Holy freaking crap, its an update!

sorry it took so long guys, i had a bit of writer's block

anyway, here's the new chapter, please review when you're done

enjoy...

Mannequins and Magic

The throne room was silent. Wind had just finished his explanation to the queen. However, rather than the direst denial he had expected, Zelda had surprised him by taking the suggestion in contemplative silence. However, just because the queen was calm and collected, did not mean that everyone in the room felt the same way.

The guards were almost bursting out of their highly polished armor with nervousness. An assassination had just been attempted on their queen, and now she was meeting with a bunch of strangers who had not been checked and cleared prior. They had blown off the guide that was supposed to lead them to security station around the same time that the queen claimed someone had tried to kill her. So of course, the guards were on edge, adrenaline almost visibly pulsing through their veins. Their eyes picked up every slight move, their ears heard even the most inaudible sound, and their remaining senses scanned the surrounding area for any change in the air that might have indicated a harmful attention. If anyone so much as even glanced at the queen with anything resembling hate, malice, or dislike, the guards would pounce. This is what they had been trained for; this is what they were prepared to do.

Wind planned on giving them no opportunity to display their hard-honed skills, even though he knew that they would be no match for his group. No man in the Hylian army would be able to stand up to them. Which is why he had made the proposal that he had to the queen. He had not beaten around the bush, getting straight to the point. He had revealed that he and his band were mercenaries, and powerful ones at that, known as the Seven Sages, and that, for a price, they would join the ranks of the Hylian soldiers and fight alongside them. Wind had thought that this initial suggestion was going to be rejected immediately, but the queen had actually stopped and thought about it.

Zelda needed to make a decision. Normally she would have merely turned this group down flat-out, not even giving them a chance to explain their reasoning. However, Hyrule's situation was desperate. The black army was advancing steadily, destroying everything in its path. The Hylian army had put up a strong resistance, but the army barely seemed to slow. Zora's domain had already been lost, and the Gerudos had not been heard from in quite awhile. They had either befallen the same fate as the Zoras, or they had holed up in their fortress against the maelstrom that was now Hyrule. If these mercenaries were truly as powerful as they made out to be, she could really use their help. Still, she was filled with trepidation. She knew nothing of these people and their motives. Although they had saved her, she still could not shake a feeling of suspicion and untrustworthiness. One of them, the one who appeared to be the leader, Wind, had even used of the ancient spells. How? Only a select few from Hyrule could ever have used it. The crystals were rare enough within the land itself, but outside? That was unheard of.

Zelda sighed into her hand. She really did not have too much of a choice. She was desperate and her confidence was beginning to flag. If these people could help Hyrule it was worth the risk. If they couldn't, well then it was just another decision she had made which came to nothing productive in the end. She glanced back up at the group and looked them over. Their appearance was odd. Their matching dress was not the only thing that was similar. Normally people would be of a wide variety of shaped and sizes, but they all seemed to be within the same height and weight range, except for the yellow one, he was more rotund than the rest. The differences were only a few inches. Each one had the bodily shape of an average adult Hylian. It was strange. The ones dressed in purple, green, orange, and blue appeared to be females, but Zelda could not be sure; the cloaks did their job well.

She looked the group over one last time before speaking slowly, "Alright, I'll except your offer. You may fight alongside the Hylian army, and we in turn will pay for your services." Various shouts rang out from the soldiers surrounding the princess. She silenced them with an outstretched hand. "I know many of you disapprove of this, but Hyrule is in great need. We need as many skilled men fighting as we can get. If these people can aid us, will any of you stand against my decision?" No one spoke up, so Zelda turned her attention back to Wind. "Is there anything else you require, sir?"

Wind seemed to ponder for a second, "Well, actually, there is." Zelda's eyebrow rose; she did not like the tone of voice he had used. "Although there will be a price of money to be paid, we also would like one more thing from you."

"That would be?"

"We require you're personal help." That did it. The guards that had been standing on the side dancing nervously from foot to foot burst into action. They truly had no real reason for attacking, but they did not like these people and they could link their demanding for the queen's help as a way of putting her in danger. Zelda tried to calm them down before a fight started, but they were past the point of listening. The rushed onward, muscles bulging and weapons gleaming.

