A/n: This chapter is now revamped.
Disclaimer: Sure.
Chapter 11: To the Domain of Aquatic People
There was warmth as the Hyrule Sun poked out over the horizon, slowly blanketing Hyrule Castle Town in its gold glow. To the cry of a cucco, the residents began to scramble around as another day began. Waking to the growing hustle and bustle was the party, who were sleeping in their favorite alleyway in the town.
"You know, sleeping on cobblestone doesn't seem so painful anymore." Aya commented as they ate their breakfast.
"I know." Katara smiled. "My back doesn't have as many kinks."
"I'm actually surprised we're even allowed to sleep out in the alleyways." Kurama tapped his chin thoughtfully. "I mean, guards wander the streets all the time and no one has inquired why a group of children is sleeping in a dark alley."
"What about puppies?" Link turned.
"Link, shut up." Navi responded.
"So, what's on the game plan?" Joey turned to Navi and Kurama.
"Didn't the Great Fairy on the mountain say that there was another one here near the castle?" Kurama asked as he put away their supplies.
"Oh, right." Joey stood up.
"So are we going to see that fairy?" Kaori asked for confirmation. They decided that would be their next course of action, and made their way back to the castle. They used the vine wall to climb up and sneak past the gates again, and began their search for the Great Fairy Fountain.
"So, Navi, you're a fairy. Where's the Great Fairy?" Joey asked Navi after a few minutes of searching.
"I don't have a damned clue." the fairy responded, sitting lazily on Link's head.
"Shouldn't you have built-in fairy sonar or something?" the blond inquired, somewhat sarcastically, earning an annoyed flicker from Navi.
"What do I look like to you? Some kind of magical toy?" Navi twitched.
"Joey, be quiet!" Katara elbowed Joey. "Quit being rude!"
"What? I was asking?" Joey said defiantly.
"I hate to interrupt, but we found it." Kurama said.
"Huh?" Joey whirled around, mid-argument. "How?"
"It was hidden behind a boulder over here, on this dead-end trail." Aya pointed. "Link blew up the boulder."
"Pretty fireworks." Link added, his face clueless, like usual. Ignoring Link's random comment, the party crawled through a small tunnel and entered another Great Fairy Fountain.
"Hey, dork, play the lullaby." Navi ordered, still sitting on his head.
"Huh? Okay!" Link pulled out the ocarina and played the lullaby. The laughter of the Great Fairy rang throughout the sanctuary and the fairy emerged, floating as if she were lying down on her belly. Otherwise, she looked exactly the same as the fairy from the fountain.
"So…Are they sisters or something?" Joey asked, cocking his head in confusion.
"Wouldn't be too radical of an idea, actually." Kurama shrugged, placing his hands in his pockets.
"Greetings, young ones!" the fairy smiled. "I am the Great Fairy of Power! For finding me, I shall grant you all a new ability! Please, hold out your hands!"
"Um…Okay." Katara said as the group complied with her command. She scanned her eyes over the party before smiling and kissing her palms, outstretching her arms in a magical gesture. Suddenly a flaming, glowing orb appeared in everyone's hands, each a different color. Link's was a normal flame, Kaori's was purple, Kurama's was green, Aya's was yellow, Joey's was red and Katara's was blue. After a few seconds, the orbs disappeared and there was a burning rush through everyone's bodies, like the orbs went inside them.
"I have granted you the sacred spell, Din's Fire! It's a spell of the Goddesses! If you cast it, a dome of fire will erupt around you. I'm sure you'll find it useful somehow." the Great Fairy explained. "When battle has made you weary, come and see me!" With that, the Great Fairy disappeared into her fountain.
"So…" Joey blinked a couple of times. "I'm still confused about the whole we-already-have-powers-thing."
"I'm sure you are." Kurama nodded. "I'm a bit confused myself."
"You're confused? You're just trying to make me feel better, aren't you?" Joey narrowed his eyes at the never-confused redhead.
"I mean it." Kurama waved a hand innocently. "Supernatural things like powers are normal on my world, so my ability to control plants isn't very unique there. Yet, apparently, my powers are because of whatever I am here, not normal."
"Same here." Katara agreed. "All sorts of people can 'control' the elements through martial artes on my world and they're called 'benders'. I'm new when in comes to 'bending' water, and I thought I was just like other benders. But apparently I'm not and my water powers are from this world."
"It's a bit surprising, I'm sure." Navi jumped in the conversation.
