Deep within the heart of a secluded forest, the earth lay torn open, scarred by a massive, smoking impact crater.
"This extraterrestrial watch... it's stuck! I can't shake it off!"
A brown-haired boy frantically rattled his wrist, the metallic device gleaming under the moonlight. He looked up, eyes wide with panic. "Cian, help! Do you have any way to get this thing off me?"
"Ben, maybe it was destined for you. A divine artifact, perhaps?"
Standing nearby was a boy with short black hair and a face that possessed a sharp, striking clarity. Cian watched with a quiet, burning envy.
He had crossed over into this world eleven years ago. Adopted by Gwen's parents and raised as her childhood friend, he had spent a decade preparing for this. He knew Ben 10 inside out; he had joined Max's summer road trip specifically to witness the arrival of the Omnitrix. He had seen the famous scene play out exactly as it should.
I knew it wouldn't be mine, but still...
Cian let out a soft, barely audible sigh. The weight of unfulfilled longing pulled at his chest. Becoming a hero had been the dream that kept him going through two lifetimes.
[Ding! Strong host resistance detected. Omnitrix Template System: AWAKENING!!]
[Template System initialized successfully!]
Cian froze, his breath catching in his throat. Then, a slow, knowing smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. Of course. What's a protagonist without a trump card?
System, what can you do?
[Ding! Exactly what the name implies.]
[This system grants the Host any Omnitrix Template. By increasing Template Progress from 1 to 100, the next template is unlocked.]
[Methods to increase progress: 1. Combat Template Guardians. 2. Alter the plot. (Higher progress yields higher requirements!)]
Cian's pulse hammered against his ribs. If I master one template, I get more? Even web novels aren't usually this broken!
[Ding! The Host has one chance to draw a starting template.]
Draw!! Cian closed his eyes, his hands instinctively coming together as if in prayer. I want to be a hero... so please, give me the 'Heart' Watch! Give me something noble!
[Congratulations! Host has drawn the: ERROR WATCH TEMPLATE.]
A virtual interface shimmered into existence, visible only to his eyes.
Host: Cian Age: 11 Template: Error Watch [Transformation: 10m | Cooldown: 10m] Progress: 1/100 Skills/Items: None Aliens: Initial Nine (Corrupted) Physique: Child-level
"System... is this my punishment for wanting the 'Heart' Watch?" Cian's smile turned brittle. "Thanks, but I've suddenly lost the urge to transform."
He wasn't ready to die yet—and the Error Watch looked like death incarnate.
[Ding! As the Host unlocks template progress, the Error Watch will stabilize. Your physical and mental strength will increase accordingly, allowing you to perfectly command all 'Error' capabilities!]
Cian forced his breathing to steady. He weighed the options. Though the watch was currently a "censored" or unstable version, the system guaranteed control. If he fought, if he broke the script of this world, he could evolve. He could turn this nightmare into a god-tier weapon.
An Alien X without the need for debate... who wouldn't be afraid of that?
Swoosh!
In the distance, a column of fire erupted. Ben—now transformed into Heatblast—was testing his new powers, hurling fireballs and laughing with reckless abandon.
"So, the first change starts here."
Cian took a deep breath, watching the fiery figure. The heat from Ben's flames made him squint, his eyes watering from the sudden glare.
"Cian! It's me! Don't be scared!"
The magma-skinned entity turned around, raising its hands in an attempt to be non-threatening. "I saw you spacing out, so I tried out this cool watch and... well, this happened! Hey, why do you have one on your wrist too?!"
Ben's voice cracked in surprise. Cian looked down. Clamped onto his left wrist was the notorious "Error Watch." Instead of smooth metal, jagged, obsidian-like tendrils wrapped gently around his arm, pulsing with a faint, rhythmic red glow. It didn't pierce his skin; it felt like a cold, living embrace.
"You... try pressing the screen!!" Ben shouted, his fiery fists clenched in excitement. "Press it! Transform!"
"Ben... I've rehearsed this scene a thousand times."
Cian gave a cryptic, sharp smile. He reached down and clicked the face of the Error Watch. The interface hissed open, and the silhouette of a Kineceleran—XLR8—rose from the core.
He slammed it down. A burst of blood-red light exploded outward, drowning out the forest's shadows.
"That light... it's not like mine."
Ben stared at the crimson glow, his charcoal throat moving as he swallowed hard. An instinctual, Primal dread began to claw at his stomach. Why was he suddenly trembling?
As the red light faded, a figure emerged. It was tall, wire-thin, and bone-black, traced with jagged blue patterns that flickered like dying neon.
"He... he actually looks pretty cool," Ben whispered, trying to convince himself.
"Is that so?"
The voice was cold, vibrating with a metallic rasp. The creature slowly lifted its pointed head. Twin pits of darkness, serving as eyes, locked onto Ben. When the creature spoke, its mouth parted to reveal rows of serrated, razor-sharp teeth that smelled faintly of copper and old rust.
The face wasn't heroic. It was the stuff of a child's worst night-terrors.
The Terror Star: Children, am I handsome?
Ben froze. His heart hammered against his ribs like a trapped bird. His expression went slack, his magma-lips quivering.
"You... what did you do with Cian?!" Ben shrieked, his voice hitting a panicked crescendo.
"Ben, it's me. There's no need to be afraid," Cian said, stepping forward. He tried to project a friendly smile, but on that face, it looked like a predator savoring a kill.
"WAAAAAAAGH!!!"
Seeing the monster lurch toward him with that twisted, ghastly grin, Ben's mind snapped. He stumbled back, his heavy stone feet tripping over a root, and he hit the dirt hard.
Are you okay?
Cian reached out with a long, obsidian claw, instinctively trying to haul Ben up—
"STAY AWAY FROM ME!!!"
Ben let out a piercing howl of pure terror. His body ignited in a violent explosion of white-hot flames. Like a scorched horse bolting from a fire, he took off, flying through the trees at a desperate, frantic speed.
Swoosh!
Ben streaked through the night sky, his eyes locked behind him, terrified that the black-and-blue demon was right on his heels.
"Wait! Don't go!"
Cian shifted his weight. The rollers on his ankles locked into place. In a blur of motion, he vanished. The world became a crystal-clear tapestry as he accelerated; his perception of time slowed, allowing him to see every leaf and pebble with terrifying precision.
So this is the speed of a Kineceleran...
"He's coming! He really killed Cian and now he's coming for me!"
Ben's thoughts were a chaotic mess of fear. He pushed his flames harder, looking back over his shoulder—and then CRUNCH.
Ben slammed face-first into a steep hillside. His fiery form tumbled, bouncing off jagged rocks and snapping branches like a ragdoll. Thump. Crack. Thud. He finally rolled to a stop against a massive boulder, his flames flickering out as he slumped into unconsciousness.
Cian skidded to a halt beside him, looking down at the heap of charcoal and rock. "I just wanted to tell you... look where you're going."
He looked at his claws, the power humming through his corrupted form. This first use of the Error Watch... it was exhilarating.
[Ding! Host has defeated Heatblast and prevented the forest fire. Progress +1!]