Chapter Eight: Reflections of Isolation
In one of the dimly lit corners of the Watchtower, silence reigned—save for the soft hum of robotic systems relaying reports. Ben sat on the floor, leaning against the wall, fiddling with the Omnitrix, trying to decipher the strange buzzing sound it had been making ever since the desert battle.
Ben (muttering to himself):
"The Omnitrix is changing… something inside it is trying to get out."
Suddenly, Green Lantern (John Stewart) walked in. Silent as always, he gave Ben a direct, firm look.
Green Lantern:
"Batman says you've been seeing visions related to Kairoz. Is that true?"
Ben (watching him warily):
"Not visions… memories. But they're not mine. I see places I've never been to… and feel sadness that doesn't belong to me."
John sat across from him and activated his ring, projecting a hologram of a strange place: a massive hall built of glowing crystals, floating in an endless void.
Green Lantern:
"Years ago, we encountered an entity named Kairoz in a distant dimension. We couldn't destroy him—but we trapped his consciousness inside this crystalline structure… until now."
Ben (shocked):
"So these crystals… they're not just weapons? They're Kairoz's mind?!"
Green Lantern:
"Fragments of it. And what's inside is either trying to reach you… or take control of you."
---
In Metropolis – A New Threat
While Ben and John were speaking, an alert came from Earth: a crystalline insectoid titan had emerged from one of the dimensional rifts, stomping through buildings with needle-like legs and releasing energy waves that drained the city's power.
Batman (through comms):
"Ben, get down there. This isn't just a creature… it's a dimensional breach unit."
Ben (decisively):
"I'm going… but not alone."
Ben descended to Earth, just as Wonder Woman appeared beside him, already suited in her full armor and gripping her golden sword.
Wonder Woman:
"I figured you'd need someone with experience… dealing with ancient forces."
---
The Battle
Ben transformed into Stinkfly to distract the creature from the sky while Wonder Woman leapt onto its back, driving her sword into its crystalline joints.
But the creature began to change—its crystals reorganized themselves into new limbs, striking at both heroes midair.
Ben (grunting):
"It's adapting to our attacks!"
Wonder Woman (smirking):
"But it hasn't faced the will of Themyscira yet."
She unleashed a sonic shockwave from her bracelets, cracking the creature's main joint. At that moment, Ben transformed into Cannonbolt and launched himself like a cannonball straight into the creature's core.
With a powerful explosion, the crystals shattered, and the dimensional rift fizzled out.
---
After the Battle
Standing among the rubble, Wonder Woman looked at Ben with calm eyes.
Wonder Woman:
"Kairoz is testing us… not just our strength, but our emotions."
Ben:
"Every creature that shows up… it interacts with something inside me. It's like Kairoz… is rebuilding himself through me."
---
Later – Back at the Watchtower
Superman finally decided to step in. He found Ben walking down a corridor after a training session.
Superman:
"I see you, Ben. I see your struggle… your anger… even your fear."
Ben:
"You're not afraid of me?"
Superman (calmly):
"I was… but not anymore. Because the one who fears his own power… is often the one who deserves it most."
Then he walked away.
And Ben stood there… holding something he hadn't felt in a long time:
Respect.