Gwen growled in anger trying to remove her wrist away from the older man still holding it in his arm. "Gwen, please" He begged as he tried to put the device on her wrist as she fidgeted in refusal. "I don't want it on" She winced her eyes trying to put up a hopeless fight. "Gwen, it's for your own good" Max promised her but she wouldn't budge. Max swore she was just as stubborn as Lilly when it came to matters. "I swear Gwen, as soon as that bounty hunters in jail then I will take it off and you will never have to even look at it ever again" Max promised the struggling girl. She huffed and glared down at her wrist letting him win the battle. "Thank you" Max cuffed it round her wrist as she breathed out unhappy about the ordeal.
"So, Ben's house is a few meters away" Max informed the pale inhuman girl. "And, I haven't asked my son to let you stay over yet but I will when we get there" Max told her as she nodded.
"Do you have any questions?" Max asked staring into her vibrant eyes.
She looked directly at him with curiosity.
"What's a dog?" Gwen asked with concern. Max stared at her wondering where she had heard that term from. "It's a four legged animal with fur and barks" Max didn't really know how to explain it to her. "Like a vulpermancer?" Gwen asked her eyebrows arching. "No," Max placed both hands on her shoulder. "More smaller and less vicious" Max told her forcing a small smirk. "Ben said he had a dog" Gwen informed him as Max stood up. "And I'm sure you and Ben's dog are going to get along" Max smiled at her walking over to the door and opening it. "Common, kiddo. I'll introduce them to do them to you" Max took her hand and led her out the door to a one-story medium size family house with luscious green grass. Gwen smiled thinking of the energy she could draw off it as Max led her over to the door where Ben was standing. Max quickly grabbed her by the shoulders quickly remembering. He bent down as she stared at him weirdly. "One last thing, kiddo, don't say anything about 'your homeworld' or try and use your powers around them, okay?" Max asked as she nodded not quiet understanding. Max stared at her worried. "Maybe just try not to say anything at all" Max suggested as she smiled before the old man let her go and retook her hand once again. He turned back and smiled at the girl as she stood behind the two as Max knocked at the door.
Ben watched as his mother answered with a smiling presence. "Ben!" She instantly brought him in for a loving hug. "Mum!" Ben complained as he blushed in front of the redhead. Saundra kissed her son on the cheek before looking over to Max. "How was the trip. You're back a little early?" Saundra asked his father in law as she stood out the way gesturing for the two to come in. "Yeah, we had a little situation occur and had to come back early" Max walked into the living room followed by Ben.
"Why? What happened?" Saundra asked looking terrified. Max looked over to Gwen still standing outside as he gestured for Gwen to come into the living room and sit down on the green sofa. "Who's this?" Saundra asked staring at the confused redhead sitting on the edge of the settee. "Mum, this is Gwen" Ben began sitting down next to the redhead. "She needs a place to stay for a while, Saundra" Max added placing a comfortable hand on the Antodytes shoulder as he stood behind her. "Where are her parents?" Saundra asked inspecting the girl sitting down in her home. "They died" Gwen whispered. The blonde woman's eyes widened as she placed a hand to her heart. "I'm so sorry" Saundra whispered in sympathy. "It's okay" Gwen replied trying not to make the woman feel guilty. She sat down on the green lounge chair next to to the trio as she stared up at Max. "Please, Saundra. It'll only be for a couple of days at most" Max whispered his hand tensing a little on Gwen's shoulder. Saundra bit her lip thinking of what her husband may think allowing a total stranger into the house. She sighed and nodded.
"Okay, but only for a couple days" Saundra stood up. Max and Ben smiled as the girl looked up her in silence. Max looked over to Ben and moved his head signalling him to come outside to talk to him in private. Ben moved off the couch following him as Gwen stared in horror as they left her side.
"Listen" Max began bringing his index and middle finger to his lip and wiping the bottom one. "I'm going to make a few phone calls and visit the plumbers see if I can arrange a proper lift home for the Antodyte" Max whispered to his grandson. "I'll be gone a few days, so, in the meantime try to make sure she stays out of trouble" Max told Ben. Ben looked over to his mum trying to be friendly with Gwen as she sat there quietly. "Sure, grandpa" Ben whispered watching the girl.
