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Lost In Termina

FayeleneFyre

The local treehugger
Joined
Sep 23, 2011
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Lost In Termina is a fanfiction written by FayeleneFyre. I do not own TLoZ or any canon LoZ characters.
The Legend of Zelda © Nintendo.
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Back in 2011, I had posted my first fan fiction, Lost In Termina. Since then, it has been refurbished and some plot has even been changed for the ongoing plot of my entire series, Tales of Termina (Tales of Termina is the name of the series that holds each individual story. Lost In Termina is the first in the series [not including the prologue story, The Quest of Seven. This one can be found on my DeviantART as a three-chapter story, explaining how the events of Lost In Termina began. Lost In Termina can still be followed without reading The Quest of Seven, but here it is if interested~. http://fayelenefyre.deviantart.com/gallery/33960999/LIT-Prologue-The-Quest-Of-Seven ])

Without further ado, here's chapter 1. I hope you all enjoy~!
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Chapter 1
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DAWN OF THE FIRST DAY
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A Rose With Thorns.
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Early morning began as the sun had hardly even peeked over the trees yet. We take our beginning to the swamp where the palace of the deku kingdom itself stands. Beyond the palace where no human has ventured, is the secretive forest of the deku scrubs; the deku village. Within flowers, huts, and even hollowed trees, dekus made their homes. Here, everyone knew each other if you were a deku and lived among these woods. Though, there was one who resided away from others, and proved as unique compared to most of the common village scrubs. Loved by many, and also disliked by other many. This deku scrub didn't live in a hut or tree, but in the open woods in an underground grotto.

A little yellow leaf popped out of the grotto hole in the dark of the early morning. The deku scrub had thick blond leaves that became thin and hair-like as it got longer. The long "hair" was kept in an orange worn-out ponytail. His thicker leaves covered his eyes mostly as they fell over his face.
He a tan animal pelt vest, and a green-dyed animal fur loin cloth- which he'd sewn together at the sides and wore on his pants, as odd a fashion it was. His pants were also pelts and were burnt red, and their pant-legs split and covered the left and right sides of his feet and dragged the ground slightly. He wore tan shoes, which were scuffed and tattered to some degree from his constant travels. He climbed out of his home, bringing an old light tan worn one-strap rucksack with him, and swung it around his back. He gave a gaze at the forest around him... It seemed everything was starting to wilt. With his sights seen and his grotto hidden again beneath a dead log, of which he moved over it, he then set out.
His bright glowing orbs set ahead toward the palace and through the socially active part of the forest, of which many deku scrubs seemed to be active at right now. He never stopped once in the village, and he walked straight through. His path lead through a forest, then many caves, before he exited a good twenty minutes later out of a cave near the deku palace.

When he approached the palace gates after crossing the swamp in front of it, he stopped to look around.
"There he is.", called a girl's voice. The blond deku looked toward the giggling voices. Three deku scrub girls waved him over, of which he just chuckled.
"Sorry, I'm goin' on another trip girls. Can't talk right now." He said, feeling a little flattered and rather big-headed. "I'm sure some other guy will be willing to talk. Maybe not one like yours truly, though, someone." He replied, pointing his hand to himself.
They looked a bit freaked that he was even talking to them. "Ah, can you believe it!? Jace..."
One of the palace guards just rolled his eyes at Jace. He looked to the other guard next to him. "Ugh, even when he's not living here, Jacon's very presence causes a nuisance."
"He's a teenager, just ignore him..." the other replied.

"Be safe~!" One girl called out shyly.
Jace laughed. "You know me, nothing can get me!"
"Tell me about it..." The eldest girl added.
"Huh… I notice you've changed your leafdo, Gewl. Looks better than the old one." Jace said casually as he walked out on a lily pad, in no way meaning for her to take it as flirting. He was mostly just making a simple comment...
The girl known as Gewl simply leaned on one of the other girls giggling. "He still loves me and you know it~!"
Jace turned and used a stick to push the lily pad across the water. "Heh, cute... That wasn't mean to be a flirt, ugh..." he said to himself. He seemed really irritated, for personal past reasons.

The sun finally began peeking across the sky after a few hours of floating across the swamp water while Jace had pushed himself as far as he could go, he then reached land. Once up off the lily pad, he gazed up at the trees again. "They're much worse here. The trees look awful... I wonder what's going on?". He then turned his gaze at the grass ahead of himself. "Everything is dying."
He walked on, surveying the plants. The forest grew thinner and thinner, then before long, he found himself in the ever so wide Termina field. There were miles of nothing but beautiful grass and trees out on the field ahead of him, with mountains of the North in the distance. He looked back to his forest Swamp home. "It's only the swamp that's dying...?"

He watched the sky, then looked ahead once more. "It looks like I've got some asking around to do. Maybe someone in Clocktown will know what's going on here?"
In the center of the wide, wide field, was the capitol of Termina; Clocktown. It was a long straight walk there which took a good hour or so. It appeared the South entrance to the town was blocked off for reconstruction, seeing as the annual Carnival of Time was growing near.
He walked along the large path way around the town walls, hoping the other entrances were open. The West entrance was luckily open. He walked through the large doorway to face the market place of Clocktown, and it was bustling. Everyone was getting ready for the upcoming carnival. Some were wearing their carnival masks around, and some were out looking for dressy things to wear to the festivities. Usually, you didn't see many different races in Clocktown at once, but during this time of year, zoras, gorons, and even deku scrubs came to Clocktown. An expression of joy captivated Jace's face. "I love this time of year."

He walked on down the street as he passed many shops selling many unique things. He suddenly stopped at a weapon dealer. He leaned on the counter as he called to get attention, "Hey."
The man looked down, than crossed his arms. "Here to take another piece of merchandise, thief?"
"Such a harsh word. I call it Take-Now-Pay-Later citizen." Jace joked. "But no... I wanted to know if I could find some answers. The swamp's plant-life is dying off... It's really starting to worry me. Know anything about it...?"
The man began to think, then leaned on the table into the plant-boy's face. "You want something to look into...? Look into the rumors about the odd weather near the goron settlement in the Northern Mountains. I heard there was a blizzard one moment, then it was gone just like that."
"Blizzard? At their settlement? But blizzards don't normally happen there… Nor do they just… Stop." Jace replied.
The man nodded. "I find it strange that the blizzard occurs, then you come to me with the news of the sudden dying swamp. Ask some goron, they may know what happened."
"Ah, thanks." Jace pulled his rucksack in front of him, and pulled out some rupees. "Here, to pay for the stolen merchandise. Just needed to get the money."
Jace walked off, hoping to find a goron to ask. Luckily finding one in South Clocktown. "Hey, excuse me? Down here." He called.
The goron turned, then gazed down at the deku boy. "Hm?"

"Um, do you know about any strange things happening in Termina lately? I heard there's been a blizzard up at the goron village." Jace asked.
"Brother Jace! Yeah, I left the day it stopped." The goron responded.
Jace blinked. "It stopped?"
The goron gave a slow nod. "I was a little confused. Our leader and many of our tribe's warriors headed out into the wildlands. They came back after the blizzard stopped. Non of us were told of what happened up there, but something serious I believe."
"Oh my." Jace replied. "Well, thanks for the info."
He turned around, and began pacing off. "Todays going to be a long one... I'm taking a trip up the mountains to the goron village I guess. I honestly think something's wrong here, and no one else seems to really be as concerned... If the swamp dies, then so will the inhabitants there." Jace held deep concern in his tone as he turned and took a step back to the many markets. Something shining had caught his eye, however. "What's this now?"
Set up above all the other gems and rare items across this certain table, was one Moon's Tear; A shining sapphire stone shaped like a large tear. One of these were first seen fifty years ago, and are very rare. He approached it, vaguely forgetting the task at hand. After a disaster that befell Termina fifty years ago involving the moon, it was said giving someone a Moons Tear were to bring both the giver and the taker goodluck. This belief came to be, since those who seemed to own one were least effected by the disasters during that time. Jace found himself wanting to buy it, but it's price wasn't exactly low. "My goodness, I'd make a pretty rupee off something like this."
He turned, looking around to see if anyone was watching the table. Everyone was too busy doing their own thing. And the woman at the table had her back turned.
Despite the oncoming guilt, he slowly reached up to grab the Moon's Tear 'I know I told myself not to do this again, but I really need the money… Giant's forgive me...'

"BARK! BARK! BARK!!"
Jace nearly jumped out of his vest, and he turned to face the dog barking and growling at him. "Not now you mutt, you're going to get me in tr-!"
"Oh, hello there." The merchant said as she turned to face Jace with a sweet tone in her voice.
Jace put his hands behind his back. "Oh, uh, hey." The dog continued growling.
"Were you looking for something?" She asked.
Jace gazed up to the Moon's Tear. "Well, I've had my eye on that Moon's Tear up there." He answered truthfully.
She looked to the gem on her table "Ah yes, it certainly can catch a few eyes, huh?"
Jace leaned on the table. "It's quite expensive though."
"They're very rare to come across, might as well make some good money off it. My shop is usually very dead, then I saw this beauty fall out of the sky, and knew it'd be an answer to my prayers, perhaps help me save my shop." The woman replied.
Jace felt even more guilty for letting himself become tempted to steal from someone with such poor business. 'Shoot…' Jace reached into his rucksack. "Tell ya' what ma'am." he began. He pulled out two silver rupees, worth two hundred rupees... Apparently, all the big money he had on him... "I'll buy it!"
A smile creased her face, and Jace handed her the rupees. "Thank you so much!"
She handed him the Moon's Tear. "It's yours now. Do what you wish with it." The woman added.
"Heh, thanks." Jace gently slipped it into his rucksack, then left the table. He grumbled to himself, realizing he'd be without some money for a while. "Well, atleast I got it… Kind of a lost cause at this point, though… If I sell it, I'll just end up with the same amount I had before." As he walked away, he shooed the dog that followed him, and it eventually left him alone.
Jace began toward the entrance he came into Clocktown through upon remembering his task. He had a long day ahead of him, he figured he better get going and stop fooling around town.
"Ugh..." He stopped just outside town… He groaned as he held his head. He laid his hand over his eye and muttered to himself, leaning against the town wall slightly. His head began to hurt a little. It felt like he just got smacked with a sack of bricks. "A headache, now...?" He lowered his hand again, and continued through the exit trying to ignore the headache.

He walked on outside the town and through the beautiful grassy fields, as he raised his arms and stretched. His headache began fading away. "Sure didn't last very long this time, wonder what that was about?" He rubbed his head again. He'd just passed one of the fountains outside the West gate exit. He looked beyond his path, seeing in the far distance the snowy mountains of the North, which miles and miles away from the grassy paradise, was a frozen wonderland between those mountains. After much time, he reached the bridge that lead to the Northern mountains. Sometimes he wished he had a horse-drawn carriage or something, it would make trips so much faster. The area beneath the bridge was a tiny canyon-like gap with speckles of snow in it. It lead into the mountains as well, but would be quite a hike to reach the main North path from down there. Thus, the bridge was a better choice.

"Haven't been up at the goron village in a long time. Wonder how Darmorn's holding up?" Jace walked across the bridge and continued his trek upwards and into the mountain hills. "This'll be another one of those four-hour walks, not really looking forward to it... Gah, my head..." His head began hurting again. "C'mon now... What's wrong with me today...?" He complained painfully. He rubbed his head lightly as he looked down at the ground, still walking on.

"I don't understand this place!" Argued a voice up the mountain trail. Jace was too busy complaining about his head to really take concern to the other voice. Though, he vaguely noticed it. Hard not to, the voice was loud and echoing.
"It seems everywhere I turn, it's one surprise after the other... Once, just ONCE I'd like to find someone who'd give me a straight answer as to where I need to go next, not just take the trail." The voice continued. "Well, it was nice of Darmorn to let me spend the night in the village at least." The voice soon came to a silence. Jace released his head, noticing it ease up a bit. "That's better, I wish there was some warning before it does that." He raised his head, and looked up the swerving trail. A shadow on the wall of the rocks around the trail made his head perk up a little as his leaves twitched some. "Who's that?"

He came to a slow stop, nearly dropping his rucksack. Luckily, he held onto it well enough to keep from doing so.
It was like a slap to the face for Jace. Up from behind the wall of the trail came a deku scrub girl. Her autumn leaves were so long that they nearly touched the ground. She was dressed in a light blue four-petal shawl over a purple tank top made of unknown materials. They appeared to be petals, but he wasn't sure. She wore a grass skirt that reached her shoes, which her shoes were scuffed and ripped. Three larger leaves hung off her forehead, almost reminiscent to a cucco's comb. Each one of her leaves were tipped with light blond, the rest of her leaves being a darker tone. The thing that really caught his attention aside form her long attracting leaves, were her fiery eyes that he could see even from where he was standing, as they shined ever so brightly under the shadow of her bangs. Accompanying her was a small black bird hopping behind.

"Whoa..." Jace mused. He laid his eyes on her, and his heart just sped up. His little heart was practically running a marathon at this point... His mind raced to look for the words he needed to describe her. He sighed, and he knew he had to meet her. He felt a bit shaky though, and he was drawing a blank for words to say. He gripped the rucksack strap nervously and remained in place, unaware of himself twisting his left foot back and forth on the snowy-muddy ground shyly.
She caught sight of the deku boy ahead. And as soon as their eyes locked, Jace's leaves bristled and he shivered, which he hoped she hadn't noticed. She seemed to perk up slightly, hoping for a useful point in the right direction. She honestly hadn't even taken to mind his physical nervousness. But he soon kicked himself to walk up to her.
"Uhh." he began, not knowing how to start. He recovered and cleared his throat shortly... He sticks his chest out, stands tall, hands on hips and raises an eye brow, and speaks, "I couldn't help but- uh... Notice you walking down.". He was pretty much speaking faster than his thoughts could stop at this point.
She gazed down at the bird next to her, then looked Jace in the face again, looking a little confused with his actions.
"I saw you, and I had to ask myself: Is it spring already? Because you're bloomin' beautiful…". His thoughts finally stopped him, after realizing how lame that sounded. He soon added on smoothly... "Are you new around here? I've never seen you before."
She scoffed, an ice-cold glare piercing through him. "I don't have time for your little games..." She paused. "If you're going to just flirt, then get lost..." She ended with a tone of sheer-cold.
Jace found himself instantly heart broken. She walked passed him without saying another word, and she even slapped him accidentally in the face with her leaves… Her bird companion glared at him as they passed Jace.
'Jace, why did you…?' He scolded himself. 'Aw geez, I was little heavy and blunt there... What's wrong with you, Jace? That was cheesy… Giants, she's getting away… Um… Let's try that again...' He said in thought. He looked at her as she walked off, and he looked a little shocked. 'Wait, what was shedoing up in the Northern mountains?'

He walked up to her again. "Um, I uh..."
She suddenly stopped. "What now, Romeo...? I'm in a hurry." She tapped her foot, glaring irritably at the deku boy.
"I was uh, wondering if you might know what happened up there in the goron village?" Jace recovered lamely.
She stared for a moment. "I don't even know you. And what happened is none of your business."
"If it means saving my home, then it is." Jace replied truthfully.
The girl gazed at him again, showing slight more interest in the discussion. "Save?"
"Yeah... All the plant life is dying out there. Don't you live at the swamp? You're a deku after all." Jace replied.
"Uh, no, I'm not from here... Anyway, I don't know what to tell you. I-I don't have time to help you, I've got my own home to worry about." She responded coldly yet again.
Jace followed her once she started walking again, which she gave audible frustration towards. "What happened to your home?" He sounded concerned.
"If you must know- Nothing. I was taken from my home. I don't feel like talking about what happened after that. All I know, is this Termina place is awful..."
Jace paused "...Are you kidding? Termina's wonderful."
"That's because you live here, you were raised around it. I find it confusing, chaotic and messed up. I want to return to the forests of Hyrule, where I'm safe at home..."
"I'm afraid I've never heard of such a place." Jace replied.
She looked him over. "Who are you anyway?"
"OH! Uh, I'm Jace, Jacon Verin Leavance. Might I ask of your name?" Jace replied with a question.
She hesitated. But replied. The mention of his whole name threw her off guard, not a lot of dekus she'd met had full names like that in Lost Woods. "It's.. Iris… Erm, just Iris, I think... And this is Skits."
Skits' feathers ruffled as he glared at Jace with a hiss. The hissing soon threw Jace off guard...
"Heh-heh... Nice to meet you, uh, Skits..." Jace said weakly. He gazed up at Iris again. "Iris is a really beautiful name, not a common one arou-"
"I gotta go..." Iris cut him off, not in any way flattered by his coming compliment.
Jace seemed a bit taken aback, he wasn't trying to flirt, he was simply complementing her name, as it really was uncommon. "So, Is everything okay up there in the mountains...? I was headed up there to see if anyone knew anything about the strange happenings in the swamp and mountains, but I'm guessing you were up there through the blizzard?"

"Yes, and everything's fine. Thanks to a group of crazy dragalfos, the blizzard was kicked up. If they had anything to do with your home's dying, then it should've stopped by now, because the dragalfos were defeated. So no, I don't think it has anything to do with the blizzard." Iris replied once more.
Hearing so worried Jace. Especially the mention of the dragalfos. In his travels, he'd heard tales about them; they weren't a good bunch to be around. "I wish I could find out what's happening..."
"Well, I wish I could go home, but that ain't happening anytime soon, either… And wishing ain't gonna do anything for either of us." Iris added.
Just then, Jace looked to Iris. "Say, If I help you find a way home, could you maybe help me find out what's happening to mine?"
Iris froze. "Huh? No... You don't understand here, I can't just go home, I need one of the Great Fairies, It's a long story."
"You're in luck then, at the forest swamp I live in, there's a fountain for one of the Great Fairies!" Jace replied.
"You're kidding…? You just don't give up, do you lover-boy?" Iris groaned, cutting her eyes at him. "Okay, fine!"
Jace just about leaped for joy, but he simply thanked her. "Thank's, that means a lot..." He thanked truthfully.
"Whatever..." She said. "Lead the way..."
Skits glared up at her as if she was crazy.
Jace walked by, "Gladly!"

Iris grudgingly followed, as Skits flew above her head.

"So, how long have you been in Termina? Don't see many foreigners." Jace asked, gazing back at Iris.
Iris had her arms crossed as she gazed at the ground. "A day now. Quite honestly, it's felt like two or three days..."
Jace slowed down some to walk at side-by-side with Iris. "Well, I'd be glad to help you out, Iris. I've been everywhere in Termina, I'm a bit of a traveler, so I'd be more than happy to tell you about it all. I've studied so much, you could probably ask me just about anything on the main regions of Termina."
"Oh, good! Is there an answer as to why you're head is so huge in that mental encyclopedia of yours, as well…?" She asked with sarcasm. "I don't even know how you're walking without falling head-first at this point."
Jace turned, burned by her cold tone and words. He then turned his head back to the trail ahead, and fell silent. 'This rose has thorns, that's for sure…' He cleared his throat to recover.

It took another few hours to get through the field straight from the mountains to the swamp entrance, the whole way was silent and peaceful, yet still… Tense. Iris then stopped before the entrance of the swamp. "Wait."
Jace looked back. "huh?"
"Are there... Wolfos here...?" Iris asked, her tone dropping to a level of fear.
Jace gazed for a moment. "Well, yeah, usually only at night, though. More toward the wildlands though. I hardly ever see any."
A chill went up Iris' back. "I-I don't know about this."
"It'll be okay, you live in a forest, don't you?" Jace asked.
Iris nodded.
"Well, it shouldn't be any worse." He tried comforting her. "And it's mostly water the whole way, so I don't think anything will get-"
Iris stood up straight and gasped. "Water!?"
Jace blinked. "It is a swamp."
"Nu-uh! Deep water is dangerous to deku scrubs." Iris took a step back.
Jace soon realized she wasn't as stone-willed as she lets off. "I'm alive, aren't I?" He asked with a pause. "Stick with me, and you'll be fine."
Iris stared for a while, before covering her fear with an expression of stone again. "I-I'll be fine... Just hurry."
Jace chuckled at her sudden act, then continued into the trees, with Iris and Skits following.

Iris looked around at the tall dead trees. They were now on a trail that lead two ways. One way lead through oddly shaped trees that were fat-rounded at the bottom and thin at the top. The other way was actually very clear. In the center of the crossway stood one lone tree, of which was infested with sleeping keese... Skits glanced in fear. "So, which way now?" Iris asked.
"Just follow me." Jace responded.
"Well that sure tells me a lot." Iris muttered to herself.
She did so, and eventually found them approaching the swamp. The center of the area had a few human tourist sights, including boat tours and shops. High above all the trees and beyond the swamp, was a dark mountain that resembled Death Mountain back in Hyrule. Iris' face lit up. But she soon realized it was very different in color.
"A lot of the Terminians visit here. It's been dead here lately, though." Jace spoke up. He walked to the water soon after.
"What're you doing?!" Iris asked.
Jace looked back. "What do you mean?"
Iris looked to one of the tourist boats. "Why not just take a boat?"
"Better to use a free lily pad than to get in trouble for stealing a boat, and I don't have the rupees to pay for one." Jace responded, mentally blaming himself for that… Thanks to the Moon's Tear. He took a running start, then hopped across the water to the lily pad that had blown out into deeper water, much to Iris' bewilderment. He used his old stick to push it back to Iris. "Hop on." He said kindly.
"How'd you do that?" Iris pondered.
"Do what?" The deku boy asked.
Iris continued, "That hopping thing!"
"You can't do that?" Jace asked.
Iris shook her head "No, I've never seen a deku do that before!"
"It's easy, every deku is born with that ability. With the help of some deku magic and our light-weight, we can hop on the water. Not for long, though, so it's best to just jump as fast as you can. I prefer using a lily pad over hopping from pad to pad like most of the scrubs here."
Iris looked amazed. "I didn't know we could do that!"
Skits even seemed impressed with that. He looked at Iris, then back at Jace.

"You coming or what?" Jace added.
Iris examined the lily pad for concerns of safety. "Um, okay." She awkwardly walked into the low water, and climbed on. She then sat down, nearly pushing Jace out of his spot while trying to stay away from the high waters around the lily pad.
Jace wanted to say "calm down", but figured it'd just irritate her. He pushed the lily pad away from land and down the swamp. Again, Iris was keeping away from the edges.
"Hyrule must be different." Jace commented.
Iris gazed out at the water. "What's it to ya?"
Jace continued. "I'm just saying- You're very... Jumpy, er, easily scared. Are all the deku like that where you come from?"
Iris glared at Jace with a growl. "No, I'm not scared, I'm just... careful"
"Call it what you want." Jace replied, turning his head back to the front of the lily pad. "Our stop's coming up ahead." He pointed out forward toward a dock. "This is a short cut to the woods. Less water, too."
"Good!" Iris replied.
Jace stopped the lily pad at the dock, and waited for Iris to get up there then followed after. He pulled the lily pad up on the dock so it wouldn't blow away this time. Ahead, the trees got thick again, as a single trail swerved deep around them.
"Uh, stay close." Jace said.
Iris was too distracted by the new surroundings to really care of what he said. "... This place- GAH!" She jumped back, bumping into Jace. A deku baba shot out at her and tried snapping it's jaws on her. It was restrained by it's stem and wasn't able to reach her. The bulbous carnivorous and mindless plant growled and snarled, trying to reach her.
"I said stay close." Jace repeated with a chuckle. "Don't get off the trail, deku babas are everywhere."
Iris held onto Skits tightly "I-I can see that!"

Jace gave a smug expression, a bit of a deku grin. "I'm here to protect you, okay? You can hold onto me if you get scared."
"Wow." Iris began in a fake surprised tone as she pushed herself away from Jace. "Of course, how stupid of me. I forgot I'm with a warrior in shining armor- OH! Wait, no, he's just a cocky weed who probably can't even fend for himself..."
"Iris...?" Jace said with a tone of warning.
Iris continued blabbering on. "You probably never even wielded a weapon before."
Jace reached into his rucksack and pulled a knife out of a holding case, shoved Iris out of the way, and threw the knife, killing a loose deku baba with a straight shot at the bulb-like head.
Iris simply gazed wide eyed, unaware of the deku baba even being there.
"What was that last thing you said?" Jace mocked. "Keep your eyes open, some of them can get loose from the stem."
He walked to the dead deku baba, and picked up his knife, and put it back in the case. Iris still stared at the deku baba, before turning back to Jace hastily, "Lead the way!"

Jace put the knife back in his rucksack and nodded. They began forward on the trail, until they reached a clearing.
"Whoa." Iris looked up. In the center of the clearing, an elevated house stood. It was multi-colored and shaped like a jar. The only way one would be able to enter would be to climb the ladders leading up to the door. It looked like there were parts to the house recently added on.
Jace began, "That's the Hag's Potion Shop. Nice place actually… Well, somewhat. You'd find any kind of potion in there."
"You don't say?" Iris responded, legitimately interested.
"I hear they're even working on a Love Potion." Jace added jokingly.
It didn't take long for Iris to catch on, and she grabbed the closest thing- being a deku stick, and whacked him upside the head. "Don't even go there."
"OW! I was just kidding. Geez!" Jace laughed, as he rubbed his head. "We should keep moving, our destination is just beyond the Woods of Mystery."
Iris kept the deku stick, figuring it could be useful. "Maybe this'll knock some sense into him." Iris joked. Skits gave a cawing laugh to Iris remark.

Jace walked ahead and began approaching more thick woods. His attitude went back to a serious nature. "This way. Be careful, stay close, and don't lose sight of me. You'll end up lost if you take a wrong turn."
"Sounds like Lost Woods." Iris gazed down at Skits. "Let's go."
Skits nodded, and landed on his deku sister's arm.

They walked in, as everything grew dark from the thick dying trees.
"Say uh, Jace, ever heard of Lost Woods?" Iris asked.
Jace took a moment to search his memory, the the location was lost on him. "Uhh... I'm afraid not."
"Oh." Iris simply shrugged, with an 'Oh well' expression.
"Why do you ask, beautiful?" Jace responded with a question.
Iris rolled her eyes at the 'beautiful' part, then replied "This Woods Of Mystery resembles a place I know, that's all."
Jace turned back to the path ahead. "Ah."

Iris stayed close to Jace, quite aware of what the forest can do, seeing as she lived in Lost Woods before. It was like walking into a whole new version of her home sweet home.
Jace began too speak, "Many of the Terminians have tried making it through here, but not one person I know or have seen has been able to fully access this place like us forest folk. The key is knowing-"
"The trees." Both Iris and Jace finished at once. An expression of surprise took hold of Jace's face. "How'd you know?"
"Like I said, it's like a place I know. I lived in a forest like this. Knew every inch of the place, too."
Jace smirked a deku smirk. "I can see I don't have to explain much of this place to you then."

It felt like walking in circles, but to the trained eye, one could tell the differences of each new area.
"Are the trees starting to get greener and fatter here, or is it just me?" Iris asked.
"No, we're just getting closer to the palace, everything hasn't died off here yet." Jace replied.
Iris brought her gaze back to Jace. "Palace?"
"The Deku Palace." Jace added.
"You mean there's a royal deku family here?!" Iris asked in surprise.
Jace respponded with, "Let me guess; Never heard of such a thing, right?"
Iris walked up next to Jace, keeping a distance. "Well, no. The only royal family I know is the king and princess of Hyrule. I actually tried stealing from the castle the day before I got to Termina. Didn't work out so well."
Jace laughed. "What!? You tried stealing from a king!?"
Iris cut her eyes at Jace lowly. "Yeah, and? I got pretty far, too. I made it inside the castle at least." Skits glared with her, as his feather's ruffled. Wasn't something to completely hold highly. Sure, he helped her, but it nearly got them both killed...
Jace stopped himself. "I mean, If there's anything I've learned, it's that you can never get away with stealing treasure, especially from anyone of royalty."
"I beg to differ. I get away with it all the time. I was surprised I had to leave the castle empty handed." Iris added in.
Jace looked a bit deterred. "I can never get away with taking something if it's a type of treasure or gem. Though, I try my best to avoid stealing anyway... But if I have no other options, I will if I need money..." He sounded like he'd felt a little guilty saying that.
Iris and Jace continued their conversation. During this, Skits had an 'Oh great, not another one' look on his face that simply said "Don't encourage Iris too continue it, Jace.". Skits is well aware of the dangers Iris has put them through while just trying to get ahold of something.

"I didn't think you were the stealing type, Iris." Jace commented. "You come off as too cute to be a thief, to me you do anyway."
Iris simply crossed her arms, accepting how he saw her. "Just what I intended. Nobody expects it."
They made it out of the forest to open waters once more. Across from them, stood the tall rock-like palace guarded by tall green and red walls. It looked like the palace had a giant weeping willow growing out of it, making the palace look simply beautiful as the willow leaves draped over the top of it. Iris stared in awe. "Is that it? The palace...?"
Jace gave a simple nod. "Yep."
The Hylian deku was suddenly excited, but Iris noticed that the only way across the water to the front dock of the palace was over the water. She blinked upon watching Jace hop to a lily pad out afar.
"I'm afraid there aren't any loose lily pad's here, we'll have to hop across-" Jace stopped himself when he noticed Iris just staring at the water, he then remembered she was afraid of water. And to make it worse, she didn't know how to hop on it. "Oh..." he threw his gaze all around the swamp trying to look for something that may help, only seeing more of the wide water- Which wasn't really all that deep. It'd still reach to a deku scrub's head however, so walking through wouldn't be a wise option for sure for anyone who couldn't swim.

He scratched his head. "I'm sorry, but it's the only way across, and the only way to reach the Great Fairy is if we enter through those gates over there-" Jace pointed to the gates that lead through the walls to the front of the palace. "It's not too far of a jump. Every scrub can do it. Heck, I was hopping lily pas when I was four"
Iris shook her head 'no', refusing to jump.
'Why's she so afraid of it…?' Jace asked himself. 'Never seen one so afraid of water before.'
Jace looked down at his feet, then back up to Iris.
Iris looked down into the pool of water nervously. It was like awkward silence was slapped onto the moment. She then broke the silence. "Um... Uh, maybe there's another Great Fairy in Termina somewhere...?"
Jace simply shook his head. "Yeah- If you'd rather walk to the ocean or walk into a canyon filled with the living dead, then to just cross a little water, then by all means."
Iris' eyes widened. "All of a sudden, a little swamp doesn't sound so bad..."
"It usually helps to think of something worse when facing a fear." Jace replied. "C'mon then. If something happens, I'll catch you before you fall in."
Iris gazed back into the water and replied sarcastically at the 'If you fall in' part. "Well that's a lovely thought..."
Jace chuckled. "Just jump the minute you touch your feet to the water, that's all it takes. Make your jump to this lily pad."
Iris made a running start, then stopped herself right before she about jumped. She then took a step back.
"Okay... Try again, this time, be calm, you're way too tense." Jace spoke calmly, trying to make things a bit easier for her. "Just one step is all you need in order to make it over here."

Skits flew off Iris and onto the lily pad, as if egging her on.
"Now you're in on this!?" Iris replied. Skits simply stood there.
Iris groaned. "I swear if something happens, and I survive, I'm blaming you."
Iris walked back again, then dashed forward and jumped. When she felt the uneasy water touch her feet, she jumped again. Not because Jace told her to- But out of simply wanting to get back to the safety of land. She felt herself land again. She looked down at the green below her feet as the surface she stood on swayed slightly. "Hey..." She looked back. "I made it..."
Jace nodded, "Not that hard, huh? Now, next stop; the Great Fairy."
Iris nodded. She felt proud of herself, feeling like she just achieved something amazing. However, it was a trait all deku had from the moment that learn how to run… Jace wasn't gonna spoil that for her, though. Jace continued jumping from lily pad to lily pad. Iris hesitatingly followed until they reached the dock that lead into the front of the palace yard. Jace walked through, and Iris looked to Skits, then followed.

On the other side of the wall, stood the tall palace, of which Iris found herself wanting to explore, but kept hold of the task at hand and continued on with following the blond-leaved deku boy. Jace began jumping over the water again until he reached a small bit of land next to the rock wall with a deku flower in the center of it. Iris never thought she'd find herself willingly jumping into (or onto) water, but it was the only way.
Jace dove in the flower, and then shot up hovering with two flowers in hand till he reached up to a hole in the wall. He waited at the top for Iris. This was something she knew, she dove in and repeated his actions, then made it to the top.
"Doing good, just a little further ahead." Jace replied.
Iris looked out. "We're back where we started." they stood over the large body of water that Iris first hopped across. They stood on top of a red surface.
"Using this way allows us to go higher and reach Woodfall Temple, where you'll find the Great Fairy." Jace replied. He hopped into a deku flower ahead of himself, which rested in the center of a huge red flower, of which looked more like a tree with one single flower on the top. Iris soon came to realize that these large 'flowers' were all over the swamp here. "C'mon then." Called a voice, that pulled Iris out of her curious gaze when she noticed Jace was already ahead two-flowers over. "Don't want to leave you behind." He shouted.

"Oh! Coming! Skits, go wait for me." Iris said pointing in Jace's direction. Skits flew up off of Iris, and over to Jace. He seemed to keep his distance from the boy.
Iris hovered over until the petals on her hovering flowers gave out, and caused her to drop in front of Jace. "What are you waiting for? Go on." Iris ordered Jace.
Jace nodded, being the least bit effected by her rushing tone. They continuously hovered from flower to flower over the Swamp.
On the final flower, Jace hovered over to a stone covered in vines and moss on a rock ledge at the edge of the waterfall that crashed over the sides of Woodfall. Iris grew interested in this oddly shaped stone, and came flying over, landing in front it. "What's this?"

Before Jace dove into the final flower, he took his gaze and laid it on the stone. "Don't know. Been here longer than I have, that's for sure." Jace dove in, then flew over in front of the waterfall and onto a ledge on the opposite side of the waterfall. "Alright." He called, "The Temple is right through this door way."
Iris hovered over and walked through with him. She gazed out at the other side of the doorway, only to face a wide-open body of water. Platforms lead all around the place, but there was no Temple. "What Temple...?"
Jace answered. "The Temple is hidden. Only the royal family can get in. You have to know some kinda' song. When played, the Temple rises from the center of the water. I've only been able to see it once. But enough of that, let's go pay the fairy a visit, shall we? Who knows, she may even know what's happening to the swamp... Honestly, I never even thought of asking her." Jace gave a nervous chuckle and scratched the back of his head. Iris simply followed, anxious to get home. Jace added, "You may have already helped me out by needing to go to her in the first place. Though, it'll be a shame seeing you go."
Iris and Jace walked up one of the platforms, as Skits was flying over the water looking around.

Iris laughed, "It would be a shame having to stay. This place is already driving me to near-insanity, It's one thing after another."
Jace looked down. "What is uh... Hyrule like?"
"A lot safer than here, that's for sure." Iris replied, as she walked ahead. Something about her tone made her reply sound weird to Jace...
Jace looked up and saw Skits fly in and land on Iris. Jace caught up with the autumn-leaved deku. "So what's the story behind you and bird-brains? You two seem close, is he like your pet?"
Skits glared, almost growled, at Jace. That also ruffled Iris' leaves, rubbing her the wrong way.
"No, he's not my pet!" Iris replied with acid. "He's like my little brother. Known each other for a long time, I raised him when he was a hatchling. His mother died, and I was the only one who could take him in. So there you go." Iris finished as she rubbed her hand down Skits' back.
Skits simply glared at Jace with his cold yellow eyes.
Jace leaned back, and gave a small "Erm…" before replying. "Sorry, didn't mean to offend you." Jace apologized, she couldn't have been anymore blunt about it having irritated them both. Iris had her face turned to the path ahead of her, all-the-more eager to go.

Jace remained silent, before spotting a cave in the wall. "OH! There's her Fountain, just in- Wait..."
Iris looked him over. "What's wrong?"
Jace walked closer. A gap stood between him and the entrance. One would have to use a deku flower to get in. "It's gone...?"
"What's gone?" Iris looked into the entrance.
Jace replied "There's supposed to be a bridge here…" Jace looked down, the now ripped up and broken bridge lay at the bottom of the water below their platform. A flower remained however, so he dove in and used it to get across.
"Hold up, wait for me!" Iris jumped in after, and hovered across. She spoke as she ran in with him. "What's the rush?"
Jace gazed wide eyed. The inside of the fountain was torn apart and the only thing left was the small foot-deep pool. "Hello...?" He called.
"What happened here...?" Iris asked quietly.
Jace called again "Great Fairy?"
All was quiet. Iris suddenly felt a bit deterred at the sight before her and the lack of the Fairy's presence. It quickly brought back memories of the Snowhead fortress...
Jace walked around the torn apart fountain. "...She's gone."
Iris was afraid he was going to say that. Iris was about to begin talking, before hearing a very faint sound. She turned and examined the torn-down fountain pillars, and noticed a small pink glow. She approached it slowly. "Jace, over here."
Jace walked over next to her and gasped.
Hidden behind the rubble was a small pink fairy.

"Are you okay little fairy?" Iris asked.
It looked up to the two scrubs before her. "Oh dear young ones, it's dangerous here."
"Why?" Jace asked.
The fairy replied. "They'll come back for what they left of me! If they see you-"
"They?" Jace cut off. "Where's the Great Fairy?"
"I am the Great Fairy, I separated into this form along with many others, in hopes of escaping. They found the other pieces of me. If they find the final one that is me, my form will be complete again, they mustn't find me!"
"Who!?" Iris asked with a hunch... Hoping she was wrong.
The fairy hesitated. "The scaled ones."

Iris froze. "Dragalfos...?"
"Yes."
Jace looked to Iris. "How do you know it was them th-?"
"Please miss! Please tell me you still possess the power to return me home!? One of your sisters were captured by the dragalfos, and they used her power to pull me and many others from our homes in Hyrule! Your sister sent the others home, but I was left stranded! Please tell me you can return me home!?" Iris asked frantically. Her tone sounded desperate, and her hands shook horribly in fear.
The fairy grew silent. "I know of the capturing of my sisters."
Jace spoke up. "Sisters? They captured more than one?"
"I am sorry deku scrub. I only possess the power to do so in my full form. I must have my full body back, but if I return to my missing pieces, the dragalfos will have me as a slave as my other sisters. And even if I were to get my body back, one of my sisters seems to be resting and in hiding. We must all have a connection with one another to be able to fulfill such a task with our magic." She then stopped, then began again. "Their purpose for our capture is unknown to me, but I do know this; With us gone out of our fountains, our homes will die as well. Storms will rise, and life will wilt."
Jace gasped. "Is your absence the reason for the swamp dying...?"
The fairy nodded. "I'm afraid so. The piece of me here cannot save the plant life."
"But... Without the plant-life, the deku scrubs won't be able to go from place to place with deku flowers. We'd be stuck in one place. And not to mention many of the animals that live here would starve... And infant deku flowers couldn't grow, and deku families would lose their children before they're even born..."
"It seems the only way of turning back these disasters is to regain mine and my sisters power from the dragalfos."

