Pearl sighed as she appeared in front of the shrine. Walking behind it, she crossed over the rocky slope and waved. "Hey guys..."
"Pearl!" Steven grinned.
Sitting beside the fire, Pearl stretched out. "Ugh, what a day..."
Amethyst threw an arm around her. "What happened?"
Pearl sighed deeply. "I went up to the north-east of Hyrule. Climb partway up Death Mountain, just to activate the tower... Had to sneak past a bunch of flying robots called Guardian Skywatchers to reach another tower in the ruins of a citadel. Found a couple of shrines and cleared them on my way north. Oh, I found Robbie... the guy Purah told me to see up in Akkala if I got the chance? He also wanted me to light a furnace with a blue flame. Stars, that was a bitch..."
Groaning, she rubbed her face. "I found the flame easily enough, took out all of the monsters that were in the way, including a Decayed Guardian... I carried the flame up to a certain point, then it started raining. I was stuck there most of the day. I couldn't see the sky through the clouds, so imagine my surprise and horror when the clouds cleared to reveal the blood moon..."
"Yikes..." Connie whispered. "So everything came back?"
Pearl nodded. "Yeah, including that Guardian. I had to fight it again. Quickly too, because there was more rain forecast. I managed to get close to the lab before it started to rain again. Didn't get the furnace lit until morning... The worse luck..." she groaned.
"Wow, sound like you had it rough today..." Garnet murmured.
Pearl sighed. "Yeah... After that, I went to a shrine I had spotted when I was locating the ancient furnace to get the flame from. Had to avoid a Lynel along the way, and of course, I couldn't resist searching through a bunch of broken guardians for some loose parts."
Amethyst snickered. "And you call me a hoarder..."
"Actually..." Pearl smirked. "Once I had gotten the furnace lit, Robbie said that this device he had could make ancient weapons and armor out of those parts. So, I was right. I told you they'd come in handy at some point." she grinned.
Amethyst laughed. "Ooh, lucky break..." she shook her head. "Now you know why I keep so much junk in mah room. Who knows when it'll come in handy."
Pearl rolled her eyes. "Amethyst, I very much doubt a six-month old bottle of milk, a half-destroyed chew toy shaped like a hot dog, or what seems like nine thousand rubber duckies will ever 'come in handy'."
"It could." Amethyst smirked. "Ya never know."
Pearl shook her head, a faint smile on her lips. "I fear the day when all those things are actually needed."
"Anyway, where was... Oh yes." Pearl nodded. "After the shrine, I spotted a light below it, so I hopped down to see what it was. I met the strangest..." she trailed off. "Well, he was dressed as a monster, and had the greyest skin I have ever seen on a living being who wasn't a Gem..." she shook her head. "His name was Kilton, and he was setting up some sort of travelling store, that specialises in monsters. And no, I don't exactly know what that means, and I was afraid to ask. He was very... passionate and vocal, about his love of monsters..." she groaned.
Connie's eyes widen. "Oh god, was he...?"
Pearl sighed. "Quite possibly..."
After a moment of silence, Steven cleared his throat. "So, what happened after that?"
Pearl smiled. "Well, I went back to Kakariko to exchange the orbs. There was a bit of a commotion. Something had been stolen from Impa's house, and there was some panic about it. Don't worry, I manage to figure out what was happening. Followed... someone, into the woods near the fairy fountain. I had to fight this guy with this really elaborate sword..." she shook her head. "Thankfully, he backed off and ran away with a smoke bomb before the fight went too far. I doubt he would have let me do the same though... Anyway, left the stolen property behind, which turned out to be the key to open another shrine that was hidden away out there, so." she shrugged. "After that, I came back here."
"You have had a day..." Garnet mused.
Pearl lay down, her head on Amethyst's left thigh. "Such a day I've had, oy..." she mumbled, closing her eyes.
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As Connie and Steven collected the bowls for washing, Pearl sighed and laid down again. "Ahh... You know... I'm actually glad now that you guys convinced me to buy this place. It's nice to have somewhere safe to just wind down, and not have to worry about anything for a while."
"Hmm..." Garnet sighed. "Except that sword..."
Pearl made a face. "Except that, yes..." she sighed deeply. "You know, despite all of the problems I had to deal with today... I managed to get through it. I climb a fair distance up an active volcano, snuck through a citadel with only a couple of quick battles against some Bokoblins, outran that Guardian, and defeated it twice... fought some evil ninja guy without actually killing him... And that's after everything from the last few days as well." she shrugged. "I think... maybe I should try to get the sword soon."
"Really?" Amethyst looked down at her. "But, what about the whole 'it could kill ya' thing?"
Pearl sighed. "Well, when I spoke to the goddess, or one of them anyway... she did say that it was a matter of belief. I have to believe that I'm strong enough to wield it, or it won't let me, regardless of the Triforce, or heroic blood, or whatever... If there's one thing this day has taught me... I'm strong enough to handle just about anything."
Steven grinned. "You're strong in the real way!"
Pearl chuckled. "Yeah, just like you." she threw him a quick finger-gun.
"So... When are you going?" Connie asked.
Pearl sat up and shrugged. "I guess now's a good a time as any. Before I lose my resolve..."
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Pearl put the slate back into its holster. "Welcome to the Korok Forest."
From the shrine, Steven gasped. "Look at all the Koroks!" he squealed. "They're so cute!"
Pearl rolled her eyes. "But they hide in such ridiculously stupid places..." she muttered.
Amethyst stifled a laugh. "Like where?"
Pearl glanced around. "I found one under a rock. Which was up a tree. A few metres away from an active Guardian Stalker. And it was raining." she glared darkly. "I dropped the rock on its bloody head too." she added, smirking.
