After looking through the reviews and speaking with some of you, it was determined that I should not jump straight to when the team forms. For those of you concerned that Young Ben & Gwen will be involved in anything Young Justice related, it is roughly four years prior to those events happening. Ben did first meet this title character when he was 11.
This chapter may just seem like a rehash of that episode, but I think I did something interesting with the concept of molding these universes together. Hopefully, you guys enjoy, and for those who wish me to get into Young Justice/Alien Force content, these chapters won't be to many in number. I'm thinking the first 3-5 chapters will be sufficient coverage of this time.
Galvan Prime
Two Galvan were working on a device. The first was Azmuth who is approximately 5 inches tall. He resembles an anthropomorphic grey frog with gills and sticky skin. He has bulbous green eyes and eyelids that open and close horizontally.
Albedo looks much like Azmuth but with red eyes, a red Galvan tunic with black stripes, and paler skin. They both heard commotion coming from outside the nearby door, but they only proceeded to work more on the device before them.
Hal used his ring to pry open the door revealing him in his Green Lantern attire with many other Galvan all over him as they'd attempted to stop him. "Alright, I've given you more than enough time Azmuth. Now, you need to fix Ben."
"As you can see, Green Lantern, I am exceedingly busy." Azmuth then addressed his assistant. "Albedo, modify power cycles."
"I already had Max Tennyson try to arrange a meeting with you." Hal entered the room. "Essentially, I'm only here because you seem to be putting this off."
"First Thinker Azmuth has told you he is busy human." Albedo had turned and pointed at him. "Accept it."
"You can try to make me leave all you want, but I'm not going anywhere." Hal declared firmly. "Ben's gotten lucky so far, but his luck's going to run. Then, he'll be stuck putting him in danger. Plus, his mother's likely to give me an earful if he doesn't get back to learning."
"Low priority." Azmuth rebuked. "Ben's capable enough with the watch that a wrong alien won't inhibit him. Come back in two years."
"Alright, I warned you." Hal turned back to the door. "Ben, get in here. You have my permission to touch whatever you want."
Ben, as XLR8, ran into the room where he began poking and prodding everything excitedly.
"Now, I suggest you move up the time frame of helping Ben." Hal crossed his arms. "His Omnitrix keeps him trapped as a different alien every week. While I find him amusing, some of the other heroes have been getting on my case to fix this."
"Not my concern." Azmuth retorted.
"Let's see you say that…" Hal held up three fingers and counted down before pointing at Ben. "… now."
Right on schedule, Ben caused an explosion drawing Azmuth attention. "Hey!"
XLR8 grinned. "Sorry."
Hal smirked. "If you don't fix this, I have permission to leave him here until you do."
Azmuth sighed. "Very well."
He walked over, scaled XLR8, and punched the device reverting him back to normal. Ben now wore a white armored jumpsuit with black accents and a matching helmet which could retract to reveal his face. Since he started working with Hal, he was the hero Chimera.
The Omnitrix bearer looked at himself before crossing his arms. "Aw, fun's over."
"Ben, I need you to go sit in the hallway." Hal stated. "Azmuth and I need to talk to make sure what he did fixed the problem."
"Alright." Ben left the room, and the door sealed shut behind him, only to noticed something destroying the city off in the distance. "Looks like it's hero time." He dialed up an alien and slapped the plate down to transform. "Cannonbolt!"
The Arburian Pelarota rolled on out to help deal with the situation.
City
Malware, a black and yellow humanoid Galvanic Mechamorph, was destroying the city. His body was emaciated and deformed with markings resembling the bones of a human skeleton. Then Cannonbolt, rolled up in a sphere, smashed into him knocking Malware away.
The Mechamorph used his claws to slow himself only for Ben to roll into him again. The soldiers of Galvan Prime provided what backup they could by shooting Malware any chance they got. Eventually, he was pushed back into a building as Cannonbolt unrolled.
"Azmuth, I am coming for you." Malware declared.
He tore a chunk out of the building and threw it at Ben who simply used his armored parts to block it. "You'll have to get threw me first."
Cannonbolt rolled at Malware who was ready this time as he caught the alien. At that moment, his watch decided to time out reverting him back to his Chimera costume.
