Chapter 8: A Penny for your Troubles?

The hero and his dog companion entered the sugar-coated kingdom noticing the many citizens fixing the buildings and other such things. They seemed genuinely happy. The two took notice of this as they walked towards the kingdom's castle, taking note of the newly restored entrance. As the two walked through the halls they noticed the many Banana Guards scrubbing graffiti off the walls and floor. Among the many Banana Guards was Peppermint Butler, easily distinguished by his stature, clothes, and odd coloring compared to the yellow guards.

"Peppermint Butler!" Both shouted in glee.

The small servant turned his attention in the direction in which the two voices originated from; he smiled seeing their familiar faces. "Master Finn! Master Jake! It is good to see you. So what brings you to the castle?"

"Oh you know just wandering around." Finn continued. "Looking for anything to do maybe kick some monster butt." He laughed nervously and rubbed his arm.

"We're not seeing if this place hasn't gone to banu-nus 'cause Princess Bubblegum isn't here or anything." Jake laughed nervously until Finn stomped on his foot silently telling him to not talk about the subject. "I mean, we came to eat some ice cream!" He quickly blurted trying to ignore the pain.

"Why Master Jake, why would you be concerned about the state of the kingdom?"

"Well," Finn said with a hint of guilt in his voice as he rubbed the back of his head. "isn't the princess, you know, missing... because of us?" He muttered the last part to himself hoping Peppermint Butler didn't hear him but he did anyway.

"Why would the princess's recent disappearance from the kingdom be on your doing?" Finn had no response as he turned his head towards the window. "Do you mean because of that shadow boy, Master Finn?" The servile peppermint lightly laughed as he continued. "Do not be so absurd Master Finn. You and Master Jake did everything in your power as to stop the shadow. But don't worry, the princess is here. She-"

The two boys' eyes widened as they crowded the butler's face saying, "Really!? WHERE!? Tell us WHERE!"

"Please you two, calm down. The princess is in her lab working on something. She told me to have no one disturb her."

"So wait," Finn backed away from the servant, now feeling the guilt of the having the princess capture being lifted off his shoulders yet it was clear that he was puzzled. "how did the princess get back here anyhow?"

"Oh yes, how forgetful of me to not tell you that piece of information." The servant smiled, shaking his head as he spoke. "A young lad in green came riding horseback and he brought the princess with him."

"Hmm," Finn bent down to Jake whispering, "Jake, you think Pep's talking about that Link guy?"

"I don't know, maybe." He then looked at Peppermint Butler. "Hey, Peppermint Butler, did he tell you his name?"

The servant pondered for a moment before breaking his train of thought. "I believe his name was Link."

"Did he say where he was going?" Finn asked.

"I believe he went to the City of Thieves."

"Thanks Peppermint Butler." He grabbed Jake by the arm dragging him down the hall they came from. "Come on Jake. Oh," Finn turned seeing the Peppermint Butler shrink from perspective. "Peppermint Butler, tell the princess me and Jake stopped by and tell her we said 'hi'!"

"Will do Master Finn!"

...

The soft sounds of a horse's hooves softly echoed through the forest as well as the voices of a certain fire elemental, fairy and Hylian.

"All I'm saying is getting through this forest would be a lot easier if we just flew high enough to see the city."

"And leave Epona here, by herself? I'm not going to do that." Link dismissed.

"Don't you have a song to call Epona, like you did before." Tobi stated in more of a statement then a question.

"Well- that's... you see... Flame Princess what do you think?" He turned his head towards the elemental that was on his right. "You think we should leave Epona here?"

"Well no. I mean, she is your horse."

"Well Tobi, it's decided."

"Fine but I'm staying by Flame P for like a day or two." Tobi grumbled.

"That's alright by me. Hey I think I see a clearing up ahead." He squinted his eyes seeing if there were any tress beyond those in sight, there weren't. He leaned down to Epona's ear and whispered for her to head in the same direction. The horse obliged and let out a playful neigh. The three would soon emerge from the forest now gazing upon where the grassy soil ended with the dry, cracked, earth. A dirt path way was visible and led up to some kind of rock with bones around it. A small town was visible on top of the rock.

"Is that a... turtle?" Link squinted his eyes trying to make out more details.

