This is another idea we had for a Bwen fic. Hope you guys like!

Hero's Pain, Leaving, and Messages

"Ben! Don't do this. You said it yourself it was an accident!" a red haired girl pleaded with the brown haired boy. They were in his room as he began packing his belongings into a duffel bag.

"I've decided Gwen. I can't risk it happening again. Not around here. It's better if I lose control like that on the enemy." The boy said, avoiding her eyes as he roamed his room.

A third person was in the room. A raven haired guy was sitting on his bed with an arm in a sling. "Ben, she's right man. This doesn't have to happen. We could go find that Azmuth dude and…"

The boy turned to glare at them. "None of you know how I feel! Turning into that…that thing and attacking you guys! Almost killing you! No, it's better if I go."

Just a few days earlier, Ben had acquired another set of aliens to go with his previous ones. Instead of just ten, he had gained eleven of them. When he tried the mystery eleventh alien, he had turned into a strange being and in a fit of rage attacked Gwen and Kevin. Kevin had faced most of the attack, but when Ben had reverted back he still had anger and attacked Gwen in his regular human form. He had finally snapped out of it when he saw her tears.

He had stared down and the bruises and bleeding Gwen had on her body and nearly broke. Kevin had some broken bones but had still been standing. After making sure that they were dropped off at the hospital. Ben had run back to his house. He wasn't able to see Gwen as she was, since her wounds had come from him. He tested out all of his aliens and each one brought anger to his body. He had torn his room apart so bad it looked like a war zone.

He had been locked up in his room ever since, refusing to see anyone. Then Ben's parents had informed everyone that he had decided to join the Federation Army and repel the invaders of the human colonies. A new alien empire called the Rakora had attacked several of Earth's new colony worlds, killing all humans. The governments of Earth had decided to band together to form the Federation, calling upon all able bodied persons to defend the outer colonies. Since most colonists had relatives back on Earth, many joined the newly formed army. Ben had lost his secret when an advanced team of Rakora had arrived to reveal his identity. After sending them away, Ben had been pushed to join the army, but he had kept refusing for some reason. Until now.

Kevin stood up and put a hand on Ben's shoulder. "I may have done some terrible things in the past, but you're right. I don't know how you feel. If this is what you think is right, then I won't stop you dude. I'll even drive you to the loading docks." He left the room after that.

Gwen stared at her cousin. We could talk this out! I know we could! He doesn't have to leave! Tears slid down her face as she tried to find words that would stop him. Ben finished filling the duffel bag and turned to face her again. When he saw her crying, he walked over to her and embraced her in a tight hug. He stroked her head and soothed her.

"Gwen, please don't cry. It always hurts me when you cry."

"Since when? You always called me a dork before now."

"Since…I'm not exactly sure. Look Gwen, this is something I need to do. Please understand I'm going so that I can fight to defend those I care about. To defend my family and friends. To defend you."

Gwen stopped crying for a moment. "Ben, what're you…?"

Ben kissed her forehead and left her embrace. He picked up the duffel bag and went to the door, pausing before he left. "Goodbye Gwen."

Then he left. Gwen stood there stunned before she realized what happened. She ran after Ben and reached him just as he was putting his bag in Kevin's car. She hugged him from behind and buried her face into his back. "Ben! Since I can't stop you, I won't. But promise me you'll write. At least do that!"

Gwen felt Ben place his hands over hers. "Alright. I promise I'll write to you." Then Ben left her hug again and got in the car. Gwen followed suit and got in the front passenger seat.

Kevin drove off for the new Fleet HQ on the outskirts of Bellwood. They had set one up nearby because so many of Ben's allies lived in the area. As they approached the base, they noticed how several alien species were walking around. Polymorphs, Pyronites, Tetramands, Kinecelerans, and several others. When Ben defeated the Highbreed, they helped him link the worlds of the newly formed Universal Allied Republic by building small scale jump gates. Now the species of all the worlds traveled freely from world to world. Funny enough, except for the Anodites and Highbreed, all the aliens were the ones Ben could turn into.

They arrived at the base gate a half hour later. A human and Thep Khufan was standing guard there. Gwen couldn't help but feel a little uneasy around the mummy like alien after her run in with the one seven years ago. The Thep Khufan waved them forward after checking their identity. They stopped at the base parking lot and got out. Ben made a bee line for the makeshift sign up table. Gwen and Kevin watched as he approached the Petrosapien and made his signature on the paper. Naturally, the diamond alien recognized Ben and stood up to shake his hand. After a few minutes of talking with him, Ben returned to Kevin and Gwen.

"He's got me heading out on the next shuttle. I'll be heading to the military fortress world of Theta Rho."

