Chapter 3
Writen by collstudentelle - (a freelance writer from Fiverr)
Everyone in the room was silent as they held their breath, staring at the bright green light emanating from the watch.
Not hearing a reply, the robotic voice repeated itself, "Attention. Announcement incoming for Gwendolyn Rose Tennyson. Would the receiver like to hear the announcement? Please respond with 'yes' or 'no'."
Gwen still couldn't understand what was happening. The whole day felt like a bad prank show that she wanted to end. Despite meeting a few aliens in the past months, today's event was on top of her 'strange and crazy day' list.
Hopefully, it will get better. But right now, Gwen wasn't feeling optimistic.
Gwen didn't notice that a couple of seconds had already passed. She felt like her voice was caught in her throat and it was Grandpa Max who spoke for her. "Yes."
"Unauthorized voice. Sequenced denied." The robotic voice replied instantly. "Would the authorized receiver like to hear the announcement? Please respond with 'yes' or 'no'."
This time, Grandpa Max nudged Gwen a little from behind to urge her to reply. Turning to look at her grandpa who nodded, Gwen replied to the watch with a shaky "Yes." But immediately, she cleared her throat and repeated her answer firmly. "Yes."
The deep green glow from the watch suddenly brightened before it dimmed a little As if it was recognizing Gwen's voice and answer.
"It is in our duty to inform you that the Omnitrix wearer and the voice of reason, Benjamin Kirby Tennyson's body cannot be repaired." The voice echoed through the room.
Gasps echoed through the room at the announcement, but the robotic voice continued with a hint of emotion. "Ben's body sustained a detrimental change due to the previous transformation. His brain and body sustained so much damage that he is in a coma. The Omnitrix cannot wake him without risking more."
While the others were voicing out their reactions, Gwen silently processed the words. The damage was too much. To the point where the watch had to force him into a coma. Her hands were shaking violently as she looked at the pale unconscious body of the boy.
At that moment, Gwen felt utterly useless and weak.
What can I do? Gwen tried to ask herself. Her mind tried to come up with a solution so that she could use her powers to help her cousin. She could try a healing spell on Ben, but her limited mana resources weren't enough to help him. If the powerful Omnitrix couldn't fix Ben's physical condition, what could a girl like her do?
With that thought and realization, Gwen shakily took a step closer to Ben's hospital bed as she clenched her fists tightly. As if to stop them from desperately reaching out and holding onto Ben's hands.
"Doctor! Are you absolutely sure?" Ben's mother desperately asked the doctor while holding onto her husband's arm.
Still surprised by the voice from the watch, the doctor shook his head before turning back to his professional self and answered, "I am sorry, ma'am. We did our best to come up with a diagnosis. But despite all the tests we have done, we still don't know what caused him to be in this coma." He glanced at the bed, "Much less knowing how to treat him."
Ben's mother placed a shaky hand on her chest. "What does that mean?!"
The doctor glanced hesitantly at the watch before answering. "That's the problem, we don't know the full extent of your son's condition except for the physical damages he had acquired."
Shaking his head, he continued, "We can only do so much with our limited knowledge and understanding of the watch. With such an advanced device, we have no way to learn unless we run tests."
Tears started streaming down Gwen's face when she heard the doctor's words. She felt like the hospital floor beneath her had disappeared.
Filled with distress, Grandpa Max spoke directly to the watch on Ben's arm with a worried and desperate tone. "Can you explain further? Do you have any advice that we can do to save him or- or change this result?"
"Question denied. Only the authorized user, Gwen Tennyson, is allowed to ask questions and receive answers." The robotic voice replied almost immediately.
Everyone had found the watch's behavior weird. A few seconds later, the watch spoke up again. "We have been programmed to only allow access to an authorized user by the owner, Ben Tennyson."
The words started to sink into Gwen's mind. The realization that she was truly special to Ben filled Gwen with warmth.
Unfortunately, the happy emotions were interrupted when she took in the doctor's words. Only the hum of the medical equipment could be heard that was until Gwen's composure began to crumble
Like a tidal wave, the crushing realization of Ben's unstable condition hit her hard. Her eyes filled with tears, and it didn't take long for them to cascade down her cheeks.
She could hear Ben's mother crying from across the room and Ben's father trying to comfort her but also crying as well. Grandpa Max, normally a pillar of strength, now has his eyes glistening with unshed tears. Tears were rushing down her mother's face while her father remained silent but his eyes were glassy.
Gwen's pain only grew as her sobs grew louder and her emotions were clouding her mind. The girl let out a loud pain-filled cry that caused the light bulbs in the room to flicker.
Surprised gasps sounded from behind her as the lights went out, but Gwen was too consumed by her raw grief. Her emotions poured out in waves as she struggled to come to terms with the news of Ben's state.