"I think it is then again my eyes might be playing tricks on me since I DIDN'T GET TO EAT BREAKFAST, LINK!" Tobi turned his attention to the boy who was dismounting his horse.

"None of us did, Tobi. We had to hightail it to the Princess Bubblegum's kingdom, remember?"

"Oh, I remember alright." A hint of aggravation was noticeable in his voice.

"Lighten up Tobi. Besides," Link dismounted Epona and continued to stare at the outline in the distance. "I think that turtle is actually a city-"

"OF THIEVES!" The entire gang was startled half out of their lives and fell to the floor, even Epona freaked out. The origin of this panic is traced to the elderly woman cloaked in a wood-like fabric. Her skin being quite wrinkled and a pasty grey color. She had a long nose that extended down past her visible face and her eyes were black surrounded in a thick green.

"GREAT FARORE O' MIGHTY! YOU TRYING TO GIVE US HEART ATTACKS WOMEN!?"

"Calm down fairy of gold I warn all those who dare speak of the city."

After a few moments of heavily breathing, the group eventually calmed down and the elderly women told them about what the city is capable of doing to people.

"So, all those who enter the city will become a thief themselves?" Link thought on this.

"Ba! What a bunch of Dodongo bunk!"

"I warned you fairy. The fire elemental and boy heed my words."

"Yeah," Link said "I understand you trying to warn us but we still have to get into that city. We were sent by Princess Bubblegum to check out whatever is going on with the king."

"OF THIEVES!"

"Come again, creepy wood ninja." Tobi said.

"THE KING OF THIEVES AS RETURNED!"

"Yeah," Tobi rolled his eyes. "anymore things you want to warn us about?"

"Hmm... no that's pretty much it."

"Cool, wonderful, fantastic." Tobi said sarcastically. "Alright kiddies, into the city."

"Hey miss, can you watch my horse while we're in the city?"

"Sure I guess."

Epona walked over to the elder as Link waved goodbye for now. "Thanks."

...

With the way the old woman described the city, a casual scene of the city would be filled with people stealing from each other, left and right, a never ending chain of thievery. But when they entered the city the streets were quiet, the silence acted as a wind that pushed a tumbleweed across the desolate road. No, literally a tumbleweed just rolled across them without making a sound.

"Wow, it sure is quiet." Flame Princess said.

"Yeah, it's almost unnatural. I don't like it." Link made in attempted to pull out his sword and shield but of course nothing was there and much to his dismay and discouragement he grabbed nothing but air. With this he hung his head down in shame and earned a hardy giggle from Flame Princess and a laugh from Tobi.

"Don't worry Link," Flame Princess said now lightly giggling. "I don't think we'll be needing you sword and shield for this."

"Yeah but" Link lifted his head and the stream of tears were perfectly visible on his face. "I miss my sword and shield so much. I've never felt so empty-handed in my life. No pun intended."

"It's cool Link." Tobi said "You just need to get a GRIP on life. Get it? You said you feel empty-handed so you need to get a grip. Get it?"

Link then put on the Circus Leader's Mask and hung his head down once more as the mask weep more tears for him. "Not funny Tobi."

Tobi continued to carry the conversation but Link's ears twitched, he heard something. It was faint but he could hear it and whatever it was it was coming towards them. He quickly took off the Circus Leader's mask and just as quick took out his Great Fairy Sword.

"I heard something... and whoever it is it's close."

"Whoever?" Flame Princess questioned.

A deep, hardy, laughter echoed through the city making windows open and close in a panic as well doors shut close and lock.

"Those ears of yours are quite impressive. To think they call this the Boot's of Mist for how silent every step you make become once you wear them. And to think a cross dressing kid can hear them."

"I'm not a cross dresser! Now show yourself!"

The man's laughed again, making Link angry. "I must say, that's a rather impressive blade you have. May I have it?" An incredible breeze sweep past the three. Link was unaware of the grasp loosening on his sword once the breeze subsided The Great Fairy Sword disappeared.

"Link, where's your sword?"

"Wha?" Link felt air fill in the gap lift from where he once held his sword. "Hey! Where's my sword?" The anonymous, yet dark, laughter filled the streets once again.

"Did you not hear me boy? I wished to have your blade and so I have it. Did you really expect not to have things stolen from you once you enter my city?"

