Author's Note:

So again life decided to throw a wrench into my plans. I was enjoying the holidays and then caught a cold. So that put my writing plans for this fic on hold. I am now working on a schedule so that I can keep working on this fanfic while writing my next book. I want to finish this story. I greatly appreciate all of you who have been reading this story, and for having the patience for all the delays this story has experienced. Enjoy the chapter and sorry that it is on the shorter side.

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Rivan swam quickly, yet paced himself as needed. He swam northward away from Lurelin Village. After ten minutes, he encountered a group of Lizalfos that were stationed on a beach.

Rivan scowled. I don't have time to deal with this. The tunnel entrance is past this point.

He steeled himself before picking up speed. The enemy noticed him quickly, Lizalfos swam toward him, roaring mighty battle cries.

A group of three came at Rivan from his left, he quickly dove down evading the attack. Four more charged at him from above. Rivan halted and the four dove past him. He quickly looked around and saw that he was surrounded now on all sides by fourteen Lizalfos. He reached for his spear but stopped.

No. Can't fight them all. Have to get to the Domain.

He looked around, no openings. A Lizalfo stretched its tongue toward Rivan. He grabbed it and pulled down. The Lizalfo's eyes widened as it was pulled down into another one. Rivan bolted through the opening that was made. The Lizalfos quickly pursued after him. Rivan frantically searched for the entrance to the tunnel.

A sharp pain ripped through his back as a Lizalfos slashed it with more right behind it. Rivan flipped over his foe, grabbed its shoulders, and threw it backwards. The Lizalfo collided with the other pursuers. Rivan quickly swam away, his eyes frantically searching for the tunnel. The Lizalfos had recovered and continued to pursue him.

Rivan spotted the tunnel entrance thirty feet away. He flew through the water toward the entrance, but four Lizalfos blocked his path with the horde right on his tail. Rivan pushed forward toward the ones in front of him. All four threw javelins, Rivan did not adjust his course. He spun his body to avoid the worst hits, but did still get cuts as the javelins passed. He swam past the four, and with the pursuers swimming around their allies, slowing their speed.

Rivan managed to swim inside the tunnel. He took out his spear and turned towards the entrance.

With this confide space, their numbers won't matter.

Two Lizalfos entered the tunnel, but stopped before reaching Rivan. Rivan kept his guard up while slowly swimming backwards.

"Are you alright Rivan?" asked a familiar voice.

Rivan turned around to see Bazz with a few Zora's following him.

"I've been better," Rivan replied.

The Zora's stared down the Lizalfo's. Tension rose steadily as time seemed to stretch on. The Lizalfo's screech out before swimming away.

Rivan sighed in relief. "Nice that something has gone right."

"What do you mean?" asked Bazz.

"Short version: Gorons are dumb and Princess Mipha is injured," replied Rivan.

"We heard about Princess Mipha," Bazz stated. "That is why we were making our way towards Lurelin Village."

"How did you hear about that?" asked Rivan.

Bazz stared at the tunnel exit. "Lurelin Village sent us a letter. Getting there though will be a little more tricky with those Lizalfos in the way."

"And this is this the closest tunnel to Lurelin."

"What about the Gorons being dumb?" asked Bazz.

"They have Link."

The Zora troops gasped while Bazz stared at Rivan.

"By force?" he asked.

"Yes," Rivan replied. "He doesn't have the Slate. A Goron attacked some Gerudo guards to get to him."

Bazz's face fell into his palm. "Goddess' Mercy we don't have time for this."

"I had to flee from Lurelin due to Pyle threatening to harm those who would attempt to stop this," Rivan explained, "but Bargoh did seem like he was on our side. To an extent."

Bazz took a deep breath and exhaled. "This is a lot. You continue towards the Domain. We will provide Princess Mipha extra security, so that Princess Mipha can recover properly."

"Gaddison was injured too," Rivan added.

Bazz nodded. "Understood. Now swim."

"Don't have to tell me twice."

Rivan swam past the Zora soldiers and disappeared into the tunnel.

Bazz gripped his spear tightly. "Men, we break through the Lizalfos!"

The Zora's roared a battle cry before all swam out to face their foes.

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Blue light soared through the air and swirled around the pad of the shrine at Kakariko Village. Rhomson and Teba stepped out of the light.

