Start of the Summer

As the years passed, Ben slowly adjusted to his new life—one far brighter than the lonely path he once walked. In his previous world, he had been a mere orphan, clinging to the companionship of a single friend, Tony. But here, reborn as Ben Tennyson, he was surrounded by love: parents who adored him, grandparents who doted on him, a half-uncle who brought laughter into his life, and a cousin who stuck by his side through everything.

His childhood felt like a dream come true—until the age of eight, when two important figures in his life left unexpectedly. Xylene, his Uxorite grandmother, departed on what the family called "personal business." But Ben, now regaining fragments of his previous life's maturity, understood the truth: she was tasked with delivering the Omnitrix. Verdona, his Anodite grandmother, left around the same time to train another member of the family—Sunny, a distant cousin beginning to awaken her latent Anodite powers.

Despite their absence, Ben's path didn't falter.

Driven by a silent promise to become strong enough to protect his newfound family, Ben dedicated himself to intense physical and mental training. Drawing inspiration from the legendary figures of his previous life—Saitama, Ohma Tokita, Baki Hanma—Ben pushed his body beyond human limits. His routines bordered on insane: long-distance sprints, brutal core conditioning, bone-shattering strength exercises—all conducted in secret until his parents eventually caught on.

Though initially worried by their son's superhuman workouts, they supported him, sensing a fiery determination they couldn't bear to extinguish.

Gwen, ever the curious cat, couldn't resist tagging along. Her mother protested, citing the dangers of Ben's extreme regimens, but the girl found a training routine better suited for her body and stuck with her cousin. Together, they pushed each other, forming an unshakable bond that grew with every sparring session and shared victory.

In those eleven years, Ben didn't just grow stronger—he grew wiser. He began honing his latent psychic abilities inherited from Xylene's Uxorite bloodline, blending them with martial arts in a way no human had ever done before. His discipline sharpened, his mind matured, and his body molded into that of a warrior far beyond his years.

And so, time moved on.

As the years progressed, Ben didn't just hone his physical form—his psychic potential, inherited through his Uxorite bloodline, began to blossom into something extraordinary. While the rest of the world saw him as a talented but normal boy, Ben secretly walked a path few could even comprehend.

To guide his journey, Ben drew inspiration from two of the most powerful psychics of his past life's anime lore.

The first was Shigeo "Mob" Kageyama from Mob Psycho 100—the quiet boy with immeasurable psychic strength, capable of leveling cities in a moment of emotional breakdown. Ben admired Mob's deep sense of restraint and humility, knowing well that true power meant nothing without control. He studied Mob's techniques in his memories: layered barriers, focused telekinesis, spirit manipulation, energy redirection—and began shaping his own powers in that mold.

The second figure was Saiki Kusuo from *The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.**, a satirical god among mortals. Saiki had it all—telepathy, teleportation, mind control, x-ray vision, time travel, and more. Though comically overpowered, Ben respected how Saiki constantly limited himself, not out of fear, but from sheer exhaustion with the absurdity that came with being too powerful. Ben didn't want power for show—he wanted mastery.

With those two characters as his ideals, Ben began developing techniques and principles that defined his unique psychic style. He created barriers instinctively, honed precise telekinesis, and even began reading emotions through ambient energy shifts. These abilities were shared with no one—except Gwen.

Gwen had always been more than just his cousin. She was his partner in growth, his closest confidant. During one intense training session, Ben helped Gwen focus her inner energy, channeling it like he did with his own psychic aura. But what they didn't expect was what came next.

A radiant pulse of lavender light exploded from Gwen's core as her Anodite bloodline awakened for the first time.

She floated, eyes glowing, her aura dancing like northern lights.

Ben stood in awe. "Gwen… you're glowing."

She blinked, stunned, the energy ebbing around her. "I—I don't know what that was…"

Ben smiled, walking over and gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "Looks like it's not just me who's got powers."

With careful training and shared dedication, he helped Gwen explore her newfound powers, teaching her control and balance as he had learned for himself. Together, they became more than gifted—they became prodigies.

By the time they were both fourteen, their academic records were pristine. Advanced in science, mathematics, and even philosophy, the two cousins were light-years ahead of their peers. Teachers called them proteges, and classmates looked up to them. But neither Ben nor Gwen let the praise affect their humility.

After all, power without modesty meant nothing. And their true tests were still to come.

The classroom buzzed with quiet murmurs, broken only by the drone of the teacher explaining the principles of Earth science. The overhead fan creaked in a slow, tired rhythm as the heat of summer lingered even within the air-conditioned walls of Bellwood Junior High.

Ben Tennyson sat at his desk, chin resting on one hand, pretending to listen but far away in thought. His bright emerald eyes were unfocused, staring through the board and into another world entirely. He looked every bit the local heartthrob—tall for his age, lean yet muscular, with sharp features and an aura of confidence that made heads turn in the hallway. His school uniform sat perfectly over his chiseled frame, and a gentle glow seemed to emanate from him, drawing eyes wherever he went.

One pair of eyes, in particular, lingered longer than most.

From the seat across the room, Gwen Tennyson watched him with a fond smile playing on her lips, her cheeks tinged with the faintest blush. Over the years, the girl who had once seen Ben as her annoying half-cousin had grown into someone who admired—and loved—him. And not as family.

At first, it had been innocent. Admiration. Respect. But slowly, as they trained together, fought side by side, laughed and studied as partners—it changed. The fond feelings bloomed into something deeper, something she couldn't ignore. She saw not only Ben's strength, but his heart—the way he protected others, how he always encouraged her, how he smiled when no one else could.

And one night, beneath a calm sky as he slept soundly, she'd quietly leaned over and pressed her lips to his in a soft, secret kiss. Her first.

The next morning, she couldn't meet his eyes without her face burning crimson.

But today—today was different.

Gwen had made up her mind. With the summer trip just around the corner, where they'd be traveling with Grandpa Max for their annual vacation, she'd decided that was the moment. That was when she'd finally confess to Ben and lay her heart bare.

Before her resolve could fade, Gwen had confided in her mother. At first, her mom was stunned—speechless, even. The idea of her daughter falling for her half-cousin was a lot to process. But after some quiet thought, and seeing Gwen's sincerity, she had smiled and offered gentle support.

"If your heart truly knows, then follow it," she'd said. "And maybe… try his favorite food. You know boys and their stomachs."

From that point on, Gwen had become a girl on a mission. Subtle hints. Soft words. Trying out new looks. The family—excluding Ben—quickly caught on. Gwen's lovestruck glances and flushed reactions were impossible to hide. Even Grandpa Max offered a knowing chuckle here and there.

But what Gwen didn't know—was that Ben already knew.

He had known for a while.

And not just that—he loved her back.

Not as family, not as a sister figure—but as Gwen. The girl who stood by him, challenged him, understood him. The only person who truly shared his strange, powerful world.

He had seen her trying to hide her affection, her nervousness. And as much as it made him laugh softly, it also made his heart beat faster. So, he had his own plan. A confession. A surprise. Something unforgettable.

And that summer trip?

It was going to be the beginning of everything.