Published on February 1st, 2016.

Chapter 36/50
The Sweltering Volcano Summit
Volcano Summit Arc (2/4)

As they exited out of the tunnel, they scanned the deep cavern room, still immense with the orange air. The walls were still partially covered in magma. They saw two tunnels ahead and one tunnel heading to the right. Fi emerged out of Link's sword. "We are now near the crater at the peak of Eldin Volcano," she said. "I am detecting extremely high temperatures in this area. However, your Fireshield Earrings will allow for extended periods of exploration. There is a high chance the sacred flame is somewhere around here." She merged back to the sword.

"Okay, let's go," Link said. First, they went to the right tunnel and entered a large room covered in magma. At the other side was a man-made stone tunnel way.

"Interesting," Double D said. "It seems this cavern used to be some sort of old temple." He spotted a staircase with only two steps. "But the stairs are now destroyed."

"Yeah, and I don't see any way to get to the other side. I guess we'll come back later."

"Look!" Ed said, pointing at the magma pool. He, Eddy, and Link recognized the Magma Plume in it, except it had a purple body. This Cursed Spume bloated its body and spat out a dark fireball to them, which they stepped back.

"You jerk!" Eddy said, pulling out his bow and arrows.

"Wait, Eddy!" Link said. "It's clear we have nothing to do in this room. Only use your ammo when it's necessary. For now, let's head back to the other tunnels." As they continued on, they defeated a couple of Fire Keeses and Red Chuchus. They dropped down and head left, seeing a bridge of rocks floating on magma. Two Cursed Plumes turned and spotted them.

"Now can we shoot them?!"

"Yes." With that, Ed and Eddy aimed at their target and released their arrows, killing those monsters in one shot. Once that was done, the team hopped across using the rock platforms. They went to the right when a giant Red Chuchu spawned out of the ground. But Eddy threw a bomb to it, exploding it into pieces. The team continued on and entered another tunnel.

After exiting out, they noticed their earrings turning off. In front of them was a gateway with the entrance spewing with fire. To the left was a familiar person.

"Gorko!" Ed said as that person turned around.

"Oh, hey!" Gorko said, grinning. "We meet again!"

"Hey there, dude!" Eddy said with a smile.

"Greetings, Gorko!" Double D said, smiling. "The last time we met was at the Sealed Temple when we sealed that monstrosity."

"Yeah," Gorko said, nodding. "How have you all been, buds?"

"We got two sacred flames," Link answered. "We're searching for the last sacred flame somewhere around here."

"Whoa, that quick, huh? Well, as for me, I rumbled over here to continue my research while finding some Goddess Cubes. I want to continue on, but..." He tuned to the fire. "These flames are blocking my way."

"Oh, okay." Link looked around the room.

"All right, Ed!" Eddy said, snapping his fingers. "Blow these flames away!"

"You got it, Eddy!" Ed replied, aiming it with his Gust Bellows as it shot out a gust of wind. The flames danced along with the wind, but after a few seconds, Ed stopped. "Uh, it's not working, Eddy!"

"Then let's put 'em out with water!"

"Eddy," Double D said with a frown, "I don't think our bottles of water would douse these constant flames."

"Wait, Eddy!" Link said, standing in front of a small stone slab next to a tiny staircase. "I found the way to get through. This stone says, 'Quench my thirst to clear your path.' I think it's referring to that." Link pointed forward at the end of this tiny staircase. On the wall next to the entrance was a statue of a frog's head with its tongue out.

"Okay..." Eddy said, still staring at it. "What's a frog doing here?"

"Eddy, try pouring your water into its tongue."

"Fine." Eddy walked up to it and opened up its bottle of water before pouring it onto the frog statue's tongue. Its eyes turned from red to blue, croaked out a bit, and then closed its mouth. "This is a creepy statue!" Everyone looked at the flames turning off.

"Nice work, brother!" Gorko said, shaking with excitement. "Let's go through!" They entered the next room and the same problem, except the staircase to another frog statue was destroyed. It was a bit too tall for anyone to reach it.

"Ed," Link said, "try to run up that staircase and jump forward. Then you pour your water bottle down to that tongue."

Ed nodded and took out his water bottle. He dashed forward to the staircase and leaped forward. "Slam dunk!" he said before slamming his bottle on the tongue and colliding against the wall. The second entrance douse out its flaming wall.

"Nice work, Ed!" Gorko said as they continued on. This time, they exited out of the volcano, walking forward on top of an elegant stone bridge with tall black fences. They awed at what was in front of them, which was a huge temple with its roof looking like yellow and orange flames. The temple's entrance had that same fiery wall, but the frog statue was above the entrance. It was also bigger than the other two statues. "Amazing! Simply intriguing! We're very close! There's probably something super important than the Goddess Cubes!"

"But we have another new problem," Link said, crossing his arms.

"Agreed," Double D said. "Due to the size of that frog statue, we need a big container of water to pour it in. I highly doubt our bottles would work this time."

"Mr. Frog is thirsty!" Ed said.

