~I~ Chapter One ~I~
I
shook the water from my boots after wading through a shallow stream.
"Through
there?" I asked the fairy on my shoulder.
"Yeah."
Duo nodded and pointed to the entryway. "Zora's River."
I
nodded and walked on.
~()~
The
river wasn't all that special. What was odd was that normally I would slow down
and admire the beauty, even if it looked like any other river I could find on
earth. But I walked past it. It didn't seem important. I needed to get this
done, fulfill my destiny.
*Wake
up, Quatre! This is just a dream! It'll end the minute your alarm clock goes
off.* Something about the thought made shivers run down my spine. *Do I even
want to wake up? Here I'm powerful, needed, wanted...* I shook my head. *Stop
it! They want you at home! I'm going back! There's no way out of it. Even if I
wanted-*
"Yo,
buddy!" Duo was suddenly right in front of my face.
I
jumped back a foot. "W-what?" I asked, clutching my chest. "Why did you do
that?"
Duo
flew a little closer and frowned. "You all right man? You haven't talked much
and you looked a little pale just now."
"I'm
fine," I said quickly.
*I'm
fine,* I repeated in my head.
"All
right then," Duo said, not at all convinced. "Well we gotta cross the river, so
grab a chicken and let's glide!" his sentence had slowly gotten cheerful.
I
groaned. "Not more chickens! Anything but chickens!"
Duo
shook his head. "Sorry man! There's no other way."
I
gritted my teeth and walked towards the squawking, ball of smelly feathers.
*I
hate chickens!*
~()~
I
was crossing a bridge and dusting feathers off of my tunic when I stopped. Now
the view was too much to ignore. The natural bridges crisscrossed over the
river, the breathtaking cascade of crystal clear water. Everything smelled
clean and the cool mist was a relief from the heat of the Mountains and Hyrule
Field.
"Wow,"
I breathed.
"Ditto."
Duo was equally impressed. "Come on," he said distractedly, leading my up one
of the stone walkways.
Duo
stopped and I my feet scuffed on something hard.
"What
does it say?" I asked.
I
was standing on a small piece of stone with odd figures that somewhat resembled
letters.
"How
'm I s'pposed to…oh..."
"What?"
I asked.
"Well
apparently I know how to read Hyrulian script. Not like I need to, I know that
whole game by heart."
"Would
you just tell me what it says all ready?" I asked.
"Touchy,
touchy! What's gotten you in bad mood?" he couldn't hide some of the concern
and hurt in voice.
I
sighed. "I'm sorry Duo. I think...I just want out of this game."
*Or
do I?*
"Yeah,
I hear ya. Okay well basically it says that the waterfall won't sleep unless
the king sleeps."
"What
king?"
Duo
shrugged. "I'm not sure who the king is,"
he said. "But it means the king of Hyrule."
I
frowned in thought. "Did Noin say something about that song being Trowa's
Lullaby?"
Duo
smiled brightly and clapped me on the back, well he tried to anyway, I just
couldn't feel it. "I knew you'd get it!"
~()~
Again
I was knocked speechless by the beauty.
"So
this is Zora's Domain?" I asked softly.
"Yeah,"
Duo said. "Nice ain't it?"
"Yeah"
I took a moment to take in my surroundings. "It's beautiful," I said finally.
"Sorry
to interrupt," Duo said softly. "But you did
say you wanted this over with."
"Right,"
I said, shaking my head and following Duo.
I
passed more vaguely familiar people. All of them were girls though.
"I
know her!" I said, stopping and pointing -forgetting my manners for a minute-
at one of the passing 'Zoras'. She was dressed like the others. They wore a
long flowing dresses, which seemed to change color when they moved, blue,
white, green and sometimes an iridescent purple.
"Who
is she?" Duo asked.
"When
we -me and Heero that is- went to Relena's school, she was a student there. In
fact..." I looked around the large room. "I think all of them were there...yeah
look!" I said pointing to another. "She was the one..." I stopped and blushed. "Who
asked me out," I finished quietly.
Duo
turned from starring at the girl back to me. "Oh really?" he asked. He was
grinning and I'm not sure I liked it. "Well, I never knew you were that much of
a ladies man."
I
sighed. "Oh Duo, please don't tease me! It was terrible, I hated to turn her
down."
