Chapter Forty-Three: Gathering of the Sages

"Let me ask again: Whose crazy idea was it to split up so we could search for the Sages who can save the world?" Teá complained. The group had spent the night in the Courage X and then left at the crack of dawn to get an early start on their search. Since there were so many Sages, Yugi and the others had thought splitting up would be a good idea but now Teá was unsure. Right now, she, Serenity and Mrs. Dragmire were hiking through the mountains towards a small village where they were due to find the Sage of Spirit.

"It was you who offered to climb the mountains instead of taking a jeep," Serenity grunted as she shifted her pack to her other shoulder.

"Well, now I wish we had taken a jeep."

"And lengthen our trip by a day and a half? Mr. Floyd said to take the fastest way possible and that's what we're doing," Sabrina replied, staring down at the girls.

"And climbing up the mountainside is supposed to be the fastest way?" Teá asked skeptically.

"Actually yes. Boulders constantly block the main road and even if the road isn't blocked, it's very dangerous to try driving. The motor noise could start an avalanche," Ashley replied, "So would you want to work hard and avoid dying from a rock slide, or take the seemingly easy way and risk trapping us up here?" Teá didn't have to think for long.

"Serenity be nice," Mrs. Dragmire reprimanded.

"Sorry."

MEANWHILE, SOMEWHERE ALONG THE EDGES OF THE SOUTHERN FORESTS...

"There it is Ryan. This is the Lost Woods," Mr. Floyd announced, pulling off his motorcycle helmet and resting it on the handlebars. Ryan could only stare at the high cobblestone walls that separated the trees from the field.

"OK, but how do we get in? It's not like we can just scale the wall," Ryan said, gesturing to the ancient stone.

"Don't worry. We've got that covered. Come here." Ryan stood next to his dad as he pulled out the Ocarina of Time.

"Hold on to me now," Mr. Floyd said, putting Ryan's hands around his waist. Mr. Floyd then put the Ocarina's mouthpiece to his lips and played a mysterious forest tune. Ryan watched as he and his father became surrounded in green sparks of light.

"Uh Dad? What's going on?" Ryan asked as he was lifted off of the ground.

"Don't worry. We're going to meet Saria at a special place." It was then the two Floyds vanished, drawn into the forest.

SOMEWHERE ALONG THE NORTHERN RIVER KNOWN AS ZORA'S RIVER...

"Hey slow down there boy!" Joey called to his horse. Yugi, Joey and Ashley were riding horses upriver towards River Village where the first Sage awaited them.

"Easy Joey! You need to relax!" Ashley called back.

"Tell my horse that!"

"Come on Joey, be easy!" Yugi shouted. Yugi hadn't ridden a horse before but surprisingly found it to not be very hard. Of course, he was riding with Ashley, who was an expert Gerudo rider.

"Oh yeah! How do I do that?" Joey cried, his horse bucking furiously.

"Don't squeeze your legs together! Gerudo mares are extremely sensitive there!" Ashley called. It was then the horse bucked and Joey cried out as he landed up in the river. Yugi dismounted and ran to the bank to see Joey climb onto dry land.

"Joey? Are you OK?" Yugi asked, crouching near his friend.

"Yeah, I'm OK," Joey replied, wearily standing up.

"You're lucky you idiot! If that water had been shallow, who knows what might have happened?" Ashley reprimanded. Joey shot her a glare as he looked to mount his ride.

"Hold on Wheeler! Let Yugi ride your horse. You're going to ride with me until you get the hang of it," Ashley declared, pointing towards her own horse.

"What about Yugi? He's not skilled enough to ride a horse alone."

"I'll tie the reins to my ride. That way, I can lead him and you both won't have to do anything too strenuous."

"Looks like we don't got much choice," Joey said, slightly annoyed as he hopped on to Ashley's mount. As she tied the reins to her horse, she told Yugi.

"Now, just don't do anything to make the horse nervous and you'll be fine."

AND SOMEWHERE NEAR THE NORTHERN VOLCANO KNOWN AS DEATH MOUNTAIN...

