Legend of Zelda: The Fire Rose Ch. 12

The blinding sands obsure his path, yet destiny leads him and our heroes to seek out the three to seal away the demon. A new storm blows through the lands...

Ranveya Field, South of the Castle.  Link rides on Epona down the trail leading to the Temalo Mountains.  Chloro rides behind Link, floating with her back to Link's.  She watches the dark clouds over Ranveya Tower in the distant.

Chloro: Hey, Link, we're gonna have to go back to that tower sooner or later, aren't we?

Link: Most likely.

Chloro: Instead of trying to find the Fire Rose, we're looking for three other flowers at these Pedistal Gardens in order to reforge me with their strength.

Link: That's right.

Chloro: You realize that even with all four of them, they may still not be as strong as the Fire Rose.

Link: We still don't know where it is, so these other three flowers will have to do.

Chloro: Yeah. ... Epona thinks it's the right move, too.

Link: (pets Epona) She's a smart horse. Anyway, I think I can see the Moutain Village from here.  Hopefully, the Sword Spirit for the first Pedistal Garden is there.

Chloro: Maybe if we're lucky, we won't have to speak to Vance.

Three eye-ball insects fly past them.  Epona kicks up her front legs.  One insect stares at Link and Chloro and buzzes at them.

Link: What the heck is that?

Chloro: (turns around) I've heard rumors of them.  That's a Patra Insect.  These things are locus, eating everything in its path.

Link: Sounds nasty.  Can you hear what it's thinking?

Chloro: Just the same thing over and over, "Save the Queen."

The Patra Insect flies off and joins others like it as they swarm the Mountain Village in the distance.  Something within the village breaks out and tears up buildings nearby and attacks the Patra Swarm.

Chloro: Something's attacking those insects alright.

Link: And the village.  Let's go.

Epona gallops towards the Mountain Village.  There, Link and Chloro ride up to Pierce, screaming, at the center of the attack against the Patra Swarm.  His attack destroys insect after insect as well as the buildings.  Gorons and Sword Spirits in their sword forms protect the villagers from Pierce's attack.

Link: (dismounts off of Epona) Pierce?  Pierce, can you hear me?

Pierce: Raaaaah!  Aaaaagh!  YOU DID THIS!  EBBONZE!

Link: (holds up the Block Shield) Pierce, what's wrong?

Chloro: I don't think he can hear you.

Pierce: THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT, EBBONZE!  DO YOU HEAR ME?  I'LL FIND YOU, AND I WILL DESTROY YOU!

Link: Pierce- (Pierces knocks him down) Guaaah!

Pierce: OUT OF MY WAY!

Pierce runs of the village and towards Frost Mountain, and with him, the Sword Shard attack dies down.  The Gorons and Sword Spirits help the villagers back onto their feet.  Vance, Keelin, and Prince Nordis emerge from behind their defenders. Link stands back up.

Link: What was that about?

Chloro: A hundred Rupees say that Vance got him angry.

Vance: That-that renegade has gone too far.  Look at our village!  I knew it was only a matter of time before he'd cross the line.

Nordis: Now, Vance, we don't know that for certain.

Vance: That Renegade is forbidden to enter this village again.  Should he return, I will have him arrested.

Keelin: Father, no!  Something is wrong with Pierce.  We have to help him.

Vance: Not another word, Keelin.  Now return to your room.  I don't want you seeing him again.  He's too dangerous.

Keelin: FATHER! (Vance points to his right) .... (runs away crying) It's not his fault...!

Nordis: Oh, dear.  Ancients, please send some good news (looks back and forth) LINK!  CHLORO! (runs up to and hugs both of them) Thank the Ancients you're alive!

Chloro: Yeah, we're fine. (squirms in Nordis's arm) You can let go.

Nordis: It's good to hear you are safe.  Once we all evacuated to this village, I asked Croth and Neekle to go in after you.

Link: So everyone made it out?  Even Croth and Neekle?

Nordis: Don't worry, they're regaining their strength at their home on the shore as we speak.

Chloro: Oh, good.  I'll be sure to avoid them.

Nordis: (chuckles) Still haven't lost you wit, I see. (Vance walks up to him) Vance, these are the two I've told you about, the ones the Ancients have chosen to lead the charge against the Rose of Despair.

Vance: You mean them? (clears his throat) Yes, I've had the fortune to meet them.

Chloro: More like misfortune.

Vance: Link, I thought I made it clear that you need to control your Sword Spirit less another disaster happen.

