Author's Note: Kay, so the last chapter was more of a break for Link. He needed it anyway…so that idea just randomly popped into my head. Hehe, hope you liked it! Anyways, NOW is the time for Link to get his butt to Lakebed Temple, don't you think? AND OH MY GAWD! I GOT AN IDEA THAT WON'T DISAPPOINT YOU! Kay well, you guys would probably kill me BUT THAT'S BESIDE THE POINT! Read on! WAIT NEW WELCOMER! Thanks to NoxTheShadowWolf for favoring Skyward Sword and Twilight Princess!

Chapter 18 (we're already on chapter 18! CHAPTER 18! I wanna cry! *sniff*): Curiosity is not a sin

"You be careful out there! You hear me?" Telma stated the next morning.

I smiled as Epona rocked back and forth, probably from standing for too long.

"Don't worry." I chuckled. "I'll be fine."

Telma shot me a disbelieving look. "Alright then let's make a bet."

"Which is…?"

"If you can complete whatever it is you're doing without any injuries, I won't bother you with my lectures. But if you lose, you better be prepared." (A/N: lame bet, I know! But it's the only one I could think of…unless you guys have one…? DX)

"Alright then. The bet is made." I shook hands with her.

And we're off.

It was about a one-ish two-ish day ride to Lake Hylia. Of course, Midna was trying to dampen my spirits by telling me that I will lose.

"You'll lose, you know that right?" Midna asked as I got off Epona.

I patted her before entering a small house that was filled with cuccos and a strange clown that made me to think that maybe he was related to Fyer. I dropped myself down to the water and swam to the surface so that I could put on my Zora tunic.

"What makes you so sure?" I asked as I heaved myself up on the edge of the ground and I kicked my boots off.

"Well let's see then: you're reckless, stupid and you don't think." she pointed it out.

I gave her a look.

She shrugged. "It's true."

"Uh huh. Whatever you say." I stated before making a strangle yell. "What the…any ideas on how to put this tunic on?!" I exclaimed, muffled.

I was currently tangled underneath of all those layers that the tunic contained.

Midna rolled her eyes, shaking her head. So after putting the tunic on correctly, I got back in the water and did treading for a few minutes before placing the black cloth and dived underwater.

I glided through its luxurious depths as the breath flows into and through my body giving my arms and legs the power to stroke and kick while there was a mystical light that shone down through the curtains of the blue liquid.

I was surprised that the black cloth actually gave me oxygen in which I needed so that I could breathe. My eyesight was still a problem but nonetheless, everything worked out just fine. Silence had also pressed upon my ears automatically and I could only see ten feet around me so I continued to swim faster in order to reach to the bottom.

After passing through so many cliffs and hills, I emerged through new water scenes that consisted of anemone and small silvery white with a bit of pink tint weeds. Gray stones were scattered everywhere though they dully shone from the light that struck it.

We soon reach the depths of the water only to find the nearly old temple which I knew it was the Lakebed Temple. After blowing up a blocked hole that released a water geyser, I then blew up the boulders that blocked the entrance.

The Zora guard warned me to be careful and it was then, that I went through.

I probably shouldn't been surprised when I found myself in a water tunnel that spiraled up. Sighing (though only bubbles came out), I began to swim my way while sometimes fighting the water creatures like those clams and jellyfishes.

I ignored them though and I reached the top. I spotted a closed gate while a few centimeters in front of it, was a handle that looked like it could be pulled down. There were two staircases left and right that led to the closed gate. I got out of the water to do what needs to be done such as pulling down the handle which opened the gate.

Something tells me I'm going to be in here for weeks…

I then entered the new area which held numerous of stalagmites and blue walls as well as platforms that represented as staircases. When I got a bit further down the path, a sudden stalagmite dropped, crashing down to the ground; the splash echoed through the silent area.

