A/N

Here is chapter 14 as promised. It is Amber and Hugo's part so I hope you'll like it.

But before that, I read a very interesting question. It's from ANONYMOUSPERSON 28, asking why Sofia hasn't used her powers in the story, like her shrinking ability and such. Now I just to say that I honestly haven't watched the entire series. I only finished until the end of season 2 but after that I was not able to continue. I started this story when the show was still in season 2 so I have no idea of the other powers the Amulet of Avalor has given her. I'm sorry if I wasn't able to show much of the amulet's power BUT I can tell you that the amulet is definitely connected to the curse. I wasn't supposed to tell any spoilers but as a treat since I haven't been active lately, I will tell you a bit. The amulet is connected to the curse and it will help Sofia along the way especially at the end. I can't place the powers she was given in the show since it might mess up the whole story. Lord of the Rink has already ruined my perspective I don't want anymore to add to it. I just want to focus on the idea I have right now because even the littlest things can influence my ideals.

So that's all I'm gonna say so on to the story.

Chapter 14 – Amber and Hugo

"Where are we?" Amber asked.

"Don't know but from the looks of it we're pretty much far away from the others." Hugo said as he looked behind them and saw nothing but pitch black. They couldn't even see the entrance anymore.

"Do you think we'll ever find the book?"

"Of course we will, Amber. You don't believe we can save your sister?"

"What? Of course, I believe… I still hope that we're going to. It's just that… we've been travelling for so long and every time we reach one point it would end up with us going to another. It's like we're in this maze that keeps us running in circles. I feel like it's never gonna end. I try to be strong all the time for Sofia but…" Amber's voice broke into sobs.

"Hey." Hugo grabbed both of Amber's shoulders and looked straight into her eyes wiping her tears away, "We will find that book. We will save Sofia. We will return to Enchancia safe and sound. And you are going to plan the most amazing party in honor of our return." Hugo chuckled at the last part but earned him a smile from Amber.

"Thanks."

Hugo and Amber began walking down the tunnel again. They walked for so long that Amber felt like they were walking in circles but Hugo assured her they weren't. They kept walking until Amber had stumbled on a rock.

"Ow!" Amber screamed as she fell on the ground.

"Are you okay?!" Hugo asked as he bent down to aid her and checked her foot if it was sprained. When he didn't get an answer, he raised his head to look at Amber. She was staring with fear at something behind him. He turned his head slowly to look at what's behind him. He saw Amber open her mouth to scream and tried to stop but failed. Amber's loud scream woke the bats up. They all went flying around the tunnel. Hugo pushed him and Amber to the ground and waited for all the bats to leave. When the bats were finally gone, Hugo got up and offered his hand to Amber to help her stand up.

"You know, James would've had a blast if he saw those bats. He was screaming for joy when he first saw them." Hugo said to Amber who was dusting her clothes.

"I'm not surprised. Although, I was surprised you two didn't bite each other's heads off when you first went in this cave."

"I almost did."

Amber giggled, "What did he do to annoy you this time?"

"What he's been doing for ten years… being a coward." Hugo groaned in annoyance, remembering his and James's conversation.

Amber's expression changed into a confused one, "What do you—"

"I know about it Amber. I've known that James has been in love with Sofia all this time. I've known about it for years. Why do you think James and I fight so much? Even though none of us told about our feelings for Sofia. We still knew that the other had the same feelings."

"So this wasn't just a school rivalry…" the princess stated more than asked.

"Yeah."

"But why would you be mad that James wouldn't admit his feelings to Sofia? Shouldn't you be glad instead?" It hurt for her to say that but she couldn't deny that the man she loves was in love with another.

"It annoys me to see him like that. He isn't James. And besides things are different now."

The last statement confused Amber, "What do you mean by that?"

"He isn't James, Amber. The James we all know is one of the bravest princes there is. He never backed down on any challenge back at the academy. Yet now…"

Amber then realized what Hugo meant. She'd been having the same problem with James. "I know what you mean… it's not the same when he isn't the James we know. He's been really stubborn when it comes to this topic. I understand what James feels, he's afraid. Anyone can be afraid. It doesn't exclude him."

"I was afraid too, you know. I was terrified when I confessed to her. I won't lie to you, it did hurt a lot… but now I just feel relieved like a weight was finally lifted from my chest. I know that I don't have a chance to be with her anymore but… it doesn't mean that I'm not going to care for her as friend. I want her to be happy with the one she loves even though she hasn't realized it herself. James needs to take a leap before it's too late. I know that he's afraid of getting rejected. He's afraid that everything will change between them… but I was willing to take the risk and after being rejected, I was finally able to move on, start from the beginning, and maybe someday, I'll find somebody who loves me back." Hugo warmly smiled at Amber and gently squeezed her hand he's been holding the entire time.

