Chapter 10
Link and Zelda walked over to the calm beach and joined the crowd of people who turned out which happened to be the whole island. Everyone was silent and had their head down as Link heard sniffling and tears being shed surrounding them.
Niko, who knew Alfonzo the longest didn't show much affection towards many things but Link knew inside it felt like a part of him just died. Niko walked in front of the gravestone below the coconut tree in which Alfonzo was buried under and stood there in silence for a few seconds before turning around towards the reception.
"Alfonzo was a great man. He served his time as a train engineer traveling to places we dream of loving the train life before calling this place his own and spending his life here and being a train instructor. In his life he did quite heroic things like driving through all kinds of dangers and even got to drive the Princess of Hyrule, Princess Zelda around too which would have been quite an honour."
Link turned around to Zelda who had her head down and staring at the grave and he thought that she was remembering that time fondly.
"Even though he is gone now he still will always be remembered with his heroicness in saving this island from destruction and evil when he sacrificed his life defending the island from such evil."
This time Link had lost his fight of holding back tears as he scrunched his hands into fists tightly trying not to cry as tears started streaming down his face and flew off towards the ground. Zelda noticed Link's soft sobbing and calmed him down by placing her ghostly hand upon Link's back and patted it as if she was human. Link still thought it was a kind gesture and smiled at Zelda while still releasing tears as Niko finished his speech and everyone stood in silence for a minute as the waves crushing on the shore was all the noise they could hear.
After the minute of silence everyone said their final goodbyes to Alfonzo and walked back to their houses to continue their routines. Niko, Link and Zelda were the last to say their goodbyes as Link stared at the grave in disbelief that is close friend was now dead
. "I can't believe he's gone!" Link said in a depressed tone which saddened Niko and Zelda even more.
"I wish he didn't have to die to save us and I wish I could have been there earlier to maybe help. Stave was too good for us though and Alfonzo left him a mark he will carry on into the next life. But even though he is gone we will carry out this adventure to stop Cole and return peace. I think that is what Alfonzo would have liked."
Zelda and Niko nodded to Link's words as Link pulled something out of his pocket and laid it on the grave. It was the train whistle Link used when Alfonzo took him for his last test to become an engineer. Link smiled before turning to Zelda.
"I think we should head back to the Spirit Tower." Zelda agreed as they said their goodbye to Niko and left on the train back to the Tower leaving behind the sad aroma around the village.
The train ride was filled with nothing but silence as Link focused on the tracks but inside he was still feeling defeated. Zelda noticed and floated behind Link looking towards the tree's as they passed through thinking of how much this has affected Link.
"Link…" Zelda said gently placing her right hand through his shoulder.
Link didn't say anything and didn't even turn around so Zelda continued…
"I just want you to know that revenge isn't always the best answer. It will not solve much. It will not make Alfonzo come back to life. It will ruin you and that isn't what Alfonzo would have wanted. Please think about that Link the next time you see Stave."
Zelda waited for Link to answer and finally did after a few seconds of more silence.
"Thanks Zelda I will keep that in mind the next time I see him." Link replied in a monotone.
Zelda sighed not convinced and continued staring out the side when suddenly the two felt train shook for a moment like something landed on top. Link looked up to the roof from the side and gasped when he saw Stave on top of the carriage smiling.
"Hello Link, long time no seen" he casually said as jumped off the roof and landed on the floor of the train.
Inside Link just wanted to kill him but he couldn't take his hands off the wheel or risk crashing the train.
"What are you doing here Stave. Haven't you caused enough trouble?" Link shouted while one hand was on the wheel and his head turned towards Stave.
He was ready to take out his sword with his remaining hand if he needed to.
"What? I can't say hello to you and the Princess of Hyrule" Stave replied as he started walking closer to the front.
Zelda fly away quickly!" Link shouted but Zelda just floated in the air in front of Stave, too afraid to fly away but when she finally did, Stave warped in front of her like magic.
"I don't think so" Stave said
"Your part of our next plan so we shall be in need of you."
Link couldn't understand it until a loud purple explosion filled the sky and a huge swirling purple portal opened. A black devilish train rode out with spikes upon the many carriages that followed the front as it drove up next to Link on an invisible rail.
The train was much bigger in size and looked more powerful and it got worse once one of the many carriages opened up and inside stood Cole smiling proudly as he jumped out of the carriage and towards Link and landed on the opposite side of Stave blocking in Zelda in.
"Hello Princess. It's been a while but now we need you to come with us" Cole insisted fondling with his hands.
