Darunia's Dilemma
Fairy boy scurried downstairs, more Mad Scrubs popping their heads out the foliage and spitting at him.
"Aw, nuts!"
He didn't bother fighting them this time, too much of a nuisance. Instead, he bolted through them, a few nuts whizzing past his ears and clacking against the walls. He leapt over the third scrub, running down the next fleet of steps. The passages awaited him once again, Link not looking forward to them.
"A ladder?"
Navi chimed, "Glad you are becoming more observant!"
Link ran across the passage, Deku Scrubs down either side launching projectiles. Link latched upon the ladder, expecting the Deku Nuts to shoot him off, though they broke underfoot. He sighed with relief as he ascended, soon reaching the top. "This'll make things way easier! Why didn't they put a ladder on the other end?"
From atop the maze, he saw the various pathways, two Gossip Stones casually mounted here and there. The Mad Scrubs rustled below, impatiently waiting for Link's return for the privilege of shooting at him.
Link smiled, quite pleased to skip all that nonsense! Up ahead, was a square cut-out dropping down to a grassy opening, a ladder inside. "I wonder what's down there?"
Link jumped forth.
"Oh-whoa!" He fell down another hole...
Fairy Fountain
Link gasped as darkness surrounded him, though he found a landing nonetheless. "Where are we?"
"A Fairy Fountain!" Navi squeaked. "Go on, Link! The fairies will soothe your wounds!"
Link scurried forth. The hallway gradually brightened, revealing an underground, hexagonal colonnade with a short wall. Winged faces mounted the inside of the colonnade. A cluster of Pink Fairies casually flew around above shiny waters, which strangely rippled outwards from the center.
Atop the colonnade, a dozen Pink Fairies played a harp continuously, the pleasant music rebounding the underground chamber.
Link ran into the fountain, finding the sights wondrous. Without having to ask, the Pink Fairies swirled around Link, Navi flying with them. Link smiled, watching the fae buzzing around him, their sparkles and lights so pleasing to see.
Once the Pink Fairies finished healing Link, they reappeared, hovering attentively. "I hope you feel better!"
Link nodded. "Thanks so much, girls! Without you, I'd never have gotten this far!"
The pink ladies' wings wilted. "Aww... You're too sweet."
Link waved.
"See you next time, ladies!" Navi and her boy left...
Sacred Forest Meadow
Link was flung up through a shaft of light, reappearing in the forest. As he descended, he caught the ladder and climbed up. He ran forth, jumping over the passages and alcoves, Mad Scrubs sometimes shooting at him though they seemed to struggle aiming upwards.
Once Link past the Gossip Stones, he leapt off the last wall, landing below.
"AAAWWWOOOOOO!" The Wolfos emerged, head tilted back, hands low. "This time, little Link..." The Wolfos slowly straightened himself, glowing eyes and glistening tongue depicting his crazy face. "I know how to defeat you. This time, you will feel the frenzy of my fangs, the ire of my eyes, the power of my pounce, the cutting of my claws—"
Link ran on as if nothing happened, exiting the secret place via the hollow log.
The Wolfos blinked once, twice. "Oh. Never mind, then." He covered his head and disappeared in the grass.
Lost Woods
Four-way paths in all directions, music resounding from all corners of the compass.
"Do you remember the way?" Navi asked.
"Um, maybe..."
Goron City
A tribal drumbeat and high pitched grunts replaced the sounds of the forest. Link rushed past the four Bomb Flowers, the Goron ahead standing up and pleasantly watching him.
"I got the music of the forest!" Link proudly stated. "Now I can—"
A giant Goron rolled over Link, then falling to the lower tier.
As dust settled, Link was on his back, seeing stars, tongue out. The regular Goron nearby lifted his face off the ground. "Huah? Ohhhhmm, mmuhhh?" He stood, scratching his side, just mindlessly watching Link's pain.
Navi hovered close. "Don't forget about Z Targeting, Link."
