Chapter Thirty-Nine: Friends and Family, Old and New
"There it is you guys!" Matson called. Everyone dropped what they were doing and dashed over the windows in the upper bridge. The ground below the night sky was ablaze with lights as the Courage X passed over a large city several miles wide. Overshadowing the town on a high hill was a white three story castle. In the back of it was a large airport.
"That's Hyrule Castle Town, Hyrule's capital city and one of the richest towns in the world despite all the fighting and strife it has seen," Matson declared. They group hovered low and saw that cars were milling towards a large red and white circus tent.
"It looks like a circus is in town," Serenity noticed.
"Yeah, it looks like the Chieron Brothers Circus is back in town. We should go down and see a show," Saria replied.
"But what about your Dad?" Yugi asked.
"My dad loves the circus, especially the Chieron. He might be there," Saria informed.
"Well then Commander, find us a landing zone and lets go!" Joey ordered.
"Yes sir, Mr. Wheeler!" Matson replied and he ordered the crew to land near the tent. After receiving permission over the radio, the team landed on the outskirts of the city and close to the tent. The group got out and ran over and got in line. After paying for the entrance fee, they entered the first room of the tent which was a refreshments room. Milling about were excited people and crew from the circus. Even a few clowns were running about, amusing people waiting in line.
"This ought to be fun," Saria said as she picked up a popcorn she had purchased.
"It's my first time to a circus so I have to believe you're right," Ryan replied, popping a few peanuts into his mouth.
"Yeah, so lets hurry and find our seats," Yugi urged. The group entered the stands and found themselves sitting in a high up balcony section with several guards in silver armor, bearing the Triforce on the chest plate. Except for the guards and themselves, two seats remained in the heroes' section.
"Hey Commander Matson? Is this some kind of special booth?" Saria asked. He nodded.
"Yeah, I got us some seats with the royals," Matson replied. It was then two new people entered the section. One was a male and the other a woman. The man wore an elaborated gold crown set with rubies, emeralds and sapphires, a red shirt, long tan slacks and fine leather loafers. He had dark brown hair and blue eyes. The woman at his side wore a similar crown that also partially lay on her forehead. She had blond hair and azure eyes. Her long blond locks stretched midway down her back and her hair near her ears were crimped into lightning bolt shapes. She wore a simple purple dress and sandals. Commander Matson smiled as they sat behind them, four guards standing behind them. As the lights in the arena dimmed, Matson whispered to the teens.
"Remember to be respectful to the royals," He reminded them. He then sat down and the everyone watched as top hat and long coat wearing ringmasters walked into the center ring, one wearing red, the other wearing blue.
"Ladies and gentlemen! The Chieron Brothers Circus welcomes you to our big top! And now, let the show begin!" The red brother greeted. From there on out, it was nothing but fun for the group. They watched trapeze artists, a guy get shot out of a cannon, but when it came to the clown act, the crowds were roaring with laughter as the clowns shot water at the crowd. A few pies were thrown, including one that hit Joey dead in the face but only because Tristan dodged it. The clowns didn't stop there. One of the clowns had run out of control and was shooting water at everyone including the royalty and their caravans until the ringmaster called for him. Before the clown ran off, he tossed something at Saria who caught it easily. The item was a gold ball the size of a baseball. Just as Saria got a chance to show it to her friends, the ball exploded and sent whipped cream all over her and splattering Serenity and Ryan. The cream had totally covered Saria, getting in her hair, face, eyes and clothes.
"Ack!" She cried as tried to wipe the stuff off, "It got in my eyes! It hurts!"
"Oh dear, follow me into our back room and we'll clean you up," Came a kind voice. Saria turned to see the royal woman staring at her kindly. She had stood up and held out her hand.
"There's no way I..." Saria began.
"I insist. Come with me and we'll get you cleaned up," The woman offered. Saria grasped her gentle hand and let herself be led to a small room in the back of the booth. The new room was suspended on steel supports. The room had a couple of small suitcases and some bunk beds that were neatly made and covered with red blankets. Saria was led over to a chair where she sat down as the woman handed her a fluffy white towel.