"YOUR city? Then, doesn't that mean..." The man continued his laughter for a moment before speaking.

"Yes little girl, I am the fabled king of this city. Just who did you think I was, some common lowlife whose all full of threats and nothing to back it up?"

Flame Princess gritted as she summoned a blaze of fire to her already fiery hands. "Don't call me little girl!" She growled. The voice laughed again seeing as though he broke a nerve.

"My, my, don't we anger easily. And by judging from the jewel on your forehead you must be the princess of the Fire Kingdom. To think that it was only a myth that the Flame King had a daughter. But whatever, I will enjoy robbing from the both of you." The breeze once again picked up only this time Link and Flame Princess saw black.

...

A voice called out from the shadows calling out for him only not by his name but by some label, like boy or kid. Which happened to be what the voice was calling out to him. He groaned and stirred, not wanting to be disturbed from his slumber he blocked out the voice. That is until he heard the word 'kid' being screamed into his ear.

He awoke, startled and panting like a dog.

"Oh good. Your awake. I was beginning to wonder if you'd ever wake up." Link sat up, rubbing his head looking around his surroundings seeing vast piles of gold within a black wall. "Where am I?" He said slowly.

"You're in my little tent house. It's not much but it's better than nothing. Wouldn't you agree?"

"Yeah I suppose your right." He looked around the room trying to familiarize himself with his surroundings, then he realized the disappearance of one fire elemental and fairy. "Hey, you wouldn't have happened to see a fire girl and fairy by any chance?"

She laughed to herself quietly before speaking. "Well, I haven't seen a fairy but if you're looking for a fire girl she's right outside. She's probably out too. Oh, the name's Penny by the way."

"Link, and thanks for telling me." He said while leaving the tent.

The old buildings, the silent road, even the tumbleweed that went across the floor it all clicked something in Link's mind. "We're still in the city." Escaped from his lips.

His attention was inevitably diverted to the emanating light that was nearby. Her hair, despite being in a state of comatose, flickered upward, defying gravity. She still gave off the glow that all fire gives put it wasn't as emanating as it always was. No, this was more like a candle light radiation. She seemed so peaceful, so calm, surly there was no harm in calling out to her to walk her up. After all there was a mission to be done.

"Flame Princess." He called out to her softly. Her body slowly stirred and she rose from her slumber. Sitting up, stretching her arms up as well as yawning her eyes slowly opening to see a boy in blue with blond hair.

"F-Finn?" She slowly uttered confused.

"Finn? What are you talking about Flame Princess? It's me, Link!"

"L-Link?" She rubbed her eyes to fully open them to notice the differences between her boyfriend and the guy she met a few days ago. His bangs practically covered his forehead except where they were split. His pointed ears that resembled ones of an elf as well as the now visible small ponytail that was hidden by his hat. "Oh Link. It is you! Sorry I said you were Finn. You both look really alike even with you wearing his clothes. Why are you wearing his clothes?"

"What do you mean? I'm wearing my...!" A gasp escaped his lips when he noticed he was no longer wearing his usual green tunic. He wore blue shorts and a matching shirt of the same shade. "P-Penny!" The small girl with red hair wearing a worn grey hood poked her head from the tent.

"Yes~?" She practically sung out.

"Where are my clothes?!" He practically shrieked. "Do you know how constricting these pants are? And this shirt isn't even connected to it! Do you realize how much of an updraft I'm feeling going through this shirt? It feels like it's going to fly off any minute! What did you do with my clothes!?" Link pulled down on the bottom of his shirt trying to cover his pants like a girl would wearing a dress that might have been a little too short.

"Okay look, I honestly think that your overreacting a bit. The clothes fit you really well, you even remind me of Finn. You know, he helped me renounce my ways, give or take a few months."

"I don't care if I look like Tingle or me reincarnated now living on an island without a care in the world! Where are my clothes?!" His face was flushed from have to shout as much as he did as well as with his shouts his voice would crack occasionally like it was currently doing.

"Okay look, I don't know where your clothes are, or even what exactly you were wearing. All I know is I heard a fight, I went to check it out and I find you, in your green underwear, and her knocked out. My guess is that you got attacked by the King of Thieves and he probably stole whatever it was you had on you."