"And where are we supposed to get one?" Eddy asked. "And even if we got one, how are we supposed to pour from up there?"

Gorko crossed his arms. "This is tricky," he said. "I gotta say, I am pretty much stumped. Do you guys know any large container of water?" Everyone stood there in silent for a moment.

Link closed his eyes in though, recalling his memories. After thinking about water, he thought about Lake Floria, which he opened up his eyes. "Wait, we do know a container!" he said. "Faron the Water Dragon has that basin, remember?"

"Of course!" Double D said, gasping. "It's perfect for this particular frog statue!"

Gorko gasped. "Water Dragon?!" he asked. "You guys met an ancient dragon?!"

"Yeah," Link replied before walking to a Bird Statue. "I'll go back to Lake Floria on my own and bring back the basin. It should take a couple of minutes."

"And how are you supposed to carry that basin?" Eddy asked. "With your back?"

"I know the right person." Link touched the Bird Statue as it shot up a column of green light. The two Loftwings landed down as he got on his own Loftwing. After that, the two flew back up to the sky.

"Ah, it's you," Faron said to Link after he reached the center of Faron's Hall. "Tell me, are you mastering the power that dwells within your sword?"

"Yes," Link replied. "I just need one more sacred flame. But I came here for an important request. I want to borrow your basin." He glanced behind to see that black basin sitting in the center.

"Oh? Hmm... Very well. I have recovered, and I have no intention of having to soak in it again soon. Begone with it. It's yours to use as you please."

Link smiled. "Thank you so much!"

Fi came out of his sword. "To transport the Water Dragon's basin to the Fire Sanctuary," she began, "you will need to enlist the service of that transport robot. Shall I send word to him?"

"Call him."

"Understood, Master. I will call him at once." Fi looked up at the hole of the ceiling as they waited.

Several minutes later, Scapper descended down. "Mistress Fi, bzzzt!" he said. "I have come here at your request." He turned to the black basin. "Let's see here... This cargo looks very heavy, but it's well within my payload tolerances, bzzrrt!" The electrical current between his body and hands extended out as his hands grabbed onto the basin. He lifted it up with a grunt. "Where is our destination?"

"Oh, so that's what you all have been through," Gorko said to the Eds. "That's crazy! A giant sword wielding machine and a huge tentacle monster? That must have been rough."

"I am worried about this temple once we go through," Double D said.

"It's gonna be the volcano king!" Ed said.

"Can we not get any more monsters along the way?" Eddy asked, sighing in frustration. He looked up the sky. "Oh, guys! Link's back!" When they got closer, Eddy gawked at the second person. "Oh, not that guy! Geez!"

Link's Loftwing landed down as Link got off. "Pour the basin on that frog statue's tongue," he said to Scrapper.

"No problem, zzzbrt!" Scrapper said. "Stand back!" Everyone did what they were told as Scrapper hovered on top of the tongue. He let go of the basin as a huge splash of water washed over the tongue. The basin came out with a piercing sound.

"Hey, watch it!" Eddy said, gritting.

"I warned you!" Scapper turned to Link and Fi. "If there's anything else I can do to be of assistance, zzzzrp, just call me! Anytime, zzrbtzz!" He flew up to the sky. Everyone turned to the temple's entrance as the flames had been extinguished.

"You are something else, bud!" Gorko said, grinning at Link. "Well, since I'm here, I might as well accompany you guys."

"We appreciate it, Gorko," Link said, smiling. "Now let's go and get that last sacred flame." The four approached the entrance and looked down at the staircase. The heat enveloped them a bit as they saw a few fire particles coming out of the staircase. As Link wiped the sweat on his forehead, the four walked down into the Fire Sanctuary.

Link [6+6 Hearts]
Main Equipment [Goddess White Sword], [Braced Shield]
Sub-Equipment [Sailcloth], [Scattershot], [Water Dragon's Scale], [Whip], [Clawshot], [Bow], [Fireshield Earrings]
Inventory [Bottle (Heart Potion)], [Goddess's Harp], [Farore's Wind]

Ed [6+2 Hearts]
Main Equipment [Spiked Hammer], [Reinforced Shield]
Sub-Equipment [Sailcloth], [Scattershot], [Tough Beetle], [Digging Mitts], [Small Seed Satchel], [Gust Bellows], [Water Dragon's Scale], [Clawshot], [Bow], [Fireshield Earrings]
Inventory [Bottle (Heart Potion)], [Big Bug Net], [Bottle]

Double D [3+1 Hearts]
Main Equipment [Zeal Wand], [Divine Shield]
Sub-Equipment [Water Dragon's Scale], [Clawshot], [Fireshield Earrings]
Inventory [Binoculars]

Eddy [4+3 Hearts]
Main Equipment [Metal Racket], [Braced Shield]
Sub-Equipment [Sailcloth], [Scattershot], [Bomb Bag], [Water Dragon's Scale], [Clawshot], [Bow], [Fireshield Earrings]
Inventory [Orange gemstone (Right eye)], [Bottle (Heart Potion)], [Bottle]