FLASH!
Emerging from the brilliant green transformation light was a sleek, blue-skinned creature that resembled a humanoid Velociraptor. His sleek, streamlined body was built for speed, with distinctive black spheres on his feet that acted like natural wheels. A protective visor automatically slid down over his face as he adapted to his new form.
It was XLR8!
Ding!
"Login targets detected: People in danger of drowning!"
"Successfully save them to complete registration!"
"I hope I can save them all!" XLR8 declared with determination.
The Kineceleran burst out of the water and landed gracefully on Captain Shaw's boat, his amber eyes scanning the massive waves approaching from the distance. His natural visor protected his vision as he assessed the rapidly deteriorating situation.
"What?! What are you?!" Captain Shaw noticed the movement behind him and spun around, horror in his voice as he stared at the alien speedster.
What was this slender, dinosaur-like creature?!
"Hold on tight!" XLR8 ordered, his visor retracting to reveal his focused expression.
In one fluid motion, his powerful arms extended, his left hand supporting Captain Shaw while his right hand secured Granpa Max. Despite their combined weight, his enhanced strength made lifting both men effortless.
WHOOSH!
The next instant was like a bolt of blue lightning!
XLR8 launched himself from the boat, his friction-manipulation abilities allowing him to run directly across the surface of the water at incredible speed. Instead of sinking, he moved so fast that the surface tension supported his weight!
From a distance, observers could only see a brilliant azure streak racing across the lake, creating huge ripples in its wake as it reached the shore in mere seconds.
"You're safe now," XLR8 announced, gently setting Captain Shaw and Max down on solid ground before immediately turning back toward the lake.
"Today has been full of impossible creatures," muttered Captain Shaw, collapsing to the ground in bewildered exhaustion.
WHOOSH!
XLR8 was already racing back across the surface of the lake, his wheel-like feet allowing him to reach speeds that made him appear to be nothing more than a blue blur. This sensation of pure speed, of becoming one with speed itself, was unlike anything he'd ever experienced!
In the blink of an eye, he had returned to the capsized boat!
The massive waves crashed down on Ben and Gwen with devastating force!
"Incredible! What's this alien hero's name?" Ben asked excitedly, his fear momentarily replaced by wonder at such an amazing transformation.
This was the most impressive hero he had ever seen!
"XLR8!" the speedster replied quickly, scooping Ben up with his left arm while securing Gwen with his right, then launching into a tremendous leap that carried them more than ten meters away from the boat!
CRASH!
Just as they cleared the danger zone, the massive wave crashed into their former position, completely overturning the ship with tremendous force!
The moment XLR8 touched the surface, his legs moved like pistons, propelling him towards the shore at supersonic speed!
Ben and Gwen looked around in amazement, the scenery was nothing but a blur of motion! Everything had become completely blurred as they moved faster than their eyes could follow!
The speed was unbelievable!
Their vision couldn't keep up with XLR8's speed!
Only when they felt solid ground beneath them did the world come back into focus.
They had reached the shore!
"There, you're both safe," XLR8 said, gently setting Ben and Gwen down on dry land. His visor retracted, revealing the relieved expression on his alien features.
"Help me!"
"I can't hold on much longer!"
Desperate cries echoed across the lake as scores of tourists who had been attacked by the creature struggled in the water, desperately calling for help.
WHOOSH!
XLR8 disappeared again!
Everyone in the water felt powerful gusts of wind rush past them, followed by the sensation of being lifted off the lake and carried through the air at incredible speed!
Within seconds they were safely deposited on the shore!
The entire rescue process took only moments!
No one could clearly see XLR8's shape, all they saw was a blue streak of lightning racing across the lake, performing miraculous rescues!
"What was that?!"
"I'm incredibly lucky today, I've seen creatures most people never see in their entire lives, and now two of them!"
The rescued tourists realized that something extraordinary had just happened, their voices filled with awe and excitement despite their recent terror.
"The last one, mission accomplished!" XLR8 declared with satisfaction, gently setting the last elderly tourist ashore before placing his hands on his hips and breathing a sigh of relief.
"Thank you so much!" Several tourists gathered around him, their voices filled with gratitude and amazement despite their lingering fear.
"You're welcome," XLR8 replied with a friendly smile, though his razor-sharp focus remained on the lake.
He noticed that most of the tourists had evacuated the area and the Lake Monster wasn't actively pursuing them. Only a few divers from Jonah Melville's crew remained in the water.
And the creature itself was still furiously attacking Melville's yacht. Were it not for the ship's reinforced construction, it would have been torn apart by the repeated blows instead of merely rocked violently!
"This Jonah Melville definitely has ulterior motives," XLR8 observed with certainty, his heightened perception allowing him to quickly analyze the situation. "He's definitely not a legitimate member of any environmental organization!"
But regardless of Melville's true nature, XLR8 couldn't stand by while people were in danger.
WHOOSH!
In an instant, the Kineceleran was racing across the lake again, moving so fast that he easily dodged the water projectiles the creature threw at him. His enhanced reflexes allowed him to jump, roll, and dive with perfect timing, showing off his incredible agility and speed!
The sea monster was aware of XLR8's presence, but chose not to engage him directly. After its encounter with the Ripjaws, the ancient creature had developed a healthy respect and fear for these strange beings it had never seen before. It wasn't eager to provoke another devastating confrontation!
"Even though I find you despicable, you don't deserve to die," XLR8 muttered as he raced past each struggling diver.
With precise timing, he scooped up each person as he passed, then launched them safely onto the deck of the yacht with carefully controlled tosses. One by one, the divers found themselves rescued, despite their earlier ridicule.
"However, a little punishment is definitely in order," XLR8 added with a slight grin.
Ding!
"Congratulations to the host for successfully logging in!"
Just as he finished the last rescue, the system message confirmed his success. Whatever reward awaited him would have to be dealt with later, for now there were still people who needed his help, and Jonah Melville's true agenda was about to be revealed.
XLR8 positioned himself between the yacht and the shore, ready for whatever came next. His incredible speed would be crucial in the battles to come.