."
"Anyway," he sighed, "I got Lord Transyl to lay off for now. You guys are free!"
"We noticed." thanked Scout, biting into a piece of meat.
"Ben, you do not realize how proud of you Magister Tennyson would be."
"I don't need to imagine, Rook." explained Ben with a sad smile, remembering his grandfather back on Earth. "Grandpa always taught me to leave a campsite cleaner than I found it. I'm just doing what I've been told to do."
"You sure you're not being too much of a good kid, Tennyson?" asked Viktor.
"You can always tell me if you liked it better when you were standing like a camping peg every morning." said Ben, sticking his tongue out.
"How did you convince Lord Transyl? Did you twist his arm or some other kind of threat?" asked Kuphulu.
"First, I wanna know who taught you how to negotiate. Second, I'm not sure I'm gonna bite more than I can chew, he's stronger than the average human. And third, we talked."
Seeing the confused stares directed at him, he decided to elaborate. "He wanted to thank me for my stunt and let me do one thing to make my life here easier. So, I told him to let you be normal again."
"And he agreed?!" exclaimed Viktor.
"Dude, I ended the Highbreed invasion, got the Pantophage to leave the Lewodans alone and I ended the feud between Appoplexians and Lewodans with a talk. And some brute strength too. Really, did I need to get the Kingdom of Zarcovia to let you go to convince you I know how to deal with this?"
"You still made Zabin's followers try to annihilate you, Ben." pointed out Rook.
"Hey! I didn't think that statue would collapse, okay?! Plus, I wasn't too used to have Way Big on me yet, not my fault I didn't control my weight." argued Ben. "Plus, I did end the war, technically. Now they want to destroy me instead of each other, that's an improvement."
"Uh huh."
The other prisoners were amused by the exchange. Ben had enough history in the galaxy as a hero, so it only made sense for his partner to know his biggest messes, ones he kept hidden for the sake of his reputation.
"Come on, at least I wasn't trying to sell used weapons to soldiers and conning them into giving me their money while they're broke like Kevin and Argit did! Now I wonder where all that money went..."
"Back to the point, what do we do now?" asked Rook. "I doubt he would let us go scott-free, no matter how much you tried to convince him."
"I don't really have a plan, but I got something. Follow me, guys."
"Are you sure this is safe?" asked Scout.
The whole thing seemed ridiculous.
Ben had tied Viktor's conductors with to Kuphulu with his bands. The mummy didn't like the idea already.
"Now, try an electric charge." said Ben.
"Tennyson, if I die, I hold you for responsible." threatened Kuphulu.
Viktor wasn't too sure about this, he didn't know what to think of what Ben had in mind, but he sent a low voltage to his friend anyway.
Kuphulu's bands started sparking with electricity, flowing as if they were in the wind.
"That looks cool, but go with more power now!"
Viktor generated more energy into his conductors, and more electricity sparked from Kuphulu's bands, except it looked wilder and more dangerous to touch. The Thep Khufan didn't seem to mind however.
"Now, whip it good!"
The mummy threw his bands around, acting like a whip indeed, except the electric charge in his body made energy waves whenever he hit anything with the bands. The aliens around were speechless at Ben's tactic. Did he just... combine their powers?
"Grandpa was right about me needing to get better at physics, I wasn't sure that'd work, to be honest."
"You could've made a barbecue out of us and you took the risk?!" complained Kuphulu.
"Wow, you got barbecues in there too? Anyway, I tried to do that before as Snare-Oh, but with the Rustbucket's batteries. Never got the chance to try with a legit living battery person."
Kuphulu seemed to relax, but Viktor was glaring at Ben for the name.
"Look, it's kinda hard to explain, but you can make more damage with your bands than you think you can with this power combo. You guys are a bit tired so I'm not gonna show you now, but you'll see you can handle a lot more power than this."
"Where did you even learn to do this?"
"Ask Feedback for that." teased Ben. "Okay, Crüjo, Scout, come here." he beckoned both Loboans.
Taking the mummy's bands again as the Transylian cut off the charge, he tied a band around each of the werewolf aliens' waists.
"I know you guys can do sonic howls. Ever tried, Super Mega Shocking Electric Sonic Howls?"
Both blinked, then seemed to get where Ben was going with this.
At his sign, Viktor charged up again, and the electricity went through Kuphulu to both Loboans. Charged with energy but unhurt, they both went on all fours and let out their screams. The purple energy waves fired from their mouths looked like high energy fields, and the dent it left on the nearby wall seemed satisfying enough.
"Wow."
"Say, guys, when we defeat Lord Transyl and go back home, might tagging along? I think I could use this for a science project for school." said Ben.
"You just turned our powers into an ultimate attack, and that's all you have to say?!"
"What? A hero like me needs to get unpredictable, that's why I need to make tactics bad guys won't expect." winked Ben. "Look, guys, I know this is hard, but we'll eventually get through this, together. On our own, we're easy targets, but if we combine our forces together, I'm sure we'll be able to be enough of a unit to overthrow Lord Transyl."
He held out his hand. "Who's with me?"
Rook was the first to put his hand with Ben's. The Anur aliens looked at each other. Ben might have had a rough start on their planet, he might have been easily defeated last time, and they were partially to blame. But he knew what he was doing, he could be trusted. Without a word, they all joined in, forming the whole team.
"As long as we stay unseparable, we can do this." he smiled.
There was hope, they could go back to their lives after this, they could fix everything.
As they went on back to the cells, however, Scout tripped.
Catching his old friend's arm, he accidentally made Rook fall too. And since they forgot to untangle themselves from the bands, the others followed soon after and the group went down on the dirty ground together.
"Sorry." apologized Scout.
"Hmph.!" said Ben, raising his head from the dust. "We're really unseparable now, tied with strong bonds."
Though he was pouting, his joke still cheered up his friends. They weren't going to give up.
Coming back after decades for an update, here I am!
Now, the team's all together, they all have faith in themselves and each other, they're all in this together! ✿・゚✧・゚✧︵(ꈍ‿ꈍ)╯・゚✧・゚✧✿
Lord Transyl also attempts more suggestion on Ben's mind, but bringing him back into the game doesn't make it easier to get Ben to be his :P
Anyway, hope u guys liked it, and I'll be there for another chap. Until next update, hope u do well and bye!
Heato, out!
