Alex woke up the next morning, his body still humming with the lingering thrill of the previous day. He had spent the entire day transformed into Goku, courtesy of the Omnitrix strapped to his wrist, testing its limits and quirks. The experience had been exhilarating—flying through the sky, feeling the raw power coursing through him—but it had also been exhausting. By the end of it, he'd learned two critical things about the device: he could maintain a transformation indefinitely if he chose to, and as Dimple, he could possess other people's bodies. The latter discovery had unsettled him deeply. Taking over someone's mind felt invasive, wrong, and after one brief, uncomfortable attempt, he vowed never to use that ability again unless it was an absolute last resort.
Today, though, he was determined to be himself—plain old Alex Carter. No transformations, no heroics, just a regular kid going to school. He needed to ground himself in this new world, to figure out how he fit into it without relying on the Omnitrix's power. He climbed out of bed, pulled on his school uniform—a crisp white shirt and navy blue pants—and grabbed his backpack. The apartment he lived in was small and sparsely furnished, a temporary home in this unfamiliar place. As he stepped outside into the cool morning air, he took a deep breath, steadying his nerves. This was a fresh start, and he was determined to make the most of it.
The school loomed ahead as Alex approached, a modern structure with tall glass windows that glinted in the sunlight. The courtyard buzzed with activity—students laughing, shouting, and hurrying to class. Alex felt a flutter of nerves in his stomach as he passed through the gates. Back home, he'd been invisible, a nobody who blended into the background. Here, he had a chance to be someone new, someone noticed. But he also had to be careful; the Omnitrix on his wrist wasn't exactly subtle, and he couldn't afford to draw too much attention to it.
He found his classroom on the second floor, a bright room with rows of desks and a large whiteboard at the front. He slid into a seat near the back, hoping to stay under the radar. The teacher, a stern-looking woman with glasses perched on her nose and her hair pulled into a tight bun, strode in and began the lesson—something about quadratic equations. Alex tried to pay attention, scribbling notes in his notebook, but his mind kept drifting to the Omnitrix. What if someone noticed it? What if he accidentally activated it? He tugged his sleeve down over his wrist, concealing the device's colorful segments.
The morning passed in a blur of lectures and worksheets. By the time the lunch bell rang, Alex's head was swimming with numbers and formulas. He grabbed his tray—some kind of mystery meat with mashed potatoes—and found an empty table in the cafeteria. He picked at his food, watching the other students with a mix of curiosity and caution. That's when he noticed two boys heading his way.
The taller of the two had messy brown hair and a friendly, lopsided smile. The other was shorter, with a round face and an eager, inquisitive expression. They stopped at his table, trays in hand.
"Hey, you're the new kid, right?" the tall one said, sliding into the seat across from Alex. "I'm Peter Parker, and this is Ned Leeds."
Alex blinked, caught off guard. "Uh, yeah. I'm Alex Carter. Nice to meet you."
Ned plopped down next to Peter, his eyes immediately zeroing in on Alex's wrist. "Whoa, that's a cool watch! What does it do?"
Alex glanced at the Omnitrix, its sleek design catching the light. He hesitated, scrambling for an explanation that wouldn't sound insane. "It's… a special kind of watch. My uncle gave it to me. It, uh, tells time in different dimensions. You know, like alternate universes."
Peter raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Different dimensions? That's wild. Like something out of a comic book."
"Yeah!" Ned chimed in, his face lighting up. "Are you into science fiction? We're huge fans. You should totally join our science club."
Alex smiled, a genuine warmth spreading through him. "I'd like that. I'm kind of a nerd for that stuff too."
The conversation flowed easily after that. Peter and Ned were passionate and animated, talking about their favorite superhero movies and debating the logistics of time travel. Alex found himself relaxing, grateful for their friendliness. For the first time since arriving in this world, he felt like he might actually belong somewhere.
