Ch. 25

***Few hours later***

Rozelia has asked every guest to leave the palace and this planet as soon as they could. She said there will not be any ceremony for today. She also made an apology for such waste of their times. The TV was turned it off as she told them to stop. Ben and the rest do not know what happened after that. Now, Khoros is back to normal state, literally.

In the dining room, Rozelia is having a feast with her husband and daughter. It's just so awkward and hard to describe the situation. Rozelia sit at the head of the table while Gar and Looma are on her left and right hand side in order. Rozelia is the only who is enjoying foods. Gar is eating his foods, emotionless while Looma look around a room like she wants to say something to her mother.

"HUM! These foods are delicious. No food is better than our own foods, especially military rations. I was sick of it." Rozelia said to herself "I cannot remember when was my last hot meal and what did I eat? Do you remember my dear husband, Gar?"

Gar did not response to her quibble. He chose to ignore her and continue eating his foods. Rozelia also did not care him. She gets back to her food and enjoys it. Unfortunately, Looma is the only one who cannot endure this situation. There are questions in her mind. She needs to ask her mother, right here and right now.

She drops a spoon and says "Mother! Where have you been for all this time? I thought you were…"

"Dead, was I right, Looma?" She responded her daughter before she looked at Gar and said "Gar, my dear husband, can you leave this room, lock yourself in your room and consider for what you had done? I need to speak with my daughter alone. We have so many woman's stuffs to talk. Man like you should not be here. Guards! Take him away and guards him! Do not let him leave his room a single step. No one in or out except he or she have my order." Then, Gar is taken from the table and leaves this room, quietly. He did not resist and says anything.

"Mother! Why did you issue such an order? I think there is some misunderstanding here. Father would not do such…" Looma was interrupted by Rozelia. She said "Looma, come closer to me. I want to see you clearly. I really missed you so much."

"Yes, mother." Looma get closer to her mother as she wanted. Rozelia carefully touch Looma's face. She rubs her slowly with her hands while she uses another hand petting her. Looma closed her eyes and felt something. This person is really her mother. When she was a kid, her mother used to comfort her like this. "Mother, this is you. I cannot believe I would meet you again. When father told me about you, I…"

Rozelia stopped her daughter and whispered "Do not say anything about that, my lovely daughter. That was a past. Do not remember it too. I am here with you. No one will break us apart again. I am happy that you have become such a strong princess. I thought you father would have ruined you. Now, let's stop talking about sad stuffs. Tell me, what you have done while I was missing."

Then, we only hear funny stuffs in this room. Looma tell most of her stories, expect Ben's stuffs. Rozelia were excited, happy, laughed, sad and every emotion that Tetramand could express. Room is full with family atmosphere. The ending of her stories is coming.

"Then, I smashed enemies with Warhammer before I stabbed their boss with a knife to give them a lesson that no one could live if you messed up with Looma Red Wind." She acted to make her mother see a picture clearly. Rozelia quite satisfied after she heard Looma's story. Then, deserts are served.

"I am so proud of you, Looma. I had trained you since you were a kid. I looked after you as best as I could to rise you to be such a strong Tetramand as you are now. Rozelia praised her daughter but Looma felt something. It's in her head but she cannot remember it. The word "train" has some meaning to her but what?

"By the way, Looma, can you tell me what that was?" Rozelia ask her daughter while she is stirring Tetramand's coffee.

Looma startled and replied that "What are you talking about, mother?"

She laughed and said "I am talking about that ceremony. When I was on the ship, I thought I saw you in the ceremony for the coronation of the queen. Was I right or not?"

"Yes, mother. You were right. That was my ceremony." She honestly answered her mother.

"I see." Rozelia's still stirring a coffee "Strange, I did not see your husband there or he ran away because he saw me. I get that. He thought I was dead and then, BAM! His mother-in-law is still fine and alive. He did not have to do that. Can anyone go and get him for me? I really want to see how my son-in-law looks like. I bet he must be strong warrior enough to beat my precious daughter. Am I right, Looma?"

