Author note: I cannot tell you how angry I am. Can you comprehend the pain I felt when I thought fanfiction corrupted this file?. Luckily I have multiple backups of this story. Fan fiction you want to fight with me?. fine lets dance.
"Once more …"
"It's all on Me .."
"I might save many but the few are left to die"
"There's no way around it"
"Over and Over again …"
"I found those whose happiness was destined to die…"
"and bestowed My sacrifice on them instead"
"That's what a hero does"
"But even though I said i wanted to forge a world without tears and suffering"
"I brought more than my share of despair and suffering"
"That is who I am"
"The Hero of Heroes"
…
Heatblast's fiery determination blazed hotter and brighter as he stared at the mummy's cruel grasp on his grandfather. He could feel the intense rage building up inside him, his emotions swirling like an inferno. The thought of his family's safety was his sole focus, and he was willing to pay any price to protect them.
As he collided with one of the purple creatures, his instincts took over. His fiery hand ignited, flames gathering with deadly intent. The seconds blurred, and in the blink of an eye, he had the neck of one of the creatures in his grip. Heatblast's eyes, cold and empty gaze, stared into the eyesockets of the being he held.
The Child within him knew these were innocent bystanders who had been transformed into this Freak of nature, The voice begged not to do the unthinkable, that there was another way to save his grandfather, but his love for his family overrode any empathy at that critical moment, his logic crushed that voice mercilessly, at this moment, these creatures were merely obstacles between him and his grandpa. Targets to shoot down.
The bystander's throat was incinerated by the intense heat, and the once-human creature crumpled to the ground. Heatblast was left with a heavy heart but an unwavering commitment to reach his beloved grandfather, knowing that the cost of protecting his family, even if it meant harming others, was a price he was willing to pay.
The flames in his hand didn't just consume the victim's throat; they spread throughout the body, resulting in a fiery explosion that momentarily blinded the others in the area, obscuring their view of Heatblast. With a detached determination, he seized another of the purple humanoids, unleashing a roaring torrent of flames in all directions.
The resulting shockwave from this explosion was like a powerful detonation, scattering the creatures like leaves in the wind. The mummy caught off guard, looked to his right, only to find himself engulfed in a dense cloud of fire and smoke, leaving Heatblast to push forward in his relentless pursuit. "No Matter the cost."
In a brief moment, their gazes connected, and the mummy saw something in Heatblast that sent shivers down its spine—a darkness, a void that threatened to consume it. The intense killing intent radiating from Heatblast momentarily froze the mummy, giving the fiery hero the opportunity he needed.
With a blazing molten rock fist, Heatblast struck the mummy's face with devastating force, an impact that would have crushed the skull of any ordinary being. The mummy's face crumpled under the fiery assault, and it was sent hurtling through the air, colliding with the roof in a shattering collision.
As the mummy struggled to regain its composure, another ferocious wave of intense heat struck, preventing any chance for escape. The impact was like a destructive blast, propelling the mummy further into the roof and causing even more Pain as it burned alive.
Amidst the cries of agony from the alien invaders, Heatblast remained undaunted. His singular focus was on safeguarding his family, and as he ensured their safety, he paid little heed to the aliens who had threatened them.
The mummy, writhing in pain, saw its cloth wrappings turning to ash as the flames consumed it. Heatblast continued to unleash a relentless stream of fire, seemingly lost in a trance, with no regard for the mummy's suffering.
Grandpa Max watched in sheer horror as the scene unfolded, he could see the emotionless face plastered on his grandson's face, a cold and ruthless face, one that had no regard for other life. He knew he had to intervene before his grandson did something he would regret for the rest of his life.
Desperate to stop Heatblast, he called out, "Ben, stop!" and rushed forward, grabbing Heatblast's shoulder. He didn't care about the searing heat; his primary concern was to break through to Ben. Heatblast, unmoving, uncaringly increased the fire, its original hue transformed into a scarlet blue. The fire raged and burned everything in sight, everything that touched it was reduced to a pile of molten rock and ash.
"I said That's enough, Benjamine !" Grandpa Max's voice cut through Heatblast's intense focus like a lifeline, pulling him back from the edge of his rage-induced frenzy, slowly the heat died down and Heatblast lowered his hand. Confusion clouded his fiery eyes as he stared at his grandfather, struggling to comprehend the reality of the situation.
"What?" Heatblast mumbled in confusion as he shifted his gaze from the fading flames to his concerned grandfather. It was only when he saw fire everywhere, and the screams of agony that the reality of the situation crashed down upon him like a ton of bricks.