The fairy seemed to stop and stare at Iris, as if seeing her from somewhere, then looked to the blond boy next to her. A look of awe took to her face, like suddenly, a ray of light had shone. "I, however, cannot do anything about this in this weak state. I must find a way to avoid the clutches of the dragalfos... But I feel you two bear fearless souls."

Iris gazed over at Jace, then back at the fairy like she was crazy. "Where are you going with this...?"
"I have put my faith in you. Will you both please, for the sake of the swamp and my sisters, and maybe even all of Termina- Please, help save my sisters from the dragalfos? That is the only way we can help either of you."
Iris stared frozen. Jace as well, had no words. It was a huge task to ask of them.
"Are you crazy!?" Iris shouted, "I hardly even escaped them last time! And I had six others with me! The only reason I'm still alive is dumb luck, heck, I owe it all to those who got thrown into this mess with me that I'm still in one piece!! You honestly think I'll survive trying to regain your missing pieces with this... This, weed over here!?"
Jace winced at her harsh tone. "Hey, cool your tone, you're in the presence of a Great Fairy."
The fairy simply gazed. "You underestimate yourself."
Iris began again, "Underestimate? You seem to overestimate me! I'm a deku scrub, not a strong goron, or a tall fast zora, not some hylian warrior, a small, weak little plant, and you want me to face who-knows how many fire breathing brutes!? With only another deku scrub to help me?"
"Chill out, Iris." Jace tried to calm her. He placed his hand on her shoulder, only for her to slap his hand away.
Iris simply put her hand to her head after. "I don't know how much more of this I can take."

"Listen, young Iris." The fairy began, "There's so much you don't know yet. If you wish to go home, this is your only way. And maybe along the way, you'll learn another few important thing's that can aid you."

Iris sighed and mumbled... "Okay... I'm only doing this because I want to go home again, though." When Iris lifted her head, the Fairy was gone. "Great... Gee thanks! I appreciate you telling me where I need to go next!"
Jace looked around, not even noticing her vanish. He then looked to Iris. "Well, it looks like we'll be stuck together longer."
"To my disdain…" Iris added. Skits look disappointed, and laid his wings out tiredly.

Iris sat down on a pillar piece... "How...? How in the name of Din am I going to get out of this mess, Skits?"
Skits shrugged.
Jace walked up, hoping to maybe help her feel better. Even he felt a bit overwhelmed with this task, but he wouldn't voice it. "Maybe she's right? You underestimate yourself. I mean, look at me, I'm still alive after living sixteen years in Termina, aren't I?"
"Don't get a big head there, chief, you may meet your death during this whole thing." Iris replied.
Jace's face fell slightly as he laid his hand over his eye. "Yeah, maybe... But... I'd rather die knowing I was fighting to help you than to- N-never mind." He spoke quietly as he cut himself off.
Iris gazed up to him, then looked forward again. "Well... Where to now...?"






To Be Continued....
 

FayeleneFyre

The local treehugger
Joined
Sep 23, 2011
(I apologize, further chapter art for Lost In Termina hasn't been redrawn xD so this and most of the further chapter art is from 2011)
chapter_2_by_fayelenefyre-da832gl.jpg


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Chapter 2
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From Land to Sea.
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"Look at it this way, Iris; At least we'll both be getting our homes back." Jace said confidently.
The deku scrub girl walked ahead ignoring the deku scrub boy behind her. Her bird brother, Skits, simply trailed between Iris and Jace as they walked through the swamp woods, looking down sadly.
Jace continued after being ignored, "C'mon, it won't be that bad."
Iris simply continued to walk onward without a word… Jace fell silent, seeing his words weren't even going through to her. He sighed as he kicked a rock in mid walk.

They eventually came to the palace walls again. Jace and Iris hopped across the water again until they reached the palace grounds. Iris noticed they were now headed in a new direction. "Where are we going?" She asked coldly.
"I'm just going back to my place to get some things. I wasn't prepared for an adventure before, so yeah." Jace replied.
Iris silently followed Jace after, until they came to more water to cross. On the other side of this body of swamp water, awaited a tunnel at the right of the palace's property. They traveled through the cave, Jace having called it the Palace Shrine. But inside, it was like a maze. Tunnels everywhere! Jace took a turn down one, with Iris close behind. As they continued through- having walked quite a ways, they emerged from the tunnels into the open forest air. The trees were huge here, almost like those back in Hyrule. And it was all beautiful, thick, and green here. So dark and peaceful.

Iris found herself at ease a little. She soon gazed in front of them when she saw the glowing eyes of many deku scrubs ahead.
"This is the deku forest, or as we just call it, the deku village. Only deku scrubs know it's here." Jace said. "You can have a look around if you want. They have all sorts of things you might like. I'll be at my place. If you need me, just walk straight ahead into the forest passed here until you see a dead log in a clearing, you'll find me there."
Iris nodded. She seemed to notice Jace was in a hurry, as he left the area. "He's acting strange. Well, stranger than usual."
Iris looked around at the surrounding area. Deku merchants had shops set up everywhere as deku scrubs were flocked outside them, some just walked on with friends and family. Iris had never seen such a place for deku scrubs. It looked like the forest version of Castletown. Iris gave a bit of a deku smirk. "This is pretty cool Skits. I'll admit."
Skits gave a smiling nod. Iris looked over the shops and such. As she passed through, a merchant gazed at her kindly, as if waiting to hear her say she wanted something, but Iris eventually walked away. "This is stuff worth taking. Don't want to start problems here though. Too bad I'm broke now." Iris laughed. She soon found herself looking through items out on a stump next to a few other scrubs. She walked away, then walked to the center of the village, where one of the largest trees stood. "Hey Skits, you can't tell me that this doesn't look like the great deku tree..."
Skits flew up into the tree, and looked out upon the swamp. The tree stood high above the other trees throughout the forest swamp. He flew back down to Iris, giving an amazed expression.
"This has to be the largest tree I've ever seen here." Iris said examining the tree. Once she got a closer look, deku scrubs were living in it! It was like an in for deku. Iris gave an impressed, "Hmm…" before turning to walk on.
Skits was casually following Iris on the ground, before his feathers began to ruffle as he gave a low growl and flew to Iris. He sat on her arm, glaring behind her.

"Excuse me?" Said a girl's snooty voice. Iris noticed this deku scrub girl out of the corner of her eye, but never looked her directly in the face, and continued on towards the forest ahead.
"Hey, you with the ugly leaves..." She called again, other girls around her laughed.
Iris turned to her, finally giving the rude individual her full attention. "You know, you really shouldn't talk about yourself that way... But you're right, you do have ugly leaves."
The girl scoffed, "Who do you think you are?"
Iris gazed in confusion. "Excuse me?"
"You think you're just all that, coming in here with him like that." The girl added.

Iris crossed her arms, giving an acid stare. "I don't know what you're talking about. Either way, I really don't like your attitude."
"Jace, he's mine, got it?" the girl said coldly.
One of the girls began, her seeming to stick out of the group. She was the only one who seemed to show disagreement for them picking on Iris. "Well, actually, Gewl, He's no ones, he just-"
"Shut up, Rosana." Gewl cut her off with a harsh snap.
Rose looked down as if she'd touched fire... "Okay."
Iris gazed, then laughed, "Me, with him!? HAH! That has to be the funniest thing I've heard all day!"
Gewl simply glared. "hahah... Real funny." Gewl got in Iris' face, "I've never seen you before. But the way he was looking at you, I'd say he likes you."
"What!? No way! I never noticed..." Iris mocked sarcastically. Her sarcasm was quickly shortened and her face fell serious. If looks could kill, Gewl would be up in flames right now. "If you know what's good for you, you'll get out of my face."

"Then stay away from my Jace." Gewl growled, roughly shoving Iris.
Only stumbling back a step, Iris balled up her fist and was preparing to punch Gewl square between the eyes, when she stopped herself... "I would, but we're sort of stuck with each other right now, much to my disliking." Iris glared at them all. "It's girls like you all that make me sick. You only like him because he's cute-"
"So you think so?" Gewl gave a smug deku smirk.
Iris paused, running over what she said. That's not what she meant. "No, I'm just saying that that's what you all think." Iris retorted.
Gewl laughed "Yeah right..."
"I don't even like the guy, you could have him for all I care." Iris crossed her arms again. "I-I've had a bad day today, and I don't feel like sitting and fussing over something so stupid, so just take a hike, Ghoul" Iris finished, her fists balled up tightly at her sides.
Gewl flipped her leafy bangs to the side of her face. Gewl looked down at Skits, who was ruffled and growling. "I don't have time to waste on you and your filthy guay anyway." Gewl turned, whacking Iris in the face with her braided leaves. Iris pulled away, an expression of irritation took to her face. She wanted to just fly off the handle at her, but restrained herself from doing so. Gewl walked away with the other girls talking about Iris coldly- and loudly. Iris huffed as she cut her eyes. She muttered an indistinct insult at Gewl. "No good baba…"

"You only like him because he's cute." mocked a chuckling voice approaching Iris.
Iris jumped as she turned to face the blond deku boy again. But as soon as he got close enough, she pushed him aside, nearly knocking him over. "Shut up, imbecile." Iris seemed angry already, last thing she wanted was Jace mocking her. Jace rubbed his arm, her push actually kinda hurt.
"Do you really think that?" Jace asked hopefully.
Iris glared back at him. "No, I never said I did, I was just stating what they thought." Iris paused... "You sure seem popular among the girls here, would you like to explain that?"
Jace chuckled nervously. "Well, I guess they just really like me."
Iris looked him over, before rolling her eyes. "I think you're just a womanizer… Going around causing fights and breaking hearts. You should be ashamed of yourself, you make my thieving habits look good."
Jace stared… He was slightly burned by her comment. "Um… Well, that's… That's not my intent… I've actually only been with one gi-."

"I can see right through you. How do I even know if you really do like me? I'm just another piece of eye candy to you." Iris shot back. "You're not fooling me."
Jace scratched behind his head, even more hurt. "I really do like you."
Iris ignored his last words "Let's just go, the longer I'm here, the more I grow to hate it."
Jace looked down at Skits, who was giving him a cold look, before flying to Iris. He caught up with Iris again, and handed her something. "Um, I got this for you."
Iris looked to the object in his hand. "A knife?"
"Yep, you need something better than a deku stick." Jace chuckled. "Believe me, fire breathing beasts aren't going to be effected by a stick."
Iris took it from him. "Um, thanks."
"No problem. Now, let's go find out where those great fairies are being held." Jace said eagerly, excited for this adventure.
Iris nodded. "The sooner the better."



Hours went by as they continued their way out of the swamp. It was passed midday by now, as they once again faced Termina Field. Iris looked out as far as her eyes could see. She put her hands to her hips as she looked to Jace. "So, where would you look for fairies with unimaginable powers?"
"I guess our best chance would be to look for clues." Jace replied.
"Wonderful, you don't even know." Iris said, sounding a bit deterred.
Jace looked out. "We could try down at Great bay?"
"Great Bay?"
"Home of the Zoras, maybe some would know something about all this?" Jace replied. "It's a long way to travel from here, but I'd bet there's something worth looking into there."
Iris froze. "By water... Well, home depends on it, so what the heck..."
Jace nodded, then headed forward as Iris and Skits followed. "Great Bay it is."

Iris watched the grass below her feet dance with the smooth wind. The winds curled around the trio as the path began going downhill, if the walk from the forest to their present place wasn't long enough, it appeared the walk just got longer, as they approached two rocky hillsides that a sandy path led between. The whole area downhill was nothing but smooth sand. It was a change of pace for Iris, seeing as she'd never walked on such fine sand before.
Jace walked alongside her, simply minding his business and keeping his eyes on the path ahead. He was so relaxed that he nearly forgot what he was doing in the first place.

"It's so beautiful at Great Bay at this time of year, the view is amazing!" Jace spoke suddenly.
Iris looked away from the sand and up ahead. "How much farther is it?"
Skits sat up on Iris' head, surveying the area.
"Not too far." Jace replied.

Iris took in a deep breath, and sighed tiredly.
They made a turn between the rocky hillside, to face their destination. As they came to meet Great Bay finally, Jace only looked happy for a second. His tone soon fell to one of concern. "The ocean..."
It seemed to be a sickening, almost dark green color, and there was a lot less water, that's for sure. Dead fish floated along the top. Jace looked out and around. "Could... The absence of the great fairy have caused this?"
An expression of disappointment took hold of Iris' face. And was actually looking forward to seeing the ocean for the first time, despite her fear of water. "Well, you were right about this place being a good place to look… Though, not a good place to look at."

"This isn't good... Hope the zora are okay. C'mon." Jace motioned her to follow as he walked along the shore. Iris followed as she laid her gaze ahead.
Jace continued walking on as he looked up and down the beach for someone he could ask about the situation.
Iris looked out farther, to what appeared to be a large rock island with a huge fin rock formation sticking out of the top in the water. "What's that?"
Jace looked to the direction she pointed too "Zora Hall. All sorts of things are held there. It looks like reaching it right now is out of the question though."
Just then Iris spotted something, or more specifically, someone, on the water's edge. "Look, a zora!" Iris said.
"Sure enough." Jace added. They ran to the troubled-looking zora, who looked to be sick.
Jace walked in front of him. "Are you okay!?"

The zora looked up weakly as he sat on his knees. He coughed. "T-two deku??"
Jace examined the zora "You need water..."
"The ocean, my beautiful ocean home... It is-" The zora coughed weakly, then continued. "Tainted..."
Jace looked sadly to Iris.
"I left- the o-ocean to go to the waterfall for the clean waters... I am too weak to-to make it..." he added.
Jace bent down. "Are there others over there?"
The zora nodded pathetically. "Most of my people made it up there."
Jace looked to Iris. "Iris, stay here, I'm going to go get help!"
Iris reached out to speak, but Jace had already taken off toward the waterfall up shore. Iris didn't really know what to do or say to comfort the poor zora. Skits flew down, and looked up to him in sorrow.

Jace continued running, occasionally stumbling over the sand. He soon grew close to the rumbling sound of the crashing waterfall as the rocky wall of the mountain side that it fell from came into view. "Help!" He called suddenly.
He saw near a large clean pool of water next to the water fall, many zora sat in it to recuperate. Many of them looked sick, but still looked better than the one by shore.
Jace stopped next to the pool of water, as many of the healthier zora murmured and spoke upon seeing the deku boy.
"We need h-help... There's a sick zora down by the shore, he was on his way up here, but he's not looking too good."
Two bigger zora dropped what they were doing, and came to Jace. "Where?"
Jace panted and pointed. "Just down the shore... A friend of mine is there with him right now."
"On it." One of them spoke, before they both began heading down the shore. Jace followed behind them.

Iris was bent down in front of the sickened zora, when she saw Jace and the two other zora approaching.
"Hurry, get him to the waterfall!" One spoke. The zora lifted the sick one, and began back to the waterfall. Iris soon followed.
Jace turned again, finding his need to run some more on this sand to be unfortunate. "Ugh, the running!" He huffed.

Later, the zora opened his eyes and found himself sitting in the crystal clean water, still feeling miserable. He saw many of the other zora surrounding him.
Jace gazed at him from a rock. "Hey, he's awake." Jace jumped down, "How you feeling?"
"Much b-better, thank you." the zora replied. Jace nodded kindly.
Iris looked to the zora and asked, "Do you know what happened to the ocean, exactly?"
He shook his head "No..."
"Oh." Iris finished.
Jace looked to Iris, placing his hand on her shoulder. "I think we should let him rest, Iris."
Iris paused, before she nodded lightly.
Jace let her go and dropped his arms down to his side. "Get well." He then walked off, as Iris hesitatingly followed soon after.
Iris put her hand to her face. "Again, what now?" Skits hopped by her feet, looking puzzled.
Jace crossed his arms. "I don't know yet. I was expecting things to be off here, but not this bad."
"Hey deku scrubs?" Someone called.
They both turned to glance up at a female zora standing behind them. "Thank you so much for helping him. You have my thanks."

"Is he a friend of yours?" Jace asked.
The woman put her hands together. "He's my husband... I was worried about him. We lost each other on the way here." She paused, and began again. "The waters are dangerous and dirty right now. Easy to get lost in..." She gazed out at the nasty waters.
"Do you know what happened to it?" Iris asked.
She looked to Iris, "All I remember is hearing a commotion at the Great Fairy's Fountain yesterday, then the next thing I knew, the waters started growing tainted quickly."
"I knew it." Iris said looking to Jace.
The zora woman smiled lightly at them both. "And what brings a pair like y'all down here at Great Bay at this time?"
"I guess you could call it a sort of mission." Jace replied with a chuckle.
Iris added. "It's a long confusing story." Skits sat next to her leg, looking a bit disappointed that the zora never noticed him with the supposed 'pair'.

"Ah. I would think you had a reason. Great Bay isn't much of an attraction right now." She gazed at them both. "Might I know your names?"
"The name's Jace." Jace gave his name. "This is Iris." He said, pointing his hand to Iris.
Iris crossed her arms. "I'm plenty capable of introducing myself… Oh, and Skits." Iris added, reaching down to Skits.
The zora bowed slightly "You may call me Lulu."
Jace jumped in shock, staring with pure awe in his face. "The Lulu!? From the Indigo-Go's?"
"Who?" Iris asked.
Jace looked to Iris. "The singer to a band here called the Indigo-Go's."

"Was the singer. My son and daughter sing now." She smiled. "Glad to meet a fellow fan."
Jace gave a deku smile. "I always go to your concerts at the carnival, how did I not recognize you!? Are your kids singing at it this year?"
Lulu nodded proudly. "Indeed they are!"
Jace and Lulu continued their conversation, Iris and Skits not having any idea of what they were even talking about. "Uh, Jace?"
Jace took notice to Iris instantly. "Huh?"
"Don't we have the whole Great Fairy thing to look into?" Iris reminded.
Jace just remembered the situation only after Iris reminded him. Iris rolled her eyes at his one-track mind... "Oh yeah!" Jaced looked to Lulu. "Nice talking with you, but we've got some stuff to do."
"That's okay." Lulu smiled. "If there's anything you need, just ask. I wouldn't mind helping you out."
"Thanks!" Jace replied. "Alright, let's go."

Lulu chuckled at the three as they walked off. "I think I do remember seeing him before at one of my concerts."


Iris leaned against a rock as Jace stared out at the water.
The deku girl was thinking hard. "Where would they have taken her?"
Jace shrugged, "It could be anywhere. Anywhere with heavy defense I'd guess."
"That would be expected, seeing how their SnowHead fortress was. It was huge, guards everywhere. High walls kept everything outside."
Jace froze, then looked far across the water. "Wait... Fortress...?"
"Hey Jace, you-... Jace?" Iris paused when she noticed Jace staring out at the green sea, but her face lit slightly when she saw beautiful crystal waters miles down passed the rocks. Far beyond where the beach couldn't even reach too. Only one area was clean. "What on earth?" Iris muttered.
"Iris, c'mon!" Jace said so suddenly, that she nearly jumped. He pattered on down the beach as Iris followed. "Warn me when you take off like that, sheesh!" Iris called.

Jace continued running, before he came to a slow stop, seeing as he couldn't go any farther. The beach stopped here, and even though the ocean was lower than usual, he still couldn't pass across the water.
Iris huffed as she and Skits caught up with him. "The water... It's so clean out there..."
The water looked so bright and beautiful passed the beach near the rocky mountains that sprang from the deep waters out yonder.
"I'm going to guess that the SnowHead fortress wasn't their only fortress, Iris." Jace concluded.
Iris stood tall again, finally catching her breath. "What do you mean?"
"There's a hidden fortress between those rocks. It used to belong to pirates fifty years ago. From what I heard, they left a long time ago." Jace paused. "The dragalfos must be in there! The clear water and everything just… It's just too conspicuous!"
"Y'know." Iris began. "You may be right…"
"No one would dare break into that fortress, so it's a good place to hide… Plus, they're protected by steal gates and cliff sides." Jace added.
Iris looked disappointed. "Then, there's no way we could get over there anyway, it's nothing but water! And we won't make it across if we hopped."
Jace nodded with his hand to his snout in puzzlement. "Very true."

Iris couldn't help but stare at the water that was clean. Made her feel calm just looking at it. The falling sun's reflection glimmered so brilliantly off of the waves.
The deku boy next to her glanced over, noticing all growing quiet so quickly from Iris. He looked out at the dancing water. "Y'know, the whole bay usually looks like that. Great Bay Coast is a wonderful place normally." Jace sighed. "I myself come here a lot when I'm troubled or sad. It really calms the nerves just watching those waves for some reason."
Iris found herself surprised at hearing him say something towards her about something beautiful- and it not be aimed at her as a flirtatious complement or joke, leaving her wondering whats up. "You...? Troubled...?" Iris asked "Since when could something trouble you? This whole mess should be troubling you, or I would think."
Jace replied after a short pause. "Believe me, I've got some big things to worry about."
"What? Too many girlfriends? Can't be too serious." Iris smarted off. It ruined the moment right then, and Jace gave a deepened, almost offended sigh.
Jace looked to her. She felt a deep sense of seriousness in his expression, his eyes focused heavily on her. "No, Iris… It's personal..." Sounding almost offended, He walked off.
"Gee..." Iris said to herself, she then looked down to Skits. "What made him all crabby...?"
Skits gave a sort of shrug.
Iris gazed up once more as he continued down the beach on his own. "Really, what did I say? He jokes around with me, so why can't I joke around with him…?" She was a bit shocked, as he's been generally happy and passive today, and his tone was rather shocking. "Well, don't really have the time to worry about it Skits. We have more important things to worry about."

Jace stopped when he reached the rock they once stood next too. He turned back slightly, his soft glowing eyes looking over the Hylian deku scrub. Iris still stood there looking over the area, seeming to be least bit effected by his actions. He gave a low sigh, and turned forward once more. He found himself taking each step back to the zora's pool.


A boring hour passed, as Iris found herself looking for any kind of clue as to what could possibly help get into the fortress without being seen- or without drowning. "It kills me I'm the one who has to do the looking here... Where's he at!?" Iris asked outloud. "Skits, could you go find him? As much as I hate to say it- of which I really do- I'm not getting anywhere... I could use some help."
Skits nodded, and flew off.
Iris, being Iris, muttered to herself while examining an abandoned building up near the entrance to Great Bay. "Next time I see him, I'm giving him a good whack, leaving me behind here at the only time I actually want him here." Iris opened the door to the building, dust came falling down from the top of the door. She waved her hand to clear the dust from in front of her as she stepped through. "It's deeper in here than I thought it would be, it goes underground." Iris' voice echoed in the empty room as she looked down a slope. "Surely, there has to be something- Aghhh!!" She slipped on the sand, sliding down the slope that led underground. She squeaked when she hit the bottom, facing a fenced-in door in front of her. She looked back to the slope. "....GREAT! Just GREAT!!" Iris stood, trying to make it back up. "It's too slippery, I can't walk up..." She looked around, her eyes illuminated the darkness around her. "He better get his butt down here now..." Iris added hopelessly.

Skits flew around the beach, eventually making it to the zora's pool. Skits spotted the deku boy laying on the sand, apparently asleep.
Skits held an expression of frustration. He dove down, landing next to him. He used his foot and pulled and pushed on Jaces arm. Jace opened an eye tiredly. "Huh...? Skits?" He asked. Skits looked angry. The blond deku sat up and stretched. "Where's Iris?"
The bird cawed and cried out angrily at Jace, making many of the zora give odd looks.
"Hold up, birdbrains, I can't understand you, you're just screaming at me!" Jace spoke. He lightly grabbed his beak and held it shut. "No need to draw attention. Is she alright?"
Skits nodded "yes", then pulled away from Jace.
"Then why are you mad?"
He couldn't exacly tell him, since he couldn't literally speak, and Jace didn't know his body language like Iris did. He flew up, gesturing Jace to follow.
"Alright, alright. You... Want me to follow you?" Jace asked, not really sure if that was the problem.
Skits nodded quickly, then flew on.
Jace didn't take long to follow. He walked, watching Skits glide above head.
"Ahhhh!!!"
Jace jumped, his leaves twitched upon hearing the loud scream. "That was Iris!!" He jumped into a sprint down the beach and stopped when he reached as far as he could go. He panted and he looked around. "Iris!? Iris!?"

Skits panicked, wildly flying around the area. He soon heard another shout, and flew straight towards the opened building of which Iris went into. Jace trailed behind.
"Iris!" His call echoed.
"Jace!?" Iris called, her voice shuttering "Get me out of h-here!!!"
Jace ran over to the slope, but he stopped himself before he fell down with her. "Whoa!" He looked down it, forgetting there was a slope there.
Iris was up against the wall, looking down at the floor and looking terrified.
"What's wrong, and how'd you get down there?" Jace asked.
Iris snapped. "Just get me out!"
Jace through his rucksack down at his feet and pulled out a tangled rope, untangling it from other things in the bag. "Hey Skits, take the end of the rope to her!" He threw the rope's end at Skits, who caught it with his taloned feet and flew it down. "Tell me when you got it, Iris!"

Iris nearly pulled Jace down with her, not even giving a moment after he'd said that. "I've got it, c'mon!!!" She called hastily.
Jace pulled back on the rope, as she sloppily ran up. She reached the top as she grabbed Jace's arms. "Let's go!!"
"Why are you so worked up!?" He asked as he pulled the rope back to him.
Iris was about to answer, but began stuttering "I-It...IT'S ON ME!" She wigged out as she looked down on her shoe.
Jace's eyes widened, then looked down. "What...?" He looked closer, and saw the bottle-cap sized spider on her foot. He gave a silent stare for a good while. His face was blank and unimpressed. He continued staring as she trembled before simply reaching down, picking it up, and throwing it elsewhere. He then looked her in the face. "You're kidding...?"
He continued with this unimpressed stare at her face, before he busted out laughing. "I heard you freaking scream down by the zoras!!" He continued laughing, dying actually. "Y-You sounded like something was trying to kill you, you had me running d-down here like I was on fire!!"
Iris simply stared as he laughed, her eyes slowly falling to a glare.
"I can't imagine how you'd act if you saw a skulltula!"
Iris slowly cut her eyes, her cheeks turning red in embarrassment. "Oh yeah, it's just soooo funny..."
"That's the funny thing! Because it is!" Jace paused. "Never in my life have I seen anyone so afraid of a spider..." Jace wiped his eyes. "You're just wonderful company..."

Iris was glaring by now. "You're about to see how good a company I can be... OH! and speaking of company, where were you!?"
Jace brought a slow stop to his chuckling. "H-Huh?"
"Where have you been!?" Iris got up in his face. "We have a dying ocean out here, and you leave me behind to try and figure out this whole thing myself!"
Jace leaned back, blinking. "I- uh..."
"Well!?" Iris asked.
Jace scratched the back of his head. "Up by the Zoras..." He paused... "Asleep..."
Iris shouted, "Asleep!? Why!? You know we're down here for a reason. It's not a vacation, it's a mission to save your home and return me to mine..."
"I swear I didn't mean to. I sat down, next think I knew, I was being screamed at by pin-feathers over there!" Jace responded.
Iris turned. "Gah! I can't stand you!" Iris was walking outside of the house. "Why, Great Fairy, why him!?"
Jace chuckled, "Hey Iris?"
"What...?" She answered irritably.
Jace pointed down frantically, "Spider...!"
"Where-!!..." She squealed and looked down, and saw nothing. She turned back to Jace, and whacked him upside the head real hard. "DON'T DO THAT!!"
"Ow! Heh..." Jace exclaimed, a chuckle filled his voice. "I couldn't help it..."

Skits flew over to Iris, landing next to her. Iris stomped off. Jace followed behind her, rubbing his head where he hit her. "She's got a pretty good hit, haha."




To Be Continued...
 

FayeleneFyre

The local treehugger
Joined
Sep 23, 2011
chapter_3_by_fayelenefyre-da8hbhn.png



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Chapter 3
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NIGHT OF THE FIRST DAY
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Getting into the Pirate's Fortress.
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The Hyrulean deku gazed up to the star filled sky as the sun gave it's final peek over the ocean. She laid upon the sand near the zora's pool. All was pretty dark, seeing as the sun's little remaining light couldn't reach around the rocks that surrounded the waterfall and pool, it was still pretty dark out on the open beach. "I never thought I'd find myself planning on breaking into a possibly dragalfos-infested fortress again... I hope it won't be as complicated as the first time... If they're there"
Skits laid next to her and yawned.
She noticed across the darkened beach two glowing eyes near the zora's pool, and was walking toward her. She sat up. "Where'd you go off too, Jace?"
"Check out the fortress entrance... Well, as close as I could anyway." The blond deku boy answered with tired tone.
Iris added on in her question, "Any luck on finding a way in?"
Jace shook his head. "No, the place is locked up tight, and no secret ways in around the beach could be found."

Iris sighed and laid back down. "I guess it'd be useless to use a small boat, because we wouldn't be able to get in anyway."
Jace nodded disappointingly. "Yeah..." He looked back at the zora, many of them still looked terrible. At least Lulu's husband looked better, and was walking again. "They all seem to be getting better, but they can't just stay here on the beach, it's not healthy. They need fresh water... We can't give up, for the sake of the zora."
"Making the burden all-the-more heavy... It does pain me to see them like that." Iris spoke with honesty.
Jace watched the zora help each other move things and take care of what young could be moved out of the ocean. There was one pool specifically for the zora-tadpoles, but many of them just couldn't get what they needed here. Lulu was holding onto her husband, staring out at the coean. Jace couldn't help but drop his head a little. "... Plus, they all have so much to live for, something few people don't have..."
Iris had to agree with Jace on that. Jace soon asked with a growl. "Why are the dragalfos doing this?"
Iris sighed, poking her finger into the sand. "I never did get the whole story..."


Jace stared out at the ocean soon after, hoping for an answer to just come crashing out of the waves at him. And that is… Sort of did. Some movement out in the sea caught his attention. "Did you see that...?"
Iris looked at Jace. "What?"
"Th-...I could've sworn I saw that island over there move..." Jace replied, unsure of himself.
Iris sat up quickly to look at the small island with palm trees on it. "You must be seeing things..."
Jace hesitated. "Uh... Maybe you're right."


Jace laid down on the sand and sighed as he rubbed his head. "Ugh..."
Iris noticed this, and she seemed slightly concerned surprisingly. "What's wrong with you?"
"Just a Headache. Nothing to worry about." Jace responded with a light chuckle.
Iris closed her eyes. "It's probably this whole ocean thing, it's definitely got me stressed."
"Yeah, I hope that's it." Jace muttered, holding a hand over one eye. "N-not I hope it's got you stressed, but I hope my headache is- nevermind."
Iris gave quick chuckle. "I knew what you meant, ya' dork."

Jace sat upright quick, only making his headache worse, but he paid no mind to it. "There it went again!"
Iris opened her eyes "What?"
"That island, I swear it just moved!" Jace replied staring out at the small island.
Iris groaned as she sat up once more. "I think it's just your eyes playing tricks on you, there is no way in the name of-..." Iris found herself staring out at the island, sure as heck, it did move! They both blinked as they continued just staring out at the moving island.

"Well, I've now seen everything..." Iris commented. "I living island."
Jace stood up completely. "But that's not possible..."
Skits looked up. All he cared about was his sleep at this moment.
"Should we check it out?" Jace asked.
Iris looked him in the face. "And possibly get eaten if it's some monster!? No... You can, but I'm staying right here..."
"The oh-so brave Iris… Rough and tumble." Jace began. "So fearless and steadfast- Or so you let on."
Iris' glowing eyes were cut at Jace. "Where are you going with this?"
"Oh, I'm just saying... You put on that cute little brave act sometimes, one would think a little water and a moving chunk of rock in the middle of it wouldn't bother you." Jace said, crossing his arms as a smug expression took to his face.
"You make it sound like it's not a danger..." Iris spoke begrudgingly.
Jace laughed in his response, "What's the fun in a quest without a little danger?"
"Let's see..." Iris paused "Oh, a LOT of fun... Without the danger."
Jace grabbed her hand and pulled her up. "C'mon, this could be something big!"
"Eh! I never said I wanted to be a part of this, Jace!" Iris snapped her voice at him.
Skits growled at Jace and stood.
"I saw a small boat on shore earlier today, we could use that, C'mon!" Jace said. He kept hold of her hand as he trailed down the beach, Iris had no choice but to follow.
"You're too persistent..." Iris groaned.
Skits flapped above them both, irritated that he had to wake from his sleep.


"I loath you..." Iris muttered to Jace, sitting in the boat with her arms and legs crossed.
"I like you, too." Jace replied smugly.
Jace soon added. "Looking at how things are now, this could be helpful."
"Or be the death of us..." Iris added, as she cut her eyes.
They were on the small boat headed out toward the inching island. Iris snorted grumpily with her arms crossed still.
"This water looks sickening..." Jace said with a tone of disgust.
Iris added, "All the better of a reason to have stayed on the beach..."

When they came closer, the island stopped. Jace stopped the small boat next to the island. "Strange, it doesn't look like any kind of island under all this moss and grass..." He used the paddle to move the hanging plants away from the surface of the island. "It's way too round for it to be an island..." Jace poked at it. It felt more like he was hitting a wooden surface.
"I really think we should go back..." Iris spoke as she rubbed her shoulder.
Jace backed the paddle away, when the island started moving again and was now rotating.
The deku boy used the two paddles to row the boat back slightly.
Iris jumped upon seeing a smaller round object rise slowly from the water in front of the boat. "I knew it! Let's go back, it's gonna eat us!"
"What is with all the ruckus?!"
Iris and Jace leaned back. The smaller round thing that rose from the water had eyes, and were looking right at them both. "Stop hitting my house little one!"
Jace dropped his guard. "Uh... You're uh... a turtle."
It was hard to tell with all the sea weed and moss on it, but it was in fact a giant turtle with trees growing from it's back.
Iris blinked in a freaked out pose.
"First this horrid water, now my shell is finding no peace..." The old turtle complained.
Jace looked a bit taken aback. "I'm uh, sorry...?"
"It's fine..." the turtle answered. "No harm done, I guess."

"What is it that you need, young ones...?" The turtle asked, sounding a little tired.
Jace sat down. "Well, I saw you from the beach... I was a little curious, and at first, I thought you were an island."
"I get that a lot." The turtle chuckled. "Though, I don't see many faces like the two of you here at Great Bay... What brings you here?"
Iris hesitated, then spoke "The Great Fairy, that's what..."
"Well, you may not believe us, but the Southern Great Fairy has sent us to rescue her sister." Jace added.
The turtle looked surprised, staring at the deku scrubs. Being a creature of legend himself, he had a connection with the fairies and was told that two heroes would come and save the Great Fairy… But their appearance was what shocked him. "Oh my, you were the ones she told me about..." He muttered "Ah yes... The Great Fairy… Well, if you're assuming the water is this way due to her capture, you are correct…"
"How're you surviving in this water?" Iris asked.
The turtle chuckled. "I am an old turtle, I've been here for years. There is much I can survive."
Jace thought for a moment, before asking. "Ever heard of the dragalfos?"
"Yes, I have, they are the ones who captured the Great Fairy. I saw them recently, as a matter of fact." The old turtle replied.
Iris jumped up and ran next to Jace at the front of the small boat. Jace held onto the side of the boat in shock when it rocked back and forth, the deku boy found himself sending a slight freaked out stare at Iris.
Iris began. "Where!?"
"Flying overhead this morning." The turtle answered.
Jace pulled her down to sit, trying to keep the boat steady. Iris glared at him briefly, before turning her gaze back to the turtle. "Could you tell us which way they were headed?"

The turtle nodded, he looked to the large rocks with the huge metal gate; just where Jace had assumed before. "Behind those rock walls."
Jace seemed to be slightly deterred at that. "Crud, I knew it."
"It'd be helpful if we could fly..." Iris sighed.
"You really plan on going in there? You're brave, little one." The turtle commented respectfully.
Jace nodded, "We were given a request, and I intend to follow through.."
"What admirable courage, you remind me of the Hero..." The turtle added. Jace knew the legends of the Hero, though Iris did not. "If it helps, they open the gates every night at midnight."
Jace's head rose, "Oh?" He paused, "That certainly does help, thank you! But, why do they open it every night...?"
"They bring in shipments. I don't really know what they're shipping in, but they sure are shipping a lot of it." The turtle replied.
"Wait, the dragalfos, using a ship?" Jace seemed a little confused.
The turtle shook his head no "No, Pirates."
"You mean... The all female pirates!?" The deku boy pondered in shock.
"I'm afraid so. Word throughout the ocean says that those pirates still live, and have built their base elsewhere among the far seas, and it seems the dragalfos promised the pirates pay if they help them with their shipments... Quite surprising that the ruthless ladies would let monsters like the dragalfos order them around. But it must be a pretty good bribe if they're actually willing to help."
"I'll say... They were the most ruthless, most heartless pirates known to have existed in Termina... But I thought that band of pirates vanished years ago, though..." Jace paused, before continuing with thanks, "Well, anyway... Thanks again... Sorry for disturbing you."
The turtle chuckled. "Don't be sorry... I wish you a lot of luck." The turtle sank back into the water shortly after to return to his slumber.

"Now, would you mind moving to the back, please...?" Jace asked Iris.
Iris cut her eyes. "Why? I know you, of all people, aren't irritated with me being close."
"No, but the boat is starting to lean a little..." Jace grumbled in response, "So unless you want this thing tipping, I suggest you move back, it's too small for you to be moving like that."
Iris blinked in horror. "Good idea..." She did so slowly, then sat down.
Jace looked back to the front and began paddling back, then began to paddle to shore.
"I think this is too easy." Iris spoke.
Jace looked to her. "Hm?"
"It was only this morning that I met you and found myself caught up in this mess, and now we're already on the trail of one of the Great Fairies-"
Jace just listened, and Iris continued. "I just think it's going too easy."
"So you want us to have a hard time finding them?" Jace chuckled. "Do remember they only captured her recently, so I doubt they'll be too heavily guarded, nobody they know would be brave enough to face them to get her back... So they may not be worried about anyone coming in and taking her."
"True." Iris replied.
Jace added, "Who's to say this whole journey will be easy, though. Better be happy this first time is easy."
Skits gazed up to Iris in agreement.

