Link gripped the hilt of his sword, still resting in its scabbard, but ready for use at a split seconds notice. He breathed in, then out. A single shuffling noise from behind him reached his ears, and in an instant the sword had been drawn, he had spun on the spot and driven it into the chest of the stalfos that had been trying to sneak up on him. It would take more than that to stop a stalfos, a skeletal warrior, since there wasn't a whole lot inside its chest. Link took advantage of its stunned state by planting his left foot in its ribcage and forcing it off his sword. It staggered back into one of the dungeons support pillars, and Link followed up with a diagonal slash that went from its right shoulder down through its spine. Its upper torso slid to the floor, and its legs collapsed allowing Link to see the damage he had inadvertently dealt to the support pillar. Not good. As the chamber started to shake, he knew he could not leave yet, he had not found what he had come for. He turned and ran for the crypt at the end of the room. As he did so, more stalfos hauled themselves from their resting-places. He ducked past one, avoiding the arc of its sword, and jammed his own into its spinal column. As the other tried to bring its blade down on his head, he quickly stabbed upwards, through its ribcage and neck. The others were too far away to be of consequence. The rooms remaining pillars began to crack and give way, but Link had reached the crypt. He heaved off the great stone tablet covering it, and snatched the sceptre from the skeletal remains of Abdullah al Farad, a long dead rich man. Only a few pillars were left standing. Link reached for the hookshot on his belt, a grappling hook of sorts, and fired it at the entrance of the dungeon. A dull chinking sound was emitted and the chain was whipped back into the chamber of the hookshot. It had fallen short. He cursed and broke into a sprint for the exit. He went into a roll past a stalfos that blocked his way as the roof began to fall in. Nearly in range, nearly, ...now! He dived and fired the hookshot, latching on to a gnarled tree root he had had to dig past to get in. Link was pulled through the air like an arrow with the cavern collapsing around him, he slammed headfirst into the wall by the small sloping tunnel he had dug. Without pause for thought he leapt for the ledge at the top, arms, hands and fingers all stretched to the limit, and just managed to grasp it. With a surge of strength only possible for one on the verge of certain death whose system contains more adrenaline than blood, he hauled himself out of the tunnel and on to the soft grass of the Kakariko graveyard.
As he lay, gasping for breath, a figure leaned over him.
"Did you get it?" the figure croaked.
"Yeah Dampe, I got your damn sceptre." He held up the object for Dampe the gravekeepers approval. The old man took it, turned it over in his hands, scrutinising it closely.
"Splendid, splendid..."
"I try my best."
"I was talking about the sceptre, not your shoddy retrieval of it, do you know you nearly caved in half the graveyard? And if..."
Link sighed. He had heard it all before. Still, the money was good, 100 rupees per successful retrieval of whatever Dampe though was stashed in whatever tomb, and Dampe could moan as much as he liked, he would never find anyone else reckless enough to do this job. Or bored for that matter. It had been nearly seven years now, seven years since his great adventure, since he banished Ganondorf to the sacred realm, and closed the door to that timeline, erasing it. None of it existed anymore, save for in the memories of himself and Princess Zelda. What had been a dark twisted future was being overwritten by a golden era, peaceful and benign. And boring. Link had not sat around since returning to his own time, he had been training, alongside enjoying the life in the years he had missed. He wanted to be ready for the next threat to face Hyrule, and he had trained hard. His swordsmanship had greatly improved, but his heart was no longer in it. He fought with incredible skill, but not with passion, and he knew why. The Master Sword. The legendary sword of Hero's, the bane of evil, forged to be the ultimate weapon against darkness, and he had wielded it. He had been the true Hero of Time; he had fought his way through the six temples with that sword in his hand, defeating great monsters and beasts. And when the time came to strike the final blow that would incapacitate Ganon, the Master Sword had been in his hand then too. But when he sealed the doorway between times, he had had to leave the legendary blade in its pedestal in the Temple of Time and never more remove it, lest he risk resurrecting that dark future. He had only been the Hero of Time in a erased future, and the only sword worthy of being wielded by him was unreachable. So where did that leave him? There was no need for Hero's anymore, and there hadn't been so much as a Deku scrub giving anyone funny looks in terms of incidents.
He collected his pay from the complaining Dampe and headed into the village. He stopped by the archery range to make sure he was still sharp with a bow, and he was, six targets, six bullseyes and another 100 rupees in prize money much to the frustration of the owner, who had long since gotten into the habit of having his wallet ready the second Link stepped into the range. He had his exit and left the village, heading out onto Hyrule field. He had considered heading up Death Mountain to see Dariuna, leader of the Gorons, but decided against it as it was a Wednesday, and that meant the Goron races, they would all roll into balls and thunder up and down the mountain. Link had nearly been crushed the last time he dropped by on a Wednesday. But as he stepped out onto Hyrule field he stopped.
