Chapter 5

Ian and Adriana had finished dancing a few minutes before. After that, Ian went over to sit at the bar with William.

"So I hear that you're from the future," William said.

"Yeah, sounds crazy, doesn't it?"

"Eh… only a little," he replied.

"Well, I'm still trying to get used to the fact that I'm in the best place… I mean time… in history," Ian went on. It was then that Ian looked over toward the throne and saw one of the Sages walk off. He watched where he went and only one thought came to his mind. Yellow. It would begin now. He waited a little longer and noticed that Link and Zelda were now on the dance floor. Perfect. Now to excuse myself…

"Pardon me, William, but where are the restrooms?"

"Ah, straight down the hallway, then turn right. Third door on the left."

"Thanks." Ian walked down the hallway and took a quick glance back, then turned left instead. He was glad that he had a good memory. He needed it. He easily made it back to his room and went for the case underneath his bed. He opened it up and took out the Yellow Topaz, then closed it and placed it back underneath the bed. He didn't need the book since he had already memorized the spell he needed. He quickly shoved the Topaz into his pocket and headed back out to the ballroom. Instead of going back to the bar, he went to the last door that he saw the old Sage walk through. As he walked through the door, he realized that he was in the castle courtyard. It was such a beautiful garden, but he had no time to gaze at them now. He had a job to do. To his delight, the Sage was outside all by himself. No witnesses. Perfect. He walked up to the Sage.

"Hello… Rauru, is it?"

"Yes it is, Mr. Ian."

"Oh, just Ian will be fine. Lovely night out, isn't it?"

The Sage looked up at the stars. "Very much so. I miss nights like this. I don't get out of the Temple of Light very often. Always indoors. I hate being cooped up like that, but it's my duty and I will never waiver that duty."

"Must get lonely there sometimes." Rauru nodded his agreement. "You know, I've been alone for almost all my life as well. I never really knew my parents. Never had any friends. Maybe that's what finally helped me make my decision to come here. I was just so… lonely."

"Loneliness is not good for the soul," Rauru put in. "The soul needs friends and family to grow, to become all that it has the potential to be. A lot of times, loneliness leads to evil." Rauru looked at Ian and smiled. Ian smiled back. Rauru then turned to look around the courtyard. This was the opportunity Ian was waiting for. He pulled the Topaz out of his pocket and readied the spell.

"You're right, Rauru," Ian told the old man, with a smirk on his face. "Loneliness does lead to evil." He raised the Topaz into the air and started casting the spell. Rauru turned in time to see the gem begin to glow brightly, but it was too late. The light from the gem reached out and surrounded the old Sage. He couldn't struggle, he couldn't call for help. He was totally defenseless. The yellow light then engulfed the Sage and pulled him into the gem.

Ian looked at the gem. It was now glowing on its own. It was an unnatural light, but it was so enchanting. He looked closer at the gem and could make out a figure inside. The man inside was pounding on the interior of the Topaz. This only made Ian chuckle to himself. He was able to hold back the evil laughter that seemed to well up inside him. Suddenly, he heard footsteps behind him.

No! You will not get caught now! You have proven that you are worthy of the task! Hurry, before someone notices the gem! the booming voice of Ganondorf beckoned him. Ian quickly wrapped the gem in a cloth and placed it in his pocket. He then tried to act casual as the footsteps came closer.

"Hey, Ian! Have you seen Rauru?" asked Nick. "He said he would be out here and I needed to talk to him."

"No, I haven't seen him." Nick noticed something strange about Ian. Something in his eyes.

Ah, probably just the light of the moon and stars playing tricks on you, Nick, he thought. "Alright. If you see him, let him know I'm looking for him?"

"Sure, no problem. I'll see you inside." Nick nodded and turned to walk inside. Whew, that was too close. I'll have to be more careful next time, Ian thought as he casually walked back through the ballroom to his room to store the first of seven sages.

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As he placed the glowing yellow Topaz into the case, he got a gut instinct that he would have another opportunity that night to capture another Sage. Without even thinking, he grabbed the blue Sapphire and placed it into his pocket. The Zora is next, he proclaimed in his mind. Or was it Ganondorf? Doesn't matter. Just do it. As he left the room, he decided not to go back to the ballroom. He was drowning over to the other wing of the castle. He didn't know why, but he could make a pretty good guess. His guess was confirmed when he walked around the corner and spotted the Zora walking down the hallway in his direction.

"Hello, Ian. What are you doing over here?"

"Uh…," Ian began, and then he said quickly, "I needed to use the restroom."

"It's just right over there," Ruto said as she pointed in the opposite direction. Ian nodded. Ruto continued, "By the way, have you seen Rauru? He disappeared a while ago and he still hasn't returned."

Ian shook his head. "No, I haven't."

"Oh well, he's probably just wondering around the castle, like usual. I'll see you back in the ballroom, Ian."

"Ok." As Ruto walked past him, Ian decided to take the opportunity. No one was around so this would work out well. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the Sapphire. He turned toward Ruto and called out. "Oh, hey, Ruto! As a matter of fact, I do know where Rauru is!"

Ruto turned back to face him and asked, "You do? Where is he?"

Once again, Ian had an evil smirk on his face. "The same place you're about to go!" The Sapphire rose in the air and emanated a blue light. Ruto felt as if she was frozen in place. She found that she couldn't do a thing to resist the light that was now beginning to surround her. As the light enveloped and pulled her into the gem, Ian could see a look of surprise on the Zora Princess. He couldn't help but smile at this. Finally, the gem shone with a blue light, indicating that Ruto was trapped inside.

"This is just too easy," Ian said aloud. "At this rate, I'll be done in no time." He placed the glowing Sapphire back into his pocket and headed back to his room. Two down, five to go, he heard Ganondorf tell him. As he walked by the ballroom, he glanced in to see if anyone was looking in his direction. To his relief, no one was. He continued to his room.

Nick finally gave up searching for Rauru and sat down at the bar next to Charles and Aaron. William was also there.

"Couldn't find the old man anywhere," he said.

"That's odd. Rauru isn't usually gone this long," Charles added.

"Yeah, I hope there's nothing wrong," Aaron said.

"The weird part, though, was that Rauru said he was just going to get some fresh air. But when I went out there, only Ian was there. And he said he hadn't seen him," Nick told everyone.

"Wait," William interjected, "Ian was outside?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Well, shortly before you went to look for Rauru, Ian asked me where the restroom was. I don't see how he could've gotten out there before you. And then I thought I saw him walk from one side of the castle to the other, toward his room."

"That doesn't necessarily mean anything though," Charles said.

"Yeah, that's true," William conceded. "Should we tell Link and Zelda?"

"No," Nick said, "Let's not bother them with this until we can get proof of some sort. Anyway, they're having fun out there on the dance floor." He pointed to the Hero and Princess. They were locked in a passionate kiss. "Ah, to be in love…"