I'm so sorry that it took so long to post this chapter. December was a busy month for me with my birthday, the holidays, and celebrating the New Year.

To the few people who read this fanfic: Enjoy!

P.S. Don't forget to review! :)

"Wait, so you're saying I've been here before, and that we went on a whole bunch of adventure things, and we had lots of near death experiences, and…and…and…" Boots fell quiet, so confused that so much had happened to her at a young age; she was also overwhelmed with a sense of rage that no one had thought to tell her even though she had dreamt about it and told people. She remembered the first time she showed her mom one of the drawings. "Margaret, those are nonsense pictures, nonsense! Don't you ever think they're real! You just have an overactive imagination; now go wash your hands and sit at the table." She had been shocked at the outburst and never showed her Mom a picture again.

Boots' thoughts were interrupted when there was a knock on the door.

"Boots? We're getting ready to leave, meet us by the dining room in ten minutes. Hello, Temp."

"Hi, Lizzie, hi." Temp croaked out in a rusty voice.

"Can I bring Temp? I think it's only fair since he's the only one who's been truthful to me all day." Boots said with as much spite as possible. She was obviously upset, but the degree at which she was shocked Lizzie.

"I, uh, I-I guess, sure. B-but you sh-should ask G-Gregor, its h-his q-q-quest." Lizzie stuttered out. Her eyes were wide and she scuttled out of the cave -like room.

Boots sighed. She forgot that her sister could be so…so…fragile. But it didn't matter, because her sister deserved it for not telling her anything. For making her believe this wonderful place was just some fantastical dream.

"Come on Temp, we're going on another adventure."

Luxa, Gregor, Boots, Lizzie, Vikas, Ripred, Ms. Cormaci, Temp, Hazard and Nike, Luxa's bat, Nike, were all assembled in the entrance hall.

"First, who all is going?"

"It said to take the princesses, so Lizzie, Boots, and Luxa, even though it refers to her as Queen in the prophecy."Vikas said.

"Temp's going."Boots said.

"So is Nike." Luxa added.

"I would like to accompany you." Hazard stepped up.

"As would I, Gregor." Ripred said.

"Okay, so that's eight people? Um, could we maybe bring some other Bats or something along? How far away is our destination Ripred?" Gregor didn't want it to be like some other expeditions they had gone on. Dragging Boots and everyone else through that again, the thirst, hunger, sleep deprivation, would be torture.

"Far, but not too far; we probably would be okay without other bats, but we need enough food and other stuff to keep us going. It will probably be about a three or four day walk." Ripred concluded.

Gregor took a deep breath and thought hard about that. Bringing bats would get them their faster, but then they would have more mouths to feed and more people to protect.

"Okay, we'll only go with Nike. Vikas, will you round up some food and transportation? Mrs. Cormaci, go find us some flashlights. Luxa, you come with me to get some weapons and maybe get a little practice. Ripred, Lizzie, go with Mrs. Cormaci and find other things that would be useful. Nike, go make sure you're all ready to set out." Gregor hoped his cheeks hadn't reddened when he ordered Luxa to go to the weapons room with him; he hoped people wouldn't get the wrong ideal.

"But, Gregor, what about me, Temp, and Hazard; don't we get to do something?" Boots asked.

"You guys can just wait here or eat something before we set off." Gregor was already walking away.

Boots sighed and climbed onto Temps back. When she'd realized what she'd done she shrieked and slid off.

"What's wrong, princess, what's wrong?" Temp had asked and Boots replied.

"Nothing." But when the words came out, they had not been English, rather that strange ticking noise had escaped her lips once again.

"Are you sure Boots?" Boots glanced up at Hazard, a shocked expression on her face from hearing him use the ticking language.

He smiled at her, "It's the language of the roaches. When we were younger and tagging along with Gregor on one of his quests we both learned the language. Lizzie hadn't been down here, but you were three and I was seven and we sat on Temp's back and learned it. It was easy for you; being young and all. It was barely difficult for me: I've always been a wiz at languages. I bet you, though, Vikas couldn't learn it or Ripred, even Gregor would have a difficult time. But, anyway, are you sure you're all right?"

"Yeah," She said and smiled back at him, "Come on Temp; let's go find something to eat."

After Boots had left with Temp, Lizzie had excused herself from Ripred and Mrs. Cormaci and walked beside Hazard.

"Th-thank you, f-for that." She smiled, slightly embarrassed by her stutter.

"For what?" He asked, seemingly confused.

"She needed that. She's been a l-little upset since we got here. She doesn't feel like we were fair by not telling her about this pl-place. I-I just think that by relating with her, you made her f-feel a little better." Lizzie ducked her head sheepishly and stared down at her feet.

"Well, it was no big deal. I'm happy to help, I guess." He shrugged and walked away.

Lizzie watched him leave and after tucking her hair behind her ear, quietly called to the others to wait up.

Luxa and Gregor walked to Gregor's room; he had to retrieve the knife that Solovet had given him.

"So…" Gregor started not really knowing what to talk about, but finding the awkward silence uncomfortable.

"How's Boots?" Luxa said quickly.

"She's good," He began, pushing things around in his back pack, searching for the dagger. "She's a lot like Lizzie; smart for her age and all. She loves to draw, paint, and all that stuff. She's really good at it for a seven year old." Luxa smiled.

"Ah Ha!" Gregor jumped up and shouted, the glittering knife in his hand. " now lets get this show on the road!"