"Your first royal ball, Crushy!" Grammy said. "Are you excited?"

"Yeah! And admittingly a little nervous…" Crusher took a deep breath. "What if I mess up?"

"You won't. All you have to do is have fun."

"Okay, Grammy… I'll try," Crusher smiled and nodded.

"Okay. Let's go."

The grandmother and grandson soon headed through the halls, towards the ballroom. At the door, Leo and Iris waited for them.

"Honey, you look great!" Iris smiled.

"Thanks, Mom…" Crusher gave a smile.

"Nervous, kiddo?" Leo asked. "I was at my first ball, but it'll be fun. Promise."

"O-Okay, I'll trust you guys on that," Crusher took a deep breath.

"All right then... let's go."

So, they walked into the ballroom, causing everyone there to erupt in cheers.

"Welcome, citizens of our kingdom!" Iris greeted.

"We hope you all are having a great time in our ball, in celebration of our alliance with the unicorns and the animals of magic abilities!" Leo laughed joyfully.

The crowd erupted in cheers, especially the different creatures in their kingdom. Iris and Leo smiled and waved at them as they went through the crowd. Grammy stood by his side and helped him to smile and wave properly at their people.

After heading through the crowd, Crusher managed to finally get some air and headed straight for the buffet table.

"Mmm-mmm! This all looks good!"

He grabbed a plate and went over to get some food. The table was bustling with food of different colors and rainbows alike. He was just about to get one when he bumped into someone nearby.

"Oh! Sorry about that."

"Oh, it's okay," the guy he bumped into reassured him before gasping. "You… You're the rainbow prince!" He then bowed low. "I… I'm sorry for bumping into you, your highness,"

"Oh, it's okay. And my name is Crusher. What's yours?" Crusher asked.

"Benedict, Young Lord Benedict, if you will, from a… distant allied kingdom," the guy spoke. "And might I say that it's such an honor to meet you, Prince Crusher!"

"You too. So... what kingdom do you come from, exactly?" Crusher wondered.

"Kingdom of Magic Crystals, not so special," Benedict released crystals into the air, creating a magic wand of crystals.

"Whoa! That's incredible!" Crusher gasped.

"Thanks!" Benedict grinned. "Want me to show you a few tricks?"

"I'd love that!"

Benedict twirled his wand around, and a large crystal appeared in between them, causing the other's eyes to widen in amazement.

"Wow... that's amazing!"

"But wait, there's more!"

Benedict chuckled and tapped the crystal with his wand. Immediately, most of the crystal fell to the floor, leaving a crystal rose in the middle. He took the crystal rose in his hand and handed it to the prince.

"For you, your highness,"

"Aww... thank you!" Crusher smiled, taking the flower. "I was just gonna go meet some other people from the kingdoms. Wanna come with me?"

"It would be an honor, your highness," Benedict gave a bow.

"Great! And you can meet my friend Pickle too! Come on!"

Benedict gave a smile, and when Crusher turned to leave, he gave a scowl before following after him. After a while, they soon came upon Crusher's friends, who greeted him with a wave.

"Hey, Crusher! Who's your friend?" Blaze questioned.

"This is Lord Benedict, from the Kingdom of Crystals," Crusher introduced. "Benedict, these are my friends, Blaze, AJ and Pickle,"

"A pleasure to meet all of you." Benedict forced a grin.

"Honor to meet you, Lord Benedict," AJ spoke.

"Crusher, what a beautiful crystal rose!" Blaze gasped. "Did you make this, Lord Benedict?"

"He sure did!" Crusher smiled. "I was just gonna take him with me to meet other people from other kingdoms."

"Ooh! Can we come with you?!" Pickle asked.

"What do you say, Benedict?" Crusher turned to the other.

"I'm… not so sure, your highness," Benedict frowned. "Some of the other people from other kingdoms are NOT as welcoming as I would be," He then glanced at their monster machine forms and scoffed. "Especially those who look bulky and… strange,"

"Hmph!" Pickle sneered.

