Legend of Zelda: The Fire Rose Ch. 3

For one, hand-picked for this task, his knowledge, his strength, and his heart will be put to the test once again.  Evil forces have put him through his paces, but will he be ready...

Sludgemire slithers his way towards Link and Chloro as he takes the first move against them.  Link jumps to the side to dodge Sludgemire's initial attack.  Link swings the Wild Flower Sword at Sludgemire.  His attack cuts off a chunk of blue slime.  Sludgmire attacks again as if nothing harmed him.

Sludgemire: BLEEEEAAAAAAHHH!!!

Link: This guy is tougher than he looks.  My attack didn't do anything.

Chloro: (voice) Your attack?  Please, I'm doing all the work here.

Link: Then do I blame you for not hitting him?

Chloro: That's not what I meant.  Look out!

Sludgemire: Bleeeeaaaaah! (swings a slime arm.  Knocks Link over) Bleeeeahhh!

Link: Gooaaaah!

Chloro: Hey, prisoner, you better pick up the pace.  You're going to get creamed if you keep this up.

Sludgemire: Bleeaaaahhhh. (his body pulsates) Ble-e-e-ea-a-a-ahhh!

Link: what is he doing?

Chloro: I don't know, but he just said, "I'll swallow everything that enters my territory."  Nnnnhrrrr...

Link: Hey, are you alright?

Sludgemire: (charges for Link) Bleeeeeeaaaaahhhh....!

Link: Yikes!

Link sheathes the Wild Flower Sword and runs away from Sludgemire.  Link swerves around trees to get away.  Sludgemire dashes through the trees leaving slime masses of itself behind.  Link ducks behind a fallen log by the river bank.  Sludgemire looks around, then turns away to continue searching.

Chloro: (appears before Link) Good, I think you lost him.  You finally do something right.

Link: (catching his breath) I need a moment to think of a way to beat that monster. (breaths in) Do you have any ideas?

Chloro: Don't look at me.  I've never seen that thing before in my life.

Link: Well, I'm sure I have something that'll help me in my Adventure Pouch.

Chloro: Your what?

Link: My Adventure Pouch.  It holds all my equipment from a previous quest I.... wait, where is it?

Chloro: Did you lose it or something?

Link: I'm pretty sure I had it when I went out this morning...

As Link thinks back to the Sealed Temple.  As he dashes out the door with the Practice Sword and Hylian Shield, he remembers seeing his Adventure Pouch resting by the exit in the corner of his eye.

Link: Darn it!  It's still back at the Sealed Temple, by the door so I wouldn't forget it. (slaps his forehead) Darn it!  I had some really useful things in there.

Chloro: You left it behind?  Oh, that is rich.  You can't do anything right, can you?

Link: Look who's talking, Miss I-can't-hurt-the-slime-monster.

Chloro: That was uncalled for.

Link: It doesn't matter now.  We still have to stop this monster before it decides to attack the village.

Chloro: I guess you aren't wrong. (looks down to the dried-up river) That moster must have something to do with the water disappearing.

Link: I think you're right.

Link drops down into the dried-up river and follows a trial of the blue slime.  They arrive at a giant mass of slime blocking the flow of water.  They both approach it cautiously.

Link: That Sludgemire thing... where does he get off thinking he can get away with this?

Chloro: Congratulations, you found what's damming the river.  Now what are you going to do about it?

Link: I don't know.  If this stuff is made from that monster, than beating it should make it go away.

Chloro: And how do you plan on doing that if you're so smart?

Link: I'm working on it.

Chloro: A likely excuse. (sees something moving underground) That thing can't dig underground, can it?

Link: I hope not.

Chloro quickly jumps back into the Wild Flower Sword as Link draws it.  Both of them ready themselves for whatever comes up from underground.  Seconds later, the force of something popping from below the ground knocks Link down.  As Link rushes to his feet, he sees the Business Scrub smiling at him.

