A Boy and his Watch
By TheAlienBrony22

A Hell Coming to the Homestead,
Part 1

[Sparkle Household, Canterlot. Six Years Later. Two years before the thousandth year.]

"Kids, Breakfast is ready!!" Velvet called out. She set a couple plates with Pancakes, Scrambled eggs, and a couple pieces of toast on the side. Velvet looked to the stairway and saw a certain little dragon making his way to the table. "Morning, Spike! Are the other three on their way down anytime soon?"

Spike nodded and held a claw up as a crash rang out from upstairs. Velvet looked incredibly worried.

"I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU TO STOP USING MY BRUSH, BEN! AND STOP UN-ORGANIZING MY BOOKSHELF, I SPENT SO MANY HOURS DOING THAT SO IT'D BE PERFECT!!" Twilight exclaimed.

"Wasn't me, this time at least!!" A deeper voice called back.

"Do you two ever stop fighting every morning, or can we finally sit down and not fight like a couple of dimwits?" Shining intervened.

Down the stairs came the remaining Sparkle siblings. Twilight, who just turned 16, dusted off her legs as she brushed a knot out of her hair, Shining, who just turned 28, tried to stretch out his body a bit, and Ben, who had turned 17, and looked like he was ready to do something very illegal because someone pulled him off the wrong side of the bed that morning with their strong molars.

Ben still had his black t-shirt with the white stripe, though it clung to his body more as he grew. He traded his cargo pants for a comfortable pair of jeans that were custom tailored. He still had the same sneakers, but he had to find someone who could make a bigger pair, which was tough in its own right. The Omnitrix seemed to remain the same, though it armored itself a little bit to cover up more surface area on Ben's wrist. Aside from that, not much has changed.

"Morning, Mom." Ben said tiredly. He glared at the blue maned unicorn on his side. "Next time, Shining, don't pull me by the leg with your teeth! That hurts, you know! You know my body is sensitive after my training regime!"

"Then maybe you should stop sleeping like you were raised in a barn, that helps a lot. I may be in the guard, but you don't see me working myself to death twenty-four seven." Shining retorted.

"Remember when you two were reasonable and didn't bicker about such mundane things? I remember, that was four years ago." Twilight interjected snarkily.

"And when is Celestia gonna finally say you completed her training, hmm?" Ben jabbed with a smirk. Ben then promptly flinched when Twilight uttered out a growl.

Velvet looked at her children, and Spike just shrugged as he continued to happily eat his breakfast. "Look, I know you three are, well, a little aggral this morning, but you boys should be happy, this family has come a long way in these last few years. Twilight, I'll always be proud of how you are noticed by Celestia, but you two, I'm proud to see you boys make achievements in your own rights." Velvet said, smiling at her three eldest kids.

"I'd be doing far more if I was allowed to go back on patrol, but Shining White Knight over here had to rat me out to Celestia and Cadence, because I can do stuff that every single member of the guard can't, including him. Thanks a lot for that, bro, really feeling the support." Ben remarked sarcastically, taking a bite out of his breakfast.

Shining groaned and looked towards Ben. "You're never gonna let me live that down, are you? I said I was sorry, but I had to do the right thing. What you were doing may have had good intentions, but you were taking the law into your own hands, you could've been in a worse position."

"At least I was making a difference, making the streets safer at night. You didn't rat me out because you were doing the right thing, you ratted me out because you still have a little crush on Cadence! Seriously, dude, she has given you signs that even I can pick up on, and mares in Canterlot are very hard to read. She's into you, just go for it! For the love of Celestia, you make me look like Casanova when you don't notice!" Ben stated.

"At least I don't plan to be single for the rest of my life, because I have one." Shining stated.

Ben's face fumed and became redder in hue as smoke puffed out of his nostrils and ears, and some kind of train whistle seemed to go off as Ben suddenly stood up reached for the watch.

"You wanna go?! Bring it on, Shining Plothole, I'll send you running back to the barracks faster than you can cast a spell!" Ben stated, hovering his hand over the watch with an alien selected.

Shining Armor was quick to get up and prepare himself to cast a spell. "Easy, Ben, I was just yanking your chain."

"You have no right to say that after your captain put me on a chain!!" Ben retorted angrily.

"Can't you guys just get along? You're gonna give mom a serious issue or two if you keep coming to blows like this. Ben wants to be a hero and use his powers, so why not join the guard? Shining is training to be one of those Lieutenants, so he'll probably be promoted for his efforts if Ben is taken on as a Guard in training. Wouldn't that help?" Spike intervened.

The sparkles looked at the dragon as he continued to eat his breakfast casually. Ben looked at himself and sighed as he sat back down. Shining put the spell on hold and sat down as well, both of them felt silly and ashamed for almost breaking into a fight at the table. Velvet was just glad nothing had to be repaired or replaced this time. Twilight just continued to study one of the many books Celestia had given her, but she was glad that she taught Spike to see both sides of an argument, then intervene when a solution presented itself. She was proud of how she adapted Celestia's teachings and applied it to Spike.