It was over in a flash. Zelda could not even follow the movements with her eyes. The next thing she knew, her guards lay scattered in various positions across the floor. Though none looked as though they would require serious treatment, each had been knocked hard and seemed to be in a daze. The strangers were standing just as they were before, looking for all the world as if they had not just taken down a platoon of soldiers.

"I suggest you keep a tighter leash upon your subjects next time, your Majesty."

Zelda glared coldly back at him. "Bear in mind, Sir, that you are nothing but a mercenary being paid for assistance. I can and will have you executed if you persist in this manner." Although her exterior was calm and collected, Zelda's mind was whirring quickly. She was afraid and yet excited at the same time. Afraid of the power these people possessed. She was not even overly confident that her Sheikah bodyguards (who seemed to be lacking in the security region today) could even handle them. If they wanted to hurt her, they would have no problem. However, she was excited because of the same thing. This power would cause the army's strength to take a powerful leap. She forced herself to once again think in the present. "I cannot give you my personal help. I must stay here to run the country. If I do not, everything will fall apart and you might as well have been hired by the enemy. I am sorry, you will have to concede this point to me."

Wind thought for a second. Damn, I was really hoping she was gonna come with us. Having the legendary Zelda added to our group would have boosted our power massively. He sighed loudly. "Fine, your Majesty. We'll go, but keep in mind that since you have denied this added price, the other goes up." He turned and, motioning to his group, began to walk from the throne room.

Zelda spoke to his departing back, "Go to Lon-Lon Ranch and speak with General Kavt. Show him the letter one of my assistants will give you at the door. If you need directions, just ask the assistant." The door shut, and the group was gone. The guards (only those who had recovered) visibly relaxed as Zelda let out a sigh.

That had taken more out of her than she had thought it would. The last request by Wind has completely caught her off guard. However, she had liked the idea. She had liked the idea a lot. Maybe… The queen rose, and walked swiftly out into the hallway. The instant she passed the threshold, Melina fell into step behind her. Zelda gave her a swift glance, telling her without words not to speak until they were secluded in the bedroom. When they had reached her room, she locked the door and spread a few sound-sealing spells around the perimeter, securing them from being heard.

Zelda rounded on her maid, "Now listen, Melina, and listen carefully. There is someone in the castle I want you to find and give the instructions I am about to tell you. He is my personal bodyguard and the only true member of the Sheikah clan left. However, he has been in a deep slumber for awhile, which explains where he was today. Now here is what you should do…"

General Frederick Kavt was a tall, strongly built man with fiery red hair, though white could be seen beginning to creep in. He was well known for his unwavering leadership and cool-headedness in battle. He had been placed in charge of the Hylian army in the current war because he was quick and decisive, not to mention extremely strong. He had done what he could so far, and with the resources he had been given, he had done an excellent job of slowing the enemies' advances. However, his resources were not renewable. Those of his soldiers who had not already died were worn and weary, no longer as filled with fighting spirit as they had been when their homeland had first been threatened. Swords, shields, and armor were all in shoddy repair and the supply of each was dwindling.

Obviously, General Kavt was none-too-pleased that a group of mercenaries now showed up claiming to be sent by the queen to join the army. However, his mood changed slightly then they explained that they would supply themselves and would be completely self-sufficient. As such, he led them through the ranch to the main headquarters, located in the one-time house of the ranch's owners.

As Wind walked behind Kavt with a measured pace, he glanced around him, surprised by the changes in the ranch. The last time he had been here close to twenty horses had roamed freely in and out of a large corral that had taken up the center of the complex. Now, a small fenced-off paddock to the side contained around a dozen horses, and the center was now cleared devoid of fencing and being used as a place to stockpile equipment. Tents covered every other inch of the ground, leaving only a narrow trail to traverse the camp with. The barn had been converted into a medical building, and wounded men made their way (sometimes with and sometimes without help) to the door.