Gwen recalled the planet. The news media had said that to counter the threat of the Rakora, seven planets were turned into fortress worlds to defend the space lanes that led to the Alliance worlds. Theta Rho was the one that would be the last line of defense if the Rakora managed to overrun the outer colonies and the six other fortress worlds. But thankfully the combined fleet of the Highbreed and the few other ships kept the locations of these worlds hidden. So for now the world served as a training base.

Ben just stood there unsure of what to do. Gwen waited for him to say something before averting her eyes. Kevin walked over and slapped Ben on the back.

"Be sure to kick some reptile butt for me ok?"

"Sure Kev, you got it."

Kevin smiled and walked back to the car. As he did so, he bumped/pushed Gwen towards Ben. Gwen gave him a glare before her eyes met with Ben's. "So…um…"

"Yeah…"

"Ben, I understand you're reasoning for going, but I'm certain we could just figure this out."

"Gwen, when we had to find Azmuth and ended up fighting that huge drone army of Vilgax's, you almost died. I promised myself when I found out you were alive that I'd protect you. I broke that promise when I was the one who attacked you. Now, I'm leaving to protect you in a different way."

"Ben…why are you acting this way?"

"Because…because I…I…l…" Ben struggled to say, but hung his head in defeat. "Because you're my cousin and I value the bond between us."

What was he trying to say? Gwen wondered. Ben hugged her and said goodbye. Gwen watched as he left for the shuttle that had just landed and boarded it, taking one last glance in her direction. Gwen watched the shuttle lift off and disappear into the sky. She walked back to the car and Kevin drove her home. After the end of the war with the Highbreed, she and him had tried to go out as a couple, but found that they preferred to be friends so it didn't last long.

She was dropped off at her house and she went back to her room. She immediately sat down at her computer and decided to look up some things.

Three Months Later

Gwen watched TV with her parents, older brother, Ben's parents, Grandpa Max, and Kevin as the awaited event came on. The news channel showed a reporter standing in front of the camera with a large base behind him.

"Hello to all of those viewers just joining us. We're here live at the Theta Rho fortress world, the operating world for the entire Alliance army. Word has just come from the Council of Admirals of a new appointment for a rising soldier in the ground forces of the Army. Look there they are now!"

The camera swiveled to show a group of high ranking officers walking out in front of the base's entrance. The alien races in the alliance that had some type of military force present in the army were given a position on the Council of Admirals. A Highbreed stood in front of a podium and faced the crowd of soldiers and reporters.

"People of the Alliance, we are here before to announce that the Rakora Empire has decided to send its' best warriors against us. Unfortunately, the colony world of Alor has fallen to them. In response to this, a new elite branch of the army has been created. The best warriors and strategists from all worlds of the Alliance are now set in this new elite branch known as the Defenders. At our insistence, the leader of this new force is one that many of us know. He has unified the worlds in the Alliance, saved several worlds from threats of their own, and saved the universe by saving the Highbreed species. I give you Ben Tennyson, known to many as Ben 10."

The entire living room gasped in wonder as the man they all knew walked out from behind the Admirals. He seemed different. He no longer wore his regular clothing. Instead he had some type of black gear that looked similar to those video games he used to play (ODST combat suits). He had a helmet tucked under his arm. On his face was a scar that ran along his right cheek. Upon his wrist was the same old Omnitrix and on his collar were two gold bars. Ben nodded to the Highbreed as he took the place at the podium.

"Thank you Admirals. I accept the task you have given me and agree to lead the Defenders well. I wish to say something more if I may?" Getting a nod from the Admirals, he continued. "I would like to say hello to my friends and family back home. Hey guys! Hope you're watching this! I promise that I'll try to get some time to see you all again. Thank you."

He stepped away from the podium only to be ambushed by several reporters as he tried to head back inside. Gwen smiled as Ben tried to dodge the reporters.

"Was it just me or did Ben seem out of it?" Ken commented. Gwen thought about it. He did seem to be acting mainly. Funny how he's terrible at it. "Ten bucks says he was forced into saying that."

"No, Ben wouldn't have been forced to say that. He's too out of it to just say it. I noticed he didn't seem out of it until he said hi to us. He was thinking of something else when he said that." Gwen said.

"Probably thinking of you." Ken said in a mocking tone with a huge grin on his face. The grin disappeared as Gwen threw a pillow at his face. Everyone laughed as Gwen glared at Ken. "What I say?"

"Ben doesn't think of me like that idiot! Besides, he's got Julie to think about."

"Gwen, Ben broke up with her nearly a year ago. Didn't you know that?" Ben's mom said.

Gwen frowned at that and returned her attention to the news. They broke up a year ago? Why didn't he say anything? Gwen saw Ben on the TV and noticed his eyes didn't match the smile on his face. They were sad. And why hasn't he written yet?

After the news was over, everyone left for their various homes and such. Gwen went up to her room and was about to settle down when a knock came on her window. She went to it and opened it up. An Arachnichimp was hanging on the edge of her window. She noticed it wore the uniform of a mail courier of the army.

