Ben 10: Earth's Mightiest Heroes

Meanwhile

Simon fired beams of ionic energy from his eyes. The blasts struck Hulk, pushing him back but failing to penetrate his thick skin.

Hulk roared and charged forward. With a speed that belied his size, Hulk closed the distance and swung a massive fist at Simon. The blow connected, sending Simon crashing through a row of abandoned cars. The vehicles crumpled like tin cans under the impact.

Simon quickly recovered, hovering back into the air. He sneered, his voice echoing with an otherworldly timbre. "I am beyond human!"

Hulk leaped into the air, bringing both fists down in a hammer strike. Simon met him halfway, intercepting the blow with a barrier of ionic energy. The collision unleashed a shockwave that shattered windows and sent debris flying.

The two were locked in a stalemate, raw strength against raw energy for a moment. Then, with a surge of power, Simon pushed Hulk back, sending him skidding across the asphalt.

Hulk dug his feet in, leaving deep gouges in the road as he came to a stop.

Simon unleashed another barrage of energy blasts.

Hulk shielded himself with his massive forearms, gritting his teeth against the onslaught. With a growl, he pushed through the pain and charged again, dodging to avoid the blasts. He reached Simon in a heartbeat, grabbing him by the torso and slamming him into the ground.

The impact created a crater, and Hulk didn't let up. He pummeled Simon with relentless blows, each one shaking the surrounding buildings.

But Simon wasn't done yet. He gathered his energy and released a pulse of ionic force, throwing Hulk off him and into the side of a nearby skyscraper.

Hulk recovered quickly, shaking off the debris, and charged once more. Simon rose from the crater, his form glowing brighter with accumulated energy. The two met in a titanic clash, exchanging blows that could level entire buildings.

Simon delivered a powerful uppercut that lifted Hulk off his feet. Hulk retaliated with a thunderous clap of his hands, the shockwave disorienting Simon. Taking advantage, Hulk grabbed Simon by the leg and swung him around, smashing him into the ground repeatedly before tossing him back into the building. Before Hulk could advance further, a shrunken Hank flew in front of the green giant. "Hold on, Hulk. I just got a call from Ben and Janet. I know this guy, kinda.

Hulk looked back at their battle damage and raised a skeptical brow.

Hank slacked. "I know. I know. The others might have a plan, but we must restrain or keep him calm. Hulk could hear Thor land close by.

Simon seemed haggard, reeled back from the last attack.

Hank flew closer to the man before returning to normal size. "Simon, please calm down. I know your father. I can't even imagine how you ended up as ionic energy."

The green haze around Simon's head flickered but remained. "S-Shut up!"

He charged at Hank, tackling him and crashing through the window. Simon first crashed into the pavement below, while Hank turned into Giant-Man to break his fall.

However, being slammed into concrete and up against a titan-sized Hank Pym doesn't deter Simon.

Hank held up a hand to the others to stay back. "Please, stay down, Simon. We want to help you." Hank used his massive hand to pin him down.

Simon struggled and forced Hank's giant hand off him. To top things off, Simon's body grew to outmatch Giant-Man's. "You're able to expand the ionic energy? That's amazing!" Hank's pupils shrunk as he took a sucker punch, sending him into a building.

"Should we do something?" asked Thor.

Hulk shrugged.

Iron Man waved a hand. "Eh. He can take a bit more."

Hank caught Simon's fist before it could meet his face again. Hank tries to pin him, but Simon grows even bigger to break free, throwing Hank over his shoulder onto some more buildings. "A little help, please!"

The trio stared up at the enemy, now twice the size of Giant-Man. "Okay, now we intervene."

Behind Iron Man, a large pod landed, opening to reveal a large suit.

Hulk glared at the rather familiar design. "You mad the Hulkbusters?!"

Tony paused, looking back at his heavy-duty suit and Hulk. "I know it looks bad, but I swear it's not what you think."

#

As Ant-Man approached, Simon turned and fired a beam of ionic energy at him. Hank shrank just in time. The blast passed harmlessly over his head. He returned to his normal size and leaped onto a nearby car. Using it as a springboard, he launched himself at Simon. Ant-Man aimed a punch at Simon's midsection.

Simon caught his fist with ease. His grip was as strong as iron. He flung Ant-Man aside, sending him skidding across the pavement. Hank grunted as he tried to get back on his feet. Hulk charged in and delivered a powerful punch to Simon's leg. The impact knocked Simon off balance. He staggered from the blow.

