Chapter 5:The long and winding road.
Jim yawned. It was saturday morning, and he was doing what he had been doing for the
past thirteen years of his life:watching Saturday morning cartoons. In his opinion, there was
no age too high to appreciate the subtle art of these would-be kiddie fodders.
So, there Jim was, sitting in front of the television with a big bowl of sugary cereal in
front of him, watching Jackie Chan adventures.
Azalea walked in, looking over Jim's shoulder. "Aren't you a little old for this?"
"What are you talking about?" Jim asked uncertainly.
Azalea sighed. "Never mind. Listen, Anthony's having a Heroes council meeting today, and
he wants us to come."
As Jim's breath half-stepped, he dribbled milk down his chin. Swallowing his cereal, he
finally spoke.
"What does he want a bunch of semi-able ragtag wizards?" Jim said, flabbergasted.
"Don't ask me." Azalea said. "He mentioned something about gunondum or something like
that?"
Jim cocked his head. "Gannondorf?"
"Yeah, I think that was it." Azalea replied.
"That's impossible." Jim replied. "Ganon's dead, isn't he?"
"Listen, I'm just telling you what I was told." Azalea replied. "I have never touched a
video game system in my life. Finding out they're real isn't going to encourage me. So, either
tell me what the hell you're talking about or stop blithering."
Jim paused. "Okay, where do I begin?" Jim began recalling his first Nintendo and the
little sprites of joy caused by playing it. "Maybe here. Gannondorf is an evil sorceror who
tried to take over Hyrule by kidnapping Princess Zelda. He had the place under siege with an army
of Moblins and other Nasties. So, some old guy gives Link a sword and tells him to save Hyrule.
With a some help, Link takes down Gannon's army, and supposedly kills Gannon."
"So why are they talking about him?" Azalea asked.
"Well, he IS a video game character." Jim said.
"But, why was he talking so seriously about it?" Azalea asked.
"Maybe Gannondorf had a son?" Jim suggested.
********
Jim sat at the circular table of the Heroes council. It was a rather strange sensation.
He had bonded with the heroes over the month he had spent in Arcadia, but this was the first
time he would he see them at their work. Mario, Megaman, Sonic, Link, Zelda, Protoman, Tails,
and many others sat down when Anthony came in. Jim and Azalea stood.
"You guys can sit down, you know." Anthony said. Jim and Azalea did so. "Okay, listen.
There have been numerous Moblin uprisings in Hyrule, Neo-Earth, and Gardenia. I'm not sure, but
I think it's the work of Gannondorf."
Link and Zelda looked astonished. "Impossible!" Link cried. "I killed him!"
"The Moblins have been using this." Megaman said, handing Link a spear. "I think you know
the crest."
Link looked at it, his face hardening. "This is the crest Gannon used, no mistake."
"But how do we know it's not just some other guy using Gannon's crest?" Tails asked.
Zelda shook her head. "You do not understand, Tails. Gannondorf was a very powerful man,
having magic powers rivaling even mine. No one in the Hylas would have the impudence to do
something like that."
"Which is exactly why we have to root out this problem." Anthony said. "Fortunately,
we've fought off the moblin guards and prevented fatalities, but we need to get someone out to
stop Gannon. I think that, in assisting Link, this would be a prime oppurtunity for them to
show what they've learned."
Jim and Azalea gaped, as did Link. It had barely been a week since the incident with
Mecha-Sonic.
"Yer kiddin' right?" Jim asked. "I mean, two under-qualified wizards and a farm-boy
swordsman- no offense." Jim turned to Link.
"None taken." Link said, waving a hand.
"-going against a guy like Gannon?" Jim said. "Are you nuts?"
"You don't have faith in your abilities." Anthony said. "I understand. But you can't
keep hiding yourself from fate. You're going to face danger sooner or later. I prefer when we
know what it is. Besides, you don't have any choice in the matter."
Azalea didn't sit well with this at all. "C'mon! We're barely preforming spells, and you
expect us to take down a guy like this?"
"If Link did it before, doing it with you two shouldn't be a problem."
Link didn't agree. "Listen, before, it was simple duel to the death, I can't be running
around, protecting two kids."
"They can take care of themselves." Anthony assured. "You leave tommorow for Termina,
where the Moblin armies seem to be coming from." Anthony turned to the others. "Mario, you'll
lead the team defending Gardenia, Megaman, you'll lead Neo-earth's, and Sonic, you'll lead
Hyrule's. Any questions?" There were none. "Okay. Meeting ajourned."
Azalea got up. "I'm going to sleep early tonight. I think I'm gonna need the rest."
*********
It was the next day, and they were preparing at Castle Hyrule. "This is quite strange."
