"No."

The strange boy Maruka didn't know pulled at his brown hair. "You know us, man! Really, you do! I…I can't believe you don't remember anything!"

Maruka's heart sank. He searched the strange boy's upset face to find something familiar. The strange boy had green eyes, fair skin and was slightly shorter than Maruka. Maruka fought to grasp a memory. He found nothing and it bothered him greatly.

Then the strange boy's face suddenly brightened. He snapped his fingers and pointed at Maruka.

"What about the football game?" he asked. "We beat the fifth graders! What about watching Bears games in Dad's basement! The first time we had to get out of a bad spot when we got lost? Don't you remember any of that? Either of us?"The boy shifted his finger between himself and a girl with red eyes and black hair. Defeated, Maruka shook his head."Rebecca? Anyone? Anything?" Disappointment filled the boy's face when all he had was silence for an answer.

"Good looking out Maruka!"

A long haired Goron swaggered towards both boys. It was Maui, the leader of the Goron Calvary. He grinned from ear-to-ear while heartily slapping Maruka's back.

"Those tektites didn't stand a chance, brotha!" he exclaimed. "You're making a fine hero amongst the mountain folk! You really do fit in."

Maui pointed a thumb the other boy, one who was garbed in green. A glowing orb of light with four wings floated beside him. Calvary members greeted him and Maruka could see the slight discomfort on his face.

"That kid ain't half bad neither," said Maui. "Good use of that sword, I thought the kid was a Hyrule soldier! I just wish his friends did a little more than just stand there. Not that it mattered." Maui crossed his arms over his chest while looking at the strange boy. "You two gotta to protect yourselves with more than just shields if you want to survive Death Mountain!"

Maui pounded his chest with both fists—a typical male Goron greeting—and introduced himself. "We Gorons protect Death Mountain as an army of strong men." He gestured towards the Calvary, who proceeded to put the dead tektites in a pile. Some of them greeted the children in the same way.

"One of us isn't a Goron," Maui continued. "But he might as well be. He keeps showing us that he's about as tough as all of us!" Maui let out a hearty laugh. Maruka watched the strange boy's face change color as his body shook.

"You're the Gorons?"

The blue ball of light floated away from the boy in green, flying toward Maui. When it drew near, Maruka noticed the form of a small woman in the light.

Maui nodded. "Yeah, we're the mountain dwellers with a domain here. We don't get visitors too often. What brings you our way?"

"A quest," answered the winged woman. She gestured toward the boy in green. "We're on a special mission to retrieve something. A spiritual stone. Have you ever heard of that?"

The Goron Calvary froze. Maui frowned. Maleek—he doubled as a Calvary member due to hard times in Hyrule Castletown—fumbled with a tektite body. Dominic stopped observing the gathered carcasses and joined his fellow Gorons in showing uneasy looks on their faces.

"Well," said Dominic. "What exactly do you need it for?"

"We need to save Hyrule," said Navi.

"And get home," said the strange boy. "With our of them." He glared in Maruka's direction. Maruka felt uneasy.

"That might be a challenge," said Dominic, straightening his goggles. "It's not exactly on display anymore."

"Who has it?" asked Navi.

"…We're not at privilege to say."

"We're not strangers." The strange boy raised his voice. "We're trying to save this stupid place. At least he is—" he pointed at the boy in green. "And we're helping him. What are you guys doing? Kidnapping kids?"

"Excuse me?" Maleek said, stepping away from the rest of the Calvary.

"Why doesn't he remember me?" the boy asked in a demanding voice. "Why doesn't he remember her?" He pointed at the red-eyed girl. "Why is he hanging out with you freaks and deciding that he doesn't remember where he came from, or us? Huh?!"

Maleek shook his head. "Mon, we don't even know who you are."

The boy with brown hair held his glare. "And you made sure my buddy did the same, huh noodle head?"

"You like saying all dem rude words, boy, you in for a rude awakening!"

"I think I woke up to enough problems. This is the worst one of them all."

"Second worst one if you don't drop de attitude!"

Maui raised his own hands and turned to Maleek. "Just cool it."

"Nah, mon," Maleek waved off the advice. "This boy needs to cool it! Accusing us of taking Maruka for a slave or prisoner when we be showing him some love so he's not feeling alone! We didn't know he belongs with these kids at all! What's his problem, huh?" Maleek pointed an angry finger at the brown-haired boy.

"You even gave him a new name? That's kidnapping, bro."

"You see what I mean, Maui? No manners, dis one! I bepunting him off de side of de mountain if he gives me more lip!"

