The Adventures of Sharkboy, Aquagirl, and Lavagirl

Chapter 8- Minus

"If we freeze time with the crystal heart, we'll be able to make it to the Dream Lair with Aquagirl alive, and save the planet," Max explained.

"That's the plan," Sharkboy and I agreed.

"Behold, the Ice Castle," Sharkboy said. "Home to the Princess of the Land of Ice."

"The crystal heart's inside the castle?" Max questioned.

"So they say," I said, glancing at Sharkboy.

"Let's go," Sharkboy said, grabbing my hand.

I shook it off, not looking at Sharkboy to know that he had the sad eyes. He tried to grab my hand again, tentatively, but I moved my hand lightning-quick. He gave me a small pout that made me want to hug him.

"It's no use! I'll melt the bridge," Lavagirl said sadly. "This place inflames me."

"Can you cool down enough to get across?" Max suggested.

"I'd have to be asleep to do that," Lavagirl said, rolling her eyes.

"Can you try sleepwalking?" I asked.

Lavagirl nodded and took a deep breath. She took a few steps before her hair flamed again. I rushed up to her, putting my finger under her nose to prevent her from sneezing. She relaxed, then sneezed. The saltwater smell that carried with me must not have helped. She blasted me with purple flames, making me hang from the bridge. Sharkboy quickly grabbed me before I could slip.

"They found us again. Lavagirl!" Max screamed.

Sharkboy covered his mouth as I froze. "If you wake her up, she'll reheat."

"And water can't do anything to fire in an icy territory," I agreed.

Sharkboy's face twitched as the hounds got closer and closer. "Lavagirl, they're behind you!"

Lavagirl woke up, and she flamed as she glared at us. We ran, the bridge breaking behind Lavagirl. We made it to the end, both boys accidentally touching her. I cooled her down with icy water, feeling more and more drained.

"It's a trap!" Max realized.

Mr. Electric appeared out of the ice, floating above us. "I can almost feel the electricity in the air. Can't you?"

"This is all wrong. Someone else's dreams are in here," Max said, confused.

"Lights out."

I didn't even feel like waking up after I was hit with an electric shock. We were taken to the Dream Lair. I felt like I was hung by my wrists. I think I was, feeling the coldness around me.

"Welcome to the Dream Lair. I am the ruler of Planet Drool."

"No, you're not! Max is!" Lavagirl argued.

"Max may have dreamed it originally... but I am much cooler. I am Minus," Minus explained.

"How'd you get so powerful?" Max questioned.

"I did a lot of reading," Minus said.

"My book of dreams!" Max realized. "That's why everything's so messed up. He's changing it."

"Electric eels. Shocking, isn't it, Sharkboy?" Minus taunted. "Reminds me of a time an electrical storm blew apart your father's laboratory."

"Where is my father?" Sharkboy asked.

"Let's see," Minus said. He flipped through some pages. "Check the bottom of the ocean."

"Calm down, my wonderful allies," I whispered, looking at the water.

The eels calmed, the electric spurts stopping. I was almost playing dead at this point.

"And Lavagirl. Once I figure out how to freeze this planet's core, all of your powers will disappear," Minus continued.

"Powers? What powers?" Lavagirl questioned.

Minus ignored her.

"And once I freeze the ocean, this beauty will be dead, and gone, for good. Careful, Sharkboy, or I might just let her slip into the icy water that'll freeze over immediately when she drops in."

I heard a growl ripple through Sharkboy's throat. He sounded like he was struggling. "Aw, I might as well. Her roots are already white. Her eyes will be as white as her hair soon."

"You dare touch her, and I will rip you to shreds," Sharkboy threatened.

"And last, but least, Max. You thought you could escape fear by running away to Dream Land. But fear exists in the one place you can never escape! Your mind. I will show you the true meaning of fear. When darkness falls, those of your dreams will be destroyed, and I will rule Planet Drool. Blah, blah, blah, threat, threat, threat. You must all leave now. I have some dreaming to do," Minus explained.

I fell through the hole and I felt someone catch me.

"Aqua. Aqua. Aquagirl, please wake up," Sharkboy begged.

"If I could just get my dream journal, I could turn everything back to the way it was," Max said.

"My fire's dimming. I can't melt the bars," Lavagirl said worriedly.

I gasped, struggling for air. I hid my face in Sharkboy's shoulder, wheezing violently.

"How much time do we have, Sharkboy?" Lavagirl asked.

"Who cares? We're never getting out of here," Sharkboy said as I finally stopped.

"Bubbles," Lavagirl noticed as I got up, my feet bare.

"They like you," Max said to Sharkboy.

"I don't feel distracted right now," Lavagirl said, playing with the bubbles.

"Me neither," I said whimsically.

"I do! This song is driving me crazy," Sharkboy snapped.

"Don't worry about him. He's a cold fish," Lavagirl said.

"On the contrary, he's very endearing," I said, my voice light and airy.

"They're singing at a frequency my highly trained ears find... disturbing!" Sharkboy shouted.

Sharkboy burst after a moment. I pinned myself against the cage in surprise.

"Shark frenzy!" Lavagirl shouted.

Sharkboy bit at the bars, punching them and tearing them. After his rage, he turned to us sheepishly with a bit of a bar still in his mouth. He realized he sharked out in front of me.

"Great job channeling your anger, Sharky," I said.

"No, no, no," Sharkboy said, freaking out suddenly.

"What?" I asked.

"Your eyes are white!" Sharkboy exclaimed.

"It looks like we have a bit more time, judging by how her costume is turning white and she's not dead," Lavagirl said.

"I'm never letting you out of my sight," Sharkboy mumbled.