LEGEND OF ZELDA
BOOK VI OF THE HYRULE TERMINUS SAGA
THUNDER PLAINS
CHAPTER VI
TINGLE'S BAD TIDINGS
After the two warriors calmed themselves to the point that the Map salesman would live to see another day, Shadow said, “Okay, Tingle. What's so important that you had to barge into the cave the way you did?” The creature shrugged and replied, “I just wanted to get out of the storm. I didn't know you were in here. You seem fairly upset today. What...” Seeing the way the notorious dark elf started blushing, the salesman said, “Oh... Oh my... did I interrupt a secret meeting?” Saria sighed. “Don't worry about it.” Shadow huddled into his knees mumbling something along the lines that he would never find a romantic setting like what they lost for a very long time.
Tingle turned to Shadow and said, “Is he going to be okay? He looks a little depressed.” Saria sighed. “You really are just a clueless Fraggle on steroids, aren't you.” The map salesman stared at her blankly, confused about the comment. After a moment, he asked, “There's Fraggle's out here?”
“Never mind.” She said in surrender. “What's happening? Trying to sell us another map?” Shadow whimpered from the corner about Tingle making himself one and using it to find a clue. Tingle looked at the moping warrior and said, “I think he needs some rest. He's rambling.”
Snapping his fingers, the salesman said, “Oh yes! I remember now! I saw the demon near the foot of Skull Mountain! He had two puppets with him. They were dead ringers for your Forest Fairy friends.” Shadow lifted his head and said, “Puppets that looked like Link and Sheik?” Tingle nodded. “Yes. Exactly like them. It was really scary how close they seemed to the real ones. Speaking of which, where are they? I don't think that they would have stayed out in this weather.”
Saria looked panicked and said, “We got separated. Sheik went to look for Link and I went to help Shadow.” The salesman huffed and said, “Well, all I know is that one of them shot my balloon with his arrow. It was rather quite rude!” Shadow looked like he wanted to say something angrily, but managed to keep it to himself. Saria smiled and said, “Calm down, Chain. This is important.” The dark elf took a deep breath and replied, “I know. I'm just upset. That's all.”
Tingle stood there confused. Saria looked at him and said, “So, do you have a map for us?” Tingle let out a chuckle and said, “That would be pointless. We're in an open field. There's no roads or paths. Just pure, flat land. But I can give you some advice. If your sight suddenly turns black for no reason whatsoever, jump to the side as fast as you can.” Shadow looked at him confused. “Why?”
“Because,” the creature replied. “It means lightning is about to hit right where you're standing. If you don't move quick, you'll definitely feel it later, trust me on this.”
The pair grabbed their items and prepared to head out. Tingle looked at them and said, “I have something for you, Miss Fairy.” He handed her a pouch and said, “I picked this up from village of Gerudo not far from the plains. They use these in their slingshots It packs a punch.” Shadow picked up the pouch and opened it, revealing a small metal sphere. “What are these?” Tingle went deep into thought and said, “I believe the Gerudo calls them Bullets. They do more damage than seeds of stones. They can ever chip stone if used right.” Mounting the pouch on his belt, Shadow said, “Thanks. We'd best be on our way.”
He handed the creature a pouch of Rupees and said, “This is for your help.” Tingle looked at the gem and said, “You don't need to pay me for those. They were a gift.” Shadow smiled and said, “Take it while you can, Tingle. I don't give away my money freely very often.” The look on his face told him that he expected something bad to happen. Without saying a word, the creature said, “I'll hold onto them for now. But I intend to return them when I see you again.” Shadow smiled. “I'll hold you to that.”
With that, the two warriors headed out into the storm. Even though the rain still stung, it was no longer coming down hard enough to cut skin. The duo moved quickly through the pelting rain towards the mountain that was their destination. If what Tingle told them was true, this would not end well. Somehow, the Demon had found out how to subdue the warriors, which it had failed to do in the past. If this was the case, that meant that there was a strong chance that they would all fall under it's control. The area around him suddenly darkened. Remembering the mapmakers warning, he pounced to the side.
A blast of lightning hit the area he was standing a moment ago. He turned to His companion and yelled, “Saria! Are you alright?” The female nodded, slightly dazed. “Yeah. It just missed me.” They continued onward being sure to avoid getting hit by the electric blasts. Every so often they had to jump to the side to avoid getting jolted. They continued when suddenly the area blackened. The two of them jumped to the side. Strangely, no lightning. Panicked, they jumped again with nothing happening. However, the area continued getting darker. Light started appearing in front of them.
Shadow looked ahead and said, “Lightning? Growing on the ground?” Looking closely, he noticed that one surge looked like it was in the shape of a sword and the other a massive sphere. Using his keen eyesight, he saw the forms of Link and Sheik generating Lightning into their bodies. Eyes widening, He turned to Saria and yelled, “SARIA! LOOK OUT!!” The two blasts of energy soared at them, with no way to avoid them. Shadow blocked with his shield and took the full force of the attack. Saria tried to dodge, but failed.
The two of them went flying in separate directions. Saria hit the ground and rolled to a stop, unconscious and Shadow his a batch of rocks. Scrambling to his feet, he went into hiding and hoped he wasn't seen. Looking from his hiding spot and saw the two possessed warriors walk up to Saria. Looking at her, they placed something on her face and she lifted off the ground. She hovered in the air for several seconds before drifting down to her feet. There was no doubt about it. She had been turned into a puppet, just like the others. The now three possessed warriors went to where Shadow had crashed into and looked for him. After a few moments, Link said, “He's not here.” Saria turned to them and said, “I can track him. He couldn't have gotten far.” Sheik shook his head. “No. He'll come to us. When he does, He's ours.”
The three headed towards Skull Mountain and Shadow muttered, “Damn. This is not good. I won't stand a chance if I can't think of something.” A deep voice said, “Perhaps you need a new plan, Foolish Kokiri.” Chuckling, the Dark Elf said, “Hello, Lathos. You don't seem very discriminating today. What gives?” The Dragon God chuckled and said, “If it gets me out of this blasted Idol, I'll turn the sky to flames if need be. If you desire any chance of defeating those three, you'll need to beat the Demon controlling them at his own game.”
“What ever happened to Passive Observer?” Laughing, the Dragon retorted, “Depends. Whatever happened to respect your elders? Now I can't give my powers right now. I need rest. But here's a power that will be far more useful. The one the four of you share. Open your ears, creature, for I will only say this plan once...”
