New Orleans, Louisiana.
The sun was beginning to set as the Tennysons strolled through the halls of the old Museum of Hidden History. The walls were adorned with timeworn tapestries, and glass cases displayed rare artifacts from mystical cultures.
"So, basically, it's a bunch of old, dusty stuff," Ben said, crossing his arms. "When are we getting to the dinosaur area or something cool like that?"
"Not everything has to be explosions and aliens, Ben," Gwen retorted, hands on her hips. "This place is full of history and knowledge! You should try learning something."
"Oh, sure. History and knowledge. Like that amulet over there that's probably just a fancy piece of costume jewelry," Ben replied, pointing to a golden item on display.
"Actually," Gwen began, adjusting her glasses, "that's the Amulet of Solum. It's said to have been used in rituals to channel solar energy into magic. It's one of the few items that—"
Ben started mimicking a monotone teacher's voice, cutting her off. "Blah, blah, blah, channeling magic. That explains why it's in such an exciting place like this."
Max, walking ahead, glanced back with a smile. "Come on, kids. Try to enjoy this. You never know when something we learn here might come in handy."
"Yeah, handy. Like when we're playing Trivial Pursuit," Ben muttered, rolling his eyes.
The three entered the main hall, where a glass pedestal dominated the center of the space. Resting atop it was the famous Archamada Spellbook, protected by an enchanted, reinforced case.
"Behold," said the tour guide, interrupting their bickering. "The only known copy of the Archamada Spellbook. It contains ancient spells and rituals from the late 16th century."
"It was originally discovered in a castle in Transylvania, and—" Gwen began, but the guide interrupted her.
"Maybe you should work here, young lady," the guide said, slightly annoyed.
"Careful, Gwen. I think he doesn't want any competition," Ben teased. He turned to the guide, striking an exaggerated mummy pose. "But seriously, don't be fooled by the mummy look. She's probably older than that book."
Gwen tried to stifle her laughter but failed. "You're impossible."
Before their banter could continue, the air in the museum grew heavy. A loud rumble echoed, and the ground shook. Red smoke began to spread, moving in a supernatural manner.
The smoke gathered as it neared the floor, forming into a tall man with an unnervingly gaunt frame and abnormally pale skin. He wore a black and red cloak draped over his shoulders, with a sash adorned with five different charms across his chest. His face bore a skull tattoo, and he carried a wooden staff topped with a bird skull, through which a metal ring slid hauntingly over its eyes.
"The Archamada Spellbook. All its secrets shall be mine!" declared the figure, his voice deep and dripping with malice.
Ben stepped back slightly. "Well, that's definitely not part of the tour."
Max surveyed the scene, assessing the rising panic among the visitors. "Gwen, we need to buy some time. Ben, hide and prepare the Omnitrix."
Hex raised his staff, chanting in an ancient language. A circle of red energy glowed beneath him, and museum visitors were lifted into the air like puppets, screaming in fear.
Max grabbed a nearby trash can and hurled it at Hex. The can hit a magical shield surrounding the sorcerer and bounced off, but the noise distracted him. Gwen quickly grabbed a fire extinguisher and sprayed foam, obscuring Hex's view.
"Ignorant fools! You dare challenge me?" roared Hex, preparing another spell.
Behind a pillar, Ben activated the Omnitrix. A green glow lit up the room as he emerged as Ghostfreak, floating in the air with a sinister laugh.
"Ghostfreak!" Ben announced proudly, his voice distorted. "So, bonehead, are you starving? Stealing an old book seems pretty desperate."
The sorcerer turned to the alien, narrowing his eyes. "And what do you want, specter? Another insignificant obstacle?"
"Insignificant? I prefer 'unstoppable,'" Ghostfreak quipped.
Hex fired a blast of energy at Ghostfreak, but the alien simply vanished into thin air, laughing. "You'll have to do better than that, old man!"
Confused, Hex looked around, only for Ghostfreak to reappear behind him. "Boo!" He grabbed Hex by the neck and slammed him hard into the ground.
"Trying to stop me with weak magic? Seriously? That's amateur stuff," Ghostfreak mocked, swirling around him invisibly.
"You're an annoyance!" Hex yelled, chanting in an ancient tongue. Red crystals materialized around Ghostfreak, attempting to trap him. But the alien simply phased through and reappeared, cackling like a mischievous ghost.
"Is that all you've got? I thought you'd be a challenge," Ghostfreak taunted.
"You will pay for mocking Hex, specter!" Furious, Hex cast another spell, summoning magical chains from the ground to bind Ghostfreak. This time, the alien let the chains get close before vanishing once more.
"You need new tricks," Ghostfreak said, reappearing behind Hex and using his shadowy tendrils to hurl him into a pillar. The impact caused one of Hex's charms to fall to the ground.
Meanwhile, Gwen and Max watched the battle from a distance.
"Why does he always have to be so… arrogant?" Gwen sighed.
"Because he's Ben," Max replied with a shrug.
On the battlefield, Hex was growing impatient. He surrounded himself with a circle of roaring fire. "No more games!"
"Oh, fire. How original," Ghostfreak mocked, phasing through the flames and appearing inside the circle, face-to-face with Hex. "Let me show you what I can do."
Ghostfreak wrapped Hex in his shadowy tendrils, lifting him into the air and slamming him to the ground again. Hex tried to counter with a spell, but Ghostfreak disappeared once more.
