Orso Looba troops tagged alongside Ruth and Maggie as they headed out to find the place with the herbs known as Viper Spearmint grew, leaving Ringo and Riley behind.

Ruth made a map out of parchment and wrote the coordinates with some rocks and sticks. The troopers stayed close by as Ruth pointed to where the group needed to go next. They traveled up hills and across mountainsides until they finally reached their destination: The Whispering Expanse.

Maggie stood there and took in the scenery. Fireflies came out of the grass and headed up towards the sky. The girl wished she would’ve been able to bring her video camera. No one would believe that she witnessed such scenery. The bear troopers gave her a small nudge to remind her what they were here for and that they needed to hurry, since there was no time to waste.

While the crew walked down the hills, screams filled the air that came from miles away. The others weren’t sure what to do or where the strange cries originated. They could check in on whoever that was, or stay the course and pluck out the herbs.

“I sense a Mileti somewhere...” One of the bear soldiers said.

“That must be Anthony!” Maggie called out and smacked his fist onto his open palm hand. “We should go!”

“You two scope out the area for that sound. If anything happens, call for backup.” Ruth pointed at two Orso Loobas, who saluted and went on their way.

Maggie sighed. She knew why Ruth did that, but felt like she should contribute to the quest. The remaining bears told her she could assist by helping them find the Viper Spearmints for Tommy.

According to Ruth, they needed to collect the ones colored white and light blue. Maggie and the Orso Loobas walked around the field, plucking out each of the herbs and placing them in the red backpack for safe travel back.

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Just then, a big ripple appeared in the lake, and bubbles spewed water up like a geyser. It got everyone’s attention as they all turned to face the shadow that hovered above the waters.

“What’s going on? What’s happening?” Ruth asked, his body shaking.

“Something is there.” Another Orso Looba replied. “Stand back; it could be dangerous!”

Maggie stood there with her feet trembling and hands shaking. She wasn’t sure what it was and why no one could see it under the bright moonlight, that was until she noticed something odd about the shape and structure of the shadow. She squinted her eyes and went over to inspect who it could be.

“Hello!” The shadow chirped and waved at the others.

“Huh? Wait a minute, I know that voice...” Maggie groaned upon realizing who it was. “Alien girl, what are you doing here?”

“I came to collect some stuff for myself!” The shadow finally revealed itself, and it turned out to be Amy, who winked at Maggie.

“For what, though? Oh wait, let me guess, is it classified?” Maggie placed her hands on her hips in defiance.

“All right, I’ll tell you. I’m trying to make some magic brews and potions for later...” Amy explained.

“But why—?”

“Classified!”

Maggie groaned and placed a hand on her face. “You’re confusing me big time. I’m not even going to bother asking how you got here because I know what your response is going to be...”

“Um, excuse me?” Ruth asked.

“Yeah, what is it?” Maggie turned toward the bear.

“Do you recognize this, Mileti?”

“Well, yes, I’m afraid so.”

“Is she a friend of yours?”

“No, not even close.”

“Pardon me, miss.” A bear trooper interrupted their conversation as he walked up to them. “But we seem to have an issue, and it’s about the herbs.”

“Oh no, did we lose them somehow, or are we one short?” Maggie asked.

“The latter. There might be some in the water, but we’re unsure how to check because—”

“You don’t have to ask; this isn’t my territory,” Amy assured them. “So get what you’re looking for.”

“Wasn’t what I would say, but all right?”

“You better hurry, though, because there is—” Amy’s body ended up pulled into the water before she could finish her sentence.

The Orso Loobas gasped in shock, but Maggie rolled her eyes, thinking it was another stupid trick she had up her sleeves.

“What was she going to say?” Ruth questioned.

“She better not take away all the herbs for herself...” Maggie muttered.

She marched toward the lake, but no more bubbles appeared above the surface. As she leaned over to take a closer look, something orange and long came out of the water, causing Maggie to fall back in reflex.