"No, mother. I…" She was interrupted by her mother.

"Oh my, are you telling me that he is not a Tetramand?" She stated "Do not worry, my dear. My son-in-law does not need to be Tetramand. Anyone is okay, as long as he strong. Let's me guess. Is he a Petrosapien?"

"No, mother. I…" She was interrupted by her mother.

"What about Arburian Pelarota?" She guessed again.

"No, mother. I am going to say…" She was interrupted by her mother.

"Please, do not be Appoplexian." She wished "I do not want to argue with him every time I meet him but I am still okay if he beat you."

Suddenly, Looma stands up and says "No, Mother! I do not have a husband. I was going to inherit your throne and rule House of Red Wind alone. I will be the first Tetramand's queen who rules Khoros without a king. I...BREAK!"

Her mother just broke a cup of coffee with a spoon. It was broken after Rozelia heard "I do not have a husband". She hit it one time. It has become pieces. Looma see her mother hand is full with hot coffee. Then, she noticed something. She senses a dark aura from her mother. This room is full of dark awkward. Looma's hands are shaking. She is scared by her own mother.

"What did you just say, Looma?" She glares at her like an enemy. Her voice is also changed. It's cold and heartless "You said you have no husband and you were going to be the queen without a king. Am I right?"

At that moment, she was scared and felt her life was on the line. Her answer would be the result for her to live or not. She was going to lie to her mother but she remembered Ben's words. He said, was right. She has conquered so many planets after that. She has achieved accomplishment more than anyone here expects her mother. She is strong enough to rule this place alone. She takes a deep breath and says what she wants.

She said that "Yes, mother. You heard it. I am strong enough to rule this place alone. I do not need any male to help me to rule this place. I am stronger than any male in this galaxy. No male can defeat me until now."

Rozelia was stunned by Looma's answer. Her dark aura is gone. Looma feel relieved. Then, Rozelia call her to come closer. This time, Looma came closer more than first time. She thinks her mother is going to praise her. Suddenly, the dark aura came back but it was not alone. The bloodthirst is also here too. It's too late for Looma.

"WHAM! CRAASH!" Rozelia just slapped her own daughter with a single hand. It's really strong slap despite her physical body. It was too fast to dodge. Looma flew away and hit with a wall. She was like a bug whom just got smashed. She spill bloods from her mouth. She never feel hurt like this before. Then, her mind start to realize something about her mother but it's not clear enough.

Rozelia stand up, walk to Looma and says "How dare you says like that in front of me, the current queen of Tetramand and head of House of Red Wind. You insolent fool! I will not tolerate your filthy idea. I will not let you bring a shame to Tetramand and House of Red Wind, as long as I'm still here."

"Mother, I…" Oh poor Looma, Rozelia squeezes Looma's mouth and threats her daughter that "Think before you will say anything foolish, Looma. I am not in a mood to hear shitty stuffs."

"How could I have a husband if I have beaten them before?" She asked her mother "I already won every Tetramand on this planet. I…OUCH!"

Suddenly, Rozelia press Looma harder to shut her mouth. She says "Look like I was wrong about you. You have become such a weak Tetramand. Look at me, I was strong like you but in the end I still found a husband. You father was strong to defeat me even though he had to lose his eye and hand. You do not have a strong will as I had."

"Mother! You are hurting me." Looma begged her mother. Unfortunately, her kind mother was not there.

"If you had a strong will, you would have gone around the galaxy to find a man who can beat you. Finally, you would have a king by your side." She said to Looma "But you chose to run away like a coward. You are a coward. You are not my…"

Before it's too late, a single female Tetramand jumps up and says something. She says "Queen Rozelia, you are misunderstanding. Princess Looma has a fiancé. She just hesitated to tell you, your highness."

Rozelia looked at that female Tetramand and asked her "Who are you?"

"I am Roza, your highness. I am Princess Looma's wet nurse. I have been taking care of her while you were missing." She introduced herself.

