Chapter 35: Crossing the Bridge

The animals then approached the mist in front of them. Ash looked around, suddenly alert; anything could be hiding in the mist. He could recall that to get to the Water Tribe, everyone had to cross a long rope bridge that creaked a lot. Worst of all, it was right below a canyon that lead to certain death. Hence, they called it "Death Canyon". Slice had almost died in there before, but Airia saved her.
Streak then came to the front. "How do we get to the Water Tribe?" he asked.
"We have to go across a rickety bridge," Ash responded.
"Oh. Sounds easy," Streak responded.
Rusty snorted, "yeah, and the bridge is right over a never-ending canyon."
Streak looked horrified, and Nightgale bumped Rusty. "What?" Rusty said. "He asked."
"You don't have to scare him though," Nightgale glared.
Streak then paused and sniffed the air. "Firebenders!" he hissed.
"What?" Eclipse said, looking alarmed.
"Firebenders!" Streak repeated.
Ash sniffed the air - he couldn't smell anything. "There are no Firebenders," Ash said, "I think you're mistaken, Streak."
"Yeah," Rusty agreed, also sniffing the air.
"But...I could smell it!" Streak protested.
"You're part of the young, Streak. You can't think you know everything," Rusty snorted.
Streak glared, "Fine, I'll go find them myself."
"Streak, do not--" Ash began, but they approached the mist, and as Streak walked off, Ash couldn't see him. The mist was thick, and Ash could only see about two feet in front of him. He looked around him. Rusty was by his side, Eclipse on the other. Ash looked behind him and could see the animals directly behind him, but beyond that, they were either silhouettes or not visible.
Suddenly, there was a yell. Ash stopped and perked his ears. The yell was followed by some thumping noises, a yelp, and a screech. Ash darted after the sound, hoping to help whoever it was. He ran after the sounds, and then saw who it was: Streak, tied up with a vine, and Tiggerpaka pinning him to the ground, his chipmunk friends surrounding him.
"What is going on here?!" Ash demanded.
"This idiot attacked me!" Tiggerpaka exclaimed.
"I thought he was a Firebender!" Streak protested.
"Well, Steak, I am not a Firebender," Tiggerpaka glared.
"My name's Streak, not Steak," Streak hissed.
Cinder approached, purring amusement. Streak looked away, embarrassed. "I can't believe you attacked Tiggerpaka," she giggled.
"Um...yeah," Streak mumbled.
Cinder unsheathed her claws and cut the vines, so Streak was free.
"...Thanks," Streak muttered.
"No problem," Cinder said, still giggling, and she walked away.
"Okay," Ash sighed. "Let's head to the rickety bridge."
Ash began to walk forward, and slipped. He realized he tried to step into the canyon. Quickly, Ash scuttled away from the ledge and got to his paws. "Well...we're here," he said. "Now, where's that bridge...?" He walked along the ledge, and finally saw it. "Guys! Bridge!" he yelled, and everyone came over.
"I'll go first!" Streak puffed out his chest.
"And probably fall off," Nzuri snickered.
"No I won't!" Streak growled.
Ash walked up to Airia. "Um...can you fly below in case anyone falls?"
"Sure thing," Airia smiled, and she flew off the ledge.
Streak stepped on the bridge, and it creaked under him. Streak jumped back, falling into Nzuri. She pushed him off. "Go, scaredy-cat! Or are you not brave enough?"
"I'm going, I'm going!" Streak hissed. He stepped on the bridge again and began walking on it. Nzuri followed, and Patch walked after them.
"Why are my kits going first?" Rainbow asked aloud, and she ran after them, "You need to be careful, someone could fall!"
"Relax, mom, we'll be fine!" Streak insisted.
"Sure you will," snickered Nzuri.
Ash walked on after Rainbow. He was cautious with each pawstep, and the bridge swayed in the wind beyond them. Rusty came on after Ash, followed by Dust.
Rusty stepped down on one and slipped, making his paw go between the wood planks. But, Rusty quickly got to his paws and stood up, and continued walking again. Behind him, Dust laughed.
"And you were made deputy?" Dust snorted.
"I was made deputy for a good reason, thanks!" Rusty growled, turning around.
But, as Rusty turned around, he hit Ash, making Ash slip, and before he realized what was going on, Ash was falling face-first into the canyon below.

Author's Note:
Airia, save Ash or I shall kill you.