Chapter 4 -

Although Ben had greatly enjoyed the fact that he and Rook had gone on a mission together for once in what seemed like forever, he was still a little ticked. Not so much at Rook, but at his 'girlfriend' Chess. How could they be 'in a relationship' when they hadn't even kissed? That made no sense to Ben. Then again, Rook and Chess weren't 'officially' together, although other Plumbers thought differently.

That day, though, Ben tipped over the edge.

Maybe it was the fact that the weather was crappy, or that he had sucked horribly at sparing, but either way he was in a horrible mood. He had just wanted to finish another day of work and then just go home, which meant he didn't want to see Chess. He wasn't sure what it was he didn't like about her, but he just wasn't in the mood to 'deal' with her. So, when Chess had confronted him, Ben was ticked.

Ben hadn't really been listening at first. In fact, he had been just trying to tune her out. What had she asked him? Something about sparing ...? No. She had asked something about Rook.

Rook this, Rook that! Enough!

Ben had wanted to snap then, but he decided to take his words out calmly. He thought about his words before he said them, but yet they somehow came out without him meaning to. He hadn't meant to bring up the subject, but it had just happened.

The one word that buzzed in Ben's mind as he replied: Rayona.

"You and Rook are good friends?" Ben spat.

Chess didn't seem to notice Ben's sour mood as she looked down, blushing. "Yeah. I guess we're -"

"So," Ben cut her off. "Has he told you about Rayona? His GIRLFRIEND?"

Chess flinched back, looking at Ben in surprise. "His g-girlfriend? I didn't know ... Oh. Rayona?"

"Yeah. They're pretty serious. I'm surprised that Rook hasn't told you." Ben snarled as he walked off.

Ouch. Ben admitted that was cold, even for him. He knew that Rook and Rayona hadn't been dating anymore, but he hadn't been thinking straight when he told Chess about Rayona. Ben had thought about it for a moment, but decided not to worry about it too much. If Rook and Chess were good friends, Rook would explain everything to Chess. Or, more likely, Chess wouldn't think too much about it. The matter would simply just blow off.

Right?

Chess wasn't sure how to handle the situation. For a long time, she had thought that she and Rook shared something special. She had 'like' liked him. Very much. After the date they shared, she thought that Rook shared the same feelings, but she guessed he didn't.

Suddenly, Chess became angry. She didn't know who this Rayona chick was, but Chess felt pity for her. Pity for the fact that her 'boyfriend' would be flirting and going on dates with another girl. Was Chess jealous of Rayona? No. Rook, on the other hand, she was furious at. Chess had never taken Rook as the 'player' type.

Chess then sighed as she walked alone. This was basically the story of her life. She had lead herself to believe that she liked a nice guy, but he turned out to be a complete tool. However, this time was different. Normally, a guy that she had a crush on would just simply figure out who she really was. He would see Chess's cursed nature, and would basically leave town. That was the main reason why Chess moved around so much.

Besides the pent house that she had in Bellwood, she had a cabin by the lake, a small house in the woods, and random warehouses here and there. Her pent house was the only really nice place she had. It wasn't as cozy, but it reminded her that there were those that cared for her. She wouldn't have had much of anything if there weren't those who secretly looked out for her. Max Tennyson being one of them.

Max Tennyson. The kind soul that had taken her in when she needed it most. He was the one person she could truly fell safe with and be understood. So, whenever a man had lead her on and broken her down, Max had comforted her with strong, open arms.

However, as time seemed to pass, and Chess would continue to have her heart broken, she had become more distant from her protector. Truthfully, she knew that she wasn't a little girl anymore. She was becoming a woman. A woman that could take care of herself. So, now a days, when a man had hurt Chess (or something had happened to turn others against her), she wouldn't run crying to Max, anymore. She would just turn her back, put on a fake smile, and pretend like she wasn't deeply hurt.

If things had gotten bad enough to the point where rumors were started and Chess was just another outcast again, she would move back to one of her other homes. Being alone again was both good and bad for her. She got time away from those who mentally hurt her, but she was also far away from those she loved. Being isolated wasn't the best feeling, but by now, she had begun to get used to it.

When Chess had moved back into Bellwood, before she met Rook, Max had talked to Chess about her distance from civilization. She had played it off coolly, as if she wasn't bothered by it at all, but she knew that deep down she was still hurting. Max had told Chess that it was time to stop running, but Chess had to make that decision for herself. After all, she was a big girl now.