"Grandpa?" Heatblast questioned, his voice filled with uncertainty as if he were waking from a deep and disorienting dream.
he blinked repeatedly as his molten gaze slowly cooled. he began to grasp the gravity of his actions. He had let his emotions and his desire to protect his family consume him, almost to the point of no return. He was going to kill and he had no problem doing it. What's worse is that he felt nothing at all for considering the concept. It was almost as if...
"I had done it before. " heatblast mumbled to himself in a cold and distant tone.
Grandpa Max looked horrified, hoping that his ears had deceived him or maybe he misheard."W-what?" he questioned. heatblast looked into his grandfather's eyes" I had done it before, blanking out..." he said quietly.
The flames that had once surrounded him dimmed, he looked down at his hands, his expression a mix of horror and regret as the beeping brought his attention to the hourglass symbol on his chest that was flashing red. He had a weird sense of nostalgia for the sound as if he had not heard this beeping sound in years. The beeping on his hourglass symbol intensified as he reverted to his human form in a flash of red light. "I... I didn't mean to..." he stammered, the weight of his actions sinking in.
Ben said with his brows furrowed and his fingers trembled." I never intended..." he stumbled over his words"They had you ..."
"I just... blanked out".
Grandpa Max's gaze lingered on his grandson, he pondered what to say or do in this trying situation. He knew he needed to find the right words to console Ben after what he had just witnessed. With a deep breath, he placed a reassuring hand on Ben's shoulder, understanding and love shining in his eyes.
"It's okay, Ben," he began, his voice a mix of compassion and wisdom. "We all have moments where we lose control. The important thing is that you stopped. You didn't let it consume you entirely."
However, their moment of reflection was abruptly interrupted by the persistent roars of the purple humanoids that echoed through the museum. Grandpa Max knew they were still in danger, and he also had to contend with the hazardous purple meteorite shard he held. He had seen firsthand the destructive power of this nuclear energy on countless planets. He could not let that alien have this power at all costs.
In a firm yet caring tone, he began, "We'll talk about this later—" But before he could finish his sentence, his eyes widened with alarm as he noticed a deadly projectile hurtling toward them at incredible speed. With a sudden burst of adrenaline, he shouted, "Ben, look out!" and instinctively pushed his grandson out of harm's way.
The massive piece of concrete, resembling the size of a car, struck Grandpa Max with brutal force, sending him soaring through the air and crashing to the first floor. The purple shard he held in his hands was flung somewhere into the chaos of the lower level. Ben's heart nearly stopped as he watched his grandfather's body flung through the air, the shock of the impact freezing him for a moment. His mind raced, filled with a mix of hope and despair.
He knew the chances of his humble, elderly grandfather surviving such an attack were slim to none.
But as he scrambled to his feet and dashed to the edge of the second floor, his frantic thoughts turned to a desperate plea. "Grandpa!" Ben screamed in a broken, desperate voice. He braced himself for the horrifying sight of his grandfather's lifeless body on the first floor, fearing the worst.
To his immense relief, he saw a pink and bluish construct holding his grandpa aloft in mid-air. Ben recognized the power immediately, a power he had seen countless times in his dreams and adventures. A happy smirk played on his lips as he muttered, "Gwen." he said softly.
But there was no time for celebration. A guttural, gurgling roar behind him sent shivers down his spine, and he whirled around to see the mummy, severely burned and in disarray. Its blackened limbs and tattered wrappings revealed the extent of the damage it had sustained. Pink liquid oozed from its wounded body.
"ROAAAARRRRRRR!" the mummy's roar was not just a cry of pain but a commanding call for its minions to retrieve the meteorite shard and eliminate anything that moved.
With swift reflexes, Ben rolled out of the way as the mummy's massive fist crashed down where he had been standing moments before.
The mummy choked and coughed violently, its damaged body clearly in agony as it twisted its neck in a way humans could not do to look at the one who hurt it, its gaze filled with murderous intent as its glowing pink eyes glared at the boy.
"ROAAARRRRRRR" came the unleashed war cry as it rushed to Ben at blinding speeds. Ben's heart raced as he narrowly avoided the mummy's devastating axe kick. The attack missed him by a hair's breadth, but its impact was enough to send shivers down his spine. The wall crumbled into a cloud of rock fragments as the mummy's power wreaked havoc on the surroundings.
Fear coursing through him, Ben took a quick glance at his Omnitrix, the red glow a stark reminder of the danger they were in. "Hurry up, or I'm gonna die," he muttered to his seemingly motionless watch, urging it to respond and provide him with a transformation that could help turn the tide of the battle. The seconds ticked away, and the outcome of this life-or-death struggle hung in the balance.
Amidst the thick fog and rubble, Ben's eyes darted around the obscured floor, searching desperately for something, anything, that could help him against the relentless mummy. The limited visibility made it challenging, but he knew he had to find a way to defend himself. The mummy charged again, its arms poised to strike, fueled by its wrath against the human who had caused it such pain.
