Apocalypse Here...

Zelda's breath became shallow...her heart rose into her throat.

Her eyes shot about for some means of escape...and her heart promptly sank to her toes.

"Nothing, mother...nothing..." she said, swallowing her fear, "It was nothing at all..."

She didn't like the fact that her tone didn't even begin to convince herself.

{{Zel can protect herself, right?}}

Iko blinked. She had heard that tone before.
Right before she killed her last...aquaintance.
"Are you sure you're alright, dear? If you're feeling sick, we can stay in the castle..." She placed a hand on Zelda, steadying her.

------
Tara made her way to teh gates, and stared at the Castle. "Okay, they're in the dungeon, hypothetically. Are there any escape points beside the main door?"

[Of course. She's just in shock right now...however, she'll be needing some assistance soon, I'd wager.]

Zelda instinctively pulled away, eyes going from frightened to angry, "I won't be going anywhere with you!" she shouted.

---------

Link shook his head no, and sighed heavily, "There's no way out..."

[Except...remember...Fell and Zel? xD]

{Yes, but are we remembering the same thing?}

Iko pulled back, looking shocked. "Zelda, what's wrong?? It's the sickness, isn't it? I knew I shouldn't have come back..."
------
Tara sighed. "Fell?"
"Way ahead of you." She let out her mind, searching for Zelda in the huge stonework. -Zelda...can you hear me?-

Zelda's mind was a flurry of thoughts and emotions, all fighting for supremacy.

FELL?! she cried silently, FELL!

"No, there was no sickness..." Zelda said to 'Rosaline'.
She looked almost sick herself, as she said, "Because Rosaline Hyrule died..."

Iko stared a minute, then shook her head. "You're a smart one," she said. "Smarter than most of the others..."
-------
-Zelda, where are you??-
Fell nodded to Tara, showing that she had found Zel.

"I thought there was something wrong with you..." Zelda said, edging her way toward the main entrance of the dungeon. "Who are you?"

"I'm in the dungeon...with some stranger who looks like my mother..."

Fell winced. "Dungeon," she confirmed to Tara, who hissed in a breath.
-It's not your mother. She's a...chibi, I think Tara said. Her name's Iko. Be careful around her...-

------
Iko held up a finger. "Don't run, dearest. It only makes things worse. It angers the beast, don't you know..." She strode past the girl and sat upon the stairwell steps, smoothing her dress. "So, then..."

Zelda watched her closely, "Well then, Iko, what is it you want?"

Iko grinned. "You know my name, do you? Well, we are the smart one. Much more so than your father...bumbling oaf..."

"I appreciate the sentiment," she said curtly, "but you failed to answer my question."

"Hm? Oh, yes, what do I want?" She smiled. "I want chaos. I want unrest, I was disorder. I want--" she spread her arms wide, "--all this, to come tumbling down."

"You're quite the twisted one," she said icily, "Though I know flattery will get me nowhere. Tell me, where have you come from?"

-----

Link couldn't bear it anymore. "Take me to Zelda," he pleaded, "Something's wrong, isn't it?"

"Oh, here and there...My last stop before Hyrule was Termina...ever been there?"

--------
Tara shook her head. "Not yet. Not quite yet."

{{No, I don't take credit for Termina. That all goes to Nintendo. (-3}}

Link felt helpless. And he hated that feeling.

-----

Zelda caught her breath, "I've heard the stories." she said, "Majora's Mask was what did it, wasn't it? I suppose the mask was yours at some point. It wouldn't surprise me."

Iko chuckled. "No, it had always been Majora's, although I just couldn't resist messing with it..." She stood, stretching her arms, effectivley bloacking the exit. "So, Zelda, my dear. What are you going to do about it?"

Zelda's anger boiled over
"I'm going to kick your deiceitful little..."

------

Menwhile, Link sighed in deep frustration, "What about now?" he whispere.d

{Gasp!}

Tara looked at Fell.
-Zelda, what's going on? Link's having a fit out here.-
--------
Iko laughed. "Yes, I suppose yo're going to try, dear, but I think the land of Hyrule will be plunged in chaos before the day ends..."

She's threatening to tear Hyrule asunder...I'm alright...for now.

"I'll give it my all." she said, determined.

Tell Link I'll need all of your assistance, but not to come until I give word. We need to surprise her.

Fell relayed the message, and Tara nodded. "Yes, that sounds like Iko...arrogant, always wanting to gloat before she strikes..."

Zelda frowned at Iko. "Tell me...what's your motivation for all this?" she asked, stalling for time.

Iko shrugged. "What's your motivation for doing good?"

"My motivation for doing good is because I want people to have peaceful lives. I want happiness for Hyrule..."

Iko nodded. "And there is where we differ. Where you want peace and happiness, I long for disorder and unrest."

Zelda looked at Iko thoughtfully, "What gratification does it bring you? And what do you plan to do after this?"

Any day now would be nice... Zelda thought to Fell