The next morning was even better than Ben could have imagined. They all went into the deeper parts of the forest and had family time by just lounging and relaxing together.
"This is the best time ever," Melody said.
"Yes, I agree," Whampire smiled.
They all watched as birds flew across the gloomy sky and as rain gently began to pour down. It wasn't a lot, but just enough to create a pretty mist.
Ben let the rain flourish over his face and with every drop, he felt more peace and confidence as the owner of the Omnitrix.
"Ben…" a voice whispered. Ben opened his eyes and saw Alien X looking at him, but no one else was around.
"Hey Alien X! Wait…where is everyone?" Ben asked. "They were just here a minute ago."
"They are. We are deep inside your mind Ben. Your subconscious. I want to grant you a gift from the Celestialsapien courts for your bravery against Soren." The alien responded.
"Really? What?" Ben grinned.
Alien X only closed his eyes and Ben's eyes widened in shock and joy as both of his parent's spirits appeared before him! Ben's jaw dropped open as he ran to them and they embraced tightly!
"MOM! DAD!" Ben said, tears pouring down his face.
"My sweet Ben…" his mother cooed as she hugged her son. "My brave, brave son."
"We are so proud of you son. You've come so far," his father whispered, nuzzling Ben's neck.
"I miss you all so much!" Ben said, tears streaming down his face. "It's my fault you're not here!"
"No it's not Ben and don't you EVER say anything like that again!" his mother said sternly. "It was simply our time. It had nothing to do with you."
"Your mother is right. And we knew that you would find someone to take care of you if you didn't stop believing," the father said, running his hands through Ben's hair.
"You are a hero Ben. And through all of your journey and life we have never left your side," his mother said, kissing his head.
"R-Really?!" Ben sobbed, tears flowing down his face.
"Never. Our spirits have been by your side and will be until the end of time. Alien X allowed us to tell you how we feel and allowed us to communicate with you. We have always been here watching you and guiding you," the father said, hugging Ben to him.
"Do not cry son. Never feel like you are alone because you're not!" Ben's mother said, wiping his tears. "We will always be here Ben and so will your new family!"
"They love you just as much as we do," Ben's father cooed. "Now then…are you ready to join your family?"
Ben took a deep breath, finally at peace with knowing that his mother and father were always with him and watching him, even from when he first purchased Vamps those years ago. Ben nodded and then hugged them once more.
"I love you both. And I will try to make you proud!" Ben said proudly.
"You already have," Ben's mother smiled, now fading away.
"We are here Ben. And we always will be," Ben's father smiled, now disappearing. Ben smiled a large smile and tears of joy as Alien X too began fading.
"Thank you! Thank you for letting me speak to them!" Ben said happily and joy filling his heart.
"You deserved it Ben. Now go and become the man you were meant to be," Alien X smiled, now disappearing with a grin of his own.
As Ben opened his eyes, everyone was still talking about the weather, unaware of what just happened. Ben looked at them and then chuckled to himself. But as he glanced at Nuro, Nuro smiled at him.
"Did you enjoy your gift?" he asked.
"Y-You knew?" Ben gasped.
"Of course." Nuro smiled back. At that moment, the rain began to pour down a bit harder, but the view was breathtaking from the sky.
"Everyone, let's take a ride," Vamps said, now flying up into the sky. Whampire, Melody, Nuro, and Ben flew up too. Ben was currently riding on Nuro's back.
Once in the sky, the rain poured down harder and it seemed to wash over their entire bodies. Washing away everything. It washed away the blood from the battle, the worry of the galaxy, the pain of losing loved ones, and the fear that gripped their hearts when Ben was kidnapped.
"This…this is living," Ben shouted out in happiness.
"Yes! This is living! Ben I couldn't be happier," Melody smiled, now leaning over and wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him on the lips. The other whistled and Vamps laughed.
"Easy you two!" He chuckled.
Ben smiled and hugged Melody to his chest. "No worries Vamps. I won't do anything to her. But one day I will need a wife right?"
"Yes," Vamps smiled.
"And I will need someone who can help me run the kingdom right?" Ben grinned.
