Disclaimer: I don't own Ben 10 or Young Justice.

Targets

Taipei; September 8th; 7:20AM

The tension between the Northern and Southern Rhelasian had become nearly violent as a peace summit gathered in a large hotel, rented for the event, with a crowd of reporters and a sea of onlookers trying to get a glance at the two representatives of each nation.

A news reporter stood in front of her camera man with microphone in hand and a bright smile plastered across her face, she looked directly into the camera and motioned to the events behind her, "This is Cat Grant reporting from Taipei where the historic peace summit between South Rhelasia and North Rhelasia has completely broken down. As a last resort Prime Minister Tsang of South Rhelasia and General Sing Mon Li of North Rhelasia have agreed to bring in an independent arbitrator but, who could it be? Speculation has run from the Secretary General of the United Nations to Superman but, the man of steel seems unlikely as I'm told the arbitrator is due at any moment by car, not cape," she smiled until the red 'recording' light vanished as she took a breath while the camera was off, "This had better go well or we're looking at World War Three."

As the crowd of reporters and political figures as well as their body guards circled around the steps of the building, one ginger haired man in dark sunglasses and a suit similar to one of the body guard's stepped behind a support pillar out of sight and placed his finger to his ear, "Red Arrow to Mount Justice."

…

Ben was training in the holo-ring when an alert came through that someone was attempting to access their secure frequencies for communication into the cave; he wiped the sweat from his brow and approached the center where he pulled up a holographic computer, "Red Arrow to Mount Justice."

"Ben 10 responding, what's up?" The man heard this and paused.

"Where's Aqualad?" Roy spoke almost confused.

"Like i said, this is Ben 10; I'm the leader of this Team."

There was a brief moment of silence before Roy cleared his throat, "Oh, well, I need access to the Justice League database."

He typed away accessing the computers data-files, "What for?" Ben asked casually smirking at the irony of needing to help this lowly solo-act drama-queen.

"I need the exact height and weight of the League of Shadows Assassin known as Cheshire."

He flew his fingers across the keyboard for a moment or two longer, "Checking now."

He typed away swiping and tapping the screen as a holoscreen appeared and displayed the information the Justice League acquired on Cheshire along with her masked picture, "Cheshire is 1.67 meters tall and weighs 54.4 Kilograms."

"Uh," Roy muttered as he allowed the line to go silent.

Ben groaned, "Jeez, she's five-foot-six and weighs 120 pounds; She's very dangerous for someone like you. Should I send backup or something?"

"Please, the last thing I need is the junior Justice League," Red Arrow tapped the frame of his glasses and looked out into the crowd scanning them for the exact height and weight given to him moments ago.

"No, just our computer," He smiled and severed the connection, stepping away as he returned to his training.

...

September 8th; 6:41AM

The next morning, Ben woke up and got prepared to see his friends go off to their first day at school, he met up with his close Martian friend and walked across the room and into the entrance hall with her walking closer than usual next to him. Behind them were Red Tornado and Martian Manhunter as they slowly approached Superboy working on his custom-crimson motorcycle with Sphere sitting behind him, beeping at their approach.

Aqualad leaned against a wall not too far from them in his casual attire, "Ready for school?" M'gaan called out as she levitated across the room and landed next to Superboy whom stood and wiped the grease from his hands with a rag, "I made our lunches!" She smiled brightly holding out a paper-bag with her name on it and another with no name.

Martian Manhunter approached them sparking a conversation considering Superboy stayed silent, "The first day of the scholastic season holds great significance and cultural resonance; we want to wish you both well."

"Guess it's not a Kryptonian thing," Superboy muttered tossing the rag on the motorcycles handlebar.

Ben chuckled and put a hand on M'gaan's shoulder, "You may want to change before you go, though."

"Oh! I spent hours working on this outfit!" Her costume morphed and shifted into a white tank top under an open long sleeved crop top maroon sweater, a skirt that extended down to her lower thighs and knee high socks, "Meet, Megan Morse! What do you think can your resident Miss Martian pass for an Earth girl now?"

"Well…" Ben said unsure of what to say next obviously noticing the one flaw with her new look.

"Just kidding!" Her lime-green skin tone blended into a milky Caucasian color, she could definitely pass as an Earth girl now.

