Chapter 6: Mario

"Hey, Mario." Eraf asked from her seemingly permanent home of Mario's front pocket.

"Yes?" Mario replied.

"What was all that about earlier? Why were you asking the Spirit those things?"

"Hm... I just wanted to know. Why else would I ask a question?"

"Spiri... Saria." Mario addressed her. "Were you talking to me earlier? In my head?"

"I wasn't telepathing you, no. Why do you ask?" Saria replied.

"Before I defeated the eye-vine monster, and before I rescued you, I heard a voice in my head. It seemed to make me stronger. It was thanks to the voice that I actually beat those monsters. I thought that maybe you were calling to me for help."

"I was too weak to call for help." Saria told him. "It must have been someone else."

"Any idea who?"

"Not a one. Whoever it is, they've gotta be outside this forest."

"Is this yours?" Mario asked, changing the topic. He held the Deku Vine Whip out to her.

"Nope." Saria declared. "It's yours. You earned it."

"So it was yours?"

"Nope. Never seen it before. Still want that Tota?"

"Yes, of course." He took the large green stone from her. "These things can open a way to the Dark World, right?" Saria nodded. "Could they maybe open a way to my world, too?"

"I don't think so. They're tied to Hyrule, so they can only lead to a place within this world."

"I see. Thank you, Saria." He bowed, thinking it was the right thing to do. "I should get moving. I've got two princesses waiting to be rescued."

"What did that voice say?" Eraf asked.

"First, against the vine-eye thing, it said 'I believe in you', then against the Forest Dragon, it said 'Please hurry'. That's why I thought it might have been Saria. But, if it wasn't, and whoever it was is outside the forest, who could it be?"

"Maybe Princess Zelda?" Eraf suggested. "I don't know much about her, but I know she can use magic. She could have been calling out to the one Rauru chose as a hero."

"Yeah, maybe."

"Hey, look!" Eraf said suddenly. "It's Lon Lon Ranch!"

"Lon Lon Ranch?"

"They raise animals there. You know, horses, cows, cuccos and stuff. Maybe we should ask for a horse. It'd make travelling easier."

"Yeah, alright." Mario agreed.

"You'll have to talk to them yourself, though. We fairies don't go there, so they might be surprised, or even scared, at the sight of me."

"Okay. I think we'll stay there the night if they let us."

"Eh? You said you had to hurry!"

"I do, but I should rest. I can't keep going non-stop. I could in my old world, but not here. The laws of nature are too different. We'll only stay one night, then we'll get going. I'm more exhausted from that temple than I thought."

"I suppose. You won't be much use if you die from exhaustion. If you're real nice, they might give you some food, and maybe even some Lon Lon Milk."

"Let's hope so. I'm starved."

A scarecrow-like creature watched Mario enter the ranch. It pulled out a strange mask, and stared at it for a moment.

"Don't forget who got that back for you." A voice whispered from behind it. It didn't jump, but looked calmly around.

"I know." It replied in a high voice, though it was definitely a male voice. "Did that man really send Link away?"

"Of course. And now he's parading around with the fairy that was supposed to be Links' partner. He's even going to Lon Lon Ranch to try and steal his girlfriend, Malon. Can you let him get away with that?"

"No." The creature replied. It was shaking with anger. "He's doing those awful things to my only friend. I've got to teach him a lesson."

"Patience, Skull Kid." The owner of the voice stepped from the shadows. It was the same creature that had been at the Forest Temple. The one who Mario had almost seen. The same creature who had sent the Tunnel Vipers back to the Mushroom Kingdom. "Just do everything as I tell you, and you can have your revenge."

"Will Link ever come back?"

"I'm doing everything I can to find a way to bring him back. For now, you should worry about stopping that villain, before he steals anything else of Links'."

"What about Malon?"

"I sent her some place safe. If Mario can't take her, he'll probably kill her. Don't worry about that. Just stick to my plan."

