Ben 10 Porn Story: Alien Demon or Undead Chapter 10

Chapter Ten

Ben stared at the ceiling after Gwen and Kevin had left, replaying the events of the evening in his mind. Maybe theyre right, he thought. Maybe I just want to believe that were all on the same side and that we should trust them. Theyre vampires, though. Can we really trust them to behave when everythings over with?

Ben, his mother called. Dinners ready!

Ill be right there, he yelled back. They seem like decent enough people, though. He sighed, continuing his silent musings. Lothan and Lalasa raised a human and she sounds like shes doing alright. And Karians just been through a lot. He seems like he needs a friend that isnt part of his past.

Sitting up, he swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood, heading for the door. He walked down the stairs slowly, his thoughts far from the meal waiting for him. When he sat down at the table, he stared at the food on the plate, absently pushing it around with his fork.

So, Ben, his father began, was that one of your new alien friends that stopped by earlier?

Yeah, kind of, he replied, glancing up. Look, Im not really that hungry tonight. I think Im going to run a quick patrol.

Are you feeling alright? Sandra asked, concerned.

Im fine, he assured her with a forced smile.

Alright, she said. Be back by ten.

He nodded as he stood, walking quickly out of the house. Once outside, he looked up at the stars, still trying to put his thoughts in order, before starting down the sidewalk. He shoved his hands in the pockets of his jacket and tried to focus on the path ahead with limited success.

After a couple of blocks, he noticed a rhythmic tapping coming from a short distance behind him. Ben paused, waiting for the sound to come again, but was greeted with silence. Glancing over his shoulder, he noticed nothing out of the ordinary. With a shake of his head, he continued forward again.

He had only taken a few more steps when he heard the noise once more. He concentrated, trying to determine the source, before he stopped suddenly and spun around to face his pursuer.

Shade? he asked, his eyes wide as he watched the large, black wolf stop about twenty feet away. Please tell me youre Shade

Ben forced himself to stand as still as possible as the animal slowly padded towards him. His eyes darted to his wrist before he looked at the creature again and he swallowed hard. The wolf stopped in front of him and sat down, its tongue lolling out of the side of its mouth. After a moment, it closed its mouth and stood, nudging his hand with its head.

Guess it is you, he said with a sigh of relief. Shade leaned into his hand as he scratched behind the furry ears. I guess everyone else left you alone tonight. Either that or you were sent to follow me He frowned at that thought, but dismissed it. Well, lets go, then.

He turned and started down the sidewalk again, Shade trotting beside him. He cast a glance at the wolf, who seemed content to accompany him, as he turned another corner. Looking ahead again, he heard the animal let out a low whine beside him and he returned his attention to it.

I know how you feel, he said with a sigh. I dont know what to do either. My friends dont trust your friends, but they dont even seem like they want to try to get to know them. I think theyre convinced that if we let our guard down, were gonna get eaten when all this is over with.

I dont think you guys are bad, he continued. Not really anyway. If you were, you wouldnt be helping us. Lalasa seems reasonable enough. Im not really sure about Lothan, though. I think hes going along with this because it makes his wife happy. And Karian seems like a nice guy. I mean, hes worried about his sister and hes had a rough time over the past well most of his life I guess. He paused, shaking his head slightly. I cant believe Im talking to a wolf about all of this.

Hearing the wolf growl, he stopped and looked down at it.

I didnt mean it like that, he said before he noticed Shade was looking past him. What is it?

Shade stepped forward, shoulders hunched, fur bristling, and teeth bared as he let out another menacing growl. Ben turned to face the same direction, trying to discern what was causing the wolfs reaction. Headlights illuminated the street behind them and tires squealed as a car screeched to a halt.

Two car doors slammed shut as Gwen and Kevin ran over to him. Shade didnt even acknowledge them, but continued to growl at something ahead. Before either of them could ask, a figure appeared less than two yards away from them.

So, I guess its true what they say, Kevin remarked. Animals can sense evil.

Very funny, Darkstar said, glaring from beneath his helm.

I thought so, the dark-haired teen replied with a smirk.

Now what? Ben asked, his hand inching toward the Omnitrix.

You should have accepted my offer. A hollow laugh echoed as dark energy formed in his hands.

You should learn when to take a hint, Gwen replied.

A bright shield of mana spread out in front of them, blocking the bolts of energy sent from the black-clad figure. As Kevin dropped to a crouch, palms flat on the pavement, he noticed a dark shape stalk around the protective barrier. A flash of green drew his attention as multiple versions of Echo Echo appeared beside him.

Blast after blast chipped away at Gwen’s shield and she gritted her teeth, focusing all of her strength to keep it in place just a little longer. Small white forms leaped into action, surrounding their adversary as nearly two-hundred pounds of muscle and black fur slammed into Darkstar from behind.