Link sat up, shaking stars out his head. "Well, whatever..." He got up and jumped down the tiers, soon reaching the bottom, where the Goron Vase spun by itself as always. He gave the giant jar a few sword strikes for no reason, rolled past it, and noticed a section of cracked wall. Bomb Flowers grew at either side.
"Hmm..."
Deku Stick in hand, Link lit it from the torch, then ran across the Bomb Flowers. Ignited, they dropped, fuses hissing.
"Link, I think you should take cover!" Navi cautioned.
"No, I wanna roll away just before they blow up!"
"Link!"
"I can do it!"
PFFFFEWWWWW!
Navi flew up and down, her coughs puffing out dust and smoke.
Link was on his back, again, seeing stars, again, tongue rolled out, again.
Navi sweatdropped. "When will you learn, Link..."
He sat up. "But at least we can go inside!"
Goron Shop
Link entered a short cave, stalagmites along the side walls. A Goron sat behind a tall stone counter, one hand on his chin, other casually tapping the countertop. "Welcome! I sealed the entrance because I don't have much merchandise to sell. But you're quite a persistent customer, aren't you."
Link smiled. "Darn right I am!" He eagerly stared at bombs on the shelves, eyes brightening up.
"I'm sorry... That Bomb is just for display. I'm sold out of real ones."
Link's smile dropped. He instead bought a Heart Container to drink.
"Thanks a lot!" the shopkeeper said, though with his hand on his cheek, and hand tapping the countertop, he was difficult to read. Was he happy or bored?
Link bought another Heart Container. He was, after all, rather hurt. He downed it in one go. "Now I can go talk to Darunia better. Thank you very much!"
Whether the shopkeeper was amused or annoyed was anybody's guess.
Goron City
Link crossed the plush carpet, grumpy Darunia standing beyond the shadows. The big boss angrily stared down the boy holding an ocarina, wondering what the heck the dumb kid could be thinking of this time.
A green aura decorated with white leaves swirled around Link as he played. The song from the forest echoed beyond its pathway, rebounding throughout Goron City.
Darunia stood, angry, grumpiness intensifying, but...once his ears heard the tap, that iconic few seconds of music while Navi flew up and down...
Eyes shut, mouth open, the Goron chief raised his forearms and swayed them while shifting his weight side to side, sometimes balancing on one foot and half-twirling to and fro. He kicked his little legs up one after the other whenever not twirling, having a grand time. By chance or skill, he never struck the spear gripped by the statue behind him!
Darunia's awkward movements left Link dumbstruck. He stepped back, slowly...
Yet, Darunia's dastardly dancing had no end, feet thumping against his plush carpet.
"Oh!"
Oh-oh!
C'mon!
Come on! Come on! Come on!"
The torches seemingly burned brighter.
"HOT! !
What a hot beat!
WHOOOOAH!
YEEEEAH!"
The world spun upside-down for Darunia.
"YAHOOO! !"
The forest music finished, Darunia finishes his last twirl.
"Heeey! !"
Link looked back at Darunia, who stood grumpily again. At times, it was indeed difficult to recognize a Goron's anger or happiness.
Despite his angry face, Darunia's voice remained joyous. "What a nice tune! Just like that, my depression is all gone! Something just came over me! I suddenly wanted to dance like crazy!
I am Darunia! I'm the big boss of the Gorons! Was there something you wanted to ask me about?"
Link gave an honest answer. "About a spiritual stone..."
"What? You want the Spiritual Stone of Fire, too? The Spiritual Stone of Fire, also known as the Goron's Ruby, is our race's hidden treasure... But hold on—I'm not going to give it to you that easily, if you want it so badly...Why don't you go destroy the monsters inside of the Dodongo's Cavern and prove you're a real man? That way, everybody will be happy again! If you do it, I will give you anything you want, even the Spiritual Stone!
I have something for you. I'm not really giving you this in return for anything, but take it anyway. If you wear this, even a little fella like you can pick up a Bomb Flower."
Link received the gift, turning around and holding it above himself: A golden bracelet etched with a red Goron symbol.
"You got the Goron's Bracelet! Now you can pull up Bomb Flowers. Stand next to one and pull it up!"
