The Freed Spirit of Gwen Tennyson

by Madman777

Gwendolyn Tennyson was a hero like no other. She walked between two lives with a skill that few could hope to match. But life was not easy on her for that. It got tiring. Sooner or later the spark of life in her was going to spread beyond. Set her free.

The Freed Spirit of Gwen Tennyson

Chapter 1. A Spark of Life becomes a Bonfire

The Tennyson Family was a very remarkable family. It was had Plumbers, aliens, sorcerers, and heroes among its ranks. Ben Tennyson had become a universal hero, using the DNA of every imaginable species in the universe and his own skill to save the Earth and countless other worlds from whatever villains it could throw at him. He'd come a long way from the immature, cocky young boy he'd started out as to a legendary leader. Of course, he'd never been alone. He'd had his awesome Grandpa Max Tennyson, a Plumber of exceptional caliber, the surprisingly reformed Kevin Levin, and of course, Gwen Tennyson.

Gwendolyn Tennyson was in many ways a direct contrast to her cousin. Even at 10 years old she'd been more mature than Ben and had only gotten more mature as she grew into a woman. She was reasonable, smart, patient, compassionate, and probably had a better appreciation for the simple pleasures of a normal life than Ben or Kevin ever did. While she did come to enjoy the pleasures of using magic and her alien heritage, she just wanted to enjoy life. While Ben and Kevin to a lesser extent enjoyed being known across the galaxies, she was never as widely recognized. Despite the sheer irony of such a fact (her powers probably having the singular most raw potential out of the three of them), she didn't mind. She never sought the spotlight or handled it as well as them.

Of course, things always changed in life. Their little group couldn't keep together in the same way forever. Ben went on to do great things without her and Kevin, and she and Kevin would try for college. They would always be a team, be family, but life would always go on. But at the same time, Gwen's life would always be very complicated.

Gwen was an overachiever at heart. She excelled at both tackling her Anodite abilities and magic skills as well as very advanced academic achievements (to the point where her teachers could trust her to take over a class in their absence). Her part in saving the world meant she had to juggle it. Make no mistake, it was not easy being Gwen. Never. Ben's many enemies were quite diverse in both powers and agendas. Gwen's archenemies pretty much always boiled down to being focused on her magical skill or the mana latent in her body. It didn't matter that she got much better at magic then Hex and Charmcaster ever had been. Charmcaster was too stubborn (and delusional and downright obsessed) to ever admit that or give up on proving her supremacy. Not to say anything of the hopelessly monstrous creep that was Darkstar …

But Gwen was strong, like her wonderful Grandfather before her. She strove hard to take what she wanted in life. While Ben went on to fight bigger and badder threats of all kinds, she proved to have a real knack for handling the everyday threats they started out with very efficiently. Her family and friends knew they could always depend on her. She helped Kevin move forward with his life. When Ben needed someone to help him lead their group or even the world itself, she provided the expertise he didn't have. And it paid off. Vilgax, the Incurseans, and so many other tyrants and monsters could never break them. She didn't want to take it easy; she wouldn't let people down.

Fittingly for humans, they all settled down. Formed families. Ben found love and so did Gwen and Kevin. She and Kevin were happy. Of course, Kevin's life proved far too unnaturally complicated to try and tie the knot at a convenient moment, but she never gave up on him. While Kevin was never the best at appreciating this properly, it meant the world to him.

Of course, soon life started taking instead of giving eventually. First her mother contracted pancreatic cancer. She refused to let Gwen use magic to heal her, saying she could manage with simple good old-fashioned medicine. Her mother also said she didn't want to her daughter to feel like she had to go to extra trouble just for her. Gwen however, suspected it was because her mother, while loving, had never truly accepted the alien heritage of her daughter or her affinity for magic. Regardless, Natalie Tennyson died while her daughter was out of town on a trip with Kevin. She didn't get to say goodbye at all. A truly terrible reminder of how her life was not truly normal and would not continue to be so. No one truly blamed her but still.

Nonetheless, things were still happy. But the major problem of Kevin's life came back to haunt him. Not that he was a flawed individual, but that his powers were both a blessing and his greatest curse. And he had to deal with that a lot. The truly tragic occasions involved situations forcing him to absorb energy because there was no other way to save the day or people controlling him to do so. Poor Kevin had already reverted to his criminal ways once after a very unfortunate incident involving a massive energy consumption. But he'd recovered and Ben and Gwen took him in again. But then the last incident was the worst. Dr Animo was an utterly crazy and ridiculous villain in many ways, but he was also extremely twisted and effective. He concocted a truly twisted scheme to combine all the DNA of all human, alien, and animal life-forms that had accumulated over the last few decades. And Kevin was the key to implementing it. So, he'd brainwashed Kevin into absorbing the DNA of hundreds, no, thousands, of "unique specimens" he'd taken captive. And while they'd broken the mind-control rather quickly, the strain of all that power was too much for Kevin. He went more insane than he ever had. The destruction was utterly unparalleled to all his previous ones combined. It took a long brutal fight to take him down and mercifully, Kevin was able to let all the accumulated energy out just when Ben thought he'd have to kill him. Of course, while he was back to his usual self, the sheer strain he'd been through combined with a potent, but toxic organic element Animo had slipped in to try and "improve" the process caused Kevin to fall violently ill.

Ben and Gwen panicked. They tried healing his DNA with the Omnitrix and using Gwen's incomparable magic, but he reacted negatively to both. In desperation, they ended up sealing in a Galvan made stasis unit. Gwen never forgot the last conversation that happened before they reached that decision.

"Ah geez, sorry I messed up again … I really am one of your worst enemies … even after all this t-time hehehe …. *cough*" Kevin's light-hearted attempt at lightening the mood turning into a pained wheeze.

Ben growled furiously, "No you are NOT! It was not your fault that sick freak used you, or that your powers have such a terrible risk! And you still were able to let it all out!"

"Not sure the media sees it that way …" Kevin muttered dryly. The news had covered it with a vengeful frenzy. Humans and even some aliens were calling Kevin too dangerous of a liability to be considered a true friend (well, they used the word "associate") to Earth's greatest protector and even that he was an unnatural freak of nature. Hadn't this incident (and previous ones like this that somehow came out in a storm to these parasitic reporters) proven that he was just bad rubbish? A delinquent who had truly never reformed?

Gwen got mad in turn. "Don't you dare talk like that! We were saving the world and the universe together long before the media ever even knew about us! We're not about to give up on you now! Kevin Ethan Levin, you are not going to quit on me so easily, do you hear me?!"

Kevin was legitimately taken aback, then he smiled disarmingly," Don't worry sweetheart, I'm not giving up. I'm a fighter. Besides, I've got the best two reasons in the universe to keep fighting, no matter how many times I screw up. Because of you two, my life has truly changed for the better. The best friend I never thought I'd have, and the prettiest girl around inside and out."

The two of them stared at him, with sad but happy tears actually coming out of Gwen's eyes. Then Kevin declared he was going to take a nap and they talk more later. He didn't get to have that talk. A couple hours later his fever went critical, and they'd taken the local Plumber medical expert's advice to try some Galvan tech they had.

As Gwen stared at the love of her life in that tank, she'd dare hope that it was going to be better soon. Kevin could recover and they could take a long-needed vacation across the galaxy, away from their home that was still adjusting far too slowly to the universe around it. But then the Galvan scientist at the console had informed of an estimate of how long the treatment might take given the unique status of Kevin's condition and how his immune system kept shifting biologically in its own attempts to fight off whatever devilry Animo had put in him. At worst it would be 90 years, optimally 40 years. To be fair to the Galvan, he was probably just forgetting that the truly long-lived lifespan of his race far outstripped that of humans, or perhaps he thought that such standards did not apply to such unusual individuals as the Tennyson clan. Well, he was right in that case. But it was an utter gut punch to Gwen. Things had already taken a turning point when Grandpa Max had retired just a couple years ago. He'd been there when her grand adventure began, so it was a clear turning point. But Kevin … Kevin was in his prime. He had a son who he managed to be a wonderful role model to and an alien dog who he doted on. Friends who admired and respected him, looked past his checkered lifestyle. And now … if and when he got out, everyone he knew would have moved on in so many ways. Gwen would not be the same woman he'd been with all these years. She knew he was not as shallow as some people would assume he was, but at the same time he was much more capable of being very bitter about life. Who could blame him, his life and powers made it hard to be positive.