"That about figures." Ben stated.
"The Omnitrix." Malware came up to him and grasped at the watch. "I want it."
"You and everyone else dude." Ben smirked as his watch reactivated before changing him into Four Arms as self-defense. "You'll just have to take a number."
He landed a couple of strong punches before Malware managed to slash his transformation's shirt. In retaliation, Four Arms rushed him smashing the Mechamorph through several buildings. Then, he picked Malware up and flung him into a building.
Ben jumped into the building and approached only to be shot by a yellow beam shooting him all the way back into Azmuth's room. Azmuth and Hal heard this before Four Arms crashed up through the floor shocking them.
Hal rushed on over. "Whoa kid, are you alright?"
"Eh, I can take him." Four Arm hung his head. "I just need to rest for a second."
At that moment, Malware tore open the door to the room and Four Arms timed out. Hal grabbed the kid and pulled him back up into the room.
"Azmuth." Malware declared angrily.
He approached as Albedo got in his way, but the Mechamorph knocked him aside.
Hal stepped in the way and pointed his ring at Malware which made him pause. "Alright, I can only assume you're the one who knocked Ben up here." He nodded. "So, how about you make this easy and stand down?"
"This has nothing to do with you, Green Lantern." Malware stated. "Get out of my way."
"I beg to differ." Hal nodded to Ben. "You see that kid back there? He's my responsibility pal, and you just knocked him all the way up here. Now, stand down."
"Both of you, calm down." Azmuth stepped forward. "Malware, this is not the way."
"You promised me an upgrade." Malware declared. "Said you'd make me like the others."
"Your condition is complex." Azmuth reasoned. "It has taken more time…"
"No more time." Malware declared. "I have heard enough of your lies."
"How dare you speak to Azmuth that way." Albedo declared. "He has been hard at work on a secondary helix just to treat you."
"Give it to me!" Malware approached the device they had been working on. "Now!"
Hal created a wall between Malware and the device drawing his attention. "That's not how you ask someone for something. Why don't you throw in a…"
Malware stretched his head out to Hal with a growl distracting him from the arm which came smashing him out the dome. "I'm threw waiting Azmuth!"
He snatched up the device, since the green wall was gone, and Albedo absorbed him into his body. Malware then created wings and rocketed out of the dome. Once he was gone, Hal flew back in.
"Alright, what is going on here?" Hal looked at Azmuth. "Follow up question, what is your history with that Mechamorph?"
"I'll tell you on the way, but we must head to the moon, Galvan B, immediately." Azmuth stated. "I assume you came here on a ship rather than just conjuring one, Green Lantern."
"You're in luck that I did get one from the League." Hal stated. "Let's get a move on. That means you to Ben."
"Yeah, let's go kick Mechamorph butt." Ben declared.
Space Ship
"Galvan B was once like earth's moon." Azmuth explained. "Miles of dead rock, no atmosphere, and no day or night. It was the perfect place to conduct an experiment. The results were beyond what I hoped for. Galvan B was not only inhabitable, but it prompted the creation of a techno organic species I dubbed the Galvanic Mechamorph."
"Huh, so you made one of my original ten aliens." Ben stated.
"Not only that, but that would mean you created Malware." Hal added.
"Before he came about, I had thought the experiment an unprecedented success." Azmuth sighed. "Malware was one of my greatest failures. His life code was corrupted during creation. Unlike the rest, he could not mimic tech because it became him."
"Tell me Azmuth, if you had a volatile Galvanic Mechamorph, how come you never told the Green Lanterns or Plumbers about this?" Hal questioned. "Considering the damage he did to your city, either of our organizations could have contained him."
"Malware is a problem of my planet. Green Lantern." Azmuth retorted. "It was contained here, so it is our problem to handle per the treaties."
"Oh, how well were your people handling it until Ben got involved?" Hal asked.
Azmuth choose not to comment on that and instead jumped over to Ben. "Ben Tennyson, I believe there is an alien that can better fight Malware at this stage. Let me see the watch."
Ben presented it and Azmuth dialed in a code before jumping back to his seat. "I have unlocked what is known as a Conductoid, but knowing you, you'll come up with your own name for him."
