Disclaimer: Both characters and products of the Justice League Unlimited and Ben 10 franchises do not belong to me.

Enjoy.

Chapter 8: The Hunt Begins

Gwen felt her consciousness slowly awaken, her eyelids sliding open as she let out a quiet sigh. The sight of an unfamiliar ceiling greeted her and it took her a minute to remember where she was and what had happened the night before. She glanced to her left, letting out a shaky breath of relief when she saw the sleeping faces of Kara and Barbara, breathing quietly on beds placed next to hers.

The night before, as if he had read their minds, Alfred had prepared a single room for the three girls. Three separate beds had been placed inside. Gwen had hugged Alfred with all her might, whispering a quiet thank you. The older man just gave her a knowing smile and a gentle pat on her back before leaving.

Kara immediately pushed the three beds together, connecting them into one big superbed. Gwen and Barbara giggled together when Kara pushed her hands out to the side, as if she were a showcase girl presenting some grand prize. The three quickly washed up, changed into some spare clothes Barbara stashed in Wayne Manor since she came to the Batcave a lot more these days. That got some raised eyebrows from Gwen and Kara but Barbara assured them she only kept them there just in case she somehow lost or damaged the clothes she was wearing before changing into the Batsuit or could not make it home as Batgirl. They spent the rest of the night just talking about random, pointless things. Safe things. Then the dam had broke and Gwen found herself crying again, getting hugged and comforted by two wonderful friends she did not think she would ever have again. Besides Ben that is.

Gwen's eyes widened when she thought of her cousin. She got out of bed fast, faster than she had ever done before and sprinted out the door, nearly tripping over her own feet as she ran towards the room down the hall. Damn it. How could I...? How could I just... She had left Ben alone. Her. Ben was her world now, and she was his. She was not the only one who had horrific memories dragged out and laid bare.

Ben was there, always there to catch her when she nearly fell and did something she would regret. That was always her job, her job to be the calm one. The collected one. When had Ben matured so much to be the anchor of their bond?

Simple.

He had not. Ben was still suffering just as much as her, but being the stupid, brave hero he was, he shouldered it in the interest of her safety and happiness. Biting down hard on her bottom lip, Gwen resisted the urge to scream. She was the older one, no matter what Ben said about arriving a second earlier, she knew she was born at least three seconds faster than the doofus.

Finding the room she vaguely remembered Alfred leading Ben towards, Gwen did not even bother knocking as she pushed the door open. Her eyes widened when she found it empty, the bed did not even look like someone had slept in it. Turning quickly, Gwen started to run back towards her own room when she nearly knocked Alfred over.

"My apologies Miss Gwen, I did not expect you to be here."

"No Alfred, it's my fault. I wasn't looking where I was going and almost crashed into you. Are you alright?"

"I assure you, it takes more than that to cause me any harm. I am Batman after all."

Gwen giggled, covering her mouth with her hand, "I believe you."

"Thank goodness someone finally does." Alfred smirked very slightly before his expression softened, "May I inquire, where you were off to in such a hurry?"

Gwen nodded, glad she had run into Alfred, "Ben. I was looking for Ben. Have you seen him?"

"Young Master Ben went for a run. Was up rather early, about two hours ago. Said he needed some fresh air and exercise, a good way to start the day he says."

Coming from a boy who never got up before noon if he could help it, Gwen very much doubted this new, healthy outlook on morning exercise her cousin suddenly developed, "Do you know where exactly he went? Did he transform? Did he leave the property?" Fear filled her heart. Did Ben run? Was Ben out there right now, alone, in the city and grieving without her there to help him?

"Oh no, he simply went to the track field out back, near the tennis courts." At the stunned look the redheaded Tennyson was giving the butler, Alfred chuckled, "You'll be in for many more surprises than that, Miss Gwen. After Master Bruce started his...extracurricular activities, he has made Wayne Mansion more... Shall we say, self sufficient. Then after he formed the Justice League, and faced the invasion, I daresay Wayne Estate could be a self-sustaining community on its own for many years, should the country fall."

"I'd like to say I am surprised Mister Wayne turned his home into something of that scale but..."

"But knowing the true face of Master Wayne, it is rather disappointing, is it not?" Alfred winked, earning a chuckle from Gwen.

"Exactly."

Seeing that Gwen was a little more at ease, Alfred pointing down the hall, "I checked on Young Master Ben just ten minutes ago. He had worked up quite a sweat and was resting, so I left refreshments for him. Last I saw, he was devouring his fifth bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich."

Nodding at Alfred, Gwen gave the old butler another hug, "Thank you." She turned and hurried down the hall, leaving Alfred with a strange thought that he was now a grandparent. How silly.

/0/

Ben laid on the well cut, very soft and very cool grass, staring up at the bright blue sky. He had started counting clouds, hoping it would bore him to sleep. He did not know how the grass was so well kept, and how Alfred took care of everything around here by himself, apparently. Neither Ben nor Gwen had seen any other staff around Wayne Manor. It seemed like Alfred was the sole caretaker of the manor, as well as Batman. Did the old butler really help Batman maintain his equipment, cook for Bruce Wayne, drive for Bruce Wayne, maintain the ginormous lawn for Bruce Wayne, and clean the whole mansion by himself? The guest room Ben stayed in had no dust, no spiderwebs, nothing out of place, as if someone was keeping it tidy every single day. Seriously, did the man have clones? Robots? Superpowers? Cleaning superpowers? Or was Alfred just that good?

