It's been awhile. School finally started and ironically, I have more free time than when I was working during the Summer. Hopefully, I can get a good groove.

Anyways, here is the first arc of the story, The Crime Lord Arc. I hope you enjoy it.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Ben 10 or the DC brand or name. Any characters in the story with the exception of the OCs are not my creation. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.

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It was supposed to be a night of celebration.

The head of the Maroni Crime Family, Salvatore Maroni, was confirmed dead with his death being published on Gotham City's newspaper. One of the competing crime families in Gotham City was now dead and his family's reign now in disarray, most likely ended.

Still, the feelings. The emotions going through Johnny Sabatino of the Sabatino Crime Family were mixed wondering if he should be thrilled…or fearful. Who had the courage and audacity to attack and sever the head of the Maroni Family.

Batman was known as the hero and vigilante of Gotham City, but he has never resorted to kill any of his adversaries. He always believed in rehabilitation, hoping to reform them which was foolish but admiral in Sabatino's eyes.

In his private studies in the family's mansion, he started to hear sounds coming from the ceiling. Sabatino slowly lowered the newspaper and gazed up. He slowly turned his sights to his bodyguards in the room both looking equally perplexed at the sound.

A drop turned into puddle, with the family head dropping his paper and bolted to the door. "Take me to the safehouse!" His words brought the guards' gaze from the ceiling to the door as they head to the elevator. Johnny Sabatino planned well with the floor plan of the private studies being so close to the elevator just for such an occasion.

The bottom button lightens revealing their descent to the basement. With the killer being on top of them, escaping on the helipad will be unnecessarily dangerous so another option was the basement escape route.

3F

2F

1F…Wait first floor? The elevator didn't move any further and instead opened revealing a bloody mess. The walls and floors was covered with the blood of the guards served to the first floor. It was terrible way to die with some of them having their limbs severed. The two guards were frozen with fear, mouth and eyes fully wide, with Sabatino equally frightened.

"W-what the hell are you guys waiting for?! Close the fucking elevator!?" Johnny didn't wait for a response from his guards and slammed a fist at the button descending them to the basement. The guards recovered slightly, but their bodies and hands on the triggers were still shaking.

The door opened showing a brighter picture with additional protection waiting for him. This was a single breath of relief, but it won't last unless he e-s-c-a-p-e-s!

Blood and dismemberment filled his vision seeing man after man being killed in front of him. It all happened very fast seeing one man losing a hand then his head. He didn't know if the men knew they were already killed. At least, they might had died a quick and painless death.

He then heard a metal blade from his left and right and turned fearfully, at his two most personal guards seeing they too lost their top torsos.

"AHHH!"

Sabatino looked with wide eyes and tears at the killer removing the blood of their sword. He saw the figure clad in a black bodysuit with patted and slope armor plates covering their sides, torso, chest, and shoulders. The sword, itself, was cleaned of the guards' blood and still showed its cutting potential with the residual light in the room reflecting off the blade. It didn't look any closer to being dull despite going through flesh and bone.

"W-w-what are you?!"

The figure didn't speak a word and came closer to the crying adult revealing a white mask with a single red circle on the top.

"P-p-please…"

A dark line was the last thing passed through the crime lord's irises silencing him permanently.

…

"I told you guys, I'm fine." Ben words fell on deaf's ear after seeing the lack of his new teammates. Their hearts were in the right place seeing the Wonder Woman, Cyborg, and Flash making sure he was in good health.

Now hooked up seeing a few sensors on Ben's chest as Victor Stone was conducting tests after tests making sure he wasn't suffering from any hidden consequences after his sparring match against the red jump-suited speedster, despite the hero's constant reassurances.

The trio weren't going to allow Ben to get away from their examination with the Amazonian princess being the most adamant. With the last few tests, Cyborg felt confident over his verdict.

"His readings are normal, and it doesn't seem like there was any adverse side effects or long-term damages", Cyborg concluded.

"Told you I was fine", he reiterated pulling the sensors off his chest.

"That didn't lessen our concern for your well-being. The Justice League takes care of our own. We were very concern for what happened to you," Diana retorted, hands on her hips, lowering her head to meet his green-eyes. Ben could see the concern in her eyes; despite her stern look at the adult hero, behind her unbending nature he could see her true feelings.

How long has it been since the alien hero had a dedicated partner? Nostalgia hit him like a truck remembering the good old times being with his know-it-all cousin and grandpa when he was a kid and more recently, the Revonnahgander, Rook Blonko almost five years ago.

For five years, Ben Tennyson got his wish with flying solo, and it changed him. Not in a bad way, but he forgot the feelings of others showing concern for him.