At this moment, Gwen didn't even realize that her balled-up hands were now sparking. And that her eyes which used to be green were now glowing dark purple. Another cry escaped her lips, which was followed by a loud booming thunder outside the room. Everyone except Gwen was in shock as they saw the sky now rapidly turning dark gray.
Gwen could feel that her magic was flaring up as a strong current was rushing all over her body, but she didn't care. Her body was emitting a violet glow, that combined with the green light from the watch, was casting a radiance that shrouded the entire room.
Grandpa Max, who is confused and worried, noticed that the magic Gwen was exuding was much darker than the normal glow of her magic.
Every breath Gwen took was becoming a struggle as if a strong pressure was constricting her lungs. Gwen wanted to plead with the universe, with any higher power that might be listening, to reverse this cruel fate. But with what the watch had told them, Gwen felt hopeless.
No. I won't allow this. Unable to control herself, Gwen threw her body on top of Ben's lifeless form. Her arms encircled Ben's body as she clung to him as if her touch and silent pleas alone could breathe life back into him.
Time stood still at this moment as the two bodies were slowly being covered by a mixture of green and dark violet light. Everyone watched two bodies lying on the hospital bed in silence.
It was Grandpa Max who moved first. "Gwen!" Like a beacon of light, the other adults in the room voiced out their confusion and shock. Question after question was thrown to Grandpa Max, but his priorities were to first check on his grandkids.
As he got closer to the bed, Grandpa Max could still feel the power Gwen was emitting unconsciously. Deciding not to get too close, the old man spoke, "Gwen, you need to calm down. Your emotions are affecting the control of your powers."
Unfortunately, Grandpa Max's words had the opposite effect and light continued to flicker brighter and faster. They had no choice but to wait, only giving encouraging and comforting words when her powers were visibly becoming destructive.
Hours had already passed, but it seemed that no one could separate Gwen from Ben. Frank voiced out to no one in particular, "Are we all having the same dream? It feels like I'm having a nightmare that I can't wait to wake up from."
Instead of answering her husband, Natalie turned to her father-in-law. "I've never seen this happen to Gwen before." Grandpa Max nodded as he replied, "She always controls her emotions."
Frank lightly quipped, "I think my wife meant the ground-shaking magical powers we just witnessed."
Grandpa Max responded as he stared at the medical equipment near Ben's bed. "I would never have guessed that this is the extent of Gwen's power."
Natalie directed her attention to Grandpa Max, "What are you saying? Is there something wrong with my daughter?"
"No, nothing is wrong." He reassured her. "It's because of the stress that she had experienced and felt today that affected her mind and emotions."
"What we saw was the connection of Gwen's magic to her young mind. So no, luckily nothing is wrong." After a pause, he continued. "In fact, it's quite the opposite. This shows that Gwen has untapped potential. She just needs to learn how to control them."
A sniff from Gwen was heard from the background. Both of Gwen's parents exchanged glances as they urged Grandpa Max to continue. "Gwen wields a strong power that has been passed down through our family line for generations."
He continued before his sons could ask more questions. "It's a power that allows her to manipulate energy and tap into forces."
"Are you saying Gwen, our Gwen, can do magic?" Frank asked.
"In a way, yes. Gwen's abilities are mainly focused on mana manipulation. She can cast spells, create magical shields, and even conjure objects." He replied.
Ben's mother asks, "What about Ben? Does he also have the same powers as Gwen?"
Gwen suddenly sobbed uncontrollably again, creating another shift in the intensity of her magic field. "Gwen!" Frank cried out. This time, they were able to stop her from creating another thunderstorm outside, but the clouds were still dark and heavy.
With a deep sigh, Grandpa Max answered his daughter-in-law's questions. "They're not the same, but Ben also has powers because he was able to obtain the Omnitrix, the watch that he wears on his arm."
Everyone's eyes fell on the black and green watch that was still emitting light. "It's a powerful device that allows Ben to transform into various alien beings. In each transformation, Ben has different abilities that help him defeat those who want the watch for themselves."
"What?!" Carl exclaimed.
"Yes, your son has saved the lives of multiple people when he activates the watch." Turning to his sons and their wives, he continued. "Both Ben and Gwen had saved a lot of lives because of their powers." Grandpa Max's words struck a chord with Gwen who had been silently listening.
The adults in the room could suddenly feel a spark in the air as if a dangerous live wire was freely hanging above their heads. Gwen, who is now trembling beside Ben, lets out a cry as she's holding tightly to Ben's body.
"Gwendolyn, please!" Natalie tried to reason with her daughter.
After multiple encouraging words and a lot of patience, the situation finally calmed down. The family was now slowly feeling better, although exhausted, and Gwen was now relatively calm except for the occasional small sniffs.
