The next morning, Ben could tell that the brothers were not letting him out of their sight. They continuously watched him and even when they had meetings, they made sure he was within their line of sight. Now that they new Soren was alive, they wanted to keep Ben safe.
But if only their efforts were enough.
While during a meeting, Vamps could sense that something was wrong. He closed his eyes for a moment and then shot them open in horror.
"Whampire. Send Melody to the Tetramands for a bit. Do not let her come back until I say so," Vamps ordered.
Whampire didn't argue because he could sense that something was going to happen too. Soon, Melody was being packed up and sent to safety.
"Ben, I don't know all of what's happening, but I hope we can all be together again soon," Melody said, now a bit concerned.
"Me too." Ben said as they hugged. Within a few moments, they released each other and Melody was escorted to the escape pod. But as she was going, she looked and saw someone looking at her from the shadows.
"Take care of them. Please reunite us," she whispered.
"You have my word," the being whispered back, now nodding that they understood. Melody gave a sad smile and then walked up to the ship. She knew she could count on the guardian that she left behind.
Meanwhile, Ben saw as the brothers quickly dismissed the meeting and sent everyone home.
"Ben, listen to me carefully. We are going to Earth tonight." Vamps said, now making Ben look at him.
"What?! Why?!" Ben asked.
"Ben, something is going to happen. We can sense it. And if it has anything to do with Soren, it won't be good." Whampire said.
"So go and pack a few things. We are going to take you to the safety of Earth." Vamps said, now ushering Ben to his room. But Ben didn't argue! He knew they were only doing this to protect him. As Ben quickly packed his items, he ran back and saw the brothers waiting for him. They were making sure to leave the castle in temporary care as they took care of Ben.
"Ready Ben?" Whampire asked. Ben nodded. And within a few moments, they were on the royal space ship. Their destination? Earth!
A few hours later…
Ben sat back as he and his brothers were riding peacefully across the galaxy.
"Whoever that Soren guy was won't be able to find me here," Ben smiled to himself. But his eyes widened as the big flashing light appeared from the top of the ship. Whampire swirled his head around and let out an angry hiss.
"He's come!" he called out.
"Soren!" Vamps thundered. And with that, they saw a large and black ship hover over them and catch them in a grip of an iron claw!
"Ben, you have to take the emergency escape pod!" Vamps said, now pointing to the back of the ship!
"No! I'm not leaving you all with this guy!" Ben said.
"Ben, we won't let him take you. We would rather battle him than lose you!" Vamps said.
"But you all are my family! I won't sit by and let this guy do this!" Ben said back.
"My my…so touching." A voice said. They all turned and saw Soren slither inside. "Pardon my intrusion, but I could hear you all from my ship."
"How did he even get in here?!" Ben said in shock.
"I can teleport short distances human." Soren said, amusement in his voice. "And my my, you are indeed a delicious looking specimen. I was considering on selling you, but I have become even more determined to have you as my pet." Soren said, a smile in his voice since he had no visible mouth!
"You keep your clawed and filthy hands away from him," Vamps said, now pushing Ben behind him.
"Oh Vamps. I will take such good care of him. Remember that you too used to hate humans and now you've adopted one? So hypocritical," Soren said.
"Leave the boy alone Soren," Whampire warned.
"I have full intention of 'leaving him alone' once he is placed with my other pets. And you two will make fine additions to the pet trade extravaganza that is passing through this galaxy," Soren sneered.
"And who are you to make those kind of arrangements? We won't simply walk into an alien pet ship," Vamps hissed.
"We are not animals to be sold!" Whampire growled.
"I understand that. But…" And with that, Soren lunged for Ben but Vamps used his super speed to block him and the two began to fight hard. And when Whampire jumped in, Soren was outnumbered. Becoming agitated, he whistled loud and soon his guards came thundering down and broke the door connecting the two ships! Soon the room was filled with Soren's guards!
"As I was saying, Vladats are wanted all over the galaxy and collectors will pay any high price for you two. And me owning the human with the Omnitrix is surely going to be entertaining for when we take over your planet once more," Soren said lowly.
"So your plan is to sell my brothers and keep me as a pet?!" Ben gasped.
"Bravo, you learn so quickly." Soren said, brushing his tail under his chin and making Ben turn away angrily.
But Ben was ready! He slammed his Omnitrix and became Four Arms and began pounding the guards like potatoes! He, Vamps, and Whampire were fighting for their freedom!
"Ben, keep going! Don't let him take you!" Vamps called.
