A Second Chance

Chapter 18: Building Trust

Harumi was surprised that no one blamed her for the crash, but she had to say that she was grateful for it. They were currently walking through the Ophidian Forest, no snakes thankfully. They were almost out. The barrier between the Ophidian Forest and Weed Shores is a river. But it was no ordinary river, it's a very dangerous, wide, and fast river. It was also very deep.

In just a few minutes, they made it to the river. The others stopped a good distance from it but Jay came closer and looked at it before everyone heard him groaned in annoyance, "I wish Nya was here. She could've just commanded the river to stop." He wailed before returning to the others.

Lloyd and Harumi slowly walked up to the river. They carefully came close to the water and observed it. They were careful not to slip on any mud that was created by the river. Lloyd took his hand out and touched the river. Just that small act nearly brought him into the rough stream. He stumbled a bit but regained his balance. He got up but Harumi stayed near the water.

Lloyd shook his head slightly, "We can't swim across. The current's too fast." He sighed.

Kai came up to Lloyd and wrapped an arm around Lloyd's shoulder, "Not sure if this is a crazy idea, but maybe Zane can freeze the water?" He suggested.

Harumi's head turned towards him in an instant when she heard that, "That's a crazy suggestion. The water's too fast. We might fall through the ice halfway there..." She said whilst still crouching near the river. Kai rolled his eyes at her.

Zane came up to the river and crouched beside Harumi. He looked at the river, "Hmm..." He hummed while thinking.

PIXAL walked up beside him and scanned the water as well. Everyone can hear Jay asking, "Well?! Will it work?!" He called out to the two nindroids.

They both flinched at Jay's shout before PIXAL replied to him, "Harumi's right. The current's too fast. I don't think Zane will be able to hold up the bridge long enough for everyone to cross over." She answered in concern.

"Great. Does anyone else have any other ideas?" Cole asked with a hopeful smile. Everyone just looked at each other as if they were saying 'no'.

Vania walked up to Cole, "I don't think anyone has any other ideas." She paused before looking at the others, "Do you?" Everyone shook their heads.

Zane placed his hand over the water, "We don't have any other choice..." He was about to use his elemental powers to freeze the water when Skylor stopped him.

"Wait!" She yelped. Zane retracted his hand from the water as Skylor walked up to him. She held her hand up beside the male nindroid, "May I?" She asked politely. Zane got what she meant and nodded his head. Skylor smiled and touched his hand, making her borrow Zane's power. The others looked at her and she looked back, "What? If Zane's gonna freeze the water might as well help him. It'll be easier for two people to do it instead of only one." She shrugged.

Kai looked at her in concern. Skylor saw it and said, "I'll be fine, Kai. I've been through worse." She assured him.

The Master of Fire nodded, "Be careful, Sky." He said.

"I will." Skylor replied.

Skylor and Zane stood up beside each other with Zane asking, "Ready?" He questioned while preparing himself.

She nodded and powered up the ice element. They both shot the ice from both of their hands. It looked harder than it did. Both of the ice users started straining once the ice reached the other side of the river.

"I-I can't hold it!" Zane yawped while PIXAL helped hold him up.

Skylor strained to keep herself standing up while she yelled, "Go! We can't hold it for long!" She cried out before screaming in agony. Kai held her body that was starting to go limp, worried for her.