...Ben chose to believe the last one.

He let out a frustrated sigh. Nothing. He still could not fall asleep. He laid in bed for hours last night, just staring at the ceiling, thinking, remembering. He tried to stop. Tried counting sheep, remembering boring facts Gwen used to drone on and on about, and tried to remember every little spaceship and car repair details Kevin tried to drill into him. Nothing. He shattered his dignity by drawing a warm bath and laying in bubbles, even going as far as to...relieve himself of stress. Nothing. His mind refused to let him sleep, and before he knew it, it was morning.

Exercise, he could always collapse on his bed and sleep like there was no tomorrow after his soccer games or survival training with Grandpa Max. All he needed was to physically tire himself out. So he asked Alfred if Bruce had a good place to go running and surprise surprise, the billionaire had his own track and field course in his backyard. So Ben ran, for an hour straight. His muscles burned, his feet ached, and he could barely breath, so he laid back on the grass, spread eagle. And he waited, waited for fatigue to catch up to him and send him drifting off. Yet here he still was, counting clouds, admiring the big blue sky, letting himself shake and shiver in the cold.

Not a minute later, Alfred had come with a tray full of food, ice cold water, and warm milk. The old butler had guessed what was bothering the young hero, and while it was unlikely to work, a glass of warm milk could not hurt. Smiling silently at Ben, Alfred left just as quietly as he came, not questioning, not judging but quietly letting Ben know that he was there to help in any way he could. It was more comfort than Ben could ask for in this strange dimension.

Well, almost.

He almost went to Gwen, three times during the night. Three times he found himself in front of her door, only once peeking inside, cautiously. He was well aware Gwen was sharing a room with Kara and Barbara, and wanted by no means, to violate their privacy. But when he saw Gwen sleeping peacefully, more peacefully than he had seen her in long a while, he could not bare to disturb her.

"God I'm so tired."

"Then you should be in your room. Sleeping." Ben winced. He knew that "mom" tone Gwen used when she was both worried and angry. Turning his head and offering his favorite cousin his best smile, Ben shrugged.

"Eh, didn't feel comfortable there. Felt like this was more my scene."

"Ben..."

"You know how I like the dirt, and boy that open sky."

"Ben."

"Don't get me started on how well Alfred keeps the grass, so soft and nice. I'll take them over silk sheets any day!"

"Ben!" He looked at Gwen standing over him, her hands on her hips and her face twisted in worry. She was wearing simple jeans and a white shirt, her hair no longer in a ponytail and hanging loosely past her shoulders, "Please Ben. It's me. You don't have to...act all hero for me."

He held her gaze for a few moments before he sighed, looking back up at the sky, "I can't sleep. I feel tired, I feel like hell. But I just...can't seem to fall sleep. I tried everything."

She knelt down, placing her feet to one side as she gazed down at him, leaning on her right arm, "Did you try just closing your eyes and lying still?"

He gave her a look, one she returned with one raised brow.

"Of course not, what normal person sleeps like that?"

"Are you seriously calling yourself normal?"

"Dweeb."

Doofus."

Both cousins glared at one another. Of course, Ben broke first. He flashed her a goofy smile, which in turn, made Gwen let out a quiet laugh.

Silence filled the air again, not tense but not exactly comfortable either. Finally, Ben let out a sigh.

"I can't help thinking about them. All of them." Ben placed both his hands behind his head, staring up at the sky again. He preferred the night sky of course, millions upon millions of stars illuminating the darkness with starlight and just showing the infinite beauty of the universe. Who could resist?

"It doesn't matter if I close my eyes, I see them everywhere. In the corner of my eye, in the background of every place I go, whispers every time I try to sleep. Sometimes they blame me, sometimes they just ask for help, and the really frightening times, they forgive me." Ben's voice was calm, steady, as if he was talking about the weather. And all Gwen could do was listen. Let him talk, to let it out, "I know it's not real Gwen, I'm not crazy. But I can't seem to let them go."

"Oh Ben..." When he felt her grab his head and lift him up slightly, Ben helped, not knowing what she was aiming for but trusting her none the less. She scooted forward, placing her legs under his head and letting him drop back down to use her lap as a pillow. She ran her fingers through his hair, carefully, delicately, "Who says you have to let them go?"

"Then what should I do...?" His voice was so quiet, so small that Gwen almost lost focus. She continued to run her fingers through his hair, first through the middle, then the left, then right, then back again. She developed a small rhythm while she focused her gaze on the bridge of his nose.

"Well, what can you do?"

"Gee, thanks. Stellar advice dweeb."

