A day had passed since the incident with Dr. Animo.
The Rust Bucket was parked next to a massive lake that stretched beyond the horizon. It was a popular vacation spot with breathtaking scenery and relatively few visitors during the early season, just the kind of peaceful spot Max preferred for their summer road trip.
Early in the morning, as the sun was just beginning to peek over the distant mountains, Asher felt someone gently shake his arm. The movement slowly jolted him out of his deep sleep, and he opened his eyes to see Ben's blurry figure leaning over his bunk.
"Asher, wake up," Ben whispered urgently, keeping his voice low. "Gwen and I are waiting for you."
"Hmm?" Asher yawned lazily, rubbing his eyes as he tried to concentrate. "The sun must be rising in the west today. Why are you two up so early?"
"We're going swimming!" Ben said excitedly, barely able to contain his enthusiasm. "Look at this huge lake, the scenery is amazing, and it's going to be so much fun. Besides, if Grandpa were awake, he'd never let us go in the water alone."
Asher hesitated, his mature mind making him feel like he'd outgrown such childish pursuits. But when he saw the hopeful expressions on his cousins' faces, he couldn't bring himself to refuse.
More importantly, if he didn't go with them, he would either have to betray their trust by telling Max, or risk letting them face unknown dangers alone if he stayed silent.
"All right, fine. I'll come with you," Asher sighed, holding his forehead in resignation as he climbed down from the top bunk.
A genuine smile spread across Gwen's face, and her voice carried genuine happiness. "That's wonderful!"
Asher took about three minutes to wash up and grab a quick breakfast with Ben. Then the three of them tiptoed outside while Max still slept peacefully in the RV's main bed.
Pushing open the door and stepping onto the ground, Asher breathed in the fresh morning air that filled his lungs. The scenery here was truly beautiful, and the air felt incredibly clean and pure.
"It's gorgeous," Gwen said in an almost dreamy voice as she stepped down from the RV and took in the unspoiled landscape around them.
Ben had brought a large bag of swimsuits for all three of them, showing surprising foresight for someone his age.
"Let's change first," Gwen announced, grabbing her swimsuit and heading for the privacy of the nearby woods. Ben was more casual about it, changing right next to the RV with Asher.
After the boys finished changing, they waited a few more minutes before Gwen emerged from the trees in her swimsuit.
"Ready?" Asher asked, taking the lead as they walked toward the lake's shore.
When they reached the wooden dock that extended into the water, Asher gazed out at the endless, glassy surface before them. The lake stretched to the horizon like a vast inland sea.
Is there really a sea monster here? he wondered silently, remembering the news articles from the previous evening. His heightened awareness made him naturally cautious of potential threats.
SPLASH!
The sound came from beside him as Ben had already put on his goggles and enthusiastically jumped off the dock. His whole body disappeared under the surface for a moment before his head popped back up.
Gwen was more cautious, taking her time to test the water temperature and ease herself in.
"Asher, don't tell me you're afraid of the water!" Ben called out teasingly from where he was treading water. "Are you just going to stand there all day?"
"All right, I'm coming in," Asher replied, seeing through Ben's obvious attempt at reverse psychology. Rather than dignify it with a reply, he sat down on the edge of the dock and slid gently into the water.
It was summer and the weather was hot, so his body welcomed the cool embrace of the lake's water. The temperature was perfectly refreshing on his skin.
SPLASH!
The moment Asher emerged and wiped the water from his face, Ben grinned mischievously and sent a spray of water in his direction.
"Really, Ben? That's pretty childish," Asher said with an exasperated look on his face, turning his head away. "I'm not interested in playing that kind of game."
Ben splashed him twice more.
Then something primal awakened in Asher's competitive spirit.
SPLASH! SPLASH!
What began as a dignified resistance quickly turned into an all-out water war between the cousins. Even Gwen laughed and joined in, abandoning her usual scholarly reserve to join in their playful battle.
It wasn't until all three were exhausted that they finally retreated to rest against the pillars beneath the dock.
Looking out over the vast expanse of water, Ben was filled with wonder. "Asher, Gwen, can either of you swim really far? Like dozens of yards in one breath?"
"I could probably do that, but Ben, you don't want to try," Asher warned, patting his cousin's shoulder as he flexed his arm to show off his muscle definition. "You could get cramps out there, and then you'd be in serious trouble."
His regular exercise routine had given him a reasonably athletic build for a ten year old.
"Yeah, right," Gwen said with a dismissive snort. "I don't think you can swim at all, you're probably just good at splashing around in shallow water."
"What?!" Ben's expression changed to indignation. "You want to see what I can do? Watch this!"
SPLASH!
He sank beneath the surface again, his limbs slicing through the water in rhythmic strokes as he swam forward in a determined breaststroke.
"Ben!" Asher called out his cousin's name with growing concern, his hand instinctively moving to the Omnitrix on his wrist.
"This is all my fault," Gwen said, genuine remorse filling her voice. "I didn't think he'd take it this seriously."
"Don't worry, Gwen," Asher reassured her, and his calm confidence seemed to ease her fears. She looked up at him with perhaps the first real sense of security she'd felt all summer.
"See? I told you I could do it!" Ben shouted triumphantly from about twenty yards away, treading water with his arms outstretched and a proud expression on his face.
"Good job, Ben! Your swimming is definitely better than mine," Asher called back with genuine praise, giving him a thumbs up. "Now let's see if you have enough energy left to make it back!"
"Of course I do!" Ben replied, his competitive spirit fully aroused. But just as he was about to dive under the surface again, he suddenly felt powerful waves and turbulence approaching from behind.
His body began to lose control in the churning water!
At the same moment, Asher caught sight of something behind his cousin that made his blood run cold.
A massive dark shadow was rising rapidly from the depths, heading straight for Ben's position!
A word flashed through Asher's mind with terrifying clarity:
Sea Monster!
Ding!
"Login target detected: Lakewood Creature!"
"Approach creature to complete registration!"
The system's message confirmed Asher's worst fears; this wasn't just folklore or a tourist legend. There really was a dangerous creature lurking in these waters, and Ben was swimming right above it!
"Ben, get out of there NOW!" Asher shouted in urgent panic, his fingers already working to activate the Omnitrix interface.
The faceplate popped up with its familiar melodic chime, casting an eerie green glow in the morning sunlight. Without hesitation, Asher began turning the dial, scrolling through alien silhouettes until he found exactly what he needed.
For an aquatic rescue mission, there was only one logical choice.
Ripjaws.
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