Chapter 14: The Firebender

The patrol trekked through the forest. Ash looked around, alert at every sound. I don't want to be killed. I won't let the Firebender kill any of us, even Stone.
Fan was looking from left to right. At the sound of a vulture, Fan jumped and looked up. When she noticed it was only a vulture, she calmed down.
Rusty and Dust were deep in conversation; Ash couldn't hear them. Spots was jumping around, his tail wagging rapidly, as if he wouldn't care if the forest caught on fire around him.
Stone was growling, looking all around. She looked like she'd pounce at any sudden movements.
Airia was narrowing her eyes, studying the sky. Maybe she thinks that if the deputy can fly, Ash thought, then she can fly after it.
Creature stumbled over roots and rocks every now and then, but showed no sign that he was injured.
Cora was sniffing the air, keeping her guard up.
Finally, the patrol reached the river. They stopped. Cora jumped into the river as they planned, and Ash watched her swim away.
"Okay," Airia whispered, "let's all hide in the toadstools. Creature, walk through the bushes. I can smell the deputy is on the other side."
Ash's legs were shaking with anxiety. He crawled to the toadstools, Dust and Rusty crawling beside him. They settled themselves among the toadstools. Ash's nose screwed at the scent. Man, this will definitely disguise our scent!
He peeked through a small hole in the bushes - the hole was as big as a baby mouse. Ash could barely see through it.
"A Waterbender? Just one?" Came a voice. It was a very creepy voice - deep, but whisper-like.
"Yes," Creature's voice growled. "You are not supposed to be on our borders!"
"One Waterbender can't tell me what to do. Are you trying to be heroic? Or is Goldwing so stupid he thinks one Bender can survive on its own?"
Ash wanted to yowl and attack the Firebender for saying that. He couldn't see the Firebender, but he could see Creature.
"Neither!" Creature shouted. Then, he calmed down. "You have a chance to solve this peacefully. If you don't leave, you'll leave by force."
Ash could picture the Firebender looking smug.
"Like you're going to make me leave," the Firebender laughed.
There was the sound of water. It splashed.
"Go! Now!" Came Airia's fierce whisper.
Together, Ash, Dust, Rusty, Stone, Spots, and Airia jumped out of the bushes at the same time. But not Fan.
"Fan!" Ash whispered to the bushes.
All of the sudden, there was a shake. Ash looked at the Firebender. He gasped when he saw what animal it was. A Komodo Dragon!
Then, the earth shifted under the Firebender. A piece of the earth jerked up, sending the Firebender flying.
Fan jumped out of the bushes.
"Good job, Fan!" Spots wagged his tail.
Airia turned her tail in circles. She jumped onto air, and rode it through the skies. Then, Airia did a motion with her hands, sending the air current into the Komodo Dragon. Airia used her wings to stay in the sky, as the air current hit the Firebender.
"Bone! Leave our border now," Stone growled.
"Most definitely not, Stone," the Komodo Dragon snarled.
Creature looked shocked. "You know his name, Stone?!"
Stone nodded. "Long story, I'll tell you it later."
Bone had saliva drooling from his mouth. "I'll do it."
Airia gasped. Dust and Rusty crawled back, looking scared.
"Why is everyone scared?" Ash whispered to Dust.
"Bone's, er...spit is poisonous!" Dust said urgently.
Ash's eyes grew wide. Then how are we going to win?

Author's Note:
Oooh...there's a problem...Bone is poisonous! That's a true fact - a Komodo Dragon's spit is poisonous. -shudders- Creepy, huh? 0_0