Ben gulped, she was still stunning and possibly even more-so now than before; of course, he thought she was beautiful either way, having been exposed to Aliens all his life, he doesn't see them as anything strange or unusual but, now that she looked like an average girl, it was like his teenage hormones could understand her beauty one-hundred percent, there was no confusion. Today was a good day to finally ask her out, to finally start something they both knew they were waiting for; perhaps after she gets off of school would be the perfect time to ask her to dinner.

M'gaan turned to Superboy who had been standing passively the whole time, "What's your human name going to be?"

"My what?"

Aqualad chuckled, "I certainly hope you did not expect to register in school as 'Superboy', did you?"

Martian Manhunter morphed into a bald African American man wearing a formal business suit, "I selected John Jones as my human name and suggested John Smith for Red Tornado; You could be a John too..."

"Pass."

"I've always thought you looked a lot like a Conner," M'gaan suggested casually, turning back to Superboy for approval.

"Sounds… appropriate, I guess."

Aqualad spoke up, "A last name will also be required."

"Perhaps Kent?" John suggested giving an glance to Red Tornado who understood the reference to Superman.

"Right, in memory of Dr. Fate; the late Kent Nelson," she put a finger up as-a-matter-of-factly.

John morphed back into his Martian form giving her a nervous smile and scratching the back of his neck, "Of course."

"I guess it would be an honor? or something," Superboy muttered as he turned away.

M'gaan turned to Ben and gave him a quick hug, "Are you sure you don't want to come? Red Tornado could still add you to the Fall roster..."

"If I did go, I'd be a senior graduating soon so, I dont see a point. I'd rather just get my GED online. Plus, I have a few things to do around here anyways," M'gaan gave him a sorrowful pout but, nodded in understanding anyways. They followed Red Tornado to the exit and wit that, they were off to their first day.

…

Taipei; September 8th; 7:22AM

Roy scoffed at Ben's sarcasm and deactivated his communicator, he turned his around the pillar and scanned the area for the details he obtained from Mount Justice with his high-tech sunglasses until he spotted a barista at a coffee-stand with no mask dressed completely in civilian clothing handing out drinks with a smile. Roy turned back and opened his brief-case as it mechanically transformed itself into a crimson bow leaving the casing behind; the bow extended in his hands as the crowd began an uproar.

Several white cars and police vehicles escorted one single limousine through the cross way as spectators were moved aside for the limousine to park. Roy narrowed his eyes finding Jade Crock missing from the coffee-stand; he immediately readied his bow searching the area with an arrow pulled back on his bow string.

"The arbitrator has arrived," Cat Grant spoke towards her cameraman whom broadcasted the event nation-wide.

As the vehicles slowed to a stop, Roy ducked under a bush leaving his eyes visible to scan the area for the assassin he was looking for. Suddenly, a woman, obviously Cheshire, stood atop a fruit-stand and aimed an RPG at the arbitrator's vehicle; She aimed accurately at the car and placed her finger on the trigger but, just as she pulled on it and arrow flew from the distance and knocked her upwards firing the explosive into the sky.

Everyone spotted the explosion as body-guards pulled their guns out and protected the two political figures moving them inside as the crowd scattered in a panic; Cheshire sighed, "Ugh," she leapt from the stand and jumped on top of people's heads leaping into the middle of the crowd, disarming and dismantling the arbitrator's security in seconds as they fired at her she dodged the bullets without much effort. She sprinted across the road and towards the arbitrator's limo with her sai prepared to attack as Roy stepped out and fired a net-dispersing arrow but, was foiled when she jumped and slashed through it. Before she could land, Roy leapt at her and tackled her to the ground pinning her until she grabbed him by the torso with her legs and pulled him off. As she stood, over a dozen men pointed their automatic rifles at her point blank surrounding her.

She placed her hands in the air and behind her head, sitting on her knees and looking down as they screamed at her in a foreign language.

"We have just witnessed an assassination attempt live," Cat spoke excitedly, "No one seems to be hurt including our mystery arbitrator…" the man stepped out of his limo and straightened his suit and revealed himself to the world as, "Lex Luthor?" she questioned.