"Yes," Whampire smirked.
"Do you have someone in mind?" Nuro chuckled.
"Why of course? The famous alien model Tara Tetramand," Ben teased. Melody let out a huff and started to fly back down.
"Hey I was just kidding!" Ben laughed, now feeling Nuro fly him down. Ben then pounced on her as they were closer to the ground and pinned her down. Melody looked up into his green eyes and he winked at her. "I know we're young now, but you never know what the future holds."
"Yes, you never know," Melody blushed. But she squeaked as he planted a quick kiss on her lips and stood up. He then helped her up and was just in time to see the others land.
"What am I going to do with these two lovebirds?" Vamps said, placing his hands on his hips.
"Let them live and learn. After all, no one can stop love once it starts," Whampire smiled.
"And no one can stop the love of a family either." Ben said, now walking up near them. "You all have shown me what it means to be part of a real family and for that I thank you."
"Me too. I A-ACHOO!" Melody sneezed.
"Bless you! I A-A-ACHOO!" Ben sneezed, now shaking his head.
"It appears this rain makes stuff a bit chilly," Melody giggled.
"Yeah. I…why are you all looking at us like that?" Ben said, now noticing that Nuro, Whampire, and Vamps all had their hands on their hips.
"You both are sneezing," Vamps said.
"You both need to get back inside," Whampire added.
"And you both need to get in bed," Nuro said.
"What on Earth?! We're not kids! We only sneezed!" Ben protested.
"Yeah! We, A-A-ACHOO!" Melody sneezed again.
"You both are having a good bath and some soup right now," Whampire said.
"No. They need medicine first and then soup." Vamps said, now eyeing Whampire.
"You both are mistaken. They need medicine first, soup, rub down with herbal medicine, and then a hot bath," Nuro said.
"Now who made you both the experts?! I am king and I order that they both have medicine and soup before a bath," Vamps huffed.
"Oh don't you huff your kingliness at me," Whampire smirked, now picking up Melody.
"How about we all go and soak in the hot tub and enjoy a hot cup of tea your highnesses," Nuro chuckled, now picking up Ben. "That will keep them from catching cold."
"Agreed," Vamps and Whampire said at the same time.
"Hey put me down! I can walk!" Ben said, squirming in Nuro's arms.
"Now, now…stop squirming. After all…being a member of a family means letting us take care of you too!" Nuro smiled.
"Oh good grief!" Ben growled playfully.
"Endure it Ben or we will hand feed you the soup," Vamps threatened without heat.
"WHAT?!" Ben gasped.
"And if you continue I will personally tuck you into bed too," Nuro said, now tickling Ben's abs and making the teen burst out in laughter.
"Alright, alright, we get it! Fine, I'll let you take care of me," Ben laughed.
Later that night…
They all sat in the hot tub. They all had on swim gear for modesty and were enjoying bowls of hot soup and tea.
"This is wonderful," Vamps whispered.
"I couldn't have asked for anything better," Melody said.
"Nothing will separate this family," Whampire said. Nuro smiled and Vamps nudged him too.
"Yes Nuro. You too are a part of our family now as well." Vamps said.
Ben smiled and pressed his Omnitrix, turning into Four Arms and pulling them all to his chest in a group hug.
"This way I can hug you all at once," he smirked, now feeling them hug him back. Ben was not one to show a lot of affection, but he desperately wanted to show love to his family now. Ben could feel small tears of joy fill his eyes as he looked at each of them with love and admiration. Vamps…his oldest brother, protector, and noble king of the planet. Whampire…his second oldest brother, prince, and silent pillar to lean on. Melody…a new friend and definitely a girl he had a crush on. Nuro…a mysterious and wonderful guardian and friend…his first real friend on Anur Transyl. These four made his heart beat fast with love. Love for his new family and love that he would never forget for as long as he lived. His adventure had currently come to a close, but his new life was just beginning.
guestsurprise: Hope you all enjoyed the finale! This story has come to an end, but was a joy to write!
newbienovelistRD: I can tell you had a blast and a half writing it! Well done, Amiga! :)