The King, The Prince, and The Warrior

Chapter 38

After about 3 days the pilgrims made it out of the desert and climb up the rocky mountains, though the trail was very narrow, steep, and very unstable, one slip and they'll fall to their death. Right now they are slowly and carefully walking on the trail, going nice and slow, Wukong was carrying Macaque as they walked on the trail, Sha Wujing let out a small gasp as the dirt under his foot became lose and tumbles down the mountain. Zhu Bajie gulps "how far until we reach the safe and stable trail" Zhu Bajie asked keeping himself close to the mountain wall "just a few more steps, then there's a bridge we can cross" Wukong said his eyes glowing gold "it will be alright my disciples, we can get through this" Tripitaka said giving his disciples courage

And soon they cross the narrow trail and onto the safe trail "thank the gods" Zhu Bajie said laying on the ground in relief "don't celebrate yet, we gotta cross a bridge first" Wukong said picking the celestial swine up by the back of his shirt and onto his feet as he placed Macaque down and they went back to walking. As they continued onward they began noticing the sudden changes in the air "it's starting to feel a bit warmer now, but the sun isn't out" Sha Wujing said looking at the clouded sky, then Wukong smelled something in the air "brimstone?" Wukong said with a raised eyebrow, soon they reached the bridge, it was very old missing a few planks and very rickety, but there was a glow coming from under it as well as heat, they looked down to see a river of boiling lava

"Huh, guess the rain didn't put the lava out" Wukong said looking at the river of lava "how is there a river of lava here?!" Zhu Bajie said looking at the lava "I guess there's a sleeping volcano nearby that made this" Macaque aid looking at the lava "well, we're not wasting time standing here, let's go" Wukong said going to the bridge "what, you want us to cross this death trap?!" Zhu Bajie said glaring at the copper simian "yeah, how else are we suppose to get to the other side?" Wukong said giving the celestial swine a deadpan look

Wukong looks back at the bridge thinking while ignoring Zhu Bajie ranting and complaining, then he has an idea "alright, I think I have a plan for crossing the bridge" Wukong said looking at the others "now the bridge won't be strong enough to hold all of us at once so Master, Macaque, and Ao Lie will ride on my cloud with Sha Wujing holding it as he cross the bridge, then me and Zhu Bajie will cross last" Wukong said telling them his plan

"That sounds like it could work, but are you sure your cloud will be able to hold master, little brother and Mihou?" Sha Wujing asked looking at the copper simian "It will, trust me" Wukong said summoning his cloud. He looks over at Macaque, Ao Lie, and Tripitaka "come on" Wukong said holding his hand out, Macaque takes the hand as Wukong help him onto the cloud, then Tripitaka, and finally Ao Lie "hold onto each other" Wukong said as he floats the cloud over to the river spirit "now hold onto this and don't let go" Wukong said, Sha Wujing nods his head and began to slowly walk across the bridge holding onto the cloud

Wukong and Zhu Bajie watches as the river demon cross the bridge, walking over broken planks as he held onto the ropes, Tripitaka, Ao Lie, and Macaque held onto each other on the cloud as they reach the middle of the bridge, Ao Lie whimpers and buried his face into Macaques chest as the tanned simian held onto the dragon boy. Finally after what felt like an eternity Sha Wujing made it to the other side 'they made it' Wukong thought letting out a sigh of relief as he watches Sha Wujing help Macaque, Ao Lie, ad Tripitaka off the cloud "alright Piglet, it's our turn" Wukong said looking over to the celestial swine, Zhu Bajie peaks over the edge at the boiling bubbling hot lava and let out a nervous laugh "umm, yeah...I-I don't do...this kind of things" Zhu Bajie said backing away a bit

"Ah Piglet don't tell me that you're afraid of heights!" Wukong said looking at the celestial swine "no I'm just a little uncomfortable about being on a rickety bridge over a boiling lake of lava!" Zhu Bajie said looking at the lava "come on Bajie I'll be right behind you, we'll just handle this one little step at a time" Wukong said pushing the pig demon onto the bridge "really?" Zhu Bajie said looking at the copper simian "really really, just keep moving and don't look down" Wukong said as the two began to slowly cross the bridge "okay, don't look down, don't look down, don't look down" Zhu Bajie said as he walks across the bridge, but then a wooden plank snapped and broke under him making him look down

"Brother, I'm looking down!" Zhu Bajie exclaimed before letting out a scream "Gods I can't do this, just let me off right now please!" Zhu Bajie said turning around to Wukong "but you're already halfway there!" Wukong said pointing at the direction they were heading "but I know that half is safe!" Zhu Bajie said glaring at the copper simian "well then how are you going to cross around here?" Wukong asked glaring at the celestial swine "I'll walk around the mountain then!" Zhu Bajie said with a stubborn glare "okay fine, I don't have time for this you go back!" Wukong said and they began to argue while Tripitaka, Sha Wujing, Macaque, and Ao Lie watch. Then Wukong sways the bridge making the celestial swine scream in fear

"DON'T DO THAT!!!" Zhu Bajie said backing away, Wukong saw this and an idea formed in his head "oh I'm sorry, do what...oh, this?" Wukong asked smiling giving the bridge a hard sway "YES THAT!!" Zhu Bajie said glaring at the copper simian "yes? Yes, do it, okay" Wukong said and began shaking the bridge around "AHHHH, NO WUKONG, NO STOP IT!!!" Zhu Bajie said backing away more "you said do it! I'm doing it!" Wukong said shaking the bridge as he walks forward while Zhu Bajie walks back "I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die" Zhu Bajie said his eyes clenched shut. but then he felt the ground under him was solid and he opened his eyes to see that he's on the other side of the bridge "that'll do Piglet, that'll do" Wukong said patting his head walking back to the others, Zhu Bajie looks at the bridge surprised before rushing toward the others "you planned that didn't you?!" Zhu Bajie said glaring at the copper simian "maybe, maybe not, but at least you're across right?" Wukong said with an innocent shrug as the celestial swine let out a frustrated groan as the others chuckled