Chapter Ten: Saving Prince Ralis!

Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Beast Within

Chapter: 10

Author: Hikari no Vikki

Genre: Action/Adventure/Fantasy

Disclaimer: Um... hmm. (runs off to go gets some paints and a HUGE wall, upon which the words 'I DON'T OWN THIS' can be read in colorful, large print) Yeah, I'm not running out of ideas at ALL. :D

Description: Zelda/Kingdom Hearts crossover. Sora, Donald, and Goofy land in Hyrule. At the same time, Twilight begins to blanket it. Will our heroes be able to aid a simple farm boy named Link in conquering the Twilight, or will they all perish in the shadows?

Author's Notes-

I was going to update sooner, but Facebook distracted me... XD

No Lakebed Temple yet, sorry guys! I can't wait, cause we get to see the last and final traitor! XD These 'traitors' will be appearing and reappearing in several different places, so we'll be seeing Axel again, I can promise you. WARNING: This chapter contains brief yaoi, so if you don't like, don't read, gotcha? Okay, on with the fic!

The next morning, Sora felt warmer than usual. He didn't feel sick, so it wasn't a fever… when he opened his eyes he realized he was laying on his pallet under the hot sun, and a pair of blue eyes was staring at him quite intently. These eyes were not Link's.

"Hello, Roxas." He said softly, wiping sleep from his eyes. But he stopped, taking a good look at his Nobody.

Roxas's eyes were furrowed, and he hadn't even said anything. Sora thought back to the day before, what he'd done against Lanayru's vision, protecting him… was that what was bothering him? Then he noticed the black coat Roxas was wearing. "Are you hot in that, Roxas? I can't be lucid dreaming again… you said you'd stop that."

Roxas shook his head. "No, you're not dreaming. I just thought I'd get some air. Your spirit's emotions are… suffocating." Sora tilted his head, still confused. "But really, aren't you hot in that coat, Roxas?" Roxas turned his head at his name. He blinked, and looked at the coat, warm from the sun.

He shook his head again. "No. Nobodies can't feel, remember?" They couldn't feel cold or heat… but why then, were beads of sweat forming on his brow? Was something happening to Roxas?

Sora climbed off his pallet and over to Roxas, quite close to his face. "Tell me what's wrong, Roxas. Maybe I can help." Roxas looked genuinely surprised. "Don't you remember? You… you said thank you. T-To me." Roxas was fumbling with his words, and there seemed to be a light line of red ghosting his cheeks. "Are you blushing, Roxas?" Sora asked, confused, rubbing his chin. Roxas turned sharply and looked at his reaction in the water. Indeed, his cheeks were flushed.

Baffled, he sat back, looking up at the sky with a far-off look in his eyes.

"I don't understand… Sora?" Sora was thinking too. Stating the facts, he knew this much: Roxas was a Nobody. Nobodies couldn't feel. Sweat was clearly visible from the heat, and Roxas was blushing.

Each fact brought up questions, some questions could be answered, and some couldn't. Then he remembered the time Roxas had been that close to him as well, nearly nose to nose, how his face seemed to flare up in… was it perhaps infatuation? His eyes flickered to Roxas's lithe form, how well the coat (black and hot or not) hugged it well, bringing out just the right curves. Damn, now he was blushing.

Roxas noticed the light flush in Sora's cheeks and took this time to regain his composure and make a break for his soul room.

"Who's the one blushing now? Thinking about Kairi, huh?" he teased, flashing a semi-forced grin. Sora, caught off guard, blushed harder, and closed his eyes, trying to rid himself of the heat in his face. Once he felt it cool down enough, he opened he eyes, only to find Roxas was gone. He pouted.

"Sora!"

Sora's head followed the sound to Goofy and Donald, who ad just woken up. "You were awake before us?" Sora nodded. He was still confused about the conversation that had just occurred between him and his Nobody. Link was waking as well. "We need to figure out how to get up out of this lake, too, since all the foot roads are still under construction.

Goofy pointed to the tall building on the water. "Maybe that guy over there knows how to get out. Let's pack up and go see 'im." Not like they had much else to go on.

