Larry stood outside near a cave along with some other dinosaurs, waiting for Amy and the others to make it out ok, so that everyone could escape together. Larry ordered the dinosaurs to attack from the sides of the cave, and hopefully, make sure the bad guys don’t get out and follow them.

Amy has the time to escape; I hope she can get out of there before it’s too late.

Lots of noises came from inside, but Larry didn’t know the cause or who made the sounds. He saw that the cave would collapse real soon, so he told the dinosaurs to wait for the voices to come closer before striking down one more time.

“Hey, hold on!” A female voice shouted.

“Oh, there you are, come on, hurry!” Larry exclaimed as Amy, Tommy, Maggie, and Ruth rushed out of the caves.

As the group dashed away from the location, Larry gave out a signal for the dinosaurs to let out the finishing blow on the cavern, blocking the entrance.

“That was close. Seems like we’re safe for now.” Larry wiped his forehead and sighed. “So, how did I do? I helped big time, didn’t I?”

Amy panted and turned to glare at him. “What the heck is wrong with you? We could’ve gotten killed because of you!”

“Come on, Amy,” Tommy mentioned, raising his arms and getting between the two. “I don’t think this is a good time to talk about this.”

“Fair enough,” Amy sighed, calming down. “Let’s go back to my hideout; the dinosaurs can go if they want, or they can hide somewhere else...”

“All right, sounds like a plan.” Tommy nodded.

.-.-.-.

The group made it back to Amy’s hideout in ruins and took a break to have some Lime Paradise flavored tea. Amy continued to glare at Larry while sipping her tea.

“I still can’t believe you did that...” Amy muttered bitterly. “Why didn’t you stay behind and—?”

“He tried his best to help without getting in the way.” Tommy defended, setting his drink aside. “Besides, who knows what would’ve happened had he not interfered.”

“I guess, but there was still a good chance he’d trap us down there with the enemy.”

“I’m sorry.” Larry apologized, looking away. “I didn’t think it through...”

“You should be.” Amy got up and poured herself more tea.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Tommy glanced over at Maggie and Ruth, who didn’t take a single sip during the whole ordeal. “Are you guys, all right?”

“Yeah,” Maggie replied while staring down at her cup. “Antonio, on the other hand...”

“Oh no, what happened to him?” Tommy gulped and stared, waiting for a response. “Is he...?”

“No, he’s very much alive.” Maggie responded, “But I’m afraid he’s joined the enemy’s side...”

For a moment, Tommy grew speechless. Did he hear that correctly? His best friend has turned against him and the others? Why would he do that?

“...What?” Tommy finally murmured under his breath. “No, it can’t be.” He felt his voice tremble as he struggled to hold back the tears forming in his eyes. “You’re not lying, are you? There’s no way Antonio would do such a thing, r—right?”

“Beats me,” Amy said while shrugging. “Maybe we can get the loser back to his senses?” She guessed. “Larry did say that those guys are brainwashed and crazy, right?”

“Well, he did, but—”

“So, what’s the problem? We need to find him and work on the way to—?”

“Wait, I think I know where he is and where we need to go.” Tommy interrupted.

“You do?”

“You see, I had gotten a vision while I was knocked out.” He clenched his hands as they rested on his knees. “I was also told to go to a place; I think it’s called Fearsome something?”

“The Fearsome Heights?”

“Yeah, that’s it! How do you know Amy?”

Amy dashed over to the control panel and activated some gem buttons. A portal appeared with a screenshot depicting a location containing endless bounds of snow.

“You see, that’s where the next gem is at.”

“Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s get going!” Tommy exclaimed, standing up from his seat.

“Wait!” Ruth interrupted. “Tom, do you remember who told you about, you know...?”

“Now that I think about it, one of them looked like you except had eyelashes, and I think was—”

“Bertha?” Ruth gasped. He quickly got up from his seat as well. “I’m going too!”

“No,” Amy interjected. “You need to rest after what had happened.”

“What? But we’re both fine; we can handle this, right, Mag—?”

“Go,” Maggie muttered. “We’d probably just get in the way...”

“Huh?” Ruth questioned. “But...”

“Please, it’s best for you.” Tommy pleaded. Ruth eventually gave in and sighed in defeat. Then again, wasn’t there another person next to her? Could that have been...?

“Um, maybe I should stay behind as well?” Larry suggested.

“Oh no, you’re coming with us.” Amy declared, pulling his shirt sleeve over to her.

“What? But why?”

“In case you do anything suspicious. The scientist could still be—”

“Are you one to talk?” Maggie questioned, with her eyes squinting.

“Of course?” Amy replied, while raising an eyebrow.

“Do you still not trust me?” Larry asked, feeling hurt by the remark.

“Besides, what exactly would he accomplish?” Tommy pointed out.

“Hmm, that’s a good point,” Amy responded.

“You see?” Larry mentioned. “It’s a great reason for me too—”

“I don’t like the attitude you got there. Something tells me I'll need to monitor you.” Amy confirmed.

“What? But, can’t I at least mention to Mag—?”

Amy gave Tommy and Larry two vials filled with a reddish liquid. “Here, drink the Brew of the Elements. You’ll be able to withstand the cold better.”

“Um, what’s in this?” Tommy asked.

“Blended crystals,” Amy replied.

“Uh-huh, and what else?”

“Classified.”

“Oh, come on!”

“Nope, no more time to waste, we got to get a move on!” Amy declared. “We’ll be back.”

And just like that, Amy, Tommy, and Larry headed towards the portal as it disappeared from view. Ruth and Maggie weren’t sure of what to do next as they sat there in silence.

“I wonder what he was going to say...” Maggie murmured.

“Huh, did you say something?” Ruth asked.

“No, it’s nothing.”