Dinner was quiet as the American family ate in silence... well most. Gwen stared down at the strange small balls on her plate. Carl stared at her as she tried to use the steel instruments in front of her. Saundra began to look up as she picked up the spoon and tried to shovel the vegetables with a spoon. It caught Ben's attention as he noticed his parents staring at her. He nudged Gwen with his elbow and pointed to a fork. Gwen placed the spoon down and picked the fork up stabbing at the peas. Ben smacked his forehead and winced his eyes as the fork smashed through the plate smashing it in two. Instantly, Carl and Saundra's jaws hung as they stared down at their broken china.
"Sssor-" Gwen bit back her words remembering what Max said. She stared down clasping her hands under the table. Ben gulped wishing Gwen would say something. "I'll...um...clear up" Ben grabbed his plate and put Gwen pieces on top before walking out the room. Gwen took a glimpse at the couple not knowing what to do. She couldn't say anything or do anything. She could've easily fixed that plate with the click of her fingers but alas; it wasn't going to happen. Ben came back into the room and took Gwen's hand.
"May Gwen and I be excused?" Ben asked. Carl nodded before helping Gwen up and leading her towards his room.
The redhead wondered around the room opening the closet door and searching around as Ben relaxed on his bed turning on the television watching the Will Harangue news. He sighed as he tried to concentrate only to here Gwen rumbling in the background going through his stuff. "Gwen?" Ben called over to her noticing her throw her clothing out in disgust. "Yeah" She turned back to him. "Mind keeping it down?" He asked her. She looked back at the rest of the hidden treasures in the closet. She shrugged. "No promises but sure" She responded as Ben groaned turning the t-v up a little louder as she returned to her sleuthing. "What's this?" She asked holding the protagonist sumo slammer in her fingertips. "It's an action figure" Ben informed her as she stared at it. "It looks like a doll" Gwen said plainly as she stood up.
"Action figure anyway, how would you know?" Ben rested his head on his arm.
"I had a doll when I was younger" Gwen walked over to him.
"Was it yours?" Ben asked as she sat down next to him. "Sorta" Gwen stared down at it. "I had to share it with my cousin quite a lot" Gwen informed him of her past.
"Really?" Ben smiled imagining a couple of small little Antodytes trying to kill each other over a toy. "Did you see your cousin much?" Ben asked as he relaxed his upper body onto the wall. Gwen stared down at the doll thinking intently. "No, maybe once every fourteen cycles of the sun" Gwen pushed herself backwards sitting down next to Ben.
"We don't really get along and my grandma thinks she's a bad influence on me" Gwen informed him as Ben looked down at her. "Actually, now that I think about it grandma never really let me go out with many people" She continued as Ben thought about wrapping an arm around her. "It was always about training me to use my powers" Gwen leaned on Ben's chest as Ben hesitated.
His hand came up and softly rested on her side cuddling the girl.
"I wonder what my Grandma's doing right now?" Gwen whispered as her eyes closed shut.
A mature Antodyte paced back and forth in the pink sky watching the white streaks move like waves across the open plain. She was beginning to get worried wondering where her young granddaughter was. It was almost beginning to turn noon now and she was nowhere in sight. She sighed crossing her arms and huffing thinking about the the young girl running off again and exploring. Verdona breathed out. Her granddaughter was a smart-clever girl but sometimes trouble would find her; just like the last few times.
The Antodyte looked forth towards the open plane where she spotted an Antodyte floating with her arms crossed as she looked up to the three moons above.
Verdona flew over to the Antodyte and nudged her.
"Where's Gwen?" She asked in her posh muti-dimensional voice. Sunny looked over to her grandmother and shrugged. "How should I know?" She retorted unhappily. Verdona narrowed her white eyes at her and crossed her arms. "She's late for practice again" Verdona informed the not-bothered Antodyte. "not my problem" Sunny placed her hands behind her head and relaxed closing her eyes. "Sunny, if I find out that you've done something to Gwen I'm going to be so mad" Verdona told the girl but she just shrugged it off.
"Why don't you ask her?" Sunny suggested. "I mean your most connected to her" Sunny said angrily. Verdona just rolled her eyes not interested in going through the 'granddaughter favourite' thing again. Verdona closed her eyes trying to locate her granddaughter. Her eyes opened when she couldn't find a signal. "Sunny, try locate Gwen" Verdona's voice was shaky.