"You're pathetic," Ghostfreak said, reappearing right in front of the sorcerer. "Your magic is weak. All you've got are cheap light shows."
With a final move, Ghostfreak hurled Hex into a wall. The sorcerer collapsed, defeated, as the last glow of magic faded from his staff.
"You lost," Ghostfreak declared, hovering over him.
Hex groaned, unable to rise.
Ghostfreak grabbed the fallen charm and handed it to Max and Gwen. "Take care of this. I've got fans out there to entertain."
"Fans?" Gwen asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Of course," Ghostfreak replied, floating away. "Someone's got to thank the hero, right?"
Gwen rolled her eyes as Max simply shook his head.
_________________________________________________________________________
Outside the museum, the scene was a mix of relief and curiosity. People crowded behind the barriers set up by the police, while reporters scrambled to extract details from the officers about what had happened. When Ghostfreak emerged through the main entrance, the crowd erupted into applause and cheers.
Floating theatrically, he waved to the crowd with his elongated, translucent arms, spinning dramatically in the air. Some spectators stepped back, clearly uneasy with his spectral appearance, but others, particularly children, seemed captivated.
"Ah, it's nice to know saving the day doesn't go unnoticed!" Ghostfreak remarked, his distorted voice echoing like a supernatural whisper, yet somehow laced with humor. He gave a small bow mid-air, floating higher to ensure everyone could see him.
The journalists' cameras flashed incessantly, capturing every moment. Ghostfreak, ever the showman, spun in the air before turning to the crowd, opening his arms in a grand gesture.
"Now, now, no need to thank me so much," he said mockingly. "Just doing what any good ghost would do."
Inside, Gwen and Max watched the scene through the glass doors. Gwen crossed her arms, clearly exasperated. "Seriously? He's actually posing?"
Max shrugged with a faint smile. "Let him have his fun. He saved us from Hex. He deserves a moment in the spotlight."
"Glory moments are usually a bit more subtle," Gwen countered, though a small smile crept onto her face. "He's going to overdo it, as always."
Outside, Ghostfreak performed another one of his exaggerated bows before floating atop one of the parked police cars. "And remember, when things get weird, it's good to have someone even weirder on your side!" He let out his ghostly laugh, drawing a mix of nervous chuckles and applause from the crowd.
As he floated off the police car and headed back inside, the green glow of the Omnitrix began to blink. He reached Max and Gwen with a smug grin as he reverted to his human form.
"So? Pretty impressive, huh?" Ben asked, his usual confident tone on full display.
"Impressive?" Gwen replied, raising an eyebrow. "You looked like a carnival performer."
"And what's wrong with that?" Ben retorted, shrugging. "Somebody had to keep the audience entertained."
Max chuckled softly and placed a hand on Ben's shoulder. "Good job, Ben. But next time, maybe try to keep your secret identity a little more… secret."
Ben chuckled as they walked toward the Rustbucket. "Oh, relax. They have no idea who I am. I'm just a very talented, very humble guy. Nothing suspicious."
Gwen shook her head as she climbed into the vehicle. "Humble. Right."
_________________________________________________________________________
Later, back at the Rustbucket, Ben, Gwen, and Max were resting after their chaotic day. Moonlight streamed through the trailer's windows as Ben pulled out his summer keepsake box from under the table. Inside were various items collected throughout their adventures: Sumo Slammers cards, a piece of Dr. Animo's animal transmodulator, shells from the Krakken hatchlings' eggs, a sign from the New York power plant, photos of Sparkville, and a fragment of a Tesla coil. Now, he had something new to add: Hex's amulet.
As Ben admired his collection, Gwen sat on the other side of the table, arms crossed, watching him with an annoyed expression.
"All I'm saying is you didn't save the day on your own," Gwen complained, much to Ben's irritation. "I helped save your sorry butt, but does anyone notice?"
"You helped by spraying Hex with fire extinguisher foam. And besides, being a hero isn't about getting attention," Ben retorted.
As if perfectly timed, Gwen pulled out her laptop and played the video of Ghostfreak waving to his fans.
Gwen frowned and mimicked Ben's earlier tone. "'Who's your hero?!' Seriously?! You say that after what you did back there?"
Ben raised an eyebrow and replied, "Hey! Being a hero isn't just about beating up bad guys. I also have to calm people down and give them hope. I can't help it if they want to thank me for saving them."
Max intervened, trying to console Gwen. "Well, I noticed what you did, Gwen. And I think you did a great job back there."
"We're family, Grandpa. That doesn't count!" Gwen shot back before pointing at Ben. "The only reason you're a big hero is because of the Omnitrix. If I had found the watch, I'd be the star here, with all the cool souvenirs."
Ben glanced at the watch on his wrist, reflecting for a moment on Gwen's words. Deep down, he knew she had a point. As much as he enjoyed the attention, without the Omnitrix, he wouldn't be the hero he was.
With a resigned sigh, he fished the magical amulet out of his pocket and held it out to Gwen. "Okay, here. Take it. You deserve this."
Gwen's eyes widened in surprise. "Really?"
"Yeah," Ben replied with a shrug, trying to act nonchalant. "I've already got plenty of stuff in my collection. This one can be yours."
Gwen accepted the amulet with a small smile, carefully examining it in her hands. "Thanks, Ben," she said, her tone softer than before.
_________________________________________________________________________
Back in the ambulance, Hex lay seemingly unconscious as the paramedics whispered to each other about the severity of his condition. But a mysterious glow began to emanate from one of the amulets still hanging around his neck. His eyes suddenly snapped open, shining with an intense magical light as he murmured in a dark tone:
"My journey is far from over... I will reach my destiny!"
