To everyone out there, my web site is complete. I'll have this and some other stories there in their true form (italics and all). See my website: Now, back to your regularly scheduled program.

Rise of The Flame –Chapter 3: Panda's Find

tiki tiki tiki tiki tiki tiki tiki

"Phew...I'm finally out of there. This hammer is too heavy."

rumble rumble

"...Why is the ground shaking?"

Cracks begin to form under Panda's feet.

"Why does everything happen to us!?" Panda yelled as he ran for his life.

He turns around to see a giant mountain rise from the ground.

"SO YOU ARE THE ONES WHO HAVE ENTERED OUR FOREST AND ATTACKED MY CHILDREN!! WELL, WE'LL JUST HAVE TO CHANGE THAT, WON'T WE?"

"A TALKING MOUNTAIN!?"

"IF YOU WON'T JOIN US, THEN THE SKULLO KING SHALL DESTROY YOU!"

"That's even worse! I'd better find the others!" Panda began to dash away, as Skullos dashed out of the trees.

"This is getting ANNOYING! HA!

"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!" Boss and Link ran as fast as they could, the King stepping closer and closer.

"Well, Link!? An idea would REALLY help here!"

"I have one...but I need time!"

"A distraction...you mean me don't you?"

"Yep."

"Well, that's just great!"

Suddenly, Link quickly turned around and perfectly sniped the giant's left eye.

"AAAAHHH! MY...MY EYE! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!?"

"Quick! Find some rope or vine!"

"Alright!" –Now I get it...this is so clichéd...-

huff huff "They just...keep coming!"

"Grab the intruder!" "Grab him! Grab him!" the skullos chanted.

"Gotta know when to stop." Panda said to himself as he attempted an escape.

The Skullos chased, gaining on Panda every second.

"This is...hopeless!"

Just then, the skullos made a strange sound.

"What the..." Panda turned to see the skullos on the ground...Crying? They soon jumped into the thick of the woods.

"..." –No time to stand around!-

Panda began running again, but suddenly stopped.

"AH! My...my head!" Panda soon dropped to his knees, as he held his head.

"What's...happening...Ah!" the shouting stopped, as Panda slowly got up, and then walked into the brush in a daze. He walked towards a dim, green light that was constantly becoming greener.

-What's going on...why am I walking like this...it's like I can't stop...wait...I really CAN'T!-

"HEY MR. KING!"

"AH. THERE YOU ARE. I THOUGHT YOU WERE ALREADY DEAD. MORE FUN FOR ME!"

"YOU WANT FUN? HOW ABOUT A BIT OF HOPSCOTCH?" Boss shouted as he lit the King's foot ablaze.

"WHAT!? AH!" The King hopped up and soon lost his balance. "Now!"

Link and Boss ran under the King, tripping him with the vine. He was out cold.

"This'll buy us some time. Let's get out of here."

"Hey...it looks like a gem...Oh! I can talk again. I wonder what came over me...Maybe it has something to do with the gem."

-"There are 6 of these gems in Hyrule, one for each of the elements: The Light Heart, the Earth Stone, the Thunder Jewel, the Water Diamond, the Fire Soul, and the Wind Pendant."-

"That's right! The Elemental Gems. Then...this must be the Earth Stone.

Panda began to reach for it, but he felt something over it.

"Is this a shield? Maybe I can..."

He pushed harder and harder on it, as his hand started to fit through.

"It's working!" He continued to push until he could grab the gem. He the tried to pull it out.

"I can feel it letting go...just a bit more..."

Suddenly, the shield vanished, which sent Panda tumbling backwards.

"I...I got it. AH!" Panda looked at his hand as the gem melted into him.

"Wow...I feel...great!" –This must have happened to Hamtaro too.-

The Earth started to shake, as cracks formed around Panda.

"Whoa! What's happening!?"

Spikes rose out of the ground, surrounding Panda.

"It's me...I'm doing this." –I have to control it. Focus...-

The spikes went back into the ground, as Panda slightly glowed green.

To Be Continued...