"Why
did you? Were you...are you...with some one?" he asked as though it were the
oddest thing in the world.
"Well...not
exactly...that is...we better go see about that Stone!" I started walking away
quickly.
"Stop
right there lover-boy! For one, you're going the wrong way; we just came from
there. Two, who is this mystery...person?"
I
closed my eyes and tried to think of a way out of this. Duo was too persistent
-yeah use the nice word- for him to just let this one slide.
"Duo...We
have to-"
"Go,"
he finished. "I know, but just tell me! It won't take long."
"Fine!"
I said, turning around to face the now smug Death with Butterfly Wings. He
crossed his arms and waited.
"I'll
go without you." with that I walked quickly past him and up the stairs that had
a sign pointing to it.
"Hey!
You didn't answer me! Quatre Raberba Winner, you come back here this instant and
tell me who you...what did you mean by 'not exactly'? Quatre!"
~()~
Mr.
Dorian -A very big Mr. Dorian- sat on
a platform in a small room. I guess you would call it a throne room, though a
slab of stone hardly counts as a throne.
*That
can't be comfortable.*
"I
should'a known," Duo said as he came from behind me.
"Known
what?" I asked in a hushed voice, even though Mr. Dorian didn't seem to notice
us.
"Dorian
is the King of the Zoras? I'm not looking at all forward to listening to
Relena in side of a giant fish."
I
looked over at him but he was staring at the oversized former Vice Foreign
Minister. "Giant fish? And what does this have to do with Relena?" I asked.
Duo
rubbed his temples. "You'll see," he said. "Later. For now I need to know if
you can swim."
"Yeah,
a little. Why?"
Duo
smiled brightly. "'Cause you're gonna go divin' buddy-boy! It'll be fun!"
~()~
"Wow!
You did really well!" The girl said as she gave me a scale in a bubble.
"Thanks,"
I mumbled, before grabbing it and stomping off.
"What's
wrong with you?" Duo asked, fly backwards to look me in the eye.
I
stopped. "What's wrong!? I'm wet! These things are heavy when they're wet!" I
stuck out my sopping wet tunic at him.
"So
dry them! Really, Quatre, I thought you were smarter then that." he shook his
head and started flying backwards again.
"I
tried," I said quietly.
Duo
stopped flying and frowned. "It's didn't work?"
I
shook my head.
He
shrugged and put on a fake smile. "Hey," he said. "Don't worry about it! I'm
sure you're just distracted or something."
~()~
I
surfaced and gasped for breath. When I could breath without choking I asked: "Now
what?"
I
had just left Zora's Domain through some kind of a portal, Duo had tried to
explain but it just made it even more confusing. Duo flew out of the safety of
my hat, which had somehow stayed dry inside.
*Damn
lucky fairy.*
"There
should be a bottle around here somewhere," he said.
I
swam a little forward and jumped. A 'Zora' had popped out of nowhere right in
front of me.
"Hi!"
she greeted brightly.
"Ah!
Don't do that!" I said, clutching my chest. "You almost drowned me!"
"Well
you should have watched where you were going! You almost hit me!" she said, her
bright attitude gone in an instant.
"What
were you doing under water so close to the entrance?" I asked.
"Looking
for treasure," she whispered.
I
instinctively floated back a little. She had to be at least my age, but she was
acting like she was five.
"Treasure?"
Duo asked, barely suppressing a snicker.
"Yeah!"
she said excitedly. "I once found twenty rupees! Lot's of junk comes through
here."
"Did
you say rupees?" Duo asked, flying closer to the 'Zora' and rubbing his hands
together.
"Duo,
we don't need money. We came for that bottle you were talking about."
Duo
turned to me and pouted. "Aw your no fun!" he said, flying back with his head
hung. "I wanna look for treasure."
I
shook my head.
*Why
was I even bothered by her acting that way? I should have expected the same
from Duo.*
"We'll
come back later," I said, using the typical parent's excuse. "Now do you see
the bottle anywhere?"
Duo
smiled and nodded quickly, sending his braid flapping up and down.
*Exactly
like a five year old.*
"It's
over there!" he said, pointing proudly.
I
spotted it and dove. It took me a few tries but I finally got it.
"Open
it! Open it!" Duo said, flying circles around my head.