"I see. Then, explain your story! What do you mean by that?" She asked Roza

"Please, let Princess Looma go first. You are chocking her. I am begging for your kindness and mercy." She begged the Queen. Rozelia released Looma and walked back to her seat. Roza crawl to Looma and look after her.

"HURRY UP!" Rozelia stated "I do not have time to wait."

Looma tried to stop Roza but she still said that "Princess Looma had lost to the man name Ben. He is a human who live on Earth."

Rozelia hit the table and says "You are telling me that my daughter had lost to the most weakness species in the entire galaxy. Just heard it, make me angry enough to punish you. Bring me my whip! Soldiers, pull Princess Looma up."

"Wait, you do not understand, your highness. This human is not weak as you thought." Roza stopped soldiers "This man is the owner of the Omnitirx, Azmuth's creation. He is also the strongest and greatest hero in the entire galaxy."

"If that was the truth, where is he?" She asked her "Why isn't he here?"

"Because I ditched him." Looma yelled out "I have decided to leave that human. He is not good enough to be my husband. He won me in unfair match. If he did not have the Omnitrix, I would be the winner instead of him."

Rozelia looks at Looma and says "Are you sure in your decision?"

"YES! I am sure!" She replied her. "I also have done everything I needed to do to leave my past behind and move on."

"Good! I will believe you." Looma feel relieved but it's too early "If you show me your room. I want to make sure that you really threw everything about that man. Take me to your room."

Looma had no choice but take her mother to her room. She led Rozelia into her room. They are stunned by the scene, especially Looma. They see a teddy bear as the first thing when they entered the room.

"What the hell is that, Looma?" Rozelia asked her. Looma did not say a word. She had nothing to say. She only just looks down at the floor as an excuse. Rozelia ordered soldiers to search and find everything that look suspected. In no time, they have found the picture.

"You disappointed me, Looma" Rozelia abused Looma "You still have plenty of things to do. Do you have anything to say?"

"I… I was going to destroy them after the ceremony." She made an excuse

"Then, I will help you destroy them. Soldiers take doll always and destroy it. I do not want to see a little and single piece of it. Do want ever you must do. For this picture, you almost destroy it. Here, I will finish your job." Right in front of Looma's four eyes, her mother is going to finish Looma's unfinished/unwanted job and soldiers are taking the teddy bear away. Will she let them do that? Does she really make up her mind?

"NO!" Looma suddenly pushed her mother away and took the picture back. Luckily, Rozelia fall on a bed. Looma keeps it under her cloth to protect it. Soldiers are stunned and lose their focus. She pull the teddy back and embrace it like it's her baby. She felt relieved but then, she realized her mistake.

"Do you know what you have done, Looma?" Rozelia threated her while soldiers pulled her up "How dare you do that to me? Soldiers! Take those stuffs away from hers. I will personally destroy them."

Soldiers surround Looma and attack her at the same time. Some pull her arms while others grab the teddy bear. They were fighting for a while before soldiers finally pushed her down. That's what they thought. Rozelia will witness her daughter's strength. The pile of soldier is slowly lifted up by Looma. Then, she throws them away like they are pillows. Soldiers are scattered around the room. Even though Rozelia is angry Looma but she still admits in her daughter's strength.

"These are my stuffs! All of you do not dare to touch them, even you mother!" Looma screamed out "I have claimed it legally. If I want to destroy them, I will do it. If I want to keep them, so be it. None of you have any right to decide what I should do! Are we clear?"

At first, everyone thought Rozelia would force Looma to give up and submit those stuffs but she did not. Rozelia just glare at Looma. Well, Looma also do the same thing. Somehow, she does not care anything anymore. She just wanted to protect her stuffs.

"Are you still sure in your decision?" Rozelia asked Looma. She just nodded her head as yes. Rozelia did not say word but walked to the door. Before she leave the room, she turn back and say something to her daughter.