The paramedics, noticing him awaken, scrambled to increase the sedative, but Hex began thrashing before erupting in fury.
"You cannot stop me!" he growled, his voice now laden with mystical authority.
A surge of energy exploded from his body, causing the ambulance walls to shake violently. The windows cracked, and in an instant, the entire vehicle was consumed by a magical blast. The roof was torn off, doors flew apart, and debris scattered across the asphalt as a shockwave echoed through the night.
Amid the wreckage, Hex slowly emerged, floating with an aura of dark energy surrounding him. The aura seemed to both shield and amplify his presence. His cape billowed as if moved by invisible winds, and he hovered above the ground, staring down at the stunned police officers and paramedics.
"Did you really think a mere ambulance could contain the greatest sorcerer to ever exist?" he mocked, his voice reverberating in the eerie silence that followed the destruction.
Raising one hand, he conjured a magical barrier around himself to block any attempts at capture. Then, still floating, he began moving toward the nearby swamp. His figure soon vanished into the misty darkness, leaving behind only the distant wail of sirens and the glow of emergency lights illuminating the smoking wreckage.
_________________________________________________________________________
Ben and Gwen were at a claw machine after dinner, surrounded by the noise and flashing lights of the arcade attached to the restaurant. Ben was entirely focused, carefully adjusting the claw's position. "This is it, I can feel it!" he exclaimed, pressing the button. The claw descended, grabbed a teddy bear for a brief moment, but soon dropped it.
"Oh, come on! Not again!" Ben complained, frustrated. Gwen chuckled softly and took control of the machine. "Let me handle this, Ben. Just watch and learn," she said confidently.
Still pouting, Ben grabbed his soda cup nearby and hastily opened the lid, only to be greeted by a spray of soda directly in his face. "Ugh! Why is it always me?" he grumbled, as Gwen adjusted the claw with precision.
With a faint glow emanating from the amulet hanging around her neck, Gwen guided the claw perfectly to a teddy bear. She pulled it through the prize chute with ease. "Easy as that," she said, waving the prize in front of Ben's face.
Before he could respond, a scream from outside interrupted the moment. "Help! Someone stole my purse!"
Ben and Gwen rushed outside to see three teenagers running away as an elderly woman pointed in their direction. "Time to act," Ben said, already activating the Omnitrix. He slammed the device with determination, but instead of turning into Four Arms or XLR8, he transformed into Greymatter.
"Oh, great," Ben muttered, now tiny but quickly adapting to the situation. "Alright, let's do this!" He scanned the surroundings, looking for a way to turn the situation in their favor.
Thinking quickly, Greymatter climbed a nearby lamppost with agility. At the top, he found an exposed electrical connection. Using loose wires, he caused a small short circuit, plunging the street into partial darkness. Confused, the thieves paused momentarily, and Greymatter seized the opportunity. He leaped from the lamppost, landing on one thief's shoulder, and expertly pressed a pressure point on his neck, knocking him out instantly.
Meanwhile, Gwen wasn't idle. She spotted an abandoned shopping cart nearby and pushed it with all her strength toward another thief. The impact caused the second thief to stumble and fall flat on his back, incapacitated.
The third thief, enraged at seeing his accomplices taken down, charged at Gwen with fury. But before he could reach her, the amulet around her neck began to glow intensely. Misfortune struck the thief: he tripped over a can on the ground, lost his balance, and hit his head against a nearby wall, knocking himself out cold.
Gwen let out a relieved sigh as Greymatter, still on the ground, looked up at her and quipped, "Nice work, team!" They high-fived, satisfied with their victory.
Shortly after, the police arrived to arrest the thieves. The elderly woman retrieved her purse and approached Gwen directly. "You were amazing, dear! You saved the day!" she said enthusiastically.
Ben, still in Greymatter form, watched as Gwen soaked in the praise. "Thank you," Gwen replied with a smile, clearly enjoying the attention.
When the Omnitrix glowed and Ben returned to his normal form, he shrugged. "Alright, Gwen, you can take the credit. Not that I care," he said with a relaxed grin.
"Of course you don't," Gwen replied, still holding the teddy bear and laughing.
"Now, how about we head back to the restaurant? I still need another shot at that claw machine," Ben said, changing the subject.
"If you want to lose again, be my guest," Gwen teased as they walked back inside. She paused for a moment, glancing down at the amulet around her neck with a small, thoughtful smile.
_________________________________________________________________________
Meanwhile, Hex returned to the museum, determined to finish what he had started. With supernatural strength, he hurled the lone remaining guard against the wall as if he were a ragdoll. His path through the museum was marked by destruction; priceless books and artifacts flew in every direction as he impatiently searched for the object he desired.
In a moment of frustration, Hex considered incinerating the entire museum to rid himself of the "junk" and reveal his true prize. But he quickly dismissed the idea. "I am no mere barbarian," he muttered to himself. "I am Hex."
He turned to the guard, still pinned against the wall by a levitation spell, and pulled him closer. His yellow eyes glowed with a menacing energy as he growled:
"The Arcamada Spellbook! Where is it?"
"The vault... it's in the vault! We locked it there!" stammered the guard, trembling as he pointed toward the location.
