Tour of Darkness
V2.1
(or: The Zelda Connection)
By: The Kirby Kid
Disclaimer:
The Legend of Zelda™ is property of Nintendo of America/Japan .. for now. But don't worry, I have a plan all right. A plan that will fix you good. Soon, Zelda, Nintendo, and yes: the very world will fall under the might and beck and call of…. ME! Mwa mwa mwa ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!!!
Author's Notes:
Ok…the Kirby Kid is how I started, and the Kirby Kid is how I'll do this. Medabots is great, but I'm no Space MedaFighter.
Not yet anyway…
I get my magical influence from Robert Jordan and others, and all of my info from Zelda Universe. ( www.zeldauniverse.net ). Good stuff!
Last Chapter:
After stopping the mad wizard Kramer from suckering them once again, this time with a powerful magic lantern, the group found that the lantern contained a fairy called Esea. Esea seemed bothered when she met the young Link, but why? It was now time to figure out the next step, and every second that passes is another second Zelda has to spend trapped with Er Chike.
Now, what of Invincible and Sahasarala's Tome?
************
"Wait, wait…tell me that again?", Malon asked.
Invincible paused, and then said resignedly "…he was a bear.".
"A what?".
"A bear, Malon. Farore, try to focus here.".
"You're telling me to focus while you stand there and talk about a talking circus bear giving you the facts of life?", she said chuckling.
The two of them were standing in the Castle's library, where Zelda and Impa had said they would meet them.
Invincible had only returned from the desert a few hours ago, and he was caked with sand, dirt and grime. When he had returned, he headed straight to the Castle with Sahasarala's Tome, and informed Impa of his journey. Fortunately Malon also at the Castle at the time, and waddled over to join her husband.
He had spent the last five minutes explaining his journey, but for some reason, she couldn't get past his conversation with the Ursus.
"Think whatever you want, but if it wasn't for him I wouldn't have found the book.", he huffed.
"Link, you found the book with the Gerudo because you were headed there, not because of some mirage.", she said with a smile. "But that's OK. You can talk about your funny little bear if you want.".
Invincible removed his super-long toque and brushed a hand through his mane of hair. "Fine, it's not like I thought you'd believe me.", he resigned. "You're just way too grounded.".
"What's that supposed to mean?", she argued, eyes narrowing dangerously. "I've seen my share of the fantastic. I was with you sixteen years ago during that Ghanim mess, and I took fine care of myself!".
"Yeah right. No offense Malon, but you and the others were about as helpful as a kick to the head.", he grinned. "But then again, you did make some fine cheerleaders.".
Malon gave him a healthy shot to the arm, and Invincible jumped back laughing. "How can you be so mean!?", she growled.
"'Cause you're so heavy now, I know you won't be able to chase me.".
"Grr.", she growled again. "You try carrying a child sometime, Link.".
"Nah.", Invincible shot back. "But trust me when I say, I do appreciate your effort.".
Malon raised her hand again to strike him down when the booming doors to the Library opened, admitting Queen Zelda and Impa.
She eyed Invincible curiously. "You're…so dirty.".
"See! That's what I've been telling him!", Malon exclaimed.
Invincible sighed. "I came right away, without stopping to clean up, because I thought you'd appreciate it.".
"And I do, I'd just like to appreciate it when your way over there.".
Malon and Impa were laughing. Invincible simply let the tome he was carrying drop to the floor, slightly incensed.
Zelda reached out with her Wisdom and floated the book into her hands, but when she released her power, she was almost dropped to the ground. "Woomph!", she grunted.
Impa reached out with one large hand and took the book from the comparatively frail Queen. She opened it to the first page, and she and Zelda looked over it, their curiosity piqued.
Malon and her husband tried to scope the book out, but it didn't make any more sense upside-down than it did rightside-up.
"Impa tells me you got this from the Gerudo?", Zelda asked without looking up.
"Tell her about your bear.", Malon whispered.
