Chapter 10

Back at Hyrule Castle, Ganondorf had Max contained inside a jail cell he had built. When he was building it, he told the king that it was for imprisoning gerudos that wouldn't listen to him and caused trouble in the market. Max glared at his captor through the cell bars.

"What is the meaning of this? Let me go! I don't want to be your puppet anymore!"

Ganondorf grinned with malice and walked over to the cell.

"Oh you're going to be more than that. I have big plans for you, Max. After I'm done with you, you'll want to eliminate your friends!"

Max gasped in alarm and started to charge towards the cell door.

"I'm not staying here so that you can do that! I'm going to get out of here and alert everyone about what you're up to."

Ganondorf bust into laughter.

"You're a funny kid, Max. You don't seem to realize just what kind of power I wield! You will soon enough though after I perform my experiment on you!"

Ganondorf walked away from the cage and groaned.

"I wonder where Captain Saska and Lieutenant Jaska are? I sent my spies to find them a while ago!"

Shortly after, a bright glow of light emanated behind him. He turned around and Saska and Jaska were standing in front of the jail cell. They bowed in front of him. Ganondorf sighed with impatience.

"It's about time you two showed up! Where were you?"

Saska lifted her head.

"Our most sincere apologies, lord! We had to go into hiding because of the pesky Hyrule soldiers. They spotted us and tried to arrested us. We managed to give them the slip, but it wasn't easy."

Ganondorf scowled.

"Those pesky soldiers! They will meet their end soon enough. As soon as I get my hands on the Triforce, everything is going to change! We won't have to worry about pesky soldiers any longer and the world will be a lot...darker."

Jaska scratched her head.

"Lord, do you know where the sacred relic is located?"

Ganondorf nodded.

"Of course I do! It's located inside the Sacred Realm and the entrance is in the Temple of Time. But I need to get my hands on the keys. I know where two are located, but I gotta figure out where the last one is. I should maybe go to the forest and see if that foolish tree is dead yet and after, I'll see if the gorons have died from starvation yet!"

Max was listening to the conversation behind bars. He gasped in horror.

"So let me get this straight. You're willing to kill off an entire race just to get one of those keys? You're a monster!"

Saska and Jaska turned around and faced him. Jaska kicked the cell door.

"Silence you fool! Don't you dare talk to Lord Ganondorf like that!"

Ganondorf grinned.

"Don't worry about it, guys. Soon enough, he will be joining me as we search for the final Spiritual Stone!"

Max slumped down sadly. He didn't like the sound of what Ganodorf had planned for him. Ganondorf looked at Saska And Jaska. An idea began to form in his mind.

"I'm going to disguise you two to look like Hyrule soldiers. I want you to guard the outside of this door. If anyone asks what's going on in here, tell them I am working on a new weapon for the armory. I already used a spell to soundproof this room. Now, stand still."

He held both of his hands out, one facing Saska, one facing Jaska. He concentrated hard and both of his hands started to glow bright green with magical energy. He unleashed the energy on the two. Suddenly, the two were surrounded by two clouds of smoke. When the smoke cleared, they both looked just like Hylian soldiers! From the heavy, clunking armor to the big Hylain shields and spears. Ganondorf smiled with satisfaction.

"Wow. I can't even tell you two apart. Now, I know that clown Captain Viscin does his patrols on this floor not too long from now, so I need you two to guard this room. Don't let me down, you two."

They walked out of the room and closed the door and both stood, one to each side of the door and did their best to pretend that they were soldiers.

Meanwhile back in his room, Ganondorf was getting ready to perform his experiment. He walked over to the cell.

"Well, Max. Are you ready for a big change?"

Max glared at him.

"It's not like I have a choice."

Ganondorf nodded.

"You're absolutely right, Max. You don't have a choice because I'm making the choice for you. Now before I start, I don't want you struggling to get away. This might sting a little."

He opened the door partway and slipped his hand inside. It started to glow bright red. Max got up on his feet and dived towards his hand. Before he could make contact, the spell hit him in the chest and he fell to the ground. He went to get up again, but something was wrong. He couldn't move his arms or legs! He laid on the ground, staring up at the ceiling.

"What have you done to me?"

Ganondorf laughed.

"I've completely paralyzed your body. You can talk, but you can't move a muscle. I figured it would be a lot easier for me. Now, get ready. This is going to hurt...for both of us."

Ganondorf began to concentrate as Max watched, helpless and unable to move an inch. He shot a black bolt of energy into Max's body. It remained a steady beam as dark energy began to flow from Ganondorf and into Max's body. Both Max and Ganondorf screamed in pain. The lord of darkness squinted as he looked at Max. He was changing. His skin was becoming pale and his hair was quickly turning black in color. The experiment was working. Max was losing everything that was dear to him, his friends and his sense of right and wrong. All of it was becoming corrupted. His friends were now becoming enemies. He now had no sense of right. It was now dark and evil. Ganondorf was losing a lot of energy in the experiment. Maybe it was time to break the link. He wasn't sure if he could take much more. He decided to terminate the link. Both him and Max gasped in pain as it ended. Ganondorf was now on the floor. He held himself up with one hand and looked at Max. He was awake and staring at the ceiling.

