The Legend of Zelda: TSatS Ep61

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: THE STERN AND THE STRONG


Episode 61: Return of Ness


Aboard the Dark Queen's ship...


Cyrus typed away furiously at his computer looking for the next chain link, while the Dark Queen watched over him, looking for any signs of it herself.

Dark Queen: Are you any closer to finding one of the links yet?

Cyrus: You can't rush these things, my Queen.

Dark Queen: Can't I? Or have you forgotten the failure of your stupid machine, not to mention the loss of the one chain link we were able to get!?

Cyrus: Don't worry. I am working on an improved version of my machine, one that Link and his little friends won't be able to break so easily. I am also looking for an alternate source of power for it, as well as another chain link... Ah, here's one now!

Cyrus pointed to one planet on his computer's monitor, indicating that the next chain link was there.

Cyrus: Here is where the next chain link is, planet Eagle. Hmm, seems to have some sources of PK energy there...

Dark Queen: How can that be? I thought Giygas and all of his Starmen were destroyed like two years ago!

Cyrus: Perhaps there are other beings on that planet that can generate it? In any case, I should probably prepare a special beast of mine for this...

Cyrus and Dark Queen then left the room, ready to plan on how to take the next chain link...


Later, on planet Eagle...


Link's ship landed outside a large city overlooking an ocean. Link, Zelda and Maple all exited the ship searching themselves for the next link to the chain.

Link: So, where is this place again?

Zelda: ROB said this part of this planet is called Summers.

Maple: Well it's a nice change of pace anyway. I was getting tired of all those ancient temples...

The three walked away in one direction following Zelda's lead, who was using Professor Hector's device to find the next link. After a few minutes of walking, they heard some familiar sounds of angry snorting. They hid behind a nearby bush as they saw a bunch of Psyko-pigs searching the city. They knocked cars over, broke windows, and scared or injured anyone who got in their way. Link and his friends couldn't take the pigs' behavior, so they leapt out and engaged the pigs in battle.

Link: Hey, how about you pick on someone your own size?

psyko-pig #1: Link! Queen say destroy Link!

Maple: Aah, must be the intellectual type...

The pig swung his axe down at Link, who jumped out of the way and pulled out his sword. Link began to swing his sword at every pig he came across, who despite their wounds continued to fight him with everything they had. They kicked him, swung their axes at him, punched him, but Link would not back down.

Maple: Well, we can't let him have all the fun, right?

Zelda: I suppose not...

Maple and Zelda quickly jumped into the fight, throwing many fire and ice spells everywhere. The pigs hit by fire spells all ran around and squealed in pain, while the frozen ones simply fell to the ground. But despite all of the best efforts of Link's group, it seemed that for every pig that was defeated, two more took their place. It was simply too much for them.

Link: There's too many of them! I don't know how long we can keep this up!

Zelda: We must not give in! We're getting close to the chain link!

voice: PK... STARSTORM!!!

Suddenly, a bunch of stars made of energy began to rain from the heavens and destroy every pig they came across! The ground shook with every star that fell, making Link and his friends fall over from it!

Link: What's going on!?

Maple: I'm not sure, but at least it's taking care of the pigs!

After about a minute of raining stars, it finally stopped. From behind a building came a small boy wearing a striped shirt and a red cap. Link quickly recognized him and happily ran over to him, Zelda and Maple following suit.

Link: Ness!

Ness: Is that you Link!? Wow, it's been so long since we last saw each other!

Zelda: Oh, hello Ness!

Ness: Zelda, it's great to see you again! And hey, I don't think I know your name!

Maple: The name's Maple, I'm a witch in training!

Ness: Witch, huh? Cool! So what brings you guys back here?

Zelda: Well, we were searching for something very powerful that could give you the ability to control a god-like being.

Ness: So, it's like when me and Link had to find the eight melodies, eh? Funny thing, these pig things said they were looking for something too.

Link: Well, is there anywhere here that's very special?

Ness: You mean besides the beach? Well, I have heard of something called the Magnet Hill somewhere in Summers. I have this map that shows us the way to it.

Maple: Well alright! So where do we go first?

Ness pointed to an open manhole in the street, which had horrible smells coming from it. Link, Zelda and Maple looked at it with dread, hoping desperately that Ness wasn't implying that it was through there.

Ness: We have to go through that sewer into a secret tunnel. That will lead us to the place.

Maple: Ugh, when I said I wanted a change of pace, this wasn't what I had in mind...

The three began to follow Ness through the open manhole, all of them pinching their noses shut as they did. Unknown to them, a short, rather portly boy was watching them climb down the manhole's ladder, an evil smile on his face.

boy: Yeah Ness, climb down there. Just wait until you get a load of my big surprise, heh heh heh...


Down in the sewers of Summers...


Link's group followed Ness through the sewers, keeping their noses shut as they did. On the way Link decided to talk with Ness, sounding very nasally.

Link: So Ness, what was that trick you did on those pigs earlier?

Ness: You mean PK Starstorm? That was something I learned from Prince Poo.

At the mention of that name, Maple began to giggle to herself. She would regret that though, as it caused her to let go of her nose and be aware of all the horrible smells in the sewer.

Maple: UGH, GROSS! WHY DID I DO THAT?

Zelda: Is it much further Ness? I'm not sure how much longer I can hold my nose...

Ness: We're almost there, don't worry...

After a few more minutes of walking, they found a tunnel that didn't look like the rest of the sewers, as their walls were made of dirt instead of stone. They let go of their noses, and were thankful that the smells weren't as bad as they were before. They walked some more, until finally coming across an old ladder.