Business Scrub: Howdy, friend.  How's tricks?

Link: You again?

Chloro: (voice) Get lost.  I told you not to bother us.

Business Scrub: I know what you said, but I swore I'd find something to sell to your wielder here.  When I heard you were on your way to the Deep Thicket to investigate the river drying up, I thought of the perfect thing for you.

Link: What do you mean?

Business Scrub: Well, my suspisions of something damming the river is correct, and what better way is there to get rid of the dam than to blow to kingdom come?  That's right. (holds out a Bomb Bag) This lovely bag is made from the finest Dodongo stomach and holds all the bombs you'll ever need.  Blow your enemies away with one blast.  Guarrenteed.

Link: Bombs, huh?

Chloro: Don't fall for it, prisoner.  He just wants a quick ruppee is all.  Listen, I don't like you, Business Scrub, but you better get out of here before this monster we're after gets you.

Link: Hey, do have any means to carry that bag and anything else I have?

Business Scrub: Why didn't you say so? (holds out another bag) This is the Explorer's Pack.  This strange and wonderous bag can hold as much items as you can muster up.  How does it hold it all?  No one knows.  I'll throw in this and the bombs for the low, low, low, low, low price of 75 ruppees.

Link: 75 ruppess?  That seems a bit much. (the large slime mass pulsates)  Uh.... okay, deal. (hands Business Scrub the ruppees) Give 'em here and get out of here.

Business Scrub: Thank you for your business, friend. (hands Link the Explorer's Pack and the Bomb Bag) Tell your friends. (burrows underground)

Chloro: What was that all about?  You actually trust him?

Link: Believe me, if this works, you'll thank both of us.  (Sludgemire jumps out of the giant slime dam) Whoa, and not a moment too soon.

Sludgemire: (diving downwards) Bleeeaaaahhh!

Link: (rolls out of the way) Whaaaa!!!  (stands back up) Okay, Chloro, what is Sludgemire exactly?

Sludgemire: (swings his arms around) Bleaaaah!!!

Chloro: Hello?  He's a slime monster thing.  Are you blind?

Link: (dogding Sludgemire's attacks) Yes, but picture Sludgemire nothing more than a massive Chuchu if you will.

Chloro: Um... what the heck is a Chuchu?

Link: Nevermind. (pulls out a Bomb) Just watch this. (throws the Bomb at Sludgemire) Hah!

Sludgemire: Bleeeeaaahhh... (the bomb lands in his mouth) Blurrrrrr....

Chloro: Oh, let's feed the giant slime monster.  That'll save-

At that moment, the Bomb inside Sludgemire explodes.  Sludgemire's body is blasted into hundreds of pieces of slime.  What remains is a bouncing purple ball with two cords with his eyes at each end.

Chloro: Ooh... that is disgusting... is that his brain?

Link: That must be his weak spot.  Now's my chance!

Chloro: Your chance?  Hey, wait!

Without hesitation, Link swings the Wild Flower Sword again and again at Sludgemire's brain.  After the fourth swing, slime from the dam congregates around his brain to reform his body.  Sludgemire's body grows larger.  Link quickly pulls himself out of the river bank.  Sludgemire climbs out after him.

Sludgemire: Blllleeeeaaaahhh!!!

Link: Told you my plan would work.  Now to finish him.

Chloro: Yeah, except he's bigger now.

Link: Don't worry.  I've faced bigger foes. (Sludgemire's arm grabs Link) Whoa!

Sludgemire: (holds Link above him)  Bleeeeeaaaahhh!

Chloro: C'mon, prisoner, if this thing eats you, I'm not going in after you.  That's a promise.

Link: C'mon, big guy... open your mouth again....

Sludgemire: Bleeee.... (opens his mouth wide open) Bleaaaaaaahhhh!

Link: Guh.... that stinks... (holds up a Bomb) Now eat this!