"Dear Din, how'd I end up with the hard job?" Lance told himself as he steered his ATV up the rough trail, "Oh yeah, that's right, because I'm the only one who can stand the searing heat that's why!" Lance had ended up with the task of going up Death Mountain, a volcano that now lay dormant in Hyrule's north border. During the summertime, the trail was unbearable with no shade and no water to cool travelers off with. Lance had spent the last hour looking for someone to rent an ATV from and even longer to get permission to go up the blazing trail. But eventually everything went all right. Lance found an ATV and with two canteens of water at his belt, started up the winding trail.

I just hope for your sake Darunia that Soukan is up there with you. It would save me a trip and dying from thirst. Lance thought as he made a tight turn to a trail that led up. As he rounded a bound, he couldn't help noticing that things were turning even hotter than what was normal. Lance then suddenly stopped in time to see a large wall of red lava gushing towards him.

BACK IN THE GERUDO MOUNTAINS...

"Can we please take a break?" Teá gasped. Two hours of excruciating climbing hadn't helped her thirst. Serenity glanced at her watch, which had gotten dusty from the climb.

"Yeah, I'm ready for a break. How about you Mrs. Dragmire?" Serenity asked.

"I'm game." Mrs. Dragmire wouldn't admit weakness because of her Gerudo heritage but would admit it to two girls who were not. The girls took a seat near a small pond with water flowing in from a waterfall above. There, Mrs. Dragmire handed the girls each a bottle of water. Teá quickly gulped hers down and Serenity was just as quick.

"Boy you two must have been thirsty! I hope we have enough for the way back," Mrs. Dragmire said as she put away the empty bottles, "Well, should we get going?" The girls nodded wearily as they picked up the bags they dropped and prepared to get even dirtier.

"How much farther do you think we have to go?" Serenity asked.

"It's not much farther now. Another hour of climbing I'd say if we stick to the stream and we'll be close."

"That's a relief," Teá admitted as she dusted off her pink tank top, "I wonder how everyone else is doing?"

IN THE LOST WOODS...

"Watch out!" Mr. Floyd called out. Upon arriving at a hidden temple deep in the Lost Woods, the Floyds had been attacked by a small force of Moblins. Right now, they were brawling in the newly decorated temple square, attempting to protect what was left of the Kokiri children who had been worshiping at the temple.

"Dad? How do you deal with killing these things? I never understood how you can kill so emotionlessly," Ryan grunted, as he stabbed a Moblin who tried to attack a blond Kokiri girl.

"Lets just say I don't fight unless I have to and that I only attack enemies if they work for evil forces," Mr. Floyd grunted as he jumped over a rapier slash and then cleaved the Moblin's head in two which caused it to vanish in dark flames. It was then three Moblins carrying torches as well as their long rapiers surrounded Ryan. Busting out a new blue Hylian Shield, Ryan defended as the torches were thrown at him. The glass and fire spread everywhere as the lanterns shattered. Ryan then jumped out of the way in time to avoid being impaled by the Moblins' rapiers.

"Is there anything else I should know?" Ryan asked as he sprung off a Moblin's shoulder for a lunging strike.

"Yeah, it's never worth it to spill innocent blood," Mr. Floyd replied as he defeated the last Moblin. The two stood there for a moment and caught their breaths. Ryan couldn't help noticing the beauty of the temple. The grounds around the square were simple grass and various flowers in clay pots. The temple itself was covered in ivy and the actually doorway leading inside was at least two stories off the ground, which can only be reached by ancient stone stairs. The Kokiri children nervously approached the two swordsmen.

"Thanks for helping us out," A Kokiri boy said.

"It's no big deal," Mr. Floyd sighed.

"Yeah, don't think anything of it," Ryan put in.

"Well, I can do that, but I have a question. How'd you get in here? This is a Kokiri religious site and this place is highly toxic to most people."

"My son and I are friends of the Sage of Forest."

"Sir Floyd? It can't be you can it?" Mr. Floyd laughed.

