I have a confession; I said I'd start writing as soon as I came back, but I didn't, not for four days.
But I had family visiting and my exam results came out so I have been busy.
But I had a good holiday, got some good exam results, so I'll continue with a 'good' chapter!
Thanks for the reviews; it's what keeps me going. And superdave, your theory was so close yet so far. Good try though.
Disclaimer: I do not own Nintendo, SSBM or any mentioned copyrighted material.
Chapter 11: Infiltration
The worst thing about heavy rain is the after effect. I mean, getting wet isn't a bother really; it's actually quite refreshing when you are hot and sweaty. It's just when your hair gets waterlogged, causing drops into your eyes, weighing your fringe down in a sticky sensation. And when your clothing absorbs the water, making it heavier and life more difficult. Then there is the mud; no one (except maybe a child) wants to get muddy. Who likes to see a nice clean garment splattered in mud after you've washed it? It is most irritating.
And movement is restricted in the rain. If you're walking, you can slip and slide. If you are ridding in some sort of vehicle, the constant patter of rain on the roof can drive one mad. It's even worse if you are ridding an animal. They kick up mud like they enjoy it, they throw you around as they stumble over the wet terrain, and the feeling of rubbing against wet matted fur isn't the most enjoyable.
All of this was going through Links mind as he rode Epona along besides Mario and his Kart, with the 'Mushroom Mobile' behind. Horses were not the most comfortable at the best of times, and a wet angry one isn't any better.
Link turned around to get a good view on the following Mushroom Mobile. Through the steamy window he saw Dr Mario driving casually with one hand, talking to Peach who was sipping away at a cup of coffee. Link gritted his teeth and turned around quickly, rubbing his thighs on the rough back of Epona, causing a numb itch feeling to shoot through his legs. He let out a yell and furiously scratched at it, only making the pain worse.
"The rain, is horrible" he said through gasps. Mario was driving comfortable in a raincoat, humming to himself occasionally. Luigi was ridding the in the Mushroom Mobile with the others.
They had been doing this for three days straight now. From early morning to late evening, both vehicles and horse would set out in a direction Mario said led to the castle. It had been decided that Epona would get too stressed being in the Mushroom Mobile, so Link was forced to ride his steed. Many things, particularly the endless rain, had slowed their progress. Also, the plains were not ideal terrain for the vehicles so they found it hard to drive. Epona could cross this easily, but she needed rest and food, something a vehicle doesn't, so this way all three kept at the same pace.
Link looked up the sky. It was dark, but it had been for days. Not the dark, dull grey you get from storm clouds, but a dark like you would see over a burning village, dark smoke clogging up the suns rays. The rain itself seemed unnatural, the way it would seemingly intend to go for sensitive areas; your eyes, into you mouth for example.
Link also noted how vegetation was getting more and more sparse, as though nothing could live in this area. The rocks and dirt were getting darker and darker as the miles went on, and where the trees went, large rock-like structures would replace them. This was blatantly the area where Ganondorf's castle lay. Link could just about see the mountain where the fortress stood, He didn't like the idea of just riding out in the open directly under its ominous shadow; the Mushroom Kingdom fighters didn't see the worry, they had eluded capture here before.
"It's 'a time to call it 'a day Link" Mario yelled out. Link sighed happily. The Kart and Epona came to a halt. Mario threw a cover over his vehicle before heading back in. Links trials for that day were not over yet however.
First he had to place Epona on a mat and make her stay there. Then, while she ate, he had to get on the floor and clean her hooves and underbelly, this alone was a messy job, and a smelly one to. But she made it harder by moving about, kicking up mud, and flinging water over his tunic. You see, Peach 'insisted' that the horse was cleaned before she could enter the mobile.
Eventually, Link cleaned the horse to the most he could be bothered to do. He went to the back door. Peach opened and surveyed the horse, and gave a nod of approval. Link smiled and went to enter with his horse but met the hand of Peach.
"I don't think so, you will have to clean of or change before I let you in. You can borrow my pink umbrella."
"Are you mad women? (Link yelled, a complete disrespect for the royalty)"
"There's no way you are mucking up the Mushroom Mobile any more"
"Peach, we're about to wage war on the King of Evil, we're not entering a beauty concert!"
"I don't care I refuse." Peach began, but was met by Link barging past her, bringing in a fresh trail of mud.
"Link!" She yelled. Mario and Luigi chuckled while Dr Mario shook his head.
"Peach! I have been ridding all day, my butt is sore (Peach frowned, Zelda shook her head, the Mario Bros laughed harder) I am soaking wet, tired, hungry, and I have an itch in the worst place! I couldn't give a dam about the state of the floor!" Link said as he got into his sleeping bag next to Epona, in the process limiting the other occupants to either end of the truck. Peach stood with her mouth hung open.