Thor saw the opening. He flew in and struck Simon's back with Mjolnir. The hit sent a surge of lightning through Simon's body, and he roared in pain. Hank quickly stood up and used his suit to shrink down. He avoided a follow-up blast from Simon and darted forward. He weaved through Simon's attacks with speed and precision. Then he grew back to full size and delivered a strong kick to Simon's chest. Simon was pushed back a few steps.

Hulk followed up with a mighty uppercut. His fists connected with Simon's jaw. Simon reeled from the blow. Thor summoned lightning and blasted Simon with a powerful bolt. Electricity crackled and sizzled around Simon's body. Ant-Man took the opportunity to grow to giant size. He brought a massive fist down on Simon.

Simon caught the punch again, but the force drove him into the ground. The impact created a small crater. Hank did not stop. Using his size to his advantage, he hit Simon with a series of giant punches.

Simon surged with energy and pushed back. The force sent Ant-Man stumbling. Simon flew into the air and fired a concentrated beam of ionic energy at Hank. Hank dodged by shrinking down to avoid the blast. He grew back to full size and delivered another strong strike. Simon countered with a punch of his own. The impact created shockwaves that rippled through the nearby buildings. Hank rolled with the punch and used the momentum to flip over Simon. He landed behind him.

Hulk acted quickly. He grabbed Simon by the neck and pulled him to the ground. Simon struggled as his ionic energy flared wildly. Hulk's grip remained unbreakable. Thor landed beside them and placed Mjolnir on Simon's chest.

"Stay down," Thor commanded.

Simon thrashed beneath the weight of Mjolnir. His immense strength was not enough to lift the enchanted hammer. Ionic energy crackled and sparked around him, but Hulk's hold and Thor's hammer kept him restrained. His resistance began to fade.

A beam of light shone directly on Simon.

Tony arrived, now wearing his Hulkbuster Armor. He activated a forcefield from the giant gauntlet and enclosed Simon within it. "That should keep him from phasing out," Tony said.

Hank returned to normal size and stood with his teammates. "Do you think that'll hold him?" he asked.

Thor nodded. "It will. For now."

Simon glared at them. His eyes glowed with anger and confusion.

"You're not yourself, Simon," Ant-Man said. His tone was firm but empathetic. "We're here to help you."

Simon continued to struggle, but his strength faded. Slowly, he shrank back to human size.

Chromastone Arrives

"Alright, we're here," called a voice.

Alongside Wasp, Chromastone soared through the sky, carrying Stanford Williams gently but swiftly toward the street.

As they landed nearby, Stanford's eyes widened in shock and horror. "My God, Simon... what have they done to you?" he whispered, barely able to believe his eyes.

Chromastone set Stanford down gently. "You need to talk to him, Mr. Williams. He's not completely gone. Your voice might reach him."

"Mr. Williams?" Iron Man turned to Chromastone. "Why did you bring him here?!"

Chromastone and Wasp pointed ahead. "That."

Stanford's feet felt weighted as he walked toward the being the Avengers called his son. The energy flickered around Simon, unstable and erratic. "Simon. Son, is that you?"

Simon's eyes flickered with recognition, the green haze of mind control dimming slightly. "Dad?" he muttered, his voice a mix of confusion and anger.

Stanford nodded, swallowing hard. He approached his son cautiously, his heart pounding in his chest. "Simon... it's me. What... What happened to you?" Shock filled Stanford's chest.

"Y-You were right, Dad. I just wanted to pursue my dreams, but I failed." Simon ached. "To pay off my massive debts, I went to Eric. They promised payment..."

"Eric?!" Stanford faltered at the mention of his estranged son. "Why didn't you tell me? I would have helped you!"

"Not because you cared! You never cared about my dreams. All you cared about was the family business."

Sanford had wanted Simon to learn the business. "Your future would have been secured."

"But would I have been happy? You weren't the greatest father, but I tried to see things your way. But no matter what I did, you still weren't satisfied. I even learned chess for us."

Sanford was a hard and stern father to both of his sons, never satisfied with their achievements, and even prone to physically punishing them. "What I did to you was wrong!" Sanford offered only a frown at Simon's A-minus result in math. "I never meant to..."

"I couldn't bear admitting you were right about me. I was a failure." Tears welled up in Simon's eyes as he struggled to sit up. "You pushed me away. You made me feel like I was never good enough."

Stanford's eyes filled with regret. "I know, Simon. I know I failed you. I was so focused on my business and legacy that I didn't see what was right in front of me. I didn't see you."

