Ben 10: City of Sin

This is the darkest Ben 10 story I've ever concieved. I honestly debated for years whether I'd ever publish it, but my fascination with the lore I managed to build up around this world and how it has absolutely no crossover with anything outside of Man of Action unlike even Radiant War, kept me from ever truly abandoning it. Mysty had no input into this story after we tossed it aside as one of the possible premises for Radiant War, and over the years I kept returning to it and adding little by little.  Olivia was the original concept for Ophelia Anderson, though their characters are vastly different on several major levels. Whether I continue this story depends largely on reception, as I'm not sure if people can really like this rather dark morally gray version of Ben 10's world, especially one where he's literally still a kid. Rest assured I don't think I'll ever reach "made in Abyss" levels of dark, cause I don't think I'm even mentally capable of achieving that sort of stuff (And the author might be a pedo judging from some of the.. uhh.. extra art.. in the manga), but I think this gave me an opportunity to explore unique types of original villains that i'd personally find fascinating to pit against Ben's aliens and Ben's own world views. 

Gunfire woke him up. 

Gunfire always woke him up, especially on Tuesdays. 

The Gangs were out in force on Tuesdays. Why they never picked a Friday to go wild instead, Ben could only guess. 

"poppopopopopopopop--" the distant echoes cracked between the buildings like a whip as Ben's eyes creaked open to stare at the daylight gleaming through the metal shades that were bolted haphazardly to the rusted frame. 

Ben's eyes slid over to the dented digital clock resting on the piles of moldy blankets hanging off the side of the piles of candybar wrappers and Sumo Slammer trading cards that were frayed at the edges. 

6 am?  Seriously?  Well- he was up, no changing that.

Besides, if he wasn't at the assembly line in an hour, his pay would get docked- again.

Taking a deep breath, Ben kicked his blankets off his body, sitting up at a measured pace before slouching forward and glaring at the cracked mirror sitting at the foot of the old cracked wood frame and pile of beanbags that passed as a bed. 

A 12 year old boy with brown hair, green vibrant eyes and a thin starving look glared irritably back at him from the reflection. 

"Just another day that ends in y.. hurray.." Ben muttered to his reflection before he gingerly moved his feet over the edge of the bed. 

Gingerly standing up, he moved between the wood shavings, rusty nails, old chip bags and ramen cups strewn over the floor. till he reached the bathroom, crusted with grime and mold, smacking the door open. and siddling over to the sink as he with one hand, grabbed a remote off the cabinet and flipped on the TV. 

"In other reports.. Sions Industry has not yet found the culprit involved in the theft of the Molecule Cutter Blade prototype known among the Mercenary Companies as Bad Haircut- Authorities involved in the investigation suggest-" 

"Yawn.. who names a sword after a dumb haircut?" Ben grunted as he grabbed a box of cereal out of the cabinet while he stuffed a toothbrush into his  mouth.  "Ow ow ow ow!! AH!"

A Ben tumbled over, his pants half on, his undershirt stained in old milk, a bowl of cereal clattering to the floor, the report continued on, unaware of the boy listening in, uncaring. 

"Meanwhile CaD-6 has vowed to assist Mayor Nesmith with his Elite Mercenary Groups as long as the money continues to flow.  In other news, an Enhanced has gone on a rampage recently in the 3rd District Subway, 12 children ages 5 to 16 were killed in the aftermath, The Enhanced is believed to be 9 years old."