Chapter 8

It had been decided. All the ghouls and mansters were going to work together to save their friends. Many were excited about the plan, most were nervous, and others were scared. It was fear of the unknown that truly bothered the monsters. What if they weren't successful? What happens if they all end up trapped by the monster hunters? These questions ran through many minds, including Cleo's, but she had to remain the steadfast leader. After all, they were all looking to her for guidance, weren't they?

Cleo excused herself to go to the dorm room that had been assigned to her. A few of the ghouls took notice, but they figured she was going to the bathroom. Deuce, however, watched her very closely. He could see in her eyes that there was something bothering her. Cleo often kept emotions buried inside, but she didn't realize that Deuce could always see her true feelings.

The dorm room was quite plain. Cleo had not had a chance to touch it up. As soon as the mummy princess entered the room, she fell limp on one of the bare white beds. Tears fell from her eyes to be absorbed by the linen of the bed. She was crying for her sister and her friends. Cleo knew there was a possibility of failure. She knew that the consequences could be serious. Her sister may be treated well now, but who knows what the next step could be for these men? Wouldn't they love to just unravel and dissect her sister or prod at Ghoulia's brain? Frankie popped into her head. She imagined how those men would tear Frankie seam by seam if they got a hold of her.

"Cleo," came a deep voice hard to resist. "Can I come in?" Deuce asked.

"Mhm," Cleo agreed, though the mattress muffled her response.

"Cleo, you know we don't have to do this." Deuce reminded her as he took a seat next to her on the bed. "We could just tell the soldiers about the tunnel and let them handle it." He rubbed her back.

"While we sit around and do nothing?" Cleo turned to face Deuce, her mascara running down her cheeks.

"We wouldn't be doing nothing. We would have given the soldiers the information they need to save Ghoulia and Nefera…and all the others." Deuce's voice was calm. He knew that there were two directions they could follow. He honestly did not see the sense in risking any more friends to these monster hunters.

"Are you trying to talk me out of this plan?" Cleo asked as she sat up.

"I think you're trying to talk yourself out of it." Deuce wrapped his arm around her.

"I think it could be dangerous…" Cleo sniffed. "But I think it might be the only way we can save them. It seems like the risk might be worth the reward in this case. What do you think?" She rested her head on his shoulder.

"I think we have a good plan. If my cousin Annie and her friends come through with what we need, then I have faith in this plan." Deuce kissed Cleo on the top of her forehead.

"Deucey…you'll be on the offensive team…that worries me." Cleo looked up into his eyes, which she could just make out through his shades.

"You just being there has me worried." Deuce replied kissing Cleo's lips. "We're in this together."

In every dorm room there was a bathroom with a toilet and vanity. Cleo got up and cleaned herself off. She reapplied her makeup using the mirror, and headed back out to the game room hand in hand with Deuce. Heath Burns came running toward the couple with a goofy grin.

"Dude! Aren't you pumped to nail those monster hunters for taking our friends? We'll show those lame-os what it means to mess with a monster!" Heath blurted.

Cleo rolled her eyes. "This isn't a video game."

"Dude, Cleo's right. This is serious. We should talk strategy, serious strategy." Deuce replied. He kissed Cleo on the cheek and walked away with Heath. They walked over to a group of monsters huddled around Abbey Bominable. Abbey was in the middle of discussing part of the offensive strategy.

"Nice of you to be joining us." Abbey acknowledged the two mansters. "As I saying, we come through tunnel, Gorgons and me attacking first. I freeze and Gorgons looking them in the eyes. This is quick solution."

"What if they have weapons to use against us?" Viperine asked, the pink snakes of her hair nodded in agreement with the question.

"That's why I'm on the offensive team." Neighthan smiled. "If you all stick nearby, then I can heal you." Neighthan's power was fitting of his personality. He was kind, gentle, and compassionate like both of his parents. He was able to heal minor wounds on contact, but recently, he has been working with some of the other more magical students at Monster High in the Magic and Booyond class to strengthen his power. He was confident of his abilities, but not of his grace. Neighthan was not exactly agile.