"Whoa! That's treacherous…Don't you think you ought to knock down those stalactites hanging off the ceiling first? They don't look to be very stable. I'd bet they'd break pretty easily if you hit them with enough force, don't you think?" she suggested before hiding into my shadow where it is warm.

It's damn cold in here.

I took Midna's idea by shooting the stalagmites before processing. When it was safe, I went down the path to reach the door. Once I did, I went inside the door to reach the bridge. On the other side, was an enemy that had a skull for a head.

It spotted its enemy as it began to charge at me but I reacted quickly and swiftly ended him, cleanly.

Once I entered the new part of the temple, I figured that this was the very main chamber. It was huge, having staircases here and there while also containing many floor levels with fences and vines that hung on the wall though the fences were on the floor.

There were also many handles and targets scattered everywhere. I peered down to spot a medium size oval shaped door in which it was locked. I figured that that was probably the Big Boss. Letting out a sigh, I looked around to see what I can do first.

I started to go down the staircase that was in front of me to reach the bottom side before turning right. When I saw the right handle, I jumped off the edge to pull it down. The gigantic staircase started to move around when it got triggered, creating another accessible path.

I climbed up the stairs then turned left but I made a mistake so I turned to the right. And then, when I found the door, I opened it and went inside but I groaned when I found out that it wasn't the right since there was a waterwheel, unmoving.

Muttering, I got out of the door and spotted a handle. I jumped off the edge to pull the handle down which triggered the moving staircase. It was then that I went down followed by another door which came into the view the moment I got out of the stairs.

So, I went through the entrance of that door as well as going through another entrance. The next room contained unmoving machines but they will start to move once something activates them. I saw stalagmites and decided to knock them down.

After I spotted a tunnel in the same room, I decided to go to it. Maybe there was something new.

I figured it out that once taking that tunnel, it will take me down to the lower level; I was proven right. And then, I spotted ivy that is on the center pillar so I used it to climb over to another platform. I shivered from the cold from which the temple gave out.

Why does this one have to be so cold? Well…other than being located underwater. Of course, it's going to be cold!

But it didn't have to be ice cold…

So then, I saw the platform which I jumped over the platform to reach the treasure chest. I obtained the item which was a small key. Let's just say I was kind of stuck here since I didn't know what to do next so I decided to go back to the center room.

I got out of the room completely since there wasn't anything to do and once out, I was returned to the main chamber. I then raced up the staircase that was in front of me, wondering what on Hyrule am I supposed to do next.

I hate this!

I thought I had seen a locked door with red ledges so I decided to go with that idea. Once I spotted the door, I used the key to open it. In this new room, there was a semi-circle path that led to the closed gate and then there was another path that led to who knows where.

I destroyed the jumping creature that resided in this area before resuming my task. I also spotted two stalactites so I knocked them down. The stalactite fell down so I used the one that was beneath the vines.

Maybe it could lead me somewhere…

Once on the top of the ledge, I stared at the handle then jumped to grab it. Something had triggered when I pulled the handle since I heard something sliding down which was a door.

After that, I spotted another door that was located in this room so I went through that one only to have big round unmoving machines and a lizalfo…

Oh, how I loathe you.

Anyways, the lizalfo was killed allowing me to open a door from which the lizalfo had supposedly guarded. I took a wrong turn since I was at a dead end so I chose the south end of the room to see yet another treasure chest.

And…it was a small key.

I went back through the door from which I came from so that I could get back to the inner part of the room…again.

I spotted a boulder to my left and I blew it up from well bombs. I ignored the hedgehogs that zoomed past by me and I walked straight in order to reach the door that was located in this part of the area.

When I came in a new room, small evil green creatures spotted me and they hopped away into their protector which was its bubble. Doing the quickest way, I burst their bubble with a bomb arrow which left the creature to be vulnerable.

It hopped away trying to get to safety but alas, it was killed. I felt bad for the creature…

Oh…I'm such a softie…

Seeing another locked door (how does one keep its sanity from all of this?!) I went through that door to get into the new part of the area. It was a long and round room which made me to scale the room after I jumped to reach the other side by climbing up the vines.

