NOTES: I think the poison swamp was my favorite place out of all the four places. Although, I don't know how many deaths I gotten, and still get, from accidentally walking off a ledge and into the poison water, only to sit for a whole minute knowing I'm going to drown.
The first few times I had Link drown in the water, it was actually quite heart wrenching to watch as a 7 year old...
Chapter 4: Rescue Mission! A Country's Rageful King, The Mysterious Poison Swamp!
Link tried desperately to crawl forwards to somewhere that wasn't wet with the lethal liquid. The water by now seemed so thick with a purple substance, he couldn't see the ground even though he was only knee deep (had he been standing and not on his knees). But soon the ground gave away suddenly underneath him, as he had crawled directly into a big slope into swamp. Link was soon swimming, or rather, trying to swim and beginning to drown, for his body had became so weak from the poison he had almost no strength left. It was as if it had all been sapped from him. He sputtered as some of the water entered his mouth, and grunted from his efforts from trying to stay above the surface, but he was quickly failing. Tatl's yells unfortunately were of no use to him.
"Hey! Come on, get back up!" Tatl rang out loudly in worry. Link only coughed. Struggling to stay above the surface as best as he could, but soon, his form sank under the surface completely. A few more splashes were given from him under the surface, but soon, the water's flailing was nothing more then ripples and bubbles from under where the boy sank. The poison in the water so thick, Tatl couldn't even see him.
"Kid! ? Come on!" Tatl rang. But the only thing she knew of the boy's existence was the air bubbles that were coming from where he sank as he was currently drowning under the water. And these were popping quickly as they hit the water's surface.
"...Can't breathe... My body... going numb... Poison water..." Link thought to himself in dilated panic. But his thought process was damaged. The poison had even began to numb his mind and thinking. He was trying with all his strength to move. But his muscles wouldn't react. His lungs burned, water filling inside of him. His consciousness was slipping. He could hear Tatl screaming, but it was nothing but echoes to him. Everything was becoming black.
With his last bit of strength, he managed to move his arm up. So close to the surface of the water. But then he blacked out.
"Hey! Swim back up!" Tatl pleaded above the surface of the water. She soon dove into the water with a tiny splash, but only came back out sputtering within a span of two seconds. She flapped her wings furiously, out of adrenalin, and to get the water off of them.
She soon heard rustling, and turned around, seeing four furry white creatures right in front of her.
"KYAA!" She ranged out in surprise, as they were sitting on a thick branch from a fallen tree out in the water.
"Don't worry, We'll help him!" One of the white creatures said. Tatl looked and realized they were little apes, or rather, monkeys. Reaching down into the water, the monkey that had spoken had pulled out Link's hand. It was very fortunate Link had out stretched his hand before he blacked out. The four with aided team effort, Had begun pulling the Hylian out of the water. Soon picking him up, they carried the boy in a team. One hand on the boy's hands or feet, the other being used to swing and carry him along low hanging tree branches, or vines. They moved skillfully and expertly.
"Where are you taking him?" Tatl asked as she followed in a worried voice.
"The swamp has springs with clean water. Tourists put the water in bottles and take it home with them. That's because of how pure it is. The clear water should wash the poison water off." One of the monkeys explained to the white fairy.
Within a few moments later, they reached one of these springs. The monkey's dropped the unconscious Hylian child into the water gently. One ape holding the boy's head above the water.
The ape's soon began splashing the boy all over. Tatl only watched, kind of confused. It was like watching some rather odd ritual dance. Splashing the boy over and over again with fresh clean water.
Soon, one of the furs of the monkey began to tickle Link's nose.
"Haa... Hah..." Link began to let out. His eyes sealed themselves tighter as his face wrinkled up a bit from the on-coming sneeze.
Tatl floated over to his face. "Hey, are you coming ar-"
"HAH-CHOO-!"
"Aieeee- *Splash*"
Poor Tatl spun around and made a small splash in the water. When she came out, she was hissing and sputtering. "You..." She murmured angrily, as she glared at Link, who only blinked as he sniffed his nose as if he had just woke up from a small nap, but was still tired and wanted to go back to sleep.
