Some things before you guys read the prologue of this story. This story will be a bit dark, but will hopefully* have a good light ending. Who knows, I've only planned the base of the story not the ending. The base of the story will follow a certain comic book involving the Justice League (Points to anyone who figures it out before we get to the arc.)

Disclaimer: I do not own Ben 10 or Justice League.

Prologue

People take their lives for granted, it's a habit when everything is going well. But one tragedy, just one, can change lives forever, the question is can that tragedy help build the person or can it mentally destroy the person? The first of many more tragedies in this world has happened. How will this person live life now?

Outside a packed building, an 11 year old boy was by the end of the parking zone. In his hands was his small green jacket. It was getting cold so he got permission from his parents to get his coat quickly before the event started. As he slowly walked through the parking zone he couldn't help but smile, his whole family came here to watch this special event. Even his cousin, the dweeb he usually calls her, was here and he was glad.

Now a couple of feet away from the doors he started to put on his jacket. He got his right arm inside the right pocket of the jacket. Just as he was about to put his left hand in the pocket he heard screams coming from the building.

Unable to react, the building then exploded into flames. His jacket fell on the ground in front of him as the boy was now on his knees, his heart almost stopped as he couldn't believe it. Cries can be heard from the burning building, but there was nothing he can do. A minute later the building crumbled, the same building that had his family inside was now in rubble.

As sirens were heard a couple of blocks away from the site, tears started to fall from his eyes and down to the ground.

"Dad... Mom...Grandpa..." He cried, head on the ground. "Gwen!" Images of his red haired cousin came to mind as he remembered her.

Two months have passed since that tragedy. That day lives were lost and families were destroyed. The sole survivor, the boy, had no family who can care for him, everyone who was close to him was gone. So for two months he was placed in an adoption center where he was looked after. During his two months of stay he didn't talk with anyone, not even those who would visit him with the thought of adopting him.

His isolation made it difficult for people to adopt him. One thing that people noticed was that he always carried a small brown box. That box was always with him no matter what. Workers thought it was because the box was full of memories and they were right as the items inside the box had items such as the boy ticket of his first baseball game and an action figure, Sumo Slammers, that he received for his birthday. However there was one item, a crucial and important item that he would treasure dearly. Sometimes he would replay the last scene with the thought of wearing this item, thinking he could've changed the outcome if he'd still wore it.

As the boy continued to ponder on that thought, outside of his room at the reception was a tall built man with black hair and blue eyes. His posture shows he was a man of value.

"Mr. Wayne! W-We weren't expecting you today." The receptionist exclaimed as she nervously went through her book of appointments.

Bruce raised his hand for her to calm down. "I apologize for coming without notice, but this was the only time I was free." He looked at the double doors. "If it's possible, may I have a chance to meet with Benjamin Kirby Tennyson?" He asked.

She nearly dropped her book when she heard the name. "Um, yeah. He doesn't have any visitors today so you can go right ahead." She motioned to the door.

Before Bruce can go pass the double doors, the receptionist said one more thing. " Mr. Wayne You should know one thing before you meet him." Getting his attention, she continued. "He hasn't said a word to anyone. People who came here to see him with hopes of adopting him were saddened when he didn't respond to their questions. So please don't take it hard, if he doesn't talk to you, or even look at you."

"Thanks for the heads-up." He replied with a smile, walking through the doors.

In all honesty, he already knew that. He researched the boy for two months, feeling the urge that he can relate to him and because he felt that he owed him.

Walking through the hallway, Bruce looked for the boy's room. Reaching the end of the hallway, the door to his left had a small white sign labeled, Benjamin Tennyson. Gripping the doorknob, he took a deep breath before opening it.

Sitting on a seat watching T.V. was Ben, just like Bruce heard about the boy had a small brown box on his lap. Closing the door behind him, Bruce looked at the boy. Everything he read was correct, the boy didn't move an inch from his spot, not even looking at the newcomer.

"Hello there, Benjamin." Bruce said as he pulled up a seat across from the boy and sat down. "My name is Bruce Wayne, but you can just call me Bruce."

Ben didn't respond, he only continued to watch the news that was currently on. Bruce turned his head to see what exactly he was watching. Displayed on T.V. was Superman fighting Metallo. The two watched in silence as Superman defeated Metallo with ease, saving his hometown, Metropolis.

Superman smiled as he answered questions from reporters. "I think I can speak for all the other superheroes out there, that we are here to save everyone from criminals like him." He pointed at the unconscious Metallo. "We want to try and make everyone lives much more easier and better."

Ben gripped the box harder upon hearing that and it didn't go unnoticed by Bruce. Turning off the T.V. Bruce sat in front of Ben. However Ben was now just looking down on his box.

"Benjamin, I'm sorry." Bruce started to speak to the boy, but was not getting his attention. "I'm sorry that you went through that nightmare."

Ben looked at Bruce's shoes. He didn't want to give the man his full attention, but deep down he appreciated for saying that. The first person in this place to really say that.

"There may be some people who doesn't understand the pain you are going through right now. But I do understand your pain, I know how it feels to lose family right in front of you." Bruce explained as he looked at the boy who was now looking at him back. "I lost my parents around the same age as you, they were killed in front of me by a petty crook. I wish I could've done something back then, but I couldn't."

Ben stared at Bruce eyes and knew he was telling him the truth. Those eyes, they were the same as his.

