Crosspost from AO3 to here, a co authored fic between myself and DaddyStark

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Most normal teenagers say that they spent their day doing homework or listening to music. Fighting off aliens and protecting the public is not what most people expect to hear from said teenagers. Ben Tennyson is not most teenagers. A certain alien device that almost killed him at the age of ten made sure of that. Ben was usually doing his business either walking around or getting out of a store then some explosion occurs that sets him into action. So in other words, this was his normal.

He was grateful though that every attack on the public was not some huge end of the world problem. Sometimes, it was just some lowly thugs trying to harass the good people of the city and he was thankful for that. Not thugs harassing people but it was just some small problem that he could take out quickly. It's not like he's new to this or anything, he's been at it for some time now.

Though usually most aliens that Ben encountered these days were stealing something, maybe money or some prized alien tech but not too many were just disturbing the public nowadays. It didn't really matter what reason they were doing it for. They needed to be stopped and he put it upon himself to be the person who does just that. Welcome to his life.

Jetray soared through the city chasing after the aliens in their little space cruiser dodging incoming blasts that were fired at him. As he chased after them, the alien's eyes started to burn ablaze a bright green which soon shot out multiple rays directly at his target. The rays struck the cruiser as planned causing it to lose its course for a moment drifting uncontrollably.

The aliens aboard the cruiser desperately tried to regain control but not before slamming into the buildings around them. Jetray's eyes widened at the amount of debris falling down to the ground with people underneath. The alien stopped momentarily before swooping down after it, gliding quickly over the building. A glaring light took over the form of Jetray and when it cleared, a new larger alien took its place. Gravvatack.

The bulky, round silicon-based alien fell alongside the debris and focused on each piece before they soon came to a sudden halt. Gravvatack soon turned to the fleeing aliens with a wide smile and spoke.

"Hey, I don't think you understand the gravity of the situation that almost happened! Let me enlighten you!"

With an outstretched arm his hand glowed with a green energy field and with a thought, the ship was wrapped in one as well that inverted their gravity so down was now towards the planet like an alien. In no time at all the ship was dragged over effortlessly as Gravvatack sabotaged the engine of the cruiser and in no time at all the joy riders were in custody and the city of Bellwood safe once again.

Like clockwork he was swarmed by fans and reporters looking for a scoop. Like always, he grinned and bared it even though he STILL wasn't used to the constant media bombardment after two years of his identity being public knowledge. It was moments like this where he wished he tried a bit harder in order to keep his identity a secret, though he supposes that he couldn't fault Jimmy for his excellent journalism. It's not that he couldn't handle the media, it was just that it got tiresome especially after two straight years of it.

Ben figured that he would be able to handle the paparazzi easily considering he could handle universe ending threats like it was no one's business. However, the news reporters, journalists, and paparazzi turned out to be even greater challenges. Nothing annoyed him more than when he's just trying to enjoy a smoothie from Mr. Smoothy and there's a press standing outside the window.

Ben smiled and answered the press's questions with the same answers he usually gave. Some clever quip, smile to the camera, and then transform to make a dramatic exit. This time, it was XLR8 and the blur was gone in a blink of an eye leaving behind a powerful gust of wind.

It's always the same stuff, sure it's nice to be appreciated and everything but the constant attention is ridiculous. Yeah I technically have two entire species that would go to war for me but that's not really something I care about. Though I suppose it's a good thing I can personally repair any damages that happen in my fights with regenerative construction material made from my Nanochip sample. Just wish I could get away for a bit...

The speedster alien soon made it to an apartment room and changed back to the brunette, green eyed teen Ben Tennyson. He smiled as he unlocked the door to his apartment and stepped in throwing his jacket on a chair and collapsing on the couch. He actually wasn't planning on getting an apartment until Grandpa Max suggested Plumber security to make it more secure.

His hand found the remote and turned the tv on to see what was going on. A new Sumo Slammers movie was coming out, some animated shows, commercials, but then the next few channels made him want to turn off the tv. They were just constantly talking about him, his adventures, his love life, which was basically nonexistent at this point.

Good lord, the next channel was just a channel dedicated only to him. He didn't even know he had a channel! Appreciation is great and all but there's a limit to it. Ten year old him might've found this incredible but this was just too much for him. The bright tv screen turned to black as Ben shut it off setting the remote down.

Ugh I really should get a PR manager or something. People REALLY need to stop using my identity for profit without consulting me first. At least it's not as horrible as that cartoon parody Albedo somehow got up and running from Plumber prison. I can't believe how successful it is. Dealing with Xingo was annoying, I really hope Gwen finally managed to trap him in the tv this time.

He did not wear that as a kid. The only thing they got really correct was his voice. Damn that Tara Strong! Why'd she have to be so good at voice acting?! He couldn't even do anything about it considering it was labeled a parody so it was protected under fair use. But it was whatever he supposed. Nothing he can do about it.

Ben let out a yawn as he looked forward at the blank tv. He really needed to get away for a bit. Not for a long time or anything. As annoying as the press and media was, he was here to protect them. However, it'd be nice to be a hero where no one knew who he was. Just one more time. But that didn't seem likely, no one in this universe didn't know who he was. Wait...

That's it! Not this universe, another one! One without a Ben Tennyson!

Ben fished his phone out of his pocket and dialed Gwendolyn.

"Hey, I don't suppose you could scan a universe like here but where I don't exist? I need a break from everything for a bit!"