"Sweet, a new alien!" Ben exclaimed.
Hal sighed and decided to drop the point since they had a rogue Galvani Mechamorph to stop.
Galvan B
The ship touched down among bodies of Galvanic Mechamorphs.
"Are they dead?" Ben asked concerned.
"Not yet." Azmuth stated. "They have been corroded and withered nearly to nonexistence."
"Can they be saved?" Hal asked.
"Only if I act immediately and have access to your ship's power supply." Azmuth replied. "I'm afraid you must deal with Malware without me."
"No problem." Hal walked over to Ben. "The kid and I will bring Malware down." They then started walking towards the building. "Be ready to dial up that new alien Azmuth gave you."
"Yeah, I got it." Ben stated. "There's no way I'm missing out on trying a new alien. Especially if I get to kick a new bad guy's butt with it."
Inside
Malware had Albedo working on his upgrade, but he wasn't too happy with the speed resulting in him smashing the ground. "I want my upgrade immediately!"
"It would help if you stopped smashing everything in sight." Albedo commented as he worked. "Bringing me along was pretty smart… for you. Aside from Azmuth, I am the only Galvan with sufficient intelligence to…"
Malware extended his head stopping him. "If you mention how smart you are one more time, I will end you."
"Hey, I'm not for people constantly bragging about their intelligence either, but that's no reason to throw around threats like that." Ben declared as he and Hal entered the room.
"Do not interfere." Malware declared. "That upgrade is my right. To deny me is to invoke my rage to you as well as Azmuth."
"I get you're angry, but Azmuth was working on that…" Hal began.
He immediately threw up a shield as Malware fired on him.
"No more talk." Malware declared. "I am tired of talk and patience. I have gone to long as I am."
"Well, you tried." Ben dialed up his new hero and smashed the plate in transforming into the Conductoid. "Feedback!" He looked at himself. "Huh, I think I like this new form."
"Feedback, take him on while I get the Galvan." Hal ordered.
He blasted Malware with energy from his ring before Ben rushed into engage him.
Hal moved on over to Albedo. "Alright, you're done helping the Mechamorph, so let's go."
"It's too late." Albedo retorted. "If I don't complete the link with the primary helix, the secondary helix will cycle out of control and destroy the moon with us on it."
The machine powered up and shot red lighting into the air.
Feedback managed to grapple Malware down only for him to stretch out his arms. "At last, I will be cured!"
Hal prepared to construct a wall. "We don't know what this will…"
Albedo nudged his legs, but Hal didn't care to take any chances. He constructed the solid wall from his will which managed to block off Malware's hands from the machine.
"No!" Malware shouted enraged. "If it's not Azmuth, it's outsiders preventing me from getting what I rightly deserved from birth. Weather I get fixed or not, I will not stop until you, your partner, Azmuth, and all of Galvan lies buried beneath my feet. I will have my revenge!"
Suddenly, the room was bathed in a red glow.
"Oh, that's not good." Hal commented.
"Malware of Galvan B." A deep voice stated. "You have great rage within your core."
A red ring was floating to Malware.
This caught Ben's attention. "Uh, what is that?"
Malware kicked him off and reached for the ring as he felt compelled to take it.
"Stop!" Hal shouted.
It was too late as Malware let the ring slide onto his finger which caused his body to become red like blood. He stood up and a suit like Hal's, except red, formed over his body.
"Hal, what's going on?" Feedback asked. "That guy looks like the Red Lanterns you told me about."
"That's because he is." Hal focused more energy to the shield around the helixes. "Get behind me and away from him!"
"Upgrade!" Malware shouted mindlessly.
He fired a beam at Hal's shielding; however, this beam looked like fire and blood rather than the yellow beams he fired before. It punched clear through the shielding which Hal tried to fix. It was too late as the Galvanic Mechamorph got through before embracing the helix.
"Change!" Malware shouted. "Change!"
"Am I crazy, or did he just win more than he wanted?" Ben asked.
"Just wait for it." Albedo smirked.