"Let
me get on dry ground first!" I said, trying to swim with a fairy in my eyes.
When I got to land I popped off the cork and pulled out a tightly rolled
letter.
To
my faithful servant,
"Oh
god! 'Faithful servant'? Pu-leez!" Duo said, rolling his eyes.
"Can
I please read this?"
"I
dunno, you can try! I'll try not to gag to much."
I
sighed.
To
my Faithful Servant,
I
wish for you to help me. I am currently imprisoned in side of Lord Jabu Jabu.
It
is of utmost importance that you save me before my clothes are wrecked.
It
smells in here too. When you come to save me could you bring me my hairbrush?
And
maybe some water, bottled of course. And some lip-gloss? I'm almost out...
"It
goes on like that!" I said, unrolling the long list of 'essentials'.
"So
who is it?" Duo asked.
I
rolled to the last bit.
Thank
you and don't forget my hair dryer!
Your
most gracious, lovable, awe inspiring...
"Skipping..."
I said, scanning down to the end.
...Humble
princess,
Relena
Peacecraft-Dorian [1]
"I
knew it" Duo and I said together.
"Look,"
Duo said dryly. "There's more."
PS
don't tell my Father...well do, but don't tell him I told you...tell him it's
disgusting
in here...and I'm cold...and thirsty and my feet hurt and....
"Well
that's enough of that!" Duo said brightly.
"Agreed,"
I said, rolling up the long letter. "But how did it fit in the bottle in the
first place?"
Duo
shrugged. "Magic?"
"Hey!
Let's go see the creepy scientist guy who lives by the lake!" Duo said excitedly.
I
gave up on trying to fit the letter back in the bottle and shoved it in to my
pocket. "What creepy guy?" I asked.
"The
one that lives by the lake."
I
sighed.
"Okay,
okay!" Duo said. "Just joking! He lives over there." he pointed to a small
house on a cliff.
"Yeah
alright," I said and started walking in that direction.
~()~
I
stopped shortly after and turned around.
"What
is it?" Duo asked.
"That
scarecrow..." I said, pointing to a scarecrow that was in what looked like a
vegetable garden.
"What
about it?"
"It
looks like Trowa's manager."
"Philip?"
Duo said, flying over. [2]
I
followed him. It was Philip!
"Whoa,"
Duo said, flying around the fake circus leader. "It looks a lot like him."
"Yeah,"
I said, peering at his face from inches away.
"You
know, it's not polite to stare," The scarecrow said.
Duo
and I jumped back.
"Holy
dancing Jebbus buddy Christ!" Duo yelled, holding his heart and breathing
deeply.
When
I'd gotten calm enough to think I blushed. "I'm sorry," I said. "We didn't know
you could...that is...we didn't know you were..."
"Alive"
Duo finished.
I
nodded.
"Well
what did you expect? Who would put out a dead scarecrow?" Philip asked.
"Well...no
one I guess..." I said.
"Exactly.
Did you need something or did you just want to admirer me?" he asked.
"I-I'm
sorry, I've never met a scarecrow before," I said shakily.
"Well,
your meeting one now. I'm Philip, lover of fine music! You wouldn't happen to
play would you?"
"Well
yes, I do," I said, holding out my ocarina for him to see.
"Oh!
Then you have to play for me! I might even ask you to join my troupe!"
"You
have a troupe?" Duo asked.
"Yes!"
he said proudly. "It's the best in all of Hyrule! I just can't go with them.
I'm grounded, literally,"
"I
see that," I said.
"Yes,
it's a shame. But I hold additions here, hoping to find new acts. How about it?
Would you like to try out?" he asked.
"Sure"
I said. "It's worth a try."
I
pulled out my ocarina and played my sisters song, it was my favorite. When I
was done I opened my eyes to see Philip frowning.
"Hm..."
he said. "That was good, you have talent. But...it's missing something,
emotion, play from your heart! Not a written song, but something only you can
play!"
I
nodded, closed my eyes and brought the ocarina to my lips.
I
played a slow song, with memories of the forest where my friends' most intimate
memories were kept played in to it. Of the great fairy that made my heart ache
when I saw her, for a reason I didn't know. Of fear that sometime in this
game/dream I might have to hurt or possibly kill Heero. Of my worries that this
dream is too good to leave behind, where I'm not the weak or the forgotten one.
