As they drove, Max let the radio play and Gwen had pulled out a laptop to occupy herself with.
Meanwhile, Garth had pulled out his phone. He had no problem with Gwen's presence and saw no point in engaging in any pointless 'sibling bickering'. Instead, he decided to check the other options in the Reality Mod app now that he had met some actual 'characters'.
Tapping on the Desire Modification square, it expanded. Now, instead of an empty screen, there were two squares. One depicted Max and the other depicted Gwen. Tapping on Gwen's it expanded to fill the screen. It now resembled some sort of card or character profile from a game.
To one side was a chibi caricature of Gwen going through an idle animation. Beside it was a line of boxes. The top box simply read 'Our Cousin'. Under that was a box labeled 'Personality' that simply listed: mature (general), serious (state of mind), irritable (mood). Then, under that was a list of seemingly random stats: Wisdom (83), Athleticism (72), Justice (91), Temperance (82), Bravery (74). Finally, at the bottom was an empty box with a grayed-out 'Desire' written in it.
Tapping on the bottom box, the word disappeared as the touch-screen keyboard rose up.
"So, I can change her physically over time, issue commands, and create more long-term commands that happen over time," Garth thought. "Although…It specifically says they'll feel compelled to carry it out. So, does that mean, they might be able to resist it? Hmm…"
Deciding to choose something overt enough to have an effect but low-key enough to not be an issue, Garth began typing: Get along with Garth this summer.
Submitting the desire, nothing seemed to change. However, glancing at Gwen's personality, Garth noticed how 'irritable' had been changed to 'resigned'. "Okay, so the command went through, but it doesn't seem to have done much…I wonder…"
To experiment, Garth switched to the 'Goal' tab. There, he wrote in: Become as close to our cousin as possible.
Garth submitted the option. He considered various ways to word it but decided to go with something that was…easier and would produce quicker results. He looked to her profile when he suddenly felt a shift beside him.
Looking away from his phone, Garth looked to the side to find Gwen plopping herself down next to him. Pulling her computer around, she gave him a side-eye.
"What," Gwen asked accusingly.
"Nothing," Garth replied. "Just wasn't expecting you to suddenly sit next to me is all. You didn't seem all that happy to be here."
"Of course, I'm not," Gwen frowned. "I had my own vacation all planned out, you know." She did some typing on her laptop before turning it toward Garth where he saw a calendar. "Each activity is color-coded so I never did the same thing two days in a row. Now, I'm stuck with my geekazoid cousin going camping for three months."
Although, after saying her piece, Gwen's expression pinched. "I'm sorry," she suddenly apologized. Letting out a sigh, "Look, I'm not happy about all this. But I figure if I'm going to be stuck her, you and me may as well try to get along."
"Sure thing," Garth agreed quickly.
Garth's quick acceptance again caused Gwen to look at him in confusion. From her perspective their relationship was not the best. They were family and cared about one another but generally conflicted with each other easily – as was her relationship with Ben in canon. So, Garth's much more easy-going and amenable behavior is thus very jarring for her who was expecting him to be more argumentative and confrontational.
Naturally Garth's disposition was different. The world may have been shifted to conform to Ben 10 canon (with some adjustments), but the fact remained that he was not Ben Tennyson – impulsive, immature, and all too unhappy to have Gwen's sudden intrusion on his camping trip. He already knew the story and was all too happy to have Gwen along for the ride. He was still adjusting to his situation and was not sure exactly how far he could take things, but if he had it his way, he would be wearing her like a hat before long.
Gwen nodded in acknowledgement but turned back to her computer without a word.
Garth in turn returned his attention to the app. Still wanting to experiment with it but feeling bolder about what he could do, he wanted to see what else he could do as he went to the 'Physical' tab.
Considering what he would like to physical change in Gwen, Garth proceeded to keep it simple for now. He typed in and submitted: Increased sexiness (slightly bigger boobs, larger ass and thighs, plumper lips, and longer tongue).