After silence fell, Jace eventually felt the boat hit land. He jumped out into the shallow water, and Iris jumped out of the other end and onto the beach. Jace began pushing the boat back up to the beach near where he found it first. "We got a long wait, it just got dark, and it opens at midnight."
"Tell me about it..." Iris responded. "Better find a way to kill some time I guess." Iris was walking back up the beach toward the zoras. Jace ran until he caught up with her. When he reached her, he turned his gaze over at her, her eyes being set ahead. She blinked before looking back at him. "What're you looking at?"
"Uh, nothing..." Jace looked ahead, now having been spotted. He spoke after a long pause. "Your eyes, they just look... Different."
Iris glanced at Jace. "Meaning...?"
"I don't know, they seem brighter than most of the dekus I know from Termina." Jace looked up. "The way the colors of your eyes blend, kinda reminds me of a fire." He laughed. "It goes with your personality."
"Um, thank you?" Iris paused. "That was a complement, right?" she'd honestly never been complemented on something like that before.
Jace chuckled again, rubbing his head. "Yes, it was."
"Oh, then thank you." Iris replied, giving a small "Hmm…" afterward.
Skits rolled his eyes at Jaces attempt at brownie-points.
Jace gave a smile only a deku would see, and his heart skipped at her having taken it nicely. "My pleasure."
"Never thought a deku's eyes could look different." Iris laughed. "I thought they all had the same look."
Jace looked at her again, enjoying having a calm conversation. "Not exactly, everyone's eyes are a little different. You just have to look carefully. I don't really have to do that with you, though. It's extremely obvious."
Iris crossed her arms. "You're not just sucking up, are you?"
Jace shook his head, "Nah, I'm being honest."
"So what exactly looks so different, that you noticed RIGHT away...?" Iris asked. She was curious, she wanted to know he was serious.
"Like I said before-" Jace began, "They look like a fire to me. I can't really explain it well. Let's see... They, um... The light in your eyes dance like a flame... You must have a wild spirit."
"A wild... Spirit?" Iris blinked.
Jace smiled at her. "You don't know? The glow a deku scrub's eyes are their spirit. If you looked at my eyes, they'd look much different from yours."
Iris stared at him a moment. "... You do look different."

Skits appeared to be tired, and a little irritated at the lack of silence.
"I told you." Jace spoke.
Iris continued on, "Yours sort of has that easy glow look. Very calm." Iris added. "Though, it's really hard to see your eyes when you have that big leaf hanging over one of them."
Jace seemed to pause, before chuckling. "I'd rather keep it down."
"Why?"
Jace turned away slightly. "Just cause I like it like that."
She raised a brow in a puzzled manner for his body language. "If you say so."
Jace looked back to her soon to recover from his odd behavior. "Your eyes are the opposite of how you explained mine though. They look so wild and seem to glow restlessly. You have a very unique and beautiful spirit."
She looked ahead again, her face seemed to flush mildly at his last comment.
Jace simply smiled again, before turning his view forward once more. "Maybe it's because we're from different places?"
"Uh, yeah." Iris hesitatingly agreed.
Skits had become worried about Iris, hoping she wouldn't forget the task at hand because of Jace. Skits glared up to the blond boy.

The walk back to the zoras was silent after this. Jace looked ahead, and spotted Lulu standing at the beach ahead waving them down. "Lulu?" Jace spoke. They approached her. "What is it?" Jace asked.
Lulu gazed down at the small teens. "I saw you speaking with the turtle, he's a friend of us zora."
"Yeah, nice guy actually." Jace said looking back at the turtle's island-like shell. "He gave us some helpful information."
"Oh?" Lulu responded.
Jace continued on with a hand on his hip. "We think we know what happened to the ocean. Look down there, notice anything strange?" Jace pointed down the beach to the hidden fortress' rocks.
Lulu squinted her eyes, as they surveyed the area of which he pointed too. It took a while, but she noticed the waters way down there were clean, it was hard to see but sure enough. "Is that... Clean water!?"
Jace nodded. "The Great Fairy was taken by dragalfos, and we think they're holding her there for the time being."
"That's awful!" Lulu exclaimed.
Iris added. "They've been going around Termina and taking the Great Fairies from their fountains. I don't know the whole story, but believe it or not, we're trying to get them back."
"All by yourselves?" Lulu was taken aback.
"I know, we might die trying..." Iris crossed her arms, glaring at Jace.
Jace looked at Iris, replying confidently. "No we won't, we just need to be careful."

"I'd be willing to help if you need me too." Lulu spoke.
Jace blinked while staring, "You would?"
"I want our ocean home back..." Lulu added in response.
The deku boy gave a smile through his eyes, "Thank you, that would be great!"
Iris seemed delighted as well. "Well, the more help, the better!"
"I'll explain what we're planning on doing-" Jace began.


Hours passed... Jace, Iris, Skits and Lulu were on their way to the fortress gates as they walked down the beach.
"It's about time." Jace said gazing at the sky. "They should be opening the gates soon."
"What if we get caught, though?!" Iris asked.
Jace responded, "We won't get caught, just calm down."
"M-maybe I should stay he-"
"Oh no you don't!" Jace cut in, "You're not cuccoing out of this. We can't back out now. you can do this, you're tough."
Lulu stood above the two from behind as she listened to Jace try and pep-talk Iris.
"I don't know what I was thinking when I said that I wanted to do this." Iris sighed.
Jace chuckled. "That's your fear talking, we'll be fine."
"Or common sense, what if something goes wrong in here, or-or they like, throw us to the sharks, or they-" Iris began to worry herself at the many thoughts and she started trembling.
Jace really couldn't help but stifle a laugh. "You faced 'em before and came out alive, and you can do it again."
"I had the gorons and a few others helping me though, Jace!!" Iris panicked in her answer.
Skits looked at Lulu with a "They're hopeless" look on his face.
Jace grabbed her by the shoulders and gave her a direct look in the face. "Hey, calm down. We'll go in, get her, then get out, nothing to it!" He paused. "...Sound okay?"
Iris stared wide eyed, then nodded quickly. "Okay."
"Okay, good..." Jace nodded, then continued forward.
Once they reached it, Jace pushed the small boat back into the water. "Hop in Iris."
She did so, and sat down nervously.
"Wait, won't getting in the water make you sick, Lulu...?" Jace asked, watching Lulu step into the water.

"I'll be fine, it's not like it'll make me sick the minute I get in." Lulu responded. "I'll push y'all over there, it'll be much quicker."
Lulu began swimming the boat out towards the rock walls. When they grew near, Jace began examining the stone walls.
Iris watched the ocean, and she noticed a light growing near. "It's..." She paused. "It's them I think, we need to hide!" Iris ducked down into the small boat. Jace looked out, before finding himself forcefully pulled down by Iris by his ponytail. Lulu stayed under water, slowly pushing the boat behind the rock wall. Iris looked out and sighed "I think we're safe."
"Warn me next time you do that, you pulled my leaves..." Jace rubbed his head.
Lulu came out of the water. She missed swimming in such clean water. "How this water is so clean is impossible... I've never seen anything like this."

The larger boat that brought in the shipment disappeared behind the rocks.
"The gate's closing again!" Jace exclaimed.
Lulu began pushing their boat, and managed to push it in before the gates had closed, but keeping from being seen is the new problem.

Iris stuttered and shivered. Everywhere ahead on the fortresses walls, were the winged fire-breathing monsters again. It was the hot, summer version of Snowheads fortress. Not as large, but surely just as easy to get lost in.
Jace looked back at Lulu, and pointed ahead. He whispered, "I see an area we could climb onto over there. Can you take us there?"
Lulu nodded, and carefully pushed them as she watched for any of the guards.
"Well, I was right." Jace whispered to Iris, "This is where they were."
Iris shushed him, "Be quiet!" She examined the surroundings, before she soon remembered both her's and Jace's glowing eyes. In the dark of the night, the dragalfos would surely notice the light. Iris looked at Jace. "Put your leaves over your eyes, or squint or something, they're glowing!" Iris sat with her hands covering her eyes to where they could only be seen by Jace. Jace nodded, and covered his eyes.
When the boat stopped, Jace looked out, noticing a small bit of land that lead up hill. He noticed an old wooden piece that was part of the fortress walls across from that. He also noticed there was a stairway that lead inside on the other side of the wall. They'd have to hookshot across. "Hm..." He looked around, before turning to Lulu. "Thanks a lot, we owe you one. We're going up."

"Be careful in there, I'd hate to see you three get hurt." Lulu responded. "I'll be waiting here." She sank into the water where no one would spot her.
Jace stepped out slowly, continuously watching the guards. They sure weren't very alert- almost distracted actually, a couple were asleep.
"Iris, let's go." Jace said. "The guards here don't seem to be paying much attention..."
Iris stepped out of the boat and up by Jace. "A-alright... Lead the way..."
"You may want to keep your knife handy..." Jace added.
Iris seemed a bit taken aback, she isn't used to people just handing her weaponry of any kind, even it is a mere small knife. She forgot he'd even given her the knife.

Jace walked up the hill as he and Iris practically hugged the rock wall. Skits walked quietly behind Iris. Jace felt it was a bit hard to blend in with the plain background when Iris was dressed so brightly. Might as well put a large light blinking OVER HERE! above them. And his blond head wasn't helpful, either, but he couldn't do much about that. It was mostly her bright blue petal shawl that got distracting, even to Jace. He looked back at her when they reached a platform that rose from the ground. Jace then pulled her behind it. "Iris, are those blue petals connected to your shirt?"
Iris stared at Jace. "Uh... No, why?"
"Okay, because it's really distracting... We might get caught if you don't take them off."
Iris stared at Jace for a moment, before groaning. "Fine." She reached back and untied the blue petals, and handed them to Jace. "Here."
He grabbed the shawl from her and stuck it in his rucksack, and pulled out a weird-looking contraption, of which Iris hadn't seen anything like. He then looked to Iris again and couldn't help but notice that her purple shirt was pretty bright, too, when the blue petals were off. "Great, your shirt..."
Iris looked down at her shirt. She about said something regarding the shirt, but stopped herself when she noticed Jace take his brown pelt vest off. "Put this on over your shirt, even the purple looks a bit bright. My vest looks closer to a natural color."
She reached for the vest as she cut her eyes. "Who made you leader all of a sudden?"
"… No one, it's more like, knowing how to keep yourself alive. We have to be smart about this." Jace replied.
Iris slipped the vest on. Jace turned and looked at her, and gave a quick thumbs up. "Much better, you blend in a bit more." He then turned and picked up the object he'd pulled out of his rucksack. Iris wasn't even going to mention how distracting his blond leaves were... But he couldn't take THOSE off, so she really couldn't say anything anyway.
"What's that?" Iris asked.
Jace responded. "It's a Hookshot. Found it a while back." He pointed it up at the wooden piece that hung out of the wall. "They come in handy when there's no deku flowers."

He soon looked back at Iris when he had it set up. "Okay, hold onto me."
Iris seemed to hesitate, but did so. Jace tightly wrapped a free arm around her. Next thing she knew, she was rushed over to the other side of the fortress wall's balcony still holding onto Jace, of which further on, curved into a metal stairway. "Okay, that was cool!" Iris spoke, before letting go and dropping to the balcony floor.
"I know, right?" Jace chuckled. "I should probably keep it out for now. But anyway, c'mon! When we first got out of the boat, I saw a door way up here." Jace walked on up the metal stairway, as Iris and Skits followed close behind.




To Be Continued...
 

FayeleneFyre

The local treehugger
Joined
Sep 23, 2011

chapter_4_by_fayelenefyre-da9j7r0.jpg


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Chapter 4
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Finding The Great Fairy.
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Inside the fortress, it was like a colony of ants- huge, mutated, lizard-like, fire-breathing winged ants. The fortress behind the walls of which Jace, Iris, and Skits have now entered, it was a huge round area filled with boxes of shipment and what not. Surrounding the whole area that had a guard in every direction, were tons of doorways that stood high up at different levels. The center of it all had a watch tower that was connected to a bridge. Surprisingly, it looked as if it was the safest place, seeing as it was the only place that didn't have a dragalfos or lizalfos guarding.

"Oh we're SO going to die..." Iris hid behind Jace.
Jace stared at the fortress grounds in awe as he and Iris hid behind a load of crates. "There's so many door ways..." Jace looked in every direction. "We can't split up, there's only one hookshot."
"Like I want to split up right now anyway!" Iris added, "We're good as dead if we do."
Jace knelt to one knee and against a crate. "We'll have to plan this out carefully..."
An idea suddenly hit Iris. She looked to Skits and gave a bit of a smug deku grin, remembering how her and Skits used to get around unnoticed, or at least how Iris did. "No."
"What?" Jace looked up to Iris.
Iris gave a devious cackle. "We'll just get around the Iris and Skits way!"
Skits already knew where she was going with that, and seemed more than happy. He flew off into the sky without her even having to say anything.
"Where's he going?" Jace asked.
Iris motioned her hand forward and lightly shoved Jace to stand. "Saving our lives, let's go!" She eased out from behind the box. Jace looked at her like she was crazy, but followed anyway.

Jace surveyed the area and noticed Skits pestering a guard far off, and just like Iris expected, it eventually dragged all the guards attention to him. "I'll be..."
Iris ran out with a chuckle. "Hurry Jace!" She whispered. Jace looked her way, then raced out after her. They ran straight across to a large wall. Jace stopped Iris, and pointed up. "I think I see a place we can get too with the hookshot!"
Iris looked in pointed direction- Up on top of the two-story wall. Standing out of the top of the surface above was a piller with a wooden face. "It's so high, though."
Jace looked around. "It's our only option here."
The deku girl had to accept the fact he was right. "Okay, then let's go."
Jace pointed the hookshot upwards as Iris held onto Jace.
The contraption pulled them up to the two-story height, then Iris dropped down onto the two-story surface, Jace soon followed in action.
They trailed off in separate directions to survey the area. Jace snapped his fingers, catching Iris' attention. "Huh?"
"There's a doorway right up here." Jace pointed. The place he pointed too was up one more story. Though, the hookshot isn't needed, seeing as there was a ladder that led up. Iris stood on her toes to look above, she could see the top of the doorway. Jace didn't really give her time to say anything, before he went climbing the ladder.
Iris whispered warningly, "Jace!"
Once he disappeared over the wall, Iris waited for him to at least look back and say something. But all was silent.
After about a minute or so in waiting, Iris finally spoke again. "...Jace?" Iris whispered again. She slowly approached the ladder, and began climbing. "What's the deal here- GAH!"
Iris saw a dragalfos running right to the ladder "Intru-! Ughhh..."
Iris remained frozen as the angry beast hit the floor of the high surface. Jace jumped off the dragalfos' head. "Sorry, Iris. Didn't mean to make you think I stranded you." He chuckled nervously. He looked back at the fallen monster. "Get this: Their weak spots are between the horns, where the open area of their skull dents in. Give it a good whack, and they're out."
"Yeah, I know. I-..." Iris looked back, he'd already taken out one dragalfos before this one. "You... Got two without being seen!?"

"They're not very observant." He laughed, then continued. "You just going to stay there? Let's go."
Iris nodded, then got up off the ladder. "Where to now?"
"Inside, where else?" Jace responded, pointing to the only doorway here. "Just watch out for anymore dragalfos... Wouldn't want such a delicate flower like yourself getting hurt."
"I don't need any concern from you..." Iris replied coldly. "The only one you should be worried about is yourself, I'll be fine."
'Please, you're a disaster waiting to happen.' Jace thought. Jace chuckled at her slightly, then turned. "Pftt, Of course. Let's go."
Iris rolled her eyes at his tone.
Iris remained behind Jace as they walked in. The inside was a straight corridor that lead on into different rooms. Jace motioned his hand forward, signaling to move on. Jace continued on slowly as he and Iris passed each room. A sudden stop left Iris bumping into him from behind. "Ugh, Jace, what're you doing?" Iris quietly asked, Jace threw his hand out and shushed her. Her leaves twitched slightly as she stepped back once. "Huh?"
Jace was focused and his leaves twitched slightly.
The deku girl gave a surprised squeak when she felt a jerk on her arm, as Jace disappeared out from in front of her. Jace ran over behind a pile of crates in the hall, pulling Iris into hiding with him.
Jace quietly looked out, two large dragalfos came out of a room ahead and stomped on by. One sniffed the air, but the deku scent was masked by a potted plant by the wall.
They both walked on, and turned into another room.
Jace sighed and walked out while letting out a deep breath. "I think we're safe now." He whispered lightly.
Iris stood up, and walked out. "How'd you know they were coming?"
"My word Iris, didn't you hear their claws clicking the floor? It was hard not to hear." Jace replied, then moved forward again. Iris simply cocked her head slightly before looking back, then catching up with Jace again.

The Hylian deku became shaky at the thought of what the dragalfos might do if they catch her and Jace. She remembered how back at the Snowhead fortress, that she'd accidentally killed the lead dragalfos commander, Scoll. She tried so hard to erase that eerie, creepy memory of Scoll's' dying voice from the back of her mind, and she became so deep in thought that she completely tuned out the situation as of now.
"Iris."
Iris squeaked loudly and nearly whacked Jace, of which for once, Jace was able to dodge. "Whoa! Hold up there!"
Iris huffed, completely forgetting Jace was even here. "Uh-..."
The blond deku boy continued, "Why all the hitting?"
"I-I'm sorry, forgot you were, uh, there." Iris recovered lamely.
Jace stared for a moment before speaking concernedly. "Anyway- See that?" He pointed forward.
Iris gazed on toward the area he pointed. "It's a gaudy old prettied-up door, how could I not notice it? It's more obvious than your blond leaves." Iris responded.
"What do you think? It's the end of the line here anyway." Jace spoke.
Iris replied. "I think we should check it out."
"Okay." Jace nodded. Him and Iris both approached the door. Jace cautiously reached for it, and turned the nob. Inside was an area that lead downstairs. Iris looked on. "There's another way across from here." She pointed across the room to the opposite side, which was also connected to a stairway. The whole room was filled with countless crates, a couple glimmering items here and there, some treasures. But mostly tools and such.
Jace began in thought. "I'd say this is a storage room."
"No duh, captain obvious." Iris replied. "I'm tempted to grab some of it."
"Nuh-uh, no, don't touch anything!" Jace began scoldingly. "We're here for one thing and one thing only!" Jace finished, pointing to Iris.
Iris grunted irritably. "You pull the fun out of everything."
Jace cut his eyes at his companion. "What happened to your "Oh I'm so scared, let's get this over with" act before we got in?"
"That was before I saw that pretty little sapphire down there." Iris chuckled and rubbed her hands together. "But you're right, let's just hurry, I'd rather get out alive treasurlessly than die red-handed."
"My thoughts exactly." Jace agreed. He moved on down the staircase, with Iris close behind. Jace gazed up to the towering crates and items. "Wow, wonder what they're doing with all this?"
"Ha! Hey Jace, check this out!" Iris called.
"Quiet, Iris! What?" Jace turned. His eyes grew huge upon laying them on the ginormous bomb.
Iris laughed. "Holy Hylia, what're they going to do with this big 'ol thing!?"
Jace walked up to the large bomb in awe. "Whoa... That's just scary even knowing there are bombs this big."
The door above came slamming open from the way they came in. Jace gasped, as he and Iris ran behind the large bomb. "Shoot."
The dragalfos that walked in and sniffed the air. "Is someone here?" He called in a creepy, gritty voice, having heard them speaking from outside. Iris began breathing hard "Oh sweet Nayru, help us!"
"I thought I'd heard a voice coming from in here..." He spoke to himself. The creature's eyes carefully scanned the room. Nothing seemed out of place or gone. He couldn't even get a scent of anyone else being there, except maybe older scents of other dragalfos. "Eh." He turned, and slammed the door behind him.
"That was too close for me." Iris spoke, sighing.
Jace looked to Iris. "Okay, that's enough looking around, let's go..."
Iris nodded quickly.

Jace went running up the separate staircase Iris pointed out before. Iris didn't hesitate as she continued on following Jace. On the other side, was yet again, another but much wider corridor. It led to a doorway down hall.
All down the hall were entry ways to bunkers, storage rooms, anything any old pirate's fortress would most likely have. Iris wanted so badly to explore, such a new place filled with so many foreign things, she wanted to check them out. She knew nothing good would come of it though, so she remained behind Jace and simply looked around.
Jace kept his eyes forward, occasionally shifting his view into rooms they passed.
"Aren't you worried about Skits?" Jace suddenly asked.
"Nah, knowing him, he's just waiting for me and watching for me from somewhere high up." Iris replied.
Jace turned forward again. "I couldn't help but notice that the dragalfos have wings too..."
Iris added matter-of-factly. "Yes, but they can't fit in small crevices, can they?"
Jace shrugged. "You two seem close, never thought I'd see a deku scrub with bird for a brother."
"What, something wrong with that?" Iris huffed.
Jace chuckled. "No, It's rather cute though."
"Oh." Iris responded. "You have any siblings?"
Jace paused. "No, not that I ever knew of. Highly doubt I would anyway."
Iris' lack of response brought on silence once more. She just watched the floor with each step she took.

Jace approached a door in the corridor, and opened it. Inside was emptiness. Looked like no one had been in there in years. He backed out, and kept walking forward. "It's like a maze in here, how're we supposed to find anything?"
"You're asking the wrong person." Iris replied. Though, Jace's question was rhetorical.
Iris stopped, as Jace kept on.
She stopped in front of a room that looked recently used. The room had tools and weapons all over. The back-center of the room had a large table with a map of Termina laid out on it, the map marked red in certain locations. "Huh..." She stepped into the room, and looked around. The whole place looked surprisingly neat for a Dragalfos' room, it was still pretty beat up, though. She gazed at her reflection on the clean weapons along the wall's. All the way from swords to axes. She rubbed her arm nervously. They looked recently sharpened too… Only one looked recently used. She backed up and pulled her gaze from the weapons and onto the tall table. She stood on the old busted up chair that sat in front of it to look at the items on the table. "A marked map?" She picked up the map and looked over it. Sadly, she couldn't read the language of the map, nor the language written in red. She continued messing with everything up on the table soon after.
A shadow grew over the table, as Iris suddenly froze. She turned to become eye-to-eye with two towering dragalfos guards. "I-I...I.."

"I don't know how you got in, but your not leaving..." One snarled, his slit pupils glared down at the frightened deku scrub. He reached down, and lifted her up by Jaces loaned vest. "Put me down, you walking skin-purse!!" Iris growled.
He laughed. "She's got a fire, huh? HA- Aghhh!!" Iris spat a deku nut at his face, then began running once he'd dropped her. The other one stepped in front of Iris. Iris tried spitting another, but she couldn't due to being scared breathless. She whimpered in fear, if she couldn't even spit a nut, then she knew she didn't have the energy for a deku bubble. She backed up... The weapons along the wall were much too large for her to handle, and she sure couldn't just run. They were blocking the way. They were huge to a nearly three foot creature like herself.
"Ugh! Why you little brat!" The one that she hit before roared, he swiped his clawed hands at her angrily. His hit sent her flying to hit the wall as she gave a pained squeak. She stood again and she huffed. "That one knocked the breath out of me." She wheezed. She dodged another swipe weakly, as she found herself backing up against the corner of the room. The dragalfos growled as they closed in on her.
WhhoosssHHHHAACKK!! A knife came flying in through the room above one of the guards, about an inch close to skimming the top of his head. He flinched as he turned. "What the?" His acid-green slit orbs were set on another deku in the doorway. "Another one huh?"
"That's not cool, y'know?" Jace spoke, standing up straight and bravely. "Ganging up on someone so small and defenseless."
He growled. "What're you going to do about it little man? You don't look so tough."
Jace scoffed. "Judgmental, are we?"
The dragalfos turned, and his tail was sent at Jace. He managed to give Jace a hard whack, causing the dekuto wheeze. But upon the tail's impact on Jaces chest, Jace grabbed the dragalfos' tail, and held on. Once it was swung up in the air, he released and was sent surging up and landed between the dragalfos' wings. He climbed and ended up on it's head. He brought his heel down with a backward kick against it's face between the eyes. Then before he could be grabbed, he kicked off into a jump, and landed on the other one's head. "W-whoa-!" He balanced on the horns. The already frustrated Dragalfos sent his fist down heavily on the other one's head, completely missing the now gone Jace. The dragalfos that was hit was sent collapsing to the floor with a heavy thud.
"Missed!" Jace had jumped off of his head before the hit. Now lacking a weapon, Jace used the handle end of the hookshot and thwacked it violently twice against the still standing guard's head soft spot. The dragalfos roared out painfully, and hit the floor. Jace jumped off in front of Iris- Whose eyes were as wide as they probably could've been. Her voice cracked "How-"
"I noticed you were gone." He replied. He grabbed a piece of broken armor that broke off of a dragalfos on impact with the floor, and threw it at his knife, causing it to fall to the ground from the wall. He picked it up and closed it, then put it away. "Best not run off again, huh?"
Iris nodded, still wide eyed.

"While you wandered off, I found a locked door down the hall. And I'm talking a huge gate, not a ramshackle place like this place here." Jace continued.
He walked around the room, walking over the dragalfos. He jumped up on the table, and dug around in the junk on the table. "This place seems to be the only used place I've seen in this hall. So you were onto something I believe. But your wandering off was pretty stupid, you could've been killed."
Iris nudged a dragalfos with her foot cautiously, before looking up at Jace. "I had things under control."
Jace laughed. "Sure didn't look that way. We need to stick together, Iris, it's dangerous here."
Iris crossed her arms. She was aware of the fact things were out of hand, but felt awkward with admitting it. If she didn't feel so… Nervous, she could definitely fight. But lately, her skill in survival has been on vacation...
"Ah-ha!" Jace said, pulling a key out of a pile. "This probably won't be it, but it's worth a try." He jumped off the table, and waited for Iris to start following.

Iris walked out with him, and spoke up. "Well, that was some act back there."
"I try." He responded smugly- Almost proudly. "Ya' gotta' know how to fend for yourself when you face this world alone."
Iris felt a bit stupid, she knew how to fight, but felt so out of her element here. She could only ever respond with her natural instinct on ol' deku nut and bubble lately. Just thought she was a helpless damsel, but that's not true. "You must really get around, you're very agile and fast."
"I travel a lot and have fought many battles. And flexibility is something just bred into my family. My father was also a skilled fighter and traveler." Jace seemed to tone down the smug sound in his voice, sounding more himself. But his words kept that smug ring... "How on earth did you even get this far without me, though?"
"Okay, don't get a big head!" She huffed. "I'll have you know, that I'm actually very skilled, I'm just out of my element here..." She tried to recover lamely.
The blond boy gave a deku smirk "You say that."
Jace chuckled. Iris' face flushed out of frustration, upon realizing Jace was just teasing her. She turned her head and looked off elsewhere as she cut her eyes at the wall.
"Don't take it so serious." Jace laughed while looking back at her. "Oh, here it is!" He stopped at a door. Iris looked up to it. It was huge, and looked brand new compared to most of everything else in the fortress. It was a shiny black door with a lock on it. Jace stood on the tip of his feet as high as he could, just barely fitting the key into the keyhole. He grunted due to trying to keep on his toes, "Aw c'mon... It's the wrong key, it's not even the right size or shape... I guess I didn't examine the door well enough before." He got back down on his heels and sighed. Jace turned around, Iris pretty much just followed him back, growing very impatient...

They found themselves back in the room with the taken down guards. Jace nearly tore apart the room looking for the key he searched for. "Ugh, everything is just cluttered here."
Iris fidgeted. The clattering and clanging rang through the halls outside as Jace continued looking. "Are you the least bit worried about drawing attention...?" Iris asked nervously.
"Well, we gotta' find it." Jace groaned.
"Try finding it more quietly." Iris finished.
She looked down at a guard on the floor. His tongue stuck out of his mouth- Which was forked, like most dragon's tongues would be expected to look like. Iris kept her distance from the creature. A small gleam caught her eye however. Down by the belt that held on the beasts armor was a very odd looking key. She nervously reached for it, as if expecting the dragalfos to pop up at any moment. She'd unlatched it from the monster's belt. "Jace-"
He turned, pulling himself from the tunnel of clutter he'd dug himself into. "Huh?"
She held the key up and jingled it.
He stared for a moment, before a small piece of armor fell and hit him in the head. "Ouch..." He glared down, then gazed back at Iris. "Where'd you find that?"
"On one of these ugly old beasts." Iris responded.
Jace paused "Ah... Okay, let's uh, let's try it."

Again, they left the room- which was left a complete mess, And stood before the door again and tried fitting it into the keyhole. A click made Iris' leaves twitch slightly. "It worked... Out of all the keys we could've found."
Jace looked to Iris. "Well, those creatures do all work together, so maybe some have privileges to enter...?"
Iris walked through. It was very different here. A chill came slithering down her back. Eggs sat everywhere along the floor in this room. "Holy Hyrule, where are we?"
Jace threw his gaze around the room. "Looks like a nesting room..."
"I can see that much, genius, but are they dragalfos eggs?" Iris held a tone of disgust.
Jace responded. "Heck if I know, I don't know much about dragalfos aside from small tales."

"I see a door further down, let's just hurry and get out of here." Iris said as she continued on.
Jace nodded, and stayed close behind her.
The room was extremely long. But once they reached the end the tunnel on the other side was dark, and not much could be seen ahead. Jace squinted his eyes, both of their eyes illuminated the tunnel way. Iris waited for Jace to walk up front, seeing as she didn't want to be the first one jumped if something is waiting up ahead.
Jace looked on quietly. The walk was so silent. Iris was ready to jump at the slightest sound, she was so freaked out for reasons that seemed to escape her.
Iris looked back, she felt so closed in in this dark tunnel. She eventually moved slightly closer to Jace. Usually, she had her beloved bird brother in her arms or on her head, which often made her feel more at ease when in situations like these. Though, aside from her last little adventure, this was the first time she'd spent so long without Skits, and not even know his current situation. She'd nearly held onto Jace's arm in worry, but stopped herself. She was afraid he'd take it the wrong way. She really didn't even have any idea as to why she wanted to hold onto to someone anyway. She blew it off, and looked off elsewhere.

Jace noticed the light of her eyes disappear, and looked back to find her looking away. He shrugged slightly and turned forward again. He wasn't used to it staying so quiet. But the quiet made it easier for him to focus.

After the long walk, silence had eventually broke. "Here's our destination." Jace spoke, stopping in front of a gate with bars. There was a small light emitting from between the bars.
"You still got that key?" Iris asked. Jace nodded and fit it in, but it's shape was slightly different. Jace sighed. "I need a different key."
Iris threw her hands in the air. "Serious!? I'm not walking all the way back. Move." She ordered as she moved close to the door. Jace backed off to let her get to the door. She glared at the door, before noticing something. The memory of her time in Snowhead fortress came into mind. Hers and the other's shackles had locks like this. Then remembered when one of the people who was kept captive with her got everyone out of the shackles with Iris' old hair pin… She had brief memory of her first Hylian friend, Vitani, before getting back to the moment at hand. She reached into her leaves, and pulled out another one. 'Good thing I'd grabbed two.' She thought. Iris stood on her toes to put the now bent clip in the keyhole. "The tall people make this look easy..." She complained. She was about to give up, but a weak click made her give a smile. "I think I got it!" She got back down to her heels, and pushed the bared door, and it creaked open. Jace seemed impressed.
"How'd you know to do that?"
Iris bent it back and stuck it back in her leaves. Her hair was so messy though, one wouldn't be able to see it... "My thanks goes to a friend for showing me."

Both her and Jace poked their heads in. The first thing they saw was a shrine-like stone slap with a glowing glass orb on it. The orb lit up the room. "Wait-... That's her!"
Jace seemed to jump. "Odd place to put a fairy."
"I'm not sure how, but they sealed her power into that glass ball over there. They did it back at Snowhead." Iris added.
Iris ran ahead, and looked at it. "Huh, I'd never actually taken a good look at it before." Inside, energy flew around.
"Hurry and grab it, I'm so tired of the dreary feel of this place." Jace spoke.
Iris grabbed it. "Let's go!"
They turned tail and ran back as quick as they could. Through the whole tunnel, then eventually tiredly reached the room full of eggs again.
Jace quickly stopped, and pulled Iris behind a patch of eggs. "Wait!"
Iris looked at Jace in confusion "Stop pulling me around for crying out loud..." then noticed the few dragalfos examining the room.

"Someone's here..." A dragalfos spoke. "They took out the guards for this room..." He looked back at the few others. "Tell everyone here to be alert for any strange faces, and to kill them on sight."

Jace whispered. "Harsh much...?"
"And you all spread out, check the main chamber ahead. I'll stay in here." The dragalfos finished.
Iris looked to Jace in a panic "They're coming this way!"
Jace reached for a rock on the ground, and threw it hoping to pull their attention elsewhere. Apparently, accidentally hitting a few eggs.

"What was that!?" One turned, they all ran to investigate. Jace grabbed Iris by the hand, and ran across the side of the room.
The lead commanding dragalfos gasped at the sight of the broken eggs. He picked one up and examined it, he then looked at the other eggs. Inside the yolk of an egg, sat the same rock that Jace had thrown. The dragalfos snarled it's nose with a growl. "Who threw this?" He said glaring at one of his guards. The one he glared too, and the other guards as well, all shook their heads in an 'I didn't do it' fashion. "Master's going to kill us! These eggs need to remain safe and sound till the mother's return! Not one should be touched!!" He began to roar out. The slight sound of a roll caused him to turn. An egg was rolling out of place from it's batch. He cut his eyes slightly as he stomped toward the batch, which sat closest to the door that led outside of the hall. Behind the batch, Iris and Jace sat in hiding. Iris whimpered, she then looked to Jace. "You had to stop right here, huh!? Now look what you did!"
The deku boy chuckled quietly and nervously. "They need to watch where they sit their eggs..."

The dragalfos breathed in, he spotted a little blond leaf pop out from behind an egg. Jace exclaimed as he was lifted up off the ground. The dragalfos snarled, "We don't take kindly to pests!" He spoke, not even noticing Iris.
Jace crossed his arms. "Actually, I'm a plant, not a pest." He held a cocky tone.
"Don't get cocky, deku scrub. How'd you get in here!?" The dragon-like creature roared angrily.
Jace chuckled "Why would I tell you?"
"You will if you have every wish to live!" The Dragalfos responded.
Jace scoffed then laughed, and replied, "Believe me, I've faced possible death everyday of my life, I'm not afraid of it."
Iris looked down at the orb in her hands, than back up to the dragalfos and Jace. She took in a deep breath, hoping she had some energy left. She exhaled hard, sending a huge bubble flying at the dragalfos' face. He threw Jace aside, and roared. The sticky bubble popped right over his eyes.

"Let's go Jace!" She shouted, grabbing him by the hand then ran out the hall.
A slight blush crept to his face when Iris grabbed his hand and he had a moment of dreaminess to realize. Though this was cut short. Jace looked dumbfounded upon fully realizing what she'd done back there. "W-way to go, Iris!"
"Thanks! Now Come on!" Iris responded quickly, seeming more eager to get out. The dragalfos stepped out, with the bubble residue poorly taken off his face. "It's... It's that weed from the Snowhead fortress!! AFTER HER!!" The other dragalfos came running out of the room and after the two deku scrubs.
Iris' eyes grew wide. "Great, he was one of the goons who fled back at the fortress in Snowhead!"
Iris stopped, and looked around frantically when they came to a four-way corridor. Jace kept ahold of her hand, and took off toward the storage room they were in before, Iris didn't have a choice but to follow.
"Would you stop pulling me around without warning?!" Iris said.
Jace looked back at her as he opened the door to the large storage room. "Don't stop, and I won't have too!" He lead her into the room and down the steps. He then pulled her behind some large crates with him. He gave a silent "shush" as he watched the door way. Sure enough, the dragalfos busted in after them. They then scanned the area, this time, actually getting down and searching for them. Iris gazed up to the door on the opposite side of the room. She then looked around to see if she could find a pathway that could lead them around without being seen, but there were dragalfos everywhere, behind this crate was the only way they could keep from being seen, and even waiting here too long they would eventually be found. Jace looked to Iris. "Look's like we'll have to fight our way out." He whispered. It didn't take long for him to notice the, "Are you insane!?" look that captivated Iris' face.
"Well, that's all I can think of." Jace added as he turned his back. "So what do ya' say, Iris: Fight? … Iris?" He had his back turned as he waited for her reply, but nothing came. He turned back around to notice Iris was gone. "Iris?!... GAH-, LET GO-" A guard grabbed him from behind. He looked up to see the lead commanding dragalfos holding Iris, muffling her snout. She was shouting, but nothing could be heard or made out well.
"Shut up and quit squirming!" The dragalfos shouted at Iris. He then looked up at the guards. "Take the boy to the cells, we'll deal with him later. I've got a bone to pick with the girl though... After causing us the trouble of ruining our plans up at Snowhead, and even dealing us the loss of leader Scoll. Now we found her even stealing the fairy... I'd say a punishment would be appropriate for such a person." He tightened his grip around her body slightly, and removed his hand from her snout. She cried painfully as she held her eyes shut tightly. "Ack..."