Link throws the second bomb into Sludgemire mouth. Sludgemire swallows it, and a second later, the bomb blows up and scatters Sludgemire's body again.  As Link and Chloro fall down, Link sees Sludgemire's brain again.  Link holds the Wild Flower Sword downward and thrusts it into Sludgemire's brain.

Link: Terriaaaahhh!

Link delivers the final blow.  As the brain shrivels up, the slime dam pulsates irradically.  Both the brain and slime turn pitch-black, then turn to petals.  The petals are then cast off into the wind.  As Link stands up and Chloro reveals herself, the flow of water returns to the river.  They see Burk being carried away by the current.

Burk: Help- (coughs) Help me!!!

Link: It's Burk!  He's okay.

Chloro: Hmm... I knew he needed our help.

Link: Of course you did.

Burk: (a low tree branch catches him) Help me...!  I can't swim!

Chloro: Hold on, Burk.  I have an idea. (pushes the fallen log into the river) Here, jump on.

Burk: Nuh.... (jumps onto the log) Thank you, Chloro.  I knew you'd save me.

Chloro: It's no trouble.  Now, then, how about you take a little log ride back into Korfella Village?

Burk: What?!  I don't wanna.  That monster will attack again.... I wanna come with you.

Chloro: C'mon, Burk, it'll be fine, I promise.  The prisoner and I took care of that mean old monster that attacked you before.  The river is safe again.

Burk: You did... That was so brave of you.

Chloro: You were pretty brave too, you know.  You warned your friends about that monster, didn't you?  You helped them escape.  If that isn't bravery, I don't know what is.

Burk: Really?

Chloro: That's right.  Now, show the village how brave you are.  Ride into the village on your hero log and tell them everything will be fine.  Can you do that for me?

Burk: I... I think I can.  Yeah, anything for you, Chloro. (the log beings following the current) Thank you, Chloro.  Thank you, Mister!

Link: Chloro, was that really wise of you to let Burk go on his own?

Chloro: He'll be fine.  He just needs encouragement every now and then.  He's a lot braver than he thinks.

Link: I'm liking this softer side of you, Chloro.

Chloro: Don't get use to it.  With him out of our way, we can go to the forest shrine without any further distractions.

Link: Coming from you, I'm not surprised you'd say that.

Link and Chloro find their way out of the Deep Thicket and return onto the path to the forest shine once again.  They arrive within the shrine and search around.  At the center of the shine, they see an arrangement of boulders and a large tree to their left.

Link: Mordel?  Mordel, can you hear me?  I need to talk to you.

Chloro: I don't think he's coming.

Link: How can you say that?

Chloro: Because people have been coming here for ages to praise Mordel, and he himself has never shown up in person.  What makes you think he'll show up for you?

Link: He has to show up.  He may be the only one who can help me.  Mordel, if you can hear me, do something, anything!

The ground around Link and Chloro begins to shake.  The boulders then float into the air and arrange themselves into the form of a man.  The branches of the tree to the left grab hold of the boulders as vines wrap themselves around the boulders.  The tree up-roots itself and becomes the form's right arm.  Finally, a head forms on top from smaller stones.  Two jewels become the form's eyes.

Chloro: No way, it can't be him, can it?

Link: Are you.... Mordel?

Mordel: You are correct.  I am Mordel, the Earth Golem and guardian deity of the forest.  Link, Chloro, I saw your battle against the Ancient Slime Mass.  You both performed admirably.  Thanks to your efforts, its evil will not plague the forest any longer.

Link: Thank you, Mordel.

Chloro: Wow.  You look more impressive than I thought.  Alright, we've got questions for you, and you better answer them all.

Mordel: Patience, Chloro.  For I have questions to ask of you.  Link, your presence here is baffelling.  Where do you come from?  Why are you here now?

Link: Well, that's the thing.  I believe that is was the Fire Rose that brought me here from Hyrule.

Mordel: The Fire Rose?  Hyrule?  I do not understand this at all.

Chloro: I know, he's story is a little shady if you ask me.

