Ben 10: Justice Incarnate

The warehouse echoed with gunfire. Bane, Aqualad, Superboy, and Megan huddled behind a pile of crates, bullets from Kobra soldiers zipping overhead. In the center of the chaos, Snowflame fought both Mammoth and a contingent of Kobra soldiers, his body blazing with a strange blue fire.

Mammoth charged at Snowflame, fists raised. As soon as he made physical contact, his movements faltered, a look of confusion crossing his face. Snowflame grinned wickedly, taking advantage of the momentary lapse to deliver a bone-crushing punch that sent Mammoth reeling.

The teens and Bane remained hidden, watching the spectacle unfold. Bane leaned against a crate, chuckling softly to himself.

Aqualad glanced at him, brow furrowed. "You are familiar with this... individual, Bane?"

Bane shrugged nonchalantly. "He's a sponsor. He actually gave me money to keep distributing Venom. Who am I to reject it?"

The teens exchanged uneasy looks. Megan's eyes widened in disbelief. "Did... did that man snort cocaine? Doesn't he know crack is whack?"

Bane laughed at the phrase. "Yeah, he does that a lot. Gives him crazy blue flame powers and shit. If you touch him in that state, you'll be tripping hard. I should know."

As if to punctuate Bane's words, a Kobra soldier was blasted by a wave of blue flames, his body slamming into a wall and crumpling to the ground.

Superboy peered over the edge of the crate. "Should... should we help him? Enemy of my enemy and all that?"

Bane's expression turned serious. "All I want is my island back. How we do that doesn't matter. Besides, we agreed you would take down my enemies or die trying."

Megan frowned, her eyes narrowing. "We did not agree to that last part."

Bane waved a hand dismissively. "Semantics."

Aqualad sighed, his gaze fixed on Snowflame. "What could we expect with Snowflame once Kobra is defeated?"

Bane shrugged again. "All he cares about is that drugs are circulating across the globe. Turns out he liked the way the Venom felt as it traveled the world."

Superboy blinked in confusion. "Feels?"

Bane chuckled darkly. "Don't look at me. That's all his drug god religion mumbo jumbo."

Aqualad's expression grew thoughtful. "If I did not know any better, I would have assumed he was an acolyte of Dionysus."

Superboy tilted his head. "Who's Dionysus?"

Aqualad explained, "He is the god of wine-making, insanity, madness, ecstasy, and theatre."

Superboy crossed his arms. "Well, if I can't beat off a room full of dudes, then what have I been training for this whole time?"

Bane's gaze lingered on the boy. "I... What?!"

Before anyone could respond, Snowflame let out a triumphant roar, sending another wave of blue flames that scattered the remaining Kobra soldiers. The battlefield fell into a tense silence, the crackling of Snowflame's flames the only sound.

Aqualad tightened his grip on his water bearers. "We need to decide our next move. If Snowflame is this powerful, he could become an even greater threat once Kobra is out of the picture."

Bane's eyes gleamed with a dangerous light. "Then let's make sure he stays useful to us. For now."

Superboy narrowed his eyes at the fight. "Okay. Let's try this. Megan and Aqualand can cover us at range. Bane, the two of us can sneak around their backsides and slip on in."

"... I hate this plan, but it's not like I have anything better."

#

Kobra's minions attempted to fend off the cocaine-fueled terror that was Snowflame. Bullets ricocheted off his body, harmlessly flattening against his cocaine-enhanced durability. Each step left a powder trail in his wake, a testament to his unending supply of his god's divine substance.

"YOUR PITIFUL ATTACKS CAN DO NOTHING TO ME!" Snowflame roared, his voice reverberating through the space. "MY BODY BURNS WITH A FAR GREATER POWER! SNOWFLAME COMMANDS YOU TO DIE!"

With a wave of his hand, Snowflame sent blasts of blue fire in multiple directions. Kobra soldiers were engulfed in the azure flames, their screams filling the air as they fell, one after another. The air thickened with the acrid scent of burning flesh and the unmistakable tang of cocaine.

Suddenly, the ground shook as the enhanced Mammoth charged toward Snowflame. The giant brute collided with Snowflame, and the moment their skin made contact, Mammoth's movements became sluggish, his strength waning. Snowflame grinned manically, recognizing the effect his touch had.

"IT IS THROUGH MY BODY THAT YOU HAVE BEEN BLESSED BY MY GOD," Snowflame declared, his eyes blazing with fervor. "BY MY OATH, I SHALL SHOW YOU THE TRUTH!"