Now, all Chess wanted to do was be alone.

Rook felt an emptiness. It seemed as if both his partner and Chess were ignoring him then. Rook didn't know what he had done to make them so distant. Rook was used to being isolated every now and again, but when both his friends were avoiding him, he felt as if he had done something horrible. He didn't know why, but he felt as if he was to be punished. He felt guilty, although he had no idea what he was to be guilty about.

Although both his friends were avoiding him, Rook noticed that each had their own reasons of doing so.

Ben seemed to be staying away from Rook because he looked guilty, too. His eyes would dart here and there, and when Rook would come close, Ben would simply just rush out of the room, as if he knew that he had done something wrong.

Chess, on the other hand, seemed to avoiding Rook out of sadness and anger. Of what, Rook didn't know. He had thought about approaching her, but he feared that he really had done something wrong. If he didn't know what he had done wrong, then he didn't know where to even begin in making amends.

However, later that day, when Rook found Chess, he decided that it was time to approach her.

"Chess?"

Chess then flinched, as if she hadn't expected for him to suddenly sneak up on her. She just turned her head away. "Yeah?"

"I am not sure why, but I feel as if you are angry at me. Is this true?" Rook asked.

"I don't know." Chess said ruefully. "Why don't you ask your GIRLFRIEND?"

Suddenly becoming confused, Rook crossed his arms. "What?"

"You know," Chess said irritated and saddened. "I thought you were a nice guy, Rook."

"I am not?" Rook puzzled.

Chess took in a deep breath, trying not to loose her cool. "Rook ... just ... just leave me alone. Don't call me. Don't talk to me. Don't even LOOK at me."

"What?" Rook cried out. "But ... but why?"

Eyes watering, Chess just crossed her arms, looked down to the floor, and walked past Rook. She sniffled a little, but kept her cool. She was hoping that she could just walk away from Rook and never be bothered again. After all, that was how every other guy she met was. They saw she was impossible, and then moved on to another girl. However, things this time were different.

A firm hand was placed on Chess's shoulder. She froze, continuing to look to the ground. The soft hand moved from her shoulder down her arm, making Chess unfold her arms. Once his hand had moved down to Chess's, Rook lightly held it in his own and pulled her around to look at him.

"Chess ..." Rook hummed. "Tell me."

Chess just gave a small sniffle, not giving in. "What is there to tell? This is so typical. I meet someone that seems nice and cares about me, but that is where I go wrong. There is always something. Or someone. How could you, Rook ..."

"What -" Rook began.

"Why would you lead me on, like you like me, but never tell me that you have a girlfriend?"

No longer was there guilt in Rook's eyes, but confusion. He moved his free hand to Chess's, holding both her hands in his own. "Chess, as you would say, I am 'single'."

Chess's eyes widened. "But ... Rayona ..."

"Was just a suitor." Rook explained. "She is no longer a suitor, considering that a 'long distance relationship' would have never worked for either of us. I preferred to travel. She preferred to stay on Revonnah. It would have never worked out."

Rook then noticed her watering eyes as a single tear rolled down her cheek, disappearing into her fur. Rook lifted one of his hands up, wiping his thumb across her cheek. Feeling herself give in, Chess wrapped her arms around Rook's side and buried her face in his chest. As a few more tears ran down her cheeks, Rook wrapped his arms around Chess, hugging her tightly to himself.

Chess was suddenly bitten by remorse. Although there was the possibility that Rook was lying, Chess suddenly realized that if she could trust anyone, it was Rook.

"Rook? I'm so sorry ... I ..." she muttered.

Rook just held her tighter and leaned his head on top of hers. "It is alright."

Chess's tears had stopped running down he face, but she continued to hug tightly to Rook. His strong, warm arms gave her great comfort, protecting her. They both stayed in each other's embrace for what seemed like forever. In such a case, Chess wouldn't have minded staying in his arms forever.

The rest of the day had gone by perfectly. Chess and Rook had stayed together for the entire time, pretending like the argument had never happened. They both worked together on some work that was needed to be done. Rook hadn't known where Ben was, but his best guess was that his partner was somewhere in Bellwood or Undertown, patrolling.

However, the real fun began when the day ended. Just like Rook had thought, Ben had been in Undertown. When he returned, he had great news for Rook.