"I'm sorry. There are days where I just can't sit around and do nothing. My old job was at least enjoyable, even if it was simple, it was something to do and I made a steady income of 20 bits per hour, on the hour. Once the guard found out about my powers, I guess I was just in a panic, and all I could blame was you, since you made the report... I really want to do the right thing, I want to keep being a hero... but joining the guard, really? I'm good." Ben stated.

"I'm sorry too. We both stepped on each other's hooves, feet, whatever. The point is, we both have different methods of doing the right thing, and different reasons... If I could take it back, I would, but I can't, what's done is done and I can't change that, not like they'd have you on the guard anyway. The royal dignitaries and Celestia herself may not have a prejudice against you, but the entirety of the guard does, probably because of the new chain in command," Shining explained. "Maybe when I'm in charge someday, I can work to fix that."

"That is if I'm still around, maybe. Once I get a little older, I'm out of the house. I'm taking whatever bits I have, I'm flying out of here with whatever I can carry in a backpack, and I'm gonna live my best life. Wherever I go, I plan to make my name known as the name of a hero, with no judgmental guards to tell me what's what. A guard follows orders to save lives, but a hero will do whatever it takes to save everypony he can, no matter what." Ben stated, finishing up his breakfast as he walked towards the door. Ben barely had enough time to notice Nightlight coming down the stairs with a knowing look.

"You keep doing what you're doing, son, save lives and be careful." Nightlight whispered.

"I will, dad, just gotta be extra careful and avoid the guard, too." Ben whispered back. They shared a smile and a hug as Ben walked out the door. Twilight and Spike got up and headed out as well, being Celestia's student meant you had to give it your all, so she was prepared to give it her all that day.

[Canterlot, Shopping District]

Ben walked through the crowded and bustling streets of the district. He saw guards everywhere, almost like they were expecting him. Ben sighed and tried to play it cool, he just wanted to go about his day and not deal with trouble. If something does happen and he wants to help, he'll help them in any way he can. Ben carefully walked through the streets of the district, but aside from the numerous guards that were now keeping an eye on him, something in Ben's mind just told him that there was something amiss. He never saw so many guards in one district before, so there must have been some kind of incident.

Ben ducked into one of the alleys, and in a flash of green light, in Ben's place was a thin and terrifying spectre. A spectre with a tattered gray body and black and white striped tendrils wrapping around its torso. The creature had long black claws and what looked like a twisted and malformed skull turned upside down, with a singular green eye. The only thing that showed this was Ben as one of his aliens, was the fact that the Omnitrix was now embedded into his wrist, only showing a white hourglass emblem.

"What a perfect time to get Ghooligan... Remember Sparkle, remain in the shadows, look for clues that could lead to the thing amiss." The alien spectre stated, phasing through the ground.

Ghooligan traversed under the district, poking his head up as he kept an eye out. He'd search near the the guards without getting their attention, nothing seemed wrong. He searched near the wealthiest and the most important ponies in the district, nothing seemed wrong, yet again. Was Ben finally losing his mind? That couldn't be the case, but why would all these guards be right here in this district if nothing was wrong? Eventually, Ghooligan reappeared in another alley, and in a flash of red light, Ben was back to his normal form and he decided that today might've been his lucky day.

There wasn't a single problem that required his assistance, and the guards looked like they had everything under control. Ben had a day to himself, and he knew exactly how to spend that day as he looked into his satchel of bits. "Well, nothing seems wrong right now, I could go and see that new movie that came out. Sumo Stables Slammaganza! What an odd, but very familiar name." Ben told himself as he walked past the guards. The guards shifted their gaze to the human as he walked away without a care in the world.

Something was obviously wrong here, and one of the guards on duty, a bright cream colored mare with red eyes and a dark indigo mane, was gonna find out as she slowly followed the human.

[Canterlot, The Canterlot Theatre]

Ben walked onwards as he cut through a few streets by cutting through the alleys, finally making it to the movie theatre in town. he saw several ponies in line, some dressed as Sumo characters, and others that were just excited to see a new movie.

"Hmm, the line must be a bit long. I better figure out what time the premiere is, don't wanna be stuck in line with the rest of them." Ben muttered. The human walked past the line of ponies, hearing them demand he get in line, but he was just trying to find out what time the premiere was. As he approached the booth, he saw a bored blue unicorn mare with a light silver-white mane with a light blue streak.

The mare looked at the human and sat up, disgruntled as she adjusted a pair of white glasses and dusted off what looked like an usher uniform, though her cutie mark was hard to miss. A bright blue crescent moon with a magic wand, tipped with a star. Ben was surprised, but at the same time, he felt a little smug as a smirk formed on his lips.

"Well, well... if it isn't the--" Ben stopped talking when Trixie glared at the human. She was not in the mood.

"Save it, Sparkle, do you want a ticket to this stupid movie or not, because if so, you'll have to wait in line like every single one of these ponies have for the past few hours. I should be on my break, but no, Tini Marzeltov couldn't make it. Trixie will do anything to get a break and to get away from these manic nerds... Trixie should've just bought that wagon and become a showmare like her dad when she had the chance." The mare muttered.