Link: Chloro, it's the true!  All I want is to return home to Hyrule.  Can you help me?

Mordel: In order to assist you, I must know more.  I will contact a higher power from your Hyrule.  Surely, the answers I seek are there. (His jewel eyes begin to glow) Rummmmmaaaaaaa.....!

Link, Chloro, and Mordel suddenly find themselves outside of the Sealed Temple and in front of the Goddess Statue that stands before.  As Link looks around, he turns to the entrance of the Sealed Temple.  He sees Zelda looking straight at him.  Zelda begins to run up to him.

Zelda: Link?  Link, you're okay!

Link: Zelda, it's you!  I'm home!

Zelda: Link! (runs right through Link) What? (turns around.  Carefully passes her hands through his body) Link, what's happened to you?  I can't touch you.

Link: Nothing's happened to me. (passes his hand through her shoulder) What's going on?  I'm back in Hyrule, but I can't touch you either.

Chloro: So, this is Hyrule, is it? (floats over to Link) I have to say, I love all the plant life here.  It's bright and sunny.  I think I like this place.

Zelda: Excuse me, but who are you?

Chloro: Oh, are this Zelda person he's being talking about?  Not much to look at if you ask me.

Zelda: What did you just say?  How dare you!

Link: Chloro, why did you say that?

Chloro: Because its' true.

Zelda: (crosses her arms) Link, who is this woman?

Link: Guh... (scratches the back of his head) This is Chloro.  She's-

Zelda: She's what, Link?

Link: She's another Sword Spirt, like Fi.

Zelda: Did you just say, "Sword Spirit?"  There's another one other than Fi?

Chloro: You say this like there aren't any other Sword Spirits here.  There are literaly hundreds in Ranveya.

Zelda: Ranveya? Alright, Link, you better tell me what's going on right now.  And I want the truth.

Link: Um, well, um... (points to Mordel) I think he knows what's going on.

Zelda: (turns around) Oh, my!  What are you?

Mordel: Greetings to you.  I am Mordel, a guardian deity from the land of Ranveya.  Am I speaking to the guardian goddess of this realm, the one called "Hylia?"

Zelda: Um, My name is Zelda.  I am the reincarnation of Hylia.  What do you want from me?

Mordel: (looks up towards the forest) Uhhh!  I understand now.  I know what seeks to plague this realm of Hyrule.

Link: Mordel, what are you talking about?

Mordel: An ancient evil from Ranveya is plotting to return in order to cover my realm in darkness.  And it appears that it has found its way into Hyrule.

Zelda: What do you mean?  What evil are you talking about?

Mordel: This darkness is known as the Rose of Despair.  His influences almost destroyed my realm, and I sense that his evil wishes to spread in this world as well.

Zelda: Oh, not again.  Link, something has to be done.  We have to stop this evil.

Mordel: Are you saying that Link has fought the forces of evil before?

Link: Yes, I have.  I've faced many monsters to save Hyrule.

Mordel: I see.  It must be the will of Ranveya's gods, the Ancients, that called Link to Ranveya to destroy the Rose of Despair.  That must be why the Fire Rose came to him.

Chloro: I don't believe it.  He was telling the truth...

Mordel: Hylia, your warrior must remain in Ranveya to fight of the Rose of Despair's influences.  In the meantime, you must expell the evil it has brought to your world.

Zelda: Wait, hold on, what do mean?  Isn't this rose in your world?

Mordel: Correct.  He is not able to come to your realm, but he sent an envoy to ressurect ancient monsters to do its bidding, such as the Ancient Slime Mass you fought before, Link.

Link: Mordel, please let me stay here in Hyrule.  Zelda can't fight these monsters by herself.  She needs me.

Zelda: He's right.  I need Link here to help me.

Chloro: Hey, I need him too.  He's my ticket to the Fire Rose.

Zelda: You mean that crazy flower that almost burned him to a crisp?  Who needs something like that?