Zelda commented. "We have never clad strangers in our garb before. You should consider yourselves
honored."
Jim was sporting a black shirt and pants with boots, covered by a long, red cloak.
Binding the cloak was a triforce symbol. He was also given a pair of fingerless gloves.
Azaela was given a strange dress-like garb that seemed to be made for a fighting girl,
since it had openings sides, making it easier to move. She had also packed herself with
shurikens and a short katana,because she claimed she felt more comfortable with a close-range
weapon too.
"Sure." Jim said. He had made a small sheath for his staff, which he was using now. He
found it more conveinent than carrying it around in hand.
"You have Hyrule's blessing." Zelda said. "May Din, Naryu, Faeorie, and all forces
protect you."
"May they also protect Hyrule." Link said, kneeling. Jim and Azalea followed suit.
Zelda's face turned to Jim and Azalea. "I await the day when wizards will rise again."
*Don't worry.* Jim said. *It's closer than you think...*
And so, Jim, Azalea, and Link set off towards Termina.
"Those kids will make something of themselves won't they, Zelda?" King Wayfarer asked.
"They have a firey spirit." Zelda said. "One that may be the reason they will restore the
order of the wizards."
***********
Anthony stood at the Mobius palace, listening to Sally yell. She, apparently, had the
same confidence in Jim and Azalea that Link did.
"Are you crazy?!" Sally yelled. "What are you going to tell their parents?! What if they
get hurt? What if they die?"
"Both parents were aware of the risks their children were going in." Anthony said.
"Besides, that's the exact reason Link is with them."
"Anthony, you're supposed to making my job easier!" Sally yelled. "The media is going to
have a field day if they find out you let two teenagers into a dangerous thing like this."
"So, we don't let em' know." Anthony said, shrugging.
"You really think they'll survive this, Anthony?" Sally asked.
Anthony sighed. "When I started this, I was a nerd playing video games. But I found a way
to restore Arcadia and save you guys from Robotnik. Back then, I didn't think I could do
anything, really. But I managed to pull through with your help. Azalea, doesn't seem to have much
confidence in herself, but she's trying. Jim, on the other hand, is cocky and he's eager to learn
more and become better. That firey spirit is exactly what always got him into trouble, and what
will make him perfect to lead the order of wizards."
"And you're willing to kill them now." Sally observed.
"They won't die." Anthony replied. "Trust me."
"That's the only thing I can do at this point."
********
"So, how long till we get to Termina?" Jim asked.
"About a day's hike." Link informed. "If you don't slow me down."
Right then, an arrow landed right in between Link's legs. "Well, something's gonna slow
you down, green boy." a voice said. Down jumped a rather dark looking figure. "Allow me to
introduce myself. I am the head bandit."
"Nice name." Jim said, his hand inching towards his staff.
"Give us all your valuables and we'll only lacerate the one dressed in green." the head
bandit said. It seemed they were surrounded on all sides.
"Swell." Jim said, unsheathing his katana. "I was working up a bad mood."
"Oh, you'll feel much different when we're done with you." the Head bandit said. He
looked at his comrades. "Kill them."
In a blaze of swords they attacked. With Jim and Azalea's new reflexes, these poorly
trained ruffians might as well be standing still, and Link seemed to be defeating them in one
blow each. They weren't a big bunch, and soon they were down to one.
The head bandit tried to run for it. "Oh, no you don't!" Jim cried, charging after him.
The man, apparently, wasn't in shape, because he didn't tear through the forest very
quickly. Even before his abilities were enhanced, he would have not had any problems.
He still didn't. He caught up and tackled the head bandit. "P- please...." he stammered.
"D- don't hurt me..."
"You're something else." Jim said, holding the bandit by the collar of his shirt. "You
ambush us, outnumber us, try to rob and kill us, and ask me not hurt you? You're deluding
yourself!"
"Y-you won't k-kill me, will you?" the bandit asked.
"No." Jim said. "I'm gonna warn you!" Bit began flinging his fists at lightning speed
towards the bandit's face, stomach, and anythng he could really hard. He left a hurt, though not
injured bandit. "By the way," he added as he left. "You were right! I feel great now!"
Link and Azalea looked at him angrily as he came back to them.
"You enjoyed that!" Azalea scolded.
"Damn right I did." Jim replied. "I hate bozos like that. Think they can do whatever
they want. Served him right."
"Reminds me of someone I know." Azalea replied.
"Are you comparing me to someone I'd rather not be compared to?" Jim asked.
"Let's get a move on." Link yelled. "We've only got until sunset to get termina. And need
I remind you there are no mass transits in the Hylas?"
