{MC's POV}
Wow, I didn't even think it would work out this way. Or better yet, who would have thought? A strategy built upon the memory of a 5-second scene of Eye Guy shooting a beam and freezing an enemy shouldn't have worked so well.
I really didn't have any other option but to make this bet. Considering that my transformation had a time limit, I couldn't try to prolong the battle, even if I could, which is unlikely. Those pests never stopped coming. Every minute, more of them arrived. If I defeated one, another would soon take its place. And, from my super hearing, there were at least 50 more coming.
My main intention with this strategy of using the ice beam wasn't to annihilate the bats in front of me, but rather to block the entrance of the cave to prevent more from coming. Could I simply use a super beam to wipe out the bats and make a part of the cave collapse to stop them from entering? I could, but I thought it was too risky, especially without knowing the geography of the place. Who knows if destroying that part of the cave would open the way for something else? Or worse, am I close to a volcano and it could start leaking lava?
But looking at it now, even though it was reckless, it worked really well. Even in almost total darkness, you can clearly see the result. All the bats that were chasing me before are now statues or shards of ice on the ground.
Do I feel guilty? "Nah, it was either you or me. Like Darwin said, survival of the fittest. Or was it someone else? Did someone actually say that in the first place?"
"Doesn't really matter, but my point is... Am I really trying to justify myself to these ice statues? Damn, how far have I fallen. Am I still sane? Have I gone crazy?"
Putting aside my existential crisis, I finally looked at my left arm, and there it was—the Omnitrix, the watch. Is it really a watch? Doesn't matter. It's the device that has the ability to transform me into other sapient life forms stored in its DNA database.
Before, I hadn't noticed its presence. Even shaking my wrist, I don't feel any resistance that would normally come with any kind of bracelet. Plus, this darkness didn't help much. It seems to be the version that the protagonist uses in the series "Omniverse," simpler than the others. It resembles a square wristwatch, with a white and green color scheme. The panel is black, with two green stripes forming an outline of an hourglass.
I tried activating it. From what I remember of this version, I have to press two fingers on the panel. As soon as I tried, a dial appeared, just like the one I remember from the show. However, strangely enough, I don't have the ten options I expected. There's only one option: 'Eye Guy,' which I just transformed into.
Before doing anything else, I looked at the ice. The light produced by the holographic disk allowed for a reflection, and I can't say I was surprised. Instead of seeing my own body, as I remember, I was looking at a 10-year-old child with brown hair and green eyes. He wore a white T-shirt with a vertical black stripe, moss green pants, and white and black sneakers.
Previously, when I was running, I noticed that my body felt strange, as if my mind and body weren't in sync. I was used to a larger structure. But strangely enough, I no longer feel that disconnection now. When I was the 'Eye Guy,' I also didn't feel any abnormalities.
Did I possess the body of a child? Huh, I remember something like that from the show. Was it about a ghost? No, it was a red version, a clone? Oh, it wasn't that guy who used the Ultimatrix and got stuck with the host's original DNA, which belonged to Ben? So, am I in that situation too? My current body was based on the DNA of the original host, so where is he? Does he really exist in this universe?
Stop, there's no point in thinking about that. I'm literally in a shitty cave, I just got out of a damn void where my memories were being erased. I don't have time to think that now I'm stuck in the damn body of a child whose DNA I probably stole.
"1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 17..."
Enough with the crises. It's better to focus on more important things now. This ice wall probably won't last forever, and the Omnitrix is my best chance of getting out of this situation.
Finally, I looked at the panel again. I removed my fingers, and it tilted to the side, making way for the rising core.
"Now, what do I do?"
Should I press it and transform into an alien? Maybe I should test if I can do something else. But first, how do I cancel a transformation?
I head to where the panel slid and push it to try to return it to its original position.
It worked, and it went back to its original standby mode.
Now, what can I do differently? Should I try pressing the green details on the side, but nothing happens. What do I do now? A voice command?
"Omnitrix."
"Hello, Omnitrix."
"Omnitrix, code 1."
"Omnitrix, code 2."
"Omnitrix, code 10."
"Omnitrix, give me a guide."
"Omnitrix, random mode."
"Omnitrix, Eye Guy."
"Omnitrix, status."
"Omnitrix, system."
"OMNITRIX!"
I feel like an idiot.
"5, 7, 11..."
Okay, apparently I have to activate the voice commands somehow.
How about just a touch?
[Omnitrix Interface]
[User> ???]
[Age> 10 years old]
[Gender> Male]
[Synchronization> 9%]
[Stored DNA: 2]
[Status> Healthy]
[Research Points: 1900]
[Available Functions]
[Locked Functions]
[External DNA Database]
"Damn it!! Just a simple TOUCH!!! I just had to touch it to access a menu."
"Calm down... 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, 31, 37, 41..."