"Rook! Guess what?" Ben said excitedly.

"What?" Rook asked.

"We got a mission. A real one. We need to 'guard' a statue in Undertown."

"A ... statue?" Rook mused.

Ben smiled. "Yeah. But there is something hidden inside it. Some kind of gem or something. Some guy might try to steal it tonight, so we need to guard it and make sure that nothing bad happens to it."

"Oh. Excellent." Rook said, now liking the idea. "When?"

"Now."

Rook had parked his truck outside the entrance to the Undertown, locking everything. Rook would have preferred to be with Chess that night, considering they had made it a habit to stay up late watching TV or just messing around, but Rook knew what he had to do. He and Ben were given a mission, so they had to commit to it.

Indeed, as Ben had said, they were going to guard a statue. Rook was skeptical about there being a gem inside it, but he didn't question Ben or the owner of the statue. So, during the first half of the night, Rook and Ben had 'guarded' the statue. Both had brought food and water, to keep them full and hydrated.

Rook had been surprised by the fact that Ben hadn't fallen asleep, yet. Although, he was starting to look a little tired. Both had their backs leaned up against the statue, watching to make sure that no one tried to steal it. Seemed legit.

However, about half way through the night, things had gotten complicated.

Both seemed to be dozing off when Rook's Plumber's badge went off. Both seemed to lurch forward, being startled by the sudden noise. Rook quickly activated it and held it to his ear.

"Rook Blonko."

"Rook!" a familiar voice cried from the other end.

Rook paused. "Chess?"

From the sound of the feline's name, Ben sighed, irritated.

"Rook, you know those bandits I've been tracking for about a week now? Dude, I actually FOUND them. This is the one night a month that they gather in some ware house. I need back-up, and other Plumbers won't be coming until sun rise. I need your help." Chess explained.

Rook looked around the empty streets of Undertown, not sure what to do. After a few moments of silence, Chess poke up.

"Rook, you still there?"

"Yeah." Rook answered.

"Well?" Chess asked, impatient.

After a few seconds of thinking, Rook made up his mind. "I'll be there in a few minutes."

"Alright, but hurry!" Chess said before hanging up.

Rook looked at Ben, who had been watching Rook.

"What was that all about?" Ben asked.

"Chess needs back-up." Rook told his partner.

"So?" Ben huffed. "Why can't another Plumber help her?"

"Other back-up won't be there until sunrise."

Ben just crossed his arms, looking away with irritation. After a few moments, he sighed. "Fine. Just go. I've got things here."

Rook smiled, nodding. As he left, he stopped, turning to his partner. "I'll back as soon as I can."

"Whatever." Ben mumbled to himself.

As time went by, Ben had become more tired. He would often nod off, but would catch himself before falling asleep. However, at one point, he hadn't been able to catch himself as he fell back asleep. He had leaned his back on the statue, sliding down to the ground and falling into a light sleep.

However, that hadn't lasted long before a slight noise woke him up.

Looking up, in a daze, Ben tried to make out what the noise had been. It was high pitched, as if someone or something had skid across the ground. Quickly getting to his feet, Ben shook away the last of his sleepiness. Scanning the area, Ben tried to see what could have made the noise. After a few moments, Ben decided that the noise was nothing important. He even considered going back to sleep.

The same noise came again. This time Ben had seen it. Becoming fully awake, Ben stood his ground. They knew that Ben had seen them, so they didn't bother with being stealthy anymore. The first dark, slender figure that was hiding in the darkness sprung forward.

The first to attackers were a few of the strange creatures. They looked like something very flexible and slender, making them move with grace. In fact, they all seemed to be clones.

Acting quickly, Ben slipped the omnitrix and turned into Four-Arms. Although the creatures looked skinny and sleek, they had unbelievable strength. One of the creatures rammed straight into Ben, making him slide back against the hard pavement. Ben ignored his scraped feet, pushing back on the creature that had rammed into him. However, before he could do a counter attack, a few more of the creatures had launched themselves at him, holding back his arms.

Ben struggled to get out of their grasp, but for once in a long time, he felt helpless as the strong, agile creatures held all four of his arms behind his back. Just as they did so, the first to have attacked threw he hard punch at Ben's abdomen. The impact was harder then Ben had expected. He cringed at the blow, still trying to get out of their grasp.

