"I've got my laptop."
Gwen walked over to her suitcase, pulled out her notebook computer, placed it on the table, plugged it in, and powered it up.
She opened a map application first.
They were currently in the city of Bellwood.
"Let me search for the Bellwood Museum of Natural History…" Gwen muttered, typing quickly.
Within seconds, a red marker appeared on the map—the only major natural history museum in the area.
"Zoom in on the intersections around it," Aiden said calmly.
Gwen connected a mouse and zoomed the map in closer.
Aiden memorized the fastest route at a glance, then looked up at Grandpa Max and clearly described every turn.
"Got it," Grandpa Max said firmly. He pressed the accelerator, steering the Rustbucket toward the museum.
"How about we look up Dr. Animo too?" Gwen suggested.
She closed the map and typed Dr. Animo into the search engine.
A profile page popped up almost instantly.
"Dr. Animo," Aiden read quietly, "former biologist. Participated in a prestigious scientific awards competition. Lost. Public meltdown. Career destroyed."
His eyes sharpened.
"Gwen, when is the next Innovator's Summit being held?"
"Today," Gwen replied immediately. "I've been following it."
Aiden nodded.
"So Animo isn't just testing his gene manipulator," he concluded. "He's trying to disrupt the ceremony. Revenge."
"It's okay," Gwen said with confidence. "You'll stop him."
Ben raised his hand suddenly, "Uh, what's the Innovator's Summit?"
"It's a major scientific award," Aiden explained patiently. "A huge honor. A lot of scientists dream about winning it."
Gwen rolled her eyes. "Ben, you should read more."
"Hey! I'm not a nerd!" Ben shot back. "And I'm not talking about Aiden. Only you're the bookworm."
Their bickering made Aiden chuckle. He'd grown used to this rhythm between them.
Just then—
Beep.
The Omnitrix on Aiden's wrist turned green again.
Fully recharged.
He flexed his fingers slightly.
Now he was ready.
As the sky darkened, the Rustbucket pulled up in front of the massive Bellwood Museum of Natural History.
The place was eerily quiet.
No guards.
No visitors.
The main doors stood wide open.
"That's not creepy at all," Ben muttered.
Gwen hugged her arms instinctively. "Why is it so quiet?"
"How about you two stay outside," Aiden suggested seriously. "Grandpa and I will go in."
Prehistoric creatures weren't like giant hamsters.
This could get dangerous.
"I'm not scared," Ben said immediately, clenching his fists.
"I'm staying too," Gwen added firmly.
Aiden looked at their determined faces, then turned to Grandpa Max.
"If we leave them here, they'll just sneak in anyway. Better to keep them close."
Max sighed. "…Alright. Stay behind us."
They stepped inside.
The main hall was pitch black.
Only faint outlines of enormous dinosaur skeletons could be seen in the darkness.
Every footstep echoed loudly.
Gwen instinctively grabbed Aiden's arm. The plastic bag she carried rustled softly.
"If anything happens," Aiden whispered, "run back toward the entrance."
She nodded nervously.
Something felt wrong.
Dr. Animo should've already been here.
So why was it silent?
Aiden stopped near the center of the hall.
"Something's off," he murmured. "This might be a trap."
He tugged lightly at Grandpa Max's sleeve, ready to suggest retreat—
Too late.
Click.
The lights exploded on.
The sudden brightness forced Aiden to squint.
Through narrowed eyes, he saw it—
The giant mutated parrot blocked the main entrance.
And on its back—
Dr. Animo.
He removed his red-tinted glasses, revealing a sinister grin.
"You fools," he sneered. "Walking right into my trap."
Heavy footsteps thundered from both sides.
BOOM!
BOOM!!
Two massive Triceratops burst through the side exhibit doors, each one towering over the previous hamster mutants.
The ground trembled with every step.
"These prehistoric beauties have been waiting patiently," Dr. Animo declared proudly. "And that big red brute you brought earlier? I know he's connected to you."
He raised his arm dramatically.
"This time, I'll capture all of you!"
The two Triceratops lowered their horns—
And charged.