"How could I...The great Ganondorf...Be beaten by a mere boy..." The evil king choked as he fell to his knees just before Link drove the legendary master sword through his skull, sealing him forever with its power.
Link's flashback dream was cut short by a splash of water drenching his dark green tunic. He sat up right away and looked around him franticly before settling down and looking up at a tall young farm girl with long red hair. She stood leaned towards him with her hands on her hips and she looked agitated. "What was that for Malon?" The blond young man wined.
"Link your so lazy, all I asked you to do was shovel the cow stalls and you fall asleep before you finish." She sighed and stood straight, pinching the bridge of her nose. "It's hard to believe that you saved the whole kingdom just two years ago."
Link rolled his eyes and got up to his feet, standing a full head taller than his friend. "Hey I'm a fighter, not a farm worker."
"But daddy was kind enough to let you live here as long as you pulled your weight fairy boy." She said poking Links chest with a slender but strong finger. "Now you can take this." She picked up a crate of milk and shoved it into his chest, knocking the wind out of him for a moment. "And take it down to the castle."
"Fine." He sighed as he tried to set the crate up on his shoulder. "It might get me away from your nagging for an hour." He chuckled.
Malon huffed as she folded her arms and turned away from him. "You should be thanking me for sending you to Hyrule Castle. You can see your 'girlfriend', princess Zelda, again." The sarcasm dripping from her tongue.
"She is not my girlfriend." Link growled. "She helped me defeat Ganondorf." Malon didn't turn around to look at him, she still had her arms folded. "Fine." Link turned around to head down the path that lead away from the farm with a sly grin on his face. "I may be a little late, I was planning on asking Zelda out anyway. Maybe a walk through the royal garden."
Malon spun around with her fists clenched at her sides. Her face grew red as she stomped her foot in the straw. "Link you lousy...Grrrrr!" She stomped off towards the farmhouse.
Link hauled the shipment of milk on his back on his way to the castle. He didn't understand why Malon got so jealous when the princess was mentioned. She was the one what brought Zelda up, not him. Perhaps he could do a little more work around the farm, but his mind was still in the past where he saved the world from the worst evil. After his efforts you hardly saw a monster around anymore, maybe an occasional deku-scrub or poe but that was the bulk of it. As he approached the gates that lead to the market he was sure to focus on the task at hand. A good gust of wind blew in as he entered the market which made his blond hair flail in all directions. Nobody looked at him, nobody even acknowledged his existence as the Hero of Time. It was probably for the best, only those he was close to remember him for what he did and that was good enough for him. Link went to the main gate where two armed guards stood.
"Halt!" One of them shouted. "State your business here?"
"My name is Link, I'm here to deliver milk to the castle."
"What happened to Talon? He usually delivers the milk."
"Listen. Its hot, I'm frying in this sun. I am working at Lon Lon Ranch as a stable-hand. His daughter sent me here to take this damn crate." He snapped, both guards glared at him intently.
"Link?" A feminine voice spoke from the other side of the gate. The two guards turned their attention back to the golden haired princess in a royal pink gown.
"Princess Zelda." They said in unison as they knelled down.
She held up her hand. "Its alright to let him in, we can trust him." The guards nodded and gave the signal to open the gates. The young princess hastily walked up to Link and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "I didn't expect you to come around the castle, but I'm glad you did." The Hero of Time looked at her with a confused expression.
"I'm just here to deliver milk from the ranch Zelda." Link responded.
"That's princess Zelda to you commoner!" One of the guards exclaimed.
"Silence." She shot back in a harsh tone. "Link, bring that crate to the side door of the castle. After that I need to talk to you, its important."
He nodded and followed her up the path that led to the castle. The sooner he got this goddess forsaken crate off his back the better off he will be. At the same time he wondered what could be so important that Zelda needed him. The master sword sealed Ganondorf away for good, there was no way he could have escaped, could there? As he walked along the castle moat he thought about all the reasons Zelda needed to talk to him. Did she want to get him alone to tell him she loved him? He was a hero, a living legend. Having a princess fall for him would definitely give him an ego boost. Finally they both reached the side door that lead into the castle, the green clothed boy let out a heavy sigh as he finally set down the crate next to the door. "Thank Din that's over." He said turning around and sitting on the crate. "So what did you need me for princess?"
"I had another vision." She spoke holding her hands to her chest. "Like before when Ganondorf tried to rule Hyrule, I foresaw something terrible. I was in a dark and thick forest, the trees and grass were black with death. A shapeless dark figure with piercing red eyes was slowly walking towards me, everything he touched caught fire and even the flames were a dark blood red. I have a feeling that an evil even greater than Ganondorf is about to make itself known Link. I need you to become the Hero of Time once again. This is an order from the princess of Hyrule as well as the seventh sage."
Link took a moment to take in the information he was just given. He was just given the chance to be a hero again, to do what he was destined to do. "I need the master sword."
