Chapter 12: Back At The Lake
Ruto's eyes fluttered, and she looked up into Link's face. "Are you all right?" he asked worriedly. "You passed out before we got out of the warp tunnel." Ruto groaned, realizing that she had a pounding headache. " Where are we?" "I thought you of all people would know." Sid said from behind Link. "This is Lake Hylia. We're all almost to the lab." Ruto frowned. "I have a few choice words for you, but they can wait till we get the antidote." She looked back to link. "I also have few questions for you too. Once I'm better though, you better answer them." Link laughed and gently sat her up. "Can you stand?" "I don't think so. You were right. I wore my resistance out using my powers." Link scooped her up in his arms and began to carry her in the direction of the Lab, which was visible not far in the distance. Ruto let herself relax in the warmth of his body, when her fingers ran over a gouge on his chest. "Oh, Link! We need to stop for a moment. You badly injured." "I'm fine." He said as they passed the stone towers that stuck up through the water. "But you could die." She protested. "I don't want you to go that far for me." "Yeah, Link." Sid piped up. "Don't get yourself killed for her. She's not worth it." Link grinned as Ruto and Sid exchanged dirty looks. "Ruto." He said, drawing her attention to his face. "You should know by now there is not a distance I would go to protect you." Ruto blushed and turned away.
By this time, they reached the Lab. Sid opened the door for them, since Link was carrying Ruto. The doctor was waiting for them. "Ah, I see you made it. Do you have the Jellyfish Gel?" Link set Ruto down in the chair by the door and pulled the jar out of his tunic. The doctor took the jar and began immediately. "It should take me about an hour to complete the formula." He called over his shoulder. "It should be done by then." Link sat on the ground by Ruto, who slept in the chair. Sid was over by the water tank in the back of the Lab, trying to see the bottom through the bars. The doctor was diligently at work.
An hour later, the doctor woke Link up from his dose and handed him a pouch with a strong smelling blue cream in it. "It's done." Link took the cream from the doctor and carefully sniffed it. "So this will get rid of the poison?' he asked curiously. "Yes, but there are a few perplexing complications. Because of the freshness of the gel, it still had it's magical quality, so technically, you got back too soon. It will only work if it's applied to the lips of the affected person on the slightly submerged platform Surrounded by pillars in the lake." Link nodded in understanding. "If it should spill on something, can it be applied from that object?" the doctor nodded. "As long as it's applied within a few minutes." "Good." Link stood up and gently shook Ruto from hr sleep. " What is it?" she said sleepily. "It's time to go. We have the antidote." Ruto opened her eyes. "Why do we have to leave to use the antidote?" Link scooped her up in his arms and headed out the door. Sid was already outside. "Because of the magic in the gel, it will only work at that slightly underwater platform with pillars we passed. We have to put it on your lips while on that platform, or it wont work." They approached the water and waded into the middle of the rocks. Link sat Ruto down, and sat in the ankle deep water with her, the pouch in his hand. Sid sat on the beach, waiting. "Okay, here we go." As he reached for the gel, a loud splash met their ears and they were completely drenched. As they looked towards the water, they saw Giro standing on one of the shorter pillars, soaking wet with an angry frown on his face. "Not so fast." He said angrily. "I have worked too hard to fail. You both will die today."
Link cursed himself under his breath. "He must have followed us through the warp tunnel. We shouldn't have waited so long." Ruto began to stand up, but was overcome by pain and collapsed back to the ground. She was now sweating so much, drops were falling into the water. Link stood in front of her, his sword drawn. "Don't worry." Link called over his shoulder. "I'll protect you." She nodded, and then winced as the pain in her thigh began to pulsate. She could feel the poison starting to take firmer hold. I hope he can protect me. she thought.
Link charged with his sword drawn, eager to slash down the evil man in front of him once and for all. There swords clanged, sparks flying about, singing Link's eyebrows. "You're not going to get away with this Giro!" Link slashed low, aiming for the feet. But Muleteer jumped nimbly aside. "I can't believe father was beaten so easily by a clumsy oaf like you. You aren't worthy of the title Hero of Time." Link slashed angrily, trying his best to defeat Muleteer. He missed again, this time Giro landing in front of the bridge leading out to the center of the lake. "You want me?" Giro asked mockingly. "Come and get me." Before Link could even blink, Giro was half way across the bridge to the island in the middle. "I'm not going to be outfoxed by a scum bag like you!" Link roared with fury. He quickly pulled out his ocarina and played the Serenade of Water. Muleteer looked behind himself, unable to see Link anymore. The fool must have given up. he thought to himself Guess he knew he wouldn't be able to beat me before the poison destroys the Zora. He looked back in front of himself and nearly ran headfirst into Link, standing on the seal of the Water sage. Ruto's Seal. He stumbled backward, almost falling into the water. "Surprised to see me?" Link asked menacingly. "Let's just say you're smarter than I thought you where." Giro shot back. Muleteer pulled his sword back out, ready for battle. Link already had the gilded sword out, and the fight continued.