"Magic and stuff like that are just fiction on my world." Aya looked off to the side. "It was a bit hard to take all of this at first. Especially finding out I can use magic."
"Same here." Kaori piped. "I didn't know I could use magic. It's not something you use on our world."
"Magic is for people with special items on my world." Joey sighed. "I never had one of those items or any special abilities. I played second fiddle to the guys who did."
"I never had anything special because everyone in the village didn't like me." Link looked down, his blue eyes watery. "I didn't have a fairy until Navi came around. Everyone thought I was a freak."
"Yeah, we met Mido. I figured that out." Aya twitched.
"Y'all are in the same boat, then." Navi commented. "If we find all the spiritual stones, I'm sure Zelda will explain more to us. She seems to know what's going on."
"Right. Enough blabbing about what's already happened." Aya shrugged her shoulders. "Where are we headed now?"
"Impa mentioned to us the people who live down the river, the Zoras." Kurama pointed out.
"The Zoras would most likely have the spiritual stone of water." Navi said dryly. "They are aquatic people and all."
"Then it fits." Katara nodded. After stocking up on supplies in the market, they exited the town and turned.
"Where's the flowing thing with the whooshy liquid stuff?" Link asked Navi, looking up at his companion.
"It's right in front of you, buddy." Joey pointed.
"There's the flowing thing with the whooshy liquid stuff!" Link threw his finger forward. "Onward, ahoy!" The party all sighed loudly and followed their leader across a bridge. They then began to trek down the river.
"This place is peaceful. I'll take a river over a hot, sweaty mountain any day." Katara said. Indeed, the river was serene in a way. The water that flowed through the river was blue and clear. There was a cool breeze that blew, toying with the emerald green grass that they walked in.
"Tell me about it." Aya rolled her eyes.
"I liked the mountain better for some reason." Joey whined.
"Oh, quit whining." Katara turned.
"Why do you always get all aggressive with me?"
"Because you're annoying!"
"I'm not annoying!"
"Keep telling yourself that!"
"I've always wanted to listen to a heated argument while on a stroll though a quiet river valley." Aya looked off to the side. "It goes well with the happy butterflies and the sunshine."
"Indeed." Kurama nodded.
"Do butterflies have anything to do with babies?" Link asked.
"Babies?" Joey stopped, mid-argument, turning around to Link.
"Babies!" Link cheered. With that, the conversation ended, as did the argument, and the party continued down the river. A few hours later, they passed a wooden plank bridge and found themselves on a platform facing a waterfall.
"Hey, is that a plaque?" Katara looked down at the ground.
"Yeah. It says 'This waterfall serves the King of Hyrule. When the King sleeps, so do these falls.'" Navi read aloud.
"Huh? We have to wake someone up?" Link asked. "If so, I can give them milk and sing my Happy Dancing Cucco Song!"
"I highly doubt that." Navi said.
"Let's try the lullaby." Kurama suggested. "It works for everything else."
"Seriously." Aya said. "If it works for everything, all it takes is for the wrong person to learn it, play it and then screw everything up. You think the Royal Family would be…I don't know, more smart and make other songs to unlock different things."
"They're lazy." Katara nodded in agreement. Link went ahead and played the lullaby. In some mysterious motion, the waterfall parted, revealing an entrance they could hop into. Once past the entrance, the party found themselves in what seemed to the picture of paradise. The cool, sparkling domain of the Zoras was filled with cool, blue waters filling a giant pool near the entrance and coming out a large waterfall. It was a weaving, twisting labyrinth, with paths curving to and fro.
"The Zoras are kind of pretty!" Katara clapped her hands. The Zoras were a very radiant and elegant group of beings. Lithe and flexible, they were tall, with rich aqua blue skin and long, flowing fins that seemed iridescent. Their eye colors ranged from dark blue to light shades of pink and violet.
"Okay, I like this better than the mountain now." Joey looked around.
"I want to swim in the water!" Link cheered. "Come on, let's play in the water!" Link grabbed Kaori's hand.
"Wait, Link!" Kaori squealed as Link jerked her forward and the two went diving into the crystal waters below.
"I guess we have no choice." Kurama shrugged, seeming indifferent to the idea of swimming. The rest of the party followed the pair into the waters, finding the pool to be much warmer than it looked- the waters were just warm enough.
"Hey, who are you all?" a voice startled the group and they turned to see one a Zora floating next to them, a curious look in their deep blue eyes.