A huge noise caught Ben's attention. Turning his head, he saw that the rest of the creatures had knocked over the statue, instantly breaking it. Ben gasped, acting quickly. When one of the creatures had loosened their grip on one of his arms, Ben pulled it away, throwing the creature to the side. With his one free arm, he ripped one of the black monsters away from his side.

Although Ben had thrown the creature to the ground with all his might, it seemed to have been made of rubber, bouncing back up to it's feet. The figure and stance of the creatures reminded Ben of Slender Man in some ways. However, these creatures seemed to be a combination of strength, speed, and durability. Their limbs were able to stretch, reminding Ben of Ester.

Suddenly, one of the creatures rushed up behind Ben, knocking him to the ground, landing flat on his back. The attackers backed off, running away to the side. When Ben rolled to his side, trying to get to his feet, he saw that the ones that had knocked over the statue had pulled something out from the inside.

Just as Ben had thought, there was a brightly colored gem on the inside. When one of them had pulled it out, Ben was caught in awe. The brilliantly colored gem was a glowing a hue of blue and green. It was oddly shaped, but that didn't matter so much.

Snapping out of it, Ben got back to his feet, but was too late. The sleek creatures had stolen the gem and high tailed it out of there, leaving a confused and stunned Ben. Just as he stood in a daze, the warning sound of the omnitrix timing out filled the silent air. Just as Ben turned back into his human form, he felt weak, falling to the ground. He clutched his hand over his stomach, feeling the sudden pain. Whatever those creatures were, they could punch. Hard.

Slowly regaining his strength, Ben stood back up, still clutching his stomach. "What the -"

Ben had to take everything in. He was standing alone in the dark, the statue had been broken, the gem had been stolen by some black, slender creatures, and Rook was no where to be seen. Ben's stomach hurt, but not as badly as his arm. Looking at the side of his arm, he saw dark red blood gushing out the side.

At first, Ben was confused. He hadn't remembered any of the creatures attacking his arm. Sure, they had roughly held Ben back, but his arm's wound was in two, long slashes, as if the creatures had claws that ripped through his flesh. When Ben looked closer, he saw that he was bleeding much more than he thought. Thick, red blood oozed down the side of his arm.

Ben hadn't seen any claws on the creatures, but it was so dark in Undertown and everything had happened so fast that Ben hadn't had time to truly study the creatures that attacked. Now that Ben thought about it, the creatures that had held him back did have a tight grip, digging what felt like sharp claws into his skin.

The one that Ben threw to the side had tried to hold tighter to avoid being flung to the ground, which made it rake it's claws along Ben's arm. Even if it had just skimmed it's claw-like hands along Ben's arm without meaning to, it had made a deep gash on the side.

Feeling dizzy, Ben had fell to his side. His vision became blurry, and for once he didn't want to give into sleep out of fear.

Rook hadn't gotten back until mid morning the next day. Well, he didn't come back to Undertown. Instead of going to the Undertown or HQ, looking for Ben, he had been contacted on his Plumber's badge. Out of confusion, Rook had answered, but nearly dropped his badge out of shock.

Ben was in the hospital.

Rook had been picked up by Max Tennyson, who drove his RV. Once Rook had seated next to Max, they had driven straight to the hospital. Although they could've gotten a major ticket for speeding and wreak less driving, they didn't care.

Once they got to the hospital, Max had taken up two parking spaces as both him and Rook launched themselves out of the door. When they entered the lobby, the lady at the front desk had given them a strange look, but once Max had explained to her they were to see Ben, she had a nurse lead them to the room Ben was in.

As the nurse lead them hastily through the halls of the hospital, she had explained that some strange looking aliens had brought him into the street and had just left him there. They seemed afraid of humans, so they didn't bother in taking Ben to the hospital themselves. However, once people saw Ben passed out in the middle of a street, they had called an ambulance. So, that was how Ben had gotten to the hospital.

However, the reason was all the more strange. Ben had been passed out due to blood loss and had a deep wound on the side of his arm. It had taken some time to stop the tremendous bleeding, but they had done so, letting the boy get some rest. When he had finally woken up that morning, nurses had given him water and food to regain some of his lost strength.

"How is he doing now?" Max asked.

"He is fine. Responding to commands, standing up. and walking around. He should be fine. We made sure to tell him to take it easy for the day." the nurse filled them in.

