"A crisis? What's that?" Ben tilted his head, unable to imagine anything that could trouble his future self.
Just as Gwendolyn was about to answer, the cat-head emblem at her waist suddenly began flashing.
"Danger alert: 15D Special Zone." A cold voice came from the emblem.
Gwen frowned in confusion. "What even is Special Zone 15D?"
"It's the DNA Repository. The largest genetic storage facility on Earth, containing DNA samples from all kinds of life across the galaxy," Gwendolyn explained.
"Then what are we waiting for? Dr. Animo must be causing trouble again. Just wait till I beat him into the ground!" Ben said, throwing a few practice punches.
Buzz—
A tall, beat-up Rustbucket dropped from the sky and landed beside them.
"Looks like someone needs a ride."
Along with the familiar voice, a white-haired old man slowly stepped out.
"Grandpa!"
Ben and Gwen shouted in unison, rushing forward and crowding around Grandpa Max.
"Heh, this really is the best 80th birthday present ever," Grandpa Max said warmly, his wrinkled face full of joy and surprise.
"Grandpa." Lucian raised a hand in greeting.
"Ah, Lucian. You're here too." Grandpa Max looked at his young face, momentarily dazed.
It felt just like twenty years ago.
"It's me. How have you been lately?" Lucian asked with a smile.
"Better than ever. Don't let my age fool you. I'm still tough as nails." Grandpa Max chuckled, patting the siblings' heads again.
"Looks like Gwendolyn figured out how to open the spacetime portal. Congratulations." Grandpa Max looked at his grown granddaughter. "Later, I'll cook you a protein-packed meal as a reward."
"Thanks, Grandpa, but I'll pass." Gwendolyn smiled awkwardly.
Snapping out of her excitement, Gwen shot a look at his red floral shirt. "Grandpa, that shirt's been out of style for twenty years. Time for a change."
"Eh, it suits me just fine," Grandpa Max replied, unconcerned.
"Grandpa, give us a lift. We're heading to the DNA Repository," Ben said eagerly, already itching for a fight.
"Alright, hop in."
Grandpa Max turned and headed for the Rustbucket, with everyone following behind.
The moment they stepped inside, they froze in shock.
The interior of the Rustbucket was incredibly advanced, filled with a sleek, futuristic design. The entire cabin was themed in shades of blue, packed with all kinds of high-tech equipment.
Nearly every surface was covered in keyboards, along with countless buttons of different sizes controlling the vehicle.
This was nothing like the Rustbucket they remembered. The difference was like night and day.
It felt like stepping out of a desert into an ocean, leaving them dazed.
"Whoa, this is really the Rustbucket? This is insanely cool!" Ben practically bounced on the spot.
"So this is the future? There are so many surprises!" Gwen's eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Gwendolyn chuckled softly. "The real surprises are still ahead. Grandpa, take us up!"
"Got it!"
Grandpa Max pressed a button beside the steering wheel.
Buzz—
The Rustbucket's speed skyrocketed, surging forward like a raging wind, making everyone feel as if they were about to lift off.
At the same time, the rear of the vehicle began transforming. It first caved inward, then extended into several massive engines that blasted out powerful jets of flame.
Two sturdy supports unfolded from above the rear, expanding into a pair of metallic wings lined with engine ports, each spewing blazing fire.
Within seconds, the Rustbucket shot up from the busy streets into the vast sky.
The blue sky and cotton-like clouds streamed past on both sides.
Along the way, other flying vehicles filled the air. UFOs, mechanical centipedes, mechanical birds, all serving as transportation.
"Looks like quite a few aliens have already settled on Earth by now," Lucian said thoughtfully.
"You're right, Cuz. By this time, humans have accepted aliens and are living peacefully with them," Gwendolyn said, pausing before continuing. "But everything has two sides."
"The arrival of aliens has greatly advanced Earth's technology. In just twenty years, medicine and military capabilities have improved dramatically."
"Diseases like cancer and AIDS aren't a problem anymore. Just take the right medication, and you'll recover like it's nothing more than a cold."
"Awesome! Maybe aliens aren't so bad after all. Not all of them are villains. This hero approves of them living here." Ben puffed out his chest like he was already Ben 10,000.
"However, wherever there are people, there will be conflict." Gwendolyn sighed. "Some aliens bully humans. Relying on their strength, they often resort to violence. Even though the Plumbers try their best to suppress it, it can't be completely stopped."
