BEGIN PREVIEW

“So this is Sundol…” Dawn notes as the group looks around at the stone and wood buildings around them.

“Doesn’t look like a place to find Vatradaina…” Ash sighs. “Just a normal old village to me.”

“And furthermore, how am I going to protect myself if my spinners fail?” Dawn asks. “You have Song Magic, Ash will eventually learn Song Magic, but what about me?”

“Remember the canon?” Brock interjects. “On the show, Loras does quite all right with just the spinners, but if you really want to learn Song Magic, the person we need to see teaches Loras how to use it in the comic.”

“Since we are simply in an illusion of Thianon, I suppose we can take a page from the comic and have me learn Song Magic…no pun intended.” Dawn replies, now in a noticably better mood.

END PREVIEW

o^-^o: So who does the gang need to see to learn more about Song Magic and Vatradaina? Stop by tomorrow and see!

BEGIN PREVIEW

Link sighed as he scoped out the exits that were higher up. Most of the low exits he had examined already were dead ends, and judging from the three high exits he and Thani had examined already, the exit was likely not up high either.

He was about to start back down the mossy branch he was standing on when he thought he heard fairy’s wings. “Thani?” he called, thinking his friend had returned from examining some exits in some alcoves that were covered in vines.

It wasn’t until he turned around that he noticed what was flying towards him: a swarm of small ball-like creatures with a single eye–and they didn’t look friendly at all. He thought he could jump down into the water and escape, but seeing some Octoroks surface down below ruled out that option. His heart raced as he considered his few remaining options: battle his foes coming from above; and try not to fall in the water in the process, call for Thani, or hole up in one of the alcoves he had found. He had to think quickly, as time was running out…

END PREVIEW

o^-^o: Uh oh! How will Link get out of this bind? Stop by Sunday and see!

“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.

“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…”

Episode 13: Secrets of the Lakebed Grove

Thani studied the three exits, her lips pursed in thought as to where the Deku Scrub had gone. “Do you see any footprints at all, Link?”

“Not at all.” Link sighed. “I’m more concerned as to what this place is…”

“I believe this is the Lakebed Grove, a place where fairies would come and relax while they visited the human world.” Thani mused. “But seeing how determined that Deku Scrub was to get here, I have a feeling Arthan’s dark power has reached down and begun corrupting the plants here.”

Link swallowed hard at the thought of monsters catching him off guard. “So, which way do you feel we need to start from to find that Deku Scrub?”

“I propose we go down each route in turn until we find a map or a clue to where the Deku Scrub went off to.” Thani replied. “So let’s go!”

Link obediently followed Thani down the left hallway, amazed by the variety of plants around him. This wasn’t anything like the monster infested dungeons he usually traveled through–this was more like a secret glen where weary adventurers could come and relax.

He was snapped from his awed daydream by a shadow in the darkness, but when he turned back to look, all he saw was a large pink rose-like plant that didn’t look ready to bloom. I must be seeing things… he sighed as he turned to follow Thani again, only to see the shadow looming overhead.

When he turned around again, the flower seemed to open in bloom–but no normal rose would have a face, forboding yellow eyes, and a mouth full of tiny sharp teeth. He drew his sword in preparation for battle, but the rose-monster lashed him with a vine, sending him flying onto a mossy branch. His blade landed a few yards away with a thunk.

“A Raffelrose…” Thani noted as Link scrambled to retrieve his weapon, fending off the rose-monster’s barbed vines with his shield all the while. “If you have any fire magic or flame producing items, those will be very helpful in here.”

Of course! I have Din’s Fire! Link thought as he snatched his blade away from the Raffelrose’s vines. Maybe I could stun it long enough to cast the spell!

“Link! Catch!” Thani called to him as she heaved a Deku Nut in his direction.

