A/N: DUUUUUDES! I commissioned yuumei from deviantart for a pic of Link and Nicole... AND SHE’S DONE! YAAAAAAY!

+ Please go to my profile for a link to the picture! And if you can, leave a review with what you think!

I almost cried when I saw it. It’s so beautiful...! (sob)

Link/Ryo/Niagra: (pat her back)

A/N: I was so happy with it, I asked yuumei to do pics of Brian and Hayarpi, and Gilbert and Ines. SO YAY! And yeah, they’re wearing white versions of their clothes. But no, they don’t usually wear white. It’s from a scene from a future battle. That’s all I shall reveal. ;3

Oh, also I revised chapter 13. Shorter chapter, better scenes. And some of 14, too. Hehe. 8D And about this chappy: (1) Yes I changed boss’s lame circular room to the blizzard setting in the manga. (2) Long chapter! Sowwy... at least we get a lot of things out of the way. x.X; (3) I don’t own Dragon Ball Z. XD!

-:: Last time ::-

“Yeah! You stay there!”

“All right.”

“Don’t move!”

“Sure.”

“... Seriously!”

Tatl bonked the girl, finally forcing her through the doorway. Meanwhile Seth stayed behind just like he said he would. Crash jumped into his arms, purring contently at his master as a soft smile played on the redhead’s lips...

–

` The Second Day :: Snowhead Temple + 12:07pm `

–

“Paperclip man. Stop pouting.”

Link, all huffy puffy and sitting beside the door with a pouty expression on his face, didn’t reply.

Nicole held out a piece of cheese. He gave it the ‘wtf’ look. She took it back, chewing on it herself. “Psh, snub my cheese then...”

Gilbert, Ines, Brian and Hayarpi, who were sitting with them in a circle, exchanged uneasy glances. They knew that what they did was wrong, and it definitely endangered everyone’s friendship with each other... asking for forgiveness for something like that was a little difficult.

It was awkwardly quiet for a while.

“Any day now,” Tatl murmured.

Hayarpi sweatdropped, deciding to speak first. They had to try, at least... she looked to the Hylian. “Link, listen... we’re sorry. You’re right—we were being completely selfish. We should’ve listened when you and Nicole asked us to stop...”

Ines nodded. “We’re bad friends for ignoring you guys, and having our fighting put someone in danger...”

“Sorry Link,” Gilbert murmured. He elbowed Brian.

Brian twitched but looked at Link too. “Yeah. We’re really sorry... we were totally out of line.”

The blond looked up at them, as if deciding... after a moment he gestured at Nicole. “How ‘bout her.”

“Oh no problem, they already apologized for pushing me off a pillar and having me fall five stories, just mere seconds from a potentially gruesome death,” Nicole ‘reassured’ as she pat Link’s shoulder. The other earthlings sweatdropped heavily.

“So c’mon, Link...” Hayarpi continued. “Seriously. We know that was a messed up thing we did. We’re really sorry... can you please forgive us?”

Some more silence. Finally the blond looked up, seeing Hayarpi, Ines, Brian and Gilbert making puppy faces at him too... “OKAY! FINE! I FORGIVE YOU!”

“YAAAAAY!” the four screeched like little kids, reaching over to crush him in a hug. “THANK YOU! WE’RE SORRY!”

“NO PROBLEM... BUT,MYLUNGS...!”

“OOPS!” the four giggled and let go. Nicole cackled at the déjà vu.

Link coughed but continued anyway. “Okay, listen... I’m glad you asked us for forgiveness, and yeah we forgive you, but I think the real problem here is the thing between you four,” he gestured back at them. “We won’t get anything done if there’s still some buried issues with you guys. So, here!” He stood, dragging Nicole with him. He gestured at Tatl too. “The three of us will leave. You four talk it out. And, NO VIOLENCE!!”

He screamed the last part extra loud. Hayarpi, Ines, Brian and Gilbert fell back.

“But, Link...” Nicole started. She twiddled her thumbs somewhat nervously. “I... Ikindawannahearwhat’sup...”

“Actually yeah, stay,” Gilbert agreed. “You guys are our friends—you should know too.”

Link paused for a second. Nicole cheered and sat back down. Sweatdropping, the Hylian did the same. Tatl shrugged and placed herself on the ground. She wasn’t going to say anything or butt in this time, cuz this time it really was their issue.

Gilbert heaved a sigh. He nodded at Hayarpi and both turned to face Ines and Brian, who this time, just sat patiently. “Okay, it’s true,” Hayarpi confirmed. “We are hiding something from you guys.”

The other two visibly stiffened. But upon seeing that Gilbert waved his hands frantically. “But, no! It isn’t what you think it is. We’re planning something. But nothing’s going on between Hayarpi and I.”

At that Ines seemed to relax. “Really...?”

Gilbert nodded. “Really. C’mon Ines, you even said it yourself...” he reached over and took Ines’s hands in his. “I’d never leave you, cuz I love you too much...”

Suddenly Ines started tearing up. “Oh, Gilbert...! (sniff)”

Everyone else sweatdropped!

Brian’s eyes softened a little. “So, you mean... all this fighting; it was over a misunderstanding?”

Hayarpi nodded. “Yeah, but it’s my fault. When you guys asked me about it back in Goron Village, I should’ve just told you. I didn’t know it would’ve been so blown out of proportion... and I didn’t think we’d all get so upset. I just didn’t want to reveal what we’re planning.”

“Why can’t you reveal it?”

“Well, cuz...” she smiled at him a bit. “It’s a surprise. You guys’ll find out soon, just... now isn’t the right time. But like Gilbert said: it has nothing to do with either of us being unfaithful to you guys.”

