Good gravy! This is the end! Shock horror!
Who knew that in four months I would write a story that turned out to be 38 chapters long? When I started this, I honestly had no idea where it would take me, and if it wasn't for you guys, I know I would never have made it this far. Thus, I would like to take the time to thank each and every one of you who has reviewed, followed, favourited or even just spent a moment to read this story. You guys are amazing =^u^=
As of yet, I haven't decided whether or not to do a sequel, although I have left it open for that option if I ever make a final decision. For now, I'm going to be taking a breather from writing fanfiction to focus on my studies (and reading fanfiction ^^;), although I will be, as promised, working on the continuation of Kisdota-The Freak Gamer's 'Starting Over'. Keep in mind that it is a genre and theme WAY out of my norm and comfort zone so I don't know how well I'm going to do...
Remisolleke: Yup. This is it! Apart from Starting Over cont. I may yet write another Ben 10 fan fiction, but we'll have to wait and see, I guess :) Thank you so much for your continued support, it had meant a lot to me n.n
Rakcrack15: No idea about a sequel, haven't decided yet. You, my friend, have been a continued inspiration to me right from the start, and I honestly don't know what I would have done without you. I have seriously enjoyed our random conversations and, more recently, our destruction of Nethersian's sanity XD Thank you so, so much for everything!
ChristellaShinobu: Hahaha! I must say, your reviews never fail to make me smile, and even laugh sometimes, drawing attention to myself /O.O/ I will always write stories, it has been a big love of mine throughout my life and there's no way I would ever give it up. I have come to find that my mind has started working like a book, and I think about things in a story-like way, such as remembering a particular moment and adding 'said such-and-such dejectedly'. I worry for my sanity...
AKA99: Yes! Finally! Thank you so much for reviewing, as always, I would be lost without you guys. :3
Avatar Aang: As much as I've loved writing it, I am glad it's finally ended. I was starting to worry that it would drag on forever! And as my year starts coming to a close, I become busier and busier, and I hate making you guys wait for updates. Thank you for sticking with me, and I'm so glad oyu enjoyed the story!
Obsessivebookdiva: I'll inevitably write another story, as mentioned above. And probably others after that. Your randomness has often confused me (sometimes it takes me a minute to figure out what you're talking about), but I have loved reading your reviews and I take great pleasure in knowing that I'm not the only one out there with school commitments and annoyances XD Good luck for your school year (or end of year, whatever you guys do), and try to get some sleep ;)
Someone: I know! But my conversations with Rakcrack15 had my mental image of him changing, and instead of wanting to take over Earth, he had always wanted to destroy it (we made him hate humans... my bad). In the end, it just didn't fit into the plot I had envisioned. If I do a sequel, though, you know where I'll head ;) Thanks so much for the continued reviews, and sticking with me even through the hard times!
Eunice: Unfortunately, it is. But who knows what the future will bring? Thanks for the continued love and support, it means the world to me!
Wow, that was a lot. *phew*
Disclaimer: Nope, even this far in I still don't own Ben 10. Maybe I'll break Nethersian out of prisoner and he can go steal the rights for me :D
~MP out.
Syvux watched with a mixture of relief and uncertainty as Ben finished speaking and slumped lifelessly, easily supporting his weight in his arms. Relief that Ben had stayed true to his word and that he was alright, and uncertainty for his future. The apparent leader of the present Galactica guards had said that he would try to clear up the misunderstanding (which, no doubt, would require a testimony from Syvux, and some form of acknowledgement from Nethersian, or one of his men. A word on his behalf from Ben also swayed things in his favour, but he knew he wouldn't feel at ease until everything was under wraps.
Plumbers poured into the ship, cutting at the vines Swampfire had grown and arresting the villains they encased. Syvux couldn't help but wonder how they had known exactly where and when to come.
His expression must have shown on his face as Max suddenly said, "I told them of our location before we boarded, just in case we required backup. We weren't entirely sure what we would be dealing with."
When Nethersian was freed from his bindings, he immediately put up a fight. It took almost a whole platoon of guards to get him cuffed and onboard one of the prisoner transport ships stationed nearby.
Syvux had been permitted to head back on the Rust Bucket III, in the care of the constantly suspicious Kevin, Gwen, two of the Galactica guards (Grem and Petra), and Ben, who had woken moments prior and refused to leave Syvux's side. It seemed that, while the others were suspicious of Syvux's loyalties, Ben was suspicious of the other's apparent lack of trust.
As he had expected, Syvux was taken back to Galactica, but not without the reassurance from Ben that he wouldn't let them lock him up again. And, once again, he was true to his word, even holding his hand over the Ultimatrix threateningly when they refused to listen. Instead of a cell, Syvux was allowed to stay in a dormitory normally reserved for guards as long has he was always accompanied by two of Galactica's finest soldiers.
It took several days, but eventually the Plumbers had uncovered enough information from the empire ship's computers, and from the soldiers they had captured, for Syvux to build a case. Not two days later, he was freed with a formal apology, not that it would ever be enough to make up for the cruelty that he had been shown over the previous decade. And they all knew it.
Nethersian refused to speak to anybody, preferring to glare sinisterly in the silence of his cell. Since Syvux's escape, security had increased ten-fold so all felt safe knowing that the fallen Emperor wasn't going to be getting out any time soon.
Through various sources, each planet that had been under the Kirian Empire's control was located and a troop of Plumbers were sent to each, defeating the posted guards and liberating the people.
After two weeks, things had returned to normal. Well, as normal as life gets for someone like Ben. Parting with Syvux had been hard, and something they had both been avoiding since Syvux had gained his freedom. It even got to the point where Ben had accompanied him on the journey back to his home planet and had been given the grand tour. It was almost surreal seeing the plants that had inhabited his mind on those few occasions for real. He had been introduced to Syvux's family and friends, all of whom showed great hospitality and thankfulness for his part in returning one of their kin home.
"I guess this is goodbye, huh?" Ben smiled sadly as he turned away from the ship waiting for him.
"No, Ben, it's not goodbye… more like 'see you later'," Syvux replied.
Ben was made to promise to visit often, as Syvux would do in turn. It was never goodbye. And so, Ben left Diasta, waving back at Syvux and his friends who grew increasingly smaller with each passing second until they could no longer be discerned from the vegetation around them.
No. It wasn't goodbye.
Nethersian paced in his cell. He was beyond livid. He couldn't remember ever being as angry as he was now. How had this happened? His whole Empire had been destroyed by that meddling Ben Tennyson! They had made a mistake early on when capturing Nevora, he knew, and it was that instance and the incompetency of the Galactica personnel and the Plumbers that had drawn the boy into affairs that did not concern him.
But he was smarter. He knew that, if he bided his time, like the Arkhirathi, he would get the chance to escape. And when that time came, there would be nothing to stop him enacting his revenge.
His plan had changed. No longer would he waste time capturing insignificant planets only to be thwarted once again. This time he would destroy them and anyone who got in his way. Starting with Earth and that puny shrimp Ben Tennyson.
~Fin~