Treasures of Souls!
Chapter 15-1: Trial of Courage, it's Legend of Zelda!!
As the scene clears up, a vast valley was scene. It was very lucious, very beautiful. Sleeping within such plains would probably feel like paradise. Mario was found unconscient near a trail that lead to a place unkown. We then find what looked to be a Princess walking through such a trail.
The Princess had light-brown hair and was wearing a white and purple dress, along with golden shoulder plates, and earings with the same pattern Mario found within the door he entered. The Princess had spotted Mario and looked at him for a bit.
She felt a little worried so she decided to check up on him. She looked at him as he was sleeping on the floor.
" . . . . . . . it seems he's still breathing. Who is he?"
Then all of a sudden, Mario opens his eyes and starts to wake up. He yawns a bit before he centers his attention to the unfamilar Princess in his Presence. He then asks for the Princess' name. She then sighed and placed her hand on her chest.
"My name is Zelda. Princess Zelda to be exact. I am the ruler of this land, which is called Hyrule. And who might you be kind stranger?"
He gives this Princess Zelda his name. She then begins to think for a moment.
" . . . Mario . . . . . hmm . . . . . . . call me crazy but, something about that name sparks a strange light in my mind."
A moment of silence ensues, but then the Princess breaks the silence and says,
"Oh well, it's probably nothing. So what brings you here to the land of Hyrule, Mr. Mario?"
However, before Mario could speak, Zelda had then realized something.
"Oh shoot! I almost forgot, I have to go pick up my friend who lives down the road here! I promised him I'd come and take him to this year's Castle Town Festival!"
Mario then asked the Princess what this Festival was, and who this person she was mentioning of was. Zelda then says,
"My friend? Oh yeah! His name is Link. He's a swordsman who's being trained by his grandfather, who used to be the Hero of the land, to become a really great swordsman himself. I've known him pretty much since childhood, so we're really close friends. And the Castle Town Festival is a special celebration in honor of the fall of the mighty warlock who they call, Ganon. It's a wonderful time to praise, as if it weren't for that day, Hyrule would ceist to exist."
Then Zelda starts traveling through the trail and lures Mario to come with her.
"Hey, why not come along? It'd give you a chance to know more about Hyrule."
Without anything better to do, Mario took Zelda's word and started following her. Meanwhile, we find an old cabin down the road, where a young man with blonde hair and a green tunic was practicing swordplay on a wooden dummy. An old man was watching him perform many acrobatic feats and slashing the dummy with a wooden sword. After the young man had finished, the old geezer had clapped his hands and said,
"Well done my young Link, well done! You're just about at the same peak I was when I was still the greatest swordsman in Hyrule. If only the ol' King was still alive to see how greatly your swordsmanship has improved."
"HELLO THERE GRAMPS!! HELLO LINK!! I'M HERE!!"
It appears that Zelda and Mario enter the scene just watching Link finish his training. The old geezer than gets up and walks up to the Princess.
"Ah, Princess Zelda. It's been a good while since I've last seen a pretty face like yours. I take it yer here to take Link to that there Festival?"
Zelda smiled to the old man and said,
"Yes Gramps. I've been looking forward to taking Link to the festival for a long time."
Link then approaches the others and bows down to Zelda like a proper gentleman would to a royal princess. Zelda giggles a little and blushes.
"Oh stop it Link! You're embarrasing me!" said the tickled pink Zelda.
After Link gets up, he sets his eyes on Mario. Mario was looking at Link as well. Then the old geezer than says,
"Why Zelda, who is that weird looking man standing next to you?"
"You mean him? His name is Mario. I found him out cold within the fields on my way here. He's going to be tagging along for awhile."
The geezer then looks at Mario for a bit, then he starts to laugh a bit and says,
"Well, you seem to look like a rather trust-worthy fellow. You'll make sure the Princess will be alright on the way to the festival, am I right?"
Mario agreed with him, then Link travels with the others back to Hyrule Castle Town, with the old geezer waving goodbye. Sometime later, the gang had reached Castle Town, where the festival was already starting.
"Oh this is so fantastic! What should we do first Link?" asked an eager Zelda.