Wasting no time, Hex strode toward the vault, dragging the oppressive aura of his power with him. With a wave of his hand, he sent chairs, display cases, and any other obstacles flying through the air. When he stood before the massive metal vault, Hex raised both hands and murmured an incantation in an ancient tongue. The metal structure began to bend and crumple like paper, until it was completely torn from the wall and flung aside, landing in a heap of artifacts that lost all value beneath his ruthless indifference.
Hex extended his hand, and with a precise flick of his fingers, the Arcamada Spellbook emerged from the vault, floating toward him. He caught it with reverence, a dark smile forming on his face as he opened the aged pages.
"Ah, yes..." Hex said in a low tone, filled with satisfaction. "With this power, no mortal will be able to stand against me!"
He raised his fists into the air, chanting a spell aloud to unleash the magic contained within the book. But to his surprise, an overwhelming force emanated from the pages, slamming them shut violently, nearly striking his face. Hex stepped back, stunned.
"What is this?" he growled, reopening the book, only to experience the same rejection. His eyes narrowed as he analyzed the inscriptions on the opening page, then looked down at his chest.
"A charm is missing..." he murmured, his voice tinged with irritation. "Of course, the battle with that wretched specter..." He clenched his fists, his mind replaying the confrontation. "The amulet was taken. But that will soon be rectified."
With one last glance at the Spellbook, Hex slammed it shut and tucked it inside his cloak. "It's only a matter of time," he said, his voice cold and calculated. Then, with a final gesture, he vanished in a cloud of magical smoke, leaving the museum in ruins behind him.
_________________________________________________________________________
The next morning, the Rustbucket was parked near a construction site. However, Ben found it harder to deal with Grandpa Max's thunderous snoring than the noise from the machinery around him. He tried muffling his ears with pillows, but the snoring seemed to pierce through any barrier.
"Could Grandpa Max even snore louder than an alien?" Ben muttered irritably, turning over on his bunk. "Gwen, got any magic to shut this down?"
No answer. Ben leaned over and saw that Gwen's bunk was empty. He sighed, wondering where she could have gone, when he heard the sound of a basketball bouncing outside.
Curious, he stepped out and found Gwen at a nearby basketball court, dribbling the ball with a satisfied grin on her face. She threw the ball backward without even looking at the hoop. It bounced off the rim, hit the ground, ricocheted off a power pole, and then landed perfectly in the basket.
Ben's eyes widened. "How did you do that?!" he exclaimed, walking toward her with his mouth agape in surprise.
"It's simple," Gwen replied smugly, pulling the amulet from around her neck and showing it off. "Whenever this thing glows, everything just works out for me. It's like the universe has my back."
Ben picked up the ball from the ground, holding it skeptically. "Oh yeah? Then how about a little competition to see if the 'universe' is still on your side?"
Gwen crossed her arms and gave him a challenging smirk. "Fine, but don't cry when you lose, Ben."
With a mischievous grin, Ben spun the Omnitrix's dial. "I never lose," he said, pressing the watch. In a flash of green light, he transformed into Wildmutt.
Before Gwen could react, Wildmutt leapt past her, grabbed the ball in his mouth, and darted across the court at high speed. He dribbled the ball with wild, animalistic movements, took a massive leap, and slammed the ball directly into the basket.
"AAAAooooh!" Wildmutt growled in a triumphant, beastly victory cry.
Gwen rolled her eyes and walked over to him. "That doesn't count, Ben! You used the Omnitrix!" She tapped the watch, forcing it to deactivate and return him to his human form.
"Oh, come on, you've got magic! I'm just evening the odds," Ben retorted with a laugh.
Before she could respond, a sudden explosion erupted from the construction site nearby. They turned quickly to see workers dangling in a lift as one of its cables began to snap.
Ben's grin vanished, replaced by a determined look. He slapped the Omnitrix and spun the dial, quickly choosing his transformation. "Alright, no more games. It's hero time!" He slammed the watch's core, and in an instant, his human form was replaced by Stinkfly, his membranous wings buzzing and compound eyes glowing.
Without hesitation, he launched into the air, cutting through the wind toward the construction site. Gwen watched him go, then turned and dashed back to the trailer, muttering to herself, "Time for some heroics."
Stinkfly hovered above the scene, his insect-like body poised midair as he assessed the situation. A crushed truck was trapped beneath an unstable metal beam, while workers shouted for help from swaying scaffolding.
"Let's go, Stinkfly! Show them what you've got!" he muttered to himself as he swooped toward the truck. He aimed his ocular glands and fired streams of sticky, viscous goo at the metal beams, creating makeshift supports to stabilize them just long enough for him to get closer.
Using his hind legs, he lifted the truck's roof, revealing a trapped driver. "Hang tight, buddy, you're almost out!" As he pulled the man free, a loud creak drew his attention. One of the scaffolds was starting to collapse.
Before he could act, a familiar voice called out. "Hey, Stinkfly! Looks like you could use a little luck here!"
Stinkfly turned to see Gwen arriving at the scene, now dressed in a sleek black bodysuit with a purple sash around her waist and a cat-shaped mask. The glowing amulet hung around her neck.
"Gwen? What are you doing here?" Ben asked, surprised.
"Lucky Girl, if you please," she corrected with a confident grin. "And I'm here to handle this with style."
Before Stinkfly could reply, the amulet began to glow. Suddenly, a series of improbable events unfolded: a wrecking ball swung seemingly out of control but hit the collapsing scaffold, stabilizing it for a moment.
"Was that luck or magic?" Stinkfly asked suspiciously.
