Ben 10 (Reader insert)

Ben 4 Good Buddy

Among the canyons, the highway stretched on in endless directions. No end in sight and the heat of a uncovered sun beating down on the Rust Bucket.

Some were joyful in this day of travel, while others were dying in the heat.

Mainly Gwen, Ben, and I.

Grandpa Max on the other hand was basically dancing in his seat.

"Ah, it's nice being off the highway. Don't you just love the open road?" Grandpa Max asked as he finally took the detour.

A break from the long drive our group had been stuck in for days. Only stopping to rest and eat, then hitting the road again for the next big thing Grandpa Max wanted us to do.

It was draining in its own right.

I laid sprawled across a booth seat, taking the entire space as Gwen was in the front with Grandpa Max and Ben took the other side of the booth for himself. Though he was currently in the bathroom. Lazily I lifted my head, summoning forth my powers to create a cooling wind.

It's great being this powerful.

The radio buzzed from the front seat, and a angry huff from Gwen before it shut off gave away that her attempt at music had failed. In answer to her grandfather she spat, "Not when you can't get a radio signal."

"Well, then, how about a sing-along?" Grandpa Max asked. He started loudly singing a travel tune.

Until Ben slammed the bathroom door open with a groan. "How about a flush-along? Toilet won't flush again!"

Gwen got up, and I watched as she fiddled with the radios beside the door, before shooting a thumbs up to Grandpa Max.

The Rust Bucket's horn rang through the air.

"Hydraulics on." Grandpa Max shouted back.

"You're clear to flush. And hopefully fast." Gwen told Ben.

A flushing sound and everyone went back to their respective seats. Though some were even more upset then minutes prior.

Ben huffed as he leaned back in his seat. "This thing can go three hundred miles an hour but it takes three people to flush?"

"Only when you clog the toilet, Ben." I threw out there.

The green-eyed boy tossed a glare my way, then looked away. His cheeks flushed red in embarrassment.

I went to apologize, only to be cut off before I spoke by Grandpa Max. "Hey, our old gal's got character."

A beeping filled the air as we climbed up a steep cliff. I sat up, blinking in surprise along with everyone else, as the roads had been empty for hours until now. Then, speeding to get in front of us, was a sleek, new RV.

Ben and I exchanged awed glances.

"No. That's character!" Ben stated.

Another sound, this time a voice over a megaphone, shouted, "This is the Baron. Move that piece of junk in front of us. So, we can get what we came for."

No one got time to do a thing before something from behind rammed us hard. The entire Rust Bucket jolted and Grandpa Max struggled to keep the RV straight on the road.

"Forget coming around the mountain. We're going down it!" Ben exclaimed.

"This no time for jokes!" I shouted, my powers flaring beneath my skin.

The Rust Bucket barreled for the edge, out eyes widening.

Starry skin flaring to life, I raised my hand and thought of a wall. It sparked, once, twice, before taking form and rising up, blocking the edge and giving us safety. I flinched when the Rust Bucket collided with the wall, Grandpa Max working to get us back on the road.