And so for hours, they trudged on. Jim had a new respect for the fellowship of the ring,
and wished he had the book with him right now.
After what seemed like(and was, by striking coincidence) hours, Link stopped. "Termina's
still an hour's walke away." Then he jerked his thumb at the sky. The sun was setting. "This is
as good a place as any to set up camp. Jim, get some firewood, Azalea, get some water, and I'll
set up a clearing."
"While filling the buckets, Azalea noticed that there was a lot of dry wood on the
ground. It was good for camping fires, but she was worried about what would happen if the blaze
caught on. Then she figured that Link had probably thought of that.
Right then, a tree fell, missing Azalea by centimeters.
Azalea's shocked expression turned to anger when she saw Jim by a tree trunk finishing
a sweeping motion with his staff. "SILVER!!!" she shouted.
Jim's clueless expression remained the same as he used a mind shield to block one of
Azalea's enchanted arrows. "What did I do?"
"You almost killed me!" Azalea yelled, charging for Jim.
"It was an accident!" Jim cried, frantically blocking her blows.
"So, that makes it okay?" She asked as Jim ducked a blow that would have decapitated him.
"It certainly doesn't justify this!" Jim said Jumping up. "Kamehameha!" a blue blast
flew from his staff.
With an amazing speed, Azalea strung and threw a bow, yelling "Nullify!"
"What the?" Jim asked, landing onto the ground.
"It's a new spell I've learned." She explained, stringing another arrow. "It takes a
bit of Magical power, true, but it can't block most conventional spells. Piece of cake for a
simple energy projection like that."
"I see." Jim said. "Looks like I've been slacking off. Oh well." Azalea's arrow flew
towards him, and in a quick motion, he knocked it away with his staff.
"A-HEM." a voice said. Link was tapping his foot looking at them. "First of all, I'd like
to eat by tommorow, which is impossible if you don't get back to your chores. Second, I'd
rather tell Anthony that Gannon killed you than that you killed each other."
Grumbling, both Jim and Azalea returned to their chores.
It wasn't a very big meal. Some hot dogs and beans. Jim had the notion to ask what,
exactly, was in a hylian hotdog, but decided that, upon reflection, what you didn't know
couldn't hurt you.
What interested him was the low humming Link was doing. It reminded him vaguely of church
hymns, though it was touch livlier. When I say a touch, I mean it would sound out of place at a
funeral.
"What's that song about?" Jim asked.
Link paused for a few seconds. "A friend." he said dismissively.
"Zelda?" Azalea asked inquisitively. Both Jim and Azalea knew perfectly well what they
were doing. Azalea figured that confession was good for the soul. Jim just liked doing this kind
of thing.
"Yes." Link said. "It's a small dream I have. Nothing more."
"Just a dream?" Jim asked. "Why?"
"She's royalty. I am a commoner." Link said. "It's forbidden."
"Ah." Jim said. "She's certainly something though, isn't she?"
"She's the most wonderful woman I have ever met." Link replied with a regretful tone.
"But I'm not the one who is destined to be graced with her."
Jim shrugged. He was no expert at romance. Link however reamined up, and eventually sung
himself to sleep.
**********
Jim was woken up later, and saw that it was almost, though not quite, the crack of dawn.
Link was standing over them, his pointy eared face, inches away from Jim's.
"GAH!" Jim cried. "Link! Don't DO that!"
"Now that you're up." Link said, practically ignoring him. "I've found a place where a
bunch of moblins are going in and out. I'll bet that's where Gannondorf is located."
Link gently shook Azalea. The answer "Just five more minutes, grandpa." was heard from
her. Annoyed, Link unzipped her sleeping bag. "Ok, Ok, I'll get up.' she grumbled. "So, where are
we going now?" she asked.
"Underground." Link informed. "Let's go."
Azalea and Jim were already in their clothes and were grabbing their weapons. "Did you
say underground?" Azalea asked.
"Yeah." Link said. "I'm not sure, but it's about a mile from here, and it looks like a
cave going into the earth."
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Jim said, getting up.
The cave had a rather small entrance, but considering Jim's inferred size, a lot of
Moblins were in there.
"so, what do we do?" Jim asked.
"Find an alternate route." Link said.
"What?" Jim asked. "But, it's right there!"
"There's too many guards." Link informed them. "Even we can't fight them all off."
"You gotta be kidding me." Jim said. "They're right there!"
"Listen, do you wanna see the arcadian portals again?" Link asked. "Then follow my
advice. If you do, you might survive."
"Yeah, Jim." Azalea said. "Use your head for once."
"This coming from a girl who tried to kill me yesterday." Jim grumbled.
As it was, the cave seemed to be two-way, with the back being less heavily guarded with
only three Moblins. As Jim said, 'Talk about conveinence.'
