Gwen sits at the edge of the wooden dock, swinging her legs. She enjoys the peace and quiet after Ben's latest antic. The gentle lapping of water against the pilings and the distant chatter of tourists create a soothing rhythm. She closes her eyes, letting the sun warm her face, when a flicker of movement catches her attention.
A fin appears in the distance, cutting through the water. Oh, here we go again, she thinks, rolling her eyes. He won't fool me this time.
The fin grows larger, approaching the dock with increasing speed. Show off, she thinks, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. Let's see how long he keeps it up.
But as the fin rises, it reveals something far more monstrous than Ben's head. A massive, dark shape emerges from the depths, eclipsing the sun. The creature is colossal. It towers over the dock. It's covered in thick scales, with two glowing blue eyes that stare blankly ahead.
[ROAR]
The sound is deafening, shaking the wooden pilings beneath her. Gwen's eyes widen in disbelief.
That's not Ben…
Before she can react, a massive tentacle slams down on the dock. The wood splinters. The ground gives out from underneath her. People scream and scramble for safety, but it's too late. The dock crumbles. Gwen, along with dozens of other unsuspecting tourists, plunges into the icy water.
The shock of the cold takes her breath away. She surfaces, sputtering and gasping for air. The water is a chaotic mess of flailing limbs and terrified faces. Above, the Krakken continues its rampage, smashing the dock to pieces with its massive tentacles. The air is thick with spray and the stench of rotting seaweed.
[ROAR]
The Krakken's roar echoes across the lake, sending shivers down her spine.
Captain O'Malley peers through his binoculars, his weathered face paling as he focuses on the docks. "I don't believe it," he mutters, his voice trembling. "The Krakken… after all these years, it's real."
The monstrous creature unleashes its fury on the lake and docks. Its massive tentacles smash against boats, sending splinters of wood flying. It snaps masts in half, tossing them aside like toothpicks. People scream and scramble for safety, fleeing in terror from the docks.
Panic washes over the scene. The air crackles with the scent of ozone and fear. The idyllic setting is replaced by pandemonium as the beast continues its rampage.
Max places a hand on the captain's shoulder, his voice firm. "Captain, get us out of here! Take us away from the docks and give Jawleene some space."
O'Malley nods, snapping out of his stupor. "Aye, aye, sir!" He yanks the throttle. The boat spins away from the chaos.
Max turns to Ben, his gaze resolute. "Someone needs to rescue those people, Ben. You have to stop it."
Ben doesn't hesitate. "Already on it, Grandpa." He slams the dial on the Omnitrix, the heart-shaped buttons glowing a soft pink. He spins through the silhouettes, stopping at one in particular. He slaps the dial down, summoning a new alien. A flash of light erupts, bathing the deck in a bright pink glow. When it fades, Jawleene stands in Ben's place.
Jawleene is a striking figure, a blend of aquatic terror and bizarre beauty. She is a Piscciss Volann-Human Hybrid, a blend of shark, anglerfish, and alligator with a humanoid shape. Her body is greenish-white, marked with patches of scales. Webbed digits with yellow claws extend from her hands and feet. She has short, blueish-green fins atop her head, resembling long hair. Gills run down her neck and torso. Her eyes are circular and vapid, and a phosphorescent lure protrudes from her forehead.
Her race, the Piscciss Volann, are known for their incredible adaptability to aquatic environments and their ferocity. They have powerful jaws and sharp teeth, and their bodies are built to withstand extreme pressures. But Jawleene is no ordinary Piscciss Volann. Her hybrid nature grants her unique abilities, including the power to alternate between legs and a fishtail. She also has enhanced strength, claws sharp enough to slice through metal, and a phosphorescent lure to attract prey. Ben looks at her and knows that her race is the reason for her vain personality.
Ben looks at Jawleene, "We need to stop that thing from hurting people, Jawleene. It's Hero Time!"
Jawleene surveys the Krakken, her nose wrinkling. "Absolutely not!" she exclaims, her voice high-pitched and laced with disdain. "Do you know what that creature could do to my nails? And my hair!" She gestures to her fins, which seem more like delicate locks of hair. "It's simply out of the question."
Ben face palms, a groan escaping his lips. Dealing with Jawleene is never easy, he thinks, frustration building. Her vanity and narcissism often overshadowed her sense of duty. "Come on, Jawleene! People are in danger!"
"I'll make you a deal," Ben says, a bargaining tone in his voice. "If you help me stop the Krakken and save those people, I'll buy you a whole makeup set. Anything you want!"
Jawleene's eyes light up, her vanity winning out. "Really? Anything?"
"Anything," Ben confirms.
"Alright," she says, a smirk playing on her lips. "But it better be good. I don't want any cheap stuff." With a graceful leap, she plunges into the water, her fishtail propelling her towards the docks.
With Jawleene on her way, Ben knows he needs to get there fast. "It's Hero Time!" he shouts, activating the Omni-Exo armor. The metallic ring on his finger expands, enveloping him in sleek fuchsia and gunmetal plating. As the helmet covers his head, the HUD comes to life, displaying vital information.
With a powerful jump, Ben launches himself into the air. The suit's strength augmentation kicks in, sending him soaring higher than he thought possible. He fires a sonic blast from his gauntlets, the concussive force propelling him further. He is flying towards the docks.
Laura's eyes narrow, and she takes a step forward, intent on following Ben. The desire to help, to protect, burns within her, a stark contrast to her earlier apathy. "I can help too," she states, her voice clipped and firm.
Max, however, places a steady hand on her arm, halting her progress. "Not this time, Laura. It's too risky. That thing is beyond anything you've faced before. We need to leave this to Ben and Jawleene. You are going to stay here."