She rapped her knuckles against his forehead, earning an angry squawk from the male Tennyson, "What I'm trying to say is, it is up to you. I can't tell you to let go or hold on. I can't tell you that they are real, or fake. All I can tell you, is that it is all up to you. What you are able to do, in memory and in love of them. If holding onto them, if keeping them there, right there at the edge of your vision is what helps you cope, then do what you can. Do what you feel, helps. But Ben." Her hands suddenly covered his eyes, making him jump in surprise but he made no attempt to stop her.

"Their memories cannot hold you back. You cannot let them hurt you... Because all of those memories, the good, the loved, the precious ones you hold so close, so desperately? They will rot. They will become bad memories to you because it hurts to think about them. The people you love, the people you respect, will become demons on your shoulders rather than angels, not of their own volition, but yours." She leaned down, speaking in a whisper, "Please, don't turn them into ghosts that haunt you."

Both cousins sat there, silent. Eventually, Gwen removed her hands, straightening back up and running her hands through Ben's hair once more. He kept his eyes closed, feeling comfort in such a familiar gesture. One that his mother used to do when he was younger. Whenever he was sick, or scared, or just having a terrible day. Whether Gwen knew it or not, he did not know, but he appreciated her a hundred times more in that moment. She started to hum some random melody that he could not place, but he focused on it and the soothing feeling of her fingers in his hair. Before he knew it, he fell into blissful oblivion.

/0/

"Bruce Wayne. Batman. It was obvious, it was so obvious. How could I not figure it out? How could Gotham not figure it out?" Kara squinted at Bruce Wayne, who was reading the newspaper dressed in one of his business suits while sipping on a mug of coffee.

The playboy billionaire and now vigilante, glanced up from what he was reading, quirking an eyebrow and offering Kara one of his famous charming smiles, "Some people know, of course. I have also taken steps to make it...difficult for people to believe I am Batman. Although, while I do my absolute best to cover my tracks and keep my identity a secret, I can't help wonder if some people still suspect me, and have already deduced but refrain from speaking. Not enough evidence, or see I am the best hope for Gotham right now."

Kara, not having seen Bruce Wayne up close before, found her cheeks going red. Yikes. No wonder Barbara stuck around. Bruce Wayne was gorgeous, with bright blue eyes, a handsome face and a charming voice, who could resist? She no longer blamed Lois Lane for having dated this man for a while, and if rumors were true, fell in love and almost made it permanent.

By the snickers she heard to her right, Kara guessed that Barbara definitely noticed. Glaring at her best friend, Kara delivered a non-super kick to the redhead's shin. The Argoan smirked in triumph when Barbara jumped in her seat, banging both of her knees against the underside of the table. The female Bat hissed, hunching over the table before glaring daggers at the blonde.

"Are you alright Barbara?"

"Fine Bruce, thank you."

Kara's smirk grew when she felt the redhead trying to kick her shins back. Like she could feel any blow coming from her non-superpowered best friend.

"Breakfast is served." Alfred placed three plates down on the table. Homemade Belgium waffles, sunny side up eggs, perfectly cooked bacon and hash. A simple but homey breakfast, "I cannot say how happy I am to have people to serve a proper breakfast to."

"Alfred, I always have a proper breakfast."

"With all due respect, Master Bruce. A cup of coffee or the occasional greens and fruits blended protein shake is not a proper breakfast."

Bruce shrugged, winking at Barbara and Kara, making the two chuckle.

"We'll come over more often Alfred, all of your meals have been amazing." Kara grinned at the old butler.

"Any time Miss Kara."

"Just Kara is fine you know." The butler smiled, as if he were thinking of an inside joke before placing some orange juice and milk by the three, "Where's Ben and Gwen? Gwen was gone when we woke up. Couldn't find Ben anywhere."

"No idea, they wouldn't have left without saying anything so I'm sure they are still here. Maybe Gwen went to find Ben and got lost? I'm betting Ben is the type that sleeps past noon." Barbara munched on a piece of waffle, thanking Alfred when he gave her a glass of milk.

"Ah, Young Master Ben went for a run early in the morning at the track." Alfred spoke up as he refilled Bruce's mug of coffee, "Miss Gwen went to look for him. I believe that was about an hour or so ago. I anticipated that they might not make it to breakfast so I left sandwiches for two out there."

"Hm, we should check on them after we finish eating." Kara took a sip of orange juice as she looked over at Barbara, who nodded at the blonde.

"I'm sure they're fine. If they left the premises, or someone came in, I would have been alerted. They are still around the estate at least." Bruce turned another page of the newspaper. He paused when something in his coat pocket beeped.

"Excuse me." Bruce stood up, reaching inside his coat and pulling out a phone before disappearing out the kitchen doors.

"Should we be worried?" Barbara looked over at Alfred who was doing the dishes.

"Oh no, I am sure that was a notification about Wayne Industries, nothing to do with his alter ego."

"How does Mister Wayne function?" Kara had finished her plate and was carrying it over with two empty cups to Alfred. The old butler smiled gratefully at her before accepting the dishes to clean, "I mean, he's Batman. He spends countless nights staying up, fighting crime, investigating criminals, keeping the Justice League in order. During the day, he attends charities, is seen out in town for the papers, and runs a multi-billion dollar company. Does he even have time to sleep?"