"A bit of both," Gwen replied as she dashed forward to help. She activated the amulet again, and a runaway cement truck suddenly veered into a pile of planks, which fell into place as a makeshift bridge for the workers to escape.
"Hey! Watch it!" Ben yelled, dodging just in time. But the amulet glowed again, and the cement truck shifted course, crashing into Stinkfly and sending him flying into a cement mixer, where he got stuck in a sticky mess.
"Oh, great! Now I'm the hero stuck in cement!" Stinkfly grumbled, struggling to free himself.
Ignoring his complaints, Gwen used her acrobatics to leap onto an unstable structure and disable a malfunctioning crane, preventing it from dropping a beam on the remaining workers.
The last of the workers safely descended, while Stinkfly, still covered in cement, watched Gwen get surrounded by reporters and a cheering crowd.
"How did you manage that incredible rescue?" a reporter asked, shoving a microphone toward her.
"With style, of course," Gwen replied smugly, waving to the cameras.
"And who's your hero?"
"Take a guess," she said with a wink, pointing to herself.
Stinkfly landed nearby, still trying to scrape off the cement. "Lucky Girl," he muttered under his breath, crossing his arms. "Just a cheap show…"
Gwen ran over to him with a mischievous grin. "Oh, come on, Stinkfly. Jealous that I stole the spotlight again?"
"Jealous? Me? Of course not," he replied, clearly annoyed. "But just for the record, if it weren't for my awesome goo, half this place would still be falling apart. I had it under control until you showed up."
"Sure, Stinkfly," Gwen said, laughing as the crowd continued to cheer. "But luck always beats slime."
_________________________________________________________________________
Back in the city, Hex was gliding through the heart of New Orleans, his long black cloak billowing behind him as he hovered just inches above the ground. His scarlet eyes were sharp and focused, scanning every corner, every detail of the bustling streets. He was searching for something with fervor—his lost charm.
As he floated, Hex caught the sound of a voice coming from a cluster of televisions displayed in the window of a nearby electronics store.
"We're live with an exclusive interview with the city's hero…"
The reporter's voice was abruptly overshadowed by another that rang out, echoing across the screens.
"Lucky Girl!"
Hex stopped mid-air, turning slowly to face the televisions. His eyes narrowed as he saw the figure of Lucky Girl filling every screen, a confident smile on her face as she gestured enthusiastically.
But it wasn't the hero's face that captured Hex's attention. His gaze was immediately drawn to something hanging around her neck. That unmistakable glow… the luck amulet. His amulet.
The rest of the interview faded into irrelevance, the voices of the reporter and Lucky Girl becoming nothing more than background noise in his mind. The only thing that mattered now was reclaiming what was rightfully his.
"At last," he murmured, clenching his fist as anger and determination etched themselves onto his face. "I will take back what's mine… and Lucky Girl will pay dearly for daring to touch it."
_________________________________________________________________________
As the Rust Bucket rolled through the streets of New Orleans, Max focused on driving while Gwen typed away on her laptop. Meanwhile, Ben leaned against the counter, watching her with an impatient scowl.
"So, when are you going to tell me more about 'Lucky Girl,' huh?" Ben teased, crossing his arms.
"Oh, give me a break, Ben! I just made that up!" Gwen shot back, not taking her eyes off the screen. "But look, I did some research, cross-referencing Archmada's Spellbook with records of dark magic. I found out that my amulet is part of a set called the Charms of Bezel. The one I have is the lucky charm. There are others for fire, telekinesis, electricity, and restraint."
Ben peeked at the screen and recognized the images of the amulets. "Hey, those are the same ones Hex was using at the museum when I kicked his butt as Ghostfreak!"
"Exactly," Gwen confirmed. "He said he needed all the charms to activate their full power. But… tough luck for him, because the lucky one's with me now!"
She grinned triumphantly, but Max interrupted with a serious expression. "I'm sorry, Gwendolyn, but we need to return that amulet to the museum."
"What? That's not fair!" Gwen exclaimed, indignant.
"I agree with Grandpa," Ben chimed in, shrugging with a smug smile. "You've messed things up enough for one day."
"Messed up?! I saved the day at the construction site!" Gwen protested, turning to Ben.
"Saved the day? Please, the amulet did all the work, not you! Besides, if it wasn't for that dumb amulet, I wouldn't have fallen into the cement," Ben retorted.
"Oh, sure, because everything you do is just thanks to that alien watch on your wrist!" Gwen shot back, pointing at the Omnitrix.
"Enough, you two!" Max intervened, his voice firm. He turned to Gwen with a serious look. "I understand you want to help, but this amulet is dangerous. It's something completely unknown, Gwen. You have no control over it. It's already caused problems today… and next time, it could be worse. Or worse still, it might come at a price you're not willing to pay. And what if that price is your life?"
Gwen tried to respond but hesitated. She didn't know how to counter her grandfather's argument.
"But the Omnitrix is the same thing!" she argued, pointing at Ben, clearly frustrated.
"No, Gwen, it's different," Max replied firmly.
"Different how?" she challenged, crossing her arms. But before Max could answer, a radio transmission cut through their conversation.
"In strange news, reports are coming in from the famous haunted historic mansion, which has apparently come to life. Witnesses say dozens of visitors are trapped inside the property."
"Grandpa!" Gwen and Ben shouted in unison, but Max had already made up his mind.
"Hang on!" he said, speeding the Rust Bucket toward the mansion.
