Ben 10 marvel x dc

Ted Grant POV

I was walking up to Wayne Manor. Been a long time since I was here.

Place still looks like it hasn't aged a day… unlike me. But it sure brought back some good memories. Like me punching Bruce all over the place during training, him barely able to stand, but never giving up .That stubbornness, that will, that's what made him Batman. Always getting back up no matter how much pain he was in.

Knock knock.

I knocked on the door, and just like I figured, it was Alfred who opened it.

"Alfred. Good to see you again," I said with a smile.

"Hello, Master Grant," he replied, still calm and dignified as ever. "Master Bruce is down below."

"Yeah, I figured. I need to talk to him, if you don't mind," I said.

Alfred nodded and led the way inside. We moved through the mansion's halls, the silence thick with nostalgia. Eventually, we stopped in front of the old grandfather clock.

Alfred opened the face, adjusted the hands to a specific time, then closed it. Just like old times.

A hidden door slid open, revealing the elevator down. We stepped in, and it began to descend.

A minute later, the doors slid open, and there it was.

The Batcave.

Still as massive and awe-inspiring as ever. Some things never change.

The giant dinosaur statue was still standing proudly. The enormous penny, yeah, still here too. And the display cases... all the suits. His. The sidekicks'. A damn shrine to the legacy of pain and perseverance.

This place was still heavy. Still sacred.

And I had a feeling this conversation was going to be just as serious.

Bruce was at his supercomputer, doing God knows what. Never did understand half the tech stuff he works with.

"Hey Bruce," I called out, walking into the cave. "Long time no see."

He didn't even turn around. Just kept typing away like I wasn't there.

"Yes, it has been, Ted," he said calmly. "I hope you're doing well."

"I'm alright. Was enjoying retirement for a while… then an old friend pulled me back in. So I'm back in action. Temporarily."

"I saw," Bruce said, still staring at his monitor. "You and Hector… working with that new hero. Omni."

There it was. Paranoid as ever.

I crossed my arms. "Bruce, I'm not here to chit-chat. I came to tell you—leave the kid alone. Stop digging into him."

That made him pause.

He stopped typing. Slowly swiveled his chair around to face me.

"I can't do that," he said flatly. "Whatever power that kid has… I need to know. Just in case."

"Just in case of what, Bruce?" I asked. "In case he goes rogue? Becomes a villain?"

"Or if he gets mind-controlled. Or blackmailed. Or cloned. Or replaced. Or—"

"Alright, alright, I get it," I cut in. "But you don't have to worry. He's immune to mind control, magic, tech, psychic, all of it. And he's damn careful about hiding his identity."

Bruce narrowed his eyes. "Not careful enough if he sent you to tell me to back off."

I smirked. "He didn't send me. I came on my own."

Bruce raised an eyebrow.

"In fact," I added, "he wanted to hack your system. And the Justice League's."

That got his full attention.

Bruce's eyes sharpened. "He what?"

"Yeah," I said, stepping closer. "He was one keyboard away from pulling a Batman on you. I had to talk him down."

Bruce stared at me for a long second. Then, slowly… he leaned back in his chair.

"You really think he was gonna take you poking around his identity lying down?" I asked, stepping up to Bruce. "He was ready to do the exact same thing to you, Bruce. Eye for an eye. You don't respect his privacy, he won't respect yours."

Bruce narrowed his eyes. "You're telling me he can hack into the Justice League's systems? Into mine?"

I let out a dry laugh. "You've gotten arrogant, old friend. You have no idea what that kid's capable of. You don't know what he really is. And I'm trying to stop you from making a mistake… one that'll put you on his enemy list."

"I'm doing what I have to," Bruce said, his voice rising. "I'm trying to protect the world from a potential threat."

He stood up and got in my face.

"And I'm telling you," I said calmly but firmly, "the way you're going about it is what'll make him a threat. What happens if one of your enemies hacks your system, don't roll your eyes, we both know nothing's impossible anymore, and they find out who Omni is? What happens if they go after the people he cares about?"

Bruce didn't answer, so I finished it for him.

"He'll hunt them all down. Every last one. I've seen that kind of fury before. And trust me, you never want to be on the wrong end of someone like that when they've got nothing left to lose."

