Hearing that, Ben looked utterly confused and couldn't help blurting out, "Wait, what are you? You're telling me you can make an arcade machine spit out money?"
"Exactly." The black-haired boy raised his hand, resting it casually on the arcade cabinet, a sly smirk curling his lips. "Here, I'll treat you to a game."
Zzzzt!
A blinding bolt of electricity surged from the machine, crackling up his arm.
At the same time, coins began spewing out of the coin slot in a silver cascade, clattering to the floor like a rainstorm of money. Ben stood frozen, completely dumbfounded.
After a long pause, he finally managed to speak. "Dude, that's awesome! How'd you do that?"
He'd seen plenty of weird stuff before, but never anything like this. Making a game machine vomit coins on command? That was next-level crazy!
"Simple. I can absorb the energy of anything I touch and release it however I want." The boy's tone was cocky, his expression full of defiance. "Name's Kevin. The cash on the ground's yours."
"Thanks! I'm Ben."
Ben crouched down, reaching for the pile of coins. He planned to play to his heart's content and teach this rip-off arcade a lesson.
Just then, Gwen came running up behind him.
"Ben, don't! That money isn't ours!" she said urgently, trying to stop him before he got carried away.
"It is now," Ben said, grinning as he scooped up a handful of coins, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
At that moment, Kevin's eyes darted toward something behind Ben. His expression shifted slightly.
"Gotta bounce. Catch you later." He waved a hand casually.
"Wait! Let's hang out later!" Ben called after him, eager to befriend this cool, easygoing guy.
But before he could say more, a powerful shove knocked him aside.
"Move it, kid!"
A red-haired punk with spiked hair swaggered in, flanked by a group of goons, all glaring menacingly at Kevin.
Caught off guard, Ben stumbled and hit the floor, instantly fuming.
The redhead smirked, shoving his hands in his pockets as he sauntered up to Kevin.
"Well, well, Kevin. Didn't think I'd see you out here. What—taking a break from being a little battery at home?"
The jab drew a roar of laughter from the onlookers.
Kevin's expression darkened. "Dev, what do you want?"
"You trashed our secret base, and now you've got the nerve to ask?" Dev sneered, then barked an order to his lackeys. "Get him. Teach this electric freak a lesson!"
Kevin's eyes sharpened. He reached toward a nearby arcade machine, but before he could make contact, the thugs lunged, grabbing and yanking him back.
"Trying to drain some juice? Not happening!"
Dev seized Kevin by the collar, glaring down at him.
Ben, having just gotten back on his feet, saw the scene unfold.
"Hero time!" he declared, raising the Omnitrix.
"Ben, no! If Grandpa finds out, he'll flip! Kevin's trouble—we should just go!" Gwen pleaded.
"He helped me out. I'm helping him."
Without hesitation, Ben dashed behind the arcade machines, slammed down the Omnitrix, and vanished in a burst of emerald light.
A flash of blue streaked across the arcade—XLR8 had arrived.
Surrounded by the gang, Kevin had nowhere to run. Panic flickered across his face.
A hulking thug with rough, dark skin and a face full of scars stepped forward, cracking his knuckles.
"You're done for, freak."
He raised a massive fist and swung straight for Kevin's face.
Kevin tried to dodge, but two other goons pinned his arms, holding him in place.
"No!"
The dark fist loomed large in Kevin's vision—then stopped short as a blue blur slammed into the thug like a hurricane.
"Wh-what the hell?!" The big guy turned pale, staring at the swirling afterimages spinning around him.
The other thugs froze, backing away in fear and confusion.
"Time to go."
XLR8's voice came out sharp and low as he sent the big thug flying, crashing into an arcade cabinet with a heavy thud.
The sight of the alien sent the rest of the gang screaming, scrambling toward the exit.
"Not so fast."
XLR8's grin widened. His form flickered from spot to spot, scooping up the fleeing thugs and tossing them effortlessly onto a row of arcade machines.
They writhed on top of them, groaning and curling up in pain like helpless insects.
"Don't pick on people again," XLR8 said in a raspy voice.
He gave Kevin a quick wave, then blurred into a streak of blue wind and disappeared into the night.
...
Outside the arcade, Kevin leaned casually against a wall, dressed in a black tank top.
When he saw Ben approaching, his eyes lit up.
"Hey, did you happen to see that speedster just now?" Kevin asked curiously. Whoever that was had been moving too fast for him to make out clearly, and he wanted answers.
Ben tilted his chin up with a smug grin. "He's called XLR8. He's my... best pal."
"Cool. Think I could meet him again sometime?" Kevin's eyes gleamed with interest.
"Ben, we should head back. Grandpa's gonna worry if we're too late," Gwen cut in suddenly.
Before Ben could respond, Kevin's gaze shifted toward her.
"Is that your girlfriend?" he asked blankly.
Ben's eyes went wide, and he waved his hands in exaggerated disgust. "Oh, come on! Who'd date a nerd like her? She's my cousin."
Kevin nodded slowly, finally pulling his eyes away.
"Wanna hang out around New York, bro?" he said, extending his hand.
Ben hesitated only for a second before grinning mischievously and clasping Kevin's hand.
"Let's go, bro~" he said eagerly.
After the scolding he'd endured that morning, the sudden camaraderie hit differently—it felt like real brotherhood.
Watching them leave, Gwen just sighed and shrugged before heading back toward the Rustbucket.
...
By evening, the two had slipped quietly into a warehouse.
Using his powers, Kevin effortlessly cracked open a sealed crate, pulled out a box of game cartridges, and tossed one to Ben.
"The newest Sumo Slammers release. No VIP pass needed this time." Kevin smirked. To him, any problem solvable with powers wasn't really a problem.
"Awesome!" Ben hugged the cartridge tightly, eyes glowing with excitement.
Crash!
Suddenly, the glass window beside them shattered. Tear gas canisters clattered through the opening, rolling across the floor toward them...