"We cleaned you off in this pure water, so you should be just fine now. You might feel a little sick for a while if you swallowed any of the poison though... But really, at that rate, you would have drowned in a matter of seconds. You need to be careful!" One of the white small apes scolded him.
"Th...Thanks a lot..." Link said quietly as he let out another sniffle. He was a bit disappointed within himself. He just started, and within an hour, he had nearly got himself killed, and would have been killed had luck not been on his side.
The small ape sighed. "...Don't worry about it. What's your name?" The monkey asked.
"Link." The Hylian simply answered.
"Not a problem Mr. Link." He said with a wink. Perhaps trying to cheer him up from his nearly fatal mistake.
Tatl hissed a little. "Hmph... I worried about you just a little bit too you know, and you're IGNORE me!"
...Which Link continued to do.
"...Actually... since we saved your life, I have huge favor I need to ask of you..." The monkey began.
"What is it?" Link asked, curious. "Do you want a banana... or something?" He asked. "That wouldn't be that difficult."
"Oh! A banana! I want one I want one, ook~ ook~! oo-" The money cheered, before one of the other monkey's bonked his friend lightly on the head. "No you dummy! Ask them properly!" He ordered.
The little white monkey cleared his throat while rubbing his slightly sore head before speaking.
"Lately, poison has been spreading throughout this swamp, making it inhabitable... We suspect the temple at the top of the waterfall, it's called Woodfall Temple... The poison seems to be flowing from there, and entering into the water.. Only a few springs like these not connected to the main flow are not infected with the poison. The princess of the Deku Nut tribe that lives here in a palace went there to investigate. But a monster came! She was kidnapped by that monster!" The monkey began to sob a little. "At this rate, the princess will fall prey to the monsters!"
The monkey's held up the boy's sword and shield from his back. Link turned his head slightly to look a the creature as he stayed seated. "The princess is important to us. She's not just a princess, but she's also our important friend! You have a sword and shield... are you strong? You must fight, right? Please! Slay the monster and save the princess!" The monkey's requested desperately.
"...Wow... Well Link, they may be just monkeys, but they DID just save your life. I don't you have got no choice but to help them. After all, two birds with one stone..." Tatl reasoned. Reminding him that they were going to ask for information anyways. Perhaps rescuing the princess would be enough to bribe them of any information they may need.
"Don't just decide on your own, Tatl..." Link mumbled at her, before looking back to the monkey's. Pulling out his Kokiri sword from it's sheathe, he pushed it into the ground, using it to lift him more into a kneeling position inside the clear spring water. After all, he still felt sick and weak.
"I understand." Link began. "...But I'm also looking for someone... Or something... Before I go to Woodfall temple, I'd like to meet the King of the Deku tribe." Link stated.
"Eh-?You shouldn't go there in my opinion to be hones... Because the King is... Well, if you really want to go I suppose we could show you..." One of the Monkey's said.
"...?" Link looked at Tatl, as she looked at him. They couldn't see what the problem is. Wouldn't the King want someone to offer to look for his daughter anyways?
They were led to the palace. Link stared at the rather odd shaped structure. It's surface looked like dents, nearly bee-hive shaped on the surface that was dyed a deep green. On the exception of two rather large black holes on the top of the structure leading outside (not counting the main gate), it truly did indeed look like some type of bee-hive structure.
"The "one" from here that Tael was talking about... I do hope the king or somebody knows something. We have no idea who we're looking for, or what!" Tatl dinged out as they walked on the wooden planks that led to the Palace that was floating in the water. This made Link uneasy. Looking down as he walked on these, he could see the infected water. Although he was positive he wouldn't slip, he was still cautious of each and every step.
Link turned back around, gazing at the top of the waterfall behind him. Shielding his eyes from the sunlight to do so. "But why is there poison water flowing out of the temple? By the sounds of it, the temple must have been here for at least a while? Why would the temple suddenly begin spreading poison into the water? If it's that monster that kidnaped the princess, then how would it have done it? There must be something wrong going on in that temple..." Link pondered out loud to Tatl.
Walking up to the front gate. Link called out. "Hello! Is anybody there?"
Two Deku guards suddenly emerged from the ground as he stepped closer, and blocked off his path.
"Hmph! This is no place for outsiders, pi!" The first one said.
"This is the palace for the Deku Nut kingdom, pi!" The second one said.