Moving on, now I have access to a menu. But this is strange because I only have two DNA samples.
[Stored DNA: 2]
[Human (???)] - (Main DNA)
[Opticoid (Eye Guy)]
Okay, only two samples, one of them is 'Eye Guy' with the species name 'Opticoid,' and the other is my human form. So, I can give nicknames or names to my forms. I'll rename 'Eye Guy' to 'Mega Eyes' because why not? It's simply better every time I transform, I wouldn't have to shout that ridiculous name. Why would I shout a name in the first place? It's cool.
[Opticoid (Eye Guy)] -> [Opticoid (Mega Eyes)]
Now that I think about it, what will be my name? I don't remember my real name, and it would be better to choose one. So, Albert? Anthony? Bernard? No, how about taking the protagonist's name from the show and go with Benjamin? I could also take his last name and be 'Ben 10.' That would be nice, but if he exists in this universe, wouldn't it be strange? Benedict, it would still be 'Ben 10,' but we would be able to differentiate ourselves. Yes, Benedict Tennyson.
[Human (???)] -> [Human (Benedict Tennyson)]
[Author's Note: After thinking for a while, I've decided not to use Benjamin. The original protagonist won't be in the story. As I thought it would be better to have a slight differentiation. I wanted something that followed the rhyme scheme of 'Ben Ten,' 'Gwen Ten,' and 'Ken Ten'.]
[Omnitrix Interface]
[User> Benedict Tennyson]
[Age> 10 years old]
[Gender> Male]
[Synchronization> 10%]
Alright, so giving me a name has increased the synchronization. Let's click on this option for more information.
[Synchronization: Indicates how well the Omnitrix has adapted to the user's DNA.]
If synchronization affects the transformation time, then is there any indication of how long I can stay transformed? It should be mentioned somewhere.
[Transformation Time: 20 minutes]
Okay, 20 minutes is neither too little nor too much. But what happens if I exceed that time? Here's a warning section.
[Warning: Maintaining a single form even after reaching the current limit will pose the risk of: ...]
Wow, these risks are scary: decreased synchronization, DNA corruption, temporary hormonal imbalance, temporary genetic cancer. Luckily, I can interrupt a transformation halfway through and switch to another form to recover 2 minutes, but I have to go through my main form in the process.
Now, moving on, let's see the currently unlocked functions.
[Available Functions]
[Infinite DNA Storage]
[DNA Processing]
[DNA Database]
[Shape-shifting based on DNA]
[Quick Transformation]
[Random Mode]
[Recharge Mode]
[Display Mode]
[DNA Scanner]
[DNA Repair]
[Universal Translator]
[Security Lock]
[Communication System]
[Security System]
[Digital Clock]
There are truly many functions! When reading the description of each one, it's truly impressive to see all the capabilities this watch has. Moreover, I can even use "Research Points" or RP to make modifications to things.
[Research Points: Points that represent the amount of data and DNA collected]
[Notice: 1000 initial RP have been obtained]
[Notice: Each 1% synchronization is equal to 100 RP]
In other words, if I want to modify anything and customize the Omnitrix to my liking, as well as unlock more functionalities in the "Locked Functions" tab, I need to scan DNA to obtain these points. Additionally, there's the added benefit that if the scanned DNA belongs to a sapient life form, I gain a new form. Let's see the available functions.
[Locked Functions]
[Notice: Some functions are unavailable due to lack of synchronization]
[Notice: Every 5% synchronization may unlock a function for free]
[...]
Wow, there are so many things available, but also many unavailable ones. However, among all the options already available, I need to focus on covering my current weaknesses, which are my inexperience in using my transformations and the transformation time, then.
[Form Lock: Keep the host trapped in a single form indefinitely. Drawbacks:
- Does not increase synchronization rate.
- Upon suffering a fatal injury, the user reverts to the original form.
- When deactivating the form, the Omnitrix may enter forced recharge mode, and the recharge time is proportional to the time transformed.
]
[Instinctive Knowledge: Upon transforming, the user receives basic knowledge about the abilities and weaknesses of the chosen form. Disadvantages:
- Reduced synchronization rate.
- Personality Influence: The user is more affected by the personality of the chosen form.
]
These two functions are very useful despite their drawbacks. At the moment, it's not time for me to worry about synchronization, and I can deactivate them at any time.
Although the fact that the transformations affect my personality more can be concerning, I know I can overcome this with self-discipline.
The "Form Lock" does pose significant risks. For instance, if I remain in a form for two days, I would have to stay three days without using the watch after returning to my original form. This restriction becomes even worse if I get captured, as I would be dependent on a fatal injury to activate the "Security Lock." However, that would also be dangerous because it could corrupt my DNA and result in an even longer period without transforming.