Devlin applied for a long-term Plumbers Academy enrollment to be followed up by studies in biology and engineering that had been the brainchild of Azmuth to bring together the skills of 7 different galaxies and advance science. He took Zeb with him. He had not shown any anger at her or Ben or anyone else in their oddball family for what had happened, but Gwen still wondered. Did Devlin resent them for not preventing this? Or did he no longer want to be in a world that had been so judgmental of his father for what he was? Would this planet inevitably conclude he was too dangerous to be around because they assumed he would turn out the same? While humanity was very adaptable for such a seemingly unimpressive race, they always had a terrible knack for prejudice amongst themselves and even more for what they didn't understand. This terrible suspicion, combined with what had happened with Kevin, made Gwen and Ben hate Dr. Animo more than ever before. He was no longer a joke of a villain to them.

A few years later one final emotional earthquake struck. Grandpa Max had been enjoying a nice glass of lemonade on his porch and listening to Rook give a remarkable speech on how they were moving forward in a new age of justice to the newest batch Plumbers on Earth on his television. Then he'd collapsed. It came out of nowhere. Despite being just a breath away from 100 at this point, he'd still seemed strong in body, or at least in spirit. Plus, he was part cyborg at this point. But in hindsight, his family and students had to wonder. He'd survived all kinds of damage that would have done in many of Earth's greatest soldiers by now. Not long before retiring he'd managed to struggle longer than any other natural human against a viral plague unleashed on the Plumber's Earth Headquarters that attacked both mind and body to enslave the victim. While he'd remained firm on his feet at the time, it seemed that it was all catching up to him. Max Tennyson did not have the technological, biological or magical advantages his 2 favorite grandchildren and friends had for dealing with the accumulated stress of a lifetime of battlefield injuries and stress. He was long past his prime. Maybe his body and mind just finally wanted to rest. So naturally it didn't truly shock those who gathered around his bed as he lay in a coma.

As the various Plumbers, family and friends talked about perhaps trying some new way to keep him going, Gwen could not share their optimism. Her Grandpa had always taken on life with a determined desire to succeed, and he didn't prefer to take "cheap" shortcuts to make it easier. He'd faced so much danger over a remarkable life that he truly wasn't afraid of death. Would he truly want to try and keep running from it? He'd retired from a long life of saving people all over. Did he need to continue. He was content.

So, after a few very painful but heartbreaking months, Max Tennyson was finally laid to rest. His tomb was very down-to-earth and at the same time quite out-of-this world. It was shaped like a large but modest tombstone but was made out of a combination of advanced nanotechnology and Taydenite. Max's life story was there for everyone to read. Quite literally everyone. Universal translator technology meant than anyone could see his life story in their own language. He would've loved to see that.

People from so many different places came to pay their respects. Friends, family, even some old enemies. Gwen even saw Xylene come, who she hadn't seen since she was a little girl. After a short but eloquent speech, the Uxorite had laid a priceless set of levitating stones from her planet as her own memorial. And when Gwen came a while later to just reflect, she got the biggest surprise of all. There was a ring of flowers growing around the tomb that had not been there before. Grandma Verdona's flowers. Scanning for mana, she found her way over to a nearby tree. There were a couple of notable flickering images on it. Vivid, life-like images of people who any human would probably assume to be all two (or even three) different couples altogether. But Gwen knew better. The first was a young man sitting next to a pretty redhead at a diner. The next was the young man holding hands with a beautiful alien lady with vivid purple skin and glowing hair who was in the air while he stood. The last was an older fellow and somewhat older lady doing a dorky but downright adorable dance to a song from a "retro" decade together. It was the same couple in all three images. All three pictures showed them being clearly in love. To further drive the point home was a very simple but direct image below this. A heart shape with the words "Max + Verdona" inside it.

Gwen sighed heavily. She loved her grandpa. They all did. But looking back now, his approach to life and family seemed a bit … flawed. He'd been happily married with Verdona. But due to him always being always busy saving the galaxy and her own free nature not wanting to be tied down, they'd been separated. And Verdona had wanted him to travel with her when they first met, but he didn't want to get anything like that so easily. He wanted to earn it himself. History repeated with Xylene. She wanted him to come with her, but his sense of duty to stop the emerging threat of Vilgax led him to remain. Then years later she asked again, but he was now devoted to being a devoted grandpa to his grandchildren. And while one of his brothers had joined him in the ranks of the Plumbers, all his children and their children didn't know the extent of their patriarch's amazing alien-entwined life until many years after it had initially died down. While Ben and Gwen became a willing part of it, some of the rest never truly embraced or appreciated it. Like Verdona had said, he was a stubborn man. None of them truly resented him for that. But could things have gone a bit differently if he'd tried things a bit differently? Hard to say.

Gwen was lost deep in introspection. Rook had offered to have her handle whatever aspect of the department she wanted, or even lead this new expedition he had in mind. After all, he greatly respected her abilities despite her only being partially involved in the group these days. She declined. She needed to think.

Life just wasn't the same anymore. It wasn't just what she lost; it was what she had. She'd succeeded quite well at college. She'd become valedictorian, made a great speech, taught classes on earthly and unearthly subjects alike, helped lead Earth in times of crisis. She'd even enjoyed a rocky but very genuine romance with Kevin that had yielded great fruit not only with attraction but a genuine change in character. One might call him the greatest success of her kind heart. But Kevin was gone. And the rest just didn't have the same appeal anymore.

No matter how much she tried to balance the normal with the abnormal, it never evened out favorably. In the end, she always went back to the life of adventure. True, she'd donned her childhood identity of Lucky Girl to try and balance the act, but it didn't last. She grew up and now just looked the part of a warrior sorceress, blue-robed and majestic. Besides, when she had the potential to unlock great magic power when she first came across some powerful charms as a child, she'd rejected it in favor of just being her. Her adult identity of Lucky Girl was not even truly based on that idea, but a blend of her skill in magic and her ever increasing control of her Anodite heritage. Then she'd had her ideas of pure magical skill being worth something rather crushed after meeting the Bezel of all people. He'd shocked her by saying that real magic to him was too easy and had no rules and was thus ridiculous in concept to truly master and was not enjoyable after a while. Gwen couldn't bring herself to accept that, but her opinion on it shifted gradually. Especially when she realized after a very brief but intense battle with Charmcaster that her skills with all the spells she'd been studying had peaked. She'd surpassed virtually every sorcerer foe she had in sheer power and skill, but the technical knowledge no longer had anything to offer her. The only way they could beat her was with enhancements like the Alpha Rune, but even that was becoming less hard to anticipate and thus counter. But she didn't feel like she wanted to stop appreciating it like Bezel had suggested. She still felt like she could grow. And after a while she realized why.

It wasn't just her intelligence and strong spirit that gave her an affinity for magic. It was her unique alien heritage. She wasn't just skilled at magic, she had the lineage of a race that was made of the essence of magic itself, which was actually the essence of life. At first, she had backpedaled hard at the idea of being a very powerful energy being no matter how cool it sounded. She wanted to enjoy life as it was and not lose her humanity in the process. Thankfully, Verdona had understood and let it be for now. Gwen for a while rejected the idea of her being an energy being at all. Then she got to feel what that was like. As time went on, she realized she just had to be careful. With time, she could master it. Heck, the more she learned about magic, the more she realized just how connected it all was. Ledgerdomain was overflowing with mana and whenever she went there, she felt stronger. Magic was not just mystic; it was tied to the force of life itself. And Gwen was made of it on the inside.

Professor Paradox had, as usual, had an unusual yet cheerful perspective on it that he'd shared years earlier. Once after resolving yet another potential catastrophe, he'd noticed Gwen looking frustrated about some current complications and how she'd never get out of her funk. He'd smiled and said," Don't fret Gwendolyn, you're not the type to let that keep you down. After all, you are the embodiment of someone who is literally and figuratively full of life and the appreciation of it. That will never change, not in a million years or longer." Gwen envied how someone like him could be so cheerful with all he had to deal with. She really wondered how he could be that way. You think it would be the opposite with what he'd been through.