“We promise,” Gilbert added to back it up. “Please trust us...”

With that, Ines and Brian looked to each other. And after thinking for a moment they turned to their significant others, just nodding. Trusting.

Simultaneously, Gilbert and Hayarpi gave a thankful sigh, exchanging relieved glances. Gilbert looked to Brian however, looking down sheepishly. “Oh, and hey Brian... I’m really sorry for punching you. Just, you know... all the fighting and yelling, it just all built up, so I...”

“No worries, I deserved it,” Brian sweatdropped. “I was being a jerk. Sorry for screaming at you.”

“Aw, it’s okay! Gimme a hug!” Gilbert cackled and flung his arms around him. Brian twitched at the man-love.

Hayarpi looked at Ines. “Ines, sorry for calling you mean names!”

But Ines shook her head. “No, I’m sorry for criticizing you, and almost punching you!” She blinked, then looked at Brian. “I’m sorry for almost punching your girlfriend! And I’m sorry for punching you instead!”

Brian almost fell over. “It’s okay...” he looked at Hayarpi. “I’m sorry for being an a-hole! I still love you!”

“I STILL LOVE YOU TOOOOO!” Hayarpi sobbed, glomping the boy right then and there. “I’M SORRY FOR LYING IN THE BEGINNING!”

“I’M SORRY I LIED TOO!” Gilbert cried, latching onto Ines’s arm.

Ines latched onto him. “I’M SORRY FOR IGNORING YOU WHEN YOU GOT HURT!”

“IT’S OKAY!”

And so the four continued to apologize while sobbing hysterically.

Tatl sweatdropped, flitting upwards. She looked at Link and Nicole. “Let’s give them a few minutes.”

“Aww, but this is heartwarming and funny at the same time—” Nicole was cut off as Link dragged her away.

–
–

Outside, Link stretched his arms and laughed like a maniac. Tatl eyed him. “What’s up with you.”

“I just feel like a huge stone’s lifted from my heart! Since, yanno,” he grinned a happy grin. “The four in there were able to apologize to each other.”

The fairy tilted her head. “Oh. Yeah. Though I wonder if we’ll ever find out what Hayarpi and Gilbert are planning...” She and Link paused for a moment, just thinking.

Their thinking was interrupted though when they heard Nicole growling. “That LIAR...!” she was saying as she clenched a fist. “He said that he’d stay...!”

Link eyed her. “Who?”

Tatl smirked. She flitted over to the Asian girl. “Seth?”

Nicole sobbed. “SETH IS A LIAAARRRR!”

“How so?”

The three screamed when they heard the fourth voice; they whirled around, seeing the amethyst-eyed boy staring at them with a slight ‘wtf’ look. Seth tilted his head. “I was here the entire time.”

Nicole stared back. “What!? No you weren’t!”

“Yes I was.”

“No you weren’t!”

“Yes I was.”

“No you weren’t!”

“OKAY ALREADY!!” Tatl grumbled, flying up to them. She eyed Seth suspiciously. “Where did you come from?”

“Like I said, I was here the entire time.”

“...” Tatl gave him the SUSPICIOUS EYE! But Seth just looked a different direction, patting some dust off his cloak.

It was awkwardly quiet...

“OKAY WE’RE DONE!” Gilbert grinned as he slammed the door open, letting Ines, Brian and Hayarpi go out of the room.

Link looked to them. “Really? If you want we can give you guys a few more minutes—”

“NO WE CANNOT!” Tatl rang her bell as she stuck herself between everyone, forgetting all about Seth. “Look, it’s already the afternoon of the second day—we can’t afford to waste anymore time!”

“That’s right,” Seth agreed. “There are only thirty-six hours left ‘til the moon falls. You should get going.”

Then Tatl remembered him. “Hey, wait a sec! How do you know that?!”

“Like I said earlier, maybe he’s like Sheik,” Gilbert murmured. Everyone looked to him, contemplating the possibility...

“Oh yeah!” Nicole blinked, turning to the amethyst-eyed boy too. “I remember what I was gonna ask you. So who exactly are you? Why do you know about the three days thing, why does it seem like you know what we’re doing, why do you know that Termina’s fate rests on our shoulders, why does it seem like I’ve talked to you before—”

Link covered her mouth. He looked at Seth. “One by one is fine.”

Seth sweatdropped. “Well... first of all, I’m not sure who this Sheik person is, but I will say this: I am on your side.”

“He is like Sheik!” Gilbert cheered.

“Can you stop saying that name?!” Ines twitched.

He ‘eep’-ed and shrank. “Y-yes, darling...”

Seth ignored them. “You’ve obtained the boss key, correct?”

Link fished in his pocket. He grinned as he withdrew a golden key. “Yep!”

“Good. You seven can proceed to the boss of this temple. However, the process is a bit complicated...” He stepped back, looking upwards towards the pillar. The team followed his gaze. “There is one passageway on the third floor of this atrium that is caged and blocked with snowballs. Destroy the blue sections of this central pillar and it should give way to the snowball hall, which then would lead you to the fourth floor where the boss is.”

Everyone ‘ohh’-ed as they spotted the caged snowball hall. Ines looked to the redhead, nodding. “Okay, we got it.”

There was a slight pause; Seth eyed their fatigued figures from the Dinofols and Wizrobe fight. He thought for a moment before pushing his cloak aside, taking a bottle from his belt and holding it out to the team. Link blinked. “A healing fairy?”

“Yes. You’ll need all the strength you can get.”