"Hear something?" One Moblin asked.
"Nah." replied the other. "Just the wind."
"Strange wind if you ask- urk!" an arrow had flown into his throat.
"What wa-" but the moblins didn't have time to finish as Jim and Link dived onto them,
and giving a quick slashing movement, decapitated them.
"Let's go." Link said.
"Sure thing." Jim said. Azalea jumped down from a tree she was hiding in, and pulled
the arrow out of the moblin's neck.
"Gannon shouldn't be too well protected." Link informed. "He's cocky that way."
As they went down, the air smelled fouler and fouler.
"Phreeeow!" Jim said. "What is that smell?"
"Either Gannon doesn't care much for hygeine," Azalea interjected. "Or it's brimstone."
"Ten to one it's the first one." Jim said. The descent of the cave stopped abruptly and
they came to a huge chamber dimly lit by torches. In the middle was a figure completely
familiar to Link and Jim.
"Hello, Link." Gannondorf said. "I have been waiting for you."
"Why?" Link asked, his sword and shield in hand.
"You and I are going to decide the fate of Hyrule... in a simple battle." Gannon said.
"So, why are you attacking the rest of arcadia?" Link asked.
"I couldn't make it look too conspicuous." Gannon replied. "And I wanted to make sure it
got your attention. So, all I propose is a simple rematch. The winner decides the fate of
Hyrule."
"Hyrule's fate is not mine to decide." Link retorted.
"It will be." Gannon said, unsheathing his strangely shaped sword. Link stood battle
ready. "HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Gannon cried and he ran for Link, making a sweeping motion with his
sword. Link quickly raised his sword to block it.
It was sword-fighting as Jim had never seen it. They were almost completely even, and
seemed to be dancing rather than fighting. Every move was so immpecably accurate and gracefully
acheived. Now he truly knew why Link was the hero of Hyrule.
"Getting worn out?" Gannon asked.
"Hardly." Link said.
"You know, this is such a waste. Killing such a useful person." Gannon said. "Why not
join me and become a ruler as well?"
"Why would I ever want ot team up with someone as evil and despicable as you?!" Link
cried. "I swear that, with this sword, you will be smited!"
"Alas." Gannon said. "More talent wasted. Then I supposed now would be a time to finish
you off!" Right then, Gannon dissapeared, laughing maniacally.
"He used this before." Link said, closing his eyes. "But this time I know what to do.
I am prepared." Link neither moved nor spoke, nor made any assurance he was alive for several
seconds, until he made sudden movement. "There!" He moved ninety degrees, and thrusted his sword
forward. There appeared Gannon, the sword in his heart. "
"Well done, boy." Gannondorf said, beforing going limp.
"That was all too easy if you ask me." Jim said.
Then, Gannondorf's dead body spoke. "That's because it was!" the body rose, and his
eyes glowed pure white. "Well done, Link." Then he turned to Jim and Azalea. "But I am
dissapointed in your uninvolvement. I am Salazar Mago. I intend to cleanse the world. Consider
this but a taste of my power." Then Gannon's body burned up.
"That was freaky." Jim said.
"You're telling me." Azalea said.
*******
The journey home was uneventful, and they had no promblem forgetting Salazar's vague and
would-be threat.
"So, Jim." Azalea said. "What are your parents like?"
Jim was taken aback by this question, but had an answer ready."Meh." Jim said. "They're
parents. My dad's been transfered to Stark industries as of a month ago, and my mom's a teacher.
They're overprotective and blame everything on me. I've got no regrets coming here."
"Really?" Azalea asked. "That's so sad."
"What do you mean, it's sad?" Jim asked.
"The two people who brought you into this world, love you and shelter you care about
you." she said. "And you treat them with contempt."
"Yeah, whatever." Jim replied. "How about your parents? How are they?"
"I never knew them." Azalea said. "My father died in a car crash, and my mother left him
three months before that. I was only three months old when it all happened, and I've lived with
my Grandpa ever since."
*That's why she brought it up.* Jim though, realizing he had been a bit insensitive.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be." Azalea replied. "It's happened a long time ago, and I've learned to live
with it. Grandpa and Grandma are more my parents now."
"Oh." Jim said. He decided to change the subject. "So Az, what's with that new spell of
your's?"
"Well, your mind shield gave me the idea really." Azalea explained. "It's basically the
mindshield, except it can go out of it's way to block spells. It's like an extension of it."
"Oh." Jim said.
"Thank you." Azalea said.
Jim looked at her strangely. "For what?"
She shook her head. "Nothing." And they walked on.
"What the hell was that all about?" Jim muttered under his breath.