Mammoth's eyes glazed over as the powerful contact high took hold, his mind fogging as if submerged in a narcotic haze. Desperately, he tried to grapple Snowflame, hoping to use his massive strength to overpower him. But Snowflame was too quick, his cocaine-fueled agility making him a blur.

The two titans clashed, Mammoth managing to tackle Snowflame to the ground. A plume of white powder erupted from Snowflame's body, the cloud enveloping them both. Snowflame inhaled deeply, the cocaine surging through his system, amplifying his power. Blue flames burst forth, consuming them in a fiery explosion.

"I'M ON FIIIIIIIIIIRE!" Snowflame bellowed, his body a living torch. The intense heat seared Mammoth, the blue flames licking at his skin, burning him with an otherworldly intensity. Mammoth let out a roar of pain, his grip weakening as the flames overwhelmed him.

Snowflame pushed Mammoth off. Standing amidst the inferno, his body radiating a terrifying, divine power, his eyes glowed with a blue flame, and his face twisted into a mask of ecstatic madness.

Snowflame raised his hands, the blue flames dancing along his fingertips. "This is the power of the cocaine god! None can stand against me! NONE!"

Miss Martian flew invisibly overhead, her telekinetic powers tossing Kobra agents aside like ragdolls. Below, Aqualad stood firm, his water bearers transforming into powerful projectiles that he hurled precisely, knocking out soldiers left and right.

Amid the fray, Snowflame and Mammoth clashed violently. With a mighty shove, Mammoth launched Snowflame into a large metal container, the impact reverberating through the structure. Mammoth closed the distance instantly, delivering a massive uppercut that pinned Snowflame against the container. Despite the force, Snowflame grinned manically, his body radiating with blue flames.

"YOUR PITIFUL STRENGTH IS NOTHING COMPARED TO MINE!" Snowflame roared, swinging a powerful punch that connected with Mammoth's face, sending him staggering back. With newfound space, Snowflame landed on his feet, eyes blazing with fervor. He charged at Mammoth, his speed and ferocity leaving his opponent little time to react.

On the outer edge of the fight, Sportsmaster stood apart from the chaos, his keen eyes spotting the slight shimmer that betrayed Miss Martian's camouflage. His expression hardened as he pulled out a rod, extending it into a sharp spear. He wound up for the throw, muscles coiling with deadly intent.

Just as he was about to release the spear, a sudden impact from behind sent him sprawling. "No, you don't!" Superboy tackled Sportsmaster, throwing off his aim. The spear flew wildly, striking a Kobra soldier in the lower leg. The soldier screamed in pain, collapsing to the ground, clutching his injury. "Ah! My leg!"

Superboy looked down at Sportsmaster, a bemused smile on his face. "Huh. Wow! You have some broad shoulders!" he commented, his grip unyielding.

"Get off me, you freak!"

#

The chaos in the warehouse was a dizzying storm of violence and strategy. Robin sprinted along the catwalk above, his eyes scanning the battlefield below. Kid Flash followed closely, skidding to a stop beside him. They paused, taking in the scene. Aqualad struggled to hold his ground, Snowflame was wreaking havoc, and the Kobra agents were relentless in their assault.

Robin cringed. Snowflame was one of the few people who could give the Joker a run for his money in the insanity department.

"I'll go give Aqualad a hand," Kid Flash said, and in a blink, he was gone, a red and yellow blur darting into the fray. Robin stayed for a moment, a mischievous grin spreading across his face before he turned and ran back the way he came, his mind already formulating a plan.

Aqualad was now upright but steadily pushed back despite his shield and water-based projectiles. He ducked behind some piping, catching his breath and momentarily putting down his Water Bearers. Suddenly, two more Kobra agents appeared on his other side, their guns trained on him.

Before they could fire, Kid Flash barreled into them, his feet slamming into their chests and sending them sprawling unconscious on the ground. But the victory was short-lived as three more agents arrived on the catwalk above, their weapons aimed and ready. Kid Flash barely managed to duck behind a pillar as bullets rained down.

Aqualad reached for his comm, only to remember it was jammed. Frustration etched on his face, he called out to Miss Martian telepathically. "Miss Martian, the radio is jammed. Link us up!"

Miss Martian's eyes widened as she processed Aqualad's message. Bringing her hand to her head, she reached out with her telepathy. "Everyone online?"

Superboy ducked under Sportsmaster's punch only to be hit by a baseball bat. "Yeah," he grunted, clearly annoyed.

"You know it, beautiful," Kid Flash replied with a grin, even as bullets pinged around him.

Aqualad focused on the task at hand, ignoring Kid Flash's flirtation. "Good. We need to regroup."

