Snake Den (A Karate Kid 3 fanfic)

Chapter 9: Steep Cliffs

Victoria sighed as she walked after Daniel, still not sure how she got wrapped up in this. She felt bad, feeling like she was stealing the tree and so hoping to counteract Daniel with two sane minds, Victoria invited Jessica over. It was both to keep Daniel in check but also to check up on the girl from last night.

"I still think you should ask Mr. Miyagi before going after his tree." Victoria nodded agreeing with Jessica, her stomach twisted with guilt feeling bad for not telling her mentor. "I mean you wouldn't think he'd hide it out in the middle of nowhere if he wanted people digging it up."

"I agree with Jessica, we should turn back Daniel." Victoria added

Daniel shook his head as he continued walking like a man with a mission. His eyes were set on that Bonsai and Victoria knew better than to try and stop him.

"Look, we don't have a choice. If Mr. Miyagi doesn't sell this tree we're looking for, he loses his business. He's broke. His social security can barely cover the expenses on his rowboat. I mean, this tree is like money in the bank." Daniel explained

Victoria rolled her eyes, "great. So now we're robbing a bank."

They reached the edge of the cliff, and slowly followed that. Victoria's heart raced at the danger, and Victoria thought she was an adrenaline junkie but she did not like this.

"So, how much do you think this thing is worth?" Jessica asked wanting to know what kind of trouble would Daniel be getting her into

Daniel looked back, "well I checked around. I found out these original Bonsai trees...they start at $10,000 dollars."

Victoria mouth dropped open, knowing that they costed a lot but not that much.

"No way, seriously?" The two girls asked and Daniel nodded. "See, that's why it's so important to me. This one tree can set Mr. Miyagi up for life. I mean that's the least I could do for him."

They stopped in front of the cliff, overlooking devil's cauldron. Victoria gasped seeing the beauty, she stepped forward and looked down seeing the steep cliff that they'd have to climb down.

"It's a long way down there." She said gulping, her nerves finally catching up with her

Jessica stepped forward to see what Victoria was seeing and the girl nodded letting out a deep breath. "You know what I think?"

"What?" Victoria and Daniel asked the girl

She pointed down as Daniel joined them to get a better look. "I think when the tide comes in, the ocean fills up the bottom down there."

Daniel smiled watching as the tide crashed onto the beach at the bottom. "Yeah, Mr. Miyagi sure knows how to pick 'em."

"Yeah, no kidding." Victoria laughs

"How are we supposed to find Mr. Miyagi's tiny little tree in all this?" Jessica asked seeing all the foliage

She was right, just looking at it seemed nearly impossible to see the Bonsai. They could be here for days and not even find it. Daniel scanned the ravine with his binoculars.

"Well, he told me he put it halfway down the steepest cliff, where it would catch the first rays of the sun."

Jessica laughed, "okay, good luck. We're never gonna find it."

Victoria sighed knowing this was just a waste. As she turned around, Daniel gasped.

"Wait! Wait! That's it. That must be it! I found it!" He said making Victoria curious as she quickly walked to Daniel's side

"You found it, are you sure?" Victoria asked hoping that Daniel was right

"Yes, oh god, it's beautiful. It's like the one on the back of my gi." Daniel described but Victoria wanted to see it for herself. "Come on, let me see."

He passed her the binoculars directing them so she could see the Bonsai. Victoria gasped, Daniel was right it was stunning. It shone in the light and looked exactly like the one on their gi's.

"Yeah but how are we going to get all the way down there?" Daniel asked clicking his tongue

Jessica smiled, "you leave that to me. I'll teach you." She said digging through her back before clicking her tongue. "I only brought two ropes, one of you is going to have to stay up here."

Victoria looked back down at the cliff gulping as she quickly answered. "You guys can go."

"Are you sure?" Daniel asked nervous as well

Victoria smiled and nodded frantically really not wanting to go down, enjoying the safety of staying on the edge. She watched as the two got ready, put on their equipment and tying the rope.

"You sure you understand everything?" Jessica asked the nervous Daniel. "Yeah, I got it. I feed this through here and I hold this back here and I pray to God."

Victoria stepped forward, "Daniel please be safe. I don't need you to almost kill yourself again."

Daniel smiled easing some of Victoria's nerves. "I'll be fine."

"Okay, whoa. Now are you sure you want to do this?" Jessica asked Daniel who nodded again. "I wanna do this? I gotta do it. I'll be okay."

"You got it, you'll be okay." Victoria said but it was for her more then it was for Daniel

"Just remember, the rope is your friend. Everything will be great." Jessica coached

"Friend? This rope's more than my friend. I love this rope. This rope and I are going steady. Right rope? Just you and me rope." Victoria giggled at her boyfriend knowing that was his nerves talking. Adrenaline and fear shot through his veins as he slowly lowered himself, Jessica followed him.

"Just lean. Okay, you got it. Don't worry. Just sit back. Just lean back. You got it. I'm coming okay? Just keep going." Jessica yelled down to Daniel as she slowly lowered herself after him

Victoria stood there worried about her boyfriend and friend. They slowly made their way down talking and joking, Victoria listened into their conversation.

"Daniel! Look out! Oh my gosh! You okay? I'm coming!" Victoria rushed forward in time to see a rock dislodge from the cliff and hit Daniel

He let out a yell and hit into the side. Daniel held onto the rope for dear life as Jessica hurried down the wall by Daniel.

"Hold on! Don't move, I'm coming. Stay there. Hold on, okay, I got you. I got you. Put both hands on the rope. Put your feet against the rocks and push out. I got you, push out! There you go! All right, I got you." Victoria watched the scene unfold her heart racing as she thought her boyfriend almost died. "Okay, now guide your rope. Slide your hands to the brake. To the brake, the brake. Right here, all right? You okay? Listen, I'm so sorry about the rock. You sure you're okay?"

Victoria called down, "you guys okay?"

Jessica looked back up nodding to the girl. "Just a little scare." She answered

"God, it's a lot steeper than it looks from up there, huh?." Jessica's eyes looked around at the rocks. Daniel had calmed down a bit. "Well, you've done this kinda stuff before, right?"

"Yeah, but not from this high up." That made Victoria's stomach churn. She didn't want to hear that

Slowly as they went down farther, their voices faded and Victoria couldn't hear their voices anymore. All she was left with was the thumping of her heart as she watched them climb down praying to god that they'd be okay. Victoria fidgeted with her hands pacing as she wasn't able to see them anymore, and all she had to tell if they were okay was the taught rope. Then all of the sudden the sounds of footsteps and laughter made Victoria's stomach drop.