Maui looked at the group with his arms crossed over his chest. "Where are you from?" he asked.

"We're from the forest," the boy in green said, gesturing toward the woman with wings. "I'm one of the Kokiri. My name is Link. This is my fairy guardian, Navi."

"Ah." Dominic approached the two, leaning in close to observe them. Both the boy and his fairy looked uncomfortable with this. "I can't believe I'm face-to-face with one of the faerie. I've read quite a few scrolls about your history and place in the world. "

Maruka saw Navi bat her blue eyes. "Well, I hope you've only read good things!"

Dominic nodded and smiled. "I revere everything you represent."

"Why, thank you. We're…sorry about that." Navi gestured toward the strange boy. "He doesn't have a filter. The Princess of Hyrule sent us—we have a letter as proof. A man named Ganondorf is after the Spiritual Stones and a relic tied to them called the Triforce. If he gets your Spiritual Stone and a third, he can gain great power by stealing the Triforce too. We're trying to stop him. We need your help."

The Goron Calvary exchanged more glances with one another. Link unearthed Zelda's letter and handed it to Dominic, who then walked over to Maui with the writing.

"Well," he said, turning toward Dominic. "They seem sincere. Zelda's handwriting is quite uncanny. Unique and fortunately something I've read before in one or two small decrees. They like training royalty early with fun little invitations to celebrate special holidays."

Maui nodded while skimming the letter. He walked over to Link and handed it back to him.

"We can't guarantee that our leader will say yes," said Maui. "Or the elders. They can be quite strict, even when Darunia's heart is softened."

Navi nodded. "We'll take our chances."

Maui looked at Maruka. "Hey kid," he said. "Do you recognize any of them at all?"

Maruka shook his head. "I'm sorry…I don't. I'm trying, but I don't."

Maui nodded. "Well…we'll sort that out, don't worry about it. Let's get them up to Goron City first."

The Goron Calvary led the group up Death Mountain. Their path climbed higher until they approached a natural rock canopy. A large opening was carved into the mountain side, with a white banner was pinned to the rock wall above the opening. Red lettering was painted onto the cloth. Maruka heard the girl with red eyes whisper from behind.

"Goron City," she said in a sweet low voice. "Citadel of Hyrule's Mountainfolk. Sacred city crafted by Din." Marukawas astonished she understood the sign's language. Other Gorons had to keep reminding him of what the Hylian text said, but this girl seemed to know Hyrule all along. He wondered where she really came from.

Maui turned to the group as they stood in front of the entrance.

"Goron City is a descending spiral," he announced. "It's a place you can get lost real easily without help. One bad step could mean a bad fate. We don't want to see you dealing with that and we don't want to gather no one's bones to a burial ground. Let's keep Kakariko's graveyard as is, yeah? Stay close to a Goron. We'll keep you all safe."

The forest boy, his fairy and the girl with red eyes chose a Goron. Maruka was surprised when the girl with red eyes tugged at his arm.

"You can stay with me and Maui," she said. "Both of you can help me that way!" She offered Maruka was big smile that very hopeful.

The strange boy reluctantly stood by another Calvary member. He still glared, frowned and crossed both arms over his chest. The group went into the entryway, finding themselves in the dark for a moment. Then, they emerged on the other side, into the bright home Maruka had been able to make. The visitors marveled the sight of Goron City.

"It's one of those magical cities," Maui said, as if he read the visitors' faces. "One of the most magical you'll ever see in your lives. Keep close to us, we're going down."

The group walked through Goron City's winding halls, which were always lit by torches crowned with fire. The forest boy observed the banners decorated with the Goron symbol. The red-eyed girl kept whispering at other signs and Marukaremained astonished by her. Sometimes, she'd hold his hand and his face would turn warm because of the touch. Then, she'd seem to recognize what she was doing and pull away quickly, apologizing sheepishly for the act.

It wasn't long until the group reached the bottom of Goron City. They walked around the large jar of many Goron faces, another sight the visitors stared at with awe. Even the fairy—a fascinating view to marvel at herself—was shocked by the gigantic clay vase.

"That's been around since the beginning of our civilization," said Maui. "Everyone really cares about that. We hope to keep it around for many years to come."

Rumbling from two levels above caused the group to pause. The visitors seemed uneasy about the sound, but the Gorons and Maruka were unfazed. Small clouds of golden dust rose from beneath a Goron that rolled endlessly. He was bigger than most of his brethren, save for one or two others. Maruka grew used to him, as every other Goron had.

