A/N: Ben 10 does not belong to me in the least.
Rachel ignored the whispers that shot around her as they moved towards the palace of Marea. She knew she would be talked about, what with what she was and who she was with. "Oh? Look at this. Is the kitten lost?" Laughter and her eye twitched. She held her head high and set her sights ahead, but there would always be those who thought less of her, for what she was. "Look, she's playing hard to get!" Her eye twitched.
"We're almost to the gates." She held tight to her bag, ignoring the men. "If I can't get us in, Gwen, I'll need you to convince them you're a friend." She glanced over her shoulder to see Gwen nod once. Kevin held tight to her hand, their fingers twined together. Rachel smiled, but it faded at the thought of her own boyfriend, who may or may not accept her if she ever introduced him to her mother. "Pierce?" He raised his head. She motioned the others ahead and shifted back to speak with him. "Be careful, alright? Some Matarians can use telepathy. I'm not sure if the guards can, but I know those who are higher up receive more instruction, more teaching. And, well," She rubbed at her arm, restraining herself from digging her nails into her skin.
"What?" She smiled lightly.
"They may or may not make you duel. I asked my mom about it and she knew some of the other species marriage stuff, from her job. If someone objects… well, they'd have to prove themselves. If the groom himself chooses to give up willingly, that's great. But Covron…" Pierce's eyes narrowed. "He was able to show me a lot. Meena's husband-to-be is controlling, dominant. He would fight. And probably win. He's strong, Pierce. I'm not trying to tell you not to fight, I'm just telling you what I know."
"Thanks, but I'm not trying to marry her. I'm just trying to stop this mess." Rachel's lips curled into a grin and she patted his cheek.
"Keep telling yourself that, Lover-Boy." She pulled away, skipping ahead and towards the gates. Pierce shook his head and Helen took her brother's hand lightly.
"Is everything alright?" Manny paused, watching them.
"Yeah, fine." She let go and smiled at him before taking her place beside Manny once again. Peirce followed behind them all.
Rachel stopped before the guards, gazing at them evenly. "What business do you have at the palace, Felilis?" It seemed Fitori's dislike of her kind wasn't just because of her charming personality. She pulled a thick slip of paper from her bag, handing it over to him. He read it over and his partner looked over his shoulder. They both snorted. "You expect me to believe this?"
"My mother is Medaha Mallator, Ambassador of the Alliance. I've come in her place." Their eyes narrowed.
"A likely story." Rachel straightened, narrowing her eyes.
"Perhaps Prince Dakaro could convince you." She raised a hand and they straightened up. "Your Highness." She dipped into a curtsy and they turned quickly, saluting. It was only chance that Covron was crossing the courtyard at that moment. She prayed he would help and not send them away.
He stopped, turning to look at her carefully. She smiled faintly and his brow furrowed for a moment. He smiled. "Rashalen Mallator. A pleasure. I was hoping you would come." The guards stepped apart quickly, averting their eyes. She passed them, resisting the urge to stick her tongue out at them. "I see you brought friends." Covron eyed the group and Pierce narrowed his eyes. "You haven't introduced us, Rachel." She grinned, showing her teeth. "And may I add that you look lovely?"
"Flattery will get you nowhere, Darling." The guards behind them stiffened. "My friends, Gwen and Ben, Kevin, Helen, and Manny." She didn't bother introducing Pierce. "His Highness, Prince Dakaro." Gwen and Helen bobbed a little curtsy while Manny narrowed his eyes and Kevin raised a brow. Ben stuck out a hand.
"Ben Tennyson. Maybe you've heard of me?" Covron took it, a small smile on his features. He was amused.
"But of-course. Rachel," He dropped Ben's hand and took hers, raising it to his lips. Her smile grew. "I assume you've come to visit Mefaalis? She's been expecting you." Rachel raised a brow at him. "I'll escort you. As for the rest of you, the ceremony will be there." He indicated to an enclosed area far to the left. "It should begin within the hour." They were silent and he gazed back at them. Rachel offered them a grin, flashing her teeth. "Shall we then?" She took his arm and he started towards the palace. "Oh, wait. Pierce, a word?" Pierce's eyes narrowed on the green haired Prince.
They stepped aside. "Your Highness." Covron gave him a smug little smirk.
"I wish you luck. Damentan is strong and doesn't like competition. He already thinks there's someone else and that alone has angered him." Covron patted his shoulder. "Either way, my sister will be pleased you're here. No matter the outcome." Pierce shrugged him off and Covron turned away, taking up Rachel's arm and leading her away.