Strong jaws latched onto the metal helm, denting the structure as Shade’s teeth tried to pierce the surface. An explosion of energy sent the wolf flying off of the prone form and the animal let out a yelp of pain as it collided with the brick exterior of a nearby building.

The group of Echo Echoes braced themselves for the backlash as Gwen threw up another shield. Kevin rushed forward as Darkstar regained his feet, his fist adding another dent in the damaged helm. A black charge directly at his chest knocked him back across the pavement and into a light pole, the impact breaking the beam in half.

Seeing her chance, Gwen sent a series of short bursts of mana towards Darkstar as Echo Echo focused a series of sonic waves at him. He cringed from the assault, taking several hits before a crackling barrier formed around him. Reaching up, he pulled off the helm, revealing withered features and wisps of blond hair stubbornly clinging to his skull.

When will you learn that you will never win? he taunted, letting the item clatter to the ground. He seemed to tense for a moment, the shield shrinking around him, before he sent it out in one single blast, shattering the windows of nearby cars and buildings.

The multiple forms of Echo Echo condensed into one and reverted back to the brown-haired teenager as the wave of power knocked him back several yards. Gwen barely managed to shield herself from the attack, but Kevin, who was just regaining his feet, was sent skidding across the concrete.

You do not deserve your power, a familiar, accented voice stated from above.

Karian glared down from his perch on the ledge of a nearby building. Eyes glowing and fangs bared, he leaped down towards Darkstar. Another bolt caught him in mid-air, slammed him into the wall, and held him in place.

Well, this is new. The deformed lips curled into a grotesque caricature of a grin. I suppose I’ll just have to take your power too. In less than the span of a heartbeat, his smile vanished and his eyes narrowed in frustration.

You seek to steal the living energy from my body, Karian said, his voice little more than a growl. You have not yet realized that I am already dead.

Breaking free of the restraint, the vampire lunged forward, his form a blur as he grabbed Darkstar, turning him and pushing him back several feet, stopping only when they hit the wall. Gwen watched, eyes wide in horror, as Karian buried his fangs in his captive’s throat. Ben, struggling to his feet, caught her expression and turned his head in the direction of her gaze.

Karian, no! he shouted. When the vampire showed no signs of acknowledgment, he forced himself to run towards him.

I got this, Kevin told him, reaching the pair first.

A concrete-coated hand grasped Karian’s shoulder and he yanked the smaller man back, pulling him off of their opponent. The vampire spun around, crimson staining his fangs as he snarled at him. Seizing the opportunity, Darkstar gave them once last threatening glance and vanished.

You fool! Karian growled, turning as his prey disappeared. You allowed him to escape.

You would have killed him if I didn’t the teen retorted.

He would have killed all of you without a second thought if given the chance!

Well, that’s not how we work! Kevin glared down at the vampire, the pair standing inches apart.

As if you have never tried to take a life before, Karian snapped.

And what’s that supposed to mean?

It means that you are a twice-damned hypocrite, he stated. How many people did you try to kill only five short years ago? How many times have you tried to kill the ones you now claim as friends?

That’s it!

Kevin grabbed the fallen light pole, the metal coating replacing the concrete across his skin. Karian snarled, tensing to strike even as the teenager’s fist swung towards him. Before either of them could complete the motions, a green, gelatinous substance wrapped around the vampire and pink bands of mana coiled around Kevin, pulling them apart.

Thats enough, Goop told them.

Let me go! Kevin demanded.

Why? Gwen asked. So you can fight some more? I dont think so.

Karian struggled to break free of the unyielding gel before finally relaxing. The glow faded from his eyes as his fangs retracted, although he continued to glare at Kevin. The teenagers expression mirrored the vampires as he shed the metal coating from his skin.

Are you two going to play nice now? Goop asked.

Of course, Karian replied with a smirk. I do not have the time to waste on your friend. After all, I now have to track the one he allowed to escape.

Youre just mad because you couldnt finish your dinner, Kevin shot back.

Knock it off, guys, Gwen interrupted.

Gwens right, Ben said, releasing Karian and reverting to his original form. We shouldnt be fighting each other.

Gwen let the mana restraints fade as well and looked around, her eyes falling on the still form of the wolf. Rushing over to it, she knelt down and looked for any indication of life.

Hes hurt, she stated, surprising them with the concern in her voice. Hes alive, but I dont know how badly he might be injured.

Karian was beside her before the others had even turned to look, crouching down to examine the animal. His eyes darted over the form, his fingers brushing across the fur before he looked over at her.

He will live, he assured her. Shade is not your average animal. His heart still beats strong, but he needs to rest in order to heal. My hunt will have to wait. Lifting the unconscious wolf with apparent ease, he stood and turned his head to regard Ben. I will be at the house for the remainder of the night should you feel the need to discuss the events of the evening.