"Link, at least give us your clothing before going to sleep, it would be better for you" Zelda said trying to restore order.
"Way ahead of you" Link said as he slipped into the bag, removing his tunic, boots, mail, weapons, gauntlets and other items. They landed in a muddy pile. Link flipped over, smirking at Zelda and Peach's reactions at his sudden removal of clothes. He wondered what they would say if he stood up from under the bag? The image would be priceless. Soon the Hylian feel asleep, dreaming about muddy umbrellas and a laughing Mario in Peach's dress.
Link awoke quickly into darkness. His face was wet; something had been dripping on it. Not a leak that was all he needed right now.
He sat upright to see his clothes and accessories stacked neatly besides him, they had evidently been washed and left by the heating system. He also noticed the absence of a particular large figure. Epona was gone, the back door was open. Link could see no rain, so his horse was evidently happier.
A snoring sound alerted the Hylian. He turned to the front to see Luigi and Dr Mario slumped out on the seats, sliding down them, arms and legs hung over the side, mouths hung open. Link shook his head and smiled. He knew Peach was on night duty tonight, so she would be on the roof. He didn't know where Mario and Yoshi were however.
Link put his hands behind his head and lay down again. How had he gotten here? Not to long ago, he had been lost in wonder, fighting fighters from other worlds. Now all of this had happened, it was quite mind-boggling.
A small moan made Link look to his right, where a sleeping beauty lay. Zelda was curled up besides him, wrapped over in her sleeping bag. Link smiled again before turning on his side, resting his head on his hand and took a good look at the sage. She really was beautiful. Her face showed no signs of scars, spots or acne you would suspect on a 17 year old. Then again, both he and Zelda were mature for their ages, they had to grow up fast, and it seemed their bodies had skipped the whole adolescent teenage stage.
Zelda had a light tan and long eyelashes. Her Hylian ears supported her long locks of golden hair. Link smiled more so, before gently brushing away some of her hair from her eyes. Zelda moaned again at this and stirred. Link moved his hand back quickly, but Zelda stopped. She was having a dream. Link wondered what a sage could possibly dream about. He took in her scent, a sweet perfume aroma that you could find in her hair, her clothes, in her sleeping bag. Link gently caressed her cheek.
"She's perfect as she can be" he thought.
"Link?" a voice shot out. Link stopped his actions and jumped up in fright.
"Relax, it's 'a me, Mario! Could you come outside a second, we need 'a talk" Mario said. Link noticed his shadow at the opening of the back door.
"Sure Mazza" Link said before putting his clothing on. He stood up wearily, shaking at the chill of a cold breeze coming through the opening.
If it was dark during the day, then it was near impossible to see at night. As Link stepped out from the subtle lighting of the Mushroom Mobile, he was plunged into a world of sinister gloom. It wasn't until he heard a flicker to his left that he realised how scared he had become. Mario was sitting by a foldout table with two chairs. Upon it stood lantern, which was doing its best to light the surrounding area. Mario stared in question at Link, as he had his sword out and shield raised.
"Something the matter?" he asked.
"I just felt, scared, as I went out" Link said, sheathing his sword.
"Yes this place has that effect on you" Mario said as he began to unroll a large sheet of paper.
"It's so unnatural, even during the day" Link said as he noticed his horse laying on the grass a little way past Mario. Yoshi was lying on his back with his arm over his stomach, snoring and occasionally flickering his long tongue out.
"It's 'a all due to the castle above. The evil and magic concentration within, it is 'a so vibrant. It attacks the mind, confusing it, shadowing the truth. It takes 'a while to get used to it." Mario said. Link shrugged, remembering this feeling all to well from his previous encounter with Ganondorf.
"Please sit Link" Mario said as he gestured to the other foldout chair. Link cautiously sat on it, carefully trying to fit himself in and in the process, trying not to break it.
"Where's Peach, shouldn't she be on night watch tonight?" he asked to the short plumber.
"I relieved her, said I would take it from here. It is 'a perfect opportunity for us to debate on what to do once we get to the castle." He answered. At the same time, he poured a liquid into two small mugs, from a hip flask, which he put back under his folded cape after.
"Have some whisky Link. It's 'a little something I smuggled aboard, just don't tell Peach. Technically, you wouldn't be 'a old enough in the Kingdom, but we're not there now are we?" He said with a smirk. Link smiled back and took the mug wearily.
"Although, you are, in someway, 'a lot older than 17" Mario added as he took a swig and drank it with ease. Link tried to do the same, but cringed at the taste and began chocking as it forced its way down his throat. A strong sensation went through his body and the hairs along his neck stood upright.
