On a rainy night, Ethan Clark, a 25-year-old engineer working for a renewable energy company, drove his car home after a long workday. The car radio played a podcast about video games, and his thoughts drifted to *Ben 10*, the animated series he adored as a child, especially the strange watch that housed extraordinary alien creatures. Suddenly, a truck skidded on the slick road and collided with his vehicle with a deafening crash. The twisted metal echoed through the air, followed by the flashing lights of an ambulance before darkness engulfed his soul. He thought his end had come, but he awoke in a strange place.
He opened his eyes to find himself in the body of a child, perhaps ten years old, lying on a simple wooden bed in a modest yet modern room. He gazed at his small, soft hands, astonished. "What is this?" he whispered, his childish voice sounding alien to him. Rising cautiously, he dressed in clean cotton clothes and approached the window. Beyond it stretched a vibrant city—towering glass skyscrapers, bustling streets filled with sleek electric cars, and solar lamps illuminating every corner. Yet in the distance, abandoned neighborhoods loomed, shrouded in dust from ancient disasters. A faintly glowing red gate pulsed on the horizon, evoking memories of monster tales from his past life.
His reverie was interrupted by a woman's voice. "Ethan, come for breakfast!" Maria entered, a woman in her forties with warm brown hair and kind eyes, wearing a practical robe. "I'm your mother—get ready for school!" She placed a plate of toast and juice, made with renewable energy, on the table. Ethan nodded, struggling to comprehend that he had died in his old world and awakened here as a new child.
The New Shadow World
In the days that followed, Ethan discovered that this was Earth, but radically transformed. Renewable energy—solar, wind, and safe nuclear—sustained life, with cities like New Haven thriving on advanced technology. However, decades ago, gates—magical rifts—had appeared, releasing monsters like shadow dogs and dragons, devastating cities like Los Angeles and Tokyo, now reduced to desolate wastelands. These gates, red circles pulsing with strange light and surrounded by a gray halo, led to dungeons—magical spaces harboring creatures ranked from E to S. Magical crystals, glowing gems formed from the monsters' energy, powered the cities or charged weapons like laser swords and luminous bows.
Hunters, individuals gifted with magical powers during an awakening ritual at age eighteen, faced these creatures and collected the crystals. Ethan, retaining memories of his previous life, saw this as a chance to prove himself. He spent his early days observing the city, noting the balance between technology and magic, and the tension caused by gates on the outskirts. The air buzzed with the hum of energy stations, while distant howls of monsters added an unsettling note.
Childhood Years: A Challenging Start
Ethan's early years as a child were filled with confusion and fear. Maria, his new mother, was his only source of support, though she worked long hours at the energy factory, leaving him to grapple with his isolation. At school, he struggled to connect with peers, his adult engineer memories clashing with his childlike mind. He spent nights staring out the window, gazing at the distant gate, feeling guilty for not saving himself in the accident. Maria tried to soothe him, saying, "You'll find your place here, my son," as she wiped his tears, though she couldn't grasp his deeper motivations.
Over time, he adapted, but an inner void persisted. At twelve, he began helping Maria at home, trying to compensate for her absence, though he dreamed of a day he'd be strong enough to face the monsters. Tales of hunters he heard inspired him, yet he didn't know how to begin.
Eight Years: Building Strength
At twelve, Ethan met Joel Harrison, a retired C-rank hunter, who noticed his passion while patrolling the parks. Joel, a rugged man with a white beard and scars on his arms, began training him, recounting old battles. The training was grueling: morning runs in the parks, weightlifting, and practice with swords and soccer. Afternoons focused on energy shield development, and evenings on hunter history. By fourteen, he joined Joel on patrols against shadow dogs, forming friendships with Alex (a weapons engineer) and Lia (an archery expert). These years forged his resilience, though he kept the Omnitrix's secret, sensing its oddity.
The Awakening Ritual: The True Beginning
On his eighteenth birthday, Ethan stood in New Haven's square, surrounded by glowing stone pillars. Clara Winter, the ritual overseer, launched an energy orb at his chest. A wave of heat passed through him, and he unleashed a flame. "Fire mage, C-rank!" she announced. Suddenly, a pulse from his wrist revealed the black Omnitrix. Touching it, a voice said:
"The Omnitrix: Level 1 activated. Current creature: Heatblast. A new creature unlocks every 5 levels. Points required double per level (500, 1000, 2000, etc.). Each use increases power and experience, with transformation time growing per level. Warning: Mission failure may deduct 50 points or lock the creature for 24 hours."
An alarm blared: "C-rank gate emergency!" Ethan raised his hand, ready to begin his journey.