"Busy now," Robin's voice cut in, a hint of tension but also determination.

#

The Boy Wonder landed gracefully on the helicopter pad, his eyes quickly scanning the area. Kobra stepped forward, his expression twisted into a sneer, the girl Shimmer at his side. Robin turned to face them, instantly aware of their movement.

"Batman must be desperate if he sends his whelp to apprehend me," Kobra taunted, his voice dripping with disdain.

Robin shrugged off the insult, a smirk playing on his lips. "What's wrong, Koby? You look disconcerted."

Kobra's eyes narrowed. "This is beneath me. Shimmer, take him."

Shimmer charged at Robin, her movements swift and precise. Robin's only response was a confident smile. He flipped over her as she closed the distance, landing behind her and immediately dropping into a fighting stance.

"Robin, now," Aqualad's voice crackled through his earpiece.

Robin gritted his teeth, momentarily distracted. Shimmer's punch was already on its way. Thinking quickly, he dropped a flash grenade. The explosion of light and sound disoriented his opponents, allowing Robin to disappear into the shadows, leaving Kobra and Shimmer alone.

Just as they regained their bearings and thought they were clear, a massive figure emerged from the darkness. Bane stepped forward, cracking his knuckles menacingly. "Uh. Uh. Uh. No one invades my island and gets away with it." He gestured to the distance where Snowflame and Mammoth were locked in combat. "And your little guard dog is preoccupied."

Kobra handed Shimmer a case before disrobing, revealing his shaved head and pale, muscular body. "I loathe interacting with the peasantry, but I suppose even a god must deliver divine judgment personally."

Bane smirked and charged at Kobra, bringing his knee to Kobra's gut. Kobra blocked it effortlessly with one hand. Bane's eyes widened in surprise but quickly narrowed in determination. He dropped back down, sweeping his leg out to knock Kobra off his feet. Kobra simply lifted one leg, avoiding the sweep with ease.

Undeterred, Bane attempted a roundhouse kick aimed directly at Kobra's face. Kobra caught it with a single hand, then delivered a powerful front kick to Bane's chest, sending him sliding back a few feet. Bane's teeth clenched, but he did not attack again immediately.

"What's wrong, merchant? You look disconcerted," Kobra taunted, a cruel smile on his lips.

Bane's smirk returned as he assessed his opponent. "You may be strong, Kobra, but I've faced worse than you."

#

Sportsmaster shifted his focus from Superboy to Kid Flash. Sportsmaster, ever the strategist, saw an opportunity and shoulder-checked Kid Flash with surprising force, sending the young hero tumbling toward the epicenter of the battlefield where Snowflame and Mammoth were locked in combat.

Kid Flash collided with Snowflame, his hand brushing against the cocaine-fueled villain. Immediately, a surge of stimulation shot through Kid Flash's body. His eyes dilated, his thoughts accelerated to a blinding speed, and his body seemed to vibrate with an intensity that surpassed anything he had ever experienced.

Sportsmaster immediately regretted his choice.

At first, Kid Flash found himself jogging in place, his mind racing through formulas and theorems in a drug-fueled manic episode. His voice became a rapid-fire stream of consciousness, reciting complex mathematical equations and scientific principles at a breakneck pace.

"Pi to the hundredth decimal, mass-energy equivalence, E=mc^2, quantum entanglement, the speed of light is 299,792,458 meters per second, Planck's constant—"

His body, unable to contain the influx of energy, launched into action. He sped across the warehouse, moving so fast that he was a blur of red and yellow. In the blink of an eye, he inspected every corner, crevice, and hidden nook. He was everywhere and nowhere, a whirlwind of motion that defied comprehension.

Kobra soldiers, caught off guard by the sudden shift in pace, tried to take aim and shoot him. But Kid Flash was faster than their bullets, appearing behind them before they could pull the trigger. He easily dispatched them, his movements precise and effortless, each strike a blur of fists and feet.

Despite the drug-induced frenzy, Kid Flash's actions were innocent. He moved through the warehouse, disarming and incapacitating the soldiers without causing serious harm. His ADHD-like hyperactivity was now his greatest asset, allowing him to outmaneuver and outthink his opponents at every turn.

#

While her master and Bane were locked in combat, Shimmer slipped away, clutching the case tightly. She moved swiftly, her goal clear: keep the package secure until the chaos ended. Unfortunately for her, she unknowingly strayed into the path of a certain coked-out cleric.

For years, Snowflame had scoured the earth, seeking the elusive substance that would elevate him to the next stage of human evolution. His devotion to the god of drugs had purified him, purging his body of the transient effects of lesser substances. Only the one true drug, the ultimate offering, could raise him higher.