"I'm well aware of that." She reached into the pouch strapped to her side and pulled out three shining stones along with a light blue ocarina. "Here." She handed him the four items. "I believe you still remember the song of time?"
The hero nodded as he placed the three spiritual stones in his bag with his rupees. "I remember all the songs from back then. Getting to the sword wont be a problem."
"I'm not sure where to begin your search for this evil, but it will probably find you before long." She nodded and stepped forward to wrap her arms around him. "Good luck." He hugged her as well and patted her back.
When they parted Link held up the blue instrument to his lips and softly blew into it, out came a melody that had not been played in years. After he finished the prelude to light his body disappeared in a bright yellow flash that flew up and away towards the church. When inside he looked in front of him at the door of time, behind it lied the sacred realm and the legendary blade that he had wielded to vanquish the evil desert king. He walked forward to the black marble shrine where three indents were carved. He reached in his back and pulled out a shining green emerald with solid gold swirled towards the center, he placed it down in the first hole and reached for the others. After the red and blue stones were put in their place he took a step back and held up his ocarina once more. He took a single deep breath and played the song of time in a slow and soothing tone which caused the great door behind the stones to glow and rise. Link felt his heart race as he waked up the white steps around the shrine and through the newly opened doorway. He crept up to the master sword as if it were about to come to life. Link grabbed the handle, stood straight up, and yanked the powerful weapon from its pedestal. He felt the sheath form on his back with a usual mysterious magic. A smile formed across his face as he swung the blade left, then right before sliding it behind him into its holster. He still felt incomplete though, the ocarina of time and master sword a Hero of Time does not make, he needed the other of tools and weapons that aided him. He turned tail and bolted out of the church, he had to get back to the farm soon and get his gear. He weaved in and out of the market crowds, dodging children playing in the street, avoiding the occasional yapping dog. When he made it out of the town market he made a bee-line for the sign at Lon Lon Ranch. As he ran he thought about a certain redhead who was probably waiting for him right now. He'd have to admit that he would miss her in his absence, she would probably just miss the extra set of hands on the ranch. He could see the stables and the high fence, almost there. As he rounded the corner he saw Malon standing by the farmhouse possibly waiting for him, he had no time he had to get his supplies.
"Hey Li-" He dashed by her and headed into the stables before she could finish her sentence. She looked at him strangely as she followed him in. When she opened the door she saw him rummaging through an old trunk that her father let him use for his belongings. She walked up to him and took a deep breath. "Link, I wanted to say I'm sorry for this morning. I got a little irritated and snapped at you...Are you listening?"
Link poked his head out from the trunk. "I hear you, its okay I'm not upset with you for snapping."
"What are you doing?" She asked now taking more curiosity into what he was in such a hurry to do. "Wait, is that the master sword?"
He nodded. "Zelda had a vision. Looks like I'm going to have to save Hyrule again."
"Oh..." Malon looked down at her feet and the dirty stable floor. "So your leaving again..."
The young man poked his head back out, his signature green hat now dawned on his head. "I have to, I still hold the triforce or courage. I'm not going to ignore my responsibility as this kingdoms savior." He slipped his forearms in his pair of golden gauntlets.
Malon huffed and folded her arms. "Savior, please. Anyone can save a kingdom." She said as he put his longshot and megaton hammer in his bag.
"You think its easy being a hero, putting your life on the like for people who don't give a damn about you?" He said as he stood up putting his mirror shield onto his back.
"Cant be any harder than running this ranch, I'm coming with you."
"WHAT?" He felt he was about to tip over from shock. The farm girl wants to come with him, through all the hazards and dangers that come with a quest like this?
"You heard me." She spoke with confidence, her arms still folded across her chest. "I'm coming with you to show you anyone can be a hero."
"What about the farm?"
"Daddy can take care of everything while I'm gone."
"You will most likely die out there."
"I can look after myself." Link scowled at her just before she left for the farmhouse. He followed her to the door but decided not to go in after her. He just grunted in irritation and leaned his back against the wall. He must be crazy for waiting for her to come out, he should just take Epona and head out before she even realized he left. That's just what he was going to do. Link quietly went over to the horse pen where his steed must have heard his thoughts for she stood at the edge of the pen, waiting for him.
"Come on girl." He said grabbing the fencepost and hoisting himself up onto the horse. "Lets get out of here before she gets back. We don't want her getting hurt by coming with us." The horse stomped her hoof a couple times before jolting her head down. Link held onto the saddle and patted the rear to get her to hop the short fence. As he tried to pick up speed he noticed that Malon had managed to return and was standing dead center at the gate. Link only got a glimpse of her before Epona halted and sent him hurtling over her, making him land directly at Malon's feet.
