The morning air was calm and full of anticipation as Ben waited at home, sitting by the living room window, his excitement barely contained. Today marked the start of his long-awaited summer trip with Grandpa Max. The day, the Omnitrix became his.
When the front door finally swung open, the familiar figure of his grandfather stood there, beaming with the same warmth Ben remembered. Without hesitation, Ben ran up and hugged him tightly.
His parents greeted Max politely, though the slight stiffness in Carl's tone made the tension between father and son clear—something Ben, in his youthful body, couldn't yet fully grasp. Still, the moment wasn't dimmed. Max grabbed Ben's bags with a grin and said, "Let's get rolling, champ."
Out in the driveway, the old Rustbucket waited, humming faintly with life. As Ben climbed inside, he quickly spotted his cousin Gwen already seated, arms crossed and face scrunched in frustration.
"Seriously? He's coming too?" she groaned. "I was finally going to have a normal vacation!"
Compared to the show, the difference was stark between the two cousins. Ben was taller than the show not only due to him being 12, But his work out routines and exercises clearly having played a hand in his growth,
Being half a head taller than his cousin Ben stood tall while wearing a White T-shirt coupled with green cargo pants like the show but also downing a green and Black hoodie with red around the neckline similar to a wolf's insignia.
The contrast between the two cousins was blinding as Gwen looked almost the same as the show just a bit older and her hair seemed to be longer wearing the same clothing in the cartoon but showhow she looked even better.
Coming out of his thoughts,
Ben met her glare calmly. Inside, the part of him that remembered another lifetime almost chuckled. Rather than rise to the bait, he simply smiled. "Come on, Gwen. We'll make it fun. You'll see."
She huffed, waving a neatly folded sheet of paper at him. "Fun? Look at this! I made a full schedule—color-coded—so I wouldn't do anything twice this summer. This trip is going to ruin everything!"
Ben leaned back with an amused grin. "It's not fun when it's planned."
Grandpa Max let out a hearty laugh from the driver's seat. "He's got a point there, Gwen. Best adventures never stick to a schedule."
As the Rustbucket rumbled to life, Ben's heart raced with excitement. Watching the world blur by, he couldn't help reminiscing about the training of his previous life—years spent mastering combat skills and discipline through kendo. Even though it was a sword-based art, its lessons of timing and control translated beautifully into hand-to-hand combat.
Later that evening, Max pulled the Rustbucket over beside a quiet clearing. The family set up camp under the stars, laughter mixing with the crackle of the fire. When it came time for dinner, Grandpa Max proudly unveiled his "special recipe"—a sizzling dish of mealworms sautéed with spices.
"Protein-rich and sustainable!" he declared with a grin.
Ben tried to keep a straight face, while Gwen gagged dramatically. "You've got to be kidding me," she said, pushing the plate away.
Grandpa Max stirred the bowl, smiling proudly as the mealworms writhed around. Their glistening bodies squirmed under the light, still very much alive. Ben and Gwen exchanged uneasy glances, both fighting the urge to gag. They managed weak smiles, trying their best to spare Grandpa's feelings.
"If you kids don't like this," Grandpa Max chuckled good‑naturedly, "I've got some sheep's tongue in the back." He stood up to fetch it, humming cheerfully.
As soon as he disappeared into the Rustbucket's tiny pantry, Ben leaned in closer to Gwen and discreetly handed her a foil‑wrapped burger. "Rescue rations," he whispered.
Gwen raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised as she unwrapped the sandwich. "You actually brought backup?" she muttered, a small smile tugging at her lips.
"Let's just say," Ben shrugged, "Dad might've warned me about Grandpa's... creative taste buds." He grinned. "I stocked up on enough canned beans and snacks to last us a week—just in case."
Gwen sighed in relief, taking her first bite. "You know, sometimes having a dweeb for a cousin isn't the worst thing in the world."
Ben smirked. "Try not to sound too grateful."
Their laughter filled the small RV as they enjoyed their safer dinner. When Grandpa Max returned, tray in hand and pride in his eyes, Ben quickly hid the evidence of their contraband meal. "All done already? Guess you two liked the worms more than I thought," Max said warmly.
After a while, the trio finished dinner, and the stars began to shimmer outside. Grandpa Max tossed a few logs into the campfire pit, calling out excitedly, "How about roasting some marshmallows?"