After school, Alex set out for home, the afternoon sun casting long shadows across the pavement. The neighborhood was a patchwork of old and new—traditional brick houses with sagging porches sat next to sleek apartment buildings with glass facades. People bustled past him: a woman pushing a stroller, a man in a suit talking on his phone, a group of kids kicking a soccer ball down the street. The air smelled faintly of exhaust and fried food from a nearby vendor.
As he walked, Alex's mind wandered. He thought about Peter and Ned, about how easy it had been to talk to them. He thought about the Omnitrix, its weight a constant reminder of the power he carried. What was he supposed to do with it? Yesterday, as Goku, he'd felt invincible, like he could take on anything. But today, as himself, he felt small again, uncertain.
He was so lost in thought that he almost didn't notice the commotion ahead. It wasn't until he turned onto his street that he saw it: three men in dark clothing and ski masks smashing the window of a corner convenience store. One wielded a crowbar, shattering the glass with a loud crash, while another clutched a knife, waving it at the terrified cashier inside. The third was stuffing cash and cigarettes into a bag.
Alex's heart leapt into his throat. This was real—danger, right in front of him. His first instinct was to run, to call for help, but then he felt the Omnitrix against his skin. He could do something. He had to do something.
He ducked into a narrow alley beside the store, his hands trembling as he raised the Omnitrix. He scrolled through the options, settling on Genos—the cyborg from *One Punch Man*, all sleek metal and raw power. With a deep breath, he pressed the dial, and a brilliant orange light erupted around him, bathing the alley in a warm glow. His body shifted and reformed, flesh giving way to smooth steel. His arms hummed with energy, glowing cores pulsing at his joints. When the light faded, he was no longer Alex Carter—he was Genos.
Stepping out of the alley, he moved with purpose, his metallic footsteps echoing on the pavement. The robbers froze, turning to face him.
"Who the hell are you?" one of them barked, brandishing his knife.
Genos didn't reply. He raised his arm, and a blast of searing energy shot from his palm, striking the knife and sending it clattering to the ground. The robber yelped, clutching his singed hand.
The other two lunged at him, but Genos was faster. He sidestepped the crowbar's swing, grabbing the man's wrist and twisting until he dropped the weapon with a cry. With a single, precise punch, Genos sent him crashing into a stack of crates, the wood splintering under the impact. The third robber swung the bag of loot at him, a desperate move, but Genos caught it mid-air, yanking it free and tossing it aside. Before the man could react, Genos delivered a swift uppercut, knocking him flat on his back.
The first robber, still cradling his hand, scrambled to his feet and bolted. Genos extended his arm, a grappling hook shooting out and wrapping around the man's ankle. He yanked him back, lifting him off the ground like a ragdoll.
"Put me down!" the robber pleaded, his voice high with panic.
Genos's glowing eyes narrowed. "You will not harm anyone else."
He dropped the man, who stumbled away, disappearing into the dusk with his accomplices limping behind. Genos stood there for a moment, the adrenaline surging through his circuits, then turned and darted back into the alley. The orange light flared again, and when it faded, Alex was back, breathing hard, his heart pounding in his chest.
The rush was overwhelming. Alex leaned against the alley wall, his hands shaking as the reality of what he'd done sank in. He'd stopped a robbery—he, Alex Carter, the kid who'd never stood out in his life. The power of the Omnitrix was real, tangible, and he'd used it to protect someone. The feeling was electric, intoxicating.
As he walked the rest of the way home, the streets now quiet in the fading light, he couldn't shake the excitement buzzing in his veins. There were more people out there, more wrongs to right. He thought of the cashier's terrified face, of the robbers' fear when they saw Genos. He could make a difference—would make a difference.
By the time he reached his apartment, his decision was made. The Omnitrix wasn't just a tool or a toy—it was a responsibility, a calling. He would use it to help people, to be the hero this world needed. It wouldn't be easy, and he knew there'd be risks, but he was ready to face them.
Alex Carter's journey was just beginning, and though he couldn't see the challenges ahead, he stepped forward with a newfound purpose, the Omnitrix glowing faintly on his wrist.