Key Cavern
Key Cavern is a two-floor dungeon, with each floor shaped like a key. New enemies include Bombites, walking bombs, some of which go bouncing off walls when hit until they explode, others try to close in on Link before they explode. There’s also Pairodds, bird critters that teleport across the room when Link gets too close. (Having the Bow at this point makes them easy to beat.) And finally, yet another Mario crossover: Thwomps. And the miniboss is a pair of Dodongo Snakes, which are pretty much exactly what they sound like: snakes with a hard shell who love to eat bombs but they do funny things to their stomach.
The first door offers an item test for Link: He needs the Power Bracelet to throw a pot at the door and make it open. Then there’s the treasure, the Pegasus Boots, which largely have the same function they did in A Link to the Past, only now he can combine them with the Roc’s Feather to make running jumps, an ability needed to get the Nightmare’s Key.
The Nightmare is Slime Eye, a pair of eye monsters that starts the battle fused into a single creature. They also start hiding in the ceiling, taunting Link that he’ll never find them. The Pegasus Boots are needed once more, charging into a wall to dislodge them. Then as Link attacks, their connection will strain until it reaches the breaking point and Link can charge straight through to split them. Then it’s just a matter of finishing off both eyes, and Link can claim the Sea Lily’s Bell and hear the voice telling him something’s hidden in the waterfall.
The owl shows up when Link exits the dungeon, once again saying that when Link has all the Instruments and plays them for the Wind Fish, the Wind Fish will wake and Link can leave the island. It tells Link his next destination should be Yarna Desert, which conflicts a bit with the other voice directing him to a waterfall, but the simplest explanation has him going to the desert for a key to the waterfall dungeon, which is exactly the case.
Getting Stuff
As Link returns to Mabe Village, he finds Tarin looking at a honeycomb. Tarin asks Link for the stick the monkeys left behind, and… let’s say Marin probably got her brains from her mother. Yeah, Tarin beats the honeycomb with the stick until it falls out of the tree, but before he can do anything with it a horde of angry bees chases him offscreen. Link takes the honeycomb; if he finds Tarin later, Tarin says he’s lost his taste for honey for now, so Link has successfully completed another trade. Near the tree with the honeycomb is a cave traversable with the Pegasus Boots, and Link can claim a sixth heart piece.
There are couple Seashells that can be knocked out of trees, one near the eastern entrance to Mabe Village, the other down by Tail Cave. Seashell Mansion doesn’t reward 15 seashells with a bonus, so there’s no need to drop everything and head back there.
Mabe Village has a shrine blocked off by rocks. Inside, Link finds a bed and takes a nap, entering a dream cave. There are a bunch of Arm-Mimics (Shyguys without masks) in the cave, and those weird barriers meant to be plowed through with the Pegasus Boots. Link’s reward for fully exploring the cave is a bunch of rupees and an ocarina – not the easiest-to-find Instrument of the Sirens, but still a useful tool. Link needs to learn three songs for the ocarina, and the first comes from Marin, who’s singing the Ballad of the Wind Fish by the village weathercock. She teaches Link a version of the song, although if he tries to accompany her she says he’s not very good at it.
Marin’s Chance to Shine
South of the Seashell Manor, Link finds a sign pointing toward Animal Village, but the river is just a little too wide to jump across, even with the Pegasus Boots1 Fortunately, near the sign is a hidden tunnel that leads under the river, and Animal Village is just a short walk away. Passing through the village, Link finds the way into the desert blocked by a giant sleeping walrus, who seems to be dreaming of Marin. Back in Animal Village, Link finds a bear chef who trades the honeycomb for a pineapple. The bear will then suggest that Link bring Marin to sing for the walrus and wake it up.
Fortunately, there’s teleport squares near both villages, so Link can zap back to Mabe Village quickly. Marin’s left the town to go down to the shores, and Link follows and finds her staring out at the ocean. Unlike everyone else on the island, Marin’s curious about what lies beyond the seas, and knows there has to be something out there because Link had to come from somewhere. She talks about being a seagull and making a wish to the Wind Fish before checking to make sure Link’s listening to her.
Link brings up how he needs to get into the desert and she may be able to wake the walrus to allow him to pass, and Marin agrees to go with him… and Link immediately holds her up over his head in his standard Item Get! pose.
Next: Link’s big chance.