Cheshire was arrested on sight and placed in a police vehicle with multiple escorts taking her away, meanwhile, Roy was being held by two men surrounded by five more even buffer men standing before Lex Luthor. Lex turned to his assistant, an attractive woman wearing a suit with shoulder length hair whom nodded to him.

Lex smiled with his hands behind his back, "We have confirmation; this one is Green Arrow's sidekick, Speedy," the men released their grip as Roy closed his eyes trying not to be upset about the use of the name Speedy or the use of the word Sidekick.

"It's Red Arrow, now," he said insistently.

One cop moved towards Luthor with haste, "He must be questioned!"

Lex kept his smile, "Lex Luthor vouches for him, please, release the sidekick."

Roy's handcuffs were undone by an officer on the scene, "Ex-sidekick," he said as he approached Luthor, "And I don't need any favors from you."

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize you wanted to join the young lady behind bars?"

Roy turned and looked him dead in the eye, "You may have everyone here fooled but, I know what you are."

Lex chuckled, "Oh, I don't pretend to be an angle; it just so happens that this time I'm on the side of the angle's," Lex walked away leaving Roy with his thoughts as he followed and entered the building where the Peace Summit was about to take place.

Roy entered the massive Hotel lobby used as a center for the Peace Summit and wasn't surprised to find dozens of men surrounding both representatives of both countries arguing with one another and blaming the other for the assassination attempt in their native tongue.

Roy walked side-by-side with Lex and Mercy, his assistant, as reporters and news crews snapped photos with flashes of light covering their entrance; shouting from both sides of each nation completely attracted the rooms attention.

"Tensions are running high and troops are amassing on the borders between the two countries, right now; Lex Luthor seems to be the best or only hope at peace," Cat Grant spoke into the camera as Roy spoke quietly to Luthor in the back of the room.

"Why should either side trust you?" He asked as Luthor waved and smiled.

"Because, LexCorp is a company built around peaceful enterprise for all humanity."

"Cut the crap, Luthor; I've got intel that links LexCorp to the sale of military-grade weaponry in both Rhelasias," he narrowed his eyes on Lex, "You're profiting off this war, so; what's your angle?"

Lex smiled coyly, "War income is pocket change compared to the billions to be made in investing in a peaceful, united, Rhelasia; and sent it better to have peace… even if that scoundrel Lex Luthor profits off of it?"

Roy smiled back with the same coy grin, "That scoundrel may not survive to profit; Cheshire may have failed but, the Shadow's won't stop until the contract is fulfilled," Lex walked away from him and towards the arguing nations before turning back to him.

"Which begs the question, who hired them?" Lex asked as Roy looked up in thought.

"And were you the target? Or was your death just a convenient way to sabotage the Summit?"

Lex turned to him seriously, "Allow me to hire you to find out."

Roy nearly snarled, "Your money has blood on it and I'm not here to make a buck!" he shouted in a loud whisper.

Lex smiled putting a hand on Roy's shoulder, "Ha-ha, so, you'll provide your services but, for free? I can live with that, hero," He walked away and towards the arguing parties once more, "If you'll excuse me, I have a hemisphere to save."

Lex approached the bickering politician's with a smile as cameras snapped photos of him, "Gentlemen, gentlemen; may we attempt some smiles for the cameras?"

...

Taipei Police Department; September 8th; 9:05AM

"Aren't you going to ask me anything?"

Cheshire stood in a Taipei jail cell doing tai-chi to pass the time; flexibly moving in different poses as Roy now dressed in his Red Arrow uniform stood directly on the other-side of the bars with his hands on his hips.

"I think you know what I'm after," he stated boldly.

She moved and flexed her curvature body, revealing her thin waist-line and midsection, "I do actually, do you?" she lifted her foot into the air until it nearly touched her nose, clearly distracting the would-be hero.

"Who hired you?" He didn't bead around the bush, he got straight to the point but, she continued to stretch and move in provocative, yet, technically perfect tai-chi positions.

"Shadows."

"Who hired them?"

"I don't ask," she flashed him a wide grin before moving back to her tai-chi.

"What's the end game?" he asked boldly a question she should know the answer to, "The Peace Summit? Or Luther himself?"

She flexed into the air and formed her hands into the shape of a pistol, pulling the trigger at him, "Two birds, one stone."

