Author's Note(s): Yes, yes, another one of "those" chapters. Actually, as I recall, there's a chapter a while back called "Spirit of the Winds," or something like that. Apparently I had forgotten to change it to "The Fire Spirit."

Anyway, we are now very near to the climax of this story. There's not much to talk about the previous chapter, so I shan't. The actual number I'm aiming for, as mentioned, is 40. Lots of things to consider, and lots of pieces of the puzzle to be put together. Note that not everything will be fully explained in this story, but the majority of the details related to this plot WILL be, in the last two chapters. I suspect everyone already knows the main surprise, as I've thrown a number of hints around, but whatever, we'll see how many people actually get it.

Speaking of which, I know I've got quite a few people reading this story... Probably not as many as I'd like, but meh, I'm fine with that. However, can you PLEASE post a review...? Even a "good story" would do at this point. I just want to know how many people are enjoying this as it lifts my spirits and confidennce to see a lot of people interested. And yeah, I know I don't have that many compared to other stories. It's the most I've ever gotten, though. And this is the longest story I've ever written. No, seriously! Did you know it is ALREADY up to 95,000 words? This chapter will probably put it nearly over 100, though of course some of that is commentary.

ONE LAST NOTE. As of now, I am currently WRITING "Chapter 37." Hopefully I'll finish that soon and continue on with the remaining chapters, which should be a lot of fun (not that 36 and 37 weren't, or a bunch of the earlier ones...).

The Legend of Zelda: Scepter of Darkness

Chapter 35: The Water Spirit

"It was her choice to make. Do not worry, Link, for the path will still open unto you."

Ruto pulled out a small medallion, but Link already knew that it was coming. "Here," she proclaimed, "you know what to do with it. This contains my power. We will return to the Water Temple and make sure everything is secure."

Link nodded, taking the medallion in his hand and placing it in his pocket. "Thank you," he stated.

The zora queen smiled. "Heh, I apologize for the unruly encounter, but nonetheless, you now have one single objective left. You must not fail."

The green-clad hero turned back to the other four who stood behind him, and then back to Ruto, Mickaw, and the three zora warriors. "We will not fail. The Sorceress and Ganondorf, too, will be stopped."

Ruto backed away, smiled. The three zoras jumped into the water, and Ruto turned around and followed them. Mickaw gave Link a thumbs up, smiling. "Hah, go get 'em, dude! I'd totally come with you, but right now, we've got to secure the temple. Cya, man!"

The admittedly rather immature zora king followed Ruto into the water, as well, and they all dived down to the depths and out of sight.

Link turned back to his companions, eying Relm first, then Navi, then Sheila, and finally, Saria. "Well, guys, this is the final stretch. Are you ready? We make for the desert at once."

Relm crossed her arms. "What of the barrier, though? How do we get passed it… What was it that old ent told you?"

Navi narrowed her eyes, turning to Relm. "He's called the Great Deku Tree, and he is the mighty spirit of the Earth. The Great Deku Tree said that the three oracles of the Godesses are required to break the barriers…"

"But only after they are awakened!" Sheila called out, interjecting. "The oracles cannot awaken when already inflicted with a magical curse, though, and, quite frankly…" she wagged her still-persistent tail a bit, "I'm not in the best shape right now… even though I still don't get the whole oracle thing. It's all so new to me."

Saria nodded her head, smiling. "Yes, it's… It's all new to each of us. The Great Deku Tree said, though, that the three pearls of the Goddesses can strip away curses. Unfortunately, we still don't know where the third is…"

Link sighed, pulling out the first two pearls. "Only Saria was with me when I received the first one. That came from Valoo, the Fire Spirit. The second, of course, came from the Great Deku Tree. I suspect that the third is from the Water Spirit, but I have not—"

The ground suddenly quaked underneath their feat. An enormous wave of water rush up from the depths of the lake, between the mountains to the northwest and the island they all now stood. Each of them were soaked wet, but it merely just dampened their clothes once more after they fell over the side of the waterfall.

Link instantly recognized the creature before his eyes when it appeared from the wave. "Lord Jabu Jabu!"

The great fish, Jabu, shook himself in the water. "Indeed it is I, Link, but you shall refer to me by my true name, Jabun, the Spirit of Water. I was unable to appear to you until the temple was secured and restored by the water sage."

"Jabun," Saria commented, stepping forward, "you are the final Spirit? You have the item we need?"