Link had to smile at Seth’s kindness, nodding as he took the bottle. “Thanks!”

Seth just nodded. In the background Hayarpi squee-ed silently, poking Nicole. “Woooow, what a nice guy!”

Nicole eyed her. Ines giggled from beside them. “And he’s hot, too!” she cackled.

Brian and Gilbert eyed them. The two girls ‘eep!’-ed and looked in different directions. But Nicole just continued to stand there with crossed arms, still racking her brain as she tried to figure out why Seth was familiar...

Said boy nodded back at them. “All right then, my job here is finished. Good luck.”

“Are you going to bust out a Deku Nut and disappear now?” Gilbert grinned.

Suddenly Seth gasped. He pointed behind the team. “Whoa, UFO!”

“WHERE?!” they turned around.

“... Wait a sec,” Link started. “We’re indoors.”

The seven turned back around.

And Seth was gone.

The group fell over. Hayarpi sighed. “Wow. I am quite ashamed of myself for falling for that...”

“You think I’m not?” Tatl sweatdropped. “But oh well. Anyways, to the boss! Hop to it! LET’S FINISH THIS STUPID TEMPLE!”

“I AGREE!” Brian unsheathed his sword. “LES’ GO!”

“YEEEEAAAAAAAAHHHHH!” And finally united once again, the team set off to find Snowhead’s boss.

–

` Boss Room `

–

Upon going through the final door, the seven were shrouded in a white light. Soon they were outside again, a light breeze sweeping by as they stood on top of Snowhead Mountain.

“A boss fight outdoors, huh?” Brian grinned as he looked about. “This is new.”

Link narrowed his eyes, spotting something slightly glimmering. “Hey, there’s a shiny thing over there. C’mon.”

Walk, walk, walk, and they find a gigantic mechanical goat-thing encased in ice.

Ines grinned. “How awesome, looks like we won’t have to fight this boss!”

Tatl flitted up to the goat-thing’s face, inspecting. She shuddered as she spotted the corner of its mouth twitching like mad. “Not really. It’s still alive, and we gotta kill it to get his remains, like Odolwa.”

“Aww. Laaame!”

“Just take out your fire arrows!”

Grumbling, the six did as told and aimed. Six flaming arrows flew at the block of ice, thawing the mechanical goat. It started to move and it looked down at the team with a grateful expression. “Oahhhh! My name is Goht—thank you kids for saving me from that icy prison!”

“Er, you’re welcome,” Link eyed the goat a bit. “So... does that mean we don’t have to fight you?”

“Of course not!” He aimed his horns at them. “DDDDDIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!”

“AAAHHHHHHH!” everyone screamed like little girls as they barely missed Goht charging. “AHH! AHHH! WHAT DO WE DOOOOO!”

“Oops!” Gilbert yelped as he tripped, his Goron Mask flying out of his pocket and landing on the ground. His face landed in the mask and he screamed as he turned into a Goron. “AAAAHHHHHHH!”

Everyone else eyed him. Then they looked at each other, nodded, and slapped their masks on too.

“AAAAGGGGGHH!”

“EEEEEEEKK!”

“GGAAAAHHHHHHH!”

“AAAIIIIEEEEEE!”

“MACARENAAAAAA!”

They gave Nicole a ‘wtf’ look.

She looked back at them, Goron-fied. “What?! The Macarena’s cool... sorta...”

All of a sudden the light breeze escaladed, turning into a violent snowstorm. In front of them, Goht lowered his horns into an attack-position.

And so, THE BATTLE BEGAN! (bangs a gong)

“UURRAAAAAGGGHHH!” Goht growled as he charged forward, swinging his horns madly as he ran towards Link. And only Link.

And Link, upon seeing that, screamed like a little schoolgirl and started running the opposite direction. “!”

Everyone blinked. “That’s weird. I thought the Goron Mask made Link homicidal,” Ines mumbled.

All of a sudden Link screeched to a halt. Then he fell to the ground and started spazzing madly while yelling gibberish. “NALSDNFFF! DJFJLSFLJJLFWNWL!?”

Goht and everyone else slowly backed away. Suddenly Link hopped up, glaring at Goht with a dangerous glint in his eye. “TIME TO DIE, YOU INEPT PIECE OF MICROWAVE DROPPINGS!” He rolled into a ball and shot at him.

“LIKE, NOOOOO!” Goht sobbed, running the opposite direction. Soon the mechanical goat came to a cliff and he turned around since he had nowhere else to go. Goron Link was standing there. Goht dramatically backed up against the edge of the cliff as Goron Link advanced.

“Give up!” Goron Link yelled over the roaring blizzard. “You’re no match against me! My power will CONQUER AAAALLLLL!”

Goht shook his head. “No...! It can’t be; I can’t be defeated so easily!”

Just as Goron Link was about to attack, he fell to the ground again and started spazzing and gibberish-ing. After he was done he looked around. “What happened?” He saw Goht. “... Uh.”

“...” Goht lowered his horns again.

Link screamed and ran the other direction.

The earthlings just stared.

Finally Tatl noticed how they were just staring so she bonked them. “WHY IN NAYRU’S NAME ARE YOU ALL JUST WATCHING!?” the fairy screeched. “ROLL INTO GOHT WITH YOUR GORON SPIKES!”

“OH OKAY!” Everyone curled into small balls. With the friction between their rough Goron exteriors and the snow, they were able to quickly gain spikes and catch up to the mechanical goat.

Meanwhile Link was running like hell. “GGAAAAHHH! WHAT THE HEEECK!”

“COME BACK HERE—OWWW!”