"Here, use this to get that stuff off you and I'll see if I can find you some clean clothes," The woman offered. Saria gratefully took the towel and wiped her face free of the cream. The woman then turned to a dresser next to Saria and began to rummage through it.
"You're not the first one to get hit with one of those cream grenades. Seems like every show someone walks out cream covered. Why just yesterday when my husband came to help out some of the circus folk, he got hit with one of those grenades. Took several hours to clean him up," The woman pointed out. By this time, Saria's face and hair were wiped clean of excess cream and she proceeded to wipe her arms and upper legs. It was then the woman turned to Saria again and gasped.
"Is something wrong?" Saria asked, slightly concerned.
"No, tell me, do you have a mother named Rebecca?"
"Yes, and my father is Patrick."
"What's your name? Your full name?"
"Sariaisa Lynn Floyd, Saria for short."
"Nayru bless you! My granddaughter!" The woman then wrapped her arms lovingly around the teenager.
"Excuse me, but what is going on?"
"Don't you recognize me?" Saria racked her brain and studied the woman's face. If it wasn't for the hair graying at the woman's temples, Saria could've swore that this woman was her mother. It then hit her.
"Who are you?" Saria asked, "Do you know Mom?"
"Sweetheart, I'm your mom's mom and that makes me your grandmother. I'm Laura Hyrule."
"But my mom's maiden name was Grieder."
"Yes, when our family lived under an alias. But those days are over."
"I never knew that, but then again, Mom and Dad have kept a lot of things from me."
"Yes I know. It pained me to see my daughter go away with your father and you and your brother but I knew that was what she wanted. She left her family so she could start her own. But I was proud of her for being independent and not wanting to be dependent on others."
"Wow, and I thought my dad's mom was my only other family member, but after several days, I've gone from alone to having high-powered relatives and a brother who has the power to wipe out evil. It's unbelievable how my life has gone from seemingly happy to..." But it was then Saria felt tears come to her eyes. Laura quickly took the girl in a hug.
"Saria? What has happened to you? What's been going on to upset you?" Laura asked in a soothing tone.
"A ton of things," Saria replied.
"Lets get you changed and then we'll get your friends and your grandpa in here," Laura declared. After changing into some fresh clothes thanks to Laura's magic, the group gathered in the back room. Saria's grandfather, the man in royal clothes, Michael Hyrule, turned out to be a retired Sheikah ninja turned king. He was just as kind as the twins' mother but was as cunning too.
"It's so good to see you two again after all these years," Grandpa Mike greeted, hugging his two grandchildren, "I thought I'd never see you again with all the trouble you Floyds have been getting into."
"You know about that Grandpa?" Ryan asked, "You know of everything that's happened in the Great Sea?" Michael nodded.
"It's our duty to know. In fact, we sent rescue crews to Greatfish Island and also sent extra guards to protect Outset at your old man's request. And who do you think ordered him to retrieve the Goddess Pearls?" Michael smirked.
"That's our Mom and Dad. They'd do anything for anybody," Saria replied sadly.
"Don't worry. Commander Matson contacted me when your parents were kidnapped. Our satellite tracking system is actively searching the Great Sea for them. We'll find them eventually then rescue them," Laura informed the sad teenager.
"But we just rescued Dad to see him get taken with the Courage IX! He's dead as far as we know and all over some lousy Duel Monsters cards!" Ryan said, exasperated.
"Not so! I'm right here!" Came a familiar voice. Everyone turned to see Mr. Floyd wearing a red cape with white accenting, a blue T-shirt, Golden Gauntlets, jeans and black boots. Standing behind him were three more people, a man that stood as tall as Mr. Floyd, a woman that stood slightly shorter than him and a girl about Saria's size and age. Each of them had bright red hair, extremely tanned skin and crimson eyes. The man wore a black tank top, two scimitars at his back and wore dark jeans and boots. The older woman wore a purple top, desert style pants and boots. The younger girl was dressed in a white tank top, jean shorts and also had a scimitar at her back. All three were of the Gerudo tribe. Ryan and Saria grinned widely as they ran up to their father who was waiting with open arms.