_________________________________________________________________________
The Tennysons arrived at the Haunted History Mansion in a matter of minutes, the Rust Bucket's engine still rumbling as Ben jumped out, his eyes scanning for any signs of trouble. Instinctively, his hand reached for the Omnitrix on his wrist, but he barely had time to react before Gwen, already transformed into the fearless Lucky Girl, pushed him aside.
"Leave this to me!" exclaimed Lucky Girl, already sprinting toward the grand staircase leading to the mansion's entrance.
"Gwen, wait! Don't go in alone—" Ben called after her, but her hurried footsteps quickly disappeared through the doorway. He sighed, crossing his arms. "Is it always like this with me?"
"More or less," Max replied, stepping out of the vehicle. He raised an eyebrow as he noticed his grandson hesitating. "Come on, Ben. We can't leave her in there alone."
With that, they both ran after Lucky Girl, dodging panicked tourists fleeing the mansion as though being chased by ghosts—and given the situation, they probably were. Once inside, chaos unfolded in all its glory. Chandeliers spun dangerously from the ceiling, the stairs creaked and shifted as if alive, and the upper-level railings tilted precariously, with tourists clinging desperately to avoid falling.
However, none of them noticed the shadowy figure watching them from behind the tattered curtains upstairs. With a macabre smile, Hex leaned on his sinister magical staff, the object's glowing energy reflecting off his gaunt face.
"I knew you'd come, Lucky Girl," Hex said, his voice brimming with confidence.
As he spoke, the enchantment keeping the mansion alive intensified. The second-floor balcony swayed again, throwing tourists against the railing. Without wasting a moment, Lucky Girl sprinted toward the stairs.
"Everyone stay calm! Lucky Girl is here!" she shouted, trying to take control of the situation.
But Hex was ready. He swung his staff, casting a silent spell. The staircase's wooden planks began to disintegrate, flying across the room like projectiles. Lucky Girl, quick on her feet, darted past the crumbling steps, but Max and Ben were nearly hit by the flying debris before diving behind a support beam.
Taking cover, Ben finally activated the Omnitrix. "If it's skill you want, Hex, then skill you'll get!" he said, slamming the device and transforming into Diamondhead.
Meanwhile, Lucky Girl was nearly at the second-floor tourists when Hex, with another flick of his staff, ripped the balcony completely from its place, suspending it in midair. Tourists screamed in terror as the structure swayed dangerously. Lucky Girl activated her magical amulet, leaping onto a nearby pillar and landing gracefully.
She took a deep breath and assessed the situation. Her eyes locked onto a chandelier hanging at the center of the room. Gathering momentum, she launched herself into the air, grabbing the metal bars and swinging toward the balcony. With a precise leap, she landed beside the frightened tourists, helping them steady themselves.
"Hold on tight!" she instructed, guiding them toward the chandelier. One by one, they carefully moved, gripping the bars until they were relatively safe.
The chandelier's weight began tearing at the ceiling, threatening to crash down with everyone aboard. Luckily, Lucky Girl's amulet glowed once more, and the chandelier's cables held firm at the last moment, suspending the weight just a few meters above the ground. The tourists, realizing they were safe, scrambled to the exit, leaving Lucky Girl breathless but relieved.
Meanwhile, Diamondhead planted his feet firmly on the ground, focusing. He raised his hands, and with a fluid motion, launched shimmering crystals into the air. They grew rapidly, forming solid platforms that connected like bridges between the ground and the second floor. He expanded his creation further, crafting angled slides to provide an easy escape for the civilians.
"Get down here, quickly!" Diamondhead commanded, gesturing for the people to follow.
The tourists began sliding down the improvised slides, relieved to finally have a way out. Gwen watched the scene with a small smile before turning her attention back to Hex.
Before she could celebrate, a golden energy wrapped around her hands, lifting her into the air. Lucky Girl cried out as she was levitated toward Hex, who stared at her with a triumphant grin.
"Return the amulet to me, insolent girl!" Hex demanded.
Lucky Girl, however, wasn't ready to surrender. As she was thrown to the side, she grabbed a heavy curtain, pulling it down over Hex and trapping a suit of armor on his head. "Maybe if you said please!" she quipped with a cheeky grin.
Hex blasted the curtain away with a spell, completely unscathed, and began chasing her down the hallway. Lucky Girl darted left, finding herself in an ornate study. With no obvious escape routes, she rested her hand on a decorative bust. Guided by sheer luck, she pressed the statue's head, revealing a hidden button.
"This is so cliché, but I'll take it," she muttered, opening a secret panel that led to a dark tunnel.
She slipped inside without hesitation, leaving the passage open behind her. Hex floated after her confidently. "You can't outrun my magic, little girl," he said, disappearing into the darkness in pursuit.
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The secret caverns opened into a vast network of catacombs, whose expansive corridors were still inhabited by some of their ancient dwellers.
Lucky Girl had to fight the nausea as she ran through the seemingly endless halls of open crypts. The walls were adorned with decaying corpses, their timeworn bones now a refuge for snakes, rats, and spiders. It was as if all the darkness in the world had found shelter there. The heavy smell of mold and decay churned her stomach, but she couldn't afford to hesitate.
She had been running for so long that she'd lost track of time, but the silence behind her felt promising. No sign of Hex. Stopping to catch her breath, she leaned against the rough stone wall, taking deep breaths.
The relief was short-lived. Lucky Girl barely had time to realize that the silence was a trap. Hex wasn't behind her because he was beside her, separated only by a thin stone wall.