The sun was just setting. It's sinking rays struck the grassy plain and turned it golden, and the sky above turning from blue to pink as the day drew to a close. Link closed his eyes and inhaled, wanting to savour this moment. A soft breeze blew upon him, and he opened his eyes, coming out of his trance like state of euphoria. He looked over to Lon Lon Ranch, situated in the middle of the plain, the home of Talon, the ranch owner, and Malon, his daughter and one of Link's closest friends. Since it was Wednesday, it meant they would be cleaning out the stables, and since Ingo the worker had left they had been short on help. Plus, with the extra money he had won, he would finally be able to pay for Epona, the horse he had played with as a child, who had since grown to be the fastest in Hyrule. He was old enough to ride her now he had turned 16, he had been learning with help from Malon. Come to think of it, he was old enough to do the stuff that he did as the Hero of Time, and Link knew that it was exactly one week, two days and fourteen hours from the exact moment when the battle with Ganondorf would have taken place in the alternate time. At that time, all that could have been would be overwritten, but what would that mean for the Master Sword? Could it be that he could remove it from its pedestal and be reunited? He would have to talk to Zelda about that, but he saw little of the princess at the moment, as she was being groomed by her father the King for royal duties. He walked the well-trodden path up to the Ranch. The gate was open, as usual, and Link went inside.
"Malon? Talon? Anyone home?"
"In here young 'un." A gruff voice shouted from the direction of the stables. He stepped inside.
"Link! Nice of you to drop by kid, don't suppose you've got the rest of the money for that horse have you?" Talon asked, always to the point.
"Matter of fact I do" Link replied, throwing him the bag of rupees. "Got lucky at the archery contest in Kakariko. That is, if you haven't gone and sold Epona to someone else.."
"Course not, you're the only person 'sides from Malon who she'll let ride her! And don't give me lucky, you're the best archer in Hyrule. Best swordsman too for that matter. And your ridings none too shabby either, and..."
"I didn't come for the praise, I thought I could lend a hand with the stables, I know you've been understaffed since Ingo hit the road"
"Very kind of you son, you still workin' for Dampe? Because there's a job for you here if you want it..."
"I wouldn't dream of it. You know I would never take your money, I help you out for free Talon, and I only work for Dampe for the excitement. I mean, today I...
"Link! What are you doing here?" Malon exclaimed, having just entered through the door. She gave him a big hug, Link blushed bright red.
"Link's here to help out honey, lend a hand with the stables and all that. Plus he's paid up for Epona. Right, I'm off, you two behave while I'm gone." Talon left Link and Malon rolling their eyes. They had both agreed that there wasn't anything like that between them, it was just friendship.
"When is he going to take the hint?" Link exclaimed
"Maybe he's secretly disappointed the isn't any misbehaving going on. You know he's looking for someone to pass the business on to..." Malon said jokingly.
"Well, the first time we met he asked me to marry you y'know."
"What! And what did you say?"
"Excuse me sir, I am in fact the legendary Hero of Time, and I can't be associating with the riffraff don't you know." Link said in his upper class voice, posing.
"Riffraff! You cheeky so and so! I'll give you Hero of Time you great pansy, you couldn't fight way out a paper bag..." she yelled, her voice somewhere between laughter and anger, at Link, now prostrate with laughter. She grabbed a pitchfork and ran at him. He instinctively ducked out the way, and she jabbed the fork into some stacked up bales of hay, causing them to come crashing down on Link. He clawed his way free to see her standing over him, her shoulder length brown hair unkempt, her work dress creased, but her eyes alive with mischief.
"Finished rolling around?" she asked innocently
"Not quite..", he snaked his hand out and grabbed her ankle, catching her off balance and knocking her down with a gasp of surprise.
"Why you sneaky... oh look at this place, we've made a right mess. Right you, stop laying about and give me a hand. What's the matter, Mr. Hero of Time not wanting to get his hands dirty?"
"Don't get me started..." he replied, laughing.
They finished clearing up an hour or so later, and sat outside on a crate talking.
"...and when are you going to find someone Link? I've known you all this time and you've had not one single girlfriend. And don't tell me you don't mind, I can see the loneliness and pain behind your eyes when you think no-ones looking."
"I, I just don't know. I try not to think about it mostly. The last 7 years I've been so busy preparing to be the great hero, and I forgot to have a life along the way."
Malon was the only person Link had told about his great quest, and she said she believed him, but in her heart there was doubt. It all seemed like a fairy tale to her, and although she trusted him and knew he wouldn't lie, he had always been this great guy and friend that she had grown up with, and despite his skill at arms she could never picture him as the great Hero of Time.
"Link, how do you know that the next threat to Hyrule will be your life time? What if nothing ever happens, and you will be an old, old man who has wasted his life with nothing to shown for it."
"I can't take that chance. This is my fate, ridiculous as it seems, I am the defender of Hyrule, whatever that takes. Even if it does seem more of a curse than a honour sometimes. I will always be there for this land, ready to fight for it."
"I'm worried that if go on like this you will forget what it is you are fighting for. Promise me you won't forget, Link."
"I promise."
"Thank you." She yawned. "Its getting late, you should bunk up in Ingo's old room." She wasn't going to say 'Its too dangerous to be out at this time" because she knew that would fall on deaf ears. Link wasn't affected by danger and fear like everyone else she knew, but it hadn't made him cold inside, yet. She just hoped he would find love before it did. What Link didn't understand was that as strong and skilled and courageous as he was, it was physical and mental strength. He had never got in touch with his emotions, he had never really grown up, he had never loved and lived. She could see that side in him, and it worried her. She wanted him to stay because she enjoyed his company and his friendship more than anything else at this time in her life, and she wanted to help him in whatever small way that she could.
"Thanks Malon."
They headed inside.