"Hurrrm? Some of the Zoras are still alive down there?" The old man muttered, looking at the water suspiciously. "I thought maybe they dried up with the lake… Hey buddies, have you heard? There's like a temple or something at the bottom of this lake. They put on such airs with all their rituals and temple hoo-ha… Then they just disappear…" This last bit he said under his breath, though they could all hear him quite clearly.

"And what's with putting with putting that temple so deep humans can't swim there?! I swear, those Zoras…" He shook his head, scoffing. Then he stood up straighter and looked Link in the eye.

"Oh… are you all customers? Heh heh, you're quite a bunch of lucky fellas! The height of excitement, the thrill of launching to the heavens, the very peak of flying fascination… It can be yours, fellas! For a limited time only, and without waiting in line, it's a paltry 10 Rupees! Whaddaya say buddies of mine? Want to give it a shot?"

Sora looked back at Goofy and Donald. "No idea what this kook is talking about but I say we give it a go." They agreed. Link paid the man his rupees and they climbed into the small cockpit. "This isn't gonna hurt, is it?"

The man laughed. "Depends on how you land! See ya!"

.oOo.

Sora was grinning. Widely. "That was cool," he said, turning to Link, who was a little green in the face, "can we do that again?" Link leaned against a nearby pole, trying to steady himself. "Not for a while, okay Sora?" He sighed and whispered to himself, "Never again, if I can help it…"

Sora laughed.

"Let's go find that Zora prince, right?" Goofy reminded them. "I mean, we promised her…" Link instantly stood up. "Yeah, I remember. We should head for the Castle Town. That bar in particular… but perhaps we should restock on supplies while we're there." Sora nodded.

So they set off for the town, finding some horse grass on the way and riding on horseback to make the going easier.

Just as they arrived and were about to enter, Link commanded them to a soft stop. "What is it, Link?" Sora asked him, curious. Link's eyes surveyed the wall of the town, the trees and grasses, until they came to rest on a golden wolf sitting on top of a small stone landing. "Perfect. Sora, follow me. I want you to meet the warrior that's been teaching me these techniques!"

Sora, being optimistic, decided to come along just because he could, so once they arrived at the wolf and dismounted, Link called to Donald and Goofy. "If Sora disappears with me, it's no big deal. We'll be back."

The two nodded and left Link and Sora to climb up the vines to the Golden Wolf. It growled softly, and Link drew his sword, instantly all business. Sora summoned his Keyblade, and they were drawn into a world of light-shadows and ancient times. There stood the skeleton warrior Link had told Sora about, but had never actually seen.

"Finally," said the Hero's Shade, "you've brought the Keyblade warrior with you. There is much to catch up on. It appears that your efforts have begun to return some vigor to Hyrule, but it is far too early to relax. Do you feel ready to earn another hidden skill to steel yourself for the forthcoming battles against more powerful foes?"

Link nodded.

"Very well," said the Shade, "But before we begin, I must test you to ensure you have mastered the last skill I taught you, the shield attack! Now then, come at me!"

A small battle ensued, in which Link thrust up his shield against the warrior, distracting him, and slashed him with his sword. He backed away when the warrior had fallen. The warrior stood back up and said, "Excellent! It appears you are capable of performing my lost art.

"Very well. My third hidden skill is… the back slice! Let it be hewn into your mind!"

The two stood back as Sora watched, unsure of what was to happen next.

"A mere shield attack is no match for an enemy protected not by just a shield, but by a thick, full-body coat of armor," the Shade began, "Such enemies are often focused on guarding against frequent frontal attacks. They often leave their rear unprotected. That is when you roll around your foe to their back, then perform a jumping slice. Now try it!"

Link remembered to clear his mind of all interfering thoughts, and concentrated on just letting the energy flow through him. The two swordsmen touched their swords, and Link began to jump and roll behind the warrior. After the second spin, just like the warrior showed him, he jumped up quickly with his foot and turned it around simultaneously, spinning him and his sword against the warrior's back. When he landed, the warrior fell to the ground, getting back up quickly.

"Hmm… you carry yourself well. But do not forget the proper timing for swinging your sword while you jump. The third hidden skill, the back slice, has been passed on!"

