RCM- Wow… Good thing I decided to do the source challenge, the first entry noticed things I hadn't even thought of! Well done, Anime-Master7!

Anri- So what are you going to do with them?

RCM- All concepts caught by readers that I had NOT observed beforehand will be rewarded with extra points. Because of that, he has already scored a total of 16, and he's not even past the Temple of Elders!

Sol- But some of the cards he named were inaccurate…

RCM- Solaris, he had the right game, it's valid. His score at the opening is 16. Adding in the Flare Blade he named from before… hmm, nice! 17, one of my favorite numbers!

Anri- heehee! Looks like your idea was a hit, Master.

RCM- Yes indeed. Though Aria isn't as familiar with the cards as the other two, she's still a treasured reviewer. Now, on with the show.

Sol- We don't own Zelda, Yu-Gi-Oh, or anything else readers recognize.

Anri- It's time to meet the final Chosen One.

RCM- Let the last of the party be established…

Chapter 23

Seven Completed

The tents were occupied by a group of dwarves. As one of them looked their way, both Lance and Link felt themselves tense up. Something about the camper's pitch black eyes was making them uneasy. "Ah, welcome weary travelers… won't you join us for supper?"

"I suppose…" A loud noise erupted from one of the tents nearby. "What was that?"

"That would be a prisoner of ours. A changling, in fact. Rare creatures that can mimic anything they come into contact with. Have a look-see if you're interested." Wearily eyeing the speaker, they stepped into the tent.

The caged occupant rushed to the bars as they entered. "You! You there! Help me!"

"Who are you?"

"I'm a dwarf, miner of the cliffs out yonder. I was cleaning some ore in the sea here, when this hoard of black lizards grabbed me."

Hugh looked outside to see the beings outside conversing quietly. "They don't look like lizards to me… they look almost exactly like you."

"I know they do, but I'm telling you I'm a real dwarf! If I have to take you to the Temple of Mines to prove it, I will!"

Needless to say, that caught the group's complete attention. "You can take us to the temple!?"

"If you let me out, absolutely."

"You swear?"

"Every goddamn day."

Tikal recoiled slightly at that. Elric responded "That's not what she meant!"

"I know what she meant, and yes, I promise to show you if you let me out."

A look of realization appeared on Shadow's face, and he began to chuckle softly. "Of course… those 'dwarves' outside were changlings!" Closely examining the lock, he cursed. "This lock is sealed with a magic my Berserker can't bypass. We need the key to break him out."

"Then let's get the key." Stepping back outside, Hugh walked up to the one who looked to be in charge. "Hey, what would it take to convince you to let us have that changling?"

The being looked past the boy to Lance, or more precisely… "I'll let him go for the blonde's pendant!"

The answer rang loud and clear from all six. "What?! No!"

"That's a shame…" The guise fell, revealing the jet-black humanoid reptile. "You might have been able to leave this place alive!" The other nineteen changlings showed their true forms as well, snarling wickedly.

Unnoticed by the leader, the cell key dropped to the sands at their feet, glistening in the sunlight. "Link! Get that key and free the dwarf!" As the boomerang picked up the item, Elric realized something crucial. "Oh my god… He's the final Chosen One! The dwarf is the seventh Protector!"

Tikal spun her staff, icy energies spiraling around its tip. "Yes, it makes sense! The prophecy King Toluin told us…" The Blizzard flew forward, but her dove beneath the sands. Moments later, it burst out in front of her and snatched the staff out of her hands. "Wah! No!"

Sword drawn, Lance cursed. "We never had the Blue Mage add his magic to the orb! We can't give him all three powers!"

As Link returned with their ally, Hugh glanced at the glowing sphere in his palm. Red, blue and aquamarine mist shimmered within it. "Looks like he had everything taken care of…" Tossing it to the dwarf, the three powers flashed. First, flame engulfed his axe, followed by spiraling winds, then lastly shimmering water.