Now, the only remaining option is the external DNA database. Based on the name, I can have a rough idea of what it entails, but I still don't have all the details.
[External DNA Database: A database that stores DNA from sapient sources of unknown origin. By using Research Points, it is possible to acquire new forms.]
[Notice: 100 RP were used by the 'Security Lock' to obtain a sample of the 'Opticoid' species.]
So, that's what happened back then. The Omnitrix detected a life-threatening danger and acquired the 'Mega Eyes' form, transforming me into it. Phew, I'm glad I chose this version with enhancements to the 'Security Lock.' I'm not sure if I would have survived without it. Now, how do I obtain samples with RP?
[DNA Exchange System:
- 100 RP to acquire a random sample.
- 500 RP for a targeted random sample based on attributes.
]
So, it's five times more expensive to target a sample with specific abilities. That's really tough. It's better to just use 900 RP to acquire 9 alien forms.
[DNA Exchange System activated] [900 RP used for random samples without targeting]
[Processing...]
[Samples acquired:
- Lepidopterran
- Pyronite
- Cerebrocrustacean
- Klyntar
- Prypiatosian Bs
- Atrocian
- Null Guardian
- Piscciss Volann
- Perk Gourmand
]
Okay, I have no idea what these forms are. Couldn't they just use the series' nicknames right away? Let me check the database to see if I remember who they are.
[Lepidopterran (Stinkfly)]
[Pyronite (Heatblast)]
[Cerebrocrustacean (Brainstorm)]
[Prypiatosian Bs (NRG)]
[Atrocian (The Worst)]
[Piscciss Volann (Ripjaws)]
[Perk Gourmand (Upchuck)]
These are the ones I recognized from the series where the Omnitrix transformed into them: the 'Null Guardian' is a flying copy of 'Wildmutt' that resides in the 'Null Void.' And this 'Klyntar' resembles the symbiotes from Marvel. Am I in the Marvel universe? Or does the Omnitrix's external DNA database simply collect DNA from other universes? Either way, I've decided to name/nickname the forms 'Flymutt' and 'Symbiote'.
[Null Guardian (???) ] -> [Null Guardian (Flymutt)]
[Klyntar (???) ] -> [Klyntar (Symbiote)]
And let's not forget, let's remove this useless form from the options.
[Atrocian (The Worst)] -> [Atrocian (The Worst)] Locked
Since these aliens are already good enough for now, I'll use the RP to make some changes.
[Random Mode: Activated by pressing the core with a force exceeding 500 Newtons]
That's why in Omniverse, he always ended up activating the wrong transformation.
[Random Mode: Activated by mental command, causing the panel to retract and allowing the core to rise]
[250 RP spent]
That's great! I won't need to worry about hitting the core forcefully anymore, and the random option will be useful as it quickly transforms me into a suitable alien for each situation, according to the Omnitrix's AI.
Next up is the 'Display Mode' of the 'Omnitrix Interface' and the 'Selection Interface'.
[Omnitrix Interface – Activation = Quick touch on the panel]
[Selection Interface – Activation = Two-finger touch on the panel]
Let's change that.
[Omnitrix Interface – Activation = Mental command]
[Selection Interface – Activation = Mental command]
[400 RP spent]
No accidental touch to activate the interface when trying to switch to selection mode and vice versa. Now, let's add something new.
[Costume/Subspecies Alteration] – Added
[Costume/Subspecies Alteration – Activation = Mode activated after a form is selected and with the core rising]
[Costume/Subspecies Alteration – Display = Holographic silhouette]
[350 RP spent]
Basically, after selecting an alien from the holographic disc and the panel tilting to open the core, a new selection option in the style of "AF" and "UA" will appear, allowing me to choose the costume or subspecies.
This is a function I came up with after observing 'NRG' and 'Upchuck.' There, I found the option to customize the armor, choose the subspecies, as well as customize the clothing and the location of the Omnitrix symbol.
Later on, I'll probably acquire more DNA with more variations, so it's good to have this option for more choices. Currently, the only variations I have are the subspecies of 'Upchuck' and the forms with heavy armor and without armor of 'NRG.' I didn't have RP to add another armor and get the lighter version, and besides, I don't have anyone specific just for brute strength, but for now, he can compensate for that lack.
{Author's Note: The ability to alter costumes is canon; we see this with Albedo and Ben 10,000. It just wasn't shown on-screen.
As for the lightweight armor of NRG, we saw that in the character "Leander," who, despite being a fusion with a human, still counts as a "Prypiatosian B."}
{Author's Note: For those who didn't notice, the chapter titles are references to episode titles. The first one references the first episode of the series, but instead of "10," we have "Darkness." The second one is literally the title of the episode where Ben gets sick, and this one refers to the first appearance of Albedo, but instead of "Bad Copy," we have "Weak Copy."}