"Right. Will that orange turtle be helping me?"

"No. He has other things to do. You're the only one who can stop this evil man."

"Then I'll do my best. Now that I have Majora's Mask back, I can do anything."

"Be careful, though. That mask may regain its control over you."

"Not this time." Skull Kid assured the creature. "It only controlled me last time because I was scared, and alone. I've got a really good friend who's counting on me. That's all the strength I need."

"Very well. I have urgent matters to attend to. I leave things in your hands for now." It disappeared in a flash.

"This mask will let me leave the forest, and walk in Hyrule Field, and the lands beyond. They can't escape me." Skull Kid muttered to itself. "Just you wait, Mario. Just you wait."

"A place to stay for the night?" The ranch owner repeated. "Why not ask at the village?"

"We're travelling the other way." Mario explained. "Toward the castle."

"Well, we've yet to refuse a traveller, so why start now? You can have the guest room. Only one night, you say?"

"Yes. We... I have to hurry. Could you provide me with food for my journey?"

"Of course, of course. Though, our supply is a little low. Ever since my precious daughter disappeared, everything's been slow around here."

"Your daughter?"

"Malon. A few days ago, she went for a walk, and never came back. It was on that same day that the strangest creature showed up. It eats anything, and I'm afraid it may have eaten her. That's it over there." He pointed at a strange creature. It looked like a small raptor, with a bulbous nose, larges black eyes, and feet that resembled boots.

"Yoshi!" Mario gasped. At his cry, the Yoshi looked up, then ran toward him.

"You know that thing?"

"Yeah, he's mine! I uh... lost him a while ago."

"Then, you should know. Would it eat an elf?"

"Of course not. They're obedient to hu... uh, elves. Hello, Yoshi." He said. Yoshi was now stood in front of him. It made a 'glork' sound, and rubbed its head against him.

"Well, if it's yours, will you take it with you when you leave? The thing's eating us out of house and home."

"Of course I'll take it. They don't really need to eat much, but they'll gobble up anything that's put too close to them." He was scratching the back of Yoshi's head.

"Well, that's a relief. If you'll come this way, I'll show you to your room."

"Ah, a bed!" Mario sighed as he flopped onto it.

"Ah! Hey!" Eraf's indignant cry sounded from his pocket. She crawled out, and flew into the air. "Geez, Mario! Did you forget about me, lying in there?"

"Sorry, Eraf. I was just so excited at seeing a bed at long last."

"Ehh, alright." Eraf sighed. "I guess I understand." She slowly descended, and landed on Mario's stomach. "Quick question. About that Yoshi thing. Would it eat a fairy?"

"Not unless I tell it to."

"You won't, right?" Eraf asked, sounding seriously worried.

"Of course not. I need you too much to make you Yoshi chow. He likes fruit more than anything else."

"Phew... that's a relief." She layed down, hands behind her head. "I'm a little worried about what's up ahead."

"What d'you mean?"

"Those things in the Forest Temple are nothing compared to the monsters in other temples. The ones in the Shadow Temple are probably the deadliest by themselves, and the ones in the Water and Sand Temples attack in groups."

"Are there any other temples?"

"Only the Fire Temple, and the Temple of Time. The Fire Temple has a few dangerous monsters, but nothing too dangerous. There aren't any monsters in the Temple of Time, so no worries there."

"So, what's the Temple of Time?"

"It's a temple made for the Goddesses, just in front of Hyrule Castle. The three Spiritual Stones are there, too. Another Link gathered them many years ago, and used them to get the Master Sword to defeat Ganondorf."

"Did he beat Ganondorf?"

"Not exactly. He was sent to the Dark World, which used to be the Sacred Realm, by the Sages. He's been there for years, building his army, waiting for the day he can break out, and destroy Hyrule."

"If he's after destroying Hyrule, why isn't he doing it already? Or is his army too small?"