Rolling out of the way, Ben winced in pain as his bare skin met searing hot rocks. He barely had time to register the discomfort before he evaded another stomp aimed at his face by the enraged mummy. Gasping for breath, he pushed himself to his feet and sprinted further into the smoky haze.
With every step, he thought about his watch, praying for it to recharge swiftly. Once it was ready, he planned to give the alien a battle it would never forget
Gwen's combat instincts served her well as she expertly dodged a slashing claw by moving her head to the side. With precision and speed, she seized the opportunity, swiftly grabbing the purple freak humanoid's arm and using its own momentum against it, executing a perfect suplex.
Her day hadn't been planned to go this way, but she had no time to dwell on it. More of the freak humanoids rushed at her, their menacing roars sending shivers through the terrified tourists behind her. She still remembered the piercing scream for her doofus. It was a scream like she had never heard him utter before, filled with agony and fear. It cut through her like a blade, sending a surge of pain and dread through her.
She couldn't bear to hear him in such distress, she didn't know what she did but somehow she managed to save her grandpa from having an untimely end... she Never wanted to see the doofus in such pain ever again and it was like a switch flip in her head as she observed the incoming freaks.
Gwen raised her hands above her, hoping to recreate whatever she had done to save her grandpa, who was still resting on one of her energy constructs.
With dense, colorful energy swirling around her hands, she unleashed a wave of power that sent the humanoids hurtling back into the rubble. she looked at the energy in her hands which was a multitude of blue, pink, and dark purple.
The relief of her success mixed with the physical toll of her efforts, and she sighed, feeling as if she had just run a marathon. Sweat dripped down her body, making her clothes sticky and wet. She had been running around, fighting off the freaks, and rescuing trapped bystanders while Ben faced off with the bad guy.
Glancing over her shoulder, she saw a couple huddled together in fear, and her tone turned stern as she ordered, "Get out of here."The couple huddled together in fear heeded Gwen's stern command and scrambled away as fast as they could like cornered rats.
She looked up at the second floor, her thoughts consumed by concern for him. The nagging sense of unease puzzled her. She had never been so anxious for him before."Ben," she mumbled, unable to shake the feeling of concern.
She couldn't stand the quiet that enveloped the upper floor. The silence was not what she associated with her cousin, and it only intensified her anxiety.
"Argh," Gwen heard her grandpa's groans, and her attention shifted to the hovering, energy-encased form of her grandpa. Sensing her intent, the energy ball lowered down to her.
She knew that there was more to be done, and the well-being of her family was her utmost concern.
As the ball of energy touched the floor, it transformed into a makeshift stretcher for Grandpa Max to rest on.
Gwen rushed to his side, kneeling beside him, and placed her fingers on his wrist to check for a pulse. Her worry was palpable as she began to assess him for any injuries.
"Pumpkin," Grandpa Max groaned, reaching to grasp her hand weakly.
Gwen's concern deepened as she clutched his hand and asked, "Grandpa, are you okay?"
Grandpa Max managed a small, pained smirk and replied, "I am fine Pumpkin.
This suit is pretty durable," referring to his black and blue Plumber suit. Despite his attempt at reassurance, he groaned in pain as he tried to get up.
Gwen immediately placed her hand on his chest, preventing him from moving, and he winced in discomfort.
"Sorry, Grandpa, but with your injuries, I don't know the extent, but I'm not taking any chances. You need to get out of here," she said sternly.
Grandpa Max shook his head, determination in his eyes. "No, I have to get the meteorite shard. That alien wants it, and I won't allow that."
Gwen raised an eyebrow, her expression was a snicker. "Meteorite shard?" She questioned, her tone laced with a twinge of anger. "What's a rock compared to your life?"
Grandpa Max smiled, his resolve unwavering. "Compared to the survival of the world, my life is nothing," he said with a gruff laugh." That shard is carrodium, a high-energy mineral, not naturally found on earth.
Gwen's stone-cold expression remained as she snorted and retorted, "So the aliens are rock collectors, so what?"
Grandpa Max groaned in pain as he attempted to speak.
"I'm afraid not," he managed, "the mineral is a powerful energy source that is very unpredictable. That's what mutated those people," referring to the humanoid monsters.
The pieces of the puzzle fell into place in Gwen's mind as she looked down at her grandpa with a deepening sense of concern. "So if those aliens get their hands on more of this stuff, then…" She trailed off, her expression uncertain.
"It could turn every living being into the same kind of monster," Grandpa Max finished, attempting to get up, but Gwen firmly stopped him. "Sorry, Grandpa, you stay put," she asserted, a stern edge to her voice.