"Ya. You're right. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you guys."

Diana's gaze softens hearing his soft apology, "W-wait a second. I didn't mean to use that tone…"

"No, no, you are right. Truthfully, it's been years since I have been a part of team so I have become accustomed with the only person worrying about me is…me. I'm sorry, Wonder Woman."

"Please call me, Diana. Here at the Justice League, we support each other so we don't feel like he will have to shoulder the full burden only to our self." Both hero and heroine shared a smile helping Ben he is no longer alone in the hero business…he is now with other heroes sharing the same burden.

"Should we say something", Wally whispered to the half-man half-robot as he simply shrugged not wondering if they should chime in a conversation dominating purely from The Amazonian Princess and alien hero.

The conversation was nearing its end with Wonder Woman enjoying seeing Ben open up to her and the rest of the Justice League, but now there was still one more important business, "Oh right, Ben, do you have a hero name you go by back at your world?"

Ben Tennyson wasn't expecting that question to come up so he was initially hesitant until he remembered, "Actually, yes. Back in my world, I go by the name Ben 10."

Wally chimed in, "But wait, isn't that your regular name?"

"No, my regular name is Ben Tennyson, but I go by the name Ben 10."

"You go by the name Ben 10 with your real name being Ben Tennyson. Didn't you have a secret identity? How did people not find out about you?"

"Well, initially, the public didn't know about the name Ben 10 seeing they were freaking out my alien transformations."

Cyborg was the next to chime in. "You said you used to transform into these alien creatures, but you don't anymore and now you can utilize their abilities by your human self. Is that correct?"

Ben nodded. Cyborg continued, "What made you change that aspect of your powers.?"

Diana was going to interrupt Cyborg feeling these questions were becoming more personal and invading the brunette's privacy, but Ben continued.

"There were a few aliens that I couldn't be able to control with just my normal Omnitrix. So, I created this one for that purpose." Ben's answers caught them off guard. What aliens will make Ben lose control? They must be extremely powerful to do what his aliens couldn't do.

Diana, not wanting to invade further, stretched her hand to their new member, "It's my pleasure to welcome you to the Justice League, Ben 10."

Ben smiled. "The pleasure is all mine."

"Now that the formalities are over", the four heroes looked near the entrance of the infirmary only to see the bat-suited detective already entered and near the four heroes. It was very scary how easily he could sneak up on other heroes, especially super heroes who have augmented senses.

Now there was another super hero who has witnessed the power of the cape crusader, when did he…?

"And you seem to be in good health. We should consider who will be your first partner to help you get accommodating to your new surroundings."

This was a good scenario for the Diana to get to know the new hero, and could help in adjust to the world. Plus, patrolling Metropolis will be a good first mission for the Omnitrix-bearer. The Amazonian placed her foot forward, "I can…"

"He can come ride with me." Ben shift his gaze at Diana to see a new heroine coming into the room. "The name's Black Canary."

Her beauty was equally as attractive as the Amazonian princess; she had long blonde hair, blue eyes, and wore a black bustier-leotard combo which accentuated her slender curves and voluptuous chest. She had an incredible amount of sex appeal. To be fair, both Wonder Woman and she were incredibly sexy in their own rights, but with her, she knew she was sexy and owned her looks more than Diana.

"I'll be heading out to Gotham City on a standard patrol mission, and I could help show the ropes to our new hero." Her looks from her beautiful blue eyes, flowy blonde hair, and red lips only served to elevate the temperature on Ben's face.

The second time Diana felt like she could get to further know Ben 10 was now swiped yet again by another hero, and this time something didn't feel right deep down. She wanted to give the alien hero another option, but hearing that very city's name now met approval from the hero of the night.

"A standard patrol mission seems appropriate for our new member to see the world around him. Be ready to move out in an hour, Ben 10", Bruce Wayne informed before showing himself the door.

Black Canary watched the dark knight left before making her way to Ben's infirmary bed getting a little too close to the grown-up hero allowing him to get a closer look at her cleavage. He thought he couldn't get any redder.

"How about a quick sparring session? I would like know a little bit about my partners by getting through some…physical training", she said seductively. Ben's facial reaction satisfied the heroine as she made her way to the door.

Just before she left, Diana swore she saw her wink at the Amazonian. With the interruption from Black Canary and Batman's final order, Diana's hope to get to know the alien hero was once again dashed.

*Whistle* "Aren't you the lucky one", Wally said, impressed. If only Diana saw it from his perspective.

"Ow! What did I say?" He said rubbing his arm Diana elbowed.

