There's a few Twilight references in here... you've been warned.
Prologue: Page 4
One roundhouse kick to his chest and one panty-shot from her later, 'Ben' was sent 40 yards westward by a VERY pissed off Inner Moka.
"MOKA! Cut it out! That's B..." Kurumu was saying.
"Bullshit Kurumu! That might be Ben's body, but its far from him. He made me look like a fool, like one of you lovesick puppies back home! I won't tolerate it, he's learning his place!" Inner Moka hissed and growled, peeved well over her limit. She ran off into the distance to catch up with her target, while Kurumu and Reinrassig just watched.
"Is this, another mating ritual?" Asked a very confused Highbreed, but the poor alien never got an answer.
With a crash: 'Ben' fell flat on his back, had a few dislocated joints and bones, and as for the pain... well, his madman-like laugh contradicts this. 'Ben' got up and bent his body around, putting everything back into place with a painful sounding snap. Again, his manic-like laughter told a different story of what he was feeling. "HA, whew! THIS is more like it! Alright, Princess... LET'S DANCE!" Said 'Ben', running in the direction from whence he came.
As soon as both vampires saw the whites of the others eyes, they sped up and let out a battle yell as they started to attack. Inner Moka jumped into the air and did a front-flip before zooming towards the American with her foot outward, while said American pulled made a fist and pulled it back. Both vampires' foot/fist collided with a burst of power, creating a shock wave that disturbed most of the landscape.
Even from 40 yards away, both Reiny and Kurumu could feel the force of the attacks, as well as the shock waves that originated from the duo S-Class monsters'. Sure shock waves get weaker as they spread out, but the wind created from it was enough to blow her skirt, even from this distance. Not wanting to leave the Highbreed defenseless, Kurumu had no choice but to stay... not that she would get anywhere near the fighting vampires anyway, they were scary when angry.
The fighting from Inner Moka and 'Ben' caught the attention of a Dravek. It shot out of the sand, almost making a midnight snack out of either bloodsucker. Opening its jaws, it attempted to eat the silver-haired one, only for her to jump away. Sand flowed out of the beasts mouth as it looked at the 2 vampires and hissed at them.
"Quick truce to take this thing out?" Asked Inner Moka. She didn't like to admit it, but even she couldn't defeat a Dravek alone. Even with Big Chill's help, she only pissed one off, and it was only with Reinrassig's intel of the creature did they manage to kill it.
"Heh, speak for yourself. Stand back and watch the master" said 'Ben', clearly not interested in Inner Moka's plead. The Dravek repeated what it did before, 'Ben' showed no emotion on his face however. Just as the earthworm would have swallowed him, 'Ben' sidestepped and grabbed one of its 5 appendages, ripping it clean off. Hissing in pain, the Dravek turned to try again, but that's when 'Ben' jabbed it with its own body part.
If that suffering wasn't enough, 'Ben' jumped up and uppercutted it, sending it into the air and smack on a large pointy rock that was sharp and long enough to pierce its exoskeleton. It struggled... and then nothing.
'Ben' wiped his arms. "See? I didn't need your help" he answered, arrogantly. For a split second, Inner Moka felt stabbed in the heart. But then reminded herself that this was NOT Ben Tennyson. Besides, she didn't love him... did she? She and Moka have felt more alive now that they've seen Ben again and this adventure brought back many fond (and not-so fond) memories, but that wasn't love... right?
"What happened to ya Moka? You used to be more confident," 'Ben' continued.
Her temper flaring up again, she got right up to 'Ben'. But before she could make a comeback, he spoke again. "I mean, this IS what you wanted, right?" Inner Moka instantly backed off, what was he talking about? Could he be mentioning... no way, impossible. She prayed for it in her head, there's no way he could know! That thing Ben wears stores DNA, not actual living things. Then again, Ghostfreak AKA Zs'Skayr was trapped in it... could it be possible then? Could this version of Ben have been buried deep within the Omnitrix that it only managed to get out because of her?
"Let me say this, Moka; the Omnitrix might be a computer, but the things inside are as organic as an apple. You wanted it to ignore its safety protocols, and here I am" 'Ben' claimed. Inner Moka pieced it all together, but it still didn't add up. Azmuth clearly said that the Omnitrix was NOT designed to absorb monster DNA, but Ben unlocked aliens matching similar codes of the 'donators'. Mizore to Big Chill, Kagome to Brainstorm and Keito to Spidermonkey. But why did it have to be an actual monster for Moka/Inner Moka's blood?
