By the lakeshore, a small, weathered fishing boat was tied to a wooden post. A middle-aged man stood aboard, hunched over as he busied himself with something unknown.
"Excuse me, are you Mr. Shaw?" Grandpa Max called out as he approached the shore, looking toward the man on the boat.
"What do you want?" The man turned his head.
His expression was cold, his eyes dull and lifeless like a dead fish. He gave off an aura that warned strangers to stay away.
"We have a fishing reservation," Grandpa Max said with a polite smile, though his real intentions were elsewhere. "The weather's beautiful today, so I thought I'd bring my grandkids along to enjoy the scenery around the village."
"Get on," Captain Shaw said flatly, his tone so indifferent it sounded as if someone owed him money.
Soon, Lucian and the others boarded the fishing boat and began their journey out onto the lake.
The day was bright and clear, sunlight dancing across the water. The blue sky mirrored perfectly on the lake's surface, making it seem as though heaven and earth were connected in peaceful harmony.
Thick, green forests lined both sides of the shore, vibrant with life. Birds chirped in the branches, butterflies fluttered in pairs, dancing through the air.
Everything looked calm—too calm.
Ben stood near the edge of the deck, glancing around nervously. "Grandpa, maybe we should head back. What if that monster shows up again?"
He still hadn't shaken off the fear from earlier. After barely escaping the jaws of the lake monster, he couldn't stop thinking about what might've happened if Lucian hadn't shown up in time.
"Dweeb," Gwen said, folding her arms and shooting him a look. "Grandpa already said we're not leaving until we figure out what's going on with that thing. Not everyone's a scaredy-cat like you."
"Who are you calling a scaredy-cat?"
"You, obviously!"
…
The two glared at each other, teeth clenched, sparks practically flying as they squared off.
Captain Shaw gripped the wheel and gave Ben a sidelong glance.
Grandpa Max laughed awkwardly. "Heh, my grandkids can be a little lively sometimes, Mr. Shaw. Please don't mind them."
"It's called the Krakken," Captain Shaw said in the same even tone, his eyes fixed ahead. "People have seen it for hundreds of years, but no one ever believed them. I've been tracking it for a long time."
Grandpa Max's brows lifted slightly. So, the man knew the monster was real.
In that case, there was no need to pretend anymore.
"Mr. Shaw," Grandpa Max said, "if you know a monster like that exists, why would you still bring us out to fish?"
Captain Shaw snorted, his dull eyes suddenly flashing with a dangerous gleam. "Why wouldn't I? I'm the greatest monster expert alive."
"Only I can catch the Krakken!"
Lucian tugged Grandpa aside and shook his head. This Captain Shaw was clearly obsessed—completely consumed by the idea of capturing the monster.
Trying to take it on alone? He wouldn't even make a decent snack for it.
But Lucian didn't argue. He simply stayed quiet, observing the surface of the lake.
Now wasn't the time to fight the monster. He needed to figure out what had caused its rampage and resolve the issue at its source. Only then could he earn the Grimoire of Water Magic.
After some time, the boat jolted violently, almost sending Lucian tumbling to the floor.
Captain Shaw slammed the brakes, his face twisting with fury. "No passage ahead? On my waters? Who dares block my way!?"
Lucian stepped to the bow and saw it—a blockade stretched across the water, marked by a glaring yellow warning line with signs forbidding entry.
Seeing the lake sealed off, Grandpa Max frowned. "Mr. Shaw, since the waterway's closed, maybe we should come back another day."
Ben leaned closer, squinting at the words printed on the tape. "Friends of… Fish… Association…" he read slowly.
"Those damned fish freaks!" Captain Shaw cursed loudly. "I don't care! This is my lake! We're going through!"
He reached for the throttle, clearly intent on ramming through the blockade.
Buzz!
Before he could act, a massive oil tanker roared across the water, tearing through the waves before stopping beside their tiny fishing boat.
Armed guards stood on deck alongside heavy machinery, unloading wooden crates. The way they handled the cargo—careful, deliberate—made it obvious the contents were valuable.
A burly man with a thick beard, dressed in a blue uniform, leaned lazily against the railing and looked down at them with a smug grin.
"I'm Jonah Melville, founder of the Friends of Fish Association," he announced. "The waters ahead are closed for a week-long environmental protection operation. I'll have to ask you to turn back."
"Jonah Melville?" Captain Shaw's tone turned sharp. "What gives you the right to close off these waters? This is my territory! You'd better watch yourself."
Jonah chuckled softly and clapped his hands. Immediately, two armed men stepped forward behind him.
Lucian's eyes narrowed.
Those weren't just random guards. Their weapons were advanced—these men were prepared for something serious.
"Sir, I think you should reconsider. Don't make us take the hard way." Jonah Melville smiled, though a glint of malice flickered in his eyes.
"We're leaving now."
Grandpa Max quickly covered Captain Shaw's mouth before he could start swearing. "I'm taking command of this vessel," he said firmly. "From now on, you follow my orders. Turn back immediately—we're not fishing today."
Captain Shaw's veins bulged in anger, but after a tense moment, he snorted coldly and turned the boat around.
Watching the small fishing boat retreat, Jonah Melville smirked from the deck of the tanker. "A mere fisherman dares challenge me? What a rare fool."
Lucian sat at the edge of the boat, eyes fixed on the oil tanker growing smaller in the distance, lost in thought. The cargo on that ship was definitely suspicious—it had to be connected to the lake monster.
It had been ages since he'd watched Ben 10, and his memories were hazy. Combined with the fragments of this body's original memories, many details had long since blurred.
"Grandpa, are we really just going to leave like this?"
Gwen frowned, her gaze lingering on the massive oil tanker behind them.
Grandpa Max nodded. "Those people don't look like the friendly type. And with weapons like that, we wouldn't stand a chance—we're just ordinary civilians."
"Better to live and plan than rush in blind," he added. "We'll think of something once we're back."
Ben's eyes lit up. "But we have our cousin! With him here, that so-called Friends of Fish group doesn't stand a chance!"
Captain Shaw gave Ben a puzzled glance, then looked over at Lucian, his expression turning skeptical.
Sure, the kid looked strong—but without weapons? What could he possibly do against those armed men?
Seeing this, Grandpa Max quickly covered Ben's mouth with a laugh. "Kids say the wildest things. Please don't mind him, Mr. Shaw."
As time passed, the Friends of Fish's tanker finally disappeared from view.
Lucian moved to the stern of the fishing boat, keeping low. Once he was sure no one was watching, he reached for his watch.
If not now, then when? It was about time someone put those arrogant bastards in their place.
BOOM!
A thunderous explosion shook the air. The lake's surface surged violently, lifting the small fishing boat high as waves crashed around them. The vessel rocked out of control, tilting dangerously from bow to stern.
Lucian grabbed the deck railing, steadying himself against the violent motion.
Splash!
A massive, emerald-green tentacle burst from the lake's depths, surrounded by clouds of bubbles. Its overwhelming presence radiated menace as it shot toward the Friends of Fish's oil tanker at terrifying speed...