Glowing footprints led downward. Ravi, Spark, and Zip hurried into magma labyrinths. Fire rivers glowed under glass bridges. Suddenly—a roar steamed the air. Up rose the magma monster, vast and oozy, with Auntie’s teapot for a helmet. “Fashion fail!” Spark squawked.

Lava globes exploded at Ravi’s feet. He skipped away. Heart thundering, he counted: one, two, three, four. Ideas sparkled. “Zip!” he shouted, “Redirect the vent steam!” Zip flung himself at the controls. Ravi baited the monster onto thin rocks, boots springing beneath him, while Spark squawked mock instructions.

A jet of icy steam burst from the vents. The ledge sizzled. The monster froze mid-roar—then cracked into stony chunks. From the rubble, the metal cube rolled out, pristine and humming. Zip cheered. Spark swooped and did an aerial cartwheel for three imaginary judges.

Quick as a pin, Ravi slotted the cube into place in the pump room. Gears spun like a happy chorus. Rainbow light danced on the cave walls. Cold water gushed through pipes, humming volcano to sleep. The lost city exhaled relief, peppermint-scented mist puffing from the vents.