Intro to: Tour of Darkness

V2.0

(or: Dude, where's my money?)

By: Space Medawriter X

Disclaimer:

The Legend of Zelda™ is property of Nintendo of America/Japan and me. Well…ok…not me.

Author's Notes:

Hey, thanks to everyone who's reviewed and is reviewing my fic. I really, really appreciate it. Please, if you read it then take the time to add a review. Or not, as always, it's your choice. Yeah Yeah!

Last Chapter:

Zelda wasn't having it easy. Sure, she was being waited on hand and foot…but she soon realized that she was still the prisoner of the eccentric young Mandrag of the Er Region, Er Chike. Chike and his 'family', two kids with explosive physical and magical power, need something from the Hylian Princess. But what?

Could it have something to do with the Triforce symbol blazed on the back of her hand? But, she's way too young to be Blessed by the Wisdom? Isn't she?

Back to the story…

************

It was weird being back at this place. This place, where he basically first met Luto.

Well…'recovered Luto' was more like it.

At the time, she was a little guppy, warped by the magic of the Dark World, and about to be eaten by two angry boar-like men.

But Link had saved her, even though at the time he was a helpless pink bunny. But in doing so he had caused quite the racket, and he was booted out of the place. Not even allowed to have his meal. It was pretty sad.

What a difference a day makes.

Now he was walking back into that very same tavern, and he didn't get any looks at all…as opposed to the last time he walked in here. And this time he wasn't walking in with just Itali. The big teen, Rune, and the tiny Zora, Luto, also walked at his side.

Itali had promised them a meal in celebration of the successful mission in breaking the Dark World's influence on Link and Luto. Link didn't really care about that, he was hungry. Any reason's as good a reason as any when you've got that rumbly in your tumbly.

As they were walking to their table, Link readjusted the new high collar of his red sweater so that it was below his chin. The collar was so bloody huge it frequently covered his mouth. Link sighed and decided to work harder at getting used to it.

After all…it was his idea…

***

As the four of them walked through Old Oraki Town, towards the local tavern for some 'good eats and good times', Itali reached out and grabbed Link's arm. She turned him around to face him. Link glanced around nervously and smiled. "Hey…uh…what's shaking?", was the only thing he could say.

"You are.", Itali hissed. The others stopped and looked towards them. "You were shivering all last night, and even now! You're not used to this cold, are you bunny-er-Link?".

Link shrugged. "Well, no I guess I'm not. I'm used to things heating me up…you know….things like 'the sun'.", he glanced up briefly.

"The what?", Itali asked quizzically.

"You know…big white thing in the sky? Makes things hot? Gives us life?". He suppressed yet another fit of shivers and glowered at her. "Man, I'm surprised you people haven't been driven mad by night-owl's incessant hooting.".

"Owls?".

Link glanced over to the only other person from the Light World, who would get his joke. Luto, however, showed no sign of mirth, jocularity, amusement, or even ironic diversion on her face. Dang she was cold. She was probably loving the weather though…being Zoran and fishy and all.

Itali suddenly smiled and grabbed Link's icy arm once more, this time pointing to a small hut that seemed to be selling various clothes. "Go buy yourself something. No point in freezing to death. Go on.". She turned to Luto and gestured towards her. "You too! The whole "seaweed swim-wear' thing is so last week. Come on, it'll be my treat.".

And so Link and the others squeezed inside the tiny outlet, and after a while Link spent 75 rupees on two new clothes. A long sleeved shirt with a very large and high collar was the only shirt he thought wasn't too gaudy and insane looking. It was a dark red in color, and it felt very smooth, yet it was very warm. He wore this beneath his green short-sleeved tunic. It looked pretty good on him, he thought.

He also got rid of his brown shorts. It wasn't like he was ashamed of his sexy macho calves…( Well…for a thirteen year old anyway.). It's just that, well, like every other part of him…they were cold. Instead, he got trousers. Belted underneath his tunic, they were unfortunately a size too large for him. Because of this, they widened up around his shins. To fix this, he taped them around his ankles and tucked them inside brown boots.

Overall he was happy with the look. Except for his high collar. It always seemed to cover his mouth. This, combined with the large locks of hair folding over his eyes, and with a big long-tailed toque attached to his head, he almost looked like a Shiekah.