Link slipped the bracelet on his left wrist, matching his belt buckle. Link eyed the bracelet, finding it pretty cool. He noticed a wimpish Goron appeared, standing nervously by the entryway like he didn't want to exist.
Darunia didn't look as angry anymore. "If you want the stone so badly...
...Link, or whatever your name is...
...then show your courage by defeating the ancient dragon, King Dodongo!"
Link had a concerned look. He overheard sobbing.
"Mommy," a very young Goron cried with eyes shut, his hands over his cheeks, "I'm hungry! Goro."
"There, there..." his mom comforted, sad and hungry like the others. She held her child, closing her eyes as her son looked up at her desperately.
Link, Navi and the wimpish Goron just watched, blank and deflated.
The wimpish Goron said, "That child has hardly eaten anything for a month. Goro. Unless we do something, he'll die of hunger. Goro."
Link looked at the big boss.
Darunia's stern face returned. "Destroy the monsters in the Dodongo's Cavern and become a real man! Then, we can talk about the Spiritual Stone!"
Link slightly lowered his chin, determined and bold.
I'll do it! !
Link angrily leaned at the wimp. "Lead me to the cavern!"
The Goron went cross-eyed, holding a finger to his mouth. "Huh? Me?" He curled up into a ball and shivered. "No way! Goro. Too scary! Goro."
Link cheekily remarked, "But you're dying of hunger anyway!"
The Goron didn't budge.
Link sighed. "Even with such a strong body, a wimp is still a wimp..."
Navi flew in, giving her child a little smack. "Link! Don't treat others like Mido treated you!" She flew closer, hands on her hips. "I don't want to see you acting like Mido ever again. You're better than that."
Link kept quiet for a few seconds. He agreed with her, not having to say anything for her to know.
He knelt by the shivering fellow, placing his hand on the Goron's side. "I used to be a bit like you. You know what I needed? To face my fears. Then I saw I wasn't afraid. I want you to feel the same."
The wimpy Goron looked up at Link with puppy dog eyes. "Really? Goro."
Link nodded. "Yes! I chose you to lead me because I know you can do it. I want you to become a man."
The Goron stood, gulping some air. "You're right. I am pretty scared, but..." He clenched his fists. "Can't let you take all the glory!" He looked at his starving brethren, then at Darunia. "When I come back, I too, will be a man!"
Darunia nodded. "Keep that up, and you to, will become like me someday."
The Goron thudded his fists together. "That's right! I won't let some dumb lizards scare me!" The Gorons his size cheered, weakly from hunger, but nevertheless motivated.
Once the cheer ended, Navi flew a little higher. "Um, Mr. Darunia, may I ask why you can't come with us? You seem quite powerful. Shouldn't this be easy for you?"
Darunia shook his head. Scratchy sounds echoed from behind the walls, the Gorons looking around, the mother and child quite startled. "Hear that? That sounds like another horde of Red Tektites. Sometimes, they gather in the thousands, slipping through the cracks and holes of our city to swarm us. Although our larger brethren are unbothered, and Hot Rodder often squashes them easily, I cannot leave my people unprotected...especially during these difficult times without food or stockpiled bombs." Darunia pulled the spear from the statue. "By the sounds of it, the Red Tektites won't attack until another half hour or even less. While you deal with the Dodongos, I will protect my city from the swarm. Don't fail us, Link!"
Link firmly nodded. "I won't."
The wimpy Goron mimicked the boy's expression. "OK, Link, I will meet you outside Goron City, in the circle of rocks on the pedestal. See you there!"
"See you soon!"
They parted ways...
Link walked into the shadowed section of the cave before Darunia's room, Link disappearing in the darkness. Navi flew over, hearing Link's ocarina playing.
Soon, Saria spoke. "I was so happy to hear that Mr. Darunia loved my song so much! I was even happier to find out that it helped you on your quest, Link!
Tee hee hee!"
Link smiled, Saria's voice meaning so much to him. "I couldn't have done this without your help, Saria! Thanks so much!"