Silence rang through the room as Roy processed what she'd said before she broke the silence, "Hey, where are your little side-kick friends? They're always fun to play with especially the shapeshifter and ar-" she stopped herself, "-chery girl, the one with the arrows?"

"She… They, aren't in my League," Roy narrowed his eyes.

She approached the bars of the cell and grabbed Roy by his body-armor, "And you think you're in mine?" She got in his face so that he could feel her breath on his nose, talking coyly almost as if seducing him, "Where's Green Arrow when you really need him?"

"I don't."

"Sure about that?" She grabbed the back of his neck pulling him closer as their lips were inches apart but, seconds before they met she ducked down and gripped the bars tight closing her eyes, "Oh, no," he mumbled as he backed away slowly. An explosion consumed the room, flooding it with smoke and ash; as Roy stood up now on the other side of the room, the metal bars were in tact but, the wall behind it was not. Ropes flew down for her to escape by when a man shimmied down shouting at her, "Let's go, girl!"

"Ugh, it had to be you!" She shouted getting up from the ground and covering her mouth from the smoke.

"Beggars can't be choosers, little girl," SportsMaster chided sarcastically as he climbed back up to the helicopter that had brought him there to begin with.

Alarms began to sound as the ringing in Roy's ears didn't fade anytime soon, he pulled an arrow back on his bow but, missed completely from the disorientation. As Jade climbed into the helicopter and flew upwards, she witnessed Roy barging through the roof access door and aiming his bow up at her chopper.

They flew higher as he aimed and fired hitting the bulk of the chopper with a grappling line, he ran with it until it pulled him off of his feet and into the air several hundred feet above the ground, "I admire your persistence but, I have to cut this relationship of ours short!" She shouted over the sounds of the helicopter flying pulling a shuriken from her belt and slicing the bind between the arrow and the wire leaving just an arrow attached to the chopper. Roy fell hundreds of feet for several seconds, he quickly pulled two arrows out and fired them at the roof-top he was approaching landing on their explosion of some-sort of putty glue-like substance that broke his fall. He sat up in the goo and wiped it from his face, pulling out a device that tracked the arrow-head still dug into the chopper.

...

Taipei; Southern Temple; September 8th; 9:30AM.

"Because I'm a professional," Jade started as SportsMaster passed her, "I won't kill you; at least not while we're on the job."

SportsMaster scoffed, "You wouldn't have this job if it weren't for me; grow up already," he chided confidently as he turned to a voice speaking from the center of the temple.

"The evenings agenda was to create strife between nations," Ra's Al Ghul; The Demons Head, The Leader to the League of Shadows stood forwards, "not my assassins," he stroked his 400-year-old beard as he stepped down towards them.

Cheshire immediately got to her knew and ducked her head down in respect whilst SportsMaster did nothing, "Master…" Jade started but, Ra's continued again.

"And client, so twice disappointed in your failures; Luthor has been a thorn in my side for quite some-time," He spoke and turned towards his temple as Red Arrow used binoculars and sound equipment to hear and see their conversation from roof-top hundreds of feet away.

"Ra's Al Ghul," Roy muttered as he looked back through the binoculars.

"And so, I expect less disappointment and less interference from that boy," he looked directly into the binoculars as Roy gulped for a moment.

Both Cheshire and SportsMaster were surprised turning around and spotting the little bird, "Perfect," Roy muttered as he stood and fired an arrow directly at Ra's who caught it mid-air and snapped it with his fingertips before dropping it completely.

"Take care of him," he said nonchalantly as he reentered his temple leaving the two assassins facing Red Arrow whom had the high ground and a long-ranged weapon giving him the advantage, however; he was out numbered and out classed. Roy leapt onto another side of the temples roof-top border, running and firing arrows which Cheshire managed to dodge long enough to get close to the wall. She jumped onto a Buddhist stature before back-flipping onto the wall and springing forwards on the roof sending shuriken towards Arrow as he narrowly dodged them.

She jumped and pulled out her sai coming down on him with nothing left to block with but his bow which served its purpose as he back flipped out of her range.

SportsMaster approached from behind cornering him with the temple on one side and the ocean on the other, "I hear you go by Red Arrow now, pff, more like Broken Arrow."

