[CAPTURE MODE ACTIVATED]
In Ben's vision, the Omnitrix interface had transformed dramatically. The familiar green surface was now dominated by black sections above and below, with only a narrow yellow band running through the center—like a targeting reticle waiting for genetic material.
The process was surprisingly efficient: touch any biological sample to the device, and the Omnitrix would scan and catalog its genetic information. However, built-in safeguards prevented misuse. The device prioritized intelligent lifeforms and rejected incomplete or unstable samples. If the DNA was too dangerous, biologically incompatible, or corrupted, the Omnitrix could lock it out to protect both the user and the device's integrity.
This explained why Ben had never been able to extract abilities from the radioactive spider that had bitten Peter, or from Peter himself. The Omnitrix recognized human DNA and refused to process it.
Ben carefully retrieved the blood he'd collected. Using Ghostfreak's intangible claws, he'd managed poke a small sample from Thor while the god was distracted by his various humiliations.
He pressed the blood against the Omnitrix's sensor array and waited.
About thirty seconds later, the device emitted a soft chime.
[DATA UPLOADING... ERROR: UNABLE TO LOCATE PRIMUS HOMEWORLD. DATA WILL BE RETAINED IN LOCAL STORAGE.]
Ben paused, initially wondering if something had malfunctioned. Then understanding dawned—the Omnitrix was like a computer that had lost its internet connection. Without access to the Codon Stream database on Primus, it could only store genetic information locally.
For Ben's purposes, this wasn't a significant problem. As long as the capture and transformation functions still worked, he could live with reduced cloud storage.
The device chimed again, its surface shifting from yellow to green. As the holographic display updated, Ben noticed something unexpected—two distinct silhouettes had appeared instead of one.
He stared at the readout in confusion. He'd only provided Thor's DNA, so why was the Omnitrix detecting two separate genetic patterns?
"Isn't Thor supposed to be a pure-blooded Asgardian?" Ben muttered.
Ben's knowledge of Marvel Comics was extensive, but there were gaps in his understanding of the more obscure mythological details. He didn't realize that in some origin stories, Thor wasn't actually Queen Frigga's biological son. Instead, he was the child of Odin and Gaia, the Earth Mother goddess, though he'd been raised by Frigga as her own.
This unique parentage—combining Asgardian godly power with primordial Earth magic—was what gave Thor the potential to eventually surpass any other Asgardian in raw power.
Ben, completely unaware of this cosmic soap opera, found himself wondering about the family dynamics of the Asgardian royal household.
If Odin had been unfaithful to Frigga, then she really got the short end of the stick. Two princes of Asgard, and neither one is actually her biological child...
Regardless of the family drama implications, this was definitely a pleasant surprise. Two new transformations from a single genetic sample was an unexpected bonus.
"These silhouettes look similar," Ben observed, studying the holographic display. "I wonder which one represents pure Asgardian genetics."
The Omnitrix's transformation process would provide him with instinctive knowledge of each alien form's capabilities, so he didn't need to overthink the selection. He spun the dial, picked one of the silhouettes at random, and prepared to test his first new transformation.
"Let's start with this one."
Ben pressed the activation dial, and green light erupted from the device. Immediately, he felt raw power surging through his body like a tide of liquid lightning.
His lean frame began to expand and strengthen, muscle mass increasing dramatically. It was like watching Popeye transform after eating spinach, except the change was far more comprehensive. His physique became a masterwork of anatomical perfection—every muscle group perfectly defined and proportioned.
Silver armor materialized along his muscle lines like flowing mercury, forming intricate scale-like patterns that seemed to pulse with inner light. The metal wasn't just protective gear—it was an extension of his enhanced physiology.
Cosmic energy became visible to his enhanced senses, swirling around him in streams of particle radiation that most beings couldn't even perceive. Ben took a deep breath, feeling godly power settling into his bones like warm honey.
Then, without conscious effort, his feet left the ground.
The sand beneath him seemed to whisper away in an unfelt breeze as he rose into the air, supported by nothing but his own will. Flight felt as natural as breathing—more natural, even.
This was definitely Asgardian genetics at work.
It also explained why his physical appearance hadn't changed dramatically. Unlike most of his alien transformations, which gave him completely non-human anatomy, Asgardians were essentially enhanced humanoids. The improvements were internal rather than morphological.
Ben hovered in the air, marveling at his enhanced perceptions. The world looked different through godly senses—richer, more complex, alive with energies that mortal eyes couldn't detect.
"This is incredible," he breathed. "This must be what it feels like to be an Asgardian."
The power flowing through him was godly force in its purest form—what Asgardians called the cosmic energy that fueled their greatest feats. He had the standard Asgardian abilities of enhanced strength, durability, and longevity, but also the rarer gifts of flight and cosmic energy manipulation.
"I didn't expect it to be this powerful," Ben said, genuinely surprised.
It wasn't that he'd underestimated Asgardian genetics—he knew they were formidable. But Asgardian power was supposed to be closely tied to age. Thor was over a thousand years old and had spent centuries developing his godly might.
Ben was barely sixteen.
"The Omnitrix must calibrate alien forms based on the user's age and biology," he reasoned. "So right now, I'm basically a teenage Asgardian."
The device always optimized transformations within the limits of the wearer's stage of life—adapting the alien form to match their growth and capabilities. Just like how his Four Arms form could still match warriors like Looma Red Wind despite being younger, this Asgardian form was likely scaled to his peak potential as a teenager.
Even so, that still meant enhanced strength, durability, and longevity well beyond normal humans. If Asgardians matured slowly and possessed natural power far above Earth standards, then even in this form, he probably outclassed most adult Asgardian warriors—and might even rival a younger version of Thor.
Of course, without millennia of combat experience, godly artifacts, or an official godly portfolio, he'd probably be at a disadvantage in a direct confrontation. But the raw potential was definitely there.
"Hmm…What should I called you? how about Aesirion?" Ben said.
"If this Aesirion form is already this impressive," Ben mused, "I wonder what the other form will unlock."
Curiosity getting the better of him, Ben gently touched the Omnitrix symbol on his chest and activated the transformation sequence again.
The silver armor dissolved like morning mist, replaced by flowing white robes in an ancient Greek style. His appearance remained fundamentally human, but something far more profound had changed.
Even without knowing the technical name for this transformation, Ben immediately understood what he had become.
He opened his hands, and primordial elemental power flowed between his fingers like liquid starlight. When he exhaled, his breath carried the essence of life itself—the power to nurture growth or command the very foundations of existence.
More importantly, Ben could feel a connection to the planet beneath his feet that was almost overwhelming in its intensity. As long as he remained on Earth, this power would continue to flow through him, inexhaustible and ever-growing.
It was similar to how Hela could draw endless strength while standing on Asgardian soil.
If his previous transformation had been a Space God, then this form could only be described as an Earth God.
"Actually, 'Earth God' sounds a bit mundane," Ben said, considering alternatives. "How about... Primaterra?"
The name felt right—ancient, primal, connected to the deepest roots of earth magic.
But even as he tested this new form's abilities, Ben became aware of something else stirring within the transformation. A power that went beyond simple godly authority, beyond even cosmic energy manipulation.
This was evolution itself—the accumulated wisdom of billions of years of natural selection, the power to guide and accelerate the development of life across geological time scales.
Ben smiled as understanding dawned.
"Ultimate evolution," he whispered, feeling the vast potential contained within this simple phrase.
The Old God transformation wasn't just about raw power—it was about the fundamental forces that shaped life itself. And if he was right about what this ability could do, it might be the key to everything he'd been working toward.