"So he's willing to kill?" Bruce said coldly. "Proves my point."

I stepped forward. "Don't put your own moral compass on everybody else, Bruce. We've had this talk. Plenty of heroes don't follow your no-kill rule. I don't. Back in the day, when a villain was a true monster, when redemption was off the table, I put them down."

I stared into his eyes.

"Captain America fought Nazis. You think he just knocked them out and called it a day? No. He killed them. Sometimes, doing the right thing ain't clean."

Bruce didn't respond.

"Omni's not your enemy," I added. "Don't turn him into one."

"Thank you for your advice and concern," Bruce said, his voice cold and distant, "but I know what I'm doing."

He turned his chair back toward the massive Batcomputer, fingers tapping away like I wasn't even there.

"What you and Captain America did back in the old days, that was different," he continued. "Things have changed. We don't have to kill anymore. And I won't stop looking into Omni. I'm going to find out who he is and what his power really is."

He didn't even look back at me.

"And just so we're clear, I've made sure no one can hack into the League's systems, especially mine. With Cyborg and Mister Terrific's help, that door is sealed. What happened last time won't happen again."

I sighed and shook my head. "I was really hoping I could talk you down from this, Bruce. I thought maybe you could earn that kid's trust… maybe even gain a valuable ally for the League. But you just threw that chance out the window."

I turned around and headed for the elevator, not bothering to hide the disappointment in my voice.

"You're too stuck in your ways."

I stopped, glancing over my shoulder one last time.

"I hoped our friendship could stop you from making this mistake… but I guess Bruce Wayne really did die in that alley. All that's left is Batman."

I stepped into the elevator and hit the button, the doors beginning to close.

"Oh, and don't worry. I play fair. I won't tell him who you are. But I will warn him you're coming after his identity."

I looked him dead in the eyes as the doors shut.

"And trust me—he'll do the exact same to you. Good luck, Batman. You're gonna need it."

Batman POV

I stood there for a moment, staring at the elevator doors long after they'd closed.

Then, I turned back to the Batcomputer… but I didn't start typing.

Ted was right about one thing.

Bruce Wayne did die in that alley.

All that's left is Batman—and Batman is what the world needs.

I know people won't agree with what I'm doing. I know Ted didn't. But I'm not wrong. I've never been wrong to prepare for the worst. Not when the lives of millions hang in the balance. That's the burden I carry… that I chose to carry.

People will call me paranoid for creating contingency plans. But I call it responsibility.

I don't do this out of fear. I do this out of necessity. If even one of our own turns… if even one loses control—what then?

There are heroes who could level cities before anyone even realizes something's wrong. And if that day comes, we won't have time to ask questions. We'll need solutions. We'll need plans.

Omni is powerful. Too powerful to ignore. I don't know what his power source is, or what his limits are, if any. Technology, mutation, magic—it doesn't matter. If he ever goes rogue… if someone ever controls him, manipulates him, hurts someone he loves, how many lives would it take before we stop calling him a hero?

No. I'm not doing this because I think he's the enemy.

I'm doing it because I pray he never becomes one.

And I pray I never have to use the plans I've made… especially not on someone I consider a potential ally—or worse, a friend.

One Week Later

Franklin POV

This has easily been the best week of my freaking life.

I've taken Yolanda and Ava on so many dates, I lost count, movies, arcades, rooftop stargazing, you name it. They're both amazing. And let me tell you… dating two girlfriends? It's awesome. But also? Expensive as hell.

Which makes me extra thankful I'm rich.

Everyone at school knows now. We've gotten a lot of attention, some shocked looks, some jealous whispers, and more than a few "Wait, how did he pull both of them?" comments. Yolanda's whole family knows too. Her dad had a whole dramatic moment about it, but he eventually chilled out. The rest of her family? Surprisingly cool with it.

On top of all that, I've been doing a ton of superhero work solo this week. Ted and Hector finally trust me to patrol on my own, and I've been thriving out there. Omni's becoming a big name in New York, people actually recognize me now. I'm almost as famous as Spider-Man and Silk.

Almost.

But hey, give me another week.