Link: Hey!  Shut up. (contronts Vance) I won't let you talk to my friend like that.

Vance: How dare you!

Chloro: Wow, Link, look who's the big man now.

Nordis: (steps in between Vance and Link) Now, now, you two, no fighting among friends, right?

Link: Nordis is right, we have a big problem.  Long story short, there's a seal somewhere on these mountains, and if it breaks, Devour's gonna run free.

The other Sword Spirits gasp and clamour amongst themselves and the other villagers, Gorons, and Mogmas.

Vance: You'd be wise not to use that name around here.  Do you have any idea how terrified everyone is?

Chloro: Believe me, I do, but everything he said is true.

Nordis: Then my castle was just the start.  What do we do?

Link: Somewhere here is a Sword Spirit that's been chosen to prevent the seal from breaking.  We have to find it.

Vance: What?  Why didn't you say so before?  Follow me, I know exactly what you're talking about.

Vance leads Link, Chloro, and Prince Nordis through the village.  The villagers, Sword Spirits, Gorons, and Mogmas fix up the damages done by Pierce's attack as they walk.  They arrive at a small sword planted in the ground at the center of the village and guarded by both Nordis's guards and Gorons.

Goron 1: Vance, Prince Nordis, the Patra bugs tried their best, goro, but we showed 'em what-for.

Sword Spirit Guard: The Newborn is safe and sound, your highness.

Goron 2: And if they come back, we'll squash 'em, goro.

Link: Is that another newborn Sword Spirit?

Vance: This young one fell from the sky shortly after you departed for the Barlaan Sea.  Shortly after that, the Patras began their attack.

Goron 2: It's been tough guarding him, but with the help of the Castle Guard, goro, we've managed.

Vance: It is no accident that this Sword Spirit would be born in our most dire of times.  The Ancients have sent us a savior to combat the evils of the Rose of Despair.  And who better than to protect this gift then our very own village!

Link: This could be the one Rope told us about.

Vance: It is our sworn duty- nay, a privilage that we take part in this grand battle of good versus evil.  Who better than we, the epidemy of Ranveya, the village that examples perfect harmony between mortals and gods...

Vance continues his proclamation.  Chloro moves her fingers and thumb up and down in sync with Vance's speech.  Prince Nordis and Link hold back their laughter.

Link: (to Chloro) Knock it off before he sees you.

A Mogma hand pops out of the ground and tugs on Link's pants.  Link looks down.  The Mogma hand points towards Frost Mountain.  Link taps Chloro's shoulder.  She and Link follow the Mogma hand.

Vance: ... and therefore, Link, you must control your Sword Spirit and take part in the Ancient's divine plan. (looks around) Where did they go?

Nordis: Um... Well.... I think they're too eager to get started.

Link and Chloro follow the Mogma to the base of Frost Mountain where Korrat stares upward.  Ruddesh pops out of the ground next to Korrat.

Ruddesh: Any sign of the Boss?

Korrat: I tried to stop him, but he attacked me.  Man, something must really be buggin' him.

Ruddesh: Well, that guy and gal that beat up that sorceror is here.  We can tell 'em it's our fault he flipped his lid.

Chloro: Your fault?  I thought you two were his cohorts?

Ruddesh: Oh, more than that.  Boss saved our lives during an avalanche on Frost Mountain back in the day.  We've been close ever since.

Korrat: Yeah, but we screwed up big time.  Something we found sent him over the deep end. (burrows underground, then pops up with a stone slab) Check this out.

Link and Chloro kneel down and observe the slab.  The slab depicts a man in a large coat with snow blowing out of his sleeves on top of a mountain.

Link: Who is that on the mountain?

Korrat: Well, legend has it Frost Mountain gets its snow from a strange guy who lives in the maze-like Frozen Caverns.  No one's ever seen him because you can get lost in there.

Ruddesh: Pierce's hideout is up there too.  We search that Mountain everyday for treasures, but come up with nothing.  We thought we finally found something here, but now I wish we hadn't.

Link: (stands up) Pierce said he'd destroy someone named, "Ebbonze."  Could that be him?

Chloro: No idea.  Right now, I'm more concerned about the newborn in town.  I really don't want the first thing it sees to be Vance.

Ruddesh: You and me both, sister.  There is a way you can help.  Korrat and I know for a fact that the big bugs are coming out of the exact same caves Pierce ran to.

Chloro: No way that's a coincident.

Link: I agree, but what do we do about Pierce?  I don't want to fight him and the Patras.

Keelin: (tugs on Link's Tunic) Mr. Link, I know how to stop him, but you can't tell my father.