"Yes, I got it from the Desert Colossus.", Invincible said, looking over at Malon with frustration. Andala said it was okay to borrow it for a while. She said it was from a grand wizard named-"
"Sahasarala.", Zelda finished.
Invincible blinked. "You've heard of him?".
"Yes.". Zelda said nothing else. Instead she continued to pour over the book, whispering to Impa as she did.
Then, invisible to the eyes of Malon and Invincible, cords of magic and Wisdom coursed over the book. Invincible saw the ancient writing glow a bright blue.
"What the-", Invincible started, before shielding his eyes from a small explosion. There was a tiny plume of smoke and blue sparks fluttered through the air.
Zelda suddenly motioned for Malon and Invincible to draw near, and so they did. They checked out the book. There was not a singe mark on it, and in the middle of all the illegible writing, a single Hylian word stuck out.
"find"
"I don't understand…what does that mean?", Malon asked, confused.
"Nothing. It means absolutely nothing! ", Zelda said with excitement. "But it means that we can translate this! Link, I think this book might have the answers we need.".
She looked to Impa again and the nodded. Impa closed the book and strode out of the room. Zelda followed, and then paused. "Thank you, Link.", she said.
Then, before she was completely out of the room, she added, "Now, for the love of Nayru , take a bath!".
Invincible's eyes narrowed. "Right…".
"Seriously dear, while you're their you can tell Talon about your funny little bear.", Malon added.
"That's enough.".
"'Funny bear?'", Zelda said with a smile. "You have to tell me about that later, mighty hero.". With that, Zelda left the Library.
Invincible was smoldering, but for once he couldn't think of anything to say. Malon laughed and took him by the arm. "Come on, Link.", she said as she led him out of the room. "I'm sure we could both use a bath.".
************
"So,", Link started. "Why are you here?".
They were all gathered around the table in the far end of the tavern. Luto was munching politely at some fish. Rune was crunching down some stone hard roast beef. Itali was gulping down some beefy broth, and so was Link.
The only one who wasn't eating was the fairy Esea, who was floating in a seating position in midair.
"I was bored. My Saria was busy with her new life,", she spat bitterly, muttering something about an 'Evit' fellow. " and she didn't need me anymore. Then weird things started happening. People disappearing and whatnot. Saria was worried, so I thought I'd investigate. Around Hirocco town entrance I found a magic tunnel near a fairy fountain . 'Curious', I say to myself, and I check it out…look where it got me.".
Link wondered who this 'Saria' person was, but instead, decided to ask:
"So, you know Invincible?".
Esea tried a cocky laugh, but it came off as a smarmy giggle. "Yup, sure do!", she said with an air of superiority. "I was his fairy during the last Cataclysm's Eve. The one with the Ghanim revolt."
"Cataclysm's Eve?".
Esea floated around happily. "Yeah…it's the proper phrase for that Time when all these bad events transpire to destroy Hyrule, and it calls upon the intervention of the Hero. People sometimes call it the 'Dreadful Dissonance', or the 'Time of Trouble', though I think that's kinda stupid.".
"Oh right. Invincible and the Princess destroyed a giant floating base and killed Ganondorf, who was about to be re-born inside.", Rune said between hideously loud crunches.
"Ah…well that's how the story's been circulated these last…what, sixteen years?", Esea started. "Actually, Gano-uh- Mister Dragmire- wasn't killed.", then she halted and flew up to Rune's face curiously.
"How do you know about that? Are you from the Light World?".
Link stopped eating, and turned to Rune. That was a very good question.
"Well…I've heard about it. You know, I love gathering info.", Rune said calmly. "And besides, do you see me with a magic mirror? The magic of the Dark World forces people to turn into what they think of themselves deep down inside.
"Luto,", he began, turning to the girl. " you must be pretty insecure. There's something about you that makes you feel real small; that's why you turned into that guppy.". Luto turned her pupiless eyes down to her meal.
"And Link, you must feel that deep down inside you're weak…unable to protect people. That's why you turned into that fluffy little rabbit.".
Well…, Link thought …maybe that's a little tiny bit true.
