Bridge Galore
"It's a lot windier than I remember it." Crane put a wing over his hat.
"Tigress are you sure were going the right way?" Po asked. Bridges extended into infinity as far as the eye could see, each connected by a single stone spire.
"That's what the scroll says." The tiger confirmed showing him the map.
Cautious, he pushed down on the first plank that marked the end of the Valley of Peace and start of the Thread of Hope. It held, but just barely.
"This doesn't look safe though." Po glanced back at the two meager ropes that secured the hastily rebuilt bridge. The biting wind in the pass made it shudder with every little gust.
"We'll move in pairs. Mantis and Crane will go first. Viper, Monkey second. Po and I last."
"Got it."
Mantis was fairly quick to get to the other end of the bridge and Crane, being a bird, simply flew across the chasm. They both waved to their friends signalling for them to head over as the wind died down. Viper easily traversed the bridge, careful not to disturb the it while Monkey, being the daredevil of the group, went along the underside using the planks like monkey bars. From the other end he gave the remaining two a thumbs up before continuing on to Mantis and Crane, who were already far ahead.
"Show off." The panda muttered.
"Lets go."
Returning the thumbs up to Monkey, Po prepared to cross the abyss. If the bridge collapsed, he'd fall into oblivion to his death, but if he didn't there were still many more to go.
With the situation at Bǎolěi not getting any better, time was obviously of the essence.
"Uh, hypothetically speaking here, if this bridge collapsed, who do you think Crane would save?"
"That's not going to happen. Just focus on getting across."
"Right, right."
Po took a step forward, feeling the bridge quiver from the increased weight he reached out and seized the ropes to steady himself. Placing both feet onto the straining planks beneath him, he took a few breaths to get a grip and forced himself to go, his friend following close behind.
"Hey, if we die out here I just want you to know something."
"What's that?"
"You were always my favorite of the Five."
"As if I ever doubted."
A small gust of wind passed by hitting him like a slap on the face. Agitated, the bridge trembled causing one of the boards to break off underfoot. Po jerked back into Tigress and watched it vanish in the fog.
"Tigress if we don't get off this bridge, that's going to be us in a few seconds!"
"Keep walking!"
He stepped onto the next one, making sure to spread his weight out evenly as Mother Nature whispered to him. They were already half-way there. The wind picked up and screamed into his ear as a huge gust of wind shrieked past. The bridge whiplashed in protest and Po held onto the ropes that were loosening in his grip.
"Tigress, this thing's gonna collapse!"
"Go!"
Po made a break for the other side hoping the floorboards would hold. The thin cords that anchored the bridge to solid ground began to rip from the sudden stress. As the cables snapped, Po dove for the other side grasping onto the ledge when he felt something latch on and drag him down. Ground began to slip away from him as he clawed furiously to save himself. Digging his fingers into the rock, he came to an abrupt stop at the edge.
Po glanced back to see if his friend had stayed with the bridge, but found no signs of life clinging to it.
"Tigress!?"
"Below you." The feline held firmly onto Po's ankle.
"Oh. Hang on!"
Po grunted, heaving himself over the edge and onto the stone spire that once held the bridge. He'd have to thank Shifu for that chin-up training later. Turning around, he pulled the tiger away from the ledge and into a hug, shielding her from the cold.
"I think were off to a good start." He assured her.
Tigress chuffed. "Close call."
...
...
...
"You know, they say this pass is a thousand miles long."
"Well, we should get going then."
"Actually, can we just stay here for a minute?"
She gladly obliged.
Not sure if I'm getting it right. Let me know what you think and sorry if it's a little short, that's just how I write. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed.