Ben 10 Alien to Vampire
Chapter 18: Who's the Hero; Stand Alone… or Together
Security Committee HQ
The crowd was all gathered around Ben, as he was on his knees, his head hidden as it hung down. The realization that Kuyou had played him for a fool weighed down upon his shoulders. And what was worse, now everyone knew he was a human… including the others. The look of fright and defeat was worn upon Moka's face, as she lowered hers, hoping to hide her tears for her friend. But for Mizore and Kurumu, it was utter fear and shock. And if someone looked carefully… betrayal.
Kuyou announced to all in the room to hear, not even attempting to hide his vicious and prideful smirk, "Well, you heard it, straight from the horse's mouth. Mr. Tennyson has admitted his humanity to all of us. His true identity is that of what he is: our mortal enemy."
Not wanting to believe it, Kurumu's voice spoke up in a whisper, "No way."
"It can't be true," Mizore looked in terror.
Kuyou and the Security Committee all stood their ground, but Kuyou chuckled as he saw the despair that Tennyson had gotten himself into. Not only that, but Kuyou smiled on the fact that the boy was human, and that he would have the pleasure of taking his life. Not only that, but the club that this human belonged to would also be guilty of conspiring of hiding a human among them. And in so doing, they too would be executed. All in all, it was a win-win situation.
Ben looked around, after realizing the place was all smoke and mirrors, and it was his turn ot ask questions, "So all those mirrors and barriers you set up…?"
"Correct," Kuyou rubbed in, "This facility has barriers and illusion spells to allow our members to hide in plain sight. It wouldn't be so foolish of me to simply have only a handful of my members to be here with the likes of all of you." Just then, barriers broke all over the room, showcasing thousands and thousands of security members. "So even if you did or didn't reveal your true nature and attempted a pathetic stunt ot escape, you wouldn't have made out the front door," Kuyou explained.
"Ben, why'd you do that," Moka whimpered, hanging her head in shame, and trying to fight the urge to shed a tear. "Why did you tell them the truth?" Kurumu and Mizore heard that, and turned to the vampire girl as they heard her go on. "We were all getting along just fine. Why now? Why…"
SLAP!
Ben turned around as he heard that sharp slap being made. Kurumu had run up to Moka and slapped her fiercely across her face. Moka didn't flinch or even cry out in pain; all she did was sit there, and shamefully didn't look her friend in the eye. "You knew this all along," Kurumu hissed out angrily, not even looking at Ben as he stood up, "You lied to the whole school, you lied to the club, you lied to all of us."
"Kurumu, wait," Ben tried to reason with her. "If you want to blame someone, blame…"
"LEAVE ME ALONE!" Kurumu shouted, almost hurt rather than betrayed.
Ben stopped in his tracks before he could reach out, and backed away. He heard a chuckle escape from Kuyou, as he gloated, "Well, what do you expect would happen, Tennyson. You only have yourself to blame on all this." He looked to his men, and ordered, "Miss Kurono and Miss Shirayuki are free to go. Place Akashiya in one of the special cells for her."
Ben went from stunned to angry, as he turned to Kuyou, and shouted, "What? I thought I was the one you wanted?"
"She knew about your secret beforehand; she just as guilty," Kuyou politely argued.
Ben snarled, as he charged at him, "You slimy…!" But he was immediately apprehended by two guards that held him back.
The girls were allowed to go, but Moka was being dragged away by the fellow that tried to threaten her with water. She tried to wrench free, but only got free enough to let her arm reach out ot try and grab for Ben. But to such avail, as she was being forced out of the room. But that didn't stop her from shouting, "Ben! Ben, please! NOO! You can still run! Ben! BEEEEEN!" But before Ben could do anything, as he watched helplessly being taken away, the door closed as she would be his last sight.
Once the room was quieted down, Kuyou announced, "Now then… Members of the Security Committee. In the name of Order and for the sake of Justice of Youkai Academy… I call for the final judgment of Benjamin Tennyson."
Glasses answered, "Guilty as charged."
The bo staff girl smirked, "Guilty as charged."
The big enforcer called out, "Guilty as charged."
In fact, that was the answer from all the committee members, as they all at different times said, "Guilty as charged."