Pearl led them over to the dais, the sword stuck firmly in the centre of the stone triangle. Sighing, she glanced up at the Deku Tree above. I don't suppose you're willing to let me know if I'm actually ready for this, huh?
If you hope to extract the sword, you'll need to summon a hero's strength. his deep voice rumbled. Let us see how brightly your life force burns.
Pearl sighed. "That's a no, you're not getting hints..."
Garnet placed a hand on her thin shoulder. "Pearl... Be careful. You're my oldest surviving friend..."
Amethyst wrapped her arms around her. "I just got ya, I don't wanna lose you..." she mumbled into Pearls side.
"Pearl..." Steven sniffed, joining the hug. "Don't die..."
After a moment, everyone let go. Pearl sighed deeply and stepped back, turning and standing on the dais.
Suddenly, she turned and stepped back down, hugging each of them in turn.
"I love you..." she whispered to each. Stopping at Connie, she gave her a hug. "You are the best damned student I have ever had the pleasure of teaching. If this... If I... Keep my idiots safe for me, okay?"
Connie hugged her back. "Okay..."
Releasing the girl, Pearl tapped Steven's nose gently. "Be ready to heal me, okay?"
"Okay..." he nodded.
Pearl stepped back onto the dais and cracked her knuckles. Taking a deep breath, she rolled her shoulders. With a quick motion, she grabbed the hilt of the sword and pulled.
Blue flames crackled and burned around the sword, spreading rapidly up to her arms. With obvious effort, she gritted her teeth, pulling up with all of her strength.
Behind her, the group watch on, horrified as small cuts opened across her visible skin.
"Pearl..." Amethyst whispered fearfully.
Pearl put all of her strength into pulling at the sword, sweat dripping from her brow.
Suddenly, there was a metallic scrape, and she felt the sword give. With one final burst of strength, she growled and pulled upwards, and the sword came free.
Pearl panted and held the sword up, feeling the small cuts starts to close. Her mind was filled with images again, and she closed her eyes as everything went white.
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Your master will come for you. Until then, you shall rest safely here. Pearl's vision cleared, and in her mind's eye, she saw a young blond woman with dirty torn clothes kneeling on the stone dais, the damaged Master Sword lying before her.
Although the Slumber of Restoration will most certainty deprive him of his memories, please trust me when I say that I know he will arrive before you yet again.
If I may be so bold... what is it that you are planning to do next, princess?
Zelda stood, looking down at the damaged sword. The Master Sword... I heard it speak to me. It seems that my role is unfinished. There is still something I must do.
I sense there is great strength in your dedication. the Deku Tree spoke.
Great Deku Tree, I ask of you, when he returns, can you please relay this message... Tell him, I-
The Deku Tree interrupted. Now, then... Words intended for him would sound much better in the tones of your voice, don't you think?
Zelda smiled and nodded. Yes. With that, she picked up the sword and slid it into the slot on the dais, finally driving it firmly into the stone.
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"Pearl?!" Amethyst gently shook her shoulder. "Pearl?!"
Pearl gasped, opening her eyes and looking around at their concerned faces. "Wha..."
"You went off somewhere... Are you okay?" Amethyst asked, one hand on Pearl's face, her eyes filled with concern.
Pearl blinked a few times, and after a moment, she nodded. "Yeah, yeah... I just... There was some sort of... memory... that Zelda left behind... I don't think it was intended for me..." she sighed, glancing at the sword still clenched in her hand. Shaking her head, she looked to the side where a group of Koroks carried a long dark blue sheath with gold accents out to the dais. Picking it up, she slung it onto her back, sheathing the sword.
What you just saw happened where you stand, one hundred years ago... They looked up at the Deku Tree. After Link was separated from the sword, the princess thought to bring it here, where she knew that it would be safe under my watch. She continues to fight, trapped deep within the confines of Hyrule Castle. Her heart cascades with faith that he will return. She has a smile like the sun... I would do much to feel its warmth upon me once again. The Deku Tree stilled.
Pearl glanced at the others. So, now that I have the sword... Now what?
When used against Calamity Ganon or those tainted by his Malice, it will become suffused with holy light... At such times, the true power of the sword will manifest... But be warned. Do not rely too much on its power. If you wield it without need, its power will be exhausted, and it will no longer be of use to you. ... Should this happen, you must wait for the sword to recover. It would be rash to rely on this sword alone to defeat Ganon... I suggest you free the Divine Beasts before facing him.
Pearl nodded and took out the slate. Okay, thank you. We need to rest up now... she waited as the group all gathered together and warped them away.
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Pearl immediately turned and walked towards the house in silence.
Behind her, they glanced at each other with concern before moving after her.
Inside the house, they found her lying face-down on the bed. "Ughh... What a day..." she groaned.
Garnet gently picked her up. "Come on... At least let us get all this stuff off you first. Then you can sleep for a week."
As Amethyst started to undo the straps, Pearl sighed. "I don't have the energy to even argue..." she murmured.
Amethyst propped the sheathed sword against the wall nervously. "I don't even wanna touch that thing..." she shivered. "Gives me the heebie-jeebies, and the willies..."
Connie nodded. "Yeah. It looks kinda cool, but those flames, and the cuts..." she shuddered. "Nope."
"At least Pearl was magically healed afterwards..." Steven sighed. "I was so scared; my mouth went dry..."
Amethyst finally pulled the strap of the bag away from Pearl's shoulder and put it on the floor nearby. "There, all done."
There was no response, and they glanced around.
Garnet shifted Pearl slightly. "She's... asleep..." she stated, gently placing Pearl onto the bed.
"She had a rough day..." Amethyst sighed, crawling up beside the sleeping woman.