Obviously, this 'Ben' knew more than he cared to share, his smug smirk proved that. "Why then? Why are you taking over his body?" Asked Inner Moka.
'Ben' made a face of mock-shock. "Whaaaat? Take over? Listen Bella Swan, don't compare me to that idiotic Ectonurite,ok? I'm here for the same reason you exist, to protect my other half. But for you... isn't it just the opposite?" He said, grinning at that last sentence. Inner Moka was now truly scared, how much did this man know and more importantly, how the hell did he find out? Ben himself didn't even know the whole truth about her, so how was it possible that this one did?!
Shaking it off, Inner Moka went to get in his face for what felt like the 5th time that night. But he held up his hands in mock-defense. "Chill your highness, I won't breathe a word... it's not my place. Just get him to let me out once in awhile. You won't believe how stuffy it is in that thing. Hell, I'll even settle for 5 minutes so he can still change into whatever the fuck he actually wants," said 'Ben'. He then held out a hand. "We got a deal?"
Inner Moka looked down at the other vampires hand, thinking about this carefully. She didn't want to tell Ben about herself (mostly due to her pride), and because she wasn't really sure about it either. Some of her memory was so foggy. Still, as unpredictable as this Ben was, vampires are an honorable species. Even the asshole-ish ones had a shred of common decency. At the same time, she wasn't positive if she could trust him.
'Ben' lowered his hand at Inner Moka's delay. "Why the hesitation, sweet cheeks? Could it be because...?" Said 'Ben', grabbing her by the arm quicker than Gin can run on a full moon, and yanked her close. She would have kicked his... weakest point, for a lack of better words. But what he said next shocked her to her core: "Awwww, you do care."
She flinched; this Ben said the exact same thing, the exact same way as the human Ben did when they fought those Lizardmen. She got out of his grip faster than Edward Cullen could show off for his girlfriend when they first met. Then doing what she does best (other than kicking), she hid the emotion written all over her face. She took it back, this Ben had as much honor as an Imp. If she was going to get his word, she'd have to swallow her pride and give him necessary motivation...
"... Fine... and if you agree to control yourself," she started, then paused to reconsider. Ugh, the things she does for her friend. "... you can call me baby" she growled.
'Ben' changed his tune. "No shit? I can call you baby all I want, and no hissy fits from ya?" He asked, now interested. Inner Moka didn't answer, she just held her hand out and gave him a look that said: "I'm not gonna repeat myself." The American vampire took Inner Moka's hand, shaking it with a silly grin in his face. Aw geez, what had Inner Moka gotten herself into?
"Well... pleasure doing business with ya... baby," 'Ben' said, testing the waters, to which Inner Moka rolled her eyes and growled to herself. "Alright; I got some time left, so hang on" said 'Ben', grinning slyly. Before Inner Moka could make a move or ask what that meant, he picked her pick bridal style and ran off into the distance.
-TIME BREAK-
Reinrassig: Let go of my arm, parasite!
Kurumu: (annoyed, she snapped at him) Do you want your hand saved, or saved as a souvenir?
Back at the campsite, Kurumu was tending to Reiny's wound, checking it every few minutes. Of course, Reinrassig wanted to be unhanded, but he shut up due to the above conversation. Kurumu reluctantly asked him to find more water, with him asking what good would water do at a time like this. Placing the hand in the water, she explained she's seen on TV that coolness buys severed body parts some precious time. Since he was also a plant, this still worked out.
He asked what a TV was, but he never got an answer for that either.
Good thing it was cold out, otherwise the water would get too hot and this tactic wouldn't work. And for all his talk about being high and mighty, he was sure whining allot. They heard a sound from the distance, along with a form racing toward them. Arming they're claws and nails, they got ready for whatever was approaching. Neither expected 2 vampires, one of them being held by the other... and still in one piece.
"Alright, put me down!" Said Inner Moka, really getting tired of this.
'Ben' grinned. "Sure" he answered, taking the order a little too literal. Inner Moka got up and growled at him, but then the beeping came. "Aw well, fun's over."
FLASH!
"Uh, what's going on?... And why does my face feel like it was slapped twice?" Asked Ben, now back to his former self and rubbing his face due to it feeling like he got stung. He noticed Outer Moka was replaced by her inner vampire. "And how did you get out?" He continued. Looking around, he saw Kurumu was giving Reinrassic a 'hand'. "OH RIGHT! Hero..." he said, but noticed his watch was red. "Huh? What the hell happened?"
