The Legend of Zelda: Escalates

Chapter 5
Greed

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Back at Hyrule castle, Link has returned, but was unsuccessful in obtaining any information about the return of Ganondorf. Not knowing anything of Sakuya's condition or whereabouts, all that Link and Zelda can do is worry and wait.

Asimov: "Princess, you should have sent me. I guarantee I would have done the mission in a much different matter."

Link: "Oh, please! You were the one refusing to go in the first place!"

Asimov: "I do not leave Princess Zelda's side."

Link: [confused] "Then how would you have been able to complete the mission?"

Asimov: "Seeing that you have escaped a Gerudo attack, I would trust you guarding the princess in this castle."

Link: 'This guy is something else! I can never understand anything he ever says...'

Suddenly the door to Princess Zelda's chamber swing open violently. Link turns in surprise and Asimov immediately places himself in front of Zelda to protect her.

To everyone's surprise, Sakuya has returned.

Link: "You made it! Alright!"

Link goes to greet Sakuya and they both high-five and have their own victory moment.

Zelda: [confused] "Since when did they become best friends?"

Asimov: "I believe it must be a bond formed over war...?"

Sakuya: "Princess, I have returned!"

Zelda: [runs up and hugs Sakuya] Yes, I am so happy to see you safely return!"

Asimov: [unimpressed] "So, how did you get out?"

Sakuya: "Huh?"

Asimov: "Surely you must've been captured since Link waited for hours at the gate for you. Unless you were successful at gaining entrance to the fortress, and that is what took you so long."

Sakuya: "Umm, ... I.."

Zelda: "Asimov, please do not sound so cruel." [turning to Sakuya] "Please sakuya, tell us everything you discovered."

Sakuya: "Well, actually... Asimov is right. I was captured."

Link: [amazed] "No way! And you got out?!"

Asimov: [turning to Zelda] "Princess, from now on I will do all missions you order to be done in a professional manner."

Zelda: "How were you able to escape the Gerudo prison, Sakuya?"

Sakuya: "Well, this guy let me out."

Everyone freezes in silence at hearing Sakuya's words.
Asimov steps forward to begin questioning Sakuya.

Asimov: "What man?

Sakuya: "I don't know, I never got his name."

Asimov: "Was it Ganondorf?"

Sakuya: "I don't think so."

Asimov: "What do you mean, 'You don't think so'?! Was it Ganondorf?"

Sakuya: "I told you that I don't know who he was. He said he was a traveler and was imprisoned just like me."

Asimov: "What did he look like?"

Sakuya: [becoming overwhelmed by all of Asimov's questions] "Umm, uh... he was tall."

Asimov: "Did he free anyone else? Did you see him in a prison cell?"

Sakuya: "I don't know!"

Asimov: "The kingdom of Hyrule is depending on what you saw, Sakuya. Was this man Ganondorf?!"

Zelda: [pulling Sakuya away from Asimov] "Asimov, please stop!" [looking at Sakuya] "Sakuya, were you able to find out if Ganondorf has returned?"

Sakuya: "No, your highness. I-"

Asimov: [now becoming angry] "How would you know if you don't even know who you were with?!"

Sakuya: "I'm sorry, Princess, but Link and I were unable to complete the mission."

Asimov: "Was that man Ganondorf? Did you see Ganondorf at all?!"

Sakuya: "No! No, it wasn't Ganondorf, I never saw him, and I've never seen him!"

The room grows silent as everyone feels lost. Sakuya and Link both lower their heads in shame. Zelda doesn't say a word as she knows she must decide what they will do next.
Asimov becomes inpatient.

Asimov: "We must obtain the Master Sword!"

Zelda: "!"

Link: "How do you know about that?!"

Zelda: "He is right. In order to defeat Ganon we will need the master sword."

Link: [walking up to Asimov] "Just how do you know about the Master Sword?"

Asimov: "Calm down, Link. Unlike most of Hyrule, I listened to the crazed stories of the Hero of Time. And unlike most of Hyrule, I believe there are other worlds than just our own. You once said that in a different future, you used the master sword to kill Ganon. If what you say is true, then that is what we must obtain. If your stories are false, then we will surely die."

Sakuya: "Wait, what?!"

Asimov: "So, you tell us Link, will we be needing this legendary sword, or will be placed in an endless egg hunt?"

Sakuya: "How do you even know if Ganondorf has returned?"

Asimov: [smirks] "Because the princess has told me."

Zelda: "Excuse me?"

Asimov: "I can see the worry and despair in her eyes. Only a matter as intense as this could stir her in such a way. So, though I did not hear any words, I can always see what she is thinking."

Sakuya: "Just who the hell do you think you are, reading people's minds?!"

Zelda: "Sakuya, that's not what he meant."

Asimov: "When you have been through as much as I have, you tend gain a vast knowledge, and know many things."

Link: 'This guy gets weirder and weirder by the minuet!'

Zelda: "Everyone, Asimov is correct. The visions I have, and the power that I feel coming for us. I do believe that Ganondorf has returned."

Link: Zelda, you must be mistaken..."

Asimov: "I wish as well. While you two were gone, Zelda collapsed and fell into a dream. During her dream I was unable to awaken her."