"Hmph, that's only because this hero hasn't stepped in yet!" Ben crossed his arms and turned his head.
"So Ben often turns into XLR8 to patrol…" Gwendolyn trailed off without finishing.
Lucian's eyes flickered slightly. He knew she was talking about future Ben.
Patrolling all over the world to prevent alien crime. Even for XLR8, that kind of pressure must be immense…
"Alright, let's drop it." Ben waved it off. He didn't understand any of that yet.
"So where do I live now?" Ben asked.
"In your super cool headquarters. You don't even bother living with us anymore," Gwendolyn replied.
"You might just… care more about other things…" Grandpa Max murmured, his gaze drifting toward the distant sky.
Soon, they arrived at the 15D Special Zone, the DNA Repository.
Lucian and the others got out one by one, but Grandpa Max stayed in the driver's seat.
"Grandpa, aren't you coming with us?" Ben asked, turning back.
Grandpa Max shook his head with a smile. "No need. You haven't needed my help for a long time now."
Ben frowned, confused. Grandpa always fought alongside him before.
Why was he stepping back now?
"…Alright."
Grandpa Max smiled kindly. "Just let me know before Gwendolyn takes you back."
With that, he stepped on the gas and drove off.
...
The DNA Repository was a towering structure over a hundred meters tall, filled with vast amounts of alien genetic material and directly managed by Ben 10000 Headquarters.
The group stood on the rooftop and headed inside.
As they entered the main hall, both sides were lined with containers filled with strange, slightly writhing liquids, each connected to tubes.
Boom!
A deafening explosion suddenly echoed from behind them.
Lucian turned around instantly...
A massive figure was sent flying backward.
Four Arms slammed hard into an iron wall, cracks spreading across it like a spiderweb.
Standing opposite him was a gigantic white-furred gorilla.
Its body was packed with muscle, covered in thick white fur, its size rivaling Four Arms as it stood on all fours.
But the most striking thing was its head.
It was a transparent glass sphere.
Inside it floated Dr. Animo's head.
"That freak actually fused himself with a gorilla!" Ben shouted, both shocked and furious, slamming the Omnitrix. "Time for this hero to teach him a lesson!"
Flash!
A green light burst out as Ben transformed into Stinkfly.
Stinkfly looked at his hands, stunned. "Aw man, I meant to turn into Four Arms!"
"Whatever. Take this!"
Stinkfly lunged forward, flailing wildly and giving off a foul stench as he charged straight at Dr. Animo.
Dr. Animo's eyes widened slightly in surprise. He hadn't expected another alien.
But he quickly recovered, grabbed Stinkfly by the tail, and hurled him across the room.
"Ahhh!"
Stinkfly let out a sharp cry as he was sent flying backward, crashing straight into the charging Four Arms.
The two of them were thrown like kites with cut strings, slamming headfirst into a gene tank. Viscous liquid splattered everywhere in a nauseating spray.
Four Arms was furious. He grabbed the fallen Stinkfly, tied him to an iron pillar with a cable, and pointed at him viciously.
"You. Stay out of my way!"
Stinkfly stomped his feet in anger. "Hey, get back here! You can't treat me like that!"
Four Arms didn't even spare him a glance. He turned and charged back at the white-haired gorilla, continuing the fight.
"Are you sure he doesn't need help?" Gwen asked, worried as she looked at future Ben.
"No need. He prefers fighting alone," Gwendolyn said with a helpless sigh.
…That's how he's always been.
Lucian stood with his arms folded, watching quietly without making a move.
He could tell that future Ben had things completely under control.
Even with Dr. Animo fused into a gorilla, he was no match. At best, he could just take a few extra hits.
Boom!
Four Arms' crimson fist collided head-on with Dr. Animo's white-furred punch, releasing a deafening shockwave.
Winds roared. Dust filled the air.
"Ben Tennyson! You've ruined my plans again and again. Today, I'll make you pay!" the white-haired gorilla snarled, pouring more strength into his attack.
"Be my guest."
With a single punch, Four Arms sent Dr. Animo flying sideways.
Using the momentum, Dr. Animo kicked off the wall and launched forward like a compressed spring.
The sheer force was overwhelming. Even Four Arms couldn't withstand it and was blasted backward.
