Aristaeus stepped out from the main building where all the town's leaders had just convened. It had been decided that Aristaeus would go back to assist in the battle that had now erupted in the caverns below the earth in order to help the aerobic tark'ee with this new species of tark'ee.

Aristaeus had explained just how aggressive they seemed to be and had not hesitated for battle. And how the aerobic that he had helped had even tried to be diplomatic but had been totally ignored. And now he was on his way back, his new blaster strapped to his side.

"Hey Aristaeus!" Ramsey called out to him as soon as he started walking away from the building.

Aristaeus looked up and noticed that Ramsey was not alone but a very familiar aerobic stood next to him.

"She says she knows you." Ramsey said. "Are you two going back down? Can I come? You did promise me." he pointed out.

Aristaeus nodded to Citria. "Welcome. I did not expect you to be here. I was planning on coming back. There was no way I was going to leave you and your tribe to fight off these creatures."

"I know. I just thought that maybe you might have trouble convincing them and I could come and help. But I see that I was not needed."

"Ramsey, it is dangerous where we are going." Aristaeus told the waiting blue and white Belemoid. "But then again you already know dangerous work, working in the mines. And we could probably use your help watching our backs."

It was late morning. The suns were both in sky and towering evergreens were all around them when the entered the bunker and made their way back to the caverns and the open door that lead to the lava pit.

When they got to the door it looked like there had been a recent fight. Citria nudged a broken staff that lay on the floor. Its top end broken off and lay a few feet away. There were drag marks from where both parties must have dragged off their injured.

Ramsey peered down the tunnel from the doorway. "Wow you can really feel the heat from here. Just how hot does it get?"

"Oh it gets hot but you can still walk on the ground. And there are waterfalls of molten lava that pour into a glowing red hot lake. " Aristaeus said as he joined Ramsey at the door.

Just then they heard a loud cry. "Help!" come from the tunnel.

Without thinking they ran down the tunnel with Citria in the lead.

Just as before they could feel the heat rise the deeper they went. Aristaeus heard Ramsey gasp when they emerged from the tunnel. It was just as they had seen it last time he and Citria were down here. The lava lake bubbled slowly and the lava waterfalls fell slowly into the lake. Everything around them took on a red tint. And in the center of the large plateau where the tunnel lead was a ring of volcanic Tark'ee and in the middle was the same silver, big eared tark'ee they had battled before.

"Ah, I was not expecting you back. What with the way you turned tail and ran like the coward you are. And look, you brought us a new play thing. " Mason sneered. "This time you won't get away."

All around the grey volcanic Tark'ee, the others started to chat. "Mason! Mason!" This seemed to be what the grey Tark'ee was waiting for. Mason gave a great cry and charged. Mason's long horn pointed straight at Aristaeus. Aristaeus raised his blaster and fired while Citria got ready to pounce if the shot missed. Ramsay stood near the entrance and prepared to protect their only way out. They once again found themselves in a fight for survival. Only this time they knew they needed to win!