Chapter 42

When Link and his friends entered the next room, they were surprised at what they saw. There was a thick wooden plank stretched across a small lava pit. It was angled downwards and the other end was at a lower elevation. On the area below, there was a huge steel mesh constructed around the platform. There was also a platform that was constantly rising up to the ceiling and falling down again. There was a lava spout under the platform and every thirty seconds it would erupt, sending the platform up to the ceiling. Link nodded admirably. He encountered one of these in Dodongo's Cavern seven years ago. This one was a lot more powerful though. Link and his friends would have to be careful. Brad gulped nervously as he watched the platform.

"Don't tell me we have to stand on that platform. Is that safe enough?"

Link nodded and patted Brad lightly on the back.

"They aren't as bad as you think, bud. I used one of these a long time ago in Dodongo's Cavern. All we have to do is stand on that platform and with any luck, it will take us up to the next floor."

Brad nodded.

"Alright. If you say it's safe, I'll believe you. How do we get down this plank?"

Link looked down at where the plank went. Link stepped on it and held his feet sideways and sidestepped carefully, while holding his arms out to his sides to steady himself. Within minutes, he made it across the plank. He turned and he noticed Charlie was getting ready to cross. He stepped onto the bridge, but suddenly hesitated and turned around to face Brad. He grabbed him by the arm.

"I want to teleport you over there. I don't want to see you lose your balance and fall in the lava. I know this didn't work earlier, but let me give it another try. I'm going to put all my power towards teleporting you."

Navi, Valerie and Izzy cheered at Charlie and his kind heart.

"Way to go, Charlie! You've really gotten a lot more helpful since you got those powers."

"I only wish we could do more to help. I can put a shield around your body, but it won't protect you from lava."

"Brad's an awesome fighter, but he still has more to learn about the arcane arts. Maybe when we get out of here, you can try to teach him some of your powers."

Charlie shrugged.

"I can try, but it may be impossible. Look at it this way. When I was turned evil, Ganondorf must have gave me these spells. I don't think it's possible to simply teach somebody how to perform my spells. That doesn't mean I won't try though. Anyway, enough talk. Let's give this another try."

Charlie held Brad's arm and attempted to concentrate harder than he ever had before. Suddenly, he felt himself teleporting. He opened his eyes and looked around. He was standing beside Link with Brad on the other side of him still holding his arm! Brad looked up at him and smiled.

"Way to go, Pal. I knew you could do it if you put your mind to it and concentrated. I would love to be able to learn some of your spells, but we'll talk more about that later."

Link smiled at Charlie.

"So how do you feel about yourself now? You just helped out Brad and you seem to be getting even more helpful with your powers."

Charlie nodded. Link couldn't tell, but it looked like Charlie was grinning. It was hard to tell because he was a shadow being. It still bothered him a little how Charlie looked identical to him. The only difference was that Charlie was a shadow and he had red glowing eyes.

"I gotta admit. Being captured by Ganondorf was the best thing that happened to me. I feel more useful than I ever did before. I was never all that good with weapons, but who needs them when you have an arsenal of spells at your disposal?"

Link laughed at Charlie's remark.

"That's the spirit! I'm still really glad my purify spell hit you and got you on our side. Ganondorf is probably cursing Vaati for his incompetence."

Link noticed Argus and the three fairies were not yet across. They looked like they were talking to each other. He called over to them.

"Hey guys, what's the holdup? Are you coming over?"

Argus looked at Link and yelled a reply.

"I was just talking something over with the fairies. Navi told me I might hurt myself if I try to cross that thing. It might break. So I'm gonna hop into the lava. I'll be over in a minute."

The fairies flew across while argus swam through the lava. After everyone was accounted for, they went up to the lava spout and waited for the platform to lower. As soon as it was lower, they all jumped on. Thirty seconds later, they were being propelled up to the next floor. As soon as the platform got up to the top, they immediately climbed off. There was a door in front of them, so they opened it and walked into the next room. As soon as they did, they noticed a wall in front of them. There were two ways to go. Left or right. Link looked up and smiled. Maybe the fairies could fly high and see which way to go. He turned to the three fairies.

"Navi, Izzy and Valerie. We need your help. I want you guys to fly high and see what we are up against. Maybe you can figure out which way we are supposed to go. What do you say?"