"Is this another one of your puns?" Asked Reinrassig, thinking Ben was joking around.
"You tried to 'Go Hero', but you miss-transformed into him" said Kurumu.
"Uh, who?" Asked Ben.
"Him" said Inner Moka in a very stern, and VERY pissed off tone.
"Oh... well that's just great, now how am I supposed t..." Ben was asking, but he got an idea. It would involve pain both emotionally and physically, but its not like he hasn't felt it before. Besides, it was part of its programming.
"Kurumu, I need you to hurt me" he simply said. Reinrassig would raise an eyebrow... or four if he could. Inner Moka's eyes widened just a little but no one noticed, and Kurumu...
"O-Oh, w-w-well I didn't think y-y-you'd like things rough, b-b-but we're outside and all, t-t-though it does sound fun..." said Kurumu, blushing. Ben facepalmed, how she could take an innocent request and turn it into a dirty one was beyond him. He got Kurumu up from her seat and placed her right hand on his chest, she couldn't help but blush even redder.
"No Kurumu, I mean literally. Grow your nails out... and don't stop" said Ben.
Kurumu's eyes widened. "WHAAAAT?! Ben, are you crazy?! I'll never do that to you!" She practically shouted.
"Apparently someone's having a personality change" said Inner Moka getting her guard up, thinking perhaps the vampire Ben overwhelmed him.
"What are you, a masochist?" Asked Reinrassig.
Ignoring the others, Ben focused his attention on Kurumu. "I'm sorry to ask you this; but when my life is in jeopardy, the watch instantly recharges sometimes. Trust me, I'll be fine" said Ben.
"SOMETIMES?! Did I kick your head too hard? You'll die, you buffoon! You got her aimed right at your heart!" Inner Moka warned.
Ben just got closer to Kurumu's face, both looking deeply into each others eyes. "Kurumu... trust me" he said.
She was silent, she could NEVER hurt her Destined One. And what was that thing about sometimes? As in it doesn't always work?! Then why in hell's name would he even consider this?! 'There he goes again, putting others before himself' Kurumu thought. Charming Ben was one thing, but actually hurting him?! No flipping way. But if it did work, he could save Reiny's arm... but if it didn't...
...
...
...
Kurumu: ... this'll hurt me more...
"Kurumu! I swear, if you..." Inner Moka protested, but her voice went unheard. Kurumu slowly grew her nails out and in simple terms, she pricked her nail on a spinning wheel... or in this case, through a man's chest. Ben grunted in slight pain, but he knew she'd have to go deeper if this plan was to work. Of course, there was a chance it wouldn't, but still...
"Keep... going" Ben managed to get out, surprising the alien and the 2 monster women. For a human, he sure had a high tolerance for pain... that, or he WAS a masochist.
"But..." Kurumu said, but Ben urged her to continue by the look in his eye. Reluctantly, she did. Growing her weapons out a little more, she went through his ribs, causing blood to drip out her lovers skin. Inner Moka knew he was both brave... and a little hard/Diamond-headed, but his endurance for a painful wound was incredible. And the fact that he allowed it to continue while fighting his body's natural instincts added to her shock, and slight admiration.
But she wouldn't be caught dead saying that to his face, she'd rather have Vampire Ben call her more embarrassing/unwanted pet names.
Reinrassig was also caught off guard by this "inferior", resisting every muscle in his body that was most likely telling him to get the hell away. Ben-Ben Tennyson's shaking proved that, perhaps they were not so lesser as he thought. He doubted he'd allow someone to cause him harm and even if he did, he further doubted his ability to fight his own body's demands of self-preservation.
Ben was getting annoyed, or was it his "fight or flight" response? Nevertheless, he had to get Kurumu to REALLY hurt him. Blech, it tasted bad even in his thoughts, but he had no choice. "K-Kurumu... grow them out!" He said in enormous agony, he tried to keep his cool but it wasn't working. If this continued, his subconscious might take over and break away from his 'tormentor'. Then... it would be Game Over.
"I'm sorry, Ben. I can't do this. It's hurting me... so much" said Kurumu, tears welling in her eyes. As sorry as Ben felt, he had other priorities, mainly saving a hand that's becoming un-savable with each passing second. He didn't want to resort to this, but he reached back... grabbed her ponytail... and pulled, VERY hard.