A blue flash lit his room moments after a familiar British voice chuckled.

"No need for that Benjamin. I know just the place to take you, you can even come right back a second after you left here. A word of warning though, you'll be deaged to age fifteen upon arrival."

Ben turned around to see a familiar steampunk, lab coat wearing man coming out of a blue portal with a smile. Professor Paradox. Truthfully, he was a bit strange and cryptic but that was a part of his charm. Deaged to fifteen again? Well, it's not like everything with Paradox was perfect but it'll do.

Ben grins as he tells Gwen the good news before hanging up.

"You do?! That's amazing! Though I'd hate to go there blind…"

The professor chuckles as he pulls out a wallet and hands it over.

"Yes I thought you might want to get informed. That wallet not only has your ID for the foreseeable future as well as legal documents but an overview of the particulars on the Earth you'll be staying on. It has many Quirks."

Ben took the wallet happily and opened it up to look through it. Well, his ID was definitely professional which was good. He read through it learning about the world and people with "Quirks".

Roughly 80% of the population had them while the other 20% didn't. Something that caused him to glare for a second was something called "Quirkless Descrimination." He let out a sigh before noticing a picture of a kid with green hair. Ben pulled it out showing it to the professor to ask about who he was.

"Seeing as he's in my wallet am I right in thinking he's important in this world?"

The Professor nodded his head with a smile.

"Perceptive as always Benjamin, that is Izuku Midoriya. One of the 20% who are effectively disabled in a Quirk society and discriminated for things beyond his control. You'll be meeting him as soon as you step through the portal there in fact."

Ben nodded as he placed the picture back into the wallet and stretched his body for a moment in order to get ready. This was incredible. A whole new universe where no one knows who he is! Plus, he can stay there for as long as he chooses and come back with only a second passing here! The green eyed teen turned to Paradox smiling as his eyes turned back to the glowing blue portal in front of him.

With zero hesitation he stepped through the portal, his body shrinking slightly and growing scrawnier as his clothes formed to fit him again via smart technology, a side project from the Nanochip construction.

He sighed softly to himself, glad he appeared behind an air conditioning unit on a rooftop out of sight from others. The now deaged Tennyson stood behind the unit realizing there were others on the roof. He kept himself quiet remembering Paradox talking about meeting Izuku Midoriya when he walked through the portal. This was his chance to learn a little more about him.

Izuku's gaze looked upon his hero's retreating stature towards the edge of the building as he tightened his fists and closed his eyes. All he ever wanted was to be a hero. Even without a quirk, that's all he ever wanted. He just needed an answer from the person he looked up to most.

"Wait, not yet! One second! I have to know!... Is it possible to become a hero even if I don't have a Quirk?! I'm a normal kid without any powers, can I ever hope to be someone like you?!"

One second seemed to stretch on forever as Izuku tightly shut his eyes, unable to face the possibility of his hero shutting down his dreams.

The towering man came to a halt before turning his head to the side to address the whimpering green haired boy.

"Without a Quirk…?"

Izuku leaned in despite himself focusing on what his hero would say next slowly opening his eyes in confusion as the long pause only to yelp in surprise as he saw the finishing traces of steam flow off his idol's body.

Needless to say what All Might told Izuku and unbeknownst to him Ben, was a shock to both. A massive internal wound causing him to slowly lose his power over time. Ben waited behind the unit with bated breath as he wondered if the hero would say what he knew to be true, no matter the skill or power one's actions determine if they're a hero or not.

Both boys were disappointed for different reasons. He denounced the possibility of Izuku being a Pro Hero without a Quirk of his own even if he suggested other civil service jobs as substitutes. Ben couldn't begin to fully understand the hurt that Midoriya was going through in that moment. Though he had to admit he definitely could sympathize with All Might being the Symbol of Peace…after all he was effectively that the universe wide back home and his older self will eventually even be called the Hero of Heroes.

It was sort of similar to when Ben had met that alternate version of himself just not with the preferred message. Powers, gadgets, or quirks don't make the hero. What makes a hero is being able to help someone in need no matter what. No matter if you have powers or gadgets, if you can go in and help someone just because. That's what was important.

The doors closed as All Might entered through and left Izuku and Ben alone on the rooftop. Jesus, no kid deserves to have their dream shattered like that. Especially by their number one hero. He had to say something, he had todosomething.

Ben coughs as he walks out so Izuku isn't completely startled.

"He's wrong you know. Being a hero isn't about powers, fame, or glory. It's about doing the right thing just because it's right. Anyone who's ever bullied you for being Quirkless can never really call themselves a hero, being heroes don't pick on someone for something they can't control."

Izuku looked at the newly appeared teen in front of him with shocked wide eyes as his eyes squinted with tears threatening to spill at his words. Truthfully, no one has ever told him that and with his favorite hero telling him otherwise he was ready to just quit. The tears spilled down his face as Izuku stared at him.

"Do...Do you really think so?"

Ben just stared at him with a smile as he walked closer to the crying teen while placing a hand on his shoulder. Sometimes, all someone needs is just someone to believe in them as corny as that sounds, it's the truth.

"I know so dude."

Ben smiled as he winked at the sniffling Midoriya.

"I'll prove it to you. If I haven't already anyway. I bet me saying that felt amazing right? Sometimes just talking with others is a heroic thing to do."

The two teens smiled at each other before being shocked as a giant explosion happened a few streets away. Izuku didn't know it then but Ben was going to change the entire course of his life.