The winds of change were blowing on the land of Hyrule, and things would not remain in a tranquil state much longer. Two dark figures stalked the land, both agents of the King of Evil, both unaware of the others existence, both single mindedly tracking the same target.
Link awoke with a jolt, and banged his head against the sloping ceiling. He had not slept well; he had had a dark premonition of evil approaching. He put it to the back of his mind, dressed and went down stairs.
"Lookie here, if it ain't sleeping beauty come to join us" said Talon with a grin
"Oh, leave him alone dad. Morning Link!"
"Good morning Malon, morning Talon."
He had been at the Ranch a week now at Malon's insistence. Mostly he had been helping out, but he had also been practising his equestrian abilities, learning to saddle and groom Epona, along with getting in some riding practice around the ranch. But today he was off to the Gerudo fortress to use their training facilities and try his hand at horseback archery. And he had promised to take Malon along to have a look around too.
"Ready to go Link?" Malon enquired.
"As always"
They went over to the stables and prepared the horses, Epona for Link and Blaze for Malon. She held them while he unlocked the gates. Then they mounted up and headed out.
"C'mon slowcoach, I'll race you" Malon shouted over to him. Link just smiled and nodded. Both horses broke into a gallop for the entrance to Gerudo valley. Epona was the faster horse but Malon but the more skilled rider, and it turned out as a draw, although neither wanted to admit it.
"Hang on, let me go first" he told her as they approached the fortress. A Gerudo guard stepped forward. The Gerudos were a female race of thieves, there were men, but they had been taken as slaves from other races and the offspring were always born female. But once every hundred years a male Gerudo was born, and the last had been Ganondorf.
"Who goes there?" the guard demanded.
"My name is Link. I come to train. This is my friend Malon."
"Link? Yes, you are admitted. Enter."
They tied up the horses outside, and went into the fortress via the main entrance. After what seemed an eternity of sandstone corridors they arrived at the main hall where the current Gerudo queen, Riana was waiting.
"It has been a long time Link."
"Yes it has. I have a request."
"Of course. Go on."
"Would you mind showing Malon around? Just while I'm using the training ground that is."
"I would be glad to. It is not often that outsider females are interested in our society."
"Thank you!" Malon piped up
"You are welcome Malon. My name is Riana. This way please. Link, you remember where the grounds are?"
"Yes. See you two later, ok?"
"Ok, bye Link" Malon finished
Link navigated the corridors back outside, then entered the door to the training area. As he looked around he saw that some additions had been made. He stepped into one of the new rooms, marked "Agility". The object of this room was to make it from one side to the other without breaking pace, whilst avoiding the spike traps, swinging pendulums and other such niceties. The Gerudo training grounds were not designed with safety in mind. They were the harshest, most arduous training facilities in Hyrule, and more than one life had been lost carelessly. Link removed his shield and scabbard, along with his equipment belt for his first run. On successive runs, he decided he would carry all his kit, as it would be no good if he faced this challenge in the future and would be forced to leave all his equipment behind. But this was just a trial run, just to rate his competence at this challenge. He moved to the starting post, mentally timing the motion of the moving blades to determine the best time to make his move.
Now.
He saw his opening, and leapt over the first set of retracting spikes and through the first set of blades. Without thinking he went into a roll, just avoiding the pendulum he had nearly forgotten about. Careless. The next set of spikes was coming up, and these were much higher than the first. He increased his speed and vaulted them, timing his leap to take him past the next blade that whizzed past him along it's set groove to the opposite wall. Close. He realised that he had just walked into the next spike trap, but this one was different. Spikes of different lengths rose randomly from holes in the floor. The wisest option was to get out as soon as possible, but the next trial, five consecutive pendulums, all with separate timings, was not in optimal positions for safe passage. A spike shot up from the floor, nearly impaling his leg, but he dodged to the right, almost into the path of another. He stepped back quickly as another came up in front of him. He had his back to the pendulums, and a single glance over his shoulder told him there was a chance. He crouched, then sprung up and back-flipped past the arc of the first pendulum. He spun as he landed, then rolled past the second, and then snapped his body bolt upright to avoid being bisected by the third, then ducked past it. He then twisted past the fourth the moment it passed him and in an instinctive spasmodic movement sprung through the split second gap between the fourth and fifth, past the last pendulum to the end zone. The whole chain of events had taken less than ten seconds to run its course. But that last squeeze had gone beyond close.
Link put his hand to the tear in his tunic on his shoulder, and it came away bloody. He checked the wound, and it was not serious. Not deep, but it ran the length of his upper arm. As he made for the small path at the side of the course that would lead him safely back to the starting area, out of the corner of his eye the was a swift movement from behind him. He spun to see a figure shrouded in a dark cloak readying a bow to fire at him. They must have dropped in through the skylight he thought, not that it makes much difference, all my stuff is at the other side of the room, damn. As the attacker loosed an arrow at Link, he had no option but to throw himself back into the course. The attacker fired again and again, but the pendulums blocked the arrows. The figure made a low growling sound and pulled a sword. Link was ducking and dodging for his life, and had cleared most of the course on his way back. He made the final leap to the first area and dived for his sword and the attacker came down the side path and ran at him. Link grabbed his sword and blocked the attack aimed for his neck. He pushed off and jumped to his feet. His shoulder was beginning to bleed more freely as he put more strain on it and as his heart began to race, pumping blood faster. He knew he could not keep this up for long. He blocked blow after blow, but was loosing the strength to launch an offence of his own. His attacker lunged at him, but Link stepped to the side and grabbed them and threw the figure against the wall. He didn't wait around for them to get up, rather grabbed the rest of his kit and ran for the door. He made it outside, gasping for air only to see a figure shrouded in a dark cloak. How could this be! He had just left them inside only a few seconds ago! Then the door opened, and the first attacker ran out.