Gwen took a breath, preparing herself for anything that might come. Rachel had been the one calling the shots, but now, it was up to them. "Well, I guess we should go to our seats." She squeezed Kevin's hand before dropping it. "Maybe we'll be lucky and it'll start on time."
Ben and Kevin shook their heads at the thought. "When has a wedding ever started on time? Don't you remember Joel's? I means, there was—"
"I remember, Ben." Gwen shot him a look and he backed off at the remembrance that Gwen had so wanted to be the flower girl. "Come on." She led the way, holding her head high and trying to push down the uneasy feeling she had in the pit of her stomach.
Something was wrong here. And something would go very wrong.
"Mefaalis?" Meena raised her head, turning to gaze at her older brother. Covron smiled. "I've brought you something." Meena closed her eyes, shaking her head 'no'. "I think you should accept it, Mefaalis." She dropped her head, her hands gripping the thin material of her skirt. "Sister, smile. It's nothing bad."
"I have a tendency to disagree." Meena's head jerked up at the voice and she looked to where Rachel leaned against the wall, peering around her curiously. "Hey, Kid."
"M-miss Rachel? But—What—Why—How did you—?" She stood on shaking legs, trembling. Rachel started forward.
"Hey, Sweetie, it's alright, shh…" Rachel hugged her and tears welled in Meena's eyes. Meena held onto her friend, crying into her shoulder. "Aw, Honey, you'll mess up your make-up! And your hair!" Rachel pushed her away, holding her at arm's length and frowning. "Now look at that… Well, sit down and I'll fix it." Meena did as she bade.
"Miss Rachel… Why're you here? How d-did you even get here?" Covron closed the door, giving them privacy as Rachel wiped at Meena's eyes, preparing to fix the damage.
"Well, I came for the wedding, of-course. My mom was invited, but I came in her place." Meena had wondered at her friend's appearance, but then she remembered Rachel was part Felilis, a cat-like species, similar to the Revonnahganders. "There now." Rachel looked at the make-up she had to deal with. "Well, let's see… this will work well… maybe a little of this…"
"Miss Rachel, Matarians don't use much for unions. Just… a touch of it…" Meena hiccupped and Rachel ignored her.
"Well, you have to look your best. I don't care what all them others do. You're the Princess, aren't you? You gotta do your best for the groom, right?" Something inside her broke and Meena nodded slowly, restraining the tears from falling once more. "'Sides. I'm doing your make-up. No one else has that. Don't give me that look, Darling. I know what you're thinking." Rachel pulled things from her bag and Meena recognized the Earth brands. Rachel gave a toothy grin. "Close your eyes."
Meena did as she was told.
"Pierce, you have to stop glaring." Helen touched his hand and he pulled his eyes away from the teal haired man in military dress. She watched him in concern. "I know you really want to help her, but you have to follow ceremony. And glaring at him won't help. You don't know him." He knew what she was saying was right. Attacking the man just because Meena's father was an idiot wouldn't help them.
"Pierce Wheels?" He closed his eyes for a second, wondering if they'd been found out. Then he rose, turning to face them head on. He blinked at the woman with floor length lilac hair and green eyes gazing back at him. "I thought so." She leaned to the side a bit, eyeing the others with him. "Friends, I presume?" Her green dress swept the floor and she held a sheer shawl similar to Rachel's.
"Do I know you?" The woman smiled, the purple marks on her cheeks wrinkling. He admitted she was pretty, but he didn't recognize her. But then, every Matara woman he'd seen so far had such long hair and marks on their faces. He supposed she was different because of the thin tiara on her head and the way people around them where bowing their heads or curtsying.
"Oh yes. I met you on Earth. I'm Desara, though, I was introduced to you as Ranna Calin. Mefaalis refers to me as Rasavas." Pierce gave a small nod, finally making the connection. "I assume… Covron invited you?"
"Correct, Princess." Her smile faded and her eyes shifted to glance at the teal haired man waiting in-front of a table. The man was watching her, his golden eyes narrowed.
Rasavas smiled lightly, reaching a hand out to touch his arm. "Walk with me, Pierce. We must talk." She kept her voice low, quiet. He looked back at his friends and it was Helen who nodded.
