Author's Note: LOL! Did you guys really think I'd upload two chapters in one day?!

...Well you were right.

Enjoy!

But before that, I wanna remind you all that THIS IS A RATED M STORY. Think about that before you tell me how "f**king disgusting" I am.

Resistance Arc

Chapter 7: Freedom

Link stood in the field of the stadium, waiting to receive his next form of torture. He had to admit: his body had grown quite used to this. At some point in the past the pain began to dull, and his screams, silenced. Malon told him time and time again to just give in, as she could tell Thomas was getting desperate. By now, it was a battle of will. A long, arduous battle that lasted five long years. But Link wouldn't lose. How could he? Nothing Thomas can do could hurt him enough for him to submit. He was invincible.

As expected, Thomas finally emerged from the great doors that lead into the the stadium. However, the Human had no weapon in hand, nor did he have a monster accompany him with the attention of forcing Link to fight it. He simply came to the boy, by himself, pausing just a few feet away.

"You've got to be the most persistent Elf I've ever had the displeasure of owning." Thomas spoke with a voice drenched in malice, "I can just feel the smug look on your face. You think you've won, haven't you?!"

Link didn't answer.

"Damn you." Thomas cursed, "You think I've nothing left up my sleeve, but you're sorely mistaken!" Thomas's lips curved upward into a disturbing smile, "I've told my superiors in Castle Town about you... And one of them has taken quite a bit of interest in you. In fact, they couldn't wait to meet you."

Link eyed Thomas, his eyes still full of defiance.

"I'm giving you one last chance." Thomas continued, "Submit. Drop to you hands and knees and kiss my feet. Address me as your master.

Link balled his fist, offended that Thomas thought such an empty threat would bend his will at this point.

"No."

"Hmph. I thought you'd say that. Good luck."

Link watched in confusion as Thomas moved to the side of the clearing. Before he could question the Human's motives, however, the boy froze as he felt an ominous presence from just beyond the doors.

This presence was unlike any he's felt before. It was dark... so very dark. It felt as if it would swallow him whole, even from that distance.

The audience waited with bated breath to see just who exactly Thomas had brought to make that disgusting Elf finally submit.

Even Malon, who was sent to the walk the bleachers, selling milk, lent a stare of curiosity.

As the doors opened completely, Link could see a large man standing in the opening. His azure armor clinked as he began a slow, methodical walk toward the boy.

Link could do naught but stand there, frozen. He noted a cold bead of sweat as it fell from his temple. His eyes widened as the man approached him, his flaming red hair a perfect match for the ferocity of his eyes.

A tense silence ensued as Link finally noticed he was trembling.

Trembling... accompanied by a feeling familiar, yet unfamiliar at the same time.

Was it fear? Was Link afraid of this man?

No... Link struggled internally to get a hold of himself. How much could this man put him through that he hadn't gone through already?

"Kneel."

Link drew a short gasp of breath. Air... he needed air!

"What's the matter?" that petrifying voice spoke again, "Are you defying me? Or has fear rendered you deaf?"

Link balled his fists again. What was wrong with him? He had never felt this way around anyone before. Out of all the others who had tried to intimidate him this very same way, what was so different about this one?

"Kneel, boy. This is your last chance"

Malon watched in utter shock as Link lowered to a knee.

His body moved on its own, Link swore it did. The whole of the audience was completely silent as Link's other knee met with the ground before his hands followed. He felt a large boot land on his back, before the Humans in attendance erupted in satisfaction.

Link's nails dug into the dirt as hot tears formed in his eyes. His dignity... his pride... all was lost. He surrendered all he had left, and he did it so quickly, so easily. He was an embarrassment; a shameful waste of air. But despite that... no matter how much we hated this fact...

...He felt he did the right thing...

Link felt insult creep its way forth to add to injury as he heard Thomas approach.

"How disappointing." the man spoke, "Your description of led me to think this boy to be the one I have been waiting for. This display of cowardice would shame his very name. You should be ashamed of yourself, not only dor you inability to tame this boy, but for wasting my time over such a trivial matter. I would have ended this boy's life myself to set an example, but this boy isn't even worth killing. Do not ever waste my time like this again, or you will be the one I'll be ending."