Alfred smiled, "Another mysterious wonder of the Batman."

"No kidding." Barbara muttered under her breath as she brought her own plate and cups over to Alfred.

"Maybe he's secretly a vampire. Doesn't need sleep, works better at night, is almost hypnotically convincing and survives so many life or death situations alongside people like Superman and Wonder Woman." Kara bared her teeth, imitating a vampire trying to bite someone.

Barbara rolled her eyes, "You literally just saw him moving around in broad daylight."

"Maybe he's wearing super sunscreen or something. I mean, Wayne Industries is one of the leading companies in the world in special Research and Development departments. Do you really think he can't make super sunscreen?"

"He eats garlic!"

"Have you seen him personally eat it though?"

"Well no... He has a reflection!"

"Maybe not all vampire facts are true."

"Oh my god, Kara just stop." Barbara laughed, slapping her best friend on the arm.

"Of course, that means all those close to him are probably vampires too..." Kara glared suspiciously at Barbara before looking at Alfred, "And of course we can't be sure unless we test that theory."

Barbara gave her friend an amused look, "And how exactly are you going to test that?"

"I can douse Alfred with holy water."

"Young lady, you douse me with anything and there is no chocolate fondue for you tonight." Alfred did not even turn around, cleaning the last of the dishes.

"Then again, who could ever doubt Alfred?" Kara nodded, doing a full one eighty as she clapped her hands, "We should go look for Ben and Gwen!"

"Wise choice, Young Miss."

Barbara laughed again, shaking her head, "Whatever you say, oh mighty vampire hunter."

"Vampire? I hope you aren't talking about me." Kara whipped around, meeting the amused gaze of Bruce Wayne, "Because I've got to tell you, I've been accused more than once."

"What? No! Who would ever- No!" Kara smiled brightly, earning an eye roll from Barbara, "We were just talking about um, a new movie coming out. Nothing important, we were about to go look for Ben and Gwen."

Bruce nodded, "Good, because I need to speak to you all when I get back. I need to drop by Wayne Industries."

"Problem?" Barbara tilted her head.

"A hack, one that we almost missed. Luckily, Lucius caught on while performing maintenance on one of the archives last night. Someone sneaked into our systems and took a lot of data. A lot of worrying data. He says the cyber fingerprints left behind were unlike anything he had seen before, a code and technology that seemed...out of this world."

"Alien?" Kara looked concerned now, "What are the odds that an alien hack on your company and alien robots attacking the city's criminal populace is not related?"

Bruce fixed his tie, "I tend not to brush things off as coincidence. Not even once."

"Well, you're the detective after all." Kara smiled slightly.

"We should find Ben and Gwen, now." Barbara went out the door, closely followed by Kara.

/0/

Harley was dying. It was a cold, hard fact. She honestly never expected to die in such a bizarre and horrifying way. She always figured she would go out with her Puddin' by her side, in a blaze of fabulous glory. Maybe in an explosion or a super fun, high speed chase. Secretly, very secretly in some part of her heart, she sometimes fantasized about dying next to him of old age, in the countryside, surrounded by a big happy family. Dying, of course, with permanent smiles on their faces.

She could feel herself fading, slowly, agonizingly, with no hope and filled with dread. A single tear fell from her left eye, falling down her cheek and into the unforgiving darkness. She prayed, oh she prayed with all her might that in the next life, she would be reunited with her Puddin'.

"Everything is going dark... Oh cruel fate..."

"Harley, for the last time. You can't die of boredom. It's barely been a day since we got here. Stop being so over dramatic!" Poison Ivy ignored the wails coming from her insane, and for some reason, best friend.

"Oh Red! I don't know how much longer I can take this! This...this cruel and unusual punishment! I am dying Red! Dying! I can feel my life force just...wasting away!"

"Honey please, I am trying to focus..."

"Oh cruel world! Unyielding fate of destiny! Why have you forsaken me to this boring place!"

"When I get out of here, I am going to find Joker and I am going to kick him very, very hard between his legs for making you like this... Then I'm going to feed him to my children and have them spit him back out just to traumatize him. Mark my words..." Ivy shut her eyes tight, trying desperately to reach out past the metal and the uncomfortable pressure, to touch one of her babies. If she focused, concentrated hard enough, she could just about feel a single plant, so close yet so far from her.

"CRUEL, CRUEL WORLD!" And like that, the concentration was broken as Harley scream sang stupid words.

"HARLEY!"

"RED! LET'S PLAY ISPY!"

"I hate you, I hate you so much."

"No you don't!"

The doors opened, the same same doors from the night before. Everyone went quiet, even Harley. The whole room seemed to be holding its breath. Some of the prisoners let out breaths of relief when instead of the Archivist, small orange drones floated inside. About a dozen drones, one for each person shackled to the walls, floated inside carrying trays.

One drone stopped in front of Harley, another in front of Poison Ivy. The trays each had a plate covered by a cloche, a simple metal dome that hid whatever was on top of the tray, "Ooo! Cupcakes and ice cream?"

For a brief moment, in a bout of insanity, Ivy feared she would actually have to give Harley everything she had ever stolen, everything in her possession. The fact that she seriously entertained the idea that they would be served cookies proved how much Harley had corrupted her.

