Author's That feeling of victory when you've finally found your 3DS stylus.
I'd like to thank alpha jd for following the story, and I'd like to give a HUGE thanks to The Elemental QC for following me (as an author, not... not literally) and adding me to their Favorite Authors List, and Azure Legacy for following and favorite'ing both me and the story. That really means a lot.
Now the Reviews...
ultimateCCC(1): There are all kinds of people in the world. ALL KINDS of people.
ultimateCCC(2): Oh, you have no idea.
The Elemental QC: Lol, sorry, but Malon's entire purpose for this story was for Link's development. Besides, Lana can't everywhere at once.
anonymous rs: OMG! I can't believe Anonymous reads my stories! :D Lol, jk. But thank you for your review.
Resistance Arc
Chapter 11: At First Sight
Linkle and Ruto stood atop a cliff, hidden by several trees and their greenery. They were staring down at the plantation they were to liberate. The plantation in question was a very small one. Princess Zelda told them they were to quietly sneak in, retrieve the slaves, and leave; no battle would be required unless absolutely necessary, which was why Linkle was allowed to join Ruto. The number of Humans with a job there could be counted on a single hand... so...
"Why are there so many?" Linkle asked Ruto.
"I don't know. I've never learned about the customs those creatures keep, so I can't think of what it could be."
"So... should we wait for them to leave?"
"No. They could be here guarding the premises, as far as we know; they may even know we're here. And we can't have you shoot any of them, because there's more than likely more of them inside."
Linkle struggled to calm herself. Did Ruto really think about having her shoot at them?
"And we can't wait too long," Ruto continued, "because Princess Zelda wants us back by sunset- it's already in the middle of the afternoon, so we only have a few hours left, not to mention the amount of time it takes to head back, with the slaves, who aren't used to traveling. We have to move now."
Link sat with his back against a wall inside a steel cage made for prisoners, pulled by a duo of horses. He was still recovering after what happened a few hours ago. He rose one of his hands to eye-level. It was trembling. He was still very angry at Thomas for what he did; he... wanted to kill him.
He couldn't let his anger get the best of him, though. He knew Humans couldn't be trusted, but he had to take even the slightest chance if it meant seeing his sister again. He was willing to do whatever it takes for that to happen.
After a few hours, everything paused. After a few more seconds, the door opened with a loud creek.
Thomas smirked at Link before instructing the boy to follow him.
Outside, Link was slightly awed by the size of the stadium that stood before him. It was much larger than even the one Thomas owned. Link could hear the vile Humans in attendance, even from outside.
"Put this on."
Link's thoughts were interrupted by the steel collar and chain Thomas handed him.
"I don't have all day." Thomas rushed, "Or did you change your mind about wanting to see your precious sister?"
Link swallowed his pride. He lowered his head, allowing Thomas to place the collar on him. He felt the Human tug on the leash.
"Let's go."
Link could see a mass of Humans entering the stadium. Some glanced at him and laughed, some hurled insults at him, and made fun of his ears, and some of the ones around his age threw trash at him.
Oh, the shame; the sheer embarrassment of being paraded around like some kind of wild animal. What he would do to these Humans if he weren't under these circumstances.
Link paid no attention to what Thomas said to the other Humans inside the stadium. He could hear the Humans joking about him in his presence, they said a wide variety of cruel things to, and about, the boy, just like the Humans outside. He could feel their gaze, their condescending stares, like a brand on his skin. They thought they were better than him.
How dare they...
"So you're having your slave fight in your stead?" a Human asked Thomas.
"Yes. Though it's more of a punishment than anything. I did tell him that if he won, I'd let him see his dear sister again."
The group of Humans burst into laughter.
Link balled his fists.
"What a fool!" a Human said, standing right front of Link. He pointed his finger at him, poking him as he continued, "Maybe I should buy his sister; I'm sure you'd like that, wouldn't you? Well, depending on how she looks of cour-"
Link swung hard, and punched the Human on the cheek.
"ERGH! Why, you-"
"Wait!" Thomas intervened, "Just be patient- he'll get his just-desserts in due time."