"Yahoo! Looks like we have 'a found the true weakness of the Hero of Time!" Mario said mockingly. Link smirked back in a sarcastic way.
"So what's the plan?" Link asked.
"Well, here is 'a basic map of the area we have made, with 'a little help from the Para-Troopa we captured." Mario responded.
"What did you do with him anyway?" Link said.
"Let him ago. He wouldn't go back to 'a Bowser as he would be killed for 'a treason. Goodness knows where he's at 'a now. But that doesn't matter. Now as you can see from the map, that one mountain isn't particularly large, not compared to the range where you and Zelda were. But it is still 'a bugger to climb. The slopes are steep, rocky. There are Frames and Koopa-Troopa's patrolling the perimeter, with Para-Troopa's flying above at all times. Most the time, they are on 'a look out below at this area. Don't worry though (he added at Links expression) during the day the excessive rainfall is 'a more than enough to give us cover, and the night is 'a too dark to see anything. The thing is, the rainfall is only heavy around this area. Around the castle, there is none."
"I'm guessing that the residue magic flung out when Frames are created and fighters copied is effecting the weather system." Link said intelligently.
"It could be, but anyway on to business. As you can see, the castle sits on the very top of the mountain. It has many towers, many windows. There seems to be a main front door, a huge gate that drops down like a drawbridge. There is also 'a moat running around it, full of murky water, which I have labelled here" he said as he gestured to a line on the map surrounding the castle.
"You don't expect to just enter through the main door do you?" Link asked.
"No, but we need to know where the main points are, as we can find our way around better then. Now, the Para-Troopa said that the moat is very deep, and that excessive amounts of it run through a hole in the bedding into an underground cavern. Apparently, there is 'a wide selection of caverns and such where small proportions of water flow around from the moat. All we have to do is 'a find an entrance to the system around this castle somewhere, and then locate the water from the moat. This way, we should be able to 'a scale the length of the mountain undetected, underground. Then, once we find out where the water flows 'a from, we can use it to find the hole in the moat bedding, and use it to our advantage."
"How?"
"You'll see why in a minute. As you can see from the map, the castle consists of 'a 4 main walls, facing north, south, east, and west. Within these walls lie towers and turrets, built in a shape of a circle. As the circle of towers closes in, the numbers get less and less and taller and 'a taller. The centre tower, and the tallest, is where Bowser and the King of Thieves lay. To get to them, you must go through the corridors and doors, walk and climb the endless stairs, proclaim the right keys to the right doors, and at the same time battle Frames and Frame-Fighters, and minions of Bowser. But that is not our first priority."
"Oh?" Link said.
"No, first we must rescue the trapped fighters. Besides the fact it is the right thing to 'a do, it will make our jobs easier, as we will have more fighters on our sides, and less reincarnated Frame-Fighters to worry about. Imagine fighting a DK clone a hundred times while trying to get to Ganondorf!"
"I see, so first we go in, and rescue the fighters, then attack?"
"That is 'a about right" Mario said.
"So where does the caverns and the moat thing come into it. I mean, sure it will get us underneath the area around the castle but it's not like we can just climb up through the moat into the open is it?"
"Ah, but we're not climbing up, we're breaking through!" Mario said, smirking under his moustache. "You see, the magical prison where the fighters lay is situated under the main castle foundations. There are only two main entrances to this, both of which are heavily guarded. But, if we go into the caverns and get underneath the moat, we should be able to find a way to burrow through and stumble into the underground facility."
"Mario, you're talking about braking through tonnes of rock that separate the underground prison from under the moat. My bombs aren't strong enough, they're only for a quick hit in battle, now unless you have bombs with the explosive power of a volcano, then I can't see this plan working." Link added. Mario frowned and rolled up the map.
"This world in uninhabited by intelligent life forms, so that castle couldn't have been here for long. Ganondorf must have built it recently, somehow. But it has been made in 'a hurry, so the foundations are not completely strong. And layers of rocks are constantly on the move on a mountain. It makes 'a sense there might be 'a gap we can break through."
"Well I don't think so. No offence Mario, but this plan seems very flawed. We have no idea how to get through the caverns, and even if we do, they will most likely be guarded. And this information you got might not be reliable. I'm sorry, but I just don't agree with it" Link said as he stood up.
"Okie-dokie Link, that is your prerogative. But I must add that I have seen the caverns and have been in them. I am confident we can at least get underneath the moat."
"But from there?"
"Honestly, I do not know. We could be 'a captured, then the Princesses could be found. It's a risk, I know" Mario said.
"A risk we can't take. There is a lot ridding on this Mario, so many worlds, so many lives. We can't rush into things."