"Just focus on getting away!" Whampire said. Ben nodded and kept fighting, but soon he felt something slither around him and time out his Omnitrix.
"HEY!" Ben said, now swirling around and feeling Soren grab his arms.
"Remember human…I know much more about you than you think. My race is just as ancient as the Celestialsapiens and perhaps just as powerful. I would suggest you stop fighting me and do as I say." Soren said, his purple eyes now turning red.
"I won't let you harm my family!" Ben snapped.
"Family?" Soren chuckled. "Young human trust me when I say you would be much happier with my race. We are called the Serpatians, the forever enemy of Celestialsapiens. Your 'family' here were allies of ours before they turned on us."
"You liar! Ben, they lied to us! They told us that they needed help conquering an enemy. They did not say that the enemy were the Celestialsapiens! After we refused, they tried to invade us and exterminate us! We, Vladats, may be different, but we are not hostile and bloodthirsty." Whampire growled.
"But your decision cost you our allegiance," Soren said.
"And your decision cost you your freedom! Hence the reason why we and the Celestialsapiens banished you!" Vamps hissed.
Ben's eyes widened. Now he knew who Soren was and what he wanted. This was about getting revenge and possibly trying to take over Anur Transyl once more and dethrone his brothers and the Celestialsapien court! But he was broken from his thoughts by Soren's amused chuckle.
"Well as much as I do enjoy this bit of family history, I have a new pet to play with," Soren smirked, now using his tail and pulling Ben to him. Vamps and Whampire ran at him, but he placed a claw to Ben's throat. "Come one step closer and he will not live to see the sun rise."
Vamps let out a deep growl and Whampire a roar, but there was nothing they could do! They didn't want Ben to be harmed!
"Good. Now then…guards, take my new pet to my throne room. I want to see what kind of tricks he can do," Soren smiled, now seeing the terrified look on Ben's face.
"GET OFF ME! YOU CAN'T DO THIS!" Ben yelled.
"Oh I can little human and I will." Soren said, now waving a hand for them to take him. "And as for them…take these brothers and put them in a dimly lit sun room. I don't want them dead, but I want them weakened. They will make some fine attractions on the southern part of the galaxy."
The guards nodded and began bounding each of them. Ben gave Vamps and Whampire desperate looks, but then felt a telepathic message from them.
"Be calm Ben. Do as he asks for now." Vamps soothed.
"We will find you. But you must be brave." Whampire added.
"No matter what happens, remember who you are." Vamps said, now giving him a sad smile as Ben was escorted away and placed in chains.
Ben could feel tears welling up in his eyes and panic rising in his heart. Now he knew what Vamps must have felt when he was taken away and sold as a pet in an exotic alien pet store! He must have felt like Ben did right now, trapped and helpless!
Within a moment, Ben was taken to a large room filled with many cages and clear containers. All kinds of aliens were in them and they all looked miserable and tired.
"T-This is inhumane!" Ben stammered out.
"Oh be quiet!" the guard snapped, now shoving Ben in a cage and locking the cage door. "And don't bother trying to escape. If you do, you'll suffer the same fate as all who try to escape." And with that, the guard pointed at a cage where there was nothing but old bones. "That alien kept trying to escape and we stopped feeding him."
Ben shuddered as the cage started to feel cold and he felt the gold ring tighten on his hand. He once more tried to yank it off, but it didn't work.
"Why did I put this stupid thing on?! This is all my fault!" Ben said, now laying down on the floor in despair. Now he and his brothers were being sold to different places and he didn't know if he would ever see them again. Even though he had the Omnitrix, he knew that Soren could time it out anytime he wished so it did little good now! What he didn't know was that someone was following them. The same someone that promised Melody that they would protect her family.
Meanwhile, Vamps and Whampire were being escorted by the guards to the sun room. But before they could be placed inside, the brothers turned on the guards and threw them up against the wall!
"Vamps! We've got to escape!" Whampire said, now hypnotizing seven of the guards.
"I realize that! But I'm not leaving without Ben!" Vamps said, now using his super strength and throwing a guard down a hole!
"We have to! We won't be any good to him if we get captured!" Whampire said, now punching a guard in the mouth and knocking him out cold. Vamps nodded and two made a break for it. When they grabbed an escape pod, the two immediately headed for Anur Transyl to devise a plan.
"We need to find out where they're going and get Ben back!" Vamps said.
"I know, but we have to retreat for now! If they feel like we're following, they'll kill him!" Whampire said.