Link heaved his boomerang at the Deku Nut, making the boomerang catch the nut in mid air. “Thanks!” he smiled as both items returned to him. The Raffelrose lunged again to lash at him, but Link hurled the Deku Nut at it, making it stumble backwards in surprise from the sudden flash of light. With his opponent stunned, he reached for the clear diamond in his bag that held the red orb containing the spell. “Goddess of Power, show me your fire, and help me to drive this evil away!” With that, the orb began to glow red, signaling it was ready to use. The Raffelrose, now recovering from its daze, had no time to react as Link hurled the glowing orb to the ground, surrounding him in a dome of flames and setting some of the Raffelrose’s vines ablaze.

The flames then began to move away from Link, consuming the Raffelrose, but not harming any of the other plants in the room. After a few moments, the magical flames died out, and a chest dropped into the room.

Thani flitted over and inspected the chest. “It doesn’t look like there are any traps on this, so it’s safe to see what’s inside.”

“Okay!” Link replied as he gathered his gear. Once sure he had everything he hurried over to the rock the chest was on and opened the chest, carefully lifting the folded map from inside. “It’s a map! Just what we needed!” he smiled, giddily holding the map aloft in pure euphoria.

“Let’s see here…” Thani motioned for Link to unroll the map, then studied eavch of the three routes. “Of the three initial routes we had, the center appears to be the only one that would allow us to make any progress. Left and right would only lead to dead ends.”

Link nodded, pocketed the map, and followed Thani out of the room and down the center route. What awaited him in the next room made him gasp in surprise.

The large, spacious room appeared to look like a minature rain forest, with a number of exotic plants, mossy branches, and logs floating in a massive pool–but complicating the matter further were the number of ways out of the room–every flower, tree, vine, and stump in the “rainforest” appeared to have an exit! Having to choose between three routes was bad enough, but the room had seemingly hundreds of them–and only one was the way foward.

To Be Continued…

o^-^o: Will Link find the right way out? Don’t miss Episode 14 on this Web site next week!

BEGIN PREVIEW

Link followed Thani down the left hallway, amazed by the variety of plants around him. This wasn’t anything like the monster infested dungeons he usually traveled through–this was more like a secret glen where weary adventurers could come and relax.

He was snapped from his awed daydream by a shadow in the darkness, but when he turned back to look, all he saw was a large pink rose-like plant that didn’t look ready to bloom. I must be seeing things… he sighed as he turned to follow Thani again, only to see the shadow looming overhead.

When he turned around again, the flower seemed to open in bloom–but no normal rose would have a face, forboding yellow eyes, and a mouth full of tiny sharp teeth…

END PREVIEW

o^-^o: What is that creature? Stop by Sunday and find out!

“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!

BEGIN PREVIEW

“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, reaveling 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…

END PREVIEW

o^-^o: So what will Link and Thani find in the lakebed? Stop by Sunday and find out!

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

Thani smiled. “Well done, Link…I would have expected nothing less from the hero that traveled through time.” she smiled as the two of them passed through the next door into a room similar to where they had entered from. The only item present in the room was a large ivory altar, where a dull red stone that resembled a clock face hovered, as if beckoning for someone to take it.

I am the Spirit of Time that lives in the Garnet. the voice replied. If you bring me to where the Jeweled Sword lies and set me within–I will repay you handsomely. With that, Link felt a soothing blue glow around him as the power of the Garnet warped him and Thani outside….

Episode 11: The Spring of Blessing

Link and Thani arrived at the edge of the mountain path seconds after departing the Temple of Hours. With one of the Gems of Power now in his possession, the next question was figuring out where the Spring of Blessing was.

He sighed and fished out the Ocarina again as he set foot in Hyrule Field again. Maybe Saria knows where the Spring is… he thought as he performed the familiar joyful melody of Saria’s Song.

“That song…is it special to you?” Thani was piqued by the melody.

“Yeah–a friend taught it to me during my first adventure–so we could communicate with each other.” Link explained as he listened for Saria to answer the song.

After a few tense seconds, a familiar voice echoed in Link’s mind as a faint green aura surrounded him. Can you hear me? It’s Saria.

I hear you loud and clear. Link “replied” in his mind. I’m on another adventure…

A new adventure? Tell me about it! Saria giggled.