She couldn't help but hope at his words. Could there still be a chance for her? Even though she had been hurt so many times, she still hoped that there was a possibility for her dream to come true. "Hugo—"

All of the sudden the ground began to shake. Small rocks and dust were falling from the cave. Behind Hugo and Amber was the soft roaring sound that became louder and louder with every second. It only until it was so close that they realized it was the massive flood rapidly flowing towards them.

"RUN!"

Amber and Hugo ran as fast as their feet could take them. The vibrations in the ground became stronger until a hole was drilled in the ceiling and water burst out like geysers. Amber and Hugo managed to avoid it but more appeared. Each one they tried to dodge without losing their speed. They ran and ran that seemed like forever without a way out until they saw a bright light ahead. Amber was slowly feeling tired. She couldn't feel her legs. Not noticing the rock on the floor, she tripped.

"Hugo!" with her bit of strength, she managed to cry out.

Hugo heard her call and turned to see Amber lying on the ground. "Amber!", He quickly ran back to her. He bent down and placed her arm around his shoulder as he wrapped his other arm around her waist. He stood up, taking Amber with him as he began to walk towards the exit. "Come on Amber. We're almost there."

He didn't get a response. Amber was barely conscious. The flood was getting near them. Hugo went on, trying his best to support Amber, with a determined look.

"Go…" he heard a whisper and realized it was Amber.

"A-Amber… hey, it's okay. I'm right here. Just hold on."

"G-go…"

Hugo realized Amber must trying to say his name but was too tired, "I'm here. Don't worry."

"Y-you… must… g-go…" she managed to breath out.

The prince tensed at her words. How could she say that to him? He couldn't. He would not leave her. Never. "What? D-don't be silly Amber. You expect me to just l-leave you here?"

She gave a soft nod.

"No. We're getting out of this cave together. I'm not leaving you. I won't." He saw that Amber was not conscious anymore. He saw the rapids running towards them. Hugo immediately wrapped his arms tightly around Amber as the water finally reached them. He felt the strong force of water drag him. The pressure was strong but he held on to his breath and Amber. Then he felt a sharp pain as he hit his head on the wall, his grip on Amber had loosen and the rapid flow of water separated them. A bright light shone on his eyes. They were out of the tunnel. Hugo felt his body lighten. He was falling. Another sharp pain he felt as his body smashed into a lake.

Hugo swam up and took a deep breath as he felt the cold air through his skin. He was alive. But he realized that he was alone. Amber. Amber was nowhere to be found.

"Amber!" he yelled but no response came.

Then he saw a golden figure underwater.

"Amber!" He took a deep breath and swam below. He saw Amber's unconscious body. He swam as fast as he could and reached for Amber. He grabbed hold of her wrist and took them both to the shore.

"Wake up. Amber please wake up." When Amber was still unresponsive, he carefully lifted her head, pinched her nose, and breathed into her mouth. "Please wake up Amber. I can't lose you." He placed his hands over Amber's chest to pump the water out of her lungs. It was then that Amber coughed the water out. Hugo used his arm to support Amber as she sat up.

"Thank goodness…" Hugo sighed in relief. He felt like his heart just began to beat again. He had never been more afraid in his life but hearing her heart beat with his, all his fears were gone. Why? He wondered why he was so worried about her. She was his friend, but there was something more he couldn't explain yet it was somehow familiar. He shook his thoughts away and focused on the princess in his arms.

"H-Hugo…"

"Shh… it's okay. You're okay." He pulled Amber into a tight embrace, wrapping his arms protectively around her body. As he watched her fall asleep and her chest rising up and down.

Amber woke up with a slight headache. Her mind was still a bit of a mess. She looked at the surroundings. She was still in the cave but she wasn't supposed to be alone. "Urgh… Hugo?" she called for the prince.

"Morning sleepyhead." A voice greeted behind her. She turned around and saw that it was Hugo

"Hugo! W-what—?" She tried to stand put but suddenly she felt dizzy.

Hugo immediately sat beside her, "Hey take it easy. Do you remember what happened?"

Amber tried to remember as much as she could, "T-there was a flood. We were running. I just became tired. I… I don't remember much… I drank some of the water then… I-I could barely stay awake."

