And so the group began to travel east where they soon came across a large forest with leafless trees surrounding the full ones.
"Is this it? Piece of cake." Yosuke said as they took a step inside the woods before a fog began surrounding them. "Okay, might be harder now. What is with this place?"
"This area might be known as the woodlands, but these woods have a specific name...the Lost Woods." Cabbage said.
"Hope the name isn't literal, because we might not be able to see where we're going in this fog." Ming said.
Indigo swung around Boulder Breaker with ease.
"Hehe. I'm keeping this thing. Its a great weapon for me." Indigo said.
"Quite. Though you can use more fire artes with it if you want. Shall I teach them to you? There are more than just Eruption to do." Genis said.
"Wait...I see something up ahead." Cyrille said as a figure in a robe approached them carrying a torch.
"Are you….you are...the Dimensional Heroes." the figure said.
"You know these guys?" Scott asked. "Who are you?"
"My name does not matter of this moment. I ask...have you come seeking the sword that seals the darkness?" they asked.
"Yes, that's right." Sectonia said.
"Follow me. I will guide you." they said turning around and beginning to walk away.
"It's kind of creepy how they know who we are and what we're here for." Naoto said.
"I agree." David said. "For someone who doesn't want to reveal themselves, this individual seems very informative."
"Oh, so all of you are not Dimensional Heroes? I'm sorry. I have not left these woods since the time of the War Across the Ages." the figure said.
"War Across the Ages?" Hope asked.
"But wouldn't that make you…" David started.
"I am not an old man. Due to the Lost Woods' mysterious properties, I have not aged once since entering them." they said.
"Still no identity, huh?" David asked, although he did have some theories.
As they were moving through the woods, they saw small creatures with leaf masks and a plant like appearance watching them from behind trees.
"What are these things?" Nami asked.
"Koroks, the Children of the Forest. They are responsible for growing trees all over Hyrule." the figure said.
"So it would seem." David said. "It's strange… We haven't heard of these until now."
"They can't normally be seen by normal people. Only those who have come across the mystical at one point or another." the figure said.
"Well, for us, it was Rieze Maxia's flourishing mana." David said.
"And the Ethernano in Earthland's air for us." Jexi said.
As they went in further, the fog became less dense as they soon came across a pedestal before them with a sword in the ground.
"There it is." Sectonia said, in which David gave a nod to Link.
But before they could, a yawn was heard as they looked past the sword to see a large tree moving its face. "I must have dozed off. Hrm? Well well. Its you. You finally decided to return. Better late than never. After 100 years, you have finally decided to return." the tree spoke.
"You guys know who this talking tree is?" Leia asked.
"I have watched over Hyrule since time immemorial. Many have come to refer to me over the ages as...the Deku Tree." the tree said.
"The Great Deku Tree…?" Scott asked. "Then...that figure we saw could only have been…"
"No. You were about to say the Skull Kid. I am not him." the figure said.
"Well, if you were the Skull Kid, you wouldn't have led us here." David said he then looks to the Dimensional Heroes in question. "Guys, are you sure you've met this guy before?"
"Well, its hard to put a finger on it, but there definitely is something familiar about him." Ulrich said.
"Before you all is the ancient weapon created by the goddess. Only the chosen knight can wield it against Calamity Ganon. Now, come forth and reclaim thy weapon." the Deku Tree said.
But before Link could grab it, they heard a scream as they turned to see Ramona being held hostage by Wolf as well as a Doberman beastman.
"Sorry, but the Link kid is giving the sword to us." Wolf smiled with a claw to Ramona's neck.
"Ramona!" Scott said looking at Wolf. "Let her go!"
"I think this guy should change his name to Weasel. It suits him better." Zelos said.
"Wolf, you slimy bastard! Let Ramona go right now!" David commanded.
"Trade. The Master Sword for the girl. And if you try to attack me, I'll slit her throat." Wolf said.
"Even if we did agree to it, you wouldn't even be able to wield it." Lloyd said.
"Who said we were gonna wield it. We'd give it to the Ginova Family as a way to rising to the top." the doberman said.
"We're sorta on a ride to the top. And we don't stop till we reach Genre General." Wolf said.