Once I get the top, I climbed one of the ladders to get to the top of the arch in order to pull the handle in as a result, activated a raise to a sluice gate. Water poured out of it, filling the once silent room with the noisy splashes of water.

And then, I let the water to take me back to the bottom of the room. It wasn't fun when I had to splash in the water—make the cold, icy water.

I shivered when I swam in the water in order to reach the platform that is in the center of the area. I pulled yet another handle which triggered something; I didn't know yet.

It was then that I realized that I had opened another sluice gate. The water rushed, racing to its proper place. I followed the flow of the water through the door and headed eastward.

I went back to the room in which it had the deceased lizalfo but this time, the once unmoving huge machine was now moving. However, instead of going on it, I jogged to one of the holes that was on the sides and peered down below.

It felt like this was the only choice I had since I had completed the stuff I needed to do in the next room. Muttering, I held my breath before jumping down only to land hard on the water. I hissed but something attacked me so I turned around and spotted that water jumping creature which quickly got destroyed.

I limped to the platform of the cliffs, rubbing my sore ankle before climbing up the vines. I also noticed how the once still platforms were now rotating so I hoped on one of them which led me to the door. I jumped off the platform to reach the door.

After I did, I entered.

I stood there for a moment, debating which way to go before deciding to take a left. In the end, I ended up seeing a chest that had the small key. How many small keys are there?! I then returned to the previous room and jumped back on the nearest rotating platform.

As I was exploring the temple, a thought came across me. How are the bosses going to be? As long as they are not disgusting then I'm fine.

I used the new found key to unlock the door that is straight ahead. I ran down a small path before plunging myself into the cold water, causing me to shiver from the cold. I treaded for a bit before pulling up my black cloth then swam underwater.

I tried to dodge all the water creatures but the freakin jellyfishes were always in my way. I had nearly got stung by them; I would have if it wasn't for Midna who yelled…

Who knew she can talk underwater?

There was a boulder which got blown up, allowing me to go through the hole. I got out of the water tunnel only to emerge in a medium size green room. The minute I got out of the tunnel, the door slid shut locking me in.

That means I had to fight something…but…nothing was here.

"Link…look up." cam Midna's shaky breath.

Curiously, I looked up and gaped at it. There on a stalactite, something was hanging on it. The thing sensed that it wasn't alone since it heavily dropped down, slightly shaking the ground.

I stared at the huge disgustingly green frog that let out a loud burp, revealing its long tongue. The beast had many strange eye-like items on its back but the minute it shook it off, I realized that those were its offsprings' and of course, they were coming at me.

The creature lazily walked around as it waited for its offsprings' to finish its job.

Okay, I take it back when I said that I hoped nothing was disgusting for the bosses.

This was disgusting.

Once the offsprings were killed, the creature gave out a noise before letting itself to jump in the air. I noticed its shadow so I quickly ran around, avoiding to be squished. The beast fell down with a harsh slap, causing to stick out its tongue.

I stared at it cautiously and then started to attack it. The frog gave out a groan of pain and when it had enough, it shook the offsprings off its back again and then it resumed walking around aimlessly.

Ugh, how boring can this battle be?

Finally, on the last strike the creature went berserk as it thrashed around the room, splashing water everywhere including me.

I jumped back when it spat something out of its mouth. The slime was covering it but it was slowly being washed away. I cringed when it started to decompose.

"Ew." Midna cringed, thinking the exact same thing.

I nodded.

"Just hurry up and get out of this room! I don't want to linger in here. And open up the chest."

I whined. "Why do I have to open it? Do you know where it came from?"

"More the reason of why you should open it." Midna smirked, causing me to scowl.

I angrily stomped towards the slimed chest but when I touched the slime, I shrieked.