"Rrgh... Fine!" he walked away, "Just as long as that filthy Elf gets what's coming to him."
Link was then brought to a room where he waited for an additional half-hour before a duo of Humans entered, and grabbed him roughly by both arms. One removed the collar Thomas put on him.
Link didn't protest, however. He couldn't lose his temper again and give these savages a chance to take this opportunity away.
"Heh, look at this Elf." one taunted, "It has no idea what it's gotten itself into."
Both Humans laughed.
A large door rose, nearly blinding Link with the sunlight that poured into the room. He felt the Humans drag him into the light, before shoving him onto the ground. The boy stood as the audience blasted him with a chorus of "boos". His vision barely had time to adjust to the light before he heard a loud voice.
"It would seem that Thomas is going to have this Elf fight in his stead!" an announcer told the audience, "Does he not want to own the Princess? Or perhaps this is a punishment?"
Once Link's eyes finally adjust to the light, he took in the sight, and sheer size, of the field. He then looked up and around at the audience. He froze as he caught the sight of the red-haired man from a little over a week ago, seated in a fancy chair on some kind of balcony. He couldn't see his face, but he knew he was being watched.
"At any rate," the announcer continued, "let us proceed with the introduction of his opponent!"
Link watched as the door on the opposite side of the field rose to reveal a young girl.
"Let's hear it for Princess Zelda!"
The audience, again, showered the field in hatred. They even called her all sorts of names such as "worthless", or "good-for-nothing", as well as words Link would never repeat.
For once, however, Link and the Humans seemed to agree on something. He'd heard of Princess Zelda multiple times from other slaves, and he's yet to hear anything good about her. According to them, she's even killed some of her own kind. Disgusting...
The Princess proceeded toward the center of the field with a thin sword already in hand. She froze once she got close enough to see his face before continuing.
Once Zelda paused, just a few feet away, both she and Link felt their minds go completely blank. Both parties could feel something inside them begin to change, but they couldn't think of what it could be. They ignored it.
Link gave Zelda the coldest stare he's ever given anyone. He couldn't believe this traitorous-
"Who are you?"
Link blinked. Was she really doing this right now? He withheld his answer.
"I'm sorry, but you look very much like someone I've seen before. If you could just tell me your name, I-"
"Shut your mouth."
"...Excuse me?"
"I said shut up. You're not going to distract me, so just stop."
"...I see."
A Human approached Link with a box, "Pick your weapon." he said as he revealed its contents. Inside was a sword, and axe. Obviously, Link chose the sword.
"Here are the rules." the Human continued, "Neither of you are allowed to kill each other. One of you can achieve victory by either getting your opponent to surrender, or by knocking them unconscious. As soon as I'm a safe distance away, you two can begin."
Immediately, Zelda took several retreating steps away, her guard up the entire time. She stopped two yards away before holding her sword out in front of her, the tip facing Link.
Once the Human was put of the way, Link began a slow walk toward his opponent, searching for a weakness. The stance Zelda took would allow her to counter almost any attack, should Link blindly rush her. Even if Link was too fast for her to react to, her extended sword would ensure she wouldn't take too much damage.
Suddenly, he charged. Zelda lowered her blade slightly, nullifying Link's planned attack. He paused a few feet away. The Princess somehow knew exactly what Link was going to do; she was obviously very skilled and experienced in combat. Link began to question if he could truly defeat her...
No. Now was not the time for such thoughts. Especially when he was this close to finally being reunited with his sister.
Unbeknownst to Link, however, Zelda, herself, was quite distracted by her own thoughts. This boy wielded his sword with his left hand. Just like-
Link charged to the right. This way, because the two had differing dominant hands, Link would be in an advantageous-
Zelda quickly intercepted the boy, startling him. The Princess was fast, much too fast.
His reflexes taking over, Link swung at the Princess, only for her to raise her leg and block his arm with her foot, before she countered with a swing of her own. Link leaned backwards to dodge, falling onto his back after losing balance.
