"I've got a laptop here," Gwen announced, going to her suitcase and retrieving the portable computer from inside. She placed it on the dinette table, plugged in the power cord, and booted it up.
Opening the map application first, she confirmed her current location: the city of Washington, D.C.
"Let me search for the Museum of Natural History in Washington..." Gwen muttered to herself, her fingers dancing across the keyboard as she typed in the search terms.
Within moments, a red marker appeared on the digital map, indicating the location of the only major natural history museum in the D.C. area.
"Gwen, zoom in on the intersections around the museum," Asher suggested from beside her.
Gwen plugged in an external mouse and used her right hand to navigate and zoom in on the map for more detail. Asher carefully memorized the most efficient route, then looked up at Max and described the entire path with precise turn-by-turn directions.
"Got it. I'll take us there," Max confirmed, memorizing the route as he sat behind the wheel. His foot found the accelerator and the rust bucket lurched forward, heading for the Museum of Natural History.
"Let's look up Dr. Animo while we're driving," Gwen decided, closing the map application and typing the mad scientist's name into a search engine.
A comprehensive profile of Dr. Animo quickly filled the screen.
"Dr. Aloysius Animo, male, former Doctor of Veterinary Medicine," Asher read aloud, scanning the biographical information. "He was once nominated for the Veritas Award, but went insane after losing the prestigious recognition for his genetic research..."
His eyes narrowed as he processed the timeline. "Gwen, see when the next Veritas Award ceremony is scheduled."
"I actually know this one, I've been tracking science awards for my college applications," Gwen replied confidently, her studious nature proving useful once again. "The ceremony is today."
"That explains everything," Asher concluded, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "Dr. Animo isn't just testing his genetic mutation device, he's planning to attack the Veritas Award ceremony to get his revenge!"
"Don't worry, you can definitely stop him," Gwen said, looking at Asher with obvious admiration in her green eyes.
"Wait, I have a question that's been bugging me!" Ben interjected, raising his hand with curiosity written all over his face. "What exactly is the Veritas Prize?"
"The Veritas Award is second only to the Nobel Prize in scientific prestige," Asher explained patiently. "It's considered the ultimate recognition that many scientists dream of receiving."
"Gee Ben, you really need to read more," Gwen scolded her cousin with her characteristic bluntness. "How do you not know about one of the most important scientific awards?"
"Cut me some slack, I'm not a total nerd," Ben protested, sticking out his tongue before patting Asher on the shoulder. "Of course I'm not talking about you, Asher, it's just Gwen who's a total bookworm!"
Their familiar bickering made Asher smile despite the seriousness of their situation. He had grown accustomed to the dynamic between his cousins.
Beep! Beep!
The Omnitrix's distinctive chime emanated from Asher's wrist, drawing his attention to the device. The red cooling indicator had turned green, signaling that the watch was recharged and ready for another transformation.
The sight of the active Omnitrix filled him with renewed confidence for the confrontation ahead.
After several more minutes of casual conversation, darkness began to fall over the city as the Rust Bucket finally arrived at the imposing entrance of the massive Natural History Museum.
As the four of them stepped out of the RV, the atmosphere around them was unnaturally quiet and ominous. Such a prominent institution should have security guards, employees, and evening patrons, but the building stood eerily silent with the main doors hanging wide open.
"This place gives me the creeps," Gwen whispered, unconsciously shrinking closer to the group as an instinctive fear crept into her voice.
"Maybe you and Ben should wait here while Grandpa and I check out the museum," Asher suggested seriously, his expression growing grave as he addressed his cousins.
He was genuinely concerned that the battle between him and any ancient creatures Dr. Animo might have reanimated could put innocent bystanders in serious danger.
"Asher's absolutely right," Max agreed with a firm nod, sharing his grandson's protective instincts. He was far more concerned about Ben and Gwen's safety than the experienced Asher.
"No way, Grandpa! I'm not afraid," Ben declared defiantly, clenching his fists to project strength and determination.
Gwen clutched a plastic bag, the large container obviously containing something important. "I'm not leaving either," she said firmly. "I brought something that could help you."
"Grandpa, let's take them with us," Asher decided after seeing the determined expressions on his cousins' faces. "I know Ben and Gwen well enough to predict that even if we refuse, they'll just follow us in secret anyway. It's actually safer to keep them where we can protect them."
Seeing the determination in both children's eyes, Asher turned to persuade Max rather than continue the futile argument.
"All right, we'll stick together," Max reluctantly agreed, shaking his head in resigned acceptance as he headed for the entrance. Asher followed close behind, with Ben and Gwen bringing up the rear.
As they crossed the threshold into the main hall of the museum, they were immediately enveloped in an oppressive darkness. The vast space was pitch black, making it nearly impossible to see their surroundings clearly until they got close enough to make out the massive dinosaur skeletons looming in the shadows.
The entire museum was eerily silent except for the sound of their careful footsteps, which seemed to echo loudly in the cavernous room.
Gwen instinctively reached out and grabbed one of Asher's arms, following closely behind him with the plastic bag slung over her shoulder. The gesture was both comfort and guidance in the unsettling darkness.
"If danger comes, stay behind me and be ready to run," Asher whispered reassuringly to Gwen, giving her a reassuring look despite the tension of their situation.
Gwen nodded obediently, her eyes darting nervously from side to side as they moved deeper into the museum.
Something's definitely wrong here, Asher thought with growing unease. Dr. Animo should have arrived hours ago to prepare his prehistoric army. Why is everything so quiet?
"This feels like an ambush," Asher muttered as they reached the center of the main hall. He stopped abruptly and grabbed the corner of Max's shirt, trying to signal them to retreat to the entrance immediately.
But it was already too late.
CLICK!
Suddenly, every light in the massive hall came on simultaneously, flooding the entire room with brilliant illumination!
The sudden transition from darkness to blinding light caused Asher's eyes to water and reflexively narrow. Through his squinted vision, he could make out the giant mutant parrot blocking their only exit, and Dr. Animo triumphantly perched on its back!
"You fools actually walked right into my trap!" Dr. Animo sneered as he removed his red-tinted sunglasses, revealing a malevolent grin spreading across his pale features. "Did you really think you could interfere with my plans and live to tell about it?"
BOOM!
BOOM!
From hidden positions on either side of the hall, two massive Triceratops, each several times larger than the giant hamsters at the mall, burst through hidden doorways and charged into the open!
The thunderous impact of their footsteps caused the entire museum to shake violently, rattling display cases and causing dust to rain down from the ceiling high above!
"These magnificent creatures have been patiently waiting for you to spring my trap!" Dr. Animo declared with sadistic satisfaction, his voice echoing through the hall. "I know that the red alien transformation is somehow connected to you, and now I'm going to capture you all for my experiments!"
Asher's mind raced as he assessed their dire situation, trapped in the center of the hall with prehistoric predators blocking every possible escape route and Dr. Animo holding the high ground with his aerial advantage.
The fight for their lives was about to begin.