Each change filled the corresponding box below Gwen's 'stats'. However, after submitting this change, Garth saw as '1 week' was tacked on to the end of the line. "So," he thought, "the change will either require one week to be completed or will happen over the course of one week. Neet."
Now that that was taken care of, Garth switched to Max's profile.
A similar chibi version of the man going through idle animation appeared at the side of the screen. The top box on the side read 'Our Grandpa'. His 'Personality' simply listed: experienced (general), caring (state of mind), hopeful (mood). His seemingly random stats were: Wisdom (91), Athleticism (80), Justice (63), Temperance (97), Bravery (85).
Going into the various tabs, Garth began thinking about what to do.
Physical Change: Restore his physical prime. (1 month)
Desire Change: Help Ben and Gwen grow closer.
Goal Change: To see his grandkids having a happy and harmonious relationship.
Once that was settled, Garth put his phone away. Thinking about what he could do until they reach the campsite, he leaned over toward Gwen. "Hey, can I ask what you're up to?"
Though startled by Garth taking an interest in what she was doing, Gwen was slightly hesitant as she answered, "Well, just because I'm going on this trip, I figure I can still try to work in the things I wanted to do."
Gwen continued to explain as Max listened in from the driver's seat. He smiled as he heard them getting along. "I think this is going to be a good summer."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"I made a mistake," Garth thought as he sat across from Gwen at the campsite picnic table.
"Chow time," Max declared happily as he put down a large bowl of squirming larva.
"What is this," Garth reflexively asked.
"Marinated mealworms. Hard to find them fresh in the states. You know, they're considered a delicacy in some countries."
"And totally disgusting in others," Gwen muttered as she shied away from the bowl – watching one of the writhing worms fall from it and crawl away.
Having heard Gwen, Max happily offered, "If these don't sound good, I've got some smoked sheep's tongue in the fridge."
"Um, no offense, M- Grandpa, but I'd really prefer burgers or something."
"Nonsense," the man beamed, "this summer's gonna be an adventure for your taste buds. I'll grab the tongue." The man turned to walk back into the Rustbucket.
"I really should have done something about this," Garth internally moaned.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Having managed to get through their meal, Garth and Gwen proceeded to mill about and try to let their squirming stomachs settle.
Garth had managed to find Ben's handheld game console and Sumo Slammers videogame. He decided to try playing it to see how he could do. It was…odd. He was expecting something like Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat. It was for the most part, but there was a few other features that seemed strange. The side-scroller, RPG element and how you would face various story characters to 'recruit them to your team'…Maybe it was because he played old Pokémon emulates, but the 'story mode' gave him serious Pokémon vibes. It was fun, but definitely weird.
Once he was done with that, Garth decided to talk to Gwen who was sitting by herself and working on her laptop. "If this were canon, she'd be irritable and annoying, but with the changes I've made…"
Walking up to Gwen, Garth asked, "What are you up to?"
Not paying Garth much attention, Gwen answered, "Still reworking my schedule to try and see what events I can still work in on this trip."
"I understand how frustrating and irritating it can be to have your plans interrupted, but why do you insist on doing so much? No offense, but from what you told me before, I think you're overworking yourself."
Gwen seemed lightly annoyed at Garth's words. "I know you don't take school all that seriously, but I do. It's important to plan for your future and get started on it as quickly as possible. And, that's what I'm doing."
"…Your already planning on padding your collage applications? Isn't it a little early? Plus, if you're going to worry about that, can't you do it during school? Summer is supposed to be a time to relax."
"You can relax if you want to, but I plan to be as ready as I can be. Besides, I actually like studying and all the other things I had planned. So, in a way, I am relaxing. Two birds, one stone."
"Right," Garth trialed off.
"Who wants to roast marshmallows," Max called out as he stepped out of the Rustbucket.
