Author's Note: I do not own Ben 10. Besides I'd rather own Man of Action giving me rights to ALL the cartoons! That sounds like a better plan don't you think?
"I'm bored!" Ben yelled for what must have been the hundredth time.
This was the longest the teenager had gone without any form of technology and the effects were taking it's toll on him. True when Ben entered the small hut and had seen not one, but two bunkbeds lining the wall his child-like excitement blew through the roof at the chance of playing 'the floor is lava'. This idea was shot down, however, by a very stern Gwen and a less than amused Kevin. Ben was sure the only reason he was saying that though was to to impress her. So instead of reliving one of his greatest adventures of his childhood he was now lying on the top bunk and studying the different shades of old wood. A fascinating task... for the first five minutes.
"I'm bored!" Ben whined yet again trying to grab their attention to relieve him from this nightmare. Nobody replied. He let out a small wistful sigh. He wasn't expecting to have intense fun on this trip, but he was more than positive he wasn't going to die of boredom.
"I'm-"
"I swear on my life Tennyson if the next word out of your mouth is 'bored' I'll kick you out this hut and give you something real to complain about." Kevin quipped from the bottom bunk opposite him.
With sheer will power Ben forced himself to roll near the edge and dangle his head over to see his two companions.
"Well what have you guys been doing since we got here?" he said to the now upside-down Gwen and Kevin. Kevin looked up and gave a small roll of the eyes.
"You look like some deranged bat. It'll hurt your brain if you keep doing that."
"My head doesn't hurt." Ben said tilting his head to the side confused.
"That makes way too much sense." he said reaching into one of his pockets. Pulling out a small screw he began fiddling with a pistol in his hand. It took Ben a while to realize it was a Hell-blazed pistol.
"I thought we destroyed all of those." Ben said narrowing his eyes.
"I kept one as a souvenir. Lucky for us huh?" he said feigning innocence.
"I'm done talking with you." Ben said. Leaving Kevin to whatever he was doing he leaned a little lower to try to see what Gwen was doing in the bunk directly below him. From his angle he could just see her head bobbing madly from left to right. Everything she seemed to have packed was scattered on her bed in a completely random order which was strange considering she was a perfectionist and a mess so horrible would've definitely made her have a mini-heart attack. Her eyes darted madly and her mouth whispered wordless thoughts as she picked up a Reptilicus, inspected it and then banished it to the furthest corner of the bed.
"Uh... Gwen." Ben started unsure of what to make of his cousin. Louder furious muttering flew from her mouth, but the only words he could make out were 'away', 'busy' and 'Ben'. She picked up a large stone; dark in texture and sandy to the touch and threw it down without giving it another glimpse. She let out an irritated cry and rested her head in her hands. For the first time he noticed she seemed not quite herself. Her usually perfectly combed hair was loose in places and a few spare strands stuck out almost randomly as she dug her hands into her scalp in frustration. Ben looked to Kevin to see if he also thought she was acting funny, but he was way ahead of him. Carefully placing the gun on the soft fur blanket he walked over to her in two short strides. Ben was also about to intervene, but suddenly Kevin's warning hit him like a sack of bricks and the most splitting headache formed in a matter of seconds. With a wince he rose up from his position and fell on his back with a pained moan.
"So..." Kevin began causing her to jump. Crouching down he carefully picked up a few items of hers and examined them with half interest.
"You OK?" he asked ignoring her surprise, his eyes focused on the stone she was holding earlier still with the same half interested expression on his face.
"O-oh. I'm fine. Never better. Just peachy."
Kevin looked up from the stone.
"Nobody who uses 'peachy' is OK." he retorted. Gwen opened her mouth and shut it. She was too worn to argue.
"I know, I know." she said waving him off. Leaning back she rested her head on one of the pillars.
"It's just... I'm a Witch." She said letting out a laugh brimming on the edge of disbelief or insanity.
"An actual, real life, non-fake Witch. I don't know the first thing about being a Witch or what they do or how they act or if they even use these things." she said picking up a Shield Bird and shaking it viciously.
"I got these things from a store for crying out loud." She said. Her hand rose above her head ready to throw it against a wall in annoyance, but dropped it exhausted. So much has happened in the passed few days it was quickly forgotten by the two boys that Gwen was actually having to deal with her new found title.
"You know I know stuff about things other than cars and guns." Kevin said picking up a different Shield Bird.