Mario then gazes his eyes at a certain sword stuck to a stone. He gets closer to it and takes a look at it. Then Zelda and Link catch up with Mario and Zelda says,
"That's the great Master Sword Mario. It is a sacred and powerful sword that has great power. He who can pull the sword from the stone will be it's new owner."
Mario felt intrigued and decided he'd give it a try. He standed near the pedestal and got warmed up. He then grabbed the sword with both hands and started to pull with all his might. But sadly, Mario's strength could not even move it by an inch. After a while, Mario decided to throw in the towel and return to Link and Zelda. Zelda then scratches her head and said,
"Oops, there was something else I forgot to say. You won't be able to pull the sword out unless you are destined to be it's next user. My apologizes Mario."
Then Link looks at the sword for a second, then he steps forward to the sword. Mario and Zelda watch as he prepares to pull the sword out of the stone. He pulls with all his might, and to everyone's surprise, Link was capable of removing the Sword. He holds it up high in honor knowing he was destined to be it's next user.
However, it didn't really last. A strange black mist starts emitting from the hole on the stone. It starts to fizzle a bit, and a horrific chuckle makes it's way into the ears of the inhabitants of Hyrule, and even Mario himself. Then the mist forms into a giant man wearing strange armor and a cape. It then clears up and shows the great demon warlock, Ganon.
He continues to laugh, and everyone but the 3 heroes scream and panic within the area.
"BWA HA HA HA HA HA!! AY!! RUN, RUN LIKE THE PATHETIC VERMIN THEE ALL ARE!! I, THE GREAT WARLOCK GANONDORF, HAVE RETURNED TO WREAK HAVOC ON ALL OF HYRULE, ONCE MORE!!!!!!!!!"
The mighty warlock then has his eyes set on Link. He then says,
"My, doesn't that green tunic look familiar? Thou must be one in the family of chosen warriors. It's too bad that thou shall meet thy demise!!"
The Mighty Warlock had dashed for Link. But before he could make his move, Mario interveined and knocked him away from Link with a powerful punch! He was knocked a good ways until he retained his step and gazed at the mustached man.
"That man, I sense great power within him. Infact, it's possibly powerful enough to overcome the chosen one. I must return to my palace so I canst recover at full strength before I consider facing him too!"
He then cackles a nasty laugh at the gang and says,
"THOU SEEM LIKE A PERFECT ADVERSARY TO ME YOUNG MAN IN RED!! STATE ME THY NAME!!"
Thinking it wasn't very important, Mario had stated his name to the evil wizard. He then chuckles a bit and says,
"MARIO EY? HEH, I SHALT REMEMBER THY NAME!! AS FOR YOU CHOSEN ONE, I HEREBY DECLARE A CHALLENGE TO THEE AND THY CHUBBY RED FRIEND!!
After his words were said, a strange cloud emits around Zelda and captures her in a ring-like trap. It then levitates her and brings to Ganon
"GAH!! What's going on?! Let me go!!"
"WE SHALT HAVE OUR BATTLE WITHIN MY TOWER, FAR BEYOND THE VALLEY OF HYRULE!! MEET ME THITHER WITHIN THE HOUR OF SEVEN TO HAVE OUR BRAWL!! THE VICTOR SHALT CLAIM THE BEAUTY THAT IS THIS LOVELY PRINCESS, AND SHALT DO WHAT THEY PLEASE WITH THE LAND OF HYRULE!! BWA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!!!!!!!!! SO LONG FOOLS!!!!!!!!!"
And with that, Ganon had disappeared in a flash of smoke with Princess Zelda in his clutches. The townsfolk start to worry about the missing Princess and one of them yells,
"You two! Red hat and Greenie, you both started this ruckus! Now you two will end this! Go and save Princess Zelda immediatly!!"
Without much other choice, Mario and Link decide to go through the land of Hyrule and find Princess Zelda! They leave the Castle Town with some supplies and make their way through the Valley of Hyrule.