Her Grandma had popped up at random intervals just checking on her. It was usually tense at first, but always amicable and even funny. She was always bringing up Gwen coming with her someday, and never lost heart whenever Gwen declined. Gwen was never even 100% against doing that someday. Verdona never tired of telling Gwen that she was her absolute favorite grandchild. And rather than being put off by Gwen's combination of magic and Anodite styles she was curious and even fascinated. Gwen really did love her grandma, despite their rocky start. Sure, she was rather mischievous and at times insensitive, but she was quite doting. She cherished that her grandchild had "the Spark", to her it was special, sadly more than her other immediate family. She even confided in her once that she actually approved ofher relationship with Kevin. Her own parents hadn'tfully approved of her boyfriend but were too smart to think they could stop them from dating (Gwen couldn't help but wonder if there was a bit of fear in that reasoning).

In hindsight, it was truly ironic. Ben had thought being a hero was better than being a normal "zero" but had gradually come to see that normal life wasn't so bad after getting a cold hard dose of reality. Gwen had always appreciated the simple pleasures of life but enjoyed being a hero in a balanced way. Gwen was generally the more responsible and mature member of the team, while Ben had loose cannon tendencies and ended up getting into more dangerous situations and even more negative attention as time. But it was Ben's parents who had actually gotten into their odd lifestyle. Rook had become Ben's brother in all but name and was actually accepted as such by Sandra and Carl. He enjoyed Sandra's food and was a regular guest at the dinner table. Aunt Sandra actually to get along with Ma Vreedle of all people. She even didn't even bat much of an eye at Gwen's abilities, being more concerned about practical issues such as health. The farm boy in Rook had been absolutely delighted to hear her opinions on the benefits of healthy crops and had even introduced her to his very surprised father. Thanksgiving at their house was never boring. Gwen was not so lucky. Her mother had once asked Gwen to not perform any unnatural magic tricks during a family reunion on her side of the family (Gwen hadn't even brought it up). Her father was more subdued about it, but Gwen suspected that he resented that his daughter never rejected her Anodite heritage. Perhaps he had always taken the revelations of his own parent's secret life harder than Carl. Carl in contrast had gotten shockingly proficient with a Plumber-issue firearm in the frequent alien rampages that inevitably happened around his house. When Verdona came around once for a family get together, he'd asked if he could have her in a group picture, Anodite form and all, for a new family album he was putting together in this new day and age (she gleefully accepted). And as far as her brother Ken was concerned, well … he never stopped being her cool, supportive older brother. But he was never truly involved in their alien/mystical activities. He went on to be very accomplished musician in a rock band, and then go on to explore some newly formed or revealed islands in the ocean as an archeologist. Maybe it was for the best. Being abducted, mutated and brainwashed by the Highbreed before finding out the family secrets had been rather traumatizing. He didn't deserve the risk of being the chew toy of their brand of fate after how badly the first time had gone. They had a terrible track record when it came to tempting fate.

Gwen breathed heavily as she stood on one of Bellwood's increasingly futuristic looking streets. Often, she found that meditating in a solitary room was good for her mood, sometimes even enjoying her very Anodite astral form to explore some other realm, but even that seemed too close to everyone else for now. Heck, the whole stinking planet seemed too crowded for her in this state of mind. Involuntarily, she looked up at the night sky. Space had never looked more inviting. Then it hit her. She'd helped her reformed enemy Hex set up a new little project on Saturn's second largest moon, Rhea. They'd set up a little circle on the moon's barren surface, with rune-inscribed stones and some mana-infused crystals Gwen had acquired in her magical research travels. Kevin had provided a small atmosphere regulator (based on a larger terraforming model) to make sure anyone in it or within 3 miles at least could breathe and not suffer from the temperature. Gwen focused and teleported there in a matter of seconds.

Gwen had been to so many different planets in her life. It really gave one an appreciation for the beautiful variety of life throughout the universe. Personally, she never tired of the tranquil calm of a barren but light surface of a moon or moon-like planet. In a way, it was perfect for a mind like hers to focus her literal energy. She sat down in the ring and thought about what to do next. It occurred to her that meditation was not the answer. Inspiration suddenly struck and she reached into her magic bag. It was one of her most unusual and useful tools. Not only could she store a seemingly endless number of items in there, but she'd learned how to use to bring items from different places there, as long as she knew what and where to bring it from. This time she pulled out some seemingly mundane items: some photo albums and a music playing device.

Grandpa Max had been her ultimate role model in life. He was wise, fatherly, encouraging, heroic and full of heart. Therefore, it was no surprise that she took a page out of his book while she decided to reminisce about him and everything else. Max had a habit of playing sad jazz music (saxophone in particular) at funerals or whenever thinking about loss in general. It was very effective at capturing the mood. After selecting the appropriate playlist, she picked up the first album and began to reminisce.

That summer road trip with her grandpa that he'd persuaded Natalie to let her come on despite already having plans. How annoyed she'd been to find out it was with stupid cousin Ben. Everything flipping upside down because of an alien watch found one night. Then the psychotic warlord with robots and bounty hunters and so on. Her grandpa was actually a retired intergalactic peacekeeper of legend. Monsters and aliens and madmen everywhere. Magic, her favorite story element, was very real. Ben slowly but surely starting to grow up and see that normal life wasn't so bad. A very unusual alien/human wedding that she got to be part of as a family member. Going back home after the road trip was over. But life kept being like that road trip. Adventures continued. Then quieted down for just a little while. But they got back into again when an intergalactic invasion threatened their world. Kevin turning over a new leaf and falling for Gwen (which she returned). More family secrets. Time travel and other dimensions. Multiple universes. Godlike beings and demonic consumers of reality. Growing up more in a world that changed with them. Good times and bad times. Surprising friendships formed and some failed. Succeeding in school both on Earth and in space. Her remarkable family growing wonderfully. Lovable new kids and nieces and nephews and cousins. Then … then … her mom's utterly pointless death … Kevin being sealed away… Grandpa Max retiring ... and now he was ... gone ... what … what now?

During all this, the flood of emotions and memories had a truly bizarre series of effects as she stared at the photos in her hands. She smiled at first, then her expression grew mixed, with her face trembling on the verge of a breakdown as she kept smiling. Tears began to stream down her face slowly but steadily. Then her emotions linked with her powers and connected with the crystals and runes around her. Gwen didn't even notice as her body starting flickering and shifting between energy and flesh. Her hair alternated between short and red and long and glowing pink. Her clothing shifted between a solid and oddly smoky state. The faintest whiff of clouds swirled above her. Saturn's rings seemed to flicker in tandem with her body. And then the effects of her emotional started having non-visible effects.

If Gwen had been in her usual state of emotional control, this wouldn't be so erratic. But she was not in her usual state of mind at all. She was in a state of confusion, bitterness, loss, and outright heartbroken pain. Thus, she didn't really notice any of what was happening around her. And she certainly didn't notice when her flood of emotions began reaching out into the mana field itself. Gwen had managed to do that first less than two years after learning about mana, a fact her grandma was very proud of. She was in control that time. Not right now. And that effect was very far reaching.

Far away on the unique planet of Anodyne, the vibrant song and dance of a free-spirited race continued as it always did. A race that enjoyed life because they were made of its essence. While they were admittedly not as morally grounded on certain issues as biological species, they were for the most part quite benevolent at heart and in a way respected the nature of life better than organics or extra-dimensional beings did. A fair number even enjoyed travelling around the universe to partake in it. One such Anodite was doing a more subdued version of her usual party attitude. She was doing a familiar song as a tribute to the stubborn but good-hearted human being who even now held such a strong hold over her affections. She abruptly stopped when she felt an unusual ripple in the mana all around. Confused, she tentatively reached out and felt for whatever this could be. She recognized what it was very quickly. Verdona knew her granddaughter's signature of mana anywhere. But this did not feel like how her Gwendolyn radiated usually at all. Confusion gave way to concern, then alarm and fear. Her vocal and mental voice said one word in a quiet tone that most people would never associate with her. "Gwendolyn!?" She was scared and horrified with the kaleidoscope of emotions her granddaughter was emitting on such a scale. This quickly got the attention of the Anodites around her, especially her other family. Sunny in particular took notice. Although her relationship with Gwen had soured upon discovering their shared heritage due to their very differing personalities, she had started to slowly mature and stop acting out so much over time. She and Gwen had developed a grudging and even somewhat fond tolerance. Sunny and her parents and other nearby Anodites took notice as well and listened. After tuning in, they were all taken aback.

