Chapter 48: Speed Demon Fahlcon

In response, the spirit known as Bokwyrme sent the books flying at Link like projectiles. Link swung at them vigorously to keep the books' from biting him with their page-made teeth. But as more of them kept coming, Link was forced to summon Joelle who created a ring of fire that kept the books from coming toward him. Using this to his advantage, Link was able to beat back the flying books with the Master Sword until there was nothing left except a ghostly apparition. Waving the Ghost Lantern in front, Link was able to absorb the apparition which became a dark blue flame inside. After that, Link reached the golden chest he found a big golden key and noticed a ledge above the bookshelves where a large door with a gold lock was situated.

"Okay, Bokwyrme," Link said holding up the lantern. "Make a bridge that will allow me to get up to that ledge."

Reluctantly, Bokwyrme emerged from the lantern and created an entire staircase made from books. Finding them to be surprisingly sturdy, Link walked up the book-made staircase and onto the ledge. Once there, he waved the lantern and said, "I'm releasing you from serving me, Bokwyrme, but don't bother anyone who enters this section."

There was a bright flash and the book-made staircase fell apart with the books flying this way and that till they returned to their proper shelves. With the big gold key, Link used it to unlock the door and stepped inside. Apart from an unlit lantern, there was nothing in the room except a stone tablet encased in glass. Upon closer examination, Link realized that there were symbols on the tablet but he couldn't figure out what they were.

"At last," said a voice behind Link. "I have found the Medley Fragment."

There was a rushing noise, and then Link found himself writhing on the floor as something unseen had punched him in the gut. Above him stood Fahlcon, who was still carrying Agnes over his shoulder. Using one hand, Fahlcon punched through the glass and picked up the stone tablet. As Link got to his feet, Fahlcon looked over his shoulder.

"It seems you're not as bright as I thought, Hero of Infinite Possibilities," Fahlcon said as he turned to face Link. "If you wish to die a swift death here, then I will gladly bring it to you."

Setting Agnes down, Fahlcon stood in a position like he was ready to run as the blue lights that were his eyes glowed brightly. Then just as Fahlcon moved, Link summoned Joelle which caused Fahlcon to run into it. Backing away, Fahlcon kept a safe distance from Link until the flames died out. So Link switched Joelle out for Beth in order to send flaming projectiles at Fahlcon who merely dodged them as he ran in circles around Link. Using Amy, Link sent waves of green fire in Fahlcon's wake causing him to run all around the room to keep the flames from catching up to him. With Fahlcon being almost cornered, Link quickly switched Amy for Meg in order to trap him in a ring of purple fire. Fahlcon burned profusely in the ring causing his uniform to be destroyed, revealing a hideous body that was nothing but muscle with no skin and it was swollen.

Angered, Fahlcon ran at Link from every direction at an even faster pace than before. Barely dodging them, Link used the same pattern as before and was able to trap him in yet another ring of purple fire from Meg. This time, Fahlcon's helmet melted off of him along with the Sheikah Silencer. Underneath, Fahlcon's face was just as muscled and swollen as his body with the blue lights still shining from his real eye-sockets and a mass of dark hair that was rising like heat.

"That does it!" Fahlcon said as steam rose from his naked body. "Now you're really dead!"

But as Fahlcon tried to take a step forward, a melodic sound was heard in the room. Link looked to his right and saw Agnes on her knees with the stone tablet at her feet. A clarinet of wood that was the color of honey and golden keys was held in Agnes' hand and she was playing a song that sounded dramatic but subtle.

"The Bolero of the Western Gale," Fahlcon said as he started to suddenly tremble. "It's weakening my power!"

Running toward the open door, Link was able to stop him in another ring of purple fire conjured by Meg. The flames pierced Fahlcon's skin, causing him to seemingly melt in the flames. But to Link's surprise, there was another person lying in Fahlcon's place of average height with brown hair and red cheeks.

"Fletch?" Link said, running up to the boy he knew who looked much older now. "Is that you?"

In response the young man opened his eyes, which were now hazel-green like they were when Link met him, and he looked genuinely surprised. "Link! Where have you been?"

"It would take too long to explain," Link said, helping Fletch to his feet. "But what happened? Where are the other Rail Riders?"

"I don't know," Fletch said nervously. "The last thing I can recall is being taken to the Goddess Statue by Zelda, who seemed more…sinister from before."

"In what way?"

"Well, her skin was paler than usual and her eyes were different. Instead of being blue like the sky, they were a sickly yellow color. I didn't want to say anything out of fear that the guys would pick on me, so I kept these observations to myself. Then we were led into this dark room with this weird statue inside that had an ugly looking face with horns on top of its head, and that's the last thing I remember."

"The Fused Shadow," Link muttered.

"What?" Fletch asked.

"Never mind," Link said shaking his head. Then he said, "Do you know where Zelda is?"

"No," Fletch said with an embarrassed look as he started shivering. "Boy, it's much colder in here than I thought."

"I'll let you have my clothes, then," Link said as he started taking off his shirt.

A quiet gasp caused Link to look over to where Agnes was seated who was staring at the two boys with a surprised look.

"I didn't expect to see you here, Grasshopper," Agnes said as she got up. "When you didn't come back with my Golden Bugs, I got worried and had to find them myself."

"Uh, sorry about that," Link said while Fletch curled up on the floor to cover up his privates. "Is there some way I can make it up to you?"

"I think rescuing me from that bird-faced meanie was good enough," Agnes said smiling. "So I guess we're even now."

Then after she spoke a blue light encircled her and the stone tablet causing Agnes to become transparent. Concerned, Link ran over and tried to grab Agnes but his hand went right through.

"What's happening?" Link said anxiously.

"I'm being taken to the Sacred Realm," Agnes answered with a casual expression. "Once I played the Bolero of the Western Gale, I've come to the realization that I'm the Sage of the West Wind and must go to the Sacred Realm until the other Wind Sages have been awakened. Find them before time runs out for Skyloft, Grasshopper."

"Wait!" Link said and took out the Commander Clamp magazine. "There's a little girl in the Gerudo District who wanted me to have this signed by the author of the series, and I think that author is you!"

In response, Agnes giggled.

Surprised, Link nodded. "So you are the author?"

"No, Grasshopper," Agnes responded.

"But I found a manuscript that had a golden bug on the postage stamp, and the author's name was Mister Grasshopper."

"Oh," Agnes exclaimed. "The one you're looking for is Mister—

Before Agnes could finish, she was gone. Then another circle of blue light appeared right after, prompting Link to walk towards it when he realized Fletch was still naked. After swapping clothes with him, Link donned the green tunic and white pants Lana had given him originally which he had carried with him the whole time. Afterwards, he walked with Fletch toward the ring of light and the two of them vanished within it.

To be continued…