"You bet! It's been far too long my friends." All of the nervous Kokiri then dropped their fears and gathered around the hero and his son. The two Floyds were quickly bombarded with questions.

"Where have you been all of these years?"

"Why don't you come to visit more often?"

"What have you been doing all of these years?"

"Whoa! Slow down! I would love to stay and chat with you all believe me, but right now, we have a crisis on our hands," Mr. Floyd said, trying to shush everyone, "Where is Saria at? I must speak with her." Again, he was bombarded with questions.

"What has been going on?"

"Why do you need to speak with Saria?"

"Hey! Calm down everyone!" Saria's elderly voice boomed over the crowd. She approached the two heroes.

"Saria, how have you been?" Mr. Floyd greeted.

"I've been well. What brings you to my corner of the world?"

"Trouble. We need your help," Mr. Floyd began.

MEANWHILE AT ZORA'S RIVER...

"Now don't tell me that letting you ride with me was such a bad idea?" Ashley teased.

"Yeah yeah, don't rub it in," Joey mumbled grabbing his sore butt, "I think I'm getting saddle sore." He turned back to Yugi.

"How are you doing back there Yug?" Joey called back.

"Fine thanks but..."

"Yeah what is it? You sore too?"

"I'm getting a bad feeling." Yami then appeared behind Yugi in his semi-transparent form.

"Really? What do you think it is?" Ashley called. It was then a loud explosion ahead of them drew their attention.

"I'll put my money on that," Joey said. The trio jumped off their mounts and rushed ahead and gasped at the sight. Up ahead was a clearing where the river panned out into a pond with several platforms. In the clearing was a large six-headed dragon monster and it was battling a young blond couple. The girl wore a simple green robe and slippers and wore her hair in a ponytail that went clear down to her waist. The man wore silver knight's armor and had a rainbow-colored sword. They watched for a moment as the woman jumped away from the dragon and floated in the air, green particles gathering around her. She then spread her arms out wide and sent the particles flying at the dragon. The particles connected and caused many explosions to erupt through the area. The dragon emerged however unharmed and knocked the girl to the ground. The knight charged only to be knocked back.

"That's the Sage of Wind! We have to help!" Ashley declared, dismounting. Yugi and Yami merged spirits.

"Lets go!" Yami declared as he activated his duel disk. Ashley drew her twin scimitars and rushed forward swinging at one of the snake-like heads. Yugi climbed atop a small cliff and searched his deck for a powerful monster.

"Come forth Dark Magician! Attack this monster with your dark magic attack!" Yami commanded, energizing the card with magic. The magician appeared and fired a bolt of magic only to find it bounced right off the dragon.

Oh man! I don't have skills like they do. I can't swing a sword like Ashley or summon monsters like Yugi. So what can I do to help? Joey wondered as he watched his two friends try to fight back in vain. He then knew what he could do. He glanced around and saw a small passage where water came out. He squeezed on inside and disappeared from view.

MEANWHILE, BACK AT DEATH MOUNTAIN...

"Just my luck!" Lance gasped as he steered his ATV away from the oncoming lava. He made a wide turn onto a high outcropping in time to avoid the river of lava that now streamed forth from the top of Death Mountain.

"What am I going to do now?" Lance thought as he studied the lava-ridden ridge. It was then a dull roar could be heard all around him and it was very familiar to Lance. Lance looked ahead and saw a brown ball rolling towards him through the lava. It then crashed into the side of Lance's hiding place and stood up. The boulder creature walked naked and stood at least seven feet tall. His entire body looked built for physical warfare and he carried a mighty war hammer on his back. His black beady eyes stared back at Lance.

"Darunia. It's good to see you once more on the field of battle..."

AND AT THE GERUDO MOUNTAIN RANGE...

"We're almost there!" Mrs. Dragmire announced. The girls had finally reached the top of the cliff and were glad to see an old western style town sitting amidst a lovely garden. But the shocking thing about the town was that everyone was running to the east, screaming in fear.

"Run away! The King Dodongo is coming!" A female shouted.