"I will leave you, for now. I am still exhausted from a long journey." Rozelia stated that "What you said was right. You have rights in your stuffs. Then, I will make them mine. You and I, we will fight in the arena to settle everything. The winner takes all. That is Tetramand's way and it will be forever."

Finally, Rozelia has left the room. Looma feel exhausted and take a seat on a bed. Rosa did not leave this room. She is cleaning up messes. Looma slowly pull out the picture. It's almost tore apart. We can see tears on her eyes and bloodstain on her lip. She opened a drawer and grabbed something. It's a tape. She patiently fixes the picture. Well, it is better than before, she thought.

Then, she lied down on the bed and thought that "What was I thinking back there? Why did I push her away? Didn't I give up on Ben already? By the way, Fighting with my mother? How can I win her? Since I was a kid, I have never won her a single time. Now, I remembered who she is. She might be kind but she will be nice as long as you listen to her. Those who oppose her, they were nothing but dead persons. AHH! My trauma is coming back."

Actually, Rozelia was the reason that made Looma became like this. She trained and taught her before she had reached the age. Rozelia put so many expectations in Looma. She wanted her to be the strongest Tetramand warriors. There were times she put Looma in dangerous situations, too dangerous for Looma. Gar witnessed that and felt that his only daughter was in a dangerous. That must be a reason that he sent her to the black hole. After she's gone, he had become the only guardian in Looma's life. He trained her but he also took care of her as best as he could. Unfortunately, Looma does not know in this point.

"I still do not understand. Why did my dad send mother to the black hole?" She thought "I wish I could ask him. I hope you are okay, father."

On the other hand, Rozelia is still in this palace but not where we expected. We thought she would be in her room but no. She is staying in Gar's room. She sit on his bed while he … what the hell? Gar is being stepped by Rozelia. She put her fee on his back. No one would believe in this scene that Warlord Gar have to be like, submissive to his wife. By the way, what is she doing here? She is reading something from a tablet. When she left Looma's room, she told soldiers to bring everything about Ben to her. She wanted to know who he is. Unfortunately, she saw more than she wanted. Kevin's stuffs are also in there.

She presses on Gar harder and says "You are such a failure father, Gar. You did not just let your own daughter lost one but twice. One is Osmosian who ditched my daughter and still took a dowry. This Kevin must pay for his debt."

"Y…yes, my dear." Gar exclaimed weirdly. It like he is enjoying this.

She pressed him again. This time, he almost lies down on the floor. She said "But you still gave him the most precious and expensive car to him. What were you thinking?"

"I… I did not think, my dear." He replied her question "I am a failure as you say."

"Anyway, I still cannot believe about this boy." She pointed at Ben's picture "To be the strongest warrior in the entire galaxy, you must have more than this Omnitrix. You need to be well-known around. But I do not see anything in this furless monkey except stupid and nothing good."

"Ben is good, my dear. He may look weak but he is stronger inside and outside. He challenged Looma and defeated her in fair and square fight. I was there too. I…" Suddenly, Gar's face is pushed down by his wife foot. His face is dipped with a floor. Well, he parallel with the floor.

Rozelia stated that "Do not talk to me until I talk to you first. Do you forget who I am and who you are?"

Gar answered her question but we could not understand him. His face is still struggle with a floor. We only guess he says yes. Then, Rozelia says "Look like I need to see this Ben in person, after I fix my daughter first. HA HA HA!" We zoom out as we hear her evil laughing. This woman has evil plan for sure.

"Back to Earth, at Bellwood."

"Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!" Ben cries like a baby on a patient bed while Gwen is bandaging his wounds at the HQ. What happened to him, you asked? Well, after the program was closed, Ben and his team got a call from the HQ. They said Vengers are back and they needed Ben and his team helps. He had a job to do. Without a choice, Ben needed to leave Looma's matter behind and headed to the scene.

This time, it was not just Bill Billions, Mazuma, Captain Nemesis and Kangaroo Kommando only. They had brought robot army too. Ben and the rest engaged them after they had reached the location. It's in the middle of Bellwood. Helen joined local officers and plumbers to evacuate people and support front line while Ben turned to Humungousaur and joined the fight with Kai and Gwen.