"You do?" Ben said dangling his head upside-down again.
"Yeah I do." Kevin sneered, glaring at Ben from the corner of his eye before focusing on Gwen.
"There are many kinds of Witches. Some are loners others stay in large groups, some offensive others defensive. Mainly they're just freakishly powerful for their own good."
"You talking from experience or are you just making up things?" Ben said head swaying slightly as the blood rushed to his head at a more rapid pace than the last time.
"Experience. Some Witches use High-level Demons for jobs they don't want to do or need help with. Like Familiars. They don't do it often though they prefer sticking with their own kind, but they sometimes hired my bosses. Met a few to." he said shrugging off the last information as if it were nothing to meet such Witches.
"So they work together?" Gwen asked. Kevin nodded.
"Some Myths find it easier to work with some Myths than others. Old feuds and stuff. Anyway my point is; I know these items and I can help you choose which ones you should keep."
"Really?" Gwen said sitting upright, a little more life lit up her face then it did before. Kevin bit back a grin.
"Yeah. I'll show you which ones you need to pick right now. That will help your sanity right?" he said letting a side smile slip out.
"Yes." Gwen said pushing a few things into a corner to make space for him. Sitting down Kevin laid everything in front of them.
"Right we'll divide it into the Selling pile and the Useful pile." he began marking where the two piles will sit.
"Wait what do you mean 'Selling'?"
"Moving on." he said throwing the dark stone into her head which she barely caught.
"That doesn't even go in a pile. You keep that on you at all times. It's a Transportation Stone and is worth more than Bat-brain over there." he said pointing to Ben who now looked completely out of it yet was still upside-down somehow.
"This is a concentrated Teleportation Spell. It takes a whole lot of time and a whole lot of ingredients to use in the heat of battle and so usually teleportation is not an option. Only the highest of Witches create Transportation Stones to use when needed and how you have one is beyond me so you better keep it okay? And only for emergencies... Got it?" She nodded dimly placing it safely in her bag.
"Okay now let's get started." After some time had passed though Gwen couldn't help, but notice how the Selling pile was growing into a much bigger size than the Useful pile. Before she could question though the door swung open with a noticeable bang. The two gave a small leap yet Ben, being Ben, fell straight off the top bunk with a noticeable scream and face first into the floor. They ignored him. In walked Ajax, his sword dragging next to him creating an ear-splitting screeching sound across the hardwood floor. He stopped and turned to face them, his cold brown eyes focusing on Ben who was still face down and moaning.
"May Lady Akuchi help us." he whispered under his breath. Clearing his throat his gaze shifted on to Gwen and Kevin.
"Lady Kahina is expecting you."
~oOo~
After much effort scraping Ben off the floor Ajax led them to the Courtyard. The Courtyard was about a ten minute walk from their hut and was a large circle of dusty land with tall, lush trees forming around it acting as a sun barrier. Two snake-like paths at the far end of the Courtyard broke off the perfect circle and both lead down somewhere much deeper into the forest, the one to the left seeming to go uphill. At least fifty polished tables were spread randomly, few claiming one or two Centaurs even if they were big enough to seat six. Kahina sat at the longest one directly in the middle of the two paths and a few feet from the trees. The table looked old and faded compared to the others, but this only made it seem more unique. As usual she was accompanied by Bellatrix and Kaden who stood to her left and right respectively. Kahina sat still, smiling her usual goofy grin. How she could be so happy just sitting was beyond Ben.
Spotting the three teens her smile grew only more radiant as she eagerly beckoned them over. Ajax gave a bow to dismiss himself and left them on their own to walk to her.
"Sit, sit, sit." She said quickly her bracelets clinking softly as her hands flew up and down in an excited gesture for them to be seated on the soft pillows.
The teenagers did as they were told, positioning themselves on their knees and looked to her with an expression that they hoped mirrored her eagerness. Probably not though.
"Comfy? Great! Now..." she said placing her hands in her lap and straightening her back into a more regal pose.
"About your training." Already Kevin cut her off.
"Ours? I thought only Ben had to do this." Kevin demanded forgetting who stood to her left. Catching Bellatrix's acidic glare he groaned now completely fed up with the Blonde.
"Oh please forgive me if I was rude. Great and wise Kahina." he apologised in a voice which could mirror a robot. Kahina either didn't notice or pretended not to.