Once the room was silent, Kuyou walked up to Ben, and cupped his chin to meet at him eye-to-eye, "Benjamin Tennyson, this court has found you guilty of the one unforgivable crime of being a human." Ben's eyes sharped with anger, even though he knew what was gonna happen next. Kuyou ignored the anger stare, and smirked triumphantly, "The sentenced punishment… is death."
Newspaper Club Class
Gwen was pacing back and forth in worry for Ben and Moka. Kevin had giving her the heads up on the enforcers coming to apprehend her and managed to leave before they could find her. Thankfully she also managed to take Yukari with her. They both hid on the roof of the boys dorm before they saw all enforcers return to their hideout, so they went back to the newspaper club.
"I still don't understand why they accused Ben of being a human? That's just impossible, we've all seen him transform to fight and yet they make this lousy accusation," Yukari asked as she was sitting down while thinking the whole situation was ridiculous.
Gwen turned to the young witch while hiding her nervousness. She couldn't help it since the girls didn't know the truth about Ben or her.
"Even so we need to think of what we can do to help them out, cause something tells me the enforcers can't be trusted" Gwen said honestly trying to change the direction of their conversation.
Yukari hummed in agreement since she didn't trust them either and for good reason too. "But what can we do? Gin's nowhere to be found and Kevin won't come, plus I don't think the 2 of us can break into a hideout filled with enforcers including Kuyou and his four elite guards" she said not liking their odds.
"I know I know, we just need to find a way to get them out rather than fight our way through. Maybe a spell or something that could help us" Gwen said while trying to think of an alternative since she wasn't used to finding ways out of trouble that didn't involve fighting the enemy head on.
"If only we had Kurumu, Mizore and Kevin here then I'm sure we'd have a better chance at getting through the old fashioned way" Yukari said a bit down after hearing that both of them had been taking in as well for questioning.
Before Gwen could reply the door suddenly opened. Gwen for a moment thought that an enforcer came back to check until she saw a feminine head of light blue hair that was Kurumu as she walked in with a sad face.
"Kurumu you're back!" Yukari said happily, before she noticed her sad face, and how she didn't answer her.
"What's wrong Yukari, did something happen?" Gwen questioned, wanting to know if something happened to Ben.
Hearing Gwen's voice brought Kurumu out of her dazed look as she turned to look at Gwen. However, she looked at Gwen with eyes filled with anger and sadness.
"Are you a human too, Gwen?" Kurumu asked causing Gwen's eyes to widen a bit knowing what this probably meant.
"What're you talking about Kurumu, and where're the others?" Yukari asked.
Gwen said nothing for a moment. "Before I answer you, Kurumu, tell me something. Where are the others?"
Kurumu narrowed her eyes "Mizore's by the cliff where the gym teacher assaulted her, as for Ben and Moka… they're still at the enforcers' hideout."
Gwen said nothing before she stood up, and began walking out the door.
"Hey where are you going?!" Yukari asked making Gwen stop and turn around.
"I'm going to get Mizore, once she's here I'll tell you guys what you need to know. Stay here while I go find her and bring her back. You'll all need to be together so I can tell you" she said before resuming her exit.
When she left Yukari was now left completely confused.
"Kurumu, what's going on?" she asked sadly, as she didn't know what was going on.
Kurumu turned to see Yukari's eyes looking like they were starting to water. So she decided to tell her what happened at the hideout.
At the cliff
Sitting down at the edge of the cliff was Mizore who has been staring out to sea in sadness after what she learned. Ben Tennyson the boy she was in love with… was a human. She couldn't believe it, she didn't want to believe it, until he himself confessed it. Knowing this brought back her worst memories from when she was still living back home. She had fallen in love with a young boy and they spent some time together becoming friends. However all that changed when she took him to the garden and revealed her true form to him while asking if he'd return to be together when she became seventeen. But instead he rejected her, called her a monster and left. After that first sense of rejection, she cried for a long while until her mother calmed her down.
Now, however, she was feeling the same sense as before. She felt deceived and betrayed by Ben having kept his true identity from her.