He guessed that wasn't so bad, except for the fact that not many people liked the Shiekah.

Oh well, new World…new look. Run with it.

Luto changed her look too, but not at her request. Typically Luto seemed like she didn't give a damn about anything, so Itali helped her with this change. Gone was the seaweed bikini. (Seems to be the rage with a lot of Zora nowadays.) , and on was a skintight two piece black jumpsuit. The bottom part ended at the shins, and the top part was sleeveless.

Luto wasn't happy with it covering the two little fins that protruded from her back, but she was happy ( or maybe 'less gloomy' is more accurate) with the material the suit was made of. It kept her in top swimming condition, and it kept her at the right temperature. All and all a good buy. Itali paid 90 rupees for it.

Link decided that while he was getting something, he might as well get Rune and Itali something with the remaining cash he had. For Rune, he got a long white coat. Rune happily slipped it on and grinned his thanks. For Itali, he found a black, silver trimmed neck band. Itali clasped it on and murmured her thanks. She wasn't meeting his eyes for some reason.

With that done, the foursome started back towards the tavern to fill their empty bellies. On the way, Link tugged at the high collar with mild annoyance. Well, he might as well get used to it.

After all, it was his idea…

***

They were all seated at a round table near a corner of the smoky tavern. Rune looked around curiously. "Nice place.", he commented. Itali rolled her eyes, and Link smiled. He had a feeling that the place would have to be very, very run down for Rune to say otherwise. The guy seemed to like everything.

"Hey you!", a voice blurted next to Link's ear. He jumped and saw the same woman who had served them the last time they were here, and she was greeting Itali with a part on the shoulder. "How've you been, girlfriend?".

Link suddenly wondered if those Boar guys Itali fought with were still around.

Itali smiled back. It was a smaller smile. "Hey…you.".

As if reading his mind, the serving woman remarked, "I heard you got into a little altercation with those big boar guys. I haven't seen 'em around since you left.".

Left? More like kicked out. Link began to rap his knuckles on the table.

"Oh…those two? They're probably in Er by now.". She and the woman shared a loud giggly laugh.

Link was fuming. His random knuckle rapping turned into random note whistling. The waitress finally got the message.

"All right now.", she said, before resting her eyes on Rune. She tinged a bit of red and cleared her throat. "What'll be baby?", she asked Itali.

"The usual.".

"Of course. Why'd I even ask?". She looked to Luto. "What about you cutie?".

Luto was glaring at the table in front of her. Link guessed she might be annoyed with the lack of menu options. She glanced up. "Do you have any fish?".

"Sure do. What'll you like?".

Luto paused. "Fish.", she decided. "Lots of salt, please.".

"Will do.". Then she turned to Rune. "What about you, handsome?", she cooed.

Either Rune totally missed the flirt, or he just didn't care, Link didn't know. (Though he'd probably bet on the former.). Rune spread his hands apart by a foot and beamed. "I'll have a big piece of whatever red meat you got.". He quickly added with a wink, ", burnt to a crisp, if y'all don't mind.".

"It'll be charcoal, honey.", the waitress laughed. Then she turned to Link. "What do you want?".

Link was stunned. What the hell was this? No pet name for him? Everyone else got one. Oh no, maybe she was angry at his knuckle rapping and whistling antics. He had to salvage this, and fast.

"I'll-I'll have some of your World famous broth.", he said, smiling his biggest smile. "Hold the carrots!", he added, giving her a cool wink.

The waitress rolled her eyes and went to do the order. Link slumped in his chair, dejected. Well, at least he probably salvaged it so she wouldn't spit in it.

Rune was taking in the sights and sounds of the tavern, and the street in front of it. All of a sudden, the perpetual grin fell off of his face, and a dark glint reached his eye. This alarmed everyone at the table, they had never seen him like this before.

He looked…angry.

"Y'all wait here for me.", he said without looking at anyone in particular. "I'll be right back.". Without another word, he got up and headed for the street outside.

"What's his deal?", Link asked.

Itali shrugged and then leaned towards him. "Let me borrow your mirror. You too.", he added for Luto. The Zoran looked to Link for some kind of guidance.

"Um…Itali, we kind of need those to…live.", he started.