Malware's yellow lines became a lighter red than the rest of him before another napalm beam fired upwards. The energy around him was going haywire. It got so bright that everyone had to close their eyes, but upon opening them, they saw a carter filled with debris.
"What just happened?" Ben asked as his watch timed out.
"I just defeated Malware." Albedo replied. "By managing the power cycles of the two helixes, I caused an overload."
"Tell me, would that have destroyed the red ring?" Hal asked.
"Well no." Albedo admitted. "It was linked specifically to overload the Mechamorph. Why do you ask?"
"Because it means someone really needs to tell Azmuth that he can't ignore the Green Lanterns like he tends to." Hal explained quickly. "As long as the ring is fine…" Malware burst form now complete. "…Red Lanterns don't die."
"Complete!" Malware shouted.
The ring glowed before Malware was whisked away.
"What happened now?" Albedo asked at a loss for once.
"The leader of the Red Lanterns, Atrocitus, just called his new lantern back to Ysmault and is likely seeking to restore his intelligence." Hal explained as Azmuth entered the room. "Then, he'll seek his revenge against anyone who he feels wronged him before getting that ring."
"In short, Albedo, this is a problem." Azmuth stated. "One of my creation."
"At this point, you got no choice but to work with the Green Lanterns." Hal stated. "If I were you, I'd start talking with them again." He walked by the First Thinker. "Hey, no one can force you of all people to do anything. If you don't want us, good luck with him"
Ben watched his mentor exit the building. "What is your beef with the Green Lanterns anyways, Azmuth? I don't remember Grandpa Max saying you had the same with the Plumbers."
"It's because the Plumbers don't go sticking their nose in my business." Azmuth explained. "Even with our treaty, the Green Lanterns were part of the reason I was where I was when you first found me. As much as I am loathe to admit it, your mentor is right."
"I see." Ben nodded. "So, are you mad at me for accepting him as my mentor?"
"If I were mad, I'd have come to earth to take the Omnitrix away from you." Azmuth walked towards the door. "Despite the Green Lanterns being nosey busy bodies, they are at least a force for good." He stopped at the door. "Just a word of advice.
Hal is trustworthy but be careful around the guardians and other Green Lanterns. When I was first making the Omnitrix, and they found out, they were vocal against its creation. To them, it didn't matter my intention."
"Uh, yeah." Ben nodded. "I'll keep that in mind."
Azmuth nodded. "Now, come along you two."
Ben and Albedo followed Azmuth out of the building.
Space: Aboard the Ship
Ben and Hal had just left Galvan.
"So, what's next Hal?" Ben asked hopefully.
"What's next is that you got schoolwork to catch up on while I inform the Justice League of these recent developments." Hal stated.
"Aw man." Ben dreaded this being the case.
"I know it's not what you were expecting, but if you put in the effort, I'll order a piazza for dinner." Hal offered.
"Well, I suppose that does make it more bearable." Ben admitted.
Salem, Massachusetts
Kent and Gwen stood before a large tower in the middle of a park area.
"So, I take it most people don't usually see this place?" Gwen questioned.
"Correct." Kent smiled. "Only those I wish to see it, will see the tower. Beyond that, only those I wish can even enter this place. Everyone else, save someone highly skilled in the arts, pass through it as though it is not there."
"That's so cool." Gwen marveled.
Ever since she picked up that book from Charmcaster, Gwen had been really into magic. While she hadn't initially been sure about learning under Kent, her desire to learn more about magic had driven her to accept his offer of mentorship.
"Now, just a moment." Kent stated.
He waved his cane, and a golden ankh formed a doorway in front of them.
"Whoa." Gwen stated impressed.
Kent nodded. "After you."
Somewhere in the Nexus of Reality
The pair arrived in a comfortable study with every wall covered in book shelves. Two seats sat separated by a small night stand in the far end of the room. The two large chairs were red velvet with gold trim facing a lite fireplace. A panting of an attractive young woman hung above it.
"I could spend months in here." Gwen marveled.
"From experience, you could spend years in here." Kent chuckled. "Gwen, allow me to properly welcome you to the Tower of Fate. My dearly departed wife once said this place is to offer refuge to the mystically confused or lost souls that need guidance.