Link scurried onwards, passing the giant spinning jar and going upstairs until he saw a Bomb Flower growing in a corner. "Hmm..."
"What are you thinking of now, Link?" Navi asked.
He picked up the Bomb Flower, the flower sizzling overhead. "I wanna play with bombs!"
"Be careful!"
"I'm gonna throw this into that big jar..."
"Link!"
He ran over, tossing the bomb—the jar spun away. "Oops, gotta throw this closer." He tried again. Missed. "Oh! I need to run closer to the ledge!"
"Don't fall!" Navi warned.
"I won't." Bomb Flower sizzling overhead, Link ran towards the fenced drop-off and...jumped off? The Bomb Flower exploded mid-air, throwing Link to the ground.
Once the explosion and smoke settled, Link sat up. "Oh, I can't throw bombs while I'm falling?"
Navi hovered above the brat and facepalmed while sweatdropping. "Link, bombs are not a game out in public! What if you hurt someone?"
"Don't worry! The Gorons don't mind!"
"It's not just that, Link!"
"I gotta try again..."
"Link!"
Link charged back to the Bomb Flower. Finally, he threw it into the giant jar... The explosion caused the jar to spin wildly, leaning about but never falling over. Soon, the jar stopped, various Rupees thrown out. Link jumped off the ledge, greedily snatching the money. He proudly looked at Navi. "See? Bombs are a game! even here! Not just at the castle town!"
"Ughh... Alright, Link..."
He smiled, eager for blowing more things up!
After obtaining more money and a Heart Container from the Goron Vase, Link got bored and, noticing he had hurt himself during the minigame, needed to buy some hearts.
Goron Shop
"Welcome!"
Link bought a couple Heart Containers, fixing himself up.
The shopkeeper spoke, "Are you going to clear out the Dodongos? It's a Goron problem, though. You're a nosey little kid, aren't you?! Well, of course we'll be happy if you fix it so we can get all the Bombs we want, like we used to... Just let me warn you, though... Dodongos are scary creatures! They'll eat ANYTHING! ! So watch yourself, and don't get eaten!"
Link's ears wilted. "I won't get eaten." I hope...
Goron City
Link began the long ascent of Goron City, soon feeling the ground rumbling from the big rolling Goron's momentum. He went over to investigate, finding only a sign by the cave of this tier.
If you can stop my wild rolling,
you might get something great.
—Hot Rodder Goron
While Link read the sign, the big rolling Goron returned...
Navi reared. She tried grabbing Link's attention, but he was quite fixated on the sign.
The rolling Goron neared.
THHDTHHDTHHDTHHDTHHDTHHDTHHD!
...
Link didn't even budge, seemingly immune to harm whenever...reading something. Once he finished reading, he looked around. "Did something happen?"
Navi hovered, shocked, not knowing how to react or what to say. "I'm...glad reading has such good benefits for you, Link."
He smiled. "Of course, Navi!"
Link walked past the sign, checking the area to the left. Since the cave didn't have anything, and the Hot Rodder Goron's rolling neared once again, Link went the other direction.
The big rolling Goron homed in on Link. He scurried away, finding an alcove farther down, block by cracked brown walling. Link's ears twitched, feeling the vibrations caused by the Hot Rodder Goron. Once the noisy nuisance faded, Link picked up and set a Bomb Flower, watching it flash red prior to detonation.
Another wall was in the way.
"Ha! I didn't expect that!" Link remarked. He blew up the second wall and ran down the curved corridor...only to come up to another wall. "Didn't expect that, either." He ran out, fetching another Bomb Flower. A small trail of smoke behind him, Link ran back and threw the explosive fruit.
Once the blast faded, a fourth wall stood defiantly.
Link frowned, annoyed but also amused. "Another one?!" He ran to get another Bomb Flower. Once the fourth wall shattered, the curved path led to a chamber, where quite a huge Goron was gladly on his belly, only his upper body and arms visible, everything else deeper in the cave. A brick forge burned to the right, flue pipe crooked and disappearing into the ceiling. A small table with a pot stood before the forge. A one-eyed statue gazed from the left side of the chamber.