It made Sunny open her eyes as the panic striken Antodyte tried again and again to locate the missing Antodyte.
Sunny rolled her eyes and brought her hand up to her temples trying less than Verdona but even she couldn't find her.
"That's strange" Sunny whispered thinking about her lost cousin.
"Maybe she's offworld" Sunny suggested as Verdona crossed her arms. "No, I've stricktly told Gwen not to leave this planet" Verdona told the young Antodyte in an authoritarian manner. "Well obviously you don't know your own granddaughter" Sunny flashed a sly smirk before clicking her fingers about to vanish if not for Verdona grabbing her.
"Sunny. You will help me find Gwen no matter what" Verdona glared at her granddaughter. "Or what?" She asked trying to push her back. "Or I'll make sure you and that ruffian Antoneo never see each other again" Verdona threatened as Sunny gulped. "What are we waiting for; lets go find Gwen" Sunny placed her hands together with a forced smile apparent on her face.
The redheaded girl looked up at Ben from her smoothy she had not even attempted to drink yet.
"Common, Gwen, you haven't even tried it yet" Ben tried to lift it up to her lips but she didn't take it.
"I'm fine" Gwen whispered looking down at the traffic that passed by as they sat outside the shop. Ben stared down at her in worry. "You haven't eaten for two days. Are you okay?" Ben asked with concern. She forced a smile over to him. "I'm fine, I just haven't been hungry" As if on que, her stomach grumbled. "Really?" Ben asked staring at her with an arched eyebrow. "At least take one sip" He asked persistently. She sighed picking the drink up and placing the straw into her mouth taking a sip. She cringed and removed it away from her.
"What you don't like it?" Ben asked worriedly. Her stomach began to make weird sounds as she clutched onto her stomach and winced her eyes in pain. Ben eyes widened. He should've looked up what Antodytes can and can't eat. "Do you need to go to the bathroom?" Ben asked as she nodded. He took her hand and quickly led her inside the building and through to a hallway where two door held boy and girl symbols. He pushed against the ladies one and let her run through. She groaned as Ben held his ear against the door hearing someone throwing up.
He should've led her into the males one at least then he could've kept an eye on her.
"Gwen?" He knocked on the bathroom door.
He still continued to hear someone throw up.
Ben gulped thinking he better wait outside for her.
Shuffling his feet, he paced back and forth waiting for the redhaired beauty to return. Ben didn't know why but something about her was different. Something about her was special. He closed his eyes unable to get her out of his head. "Ben Tenyssssonnnn" Ben turned to see the green snake-man coming up to him. "Oh, no not you" Ben sighed looking down at his ultimatrix.
"I have come for my revennnnge" He hissed as Ben changed in Swampfire"
"SWAMPFIRE" Ben screamed as his hands lit with flames. He raced towards the snake throwing flames and attacking him as the snake-man dodged every shot. Swampfire launched at him barely hitting him. "Stay still" Swampfire growled at him as the snake-man laughed using his fanged hands to strangle Sampfire.
Gwen groaned and coughed into her hand weakly as she dragged herself out of the bathroom and into the restaurant. The redhead looked out towards the scene of a snake like man attacking Ben. Gwen's eyes widened as she looked down to her wrist. She couldn't use her full potential but she had enough power to at least knock him out.
Gwen raced outside to see aliting her hands with raw power and throwing discs towards the snake man. Swampfire turned to see Gwen rushing up to them. Swamfire's eyes widened as he her.
"Gwen, NO" Swampfire tried to stop her but it was too late. The snake-man missed and moved out to her before she could blink punching her in the mouth. She collapsed to the ground as her ID mask shattered. Swampfire growled attacking him constantly before the snake-man was beaten to a pulp. Ben turned back noticing the Antodyte still on the hard ground. Slamming down the Ultimatrix Ben raced up to her holding her tightly in his arms.
"Gwen?...Gwen?...GWEN!"
She winced her eyes her head bobbing. Ben's eyes widened. "Gwen, if you can hear me say something?" Ben begged as he cradled her. She moaned wincing her half open eyes before her head dropped. Ben looked around noticing a crowd beginning to approach. He had to get out of here; he had to get her help.
But where?