"Gwen I-"Grandpa Max started to protest, but a swift chop to the neck put him to sleep. Gwen let out a sigh, and the stretcher-like energy construct shifted back into a ball. With a flick of her wrist, the ball hovered out of the building before she turned her attention to the monsters in front. they roared and charged at her like raging beasts well...they were beasts right now but that was not the point.
She dodged, ducked, slashed, and kicked her way out of any confrontations. Swiftly moving, she managed to evade a slash aimed at her arm, delivering a spin kick to the monster's neck. Just as she thought she had a moment of respite, another creature lunged from above. She skillfully ducked under its attack, but it forced her to the ground.
Reacting quickly, she grabbed the creature's teeth as it roared in her face, a look of disgust crossing her features. "Ewww, you really need to brush your teeth," she remarked, using her legs to kick the beast off her and then blasting it with her magic. The force of her attack sent the creature colliding into old weapons in the museum, eliciting a pained yelp before it hung limply.
She froze in shock at the outcome, her stomach turning and her face paling. The realization of what she had done hit her, but she had no time to dwell on it. The purple beasts closed in on her simultaneously, launching a coordinated attack that demanded her immediate attention. With determination, she shook off her momentary hesitation and focused on the impending threat, ready to face the challenges that lay ahead.
Ben's world spun in a whirlwind of agony and disorientation as the mummy's wrappings enveloped his torso. His eyes widened in sheer shock as he was yanked towards the mummy at blinding speeds, his face contorted when he felt a searing pain in his stomach that made his vision blur. The force of the attack sent him hurtling back, crashing into the wall with bone-jarring intensity.
When he fell to his knees, he couldn't contain the coughing fit that spilled blood from his lips. His trembling arms refused to respond, and his back and stomach screamed in pain, making it a struggle to remain conscious. "Huh?" he uttered as he clutched the side of his stomach, his eyes narrowing as he saw blood on his hand. It took him a minute to realize that he was wounded, evident by the bloodstains on his clothes and the river that flowed from cuts and burns on his arms and legs.
The mummy was relentless, and he knew he was facing certain death if he stayed in this position. With immense effort, he rolled to the side just in time to avoid a knee attack that would have shattered his face, leaving a gaping hole in the wall behind him. The cracks spread like wildfire in all directions. Unfortunately, he lost his footing as the building started to tremble, resulting in him getting stabbed by shards of glass on the side of his ribs.
"Today... is... not... my... day..." he strained, his eyes blurry, barely able to hold back the next batch of blood. Desiring to escape, he found himself unable to move freely, every attempt sending waves of pain throughout his body. It was times like this when he regretted not accepting his cousin's fighting techniques and for what?, some petty resentment he held against her since he was 7 years old. he wondered (Why was I such a fool, giving up something precious for...)
The battle had taken a severe toll on him, and every move was agony. He couldn't even move his fingers, trapped in a dire situation where escape seemed impossible.
(Come on.. Gwen held pillars up with her will alone, what excuse do you have!?)
In a desperate attempt to get away, Ben crawled, but he had forgotten that the mummy's bindings were still entangled around him, hindering his escape and making his situation even more dire.
With tremendous force, the mummy pulled back, sending Ben hurtling through the air like a rag doll. His body spun, completely out of control, until the mummy swung him with brutal force into one of the pillars supporting the third floor. In that terrifying moment, Ben knew he was facing his end. Death seemed inevitable, a fate sealed the moment his body hit the pillar and he would pop. his life flashed before his eyes, his whole life. the countless vague memories he saw, the memories of his childhood...Most importantly his most precious memory, a memory of Little Girl and A Little Boy Promising each other... (I wished I could...)
However, just as despair began to grip him, a familiar green glow emanated from his Omnitrix. Ben's face contorted in pain, yet he managed a weak, blood-stained smile. "You took your sweet time," he uttered, his voice barely audible amidst the chaos.
The dial on the Omnitrix popped up, ready for use, but Ben had no energy left to initiate the transformation. Miraculously, the dial slammed down by itself, initiating the transformation phase, just as Ben collided with the unforgiving pillar. The world around him blurred as the Omnitrix worked its magic, and for a moment, everything went black.
The mummy, convinced that the threat was neutralized, turned around to leave the area. However, it was taken aback when multiple Sonic disks gathered around it. It stood in confusion, unable to comprehend what was happening, before it let out a howl of pain as the plates emitted soundwaves from all directions.
The soundwaves were deafening, almost like miniature shockwaves, and they bombarded the mummy's entire being. It could only stand there, clutching its head in sheer agony. Before it could react, a powerful punch landed on its face, sending it crashing down to the first floor.
The one responsible for this assault appeared to be a blue humanoid robot, bearing a resemblance to a battery. The multiple White Sonic disks floated around him, and they entered his arms and legs.
