Chereads / Ben Ten X Dc / Chapter 32 - 32. Downtime

Chapter 32 - 32. Downtime

(POV General)

After Batman dismissed the Mini Leaguers from the meeting room. The next thing to discuss came up as Batman addressed the new hologram he activated from his black box showing the image of Shift.

"Who is this?"

Wonder Woman again without letting Batman explain asked a question for only Flash to answer with quick precision.

"That's Shift the new hero we've been talking about."

Batman looked to both Flash and Wonder Woman with a death glare which Superman the Boy Scout, stopped the almost argument between the heroes.

"Bruce, please continue."

Batman looked to the Man of Steel and merely sighed and continued to speak.

"I and several others have observed Shift's behavior both before and after his recruitment towards the league. 

And to define it in a word 'Strange.' Shift doesn't act like a normal typical high schooler instead he seems more like the average adult."

Batman wanted to pause adding effect to his definition of the being known as Shift or Josh Tike but was asked a question he saw coming.

"Couldn't this be a simple maturing at a younger age?"

Superman the first to ask this question was worried about the answer which Batman provided.

"Impossible. Once investigated Shift had no relatives no father figure it would be impossible to mature at such a hastened rate of a 16-year-old."

Batman looked to Superman seeing his reaction to his answer and was met with a pensive look from Superman who simply nodded with understanding.

"Shift also carries a threat to this world if not the universe due to the watch over Shift's left wrist."

Batman raised his hand and positioned his fingers in a zoom-in-like motion bringing up the image of the Omnitrix for discussion.

"This item is known as the Omnitrix. What it does as I'm told contains Alien DNA from species across the galaxy stored inside and with a switch of a dial can cause the user to take the form of that Alien and use their powers."

Everyone in the room looked to Batman with looks begging for an explanation of this item of mass destruction known as the Omnitrix.

"Shift told me that he procured the weapon from an asteroid that had hit his camping site a well-thought lie but a lie nonetheless."

Batman continued debriefing what he found over the enigma that is Josh Tike gaining his fellow Justice Leaguers interest as well. 

Batman began going over the strategies and decisions Shift had made throughout his assigned missions from his first encounter with Black Mask to his most recent fight with ClayFace.

This proved Batman's assertion of Shift's maturity within the Leaguers in the room but what took their attention was the last fact Batman shared regarding the Omnitrix.

"It can scan DNA?"

Superman spoke in a worried tone after hearing that this Omnitrix could both replicate Alien DNA after coming into contact with the watch and for its ability to heal its user after transforming.

This was interesting to Superman but what garnered his attention was the DNA coping which used correctly could replicate his Kryptonian DNA and be used later by the watch.

"During the watch's protocol regarding the DNA transfer Robin overheard the watch speak of a Master Override preventing Shift from using the Martian DNA he procured from Miss Martian."

This calmed Superman to the bottom of his core since he wouldn't want to fight another Kryptonian after a few months of fighting General Zod placing him back into the Phantom Zone.

Sadly his calm was going to be overshadowed by the worry he was about to feel from Batman's next comment.

"And we aren't the only ones to at least perceive this The Vulture I mentioned before. Its goal was to take some DNA from Shift which it succeeded in doing so taking both DNA samples of Shift and his Alien form that he was likely in."

This last bit of information hit hard to the leaders of the Justice League falling prey to the silence.

flash again being the only one to speak asked Batman the most obvious question.

"How should we go about this?"

Batman looked to Flash with a look of not knowing answers.

"Right now our only lead is this insignia. Our goal for the time being will have to be finding its origin."

Flash stood up from his chair used his super speed grabbed the paper of the Vampire Bat and walked out of the meeting room telling everyone.

"I have some sources in Central City that could help I'll go and ask and let you know what I come up with."

Flash made his exit and shortly after so did Wonder Woman and Superman who both went to their sources of information for clues.

As the three of them left Batman looked staring into the hologram of Shift asking himself one question.

"Who are you?"

—-

(POV Josh)

After waking up I felt several sore muscles and they had hurt like hell! I guess that's the cost of using the watch to heal myself.

Speaking of the watch I tried to remember all I could about the Master Override and mainly Azmuth the creator of the Omnitrix for any hints regarding on how to disable it but I drew up nothing.

I only watched the show in my past life at least once several years ago and because of that, I'm drawing blanks to everything regarding the watch.

In the end, I really couldn't remember anything until I stubbed my toe which then it hit me the Watch had a function about Alien DNA blocking. Which blocks others from cloning me or my Alien forms to use.

I instantly asked the watch after my toe calmed down about this only to receive another message I had already heard.

{Note due to Master Override this function of the Omnitrix is disabled}

'Oh! You gotta be kidding me!!!'

So now the guy who sent the Vulture on me could possibly clone my DNA and make Alien monster clones. Oh, I hate my life!

After a few seconds of anguish, I decided to clear my head and walked to the kitchen to cook some breakfast.

Not to my surprise Superboy and M'gann were eating and watching TV? Is that static?

Artemis was also here surprisingly I thought she'd be with her family?

As I walked to the kitchen island I locked eyes with Artemis where upon connection I averted my gaze due to shyness. Which I don't know if she picked up.

I then walked to the pantry grabbing an energy bar and as I was eating it I asked.

"Where's everyone?"

Artemis spoke before anyone else could with some ease in her voice.

"Wally's at a birthday party, Caldur went back to Atlantis, and Robin I don't know where he went."

By the end of Artemis' report, I had finished my energy bar and then looked at Artemis with a smile on my face thanking her.

I was sure but Artemis looked away from me likely blushing as I just did. I felt a little appeased cause now I don't have to feel bad about being shy.

 After eating I went to the gym and was actually followed by the party in question.

"So uh about our date tonight when do you want to go?"

Ah! Yeah, I asked her out! I totally forgot cause of the Omnitrix stuff god I need to write stuff down first Caldur now this.

"Would you like to go now?"

What did I just say?

"Uh?? Okay?"

Artemis looked at me all shy and surprised while I felt the same. Where'd that confidence come from? And to just leave without say so!