Feeling each other through the mana field or even just by being close to each other was one of the many examples of how Anodites were close knit. They could practically read each other like a book. A parent would know their child very well and thus had little trouble controlling their offspring in the event of rebellion. Most Anodite emotions ranged on average from joy and playfulness to mischief and curiosity, with irresponsibililty and callousness being the worst (usually). But this … this raw combination of anguish, nostalgia, love, pain, confusion and the memories behind it coming out so unconsciously … this was very new and concerning to them. As Gwen's current tempest reached its climax, Verdona's maternal instincts kicked in full force, and she took off at once for Gwen. But she kept listening as did the rest of her kind who had noticed.

Gwen finally stopped for a moment to breathe and was raising her hand to her head when she noticed that her hand was now in a vivid amethyst state of color. She stared at it first with a hint of alarm then oddly enough, she relaxed. Then she started thinking about the various frustrations and realizations about the ever-present reality of her affinity and inherited connection with magic and life itself. And the memories of it naturally started coming back. Complicated memories.

Los Soledad: A flash of light with Ben, Gwen and Kevin in a long-abandoned army base and the mysterious man tied up in its history. Gwen was thoughtfully considering how to resolve their current dilemma and spoke up, "Why come back here? Why don't we travel back in time and stop the time experiment from ever happening?" The enigmatic man smirked and replied automatically," Isn't it just like an energy being to think outside temporal conventions?" Gwen started angrily," I'm not an energy – "before the scientist continued. Then the memory shifted. Bellwood: Gwen was tussling with her cousin Sunny at a later date. Sunny was trouncing her in a battle of mana. Sunny called out mockingly, "Thinks she's too good to be Anodite. That's what I heard!". Gwen paused briefly at that. Those were perhaps the 2 clearest memories of how she perceived her heritage at first after meeting her grandma and how another Anodite thought she was being arrogant. But truthfully, she'd only felt that way before experiencing it herself. Unbeknownst to her, those memories had an interesting effect on her audience. Anodyne was no stranger to the man known as the Time-Walker. He was one of the few biological (well, sort of) beings who they felt truly understood them and even appreciated them. And Gwen had actually met him. Of course, he of all people would understand Gwen's innate capabilities better than she would herself. Sunny for her part felt a bit embarrassed. She didn't truly see Gwen that way anymore. Would the other Anodites (especially her parents) start judging her for that remark, even though she hadn't been the only one to think so? Luckily for her, her cousin's memories picked up again. Inside a certain machine: Ben was surrounded by sentient versions of his own evolved aliens inside his own genetic bank of a watch. He was about to die. But then purple lightning came down and struck them all back. "Hey! Nobody picks on Ben but me!" Ben and his rogue alien forms all looked up to see Gwen in full Anodite form in the air, smiling at him. "That's the way it works in families, right?" Then just a little bit later Ben was in one of his largest forms (Way Big) and talking to Gwen in the air "…So uh, what's with the glowy body?" Still smiling, Gwen replied," It's my astral projection. Guess I'm more Anodite than I thought." Her statement not only proved that she had changed her mind on her previous opinion, but that she'd let out her inner spark of mana. What truly surprised her audience was not her form, but her voice. All Anodites had an echo to their voice in their true forms, but Gwen's echoed more than usual. This was especially unusually for a newly emerged and untrained one. But had that been the first time? Usually, emergence was a bit more overwhelming to an Anodite who was being born out of an organic lifeform, and Gwen didn't sound that surprised. Well, that was answered seconds later. Highbreed Earth Headquarters: A Highbreed officer was picking up Kevin Levin by the neck after thoroughly pummeling him and cracking the shell of matter he'd covered himself in. While Anodite society could be condescending or dismissive of organic lifeforms, it was never out of true malice. Truthfully it was mostly out of the sheer difference of their very nature regarding how different their existence was. While an energy being (especially one connected to life itself) could sense and perceive things on a truly massive and even intoxicating level, the average species could never grasp that and thus could be fearful or even hateful towards these free-spirited beings. And it was frustratingly hard for an Anodite to relate to something that was so small and bound and unaware in comparison. And yet many Anodites managed to befriend and even love these species and help them, even if they didn't associate with these "plain folks". And for all that they had trouble connecting, they couldn't help but notice the rather vile hypocrisy of species towards inevitably being prejudiced on every conceivable biological difference between differing races. The Highbreed had been one of the worst offenders in this regard to the point that they attempted to wipe out every "inferior" race rather than die out alone. Anyways, Gwen suddenly called out to the genocidal invader, "Leave him alone!" The white-colored behemoth turned towards her as she stared up at him in protective anger. The overconfident bigot cruelly tossed him aside and walked towards her, saying, "Very well. I was nearly done with him anyway." The redhead formed a shield as he approached, but he smashed through it with both arms, knocking her to the ground. The cruel officer snarled at her," That won't keep me from you, vermin! "He then turned towards Kevin and thought of a cruel idea and walked towards him," But perhaps I'll finish your friend first so you can watch him suffer." Gwen feebly raised an arm and tried to summon some mana to stop him, but to no avail. The Highbreed picked Kevin up with one hand and said some very ironic words (possibly his last)," Yes, you're no threat to me now," and readied himself to strike the mutant human with the other. In that split second, something very emotional and protective ignited in Gwen. Mana began flowing from his body and into the air. "I said," a voice that thrummed with previously untapped power and the alien officer turned to the source and watched as the energy coalesced around this "human" mongrel, whose hair preceded to hover in the air and eyes glow," LEAVE HIM ALONE!" This seasoned warrior of a race known for not thinking any race could possibly pose a threat to their genetic and technological superiority actually felt fear course through him. What was this? Was this vile female not just an organic, but something energy related …? Yes, for her skin "peeled'" away very quickly, revealing a face and body of pure energy. He raised an arm in defense. It did him absolutely no good. An explosive force struck him, flinging him out of the tower and far below to the ground. Kevin got up and stared at Gwen, calling out her name fearfully. She now looked a like a slightly smaller version of her grandmother, vivid amethyst/purple skin with writhing, tentacle-like hair that glowed very brightly. While she turned towards him, her mind was quite far away at the moment. It was quite impossible for a non-Anodite or even a natural born Anodite (to a lesser extent) to truly comprehend how it felt to "emerge" for the first time. Gwen had up to this point gone from being entranced with the idea of magic to actually using it, then unconsciously going from the point where it ceased to be pure magic and more often innate ability and being more aware of life around her and feeling somewhat out of place. And now, it was like she'd suddenly been given the gift to feel the entire world's ocean at once. Mana pulsed and danced around her in a timeless rhythm that she couldn't help but enjoy. She felt boundless and unrestrained and … free. The stars themselves seemed to beckon from countless miles away. It was like being lit on fire and being one with the fire. At that moment, she felt like she could do anything. She could begin to appreciate her grandma's eloquent (albeit cryptic at the time) description of what it meant to be Anodite for the first time. While Gwen would always remain remarkably grounded on not going overboard, from that day on it was like a switch flipped on and stayed on. Gwen at that moment summed it up in 3 simple but loaded words. "So much power." If she'd focused on the rest of that memory or the previous one, it would have emphasized the constant risk of losing her humanity and memories by overdoing it. She was not worried about that at the moment, and she had a whole lot more control now. Verdona couldn't help but feel proud of her granddaughter as she continued to speed towards her. She'd unlocked her inner self so well, and in an act of love no less. Gwendolyn meanwhile than shifted emotionally to thoughts on how her Anodite nature was tragically misunderstood and or even feared. Thankfully, most of her inner circle was a combination of cautious and understanding. But the same could not be said for most of the general population, which is probably why she didn't elaborate much on it to the media in general when her powers came up. Then she remembered one of their many recurring enemies whom she had made a very lasting impression on. St Louis: Gwen (30 years old at this point) had just broken up a certain clown's attempt at both terror and robbery and was leading him away restrained with Mana. A nearby bystander called, "Thank goodness she stopped that nightmare circus freak!" As they got out of range of public earshot, the undead clown chuckled darkly. He then turned his scarred one-eyed face toward her, with his partially exposed ribcage glinting in the light. While his physical condition was largely dependent on how much fear he had to live on, some of his particular scarring would never fully heal. "Real ironic that they think I'm the nightmare here, when they both know they've got it all wrong! If only they knew about what you've got hiding beneath that pretty face of yours …" and devolved into a series of creepy chuckles. Gwen turned towards him with a very icy stare and replied," Well, for an undead bottomefeeder who feeds off fear, you seem to have a real knack for provoking things that can terrify you. One would think you would learn from that by now." She emphasized this by casually holding a glowing hand near his face while her eyes lit up with energy. He actually flinched and shuddered as she went back to normal. He didn't say anything else. Verdona enjoyed a good joke or even a bad joke at times very well (which Ben inherited) and had been puzzled by the idea of clowns while on Earth. She'd been confused and then repulsed to learn that not only did many people find them creepy in general but that there was a whole concept of them being murderous and nightmare-fuel and even demonic in Earth horror stories. It was frustrating that something meant to be funny could turn so dark. For that reason, she never liked clowns or circuses (perhaps Ben also got that from her). Undead beings and creatures that thrived and delighted on fear generally never messed with an Anodite because it was often nigh impossible for anything they could do to work on them (unless they were of a much higher order of being, which was rare). Gwendolyn's still unnoticed audience, especially her relatives, couldn't help but wonder, what had she done to him?