…or maybe half true…
…OK fine, so what?
"What's your point?", Link snapped…feeling apologetic almost immediately.
As if not feeling the sting of the question, Rune continued. "My point is, I've got no mirror. People from the Dark World, like Itali, don't need any.".
Esea furrowed her brow at the teen. "This kid chooses his words very carefully.", she thought.
She turned to the others and continued her original topic "Anyway, that's basically what went down. There were others at the time, of course. Ruto, Princess of the Zora. Malon, who was a farm owner at the time and my Saria.". The fairy suddenly frowned, as if being hit by more memories then she had planned.
"…then there was Nabooru…".
Link glanced over at Luto. She was nodding, just ever so slightly. What the heck did she know about this? Maybe they thought history over in Zoran Schools.
With a tiny clink, Itali let her spoon fall into her empty bowl and glimpsed over at everyone at the table. "So, just who is this big bad Invincible guy anyway?", she asked. "Some of you talk as if he were made of gold or something.".
"Invincible's only the world's strongest warrior!", Link said with more than a hint of hero worship. "There's nothing or no one anywhere that could defeat him.".
Luto muttered something.
"Speak up, darlin'.", Rune said, before stripping the hard meat off of a bone, just so he could begin crunching on that one too.
"I said he could not beat Lord Mikau.".
Link's spoon fell to the table, and he stared at the girl with complete astonishment. Did she say 'Mikau?'. The Zoran Regent? "You're joking, right?".
Luto shook her head. "No, I am telling the truth. Lord Mikau is just as strong as Invincible. Maybe he is even stronger.".
"Ha. Yeah right. You're a nice girl and all, Luto, but this is important stuff we're talking about.".
Luto looked fiercely at Link, and her voice actually rose. "Do not patronize me! Lord Mikau is the hero of the Zora! While Invincible was jumping all over the place on land, he single-handedly stopped a revolt of Zoran Ghanims. Under the water, Lord Mikau is invincible!".
Link shrugged. "Beating up on Zora is one thing, but this is Invincible we're talking about. Mikau wouldn't last five minutes.".
"Lord Mikau would vanquish your silly knight in a second! He cannot even breathe underwater!".
"He wouldn't need to! He'd just have to hold his breath for the 2 minutes it'd take to wipe him out!".
"Sorry I asked.". Itali couldn't believe what she was hearing. These two…these who have been such friends up until this point, practically screaming at each other.
She couldn't let this friendship dissolve over a bunch of stupid high-and-mighty "heroes". She rose up off her seat-
"You're both right.", Rune said, picking a bone shard out of his teeth. "But I guess it'd depend on where the fight was.".
Luto and Link glared at him.
"Able to breathe or not, underwater, Mikau has the definite advantage. On land, it'd be Invincible's fight to lose.", He grinned once more. "It'd definitely be a good scrap though. I bet people would pay good money to see that.".
Link blinked. Rune was totally right. What the hell was wrong with him? Invincible doesn't need a dumb kid like him to defend himself from little girls. Link felt about 2 inches tall.
"I am so sorry.", Luto said, not able to look up. "I was so out of line. Please forgive me.".
Link shrunk about another 2 inches…which would bring his current height to about… zero inches tall.
Yeah, that felt about right.
"Don't apologize Luto. I'm a big jerk. Let's just forget the whole thing.".
Itali gave them both a smirk. "Besides, it's not like either of them are here to help you guys out. Great big heroes they are.".
No one said anything.
"All I'm saying is that you guys have to trust in your own power. You can't expect them to come down to the heavens and rescue you.".
"You're right.", Link said, pushing his empty bowl to the center of the table. "If you guys are done, I say we get a move on.".
"Where're we going?", Rune said, depositing some rupees to the table.
"Hey, I thought I said this was my treat!", Itali whined.
"Just leaving a tip. It was a mighty fine meal.".
Link waited for them to finish. "I don't know where we're going. Luto and I just have to find a way back home.". For some reason, Link didn't have a good feeling about such a mission. It was like he was missing something.