"Let's hope we have some good luck," said Teba.

Rhomson nodded. "Yes."

Both walked behind the shrine on a forest path toward the Great Fairy Fountain. They approached a large bed of flowers that were in full bloom, yet the largest flower centered in this field was closed, dried, and was wilted.

Teba clicked his tongue.

Rhomson covered her mouth. "Oh no. Here too."

Both looked around frantically, but not a single fairy could be found.

"There isn't any here," Teba stated. "And the flower isn't looking so good."

Rhomson paced near the flower. "What should we do? The other fairy fountains could be in this state as well. What is causing this?"

"It is an unknown," spoke a familiar voice.

Rhomson and Teba turned towards the source, Impa.

"When this did this happen?" asked Rhomson.

"About a week ago," Impa replied. "It has been gradually losing its power."

"This isn't the news that we were hoping for," said Rhomson.

Impa looked at both of them and sadly sighed. "I'm guessing the Gorons have Link?"

Rhomson and Teba nodded.

"This is most troublesome," Impa stated. "Tell me what happened."

Rhomson told Impa about the attack on the Gerudos and where she found the Slate.

Impa scowled. "Those rock heads. Such impatience."

Teba clenched his fists.

"Mipha a few others are injured and resting in Lurelin Village," Rhomson explained. "We were hoping that Teba could be restored from his injuries so that he can fly back to Rito Village and tell them what happened. Rivan is on his way back to Zora's Domain to inform them."

"Smart move," Impa stated. "I will send out some scouts. We have to hurry and give Link back the Slate before those rock heads try to make Link take back the Divine Beast."

"...I don't think he is ready to take on one of those things," said Teba. "He is getting better but I don't think he is quite ready."

"Plus he won't be able to take back any of the Beasts without the Slate," Rhomson added.

Impa nodded. "So you know?"

Teba turned toward Impa. "Hudson told us. His ancestors examined the Guardians and Beasts."

Rhomson looked up at the sky. "I'm going to Death Mountain."

She held the Slate tightly.

"It will be dangerous," Impa stated.

"I'm not going to be able to go with you," Teba added.

Rhomson smiled. "Link is in need of a patch and I have the correct fabric for it."

Teba and Impa blinked.

"What are you talking about?" asked Impa.

Rhomson sighed. "How is Hudson so good at this?"

She closes her eyes. I hope he is okay.

"Never mind," Teba stated. "I'm still heading back to Rito Village. Our Elder needs to hear of this."

"But you are injured," said Rhomson.

Teba stretched his wings carefully. "Yes but they need this information as soon as possible. That way, they can find a way to aid you on Death Mountain."

"Chief Riju is already on her way toward Death Mountain to have a 'talk' with the elder," Rhomson stated.

Impa nodded. "I do hope it goes well. Teba, we have some medicine that can help you recover. It's not as strong as fairy magic, but it will be better than nothing. You will have to wait a day for it to take affect."

Teba took a deep breath. "...my instincts tell me to go now, but common sense I think is needed a little more right now. Thank you Impa."

"You are welcome."

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Mipha sat in her bed, meditating on the events that have taken place: Rhomson and Link going off to Gerudo Desert, Link getting kidnapped by the Gorons, the Gorons act of aggression on the Gerudos, the fight between Pyle and Bargoh, all of it was colliding with what she was trying to do. She opened her eyes to see Gaddison resting and Hudson guarding the door.

"I know you want to go," he spoke, "but you can't until you have healed."

"I just wonder why Rhomson isn't back yet," Mipha replied. "I hope Link is alright."

Hudson smiled. "He is tougher than we gave him credit for. He will be fine until we can find a way to get to him. It's possible that Rhomson is heading to Death Mountain now."

"But why not bring us back the fairies from there first?"

"You are smart, so I think you have some blueprints for that. Granted they can't be finalized until we actually know but still."

Mipha blinked. "Blueprints?"

"Okay not my best comparison to building," Hudson rubbed the back of his head. "I mean you have to have some guesses."

Mipha shook her head. "I don't."

Hudson rubbed his chin. She isn't thinking straight. Impatient?

"How is the princess?" Pyle's voice asked.

Hudson turned around to see Pyle standing with his arms crossed.