"Grandpa, if you get this please call back...Gwen's not well...I don't know what to do" Ben sat down clicking the phone off after leaving what felt like the hundredth message left. He turned round to see the alien tucked up in his bed with a thermometer popping out of her mouth. Gently, he removed it checking her temperature; 28 degrees Celsius. Ben gulped and turned back to her; was that normal?
"Ben, honney are you home"
Ben's eyes widened; it was his mum. What's she doing home so early?
Ben threw the rest of the blanket over the alien before walking over to the door just in time to see his mothers head pop through the door. "Ben, would you like some wheat bread and jam for lunch. I bet your friends hungry?" His mother searched around the room not seeing anyone else. "Oh, where's your friend gone?" She asked concerned. "Oh, Gwen" Ben itched the back of his neck. "She...ah...went... out with her...friends" Ben answered slowly. Saundra stared down at her son in curiosity.
"I thought you said she didn't know anyone here?" Saundra questioned as Ben tried to keep her out of the room. "She didn't...but then she saw...someone she knew" Ben smiled brightly trying to keep her mother from looking around. "Will she be back soon?" She asked inquisitively. "Hopefully" Ben shrugged. "Okay then" She looked down at the ground. "Make sure you get this mess cleaned up" Saundra ordered as she left the room closing the door behind her. "Instantly, Ben breathed out and turned back to his bed. Removing the covers he took in her ill stricken state. She looked dead like when he had first met her...only worse.
'It must be all that trauma and injuries she picked up' Ben resided moving over to his closet and throwing his stuff and making a makeshift nest out of discarded clothing and blankets. 'Yeah,' Ben thought in his head. 'She's probably, just resting...conserving her energy'. Ben picked her up and moved her over to the wardrobe placing her down on the ground as she curled up into a ball shivering. "Don't worry Gwen, I'm going to find you some help" Ben kissed her on the forehead tucking her up under a blanket as he closed the wardrobe hiding the alien from sight.
Ben walked up his desk grabbing his phone before walking out the room towards his car. He walked towards his car and got in driving off to Max's place.
Ben parked outside where Max's RV was supposed to be. He got out the car staring down at the dead grass in the shape of a large rectangle. Ben placed his phone to his ear. Nothing. Where's he gone?
Ben breathed out annoyed as he slammed his door shut. He breathed out leaning against the door once again checking his damn phone. No answer. He jumped on his bed sliding his shoes off as he scrolled down his contacts looking through names of people.
'Uncle Frank?'
No!
'Aunt Lilly?'
No.
'Julie?'
Maybe.
'Kevin'
...
Ben looked over towards his mirrored wardrobe. Gently, he lifted himself up moving over to the wardrobe sliding it over to see a half awake alien under blankets. Ben knelt down next to her tucking her up as he head nodded.
The light emitted off her body was faded and darker than usual. Ben's sympathetic eyes ran down her slim, narrow form. He wanted to hug her, hold her, tell her that everything was going to be alright but he didn't even believe that. He brushes her arm and makes his way over to what he believes is her hair. She moans deeply. She rolled her head and raised her arm grabbing his hand. "Ben!" She mumbled as he stared down at her.
"It's alright Gwen, I'm going to get you help" He whispered into what he assumed was her ear. Her hand tenses on his. "Please don't leave me again" She muttered trying to open her eyes wider. She can barely move. Her hand slides up a little on his arm. He placed a hand ontop of her head carefully running a thumb on her forehead. "Ben!" She mumbled.
Grabbing hold of his forearm.
"It's okay Gwen" He caresses her cheek.
Ben knocked on the garage door awaiting his best-friend to answer. He whistled shoving his hands into his pocket and leaning back and forth on his heels and balls of feet. "Tennyson" He noticed the door open and a dark haired boy a year older than him answer the door. He wash wiping his hands on a grey and black cloth as he stared grumpily towards the boy. "I thought you went on vaccation with your grandpa?" he asked. "I did, but I had to come back early" Ben replied politely. "Why?" His eyebrows arched.
"I found something...well someone and they need help...badly" Ben informed him as Kevin's eyes widened. "Are they hurt?" Kevin asked in high concern it almost scared Ben. Ben nodded frantically knowing full well right now that his friend was eager to help. "Yeah, badly"
Kevin gripped the door. "Well I don't care" he slammed the door in Ben's face. Ben stared in shock before rubbing his eyes and growing balling his hand into a fist and banging constantly on the door. "Common, Kevin she's injured and hurt and sick and I don't know what to do" Ben yelled as Kevin pretended not to hear him. Ben kicked the door in anger turning around. He began to dial up an alien before he noticed the door swing open.