"What the Hell is going on here?" he demanded, only to be dropped to his knees by a lightning fast blow to the shoulder by the newcomer.
The two dark figures just stood and stared at each other. They nodded in turn, then pulled back their hoods. Link looked to the first and saw that his attacker was female. She had black hair, blue steely eyes. Her skill suggested Gerudo, but her features were Hylian, which meant Gerudo training. But then Link registered the surprise on her face and looked to the face of the other figure, and nearly passed out. The face was his. The figure was Dark Link.
Dark Link had been created by Ganondorf to destroy Link. The two had finally faced off in the Water Temple during Link's quest to save Hyrule. It had been a long, terrible fight, but eventually Link won by wearing Dark Link down in a sword fight then tricked him by dropping the sword, and delivering a crushing blow to his chest with the Megaton Hammer that he had obtained elsewhere on his quest.
"No. I killed you, how can you be HERE?!"
"Silence weakling. You may have defeated me once, but Ganondorf resurrected me when you banished him to the sacred realm. He has worn down the sage's barrier enough to send me though to obtain the one thing that can bring down the seal entirely. Your blood. Look at you. On your knees because of a woman."
The female attacker, who had been silent up to this point stepped in.
"If I can best one Link then I can best another you fool. Don't underestimate me. And Link is my prize. His death is my right by decree of the Great King of Evil."
"You're both working for him? Oh, this is just great."
"I was ordered to dispatch Link by Ganondorf himself in person." Dark Link stated.
"As was I." The attacker replied.
"May I ask for what reason?" Link queried sarcastically, quick talking while he busily bandaged his shoulder with his torn sleeve.
"Hold your tongue dog. My name is Erin. And you killed everyone I ever cared for, and destroyed my life. Ganondorf took me in, and gave he the training I needed to take my revenge. His last words to me were 'Kill Link'"
"I can't allow that." Dark Link said.
"I'm gonna have to say a definite no to the both of you" echoed Link.
"Try and stop me" Erin said bluntly, drawing her sword.
Link, feeling a little better, rolled backwards, flipped upright and pulled his sword.
Dark Link laughed and drew his own sword. Link stepped back in shock. Erin spoke.
"That's the Master Sword..."
"No it isn't" commented Link. "That is not the Master Sword. It looks the same, but the blade is black. What the hell is it?"
"Your precious Master Sword still resides in the Temple of Time. As you know, it was forged by an ancient King of Hyrule to strike at darkness. This blade was forged by Ganondorf to strike at light. Impressive, no?"
"No."
"Suit yourself. Enough talk."
As the three combatants prepared to fight, Malon walked out of the fortress and saw Link, a guy in black that looked like Link and a woman all about to kill each other.
"LINK!"
Link turned towards her.
"MALON! Get out of here, get Riana now!"
Dark Link swung the Black Blade at Link's head. He ducked it and punched Dark Link hard in the midsection. He then blocked a flurry of attacks from Erin before Dark Link recovered and kicked her away from Link. He tried to bring his blade down on Link in a overhead swing but Link dropped to his knees and swung his sword and Dark Link's legs, forcing him to leap back and miss his own swing. As he tried to catch his balance, Link kicked upwards, catching him on the torso and sending him sprawling. As Erin rushed back into the fight Link went on the offensive, raining blow after blow down on her and she began to falter and stumble, but Dark Link had recovered quickly and brought the hilt of his sword down on the back of Link's head, dropping him like a stone. Then he turned his attention to Erin, lashing out and knocking her to the ground. Link regained his senses just in time to see Dark Link raising his blade to kill Erin, and a strange sensation hit him. Part of it was raw instinct, the desire to protect was part of his nature, but there was something else. She claimed he had destroyed her life, yet he had never met her. She claimed he had killed everyone she loved, but Link would never do that, plus she was Hylian and Link had never taken a Hylian life. So how could that be? And if he had ruined her life, he could not let it end because of him. And there was something else...
Link grabbed his sword from where it had fallen, and dived over Erin as Dark Link swung the Black Blade down. He brought his sword up to block it, but the dark sword caught it on the side, and his sword shattered into hundreds of pieces and the flat edge of the blade smacked him across the torso. It felt like he was being electrocuted, but the momentum of his dive landed him on the other side of a very shocked Erin. Link stood, and before his dark counterpart could react he jumped and landed and double footed drop kick on his chest that slammed him backwards into a stone wall. A group of Gerudo guards ran out of the fortress led by Riana, with Malon following tentatively behind. Link knew there would be a bloodbath unless he led his two assailants somewhere else. Then it hit him. The wastelands. The Gerudo guarded the entrance to the haunted wastelands, and the large gate at the end of the yard was the only way in or out. He knew the path through the wasteland, and if he could trap them there he could avert disaster. He yelled to Riana.
"STOP! Open the gate to the wasteland NOW!"