Unfortunately, I've let her down with my recent solitude." He smiled and put a hand on her shoulder. "When I heard about you, I knew it was time to extend that sentiment one more time. You have a true gift. One that I will help you cultivate."
"After seeing what you can do, I don't doubt it; however, how do you know all of this?" Gwen asked curiously.
"I was wondering how long it'd take you to ask me that." Kent smiled. "While the mystic arts are strange, always be curious. A curious mind is one that learns the best from my experience. As for my knowledge, I was Doctor Fate."
"Whoa, you were Doctor Fate?" Gwen asked amazed. "The same Doctor Fate who was inducted into the Justice Society?"
Before the summer, Gwen had been skeptical about magic even with heroes like Doctor Fate having existed. After acquiring her spellbook, she couldn't help but be fascinated by more lawful magic users.
Kent nodded. "The very same, and while there is much you must understand about that time of my life, wouldn't want you to make a mistake, we should stick to the topics at hand. Gwen, I shall teach you everything you need to know about this universe and then some."
"So, where do we start?" Gwen asked.
"We shall start at the beginning as I would instruct it." Kent took them over to the chairs to have a seat. "Hopefully, that isn't disappointing since I am informed you are self-taught."
"Considering you are the master; it would likely help me more to start where you wish." Gwen stated.
"Very well." Kent nodded. "Magic is a primordial force consisting of pieces of creation which can be harnessed by special practitioners. It has existed since the dawn of time. Magic was raw and had surrounded the still forming multiverse.
There are many practitioners of magic, and it all comes down to which school you fall under. There is the Magician, Sorcerer, Magic Blood, Champions, Guardians, Archmage, and Judge. Let's focus on where you lie currently. You fall under a few categories.
Magician, which is the most basic classification of magic user. It encompasses anyone from the user of a single spell to the most skilled practitioner. At one point, you were a Sorcerer. They mitigate risk by using artifacts to enhance their abilities."
"You mean the Charms of Bezel?" Gwen questioned.
"Exactly my dear child." Kent smiled. "You would also fall under Magic Blood since you technically carry the blood of a magical being. That's something I explain later, but those are your classifications."
"I mean, do I really classify as a Sorcerer?" Gwen asked. "I did give up my artifacts."
"You aren't the only one to do so." Kent replied. "Once a Sorcerer, always a Sorcerer. Besides, objects like the Charms of Bezel can always be remade if the right person knows how. Honestly, Hex and Charmcaster are decent, but they wouldn't know where to begin."
"What, you can bring back the stones?" Gwen asked hopefully.
She had destroyed them with a clear purpose, but now that she was trying to become her own hero, having those back would be a huge boon to her skill set.
"That won't be for years." Kent got up and started walking. "For now, I want you to learn without them since I don't want you to rely on them."
Gwen ran after him ready to learn more. "Right, sir."
OmnihancedEternatus: I came to agree with your sentiment that the first five chapter should be building up Gwen & Ben as characters in this shared universe.
GreenSwitch - FreeShadow: Goodbye and Good Riddance did happen. It's just everyone, save the family or people they can trust, needed to forget about it. As for Osmosians, I'm going to be honest. Some people want Kevin to be an alien while other want him to be the meta human we all assumed him to be in the OG series. Currently, I'm leaninhg more towards the OG aspect.
Guest: Oh, trust me. I'm going to be making some changes.
Ibrenneke: It's possible that other trixes could come into play. I certainly have ideas.
Guest: You make a good point in favor of Kevin being a Meta Human/Mutant
Xenozip: jurisdictional advantage goes to the plumbers, but Green Lanterns, as seen by Max's reaction to them, can be trusted by the Plumbers.
Celestialsapiens would lie more on Lucifer's level than the presence.
Yeah, it could give life back to the kryptonians.
Yeah, ben could have both dna in his watch. For that natter. He could also have Zarnian, Lobo, in there. Though, I am thinking they shouldn't just be given to him
The omnitrix is meant to turn Ben into the best representation of that species at that age. So, he'd be the prime example of a martian at that age. Yeah, id assume that'd mean the watch would ditch the fire aspect. Though in young justice, i will say it seems to be an overall weakness since Megan was affected by it as well.
