48 Avalanche

Dani was silently fixing a snowmobile by herself. Andres was a little shocked but kept quiet.

"So what are we going to do now?" asked Leira.

Logan answered sternly, "Looks like Dani will be the leader until further notice. We'll have to be careful and switch our strategy to get you guys to the top. But we can manage. Just don't say anything about her driving".

Leira nodded, "By the way, what did you give Jeff"?

Logan snapped a finger up, "An artificer gun. It's actually pretty powerful. A hassle to use. But can ignore defenses".

"Can a ranger learn how to ignore defenses?" asked Leira.

"And what about a hunter?" asked Mina.

Andres answered, "It's hard for a ranger to learn to ignore defenses. It's an advanced skill. As for a tamer, you will probably never learn that. But you should learn how to get around an opponent's defenses. So don't worry".

Dani ordered the boys to push the snowmobile out, "Alright. It'll be me driving, then Andres behind me to give directions. God forbid I know where I'm going. Logan will take rear to keep watch and not get us killed. Leira and Mina will sit in the middle. We get back to the train and figure this all out there. It's that easy".

Once they reached snow, the snowmobile became easier to push. Everybody hopped in their seats.

"Looks like I'm behind the bopper Mina," said Logan.

Mina's cheeks reddened, "I don't know what you're talking about".

Dani was already rolling down into the snow when a loud bang was heard from the mountains.

"Avalanche!" shouted Logan belligerently.

"Damnit," said Andres, "Looks like we're gonna have to take the dangerous route".

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Jeff managed to link the rest of his team up at the cave. His gingerbread men created an ice wall to block the avalanche from entering.

Now safe, he took count, realizing more than half his gingies were dead. Even worse, Hakim was in no position to fight and Dani was missing with half the team.

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Dani and her screw sped down a drop-off to race down a narrow valley. They shot through mid-air, lowering through the horizon. Mina and Leira felt their heart pull out of their backs whereas the three veterans were excited.

The snowmobile slammed on a path filled with protruding rocks and snowmen.

Logan shouted, "The avalanche is getting near".

Snow smacked Dani's face as she maxed its speed, embracing the thrill. Rocks grazed them. She barely dodged anything nor heard Andres yelling to go right.

At the fork, Andres tapped her right shoulder. She slammed the breaks, drifting right.

A penguin headbutted towards her face. Andres punched it away with his shield.

Right when Dani oriented the vehicle, the avalanche hit the fork.

"Hit air!" yelled Andres.

Dani maxed her speed again. Leira's sweat built up as though she peed. Mina felt tears of death fall down her icy cheeks.

Speeding past many snowmen, Dani dashed up a ramp.

They landed on a small path in the mountainside that led into a cave. The entrance was small, preventing the avalanche from entering.

The cave was steep and small. Dani took advantage to drive down quicker.

Everyone ducked their heads when bats flew by. Andres created a magical shield to protect them.

The bats aimed for the snowmobile bottom instead. Logan smacked the outer side to enchant it with lightning.

Dani was now able to drive through the bats easily.

"There's a giant snowman near the exit!" yelled Andres.

Dani began charging her gun in one hand and steering with the other.

Exiting the cave, Logan shouted, "Avalanche"!

"You got this Dani," yelled Andres. He looked over, noticing an ostrich-sized chicken-like bird running at their side.

It screamed, "Kweh"!!!

The giant snowman formed. Dani shot a firebomb.

The snowman exploded, revealing a frozen lake.

"Crap," sighed Dani.

She fought her shaking hands to speed up. Once on the ice, she cut off the power to skid.

The avalanche slowed down once it widened on the lake.

Snow had picked up, creating a mist across the frozen lake. Something crashed into the snowmobile, causing them to skid off course.

Logan began throwing cards to freeze all the penguins sliding their way.

Dani began tapping the gas to reorient themselves.

She skidded the vehicle side to side, "Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God".

Coming to a frozen waterfall, she slammed the gas. The snowmobile drove forward at an angle.

They fell down the waterfall. It was more like a stream being at a 45-degree angle.

Slamming into an icicle straightened them.

"Shit," yelled Dani as the snowmobile began rattling.

Squeezing Logan's legs, Mina was hyperventilating with her eyes closed. Leira buried her face in Andres's back.

"Oh my God," said Andres.

Logan wanted to form a flame shield with Andres. Instead, he placed his trust in Dani who was at her breaking point.

Dani rattled them down at top speed. She avoided many icicles and took many bumps.

The avalanche got closer. The stream grew narrow while becoming flat. There was another waterfall up ahead that fell into a steep valley.

Dani's cries turned into joyous squeals when she felt something latch onto the snowmobile.

"You did it!" yelled Andres.

Coming closer to the drop-off, Dani realized it formed an upward ramp at the edge. She sped up to shoot out as hard as possible.

They were falling over the valley. Mina squirmed into Logan's arms. Mina wanted to piss really believing they were falling into a valley. Once again, the veterans enjoyed themselves.

The snowmobile safely landed in the snow. It shook to a stop. The avalanche however fell down the valley where it couldn't harm them.

The two young girls continue breathing heavily as they watched their escorts shake themselves out.

Mina looked at their now useless snowmobile, "Are we going to get to ride again"?

"Really?" asked Logan, "I thought you were going to pee yourself".

"I thought I was going to pee myself," said Leira.

Mina was jumping while holding her cheeks, "Yyeeeaah, I did too. But...".

she continued with composure, "It was fun. And I might be scared to do it again. Buuuut, I want to do it again".

Andres smirked asking, "But won't you just cry again"?

Mina blushed, twirling her feet, "Yeeess... I will... But... I want to go again".

"Let's go and leave my girls alone," said Dani, "We can come back and ride again for the winter event. Just don't tell anybody. We'll have a secret mission to do it on a different day. Alright"?

Everybody nodded as Andres began leading them back to the train. A hand stopped Mina. She was scared by Logan's sinister demeanor.

"Can I help you?" she asked.

Logan smiled saying, "Yes, you actually can. look, I know you're shy. And you're doing good. But, we need you to be a bit more comfortable with yourself. Get what I am saying"?

Mina shook her head, causing Logan to clasp his hands, "I see your passion. And I see what you can do. I also know what you've already done.

Unfortunately, it doesn't end there. We need your 'support' if we hope to beat this game. Can you do that"?

She took a deep breath to force a smile, "I can try".

Logan was agitated, "Okay. We'll just continue doing all of the work".

She trembled to catch up, "How does he know my secret? And what's wrong with him? Why is he so mean"?

Despite her feelings, Mina wasn't going to give up.

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Jeff and his team arrived at the train station. Logan was trying to lure in creatures for the girls to fight. Dani scolded him in circles. They were so loud you could hear their echoes through the land. Leira was thrilled whereas Mina was hugging her oversized ferret.

Jeff continued riding his peeps down to the train station. He was more so getting prepared for Dani's wrath.

She looked up, "Jeff's here! Everybody get inside"!

Jeff was happy to be pushing on with a happy sister.