Kai might not have any special power or her own weapon. She's still pretty good in combat while she used Plumber's standard equipment. She fought against Kangaroo Kommando while Humungousaur was busy with smashing robots. Captain Nemesis sneaked from behind and attacked Humungousaur but Gwen stopped him first. It was another battlefield in Bellwood. In the end, they stopped Vengers with only casualty. Ben took a hit from Bill Billions's blaster. Its minor wounds but still hurt him like hell. They took him to Plumber's medical room later.

"Gwen! Can you take it easy or do it softly?" Ben asked his cousin "I am injured. I…YOUCHHHHHH!"

Gwen finished bandaging him and said "Do not be such a crying baby, Ben. It was your fault that you are hurt. Why didn't you dodge Bill Billions's blaster? You could dodge that so easily. Anyone could do that."

"I could dodg it. This's just a lucky shot." He made an excuse

Gwen shook head and said "No, you did not. You just stood there idly."

Then, an argument between Tennyson's families has begun again. It's not a huge conflict. They just stand on their point of view. Kai saw what is happening. She decided to leave this matter to these two. She also has something else to do since she is joining the Plumber, officially. Helen was there before she left too. She had an idea to calm Ben down.

"Ben! You better talk honestly to me. You are lucky that you are still okay. What would happen to you if that was not just a blaster, huh? You might be killed." Gwen stated her intention. "What were you thinking? Did you think about Looma back there?"

He startled before he made an excuse that "No, I did not think about Looma. Gwen, I admit that I lost a focus. I…GWEN!"

Gwen suddenly embraces him while he is lying down on that bed. She was not mad. She is crying. Women's tears are Ben huge weakness. He just wishes that Grandpa or anyone will not walk in this room now. It would be bad if they saw this situation. She slowly looks at him and says something.

"Ben stops lying to me, I mean to us." Gwen begged her lover with tear "Did you forget that we are connected? Our minds are sharing with each other. I can read your thought, clearly but I want to hear it from your mouth. Please Ben. I do not want to live together with you like this. We are family."

He pads her head and says "I am sorry for this, Gwen. I promise, there is no more lie among us anymore. You're right. I was thinking about Looma. I am worried about her."

"Why?" She asked him

"Well, Looma is the most difference woman in my life. I mean you, Helen and Kai are good persons and we have known each other for a long time. That's why we became really closed, right?" Gwen agreed in his explanation "On the other hand, Attea and Charmcaster are villains who we have fought against until now. I met them time to time but still I knew many things about them but not with Looma. I do not know anything about her much. I just accidentally challenged for her hands and won. We had a date but that's all. Most of all, I was the one who told her to move on. What shall I do when I meet her again? I…"

"SHEESH! Be quite, Ben" Gwen stopped him with her finger "You are overthinking. Everything will be fine."

"How?" He asked her

"I do not know but you are not just a normal person. You are Ben 10. You have done so many impossible things in your life. You have protected galaxies so many times. You will figure out when the time come." After Gwen said that, Ben embraced her. The more time he spends with her, the more he falls in love with her. He cannot remember how many time she saved him with her wise and sharp. He looks at her and feels aroused. He move closer to her and aim for her soft lip.

"SPLASH!" Someone just dropped something so those two jumped away from each other. They look at that away and see Helen. She just came back with Mr. Smoothies and found them on bed together. She glares unfriendly not Gwen but only Ben. She knew that Gwen would not make any move behind her or Kai's back.

"Hey Helen, sweetheart! We…we were going to…Gwen! What were we talking about?" He looks at Gwen and hope she will help him out. Instead of helping him, she walked to Helen and grabbed a drink. Then, he heard her voice through telepathy.

She said "I do not forgive you yet, Ben. Therefore, I am going to leave you with Helen. You need to pay for what you do. Good luck."