"But Benjamin." Bruce added interrupting Ben's thoughts. "It doesn't mean we have the right to give up and mourn them forever. They would want you to live your life."

"I-It's... hard... I can't help it." Ben said lowly, he was obviously still hurt with what happened.

Bruce was caught off with Ben speaking for the first time in months, getting past it he placed his hand on the boy's shoulder. "I know it's hard, but you have to try." He kneeled down being the same height level as Ben. "Benjamin, I will come visit you and help you take those steps. I promise."

"Okay!" Ben brushed his tears away as he nodded his head. "Also you can just call me Ben."

Bruce smiled, it seems he was getting through the boy. The two continued to talk for another hour about different topics, it was the first time Ben actually had a real conversation with some in months. Bruce got to know the young boy a lot more than he did from the research. The boy seemed to enjoy playing soccer and loved Sumo Slammers. In return for talking about himself, Bruce told Ben about himself. But all Bruce really mentioned was that he was a successful business man.

"I'll be here again in a couple of days." Bruce said, getting a nod from Ben.

Arriving back at his manor, Bruce walked inside feeling happier than usual. He was glad that Ben started to talk.

"Welcome back, Master Bruce." Alfred, Bruce's butler welcomed, as he took his coat.

Giving the billionaire a drink, Bruce accepted and took a sip. "Thanks, Alfred."

Taking a seat at the living room, Bruce realized someone was missing. "Where's Dick?" He asked Alfred.

Appearing out of nowhere in a black long t-shirt and jeans with black hair was Richard Grayson. "Hey Bruce, where were you?" He asked taking a seat next to his mentor.

"There he is." Alfred replied answering Bruce's question. "Master Dick, would you like a drink?"

Dick declined the offer. "Maybe later, thanks Alfred." He answered before facing Bruce. "So where have you been?"

Bruce put his drink on the table. "I was at the adoption center." He replied.

Dick raised a brow caught off guard from Bruce's response. Taking a second to think about it, he then asked. "Who's the person?"

"His name is Benjamin Kirby Tennyson, but he likes to go by Ben." Bruce answered before looking down on the floor showing a small hint of sadness. "One day, his whole family were taken away from him in a bombing."

"Oh... H-How's he doing?" Dick replied, already he felt bad for the boy.

Bruce looked back up at his protege with a soft smile. "Better. It's going to take some time for him to adjust, but he is getting better."

Dick nodded his head understanding what the boy is going through. "How did you even find him?" He asked. Bruce simply stared at Dick for asking the rhetorical question. "Never mind."

The young protege came up with another question. "Will he know about our thing? Or are we going to hide it from him?"

Not many times do people see Bruce take a moment to think, but this was one of those moments. His eyes closed as small chunk of memories were coming to him of a certain event. Brushing them away he looked up at Dick. "I want him to live life, give him the opportunity to go to the best school and get a great future." The billionaire finally said.

A month has passed since Bruce first talked to Ben, as promised he was there for Ben nearly the whole month. Ben has really opened up to Bruce about how he was feeling, how he missed his family.

Today was a special day, finally the paperwork was done and Ben was to be adopted by Bruce Wayne. Everyone at his home and the social worker at the adoption center knew, Ben was the only person that didn't know about this special day.

" Mr. Wayne, should I go get Benjamin Tennyson?" The receptionist asked.

Bruce shook his head. "No need. I'll go get him." He replied with a smile.

She pressed the button that unlocks the double doors. "You're such a great man. He hasn't really talk to us, but he is at least doing some activities. He seems to be opening up and it's because of you." She said.

Quickly getting to Ben's room, Bruce found the brown haired boy looking through his brown box.

"Ben?" Bruce said getting his attention.

Ben quickly closed his box upon seeing Bruce. He put the box from his lap to his bed before standing up.

"Hey Bruce." Ben greeted.

Bruce took a seat and gestured for Ben to do the same. "What's up?" Ben asked confused with Bruce's actions.

"Listen Ben, I've gotten to know you well enough to know how you are. I feel that you have potential to do something good in this world." Noticing that Ben wasn't understanding where he was getting at, he quickly came out with it. "I would like to adopt you. That way I can help you get educated and get you on your feet to live your life. Would you like to be adopted Ben?"

Ben took a minute to really think about it. It's like what Bruce said during their first meeting, his family would want him to live his life. But is he ready for this new life?

"Yes. I would like to be adopted." Ben concluded.

Bruce smiled at the boy's response. "Well the paper work is already completed, so we can leave right now if you want."

"Let's get going!" Ben exclaimed as he already ran towards his suitcase and started to put his stuff inside it.

Bruce was by the door. "I'll be by the reception. I have to sign one more thing before we can go." He said before leaving Ben alone in the room.

As Ben got most of his things together in such a short time he couldn't help but open the small brown box again. He slowly laid out each item from the box. First was the baseball ticket, second was the Sumo Slammer action figure and the list continued. He stopped when there was one last item in the box. Taking the item out he placed it on his bed. It was a big black wristwatch and had a fade green hourglass shape on the middle. It was one of the most important device throughout the whole universe.

"The Omnitrix." He muttered as he stared at it.

A/N: Well there it is, the Prologue of this long story. So let me know what you guys think of this Prologue and what I mentioned on top. I will update this story when I finish updating my other two stories.