"Easy you two! I've had quite a trip!" Mr. Floyd declared as the two hugged him tightly.
"We thought you were a goner!" Ryan admitted, staring at his father.
"Ha! Me? It takes more than a cowardly attack to bring me down," Mr. Floyd said, beating on his chest with one hand to emphasize his point.
"That's kind of funny, considering that a cowardly attack killed you before," The red headed man grinned. Mr. Floyd stared at him, smirking.
"Watch it Lance!" Mr. Floyd warned him. Lance laughed.
"Sorry, but these guys are starin' at us like total strangers!" Lance admitted, gesturing to the Domino teenagers.
"Everyone, this is Lance Dragmire, the King of the Gerudo tribes, his wife Sabrina and his princess, Ashley. I believe Saria that you know her?" Mr. Floyd introduced. Ashley and Saria approached one another and slapped each other fives.
"It seems like a year since we last saw each other at school," Saria greeted.
"Yeah, tell me about it, but I've had time to think about you and that rookie Teran. Speaking of which, why isn't he here? You two fight again?" Ashley replied. Saria tried her best, but ended up with tears in her eyes. Ashley hugged her best friend.
"I'm so sorry. What happened this time?"
"Teran got killed facing Kaiba in a duel," Saria cried as her tears came out unchecked.
"I thought something was up with that creep, but now that he's killed someone, there'll be swift justice I assure you. I'll send for my best Sheikah warriors. They'll bring him in," Michael assured his grandchild.
"Thank you," Saria replied, wiping away a tear.
"No problem. It's what families do: They stand together, and now, I'd like to sit down back in our booth and catch the rest of the show with you while you're still here," Michael stated. General consent followed and soon everyone was back in the seats chatting happily until halftime ended and the circus lights dimmed again.
"Hey Joey, you know what act is next?" Tristan asked, pointing at Joey's green program. Serenity looked over his shoulder and peered at the paper.
"Says here it's a horseback riding routine," Serenity replied.
"That ought to be fun," Ashley said.
"Sh! It's about to start," Mr. Floyd shushed them. Sure enough, the ringmasters announced the next act was indeed a show of horseback riding skills. Everyone watched as the rust colored mares and their riders began to ride around the center ring, everyone cheering at the top of their lungs. There were five male and female riders, riding in pairs. The group watched astounded as the riders did tricks ranging from leaping from horse to horse to tumbling off of them only to land on their feet unharmed. The ringmaster then stepped into the ring.
"Ladies and gentlemen, you have seen some of our finest riders and now, you get the honor and privilege of meeting our most talented rider! All the way from Domino City, Japan! Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for Lady Teá Gardner!" The ringmaster boasted.
"Teá! It can't be!" Yugi exclaimed, "She had the flu when we last saw her!" The woman that had come in had brown hair and green eyes that Yugi could see from Her Majesty's borrowed opera glasses.
"Yeah, but a couple of days ago, I got a call saying she was feeling better and was going to join the troupe as she promised," Serenity replied.
"Are you sure?" Yugi asked. Serenity nodded.
"What's going on Yugi? Are you saying this Teá is an impostor?" Ryan asked.
"If it's the same one I've known all my life, then no, but I'd say this one is indeed not the one I grew up with," Yugi replied in Yami's form having activated his Millennium Puzzle. Yugi then abruptly stood up.
"Where are the dressing rooms for the horseback riders?" Yami asked the king.
"Go back outside to the wagons in back, but you can't get back there without a guard!" Michael replied.
"Matson, go with Yugi now. Check the wagons!" Mr. Floyd commanded. Ryan stood up then.
"I'll go too!" Ryan declared.
"Then lets go!" The trio quickly exited the booth and stepped outside into the night air.
