Ben pulls into the circular driveway of the mansion, the damaged Bugatti looking like a prop from a demolition derby. He parks it in the cavernous garage, surrounded by pristine luxury cars that now seem to mock his current ride.
Diamondheart emerges from the passenger seat, her spikes retracting slightly as she squeezes out of the vehicle. Ben circles the car, surveying the . The leather seats are shredded, the dashboard scratched, and the roof sports two gaping holes where Diamondheart's spikes had made their mark.
Ben scratches his head, wondering how much this repair would cost. Probably more than my old apartment was worth, he muses. Yet, oddly, he doesn't feel too bothered. He hasn't quite adjusted to his new life of wealth. This car, while technically his, still feels like something he borrowed from a friend, a ridiculously expensive friend.
He glances at Diamondheart, towering behind him. Her crystalline form might attract attention, even in this extravagant house. How am I going to sneak her inside?
"Okay," Ben whispers, gesturing towards the mansion, "follow my lead. Quietly."
Diamondheart nods, her expression unreadable. Ben opens the door connecting the garage to the house, peeking into the hallway. All clear.
He tiptoes inside, motioning for Diamondheart to follow. He moves through the opulent foyer, checking each room for signs of his parents. Not in the living room. Library's empty. Kitchen...clear.
"Coast is clear," Ben mutters, relief washing over him.
"Ben?"
Ben freezes. Sandra stands at the end of the hallway, arms crossed, an eyebrow raised. Diamondheart, bless her quick thinking, shrinks back behind a decorative wall, her crystalline form partially obscured by a large potted plant.
Ben swallows, attempting to appear casual. "Hey, Mom! Just, uh, got back."
"I see that," Sandra replies, her eyes narrowing as she takes in Ben's disheveled appearance and the faint scent of smoke clinging to his jacket. "And what exactly happened to the Bugatti?"
Ben forces a laugh. "Long story. I'll explain later. What's up?" He gestures towards the kitchen, hoping to steer her away from the hallway, away from Diamondheart's hiding spot. "Were you about to make one of your 'healthy' smoothies? Because I am STARVING."
Diamondheart, still not used to Earth furniture, bumps into a coat rack, sending several jackets tumbling to the floor.
[CLATTER]
Sandra doesn't budge. "I heard a crash earlier. Was that you?"
"Crash? Nah," Ben says, trying for nonchalance, "must have been the neighbors."
Sandra's gaze drifts past Ben, lingering on something behind him. Ben's heart pounds. She sees her, doesn't she?
"And who is that?" Sandra asks, her voice laced with curiosity.
Diamondheart steps out from behind the wall, standing beside Ben. Sandra's eyes widen.
"Mom, don't freak out," Ben blurts, holding up his hands. "It's not what it looks like."
"Not what it looks like?" Sandra repeats, a hint of disbelief in her voice. "And what exactly does it look like, Ben?"
"I can explain!" Ben insists, trying to keep his voice steady.
"Explain what?" a new voice booms. Carl appears, strolling down the hallway, a newspaper in his hand. "Hey, you two. What's all the—"
Carl stops mid-sentence, his eyes fixed on Diamondheart. The newspaper falls from his grip, fluttering to the floor. He stands there, mouth agape, staring at the crystalline being in his foyer.
"Ben," Carl manages, after a long pause, "what...who...is that?"
"Okay, okay, everyone, just calm down," Ben says, his voice rising slightly. "I can explain. It's kind of a weird story."
He takes a breath. "So, earlier today, when I went for a drive..." Ben begins, "I saw something crash nearby. Like, a meteor. I went to check it out, and the next thing I know, this thing—" He gestures to the Omnitrix on his wrist. "—attached itself to me. I can't take it off, I've tried." Ben raises his left arm. "It's like, glued to my wrist."
"And it can summon…these aliens," Ben finishes lamely, gesturing at Diamondheart.
"Aliens?" Sandra asks, her tone rising. Carl's still staring, speechless. "As in, from outer space?"
"I mean, what else is she?" Ben replies, spreading his hands. "Look at her! You think she's from Jersey?"
"She isn't going to cause trouble, is she?" Carl asks, his voice a bit shaky.
"No way! She's cool, I promise. She helped me stop a robot earlier."
Sandra sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose. Carl rubs his chin, looking thoughtful. They exchange a look. "We believe you, Ben," Sandra says, though her skepticism is clear. "But you shouldn't fool around with that thing before we know what we're dealing with. Agreed?"
"Agreed," Ben says, relieved.
Sandra turns to Ben. "Have you eaten?"
"No," Ben admits, "I didn't get a chance to."