"Your darn right he did." Everyone jolted in surprise from the anonymous voice.

"Who said that?" Link shouted with his face now being slightly pink. The voice laughed a little, "Gees Link, who would have thought a little nap would make you forget who I was?" Link flinched a little at the voices comment realizing who it was. "Tobi? Where are you?"

Flame Princess giggled now getting the attention of Link and the girl. "What's so funny?" Link asked.

"I got a tingly feeling in my chest." Link stared at the top part of her dress noticing an unusual bulge sticking out under her dress.

"Uh princess, not to be a pervert or anything but there's a bump on your chest."

"Wha?" She looked down at her dress indeed seeing something move around. It only took a few moments for a golden light to emerge from the princess cleavage.

"Man it was warm in there! I'm a little crisped but nothing that bad."

A silence befell the group of two, three counting Penny, seeing that a fairy just nonchalantly came out from the Flame princess's chest. The once white, and fiery, faces now turned a deep scarlet and all eyes were on the fairy.

"Tobi!" Link shouted "Care to explain why you were in the princess shirt!?" Flame Princess brought her arms over her chest and held them quite protectively.

"It's not what you think I swear! You see when that guy jumped us and knocked the both of you out I assumed that he was a thief 'cause, well, this place is called the City of Thieves. And look at me, I'm a fairy with a golden glow! This just screams 'Every thief's prized possession'. So to save myself from being fairy-napped I flew into the princess shirt because I didn't know where else I would blend in." He flew over to Flame Princess and flew up and down to show himself bowing, even though he actually was but it wasn't visible. "I am so sorry Flame Princess. Please forgive me if I happened to violate you in any way, shape, and or form."

The princess's face remand a scarlet red but she seemed to have calmed down from what just transpired. "I-I forgive you Tobi." She slowly stuttered. "But why didn't you come out when that guy was gone? And why couldn't you just hide on Link and not me?" A hint of anger was present in her voice but went unnoticed.

"I couldn't hide on Link! Whoever that guy was took his clothes! I would have had to hide in his underwear! And in no way by the name of the Goddess of Time am I ever going to do that! I'd sooner be stuffed in a bottle and be floating down a river to who knows where!"

"Umm," Penny interrupted. "if I can just say something. That guy you're talking about, yeah, he's the King of Thieves."

"Well then," Tobi said. "we know who our guy is so let's go find him, again, and see what's going on. Shall we?"

"Wait, you guys aren't seriously thinking about looking for him, right?"

"Well yeah, actually." Link said looking at Penny curiously now. "We were sent by Princess Bubblegum to come check out what's going on with the king. Do you happen to know what's going?" Link raised slowly raised his eyebrow until it disappeared under his bangs.

"Well I guess you can say I know something about the situation. It happened about a week ago when some kind of black shard flew across the sky and into the king's tower. A light came out from the window in his tower, at the time I was helping out some of the poorer citizens who gave up on being thieves. That's when he came out of nowhere and began attacking the city. Some of the citizens and I hid in the sewers. Hours later we resurfaced and no one was in sight we assumed they fled the city. After all, when a king steals he steals everything."

"Look little girl," Tobi started. "if you're trying to stop my friend in blue shorts don't bother. I mean, he's shared some of his stories with me the first night we came here and let me tell ya, Link is as stubborn as he is blonde."

"In the matter that I'd argue with Tobi he is right. If it's a quest or mission from someone I'll do it. Not to mention that you mentioned something about a black shard, right? I need to know about it than. It could be linked to what I found the other day."

"Well if I can't stop you then at least let me show you the way. After all, there's like a handful of people who still will steal from you."

"I think we should let her show us the way, Link." Flame Princess said.

Link thought for a moment before giving his response. "Alright then, Penny, show us the way to the king's tower."

"Her name's Penny?" Tobi said. "I guess this is a Penny for our troubles." Groans echoed through the city streets just stating how bad Tobi's pun was. "What? Come on, it was a good pun."

"Does he always make bad puns like that?" Penny whispered to the two.

"Yeah. I'm just glad he hasn't made a pun about me yet." Link said.

"Don't worry, you are yet to be the missing Link to our group yet." Another wave of groans came being accompanied by Tobi's laughter.