A/N: Well, glad you chose this story besides the others. Before you read, I have some things to say. This isn't a normal Zelda story, this takes place in…cheap fanfare an alternate universe. Post apocalyptic, dirty, Gotham city like, whatever floats your boat. I don't own Zelda either, Nintendo does. Everyone else that I made up, well, their mine aint they? Enjoy!
Money Makes the World Go 'Round
A man with red hair leaned against the balcony's railing. A cigarette dangled from his lips. He looked up at the moon, full and bright. He lived in one of the smaller building in the city, nothing more than ten stories high. The entire city was made up of tall skyscrapers that usually blocked out the sky from view. Everything could be heard: gunshots, police sirens, and drunks, just that everything couldn't be seen. A thick fog always engulfed the city at night from the steam from the subways.
His name was Vincent, one of the cities lines of defense against criminals. A breeze blew which billowed Vincent's white trench coat. From inside the apartment, Link came to join his closest friend on the balcony. Link tightened his black leather jacket. It was always cold at night in Hyrule.
"No job?" Vincent asked Link.
"No." Link answered back.
"Fuck, we haven't gotten a job in nearly a damn month. The way the world is, you think we get one everyday." Vincent said in disgust.
"Not arguing with you there, but it isn't that bad, but the world needs heroes."
"Tell them to start here when you meet them Link. We got bills to pay and as much as I would like to be a 'hero', it ain't going to be for free. It's hard trying to take care of a little girl this day and age."
"So how is the fight for custody going against Crystal?" Link asked.
"Don't ever speak of that bitch. Why the hell did I have to marry her? She's manipulative, bitchy, arrogant, bitchy, self-centered, and bitchy. There is only one good thing ever came out of marrying her."
"Vivienne is such a sweet girl. Is she sleeping right now?"
"Yeah," Vincent turned to face Link. "Listen, you wanna go get a drink?"
Link shrugged. "Sure, maybe we can stop by Roy's."
"He better have some fuckin' work, that's all I know." Vincent said as he entered his apartment.
Link followed him inside and closed the balcony door. Vincent's cat walked slowly up to Link and rubbed against his leg. He stepped over the feline and went through the front door as Vincent was already knocking on the door across the dark hallway. As much as Vincent hated asking for help, he would do anything for his baby girl. A few seconds later, a pretty, young woman answered the door.
"Hey Vincent, is anything wrong?"
"Ashley, how you doing? No nothings wrong, just wonderin' what your up to right now." Vincent asked.
Link stared at the walls in the hallway. They were always dirty and stained. It's amazing that most other places were exactly like it, even Link's apartment building. Only the people who managed to steal enough from the hard working could get a better place than this.
"Not at all. Let me guess, you need someone to watch Vivienne for you. Am I right?" Ashley said, combing back a strand of her auburn hair back.
"Read me like a book. Could you?"
"Yeah I could." Ashley said. "Just leave the door open, I'll be there in five minutes."
"You're the best, see you later. Tell Chris I said 'hi'." Vincent said and waved for Link as he set down the hall.
Together they made their way to the elevator and rode it down to the first floor. Vincent lit another cigarette and exited the building through the glass doors while following Link outside. Link was outside in the parking lot as Vincent threw the cigarette away. They then made it to an old, black muscle car. Vincent dug into his pocket and produced a set of keys.
Vincent got into the driver's side of the car and opened the other door for Link. The car turned over and Vincent stepped on the gas pedal. They took off and Vincent turned into the street. After a few minutes of driving in the empty streets, Vincent pulled into a small parking lot. A neon sign reading Al's Bar was a few steps away from the first empty space.
Link and Vincent walked in the bar and were greeted with rock music and cigarette smoke. The pair went over to the bar and sat on the stools.
A sexy redhead appeared from behind the bar with a smile on her face. She wore a simple white tank top with blue jeans. "The usual guys?"
Link nodded in response.
"Yeah beautiful." Vincent said. "Two of the causes and solutions to life problems Malon."
"Don't call me that." Malon turned around and poured two mugs filled to the brim and overflowing with foam. She handed it to the guys and then turned to Vincent. "Vincent, I have a question, do you still have that empty room available?"
Vincent took a sip. "For rent? Yeah I do. Why, you want it?"
"Just for like a month or so, my ex-boyfriend kicked me out." Malon explained. "Right now I need somewhere to stay. I hate staying at my mother's."
"Well, if your moving in, I guess I can't really charge you for rent…" Vincent said. "But please tell me your looking for better work."
"No, Vincent, I'll pay my share." Malon said. "And, right now this is all I have to support myself. We all don't fall into your business."
"Nope, not having it. I don't like having friends, especially beautiful women, pay me. Not to mention its money from a bar." Vincent sighed. "Just tell me when you're moving in."
"Ok." Malon said. Another customer waved for Malon and she left Link and Vincent alone.
"Perfect for each other." Link murmured as he took a sip of his mug.
"Come on Link, let's get going before Roy decides to give away a bounty." Vincent said, slamming the mug onto the bar.
Link finished his drink. "Let's go."
"Malon! Drinks on our tab!" Vincent yelled out as he rushed out of the bar.
They got back into the car and again they sped off. Link looked up to see how the buildings flashed passed as they rode. Link sighed and then stared at the road. They were nearly there. In even less time, Vincent arrived at a small building, actually a stone walled house. Although it was dwarfed by the humungous towers around it, that is where they needed to be.
Vincent parked on the side of the road and then they both got out. Boarded up windows and chain link fence, the house was ominous. They entered through the gate and Link knocked on the heavy metal door and then waited. A small intercom where the doorbell was supposed to be produced a voice.
"Who is it?" said a voice.
Link pressed and held the button underneath its speaker. "Link."
A buzzing came from the door and Link turned the knob to open the door. He went in and Vincent followed. The inside of the house wasn't as bad as what the outside made people think. It was nicely furnished but nothing top quality. The room they were in had a couch, television, and even a small bookcase. A small lamp was lit in another room. Together they walked toward it and into Roy's office.
That lamp led them to a room with a big man sitting behind a desk. This man was huge, his arms nearly three times as wide as either Link's or Vincent's. He had brown, balding hair and beady black eyes. It looked like the man was having a hard time breathing and beads of sweat gathered on his forehead.
"Can I help you two bounty hunters?" he said in a raspy voice.
The two sat down on the chairs before the big man.
"Roy, we need a fuckin' job, now." Vincent said bluntly.
"Sorry fellas, nothing but the top ten bounties are available at this moment. Came a little to late, had one that was right up your alley." Roy said.
"You have that police radio, take it out." Link said.
Roy grunted. "Why?"
"Obviously if there is any leads to any of those ten most wanted retard." Vincent said. "Now hurry the fuck up."
Roy gave another grunt and reached below his desk. He then rose back up with a black radio and placed it on the desk. He messed with a few knobs until he had the police frequency.
"All units in 57th, we have sighting of Volvagia. Apprehend suspect before we get a hunter there."
"I'm on it, as soon as I finished with my donut."
"Get on it, time is wasting."
"Yeah, yeah, 10-4"
"Lucky day after all." Roy said to both of them as he switched the radio off.
Link already got up and started for the door.
"Want those rupees as soon as I cuff her." Vincent said to Roy as he got up from his chair.
A/N: So, what do you guys think so far? First chap, so keep that in mind. Oh and review or else those teddy graham crackers your eating will spring to life and eat you. I have that power over them…