Ben was walking down the hallway and trying to figure out how to bring forth another alien with the Omnitrix when he felt a chill come out of nowhere.
"Gosh, it got cold," Ben said.
"It's just me." A voice chuckled. Ben looked around and saw no one.
"What?" Ben said in confusion. "I HEY!" Ben yelped as he was grabbed from behind by two large clawed, white hands.
"Ben calm down. It's me Nuro. I've come to get you fitted for the gala," Nuro explained, now gently letting Ben go.
"D-Don't do that!" Ben said angrily, now stepping back.
"Why are you afraid of me?" Nuro asked in a matter of fact manner.
"I-I'm not afraid." Ben said.
"Yes you are. I can sense your fear Ben. Any Ectonurite can sense fear." Nuro said, now coming closer which made Ben back up. Nuro sighed and then quickly wrapped his tail around Ben.
"H-hey let go! Personal space man!" Ben squeaked out. Nuro only chuckled and flew down the hallway with the teen in his grip. Soon they were in the velvet and gold fitting room and Ben was dropped gently on a large pillow.
"Now are you going to let me measure you or do I have to take drastic measures?" Nuro said sneakily.
"W-What measures?" Ben asked, now scared.
"Oh…using these perhaps?" Nuro cackled, now letting his tentacles come out of his chest! Ben squeaked in horror and took off for the door, but Nuro grabbed him with his tentacles and pulled him back to his chest!
"G-GET OFF! GET OFF ME!" Ben panicked. But soon Ben squealed even more as he was pulled inside of Nuro and before he could scream, all he could hear was the gentle beating of a heart. Even though it was dark, he felt calmer as he heard the beating heart.
"Ben…calm down young one," Nuro finally spoke after a few minutes. "I'm not your enemy. I'm not here to harm you." Ben just gulped in silence. "I did this to calm you down. Even though you are afraid, there is nothing to fear. And…you should consider the fact that there are other aliens who may want to be your friend rather than just the king and prince."
"Yeah right. No one on this planet would want to be a friend to a worthless human," Ben said lowly.
"Oh, I wouldn't be too sure of that." Nuro said gently, now pulling Ben out of his chest. Ben was expecting to be covered in slime or disgusting alien insides but he wasn't. He was just as clean as before. He then looked up and saw Nuro giving him a gentle smile.
"Relax…you may get more friends than you think," Nuro said, now floating up behind him. "Now then, let's get to those measurements."
Ben nodded, finally giving in and letting Nuro do his job. As Nuro measured, he saw that Ben also had scars and welps from his previous fight with Vilgax and the other enemies.
"You've been hurt a lot haven't you?" Nuro asked softly.
"Of course. Vilgax was a monster," Ben said, now wincing a bit as he felt the welp. But he paused as Nuro gently touched his shoulder.
"Ben…it's ok to let people know sometimes when you're in pain. Both physically and mentally," Nuro said gently. But Ben backed up, making him gently float forward and touch Ben's shoulders. "Calm down. I mean you no harm. Perhaps in time, you'll see that."
And with that, Nuro smiled and began sewing the material for Ben's new suit. He was going to be the best stand out of the gala. As Ben turned his back a bit, Nuro's purple eyes focused on a large scar on Ben's leg. His tail gently reached out and caressed it and Ben shot a foot in the air.
"GAH! What was that?!" Ben gasped, now trying to rub the sensation from his leg.
"I apologize. Did I hurt you?" Nuro asked, now looking at him curiously. "I only wished to see how deep your wound was on your leg."
"N-No, you just startled me," Ben said, making Nuro look at him with an even more dumbfounded expression.
"So it would seem young Ben," Nuro said, now eyeing him cautiously. Whatever caused Ben to jump like that was not only strange, but increasingly entertaining. Nuro then smirked and spoke to himself.
"Perhaps I will explore this human's weakness a bit more later," he chuckled lowly, now still focusing on Ben's suit.
Later that week…
Ben stood in front of the mirror and gasped as he saw himself. He looked exactly like a Vladat prince. The suit was a black tuxedo with green markings that are slightly similar to Whampire's and black tuxedo pants, and black tuxedo shoes with green heels. And the tails of the tuxedo each had a small, green-winged diamond on the back. He also was wearing a long, black with green Vladat-like cape (the inside looks like a green wing similar to a bat's) being held together by an Omnitrix button symbol. He also had a black top hat with a green ribbon around it, plain white gloves which hid his Omnitrix, and he carried a black cane with green bat wings on the handle. The cane was also a secret sword if he needed it.
"I-I feel great," Ben said happily.
"And you look great." A voice said. Ben turned and saw both Vladat brothers behind him and they were wearing gold and black. Their suits were not exactly tuxedos but were similar to them. They were made of alien silk and were smooth to the touch. Their masks were polished and each brother wore a Vladat king and prince symbol pendant on their chests and around their necks.
"Come." Vamps grinned, now ushering Ben out.
"It's time for the kingdom to formally meet you," Whampire grinned, now leading the way.
"I-I don't know about this guys," Ben said, now unsure.
"Don't be afraid. We are here to support you. You will be fine." Vamps smiled.
"Now then…let's light up this night," Whampire smiled, now walking them out and watching as the guards opened the door.
As soon as the door was opened, the announcer was ready and clapped loud to get the entire room's attention.
"Presenting King Vamps, Prince Whampire, Prince Ben, and Princess Melody," the announcer called.