On the other side, Hex could already sense her presence and began chanting a spell to blast through it. However, once again, Lucky Girl's amulet tipped fate in her favor. By accident, she leaned against a loose stone in the wall, dislodging it. The stone fell at Hex's feet, and he eyed it curiously. Before he could react, the cavern shook violently.
The tunnel ceiling collapsed onto Hex, burying him under an avalanche of rocks and debris. Lucky Girl narrowly avoided the same fate. With a quick leap, she hid inside one of the open crypts. The initial relief turned into a horrified scream when she realized she was lying next to a decayed skeleton. The masked heroine sprang up, frantically shaking herself as if to rid herself of germs and the sensation of being so close to death.
As she composed herself, she noticed that a section of the tunnel was still intact. Hex, with a swift spell, had created a magical shield that suspended the rocks around him. He raised his head, his gaunt face twisted into a mocking grin. Lucky Girl knew she couldn't waste any time. Without hesitation, she ran again, weaving through the corridors while Hex floated in pursuit.
Suddenly, a burst of magical energy struck the wall beside her, scattering debris everywhere. Lucky Girl tripped over a loose stone, falling to the ground just as the explosion passed over her head. The impact opened a hole in the wall, revealing a path to the outside. Without a second thought, she sprinted toward the light.
But luck always seemed to come with a setback: the tunnel led directly into a graveyard.
"You've got to be kidding me," Lucky Girl muttered, glancing around at the rows of tombstones and eerie crypts.
She could hear the sound of Hex's cape drawing closer, the echo of his steps reverberating through the cemetery. Lucky Girl ran, darting between tombs until she found refuge behind a thick tree. Her heartbeat was so loud she could swear Hex could hear it.
Peeking cautiously around the trunk, she saw the sorcerer strolling through the cemetery as if on a leisurely walk. His figure was obscured by the shadows of the trees, making him even more menacing, like the very embodiment of death. Hex seemed to know exactly where she was—perhaps sensing her presence, or perhaps the amulet had revealed her location.
Lucky Girl tried to move, but her feet felt rooted to the ground. Before she could react, the tree's branches came to life. They wrapped around her in a swift motion, lifting her off the ground and suspending her upside down. She struggled against the branches that coiled around her arms, legs, and torso, forming a tight cocoon.
One of the branches slid up to her neck and tore the amulet from her.
"No!" Lucky Girl cried out in despair.
The branch tossed the amulet to Hex, who caught it effortlessly. He raised the object into the air, examining it like a hard-earned trophy. Then, he cast one final glance at Lucky Girl, a victorious smile lighting up his gaunt face, before the tree's branches closed completely, sealing her within the wooden cocoon.
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Lucky Girl didn't know how long she had been trapped inside the wooden cocoon. When she finally opened her eyes, all she saw were crystal blades gleaming in the darkness. With quick and precise strikes, the branches around her were severed, and she collapsed to the ground, gasping for air.
"Are you okay, Lucky Girl? Took it easy so I wouldn't accidentally cut you too!" joked Diamondhead, transforming his arms back to normal.
"Thanks… I guess," Gwen replied, standing up with Max's help. "Where's Hex?"
Max pointed to the center of the cemetery, where Hex hovered above a mausoleum. With the Arcamada Spellbook floating in front of him and the Charms of Bezel attached to his chest, the sorcerer murmured words in an ancient tongue. As his incantation progressed, the sky darkened into a swirling vortex, lightning cracked through the air, and a fierce wind swept everything around.
"It's time to turn this city into a distant memory!" declared Hex, laughing as chaos began to spread.
Diamondhead cracked his fists, the metallic sound echoing. "Not on my watch." He turned to Gwen and Max. "Stay here. I'll take care of this."
Without waiting for a reply, Diamondhead raised his hand and fired a burst of bright crystals at Hex, interrupting his spell. The crystals struck the sorcerer forcefully, throwing him backward and knocking the book from his hands.
"You think you can stop me with pebbles?!" Hex shouted angrily as he got back up.
"Pebbles?" Diamondhead chuckled. "That was just the warm-up. Want to try again?"
Hex gritted his teeth, raising his magical staff as he recited another spell. Around him, three statues began to move: two winged gargoyles and a massive minotaur. Their glowing red eyes lit up ominously, and the creatures charged toward Diamondhead.
"Oh, seriously? More stone toys?" Diamondhead quipped, morphing his arms into sharp crystal blades. "Alright, bring it on."
The smaller gargoyle was the first to attack, darting toward Diamondhead's face. He swung his blade to fend it off, but the creature dodged and slashed its claws across his shoulder, leaving marks on his crystalline surface.
"Big mistake," he muttered, focusing before launching a volley of sharp crystals that tore through the gargoyle's wings, causing it to crash to the ground in pieces.
Before he could celebrate, the second gargoyle struck him with its tail, slamming him into a headstone. Diamondhead got back up just in time to see the minotaur charging straight at him.
"Alright, big guy, let's see what you've got!" He formed a crystal shield to block the impact. When the minotaur hit, the shield shattered into shards that pierced the creature's body, but it wasn't enough to stop it. Diamondhead leapt into the air, spinning, and delivered a decisive blow with his blade, splitting the minotaur in half.
Meanwhile, Gwen and Max noticed Hex trying another spell. Gwen grabbed a rock from the ground and hurled it with force. "Luck can only get you so far!" she yelled.