"Does anyone have any suggestions?".
No one could answer. Finally it was Esea who offered something. She buzzed up to Luto and nestled inside his high collar. "Follow my directions. I'll show you where I entered the Dark World. Maybe it'll work for you."
Link nodded. It was worth a shot. He, Luto and Rune got up and began for the exit. Itali followed.
They all stopped and looked at her.
"What!?", she demanded, after registering all of their looks.
"Quote: 'Don't look at me. My ride ends after dinner. After that, you three are on your own.'. End quote.", Link repeated, suddenly feeling not quite so small.
No one could tell because of Itali's cinnamon skin tone, but they could have sworn she was blushing. "Uh…well yeah. I sort of remember saying something kind oflike that. B-but back then, I was inundated with all sorts of Iron-Giant-beating-induced sillyness".
Rune practically brayed like a mule. "HA HA! Come on girlie, why don't you get off of yer high horse, eat that 100 rupees you now owe me, and join us. It'll be a fun ride!".
Itali was glaring, but her skin tone was light enough to know she was definitely blushing. "Only because I'm bored.".
"Sure, sure.", Link said, leaving for the exit.
"I-I can leave at any time!"
"Whatever you say.", Luto whispered, following him out.
"It's just that I find you guys interesting…you know, on a 'wow those kids are so crazy' level…".
"We so believe you.", Esea yelled as from inside Link's collar.
Itali opened her mouth to try another excuse, any excuse, but nothing came out. She ground her teeth as Rune sauntered towards the exit. He paused and turned to the girl.
"I know you love us.".
He broke into a dead run as Itali chased after him, magic power up, and fist raised.
************
"I wonder what Zelda's going to show us.", Malon wondered aloud.
"I wonder why you have to be here.", Invincible added.
The two of them were standing in the Imprisoning War Memorial, where Zelda and Impa had asked them to wait. It was only a few hours ago when a messenger came to Lon-Lon Ranch to inform Malon Invincible had been summoned to the castle. Naturally, Malon followed. Invincible had to put Epona on a slow, graceful walk to make sure that Malon was as comfortable as possible during the ride. He thought that he'd be seriously late.
Turns out, they're still waiting.
"What do you mean by that?", Malon huffed.
"I mean, you should be at home, with Talon.", Invincible mumbled. "With both her parents running about, she must be feeling lonely. Your dad too.".
"You should be at home with Talon.", she mumbled, not looking at anything in particular. "I'm tired of you heading off on all these mindless quests. It's not like we don't need you here too, you know.".
"I know.", he sighed. "But this isn't just some 'mindless quest'. This is Zelly we're talking about.".
"Yes…", Malon admitted. "Sometimes you treat that girl like she's your daughter. Zelda and Rile must really appreciate that.".
"Yeah.", Invincible said, stone faced.
At that moment Impa and Zelda arrived at the Imprisoning War Memorial. Impa had Sahasarala's Tome with her. Zelda halted when she saw Malon.
"I'm…glad, you could both come.", she said briskly. "I have something to show you two.".
"Well yeah, obviously.", Invincible smirked. "Otherwise you wouldn't have called us here.".
All three of the women turned and glared at him.
"Sometimes I wish I had more male friends.".
"What!?", he asked indignant.
Zelda shook her head and turned to the slate Monument. The Imprisoning War Memorial, the constant reminder of the war that Hyrule raged against the forces of darkness, millennia ago. The War was the birthplace of sorrow and ruin, but it was also the advent of the Hero. He who wielded Evil's Bane, and destroyed the King of Evil.
Well, every once in a while, anyway.
"We've learned two big things from this book.", Zelda started. "First, it's called the 'Book of Mudora.'
"Book of Mudora?", Invincible repeated. "OK, what's the second?".
The Queen gestured towards the monument. Unseen by Malon or Invincible, threads of Wisdom erupted from the young sovereign and folded in and out of a spot in mid-air.