Zelda: "In my dream I felt as if I were dying. I could feel the coldness of his power, and the beating of his heart. Ganondorf awakened, and almost killed me."

Sakuya: "That doesn't make any sense."

Zelda: "For a split moment, Ganondorf had tremendous power. He was easily able to attack my mind and nearly put an end to me."

Link: "Do you think...it was the triforce?"

Zelda: "I am not sure. This power did not seem like the one of the Triforce. This seemed... far too evil. As if his own power had been greatly increased..."

Asimov: "Though he was unable to fully get into Zelda's mind, he did have her for quite some time."

Link: "We were unable to complete the mission... and unable to help Zelda when she needed us most."

Sakuya: "Just how were you saved, Princess."

Zelda: That's the strange thing. I must've blacked out, and I awoke safely with Asimov by my side."

Sakuya: "What happened Asimov? You don't have some kind of secret magic you are keeping from us, do you?"

Asimov: "As said, Zelda just suddenly woke up. I assure you that it had nothing to do with me. My magic is far too weak to ward Ganondorf's spells."

Link: "Well, mission failed or completed, we now have a new task at hand. Taking out Ganon."

Zelda: "Yes, we must go to the Temple of Time and release the sword."

Asimov: "If Link is who he says he really is, then he should be able to walk up and just take it."

Link: "Me?"

Asimov: "Every sword has only one true master. If, as you said, the sword did accept you once, even in another time line, you should be able to release it from it's resting place."

Zelda: "I believe you, Link."

Asimov: "We must prepare ourselves. At this point, anything is possible no matter where we are."

The four begin to gather supplies and think out a strategy

Link: [approaching Sakuya] :Sakuya, is Asimov one to be trusted?"

Sakuya: "Yeah, he seems fine. Since the death of Zyodin he's been saying weird things and acting funny. I don't really pay much attention to him."

Link: [looking over to see Zelda and Asimov talking] "What's his relationship with Zelda?"

Sakuya: [laughs] "Are you worried about them being so close? It's nothing to worry about, he just takes his guardian position too seriously."

Link: "That's for sure."

Sakuya: "I think he does it because of Zyodin. Zyodin once guarded the Princess when she was very young, much like how Asimov is doing now. I even heard that Asimov and the princess played together as children, so they still share that childhood friend type of bond."

:Link: "Didn't you play with them as a child as well?"

Sakuya; "Oh, me? I don't remember my childhood."

Sakuya continues sharpening her swords as Link just stares at her after hearing her calm words. He wonders if all people can think of a lost childhood so casually.
Asimov begins to walk towards Sakuya. Link takes the opportunity to go talk to Zelda.

Asimov: "You've been acting strange."

Sakuya: "Why would you say a dumb thing like that? Surprised that I haven't 'ruined' anything yet, as you always say?"

Asimov: "No, you are acting different."

Sakuya: "Stop picking on me, go away."

Asimov: "Alright." [begins to walk away] "This silly crush you're carrying better not be Link. You'll only set our operations at risk."

Hearing Asimov's words, Sakuya drops her sword.

Zelda: "Sakuya, are you alright?"

Sakuya: Yes, your highness, I simply just dropped my sword."

Link; "I hope you don't fight like that." [laughs] "Anyways, Zelda, as I was saying. Are you sure I am capable of doing a task as big as this?"

Zelda: "I, in no way, doubt you Link. I believe that you are the key to saving Hyrule once again. Please say that you will join us."

Link: "As Asimov would say, 'I'll never leave your side, your Majesty!'"

Zelda: [laughs]

Asimov: "Very funny, Link."

Link: [whispering to Zelda] "Oops, he heard me!"

Zelda: [laughs] "He didn't mean it Asimov."

Asimov: "I know many things, Link. I would be one you would not want to make an enemy."

Link: "Are you kidding? I'm getting the master sword, I'll toast your ass!" [laughs]

Link, Zelda, and Asimov all begin to laugh while Sakuya watches from far away. She watches as Link and Asimov begin to play around, pointing their weapons at each other.

Link: "Hey, Asimov, give me your spear. If what you say about there being other worlds is true, then maybe this time it will be a Master Spear!"

Asimov: [twirling his spear then giving it to Link] "If it is a spear, then I call dibs, and if it's a sword, well...I call dibs on that as well."

Sakuya finishes sharpening and polishing her two swords. She's stares into the custom blade, looking at her own reflection.

Sakuya: "I'll be the one to kill Ganondorf. I will show Hyrule that I don't need magic, and I am nothing like Teela. I will show them what real power is..."

Zelda: "Sakuya: are you ready?"

Sakuya: "Yes, your highness. More than ever!"

The four warriors set out to the Temple of Time, though in this time line, it is a simple and small temple used for remembering those who have passed. Very few still know it as the Temple of Time, and even less would suspect that the legendary Master Sword would be sealed, in secret, inside.

The four safely make it to the Temple doors.

Asimov: "All this way, and not a single fight"

Sakuya: "Be thankful. We got a head start, at least it wasn't the other way around."

Asimov: "I would be fine."

Link: "Can't you two ever stop bickering?" [opening the door]

As Link open the temple doors, the four are blinded by a bright light. As they all step farther into the temple, they see that someone has been expecting them.

Asimov: "!!!!"

Link: "I don't believe this..."

Sakuya: "It's him!"

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