"He rolls around when he's distressed," said Maui, looking at the rolling Goron. "The poor brotha."

"He needs to find another way to deal with de famine," said Maleek. "This is not de best way at all."

"Famine?" the red-eyed girl asked, cupping a hand to her mouth at the sound of such terrible news.

"Oh my," Dominic said. "Maybe we shouldn't have expressed the crisis in front of them."

Maleek shrugged. "Dey might as well know since we're revealing everything else about ourselves to them. We might as well give dem our rupees and let them rob our homes, too. We just love bringing in people who aren't sworn brothers or sisters!"

"Maleek, knock it off!" Maui gestured towards the group again. "Don't worry about him. He's just like the rolling Goron. He's just stressed out about everything and wants to see it solved. We all do."

"So you're going through a famine?" asked Navi.

Maui nodded sadly. "Little lady, we're dealing with the worst of it. Our food supply is running low because the bomb flowers aren't growing in the places where we can get them."

Navi shook her head. "Where can you get the bomb flowers?"

"In Dodongo's Cavern. It's where the bomb flowers thrive, sister. They grow like crazy in the dark and you have to be one of the strongest creatures amongst the mountain folks to harvest them. Besides, being big keeps the monsters away, too."

Sheila gasped. "Monsters…?"

"Dodongos. Scale-covered creatures. They have a right to be there and they don't like trying to go after Gorons because we're pretty hefty."

Dominic cut into the conversation. "Their population dwindled over the years, and we've tried to maintain the ecosystem because they are important for the world's survival. However, the opposite is also true. If they wander off the mountain, or, dare I say, increase to an unsustainable size, it doesn't bode well for anyone. You might as well release a dragon onto the populace." He slapped a hand over his mouth. "Oh. Yes. History. Sorry."

Maleek added his say as well. "But de big rock is blocking the cavern entrance. I think it's 'cause of de man in black armor! He came riding through Kakariko with that big black horse and rode up de mountain with it! He stops in front of the city and asks for…things. Oh, I talk too much, mon…" Maleek clasped a big hand over his mouth.

"And you two wanted to keep secrets," Maui grumbled aloud.

Maruka saw the look of worry on the visitors' faces. They didn't seem to like Ganondorf anymore than the Gorons. He knew for sure that these people were to be trusted. Still, he searched for a memory in all their faces. Still, nothing was found.

"What did Ganondorf ask for?" The forest boy asked.

"What you're asking for," said Maui. "That's the council chamber. Let's see if Darunia is ready. You fit the bill for his fast being done. The council chamber is at the bottom of the citadel. We need to make sure we get to it as soon as possible. I'm praying you'll get your answers."

Up ahead, there was the council chamber's stone door. It didn't have a handle. The Goron symbol was etched into the stone, filling out the surface. A silk rug was laid out at the foot of the door. It felt plush beneath the feet of anyone who stood upon the cloth.

"Very few are granted access," said Dominic.

"But de ones who are worthy enough get to see de chieftain whenever they need him," Maleek said. "Are you worthy?"

"More than worthy," said the fairy. "I don't see why not. Do you, Link?"

"No," said Link the forest boy.

"All we need you to do is furnish proof of your connection to the King," said Dominic "Then you can communicate with Darunia on important matters."

Link the forest boy opened his satchel and pulled out a wooden object with holes drilled into it. He pressed a mouthpiece to his lips and with both eyes closed, brought music into the air. The peaceful song drifted and everything seemed silent once he finished. Then, as if it were truly magic, the door opened.

"Maruka," Maui said. "If this boy and his fairy ain't one of your friends, you should make him one now! We might want to speak with Darunia now, huh?"

Maui had the group wait outside before any of them could go in. Link heard hushed voices from deep within the chamber, drifting out of the dark corridor that led to the space the group sought. After a time, Maui emerged from inside the chamber, waving the children in.

"Darunia only wants to see the boy and his fairy," said Maui. "I'm sorry to the rest of you. I spoke to Darunia about you, but he only trusts Maruka and the people sent by the princess. At least for now."

Link heard an angry stomp from right behind him. He turned to see Trevor's face turning red as he gritted his teeth.

"Are you kidding me?" Trevor growled. "That's not fair!"

"Keep de voice down," Maleek said. "Dat's not helping anyone, whelp."

"Quit calling me that!" Trevor snapped, pointing a finger at Maleek. "Don't tell me what do to do! Don't tell us to not come to your town and try and solve things! We are trapped here! You've lived here your whole life, and so did your parents, and their parents and everyone else who lived in this stinking place! WE'RE TRYING TO GO HOME! And you're keeping us from doing even that…and you stole Jerome from us. You're kidnappers."