...

Ben was shirtless in the center of the holo-ring with sweat dripping down his torso; there were multiple training drones shattered or otherwise destroyed across the training area, his fists were smoking and his blue-mana leaked from his eyes as he huffed for breath, "Gwen always made this look easy..."

Suddenly, another alert sounded from the center monitor where a holo-screen appeared; someone was once again trying to access their secure network from an external source, "Red Arrow to Cave..."

Ben sighed and allowed his mana-energy to recede as he wiped his face with a towel and approached the monitor, "Ben 10 responding, what do you need this time?"

A heavy breathing and the sound of rushing water came through the comms for about a minute before he spoke, "It may be possible that i'm a little in over my head, here."

Ben gave a short smile as he slipped his black-tee over his head and grabbed his trademarked jacket, "On my way."

...

"The unification is unthinkable!" the Prime Minister shouted in a thick accent at the committee overseeing the event, Lex Luther stood between both stands with the Prime Minister on one end and General Sing of the opposing nation on the other, "Our nations no longer have anything in common!"

Red Arrow stood behind Lex in a suit resembling the body-guards that were protecting the Leaders of either nations, the reporters and attendants surrounded the stage listening in on the supposedly peaceful discussion.

"Gentlemen," Luthor smiled and stepped forwards placing a hand on either of their shoulders, "Spite your differences you still share an appreciation for many things; such as the exquisite art of the Rhelasian Tea Ceremony," He motioned to the crowd as it split to reveal a women dressed in the ceremonial garbs covering her face, neck, and a white dress sinking down to her ankles pushing a cart with with a full-set of tea-pots and small breaded treats.

As she approached, a teenager in a white and green hoodie grabbed her by the shoulder and pulled back his hood revealing himself as Ben Tennyson, "That would be far enough, Cheshire."

Red Arrow stepped forwards and placed his suitcase down, allowing it to spring open as a bow, he drew an arrow from his quiver and aimed it at the assassin in disguise. Cheshire smiled before pressing a button on the cart's handle and hurling it at the crowd before jumping back quickly.

Ben thought quickly and placed a large mana shield between him and the cart just as it exploded with a dozen C-4 charges held within, the force was powerful enough to rip Ben's jacket to shreds and cause him to be pushed back on his heels but, the shield held save for the cracks that ran through it. The windows were shattered and most of the room was in covered in soot and burn marks but, the people behind Ben were kept safe and unharmed although, a few may have received some ear-damage. Ben let his shield fall as he fell to his knees attempting to catch his breath; Red Arrow stepped beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder, "You good?"

"Don't ask me to do that again, like, ever."

"Fights not over," Red Arrow aimed his still tightened bow up at the windows where attack-helicopters hovered and let several League of Assassins agents into the galley.

"Damn it," Ben stood to his feet and ripped his torn his jacket off, "I liked that hoodie!"

Ben twisted the dial of his Ultimatrix and transformed with a green flash appearing as Fourarms; Cheshire tossed the garb off her face revealing her mask before tearing her dress for mobility and pulling out two Sai, spinning them between her fingers.

"Where was she holding those?" Red Arrow raised a brow beneath his domino mask as Fourarms simply shrugged; Both Tsang and Sing ordered their men to assist the vigilantes in their native tongues as armed guards with rifles and pistols lined up next to them. The men fired rounds at the agents who dodged most of the attacks, however; occasionally a bullet would make contact with an assassin's leg or arm slowing them down but, they met the heroes before that happened.

Behind them Sportsmaster stepped off the helicopter and narrowed his eyes at Fourarms; Suddenly Cheshire threw her Sai with such accuracy that it made a small cut on Red Arrow's cheek before passing him, "I'll take Cheshire you take Sportsmaster!"

"With pleasure," Fourarms cracked his knuckles before swatting a random assassin out of his way and into a wall, "I owe you an ass kicking from the last time, don't I?" Fourarms stepped up facing Sportsmaster and looking down from two feet higher.

"I was about to say the same thing," Sportsmaster pulled a baton from his belt which extended into a sharpened javelin like a bow-staff. Fourarms dipped his head back as the assassin swung his weapon nearly slicing his throat; he took a step back until his opponent swung the javelin back gashing his shin bringing Fourarms to one knee, "Agh!"