They got their answer right away. A Mostly Abandoned Carnival: Zombozo was standing in front of Gwen in a circus tent, looking down at her as she was tied up on the ground in front of him. She was visibly around the same age as when she had first awakened her inner Anodite. The clown on the other hand looked very different. He looked a lot more, well … intact and less dead. He mocked her quietly," Scared?" Gwendolyn of course, was not. She sat up against the pole and replied dryly, "Do your worst." Zombozo obliged with a calm, creepy tone of voice," Not that I need your permission, but that's exactly what I had in mind. See, this isn't just about beating your cousin. It's about making him suffer." With that he made a dramatic ringmaster's gesture towards the tent's ceiling. Spotlights immediately focused on a woman stammering out in fear on a tightrope with a pole in her hands. Gwen looked alarmed. "Aunt Sandra!" The blond-haired lady didn't even look down. "Gwen!? Is that you? I don't know how long I can keep my balance!" At that point Zombozo gave a classic example of just how cruel he was. He held up a large clock and said, "About 2 minutes." Bombs placed on both ends of the rope exploded, causing flames to start running down its length. Looking up heartlessly at his intended victim, he informed her," After that, the rope will burn through." As the flames neared the middle, Ben's mother looked down at her niece in fear and desperation. With that, Gwen finally snapped and proceeded to snap the clown's metal strong restraints off her. Zombozo heard the noise and turned around, looking surprised at what she'd just done. A bit of dread entered his usually confident tone, "How did you …?" Gwen, eyes glowing pink, reached onto her shoulder and removed the remaining bit of streamer off her shoulder, and said," You have no idea who you're dealing with." He briefly tried to rebuff her statement, "We've seen what your cousin can do." All his enemies on Earth and in space had an idea of that by now. What was she trying to prove? He was missing the point entirely. Gwen slowly advanced towards him, using a terrifyingly calm but very angry tone, "I'm not talking about him. I want you to listen to me," and the zombie master of fear started backing up nervously as she got closer, and her body started to have light shining out of it and her voice started to sound like it was charged," and pass the word to every lowlife you know; if you want to come Ben, or Kevin, or me, fine. That's the life we chose." At this point, her human form looked like a very bright pink lamp resembling her normal shape, not quite pure Anodite. But this was already unnerving the sadistic zombie to an unusual degree. He covered his face with his arms and whimpered. But she wasn't going to let him have that luxury. A feminine voice that echoed and thrummed with vast power directed itself at him," I'm talking to you. LOOK AT ME!" He dared to look. The angry face of a young but powerful Anodite was leaning towards him. "LOOK AT ME!" she then leaned back and continued, "As of right now, the Tennyson family is off. Limits!" Zombozo started muttering uncontrollably in fear. While Ben had managed to terrify him before and after this incident with alien forms that were capable of making him feel fear beyond his own capabilities, this was very different. This red-haired girl wasn't just another witch like his ally Charmcaster. She was some magical dimensional entity in disguise. And this utterly unknown factor was shaking him to his core. The energy being continued, "If any of you ever attacks one of our loved ones," at this point her glowing hair split into strands that fanned out around her like sunbeams and she started to grow to a gigantic size, not stopping until she nearly reached the roof of the tent, her voice echoing very deeply the whole time "or hurts one of our loved ones, or even bumps into someone we love in the street, this is what awaits you!" Zombozo let out a slow series of whimpers that grew into a terrified scream, but that wasn't the end of it. Gwen then shrunk down as he cowered against the wall and focused on using mana to get Sandra off the rope and on to the ground. Her aunt stared at her in shock but not utter terror thankfully. Gwen said in a much softer tone than she'd been using up to that point, "Just give me a moment, ok?" Sandra replied timidly, "Sure t-t-thing, sweetie, I'll be over h-here …." She walked over to the entrance of the tent and cast one more fearful glance at Zombozo. In her Anodite state, Gwen could hear the flow of mana around her to a heightened degree. And at that moment, she heard how her aunt was remembering in her mind how that creepy clown had intimidated and terrified her as he set her up to die in a horrible imitation of a circus act, how'd he'd touched her while getting her up there … No. NO. NO. A truly cold murderous inferno of rage went through Gwen. Oh no no no, he did not get to get off that easily. She turned towards him with her glowing eyes narrowed. She quietly put up some soundproof barriers around the tent so Aunt Sandra and Ben and Kevin would not have to hear what happened next. She said her next line in a voice that carried the coldness of the void of space with all the radiant and deadly energy of the stars that littered it. "You know what, I think you're going to need some visual proof on you, just so they get the point." Zombozo looked up from his semi-fetal position with his yellow undead eyes more filled with terror than ever before. 'W-w-what is that supposed to mean?! Why would need to do that at all?!" His voice had gone into a terrified squeak. Gwendolyn replied with a dry, unsympathetic tone of voice, "Oh please, if you can come back from Ben making you blow up into pieces, you can certainly walk off whatever I'm going to do right now, or even try to laugh it off." She then raised her purple hands, which charged with energy, pointing them right at him. He only had a couple of seconds for his eyes to go very, very wide with terror before she both fired the energy blast at him, and her tentacle-like hair suddenly moved towards him with frightening speed at him at the same time. The glow from her attack obscured the sight, but it certainly did not drown out the clown's truly chilling and agonized screech of pain and terror as it hit him.

Gwen had never told Ben and Kevin or any of her family or friends what she did that night, even when they asked why Zombozo seemed so wary and scared of her from that day forward. All she would say on the subject is that she made sure that he got the message. Zombozo certainly spread the word around, and surprised everyone when he made it clear that it was Ben's pint-sized red head of a cousin, the reasonable one, who had scarred him so badly. Tellingly, while fights still happened around Ben's house (but not targeting his family), Gwen's house was avoided like the plague. Truthfully her Anodite form was usually the most extreme response she had to someone hurting those she cared for. She could be quite intimidating at her normal level alone when angry. Many enemies had seen that. The Anodites who'd just witnessed this memory were genuinely shocked and somewhat intimidated. Usually, the cruelest or most vicious thing they could be accused of was draining the life out of another being or using excessive force or treating it all like a game or warping the reality around their opponent in a terrifyingly efficient way. They usually weren't angry while doing it either. Gwen had scarred and traumatized a being with healing and fear abilities and had been enraged. On the other hand, they understood and even appreciated her fierce protectiveness of family. Some energy beings, especially Anodites, really got the concept. Verdona couldn't help but feel proud and grateful at the same time. Gwen was her favorite granddaughter, but Sandra was her favorite human daughter-in-law. They'd bonded a bit during some previous visits, much to Natalie's disapproval. She was glad that Gwen had saved her from that monster. She herself might have done much worse in her position. But she was worried how Gwen was handling herself and her power with all this. Thankfully, she'd finally reached the moon where she was. She quickly zeroed in on her.