The Gerudo froze in their tracks. Riana ran up the ladder by the gate and turned the handle that would open it. Link looked around. Dark Link and Erin were struggling to their feet both surprised by Link's actions when he could have stood by and have had one less attacker to worry about. Erin caught Link's eye and the two stared at each other, their expressions blank, betraying nothing about what they were thinking or feeling. Link turned and ran for the gateway. Erin followed quickly after retrieving her sword, and Dark Link howled in rage and pursued as well, leaving Malon, Riana and the other Gerudo standing in utter bewilderment. Riana pulled the handle back and the gates closed.
"What are you doing? Link won't be able to get out! He's in a natural death-trap with his evil twin and some psycho lady whilst wounded and tired and you just closed the door?!" Malon yelled at her.
"Link knows what he is doing. Those who attacked him were of great skill and dark mind, he lead them away to save all our lives. If Link survives, he will return and we will open the gate. If he dies, his killers will die with him. We can only wait."
Malon wanted to argue but knew Riana was right. Her eyes filled with tears at the thought of Link getting killed out there. She ran for her horse, Blaze.
"Where are you going?" Riana shouted down to her.
"To find the one person who might be able to help and tell me what the Hell is going on!" She replied, and rode out of Gerudo Valley.
As he lay, gasping for breath, a figure leaned over him.
"Did you get it?" the figure croaked.
"Yeah Dampe, I got your damn sceptre." He held up the object for Dampe the gravekeepers approval. The old man took it, turned it over in his hands, scrutinising it closely.
"Splendid, splendid..."
"I try my best."
"I was talking about the sceptre, not your shoddy retrieval of it, do you know you nearly caved in half the graveyard? And if..."
Link sighed. He had heard it all before. Still, the money was good, 100 rupees per successful retrieval of whatever Dampe though was stashed in whatever tomb, and Dampe could moan as much as he liked, he would never find anyone else reckless enough to do this job. Or bored for that matter. It had been nearly seven years now, seven years since his great adventure, since he banished Ganondorf to the sacred realm, and closed the door to that timeline, erasing it. None of it existed anymore, save for in the memories of himself and Princess Zelda. What had been a dark twisted future was being overwritten by a golden era, peaceful and benign. And boring. Link had not sat around since returning to his own time, he had been training, alongside enjoying the life in the years he had missed. He wanted to be ready for the next threat to face Hyrule, and he had trained hard. His swordsmanship had greatly improved, but his heart was no longer in it. He fought with incredible skill, but not with passion, and he knew why. The Master Sword. The legendary sword of Hero's, the bane of evil, forged to be the ultimate weapon against darkness, and he had wielded it. He had been the true Hero of Time; he had fought his way through the six temples with that sword in his hand, defeating great monsters and beasts. And when the time came to strike the final blow that would incapacitate Ganon, the Master Sword had been in his hand then too. But when he sealed the doorway between times, he had had to leave the legendary blade in its pedestal in the Temple of Time and never more remove it, lest he risk resurrecting that dark future. He had only been the Hero of Time in a erased future, and the only sword worthy of being wielded by him was unreachable. So where did that leave him? There was no need for Hero's anymore, and there hadn't been so much as a Deku scrub giving anyone funny looks in terms of incidents.
He collected his pay from the complaining Dampe and headed into the village. He stopped by the archery range to make sure he was still sharp with a bow, and he was, six targets, six bullseyes and another 100 rupees in prize money much to the frustration of the owner, who had long since gotten into the habit of having his wallet ready the second Link stepped into the range. He had his exit and left the village, heading out onto Hyrule field. He had considered heading up Death Mountain to see Dariuna, leader of the Gorons, but decided against it as it was a Wednesday, and that meant the Goron races, they would all roll into balls and thunder up and down the mountain. Link had nearly been crushed the last time he dropped by on a Wednesday. But as he stepped out onto Hyrule field he stopped.
The sun was just setting. It's sinking rays struck the grassy plain and turned it golden, and the sky above turning from blue to pink as the day drew to a close. Link closed his eyes and inhaled, wanting to savour this moment. A soft breeze blew upon him, and he opened his eyes, coming out of his trance like state of euphoria. He looked over to Lon Lon Ranch, situated in the middle of the plain, the home of Talon, the ranch owner, and Malon, his daughter and one of Link's closest friends. Since it was Wednesday, it meant they would be cleaning out the stables, and since Ingo the worker had left they had been short on help. Plus, with the extra money he had won, he would finally be able to pay for Epona, the horse he had played with as a child, who had since grown to be the fastest in Hyrule. He was old enough to ride her now he had turned 16, he had been learning with help from Malon. Come to think of it, he was old enough to do the stuff that he did as the Hero of Time, and Link knew that it was exactly one week, two days and fourteen hours from the exact moment when the battle with Ganondorf would have taken place in the alternate time. At that time, all that could have been would be overwritten, but what would that mean for the Master Sword? Could it be that he could remove it from its pedestal and be reunited? He would have to talk to Zelda about that, but he saw little of the princess at the moment, as she was being groomed by her father the King for royal duties. He walked the well-trodden path up to the Ranch. The gate was open, as usual, and Link went inside.
"Malon? Talon? Anyone home?"
"In here young 'un." A gruff voice shouted from the direction of the stables. He stepped inside.
"Link! Nice of you to drop by kid, don't suppose you've got the rest of the money for that horse have you?" Talon asked, always to the point.