Simon's expression twisted with pain and anger. "You were never there for me, Dad. All you cared about was your company. You never supported my dreams, my acting career."

Stanford reached out, placing a trembling hand on Simon's shoulder. "I'm sorry, son. I'm so sorry. I should have supported you and encouraged you. I should have been the father you needed."

Simon shook his head, the energy around him fluctuating. "It's too late, Dad. Look at me. Look at what I've become."

"It's not too late, Simon," Stanford insisted. "We can still fix this. We can find a way to help you. Let me make it up to you. Let me be the father you deserve."

Simon's eyes softened, the anger giving way to sorrow. "I... I wanted you to be proud of me."

"I am proud of you, Simon," Stanford said, his voice breaking. "I always have been, even if I never showed it. You're my son, and nothing will ever change that."

The mind control over Simon continued to wane, the green haze dissipating completely. He reached out and embraced his father, the energy around him stabilizing. "I... I don't know what to do, Dad. I'm scared."

"We'll figure it out together," Stanford promised, holding his son tightly. "We'll get through this. You're not alone anymore."

Suddenly, Simon cried, doubling over as his body flickered with unstable ionic energy. Sparks flew from him, his form convulsing and destabilizing.

Ant-Man saw bursts of ionic energy coming from Simon's form. "Something's not right."

"Warning: Energy flux detected," JARVIS warned. Simon's body began to lose its humanoid shape, becoming more like wisps of smoke being lost to the wind.

"Simon...Oh, no. Simon, your energy! It's destabilizing!" Stanford warned. "Whatever you did to become this, it's tearing you apart!"

At the same time, Simon's body continued to lose its shape.

"Simon's ionic field is unstable; I think he's going into critical," Tony explained. "Hank, we've got to save him."

"I-I don't know if we can. Look at the ions; he's too far…"

"We have to do something! We can't just let him die!" urged Wasp.

"Okay. We need something to contain the energy, to stabilize it."

"Got it." Iron Man affirmed. Looking over his shoulder back to Stark Tower, he immediately took hold of Simon's destabilizing form, busting down the wall into his tower's basement to the Arc reactor.

Simon's arm completely lost its form, becoming nothing but wisping energy from a stub at the end of his arm. "Wait. What's... What's happening to me?" The continued loss of ionic energy from Simon's body caused his body to lose the ability to stand.

"Simon, listen," Tony urged, leaving no room for arguments. "The Arc reactor can absorb your energy. It can keep you alive!"

The others arrived in tow.

"Listen to him, Simon," Stanford insisted. "If you don't let us help, you'll…"

"Help me get him into the reactor!" Tony called out.

"Come on, Son. Hold it together. We'll figure out a way to save you."

Simon's body flickered more violently, beams of energy shooting out uncontrollably.

"He's not gonna make it!" Stanford shouted, panic in his voice. "Do something, please!"

Chromastone made a split-second decision. "I have an idea, but it's risky. Trust me." He positioned himself before Simon, energy resonating with the unstable ionic waves.

"What are you doing?" Stanford asked, his voice filled with urgency.

"Something drastic," Chromastone replied. He reached out, his crystalline hand glowing intensely. He placed his hand on Simon's chest, focusing all his energy. He began absorbing Simon's ionic essence, drawing it into his body.

Simon cried out in pain and fear, but Chromastone didn't waver. He concentrated fiercely, using his Crystalsapien abilities to carve Simon's mind and body into the molecular lattice of his backup crystal.

Stanford watched in shock, his heart in his throat. "Please... please let this work."

Chromastone's body glowed brightly, and his energy shifted and stabilized as he absorbed more of Simon's essence. This was a delicate process, and any mistake could mean the end for Simon.

Finally, with a surge of power, Chromastone absorbed the last of Simon's ionic form. The glow around him intensified briefly before slowly fading, leaving only a soft, steady energy pulse within his crystalline structure.

Stanford rushed forward, his eyes wide with hope and fear. "Simon? Can you hear me?"

Chromastone nodded, his voice calm but strained. "He's in here. I can feel him. He's safe... for now."

Tony let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "We need to get you both to the labs immediately. We can work on a more permanent solution there."

Stanford kept his hand on Chromastone's shoulder, tears streaming down his face. "Thank you. Thank you for saving my son."

Chromastone gave a small, reassuring smile. "We'll get him back, Mr. Williams. I promise."

Meanwhile

Amora the Enchantress stood in her lair. The room was filled with the scent of exotic herbs, and enchanted candles cast a soft glow. Her frustration was obvious. She paced back and forth, her emerald eyes blazing with anger. Losing Simon Williams had been a significant setback.