Using her other foot, Zelda performed a short hop into the hair before bringing her sword down for a stabbing attack. Link rolled the right, out of the way, before rising to one knee to find Zelda already upon him. He blocked her sword with his own before rising to head-butting the Princess, stunning her.
The audience gasped as Zelda stumbled back a few steps.
Looking to take advantage, Link leapt into the air before-
"AGH!"
Zelda had somehow already recovered. She plunged her sword onto Link's right shoulder, forcing it to emerge from the other side.
The pain that burned in Link's shoulder intensified as Zelda pulled the sword out of the wound, causing it to bleed freely.
"Perhaps you are more willing to listen now." Zelda said.
"Screw you." Link bit bitterly. He swung at Zelda again.
The Princess easily blocked the attack with her sword before raising her leg to kick the wound in his shoulder.
Link shouted in pain, backing away. Zelda followed with a relentless assault with her blade. Link was somehow able to block each attack, but was eventually backed into a wall. Zelda went for a lethal stabbing attack, one too fast for Link to dodge. He used his right hand to take the hit, altering Zelda's aim as the sword went into his palm and out the back of his hand, before penetrating the wall next to Link's head. Link suppressed his voice.
"Why did your master bring you here?" Zelda asked, "Does he trust in your fighting ability to such an extent to where-"
Link swung his sword again. Zelda, though forced to release her sword, was fast enough to dodge the initial attack, but not even she could see what happened next coming.
A whirling beam of light emerged from Link's sword, striking Zelda. The Princess fell onto her back.
Ganondorf's eyes narrowed as he watched.
Zelda rose to her feet after a few seconds of shock. She looked at Link.
"I see. That must be why your master chose you to fight in his stead."
Link panted. With his teeth, he grabbed the handle of Zelda's sword before pulling it out of the wall, and out of his hand. He dropped it onto the ground in front him before planting a foot on it. Despite the pulsing pain in his hand. Link smirked, realizing this left the Princess without a wea-
The boy's eyes widened at the sight of the sword beneath his heel vanishing into particles of light.
...What the...?
Next, Link saw another sword manifest into Zelda's right hand.
"Damn it..." Link muttered under his breath. He panted as he separated himself from the wall before tensing up preparing for another speedy attack.
"I cannot afford to lose this battle." Zelda continued, "I apologize for this, but I'm going to have to get serious."
Link watched as Zelda rose her sword skyward. The blade began to glow a golden glow when, suddenly, it vanished, the weapon being replaced with a glowing bow.
Just then, Link dodged what appeared to be a beam of light. He rose to a knee and looked back at the wall to see a strange, golden arrow protruding from the wall. Link turned to face Zelda just in time to see dodge another beam of light. He grunted as he landed on his injured shoulder. He rose to stand on his left knee. Just then another beam of light went through his left thigh.
Link screamed as his left leg bled profusely. He slowly rose to his feet before backing into a wall to keep him standing. Zelda walked up to him. In desperation, Link swung his sword, only for Zelda to catch his wrists before pinning it to the wall. She then leaned forward to whisper into his left ear.
"Tell me- what will your master do if you lose?"
"Rrgh..."
"He won't kill you, will he?"
No answer...
"What exactly did he offer you if you were to win this battle? Was it freedom? Did he offer to reunite you with a loved o-"
With all his strength, Link grabbed Zelda's head with both hands, and proceeded to ram it into the wall behind him.
Did... that really just happen?
No! There was no time to be shocked now! He may never get another opportunity to win this battle!
Taking advantage of Zelda's shocked state, Link rammed her head into the wall again. Then, following with a burst of energy, he did it again, and again, and again, and again.
Link lost count of how many times Zelda's head bounced off the wall. He only stopped when the wound on his right shoulder forced him to. To his complete shock, Zelda fell back, and landed onto the ground...
...unconscious.
The ensuing moment of silence seemed to last forever; no one knew how to react to what they just saw.
"To the complete shock of everyone in attendance today," the announcer began, "Princess Zelda has lost!"
Thunderous cheers rang out through the arena. Link stared down at Zelda. Blood gently flowed from a wound on her forehead as she lay there.