Without responding to Link's request, they flew up into the air and flew around to take a look at what they were up against. They weren't gone long. Within minutes, they flew back down to tell Link what they saw. Navi flew forward.

"We are in a small maze. We might be able to guide you through. First, you want to take the path to the right. The left path doesn't go anywhere."

She flew up high above their heads along with Valerie and Izzy. Valerie called down to them.

"So far, we don't see any signs of enemies. You want to take a right just ahead of you."

Link looked and he noticed the path Valerie was referring to. Link, Charlie, Brad and Argus turned right. After they walked a few steps down the path, they began to hear rumbling. It was quiet, but steadily getting louder. Link looked up at the fairies.

"What's going on? What's that rumbling? Can you guys see anything?"

Izzy flew ahead of them and she saw the source of the rumbling and flew quickly back. She looked down at Link.

"Guys, there is a path to the right ahead of you. Please hurry and go down that way. There is a huge boulder rolling towards you!"

Link acted quickly. He turned to his friends.

"Follow me quickly, guys!"

They started to run ahead. The boulder was in plain view now and it was getting closer. Charlie was beginning to get worried.

"We're not going to make it! Hold onto me! There's only one way out of this. Trust me! I won't let anyone get hurt."

Everyone grabbed onto Charlie's arm. He concentrated and teleported them to the passage to the right Valerie had mentioned. It was perfect timing. Soon after, they saw the boulder roll by and they heard a loud Crash! They walked out of the passage and saw that the boulder buried itself into the wall. Navi flew down to see if everyone was alright.

"Thank God you're all alright! Keep your eyes open, everyone. I didn't see anyone from the air, but I don't think that was an accident. I think somebody sent that boulder flying towards you."

Suddenly, they heard a familiar voice.

"Darn! I can't believe that missed. Stupid fairy! You ruined everything."

Suddenly, Vaati appeared in front of them. Link cursed angrily.

"I see you're still trying to kill us. Why don't you just leave us alone?"

Vaati laughed.

"I'm afraid I can't do that. You ruined my life after you got that traitor back on your side!"

He pointed at Charlie. Charlie laughed.

"I'm no traitor. I just remembered who I was. How did I ruin your life? This is going to be funny I imagine."

Vaati glared at him.

"Shut up you idiot! Thanks to you, I got punished by that maniac Ganondorf! I ended up leaving his service to go out on my own."

Charlie laughed even harder.

"Aw that's too bad. You and daddy had a fight and now you aren't seeing each other anymore? How sad!"

Vaati glared venomously at Charlie.

"You're going to be sad alright. Sad that you ever decided to open your big mouth!"

Vaati began to create a ball of dark energy in his hands. Charlie laughed.

"Come on, hot shot. What's taking you so long?"

Vaati cursed in anger and released a ball of Dark energy towards Charlie. He easily dodged it and he teleported up into the air and he was floating. Charlie smiled at Vaati.

"Let me show you how it's done. Watch me!"

Charlie began to form a ball of dark energy. Within seconds, he had an enormous ball formed. He then tossed it at Vaati. He dodged it, but it wasn't finished. The ball of dark energy began to follow him! Vaati ran as fast as he could, but he was having trouble outrunning it. He glanced behind and gasped. It was very close now. He looked up at Charlie while he ran.

"You...can form... heat seeking shadow balls? How is that even possible?"

He gasped for breath and stopped running. It was a fatal error in judgement. The shadow ball struck him in the back, and it sent him flying. He groaned in pain. He rose to his knees and looked up at Charlie.

"We should have never captured you. Now you have powers even greater than mine. This isn't over! I will find your weaknesses eventually. Just you wait!"

He disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Link came up behind him and patted him on the back heartily.

"I see what you meant about your spells earlier. Well done! Thank you for sending Vaati packing. Maybe he'll think twice about attacking us again."

Argus laughed.

"You're awesome, Charlie. I'm really starting to like having you around. I'm really impressed at your power and skill with those spells of yours!"

Charlie smiled and patted Argus on the shoulder.

"Thanks, friend. I'm glad to help out"

Brad walked up to Charlie and grabbed his hand and shook it.

"Well done, Charlie. You are very skilled with magic just like I am with the blade. You and I are going to make an awesome team."

Charlie nodded as he shook Brad's hand.

"I look forward to it. Thank you, Brad!"

Navi flew down in front of Link.

"Valerie and Izzy got back from exploring this maze. Good news! We are almost out of this maze. Just ahead there are paths going to the left and right. Take the right one and the exit door is just a few steps away!"

