AN: Only two reviews… tsk tsk tsk.
Anime Wildfire: Thanks for reviewing!
Outofstategrl: Sorry about the violence… My stories tend to stay mostly mild, so don't worry. I'm also glad you liked the name, I feel like my hard work was worth it. And thanks for the review!
Gaara-kun39: Wow, I'm flattered… thanks for the review!
HaltiOvi: Hey, a new face. Good news, I USUALLY update fairly quickly. Hope this was quick enough!
"Link… Wake up Link… damn it Link, pull yourself together!"
Link Naito slowly opened his eyes. He was looking up at a bright blue sky. He was lying on something wooden, and he was stiff all over. He sat up slowly, looking around for the source of that voice. He was in a small red boat, with some sort of statue facing the front. He leaned to the side to get a good look at it when suddenly it turned to look at him!
He screamed briefly and fell back against the rudder. The statue was a dragon's head, red as the boat but with a yellow beard. It was laughing now. Link got up slowly, eyeing it.
"I understand your surprise. Wide as the world is, I am the only boat upon it that can speak the words of men. I am the King of Red Lions… do not fear, for I am not your enemy."
Naito continued watching him. "How did you know my name?"
"Your friend, the other Link told me…He's around town now. That is beside the point. I have been watching you for quite a while now… and such a siege against the Forsaken Fortress was foolhardy! I suppose you saw the man in command of that bird… Ganon. He goes by Ganondorf I suppose, but that is an illusion. He is evil incarnate. You know of him through legend, the evil one sealed away a millennia ago. I do not know why the god's seal has failed, but the world is once again threatened by his evil power. Do you still wish to save your sister?" The King of Red Lions asked.
Link nodded vigorously. The boat continued, "I see. I can help you then, if you do me a favour. It is embarrassing to admit this, but I have no sail, and a boat with no sail can sail no seas. I need you to find one in the town here on this island."
"No problem." Naito said, hopping out of the boat into some knee-deep water.
"Er, before you go… there is something I should tell you. It's about your friend, the other Link. You… do now know who he truly is, do you? I don't believe he truly does either." The boat seemed to be talking to itself here, but snapped back to attention and said, "Forget it. It is unimportant. Find him as well; he will aid you on your quest, no doubt."
Naito nodded, and walked along the rocky face to the beach, getting his first look at the town. It was bright and cheerful, small but bustling with activity. He entered through a large archway which read "Windfall Island."
He had never been off of his island, and this place held a sense of wonder for him. He ran along, looking up at all the people. He decided to try and find Link first… but where to start?
"HYA!" Link's distinctive scream rang out. That was one way to find him. Naito ran towards the source of the voice.
He saw a small laughing crowd in a circle, and he pushed to the center. Link was in the middle, standing with his foot on the back of some random guy, who was apologizing profusely for something.
"What happened?" Naito asked the guy next to him.
"The guy on the floor tried to pickpocket the one in the green get-up. Man, glad I wasn't him. By the time I blinked he was on the ground." The guy chuckled.
In the middle, Link had finally let the guy go, who got up and ran for it. Naito walked up to Link, who was looking at the crowd as if surprised to see them. He looked down at Naito. "You're awake!" He said.
Naito nodded, and asked, "What are you doing here in town?"
"Trying to find a sword. Everyone here looks at me like I've lost it. Aren't there any weapons around?" He replied exasperatedly.
"Not really… this part of the ocean is pretty peaceful." Naito replied.
Link sighed. "I can't believe I dropped my sword… look, I'll have to find one elsewhere. We should get going."
Naito shook his head, and said, "I have to find a sail."
"Oh, no problem. Some guy was selling one over here." Link said, strading off.
Naito followed him to a little counter set up outdoors. A short man in a suit that looked WAY to hot for the weather was behind it, shouting his wares, which seemed to include a sail and nothing else. Luckily, that was all they needed.
"How much for the sail?" Naito questioned, counting his rupees.
"Ah, but it is not a mere sail! It is my only possession! I was out in the water, when a storm wrecked my boat! I was left clutching that as I was tossed around! I managed to clamber ashore here, which seems as good a place as any to start my business! This is the thing that saved my life you are purchasing!" He said enthusiastically.
Naito and Link stood there looking at him oddly as he smiled. Naito broke the silence by saying, "Umm… ok… so… how much?"
"Eighty Rupees!" He shouted with glee.
"Oh… I only have thirty." Naito said.
"I'll pay." Link said, stepping forward and dumping the rupees onto the counter.
