Ben 10: Alien Force (Reader insert)

The Gauntlet

(So, I added in a personal headcannon of mine to this chapter, because the show never told us it. How Kevin got his car.)

This machine just wouldn't go down!

I dodged behind a box as a stray blast barely grazed my shoulder. Stars danced around my face, and they twinkled brightly along my arms in alarm. Risking a chance, I peeked out to see what our current enemy was doing. The bulky, blue robot in the center of the warehouse had already turned to another target as soon as I took cover, instead focusing on Kevin who came in swinging in his stone armor.

A swift punch and Kevin was sent soaring back. As he landed hard, my attention was taken away as a flash of green caught the corner of my eye.

I turned to meet even brighter green eyes, and a wide smile. Ben crouched before me.

"Hey."

"Hi."

"Omnitrix isn't working." Ben explained, eyes leaving mine to stare down at the stubborn tech.

"When is it not fighting you?" I asked in turn as I focused back on the fight.

Kevin had gotten back up, charging again as the bulky machine took aim and fired. He cried out as a blast hit him in the shoulder.

"You okay?" Ben called from his spot beside me.

"Been better." Kevin called back as the stone armor chipped away to reveal his skin.

"Switch out?" I called.

Kevin's nod had me racing forward, clapping my hands together and then yanking them apart in fists. Between them a stream of concentrated stars formed a light rope. Letting one hand drop, I drew the other back and threw forward.

The light whip followed, sailing through the air and tangling on the machine's arm. I smirked, giving a strong tug. The robot stood no chance as it tumbled on its knees, hollow head swinging to focus on me.

It lifted its free arm, fingers pointed and ready to fire, but a slice of purple cut it off before it could.

I looked up, watching as Gwen raced overhead with purple, mana platforms, more balls forming in her hands that she threw at the machine. They barely scuffed the armor.

I commanded the binds to tighten, the arm crushing with a loud squeal. But a quick tug back and my concentration broke, the stars fizzling out and freeing the beast.

"Dang it." I hissed, racing for cover again.

Kevin followed, hot on my heels.

Gwen took center stage, buying me time as she distracted the thing. Its hollow head turning as if it could actually see. Fingers lifted it continued to blast, the other, broken hand joining in, newly repaired.

One blast broke through Gwen's attacks as I swung back behind the crates with Ben, who was still struggling with the watch. Kevin, dove in too. Her platforms broke, but she caught herself on another, and another as those were broken too.

I noticed the sweat beading her brows, and the strain in her arms. She was getting tired. So, it didn't surprise me when she retreated to our safe spot.

"We're in trouble." Gwen spoke up as she landed by my side.

"You think?" Kevin shot back in irritation.

"How long before you can change?" Gwen demanded, turning to her cousin.

"Still need a few seconds." Ben answered.

"I'll see what I can do!" Gwen nodded, already turning to face the robot again. Her mana appeared over her hands.

I stood up, calling forth the stars into bright flames as I smiled. "I'll go with, better to have back up after all."