Her heart sped faster, almost as quick as when she'd stand next to Silver with her hand in his, but not happily. The bright red flying towards her only made everything more horrifying. Born to play in fire, Scarlet always loved the warmth, but now all she could feel was the heat rising higher. She never imagined being thrown into it. With flailing arms, all she wanted was to find something to hold on to, yet the air was her only friend. The closer she got to the lava, the more the thoughts wouldn't stop invading her mind. Would she make it out to see her parents once they found them? What about Silver? Maybe that glance she gave him over her shoulder just minutes ago would be the last time she saw him. Unsure how much fire she could take at once, it was too easy to think that way.

A scream escaped her as she almost hit the lava. It would be easier to just give up and let the lava take her away, but she wanted one more butterfly feeling with her best friend. She wanted to be able to tell the exhilarating story of how she barely made it out alive. She wanted to see her parents again. Thoughts of magic must have left her brain at first, but power ran through her now. She had to beat this. As quick as she could, Scarlet tried to channel her fire element. Happy memories were all she needed, but the struggle became her enemy. Legs touching the fire beneath her, she pushed hard to think of something. Anything. Time was coming quick and she wasn't ready for this. Then she remembered the only thing that made her happiest.

When Scarlet and Silver were about seven years old, their parents made them sit in the Wandering Woods and learn their elements. It was the first time either of them used magic. The wind was blowing hard enough that her red hair kept slapping against her face and all he did was laugh. Playing tag between their elements, the two of them ran around the woods as fire and ice flew between them. Not having many friends as a child, Scarlet had the best time of her life that day. They were in the woods for hours, their parents coming to get them at sunset. Everytime he laughed it put a smile on her face then, the same way it achieves that now. She knew that they'd be best friends forever and she hasn't been wrong.

With as big of a smile that was on her face, it felt like she lit up the entire volcano. She'd never forget that day. Surely she'd have enough magic now. Quickly, Scarlet kept thinking of the amazing memory, swirling her hands around in a circle as the fire burned from her hands. Not exactly positive how she'd make it out, she kept her hands in the same motion, slowly creating threads of fire. But she didn't have much time. A rope would get her out. Hopefully it would actually work.

More threads appeared, pulling together through fire. The creation was coming, but not fast enough. Each second took her further into the lava. It was up to her knees now, but she wasn't wasting a second. Trying harder, Scarlet pictured the rope now, red burning from each end. It moved a little more, though it still took its sweet time.

"Scarlet! Are you okay?" His voice was barely an echo, but hearing Silver was all she needed.

The minute he finished speaking, the rope was done. It was like Silver was the one who powered her magic. Gasping for a moment, Scarlet wondered if he really did help her without knowing it. Now that she had this long rope, it was time to get out of here. Throwing the rope toward the opposite side of the volcano, it barely hung on even though there was nothing to attach it to. The fire did all the work. The red was about as bright as the sun as she started to climb up. She was saved, almost. Scarlet took a moment to breathe, still amazed at how she managed to get out of there.

Pulling herself up to the top again, she left the rope hanging while she balanced on the volcano one last time to grab the rock with the clue on it. Coming this far there was no way she'd leave her one chance to save her parents just sitting here. Carefully, she walked toward the rope again, using it to make her way back down.

After what seemed like an eternity and almost losing her life, her feet finally touched the pavement right in front of Silver. She couldn't believe she actually did it. She was here with the clue in her hand. There was no way that was truly possible, but she achieved it. Unable to help it, Scarlet chuckled. "I'm back." Holding up the next clue she said, "And I got it."

Silence was the only thing between them for a few moments considering Silver immediately pulled her into a hug, not letting go. It was a tight one, but most of them had been recently. She didn't care though. The butterflies flew again and all she could do was smile. Goal number one of the things she thought of earlier was complete. All the worries in her mind while she was almost trapped by lava disappeared now. Wrapping her arms around his back, she didn't want the hug to end.

"I'm so glad you're okay," Silver said, holding her tighter. "I started to get worried."

She smiled. "I'm fine, Silver. You said I could do it."

He sighed like he was holding his breath the entire time she was gone. "I know, and you did, but still."

"It's alright! I've got the clue so we can figure out where to go next!" Scarlet pulled away from the hug first, reluctantly, but grabbed his hand afterward. "But first, I've got so much to tell you."

"What is it?"

"Well, I fell off the volcano while I was trying to get the clue and—"

Silver's jaw fell open. "You what?"

"Relax," she answered. "I'm here now, let me continue my story."

"But—"

"No. Anyways, as I was falling and heading toward the lava, I didn't know what to do. But our first time when we learned our elements saved me."

"What? How?"

She rolled her eyes at him. "Happy memories, remember? It's what we're told to do if we're in a sticky situation."

"Yeah, yeah. I remember. What part of learning our elements was happy for you though?" He laughed, taking her away from the volcano.

Scarlet took a deep breath, wanting her answer to shake him as much as it shook her to even get the word out. "You."