Rook breathed a sigh of relief to hear that his partner was alright.

Once the nurse had gotten to the end of a hall, she opened a door, letting the two inside. Once they walked inside, she shut the door lightly behind them.

Ben was sitting on the white bed, picking at his arm's wrappings. The clean wrappings were tainted with small stains of blood here and there. When his grandfather and partner walking into the room, he had hardly noticed. He was wrapped up in picking at his strings, he hadn't heard the two walk in. However, as Grandpa Max walked towards him, Ben looked up. Rook was there too, but Ben seemed to looking through him, only wanting to see his grandfather.

"Ben. What happened? Are you alright?" Max asked in a hurry.

Ben just nodded. "I'm fine."

Turning his attention back to his wrapping, Ben continued. "I was attacked last night."

"By what?" Max asked.

Ben shrugged, still not really caring. "Some kind of creatures. There were lots of them. All were pitch black and skinny. They moved fast, but were really strong. I went all Four-Arms on them, but hitting them doesn't really seem to effect them. They basically just bounce back like they're made of rubber."

"Hm ..." Max hummed, thinking. "Those may have been a pack of Eves."

"Eves? Some kind of aliens?" Rook asked.

"No one knows for sure. They travel in large packs and only strike at night. They are thought to be invincible and have razor claws. Their only known weakness is sun light. They prefer isolation from human populations."

"So, why would they attack Ben?" Rook asked.

Ben sighed, looking at Rook with irritation. "They wanted that gem I was guarding."

Max rubbed his chin. "Now, why would they want something like that?"

"Who cares? They're gone now." Ben muttered.

Max pulled out a watch, sighing. "I have to go. You coming Rook?"

"I'll find a different way back." Rook said.

Max just nodded. "Alright."

Max turned and left the room, closing the door quietly behind him.

There was a long pause before Ben spoke. "Where were you?"

"I was with Chess." Rook answered.

"No. I mean, where were you when I needed you?" Ben growled. "I nearly bled to death in Undertown, and you were playing side-kick with your wanna be girlfriend."

Rook looked away. "She isn't my girlfriend."

"Exactly!" Ben cried, standing up. "You like this chick, but she is too emotional and too distracting to actually call herself your girlfriend. I mean, you haven't even kissed her, have you?"

Rook took a step back, startled. "Ben I am sorry. I am sorry that I wasn't there to give you back-up. But this has nothing to do with Chess."

"It has EVERYTHING to do with Chess!" Ben yelled. "Ever since she came to Bellwood, you have been doing nothing but drooling over her. Chess this, Chess that. I'm sick of it!"

"Why do you even CARE?" Rook snarled.

"I don't!"

"Well, you obviously do!" Rook yelled back.

"I DON'T!" Ben repeated. "I'm just pissed at the fact that you're too busy getting love drunk to notice your duties! Since when did you choose a girl over your job? It's like I don't even know you."

Rook pinned back his ears and dilated his eyes like a cat's. "Well, perhaps you DON'T know me, Ben Tennyson."

"Yeah, I guess I don't." Ben muttered back. "At least Rayona would've had more sense to not pull you out of a mission."

Ben instantly flinched back, wishing he could take back his words. He just hoped that Rook didn't get the hint right off the bat. Sadly for Ben, Rook had completely understood.

Rook seemed to breathe in a sharp hiss. "That was YOU? YOU told Chess about Rayona?"

Ben put on a sour look. "That doesn't even matter. Don't try turning the tables on me!"

"There are no tables around here, but there IS a liar." Rook growled.

"I didn't lie!" Ben cried out. "I just told her that you used to have a girlfriend named Rayona -"

"NO." Rook corrected. "YOU told HER a lie. Rayona never was my 'girlfriend'."

Ben was now enraged. "Go play on a free-way, Rook!"

"No. That would just be stupid. I would have to be a half-brained idiot to do so. But you would be perfect for doing so!" Rook snarled.

With that, Rook gave a low growl before leaving the room, slamming the door shut behind him.

Sorry this one is a day late. I had major writer's block.

The Eve creature belongs to me.
Reference Sheet ~ [link]

((I DO NOT OWN BEN 10. CHESS BELONGS TO SilverDorumon. I OWN THIS FAN FICTION AND THE IDEAS I PUT INTO IT SO THIS IS COPYRIGHT REDWOLFPRODUCTIONS.))