Malon and Invincible were able to see blue sparks of light as they flared in and out of existence. Suddenly, a thin strip of light appeared in the air, and when Zelda finally relaxed, it collapsed in on itself into a dark purple sphere. Malon was holding onto Invincible with baited breath. Invincible himself was pretty amazed.
"What…is it?".
"A tear in space that leads directly into the Sacred Realm.", Zelda explained grimly.
"The Sacred Realm?", gasped Malon. "You mean the Dark World?".
Zelda nodded. "They've been here all this time, for maybe thousands of years. Not even Sahasarala knows where they came from…but he thinks they might have resulted from Ganondorf's attempts to return to Hyrule after he was sealed in the Sacred Realm. These holes are spread out all over the Hyrule Continent. The Zoran Waterfall, the Gerudo Desert, the Gorons, Kakariko, Hirocco, Kasuoto.". Zelda sighed. "They're dormant. All this time, no one could use them…".
Invincible frowned grimly. "Until now, I suppose.".
"Zelda, are you saying you think that your daughter is…", Malon began.
"In the Dark World.", the Queen finished, her voice slightly trembling. The thought of her precious daughter being trapped within the same world as the King of Evil was…it was just vile.
She had to get past it. She had to save her.
"Someone with immense magical power caused all this just to bring Liute and Zelda there. I don't know why…but I have to find out.".
"Stand back.". Impa ordered. When Invincible and Malon did so, the Shiekah turned to Zelda and nodded.
A blue flare erupted from Zelda's feet, and she sent all of her available Wisdom straight into the void. The hole stretched and contorted in shape as the Queen assaulted it with a powerful magic force.
"ZELDA!!!!", the Queen blasted. Invincible swore he could hear her voice in his head. Sometimes he was frightened by the thought of how much magical energy Zelda held in her small body, and even more so by the fact that little Zelly was quickly surpassing her. Yes, Sometimes it freaked him out.
Times like now, for instance.
"HEAR ME!!!", the Queen called out into the void. "TELL ME WHERE YOU ARE…".
************
"Ready for your lesson, your highness?" ,Theuk sneered.
In Er Chike's Citadel, deep inside his vast library, Zelda the Princess of Hyrule, Theuk and Spane sat quietly. Zelda herself sat with her legs and arms crossed.
It was madness. Zelda had recently learned what Chike wanted from her. It was magic. Magic that not even the apparently powerful wizard Theuk knew.
No, this was magic only Zelda could give him.
The problem was, Zelda didn't even know it herself.
***
"The Unifica is an ancient and powerful spell, known only by a certain few.", Chike explained while they ate a several course meal at the grand dinner hall. "You are one of those people.".
"No I'm not.".
A strand of magic escaped from Theuk's body and entered into her head, quicker than Zelda could have seen, or deflected it. When he retracted it, he nodded. "She's telling the truth.", he told the Mandrag.
Zelda gave him a smoldering look. "Just you wait for your turn, freak.", she though viciously.
"Theuk, just because her Highness doesn't know it now doesn't mean she can't learn it later.". Chike turned back to Zelda and smiled. "And I need you to learn it, Princess. I need that spell. The Unifica is the only thing that will save my people.".
Zelda slammed her small hands onto the table in anger, causing little Moto to nearly topple off of her shoulder. "Then tell me what's going on!", she yelled.
"I can't.", sighed Chike. "Not quite yet anyway. You must understand…this isn't easy for me…".
"Pathetic.", she sneered. "Why don't you just ask mighty mouse over there.", she jabbed a thumb over at the laughing Theuk.
"Because he doesn't know it, and he can't learn it.". Theuk immediately stopped his laughing and directed a deadly glare to the man. "The Unifica is a spell that resides only in those Blessed by Wisdom, and in only a few of those as well. You're very special, My Ladyship. Not even your mother has knowledge of this spell. You do, however. You do.".
"I'm telling you, I don't know it!", Zelda retorted. She was beyond angry. Nothing was making sense. If only they would talk to her.
