"And then, that same boy gathered his friends to go on a vengeful journey only to allow them to be captured by said bad guy."
Caleb yelled, "Don't listen to him, Liam!"
"It's not your fault! We came with you because we wanted to!" yelled Rhonda.
"Aren't your friends sweet? Too bad. They might change their tune when they see what you're really made of." Thomas walked over to the center of the platform. At the edge closest to Liam was a grayish console that controlled the chains.
"Don't do anything stupid, Thomas! We can work this out, just you and me!"
Thomas turned around and spat, "You embarrassed me in front of the whole ball team!"
The shock of what Thomas had just said snapped Liam out of his angry state. Was he really that upset over a simple sucker punch? Suddenly, he didn't seem like the big bad boss that he pretended to be. He felt pity for Thomas. Pity that he would never know what it meant to have true friends. Friends that would willingly walk into the face of danger with him.
"Thomas, you're pathetic."
"I'll show you pathetic." Thomas pressed a button and the ground began to shake again. "This time you have to choose. Revenge... or saving your friends!"
The chains that were holding Rhonda and Caleb's cages unhooked and began to retreat back into the ceiling. Then the stone pillars that the cages sat on shook and began to slowly lower toward the lava!
"Thomas, let them go!"
Thomas grabbed hold of a chain coming down from the stone ceiling. He secured himself to it and then pressed a button. As he slowly began to rise, he yelled, "Oh, they're going. It's up to you to save them. Unless you'd rather come after me, that is."
Liam knew that going after Thomas would spell the end for his friends. He'd have to let Thomas go for the time being.
Right before Thomas disappeared into the hole in the ceiling, he yelled one more tease. "Oh, and that thing over there being held by the chains? Yeah, you probably don't want to wake it up."
13
It was only a matter of minutes before all three platforms that held his friends would sink into the lava. Liam sprang into action. The pillar on the right, the one that held Rhonda, was sinking the fastest. However, it was also the closest to Liam and once it got low enough he could run and jump onto it.
He ran back a few feet to give himself plenty of room to gain speed. Three seconds went by and then he took off. Right as the column got within reach, he and Shadow both leapt into the air and Liam slammed into the side of the stone pillar. Barely hanging on, he scrambled as fast as he could to get his footing. Once he had, he swung his sword at the lock on the cage, and it broke apart freeing Rhonda.
She hugged him tight. "Thank you! Thank you!"
Both Caleb and Katie's platforms were sinking fast. Katie's was going at a faster rate, but it also had the farthest to go. Liam said, "Quick, we have to get Caleb next!"
"It's too far!"
Rhonda was right. There was no way either of them could risk the jump without falling into the hot lava. Seconds sped by as Liam watched both his friends inch closer and closer to the lava. He eyed the distance between the pillar Caleb was trapped on and Katie's platform.
"Caleb, can you make the jump?"
Caleb turned to his left and knew what Liam was thinking. If he could somehow get free, Caleb could jump onto Katie's platform as it lowered past his. Then he rattled the cage door. "Yeah, but this lock ain't budging!"
Liam pulled the boomerang from his backpack. "I have an idea!"
A loud clanking sound startled everyone. The chains holding Katie's platform were letting out faster! Katie yelled, "Hurry, Liam!"
"Caleb, try to catch it if I miss!" He aimed at the lock on the cage and flung the boomerang. The first try went high and to the left.
Fortunately, there was just enough room for Caleb to jump up and extend his arm through the bars to grab it. He tried breaking the lock with the boomerang but the wood was too weak. "It's no use!"
There wasn't enough time to try again. Then it hit him. If he waited just long enough, the platform Katie was trapped on would reach Liam's height giving him just enough time to make the jump and run over to the console. It was risky. Liam had to stop Caleb's pillar from lowering.
Liam spoke only to Rhonda, "We're gonna run out of time. The platforms won't line up right so that he can make the jump if we wait." He nodded toward the control console. "We've got one chance to do this. Here." He had been carrying their weapons in his backpack and handed Rhonda her spear.