"Matter of fact I do" Link replied, throwing him the bag of rupees. "Got lucky at the archery contest in Kakariko. That is, if you haven't gone and sold Epona to someone else.."
"Course not, you're the only person 'sides from Malon who she'll let ride her! And don't give me lucky, you're the best archer in Hyrule. Best swordsman too for that matter. And your ridings none too shabby either, and..."
"I didn't come for the praise, I thought I could lend a hand with the stables, I know you've been understaffed since Ingo hit the road"
"Very kind of you son, you still workin' for Dampe? Because there's a job for you here if you want it..."
"I wouldn't dream of it. You know I would never take your money, I help you out for free Talon, and I only work for Dampe for the excitement. I mean, today I...
"Link! What are you doing here?" Malon exclaimed, having just entered through the door. She gave him a big hug, Link blushed bright red.
"Link's here to help out honey, lend a hand with the stables and all that. Plus he's paid up for Epona. Right, I'm off, you two behave while I'm gone." Talon left Link and Malon rolling their eyes. They had both agreed that there wasn't anything like that between them, it was just friendship.
"When is he going to take the hint?" Link exclaimed
"Maybe he's secretly disappointed the isn't any misbehaving going on. You know he's looking for someone to pass the business on to..." Malon said jokingly.
"Well, the first time we met he asked me to marry you y'know."
"What! And what did you say?"
"Excuse me sir, I am in fact the legendary Hero of Time, and I can't be associating with the riffraff don't you know." Link said in his upper class voice, posing.
"Riffraff! You cheeky so and so! I'll give you Hero of Time you great pansy, you couldn't fight way out a paper bag..." she yelled, her voice somewhere between laughter and anger, at Link, now prostrate with laughter. She grabbed a pitchfork and ran at him. He instinctively ducked out the way, and she jabbed the fork into some stacked up bales of hay, causing them to come crashing down on Link. He clawed his way free to see her standing over him, her shoulder length brown hair unkempt, her work dress creased, but her eyes alive with mischief.
"Finished rolling around?" she asked innocently
"Not quite..", he snaked his hand out and grabbed her ankle, catching her off balance and knocking her down with a gasp of surprise.
"Why you sneaky... oh look at this place, we've made a right mess. Right you, stop laying about and give me a hand. What's the matter, Mr. Hero of Time not wanting to get his hands dirty?"
"Don't get me started..." he replied, laughing.
They finished clearing up an hour or so later, and sat outside on a crate talking.
"...and when are you going to find someone Link? I've known you all this time and you've had not one single girlfriend. And don't tell me you don't mind, I can see the loneliness and pain behind your eyes when you think no-ones looking."
"I, I just don't know. I try not to think about it mostly. The last 7 years I've been so busy preparing to be the great hero, and I forgot to have a life along the way."
Malon was the only person Link had told about his great quest, and she said she believed him, but in her heart there was doubt. It all seemed like a fairy tale to her, and although she trusted him and knew he wouldn't lie, he had always been this great guy and friend that she had grown up with, and despite his skill at arms she could never picture him as the great Hero of Time.
"Link, how do you know that the next threat to Hyrule will be your life time? What if nothing ever happens, and you will be an old, old man who has wasted his life with nothing to shown for it."
"I can't take that chance. This is my fate, ridiculous as it seems, I am the defender of Hyrule, whatever that takes. Even if it does seem more of a curse than a honour sometimes. I will always be there for this land, ready to fight for it."
"I'm worried that if go on like this you will forget what it is you are fighting for. Promise me you won't forget, Link."
"I promise."
"Thank you." She yawned. "Its getting late, you should bunk up in Ingo's old room." She wasn't going to say 'Its too dangerous to be out at this time" because she knew that would fall on deaf ears. Link wasn't affected by danger and fear like everyone else she knew, but it hadn't made him cold inside, yet. She just hoped he would find love before it did. What Link didn't understand was that as strong and skilled and courageous as he was, it was physical and mental strength. He had never got in touch with his emotions, he had never really grown up, he had never loved and lived. She could see that side in him, and it worried her. She wanted him to stay because she enjoyed his company and his friendship more than anything else at this time in her life, and she wanted to help him in whatever small way that she could.
"Thanks Malon."
They headed inside.
The winds of change were blowing on the land of Hyrule, and things would not remain in a tranquil state much longer. Two dark figures stalked the land, both agents of the King of Evil, both unaware of the others existence, both single mindedly tracking the same target.
Link awoke with a jolt, and banged his head against the sloping ceiling. He had not slept well; he had had a dark premonition of evil approaching. He put it to the back of his mind, dressed and went down stairs.
"Lookie here, if it ain't sleeping beauty come to join us" said Talon with a grin
"Oh, leave him alone dad. Morning Link!"
"Good morning Malon, morning Talon."
He had been at the Ranch a week now at Malon's insistence. Mostly he had been helping out, but he had also been practising his equestrian abilities, learning to saddle and groom Epona, along with getting in some riding practice around the ranch. But today he was off to the Gerudo fortress to use their training facilities and try his hand at horseback archery. And he had promised to take Malon along to have a look around too.
"Ready to go Link?" Malon enquired.
"As always"
They went over to the stables and prepared the horses, Epona for Link and Blaze for Malon. She held them while he unlocked the gates. Then they mounted up and headed out.