Being at eye level now, Fourarms used this opportunity to sucker-punch Sportsmaster in the chest with two fists sending him onto his back and rolling to his feet, "You're not bad, for a kid... Better than your gang did in Santa Prisca or Bialya."

All four of his eyes widened at this, "How did you-"

"Let's just say I have an inside source… very inside," Sportsmaster whirled around and launched his javelin at the Tetramand who caught it with two hands inches from his face but, didnt expect a grenade-level explosion to off in his hands. Fourarms huffed and got to his feet as Sportsmaster's fist came through the smoke and caught him in the jaw sending him to the ground, Sportsmaster stepped over him and pulled a device from his belt which extended into yet another javelin.

"Sorry, but a kid is just a kid; no matter what he turns into..."

A green flash erupted from underneath him causing him to shield his eyes, when he looked back at his weapon it had been caught by two tentacles with spark-plugs at the tips; a black humanoid with a single green eye and a green shirt-like design was in Fourarms' place, suddenly an electric-shock stunned Sportsmaster sending him stumbling back leaving his javelin behind.

"Cool, a new guy," he looked down at his hands where instead of finger-tips he sported five plug-sockets each, "Shocker! No, that's lame," he tossed the weapon aside and blasted Sportsmaster with a jolt of energy that pushed him onto his back, "Better watch that feedback, Sportsy!" He rubbed his chin for a moment as his opponent got to one knee and watched as Cheshire was on the ropes and the other assassins were dead or unconscious, "Feedback is perfect for this guy!"

"I told that girl to bring more than a few knives," Sportsmaster pulled two ping-pong balls from his belt and slammed them on the floor with an explosion of smoke. Cheshire saw this and rolled her eyes before doing the same, causing Red Arrow to fire a projectile through the smoke hitting nothing.

"Damn..."

"Can't win em all," Feedback slapped the Ultimatrix reverting back into Ben with a green-flash.

The helicopters departed leaving one last mercenary hiding in the shadows, he leapt out from behind a pillar and pointed a sword at Lex Luther who stayed perfectly calm the entire time, "Mercy?" with that, Lex's female 'assistant' dressed as a driver raised her left hand to the attacker and allowed her arm to open up into some sort of energy weapon firing it at the assassin who fell to the ground in a smoking heap all in the span of five seconds.

"Gives new meaning to the term 'arms' race, doesn't she?" Lex quipped without breaking a sweat, his body-guard retracted her arm and stood by his side, picking up and handing him his brief-case. Tsang and Sing shook Lex's hand and congratulated him, thanking him on saving their lives along with admiring his android body guard, obviously looking to get one of their own.

"They owe him their lives?" Red Arrow questioned as Cat Grant stepped up after the destruction settled and had her camera man set up his equipment on a moments notice.

"Yes, quite a coup for Lex Luther, as with his leadership, North and South Rhelasia have agreed to sign the peace treaty that may eventually lead to reunification..."

"I can't believe we just a solid for Lex Luther," Arrow sighed and stepped away towards the exit with Ben not too far from him.

"We didn't do it for him, we did it for peace; plus, now that the treaty's been signed, the League of Shadow's contract should be moot," Ben commented as they walked out of the building and onto the sidewalk outside, "So it's all over."

"Is it? I heard what Sportsmaster said, do you really think there's a mole on your team feeding him intel?" He crossed his arms as Benn took a moment to think.

"I guess, I can't just disregard his knowledge of a mission he wasn't there for but, no one on my team is a traitor; i have a knack for these type of things."

"And if you're wrong?"

Ben looked down at the sidewalk, kicking a discarded soda-can a few inches, "I'll investigate… quietly."

"Not tell them?" Red Arrow raised his eyebrows in surprise, "Wont that break some sort of trust?"

"I don't want them to freak out over nothing and if there is a mole? I'd prefer not to tip my hand at them," Red Arrow gave a mock salute before turning away.

"Good luck with that."

"Wait a sec," Red Arrow stopped to listen as Ben put his hands in his jean-pockets, "Tonight, you could have called the Justice League or even Green Arrow but, instead you called the cave, why?"