"When I say go, jump across to Katie's platform. Free Katie and I'll deal with the controls."
They waited another two seconds and the platform was within reach. "GO!" Liam, Rhonda, and Shadow all jumped as far as they could and landed on the hard stone platform. Rhonda rolled toward the cage and quickly broke the lock, freeing Katie. Liam slammed his fist into the button to stop all the platforms from falling. Nothing happened.
"It's not working!" he yelled as he continued to punch the button.
"Oh, no. Caleb!"
There wasn't much time. "You two! Get to the other side. Now!"
"We're not leaving you!" Katie yelled.
"Go!" he ordered. He watched as Rhonda and Katie made it safely to the stone floor on the other side of the lava lake. "Go on, boy!" Shadow made the jump and then Liam turned to Caleb. There was no room for error. He'd have to make the jump perfectly as the two platforms aligned, quickly free Caleb, and then immediately turn and jump back to the platform. He had done it a hundred times in Super Mario Bros. But he was no Mario, and there would be no extra life to try again if he missed.
"Dude! Go on without me!" Caleb yelled. "There's no time!"
He had to try.
No way he could ever live with himself if he didn't.
Liam judged the distance once more, ran back to take his place, and then took off. He leapt into the air above the lava. Grabbing ahold of the iron bar to brace himself from going over the edge on the other side, he landed on top of the pillar. Quickly, he swung his sword to break the lock, did a one-eighty, and he and Caleb jumped as hard as they could from a standing position. They both hit the middle platform and rolled.
Jumping up, Liam said, "Quick! Before the platform gets too low!" They raced across the middle platform hoping to make the jump before it got lower than the floor on the other side. They both leapt into the air just in time to slam into the stone side. Their hands grasped at the top of the ledge while trying to hold on and not slip into the lava. Their faces and chests ached from the impact. Rhonda and Katie ran to the edge and helped pull them up.
Finally, Liam crawled across solid ground, breathing hard and thankful to no longer be dangling for his life. He glanced back at Caleb who was also lying face down on the stone floor. Liam was thankful they were all alive. Liam pushed himself up from the ground in time to see the platforms fall into the molten lava below. A sick feeling entered his stomach at the thought of one of them not making it.
He turned and there she was, pretty as ever. "Everyone okay?" They all nodded, but he didn't notice. His eyes were locked on Katie's.
She smiled shyly and nodded, too. Then she ran to him. She fell into his arms and he squeezed tight. He never wanted to let go. His body filled with joy and happiness to have her back, even if only partially. He still wasn't sure what to believe about the clones, but he felt in his heart that she was really Katie. Thanks to him, there would be time later to figure everything else out.
Katie stepped back and pulled something from her pocket. "I've been holding on to this. I knew you'd find me."
Liam took the photo from her. It was the photo of Katie and Liam that she kept on her dresser. Warmth and happiness rushed through him. At that moment he knew things would work out.
"Uh, guys," began Caleb. "I know you're both really happy to have each other back, but uh..."
Liam turned to see what Caleb was staring at. His jaw nearly fell to the floor. Behind them, the three stone pillars
that held chains began to shake. The chains began to slide around, and a deep growl echoed through the stone chamber. Liam's eyes grew wider and wider as he watched a giant dragon stand from its slumber.
14
A huge, fifty foot dragon stood before them. Its skin was dark and textured, and it looked tough enough to withstand even a blade. Its chest heaved with every breath. Wind escaped through its flaring nostrils.
Katie took a step back. "There's no way we can beat that thing!"
"Anyway we can just run past it?" Caleb asked.
"Probably not," Liam dug into the backpack again, pulled out the crossbow, and handed it to her. "But we won't go down without a fight."
"Wow, where'd you get this?"
"In the graveyard."
She made a face. "Graveyard?"
The dragon stomped its enormous foot into place and the whole chamber shook.
Liam slid his arm into the shield and took his fighting stance with his sword in the other hand. "No time to explain!"