Navi hesitated.
Contrary to some kid blowing up his way into his house, the oversized Goron seemed pretty chill. "I'm working on something really cool right now! But I think it's going to take a while... If you can wait five or six years, it should be ready. OK?"
Link looked at Navi. "See? Gorons don't mind at all! They make walls so we can blow it up and say hi!"
Navi sweatdropped. "Just don't do that with anyone else, OK?"
Link cheekily smiled. "OK." He looked back at the big Goron. "See you later!"
After he ran out the pathway, Link scurried across—he was run over by the giant Goron. Tasting dirt and seeing stars, Link jumped to his feet, glaring at the oversized thing casually yet noisily rolling away. Link grasped a Bomb Flower and ran after the big guy.
Navi flew up and down wildly. "Link! Don't throw bombs at him!"
Link threw a bomb at him.
The giant Goron bounced to a halt. He lifted his face off the ground, turned around, and scratched his side. "Why did you stop me? Don't stop me here! You can't stop my wild rolling! This wild rolling is the only way to relieve my stress! Now stand in awe of my wild, wild rolling! !"
He curled up into a ball and rolled over Link again.
Link lied on his back, tongue out, seeing stars.
Navi hovered over his face. "Well, well, Link... Maybe you should listen when I tell you not to throw bombs at people?"
Death Mountain Trail
Link emerged outside, greeted by sunlight shining through the arched geology and the pedestal holding its circle of rocks. The wimpy Goron stood up there, waiting attentively with five other Gorons.
Right before the downslope, Link saw another Goron jump, rolling mid-air before going downhill, disappearing around the corner.
The wimpy Goron stood from his raised square. "I was going to take you to Dodongo's Cavern, but I forgot there's a boulder in the way."
Link rubbed his chin. "Hmm..."
To the right, a rocky path led to an opening, Link going over to investigate. The path led to a drop-off blocked by stakes with short piles of rounded stones, two short extensions of them flanking a Bomb Flower.
To the left was a sign,
Natural Wonder
Bomb Flower
Danger! Do not uproot!
Farther to the left from the sign, a short, jagged walkway that led nowhere, overlooking the trail.
To the right, however, was a Goron, standing up to greet Link. "I'm standing here to shade the Bomb Flowers from the sun. Do you have a question for me?"
Navi scratched her head. "You were curled up into a ball moments ago..."
Ask about Bomb Flowers
The Goron answered, "Those plants growing over there are Bomb Flowers. They are "mining plants" that grow only on this mountain. The flower's fruit is the raw material for bombs. But a non-Goron amateur should never pick the Bomb Flowers' fruit! They usually grow only in dark places, like caves, so Bomb Flowers that grow in a place like this are extremely rare. They usually grow only in dark places, like caves, so Bomb Flowers that grow in a place like this are extremely rare. If you have the Goron's Bracelet, even a little kid like you could easily pick it up."
Ask about Dodongo's Cavern
"Did you see the cavern on your way here? That is the Dodongo's Cavern. Because the light inside is very dim, the Bomb Flowers, a plant unique to this mountain, grow like crazy in there!"
Link hopped upon the projecting rock after the posts, Kakariko Village visible beyond the trail below. Link scratched his head, unsure of what to do.
"Hey!" Navi called, flying in front of Link's face. "Let's go inside the Dodongo's Cavern using a Bomb Flower!"
Link blinked once, twice. "Oh, ya, right..." The Goron casually watched him uproot a Bomb Flower. Link threw it over the posts. He looked down; the fruit landed atop the cavern entrance, exploding after a few seconds. "Oops, missed..." Link plucked another fruit, tossing it over.
Navi flew higher, providing a higher view as the floral bomb flashed...
PFFFFFMMM!
Fractured chunks of the boulder flew asunder, the curled Goron seemingly sleeping through the entire blast.
Link smiled. "Thanks for the tip, Navi!" He ran forth, the wimpish Goron hopping off his circle of rocks and joining.
"Did you do something?"
"I did! I blew up the boulder blocking the cavern!"
