Chapter 8 - Underwater

Link and Nabooru scurried through the sandy Haunted Wasteland heading toward Gerudo Fortress. It was different going back through the wasteland than it was in the past. Link didn't need some invisible Poe to lead the way for him anymore. This time it was more simple. Just run through! You'll never get lost or wind back up where you started!

"Hey, Nabooru..." said Link.

"Yeah, Link?"

"What happened to all that...sandstorm...?"

"Nothing. We're just lucky."

"Huh?"

"Sandstorms still happen here, just not quite as much as in the past."

"Did Ganondorf have anything to do with it?"

"Probably not. These sandstorms are natural."

"What happens if I walk really, really far that way?"

Link points in the western direction opposite Gerudo Fortress.

"You don't wanna know."

"Why not?"

"About 9 years ago a bored Gerudo ventured out there. We went searching for her in that direction, but we could go no further when we reached a certain point. The sandstorm got so bad it almost blinded us. We had to turn back."

"What about that Gerudo?"

"Never seen or heard from her since."

"Wow."

"Yeah, pretty extreme."

"So..."

"So...what?"

"So... are we almost at the fortress?"

"Yeah, it's right in front of us."

"Do we need to cross the quicksand river again?"

"No. We dammed it up."

"Where was it coming from?"

"You'll be surprised...Lake Hylia."

"How's that possible?"

"You remember that river that feeds into Lake Hylia in Gerudo Valley? Well before the huge waterfall, there is the Haunted Wasteland. Before the water falls into the valley, some of it goes off in another direction, and through a trench in the desert."

"I had no idea."

"It took us a while to locate the source, but we found it and dammed it. Now because of that, more water is fed into the lake, hence the larger amount of Zoras."

"How interesting."

"Well, we're here."

Link and Nabooru arrived at Gerudo Fortess and passed through the large arch.

Nabooru put two fingers in her mouth and made a loud whistling noise.

"Attention all Gerudo! I'm in a good mood today and someone is visiting so the training session will be cut short. You have the rest of the day free."

All of the Gerudo started cheering and within ten seconds they all had cleared the summit.

"They seem excited," said Link.

"They love breaks," replied Nabooru.

"So, do you think you could show me the dam?"

"It would take an eternity to make it up to the top of the waterfall."

"Then let's just go to the valley."

Link and Nabooru strolled along the road and outside of Gerudo Fortress. Upon entering the valley, Link saw that the water was a little bit higher than it used to be. The waterfall was abundant with fresh water plummeting down from the summit.

"Well, it looks like you and the Gerudo have plenty of water," said Link.

"More than enough."

The two approach the waterfall and gaze at it as they feel the refreshing mist on their faces.

"Hey, Link."

"Yeah?"

"I hear there's something' interesting down at the base of the waterfall... 300 rupees if you check it out."

"Oh, well you know I can't resist that."

"Go for it."

"What kind of thing?"

"Not too sure. How bout you find out for us?"

"Sure, I'll do it."

Link spread his arms like an eagle and gracefully dove down the deep valley. Before he knew it, the splashed into the water. The current was too strong for him to handle, Link swam with all of his might, but his strength just would not prevail. He even tried donning his Zora mask, but he STILL could not make it.

Link lost control and was swept away by the current into Lake Hylia. Link still was wearing the Zora mask, so he could swim faster through the lake. He used his fins for a boost off as he darted towards the central island. He then approached the Water Temple.

Was this temple off limits, too? The Royal Family could cut some slack at least once, for the Water Temple. Link thought it was pointless, but he was wrong. An underwater sign stood before the entrance to the temple, reading: WATER TEMPLE: Zoras Only!! No Exceptions.

Link couldn't resist. He swam in with ease wearing the mask. As he entered, it seemed like the entire temple had been completely renovated. It wasn't a confusing maze like it used to be. It was just an aquatic hangout, like Zora's Domain. Link simply swam in and then he heard a voice call him. It was Ruto.

"Mikau? Is that you?" said Ruto.

"Uh...yeah..." Link suspiciously responded.

"Wow...it's been so long..."

"Since what?"

"Since you left."

Link made a fake smile.

"What convinced you to come back?"

"Uh...just wanted to revisit my old home."

"Well when you were gone a whole lot happened."

"Yeah, I heard. Some guy stealing the Triforce and trying to take over Hyrule and all..."

"Yeah, but this young boy saved us."

"I know him. He came to Termina."

"He's my fiancee."

"Uh...a Kokiri boy is your fiancee? Since when could Zoras marry humans?"

"Since I gave him that Spiritual Stone."

"The Sapphire?"

"Yes."

An awkward silence fell.

"So...Mikau...what are you doing here...?"

"I don't know."

"Want me to show you around the Water Temple?"

"I know my way around the temple."

"How?"

"I've been here before."

"When did you come here? Before you left Hyrule, Zoras NEVER came in here! It was dangerous!"

"Uh..."

Link was out of ideas.

"Uh, Ruto, I gotta go...but nice talkin' to ya."

"Where are you going?"

"Um...home?"

"Zora Hall in Termina?"

"Yeah! Rehearsal is tonight so I gotta run!"

"Rehearsal for wha--"

Link swam off into the temple, NOT outside back into the lake.

"Mikau!! The exit's that way!"

Link continued to flee into the room which used to be Morpha's lair. When he got in, it seemed all the same, except REAL water filled the pool, and the spikes on the wall were gone. Four Zoras were in the room, sitting or swimming.

"Who's that?" a Zora said.

"Is that Mikau?"

"It can't be Mikau, my cousin lives in Termina and he told me that Mikau sadly passed away in Great Bay."

"Maybe he was kidding."

"Kidding? You don't kid about things that serious."

"But Mikau is right there, at the door."

"Guys, it's me," Link said, pretending to be Mikau.

"Mikau! Long time no see!"

"Tell that cousin o' yours to stop lying to everyone."

"Isn't this cool, Mikau? A few years ago, where we stand was the lair to the monster of the lake, Morpha."

"What happened to him?"

"The Hero of Time slain him."

"What's the easiest way out of the temple?"

"Uh...there's an exit in this room, but it doesn't lead straight out to the Lake."

"Well where does it lead?"

"To Zora's Fountain."

"That's fine. I'll go."

"The exit is underwater...there's a hole in the wall beneath us. When you enter, you'll end up underwater in Zora's Fountain, behind Lord Jabu Jabu."


Without even responding, Link dove into the water and darted through the hole in the

wall...BING! All of the sudden he was in the fountain. He swam to the surface and saw the

fountain: Lord Jabu Jabu, the Great Fairy's Fountain, the Ice Cavern, and the Zora's Domain

entrance. He got up and ran into Zora's Domain. The domain was flooded. Water filled almost

the entire place. What caused this?! Link as Mikau swam through the vast waters until he

reached the exit to the river. Torrents of water were pouring out of the waterfall. The river was

flooding too.

Link swam as fast as he could out into Hyrule Field. Looks like Zora's Domain is having some

plumbing problems. Link took off the mask and headed for Hyrule Castle.

END OF CHAPTER 8