"Ok, I guess being smug isn't the best idea... I didn't know you worked here, Trixie, I thought you were gonna go into acting, like you always boasted about, what happened?" Ben asked in a teasing tone.

Trixie gritted her teeth, but sighed in defeat. "Trixie's in a tight spot. Trixie's a few bits low to make ends meet, so Trixie took this stupid job to earn what she was missing... so far, I was told I could be paid my amount when I went on break. So far, no pony is willing to cover for me... By this point, Trixie just wants to go home." The mare whined.

Ben felt kinda bad, but not bad enough to think Trixie was being sincere, and turned his back to leave. "Well, that's a shame. I guess I'll leave you to it, good luck, Trixie!" Ben said, slowly walking away.

"W-Wait!! Please! Trixie wants to leave, this job isn't worth thirty more bits! I've been in here for sixty-three hours, Ben, I can't leave!!" Trixie pleaded desperately. Ben turned back, seeing Trixie try to move her legs, until the familiar, spine chilling sound of rattling chains filled his eardrums. Ben ran back to the booth and looked behind Trixie, seeing that her legs were chained in place.

'Oh man, something really is wrong today... I was just looking in the wrong spot.' Ben thought to himself. He looked back at Trixie, seeing the fear in the unicorn's eyes as she whined. Ben found out what he was doing today... busting a theatre for enslaving their workers, literally making them work while bound in chains.

"Is there a problem here, miss?" A voice called out. Trixie looked behind Ben to see an armored guard mare. Ben turned around and looked down at the mare. "I won't ask again, is there a problem?"

"N-No ma'am, just having some issues with printing these tickets, heheheh..." Trixie said with a hesitant smile. the rattling of chains stopped, and Ben felt his curiosity grow. "Everything's f-fine, ma'am... n-no trouble here!"

"Mhm... is the human causing you discomfort?" The guard asked, glaring at Ben.

Trixie laughed and kept up the almost forced smile. "He's fine, th-there's no trouble, honest! J-Just doing my j-job, ma'am!" Trixie stuttered.

the guard eyed Trixie for a moment, then eyed Ben. Something was off, but she couldn't figure out what. "You two stay out of trouble, there's an unknown group snatching up ponies in the night... keep an eye out and report any incidents to the guard ASAP. Good day!" The mare said sternly, walking away.

"I better get going too... I have some 'important business' to prepare for, but I'll be back to 'catch the normal viewing of the movie tonight', ok Trixie?" Ben air quoted, winking his eye at the mare in the booth.

Trixie silently nodded and Ben walked away, trying to not look suspicious. Trixie collapsed in her chair and weeped hopelessly.

[Canterlot, Residential District]

When Ben made sure he was far enough away from the theatre, he saw the guard from before, and decided to try following the guard's advice. "Hey, guard mare! I have an incident to report that may be connected to the missing ponies case." Ben called out.

The mare turned around and just glared at Ben, but she was listening. "Look, I'm not sure what these fillynappers look like, but I can guarantee that maybe the theatre might just be a front, something to take heat off of the criminals and to stow away the fillynapped victims in a place no one would expect." Ben suggested.

"We'll launch an investigation sometime around never," The mare stated blatantly. Ben groaned and looked at the mare, obviously bothered. "I know who you are, Sparkle, and I don't care if our top guard is your brother, you'll always be a filthy human who can't be trusted. You're probably the one behind the snatchings, so why would I trust you?"

"Because the mare at the ticket booth has been in there for nearly three days, it's been nearly two and a half days, and she hasn't left since because her legs were chained to the floor. I heard the sound of rattling chains, this theatre is a front. What kind of manager would enforce such a thing, to literally have their employees bound in chains while they work?!" Ben explained.

"Get some substantial proof, and maybe I'll consider it. Till then, just stay away from that theatre. We'll have guards stationed there to make sure nothing screwy happens. If we catch you there, however, you're gonna be in a world of hurt when we put you back in chains, you hairless ape." The mare threatened. As she walked away, Ben groaned and looked back at the theatre's location, wondering what might've been going on there.

Ben groaned and walked home, because regardless of what that mare had said, he was still gonna figure out what was going on.

[Unknown Cavern]

In a dark, damp and dripping cave, covered in some kind of red goo, one of the ponies working at the theatre, dressed in his usher uniform and wearing an apron over it has wheeled some kind of dish over to a large hole that lead into an unimaginably dark chasm. Before the pony could react, a strange, overgrown moss covered claw snatched the pony and the dish up and pulled them into the darkness.

The agonizing screams of the pony echoed out, but no pony could hear them... The dish was tossed out, showing a gourmet serving of vegetables with a buttery sauce on top. The only thing that remained of the pony was a black tie, now stained in red and some form of foamy bubbling spittle as a screeching hiss echoed out.

Author's Note

How's that for a sudden change?

I know it seems a little too soon for a time skip, but, you have every right to call me impatient. Part two is in the works already, so stay tuned.