AN: To be honest, I don't really like this chapter. I wrote it in a hurry and know it isn't my best work. Still, I hope you all enjoy it! I'll be sure to make the next one better.

"Uh, guys," Runt began.

"Not now Runt," Kate said, "We have to deal with Nick."

"Guys," Runt began again.

"Runt, listen to your mother," Humphrey said.

"Mom, Dad, I'd listen to him," Claudette said.

"Claudette, we're busy," Kate said sternly.

"But-" Stinky began.

"Really guys, later!" Humphrey echoed his mates tone.

"No, I'd listen to them," Helen, who had turned to see what the pups had been looking at, suggested.

Humphrey caved and looked over his shoulder. "Kate."

Kate turned to see what everyone else was had been looking at. She forgot all about Nick.

Their way out had been cut off by a translucent wall. It rippled and shimmered like it was made of water but it was dark. It was slowly creeping towards them.

"Well, there's a booby trap," Runt said in a high pitched voice.

Nick was still unresponsive as the strange wall moved closer. All of his hopes and dreams had been dashed, what did he care if he lived or died?

"What is it?" Stinky asked.

"Nothing good," Helen replied.

Kate picked up a rock and chucked at the approaching barrier. It passed straight through the substance. However, it wasn't in the same condition on the other side. Through the half-transparent wall, the group could see the dust that had once been the rock floating down to the floor.

"What do we do?" Claudette was on the verge of panicking, just like her siblings.

"Ok," Kate said firmly, "Everyone stay calm! Any ideas?"

"We dig through solid rock and come out the other side," Suggested Humphrey in a half-joking, half-panicked tone.

"Not the time Humphrey!" Kate snapped.

"There must be some way out," Helen said, "Some way to turn it off or get out."

"The walls," Runt suggested, "There might be some hidden switch in the walls or something." He remembered the liquids in the wall that had tried to kill and later save him.

With no better ideas, the wolves began to frantically search the walls, pressing against every square inch remaining on their side of the barrier. Nothing happened. Soon, they would be forced against the back wall where they could only wait for the end.

"There's nothing here!" Humphrey yelled.

"Pups get back!" Kate ordered, shoving them away from the ever-closing barrier.

They ended up in a heap several inches from the back wall. Runt was the closest, his face nearly touching it. He stared at the dull, dark wall that had been waiting for them, prepared to give them their reward for venturing into the Cave against all of the warnings.

Wait a second, Runt thought, a realization dawning on him, It's dark and rough! It's not glowing like the others! Why? Maybe…

He stuck out his paw and pressed it against the wall. To his surprise, his paw passed through it like it wasn't even there. Runt beamed at his discovery.

"Nick!" he yelled over at the despondent wolf, "The wall isn't real!"

Upon hearing those words, Nick's eyes lit up.

Without a word, he grabbed the pups and threw them through the fake wall. They landed on the other side and could see in perfect clarity what was happening past it.

Nick grabbed Helen, who was the closest to him, and shoved her through the illusion. She landed with a grunt. Nick then grabbed Kate and Humphrey and dragged them back. He threw himself and them through the image of the wall.

"What?" Kate asked to no one in specific, "But, there was a wall there!"

"It wasn't real," Nick explained, "it was just an image projected to make us think there was."

"We should probably get moving before that thing catches up with us," Humphrey pointed out.

"Wait," said Runt, "I think it'll…"

Before he could finish, the deadly wall passed into the fake wall and vanished. There was no trace of it. However, there was no guarantee that it wouldn't reappear when they crossed back over. No one wanted to check, even though they knew they had to.

"Seeing as you're the reason we're all down here," Kate growled at Nick, "Why don't you see if it really is gone?"

Nick swallowed hard but moved forward. He stuck his finger passed the barrier but nothing happened. He then completely crossed over and looked back, still alive.

All of the wolves were looking at him from the other side. Stinky was sticking his tongue out at him, still behind the protection of the fake wall.

"I can see you Bitey," Nick said, "The wall's gone."

Stinky quickly put his tongue back in his mouth but growled, "It's Stinky!"

"That's what I said."

Runt and Claudette both turned to see where they were now. To their surprise, it was a cavern that glowed like the cave. At the center of the cavern sat a wolf. The very same wolf Runt had seen in his dream when he had returned for a cure.

"Guys!" Claudette hissed through clenched teeth. All of the others turned to her before following her gaze.

The wolf spoke.

"I admire your courage for getting this far. You have navigated our many traps and deterrents. However, you shall go no further. We only want to be left in peace! Grant us that one wish, or face the consequences."

With that, she was gone.

AN: Talk about a lucky brake! And it's that wolf again! Again, I'm sorry if this isn't the best chapter I've ever written. Only one more chapter to go! I'll be sure wrap it up nicely. See you then!