Disclaimer: I no owns Ben 10...*Epic Sad Face(ESF)* So sad…

This takes place after Ben has returned to earth, so about Six days after Prince of light.

Chapter one

He sighed. Six months since Gwen had left with Verdona. Four since he'd left for Majesdania. He was growing tired of being waited on hand and foot. It made him uncomfortable. The sound of footsteps on the diamond grass alerted him to the presence of another.

"My liege, there's an important message for you."

He turned to see his advisor, The Female Majesdanian Komati, in her usual gown and smiled. "From who?"

She moved to his side, placing a hand on his shoulder. "From Earth."

He turned around and frowned. "Earth?"

She nodded, leading him into the palace. "Indeed sire."

They entered the throne room, where a glimmering sheet of light held Kevin's face. The Osmosian was talking fast, worried or short for time, Ben didn't know.

"Kevin? What's wrong?", He asked, walking up to the sheet.

Kevin's eyes looked him over, taking in the new outfit, made of light and crystals, and the new crown. "Benji?"

Ben smiled. "Yeah. What's wrong?"

Kevin sighed, obviously relieved. "It's Ambrose. He's back. He and Albedo Broke out Edric and got together Animo, Charmcaster, and Hex. We called Gwen, she and Verdona are on their way, but we could use your help. Think on it"

Komati moved to his side when the image vanished, Kevin cutting the communication, and bowed. "What Shall we do sire?"

He grinned, Pulling his ID mask from a pouch on his outfit, slipping it on. "Get me a ship. It's hero time."

'This is it.', he thought, stepping off the ship and onto the grass. 'I'm home.'

It looked the same as it always did. The sign telling the world that this was Bellwood, the lights on in all the houses, even the people looked the same. Here he'd been a prince on some distant planet and life had stayed the same.

He wasn't sure what he'd been expecting. He knew the world would continue on like normal in his absence, but some how seeing it hurt. It made him feel oddly disconnected.

"Benji…? That you?"

He turned, and felt his heart flutter. Kevin stood before him, gazing at him cautiously. Behind him was Max, Gwen, and several other plumbers, all eyeing him with a look similar to Kevin's.

He flashed a smile, well aware that his glow made it seem a tad surreal. "Yep. In the flesh…sorta. I'm not sure if I actually have flesh…"

Before he could continue he was pulled into Kevin's arms, the Osmosian holding him close. "Damn it's good to see you."

Smiling up at him Ben gave a grin. "I missed you too, Kev." Letting go of the taller teen he turned to his grandfather. "Debrief."

Max grinned. "Some one sounds like a prince." Ben blushed, or at least, as much as a glowing energy being could blush. Max smiled wider. "Not that that's a problem. Anyway, Ambrose and Albedo busted Edric out of the plumbers base and have gathered together Animo, Hex, and Charmcaster. From what we know, they've been attacking plumbers bases all over."

Ben gave a curt nod, pulling out his id mask and slipping it on. "So what do you need me to do?"

His cousin stepped forward. "You're the only one strong enough to defeat Ambrose. We need you to fight him when the time comes."

He nodded, grinning. "I can do that."

He sat in his old room-strange how in only four months it had become his old room-basking in the comfort it offered. Every little thing that had once seemed boring thrilled him. His computer, His bed. It was all so…normal.

Living on Majesdania as a prince had made him feel even more disconnected than when he'd just been a freak on earth. He had a whole planet to take care of. Thousands of people putting their lives in his hands. Trusting him. It made him feel strange to be back on Earth with none of those worries.

"Ben?"

He turned and smiled at his cousin. "How was Anodine?"

"Cool. I missed Earth though.", She said with a slight nod. "How was Majesdania?"

He smiled. "Very bright. Everything glows there. I'm glad to be back on Earth. No more princely duties…and glowing."

She moved to his bed and sat down. "I'm not going back."

"Huh?", He said, turning to get a better look at her.

"I'm not going back to Anodine when this is over. I missed Earth too much."

Ben smiled. "Good. I'm not sure what I'm gonna do when this is all over. I'm sorta the prince so I can't really just leave."

She nodded. "We'll figure something out." She stood up and made her way to the door, stopping to look back at him. "C'mon. Grandpa Max is here to take us to the base."

He nodded, following her.

"We have no Clue where they are, but we need to be ready. We'll set up teams at each base so there's a guard at all times ready for them.", Max said quickly, looking around. "Gwen, Ben, and Kevin, you three will be stationed right here in Bellwood. Helen, Manny, and Peirce will be stationed in the next base over, and Me, Horace, and Johnson will be stationed at the one after that. Got it?"

A bunch of collective nods from the assembled aliens and humans.

"Alright. Let's get moving."

Ambrose smiled softly. His little protégé was home, to catch him. He felt a spark of amusement at the thought. He was ready this time. He would kill Benjamin Tennyson and reclaim his throne. This time he had help.

"He's back on Earth. Vengeance will soon be ours.", He said pompously, turning to face the assembled villains.

Several devious eyes met his announcement, all filled with malicious glee. Ben Tennyson didn't stand a chance.

"Got anything?", Ben asked, walking into the main control room, that air of princely command showing again, making both Gwen and Kevin realize how much he'd changed in four short months.

Kevin shook his head, eyes on one of the many monitors showing the plumbers network. "Nope…not a thing…", he grinned, turning to look at his Majasdanian boyfriend. "my liege."

Ben nodded firmly, out of habit adopting his princely attitude at the honorific. "Keep looking"

Gwen stared at her cousin, sharing a look of slight shock with Kevin. He hadn't even noticed Kevin's teasing. He'd just asked-no-ordered him to keep looking. Just like a prince to his people. So formal…and so not Ben like.

"Wow…", Kevin said, eyeing him. "You sound like such a…prince."

Ben frowned, "what are you…oh,", green eyes widened in realization. "Sorry. Habit."

Gwen nodded. "It's okay, just…different. I don't think I've ever seen you so formal."

Kevin nodded along with her. "You're all…mature. Not like you at all."

"Yeah I-Hey! I'm totally mature!", Ben said, crossing his arms and pouting.

Kevin and Gwen shared a content look. This was more like it. Totally immature and totally Ben.

"There's the annoying egotistical spaz we know and love.", Gwen said with a smile, giving him a side hug.

"I'm not annoying.", Ben said, frowning and glancing at Kevin. "Am I?"

The Osmosian nodded. "Oh yeah."

And as they dissolved into half hearted arguing each teen felt a sense of peace, as if Ben and Gwen had never left and they'd been apart only hours. Unfortunately it wouldn't last, but at least they could enjoy it for a while.

Woot! Finally posted! TADA! Please review.