Because of the sneak attack by Ben and the pain from it, she lost control over her claw growth and pierced Ben... straight through. Have you ever been slapped so hard, the sound was knocked outta ya? Well, add blood gargling in your mouth and stabbing pain in 5 places through your chest. No sound came out of Ben's open mouth, scaring Kurumu and Inner Moka (Reiny didn't show such an emotion, but he was generally concerned it seemed), but a beeping noise came from below.
Not wasting anytime, Ben went to slap it. The camera then focuses on Reinrassig's hand in the cold water...
...
...
...
...
It is picked up by a green hand, attached to a green body. Ben, now Swampfire again, carefully reattached it to the Highbreed. Using his vines, he fastened the loose limb back into its rightful place, hopefully the sideshow with Ben's vampire form didn't take up too much time. Once Doctor Swampfire finished the surgery, he changed back into his normal self.
"Is it better?" Asked Ben, hoping he fixed the problem.
Reinrassig's hand, and arm, was now green. Testing his ligaments and fingers in his arm by opening and closing his hand, he was both shocked and relived that they still functioned properly, as if his hand was never amputated in the 1st place! Also his new arm, while it felt strange... also felt strangely good. "Why... why would you help me? Even after I threatened to destroy you and your mate?" Asked Reinrassic, very confused. He said he was going to kill them when he no longer needed them, yet they still assisted him after that.
"Why would you help us?" Ben asked back, referring to when the Highbreed saved them from the ambushing bugs earlier. Then... he realized what Reiny said. "Oh, you got it all wrong. She's..." he said, but his mouth was covered by his 'mate'.
"Oh, don't be so modest, sweetie. That's just how we roll" said Kurumu. Reinrassig was going to say: "but your not rolling", but then thought it was what humans call 'slang' and just ignored it.
"But Kurumu, we're not..." Ben tried to explain, but he was stopped by a nail at his throat. Kurumu just looked at him with an evil smile, making the human shut his mouth with a gulp.
"Humph. It was in my best interest to stop those creatures from harming you... for my own protection, of course" stated Reinrassig.
Ben, now out of Kurumu's death grip, smiled at the Highbreed. "Yeah? Well its in my best interest to help anyone who needs it" he said. Reinrassic didn't answer, he just turned around and sat, taking the next watch.
Inner Moka got out her Rosario. "And you all call me arrogant" she said, putting it back on. She fell back as Ben ran to catch her.
-TIME BREAK-
Morning was just starting to arise as light returned to the dark, desert-like world. Walking over a hill, the 4 travelers see another rock formation, with a doughnut-looking rock in the middle. "Is that...?" Asked Moka.
"That's our ticket home. C'mon guys!" Said Ben, happy they can finally return home. They began to approach the object by sprinting, but they realized they were missing someone. Looking behind them, Reinrassig was not moving.
"Really? 10 paces again?" Asked Kurumu, somewhat annoyed.
"I thought we were past that, we've been walking side-by-side all night" said Moka, as this was true. They decided to get up early and travel to try and make it before it got too hot again, seeing as Reiny was stronger at cooler temperatures so everyone would be fighting alongside each other a full strength.
"Let's go! We can finally get out of this sand trap and back to our lives" said Ben, gesturing to the teleporter.
Reinrassig didn't answer right away but when he did, he spoke in a soft tone. "Go home. I shall remain here."
Everyone else was confused. "But why?" Asked Moka.
"Don't you WANT to go home already?" Asked Kurumu.
"I have spent too much time with you all, and I have become contaminated" said Reinrassig.
"Contaminated?" Asked Ben, not understanding. He and his two friends walked over to they're temporary ally to get a better look... it didn't look like anything was wrong with him.
"You poor thing, are you sick?" Asked Moka. She would have reached and touched his forehead, but the size difference prevented this.
"Yes. Clearly evidenced by my uncharacteristic behavior. Risking my own life to save yours," said the Highbreed. "I've obviously been infected by your lesser influences, and now I am unclean" he continued, holding up his fixed arm.
"Reiny..." said Ben. This was one stubborn alien. He did a good thing, yet he still feels this way.
"Even if that's true, why stay here?" Asked Kurumu, trying to understand what's going on in this aliens head.
"Self-imposed exile; for I can never return home. I could infect the rest of my kind. To return, would be certain death for me. The only honorable choice... is to stay here. Because all other life forms, other than unadulterated Highbreeds, must be expelled from the universe!... Including myself" Reiny said, explaining his reasoning.