The rock struck Hex squarely on the forehead, interrupting him once more and knocking him to the ground.
"Argh, you'll pay for that!" the sorcerer roared as he tried to rise.
Before he could act, Diamondhead fired more crystals, pinning Hex against a wall. "You know, you talk too much," the crystalline hero remarked. "How about you shut up for a while?"
The remaining gargoyles turned their attention to Gwen and Max. Max grabbed a metal pipe with a concrete block attached and swung it like a baseball bat. "Going... going... gone!" He struck one of the creatures, shattering it into pieces.
The final gargoyle was quickly taken down by Diamondhead, who formed a giant crystal sword and sliced the creature in two.
With Hex restrained and his monsters destroyed, Diamondhead approached Gwen, who held the Charms of Bezel in her hands. She gazed at the amulets with a serious expression.
"I could fly, summon lightning, bring trees to life... I'd be unstoppable," Gwen said, taking a deep breath before continuing, "But maybe it's better if I just stay myself."
Grabbing a nearby shovel, Gwen smashed the Charms with a powerful strike. As the amulets shattered, a surge of magical energy was released. But instead of dissipating, all the energy surged directly into Gwen. She was engulfed in a brilliant light, screaming as the mystical force seemed to fuse with her.
"Gwen!" Max and Diamondhead shouted, rushing toward her.
The light faded, and Gwen fell to her knees, breathing heavily. Max held her shoulders. "Are you alright?"
"I… I think so," Gwen replied, clutching her chest. "But… it felt like all that energy went into me. It's different... I feel... stronger."
Max exchanged a worried glance with Diamondhead. "That doesn't sound good. Do you think you're… okay?"
"I don't know," Gwen said, standing up with their help. "But I guess I'll find out."
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After escaping the cemetery, the tension eased, and the trio was gathered around the table in the Rust Bucket 2. Ben lay on the sofa flipping through a comic book, while Gwen stared out the window, lost in thought.
Ben, without taking his eyes off the comic, casually commented:
"You know, Gwen... we make a pretty impressive team."
Gwen turned to him, surprised. "Really? Coming from Mr. 'I Can Do Everything By Myself'?"
Ben shrugged. "Well, yeah, I'm still the main hero around here. But it was nice to have some help."
"I guess..." Gwen replied hesitantly. After a moment, she turned to Ben with a slight smile. "So, Ben... now that you're back to being the sole hero around here, can you admit one thing?"
Ben glanced up from the comic. "What?"
"Maybe... just maybe... admit that I did a good job?"
Ben let out an exaggerated sigh, closed the comic, and stood up. "Gwen... you did a good job. There. Happy?"
Gwen grinned from ear to ear. "Totally."
Ben plopped back down, muttering, "Good, because I'm never saying that again."
Gwen pulled a small recorder from her pocket and pressed a button. "Gwen... you did a good job."
Ben's eyes widened. "Oh no... you recorded that?!"
"I did. And now I have proof!" Gwen laughed as Ben scrambled to smother the sound with pillows over his ears.
Suddenly, Gwen pointed at Ben, still laughing, and a streak of electricity shot from her hand, hitting him squarely. Ben's hair stood on end as he dropped the pillows with a yelp.
"Hey! What was that?!" Ben shouted, looking at Gwen in shock.
Gwen stared at her own hand, equally surprised. "What...?! I didn't mean to do that!"
Max, standing nearby, calmly explained, "Residual magic from the Charms. When the energy fused with you, part of their power stayed with you, remember?"
Gwen's eyes widened. "So that means... I still have magic?!"
Ben rubbed his head, his hair still spiked. "Yeah, looks like it. Great... now you can zap me every time I say something annoying."
Gwen's face lit up with excitement. "That's amazing! But if I have magic, I'll need training."
Max went to one of the Rust Bucket's cabinets, pulling out a dusty red book. He placed it on the table in front of Gwen. "If you want to learn magic, you'd better start with the basics. I snagged this beginner's spellbook from Hex."
Gwen carefully picked up the book, flipping through the old, rune-filled pages. "Wow... this looks complicated."
"It'll take time and practice," Max said, patting her shoulder. "But if you stick to it and master the basics, maybe someday I'll let you use this." He gestured to the Archamada Spellbook, now secured in a box in the corner.
"Wait," Gwen said, frowning. "Aren't we returning the book to the museum?"
Max chuckled lightly. "I already contacted the museum. They said they weren't interested in having a crazy wizard destroying their property over a magical item. So, for now, it stays with us."
Gwen shrugged, opening the beginner's book and starting to read. "Well, if it's to avoid another disaster... I guess it's worth learning this properly."
Meanwhile, Ben leaned over her shoulder, peeking at the book. "You're going to need a new cape and hood, you know. That old outfit was... well, kind of tacky."
Gwen gave him a gentle shove, smiling. "I'll think about it."
As the Rust Bucket rolled down the road, Gwen and Ben gazed out the window, watching the distant horizon.
"So, Ben," Gwen began. "Thanks... for saying I did a good job."
Ben rolled his eyes but gave a small smile. "Yeah, don't get used to it, okay? You're the family's official magic apprentice now."
Gwen smiled, clutching the spellbook in her arms. "And you're the official alien hero. I guess we're even."
"As long as I'm not the target of more of your electric spells, sure," Ben teased.
And so, the Tennyson family continued their journey, with Gwen ready to explore her newfound magical abilities and Ben preparing to teach her the "ropes" of being a hero—in his own unique way.