From the main land, Sid could see the sparks flashing in the sky. "Woah!" he said. "Glad your not over there right now, are you princess?" he turned to look at Ruto, and was extremely surprised to see a strained look on her face. She was breathing heavily, shuddering with each breath. Her muscles began twitching, forcing her to her knees. "Are you okay princess?" Sid asked uncertainly. Ruto looked up, the pain on her face more obvious than ever. "How.. do ... you think... I'm doing?!" She asked angrily, desperately trying to stay conscious. Suddenly her body started convulsing, causing her to lean on her hands for support. "I... can't... breath..." She said in a barely audible whisper. Suddenly she closed her eyes and collapsed. "Princess!"
Link heard Sid's cries of panic, worry flashing across his face. "Giro. This is it. We will have one last charge. Whoever remains standing will be the one left alive." Giro , now winded from the assault, agreed readily. "You will regret ever facing me, Hero." He shouted defiantly. Link said nothing more but readied his sword. With one final roar, they charged at each other, full power, swords drawn. Where they met, thunder had clapped, lightning flashed, and with a clash of steel the victor was decided.
Link stood there, his sword buried deep within Giro's heart, the tip sticking out of the back, covered in blood. "So you've won, Hero." Giro said, blood starting to come from the corners of his mouth. "But.. I'll still... break the seal." He said, his life leaving him. "All ... it takes... is ... the death... of ... one sage." Link pulled his sword out of Giro's chest, allowing the dying man to fall on the ground. Giro looked up at his face. "There you stand, looking so smug." He declared angrily. "You may have won the battle, but your friend will still perish." Suddenly Giro reached into his belt and produced a small dagger. With incredible speed, he thrusted it at Link, cutting a hole in the medicine bag and imbedding the small blade deep within Link's right leg, causing him to cry out in pain. He removed the dagger from his leg and covered it with his hand, pulling it away to find his palm coated red. His other hand held the medicine bag to his chest, desperately trying to keep it from it all poring into the water. Giro grinned. "Even if... you do... manage... to save... that precious ...powder from... all falling into... the lake." Giro said, talking between breaths. "You'll never... get there... in time." Giro began laughing, blood starting to come up from his throat in great amounts. He then fell down next to his sword, never to get up again.
Link grasped his injured leg, desperate to get to Ruto before it was too late. There is no warp tune back to the shore. Link thinks to himself. And I won't be able to call Epona over and ride her back with my injured leg. I'm going to have to hope I can hobble back fast enough. Link began running back across the bridge as fast as he could, blood running down the side of his leg as the pain continued to rise. Grains of the potion began to slip between his fingers. But not many. I might make it! Link thought to himself. I'm going to save Ruto!
Suddenly the pain in his right leg increased as it caught on a board sticking up from the bridge, making him fall on his face. He fell right into the powder, his eyes filled with grains of medicine as he watched the rest slip through the boards and into the water. "NO!" Link shouted, desperately trying to grab some of it before it reached the water. "Why do this good news bad new situations always happen to me?" He shouted to the wind. Tears streaming down his face, Link got up and continued to hobble as fast as he can back to the others. Sid was the first to see him back "How is Ruto?" Link asked him. Sid's eyes went wide. "Link! Your bleeding!" he said in surprise. "We'll worry about that later!" Link said "How is Ruto?" "Oh her." Sid said, stepping aside. Link looked horrified as he saw Ruto's lifeless body on the ground. "No!" he said in disbelief. "I'm supposed to save you." He said, his tears streaming back. "But I can't even save my own friends." He held her close, hoping somehow his Triforce of Courage hoping somehow it would bring her back. Nothing happened.
Link began to grieve more openly when all of a sudden Sid said "Hey Link: What's that on your face?"Link put a finger to his mouth, feeling small grains against his hand. "The medicine!" he cried, his face lighting up. "There may still be a chance to save her!" "But Link, that potion is on your mouth. And the doc said the potion has to touch her mouth. Do you know what that means?" Sid replied. Link looked at Sid, realizing what he meant. "Well Sid, I guess you're going to have to look away." Sid quickly turned around. Link began to bend over Ruto, knowing what he must do to save her life.