"I'm aware of all that Link. But likewise, we cannot just sit 'around doing nothing, we will be found soon enough. At least if we get captured, we can say we tried."
"Saying that we tried wont calm anyone if Ganondorf succeeds" Link said. Mario arose with the map in hand.
"Sleep on it at least, for 'a few hours. Take it easy. Think things through. If you agree, me and you will carry it out, leaving for the caverns at dawn."
"Are you mad Mazza? I would suspect at least a day or so to think about something that might effect the rest of my life!"
"Goodnight Link" Mario finished, pulling up the backdoor, shutting of the light from the Mushroom Mobile, leaving Link with the light of the lantern. He let out a groan and sat back down at full throttle, breaking the small chair in the process. Link shouted in frustration, slamming his back on the mobile. Then it hit him.
"He's left me on night watch!" Link mumbled as he rubbed his eyes, "Guess I have time to think."
"Link should awake".
"Huh?"
"Link needs to wake up!"
"But Link doesn't want to wake up, as Link is having a beautiful dream that Link isn't here"
"But Yoshi think Mario be angry if Link doesn't awake"
"Huh?" Link said as he opened his eyes and sat up. The day was just braking and Yoshi was standing besides him. "What did you say Yoshi?"
"Yoshi said Link needs to be awake as Mario needs Links answer now" he replied. Link responded to this by leaping up, washing of the damp dew of his face and entering the Mushroom Mobile. Rain was just beginning to fall, for a change.
Mario stood at the door, a cup of coffee in his hands.
"Here" he said as he gave Link the cup.
"Thanks" he said as he gratefully took a sip.
"Don't worry, there's no whisky in this!" Mario added. Link smiled and yawned. Everyone else was still asleep.
"I've giving it a lot of thought. Now what I want to say is that I am not concerned about my safety, more about Zelda. If anything happened to us, it would be up to the others to protect her, and even though I have confidence in their abilities, I still feel inclined to stay with Zelda and protect her myself." Link said in one breath.
"I understand Link, we'll just think of something else." Mario said sympathetically.
"Whoa hold on a sec, I didn't say I wasn't going, I just said I feel I should be by Zelda. But I am willing to put that aside and accompany you." Link said. Mario smiled at this.
"Okie-dokie then, we're going to leave now, if that's ok with you"
"Sure is."
"Great, now lets just tell the others that the plan is going ahead."
"Wait, Mario no!" Link said. But it was to late. Mario bought his fingers to his mouth and let out a loud whistle, awakening all in the mobile. Each fighter awoke cursing the short plumber. Luigi mumbled things like 'If only I had a gun' and 'I hope you were adopted'.
"Sorry to wake you guys like that, but Link has agreed to the plan, and we're going now. We'll stay in radio contact," Mario said.
"'Bout bloody time" Dr Mario said as he buried his head under his pillow on his chair.
"Good luck you guys, take care," Peach said.
"Yeah come back safe bro, you to Link" Luigi commented. Mario and Link nodded before turning to leave but were cut off by a loud 'no!'
Zelda shot upright in her nightgown and strode over to Link.
"What plan is this? You just cant walk out the door and not tell me!" She said.
"You mean you haven't told her?" Link said as he rounded to Mario.
"Don't worry Zelda, we'll fill you in." Peach said.
"On what?" Zelda said as she whipped round to face the Princess.
"They're going to rescue the other fighters." Came Dr Mario's voice from under his pillow.
"What? No, you can't! It's to dangerous, I wont allow it Link" Zelda said as she raised her authority of the young Hylian. Link smiled and took a step closer, grabbing onto her shoulders.
"I've been in worse situations. Don't worry about it" was all he said before walking back to the door. Zelda let out a sniffle and tears began to pour down her cheeks.
"No! I wont let you Link! I am still your princess, so you must (she cried some more) listen to my wishes, and I don't wish for you to walk into a death trap!" She said in an exasperated voice. Link walked back and held her hands.
"Zelda, if I thought there was a chance this wouldn't work, I wouldn't do it," he said, trying to hide the lies beneath his words. Mario noticed this to and pulled his cap down further in frustration and guilt.
"But, what if, what if something happens. What am I going to do without you?" Zelda said as she collapsed onto her knees and began crying into her hands. Peach walked over and lifted her up and embraced her.
"Calm down honey. Believe me, I would not send out Mario if I though there were a good chance he wouldn't come back. Once you see the plan, you'll understand there is no way the guys will be an any immediate danger".
"You don't know Ganondorf! There is no plan on this world or any other that eludes him. Link and Mario are walking into the devils grasp!" Zelda said as she pulled herself away. Link sighed and went for her hands again.