Please, Mother Gaia, let it not be cupcakes and ice cream. Pig intestines. Monkey brains. Locusts. Anything else.

The drones pulled the cloche up, revealing a cup of water and what looked like a neon blue block, roughly the size of a granola bar. Ivy let out a big sigh of relief, slumping against her chains.

"Aw, no ice cream or cupcakes." Harley pouted, "What kind of kidnapper doesn't give their kidnappees cupcakes and ice cream!" Harley shouted her last words, but the drone showed no reaction. Receiving some silent signal, the drones grabbed the cup of water and lifted them up towards the shackled prisoners. They were surprisingly gentle and were able to make delicate movements, not cracking the glass cups nor spilling the water or forcing it all down in one go. The drones however, made the prisoners take sips until the glass was empty, before placing the cups down.

Harley drank the water down without any thought while Ivy took a cautious sip. Even if she was disconnected from her babies, her body was half plant and she could filter what her body took in. It was plain water, no toxins, no chemicals, just lukewarm tap water. She finished her drink before watching with interest as the drones placed the cup back before picking up the neon blue block. They pushed the end of the block to her lips, clearly expecting her to eat it.

"Oh! This is...huh. I never tasted something like this. Not good, not bad...just... Eh." Harley had taken a big bite of her own neon blue granola bar-shaped block. Ivy frowned before tentatively taking a bite of it. Just as Harley said, the block did not really taste like anything, but at the same time, did not taste bland. It was strange, as if the block was created to be consumed but not enjoyed, but also not hated. She closed her eyes, letting her body filter and break what she consumed down and identify it internally to some degree. She was surprised to feel a flood of nutrition, proteins, vitamins, and other necessities from eating the strange thing.

We're being fed and kept alive. Offered water and some kind of, food ration bar that covered all of the body's needs. The Archivist wanted them alive, wanted them in good enough condition until he came for them to do, what exactly?

Harley had finished her meal, smiling wide at the drone that fed her, "Thanks darling! I'm going to name you... Samantha!" The drone again, showed no reaction. It just turned and left through the door, followed by the other drones as soon as their assigned prisoner was fed and given water.

"It was no cupcakes and ice cream but that tasted...interesting! Right Red?"

Ivy nodded, wishing for the hundredth time that she could be with her plants again. Hell, she was willing to go back to Arkham over this dark and terrifying place. Her head snapped up when the doors opened again, and this time, The Archivist stepped through.

"Greetings, human subjects. Do not be alarmed, I am not in need of another volunteer yet. I have come to ask a question."

Ivy glanced at Harley, who in turn, looked back at the redhead and shrugged.

"Where is Ben Tennyson?"

/0/

Barbara and Kara had found the Tennysons easy enough. Ben was currently sleeping while using Gwen as a pillow. The half-Anodite had her eyes closed, her fingers still running through her cousin's hair. Kara and Barbara looked at each other, unsure whether or not they should intrude or come back later. It felt...wrong to walk over there. And yet...

Barbara stared at the Tennysons, really looked. The two cousins looked so peaceful, so serene yet something was bothering her. She stayed where she was, not meaning to, but unable to help but stare at the two. Then it clicked.

They were only a few feet away from her, but they felt so far away. As if there was a great big chasm between her and the two heroes from another dimension. It was not a distance of the heart, or soul, or friendship, or love. It was an isolation, a bubble that she subconsciously felt when the two cousins were together. Always trying to keep one another in each other's line of sight, a comforting touch that was by no means, romantic but full of desperation. Their eyes smiled, laughed, teased, and sassed. But there was always a glint of something, of holding back, of viewing everything around them, as outside their world.

She knew Kara saw it to, having met the Tennysons before her. And she had seen it, for a short while the first few times she had met Kara. Except, Kara's was not so potent, so raw and powerful.

Barbara knew, she knew what she had to do. Just as she instinctively knew what to do when she subconsciously noticed the same thing in Kara. Ram forward and shake them out of it, of course.

"Babs, we can come back late-" Kara blinked when her best friend marched forward, determination in her steps and head held high. The Argoan followed quickly.

"Gwen?" The redheaded Tennyson looked up, a small smile on her lips as she held her right index finger up to her lips.

"He's sleeping. Couldn't get any rest last night so he's exhausted. He...couldn't sleep."

"Oh I... I'm sorry. Why didn't he come to us?" Barbara and Kara sat down next to Gwen, both wearing a similar getup as the half-Anodite. Simple jeans and t-shirts.

"Didn't want to disturb us. Being all macho, you know?" Gwen was smiling but Barbara and Kara could both see it was strained, upset that Ben had to do that for her.

"Boys." Barbara grinned at her fellow redhead, "Can't live with em."

"Can't live without em?" Kara pressed her cheek to Barbara's, earning a quiet laugh from Gwen.

"Now I didn't say that."