Link quickly rolled outward and spun up, standing still a moment before setting his sword cleanly back in its scabbard.

"There are still four hidden skills for you to learn. Do not neglect your daily sword training between now and the time you come to learn the next skill! As for you, Keyblade master…" Sora's Keyblade hummed with energy in his hand, and he stood up straight, more alert and aware of his (non-existent) surroundings.

"Your spells are exceptional, and your combos are well placed, but if you are unable to combine them better you will leave yourself open during spell casting! So, Keyblade master," the Hero's Shade said, summoning his own Keyblade – a rusted thing similar to the Jungle King but with a metal Kingdom Key handle – and twirling it, "do you wish to learn what I have to teach you?"

Sora couldn't see why not. He nodded sharply.

The warrior nodded as well. "Very well. The first spell combo I'm going to teach you is… the Thundaga Strike!"

Link watched as the Hero's Shade explained Sora's new ability. "The Thundaga Strike it very much like the Strike Raid you have already learned, with one exception. It is infused with the energy of a Thundaga spell, perfect for attacking large water creatures from a distance. Now, try it!"

Sora, already having known of the Strike Raid, suddenly found himself fusing Thunder energy into the Keyblade, thrusting it with all his might towards the warrior, spinning with crackling yellow light. It hit him dead on, and the Keyblade came spinning right back to Sora, who caught it, staring at the Keyblade in wonder.

The warrior quickly got back up. "That was a good toss. But you must remember, your target may not always stay in one spot. You must will the Keyblade to move where it needs to move so it can make contact. The spell combo, Thundaga Strike, has been passed on!"

Sora spun the Keyblade outwards again, and caught it, spinning it with his signature finishing move. The warrior stood up straight, as did Link and Sora. "May we meet again," was all he said, as they were quickly returned to reality,

"Does it always happen like that?" Sora asked him. Link nodded. "Every time. Now we need to get going." Then he paused. "Actually, we should check up on the people by the river before we do anything, right, Sora?" Sora shrugged. "I guess so. I'm up for anything!"

.oOo.

After some while (and an hour of fishing), somehow they were sitting in a boat with Link holding a second bomb bag and looking up at the woman, Iza, who was asking them kindly to remove the obstacles block the river flow and her work.

"Now… it's a teensy bit dangerous downriver of here, so don't leave the boat, okay?" Sora turned his head to her and blinked. "Really? Whatever gave you the idea that we would do that?" She made a face at them and laughed quietly. "Well, one of our part-timers is waiting down there, so you can get the details from her! And when you're done, you can keep that bomb bag and everything in it as a token of my appreciation! So… be seeing ya!" She waved at them as the current finally began to take them off.

Sora leaned up front close to Link right ear. "I didn't say I was up for this!" he hissed quietly. Link chuckled, readying his bomb arrows as Donald and Goofy paddled. "You said you'd be ready for anything, Sora!"

Remembering that he had said that, Sora face palmed himself.

Sora actually found he liked the boat ride; it reminded him of a ride back home that usually came to town with the fair. It was something like that, only minus the safety harness and water.

Once they got back down to the dock at Lake Hylia, the female Zora that was the part-time worker Iza had mentioned spoke to them. "You have truly done us a great service! Now the shop can finally reopen! When we were closed, my boss's temper only got worse and worse… It was a rough time for us all…" At this, she looked away. "Oh, an another thing… I don't suppose she promised you anything special for doing this, did she? Just that bomb bag?" Link nodded. The Zora sighed.

"Why," Sora asked, "Is something wrong?" "Yes," she said softly, almost irritated, "she tends to bribe people with whatever's laying around… So stingy, really…" Link chuckled. "It's no big deal. I'm quite thankful for the extra bag. I kind of figured we'd need another one for those new bombs that Barnes came up with…"

She nodded. "It's all right. I'll let her know you kept it when I get back. Now if you'll excuse me… Come visit us at the shop sometime!" And she left, taking the boat with her.

.oOo.