For my father, whom I couldn't save a second time. Tears were rolling down my
eyes when I finished.
I
took a shaking breath before I opened my eyes.
Duo
had tears running down his cheeks and Philip look sad.
Duo
flew up to me and hugged my nose. "That was beautiful Q," he whispered. He let
go and flew to my shoulder.
"That's
some talent," Philip said in awe. "I'll never forget that song. If you were a
little older I would love to have you in my troupe."
I
blushed and looked down.
"Damn
straight!" Duo said from my shoulder. "Quatre's the best musician I've ever
known! And don't you forget it!"
I
smiled and blushed brighter. "Thanks Duo."
"Don't
mention it. Now let's go, I wanna see the creepy old guy!"
~()~
The
'creepy old guy who lives by the lake' turned out to be Howard. Duo roared with
laughter for a good three minutes but other then that, the visit was useless. I
saw Zechs when we got out side but Duo refused to go see him. We were walking
back to the Zora entrance and I was waving to Philip when I stopped.
"Hey
Duo?"
"Yeah?"
he said, flying out of my hat.
"Why
did you jump?" I asked.
"What
do you mean?"
"When
Philip started talking," I explained. "You jumped just like I did, you look
surprised when he turned out to be...alive. Did that not happen in the game?"
Duo
bit his lip and looked worried.
"What's
wrong?" I asked.
"I
don't remember," he said quietly. "I don't remember if it happened."
"That's
all right, I was just wondering"
He
shook his head and looked back at me. "But I should" he said. "I played this
game over and over! I know the whole thing by heart! It...this is creeping me
out."
"It'll
be all right," I said, trying to comfort my worried friend. "I'm sure it's
nothing. Come on, let's go see Mr. Dorian."
Duo
nodded and yawned. "Sure" he said. "Wake me when we get there." He flew in to
my hat and I could feel him curl up.
I
rolled my eyes. "Sweet dreams" I said dryly.
A
mumbled "thanks" came from under my hat.
~()~
"This
is terrible," Mr. Dorian said as he looked over Relena's letter. He finished it
and sighed. "You are going to save her right?"
"No."
Duo answered.
I
swatted at him and nodded to the King.
"Good,"
he said. "Then take this bottle..."
Triumphant
music played from nowhere, as I held up the bottle for a few seconds.
I
put it in my pocket and the King continued as if nothing happened: "...To help
you on your quest. You will find the princess' things in her room..." The king
proceeded to give me a long list of where everything that Relena asked for was.
"...Second drawer from the left. I will open the entrance to the Zora's
Fountain. Please bring my daughter back safely." The King moved an inch to the
right, waited a moment, then moved another inch, waited, moved.
"This
is going to take forever!" I whispered to Duo.
He
nodded. "You're right," he said. "Let's go."
I
nodded and tried to move, only to find I couldn't. "I'm stuck!" I whispered.
"Oh
great," Duo said. "Well I guess if you can't move I can't go very far either."
"Now
what?" I asked, looking back to the King. "He's only moved about five inches!"
Duo
shrugged. "You know any good songs?"
~Half hour later~
"Rover..."
"Wanderer..."
"Nomad..."
"Vagabond..."
"Call
me what you will!!" Duo and I sang together.
[3]
~Another half hour~
"So
tired that I couldn't even sleep..."
"So
many secrets I couldn't keep..."
"I
promised myself I wouldn't weep..."
"One
more promise I couldn't keep!" Duo sang loudly. [4]
Someone
coughed and we both turned to look at Mr. Dorian.
"You
can go now," he said.
Duo
and I blushed.
~()~
I
looked at the fish in my bottle.
"Man
Quatre! I didn't know you liked Metallica!" Duo said, shaking his head.
"Yeah,"
I said, plugging the bottle and stuffing it in to my pocket. "Actually Wufei
told me about them."
Duo
looked shocked. "Wufei's a Metallica fan?!?" [5]
I
nodded. "A big one. You didn't know?"
Duo
shook his head blankly.
~()~
"I
have to feed this poor innocent fish to that thing!?" I asked, pointing
to the large fish in front of me.
Duo
nodded. "Circle of Life, Quatre. You can't finish the game without doing it."
"It
just seems wrong, that's all."
