Disclaimers:

Ben 10 Alien Force and its respective characters belong to Man of Action.

This little "What if" fanfic, in all its mildly retarded glory, belongs to me (Karashi).

Author's Notes:

Another remake, Karashi? Why yes, yes it is! Everyone loves to hate on Mike Morningstar, everyone except me. I love Mike Morningstar because he makes the Gwevin in that episode utterly epic. And I wondered what would have happened if Mike wasn't the villain the writers made out to be? If Mike didn't use his powers for personal gain but instead to help people, what would have become of Gwen and Kevin's budding relationship? If you want to know what my speculative answers are, just read on and find out. Comments, criticisms and flames welcomed.

--

Part One: Makes Me Wonder

A cement walkway suspended over a stretch of river served its main purpose as a bridge during most of the time. In the day and the afternoons especially students and teachers and other ordinary folk crossed without a care to reach their destination awaiting them on the opposite side of the river. Even in the chill and obscurity of evening people still hurried along the path, though their numbers were sparse and far in between.

But the bridge was more than just a convenient and dry means of transportation. It was also a meeting place.

And this proved especially true on cloudy nights when the nearest source of illumination would be the twin lampposts at the far end of the bridge. But the shroud of darkness was neither hindrance nor difficulty. If any the shadows cloaking the two figures standing in the very middle was a welcomed feature.

Every now and again a wind would blow past, pushing the clouds away just long enough to reveal the moon. With its faint lunar glow, the two individuals' identities were revealed. Well, one of them at least.

One was a young man with hair the color of mahogany and ashen eyes so cold and sharp one could swear they can cut through metal. A vest, black denim, its sleeves purposely tattered as per the fashion of the times covered the cotton shirt stretched over his muscular frame. Embroidered on the back of said vest was a coat of arms that could pass for a twisted version of a certain secret organization's emblem.

The youth's face was filled with pride as he presented two steel briefcases. "As promised, I have retrieved the weapons you requested."

Heavy, gauntleted hands accepted one of the cases before snapping the latches open. Nestled protectively inside were several explosives of an unearthly origin. Moonlight glinted off a helmet's edge as the man within the armor nodded in assent at the youth's statement.

"Does this mean I'm welcomed into the fold?" The young man asked eagerly.

"Whatever gave you that idea, Percival?" the amused sneer was audible through the visor.

Percival's brows knit together in outrage while he strode up to the armored individual, "You promised I'd be allowed to join once I've proven myself." Leather-gloved finger insistently pressing against a stainless breastplate.

"I don't believe petty theft is an accurate gauge for one's ability." The armored man casually swatted the offending appendage away.

"Getting these is not what I would call petty." He growled and tried to take the briefcases back. "Either you let me in, or you don't get these."

A blade softly humming with energy was suddenly pressed against the tip of Percival's throat, effectively immobilizing him. "Tell you what, because I had such respect for your grandfather, I'll give you a chance to prove your mettle."

The short blade was retracted and tucked safely back into its hilt, "It will be a test similar to the one your father failed. If you are able to do what your father was not, then you shall have redeemed your family's honor and you will be one of our own."

Percival knelt before the armored man and his lips cracked into a wide, menacing smile, "I am grateful, Sir Augustine."

--

Down a highway drove a green camarro in which three teenagers rode. In the passenger seat was a young brunette, his green eyes were focused on the small circular device projecting a holographic map. He seemed oblivious to the mood of the other two people in the car.

The driver was the oldest of the trio and he was a dark-haired boy of sixteen who was looking mighty irritable. His lips were pressed into a tight line, indicative of how thin his patience had become. Though he did not appear quite as irritated as the girl with sun-kissed hair seated in the back.

She was the driver's junior, albeit by just one year and shared the same age as the boy in the passenger's seat. Her eyes, also reminiscent of the brunette's, was a light shade of green, like sun-bleached mint and they were intentionally looking at everything but the driver.

To the ordinary and blissfully unaware citizen, there was nothing unusual about them. At least not as far as physical appearances went. But to those rare few who were privy to the existence of extraterrestrial beings, these three were Plumbers.