"Thought you could sneak out with my horse huh?" She stood with her hands on her hips. Link looked up and felt his eyes practically bulge out of his head. Malon stood before him, hair pulled back in a long red ponytail, bright blue eyes just above the light freckles on her cheeks. She wore a thick cow spotted top that was cut off above her stomach and a tanned leather skirt that stopped halfway down her thigh that had a slit cut down the side for easy maneuvering. She also had knee high leather boots and thick leather gauntlets on her forearms. Link was speechless, his heart couldn't stop racing and a certain organ made it very uncomfortable to be lying on his stomach right now. "So what do you think?" She asked turning around slowly on her heels to give Link a better look at the tight backside of the skirt. "Its just something I whipped up in case I ever did go on an adventure with you."
"You...made that?" His voice was shuddering along with the rest of his body.
She nodded. "Mhm. Plus daddy said he has no problem with me coming along with you. He probably thought I was kidding." Link swallowed the lump in this throat, at the moment he couldn't think of anything to say. After a moment he finally got the feeling in the rest of his body enough to where he could stand. When he did Malon noticed that the sky was beginning to get darker, which was strange because it was barely past noon. "Link look, I think we may be getting rain here."
"What?" He snapped from his daze and looked up as well. The darkness wasn't storm clouds, he only saw this once before, this was like when Ganondorf gained power of the land.
"You haven't changed a bit 'fairy boy'." A deep almost demonic voice spoke from the ranches entrance. Link's eyes darted right for the source and saw someone he thought he destroyed. His clothes were all completely black, from his hat to his boots. He even wielded a coal black version of Links master sword. His dark red eyes stared daggers at the Hero of Time with a demented grin on his face.
"Link?" Malon looked back and forth between the two. "There are two of you?"
The real Link looked at her from the corner of his eye as he drew his sword. "No, that's Dark Link. The physical embodiment of the hatred and rage inside me, I thought I finished him off."
The dark warrior stuck his blade in the ground and leaned on the handle. His crimson eyes eying the farm girl hungerly. "He's got it down so far babe, but what he couldn't manage to figure out is that as long as he lives I will always be around. I am a part of him after all."
"Who are you working for? Ganondorf didn't get set free did he?" Link said standing strongly in front on Malon.
"Ganondork?" Dark Link chuckled. "I don't work for him, I never worked for anyone. I act on my own accord. He and I just had a goal in common, we both wanted you dead." He kept his eyes on Malon. "My my my, that reminds me, you would be surprised how little a guy like me gets laid. Hey hot stuff, why don't you ditch the hero and come on down to the dark side? I promise you wont be disappointed."
"Shut up!" Link snapped. "You may look like me but that's it. I swear you make one move towards her I'll take you down once and for all!"
His evil counterpart straightened up and laughed. "Seems I struck a nerve there. Don't worry, I'm not planning on taking her. Yet." He snapped his fingers and disappeared in a dark red vortex of fire.
"I swear I'll kill that son of a bitch, and I'll make sure he never comes back." His sword was held tightly in his grip as he slid it back behind him. He body was trembling with rage, his shield clashed against his sword handle.
Malon reached forward and rested a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Try and stay calm, you said he was your hatred. Getting angry like that probably only makes him stronger." Link tried to calm his shaking and took a deep breath, he didn't say anything, he just nodded his head to show he understood. "Hey, thanks for sticking up for me."
"Its just the way he talked to you. I don't know why but it just set me off." He steadied himself and turned to her. "Are you sure you want to come? I have a feeling he is the one Zelda had the vision about."
Malon gave him the softest smile she could muster. "I'm sure. Sometimes you need help to fight your inner demons."
"I guess you made up your mind then." He pulled off his pack. "You are going to need something to defend yourself with though." He pulled out the sword he used as a child, to an adult sized person it was just a knife but it was the only blade he had in his arsenal at the time. "Here." He handed it to her along with the small holster.
"This will be fine for now." Malon said as she strapped the sheath to her thigh for easy draw.
"I may have some other tools that can be useful too." He opened up his bag so she could get a better look.
"I used a bow and arrow before, I used to practice on horseback." Link nodded and handed her the bow and his quiver of arrows. He also pulled out two crystal looking objects, a red looking orb was in the center of one and blue in the other. "Take these too."
Malon slung the quiver over her shoulder before taking the two crystals and inspecting them. "What are they?"
"Spells, the red one creates a dome of fire that surrounds you and burns anything in a ten foot radius. The blue one will protect you from any physical enemy strikes." He tied up the sack and strapped it to his back. Malon felt her face get warm, he just gave her what was probably his only means to protect himself save for his shield. Link whistled to call Epona back to him. When the horse returned the hero hoisted himself onto her saddle once settled he extended a hand to the young woman who wanted to join him. Malon smiled as she took his hand and pulled herself up behind him on the horse. The farm girl wrapped her hands around Links stomach and held herself close. Link felt himself tense up when he felt his friends chest press up against his back. He shook all unnerving thoughts out of his head as the horse reared up before galloping out of the ranch and down the trail towards death mountain.