"C'mon slowcoach, I'll race you" Malon shouted over to him. Link just smiled and nodded. Both horses broke into a gallop for the entrance to Gerudo valley. Epona was the faster horse but Malon but the more skilled rider, and it turned out as a draw, although neither wanted to admit it.
"Hang on, let me go first" he told her as they approached the fortress. A Gerudo guard stepped forward. The Gerudos were a female race of thieves, there were men, but they had been taken as slaves from other races and the offspring were always born female. But once every hundred years a male Gerudo was born, and the last had been Ganondorf.
"Who goes there?" the guard demanded.
"My name is Link. I come to train. This is my friend Malon."
"Link? Yes, you are admitted. Enter."
They tied up the horses outside, and went into the fortress via the main entrance. After what seemed an eternity of sandstone corridors they arrived at the main hall where the current Gerudo queen, Riana was waiting.
"It has been a long time Link."
"Yes it has. I have a request."
"Of course. Go on."
"Would you mind showing Malon around? Just while I'm using the training ground that is."
"I would be glad to. It is not often that outsider females are interested in our society."
"Thank you!" Malon piped up
"You are welcome Malon. My name is Riana. This way please. Link, you remember where the grounds are?"
"Yes. See you two later, ok?"
"Ok, bye Link" Malon finished
Link navigated the corridors back outside, then entered the door to the training area. As he looked around he saw that some additions had been made. He stepped into one of the new rooms, marked "Agility". The object of this room was to make it from one side to the other without breaking pace, whilst avoiding the spike traps, swinging pendulums and other such niceties. The Gerudo training grounds were not designed with safety in mind. They were the harshest, most arduous training facilities in Hyrule, and more than one life had been lost carelessly. Link removed his shield and scabbard, along with his equipment belt for his first run. On successive runs, he decided he would carry all his kit, as it would be no good if he faced this challenge in the future and would be forced to leave all his equipment behind. But this was just a trial run, just to rate his competence at this challenge. He moved to the starting post, mentally timing the motion of the moving blades to determine the best time to make his move.
Now.
He saw his opening, and leapt over the first set of retracting spikes and through the first set of blades. Without thinking he went into a roll, just avoiding the pendulum he had nearly forgotten about. Careless. The next set of spikes was coming up, and these were much higher than the first. He increased his speed and vaulted them, timing his leap to take him past the next blade that whizzed past him along it's set groove to the opposite wall. Close. He realised that he had just walked into the next spike trap, but this one was different. Spikes of different lengths rose randomly from holes in the floor. The wisest option was to get out as soon as possible, but the next trial, five consecutive pendulums, all with separate timings, was not in optimal positions for safe passage. A spike shot up from the floor, nearly impaling his leg, but he dodged to the right, almost into the path of another. He stepped back quickly as another came up in front of him. He had his back to the pendulums, and a single glance over his shoulder told him there was a chance. He crouched, then sprung up and back-flipped past the arc of the first pendulum. He spun as he landed, then rolled past the second, and then snapped his body bolt upright to avoid being bisected by the third, then ducked past it. He then twisted past the fourth the moment it passed him and in an instinctive spasmodic movement sprung through the split second gap between the fourth and fifth, past the last pendulum to the end zone. The whole chain of events had taken less than ten seconds to run its course. But that last squeeze had gone beyond close.
Link put his hand to the tear in his tunic on his shoulder, and it came away bloody. He checked the wound, and it was not serious. Not deep, but it ran the length of his upper arm. As he made for the small path at the side of the course that would lead him safely back to the starting area, out of the corner of his eye the was a swift movement from behind him. He spun to see a figure shrouded in a dark cloak readying a bow to fire at him. They must have dropped in through the skylight he thought, not that it makes much difference, all my stuff is at the other side of the room, damn. As the attacker loosed an arrow at Link, he had no option but to throw himself back into the course. The attacker fired again and again, but the pendulums blocked the arrows. The figure made a low growling sound and pulled a sword. Link was ducking and dodging for his life, and had cleared most of the course on his way back. He made the final leap to the first area and dived for his sword and the attacker came down the side path and ran at him. Link grabbed his sword and blocked the attack aimed for his neck. He pushed off and jumped to his feet. His shoulder was beginning to bleed more freely as he put more strain on it and as his heart began to race, pumping blood faster. He knew he could not keep this up for long. He blocked blow after blow, but was loosing the strength to launch an offence of his own. His attacker lunged at him, but Link stepped to the side and grabbed them and threw the figure against the wall. He didn't wait around for them to get up, rather grabbed the rest of his kit and ran for the door. He made it outside, gasping for air only to see a figure shrouded in a dark cloak. How could this be! He had just left them inside only a few seconds ago! Then the door opened, and the first attacker ran out.
"What the Hell is going on here?" he demanded, only to be dropped to his knees by a lightning fast blow to the shoulder by the newcomer.
The two dark figures just stood and stared at each other. They nodded in turn, then pulled back their hoods. Link looked to the first and saw that his attacker was female. She had black hair, blue steely eyes. Her skill suggested Gerudo, but her features were Hylian, which meant Gerudo training. But then Link registered the surprise on her face and looked to the face of the other figure, and nearly passed out. The face was his. The figure was Dark Link.
Dark Link had been created by Ganondorf to destroy Link. The two had finally faced off in the Water Temple during Link's quest to save Hyrule. It had been a long, terrible fight, but eventually Link won by wearing Dark Link down in a sword fight then tricked him by dropping the sword, and delivering a crushing blow to his chest with the Megaton Hammer that he had obtained elsewhere on his quest.