Link smiled.

"Good job, Navi. You and the other two fairies make good scouts."

They began to walk towards the two paths when suddenly, they heard rumbling again. Valerie flew over to Link in a hurry. She looked scared.

"Link! There's something big rolling down the path to the left and it's coming this way! I can't tell what it is. There's too much dust."

Link gritted his teeth. Was it Vaati again up to his usual tricks? He looked at Argus, Charlie and Brad.

"Get ready, guys. Whatever is coming, we'll face it head on!"

They nodded as they waited for the unknown object to get closer.

General Saska and Major Jaska were on night patrol in the desert in front of the Pyramid which was Nabooro's headquarters and home to the two evil witches Kotake and Koume. They enjoyed the change of pace. They hated being anywhere near open fields of grass and preferred the shifting sands of their desert home. They both rose swiftly through the ranks. Saska was now in command of the Gerudo army While Jaska helped train the soldiers to help her twin sister. As the years went by, they eventually became skilled magic users. They never boasted, but they were both far greater spellcasters than King Ganondorf himself. However, they respected his title and never argued with him and followed his orders without question. King Ganondorf came to them for certain spells or incantations. Jaska groaned aloud.

"My feet are killing me! Is our patrol almost done?"

Saska grinned.

"If you hate this patrol so much, why don't you go to Nabooro and complain? Besides, this beats patrolling King Ganondorf's big castle any day."

Jaska nodded in agreement.

"That's true. He has to teleport us in as well. There's no bridge to his castle. He doesn't want enemy troops gaining entry. I think he's a little paranoid if you ask me."

Saska laughed lightly.

"Maybe. So, how are our troops doing? Can they handle themselves in battle?"

Jaska nodded.

"Aye I think they will be fine. They all passed the gerudo training grounds with flying colors. Ganondorf ordered us to get them trained and ready to march on Kakariko Village and I think they're ready. I was in the temple the other day talking to Kotake and Koume. They both told me to make double sure they can handle themselves in a fight. Afterwards, I had to stand there while they told me a very long story about when they were gerudo soldiers. I must've stood there for at least an hour."

Saska laughed.

"Those two never change, do they? First, they lecture you then they tell you a long story about their youth. I guess I can't blame them. They are both almost 500 years old. One of them is King Ganondorf's mother, but I'm not sure which one."

Suddenly, the two gerudo saw a purple glowing in the distance. Jaska nudged Saska.

"What was that glowing coming from?"

Saska gasped.

"Stand to attention! King Ganondorf approaches!"

Ganondorf walked up to Saska and Jaska. Both were nervous. What kind of mood was the evil king in today? They didn't have to worry. Ganondorf hugged them both.

"Saska, Jaska. It's been at least a few months. How have you two been doing?"

Both answered at the same time.

"We are fine, sir. How about you?"

He shook his head.

"Don't ask. I need your assistance again. But first, how are the troops doing, Major?"

Jaska stood to attention as she answered.

"Sir! They have been doing remarkable! They should be able to handle anything you throw at them."

Ganondorf patted here lightly on the back.

"Job well done! Same goes to you, General!"

Saska swelled with pride.

"Thank you, sir!"

Ganondorf sighed.

"As I said earlier, I need your help. That whelp Vaati has betrayed me. What's worse, Dark Link is back on Link's side, and he still has all the evil powers I bestowed upon him."

Both gerudo gasped with shock.

"Sir, that's horrible news!"

"I can't believe that traitor Vaati ran off."

Ganondorf sighed.

"Yes. An unfortunate turn of events. The question is, can you help me exact my revenge on Vaati and take out Dark Link while I'm at it?"

Saska scratched her chin in deep thought. Suddenly, she brightened up.

"I might be able to create a dark spell that would help. Here's what it would do."

Saska discussed the spell's function to Ganondorf. He grinned evilly. The more she described it, the more he liked it! He nodded in agreement.

"That's perfect! When can you have it made?"

Saska bowed to her king.

"It will be ready in the morning, sir!"

Ganondorf nodded with satisfaction.

"Very good! I will in the pyramid visiting Kotake and Koume. Once you're done your patrol, get started immediately!"

Ganondorf walked towards the pyramid. Saska grinned evilly.

"I hope Nabooro releases me soon. I can't wait to get started on this spell!"