Gwen just stands behind Helen and watches this drama show. Back to Ben who still look around and try to find an exit. Helen does not say anything. She just glares him again and again. He thought she was going to hurt him or something but no. She just starts talking with Ben instead. Well, ignoring him was not a cruel one. Ben believes he can find a way to solve this problem but what?

"Ah, I see. She went out and bought us Mr. Smoothies." Ben thought "I can use this to start talking with her."

"Ahem, Helen, sweetheart, thank you for your effort, you went out and bought us Mr. Smoothies. You must be exhausted. Why don't you come here and take a seat. No? Never mind that. Hey baby, can you give me my share? You did not forget my share, right?"

Ben just stepped on the huge trap. Helen was waiting for him to say that. She stopped talking with Gwen and slowly turned to Ben. She smiles to him. Somehow, her smile was sharp like a knife. He swears to god that his heart felt being stabbed. She wave her finger as she say no. Then, she points down to the floor and says "This is not your share. Your share is on the floor. You better licks it before it's gone."

"NO!" Ben's voice was gone through this room wall, this building and to the space. Who know, it might reach Looma, right? Well, we will leave Ben here and let him face with consequence.

We get back to Khoros. It's night already. We entered Looma's room, again. We see a half-naked female Tetramand in the room; one large towel is the only thing she has. Looma's body is covered with sweat and water. She just finished her bath after a practice. My, she did not waste her time to wait. She must be ready to face her mother soon. She sits on her bed and embraces the teddy bear. She is playing it. Wow, we could not imagine Looma has a cute side like this.

She holds the teddy bear up and says "I am so sorry to say so mean to you, Teddy. I did not mean to throw you away like I said. I will protect you. I will win the match. You are the most precious gift I've ever had. Every time I hug you, it feels like I am hugging Ben. He is not small or big. He's just perfect to hug. I…who's there?"

The door is opened. Looma see a person. She is Rosa. She has brought Looma's foods. Well, she does not have a problem to carry a lot of foods at the same time since she has four arms.

"You do not need to hide your little friend from me, Princess Looma." Roza teased her while Looma is trying to hide him "I have been talking care of you since you were young. I know what your secrets are. Here, eat something or you are going to starve in the mid-night."

"SHUT UP, Rosa! I will eat when I want to eat." Looma might say that but she still finished her meal. Rosa just smiles and cleans it up. Rosa's still in the room. She brought Looma a cloth and took care of small stuffs. Then, she said "Are you going to call your fiancé or not?" Her sentence make Looma spilled water.

"What the hell are you talking about, Rosa? Are you out of your mind? I do not have a fiancé! I am going to fight my mother alone." Looma yelled at her wet nurse.

"Really. How are you going to win that?" Rosa asked her back "From what I saw earlier, you have no chance again your mother. By the way, you still have a fiancé. According to Tetramand's tradition, female Tetramand must submit herself to the man who defeats her in the battle. Until she has a new challenger, she belongs to the man who defeats her in the battle, forever. I did not see anyone challenge Ben for your hand. So…"

Looma's cheek turns pink like a candy after she heard Rosa's words. She tried to argue Rosa's words but somehow, it's a dead end for her. Therefore, she just ignores her and head to bed. She covers herself with blanket and yells "I hate you, Rosa. I am not talking to you anymore, forever."

Rosa giggles at her and says "That must be "I am not talking to you anymore, forever." Number…I am not so sure but at least fifth-five. Anyway, I am going to leave you alone with this intergalactic smart phone that has a special promotion when you call to Earth in specific number. I have enrolled numbers already. I put it near your bed. Goodnight Princess Looma. See you tomorrow."

After Rosa leaves the room, Looma is still hiding under the blanket. She does not do anything. Time passes, she still hold the ground. Will she do something or not? Then, she finally makes a move. We see her hand came out of a blanket. She grabbed that phone and pulled it back. She makes a call under a blanket.

" *Ringtone* " Then she said to the phone "Ben! Can we talk?"