Disclaimer: I really hate to point out the obvious, but here goes…I don't own Ben 10...sigh…now I'm depresssed…

Thanks for the Reviews! They make me want to push on. I'm happy to say that I finally found the last hand written copy of this fic so I have it all ready to complete! Woot!

Chapter seven-Next morning

Ben lay frail and still in the stark white room, His family, minus Gwen, at his side. Kevin stood in the doorway, eyes tracing the teens unconscious figure, a soft expression painted on his face.

"How's he doin'?", he asked softly, his usual cocky gusto gone.

Max turned to him, face set in a soft expression." He'll be okay. He just needs some rest. They really…hurt him."

The teen nodded and moved into the room eyes trailed on the smaller teen." Yeah…they'll pay for what they did to him."

Sandra looked up at him, and for once there was no hint of disappointment or distrust. She nodded holding her son's thin frail hand." They better."

Never before had Kevin seen her so…vicious. He understood. He felt a vile burning rage fermenting in the pit of his stomach when he thought of Ambrose and Albedo and what they did to Ben.

Where it not for the fact that Ben needed him and they still needed to save Gwen, he'd already have tracked them down and killed them. Anyone who hurt Ben had to die. Of course this meant he had a long list of people to kill…,but it was worth it. To keep Ben safe.

He sighed and made his way out of the small room to where the plumbers were waiting, Max following. They were waiting for the two to join them so they could launch a rescue mission to get Gwen.

Gwen sat on the cold floor, unable to believe what she'd done. She'd sold her cousin out. Edric had decided to give Gwen back, now that he'd gotten what he wanted. He would find the raven haired Osmosian and use him to manipulate the Majesdanian Princeling into doing as he asked.

Yes. With the boy's help he would destroy the king of Zephar and take the throne. The boy would not dare disobey him with the Osmosian boy's life in the balance, and the girl would be to upset with herself to do any thing. He figured killing the girl was kinder than letting her face them after what she'd done. It was a perfect plan.

Ambrose held his bandaged arm and frowned at Albedo, who sat across from him in the small empty house. His eyes flashed dangerously as the small alien attempted to rationalize why they'd failed to kill the Tennyson boy, annoying the hell out of the Majesdanian ex-Emperor.

"Or perhaps it was an error in our cal-"

"Silence you sad little child! We will get him back", He snarled, blasting a hole in the hall." ,and then he will pay."

Albedo smiled." Alright…,but it's my turn to make the plan."

Ambrose sighed and nodded." Indeed it is."

Two hours later

Verdona clutched her granddaughters Scarf, eyes glowing bright with Mana, as she led Max, Kevin, and two other plumbers to her granddaughters Mana signature.

"How's it goin' granny?", Kevin asked, a snarl coating his voice.

Her eyes returned to normal and she frowned." The trail ends here."

Kevin looked around and snarled when a voice echoed out of the darkness." I knew you'd find us. The pretty little Anodite girl told us. So helpful."

Edric walked out from the darkness holding a bruised and bloody Gwen, tears streaking down her pale face.

"Gwen!", Max, Kevin, and Verdona cried moving forward threateningly.

Edric pulled the darkness into his hand and aimed it at Gwen." Not so fast. I'll make a trade, since the Princeling isn't here. The Anodite for the Osmosian."

They all paled, eyes widening. Sharing one quick glance they got into fighting position, Kevin absorbing some nearby metal, Verdona charging Mana into her hands, and Max and the plumbers pulling out Laser pistols.

Max growled stepping forward." Not a chance."

Edric grinned maliciously." How is that not a surprise. I suppose we fight now?"

Kevin grinned, rushing at him." Yeah…and you lose."

As Kevin charged the shadow alien, Verdona threw blasts of Mana, shielding Max and the plumbers who were getting her and leading her to the car. Edric slammed Kevin to the ground, a cloud of shadow blocking Verdona, the only one other than Kevin left, from seeing the teen and shadow alien.

She could hear the sound of a scuffle and see arcs of darkness flying out. A cry of pain drew her into action and she whipped her Mana around, clearing the shadows away to reveal-an empty field. Kevin and Edric were gone!

"Oh dear."

Ben shot up in bed, eyes wide, heart pounding. "Kevin!"

Sorry bout the short chapie. Anyway, Review please!