Jace jerked his head to the side, moving a guard's hand away from his snout. "Ugh! Stop, you're hurting her!" He paused with a growl "Let her go, or I'll-"
"Don't even start, boy!" The leader began, loosening his grip again, just enough to continue his hold on Iris, but not enough to hurt her. She began to shout and yell at the beast, only to have him cup her snout again. "You're willing to defend this thief, this murderer?" He asked Jace, holding Iris out slightly.
Jace glared angrily, his eyes lit furiously. "I don't know about being a murderer, but I could care less about her being a thief. I can't believe you cold-blooded creatures have the gall to be calling her a murderous thief, when you yourselves are no better, even worse!" He paused, then continued. "The stories I've heard about the dragalfos as a kid were far worse. Iris doesn't deserve to be punished for anything."
The leader shrugged. "I don't have time for this... Take him away."
The guards nodded, and turned. Jace squirmed as he tried to get loose. Iris watched in fear, as they disappeared out the door. She knew coming into this place was a bad idea... She then starting shouting at the leader again, only hearing her angry muffled words.
"You sure do have a mouth on you... No matter. You won't be around for much longer, and you'll no longer be a problem for us." He snarled. Iris stopped, running her mind over his words. He turned around to leave the room as he clenched the fairy orb in his hand where he could. He stopped however, upon hearing something. He turned and glanced around.
SLAM!!CRASH! The door at the top came busting open, the angry deku boy came running in, being chased by slightly few guards. He jumped up on the rail of the stairs, and leapt down onto the floor below. He looked above him, noticing the guards that he left behind coming down after him. He jumped back and grabbed his knife out of his bag, and threw it. It skimmed a rope that tied part of a broken pipe to the ceiling. It came crashing down on a few of the dragalfos' heads, knocking a few out. It also sealed off the doorway. Jace turned to face the leader, who seemed taken aback.
"Apparently, I misjudged you..." The dragalfos growled.
Jace huffed angrily. "I gave you a warning." The deku boy paused with an acid-serious tone. "To be honest, your guards aren't that smart."
The leader ignored his last words. "You seem smitten of the girl. Something I'd expect from someone of the younger generation. Disgusting..."
Jace was too infuriated to joke anymore. "Cut the crap! I told her I'd help her, and I'm following through on it." Jace threw something up at his knife, causing it to fall, similar to how he did it a while back when he'd taken out the first two guards.

"I'd let little Iris leave, but it seems she has a knack for getting in our way, something we can't let happen."
Jace took a step forward, but stopped soon before the next step. The leader tightened his grip around Iris with full intent on harming her. She gave a painful weakened squeaking-grunt, hurting her to the point that it made her eyes watery. Jace growled in frustration. He'd guessed this is one of those "Don't come closer, or they get it" moments. And if the dragalfos wanted, he could easily kill her with one squeeze. And if not kill her, at least crack or break every bone in her body. Jace slowly reached for his knife, he'd known that he and Iris had to leave- With the fairy. The whole room fell silent, as Jace's glowing orb's examined the dragalfos. Even if Jace could get close, he wouldn't be able to hit the beast's weak spot, seeing as he wore thick armor on his head. It was a risky thought, but Jace came to a quick decision. Iris watched Jace, wondering what the heck he was doing just standing there. Jace gave a throw with his arm, sending the knife across the room. It slashed the side of the dragalfos' face. He gave a bellowing roar, and he threw himself back, dropping Iris. Iris shook herself and she ran to Jace.

"What the heck!?" She shouted at Jace, who was expecting something a little closer to a "Thank you" or something of that nature. "You could've hit me you idiot!"
Jace leaned back as Iris got up in his face. He blinked, not really knowing how to respond. His voice cracked... "W-Well... At least you're free."
"Ugh..." She groaned, "Yeah, well... let's get the heck out of here!" She turned to face on-coming flames. "GAH!" She screamed. She jumped back to avoid the flames.
The leader began to spew flames out of his mouth, as Jace grabbed Iris' hand. He gave her a shove in a safe direction. "Go up those steps, I'll meet you up there once I get the fairy back!"
Iris nodded and she ran away. Jace turned, and ran towards the dragalfos. He slid to the ground, dodging more flames as he held his ponytail to keep it from becoming fire fodder. He'd gotten behind the dragalfos now. The beast stopped, and sent his axed tail down at Jace. The deku boy fell backward as he tried dodging it. He rushed back to his feet, trying hard to avoid the ax. But from behind, the broad tail's side came rushing back, and whacked Jace in the back. Luckily, not the very end- Of which has the ax on it. Jace stood back up and grabbed the tail, and used it to fling himself away from the back end of the monster. He rolled along the ground, before getting to one knee and shook his head. Before long, he stopped and momentarily laid his hand over his right eye with a groan.

Iris watched. "What's wrong with him...?" Jace kept hold of his head as if he'd been hit or something, but he never took a hit to the face... The leader turned and took in a deep breath. Iris began to panic sjortly after. "Move you idiot!" She inhaled, then exhaled, spitting a deku nut at the floor in front of Jace as it let out a loud pop and a bright flash, which caused him to jump and open his eyes. He looked up. The flames came crashing down near the area. Iris gasped and brought her hands up to her snout, but noticed Jace had moved in time. She saw him running off in another direction. Though he hadn't been watching where he was running and leading the flames to. The boy soon realized his folly, his eyes suddenly growing wide! "Aw crap!"
"Son of baba… Jace!" Iris finished.
The flames just barely licked at the long fuse of the large bomb that sat in the room. Jace jumped to his feet, and he finally resorted to spitting a deku nut. It whacked the dragalfos in the face, exploding in a flash of light. He growled, the bright flash left one of his eye's blind. He dropped the fairy orb, allowing Jace to frantically run and grab it, avoiding the dragalfos' swinging tail and stomping feet. He grabbed it, and headed up the staircase.
"Agh!" He looked back, the dragalfos grabbed him by the leg. "Give me that fairy!"
Iris kept looking to the bomb, which with each second, came a bit closer to going off! Iris quickly pulled her rupee pouch to the front of her, and dug through it, she'd remembered sticking the knife Jace gave her in there. She pulled it out, and didn't really know what to do with it, seeing as she'd never used one before. She tried throwing it at a rope that was holding the rest of the pipes above like Jace did before, but missed. The knife came down near the dragalfos' feet, causing him to jump back in hopes of avoiding it. He released Jace, as Jace took off up the staircase. "Nice miss, Iris!" He complemented. He opened the door, ang him and Iris ran out into the corridor.

Iris began as she huffed with each step, "Jace, the bomb-"
"I know, it's going to blow the place sky-high!" Jace finished. Him and Iris stopped at a final door down the corridor. Iris jumped to grab the handle, and turned it. The door came open, and the two dekus raced out for their lives outside and into the round area once more. It didn't take long for a certain little bird to see them from the air, and came down at the first sight of them. Iris gave a slight deku smile at her bird brother. Many dragalfos on the field spotted them, and instantly began chase. The leader however came rushing out. "FORGET THEM! We must retreat!" He continued to roar out as he explained the bomb, sending the other dragalfos into a panic. Jace and Iris finally reached the outside to face the water again. Jace grabbed Iris, and he used his hookshot to pull them back down to the platform on the stone walkway. They raced down the slope and quickly they jumped back in the boat. Jace looked down, in hopes of seeing Lulu. "LULU!!" He shouted. "HELP!"
Iris began "HURRY!!"
It took a while, but a shadow began to surface in the water, and her head popped out. "You're alright!"
"Hurry, there's a bomb about to go off!!!" Iris spoke frantically.
Jace added in sheer panic. "We'll explain later!"
Lulu nodded, not wasting a moment. She began to push their boat away from land. The gate was still open.
Jace watched the fortress as he held onto the fairy orb tightly.
They reached the gates, when a loud BOOM made them jump. The heat and wind from the explosion could be felt all the way at the gate. Jace and Iris ducked down, as pieces of the fortress flew out upon the explosion, the whole place had burst into flames. Some of the dragalfos had already taken to the sky to escape the large explosion, while some others hadn't been that lucky.
"Quite funny, that they pretty much brought their own failure." Iris chuckled.
Jace nodded. "The guy should've been more careful." He laughed.



Later. They stood on the beach as Iris used a rock to break the orb. A flashing light washed over the beach. Lulu, Jace, Iris and Skits had to look away, as it was too bright for them. Jace looked back as the light died off. Tiny fairies that came out of the orb had begun to come together, and in a light, they formed a much larger fairy, whose hair was long and beautiful. Her body was wrapped in a veil of blue cloth.

She looked down at the four. "It feels wonderful to be free once more. Thank you all."
Jace nodded. He felt honored to be standing before a Great Fairy! "It was no problem ma'am."
She looked out at the ocean, of which still looked filthy. The area she was near by the beach was clean and pure however. She looked to Iris and Jace. "What you two have done was brave. As the Great Fairy of Courage, I know courage very well when I see it... I was told of by my sister of your coming. Sadly, she, and my other sisters still remain in captive. I certainly hope that you all stay safe on your journey to save my sisters..." She sighed. "I'm afraid that I don't have much time to loose, the ocean is dying, and my time in captive has drained my strength. I must return to my fountain so that I may rest and recuperate, and revive Great Bay Coast once more. Farewell young ones, and thank you all..."

"I understand, farewell Great Fairy." Iris replied.
Lulu smiled, joy filled her knowing she was able to help.
The Great Fairy vanished in a flash of light. The four stood at the beach, but Jace turned to Iris with a big goofy smile. he felt so proud of himself, and Iris herself felt quite accomplished. The moment was silent and all was now well… But Iris was soon taken by the view of the ocean becoming clear, and she quickly pointed it out to Jace and Lulu. The water went from green, back to it's crystal clear coloration. Like magic, the clearness swept over all of Great Bay.

Lulu sighed in relief, in awe at the sight. "She's returned to her fountain... It'll take a while for the creatures, and the zora, to recover, but what matters now is that we can return to life in the ocean. Now we can return to our homes..."

Lulu dropped to her knees, and looked at the two deku scrubs. "Thank you so much." She looked to Skits, who appeared to be pouting. "You too, Skits."
He perked up instantly and gave an honored caw.
A smirk crept to Jace's eyes. "It was our pleasure, it fills me with pride and joy knowing that we've helped..."
Iris didn't know how to take the complement. This was big for her, and she didn't thing herself worthy. There weren't many people she knew who'd actually THANK her. She looked down at her feet... "I won't take credit; This guy over here did all the work. He's very skilled actually, and... He knows more about this place than I do. I owe him my thanks for saving my hide I guess... But-" She turned to Jace.
Jace looked at her, and backed up slightly. She got close to him, and reached for his hand. His face flushed as he gazed wide-eyed at her. "Uh..."
She pulled him over, and glared at him. She spoke coldly, her tone full of needles. "You still owe me an apology!"
He felt he died a little inside. He responded, "F-For what?"
"You throwing that stupid knife!" She shouted. "You could've easily missed!"
Jace scratched the back of his head with his free hand- Seeing as Iris still had ahold of the other one… But it wasn't an affectionate grip. "I could've missed, yes- but I didn't! I knew what I was doing. Unlike you wandering off..."
Iris gasped, "What!? If it wasn't for me, you would've never even thought of looking on the dragalfos for that key! SO HA!"
"Probably, but at least I didn't get all spazzy whenever I'd see a dragalfos! I mean, you were a disaster waiting to happen in there!"
"I beg to differ, you were in there freaking out as much as me!"
They continued to bicker back and forth. Skits just lowered his head and shook it- Because of how they were acting now, he was surprised that they were even able to work together in the first place. Lulu giggled softly...

Iris let go of Jaces hand and sighed. "GAH! Whatever... It's over and done with, so who cares. Oh, and here's your vest." She slipped the vest off and threw it at Jace's face, and it dangled from his snout.
Jace chuckled, "I will say, you looked rather cute in my vest. I think you look better without your shawl, you look more grown up."
Iris scoffed... "But I'm not trying to impress you, now am I?"
"I don't know, you tell me?" He replied smugly. Iris gave him a light whack on the head.
"Knock off the flirting, it's not getting you anywhere." Iris crossed her arms. Skits guffawed, as Jace rubbed his head.
Jace then pulled the shawl out of his rucksack, and handed it to Iris. "I guess I should give this back."
"..." Iris looked at it, before shaking her head no "... Nah... You know what? It feels better without it anyway…"
Jace chuckled lowly, before putting it back in his rucksack "Oh? If you say so."

Iris looked out at the ocean again. She'd never actually seen the ocean before- Aside from when they first arrived at Great Bay. But now, it was so beautiful. In the light of the moon and stars, it gleamed so fervently, like a radiant darkened sapphire. It was a new sight for her. "Wow… Who knew that the ocean was this beautiful?" She said to herself. Iris wouldn't admit it, but she grew to enjoy Jace's company- When he wasn't acting stupid. But it was nice at least not traveling this new country alone... She looked to him when she thought on something he said a while back. "Hey."
"Hm?" He replied as he was stretching.
Iris responded. "What did you mean when you said 'You've faced possible death everyday of your life' to the dragalfos in there?"
Jace seemed to jump out of surprise. He responded with what seemed to be a lame recovery to his apparent surprise "I'm an itinerant! I live for danger, haha. Everything's just gotta have a piece of me, y'know? I'm a danger magnet."
Iris remained silent for a moment, before laughing. She slapped Jace on the back and replied. "You got that right!"






To Be Continued...
 

FayeleneFyre

The local treehugger
Joined
Sep 23, 2011
chapter_5_by_thefatedblades-daa3oek.jpg


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Chapter 5
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DAWN OF THE SECOND DAY
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A Day To Train.
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Skits laid on his back with his wings sprawled peacefully asleep, though in such an odd way for a bird… Iris rested next to him with her hands behind her head, also asleep. They were resting on the beach up near the zora's pool. Everyone was gone however, and most likely returned to their ocean home. The quiet breeze curled and played above the water, as it teased at the waves lightly. A shadow drew over the deku girl. The figure used their hand and dipped it in the small pool of water, and sprinkled it over her face, causing her to blink herself awake. Her eyes cracked open to glare at the figure who stood in front of the sun. "Hey, get up!" The figure called. She squinted her eyes tiredly as her vision woke.
"What?" She asked with a tired tone.
The little black bird next to her growled grumpily and stood up.
"The whole day's going to be gone by the time we get going if you keep sleeping." The figure moved out of the sun as the thick shadow died to reveal the blond-leaved deku boy, Jace.
Iris sat up, a tired yawn sounded through her snout. "You got your sleep yesterday, I think it's fair that I get mine."
"Yes, but it's getting later and later, and we have to return to the swamp." Jace added as he threw his rucksack over his shoulder.
Iris stood up and stretched. "Why?"
Jace responded, "Well, for one; I lost both my knives in the fortress. And two; Chances are that the Great Fairy that was kidnapped from the swamp is still somewhere at the swamp as well."
"Ah." Iris finished. She looked out at the ocean and took a deep breath. "I can't wait to get home... Where there's no Dragalfos."

"I can't wait to kick their scaly tails for ruining my home." Jace growled, he sighed, and looked to Iris. "Well, let's get going."
Iris rubbed her eyes. "Wait… Where's Lulu?"
"Zora Hall. She wanted me to tell you she said goodbye and that she wishes you luck. She wanted to tell you herself, but you were asleep." Jace replied.
Iris looked out at the ocean again, and smiled lightly. "Well, if we ever see her again sometime before this is all over, I need to be sure to give her my thanks for helping us."
A smile creased Skits' beak as he looked up to Iris.
Iris reached down and picked up Skits and she held him close. She then turned to look at Jace. "Anyway, I'm ready."
Jace nodded, and waited for Iris to catch up with him before walking off.

They eventually reached the sandy pathway that lead back to Termina Field. Iris took in a final breath, taking in that pure ocean air. Something she'd never known before. They walked between the rock walls that cased in the sandy pathway. After quite a walk, Iris and Jace eventually stepped foot in Termina field again. They walked across the huge sandy part of the field until reaching a large stairway that lead up toward Clocktown. Iris examined the huge painted walls as they walked around the outer boundaries of town. "What is that anyway?" She asked.
Jace turned, giving relaxed look as he walked with his hands behind his head. "Oh, that's Clocktown. Nice place, it's got some awesome sights. From shops to game corners too! You just gotta watch out for pets. Some of the folks have dogs, and you know how they are."
"Tell me about it." Iris chuckled.
Iris looked out after a long walk around the town, and spotted the large forest far out. Per norm, the walk to the swamp dragged. Though Iris was actually much happier to be in a place she knew a little better.

It was the same routine. Ride a lily pad across the water and just follow the water, however this time taking the long way across. Jace eventually stopped the lily pad at a dock in front of the deku palace walls. Jace jumped up on the dock, before helping Iris up after. Skits remained on Iris as he gazed around.
Jace's face fell upon looking around swamp plant life. It was much worse now. A lot of the plants here were now dying off near the Palace. Their deadened and crippled appearance disheartened him a bit. "It's spreading quick." He spoke. "I gotta hurry before it reaches the village."
Jace walked through the palace walls door whilst Iris quietly followed. It looked the same as yesterday in the palace grounds. The guards were still there, everything was green still, and the water certainly hadn't changed. Iris and Jace took a running start as they hopped across the water in the direction of the palace shrine, which was also the tunnel to the deku village. De-ja-vu hit Iris when she stepped into tunnel way. Quite a time passed by the time they reached the deku village. And though quiet, Jace was currently in need of rest. They walked on through the village, the boy now walking slow and looking to the ground. Jace soon stopped and sat on the stump bench that sat in front of the village's huge centering tree. It was quite a bustling place the town was right now, and the noise was irritating Jace. "Ugh..."

Iris plopped down next to him as she sighed. "Ahhhhookay, we're stopping? We're nearly there, aren't we?". Jace held his head again, not really hearing what Iris said. He was drowning out village noise, therefore her as well on accident. As Iris finished speaking, she then glanced at him upon his lack of answer, and added, "headache?"
Jace looked at her as passer-bys walked around them. He looked surprised at her speaking. He nodded "Yep."
"Okay, answer me this-" She began, "Why do you get all these headaches? I noticed you get them. A LOT."
Jace paused, his face falling to a slightly disgruntled one toward the ground. "Nothing much, just a sensitive head. Too much noise and whatnot, plus I haven't had water in a while."
Iris cut her eyes, "That's a bunch of bull."
The deku boy rolled his eyes slightly and groaned. "How would you know? You've only known me for a day and a half."
"I can just see it." Iris answered, as if she'd hit the nail-on-the-head.
He glanced back at her for a second through the corner of his eyes and beneath his leaves, the light of his eyes flashing in her direction vaguely. Jace looked down again with his palm on his forehead. Something about what she said made the gears of his mind churn a bit. "If you say so. Why're you so concerned all of a sudden?"
"Well..." She paused at his tone; which sounded monotone, "I was Just wondering, that's not normal."
Skits had a determined look on his face as he hopped around on the ground looking for food, paying no mind to the conversation.
Jace shut his eyes tightly, pain shot through his head like a bullet and a tear welled in his right eye. Though his face was covered so Iris wouldn't see, all she saw was him flinch and all she heard was him make a nearly inaudible groan. After remaining quiet to allow the pain to subside a little, he did finally speak. His tone had a hint of soft sincerity. "I apologize for my attitude. Recently, they've been getting awful."
"You should have that checked out." Iris mused.
Jace shook his head. "Yeah, well… I've already had it checked out, it can't be helped… I guess all that action yesterday didn't help, though."
"Be more careful then." Iris finished.
Jace just looked in another direction and he rubbed his hand under the leaves that hung over his face. He then looked back at Iris. As he waited for his headache to go away, his eyes looked her over. His squinted gaze became one of admiration. She scanned out at the village quietly, blinking from time-to-time. She looked bored as she leaned back on her hands, her feet sprawled out and kicking slowly. He couldn't help but stare at the Hyrulean deku gal. She acted differently, she even spoke differently than other deku scrubs he knew. 'She's a strange one.' he said in his mind. And not to mention that quick temper of hers. Yet, she was so scared of so many things even if she wouldn't admit it straight out- It was obvious. But he felt deep down, there was some courage in there; a curiosity for the world and all it holds. And he had a curiosity for her heart as a whole, he wanted to get to know her more. But she was a clam, always shut tight. He sighed, continuing his gaze. 'Something about her seems to make me feel better, or hopeful. Despite my headaches being worse, they don't seem to last as long when I'm around her.' He then chuckled out loud.
Iris looked at him. "What's so funny?"
Jace released his head, "I think I know why I get these headaches worse now."
"Why?" Iris asked.
Jace paused, then proceeded to answer, "Maybe it's because you're always hitting me upside the head?" He laughed lowly- seeing as he still had a small headache.
"Oh, so now I'm the cause?" Iris chuckled back.
The blond boy added "Perhaps." in a tone that let her know he was joking.

Skits just looked up at the two of the notice of them laughing, then went back to pecking the ground.
"Well, it's easing up now, so what do you say we continue on so we can get this whole thing over with?" Jace asked.
Iris responded, "Sounds like a plan to me."
Skits looked to his deku scrub sister and flew to her, landing on her head.
Jace walk on, whilst Iris followed. The deku girl threw her gaze around. Never had she seen deku scrubs come together in a village like this, it was still a surprise to her. She then remembered that one girl, Gewl, and her band of snobs from yesterday. This was when she glanced forward again, hoping she wouldn't run into them. She honestly didn't feel like dealing with her. It was quite possible that Iris would wind up knocking her lights out if she got up in Iris' face again. It'd be funny in Iris' case, but more chaos is the last thing she needed right now.

Again, they approached the tall trees as her, Skits, and Jace stepped into deeper forests again, leaving the bustling deku village behind. "Wow, this whole place is bigger than it looks."
Jace gave a deep breath of the forest air. "Heck yeah it is. There's places here that only few have visited, and even places that only I know of. As far as I know anyway."
With the straight walk- with the exception of a few turns- Jace stopped in front of a dead log that laid across the ground in a thick patch of grass in a tiny forest clearing. Iris glanced at the scenery, spotting a hammock hanging between two trees. Iris blinked before speaking. "You live in the open?"
"No, I live under the log." Jace replied.
Iris laughed, "Sounds uncomfortable!"
He smirked as he approached the log, and moved it aside. "I live down there."
Iris walked up and gaze down into a huge cavern under the log. The whole forest clearing was the thick roof to a cavern. "Oh, not bad."
The inside had small mushrooms all over that were giving a faint blue glow, it at least gave anyone who couldn't see their feet some light. Iris wowed silently as she gazed in, it was cool seeing those small mushrooms glowing all over the cavern like that. Jace walked to the side of the room, as he flicked on a small lantern. The whole cavern suddenly lit up faintly. Iris' eyes widened, the whole cavern was filled with all sorts of cool things. Weapons lined the walls, rare items and artifacts sat on thick roots that were growing through the walls- which acted nicely as shelves. The only thing she didn't see were gems.

"You can come in if you want." Jace said as he dug around in a trunk at a back room.
Iris jumped at his sudden speaking, then walked through. "This is cool..." She said quietly. Skits didn't look all that impressed though.
"Where did you get all this stuff?" Iris asked.
Jace popped out of the trunk. "I collect stuff from around Termina, mostly weapons, even though I'm too small to actually use some of them. They make for great money when I need it though. However I try to hold onto them if I can. Collecting and studying different weapons is a side-hobby."
Iris chuckled. "Funny really, I can never get my hands on any kind of weapon. I can never get away with taking it, I always get caught."
"I never said I stole all of it. All of it was found laying around. At a lot of historic places in Termina, these kinds of things can be found buried in the ground. But the way you are with holding onto weapons, sounds like how I am with gems. Like I said before, I have a hard time of hanging onto them for some reason. Anything with a beautiful shine or sparkling glow, I can never get or keep… Part of the reason is because I'm always selling them cause I'm always broke, hmm..."
"Pftt, that's the easy stuff!" Iris laughed.
Jace cut his eyes at her in an unimpressed manner. "And you're any better?"
"You're looking at Hyrule's Trickster Deku! I can get my hands on any kind of bauble." Iris laughed.
Jace sat inside the huge trunk and leaned on it. He had little interest in Iris' thieving skills, but poked and prodded anyway. "Okay, so like, you could teach me, oh wise one?" He sounded a bit sarcastic on his last words. And honestly, he wasn't even remotely interested in having a thieving lesson when it's something he's partially against, unless he truly has no other option.
The deku girl crossed her arms. "You bet I can!"
Skits had a look on his face that said, "Oh great..."
"Firstly, you need-…" Iris stopped herself, "Wait, I didn't come in here to give you a lecture, we need to hurry and find the Great Fairy."
"Oh, you're right. How stupid of me..." Jace replied jokingly… He popped back out of the trunk, rubbing the chin of his snout confusedly. "I thought I had another set of old knives in here… Great, the ones we lost were my last hand-me-down's."
He hopped out of the trunk and walked back to the den. He examined the wall, then pulled down two very well taken care of twin daggers with yellow-green hilts. Both twin daggers were dangerously serrated and well polished. He obviously treated them with the utmost care, and they were kept sharpened to the point that they could easily cut. He was questioning taking them, for they held value to him. Iris looked over them once she approached, and she assumed he was gonna give one to her.

Iris chuckled nervously. "Why don't you hold onto both of them this time? I honestly don't know how to use one anyway."
Jace gave a small sigh of relief and he put them away in his rucksack, safely tucked away into their sheaths. "Haha, sure. Though look's like you're not the one who needs to be giving any lecturing. You mean to tell me that you don't know how to even use a knife?"
Iris shook her head. "I only used a weapon once or twice, and the only reason I was able to protect even myself with it was by dumb luck and swinging it aimlessly in every direction. I'd just end up hurting someone."
"Then why would you go through the trouble of stealing one?" Jace asked.
Iris responded while rubbing her arm. "I could teach myself."
"True." Jace added with a pause. "Or lose a limb trying. But, teaching yourself isn't as accurate as being taught by someone who knows more about it."

Iris nodded, "I guess you're right. But we don't have time for that."
Jace switched off the lantern, and began to walk back to the cavern entrance. "C'mon, if the Dragalfos are still here, I'll bet they're hiding somewhere in the forest."
"Possibly..." Iris replied as she followed him out. Jace then moved the log back over the cavern hole, and walked back toward the deku village. Iris held her arm out for Skits to land and walked with Jace. All the way through the village and back to the palace grounds. Jace stretched as he looked out toward the palace.
"Would anyone in the royal family know anything about it?" Iris pondered.
Jace shrugged, "I doubt it."
Iris looked down at the water, before hopping across to a nearby lily pad. She continued this till she reached the walkway of the palace that led outside the walls. Jace soon followed in actions.

When they stepped out to face the open swamp on the other side of the walls, Jace scratched his head. "So, how about we check the Woods of Mystery first? Seeing as most people would usually get lost going and looking for something in a place like that."
"Maybe, but they themselves would get lost, wouldn't they?" Iris asked.
Jace paused. "...I wouldn't think so, and if they did, they could just fly out."
"Oh yeah..." Iris looked out upon the water. "Shoot, you're the expert here, you live here. Are there secret places here that no one goes too?"
Jace nodded. "Of course there are. We're talking about the Woods of Mystery here."
"Then let's go look. I guess it won't hurt to start in the Woods of Mystery." Iris finished.

With that, Jace ran down the dock and onto the water to reach a loose lily pad floating away. Iris hopped over after him, sloppily stopping on the swaying lily pad.
Jace used a stick to push it through the water. After a while, they eventually reached the dock that lead through the deku baba infested pathway.
Iris got up on the dock and looked onward, and Jace pulled the lily pad up on the dock again, wondering where his old one from yesterday went. "I thought I pulled an extra lily pad up here yesterday...?". He soon shrugged it off and walked on through the pathway passed Iris, the deku girl didn't waste much time to follow behind. When they reached the clearing again to face the potion shop, Jace suddenly stopped to stare at the it. "Hey Iris?"
"What is it, Jace?" Iris asked.
Jace began, "Would you mind if I paid the potion shop a visit? I've got something I need to check on."
"I don't have the rupees, and I know you don't." Iris answered, then added, "But if you want, then sure..."
Jace smirked slightly. "Cool, but I'm probably not going to buy anything. We'll only be a sec."
Iris watched him climb the ladder. Jace was acting rather odd now... When he reached the top, he poked his head down off the porch. "You coming or what?" Jace asked.
"Oh, yeah!" Iris replied. Jace waited for her at the top.
As soon as Iris was up, Jace faced the old door and walked in. The whole store was filled with colorful bottles and a few tourist items, such as small wooden figures and trinkets that were up on the counter.
Iris curiously approached a bottle. She couldn't read it though, it was written in Terminian. She saw the picture of a frog on it, which had to mean something.
Movement out of the corner of her eye made her jump, and she noticed an old lady move behind the counter. She sighed in relief, and went back to browsing.

"Whoa!" Iris exclaimed loudly, nearly dropping a potion bottle.
"Hey! You break it, you buy it!" The old lady shouted. Skits jumped off Iris' head, and hid behind her after the old lady yelled.
Iris flinched, then looked back. "Heheh... Sorry." She gently put it back. Jace just just froze, before sighing...
The old lady continued, "Don't handle the merchandise unless you plan on buying it, sheesh! You should know that, scrub!"
"Sorry, she's not really from around here." Jace spoke, earning a glare from Iris.
The old lady looked back at Jace. "Been a while since I'd seen you, Jace. I began to think that you croaked during another one of your trips through Termina."
Jace simply ignored her last comment. "She's with me, so don't worry about her."
"She should see on the sign at the front Not to Handle Anything!" The lady added.
Iris scratched her head. "I, uh, can't read anything here..."
"I said before, she's not from around here." Jace repeated.
The hag blinked. "Well, then be careful next time." She turned her back to them. "She does seem smarter than that Gewl girl who you were with a while back however. What you saw in Gewl, I don't know..."
Iris looked back at Jace and raised an eyebrow, with a clearly unimpressed expression. Jace felt this stare and looked back to her sheepishly. "Hey, things didn't get serious, okay? We dated for a week before I dumped her. That chick is possessive and mean..."
Iris rolled her eyes, and looked back at the shelves as she mumbled something to herself. She was suddenly concerned as to why the Jace and Gewlthought upset her, though...

As Iris looked through the items, Jace approached the counter and whispered. "Hey, uh, did you ever make that potion I asked for?"
The old hag sighed. "I tried, but it's all been failures."
Jace looked down. "Oh, I see... Well, if you happen to have any luck, could you find a way to get ahold of me right then? I'm not really sure if time is on my side here anymore..."
Iris' leaves twitched upon hearing the quiet conversation. She turned slightly to eye them both at the counter.
The hag nodded. "I'll try again, just know that I can't give it to you for free."
"I know, I'd be willing to pay anything, anything at all, I don't care anymore. Slap any price on it." Jace whispered back. "I'm running out of options, and I've looked everywhere possible for any other ways, and I've found absolutely nothing."
Iris blinked in curiosity.
"Never thought I'd ever hear myself say this, but I'm so desperate, I'll give anything. Even all my sword collection if it meant getting rid of this." His tone seemed to drop to a low-spirited sigh as he leaned on the counter, and laid his face in his palm. "Giving up is the only thing I haven't tried yet... I'm growing tempted." He finished in a hard to hear faint whisper under his breath, obviously trying to hide it from Iris.
The hag turned to sit an empty jug down, then looked back at the apparent sulking Jace. Iris didn't quite understand the situation, but it obviously messed with Jace. She figured she should keep her nose out of it. She walked on further in front of the shelf near the back of the shop.
The hag spoke up, "Eh, that's not the Jace I know."
Jace couldn't help but give a sorry-sounding chuckle. "I guess you're right, Kotake."
Iris looked around, noticing Skits was gone. He was hopping over to the counter, and soon flew up. He looked into a cage nearby that held a another black bird, a female preening her feathers. He cocked his head and she soon looked to him and copied his actions curiously.
Jace looked to Skits before he spoke once more, he then stopped himself at the realization of Skits' interrupting company. He sighed, and stood up all the way and scratched the back of his head.

"Skits!" Iris called. Skits flinched, the female black bird in the cage copying him still. "Get over here, you're not supposed to be over there!"
Skits groaned, and flew off back to Iris. Jace laughed, "Well, I guess I need to go. I've got some stuff I need to do, not too mention help this beauty get home." He tried cheering his tone up a little more.
The hag nodded. "Alright. But don't be such a sad sack next time you come here, it really dulls the atmosphere, okay?"
Jace nodded with a small laugh. "Sure thing."

Jace stood up straight, and began looking around to pass the time waiting for Iris. He then looked at Iris. "Hey, are you forgetting something?"
"Hm?" She poked her head out from behind a shelf.
The blond boy added... "Fairy?"
"Um- OH! You're right!" She walked back over to him. "Uh, let's go."
Kotake called out, "Come back later, and bring money next time... Maybe you can buy her something, heheh."
"If she's with me." Jace replied laughing.
"And give her some reading lessons, that might help." The lady added.
They walked out, and Jace looked to Iris "Don't mind her, she's got sort of a big mouth. She's considered the rude sister of the two that own this place."
"So I can see. It didn't bother me much." Iris blew it off. "So, why exactly did we go in there?"
Jace paused, before answering, "Just some private matters, nothing you need to be worried about."
"Hm, well, as long as it wasn't a love potion like you mentioned yesterday." She teased. "You would've had a good bump on the head."
"I wouldn't put it passed you." He replied, waving his hand. "Anyway, let's get going."
Jace began down the ladder, as Iris waited. Skits looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
"Don't look at me like that, I was only trying to cheer him up." Iris replied. She began down the ladder and after Jace. Skits glided down next to them and they entered the Woods Of Mystery.


Hours soon passed. Jace had lead them deep into the forest. "This far deep in the woods, one wrong turn and you're a lost one for sure."
"I know." Iris replied. She didn't seem all that concerned, seeing as it reminded her of home.
Jace was walking from tree-to-tree looking at the identical trees that stood high over the ground, and he'd even led them to areas that looked new, and had caves and caverns all over. Jace soon sighed... "Gosh, we'll never find her at this rate!"
"Didn't it occur to you that maybe she wasn't taken here?" Iris soon looked down at Skits, before gazing back at the blond deku scrub.
He groaned, "I guess you're right... We've looked as far as I've even ventured in here. And I doubt they would hide near the deku village, we'd have seen them by now. And them hiding in the temple is impossible. I wouldn't think they'd be able to swim underwater, and they need the royal family's song to get in."
"So pretty much, you're saying they're not here?" Iris added.
Jace shook his head no, "Not exactly, I'm just saying that by how things are going right now, I doubt we'll find the fairy soon." Jace paused, then continued as he leaned on a tree. "As much as I hate it, we may need to wait for more of the plants to wilt, seeing as how we found the last Great Fairy because of the clean water back at Great Bay, when all the water around the clean area was still filthy. I'd guess when everything dies off, the plants that she's near will stay alive.
"Good thinking! Though, how long will that take?" Iris soon asked.
Jace paused to think. "Hm... I'd say about a day or so." He stood up completely again before moving away. "Maybe we can kill some time here though, maybe we can train a little? I mean, your skills at fighting are, admit it; Poor." He laughed, "I know that things will be dangerous, and I can't save your tail all the time."
Iris huffed. "You care too much anyway... Any deku scrub I would've met back where I came from, they wouldn't help anyone for anything, and they certainly wouldn't drop their own safety for someone else's. It'd be Fend for yourself and run or die trying, Especially in the forest."
"Then they don't have hearts." Jace added in. "I may not be a very good shot at shooting deku nuts, and I certainly can't shoot bubbles, but I can handle a knife and a blade. Something you seem oddly interested in." He had a smug look on his face- Something Iris grew to know well from Jace.
She sighed. "Fine."
"Alright!" Jace exclaimed. "We'll go back to my place so I can get some of my other equipment. Plus, we might not want to practice here... Don't want to forget where we are and get lost."

Jace, Iris, and Skits eventually made it out of the Woods Of Mystery through the shortcut back to the palace that they'd used the day before. And eventually reaching the deku village again.
Iris found that Gewl and her band of Snobs were there near the stump benches. Gewl glared at her, only having Iris return the piercing glare, and Skits sticking his tongue out at Gewl behind Iris' back. Iris looked ahead again and ignored them the best she could until they reached the forest that led to Jace's grotto.
Jace jumped into his grotto entrance, as Iris stood impatiently near the log tapping her foot. He climbed back out with a small sword- It almost looked like a huge knife of some kind. And most likely was.
Iris blinked, before raising an eyebrow. "Who's using that?"
"You." He replied, handing it to her.
"Uh..." Iris stared at it before looking to Jace, "Okay, what am I supposed to do with this?"
Jace walked into the clearing. "Hold on a sec, be patient and you'll see."
"Patience is something I don't have, Jace." Iris sighed. "I think we should be looking for the other fairies to be honest."
Jace answered, "And take a chance of you getting your butt in trouble again?" He paused. "No, I think it's best you learn how to properly use a weapon first, be it any kind. I can't alway's drop what I'm doing to save your tail."
"Okay, I get it. Fine, I need the training." Iris looked at her reflection in the blade. "Who taught you how to fight?"
Jace was looking around for something in the clearing. "My dad."
"Oh. What's he like?" Iris asked.
Jace smiled. "He was a nice guy, and very wise."
"Was?" Iris looked a bit concerned.
After some silence, Jace finally responded. "Some Family stuff happened. I lost him a long time ago to a uh, disease, I guess you could say..."
Iris scratched her head, feeling bad for her insensitivity. "Sorry..."
"For what?" Jace asked.
"For bringing that up." Iris replied in a sorry-sounding tone.
Jace chuckled, "Ah, it's alright. He's in a much better place. He never did fear death, no matter the situation. He's inspired me to live my life just like he did. He was a traveler just like me! Don't feel bad, I like talking about him! Keeps him close, y'know? Would be harsh of me to not respect his memory."
"He does sound cool." Iris smiled. "Heh, at least you knew yours. I was raised by the Great Deku Tree." Iris laughed. "I always asked him if I was just some Hylian before who got lost in the woods and turned into a deku scrub. He'd always tell me no, but he never told me of my parents… I think they ditched me, to be honest... I still wonder though."

Iris story seemed sadden Jace a tad. Surely her father and mother wouldn't have ditched her? Then again, not all parents are caring. He soon pondered about this Deku Tree she mentioned. "Great Deku Tree?" Jace pondered.
Iris responded, "He's the longest living tree in the forest, and the guardian of the forest... Well, as far as I know. He was always busy taking care of the forest children, the Kokiri, too. They never liked me much, so I eventually just set off on my own and raised myself. I hate that Mido guy... The jerk..."
Jace grabbed a tall dead piece of a tree, and stood it up, it had cuts and scrapes all over it. "It's a shame you never knew your parents… But I bet they loved you, surely. Perhaps something happened to them? That's just my experience. But yeah, my dad was a sweet guy, you'd have liked him. He always told me awesome stories of his travels, and history as well. One was the legend of the Hero of Termina."
Iris looked puzzled "The Hero of Termina?"
"Eh, It's a long Terminian legend. Very long story, I'll tell ya' later." The deku boy continued to walk around, until he sat up one final dead piece of wood. He dusted off his hands, and walked back to Iris.
"And those are...?" Iris pondered with a pause.
Jace responded, "Your targets." He pointed out to them. "I used to train with these. I guess that's obvious, though."
"Yeah, I'd say so." She said, gazing at the roughed and scratched-up fronts. One had a ginormous gash going through the center, it looked like it would break clean in half with even a flick now.
"They're not moving targets, but it's all I've got." Jace chuckled. "Come on."
Iris felt a little awkward, now that someone was willingly giving her rights to a weapon. She followed him hesitantly. Skits simply flew up into a tree away from the scene. He mumbled with his crackly bird voice, almost sounding like "Oh boy..."

