Kole and the others decided to walk to Mt. Claudius because Kole was way too fast. Ice asked Blacksmith, "So what did the old man teach you?" Blacksmith said, "It's complicated. He says that I might have to go back to unlock my full potential." Ice frowned and said, "Did you learn magic or what?" Blacksmith said, "It's something like that. I don't understand it too well, but it has something to do with strength and a powerful force." Milo rushed over and exclaimed, "You have the Hidden Strength power!"
Blacksmith said, "That's what the old man called it." Kole turned around and shouted, "Stop calling him "old man"! His name is Neju!" He huffed and looked forward. Milo smirked and said, "Hidden Strength is a very rare power. It's usually only inherited through family or intense training of the mind." Blacksmith said, "Neju told me that my father can use Hidden Strength. I always thought he couldn't use magic." Milo said, "Hidden Strength isn't magic. It's spirit."
Ice said, "That sounds cool. Hey, can you show us?" Blacksmith shook his head and said, "I promised to only use it in battle against my enemies." Milo grinned and said, "That's very noble of you." Blaze grumbled, "Blah blah blah... I'm going to fall asleep because of your nobleness." Ice whipped around and stopped Blaze in his tracks. Ice snarled, "Take it back! Right now!" Everyone stopped to look at what was going on. Blaze growled and said, "You're wasting time! We have to get to Claudius Mountain before everyone dies!"
Ice shouted, "Blacksmith isn't an arrogant asshole! You don't deserve to talk shit! Take. It. Back!" The glare in Ice's eyes hinted that he was about to attack. The flames on Blaze's ears turned blue, and Blaze shouted, "You bastard! Why are you acting stupid now!? Ever since we left Cat City, you started acting like an idiot trying to prove himself! Because of your idiocracy, some of us almost froze to death because you can't control yourself!" Ice became silent. He looked down and mumbled something.
Blaze shouted, "Speak up!" Ice picked up his head and shouted, "I want to be strong! Stronger than you! Stronger than everyone! But I'm weak!" Kole walked over to Ice and stepped on his tail. Ice jumped and turned around. His eyes widened at the angry face that belonged to Kole. Ice murmured, "K-Kole I-" Kole said, "Ice, you're not weak. You're strong in everyone's eyes. You are the master of ice, and that's why the ice spirit chose you. You have to control your powers from now on because I may not be around to thaw you out." Kole turned around and said, "Let's keep moving. We can't have anymore detours."
They walked and walked for hours at a time. The group hardly had any rest, even when it was the darkest of nights. Finally, after two weeks, they reached Mt. Claudius. Kole set paw on the mountain, and Ice shouted, "No more!" Kole looked back, and Milo said, "It's not easy walking around when you haven't had sleep for three days straight." Blaze was sleeping on a flame cloud, and Blacksmith collapsed onto the ground. Kole said, "I... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pushed you guys like this..." Ice said, "Kole, come back. Let's take a break." Kole looked up the mountain and said, "Right."
He walked back to his friends and family, and Milo said, "Kole... are you sure you're alright?" Kole shook his head and said, "I miss them. I wish I could've save them, but..." Ice said, "Kole... you're far from weak. If anything, you're the strongest one here." Milo said, "That's right. Maybe it was their time. Besides, you still have their souls, don't you?" Kole looked down and said, "I don't have Lark's." Milo said, "Why don't you check? You haven't talked to them in a hot minute."
Kole transported himself to the Spirit Realm, and gasped. They were there. All of them. His stepfather, his mother, Forest, Edward, Mr. Nafario and even Lark. "You guys... didn't disappear?" Forest said, "You haven't checked how many souls were connected to you for a while." Lark said, "Ah... this is strange. Seeing you guys again." Kole smiled and said, "I thought I lost you guys forever..." Bella said, "Of course not. You're connected to the Spirit Realm after all."
Kole started sobbing. He went back to the Overworld and said, "They're... still there." Ice said, "That's good. Now please stop acting down all the time. I hate seeing you sad." Kole sighed and said, "Of course. For now, let's sleep."