It didn't take long for the electricity in the hospital room to return and the monotonous rhythmic beeping of the medical equipment returned. Glancing at his wristwatch, Carl then blinked slowly to make sure that he wasn't seeing the time wrong. It was already 7 in the evening.
Carl turned to his wife and father, "We missed lunch, but I think we can get a quick dinner from-" He passed as he realized that they weren't in a regular hospital.
"Is there a cafeteria where we can get food?" He quietly asked his father.
Grandpa Max nodded. "Yeah, it's a few floors below us. We can grab a few bites there." His eyes went to the two bodies on the bed. "We can also bring back food for Gwen. It looks like everything will be fine."
Gwen's parents agreed that having a quick break would be good for the family. With a few words to Gwen, who only gave them a slight nod, the adults left the room and headed to the cafeteria with Grandpa Max guiding them.
This left Ben and Gwen all alone in the room. With the girl leaning her head gently on Ben's chest which was slowly rising up and down. Gwen's eyes, which were heavy from all the crying that she had done earlier, suddenly widened when she heard a small audible groan from the body beside her.
Not wanting to believe her ears, she slowly raised her head to take a look. As if seeing proof would cement the hope that was growing in her heart. Please let it be real. I don't want to be imagining this.
Her doubts were answered with a louder groan and she felt Ben's chest under her rumble. "B-Ben?" she whispered. Being too loud might wake her up from the dream she was having of Ben waking up from his supposed coma.
A new wave of tears was threatening to form in her eyes. Ben's eyes were fluttering to open and Gwen felt her heart being gripped with anticipation. Moving gently, the girl slowly sat up. "Ben."
"Gwen? Is that you?" Ben still wasn't able to open his eyes. His eyelids felt like they were glued together.
Ben's words opened the floodgates of Gwen's tears and her lower lip began to tremble. She nodded her head but then remembered that Ben still had his eyes closed. "It's me… I'm here."
The girl couldn't comprehend what was happening at the moment. She heard it from the doctors themselves that Ben's situation wasn't looking good. That all their modern technologies and knowledge couldn't figure out what was wrong.
Unbeknownst to the young teen, her being cuddled close to Ben's damaged body for a long time held a power beyond her comprehension. They had always shared a unique bond, one that extended beyond family ties, and in their moment, it seemed to transcend even further.
Gwen's innate magic, a latent gift that she had yet to fully harness or understand, began to stir in response to the deep connection she shared with Ben and her emotions. She didn't consciously cast a spell, nor did she know any incantation or rituals that could improve Ben's circumstance. But just because of her being close to Ben, she was unaware that her magic had stirred and surged with a mysterious purpose.
For hours, as she had cried in despair, she had unconsciously tapped into her body and mind to cast the most potent form of healing magic known to humanity. Unseen by the naked eye, even by the caster herself, her magic wove around Ben's form and worked diligently to repair the tissues, nerves, and bone damage that had wracked his body.
And while she had exhausted a lot of her powers, Gwen remained unaware of this extraordinary phenomenon. She summed up that her feeling weak and drained was due to her emotions and the stress she had felt throughout the day.
Seeing Ben struggling to form words, maybe a question or a joke, Gwen was quick to shush him before he could speak. "You need to rest. Don't worry, everything was fine and everyone was safe from the robot attack."
Wanting to be near him, Gwen lay once again beside him, but this time closer than she had been. Wanting to feel secure and wrapped her arms around him carefully to avoid hurting him. She didn't want to take chances when it came to his health and well-being.
"We're in the Plumber base hospital. Grandpa Max and our parents went to the cafeteria to eat dinner, they're coming back in a while with food." Gwen was trying to hold a conversation despite being the only one who could voice out her thoughts.
She was about to ask him if he wanted water when she heard him croak through the oxygen mask on his mouth. "Gwen.."
The girl hurriedly placed her palm on his cheek and shushed him. "Ben, don't speak. You need to preserve your voice. Do you need anything? Are you in pain?" Gwen's brain was now working overtime trying to ask a million questions in one.
"How about I ask you a yes or no question and if you answer yes, you'll twitch your pointer finger?" she suggested.
"Gwen," The boy ignored her rant and continued on. "I'm glad you're here and safe."
The girl blinked in surprise. She thought Ben would struggle to speak, much less move because of all the injuries he had sustained. But here he was, looking at her with those deep eyes of his and speaking to her with a clear voice. He sounded completely fine.
Gwen let out a small whimper and her eyes watered again. "You made everyone worry, you doofus."
Ben left out a soft laugh. "Sorry about that. I didn't actually try to get hit by a large alien robot and all."
"Are you feeling alright? Do you need anything?" Gwen was quick to repeat her questions earlier.
Shaking his head, Ben smiled at the worried look Gwen gave him. "Honestly, I'm surprised that I feel fine." He moved to take off the oxygen mask that was starting to bother him, ignoring Gwen's scolding words.