Link: Keelin? (kneels down to her) You're not hurt, are you?

Keelin: I'm fine, but Pierce isn't. (a tear falls from her cheek) Pierce told me that if he ever when berserk, you can knock the hilt of his saber out of his hand.  That'll stop his Sword Shards for a moment.

Link: Did he tell you that in case something like this would happen?

Keelin: (nods) I saw what happened, the look in his eyes when we saw that thing.  He's in pain, I know it.  Please, you have to save him.

Link: I will.  Don't you worry, Keelin.

Chloro: Link, I can feel it. (points to Frost Mountain) There, up on that mountain.  The Frost Tulip, it's the flower I sense up there.

Korrat: Frost Tulip?  What's a Frost Tulip? (Ruddesh shrugs his shoulders)

Keelin: Mr. Link, Ms. Chloro, before you go, I have one favor to ask.  I know that Pierce's Master set him free.  Um... Can you ask him if I could be his wielder for me?

Link: (smiles) Sure thing.  I had a hunch you'd want that.

Keelin: Thank you.  I'd ask myself, but I can't let my father know I've snuck out. (runs to village) Thank you.

Ruddesh: You two go on ahead.  We'll look after her.

Ruddesh and Korrat burrow away.  Link and Chloro head up Frost Mountain and into the Frost Caverns, caves and tunnels frozen with ice and snow.  Chloro dashes through tunnel after tunnel with Link running behind her.

Chloro: Let's see, maybe this way? (looks down one tunnel) No, this way. (floats down a tunnel to the right) Yes, knew it.

Link: Hey, Chloro, how do you know where you're going?

Chloro: No idea.  I'm just going with this feeling inside of me.  Maybe the Desert Lily's leading me.  I don't know, but I'm not complaining.

Link: Sounds to me like you know how to use Dousing now.

Chloro: Dousing?

Link: Yeah, Dousing is a method Fi used to track down and locate various things.  Once she had a lock on something, she'd always found what she was looking for.

Chloro: Oh, yeah.  I remember you saying something like that.  And I bet she was so smart and knew just every little thing you needed to know.

Link: Chloro, you sound kind of jealous of her.

Chloro: Me, jealous of Fi, a Sword Spirit I've never met before?

Link: Are you?

Chloro: Hah!  That's rich.  You think that your first partner is so much better than me.

Link: Hey, I never said that.

Chloro: If I could hear your thoughts, that's probably what you'd be thinking.  Let's say, hypothetically, I am jealous of Fi.  I'd ask you to name one thing Fi couldn't do, and I'd do it just to prove that she's not the perfect little Spirit you remember her as.

Link: You want me to say she's not perfect?

Chloro: No! Saying she's not perfect is admiting she IS perfect.  Just say something she never did.  Go ahead, I dare you.

Link: Um.... (looks at Chloro's feet) Fine, I'll bite.  I've never actually seen Fi walk.  Is that good enough?

Chloro: Walk?  Okay... I can do that.

Chloro slowly floats down.  Her feet touch the snow-covered ground below her.  She takes one slow step forward with her left foot keeping her balance.  She lifts up her right foot, then falls into the snow onto her butt.  She floats up and brushes the snow off her body.  Link holds back his laughter.

Chloro: You know what?  Walking is stupid.

Link: You don't have be upset over nothing.  I do appreciate everything you can do. (walking forward) Now, if you're done being a kid about this- (falls through a snow-covered hole) Gaaaah!

Link falls down into a cave opening on the mountain and lands next to a large boulder.  An old chest falls down with him and opens upon landing, spreading out different treasures around him, among them a bow with no string.  Chloro floats down and leans forward, her face right in front of Link's.

Chloro: This is why I don't walk.

Link: Somehow, I deserved this. (Chloro holds out her hand and helps Link up) Thank you.

Chloro: Yeah, well... thank you for sticking up to Vance for me.

Link: Of course.  You are my friend after all. (looks down) Check out all this stuff.  I think we found some treasure.

Chloro: Always one to state the obvious, aren't you?

Link: Yeah.  Hey, check this out. (picks up the bow) What an amazing bow.  Too bad the bowstring is gone.  I could really use a bow like this.

Pierce: (voice) YOU THIEF!

Pierce's voice echoes in the cave.  Pierce dashes at Link with his saber.  Link draws the Wild Flower Longsword and counters his attack.  The two clash swords, then Pierce kicks Link away from him.  Chloro backs up to Link's side.