'This is where he saved me,' Mizore thought to herself, as images of Ben fighting Okuto Kotsubo flashed in her mind.
She could still remember how she felt in awe when she saw Ben turn into Big Chill, who reminded her of a snow angel her mother used to tell her in stories. After he saved her and became her first real friend, she fell in love with him instantly and thought that nothing was kept between them. Now however she felt like she didn't know who Ben really was.
"Mizore" A voice called out. She wiped some tears forming in her eyes, before turning to see that it was Gwen.
"What do you want?" Mizore asked, a little harshly.
Gwen flinched a bit at her tone, since it was clear to her she had been possible crying. "I want to tell you the whole truth about Ben".
Her words got some attention from the ice girl. "What do you mean the whole truth," she questioned.
"I mean what I said. That I want to tell you the truth about Ben, Kevin, and myself," Gwen repeated.
"What is it?"
Gwen shook her head. "Sorry Mizore, but not here. If you want to hear the truth, then you'll need to come back to the newspaper club where Kurumu and Yukari are waiting for me. Once you all together, I'll tell you everything".
Mizore said nothing at first, as silence filled between them. Gwen was growing a bit unnerved for every second that passed, until Mizore finally spoke up.
"Fine" she said emotionlessly, while getting up. Gwen let out a soft smile before they both headed back to the newspaper club.
10 Minutes Later
Gwen and Mizore returned to the club, where a tearful Yukari immediately questioned her about if Ben was really a human. Gwen managed to get her to calm down, so she could explain everything. So after a few short minutes, the three Yokai girls were all sitting together with Gwen up front.
"So tell us, Gwen. What's the truth? Is Ben really a human?" Kurumu asked, while secretly hoping that Ben had only said that to set them free.
Gwen sighed, knowing full well the girls weren't gonna like what she said next. "I'm sorry to say that it is true, and that I'm also a human," she said, earning a gasp from Yukari.
"So it's all true. Ben really is a human, and he's been lying to us this whole time!" Kurumu shouted out.
"He didn't lie to you, he just never told you what he really was," Gwen tried filling in.
"And you lied to me too. You're not a witch; you're a human!" Yukari shouted, feeling betrayed.
Gwen looked sadly at Yukari, as she saw her looking sad. It hurt her to see the girl that admired her and looked up to her, in such a state, but she had to be truthful now. Otherwise Ben would be in danger by himself.
"We'll I don't really know how witches are born or made, but for the majority of my life, I was a regular girl. I was smart, aced my grades, and was into gymnastics, most recently karate. One summer I and Ben fought against this powerful magician called Hex when he returned for revenge after previously defeating him. He was planning to gain ultimate magical power, but he was betrayed by his niece, called Charmcaster, who wanted the power for herself. Ben and I managed to stop her from completing the spell, and when I picked up Hex's staff it somehow fired magic. It was after that day that I learned I had the potential to learn magic. So I took Charmcaster's spell book, which is the one I showed you before, and studied it where after a long while I became a sorceress," Gwen explained.
"So you're a human that learned to use magic. So what does that really make you? A magician, sorceress, mage, wizard?" Yukari asked sadly, knowing that the girl she admired wasn't a witch.
"Well I prefer to be called a sorceress, if that's fine with you?" Gwen asked, as Yukari nodded slowly.
"So what about Ben? Kuyou said that he was using some kind of human-made weapon to disguise himself as a Yokai," Mizore asked.
Now Gwen raised her eyebrows at hearing that. What Kuyou said was only half-right, and he was wrong to think Ben was here to cause trouble. "Ben is using a device that lets him change his form. But that wasn't invented by any human," Gwen said earning confused looks from the girls.
"Wait, then does that mean a Youkai created that device," Yukari asked.
Gwen was now rubbing her head a bit impatiently, since she wasn't sure how much time she had left to spend explaining while Ben was in trouble.
"It's very hard to explain in words, but the point is that Ben and I are humans, and we're sorry for deceiving you three," Gwen apologized sincerely.
"If you're humans, then how did you find this school and why are you here," Kurumu demanded to know.
"Well honestly, we didn't know about this place until our grandpa told us about it. He said there were creatures here, so he sent Ben to observe them to make sure they weren't a threat to humankind. I guess you could say Ben was sent to spy on this place," Gwen said, a bit embarrassed.