They made it back to the Castle Town and entered the bar. Just as they entered, a short, bug-eyed man (or perhaps it was his spectacles that made him look bug-eyed) bumped into them, saying, "That is a Zora child! It is beyond my expertise! Hmmmph!"

Ilia came running after him calling out, "Doctor, wait! If something isn't done, this child will…" Her words failed her, and she turned away. Then, she noticed Link, and their eyes met for a moment, but she didn't say anything. She walked away, looking genuinely crestfallen. Sora was surprised. "Does she even remember you? She didn't even say hey…"

Link had noticed. Perhaps she had lost her memory. If so, how much, and which parts? Was it linear? Or were certain pieces of it gone, strewn across an unforgivable nothing?

"Well this isn't good," said the large woman from before, "A human doctor won't do, huh…" The cat that had been by her feet jumped up by the Zora child, perhaps to comfort it. Ilia began to cry. After some moments, the woman remembered something. "That old coot reminded me, though… I've heard of a shaman in Kakariko Village, in the Eldin lands, who's tended Gorons and Zoras."

Ilia jumped up from where she sat. "Is that true? Perhaps if we take him there…"

The captain of the soldiers in the corner with the map across the table shouted, "Inadvisable! Too dangerous! But we can't turn a blind eye to a pretty girl in need, either. Yes, we'd better escort you! Am I right, boys?!" The man turned to his comrades, who all lifted their spears in a cry of triumph.

"Well, isn't that nice," said the large woman, turning to Ilia, "To reach Kakariko, we've got to cross two plains that are each infested by dangerous beasts."

At this, the men's cries were beginning to fade. Sensing that they were about to run, Sora pushed Link and his friends back out of their way.

Turning back to the two women, the older continued, winking at Ilia, "But we'll be safe now!" Ilia smiled at the taller woman, and they both turned to where the soldiers were, or rather, where they had been moments before. Now only one remained, quaking in his boots. And, to make matters worse, once he realized his comrades had left, he gathered his bearings and sprinted right after them.

The woman scowled and yelled at them as he closed the door, "Cowards! Don't you ever show your faces in here again!" Then, noticing Link, Sora, Donald, and Goofy, she smiled. "Oh my! Looks like we've got a couple of swordsmen left!"

"Actually, ma'am," said Sora, "Goofy's got a shield, but he's a great fighter!" He flashed a smile as he lazily leaned back on one foot, his hands linked together behind his head.

The woman laughed, turning her head back to Ilia. "And it looks like these brave young men will escort us, so get ready to go, honey. Pronto!" Ilia nodded sharply, and ran off to gather what things she might've had. The woman walked up to their group, seeing the lost look in Link's eyes. "You know that girl, don't you?" Link licked his lips to get himself to speak. "I did. Do. She's… from my village. In Ordona."

He sighed, and she shook her head. "It's a real shame… she's can't even remember her own name right now." He looked up. "It's Ilia. We were really good friends before… she was kidnapped." The woman nodded slowly, looking back at the Zora child. "Bless her heart… She found this poor boy collapsed on the road, so she did all she could to save him. More courage in that girl than all the soldiers of Hyrule, for sure!"

Sora snorted. "Twice that, actually, if by all the soldiers you mean they're like the ones that just ran off…" The woman chuckled.

"Well, you lend your strength to her, you hear?" She was talking to Link. Link nodded. It didn't matter what she'd said to Link before; she was still like a sister to him that needed guidance and a little looking after. Right now, she needed quite a bit of the latter.

.oOo.

Sometime later, they were overlooking the west bridge, where a King Bulblin with a broken horn and armor plates on just his sides patrolled.

"So you say the bridge to the east has been destroyed, huh? Well then, we'll just have to take the bridge to the west, then." Link watched as the beast rounded the bridge. "You see what that means?" she asked him. "You'll have to deal with that thing!" Sora poked his head over the edge. "Nah, he's just a pushover. He'll be easy! Link, I think you can handle him on your own this time. If you have trouble, I'll just summon something to save you, okay?" Link raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.

Some moments later, Sora and Goofy were on Spirit, Link and Donald were an Epona, and the woman, Telma, was with Ilia and the Zora child in a cart.

