Having negotiated their way over and through the maze of crystal layers, the Storm Hawks and Starling had soon found a low stream, almost hidden from above by what once must have been vines, which began to lead them deeper and deeper into the structure.
"It's a good thing the water hasn't frozen over" Piper said as they waded through the calf high water.
"Still cold though" Finn complained.
"We should be able to get in by following this stream" Aerrow said looking at the small hand drawn map of the mansion and its gardens Skyler had given them, with a small torch before looking back up and pointing the small beam of light, big enough to let them see but not to attract attention, just ahead of him.
They soon came to a small but quite tall man made waterfall, which allowed water to gently flow down into the steam below. Luckily the group were prepared and had brought sturdy ropes which Finn attached to the arrow in his crossbow, hitting the stone arch at the top of the waterfall, enabling two ropes to dangle down.
But, as they prepared to climb the structure they were unaware that high above, they had been spotted.
"Should I stop them" Entei asked Molly, who shook her head, as they watched the group.
"No they seem different I want to watch them some more" She replied.
Aerrow had just tied one of the ropes around his waist as he prepared to use the other to hold onto as he climbed up.
"Ready?" Junko, who was holding both ropes tight, asked as Aerrow nodded before he secured the touch to his belt and made sure his blades wouldn't slip out as he pulled himself up a little and securing his foot as best he could.
"Careful Aerrow" Starling called as he began to cautiously navigate his way up the wet stone, going horizontal as he climbed higher and higher.
Up in Molly's room, she, Entei and Ace were watching Aerrow climb.
"I don't understand why he's trying to get into the house?"She asked Ace, who didn't respond.
That looks like … He thought as, at that moment, Aerrow's feet slipped from the rock, causing him to slam into the hard stone wall with only the ropes and Junko's strength holding him up.
"Aerrow be careful!"Ace called out, his eyes returning to normal as he regained his memories, causing Molly to look up worried.
"What's wrong Sky Knight Ace?" She asked in concern as Ace turned to see Molly and the large creature that had brought him here. But knowing it would be safer for both himself and the others to play along for now, he shrugged.
"Oh, nothing" He replied, making Molly relax again and turn back to the window.
"I think that boy must be part of a squadron with his friends to be so brave" She said turning to Ace again, who nodded, relieved to see Aerrow get his feet back on the rock, making Molly's face light up.
"Wow another squadron, I can't wait to meet them!" She in delighted, not knowing the much more serious reason why the group were entering the mansion.
Having managed to scale the rest of the waterfall without further incident, Aerrow stood on top of the structure, soaking wet and breathing heavily, knowing he was very lucky not have fallen from a hight which would have broken his leg, or worse.
"I'm up, here's the rope" He called as he threw back down the ropes so the others could climb up.
Soon all of them were up the waterfall and ready to carry on through the dark tunnel that then lead into a large, shallow pool with what looked like a small summer house on one side and the beginnings of the house on the other, attached by a series of stepping stones. That was when they all heard a soft bleeping noise in their ears as the communicators rang. Pressing the small buttons on the devices they all heard Skyler's voice on the other side.
"It's me, have you seen any Unknown?" He asked.
"We haven't seen anything yet" Aerrow replied, looking around.
"I've been rereading the professor's research and I think I've found a cause for all this" Skyler said. "Unknown are said to supposedly have the ability to read people's dreams" He explained.
"You mean.." Piper began to say.
"I'm afraid so, they're bringing to life all of Molly's dreams and wishes, that crystal fortress maybe one of her fantasies come true" Skyler told them.
"Aright Skyler we'll tread careful" Aerrow said, finishing the call.
"We're battling a seven year old girl's dreams!" Finn whined.
"Exactly and that's what makes it dangerous, there's no telling what she'll do next" Starling replied, looking up at the two towers, wondering if Molly was in one of them.
After walking up to the house, however, they found that the doors were stuck together with the crystal.
"They're stuck fast" Junko said as he tried to force them but with no luck.
"Hold on, this still feels like a window" Aerrow said, feeling one of the panels on the door before taking out one of his blades and used the hilt to break the panel, leaving a large enough gap for the group.
"Yes!" Piper said with a smile at their luck. But, the next moment, however, the crystallisation repaired the damage, leaving the panel looking untouched.
"No!" Finn said in despair.
"Now what?" Stork asked, sounding a little panicked. But Piper seemed to have come up with an idea as she began rummaging in her crystal pouch, which was attached to her belt, before pulling out a flame coloured stone.
"This might work" She said as she stood in front of the doors and activated the crystal. A blast of fire erupted from it, slamming into the panelling and burning a hole in the crystal. For a second it looked as if it had worked as the hole seemed to stay open longer, but again the crystal repaired the damage. "This crystal's amazing" Piper muttered to herself, half amazed and half annoyed. Finn however, was fully annoyed.
"It's impossible, isn't there another way round?" He asked.
"No, it's this way or we turn back" Aerrow said, looking at the map again.
"Wait I may just be able to delay the repairing, at least long enough for us to get in" Piper said, pulling out another crystal, this one a dark blue colour. "But were going to have to move quick, this water crystal should send a jet stopping the crystal" Piper explained.
"So were going to have to jump into the jet stream.." Starling started, guessing what Piper's plan was.
"And use the force of the water to get in quickly enough before the hole closes again" Piper finished, nodding her head in response.
"Oh great" Storm muttered, not liking the plan one bit.