"Damn those Avengers," she muttered. Her voice was filled with venom. "Simon was supposed to be my tool to keep them occupied while Loki carried out our plan." She had originally intended to test her new lackey, but she had gotten carried away.

She stopped in front of a large, ornate mirror. The surface of the mirror rippled like water. With a flick of her wrist, she activated its magic. The mirror displayed scenes from the recent battle. It focused on the moment Simon was freed from her control and absorbed into Chromastone's crystal form. Her delicate fingers curled into fists.

"I need more allies," she said. Her voice echoed through the chamber. "Thor and his team must be kept distracted at all costs."

New York

Tony Stark and Hank Pym stood side by side in the lab at Stark Tower. Before them was a specially designed containment chamber built to safely house Simon Williams in his ionic energy form. The sleek, cylindrical chamber hummed softly.

Nearby, Stanford Williams watched with a mixture of hope and fear. His gaze was fixed on Chromastone, who stood before the chamber. Chromastone's hands were already gripping two of the chamber's nodes.

"This is it," Tony murmured, adjusting a final dial on the control panel. "You sure you're ready for this?"

Chromastone nodded, taking a deep breath. "I'm ready. Let's do this."

Stanford moved closer.

Hank assured the father. "Simon is in good hands."

Chromastone closed his eyes, focusing his energy inward. He could feel Simon's essence within him, the ionic energy swirling like a storm within his crystalline structure. Carefully, he began to channel that energy, guiding it toward the nodes.

The containment chamber responded immediately, its systems coming to life with a soft hum. Stanford watched in awe as Chromastone's glow intensified, the light pulsing in time with the energy transfer. Slowly but surely, Simon's mind and energy body began to coalesce within the tube, the swirling energy taking on a more defined shape.

Inside the chamber, the ionic energy began to stabilize, gradually forming into the familiar silhouette of Simon Williams. His body flickered briefly, a sign of its immense strain, but the containment chamber held steady, absorbing the wild fluctuations and stabilizing his form.

Stanford held his breath as the process neared completion. Finally, with a final surge of energy, Simon's dormant form fully emerged within the chamber. The swirling energy settled, and Simon's body appeared to be in a state of suspended animation.

Chromastone exhaled deeply, releasing the nodes and stepping back. "He's… he's in there," Chromastone said. "He's safe."

Stanford rushed forward, placing his hands on the glass of the containment chamber. "Simon… You're going to be okay. We're going to figure this out."

Tony placed a reassuring hand on Stanford's shoulder. "We'll do everything we can to help him, Mr. Williams. Hank and I have already started working on ways to stabilize his condition permanently."

Hank nodded in agreement. "It'll take time, but we won't stop until we find a solution. Simon's in good hands here."

Stanford nodded, tears of relief welling up in his eyes. "Thank you… both of you."

Meanwhile, Azmuth observed the situation within the Omnitrix. He had been monitoring the energy transfer closely, and his expression was thoughtful.

Azmuth spoke. "This situation is delicate, but I believe Simon can be fully restored. I will offer my assistance in any way I can."

Chromastone heard Azmuth's words echo in his earpiece. "Thank you."

#

Thor, Hulk, and Ben sat around a large dining table, a spread of Earthly food laid out before them. The others decided to have different dinner plans. Thor, ever the jovial eater, tore into a roasted leg, while Hulk focused on an enormous bowl of steak, and Ben casually picked at his meal.

Ben finally broke the silence, pushing his plate aside. "You know," he began, glancing at Thor, "I couldn't help but notice something when we were dealing with Simon earlier."

Thor looked up, a brow raised as he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "What is it, friend Ben?"

"There was this green haze," Ben said, leaning forward. "I've seen it before when we've faced off against the Enchantress. You think she had something to do with Simon losing control?"

Thor froze for a split second, just enough for both Ben and Hulk to notice. The Asgardian cleared his throat, trying to appear nonchalant. "I… cannot deny that I sensed a familiar magic during the battle. Amora's presence was… palpable."

Hulk grunted, pausing in his meal. "What's the deal with her anyway?

Ben nodded. "Yeah. It seems personal. What happened between you two?"

Thor sighed, setting down his food and resting his arms on the table. His expression was more somber than usual, a hint of regret in his eyes. "It is a long story, but one that deserves telling, I suppose."