Link stopped and looked behind him, seeing five Gorons hurling themselves at the goat. Goht dodged Brian, yelped as Nicole and Hayarpi managed a hit, and turned a different direction just in time to barely dodge Gilbert and Ines too. He started running off but the Gorons stayed hot on his trail.

“Come on, Link!” Tatl yelled over the storm. “You too!” Link nodded, curling and bursting off.

“GAH!” Goht yelled as the team managed to hit him a few more times. The boss stumbled back, but from the corner of his eye he saw Ines coming. Quickly he lowered his horns and head-butt her sideways.

Ines screamed at the blow and uncurled as she rolled away. Gilbert gasped. “INES!” He looked to the others. “Keep fighting, I’ll check on her!”

Everyone else nodded. “Got it!”

“Ines! My love! Are you okay!?” Gilbert sobbed as he ran towards his fallen beloved. He held her up. “Ines...! Ines!” Gilbert shook her. “No, my darling...!” Then he tilted his head back, screaming to the sky. “NNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOO—”

Ines sat up and smacked him across the face.

“OWCHIES!”

“I’M NOT DEAD, YOU IDIOT!” the Hispanic girl screeched. Then she hugged him. “But thanks for caring.” Gilbert breathed a gigantic sigh of relief and hugged her back.

“Aaaawwwww~!” everyone else including Goht sighed as they watched. Brian and Hayarpi cuddled. Link smiled and Nicole wiped her eye with a tissue.

Tatl gagged before giving Goht a weird look. Goht eyed her back. “What? Mechanical goats can’t ‘aww’?!”

“You’re supposed to be attacking us though...”

“Oh yeah.” Goht lowered his horns and head-butt everyone. “MWAHAHAHAHA!”

“OWW!” Everyone screamed. They glared at the yellow fairy “TATL!!”

“Oops? Hehe!”

“Muuaaahahaha!” Goht cackled as he stepped back. “Well! As fun as they are, the head-butts are getting old, don’t you think? Let’s try something else on for size!” he lowered his horns again. But instead of charging at the team, the horns glowed teal. “TAKE THIS!” And with a shake of his head, Goht sent an electric current to them.

“GAH! DISPERSE!!” Link screamed. Everyone else screamed too and split up.

“MUAHAHAHHAHAHA!” Goht cackled and cackled as he kept the electricity going.

Brian yelped as he was shocked. He turned to the goat. “GRRR! WHY YOU—” But Goht just shocked him again. “AAGGHH!! YOU—” Another. “... I—” And another! “....... (twitch)”

“STOP HURTING MY BRIAN!” Hayarpi yelled, standing in front of him. She ‘eep’-ed as she was shocked too. “.....”

Everyone else looked around. There had to be something they could do to stop the electricity! The Hylian looked to the fairy. “How about fire arrows?!”

Tatl tilted her head back and forth. “Er, I doubt it...”

“We gotta try!” Link whipped out a fire arrow. He shot it at Goht, but just when the arrow flew the blizzard put it out and the arrow fell to the ground, useless. Tatl sighed. Nicole laughed.

But she halted her laughter when a voice rang through her head.

~* ‘Nicole, you and Ines have to use it!’ *~

Nicole looked around. “Huh? Use what!?”

For some reason she was getting used to hearing voices in her head... she didn’t know if that was a good thing or not, but whatever. Link and Tatl gave her odd looks.

~* ‘The techniques!’ *~

“What techniques!?”

~* ‘The ones we blessed you with! Those powers aren’t there for no reason—
I know they didn’t serve much in Hyrule, but this time...’ *~

Nicole gasped as she finally recognized the voice. “Ohh, I get it!”

Tatl stared. “Get what!?”

“WATCH OUT!” came the other earthlings’ yell from a distance. The three looked; an electric current was heading their way!

Tatl ‘eep!’-ed as Nicole grabbed her, and Link yelped as the same girl tackled him, making him lie flat on the ground. He covered his head anyway, preparing for the voltage...

... That never came.

“Did it work?” he heard Nicole mumble.

Link opened his eyes. He gasped as he saw a silver dome around them absorbing Goht’s electricity. “Uh. Y-yeah, I think ‘it’ did.”

Nicole was kneeling in front of him, arms forming an ‘x’ over her head. She peeped an eye open. “Yo! Neeeaat!” Nicole put her arms down, lowering the barrier. Then she looked to Ines. “HEY, YOU TOO!” she barked out.

Ines sweatdropped at suddenly being yelled at. “What about me?!”

“Try yo’ POWAAAHHHS!”

“STOP IGNORING MEEE!” Goht growled, charging towards Ines and the other earthlings.

Nicole waved her arms like a maniac. “INEEEES! DO EEEEET!”

“OKAY, OKAY!”

Ines jumped in front of the other three. Now, she didn’t really know what to do to summon these so-called powers... in fact, she didn’t even know what kind of powers she had! So, she imitated what she saw in Dragonball Z, drawing her hands behind her back.

“Kaaa... meeee...!”

Nicole, Hayarpi, Brian and Gilbert fell over, hard. Link and Tatl exchanged confused looks.

“GRAHH!” Goht swung his horns toward them.

Ines panicked. “EEEEK!” she held out her palm towards him, not even caring to finish the copyrighted phrase. Good, because then nagami-sama would be in trouble. But anyway. Ines’s hand glowed green. Suddenly what looked to be tree roots burst from beneath the snow and wrapped themselves around Goht’s legs.

“What’s this!?” Goht growled, tugging at his limbs. But the roots were strong and held him in place. “AGGHHH! LET GO!”