"Max, how do you feel?"

He grunted impatiently.

"I feel...amazing. But I can't move. What's going on?"

Ganondorf got to his feet weakly and grunted.

"I...Cast a paralyzing spell on you. Let me remove it."

He shook his head.

"I don't think that's necessary, Lord."

He concentrated hard and his hands began to glow blue. Suddenly, he was surrounded by a blue bubble. Within seconds, it disappeared and he got up on his feet. Ganondorf was astonished.

"You...You removed my spell? Amazing! Come here and let me take a good look at you."

He did as he was told and walked forward. He had pale, grey skin and black hair and his eyes were jet black. Ganondorf smiled. He was beginning to think that his experiment was a success.

"Now tell me, who are your friends, Max?"

He snorted.

"Friends? I have no friends, only enemies. And I will crush any who dare to oppose me! My lord, I am yours to command and I thank you for granting me your gift of evil."

Ganondorf began to laugh.

"Yes! I can't believe it actually worked! Now, I want to test your combat skills. Cast a spell at me. Don't worry. You won't hurt me."

Max nodded and began to concentrate. Within moments, his hands were glowing dark purple. They soon formed into two big balls of dark energy. Max stretched his arms back and hurled them at Ganondorf. He saw them coming and put up a defensive shield around his body. When they struck, they didn't hurt him, but they sent him flying backwards into the wall. He shook his head in amazement. He had such incredible power! Ganondorf smiled confidently.

"Very well done. I have a task for you. I want you to eliminate your former friends. My spies tell me that their names are Link and Charlie. You should be able to teleport. You now have a good portion of my power. Return to me when your task is complete."

He saluted and he teleported out of the castle. Ganondorf was in a great mood now. He walked over and opened the door to see Saska and Jaska guarding the door.

"Come in here you two. The experiment was a success. I just sent him off to kill his former friends, Link and Charlie. Any problems out here?"

Saska shook her head.

"Not at all. A guard did walk by and he muttered something about Captain Viscin being at the market."

Jaska gasped.

"Wait a moment! Did you just say Link and Charlie? That's the names of those kids that always keep getting in the way!"

Ganondorf put an arm around her shoulder.

"Don't worry about them! Pretty soon, they will be nothing but a faint memory."

Link and Charlie were on their way to Hyrule Castle Town Market. They were just nearing the small bridge that crosses the stream leading into the Castle Town. Suddenly, a faint glowing caught Charlie's eye. He put a hand in front of Link to stop him.

"Wait a minute, Link. I don't think we're alone."

Link looked at him strangely.

"What do you mean? I don't see anything."

Navi sat on his shoulder and pointed towards a tree in the distance.

"He's right, Link. There's somebody coming out from behind that tree ahead!"

The figure walked towards them. He had kokirish clothing, but he looked nothing like one of the clan. His skin was a pale grey in color and he had dark black hair and jet black eyes. He grinned evilly.

"Hi, Link. Long time no see."

Link scratched his head.

"Excuse me, but do I know you?"

He began to laugh.

"Oh you know me quite well. Does the name Max ring any bells?"

Link, Charlie and Navi all gasped in shock. Link stepped forward.

"Max? What the heck happened to you?"

He grinned.

"I was granted power, Link. That's what happened to me. Ganondorf bestowed his evil power inside of me. Now I am reawakened and I will destroy all that is good, starting with you, Link. But before I do, allow me to change my outfit to better suit my needs."

His eyes began to glow bright red. Suddenly, his outfit began to change into a black suit of armor. He smiled with satisfaction.

"There. Now I got armor just like my lord. Draw your sword, Link. Not that it will do you any good."

Link tried reasoning with Max.

"Come on, Max. We're pals, remember? I don't want to fight you! You have to remember who you really are. You're Max. You're my friend."

Max laughed.

"You're no friend of mine. Get ready to die, Link!"

Link glared at him.

"If that's the way you want it, then bring it on, Max!"

Max floated in the air and concentrated and started to form balls of shadow in his hands. Link gasped in alarm. He knew how to use spells too? He was starting to have a bad feeling about this fight. He drew his sword and narrowly dodged Max's shadow balls. Link tried to get close to him and thrust with his sword. It bounced harmlessly off his body. He had some sort of shield around his body. How was he going to hurt him? Link backed off and decided to try a spin attack on the ground, get it built up and then try hitting him in the air with a spin attack. He started into the spin About halfway into his spin, Max snorted.

"You're pathetic! I thought you might try a little harder, but it turns out that you're weak as ever!

Max concentrated and formed a huge fireball.

"Say goodnight, Link!"

Charlie and Navi shouted at Link.

"Link look out! Pull out of your spin!"

"Max is going to blast you, Link!"

Unfortunately, Link couldn't hear either of them and continued spinning. Max stretched back his arms and released the fireball. It shot out and caught him in the chest. Link was still spinning. Suddenly, he felt a massive pain in his chest. He quit spinning and in his dizziness, he looked down at the deep, gaping wound in his chest. He looked at Max in disbelief.

