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"Shadow: Part II", chapter 11Shadow: Part IIBy: OkichanThe first thing Link noticed, which didn't surpass him was that Sheik had melted into the shadows as soon as he had entered the alley and wasn't anywhere he could see, though Mayoree seemed a little unnerved by him disappearing so suddenly, but didn't say anything. Link locked his blue eyes with Mayoree for a split second, and she quietly brought her gold and silver bow into her hand. Stringing it, and bringing out a arrow from the large quiver strapped over her shoulder. Link knew Sheik probably had an idea about cornering the mage and forcing him to do something. Link knew Sheik had experience with dealing with criminals and scum before, and knew how to make them do what he wanted, and Link tursted Sheiks word. Link slipped his dagger out of his boot and into his hand, his focus on the fluttered cape and rhythmic foot steps up ahead. The street curved strangely, and garbage and suburban housing where everywhere, but strangely, no one was out in the alley. the voices from the main part of town melted away and Link and Mayoree kept a quiet, paced distance from the man as he hurried angrily along. Link suddenly felt guilty that they where going to attack a guy that they didn't even know, and gulped as a lump of confusion developed in his throat. Link suddenly had to muffle a yelp as Mayoree smashed his right foot with her own. Link slapped his hand over his mouth and his teary eyes looked at her. "What did you do that for!?" Link hissed at her with a wavering voice, hopping on one foot clumsily. "Stop hesitating!" She growled, then began to smile at him from the expression he had on his face. the foot steps up ahead suddenly stopped, then a familiar 'whoosh' sound. followed by a large thump and a high pitched scream of terror. Link and Mayoree both knew something had happened up ahead and both hurried to the scene. Link mind raced with ideas of what had just happened, until he rounded a corner and almost ran into Sheik himself. who had brutally grabbed the scruff of the mages cape and lifted him a foot off the ground, where he was gasping for air and kicking his short legs. "Who are you?" Sheik asked threateningly. There was a strange sound from the short man then he returned. "Well who are you sir? who have attacked me so!" His thick english accent from before had excellarated from his disgruntling situation he in now. he helplessly kicked his legs. Sheik made a strange face, his voice wasn't fearfully at all. "Who screamed?" Mayoree asked, trying to get a look at the mages face. "He did!" they both accused the other,looking at her. though the collar was smothering the fire jumpers face, which made his voice muffled as he pointed a stubby finger at Sheik. Mayoree started giggling, and Link couldn't help snorting at the confusion on Sheiks face. "What's your name!" Sheik demanded. "What's 'or name?" The muffled mage put his hands on his hips and turned his head even more into the hood of the cloak which was pulled over his head. Sheik let out an annoyed sigh. "He seems harmless enough sheik, you can put him down." Mayoree said abruptly, Sheik gave her a menacing look. Then rolled his eyes and let the heap of bundled black cloak drop the two feet to the ground and bounce once until bringing a pathetic groan of pain as the mage tried to unravel the cloak that was warped around him now. Link bent over the man and unveiled the hood of the short mage and stood him up again. He had a dignified, but no less annoyed expression on, he blinked his little green eyes and pointed an accusing figure at sheik. "Indecent pig, you who's over garments looks like stinky dish rags !" he accused. Mayoree giggled again as Sheik growled in annoyance. The man fixed his cloak and stood up to reach about five foot two. he licked a finger and smoothed back his messy black hair. Link put a hand on his shoulder and brought his attention to Link. "I'm sorry if we've caused you any trouble, my friend here can be a little serious when it comes to suspicions about criminals... at least I think that's what he was thinking." The mage grunted. "Well he could have had a better introduction then grabbing me. Damned Sheikah!" Sheik's face twisted into a cruel glare. Link gave him a scowling look and caught the mage sticking out his tongue and wiggling his fingers at Sheik, and now Link couldn't help but smile a little. "What's your name?" Link asked. the short man stroked his goatee and pursed his lips, and suddenly looking very prominent and important