"King Dodongo?" Teá wondered when a jet of flame rushed past her face, almost singeing her skin. The three women turned to see a lone, shirtless male with a spear trying to fend off a large silver four-legged monster with ash-colored scales.

"Oh dear! It is a King Dodongo!" Mrs. Dragmire realized, "But their home lies deep in the Inferno Mountains of Calatia. What are they doing here?"

"I don't know but I don't think we should be standing here," Serenity replied.

"Serenity's right. We should take cover," Teá agreed. Mrs. Dragmire merely drew a lone scimitar and charged with a battle cry. The Dodongo turned and let out a loud roar before sucking in air. It was then it fired a jet of flame the size of a jet liner at Mrs. Dragmire.

"Mrs. Dragmire! Get out of the way!" the two girls cried when the woman vanished in a streak of orange light. The girls watched speechless as the streak of light neared them and dropped a shocked Mrs. Dragmire off in front of them. The streak then took on the form of the shirtless male. He had blond hair and pale blue eyes and his body was built for heavy physical warfare.

"Thanks for saving me Sage of Spirit," Sabrina gasped.

"No problem, now go take cover while I finish this."

"Wait! We need your help!" Teá said.

"Can it wait?"

"No! The fate of your cousin's daughter could be on the line!" Serenity replied. The boy stood there in shock then shook his head as the Dodongo set a building on fire.

"Give me the details after I finish this!" The boy said hastily, rushing back into battle.

BACK AT ZORA'S RIVER...

"This isn't working Yugi! We need backup!" Ashley called. She had dropped her scimitars and activated her own duel disk watch. She had summoned a few warriors but they were nowhere near strong enough to beat the six-headed beast.

"I know and I haven't seen Joey since we joined this fight!" Yugi replied trying to repel a head of the dragon with his Buster Blader only to find it unable to hold up against the force of its foe.

"Then worry no longer!" Came Joey's voice. The combatants turned and saw Joey's figure outlined in the sunlight. Standing at his side was a sleek blue humanoid creature with black eyes and a pointed head. On his forearms were razor sharp fins. On Joey's other side was Aeris from the Iceberg Canal dressed in a blue peasant's dress and slippers, her brown hair tied back in a bun.

"It's Joey and he brought the Zora Sage and the Sage of Ice!" Ashley realized, relief in her voice.

"Lets go!" Aeris shouted and the two new figures dove off the edge of the cliff and into the raging river. The dragon lunged for them only to be hit by a tsunami-sized wave summoned by the Zoran warrior. The dragon roared as a freezing wind chilled it, causing the water covering its body to freeze. Aeris surfaced and looked upward to the girl in green.

"Jennifer! Now!" She cried. The girl Jennifer again summoned green energy particle beams that pierced the ice and shattered the dragon into nothing but floating chunks of ice. Everyone watched as the chunks of the dragon vanished in dark crimson flames.

"Well I guess we put that dragon on ice. Now lets give the Sages the lowdown on what's happenin'," Ashley declared as she and Yugi climbed down to meet the others.

LATER THAT DAY...

"So, this Kaiba guy is causing all these problems eh? Well, he'll regret the day he attempted to destroy my mountain home!" Darunia boomed. Everyone, including the Sages, had gathered at Hyrule Castle to discuss the problem at hand. All of them were eager to help.

"Yeah! That King Dodongo would've burned my home to ashes if I hadn't stopped it!" Came the Sage of Spirit's voice. The Spirit Sage Nate already began to show how he was related to his cousin: Both had a fiery temper when it came to their enemies.

"So we're all in agreement. We'll gather our finest troops and wage war with Kaiba. We'll save Becky and Saria and end this before any more innocents get hurt," King Michael said. The Sages nodded.

"Hold on! Wasn't there a Sheikah Sage too?" Joey wondered.

"You're right and I know why he isn't here. But believe me, he's giving us all the help he can," Mr. Floyd replied, standing up, "Everyone prepare yourselves, we have to stop Damon and his demon army from enslaving everything we hold dear. We're going to war."