"We'll be fine." And he knew they would be. He reached out a hand and Rasavas rested her hand on his arm. He ignored the wave of anger he felt directed at him from Meena's husband-to-be.
"Now you've gone and done it," he hissed at her as they walked. She hummed in agreement, but said nothing. She just continued to walk towards the palace. "Covron took Rachel up there awhile ago. Said he was gonna take her to Meena. Is that where we're going?" She shook her head. He couldn't place it, but she seemed upset. Maybe some of this family had compassion.
"I'm afraid not. This… this has to 'go off without a hitch', as you say." Pierce shot her a dark look. She ignored it. "I know why you're here, Pierce. As much as it thrills me that you would risk so much for my sister, this has to happen. Lives are on the line, don't you know that? There's a war. It's been fought for generations and now it can finally end." She raised her free hand, running it through her hair, careful of the thin tiara. "After so long… it can finally end. Don't you get it?" He tightened his jaw, not looking down at her as she gazed up at him. "She accepted this fate, Pierce. She agreed, but she was given her time to do with as she pleased. She chose to see Earth. And that's what made it all come crumbling down. She met you." His brow twitched, the quills on his face trembling. "You need to let her go." His lips pulled into a thin line
She stepped away from him, stopping where she was. He glared ahead. "So no one cares about her happiness?"
"I do. But, Damentan…" She let out a soft breath and he shot her a look. She acted like… almost like she had a crush! "He's strong, Pierce, much stronger than you. He's one of the best officers they have. For him, this is a chance to finally get what he wants." She should shake him. Of-course she loved her sister, but there was nothing she could do. She didn't want her to marry that homicidal maniac, but she didn't have a say in the matter. It would just be better for all involved if he didn't try to put a stop to this ceremony.
Pierce snorted. "Respect?" She ignored the sarcasm in his voice. He needed to understand this.
"No. His rightful place in our world. Pierce, this war… The Tuarlo, they were us, generations ago. They are Matara, like all of us, but they were the ones who opposed the King. They were cast out and banished. This war has gone on since then. This chance at peace, finally after so long…" She turned her face away, glaring out at the city before them. "My Father could have ended this last year, but he was stubborn. So, to try again at peace, he accepted the terms that one of their military officers and his youngest daughter joined in ceremony." A dark smile came onto her lips and she laughed. "Damentan asked for me and those were the original conditions. My life for peace. But Father didn't want to give in, didn't want to give me away. I'm the best, you know. Of all my siblings." She didn't look at him. "But then Meena… she argued with him. About the original agreement, before this whole marriage thing came up. So he gave her up instead. He told her that if she didn't agree, the war would begin again. Any blood spilled would be on her hands. So she agreed. And that's when her time began." She balled her hands into fists, her nails biting into the soft flesh of her palms. "And that is our Father."
Pierce stared up at the palace, having only heard about half of what she had said and even then, it was only half of the first bit. High above in one of the windows, Meena stared back at him, leaning almost halfway out the window at this point.
"Pierce?" Desara looked over at him only to see his eyes directed upwards. She hissed out a breath. "Don't do this, Pierce," She pulled on his arm, surprisingly strong for her slender form. "We need this peace. I wish there was another way, but there's not. Deal with it." Pierce twisted, almost walking backwards just to continue to see her.
Meena pulled away, dropping her eyes before she stepped out of his sight.
"There's always another way, Rasavas." He righted himself, frowning down at her as she led him back to the ceremony space rather forcefully. Her face was grim this time around but she slowed just before they entered and adjusted her hold on his arm, bringing the small smile back onto her face.
"Not this time, Pierce. Not this time."
Tears threatened to overflow once again as Meena stepped away from the window, a hand over her mouth. Her heart beat wildly in her chest. Rachel and Covron shared a look, trying to figure out what was wrong this time. "Covron…" He stepped towards her, resting a hand on her shoulder and ducking down, trying to see her eyes. "I can't… I can't do this!" He didn't look surprised and Rachel hid her joy.
"I know." He leaned down a little further and was silent until she opened her eyes, gazing at him. "You know… He came all the way here. For you. I didn't agree with Father's choice, I agreed with you. But you're the one in harm's way. We all love you, but Rasavas and Syvin want to do what's best for Marea. You know that." She nodded slowly, her bottom lip trembling. "Maybe now… You need to do what's best for you." He didn't want to tell her what would happen if she did that. She already knew. He wanted her to be happy, but she would go through with this.
For the people.
Aaaand chapter 16~