Now the three girls were startled, and a bit scared and who could blame them. They were just told that some human knew about their existence, and that Ben was sent here to spy on them, and quite possibly eliminate any threats.
Seeing their reaction Gwen tried to calm them down. "Don't worrym we didn't come here to kill anyone or anything like that. We just came here to observe the Academy, so we could learn how they'll interact in the human world once they graduate and leave," She tried reassuring them.
"But you said Ben was sent to make sure no one was a threat to humanity. What would he do if he did find someone that was threatening," Yukari asked nervously.
"Well you've already seen what he does to those who threaten innocent Youkai like yourselves right? Well that's what Ben does, he protects the ones who are innocent, while giving the bad ones the beat down they deserve," Gwen said. She stopped for a moment, thinking on that, and thought aloud, "Wait. That didn't come out right. What I mean to say, is that Ben just runs in to help when needed, whether it's human or monster."
The girls were now a little surprised at that. "So then…Ben does care about us," Kurumu said shyly.
"OF COURSE HE DOES!" Gwen shouted, causing the succubus teen to jump a little. "If Ben didn't care about you, then he wouldn't have done everything for you guys. Before I transferred over here to help, when he wrote or called us, he would always mention you guys and how nice it is having you for friends. He gave you all friendship and became best friends with you all. So are you telling me you're going to abandon him and throw everything you've been through together with him just because he didn't tell you he was really a human!?"
The three girls said nothing, as they looked to each other for thoughts. They all felt hurt by the revelation that Ben was a human, but as they thought about what Gwen had told them, they realized that she had a point. Ever since they knew Ben, they saw that he was a nice, friendly, playful, witty and overall good guy. He helped them become the close friends that they are today, and got together in the club they were now in. After exchanging glances, they all nodded.
"You know what? Your right, Gwen. We have been through too much to just give it up over being human. Just because we had bad experiences with them doesn't mean we can't finally find a good one to be friends with" Mizore said honestly, after remembering the good time she had with Ben and because she still loved him.
"Yeah, what she said," Kurumu said, joining in as Yukari also joined.
"So then let's go help Ben!" Gwen said, as they all nodded and ran out with their intentions now set on saving Ben.
Security Committee Dungeon
Ben was locked in his cell, his hands bound with chains far apart from one another. Kuyou figured if Ben's hands were still free, then he could use the Omnitrix to release himself, as well as break out Moka in the process. But there was something else other than the impending execution to come. It was Kuyou's knowledge of the Omnitrix itself that seemed to spark a bit of interest in Tennyson. How could he had known about it; no one else in the school knew about it, save himself, Moka, Gwen, and even Kevin. He could've ratted him out, and would have broken in right now to steal it right under his nose. Something about all this just didn't seem right to him.
But there was little time to figure that out, as Security Committee guards opened the door, and walked in. The three guards stood all around him, as one of them smirked viciously, "It's time, human."
They forced Ben up, as they marched out of the cell and down the hallway full of prisoners. They were begging and pleading to be released, as some tried to break the door down. They kept shouting that they were wrongfully accused of being in there, or that their time in the cell was over with. One of the security committee members punched one guy pleading out near the bars, and chuckled as the boy fell to the floor of his cell, cradling a broken and bleeding nose. It was at that moment, Ben stopped in his tracks.
The security member closest to him, shoved in on the ground, and shouted, "MOVE IT, HUMAN!" he then took notice that Ben was looking at the cells, in pity, and the guard scoffed a laugh, "Oh, is the human feeling sympathy for prisoners?"
"Well don't," the second guard commented, looking at the prisoners, rather smug, "These lawless fugitives got right what they deserve, and will continuously be givien judicial punishment as the Great Kuyou states."
Ben raised an eyebrow, as he asked, "And what were their crimes?"
"Like you, they wanted to defy the Security Committee and bring us down," the second guard stated. "They claimed they couldn't stand what the Security Committee were doing to this school. But we're not the wrongdoers, they are the ones to be needed proper order. We are the law."
