Chapter 1 - And then there was not
Opening over a clear skied Bellwood. The once open streets are littered with torn up pavements and burning cars. Shops that were open are now left in ruin as glass and brick debris is scattered on the floor. Citizens either flee or hide in fear from the destructive force that destroyed the site. The source of the commotion hails from outside of the Bellwood National Bank. Police cars are crushed into the ground. Formerly armed bank robbers cour behind what's left of a police blockade with the police. They all watch as the 'SuperHero' team, the 'Vengers' are in the middle of one of their team fights.
A news crew pulls up beside the carnage, unfazed by the destruction. Stepping out of the van, a woman holding a microphone is followed by her cameraman. She turns on her heel and faces the camera, the wind blows her hair for dramatic effect. "This is Jolyne Cutemen reporting live for downtown Bellwood. We are currently at the scene of what would be a heroic deed, turned into all out war." She steps to the side a litte to show the in-fighting, while remaining in shot.
Billy Billions stands behind his henchwoman Mazuma as she opens fire on the other two members of the team. Nemesis uses a shoulder modification to his armour to fire rockets towards the pair, only to be shot down by Mazuma's cannons. Kangaroo Kommando uses his enhanced agility to avoid the rockets and cannons, leaving the ground beneath him to take the fall alone. Standing off in the shadows of an alleyway watching the conflict, a green light emerges from the dark before the darkness of the alleyway is eclipsed by a flashing green ray.
Jolyne continues her commentary. "Just less than an hour ago, the police were engaged in a stand-off with armed robbers attempting to steal from Bellwood Nation, only to be stopped by the Hero group, the Vengers. However, hope turned to dust as the group began to fight amongst themselves, a site that we are too familiar with." Stray rockets crash down behind the blockade. The sudden fear brings Kolyne and her cameraman to their knees to avoid flying debris. "If someone doesn't step in now, I don't believe that any..." Jolyne is cut short by a sudden gust of wind that is thrown past her, almost pushing her to the floor. The camera picks up a blur that collides with Mazuma.
She screams in pain as the other members stand and stare at her as one of her bionic arms is gone, showing signs of being forcefully removed. Her face shows more of her metal interior as her skin is wearing away. Another burst of wind returns and strikes her from the back, slamming her onto the floor. "Mazuma!" Billy calls out in shock. "Speak to me!" He looks down to see her other hand has been removed too. He looks up. The other two gawk in awe at the figure that stands in the centre of the fight. A lizard-like being with a swaying tail, and a covered up face. Jolyne emerges from the blockade with a smile. "I wanted a miracle, and her he is. The hero of heroes has arrived to save the day, Ben 10!" Police and citizens watching alike cheer him on. "It seems for this fight he has gone as XLR8, one of his heroes known for their speed." Her cameraman starts to pipe up, "Um, Jolyne, are you sure we can show this? He did just..." Jolyne just waves her hand at him, "You don't need to worry, this is fine."
XLR8 watches as Mazuma struggles to stand up, barely able to pick herself up off the ground. "Hey Tennyson!" They look up to see Komando crashing down on him like a comet, legs first, stretching his metal legs like spikes. He crashes into the floor, causing a small crater. "I've been waiting for the day where I can put you down. And here it is." Through his cocky attitude he fails to see the lack of a body through the dust cloud at his feet. A transparent figure climbs up behind him and reaches a hand out. The hand reaches inside of him, and grabs his heart, and squeezes it with great restraint. They gasp for air as the transparent figure reveals itself as Ghostfreak. "You shouldn't call out your attack before striking." He says in a raspy voice, "It'll just give them time to flee." He pulls his hand back as they collapse on the floor, passed out but alive. The crowd is shocked by the display of malice behind the attack.
Ghostfreak is attacked from behind. A bind of energy wraps itself around his body, trapping his arms. Looking back he sees Nemesis standing there having fired the shot, "Thanks for the advice. It seemed to work for me." Ghostfreak tries to phase out of binds to no success. "You'll be struggling for a while. Those binds were made personally for your ghost aliens." Nemesis approaches him, holding himself proud as punch as he looks down at the trapped hero. He grits his teeth and raises his fist, preparing to punch. "This one is for ruining my life!" He swings his arm as Ghostfreak is engulfed in a bright light and a beast-like hand catches his fist and crushes it. Breaking free from the bind was another alien, Blitzwolfer. Out of fear Nemesis swings his other fist only for it to be caught too. Blitzwolfer lifts them up into the air. Their mouth splits open into four separate parts. They let out a blood curdling howl that cracks and shatters his suit of armour. He lets go, allowing him to be thrown back with the howl.
His ear twitches, and he turns to face Mazuma. She managed to get back on her feet, however her body shows more signs of damage from the two attacks by XLR8. Her shoulders open her to reveal two compact lasers. Blitzwolfer emits the same light as before and in his place as a being of pure fire, Heatblast. Before Mazuma could attack, Heatblast raises his arm with his hand open, and drowns her in fire. The heat melts away her face skin, showing more and more of her robotic insides before she explodes on the spot. Her parts fall to the floor as the dust clears. Billy falls to his knees in fear as Heatblast stands over the young villain, eyes narrowed. "Wait, Tennyson, Ben, you've won. You've made your point!" Heatblast lifts his hand, before a single police officer speaks up. "Stand down Tennyson, we can take it from here."
Heatblast turns his back to Billy and tries to walk away. "Mr Tennyson!" Jolyne and her cameraman race onto the scene, microphone extended. "Do you have a minute to talk? I'm sure the people at home would like to know the reason for the sudden change in behaviour in the last outings." Heatblast stops in his tracks. "I'm sorry, but I need to go now." Like clockwork he engulfs himself in a torrent of fire. Once it dies down, all that is left is a burn stain on the cement.
Hours later, in a small dimly lit apartment, a news broadcast is playing in the background as a hooded figure reaches for a mini fridge beside their chair. As the fridge is open, the light from inside shows a watch-like device attached to the users arm. They pull out a half empty bottle of water from the fridge and close it, return the dark to the room. The figure turns up the volume of the tv. "The Vengers are now in custody, pending trial thanks to the heroics of Ben 10, who once again in the past week has shown signs of hostility towards his enemies. This week alone he has sent three assailants to the hospital with broken bones, and has left one paralzyed from the waist down. We were unable to interview Ben today as he disappeared as fast as he appeared. Ben 10 if you are listening. What has happened to you?" The TV is turned off after the broadcast ends.
The room falls quiet until the door handle turns. The figure rises to their feet before the sound of a key is placed in the door, and unlocks it. The figure sits back down as the door opens, letting more light into the room. "Mate, you need to start turning a light on, it is bad for your eyes." A voice says as the light to the room is switched on. Entering the apartment is a young man in a flannel shirt, cargo trousers, and a leg in a brace. They come over to the figure that sits in the chair, the light revealing their clothes to be either black or a dark green. "I saw the news. It seems they still think you're Ben." The figure sits up, "Yeah, and I need to keep it that way for long enough." They pull down their hood to show their pitch black hair with shaved sides. "It would help if you didn't act so viscous. Like, come on, Jason. Ben 10 doesn't murder people." The figure looks up from their chair towards their friend, verifying that they are not Ben Tennyson.
To be continued.