Ben 10: Recalibrated

Chapter 9-Protests

The world was buzzing with the latest news. The once untouchable, invincible hero Ben Tennyson, had made headlines, but not for another heroic feat. Instead, whispers and rumors spread like wildfire across cities, towns, and even distant planets.

"The great Ben Tennyson… failed."

Everywhere, from Earth’s streets to intergalactic broadcasts, the story was the same. The hero who had saved the universe countless times had now let a dangerous criminal slip through his fingers, not once, but twice.

Reports played on screens in coffee shops, in news terminals on space stations, and in homes across every known system.

News Anchor 1: "In breaking news, Ben Tennyson, known across the galaxy for his defense of Earth and the greater universe, has reportedly allowed the dangerous criminal to escape custody not once, but twice. Authorities are scrambling as the un-named criminal remains at large."

News Anchor 2: "His latest skirmishes with Tennyson have only fueled concern that even our greatest hero may not be enough to stop him."

People whispered on the streets.

Civilian 1: "Ben Tennyson? How could he let that guy go? Twice?!"

Civilian 2: "Maybe Tennyson's not as unbeatable as we all thought. "

The disbelief and disappointment in Ben’s failure spread faster than anyone could have anticipated. Fans of his heroism questioned whether he was losing his edge, while skeptics used this as fuel to argue that perhaps Ben Tennyson’s time had passed.

Even in the Plumber Headquarters, the tension was palpable. Agents who had long idolized Ben exchanged uneasy glances as the reports kept rolling in. Every galactic authority was on high alert now, and Ben’s failures were at the center of it all.

The alien worlds, where Ben had long been a symbol of hope echoed the same concerns. The Galvan Prime, home to Azmuth, was buzzing with analytical discussions on what went wrong.

But what stung the most were the, Ray had done more than just escape, but he made everyone lose hope. Across Earth and beyond, people weren’t just disappointed anymore, they were furious. The hero they had put their faith in had failed them, not once but twice, and the galaxy wasn’t in the mood for forgiveness.

In news reports, social media feeds, and conversations everywhere, people weren't just questioning Ben’s competence they were openly calling for him to step down as the Omnitrix’s bearer.

"If Ben Tennyson can’t stop a criminal, then why does he even have the Omnitrix?"

The sentiment spread like wildfire. Fans who had once lined up for his autograph now turned against him. On Earth, angry mobs gathered in public spaces, holding signs, demanding that Ben give up the Omnitrix, claiming that his failures made him a liability rather than a protector.

Across social media, the outcry was brutal. Hashtags like #OmnitrixForfeit and #TennysonFailedUs trended globally.

The situation quickly spiraled out of control. Not only were people turning on Ben Tennyson, but to Ben’s disbelief, they began to glorify Ray the very criminal he had been trying to stop. It was as though Ray’s repeated escapes had turned him into a twisted icon. The same people who once cheered for Ben were now singing Ray’s praises, elevating him to a status that was as dangerous as it was baffling.

Across news outlets and social media, the narrative had shifted. Ray wasn’t just a criminal anymore; to some, he had become a symbol of rebellion, an embodiment of defiance against authority, and, more alarmingly, a hero in his own right.