//------------------------------//
// Side Quest #1: Cucco Roundup 
// Story: The Legend of Twilight: Ocarina of Time 
// by sonicdash123 
//------------------------------//

Outside of the town, Luna stood next to Charming Thunder as she pointed to a mountain. "Take a good look at that mountain," she explained. "That is Death Mountain, home of the minotaurs. They hold the Spiritual Stone of Fire. At the foot of Death Mountain you will find my village, Kakariko. That is where I was born and raised. You should talk to some of the villagers there before you go up Death Mountain. The song I just taught you has some mysterious power. Only Royal Family members are allowed to learn this song. Remember, it will help to prove your connection with the Royal Family."

"My connection?" Charming Thunder said to himself.

"The Princess is waiting for you to return to the castle with the stones. All right. We're counting on you!" Luna then threw a Deku Nut to the ground which caused a flash. When it faded, she was no longer present with Charming Thunder.

"Let's go, Charming," Cadence said. "We have no time to stand around."

"Right." Charming Thunder then ran to the entrance to Kakariko Village and walked up the stairs to the village. Arriving at the village, he looked around and talked to some villagers about Death Mountain. Some told him that it might be dangerous to climb up with an active volcano. Others told him that he may need a better shield to go up the mountain. Charming Thunder might have enough bits for one since he saw a shop near the gate to the mountain when entered the village. 

When he was about to go to the shop, he heard a mare's voice saying, "What should I do!? My cuccos have all flown away!" Charming Thunder turned to see a yellow mare with a pink mane and tail with three butterflies as her cutie mark. She then saw Charming Thunder as he approached her. "You, little colt."

"Yes?"

"Please help me bring them back to this pen! I mean-- if you want to."

"Don't worry, miss. I'll bring back your cuccos."

"Oh, thank you. If you find one, bring them back to this pen." Charming Thunder then started to look around the village to find the cuccos. He saw one and started to chase it down as he attempts to catch it. He then realized that he has magic now and uses his levitation spell on it. He then levitated it back to the pen and he began to search for any others. He then heard a cucco hiding in a box and he uncovers it and levitates the cucco back to the pen. He found the third one at the gate to Death Mountain at the side of the shop he needed to go to later. He then levitated it and teleported to the pen and puts it in there. "Only three more." Charming Thunder nodded and continued his search. He then saw one at an abandoned house and used his magic to levitate it to the pen. He began to look around at the windmill and sees one at the other side of the wooden fence where the potion shop is located. He teleported to the other side of the fence and levitated the second to last cucco, but before he could, he heard the last one behind the windmill. He teleported the cucco to the pen and he climbed up the ladder to catch the last cucco and returns it to the pen where it belongs. "Thank you for finding my cuccos, young colt. I hope I wasn't wasting your time for what you need to get to."

Charming Thunder panted with air as he replied, "No problem. Always glad to help anypony out."

"If you don't mind, I want to give you a bottle as a reward for bringing my cuccos back." The mare then gives Charming Thunder a glass bottle and he picks it up with his magic and puts it away in his saddlebag. "Please take good care of it."

"I will. Thanks." Charming Thunder then began to walk away from the cucco pen.

"Now is probably the time to get a brand new shield since the villagers told us that it can be dangerous when we go up the mountain," Cadence said. Charming Thunder then walked up to the shop and entered to see the shopkeeper.

"Welcome," the shopkeeper said. "How may I help you today?"

"Do you have any shields I can buy?"

"I do as a matter of fact. That will be 50 bits." Charming Thunder levitated the bag containing fifty bits and places it on the counter in front of him. "Thank you for shopping." Charming Thunder exited the store as he equipped the shield and headed out to see the guard who is standing next to the gate.

"The road is closed beyond this point," the guard said. "Can't you read the sign over there?" Charming Thunder then looked at the sign and states that no one will get passage to Death Mountain without a royal decree. "Eh? Oh, I see. You're just a kid, and you can't read yet."

"Ha ha ha. Very funny. I have a letter from Twilight allowing me to pass through the gate." Charming Thunder then levitated out the scroll and gives it to the guard. The guard then opened it and started to read it. 

"This is surely Princess Twilight's writing." The guard then started to laugh and rolled up the scroll. "What kind of funny game has our princess come up with now?!" Charming Thunder then gave him an angry look.

"This is no joke. Unless you are disobeying the princess' orders."

"OK, OK, all right.  You can go now... just be careful, Mr. Hero!" The guard then opened the gate with his unicorn magic. "I see that you already have the shield you need equipped. There is an active volcano up there after all. And if I may ask a favor from you. And no you don't have to do it now. Its only when you get a chance."

"Be quick. I must head up as soon as possible."

"Have you been to the Happy Mask Shop that just opened in the Hyrule Castle Town Market? Everyone is talking about it!"

"I might have passed passed by that place when I was going to see the princess. Why?"

"My little boy pesters me for a popular mask, but I don't have time to go there. So, could you go and get the mask for me next time you are in the market? If you don't feel like it, that's OK, but... well, I have no choice, this is my job."

"If it means so much for your son, I will get it once I get a chance. I promise. Right, Cadence."

"You bet."

"Thank you, young colt," the guard replied. Charming Thunder then walked past the gate to Death Mountain and hopefully get the second Spiritual Stone from the minotaurs.