Alfred came back to see the three girls trying to stifle their laughter, hoping not to wake the sleeping Ben. The old butler wished he could leave them to the little peace they seemed to have at that moment but regrettably, when Batman came calling, it usually meant something very serious was afoot. Alfred cleared his throat, catching the girls' attentions, "Pardon me ladies, but Master Bruce has called. An interesting development with what was salvaged from Arkham Asylum, as well as the hack on Wayne Industries. He has asked for your presence, Miss Tennyson. As well as Young Master Ben."

"What about us?" Barbara sounded a bit hurt that Batman did not ask for her, especially since she was his partner now that Robin struck out on his own.

"He asked that you and Miss Kara be ready, since a rescue of the stolen criminal elements around Gotham will be imminent."

"He found them?" Kara stood up, holding a hand out for Barbara, "That was fast."

"He did not specify, but I believe with the help of Young Master Ben and Miss Gwen, he hopes to find the base of these...aliens."

"When you put it like that, it does sound weird, doesn't it?" Barbara smiled at Alfred, who merely shrugged his shoulders.

"It has been an interesting few years. That has not been the strangest thing that has been said on these grounds, and I am sure, more is to come."

"Sounds like back home..." Gwen gently patted Ben's cheek, wishing she could give her cousin more time to sleep but knowing he would never forgive her if she pursued something have to do with Vilgax without him. He stirred, mumbling to himself as he swatted at her hand. When she persisted, he whined, turning onto his side and burying his face into her lap.

"Fuv ore inutes..." Ben curled his legs up, just starting to drift away when he heard Kara and Barbara giggle. The male Tennyson shot up, wiping at his mouth, eyes wide open as he patted himself down, "Wha...what, when did you guys get here?"

"Missed a spot." Kara poked a finger at her own face, on the left side, just below the corner of her mouth. Ben hurriedly wiped at his own face, and when Barbara laughed, he immediately went for the other side.

"Better?"

Barbara raised her hand, making a so-so motion, "Mm, just barely passable."

"So by Barbara standards, eight out of ten. Nice!" Ben gave two thumbs up at the redheaded Bat, earning a laugh from all three girls.

Barbara held a thumb up for Ben back, "You know it, tiger."

Noticing Alfred standing there with a warm smile, Ben waved at the man, "Hey Alfred, thank you for the sandwiches and drinks."

"Of course sir. I was just coming to inform the ladies that Master Bruce has asked for your and Miss Gwen's presence."

Ben glanced at Gwen, "Trouble?"

"Trouble."

"Let's go then. Is he...downstairs?"

Alfred smiled at Ben's discretion before speaking up, "Actually sir, Master Bruce is at Wayne Industries. He has asked me to drive you both there to take a look at the alien salvage."

Ben nodded, his hand itching to go to his watch but holding off when Gwen touched his arm. Patience. He needed patience.

"What about Kara and Barbara?"

"Master Bruce has asked them to go speak to the commissioner. He wishes to assure Gotham's finest that the incident is...contained. And hopes cooperation can be expected."

Barbara rolled her eyes, "Commissioner Gordon won't give us any trouble. Trust me."

Kara stifled a laugh, "Come on Barb, let's go change. Ben, Gwen, don't have too much fun without us. We like a good party."

Ben grinned, "I wouldn't have fun without my favorite dance partners."

"You can dance now, can you?" Barbara placed a hand on her hip, quirking an eyebrow at Ben.

"I'm full of surprises. A man of many, many talents if I say so myself."

"I bet you couldn't keep up with my moves even if you wanted to."

"I could keep up with you and more. They don't call me the Casanova of Bellwood High for nothing."

"Self proclaimed I bet."

"Only because it has been said so many times."

"Okay, enough flirting you two." Kara grabbed Barbara's arm and dragged her towards the mansion.

"I so won that!" Ben called after Barbara, who did not even turn around as she responded.

"In your dreams, Tennyson."

"Ben..." Gwen crossed her arms, letting out a quiet sigh before smiling slightly, "Really?"

"What?" Ben looked at Gwen then at Alfred, who just turned around and quietly made his way towards the mansion, "What?"

Gwen rolled her eyes before following Alfred, Ben trailing behind her, "Whaaat?"

/0/

"Whoever got into our computers really knew what they were doing. Using code patterns and dummy signals to completely fool our systems and firewalls. If I hadn't written the programs myself, I would not have noticed something was wrong. Lucky for us, I'm thorough." Lucius Fox pressed a few final keys on the Wayne Industries main computers, bringing up various files on sensitive projects Wayne Industries was working on in their R&D labs, "Only problem is, I can figure out someone got in, but I can't figure out what exactly they looked at or what they were trying to steal."

"Trying to steal?" Gwen tilted her head, looking over some of the files on screen. Bruce Wayne was standing behind her, looking over the screen himself. When Bruce first introduced Ben and Gwen, Fox gave Bruce a questioning look but when Bruce reassured him that he could trust both of them, despite their age. Ben and Gwen even explained how they were connected to Bruce's alter ego. They did not mind sharing their "hero" aspects to Fox if Bruce trusted him.

"Yes. I am not sure why, but our hacker suddenly stopped their digging before they could extract whatever data they were looking for."

"Did your systems pick him up? Frighten them away?"