Ruto's eyes fluttered, and she looked up into Link's face. "Are you all right?" he asked worriedly. "You passed out before we got out of the warp tunnel." Ruto groaned, realizing that she had a pounding headache. " Where are we?" "I thought you of all people would know." Sid said from behind Link. "This is Lake Hylia. We're all almost to the lab." Ruto frowned. "I have a few choice words for you, but they can wait till we get the antidote." She looked back to link. "I also have few questions for you too. Once I'm better though, you better answer them." Link laughed and gently sat her up. "Can you stand?" "I don't think so. You were right. I wore my resistance out using my powers." Link scooped her up in his arms and began to carry her in the direction of the Lab, which was visible not far in the distance. Ruto let herself relax in the warmth of his body, when her fingers ran over a gouge on his chest. "Oh, Link! We need to stop for a moment. You badly injured." "I'm fine." He said as they passed the stone towers that stuck up through the water. "But you could die." She protested. "I don't want you to go that far for me." "Yeah, Link." Sid piped up. "Don't get yourself killed for her. She's not worth it." Link grinned as Ruto and Sid exchanged dirty looks. "Ruto." He said, drawing her attention to his face. "You should know by now there is not a distance I would go to protect you." Ruto blushed and turned away.
By this time, they reached the Lab. Sid opened the door for them, since Link was carrying Ruto. The doctor was waiting for them. "Ah, I see you made it. Do you have the Jellyfish Gel?" Link set Ruto down in the chair by the door and pulled the jar out of his tunic. The doctor took the jar and began immediately. "It should take me about an hour to complete the formula." He called over his shoulder. "It should be done by then." Link sat on the ground by Ruto, who slept in the chair. Sid was over by the water tank in the back of the Lab, trying to see the bottom through the bars. The doctor was diligently at work.
An hour later, the doctor woke Link up from his dose and handed him a pouch with a strong smelling blue cream in it. "It's done." Link took the cream from the doctor and carefully sniffed it. "So this will get rid of the poison?' he asked curiously. "Yes, but there are a few perplexing complications. Because of the freshness of the gel, it still had it's magical quality, so technically, you got back too soon. It will only work if it's applied to the lips of the affected person on the slightly submerged platform Surrounded by pillars in the lake." Link nodded in understanding. "If it should spill on something, can it be applied from that object?" the doctor nodded. "As long as it's applied within a few minutes." "Good." Link stood up and gently shook Ruto from hr sleep. " What is it?" she said sleepily. "It's time to go. We have the antidote." Ruto opened her eyes. "Why do we have to leave to use the antidote?" Link scooped her up in his arms and headed out the door. Sid was already outside. "Because of the magic in the gel, it will only work at that slightly underwater platform with pillars we passed. We have to put it on your lips while on that platform, or it wont work." They approached the water and waded into the middle of the rocks. Link sat Ruto down, and sat in the ankle deep water with her, the pouch in his hand. Sid sat on the beach, waiting. "Okay, here we go." As he reached for the gel, a loud splash met their ears and they were completely drenched. As they looked towards the water, they saw Giro standing on one of the shorter pillars, soaking wet with an angry frown on his face. "Not so fast." He said angrily. "I have worked too hard to fail. You both will die today."
Link cursed himself under his breath. "He must have followed us through the warp tunnel. We shouldn't have waited so long." Ruto began to stand up, but was overcome by pain and collapsed back to the ground. She was now sweating so much, drops were falling into the water. Link stood in front of her, his sword drawn. "Don't worry." Link called over his shoulder. "I'll protect you." She nodded, and then winced as the pain in her thigh began to pulsate. She could feel the poison starting to take firmer hold. I hope he can protect me. she thought.
Link charged with his sword drawn, eager to slash down the evil man in front of him once and for all. There swords clanged, sparks flying about, singing Link's eyebrows. "You're not going to get away with this Giro!" Link slashed low, aiming for the feet. But Muleteer jumped nimbly aside. "I can't believe father was beaten so easily by a clumsy oaf like you. You aren't worthy of the title Hero of Time." Link slashed angrily, trying his best to defeat Muleteer. He missed again, this time Giro landing in front of the bridge leading out to the center of the lake. "You want me?" Giro asked mockingly. "Come and get me." Before Link could even blink, Giro was half way across the bridge to the island in the middle. "I'm not going to be outfoxed by a scum bag like you!" Link roared with fury. He quickly pulled out his ocarina and played the Serenade of Water. Muleteer looked behind himself, unable to see Link anymore. The fool must have given up. he thought to himself Guess he knew he wouldn't be able to beat me before the poison destroys the Zora. He looked back in front of himself and nearly ran headfirst into Link, standing on the seal of the Water sage. Ruto's Seal. He stumbled backward, almost falling into the water. "Surprised to see me?" Link asked menacingly. "Let's just say you're smarter than I thought you where." Giro shot back. Muleteer pulled his sword back out, ready for battle. Link already had the gilded sword out, and the fight continued.
