A/N: Disclaimer: I do not own the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

A Pair of Time

Chapter 18- The Belly of the God, Part 1

Zora's Domain; Day

"Look, we've been through this over and over, Link!" Malon tells him. "Just give the Letter to King Zora!"

After discovering a Letter inside of a Bottle found on the floor of Lake Hylia, our two heroes of Hyrule made their way back to Zora's Domain, where they spent the night on the shore. Surprisingly, since Zoras don't sleep, they have no inn or resting place. Throughout the night, Malon and Link had to endure the constant splashing of water and conversations between the Zoras. It wasn't too bad; the Zoras know that land animals need the ancient instinct of sleep, and so, they try to be as quiet as possible. But, still… they were noises, and the occasional splash on Malon and Link, waking them up slopping wet. Now that morning has arrived, they must decide what to do with Princess Ruto's Letter.

"But, Malon, Ruto wrote that we shouldn't tell her father."

"But, what if she's in trouble, fairy boy? She has the Zora's Sapphire!"

"I know, but…"

"It's not a promise! She didn't write that the person should promise!"

"Still, she doesn't want her father to be told."

"Okay… think this over, Link. The only way to Lord Jabu-Jabu is to have King Zora's permission. He won't accept any reasons to go there, except maybe this Letter. Now, what's better, telling her father and then finding her, or not telling her father and not finding her?"

"All right. You got a point there." Link then thinks. "Now, for the second part. How do we get inside Lord Jabu-Jabu?"

"Well, we know that the princess feeds him. So… maybe the deity swallowed her while she was feeding him?"

"Yeah, that seems the most likely way. So, we got to give him some food. What would be a diet of a deity?"

"From what we've heard, he's a giant fish. And the only thing I can think of that would be a giant fish's meal is… a smaller fish."

"Okay. We'll buy one, then."

"Hold on there, fairy boy! Fresh fishes are way too expensive! 200 Rupees!"

"200 RUPEES? Who in the world makes such small things that expensive?"

"Probably some jerk who thought up the prices for items." (A/N: That jerk at Nintendo who put up the item prices while creating this game)

"Well, then, we should just catch one. I saw some fishes over there. Here, hold the Letter while I get one."

This is easier said than done when Link tries to snatch one out of the water. Treading slowly doesn't help, because fishes can sense movement in water at a good distance. So, after 5 minutes or so, Link dives in, catching one and capping the Bottle before it escapes.

"Maybe paying 200 Rupees wouldn't be so bad…" Link said while panting.

The two make their way up to the main hall to King Zora. Malon walks up to the stage, and kneels in a ladylike manner.

"Yes?" King Zora sees her greeting. "What do you two need?"

"Your Majesty, we have found an evidence of to your daughter's whereabouts."

"What! Show me the evidence, then!"

Malon extends the Letter as far as she can over the stage without falling over. King Zora, with a mighty bit of effort, takes the Letter.

"Ho, this Letter!" King Zora exclaims as he unrolls the small Letter with his large hand. "It has Princess Ruto's handwriting on it!"

Link walks up next to Malon while King Zora reads the Letter.

"Hmmm… Let's see…" the King's expression changes from relief to horror. "She's inside Lord Jabu-Jabu? That's not possible!"

"But, Your Majesty, there could be the possibility that Lord Jabu-Jabu could have done it by accident," Link said.

"Hylian boy, our guardian god would never eat my dear Princess Ruto!"

King Zora then has an ominous expression on his face.

"But since that stranger, Ganondorf, came here, Lord Jabu-Jabu has been a little green around the gills…"

"I should have known," Link said quietly as he shakes his head.

"How did he come?" Malon asks.

"I have absolutely no idea. He past through the waterfall without the melody of the Royal Family. He specifically asked that I should give him the Spiritual Stone of Water, like you two. I refused. He then threatened that our guardian god would be ill unless I've changed my decision. I didn't think he would be strong enough to do that to our god, but then this happens…"

"Great…" Malon lowers her head, "more bad things that Ganondorf has already done…"

"The evidence seems clear. Ganondorf has managed to make Lord Jabu-Jabu ill, and somehow, our deity swallowed my Ruto."

"So, Your Majesty, may we go find her?" Link requests.

"Of course. Both of you can pass through here to the altar of Lord Jabu-Jabu. Please find my dear Princess Ruto immediately… Zora!"

King Zora starts to scoot himself to the left, very slowly. One can see in his face that it's very hard for the King to do this. In about a minute, he clears the way to Zora's Fountain.

"Okay, Malon, let's get going, then." Link runs around the main hall to reach the entrance of Zora's Fountain.

"I'm not too excited."

"Why?"

"Because we have to go inside a fish."

Zora's Fountain

The purest of water flows from the center of this large fountain. One could drink a handful, and be refreshed like never before. Many royalties and rich people around Hyrule demand this pure water for their meals everyday. A poor person would be unusually lucky if he could steal a drop of this water.

In the center of the fountain is what it is, a giant fish. However, this fish is adapted to breathing out of the water, and has many decorations on it. All the more to look like a god.

"That… is one… big…" Link starts.