Everyone else stared, jaws dropped. Ines gasped and looked at her hands. “Duuude! I did that!?”

“Makes sense though!” Hayarpi giggled. “You are Aurees’s representative, and Aurees is the Goddess of Woodfall. Earth would be her element!”

“Wow. Cool! Ya think I can control rocks too!?”

“Probably! It’s earth too, right!?”

“WHY ARE YOU TALKING RIGHT NOW!?” Tatl screeched as she flew between them. She pointed at the still-tied-up, struggling Goht. “This is your chance!”

Suddenly Link rolled past behind them, already spiky. “DDDIIIIEEEE—” he was cut off when Goht electrified him. “OWWW!”

The earthlings sweatdropped. That’s right—even though Goht was tied up and his movement disabled, he could still cast electricity. Gilbert ran towards the burnt Link and dragged him to the rest of the team. Meanwhile, Ines looked at Nicole. “Listen Nic, we gotta work together!”

Nicole nodded. “Okay! But on what!?”

“...” Ines just looked at the Armenian girl. “Any ideas, Hayarpi?!”

Hayarpi glanced at Goht, who was still struggling to get out of the roots’ hold. He was getting there; the root holding his rear left leg finally gave in and snapped. Hayarpi looked back to the others. “Okay! Nicole and Ines, act as outside offense and defense—Nic, run around and use your defense dome on whoever needs it! Ines, stay outside too and hold Goht back with the earth. I’m not sure what exactly your powers can do but figure something out!”

“Got it!” Ines and Nicole nodded, removing their Goron Masks as it’d be easier to move as humans. Nicole ran off. Ines grabbed her and shoved her the right direction before going off on her own too.

Hayarpi sweatdropped, then looked to the boys. “We’ll circle Goht and attack in pairs—KICK HIS ASS!”

“YES MA’AM!” the boys screamed. The four Gorons split up and curled, prompting speed and the Goron spikes to come back out.

And so with the power of magic, earth and physical force, the team was finally able to weaken Goht!

“Link!” Brian called, he and the other four stepping back.

The Hylian nodded, already charging his Goron roll. When he was ready he bolted forward and slammed one final time into Goht’s chest, knocking him over.

“AGH, NO!” Goht tried scrambling up, but he was too dizzy and ended up slamming into the mountain beside him. The force of his slam caused an avalanche and he screamed as boulders crushed him and buried him in snow...

Everyone just watched, horrified. Then they screamed as the avalanche headed towards them!

“BLUE LIGHT THING! BLUE LIGHT THIIIING!” Tatl sobbed. Ines quickly snatched the Goht-like mask from the ground just as everyone threw themselves into the blue ring of light, vanishing just as the avalanche passed.

–
–

The six stood on the pillar from before, shrouded in fog. They were all in human form again as well, listening to a gigantic thing in the distance mumble some gibberish.

“Oramm ucha kakikiboh eya!” it continued, nodding. “Pampahene torok itc hiyo!”

The six stared blankly. Tatl sighed. “Basically he said he’s thankful we saved him.”

“Ugah rallah bamoo! Hayarpi!”

Hayarpi looked at her friends. “Er, did he...?”

Tatl grinned at her. “Looks like you’re the Snowhead rep.”

“No surprise! You did lead us in this temple rather well,” Ines smiled. Hayarpi’s eyes softened, smiling back thankfully. The rest of the humans cheered and gently pushed the brown-haired girl forward.

A bright flash of light. When the seven lowered their arms, a woman with white garments stood in front of them. Her hair was an balance between lilac and white, tied up into a ponytail and decorated with beads and a large white flower-like bow on the side of her head. She had various gray/purple necklaces and bracelets, lilac sandals, and layers of purple beneath her flowing white dress, along with other transparent fabric hanging from her arms. In one hand she held a staff decorated with the same flowing fabric.

(A/N: http://i34(DOT)tinypic(DOT)com(SLASH)16lmyjl(DOT)jpg)

Everyone gaped. Gilbert leaned over to Link. “Wow, the Goddesses are so pretty in Termina!”

The woman giggled. She bowed slightly to them. “Hello. My name is Ningehre. (pron.: ning-air) I thank you as well for freeing my guardian; we are eternally thankful.” Then she turned to Hayarpi, smiling softly. Hayarpi stared back, not really knowing what to say... “I assume you know why your name was called. Take a look at your forehead.”

Hayarpi blinked. She whipped out a mirror and gasped when she saw a softly glowing violet symbol on her forehead. Everyone ‘ooh!’-ed and gathered around to stare too. In response to Hayarpi’s symbol, Nicole and Ines’s symbols glowed too. Brian and Gilbert ‘ooh’-ed some more. And then Link’s Triforce piece glowed too.

Link sweatdropped as he eyed his hand. “Eh?”

Ningehre giggled. “You are their leader; of course the light within you would react as well.”

Link ‘oh’-ed. “Oh. Cool!”

“Wait, but why is the symbol violet?” Hayarpi asked as she put her mirror away. “I thought since it’s snow and ice, it’d be white...”

“Well, white’s too close to silver.”

Everyone else fell over. Nicole felt bad and covered her forehead with a sheepish grin.

“Plus, dear Hayarpi, your Goddess-given power is not snow or ice. It’s air.”

Hayarpi stared. “Air?”

“Yes.”

“... Air!?”

“... Yes, yes, air.”

“But isn’t this Snowhead?”

“There’s air in Snowhead, isn’t there!?”

Everyone else fell over yet again. Hayarpi paused for a moment, then shrugged. “Well, okay.”