"I know that!" Vamps snapped. "I just hope that Ben doesn't fall for Soren's tricks."
"What do you mean?" Whampire asked.
"Soren wants Ben as a revenge tool. You and I both know that he could have destroyed Ben in a heartbeat. But he has some kind of special plans for Ben." Vamps said. "Let's just hope we figure out his real plans before it's too late!" And with that, the brothers headed to their planet to devise a rescue plan for Ben.
Meanwhile, Ben was sitting in the cold cage and he saw an old alien turning over weakly, clearly dying. Ben had just been given some water and he tried to hand it to him.
"Here! Take this!" Ben said, now trying to squeeze it through the bars.
"No human. My time is up," the old alien said. "How do they call you?"
"Ben. Ben Tennyson." Ben said quietly.
"Ben…I've heard of you human. The one with the Omnitrix yes?" the alien said weakly.
"Yes." Ben said.
"Poor young one. You must escape when you have a chance. Soren is evil and will definitely be your undoing!" the aliens said, now coughing very hard. He then held his chest as if he was going to pass out.
"But why does he want me?! Who is he and what does he want?!" Ben pleaded. The old alien took a deep breath as if this could be his last.
"They are Serpatians. They are the mortal enemies of the peaceful and powerful Celestialsapiens. Since the beginning of time, these beings have been at war. One race is for peace and one is for war. They are complete opposites. Even though Celestialsapiens have all power, the Serpatians have much power as well. Their goals is to completely destroy the Celestialsapien race and take their place. The problem is that they would turn the entire galaxy into chaos rather than peace." The old alien said weakly. "The king Serpatian is dying and soon Prince Soren will take his place. Soren is a tyrant unlike any other and if he has captured you young human, you are in grave danger."
"B-But what could he want with me?!" Ben said.
"I…do not know," the old alien said, now laying his head down. "My time is up young one. Thank you for the offer of water. E-Escape..young…one…whenever…you can."
And with that, the alien died before Ben's eyes. Ben's eyes began to well up with tears and he cried out in pure terror. This was becoming way too much for him!
"H-He's dead!" Ben said, now scrambling to the back of his cage.
"W-What a pity," a voice said. Ben saw Soren gently slither through and motion for his guards to carry the old alien away. Ben had tears running down his face and he gasped as he saw Soren phase through the bars and grab his chin and use a claw to wipe his tears. "My, my…so emotional."
Ben angrily tried to pull his face away, but Soren wrapped his tail around him and kept his arms pinned to his sides as he pulled his face closer.
"You should not fear me. You will be treated well…"Soren said, now running a hand over Ben's face.
"GET OFF ME!" Ben snapped. Soren only chuckled and let his claws dig into Ben's face, making him wince in pain.
"Do not be so brave young one. I could tear you to shreds with only a thought," Soren said lowly, making Ben shudder. "I will make you a deal."
"What?!" Ben spat.
"I will release you and ensure that your brothers and planet are forever safe if you do me one favor," Soren said quietly. Ben just looked at him, scared about what he wanted. "All you have to do is tell me where the location of the Celestialsapien court is."
Ben's eyes widened! Only he and just a few others knew about the location of the courts. He was told to keep it quiet because the Celestialsapiens preferred their privacy. But if the Serpatians knew, it could mean disasters for the entire universe! Soren's eyes narrowed.
"Because if you don't…" and with that, he made a complicated hand motion and Ben let out a cry of pain as the ring on his hand tightened. "I will make your life completely miserable until you do."
"You don't own me!" Ben snapped.
"Oh ho ho, is that so?" Soren said, now waving his tail in a confident manner as he let Ben go. "This ring will signify that you completely belong to me when I do the final step."
"W-What final step?" Ben gasped, now seeing Soren pull out a very sharp claw. He then grabbed Ben's hand and made a gash, causing Ben to almost curse in anger and pain! He then used a drip of the blood to fall on the ring and Ben snatched his hand back as the ring began to glow constantly.
"Now…it is final. I officially claim you and there is only one thing that can break this bond." Soren said, now phasing out of cage with a confident chuckle.
"YOU JERK! MY BROTHERS WILL SAVE ME!" Ben yelled, as he clenched the bars.
"Would your brothers really risk their lives to come and save a worthless human?" a disembodied voice said back with a hint of venom.
"I'm not worthless to them. They'll come for me," Ben said, now looking at his Omnitrix. He knew that Soren could time it out if he got close enough, but Ben was going to wait for just the right moment to escape and get home!
guestsurprise: Oh my! What do you think about that?!