"I am going to have Theuk tutor you in your spell casting abilities.", Chike suddenly stated. "While you have the power inside you, it is untapped, and basically useless to you and anyone else. Don't you think you'd benefit from such instruction. Think of the power you'd possess!".
Once again, the young Princess crossed her arms. "I don't care about power. I only care about serving my people, and I can't really do that from here, now can I?".
Now it was Chike's turn to laugh, a low, grim chuckle. "Oh Princess, you really do kill me. Everyone cares about power.".
Zelda let out a small, terse laugh. "Er Chike," she began, " it's that kind of thinking that will end up destroying you.".
"We will see, my Sovereign.", he said, before returning to his meal. Zelda only stared at him for a moment, and then she returned to her meal as well.
"I guess we will…".
***
"Let's begin.", Theuk proclaimed.
Just then, Moto pricked his ears up and started to jerk his head left and right, as if searching for something. Zelda didn't know what was bothering the little Keaton, but she soon found out. Theuk felt it too…and before he could start anything, he was accosted by a strong feeling.
Zelda knew this feeling…
Someone was trying to communicate with her!
Mother!
Wisdom welled up inside her, and Zelda fired it straight into the currents in the air.
Everything in life was made up of, and connected by the great Thread of Life, woven by the Goddesses when they created the world. It was these threads that were manipulated by wizards and sorceresses. Someone was trying to use such a weave to communicate with Zelda, and she was going to meet it with her own.
Unfortunately, Theuk wasn't going to let that happen.
The boy effortlessly reached out with a dark green glow and snatched Zelda's strand of magic out of the air. The struggle only lasted a second, before Theuk slammed her Wisdom to the ground. It recoiled back into her with a snap, jolting Zelda from her seat and leaving her dazed.
"Uhh…", she groaned. She started once more, this time concentrating her weaves on herself, on her own mind.
Theuk had the power, there was no doubt about that. He would not let her connect with the new magic that was trying to reach her, and there was nothing she could do to stop him. He was much too strong.
But Zelda had never concentrated on strength with her lessons from Impa and her mother.
Her family had always concentrated on imagination.
And Zelda was very imaginative. She was keen on inventing new uses for magic, and she had in fact, created one, something no one to her knowledge knew of.
With intricate precision, she folded her threads of Wisdom in on themselves, and this new magic was completely invisible, even to others who knew magic.
Completely oblivious to Zelda's spell-casting, Theuk spread out a bubble of magic. It expanded and covered not only the room, but grew and grew until the entire Castle was encased.
"I don't know who that was,", he snickered, " but they won't be getting through to you in this Castle again. Better get used to it.".
Zelda simply glared at Theuk grimly, and Spane looked on as if nothing really had happened. Of course, all he had seen were a few sparks of green and blue. Nothing to really show the struggle that had just taken place. And neither Spane or Theuk could see the spell Zelda was building up around herself.
"Yeah…", she whispered. "I guess I should.".
************
"It didn't work.", Zelda said between gulping breaths. "Whoever has her, they're far too powerful…".
Invincible's mind was going over the problem. They couldn't contact little Zelly in the Dark World. There had to be some way to get a message to her though, something to set the girl's mind at east. To show that she wasn't alone.
Wait a minute! She wasn't alone. There were several others trapped in the Dark World as well. Including…
"Link…".
The others looked up at him excitedly. Invincible quickly explained. "Zelda, remember that we think that a boy named Link is in the Dark World too. Do you think you could contact him?".
Zelda glanced around, her mind churning. "I…I believe so…".
"But do you really think that would help?", Malon started skeptically. "He's just a boy, and you yourself said he wasn't that great with a sword. He might have your name, and your face, but…".
"He can do it.", Invincible insisted. "What other choice do we have? Liute is just a girl, and the few others who were taken are too young or old to help us at this point.".
He walked up to Zelda and took her by the shoulders. Zelda looked up and matched his brown eyes with her sapphire ones. They were so sharp, so clear and lovely, but mired by the endless worry and despair she has gone through the past few days. If there was anything he could suggest to alleviate her fears…
"T-There's the Goron boy…but I don't think I'd be able to contact him. Goron's don't communicate well telepathically. But, this boy…".