said. "I am Dalton Trow the mysterious!" He said in a mysterious and low voice. and he flicked his fingers in a twinkly motion. Link knew that name from somewhere, but couldn't put his finger on it until mayoree suddenly squealed in joy and said. "Your that mage from the party!!" She said, her faire face lighting up in delight. Links eyes widened in recognition for a second, and so did Sheik who walked forward and leaned over to look the mage in the face. He fluttered his hands at both of the wide eyed men. "For the love of Din would you strange people stop gawking at me, I'm nothing of what I use to be!" He said. I swear he looked younger when i saw him, Link thought. then he realized he had said that out loud. "Such rude mouths you have!" Dalton looked very insulted, he raised his fingers into the air and snapped them very loudly. "I would like to be on my way if you would only explain your meaning of jumping on me and then lifting me clear off of the ground." "I am sorry for that, i thought i would not take any chance, you might have been dangerous. I thought you might have been someone else, but I was mistaken." Sheik explained in sincere apology. The mage snapped his fingers and grumbled. "Dish rag!" He said and then turned on his heals. Link watched as they mage began to walk off. "Well, i suppose we where wrong in judging h..." There was a loud 'clank'. the three's suspicion suddenly mounted again as the dark medallion of fire rolled from under the mages cloak and tapped Links foot before falling down. The mage let out another girlie scream as Link picked the disc up and examined it. "You are a fraud!" Mayoree shouted out. the mage stumbled as he ran towards Link, threatening to run into him as he desperately grabbed at the red disc which Link was now holding over his head as the desperate man scrambled for it. Sheik crossed his arms again. "Your nothing but a thief and a scam artist." he said. Dalton got down onto his knees and clasped his hands together and tried to cox Sheik from not mentioning that. "It was the gremlin who had it first, he's the one your after! I stole it from the little thing." Sheik cocked his head. "I never understood thieves." he said, seeming slightly interested in the mans whining. Dalton suddenly threw himself into a puddle and wrapped himself around Sheik left leg, causing the man such a fright that he began stumbling while trying to shake the silly little man off again. "Tell us of the gremlin then if you will stop groveling to me!" Sheik said severely, causing the man to instantly let go. Dalton stood up and looked at the disc in Links hand. " Only if you would let me have my charming medallion again!" He tried to bargain. Link shrugged and motioned his hand into a 'fair enough' kind of why. Dalton bit his lip, then began. "I was in the woods after a distant performance a week ago here, i had a fire going and was eating my dinner when a heard the strangest happy chartings from somewhere in the woods, i got up to investigate and i took my wand with me, for fear that it might be some little imp of some kind. I began following the noises until i came into a clearing where a horrid little creature with green skin and a big nose and pointy teeth was twirling and holding this charming looking disc in it's hand." at this point Dalton began acting out the monsters moves and twirling in circles. "I watched, rather amused by the little thing when it suddenly saw me and..." he suddenly made a snarling face and waved his hands in the air and acting as if he had teeth and claws. "The horrid little imp attacked me and knocked me unconicous, and when I awoke I found the medallion laying a few feet from me, so I picked it up, but ever since i've feared that the little gremlin has been following me everywhere, and so i must move along." he made a prolonged sigh and bowed his head. Link was suspicious, some how that story just didn't go over well with Link, or any of them by the expression in everyone's eyes, Dalton looked around anxiously for a positive answer. "Your a thief and a liar." Sheik said, sounded utterly disgusted. Dalton suddenly started sweating, Link began to walk off suddenly, followed by Sheik and Mayoree. "Where going into the woods to look for the rightful owner." Link compromised with Dalton. "WHAT!" Dalton whined, beginning to stumble after them. "Good call my cousin." Sheik said, looking lazily over his shoulder as the
mage began following them again. Link rolled his eyes, somehow he thought this
whiny magician was going to stick around longer then any of them wanted him too.