Chloro: I do, and that's why he's staying in Ranveya until I get it.

Zelda: But I need him here!

Chloro: Hmm.  For a "goddess reborn," you certainly are selfish.

Zelda: Oh, I'm selfish?  There are countless lives endangered, and you need him just to find a flower?

Mordel: Enough! (Zelda and Chloro look up at him) Hylia, you may not realize it, but you have much more power that you think.  You must tap into your inner strength in order to protect Hyrule.

Zelda: My inner strength? It is true I am Hylia reborn.  Perhaps... some of her power still rests inside me.

Mordel: You must awaken that strength inside of you.  Only you can do it.  I do not possess the power to transport Link home, only to give you this message.  My power is fading. (he, Link, and Chloro being to fade) If you have anything to say, say it now before my magic fails me.

Zelda: Link, I... I don't know what to say, what to do.

Link: Zelda, I'm not entirely sure what the heck is going on, but I promise you, I will return home safely.  Have I ever broken a promise to you before?

Zelda: No, I know would never break a promise to me. (breathes in) Alright.  Link, do what you have to.  I'll figure out what to do from here.

Link: Thank you, Zelda.  I know you can do it.

Chloro: And don't you worry about him.  I've got my eye on him, and I'll make sure he behaves himself, at least until he gives me what I want.

Link: Chloro.

Zelda: Link, I'm counting on you.  Just stay alive.

Link: Alright. (Mordel vanishes) Oh, wait!  One more thing before I go. (Chloro vanishes) I let my Adventure Pouch in the temple.  Take it with you-!

Link finds himself back in the forest shrine with Chloro and Mordel.  He sighs heavily and takes a moment to collect his thoughts.

Link: I hope Zelda will be fine without me.

Chloro: More importantly, we've got my Fire Rose to find.

Link: Is that all you care about, Chloro?

Chloro: I've wanted the Fire Rose all my life.  Your problems won't stop me anytime soon.

Mordel: Chloro, Link, it was with the Fire Rose's power that the Rose of Despair was defeated before.  It's power can defeat it again.

Link: It's just as the legend that Nordis told me.  Mordel, how do we find the Fire Rose?

Mordel: That I do not know, but I know of a way to discover its whereabouts.

From the roots of the tree that is Mordel's arm, a stone slap, wrapped in vines, appears.  Mordel gives the slab to Link.  Mordel's body begins to break appart.  The stones of his body return to their resting spot as does the tree.

Mordel: (voice) I must return to my slumber.  Take this Leaf Map, and head south to the Temalo Mountains.  It is there you find the next piece.... Good luck... and may the Ancients' light burn brightly for you....

Link: Leaf Map, huh?  What's it a map to?

Chloro: I don't know, but we won't need it to get to Temalo.  I know the way there.  C'mon, prisoner.

Link: (stares at the Leaf Map) .... Hold it, Chloro.

Chloro: What is it now?

Link: You and I both need the Fire Rose, so we've got to work together.  But if we're going to work together, you've got to start treating me with a little more respect.

Chloro: Are you kidding me?  This is typical, Wielders always wanting Sword Spirits to do as they say.  I'm not your servant, you know.

Link: That's what I'm saying.  You're not my servant, and I'm not your prisoner.  We're partners, and we should behave as such.  All I'm asking is that you recognize that.  Is that so hard?

Chloro: Hmmm.... And if I don't?

Link: I don't know.  Let's ask Urnall and see what he thinks.

Chloro: Guh? (shivers) Fine, but you better hold up your end of the bargin as well.

Link: I promise. (holds out his hand) Now, may I ask you to lead the way?

Chloro: (shakes Link's hand) Fine.  Follow me, prison- I mean, follow me, Link.

Link follows Chloro out of the forest shrine and down the path that leads towards the south.  As they leave, a single black rose resting at the entrance withers away.  Its petals blow into the wind after both Link and Chloro.

To be continued...