*****

Are you alright? Gwen asked.

Im fine, Kevin replied, his tone harsher than intended. He gripped the steering wheel tighter and stared at the road ahead. Ill just be happy when they leave.

Kevin, she said, dont let him get to you like that. He doesnt know you like we do. We know youre not like that anymore.

Ever since they showed up, Ive had my past thrown back in my face over and over again, he stated. You know who his sisters married to? The DA. And guess what he had waiting for me when Lalasa took me to L.A. He paused, his eyes narrowing. He tossed a stack of warrants at me for all the stuff that happened back then. They had a P.I. investigate all of us before they decided that they wanted to help us with the aliens. Shaking his head, he took a deep breath and let it out, trying to suppress the anger welling up inside. And then Dracula Jr. just had to try and eat Morningstar.

I dont get it, Ben said thoughtfully. Karian doesnt seem the type to just attack someone out of nowhere. He doesnt even like being what he is. Why would he go all out like that?

Are you listening to yourself? Kevin asked angrily. The guys a vampire, remember? It doesnt matter if he likes it or not. Fish swim, birds fly, monsters hurt people. End of story.

Why would they investigate us, though? Gwen asked, brining them back to the subject at hand. Were teenagers. It doesnt make sense.

Were teenagers, Ben repeated, but we also told them right from the start that we knew what they were fighting. I think they wanted to make sure that we were being honest.

Thats the other thing, Kevin interrupted. That chick in L.A., shes some kind of human lie-detector test. When the DA was trying to decide if he wanted to arrest me or not, she took my side. Said she knew I was telling the truth.

The digital clock on the dashboard ticked over to 10:25 as they pulled up in front of Bens house. Gwen stepped out so that he could exit the car and he walked around to the sidewalk. As he started towards the building, he heard Kevin call out behind him.

Hey, Tennyson. He waited for Ben to turn around before he spoke again. Dont let that guy get you alone again. Come to think of it, dont let any of them get you alone. If they show up here, call us.

Ben nodded and turned to his house again, trying to sort through the dangerous turn the evening had taken.

*****

Ben turned over again, adjusting his pillow and blanket, but sleep still eluded him. He kept replaying the end of the fight with Darkstar in his mind, trying to make sense of it. He attacked him for a reason, he thought, but why? Would he have really killed him if Kevin didnt stop him?

Rolling onto his back, he stared up at the ceiling, his eyes tracing the patterns of the moonlight through the window. I need to talk to him again and get some answers, but theres no way hed talk with Kevin around and Kevin wouldnt let Gwen go with me if he couldnt go too.

He glanced at the clock on the nightstand, the display reading 1:15 in the morning. Sighing he turned to stare out the window. This would be so much easier if he knew how to use a cell phone. He sat up, leaning his back against the wall as his gaze drifted towards the Omnitrix. Bad idea, he told himself.

A rapid tapping on the window drew his attention, startling him from his thoughts as he turned his head to determine the source. His gaze locked with that of a green-eyed raven, its beak tapping against the glass again. It took a moment for him to realize why the bird looked so familiar and he frowned as he watched it. Dont let him in, he decided. Just ignore him and maybe hell go away.

It seemed unlikely that the raven would leave and, as if to confirm that fact, it knocked on the window a little louder. So much for that idea. Ben sighed and climbed out of bed to approach the window. He opened it just enough for the bird to fly in before closing it again.

You shouldnt be here, he whispered as he turned around.

I wanted to speak with you, Karian replied, leaning against the wall. I owe you an apology, or, at the very least, an explanation.

Yeah, you do, Ben stated. What happened tonight?

I could not allow him to hurt you, he began. My instructions were to follow him, but not reveal my presence. I was not supposed to get involved, but when the battle turned in his favor, I He paused, his eyes closing for a moment. I had to do something.

You almost killed him!

I lost control, he admitted. When Ben gave him a skeptical look, he continued. I do not usually hunt, especially in your world. I can survive easily on what we obtain from our supplier in Los Angeles. On the rare occasions that I feed from someone, it takes incredible self-control to stop before the person dies. He lowered his gaze, his voice barely audible when he spoke again. If your friend had not stopped me, I would not have done it on my own.

Why? Ben asked, prompting the vampire to look up. Why dont you You know

I am trying to make the most of this, he replied. Since I do not entertain the thought of suicide, I must try to adapt to my condition as best as I can. I have only been like this for two years, but do you have any idea how difficult it is to exist as something that I spent my entire life trying to destroy? I do not wish to be a monster.

Ben felt his expression soften as he finally allowed himself to relax. Seeing the sadness in Karians eyes, he couldnt help but feel bad for him. He didnt ask for this, he reminded himself. He was just trying to help us tonight. Why would he react so strongly to the thought of us being in danger, though?