"Hey! Do you eat fish?" Link asked. "Wait…Are you a fish? Because if you are, then you're eating fish…Ahh! Are you person-eating-person?"
"You mean a cannibal?" Aya turned.
"Link! Shut up!" Navi scolded and the boy shut up. "Ignore him."
"I'm a Zora." the Zora explained. "We serve the Royal Family by guarding the waters of Hyrule!"
"I like water. It tastes like liquid. And liquids are good….Like water…and milk!" Link rambled.
"What's his obsession with milk?" Aya turned.
"I'm not asking. I'm certain that not even Link knows why, anyway." Kurama shrugged.
"He'll probably forget he said anything in the first place." Navi commented.
"You all are the ones who played the lullaby and got in here right?" the Zora asked and received nods. "The Royal Family is sending kids now? I guess it's more inconspicuous."
"I never thought of it that way." Katara mused.
"I wouldn't call us inconspicuous." Aya sighed.
"Does inconspicuous have to do with ham and cheese?" Link asked.
"No. Link, shut up." Navi ordered and the boy responded with a sullen nod.
"Good luck with the King." the Zora rolled its eyes. "Ever since our princess went missing, the King has been an absolute wreck."
"The princess?" Kaori cocked her head.
"Yep. The King of the Zoras and his daughter, Ruto." the Zora explained. "She went missing the other day and he's been hopeless ever since."
"That might be a bad thing." Kurama had a thoughtful look on his face. "It's bad that the princess went missing anyways, but we probably won't be able to receive the King's assistance until after his daughter is returned. It's quite logical, really."
"Well, good luck!" the Zora waved and sunk back into the water. They group swam back to shore, where Katara used her water powers to dry them off.
"Let's at least go see the King." Navi said and the party wandered the twisting paths of the domain, keeping Link from getting lost along the way. They finally made it to a series of steps. After climbing the stairs, they found an absurdly large Zora, one that was a pale blue with dark blue blotches. He was huge and bloated-looking with tiny arms and feet. He had beady blue eyes and wore a gold headdress and a red cape lined with gold.
"Um…Your majesty…." Joey trailed off, lifting a finger.
"I don't think he heard you." Navi said.
"He's a blob!" Link cheered. "Hey! Fish King!" Link waved his arms frantically.
"Oh, where can you be? My dear, sweet Ruto. Where have you gone?" the King didn't even notice their existence.
"There's no point in trying to reason with a worried father." Kurama said. "Why don't we go searching for clues about her disappearance? If we find a lead or something, he may actually listen to what we have to say."
"Sure. Whatever." Joey nodded and the party walked down another tunnel. The end of the tunnel turned out to be the top of the waterfall. Standing there was another Zora.
"Hey!" the Zora called out, her voice high and feminine sounding- a female Zora. "Do you all want to play a game? The prize might be worth your while!"
"Games?" Link's eyes widened. "I like games! Let's play!"
"I guess we're playing." Aya rolled her eyes.
"D-does…it require jumping off the waterfall?" Kaori stuttered.
"It's a simple diving game." the Zora explained. "Just dive in after the rupees!" She nodded to the party, signaling the game's start and she tossed in a bunch of rupees. Link leapt off the waterfall fearlessly.
"I won't-" Kaori was cut off by Aya shoving her off the waterfall. She splashed into the waters with a loud scream.
"Dive bomb!" Joey called out as he jumped, with the rest following after. Once all together, they dove down into the pool, grabbing all of the rupees they could get. After a minute passed, the game instructor whistled, signaling the end.
"You all did it!" she waved from the top of the waterfall. "Come back here and get your prize." Going back to the top, the Zora greeted them with a lively smile on her face.
"Congratulations." she said. "Some of you dove off of that waterfall like professionals! Hold out your hands." Everyone did so and she placed something small and thing in everyone's hand.
"This is a Silver Scale." she said, watching as the scale dissolved into everyone's skin.
"What does it do?" Katara asked.
"It is the scale of a Zora. It grants humans like you the ability to dive to deeper depths." the Zora explained.
"Sweet. Thanks!" Aya said.
"Can I be a blowfish?" Link asked Navi. "Blowfish are cool."
"No." Navi responded, not even bothering to say anything sarcastic. The party nodded their goodbyes to the Zora. They walked back down to the edge of the pool and got back in, swimming around.
"What's that?" Aya asked, pointing to what looked like a tunnel underwater.