“And in truth, Goddess-given powers can be used out of boss fights, however for a limited time. Do not neglect to practice every once in a while,” Ningehre informed. Hayarpi nodded. Then the Goddess turned to Ines and Nicole. “By the way. Aurees and Keikya asked me to tell you how proud they are of you. Great job in the last fight.”

Ines and Nicole squee-ed in joy. Ningehre looked to the boys. “You boys as well. Stupendous use of force.” The boys cheered too and high-fived.

Tatl suddenly flew up. “Um, if I may ask a question...?” Ningehre nodded. “Can you tell us... what exactly are those giants in the fog?”

The Goddess blinked. She looked to the giant, gesturing at him to answer.

“Vi ahmr mikahsoon,” it said back.

“... Guardians? I see, then you guys are protective gods?”

“The four who are there...” Hayarpi murmured. “Ohh! It all makes sense!”

“Yay, my chosen one is so smart!” Ningehre cheered. Hayarpi squee-ed. She felt so loved!

Tatl just nodded. “So that’s why they’re in the temples...” She frowned, though. “But, why are the protective gods...?”

Suddenly it started glowing white again. Tatl twitched, knowing that white glows/flashes of light usually meant they were going to be sent away.

“No, wait! Don’t warp us yet—hey, HEY! I’M ASKIN’ YA SOMETHIN’—!”

“Make good use of your powers,” Ningehre told Hayarpi, waving as she faded away. Hayarpi waved back too. “Have faith, Heroes and Heroines of Time...!”

“Byyyeee!” everybody yelled.

Tatl twitched. “WAIT A SEC! I’M NOT DONE YET—”

–
–

Everyone screamed as they fell from the sky and landed on top of each other, right in front of Snowhead Temple.

“Dammit! Why can’t they put us down normally?!” Brian grumbled as he got up. Tatl just pouted as she flittered to their level. Darn those Goddesses and guardians and their vague-ness!

“Oh hey! Snowhead’s fairies,” Gilbert gasped.

Nicole blinked. “Oh yeeeaahh! Tatl, where’s the Great Fairy’s den!?”

Tatl turned around. So did everyone else. They saw a hole in the wall.

“...”

–
–

“Hello! I am the Great Fairy of Wisdom!”

“EWW, GREEN EYEBROWS!”

“HOW DARE YOU! (zap)”

“... Oww...”

–

` The Second Day :: Mountain Village + 3:28pm `

–

“Whooaa!”

Everyone gasped in delight as they looked around Mountain Village; the snow that blanketed the entire region of the area was gone! When the group defeated Goht the curse over the north had broken. The snow in Mountain Village had melted, revealing plush green grass, clear spring water and varieties of flowers and insects. It was a beautiful place, indeed!

“Such a beautiful place, indeed!” Nicole sighed happily— ...

You know what!? I know when I’m not wanted! You don’t have to tell me! I’ll just leave right now, you guys can keep doin’ whatever and sayin’ whatever and—

Link bolted forward, grabbing my ankle. “NOO! We need you! You can’t leave, Mr. Ryo aka Narrator!”

Tatl looked around, confused. “Narrator? Who’s narrating?”

... Okay fine, I’ll stay. The six humans cheered. nagami-sama popped up on top of the Mountain Smithy’s roof. “You get swayed easily, don’tcha Ryo-chan.”

Hee!

“Speaking of the Mountain Smithy,” Ines started, ignoring her. nagami-sama giggled and popped away. “Didn’t Zubora say something about being able to sharpen our swords?” She turned to Nicole. “NOT A WORD!”

Nicole already had her hands over her mouth, swallowing a giggle. Brian put down his bag of rocks.

Link gasped. “Oh yeah! Since the snow’s gone, the hearth should be okay... let’s go check it out!”

–
–

Gabora gasped as he saw the door open. He started pounding his chest in glee. “UGOH-OH UGOHGH!”

“WOULD YOU SHADDAP ALREADY YOU STUPID—oh, a customer?” Zubora sat up from his couch and squee-ed when he saw the six teenagers. More specifically, he squee-ed when he saw they had weapons. And it was weird, but it felt like he saw them somewhere before... he shrugged it off though. “Ah! Six customers, in fact! Gabora, fetch our customers some coffee, quick-like.”

“Oh no thanks, coffee stunts growth,” Ines said.

“Hot choco?”

“Mm, hot choco...” Nicole and Gilbert droned.

Zubora snapped his fingers. Gabora squished his large self through the kitchen doorway to fix up some hot chocolate.

“So yes. Welcome to the Mountain Smithy! I am Zubora. Please, have a seat!” he set some pillows down on the opposite side of his table. The six humans nodded and sat, just as Gabora returned with their drinks. Zubora tilted his head at the team. “So I assume you came to reforge your swords?”

Link nodded, looking at the crackling hearth. “Yeah, we’d like stronger weapons now, since your hearth’s not frozen anymore...”

Zubora raised an eyebrow. “How did you know our hearth was frozen?”

Link froze. Tatl and the earthlings glared at him. “Uh... uh... magic?”

“...” Zubora turned away, biting his fingernails. “Oh no, they must be onto me...!”

“Who?”

“What?”

“Who is?”

“Who’s what?”

“On top of you?”

“... OOOOHOOHOOHOO! YOU TEENAGERS AND YOUR ADOLESCENT MINDS!” Zubora cackled and blushed as he realized how Link misheard him. The girls looked flustered and Tatl and the boys had slapped their foreheads. Link, of course, looked lost. What was going on?

“OKAY ANYWAY,” Brian said loudly to change the subject. “How much is it going to cost?”