Jabun nodded his head. "Indeed it is so. Ganondorf's forces have fled back to the desert, but they are amassing, readying to strike out again. They intended on killing the sage and defiling the holy temple. In truth, though, they have been manipulated by Ganondorf's dark magic, betraying their leader, the spirit sage, Nabooru. You must go rescue Nabooru and stop Ganondorf before the world is covered in shadow…"

Relm lowered her head, closing her eyes. Finally, she opened them again and stared up at the mighty fish. "Sir, spirit… whatever I may call you… Someone came to Zelda and myself in the forest while Link and everyone else were meeting with the Great Deku Tree. What did he mean by his statement? Do you know?"

Link turned to her, surprised. "You never told us this…"

Relm ignored him, focusing on the question. "Sir…? Do you know?"

"Mmm… He is another spirit, but also a trickster. However, he always speaks the truth."

Link glanced around, clearly frustrated about something. Saria turned to him. "Link…? Is something wrong…?"

The legendary hero of time stood there, bewildered. "What did he say? What did he look like?"

Relm shrugged. "He was a very strange man, with a bag holding tons of masks. As for what he said… I don't know. I'd rather not bring it up. Let's just get this whole thing over with."

Navi sighed. 'If Sheila isn't it… then who is it? Could she truly be manipulated in the background? Maybe it's even Relm… How could any of us be behind this thing, though? It's just not possible… It's got to be referring to Saria, because she's the one who released it. She clearly doesn't have anything more to do with it… or perhaps… Zelda?'

She didn't want to think about it. Nothing made sense. For all she knew, the Sorceress was secretly manipulating her! The only obvious exception was Link. Otherwise, it could be anyone.

Link shook his head. "Very well, then," he finally replied. "I won't bother you with it any longer." 'It definitely sounds like the Mask Salesman, though… He always pops up when ya' don't need him…'

"Brrahh…" Jabun groaned. "Friends, it is time. Take the jewel, and save Hyrule. Everyone of this land is counting on you."

Link stepped forward as Jabun shook his body. The jewel flew out from one of the fish's great scales and hovered over Link. The hero grabbed it and put it with the others. In a sudden flash of light, Jabun was gone.

"That was fast," Sheila remarked.

"Now to take care of one last thing," Link called out, turned to the white-haired girl.

Everyone backed away from her, and she was surprised. "Wait, what…?! Already? Do you even know how to work it?"

Link laughed. "It's magic," he began, lifting the three pearls into the air. They lifted up and flew around Sheila, hovering over her. "It works on its own…"

Sheila was stunned as white lights enveloped her body. She didn't feel anything, but she knew something happened. Just as quick as it started, it was over. "Woah…" she muttered.

Relm walked up behind her, glancing down. "Hmm… It's gone." She continued and rubbed her hand through Sheila's hair, getting a death glare in return, but it was quickly replaced with a smile.

"Is it really…?" Sheila stated. "That whole thing was weirding me out…"

Navi laughed. "Come on, girl, check your feet, too! Yes, I heard they were changed, as well. I couldn't see it, but I did notice something weird about your sandals before. How'd you strap that thing down, anyway?"

Sheila laughed, jumping in the air. "Yes! I'm finally not a freak anymore!"

"Hey," Link shot back, "some might take offense to that. Look at the Gorons, or the Zoras. They don't look human, but they still having human personality and intelligence."

Relm looked to the ground, snickering. "Gorons are intelligent…?" she muttered softly.

A hand brushed past the red one's shoulder and she heard another soft voice reply. "I heard that…" Navi whispered, giggling.

Saria closed her eyes, nodding. "Mmm… It's almost over… I can finally end this whole thing once and for all…"

Link turned to her, curiously. "Saria…? Something up?"

She glanced up, surprised. "Huh, what?!"

The boy raised an eyebrow, curiously. "Something's on your mind…"

She sighed. "Yes, I know… I'm sorry… I just want to end this… I started it, and I'm going to finish it."

Link walked in front of her and placed his hands on her shoulders, staring into her eyes. "Saria, don't feel bad about it. It was an accident; you didn't know. Come on; let's go. We'll finish this… together."

Saria eyed him, a smile crossing her face. "Together…?"

He nodded. "Yes."

Relm laughed out. "Hah! Just kiss and make up already!"

Link blushed, backing away. Saria did the same. "Uh, please… shut up…" he muttered.

Sheila ran up to Link, laughing out. "Come on! We have to go, now! Hurry!"

