For some reason we couldn't drive the scary giant ice dozer into a protected nature reserve or up a mountain. Figures, just when I want that thing I have to go on a long hike. It was beautiful after the frick'n flying ship dropped us off we strolled through. I took out my phone and took a few photos. I had joined photography club in high school so I could get good pictures to paint.

  I carefully aligned the camera and stared in wonder a wistful laugh exp,doing from my lips in a way I haven't done in a long, long time.

  Zane was studying me as I darted back and forth snapping pictures and enjoying the walk. It reminded me of Nana's garden.

  I watched as a hummingbird zipped by me and I carefully crouched a good distance away to snap a picture.

  "You are much like your grandmother." Wu commented.

  I smiled at him. "Thank you!" Then I paused. "That's a good thing right?"

  He chuckled. "Yes."

  "Sweet!" I found a large leaf filled with water and bent to examine it. As I did I noticed Wu take Zane gently aside and talk quietly with him. I'm not a snoop if the person isn't my brother, or my parents, or my best friends, or my entire school so I let them have their space before joining them again.

  When I did we made it to the base of the mountain. I did a quick stretch. "Okay," I eyed the rock face. "it's not like two years of cross country was for nothing."

  Zane looked amused as he some how got out a water bottle and handed it to me before starting up.

  After about ten minutes Master Wu was making me look really bad. I tried to hide my pants but it was a struggle.

  "Would you like my staff Gwen?" Wu offered.

  I waved my hand. "I'm good." I huffed.

  "We are almost there." Zane announced from way up top. He jumped easily back down the path to me and placed his hand on the small of my back to keep me from slipping, which was common.

  "When we go down you are so making an ice slide." I told him.

"Alright." Zane's mouth slid into a smile.

We made it to the top and saw the most majestic thing I have ever seen, a crystal coffin edged in jewels and....

Nope.

It was a rock. With more rock. Full of dirt.

"Wow it's beautiful" I said blandly.

Wu chuckled. "Beauty is sometimes below the surface, I would think an artist would know that."

Suddenly he slammed his stick multiple times into the ground.

I stanched in horror as giant plates of the ground I was standing on separated. And then I fell.

I landed hard on my side and could feel the bruise as soon as I groaned and became semi aware of my environment. Wu landed professionally beside me and Zane showed off and dropped down in an impressive ninja pose.

"You may want to change from the sweater vest Zane for this next part." Wu advised him as he pulled me up by the armpits like my brother used to do whine I fell off my bike.

Excuse me?

Zane nodded and suddenly he whipped around so fast, easily sliding a gi on in a whirl of ice.

I blinked. I want to be able to do that.

Wu led us down a hall, still full of rock and dirt, and we came about a dead end. He carefully placed his hands on the wall before doing a complicated tapping pattern.

"Wow, I want my grave to be this high tech." I raised en eyebrow as the rock slit in half and slid aside like a sliding door.

The road of water sounded as we stepped into a cavern. And the old man was right, it was beautiful. And full of fast moving water.

In front of us was what looked like miles of strong currents that ended in a dangerous waterfall and on either side of us was gasp more waterfalls! Yes it was pretty with the nice shiny glittering stones that also were attached the grotto but I'm not a strong swimmer.

I can do an efficient doggy paddle and that's it.

   Wu led us to the very edge just so we could get a good look at the speed of the rushing water and feel the spray on our faces. I scrunched up my face as the mist hit my face.

  "Um, confession? I can't swim." I said panicked.

  "Don't worry, no one will be going for a dive." Wu assured me but the fact that his toes were hanging off the rock floor didn't help. "Zane?"

  He nodded and raised his hands slowly. Like a dancer almost he closed his eyes and moved his hands in a small fluent movement. It was magical and I watched in awe as his hands glowed and the water began to transform. It was slow at first, starting with a small glow, then frost began to form and then it solidified into ice. The waterfalls stopped, ending in beautiful icicles. The water running in front of us had turned into a hard ice rink.

Zane sunk to one knee, panting.

I looked at him in concern and crouched next to him. "Are you alright?"

"I am unhurt." He shook his head, bringing the tips of his middle and index finger unconvincingly to his temple before rising shakily.

"What do we do now master?" Zane asked, face confident.

"We slide." The one hundred and something old man said with a grin.

I blinked. Did I mention I also can't handle roller coasters and anything that makes your stomach do that thing where it flips around like a one legged frog?

"I'm not sure..." I let out a shriek as Wu gently pushed me. I went sliding across the ice and my eyes widened as I neared the edge. It looked like the edge of my life okay?

I spun and tried to claw at the ice as I neared it, spinning and squeaking as I got to the very end and....stopped. Huh. I moved to peer over whine a body slammed into me.

My yells and screams could be heard from miles away as the icy "slide" the water had formed into went straight down. After giving me a sufficient heart attack it curved before pitching down again.

My hands flew over my face and I yelped again when I felt myself go vertical. Someone's arms moved around my waist. Legs on either side of mine and I could sense someone by my ear. I hope that it isn't Wu. That would be really awkward.

Thankfully a familiar robotic voice came in my ear. "You can open your eyes Gwendolyn, you may enjoy it."

  "No I won't." I said stubbornly, giving him a good elbow in the ribs. He didn't seem to fazed and simply took my wrists and brought them down from my eyes.

  I yelped as we did a sharp turn and another plummet. "Oh I'm going to be sick." I chocked.

  "You do not have any signs of ailment Gwendolyn." Zane told me inc concern.

  "Shut up and don't tell me to open my eyes again." I tried to sound sharp but I just gripped his arms tighter had shut my eyes.

  "Closing your eyes may make the feeling of nausea worse and increase the chance of throwing up." Zane said up helpfully. He nudged me. "Besides we are almost there."

  I peeped an eye open as Wu whizzed by me and clung for dear life onto Zane as we neared and edge.

  We plummeted off the end and sailed through the air before landing in a heap. Well I landed in a heap and Zane hit the ground nicely on his feet but then simply fell straight over on his face.

  Wu tapped him on the head. "Come on, I did not train you to lounge around."  Then he walked on.

  I rolled my eyes and got to my feet. Zane sat up but his right eye was...sparking?

  "Zane?" I said cautiously. He turned quickly away.

  "You go ahead Gwendolyn, I will join you in a moment."

  I slowly turned but when I glanced back he whacked himself lightly in the head. After a moment he shrugged and stood, following me. Eye perfectly fine. I narrowed my eyes.

What the heck?