The air was bitterly cold, an owl hooted once at the crescent moon as a cloud passed in front of it. only the sound of the wind was heard, mixed with the rustling of conifer branches. the tree's suddenly became golden with a faint beacon of lantern light as the four made progress through the woods, footsteps frightened a few deer away and a few fox's, but no such Imps so far. They had been traveling through this thicket for what felt like hours, but was actually about ten minutes instead. the only means of it feeling that way to Link was the constant whining of Dalton as he lumbered along behind the group. Link whacked a limb out of the way and passed under a large tree branch, his teeth where chattering and his skin was icy to the touch. "I highly suggest that we not do this, that horrible little gremlin may still be around here somewhere." Dalton's voice carried from far behind. which was followed by a 'whack' sound of the clumsy man walking right into a branch because he was so far behind that he couldn't see all that well. "It's your fault mage, you stole it from the creature!" Mayoree scowled back at him, having to raise her voice more then she wanted to because he was so far behind. "Tell us where you last saw the Imp." Link asked. there was a hesitation. "I can't remember, it was a weak ago... at night... and I..." "Spit it out!" Mayoree scowled again. There was a another hesitation. "Up a few paces and to the right, go into the clearing." His voice was low and disgruntled, then was followed by another, 'whack'! and him groaning. "Would you sirs kindly shine a light back here!" He pleaded. "You should quicken your pace." Sheik suggested, which was followed by the sound of a tree branch snapping and a thump. Link definantly thought this man as a total moron and probably couldn't find his way through a paper box, let alone a forest like this at night. Link continued forward, he held up the lantern higher, the air was moving a little more here, and it was a little colder too. the lantern went up over his head, and the vague light shown over a clearing, with a charred fire pit in the middle and a few logs next to it. Link entered the site without hesitation and looked around, followed quickly by Mayoree and Sheik, who was dragging Dalton by the scruff of his neck. Link gave the mage an accusing stare as he shrugged off sheiks hand and diligently straightened his collar, then walked into the middle of the clearing and looked back at all three of them, putting his fingers on his waist and puffing out a breath. "Well, i've lead you all here, and you promised me my medallion back so give it to me, now..." He demanded, causing all three of them to look at each other, a little confused. "We need to see the original owner, the sage." Sheik clarified. Dalton's eyes widened and his pupils shrunk. "For Nayru's sake!" He began, then a shrill cry echoed through the branches above him, catching all of them off guard, Link grabbed the hilt of his sword until he heard something that confused him. "Tingle, tingle, kooloo limpah!" The funny voice said. Dalton let out another girlie scream, until it was muffled as a little green streak leapt from the branches above and vigorously latched onto the panicking mans face yelling. "limpah, limpah, limpah, LIMPAH!!" It said as it hit his head with both of it's tiny fists. Link unexpectedly burst out in laughter, bringing weird looks from a frightened Sheik and Mayoree. who then looked at each other, then back at Dalton. who was now running about in circles and flailing his arms all around as the little creature kept beating him on the head yelling... "Limpah, limpah, limpah!" Link suddenly approached the flailing man and yelled out to the little creature. "Tingle! Tingle stop it!" Link said threw chuckles of laughter. and the creature stopped and lifted it's face from Dalton, who screamed and grabbed the creature, then threw him onto the ground. Dalton suddenly ran right into Link and shrieked as the creature slowly got back up again, Link couldn't help but smile. the funny little imp stood only about two feet tall, he had a small pot belly and red shorts on. he inched his chin which had a little goatee and his rosy cheeks where swelling with anger. Link broke the sudden silence. "Tingle?" Link said, bending down, the little man looked at Link with his beady little eyes, then scratched his pointed head, which was covered by a pointy green cap, he looked surprisingly a lot like a gnome at that moment. "Remember me? Fairy boy!" Link said, smiling widely. Tingle suddenly smiled very wide, then began clapping his hands together and jumping up and down saying. "You sir, fairy boy sir!" He squealed then began the twirl around in a little circle and prominently threw his hands out and a wave of confetti fluttered overhead. Link was about to notify Sheik and Mayoree about the little man, and he managed to shake a frightened Dalton off of his shoulder when the little Imp ran towards him and began running circles round his legs and sprouting confetti into the air saying. "You big sir, oh so big! with boots and gloves and hats and swords and maps!" He suddenly stopped in his tracks and turned to look up at Link as he chuckled at the funny little man as he reached into his pointy hat and took out a compact piece of parchment paper. "Buy maps sir, buy maps from Tingle!" He squealed, jumping up and down again and waving the little folded piece of paper