"I, Rand of the Dwarves, hereby punish you fiends for your evil deeds on our mining world! Now feel the wrath of the Earth Clan!" Flames once again shifted onto the enraged dwarf's blade. "Heat Axe!" Hacking at the nearest demon, Rand released a small flurry of fireballs from the weapon's wide blade. The single swipe incinerated three changlings. "Shockwave!" Turning to another group, he slashed downward. The wind energy slammed into the sand, charging forward as Hugh's Aqua Sword wave did. The blast also kicked up plenty of debris with its force, ripping the cluster of lizards to shreds. Bringing the axe vertical over his head, the dwarf released his third attack. "Tidal Wave!" The weapon came down, crashing down at his feet. A ring of aquatic energy expanded from that spot, forming a powerful wave. Though it washed harmlessly over the six Protectors, it completely devastated the ranks of the evil creatures.

The party blinked in disbelief, absorbing the fact that, with only three attacks, Rand had single-handedly eliminated almost two dozen demonic reptiles. "Whoa… now that's power!" Having completed its task, the Mage's Orb shattered, the pieces melting into the sands. "So… what now?"

Lance turned to their new ally. "You said you would lead us to the temple? Well, we were told that a powerful evil force was headed there, so we have to get the Chaos Crystal Shard out of there first… Oh, and before I forget, my name is Lance."

"Call me Hugh," the other human said coolly.

"Elric and Tikal. At your service." The archer gave her a slightly amused look at her introduction.

The Darkman simply stated "Shadow."

"And I'm Link. Pleased to meet you."

"Rand. Likewise." The dwarf turned and pointed toward the cliffs behind him. "The entrance to the mines is over there. I think I remember seeing a number of holes among the rocks there, and with this Chaos business, I imagine that it may be infested with monsters too." He gave Shadow a curious look. "I've never seen a Darkman working together with Light folks… Once we get to the Station, care to share a pint and tell yer story?"

"'Station'?"

Rand chuckled slightly, realizing that they weren't familiar with the Gohdan Mining System. "Oh, my sincerest apologies, let me explain. The mines under the Quarry Range are divided into sections, each specializing in a specific type of material. The first is the mithril mine. We dig up the raw form of the durable mineral, clean it in the seas here, then take it back to the Station for processing."

"What exactly is the Station."

"There is a Station between each section of the mines. They serve primarily as a hub for miners when they gather their quarry and need a rest. Beyond the Mithril Station lies the crystal mine. It is there that we harvest the many different gems that you see adorning our work. Some even possess the power to amplify magic, like the emerald sphere in yer staff there." All eyes briefly shifted to Tikal's wand, then back to Rand. "But you want to go to the Temple of Mines… That is hidden deep in the Catacombs, beyond Crystal Station. Not too many are permitted access to those parts of the mines…"

Lance nodded, fingering the hilt of his mithril blade. "We don't have much choice… Permission or not, we need the Earth Shard." The others nodded in agreement."

Rand laughed heartily. "Sounds like it's decided then! Off to the mines we go, my friends! If access is what you need, I'm your man! It just so happens that there are some favors I can collect on that should grant us clear passage."

Hugh laughed too, excitement glowing in his eyes. "Well then, what are we waiting for?! Let's get this started!"

End Chapter 23

RCM- I can sense the three…

Sol- It's almost time, isn't it…?

RCM- Yes, their arrival should occur in approximately four or five chapters…

Anri- Really? That's all?

RCM- Yes…

Anri and Sol- Then…

RCM- Right… Speak no more of this, the readers will see in due time…

Anri and Sol- Yes sir.

RCM- The group of seven has been set, and their quest for the fourth shard has begun. The next chapter will take them into the dark realm of the mines, and they will each gain more power because of it.

Sol- We may not be able to post as soon as it's ready, but we'll get it to you as soon as we can.

Anri- The current score for the Source ID Challenge is Anime-Master7 with 17 points, and Harry Read with 2 points.

RCM- I'm not going to relay the score after every chapter, but I wanted to do so this time to congratulate the stellar opening move stated in the opening. If you elect not to participate in the game, that's perfectly fine also.

Sol- Yeah, if too many try, we're gonna get so confused…

Anri- But don't forget, since we started late, they put in older sources with newer ones. If they stick with the new, we shouldn't lose focus.

RCM- She's right. Starting next chapter, any source guesses must be pertaining to the chapter the review is for. I am not enforcing this new rule THIS chapter in order to give my other readers a chance to catch up to Anime-Master7.

Sol- Master, don't you still have work to do?

RCM- Damn, you're right… ok, I'll see all of you later. Farewell, my friends!

Anri and Sol- Until next time!