"Ultimate Echo Echo?" the transformed entity muttered in confusion, examining his new appearance. "But how?" he questioned, puzzled by the logic that had led to this transformation.
The mummy roared again as it got back up and made a hasty retreat. Eco Eco muttered coldly, "No, you don't," as sound-producing discs shot out of his arms and legs. They quickly gathered around him, forming a connected speaker. With his anger and resolve fueling his power, he unleashed a massive soundwave that swept through the area, striking not only the mummy but also all the humanoid creatures that had threatened them.
The shockwave sent them all collapsing to the ground, while the building itself shook violently. Walls, pillars, and debris cracked and crumbled, filling the area with pieces of debris.
The mummy roared in agony as it fell to the ground, overcome by the powerful sound vibrations. But amidst the chaos, there was a scream, one that Eco Eco recognized all too well. A sound he never wanted to hear again, especially not coming from her. He immediately halted the sound vibrations and, filled with dread, yelled, "Gwen!" and swiftly descended to the first floor, desperately searching for her among the rubble.
He found her on the ground, clutching her head in agony. Without hesitation, Ult Eco Eco didn't know he transformed back into his human form and picked her up, bridal style, his heart heavy with guilt.
"I'm so sorry," he kept repeating as he held her tightly However, the building was raining debris, as it threatened to collapse around them."Time to get out of here"Ben said as he attempted to fly but realized he was in his normal body again.
A scowl formed on his face as he glanced at the red light on his watch.
"Damn," he muttered, doing his best to shield Gwen from falling debris as he hurried for the exit. Every step sent waves of pain through his entire body; the mummy had inflicted serious damage, evidenced by the blood dripping on the ground whenever he stumbled forward. Yet, he paid no attention to his own suffering; all that mattered to him was Gwen. He forced himself to move, propelled by the singular determination to get her to safety, despite the excruciating pain that threatened to overwhelm him.
He felt his vision blur and his body grow heavy. His left leg gave out, forcing him to limp forward while gritting his teeth against the pain. His focus, however, was not on his own struggles but on the unconscious Gwen in his arms. The weight of her alone strained his arms, but he paid no heed to his discomfort. Her head rested on his shoulder, and he felt his heart pounding with dread at the uncertainty of their situation.
Realizing he wouldn't make it to the exit in time due to the additional weight he was carrying, Ben clung tightly to Gwen. In a moment of desperation, he did the only thing he could think of—he hugged her protectively to himself. As his other leg gave out, he crashed to the ground, shielding Gwen with his body.
Lying there with Gwen in his arms, Ben couldn't help but reflect on the choices that led them to this moment. His mind replayed scenarios, wondering if he could have made different decisions, not allowing himself to become the liability he often perceived himself to be. The weight of regret pressed upon him as he held Gwen close, a silent acknowledgment of the consequences of his actions.
Gwen's eyes slowly opened, her vision blurry and her head throbbing with pain like a migraine. "Argh," she groaned softly, unaware of the boy who carried her. She felt a protective embrace like she was being shielded from something, and as she raised her head, her gaze met Ben's face, they were so close that their noses touched. Everything was a haze as she struggled to make sense of the situation.
However, her heart fluttered when she noticed the weak smile on Ben's face. She realized that she was directly under him, and he was covering her – but from what? Confusion clouded her thoughts. Then, as she tried to process everything, she became aware of the imminent danger.
"Ben!" she exclaimed in a panic, just as boulders came crashing down. Ben closed his eyes, anticipating the worst, but to his surprise, they remained unharmed within a protective dome made of pink energy. Gwen had her arms wrapped around his neck, one hand outstretched as it glowed with pink energy. The two of them, seemingly shielded from the impending catastrophe, exchanged a look of relief and gratitude within the safety of the energy dome. They looked at each other And stared into each other eyes in silence. both of them unsure what to do or say.
Gwen blinked to clear her vision, The pain in her head faded with each passing, and tried to figure out how this all happened, she realized the protective dome surrounding them and the debris that had fallen outside. Her eyes shifted to Ben, who still held her close. The realization of what had transpired hit her like a ton of bricks.
'Did he just?' she thought as she looked beyond him to see the boulders above them. She stared at them before her vision shifted back to the doofus. The dots in her head began to connect when she noticed that she was under him. Under him?.she furrowed her brows before she looked at the boulders again before she looked back into Ben's eyes. Who had a nervous look in them?.' was he going to?' she froze, she could not finish that thought, no she didn't want to.' he..he...he.. for her...because of her...he was going to. Ben saw the color drain from the dweeb and he too was silent, contemplating how he was going to deal with this.
"Ben... you—" Gwen began cheeks flushed, her voice trembling, at a loss for words. Her emotions were a whirlwind of relief, and an overwhelming mixture of something bubbly she couldn't put into words. it made her heart beat like a drum when she comprehended the protection she received from the doofus.