"I don't know. He's been really quiet. All he's done is kidnapped Princess Zelda, and taken her to the Dark World. I think he made those monsters in the Forest Temple, but I can't be sure." She sighed, and stretched her legs in the air. "We'll just have to be careful. We might even have to go to other places, and see if we can find some weapons to help us."

"Can we worry about that tomorrow? I just want to take it easy right now."

"I suppose."

"Mario!" Talon, the ranch owner, called from downstairs. "Dinner's ready!"

"Coming!" Mario called. "Want me to smuggle up some food?"

"That's okay. I'll go out to find some food."

Eraf did indeed go out, but not to find food. Instead, she spoke to Yoshi.

"How did you get here?" She asked it, using fairy tongue, which could be understood by all creatures but humans and elves.

"I'm not sure." Yoshi replied in his own language. "I was waiting by the warp pipe for Mario, when everything suddenly went black. When I woke up, I was stood in a large field. I could smell that something like Peach and Daisy had been in the same area. I walked around for a while, and found this place. They keep feeding me, and I wish they'd stop. I can't help but eat everything I'm given, but I know that they're running out of food."

"Mario wants you to come with us. Will you?"

"Of course. Mario is my owner, so I have to do what he says. If I can do anything to help, then I will."

"Thank you, Yoshi."

"Any time, Eraf. It's nice to have someone new to talk to. I get the feeling you'll be alot more interesting than the other animals were."

"I'm sure I will be. I've gotta go now. I've got something to check out."

"Is it that stone you were holding?"

"Yes... how did you know?"

"I could smell it. If you can't figure anything out, then could I try? I might be able to figure something out."

"I'll consider that, Yoshi. Thank you."

"You're most welcome."

"Oh, it's no good." Eraf moaned as Mario walked into their room. She was sat on the Tota, which was floating in the air. "I can't pick up anything that could help us find the other Totas." She sighed, and she and the stone slowly descended to the bed.

"Maybe you should ask Yoshi?" Mario suggested. "They've got an incredible sense of smell. I figure that they must have all been handled by the same person at some point. If they have, then Yoshi will be able to pick that up, and take us to the place with the same scent."

"Yoshi was saying that he might be able to figure something out if I couldn't."

"You can talk to Yoshi?" Mario asked, stunned.

"Yeah. All animals except humans and elves can understand fairy language, and fairies can understand all languages. Yoshi could smell the stone, even though I was holding it in my fairy magic."

"That's how good a Yoshi is." Mario said proudly, lowering himself onto the bed. "Talon's making me some food to take with me, and he's giving me some of that Lon Lon Milk, too. Hey, next time you talk to Yoshi, could you tell him how grateful I am to him? He's really helped me out over the years."

"No problem. I'm sure that'll make him happy."

"Thanks." Mario said, kicking his shoes off, and pulling the bedsheets over himself. "I'm going to get some sleep." He turned onto his left side.

"Goodnight, Mario."

"Goodnight, Eraf." Mario yawned, then closed his eyes. Eraf made the Tota disappear, then watched Mario for a while. When she heard Mario start to snore softly, she flitted over to him, then nestled herself under Mario's right hand, which was laid gently on the pillow.

A large owl was perched on the roof of the ranch, eyeing everything around it. It was mostly interested in the Skull Kid which was trying to hide itself. The odd purple mask that it wore made it stand out against the green and brown of the forest, so the owl could see it easily.

"So, Link has gone." It muttered softly to itself. "And this Mario has appeared in his place. Hoo hoot. And now Mario's going to save Zelda. Surprising that Eraf took to him so quickly, considering how she was when they first met. I suppose I should try to help them in any way I can. Hoot hoot hoo." It spread its wings, then flew away into the night.

"Thank you again, for everything." Mario said to Talon.

"Not a problem. Consider it thanks for taking the troublesome beast off our hands. Ingo will calm down now, for certain."

"And my journey will be alot easier." Mario laughed, mounting Yoshi. "If I see your daughter, do you want me to send her home?"