"Fish…" Malon finishes.

"And he protects this nice water?"

"I don't get it." Malon shakes her head in confusion. "Then again, I don't get any of the species, even my own."

"Hey!" Navi flies out.

"Yeah, Navi?"

"I sense a presence of a Great Fairy nearby!"

"Really?"

"Yes! I think she's in the back of the fountain!"

"Well, let's go see her before going inside Lord Jabu-Jabu…" Link suggests.

A bit of land is found in the back of the fountain. A Gossip Stone, some shrubs, a tree, and two boulders live on this little area.

"Well, at least some land for once," Malon comments as she dries her red hair.

WHAM! Link hits his head into the tree and a Golden Skulltula falls out. A hit, then a token stash away.

"How do you know where these things are?" Malon asks.

"You just listen. Their scuttling is pretty audible."

"So, Navi, where would this Great Fairy be?"

"Um…" Navi flies around the area for a while, "I think here, behind this rock wall."

"Okay." Link pulls out a Bomb.

A large opening appears when the Bomb breaks the wall open.

Great Fairy's Fountain

"You know, I can't imagine anybody living near a fish…" Malon said.

"You think the world of Hyrule is too weird?"

"Yeah."

"I thought so, too."

Responding to Zelda's Lullaby, the Great Fairy emerges from her fountain.

"Welcome, young ones! I am the Great Fairy of Magic! I will give you a magic spell."

A green orb of light appears in front of her. A moment later, Link feels an object in his hands. It is the same orb, encased in a diamond.

"This is Farore's Wind, a warp magic by the great goddess herself," the Great Fairy explains. "You can create a Warp Point and then teleport to it if you desire. You can also dispel the Warp Point, if you desire to rid of it. Remember, this magic can only be used in dungeons."

"Thank you."

"When battle has made you weary, please come back to see me."

Zora's Fountain

"Make a Warp Point, warp to that Warp Point," Malon said. "Sounds easy enough."

"Yeah, but I wish it wasn't only limited to dungeons. I could save some time going from Hyrule Castle Town to Kakariko Village."

"Even I think that's a must."

They head back to the front of the altar of Lord Jabu-Jabu. The fish makes a soft moan, but still is loud enough to be heard from far away. Its solid-colored blue eyes blink. The two aren't sure if it's looking at them.

Malon walks up to it, and puts a hand on it. Like any fish, the feel is scaly and cold. But, Malon could feel that it's in pain.

"Oh… poor thing." Malon rubs the fish. "Ganondorf really must have did something bad to ya, didn't he?"

A sound like a weak acknowledge comes out of Lord Jabu-Jabu.

"We're going to feed you, okay, Mr. Jabu? And we'll try to make you feel better."

"You really have a way with animals…" Link said as he uncaps the Bottle.

"It's not that hard to talk to them. You just have to show your feelings like when you're talking to a person."

"So, does he open his mouth and I toss the fish in? Because we could go in like that…"

The fish, however, sees Lord Jabu-Jabu, and in its fear, jumps out of the Bottle onto the ground, trying to reach water. Lord Jabu-Jabu eyes the fish, then opens its mouth.

"I guess we just- Whoa!" Malon feels air pulling her toward Lord Jabu-Jabu.

Lord Jabu-Jabu starts to suck in the air, trying to get the fish. Seeing how the fish barely moves toward it, Lord Jabu-Jabu gives a full-on suction. Malon and Link's bodies leave the ground and gets pull into Lord Jabu-Jabu's mouth. Again, for no reason at all, they yell as they are about to be eaten alive…

Inside Jabu-Jabu's Belly

"Malon… Malon, wake up."

"Mmm… Huh?"

Malon's eyes flutter open, seeing a world of flesh-color. Link is bent over her, eyes full of confidence.

"We're inside." Link takes a look around. "Lord Jabu-Jabu sucked us up along with the fish."

"Oh, geez, it stinks in here!" Malon feels her skin wet. "And squishy and wet, too!"

"We're inside an animal, what did you expect?"

"Ugh… Let's try not to be digested…"

Triggering an organic switch, a slice of flesh is unblocked of a hard substance. They make their way into a room full of hovering jellyfishes.

"Guys, watch out for these Biris." Navi scans the room. "If you touch one, you will be electrocuted!"

"Electric, hovering jellyfishes. How nice." Malon shoots a Deku Seed at one, barely doing any damage. "I can't shoot them down."

"Stun them with the Deku Nut. That'll do the trick."

Malon and Link walk into the opening of these Biris. Some patches of the ground nearby seems like they're swallowing. A Zora is standing next to one. A substance nearby lets one get to the lower floor… What?

"A Zora?" Malon sees the young, female Zora nearby.

They make their way to this seemingly lost Zora.

"You!" the Zora points at them. "Who are you two!"

"I'm Link," Link responds calmly. "And this is Malon."

"I am Ruto, princess of the Zoras," the Zora spats back with the same calmness.

"Ruto?" Malon repeats. "Hey, you! Your father asked us to come here to save you!"

"What! He DID?"

"Yeah." Link simply nods.

"I'd NEVER ask anyone to do such a thing!"