"Okay, just something basic." Jace said, backing away.
Iris stared, confused.
Jace sighed. "Just swing."
The deku girl chuckled nervously, before trying to swing.
"Holy crap!" Jace shouted as he dropped to the grass. The blade went flying off above him, hitting one of the targets in the center... In the wrong direction. He stood up, gazing back at it. He soon turned back to Iris, to find her face- mostly her eyes- hidden behind her now low bangs in an embarrassed manner. He stared at her and blinked, before slightly pushing the one leaf that hung over his eyes out of the way, just enough to see her better. "Ugh, lift your up your leaves."
"Sorry." She said, her leaves twitched up slightly, her glowing eyes brightly showing through the shadows created by her long leafy bangs. 'How embarrassing... I screw up on the first swing…' She thought. "Um."
"Man, with a swing like that, you'd be dangerous with a mallet or a boomerang or something. I said swing, not swing and let go." He laughed shakily.
Iris' leaves lifted to their regular position. "It slipped." She chirped.
"You can't just let it slip. You're going to poke an allies' eye out. Or kill 'em… Or make 'em lose an arm, at the least." He scratched the back of his head. "Maybe I shouldn't have given you the sword as a starter."
She reached down and grabbed a stick off the ground. "Why don't I just use this?"
"If it won't break." Jace replied. "Man, you got a long way to go."
Iris cut her eyes. "You try defending yourself with a natural defense for several years, then all of a sudden try handling a weapon. It's hard, and it makes you nervous."
"All the more of a reason to learn." Jace soon laughed. "Maybe you would be able to focus by imagining you're whacking someone you don't like in the head with that stick?"
"Yeah, like you." Iris crossed her arms.
"Oh Haha" Jace rolled his eyes, though he found it humorous at the same time.
Iris had a smug look on her face before turning to the blade she'd thrown before. Jace looked back at it. "I'll use that one. Why don't I show you some things?"
"Okay." Iris simply replied.
Jace ripped the blade out of the wood, it was in there deep. He uttered undefined words looking how deep it went, and it wasn't even a sharp blade. He turned to face Iris. "Okay, let's try this again- Without the danger of someone losing a limb."

Hours seemed to slip by unnoticed as the shadows slowly moved across the ground with each hour. Iris really had no idea how long it would take just to train. By now, Jace had moved Iris up to an actual blade again. This one was even less sharp, however. Skits was puffed up and asleep on his branch after a while.

... CLANG!
The loud clang made Skits' sensitive ears ring, which woke him from his sleep and caused him to nearly fly off the branch. He gazed down irritably, as Iris stood with a foot back supporting her from falling backwards. She held the blade up while holding off a hard swing that Jace had made towards her. Skits nearly jumped off the branch and dive bombed Jace, before hearing them laugh. He then froze and remembered they were training, which was hours ago. And obviously, still. Iris was wearing her leaves in a pony tail though to keep them from getting in the way. Jace had apparently lent her his, seeing as his hair-like leaves were down.
"That scared me!" Iris chuckled.
Jace replied, "It was a little sloppy, and you almost fell over! But it was still good." Jace stepped back. "I'd never actually hit you with anything, but other poeple will. You need to be alert, that's something you seem to have trouble with. With being alert and staying calm, you can focus on the things around you and also have a better chance of holding off a fatal attack. You're much too shaky and jumpy."
"It's hard not to be jumpy and scared though, I didn't even know where you were. If you wouldn't have kicked that rock, I would've never known where you were coming from..."
"Be ready!" Jace spoke.
He drew back and thrusted the blade forward, having Iris merely fall backwards to dodge it. She stood back up and shook it off. He once again began throwing in straight swings and slashes- Of which he kept from actually touching her, and only kept them in her blades reach. Iris missed blocking most of them, but the occasional clangs and clatters were proof that she was at least able to block some of them.
"Agh!" He sent one final swing downward. Another piercing clang sounded from the metals colliding. Iris trembled, but she managed to hold her own blade up to stop Jace's heavy hit. He hardly pushed, knocking her off her shaky feet. She dropped to the ground as her blade went sliding off next to her.
"Heheh, sorry." He reached down and helped her up.
She rubbed her arm. "I suck big time at this."
"You're not going to become an expert over night, it takes a lot of practice." Jace stated. "But you scared the living daylights out of me before when it slipped out of your hand." He laughed. "You're dangerous!"
"And you're not?" Iris threw in jokingly.
Jace pointed. "Ah, but I've been playing around with this kind of stuff since I was a little, little, kid. I know how to control a swing or a throw."
"So I've seen, you throw knives like darts. I don't think I've seen anyone do that before." Iris responded.
Jace sighed after popping his back. "So how about a break? You look beat."

Iris nearly fell over. "Oh, gosh, thank you!" Jace laughed at her response, and Iris continued, "My arms and legs are hurting like heck!"
"You think that's bad?" Jace stabbed his blade into the ground. "I trained twenty-four/seven! You'd have thought I got trampled by a horse by how much I complained about how sore I was."
Iris plopped down next to the tree Skits sat in and sighed. Jace sat down next to her- Well, as close as he could, seeing as Skits dropped down in between them just before he sat down. Skits looked up at Jace and growled lowly, his feathers were all ruffled. Jace just looked off at the clearing. The old targets from hours ago were laying down. He looked back at Iris, who was just sitting with her eyes closed. The deku boy took a deep breath, before closing his eyes. "The weather's perfect, huh?"
"Uh-huh." She responded wearily. "Now I know why you always wear a ponytail, it feels a lot cooler."
Jace chuckled, "You look rather cute in it."
"Don't start." She rolled her eyes. Skits followed in actions. "I'm too tired for it."
"Just a complement." He shrugged with a smile.
Iris added, "So, what now?"
Jace began to think. "Well, I didn't realize how much time we'd spent training, so I think we should probably go and search for the fairy again. I'm sure we'll see a sign eventually."
Iris nodded in agreement with her eyes shut once more, and her leaves began to droop tiredly.
The blond deku boy replied, "And if we don't find her then, we should move onto Clocktown or Ikana Canyon. What do you say, Iris?" Jace opened his eyes. "Iris?" He looked over. She was fast asleep, her arms lazily crossed over her chest as she leaned slightly.
"Wow, must've been tired." He whispered. He smiled lightly, then leaned back on the tree and closed his eyes. "Well, maybe tonight then."




To Be Continued...
 

FayeleneFyre

The local treehugger
Joined
Sep 23, 2011
chapter_6_by_thefatedblades-dabkpn3.png



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Chapter 6
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NIGHT OF THE SECOND DAY
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Lessons To Learn.
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The forest around was filled the soothing sounds of chirping crickets with the sweet mix of the quiet winds. The sky was blanketed in a deep dark blue, as the stars and the nearly-full moon illuminated the darkness that spread across the forest floor. With the exception of the small rays of light that shone through the trees.

In the dark of a tree's foot, the deku girl laid against the tree asleep. Jace had fallen asleep next to her as they'd leaned over, their heads resting on one another. Iris soon lightly opened her eyes, allowing her vision to wake. "Wh-?"
She gazed at the night-coated forest. "I slept that long...?" She looked over, as Jace still remained asleep. Skits was laying next to her, puffed up with his face buried in his feathers. Iris groaned tiredly and she stood. Jace fell over before quickly getting up wide-eyed.
"What the?" He muttered in a tired tone. He scratched his head, the light in his eyes returning to it's usual brightness. He looked up, and spotted the familiar girl in front of him standing in the blots of dim light that came through the tree's leaves.
She turned around to face the blond boy "Get up, we slept too long..."
It wasn't as sweet-sounding as he was hoping "You sound grumpy..." He remarked. He stood and stretched his arms.

"What can I say? I'm a grumpy person." She retorted before looking up.
Skits shook and hopped to Iris.
Jace looked around, remembering their training earlier that day. "Hey, you feel any better?" He asked.
"Hm?" She blinked, wondering what he was talking about. A slight hard to notice pain in her arm made her remember. "Oh, the training. Yeah, I'm still a little sore, but not as bad."
Jace walked into the clearing and he picked up the blades they'd trained with. He took them back into his grotto, then walked out and moved the large log over the grotto hole.
"Wait... Why don't we take those with us...?" Iris asked.
Jace looked up. "The swords? It'd be too much trouble to lug around and they're dull. I don't have anything to carry them with, and we have those knives anyway."
"Knives aren't as good." Iris responded.
Jace looked at her and added. "Maybe to you. But they can be just as good if used properly. And like I said, these swords are dull, they wouldn't do us much good."
Upon remembering, Iris removed the ponytail out of her leafy hair. "Here, I forgot I had this."
"Oh, thanks." He responded, taking the ponytail. He reached back and messed with his strand-like leaves and put the ponytail back into a tight hold.

Jace threw his rucksack over his shoulder and walked on. "We better get moving... I didn't want to waste so much time sleeping."
Iris caught up with Jace. "Where to then?"
"Well... I was going to look around the forest more for signs of where the fairy might be being held, but it's much too dark to see anything... I mean, it's brighter than usual, but the leaves are hard to examine from here in the dark, so I can't really tell which ones are dead..." Jace responded with a pause, before adding. "So I guess we'll just move onto Clocktown. There's supposed to be a fairy there, so it's worth a look."

Jace lead Iris through the dark forest until they reached the bustling Deku Village. Iris stopped and looked around. The whole village was covered in lights and decorations. She'd never noticed them before, but figured they'd probably been there all along. She soon continued after Jace. Iris rubbed Skits' head as she held him close. There were new shops up in the village now, and some deku scrubs that looked like they were maybe from different parts of Termina. Some deku scrubs were still putting up decorations.

They completely passed by the village and continued through the forest. They eventually reached the palace once more. Jace walked up to the doorway that lead out, not even noticing Iris stop to look out toward a lily pad out on the water. There sat a deku scrub girl, running her hand through the water sadly. Iris blinked then looked to see where Jace was, she then turned her view back to the girl. "Hello?"

The girl's leaves twitched. She soon turned, she wore tribal make up on her face. She also wore a gorgeous petal dress, and wore her long colorful leaves in a high ponytail. Upon her head was a small crown. Iris automatically realized she was of royalty. The girl had been crying. Iris began to feel sad just looking into this girl's eyes.
"Are you okay?" Iris asked.
The girl blinked, before turning around again. Iris looked down at Skits in concern...
"Iris!?" Jace came running back, panting. "You need to stop pulling your vanishing acts, you scare me that way!" He scolded worriedly. "I thought something got you." He sighed.
"Calm down..." She rolled her eyes, she then added. "Who's that girl out there?"
Jace walked up and looked out. His eyes went wide. "That's the princess, what's she doing out here?"
"She's been crying. I asked her if she was okay, but she wouldn't even answer me."
Jace scratched his head. "That's because she can't answer you."
"What? Not allowed to talk to other people?" Iris questioned.
"No, I mean she really can't. She's mute." Jace replied.
Iris' leaves drooped... "...Oh."

"She's usually not the kind to wander off on her own, though... Something must be wrong if she's out here with no guards." Jace hopped out towards her, and he landed on a lily pad in front of her. "Princess Aritha?"
Aritha looked up at Jace. Iris was right, she'd in fact been crying, her makeup was running. A sad expression captivated Jace's face. "Do you remember me?"
She breathed in deeply, before nodding.
"Are you okay?" He asked.
She just looked down.
"I'll take that as a no..." He sighed. "Is something wrong inside the palace?"
She shook her head no, before looking off away from Jace. He was a bit deterred. She didn't even answer with sign language.
The blond boy hopped back to Iris, "She wouldn't give me any clue as to what's wrong... She's usually never left unsupervised." He looked to the palace. "I'll be back..." He turned and walked around until he reached the docks that lead to the main gates. A guard popped up out of a deku flower at the gate, nearly knocking Jace over.
"You do not have business in here, peasant!" The guard said coldly.
Jace hated it when they did that, scared the living day lights out of him. "I know you remember me. I am permitted to come and go as I please... It's important, It's about princess-"
"Princess!?" The guard exclaimed. "Where!?"
Jace pointed out. "On the side of the palace."
"How did she leave the palace safety without my notice!?" The guard popped out of the flower completely, before scurrying deep into the palace.

Jace groaned. "Ugh, like talking to fencepost..."
"Hey!" One yelled from another flower.
"Heh, sorry..." He replied. "Didn't know you were there."
He turned to walk back to Iris- who was waiting from afar, before an annoying voice sounded from behind him, causing Jace to stop in his tracks.
"Wait, peasant!"
"Ugh." Jace groaned and turned.
A different guard that followed the one from before looked him over. "Oh, you're that Jace kid..." He added coldly. "Well, in that case... Could you please escort Princess Aritha back in? The queen is worried sick."

Jace blinked. "You're letting me into the palace now?"
"As a friend of the princess and prince, you may enter."
"Ah. Okay." Jace turned. "I guess that's good enough reason..."

He walked back and hopped across the water, Iris having no idea what's going on.
"Princess Aritha, could you please come with me?" He held his hand out to her. She looked up. He added, "Your mother is worried about you..."
Her eyes opened a little more as an "Oh?" expression took to her saddened face. She then nodded, taking his hand and letting him help her up. She hopped across the water to meet eyes with Iris. She moved out of Aritha's way and allowed Aritha to pass by. Jace came following behind. He looked back and motioned Iris to follow. Iris looked down at Skits, before looking back at Jace, and following.
After passing the dock quietly, and coming to the palace doorway, Iris was given skeptical glares by the guards. She just remained behind Jace quietly. It was a long walk down the straight path to the palace throne room, with the passing of occasional rooms through the walls. Two of which were huge gardens. Jace looked into the throne room. Jace stopped Iris as he turned back to her. She gave him a raised eyebrow.
"Why don't you stay here, Iris?" Jace asked, as much as he hated it.
Iris glared, "Why?"
"The guards probably wouldn't want someone they don't know in the throne room." Jace added. Iris crossed her arms with a huff.
"Fine." She chirped.

Jace walked in and lead the princess in with him. He looked to the back of the room and saw the queen standing up, awaiting the princess. "Oh dear!" She stepped down to look her daughter in the eyes. "Where were you!? You know you can't go wandering off..."
The princess looked saddened once more, this time, for worrying the queen. The queen looked over her daughter and wiped the tears from her face. And not feeling welcome, Jace soon turned around to leave.
"Hold on, Jace."
He halted and his leaves perked up. He soon looked back. "Yes, your highness?"
"It's been quite a while since I've seen you, son. Thank you, I was so worried..." The queen spoke kindly.
Jace smiled lightly, simply at knowing that the queen called him son. "Anytime." He paused, and couldn't help but ask. "Um... I was wondering... Did something happen?"
"I'm afraid so." The queen paused, sending Aritha to another room. "Please, go clean up dear... I'll be there soon." She looked back to Jace. "An old friend of hers has gone missing recently..."
Jace's leaves drooped. "I'm terribly sorry to hear that, your highness."
"He was a kind old monkey." She sighed. "They used to play together all the time... But ever since he disappeared, she hasn't stopped leaving the palace like that. She's starting to worry me."

As Jace spoke with the queen, Iris eventually wandered into the garden she'd passed earlier. It was huge in here, flowers everywhere were in bloom. It was a shame that chances were, they'd eventually die along with the rest of the swamp. Iris passed along the walls, examining everything from the high walls to the beautiful green vines that climbed them.

Jace looked to the queen. "I'll keep my eye out. If I see him, I'll be sure to inform you."
The queen nodded, "It would be appreciated."
"Hey, let go of me!" Iris shouted from the hall. Jace winced. 'Oh boy… What now…?'
He looked back. Iris was forced into the room by a few different guards. "Your highness! We found this intruder in the royal garden! What should we do with her!?"
Jace rose his hands, "It's okay! She's with me!"
Iris glared at the guards. They looked her over. "I'm afraid you'll have to leave!"
"It's okay." The queen's soft voice sounded. "She's a friend of Jace's, let her stay."
They bowed. "Uh, y-yes your highness!" They pushed her forward, knocking her into Jace. They scurried back out soon after. Iris growled and muttered an indistinct insult at them as she pushed herself away from Jace.

The queen looked Iris over. "You're a new face."
Iris didn't really know what to say, seeing as she'd never knowingly spoken with anyone of royalty. Skits was hiding behind her leg.
"Where did Jace find you, my dear?" The queen asked. "You're a little different than most."
Jace replied for her. "She's not from around here."
Iris looked more shy than she usually would. She nodded to confirm Jace's response.
"I'll say Jace, you picked a wild flower this time, huh?" The queen chuckled. "You make quite a pair."
Iris jumped and she stuttered. "Uh, w-we're n-not..."
Jace chuckled as he threw an arm out around her and pulled her close, trying to cheer up the room a little. "She's beautiful, huh?"
Iris was trying hard not to give him a good whack in front of the queen, seeing as it would be rude. She grudgingly let him continue. Though as soon as the queen was no longer in sight, she'd whack him good.
"She's a wild flower alright! And she's tough." Jace winked. "She has an attitude like no other, and looking into her eyes, It's like staring into the heart of a deep, burning flame~! And her autumn leaves only make her all the more beautiful~!"
Iris rolled her eyes at his compliments, which he was obviously sugar-coating just too impress Iris. If anything, it made him sound really stupid.
The queen giggled at Jace's words. She could tell they made Iris uncomfortable.
"I could go down a list of things about her that takes my breath away." Jace continued.
Iris finally pulled away slightly, giving a forced shy smile. "Okay, yes, we get it..."
Jace smirked. "I'm just stating the truth here."
"The, quote-on-quote, "truth", is making you look like a dweeb." Iris put her hand to her face, and mumbled something.
Jace looked to the queen. "She's a little awkward, doesn't really like talking about us much." He joked.
Iris glared out of the corner of her eyes. "Say us again, and I'll make you think awkward, and-" She mumbled the rest in an indistinct tone.

The queen chuckled, she kinda figured Jace was trying to irritate Iris… The queen looked down at them both, before looking to Iris. "I could already tell you weren't from around here. I have seen someone with traits like yours. He was from another land, far from ours If I remember right. I never did get to tell him how much he reminded me of someone dear." She paused. "Come closer my dear."

Iris did so nervously and stood before the queen. The queen whispered, "Are you really friends with this boy here?" She pointed to Jace, as she bent down to Iris' level, which made Iris a little nervous. Iris replied, "I… I guess you could say friends…"
The queen continued and whispered, "You may be just who he needed... He's got a good heart. Don't let him go without a second thought, because you never know when you won't see him again if something were to ever happen to him... Be sure to make memories last." Iris felt a little awkward about the whole thing. Her and Jace weren't together, they were just traveling together, that's all. And she'd eventually leave anyway. She looked to Jace, who was gawking at them both in confusion. The queen finished with, "I know the pain of letting someone go when I needed them most without knowing till it was too late... I never saw them again, so remember what I've told you. I can see a wild flower like yourself has trouble opening up to people, but he needs a friend in these current days, because he has no one anymore. He has no family, and he always travels. Perhaps you can enlighten his lonely heart and teach him a thing or two?"
She stood tall once more and smiled down on them both. Iris held her arm nervously, looking at her own feet.
Jace smiled back. "I guess we'll be leaving, your highness. I certainly hope things get better for you all, and that you'll find princess Aritha's friend."
The queen sighed. "Your kindness is appreciated. Be safe young ones, stay strong. And don't let Auran see this young lady; you know how that will go down." The queen chuckled.
Jace laughed. "Indeed, I know what you mean."

Jace bowed, before leading Iris out of the throne room.
Iris was very, very quiet on the way out. Jace was expecting her to explode in a flustered shout after what he did in there. He grew concerned, knowing her actions as of now weren't like her. What ever the queen told her obviously got to her. He smiled, and spoke. "The queen's very sweet, huh?"
"Uh, what!?... Oh, yeah, nice..." Iris replied.
Iris seemed to have paused, before finally glaring at him. "You seem to be quite popular, if even the queen know's you so well."
The deku boy laughed. "Are you kidding?" He paused, "Everyone here knows each other. If you were born and raised in the village or kingdom, people will know your name. It's not that I'm popular, it's just that I'm such a common person here. That, and the queen used to know my mom and dad, she used to babysit me from time to time. And after my dad died, she kinda took me in for a short while, so she knows me well."
Iris glanced off "Oh… So, she raised you, sort of?"
"Mm-hmm… SO what did the queen have to say?" Jace asked.
Iris' face flushed. "That's not really any of your business, now is it?"
"I'd say it is, she was pointing at me." He smirked.
The deku girl groaned, and looked away a slight.
"C'mon Iris. It must be important if the queen had to whisper it to you." Jace added.
Iris cut her eyes. "Then wouldn't you think there was a reason she whispered?"
"I guess." Jace looked back. They reached the exit as they stepped out into the swamp again.
Iris sighed. "She'd said she'd known the pain of letting someone go, when she needed them most without knowing, and for me not to do that... To you. That something could happen to you." She seemed to give an awkward silence.
Jace looked to Iris sincerely, though he seemed a bit shocked. "What else did she tell you?"
"That's it." Iris looked away. Jace sighed, seeming relieved about something.
Iris scoffed, "Anyway... I don't understand what the queen was talking about, though."
Jace sort of did, but left part of it unvoiced. "She must be referring to that boy from long ago."
"Boy?" Iris looked back to him.
"It's a sad story, that's for sure. I don't remember his name, but he was their butler's son." Jace began. "Long ago, when the queen was still just a little girl, she'd met the butler's son. From what I was told, she had a crush on him... The king had even grown to like the boy, and not to long before his disappearance the king had even suggested to marry the two. It was huge news at the time, everyone knew about it. But he disappeared without explanation. She once met a guy who looked like him, but it turned out he had no relation to him at all. The boy had later been found dead, spellbound as a sad tree… Cursed. The king had grown ill, and arranged a forced marriage with some other person to rule in his place, given her first fiancé had passed."
"That's awful..." Iris spoke.
Jace nodded. "My dad told me that not long after this news was revealed, she would stay in her room and hardly ever came out... I could only imagine how hard that must've been on her. Love is cruel."

Iris' face fell to face the ground.
"But why the queen would mention it to you is far beyond me." Jace paused. "She really took a liking to you, though."

Iris couldn't help but ask, and to change the depressing subject. "So what of Princess Aritha?"
"We used to play together all the time when we were little. It was so long ago, though." Jace chuckled. "She's a real sweetheart, but it's very easy to hurt her feelings, the poor thing. She's got such a tender heart."
"And also; Who's Auran?" Iris asked "I remember the queen telling you not to let this, Auran guy, see me. What's up with that?"
Jace laughed. "He's the prince. And also thinks he's the god's gift to girls because he's royalty."
Iris cut her eyes at Jace. "Sounds like someone else I know."
"He's much worse than me." Jace chuckled nervously. "And knowing you, you'd have probably already beaten the guy to a pulp. If you don't like me, than you would hate Auran."



As they traveled away from the palace, times fell silent. The two deku scrubs and the bird were on the lily pad again and were making their way down the swamp. Iris was the kind of person who hung onto things. She couldn't really help but think about what the queen told her. She looked to Jace and stared. She felt he was hiding something deep from her, and she was actually growing concerned for him.
Skits took notice to the odd silence and felt a little uneasy.
"Why the staring?" Jace spoke.
Iris tuned everything out until she'd heard the sudden voice. She snapped back to reality. "Huh?"
"You look bored." Jace said, before turning forward again.
Iris replied... "I am, I guess."
Iris released a yawn, before looking off elsewhere. Her thoughts rang. 'What's up with Jace? Why would the queen tell me that?' She thought 'I mean, what If I do-... No. I won't say that, it's just my overreactive imagination, I think I'm just hanging onto this too much. As to why, I yet know. It's starting to bug the heck out of me.' She glanced back at Jace, before it turned into an irritated glare. 'Why would I care anyway? I'm not even from here, it'd be pointless.'
Skits was gazing up at his deku-sister with a raised eyebrow at her expression. He looked to Jace, then back at Iris. He started to wonder if Jace was the one more focused right now- which would be something new in Skits' eyes. He gave a low concerned caw, catching Iris' attention. She blinked before smiling at him and patting him on the head to pull herself away from her thoughts.

Jace stopped the lily pad and lead Iris through the pathway. He stopped when he reached the two paths that connected to the single dead tree. He looked around, growing agitated. "What happened here!?"
Iris glanced about as well, trees everywhere had fallen! They were completely dead, and blocked the main road. "I'll say!"
Jace walked around the area to examine everything, there wasn't a way out here. He growled under his breath, before turning around. "C'mon, we'll take the long way..."
"Long way?" She repeated in an unsure tone.
"We'll have to go back a ways. I've only taken it a few times, but I think I remember my way around."
Iris groaned. "Well that's comforting... Hope we won't get lost."
"We won't get lost, just stick close." Jace seemed just as irritated about having to go back.


Iris had grown tired by the time they'd reached an old grown-over pathway that lead deep into unknown territory. The plants were so thick here, the moonlight hardly even shone through. Jace walked through, being hesitantly followed by Iris and Skits.
"I hope you know what you're doing." Iris spoke.
Jace looked back at her. "Don't sweat, I've got a great memory, so we'll be through it in no time."

Hours later…

"Just admit it!" Iris spoke coldly.
Jace rolled his eyes. "We're not lost! We're just..."
"Lost?" Iris huffed. "We should've just waited till day time... We should've just stayed back at the tree near your grotto..." Iris continued on while Jace tried tuning her mumbling out, but had a hard time doing so.
Jace threw his arms into the air, finally tired of hearing her rant. "Fine! We're lost! Happy?"
"Why wouldn't you tell me before, ya' idiot!?" Iris exclaimed.
"I know how much you spaz over stupid stuff. You would've been freaking out!" The blond boy replied in an unintentional shout, scaring birds out of a nearby tree. Skits raised a brow at him afterward.
"And I'm not already freaking out!? The forest's are dangerous at night!" Iris looked around as she said this.
Jace groaned. "You're being too dramatic, Iris... It's not that bad."
"You keep saying that, but don't come crying when you get attacked by some monster!" Iris glanced back at Jace.
Jace laughed. "Me!? you're the one who runs crying to people!"
Iris took in a deep breath, before letting out. "Whatever! But one way or another, you're finding our way out of here!"
"Okay. But you're helping me!" Jace pointed.
Iris cut her eyes. "Ugh! Fine! But you're not leading us anymore after this!"
Jace crossed his arms, and cut his eyes back at her "Fine!"
"Ugh..." Skits groaned aloud.
"What?!" The bickering scrubs exclaimed at Skits. Skits just looked at them and cawed- having been startled by them both.
Iris glared back at Jace and spoke with an icy tone. "...Well? What're you waiting on?"
After staring Iris up and down for a few moments, Jace turned and ignored her. She blinked, before grudgingly following him as he walked on through the sticks.

Iris grumbled something. Jace turned with an irritated glance. "What was that?"
The deku girl ignored him, and looked off elsewhere.
His eyes looked her over. "Okay, be that way..."
He looked ahead. Though, he started to feel stupid for fighting with her, it wasn't helping matters any. He finally sighed silently and scratched the back of his head. He would've apologized but she'd just ignore him anyway. After a long quiet walk, light began growing into view. "Hey, I think I've found our way out." He replied. Iris pushed passed him, bursting out into the moonlight... To another large clearing. Her leaves drooped slightly. "Nope.."
"Oh, I forgot about this place." Jace walked out into the clearing and looked around. "Wow, this place really grew." He looked back, spotting Iris walking out to a tree in the darkness. "What're you doing?"
"Taken' a rest, is that so wrong?" Iris' tone dropped to a cold one again.
Jace blinked. "No..." His attitude had already cooled again. Despite Iris' coldness, Jace just remained calm, he didn't want to start arguing again.


"Ugh..." Iris groaned as she plopped down next to the tree. Her bird-brother, Skits, took to a limb above Iris. Thanks to the near-full moon, everything seemed so bright that night. The only bit of darkness was the shadows cast out by the thick forest. The view of the moon seemed perfect. Jace leaned on a tree and gazed at the moon in adoration. "It's so beautiful tonight. Eh, It's not so bad being out here." trying to cheer her up again.

Iris simply turned, and glanced at the moon, "Yep." before she turned back to the darkness and closed her eyes.
Jace looked her way and blinked. "I'm sorry for arguing with you, Iris..."
"I'm very tired, Jace, so please shut up..." She growled. "The sooner we get some rest, the faster we can get a move on later..."

Jace's eyes fell slightly, before gazing out at the moon once more. Something kept floating around in the deku boy's mind. It was then that he laid eyes on Iris' shadowed form once more, ignoring her order. "Y'know." he began, "The Carnival Of Time is tomorrow night."
"What's that?" Iris simply replied.
Jace seemed a bit taken aback, and wasn't expecting her be the slightest bit interested in knowing what it was, seeing as how irritated she was. "Well, it's a time when people from all across Termina gather to celebrate the new year. It's a lot of fun. There's all sorts of cool things to see during the festival, and I figured since we're going to Clocktown anyway, you'd like to check things out. I think you'd like it. There's going to be music, dancing-"

"Dancing? Uh-uh..." Iris quickly made up her mind.
Jace froze in his explanation. "What's wrong with dancing?"
"Just not my thing." Iris chirped before closing her eyes.
Jace remained silent for a moment "... Do you even know how?"
Iris glanced at Jace "Not really, don't really intend on learni-"
Jace cut in. "I could teach you."
Iris simply looked him over, before turning back-to-back with the tree again. "No thank you." She huffed.
Jace crossed his arms as a he raised an eyebrow and lowered his head slightly. "What, you cucco?"
Her eyes opened wide. "What'd you say?"
"You heard me." He replied with a chuckle.
"I-" She began "For your information, I'm not. I just have no interest in learning to do such a silly thing. If it won't keep you out of danger, it's not important."

Jace leaned on the tree again. "Aw c'mon, you need to loosen up a bit, learn to have a little fun every once in a while. You're always so serious with everything, live it up." He spoke, trying to lighten things up from the tension before.
Iris sighed. "… I… You're just… Fine."
"You mean you'll give it a try?" Jace replied.
Iris added with a groan. "Sure, why not? Might as well get it out of the way and get you to shut up. If I have to listen to you yap any longer, I'd have shoved a rock in your snout."
Jace walked up to Iris. "Okay!" He sounded simply thrilled.
He reached for Iris' hand to help her up. Skits of course came dropping out of the tree and screeched in Jace's face, causing him to stumble backward. "Whoa!"
Iris laughed and stood up. "He still doesn't like you."
"Yeah, I can see that..." He said as he cut his eyes at the puffed up black bird.
Iris stretched, then pet Skits. "It's okay buddy."
Skits continued glaring at Jace while the deku boy walked out into the forest clearing.
"You coming?" Jace called.
Iris had her back turned to him and held Skits. "Yeah, just a second." She held her hand up, giving Skits a lift to fly up to his branch again.

She turned, and at that moment, she found herself frozen. The first thing she noticed were Jace's leaves shining ever so brightly in the moon's light. She'd never seen him glow like that, or maybe she just never noticed it. This made her all-the-more hesitant to walk out there with him. She just noticed simple blond before, but it looked almost gold now.
"Wow..." She muttered aloud.
"…Wow what?" He asked.
She realized she'd said it out loud, and stuttered a lame recovery. "O-Oh! Y-you were right, the moon is beautiful... Never noticed before."
She remained under the dark of the tree and rubbed her arm.
Jace chuckled as he reached his hand out. "It's okay, I won't bite."
Iris' bright glowing orbs were set on Jace again as they washed away the darkness on her face, when she slowly walked out of the blanket of shadows. Jace's hand lowered slightly as his eye's widened. Her long fall colored leaves shined brightly in the light as they swung slowly behind her with each step she made toward him. It was like watching a pendulum, and it put him in a daze for a moment. Her colors reminded him of fall, one of the favorite seasons of his. Her beauty caught him paralyzed.
'She's beautiful…' He thought to himself.
She stopped in front of him, looking as nervous as could be.
He pulled himself out of the trance of her glow, when he reached out to her once more. "Okay. First, take my hand." He said with a soft tone.
She stared at his hand for a while, then hesitantly laid her hand in his.
"Now, just follow my steps." Jace added.

Skits watched from his branch. Sure that Iris would probably just tell him "No" sooner or later and come back. Though, this seemed to be less than likely, as she continued to follow Jace's steps, seeming to get a little better with each step. She seemed to be enjoying herself. Skits growled lowly, still having his distrust in pretty boy out there.

"Hey, you're getting it!" Jace said.
Iris chuckled. "This isn't that bad."
"Heh, look who's having fun now!" Jace added joyfully. Jace threw his arm out to release her briefly with a small spin, before she grabbed his hand again and pulled herself back to him. Jace soon took both of her hands and lead her through step-by-step. It was hard for Jace not to get lost in her eyes, he gazed with a smile as his eyes met hers. She simply gave a shy smile in return before taking a step forward and back. The deku girl felt so happy just being right here, and honestly had no idea why. Jace threw his arm out again as Iris kept her hand in his. She followed along, and they separated briefly. She drew closer to Jace once more, and remained close. She had a sudden case of butterflies in her stomach when she'd realized how close they were, but tried not to be awkward. It was a feeling that kind of scared her… Though she kept telling herself this was casual, and she only did it for the lesson- there was nothing else behind it.
"Don't know how to dance, yeah right!" The blond boy teased, holding her closely.
Iris chuckled quietly. "Well, maybe I've watched some people back home do it."
A sincere delight sparkled in Jace's eyes. 'She has no idea how much this means to me...' His thought's rang. 'Her hands touching mine alone is a shock…'
Jace soon added, "If you do know a little bit, then why don't you show me how the people of your world dance then?"
"Well… It's pretty much the same, really..." She replied uncertainly. "I guess I only know little bits."
Jace shrugged. "That's okay. You learn quick, though."
He found her leaving his side to move off further from him, keeping her hands in his. They were stepping back and forth rhythmaticly in a quick pace. Iris was off every so often, and even nearly stepping on Jace's foot a few times, it went unnoticed by Jace however- Or he paid no mind.
The deku boy gave a large step toward her and she moved her foot back at the same time, before reversing their actions to return to the old-motioned position.
Jace smiled lightly. "You're not half bad with quick dancing, that's for sure."
Iris managed to chirp a small nervous, "Thanks."

They slowed down some as they began to sway sosftly. Skits simply rolled his eyes. He puffed up and sat down with a growl.
Iris eventually shut her eyes, it was just too calm and relaxing. Unintentionally, She laid her head on his, which caused Jace's face to flush. His leaves twitched nervously, taken aback by the sudden off actions Iris gave. She was so mad at him before. It was moments after feeling Jace's leaves twitch across her face, that Iris opened her eyes again, she then so suddenly jumped back. "Gah!" She'd nearly knocked both her and Jace to the ground while pushing herself away from him.
Iris blinked, her whole face flushed and she became a little dazed for a moment. Skits was up on his branch laughing, which earned him an embarrassed glare from Iris.
Jace still looked surprised, but had at least fit a small smile on his dumbfounded face through his eyes. He laughed, "Cozy, are we love?" He teased lamely.
"Shut up!" Iris replied coldly. "You did that on purpose!"
Jace laughed once more. "Did what? I didn't do anything, that was all you. My only intention was to teach you to dance."
"Whatever." Iris huffed. She dusted herself off before walking back to her tree and sitting down, back facing Jace.

He stopped chuckling. He walked up to her, he had no idea why she was being so awkward. "Hey..."
"Don't you even talk to me." She glared off into the dark.
Jace looked to her. "You sure are acting strange... Are you okay?"
"What makes you think I'm not okay?" She spoke faintly.
Jace responded. "Well... For one thing, you've been very quiet- aside from the small fuss earlier. You're not acting like yourself, I guess."
"If you want to know, tonight's been awful, okay!?" She suddenly exclaimed in a cold response.

Jace backed off slightly. "I-I'm sorry. There's not really anything I can do about that..." Jace wondered how it was so awful, she was just having a blast a moment ago... But he didn't know that the way Iris felt right now simply startled her. And being startled only made her feel angry...
She finished, "And you only make it worse... You've done enough. You just… Make me angry for some reason..."
In that instant, Jace's heart sank. He didn't know what he'd done. He was being so sincere and nice earlier. He was about to speak, but his eyes said more than he could convey, though she was not looking. He looked away, then turned to walk away from her and sat down next to his rucksack that he'd laid next to another tree. 'I'll never understand her... She was so happy earlier, then just like that, she bites my head off. That doesn't make sense.' He complained to himself. He leaned on his rucksack, when something hard poked him. "Ow..." He looked back at it and opened it. He was checking to see if a knife fell out of it's case, but instead found the Moon's Tear he'd bought about two days ago, he completely forgot about it. He put it back in the bag, and put the bag aside. He glanced at Iris, thinking about what she said before.
"I didn't even do anything..." Jace faintly spoke to himself. "I was just trying to be nice. We were having so much fun..."

Skits knew to avoid Iris when she got so irritated. Even Skits noticed her acting different. He was expecting her to stay this way for a while, seeing as she's known for holding up her frustrations sometimes. And certainly isn't one to get over it quick.

Her eyes were closed, and in all truthfulness, she felt more embarrassed than angry. Only way she knew how to react to it though was through anger. She felt emotions that scared her. Back in Hyrule, she wasn't used to anyone being nice to her, especially other deku. And she didn't know well how to respond to that kindness. She cracked her eyes open slightly to gaze off into the dark. She lived her life back home turning all of her unwanted emotions into anger, thus, she'd just now done it. Though, the bright glow of Jace's eyes as they blinked pulled her from the dark, seeing as it was easily distracting in the dark. Jace looked very... Mopey, and a little hurt as he looked off through the clearing. She wasn't expecting her words to effect him that way, and for some reason, seeing his heart broken that way made her feel sad. He'd usually blow it off when Iris was rude, but not this time. She ran her mind over her words and the situation before, and realized it was in fact her fault, not his. It was this weird way he made her feel that scared her, maybe it was the fact she'd known so little kindness? What the queen said earlier that night, about Jace needing a friend. Iris began to wonder if it wasn't herself who needed a friend. She honestly wasn't intending her words to be so harsh. 'For the love of…' she thought. She felt bad just looking at him. She sighed, before standing up. As off as it seemed for her, she managed to put her feelings aside to begin walking toward him, much to Skits' confusion and surprise.

