As the group walked through the cave, they tried to stay close so nobody would get separated. "So, how did you end up here?" Gwen asked.
"I ended up here after a portal opened up on my planet." The Crystalsapien said.
"So, how do you know…" Ben began, then realized they didn't know their leader's name.
"The mistress assigned me guardian of the cave. If anyone were to enter to cause harm, they'd have to answer to me. Are you sure we can trust you?"
"It's okay, we just want to give her information." Elena said.
They were close to the center of the cave now. "We're almost there." The Crystalsapien told them. It was getting even darker in the cave, despite Gwen's light orb.
"Are you sure she's here?" Kevin asked.
"This is where she lives." The Crystalsapien said. "Though, there's not much light to see here."
"Hang on." Gwen said. She increased the size of her light orb. Everything was clearly visible now. There was a lake in front of them.
"There's a lake in the center of this cave?" Julie asked.
"Considering everything we've been through, it doesn't surprise me." Elena said.
There was a shadow below the surface. The Crystalsapien stepped forward. "Milady, there are some visitors here to see you."
"I know." A calm voice said. "Thanks, Chris."
"You're name is Chris?" Ben asked.
"It's her nickname for me." The Crystalsapien protested.
"So, what news do you bring?" The voice said.
"Uh, it would kind of help if we could see you."
"Oh, right. I forget sometimes." Bubbles rose up from the surface. For a second, there was fog. The group turned back to the lake to see a female Aerophibian (again, for those who don't know, that's Jetray's species) in the center of it. Unlike Jetray, her body looked like a normal girls' except for the manta wings and stinger.
"Are you the one that watches over this planet?" Ben asked.
"Yes. My name is Ariel." She told them.
"First off, I want to say thanks for saving us."
"It was nothing. I've heard many things about you, Ben Tennyson, but clueless isn't one of them." Ariel said.
"How did you know…"
"I'm the guardian of this planet, I know things." Ariel told him.
"Look, there's this rouge group of aliens that are planning to destroy all life on this planet." Ben said.
"I know, and it's my fault." Ariel said. "I came to this planet because I am not like the rest of my people. They were always picking fights with each other, so I fled here to get away from it. Not all Aerophibians are like that, but I was always caught in the middle."
"So, what's with those guys that tried to wipe us out?" Kevin asked.
"They were lead by a dangerous ruler that had come from the Null Void." Ariel explained. "He found a group on a distant planet and took over. Afraid that they might try to take over, I ordered they be sent away. It seems I made huge error."
"Ariel, I understand that you don't like fighting," Elena said. "But if we don't do something, all life on this planet will be wiped out."
"I am such a coward." Ariel agreed. "Even the thought of fighting makes me feel nervous inside."
"I know how you feel." Julie said. "We all do."
"Almost all of us." Gwen pointed out.
"Look, the people of this planet turn to you for help, Ariel." Ben said. "There has to be some way to defeat these guys."
"If your asking me to go into battle, I don't think I can…" Ariel started.
"Look, I don't like fighting either. But if someone close to me or if an innocent life is going to get hurt, I have to step up and help." Ben told her.
"Same goes here." Elena said.
"And here." Julie added.
"That goes double for me." Gwen stepped up. They all turned to Kevin.
"Yeah, same here." He said.
"You may be right." Ariel said. "I'll have to think it over." She went underwater. "Oh, you should probably come up with a plan. We don't want the enemy to see us or we'll really be in trouble."
The group turned to each other, completely lost as to what to do next.