“Hm. Well usually I charge 100 rupees per weapon, but for all six of you, I’ll make it 500.”

“Ooh. Not bad!”

“But it’s temporary. Your swords will return to normal power after 100 uses.”

The group fell over. “Whaaat?! That’s lame,” Ines mumbled. “Is there no option for permanent forging?”

Zubora paused for a moment. He eyed them a bit. “Weeeeellll...”

The team blinked.

Zubora looked around, then leaned forward. So did the group. “This is a secret, but I’ll let you in on it. If you bring me some gold dust, I can forge you the strongest of swords. It’ll never lose its edge! It’s the strongest... the strongest... the strongest...”

Everyone gave him ‘wtf’ looks as he kept repeating himself.

“... The strongest... the strongest... the stro—”

“OKAY, we get it,” Hayarpi sweatdropped. “Yeah, so where can we get this gold dust?”

“Like I’d know!” Zubora cackled as he leaned back again. “I’m just throwing the option out there. Or I could do that temporary reforging I already mentioned. Whaddya think?”

The six exchanged looks. “Uh, one moment?” Link asked. Zubora waved his hand. The six turned and formed a little circle.

“You guys, we should totally do it,” Nicole grinned. “Personalization, the strongest of swords; talk about awesome!”

“Nic, we don’t even know where to get this gold dust, or even if it’s in Snowhead,” Hayarpi sighed. “And there’s only a day and a half left before the world ends. I doubt we have enough time to look all over Termina.”

“Then let’s use a cycle or two to find it!”

Brian smacked her. Nicole whimpered. “The heck was that for?!”

“Stop thinking like a dumbass. We’re not abusing time like that.”

Nicole pouted. Link sweatdropped. “Brian and Hayarpi’s right though... the temporary option is lame, so I guess we just won’t reforge our weapons, then.” He sighed wistfully. “Aww, this sucks... I really want a stronger weapon!”

Suddenly chatter was heard. Through the window of the cabin, the team could hear a group of Gorons’ excited talk as they passed by...

“ALL RIIIIGHT! IT’S SPRING, DUDES!”

“YEEAH! LET'S WATCH THE GORON RACES TO CELEBRATE!”

“OK! WHAT’S THE PRIZE?!”

“GOLD DUST, MAN!”

“SWEEEET!”

The six paused for a moment.

They turned to Zubora. “WE’LL GET YOU GOLD DUST, THEN!”

Tatl sweatdropped. Zubora squee-ed in happiness, clapping his hands together. “Oh joy!” He blinked as the humans started to gather their things. “Oh... oh, wait a moment! Wait!” They froze and looked at him. He tilted his head. “For sure you’re going to get gold dust?”

Link nodded. “For sure.”

“Definitely?”

“Most def.”

“Positively?”

“Yes, positively.”

“Ah. That’s great! However...” he tilted his head the other direction. “Since there’s so many of you, I want enough time to think of appropriate ideas for each person’s new weapon in accordance to your fighting styles...”

They stared at him blankly.

“... I want to see you spar individually. Thirty seconds each with Gabora.”

“Ooohhhhh,” they murmured out in understanding. They looked at each other again.

Link shrugged. “Sure.”

“Great!” Zubora stood up. “Good,...”

“What was that?”

“Nothing. Finish your hot chocolate then meet me outside!”

–
–

“This is such a waste of tiiiiiime!” Tatl whined as she sat on the edge of a potted plant.

Brian rolled his eyes. “Oh shaddap, it’s only thirty seconds each.”

“Don’t tell me to ‘shaddap’!”

“I can tell ya whatever I want.”

“You—!” Tatl was cut off when Hayarpi dropped a bottle on top of her. “Hey!”

“Chill,” Hayarpi grinned. Tatl huffed but she sat down, crossing her arms.

Meanwhile Zubora set himself on the second-highest step of the cabin, grinning at Gabora and Ines who were stretching on the grass in front of them. He took out a notebook, a feather and an inkpot and a stopwatch (?). “Okaaay! Lemme know when you’re ready!”

“UGOHGH!” Gabora nodded. His weapon was an ax.

“Me too, I’m ready!” Ines called energetically as she rolled her shoulders back.

Zubora clapped his hands happily. “Wee! It’s been a while since I’ve evaluated weapon-use...” he leaned back and cackled madly. “I AM LE EXCITEEEED!”

Tatl rolled her eyes at him. She remembered the team’s training in Termina Field... remembering how they just randomly swung and hacked at each other, and also during Woodfall and Snowhead when they just tactlessly hacked at everything too. “Pft. I hope you don’t expect to see some amazing swordsmanship or something, cuz these guys have no substance whatsoever...”

Zubora ignored her, holding up his stopwatch. “On your mark...”

Gilbert cheered. “All right, Ines! Do your best, honey!”

“Get set...”

“WOOHOOO! GO INEEEES!” Link and Nicole shouted. “SHOW ‘EM WHAT YOU CAN DO!”

Tatl scoffed. “What can she do?—”

Zubora clicked his watch. “GO!”

Gabora got into a stance. Ines threw her shield aside, running towards him with her sword out. Then she swung; but it wasn’t flail-y or tactless like Tatl remembered. Ines swung her sword in a slightly curvy way, using her wrist to flick her weapon into cutting slashes. Gabora dodged the first swings then swung with his ax. Ines blocked, then surprised Tatl as she countered and managed a strike at Gabora’s armor. And they continued to exchange impressive blows until finally Zubora yelled, “TIME!”

