My deepest apologies. Grounding really sucks. This may be my only one for awhile since now we are going on a road trip and that means no internet. By I will say this, I AM NOT FINISHED! It will be another month or two but I assure you, it will be done. I also am readying a Spirit Tracks fanfic soon. So Review Please! And I own nothing!

Chapter 9: Losing It All

Three months later…

Link had finished his quest and was now going home. He planned on stopping on the Ranger's Island before going home. One day he saw a black shape coming up. Then another, and two more! Link recognized these shapes. Those little pirate boats barely the size of his own. They all blasted cannon shots at Link, and they were almost dead on. Link couldn't sail and fight at the same time. So against his will, he set sail and made fastest speed possible to the Ranger's Island. But the ships gave chase. Link was confused, normally they would give up after someone left, but these guys kept coming. Link finally saw the island and hoped he got there before he was blown away. He was just about 200 yards from shore when KORL took a direct hit. A piece of wood flew up and hit Link square on the head. He swooned and fell out of the boat. Satisfied, the ships left. The Rangers heard the commotion and ran out. One spotted Link floating there and brought him ashore.

2 days later…

Link awoke and found himself in a bed in what looked like a log cabin. He got out and opened the door. The Ranger's Hall! He looked around for Joseph who was going to lunch.

"Joseph!"

"Ah! Link! It is good to see you up and out."

Link answered sheepishly, "Likewise. What happened?"

"Those pirates blew you out of the water and apparently knocked you unconscious," Joseph said.

Link nodded as he remembered. He walked with Joseph and went to have lunch. Many Rangers praised Link for his accomplishment. Link said it wasn't like he's never done it before. Everyone shared a laugh at that. Link enjoyed himself for awhile and then remembered, he still had a wife waiting with child. Late that night Link had another talk to Joseph.

Joseph said, "So what's on your mind Link?"

"Well I need to get back to Outset as soon as possible. But…with my boat battered to pieces, I just can't go anywhere. And Tetra would kill me if I didn't come for my child's birth," Link answered.

"I understand. We could have your boat repaired but it would take a few weeks." Link looked downcast. "But I took the precaution of having a ship prepared. We can leave whenever."

Link smiled. "Thanks Joseph. I actually want to get going real soon. Can we cast off tomorrow?"

"Yes. Be at the dock around 7 in the morning and we'll cast off."

Link thanked Joseph again, then went to his quarters to sleep for the night. He had a dream that night. Link recognized the place as New Hyrule. He noticed a dark cloud looming over. Then suddenly a ferocious beast appeared it began tearing through the land killing all in it's path. Then Link saw white, bright figures streaming across the sky. They seemed to be battling and neither was winning. Then the beast looked at him with fiery red eyes. Link woke up and noticed the sun seeping over the ocean. 'It was just a dream.' he thought. He got all of his belongings together and walked out of the halls, said farewell to a few rangers, and went aboard the ship. About an hour later, they cast off. Link was up in the crow's nest most of the time as lookout. Two days into the voyage, Link was having a conversation with Joseph on deck.

"We should arrive at Outset by tomorrow afternoon." Link said.

"With your control over the winds, I'm not surprised."

Suddenly a fog drifted in across the deck. Everyone had an eerie feeling, but something felt familiar to Link.

"Sir! There's a ship off the starboard side!"

Link looked over the rail and saw an all to familiar vessel. The Ghost Ship had caught them. Link ordered the ship to drop anchor. The Ghost ship pulled alongside and dropped anchor as well. A board that was several planks nailed together, was put across the two boats. The rangers quivered a little. Because they didn't put the plank across. They backed away from the plank as a klunk-klunk came across the board. It landed on the ship, and a Phantom came out of the mist. Link charged the Phantom and they held each other at bay. Then Link rolled around the Phantom stood up, and stabbed the Phantom in the back. It dropped it's sword and shield, and fell to the ground. It vanished in a puff of smoke. The Rangers cheered the victory but suddenly silenced as more Phantoms appeared. The two sides charged each other and the battle began. Normally, a sword to the back only stunned the Phantom, but most of the Rangers didn't have normal swords either. The battle lasted for hours with no sign of letting up. A few rangers were killed and more wounded, but they were guided by courage. Link suddenly felt a rumbling in his pocket. He took out the gossip stone.

"Tetra, this really isn't…Aryll? What's going on?"

Aryll yelled, "Link! Where are you? Tetra is in labor! She'll be giving birth any minute now!"

Link was dumbfounded. Had he lost track of time? "Isn't it a bit early?" he asked.

"She's having it a bit prematurely. You have to get here!" she said.

"I'm in the middle of a battle!" He dodged a swipe and slashed a Phantom's back.

"Link?"

Link stopped at the voice. It was Tetra.

"Link where are you?"

"The Ghost Ship is attacking us. Phantoms just keep pouring onto our boat. I know I made a promise to be there, but…" Link faltered. He failed Tetra, more than anything, he was ashamed.

"Listen Link, even if you don't make it in time, I won't love you any less. Just please come home safely." Tetra pleaded.

Link answered, "I don't know if I'll make it back safely. But I will make it back. I promise."

She smiled and the image faded. Link was heartbroken. He should be there, not here. He failed his promise to make it. He won't fail this one. With new determination, he ran and leaped the gap of the two boats. He would make sure the Ghost Ship will never be seaworthy again.

Not bad I hope? Sorry this was long in coming. The next one will be a while as well but these will finish. I will see yall later. Please Review and be square!