"I think if we trust him, he'll surprise us.". Invincible leaned closer and whispered fiercely. "We can't do this alone, and we can't do this with just you and Impa and Malon and all of this lands' knights and warriors. We need help from the other side.".
If Link was leaning closer to any other woman than Zelda, Malon would have been jealous.
Ok fine, not jealous, insanely jealous. Murderously jealous. Send-me-to-jail-before-I-start-snapping-heads jealous…She loved her husband fiercely, and she knew that he caught the eye of many a fine Hylian woman. Zelda wasn't one of them though. Zelda was her best friend, and Malon knew that her husband was just doing what he could to make her feel at ease in this terrible time of crisis.
Malon had to do the same. She had to endorse Invincible's suggestion.
Even if she wasn't totally convinced that it would help.
"Zelda…", she began, catching the Queen's attention. "I don't think it'd hurt, right? Besides, he's a very nice boy. Zelly might even start to like him.", she added with a wink.
"Malon, I'm not sure that that's a priority right now.", Zelda said, a hint of a smile reaching her lips. "A month ago, maybe, but…". She trailed off and looked to the ground.
"Don't be an idiot.", Impa uttered loudly. "Just do it, we haven't got all day.".
Zelda glanced at her sidelong, and then turned determinedly towards the portal. "All right.", she whispered. "Stand back.".
Her Wisdom flared.
************
"Nope!", Esea said when she reappeared from the tiny bright portal. "It's only big enough for us fairies. You guys won't be able to use it to get home.".
They were all gathered at the edge of Old Oraki Town, in an area filled with sparse, sickly looking trees and a few abandoned huts. Here was where Esea had entered the Dark World, and where she was captured by the crazy old man Kramer.
Esea led them here on the hope that they could also use the portal to get back to the Light World. Apparently it didn't work.
For some reason, Link was glad.
It felt that there was something he was missing. Something he was forgetting about. Something important.
"All right, why not head back and send a message over to the authorities over in Hyrule.", Rune suggested. "Maybe that Invincible fella could help get them outta here.".
"Oh he's working on it.", Esea groaned. "But I can't go back.".
"Why not?".
"Fairies can only use these portals twice in a lifetime! If I leave again, I won't be able to come back to you guys.".
"Oh right!! And apparently that would be a bad thing.", Itali snorted…politely.
Esea burned a bright scarlet, and she pulled up her non-existant sleeves and was about to rush Itali when Luto grabbed a hold of her.
"It would be a terrible thing if Miss Esea left us.", she said matter-of-factly. "She is so wise, I for one am very glad to have her around.".
"You, girl, are a tribute to your race.", Esea said, beaming. Then she turned to Itali. "And you are just a little bi-".
"Now, now ladies!", Rune jumped in. "We all gotta put our heads together and find out our next course of action.".
"Our mission.", Link muttered. The others turned to him, and he continued forcefully. "We need to figure out what we want to do, before we can figure out how to do it.".
Itali seemed confused. "You three need to get back into the Light World, right?".
"I'm not sure…It seems like I'm forgetting something-".
"LINK!!!".
The boy feel to his knees and clutched his head. White light exploded behind his eyes, and his temple seemed to need to split in two. He stayed there, on his knees, and then tried to get up once more.
"LINK!!!".
This time he was floored, and he slammed onto the ground on his back. People were shouting, screaming. He couldn't hear them. He could hear nothing.
Nothing but the voice.
"LINK!!! HEAR ME!!!".
"Yes…", he responded weakly. "I hear you. Please stop…".
"ZELDA!!!".
Link gasped and squeezed his head between his hands. The volume of the voice was deafening, but it was the emotion behind it. The pain, the worry, the desperation, that threatened to tear him apart.
"FIND HER!!!".
"I…", Link gasped. "I'll find her.".
Finally the presence left, and the Dark World returned to him. There was still a sharp ringing in his ears, and lights popped in and out of his vision. He saw Itali, Luto Rune bent over him, and Esea fluttering right above him.