"Alright, then," Sandra says, a hint of a smile returning to her face. "Let's have dinner. Diamondheart, you are welcome to join us."
Diamondheart looks from Sandra to Ben, a silent question in her yellow-orange eyes.
"Can I?" she asks, her voice a melodic hum.
"Of course," Sandra replies, waving her hand dismissively. "Don't be reserved. You're part of the family now, or whatever is going on. So dig in! I made a new recipe for chicken and vegetables."
Ben feels a warm spread through his chest at his parent's acceptance. They didn't even flinch. Sure, Mom looked surprised, but they're cool with it all. He stares at them, something wasn't adding up. Are they always this chill?
He can't tell if it's a good thing or not, but at least for now, they were taking things in stride. He can breathe a sigh of relief. For now.
…
The next day, sunlight streams through the window, landing on Ben's face. He opens his eyes, the events of the previous day flooding back. He turns his head and sees Diamondheart sleeping soundly beside him. Whoa.
Sandra offered her a spare room last night, but she insisted on staying close to Ben, in case she needed to protect him. Sandra was a bit worried at first but seeing Diamondheart being sincere, she accepted. Ben shrugs. Not a problem for him. She did come from the Omnitrix, after all.
Diamondheart stirs, her crystalline form shifting slightly. Her eyes open, locking onto Ben's. "Good morning," she murmurs, her voice still a soft hum.
"Morning," Ben replies, a smile tugging at his lips. "Ready for breakfast?"
They head downstairs, finding Sandra and Carl already awake. Sandra is busy at the stove, while Carl is reading the newspaper. The smell of bacon fills the air.
"Morning, sleepyheads," Sandra greets them, flipping a pancake. "Breakfast is served."
Ben and Diamondheart take their seats at the table. Sandra places a plate piled high with eggs, bacon, and pancakes in front of them.
"Thanks, Mom," Ben says, digging in.
Diamondheart eyes the food with curiosity. "What are these?" she asks, pointing to the pancakes.
"Pancakes," Sandra replies. "Try them. They're delicious."
Diamondheart takes a tentative bite, her eyes widening. "This is…good," she admits, a hint of surprise in her voice.
Carl lowers his newspaper, a smile on his face. "Glad you like it. Sandra makes the best breakfast."
As they eat, Carl rustles the pages of his newspaper. "So, Spider-Man stopped a bank robbery yesterday," he says casually. "The Avengers are dealing with some kinda energy in the city, and the Brotherhood of Mutants are protesting something again."
Ben chokes on his pancake, freezing mid-bite. Did he just say Spider-Man? Avengers?
"Sorry, what was that, Dad?" Ben asks, trying to keep his voice steady.
"Just the usual superhero stuff," Carl responds, turning a page. "You want to take a look? There's a good editorial on…"
"Yeah, actually, I would," Ben interrupts, reaching for the paper.
Carl hands it over without hesitation. Ben unfolds it, his eyes scanning the headlines. The Daily Bugle stares back at him in bold print. No way.
He reads articles detailing Spider-Man's exploits, the Avengers' battles, and the ongoing tensions surrounding mutants. Pictures of Tony Stark, Captain America, and even mentions of Charles Xavier fill the pages.
Ben pulls out his phone, quickly searching for Tony Stark, Captain America, and Charles Xavier. Each search yields result after result, confirming their existence.
A chill crawls up Ben's spine. This wasn't the peaceful life he imagined. He thought maybe, just maybe, it's the Ben 10 universe, and he got the Omnitrix. This shatters everything. This is the Marvel Universe. Or some twisted combination of the two.
The robots yesterday should have been a hint. Now, the realization hits him like a ton of bricks. The dangers of this world loom large. AI seeking humanity's . Gods walk among mortals. And somewhere out there, a purple giant plots to cut the universe in half.
Suddenly, Ben doesn't feel safe anymore.
"Ben? Are you alright? You've gone pale," Diamondheart asks, her tone laced with worry. She reaches across the table, her crystalline hand gently touching his.
He looks up, forcing a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just…processing everything." He glances at Diamondheart, seeing her unwavering loyalty. He wasn't completely defenseless, at least. He has the Omnitrix — Chaquetrix, he corrects himself — and all the aliens within it to protect him.
The device on his wrist is a powerful tool, capable of summoning incredible beings. Ben recalls some of the more potent aliens from the show — Alien X, for instance. If he can unlock those kinds of transformations, he doesn't need to cower in fear of anyone else.
The thought bolsters his spirit, yet it doesn't diminish the overwhelming fear of living in this reality. He still doesn't know how to unlock more summons, or if this new version of the Omnitrix even works the same way as the show.