Maleek palmed his face. "For de last time, we found him and didn't know where he came from! If you came up and he remembered you, we'd hand him over with no question. We probably might, but he's not in a good place to even recall who you are! Give us some time to sort it all out, mon!"

"I'll give you time to take everything you got and shove it!" Trevor crossed his arms over his chest and glared away from Maleek. "I hate your stupid hair. I hate your dumb, stinking city. That big pot or whatever sucks. Hyrule sucks. I hate it all."

Maleek stomped towards the chamber entrance. "Let me come in too," he said. "I'm fitting to punt this loud mouth off de mountaintop. Off the summit, actually, right into the lava in front of de temple. Dat would be a good place to put a spoiled little boy like dat, don't ya think?"

"Maleek…" Maui said, but he allowed his fellow Goron to come in. Link and Navi stepped forward and the boy called Maruka followed as well. Maruka took a look back at Trevor and Sheila, who both had saddened looks on their faces whenever they shared a gaze with him. He still seemed to struggle with who he was as he ventured deep into the chamber with his new acquaintances and the friends he made while on the mountain. Soon, the rest of the city was left behind.

The group proceeded to find themselves in a room with many heirlooms scattered about. It was a mahogany space that almost reminded Link of his own home, though the chamber was about twice the size of his abode. Stone statues were pressed against corners of the room. A curtain of animal hide flowed from behind a mahogany statue depicting a Goron with its arms crossed over its chest. Torches were lit and mounted on stands that held the flame in the open mouths of their tops. Standing between the torches was Darunia.

He looked weak. His stance was still as strong as Maruka remembered and always knew it to be. However, his face sagged as if a few years passed by. Bags bunched up beneath both his keen eyes and he wore a weary frown. When Darunia looked at the Gorons, he managed to smile and nod out of respect. Then, he looked at Link and Navi and gave a surprised scowl.

"What is the meaning of this?" Darunia asked in a hoarse-yet-sharp tone.

"They're the messengers from Hyrule Castle," said Maui. "We saw the proof with our own eyes, Chieftain."

"Maui," said Darunia. "I understand. I truly do, but our sworn brother Arkanian has just insulted us. He's sent a child to help us with the crisis at hand? He's decided that I'm not even worthy of a single visit from a Hyrulean soldier? I know the knights have dissolved, so he has no choice there, but the King should know better than to do this."

"I don't think he meant to insult you, boss."

"Then he has no vision."

Darunia looked past Link and Navi, directing his gaze at Maruka. He smiled once more and gestured for the boy to come his way. When Maruka complied, Darunia placed both hands on his shoulders and gently patted the crown of his head.

"I heard about your efforts out on the trail," Darunia said. "The tektites are growing in number as well, hm?"

"I wouldn't know," Maruka said. "It's just what Dominic told me."

"Dominic is a smart one," Darunia said. "Speaking of other Gorons, why is Maleek here?"

"I can't stand one of de other visitors!" Maleek complained. "He has a big mouth and thinks he can run de place! He claims to be one of Maruka's friends! He's much lighter than him, but he seems ta know him. It might explain much about de memory issue de boy has."

Darunia glanced back and forth between Maleek and Maruka. When he looked at Maruka, he narrowed his eyes at the boy.

"Is that true?" Darunia asked. "Are there children out there who say they know you?"

Maruka nodded. "I…I don't remember them."

"Hm…" Darunia looked at Link. "You. Do you know Maruka?"

Link shook his head. "No. I barely know the other kids out there. They all seem to come from the same place, though."

"I see. What's your name?"

"Link."

"And that's a fairy, yes? So, you are a Deku child? A Kokiri?"

"Yes. This is Navi."

On queue, Navi bowed. "Pleased to meet you," Navi said.

"Likewise. Look…I know you're trustworthy. No one would be given the royal song of the Hyrule family unless they were deemed worthy. Who taught it to you?"

"Impa," Link said.

"Ah, yes. Years ago, her and I knew each other and spoke often. We were children together, though we only saw one another when I passed through the village with my father. Her and I were acquaintances more than friends, but I always respected her. She's a good woman. So was her husband, a good man who died in the war. It's so sad, the tragedy she went through. I was glad to find out she didn't die, but I never saw her again. I pray she's alright?"

Link looked shocked by what Darunia said, still had enough composure to nod.