He smiled.
And then he went out like a light.
************
"You think that was a little bit loud, there Zelda?", Invincible said, wincing. The sheer volume of her plea into the Dark World nearly deafened him. Malon, he saw, was still trying to clear out her ears.
"I had to make sure he got the message.". The Queen shrugged. "He'll be fine. If he heard it, he'll just be a little dizzy.".
"Right.", Malon said, a little too loudly.
"All right then. Zelda, I want you to get back at that book.", Invincible began. "I need you and Impa to find out how to close these portals.".
Zelda blinked. "Did you say close? What are you, deficient?!".
"Link…", Malon started.
"Listen to me! This is the plan. We don't want these open portals to be used to bring in an invasion force of some kind. Think about all of these holes letting in an army. Hyrule wouldn't stand a chance. Luckily, we seem to be dealing with a single agenda here, and not a huge Dark World effort.". He brushed a hand through his hair and continued.
"We'll leave one portal open, the one where Zelly originally got lost in. They'll have to find their way back through that one.", he turned to Zelda and put a hand on her shoulder. "Until you and Impa figure out how to close them, I'll have guards and all warriors from the Races blocking off the portals for at least 3 miles. I don't want to lose anyone else to this.".
Zelda nodded slowly. "Very well.". With a nod towards Impa, they both left the war Memorial, towards the Castle halls.
Invincible watched them leave, and then turned to his wife. "We'd better go too.". She smiled and started towards the Castle, but then stopped. She placed a hand on her extended belly, and her eyes squeezed shut in discomfort. "Malon?", Invincible asked in a panicked tone.
"I'm fine.", she said with a bright smile. "Let's go.".
************
"I'm fine.".
"Are you sure you're OK?", Esea asked.
"I'm fine.".
"You certainly didn't sound fine.", Itali inquired with concern.
"I said I'm fine. I can see now, and my hearing doesn't consist of bells and whistles. I'm OK.".
"Did you hear something?", Luto queried.
"Yes…I-I heard the Queen.".
"Zelda!?", Esea gasped. "You mean she was talking to you?".
"'Roaring' was more like it.", Link groaned. "But I know what I'm missing now. It's the Princess Zelda. She's here too. I remember now, that's why I entered the Dark World in the first place.". He paced back and forth, arms crossed and brow furrowed. "I don't know why I forgot about it. Maybe it was the shock of being…you know…a bunny and everything. ".
Itali huffed, not meeting his eyes. "So I suppose you're going to want to find her.".
"Of course!".
"Of course!", Itali mocked. "All right, sure. Who else is up for wild goose chases? I hear they're the most funnest chases you can have.".
Rune scratched his head in wonder. "Well, do you know where to look for her? I don't think she's here in Izen, otherwise I'd have heard of her already.".
"Then I guess she must be in another Region; Either in Fatt or in Er…", Link mused thoughtfully. "But how to get there.".
"I can help you with that.".
They all turned to the source of the voice. It was a thin man with a large moustache, dressed in a daring red ensemble, complete with large frills and a large red feathered bonnet cap. He was leaning on a boulder near a hill close to the group.
"I've seen what you kids are capable of, and if you help me, I can help you.".
Link blinked, looking at the man and wondering how he could have sneaked up on them like that. "What do you need?", he asked him as politely as possible.
"A simple task for youngsters who were able to pass the Iron Giant.", the man stated. " Yet a task that's of the most importance to me.".
The man bolted off of the boulder and flared his fancy red cape unimpressively. You see, I need you to help rescue my lover.".
NEXT:
Do I apologize for the length of this chapter? Maybe. Now, it's time to get into some action, when the group heads over on a new mission. Save some Scarlet Pimpernel's lover?? Will they take this task? And just what is the Princess planning to do with her new undetectable magic? If this Theuk guy is so powerful, he should be able to detect it anyway right? Wow, is this an awesome fic or what? o_O. Thanks for reading, and stay tuned. (o'.')o