“WOOOO INNEEEEESSSSS! AW RIIIIIGHHHTT!” Brian and Link yelled, hooting.

“THAT’S MY GIRLFRIEND! THAT’S MY GIRLFRIEND!!” Gilbert cackled. Hayarpi was clapping happily and Nicole was cabbage patching.

Meanwhile, Tatl gaped. The way Ines fought... it... it was actually impressive! She actually had a style, a way of fighting that suited her and helped her make the best hits... just thirty seconds, and Tatl was impressed!

“Very nice!” Zubora grinned. Ines bowed in thanks and headed back to her friends, who were clapping proudly.

Tatl was still gaping. “W-where did that come from?!”

“What’re you talking about, it’s not like it came from out of nowhere,” Ines cackled as she sat down. Gilbert cheered and hugged her around the waist, quite proud of his girl.

“But, but it DID! Since when could you... how did you learn to...?!”

Ines just cackled again. Zubora finished jotting notes and looked to the group. “Who’s next?”

“Go Linky-poo!” Nicole pushed the Hylian forward. Link, who was pumped from seeing Ines fight, nodded happily as he ran over with his sword and shield.

Zubora cleared the stopwatch. “Okay, ready... set... go!”

And Tatl found herself gaping yet again. Link’s eyes changed when Zubora yelled ‘go.’ They were more focused—strong, determined, not letting anything distract him from his enemy. Link used his sword and shield in perfect balance. He didn’t swing his sword too hard or too lightly; he blocked and countered in perfect time, he back flipped, side-jumped, did jumping slashes all in perfect response to Gabora’s ax swings.

As the evaluations continued, Tatl actually found herself gaping at every single person’s weapon demonstration.

They all had styles. They all had certain ways of using their weapons. While they all had a regular sword, they knew how to use it to their best advantage.

For Gilbert, he had a tendency to dodge a lot, but he dodged in exceptional time and swung his sword at angles. He was able to trick his enemy into thinking one thing while he did another, and didn’t even need to use his shield very often. For Hayarpi, she kept her distance; a careful fighter who used her shield to cover her weak spots, attacking only when she saw an opening. But when she did attack, her swings were remarkably fast and precise.

As for Brian, he was the hard-hitter. His swings were quite powerful and effective, even managing to dent Gabora’s armor. He blocked attacks with his sword for Din’s sake and dodged little, but knew when to back off. And finally there was Nicole, who’s style was in sync with her personality. She was the type to “get all up” in her enemy’s “grill,” attacking with hard, quick slashes, and was skilled with both hands as she switched her weapon over a couple of times.

Even though there were a few holes in their strategies, they were an impressive lot... especially for 14-year-olds.

“All right, Nic! Awesome job!” Link grinned as Nicole, the last one, finished her demonstration.

Nicole gave a thumbs up and set herself next to him. “Thanks, Linkeh!”

Meanwhile Tatl couldn’t stop gaping at everything she just saw. “OKAY SERIOUSLY! WHERE’D YOU GUYS LEARN TO FIGHT LIKE THAT?!”

“Do we have to remind you that we went on a quest before?” Hayarpi giggled, wiping her sword with a handkerchief.

“But... but, the training at Termina Field... Woodfall, Snowhead... all that frantic, uncoordinated hacking with no substance whatsoever...!” Tatl sobbed. She felt so deceived!

Gilbert sweatdropped. “Weeell, Termina Field was just playin’ around. And we were Deku and Gorons most of the time in the temples, remember? A lot of the enemies we fought just needed a few slices of the sword, or couldn’t be killed by swords, so there was no room for swordsmanship or anything like that.”

Everyone else nodded in agreement. Tatl sank to the floor, still gaping.

She thought... she knew them.

But when it came down to it, she really didn’t know anything.

At all.

Link stared as Tatl’s expression changed, looking a little downtrodden. He eyed her. “Tatl...?”

“Well, well!” Zubora cackled happily as he finally finished his notes, standing up. “That was quite the impressive show you guys did. You kids have remarkable skills. So, do not worry!” He clenched his fist in determination. “I WILL MAKE YOU... THE BEST WEAPONS IN THE ENTIRE UNIVEEEERRSSEEE!”

“YAAAAAAY!” the six humans squealed, hugging each other.

“As long as you get me my gold dust, of course.”

Everyone fell over.

Then Zubora looked at Link. “Ah! You, dear blond one, your sword will have special treatment!”

Link gasped, jumping up and down in excitement. “Ooh, really?!”

“Yes! While you six find the gold dust, leave your sword with me. Along with 80 rupees.”

Link stopped jumping. “... Why?”

“We shall forge it to the Razor Sword.”

“Is that permanent?”

“No.”

The group eyed him suspiciously. “Then why?!”

“Well because the blond’s weapon is quite peculiar! First we must forge it into another shape before we do the final one.”

Link eyed him suspiciously. “And why do you need 80 rupees if you’re already taking my sword?”

“Think of it as a deposit fee.”

Everyone fell over again. Sighing, Link fished 80 rupees out of his wallet and hesitantly handed over his weapon. “Okay fine... here...”

Zubora cackled as the Kokiri Sword fell into his hands. “Lovely. Now, go on and find that gold dust!”

“YESSIR!” And with a salute, the six ran off to find info about the Goron Races. Tatl just followed quietly.

A/N: DON’T FORGET TO LOOK AT YUUMEI’S COMMISSION OF LINK & NICOLE! THE LINK IS AT MY PROFILE!

Link/Ryo/Niagra: GO LOOK AT EEEEET!

A/N: AND PLEASE REVIEW! THANK YOU! 8D

- nagami c.