Back in the Rustbucket, Grandpa Max wasted no time. He went straight to the kitchenette, prepping fresh platycodon roots to brew his signature San Ju Yen Pien cold remedy.
"Grandpa, I really don't want medicine! I'm fine!" Ben rasped, slumped weakly on the bed, looking miserable.
"Doofus, listen to Grandpa," Gwen said, eyes still on her laptop.
"Can I at least get a snow cone? My throat hurts like crazy," Ben coughed twice.
"Don't worry, Ben. Once I finish this San Ju Yen Pien tea and add some mandrake honey syrup, it'll stop your cough, clear phlegm, and soothe your throat," Grandpa said kindly, continuing to work.
Lucian walked over, watching him soak the platycodon roots. "Grandpa, I'm curious—who taught you these traditional Chinese remedies?"
San Ju Yen Pien tea was a classic herbal medicine often used to treat colds and sore throats. Usually, only people from China relied on it, since Westerners preferred modern drugs that worked faster and were easier to take—just a few pills. Of course, faster results came with stronger side effects, unlike the gentler nature of Chinese herbs. Many Westerners hadn't even heard of San Ju Yen Pien tea, let alone made it themselves.
Hearing Lucian's question, Grandpa smiled. "Me? I learned it from a monk. He taught me a lot, including quite a few practical herbal formulas."
"Grandpa, you've been to China?" Gwen looked surprised. "Were you really just a plumber before?"
Grandpa Max gave an awkward laugh. "Sure. China has plumbing problems too."
"Really?" Gwen clasped her hands behind her back, leaning forward slightly as she studied his uneasy face.
"Really..."
BOOM!
A sudden explosion rocked the street beside the Rustbucket, shattering the calm.
Everyone turned toward the window. A nearby Mercedes had exploded, reduced to flaming wreckage by some kind of weapon.
At the same time, sharp screams echoed from all directions.
The once-peaceful Chinatown erupted into chaos. Panicked pedestrians scattered like startled birds, fleeing in every direction.
Through the window, Lucian saw over a dozen armed, black-clad thugs tearing through the street. They fired wildly at anyone in sight while looting the surrounding shops.
"These guys are going too far," Grandpa Max said, anger flashing in his eyes.
"The magical girl is about to head out," Gwen said, about to jump out of the RV.
"They've got guns," Lucian said, stopping her with one arm. "Stay in the car. They're just low-level thugs—I'll take care of it."
"Cuz... so manly," Gwen said, eyes sparkling.
"Be careful, Lucian," Grandpa Max warned. His expression grew serious. Fights were no joke. This summer had already been full of danger—aliens, crooks, and chaos everywhere. Maybe it was time to visit Mount Rushmore for a little extra protection...
Before stepping out, Lucian pressed the Omnitrix, cycling rapidly through his hero options.
Cannonbolt, Big Chill, Swampfire, Humungousaur...
He needed something powerful enough to hit hard without being lethal.
Beep!
A holographic projection of Four Arms appeared on the Omnitrix.
"You're the one." Lucian slammed his hand down.
Thud!
A ghostly glow flashed as Four Arms squeezed out of the Rustbucket. His legs fired like cannonballs, propelling him straight toward the thugs.
Ben, who had looked sickly just moments ago, sprang to his feet the instant he heard about the commotion.
"Hero time!" He pressed his watch to switch heroes, a grin spreading across his face.
"Ben, you're sick. You need to rest..."
Before Gwen could finish, Ben jumped out of the RV and slammed down on the Omnitrix.
"Roar!"
Wildmutt let out a guttural growl, its powerful limbs surging forward as it charged after Four Arms.
But the moment he transformed, all sensation vanished. Darkness swallowed him whole—he could see nothing, smell nothing.
Wildmutt shook its head. The gill sacs on its sides oozed thick fluid, dripping onto the ground.
"Gross~" Gwen arrived just in time to witness the sight.
"Must be the cold," Grandpa Max said thoughtfully as he stepped closer. "It probably blocked Wildmutt's nostrils, messing with his sense of his surroundings."
"Did you hear that, doofus? Get back to the Rustbucket and rest!" Gwen scolded impatiently.
Wildmutt roared in defiance, paying her no attention. With a powerful kick from its hind legs, it smashed through a pile of trash cans and sprinted off at breakneck speed.
It tore through the streets in a blind frenzy, unable to see through the darkness clouding its senses. Startled pedestrians screamed and scattered, fleeing from the rampaging beast.
...
Meanwhile, Four Arms had already reached the group of armed criminals.
[Ding~ Alien Hacker Mission Triggered]
[Subdue all armed criminals in sight]
[Reward: Random Enhancement Effect]
Facing the towering Four Arms, the gangsters sneered, sizing him up with mocking looks.
"Hey, isn't it a bit early to be dressing up for Halloween?"
"Not really—he's about to celebrate it for real, hahaha!"
"Where'd this puppet come from? Beat it, tin man!"
"Hold up—let's grab his cash first!"
The black-clad thugs raised their guns, aiming at Four Arms as they advanced.
"Very well. Courageous." Four Arms cracked his knuckles, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Bang! Bang! Bang!...
A series of heavy thuds echoed through Chinatown. Within moments, more than a dozen thugs were sprawled across the ground, piled like a heap of wreckage. They groaned and whimpered, their faces swollen and bruised, thoroughly beaten by Four Arms.
[Successfully subdued all vicious thugs]
[Four Arms' strength enhanced by 10%]
[Current enhancement level: 20%]
Four Arms stretched lazily, rolling his shoulders before turning to head back.
"Roar!"
Suddenly, a beastly roar erupted from his side...