Jace noticed her, but never looked at her directly and remained silent. Out of not wanting to make it worse, as she said he does before.
She hesitantly sat down next to him. "Um." She lamely began.
He twitched a leaf, to show he was listening.
"I'm... uh." She scratched her head, and cut her eyes at the ground. "Sorry..." She managed to grudgingly mutter.
Jace's eyes opened a little more, before slowly looking back at her. "Huh?"
"You heard me... Sorry." She muttered a little louder.
He blinked. "Sorry?"
"Overreacting... F-for that." She continued to glare at the ground.
Skits about fell out of the tree- Apologizing is something he never saw her do much of. Or admitting anything. He could tell Iris had a hard time doing it, but she did it.
"Why're you apologizing?" Jace asked, not expecting her apology.
Iris glanced up. "I just told you..."
"I-I know that, but what on earth made you think you had to apologize?" Jace responded.
Iris sighed. "You really looked pathetic moping over here."
"Well that's unlike you." Jace spoke looking directly at her.
Iris added lowly. "I didn't think it'd effect you like that, all those things I said."
"Well, of course it would." He began. "It… Kind of hurt. I wouldn't want to be the one who makes things worse for you. If anything, I want to help. I knew you were upset, I just wanted to make up for the argument earlier. I still don't know what I did though."
Iris looked down sadly. She felt bad for that argument too, since she started it. But she couldn't answer and tell him what he did, because she didn't know either.
Jace smiled weakly. "But, I appreciate the apology- Even though I'm the one who should be apologizing." Jace paused, before adding. "So I guess with that- I'm sorry, too."
Iris began, "You really shouldn't be apolo-"
"If something happened that made you uncomfortable, I completely understand." Jace scratched his arm. "Heck, we're stuck with each other for now, so we don't really have any choice but to be truthful if we're going to work together to save the fairies."
Iris was surprised, but what he said made sense. But still, he had no place to be apologizing, he didn't do anything wrong.
"So next time, if there's something you don't want to do, just tell me. I mean, you didn't have to dance. Just a strict, No, Jace, I don't want to, would've been good. I know I may seem pressuring, but I'm normally joking around." Jace smiled "Okay?"
Iris remained quiet for a while, before having a hesitant, small smile. One only another deku could possibly see. "... O-okay."

'My sister has officially lost her mind…' Skits seemed to think.
Silence gave a quick run by, before having it broken by the now shy-sounding voice of Iris. "But- um... I did have fun dancing..."
"I'm glad." Jace chirped. "So, you want to check out the Carnival tomorrow when we get to Clocktown?" Jace asked.
"I don't see why not. Might as well, seeing as we'll be there anyway." Iris paused. "If we get out of the forest by then."
Jace laughed, and stood. "I'm sure we'll find our way out. I know this area here, so it can't be too far. Let's just avoid arguments on the way, and we may get out quicker."
"I second that." She laughed back.
"So, want to continue on now?" Jace asked. "And be truthful."
Iris took his outreached hand, and pulled herself up. "Yup."
"Alright." He looked back at Skits. "C'mon, bird brains."
That comment earned Jace a glare from the apparently still dumbfounded black bird. He flew to Iris and landed next to her.
Jace threw his rucksack around his shoulder and set off into the forest, as Iris and Skits continued behind him.





To Be Continued...
 

FayeleneFyre

The local treehugger
Joined
Sep 23, 2011
chapter_7_by_thefatedblades-dach07d.jpg



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Chapter 7
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DAWN OF THE THIRD DAY
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Deku in the big Town.
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The sun had peaked over the sky as early morning woke the land. The deku scrubs seemed tired as they rested in the field.
"Oh my gosh..." Iris complained, laying down on the grass. "Why does it feel like we spent all night trying to get out of there?"
Jace leaned on a small tree. "Because we did spend all night trying to get out of there..."
Skits was laying over Iris as he sighed.
"Let's not go through there again, please." Iris finished.
Jace nodded. "I guess I didn't remember my way as well as I was hoping."

Iris sat up and groaned. She looked out across the field, and she saw Clocktown from afar.
Jace spoke, "We should keep moving I guess. We can take our rest at the Inn in Clocktown."
Iris stood up wearily. "Okay..."
Skits flew above them both, as he played around in the open field's clean air. Iris was used to walking long distances for long periods of time, due to walking back and forth from her forest home to Castle Town, but the fact that she'd been walking on and off all night, made her even more so weary. She wasn't really sure how Jace did that without having the need to complain. But he had explained before that he constantly travels, so she guesses he's just naturally used to a lot of activity.

They eventually reached the steps of the town that lead inside.
Her first steps inside town, and at the first sight of all the people in the bustling place, made her hide behind Jace. Skits remained in the air. Iris wasn't used to just walking into a populated place without being on guard. Back in Hyrule, she had to be careful around the Hylians- Or Terminians in this case- as everyone had always kept their eye on the so-called, Trickster Deku.
Jace just looked back at her. Iris peaked out and looked around. Hardly anyone paid attention to them. A few people gave Jace a few weird looks, but no one seemed to have any wish of harming them. A few even passed by awing at the small dekus.
"Don't be scared." Jace spoke softly, "It's not like anyone's going to hurt you or something."
Iris slowly walked out from behind him, and took in the sights. People were even watching where they were going in order to avoid stepping on them. She felt noticed by them for once, and it not be threatening.

High up in the center of the town, stood the marvelously large clock tower in all it's glory. There seemed to be a tall-built platform that connected to the clock tower's high gates. Construction was still taking place, as everyone rushed to finish before night time fell. People all around looked quite dressy. A lot of the women wore gorgeous dresses and masks, and some families were still finishing their shopping for the Carnival. Dancers practiced for later performances, as well as people just showing off their talents. Iris felt so small looking at it all, but at the same time, felt like a big part of it.
"Wow!" She suddenly just spoke in a burst. It didn't take long for her to start roaming around and looking at stands and shops, as well as watching the dancers and performers in awe. Jace still stood at the entrance and watched her. He began forward again with a smile.
"This is so beautiful- OH! That's amazing~! OH my gosh, look at this-!" She continued on.
Jace laughed, "What happened to being tired?"
"I am tired, it's just- OH WOW! Look at those!" She never finished her reply to Jace's question, as she ran off elsewhere.
The blond boy just chuckled and looked to the airborne Skits and said, "It'll take a while just getting her to the Inn."
Skits, for once, agreed with him.
Iris looked high above her. Not only were there Terminians, but zoras and gorons as well, and even a few deku scrubs, some deku were very little as they held their parent's hands. Some were just young couples in hopes of having a good time. Iris giggled, "This place is amazing!"

Iris soon turned, and saw what looked like a skeletal fish in her face. "Gah!!" She exclaimed, quickly running back to Jace and hiding. Jace looked forward and spotted a group of zora walking toward them. At that moment, excitement overwhelmed him. "It's you guys!"

"Didn't mean to give ya' girlfriend a fright." A zora spoke with a chuckle.
Iris peaked out to glare at the tall zora. What she saw before was actually a guitar. She sighed.
"You're the Indigo-Go's!" Jace spoke out, "You don't happen to be the son of Lulu, do you!?"
The zora nodded with a half smile. "You bet."
"Sweet mother of the Giants, I'm a big fan of you guys!" Jace laughed. "I'm excited to hear you play! I heard you and your sister took Lulu's place as lead singers."
A girl zora, who was a little younger, nodded. "Yep, it's so awesome to meet a fan of our mother's!"
"Wait a second." The drummer came up to the front, and he bent down and looked the two deku scrubs in the face closely. Iris leaned back with her eyes wide.
"You are those deku who were seen at Great Bay!" The drummer added.
Jace jumped, "Huh?"
"Lulu told me about you guys, there is no way y'all could've taken on those monsters!" The drummer seemed as excited as Jace was earlier. "Quite an act, saving our homes like that!"
Lulu's son grew wide eyed. "You two!?"
"Three." Iris spoke, pointing at Skits.
Jace and Iris were starting to feel like the famous ones, as the band all began to talk to them. Jace waved his hands... "It was nothing really."
The male singer bent down to Jace's level. "It wasn't nothing, you did us a great favor back there... While we were up here rehearsing all safe and sound, our families at Great Bay were suffering, we should've been down there helping... We owe you guys a lot of thanks!"
"I definitely do, seeing as I was one of the many stuck down there..." The drummer added. "I was so sick, I never did get to tell you thanks! I just got here today, and I'm feeling so much better now that the ocean is pure again."

Iris' face flushed, and didn't really know what to say.
"It was our pleasure." Jace scratched his head, feeling overwhelmed to be thanked by his favorite band, it was a lot to take in.
The male singer sighed and stood. "Well, as much as I hate saying it, we need to go. We got a rehearsal soon, seeing as the band's playing tonight at the Milk Bar."
"The famous life sounds busy." Jace replied. "I understand."
"Will we be seeing you three there?" He added.
Jace laughed. "We've got some thing's to tend too. And if we can make it, I don't know if they'll let us in, I'm only sixteen, and she is... Uh?"
"Heh, sixteen."
"We're both too young." Jace finished.
The male singer chuckled. "Just tell us your names, we'll tell them to let you in. Invitation's on us."
Jace pointed to himself. "If that's the case, I'm Jace, and this is Iris-" He added, pointing to Iris. He then pointed to Skits. "And Skits. I don't know if they'd let a bird in, though."
Skits simply glared at Jace.
"Not a problem." The singer replied, "Good luck you three." They all turned, and continued on.
Jace waved. "Heh, see ya'!"
Iris laughed at Jace's excited expression.
"I cannot believe that just happened!" Jace laughed, looking back at Iris. "We have to make it tonight!!"
"Careful, don't have a heart attack." Iris joked.

Jace sighed, "What do you say we pay the Inn a visit, though? I'm so thirsty right now..."
"Yes, I couldn't agree more!" Iris managed to pull herself from the still wonderful surroundings.
Jace took a step forward, and he lead Iris and Skits through the crowds and up a stairway around the clock tower. Iris continued to glance in different directions, as something new would constantly catch her curious eyes. They eventually reached another part of Clocktown. The first thing they saw was the Inn. Jace looked back at Iris, who was slowly trailing off to look at yet, something else. Jace smiled as he leaned over, grabbed her hand, and pulled her back gently. "We have plenty of time to look around later, none of this is going anywhere."
Iris nodded. "Okay."
"C'mon." He reached up and turned the Stock-Pot Inn's door knob and held the door open for Iris- Who walked in slowly and cautiously with Skits hopping close behind.

There were people all over. Most of them looked like they were waiting to rent a room.
"Hey, Miss Anju!" Jace called, waving his hand below the small crowd. An older lady leaned over from behind the counter to meet eyes with the teens who'd just walked in. She smiled, "Hold on a second, I'll be with you soon." She looked back at her customers, and she handed a family a room key. They left and headed upstairs. The elderly lady known as Anju leaned on the counter to look down at Iris and Jace. "You coming to see the Carnival this year too, Jace?"
Jace nodded assuringly. "If I can, yes. Things are a little busy for me right now, but I'm hoping I won't have to miss the first night. Those are always the best!"
"Who's your lady friend?" Anju asked.
Jace knew how she was with people, so he answered for her. "Iris. She's never been here before, so I figured while we were headed this way we might as well stick around to see the Carnival." Jace responded. "We're sort of traveling together right now. It's a long story."
"Well, I hope you enjoy your time here, Iris! It's always nice to see a new face." Anju put some papers in a pile on the desk to get them out of the way. "Is there anything you two need?"
Skits was a little irritated that, again, no one noticed him.
"We could use a drink if you don't mind Miss Anju?" Jace replied.
Anju smiled warmly. "Coming up."
"Three, uh, please." Iris chirped. Anju turned back to her. She continued. "For Skits please." Iris finished, pointing to the black bird next to her foot. Anju smiled and nodded, before walking back to the kitchen.
"You really don't need to be so nervous." Jace told her.
Iris scratched her head. "I-I know. I'm just not used to this."

Iris looked back, there was a sofa and a few benches next to the wall. Jace walked back to them and sat on a bench. "Finally, some peace." He leaned back, before movement caught his eye. He looked over as Iris laid down on the sofa, and she sighed. She was leaning on the arm of the sofa, but began to slowly slide until she was laying down completely. Jace laughed humorously. "You comfy over there?"
"...I don't think comfy fits the description..." She responded in a lightened tone. "I might as well be laying on a cloud..."
Jace really couldn't help but laugh softly at her, you could tell she'd never laid on a sofa before. It was kinda' sad if that was the case, but cute seeing her reaction to it.
Anju slowly came walking into the room holding two bottles, and a small saucer of water. She leaned down and handed one to Jace. She looked at Iris, Iris looked back at her. As much as she didn't want too, she sat back up.
Anju giggled, "Here you go." Iris hesitated, but reached up and gently took the bottle. Anju sat the saucer down for Skits, who immediately began drinking the water.
Jace lowered the bottle from his snout and looked to Anju. "Thank you."
Iris soon repeated shyly, "Thanks."
"You're very welcome." Anju smiled then walked off.

Iris sighed. "I need to live in a place like this." She laughed.
"Hmm… Well, you could." Jace joked.
Iris looked to him, understanding where he was going with that. "Don't even think for a second that I'd stay."
"It was worth a try." He soon replied with a laugh, before putting the bottle back to his snout.
Iris lifted the bottle to her snout and took a drink. "That feels better... I feel like I've got more energy already."
Skits nodded, and sat on the cool floor.
"Do remember, we still have to look for the fairy. So we can't waste too much time relaxing." Jace reminded.
Iris sighed. "I know."
"What confuses me, though, is if the fairy is gone... Wouldn't there be some kind of news on it? I mean, her fountain sits in North Clocktown, someone would've seen the dragalfos, they're not exactly hard to notice." Jace pondered.
Iris shrugged. "Who knows. They're not very bright though, so you've got a point. Maybe they never got to her yet."
Jace shook his head. "Well, that's likely, but still..."

Iris was lounged back on the sofa, holding a now near empty bottle, she was staring at the odd clock on the wall. She felt a little dumb asking this question. "Hey, uh? What time does that say?" She asked Jace.
Jace looked up at the clock and replied "8:15 am, why?"
Iris responded. "Just curious. I've never seen a clock like that before."
"You've got a lot to learn about Termina." He chuckled, before getting up off the bench. "With that said, let's get this day started. If you were interested in what you've seen in town so far, you'll love seeing the rest."
Iris felt a little lazy after laying there on that sofa, but managed to get up and jump off.
Jace walked up to the counter, which he could just barely see on top of. He sat the bottles and saucer on the counter. "Thank you, miss Anju. I guess we're going to go."
"Alright, come by again if you need anything." Anju smiled, lifting the dishes.
Jace smiled. "Will do, Ma'am."
Skits flew to Iris and landed on her head. Anju waved Iris bye, of which Iris gave a low shy wave back, before going out the door that Jace was holding open.

Jace closed the door and followed as Iris walked to the center of East Clocktown. She looked around, then looked back at Jace. "There sure are a lot of people."
"The Carnival is huge, it spreads all across Termina. Other races have their own versions of the Carnival, too. But, Clocktown's the best place for it I think."
Iris blinked. "Even the deku kingdom?"
Jace nodded. "Yep, it's mostly just dancing out there though. Here, there's all sorts of things to do. Which is why I prefer spending the days of the Carnival here. I usually stay at the Stock-Pot Inn during then."
"So that's why there were decorations up all over the deku village." Iris replied.
"So you noticed?" Jace spoke. "But yes, it is."

Skits looked around at the high decorations hanging from the center post Iris stood next to. Jace gave a bit of a smirk. "There's some cool places here. We're not going to see them just standing around, though. C'mon! I'll show ya'!" Jace began walking away as he motioned his hand to Iris to follow. She blinked, then smiled in excitement. She soon ran after, Skits nearly fell off her head by how fast she took off. He jumped into the air again to keep up.
Jace lead her to a flight of steps that lead uphill next to the Inn. At the top was a smaller square area. Posters were up everywhere, and what looked like a closed off alley. Iris couldn't really tell. And the first thing you saw, though, was a door with a sign above it on a large house. It was written in Terminian however, just like everything else. Iris looked around, then down a street that lead to another portion of Clocktown. "Let's go there!" She never gave Jace the chance to even reply and took off not even a second after she'd spoke. Jace went chasing after her in a hurry.
Iris slowed down to face North Clocktown. Her bright glowing orbs examined everything in wonder. It was beautiful part of Clocktown. The whole place was big and grassy, with a trail that lead through the center. The trail eventually separated into three directions. Outside Clocktown, up a hill to a cave, and to what looked to be another part of Clocktown. The curious deku girl glanced off the trail, seeing a large slide. It looked quite old, but there were other things too that looked a lot newer. Swings hung from the large tree that was growing near the playground, she'd never seen anything like the other parts of the playground, though. This was probably the emptiest, yet, most relaxing part of Clocktown she'd seen so far. She walked down the trail, before turning into another part of Clocktown.

It lead back to South Clocktown next to the clock tower. She once again faced excitement, as she looked from place to place trying to figure where she'd go next.
Jace looked up at a sign that was a map of Clocktown. "Y'know? I think we should check ou- WHOA!" He exclaimed. She grabbed his arm and ran down the steps and toward the marketplace in West Clocktown. "C'mon!" She giggled as she'd nearly dragged the poor blond deku, he had a hard time keeping up with her while she held his arm. Skits was laughing at Jace as the black bird flew above. Jace really didn't seem to mind, but it caught him by surprise.
Iris let go and came to an immediate stop when she reached the center of the marketplace. Jace bumped into her from behind, thanks to giving no warning of stopping. Iris gave an "Oof!", then looked back at him.
"Sorry." He chuckled.
"Eh." She said, before turning back to the many shops and people. It was crowded here. She pushed ahead, walking around people as they walked in and out of shops.

Iris walked up to one of them, which happened to be the same one Jace visited on the first day he'd met Iris. She barely stood tall enough to peak onto the counter top, which was lined with all sorts of gems and jewelry. Foreign beauties she'd never seen before littered every inch of the shop. She wowed under her breath, standing below the other Terminians.
Jace pushed his way through, and stood next to Iris.
"These are all so beautiful!" Iris commented, looking at her reflection in the closest one.
Jace just smiled, before having the feeling of someone watching him. He looked up at the shopkeeper, who apparently recognized him as the one who bought the Moon's Tear off of her a few days ago. She glanced down at Iris, before winking at Jace. The blond boy just gave a kind look. He honestly had no idea why she winked, but he winked back anyway. He'd guessed maybe it was because she knew him. The shopkeeper turned back to a customer.
There was a lot more here than before. Jace looked to Iris and whispered, "Don't you think of taking anything, got it?"
Iris looked to Jace. "I'm tempted, but okay." She gave a light chuckle before looking to a large sapphire. "A sapphire. Those are so hard to come across where I come from, they're so pretty." She sighed.
She looked up and saw a picture of something else that looked like a sapphire, but it was shaped like a tear. Her eyes lit up once she'd laid them on the picture, and she'd instantly fallen in love with it. She looked around the table as high as she could, but this one was gone. Iris looked a little down at this. She didn't know that the Terminian writing on the picture read "SOLD". It happened to be the same one Jace had in his bag right now. He jumped, when this apparent fact had slapped him in the face. He'd realized the one thing she truly seemed to have interest in above all else in front of her, he'd had all this time.

"Were you wanting that?" Jace suddenly asked, pointing at the picture of the Moon's Tear.
She looked to him, before looking up to the image again. She then nodded slowly before taking a deep breath. "It's gorgeous, I've never seen anything like that before... Some bum already got to it, though."
'That bum is standing right next to you.' He thought. He laughed, "Well, I'm sure that bum had his reasons. And probably has plans for it. If he's lucky, he's going give it to someone special."
"Eh, perhaps." Iris replied with a pause. "Oh well..." Iris sighed, before leaving the table, still seeming a bit disappointed.
Jace rotated his bag to the front of him, and looked into it. There it was, sitting at the bottom of the rucksack. He turned his back to Iris as she examined another shop table, he then looked to the tear-shaped sapphire and picked it up, before wrapping it in a cloth that was in the rucksack. "I definitely don't want this getting broken now..." He spoke to himself with a soft smile. "Wait till she finds out I've had it all this time..."
He put it back in his rucksack and closed it up. He then swung the bag around him again and turned to Iris and approached her.
She gazed at him. "What's with that smug smile?" She asked.
He looked to her with a kind tone. "Nothing much, just thinking of something."
The deku girl shrugged, and looked back at the foreign objects in front of her.
He looked above, as Skits perched on the centering poll watching Iris.

Iris gave an "Ew." expression to some of the food that was out for sale.
Jace laughed, "I think only a goron would eat that."
"One would think." Iris added. "Unless you've got teeth of steel."
"Yeah, really." Jace threw in, they both laughed and they walked away from the table.
Iris spent most of her time dragging Jace around Clocktown, asking about this and that, and wanting everything that had a glow or shine. Jace eventually was given the chance to go somewhere he wanted to go to- Which was the town Shooting gallery. Iris was given a bow, of which she had no idea how to use. Jace being Jace, went out of his way to help her, loosing his 20 rupee-worth shot at a target.

The man running the place kept giving Skits odd looks, seeing as there was a sign on the front of the building that said no pets. Iris kept telling the man that he wasn't a pet, and eventually grudgingly let her take him in. Skits was hiding behind Iris' leg, gawking out at the man.
"Okay, Iris." Jace spoke, "You're supposed to hold it like this." He'd spoken like he'd already told her once, but with a kind sincerity in his voice. He was standing behind her from the side while he was positioning her hands and fixing the arrow in the small bow. Her face flushed lightly when Jace came closer and leaned in to level the arrow straight, their heads pushed together. She found it irritating how he'd just get close like that without warning. One of her thick leafy bangs brushed across his face, moving the larger leaf in front of his right eye away slightly. She spotted something under the leaf that looked like a scar by his eye, but paid no true interest in it and figured it was from one of his older fights. "Just aim it-" He'd cut himself off while helping her aim it. She snapped back to reality, and threw her gaze at the target. "Now, let go."
Jace moved his hand. She then let it go and watched the arrow soar through the air. The arrow missed the target, but it was still pretty close.

He crossed his arms. "Better than my first shot." Jace laughed. "I took out a window when I had used a bow and arrow for the first time."
"Only reason I didn't is because you were the one who aimed it." Iris replied.
"Maybe, but you still kept a straight hold even when I let go." Jace added. "I myself am still learning about archery, so you wont learn much from me."
Iris was aware that she had one more shot. Jace was about to come back to her if she needed his help, but she stopped him. "I can do this this time, okay?"
Jace nodded, and backed up. Iris was holding the bow right this time, and had even held the arrow at a straight level. But she was shaky while holding it. She then let it go, and the arrow zipped by. She tried aiming for a target in the corner, but it wound up hitting the floor, the arrow piece had broke off and went sliding over to Iris' foot.
"Well, I thought I could." She added. "I even broke the arrow. I'm awful at this."
"Eh, you just need more practice." The blond boy answered, Jace whispered to her. "That, and the arrows here aren't that good... They buy the el-cheapos, They always break anyway." He looked back at the man running the counter, who had his eyebrow raised at Jace. Iris giggled.


It was hours later after coming out of another game corner. Iris and Jace were laughing hard, Skits sat on Iris' head smiling.
"Did you see the look on that guy's face!?" Iris cracked up, she'd been laughing so hard that she was brought to tears.
Jace tried to bring a pause to his laugh. "I know!"
"He thought that bombchu w-was going to b-blow him sky high! Good thing it was a dud!" Iris wiped her face, and sighed. "This place is awesome."
"And you were telling me that Termina was awful a while back!" Jace's laugh faded to a chuckle. He'd never seen her so happy before.
Iris scoffed. "I never said that I liked it here."
"You didn't have too." He added teasingly.
Iris changed the subject, "Hey, why don't we try that Treasure Chest place?"
The blond boy merely smiled, "It'd be fun, but we need to be checking up on the fairy. We can do that later..."
"Okay, lead the way." Iris responded. She didn't seem as excited, but knew it was what they had mainly come to Clocktown for in the first place.

Jace did so and he lead Iris to North Clocktown where the playground was. Jace had eventually lead her up to the tunnel way that was uphill across from the way they came in. You could tell no one came in often. Jace wasn't surprised to see the place torn apart once they did step in.
"Yep, they were here..." Jace sighed.
Iris' leaves dropped and she looked around. "How'd no one notice them come in, though? The town is full of people!"
"I'm afraid that's something even I can't answer..." Jace responded. He walked around the circular room, and eventually caught sight of a hole in the ground. He gasped, nearly falling into it. "I think I found out how they got in..." he glimpsed off towards some movement. "Wait... Did you see that?"
Shivers went up Iris' back when she saw something as well. "Do I want to say I did?"
A pair of glowing eyes slit open to look in her direction from another corner of the room. Her leaves all twitched upon looking into the deep red eyes that were nearly giving a faint glow in the dark. They soon disappeared.
"I think we should go." Iris looked to Jace and warned.
"What was that?" He looked back at Iris, and his eyes suddenly went wide.
Iris stared at him. "What?"
When something wrapped around her, she gave a high-pitched squeak in heavy shock and she'd jumped and ran off toward Jace, pushing the object that wrapped around her away. It felt furry.
Jace looked a bit shocked, before a calming look took to his face once more, and he laughed.

A large silverish fox stood in Iris' old place, it's night-sky blue tipped nine tails whipped lightly through the air. It's eyes were shut now to slits, though it could still see them oddly enough.
"Don't be scared, Iris." It spoke.
Iris was even more creeped out that it could talk- And knew her name. "Wh-who are you!? Do you work with the dragalfos!?"
Jace gave a light hearted chuckled. "It's okay, it's just a keaton."
"Keaton?" Iris asked.
The keaton walked toward them sniffing the air. He then looked into their eyes. "I was expecting you to come, young deku scrubs."
"Are you the keaton that was rumored to have lived near the playground?" Jace asked.
It nodded. "Well, I'm one of them. I was told by the Great Fairy that I should meet you here."
Iris blinked "Of Clocktown?"
The kind silver beast smiled, as it flashed it's sharp teeth kindly, which Iris couldn't help but feel threatened by. "Yes, the Great fairy of Magic. We keaton have a deep connection with the Fairies. We can speak with them, even when we're apart."
Jace crossed his arms. "Why'd she ask you to meet us here?"
"She wants me to warn you... The dragalfos, they're expecting you. After what happened with the last two Fairies, they know Iris is coming. They're looking for her, you mustn't let them see you, young ones."
Iris gulped.
"She asked me to aid you-" It disappeared in a puff of smoke, before appearing behind them, and continued "-With my skills."
Iris gave a short "Yipe!" at him.
The keaton gave a fun chuckle. "It'll be some fun I bet. Haven't seen any action in fifty years, it's about time. You call my Silver Keaton, or which ever you prefer."

Jace smiled. "Well, I guess we'll need to be extra careful then, huh? Sound's like fun!"
Iris and Skits glared at him like he was crazy, then Iris sighed. "And my day just got crazy again..."





To Be Continued...
 

FayeleneFyre

The local treehugger
Joined
Sep 23, 2011
chapter8_by_thefatedblades-dacve03.jpg


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Chapter 8
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Underground.
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Jace walked back to the hole he'd found in the ground and began down it. He looked to Iris, who was looking quite nervous like before. The blond boy sighed. "You staying or something?"
"No..." She sounded irritated at his tone, and followed after him and Silver Keaton. The inside of the tunnel looked freshly dug. Jace examined the walls around him with a bit of interest, as Iris clung close to both Jace and Keaton. Jace was actually looking over the tunnel and internally thinking of how sloppy it was...
"It stinks down here..." Iris complained.
Jace responded. "I guess having a sensitive sense of smell can have it's down sides."
"Tell me about it." Iris added in disgust.
Keaton remained quiet as he lead them both in. He soon broke his silence with, "I trust you've had some experience with the dragalfos?"
"Yes." Jace replied.
Keaton nodded, as if he'd been glad to hear that.

Iris yawned as they soon took a turn. Jace looked around, soon recognizing the place. "Wait, this is the way to the old Observatory... Well, the tunnel connects to it anyway. The secret passage was closed off years ago after the old man there passed away. That was long ago, though..." He was pretty much just chattering to himself, seeing as Iris was too busy watching everything else around her, and Keaton almost seemed to not be listening.
They approached a water way that had platforms standing out of the ground all through the way. You could tell the water used to be high, due to the stained line across the wall. It was so low now though, that it only reached to Iris and Jace's chests. Iris was still hesitant on getting in it, but seeing as Jace and Keaton pressed on, she had no choice. She felt a chill go up her spine when she dropped into the water, and she squeaked loudly when the cold water touched her chest, causing Jace to jump and turn in a frantic manner. She just gave a deku grin that had "Sorry" written all over it. Keaton waited over on a higher ledge ahead by now, seeming the least effected by the sudden silence break.

Jace reached the ledge and climbed up. Skits just sat on Iris' head, expecting her to jump at the slightest sound anytime now. She reached the ledge and Jace helped her up. They then continued on, Iris now shaking from the cold water on her. And Jace shaking his head to sling the water off the tip of his long hair-like leaves only made it worse, since she was behind him. He hadn't realized he'd slapped water in her face, however. For once, she ceased to complain, and just wiped it off with a glare.

The way lead on into a huge empty square room with a single ladder leading up to an opening in the wall. There were a few broken jars here and there, but it looked like they'd been sitting there for years, and were never touched. Iris couldn't help but throw her gaze around the dark room, which was only lit by a single torch. Proof someone had been in there recently.
She drew closer to Jace till she was standing right next to him upon noticing the ginormous sets of thick web on the ceiling. She gulped as she tried prying her view from it, but the glaring of glowing eyes, more than likely Skulltula's, only made her stare harder. Her fear of spiders only made it worse. Her overreactive mind kept making her think one would drop from the ceiling any minute now. Jace noticed, but didn't seem to be bothered by it much, but kept his bag around the front of him if his knife was needed. He couldn't have cared less about himself, but cared for Iris' safety, as unsurprising as that is.

Keaton pulled it's disappearing act again, reappearing atop the ladder and in the tunnel way above. Jace, instead of following straight after, let Iris up the ladder first, then followed after she was up by the keaton.
Iris' eyes grew upon seeing the painted-blue walls covered in stars ahead. They walked into the circular room, and she gazed up. There was a stair way that lead up to another story. The building was covered in dust and cobwebs. Jars were broken, and some things looked like wild animals had gotten into them, such as holes in crates and boxes. Iris gave a disgusted look upon seeing a dead rat with a monstrous bite taken out of it laying near the wall.
"Well, something's been here..." Her tone sounded as if she'd be sick.
Jace responded using a disgusted sound. "Ugh..."
The keaton began "The dragalfos used this place to hide. No one of common has been here in years." he paused, making it apparent that the rat's demise was more than likely from a hungry dragalfos, before continuing. "Follow me."
Jace and Iris did so, being quite dumbfounded to find a tunnel way leading underground behind the pile of boxes. Keaton walked in, then poked it's head out. "It's clear, come on."

Iris and Jace looked around. The large tunnel way was lit with torches as it lead down. The ground was pounded into a lame stair way, as it eventually curled around. The keaton stopped them when they reached a certain level. He turned to them. "I'm afraid I don't have a connection with the fairy now, so I yet know where they're keeping her. Just to let you two know."
Iris didn't seem very surprised that something like this would happen. Iris sighed lowly as she crossed her arms. "That's great..."
"I guess we'll have to look then, wont we?" Jace soon added.
"I guess so..." The deku girl held a tone of uncertainty. Skits looked off elsewhere, gazing around at the tunnel.
The keaton gestured them to follow. "Come now."
Jace turned to Iris and Skits, then turned back forward to follow. Keaton lead them to a dark room that was circular that lead into three ways. The nintailed fox put it's nose toward the floor, then turned to the left.

Iris leaned in to speak to Jace with a whisper "How do you know we can trust him?"
The keaton laughed, "I can hear you young one, no use whispering." He paused to turn his gaze toward them slightly. "Do not fret. I'm not going to hurt you. I was told you were the jumpy one."
Iris just glared. Apparently, the Great Fairies had a good enough connection with each other to at least share information.
"I have every intention of helping. I don't know if you yet realize how much danger Termina is in." The keaton held a serious tone.
Iris nodded. "Um, yeah. Everything is dying."
"I guess you need me not to explain that much. But... That's not what I meant..."
Jace looked concerned. "What do you mean?"
"They've already drained some of the power from the Fairies they had before. With this power, they plan on bringing a dark being to full power, a demon of sorts..." The keaton responded.
A chill creeped down Jace's back upon hearing that. "A demon?"
The keaton nodded, as if he himself hadn't wanted to believe it. "I was told by the Great Fairy of Wisdom at Snowhead, but she doesn't know what it is. She heard them talking about a high commander. He himself is this dark being, as the Great Fairy claimed. I've never seen him, though. But I heard that even in his weakened form, he is amazingly powerful."

Jace looked back, knowing hearing such things would make Iris nervous. "I'm sure we wont run into him, though." Jace tried comforting her.
"W-where is h-he at?" Iris asked.
The keaton shrugged. "That's something I was never told."
Iris wanted to say something, but remained silent. She tried running her mind over seeing such a thing. She remembered the large dragon she'd seen at Snowhead's dragalfos fortress, but guessed that they wouldn't make a mindless beast like that a commander. It wasn't even smart enough to speak, let alone plan something… Plus? It was dead. She began to get uneasy, seeing as she'd seen many powerful creatures just at the first fortress before she knew she was in Termina. The autumn-leaved deku girl shook her head to pull herself from these thoughts, quite aware that it would just make her uneasy- Or more so than she is now. She tried finding something else to focus on, but there wasn't really much around her except the repetitive torches lining the path way. Skits was walking -almost hopping- behind her closely. Being an animal, he could sense Iris had become uneasy slightly. And being a brotherly-figure, he'd looked up to her in concern.
She took in a deep breath, still throwing the gaze of her flaming-colored orbs around the tunnel way. She stared at the floor to look at the straight, dirt-clodded path. Iris' thoughts were crossing each other to the point of not being able to really focus on anything directly. The deku girl was still mostly unintentionally pondering over the dragalfos and what their true intentions are for the things they're doing. She soon looked up slightly to stare at the blond-boy's ponytail in front of her as it swung slightly. She blinked, her focus was pulled to his bright blond hair-like leaves, even pulling her attention away from her dragalfos-centered thoughts. But she soon found her mind changing subjects in the process. She would never tell him herself, but she did like the way his hair looked. It seemed to have a different style compared to what she's used to seeing on a deku from Hyrule. And how it gave off a shine in light just seemed to catch her eye more.

'I could see why other girls would like him.' As much as she herself hated hearing these words fly through her secretive mind. Another supposedly grudging thought whispered, 'He's sort of attractive.' Her face flushed red lightly at hearing herself think that. 'Even to me…' She paused, before continuing 'Why am I even thinking about this…?' She continued to converse with herself, as Skits was now beside her hopping to keep up. Skits knew when she was tuning everything out, because she'd stare in one direction either blankly or make facial expressions to herself about her thoughts without saying or doing anything else. And usually what she stared at is what she was thinking about if it happened to be around, something he'd learned living his life with her. The little black bird felt a change in Iris. She wasn't as jumpy, but more fidgety. The fact that she was staring at Jace -With a blushed face- just made Skits roll his eyes, but figured there wasn't really much else he could do about the way she felt, Skits was only a bird. And Iris would probably either snap at him for interrupting her thoughts or just tell him a lie, like she was staring at a bug, or something in that direction- But Skits wasn't stupid. He'd realized Iris was a little attracted to Jace last night. With that, Skits only hated the team up with Jace more. He just hoped Jace wouldn't turn around and look at her since she was so quiet, seeing as she's usually a motor mouth.

'I wonder if everything he says he thinks of me is true…?' Iris added on.
And of course, Skits was right- Jace stopped to look back at her. "Iris, are you okay?"
Iris bumped into him, nearly bumping snouts. She stopped herself and squeaked, then her face turned red quickly. Her leaves seemed to twitch, the sudden voice in the outside world made her jump. "What the heck!? Why'd ya' stop, idiot!? Speak up next time before you stop in front of me!"
"I was talking to you before, continuously, but you would never answer me." He responded. "I thought something was wrong."
Iris blinked. "...Oh." She felt a little embarrassed with herself for going off on him because she tuned out. "Maybe I just didn't feel like talking with you." she huffed.
Skits almost laughed out loud at the obvious lie, but managed to stifle a tiny chuckle lowly instead. But the fact she hadn't stopped blushing seemed a little obvious that she was lost in thought about Jace rather than simply not wanting to talk.
"Okay." Jace held a tone of humorous disbelief as he turned ahead to face Keaton again.

Iris looked down at Skits, who was giving her a "Really, Iris?" look. She just cut her eyes and mumbled, "What...?"
The keaton shushed everyone as he approached voices, his ears flicked. "Stay quiet..." He looked out from behind the wall, flexing his ears back and forth. "Wait here." With that, he disappeared.
Out there, was a lizalfos guard. The keaton appeared behind him and stalked up quietly, before attacking. Not even giving the guard the chance to react, he tightened his wide jaw on the beast's neck, and killed it quietly and quickly.
Iris gulped, putting her hand over her chest.
"He'd make a scary assassin." Jace commented. Keaton stood on the dead lizalfos, and motioned Iris and Jace over. He turned to walk into the door way the guard was watching. Iris reluctantly came out first, as Jace wasn't far behind her.
Keaton had gone into a trot through the small hall way, before stopping to look out at a large area below that lead down a ladder. It was into what seemed like an underground base. Iris looked dumbfound, and even surprised Jace.
"You mean I've been living in Termina for sixteen years now, and this has been below my feet...?" Jace said. "Kinda' disturbing knowing how largely colonized they are."
Iris looked around. The whole area was filled with dragalfos ordering underling lizalfos around, forcing them to create weapons and what looked like armor.
"I'd guess this is where all their weapons and stuff are made?" Iris asked.
Keaton nodded. "Ores and special metals can be found deep underground here in the mines they've made. Some of Termina's strongest can be found here."
"I'll need to see if I can't get my hands on some." Jace smirked.
"Don't think of stealing anything Jace..." Iris mocked, referring to when Jace was telling her the same thing at the Great Bay fortress.
"Hey, it's not really stealing… If anything, this doesn't belong to anyone."
The keaton looked down. "Be careful, these guards here are strong. A good hit from these beasts to a deku scrub would be more than a kill. More like mutilate."
Iris could've lived very many long, beautiful years without hearing that. "Thanks for drawing that image up..."