"Ben, I... I can't believe you did that," Gwen said, her face the color of her hair, her voice soft but filled with emotion. She struggled to articulate her feelings. "You risked your life for me. You shouldn't have done that." "you...
as she remembered what the protection would cost her, the bubbly feeling was overshadowed by something she knew for certain, one that was boiling, one that was overtaking the rest.
"you doofus!" she finally snapped, her voice rising with frustration and a burst of anger. "What were you thinking? You could have been killed!" she screamed as the pink dome of energy exploded, sending the boulders flying in all directions. Ben stood shell-shocked as he saw her greenish eyes become dark purple. Her glare made him feel like a little child who had done something wrong.
Ben's shoulders sagged, and he looked to the side, unable to meet her eyes. "I know, Gwen. I just..." he was cut off by Gwen's outburst.
''You don't have to always play the hero!" she said in anger.' how could he...how could he ... how could he!' .Ben's expression shifted from guilt to defensiveness as he got up and dusted himself. "I was trying to save you, Gwen... What was I supposed to do? just stand there and let you die?" he asked calmly and coldly as his mouth developed into an intense frown, he looked down at her. Gwen scrambled to her feet and crossed her arms, her voice trembling with anger. " No, Ben! You should have thought it through. There were other options!." she growled out in a hiss. (Why does he always do this?)
Ben crossed his arms with a cocky smirk on his lips and muttered" Other Options you say?.please enlighten me what could I have done in that situation?" he asked calmly with a frosty expression, taking a step forward he continued "The building was coming down, my watch timed out, you were on the ground. what was I supposed to do? " he asked again calmly in controlled anger.
Gwen stomped her foot as her hands crackled with energy and she pointed in the doofus's face." we would not have been in that situation in the first place if you had thought things through!." "You're always so impulsive!, so reckless!. You don't think about the consequences!, not for yourself! AND not for those who care about you!" she shouted in rage, her face blood-red from the stress she was under. (how could he hurt me like this?, doesn't he care about my feelings?) (Doesn't he care about me?)
Ben looked down his expression pensive before he met her eyes with newfound determination After he slapped the dweeb's fingers out of his face." you may be right about that, most of the things you said are true but you should know ..." he said as he took another step forward, this time he was right in front of her, their lips were a hairs breath apart .she could feel his breath on her face."I'd do it for you again in a heartbeat." "I promise you.".(I can't bare to see you hurt . not now, not ever because I... )
she blushed at the words he said, she stammered nothing, unable to even respond to a commitment like that. She looked into his eyes and she knew that his words had struck a cord in her heart but the way Ben was holding himself together, the way he was answering her.(when was it... that I... last saw that look of his?)
it was a familiar pattern he exhibited when he was dead set on something, unwilling to care or change his course. Yet, this also meant he would likely pull this stunt again. The way he was acting fueled her anger. The feeling boiled further and further, twisting and morphing until Her hand moved instinctively. five fingers connected with his face causing the boy's eyes to widen when he felt the sting on his left cheek and silently stared at her from the corner of his eyes. The ground cracked beneath her feet, drawing Ben's attention, he wanted to speak, but the heavy force pressing down on him, kept his mouth shut, as if gravity had laid its hand upon him. The rocks around them began to hover in the air, crackling with purple energy. Any sense of reason left Gwen completely as the bottled emotions she kept tight since their childhood spilled out like a broken dam.(How could he have no regard for his life!? Just what was happening to him!?)
"Don't you dare do that ever again!, you hear me!" she shouted as she grabbed him by the collar of his shirt in an iron grip. A mixture of Purple and Blue cracks formed and traveled like grid-like patterns over her neck and up to her cheek. She was so angry that she bit her lip hard enough to draw blood, struggling to find the right words. "Don't you dare, " her voice cracked as tears burst out of her eyes. "Put that on (me)... on Grandpa and our family," she said weakly, trying desperately to hold back her tears. Her shoulders trembled as the tears started to fall. (I...I...I...)
Ben, taken aback by her sudden outburst, stammered in response. (I just wanted to protect you) ..."I didn't want you to die because of me."Gwen's jaw tightened, and her eyes glowed darker, as she menacingly glared at her doofus cousin. "This isn't about me, Benjamin," She said coldly, her face showing no expression at all. Ben winced at her expression, it was an expression he knew very well, one he had seen when she was truly mad, and the use of his full name didn't help either."This is about you acting without thinking, putting yourself at risk, and I can't take it anymore!, I can't, I just can't... "
(Ever since he got that stupid watch), he has always thrown his life in danger, she could not count the times he nearly died, she couldn't count the times she cried at night, she couldn't count the times she feared her dreams came true. She couldn't count the times she thought she lost him "I am so sick of that stupid watch!, So sick of watching you get hurt, so sick of watching you play with your life...And that... damned...Hero complex." she said shoulders trembling as she breathed hard, trying to control her self but she was failing badly..