Before she got particularly close, she pulled to a stop as she got a look at her for the first time. It was the most bizarre and unhappy sight she had ever seen in her long life. Gwen was still in the circle of stones, and she was now a couple of inches off the ground. Her hair was no longer short or even physical but reaching out above her, alternating between glowing pink or blood red. Her outfit looked transluscent and smoky in 3 differing shades of blue. Mana was streaming from the nearby runes and crystals and flowing through and out of her. Her skin was now fully in Anodite color but shifting in brightness. Gwen didn't seem to notice this as one hand still clutched a handful of photographs, while she gazed to towards her other hand in a daze. But it was her face that was the worst. It had the general appearance of a full Anodite, but ... seemed to just flicker occasionally with a few human features in a weird haze of light. Her eyes alternated between glowing pink and green. She wore a truly miserable expression while, perhaps oddest of all, a steady stream of tears was somehow pouring out of her eyes. Verdona knew that Anodites could not physically cry in their natural form, and yet … there she was clear as day quietly weeping as she listened to some sad jazz music. Max's kind of music. "Oh Gwendolyn," her grandma said very sadly. Very tenderly she was reaching out to feel Gwen's emotions without drawing attention to herself. If this was an unprecedented situation, perhaps it was because Gwen was dealing with an unprecedented load for both an Anodite and Human to bear. She'd had it very hard for a long, and her strong will was reaching its limit for handling it.

Gwen then paused to think on her train of thought. It was weird, going from her recent series of losses to struggles of identity, as if they were connected. No, wait, it was all very connected. Gwen enjoyed adventure but enjoyed normal. She'd helped Ben see that. Of course, right after she'd gotten that point across, there'd been a realization that their life of aliens and magic and adventure was their normal. And that had never really changed, no matter how much she tried to live otherwise. Even Kevin and Ben got tired of how frustrating the life of a superhero was and how much of a deterrent it was to enjoying any sense of normalcy. But they always had each other. Grandpa Max had been there for all of them and so many others. They'd done so much good. Their ever-expanding group of friends, allies and even former enemies had proved just how gratifying it was to do what they did. But the Earth and the rest of the universe just didn't seem to get that. How other people viewed Gwen's abilities alone was a truly sad commentary on life. Some just dismissed it or thought it unnatural or too dangerous. Her own mother had frequently badgered her on how it wasn't going to help her social life. And her enemies … well she was a lesser foe, then she was clearly holding back. She was a potential source of power to be stolen or even food to be eaten. Dagon saw her as his most dangerous tool, no slave, to be used to conquer the universe (ironically seeing her as more dangerous to Ben than freaking Vilgax). As for bigger pictures, well … despite all their attempts at peace, horrible things just kept on happening for the dumbest of reasons. Animals, people and entire races and planets were exploited, enslaved, experimented on, transformed or outright destroyed on a frighteningly high level. And for what? Some of these monsters just wanted to assert their dominance over everything, others just looked down on everyone else, some were simply insane and depraved, some did it for greedy reasons, and some just did what they did because it was what they lived for and enjoyed. Over and over and over again. But they'd kept on fighting. But now, Max and Kevin were out of her life. Her ultimate role model and father figure and the boy she'd help set straight and who had been with her all this time. Did she really want to go on like this anymore? Her emotions really began to boil at this point with bitter anger. Why did life have to be so unfair? Why were so many people so bad at listening? Why in the name of all that was good and beautiful in all of reality did reality itself have to be so. Damn. COMPLICATED!?

This was perhaps the best example of how Gwen exemplified the best parts of her own Humanity and her Anodite nature. She was humble and selfless and very social to the best of Human standards, but also enjoyed and appreciated life to the degree of any of the best Anodites. Could anyone who had any inkling of how precious such a view on life is look at her and not admire her for that?

Gwen eyes cried even harder, and she clenched her free hand into a fist. Then her powers started to really to get even more reality warping level than she usually cared to do even in the serious situations. Parts of Saturn's rings started swirling out of orbit and streamed towards Rhea like an ocean current. Saturn itself looked like it was changing color. Then cracks started forming in the surface below and Gwen and spreading, with Rhea actually beginning to tremble. Verdona realized Gwen's powers were reaching out in a truly destructive manner. Her granddaughter needed someone to help her calm down. Someone to help her let it out constructively just like how she usually did. She needed her. Verdona raced towards Gwen and grasped her firmly on the shoulders. Gwen panicked and flared out blindly in alarm. Verdona got her attention vocally, "Kiddo! Gwendolyn! It's alright deary … "the redhead looked at the voice in front of her in confusion and saw the smiling, tender-looking face of her unearthly grandma looking at her," it's just me. Granny's here." With that, Gwen finally started to come back together and Verdona subtly helped, in particular making sure that the mana field was no longer broadcasting every bit of Gwen's emotions. The girl deserved some privacy, especially after all that. In a moment Gwen was back to her human self, and back on the ground, with Saturn back to normal and Rhea (mostly) intact. Verdon very subtly turned off the music, so that Gwen wouldn't have any additional distractions.

"Oh, hey Grandma," she said awkwardly. "Fancy meeting you here. Just hanging around the System after Grandpa's death?" Verdona shook her head sadly and said quietly," No dear, I could feel all that pain you were going through just now from across the galaxy." Gwen looked at her with one eyebrow raised," Keeping you mind fixed on me that much, huh?" Verdona sighed, "Gwendolyn, that flood of emotions and memories echoed very loudly through the mana field itself. I wouldn't be surprised if all of Anodyne picked up on it." Gwen's eyes widened with realization, then she looked down in utter embarrassment." Well, that's just great … here I am trying to process my thoughts in private and I just broadcast them all the way across the freaking galaxy." Verdona then finally let go of Gwen's shoulders and hovered into a seating position next to her. "No worries, dear. No one else is listening now, just you and me." She then settled on to the moon's surface. Anodites rarely ever stayed on the ground for long, preferring to hover. But Verdona thought this situation called for it. "Besides, I think you could really use someone to talk to right now." Gwen smiled appreciatively at that. For all that she differed with her grandmother, she really did love her. In her own way, she cared for Gwen in a very maternal role that was unorthodox by Earthly standards. Just like … Grandpa Max. With that thought, she became melancholy again. Verdona noticed and frowned. "You're taking all of this rather hard, aren't you? And not just with his passing …"

Gwen sighed. There was no point in bottling it up, especially if Verdona had already heard all of that in the mana field. Besides, she could trust her. "Yeah, it's just … not the same anymore. I thought we could keep doing this for ages to come. But now that he's gone … and not just him …" Verdona picked up on that and decided to try the soothing approach. "But isn't Kevin still alive? Not dead? You still have him …" Gwen chuckled bitterly. "Yeah well, it will be half a lifetime or more before that happens! I love him dearly, but he has never been the most mature with dealing with women or messed-up situations regarding time or powers. I honestly don't want to imagine the worst that could happen. I've had enough heartbreak seeing how his powers continually wreck his life as it is …" she trailed off miserably. Verdona replied consolingly," Well, I think you undersell him. From what I could gather, he really has always liked you from the heart. You really brought out the best in him. I think he always will care for you. I liked that about the two of you. Very adorable." Gwen gave a sad but appreciative smile at that." True. But it's still a long time for me to wait though. I do appreciate it that you see it that way. Unlike …" Verdona didn't even have to guess who she was talking about. "You're upset about how it ended with your mother, aren't you?"

Gwen looked at the ground and commented bitterly," Why wouldn't she let me heal her? It could have been so easy. She didn't even accept Grandpa's idea for Plumber tech medical technology. Did she really have to be so averse to something out of the ordinary that she threw away a chance for more years with me?" Verdona groaned at remembering Natalie and her attitude regarding anything alien. "No offense to Natalie's memory, but I always thought she was a square. Old-fashioned and stupid toward anything new. It's ridiculous! The funny thing about Humans and biological species in general is that some of them always think that their model of tradition and life is always the oldest and most logical thing to follow, when they're often only a few mere generations old at most. Life is always changing, flowing like a river! I like to flow with that river! And I also remain in better touch with what is truly ancient at the same time." She then added meekly, "To be fair, maybe I gave her the wrong impression of life outside her little bubble. So don't blame yourself." Gwen unfortunately was not comforted by that. "Well, I spent her far more time with her than you ever did. I may have willingly gotten involved in adventure and magic out of a fairy tale, but I always strived to be her responsible, mature, obedient, and loving daughter. And I was very good at that. Always. If I couldn't convince her of how my powers were not something to be shunned, that she couldn't see my gifts for what they were after all the good I did with them … maybe there was no convincing her." Verdona picked up on how utterly bitter Gwen sounded at that. While she knew that Frank and Natalie had been the least accepting about the truth of her and Max's life (especially her alien nature), she didn't think that they would be so callous about it to Gwen. She saw so much of what she loved about Max in Gwen, so she thought that surely, they could at least reciprocate on some level. Who could look at Gwen in all sincerity and think otherwise? She decided some encouraging discussion was in order.