"Just give it to me, you'll like it.", she pleaded. Link had no reason not to trust her by now, so he handed his tiny mirror over. Luto did the same. As soon as she had them, Itali put her hands underneath the table and started fiddling with them.

Curious, Link tried to take a peek at what she was doing, but she shoved him off roughly.

"How the hell does that work?", Link thought to himself. He decided not to dwell on it further. Unexpectedly , it was Luto who broke the silence.

"Link, where will you go next?", she asked. Her voice was light and whispery, and she spoke with a bit of an accent.

"Well, where will you be going, Luto?", Link countered. He had a good idea what the answer would be.

Luto paused for a moment, and then said something so quietly it was inaudible.

"Speak up, girl.", Itali mumbled, concentrating on her work beneath the table.

"I said I should probably go with Link, because we're both heading the same direction.".

Link wasn't so sure of that. "Itali…", he began, creasing his brow. "Where-How would a person get to the Er Region?".

With a jolt, Itali looked up and leaned forward. "What-Wait..Why…", she took in a quick breath and began again. "You can't go there.".

"Why not?", Link demanded. He was keen enough to know that the mention of the Er Region disturbed her.

"They've closed their border, that's why not.", she mumbled, concentrating again beneath the table. "They won't even accept a Tribute. It's just locked, no one from Fatt or Izen will get in now.".

This was getting interesting. "What's a Tribute? They have to sacrifice a goat or something?".

Itali glanced up with mild annoyance, but then her face softened. "The Dark World's Regions are divided by huge borders. No matter how high you can fly or jump or how much power you have, you can't break them. It was put up by the people so that they'd stop …you know…killing each other. Killing was the style at the time, but most people were getting tired of it. Now, if you want to cross the Regions, you have to get a Tribute, which is basically a key for the Gates you get from the Region's Mandrag.".

"Oh…", Link voiced. This was getting interesting. "So basically you have to get a Key of the Gate from the Mayor of the Region…".

"Yup, but Er's borders have been completely shut from the civilized Regions. No Tribute will get past. You can't enter from here ( Izen ), and you can't go to Fatt and enter from there.". She paused, a strange regretful look wrinkled her face. "That's how powerful they've become…they can even do that now.", she whispered.

Then she went back to her work under the table. "That's the beauty of the Triforce design God used. All the Regions are connected.".

Link's mind was churning. He remembered what Itali had shown him, that the Dark World looked like a giant Triforce symbol, and the Regions occupied the outer triangles. Then he got an idea. "What about that space in the middle? The uh…Neutral Region?".

"Can't enter it.".

"Why not?", Link asked again. The noise level was rising. People were shouting outside. It was mildly distracting.

"That border isn't built…it's natural. It's just not done, Link.". She looked up at me with a serious face. "Some things can't be done. You can't live without a brain, you can't see without eyes and you can't enter the Neutral Region. Just accept it and move on.".

Link frowned. That's not really true. Stalfos have no brains, yet they live…kinda. And Link learned from his Uncle that some creatures like bats can use sound to see in the dark. In any case, he decided to put the idea of entering the Neutral Region out of his mind.

"You ever been to Er, Itali?", Link asked. "I mean, before they closed the borders?".

"Why are you so interested in the Er Region?", Itali snapped. "Why don't you look at these?". She brought up her hands from beneath the table, and presented two closed pendants. Link took one and opened it. Inside was his magic mirror.

"This is nice. Thanks.", Link said, as he put the pendant around his neck. "But you didn't answer my question-".

The noise and shouting outside had increased to blaring levels. Luto, Itali and Link got up and noticed that just about half the bar was looking to the street, watching the scene unfold.

The three rushed out and found Rune, shouting at a strange looking old man. Link had never seen the teen this angry. He looked to the old guy. He was a small man with pasty skin and…three eyes.

Link had heard that description before.

""Trials? What trials?". Magellan said curiously. "Oh dang it. That stupid Kramer again! He's telling people they've got to go through some stupid tests to get to my store again isn't he?". He looked at Rune knowingly. "Small man, pasty skin, three eyes?".

…Oh crap.

"You listen here and you listen good!", Rune shouted. "I'm tired of shouting with ya. Just give back the money you stole from me or else!".

"You asked me for information and I gave it to you, punk!", the Kramer screeched. "Now back off or-".

