CHAPTER 10

DEATH MOUNTAIN - GORON CITY

The endless ash and magma hadn't done Goron City any good. They were the closest civilization to the treacherous Camp Kakariko, and they had suffered because of it. Ganon's presence had cut them off from the rest of the world, and they had to focus on protecting themselves.

Chief Darbo was the head of the Gorons at this point, and he was very protective of his people. He didn't dare attack Ganon, even though they were most likely the best suited for the job.

Darbo sat in his rock throne under Goron City. Being the Chief was very boring, though it had its perks. Nothing usually happened except the occasional Bokoblin raid these days. Even then, it's not as if they could burn crops or siege them: there's no way they could remove the whole mountain. (Seeing as the Gorons ate rocks.)

"Chief Darbo! An owl has arrived!" A Goron notified. Darbo followed the Goron up to the top of Goron City to greet the owl.

"I bring word from *HOOT HOOT* Princess Zelda: you are to gather an army and march to the gates of Castle Town at once." The owl said, fulfilling his duty of delivery. Darbo was shocked.

"What do you mean raise an army? We're to fight Ganon?" Darbo questioned in disbelief. The owl, who was about to fly away, fluttered back to hover in front of Darbo.

"*HOOT HOOT* Yes. The Gerudo have made a pact with Ganon. In my *HOOT HOOT* humble opinion, Hyrule is doomed." The owl confirmed.

Darbo, being a Goron, scarcely sweat. This was due to his skin being rock and his body not reliant on water. Despite this, Darbo started to sweat profusely.

"The Gerudo? We can't get involved in this fight, we have our own people to think about." Darbo said, dismissing the idea. The owl shook his head, feeling truly somber for a moment.

"If *HOOT HOOT* Ganon takes Hyrule Castle, he will wish all of your out of existence with the Triforce." The owl reminded. Darbo scratched his chin.

The owl began to become bored. "What should I tell Princess Zelda?" He asked, wishing to leave the heat and ash. After much consideration, Darbo's face went stone cold, and his gaze pierced through the owl.

"Tell her we will stand for Hyrule."

CAMP KAKARIKO

Ganondorf sat upon his throne, fantasizing of his defeat of the Hylians. A rumbling from behind him startled him, but when he looked around, he saw nothing. An idea finally snapped into his head.

"The Gorons!" Ganondorf shouted, levitating quickly from his seat of bones. The monsters all look to Death Mountain Trail, where they saw hundreds of Gorons rolling down the mountain. "Brace yourselves!"

"Take out as many as you can, don't bother with Ganon!" Darbo shouted. Ganondorf snarled.

"I AM NO LONGER THE PIG BEAST! I AM THE DEMON KING: GANONDORF!" Ganondorf screamed, echoing through the camp. Darbo's heart was wrenched with fear, but he was not deterred.

The Gorons stormed through the camp, and left few alive. The monsters of Ganondorf had been vastly decreased in number after this day. Ganondorf had taken out more than a few Gorons, but the losses on the side of the mountain dwellers was far lesser.

"Quickly! To Castle Town!" Darbo commanded, as he and his remaining troops moved to defend Princess Zelda.

"Damn!" Ganondorf shouted in anger. "They were so submissive! Now they're going to defend Daphnes and his men. How did Daphnes know to send for help?" Ganondorf was writhing, wondering who he had to punish for this happening. He pondered for a moment, but suddenly remembered of the reluctant Banoora.

"Oh, she WILL pay for this." He growled.

FORT NABOORU

Phantom Ganon barged into the fort. The Gerudo guards tried to stop him, but he forced them away.

"HOW DARE YOU CROSS THE GREAT GANONDORF?" The ghost screeched. His voice echoed throughout the valley. "YOU WILL PAY WITH YOUR LIFE!" The Phantom marched up the stairs, throwing more Gerudo guards away as they opposed him.

"Don't hurt me!" Ralu screamed at the top of her lungs. Banoora came out of her quarters to see the source of the commotion. Phantom Ganon was standing above her daughter, ready to strike.

"Don't you DARE lay a hand on my daughter, you will have all the armies of the Gerudo upon you if you touch her!" Banoora threatened. Phantom Ganon laughed.

"Your armies are mine. You have no claim to them anymore. Your betrayal has no meaning to us, the Hylians will die all the same. Still, your naughtiness deserves punishment, and I see no better way…" Phantom Ganon sneered as he levitated Ralu up into the air, and off the balcony.

"Mommy!" She screamed in terror.

"Ralu!" Banoora reached for her child, but it was far too late. The fort overlooked the valley, and into the ravine below her daughter fell. Banoora burst into tears, and she fell to her knees.

Phantom Ganon called the second in command of the Gerudo army over to him.

"We will launch our attack within the day, and kill this worthless wretch." He ordered as he marched downstairs. Banoora wailed and cried.

"Ralu! Ralu!" She called out, again and again. Each time she expected her daughter to reply. "Ral-" Banoora was interrupted when one of her soldiers stabbed her with her spear. She fell onto her back, and began to bleed out.

HYRULE CASTLE - ZELDA'S CHAMBER

Princess Zelda fell down into her chair suddenly. Impa was alarmed and immediately came to her aid.

"Princess! Are you alright?" Impa asked, checking the pulse of her highness.

"I'm fine, Impa. I just was given the feeling that something terrible has happened." Zelda informed, slightly stomach sick. Impa shook her head.

"Well, I hope you're alright. I've been meaning to ask, how are you holding up?" Impa asked, acting more motherly than usual. Zelda smiled faintly.

"I'm alive. The endless research has proven fruitless, and the news of an attack from the Gerudo is… troubling…" She trailed off. Impa sighed.

"Hyrule will stand. Hyrule has always stood. This beast has come and gone, but he never wins. Ganon will not prevail." Impa assured her, holding her hand. Zelda hugged Impa.

"Thank you, I think I needed that." Zelda told her. Though deep inside, she could feel a storm brewing.