I
unplugged the bottle with a pop and dumped out the fish. Duo jumped under my
hat right as Jabu Jabu started to open his mouth.
"Ugh.
Relena was right! It's smells foul in there!" I yelled over the noise of Jabu
Jabu breathing in.
My
foot started to slip.
"Duo,
I don't like this..."
"Hold
your breath," he said.
"Duo!"
My
footing gave out.
~()~
I
blinked a few times and sat up, rubbing my head.
"You
all right?" Duo asked, hovering near my face.
"That
was rough," I said. "Are we in?"
"Yep!"
he said brightly, looking around. "And it's even grosser in person."
I
nodded when I took a look around, then down to my hands, which were supporting
my weight. They were resting on something warm and wet that smelled foul.
"Ew,"
I said, moving my hands and getting up. "This is going to be-"
A
rock came flying at me, hitting me full in the face and knocking me back.
"Duck,"
Duo said, floating above my head.
"Thanks,"
I said dryly.
~()~
*Just
ignore it. Just ignore it. Just ignore it,* I mentally chanted.
My
feet made a sickening sucking noise when I walked.
*This
is so disgusting! Who was on crack when they made this level?*
I
opened the door made of...I don't even want to know what and stepped in to the
next 'room'.
"And
look who's here!" Duo said brightly, pointing to the corner of the room.
Relena
was standing there staring at us. I sighed and walked up to her cautiously.
"What
are you doing here?" she asked
snobbishly.
"We've
come to save you." Duo said dryly.
Relena
snorted, not very attractively. "Well, you wasted your time," she said. "I'm
fine and even if I wasn't you're not worthy of rescuing me."
"What
do you mean not worthy? And if you're fine then why did you write that letter?"
She
half smirked, trying to make herself look superior. "You are a lowly peasant!
Not even a proud Zora! You don't have the skills to save me, if I needed
it! And I don't know what letter you're talking about."
"The
letter the said you were trapped in here and to save you and bring lip gloss,"
I explained.
Her
face brightened. "You brought lip gloss?" she asked. "I'm almost out!"
I
sighed. "No."
"Oh."
he face darkened and she got that superior look again. "Then I have no need for
you! You may leave now, I can take care of myself." with that she turned and
started to walk away, right in to a hole. She screamed as she went down.
When
I couldn't hear her anymore I turned to Duo. "Please?" I asked. "Can we just
go? Can't I just think I have the last Spiritual Stone and get out of here?"
Duo
shook his head. "No," he said. "I have a feeling you can't do something that
big. Better just go through with this."
I
sighed and stepped to the edge of the hole she fell down. "I'm going to hate
this," I mumbled.
"Have
you liked one yet?" Duo asked.
"Good
point." I held my breath and jumped down.
~()~
"Ow!"
I yelled, rubbing my legs.
"I
told you to roll," Duo said.
"I
forgot," I answered. I got up and winced. The fall was farther then I thought. I
spotted Relena and walked up to her.
"What
do you want?" She asked.
I
growled. "I've come here to save you."
"I
don't need your help!" she said. "I've been using this place to run away to for
years. It's a little different lately though...Lord Jabu Jabu isn't looking
very good...and my mothers Stone...But that's official Zora royal family
business! And I order you to leave this instant!" she pointed to a doorway.
"Fine,"
I said and started to walk away.
Duo
flew in front of me. "Look Quatre, I don't like this anymore then you do but
this is important. You can't leave her and you know it! Grab her and lets get
out of this smelly old fish!"
I
shook my head.
*What
was I thinking? This is Miss Relena! She's my friend, no matter how she acts in
this dream. Stop thinking like Link and act on your emotions, like Trowa...* A
small smile tugged at my lips and a light blush formed on my cheeks when I
remembered the good luck kiss.
"What?"
Duo asked, flying closer.
I
snapped out of my thoughts. "N-nothing. You're right Duo! Let's do this!"
Duo
smiled and nodded. "That's the Quatre I know!" he said brightly.
I
turned back to Relena and tapped her on the shoulder. She turned and frowned.
"You
again?" she asked.
"Re..."
I decided to change my approach. "Most gracious Princess, please let me escort
you out of here. Your father is very worried about you and I've come on his
orders to rescue you."
She
smiled brightly. "Father sent you? He's worried about me? Well then! You may
have the honor of carrying me. I need to find my mothers Stone though, you have
to find it before we leave."