Along the way they come across lots of Octoroks, Dodongos, Gohmas, and a lot of other Zelda World Creatures. They travel through many plains, many forests, and many dungeons just to get to Ganon's Lair. It was a tiring and devestating journey, but no matter what they both faced, they kept on going no matter what.
Their travels eventually lead them to the Lair of Ganon, and with plenty of time to spare. But now was not the time for a break! Mario and Link knew what had to be done! So they entered the spooky tower in search of Ganondorf, the mad man behind all of this!
Many Moblins attempted to get in Mario & Link's way, but they were no match for Mario's Super Strength and Link's Swayful Sword Strikes. And even though they had trouble with the Re-Deads, infact Mario almost died of fright, they were capable of escaping their horrific death stare.
After all of these perils, Mario and Link are capable of reaching the very top of the tower!! However they find a very shocking sight.
PRINCESS ZELDA HAS BEEN TURNED INTO STONE!!!!
This shocks the duo very much, more likely Mario. Then all of a sudden, a familiar cackle is heard. The two look behind them to find that evil Wizard Ganondorf sneaking up on them!! They both freak out and dash out of the way from Ganon.
"BWAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH!!!!!!! I'm surprised to see thou here so early! Thou must've been wanting to face me so badly!"
Link then gets extremely angry at Ganon and demands that Zelda returns back to normal. Ganon just laughs and says,
"It seems thou Hylians don't devolop thy brains well. I had truthfully stated that this here beauty will be thy's if thou defeat me in a Brawl!!"
Link had pulled out his sword and gets ready to fight. Mario just stands there in the back and gets ready to watch the two fight. Ganon then starts forming some kind of Battle spell and yells,
"TO BATTLE!!"
Ganon then charges for Link and attempts to Punch him with a strange magical fist move.
"WARLOCK PUNCH!!!!"
Ganon uses a wicked looking Punch attack, but Link is capable of deflecting it with the Hylian Shield he bought somewhere near the Tower. However the punch was devestating, and Link was stunned for a bit. Ganon found the perfect oppertunity to strike and punchs Link really hard, sending him flying a few ways.
"HEH HEH HEH!! HAD ENOUGH, CHOSEN ONE?!" The Evil Ganon had snarled.
Link got back on his feet and dashes for Ganon. He starts focusing his energy on his Master Sword. Then as he got close enough, he starts to spin around, unleashing his Spinning Sword Attack. Ganon was caught in the attack and was slashed several times before being knocked into another area.
Mario . . . . . . continues watching the fight while chewing on some popcorn.
(This is imagination people!! Anything is bound to happen!! xD)
Ganon gets up from the ground after being attacked. But he chuckles a bit and says,
"Heh heh heh, that didn't hurt a bit!"
He immediatly flies to Link and grabs him by the neck. He lifts him up high and begins to chuckle.
"Thy are a pathetic weakling, Link!! Thou have yet learned the true nature of the sword! Thou does not deserve to live! NOW DIE!!!!!"
He starts using some purple magic and absorbs it within Link. Link could do nothing but cry in agony as the magic was severly hurting him. Mario could no longer sit around and watch his new pal die in vain, and starts looking for a way to save Link!
He quickly looks around the area, strangely without catching Ganon's attention. But the cries got more painful, which causes Mario to look harder. He eventually finds a book labeled "The Great Book of Spells". Without hesitating, Mario starts flipping through the pages to find a way to save Link. Then, once he reaches a certain page, a powerful beam of light shines out of the page and causing Mario to freak out a bit.
Ganon finally sets his views on Mario, with a shocked look on his face!
"WHAT THE?! MY SPELLBOOK!!"
Then Ganon thinks to himself,
"CURSES!! I FORGOT ABOUT THE MUSTACHED MAN!! I'LL KILL HIM BEFORE HE EVEN THINKS OF USING MY SPELLBOOK!!"
Ganon then drops the painfully injured Link and immediatly dashes for Mario. Mario then notices Ganon chargin right for him.
"ANYONE WHO DARES USES MY SPELLBOOK SHALT PAY!!! PREPARE TO DIE, MARIO!!!!!!!!"
Mario freaks out and points the shining light within the book at Ganon. Ganon gets stunned and starts getting pulled into the book!