End Chapter 5
Jim yawned. It was saturday morning, and he was doing what he had been doing for the
past thirteen years of his life:watching Saturday morning cartoons. In his opinion, there was
no age too high to appreciate the subtle art of these would-be kiddie fodders.
So, there Jim was, sitting in front of the television with a big bowl of sugary cereal in
front of him, watching Jackie Chan adventures.
Azalea walked in, looking over Jim's shoulder. "Aren't you a little old for this?"
"What are you talking about?" Jim asked uncertainly.
Azalea sighed. "Never mind. Listen, Anthony's having a Heroes council meeting today, and
he wants us to come."
As Jim's breath half-stepped, he dribbled milk down his chin. Swallowing his cereal, he
finally spoke.
"What does he want a bunch of semi-able ragtag wizards?" Jim said, flabbergasted.
"Don't ask me." Azalea said. "He mentioned something about gunondum or something like
that?"
Jim cocked his head. "Gannondorf?"
"Yeah, I think that was it." Azalea replied.
"That's impossible." Jim replied. "Ganon's dead, isn't he?"
"Listen, I'm just telling you what I was told." Azalea replied. "I have never touched a
video game system in my life. Finding out they're real isn't going to encourage me. So, either
tell me what the hell you're talking about or stop blithering."
Jim paused. "Okay, where do I begin?" Jim began recalling his first Nintendo and the
little sprites of joy caused by playing it. "Maybe here. Gannondorf is an evil sorceror who
tried to take over Hyrule by kidnapping Princess Zelda. He had the place under siege with an army
of Moblins and other Nasties. So, some old guy gives Link a sword and tells him to save Hyrule.
With a some help, Link takes down Gannon's army, and supposedly kills Gannon."
"So why are they talking about him?" Azalea asked.
"Well, he IS a video game character." Jim said.
"But, why was he talking so seriously about it?" Azalea asked.
"Maybe Gannondorf had a son?" Jim suggested.
********
Jim sat at the circular table of the Heroes council. It was a rather strange sensation.
He had bonded with the heroes over the month he had spent in Arcadia, but this was the first
time he would he see them at their work. Mario, Megaman, Sonic, Link, Zelda, Protoman, Tails,
and many others sat down when Anthony came in. Jim and Azalea stood.
"You guys can sit down, you know." Anthony said. Jim and Azalea did so. "Okay, listen.
There have been numerous Moblin uprisings in Hyrule, Neo-Earth, and Gardenia. I'm not sure, but
I think it's the work of Gannondorf."
Link and Zelda looked astonished. "Impossible!" Link cried. "I killed him!"
"The Moblins have been using this." Megaman said, handing Link a spear. "I think you know
the crest."
Link looked at it, his face hardening. "This is the crest Gannon used, no mistake."
"But how do we know it's not just some other guy using Gannon's crest?" Tails asked.
Zelda shook her head. "You do not understand, Tails. Gannondorf was a very powerful man,
having magic powers rivaling even mine. No one in the Hylas would have the impudence to do
something like that."
"Which is exactly why we have to root out this problem." Anthony said. "Fortunately,
we've fought off the moblin guards and prevented fatalities, but we need to get someone out to
stop Gannon. I think that, in assisting Link, this would be a prime oppurtunity for them to
show what they've learned."
Jim and Azalea gaped, as did Link. It had barely been a week since the incident with
Mecha-Sonic.
"Yer kiddin' right?" Jim asked. "I mean, two under-qualified wizards and a farm-boy
swordsman- no offense." Jim turned to Link.
"None taken." Link said, waving a hand.
"-going against a guy like Gannon?" Jim said. "Are you nuts?"
"You don't have faith in your abilities." Anthony said. "I understand. But you can't
keep hiding yourself from fate. You're going to face danger sooner or later. I prefer when we
know what it is. Besides, you don't have any choice in the matter."
Azalea didn't sit well with this at all. "C'mon! We're barely preforming spells, and you
expect us to take down a guy like this?"
"If Link did it before, doing it with you two shouldn't be a problem."
Link didn't agree. "Listen, before, it was simple duel to the death, I can't be running
around, protecting two kids."
"They can take care of themselves." Anthony assured. "You leave tommorow for Termina,
where the Moblin armies seem to be coming from." Anthony turned to the others. "Mario, you'll
lead the team defending Gardenia, Megaman, you'll lead Neo-earth's, and Sonic, you'll lead
Hyrule's. Any questions?" There were none. "Okay. Meeting ajourned."
Azalea got up. "I'm going to sleep early tonight. I think I'm gonna need the rest."
*********
It was the next day, and they were preparing at Castle Hyrule. "This is quite strange."