at him. Link shook his head and bent down on one knee to Tingles height. "I believe I need an explanation for what your doing here Tingle." Link said. Tingles cheeks suddenly reddened with anger again and he pointed a finger at Dalton who was pinned up against a nearby tree. "That sir, is why! He stole it, me red penny, he stole my penny sir! For his own use he did!" Tingle shouted. Dalton put his hand that was holding the pendent behind his back. "Link, I would also like an explanation to how you know this amusing little fellow." Sheik said out of sudden curiosity. eyeing Tingle strangely. "I met him in Termina a long time ago, but I'm confused on how he got here, Termina's in a whole other dimension." Link said, suddenly having the bend over and catch the little man by the arm and try and keep him away from Dalton, who began to walk slowly from the tree over to Sheik and Mayoree as Tingle shouted and held out his free hand, pretending to scratch the mage on the face with it and saying that he stole his penny over and over again. "Tingle, tell me how he stole your penny." Link said, letting his arm go as the little imp finally calmed down again. he gave out a long thoughtful 'hmm' and tapped his foot, obviously trying to recall it to the fullest. Tingle looked back at Dalton for a second then took in a deep breath, his pot belly swelling and started acted out the scene in his own light. "I was walking down a trail, I was! Singing my songs sir and organizing my maps to sell, when that sir!" he said with a loud voice. "That jumped out from behind a bush and grabbed me by my ankle and lifted me and shook me all about!" He took a breath of air and his flushed cheeks didn't look so red anymore. "I was holding my penny sir, the one i had found in the cave of darkness!" he said, pointing to Dalton's hand, which was holding the medallion. Link nodded and Tingle continued. "He took my penny an dropped me on my head!!" Tingle said, crossing his chubby arms. "I see." Link said, looking at Dalton who was now visibly shaking with fear. "So Tingle?" He asked, still looking at Dalton, the little man looked up at him again. "Do you want your charm back, or do you want my colleagues and I the keep it for safe keeping from skunks like this man?" Link asked, his voice wasn't a bit persuasive. Tingle began jumping up and down again and looking up at Link. "You sir, may keep my penny, for you are much taller than Tingle could ever be, and much stronger then Tingle could ever be. And i trusts you sir, yes I do!" He said finally, Link nodded in understanding, a little surprised, but relieved by his answer. Tingle stopped jumping and ran full force over to Dalton, and jumping a clear three feet onto his arm, making the cowardly mage scream again in fear, plucked the Medallion from his quivering fingers and ran over to Link, holding it up to him eagerly. Link hesitated, then carefully took the crimson colored, palm sized coin and looked back down at Tingle again, who was unpatiently pulling on his leg. "Tingle wishes sir a good journey, Tingle is happy not to have his penny anymore, it is to big for his hands to hold, and as solid as a rock!" Tingle sighed, then bowed to Link respectfully. Link chuckled again at the goofy way he stumbled over as he did so. And with a happy cry of 'Kooloo limpah!' the little man bounded up into the branches again with a wave of multicolored confetti streaming out behind him again and was gone into the trees. Everyone's angry stares turned on Dalton, who began to whine and cringe as Sheik loomed over him. "I'm beginning to wonder about you mage." Sheik said. the corner of Dalton mouth began to twitch and he inched his goatee nervously. Mayoree growled as Dalton looked over at her, hoping for a little sympathy from her part. "I want my medallion back..." he said weakly. "Your in no condition for that." Sheik said, but his eyes softened a little towards the man. Link came right up to him and looked him in the eye, the man seemed ready to run away screaming bloody marie at that moment, and in some way, Link couldn't help but chuckle and pat his shoulder. "I'm definantly not giving this back to you Dalton Trow." Link said, flipping the circular disc in-between his fingers, he passed him by and was followed by Sheik, who seemed to understand Links view on this. Mayoree growled again and began to follow her partners into the woods. Dalton was suddenly very confused and said weakly. "But the promise, you said you would give it back to me!" He pleaded, gaining a little strength from that as the lantern light began to fade into the black trees and the sounds of crickets and owls hooting suddenly became apparent again. Link looked back over his shoulder and laughed again, stopping and turning around he cuffed his hand over his mouth and shouted back, sounding slightly amused. "You can follow us as long as you like mage, your act is ruined now anyway since you can't seem to function without this thing." Link snickered, holding the medallion up to the light and twirling it around. There was a loud crack and a yelp of pain as the clumsy man tripped over yet another branch, Link laughed and shook his shook back and forth as he turned to leave. And drawing a smile of understanding from Sheik and Mayoree they left the woods. With yet another person in toe in the party. this was turning out to be a grand adventure, Link thought, and things can only get better from here! |