Ben Parker sat on the edge of Johnny Storm's cluttered apartment, tightening a makeshift bandage around his shoulder. His body ached from the fight with the vampire, but it wasn't the pain that bothered him—it was the sheer absurdity of what had happened the night before. Across the room, Johnny leaned against a counter, holding up the shredded Spider-Man suit with a look of despair.
"Do you know how long it took me to find this in my closet?" Johnny groaned, waving the ruined fabric like it was a personal betrayal. "This was vintage! You trashed it!"
Ben winced, both at his wounds and Johnny's tone. "It's not my fault. I got ambushed by a vampire."
Johnny froze mid-complaint and stared at Ben. "A what?"
"A vampire," Ben repeated, deadpan.
For a moment, they just stared at each other. Finally, Johnny sighed and dropped the suit onto the couch. "Of course. Why not vampires? What's next—human goblins? A talking lizard? A guy with robot arms like an octopus? Oh, oh, let me guess—a giant human rhino?"
Ben held up a hand, exasperated. "Stop jinxing me, okay? Knowing my luck, I'm probably going to have to fight those guys if…well, if this story keeps going."
Johnny blinked. "What are you even talking about?"
Ben shook his head and groaned, muttering, "I think that vampire slammed my head too hard."
Johnny crossed his arms. "Alright, so what's the plan? You gonna sit around until Count Dracula comes knocking again?"
"No way." Ben tightened his gloves, determination flickering in his eyes. "I have to stop him before he hurts anyone else."
Johnny nodded, pacing. "Okay, so vampires. What are their weaknesses again? Sunlight, wooden stakes, fire, holy water, crosses…something like that?"
Ben scratched his head, thinking. "I think Catholic stuff counts, right?"
Johnny shrugged. "Maybe. But last I checked, we're broke. Where are we supposed to get crosses and holy water?"
Ben paused, then snapped his fingers. "Wait—I might know someone who can help."
Before Johnny could ask, a police radio crackled in the corner, announcing a car chase downtown. Ben sighed, already pulling his mask on. "We'll talk later. Meet you at school!"
He dove out the window, leaving Johnny shaking his head. "Vampires," Johnny muttered. "Of course."
The next day at Midtown High, Ben and Johnny wandered through the crowded hallways, arguing over the latest season of Blue Lock.
"I'm just saying," Johnny insisted, "the animation isn't that bad!"
Ben gave him a disbelieving look. "It's worse than Seven Deadly Sins season three. And that was terrible."
Before Johnny could respond, a pair of arms wrapped around Ben from behind. He turned to see Felicia, her bright smile instantly lifting his mood. They kissed briefly, ignoring the groans of students passing by.
Johnny rolled his eyes. "God, I need a girlfriend."
Ben smirked. "What happened with Sarah?"
Johnny's face fell. "She cheated on me…with Chris."
Felicia raised an eyebrow. "The Chris? The guy who brought his mom to prom?"
Johnny nodded miserably. "Apparently, he's got a…big weapon, if you know what I mean."
Ben patted Johnny's shoulder. "Tough break, man. You'll find someone better."
Before Johnny could reply, a loud commotion drew their attention. They followed the noise to see a girl in all black mercilessly beating up a football player.
Ben tapped a nearby student on the shoulder. "What's going on?"
The student shrugged. "That guy slapped the new girl on the butt. She's been wrecking him ever since."
The fight ended with the girl landing a final punch, sending the football player sprawling. She stormed past the crowd, her dark hair swinging behind her.
"Who's that?" Ben asked.
Felicia crossed her arms. "Jessica Jones. New girl."
Ben turned to Johnny, who was staring after Jessica with a dreamy expression. "Uh…you okay, man?"
Johnny grabbed Ben's shoulders, his eyes wide. "I think I'm in love."
Ben chuckled. "Good luck with that."
After school, Ben and Johnny walked through the bustling streets of New York. Johnny couldn't stop talking about Jessica.
"Did you see how she took that guy down? She's so cool."
Ben grinned. "You've got it bad, dude."
They stopped in front of a modest building with a sign that read Nelson and Murdock: Attorneys at Law. Johnny knocked, and the door opened to reveal a man with red-tinted sunglasses and grey hair.
"Johnny, Ben," Matt Murdock greeted them, smiling. "What's up?"
Ben stepped forward. "We need your help, Matt. It's…kind of a weird situation."
Matt tilted his head, curious. "Come on in. Let's talk."
Ben and Johnny sat in Matt's small office, explaining the events of the past few days.
"So, you're telling me," Matt said, leaning back in his chair, "that you fought a vampire?"
Ben nodded. "I know it sounds crazy, but—"
Matt held up a hand. "I believe you."
Johnny raised an eyebrow. "You do?"
Matt smirked. "I've seen weirder things in Hell's Kitchen. Trust me."
Ben leaned forward. "Do you have any advice? I mean, I know sunlight works, but I can't exactly carry the sun around in my pocket."
Matt nodded thoughtfully. "Holy water and crosses are your best bet. I can get you some holy water from a church I work with."
Ben's shoulders relaxed. "Thanks, Matt. I owe you one."
Johnny grinned. "You're the best, Matt and are you sure you don't want to help us like in the old days?"
Matt shakes his head with a smile and says "Nah I'm retired. Daredevil is dead but I can help you be better then Daredevil ever can."
Ben nods and says "And I appreciate your help."
Then Matt chuckles. "Be careful out there, Ben. Vampires aren't like the thugs you're used to."
Chapter 7: Matt Murdock
(AN: I know some people won't like me adding Marvel characters but there is a reason. I want Ben to have his own cast of characters with their own stories and be separate from the rest of DC characters but don't worry some DC characters will show up soon.)