"No. I killed you, how can you be HERE?!"
"Silence weakling. You may have defeated me once, but Ganondorf resurrected me when you banished him to the sacred realm. He has worn down the sage's barrier enough to send me though to obtain the one thing that can bring down the seal entirely. Your blood. Look at you. On your knees because of a woman."
The female attacker, who had been silent up to this point stepped in.
"If I can best one Link then I can best another you fool. Don't underestimate me. And Link is my prize. His death is my right by decree of the Great King of Evil."
"You're both working for him? Oh, this is just great."
"I was ordered to dispatch Link by Ganondorf himself in person." Dark Link stated.
"As was I." The attacker replied.
"May I ask for what reason?" Link queried sarcastically, quick talking while he busily bandaged his shoulder with his torn sleeve.
"Hold your tongue dog. My name is Erin. And you killed everyone I ever cared for, and destroyed my life. Ganondorf took me in, and gave he the training I needed to take my revenge. His last words to me were 'Kill Link'"
"I can't allow that." Dark Link said.
"I'm gonna have to say a definite no to the both of you" echoed Link.
"Try and stop me" Erin said bluntly, drawing her sword.
Link, feeling a little better, rolled backwards, flipped upright and pulled his sword.
Dark Link laughed and drew his own sword. Link stepped back in shock. Erin spoke.
"That's the Master Sword..."
"No it isn't" commented Link. "That is not the Master Sword. It looks the same, but the blade is black. What the hell is it?"
"Your precious Master Sword still resides in the Temple of Time. As you know, it was forged by an ancient King of Hyrule to strike at darkness. This blade was forged by Ganondorf to strike at light. Impressive, no?"
"No."
"Suit yourself. Enough talk."
As the three combatants prepared to fight, Malon walked out of the fortress and saw Link, a guy in black that looked like Link and a woman all about to kill each other.
"LINK!"
Link turned towards her.
"MALON! Get out of here, get Riana now!"
Dark Link swung the Black Blade at Link's head. He ducked it and punched Dark Link hard in the midsection. He then blocked a flurry of attacks from Erin before Dark Link recovered and kicked her away from Link. He tried to bring his blade down on Link in a overhead swing but Link dropped to his knees and swung his sword and Dark Link's legs, forcing him to leap back and miss his own swing. As he tried to catch his balance, Link kicked upwards, catching him on the torso and sending him sprawling. As Erin rushed back into the fight Link went on the offensive, raining blow after blow down on her and she began to falter and stumble, but Dark Link had recovered quickly and brought the hilt of his sword down on the back of Link's head, dropping him like a stone. Then he turned his attention to Erin, lashing out and knocking her to the ground. Link regained his senses just in time to see Dark Link raising his blade to kill Erin, and a strange sensation hit him. Part of it was raw instinct, the desire to protect was part of his nature, but there was something else. She claimed he had destroyed her life, yet he had never met her. She claimed he had killed everyone she loved, but Link would never do that, plus she was Hylian and Link had never taken a Hylian life. So how could that be? And if he had ruined her life, he could not let it end because of him. And there was something else...
Link grabbed his sword from where it had fallen, and dived over Erin as Dark Link swung the Black Blade down. He brought his sword up to block it, but the dark sword caught it on the side, and his sword shattered into hundreds of pieces and the flat edge of the blade smacked him across the torso. It felt like he was being electrocuted, but the momentum of his dive landed him on the other side of a very shocked Erin. Link stood, and before his dark counterpart could react he jumped and landed and double footed drop kick on his chest that slammed him backwards into a stone wall. A group of Gerudo guards ran out of the fortress led by Riana, with Malon following tentatively behind. Link knew there would be a bloodbath unless he led his two assailants somewhere else. Then it hit him. The wastelands. The Gerudo guarded the entrance to the haunted wastelands, and the large gate at the end of the yard was the only way in or out. He knew the path through the wasteland, and if he could trap them there he could avert disaster. He yelled to Riana.
"STOP! Open the gate to the wasteland NOW!"
The Gerudo froze in their tracks. Riana ran up the ladder by the gate and turned the handle that would open it. Link looked around. Dark Link and Erin were struggling to their feet both surprised by Link's actions when he could have stood by and have had one less attacker to worry about. Erin caught Link's eye and the two stared at each other, their expressions blank, betraying nothing about what they were thinking or feeling. Link turned and ran for the gateway. Erin followed quickly after retrieving her sword, and Dark Link howled in rage and pursued as well, leaving Malon, Riana and the other Gerudo standing in utter bewilderment. Riana pulled the handle back and the gates closed.
"What are you doing? Link won't be able to get out! He's in a natural death-trap with his evil twin and some psycho lady whilst wounded and tired and you just closed the door?!" Malon yelled at her.
"Link knows what he is doing. Those who attacked him were of great skill and dark mind, he lead them away to save all our lives. If Link survives, he will return and we will open the gate. If he dies, his killers will die with him. We can only wait."
Malon wanted to argue but knew Riana was right. Her eyes filled with tears at the thought of Link getting killed out there. She ran for her horse, Blaze.
"Where are you going?" Riana shouted down to her.
"To find the one person who might be able to help and tell me what the Hell is going on!" She replied, and rode out of Gerudo Valley.