"WHAT THE?! OH NO!!!!!!!!! NOT THE LIGHT!!!!!!!"
Mario then realizes what the spell is doing and gets a little closer to Ganon. Ganon keeps holds his footing, trying to withstand the suction power of the light beam.
"NO!! NOO!!! NOT INTO THE PIT!! PLEASE!!! IT BURNS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Mario then dashes straight at Ganon. As he gets close enough, Ganon is completely caught by the spell!!
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
A great bright light shines within the book, and Mario is astounded to see that Ganon is trapped within a page of the book. Ganon speaks a few last words to Mario.
"YOU BIG NOSED BUFFOON!! DO NOT THINK THIS IS OVER!! YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE LAST OF ME!!"
Mario immediatly closes the book so that Ganon would be silenced forever. Then the book opens by itself and reveals a bright purple light on one of the pages. A familiar looking spirit emerges from the page, and to Mario's disbelief, it was Princess Zelda's spirit!!
Zelda's Spirit makes it's way to the Statue of Zelda, and once it forms inside the stone, another bright light is shown, and after it fades, Zelda is finally seen as her normal self. Mario could not believe his eyes at what he just saw.
"Thank you for saving me, brave warrior." Zelda had said with a smile.
Link is then seen awakening from his knockout. He was still badly injured by the black magic injected into him. Zelda notices this and immediatly rushes over to Link.
"Oh no! Link are you okay?! Please, speak to me Link!!"
Zelda starts to sob in tears as Link could barely move a muscle. Mario starts to feel sad and starts looking into the spell book for a cure. Luckily, he was able to find what was needed. Sadly for Mario, he could not understand the chanting words needed for the spell to take affect. Zelda then comes to Mario and looks at the book.
"Mario! Is that . . . a spell book?!"
Zelda takes the book and looks at the spell Mario was reading. She gasps and says,
"This spell . . . . it's what we need to save Link!!"
Zelda continues looking at the page and says,
"Hmm . . . this is odd. The text is written in ancient Hylian language. But do not worry, I can understand the text. Cross your fingers this will work!"
Zelda starts to chant the magic words. Strange white magic emerges from the book, which estonishes Mario. The magic then makes its way to Link, and then starts forming itself around Link. After it vanishes, Link gets up and feels good as new. This makes Zelda happy and she rushes towards Link.
"LINK!!"
Zelda glomps Link and they both accidently fall down together. Mario closed his eyes as they both fell to the floor.
"Link I ever so glad you're all better! Please promise me you'll never worry me so much again!"
Link had accepted her word by hugging her in return. Mario watched in glee seeing the two love birds getting along. Afterwards, a bright light is shown above their heads, and a voice in the winds emerges.
"You have passed the Trial of Courage, Brave Warrior. Now is the time to face a new trial! Come to the Alter of Souls, and face your next Trial for the rights to meet me. Good Luck."
After those words were said, Zelda and Link approach Mario. Zelda then asks Mario,
"Are you going to leave so soon Mario? We would really appreciate your company."
Mario thanked Zelda for the offer, but told her that he really need to get going. Zelda sighs and says,
"I understand. You have a big journey ahead of you, outside the peaceful Kingdom of Hyrule. But do not worry, for Link and I will always be rooting for you as you encounter your next adventure. Best of wishes, brave warrior."
And after she says those words, Zelda actually kisses Mario on the cheek. He devolops a flushed look on his face, and looks up into the light.
Mario waves goodbye to Zelda and Link, and they do the same. Mario is then pulled into the light and returns to the Alter of Souls, where he will choose his next Trial to face, so he can gain rights to finally meet, the Princess of Souls.
Once he arrives back at the Alter, the First door he entered disappears. Now two remain. The Trial of Loyalty, which is the door with the bow and arrow sign on it. And The Trial of Friendship, which is the door with the Winged Fox sign on it.
Mario decides to take the second trial, and enters the door that leads him to his next destination.
This time, the door takes him, to a vast world that lies high within in the sky. The Kingdom of, Angel Land.
To be continued . . .