Nearby, Mammoth, veins bulging with the effects of the serum coursing through his system, swung a massive fist at Snowflame. But Snowflame sidestepped easily, delivering a sharp counterpunch that sent Mammoth staggering. A drop of blood flew through the air before landing on Snowflame's skin.

Suddenly, Snowflame's drug senses tingled a sharp, almost electric sensation that cut through the haze of battle. He sensed something new, something potent, in Mammoth's blood. His eyes narrowed, scanning the room. More of this drug was nearby, and it called to him with an irresistible allure.

Disengaging from Mammoth with a powerful kick that sent his opponent crashing into a stack of crates, Snowflame turned his attention toward the source of the new drug. A figure moved swiftly in the corner of the room, attempting to blend into the shadows. It was Shimmer, carrying a metal case tightly in her grasp.

Snowflame's eyes locked onto Shimmer, a predatory grin spreading. He launched himself toward her, moving with blinding speed. Shimmer's eyes widened in panic as she tried to evade his approach, her movements quick and agile, but Snowflame was relentless.

She ducked and weaved, narrowly avoiding his swipes, but Snowflame's speed was too much. His hand struck the case with a sudden, forceful swipe, sending it flying from her grip. The metal case hit the ground with a clang, popping open and spilling several vials of a glowing green liquid across the floor.

Shimmer scrambled to retrieve the vials, but Snowflame was quicker. He snatched one from the ground, holding it up with a look of reverence. The vial glowed eerily in his hand, the contents shimmering with an unnatural light.

"Kobra-Venom?" Snowflame breathed. He stared at the vial, entranced, feeling the power contained within. "Is this," he whispered, "the key? Is this what I have been searching for?"

Before Shimmer could react, Snowflame uncorked the vial and drank its contents in one swift motion. The green liquid coursed through his body, merging with the cocaine already in his system. His eyes widened, and his body convulsed as the new drug took hold. Without hesitation, he reached into his pocket and snorted a mound of cocaine, feeling its familiar rush flood his senses.

The Kobra forces around him are backed up and tense.

"The coke is in my..." He could feel his heart pump to the edges of his chest. BADUMP BADUMP BADUMP The being arguably more drugs than man spasmed. "CONTROL THE DRUGS, CONTROL THE UNIVERSE! CONTROL THE DRUGS, CONTROL THE UNIVERSE! THE DRUGS MUS FLOW!"

BADUMP BADUMP BADUMP The man froze.

Shimmer was hastily gathering the remaining vials of Kobra-Venom. She moved with frantic urgency, knowing their only chance was escaping. She secured the vials in the case and sprinted away.

A surge of fire erupted within him, his blue flames intensifying to a blinding brightness. Orbs of unholy cocaine fire pooled in Snowflame's own hands. Meteors of fire shot into the sky, igniting distant brush.

Snowflame roared, the sound echoing through the warehouse. Soldiers could only watch in shock as Snowflame's transformation unfolded.

But as the initial euphoria faded, a nagging doubt crept into his consciousness. Despite the overwhelming power he felt, something was missing. It was an imperfect solution, a temporary surge that lacked the permanence he sought.

"No," Snowflame muttered, shaking his head. "This is not it. This is not the true substance."

He clenched his fists, frustration gnawing at him. Though potent, the Venom and Blockbuster Formula was not the ultimate drug. They would be purged from his system, just like all the others, their effects fleeting and transient. His devotion to the god of drugs ensured that only the one true substance could grant him the elevation he sought.

Snowflame closed his eyes, taking deep, measured breaths. He could feel the power already beginning to wane, the divine force within him rejecting the lesser drugs. He knew in his heart that his quest was not over, that the true substance was still out there.

Still, he was here to deliver judgment on the heretics who dared stop the flow. "WITNESS TRUE POWER! IT BURNS WITHIN MY VEINS, AND SOON SHALL IT BURN IN YOURS!"

#

Things were getting out of hand. Aqualad used his Water Bearers to create long whips and remove many still-shooting Kobra agents. "Strategic retreat. Kid, clear a path."

As expected, Kid Flash wasn't listening in his current head space.

In any case, Kid Flash continued to take out several Kobra agents. It wasn't until Superboy tackled the redhead that he showed some semblance of calming down. Getting back up, he hefted the speedster over his shoulder before punching an approaching baddie in the cheek.

"Superboy, come on!" Robin called impatiently as he ran ahead.

"Coming!" The clone answered, running toward their exit, "Just had to pop one in that guy's face!"