Thomas dropped to a knee, "Yes, milord. My apologies, milord. I beg your forgivene-"

Thomas was interrupted by the retreating footsteps of his superior. The Human rose to his feet.

"I must admit, Elf, even I'm disappointed in the poor show you put on." he chuckled, "I should've known, though. No matter how stubborn you creatures are, you all eventually fall in line like the rest of them."

Thomas walked away, leaving Link an easy target for the hurling of vast assortments of trash and insults from the Human audience.

Link wanted to be alone. He couldn't stand to be in the shed, where the other slaves rubbed what had happened into his face. He didn't even want to see Malon. He sat against the apple tree, the only place he found he could go where a Human wouldn't bother to search for him.

Unbeknownst to him, however, Malon stood on the other side of the tree, thinking about what to say to him. Could anything she could say cheer him up at this point? Was it even worth the effort? Well, she couldn't just do nothing - he was her only friend, and she knew she was his only friend. She sighed before moving to the other side, sitting herself next to Link.

"...That man..." Link began after a few moments, "...Do you know who he is?"

Malon hesitated, "...Yes... This isn't the first time I've seen him."

"...Who is he?"

Malon's hands began to shake like leaves, "I'm sorry," she said, "but I'd rather not say his name..."

A moment of silence.

"He's the ruler of this country." Malon continued, "The Humans worship him as if he's some kind of god. He's a very frightening man. You shouldn't feel ashamed of what you did - anyone else would've done the same."

"No... He's right... I am a coward. I didn't even put up a fight..."

"He's not a man you can fight, Link. I... I know you don't wanna hear this, but... I hope you take this as a lesson. You can't fight the Humans. You'll never win."

Link rose to his feet, "Why don't you just leave me alone?!" Link shouted striking Malon silent, "Just stop, okay?! What, do you want me to be some defeated loser, like everyone else?! Well, I'm sorry, but that's not who I am! If you're trying to change me, then you're just out of luck!"

Malon gaped for a moment, her wide eyes clearly showing her feelings were hurt. She regained her composure before rising to her feet as well.

"I don't want you to be a 'loser'," she explained, "I want you to be safe! I know I'm not as strong as you are, but I'm trying my best to protect you because I-..."

"Because what?"

"...Because I care about you... I care a lot about you... But I guess you wouldn't understand."

The girl turned and walked away, leaving Link, now, truly alone.

Linkle's fellow slaves had been planning to escape the plantation for quite a while now. Five years to be exact. However logic dictates that they all plan this out very carefully; many slaves have been killed for much less than planning an escape over the years. After much consideration, Linkle decided to join in. This plan came with many sacrifices unfortunately. Only the slaves who had been in the room that night Laila received her... punishment... were in on it. This, in effect, meant several of the slaves would have to leave a number of loved ones behind. They also had to accept that this escape plan would take a large amount of time to plan; if anything were to happen to the girls before the time came for them to leave, they'd have no choice but to accept it. They knew they couldn't just waltz on out the plantation they way they were brought in - they'd be too easy to spot.

One slave proposed a plan in which the sneakier slaves steal a key to their cages, and leave out at night in order to explore the surrounding buildings with the intention of crafting a map. However, chances to even leave the room came rarely; very rarely. This was why the escape plan took so long to finalize. During these excavations, it was confirmed that all the buildings were, in fact, connected. During the escape, the slaves would travel from building to building until they were able to clear the furthest one away, at which point they were to break for the fields. Linkle didn't know what the other slaves planned on doing after the fact, but then again, she didn't even know what she wanted to do after escaping. She had given up hope that her brother was still alive a long time ago. And her father? She doesn't even remember what he looks like, how could she search for him?

But that didn't stop her from thinking about them. Her father, for instance, was someone Linkle had been thinking about a lot recently. What kind of man was he? She's been told he was a lot like Link. If that were the case, he'd have been dead a long time ago.