"It's okay. We'll find you later. Come on."

As Crusher waved them goodbye and headed off with Benedict, Blaze seemed to be lost in thought as he narrowed his eyes at the lord. AJ noticed this and tilted his head at him.

"You okay?"

"Hmm…" Blaze just hummed in thought. "Is it just me or does Benedict look a little… familiar?"

"Now that you mention it... he does! Let's follow them."

They headed off to follow after the duo. For the whole time, Benedict stuck close to Crusher, an arm always around him in a possessive motion as they went over to talk to the other people. The trio watched as the lord tightened the grip before glaring at them and turning away.

"Okay, now he IS acting really weird…" Pickle murmured.

After a while, the prince and the lord had met all the other royals and aristocrats of the othe kingdoms. Crusher sighed in relief once they had finished.

"Thanks for this, but I should get back with my parents."

"Now, now, your highness, don't you wanna have a little more fun with me?" Benedict grinned as he slightly pulled on him, leading him off towards the door.

"Uh... not at the moment..."

Crusher tried to head back to the ballroom, but the other's grip on him was tight as he led him through the halls of the palace. Benedict didn't seem to pay attention to his escape attempts as he kept pushing him forward.

"H-Hey! Lemme go!"

Benedict didn't even register to his protest as he made them turn a corner. The moment they were alone, he pinned him to the wall and tied his hands with crystal rope.

"HEEEEEEELP!!!"

"Shut it." Benedict slapped a hand on him and dragged him off through the halls.

Just as he was about to make his escape, a blast of magic came, and he turned to find Blaze, AJ and Pickle heading towards him, with the green truck holding out his magic wand.

"Leave Crusher alone, Benedict!" Blaze snapped. "Or should I say... Speedrick?"

"Ugh!" Benedict/Speedrick snarled. "You can't just let me have my fun, can you, Blaze?! First my reputation in Velocity Ville, and now THIS!"

"Don't think you're getting away," AJ snarled. "Blaze alerted all the royal guards, and here they come now."

And indeed came all the royal guards, ready to attack the 'lord'. Speedrick snarled and held out his wand towards Crusher.

"TRY AND I WILL BLAST HIM!"

"Oh no you won't!"

Everyone turned to see Grammy levitating the wand toward her, giving the guards a chance to strike.

"DRAT!" Speedrick scowled as he dropped Crusher and raised his hands in defeat.

"GRAMMY!!"

Crusher burst out of the crystal rope and ran to his grandmother, who held him tenderly.

"It's all right, Crushy... I'm here."

"What happened?!" Iris demanded as she and Leo joined them.

"This so-called lord tried to kidnap Crusher!" Pickle snarled at Speedrick.

"Guards, take him to the tower dungeon!" Leo commanded with a growl.

Speedrick grumbled as he was grabbed and dragged away. He glared at the group with a hiss one last time before heading off. Blaze sighed in relief and turned to a shaky Crusher, whom Grammy was still comforting.

"I'm so sorry, Crusher... I thought he was more civilized than this..."

"You… You know him…?" Crusher turned to him in surprise.

"We encountered him in VelocityVille before. I thought he had changed..."

"Changed my bumper." Pickle huffed.

"Did he hurt you, Crusher?" AJ asked.

"N-No, but... I was so scared...!!!"

"I'm so sorry that happened to you, dear," Iris took Crusher into her arms, kissing his forehead.

"Me too... I should've seen it was him to begin with..." Blaze sighed.

"I-It's okay…" Crusher sighed. "B-But can I not go back to the ball…?"

"Of course. Is there anything you would like to do instead?" Leo asked.

"Well... maybe go to bed...?"

"Of course," Iris chuckled and patted his head. "Come, I'll take you to bed,"

"We'll go with you too!" Pickle offered. "I can sing you a lullaby!"

"Thanks..."

Crusher smiled, and with that, they turned and headed off to get Crusher to his room for the night.