"That's if you don't trip first, HA!" Heath laughed and high-fived Manny Taur who had been standing right next to him.

"Rude, dudes." Deuce crossed his arms and looked over at Neighthan. "You'll be just fine. I know we're all glad to have you at our side."

Neighthan felt himself blush. "Thanks, Deuce," he said as he scratched his head.

"So…Let me get this straight. The Gorgons and Abbey will be the first ones out?" Casta Fierce clarified. She was one of the visiting artists at Monster High. Monster High had recently formed a partnership with Monster Academy, a prestigious university known for producing the best and brightest monsters in the arts, sciences, and education. The partnership was based on the collaboration with academy students and high school students. Casta had been instructing a vocal and instrumental course at Monster High. She was also the personal magic tutor for some students.

"Yes. Something is wrong with this plan?" Abbey raised an eyebrow, confused.

"Don't you think it would make sense for Hexia and me to go first. We could disable them with our magic." Casta argued.

"Your magic too…" Abbey searched for the right word. "Unreliable." Many of the others nodded. It was true, Casta had to admit. Often, if she did not concentrate hard enough, her potent magic would occasionally do more harm then good. Hexia often ran into the same problem. They were both still learning, and although their magic was powerful, it could be unpredictable. They were better off being backup. At least Abbey and the Gorgons could only really cause one thing to happen, and they had pretty good control over that.

"You're right." Casta and Hexia nodded together. "We probably shouldn't be the first ones out, but we will definitely have your back."

"Speaking of unreliable," Venus interjected. "Do you really think Heath and Manny should be coming out first?"

"Well, yeah, like of course!" Heath exclaimed. "We are sooo reliable."

"Please," Operetta sneered. "Y'all are less reliable than a jalopy in quicksand. They shouldn't even be the backup for the backup." Operetta giggled with Venus. After Abbey and the Gorgons began the offensive maneuvers, Operetta, Venus, Casta, and Hexia were supposed to back them up.

"Jinafire, you keeping Heath with you?" Abbey asked the golden dragon ghoul.

"I will try my best, but often times the worst disasters are those that are unpredictable." Jinafire replied. She was not thrilled about being Heath and Manny's babysitter, but she knew someone had to keep an eye on them. But Jinafire was intimidating, even to the boys. She was a little more annoyed that Amanita was also joining her group. Luckily, her one saving grace was Posea Reef. Posea was also a visiting instructor from Monster Academy. She was training to be an undersea teacher. It seemed to be her calling.

"Don't worry, Jinafire. I will certainly help you, even if it means wrapping these buggers in seaweed for a while." Posea smirked.

Jinafire giggled.

"Then we know the plan?" Abbey asked.

"Allow me." Posea stood up. "Abbey, Deuce, Viperine, and Annie will enter the prison first. They will hopefully subdue the monster hunters without hurting them. Neighthan, followed by Operetta, Venus, Casta, and Hexia will then spring into action. We hope Neighthan won't be needed. Then it will be Jinafire, Amanita, Heath, Manny, and myself to the rescue. We will make up the offensive team?"

"A…Abb…Abbey." A shy voice came from outside the group. "I think I could help." A blue ghoul practically whispered.

"Speak up." Abbey urged.

"It's Gail." Annie Conda got up to support her painfully shy friend.

"I'm like you, Abbey." Gail said faintly.

"I am doubting that. Abbey is loud like mighty yak. You are quiet like puny mouse." Abbey chuckled along with some of the others.

Gail shook her head. "No, not like that." Gail held up her hand and a beam of ice shot out and hit a nearby lamp, freezing it instantly. "Like that."

"Good. You on offensive team." Abbey smiled. "About time I be having some ice company." Abbey laughed hard. "Get it? Ice company?" Of course no one laughed, some smiled. Their lack of humor didn't bother Abbey, though.

Gail smiled shyly and say down with Annie.