Though Linkle had planned to help plan the slaves' escape, she hasn't been much use in doing so. She didn't even know how close the plan was to completion. Taking this long to plan something of such importance that everyone wanted to do immediately was extremely stressful, and most of the other slaves weren't easy to speak to to begin with. She felt absolutely useless as she, once again, placed her future, and her safety, in the hands of others.

Linkle leaned her head on the side of the cage in an attempt to relax in this rare moment of silence. Through the years, Linkle and the slaves she shared the room with were moved from room to room, complicating their escape plan with every relocation. However, the room they were recently moved to had a window, allowing light, albeit a small amount, to enter.

Linkle glanced over at Laila. The girl was sound asleep, as confirmed by the slow rise and fall of the side of her body. As the girl lay awkwardly in the small cage, Linkle couldn't help but pity her. She hasn't heard her voice for five years, unless she was yawning. She then decided she wanted to accompany Laila wherever she was going to go after escaping the plantation.

Just then, the door to the next room flew open. Linkle covered her ears. She knew she'd have to listen to the anguished screams of yet another slave otherwise. She still couldn't wrap her head around her master's mentality. At some point, she began to think something was wrong with him; as in he wasn't right in the head. From the corner of her eye, she could see Laila stir before rising to a hunched position inside the cage.

After a while, Linkle uncovered her ears to hear that the screaming had ceased.

BAM!

The door flew open, with Oliver emerging from the dark halls, and into the moonlit room. Linkle watched as he slowly walked toward the window. He turned away, looking to return from whence he came, when he paused at Linkle's cage before turning toward her, moving closer, and kneeling down to her level.

The girl could feel her back press against the back of the cage as she avoided eye contact. She heard him chuckle.

Just as soon as Oliver entered, however, he left. But not before imparting a message Linkle knew she'd never forget.

"You're next."

Linkle felt as if she was going to regurgitate. Her head spun and ached to such an extent she felt she'd lose consciousness. She glanced at Laila, who stared back with expression full of pity. Neither girl knew what to do.

Then again, there was nothing she could do. Nothing outside of submitting to her fate...

"NO!" Linkle screamed when she woke up the next morning. During her slumber, she had a nightmare about what Oliver was going to do the next moon.

You're next... she heard over and over again. She dreamt that the Human beat her with a whip again, and again, and again for several hours straight. She could almost still feel the lashes. She shuddered to think of it actually happening. She turned to the slave to her right.

"Hey..." Linkle asked, "When are we gonna... um... you know..."

"Tonight." she whispered.

Linkle gasped. She could feel her heart leap for joy, and then sink immediately upon landing. She should 've known she wouldn't be ready for the answer, no matter what it was. She had never done anything like this before, especially not with potential consequences like in these circumstances. She turned to Laila, who had been listening in. The girl gave her a reassuring smile, a smile Linkle returned halfheartedly. She knew she wanted this... but the uncertainty of it all frightened her.

Throughout the entire day, Linkle didn't know if she wanted the sun to hurry up and set, or for it to linger in the sky for just a little longer. Regardless of how long the day was, she wasn't ready. She wasn't ready for the planned escape, and she wasn't ready to accept what Oliver had planned for her that night.

Once the sun set, and the skies darkened, the slaves' plan would finally enter its execution stage. One by one, the cages were silently opened before the slaves were amassed by the door, ready to run. As soon as the door was opened, that was exactly what they did: run. They ran like they never had before; they knew, one way or another, their lives depended on it.

Outside, the slaves made their way into the first building west of the on they previously occupied. From then on, it was nonstop running until they into the second building, where they rested to review the map. The most dexterous slave nodded proudly as the others admired her work. Though buildings were neatly drawn, however, it was very difficult for then to see which room they were in, and which floor they were to enter the next buildng on. There were three more buildings they had to clear before they could break for the fields. Once they got into the third building, though, the entire plan went south.

