drunkenpandaren | Ben 10: The Reign of Bastet

“Gwen? Honey? You have vistors!”

“Tell them that I’m busy studying,” called out Gwen.

“They’re dressed in armor. And asks to see their queen?”

Gwen blinked, had a sinking feeling and wandered downstairs. She gaped at the sight of two Jaffa having tea with her mom. “Hul’ta? Bey’na? What are you two doing here?”

“My queen,” said Hul’ta, getting up and bowing along with Bey’na. “Attention has come to light that your sector of space is being compromised by a rogue Gou’ald who has yet to have come under the new treaties.”

“Enough with the queen thing, you two very well know I was a kid playing pretend with my awesome god-like powers,” sighed Gwen.

“Nevertheless my queen, you still rule a sizable chunk of space.” Said Hul’ta with a little smile. “The false god Aphrodite has announced her intention of obtaining the worlds of Queen Bastet.”

“Not that we’ll let her, but it’s the principal of the thing,” added Bey’na with a smirk.

“Aphrodite? Wasn’t she Hathor?” inquired Gwen.

“Nay my queen. While similar, she is a much lesser false god,” replied Hul’ta. “Your orders?”

“… let me call a few people.”

Ben 10: The Reign of Bastet

Written by Shaun Garin

The Rustbucket 2 was a feat of engineering, a ship cobbled together by the remains of a decommissioned Plumber long distance travel ship.

“Ship ship!” chanted Ship as Julie played with him, Kevin at the wheel and Ben fiddling with the Omnitrix. Gwen was staring out into the distance, watching the stars go by.

“So how come you’ve never told us about the whole Bastet thing anyhow?” inquired Kevin.

“Must have slipped my mind,” replied Gwen.

“She doesn’t like to talk about it.” Added Ben helpfully as Gwen bonked him on the head.

“How come we weren’t able to get Charlie in on this?” inquired Julie. “He’d have been perfect for this sort of thing.”

“Charlie’s off world already,” said Ben. “But SG1’s holding out backs while we go into deep space.”

“I’d better go get changed then,” said Gwen as she got up and headed out into the small room set aside for her and Julie.

Watching her go, Julie asked, “So what’s the deal with this Bastet thing anyhow?”

“It happened when we were kids. Gwen had to imitate a Gou’ald. Fortunately Bastet was awol for the longest time. We soon found out that Apophis had disposed of her, but Gwen wrestled back control and then gave it to her people. They still revere her as their deity though.” Answered Ben. “Since then, she’s gotten fanmail from their home planet.”

“Must have been one crazy ride,” remarked Kevin. “I’m sorry I missed it.”

“Okay, I’m ready,” said Gwen as she emerged from the room.

Dressed in fine silk dyed white, Gwen wore sandals and ornate cat-themed jewelry. A pendant similar to her famous cat-motif on her t-shirt was hanging around her neck, and her red hair was held up by a complex circlet. “Well?”

Kevin whistled. Julie punched him.

“Thanks. I really hope I can convince this rogue Gou’ald to leave my people alone.”

“Well we’ll get your chance. Did you guys at least call for backup?” inquired Kevin.

“I put in a call to the TSAB. They said they’d send Subaru and Tiana if we needed help,” said Julie.

“Pretty handy ability to be able to transport across the galaxy like that,” said Ben.

“Transporting through the Dimensional Sea is a lot different. The coordinates for the planets are the same, but you need to be shielded with magic, not just metal.” Stated Kevin. “Buckle up, we’re on approach.”

“So this is Bastet’s city huh?” said Kevin. “It’s… bright?”

The entire city was a marvel of ancient engineering, tall stone statues, pillars and a river flowing through the city which was made of shining white stone. At the head of the river stood a palace which they were walking towards.

“Too bad we couldn’t park closer,” said Ben. “We’ll have to make our way through the throng.”

“Stick close to me ship,” said Julie as she picked up her pet.

“Ship!” chirped Ship.

“I’ll lead. People will make way.” Said Gwen.

The moment she stepped down from the tarmac, the first person looked up and his eyes brightened in delight. “M-my Queen! OUR QUEEN! QUEEN BASTET HAS RETURNED TO US!”

People began to bow where they were, honoring their queen as Gwen flushed and stooped down. “Please, you don’t have to bow… Hansul?”

“My queen recognizes me!” gushed Hansul. “A glorious day this is! Please, come! I have been instructed to bring you to the palace by the Jaffa!”

People murmured as they watched the procession, an eager Hansul calling out his delight to the people who bowed reverently. Children ran up to Gwen and offered her treats of honey and flowers, both which she took gratefully and piled onto Ben who was still recognized as her slave boy. Kevin was grinning from ear to ear and Julie looked fairly amused at the way Gwen took all of it in stride.

Soon they reached the palace and Ben was laden with jars of honey, milk and wreathes of flowers adorned his neck. “Can I drop these things off now?” complained Ben.

“What you’re still mad you’re still my slave boy?” teased Gwen.

“No, but stone jars are HEAVY!”

“My queen,” stated the Royal Advisor, a pleasant man named Abusul walked up to Gwen and bowed, followed by a row of Jaffa. “It is a welcome sight to see our god amidst us again.”

“Abusul please, you know I am no god,” protested Gwen.

Abusul’s smile didn’t waver, but grew brighter. “Ah but you are a god to us my queen. For all the good you did, wresting us from Apophis’ yoke, preventing the System Lords from returning, that is the mark of a compassionate queen. Hak’sul, Ahkmed!”

Two men walked up and lead Ben away, who was still carrying the items. “Your servant will drop those gifts off, and rejoin you momentarily after his attire are adjusted.” He looked at Kevin and Julie. “Allies of my queen I take it?”

“Kevin Levin, of the Plumbers,” said Kevin and Abusul’s expression brightened. “You know of them?”

“Yes, they are revered as deities here. And you… your skin so light and hair so dark… you are the splitting image of our queen’s royal consort.”

Julie flushed. “C-consort?!”

“Yes!” pressed on Abusul, much to Gwen’s dismay. “Look, the statues tell all.”

Indeed there was a pair of statues in the front, a woman with a remarkable resemblance to Gwen in the same outfit, and another woman with hair similar to Julie’s bob sitting next to her. “Our queen has always taken a woman as her consort, for she has no need for men.”

“Imagine that,” drawled Kevin.

Gwen lightly kicked Kevin in the ankle. “Please, Abusul, show us to the throne room. We have things to discuss.”

“As you wish my queen. Shall we send the servant girls to dress your consort then?”

“Er…” said Julie. “I’m not really…”

“It would be good if you went with them,” said Gwen, giving a meaningful look at her and Kevin. “Both of you.”

“Right. We’ll keep in touch. Call us when Ben arrives,” said Kevin with a smirk. “C’mon Julie.”

Ben 10: The Reign of Bastet - Incomplete Draft

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