"Zelly, Ganondorf isn't even in his body form! He is less of a risk than when I fought him last time, and this time I have Mario with me anyway. Don't worry, we'll be in there and out with no troubles. We'll rescue the fighters and they'll help us defeat both Kings. Simple."
"Simple? Link, when has anything been simple for you, for Ganondorf, for me. For us?" Zelda said in a quiet voice only Link could hear.
"Don't fret, I'll be back" he said as he let her hands go and went for the door, determined to actually stand outside this time.
"Promise me" Zelda said as Link got to the doorway. Upon hearing this, he forced a smile, knowing full well that he couldn't promise. He turned round and showed such a forced grin.
"I don't need to promise," he said, and he finally walked out, Mario behind him. He didn't want to hear a response from Zelda, it hurt too much. Everything she said was like a dagger to the heart, making this quest harder and harder.
"Link" her voice shot out. The Hylian cringed, knowing he would have to lie to her and pretend he was fully confident once again.
"Yeah?" he said with another fake smile, with the kind of voice that made it seem him and Mario were merely popping around the local shop. Zelda ran from the doorway, barefoot onto the grass towards him and Mario. Ignoring the fresh rainfall, she ran to Link and slipped falling into his arms. He grinned more so, but inside he knew the fact she was so close now would kill him a few seconds later when she would be so far away.
"Link wait. I want to give you this," said Zelda as she began shuffling around the top of her nightgown. Link turned around in respect and embarrassment and Mario walked away, giving the two some privacy.
"Here" she said. He turned around to see she was holding a small gold chain in her hand, with a Triforce symbol at the end.
"Take it," She said as she offered her hand out. Link took it, examining the gold and the weight
"What is it?"
"It's a necklace my mother left me. I've had it since I was a little girl. Even in my years as a Sheikah, I kept it on. Impa told me off for doing so, saying anyone could easily identify me as a Royal Family member if they saw it. But I wore it anyway. You see, my mother told me never to take it off, never to leave it out of my sight, never to be without it. It means a lot to me Link, and I want it back. You got it Link? Bring it back. I want to see that necklace again Link." She added. Link smiled, for real this time. She really was one hell of a character, making him promise to bring the necklace back. She seemed to want to convince both of them that Link had to make it back.
"You got it Zelda," he said as he pulled the necklace on. He liked this, this way Zelda would be with him no matter what. The smell of it reminded him of earlier on when he awoke with her next to him. One needed memories like that with upcoming troubles.
"Take care," he said as he turned around.
"You to Link" she said as him and Mario walked of into the mist of early morning.
Two hours later
Link and Mario had hiked their way through rain and over many rocks and boulders to finally reach the base of the mountain. Once there, Mario took lead and began to take odd turns, going directions opposite from the castle, sometimes heading straight for it. Sometimes he would say things to himself like 'but maybe it was over there' and 'yeah, I remember Luigi fell over here, it must be near'. While doing so he had his head in a map, only looking up occasionally. Link followed, not bothering to ask questions. He was at a point where he didn't care if they went on or went back.
The castle came into view when they got to the base. It cast an ominous shadow over the mountainside. Link could feel the evil dwelling inside. He could all most sense Ganondorf's presence (must be a Triforce thing he thought). Sometimes, Mario would yell 'duck' when a Para-Troopa came overhead. Twice they had nearly walked into the route of a marching group of Frames and Koopa-Troopas. This was Links first sight of a Koopa. They were like Mario said, small turtle like creatures with hardly terrifying faces. The Frames however seemed to be far more vibrant and (although Link couldn't tell) stronger.
"Are we there yet?" Link said hours later. They were in such a narrow area of rocks and steep slopes that they could only just fit in single file.
"Nearly." Mario answered.
"Are we there yet?" Link said again.
"Not funny" Mario answered.
"Why?"
"Why not?"
"Don't confuse me."
"Why?"
"Why not?"
"Because it's fun" Mario answered.
"You've lost me, and yourselves by the looks of things" Link said.
"Nope, look we're here now" Mario said as he gestured to a small pond in the path.
"That is not a cavern entrance, that is a pond Mario" Link stated as though he was talking to a 3 year old.
"I am aware of that Link. The cavern entrance is underwater. You go down, enter, and then resurface in a network of caves."
"So in order to get to the network of caverns and caves that leads to the water from the moat, we have to into a pond?"
"Yes"
"What is with you and water?" Link questioned.
"Very funny, now come, down we go." Mario said as he folded his map away.
"This is no way I am going to dive down into a murky pond looking for an opening, it would be suicide." Link exclaimed.