Two Humans, armed with guns, were roaming the higher floors. The map said to advance to the next building through the second highest floor. This made no sense, for the Humans, as far as the slaves knew, never voluntarily set foot into the ruined buildings. How did they know to, not only search them, but to spefically search the floors the needed to climb in order to advance to the next building? The situation obviously posed a problem, but luckily, there another way to enter the next building. However, it was located on one of the middle floors, an extremely dangerous area. Once they got there, they could see some kind of decrepit passageway that led into the next building. It was a very small space, and it would take quite a bit of effort to even enter, let alone travel through. And then there was another problem...

...Not all of them could fit in.

"Quick!" a distant voice directed, "This way!"

Some of the slaves began to panic.

"How did they know to come down here?!" one whispered.

"They couldn't have." another answered, "Unless..."

Silence fell as the realization set in...

...Someone told on them.

"I'm sorry!" a slave confessed, hanging her head in guilt, "I told my older sister about the plan... Maybe... maybe someone overheard us..."

One slave grabbed her by the tunic, "You dirty-"

"Stop!" Another one ordered, "None of that's gonna make our problem better!"

"Which way?!"

"Around the corner!"

The slaves all looked at the passageway, then at each other.

"There's not enough time for all of us to go..." a slave stated.

"So how do we decide which of us do?!"

A second of silence.

"We'll start with the youngest! Quick- who's the youngest?!"

Linkle felt Laila shove her forward before giving two hand gestures: a one, then a six. Sixteen.

Linkle turned to look at her, shocked. The day after they met, they had shared each other's age and birthdates.

Laila was younger by over half a year.

"Alright! Go!"

Linkle felt herself shoved roughly toward the passageway, before struggling to squeeze into it.

"Hurry!"

The surface of the wall scraped painfully against Linkle's cheek as she finally entered-

"HEY! STOP WHERE YOU ARE!"

Linkle saw Laila move in front of the opening, hiding her from view. Linkle took this opportunity to inch through the passageway as fast as possible as the panicked screams of her fellow slaves filled her ears. On the other side, she ran as fast as she could until she no longer heard any voices. She slid down a wall after stopping to catch her breath and slow her heart rate. She wondered how the others were doing. No doubt they were going through something horrific, if they hadn't been killed already.

...Laila...

Linkle sighed. Her friend's sacrifice was yet another reason she needed to leave this place. She rose to her feet before looking to her right... then her left...

Linkle felt her stomach churn as she realized the others had neglected to give her the map. How was she supposed to get out of here?! She sighed again before starting an aimless roam through the ruined building. There was still more building to clear after the one she was in. Once she got there, things would be much easier; all she'd have to do was find the exit.

After a half hour, Linkle jumped, startled, at the distant scream of one of the slaves. The voice she heard was one she hadn't heard today, yet still familiar at the same time.

...Laila...

She bolted toward a window, where she saw a bright light shine in the distance. After a second, her eyes widened at the sight of the slaves she had been with less than an our ago, tied to each other. They were all watching what appeared to be a ball of fire. Linkle placed a hand over her mouth as the familiar voice continued to scream.

Her friend... they were burning her alive...

There was also a group of Humans surrounding the slaves. They were most likely trying to get them to reveal where Linkle was. They probably used Laila to set an example for what would happen if they didn't speak.

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

Linkle jumped, startled. A glance to her immediate right revealed her master, Oliver, just inches away. He pointed a gun at her.

"Don't even think about trying to run." he warned. The Human chuckled as he came closer, "What a shame. If I was never told of your little plan, you'd have escaped. You really shouldn't be surprised that one of your own sold you out. You creatures are only interested in covering your own hides, after all. Speaking of which... It really is a shame you'll have to join your friends. I was really looking forward to toni-"

Linkle bolted past Oliver, hoping to make it around the corner before-

BANG!

"AAAHH!" Linkle screamed as a sharp pain pierced her right knee. Oliver walked over to her.

"You didn't really think that would work, did you?"

Tears streamed down Linkle's cheeks as she grabbed at her knee. She tried to crawl away before she heard Oliver shoot at her again, only this time intentionally missing her head.