Ben frowned at this, as he corrected, "You're not cops. You're not even hall monitors!" this earned death giving glares to him, but he didn't flinch, as he went on, "You guys are close to Nazis!" But he shook his head, as he shook his head, "No, I take it back. Nazis at least have moral codes. You guys are a bunch of thugs, wearing plastic badges…"
SMACK!
THWACK!
CRASH!
The three guards ganged up on Ben, kicking, punching, and beating the living heck out of him. They stopped, as they saw the boy chuckling a little. The third guard snarled, as he grabbed Ben by the collar, and snarled, "What's so funny? Did you lose your mind? Or is it that fear's casuing you to lose what little calm you have now!? Or are you just laughing to hide the fact that you're scared to death of what awaits you once we deliver you to Kuyou?!"
Ben shook his head, "Nah." He raised his wrists up, and showed the lens of the Omnitrix glowing and beeping, "I'm laughing that finally the timer's gone off."
The guards raised an eyebrow in confusion, as the first guard asked, "Timer?"
"For a delayed transformation," Ben answered. The three were confused, until a blinding light erupted from the Omnitrix. The guards let Ben go, as the light died down, and the three were greeted with an unlucky sight.
"Shocksquatch!"
What stood before the three Security members was a thick, muscular sasquatch-like alien. He had yellow and black fur, along with ghre fingers and toes, in which he had for fingers. He had two metallic gray circular bolts on the sides of his wrists. He had green eyes with black pupils and yellow horns on his head in the shape of lightning bolts. He also had a green belt with the Omnitrix symbol was located as his belt buckle.
Omnitrix Alien Info: Gimlinopithecus , aka, Shocksquatch
Gimlinopithecus, a yeti-like species from the planet Pattersonae, are large, muscular, furry, yeti-like creatures. They have bolts on different parts of their body, so far they have been on the wrists and neck. Gimlinopithecus can release strong, yellow electrical charges from their hands, mouth and body, capable of electrocuting a creature much larger than them. They're one weakness is if their bodies become insulated, or if they fight someone who is capable of insulating them.
The three guards stood back a little, as Shocksquatch cracked his knuckles, and chuckled, "So which of you hosers knows where Moka is, ey?"
The three guards snarled at him, and they transformed, as one of them roared, "You'd think we'd tell a pretender like you anything?"
And then they all charged at him, as another one shouted, "IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE WHAT FORM YOU HAVE, YOU AND AKASHIYA ARE GONNA DIE!"
The bolts on his wrists sparked a little, as Shocksquatch half-smirked, "Figured you hosers'd say that." And then his hair stood on end, as he let out a mighty charged electric blast with both his fists at them. The bolts smacked right into all three of them, shocking them, as they screamed out in agony. Then finally, the three slumped to the ground, smoking and twitching in defeat.
Shocksquatch looked to the guards, as he straightened his hair out, and huffed, "Not so tough, are ya, hosers?" he then looked to the cage holding the prisoner they punched before. When the student noticed his look, he scooted away, fearing what was gonna happen next. His fears were earned, as he tore the gate off with ease, and tossed it to the side. He walked on in, causing the student to fringe in fear. But shocksquatch took notice of it, and stood back a little, as he calmed the fellow down a bit, "Hey, relax there, fellah. I ain't gonna hurt ya."
The student stopped cringing, as he looked at the bigfoot creature rather confused, "Huh?"
"I just need to know if you seen where they're keepin' Moka Akashiya," Shocksquatch explained. "Ya know, attractive vampire girl, long pink hair, dazzlin' eyes, wears a silver cross choker around her neck."
The student thought a moment, and then answered, "They-They have her in the… the Solitary Wing of this detention center. It's to the left, down the hall. She's in the cage not too far on the right side of it." Shocksquatch nodded to that, as he walked off, but the student stopped him, "Wait! You're a human, right?"
Shocksquatch stopped for a moment, and sighed, knowing full well all word would come around. He then turned around, and nodded, "Yeah, pretty much. Okay, ey?"
The monster student blinked in confusion, as he asked, "But… why do you care what happens to a vampire? Or me, for that matter? I mean, you're just a human."
