Chapter 3: The First Recruitments
Mario felt uneasy going through the portal. He'd been through warp pipes before, but this-this was no warp pipe. At least the pipes made a bit of sense: go in one end and out the other. But this portal seemed to be no more than a doorway. Unlike warp pipes, which take at least a second or two, the effect of the portal was instantaneous. As soon as Mario's head went through the portal, he saw – something – on the other side.
"This place looks like it was hit by a tornado!" DK pointed out, noticing the many huts that were ruined.
"It'sa more likely thata Bowser wenta through it." Mario replied, shaking his head and staring at the destruction.
"We shoulda follow him!" Luigi pointed out. "It'lla be easy because ofa all these footprints!"
Indeed, Bowser had left quite distinguishable footprints in the dirt.
"Maybe we should find out where we are…" DK mused, turning to a young boy wearing a green tunic and talking to a small iota of light. "Excuse me, but where are we?"
"Ha! A talking monkey! Now I've seen everything! You're in Kokiri Forest, where else?"
"Whata happened here?" Luigi cut in.
"Some huge lizard ran right through our village. Even our champion couldn't stop him!"
"Youra champion?" Mario asked, turning around.
"Yeah, he's right over there."
"Thanks." DK said, and they left.
"Wow…a talking monkey. Wait until Saria hears about this!" the young boy grinned to himself, and resumed talking to his fairy.
Mario, Luigi, DK, and Yoshi (who wasn't progressing in his English lessons as much as DK) headed over to the area that the young boy indicated.
"I hope that kid knew what he was talking about." DK complained. "Everyone here looks the same and-hey!"
DK stopped suddenly, finally recognizing the champion in question.
"Link!" Mario shouted happily. "I knewa Hyrule soundeda familiar!"
"Hello to you too, Mario. If you and the others are here about the big lizard, he went that way."
Mario and Luigi chuckled. "Link, why don'ta you comea with us?" Mario asked. "We coulda use your help."
"Sure, why not? Things are getting boring around here."
The team of five headed in the direction that Link pointed. They left the forest and went to Hyrule Field, then wandered around aimlessly for a few minutes.
"Link, area you sure youa know where Bowser was going?" Luigi asked impatiently.
"Yeah, it's a bit confusing at first but I know this place like the back of my hand…hey…was this line always here on my hand?"
Luigi groaned and rolled his eyes. "Verya funny, Link. Are wea almost there?"
Link grinned. "Anyway, I think I know where the lizard was headed-uh oh."
"Uh-oh?" DK wondered.
"He was headed for Ganon's castle." Link replied solemnly.
"Doesn't ringa a bell." Mario replied.
"He's basically the equivalent of Bowser for me." Link replied. "I just keep on fighting him trying to save the world."
"Well, thisa world, anyway." Luigi put in.
"Yeah, whatever. Anyway, if those two are teaming up, then who knows what could happen?" Link replied. "Come on, there it is."
The five stared through a window. Sure enough, Bowser and Ganon were sitting across the table from each other having a heated discussion. Mario strained to hear it but failed.
"Bowser, I don't think I understand what you are telling me." Ganon strove to remain patient. "You're telling me that a glove-a glove-sent you on a mission for vengeance against eight individuals, Link included, and he wants you to recruit me?"
"Assuming your name is-" Bowser stole a peek at the device. "Ganon."
"That's me. But I'm not sure that I want to join you. You got this device, then, from the flying, talking glove?"
"Look." Bowser growled, trying to stay calm. "I know it doesn't sound very realistic, but that's what happened. Otherwise, how could I be here holding this device? Besides, what's the worst that can result from our alliance?"
"You could betray me and kill me. And then this-Mario-could kill you. How's that?" Ganon replied dryly.
"Well, that's-one possibility." Bowser growled. "But that won't happen, because I won't betray you. I give you my word."
"Oh, the word of a huge lizard who talks to gloves." Ganon replied sarcastically. "I need more proof than that."
"How about I kill you if you don't help me?" Bowser roared, standing up.
"You presume too much, Bowser." Ganon stood up as well, crossing his arms but smiling devilishly, as if eager to show off. Ganon pointed a finger at Bowser, and his finger started glowing yellow. Suddenly, Ganon jerked it to the side, and a large fireball erupted from his finger and exploded harmlessly against the wall. Bowser stared in shock. "I can defeat you as easily as Mario can, apparently." Ganon smiled again, and sat down.
Bowser roared, pounding his fist on the table. "How dare you-I travel all the way here to try to help you get revenge and you repay me with insults!"
Ganon smiled a third time. "If you think I need your help to defeat Link, you are mistaken."
Bowser smiled this time. "Oh, please. You've been defeated almost as often as I have. I've done the research."
Ganon stopped smiling. He stared at Bowser again, stubborn as always. "Damn you, Bowser." The words were not full of contempt as they were before, but he didn't sound happy. "When you put it that way, what choice do I have?" We'll see what your true agenda is, Bowser. Ganon thought, then spoke. "What's our next stop?"
"Let's go out into the field and find out."
"What?" Ganon shouted. "Into the field?"
"Well, yes. The device only works out in the open."
"But don't you get it? They will see me! Link will see me!"
"I know. Mario and three of his friends are already on my tail. We'll just have to be quick."
"They'rea leaving!" Mario announced. "Together."
"Then it's true." Link sighed. "Our enemies have become allies. What hope do we have?"
"Simple." Luigi grinned. "The resta of the fighters ina the tournament!"
"Gooda idea, but how do wea find them?" Mario argued.
"Well…" Luigi couldn't think of anything. "Maybe he'lla use that device again anda take us to anothera fighter!"
"Either way, we should follow him." DK pointed out. Yoshi nodded his agreement, and accentuated it with a cry of "Yoshi!"
"They'rea coming outa onto the field! Everyonea be quiet!" Mario shouted. He peered over a hill and saw Bowser and Ganon preparing to use the device again.
"Now can I ask you where we're going?" Ganon asked loudly.
"Yes. The device will tell us." Bowser replied, and it did.
"Destination: Lylat System. Planet of Venom."
"Thata sounds familiara too!" Mario whispered to the others.
Bowser activated the device, and another blue portal appeared. Bowser disappeared into it, and, a moment later, Ganon followed.
Link started racing across the field. Mario started after him. Luigi, DK, and Yoshi followed suit. Link leapt into the air and went right through the portal.
"Wow, whata an exit." Luigi commented sarcastically. The others laughed but kept running.
Mario dove into the portal next, and Luigi followed. Yoshi jumped up, but DK pushed him down and jumped ahead. Yoshi angrily went in last.
The portal closed behind him just as Zelda rushed to her
window.
"Those voices! I heard them!"
Zelda whispered to herself. "But-were
they Link and Ganon?"