"Oh it's fine." she beamed.
"I decided that if Ben had to do it you two might as well." she answered pleasantly enough. Being unable to argue back Kevin simply folded his arms and mumbled his 'agreements'.
"Alright now Centaur training in essence only involves two fighting styles." Kahina started off. The trio slouched. They were in for a long explanation.
"They're First Hand Combat and Stealth Combat. First Hand Combat requires you to be in direct contact with your enemy. Face to face. Stealth Combat requires you to be a fair distance away from the fight. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. First hand combat allows for the fastest possible end to the fight and allows you to make sure you have efficiently injured and/or killed them. However it is the fighting style which will likely get you killed and doesn't allow you a lot of time to think. You would also be weak against enemies who are good at long-range attacks. Clear so far?"
They blinked. She continued anyway.
"Stealth Combat keeps you a fair distance away from the fight, has the least chance of you dying and allows you a chance to strategize. You also must act as lookout. It does, however, require the most time and patience and if you aren't one hundred percent accurate you could jeopardize the mission. You would also be weak with close combat. This is why we have two separate groups to ensure the best efficiency. It has been this way for hundreds of years and hasn't failed us in battle yet. Got it?"
The three sat with a range of facial expressions.
Kevin remained stoic and motionless, like a chiselled statue, but his eyes were wide and bug-eyed clearly trying his best not to malfunction as he desperately processed all the information without looking like an idiot.
Ben, however, wasn't quite as conscious for his actions nor did he care. His mouth hung open with no hint of closing anytime soon. His one eye was narrowed whilst the other twitched in strain. He had already malfunctioned.
Only Gwen seemed completely oblivious to their issues, her eyebrows creased in understanding and her chin balanced in her hand as she weighed out the options. Kahina drummed the table slowly.
"So... are you going to tell me which one you're going to train in or must I ask?"
"Huh?" They yelled in unison. Gwen was the first to try to explain herself.
"With all do respect Lady Kahina I think we need some time to really think about it." Kahina seemed quizzical.
"Why? It's only training. It's not like I'm sending you into a real fight or anything."
"I know..." Gwen began fidgeting with her fingers awkwardly. "But it's a very important decision. You agree with me right guys?" she asked desperately shifting the attention to the two of them.
Kevin scratched his chin in thought as he stared at Kaden, who was trying his best not to show how uncomfortable it was making him and refused to shift position.
"What combat force you in, Kaden?" Kevin asked.
Kaden arched an eyebrow sceptically.
"First Hand Combat."
Once more Kevin scratched his chin who was now being mirrored by Ben, though he appeared to be stroking his imaginary beard, like a younger brother copying the older.
"If, hypothetically, you joined First Hand Combat would you get a sword like that one?" Ben asked pointing to the long steel sword secured around his torso. Kaden gave a bored shrug.
"Possibly."
"Possibly?" the two repeated. Gwen stared dumbfounded.
"You two cannot be serious." Ben shushed her.
"Yeah I suppose so." Kaden said beginning to count off his fingers to make sure he didn't miss one.
"In First Hand Combat we have the option for axes, flails, swords, daggers and spears."
Gwen watched in horror as a mischievous glint entered their eyes.
"And Stealth Combat?" Ben asked.
Kaden's dark eyebrow's scrunched as he tried to think as Bellatrix firmly believed not to answer unless addressed appropriately.
"Bow and arrows mostly. Crossbows have been used recently. Poison darts and a light weight spear. Right Bellatrix?" he said looking to her who nodded showing he was correct.
The boys nodded coming to a conclusion and Gwen simply watched stupefied at their stupidity.
"First Hand Combat." Kevin said.
"Stealth Combat." Ben said puffing out his chest with extreme pride of his decision.
"Why? I mean... How? Have you guys thought of nothing? Considered nothing?" she practically shouted. Kevin looked down at her with slight confusion and Ben might as well have just said she were insane by the way he was staring.
"I want a sword." Kevin said feeling it was explanation enough.
"People in Hollywood use bow and arrows for a reason Gwen. For a reason. Do you know why people don't die with bow and arrows? Because bow are arrows are awesome."
Gwen looked even more dumbfounded and Kahina let out a light chuckle.
"Gwen you're thinking like a Witch." she said and Gwen looked at her shocked. How could she possibly know? But the answer became as clear as day. It was all in her name after all.