"Oh for the love of Toad, here give me your hookshot." Mario said as he hit his forehead in disbelief. Link shrugged and done so. Mario gripped the chain end of it and wrapped it around his arm.
"Okie-dokie, you hold the handle end tight. I am 'a diving down with the chain, and when I resurface I'll connect the hook to 'a rock or something, then give it 'a good tug. That will be your signal to reel yourself in, you wont have to do any work" he said before jumping into the pond.
"Mario wait!" Link said, but met a face full of water from Mario's splash. Link stood there soaking and fuming. After what seemed an eternity, he felt a good set of tugs down the chain.
"Here goes then" Link said as he clicked the button down. He was immediately pulled of his feet, face first into the water. He went so fast that the water went into this mouth and down his throat. As he chocked and tried to maintain grip, he was pulled further and further, the freezing cold water numbing his skin. Soon, he was being pulled in an another direction, and he just caught sight of a small underwater cave opening. As he entered, he was plunged into Darkness as more and more water stung his eyes. He was quickly pulled upwards again, the chain getting faster and faster, evidently meaning it was reaching its limits. Link saw soon a flash of light and he was pulled out of the water, landed flat on his back in a dark room with Mario standing over him, shinning a torch in his face. Link stood up and began chocking out the disgusting water.
"That was, the stupidest (cough) most ridiculous (cough some more) plan ever! I am freezing, my lungs are filled with (cough) water, and I am drenched and dirty." Said the Hylian. Mario put his finger to his lips indicating a whisper.
"Quite, there is 'a good chance Frames will be on patrol, your voice will be carried down though the echoes" he said.
"I couldn't give a flying fuck to be honest! (Link withdrew his sword) the way I'm feeling now I need something to fight." And at this he began laying into the wall, sparks flying from his sword as it hit. Mario shook his head and wandered of one way, with the torch, leaving Link in utter Darkness.
"Hey, wait up Mazza!' Link said as he went to catch up with the plumber.
Mario was right, there was a large selection of caverns and caves. One opening leading to another, short ones, large ones, sometimes they would only find a small crack they had to squeeze through, sometimes they would find a deep hole in the ground to jump under. Mario did have a way to find a route back however. He had with him many pieces of chalk, which he would use to draw a line onto the walls they passed. This way, in theory, they could return from the way they came.
More than once Link had stumbled into a puddle of water, and leapt up in happiness exclaiming they must be under the moat. It wasn't until Mario pointed out that there would be many underground streams and lakes that Link threw his hat down in frustration and asked the most obvious question.
"How are we going to know cave water from moat water?"
To which he received an even more obvious answer.
"We wont."
Upon hearing this for the third time, Link could no longer take it at and he asked the question he had been wanting to ask for a while, but had not done so out of fear that the answer would be so blatant.
"So how are we going to find the moat?"
"Okie-dokie, perhaps I didn't really explain the entire situation well. Basically, the soft rock under the moat gave way, and obviously, the Koopas noticed the sudden loss in water. Out of fear for their defences, they set about repairing the hole from underneath. So, what were looking for is 'a cavern with signs of recent Koopa activity, or perhaps a room completely flooded"
"Or perhaps a Koopa themselves" Link added.
"Yes, that too."
"Mario, if I had suspected this plan would be even more farfetched than before, my answer would have been a lot different. And I'm pretty sure Zelda wouldn't be braking he heart out if it had been so."
"Yes, she sure is something." Mario added as they took another turn.
"She was just worried about us." Link answered in a quiet voice.
"The worry seemed slightly different than the worry the others had."
"Excuse me?"
"Well, it seemed she was, how can I 'a say this? She was more worried, about you."
"Well, we've known each other for a while" Link began, but Mario cut him off.
"My own brother showed 'a less worry than she did to you. And I think it is pretty obvious why."
"What are you getting at Mazza?" Link said, as he crouched down on his level.
"It's, it's nothing. Not my place."
"No, tell me!" Link demanded.
"No Link."
"Mario!"
"Shh, what is that? An odd sound." He said as he stopped walking, and turned his torch off.
"Don't change the subject, I want to know what you meant!" Said Link.
"Link be quiet!" Mario ordered, pushing himself into the shadows.
"No! Tell me what you wanted to say" Link said, refusing to move.
"Link, get out of view, Koopas are 'a coming. I can hear them, and see 'a torch flashing!" Mario whispered.
"What?" Link said as he span around and saw the torch beam come into view. He ducked in time as it passed over him, and landed just above Mario's head. Link began to crawl across the floor, scraping his elbows in an attempt to get to Mario's side. Just as he done so, two Frames came marching around the corner lead by a Koopa-Troopa, who was holding a torch.