Pierce: THAT BOW BELONGS TO MY MASTER.  GIVE IT BACK!

Link: Pierce, wait, I haven't stolen anything.  I'll return it-

Pierce: I SAID, "GIVE IT BACK!"

Pierce's saber breaks into shards and flies at Link and Chloro.  The two duck behind the large boulder where the rest of the treasures lay.  The Sword Shards attack the large boulder, slowly cracking it.

Link: He's got us pinned.  We can't move, and he's blocking the exit.

Chloro: Those shards can fly anywhere.  Why are they focused on the boulder?

Link: He's not thinking straight.  We have to subdue him before it gets worse.

Link pulls out a bomb and rolls it to one side.  Sword Shards attack the bomb and blow it up.

Link: That won't work.

Chloro: That almost blew up our only cover.  I guess all of your crazy ideas can't be winners.

Link: (looks at the bow in his hands) If this thing were fixed, maybe we can knock his hilt out of his hands.

The boulder's cracks grow in size from the Sword Shard attack.  Business Scrub pops out of the ground in front of Link and Chloro.

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

Chloro: You again?  This is the worst possible time.

Business Scrub: I know things seem dicey right now, but I'm employing a new business tactic of showing up just when my customers need help.

Chloro: You're spying on us, aren't you?

Businesss Scrub: Not this time.  A little girl who wants her friend back asked me to pop by and see what I can do to help.  For a price, you know.  Businesss as usual.

Chloro: I'd rather have Pierce hand my butt to me than to buy another cheap trinket from you.

Business Scrub: (to Link) Tell her it's not my fault she breaks everything she buys from me.  My merchandise is top-notch and has the Business Scrub Guild's Seal of Approval.

Link: Like it or not, we don't have much of a choice. (presents Business Scrub the bow) Do you have a bowstring handy?

Business Scrub: Hmmm... I do have a spool of Griffen Hair, quite rare indeed, and it makes wonderful bowstrings with a lovely surprise.  Enough for one bowstring will set you back, ooh.... fifty thousand Rupees.

Link and Chloro: Fifty Thousand Rupees?!

Business Scrub: Trust me, it's worth every Rupee.

Link: You're insane.  No one can afford that.

Business Scrub: Well, if that's that, then.... oh.... OH, MY! (picks up pieces of the treasure) These treasures and gemstones and... OH, DEAR ME!  By the Ancients, I thought all these were destroyed.  And this.... OOOOOOOOH!

Link: Hold on, those aren't ours to trade.

Business Scrub: All this wonderful treasure, just half of it can set a Deku Scrub for life.  Eeeeeee.... Okay, all this treasure, and I'll even fix the bow myself and include some arrows.  Do we have a deal?

Link: I don't know...

Pierce: YOU CAN'T HIDE FOREVER, YOU THIEF!

Chloro: Like you said, we don't have a choice.

Link: (sighs) Fine, it's a deal.

Business Scrub: Great! (takes the bow, pulls out the Griffen Hair Spool) Now, then, a quick twist here, a knot here and there, stretch... it out.... and... (holds up the fixed bow) DA-DA-DA DA! You are now the proud owner of the Magic Bow.

Link: Great. (takes the Magic Bow) Thank you.

Business Scrub: Don't thank me yet. (gives Link a quiver of arrows) Think of the Magic Bow as a hunter.  When it sets its eye on its prey, it'll never escape.  Think about that.  Thank you for your purchase, and as always, tell your friends.

Link: Yeah, sure. (Business Scrub burrows away with the treasure) I really hope Pierce won't mind.

Chloro: (the boulder's crask grow again) Now's a good time to act as ever.  I'll distract him.  Once you disarm him, I'll knock his lights out.  Got it?  Go!

Chloro dashes away from the boulder and summons her giant sword.  She holds it up and defends against the Sword Shards flying straight towards her.  Link sneaks around the other side of the boulder and aims an arrow at Pierce's hand.

Pierce: YOU SEE THIS, EBBONZE?  THIS IS WHAT WILL HAPPEN ONCE I GET A HOLD OF YOU!

Chloro: Grruhh... Link, as much as I love being a distraction, DO YOU WANNA HURRY UP ALREADY?.

Link: I need a clean shot... (the arrowhead turns blue) Hmmm?

Pierce: OH, NO YOU DON'T, THIEF!

Link fires the arrow as Pierce jumps up into the air.  The arrow flies straight, then upward at Pierce and hits the saber's hilt of of his hand.  The Sword Shards fall down.

Pierce: WHAT?  YOU-

Chloro: I got you now!