"Gwen Tennyson?" the alien asked. She nodded. "These are two message chips and a parcel for you. Sorry it didn't arrive earlier. Rakora raiding ships have been hitting the space lanes between the fortress worlds and the homeworlds. Have a good night!" Then the spider monkey left.

Gwen looked down at the message chips. One was addressed to her from about a month ago. The other was attached to the parcel and had been sent out a week ago. She took the first one and placed in her computer. A video came on and she smiled when she saw Ben.

"Hey Gwen. Keeping my promise to you and 'writing'. These things are actually better than notes so I'll be using them. I completed my boot camp training just a few days ago, about seven weeks since I left. Now I'm a sergeant in charge of the advanced teams. They wanted to make me a Lieutenant and give me my own platoon, but I turned them down."

Gwen giggled at that. Ben never did want to have large responsibilities. "I made some new friends and yes some of them are human. My best friend over here is a guy named Rick. We've been going all over the base causing some minor trouble if you get my meaning. Anyway, this is just a test to see if it gets through or not. Till next time, see ya!"

Gwen ejected the message chips and inserted the second one. Two files appeared on her screen. One was titled "Ben and Friends" and the other was titled "For Gwen". She clicked on the first one.

Another video came on, this time showing Ben in a barracks room with some other soldiers. They were moving around in the background, but then some noticed Ben with a camera.

"Hey, Gwen. I heard about the Rakora raiders so I'm going to send this…"

"Ben, buddy, whatcha doing?" a Tetramand said. He strode over to Ben and looked at the camera he was facing. "A video recorder?"

"Yeah, now could you…hey!" Ben said as the Tetramand picked up the camera and smiled into the lens.

"Whoever's watching this, and I'm gonna assume its' his cousin, I'm Mark, Ben's right and left arm guy! I think you should meet the rest of the squad here." Gwen laughed as she heard Ben in the background saying for Mark to give him back the camera.

"Well now, here's Devin!" The camera turned to a Loboan. The wolf alien looked up from sharpening a strange looking blade. He smiled a bit before waving at the camera. "He's our weapon's specialist. And next to him is Sarah." The camera moved slightly to the left to show a Polymorph. "She's our stealth expert of course."

The camera moved to the left to show three humans. Two men and one woman. The first man had spiked blonde hair and tan skin. The other had jet black hair and grey eyes. The woman…she recognized her as Kai! "The blonde guy is Anthony, comm expert, the black haired one is Rick, and the girl is Kai. She's the only one here who knew Ben from before the war. She's our animal specialist."

Gwen saw that Kai waved to the camera in a half daze. She was more interested in looking at Rick. Well, at least she's not going after Ben. Wait…why did I just think that? Why is my heart racing? "And here's Alan!" Gwen saw a Petrosapien waving at the camera. His body reflected the light from the room's lights. "He's the tech wiz."

Then the camera gave another turn to show a male human with a female Kineceleran. "These are our two lovebirds in the squad, Alex and Samantha, a.k.a. Sam." The two raised their hands to the camera and pushed it aside to a trio sitting at a table. Two of them were Methanosians and the other was an Appoplexian. "The Methanosian on the left is Jeff and the one on the right is Flamar. The grumpy tiger is Tom."

The camera finally got pulled away as Mark went crashing to the ground laughing. The camera landed on its' side showing Ben giving him a double arm lock. "Will you give me back my camera already?" Ben got off him and grabbed the camera as everyone laughed. Even Gwen was laughing. The video ended after that. She clicked on the second file.

Ben appeared in an empty room. "Well, Gwen hopefully you saw the other video first. Wasn't how I meant to introduce my new friends, but I guess it'll do. Anyways, I got you some presents. Open up the box. I'll wait a moment."

Gwen reached for the box and opened it. Inside were several message chips, a few books, and a box. She rummaged around to see what the books were. "If I know you, you're looking at the books first. They're a few books on alien languages, customs, and other factual stuff about our friends. Thought you might like some of those. There's also a few poems and fictional stuff if you're interested. The message chips are for if you want to write me too. I mean…you don't have to…or anything. Just in case. The box has a special gift I found when searching some of the ruins with Mark."

Intrigued by this, Gwen reached for the box and opened it. She stared at the necklace inside it. It was made from some silvery material with a purple stone hanging from it. The stone had red markings on it that shown even in the dim light of her computer.

"I hope you like it. It was found in the southern relic sites of Theta Rho. My team and I had gone there to train for a few days. It was in a room full of drawings of, you wouldn't believe me, but Anodites! I grabbed what I could and I'll try to send you it if you like it. Hope you get this soon. Bye!"

The video stopped after that. Gwen smiled to herself. He kept his promise to write! I'll have to send him a message and let him know I got the gifts. Gwen then thought of a perfect plan to mess with Ben. She changed her clothing and turned on her camera.

"Hey Ben!"…

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