he car slowed to a stop. Ethan turned to Ben. "Okay, Ben, I'll discuss this with your mother and mom."
Ben nodded, determination still in his eyes. "Okay, Dad!"
Xander furrowed his brows at Ethan. "Why'd you stop the car?"
Ethan smirked. "Because, gentlemen… we're here."
Xander glanced outside and let out a low whistle. "Whoa… this place has changed a lot!"
He turned to Sam. "So, what's the plan? Is this… our company? The one we left behind?"
Sam stepped out of the car, taking in the towering, glass-walled building in front of them. "I think so. Let's check it out."
Ben, Gwen, and Alex stood beside Xander, their eyes wide with curiosity. Gwen, unable to contain her excitement, grabbed Alex and Ben's hands and yanked them forward.
"Come on! Let's go inside!"
Sam and Xander approached the reception desk, where a well-dressed woman eyed them curiously.
"Hello, miss," Sam said, flashing a confident smile. "We need to speak with Harmony Brave Light."
The receptionist tilted her head. "Do you have an appointment?"
Sam let out a laugh and glanced at Xander. Without a word, Xander tossed him a coin.
Meanwhile, Gwen giggled and grabbed her communicator. "Uncle, we're at Food Castle! Come meet us!"
Xander arched a brow. "You know this place?"
The receptionist smiled. "She used to come here with her father, Guild Master John."
Sam chuckled. "Alright, princess, go have fun. And look after the boys!"
Gwen eagerly pulled Ben and Alex toward the elevator, leaving the adults behind.
Ethan scratched his head. "I just hope Ben doesn't cause trouble."
Just then, a man approached. "Sir, please follow me."
Xander and Sam exchanged glances before following him into a private room.
Food Castle – Trouble Brewing
Ben, Alex, and Gwen stepped into Food Castle—a massive, vibrant eatery where endless dishes lined the counters.
"Guys, this is Food Castle! We can eat anything we want!" Gwen announced, beaming.
Ben and Alex exchanged glances. They were starving. Without hesitation, they rushed to the counter.
"Uncle! Three Coco Bics ice creams!"
The vendor grinned and handed them their order. As they ate happily, a group of children walked in.
A mocking voice rang out. "Oh, look who it is!"
Gwen tensed. She knew that voice.
She turned and saw them—her old classmates, the ones who used to bully her.
One of the girls sneered and dangled a black doll."Look what I brought for you!"
Gwen's chest tightened. "No… not again…" Her mind spiraled into panic. Her hands trembled.
Just as she was about to scream, Alex took her hand.
"Forget them, Gwen. Just eat your ice cream," he said calmly.
Ben grinned. "If you don't eat, I'll eat it for you!"
Gwen's fear melted. Her friends were here. She wasn't alone. She smiled and took another bite.
But the bullies weren't done. One of the girls stepped closer, trying to provoke her further.
Ben turned to her and deadpanned, "Hey, pervert. Shoo. Go away."
Alex burst out laughing. "Sorry, but can you go sit somewhere else? We're trying to enjoy our ice cream."
The girl glared at them but sat down, whispering loudly about Gwen's past fears.
Gwen's hands clenched. Tears welled in her eyes.
Ben slammed his spoon down. "Hey, idiot! Don't you know how to talk like a decent human? Guess no one taught you!"
Alex sighed, patting Ben's shoulder. "Ben, let's just eat. Let the dogs bark."
The bullies snapped. In a fit of anger, they grabbed their drinks and hurled them at Gwen, Alex, and Ben. Sticky liquid soaked their clothes.
Ben's patience snapped. He stood up, fists clenched. "That's it!"
Alex caught his wrist. "Let it go, Ben. We can buy new clothes."
"Why are you holding back? Are we cowards?" Ben growled.
Alex shook his head. "We don't hurt weak people, Ben."
A sudden voice cut through the tension.
"Hey! Leave them alone!"
The room turned silent.
A girl stood at the entrance, her stance unwavering.
The bullies scoffed. "Oh great, another loser. An orphan! Just a weak little girl!"
Laughter erupted across the room.
The girl lifted her chin. "And? What's the big deal?"
Ben nudged Alex. "Alex… it's Athena."
Alex nodded. "Time to put an end to this."
The bully leader smirked and unleashed a powerful fire spell.
Flames roared through the air, spiraling toward Gwen like a flaming serpent.
Alex moved instantly the only technique he try to learn 'battle instinct'.
His sword was up. His shield locked in place. His body radiated pure dominance.
Ben's breath hitched. "A-Alex…?"
Alex didn't turn, his voice steady. "You guys okay? Gwen, are you hurt?"
Gwen looked up at him, her heart still racing. "I'm fine! But what about you—"
A sudden movement—
The bodyguard lunged for Alex.
But Alex moved faster.
With an earth-shaking charge, he rammed into the guard like a battering ram. The man's body lifted off the ground, crashing into the far wall with a sickening thud.
The room fell silent.
Security guards flooded in, surrounding the kids with weapons drawn.
But Alex stood tall. His sword did not lower.
"They're the troublemakers! Arrest them!" the bully girl yelled.
The guards hesitated.
Alex exhaled sharply. He struck his sword against his shield—
CLANG!
His gaze was cold, unyielding."I don't know who you are, and frankly, I don't care. But if you dare step any closer—" his grip tightened, his aura flaring dangerously—"I won't be holding back."
A heavy voice filled the room.
"That's enough."
An elderly man stepped forward. His uniform was crisp, his posture unshaken by the chaos around him.
"Children, put your weapons down." His words were clipped, professional, allowing no room for argument.
Alex's sword remained raised. His glare locked on the bully girl.
A sudden blur—
A guard charged at Alex from the side.
But before Alex could react, the man was already on the ground.
A foot pressed firmly against the back of his head. A glowing white eye stared down at him.
Xander.
His voice was like a blade cutting through steel. "I warned you. Stand down."
Alex's grip tightened on his sword. His body was still radiating power, his instincts still screaming fight.
Xander turned his gaze to his son, his white-hot eyes locking onto Alex's. His voice was lower now, steady but firm.
"Enough, Alex. Lower your weapon."
But Alex didn't move. The aura around him still crackled with dominance.
Sam's Intervention:
A soft chuckle broke through the tension.
Sam appeared beside Alex, hands in his pockets, eyes sharp. He tilted his head, smirking.
"You really know how to make a scene, kid." He exhaled, shaking his head. "First a food fight, now a battlefield? I swear, you and Ben attract chaos like moths to a flame."
His expression hardened just slightly. "Alex. We're here now." A pause. "You don't have to fight alone anymore."
Alex's grip loosened. His sword lowered—just slightly.
Elderly Man (Chief Security Officer):
A heavy voice filled the room. "That's enough."
An elderly man stepped forward. His uniform was crisp, his posture unshaken by the chaos around him. He exuded authority, the kind that didn't rely on weapons—just presence.
"Children, put your weapons down." His words were clipped, professional, allowing no room for argument.
Alex's sword remained raised. His glare locked on the bully girl.
"What about her?" His voice was edged with fire. "Her wand is still pointed at us."
The old man's sharp gaze flicked toward the bully leader. His tone hardened.
"Miss Viera. Drop. Your. Wand. Now."
For the first time, the bully girl hesitated.
The room stood still.