"Wait...she?"
"An Antodyte?" Kevin asked as he drove with haste down the freeway.
"Yeah,"
"Never see one before...endangered species...for a ball of energy" Kevin shrugged. "What do you know about them?" Ben asked. "All I know is there powerful and live a very long time" Kevin mumbled making a right. "How long?" Ben asked as Kevin took another right down Ben's street.
"Count billions of years" Kevin stopped outside Ben's house as both got out. "Probably existed around the beginning of time" Kevin informed Ben as they entered Ben's house only to find Carl on a chair reading a newspaper. "Morning boys" Carl casually told them as he flipped the page. "Up to anything in particular?" Carl asked as both boys. They shrugged. "Nothing much" Ben answered walking into his room with Kevin trailing. Ben walked over to his wardrobe and pulled open the door. Kevin rounded his back in anticipation as he looked down to find...nothing. Just a pile of clothes. Ben gasped. "Where is she?" Ben collapsed to the ground frantically looking round his room. Carl popped his head in and leaned against the door.
"Looking for anything in particular, Ben?" Carl arched an eyebrow as his son reacted quickly by getting off the ground. "Huh, no...I was just...looking for my sock" Ben grabbed a dirty sock off the ground as Carl stood there blankly. "So you're not looking for the alien in the backyard sucking all the life out of my garden?" Carl enquired staring dumbly at Ben. Instantly, Ben barged passed his dad and rushed towards the backyard to see her sitting there in a quiet daze meditating on the now brown and black garden. Ben rushed up to her grabbing her by the shoulders waking her up from her dream.
"Gwen!" He shook her gently. Her eyes flashed open as she stared up at him. "Oh hey, Ben" Gwen smiled casually hugging him like nothing happened. Ben hugged her back with eyed only to pull her away.
"How did you?..." Ben stared at her body looking reasonably healthy. Gwen just smiled.
"Your dad found me and carried me into the back" Ben stared over to his dad who was crossing his arms smirking. "So you're okay?" Ben asked concerned. "Other than a few injuries, my powers and that ID mask. I should be fine" She rubbed her arm. Ben smiled. "Where's the ID mask?" Kevin asked walking up to the alien. He blushed when he noticed that she wasn't wearing anything. Ben's eyes widened instantly noticing his friends look. He immediately took his jacket off wrapping it round the alien's shoulders before pushing behind her shoulders to get her back into the house. "It's in my room can you fix it?" Ben leading Gwen into the t-v area to sit down. Ben and Gwen sat down awkwardly opposite Carl as Kevin went off to fix the I.D mask.
Carl closed his eyes before breathing in facing the two. "Ben, your friend can't stay here" Carl told his son. "But dad, she's got nowhere to go" Ben complained taking ahold of her soft hand. "Your mother will freak out if she saw..." Carl pointed to the glowing alien.
"Her..."
"Please," Gwen butted in. "I only need some time to recover then I'll leave. For good"
Ben stiffened at Gwen's words. He didn't want her to leave. What if she got hurt again?
"Dad, please let her stay here, at least til' grandpa Max comes back" Ben placed both his hands together begging. Gwen caught on with the idea and followed his lead putting on a puppy-dog expression. Carl breathed out giving in. "Fine," He looked over to the smiling couple. "But only til' Dad gets back, okay?" He asked then as they both nodded furiously. "Alright then" Carl left the room. Ben smiled turning to Gwen taking a hold of her hands. "Ben, thank you so much" She hugged him as Ben blushed. "Well, that's what friends are for" He took her off. Gwen smiled. "I've never had a friend before" Gwen smiled at him. "Seriously?" Ben snickered. "My grandma's pretty protective. My cousin, who I never saw I to eye with, was my friend" She informed him. "Sorry," She rolled her eyes. " 'Friend' " She giggled. Ben laughed too enjoying the moment of the two together. He felt for the girl. More than he should. It got even worse when she leaned on his shoulder closing her eyes. "I feel so safe around you" She whispered gently as Ben cuddled her.