"You're right," He sighed and turned back around, "The team deserves- has my respect. I'm still getting used to this solo thing but, if you need me? I'll be there," Red Arrow stuck his hand out for Ben to shake which he accepted and shook gladly.

"I just might take you up on that."

...

Mount Justice; Happy Harbor; September 8th 11:02PM

"Recognized: Ben 10 B01," Ben stepped through the teleporters arriving back in the mountain where it was already long passed when M'gaan and Conner would be getting off school, he missed his chance but, there was always the next day. He walked into the kitchenette and yawned as he pulled open the fridge, grabbing a root-beer he pulled open the tab and heard the fizzing as he took several sips down the hatch.

He walked over to the couch and grabbed the remote, turning it on he realized Superboy must have been watching static again as the TV was set too a signal-less channel, "That guy doesn't understand TV, that's for sure," he planted his butt on the couch and sat back flipping through channels.

It was about an hour of channel surfing until he heard footsteps from down the hall, he turned to look making sure he wasn't under attack but, was barely awake enough to care to begin with; the sight shocked him to his core as M'gaan groggily walked into the room wearing nothing but a white and red t-shirt akin to her hero-uniform and a pair of red panties. She didn't seem to notice him at all as she passed him, Ben couldn't help him self but, watch her as she walked passed, "Uh..." he moaned as she stopped in her tracks, almost as if she was in a sleepy-trance.

She looked at the TV and back to him rubbing her eyes for a moment, not realizing what was going on, "Oh, hey Ben," she yawned and stretched her arms up revealing her lower-stomach and her waistline to him, "How was the mission..." she barely could speak a full sentence without mumbling.

"It was... uh... good, it was good," he put his soda down and peeked over the couch to watch as she opened the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water, popping the cap and taking down a sip. She wiped her lip and closed the fridge before moving back towards the couch, "M'gaan, you, uh, you sleep in your underwear, by chance?"

She stopped in her tracks and glanced at him before glancing down at her legs and crotch, than back to him; her cheeks turned bright-red and her eyes widened, she immediately yelped and ducked behind the couch, "Sorry! Sorry! I had no idea, i'm such a dummy! so dumb!"

Ben giggled, "Don't apologize, it's fine," he patted the seat next to him with a smile, " Wanna watch some TV?"

She blinked and stood with her shirt now melding to stretch much longer down to her knees, "U-Uh, s-sure..." she stuttered being incredibly embarrassed now.

She turned the corner and sat down on the couch two-feet from him, "What're you watching?"

Ben yawned and laid back, "Not sure, some cowboy movie or something... There's no Sumo-Slammers on this Earth which is a real bummer," she gave him a curious look but, decided not to ask what 'Sumo-Slammers' was just to avoid a lengthy explanation.

"Hey, M'gaan?"

She turned to look at him, "Yea?"

"Now that you're up," He looked away for a moment with an embarrassed look on his face, "I was just wondering... uh," he fiddled with his fingers trying to find the best way to phrase his question.

She scooched forwards on the couch a few inches with a raised brow, "Yea? Whats up?"

Ben gulped and simply spat it out, "Maybe, tomorrow after you get out of school, would you wanna go out or something? Grab dinner, maybe?"

"Do i wanna grab dinner?" she tapped her chin with a coy-smile, "I guess my answer is..." she slipped forwards on the couch till her bare-thigh was touching his jeans giving a him a peck on the cheek, leaning down and placing her head on his shoulders, "What took you so long?"

...

Lex Luther smiled as he poured two glasses of whisky for celebration, the tray he used to hold his most expensive alcohol over-looked the entire city of Taipei from Presidential Suite in the tallest and most expensive hotel in the city, "That went well; the shape shifter was unexpected but, both Li and Tsang were more than impressed with Mercy's equipment".

He walked over with the glasses in hand and gave one over to a man standing in the darkness, he looked out at the lights of the city and smiled, "They are quite literally buying into the peace, our plan to ensure the eventual reunification of Rhelasia under Lexcorps economic and political guidance is a success," They tapped their glasses briefly to toast their success.

The guest was a middle-aged man with black hair and a scar running down his eye, he wore ancient Chinese garbs and stood with a straightened back, Vandal Savage smiled, "And so, another corner of the world sees the light."

…

Remastered 7/14/18

;)