Yeah, he could become the different martians
Taiwoeretan1: You make a decent point; however, the league point is that Ben is a 10 year old boy wielding potentially the most dangerous object in the world.
Jay(Guest): I mean, Max, Gwen, and Ben alone were able to remove it prior to Alien Force, so it's not out of the question they could find a way. Depending on what series you subscribe to, the Plumbers are currently dormant. Despite me using Malware, I'm going with that explanation given to us prior to Omniverse.
I craft experiences: Honestly, for me, I'm sick of transplant Ben into Young Justice stories. Thats not a knock against the writers since many are well written. It's a knock against the common trope used. I'm talking Ben loses everything and ends up in that universe. That ain't for me now. I'll gladly take a crack at combining universe over that and let Ben keep his loved ones.
Walid Alam: You also make a good point on alien vs meta/mutant for Kevin. Fortunately, I got some time to figure it out.
Guest: Again, you make a good point to oppose Walid.
The One Beyond You: 1. The way I'm interpreting it is that the Green Lanterns are more peace keepers. They'll go in, more often than not, first before the Plumbers to solve problems. The Plumbers are like the police force with jurisdiction on most cases. It's sort of like the Green Lantern are the police and the plumbers the FBI. They'll more or less work together wherever possible because there's really no point in butting heads when both work the good side. Yeah, Plumbers have jurisdiction, but they won't heavily wave it around, you know.
2. Professor Paradox, in this universe, has established himself as a Justice League member. In fact, he's among the founders. The guy can freely slip back in time, so he gave his assurance that if this did not turn out well, he'd go back in time to attempt a correction it. Granted, there are rules Paradox does have to follow, but he has been shown to go back in time with at least warning of a devastated future. In other words, things progressed as they should.
3. I'm fine with either. Either it doesn't get recalibrated or Azmuth comes around to recalibrate. In the end, it's the same Omnitrix, so all functions should be the same.
4. I have been leaning towards this. Basically, any side kick in Young Justice has their histories with these heroes through countless comics. By the process of putting these worlds together, Ben and Gwen just wouldn't have that. So, at the very least, having them spend some time with Hal and Kent respectively would be for the best to give them some basis
5. That was my plan to put them roughly at the age of the others. I found that Ben's birthday is in December though, so they'll probably be around 14 going on 15.
6. Oh, I have something interesting for Kevin. Worry not, he doesn't need to be a hero.
7. That's something I've never really seen in a Ben Ten x YJ story. I've read quite a few, but he never gets an alien from that universe. Now, there's no excuse. This Ben Ten universe is already part of this DC universe in my story. So, those DNA samples are ripe to be unlocked or scanned no problem. That said, Ben would never disregard his many other transformations for a single transformation, Feedback being the rare exception. So, he'll have these transformations, but I won't let them be his only transformations.
8. I'm going to try to keep power scaling more in mind with all characters. It doesn't mean I'll succeed, but I'll certainly give it that old college try.
Neon Starch: You do make some good point on not just giving him the aliens. As more people review it, I do consider going more with the idea of some breather chapters before jumping into Young Justice/Alien Force content. That said, I am a man who appreciates Alien Force, Ultimate Alien, and Omniverse. If I do breather chapters, I'd probably take content from there, with some of it add in some DC villains into the mix.
Heck, I could through in maybe another chapter or two where Ben helps Hal through some of his problems. Young Justice was kind of vague of certain aspects of the leaguers. What they've done exactly. As for Kevin... well Ben does need a great rouges Gallery of his own. Vilgax is great, but most DC heroes have a strong list of vilians. Like Superman has Brainiac, Lex Luthor, Doomsday.
Like villains you can associate as being top tier. That's kind of what Kevin's going to be. Just to put him on a level like that, I'm taking inspiration from all over. Let's face it, Alien Force Kevin got nerfed no matter how much they want to show he's still on Ben's level. Yeah, I don't buy that. Instead of his training to garner the power he did, he's going to be training these next five years to do more what his original future counterpart could
reader2020italia: There were certainly aspects of Omniverse they I liked clearly.
Guest: Your ideas will be taken into consideration