Timeless Legacy

Reunited

As the group ventured deeper into the forest, the tension was palpable. Carlos's voice echoed as he called out, "Ben!" The search for their missing friend had taken a dangerous turn, and the atmosphere was thick with worry.

"Oh, boy, something stinks, and it wasn't me this time," Dude quipped, his nose wrinkling as he bounded forward. Before anyone could react, a massive beast—Ben in his transformed state—leaped out of the bushes with a thunderous roar.

"No! Whoa!" Carlos shouted, instinctively pushing Gil out of the way just as Ben lunged toward them.

Harry, ever alert, quickly stepped in, shoving Ben back to protect Maddox. "Watch out!" he called, his voice laced with urgency. Ben growled menacingly at the group, his beastly form barely recognizable.

"You need some serious nose adjustments," Harry muttered nervously, trying to mask his fear with humor. Maddox, despite the tension, couldn't help but chuckle softly at Harry's attempt to lighten the mood.

"I'm not so sure," Carlos said, his voice serious as he eyed Ben, who roared again, his anger and pain evident.

"Ben? Did Audrey do that?" Carlos asked, trying to make sense of what had happened to their friend.

"I thought I recognized those pants," Jay chimed in, nodding toward Ben's torn clothing.

Maddox added, "Right, and the jacket that Elina bought him." The beast, momentarily distracted, glanced down at his familiar attire.

Gil, ever the optimist, began to explain, "Aw, he's got a boo-boo, that's why he's so cranky. You know, my dad said that his dad did not handle pain well at all." Maddox patted Gil's back in a comforting gesture, trying to keep him calm.

Jay, growing more anxious, turned to Carlos, "You're good with animals. Do something." Then, as an afterthought, he added, "Or you, Maddox, as co-partners."

Maddox quickly shook his head, "Forget it, I want to continue living," he said, half-joking, half-serious.

Carlos sighed, realizing it was up to him. "Okay. Alright," he said, slowly approaching Ben with caution. "Okay, Ben. It's me, Carlos. Alright?" he said, holding his hands up in a non-threatening manner. When Ben almost struck him, Carlos quickly continued, "Whoa! Ben, Ben, it's Carlos. Alright? You know me. You helped me once. Remember with Dude? Right? Let me help you. Come on, let me see your hand. There you go. Alright."

Ben, still in beast form, hesitated but then extended his hand toward Carlos. "Atta boy—uh, beast—king, whatever," Carlos said, noticing a large splinter lodged in Ben's paw. "Oh, yeah, it's a big one."

With a quick count, "I'm gonna count, alright? One. Two," Carlos pulled out the splinter. Ben growled in pain but then calmed down.

"There it is! You did it!" Carlos exclaimed, relieved.

Suddenly, Jane appeared, armed with a water gun filled with enchanted lake water. She sprayed Ben, and in a flash, he transformed back into his human form.

"Hey!" Carlos cheered, rushing over to Jane, who looked equally relieved.

"Oh, my gosh," Jane started to say at the same time as Carlos, "—I forgot to call."

"I'm so glad you're alright!" they both said in unison, embracing tightly.

Jay, keeping an eye on Ben, asked, "Alright. You good?" Ben, now with a beard and still showing remnants of his beastly transformation, nodded as he walked with Maddox. "Yeah," Ben sighed, the weight of his ordeal still lingering.

"Take a seat right there. Yeah," Maddox said, guiding Ben to sit under a tree. "There you go."

Ben laughed, a little dazed. "Oh, that was... funky." He touched his face, realizing he still had sharp teeth and a beard. Jay pointed it out, and Ben, startled, said, "Huh? Oh, wow. Yeah, yeah."