"If you think like a Witch you'll never pick one. Just let your instinct take over." Gwen looked at the two who smiled encouragingly and with a heavy sigh made her choice.
"Stealth Combat." she said with her head hung low. Kahina clapped her hands together as though sealing the deal.
"Alright see that wasn't so hard? Now there are three rules you must obey and understand before you get started. It's usually four, but none of you have a definitive reason for living yet so it does not apply. Right Rule One: You may not choose another force." The three agreed with a few mumbles of 'yes Lady Kahina'.
"Now training takes weeks so these next few are very important."
"Wait weeks?" Ben blurted out. Kevin stifled a laugh. It was Ben's turn to be under Bellatrix's watchful eye.
"We can't take weeks! I just need a bit of your power and information and I'm out of here! Our parents will be worried-" Kahina held up her hand.
"Benjamin allow me to finish before you complain if you could be so kind." she said with a warming smile. Gwen held him down by the shoulder even though she too seemed just as upset as he was.
"Right now Rule Two; No Powers may be used. This includes charms and weapons not Centaurion. this includes the Omnitrix." All of them now began voicing their complaints and the three were shot down by an angered Bellatrix.
"Centaurs don't use powers and neither will you." Kahina explained simply.
"But adapting to the first weapon you touch is an ability Centaurs possess!" Kevin reasoned.
Kahina placed her index finger on the corner of her lips.
"I suppose that is a little unfair, but you must understand it's not a power. We gain a connection with our weapon, but we still need to train with it."
Ben stood up, his green eyes clashing with her passive teal ones.
"My grandfather is missing, I watched a friend die, something big may be starting..." he said slowly, his voice surprisingly calm despite the fact this was the first time he had truly spoken about it with anyone. Kevin and Gwen tried to stop him, but he didn't listen.
"So now not only won't you give me information to help find him, you won't help me gain power to avenge my friend or stop whatever's coming. And you're making us stay for weeks which will make our parents worry sick." he continued his fists shaking slightly as he tried to piece together the situation.
"But no. On top of that I can't use my Omnitrix. The one thing I need to start using and the whole reason I'm here in the first place. Do you have any idea how unfair that is? Do you?!"
"Benjamin." Bellatrix threatened stepping forward. Ben turned to her.
"Shut. Up. Trixie. For two minutes." Ben seethed between gritted teeth. Kaden now stepped in.
"Do not speak to either of them like that." he said becoming Bellatrix's words as she was too flabbergasted to speak. Kevin simply sat back. Not even he had enraged her this much. Gwen on the other hand was now standing trying to physically shut him up before he said something to offend her.
"It's not fair, Gwen! She's not helping us at all! We've made no progress since we've gotten here and we're no further to anything than we were before."
Everyone halted when Kahina stood up. She walked lightly and with purpose like a lioness on her hunt. Reaching for Ben he felt an unexplainable shiver creep up and down his spine. He shot for his Omnitrix, but she simply took his hands between hers.
"I'm sorry for your loss." she said solemnly looking down, somehow not meeting eyes though she was much taller.
"And I'm sorry for your grandfather. This is hard to cope with believe me I understand." Slowly Ben seemed to ease and his sudden anger fizzed and died down along with it.
"How old do I look to you?" He shrugged.
"I dunno. Thirty?" she let out hearty laugh. It was an odd laugh he thought to himself. It sounded both happy and hollow at the same time.
"I am much, much older than that." she said.
"So believe me when I say I know what I am doing. I wouldn't be wasting your time simply to get a reaction out of you. Heavens no! There's much more fun things I could be doing." she let go of his hands and placed them on his shoulders now.
"Tell you what. If f you can answer me now truthfully we don't have to do the training at all. So; what is your one purpose in life? Have you an answer?"
Ben shook his head. A strange feeling bubbling in his stomach. It felt similar to embarrassment, but was slightly different.
"If you can't answer me you aren't ready to wield the abilities of a Centaur. If you can't have the mind set of the Centaur how do you expect to cope as one? As a Centaur you need to have one sole goal in life or too many will destroy you. Once I deem you ready I will help you in whatever way I can. That seems fair now don't you think?"
Ben looked up at her, trying to find any hint of dishonesty yet found none. Breathing outwards he gave a short 'yes'.
"Good." she said and released him of her hold and allowed him some space. Which was immediately filled by Gwen and Kevin.