"Rune!", Link shouted, moving briskly to his side. The teen looked really upset. Veins were popping up all over on his chiseled physique. He looked like he could chew rocks.

"Link, this is the guy who told me about the 'trials'.", he explained without removing his gaze. "I paid him good money for that information, and I tell you what, if I don't get it back there's gonna be hell to pay.".

Link looked at the old man again, and then noticed the lantern he was carrying in his hand. Suddenly he was taken by a wave of worry, the same worry that wracked him when he first noticed Luto as a guppy in a jar.

"That fool Magellan doesn't need any more help advertising from me! He as much as told me so!", Kramer yelled.

Rune's eyes widened. "You know Magellan?".

"Know him! We started that shop together!".

Incensed, Rune took a step forward and was restrained by Itali. "So you KNEW there were no Trials! Just what the hell's your problem anyway?".

"My problem is Magellan! That fool had that gall to get rid of me!". He rubbed the lantern with a sudden derangement in his three eyes. "Well I'll show him, I'll show him!!".

Link tore his eyes away from the lantern for a moment, and peered at old kook. "Why? Why did he get rid of you?".

Kramer bit his lip. "I…didn't do anything. But who cares! I helped him create that store! He had no right!".

"You got booted because you were lazy! You deserved what you got! Now give me back my money!".

"Just forget about it, Rune.", Itali sighed. "This isn't worth it. He could probably use the cash anyway.".

"Then he can earn it honestly like the rest of us!". Itali blushed slightly, and Rune stormed towards the old guy. "Sir, I'm a gonna shake that money out of ya.".

"NO!", Kramer shrieked. The lantern in his hand flashed a blinding light, and a spark of fire spat out of it, blasting Rune right in the chest. He spun around in the air and slammed into the ground hard.

Immediately Link whipped out his Razorblade and shield and lunged for the lantern. Kramer turned and leveled the light. Link raised his right shield arm.

CRACK!! The fire glanced off the small buckler, and Link flew back. He crashed into the ground near Itali and Luto's feet and slid in a cloud of dirt and dust.

Itali looked down at him, and then whipped her head at the old guy. Her eyes were blazing a murderous red. "My turn.", she growled through sharp teeth, and stepped forward.

"No.".

She stopped. Link was getting back up, using the Razorblade as leverage. Rune had also gotten back up and had joined the others.

Wearily, Link got back to his feet, and hoisted the Razorblade over his shoulder. "I gotta handle this Itali. I can't let risk letting you destroy that lantern.".

"What?".

Without warning, Link bolted towards the old guy in a quick dash, sword still over his shoulder. Kramer fired a quick shot, but Link sidestepped it, holding out his right arm for balance, and continued to rush forward.

"NO!!!", the old guy screeched. He brought up the lantern, just as Link raised the sword off his shoulder and leveled an attack.

"HELP!".

Link abandoned the attack and brought up his shield, just as the lantern flared and fired. With a resounding blast and and explosion, Link was knocked back. He landed with a hard thud at Itali's feet again, but got to his knees immediately.

"Owww.", he groaned, rubbing his shield arm. Itali and Rune advanced, and Link shot up to stop them. "Don't attack!", he hissed.

"What?".

"You can't attack him. We can't let him use any more magic on us. Trust me.". Link turned to Kramer and saw his crazed look. He concentrated. If he could bring his shield and sword out of nowhere because they belonged to him, then he should also be able to bring out…

Link put a hand behind his back, and without thinking on it, a slingshot materialized.

Yes! The slingshot. He always kept it on him back in Hyrule. His Uncle gave it to him for his 6th birthday, and soon lived to regret it, as the young Link took potshots at everything and everyone. Link had even attempted a ricochet shot to hit himself! For his Uncle it was pure madness, and he had forced the boy to promise that he would treat it as a potential weapon and use it responsibly.

This seemed as good a time as any.

"Keep him busy.", Link whispered, and he started to back away from the criminal. Itali and Rune held their ground, glaring at the old guy vehemently.

"Ha…", the fool muttered. "Who's the 'great wizard' now?". He started to cackle.

"I gotta admit, you're mighty powerful.", Rune placated. "So how's about telling us how a miser like you got so strong?".

Link continued to back up, searching the ground. All he could find were pebbles. Dammit, where were all the good rocks?