Strangely, all time stopped, just for a moment, in Link's eyes. Sheila was now gone, and in her place, a bright green figure, invisible from all the lights swirling around her. Link knew who and what it was, though. "Yes, Link… The final battle has come… Go with all your strength, but beware the traitor…"

Everything spun back into focus again. Link pulled Sheila's hands, sighing. "Fine, fine, let's go, just don't force me like that…"

He closed his eyes and stopped for a moment. Finally, he continued on, and the five of them continued up the northern pass.

XXXXX

An enormous, glowing, orange barrier encased the entire path, and went even beyond, sealing anything that may attempt to pass out from its depths. Five companions, on foot, raced down to it, standing at the base. Link and Saria stood in front, with Sheila, Relm, and Navi in back.

"So, how does this whole thing work?" Relm asked, turning to Link.

He shrugged his shoulders. "I really don't know." Link turned back so he could see both Sheila and Relm. "You two, try standing in front of it."

Sheila raised an eyebrow. "Wait… How do you know I have 'awakened'—"

"You have. Just go."

The white-haired girl sighed and just moved over to the front of the line. Relm walked up beside her. "You know," the red-haired one remarked, "I still don't fully trust you."

Sheila groaned. "I don't need this right—"

Relm snickered. "Hmph… don't give me that. I trust you a lot more, now. Your past with Ingo is still questionable, but… You're already, kid."

Sheila opened her eyes wide. "Huh? But you're only—"

The elder clasped her face across the mouth of the younger. "You DON'T need to bring it up!"

Link stepped forward, laughing a bit. "Heh… enough already, you two. Let's just see if this will work." He raised his hand up, the three gems within glowing bright. They flew up into the air and in front of the barrier.

Relm was surprised. Suddenly, she knew exactly what she had to do. She cupped her hands together and put them in front of herself, allowing the red jewel of Din to rest in her hands. Sheila had the same situation. Finally, Nayru's Sapphire came down next to Sheila on her right. Relm looked, and strangely, she saw a silhouette of Zelda!

Zelda turned to the two, smiling, and finally, lifted the gem in her hands. Relm and Sheila did the same, willingly, but almost… forcefully. Something was telling them exactly what they needed to do, and they did it, not even against their own will.

The three jewels glowed brightly, encasing the three figures. Link, Saria, and Navi stood back, watching in astonishment. The sky grew dark, and a flash of lightning roared, splitting the sky. Suddenly, Relm, Sheila, and Zelda were all gone.

Link narrowed his eyes, nodding his head. "Din, Farore, and Nayru… the three Goddesses…"

"This is amazing," Navi proclaimed. "I've known all along about the Goddesses, but I've never seen them myself."

Saria nodded in unison. "Yes, the same for me…"

The hero of time, though, was not fazed. "I have… I saw the three Goddesses when I first arrived back in this world. I also saw each of them individually, in the eyes of Zelda, Relm, and Sheila. For Zelda, I saw hers at Hyrule Castle, before I left for Death Mountain. Relm's I saw on the way back to Hyrule Castle from the Sheikah Village, and lastly, Sheila, just before we left Lake Hylia."

The Goddesses raised their hands up and the jewels shot forth, slamming repeatedly across the barrier. It cracked all the way up, and finally shattered to smithereens. In an instant, they were gone. Relm and Sheila lay on the ground, unconscious.

The others ran up to them and Link knelt down by Relm's side, shaking her a little. Navi did the same for Sheila.

"Hey, you alright?" Link asked.

Relm groaned, pulling her head back. "Ugh… What?"

Saria sat down behind her. "You did it," she exclaimed, "the shield has been destroyed!"

Her eyes suddenly shot open. "Oh, yes!" Relm called out. "It was… a very strange experience."

Link looked out into the distance, sighing. Mountains blocked the path, with the heat of the desert flowing down from it. "Mmm… This is it, guys. You ready?"

Sheila pulled herself up and stood to her feet, along with Navi. Everyone else did the same. "Looks like everything's in order," Navi called back.

The hero nodded. "Yes… Finally, we're ready."

Saria smiled, racing up behind them. "Yes… its time…"

As they all left and disappeared into the trail of the mountain pass, a silhouette appeared where they once stood. The face snickered wildy, laughing out. "Hehehe… Yes… It is… It is time… Time for me to take what is mine…"

The voice echoed out again, laughing wildly in a loud, deep, feminine tone, as the winds carried off what remained.