Hudson sighed. "Recovering and doesn't want to see you."

"Are we really going to have this conversation again?" asked Pyle. "She can spend as much time with the hero after he defeats the Calamity."

"Do you really think that is what this is all about?" asked Hudson. "You are so thick headed, stone like yours cannot be used in making anything."

Pyle rolled his eyes. "What else could it be?"

"How about you broke Mipha's trust two times?"

"The first time I was out voted by the other groups," Pyle replied. "I didn't agree to such a slow plan to heal our kingdom and save Princess Zelda. As for the second time, that is due to her short sight by being blinded by being with the hero."

"No it's due to you and your race being idiots. Bargoh...not sure yet on him, but at least he can see that this situation is bad. Your people may have started a war with the Gerudo. A war that we don't need right now."

Pyle walked right up to Hudson, towering over him. "There isn't going to be a war. The Gorons will train the hero, reclaim the Beasts, defeat the Calamity, and save Princess Zelda. Everything will be fine."

"I think you are forgetting the fact Link needs the Slate to reclaim the Beasts," Hudson replied, "and he doesn't currently have it!"

"ENOUGH!" screamed Mipha.

Midna rushed toward the house and started growling. Pyle stared down at the wolf.

Mipha took a deep breath. "Both of you enough! Pyle, leave."

"Still don't feel like talking to me?" asked Pyle. "Well I don't have to listen to you. I am here to guard you from the Yiga clan. So I'm not going to go too far, Scar Princess."

Mipha's lips pursed. Gaddison rose from her bed, weapon in hand.

"Do not call her that," said Gaddison. Malice dripping from her voice.

Pyle smirked. "Oh? And what are you going to do about it?"

"They will do nothing," a new voice called out.

Pyle turned toward the source to see Bazz. Pyle looked into the village and saw a few more Zora soldiers.

Bazz walked towards Pyle and pointed his spear at him. "I, on the other hand, will teach you proper manners. You will leave Princess Mipha alone, you WILL treat her with respect, and you WILL know your place."

Pyle turned to face Bazz. His gaze shifted and he saw Bargoh standing near by, and shot him a glare.

"I can tell when I'm not wanted," Pyle spat. "And since reinforcements have appeared, I don't need to stick around."

Pyle curled up into a ball and rolled away. Midna barking at him the entire time he was in view.

Hudson smiled. "Thanks for the back up."

Bazz nodded. "You are welcome."

Bargoh went back to his patrol around the village.

Bazz knelt down in front of Mipha. "Are you alright Princess Mipha?"

Mipha took a deep breath. "I'm...getting there."

Bazz takes out some medicine. "This will aid in your recovery."

"Just what we needed," Mipha stated.

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Link stirred awake to the sounds of wheels in motion. Magda was resting in the back with Brigo steering the wagon.

"Which one of you is awake?" asked Brigo.

Link sat up. "Me."

"Hope you rested well," Brigo stated.

"Just worried about my friends. I hope we get there soon."

"We will be arriving shortly."

Link turned to face Brigo. "Really?"

Brigo did not respond.

"That is great to hear. I can see how Mipha is doing."

"You mentioned she was hurt."

Link nodded. "Yes."

"She is a strong one," Brigo replied. "You do not have too much to worry about."

"I know she is strong but I'm still worried about her. She has helped me a lot."

Link took a deep breath. He then blinked his eyes twice.

"Brigo, you said we were almost there right?"

"Yes."

"Then why does the air smell like that?" Link questioned. "It doesn't smell like the sea."

Brigo brought the cart to a halt. "That is because of the terrain we are at. Not the best smell in the world due to the volcano."

Link's eyes widened. "Volcano? You...you are working with the Gorons."

The back of the wagon opened, twenty people were waiting just outside. All were holding rope, chains, or something to restrain him.

Brigo turned toward Link. "It would be in your best interests to cooperate."

Link took a defensive stance. He heard movement next to him, he quickly turned to defend himself but Magda shoved a few flowers in his face. Link gasped in shock and pushed her away. The world around him began to spin, the slightest movement put him off balance.

"What...did you-"

Magda smiled. "Nap time Link. Need to be rested for your training."

Those were the last words Link heard before falling unconscious.