"Now listen, we have word that there are multiple entrances to this particular stretch of caves. Bowser and the King of Thieves have ordered you two to go and find any potential spots that are unguarded. If you find any, you must hoist some of these red flags up to alert the Para-Troopas above, so that they can guard it, you understand me?" The Koopa-Troopa said to the two Frames as he handed over the red flags.. They nodded in response before heading the way Mario and Link had come from previously. The Koopa watched them leave before proceeding back the way he had came. Mario turned to Link and they nodded together, before following the Koopa cautiously in the shadows.
Mario was still making marks on the wall with his chalk stick as they followed. Link held his breath so not to make any sound. It was true, if seen they could destroy the Koopa with ease, but if they followed him then maybe they could find something of relevance.
Suddenly, the Koopa sharply turned and stared at the area Mario and Link were. He narrowed this eyes as the fighters stopped in their tracks, getting as close to the wall as possible and kneeling down into the shadows. The Koopa stared more so, but then shrugged it off and walked on. Mario and Link let him get a bit further ahead before letting out a breath of relief.
"That was 'a close" Mario whispered.
"Too close" Link replied, before getting to his feet and following the sounds of the Koopa in front.
They continued walking for another 15 minutes or so. No other Koopa's or Frames were seen, much to the pleasure of Mario and Link. Eventually, the Koopa stopped at what seemingly appeared to be a dead end. It wasn't until the Koopa disappeared that Link and Mario investigated. Upon closer inspection, they found out that there was a small opening in the shadows of the wall. Big enough for Mario and a Koopa, too small for Link.
"I can here sounds, a lot of them" Link commented as he got on his knees to get a closer look. Mario too done the same, and the two soon found a position where they both could get at least one eye each through.
Through the hole they saw numerous Koopas and Frames working in a largely lit room. Numerous devices were in place, such as rope connected to levers with buckets on the end. Some Koopas were carrying and pushing things while others seemed to be simply guarding.
However, to the top right of the room lay what they had come for. Link could plainly see that Mario was right when he said there would be Koopa activity where the damage was, and how. Water was being poured downwards in rapid succession. Koopas were doing their best with a bucket on rope system, which collected the water as it fell and deposited it somewhere in the vicinity. However, large amounts of it was still making its way to the floor and the area around it was quite flooded. The water was reaching up to the Koopas knees in some cases. The hole itself was roughly the size of Links body. He wondered how much water must have flowed out of the moat due to the hole being there.
The Koopa they followed stood upright next to a large pile of rocks and stones. He was ordering some Frames to carry the stones up some poor scaffolding where more Koopas stood. This was obviously some sort of set up to fill in the place where water leaked.
"Sir!" The Koopa said suddenly, turning around and saluting a Para-Troopa who was walking towards him, holding a large rod of some sort, he was obviously in some state of authority.
"At ease. I am here for your report. I must say, after the number of weeks since we sent you down here, we above are very angry that this hole has not been filled in." He said.
"Captain, sir, we have had many set backs. At first, the hole was only a few centimetres in diameter; it is a miracle we found it in the first place. We tried to fill in from the surface by throwing in some larger rocks to fill it up. But the impact from it being dropped, the friction of water and the outbursts from the Frame-Copying process caused the rocks around the hole to slip and fall under pressure, making the problem bigger. We tried to patch it up with large planks of wood but they went soggy and fell." The Koopa replied. His Captain sneered.
"Of course it would you fool. The Kings are growing restless; they have much larger problems on their hands than a pesky hole in the ground, such as the location of the sacred triangle that will bring the King of Thieves back. Aside from that, that blasted boy with the sword has caused more problems than you can even begin to comprehend."
"Yes I see. Then there is Mario Sir."
"Don't speak that name out loud! You know Lord Bowser's rules; saying his name out loud is severely punishable."
"I beg your pardon sir, it will not happen again." The Koopa said tearfully, getting onto his knees.
"No it wont, and stand up your embarrassing yourself. Now, what I want to know is what are you doing about it now?"
"Well, as you can see, the Frames are stacking together large stones from the floor, which Koopa's are cementing together. This way, we are creating a pile of sort that should reach the top and block the hole from below." He replied, getting to his feet. The Para-Troopa leapt up and flew to inspect the hole, getting wet in the process. He flew back down and shook of the water.
"And when will this be done?" He asked.
"At current, I'd say by the end of the day. Frames are working fast, all we need are more suitable slabs of rock."
"Which you get from where?"
"Well, we have found the strongest rock and used explosives to blow it up, using the debris for construction. Good thing we're nearly done to, because we're on the last barrel of Gunpowder."