"How could you...do this...to me?"

He collapsed to the ground with a scream.

Navi screamed in panic.

"LIIINK!"

Charlie shook his head in disbelief. Link was seriously hurt or possibly dead! He glared at Max.

"You...you TRAITOR! How could you do that to your own friend?"

Max laughed evilly.

"He wasn't my friend. Now it's your turn, Charlie!"

Navi turned to him. She was panic stricken.

"We...we gotta get away from here NOW! Before he kills us too!"

Charlie turned and ran for his life, with Navi hanging onto his shoulder. He ran towards the Castle Town, screaming for any kind of assistance.

"Help! Anyone! I'm being chased by a murderer!"

As luck would have it, there was a group of seven guards heading out on patrol led by a guard wearing fancy armor. Upon hearing his panic stricken voice, They rushed to his aid. This made Max stop in his tracks. He would be outnumbered almost ten to one. Even with his new powers, accidents could happen. He scowled in disgust.

"You little coward! I'll kill you one of these days when you least expect it!"

He disappeared in a cloud of smoke before any of the soldiers could take a shot at him with their bows. The leader of the group walked up to Charlie.

"It looks like we got here just in time. Are you okay, lad?"

He nodded shakily. The sight of his friend being struck down still had him shaken up. The guard smiled.

"That's good to hear, lad. You're lucky we were in the area and heard your shouting. Otherwise, you would've been toast. My name is Captain Viscin. I'm the Captain of the guard here in Hyrule. Just who or what was that being chasing you?"

Charlie was crying, so Navi spoke up.

"That being used to be our friend Max. He struck down our friend Link with evil magic. We have to see if he's still alive!"

Viscin nodded.

"Alright. Show us where he is and we'll see if he's still alive or not."

Charlie and Navi led them over to Link's body. Viscin inspected his wound. There was a gaping hole the size of a small shield in his chest. He didn't seem to be breathing. Viscin turned to them sadly.

"I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I think your friend passed away. Nobody could survive a wound that severe."

Charlie and Navi's eyes grew heavy. They walked over and began crying over his body.

"Link! It's not going to be the same without you! I'll remember the times we spent together in our original world and this one! You will not be forgotten!"

"Link. I haven't known you long, but your kindness and bravery touched my heart. I hope you find peace in the afterlife."

Viscin turned to his troops.

"Can one of you lend a hand? We need to get his body inside The Castle Town. We'll give him a descent burial."

Viscin went over to his side to pick him up when he heard a loud gasp. Suddenly, his arm weakly grabbed onto Viscin's shoulder and he looked at him in the eyes weakly.

"Help me...please...My name is...Link..."

Suddenly, his head went to one side, but he was still breathing!

Everyone gasped in amazement. Viscin shook his head in disbelief.

"I think he just passed out. I can hear him breathing slowly! This kid is amazing, fighting off death like that! We have to get him to Doctor Frederick immediately!"

The soldiers pitched in and helped to carry Link towards the Castle Town. Charlie looked at Viscin.

"Is my friend going to be okay?"

Viscin shrugged.

"It's too early to tell. It would be something if he did. I've never seen anyone live from a wound like that"

Charlie and Navi followed behind the soldiers as they carried Link inside. The same thought was going through their minds. Was Link going to survive the ordeal? Or was his wound going to prove fatal?

Back at Hyrule Castle, Ganondorf was in his room waiting for Max's return. Did he accomplish his mission? Suddenly, a white ball of light appeared in Ganondof's room and slowly got bigger. A figure walked out of it and it was Max. Ganondorf was overjoyed.

"Max my boy! You've returned! Did you accomplish your mission? Are your former friends dead?"

Max bowed his head in shame.

"Not quite, my lord. I killed one, but the other one yelled for assistance and alerted the Castle Town guards. I was outnumbered, so I had to retreat."

Ganondorf smiled at Max. He may not have accomplished his mission completely, but at least he proved he was evil by killing one of his former friends!

"You have done well, Max! We will kill the other one some other time. You made a wise move by retreating when you were outnumbered. How did you kill the one?"

Max smiled. "I tossed a fire ball at him and it caught him in the chest while he was performing a spin attack. His chest took most of the impact."

Ganondorf was beginning to really like this kid. He was evil to the core! He had a thought about his future. What if he adopted him as his son? Surly they would be an unstoppable evil duo! Ganondorf could teach him all he knew about magic and how to strike more efficiently with weapons.

"Hey, Max! I want to tell you something!"

Max looked at Ganondorf.

"What is it, my lord?"

Ganondorf smiled.

"Don't call me my lord any longer. Call me Father. From this day forth, I am adopting you as my son!"

Max gasped. He couldn't believe what Ganondorf just said! He wanted him to be his son! Max bowed to Ganondorf.

"Sounds good to me, Father!"

Ganondorf laughed at Max's statement.

"Well said, my boy! I want you to take a rest! You've earned it!"

Max smiled. He needed a break after chasing Charlie.

"Thank you, Father!"

Max laid down on a nearby bed and went to sleep.

Ganondorf looked at him as he slept.

"Rest well, my son. Soon, you and I will rule this world!"