The man danced with glee, giving him the sail and dancing over to a vault and putting the money inside. The two Links ran away before he could tell them more of his life story.
Back in the boat, they were given a quick tutorial on sailing by the King of Red Lions. Naito set up the sail while Link pushed them out of the cove and into the wind. They picked up speed quickly as Naito angled the sail. Link squatted in the back, working the rudder. Naito stayed up front, holding the neck of the King of Red Lions while adjusting the sail as needed. He also acted as navigator.
"Where are we heading?" Naito asked the boat.
"Dragon Roost Island. There is an item there that will help you get the power you need to defeat Ganon. Just continue east as you are." He replied.
It was smooth sailing all the way. Several hours later they approached an island with what looked like a volcano on it. The King of Red Lions looked up at what looked like a large circular cloud around the peak with concern.
"This is Dragon Roost… I do not like the look of that cloud. Something must be wrong with the guardian spirit, Valoo." He said as Naito rolled down the sail and they coasted towards the sandy shore. He stowed it in the compartment on the boat which also held a compass, clock, and sea chart. Link looked over his shoulder at the sea chart, taking it out. It had two islands on it, Outset and Windfall. He wanted to draw this island, but had no idea where it was, so he put it back.
They hopped out of the boat and began to walk towards the volcano when the King of Red Lions called for them to stop. They looked back. He had something in his mouth; a white, intricately carved conductor's baton.
"This is the Wind Waker. It was once used to call upon the power of the gods, although I am unsure if it still possesses that power. I believe Naito should take it with him." He explained.
Naito stepped forward and took it. He stowed it away, thanking the boat. He then turned and he and Link headed off to scale the mountain. It was actually pretty easy. They followed a winding path up, climbing a couple of rough areas. They encountered a giant rock blocking their progress and Link had no bombs, but he pointed out a bomb flower to Naito, who picked it up and cleared the path. From then on it was a simple path with a guardrail and everything. It led to a large entrance into the mountain. They were about to step inside when Quill, the postman, almost walked into them as he walked out, reading something.
"Oh! Sorry… Well, if it isn't Link! Both Links! You've have traveled far for beings with no wings. Did you rescue your sister?" He asked.
Naito looked down. Quill continued, "I see... don't worry, she'll be fine. In fact, I bet we could help! You should come see our chieftain. Come on, he's just inside."
He turned and walked inside. Naito followed instantly, with Link a second later. He was examining the rito, noticing a certain odd elegance that was vaguely familiar.
The chieftain was just inside, recognizable by his elegant red clothing. He was speaking with someone, who took flight and left. The chieftain looked over, and Quill flew ahead and they had a short conversation that the two Links couldn't hear. He then looked over, and beckoned them closer.
"Quill has told me your story… I am amazed you are not brothers, you look so similar. But that doesn't matter. I know of your plight, and I would like to give you the full cooperation of our people. However… we have our own problems. Our guardian spirit, the great dragon Valoo, has been acting up. He is normally gentle, but he has turned violent and angry. Not only is this wreaking havoc on the mountain, but it means our young ones cannot get their wings, for that requires a scale from his body. We rely on our wings to travel, and if we cannot get them our way of life is threatened. Worst of all, the only one who can speak some of his language, Medli, has gone in the mountain to see him, and we haven't heard from her." He explained.
Quill suddenly leaned over and whispered something into the chieftains ear. His expression turned embarrassed and depressed. "There is another matter to attend to… this involves my son, Komali. See, he is of age to get a scale and gain his wings. But he is weak in some ways, and I fear he will never brave the mountain to obtain it. He doesn't listen to me, but perhaps you, a fellow of his age, can get through to him. Would you do this?" he asked.
Naito nodded. The chieftain pointed to a hallway and said, "His room is there… please talk to him while I try and sort out our problem with Valoo. As soon as this is dealt with, we can be further able to help you."
Naito and Link thanked him and walked away. When they were out of earshot, Link whispered something to Naito, "You should go see Komali, but I have something else to do. Keep it quiet, but I'm going into the mountain. It sounds like this Medli needs help, besides, I may be able to help with Valoo."
"I'm coming too!" Naito exclaimed. Link shook his head.
"You need to help Komali. Besides, it may be dangerous." Link said.
"So? You don't even have a sword!" Naito said.
"I have a two handed one, and lots of other weapons. I'll be fine. If I'm not back in five hours, let someone know where I am." Link said, striding off towards a back door.
Naito glared after him, cursed under his breath, and headed to Komali's room.
AN: No excitement, I know. Next chapter is dungeon time and it should be good. Please review!