Ben glances at the Omnitrix on his wrist, idly fiddling with the dial. He taps the face, hoping to stumble upon some hidden function—maybe the Master Control. Nothing. Well, that's just great.
"I think I'm gonna head out for a bit," Ben says, pushing back from the table. "Need to clear my head."
Diamondheart's head perks up. "I will accompany you."
"Nah, it's alright," Ben replies, waving his hand dismissively. "I need to do this alone. Plus," he adds, lowering his voice, "walking around with you is gonna attract a little too much attention."
Diamondheart's expression clouds over, a hint of disappointment in her golden eyes. "Oh…"
"Just for now, okay?" Ben says, trying to soften the blow. "I promise I'll bring you with me next time. Gotta keep a low profile."
With a reluctant nod, she concedes. "Very well. Be safe, Ben."
"Always," Ben responds with a grin. He gives her hand a reassuring squeeze before turning to Carl. "Hey, Dad, can I borrow a car?"
Carl raises an eyebrow, his gaze lingering on Ben's fuchsia jacket. "Why? What's wrong with your Bugatti?"
"Uh…it's kinda damaged," Ben admits sheepishly.
Carl studies him for a moment before shrugging. "Use one of the others."
Ben blinks. "Others?"
Carl points towards the hallway. "Garage. Keys are on the rack."
Ben stares at Carl, dumbfounded. "We have more cars?" He glances at Sandra, but she just gives him a knowing smile.
"Let the kid live a little," she says with a chuckle.
Confused, Ben heads towards the garage. The rack holds a half-dozen key fobs, each with a small tag bearing his name. He grabs one at random and presses the button. [DOOR UNLOCKING]
A sleek, red Ferrari 488 Spider hums to life, its engine purring like a contented cat. Ben's jaw drops. Holy crap.
He circles the car, running his hand along its smooth curves. He opens the door and slides into the leather seat. The interior smells new.
How rich is this family? he wonders, turning the key. The engine roars. Or how rich was I before?
He puts the car in reverse and backs out of the garage, already planning his route. He has a city to explore, and maybe even some superheroing to do. He just hopes he doesn't run into any supervillains.
The Ferrari's speedometer climbs as Ben merges into the New York traffic. The city greets him with its cacophony of honking taxis and towering buildings. It's a familiar landscape, yet altered.
Ben passes the Avengers Tower, its "A" logo gleaming in the sunlight. He spots the sleek, glass Oscorp Tower further downtown, and the distinct Baxter Building, home to the Fantastic Four. All locations from the comics.
Billboards display ads of Stark Industries, Tony Stark's charming face plastered on each one. The city felt real, truly the home to superheroes.
Amidst the skyscrapers, Ben spots something that makes him slam on the brakes: a Mr. Smoothy. The familiar logo triggers a wave of nostalgia. He always wondered why the cartoon Ben was so fond of it. Time to solve that mystery.
He parks the car and walks inside. The aroma of blended fruit fills the air. Ben orders a Galactic Raspberry smoothie, then takes a tentative sip.
His eyes widen. The taste is heavenly, a symphony of sweet and tart that dances across his tongue. He downs half of it in seconds. Okay, now I get it. He could see himself hanging out here every day.
Ben takes another sip, trying to savor the flavor, but his mind races. This isn't his world, and he has a responsibility to protect it. But how? He's just one guy, and yeah, he's got the Omnitrix, but he doesn't know how to unlock more aliens, and his Omnitrix is different; it summons aliens with their own thoughts and choices, he can't simply force them.
He's surrounded by powerful beings, with threats lurking around every corner. Living in fear isn't the way he wanted to live in his second life. He might face the same fate as his last.
He tosses the empty cup and walks back to the vehicle, enduring a stinging freeze.
Two women, dressed in fashionable attire, are draped across the hood, striking poses and snapping selfies.
"Excuse me," Ben says politely, "that's my car."
The women turn, their eyes widening. One of them runs her hand through her hair. "Oh, sorry," she says, flashing a practiced smile. "We just couldn't resist. It's gorgeous."
"Yeah," the other one adds, batting her eyelashes. "And so are you."
Ben rolls his eyes. He has no time for this. "Look, I appreciate the compliment, but I need to leave. Could you please step away from the car?"
The women giggle, but reluctantly step aside. Ben opens the door and slides inside.
As he starts the engine, he sees a fire truck speeding down the street, siren blaring. His firefighter instincts kick in. He shakes his head. You're not a firefighter anymore, Ben. You're a… what are you, anyway?
He hesitates, then glances at the direction the truck took. His desire to help won out. "Ah, what the heck."