It started when I rescued my new fairy friend, Thani, from a Moblin in the woods. Link explained. You remember the Kokiri’s Emerald that the Deku Sprout now holds?

Yes, I remember the Spiritual Stone well. Saria replied. What about it?

Thani told me that the Spiritual Stones I gathered on my first adventure are known as Gems of Power in the fairy realms, and they are only three of eight in the set. Link explained. I asked Princess Zelda if she could help, and she told me she had seen a place called the Spring of Blessing in a dream. Would you happen to know where this spring is?

There was a tense pause for a moment before Saria returned. I believe I know the place where you speak–there’s what looks like a lake in a clearing just before you arrive at the Sacred Forest Meadow. Usually, there are hundreds of fairies relaxing and traveling to the fairy realms; but ever since an inky cloud of darkness descended upon it, I haven’t seen a single fairy there.

Really? We’re on our way! Link replied. Thank you, Saria!

You’re welcome! was Saria’s last reply before the aura around Link faded, leaving him and Thani alone again.

“If what Saria says is true, then Arthan may be trying to enter the human world–if he hasn’t already conquered the fairy realms first.” Thani worried as Link led the way towards the forest.

“We may still have time!” Link assured Thani as he raced over the bridge leading into Kokiri Forest, skillfully climbed the vine covered walls that sealed off the woods from the Kokiri village, and began weaving through the various clearings of the Lost Woods, as if going to the Sacred Forest Meadow.

They arrived some minutes later at a clearing with a large lake ringed by ivory statues of fairies and plants Link had never seen before. While the plants would be usually blooming, an omnious cloud coming from the center of the lake had caused the water it touched to turn a sicking blue-green, which in turn made what plants it touch wilt.

Thani gasped when she saw the inky blackness surrounding the Spring of Blessing. “Oh no…no…if Arthan has consumed the Spring, we won’t be able to claim the Jeweled Blade!”

“How do you know if the Spring has been consumed or not? The Jeweled Sword is safe, regardless of what has happened.” the Garnet assured Thani and Link. At this a column of blue light appeared and dropped a familiar sword before Thani.

“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.

“You speak the truth, young hero.” the Garnet replied. “While what you see here is a scene of hopelessness, what your friend fears has not happened yet. If she sets the Gem of Power she carries into the Sword, the two of you will be able to dispel the black cloud and keep Arthan back for a while longer.”

“Of course, the Sun’s Diamond!” Thani smiled as she retrieved the gem from her bag. Just before she could set it into the butterfly-shaped guard, a Deku Scrub raced past and snatched the gem away with a taunting giggle.

“Hey!” Link was shocked!

“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….

To Be Continued…

BEGIN PREVIEW

Thani gasped when she saw the inky blackness surrounding the Spring of Blessing. “Oh no…no…if Arthan has consumed the Spring, we won’t be able to claim the Jeweled Blade!”

“How do you know if the Spring has been consumed or not? The Jeweled Blade is safe, regardless of what has happened.” the Garnet assured Thani and Link. At this a column of blue light appeared and dropped a familiar sword before Thani.

“Is that the Jeweled Blade?” 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…

END PREVIEW

o^-^o: Interested in seeing what happens? Stop by Sunday and see!

“So this is the lair of the great Aquamentus…” Link started as he crept across the rock. He was about to say more when he heard a rumble from the ring of lava. “I don’t like the sound of this…”

“Be careful!” Thani called as a large green dragon-horse with a long horn on its head surfaced from the lava, circled around the cavern, and landed before Link with a mighty roar. Link just calmly drew his sword for battle…

Episode 10: The First Gem Claimed

Link lunged to stab at his opponent, but his blade met the humid air instead of the Aquamentus that had faced him just seconds before. He scratched his head, confused–did the Aquamentus have teleportation like its smaller brethren and Thani didn’t realize it?

“Look up.” Thani coaxed, pointing up at the room’s craggy ceiling. Link obediently glanced up and grimaced at the sight of the Aquamentus clomping about the rocky ceiling like a spider. His sword wasn’t going to reach the dragon-horse that way, and trying to impale it with something wasn’t likely either.