"Gwen, I really feel alright. Nothing hurts or anything. I just feel like I took a really long nap and I just woke up feeling a bit weak but still fine."
His words brought a little bit of comfort to Gwen. Even though she felt a bit surprised by what was happening. She was sure that the doctors had an explanation for it. "I hope we can leave as soon as we can," Ben commented.
Gwen stared at the boy beside her and answered, "I'm sure our parents will let us leave after the doctors have checked you."
A few silent moments passed, and no one spoke up. The weight of the unspoken event hung heavily in the air and no one knew where to start. However, Gwen was the first to break the silence that had settled between them.
With a delicate tremor in her voice, she asked. "What happened last night, Ben?" Her eyes that held concern were locked with Ben's orbs.
The two young cousins, bound by blood and a lifetime of shared adventures, were facing each other, the intensity of their gazes speaking volumes. Gwen couldn't shake the memory of the previous night when Ben had appeared in her room, his demeanor far from the carefree boy she had known.
"Not only did you suddenly appear in my room last night, but you were also acting weird." Gwen continued her words carrying curiosity and concern. She knew that something out of the ordinary had occurred. Something had to have happened that could shake Ben to his core.
The room's atmosphere gradually became heavier because of the upcoming conversation. It was as if this moment, with the mysteries and unspoken truths, was meant for them and them alone.
They were the only ones in the room, and what better to talk about than Ben's less-than-formal visit last night?
Ben, his typical confident demeanor was not tempered down by the event of the previous hours, hesitated before responding. His uncertainty was clear on his face as he struggled to find the right words.
"I- Everything has just been so-" He took a deep breath. "I want to tell you Gwen… I just-" The tangled web of emotions and unexplainable occurrences, Ben wasn't sure how to tell Gwen. It was clear to Gwen that Ben is a bit reserved to talk about it but he was also willing to answer her questions more or less because of his facial expressions.
Gwen, attuned to her cousin's emotions in a way that only years of shared adventures and family bonds could foster, noticed the hesitation. Her voice softened even further as she spoke. "I can tell that you were scared, Ben. You're never scared." She held his gaze. A silent plea for him to open up about the fear that had gripped him.
"What exactly were you scared of?"
Ben's uncertainty deepened as he wrestled with his own unease. "Xenon," he finally uttered. The word was heavy with a puzzling weight. He couldn't quite put into words why or what he was truly afraid of, but the mere mention of the planet and the events that had occurred there sent shivers down his spine.
Gwen, her bright mind spinning, couldn't help but reflect on it. She knew that whatever had transpired that night had left the boy very unsettled. It should have been her who was terrified, given the circumstances, but strangely, it was Ben who was burdened with fear.
The girl started to think about the planet Xenon and the way Ben's concern seemed inexplicably tied to her.
Seconds passed, and a sense of realization covered her. Was it her?
Before she could ask to clarify, both her and Ben's parents, along with Grandpa Max, entered the room, bringing in food from the cafeteria. As soon as they entered, their eyes immediately zeroed in on the bed where Ben and Gwen were sitting.
"Ben! You're awake!" Sandra cried out in surprise.
It was a mixture of emotions. Hugs were exchanged, tears were once again shed, and whispered reassurances were passed between family members. Today had been an emotional roller coaster ride, but seeing Ben all up and okay easily lifted a heavy weight off their hearts.
As the initial rush of emotions subsided, the room became the backdrop for a quiet, serious discussion. Gwen, her determination unwavering, began to voice out. "Mom, Dad," her eyes glancing between them, "Ben shouldn't be alone right now. I can't just leave him here."
Her parents exchanged a concerned look. They already knew the dangers their children had faced together because of the stories Max had told them in the cafeteria. But they also worried about the unknown risks that might still occur, especially with what had happened earlier with Gwen's magic.
Ben, sitting quietly beside Gwen, felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for her support and care for him. He remained quiet and listened to the conversation.
Ben knew that Gwen was more than capable of making her case. Instead, he leaned against the headboard of the hospital bed, his arms instinctively encircling the girl who was sitting beside him hip to hip. It was a protective gesture, a silent affirmation of the unspoken bond that they shared.
After what seemed like an eternity of debating between Gwen with both sets of parents, the adults finally reached a consensus after speaking with the doctors.
"So you three are going to stay here at the hospital tonight?" Carl asked.
Grandpa Max nodded before he spoke, "I can watch the kids tonight here in the room while you four go rest." He offered. "The doctors have agreed to release Ben early tomorrow morning. I can drop them off tomorrow evening for school the next day."
Gwen nodded in gratitude, her gaze never leaving Ben's. The boy's arms tightened around Gwen's waist, offering her silent reassurance. Tomorrow was a new day, and with that dawn, they would face the mysteries of the events together.
Not even close to done yet as i have much more to come. For now though here is some fluff. :]