A deadened path leads up to the black castle. Which, incidentally, is hovering above a huge lava pit. You can't get inside. Look if you like, just don't get too close to the edge!

::Paz makes his way toward the 'moat', which he soon finds is a deep, deep pit full of lava. He takes a step back and looks up at the floating building, pondering a way to get up there, and what was there in the first place.::

"Hello, Paz."

::Ganondorf speaks lowly to Paz from the height of a huge black horse.::

"I see you have found my castle."

"Apparently so."

::He looks up at Ganondorf, raising an eyebrow.::

"Gothic."

(And black.)

"You finally got what you wanted, what happens now?"

"There are still things to take care of. People from your world followed me, and I believe them to be a... slight... threat. They must be obliterated."

::He pulls Paz up onto the horse so the dark witch sits in front of him on the saddle. Kink! The horse pulls back, takes a run at the lava pit, and clears it, which is astonishing given the size of the moat. They dismount on the floating land the castle is on, and the horse heads off.::

"Feel free to enter my new home..."

(Gay sex wasn't part of the deal...)

::Paz looks up at the castle before taking a step forward and placing a hand on the huge wooden doors and pushing, taking a step into the incredibly dark interior.::

"I'll try and get rid of them..."

"Trying is out of the question. They must be eliminated."

::Ganondorf smirks.::

"At least in this world they do not have the magic they did in your one. You, however, shall have the upper hand."

::He leads him down the long staircase into the main floor.::

"Oh, and why's that?"

::As they descend, Paz looks around. He continues walking side by side with Ganondorf.::

(So they have no powers either.)

"Sounds like you have something up your sleve."

"Of course. I am King, after all. My henchmen are coming to the castle as we speak to show the extent of my rulership... perhaps you will not need to slaughter those dear companions of yours. However..."

::He passes a large orb to Paz, which glows green.::

"My gift to you. Magic power which works in this realm. This will let you throw ten energy balls before you need to drink green potion, which will fill your magic power again. Also, I have a horse for you which can jump the moat. You will find it waiting outside."

"Good. Any weapons?"

(I'll have to make up with what little fire power I have. Now what the fuck do I do with this orb?)

"Also, where do I get such green potions? I have a feeling i'll need them."

::Paz smiles, enjoying the feeling of getting ready for battle. What with all their powers diasabled, he's quite looking forward to stabbing Petunius and Lirie. Andrea most.::

"You'll get them in the village. Concentrate on absorbing that magical power orb before it burns out. Also..."

::He heads over to a weapons table.::

"Take your pick."

"Right then."

::So he does what he needs to do, absorbing the green orb and gaining the ability to throw energy balls. He then moves over to the table and picks out a suitable looking shield and a rather large sword.::

"I think i'm all set."

::Smiling, Ganondorf waves a hand airily at the door of the castle. It swings open.::

"Have fun."

"Oh, I will. Don't you worry about that."

::With a smirk on his lips, Paz climbs back up the stairs of the castle, out into the pouring rain. He sees his horse and looks down onto the village below.::

"Much fun indeed."

[There's a roll of thunder and a crash of lightning as strange organ music swells in the background. Sinister!]

::So Paz mounts his horse and kicks it hard in the side, forcing it to run forward and leap across the moat in a swift movement. Landing on the other side, it gallops at full speed down to the market.::

::Petunius slows down to a trot and stops his horse when he sees the massive lava pit of death, along with the floating castle. He looks back, waiting for the others.::

(Great. This is just great.)

::Comes in right after Petunius.::

"Well. Shit. Are we meant to jump this lava pit?"

::Petunius turns to look at Josie and then at the lava pit once more.::

"Looks like. There's absolutely no other way around it."

"You're kidding me right? These horses will never make it. It's too large of a gap!"

:: Azura approaches slowly, halting next to Josie. She stares at the lava pit. Stares.::

(I have done jumping before but this is another matter.)

"Okay, but do you have any other ideas? Because I don't see how else we're gonna get inside."

::Josie looks at Azura.::

"We both know this gap is too massive, and we can't afford not to make it. We'll have to find another way."

"You said that they went a different way. Perhaps we need to find the way they went?"

:: Azura looks at the gap again.::

"The horses would not make that."

"You and Andrea went after them, did you see where they went?"

::Pulls up and stares down at the lava::

"Did anyone bring a spare bridge?"

"No. When I got there all that I found was Andrea in the field."

:: Azura glances at Dante, but doesn't comment.::

::Josie ignores Dante's comment.::

"We need to see if Andrea saw where they went then."

::She looks back at the market.::

"What's taking her?"

::Petunius glances towards Dante.::

"We're fresh out of those. But we have some wild goose chase in store if you're interested."

::Josie looks at Petunius.::

(And he yells at me for wanting to name my horse)

"Maybe someone should go see what's taking her so long."

:: Azura looks at Josie, then Petunius.::

"Andrea has never ridden before. Lirie too."

:: The fact that the girl is taking a while to join them makes her uneasy. Lirie too. Oh them. Leaving the novices alone.::

::Josie looks at Petunius and Azura.::

"I guess I'll go..."

::She gives a tug on her reins, kicks the horse gently on the sides and trots back to the Market.::

"Chasing geese could be fun. And I'm sure that Andrea person is just having trouble staying on the saddle."

:: Azura shoots a glare at Dante.::

"Dante, everyone here is beginning to get tired of what you have to say. Keep your comments to yourself."

::Josie comes back.::

"Let's go, standing here staring at lava isn't gonna get anything done."

::She gallops back to the field.::

::Petunius sighs and follows.::

:: Azura spins her horse around, kicking it in the sides to get it up to a gallop, she speeds to the field after Joise.::

::Petunius gallops in and slows down when he sees Dante.::

"Uh... the others are in the fields, deciding over the best approach to the Xena wannabes we fought earlier. It's this way."

::He waits for him to follow and rides off back to the fields.::

::Dante glares at the thought of Azura and marks her down into his 'ignore if she's in peril' list::

(Looks like Veronica was right all along about her...)

::He takes off after Petunius::