Ilia leaned through the window towards Link and said, "Th-Thank you so much for this… Um, if you don't mind me asking, what's your name?" Link looked a little sad for a moment before replying, "My name is Link," he said softly. She smiled, nothing coming to her, obviously.

"… Link?! I will never in all my life forget your kindness, Link." Link flashed a forced smile and looked away. Donald pressed a hand against his back, and Link assured him he'd be all right.

"Little lady," Telma said, "I think you'd best save your thanks until we're safe in Kakariko…" She looked at each of them. "These swordsmen and our shield knight here have great eyes, honey. They're proud and wild… like feral beasts. We need a couple of beasts right now, to keep the true ones at bay. If we make it to Kakariko safely, we'll just have to thank him then, okay?" Here she blew Link a quick kiss and winked at him, sending a line of red blazing across his face. Sora blinked, dumbfounded. But, in the end, Link just smiled, realizing she was having fun with it, no matter how dangerous the situation. They'd keep them safe, he knew they would.

When they arrived at the bridge, Link said he was willing to go on ahead alone. "He doesn't have Colin this time, so I can take him. Well, Donald and I, at least. He'll help out if needs to, right?" Donald nodded. "Right!"

"Okay!" Telma shouted as she approached, "It's your turn now, honey! We're counting on you!" Link smiled. He spurred his horse on quickly as King Bulblin charged forward. Link took out his bow and aimed a quick arrow to his chest, hitting him dead on and turning around at the end of the bridge. Link was having some difficulty the second time around on account of Bulblin's moving around so much, but he was eventually able land a second arrow on him, sending Bulblin flying. A set of keys went flying in the opposite direction, which he caught.

"Come on!" he called, "It's safe now!"

"Nice honey!" Telma called back, "Keep up the good work!" And they proceeded onward. Link rode ahead of the others so he could unlock the gates in relative safety and remount Epona by the time Telma's cart and Spirit reached him.

It wasn't difficult protecting them from the marauding Moblins on their tails (Sora and Goofy took care of them) at all. Actually the really hard part was hitting the birds that were about to drop bombs that would spook the horse and cause it to veer off course. But Link, ever the expert marksman, was able to nail them before he ran out. Finally, after unlocking the final gate, was he able to breathe easy, knowing the Moblins would never enter the town, at least, not without being seen and then defeated by himself or Sora.

So they took the Zora child to Renado, who took him to the village hotel, and all of them crowded around the poor boy or at least stayed within the vicinity of the hotel to hear any progress of the Zora child, Link was now sure was the Zora prince Rutela had asked them to save.

Renado came out of the room the child was staying and gave them all a good update. "… he has passed through the worst of it," he said to Link, "As long as he rests, he should recover in due time." Colin, who was with them at the time, looked up at Link and smiled, who returned the smile. But, Renado wasn't finished.

"Do you know the fate of his mother?"

Link's eyes widened slightly, and he stilled. Then his expression turned dark, and he looked to the floor, his eyes downcast. Sora and his companions all had similar expressions.

"Her welfare consumes him. He has been mumbling deliriously about her almost constantly…" Renado, upon noticing their expressions, nodded in understanding. "… I can see the knowledge grieves you. It must be an awful memory."

Colin looked up at Renado. "I'll stay with him until he's better! No matter how long it takes!" The shaman kneeled by Colin and smiled gently. "Is that so? Thank you, Colin."

Link, Sora, Donald, and Goofy slipped away back outside the hotel, Colin some how seeing them and following them out the door.

"Hey, Link," he said softly, "about Ilia… Is it true, what they said about her?" Link nodded slowly. "I'm afraid so, Colin." Renado also appeared behind Colin to enter his say in it, probably to make sure he understood. "And regaining it will be no small task, either. But it will be all right, child. If we just give her some time, I'm certain that girl will find her heart again. So, Colin, I'd like to ask you to stay in this village until then. It is our turn to show the courage that you have already displayed."

Colin nodded, and with a quick smile he ran back inside the hotel.

