Chapter 27: Preparing for the Journey
The sun was just beginning to rise over Hyrule Castle, casting a golden light across the courtyard. Roll and Knuckles walked side by side, their steps echoing softly against the stone path. Knuckles had been unusually quiet, his eyes focused ahead.
"I'll meet you at the castle gate," he said, breaking the silence. "I want to double-check our supplies before we leave. Don't want to run into trouble out there unprepared."
Roll nodded, giving him a reassuring smile. "Got it. I'll find Link and make sure he's ready."
As Knuckles headed off to check their gear, Roll made her way through the castle halls, her mechanical feet clicking gently on the stone floor. She finally stopped in front of Link's room, hesitating for a moment before knocking on the door.
"Come in," came a voice from inside.
Roll pushed the door open to find Link, standing near his bed, hurriedly packing a small satchel. His room was a mess, with weapons scattered across the dresser and desk. A blue ocarina lay half-buried under a pile of papers and empty plates, hinting at hasty meals taken between preparations. Roll's gaze roamed over the room until something caught her attention—an armor, unlike anything she had ever seen, displayed on a stand by the wall.
It was immaculate, gleaming in the soft light filtering through the window, a stark contrast to the clutter around it. The armor was a deep blue, with intricate, silver patterns running along its edges, like gentle waves lapping at the shore. The craftsmanship was impeccable; every piece seemed to have been carefully carved and polished, with delicate, scale-like textures across the chest plate. The design was sleek and streamlined, resembling the form of a Zora that Roll had seen in pictures. It was clear that whoever made this armor had poured their heart into its creation, and it had been treated with great care.
Roll stepped closer, her eyes tracing the delicate details. It wasn't just armor; it was art, as if it was a piece of someone's heart. Whoever made this must have cared deeply for its creation. The thought made her wonder if there were stories here she didn't yet understand, just beneath the surface.
Link followed her gaze, pausing as he saw her staring at the armor. "It's Zora Armor," he explained quietly. "It was made by Mipha, a Zora Princess. She was... a friend."
Roll's expression softened. "It's beautiful," she said softly, her voice almost reverent. "She must have cared a lot about you."
Link didn't respond immediately, his eyes distant as he looked at the armor. For a moment, a faint, bittersweet smile tugged at his lips, barely there before he returned to his packing. "She did," he said simply, as if the words were meant more for himself than for Roll. Then, as if shaking off a memory, he looked up at her. "Have you ever ridden a horse before?"
Roll blinked, caught off guard by the sudden change in topic. "Uh, no, I haven't. I mean, I've driven plenty of machines, but I've never ridden a horse," she admitted with a small laugh. "And I'm not sure Knuckles is the type to ride, either."
Link let out a slight chuckle. "Yeah, I can see that. But I'm bringing Epona anyway. She's been cooped up for too long, and I don't want her to feel left out."
Roll smiled at his consideration. "I'm sure she'll appreciate the adventure."
Link finished packing and slung his satchel over his shoulder. Together, they left the room and made their way through the castle, heading to meet Knuckles at the gate. The journey to Zora's Domain was about to begin, and the weight of what lay ahead pressed quietly against their shoulders.
Far across the world, in a frozen wasteland where the sun's rays barely pierced through the thick, cold clouds, a dark silhouette loomed in the distance—Skull Castle, its once-imposing structure now appearing run down and broken, like a forgotten relic. Ice clung to its edges, making the skull-shaped façade look even more eerie and unwelcoming.
Proto Man and Bass stood at the edge of a cliff, their red and black forms stark against the icy landscape. Bass glanced at the castle, his jaw clenched. "Are you sure this is the place?" Proto Man asked, his voice low and skeptical.
Bass's eyes narrowed. "We'll find out soon enough."
They approached the entrance, expecting to be met by Wily's typical array of mechanical minions, but the castle was silent. No robots patrolled the halls, no sentries blocked their path. Only the hollow wind echoed through the corridors, filling the place with an unsettling stillness.
"It's strange to see it this empty," Proto Man muttered as they passed through one of the dark hallways. "Wily's never been one to leave his fortress undefended."
"Keep moving," Bass said, his tone impatient. He could feel his anger simmering beneath the surface, each step a reminder of what Wily had done—and what he still needed to do.
The corridors were cold, far colder than they should have been, with a chill that gnawed at their joints. Each step echoed, the metallic clangs blending with the distant creaks and groans of an old fortress barely holding itself together. Every now and then, there was a faint, almost inaudible hum—like the ghost of an engine struggling to run. It was as if the entire place was on the verge of shutting down.
They navigated through the labyrinthine halls, their footsteps echoing off the metal walls, until a faint light spilled out from a room at the end of a corridor. Bass slowed his pace, signaling for Proto Man to stay alert. They approached the door cautiously, and Bass pushed it open.
Inside, sitting at a panel illuminated by the dim, flickering light, was Dr. Wily. The once-vibrant scientist looked tired, his face pale and drawn, with deep lines etched around his eyes. He turned slowly, the motion almost mechanical, and looked at them. For a moment, he didn't seem to recognize them, his eyes cloudy with exhaustion.
Proto Man stepped forward, his voice clipped and urgent. "Where is Zero?"
Dr. Wily's lips curled into a weak smile. "Zero is out there, completing his mission. Destroying the Robot Masters... just as he was meant to," he said, his voice rasping and strained. He coughed, a harsh, dry sound that echoed in the small room.
Bass stepped forward, his eyes blazing with fury. "We're not here to talk about Zero. You're coming with us. You're going to help Dr. Light shut him down."
Wily's expression didn't change. He simply shook his head, as if amused by the demand. "I'm afraid I won't be able to do that, Bass."
It was then that Proto Man noticed the chair Wily was sitting in. He glanced down, his brow furrowing. "You're not able to stand up, are you?"
Wily's eyes met Proto Man's, and for a moment, there was a flicker of vulnerability, a crack in the facade of the mad scientist. "No," he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "My health... it's failing. I won't be going anywhere."
The room was silent, the air heavy with the weight of his words. Bass's anger faltered, but only for a moment."Then tell us what we need to know—now."
Dr. Wily's weak smile faded, and he looked back at the panel in front of him, his hands trembling slightly. "If you want to shut down Zero, you'll need Dr. Light. Bring him here." He coughed again, his body shaking from the effort. "And you'd better do it quickly... because I don't have much time left."
Proto Man's expression shifted, his usual stoic demeanor cracking just enough to reveal a hint of urgency. He glanced at Bass, his tone uncharacteristically firm. "If Dr. Light is going to stop Zero, he needs to know everything you know," he said, his voice unusually serious. "We don't have time for games, Wily."
Wily coughed again. "And I don't have time, so you better be quick."
Proto Man pulled Bass aside. "You stay here, with him. Make sure he doesn't try anything." He looked at Wily, realizing just how little time they had. "I'm going to go get Dr. Light now." Bass nodded his response and Proto Man ran off.