...

The training room was different from the one he fought the speedster. The former was a simple octagonal shape room with hospital white walls and windows for spectators. This room looked like a real gym with weights and equipment to the side with the center completely empty. It must have been the sparring center.

"Your match against the Flash was impressive, but I like to get a more personal experience", she smiled seeing Ben look blankly while she stripped her blue jacket giving the hero a better access to her figure.

She started sauntering with confidence until she was a few inches from his face. Dinah started to touch Ben's face with her hand getting a little closer until she finally spoke.

"I take it you haven't fought a lot of women before?" Her voice sounded innocent inching her lips closer to his.

"I-I try not t-to if possible", Ben's responded as best as he could articulate under the situation.

"Mmh", she hummed sweetly before Ben felt a sudden jolt from his arm. Before he knew it, the seductress grappled him to the floor with him looking above perplexed.

Black Canary smiled, hands on her hip, looking down at the fallen hero, "Then I will have to shake that mentality out of you." She extended her hand raising him up for the sparring session to begin.

"You can admire my body all you want, but right now you better show me a nice dance."

Ben enjoyed her fighting spirit. "Lucky for you. My cousin helped me learn to dance, and she was no pushover." Both combatants started circling each other waiting for who's going to make the first move.

"Your move, hero", Black Canary challenged the green-eyed hero which he gladly accepted maintaining a boxing stance as he moved forward throwing punch after punch at the blond bombshell.

Taking things slow, are we? She didn't see the light emerald light engulfed Ben's body like he displayed against Wally. She was going to teach him a lesson for being naïve and going easy on her.

Utilizing the similar stance, Black Canary parried Ben's punch and quickly followed up with a swift strike of her own, and unlike Ben's decent, but commendable skill set, she managed to get her hits on the alien hero striking his torso and face. Dinah seeing an opening, sidestepped and locked Ben's arms with her own while she finished it with a high back kick knocking the hero to the ground.

"I may be not as fast as the Flash or strong like Superman, but I can hold my own."

"Duly noted", Ben smiled showing the emerald light. Dinah readied with anticipation thinking if he was going to use the speedsters like before or if he was going to surprise her. It was immediately answered as Ben sent a torrential gust towards her pinning her to the wall.

"Meet Terraspin. He's a bit on the slow side, but his wind sure makes up for it. Now's a great time to give up."

Overconfidence was always a trait, Dinah liked in men.

…It made it more enjoyable when she knocked them down a peg.

Reaching in her jacket pocket, she dropped a small ball creating a huge flash of light.

"Ahh! Was that a flash bomb!?" Ben exclaimed forced to cover his eyes, lowering his hands releasing her from Terraspin's wind tunnel grip. She went for any vulnerable areas from his knees, ribs, neck, you name it. The only spot she didn't strike was where men pride themselves the most. He didn't deserve that punishment, yet.

When Ben finally recovered, he could barely stand because of his weakened legs from Black Canary's onslaught. Dinah notice his counterattack and pulled her head back, she took a deep breath before exhaling all the air in her lungs creating rings of mirror-scratching sound.

"Augh!" That explains her hero name!

The piercing sound like a thousand nails scratching a thousand mirrors was devastating to his eardrums. No choice, he brought his hands to his ears while kneeling on the ground, but it barely showed any improvements. This painful sensation reminded him of when he was on the business end of Echo Echo when he fought Albedo. However, compared to Black Canary, she made the Sonorosian sound more like a child's lullaby.

"Two can play that game!" Ben shouted at Black Canary siren vacuum not expecting her to hear his fighting words. Dinah raised an eyebrow at Ben's next move noticing the emerald light surrounding him again. Black Canary looked at the hero anchoring his feet down firmly on the ground, pulling his head back, and inhaling a huge amount of air.

It was almost like…

Suddenly, she saw a wave distorting the air from the path of Ben's shout. She realized he was trying to mirror her screech with one of his own. If she could, she would let out a small laugh of amusement. Did he believe he could overpower the Siren, herself?

The battle between the ultrasonic hero and heroine was in gridlock with each of them not giving the other the upper hand. Their view was hindered by the distortion of their clash not able to see each other's facial expressions. It was times like this the Justice League members were grateful for the room to be soundproof. They wouldn't have allowed Dinah and Ben anywhere near each other if they knew about Echo Echo.

Twenty seconds passed, and the gridlock was starting to unravel with…

Ben winning?!

Echo Echo's ultrasonic frequency was reaching over to Dinah. Her face was stoic as ever as she sidestepped releasing herself from their standoff. Black Canary wasn't discouraged. She knew her advantage over her new rookie partner.