Shocksquatch scratched the back of his head, as he sighed, "Kinda complicated. Well, not so complicated as ya think. Don't matter to me if they're monster or human… or alien, for that matter." He then picked the keys off of the downed guard, "I'll protect and save anyone that needs help. That's what I am: a guy who just plays the hero." He then tossed the keys to the student, as he got up, and caught them. "Use that to get the others out," the alien bigfoot gestured. Then Shocksquatch smirked a little, hiding a little blush on his cheeks, "And besides… how can I not save a pretty damsel in distress now and then?" And charged off down the hallway.
The student looked at the retreating form of Shocksquatch, as he blinked, "A hero, eh? Thought those only existed in movies and comics." But then he blinked in confusion, as he asked, "Wait a second. Did he say 'Alien'?"
Solitary Confinement
In her cell, Moka was balled into a corner, burying her face in her knees, feeling helpless at this moment. Ben's secret was discovered; Kuyou and his flunkies knew now that he was human. Kurumu, Mizore, and probably Yukari now abandoned them. Gwen and Kevin were missing, perhaps captured or killed by the Security Forces. And now… somewhere Ben was imprisoned, and soon, would be executed. And here she was, powerless to try and prevent it from happening.
She buried her face in her hands, and sobbed silently, "Ben… Ben…" She looked at the rosary holding her powers locked, and sobbed, "How can I help him, if I can't even break through these bars?"
"You can't just sob there," Inner Moka spoke up, getting Moka's attention. "We have to get out of here."
"But how," she questioned, feeling rather useless. "I can't break through the bars, and the only way I can even use to remove it is Ben. And our friends…"
"Do you really believe they've just abandoned you like that?"
Moka was stunned to hear a familiar voice speak up, and looked at the cell. There, standing casually, opening and closing an old-fashioned pocket watch, was the same British man from the pier amusement park. Immediately, Moka shot up, and surprisingly asked, "You?"
The man nodded, "I see that in either form, you remember events that haven't happened." He then looked around the cage, and frowned, "Though I must admit, I'm rather distressed to see we've arrived to this point in history."
Mok seemed to get a little distressed by that, as she asked, "What point? What are you talking about?"
The man sighed, not sure if this would help, or start events already, but he had to tell her. She had that right to know, "This is the turning point if Youkai Academy's intention of human/monster coexistence to be real or not. In this sense… Ben must fight Kuyou for the sake of this school."
"No, he can't'!" Moka nearly screamed out, in more distressed fear, as she pleaded, "Ben can't do that; he might not win."
"There's no other way for this to work," the man explained. "Ben has to be the one to do this. He's is the only one who can free this school of the Security Committee's grip."
Moka's hands shook when they clenched the bars of her cage, and looked to this mysterious man for at least one answer. "If he does this, will Ben live?"
The man remained silent, looking to Moka with a face that read 'you don't want to know' to her. She lowered her head, feeling despair all over again. "Yes," he finally spoke up, lifting the sorrow Moka had been holding in. "But where there is death, there will always be death."
Moka's eyes went wide with shcok, as she asked, "What? What do you mean by that?" she didn't get a reply, as she shouted, looking at him, "What do you mean by…?" but then blinked in utter confusion, as he saw that he had vanished. She pulled away from the bars, and turned around, asking herself, "Where there is death, there will always be death? What did he mean by that?"
CRASH!
She whipped around, and saw a giant black and yellow yeti had torn the cell door off with ease. A bit confused by this turn of events, but she saw the Omnitrix symbol on the beast's belt buckle, and instantly recognzied him, as she smiled, "Ben!"
"Didn't think I'd come in the nick of time, did ya, ey," Shocksquatch winked. But then blinked as she seemed a bit distressed, "What's worng? Didn't ya want me to…?"
But was stopped, as Moka suddenly leapt at him, hugging him around the neck. Shocksquatch blinked in confusion, but she answered, "Of course I did. I'm just glad you're alright."
Shocksquatch blinked at that, as he gulped, "Uh… maybe we should get going now."
Next Chapter: Fire vs. Omnitrix; the Power of Friendships
Sorry for the delay, guys. But I promise you this, you're gonna see some kick-ass fightin' in the next chapter.