CHAPTER 9

Burnscar and Link pace around the inside of the ring of fire,

"Ready yourself." Burnscar says.

Burnscar throws a fireball, which Link deflects. Then he throws a slash at Burnscar, which he deflects. Next Burnscar throws a cluster of fireballs, but they're deflected by Link's shield which he pulled from his swim trunks.

"I knew ye be using padding!" Yells Burnscar as he swings at Link again.

This time Link dodges the attack with ease, then he thrusts his sword forward and slices Burnscar's chest open.

"Noooooooooo!" screams Burnscar as blood pours from his wound. "I refuse to lose to a landlubber like yourself!"

Burnscar screams in anger, burning and cauterizing his chest wound. His cutlass is then set alight with fire magic. "It'll take a lot more than that to finish me off! To the afterlife with you, landlubber!"

Link ducks Burnscar's next attack, the heat from the blade causing him to sweat. He swings his Master Sword at Burnscar's head. But he manages to dodge just in time.

"You can't beat me!" declares Burnscar. "Not without killing me first!"

Burnscar then sends a barrage of fireballs at Link. He deflects all of them and sends one into Burnscar's face.

"Aye! Not again!" Screams Burnscar as his eyes go black. "I can't be risking another one! I be finished!"

Then suddenly a large portal opens in front of Burnscar! "Flee while you can, crew!" Commands Burnscar. "We'll be back for ye all next time!" Burnscar ducks into the portal as the Fire Bros flee from the party.

"I'm glad that's over" states Yashil. "Now you are free, my Queen." He hugs Birdo.

"Thank you for saving me, Yashil," Birdo says. "I am grateful beyond words to you for freeing me from my captivity. You truly saved me."

"Of course, my Queen." Yashil says. He turns to Peach "In exchange for returning my Queen to me, and discovering these lost Green Toads, you have earned my trust and faith. The Green Toads will join you in this alliance."

"I accept your offer" Peach answers. "I am eternally grateful. I promise you that I will uphold my end of the bargain."

"Then it is settled" Yashil says happily. He turns to Birdo "My Queen, I am to go on a journey. I will require you to lead the Islands while I am gone. Promise me that everything will run smoothly."

"Yes Yashil, I shall keep things running well" Birdo responds. "You have my word as a loyal soldier."

"Thank you, Birdo," Yashil replies. Turning to Peach one more time, "I believe Peace is possible among these Toads, and I believe that we can create it as we rid the lands of Bowser and Ganon."

"We shall make it happen," Peach says, smiling at Yashil. She then bows. "Thank you again for your help. I look forward to working with you."

"We're moving on!" Zelda yells to her friends. "We don't have all day! Let's get out of this volcano already!"

"Right!" Peach says.

The Rainbow Alliance have returned to the beach and are examining their map to find the location of the Blue Toads.

"So where are the Blue Toads?" Asks Naranjo.

"Oddly enough they seem to have vanished" explains Yashil.

"Gone where?" asks Peach.

"I do not know, that is why we believed them to be with the pirates that attacked us." Yashil responds.

"Entire tribes don't just vanish for no reason!" declares Zelda.

"I agree," Peach adds.

"Maybe they also fled to Hyrule" informs Naranjo. "I remember the Red Toads had a particularly gruesome beef with the Blue Toads."

"How are we supposed to find them if we don't even know where they are?" Asks Zelda. "There are hundreds of domains in my Kingdom. How are we supposed to locate them?"

"Hold on" interrupts Yashil. "You're the Princess of this Kingdom, and you cannot keep track of your own citizens?"

Zelda sighs. "We're trying our best."

"Perhaps it's better to search for the Purple Toads instead," says Naranjo. "According to this map they're located in the Sea of Trees. We should try there before searching every single domain in the kingdom."

"I know that land" says Yashil. "It is a land dedicated to the preservation of all trees. It is a land where civilization and nature are at peace with one another".

"Sounds like a lovely place" says Peach. "I would like to visit someday."

"I'm sure you will soon," replies Naranjo, "Since we are going there now!"

"I can have my Toads and fellow Yoshis prepare you a boat" proclaims Yashil.

"That sounds great" states Peach.

"Very well" says Yashil.

The next day, The Rainbow Alliance boarded onto the boat. Yashil has taken control of the helm, driving out into the sea.

"This is a long trip" Peach eventually comments after a few hours. "How far do we have to travel?"

"At least three days," explains Yashil.

Peach groans. "Three days?"

Zelda looks up "Peach. You told me you battled a three headed snake head on, you went into an active volcano, and you're on a journey to save your boyfriend from two of our kingdoms most terrifying threats and you're complaining about the amount of time it'll take for us to reach the next part of our journey?!"

"Yes," Peach says defensively. "I know. I was just commenting on how long this is taking."

"Well, I guess you're not much of a sailor then. Are you?" Yashil states. "I once had to sail for several months in stormy weather just to meet the Queen of my Dreams.". He pauses and smiles at Peach, who looks away uncomfortably. "Besides, this is nothing compared to some of the things I've done in my life. We'll be fine. Now hold on to something so you don't fall over"

Yashil returns the wheel and steers, after a while. Peach sits next to him. "How do you handle it? How do you handle such monotonous tasks?" she asks him.

"Patience, that is the key" Yashil answers. "Patience brings peace".

"How does that work exactly?" asks Peach.

"Simply put, you must develop a sense of calmness and serenity." Yashil answers again. "When you have achieved this state, you can perform any task or activity with complete focus and concentration. Including finding peace with your enemies."

"Yeah?" General Naranjo starts. "Well how does calmness and serenity help us with that?!" He yells pointing to an incoming storm!

The waves become rougher, they toss and turn the little boat like it was nothing more than a mere toy. Soon the boat capsizes, leaving our heroes separated and lost at sea.