"I guess we should head back to the farm now. I'm sure Joan still has a couple jobs for us," Max said, climbing the stairs from the basement.
Gwen frowned. "What about those cows?"
Max shook his head. "It's fine. They weren't exposed long enough for the corrodium to have permanent effects."
Fred stretched his arms, already preparing a spell. "I'll handle the cleanup—repair the damage, wipe memories, the usual. Give me a few minutes." Gwen joined him, weaving her own enchantments to help along.
When the last door clicked shut, the kids exchanged a look and then ran to Max, voices high with apology and pleading. "Please don't make us go back to the farm!" they begged.
Max chuckled, relieved. "Hoo, that's a relief. I'd forgotten how much I hated working at Uncle Jedediah's farm when I was a kid." The gang laughed, agreeing to skip the farm chores.
By evening, the Rustbucket rolled into Philadelphia. Max grinned. "Perfect timing. Carnevale's in town."
The kids scattered to different games. Ben stopped at a booth where you throw balls to knock down objects. He wound up dramatically. "Bottom of the ninth, two out, full count… Tennyson winds up and—" He hurled the ball. It missed.
"What?! That shot was perfect!" Ben cried.
The booth owner smirked. "Too bad, kid. Don't give up—pay up and try again. Maybe the fourth one's lucky."
"Yeah, right," Ben muttered, stomping off. "City of Brotherly Love, and they're still cheating at games."
Max patted his shoulder. "That's life sometimes. Now come on, you can't visit Philly without seeing the Liberty Bell."
Ben grumbled. "If I went hero, I'd win every one of those stupid games."
Fred walked up, arms full of prizes. "And cause a ruckus for all of us."
Ben's jaw dropped. "How'd you win that many?!"
Fred smirked. "Skill."
Suddenly, screams erupted as a red pickup truck barreled through the crowds, scattering people like leaves. On its bed, the Liberty Bell rocked. Max yanked the kids aside. "Look out!" The pickup roared past them.
Fred's eyes narrowed. "Who would commit such a stupid crime here, now?"
Ben's eyes narrowed. "I got this." In a blink he shifted—XLR8—legs a blur as he sprinted after the truck.
One thief shouted, "What the hell is that?!"
"Just shoot it!" another yelled.
Ben leapt, transforming mid‑air into Upgrade, merging with the pickup. The driver gaped, "What the—?". Ben grinned, "You guys picked the wrong day to go out stealing bells."
Ben released a green sparks of electricity sending a cascade of sparks that knocked the thieves unconscious, then controlling the truck, he brought it to a juddering halt.
Afterwards, Ben de‑merged with the truck turning back to his normal form. Nearby he spotted a booth: Guess the number of jellybeans in the bell and win a prize a person cried. He smirked. "Guess it's time for some… Grey Matter math." He tapped the Omnitrix, shrinking into Grey Matter jumping into the bell.
The next morning the gang strolled the city streets. Gwen spotted a small music pouch on Ben's belt. "huh!? Where'd you get that?" she asked.
Ben grinned. "Let's just say my little friend hooked me up."
Max stopped at a shop window. "Hey Ben—check this out." On the TV, the Cannons—Ben's hometown Little League team—were in the finals. Ben's face went pale, then furious with longing. "I was supposed to be on that team!" He rushed forward, face‑planting against the glass.
"You play sports?" Fred asked, mouth full of candy.
"In his dreams," Gwen said, smirking.
Ben turned, pleading. "Grandpa, can we go?"
"Sure—let's go," Max said, and they piled back into the rust bucket for the drive to Williamsport.
At the stadium entrance, security was tight—more than you'd expect for a kids game. "Is this really necessary for a kids' baseball match?" Gwen asked, eyebrows raised.
Max explained, "The President's a big fan. He likes to make an appearance and cheer for the kids."
Once cleared, Ben was practically bouncing. "I'm gonna go check on the Cannons!" He sprinted off.
Fred, Gwen, and Max headed to a food truck, waiting for him there.