Hearing the word 'marshmallow', Garth almost spun in attention, but stopped himself. "Wait. This is…Right! This is the point where the Omnitrix should be heading down to earth!"
Not getting a response from the kids, Max instead suggested, "Well, how about we tell some scary stories around a campfire?"
"Actually, Grandpa," Garth said as he whirled around. "I was planning on taking a walk if that's okay."
"Really," Grampa asked in slight surprise.
"Yeah, figured while we're out in the woods, I may as well take them in, you know?"
"Since when do you care about stuff like that," Gwen asked questioningly.
"Since always. I'm just to lazy to actually do it. But since I have the chance now~"
Max smiled, "Well, okay then, I like your spirit, Garth. You're really getting into the spirit of the trip. But try not to stray too far from the campsite, okay?"
"Sure thing," Garth half-heartedly replied before quickly jogging off.
Putting some distance between him and the Rustbucket, Garth eventually slowed down. He kept his gaze focused on the sky above as he kept an eye out for the 'shooting star' that contains the Omnitrix. The ground was largely even and he managed to avoid any annoying trips or falls. That is when he saw it, the supposed shooting star burning through the night sky.
Garth tried to run after the star to make sure everything went as intended. Fortunately, the falling object made a right turn just as anticipated, but this meant he was now running toward a falling object that was heading right for him.
Almost falling over himself, Garth managed to come to a stop and retreat away from the object. Once it hit the ground, the sudden impact caused a small explosion – the force of which hitting Garth in the back and sending him through the air away.
Garth hit the ground somewhat harshly and slid across it. Though groaning in pain, he was relatively unharmed save for some scrapes, scratches, and bruises. He slowly got to his feet despite his limited balance. Brushing off the dirt, he looked back to see the steaming trench the falling object had dug through the earth.
Walking toward the trench, Garth could soon see the object that dug it.
It was a metallic sphere. Though red hot from reentry, it seemed to release some sort of gas.
Garth covered his mouth and stepped back, but to his surprise, the gas seemed to cool the sphere and its surroundings. Choosing to trust that there was nothing harmful here, he made his way into the crater and approached the sphere. As he did, the top of it began to open – the side sliding back to expose the contents within.
And immediately, Garth's sense of immersion was ruined.
Inside the sphere was the classic Omnitrix, but sitting on top of it was a yellow sticky note.
Feeling slightly let down by the odd addition, Garth stepped forward. Swiping the sticky note off the device, he read it.
"Dear, Garth, this is your adorable goddess Atilea here to let you know that I've made some teeny, tiny changes to the Watch. With how things will change in the future, a ridiculous number like ten-thousand seems unnecessary. So, I went through the story and picked out the fifty best ones – or at least one's I thought were good. Giving you Master Control would also be kinda boring, but I don't see a reason to limit the number of aliens you have either – this isn't a kids show trying to sell toys anymore. So, I'm giving you the complete set of fifty from the get go. Be sure to have fun~"
After reading, Garth went ahead and pocketed the note. "Seems Atilea is going to be making whatever changes she wants here and there. Guess it'll keep things from getting boring." He then shifted his attention to the Omnitrix. It resembled a large wristwatch with a thick, black wristband, white tubes running along its surface, a gray face plate that had white rivets, green buttons just below that, and a green hourglass icon on its face.
Reaching his hand out, the device seemed to come alive as it moved on its own and practically leaped toward Garth. The watch face lifted and exposed the band underneath which almost seemed like a liquid with out it opened up to wrap around his wrist – the watch face quickly slapping back down to seal itself shut.
Feeling the Omnitrix tighten around his wrist, Garth raised it over his head – staring in wonder at his acquisition.
Letting this feeling sink in, Garth soon brought his arm back down to try and manipulate the Omnitrix. Pressing the button below it, he watched as the watch face rose. The hourglass icon then shifted into a diamond that depicted the species of alien currently selected within its database. Gripping the dial, he began shifting through the database.