The wimp stared with big eyes. "What? How, why... I'd never think of that!"
The five other Gorons sighed with relief. "We're so hungry... Now that the cave is open, let's go in and find some food!" They rolled away.
"Wait!" the wimpish Goron shouted, but they went off. He rolled after them, leaving Link in a cloud of dust.
The boy scurried downhill, in time to see the first rolling Goron explode unharmed near the Goron by the red flag. He rushed past them, soon seeing the opening of Dodongo's Cavern down below, two Gorons nearby.
The Goron by the cave raised his head and stood. "Oh, now we can enter the cavern. You're so smart!"
Link smiled. "It was Navi's idea, actually. I wouldn't have figured it out without her."
Navi blushed, wings wilting.
Link looked around. "Hunh... Looks like the boulders stopped rolling down the mountain. Finally!"
"Looks like Death Mountain has calmed down for now," the calm Goron said.
Link noticed the wimpy Goron was often checking the caves. "I hope they're OK..."
They heard whooshing sounds. Link spun around; a dozen Red Tektites leapt at the pony as she cantered up the trail, startling her until she reared.
"Hey!" The boy charged, unsheathing his blade and swinging like crazy.
"I'm coming! Goro!" the wimpy Goron exclaimed.
"Me to!" the other Goron said, both rolling into the Tektites while Link slashed and the pony kicked.
It wasn't long before they beat back the monsters. "That'll teach em..." He sheathed his sword and patted the pony's muzzle. She whinnied, happy to see Link. "Glad to see you're OK, girl! I gotta learn to keep you out of harm's way... But I definitely would like your help, too!"
More scratchy noises came.
"Here they come again!" Navi cried.
Within seconds, a vast cluster of Red Tektites slid down the mountain side.
Link gripped his sword and shield. "Alright, boys, looks like we got a hundred bugs to squash..."
After a vast yet simple fight, Link and his friends crushed enough bugs for the remainder to flee. "About time!" He Put Away sword and shield. "Those bugs are boring to fight."
Link, Navi, the pony and Gorons headed back to the cave. The wimpy Goron began shivering once again. To make things worse, more and more Red Tektites began sliding down the mountain sides, leaping up and down, slowly approaching.
The other Goron was unperturbed. He leaned back, holding his hands around his mouth. "Bomb Flower Goro!"
The Goron by the Bomb Flower up above looked down. "Hmm?"
"Lots of Red Tektites are coming! Get ready!"
The Goron up above nodded. "I will use the Bomb Flower whenever I can!"
The Goron below looked at Link. "I will stay outside and prevent the monsters from following you into Dodongo's Cavern! I will fight them off as long as I can!" He grabbed a rock and threw it with great force, destroying one Tektite before rolling into the others. Link shot his Fairy Slingshot to offer some support, though more and more of the monsters squirmed up the ledge and down the mountain sides...
"Got it!" Navi said. "Come on, Link! Let's get going!"
Link belted his slingshot, he and the pony facing the cave. The cave seemed to want to swallow them, silently. Although Link was a brave boy, he hesitated. For some reason, the carving of the dragon he made outside his treehouse came to mind. It's finally happening...
The wimpy Goron bent his elbows, so nervous sweatdrops flew off his head. "Are you really going in there? Goro."
Link stepped forth, standing just before the sunlight ended in the cave.
The wimpish Goron spread his arms, sweatdropping. "Five of my friends went in there searching for stones because they couldn't stand the hunger... ...they never came out again. Goro."
Link's forehead sweat.
G
U
L
P
Link withdrew a Deku Stick. "I got to light this up, can't see... But I don't have a fire."
"Here, let me show you a trick. Goro." The Goron took a black rock. "This stone is called flint. They spark when struck by something harder." He struck the flint against his teeth, creating a big spark.
The pony's ears pricked.
Link reared. "Your teeth must be very, very strong!"
"We eat rocks, don't we?" After a few strikes, the Goron ignited Link's stick, who used it as a torch.
They walked deeper into the winding cave, only their breaths and footfall echoing...