"Oh, that's a portal." a Zora answered the question before anyone else could. "It leads to Lake Hylia." The Zora disappeared back underwater.
"Well…Thanks." Aya blinked, slightly surprised by the sudden entrance and exit of the Zora.
"Lake Hylia?" Joey turned to Navi.
"Nothing to explain there." Navi said. "It's what it sounds like. It's a lake."
"Just asking." the blond shrugged.
"I want to go!" Link dove underwater and began swimming to the portal. Sighing loudly, the party all dove in after him, following him through the portal. A white haze filled their vision and when it cleared up, they found themselves in a wide, vast lake filled with bright blue water and sunshine. There were a couple of islands in the lake and they were connected by wooden plank bridges. A large tree sat atop the island farthest away, and there seemed to be some sort of entrance at the bottom of the island, underwater.
"So, why did we come here again?" Katara asked.
"Because Link decided we should, apparently." Navi answered. "Whatever."
"Wait, Navi, do you breath underwater?" Joey turned to the fairy.
"Yes. I can breath underwater. Because I'm a magical being and you're not." Navi stated bluntly.
"Anyways, who knows?" Kurama turned. "We may find a clue here or something." The party all nodded and explored the lake for a little while. After a little while, the party climbed ashore.
"Hey, wait…What's that?" Katara pointed and everyone followed her line of sight, seeing what looked like a bottle at the bottom of the lake, slightly hidden in the shadows.
"A bottle?" Kaori cocked her head.
"Joey, go get the bottle." Katara commanded.
"Why should I follow your orders?" Joey asked, defiance in his voice.
"Because I said so!" Katara clenched her fists.
"You're not the boss!"
"I don't care, go get the bottle!"
"Joey, it's the general consensus." Navi intervened. "Just go get the bottle."
"Damn, everyone's against poor Joey." Joey whined, but went to retrieve the bottle anyways.
"There's some sort of letter inside." Kaori pointed out. "Who's it from, I wonder?"
"Is it from the cow demons seeking revenge? Or wait…Is it from the demonic cuccos who lurk in the far corners of the earth and make huts out of seaweed and feathers from the Birds of Almighty-ness?" Link ranted before breaking into a brief fit of maniacal laughter.
"It's from Princess Ruto." Kurama confirmed, totally ignoring Link's rant. He was placed the letter gently back inside the bottle. "We got lucky. His Majesty should be interested in this."
"Where is she?" Aya turned.
"It said something about how she's inside Jabu-Jabu." Kurama explained. "Navi said that Jabu-Jabu is the deity of the Zoras, who lives in a fountain behind the domain."
"Oh. Wait, the deity lives?" Joey asked. "I thought deities were dead."
"Deities are dead." Katara rolled her eyes. "Most deities don't even have physical forms."
"Oh. I get it now." Joey nodded.
"Let's get back to the domain before Link asks a stupid question again." Navi ordered and the party swam through the portal, going back to the domain. They dried off with Katara's powers and then went back to King's chamber. Link jumped forward.
"Over here, Mr. Overlord of the Fish Men." Link waved.
"Oh, Ruto. Where are you?" the King was oblivious again.
"Link, just throw it at him." Navi said. "I highly doubt a measly bottle will do much damage to him and all of his blubber."
"Okay!" Link was absolutely overjoyed that he was allowed to throw objects at a king. He did so, with much delight, and the bottle hit him square in the head, fully catching the King's attention.
"What is this?" He asked, opening the bottle and reading the letter. "This is Ruto! She's inside Jabu-Jabu!"
"Um…Yeah." Joey said.
"Do fish sleep?" Link asked thoughtfully. "What do they dream about? Do they dream about seaweed? Do fish like milk? Or wood. They should dream about wood. Wood is good. Wait…I rhymed!"
"You all!" the King declared, pointing to the party. "You all will find her! Jabu-Jabu is behind this door, in the fountain!" He began to scoot, very, very slowly, to the side.
"Jabu-Jabu will have digested the Princess by the time this guy moves out of the way." Aya twitched.
"Ugh. Molasses is faster than this." Joey plopped down on the stairs.
"Does molasses have to do with bears?" Link looked up.
"No." Navi answered. "Oh well. This is a good chance for you to rest, I guess. I mean, this is going to take forever."
"Well, then." Kurama sat down. "Let us wait for him to move to then."
A/n: There you have it. Another chapter. Yay.
Review please!
