19. New York City

The Omnitrix signal woke me up. Getting out of bed, I activated the clock and turning the dial noticed a new alien.

I don't know why, but the Sandbox became available to me. This alien was not featured in the original animated series, but was mentioned once by Ben's son from the future.

The main power of the alien, as the name implies, is the creation and management of sand.

It is actually a very powerful alien if used wisely. A great example of this is the villain from the Marvel comics or Gaara from Naruto.

The main weakness of this alien is pretty obvious. This is water. One must be careful not to use it near a water source.

It is not clear where it came from, but in fact, I'm even glad. I will say it again, but the more aliens are available, the better.

- Morgana, is there any information about this alien in the orderlies' base? - I asked my favorite Artificial Intelligence.

- [There is something, but not much. This alien, a representative of the Sandarian race from the planet Sandora, which is located in the Constellation of Cancer. The whole planet is one huge desert, with only a small number of Oases. There is also a description of the basic abilities of this type, but I think this is understandable. That's all.] - Morgana told me.

- Really not a lot, but at least something. Although the alias "Sandbox" I do not like. For such a worthy hero, it's too stupid a nickname. I will not deviate from the classics and will simply call it "The Sandman". Yes, that would be better. - I said to myself, finally nodding at my decision.

After completing my watch check, I walked to the front of the bus and sat down opposite Gwen.

- What time is it? - I asked.

- It's already ten o'clock in the evening. - Gwen answered, looking up from the book she was reading.

- I slept well. Are we coming to New York soon? - I asked the grandfather who was driving.

- Drive for about half an hour. - Max answered me.

- Good.

- So why did you make yourself a suit? - Gwen asked, putting the book down.

- I don't want to shine my face. For me, and so half of the galaxy to hunt, because of the Omnitrix. I don't want everyone to know who the Omnitrix belongs to. Plus, protection is never superfluous. This suit will take a tank shot. - I said.

- I see, will you make a suit for me? - Gwen asked hopefully.

- I can. In fact, it was necessary for a long time. Protection definitely won't hurt you. Yes, and I will be calmer. - After thinking a little, I said, and then added: - But I will make it not so strong, but it will increase your strength and speed. Looks more like an exoskeleton than a suit.

- Thanks a lot. Gwen said with a happy smile. She clearly wanted to kiss me, but stopped because of the presence of her grandfather.

Then we continued to talk on abstract topics until we arrived in the city.

Grandpa decided to surprise us and brought us to a four-star hotel where we will stay for one night.

Gwen was just delighted with this, because it was possible, at last, to take a full and decent bath, and not the ones that were in motels. Plus, there was a jacuzzi and a sauna, just a girl's dream.

Of course, I could remodel my grandfather's mobile home and turn it into an ultra-modern mobile base with all the amenities, but grandfather loves his old bus too much with all its flaws, so I decided not to change anything in it.

Grandpa rented a large room for us with three beds. Gwen wanted a private room, of course, but it was too expensive. Although I offered to pay, my grandfather was too stubborn and refused it.

I didn't really care, because I really wanted to sleep. I didn't have enough time on the bus to get enough sleep.

Therefore, entering the room, I only had time to take a shower, after which I immediately fell asleep.

_

June 13, 2010.

In the morning we had breakfast at the hotel restaurant, after which we went to spa treatments. In fact, it was very good. As if all the fatigue was removed by hand.

I've been very stressed lately about this whole clock story. Of course, I knew everything that was going to happen, but you can never be 100% sure of something.

Therefore, I was always waiting for some kind of trick. Also, there is always not enough time to implement your ideas with the Omnitrix.

But thanks to the spa, I was finally able to relax and let go of my worries.

If ten-year-old Ben coped with everything, then I, almost sixteen-year-old forehead, and even with cheats from the Judge of the Gods, can definitely handle it.

After a well-deserved rest, we went for a walk around the city, went on a couple of excursions, and visited the museum. Generally had a good time.