"Really?" Malon crosses her arms. "We found that Letter in the Bottle that you wrote."

"I have NO IDEA what you two are talking about!"

"Look, Ruto, your father is really worried about you," Link reminds.

"Is he…?" her expression changes into worry for a second, then back into annoyance. "I don't CARE!"

"Your father wants you to come home right now!" Malon slams the point.

"I can't. I can't right now. And you two… GET OUT OF HERE! UNDERSTAND?"

Ruto turns and walks away, leaving the two in silence. However, she isn't looking correctly, especially the sucking meat right in front of her.

"Ruto, stop!" Link and Malon both shout at her.

Too late. She falls in, screaming as she disappears.

"Ooooh Noooooo!" she yells.

"Shoot! C'mon!" Link runs up to the swallowing area.

"Fairy boy! You don't know where that leads to!"

Link is sucked in, just realizing Malon's words. Now, he's either going to die, or face a horrible torture…

"AAAHHH! Uuuuuhhhhh!" Link groans through his teeth.

Link lands on his feet in the chamber below. But, he fell from a high height, so it hurts him. He shakes his head, Ruto's figure coming into his vision.

"Link!" Malon's voice is heard above. "Can you hear me! Say something!"

"I'm okay!" he answers back. "Just jump in!"

Which is another dumb move as Link forgot about how high the fall is for a split second. Malon lets her body through the sucking flesh, then feels air rushing up her dress. She then looks underneath herself, seeing the long drop.

"AAAHHH!"

"I've got ya!"

WHAM! Malon drops on Link, breaking her fall. But, poor, poor Link… All he sees is Cuccos running around his head…

"Ow…" Malon sits up, then rubs her rear. "My butt…"

"You realize that you are sitting on him?" Ruto points.

"Huh?" Malon sees Link underneath. "Oh, Link…"

She gets off of Link, but still Link has Cuccos mocking his face.

"I'm always on top of him for some reason whenever I fall." Malon looks down at Link. "You okay, fairy boy?"

"Take that, Ganondorf…" Link said aimlessly.

"Yep. He's okay." Malon turns to Ruto. "You're causing us some trouble just to not come back, Ruto. Very tomboyish of a princess, I say."

"Well, why are you two still hanging around here?" Ruto retorts. "I told you to go away!"

"We're not going to! Not unless you're coming back with us!"

"I told you, I'm NOT coming back!"

"Why? Why do you want to stay? Are you even okay, for one thing?"

"I'm OK. I've been going inside Lord Jabu-Jabu's belly since I was little, but…"

"But…?"

"Lord Jabu-Jabu is very strange today…" Ruto gazes around the room. "There are electrified jellyfish and strange holes around… On top of that, my precious stone was… but…"

"Precious stone?"

"That's none of your business! Anyway… You two! Go home now! Understand?"

"No, not without you!"

Link shakes his head for the second time, clearly deciding that his quest is going to be nothing but falls and catches. He might as well get used to it. In his daze, he hears the conversation between the two, mostly noting the 'precious stone' Ruto is talking about. Just as his vision clears, he sees four Biris hovering close to them. If he doesn't do something soon…

"Deku Nut!" he yells out to them.

Malon shields her eyes. Back then, Link came up with the warning before throwing Deku Nuts. Malon has been making it a reflex to cover her eyes every time she hears it. However, there's Ruto…

CRACK! The four Biris went down in paralysis. Link and Malon proceeds to whack the living out them. Ruto, on the other hand, is blinded and can't move. A moment later, she snaps out of paralysis.

"Are you okay?" Link said.

"What's with the big idea!" she yells. "You could have told me to shield my eyes, you inconsiderate Hylian…"

"He's a Kokiri, for your information, Your Majesty," Malon emphasizes.

"Ruto," Link said with a sigh. "Look, we're not going to go anywhere until you come with us."

"You two are that worried about me?" Ruto asks.

"Yes."

Again, Ruto's expression goes to worry, then back to her usual annoyed look.

"Then, I will give you two the honor of carrying me!" Ruto declares.

"WHAT!" Both Malon and Link couldn't believe their ears.

"That's right." Ruto crosses her arms. "If you want me to go with you two, then you will have to carry me. It's either that, or you two can deliver my father the bad news."

Crazy! Crazy world, I tell ya! Malon thought as Link sighs in horrible frustration.

"Oh, man…" Link puts his fingers on his forehead.

"Fairy boy… Your decision is the same as mine, right?"

"Yeah…"

"Well?" Ruto said.

"Fine. We'll carry you. If it means you're coming with us."

"I will. But, not yet. I won't leave until I find the thing I'm looking for. You'd better believe me!"

Ruto goes into a sitting position, small enough to carry. But, is she light enough?

"I'll carry her first." Link walks over to Ruto.

"Thanks, fairy boy," Malon said with a sigh.

Surprisingly, Link finds Ruto's weigh to be a lot lighter than he expected. She weighs as much as a small, empty, wooden box. He lifts her over his head.

Now, is that a weird sight or what? Malon thought as she looks at them, Link carrying Ruto.

"All right," Link declares. "Let's find what you're looking for, Ruto…"