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Chapter 10: Cracks in the Wall
Location: Watchtower – Earth's orbit
Time: Hours after the team's return from the underwater battle
Silence hung heavily in the Watchtower's meeting room. Ben sat at the table, fiddling with one of the black crystals extracted from the last sea creature. It was sealed inside a special glass tube, pulsing with a strange glow—as if it were breathing.
Batman (standing behind the glass):
"These crystals aren't just energy. They're a living system. Each one gathers data, like a neural sensor… but they react to the Omnitrix like they know it."
Ben (looking at the watch):
"More like they hate it."
Superman entered the room with a serious, but not hostile, expression.
Superman:
"Kaeros' machines appeared in other cities. But they all withdrew the moment that last beast was destroyed. As if they were connected."
Ben (murmuring):
"Cells of something much bigger..."
Supergirl sat across from him, placing a cup of coffee on the table without meeting his eyes.
Supergirl:
"You're tired... but clearly not planning to sleep."
Ben (glancing at her, then back at the crystal):
"When I sleep... I dream of places I've never been. A voice calling me... trying to pull me back."
Batman (interrupting):
"Are you talking about Kaeros' voice?"
Ben (surprised):
"How do you know about that?"
Batman:
"Two weeks ago... our satellites received a strange dimensional signal repeating that name three times: 'Kaeros... Kaeros... Kaeros.' Then silence."
Ben (whispering):
"So it's not just in my head..."
Green Lantern (John Stewart) stepped out of the shadows, having listened silently.
Green Lantern:
"Kaeros… isn't just a creature. According to Guardian records, there was a being called the 'Shadow of the Relentless Warden'. But its name was redacted."
Ben (suddenly standing):
"If it's ancient... why is it coming after me?"
Green Lantern:
"Your problems began when the crystals showed up—not before."
Supergirl (softly):
"And every time the crystals react... the Omnitrix changes. Like it's adapting… or resisting them."
A moment of silence.
Ben:
"This watch... it's more than a tool. Sometimes, it feels like it's protecting me… even from myself."
Batman (watching him closely):
"Make sure it doesn't end up protecting you from us, Tennyson."
Before Ben could respond, a low alarm echoed in the room. A holographic map appeared, showing brief pulses of black energy in Star City—then nothing.
Batman:
"We can't ignore this anymore."
Superman (looking at Ben):
"You're coming with us."
Ben (looking at them all, then nodding):
"I'm in. But if Kaeros shows up… I face him."
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Final Scene:
In a separate room, Supergirl sat alone, watching footage of Ben's last battle with the sea creature.
Supergirl (murmuring):
"Why is it… that every time you come back from a fight… you feel farther away?"
She glanced at the clock... then saved the video into a private folder labeled:
"Ten – Special Surveillance"
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