"Yeah, that's pretty much it. You were too weak to run so I carried you."

"Wait, I remember telling you to leave—"

"There was no way I was going to leave you there Amber. I can't even believe you think I would do that to you." She felt the anger on Hugo's voice.

"But you could've d—"

"And what about you?! You never even thought of that?! You've been taking care of others so much that you've forgotten to take care of yourself." She realized that he was worried about her.

"I do not." Amber denied it.

"Really? Sofia? James? Me? Do I need to explain more?" Amber's eyes widened with realization as to what Hugo was referring to which Hugo noticed. "Thought so. Now just get some rest, I know you're still tired."

"I can take care of myself you know." The golden haired princess stubbornly said.

"No, you can't. Amber, can you just let me take care of you? I know you're a tough girl, but… I just don't want you to push yourself too hard. I don't want to see you get hurt."

"Okay…" Amber felt how worried Hugo was about her. She saw it reflected in his eyes and decided to let the conversation slide. "So what happened? How did we survive?"

"When you were unconscious, I tried to take us to the end of the tunnel but the flood caught up to us so I grabbed onto you, hoping that we'd get out safely. We ended up falling in the lake. I lost my grip to you. I thought you were gone… then I saw underwater so I swam to you and took us both here. Then you had too much water in you so— you just coughed it all out and ended up sleeping again and here we are now." Hugo left out the part when he kissed her. Wait. No. That wasn't a kiss. It was to help her breath because her lungs were filled with water. He just helped her, that's all. Like how a prince should rescue a princess... his princess. He shook those weird thoughts away. Hugo blushed at the memory while trying to deny it in his mind.

"Are you alright?" Amber asked.

"Of course I am." he replied.

"Really? You look a bit… red… Are you sure you're not sick?" Amber reached out to place her hand on Hugo's forehead making Hugo step back a bit.

"I-I-I'm fine." Amber still looked unconvinced. "Really, I'm fine. Just a bit tired, I guess."

Amber felt like Hugo was hiding something but just decided to let it be for now. "If you say so." They sat for moment in silence until Amber spoke, "I'm cold."

"Okay…" Hugo sat down behind her and wrapped his arms around her body.

"What are you doing?"

"There's no wood here. I can't light a fire so you'll just have to bear with this." He whispered in her ear. Amber could feel his breath in her ear preventing her from saying anything. Hugo didn't hear an answer, instead he felt Amber nod. They lied themselves on the floor. He smiled as he softly closed his eyes and drifted into sleep.

Amber turned around to face Hugo. She pressed herself closer to him. "Warm." She stared at him. He was really kind. Thinking about what happened earlier, it was almost like everything she had dreamed of. A handsome prince had saved her and swept her off her feet as he carried her to safety and would finally share true love's kiss. It would have been a dream come true if they did kiss and if the prince wasn't in love with her sister. Life was unfair. It hurt but she never stopped loving her prince hoping someday to be loved back. She could never give up. She gazed upon his sleeping face once more before falling asleep as well. "I love you, Hugo…"

"Amber... Amber! Wake up!" Hugo shook Amber gently to wake her up.

"Uhh… what?" she answered but was still half-asleep.

Hugo chuckled at the adorable sight, "Hey, sorry to cut your beauty sleep but we need to get moving."

"Okay." Amber stood up and began to pack her things.

They were packed and ready to go when they saw a figure coming towards them.

"What's that?!" Amber questioned as her body trembled in fear.

"Get behind me." Hugo said and Amber followed him and stood behind him. Hugo draw out his sword ready to attack, "Alright! Who are you?!" The figure was coming closer and closer. It was about to attack them. Hugo clenched tightly at his sword and charged towards the enemy.

"Hugo!"

A/N

Yeah sorry for the cliffy. Hope you liked the progress between Amber and Hugo. I can't make them become a couple because Hugo is still in the process of moving on and realizing his feelings for Amber and unlike in Zandar and Hildegard's case in which the two already knew they liked each other, Amber and Hugo still don't yet.

Now for the next chapter will be Princess Cynthia, Clio, and Vivian's turn. I know you expected Sofia and James but I'm the type who saves the best for last. And after Sofia and James's chapter will be the battle with Princess Ivy. I hope I can write a good battle scene. Yes the story has been progressing quite fast. Which reminds me that we should have a countdown since the story only has a few more chapters left before it's time to write The End. I get teary eyed just by thinking about it. This story had just reached so far and so many things have happened and so much more will soon happen. I hope you guys will still stick around till the end.