"Even if our systems picked the hacking up, I doubt anything could have been done. No, the hacker pulled out themselves. Something spooked them, and it certainly wasn't us."

Bruce's eyes narrowed before he spoke up, "Lucius, you said the hacking happened around the same time Arkham was hit, right?"

"Yes." Fox glanced at Bruce with an inquisitive look, "Why?"

"Not long after Ben and Gwen showed up at Arkham, did the robots turn and flee from the scene. Maybe our hacker and the robots got a general signal fall back from one common source."

"That might be possible, yes." Fox started typing, bringing up records of the Arkham attack alongside when the hacking of Wayne Industries started, "Hm, started around the same time, stopped just as suddenly at around the same time as well. Good catch, Mister Wayne."

Ben ran a hand through his hair, "So we can assume both are connected."

"Pretty good odds I'd say." Fox smiled at the boy, turning around in his chair, "Question is, how are you two connected with these...aliens."

At the unspoken question, Gwen smiled, "We're both human. Well...mostly."

Both Fox and Bruce's eyebrows went up, "Mostly?"

"Oh... Well... Our grandmother was not strictly, human so to speak but that doesn't have anything to do with the situation at hand. My cousin and I are from Earth, we are humans. Just not from your Earth." When Fox opened his mouth to speak, Gwen cut him off with a sorry smile, "Long story, and one we don't have time for right now. You wanted Ben and I here, why?"

Fox nodded, understanding there was a time and place for questions. He waved his hand towards Bruce, who took the chance to speak, "We are not getting anywhere, even with all the alien salvage and code. It would take weeks, maybe months to get anywhere with breaking down and analyzing the samples. You have both encountered them before, and I was hoping you could help track these things down to save those who were kidnapped. Or at least give us a reason why."

Ben crossed his arms, "Standard procedure with the hacking I think. From what I heard, Wayne Industries is one of the top ten leading companies in the world for Research and Development. Weapons, technology, biochemistry, you name it. I wouldn't be surprised if other top level companies were hacked, as well as all the government facilities. Vilgax is conqueror but he is also a scavenger and a parasite. Maybe he was looking for anything useful, by any chance. Even with a low level planet like Earth. Especially an alternate dimension Earth."

Gwen nodded, "As for kidnapping people... That's a first. He took criminals yes, but he took all of them. Low level, high level. Normal, meta human, mutant, criminally insane, criminally insignificant, you name it."

Bruce held a finger up, "Forced recruitment maybe?"

Ben shook his head, "No, Vilgax wouldn't bother with criminals of Earth's level, especially the non-meta human ones."

"I would say, more of test subjects." Three faces turned to look at Fox, who was leaning back in his chair with his hands grasped together, "From what you have told me about this...Vilgax character, if he is evil, ruthless, and finds himself in a dimension unlike his own, what better way to figure out what the world is like than to kidnap the worst of the worst and dissect them. Physically and psychologically."

Gwen looked a little sick while Ben grimaced, "Um, I can't say that is unlikely but... It still doesn't seem right."

"A working theory then. Which means we have even less time than we think to rescue the victims." Bruce sighed, "Can either of you tell us anything else? Anything to help track them down?"

"Oh!" Gwen suddenly snapped her fingers, "Mister Wayne, you said you took custody of the robot remains from Arkham, right?"

"Bruce, please. And yes, every last piece we could find."

"Well..." Gwen smiled at Ben, who by now realized what his cousin was going to suggest, "If you can get me piece of the robot, I can use my mana to track where the rest of them went. It's not perfect, but it has worked for us before."

"That is perfect. I will get a piece discretely from the R&D labs." Fox stood up, making his way towards the doors while Bruce reached into his coat pocket for his phone.

"I'll contact Kara and Barbara and have them meet us here. I think it's time we all suit up."

Ben nodded, reaching for his watch but paused, "Um, Gwen doesn't have a suit. She kind of just...went out as she was. Which was kind of...stupid to be honest. How did you never get caught by the media or police?"

"Well whenever we got mixed up with the police, they were either A; alien bad guys in disguise. B; alien good guys in disguise. C; humans who knew the plumbers. Or D; humans who chose to be on our side. As for regular people... I have no idea to be honest. I was Lucky Girl for a reason you know."

"Well, in our world, the risk is great and too dangerous for you to go out without some sort of disguise..." Bruce made his way towards one of the walls, "Voice identification, TW-91939."

The doors to the room they were in, locked, metal barriers closing over the windows before the wall opened up, showing a giant glass cylinder case with a Batsuit inside. Batman grabbed a metal case on the side however, opening it up and turning towards Gwen, "A quick change kit. One prepared for Barbara."

Gwen raised an eyebrow before peering inside. There was a folded up suit inside, along with a blank black spray can and a domino mask, "No offense, but I am not putting that on."

Bruce smirked before taking out the spray can and domino mask, "I figured. However, you will be surprised how much a simple mask can disguise you, as well as a change of hair color."

Gwen stepped back, grabbing a hand full of her scarlet locks, "Whoa, hey. You are not dying my hair. Besides, do you know how long it will take to dye this much hair?"