Zelda commented. "We have never clad strangers in our garb before. You should consider yourselves
honored."
Jim was sporting a black shirt and pants with boots, covered by a long, red cloak.
Binding the cloak was a triforce symbol. He was also given a pair of fingerless gloves.
Azaela was given a strange dress-like garb that seemed to be made for a fighting girl,
since it had openings sides, making it easier to move. She had also packed herself with
shurikens and a short katana,because she claimed she felt more comfortable with a close-range
weapon too.
"Sure." Jim said. He had made a small sheath for his staff, which he was using now. He
found it more conveinent than carrying it around in hand.
"You have Hyrule's blessing." Zelda said. "May Din, Naryu, Faeorie, and all forces
protect you."
"May they also protect Hyrule." Link said, kneeling. Jim and Azalea followed suit.
Zelda's face turned to Jim and Azalea. "I await the day when wizards will rise again."
*Don't worry.* Jim said. *It's closer than you think...*
And so, Jim, Azalea, and Link set off towards Termina.
"Those kids will make something of themselves won't they, Zelda?" King Wayfarer asked.
"They have a firey spirit." Zelda said. "One that may be the reason they will restore the
order of the wizards."
***********
Anthony stood at the Mobius palace, listening to Sally yell. She, apparently, had the
same confidence in Jim and Azalea that Link did.
"Are you crazy?!" Sally yelled. "What are you going to tell their parents?! What if they
get hurt? What if they die?"
"Both parents were aware of the risks their children were going in." Anthony said.
"Besides, that's the exact reason Link is with them."
"Anthony, you're supposed to making my job easier!" Sally yelled. "The media is going to
have a field day if they find out you let two teenagers into a dangerous thing like this."
"So, we don't let em' know." Anthony said, shrugging.
"You really think they'll survive this, Anthony?" Sally asked.
Anthony sighed. "When I started this, I was a nerd playing video games. But I found a way
to restore Arcadia and save you guys from Robotnik. Back then, I didn't think I could do
anything, really. But I managed to pull through with your help. Azalea, doesn't seem to have much
confidence in herself, but she's trying. Jim, on the other hand, is cocky and he's eager to learn
more and become better. That firey spirit is exactly what always got him into trouble, and what
will make him perfect to lead the order of wizards."
"And you're willing to kill them now." Sally observed.
"They won't die." Anthony replied. "Trust me."
"That's the only thing I can do at this point."
********
"So, how long till we get to Termina?" Jim asked.
"About a day's hike." Link informed. "If you don't slow me down."
Right then, an arrow landed right in between Link's legs. "Well, something's gonna slow
you down, green boy." a voice said. Down jumped a rather dark looking figure. "Allow me to
introduce myself. I am the head bandit."
"Nice name." Jim said, his hand inching towards his staff.
"Give us all your valuables and we'll only lacerate the one dressed in green." the head
bandit said. It seemed they were surrounded on all sides.
"Swell." Jim said, unsheathing his katana. "I was working up a bad mood."
"Oh, you'll feel much different when we're done with you." the Head bandit said. He
looked at his comrades. "Kill them."
In a blaze of swords they attacked. With Jim and Azalea's new reflexes, these poorly
trained ruffians might as well be standing still, and Link seemed to be defeating them in one
blow each. They weren't a big bunch, and soon they were down to one.
The head bandit tried to run for it. "Oh, no you don't!" Jim cried, charging after him.
The man, apparently, wasn't in shape, because he didn't tear through the forest very
quickly. Even before his abilities were enhanced, he would have not had any problems.
He still didn't. He caught up and tackled the head bandit. "P- please...." he stammered.
"D- don't hurt me..."
"You're something else." Jim said, holding the bandit by the collar of his shirt. "You
ambush us, outnumber us, try to rob and kill us, and ask me not hurt you? You're deluding
yourself!"
"Y-you won't k-kill me, will you?" the bandit asked.
"No." Jim said. "I'm gonna warn you!" Bit began flinging his fists at lightning speed
towards the bandit's face, stomach, and anythng he could really hard. He left a hurt, though not
injured bandit. "By the way," he added as he left. "You were right! I feel great now!"
Link and Azalea looked at him angrily as he came back to them.
"You enjoyed that!" Azalea scolded.
"Damn right I did." Jim replied. "I hate bozos like that. Think they can do whatever
they want. Served him right."
"Reminds me of someone I know." Azalea replied.
"Are you comparing me to someone I'd rather not be compared to?" Jim asked.
"Let's get a move on." Link yelled. "We've only got until sunset to get termina. And need
I remind you there are no mass transits in the Hylas?"
And so for hours, they trudged on. Jim had a new respect for the fellowship of the ring,
and wished he had the book with him right now.