Ben's voice Scoffed with frustration as he countered, "Well, get used to it. As long as I wear this watch(No one will die because of me, never, I won't live that life), my life will always in dan... dan..." He struggled for breath, the weight of his words hanging heavily in the air. He could barely discern Gwen in front of him, his vision clouding as if the world itself were slipping away. His heartbeat slowed, and a cold chill swept through his body.
"Ben?" Gwen's voice quivered with concern as she saw him sway, she tried to hold him but it was so unexpected that she tumbled to the ground with him. "Ben!" she exclaimed, panic etching her features. His body in her arms, she frantically scanned him for signs of what had gone wrong. Her gasp, a mix of horror and shock, echoed in the tense silence. "Stay with me, Ben. Stay awake!" she pleaded, her hands now stained with his blood. "I'll... I'll..." She trailed off, overcome by terror, her voice breaking into sobs. Ben didn't think, he couldn't think not when he saw her like this, it made him remember something he had long forgotten.
"Gwen" (Your...Crying,... don't cry... I'm here )Ben strained and mustered a weak smile and, with an effort, raised his hand to gently poke her forehead with two fingers. Gwen, tears welling in her eyes, saw the smile but couldn't shake the dread as his skin grew paler by the second.
"I can't... take watching you get hurt. That's why I charge in headfirst. I'd rather be the one to face danger than see you in danger because," he uttered, his voice strained. He was caught in the limbo between consciousness and the encroaching darkness, his vision consumed by an impenetrable black."I...I...I.. (adore you)
I am your scruffy," he managed to say, as his arm went limp and crashed to the cold floor. Gwen, her heart pounding in her chest, shook his shoulder in a panic. "Ben!" she screamed, horror etched across her face. Something had to be done; he had lost too much blood. The reality of the situation sank in, threatening to overwhelm her. He was... he was going to... She couldn't bring herself to finish the thought, her hands clutched at her hair in a panic, eyes dilating as her mind raced through a whirlwind of memories. (I ...don't want to exist without you)
The recollections flooded in—the cuddles shared as toddlers, the laughter, the possessiveness, the bonds of ..., the nicknames, the promises exchanged, the inevitable arguments of their growing years, and the strains that ruined their connection. A montage of their shared history played before her tear-filled eyes. In that moment of desperation, she burst into tears, struggling to lift him. Time was slipping away, and he was losing blood rapidly.
She couldn't afford to hesitate; she needed to get him help. She recalled the image of a little girl, once alone, and the boy, her scruffy, who had gone out of his way to bring happiness. The promises of protection and the inseparable bond since birth replayed vividly, intensifying Gwen's agony. She looked at the blood on her hands and froze at the sight. The last thing she wanted was their parting words to be an argument not when there was so much she wanted to tell him, show how much she wanted to share, she much she wanted to give. The thought of losing him now was unbearable.
"Please," she cried out in silent tears. "Please don't die. I need you, I...I... can't be without you" she said hoarsely. "I don't want to be alone."
On a distant rooftop, a black combat boot belonging to a female stepped forward to get a better look at her targets. "This didn't go as planned," she said as she observed what could be described as a tragic love story. The voice belonged to what looked to be a teenager with shoulder-length blood-red hair; her purple eyes glowed, and she scowled. Her black lips twisted into a frown. "How long are you going to sit there bawling your eyes out like a pathetic little girl?" she mumbled to herself in anger. this hit too close to home and she clenched her fists as a result. She was debating if she should intervene, this was her last chance, and she couldn't allow any anomalies to ruin her chance.
Struggling to lift Ben as his blood soaked her clothes crimson, Gwen's heart raced with a tumultuous mix of grief and determination. "I can't lose you, Scruffy. Not now, not ever" she whispered through choked sobs. She wished, desperately, for a chance to redo the lost time, to mend the fractures caused by their family feud.
As she grappled with her anguish, as her tears flowed, a mysterious purple-blueish aura enveloped her body, unbeknownst to her. The radiant energy extended, gently touching Ben's skin. A gasp escaped him as his entire body glowed in shades of purple and green. A strange and profound connection enveloped Gwen, transcending the physical.
Unable to articulate the sensation, Gwen felt Ben like never before, as if they were one person. A dazed look filled her eyes as her aura mixed with Ben's, sending unexpected pleasure through her, and flushing her face with warmth. The magical energy covered Ben's wounds, and Gwen witnessed the wounds closing, his skin stitching itself back together.