Oh, and in case you were wondering nah, I'm not worried about Batman.

Ted told me their little talk didn't go too well. Not that I expected it to. I knew Batman wouldn't listen, even to someone like Ted. So while Ted was off playing peacekeeper, I was busy hacking into Batman's systems.

And the Justice League's.

Yeah, I know… bold move. But let's be honest, it's only a matter of time before the world's greatest detective puts all the pieces together and figures out who I really am. I'm not going to sit around and sweat it just because some rich guy with trauma and too many gadgets is trying to connect the dots. If he figures out my identity, fine. I'm just gonna make sure he knows I know who he is too.

Let's see how he likes it.

I'm not going to put my life on pause or hide from a guy who broods on rooftops and fights crime with a bat motif. I've got a life to live, two amazing girlfriends, and way too much going on to stress about that.

Also, speaking of crazy stuff… Superman and Captain America have been everywhere on the news this past week. They're making public statements about the Inhumans, yeah, those Inhumans. Apparently, they're building a city near New York and plan to live here on Earth full-time.

One: They already had a city built?!

Two: I honestly didn't think the Inhumans would be coming to Earth this soon.

But I guess it's happening. And if they're settling close by, that's just more chaos heading our way. Great.

Guess Omni's going to have to start brushing up on diplomacy... or alien etiquette.

Either way, it's gonna be interesting.

But all that stuff? Not important right now.

Right now, I'm standing in the middle of the airport with Yolanda and Ava, holding up a cardboard sign like I'm in some kind of sitcom. Grandpa Max told me my cousin was flying in today and asked me to pick her up. I don't really remember her; we were babies when we last met, but I'm excited to finally reconnect. And yeah… also kinda freaking out inside.

She's family.

I can't wait to introduce her to my friends. I think she'll get along with everyone just fine.

"You look nervous," Ava said, side-eyeing me.

"Because I am nervous," I replied. "I'm about to meet a cousin I don't even remember."

"I'm sure she's feeling the same way," Yolanda said, gently bumping her shoulder against mine.

Just then, I spotted her.

A curly-haired Black girl with glasses was walking out of the terminal, suitcase rolling behind her. She looked around—eyes scanning, a little unsure.

"Is that her?" Ava asked.

"I think so… but I gotta be honest, she doesn't look familiar at all."

"What'd you expect?" Yolanda said. "You guys were babies the last time you saw each other. She's probably thinking the same thing."

"Yeah… fair." I exhaled and adjusted my grip on the sign.

She finally made it over and stopped in front of us. She looked a little nervous too.

"Hey, Franklin? I'm your cousin, Beth. It's nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too, Beth. I'm, uh… Franklin." I said with a small laugh. Yep. Real smooth.

We both stood there awkwardly for a second.

"For the love of—" Ava rolled her eyes and snatched the sign out of my hand.

"Can you two just hug already?" Yolanda said, nudging me forward.

Beth and I looked at each other, then stepped in for the hug. It was stiff at first, but after a few seconds… it actually felt good. Comfortable.

We pulled back and both smiled.

"That help with the nerves?" Ava asked.

"It actually did," Beth admitted with a grin.

"Good," Yolanda said. "I'm sure you two will have a lot to catch up on during the ride home."

"Wait, don't I have to drop you two off first?" I asked, looking confused.

Honk honk!

We all turned at the sound of a van pulling up. Betty was behind the wheel, and the rest of the crew, Kamala, MJ, Ned, Courtney, and Cindy, were all crammed inside.

"Why is Betty driving a van, and why is everyone here?" I asked.

"Oh, we all wanted to see your cousin," Ava said like it was obvious. "But don't worry, we're giving you two space. You can introduce her to the chaos tomorrow."

"Yeah, bonding time," Yolanda said with a wink as she opened the passenger door.

"Bye, you two!" Ava called out, hopping into the van beside Yolanda.

"Try not to be weird!" Cindy added from the back seat.

And just like that, they drove off, leaving me and Beth standing there with her luggage.

"So… welcome to New York," I said.

"Thanks," she smiled. "This is already way more chaotic than I expected."

"Oh trust me," I said as I grabbed her bag. "You ain't seen anything yet."