Towards evening, my grandfather, tired of walking, decided to return to the bus, and Gwen and I left alone.

Gwen was clearly very happy about that.

- Well, let's go on a date, as you promised. You still owe me, because you left me for two whole days. - the first part of Gwen said with a smile, but the second is clearly with a threat.

- Of course, I will do whatever you want. - I said with a smile and we again went for a walk around the city.

First we ate a couple of hot dogs, then went to Central Park. This time it was more like a date. We even held hands and kissed a couple of times.

- Hey, look, isn't this an arcade game? Let's go in. - said Gwen and dragged me into the arcade, where in the original the main characters met Kevin.

Damn it.

In fact, I didn't want to go here. I never liked Kevin. Maybe in the future he corrected himself, but as a child he was still that shit.

I didn't want to run into him at all and make him my enemy or friend. Let me change history with this, but it's still my world, as Elsa said, and I will do what I want.

Well, okay, if meeting Kevin I will stay away from him. And I will never allow it to touch my Omnitrix. Will break more, God forbid. I myself have not yet fully figured it out.

Having entered the arcade, we started playing slot machines. We've been here for half an hour and I haven't seen anyone like Kevin. Maybe it will carry it all the same.

Just as I thought about it, the slot machine I was playing swallowed my tokens.

- Bastard. - I could not resist and hit on the machine.

Then a woman's voice rang out from behind me:

- You're right, there are smelly machines here.

Turning around, I saw a beautiful girl of sixteen. She had long black hair and dark brown eyes. Her figure was just awful. Breast of the third size, wasp waist and curvy hips. In general, just a hot beauty.

Looking at her closely, I understood. I really hit it.

_

(Ashley POV)

My name is Catherine Ashley Levin. But I prefer to simply be called Ashley.

I am 16 years old. My parents' names are Amanda and Devin Levin. My father died when I was five years old, but my mother told me about him. He was a real hero. He worked as a Space Plumber, essentially a space policeman. But he died at work, and my mother did not tell me the reason.

When I was 7 years old, my mother remarried. My stepfather's name is Harvey Hackett. In fact, he is not a bad person, he takes care of my mother. But I don't like him.

Although he tried to love me, he failed. Since then, we have had a cold war with him. Despite this, though, he still cared about me.

But that was before I awakened my superpowers inherited from my father. I can absorb energy, mainly electricity, and use it.

My mom and Harvey don't liked the fact that I had superpowers. Because of this, we constantly fought.

They didn't want me to use my powers, and I loved that. I felt that it was just natural for me and I needed to use my powers more often.

One day, the quarrel got out of control.

- Ashley, I order you, don't use your powers anymore. - my mother shouted at me.

- But why? I love the feeling of power. Why are you forbidding me? - a loud cry, I asked.

- It may be dangerous. - She said reluctantly.

- What's so dangerous? It's natural for me. Or is it something to do with your father? - I could not resist and asked.

When I asked my mom, she slapped me in the face and said aggressively:

- Never mention your father. You will never use your powers again. I forbid you to do this, like your mother.

After the blow and her words, I could no longer tolerate it and ran away from home.

It was a month and a half ago. Since then I have been living in an abandoned metro station, and I have settled well there.

And all my free time, I spend in the local arcade.

And so, I thought it would be another boring day in the arcade when I saw it.

A guy about my age. He had black curly hair and incredibly beautiful dark blue eyes. He wore glasses and two strange bracelets on his arms. He was dressed in a blue shirt and black jeans.

Despite the fact that he was very handsome, something else attracted me. Something drew me to him. It was as if something inside me longed for him.

As soon as I saw him, I was struck directly by lightning. Maybe this is love at first sight?

So, I stared at him for about 5 minutes, after which I decided to come up and get to know him.

He just had problems with the arcade game, and I can help him, and at the same time I will show my best side.