Din's fire, Hyrule has truly changed. This isn't the Lon Lon Ranch that I knew. Wind sighed. He supposed it was to be expected. After all, he had been gone for a while now. I guess I just never thought that even this place would be so affected. They entered the house that served as the planning room. There was a large, round table positioned in the center with a massive map of Hyrule spread out on it. Multi-colored marks were spaced across it, and words and calculations were scribbled in the margins.

"As you can see," Kavt spoke, "we are fighting a losing battle. The enemy has already taken Zora's Domain, Gerudo Valley, Lake Hylia, the forest, and over half of Hyrule Field."

Wind made a low whistling sound. "They even got the forest? Damn they're good."

"Yes well, we already knew that."

"What type of enemies are we going against here?" Wind asked as he bent over the map. Shadow looked at the map over his shoulder.

"Well, we're not really sure. They aren't actually soldiers, more like puppets made and controlled by dark magic. Which is what makes them so powerful. They are hard to kill and often do not stay down even if we do succeed in finishing them." He sighed.

"Alright then, General, where do you want us deployed?"

"It doesn't matter that much to me. Anywhere you decide to fight could use your help. The heaviest of the fighting is occurring in Hyrule field near Zora's Domain. We're trying to win it back and free any surviving Zoras so that they can aid us. Especially in reclaiming Lake Hylia, they will be indispensable."

Wind nodded; the plan made sense. The Zoras were fierce fighters within their own territory and especially in the water. From what he had gathered, they had only been taken because they had been caught by surprise and their king had been captured and threatened. Of course, wanting to protect him, they let themselves be subdued and imprisoned.

"Alright, General Kavt, if you don't mind where we go then we are going…" Wind's eyes traced over the map before he placed his finger down right at the entrance to Zora's Domain, "here."

Kavt raised an eyebrow, "Plunging straight into the big stuff, are we?"

Wind smiled, though the general could not see it through Wind's mask, and spoke, "We're mercenaries in the employ of the Hylian army, so of course we're going to throw ourselves into the thick of the battle. We will aid you as much as we can."

Wind and his group swept out of Lon Lon Ranch and oriented themselves toward Zora's Domain. Wind sighed, "This is going to be fun."

"C'mon boss," spoke Forest, "we've had plenty of fights like this, we'll be fine."

"I meant, quite literally, its going to be fun. Do you have any idea how long its been since I could actually fight?" Forest giggled; their leader was a strange one, that was for sure.

"Wind, ahead of us," Light whispered urgently.

Wind turned around to be confronted by a dark mass of enemies. "So they decided to attack the Hylian Army's headquarters, eh? Well, since we're here, what do guys say, should we take them out on our way along?" Upon seeing his companions' heads nod, he turned back around. "Be quick and efficient." He glanced back over his shoulder at them. "Power release level 2, feel free to utilize your weapons."

Water started at this, "Are you sure, Wind?"

"Yes," he replied as he cracked his knuckles. "These creatures are created and controlled by dark magic, so Level 2 is perfectly acceptable."

"Should we inform Kavt?" Light questioned.

"Nah, we can handle this no problem."

"Whatever you say."

With that, the enemies were upon them. To Wind, it was apparent that dark magic was woven into their very beings. They were strange creatures. Almost like ReDeads but they had flaring purple eyes and they're skin (what little of if there was on their skeletal figures) was the deepest black. They seemed to actually be able to think rather than just walking around and shrieking like said zombie creatures. Long, razor sharp claws protruded form their fingers, toes, ankles, elbows, and knees. A few carried broad swords or wooden bows, but the majority came into combat unarmed, excluding their claws.

One ran up to Wind and slashed at him. He merely took a step backward, dodging the attack. He planted his right foot, spun, and delivered a kick with his left to the creature's chest that would have shattered a man's ribcage. The creature (a 'mannequin' as Wind decided to call it) flew backward and smashed into the ground. However, the next second it jumped to its feet, seemingly none the worse for wear. Damn, Kavt was serious. They're tough bastards. He looked at the rest of the team.