"Huh…." Hope said. "Gonna do a take over the easy way? A Hungry wolf and the Dog."
"Easy way?!" Wolf asked.
"You're wussies! The best way to become the top dog is through the way of the fight!" Hope said. "My father has told me that when a person wants to become a Genre General, they must prove their strength to the current one. We call it in our family, the Title Battle."
"Yeah, but that tradition will phase out when Cindrey takes over. Besides, I got a backup in case you'd tried to trick us. Like how...Sahara Ginova is in Gerudo Town." Wolf said smiling.
"How did he know where she was hiding?" Kazuichi said as the Dog approached Cabbage and picked out a small receiver.
"You bugged me before i set out?! Low move, Dog!" Cabbage said.
"Hehehe. I knew they'd try to take a hostage. So I bugged all the weaker members of the Zodiac." Dog said. "All for you, big bro."
"Thanks, little bro." Wolf said as they laughed. "A simple call is all it takes for me to get promoted." Wolf said.
"So hand over the Master Sword, or the girl bites it, and Saharah's next. After all, she's just an innocent damsel." Dog said.
The figure then slowly approached them while passing Hope. "Let me handle this...Blue Lantern." they said passing him.
"H-hey, what are you…" David said before he let the figure do their thing.
"Huh? What are...wait...this smell. You! You're the guy who kicked my butt the first time here! Well, I ain't gonna…" Dog said before they jumped into the air and began attacking Dog.
"Little Bro!" Wolf said in shock as the figure suddenly appeared before Wolf and kicked him away from Ramona, allowing her to run.
"What's with this guy?" Dog said as they saw the figure running about.
"This way the guy moves...he's a ninja!" Wolf said before the two were repeatedly attack. "No more! Beastman Arts: Lunar Fang!" he shouted trying to bite the figure only to get the cloak. The figure stood tall in green with black hair and with a Spinarak on his back. The Dimensional Heroes recognized him.
"Shun…" Dan said.
"I didn't expect that." David said.
"Saved by Shun Kazami. How quaint." Ramona said.
"Its been a long time guys. Sorry to keep you waiting for so long." Shun said.
"You! You're the one that's been stopping our attempts to get the sword!" Dog said as he and Wolf charged.
"Burst!" Shun shouted before assuming his burst form. He then fired silk at the two of them before wrapping them in silk cocoons while leaving their heads free. "Don't bother escaping. Your teeth and claws can't cut these threads."
"Now, how about giving us what David came here for? The Katana. The Masakado Blade." Hope said.
"It's pointless to ask them, they already gave it to Vincent." David said.
"He's right. It was my key to becoming a member of his group. And now I…" Wolf began before Shun sealed Wolf's mouth with silk.
"Enough with your trash." Shun said.
"I guess now we have to go in and take out Vincent to get the Masakado Blade back." Hope said. "But David… with all the Zodiac beaten… its likely Ryuji's with him."
"Ryuji? Ha! That idiot's gone to march to his grave!" Dog laughed.
David smacked Dog upside the head. "Don't you dare insult him! At least he's a much better person than you two combined will ever be."
"Not for long. Haven't you heard? He's gone up Mt. Lanayru to battle to the death with Drake." Dog said.
"A no holds barred battle off a Dragon Style Master vs a Dragon Beastman?!" Hope said.
"Yeah. I even hear that Ryuji took Rayquaza with him to be the prize for the winner. The winner gets Rayquaza and the chance to become a Zodiac. Loser...loses their life." Dog said.
"No way! I can't believe he'd do something like that!" David said. "Because… because…" David was starting to lose his voice as tear well up.
"Don't believe. Go to Mt. Lanayru and see it for yourself." Dog said.
"David, I understand that this is hard to accept, but the only way we'll know for sure is if we go." Sectonia said.
"Me and Hope will follow you. As for the rest of you, we still need Link to regain his memories. So, while we're gone...help him regain them before the final battle." Jexi said.'
"You've got it." Lloyd said. "And David… No matter what happens, don't give in to despair."
"I know…" David said. "You guys stay safe too. Don't die on me."
"Who said anything about dying?" Hope said in shock as Jexi dragged him along as the three departed.