Chloro jumps up and swings her giant sword down on Pierce.  Pierce crashes into the snow and loses consciousness.  Chloro drops her giant sword as she floats down.  Link runs up to her.

Link: Good job.  And nice sword you have there.  It's bigger than I remember.

Chloro: Oh, I call that sword, "The Big One."  It's usually too heavy to use normally. (the Big One vanishes into flower petals) I prefer my short sword, really.

Link: Well, your plan worked. (holds up the Magic Bow) Somehow, the arrow flew right for Pierce.  What kind of arrows did Business Scrub give me?

Pierce: Guuuh... What hit me?

Pierce stands up and shakes his head.  He looks from left to right and back.  Link and Chloro approach him with caution.

Link: (aside to Chloro) He seems okay. Don't do anything to get him angry again.

Pierce: ... Oh, Link and Chloro.  Good seeing you. ... What are you doing here?

Link: Um, well, you sound a lot better than just a minute ago.  Don't you remember what happened?

Pierce: Not really.  Hey, is that my Master's Bow?  How did you... You-You fixed it.

Link: About that, um, we had to trade away the rest of your treasure in order to fix it.

Pierce: Hmmm....

Chloro: (aside to Link) I thought you said not to make him angry.

Pierce: ... He and I spent years gathering that stuff.  Good times, really.  I don't think he'll mind though.  You fixed his bow afterall.

Link: (sigh of relief) Good to have you back to normal.  Pierce, you went crazy and attacked the Mountain Village.  You said you wanted to destroy someone named, "Ebbonze."

Pierce: Ebbonze, huh?  Yeah, I'm looking for him.  Haven't been able to find him again.  He's here somewhere, and I'm not leaving until I do. (walks away) Take care.

Chloro: Where do you think you're going?

Pierce: I'm gonna see my master again, then I'm gonna kill Ebbonze.

Link: Sorry, I think I have something in my ear.  You're really going to kill Ebbonze?

Pierce: Yep.  That'll put a smile on my master's face.

Chloro: Hey, hold up, you're letting that wielder boss you around even after you set him free. (floats over to Pierce) I wanna know why you put up with him.

Pierce: Forget it.  You wouldn't understand.

Chloro: You're right, I don't understand any of this.  Ever since I teamed up with him, I'm getting a better idea why Sword Spirits hang around humans, but he set you free.  That means he can't treat you like this anymore.

Link: Chloro, I think you made your point.

Chloro: Is he the one that wants you to kill Ebbonze?  Whatever he has against him should be between the two of them.  Someone ought to tell him that he shouldn't drag you in his mess.

Pierce and Chloro glare at one another.  Pierce grabs Chloro's arm and drags her out of the cave's opening.  Chloro struggles agianst Pierce in vain.

Chloro: Hey, let go, what are you doing?

Link: Pierce, what are you- (Pierce fires three Sword Shards.  Link dodges them) Guaaah!

Pierce drags Chloro along the cliffside covered in snow as Chloro protests.

Pierce: Someone ought to tell him not to drag me in this mess?

Chloro: Well, it's true, now let go of me.

Pierce: You wanna tell him that yourself? (lets go of Chloro's arm) Well, here's your chance.

Chloro brushes her arm and looks around.  She spins around looking for anyone but only sees Pierce.  She then looks down.  Link runs up to them.

Link: Chloro, Pierce!  What's going on?

Pierce and Chloro step back.  Link looks down at a small shrine covered in snow.  Seconds later, Link's eyes widen.

Pierce: You get the picture?   When I find Ebbonze, I will kill him.  I will avenge my Master. (turns around) Don't try and stop me.  This is my burden, not yours.

Above them, Patra Insects swarm the summit of the mountain.  They disappear into the caves above them.

Link: Pierce... I can't fathom what you've been through, and I know I can't stop you.  I think we have a good idea where Ebbonze is.

Pierce: (turns to Link) How?  You've never been up here.

Link: We'll explain on the way, but Chloro's leading me to someplace on this mountain we need to go.

Chloro: You think it's the same place. (Link nods) ... Okay, we'll let the vengeance-crazed Spirit follow us.

Pierce: One sec. (kneels to the shrine) Hey. It's Pierce.  Listen, um, I think I can find him this time.  When I do, I'll make Ebbonze wish he was never born. (stands up) Alright, lead the way.

Chloro and Link enter back into the caverns with Pierce trailing behind them.  All three of them explore the tunnels together in search of the path that will lead to Ebbonze and the Pedistal Garden.

...To be continued.