"What were you thinking?" Gwen demanded wanting to desperately shake him back and forth and scream at him.
"Nothing probably." Kevin commented.
Kahina for his benefit, spoke as though nothing occurred.
"Right now where was I?" she asked looking like the eager child she was.
"Rule three." Gwen offered just as Kahina snapped her fingers.
"Ah yes! Rule three; Don't die."
"Thanks." Kevin said sarcastically. By the time he realized what he said he was already preparing for an earful from Bellatrix, but was slightly pleased she was still staring daggers at the back of Ben's head.
"Alright it is..." Kahina looked around her and specifically towards the forest.
"Seven according to the shadows we'll meet back here at five. Well. Buh-bye!" she said and with a leap begun to trot off.
"Wait! About our teachers? Who did you assign?" Ben shouted across the Courtyard. Kahina turned around an amused expression filling every corner of her face. Two other Centaurs who were sitting not too far from where the group stood came to meet her sides much to Bellatrix's and Kaden's confusion. The boy to Kahina's left with the ash-grey coat wielded a silver bow and the girl to her right with the purple-black coat controlled a flail. Ben's stomach slowly began to twist and turn and a nervous sweat broke out in the palm of his hands. Kahina's smile, still as radiant and kind as ever, pointed pass him.
"Why they're right there." she said causing Bellatrix and Kaden to stare wide-eyed and shocked. Clearly the two had also not heard of her apparent thought out plan.
"Both of them are the most powerful in their chosen fields and if you wish to leave so soon you might as well have the best." she said innocently enough.
"Lady Kahina, p-please." Bellatrix stuttered, over rage or heartbreak it was hard to tell. With a shaky finger she pointed towards Ben.
"Please don't let me teach him." She pleaded like a child trying to get out of school shocking not only the teenagers, but even Kaden and Kahina.
"It's ok I actually wanna switch! I would actually really like to switch right about now." Ben said and for the first time he and Bellatrix both agreed on something; they did not want to be in the same area with each other. At all.
"Ah ah ah." Kahina sung waving her finger from left to right in time with her tune.
"Rule one." And with this Kahina bid them good luck and walked off with her two temporary bodyguards.
All Ben could think about was how this was payback. Somehow in the span of one minute she managed to get back at him. Make him pay for questioning her word of law by forcing him to obey yet another word of law.
With a nervous gulp Ben turned to face Bellatrix Kentaurides. His new teacher. Who hated his guts. Ben managed to stifle back a scream.
This was going to be a long day.
Author's note: You know how you say you're going to do something. Really TRULY do something. Then a week passes, and then two weeks... and then six months. I cannot apologize enough for making all of you have to wait so long and I am really truly sorry believe it or not I really didn't know that much time had passed! Again I am so sorry and though these chapters do take quite a long time to post I will do my best to make time to post them immediately and I will make it my mission to never allow such a long hiatus again! You have my word. Since it has been so long I will offer you a quick recap of a few items you may not remember or recognise from this chapter, but first!:
Reviews are greatly appreciated as I would love to hear what you think so far, what you're predicting will happen or even tell me if my writing style or chapter didn't meet your approval or if I didn't word something quite right. I would like to here ALL of it.
Reviews on my OC's are also greatly appreciated because I know in some stories OC's can be a stretch and I would love to make sure that they're to your liking. Say who you like the most or like the least and why so I know what I'm doing right or wrong.
My writing is here to entertain all of you and to all the new readers thank you for coming and for the old readers thank you for the support it means a lot to me!
*RECAP INFO*:
Shield Birds: A device shaped like a bird that produces a pink energy shield which is used by Witches who are just starting out.
Reptilicus: A device that is shaped like a thin black snake which protrudes mana from its mouth and bends and twists to its controllers desire. Also used by beginner Witches who aren't confident in their skills or just wish to practice a bit more.
The friend Ben refers to is Magister Labrid who died in early chapters
How Kahina knew that Gwen was a Witch was partially due to her name. In a Centaur society names have great importance in how much respect you are given which is why most have meanings such as 'warrior' or 'battle'. Gwen's name just ironically is known for being fit for a Witch. *google extensively if you doubt it*
*RECAP OVER*
Thank you all for reading! I will update as soon as possible (judging by how bad I feel will be pretty soon). Until next time!
~Necrofriggian Xx
