After the battle, the amusement park finally returned to peace.
Mark led everyone back to the hotel to rest.
During the trip, even Ben and Grandpa Max couldn't stop praising Ethen.
"When I was young, I always wished I had armor like that," Grandpa Max chuckled. "Ethen's really something."
Max looked at him with genuine admiration.
Unrivaled power, multiple Omnitrix forms, and that sleek armor—
but the thing he truly envied was that look.
No man could resist that kind of style!
"It's really awesome… but it might be gone tomorrow," Ethen sighed softly, the excitement fading from his face.
Dinner Time
At dinner, Ethen couldn't help activating the Love Watch again.
He summoned the female aliens one by one, letting them experience Earth's food.
When it was the Ghost Girl's turn, she ate quietly, then said in her usual cold tone, "Not bad. You were smart enough to let the Transformer Girl fuse with the Love Watch. You're learning how we think."
"That's because I understand each of you," Ethen replied firmly.
The Ghost Girl froze for a second, a faint blush creeping across her pale face.
Maybe she'd misunderstood his meaning.
Ethen quickly coughed. "I meant your abilities, not… that."
The air grew awkwardly quiet.
"I'm done eating," the Ghost Girl said at last, wiping her mouth with a napkin.
Ethen lifted his wrist, about to tap the watch and return her to it, when she suddenly stopped him.
"Wait!"
He blinked. "You want another Coke?"
"I need to brush my teeth first," she said matter-of-factly, floating into the bathroom.
After brushing, she returned, tapped the screen herself, and disappeared back into the watch.
Ethen exhaled softly. "Hope I'll see you again."
A faint, refreshing fragrance lingered in the air.
Midnight
When the night fell silent, Ethen lay awake, staring at the ceiling until the clock struck twelve.
Ding!
The host's Love Watch (Initial Version) has expired. Do you want to permanently include it in the ability pool?
Ethen froze. "…How much?"
He braced himself—something that powerful had to cost a fortune.
It had to be even more expensive than the Ultimate or Fully Evolved Omnitrix!
Love Watch (Initial Version): 150 Reward Points.
Ethen nearly fell out of bed.
"What?! Only 150 points?! That's it?!"
The Love Watch is only in its initial state, Host. Future upgrades or evolved versions will require additional points.
The system's tone was calm and precise.
So this was just the starter version—affordable now, with room to grow later.
Ethen thought back to the DNA armor.
The thrill of fighting in sync with the alien…
The power, the partnership—it all felt right.
He clenched his jaw and made his decision.
"Buy it!"
Not because he liked the female aliens—
but because it looked damn cool.
Ding!
Congratulations! The Love Watch (Initial Version) has been permanently added to your ability pool!
A grin spread across Ethen's face.
He thought of the Ghost Girl and the Transformer Girl again.
He'd be using them plenty—from now on, in battle, of course.
"System, open my personal panel!"
Host: Ethen
Physique: Peak human level
Spirit: Excellent
Genetic Type: Human (resistant to alien DNA)
Skills: Mixed Martial Arts, Firearm Precision
Ability Pool: Fully Leveled Omnitrix (Gen 1), Love Watch (Initial Version)
Reward Points: 25
Only 25 points left—but totally worth it.
"Alright, let's pull today's Omnitrix template."
Ding!
Congratulations, Host! You've received the 'Original Omnitrix — Glitched Edition!'
Warning: Due to excessive slapping by a certain Ben Tennyson, this Omnitrix occasionally malfunctions. It may refuse to transform—or transform automatically. Handle with caution!
Ethen's face twitched.
"Seriously?! A glitched Omnitrix?! Damn you, alternate-universe Ben!"
He clenched his fists in frustration.
"System, replace this template with—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
If memory served, Kevin was coming next.
Kevin. The DNA-absorbing Osmosian.
If that guy ever touched alien energy again…
Ethen's expression darkened.
Just imagining it made his blood boil.
"Fine. I want the full-level version of the Original Omnitrix!"
He wasn't about to let Kevin—or Vilgax, or anyone—get the upper hand.
Let them come.
He had two watches now.
And one of them could fight beside him.
Flash!
The Omnitrix on his wrist solidified into its classic green form.
Ethen smiled, satisfied, and finally drifted off to sleep.
Meanwhile — Deep Space
Aboard a dark warship above the Milky Way, Vilgax watched the replay of Ethen defeating the lightning giant.
He wasn't angry.
He was inspired.
A burning flame of ambition reflected in his crimson eyes.
"Lord Vilgax," one of his subordinates asked nervously, "should we continue monitoring him?"
"Monitor him. Challenge him. Let him grow stronger," Vilgax clenched his massive fists. "He will become the rival that drives me to greatness."
"From now on," Vilgax declared, voice echoing through the ship, "Ethen… is my sworn enemy!"
Back on Earth — New York City
A black-haired boy in torn clothes picked up a ten-dollar bill from the sidewalk.
He laughed, grinning ear to ear.
"Hah! I knew today was gonna be lucky. Tomorrow too. Kevin Levin's luck never lies!"
Author's Note:
A maxed-out Love Watch would've been broken from the start and besides, the Initial Version fits the story better! Plus, let's be real—the Ghost Girl and the Transformer Girl are still the most iconic ones.