After what seemed like(and was, by striking coincidence) hours, Link stopped. "Termina's
still an hour's walke away." Then he jerked his thumb at the sky. The sun was setting. "This is
as good a place as any to set up camp. Jim, get some firewood, Azalea, get some water, and I'll
set up a clearing."
"While filling the buckets, Azalea noticed that there was a lot of dry wood on the
ground. It was good for camping fires, but she was worried about what would happen if the blaze
caught on. Then she figured that Link had probably thought of that.
Right then, a tree fell, missing Azalea by centimeters.
Azalea's shocked expression turned to anger when she saw Jim by a tree trunk finishing
a sweeping motion with his staff. "SILVER!!!" she shouted.
Jim's clueless expression remained the same as he used a mind shield to block one of
Azalea's enchanted arrows. "What did I do?"
"You almost killed me!" Azalea yelled, charging for Jim.
"It was an accident!" Jim cried, frantically blocking her blows.
"So, that makes it okay?" She asked as Jim ducked a blow that would have decapitated him.
"It certainly doesn't justify this!" Jim said Jumping up. "Kamehameha!" a blue blast
flew from his staff.
With an amazing speed, Azalea strung and threw a bow, yelling "Nullify!"
"What the?" Jim asked, landing onto the ground.
"It's a new spell I've learned." She explained, stringing another arrow. "It takes a
bit of Magical power, true, but it can't block most conventional spells. Piece of cake for a
simple energy projection like that."
"I see." Jim said. "Looks like I've been slacking off. Oh well." Azalea's arrow flew
towards him, and in a quick motion, he knocked it away with his staff.
"A-HEM." a voice said. Link was tapping his foot looking at them. "First of all, I'd like
to eat by tommorow, which is impossible if you don't get back to your chores. Second, I'd
rather tell Anthony that Gannon killed you than that you killed each other."
Grumbling, both Jim and Azalea returned to their chores.
It wasn't a very big meal. Some hot dogs and beans. Jim had the notion to ask what,
exactly, was in a hylian hotdog, but decided that, upon reflection, what you didn't know
couldn't hurt you.
What interested him was the low humming Link was doing. It reminded him vaguely of church
hymns, though it was touch livlier. When I say a touch, I mean it would sound out of place at a
funeral.
"What's that song about?" Jim asked.
Link paused for a few seconds. "A friend." he said dismissively.
"Zelda?" Azalea asked inquisitively. Both Jim and Azalea knew perfectly well what they
were doing. Azalea figured that confession was good for the soul. Jim just liked doing this kind
of thing.
"Yes." Link said. "It's a small dream I have. Nothing more."
"Just a dream?" Jim asked. "Why?"
"She's royalty. I am a commoner." Link said. "It's forbidden."
"Ah." Jim said. "She's certainly something though, isn't she?"
"She's the most wonderful woman I have ever met." Link replied with a regretful tone.
"But I'm not the one who is destined to be graced with her."
Jim shrugged. He was no expert at romance. Link however reamined up, and eventually sung
himself to sleep.
**********
Jim was woken up later, and saw that it was almost, though not quite, the crack of dawn.
Link was standing over them, his pointy eared face, inches away from Jim's.
"GAH!" Jim cried. "Link! Don't DO that!"
"Now that you're up." Link said, practically ignoring him. "I've found a place where a
bunch of moblins are going in and out. I'll bet that's where Gannondorf is located."
Link gently shook Azalea. The answer "Just five more minutes, grandpa." was heard from
her. Annoyed, Link unzipped her sleeping bag. "Ok, Ok, I'll get up.' she grumbled. "So, where are
we going now?" she asked.
"Underground." Link informed. "Let's go."
Azalea and Jim were already in their clothes and were grabbing their weapons. "Did you
say underground?" Azalea asked.
"Yeah." Link said. "I'm not sure, but it's about a mile from here, and it looks like a
cave going into the earth."
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Jim said, getting up.
The cave had a rather small entrance, but considering Jim's inferred size, a lot of
Moblins were in there.
"so, what do we do?" Jim asked.
"Find an alternate route." Link said.
"What?" Jim asked. "But, it's right there!"
"There's too many guards." Link informed them. "Even we can't fight them all off."
"You gotta be kidding me." Jim said. "They're right there!"
"Listen, do you wanna see the arcadian portals again?" Link asked. "Then follow my
advice. If you do, you might survive."
"Yeah, Jim." Azalea said. "Use your head for once."
"This coming from a girl who tried to kill me yesterday." Jim grumbled.
As it was, the cave seemed to be two-way, with the back being less heavily guarded with
only three Moblins. As Jim said, 'Talk about conveinence.'