Zelda was speechless as she turned to Link who looked shocked and wanted to help but couldn't really do anything. If he stopped suddenly the train wouldn't be able to handle it and break apart.
"Now then let us begin" Cole said as he floated up level to the roof and held his hands high above his head.
A yellow ball appeared with electricity firing out as Cole threw it and went straight through Zelda as she screamed while the yellow ball disappeared within Zelda's ghost body and floated down to the floor before Stave caught her like she was human.
"Perfect now let's get out of here!" Cole told Stave feeling proud of him.
Stave nodded as he was about to jump onto the devil train but something was blocking him… an iron sword but most importantly Link's sword.
"Probably not wise Link" Stave told in a cool calm voice.
Link looked to Zelda who was unconscious In Stave's arm and remembered her saying revenge isn't the answer. Stave snapped his finger and his sword appeared in his hand as he placed the blade of it up to Link's neck and leaned in closer to link's face.
"I think you're forgetting that I would kill for fun and enjoyment and the sight of blood makes me happy. I am not afraid to slice and kill you right now and watch this whole train crash and go up in flames."
Link gulped but stood strong as he slowly raised his sword's blade across Stave's neck which surprised Stave a little. "Neither am I" Link said in a cruel voice staring Stave down.
Stave was about to say something to Link until he heard Cole scram "Stave hurry up will you! We can't proceed without Zelda!" Cole shouted in his normal annoying voice from the devil train.
Stave smiled and laughed a little as he took away his sword from Link's neck but just hovered over it. "We will have our time Link, don't worry. Until then it is goodbye but if you're looking to get yourself killed then come to the castle!" Stave said as he turned away and jumped over to the Demon Train with no sweat.
"See you later Link!" Cole shouted sounding victorious as the carriage slowly shut and the Demon Train turned around and rode off into the sky as another purple portal appeared in front of them as they rode through it and disappeared as the portal closed behind them.
Link was left standing there with his sword out and one hand still on the wheel as the train rode on and approached the Tower of Spirits. Link couldn't believe it. First he had lost Alfonzo to Stave and now Zelda has been kidnapped again. Link felt weak and powerless because he could not save two people who really mattered to him as the train finally entered the darkness of the Tower leaving Link some time before it pulled up.
When Link arrived through the tunnel, everyone was waiting for him as he parked and got off. Anjean arrived and moved in front of the crowd welcoming Link back and placing her hand upon Link's shoulder.
"I heard what happened back at the village… link I am truly sorry to hear." Anjean said.
"I know it's a sad time for me right now but I am glad that he died protecting the town and having a good life, Except Stave had to end it early sadly" Link replied.
Anjean smiled at him.
"Spoken like a true friend you did! I am sure he knew he was going to be giving you and Zelda the responsibility of protecting not just the town but the whole of Hyrule… wait where is Zelda?" Anjean asked confused finally noticing that Zelda was not present with them.
Link's smile vanished from his face as he faced Anjean.
"I couldn't protect her… I am sorry I failed again Anjean" Link said saddened.
"Cole and Stave took her away and I couldn't do anything because I was driving."
Anjean smiled as she rubbed Link's shoulder.
"It's ok dear. You did all you could besides it gives us the chance to use our new powers and techniques and try them out, oh and by the way Link…." Anjean said.
"I believe it is your turn for your special training so are you ready?" Link raised his head and nodded proudly "Of course I am" He said with a confident smile.
Anjean lifted her arm off Link and wheeled off in the opposite direction also smiling.
Anjean turned around to face Link a few metres away as everyone gathered around to watch. Link noticed them all looking tired and beaten but they were all smiling as if to say "you have no idea what you are in for!"
"So Link you think you aren't strong enough huh? Well sometimes it isn't about strength but it's also about other elements in a fight. I am going to demonstrate these to you through a fight… with me."
Anjean jumped out of her wheelchair and landed softly on the ground while Link was gobsmacked. He couldn't believe Anjean still had this much energy left in her for an old woman.
"I see you are surprised Link. I am not just an old cranky Lokomo you know we have our powers. But beware dear Link because I will not hold back anything and you have to learn to stand up and fight back if times get tough but also not just use the strength you are given. You ready Link?" Anjean asked with a wink of her right eye.
Link finally took it all in and forgot about all that had happened to him lately and took his sword out and placed it in both of his hands with the point towards the roof as he nodded.
"Alright then let us begin!" Anjean shouted loudly.
End of Chapter 10