"Dad! Lets approach the ringmasters with our suspicions," Saria suggested. Mr. Floyd nodded. The king then stood up.
"I'll do it. You wait here," Michael ordered.
"OK, but be careful," Laura said. Michael nodded and he left too. Saria and the others watched apprehensively as 'Teá' rode around the arena, garnering the attention of all the spectators except those in the royal booth.
MEANWHILE, OUTSIDE THE TENT...
"This is Miss Gardner's wagon, but why do you want to go in there? She's performing right now," A caretaker asked, looking through a key ring for the right key.
"We suspect something is up with Miss Gardner. Now open the door," Matson replied. The man tried several keys until one slid into the lock.
"Viola, Miss Teá's room," The caretaker announced, opening the door. The room was small and neat with a fold up bed, dresser and closet. Coming from the closet was a furious knocking sound.
"What's that noise?" Ryan wondered as Yugi advanced on the closet. He yanked open the double doors and gasped. Sitting on the floor of the closet, tied, gagged and in her underwear was a girl. The girl's shoulder length brown hair was ruffled and her blue eyes were laced with fright.
"Teá! Hold on! We'll get you of there," Yugi said as he crouched down and with Commander Matson's help, they hauled Teá to the bed and untied her. Matson then handed her a pink T-shirt, riding shorts, socks and blue sandals which Teá quickly pulled on.
"Teá, what happened? How'd you get locked up in that closet?" Yugi asked, concerned.
"Is that my greeting after being gone for so long?" Teá replied, slightly out of breath.
"Sorry, I was just worried about you," Yugi said.
"I know. These two couriers visited me before show time, a guy and a girl. The guy knocked me unconscious and when I woke up, I was locked in the closet," Teá explained. She then gasped.
"Hey sir, was there a blue stone sitting on my dresser when you came in?" Teá asked Commander Matson. Matson glanced at the table and shook his head.
"No, there wasn't. Is something wrong?"
"Yeah, the Chieron Brothers trusted me with this strange stone. They said it was important to the people of Hyrule and they entrusted me with it," Teá replied.
"That stone wouldn't be the Spiritual Stone of Water now would it?"
"Yeah, that's what it was called."
"Don't you worry," Matson said, turning to the boys, "We've got to stop the show before that impostor gets away." Ryan and Yugi nodded. It was then the caretaker smiled.
"Sorry, I can't let you do that," the caretaker said as he pulled out a silver pistol. The caretaker then pulled off a wig. Yugi gasped.
MEANWHILE, AT THE BIG TOP...
"They've been gone too long," Laura declared. Ryan, Yugi and Commander Matson had been gone for almost fifteen minutes. The horseback riding routine had ended and a knife thrower was in the center ring, tossing deadly throwing knives around an assistant.
"Lets give them a few more..." Mr. Floyd began when a large mammoth-like monster charged towards the center ring. The monster was at least ten feet tall, had long curved tusks and it wore a fancy saddle of multi-colored leather. Tied to each of its sides were two familiar unconscious figures.
"Yugi!" Joey cried.
"Teá!" Serenity added.
"Watch out!" Mr. Floyd shouted. The mammoth charged towards the royals booth and the group was forced to jump off as the monster tore through the steel frame with the force of a giant. Mr. Floyd hit the floor in a tuck and roll and saw that the mammoth had a familiar pair of riders.
"Butch! Cassidy!" Mr. Floyd shouted. The monster and its two riders, Butch wearing a caretaker's outfit and Cassidy wearing a pink spandex body suit that showed off her slim arms and legs, faced the hero.
"Well! So you survived the attack on Windfall? Well, Mr. Hero, lets see if you can survive a Mammite tusk attack to your heart!" Butch called down.
"Yeah, but you better be careful or you may find your friends to be flattened like gum at the bottom of a person's shoe!" Cassidy taunted. Mr. Floyd saw that the two teenagers were tied loosely to the saddle and could easily slip off if the animal performed a tight turn. But before he could access the situation further, the monster let out a large bellow and charged the hero.