"EW!" I shrieked. "Ew, ew, ew, ew, ew!"

Midna laughed at the sight.

"Shut up, Midna." I growled before gingerly opening the chest only to find an item that looked like a claw but with a chain.

"What is it?" Midna asked, dumbfounded.

"Um…"

I spotted a target that was ahead of me and I decided to use it. I placed the claw in my hand, aiming at a target before triggering the button that was inside of the claw.

I gave a gasp at the abrupt pull it gave out and within seconds, I was on the other side.

"Cool." I grinned. "I'll name it…Clawchain."

Midna snorted. "That's pathetic."

"And I suppose you have something better?"

I wore a winning smile when she didn't say anything.

I head through the door after I dropped the down—yes, I was still hanging. I left the old part of the room and went through the door to the south.

I jumped on one of the two rotating platforms which got me so bored because the platforms were spinning so slowly. After eyeing the vines that were located on a cliff that was diagonally of me, I used my Clawchain to get me to it and then I climbed the vines.

I exited out of the room only to find that something was different when I had returned to the main chamber. The door that had red ledges had now had its path filled with water that raced down to the very bottom of the room. Well, actually there was water already so it basically rose another few feet.

Whenever I had to use the staircase, the water will pour down making it easier for me since the flow of the water will just lead me down quicker. After exploring and doing the necessary things, I started to scale the room like before.

Climbing up the ladder reached me to the top of the arch and I pulled down the handle. Like before, I let the water to guide me down while occasionally, I had jump down due to some large gaps.

And like many times, I swam to the center of the area to reach the handle which will trigger another gutter gate and that will also activate yet another flow of the water.

The big boss should be happy that its getting all the water…

"I told you to take a right but no, you ignored me and got yourself lost!" Midna exclaimed.

"Well excuse me for being so curious." I muttered, angrily. "I wanted to know where that led."

"And it had led you to the room where you had already done the stuff." Midna rolled her eyes. "See? This is what happens when you don't trust your company!"

"Oh and I suppose you know how to get through this forsaken temple?" I shot back.

"I was right, wasn't I?" she mumbled. "But anyways—"

"Shh." I suddenly said.

"Don't you 'shh' me!"

"Shut up Midna!" I exploded, earning her to shut her mouth.

I carefully listened to the sound that I heard not to while ago. It sounded like a groan—like the kind of groan when the wood is having too much pressure so it had no choice but to collapse. Where was it coming from?

"Did you hear that?" I asked.

"No. I was too busy thinking on how to murder you." came the reply.

I stiffened.

The groan became louder so I whirled around to stare at the closed door that was in front of me. Was it coming from there? Cautiously, I unsheathed my sword and slowly began to walk towards it.

"Link, don't go in there!" Midna said.

"Well I want to know what it is."

"Yeah and then you will get yourself killed because you were too stupid enough to be a curious prat."

I scowled. "Didn't know you cared."

She closed her mouth before mumbling. "I don't."

I went inside the door though I numbly stared at the racing water that was coming in full speed.

"Link…" the imp uttered.

I'm guessing that was what the groan was.

I seemed to be in a paralyzed state yet Midna was the only one who could move and talk.

"LINK MOVE! DAMN IT!" she screamed.

I stumbled back and started to get out of the room so I could go back to the main chamber. Unfortunately, the water speed was too fast and I couldn't avoid it. I got the full blast, having the water to smack me hard (sending me to fall down; mind you I was on the upper level) as I felt the stinging pain.

However, I got out my clawchain, craning my shoulder so that I could have a better aim at the target. I released the claw but it missed so I tried again though I missed again. The last thing I saw was the horrified face from the imp before I was plunged into the cold depths of the water.

I forgot how to breathe because I didn't put on the black cloth. I gave out a strangled yell, trying to breathe underwater.

Suddenly, I stopped moving which freaked me out as I felt my blood going cold. My vision started to go on and off as I felt myself sinking deeper into the cold water…