Disclaimer: I do not own Ben 10.
Five Truths About Gwen
Gwen has never felt entirely at ease. Even when sitting still, something froths and claws from within the thin shell of her body.
Her parents never knew any of this, were only relieved when her childhood habit of digging furrows into her skin with her nails gradually went away.
Most adults comment on what a serious child she is. Most mean it as a compliment, but a few see past her demeanor and realize that it's not natural for a child to be as collected as Gwen.
Gwen's control is carefully cultivated over her life, driven by none other than an intense fear of herself. Her spirit longs to be free, tugs at her to lean just a little too far over the edge of a window or cliff, an impulse that prompts her to leave everything behind, that so much more awaits her beyond her mortal coil and the petty trappings of human society.
She counts to ten and takes a breath, feels her lungs inflate and know that she is still alive, reminds herself that the flesh is only so fragile. For better or for worse?
By all accounts, Gwen should be popular in school. She's pretty, athletic, and smart. Nice, but not so nice that it's obviously fake.
It's not that she's reviled. Rather, there's an understanding between her and her peers. Gwen has never felt much inclination to make friends anyways, and the few she has never seem to last that long. Frank and Natalie Tennyson don't realize that their daughter has never brought a friend over to their home.
The first time Gwen uses magic, it's like a release. Just being around the Charms of Bezel was enough to make a sixth sense zing, a feeling that spread to all her other senses and felt like home in a way nothing else had. But when she uses magic she feels it swelling to her command and rushing through her veins, eager to please like a loyal, beloved pet.
This is it. Gwen doesn't know what it is, but she will never let this go now that she has found it, something she hadn't even realized she had been missing. It's why she feels no qualms over filching Charmcaster's spellbook, an action Gwen would usually be against regardless of the circumstances. It's unusual enough that even Grandpa Max notices, brows thoughtfully knitting together. But perhaps he has an idea of Gwen's circumstances, for he never brings the matter up.
When the Highbreed attacks Kevin, Gwen does not hesitate in her retaliation. As the last of her human veneer peels away, revealing the true essence of pure mana behind, the world becomes illuminated.
Suddenly, everything becomes revealed to her; she is in tune with the universe itself.
A/N: So, long time since I uploaded anything, and first time for the Ben 10 fandom. I wrote this in like, ten minutes, so it's kind of rough, but I really wanted to write something Gwen-centric because she's my favorite Ben 10 character. Also, I really wish that the show would go more into what physical and mental effects being half-alien (especially half-magical energy being whatever (there's some continuity issues concerning the magic and Anodite stuff)) has on characters.