"Good," Darunia said, offering Link a smile. The sternness in his voice faded. He let go of Maruka's shoulders and walked over to Maleek. He hissed something out at him and Maleekseemed to protest. However, the Goron eventually shook his head and walked out of the room saying "Darunia, this could be madness! None of dem are sworn brothers at all!" As Maleekleft, Darunia looked at Link.

"I know that it's not exacty the crisis that drew you here," said Darunia. "And I have a feeling that Arkanian is too busy with the peace treaty with that Ganondorf to think about our drought. You're here for the Spiritual Stone, aren't you?"

"Yes," Link said.

"What would a boy from the woods want with the Goron Ruby?" Darunia asked. "It's of great value, mind you. All the world's rupees wouldn't justify its worth. But you…you want to obtain our prize, and for what reason? Is there one?"

Link and Navi told the tale of the Triforce and the Spiritual Stones while Darunia listened intently, as well as Maruka from a distance. When the Deku Tree's death came up, Maruka's heart wretched. Darunia's face remained still. After the tale was done, Maruka realized they had been joined by Trevor, Sheila and an irritated Maleek.

"I can tell that you're being honest," Darunia said. "I believe what you're saying. The ruby has been considered a key to a special door and the gods trusted us to protect it from evil men. I believe that Ganondorf is one of those evil men. I refused to have anything to do with that fiend, especially after he told me to bring him the spiritual stone to save the people. He isn't noble."

Darunia gave a deep sigh before continuing. "However…I don't know if you are suited for this, Link. After all, you're a boy. Not to speak down to you…I heard that you too have valor and skill. The sword you hold is a forest blade, something that's not given lightly, especially by a fallen sworn brother like the Deku Tree. I see that you're capable of greatness…however, I don't believe we should involve you in our affairs."

The forest boy bowed his head. Maruka understood how he felt. It was hard to feel helpless, like you couldn't do anything at all to change the world around you.

"Please understand," Darunia said. "Our famine wasn't at the front of Princess Zelda's mind. It was this dream, and we don't necessarily know if it's true. I see the other children here around you and I believe there's a point to this…but I can't trust something I don't see. As far as I'm concerned, it could be a great trick on all of us, to fool us into action that serves the needs of Ganondorf. Do we really want to become susceptible to that?"

"No," Navi said, speaking up. "But sir, even Ganondorf is seeking out the spiritual stone. You said it yourself!"

"He's a thief," said Darunia. "He wouldn't have a chance of entering the Sacred Realm, even if he had all three spiritual stones. I know you have one, but the Deku Tree is merely trusting you to guard something that came from where you live. The forest is your home. This is ours. We don't involve ourselves in your affairs. I can't in good conscious involve you in ours. You're better off staying out of our business."

"Wow. How great." Trevor shook his head. "So we can't go home is what you're saying? We can't get this ruby because you don't think this is important enough to be our business?"

Darunia glared at Trevor. "Who are you?"

"The best friend of the kid you stole from us," Trevor said, pointing at Maruka, who he insisted on calling Jerome.

"You're the loudmouth."

"I'm the loudmouth and you're the creepy kidnapper with the beard."

"You see what I been talking about?" Maleek said. "Dis boy needs to get fed right to the dodongos, I think!"

"That's not necessary," Maui said. "He's upset because his friend doesn't recognize him, is all. He doesn't like that he isn't being noticed by someone he knows and cares about."

Darunia's glare softened after a time. He didn't get his eyes off Trevor and shook his head.

"Maybe this isn't a good time," Darunia said. "Why don't we speak about these matters later on? We can talk about the ruby. We can discuss our crisis as well…and I've also made a decision about the festival we hold. It will lift people's spirits if we allow it to progress and go on…so we will have it." Darunia offered a small smile. "I know it's not related to the ruby, butwhy don't you stay with us as guests and join us? Tomorrow, we'll be able to talk some more. Until then, welcome to Goron City."

Everyone agreed to Darunia's wise advice, or at least accepted it for the time being. The three Gorons who counseled him led the children to different rooms in the citadel. Darunia kept to himself in his chamber, pondering. The four children and the fairy who visited the city had the biggest thoughts of all. Link thought about what it would take for Darunia to allow him to obtain the Goron Ruby.

Navi thought about how to keep Link safe as the trials ahead faced him. Sheila wondered if Jerome would ever remember her name, let alone what she and Trevor were to him. Trevor was just angry and thought about all the words he could say to let the Gorons know what was really on his mind. So many thoughts drifted through Goron City.

They stayed in the children's minds as they fell asleep, prepared to be in Goron City for the long haul.