She
caught me at carry.
"Carry
you?" I asked.
"Of
course" she said, as she dusted off her dress. "My clothes are ruined enough,
you are to carry me so I can keep them clean."
I
sighed.
*Stay
calm, don't get angry* [6]
~()~
It
was hard to carry her at first, her dress got in the way and she kept
squirming. Finally I had to hold her in my arms instead of on my shoulders like
Duo had suggested. We'd made it to the room where we first met her when I lost
patience with her.
"Would
please stop moving!" I yelled.
"It's
not my fault! You know how uncomfortable this is?" she asked.
"Then
why don't you walk?" I yelled.
She
looked revolted at the very thought. "You want me to walk? In here?"
"You've
done it before!" I yelled.
"But
that's when I didn't have a servant or peasant to carry me! That's what you're
for!"
"That's
it!" I yelled.
I
ran up to one of the holes like the one she fell through before and dropped her
in. A satisfying scream echoed through room.
"You
know, you shouldn't have done that," Duo said, even though he was smiling.
"I
know. But maybe she wont be so bad now" I said.
"Don't
count on it" Duo said. "Odds are that when we see her again she'll bitch even
more."
"It
still felt good."
"I
know" Duo said smiling. "And I would have done the same thing if I were in your
shoes!"
~()~
"Well
that was interesting!" Duo said brightly.
I
nodded and cleaned off my newly acquired boomerang. "This thing came in handy,"
I said before pocketing it. "Well now where?"
Duo
frowned. "I think we have to go to the room with the holes."
"Oh
yeah! It had one of those tail things in it huh?"
"And
we have to pick up Relena."
I
nodded.
*Brace
yourself*
~()~
"I
can't believe you left me like that!" Relena yelled.
"I'm
sorry," I mumbled.
"How
could you?! I was here all alone where anything could have attacked me!"
"Sorry."
"You're
the worst bodyguard I've ever had!"
"I
thought I was your escort," I said.
"Don't
talk back to me!" she yelled.
I
flinched.
"You
are my servant! You will be what I want you to be!"
"Yes
your highness."
~()~
I
yelled and hit the ground.
"I
told you! You need to roll!" Duo yelled as I fell over and started rubbing my
sore legs.
"I
forgot," I grumbled.
I
picked up Relena -who had been complaining nonstop and I'd been ignoring her-
and walked through the door.
I
gasped when I saw the Spiritual Stone of Water on a platform of…Jabu Jabu guts?
Relena let out a high-pitched squeal.
"Mother's
Stone!" She exclaimed. "Throw me-"
I
did before she could finish. She ignored my eagerness and ran to the stone. The
familiar triumphant music played as she held up the shining Stone.
"Mother's
Stone!" she repeated, pocketing the Stone. "I'm so glad we got it! It's very
special to me! Well, it's very expensive anyway. And it goes perfectly with my
eyes, don't you think? Well? Come up here so you can get a better look!"
I
clenched my teeth and took one step before the ground shook. Relena gasped as
the platform 'o' Jabu Jabu started to move.
"Get
me down!" she cried. "I want to get off!"
Soon
the platform had taken her out of my site. I only could rejoice for a moment.
"What
the hell is an octopus doing in Lord Jabu Jabu?!" Relena yelled.
"Octopus?"
I whispered to Duo.
He
nodded. "Get ready"
~()~
The
Octopus disintegrated and I looked around. "Where did Relena go?" I asked.
Duo
shrugged. "Beats me! But at least we don't have to deal with her until you pass
this thing! Let's go!"
~()~
"Boss
Door" Duo said, as I walked up to said door.
"How
do I beat it?" I asked.
"I'll
give you instructions as we go. Keep moving, use your boomerang, and keep your
eyes on the big ugly blob of flesh. Ready?"
I'm
pretty sure I turned green.
~()~
This
boss isn't so bad. I got shocked more then I cared to, but other then that I'm
all right. Circling I looked for an opening. There! I let go of my boomerang
and kept moving. It hit the mass of electric flesh and stunned it. I ran up and
slashed at it with all my strength then stumbled back. It convulsed and
sprouted green blobs.
"Oh!
That's not pretty!" Duo said.