Dinah could see the fatigue on Ben's face from his panting for air and sweat on his face. Ben Tennyson was at his limit on Echo Echo's frequency strength and range, but Black Canary could still turn it up a notch.

Ben attempted to regain his composure while Dinah was as confident and sassy as ever. They both gazed at each eye before releasing another clash of mirror-shattering screeches.

The outcome mirrored the previous gridlock until Dinah finally turned up the volume to eleven utterly destroying Echo Echo's frequency blast hurling the alien hero to the wall. Ben looked like he was going to lose conscience.

She enjoyed her results and released her partner from her ultrasonic clutches to see him groaning from the pain from his back and ears. She extended her hand to the still-dazed hero smiling at him.

"Nice surprise back there. I wonder what other surprises you can show a woman."

…

The ringing in his ears was still there, albeit, not as prevalent. Dinah chuckled at Ben's picking of his ears. "I hoped our training wasn't too physical for you."

"Haha, as long as I wasn't as rough with you." Ben responded. If she was going to throw a lot of innuendos, it was fair if he did the same. Her grin only continued hearing his quip. She was going to like her new rookie partner a lot faster than she thought.

Still, they need to focus on the task at hand. Ben looked through the tinted windows of Dinah's car to see the various skyscrapers and buildings of the city. It reminded him of Bellwood now that the small town turned into a big city.

"So, this is Gotham City…"- he gave the sights another glance biting his lips- "if I may be honest, it feels very bland and moody." He wasn't far from the truth. Gotham City always had this sense of dread and lukewarm atmosphere covering the city.

She giggled. "You're not far off. Welcome to Gotham City. The home of its superhero, The Batman."

The images of the deep voiced man donning the bat suit came immediately to mind. If Gotham City could be personified in a man, Batman will be that superhero.

The thought of a single superhero protecting the entire city wasn't farfetched in Ben's mind, but unlike his world, this new world had way more heroes and heroines. Doesn't that mean, Batman may not be the only superhero in this area?

"Is he the only superhero in this city?"

"Most crime-centric cities have more superheroes on patrol. Gotham City also has The Bat Family consisting of the cape crusader himself, Robin, and Batgirl to name a few."

"He has a family!? He gave me the air of a lone-wolf type of person", Ben chimed in.

"Also, not far off. They aren't actually his biological kids and instead take up the mantle with Batman mentoring them. You will find they are just as capable."

Ben hummed in response thinking of how Batman's "family" would look like. A family with a dark and broody atmosphere. The Addams Family came to mind.

He felt his body jolt forward bringing him back to reality seeing Black Canary stopped the car. "You think you can take them." Dinah said mockingly pointed at the Gotham City Bank currently being robbed. The robbers were ten-men strong all holding assault weapons concealing their faces with hockey and makeshift masks. You know a textbook bank robbery. Nothing the alien hero couldn't handle.

Ben smirked. "Are you kidding? I have seen way worse." Leaving the passenger seat, the emerald glow consumed him. Black Canary, pulling her seat back while crossing her legs, made herself comfortable for the show.

Honestly, he wanted something more high-stakes coming into a world where superheroes are almost as common as they're aliens back in Bellwood, but hey, it was hero duty nevertheless.

Ben 10 sauntered his way to the entrance of the bank oblivious to the police force parameter. He felt a firm hand on his shoulder and looked to see a man of equal height to him. He had broad shoulders, but they weren't obvious with his light brown trench coat. His white hair was showing the effects of being in the force longer before Ben was born.

"Step aside, young man. No civilian will be in harm's way on my watch." His gaze was from a man who will stand by that code.

Even if he would need to risk his own life to fulfill it.

The alien hero's smirk soon became a reassuring smile. "You won't have to worry…"

"Commissioner Gordon."

"Commissioner Gordon"- Ben raised his left hand displaying his Omnitrix- "like you, I won't let civilians get into harm's away." James Gordon hearing the resolve in the 22-year old felt like he has seen this scene all too well.

Where were all these superheroes coming from?

"Hey, thieves."

The ecstatic men looked with confusion at the incoming Ben Tennyson. His brow lowered, gazing at the men. "Drop your weapons and come with us peacefully so your sentence can be less severe. It doesn't have to end with someone getting injured."

Years of declining alien invasions and universe-destroying disasters have brought the maturing adult into the forefront of dealing with the normal everyday disasters of robberies and kidnappings. In all those five years, the best course of action in these situations is to diffuse it as quickly as possible. He just hopes they will cooperate with him.

