Hey guys.

So, sequel time. And yes, this first part is short but the others will be longer. This is also a three part story like its' prequel.

I own nothing of Ben 10 (if I did I'd change a lot). I only own my OC and this story idea. I hope you enjoy.

A month. That's how long it had been since Ge left.

No texts. No email. Not even a note. The last time she spoke to Ben, it was before he and Grandpa Max left for the Plumber station in deep space to start his job of teaching new recruits. Even though it would be best if Rook took on the role of future Magistratus since Ben preferred staying as Earth's protector, he still felt obligated to help his grandpa out with training future Plumbers. She told him to take care before he told her the same. Then they kissed shortly before he went in the ship, the ramp closing up as they met each others' eyes.

A month of training bright faces to be the future of keeping intergalactic order and peace.

A month spent teaching, supporting and wandering through those treasured halls and the depths of his curious, thoughtful mind.

A month left with no calls, no messages, no signs of his girlfriend from their small planet Earth.

It was only at the end of his first month being an instructor that Gwen and Kevin were finally able to visit during their well deserved vacation breaks from Kevin's job at the garage in the same town as Gwen's college. When they were able to tell him what was really going on.

Georgethe went back to her old home in Florida in the early morning hours after Ben left that late night. Before they came to the station, Gwen and Kevin just came back from the campus to check on her. Because since she had nowhere to stay when they reunited with Ge at that DNAlien location last year, Gwen let her stay at her home with some nice persuading to her parents to agree. But when they stopped at Gwen's house, her and Kevin were stunned to find she wasn't there. Gwen's parents were unsure where she went only that she's been gone for a month. Gwen searched her guest bedroom to find a stuffed hippo in a dress befitting a little girl; probably her childhood toy, more than enough for Gwen to track Ge's energy signature.

But, it was becoming strained. Almost like … fading. It was similar to when Jennifer Nocturne was losing herself. But differently. It was like a bright light slowing dimming away.

As the trio talked in Ben's quarters on the situation, Ben's knees got weak and almost fell over if Kevin hadn't grabbed him by the arm and helped him sit down on the edge of his bed. He put his hands on his knees, clenching them as his eyes squeezed shut. Kevin frowned feeling concerned for his best bud when Gwen gasped softly as they both saw Ben show a faint glow of pink outlining his body. But as his brows furrowed, the glow slowly changed from pink to green and as the glow got brighter, both teens shielded their eyes with their arms when the light died down instantly. They lowered their arms in time to see Ben opening his eyes; the intense green glow dying away as well to reveal dread, worry, and pain.

Gwen was impressed. After the Diagon incident, Gwen was surprised that Ben wanted to learn more about his anodite side and how to use his mana powers too. Although it was uncertain he would be at her level of training and use those powers regularly when he has the watch, she knew the real reason why he wanted to learn is to be like Ge; sure she wasn't an anodite but the fact that her powers rival that of everyone on their team proves she's on her own level. And seeing Ge and Ben floating in mid air that night when they confessed to each other their bodies outlined in glowing light … Gwen could only stare in enchantment at the beautiful scene whereas Kevin took some snapshots with his phone.

Just like Gwen, Ben felt it.

Ge … she was fading … like her spirit … it's dimming.

He stood up firmly "I better tell Grandpa I need to take off for the week." Gwen and Kevin shared knowing looks as Ben looked up to face them with eyes of determination. "We're going after her."

OOO

As their signature green jet landed in the open fields, the trio viewed the vast lands of the countryside. Kevin made sure to land in a non ownership area so as not to get into trouble. Kevin's car roared to life as it drove down the ramp; watching the ramp close up before he drove them across the grass field and onto the open road. The drive was mostly silent spent with them looking out to watch the landscape slowly change from lush green hills and many forests to houses and barns some here and some there. After driving for a half hour, Kevin chose to break the silence.

"Hard to believe she used to live in the middle of nowhere."

"Not much has changed since we were last here." Gwen said as she held the hippo, focusing on tracing Ge.

