Chapter 21: Lulu Music Hall
"Is the pesticide ready yet?" Linebeck II asked.
"I think so," Linkle replied, stirring the mixture in the cauldron casually.
"Then load the mixture into the barrels and load them onto the Loftwing," Linebeck II ordered.
"You mean the vehicle with wings?" Linkle asked, looking at the winged contraption that sat in the hangar.
"Yes, that's a Loftwing," Linebeck II answered. "It's based on an ancient species of birds that existed long before the time of Hyrule. Was invented by a former salesman named Beedle with help from Medli, a member of the Rito Tribe, who accompanied him. They're both happily retired, and gave their invention to Hollo."
"So it flies?"
"I take it they don't have such devices on Outset Island."
"No."
"Okay, first get the pesticide into the barrels and then I'll give you a crash-course on flying."
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Once the barrels were loaded with the anti-toxin pesticide, Linkle pulled a crane which caused a door on the other side of the hangar to open revealing a sloped ramp that led upward. As the toxin started to leak in, Linkle got into the cockpit of the Loftwing and pushed a lever. This made the Loftwing move forward up the ramp. Then right before the ramp ended, Linkle pushed the wooden steering-wheel up which caused the Loftwing to ascend into the air. Thrilled by the rush, Linkle almost forgot to steady herself and was soon flying over the toxin-covered park.
"All right, now that you're airborne release the pesticide by flipping the switch next to the steering-wheel." When Linkle didn't reply, Linebeck responded, "It looks like a small nob if you don't know what a switch is."
"Okay," Linkle said, and flicked a wooden switch.
When this happened, a pair of pincers appeared from underneath the Loftwing's wings and attached themselves to the corks that were on the barrels. After a strong tug, the pincers pulled the corks out and allowed the pesticide to pour out. The liquid clashed with the gaseous toxin causing it to evaporate altogether. So Linkle flew in circles around the park until all the toxin was evaporated completely.
"You did it!" cried Linebeck II. "The toxin's gone and the trees are growing back!"
Linkle cheered herself on until she noticed the Loftwing was slowly descending. "Um, how do I land this thing?"
"Pull the steering-wheel down to descend and then push the lever back to get the landing gear back out."
"Got it, but where should I land?"
"Preferably somewhere flat and bare, which is hard to find in Oshus' Pyramids."
Not feeling confident, Linkle attempted to fly higher but the Loftwing refused to change course. So Linkle was forced to go past the park and aim for a long street beyond it. She descended the Loftwing and pushed the lever back. The wheels that were on the Loftwing before now suddenly appeared and touched the cobblestone street below. Unfortunately, the wheels were made of wood so they caught fire due to friction. It also didn't help that Linkle didn't know how to get the Loftwing to stop and so she found herself quickly heading toward a large building at the end of the street that looked like a giant fishtail sticking out of the ground.
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When Linkle came to, she was lying on a stage of some kind with the smell of burning wood in the air. She looked back and saw the Loftwing's charred remains sticking through the back wall of the stage. There was a dead Veneer lying underneath the Loftwing which was also charred. It was also then that Linkle realized her arms and legs were tied by a curtain rope and a light was shining down on her from above the rafters.
"Finally awake, gnat?"
A pair of footsteps alerted Linkle to the front of the stage where a man suddenly appeared. His skin was extremely pale and his hair was an oily black color. He wore nothing on except a pair of tight-fitting underwear, and leered at Linkle with narrow eyes.
"Do you realize how much damage you caused?" the man asked angrily. "This is the Lulu Music Hall, not a target for your filthy vandalism, gnat!"
"I'm really sorry, sir," Linkle apologized. "I didn't mean to crash here. The Loftwing was descending and—
"No excuses!" the man snapped. "The great Kamahi has no room for such reckless behavior, especially from people like you who don't appreciate art!"
Linkle's head tilted. "Kamahi? Is that your name?"
"It is," the man replied, "I'm sure you've heard of me before. I've produced many plays and musicals on this very stage which you've now ruined!"
"I said I was sorry," Linkle replied. "I'll pay you back for the damage if that'll help."
Hearing that, Kamahi made a slight grin. "I suppose there is something you can do for the great Kamahi that will perhaps get me to overlook the damage."
"What is it?"
"Recently, three of my students betrayed me," Kamahi said, though he was seething with rage. "They stole my beloved Kamaro Mask, which allows me to dance exceedingly well, and I have no idea where they've gone. I want you to find them and retrieve the Kamaro Mask. If they refuse to give it up, then kill them."
Unable to speak, Linkle lowered her head.
"If you do kill them, though, I would like you to capture their deaths on your Picto Box," Kamahi said holding up the Picto Box Sweet gave Linkle not too long ago. "Follow these steps, and I won't sue you for property damage. Is that understood, gnat?"
In response, Linkle nodded.
"Good," Kamahi said, and used a long thin knife he pulled from the Veneer's corpse to cut Linkle's ropes. "Now fly back soon, gnat. My patience is shorter than a fuse on a Bomb that's about to explode."
As Linkle got up, Kamahi gave her the Picto Box and she left without saying anything more.
Upon leaving the stage, Linkle found an exit and walked outside.
To be continued…