Shadow Fire

With a smile, Zidane sat back against a log, before closing his eyes. "We should sleep..." he mumbled. "Tomorrow will be a big day..."

With a soft sigh, Link watched as the Zora prince was taken into Renado's care. "That was a little close..." he said softly, glancing around the village. "I wonder what will happen now..." Suddenly he heard the door open behind him, and footsteps moved closer to him.

"Put simply..." Zidane continued. "A lot. Blank is petrified within the Evil Forest, as is the rest of it. I don't know about the others." He cast a glance over at Garnet, raising an eyebrow at her.

Zidane grinned. "I guess we'll be heading back to Lindblum..." he murmured. "I just hope that the boss and the others make it back."

Link raced forward on Epona, suddenly bringing her to a stop. On the other side, King Bulbin smirked back at him, holding a key, which could only be for the gate to Kakariko.

Zidane chuckled softly, but suddenly received a glare from Steiner. "You fool..." the knight exclaimed. "This black mage has unimaginable powers!" Turning back to the mage, Steiner gave another smile. "I don't really like you getting involved..." he said softly. "But alas, it cannot be helped. Master Vivi... about your black magic... I wish to try an experiment. I was wondering if..." The knight leaned closer and whispered into the boy's ear, though Zidane heard the word sword being used.

Giving a slight blush as Diggs announced his confidence in Link, he glanced over at Ilia as she spoke, seeming as if she would remember, but instead telling him it was a nice name. "Uh..." he began. "...thanks."

"Vivi..." he chuckled. "Heh... kinda cute. Well, Vivi... looks like you're with us from now on..." Steiner walked up to Vivi and gave a warm smile of his own. "It is pleasant to be in your company..." he said regally. "Master Vivi..."

Moving beside the cart, Link reached over with a hand and caressed Diggs' face, before coming up next to Telma. "So, what's the plan?"

Still kneeling beside the mage, Zidane supressed a chuckle at the boy's distaste for the medicine. "There..." he said comfortingly. "You'll be feeling better in no time. By the way, I never got your name..."

The older male cocked his head to the side slightly, giving a warm smile. "You're safe now..." he said softly. "Just take things easy okay? Here, drink this. It's horrible stuff, but it'll help with the seeds."

Link cast a glance over at Diggs, before giving a nod. Following this woman, he eventually ended up out on Hyrule Field near the Bridge of Eldin. "Maybe it's for the best..." he murmured to his beloved. "Ilia's memory I mean..."

Link watched as Hylian soldiers professed that they would escort the three to Kakariko Village, until Telma told Ilia about the monsters that scoured the lands. Within moments, all the Hylians had fled. Hmph... cowards...

Zidane shook his head at Steiner, ignoring him as he tended to the younger boy. "You're gonna be okay, kid..." he muttered. "I promise you."

Zidane caught the thrown map, still keeping the young boy over his shoulder. Glancing back at Blank, he gritted his teeth as he saw his friend petrify. So as not to share the same fate, he turned and ran, making it out just in time. "Damn..." he growled as he caught his breath. "Why?"

Link watched as Ilia raced over, begging for the doctor's help, before staring sadly at Link. Without even a word, she turned away and headed back over to the Zora boy. This is strange... she doesn't seem to know who we are...

Belbet gasped and groaned from his lover's actions, his eyes opening again, to show they were clouded with lust. "E-Evan..." he moaned. "Oh... nngh... I can't hold on much longer!"

"I was exiled... due to my feelings... for another male... It is taboo in my tribe to love another of the same gender." Sonic gave a slight shake of his head. "No offence, Espio... but your tribe seems kinda deluded..." The chameleon said nothing, but there were the beginnings of a slight grin on his face.

"Oh, crap..." Zidane groaned as he looked back, before breaking into a run. "Trouble!"

Zidane nodded, rushing for the mage. Picking the youngster up and draping him over his shoulders, he turned around and began to run. "We'd better get out of here!"

"Diggs..." the teen mumbled. "Try not to do anything silly. We may not be fond of her, but we owe Bo a lot..." The blond cast a slight smile over at his brunet lover.

Zidane's power raged once again, and for the second time, he had entered Trance. "Prepare to die..." he hissed at the plant. "Suffer the fury of Dyne!"

Link gave a soft sigh as he pulled Diggs along, but in his mind, something bothered him. Those visions... seemed so familiar somehow...

Zidane had ventured deeper into the forest, and within moments, was at the lair of the boss monster. Noticing the mage, he gave a slight smile, before hissing at the beast and lunging in for attack.

Link smiled, proceeding with Diggs, before stopping. "Hey..." he mumbled. "Queen Rutela spoke of her son needing help. It could be that Zora child... in Castle Town. Maybe we should head there?"