They had easily dispersed the first wave, but they had realized the same thing that he had, the mannequins would not fall so easily. With that, they obeyed Wind's earlier order and proceeded to draw weapons from within their cloaks. Shadow unsheathed a small wakizashi. Spirit produced two Gerudo-style scimitars while Fire pulled out a large warhammer. A trident appeared in Water's hand and a bow in Forest's. Light merely held a gnarled wooden staff with a pale yellow crystal nestled in a snaggle of twisted wood at the top. Wind himself had no weapon. Technically, I do. But I have no reason to use that here. He charged magic energy into his hands until they glowed faintly. Alright, little beasties, let's go.

This time, when the creatures attacked, they were utterly devastated. A volley of arrows from Forest brought down twenty or so from the front line. Spirit and Shadow charged into the midst of the enemy, the one a complicated whirl of dual blades while the other performed a graceful dance of steel and death. Pieces of the enemy flew off in all directions, and not once did they rise again. Water leapt onto the end of Fire's hammer. Fire in turn spun and swung the giant warhammer, launching Water at the enemies. Water held out the trident and impaled mannequin upon mannequin upon it. Fire brought his hammer down again and again, smashing the enemy soldiers completely. Light concentrated upon any group left standing, sending balls of pure energy right into the center of them, causing large magical explosions that tore through the mannequins like a light arrow through Ganondorf. Wind moved from one opponent to the next, beating them harshly with his magically enhanced fists. Another punch and another adversary was felled.

The mannequins' number was dropping, but still there was a good deal many of them. They seemed to suddenly think better than to continue charging Wind's group without a strategy, as they dropped back a slight bit and seemed to be waiting. Wind used this opportunity to gather his group. "So what do you guys think, bad?"

"No, they're easy to finish off, but they just doesn't seem to be any end to them," Spirit spoke.

"Its like they are all being coordinated at once, as if they all share one mind," Shadow threw in.

Wind pondered for a second. "Well, they are controlled by dark magic, so maybe there is a magician in there that directs the mannequins in combat."

"Mannequins?"

"That's what I am calling those things." Wind shrugged his shoulders. "Either way, just look for one of the creatures that doesn't move like the rest or seems to be different in some fashion."

Suddenly a horrible screeching sounded split the air and attacked everyone's ears. Wind spun around to face the mass of enemies, expecting an attack. He was surprised to see a bright flash of light followed by a bursting sound of crackling energy. The mannequins all slumped over, they're eyes now dead, empty sockets. Wind looked up at the one figure left standing. It appeared the to be same as its fellow creatures, except for the red runes carved all over its body. As they watched, its burning crimson eyes faded and died. Wind took note that the creature was hovering in the air, around half a foot off the ground.

Suddenly, the dead body was tossed aside and the figure behind it stepped forward. He was dressed in a skintight violet-bluish body suit with a high white collar that extended up to just below his crimson eyes. The top of his head was wrapped in cloth, letting dirty-golden locks hang down over the his face. His forearms and tips of his finger were wrapped in the same fashion. On his chest rested a large white square of cloth. Emblazoned upon it in red was the eye and teardrop of the Sheikah clan crest.

"The creatures become much easier to deal with when you take out their controller," the man stated simply.

"And who might you be," growled Fire, his hammer at the ready.

"Relax, I am a friend." He bowed deeply before straightening up and continuing, "My name is Sheik. I am the last of Sheikah clan and Queen Zelda's personal bodyguard. And before you ask, I have been in a magic-induced sleep for a while now, waiting for the time when the queen would truly need me."

"So that's why you weren't there today?" Wind asked.

"Correct."

"Alright, one more question. Why are you here?"

"To help you, of course. You requested my Majesty's personal help, and since she couldn't come herself, she sent me, her personal bodyguard."

Wind seemed stunned for a second. Then he chuckled and shook his head. "Certainly is a politician isn't she, playing with my words like that." He turned back to Sheik. "Alright then, you may journey with us. From now on we will refer to you as Time, got it?"

"Yes, sir Wind."

"Good. Let's see if we can help some Zora's then, shall we?"

A/N: gasp its sheik!

yes, i wanted to include sheik in this fanfic so badly, and now i get to, heh-he )

i will be referring to sheik as a he, no matter if it is zelda in disguise or not

thanks for reading, and now, please review!

btw, bonus points to anyone who can tell me where we've seen general kavt before