Seizing the opening, the white-haired gorilla pinned Four Arms to the ground.
Thud!
A burst of green light flashed, and Four Arms transformed into a giant toad.
"Pwah!"
A surge of green slime blasted from the toad's mouth, instantly sending Dr. Animo flying again.
"Whoa! What do we call this one? Spit Kid? Slime King?" Stinkfly shouted excitedly.
"They're not pets. I'm not naming them anymore."
With that, the giant toad pressed forward and transformed into Diamondhead.
A jade-green crystal fist slammed into the ground.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Countless crystal spikes erupted from the floor, weaving together in a deadly pattern like blades piercing through everything, surging toward the white-haired gorilla.
Before he could steady himself, sharp spikes struck his chin, knocking him off balance and sending him crashing down.
Diamondhead raised his arm, turning it into a dense cluster of spikes, firing crystal shards like a machine gun.
"Damn it…"
The white-haired gorilla raised his arm, gritting his teeth as he blocked the barrage.
Sharp pain surged through him again and again.
"Die!"
With a sudden burst of force, the gorilla pushed forward through the attack, grabbed a nearby machine, leapt into the air, and smashed it down.
Diamondhead snorted and waved his arm.
A green crystal wall surged up from the ground, blocking the strike.
Crash!
Crystals shattered, machinery broke apart, and fragments of metal mixed with green shards scattered everywhere.
"Heh, now you're done for!" Dr. Animo laughed wildly.
Suddenly, a powerful numbing sensation spread through his body.
His expression changed. Something was wrong.
But it was too late.
Streams of green electricity slithered out from beneath the wreckage like living serpents, gathering into a small black-and-green figure.
Its eyes glowed eerie green, its body crackling with electricity. Those round, egg-like eyes were full of mockery.
"Hehehe!"
The figure raised its hand, firing a streak of green energy that struck Dr. Animo like lightning.
Most creatures fear electricity, and the white-haired gorilla was no exception.
Under the relentless electric assault, Dr. Animo's body convulsed violently, his eyes rolling back as he completely lost the ability to resist.
Seeing the opening, the figure rushed forward.
Mid-charge, it transformed into a spinning yellow sphere.
Cannonbolt!
Boom!
The immense force sent the white-haired gorilla flying, slamming him into a gene chamber where he lay immobilized.
Cannonbolt landed and transformed back into Four Arms.
He then ripped off a nearby steel cable and tightly bound Dr. Animo, leaving him unable to move.
At that moment, a streak of light descended onto the balcony.
"Need a hand here?"
"The Galactic Enforcers reporting for duty!"
As the voices rang out, three figures appeared.
Ultimo, clad in golden battle armor, a being known as a high-level species of the universe.
Synaptek, resembling a giant octopus, skilled in calculations and telekinesis.
Tini, a female Tetramand in armor, one of the best among her kind.
Ultimo glanced around and saw that Dr. Animo had already been subdued, looking slightly awkward.
"Ahem… the world's a big place, Bro Ban. You could leave a few villains for us," Ultimo said with a dry laugh.
…At this rate, they were going to be out of a job.
"Why bother?"
Four Arms instantly shifted into XLR8.
Unlike Ben's version, this XLR8 had white stripes across its body.
"Since you're here, help me send Dr. Animo back to the Null Void," XLR8 said in a hoarse voice.
Ultimo laughed. "Gladly!"
At that moment, Ben canceled his transformation, and the ropes binding him loosened automatically.
"Hey! Why did you tie me up earlier? I could've handled Dr. Animo myself!" Ben snapped, glaring at his future self.
"And you said you don't name aliens anymore, so why were you still calling that rhino 'Sandbox' earlier?"
XLR8 rested his chin on his hand.
"Sandbox… that name was given a long time ago. As for calling names… some habits take time to fix."
"See? I didn't call him anything just now…"
"Alright, enough about that!"
XLR8 waved it off, clearly getting more irritated the longer he talked.
He turned to Lucian.
"Cuz, since you're here, why not come visit my headquarters? You can meet your future self too. What do you think?"
"Yeah, I was thinking the same." Lucian smiled.
"Good."
XLR8 grabbed Ben and Gwen, then looked at Gwendolyn.
"Gwendolyn, let's head back to headquarters and talk there!"
Whoosh!
A blur streaked past, and XLR8 vanished.