"..." Robin glanced at Superboy briefly. "Just move!"

Aqualad ran first with Robin grappling above. Miss Martian flew in behind the Boy Wonder. She returned to the ground, and he dropped from his line. Superboy and Kid Flash made it through the metal door and then slammed it shut.

#

Meanwhile, Snowflame continued to hold off Mammoth. Getting a proper hold, he throws Mammoth into amassing Kobra agents. "YOU HAVE ONLY TASTED THE SWEET MORSEL OF MY DIVINE GRACE! I HAVE BATHED IN IT, LIVED IN IT! I HAVE TAKEN IT ALL WITHIN. I SHALL BE THE FIRST TO ASCEND TO MY SNOW GODDESS! YOU WILL BE AMONG THE FIRST OF THE ACOLYTES!

#

Aqualad snapped a glow stick to create a light source. Robin stood with his back to Aqualad, looking at the locked door.

On the side, Superboy set Kid Flash down, leaning heavily on the wall.

Miss Martian kneeled next to him. "Kid Flash made contact with Snowflame. According to Bane, he experienced some sort of contact high."

Robin frowned at his friend. "He'll be fine. Thankfully, it's mostly a psychic effect. He won't suffer any permanent damage."

The non-lucid team member giggled. "This is the best mission ever!"

Megan raised a brow. "If it's psychic, should I try to clear it from his head?"

He shook his head. "I don't want the lingering effects to spread through mental contact. Just give him some water," gestured Robin. "He should be back to fighting condition in a few minutes."

Megan patted the speedster on the back. "Let this be a reminder to say no to drugs. That's what the Cartoon All-Stars told me."

Wally giggled. "But it made me feel all tingly inside..."

Superboy pulled out a bottle of water from a pack. He tried to pour it into Wally's mouth, but Kid Flash pushed away the bottle with noodle arms like a child. "No! I don't wanna!"

Superboy grumbled. "Will you quit it! Just let me put the tip to your lips."

Robin turned away from the scene and banged his head against the wall. "How can my first mission as Leader go so wrong?"

Aqualad set down the two pieces of the glow stick before looking at the youngest member. "You do have the most experience. But perhaps that is exactly what has left you unprepared."

Kid Flash finally relented and started downing water. The rest of the group focused solely on Boy Wonder's body language.

"Fighting alongside Batman, your roles are clearly defined. You two do not need to talk. But this team is new. And a leader needs to be clear, explicit. He cannot vanish and expect others to play a part in an unknown plan."

Robin turned and physically swiped the idea away. "Oh, so I'm supposed to hold everyone's hands?" he looked down with a pained groan.

Aqualad did not back down. "Did Batman not hold your hand when you first started working together?"

"I... I mean, he did, but... Ah, who am I kidding?" he questioned, entirely to himself and with a note of pain in his words. "You should lead us, Kaldur. You're the only one who can."

"What?! I didn't vote for him." Kid Flash whined. "This is treason! I thought this was a democracy!"

Superboy stuck the bottle back to his mouth. "Drink."

"Okay..." Wally grabbed the bottle once more.

Ignoring that little outburst, Superboy and Megan agreed with the change wholeheartedly. "Hello, Megan!" Miss M said, placing her hands on her hips. "It's so obvious."

"He's the one we need right now."

"Coulda told ya." Superboy concured with his arms crossed and smiling.

Everyone turned to the slightly high Kid Flash with a frown.

Wally gave a playful pout. "Fine. But I expect a re-election next year."

They all chuckled. "Sure, Kid."

"Then I accept the burden," Aqualad said as he walked towards Robin, pausing to place his hand on the smaller boy's shoulder. "Until you are ready to lift it from my shoulders. You were born to lead this team. Maybe not now, but soon."

Robin smiled the whole way through the speech and confirmed the terms with a small nod.

Aqualad turned away and looked at the entire team. "Alright, our first priority is preventing that shipment from leaving the island." They all gathered around.

Robin laughed, crossed his arms, and took on a Wally-like smirk. "Funny. I had the same thought."

Suddenly, the ground seemed to shake. A large boom echoed in the distance.

"What was that?" asked Megan.

Superboy took the initiative and ran toward their locked door. Opening it took more effort than before, and he found out why. The entire warehouse had been leveled to smithereens. In the distance, they could see blue flames spreading. "I think it's time we called the League for assistance."

Robin stared at the result of their upturned mission. "Right... After we secure the shipments."

Aqualad nodded. "Yes. After."

#

AN: Special thanks to Jebest4781, Charles, vividlearner744, OmegaDelta, Henry Stickman, and Seana!

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