"It's quite remarkable how you keep growing so remarkably every time we meet. I have never heard of someone who was born with the spark but who had yet to fully emerge from their original form mastering so much in so little time without proper guidance. You are a true prodigy." Gwen couldn't help but feel proud at this praise. "To be honest, I feel I've reached a truly powerful level with both my magic and raw mana manipulation. I feel like I could take you on in a fight. No offense!" She added quickly, worried her grandma might think she was being arrogant. She needn't have worried. Verdona did the Anodite equivalent of raising an eyebrow and chuckled, "None taken, kiddo! I for one would enjoy a good tussle with you! And I could still probably teach you a lot of stuff! Heck, maybe you could teach me some new things! With all the stuff you've picked up about how mana can be used across the universe, I bet all of Anodyne would want to hear from you." Gwen turned towards her and gazed at her with a knowing look. "Is this another attempt to get me to leave with you again?" She didn't sound annoyed, just ... testing.

Her grandma sighed and turned towards her precious descendant with a rather melancholy expression. "I don't think I could ever stop asking, kiddo. I've wanted nothing more since I first met you. Not just because you had the spark, but because you're so much like Max. He was in many ways as close to a free spirit like me as you could get, not to mention his remarkable value of life. You don't encounter that sort of man just anywhere. For all his talk of duty and self-dependence, I don't think he could ever let himself be tied down. It led to some difficulties, but I never stopped loving him, even after I left. And then you came along. Someone like Max, but also like me. I told you Gwen, I REALLY want to fill that void not having him in my life left. And I would never have to lose you, not like him. Every time I've met you since, watching you grow in so many ways, every story I've ever heard about you, and what I've just learned about you … I keep loving you more and more. You're a priceless treasure to me, Gwendolyn!" Verdona's voice actually tremored on the last sentence. Gwen heartstrings painfully tugged at the sheer emotion she was hearing. True, she remembered what her grandma told her right before leaving the first time. But now, she understood where Verdona was coming from a lot more. "But I was willing to wait for you! However long you took to make that decision. I was willing to let you try and live your life by "saving the world and kissing boys" and all that. What's important now is what you want to do? You are a free spirit like me after all. Or do you not see yourself that way?"

Gwen's expression, much softer now, turned thoughtful." I really don't mind being part Anodite anymore. It is always very exhilarating whenever I enter that form. Life does make more sense in such a state, like you said. I was never even fully against going with you eventually. But I thought that would be taking the easy way out. I didn't want to let anyone down or back away from a challenge. I guess I'm really a lot like him that way."

Verdona again looked surprised, then gave Gwen a serious look and put a hand firmly on her shoulder." Being an Anodite doesn't necessarily mean it's easy, Gwendolyn. Learning to master your powers alone is a lot of work. If I made you feel that way because I emphasized how life is much more fun this way, I was clearly leaving out a fair bit. For example, its all very hard being involved with life around you. We feel it and enjoy it like few others, but we can also feel the unique parts of it, like the personalities and uniqueness of the more intelligent lifeforms around us, and if we stick around too long, watch those traits just vanish when they die. Most lifeforms just don't understand what's it like to not be as connected as we are, and how they feel so … small compared to us. And besides, Gwendolyn, I've always known on some level that you would want to come eventually. The spark is called the spark that because it is in many ways like a fire. When a child or descendant of an Anodite has that Spark, it will eventually ignite inside and grow until it becomes like a cosmic bonfire. Sooner or later, that fire is going to want to expand beyond what a solid form can offer." Gwen couldn't deny the logic of such an argument. She'd even felt a certain longing and an appeal to what her grandmother had offered her this for the first time. Verdona continued in a quiet, motherly tone," Plus, to be quite honest, I think the strain of trying to do what you do is clearly getting to you. No mere Human can keep up handling all of that with such skill forever, let alone a single lifespan. You've been dealing with a very unnatural load most of your life. Forget me suggesting that Humanity is boring you, you look and feel very exhausted. You are very tired indeed, aren't you?"

Again, Gwen was moved by the sincerity and logic of her grandma's arguments. She was a lot more understanding than her generally playful nature would lead one to believe. She let out a heavy, world-weary sigh. "I guess I can't really deny that." There was silence for a moment, and Gwen turned towards Verdona and saw that she was looking at her with a patient look. She was waiting for Gwen to continue. Gwen tried to think of what else she wanted to say, and her eyes fell on the photographs still clutched in her hand. Two in particular caught her eye. So, she carefully put the rest down and gazed at them. It hit her why. It was one from that first fateful road trip and the one that had happened after Ben and Rook stopped the Time War. Her expression turned very melancholy at what those two pictures reminded her of. Verdona noticed and peered to look. "What's the matter? Is there something significant about those pictures that's upsetting you? They look quite simple to me." Gwen chuckled," Well, that's just it! They represent how one thing so utterly simple in concept changed my life forever and has been on of the highlights of my very existence. When I was just 10, instead of going along with my original plans for summer vacation, Grandpa persuaded Mom to join me and Ben on a cross-country road trip. I've always loved Grandpa, but me and Ben at the time couldn't stand each other. I didn't think anything remarkable would come of it." She smiled widely at how utterly hilariously wrong that was in hindsight." And then at our very first stop, Ben gets the Omnitrix that just fell out of the sky. It was all nonstop adventures with aliens and monsters and insane villains after that. Then I learn that my Grandpa is actually a retired intergalactic cop and that magic is real and I can use it! Nothing was ever the same after that." Verdona peered down at the photo Gwen was looking at. Max was standing there looking cheerful and proud. Ben indeed had the Omnitrix on his wrist at this point and was holding his fingers up in what Humans called a "peace sign" and wearing an absolutely idiotic grin on his face. Gwen was looking at him with a look that screamed pure exasperation but with the barest hint of amusement. They both looked so … young. She'd missed seeing them like that, and that hurt. Gwen didn't notice and turned toward the other one. It showed an older version of herself, Ben, Kevin, and that remarkable friend of theirs named Rook Blonko posing together happily in a spaceship. "And then one day out of the blue calls me and says that he and Rook just ended the freaking Time War at the dawn of time itself and watched a cosmic race create the entire universe itself! So, he decides that he 4 of us should go on a roadtrip to tour this wonderful universe! And why? Because after all of that, they felt that our ordinary routines just felt too … mundane." Verdona stared incredulously at that. Not many biological species seemed to recognize just how vast and wonderful the universe was in comparison to their everyday lives. Some Anodites thought they weren't truly capable of it. But Verdona's family was always full of surprises. "And he was right! It was a delightful experience. For so long, I've tried to be normal. But that sort of reality is our normal. Sure, it was irritating at times, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I miss those days! How can I experience that again, now that everyone's gone or moved on to the point where that's harder to do?" She sighed heavily, tears gathering at the corners of her eyes.