Ben's eyes barely fluttered open, and a bit of color returned to his cheeks. "G-Gwen?" The connection between Gwen and Ben gradually faded but still lingered at the same time, leaving them both in a state of amazement and wonder. Gwen looked at Ben, her eyes still glistening with tears, but now they were tears of relief and gratitude.
"You're alive," she said over and over as she rubbed her eyes constantly with a smile.
Ben stared at the girl cradling him, his eyes reflecting a soft and tender expression. Her tears, the very tears he never wanted to see again since that fateful day, stirred something within him. As he gazed into Those precious emerald eyes, a flood of memories surged, triggering something long forgotten, something he should have held onto. (Why didn't he?) He pondered with a dazed expression.
for a moment Gwen overlapped with an older woman, her short spiky red hair flowed in the wind, and her smile was as bright as the sun. He could still feel her breath on his face, he could still remember her strawberry scent. He could still remember the feel of her touch.
"That's right... I remember," he thought, his eyes blurred with tears. The connection between him and Gwen, the memories of their shared past, everything rushed back. she was not just a friend but someone woven into the fabric of his very being. he silently acknowledged the depth of emotion he had long neglected.
Still recovering, he managed a weak smile. "A pretty Cherry shouldn't cry," he said groggily as his mind struggled to process anything due to a loss of blood. Gwen froze and shook her head to make sure she was hearing properly. "What did you say?" she said unsure, she didn't want to hope, she didn't want to put herself through that same pain again." Please...please repeat what you said ...again," she said softly as she looked into his dazed eyes.
"What...?" Ben muttered softly, his eyes closing. "Didn't..." His voice was hoarse as his body stilled once more. Gwen felt her heart leap out of her throat as she desperately shook him, sighing in relief when she realized he was breathing perfectly fine. "I thought I had lost you, big dummy," she said as she moved his brown curls away from his forehead. "I'll scream your ears off later."
Gwen whispered with eyes puffed and tear-stained, lips trembling. She held Ben in a tighter hug and cradled his head like a pillow, continuing to cry, her voice quivering with a mix of emotions.
Her heart beat hard when the boy buried his face in her neck, and his whispers made her face match the color of her hair. "I will love you always... cherry," Ben murmured. Gwen blushed, squeaking out a flustered "W-what?" as she tried to speak but stopped when she noticed his sleeping form. Her heart was beating like a drum as old memories overtook her head. "Cherry... he called me... Cherry... He... He... Never forgot."
The teenage girl nodded to herself with a smile. "Cute, looks like this worked out in my favor," she said as memories popped up in her head, ones that overlapped with her original set. "They certainly progressed faster than we ever did at that age. "What do you think, dear?" She cast a glance at her right arm, a stark contrast to her left. The right arm, bulky and covered in bandages, served as a stark reminder of the price she had paid. Her black watch with an hourglass symbol on her right arm glowed with an ominous purple hue, and a laugh escaped her lips as she vanished in a flash of purple light.
"Soon, very soon," whispered the winds. Unknown to the teenager, there was another figure watching high above the clouds. A mysterious figure shaped like a woman, cloaked in a hood, observed the two kids and the teenager. Her face remained concealed, but her glowing purple eye pierced through the shadows. Several charms adorned her left arm, glowing and emitting an eerie purple light. She stood with her hands on her hips, a wicked smirk playing on her lips. "Everything is going nicely," she murmured to herself as she watched the kids. "Everything is going according to plan," she smiled to herself, remembering this day like it was yesterday. "Soon," she whispered. "My wish will become reality."
Sensing an unsettling and familiar presence, the teenager whipped her head around, her eyes narrowed. "What?" she said, gazing into the sky only to find nothing. "I thought..." the teenager muttered, shaking off her unease. With a lingering feeling of apprehension, she resumed her walk into the shadows of an alley, her face stone cold and her eyes dead to the world. "I've come this far, I won't stop now...this wish of mine will never die"
Author notes: And that's that. now for the questions I know you gonna ask.
PS: I wonder if you guys got The hidden message in the opening paragraph.
another ps:Man why is this site so hard to understand?
No Ben does not have the ultramatrix.
As for Ultimate Echo Echo appearing, that will be explained eventually but to calm your minds. I will give you a hint... Alien X has something to do with it and the flapping of a butterfly's wings.)
I know what I am doing, I am not some average writer that writes for the sake of writing. (Although I would like some constructive criticism :)
As for Ben and Gwen's relationship, some of you might think I rushed this but you are wrong. the more you read about them the more you will find out the true depths of their relationship. In This story, Ben and Gwen already had that close relationship but stuff happened and it became strained so think of it as the sexual tension the two had in the classic series. (That's the best term I can use for them.)
Stick around because this is only the beginning.