Gwen sat cross‑legged at the table, typing away on her laptop. "Pass. I'm busy working on a looking up museums online," she said without looking up.
Ben stretched, pretending to yawn. "I'll be right back, Grandpa. Just need a walk to freshen up first."
Grandpa Max studied him for a moment, his tone softening. "Don't wander too far, Ben. These woods can surprise you if you're not careful."
As Ben strolled away, crunching dry leaves beneath his sneakers, Max turned to Gwen. "You know, sweetheart, this summer isn't going to last forever. You can spend it glued to that computer moping.. or actually have fun."
Gwen sighed, still typing. "I vote for moping."
Max chuckled wearily. "One of these days, you're gonna realize fun doesn't come with a keyboard."
Outside, the forest glowed in silver moonlight. Ben found a quiet clearing by the trees. The night air felt thick with déjà vu, the show of his childhood now his life. He looked down at his wrist—the place where destiny would soon change. He already knew what was coming. The Omnitrix. The crash site. The first transformation.
He whispered to himself, "Alright. This is it, huh?" His eyes glinted with anticipation. "This life, I'm doing it right."
A sudden green light flared across the sky, streaking like a comet. Ben stood tall, no longer the oblivious kid of the past life but someone ready, aware. He smirked faintly. "Showtime."
Ben stood alone beneath the vast stretch of forest sky. The stillness was interrupted by the rhythmic hiss of crickets and the occasional whisper of the wind. He tilted his head, sensing something familiar—an echo of fate replaying itself.
Then, a streak of emerald light cut across the heavens.
Ben watched, his face expressionless, tone flat. "Cool. A shooting star," he said, his voice devoid of its usual excitement. "Make a wish, right?"
The streak grew brighter—too bright. The "shooting star" suddenly shifted direction, breaking the laws of physics as it curved downward… heading straight for him. The hum deepened into a roar. Dust and leaves whipped into a frenzy as a green meteor streaked past the treeline and slammed into the ground nearby with a shockwave that rippled through the forest floor.
Ben shielded his face, blinking through the smoke. He already knew what he'd find—but his heart still thudded with both dread and anticipation. The crater glowed an eerie green. At its center lay the pod.
He stepped closer, muttering under his breath, "Here we go again."
The Omnitrix, sleek and pulsing with alien energy, lifted slightly as if sensing his presence. Its core thrummed rhythmically, alive. Ben crouched beside it, feigning the same fascination he had shown in the original timeline. "What is this thing anyway?" he murmured, his voice still flat and detached.
He reached out. The watch-like device shot forward, clamping onto his wrist with a blinding green flash.
"Yeah," he muttered dryly, "figures."
But inside his thoughts were running crazily,
" OMGOMGOMGOMG!!! I'm wearing the Omnitrix !! F*ck Yesss !!! "
A surge of energy coursed through him, wrenching his arm upward. Lines of green circuitry spread across his skin. For a moment, the forest fell away, and an unfamiliar voice echoed—not from outside, but from within.
"User identified," it said, smooth yet mechanical. "Additional genetic signature detected… Anodite DNA confirmed. Initiating genetic stabilization."
Ben froze, eyes widening. "Anodite DNA…? That means…"
The Omnitrix pulsed again, its neon ring spinning faster as the voice continued, "Codex synchronization complete. Human-Anodite hybrid parameters adjusted. Compatibility upgraded to one hundred percent."
The light finally dimmed. Ben staggered, gripping his arm. He could feel the strange warmth within—familiar yet new, like power humming at the edge of thought. His mind raced with revelations: Gwen wasn't the only one with alien heritage. He had it too, buried and dormant until now.
He looked down at the Omnitrix, its face gleaming softly under the moonlight. "Guess I've got more in common with my cousin than I thought," he murmured, a ghost of a grin flickering across his lips. But his eyes burned with determination.
The forest stirred again, breaking his moment of reflection. Distant shouts echoed—Gwen calling for him, Grandpa Max's worry cutting through the night.
Ben clenched his fist. "Not yet," he whispered. "This time, I'm not just some kid stumbling into an adventure."
He lifted his wrist, gazing at the strange device that was going to rewrite his life now.
" It's hero time" he mutters before walking back to his family.
***