Ness: The map says we just climb this ladder, and we're there.

Link: Great, the sooner we get out of this sewer, the better.

Suddenly, they heard something walking towards them. As it got closer, it seemed to stomp the ground while making hissing noises.

Zelda: What is that?

Ness: I'm not sure, it sounds like something big and hairy...

Just then a large creature jumped from out of the shadows at Link, who wrestled with the creature for a moment until throwing it off. It landed in the light, and they all saw it to be a giant rat, which was foaming at the mouth as it stared at Link's group.

Link: Whoah, that's a BIG rat!

Maple: Anyone have a giant cat?

voice: Heh heh heh, how do you like my new pet, nerds?

Zelda: Who's there!?

Ness: Wait, I know who that is...

The source of the voice came into the light next to the giant rat, and it was a short, round boy with a bowl haircut and an evil smile on his face. Link and Ness instantly recognized him.

Link & Ness: Porky!

Porky: That's me, losers! How do you like my new pet? I call him the plague rat of doom!

Maple: I call it disgusting!

Zelda: Let us through child! We have an important mission to complete!

Porky: No way! Cyrus gave me this pet to stop you guys, and that's what I'm gonna do!

Link: Wait, Cyrus gave you that animal!?

But Porky was not interested in talking anymore, as he sent his rat at Link's group, who all jumped out of the way of the oversized rodent. The rat began to chase Ness around the room, who defended with some blasts of PK energy. Link helped Ness out by slicing his sword at the rat, who squealed in pain. The rat snapped his teeth at Link, who blocked its bites with his shield. Maple wanted to join in and thought of a good spell to use.

Maple: Let's see how this rat likes my fire spell!

Ness: NO! There's a ton of methane in this sewer! A fire spell will blow us all sky high!

Maple: Aaw, darn it! I guess we'll have to be a little more creative...

Zelda and Maple jumped into the fight, Zelda using bright light spells while Maple used some ice spells to slow the rat down. Despite everything they were throwing at it, the rat would not stop its assault on Link and his friends, and kept on biting, scratching, and leaping at them.

Porky: Come on, get 'em!

Link: There's got to be something we can do... Wait, I've got it!

Link began to run away from the rat, which immediately began to follow him. Everyone was confused about Link's tactic, until he began to shout to them.

Link: Keep him distracted! I think we can tire him out!

Ness: No problem Link!

Ness threw another PK blast at the rat, causing it to chase him for a bit. Maple then hit it with an ice spell, causing it to chase her. This went on for quite a while, all of them getting more and more tired from it all. Eventually, the rat couldn't take it anymore and just passed out in the middle of the room.

Link: Ha! Take that!

Porky: What!? You beat my pet! Aww, you weren't supposed to win! I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you!

While Porky had his tantrum on the floor, Link and his friends decided to climb up the ladder to get out of the sewer. When they got out, what they saw was a small, sparkling pyramid structure.

Ness: This is it, the Magnet Hill. Feel anything?

Zelda: The device says this is where it is...

At that moment, the Magnet Hill began to release red smoke. It soon formed itself into a crystal once again, and flew towards Link. Just as Link was about to grab it though, a hand quickly snatched it from his hand! Link looked around, and saw Cyrus standing there holding the crystal!

Link: Cyrus!

Cyrus: I had a suspicion my plague rat of doom wouldn't be enough to stop you. But at least it dulled your senses enough for me to make this snatch!

Ness: Let that crystal go, blue-hair, or you'll get a taste of my PK blasts!

Cyrus: Ah, so that was your power I sensed from the ship. Perhaps I can use you...

Cyrus pulled out a strange-looking device and shot it at Ness, which put a blinking light on his shirt.

Ness: Hey!

Cyrus: Take us up, my Queen!

Link: Hey, wait!

But Link wasn't quick enough, and in a flash, Ness and Cyrus were gone! Link looked frustrated as he beat on the ground, angry with himself for allowing his friend to get captured.

Link: They took Ness... Dark Queen, I swear you'll pay for this!!

Zelda and Maple looked worried themselves, and went over to comfort Link.

Zelda: I'm sorry Link, but he caught us by surprise. There was nothing we could have done...

Maple: Come on Link, don't beat yourself up. Let's keep following the Dark Queen, and then we can beat HER up for taking Ness!

Link: I just want to get back to the ship right now, please...

Link looked down as he climbed back down into the sewers to get back to their ship. Zelda was worried for her friend, but she didn't want to press the issue at the moment...


Elsewhere, aboard the Dark Queen's ship...


Cyrus had brought the crystal to the Dark Queen, while Ness stood nearby being held by two psyko-pigs. The Dark Queen was very pleased with Cyrus' latest victory.

Dark Queen: Well Cyrus, you've certainly made up for your previous failure. But why have you brought this boy with you?

Cyrus: He is able to channel PK energy, my Queen. I believe that with the right adjustments, I can use him as a secondary power source for the next model of my machine.

Ness: Oh no, I'm not gonna be anyone's living battery!

Cyrus: I hardly believe you have much of a choice, my boy. Guards, take him to the dungeon, and put him in the cell I set up for him!

The pigs did so and dragged Ness out of the room, Ness kicking and screaming as they did. Dark Queen stood next to Cyrus and smiled.

Dark Queen: I must admit, I was confused about your plan at first. Send a platoon of pigs down there, give a local bully a mutated rat to play with, and have him give another boy a map to the chain link. But it certainly paid off!

Cyrus: Oh, I take pride in my ability to catch people off guard, my Queen. I really do...


TO BE CONTINUED...