Keaton smirked, before disappearing.
Iris jumped, "Wha- Where'd you go!?"
'I cannot aid you here I'm afraid. Look down, to the mine at the far left of the room.'
Iris was a little creeped out that she could hear him in her head. Skits' eye's went wide. "Jace, do you hear him?"
"Yeah. I see him over there." Jace answered
'Good, I'm not crazy.' Iris thought.
'By the way, little girl, quite a cute conversation you were having with yourself earlier.' Keaton finished with a snicker. Iris' face flushed with embarrassment, having no intention for anyone to have heard her in the first place.
Jace laughed, "What's he talking about?"
Iris sighed, before lowering her bangs over her eyes. "N-nothing, just nothing. Let's just go..." She replied grudgingly.
'You both have thoughts that amuse me. Iris, you and your secretive mind, your not as hard as stone as you let off... You hide so much, why is this?'
Iris groaned, well aware that Jace was hearing him. 'Keep what you know to yourself. It's rude to go through people's thoughts and secrets, I'd think.'
Jace couldn't help but laugh -And feel a little creeped out- that he could even hear Iris' thoughts. It was creepy, but awesome at the same time to him.
They climbed down the ladder, carefully watching below and hoping a guard wouldn't catch them.
Keaton gave a sudden chuckle in their minds. 'Wow, Jace. You really are a truthful fellow. Opposite of Iris.'
Jace grew a little interest in what Iris was usually hiding upon hearing that, thought at the same time, he began feeling frustrated. Keaton soon grew quiet before speaking once more, loosing his playful tone. 'Except for that one thing. Such an awful thing, yet, you treat it like it's no big deal on the outside. Brave soul you are. You still hide from others to keep it from being known. You know, if only you'd ac-'
'Shut up, Keaton!' Jace's thoughts rang sour. 'Stay out of our heads!'
Iris giggled- which earned her a cold, offended glare from Jace. She just found it funny that he was the one being annoyed by the nosey keaton, but she wanted to know that only secret now.

"Just ignore him." Jace sounded cold with his tone. "He's just screwing with our heads..."
The keaton realized he was taking it too far, and fell silent- Because what Iris couldn't see that the keaton could; Mentioning that had hurt Jace badly.
Iris was burned by Jace's sudden attitude change, and felt nervous to even talk to him as of now. He turned a corner, eyeing a dragalfos' back, before gesturing Iris to follow sternly. She didn't hesitate to make it across unnoticed by the turned dragalfos with Jace.
The deku boy had ahold of his rucksack, in case the need of a knife came. They snuck under a weapon's table and followed it a few ways, making sure not to make contact with any of the lizalfos' feet, and trying to keep out of the dragalfos' sight.

Jace managed to lead them through the place unnoticed. They almost got caught a few times. Jace had calmed down a little by now, but still found himself sending an ice cold glare at Keaton, who was hiding behind the rock wall when they got there.
The fox gave a bit of an apologetic smirk, as he flashed his front canines. "I can be nosey."
"That's something you need to work on." Jace grumbled as he walked by.
Iris simply watched and gazed back at Keaton, wondering why she and possibly Skits were the only ones in this party to not feel so bad about the situation before, but rather only curious. She shrugged it off, before following after Jace and the continuing Keaton.

'Can you still hear me, Iris?' Jace asked in his head, to see if Keaton was still using his magic. Iris looked to him, making him believe she'd heard him.
"Why're you gawking at me?" Iris asked.
'Nope.' Jace finished in his head. "No reason."
Jace paused, before a sudden stop that was followed with. "Oh my gosh!"
"What!?" Iris exclaimed. Keaton simply stared at Jace.
Jace continued "...The Indigo-Go's never told us what time they're playing tonight..."
The keaton and Iris exchanged stares, before cutting their eyes at Jace.
"That doesn't deem me as important, Jace." Iris grumbled.
"I know, It's just I'm really excited to see them with you, they're amazing." Jace replied.
Iris rolled her eyes. "Music is the least of my concerns right now, it should be the least of yours, too."
Iris looked ahead again, as she held Skits in her arms- A usual sign she was uncomfortable.
The path they took was an abandoned mine, looked like it hadn't been used in a while. Iris looked at the walls, seeing tiny specks of shining ores that remained from larger ones that were pulled from the walls. Her glowing eyes only made the shards glimmer brighter. She wanted to grab a few, but some were wedged in there pretty deep, it'd probably take quite a bit of strength to rip 'em out.

Silver Keaton stopped when he approached a ladder that lead up. Jace gestured Iris to walk up after he climbed up to check for danger. The fox was already up there by the time Iris reached the higher level. This part seemed less mine-like. More like a room used for resting and eating. Iris didn't even want to know what was sitting over on the large table-pounded mound of earth. It looked like some kind of uneaten meat.
Jace poked his head out of the room. "Aw crud." Outside, was a large room lit by torches filled with resting dragalfos warriors. These guys were huge compared to what he fought at the Great Bay Fortress. He gulped, before pulling himself back into the room. "We're dead if we go out there. And we might get caught if we go down the opposite hall."
The keaton smiled his wicked smile. "Allow me-" He eased out of the room feeling confident, disappearing.
'When I say go- run!' He spoke in their heads once more.
Jace jumped when Keaton spoke in their minds, but he nodded...

Keaton appeared in front of the guards, catching their attention. The mighty dragalfos began towards him, shocked as to how he got in there.
'GO!'
Jace grabbed Iris' hand and ran down the hallway. Skits remained in one of Iris' arms. When Jace turned the corner, he looked back toward the scene with Keaton. They sure weren't trying hard to catch him. One would've thought they'd never get him. One raised his weapon, however, and Jace forced himself to look away. A harsh-sounding yelp caused fear to zap both Iris and Jace. Jace turned back to Iris slowly, she could tell by the sorrowful look on his face that something awful had happened to the poor fox. Iris was about to look, but stopped herself. The clatter of the dragalfos stopped, and they laughed at their fallen prey as if someone had told a sick joke- Which caused a deep anger to boil deep within Jace. He would've gone out there, but he'd have only put Iris', and his own life, at stake.
'Keaton…?' Jace asked through mind.
... Silence.
Iris could hear Jace, but could make no contact with Keaton as well.
'Are you still with u-…'
Iris could no longer hear Jace. Her face dropped slightly upon loosing the connection with Jace as well- A sign the magic had died. Jace shook his head. "Nothing..."
The deku girl's leaves drooped. Jace stood leaned on the wall with one hand on his forehead as he stared at the dark ground of the tunnel way. The keaton had helped them only this far, and fate had already taken him. Jace was now completely wary of just how ruthless these guys are. They're much worse than those he'd seen before.
The blond boy looked to Iris- Who only looked more terrified, with the addition of sorrow added to the mix.
"Hey." He whispered gently. She looked up from her solemn gaze to the ground. "Let's go... He would've wanted us to continue..."
Iris nodded. She followed Jace, now even more scared… Jace
shand was balled into a tight fist and he growled. 'If only I was bigger and stronger.'
Similar thoughts were running through Iris' mind. But she herself didn't think she was as skilled as Jace.

Jace walked her through an underground tunnel way again. It didn't look like part of the mines, but more like the fortress Iris had first encountered in Snowhead. Except the walls were all part of the earth, rather than stone and brick. It was becoming extremely hot underground, and Iris gave a small sigh. Jace, being a tunnel deku, was used to how hot it could get in tunnels. They soon approached a circular room. The underground fortress of the dragalfos seemed more like a maze than anything. Every hall seemed the same, and seemed to have led to similar rooms, only holding different purposes. Jace was getting really frustrated by now. He'd wished Keaton was still with them...

Iris about screamed when she saw a lizalfos. She soon realized it was a shed skin, however. She seemed relieved and grossed out at once. Jace kicked it out of the way with disinterest. He and Iris soon came to a path way shaped like an X. Jace grumbled at the shape of the pathway, and seemed a bit irritated. Iris didn't know why it bugged him so much, but she figured this whole place had already gotten on his nerves, so that would help explain his quick temper. Maybe not wanting to make guesses on which way to take. Jace seemed to give each path a good long stare, before deciding on the path to the upper left. Though, Jace hadn't known that each path, excluding the one they came from, led to the same place, only connecting with different paths along the way. It was like being in a giant ant colony; Every path seemed to somehow be connected. Jace mostly seemed bothered by Keaton's death, not wanting to believe how quickly it had happened, and that there was nothing Jace could've done. He'd felt like it was unfair that Keaton risked so much just getting them in.

Iris gulped. The path way was extremely long and dark, with the exception of the blown out torches. It sent chills up her spine.

"I think we're finally getting somewhere..." Jace spoke, passing the hall and walking into a chamber filled with doors.
Iris looked a bit nervous. "Something doesn't feel right, Jace..."
"It's alright..." He tried to lamely to sooth her. He was eager to get out for very many reasons as of now. One of 'em; to fill out Silver Keaton's wishes of saving the Fairy. Jace stopped and examined the oddly shaped room's choice of doors, all of which seemed fancier than the whole fortress itself. They were like specks of gold on a black mat: Hard to miss.

Skits seemed to shiver and hid behind Iris. Iris knew something was wrong now... "Jace let's go!"
"Hold on! I think I found it!" Jace responded in an excited tone as he approached a large door. It was locked tight. "Hey, still got that hair clip?"
"Y-Yeah... But-"
"Alright, let me see it, quickly." Jace added.
Iris was getting kinda' mad at Jace, but was too scared to really react as she usually would. She reached behind her hair, before someone's presence a ways off caught her eye. She spotted two glowing eyes from the hall she and Jace came from, but she about burst into a happy shout at the sight.
"JACE!! Look!!!"
The blond boy turned to set his eyes on the silver and blue keaton, as he gave a sudden ecstatic reaction. "K-KEATON! You're alive!!" He didn't hesitate to turn and walk to him. Iris walked slightly ahead, but Jace gave a sudden stop. He noticed Skits hadn't followed her, but rather backed up towards Jace, seeming almost too terrified to follow. Jace shot his head up, and he noticed… That Keaton's eyes were different. He had slit green pupils, and rather large canines that seemed to ease out of his sudden devilish smirk. Not to mention having a darker attitude. Something just didn't seem right. "Iris, no!!" Jace shouted, grabbing her arm and pulling her back.
"What!?" She exclaimed.

An awful sounding cackle sounded from the devilish fox, "You're not as stupid as you seem, golden-boy." He paused "I thought I'd outfoxed you~!"
Jace growled, "What's the meaning of this!?" He got in front of Iris, and he reached for a dagger in his rucksack.
"Then again, you did come all this way for nothing... What a pity." The keaton seemed to shine his teeth brightly upon finishing his sentence.
Jace sent a sharp glare, pulling the dagger out of it's sheath. "Who's side are you on... Answer me, now!"
Iris jumped at Jace's angry tone. She looked down at Skits, who was literally shaking.
"The winning side, of course~!"
Jace glanced over, seeing something large approach from the corner of his eye. He immediately reacted by shooting the figure a glare. But next thing he knew- dragalfos were surrounding them, leaving the dark keaton the only one guarding the exit.
"I bet you're afraid, aren't you boy...? It would be the wisest thing to be anyway..." The keaton seemed to growl in delight.

Jace pushed Iris out of the way when a few of the surrounding beasts began attacking. Jace was knocked around a bit, but managed to hold his ground. Iris simply stared like a deer in headlights. She was sure that to a human warrior, a few nasty beasts like these weren't much, but she expected a deku scrub to have been long gone in a fight like this not a even a second after the fight had started. But there Jace was, taking 'em down one by one, taking a lot of hits as well, unfortunately... Jace grunted painfully upon being whacked in the face by a swift tail, knocking him across the room a few feet. He landed roughly on his side, but this didn't stop him. His powerful tunnel-scrub arms and legs simply would not fail him. He jumped right back up, and reached the battle ground in time to keep them off Iris and Skits, ignoring the painful scrape under his eye. She had no idea what to do, but to watch in terror.
Jace was slung into the air, only to come down with a devastating and painful slash to a dragalfos' chest. It roared painfully, only to have itself get punched by one of his own, due to the other one missing his real target; Jace. The dragalfos that threw the punch suffered a hit to the head, when Jace jumped off the dragalfos from the weak spot on it's head hard.
Jace was stuck dodging the attacks of the final active dragalfos that was currently attacking. The beast wore armor over his head, so his weak spot was covered. Jace rolled under the dragalfos, missing the beast's pounding fists. Jace grabbed the beast's swinging tail, and ran up. He took the armor off, and gave a heavy blow to the back of the monsters head. It soon dropped with a heavy thud in front of Iris. Jace stood on it's head panting, as he wiped at the crimson sap-leaking scar on his face.
The keaton laughed, and brought the other guard's to a halt before they could attack. "Enough. As fun as this is, we weren't told to have entertainment. Capture them men, you know where to take them..."

The dragalfos growled, as they closed in on the three little trespassers. Jace tried his best to continue his attack on them, but there were too many at a time... "Keaton, You traitor!!!" Jace roared angrily.

The deku boy tried reaching for Iris' hand to run upon spotting an opening, but as soon as his hand touched hers, her reach was pulled from his. A short muffled cry soon followed. He turned, given only a brief moment to call her name, before a sharp pain had hit the back of his head. Everything seemed to fade out and into black, hearing Iris' final cry for help, before sound became silent....




To Be Continued...
 

FayeleneFyre

The local treehugger
Joined
Sep 23, 2011
chapter_9_by_thefatedblades-daeegjz.jpg




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Chapter 9
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Fox Or Faux?
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"Ugh-!" The scraped-up deku boy groaned painfully. His forehead's sudden throbbing caused him to wake from his unconsciousness. He tried reaching up to rub his head, but his arms were restrained behind his back. He muttered indistinctly, before realizing the situation. He looked up, and realized he was surrounded by high walls. Much too high. Jace looked behind himsel, only able to glance at his tied hands. His head drooped as he scanned over the blurred memories of before. The memory of the girl he'd been traveling with had shone, which the last thing he remembered was her terrified call for help, and her terror-filled eyes staring into his as she was forcefully carried away by the dragalfos. It was all only seconds before he blacked out...

"Iris..." He muttered. He looked around frantically. His orbs were set on a figure right behind him- Of which he'd not noticed before. He recognized her long leaves. Iris was tied upm too, and didn't seem to be awake.
"Iris? Hey?" He nudged her with his elbow lightly. "C'mon, wake up..."
"... Stop nudging me." Iris, surprisingly, answered coldly.
Jace was taken aback. "Why won't you talk to me?"
She looked off, before giving a stern, "Hmpf!"
Just then, Jace's leaves fell slightly. He wasn't sure if that was aimed at him because of him. "Would ya' just answer me?"
She glared at him, her eyes being the only easy thing to see in the dark room- And boy did they look like a fire, even more so than before. She cut them at the blond boy with a sting. "Well, Jace, because of you, we're going to die in here!"
Jace jumped, feeling a little uneasy at her hatred-filled tone. He wasn't sure how it was his fault, though.
"You should've listened to me when I said to turn back, when I said leave the stupid room!! BECAUSE of you, they're going to drown us!!" Iris finished, and acid filled her tone to the brim. Her eyes were scared and uncertain, and her spirit-lit gaze was frantic. Seeing that only made him feel worse, he about spoke, before-
"The stupid fox was in cahoots with the scales-for-brains, why did we trust him?" Iris turned back around.

Jace looked down as he looked forward again. His headaches were getting worse it seemed, and now dealing with the guilt of him getting them in here only piled on. A small, squeaked sob pulled his attention from his aching head and back to the view behind him. The dragalfos were obviously serious about it. It sickened Jace, seeing as they could've killed him and Iris in seconds, quickly and painlessly. But instead would go through the trouble of drowning for entertainment. He'd remembered she was afraid of water, of which she told him the day he'd met her. Skits was gone, he'd hoped nothing happened to him...
Iris almost looked as if she was trying to silence her crying, but it obviously wasn't working. She wasn't one to cry very easily, but she was sure she was going to die tonight. Every so often, she'd take low breaths. The sound of her angered voice dropping to one so broken so quickly felt like small needles in Jace's heart.
'Me and my stupid pride…' He said to himself. "Iris, I-"
"Just shut up!" Her choked up voice shouted, which caused Jace to flinch.
She took a deep breath. "I don't even want to hear your voice right now!! I'm scared, we're both stuck here because of you! We're both facing death today because of you..."
He turned around, there was some sting in her last words. Him speaking only poured salt in the wound for both of them... But something on his mind kept bugging him. Were they really going to die tonight? "'Bout time for me, I guess. Fate's finally catching up to me. I'm dumb enough, it's a wonder I'm still around… But her…'

"Alright..." Jace began.
Iris warningly glared at him, looking as if she was about to bite his head off again.
"If I was alone in here right now, and never met you, I probably would just let what's coming come... Seeing as the odds are a little stacked against me. But the thought of you dying in here because of me only kills me. The thought of losing you is much more painful than me drowning. With that, I want you to toughen it up with me, and we'll find a way through this. I'll get both you and the fairy out of here, even if it kills me, I promise."

Iris was sort of dumbfounded, even if he did seem to be sucking up for her forgiveness. She gulped. Jace was hoping she wouldn't yell at him, but she gave a simple nod and a choked "Thank you."

"It's what I owe for getting you into this mess." Jace replied. He looked around hoping to see a little sliver of hope, just something that would help untie the ropes around his hands. The jagged rocks in the wall were the thing that stuck out the most, but they weren't sharp enough. He looked up and saw what looked like a tunnel, or more like a pipe. He'd guessed they're going to empty the water from there. This seemed to look like where they would usually hold the water to drink.

Iris remained sitting down, when Jace managed to stand. The dragalfos hadn't even tied their legs. Jace looked up the wall and examined some of the rocks. It was hard to see far ahead of himself. The light in his eyes didn't give off much light for the wide closed space. Jace looked up and saw a circle of torches lining the hole they were in. Jace realized his rucksack at the top of the walls near a torch. "Shoot." He muttered. A dagger was out of the question. And even if he could knock the rucksack down somehow, he'd risk breaking a lot of the stuff inside, such as the hookshot and the Moon's Tear- Which he knew for a fact he'd never find another one of those anywhere...

Iris was aware that Jace was the expert in this situation, so she sat back and watched. Despite his encouraging words, she still felt they were going to be stuck down here till the dragalfos come back. She couldn't help thinking about Skits. He'd thankfully gotten away, but she hoped that he'd gotten out alright.

Jace soon sighed. He didn't want to say it out loud, but there wasn't anything around that could've cut the ropes. He continued to look, however, mainly not to worry Iris.
"Just give up." Iris spoke suddenly. Jace turned. "I'm not stupid, I can clearly see from even here that you can't find anything..." Only thing he could see were her eyes at the distance she was at- which she was clearly cutting them doubtably at him.
He looked down, and he kicked a rock on accident. "I'm sorry."
"..." Iris looked away.
Jace sat down behind her in his old spot to think things over. He was determined to get out. Jace soon looked back at Iris- Who was still moping. To maybe lighten up her spirits, he asked. "Want to hear a funny story?"
She ignored him again.
"Okay." He sighed as he shrugged. For once, he felt he was at the end of his rope. Usually he'd always felt that he could do anything. Something about now just felt hopeless. 'So much for that oh-so wonderful speech earlier…' He thought. 'This may be where I die- not that I didn't have a good run. If I had the chance to make her understand how I feel, that is all I care about. I feel maybe she doesn't quite get it. I feel everything I worry about just fades when I'm with her. I didn't mean to get us into this mess. Quite funny really how fast it all happened. A few days ago, I was on my own with only myself to worry about. But I can't imagine it being like that anymore now that I've met her. I've fallen in love with Iris, and so fast…'

"Well, I knew from the start that you were obsessed with me, but that's deep, man..." Iris muttered, her tone sounded as if she was a bit taken aback by his sincerity.
"Yeah, well I-!" Jace's leave's made a quick startled twitch before his face turned red. "Y-you heard that!?"
Iris laughed. "How wouldn't I have heard it? You were talking out loud!"
Iris found it funny that he was embarrassed. He turned back to her with wide eyes. She stifled a giggle at his reddened flushed face. "I-I wasn't even talking at all! That was all in my head."
They caught themselves staring at one another, before a switch had flicked. Jace's eyes were cut as he looked around. "Show yourself, traitor..."

In the darkness of the room, appeared two glowing eyes as they swayed towards Iris and Jace. When the figure came into view of the light of Jace's eyes, the deku boy's eyes widened. Silver Keaton limped toward them painfully, covered in wounds. A bloody paw print was left from one of his feet with each step before nearly falling. He managed to simply sit down in front of them and gaze at them with a pained chuckle. He wined slightly at his slashed paw.

"Don't give me that... I'm sure whatever happened to you, you deserved it." Jace spoke coldly.
Keaton's forced smile faded. He spoke in a broken and sorry tone "I am sorry this happened..."
"You sure weren't sorry when you sent your guards after us and threw us down here..." Jace hissed.
A little black shadow came flying down towards Iris, and landed in front of her.
"Skits!" Iris spoke thankfully. She would've hugged him if she could.
"This little bird rescued me..." Keaton spoke. "Give me the chance to explain..."

Jace groaned.
"I didn't throw you down here..." Keaton replied. "That wasn't me that you saw..."
Jace's leaves twitched, he didn't know whether to believe him or not. "I don't believe you."
"It's true, though. When I left to distract the guards, another keaton attacked me. He looked like me, but he wore a strange pendent. I'd fought, but he overthrew me. They had me locked in a cell, when this brave bird helped me escape. I managed to get this far. I told you I'd help you young ones, and I made a promise to the fairy. A keaton never breaks a promise."
Skits nodded.
Jace looked to Iris, not really sure what to think. He looked forward again. "Okay." Giving his unsure trust. "But if you can teleport, why didn't you just teleport yourself out of the cell...?" He questioned.
"I can't explain it completely... It was guarded by a strange dark magic, all of the cells were... I don't blame you for not trusting me." The keaton's head drooped as he folded his ears back.
Skits looked sad. Iris looked down at Skits, before looking up again. "If Skits is able to trust you, then maybe you're telling the truth."

Jace looked at her like she'd gone mad. Isn't she usually the paranoid, non-trusting one?
"I want to make it up to you both." Keaton spoke apologetically.
"If that's the case, then can you please do something about these ropes?" Jace seemed to hate asking for his help. The keaton nodded. He stood and limped around them. His long muzzle got close to Jace's hands, as he slipped a few teeth around the rope's knot. He crunched down and ripped the ropes. Jace immediately threw his hands out in front of himself in relief, as he shook them.
The keaten turned to face Iris' back. She glanced back, feeling nervous being so close to his massive jaws. She began to shake when she felt one of his fangs touch her hand, then she heard the same crunching snap that sounded when he cut Jaces ropes. She looked at her hands, as if checking if they were alright. She laid down with a sigh soon after.
Jace stood and dusted himself off. "Now, to keep my promise, Iris." He looked at her from above, gaining that sense of confidence again. Iris sat up as she dusted herself off.
"I guess we're climbing, huh?" Iris groaned.
Jace nodded. "It's the only thing we can do- Wait!" He looked up at his bag. "Skits?"
The black bird looked to Jace with a "Huh?" Expression.
"You see my rucksack up there?" He asked with a pause. "I want you to fly up there, undo the button, and take out my rope. If it's not already in a slip knot, bring it down to me, and I'll fix it."
Skits unfurled his wings and flew up. He used his beak to grab the opening on the bag and undo the button that held it shut, before digging around in the bag. He grabbed a folded rope, and threw it down to Jace.
"Okay, no slip knot." Jace leaned down and picked up the rope and began fixing it. Skits flew down and remained in mid air. Jace held up the slip knot end. "Here, don't let it come undone. I want you to find something to throw this around up there."
Skits was sure to grab the rope carefully, and flew it up to the top of the wall. He looked and looked, before finding a sturdy rock standing out of the ground. He yanked and pulled on it to check if it was secured. He jumped and hovered back to Iris, and nodded at Jace.

Jace gave the rope a hard yank, and gave a deku scrub's smile before starting to climb. He looked down at Iris. "C'mon."
She examined the rope, then looked up at Jace as if looking at how to climb up. She grabbed it tightly and she positioned herself to climb. The keaton used his ability to teleport himself to the top as he waited for them. He licked his paw during the wait. His ear's flicked when he noticed Jace come to reach the ledge. Iris soon peaked over the top, and she stepped up to face the lit up and hot room above the hole they were originally stuck in. Jace looked to the side of the room, spotting a row of switches. They didn't look professionally put in. Looked more like a bunch of stupid beasts had just lazily set it up- Of which they did.
The keaton followed his gaze. "Those are the levers that release the water."

Jace's attention was drawn to the silver fox. Keaton continued, "This base has been here for years, obviously. They've got that pipe above you hooked to Clock Town's water supply."
The keaton looked around. "We're in the central of the base right now. Since I'd been through here looking for you two, I know my way around a little better. But I'd yet to find the fairy." The keaton sniffed the air. "The impostor of mine seems to be the leader of the dragalfos down here. I'm not even sure if he's a real keaton. His magic is much too strong for me to see his thoughts or intentions..."

Jace shrugged. "All I want to do is get the fairy, and get out of here."
Iris nodded. The keaton sighed at the short sound in Jace's voice. But he followed the blond boy in hopes of Jace trusting him again.

Skits hovered above them as he glided down to Iris and landed on her head in his usual place. Jace examined the room and threw his gaze to each side. It was empty, and dimly lit. Torches lined the room neatly out of the way.
Jace grudgingly turned back to the silver fox. "Well, lead the way, because I don't know a way out of here."
With that, Keaton trotted up and was thankful for his acceptance of help, before trotting down a narrow corridor to the far left of the room.
Iris looked at Jace with a raised eye brow and small smile. This look caused Jace to raise an eye brow back and ask "What?"
"It doesn't take long to gain your trust again." Iris began.
Jace scoffed as he followed far behind the Keaton. "I never said I trusted him."
"Whatever. I trust him." Iris looked ahead.
"Why? You didn't trust him before." Jace was nearly cutting his eyes coldly at the keaton's nine swishing tails.
Iris chuckled. "Because I trust my brother. Do remember that he's an animal, and animals have a special connection with each other. If he feels he can trust Keaton, I'll have no problem trusting him, too."
Jace took a deep breath, and released a chuckle. "You two. I still find it cute that you walk around and tell people that Skits is your brother."
"Well, he is. I don't care what he is, I'll always see him as my brother. Who else would've taken care of him after his mother passed?" Iris responded.
Jace smiled largely- And winced. The wide scrape under his eye given to him during his last battle had only recently dried, and him smiling like that only opened it again. He ignored it after being reminded of it being there, before turning to Iris again. "That's a side of you I'd never seen, and probably won't see often."
"Hm?" She asked in a puzzled tone. Her gaze was immediately pulled to the now very, very lightly bleeding scar under his eye. She wanted to say something, but stopped herself.
"That loving sisterly side. Or motherly. I would guess you never let many people know that side, huh?"
Iris shrugged, surprisingly accepting the fact that he'd noticed such a side of her. "Depends on how I feel about the person, whether if I let them know."
Jace gave a smug grin. Her saying that gave him an opening. "You must really like me then, huh?"
Iris paused, noticing she'd walked right into that. "That is not it!" She laughed.
"Maybe there's even a loving loving side of you?" He joked with a charming tone, as he teasingly leaned toward her, which only caused her to put a hand to his shoulder and push him away.
"Yeah- In your sweetest dreams probably." She quietly laughed- Still aware they were in the enemies stronghold.
"Hey, nothing wrong with that~!" Jace replied. They both laughed, as Skits couldn't help but to roll his eyes. He looked down at Iris like she was losing her mind to even allow Jace to talk to her in such a way, and it be a first that Iris didn't snap at him.

Keaton smirked as he limped along. "Young people." He remained ahead and reached a corner through the corridor. He stopped, and turned back to them. "Okay, love birds."
At that comment, Iris suddenly pushed Jace away from her, and her cheeks flushed red. It was hard to notice though since her eye's were already glowing red in the dark corridor. Jace just laughed lowly and he caught up with her.
"We're in a whole different place than when we got split up. Please stick close." The keaton spoke with sincerity. Iris nodded, and of course, Jace only listened. The keaton chuckled his usual cunning chuckle. "And no more joking around, there's plenty of time for that when we get out of here." Keaton added. Jace about said something cocky, but figured it was best to end it where it was before stirring something else up. Iris found herself growing closer to Keaton till she walked side-by-side with him. A bird says he's cool, next thing you know, he's Iris' best friend. Jace scoffed.
"So, how old are you anyway?" Iris suddenly asked.
The keaton's long ears flicked, before looking down at Iris. "Will you believe me?"
"You're a talking fox." She added. "That alone seems ridiculous."
"Good point" He laughed. "My age, dear young one, is one hundred and two."
Her eye's went wide. "No way?!"
"I could've told you that." Jace spoke out.
Iris glanced back. "How?"
"He's got nine tails. He has to at least be somewhere over eighty or ninety years old." Jace replied, pointing out the obvious number of tails.
Iris simply turned back around. "You think you're such a know-it-all, huh?"
"The boy's wiser than you think. But it is true, my age is shown through my tails." He paused with his large canine-flashing grin. "Each ten years, a keaton grows another tail. We stop at nine."
Iris looked back at Jace, and knew he was going to have that same-ol' smug look that said "I'm all that." and she ignored it.

It was hours on hours of just passing through empty corridors. Or it felt like hours.
"Where are all the dragalfos?" Jace's tone rang with boredom. "I thought they'd be everywhere."
"They're here, I'm leading you away from them." The keaton responded, and Iris jumped. "They know you're gone, they're all looking for you now."
Iris shivered. "You knew all this time, and didn't tell us!?"
"To keep you from panicking." The silver fox shrugged. "I can read thoughts, you know, I can hear them clamoring all through this place..."
The deku girl chuckled nervously. "Wouldn't want us scared. I guess."
"I'm not worried about Jace, I was talking about you." The keaton snickered. Iris exclaimed, before giving a stern, "Hmpf..."
The keaton looked as if his wounds were healing at an alarming rate. He already seemed almost back to normal. He looked back at Jace, then began speaking quietly to Iris. "But... You've got great reflexes and are very skilled with your speed and wild Hyrlulean blood. At first meeting, you don't look like much. But inside your head, you know many things. You have strange deku genes flowing through you, though I'm not sure of the variety. You have powerful legs and powerful arms, something only few deku species' have, and you do have fighting skill. You're a living puzzle filled with things that no one would expect from a young person like you. You've had great experience with fighting back home. But here, you feel nervous and scared. Thus, it's like you're a child in skill all over again. And your partner is a wielder of weapons, and you feel secure knowing his skill." The keaton sighed. "You need to stand up and fight, because I know you can. I'd imagine you two would be a team made up of something fierce. That Hyrulean blood and instinct of yours is something to be feared when you're pushed to your limit. It takes a lot of skill to live in the Lost Woods surrounded by a forest of dangers where you're only hope is to hold your own. Find that instinct here, and things will go much more smoothly. Plus, it'd take some weight off his back."

Iris looked back at Jace- Who'd been traveling further behind the whole way. "Oh?"
"You don't realize... This young man would do anything for you it seems." Iris needs to remember she's talking to a mind reader, he's probably hearing everything that's going on in both their minds as they speak- Pretty creepy to her.
"You don't think I know that." Iris giggled. "Quite flattering really..."
The keaton shook his head. "You don't know the half of it, my child." He smiled. "Do something for him for once… He's breaking his back for you."
Iris looked down, now thinking to herself.
"I've seen that memory of yours of you fighting off those wolfos. I'd be scared to fight you. You feel useless, but that is not true. Believe in your strengths." The keaton gave a final snicker, his words intending to encourage her, before turning forward.

'He reaches for her, but she pulls away. He feels a strong sense of emotion, more than just love... Make's me wonder about the girl, makes me think if there's greater reasons as to why the Great Fairy brought her to Termina…' The keaton laughed in his mind. 'I must remember to thank the fairy for teaming me with such amusing young'ns.'

The keaton stopped them both, as his head peaked out from behind the end of the corridor walk way. The large room seemed useless and abandoned. Silver Keaton motioned the two deku scrubs to stay where they were as he inched out into the open. His ears moved from side to side. He pulled his head up and nodded toward Iris, Jace, and the small black bird with them, insuring safety. It was then however that a piercing yelp screeched through the room and down each tunnel way it lead to. In a flash, They were seeing double, as the twisted-looking version of the fox came out of no where and bit into Silver Keaton's neck. The impostor dropped him and licked his lips of the blood while staring at the terrified Iris and battle-ready Jace.
"A mouse hunt... It was fun at first, but now you're just starting to tick me off." He growled.

A loud and vicious snarl sounded, as it whooshed up at the evil fox's face. Silver Keaton had shot up, and scraped his claws at the dark one's side. They were soon locked in full fang-to-claw combat.
Jace put a hand out in front of Iris, and he backed up. "We better stay out of that..."
"But-"
"He can take care of himself, we need to find the fairy! Plus, jumping in the middle of a dog fight could only result in your own injury." Jace responded. "They're fighting mindlessly."
The evil keaton was grabbed by the neck and forcefully slammed onto the ground with a loud nasty snap. He used his back claws to scrape the underbelly of Silver Keaton, who reacted painfully as he shot back with a yelp. The evil fox sunk his long fangs into Silver Keaton's back, and threw him into the wall.
Iris' leaves dropped in terror. But it wasn't terror caused by the battle, but by how torn up Keaton was becoming… This was nothing new, Iris knewwhat true mindless fighting was like… She was wild, and she'd had moments in the past where she let instinct take over her, too. She pushed that side of her away often, but it was there if she was pushed too hard.
A slight glimmer caught her eye. Silver Keaton had thrown the dark one across the room with a scary amount of strength. When he'd made impact with the ground, he cried a yelp- but still a beastly roar, one she'd heard before. But the glimmer that caught her eye was the necklace around evil one's neck. It was small, and had a slight glow. It was glowing a faint green. She'd seen that before, and knew instantly what it was. She took to mind that the kind keaton was right earlier- She could fight, she just needed to know what she was doing. She ran out, ignoring Jaces terrified call to her.

The evil fox glared at her with his serpentine-slit pupils, and he shook the blood off his ear. He was already slightly weakened by his fight before. He was about to snap at Iris, when he got a paralyzing mouthful of exploding light. He cried out and reeled back. She'd shot a deku nut just after he opened his quick jaws. The beast's mouth was stunned and burning painfully, but it never stopped him from throwing a good slash at the sudden fired-up Iris. One would say that seeing Iris pull off a back flip and land successfully and gracefully on her feet was like getting smacked in the face with a rock to the stunned blond boy watching, who'd been lead to believe she was all bark and absolutely no bite. She was fighting almost at Jace's level- Without a sword or dagger. He wondered why now, of all times, did she reveal she could fight like that? She rolled out of the way of a swat, and came back up, sending a heavy kick to the monster's already aching jaw, causing him to bite his tongue and cry out.

The fox swung his tails at her. She was sent rolling off. She shook it off and ran back, shooting another deku nut. This time directly at his face. It screeched and closed it's temporary blind eyes, giving Iris the chance rip the necklace off. Iris was nearly crushed under the evil keaton, when the loss of his necklace caused him to lose footing and collapse. But she managed to move in time. Not a scratch on her. Jace stared like a deer in headlights at that beautifully dangerous display she just gave.

All eyes were soon on the dragalfos crowd that was growing around them all now, before an ugly sight of the once evil keaton was now a disintegrating bunch of ashes that had been formed into the body of a dragalfos for a short period. Nothing was left except ashes. The beastly crowd murmured, as Jace moved closer between Iris and the once again battle-wounded keaton.

"They killed our leader!!" One roared. "We came too late!!!"
Jace wasn't prepared to have Iris do that, and certainly wasn't prepared for this now. All exits were blocked, and keaton was too weak to fight. They began closing in, and fast. Jace looked to Iris- Who was now extremely shaky, and back to her old self due to knowing she was outnumbered now. 'Worst possible timing…' Jace thought.
All the monster's eyes were on the necklace in Iris' hand. Jace grabbed her by the hand and pulled her to run with him. Keaton came up behind them, till he ran side-by-side. "Get on my back!". Jace nodded, and helped Iris up when they came to a short stop. Jace climbed up in front of Iris, and grabbed a tuft of fur. Iris folded her arms around Jace tightly.
"Now hold on, we're hauling tails out of here!" The keaton ignored his painful scrapes and cuts to tear through the forces of the dragalfos. He lunged high, and gave a heavy snap to ones neck and it dropped instantly, clearing a small way just big enough to slip through. Iris certainly wasn't the daring and brave person she was earlier and was clinging to Jace for dear life.
Out of no where, the keaton spoke brightly "Great idea Jace!" He was mind reading again. The keaton recognized this way as one of the tunnels that he'd traveled while looking for Iris and Jace before. Little did Iris know, there was a conversation going between Jace and Keaton in mind.

"What's a great idea...?" Iris was afraid she didn't want to know.
"Flooding this joint!" Jace replied. Iris was right; she didn't want to know.
"Kill two birds with one-" Jace noticed Skits glare as he flew next to them. "...You catch my drift." Jace glared back. "Killing the dragalfos and getting rid of their weapon's stronghold!"
"Like flooding a colony of ants!" The keaton added.

"Let's just hope we don't kill ourselves in the process." Iris shuttered.
Jace laughed. "If we time it right, we'll be good! Fifty/fifty chance we'll get out alive I guess. But that's a good fifty, at least!" Sometimes, Iris wondered if Jace ever planned stuff out that didn't involve near-death.