"Plumber, plumber, plumber, plumber," Gwen repeated, each word spoken with a varying intonation. It was only after the fourth word did she set her gaze back on Kevin, "You ever notice if you say a word enough times it loses its meaning?"

She leaned forward, waiting for a reaction. When neither her cousin Ben nor the driver said a word, she took this as a signal to continue, "Like a chance to ask someone out. Every time that chance comes along it has less and less meaning until you don't have the chance anymore at all."

Her lips were curved into a frown, arms folded stubbornly across her chest. She wasn't angry at Kevin inasmuch as she was frustrated and disappointed with him. Gwendolyn couldn't be faulted for her ire considering how she had been rejected (in a manner of speaking) moments prior.

"Oh for crying out loud," Kevin groaned with a roll of his earth-hued eyes. How does one explain to Gwen that despite the modernization of times, some traditions needed to be kept? It had always, always been the man's job to initiate the first move in the complex dance that their generation called dating.

It wasn't as if he didn't want to ask her out because he certainly did. He just hadn't managed to work up the nerve to actually follow through. Having her pre-empt his intentions was not only jarring, it was emasculating to a certain degree. And Kevin's pride was as precious to him as this budding relationship was, though he has yet to figure out which held a bigger weight.

"Are you two having a fight?" Came Ben's amused question.

Before anyone could respond, a car suddenly swerved to overtake them. The movement was abrupt and it almost caused an accident had Kevin not slammed on the breaks and moved out of the way in time. Without even stopping to see if they were alright, the offending vehicle zoomed off at an even faster speed.

"Did you see that?" Kevin demanded hotly, "He is not getting away with almost trashing my car!"

"Kevin-" Ben warned.

It was an act of impulse, a distraction from his anger, an excuse to let off some steam. Whatever it was, it was a God send to Kevin and he ignored the brunette's words. The trio shot after the speeding car, much to the Tennyson cousins' dismay.

As they gave chase, the car in question suddenly switched into a different lane. The wrong lane to be exact. The incoming truck didn't have the same maneuverability or control as a smaller car and in its attempt to avoid a collision, the bulky frame tipped over and crashed against an overhead bridge's support column.

Brakes were applied, steering wheels were turned and the traffic came to a screeching halt.

The truck driver was unconscious amidst the wreckage, unaware of the crumbling danger above him. The drivers and riders screamed as they felt the bridge beneath their car's tires give way. Without wasting time, the three teens exited the car to save people.

It was only after all three had managed to get everyone to safety did an angry man wearing a ski mask emerge from the same vehicle that caused this whole mess. "No! NO! You three ruined everything!"

"Okay, what's his problem?" Kevin quirked a confused brow.

The masked man suddenly grabbed a female bystander and pulled a gun from his vest. Pressing the barrel of the gun against the woman's temple he began to bark out orders, "All of you back off! I mean it!"

"Gwen, can you disarm him?" Ben whispered to his cousin.

"I won't be able to reach him fast enough," She narrowed her eyes. "Can't you go Jetray?"

"No sudden moves!" the young man hollered, cocking the gun audibly. The hostage let out a frightened squeal as she screwed her eyes shut.

Without warning, a golden ray of light struck the man's arm, knocking the gun out of his grip. In a split-second, Gwen used her powers to pull the hostage away, leaving the masked assailant vulnerable. Before Ben or Kevin could do anything, a blur of sunshine tackled the man.

"Why don't you save us all the time," The glowing new-comer growled, blue eyes narrowing "And surrender now."

The masked man wasn't so easily intimidated and fought back.

"Always have to do this the hard way." His flaxen-haired head shook in annoyance before he reached down to grab the struggling man's head. Gradually, the criminal's movements slowed before stopping completely. If the blonde's aura had been radiant before, it was now practically blinding as he stood up while dusting his hands.

"Did you see that?" Ben asked in wide-eyed wonder.

Gwen nodded with equal admiration. "I sure did."

Despite how ridiculous it was that the stranger's aura left a shimmering trail in its wake, Kevin had to admit the events that unfolded before them was mildly impressive.