The 3 high school students didn't expect this in the least, this guys pride and beliefs were harder than diamond.
"That's still no reason to basically commit slow suicide in the Sahara Desert!" Said Moka, not accepting Reinrassig's answer. This alien did a good deed, so he was punishing himself for it? It didn't make any sense! This was her first time experiencing something like this sure, but figured with Ben around, it would turn into a happy ending.
"I thought we've gotten through to you... that you've changed" said Ben sadly, he really thought that he understood his Highbreed 'ally'.
"This much is true... I HAVE changed. And now, I must pay the price" said Reiny, walking up to the transportation device. Activating it, Reinrassic turned back to the group and said: "It is ready."
Ben, Kurumu and Moka looked at each other in sadness. They knew this was going to happen eventually, but it didn't make the emotions easier to deal with. "Guess this is goodbye again, huh?" Said Ben, but the only answer he got was 2 girls tightly hugging him... with tears streaming down their faces like Niagara Falls.
"Your parting ways as well?" Asked Reinrassig, he assumed they'd go back together. Humans/Monsters were so confusing.
"It's... complicated" said Ben. He got free of the hug and walked away, with both girls' hands running off his arms. He got up to the portal, looked back one last time... and jumped through.
-TIME BREAK-
On earth, Kevin finally fixed the teleporter pod, at least he thought so. No matter what he tried, he couldn't activate it. "Ugh, I can't get it to turn on" said Kevin.
"You gotta keep trying, Kevin. We have too..." said Gwen, but that's when the device roared to life. Kevin jumped back, not knowing what was happening. A form popped out... a human form...
"BEN!" Said Gwen, running over to hug her cousin, she was glad he was ok.
"You gave us quite a big scare, mister: I'm all over it" Kevin joked, giving Ben a noogie, but even he was glad his younger comrade was back
"Where's the Highbreed, did it get away?" Asked Gwen.
With a frown, Ben answered: "I doubt it." They all turned to leave, their mission completed...
...
...
... the portal reactivated!
"BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEN!"
CRASH!
"Ow, what the...? Moka?!" Said Ben, part of him was happy but the other was clearly not expecting this. Moka Akashiya, the girl-next-door vampire... HERE! Both Gwen and Kevin stared... while Gwen knew who this was, they both had to ask: where did she come from?
"DON'T FORGET MEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"
CRASH/SMOOSH! (AN: Yes, both girls are currently on top of Ben)
"Kurumu?! What are you guys doing?!" Asked Ben, stunned with both joy and shock.
"We're staying here, silly! I can't leave my dear Mate of Fate all alone with aliens running around!" Answered Kurumu.
"And... well, we don't want to say goodbye just yet Ben. Please let us stay with you!" Moka begged. Ben's imagination began to run wild, having 2 gorgeous women on you will do. New adventures, fun activities, some alone time with... he cut that train of thought before his mind went further. He just sighed... how was he gonna explain this to his mom and dad?!
Those puppy-dog eyes the girls gave him stabbed him in the heart, allot deeper than Kurumu's claws just did a few hours ago. "... ok, but only until..." he was cut off, by the breasts of 2 drop-dead beautiful girls.
"OH, THANK YOU, BEN! I MISSED YOU SO MUCH!" Said Moka and Kurumu at the same time, that's when they looked at each other and glared, sparks flew between their foreheads.
"Well, this'll be interesting, huh Kevin?... Kevin?" Asked Gwen looking next to herself, then down... a poor man was passed out on the warehouse floor. Gwen looked at the camera and shrugged. She had to wonder how they'll take the news how Ben's already taken. Speaking of them, the 2 divas were pulling the other man back and forth.
Kurumu: He's mine!
Moka: No, he's mine!
Kurumu: He'd rather have mine than your perky tits!
Moka: I met him first!
Kurumu: Well, I SAW him first!
Moka: That doesn't make any sense!
Kurumu: Your 2 different sizes don't make sense!
Moka: Ben's MINE!
Kurumu: MINE!
Moka: MINE!
Kurumu: MINE!
Moka: HE'S MINE NOW, AND MINE FOREVER!
CHUUU!
Ben: AW, COME OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!
HA! Classic comedy of a fainting person, and ending Chuuu gag. Can't beat it :P. That's also a wrap for the Prologue. Now with Kurumu and Moka joining the fight, who knows how things will turn out? As for the other harem members, they will return as well, but not yet. The main story now begins, see ya then! :D