Previously, on “The Legend of Zelda: The Sacred Gems”…

“Is that the Jeweled Sword?” Link was interested in the sword’s butterfly-like guard, its wings containing eight spaces to place things. His question was answered when the Garnet flew from his bag and settled into the top left space on the butterfly’s left wing.

“Give that back!” Thani yelled. With that, she angrily flew off after the Deku Scrub. Link followed behind her, desprately hoping that they would even be able to get the Diamond back….

Episode 12: Pursuit Into Ruin

Link and Thani raced through the woods, frantically jumping over logs and rocks and ducking under branches as they tried to keep the Deku Scrub within sight. Why this scrub had snatched the Sun’s Diamond, Link didn’t know, but knowing Deku Scrubs, it would likely try and sell it for a pretty Rupee.

They caught up to the Deku Scrub some minutes later, giggling giddily as it admired the sun-shaped diamond it had pilfered. “You know, that diamond’s not yours…” Link started as he approached the Deku Scrub and removed a silver Rupee he had picked up while chasing the bemused Deku from his bag. He hoped the Deku would accept his bargain and give back the Diamond without a struggle. “I have a much better treasure for you if you’ll give it back to me.”

The Deku Scrub thought for a moment as it considered Link’s offer. “What is it that you have, boy?” it hissed. “It’d better be more valuable than this diamond!”

“I have a huge Rupee that glitters like a diamond!” Link replied, tensely offering the silver Rupee to the Deku Scrub.

Surprisingly, the Deku Scrub appeared to accept his offer. “I’ll take your treasure…” it replied, taking the silver Rupee. “But if you want the diamond, you have to catch me first!” With that, it fired a nut at Link and dashed off into the woods again.

Link was more than ready for the sudden attack as the nut bounced off his Hylian Shield with a tink. “So he wants to play games, does he…” he grumbled as he followed the Deku’s trail, Thani not far behind.

Some minutes later…

“It’s hopeless…” Thani sobbed as the two friends arrived in another clearing close by the Sacred Forest Meadow. “I promised Leide I would keep the Sun’s Diamond safe, and that Deku Scrub just had to take it from me!”

“All’s not lost–I’ve found more of the Deku Scrub’s trail!” Link assured Thani as he cleared away some grass and brush, revealing Deku Scrub footprints and a hastily made trail marker, all leading to what looked like a small lake.

“So he went into the water?” Thani asked, smiling through her tears. “I didn’t know Deku Scrubs could swim…”

“They can’t–the water’s likely a way to deter others from following it.” Link explained before pointing out an image of Leide’s crest in the grass. “But with Leide’s help, we can get the Gem of Power you carried back!” With that, he reached for the Ocarina and played Leide’s Rondo, making the water in the lake drain.

“Well…that’s one way to hide a secret hideout!” Thani smiled. “Let’s go get the Sun’s Diamond back!” Link nodded and followed Thani down a magical ladder of flower petals she had conjured into the lake basin.

He quickly shielded his eyes from a blast of sunshine that beamed down upon his face. Once he had adjusted to the light, he took a moment to look around the room. Save for the patch he was standing on, the entire floor was covered in moss, as were a number of branches that coiled around the walls and other branches and snaked skyward, poking a few holes in the earthen ceiling. Some of the mossy branches even had flowers on them, and a tiny waterfall spilled into the room from presumably the next room over.

“If this is where your next challenge is, it certainly doesn’t look like one…” Thani noted as she glanced around the room. “In fact, it’s rather peaceful down here.”

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned on my travels, it’s not to let appearances fool you.” Link replied as he studied three exits from the large room. “However, I’m curious as to which way the Deku Scrub went…”

To Be Continued…

o^-^o: So where did the Deku Scrub go? Don’t miss Episode 13 on this Web Site next week!