The next minute, he was looking through the business ends of their guns. That hope was soon dashed. He slammed his palm at the ground as the robbers were unloading their rounds at the 22-year old. The robbers looked in awe at the giant green crystal erupting from the ground absorbing all their bullets.

Ben could see his golden opportunity. Placing the same hand on the Taydenite crystal, he separated a piece creating a makeshift sword. Not wasting any time, he lunged at the armed robbers slicing the gun's barrels leaving them inoperable.

Ben glared at the robber's assuming leader. Ben held the blade closed to his neck, and narrowed his eyes like he was staring into his soul. "Last chance."

…

Twirling his cigar, and right eye almost swallowing his monocle, he grimaced. "How long does he expect us to wait!?" The man slammed his fist on the large oval table made of mahogany. Couldn't this be made with a bit more quality like with English Cherry or European Ash? The man thought.

His colleague sitting opposite to him didn't share in the same distaste as him. A grin appeared on one side of his face while the other stood straight. Looking at the distraught short-stature man, he made a quick chuckle.

"If the coin reveals head, he will come. If it reveals tails, he will not." His voice too deep, too menacing, sounded more like a threat. The enraged dapper gentleman, Oswald Cobblepot, looked at the two-face gentleman across from him, equally frustrated from his shenanigans. Before he could flip the coin, the monocle-wearing man had an idea.

"Hey Harvey buddy, how about we make a deal?"- Oswald's pseudo-friendly tone attracted his attention, looking intrigued- "I have an extremely rare gold coin, both sides engraved from the hands of a master craftsman and only two copies were ever made."

Harvey Dent looked with wide-eyes and a smile. He was liking the sound of the deal. "For the easy exchange of never flipping a coin in my presence!"- his angry voice spilled out before clearing his throat- "it can be yours."

His smile turned into indifference. "Heads, I will agree with your offer, but tails, I will deny." Harvey flipped the coin gaining incredible height almost slamming into the high ceiling before falling back to his hands.

Oswald looked half anticipated and half annoyed.

…

"Tails." He shot back in his chair just as fast as his deal.

"I don't have to assume the house has full control of the outcome, Mr. Dent?" Both men were engrossed in their deal they completely forgot about the other gentleman sitting far left of Oswald. Far enough so their portion of the table weren't freezing below zero.

The scarred-riddled man chuckled. "The coin passes the judgement, not the thrower." The man sat back in his chair accepting or just giving up on looking further in his words.

The large mahogany door opened revealing a young man. His frame was short, not Oswald short, but certainly not Harvey's height. His jet-black hair matched his black dress suit and pants. On the side, holstered was an ancient doubled edge sword, a shield on his back, a jewel around his neck, and lastly, a dark golden orb holstered opposite to his blade.

"Good afternoon, gentleman." He took the head of the table seat.

"Mr. Oswald Cobblepot, aka, the Penguin."

"Mr. Harvey Dent, aka, Two-Face."

"And lastly, Mr. Victor Fries, aka, Mister Freeze."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, you may call me Kami." The man's introduction was met with skepticism. The trio looked at him with scrutiny. He was a rather young-looking man almost 21-years old. With the single line scar going through his right ear, he looked rather clean.

Penguin spoke, "Ok Kami, what business do you have gathering us to this…upscale establishment."

He could see the sheer skepticism in their eyes. He met theirs with a smile. "I will explain all the details, but before that we must wait for our last guest to arrive." He motioned to the single ceiling opener revealing the master thief of Gotham.

"It's nice for you to make your acquaintance, Selina Kyle or is Catwoman preferable." The black jump-suited, open cleavage beauty, master thief, and lastly, extremely resourceful Catwoman made her debut. Like any cunning feline, she landed on her two feet.

"You must be awfully attentive of your surroundings to notice me." Catwoman said amused of her presence was read by him. The man's answer came from a swinging index finger. "You are mistaken, my young kitten. I'm simply covering my blind spots."

On cue, another figure dropped from the ceiling much to the onlookers' shock. Her black hair was like the beautiful midnight. Her black bodysuit and armor pads surrounding her figure can take a great deal of punishment. Her piercing brown eyes through her white mask was terrifying. The female warrior was infamous in her home country, but underestimated, beyond. That is a terrible mistake. Her presence brought a sense of fear with her.

Penguin dropped his monocle and cigar, Two-Face's slipping fingers almost dropped his prize coin, Mister Freeze looking like he was getting a litter hotter, and for a rare moment, Catwoman was flabbergasted.

"Katana."

The man looked beyond his table and enjoying the reactions, crossed his legs and locked his fingers

"Now ladies and gentlemen, shall we get started?"