Chapter 19: On The Run

There was a hiss that sounded like a snake. Sniffing the air, Ash could smell something like a snake - he smelled one before as a loner. The snake gripped him hard.
"Poisonfang!" Gasped Charlotte's voice. "She's a Firebender!"
Ash was unsure of where to run - he couldn't see a thing. The snake gripped him tighter.
"The Firebender deputy, since you killed Bone! I've came to avenge him!" Poisonfang snarled.
Please let go! Ash thought desperately. He didn't want to say the words out loud - it'd make him weak, and it wouldn't be likely that the viper would listen.
"Let him go!" Rusty snarled. "Or I attack you!"
"I'll let him go," Poisonfang sounded smug. Ash was shocked when he felt the viper let go of him. Poisonfang continued. "But I'll take the next apprentice I get my tail on to the Firebenders!"
Ash frantically sniffed the air. He could smell the entrance way up above. He dashed towards the stairs and started running - he could smell the others behind him.
Poisonfang was catching up. Ash wanted to scream, but kept it in, trying to show he wasn't afraid.
Ash hit his head against the roof, and the door to the entrance open. He dashed through it; the others came through. Poisonfang almost got through the entrance, but Spots quickly, literally slammed the door on her face. Dust and Rusty quickly pushed the treasure chest onto the door.
The apprentices panted and lay down.
"That was a close one," Mistletoe panted.
"We'll have to tell Goldwing or Kabu," Ash added.
"Hey," came a voice. Ash looked up from his paws, and saw Fan standing there.
"Yes?" Rusty asked. The whole group was panting.
"Goldwing-" Fan stopped. "Did you guys run all around our territory and back?"
"Long story, we'll be telling Goldwing or Kabu," Dust promised.
"Anyways, Goldwing called a meeting," Fan continued.
The group trotted outside, all sitting together.
"Now that we're all here," Goldwing eyed the group, making Ash's pelt hot with embarassment. "I have an important announcement to make - Star gave me her message."
"What, are the Firebenders being attacked and want our help?" Stone sneered.
Goldwing ignored her and kept talking. "The Water Tribe is being attacked by Firebenders - they're being picked off one by one. They sent for help."
Gasps arose from the crowd.
"What's the Water Tribe?" Ash asked Mistletoe.
"A place for Waterbenders only, unless some Travelers who aren't Waterbenders are passing through," she replied.
"So," Goldwing said after the silence died down, "we have to send a patrol to help them. The apprentices get to choose to go this time."

Author's Note:
Who wants to bet Ash is going? I would've finished the chapter, if I weren't being rushed. :/