**[Metropolis - 3:17 AM]**
A violent green explosion rocked Metropolis' streets. Ben Tennyson awoke abruptly, his entire body aching. As his eyes focused, he found himself in a deep crater created by his fall from the sky.
"Where... what happened?"
Memories flooded back—Kairos' sinister face, the wave of dark energy, his plummet through that strange green vortex. He raised his wrist to see the Omnitrix, still cracked but functional.
**Screech!**
The sound of claws on concrete made him shudder. Before him stood the shadow creature that had attacked earlier, its crimson eyes glowing ominously in the darkness.
"You won't escape this time, Bearer of the Omnitrix," the creature whispered in Kairos' voice.
Ben raised his hand to transform, but—
**Crash!**
A blue blur slammed into the creature, sending it flying across the street. Ben looked up to see Supergirl hovering above him, her golden hair whipping in the wind.
"You're alive! Good," she said as she landed beside him. "Who are you? And what was that... thing?"
"Name's Ben. And that's my... not-so-friendly acquaintance!" He tried to grin through the pain.
Supergirl suddenly turned. "Get up! It's coming back!"
The creature rose from rubble, its body regenerating unnaturally fast. "I'll enjoy killing you both," it hissed.
**[Watchtower - Control Room]**
"Sensors detecting abnormal activity in Sector 7!" Cyborg shouted.
Batman pressed a console button. "Magnify."
Screens displayed Ben and Supergirl battling the strange entity. The Flash appeared beside them instantly.
"Whoa! Who's the kid? And why's he wearing that funky watch?"
Wonder Woman leaned closer. "Look! The creature... her attacks aren't affecting it!"
Cyborg analyzed the data. "Readings indicate this entity isn't from our universe. Its energy signature matches the dimensional rift we detected earlier."
Batman activated comms. "Supergirl, backup en route. Exercise extreme caution."
**[Metropolis Streets]**
Ben was drenched in sweat. Every transformation attempt failed—the damaged Omnitrix produced only glitching, distorted aliens.
"Why won't you work?!" he yelled, slamming his wrist.
Supergirl dodged another attack. "Stop using that device! It's malfunctioning!"
"Tell me something I don't know!" Ben rolled away as claws shredded concrete.
Suddenly, blue energy rings surrounded them. Ben felt weightless. "Now what?!"
"Watchtower transport!" Supergirl confirmed.
In a flash, they materialized inside an oval containment chamber.
**[Watchtower - Detention Area]**
"Quarantine? Seriously?" Supergirl banged on the reinforced glass.
Outside, Justice League members studied them cautiously. The Flash phased inside at super-speed.
"Hi! I'm Flash. Bad timing, but... gotta ask about that awesome watch!"
Ben exhaled in relief. "Finally! Someone with manners."
Batman approached the glass. "Your name and full account. Now."
Before Ben could respond, alarms blared red.
"Dimensional breaches citywide!" Cyborg reported. "The creatures... they're multiplying!"
Screens showed five shadow monsters attacking different districts. Ben glanced at his glitching Omnitrix, then locked eyes with Batman.
"Like I said—you're gonna need my help. This is just the beginning."
Supergirl and Flash exchanged glances. Batman gave Cyborg a subtle nod to deactivate containment.
"Two minutes," the Dark Knight growled. "Make it count."
**[Brief Scene - Ben's Home Dimension]**
Gwen stood before Azmuth's multiverse map in the lab, her eyes red-rimmed from exhaustion.
"All these worlds... where are you, Ben?"
Kevin burst in excitedly. "Got it! The portal just needs—"
**BOOM!**
An explosion threw them off their feet. Kevin's metal arm glowed as he stood.
"Not my fault this time!"
Azmuth materialized in the doorway, eyes gleaming. "If you seek him, prepare to traverse realities."
Gwen clenched her fists. "Whatever it takes... we're bringing him home."
**[End of Chapter 2]**