Chapter 11: Inferno's Edge

The vision of the dark and foreboding forest vanished as suddenly as it appeared, replaced by the raging inferno that had engulfed the balcony. The flames danced and licked at the stone, casting flickering shadows on the walls as they seemed to grow stronger by the second. Link, still reeling from the Trial by Fire, stumbled backwards, his eyes wide with fear as the heat and smoke assaulted him. Mario, Peach, and Luigi rushed forward, their faces etched with worry, but it was too late. Link's legs gave out, and he fell backwards, his arms flailing wildly as he tried to shield himself from the inferno. The balcony's stone edge loomed behind him, a cold and unforgiving barrier that threatened to claim him as its own. Peach rushed forward, her voice shrill with fear. "Zelda, you have to do something! If you don't pull him out of here, he's going to die from smoke inhalation, or he'll get burned to a crisp, or he'll fall off the balcony and hit his head on the stone floor, or he'll get crushed by the collapsing balcony, or he'll get scalded by the molten lava that's forming, or he'll suffocate from lack of oxygen, or he'll get disoriented and stumble into the flames, or he'll—" Zelda's eyes narrowed, her gaze fixed on Link as he struggled to stay upright. "I know, Peach," she said, her voice cold and detached. "But I would rather he go like that, in a blaze of fire and glory, than die in some dusty battle far from home." Peach's face went white with horror. "You can't be serious, Zelda! He's going to die right in front of us!" But before Zelda could respond, a loud roar echoed across the balcony, followed by the sound of crashing and pounding. Donkey Kong burst onto the scene, his massive frame undaunted by the inferno as he charged forward. With a few swift kicks, Donkey Kong sent the flames flying, creating a small clearing around Link. He grabbed the Hylian warrior and pulled him to safety, just as the balcony seemed to shudder and lurch. Donkey Kong stood panting, his chest heaving with exertion, as he surveyed the chaos around him. Then, with a mischievous glint in his eye, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a few banana peels. With a few quick flicks of his wrist, the banana peels went flying, landing on the balcony floor with a splat. The flames seemed to hesitate, as if unsure of how to react, and Donkey Kong took advantage of the distraction. With a few swift kicks, he sent the flames flying, extinguishing them with a series of perfectly aimed banana peels. The balcony was silent, the only sound the heavy breathing of Donkey Kong as he stood victorious, Link safe and sound in his arms. Mario, Peach, and Luigi stared in amazement, unsure of what to make of the sudden arrival of Donkey Kong, and his unorthodox methods of firefighting. Zelda's eyes narrowed, her gaze fixed on Donkey Kong with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. As the balcony seemed to solidify around them, Link stirred in Donkey Kong's arms, his eyes fluttering open. "Thanks, DK," he croaked, his voice hoarse from smoke inhalation. Donkey Kong grinned, his teeth gleaming with pride. "No problem, buddy. Now let's get out of here before things get any worse."