Laura tenses, resistance evident in her stance. She wants to protest, to argue, but she recognizes the wisdom in Max's words. Her inexperience against such a massive threat could prove detrimental, not just to herself, but to Ben as well. She releases a breath, her shoulders slumping slightly in defeat.
"Keep the boat steady, Captain! Make sure we have a clear escape route if needed." Max's voice, a mix of concern and authority, rings out, grounding the moment.
Ben soars above the scene of carnage, his Omni-Exo suit humming with power. His HUD highlights the Krakken's massive form, its tentacles flailing and crushing anything in its path. His heart leaps into his throat. There, amidst the debris and terrified swimmers, is Gwen. The Krakken raises a foot, poised to stomp down on her and the other struggling people.
No way! Ben thinks, panic surging through him.
Without hesitation, Ben angles his descent and unleashes a concentrated barrage of sonic blasts at the Krakken. [SHHWOOM!] [SHHWOOM!] The sound waves slam into the beast's thick hide, disrupting the air and momentarily stunning it.
The Krakken roars, a sound that dwarfs even the sonic blasts. The attack only serves to annoy the beast. It turns its gaze upward, fixing its striking blue eyes on Ben.
Below, Jawleene navigates the chaotic waters with surprising grace. Her fishtail propels her through the wreckage. She grabs swimmers, gently but firmly, and kicks towards the shore, depositing them safely on the sand. She works with tireless efficiency, her vanity momentarily forgotten.
Gwen stumbles onto the beach, coughing and sputtering water. She is covered in lake scum, her hair plastered to her face. But she is safe. Jawleene emerges from the water, her scales glistening.
Gwen manages a weak smile. "Thanks, Jawleene."
Jawleene shrugs, her expression nonchalant. "Please, it's only natural you should thank me. I did save you, after all." She flicks a stray piece of seaweed from her shoulder, her attention already drifting back to the lake and the battle raging above. She gives Gwen a quick scan before departing. Gwen is safe and isn't going to ruin her good looks.
With all the swimmers safely on the beach, Jawleene surveys her handiwork with a critical eye. No one is going to say that I didn't help.
"Jawleene, help!" Ben shouts, his voice amplified by the Omni-Exo's comm system. He dodges a sweeping tentacle, narrowly avoiding being crushed. His sonic blasts rain down on the Krakken, but they seem to do little more than irritate it.
[SHHWOOM!] [SHHWOOM!]
"I can't do this alone!"
Jawleene, treading water near the shore, stares at the colossal creature. Her eyes widen in alarm, "What do you expect me to do against that thing? I would break my teeth and my nails if I tried anything! It's way too big!"
The Krakken shifts its focus, its blue eyes locking onto Jawleene. Perhaps it sees a familiar aquatic creature. A primal instinct kicks in, overriding its rage at the docks. Its expression turns angry as it glares at Jawleene before it suddenly lunged towards her, its tentacle moving at alarming speed.
Jawleene screams, "AHHH!" before she dives beneath the surface. The Krakken's tentacle crashes into the water where she once was, sending a wave of spray high into the air.
The Krakken churns the water as it began its pursuit. The once serene lake turns into a maelstrom of foam and fury. It doesn't care about the docks, about the boat, it wants to devour its prey.
From above, Ben witnesses the scene unfold. The Krakken is fully committed to hunting Jawleene. "Why is it suddenly chasing after me?"
Jawleene's voice shrieks through the comms, panic-stricken. Ben realizes this presents an opportunity.
"Jawleene, listen to me!" Ben shouts. "You have to lead it away from the docks. Get it out into the middle of the lake!"
"Are you crazy?!" Jawleene retorts, her voice trembling. "You're not the one being chased by a giant monster!"
Despite her terror, Jawleene is surprisingly fast and agile in the water. She weaves between the creature's massive limbs, narrowly avoiding its snapping jaws. She swims, desperate to escape, unintentionally drawing the Krakken away from the docks. She pulls it further into the lake.
"Hurry up, human!" She yells, not knowing what Ben is planning. "I can't keep this up forever!"
The Krakken closes in, its jaws opening wide, ready to swallow her whole.
Knowing this is his chance, Ben slams down on the Omnitrix. A flash of pink light engulfs the water. Jawleene disappears, leaving the Krakken with nothing but empty water.
The Krakken pauses, confused. Its prey has vanished. It thrashes, searching for any sign of the fish-human. But there's nothing. The Krakken dives deeper, disappearing into the murky depths.
Ben sighs in relief, his shoulders relaxing. Greymatter climbs onto his shoulders, her small form steadying itself. "That was a close one, Earthling. Your recklessness is matched only by your…"
Before she can finish, Ben interrupts, "Alright, alright, I get it."
Thank goodness that worked. Ben used the Omnitrix to call back Jawleene, summoning someone else to do so, luring the Krakken away from the docks and back out to the lake.
Ben lands on the beach, the Omni-Exo suit retracting into its ring form. Gwen, Laura, and Max rush toward him, their faces etched with concern.
"Ben, are you alright?" Max asks, his eyes scanning him for injuries.
"I'm fine, Grandpa. A little shaken up, but fine,"
"That's good," Max murmurs, relieved. His brow furrows as he stares out at the now-serene lake. "But what I don't get is why it suddenly went wild like that. The Krakken has been peaceful for years. Why now?"
Ben shrugs, his gaze fixed on the spot where the creature disappeared. "I don't know, Grandpa. But I plan to find out. Something spooked it, and whatever it is, I don't like it." He knew it in his gut. This was just the beginning.
***
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Advance chapters are in my P@|r3on - Najicablitz