Oliver chuckled a most strange chuckle, "Well, at least now I won't have to wait until tonight."

Linkle's ears twitched, the pain in her knee now replaced with an immense fear. Oliver was probably going to torture her for hours before giving her a slow painful death. She rolled into a seated position to see, in surprise, Oliver drop his gun.

...What...? What was he...

Linkle's eyes widened when Oliver lowered to her level before pinning her shoulders against the floor.

"Wh-What are you doing?!" Linkle squirmed. As she saw the Human lower himself, she turned her head, shutting her eyes tight. Just then, she felt something wet on her neck. Her eyes shot open.

He was kissing her.

What heck is going on?

As Oliver's hands began to roam, Linkle pressed her hands against the larger body, trying with all her strength to shove him away. Suddenly, he grabbed both her wrists before pinning them above her head with one hand, leaving the other to rest on her chest for a second, before treading down her stomach. His hand went lower, lower still until it touched her-

"NO!" Linkle screamed. She kicked desperately at Oliver, managing to land a blow on his thigh.

Losing patience, the Human punched her cheek.

"Enough of this!" he shouted, "Lie still, or I'm gonna have to-"

Linkle looked up at Oliver just in time to see what looked like a seed blast its way into his forehead, before leaving through the back. She then found herself shielding her eyes from the blood that shot from the head above her. After a few seconds the body fell on top of her. After another second, the body was shoved to the side by a young girl with light blue hair, dressed in a white and blue, somewhat revealing, attire.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

Linkle could do nothing but stare. What was happening?

The girl gave a friendly smile, "Don't worry - you're safe now. Here." she extended a hand.

Linkle's eyes sunk, "My... My knee..."

The girl turned around and lowered herself, "Get on - we have to hurry!"

As Linkle climbed onto the girl's back, she noted her long ears.

"Who are you?" she asked.

"I'll tell you later."

A moment of silencepassed as the girl began to run.

"It's okay." the girl reassured Linkle, "We'll take care of you."

"Wh-What do you mean 'we'?"

Linkle forgot all about her question as the girl jumped out of a window. She giggled as Linkle screamed all the way down. As soon as she hit the ground, the girl began a run with speed she'd never seen from another person.

"Wait!" Linkle shouted, "You have to help my friend! She's-"

"Don't worry about them!" the girl responded, "The others will take care of them!"

Linkle turned her head to watch as they entered the field, and the plantation vanished from view. She smiled, overjoyed.

She was finally free.

Linkle relaxed as she lied in a makeshift bed inside of a tent. The girl who had rescued her had introduced herself as Lana before she used some kind of magic to heal the wound in her knee. She even managed to remove the bullet. She had brought Linkle to some kind of campsite where she saw a small number of those with long ears roaming about, doing who knows what. After healing her wound, Lana left her alone, promising to return soon.

And that she did, a few hours later, with a grim expression on her face.

A moment of silence passed by as Lana sat in a chair across from Linkle.

"I assume the slaves we found outside at the plantation were your friends?"

Linkle nodded.

"I'm... sorry to be the one to tell you this, but... your friends... they're all dead..."

This didn't surprise Linkle in the slightest. She had already accepted that the slaves she attempted the escape with were more than likely gone. It broke her heart all the same though. Especially considering Laila should've been the one to escape...

"As for all the others..." Lana continued, "The Humans didn't want to give them up without a fight. But after they found out who we were, and what we were there to do, they... they executed them..."

Linkle's body suddenly went cold, "So..."

"That's right... out of everyone there... you're the only survivor."

Just then, before Linkle could react, someone else entered the tent. It was another girl. She looked a bit older than she and Lana. Despite her youthful appearance, she could see a strange combination of wisdom and inexperience in her eyes. What caught Linkle's eye the most was the golden tiara on her head. It was then when she knew who this woman was.

This was Princess Zelda. throughout the years, Linkle had heard all about this woman. She...