Verdona thought about that for a moment. Hard. What did Gwen need to move on from this torrent of painful emotions that she was dealing with? If it all started with a road trip, and even larger road trip was also a fond part, then …? An idea bloomed right then and there. A very wonderful, delightful, utterly heartwarming idea came to mind. Of course, that was perfect. Verdona's face brightened considerably (which was saying something) and she rubbed her hands together with almost childish delight and giggled in a very girly fashion. Gwendolyn looked at her grandma with confusion and a bit of concern."Uh, grandma, are you alright?" Verdona continued chuckling and rose into the air and positioned herself in front of her granddaughter with an ecstatic expression. "Oh Kiddo, I think I know just what you need! A truly original idea, if I do say so myself!" Gwen hesitated, but she had to ask." Ok, what is it?" Verdona put her palms together and mentally prepared herself to do this as sensitively as possible. "I'm going to repeat my offer of you finally leaving with me. But," she held up a finger to forestall any protests," not the way you're thinking. Instead of coming to Anodyne, I'm going to offer you what I offered your dear grandpa. Come into space," she took her favorite grandchild's hand in one of her own and gestured to the ocean of stars behind her," with me." The redheaded sorceress just stared for a moment. "Huh?" Verdona shook her head in exasperation. Kids. "Oh, for goodness' sake, I'm saying let's go on our own road trip. You and me! Anywhere you've been that you want to see again! I can take places you've never been or imagined! We can tour the best sights, meet all kinds of people, and you'll be able to feel it all and even taste it like never before! You could even help save the universe along the way, because Anodites, as I've told you, help scads of people all the time! Let's make up for all the lost time! As far as Earth goes, you can come back anytime! But first, let's help take your mind off all your hard times and get some needed R&R! As they say on Earth, school's out, it's time for the Holidays!" Verdona finished with a truly radiant expression.

Gwen was quite stunned by the eloquence and sincerity of her grandma's speech. She couldn't deny that it was very inviting. Truthfully, in her heart of hearts and all throughout her very being, she did want to agree right then and there. Out of all her immediate family, she'd spent the least time with her grandma. Her wacky and loopy but full of life grandma who shared the most connection with what she was, if not who she was (although maybe more than she'd thought at first). And here was the chance to do so, and Verdona was offering in a way that she was familiar with! But … some of the old hesitations and fears about her energy form crept in. Verdona noticed her shift in emotions and softly prompted," Do you not like my idea?" Gwen shook her head and replied," It's not that. It's a truly wonderful idea. It would be nice, it's just that … I still find myself quite hesitant to leave this body of mine behind. To risk utterly losing my identity, all those memories of my humanity, however mixed. I still don't think I'm at the point where I can truly pull that off."

Verdona looked her for just a couple seconds in contemplation, then relaxed. "If that's what your worried about, let me put you at ease! Don't worry about your body! With the right amount of practice, you can make a new body, any kind you like at all! I told you that when we first met, remember? Even dear Benjamin wouldn't have anything on how well you could blend in with everyone around you! And as for your memories, I think I have the obvious answer to your problem. You're worried about breaking free yourself and losing control over your identity because you still don't know for sure if you how to not be overwhelmed by it. Well, the solution is obvious: Let me do it for you." Gwen raised an eyebrow and looked at her rather warily. "You mean like you tried to do the first time?" Verdona groaned in exasperation at this point." Yes, but it was never going to erase who you were! My method is controlled and precise. I know exactly how to handle such a thing. It's a perfectly stable way to do it, trust me! This way, you won't lose yourself. Besides, do you really think that after all this time, I'd want to extinguish that wonderful personality of yours? One of the most insightful things Max ever said that I could relate to was this: "It's what's on the inside that counts." It was becoming more and more clear to Gwen how Max had managed to connect with a being on such a different level of existence than him. He was a truly boundary transcending individual like no other she'd ever met. Her resistance was melting bit by bit. Verdona was very subtly feeling her grandchild's feelings on the matter, and decided another little push was in order. "C'mon, dearie, I told him that he didn't have to settle for the Moon when I could give him the stars. Which he didn't settle for at all in the end. Let's not have a repeat, shall we?" Her expression turned downright mischievous at that last line. Gwen looked apprehensive, and Verdona casually pointed at the ground below them. The ground of one of Saturn's moons. Gwen did a facepalm and groaned loudly. " Why does the universe like to treat my life like it's some cosmic jokebook?" Verdona chuckled deeply. "Who can say? Perhaps the universe needs a laugh every now and again. But perhaps it also likes a happy story as well." She then landed on the ground and crouched until her face was a foot or two away from Gwen's. " What do you say, kiddo? Ready to let that spark in you blaze and never burn out? It won't hurt, I promise. Grandma's honor." Gwen did not question the sincerity of her grandma one bit. The soft, maternal tone in her voice was truly sincere and it and Gwen could feel it. She'd always had a knack for detecting lies and she'd only grown in that capacity over time. This was the part of her family she'd always had a measureless connection to in her very soul, but the part she knew the least. Why not get to know it, like her grandpa had tried to but never fully succeeded? He'd probably like that. It would be a wonderful new adventure. And darn it all, she did feel like a fiery mass of energy wanting to explode right now. But was that really a bad thing? No, no it wasn't.

Gwen took a deep breath, slowly removed anything extra she was carrying, like her Charms and Plumber's badge and spell books and bag. She turned towards her magical entity of a grandmother and smiled. "Alright, you win." Verdona smiled back. "No, Gwendolyn. We both win. Now just relax." Her hair extended into multiple parts and slowly, tenderly wrapped around her granddaughter. Gwen forced herself to relax. This wasn't like the last time at all. It didn't take long at all and was much easier than it would have been the first time around. Gwendolyn hadn't fully tapped into her energy form at the time. She'd done so multiple times since then and improved so much in knowledge and skill of mana. Once again, her eyes glowed, then her entire form followed in a light that lit up the area around her for quite a distance. On Earth, the Plumber's base picked up a sudden, massive burst of energy in the system by Saturn. Concerned, they dispatched some officers out to check, but they were of course far too late to find anything. Hex felt a shift in the mana from his office at the college where he was still teaching, and looked out the window in concern. Ben felt a minor surge of something powerful but familiar course through his soul while he sat at his headquarters where he was doing some reminiscing of his own. He noticed very quickly that it felt like the all too familiar psionic touch of his favorite cousin. He knew how her magical presence felt all too well by now. Concern filled his being. However, none of them would know the truth that night.

Verdona retracted her tendrils and looked at her granddaughter's energy form for the first time. While Anodites generally all looked alike, they all sounded and felt different, especially to each other. Like life itself in a way. Gwen slowly raised her hands, her hair flowing magnificently behind her, and rose to a standing position and hovered. Once again, it felt like being one with the ocean. Only, this was not the Earth's Ocean, but the endless ocean of space itself. The stars were practically begging her somehow to come out and dance among them with her wonderful presence. "Well? How do you feel?" Gwen turned towards Verdona's voice. Her grandma was gazing at her in utter fascination. She could feel pride, adoration, and tense anticipation coming off her in waves. Gwen thought for a moment, then answered," Like a river that's just burst through a dam and entered the ocean. But I don't think I'm losing myself in it." Verdona expression shifted to gleeful. "See? Told you so! You're still the same Gwendolyn I've always adored … just like Max did." Her affection continued to stir unexpected gratitude up in spades. Her grandmother then continued," You know, it is really quite remarkable hearing your voice like this in person. So unexpected." That confused Gwen. Say what? "What about my voice?" Verdona gladly elaborated," While all Anodites have a level of power in their voice, yours is unusually strong. Anodites who sound like that are usually very strong in will and in power. As usual, you are just full of surprises." Gwen pondered that for a moment. It was ironic in a way. Her life of adventure had started off with her feeling a lot less special than Ben at the time. But it turned out all along she was very special in her own way all along. She then turned towards the meager belongings she'd brought with her. Verdona quickly realized she was wondering what to do with it. "Oh no worries kiddo! Let me help you out there." With a simple gesture, all of Gwen's stuff was gathered into a group in the air (with the photos neatly returned to the album) and vanished in a flash of light. "I've stored all of that in a little dimension. We can take out whenever we want. Maybe you can show me more memories later. Anyways," she held out a hand to her favorite grandchild, the one she'd been waiting for with so much love," shall we 'hit the road'?" Gwendolyn Tennyson gazed at her grandma. A grandma like no other on Earth. Who was smiling at her expectantly. Offering to take her on yet another lifechanging vacation. She snorted. This was her life. Utterly bizarre and out of the world. But she probably wouldn't have it any other way after all this time. "Sure thing." She took her hand. The two free spirits rose and then sped into the vast and life-filled reality of space.

*This story is far from over. The next chapter is a downright hilarious original idea I had when cooking this up.

Don't worry. Gwen is not abandoning her roots altogether. There will be reconnections. Just give it time.

Oh, one more thing. As much as I was able to appreciate Omniverse, the designs were rather sloppy and far from the standards of the previous 3 series. So for all intents and purposes, picture the story as being either in the visual style of the first 3, with some traits of Omniverse at best.