Ben turned, unaware that Melody was there. When he did, his jaw dropped open. Melody's dress was a beautiful light blue with matching shoes. It was sparkling in the moonlight and she wore a bat-like pendant made of gold around her neck and a bat-like clip that held up her raven and beautiful curly hair.
"Wow!" He said in shock.
"What is it Ben?" she giggled, now walking up to him,
"I-I think you look nice." Ben grinned.
"And so do you Ben," she smiled. Both of them were staring at each other a bit until Vamps cleared his throat.
"Alright you two…save that for after the party," he chuckled, now making them both turn red in the face.
"Vamps!" Melody protested.
"I mean I wasn't…we don't…" Ben started.
"Yeah right. Now come and sit," Whampire chuckled.
Once they were seated, the party began! There were dancers and singers and food that was plentiful! Ben was staring at the utensils in front of him, unsure of where to begin. There were two fork-like utensils, spear-like knives, and something that looked almost like a spoon but not quite.
"The one on the left," a voice whispered. Ben turned and saw Melody point to which one he needed to use for his salad. Ben nodded and was about to eat when his salad moved! He gasped and scooted his chair back in shock.
"Ben remain calm. It's Arachnian lettuce. Bite it hard and you will be ok," Whampire said, now showing him how to bite into it. Ben gulped and tried to do it, but the lettuce was fighting back and smacked him in the face. But determined to do what he could, he bit harder and soon ate his first piece.
"I say, the human doesn't quite know how to eat this type of cuisine does he?" one of the visiting dukes said.
"He is simply not accustomed to this. Nothing more and nothing less," Vamps replied, now biting into his and eating it whole.
Ben looked down in embarrassment, but felt a gentle nudge under the table. He looked up and saw it was Whampire.
"Easy…you're doing fine." The Vladat Prince winked.
"Whampire, this is awkward," Ben whispered, now biting hard into his lettuce again.
"Relax, it's almost time for the dance," Whampire grinned, now pointing to the others who were standing and heading to the dance floor. Whampire and Vamps then stood and each led a duchess to the floor.
"Watch us and learn." Vamps said, now motioning to Melody. "She is your partner."
"B-But…" Ben protested, but he stopped as Melody walked next to him.
"Ben, remember what we practiced. It will be just fine." Melody whispered. Ben nodded and led her out just like his brothers led their partners out. As they began the bat walk, Ben cringed as he felt he accidentally stepped on Melody's foot.
"I'm sorry," he said, his face red.
"I'm alright Ben," Melody reassured him, even though it did hurt a bit. As the dance continued, Ben slowly began to improve more and more. Soon, he was twirling her and dipping her with ease, causing the dignitaries, dukes, and other royals to observe him.
"I say, the human is doing rather well," a duke said.
"Yes, quite well," a duchess replied.
Ben sighed out in relief at overhearing their kind words. The night was going even better than before! Within a few moments, it was time for the royals to present them with gifts!
"This isn't so bad after all," Ben smiled as royals brought large rare stones for Ben and his brothers. It was their way of showing respect.
"I get the large green stone," Melody smiled.
"Anything for you my dear," Vamps grinned, now motioning for the green stone to be handed to Melody.
"And I get the rest," Ben teased.
"Hey!" She said, now gently kicking him under the table. Ben, albeit gently, kicked her back but blushed when he felt her bare feet against him. "Ben, give me back my shoe," she giggled.
"I-I didn't mean to," Ben said, now trying to feel around where her shoe was.
"Shhh, you two," Whampire said, now somewhat sternly. "The presentations are not over."
But what was strange was that there was one gift left, but it had no tag and no royal presented it.
"Who is this from?" Vamps asked, now eyeing the box carefully.
"We are unsure my lord. It was left among the other presents, but no one has claimed it," a guard said.
"Open it please," Vamps ordered. The guards did as they were old and walked over to the large box that appeared to have a large cover over it. As the cover over it was removed, everyone gasped at the large serpent inside. It was one of the largest animals Ben had ever seen.
"W-What is that thing?!" Ben gasped.
"A serpent from the black galaxy," Vamps said, now standing protectively in front of Ben. "These creatures are very rare and thought to be extinct."
"How is that possible? The last one was hunted down in the Black Galaxy centuries ago," Whampire said.
"Or so it would seem. Take this and get rid of it," Vamps ordered.
"Vamps, are you sure?" Ben asked, now moving back as the serpent eyed him cautiously with its' dead and cold eyes.
"Yes Ben. These serpents are dangerous and were once living among an ancient race. That race has long been extinct…at least so I thought…" Vamps said lowly, now seeing the snake rise up and hiss. Vamps then hissed back at it and the snake backed down. "Whampire, continue with the gala. I will see to this."
"No I'm going with you. Ben, Melody…make sure everyone stays in here." Whampire ordered now walking away with Vamps. They walked away to devise a plan of how to dispose of the large serpent in their midst.
Ben was about to follow when he heard something fall to the floor. Ben looked at the serpent who began slithering a slow and smooth sway from side to side. Ben then saw its cold red eyes slowly turn from red to purple and the snake then began swaying near the cage door. It was as if it wanted Ben to follow him. Ben was curious and followed the snake's rhythmic motions and saw the item that had fallen to the ground. It was a gold ring with a strange insignia on it. Cautiously, Ben picked it up and looked at it. Deciding to check it out later, he put it in his pocket and walked back over with Melody. As he walked away, he did not notice the snake's mouth slowly curve into a small smile.
guestsurprise: Uh oh…it's getting interesting yes?