"I found something, the spark that's in this lantern you see before you.", the man cackled. "I was going to show my new power to that fool Magellan, but I think first I'll wipe you from the memory of this World!". With that, he brought the lantern up, and a bright light began to coalesce.

Link couldn't find the right rocks! How can this be happening? This street's full of them, but none of them are near enough to him to be useful. "Din damn it!", he thought harshly. "I need it! Where the hell is that Din-damned rock!?".

There was a clatter and a rolling sound, and something knocked against his foot. It was a rock, of perfect size and shape. Link looked at it and then glanced at where it came from.

Luto was standing a few feet away from him, hands behind her back. There was no change in her gloomy expression.

The light from the lantern grew brighter and brighter. As Kramer laughed, Link turned around and cocked the slingshot. He fired.

The light flashed. Then there was the sound of glass breaking, and the light died. The lantern fell to the ground with a dull clunk, and something small and bright escaped from it. In a flash, it flew right into Luto's hands.

"Huzzah!", Rune yelled, and he bolted forward and immediately began to shake the old guy down. Link didn't mind. Maybe it'd shake some sense into the fool's head.

***

"Hey Link! Look at what Luto found.".

The elf walked over and found Itali next to Luto, who was cradling a ball of green light.

The light was dim, but for some reason Link couldn't see what was inside it. But then, all of a sudden, the light became translucent.

Luto was actually holding a tiny woman, a woman about the size of his finger. She was wearing a simple, super short dress and slippers. Her hair was a bright green color. The most striking feature was her enormous diaphanous butterfly-like wings.

Link and everyone there recognized it immediately. It was a fairy! An honest to Farore fairy.

Those wings began to flutter as the creature began to regain consciousness. Her large green eyes fluttered open, and she put a hand to her head and groaned.

"Uh…What happene-oh I remember now.". Her light grew bright and she took to the air around Luto's head. "Thanks for rescuing me from that maniac. Man, what lousy luck. As soon as I make the trip, bammo! Caught by a psychopath!".

"That must have sucked.", Itali laughed, totally intrigued by fairies presence.

"Yeah well, thank you.", she said. Then it flew over Luto's head. "Thank you!", she repeated. And then she turned to Link.

She screamed. "YAAAAH!".

Link jumped. "YAAH!".

The fairy buzzed around the boys head, as if trying to get a good view of him from every direction. "L-Link?".

The boy blinked. "How did you know my name?".

"Huh?", she squeaked. "But that's not possible!". She started to mutter something, and Link's sharp elf ears distinctly heard the word 'Invincible'.

"Why isn't it possible?", he demanded. "And how do you know Invincible!? Who are you!?".

The fairy turned to look at everyone, and then faced Link once more. "My name is Esea.". She suddenly had a cocky smirk on her face. "Perhaps you've heard of me?".

"Oh My God! You're THE Esea?", Itali shouted excitedly.

"Yeah! You've heard of me!?".

"Nope. Never really.".

Esea growled, and her light turned a tinge of red. Link had a bad feeling that Itali was now on the fairy's short list.

"Esea…", Link began as Rune pushed through the crowd of onlookers to the group. "…do you know Invincible?".

She delayed for a moment, and then she crossed her arms and nodded. "Yeah.".

Link smiled and offered the fairy his hand. She looked at it briefly, and then landed on it. She literally felt like nothing.

"Ok…", he said. " ,then we need to talk.".

************

In the Light World, deep within the desert, under the shadow of the great Desert Colossus, the sand stirred.

It continued to stir until it burst from deep within.

A huge forearm emerged from the explosion of sand, and it gripped the surface of the ground, and pushed.

Slowly, the rest of the body emerged. Large, sleek, but somehow different. It radiated a power that was not there before.

But there was more than just a new strength. There was a new spark of intelligence.

The Erfos looked down at the scar, the thin line that stretched from its groin to its shoulder. It remembered. Everything.

"Hero….", it whispered.

With a burst of energy, the Erfos bounded in the direction of Hyrule Castle.

NEXT:

This fic is getting character heavy isn't it? Hee hee. Well, all the major players are here, so it's just up to the plot now. This was just the intro to Book 2. Next book the tour begins. Hope to see you there. Peace out Medawriters! I'm out!