Then the dragon raised its head and let out a roar so loud and so deep that it rattled their teeth. The roar would put a T-Rex to shame. Next, the dragon lowered its head and snorted.
"Uh-oh," said Caleb. "Get ready to roll!"
Sure enough, he knew what was coming. The dragon then let out a breath of fire that stretched from the three stone pillars where it stood all the way past the kids to the lava lake.
Rhonda looked down at her shirt hem. Singed from the flames. A look of horror crossed her face. "Split up!"
The four of them ran to different areas of the chamber. Since she carried the crossbow, Katie was the one who had the most strategic options. While Rhonda, Caleb, and Liam had to get in close to fight, she found a rock formation on the left side of the chamber to climb. There were small boulders scattered across the ground that the others could use as cover, but considering how strong the dragon looked, that cover wouldn't last long.
Caleb peeked around his boulder and waited for his chance. Then he took off toward the dragon and unleashed several hacks at its foot. His blade wasn't cutting through the tough exterior. It only made the dragon mad causing it to roar and blow fire again.
"Are you trying to get us all crispy fried?" yelled Liam. His eyes darted around the room for another option. The chains that held the dragon were still intact. "What if we knocked over the pillars?"
They were fairly tall, and if they landed on the dragon just right, they would cause damage. It was worth a try.
"Katie," Liam yelled. "Shoot his eyes! Rhonda, Caleb, follow me!"
The three ran over to the first pillar and began attacking it with everything they had while Katie shot bolts at the dragon's eyes. She was an excellent shot and the dragon swung its head around to avoid any more.
Rhonda yelled, "It's working!"
"Keep distracting him, Katie!" Liam swung his sword at the pillar as hard as he could. Fortunately, Caleb's axe was doing the most damage, and the pillar was about to topple. "Push!" The three of them grunted and pushed, and the pillar started to slide.
Caleb turned around, put his back against the pillar, and pushed with his legs. "Raaaaaaahhhhhh!"
Finally, the pillar gave way, and it found its target. Slamming into the side of the dragon, the pillar caused the dragon to stumble to the side. With Katie still shooting at its eyes, the three of them ran up to it and slashed at its belly.
It was working!
They were able to get in quite a bit of damage before the dragon regained its footing. When it did, another blast of hot fire breath shot out of its mouth. The kids were expecting it and had already ducked behind cover. Once it passed, they ran back over to the second pillar.
"Keep it up!"
The second pillar went down and they were able to unleash an array of attacks on the dragon once again. After another quick duck for cover, they were at the third pillar. Liam was panting harder by that time, and Caleb and Rhonda were both drenched with sweat. They'd have to use their last ounce of energy to topple the third pillar.
Liam's swings were lazy and wild. Between his bum shoulder and pure exhaustion, he wasn't doing much damage. From the distance he heard Katie's voice.
"Almost there, Liam! Just a little more!"
It was the jolt he needed, and he and his friends all refocused their efforts for the final push. The pillar slid off its base and slammed into the dragon once more causing it to smash into the stone floor.
Katie had the best vantage point and yelled, "Liam, quick! Run up its back!"
Yeah! And just like in a game, Liam scaled the dragon's back while the others continued their ground and air attacks. The spines jutting out from the dragon's back gave something for Liam to grab on to. The higher he traversed, the more he struggled. Not just physically but mentally as well. The ground was getting farther and farther away making his head swim with thoughts of slipping to his death.
"Just like the staircase. You can do this," he told himself. From down below he heard Caleb say there was a little more to go. If he could just reach the dragon's head, he could put the finishing touches on it.
Then the dragon began to move. It must've felt Liam's weight and realized what was going on. As the dragon leaned to the side, Liam slipped. He held onto a spine for dear life.
Katie covered her mouth when she saw what was happening. "Oh, no. Liam! Hold on!"
Rhonda looked up and Liam's feet were dangling free. She nudged Caleb. "Look."