The Asgardian warrior took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. "Before I was banished to Earth by my father, Odin, I was in a relationship with Sif. She is a fierce warrior and a loyal friend. Our bond was strong, forged in countless battles. But, as fate would have it when my father sent me to Midgard, my path diverged from hers."

He paused, recalling memories from another age. "Amora, the Enchantress, was smitten with me long before that. She is… complicated and full of desire and ambition. When she saw me with Sif, she became jealous, though she hid it well."

Ben listened intently, nodding along. "So what happened when you got to Earth?"

"While on Earth," Thor continued, "I met Jane Foster. She was unlike anyone I had known, a mortal, yes, but brave, intelligent, and kind. I was… smitten, as you say." A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "By the time I was allowed to return to Asgard, Sif and I parted on mutual terms. We knew our paths had changed, and my heart was with Jane."

Thor's face darkened slightly. "But when Amora learned of my split with Sif, she thought it was her chance. She believed I would choose her… When I told her of Jane, she was furious. Her love turned to hatred, and she has never forgiven me for choosing a mortal over her."

"Thor," Ben began, "do you hate Amora?"

Thor looked up, the question catching him off guard. He paused, considering his words carefully. Finally, he shook his head. "No, Ben, I do not hate her. Amora is… complex. She is indeed very beautiful, but I have learned that there is more to a woman than outward appearance. Beauty, while captivating, is not enough to make a person truly worthy."

Ben nodded, waiting for Thor to continue. The Asgardian prince sighed, running a hand through his long blond hair as he reflected on his past with Amora.

"There is good in her," Thor admitted with a hint of sadness. "But it is buried beneath layers of vanity and greed, traits that have twisted her heart. In many ways, she is as I was in my younger years: arrogant, reckless, and too blinded by her own desires to see the harm she causes."

He leaned back in his chair. "I can see in her the potential for something greater. Perhaps, in a few centuries from now, if she were able to change, if she could overcome her vanity and embrace the goodness within her, I might consider giving her a chance."

Thor's words hung in the air, filled with a mix of hope and melancholy. It was clear that he saw beyond Amora's flaws, recognizing the person she could become, even if she was far from it now.

Ben listened intently, respecting Thor's perspective. "You really believe she could change?"

Thor nodded slowly. "I do. People can change, Ben. It took time, humility, and pain, but I changed. If I can, so can she. But that choice must be hers and hers alone."

Ben let out a low whistle. "That's some heavy stuff, Thor. But, uh, there's something else I gotta ask. How long do Asgardians live?"

Thor looked at Ben. "We live for thousands of years. My father, Odin, is much older than I am, and still, he remains strong."

Ben and Hulk exchanged a glance, a silent conversation passing between them. Finally, Ben spoke up again. "Thor, does Jane know that?"

Thor hesitated the weight of the question hanging in the air. "I… I have not mentioned it to her," he admitted. "It did not seem important in the beginning, but now…"

Ben leaned forward. "If you want any sort of long-term relationship with Jane, she needs to know. She's gonna grow old, Thor, while you're still in your prime. That's not something you can hide from her."

Thor looked down at the table, the truth of Ben's words sinking in. He had always known, deep down, that this conversation would come. But hearing it spoken aloud made it all the more real.

"I… I suppose you are right, Ben," Thor said, finally lifting his gaze to meet his friends. "She deserves to know the truth. I only hope… she can accept it."

Hulk, who had been quietly listening, placed a large hand on Thor's shoulder. "If she loves you, she will. Be honest." Lord knows what he would give to have the same conversation with Betty.

Thor nodded, the resolve returning to his eyes. "Thank you, my friends. Your counsel is wise. I will speak to Jane, and I will face whatever comes, as I always have, with courage and honor."

The three of them sat in silence for a moment, the gravity of the situation sinking in. Then, Ben clapped his hands together, breaking the tension. "Alright, enough of the heavy stuff. Let's finish eating before Hulk clears the table!"

#

AN: Special thanks to Seana, Jebest4781, Charles, vividlearner744, OmegaDelta, Henry Stickman, fearmegu, Kitsune Robyn, Salo Guzman, Traiton Moses, SonicSonicsSonic, KA012, and Monkey!

I hope you enjoyed the chapter. If you did, please follow or review/comment. See you guys in the next chapter.

Discord Server: discord.com/invite/2uP8ka2

Like my work? Please consider supporting me, so I can keep writing as often as possible. Even a little means a lot and helps me dedicate more time and resources to my work.

Get access to early previews of upcoming chapters.

Patreon.com/Firestorm808

ko-fi.com/firestorm808

buymeacoffee.com/Firestorm808