Ben was placed gently on his bed. It felt wonderful to be back on Anur Transyl with his loved ones. He nuzzled his pillow and felt Nuro gently run a hand over his head.

"Are you alright?" he asked gently.

"Yes, thanks to you," he said gently. "Nuro?"

"Yes?" the Ectonurite asked.

"Why did you save me? I mean, I haven't exactly been the nicest to you," Ben said sadly.

"Ben…that's because you didn't know me," Nuro said softly.

"I know that, but after the Vladats were so kind to me I should have known better than to judge others immediately," Ben said, now looking away in shame. Nuro chuckled and sat next to the hero.

"Ben, look at me." He said gently. But Ben didn't. Nuro's purple eye narrowed deviously. "Ben…will I need to convince you?"

"Convince me of what?" Ben asked, now finally turning back. But he yelled out in shock as Nuro pounced on him and wrapped himself around Ben. "W-What gives?!"

Nuro didn't respond. He then gently tickled Ben's abs and stomach and making Ben laugh in pure glee!

"AHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAH STAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAP!" Ben laughed, now feeling the alien tickling him.

"Hmm? What was that?" Nuro chuckled in his ear, making the hero turn away.

"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA STAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAP THAHAHAHAHAT!" Ben laughed, now feeling Nuro's tail tickle his legs and feet.

"So that is why you yelped when I was measuring you before. You're ticklish Ben," Nuro chuckled, now making the teen laugh even more.

Hearing Ben's laughter, the Vladats flew in the room and hung upside down and watched the seen quietly. Ben didn't even know they came in.

"So all this time Nuro was an agent of the Celestialsapiens," Whampire said.

"Yes. Very intriguing." Vamps smiled.

"And it seems he has taken a liking to Ben." Whampire grinned, now seeing the Ectonurite hold Ben to his chest fondly. That scene made Vamps' heart soar. He wanted Ben to have more friends since he was new to the planet.

"Ben, why don't you come to the Celestialsapien courts with me to testify about what you experienced," Nuro said, now letting Ben rest.

"Me?" Ben said in shock.

"Of course. They will want to hear from you," Nuro replied gently. But Ben started to cave in again. He felt very self-conscious about going to the courts of the most powerful aliens on Earth. "Is something wrong?"

"Well why would they want to talk to a human like me?" Ben said.

"A human?!" Vamps spoke up, now making Ben jump and Nuro chuckle. "Ben, you are much more than a common human."

"You are our brother." Whampire said.

"And a prince," Nuro added.

"And a wonderful member of our family that can never be replaced. You are also a hero," Vamps stated, now flying down and tackling the hero under him. Nuro chuckled even more now seeing the king playfully messing with his human brother. Vamps then turned to Nuro.

"Nuro, you have our deepest thanks." Vamps said.

"Yes. You saved Ben and protected him from death," Whampire said.

"I only did what needed to be done. Besides, I could not let a friend and ally perish with that horrible Soren," Nuro said, flashing a charming smile.

"I don't understand. Why are you calling me a friend when you barely know me?" Ben said, still confused.

"Because I want you to realize that there are others who do want to know about you and care for you, although you may not realize it. I want to be your friend Ben and I want you to learn to trust me," Nuro smiled warmly, his tail gently swaying in a friendly manner. Ben grinned at him and put his hand out.

"I owe you my life Nuro. Thanks for rescuing me. I am honored to call you my friend too," Ben smiled, feeling the clawed hand connect with his. As the two talked, Ben was feeling so relieved to be home.

Later that night…

Ben was resting in his bed happily. They were going to have a private family party the next day and Melody was coming home.

"Things are finally calming down," he said to himself. But as he almost closed his eyes, his eyes shot open as he saw a figure move in the shadows. He lifted himself up and saw Soren sitting in the same chair and he had a huge gash across his chest that appeared to be bleeding.

"Soren!" Ben hissed. But as he was about to slam the Omnitrix, he couldn't help but notice that Soren wasn't moving fast at all. He was severely wounded. No doubt from his battle with Nuro.

"You haven't seen the last of me boy. You will realize sooner or later that they will make a fool out of you just as they did of me years ago," the dark alien hissed.

"What do you mean?" Ben asked.

"Look around you! They say they love you now, but you will always feel out of place here! ALWAYS! You are not meant to live on this planet!" Soren hissed. "The Celestialsapiens are you real enemy."

"No they're not! You all are the ones who wanted to destroy this galaxy. Hatred and evil will never triumph over love," Ben said.

Soren rolled his eyes and slid down in his seat in clear boredom. "Do not give me that 'love' dribble. The bottom line is that each of us have a way of ruling the galaxy and you all prefer the Celestialsapien way."

"Because it's the right and peaceful way!" Ben snapped. But his face grimaced as blood gently dripped down Soren's side. Soren smirked at Ben's expression.

"I was fooled by them too Ben. One day you will see that you will be tossed aside and no longer cared for when you do not agree to their terms," Soren said lowly. "But if you come with me now, I will make sure you live the greatest life you ever had."

Before Ben could say another word, Vamps flew through the door and snarled like an angry animal. He sensed Soren's energy.

"Ben do not listen to this enemy. And how he is even still alive I don't know?! He was not fooled by anyone. If anything, he fooled many into thinking he was our ally until he showed his true colors later," Vamps said.

"Vamps, Vamps…would you really not try to make peace with your dying old friend?" Soren smirked.

Vamps' eyes narrowed as Soren slithered to his full height. He put out a clawed hand towards Vamps and the Vladat eyed him carefully.

"Come now Vamps…if I am no longer a threat and will soon perish due to my wounds, can you not shake hands with me one more time?" Soren cooed smoothly.

Vamps stared at his hand and looked away from him angrily. "I don't want to shake hands with you, you traitor."

Ben shivered, now sensing Vamps' animosity. He had never seen Vamps so angry and protective over him. Soren only chuckled and began slithering towards him.

"Come now…you do not mean that old friend," Soren hissed gently.

"No! You stay away from me and from my charge," Vamps said, now bearing his fangs and unsheathing his claws. But Soren continued to come. Did he have a death wish?! As severely injured as he was, he was acting as if he could still take on Vamps.

"Vamps, you can stop the acting now. I know you wish to make amends with me. After all, we were the greatest of friends before our races had a disagreement," Soren said, now wincing as his wound began to bleed more but he continued to come at an eerie and slow pace. "Come Vamps. Shake hands with me one last time."

Ben wanted to call for help, but he could tell that Soren's magic was all over the room. But he knew Vamps would protect him. The question was what did Soren really want now?!

guestsurprise: Is Soren really for peace? Is he really dying? Only time will tell.