"Hear something?" One Moblin asked.
"Nah." replied the other. "Just the wind."
"Strange wind if you ask- urk!" an arrow had flown into his throat.
"What wa-" but the moblins didn't have time to finish as Jim and Link dived onto them,
and giving a quick slashing movement, decapitated them.
"Let's go." Link said.
"Sure thing." Jim said. Azalea jumped down from a tree she was hiding in, and pulled
the arrow out of the moblin's neck.
"Gannon shouldn't be too well protected." Link informed. "He's cocky that way."
As they went down, the air smelled fouler and fouler.
"Phreeeow!" Jim said. "What is that smell?"
"Either Gannon doesn't care much for hygeine," Azalea interjected. "Or it's brimstone."
"Ten to one it's the first one." Jim said. The descent of the cave stopped abruptly and
they came to a huge chamber dimly lit by torches. In the middle was a figure completely
familiar to Link and Jim.
"Hello, Link." Gannondorf said. "I have been waiting for you."
"Why?" Link asked, his sword and shield in hand.
"You and I are going to decide the fate of Hyrule... in a simple battle." Gannon said.
"So, why are you attacking the rest of arcadia?" Link asked.
"I couldn't make it look too conspicuous." Gannon replied. "And I wanted to make sure it
got your attention. So, all I propose is a simple rematch. The winner decides the fate of
Hyrule."
"Hyrule's fate is not mine to decide." Link retorted.
"It will be." Gannon said, unsheathing his strangely shaped sword. Link stood battle
ready. "HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Gannon cried and he ran for Link, making a sweeping motion with his
sword. Link quickly raised his sword to block it.
It was sword-fighting as Jim had never seen it. They were almost completely even, and
seemed to be dancing rather than fighting. Every move was so immpecably accurate and gracefully
acheived. Now he truly knew why Link was the hero of Hyrule.
"Getting worn out?" Gannon asked.
"Hardly." Link said.
"You know, this is such a waste. Killing such a useful person." Gannon said. "Why not
join me and become a ruler as well?"
"Why would I ever want ot team up with someone as evil and despicable as you?!" Link
cried. "I swear that, with this sword, you will be smited!"
"Alas." Gannon said. "More talent wasted. Then I supposed now would be a time to finish
you off!" Right then, Gannon dissapeared, laughing maniacally.
"He used this before." Link said, closing his eyes. "But this time I know what to do.
I am prepared." Link neither moved nor spoke, nor made any assurance he was alive for several
seconds, until he made sudden movement. "There!" He moved ninety degrees, and thrusted his sword
forward. There appeared Gannon, the sword in his heart. "
"Well done, boy." Gannondorf said, beforing going limp.
"That was all too easy if you ask me." Jim said.
Then, Gannondorf's dead body spoke. "That's because it was!" the body rose, and his
eyes glowed pure white. "Well done, Link." Then he turned to Jim and Azalea. "But I am
dissapointed in your uninvolvement. I am Salazar Mago. I intend to cleanse the world. Consider
this but a taste of my power." Then Gannon's body burned up.
"That was freaky." Jim said.
"You're telling me." Azalea said.
*******
The journey home was uneventful, and they had no promblem forgetting Salazar's vague and
would-be threat.
"So, Jim." Azalea said. "What are your parents like?"
Jim was taken aback by this question, but had an answer ready."Meh." Jim said. "They're
parents. My dad's been transfered to Stark industries as of a month ago, and my mom's a teacher.
They're overprotective and blame everything on me. I've got no regrets coming here."
"Really?" Azalea asked. "That's so sad."
"What do you mean, it's sad?" Jim asked.
"The two people who brought you into this world, love you and shelter you care about
you." she said. "And you treat them with contempt."
"Yeah, whatever." Jim replied. "How about your parents? How are they?"
"I never knew them." Azalea said. "My father died in a car crash, and my mother left him
three months before that. I was only three months old when it all happened, and I've lived with
my Grandpa ever since."
*That's why she brought it up.* Jim though, realizing he had been a bit insensitive.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be." Azalea replied. "It's happened a long time ago, and I've learned to live
with it. Grandpa and Grandma are more my parents now."
"Oh." Jim said. He decided to change the subject. "So Az, what's with that new spell of
your's?"
"Well, your mind shield gave me the idea really." Azalea explained. "It's basically the
mindshield, except it can go out of it's way to block spells. It's like an extension of it."
"Oh." Jim said.
"Thank you." Azalea said.
Jim looked at her strangely. "For what?"
She shook her head. "Nothing." And they walked on.
"What the hell was that all about?" Jim muttered under his breath.
End Chapter 5