From the main land, Sid could see the sparks flashing in the sky. "Woah!" he said. "Glad your not over there right now, are you princess?" he turned to look at Ruto, and was extremely surprised to see a strained look on her face. She was breathing heavily, shuddering with each breath. Her muscles began twitching, forcing her to her knees. "Are you okay princess?" Sid asked uncertainly. Ruto looked up, the pain on her face more obvious than ever. "How.. do ... you think... I'm doing?!" She asked angrily, desperately trying to stay conscious. Suddenly her body started convulsing, causing her to lean on her hands for support. "I... can't... breath..." She said in a barely audible whisper. Suddenly she closed her eyes and collapsed. "Princess!"
Link heard Sid's cries of panic, worry flashing across his face. "Giro. This is it. We will have one last charge. Whoever remains standing will be the one left alive." Giro , now winded from the assault, agreed readily. "You will regret ever facing me, Hero." He shouted defiantly. Link said nothing more but readied his sword. With one final roar, they charged at each other, full power, swords drawn. Where they met, thunder had clapped, lightning flashed, and with a clash of steel the victor was decided.
Link stood there, his sword buried deep within Giro's heart, the tip sticking out of the back, covered in blood. "So you've won, Hero." Giro said, blood starting to come from the corners of his mouth. "But.. I'll still... break the seal." He said, his life leaving him. "All ... it takes... is ... the death... of ... one sage." Link pulled his sword out of Giro's chest, allowing the dying man to fall on the ground. Giro looked up at his face. "There you stand, looking so smug." He declared angrily. "You may have won the battle, but your friend will still perish." Suddenly Giro reached into his belt and produced a small dagger. With incredible speed, he thrusted it at Link, cutting a hole in the medicine bag and imbedding the small blade deep within Link's right leg, causing him to cry out in pain. He removed the dagger from his leg and covered it with his hand, pulling it away to find his palm coated red. His other hand held the medicine bag to his chest, desperately trying to keep it from it all poring into the water. Giro grinned. "Even if... you do... manage... to save... that precious ...powder from... all falling into... the lake." Giro said, talking between breaths. "You'll never... get there... in time." Giro began laughing, blood starting to come up from his throat in great amounts. He then fell down next to his sword, never to get up again.
Link grasped his injured leg, desperate to get to Ruto before it was too late. There is no warp tune back to the shore. Link thinks to himself. And I won't be able to call Epona over and ride her back with my injured leg. I'm going to have to hope I can hobble back fast enough. Link began running back across the bridge as fast as he could, blood running down the side of his leg as the pain continued to rise. Grains of the potion began to slip between his fingers. But not many. I might make it! Link thought to himself. I'm going to save Ruto!
Suddenly the pain in his right leg increased as it caught on a board sticking up from the bridge, making him fall on his face. He fell right into the powder, his eyes filled with grains of medicine as he watched the rest slip through the boards and into the water. "NO!" Link shouted, desperately trying to grab some of it before it reached the water. "Why do this good news bad new situations always happen to me?" He shouted to the wind. Tears streaming down his face, Link got up and continued to hobble as fast as he can back to the others. Sid was the first to see him back "How is Ruto?" Link asked him. Sid's eyes went wide. "Link! Your bleeding!" he said in surprise. "We'll worry about that later!" Link said "How is Ruto?" "Oh her." Sid said, stepping aside. Link looked horrified as he saw Ruto's lifeless body on the ground. "No!" he said in disbelief. "I'm supposed to save you." He said, his tears streaming back. "But I can't even save my own friends." He held her close, hoping somehow his Triforce of Courage hoping somehow it would bring her back. Nothing happened.
Link began to grieve more openly when all of a sudden Sid said "Hey Link: What's that on your face?"Link put a finger to his mouth, feeling small grains against his hand. "The medicine!" he cried, his face lighting up. "There may still be a chance to save her!" "But Link, that potion is on your mouth. And the doc said the potion has to touch her mouth. Do you know what that means?" Sid replied. Link looked at Sid, realizing what he meant. "Well Sid, I guess you're going to have to look away." Sid quickly turned around. Link began to bend over Ruto, knowing what he must do to save her life.