A sudden whoosh snapped him from his bemused trance–the Aquamentus was flying straight for him, with some smaller Aquamines clinging to its back! He rolled out of the way of the fireball the Aquamentus fired at him, then grabbed his boomerang to take out the four Aquamines that were now on the large rocky platform and crawling towards him. Once all four were stunned, he deftly jumped away from another fireball before finishing off the Aquamentus’ cargo.

“Watch out for fireballs!” Thani cautioned as the Aquamentus dove down to try and skewer Link with its sharp teeth. Link nodded and jumped to meet his foe, but once again sliced through air.

Link gasped as more Aquamines flew to attack him, distracting him from the task of bringing down the huge Aquamentus that circled around the room, as if waiting for a chance to attack. He hurled his boomerang at the smaller Aquamines, knocking them out of the air before they could cling to him and make his battle even harder.

An idea came to him–what if he did the same thing to the larger Aquamine?

He quickly dispatched the four Aquamines he had stunned before heaving his boomerang at the larger dragon circling above him and Thani. Just as the Aquamentus dove down to attack, Link heaved his boomerang at it. The Aquamentus shrieked in surprise as it fell to the ground with a thud, dazed from the throbbing pain in its head. After intercepting his boomerang, Link retrieved his sword and began to slash at the Aquamentus, making it scream even more with each blow. After he had administered a few hits to the dragon horse, it recovered from its daze and flew skyward again.

“I’ll follow it so you’ll have some means of a target!” Thani offered as she zipped away after the Aquamentus.

Link nodded and readied his boomerang again, making sure to keep an eye on Thani as she tracked the Aquamentus. The best time to strike, it seemed, was just before it flew to the ground with Aquamines on its back.

Just then, he heard a whoosh behind him–the Aquamentus was flying to the ground, so he hurled his boomerang skyward. It struck his opponent square in the head and sent what Aquamines it was carrying flying into the lava.

Thani rejoined Link a few seconds later. “It’s weakened, so hurry and finish it off!”

“Right!” Link replied. He ran and jumped at the dazed Aquamentus, delivering the fatal blow to its back. As he watched the defeated Aquamentus dissolve into ether, he noticed a glowing heart forming from the blue flames that made the lava in the room harden and cool. He knew these treasures well: Heart Containers.

Thani smiled. “Well done, Link…I would have expected nothing less from the hero that traveled through time.” she smiled as the two of them passed through the next door into a room similar to where they had entered from. The only item present in the room was a large ivory altar, where a dull red stone that resembled a clock face hovered, as if beckoning for someone to take it.

Link, meanwhile, was a bit hesitant–was that really the Garnet? Or was it another stone that only looked like it that had been planted there as a trap? He assured himself that Thani didn’t look like one to betray him as he nervously walked to the altar and gently picked up the garnet.

A gentle female voice echoed through the room. Thank you, young one, for rescuing me…I am the Garnet of Hours.

“Who are you?” Link gasped in surprise–he hadn’t counted on the Gems of Power being able to speak.

I am the Spirit of Time that lives in the Garnet. the voice replied. If you bring me to where the Jeweled Blade lies and set me within–I will repay you handsomely. With that, Link felt a soothing blue glow around him as the power of the Garnet warped him and Thani outside….

To Be Continued…

o^-^o: So what lies ahead on Link’s journey? Don’t miss Episode 11 on this Web site next week!

BEGIN PREVIEW

Link gasped as more Aquamines flew to attack him, distracting him from the task of bringing down the huge Aquamentus that circled around the room, as if waiting for a chance to attack. He hurled his boomerang at the smaller Aquamines, knocking them out of the air before they could cling to him and make his battle even harder.

An idea came to him–what if he did the same thing to the larger Aquamine?

He quickly dispatched the four Aquamines he had stunned before heaving his boomerang at the larger dragon circling above him and Thani….

END PREVIEW

o^-^o: Curious to see what happens? Stop by Sunday and see!