"Shoo, shoo! Go home pi! Deku nuts only, pi!" They both said at once.
"...Geez. How stingy..." Tatl muttered annoyed.
"...It's alright, Tatl." Link said, walking back, before walking out the guards line of sight. He could see the confused expression Tatl's aura formed. Why was he so okay with being pushed out?
"I'll just use this~" He said, holding up the Deku mask. Link grinned a little at his plan. He put the Deku mask on.
Link soon felt a tingling feeling all over his body. He hunched over a little bit, before it felt like a jolt was entering his body. He groaned out some it felt painful, but the pain was short and brief. Within seconds, he looked at his hands. And soon, he was a Deku like he had been before.
Link now as a Deku walked forward to the two guards who had just shooed him away.
"A comrade, Pi! You may pass, Pi!"
"Thanks!" Link called back, smirking under the Deku form. Even though he had the same hat, the guards weren't even suspicious at all.
As he got closer, he heard some noises. Tatl fluttered a little uncomfortably at them.
"...What's this ominous screaming?" Link questioned to nobody in particular. He peeked his head out the doorway.
"All right, I demand you confess you mutt! You took the princess! If you do not tell me, you will be burned alive to a crisp at that stake you are tied on-!"
A giant Deku Nut bellowed from his throne. Obviously the king, Link noted, as he not only was the largest Deku there, but wore a crown on his head. He held a giant staff, a flower with two stems intertwined together.
"Your Highness, please, sir... Calm yourself-!" The King's butler pleaded. Link looked, seeing a poor wolf tied to a stake. Struggling to get free from the ropes that bind him from the stake up in the air.
"Quiet-! We don't have time for this! We must dispatch the guards now to search for my precious daughter-!"
"But yo-"
"Silence, butler or face the consequences just like this dog-!" The king smacked his butler away with his staff. "I will show those stupid animals what happens to those who lay a even a single finger on a member of the royal family! They will be sacrifices for the greater God!"
"Deku Nut King! The princess was kidnaped by a monster in the temple! This wolf is innocent!" Link yelled at the top of his lungs in his Deku form, as he ran into the room. But the king didn't seem to notice the small green Deku boy. He was in too much of a rage to even think straight it would seem.
"LIGHT THE FIRE-! BURN HIM TO A CRISP! !" The King bellowed. As one of the servant's lit the wolf cub's stake.
Link took off the mask, quietly reverting back to his humanoid form. "Dammit! Stupid king, you have got to be kidding me...!" Link growled.
Quickly sneaking up on the wolf's stake as everyone watched the King yell out rather senseless things, he began to untie one of the ropes with his sword. "Go! Get outta here!" Link whispered to the wolf cub as he sliced the animals bindings. Letting out a small whimper, the little mammal quickly scurried off to the exit.
"There is an intruder, pi!"
"He looks very suspicious, pi!"
"He freed the prisoner, pi!"
"Burn him! Pi!"
It didn't take long for Link to realize every Deku Nut that was inside the palace were now looking at him.
"So YOU are the one who kidnaped the princess! I will not forgive you! Sacrifice this insolent fool for his crime-!" Roared the king.
"...Er..." Link mumbled out.
"You... IDIOT-!" Tatl raged at him sounding like a high pitched bell.
"But I- - Oh, sod it!" Link soon sprinted out from the way he entered, as well the way the wolf had escaped from.
"After him! Get him!" The king roared, bouncing up and down on his throne, as everyone in the room began to give chase after the boy and fairy.
Link passed by the two guards at the entrance practically running them over as they tried to block his escape path. He quickly sprinted his way behind a little cove where he had transformed before. Quickly putting on the mask to hide his human form, he crouched, watching as he hid. All the Dekus had eventually ran by him without giving a second glance. Quickly slipping off the mask, he returned to his normal form quick.
Link soon let out a breath, panting and sweating at how dangerous that was. So much for collecting any informa-.
*BONK!*
"What the hell were you thinking!" The white fairy ringed at him as Link rubbed his forehead where he was pelted on.
"Well, I couldn't just let him burn!" Link argued back.
"Hmph!" Tatl merely let out.
Link looked above at the top of the waterfall.
"It looks like the only way to set things straight is to kill that monster!"