"We're coming close, get your dagger ready!" Keaton warned. Jace already had it with him and just needed to pull the case off the blade end.
Ahead, there was a pipe line sticking from the ceiling. It had rusted Terminian writing on it. And just at the joint where the pipe connected with another end, there were loose and busted rusty bolts just barely holding the old pipe. Jace closed one eye to aim, before giving a heavy swing with his dagger as it flew far ahead. A burst of water came rushing from the pipe. Silver Keaton jumped over the rushing water, as Jace reached out and grabbed his knife back when Keaton jumped. Iris dared to look back. Water was rushing through every corridor, and blazing up toward them. The keaton swiftly followed another trail that lead to the old room filled with working lizalfos crafting weapons. It wasn't long before the water came bursting into the room, and the large room became filled with beastly roars and shouts of terror. Keaton remembered the ladder ahead, realizing he wouldn't be able to climb that.
"Hold tight!" He shouted to Iris and Jace. He turned back around toward the water, which now caused both Iris and Jace to go wide eyed. It was so unexpected that Jace even gave a classic deku's squeak!
"Keaton, what're you doing!?" Jace shouted in shock. Keaton made a high jump to a crate and jumped into the high mine, and began running. The water came bursting in after them!

Keaton suddenly came to a halt, reaching a dead end. He looked up and spotted a hole. It was narrow, he wouldn't be able to fit through with everyone on his back. He turned back to Iris and Jace. "Go through that hole, it'll take you to the surface!"
Before anyone had a say in this, he vanished and dropped Iris and Jace, trusting they knew what to do.


Moments out in Termina field near the outside of the Observatory, a hole in the ground bursted with water.
"AHHHhhh!!!" The two deku scrubs were shot out of the hole and sent rolling down the hill on land. Skits had flown out of the hole before he could be put in that situation.
Iris opened her eyes and she came to a stop from rolling down hill, drenched and muddy... She stared up at the dusk sky. Terrified and angry at Keaton for doing that. She looked over. Jace stood up and coughed. He looked… Funny. His ponytail was all messed up and nearly fallen out. She laughed, but soon looked up to gaze eye-to-eye with Keaton.
"I see you made it out okay." He spoke.
She glared, holding in a harsh comment. Jace threw his arms into the air, going "Woo!" before adding, "That was fun!"
"You're crazy..." Iris mumbled. "And... you're filthy..."
"You don't look too good yourself, princess..." Jace teased.
Sikver Keaton laughed. "I can't lie about that; You both look awful... You might want to go back to the Inn in Clock Town and get washed up..."

"But hey, we didn't drown!" Jace spoke with a tone of thrilled excitement. "And I trust that's the fairy?"
Iris nodded and held up the fairy's orb that she was wearing around as a necklace for now. "I say we take her back before we do anything else..."
"Sounds like a plan." Jace helped Iris up.
Iris looked to Silver Keaton. "Why did their leader disintegrate when I took this off?"
The keaton sat down. "He must have been using her power to keep himself in that form. They supposedly already knew somehow that I was leading you... They had planned to frame me. But her power was too much for him to handle, and it destroyed him in the end when it was removed." The keaton seemed to give a sorry chuckle. "I can't believe I never noticed that he had her the whole time... Good eyes."
Iris scratched her head. "Aw it was nothing."

The keaten smiled. "When you get to Clock Town to return her to her Fountain, visit me on the way."
Jace nodded, "Sure thing!" With that, the keaton vanished.
Iris looked at her clothes "Yuck..."
"C'mon, let's go." Jace laughed.
"Ugh..." Iris snorted as they walked toward Clock Town.
The group was silent for a while, but mid-way, Jace began again. "Hey?"
"Huh?" She responded.
"Why didn't you tell me you could fight like that!? I mean, you even kicked the guy in the jaw, and did a back flip! Why've you been leading me to believe that you're weak and know nothing about battle!?" Jace shot his arms up in the air. "You don't need weapons!"
"I've said it before, I'm out of my element. I can't always do it-"
"Like you said you can't dance...?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Exactly. I can't always do it..." Iris retorted, looking off elsewhere. "If I'm really, really trying, it's hard." little did she know, the reason it was normally hard was because she was too afraid...
Jace shook his head. "Man, you weren't even trying!?"
"Natural instinct. I've been put in dangerous situations before, a lot." Iris laughed at his amusement.
"You train a little, you'd be deadly..." Jace laughed out loud.







To Be Continued...
 

FayeleneFyre

The local treehugger
Joined
Sep 23, 2011
chapter_10_by_thefatedblades-dah3x3l.jpg



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Chapter 10
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NIGHT OF THE THIRD DAY
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Something Changes...
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Everyone seemed to stare at the sopping wet deku scrubs as they passed through the bustling town. Iris and Jace looked like they'd just jumped out of a mud puddle. The Carnival looked like it was started only about an hour ago. Jace ignored the stares. Iris, though, tried, but found it hard not to pay attention to it all.
"In the middle of a Carnival filled with clean people, and we're filthy and covered in mud... Nice." Iris muttered.
"Ignore them." Jace laughed. Jace lead them both straight to North Clock Town. There were mostly kids there playing. Some were near the playground. Iris and Jace walked over, seeing as the keaton told them to come see him when they got there.

The old keaton licked a wound on his paw. He looked up to spot Iris and Jace, plus little Skits flying high above. He looked to the trio "Ready to take her back to the fountain?" He asked, looking to the fairy's orb. Iris nodded.

Keaton stood and lead them to the Fairy's Fountain. Once inside, Iris walked up. She looked back at Keaton as if asking for assurance.
"Go ahead." The silver fox smiled.
Iris took the glass orb and smashed it. It was a repeat of what happened back at Great Bay, when her body began forming together from the small fairy spirits in the bright light. Iris opened her eyes to face the beautiful tall Great Fairy. She smiled down at Iris thankfully. She looked to the silver keaton. "Thank you, Keaton."
He nodded.
The Great Fairy bent to Iris' level. "That was brave what you did in there. I saw everything. I was told about you by my sisters that you saved before. You, Jace, and Skits-" She winked at Skits, "Have done us all a great deal..." She stood tall again, and she walked to Jace. She bent down and looked him in the face and put her hand to the side of his face on the wound under his eye- Which caused him to wince. When she pulled away, it was gone. "The least I can do is heal you before I go into rest."

She was about to try and heal Keaton, but he refused her help. "Don't use up your power on me. I'll be fine." Silver Keaton kindly spoke. She nodded, realizing he was healing quick anyway. Keaton added, "You must rest now. They misused your power..."
She thanked him, before walking back to the shallow water of the torn apart fountain.

"Take care, and please be careful young ones, for there's many dangers ahead of you." She warned Iris and Jace. "However, please enjoy the rest for tonight. We wouldn't want you missing the Carnival." She smiled at Jace. Jace chuckled before looking intently at iris. The Great Fairy added, "But first, you must get washed up." Iris scratched her arm, well-aware of that. The Great Fairy began to fade. "Fare thee well for now, may we meet again soon. Best of luck, and thank you." With that, she was gone.

Iris turned back to thank Keaton, but he was gone as well. Jace shrugged when she sent him a confused glance.



At the Inn, a young woman with red hair was tending to the counter, when the door chimed as it opened. She looked up to the two muddy deku scrubs as they walked in.
"Hey Rose." Jace waved. "Are the showers open?"
She laughed. "What on earth happened, Jace?"
"Long crazy story." The blond boy replied. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
They both chuckled, as Rose nodded. "Yes, they're open."
Jace was now gone. He was in a hurry, not wanting to miss the rest of the Carnival. Iris looked up to the girl at the counter and looked nervous.
"I guess you'll have to wait, he seems in a hurry." Rose giggled. "You're new, who might you be?"
Iris gulped. "Um. Iris."
"Ah yes, my mother told me about you! She's the Inn keeper. Don't be shy." She paused, before adding. "Want me to get you anything?"

Quite a time later, Jace walked down the stairs from the second floor of the Inn, cleaner than he'd been through the whole adventure so far.
Iris was having a conversation with Rose, when his shining leaves caught her attention. "Dang, took you long enough, you might as well have washed your clothes while you were at it."
"Actually, that's why it took me so long." He laughed. Iris responded with a simple "Oh." and Jace crossed his arms. "You better get cleaned up quick, we're missing everything!"
"I know, I know." Iris responded. Rose turned to her when Iris stopped. "Um. Where is it?"
Rose lead her up the stairs and to a room, and opened the door to the shower room. It looked brand new compared to everything else in the Inn. "Here you are."
"Thank you." Iris spoke, and she walked in and closed the door.

About an hour later... Jace was downstairs speaking with a man with purple hair and with Rose. They all laughed at a joke, before Jace continued a conversation. "I mean, these beasts are awful and ruthless, but they aren't that bright. They certainly aren't very good at planning things out. But anyway, this is how I've been stuck in this dragalfos mess."
"Quite a story, Jace!" The old man laughed. "Sounds you've taken a liking to the girl, though." Both he and Rose couldn't help but notice he brought Iris up several times in his explanation of their whole story and spotlighted her, and hardly talked about himself or the dragalfos…
Jace had an 'Oops' look on his face, but said. "Hard for me not to, Mr. Dotour."
Rose sighed. "Well, Jace, I'm glad that you're not having to travel on your own all the time now."
"Aw well, for now anyway. She's gotta return home, and she lives far away... I'm not sure if I'll see her again after this is all over..." He said sadly as he glanced off and rubbed his head. "I'm just hoping with the time she'll be here, she'll have enjoyed my company."
Rose leaned on the counter and answered assuringly. "Don't say that, Jace. I'm sure she was happy to be with you. And love always finds it's way back around, isn't that right, dad?" She looked to Kafei.
Kafei nodded. "She's right. Why, did I ever tell you the story about Anju and I during the Moonfall, Jace?"
"Yes, several times." He chuckled. "It's an amazing story, Mr. Dotour, but Anju loved you back. I'm not sure about Iris..." Jace looked a bit deterred. "I dunno, I guess I'll only find out in the end of all this."

Jace heard steps coming from the stairs when Iris came into the view. He held back the urge to compliment her practically glowing autumn-colored leaves. Actually, the tips of her leaves looked almost a golden honey-yellow now. He replaced his unspoken sugarcoated comment with, "And about a day later."
"Oh ha-ha." She gave a sarcastic laugh. "I'd never used an indoor shower before, thank you."
Jace chuckled, then stared. She just looked so much more... He couldn't explain it. Pretty? Beautiful? Radiant? There wasn't a word he knew.
"That's refreshing, though. They really need one of those in Hyrule at the forest." She laughed. The Hyrule part earned her confused gazes from Rose and Kafei, but they didn't say anything. Jace did tell them she wasn't from around here. Everything she said started to kinda go over Jace's head after that.

"Jace?... Hey!"
Jace shook his head. "Huh-What?"
"Did you hear a word I just said?" She grumbled.
"Uh, you need a shower in Hyrule?" Jace questioned.
Iris blinked. "I asked if you're ready to go."
He completely missed that part. He'd supposedly tuned out by accident. "Oh- Yeah."
Iris rolled her eyes, before approaching him from the staircase.
He took a step back, feeling a little uneasy by her being so close. In a butterflies-in-my-stomach kind of way, which was new. His heart was fluttering with his emotions. He pried his gaze from her to look at Rose and Kafei. "I-I guess we're going then."
Rose smiled. "Okay, we don't want you missing the Indigo-Gos." She managed to remind him.
"Oh! I forgot! C'mon Iris!" With that, he grabbed her by the hand and ran to the door. She was used to that by now. "Bye Rose, bye Mr. Dotour!" Jace called, closing the door behind him and Iris.

Skits had been waiting for them outside, the sound of the door closing woke him up, and he instantly flew down to Iris. Luckily the Milk Bar was only a building away from the Inn. Jace, Iris, and Skits gazed up at the tall man in front of the Milk Bar. He stopped them both. "I can't let y'all in I'm afraid. How old are you?" It was hard for Terminians to tell a deku scrub's age, since they're naturally small.
Jace grumbled, before answering. "Sixteen sir. We were-"
"I can't allow it then, you're underage." He cut Jace off.
Jaces leaves twitched. "But we were invited by the Indigo-Gos earlier today." The man simply glanced down at them in disbelief. "Weren't you permitted to allow a Jace, Iris, and Skits in?" Jace found it hard to believe he'd let the bird in, whether he was told to let him in or not. Just then, the man scanned his memory, before he went wide eyed.
"Oh... Yes, I was." He glared at the black bird, he was told one was an animal. But he grudgingly opened the door for them all. "Go on..." He growled.
Jace wanted to jump for joy, but simply walked through. "Thank you, c'mon Iris."
The deku girl gazed up at the tall man nervously, as she walked in holding onto Skits. Jace wowed. He'd never been inside the bar before. It was packed with people right now. He and Iris felt out of place, being the only younger people in their mid adolescence here it seemed, everyone here were either nearly adults or were adults. The youngest aside from Iris and Jace was maybe at around eighteen or nineteen, which was practically being an adult.
The band of Zora were already in the middle of a song up on stage. Iris hadn't heard music like this before, it was very soothing. Such calming music. When she thought of a bar, she thought of something rugged and gross. But it hardly even looked like a bar. And everyone here were all just folks having a good time and celebrating the festivities.

Iris looked around as she walked down the stairs carefully. Jace happened to be doing the same. Iris stopped, and looked at the counter. She got a few gazes from questioning adutls. "Hey Jace-" She looked to the side of her, he was gone. "Wh-" She looked ahead, and just barely through the crowd in front of the stage, she saw his leaves as he stood up front. She sighed, and followed.

She didn't feel comfortable being surrounded by all these people, but she managed to sort of ignore them as she pushed through till she reached Jace.
Jace waved at the drummer, who'd taken only a second to stop and wave back, before he went back to playing.
"They're great, huh?" Jace asked with a smile.
Iris remained silent for a moment, before responding, "Actually, they are. I've never heard music like that before." She wasn't all that excited to hear them at first, but she was glad she was able to now.

The song stopped, before the Zora lead singer spoke. "That was a new song of ours written by my sister; Lira-" He pointed to her as she waved, followed by a round of applause from most of the people in the bar. He continued, "It's an honor to be here tonight. As you may have already known, my mother Lulu, our previous singer, has retired. Being able to continue our band and share our music with the world is truly an honor that you have come to see us play. This is mine and my sister's first time playing on stage at a show. Next up, we have a legendary song, made famous by the previous members of the Indigo-Gos, Balled Of The Wind Fish for our final act." With that, one of the band members began playing his piano softly, as the rest of the band began adding in smoothly. Jace was a little disappointed he'd already missed most of their songs.

Iris simply listened, and she started to get lost in the beautiful, solemn, and captivating, tune. Everyone in the bar grew quiet as they listened. She was used to heavy cryptic beats from her forest home from the other deku scrubs and the soft flutes from the Skull Children. But this was a whole new sound. She found herself leaning on the foot of the stage with her elbows. The vibe, the softness of it all. It was like listening to waves, or wind, with such a mixture of heart put into it. Or at least she pictured the waves of the ocean or wind.

Jace glanced at Iris in her movement to lean on the stage, seeing her sway a bit without her own notice. It was obvious she had discovered something new here, and this made Jace smile. He soon went back to listening to the band. He almost put his arm around her, but an image in his mind of her smacking him upside the head stopped him. The song would pick up and slow down from time-to-time. It felt like it went on forever for Iris- Not that she minded. Iris sighed, feeling relaxed and at ease. She looked to Jace as the song reached it's closing. She turned away to stare at the stage again. But she suddenly jumped when the room became filled with heavy applause.

The Indigo-Gos all bowed, before the lead singer spoke once more. "Thank you, and have a wonderful time at the Carnival!" The band members began moving off the stage, when everyone went about their business in the bar again, some even left.
Jace looked to Iris. "Well?"
"I'm very glad I got to see them. I've… Never heard music like that before." She smiled.
"Now you have! Well, some of 'em. We missed most of it..." Jace grumbled.
Iris giggled. "That's okay."
"Hey, Jace!" The drummer called.
Jace turned to face the drummer- He held the excitement in. "Yeah?"
"Where were you?" He chuckled.
Jace laughed out loud. "Well, long story short: We had a run in with trouble, but we're all good."
"Glad you made it at least for our newest song and the final song." The drummer added. "You planning on staying for the rest of the Carnival?"
Jace nodded. "Yep, or at least the first day. I'm going to show Iris around, she's never been here before, so I might as well."
Iris waved, when the drummer gave her a wave. She spoke shyly. "That was, uh, very beautiful music."

"Thank you little lady." The drummer thanked gradually, "You enjoy your time, 'kay?"
She nodded, she didn't really know what to say.
"I hate to say it, but we should probably be going. It's getting later, and that the people working here keep giving us odd stares." Jace stifled a low laugh.
Skits was close by Iris' feet, to avoid being stepped on by everyone in the bar.
"Heheh, okay." The drummer leaned on the counter.
Jace added kindly. "But can you tell the band I said hi, and that what I was at least able to see was awesome? A very nice job for Lira and her brother's first time playing!"
"Sure thing little dude." He paused as they walked away. "Bye!"

Jace waved bye, as he, Iris, and Skits walked up the stairs and outside. He knew they didn't have the kind of time to spend two days at the Carnival, due to the Fairies, so he wanted to make the most of one night.
"That was great!" Iris suddenly commented. This earned her a soft affectionate smile from Jace.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it, it's still too bad you missed most of them, they're amazing." Jace chuckled. "But there's plenty more to see, and it's abbouut...-" Jace looked around the town, till he spotted one of the clocks that was hanging "-7:26 P.M. And we got till midnight to see the Clock Tower open up."
Iris was looking around. She looked back at the blond boy.
He situated his rucksack around his shoulder. "Anywhere you want to go, just tell me."
She smiled brightly, and without hesitation, she ran straight back to the market place like earlier that day.
"I shoulda' known better." He laughed before taking off after her.

Iris examined the town again as she passed everyone. They were dressed so brightly and festive. A lot of them were wearing masks and performing. Such as dancing, magic tricks, and what not. It was noisy around the market place, and many new shops were up. What Iris was actually looking for was that same tear-shaped sapphire she saw a picture of earlier that day. But no luck. Jace felt kinda bad for hiding it from her, but he figured he'd save it for when she's seen everything.

"C'mon Iris, there's so much more than that silly ol' sapphire." Jace tried to comfort her. She sighed.
"I guess you're right." She responded, Skits simply nodded in agreement. Skits still didn't like Jace all that much, but he had a point. "I tend to obsess over stuff."

Iris found herself drawn to another shop, which was filled with masks of all kinds- from festival-based masks, to masks of all kinds of Terminian creatures. And some masks were just plain silly! Some of even creatures she knew in Hyrule. The man smiled down on her as he showed off masks. She was especially interested in a mask of a keaton.
"Heheh, Jace, look!" Iris pointed to the keaton mask.
Jace examined it. "Hey, a keaton mask! Kids used to wear these to attempt to fool keatons, but it never worked." He chuckled.
Iris snickered in delight, before wandering off without even informing Jace- Of which he turned and followed her quickly. Skits eventually began mingling with other birds that sat around the town, growing tired of following Iris like that. He wasn't all that worried about her, knowing already that the people here were kind.

"Hold on!" Iris called, before they both came to a stop. Iris found herself giving a device on a table a strange look.
Iris blinked, before asking. "What kinda gizmo is that!?"
Jace looked in the direction she pointed, spotting what looked like small boxes with round glass frames on the front of them.
The deku boy smirked, before responding. "It's a Pictograph Box. You've never seen one?"
"What does it do...?" Iris asked. She felt stupid asking that because it seemed everyone here knew what it was.
Jace walked up to the table, gesturing her to follow. She did so as she gazed cautiously at it.
"Excuse me." Jace called up to the man running the stand topped with unusual new items and gadgets. "Is this to try out or something?" The man nodded. Jace grabbed the device. "You just press this button right here, and-" He pointed it up at the Clock Tower, and it made a clicking sound and flash that made Iris jump. She looked amazed when a piece of paper slipped out of the front. Jace pulled it out all the way and shook it, before handing it to Iris. Iris took it slowly, as if she was afraid it'd burn her or something. An exact copy of the Clock Tower on this small piece of paper was present.

She gasped. "That's amazing, it's an instant-painting!! But how...?"
She held it up to compare it with the view of the Clock Tower. "Huh... Is it magic?"
The deku boy stifled a small laugh, knowing she just didn't know any better. "Just modern technology, Iris. For Termina, anyway."
"Tech...nology?" She puzzled. She'd heard of it even back in Hyrule, but spending most of her life in a forest, she didn't even know what technology was or how it worked. She shrugged it off, before staring at the photo again.
"Used to, you could only take one photo with 'em, but you can at least take up to several pictures with one, depending on what kind you get." Jace added. He aimed it at Iris, and it clicked. "See?" He handed the photo of Iris over. She took it, as that amazed look was slapped back on her face.
"Whoa!!" she jumped, looking herself over. Jace handed the man the Pictograph Box back. Iris simply stared at the picture of herself. "That is so cool!"


They'd spent hours just playing games and looking at the many foreign items all around town, even trying some kind of new drink- of which they both found extremely disgusting... Iris did, however, avoid South Clock Town where loud, lively, music could be heard. She avoided it for a number of reasons she didn't feel like explaining.

It was around 11:23 P.M. when she finally did get around to looking through South Clock Town. It was the most packed part of Clock Town. She was amazed to look up and see a risen platform that had a bridge built leading to a closed door on the Clock Tower.
"Why is there a bridge up there?" Iris shouted above the music.
"Well, it's a tradition that's been passed for ages. A door used to open on the eve of the Carnival that lead above the Clock Tower, but now it opens on the very night of the Carnival. When the clock strikes twelve, the Clock Tower'll open up!" Jace replied.

Iris sat back against the wall near the steps to the laundry pool, happy with her sights seen as she watched people dance in the square in front of the Clock Tower all dressed up with their festive clothes and masks. She looked as if she was waiting for twelve o' clock to hit. After hearing about what it does, she became interested. Jace leaned on the wall standing up next to her. The lively music had him tapping his foot- Of which Iris was greatly distracted by the movement from.
"Iris?"
"What?"
Jace crossed his arms. "What're we doing just standing here?"
"Wha-?" She looked out.
Jace chuckled, "You don't want to dance?" He teased
"Uhh... Nnnno..." Iris answered slowly, but surely.
"Aww, why?" He laughed, "It'll be fun."
Iris looked away. "I think I've had enough fun for one night."
"It'll probably be the only time you get to have fun till you go home." He responded.
"I'd just look like an idiot." She chuckled nervously.
Jace looked out at a guy dancing alone and pointed. "I don't know if you'll look as bad as that guy over there..."
Iris had to admit; she was sure it wouldn't be as bad as THAT. "Oh my… He looks a bit drunk, actually."
"And look, there's even other deku out there." Jace pointed out closer to the Clock Tower. "And a Goron."

"I just don't know, Jace." Iris scratched her arm again.
"You need to be more social." He replied, "It'd be good for ya', get rid of that shyness."
Iris shook her head. She really just felt uncomfortable attracting attention to herself. She felt a gaze from him, and looked up. She sighed and stood against her discomfort. Jace looked at her, as if surprised.
"Fine." The deku girl chimed. Her "fine" was a showing that she wanted too, but refused before for her own shy reasons.
Jace smiled, before replying "Really?"
"Once won't hurt." She laughed, covering her extremely shy and at doubt tone. She had mixed feelings about it.

Skits was perched on one of the buildings when he saw them. He had that look on his face that said 'Great...'.
Iris didn't know Jace meant walk out in the middle of the square and dance... Where everyone would be watching. She about turned around there and went back, but stopped herself. She grumbled to herself and complained at Jace lowly as she hesitatingly walked out again. "Last thing I need is major attention..."

When she reached him again, she found herself looking high above at the tall Terminians towering above them both. Some zora and gorons.
"Oh boy..." She mumbled, 'What did I get myself into...?'
She jumped and her eyes went wide when Jace grabbed her hand, mainly because she'd gotten caught up in looking at everyone else, forgetting Jace was standing in front of her. During the whole start, Iris continuously glanced at the people surrounding them both, who some would share a glance back. It caused her to constantly lose attention on the dance itself.
"They're watching us..." Iris shivered.
"Don't pay attention to them then." Jace responded calmly. "You need to be calm. Like last night. Remember?"
Iris nodded. Ignoring people was something she was good at to an extent, but not when it involved throwing herself out into the middle of heavy social activity, which she'd found herself doing a lot of ever since she was thrown into this whole Termina mess...

They repeated a move from last night, but Iris still seemed nervous and tense.
"Look at me." Jace's tone urged softly. Iris looked at him. "You're okay."
At that, she realized that just paying attention to Jace helped a little. She took a deep breath, before she looked at their feet. She began to get into it again, and she moved in sync with his movements. Before long, she was back into the dancing again, ignoring everyone else around her. She was still learning, so she did try some new stuff.
Jace repeated another one of his moves, by throwing is arm out and releasing her briefly. But she added something in by grabbing his hand, and pulling him back to her, rather than him pulling her back to him. It surprised him. He just laughed lowly. She really got lost in the fun of it and didn't really care who watched anymore. Jace held her close to him when he grabbed her hand. She hadn't known that it made his heart skip a beat and in all honestly, holding her hand is all he wanted to do. He used this opportunity to slowly wrap his free arm around her waist. He winced lightly, expecting her to freak out, but she just looked at him with a puzzled look due to his split second reaction. "What's wrong?" She asked.
He blushed and chuckled. "I-It's nothing..." 'She's so close to me... I can't believe it…'
She looked into his eyes and smiled. "That was cute... Looked like you might'a tripped up a little."
He blushed even more, such a sudden change in her personality. He felt maybe he was seeing a side of her she'd been hiding... How that side would show suddenly, he didn't know, but he knew this had to be the real Iris- not the spazzy angry Iris she showed through most of their time together from the start. He wasn't sure what, but something fell over him, and he felt like maybe time stopped. It was a rush. They stared at one another quietly. Jace soon sighed, and began with a calm-masked tone "... Iris..."
She answered, "Yes?"
"... I... Well-I..." He began to freeze. "Iris, I need to tell you something..." 'Not like it'll be anything she hasn't already heard… Thanks, Keaton...'
She waited patiently.
"You're so be-...- I really h-have enjoyed being here with you. I've never traveled with anyone else before. It's been so nice to not be alone on this trip around Termina, and I-I know you gotta go back home, but..." He paused, taking a deep breath before speaking with so much sincerity "Iris, I lo-"

Iris jumped when the sound of a loud thud pounded. The loud thud and the booming of the fireworks drowned out Jace's honest words, that he honestly felt he wouldn't have the courage to say again... The music slowly began stopping. She looked up and backed away at the sound when she'd seen the Clock Tower starting to change, as large flashing fireworks shot up into the sky and broke away into smaller flashes and bangs, which caused Iris to get closer to Jace again when they scared her. She'd never seen anything like that.
"It's okay, they're just fireworks." Jace backed up with her. He hid it, but he was disappointed with the timing of it all...
The round top of the Clock Tower rose high before it began to fall, shaking the ground when it hit an even horizontal position. When it fell, the face of the Clock had moved upright, now looking like a huge platform atop the tower. Iris gazed wide eyed in awe. But when the square began to start it's music again, some people went back to dancing, and some began climbing the platform and crossing the bridge. Iris became curious instantly.

"Can we go up there?" Iris asked. Jace looked at her, as if she'd read his mind.
Jace smiled with a kind chuckle. "I was about to ask if you wanted to check it out."
Iris looked up again. "C'mon!" Jace braced himself when she grabbed his hand again and yanked him to follow her to the platform.

Iris climbed the ladder and followed the people to a door that lead into the side of the tower.
"Slow down." Jace laughed.
Iris stepped through the dark doorway and up the stairs, eventually reaching the top doorway. When she got up on top, she was amazed. She stood on the face of the clock, and she ran to the edge to look out upon Termina field from the high view. At that moment, she took in a deep breath in excitement, then released it soothingly. You could see the ocean from here, and the mountains from a better view, and some strange building far in the East. And even the deku palace. Jace caught up with her.
"Beautiful view, huh?" He spoke with a sigh, staring out into the night.
"Yeah, There's no place like this in Hyrule, except the mountains, of course." Iris responded.
Jace noticed that his forest home only looked worse. He tried seeing if there was anywhere that remained green where there were dead plants. Nothing. He sighed, before throwing his glowing orbs to the East. He pointed. "That's where we're going next. It looks okay out there, but I could be very wrong. There's a fairy there, too."
"Oh?"
"Yep, it's Ikana Canyon." Jace added. He sat down to stare at the sky. Iris sat down, too, after looking out at the open field one more time.

There were a few people coming up and down from the Clock Tower, enjoying the view.
Jace stared up to gaze at the bright, large full moon. "... Quite funny really, a full moon on the night of the Carnival."
"What's so funny about it?" Iris asked.
Jace turned to her. "It relates to an old legend. You see, fifty years ago near the time of the Carnival, the moon almost fell."
"...Come again?" Iris wasn't quite sure if she heard right.
"They say a little Imp wearing an evil mask, had begun bringing the moon down to Termina. This Imp caused trouble for everyone, and pain. We thought it was the end of Termina when the moon almost hit the Clock Tower and the town. But deeper legend has it that a brave Hero from another land came and fought the evil that was within the mask that was actually possessing the Imp with hatred, and managed to save us all in just three days... They say that due to the mask's evil, the moon had taken on a face that was stuck with an evil and frightening glare. It struck fear into those who'd seen it on the first day it began falling. Others will tell you that the moon looked sad because it was being pulled down. Just before impact, The Four Guardian Giants of Termina came when the great hero called them through song. From the North, East, South, and West, they came. They held up the moon, and lifted it back into the sky. At least that's what we all know. They say the hero was merely a child, who was allied with three other people. A goron, a zora, and a young deku scrub. Some say, however, that these were him in different form. No one truly knows. The little hero was garbed in a green tunic. After Termina was saved, the Hero disappeared, and no one had seen him since."

"Wow..." Iris muttered...
"Around the time when the moon was being pulled from the sky, beautiful stones began falling from the moon rarely. They called them Moon's Tears. You don't see many often these days. Once you find one, it's probably the only one you'll find in your life. They say the moon cried, because of the events that transpired fifty years ago. It had felt guilty... It's still an interesting story." Jace laughed. "The Moon's Tear's are said to shine brighter than any other stone in the land, and that finding one can bring good luck. But giving one, can bring luck to both the giver and the taker."
"You don't say? And why're you telling me this...?" Iris chuckled. "I mean, it's interesting, and they sound really beautiful. But if they're so rare, why even tell me?"

Jace smirked... "Oh, I don't know."

Silence fell as Iris stared into the bright night sky. Jace sighed, and he glanced at her. He began to hesitate when he reached for his rucksack. He'd been so confident about it before, but now, he felt nervous. He looked over at the rucksack as he undid the button and reached inside, praying it was still in one piece after that last bit of adventure in the underground dragalfos Stronghold. He was relieved when he grabbed the wrapped up gem stone and it felt like it was still together. Iris seemed pleased with how her day had been ended. The wind blew by, and music played in tune. The sounds lulled her to shut her eyes. She rather enjoyed Termina's music.

"... Uh... Eh-hem." Jace cleared his throat.
Iris blinked, and didn't think much of it. Movement out of the corner of her eyes made her realize he was doing that to catch her attention. Her bright flared orbs looked over him. "Huh?"
"..." He stalled.
"Is something wrong?" Iris asked.
He found himself looking her over, before taking a deep breath as an expression that said 'Here goes nothing' took hold of his face. But when her eyes looked deeply into his, he'd lost the words to say. Tonight, she just looked so… Beautiful. Especially under the pale light of the Deity Moon. Her eyes had a very unusual calm burning glow to match her relaxed emotions, it was like watching a fire in slow motion. She'd never admit it, but she felt strangely calm with him tonight and safe at his side. Her spirit itself was so calm, so this very calmness was easily projected through her eyes. He stared for a moment before looking away, trying to gather his lost words again. He felt quite strange inside, his heart beating harder and his stomach feeling fluttery, his face burned as a sudden blush grew on his cheeks. He wasn't used to this feeling, because no one's ever made him feel that way before... She just blinked and stared patiently. She was very different now, if you compared her patience with Jace to her patience she had for him when they'd first met. She herself was confused by why, but she figured it was because she's gotten to know him better now.
He smiled, before finally saying, "Y'know, I've had a much better time today than I thought I would."
Iris gazed, before smiling softly. "Heh, me too. The best day I've had in Termina."
"Really now?" Jace asked with cocky tone to hide his unusual and sudden shyness.
Iris chuckled as she leaned back on her hands. "Yes."
"Do you think it could get even better?" The blond boy suddenly asked.
Iris found herself sending him a gaze, looking as if she was wondering why he'd ask. "Probably not."

Jace sighed softly, before pulling something out of his rucksack, of which Iris only gazed at. She didn't look excited or amazed. "Here, take this." He gestured.
The deku girl reached for it and took it from his grasp. Whatever it was was wrapped in a cloth, and was smooth and slightly heavy.
"Unwrap it." He said, surprised she didn't already do it.
She shrugged, before looking down at it and picking up a folded part and began to move it away. Her heart skipped when she'd caught sight of the glimmering blue. 'Surely not…' She thought. Now slowly, she unwrapped the rest of it. It was the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen. As a matter of fact, now that her eyes got to scan it thoroughly, it was that one sapphire she saw earlier that day in the market place. Shaped like a tear.

Jace watched her, as she only stared blankly at it. He wasn't sure how she'd react. But so suddenly it felt quicker than a heartbeat, that Iris threw herself to him to hug him tightly.
'I was not expecting that…' His thoughts rang. "Um. Like it?"
"I love it!!" She excitedly responded. "How did you get ahold of this beautiful sapphire!?"
Jace laughed. "Remember that bum who bought it from the market place?"
Iris scanned her memory, before realizing that when she implied that some bum had got it before her earlier that day at the market place, that bumwas Jace this whole time. She tightened the hug. "Thank you..."
"Huh?" He couldn't hear her.
The dumbfounded deku girl pulled away, "Thank you, Jace!" She held it up to gaze at it's brightness through the moon's light. It was so bright.
"That, Iris, is no mere sapphire." He paused. "It's a Moon's Tear."
She froze, then suddenly gazed back at him slowly. "It... It is...?" Jace nodded. She added, "It's so beautiful... But why would you give me this, you could make a fortune off of this!"

"Because, you're more important than money, Iris." Jace had trouble getting that mushy bit of compliment out. "To me you are anyway. You probably already know that, though. I've had the Moon's Tear since I first met you, but when I met you, I knew it was better off in your hands than my greedy hands."
Iris' heart went straight from stop to skipping a beat. But that last part made her feel kinda' bad "But, believe me, I'm much worse with this kind of thing. I don't even deserve this... I'm more greedy than you'll ever be. If you knew me by my reputation in Hyrule, you wouldn't think that..."
"You really think I care about a reputation? I can already see, Iris, that you're misunderstood. You're actually very kind, even more so than you let off." Jace took a deep breath. "And those in Hyrule who don't like you, are crazy."
Iris' face flushed. "That's kind of you, but you didn't know me growing up. I stole from them countless times, I don't blame them for not liking me. But you, I haven't stolen from you. Never, have I stolen anything of yours..."
"Yes, you did." Jace replied.
"What're you talking about?" She cut her eyes, believing he was starting to make things up.
Jace looked away and out toward the open field and after taking a breath, answered with the most sincerity he could muster. "You stole my heart."

Her whole face suddenly just went red. And she grew completely speechless. Another one of those things he'd said that she pretty much just walked herself into. She drew a few silent deep breaths, for what he just said took her breath away completely... She was wondering how one could feel breathless and still be alive.
"You're a skilled thief, I never expected it." Jace chuckled. He looked Iris in the eyes. "There's nothing for me to hide, not after that little bit of info Keaton let you hear of my thoughts back when we were captured." Jace's voice spoke with a chuckle, thought he was looking down for a while embarrassedly. "It's all true, I fell for ya'. And you took it quite well when you heard my thoughts earlier today, so I guess it wont hurt for me to say it now. You mean the world to me, Iris. Which is why I want you to be happy, I'd do anything for you. And even if taking you home would make you happy, I'll do it."

As his eyes looked over hers, she found herself looking at him straight back. Her hands fidgeted with each other. He looked as if he was waiting for a reply, but nothing came. She didn't know how to reply to that! Jace looked away with a chuckle. "I'm very glad today went well for you. We're getting back on the search tomorrow so I can get you home. I bet you're excited to get back to your forest? I would be if it meant going home finally."

Iris hadn't even heard him. She was too busy wondering why she felt the way she did: Awkward, shaky, fluttery, nervous, and speechless. She stared at the Moon's Tear in adoration. The confused girl gathered herself again, however, and managed to speak a quiet "Thank you..."

Jace nodded. "You're very welcome."
"M-Maybe you should hold onto it for me. I'd just break it, and I have no where to keep it." Iris handed the Moon's Tear to Jace. He nodded, and put it back.

Iris looked to Jace and changed the subject, hopefully to help cure her of her odd nervousness. "But at the Inn. Did their water pressure seem low?"
"Yeah... It's because we busted that pipe underground." Jace replied.
Iris looked forward again "...Oohhh... Shouldn't we tell someone...?"
"I'll worry about it tomorrow." Jace laughed.
"Okay." Iris laughed with him. It seemed no matter how much she tried, though. She couldn't shake that odd feeling she felt. If she changed the subject or thought of something else, somehow her mind would always shift right back to Jace. Suddenly, and only recently, she'd started feeling awkward and scatterbrained around him. Her heart fluttered at the thought of him. She was strangely worried about saying something stupid, when before, She couldn't have cared less. Now, her heart would constantly feel as if it would skip a beat at even the slightest thing he'd say, and him looking at her alone made her feel a little weak in the knees. She thought maybe she was overreacting, but it still confused her. 'Think. What could cause this...? Why would I feel this way...? I've never felt like this before! I'd never felt this way about him when I met the guy. I couldn't stand him... But I-…' She stopped thinking, before suddenly matching it all up. 'Holy Hyrule.' She glanced at him from the corner of her eyes, before finally realizing. '…I think I'm in love with him…'











To Be Continued...
 

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