"Please." Talon replied. "Have a safe journey."

"Thank you." Mario kicked Yoshi into a jog.

They were well away from the ranch before Eraf popped her head out of Mario's front pocket.

"Ah!" She gasped. "It may be comfortable in there, but it gets really stuffy after a while." She breathed deeply.

"Eaten all that chocolate yet?"

"Hm? Oh, yes, the chocolate!" Eraf hefted the bar, and unwrapped it. "I'd almost forgotten." She took a bite, and made content noises in her throat while she chewed. "D'you think they've got stuff like this in Hyrule Market Town?"

"Where's that?"

"It's a little town that's in front of the castle. It's got loads of shops, apparently, and you can find just about anything there."

"Yeah? Then maybe we should head there first. There might be a few things I need, and I'll take a look at the Temple of Time while I'm at it."

"You should get a shield from the bazaar, and maybe a few bottles."

"Bottles?"

"Yeah. I should have enough rupees. Bottles are useful for carrying water, potions, and even bugs."

"Bugs?"

"They're more useful than you think. Little beetle things, not the massive things in the forest. They can be used to scare Gold Skulltulas out of hiding places, or uncover seeds. There's even a few weirdos out there who'll pay quite a sum for a bug."

"Wow. The money thing sounds more promising. Why would I want seeds or Gold Skull-wotsits?"

"Seeds to make magic plants, that can take you to special places. Gold Skulltulas for their tokens, which you can use to either prove what a good hunter you are, or sell to a special merchant. You can use bottles for Poe spirits, too."

"Poe?"

"Ghosts, you might call them. You can drink the spirit, and it might heal you. It might make you sick, though. You're better off selling them to the Ghost Merchant."

"There's some odd ways to make money."

"Oh yeah." Eraf agreed. "Some monsters even have money, which you can take when you beat them. Though, they've rarely got more than ten, maybe twenty, rupees."

"Money made easy. Wish it was like that back home."

"It's not as easy as you think. Anyways, I make it two days before we reach the castle. Watch out for Peahats and their larva, and stick to the paths at night, unless you want Stalchildren hunting you down forever and a day."

"I'll be sleeping at night, most likely."

"Good. Nothing here bothers anything when its' sleeping, except maybe the odd thief. All the thieves are either too scared to leave their homes now that Ganondorf's back, or they're in Gerudo Valley."

"That's a relief. Hopefully we'll reach the castle quicker than two days. Yoshis can run for ages without getting tired, unless the laws of nature here affect him, too."

"Do they, Yoshi?" Eraf asked him in fairy tongue.

"I think they do." Yoshi replied, though Mario heard nothing but 'glorp' and 'blon'. "I'm a little tired already, and I haven't been going for an hour yet."

"Mario's probably heavier now, since he's got more muscle. Muscle is heavier than fat, you know."

"I guess so. The Nature Laws have probably given him muscle to account for his superhuman abilites."

"Most likely. Let's hope they buff you, too."

"Let's hope." Yoshi agreed.

"Well?" Mario asked.

"We think they do. But, he thinks that the laws of nature in this world will build up his muscles so he can do the things he could before. Just like they're doing with you."

"That makes some sense. Why my arms feel firmer than before."

"Just don't go checking yourself out in every mirror you pass."

"Don't be stupid. I'm not vain."

"Anyways. After Hyrule Market Town, I think we should go to Zora's River, then up to Zora's Domain." She pointed some place far to the east. "Ask the Zora King if he can help us, then we'll go all the way across..." She pointed west. "To Lake Hylia, and the Water Temple."

"That's a long way to go." Mario noted.

"I guess so. We don't really have that much time to waste. You can go by yourself to see the Zora King, then I'll warp you to Lake Hylia."

"Thanks, Eraf. Don't know what I'd do without you."

"Get eaten by a Like-Like, probably." Eraf said scornfully, though she smiled to herself and blushed.