Then
the whole thing exploded. I ducked as little bits of gunk flew over me. When it
cleared and I could hear the sound the circle of blue light made, I looked up.
"Well
that was gross," Duo said.
I
nodded and stood up.
"Please
tell me I never have to do something that gross again," I said dryly.
"Naw,"
Duo said. "Well…not that I remember anyway."
"That's
not very reassuring."
~()~
I
had to keep myself from gasping as I fell into the ice-cold water. I surfaced
and gulped in air.
*I
wander if rings of blue light have senses of humor*
I
spotted Relena swimming over to me and groaned.
*No!
Be nice!*
She
smiled and batted her eyes at me. "You did so well!" she said. "Well, for a
peasant anyway."
"Thank
you," I said, not sure if it was a compliment at all.
She
swam closer. "How about a reward" she spoke in a deeper voice, in an attempt to
sound sexy but coming off like she had a bad cold.
I
swam back a little but she just got closer. Finally I couldn't back up anymore
and hit a log. I was trapped.
"How
about the Spiritual Stone?" I asked, my voice cracked.
She
stopped and frowned. "The Spiritual Stone?" she asked.
I
nodded quickly.
She
bit her lip for a moment. "When Mother gave me the Stone she said that it was
special and very expensive. She said to only give it to the man I was going to
marry" she looked me up and down. "You did prove yourself and you are kind of
cute, for a peasant that is. All right!" her face brightened.
"Wait!
What do you mean?" I said quickly. Somewhere in there I was sure I heard marry.
"I'm
going to give you the Stone," she said.
"Just
take it Quatre!" Duo urged.
"But
she said she'd only give it to the man she was going to marry!" I whispered to
him.
"Don't
worry about it!" he said. "Just take it!"
"All
right," I said to the princess. "Thank you."
She
smiled and floated on her back. She lifted her arms and a bright blue light
shone between them, it faded and became the Spiritual Stone of Water. The Stone
floated over to me and I held out my hands.
The
familiar music played.
"You
have acquired the Spiritual Stone of Water! This sacred Stone was a gift from
Relena who wants to marry you, have kids, and hopefully move in to a nice house
in the suburbs."
"Shut
up Duo."
"Aw,
You're no fun."
To be continued…
Next Chapter:
The Hero of Time
[1]
now really! Was there any doubt?
[2]
In my fic "You've Got A Friend in Me" I mentioned that it was sad that "Manager"
didn't have a name. Euterpe reviewed, agreed and suggested the name Philip. I
liked it so now I call him Philip! Everyone say hi to Philip the circus
manager!
[3]
I'm a big Metallica fan! This is from "Wherever I May Roam"
[4]
Runaway Train by Soul Asylum, I love that song!
[5]
It is my firm belief that Chang Wufei would love Metallica! Someday I hope to
write a fic that has something to do with it.
[6]
Lady Une kicks ass! Excuse my language but she does! This is my favorite quote
of hers.
A
few other unmarked things:
1)
Duo's exclamation: "Holy dancing Jebbus buddy Christ!" is explained as follows:
Holy:
to be sacred…or something like that…
Dancing:
In south Park Cartmen said: "Jesus tap-dancing Christ Kyle!" so that's where
the dancing part came from.
The
explanation thing is mostly for the next two
Jebbus:
said by one Homer Simpson: "but I don't even believe in Jebbus!"
Buddy:
In the movie Dogma…I'm trying to remember…some church dude, a priest I think,
thought that Jesus didn't look very
friendly in most pictures, sculptures and such so he came up with "Buddy Christ"
a smiling Jesus giving the thumbs sign…it was a good movie I'd really recommend
it.
Christ:
do I really need to explain this?
2)
When Duo insists that you need a chicken to cross Zora's River he was lying. I
usually try to keep Duo from lying but I couldn't help a few. Anyway he did it
'cause he knew Quatre hates chickens ^_^ bad Duo!
Hope
ya liked this part! I had writers block for a bit so I'm sorry it took so long.
This is my first try with the html thing, I hope it works ::crosses fingers::
and sorry about the constant Relena bashing, I'm not in a good mood. This isn't
the greatest of chapters but I'll really work hard on the next one since it's
probably gonna be one of my favorites! Quatre grows up and gets to see the
altered Hyrule! Until next time!
Nikki
:-P
