Chapter 35 Fully Realized and Successor
Orko was once again back at the hut training with the other ringbearers. He was doing well. Orko was getting stronger and becoming highly skilled. "Orko is doing well," Foosabella said. "He has learned many secrets and is becoming a fine ringbearer," she said.
"He certainly is," Ero dee said. "Do you think it is almost time for the final test?" he asked.
"He has come pretty far and he is doing well," Vana said.
"Yes and he has proven himself many times as he takes each step further," Masde said.
"I think so too," Azron said. "Now Orko must face his final test to see if he will become a fully realized ringbearer," he said. He approached Orko. "Orko it is time for your final test," he said.
"My final test?" Orko asked.
"Yes you must go into the farthest part of the the forest and make your way to castle Grayskull," Azron said. "At four different check points which you will be lead to by a magic light that changes color, Foosabella, Ero Dee, Van and Masde will try to stop you, and you must defeat them in a challenge of their choice," he said. "Once you make it to castle grayskull you will face me in a wizard to duel to be tested, then us ringbearers will gather around you and will determine if you are ready," he said.
"Ready for what?" Orko asked.
"It is something you will find out at the end of this journey," Azron said. "You cannot ask for help from your friends I am afraid, and they are not allowed to interfere," he said. "So in other words if they see what is happening the sorceress will alert your friends to stay back," he told him.
"Okay," Orko said. Then Orko was teleported away to the farthest part of the forest. "Okay I better get going," he said. He saw there was beacon of color changing light he was supposed to follow. Orko followed it to the first check point.
Orko saw Foosabella waiting for him. "Okay Orko time to prove your strength," Foosabella said.
"Knowing you Foosabella it will need to be done in a way that is peaceful," Orko said. Then he saw a vine and grabbed it. "What do you think of this to prove who is stronger?" he asked tossing her one end.
"Very well a tug of war then," Foosabella said. "Now magically charge yourself and the vine with me to make this more difficult," she said.
"Very well," Orko said. Both him and Foosabella magically charged the vine and themselves and started to pull. Foosabella was very strong. But Orko feeling determined to bring peace and help others managed to pull the vine from Foosabella's hands without hurting her.
"Well done Orko," Foosabella said. Then handed him something. "This is a magic charge from my Oracle ring," she said. "Carry it with you," she said. "It is proof you have defeated me," she said.
"Will do," Orko said. Then took the charge from the oracle ring and headed to the next check point.
While Foosabella headed back to castle grayskull. "Orko passed," Foosabella said.
"Very good," Azron said. "Now he is up against Ero Dee," he said.
The next morning Orko made it the check point where Ero Dee was waiting for him. "Okay Orko I hope you are ready," Ero Dee said. "We will see how well you music fares to mine," he said.
"Ero Dee you are song mage I am not," Orko said.
"True but this is not for song spells just simple music," Ero Dee said. "We will see how can get one those tune hoppers closest to us to pick up," he said.
"I see," Orko said. Orko grabbed his Ocarina an looked at Ero Dee.
"Ready?" Ero Dee asked.
"Ready," Orko said. They started to play music and a tune hopper hopped towards Ero Dee. Then Orko started to play a melody that he loved to play for the tune hoppers when he was feeling alone and remembered the tune hoppers loved it. Then the second tune hopper began hopping very quickly to Orko. Then it hopped into his lap. Then he took into his hand.
"That was impressive," Ero Dee said.
"I always play that song for some tune hoppers when I feel lonely and they love to hear it," Orko said.
"Very clever you remember the song it likes," Ero dee said. "Very good," he said. Then handed him a magic charge from his Oracle ring. "Now go on Orko," he said.
Orko nodded taking the charge with him and headed off. Ero Dee made it back to castle grayskull. "Orko did well and passed," Ero Dee said.
"Now he has to face Vana," Azron said.
The next day around noon Orko made it to the next check point where Vana was. "Okay Orko we are going to see who can go through these trees the fastest." Vana said.
"I see a race," Orko said.
"Yes," Vana said. "Also this area has tangle trees and if you are not careful you could get tangled," she said.
"Okay," Orko said.
Then the two of them started their race. Things were going well for both of them. They were both in a rush when a strong gust of wind was blowing hard. Orko went lowered to avoid it, but Vana got blown into a tangle tree. "Oh no, I'm stuck," Vana said.
Orko saw Vana needed help and freed her from the tangle tree. "You could've gone a head," Vana said.
"That wouldn't be right," Orko said. "I like to win fair and square," he said. "Now let's get back to it," he said.
Both Orko and Vana took off again and Orko made it to the small clearing the was the finish line first.
"Well done Orko not only are you fast but also play fair," Vana said. Then handed him the charge of her oracle ring. "You have done well," she said.
Orko headed off to the fourth check point.
Vana made it back to grayskull. "Orko has done very well," Vana said. "He passed my test," she said.
"Very good," Azron said. "Now he has to face Masde before he gets here," he said.
The next day around 8:00 am Orko made it to the fourth check point where Masde was waiting for him. "Okay Orko you are going to head over to an area where a small landslide has buried some houses and you have to free the families trapped inside," Masde said. "You must do it before the sunsets." she said.
"Okay," Orko said.
Orko went to the area and began to helping people out of the landslide quickly. It was 15 minutes before sunset. "Maggie? Where's my puppy?" a little girl asked. Orko knew which house the little girl was in it was the one deepest in it. Without caring he may miss the deadline he rushed into to save the puppy. He found the animal and rescued it. Orko handed the girl the puppy with just a few seconds to spare.