She was a very, very bad person. She worked directly under the ruler of this country, and fulfilled his every heinous command without a second thought. It's been said that she even sells out her own people so that she can execute them herself. This woman was a true traitor, through and through.

...At least that's what she's been told.

Linkle froze, cautious as the woman approached her bedside.

"Greetings." she spoke in an unexpectedly kind and gentle voice "I am Princess Zelda."

...Huh?!

As if the introduction wasn't shocking enough, the Princess lowered to a knee before lowering her head.

"I would like to apologize for what happened today." she continued, "What happened to your friends only happened because of my inadequacies as a leader... There is no excuse for my failure. I am sorry..."

Linkle could only stare at the Princesss as she continued.

"I know you must be going through a great deal after today's events, but I have a question I would like to ask something of you."

Silence...

"When I look at you now," Zelda spoke anyway, rising to her feet, "I see vast amounts of potential, yet to be tapped into. If you would like, you could join us, and assist us in our mission to ensure that others never have to experience what you have on this day."

Silence...

"I realize that you may not trust me. I do not need an answer right away, but I must leave tomorrow morning. That said, please do not feel pressured into joining us; I understand if this is not something you want to do. There is a hidden village we can send you to where you can stay until we've liberated this once-great kingdom. Once you've found an answer, feel free to let me know."

Before leaving, Zelda walked over to Lana and whispered somehing into her ear.

"Are you okay?" Lana asked Linkle softly after the Princess made her leave.

"Yeah..." Linkle answered in an unconvincing tone, lowering her head.

Lana smiled. She decided to try to take her mind off of the other slaves. "You know, you remind me a lot of Princess Zelda."

Linkle rose her head, "I do?"

Lana nodded, "I've known her for many years, now. When I met her for the first time, she looked a lot like you do right now. She's changed a lot since then." She chuckled, "She's still not used to meeting new people since she's rarely around when liberate slave plantations, so she may come off as a bit overly formal. That said, she's far from what you'd expect from a Princess."

"How?"

"For starters, not many Princesses beat themselves up the way she does. She tends to put the blame on herself anytime something bad happens whenever she's here. Like today for instance. She planned our mission, but she failed realize what happened today was a possible situation. She one of the wisest people I know despite her young age, but... admittedly, she doesn't perform very well under stress in certain situations. But that's okay; she has people there for her whenever she makes mistakes... Just like you do. So don't ever feel like you have to keep to yourself, okay?"

"...Okay..."

After a moment, Linkle continued, "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Before today, whenever I heard someone talk about Princess Zelda, they talk about her as if she's evil. Why is that?"

As Linkle finished her question, she could see an uncharacteristic emotion flash upon Lana's face.

It was anger.

"To do what she does," Lana replied, "the Princess has to make a lot of sacrifices. But I wouldn't worry about any of that if I were you." Lana rose from her chair. "Oh, and one more thing before I go..." She lowered her voice to a whisper, "If the Princess happens to cook you something, don't expect too much; she's a terrible cook!" Lana moved toward the entrance of the tent, "I have to go, but remember: I'm always here if you need me."

Once Lana vanished from view, Linkle's eyes fell to the blanket covering her legs. A single tear fell from her eye, staining the cloth with a single drop. Lana didn't understand. No one could. She had lost everything; everyone she had ever considered friend or family is gone. She was cursed; bad luck. She was only born to be a replacement, and she couldn't even do that right... She had to accept this, for it was the truth... and there was nothing she could do about it.

...Maybe she just wasn't long for this world...

To be continued!

To realize her dream, she must cast aside her feelings, she must be willing to sacrifice as many as necessary, and stoop to no low in order to avoid being discovered.

Next Chapter: Duty

Author's Note: I'd like to advise against sending me PM's. Why? Because I kinda forget that they're a thing on FanFiction. The only reason I got to one of them was because I just happened to glance toward the left side of the screen while editing. I mean, just look at my Bio. I haven't legitimately updated that sh*t since I was in high school.

Anyway, I already know what exactly I'm doing for the next chapter, so it should be out pretty soon. I hope you guys enjoyed!