"It is a quick apply dye, and a solvent will make sure the dye washes out the next day. I promise. I have used it myself." Gwen gazed suspiciously at Bruce, but the older Bat could tell she was just teasing.

"I'm trusting you Batman." Gwen took the spray can and the mask. Bruce chuckled before picking up a different metal case, holding it out to Gwen, "Kevlar lined, standard dark uniform. No Bat marking or designs. Simple. What you are wearing is not exactly battle-orientated."

Ben snorted, "Gwen has fought in skirts and stockings with heels. She fought armies in a blue sweater and a white shirt. Gwen can literally fight in anything."

When Bruce looked at Gwen with a questioning gaze, the half-Anodite just shrugged. The Dark Knight chuckled again, "Impressive."

"I try."

/0/

By the time Supergirl and Batgirl made it to Wayne Industries, Batman and Ben were helping Lucius Fox carry a piece of alien armor out of one of the back cargo areas, the jagged and broken piece of orange metal the size of a plasma screen TV. The smallest piece that Fox could take from storage.

"Where's Gwen?" Supergirl took it upon herself to lift the metal up with one arm, making Fox laugh and Ben roll his eyes.

"She's changing."

"Changing?" Batgirl stood next to Batman, giving the Caped Crusader a suspicious look.

"Batman gave her some stuff to disguise herself. She never really did that back home, so Batman was kind enough to give her some tips and cool spy stuff." Ben gave Supergirl a thumbs up when she placed the metal piece down near the open private road in the back. Gwen explained how the mana tracking worked and how the piece of metal needed to fly towards its origin. So doing it inside would have required them to maneuver around halls and the building. Hence, the three men found themselves moving the piece outside while Gwen changed.

"Gwen never had a secret identity? Didn't you say you guys fought aliens and bad guys all the time, around the city, around the country? You never thought she needed a disguise?" Batgirl placed both her hands on her hips, looking at Ben in disappointment, as if it was his fault.

"Hey! We never really thought about it. And it wasn't a problem...most of the time."

"Which means it was a problem."

"No! I mean, well..."

"None of us thought about it. Not Grandpa Max, not me, not Ben, not...anyone." Everyone turned towards Gwen's voice. Supergirl whistled, seeing Gwen in the domino mask, dressed clad in a simple black outfit that reminded them all of very light tactical gear. Her beautiful crimson hair was now completely black, midnight strands pulled back in a ponytail. Everyone seemed very impressed with her disguise, except Ben who had his nose all scrunched up.

"You kind of look like Sunny."

"Ugh, I know..." Gwen grabbed at her now black hair, her own lips twisting into a grimace, "I so do not want to look like her."

"Whose Sunny?" Batgirl looked Gwen up and down, deciding black was not Gwen's color at all.

"Our cousin. She's...like me. An energy being. Long story." Gwen shook her head at the memories of her Anodite cousin.

"She looks just like Gwen, except she has black hair, likes the black and purple color scheme for her clothes. Bad attitude, bad personality. Bad taste in guys. Completely opposite of the dweeb."

"Thanks doofus."

"No problem."

"Back to the matter at hand. Gwen, how fast can you start this...mana tracking?" Batman turned his body, letting Gwen see the piece of broken off alien armor.

"It varies. Half the time it doesn't work. A fourth of the time, it works perfectly. Another fourth of the time, it takes time." Gwen smiled apologetically at Batman, who just nodded.

"I only ask you to try your best."

"Of course." Gwen moved over to the piece of metal, sitting cross legged in front of it. She placed her hands on her knees, holding her fingers up in the air as she concentrated. Purple mana surrounded her body, lifting her body in the air as she connected with the mana in the air, around the metal, all around her.

"Whoa." Batgirl looked at Gwen in wonder, being the first time she properly got to see Gwen use her powers. It was not the first time she had seen such fantastical abilities, but seeing Gwen use them somehow made it, more impressive.

"I think...I am getting it." Gwen's voice seemed strained, her head moving slightly from side to side. The piece of orange metal floated in the air, starting to spin in place, faster and faster as time went by, "It's tricky, it feels like it's all over the city but...I feel a concentration somewhere."

"We're going to need a car." Ben looked at Batman, who nodded. The Dark Knight pressed a button on his belt, and only a few seconds later, the Batmobile came roaring down the street. The top slid open, revealing a bigger space inside for guests. Batgirl and Supergirl hopped in, Batman taking his place on the driver seat. Ben waited for Gwen, arms crossed as she concentrated on the metal piece.

"There." The metal piece stopped in the air, the jagged side pointing east, "Follow me." With that, Gwen floated forward, following the piece of metal covered in her purple mana. Ben nodded, jumping in the Batmobile next to Batman.

"Bye Mister Fox!" Ben waved at Lucius, who waved back with a slight smile before placing his hands in his pockets. Batgirl and Supergirl waved back at the man before the Batmobile's lid slid shut, the engines roaring to life and following Gwen at cruising speed.

"Good luck, all of you. Please come back safe..." Fox spoke quietly before turning around and heading back inside.

Sorry update took so long. Been busy busy, but I promise I am not going to abandon the story or leave it on long hiatus like before!