"Nice to see there's still hope here," Telma said to them and the night, leaning against a wooden post, "And it's always good to see happy results repay your efforts…" As Link turned around and Sora and his friends turned their heads to meet her eyes, she said, "Those skills of yours… Any chance you're of a mind to put them to use for Hyrule?"

Sora grinned and leaned once more into his casual pose. "We already are. But did you have something specific in mind for us?" Telma smiled. "What hope there is in our kingdom is frail and dying… but there's still a group trying to do what it can. And I'm a member of that group."

She walked up to Link and offered him to shake her hand, which he did. "Call me Telma," she said. She went back to the wooden post and looked out across the village. "I may just stay here a little but longer. I'm still worried about Ilia, and… Well, never mind about the rest." Her gaze flickered towards Renado, the shaman, who was walking toward the spring. Sora, who of all people managed to put two and two together, gave a start, but didn't say anything. He knew better.

Again, she walked towards Link, this time leaning in real close, making Link back away slightly. "Link, I want to see you at my bar again, you hear me?" She straightened and grinned at Sora and his friends. "You too, my friends. The bar is actually a kind of safe house for my friends. There's a passageway that leads to the castle from there, as well."

She walked around Link briskly, but turned around to say a few parting words. "If you ever need anything, stop by. I'll be waiting for you, honey!" Another wink. Then she backed off and ran to catch up with Renado, probably to exchange a few words with him.

They stood there for some moments, not knowing what to do. However, the appearance of Rutela saved them from feeling purposeless for much longer.

They followed her past the sanctuary and through the graveyard, entering a small opening at the very back into a pool with a grave behind all the others. "I am deeply grateful to you for aiding my son in his time of need," she said softly, "You were right to bring him here. Kakariko Village is a sacred place for the Zora people. It is where we take our eternal rest. My husband, King Zora, also rests his spirit here. It is no coincidence that my son found his salvation in this place."

She looked towards the grave. "… That which I have promised you is within this grave. During his lifetime, my husband created garments specifically for the chosen hero, garments that house the abilities of the Zora. Just as well, the chosen hero also acquired a mask that allowed one to be transformed into a Zora and gave it to my husband for safekeeping. They were buried with him so that he might take his secrets to the grave."

The grave opened, revealing the Zora Armor as well as a Zora Mask, which they took.

"Now, at last, I can join the king in slumber. And yet… my son… he knows nothing of my death. If you see him again, please pass on this message… Tell him he must not grieve his mother's passing. Tell him she wanted him to be brave and live on as the king of our people. And… tell him his mother… loves him without end. Tell him…"

With that, she vanished.

"Well, it's a good thing you found all of your friends and picked up that nifty Zora armor…" said Midna, finally commenting on something for a very long while, "But aren't you forgetting something kind of important?" Sora rolled his eyes and sighed sarcastically. "We know, Midna. The Fused Shadow. We'll get it, okay?"

She 'hmphed' quietly. "Just remember what the light spirit Faron said… He said you would need the Fused Shadows to defeat the dark overlord Zant and save the world… So even if you go back now with all of the people you saved… The whole tragedy would just repeat itself…"

Sora scoffed. "We know already, stop bothering us about it." She pouted. "So go get it, then!" And then she disappeared.

Link looked up at the night sky. "Let's just stay here one night before heading anywhere. I'm really tired after all that…" Just to prove it, his tilted his neck to the right until it let loose a crack from being so tense. Sora nodded. "Sure, why not? I suppose we could all use some sleep again."

So they left the chamber and headed for the hotel to get some much-earned rest.

Lakebed Temple is next! And how are Donald and Goofy going to join Sora and Link in the temple if they can't go underwater? Perhaps by using their Atlantica forms? Just wait and see!

(Don't go bashing on my Zora Mask… Zora Sora looks hawt! XD But my scanner is inaccessible at the moment, so you're going to have to wait until Christmas for it – unless I can get my mom to scan it for me. The scanner program I use needs the Mac OS 9 Operating System, or the System Folder, rather, to boot up Classic Environment, which stimulates OS 9 so I can use OS 9 compatible programs… like the one I use with my scanner. Gah. It doesn't matter if you can't understand, I just needed to explain it to someone before I went nuts… sorry guys.)