"Good. Well I shall be on my leave now. Get this finished ASAP; we're going to need everyone for the scout next week. The Kings have decided if we send out enough people at once, Frames and Koopa's alike, there is no way she will be safe." And with that the Para-Troopa went to leave.
"Sorry Sir, but may I have permission to speak upfront" The Koopa-Troopa asked. His Captain turned back and nodded.
"Granted, as long as it doesn't take too long."
"Yes. I was just wondering Sir why the King of Thieves and our Lord are so inclined to want a fully operational moat anyway. It is not like anyone could get up this mountain undetected anyway, and even then they would have to fight of thousands of Frames. Penetrating the Castle itself is a challenge, so why" but he was cut off here as the Para-Troopa rounded on him and pointed his rod at his face.
"The thinking of the King of Thieves is far to complex for a mere mortal like yourself to understand. Don't question your orders, do them!"
"Yes sir, I am sorry sir."
"Good day to you!" he said as he went back and finally left. The other Koopa saluted him as he walked on. Link and Mario leapt up quick as the Para-Troopa walked towards them, ready to duck under the opening and leave the area. The fighters hid back in the shadows as the Captain past by.
"Well, that was enlightening." Link said, Mario nodded. "But I still fail to see how being here will get us into the castle itself" Link added. Mario went to answer when a sound was heard and the familiar Koopa came back through again, followed by 3 Frames who struggled to get through.
"This way" he said to them and headed off again. Link and Mario decided to follow. From a distance they noticed they were going to a different direction. This one lead to a wooden door (this could be meaningful, Link thought) but it turned out to be a small storage facility. The Frames and the Koopa entered, with the fighters in pursuit.
The room was fairly small and was only lit by a small piece of splint that was help on the wall. The Koopa took it and began to walk around. There were stacks and stacks of supplies in bags, barrels, and boxes.
"One of these barrels is the last reminding one of gunpowder," The Koopa said. "Spread out and find it" he ordered. The Frames did so, but it was the Koopa who found it.
"Ah ha! I believe this is one here (he gave the splint to a nearby Frame) hold this, give me some light to inspect the contents." And he prod open the top of the barrel as the Frame stood over him with the lightened splint. Link and Mario watched from a gap in the doorway.
"Link" Mario whispered, as though a sudden revelation had appeared before him. The Hylian looked down to see Mario gesturing from the Frame, to the splint, to the gunpowder. Link smiled in understanding. He pulled out his fairy bow, took one aim, and fired at the Frames face.
The effect was imminent.
Mario and Link ran back as fast as possible as the arrow pierced the Frames wiring. Just like the ones before him, he vanished on the spot. The splint fell from his hand as the Koopa shouted in terror. It landed in the center of the gunpowder. The explosion fired the vicinity in a sudden jolt of power and aggression. Link and Mario were flung in a cloud of dirty and debris. It sounded like the planet itself had awoken. Fire leapt and ripped the storage apart, burning away at the wood and crushing the rocks that held the room together.
Link dived in front of Mario and held his shield up to protect themselves from falling rocks. Soon, the immediate effect was over. It was like a hurricane, where in the eye everything is calm but you know it is a mild quiet before havoc starts all over. However, during this time where the walls around shook, Mario noticed a small amount of rock had being blown away to the very side of the once-storage room. Through the crack they could see a corridor, a bolted door. It was a way in.
"Link" Mario said again, as the wonder before him unfolded.
"I know Mazza, lets go!" He yelled and the two leapt over fallen debris and dived under flaming assassins. They dived under the crack just in time as the shaking walls collapsed in on themselves, closing the gap from the caverns and the underground prison. Rocks fell and a dust cloud surrounded the fighters while they hid their faces on the floor. Minutes later, the sound stopped, the thunderous noise ceased. Mario and Link stood up and dusted themselves off. They looked around. Behind them lay a pile of boulders from the collapsed cavern area. They had taken the chance and had been rewarded. Before them stood a long corridor, smartly carved man-made (or Koopa-Made) brickwork, with several doors on each side, heavily bolted. More corridors linked to this one.
"We're in" Mario said.
I suppose for me that's quite a boring chapter, no fighting really. Took me a while to write. Why? Because I am a lazy ass, that's why!
Well, Mario and Link have got into the Castle. The impenetrable fortress has been, err, penetrated! Next chapter, rescuing starts. Will the fighters be saved, will the Kings get defeated? (When has anything ever been that simple?)
Things are going to get more serious, more dramatic, in the next few chapters. Any humour in this fanfic has basically been written in this chapter, so get ready for some solemn reading! (Which inevitably means I have to write something solemn.)
Yeah, I have nothing witty or humours left to say. It's 2am so I'm going to sleep, read my work and appreciate it! (More reviews would help!)