"It feels like a lifetime ago." Ben murmured.

"Civilization up ahead." Kevin announced.

As Gwen instructed Kevin where to drive to, Ben looked out the side window. Small business stores. The community center. Even the school. This small suburban town hadn't changed at all. It felt like it was just yesterday when he and Gwen came here during that fateful summer vacation. It was like looking through his ten year old eyes again. Only when the car stopped did his eyes caught sight of a figure across them on their right. It was a tall figure wearing a black jacket with their hood up and denim jeans. Their back was to them so he couldn't see their face. Whoever it was, they were on the front lawns of a big building on the outskirts of town.

"Is it her?" Kevin's voice broke the tense silence.

"Yes." Just as that one word left Gwen's mouth, Ben got out immediately and ran onward, ignoring the others as they told him to wait. Cautiously making his way over, now just a foot away from this person, this young lady, her.

Gwen and Kevin stopped behind him when he made the bold step forward and touched her shoulder. "Ge?" The moment he spoke, it was like a spell from lifted from her as her still form hunched forward and he caught her around the waist. "Whoa! I gotcha! I'm here." Gwen moved from his right as she walked somewhere near them, Kevin en route. "Ge, what are you doing out here? Why haven't you answered me for a month? What is going on?" He jumped when she moved in his arms and buried her shadowed face in his chest. "What's wrong? Ge, you gotta tell me!" He stressed, feeling worry growing inside at his silent girlfriend. "Georgethe!"

"Ben?" He looked to see Kevin scowling and Gwen give a pitiful frown before gesturing at the sign plotted in the grassy grounds. His eyes widened as a hard stone of fear hit his stomach.

This place was a prison.

His hands tightened their hold on her as anger swelled within him when her snuggling into him made that feeling wash away and replaced with a new-found worry and warmth to her. "You're here to see your dad."

"I haven't been home since the night he was arrested. Since my mom … those nights have been haunting me for so long. Then I just broke. I didn't know what else to do." She was finally speaking. But she sounded strained and in pain, causing Ben to grit his teeth, trying to face her directly.

"Why didn't you come to us? We could have helped you." She whimpered, trying to look away. Ben's eyes narrowed as he spotted red marks on her cheek and her chin. "What's that on your face?" She broke free and tried backing away when he grabbed her left wrist, tugging her forward before pulling down her hood. He gaped a bit as she looked at her sneakers, her mop of hair covering half her face but her left side that was showing had small blemishes on her cheek and chin. He let her wrist go and combed his hand through her hair, trying to see her right side but she shook her head, not so certain of this. He sighed sadly before caressing her hidden cheek, feeling many bumps and rough skin. He frowned deeper before brushing her hair aside. He softly gasped.

Her whole cheek was red and covered with big blemishes; a swollen breakout that went overboard. And both her eyes were red, whether from crying or something else, he wasn't sure. But one thing was certain. She was not looking so good.

She let out a whine and tried putting her hood back on but his hands clasped hers tightly and brought them both up to cup her cheeks.

"We have to talk."

She sprouted tears but blinked them back, nodding slowly "Yeah." He kissed her forehead before embracing her tightly, giving her the her face in his chest while rubbing his hand up and down her back while giving Gwen and Kevin a worried look.

In that moment, that sunny day began turning into one of cloudy gloom.

Again, short part, I know. But I will do my best to make the last two parts longer.

This OC is based on me, well somewhat. I based her hometown off mine, sorta. I don't want to give too much away because of privacy/personal reasons. It's a small town somewhere in Florida, let's leave it at that. But the whole parents issue in my OC's background story is all fictional and unrelated to my own real life situation. I've got my own parental issues, mostly on my own old man ... -_-

I just hope I can make her emotionally relatable or likable by now. I know I have myself appear as an OC in many of my previous fanfics for years but, in this AU series, I just keep expressing my love for her and Ben.

I want to finish this story in time for my B-Day when I might post a two part story that is pretty M.

ANYWAY!

Until next time, bye guys!