A/N: Before reading the fic- Please store your brain here; Dr. Animo will help preserve it for you! Hehehe!
Late at night,
In the woods, at the center of a large crater left by an impact—
"The alien watch is stuck on my wrist! I can't get it off!"
A brown-haired boy named Benjamin was anxiously shaking the glowing watch on his arm. He looked up and called out, "Zack, do you have any idea how to get this off?"
"Ben, maybe this watch chose you. Could it be... some kind of divine artifact?"
A black-haired boy with messy hair — as handsome as the readers, spoke with envy in his eyes.
He was Zachary, or Zack for short. He had transmigrated into this world eleven years ago, adopted by Gwen's parents, and had grown up as her childhood friend.
In his previous life, he had been a huge fan of Ben 10, so naturally, he longed to experience the story firsthand — to witness the Omnitrix with his own eyes.
That's why he joined Grandpa Max's road trip. He managed to insert himself into the canon plot so he could check off each iconic location as he went.
"Even though I knew it was never meant to be mine… I still can't help but feel a little disappointed."
Zack let out a soft sigh, his voice tinged with longing.
Becoming an alien hero had always been his childhood dream, but he didn't have Max's genes for the Omnitrix to pick him.
Ding!Detecting the host's strong unwillingness — activating the Omnitrix Template System!
Template System successfully activated!
Zack was stunned at first, then a slow smile crept onto his face. "I knew it. No protagonist is complete without a golden finger. Alright, System — what's your function?" he asked in his mind.
Ding! As the name implies—
This system allows the host to access Omnitrix templates. As long as the host increases the progress of a given template from 1 to 100, the next one can be unlocked!
There are two ways to gain template progress: one, engage in combat using the template watch; two, alter the course of the plot! (Note: The higher the progress, the harder the challenges the host must face.)
Holy crap!
Zack froze. "So if I fully master one Omnitrix template… I can unlock even more?"
Even web novels wouldn't dare go this far with their cheat systems!
This system was downright terrifying!
"Ding! The host currently has one opportunity to draw a template."
"Draw now!"
Zack didn't hesitate. He clasped his hands together, eyes shining with determination.
"I want to be a hero, so… please give me the Ultimatrix!"
"Congratulations to the host for drawing the Carnitrix template."
A virtual light screen appeared before Zack's eyes, visible only to him.
_________
Host: Zachary "Zack"
Age: 11
Template: Carnitrix
[Transformation Duration: 10 minutes]
[Cooldown Duration: 10 minutes]
Progress: 1 / 100
Skills: None
Items: None
Aliens Unlocked: Initial Nine
Physical Status: Kid-level Physique
___________
"System, is this my punishment for asking for the Ultimatrix?" Zack forced a strained smile. "Thanks… I suddenly don't feel like transforming anymore."
Damn it — he wasn't trying to die out here!
Ding! As the host gradually increases template progress, the Carnitrix will unlock more features.
The host's physique and mental energy will also improve, allowing you to perfectly control all Carnitrix powers!
Zack took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, and began to think things through.
In other words—
Even though the Carnitrix on his wrist was a limited version, he could still control it perfectly.
As long as he used it in battle and altered the original storyline, he could gradually unlock its abilities and enhance his own physique.
Eventually, he would fully master the Carnitrix!
Thinking about it this way… the Carnitrix was awesome!!
An Alien X that doesn't require the consent of its other personalities? That's terrifying in the best way!
Whoosh!!
In the distance, a flash of light burst through the trees.
Ben, now transformed into Heatblast, was gleefully playing with fire, hurling flames in every direction!
"So this is where changing the plot begins, huh?"
Zack took a deep breath, his eyes lighting up as he looked toward Ben with a flicker of excitement.
The waves of heat rolling off Heatblast made Zack squint and blink constantly, even bringing tears to his eyes.
"Zack, it's me—don't be scared!"
Ben turned around, raised both hands, and quickly tried to explain. "You looked distracted just now, so I activated this awesome watch and transformed—and then I turned into this! Wait… huh? Why do you have a watch on your wrist too?!"
Surprised, Zack instinctively looked down at his wrist — the infamous Carnitrix was indeed bound tightly to his left arm.
Its spiked, biomechanical tendrils didn't pierce his skin; instead, they gently wrapped around it like a living brace.
This was true control over the Carnitrix.
"You—try pressing the screen!"
Ben suddenly lit up with excitement, clenching his fists. "Come on, press it! Transform!"
Ben… I've rehearsed this scene a thousand times as a kid.
Zack gave a knowing smile and confidently reached out to press the Carnitrix's central dial.
The screen rotated open, and the silhouette of XLR8 flickered into view.
As he tapped the figure, a pulse of blood-red light flared from the device!
"This glow… it's different from mine,"
Ben muttered, his eyes fixed on the red light. He swallowed slowly.
Why did he suddenly feel a chill in his chest?
As the red light began to fade, the alien figure within slowly revealed itself.
A tall, slender figure emerged — completely black, streaked with glowing blue markings.
"He's… kinda cool-looking,"
Ben muttered in awe.
"Is that so?"
Zack's voice came out cold and distorted, as he slowly lifted his sleek, pointed head.
His dark, emotionless eyes locked directly onto Ben.
A mouth full of razor-sharp, blade-like teeth curled into a chilling grin, exuding a faint scent of blood.
His entire face… was more terrifying than a horror movie ghost!
XLR8 (Carnitrix Variant): "So Ben… do I look handsome? Keke~~"
"..."
Ben stood frozen.
His heart raced like a car engine roaring to life. His expression turned blank, and his lips trembled uncontrollably.
"Y-You… what did you do with Zack?!"
He suddenly shouted in horror.
"Ben, it's me. Don't be afraid."
Zack was momentarily stunned, then quickly stepped forward, trying to explain.
As he spoke, he forced a friendly smile.
"WAAAH!!"
Ben's eyes went wide in terror as he saw Zack approaching — still wearing that eerie, unnatural grin, like a killer stalking his next victim!
He let out a frightened scream and stumbled backward, tumbling to the ground in a panic.
"Are you okay?"
Zack instinctively reached out with his sharp, alien claws, trying to help Ben up—
"D-Don't come near me!!"
Ben finally lost it.
With a panicked yell, his body ignited in flames, and he blasted off at full speed!
Whoosh!!
Wreathed in fire, Ben rocketed into the sky, retreating into the distance.
Even as he flew away, he kept his eyes locked fearfully on Zack.
"Don't… don't follow me!!"
Zack immediately took off, the wheel-like joints on his ankles spinning into motion — XLR8's incredible speed activated as he sprinted after Ben!
Despite moving at blistering velocity, the world around him remained crystal clear.
This was XLR8's enhanced dynamic vision at work.
…So that A-Train Runs Through Robin? Yeah, that's definitely on purpose.
"Oh no—he's coming! He really did kill Zack!"
Ben's mind spiraled into panic, his expression crumbling as he imagined the worst.
He tried to accelerate even more, but—
Bang!
Ben slammed straight into a hillside at full speed.
His body bounced and thudded along the slope—
Thump, thump.
He rolled down, crashing into one rock after another, until he finally slammed into a large boulder at the bottom…
…and promptly passed out.
"…"
Zack skidded to a stop beside him, staring down in silence.
"I just wanted to tell you… to watch where you're going."
His first time using the Carnitrix.
It felt… ridiculously exhilarating!
Ding!Host has defeated Heatblast and altered the original plotline where Heatblast sets the mountain on fire — template progress +1!
[Carnitrix Img]
[Carnitrix XLR8]