Ben accelerates, the Ferrari's engine responding with a satisfying roar. He weaves through traffic, keeping the fire truck in sight. A sense of purpose washes over him, a familiar comfort in the chaos. He's not just some rich kid anymore; he's got something to do.
He arrives at a five-story apartment complex engulfed in flames. Smoke billows from the windows, staining the sky a sickly gray. Firefighters battle the blaze, their hoses spitting streams of water that seem to vanish instantly. A crowd has gathered, their faces a mixture of fear and morbid curiosity.
Ben spots a woman struggling against a police officer and a firefighter. Her face is streaked with tears, her voice hoarse with desperation.
"My daughter! My daughter is still inside!" she cries, trying to break free. "Please, you have to save her!"
The police officer shakes his head, his expression grim. "Ma'am, it's too dangerous. We can't let you go in there."
"But she's only six years old!" the woman wails. "Please, somebody, help my baby!"
Ben's heart clenches. He remembers the little girl in the high-rise, the helplessness in her eyes. He can't stand by and do nothing.
He parks the car and approaches the scene. The firefighter recognizes him.
"Hey, pal, you can't be here. This is a fire zone," the firefighter says.
Ben ignores him, pushing past the barrier. "I'm going in," he says, his voice firm.
"Are you crazy? You'll get yourself killed!"
Ben doesn't answer. He pulls his jacket over his face, trying to filter out the smoke. The smell of burning wood and plastic stings his nostrils. He takes a deep breath and plunges into the inferno.
The hallway is a maze of smoke and heat. Flames lick at the walls, and the air shimmers with heat. Ben coughs, his eyes burning. He yells the daughter's name, but his voice is swallowed by the roar of the fire.
"Hello! Is anyone there?" he screams.
He hears a faint whimper, a child's cry. He follows the sound, pushing through debris and kicking down doors. He spots her huddled in a corner, her face smudged with soot, eyes wide with terror.
"Hey, hey, it's okay," Ben says, his voice gentle. "I'm here to help you."
He scoops her up into his arms, holding her close. She clings to him, sobbing. "My mommy…" she whispers.
"Your mommy is waiting for you outside. We're going to be just fine."
He turns to descend the stairs, but as he takes the first step, the floor gives way beneath him. The stairs collapse, sending a shower of debris and sparks down into the flames below. He and the child are trapped on the fifth floor, with no escape.
Ben scans the room, his mind racing. The windows are too high to jump from. The fire is closing in. No, not again.
The girl buries her face in his neck, trembling. Ben looks at her and tries to smile. "Hey, it's going to be alright. I have a friend who can help us."
He glances at the Omnitrix on his wrist, his fingers hovering over the dial. He scrolls through the figures, landing on a familiar fiery silhouette. He slams down the watch, the transformation energy coursing through him.
A bright light fills the room, and when it fades, Heartblast stands in his place.
"Ben? What's going on?" she asks, her voice filled with surprise. "Why are we inside a burning building?"
"No time to explain," Ben says. "I need your help. Can you make a hole in that wall?"
Heartblast nods, her eyes widening with understanding. She walks towards the wall and focuses, her hands glowing with intense heat.
"Stand back!" she says. A beam of fire shoots from her hands, melting a large circle in the brick wall.
"Okay, now what?" she asks.
Ben grins. "Now, make a tornado. A big one."
Heartblast looks at him, puzzled, but trusts him. She closes her eyes, concentrating. A swirling vortex of fire erupts around her, growing larger and more intense. The force of the spinning flames buffets Ben and the child.
"Hold on tight!" Ben shouts, grabbing the girl firmly.
Heartblast directs the tornado towards the hole in the wall, creating a fiery funnel that sucks them upwards. The tornado lifts them effortlessly, carrying them down towards the ground. The crowd gasps as they see the tornado with Ben and the child descending from the sky. The tornado dissipates as they touch down safely.
Ben stumbles, setting the child down gently. She runs towards her mother, who rushes forward, embracing her tightly. Tears of joy stream down her face.
Ben watches the reunion, a sense of satisfaction warming his heart. He glances at Heartblast, who is grinning.
"We did it!" she says, pumping her fist.
Ben nods, a surge of adrenaline coursing through him. He looks at the burning building, a new determination in his eyes.
He is here to protect others. This city—this world—needs champions. And fate has handed him the tool to answer the call. With the Omnitrix, I can… The possibilities ignite his imagination. Supervillains, aliens, natural disasters... He can face them all. He smiles, a confident, bold expression, and grips the device. The world might have Spider-Man, the Avengers, the X-Men, but they will soon know the name of Ben Tennyson. Ben would become the greatest of them all.
***
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Advance chapters are in my P@|r3on - Najicablitz