"Is that everyone?" Orko asked.
"Yes," the man said.
"Well done Orko that was a very close shave," Masde said. "You almost didn't make it and I understand the reason, you knew life is a valuable thing and love that comes with it," she said. "You risked failure to save the life of a pet because you knew this little girl loved it." she said. "You have done well," she said. Then gave Orko the charge from her oracle ring. "You passed," she told him.
Orko went on his way.
Then Masde headed back to Grayskull. "Orko passed," Masde said.
"Now Orko must face me," Azron said.
"That will not be an easy task for him, you are the strongest of us," Foosabella said.
"I know it won't be we need to see if he is ready for his destiny," Azron said.
Orko made it to castle Grayskull. He saw Azron was waiting for him. "I hope you are ready Orko," Azron said. "This will be five minutes to show me your skill and how you have grown," he said. "I hope you are ready," he said.
"I am," Orko said. Then the two powerful Trollans started their duel. They were having an amazing fight to prove their magic. They were doing well. Then Orko saw a young child was about to get hit from a spell he deflected and went in front of it to protect the child and manage to slice it apart with his scarf.
He continued with this duel. "Both of them are doing well," Ero Dee said.
"Orko is doing a fine job," Vana said.
"It doesn't matter what we think," Masde said. "It matters what Azron thinks, he is the one testing him," she said.
"Masde is right about that," Foosabella said. "Now we just got to see what he thinks," he said.
Then the five minutes was up and Orko was front of Azron with his wand drawn and Azron relaxed and nodded. "Time is up Orko, you have done well," Azron said. "You saw a mistake that you made could've hurt someone who is innocent, and you made up for it quickly by protecting him." he said. "You are a fine ringbearer," he said. "Now let's go into castle grayskull," he said.
Then all ringbearers gathered around Orko. "Orko you are now a fully realized ringbearer," Azron said. "You have done well," he said.
"Yes you have, you have shown skills to make peace," Foosabella said.
"Have faced fears," Ero Dee said.
"Have made mistakes and learned from them," Vana said.
"Have shown great kindness and compassion for others," Masde said.
"Along with great wisdom," Azron said. "You have not only shown to have become a fully realized ringbearer, you have proven you are ready Orko," he said.
"Ready for what?" Orko asked.
"Orko I will not live forever," Azron said. "I knew when I predicted your birth and what you will do I also got a vision and word from the star tree you would be an oracle who would bring all of Trolla and other worlds as one with the masters of the universe with champion." he said. "You will be the new head oracle, when the time comes," he said.
"Me?" Orko asked. "Does that mean I am not you and the other ringbearers student anymore?" he asked.
"Things are now not the same way as before when we started training you, you are fully realized ringbearer now which means you are true member of our group, no longer a student," Azron said. "We will guide you if you need it, but now you can help guide us and others," he said. "You are an inspiration to Trollans," he said. "Now it's time for something to do," he said. Then Azron joined hands with the other ringbearers. Orko was in the center. Then golden magical energy shot from the rings. Orko was being bathed in the magic. He felt his power increase and then his outfit changed.
Orko was sitting on the ground and stood up and saw his new clothing. "My clothes are different," Orko said.
"Yes you are now the successor to me the oracle of old as I heard the star tree say in the vision," Azron said. "When my time comes the other oracles will look to you Orko," he said.
"I will do my best to be worthy of this honor," Orko said bowing his head.
"I have something for you Orko," Azron said and staff appeared. It was golden and it had red gemstones in it. "This staff is yours, I used my mage smith skills to make it for you," he said. "You will channel you magic through it for finesse or use as conduit like your wand," he said. "It will take some practice to learn how to use it, but I know you will get the hang of it," he said. "This staff will be able to handle greater strength and stress than a wand, so it requires great skill and practice to use and I know you can do it," he said.
Orko took the staff. "I will learn to use it and use it with great responsibility and honor," Orko said.
Then Orko headed back home to the palace. The others were surprised when they saw Orko. "Orko your clothes look different," Adam said. "Where did you get that staff?" he asked.
"I am wondering the same thing," Man at arms said.
"It is kind of a long story," Orko said and then explained. "I will do my best to be worthy of the honor of being Azron's successor as chosen by the star tree and Azron himself," he said. "I will use the staff with great honor and responsibility to prove that worthiness and honor too," he said.
"Orko you have grown up a lot since we first met you," Teela said.
"My daughter is right you sure have grown up in many ways," Man at arms said.
"I bet your family is going to be surprised when they find out," Adam said smiling.
"Yes I bet they are," Orko said wiggling his ears.
Dree Elle was happy to see him back as was everyone else.
"Hi in today's story you saw Orko taking a bunch of tests to prove himself worthy," King Randor said. "These were not easy tests either." he said. "However in one of those tests was a race," he said. "Orko saw Vana get herself in trouble and instead of going away to win the race he went back to help her." he said. "What Orko did is called sportsmanship." he said. "Orko likes to play fair and many others do too," he said. "When we play fair everyone wins because in the end we are all on the same team," he said. "So next time you see someone you are playing a game with like race or game of basketball needs help or they get hurt, stop and help them, because it is right thing to do, you might not win, but knowing that you did the right thing is sometimes more important than winning," he said. "Until later," he said.