Caleb yelled up to Liam, "Hang on!"
Katie glanced around the room for something to help, but there was nothing. He would fall if they didn't get to him soon. Being the closest, she took off down the other side of the boulder she was standing on. When she got close enough, she leapt across to the dragon's tail right as it flung up into the air. Barely getting a grip, she held on with all her might. The tail continued to sway, but she got her footing and climbed its back as fast as she could.
She was a spine away from Liam when the tail jerked to the left causing Liam's bum shoulder to tinge with pain, and he slipped. He felt someone grab his arm and he looked up to see the most beautiful face. Angel eyes stared down at him.
"I've got you!" Katie said as she helped pull him to his feet again.
Liam only had a second to catch his breath before the dragon flicked its tail again. But they were ready and used the opportunity to scale up its neck. There wasn't much to hang on to the closer they got to its head.
Liam looked at Katie. "Now what?"
She glanced around before spotting the swaying chain around the dragon's neck. "I have an idea! Grab the chain and hand it to me."
Liam didn't know what she was cooking up, but he reached out with his sword and gently guided the chain close enough for her to grab it.
Then she attached the dangling end of the chain to one of her bolts. "Hang on!" She fired the bolt into the dragon's eye. As it pierced the eye, fiery blood splattered and the dragon wailed in agony.
"Nice shot!"
"Quick! Move to the other side and do it again."
Liam was able to grab the other dangling chain and give it to her. Again, she shot the chain and bolt into the dragon's eye. More blood spewed from its eye and he heaved a puff of fire. The dragon was going down! The dragon raised its head one last time.
"Get ready to grab those chains!" Katie yelled.
He didn't know how she knew it would work, and he didn't care as long as it did. As the neck flopped downward, Liam and Katie jumped for each of the chains. Liam felt like he was flying. It was a strange sensation having just taken a leap of faith. His arms outstretched, it was almost like slow motion in a movie. As the chains grazed his fingertips, he grabbed as tight as he could. He glanced over at Katie as she did the same.
"Hang ooooonnnnn!"
The dragon's neck was falling, and the weight of their jumps dislodged the eye from its sockets sending the chains free and Liam and Katie rolling onto the hard floor. They rolled a few feet to dodge the dragon's head
as it slammed into the stone floor. The impact echoed throughout the chamber.
Liam threw his fists into the air. Everyone jumped to their feet and cheered! The dragon had been slain and they could go home.
He hoped getting there would not be tricky. Liam held up the hilt of his sword so the eye could see him. All he needed to do was give a nod and Morgan would zap them out of there. Before he could do it, he looked up at the ceiling. No way to go after Thomas since the platforms had all fallen into the lava. He nodded as he vowed to himself. He'd have to save that fight for another day.
He smiled at his friends. "Ready to go?" There was no question, so he nodded at the eye.
15
When all four kids opened their eyes, Morgan was there to greet them. Upon seeing Katie, Morgan's expression turned into a grin from ear to ear. "Miss Katie," he extended his hand, "it's an honor to finally meet you."
She shook Morgan's hand but glanced at Liam who was there to reassure her. "This is Morgan Paradise... a friend."
"Nice to meet you," she said.
"I'm looking forward to getting to know you better, but for now," he turned to his computer and punched a few keys, "we've got to figure out how to get home. The real home."
"Yeah, I'm looking forward to taking on that tournament," said Caleb.
"Can we do like last time and open another portal?"
"I'm afraid all the teleporting you back and forth has raised some red flags in the system."
Liam approached the computer. "What do you mean?"
"It seems someone is updating the code as we speak."
"Changing the game as we play? Is that possible?"
"Kid, the way everything is going these days, I don't question anything anymore." Morgan punched a few more commands. "Just a sec. With a little change here and here, I'm pretty sure I can zap us back to the real world."
But before he could go any farther, the monitor flashed. The program he was using to hack the game code crashed.
Zombie Boy 2: Level Up (Adventures of Zombie Boy) Page 8