A Human approached the Princess with a bottle containing a ball of light. He lowered himself to a knee, as close to the Princess as possible, before opening the container, granting the ball freedom. It circled over Zelda's body before vanishing. She opened her eyes before quickly rising to a seated position. She placed a hand on her forehead, her eyes widening when she caught a glimps of the red on her palm.
"I... lost?"
Link watched as Zelda froze upon the realization. She shook her head in denial, her breathing going shallower by the second.
"You did it!" he heard Thomas shout, ecstatic, "You actually did it!"
Thomas laughed hysterically as he ran out onto the field.
Zelda's racing thoughts were halted by Thomas' approach. The Human smirked as he stared down at her.
"You're mine now." he said, "Stand up."
Zelda glared up at the Human.
"I said stand!"
Zelda complied.
Thomas laughed again as Link approached him
"Hey." Link called, "This is what you wanted me to do right? Now you have to take me to my sister."
Thomas' laughing ceased, his back still turned to the boy.
"Do I?" he asked, "It's quite the contrary; I should end your sorry life right, here and now."
"WHAT?! But you said-"
"I know what I said- and I didn't mean a single word."
"You... LIAR!"
"Oh, please. You've merely replaced what you've taken from me. After all, when you someone's toy, the proper thing to do is to replace it."
"T-...Toy?! That's... That's all she was to you?! A TOY?!"
"That's right."
"Then why... why did you treat her like she was better than the rest of us?!"
Thomas turned to Link, "Because she looked better than the rest of you- why else would I love an Elf?"
Link trembled in absolute, raw fury as Thomas turned back to Zelda, "And now I have an even better toy to play with! And what a magnificent sight you a- AAAGH!"
Zelda used her arms to shield herself from the blood that burst from Thomas' chest. Lowering them, she could see a sword protruding from where the Human's heart was located. Thomas gasped for one last breath of air before falling to the side, dead.
"SEIZE HIM!"
A trio of Humans appeared from each door. The six of them violently apprehended the boy, tying both wrists together.
"No, not yet!" a Human shouted as one tried to take him away, "Let's teach this son of a bitch a lesson!"
Zelda watched on as the six Humans brutally stomped and kicked at Link. She had to do something... She glanced up at Ganondorf through her peripheral. The Gerudo was watching her.
After a final kick to the side of Link's head, the Humans finally took him away.
WARNING: THIS SCENE IS EXTREMELY VIOLENT
By the time Linkle and Ruto made their move, the sun had already begun to set; Ruto was finally able to breach the tight security, and, alongside Linkle, make her way inside the lone building in the plantation. The interior was barely lit, and was filled with variety of delicious aromas.
"Linkle!" Ruto whispered, "I think I found them!"
The girl joined Ruto by the doorway to a room lit only by moonlight that flooded into the room by way of window. Inside were a group of slaves, all with long ears.
"Maybe it is a good thing we had to wait until sunset to break in." Ruto whispered some more, "You being here makes this a lot easier, too."
"How?" Linkle whispered back.
"Well, you see... those people in there have never seen a Zora before, seeing how I'm the last one, and they'll already be excited over escaping. If I suddenly appear before them, it may prove to be too much stimulation. These things need to happen one at a time. That's why I want you to go in there and do the talking."
"Wh-What? But..."
"No 'buts'. We have to hurry!"
Linkle nodded nervously. She never was any good at this. Usually it was her brother who 'did the talking'.
Link...
With a deep breath, and renewed determination, Linkle took her first few steps into the room.
"Hey!" a voice called immediately, "Who are-"
"Shh!" Linkle interrupted, "We're here to free you! Everything will be okay, just come with us!"
"'Us'? Wait, are you in league with that sorceress?"
"Well... yes, we are."
Every slave in the room, who were all awake by now, tensed in fear.
"I've heard of you guys!" one said with a trembling voice, "You invaded the plantation in the north and killed everyone there! Both Humans and Elves!"
"What?! No, I-"
"Look, unless you can prove to us that you aren't savage murderers, we're not going anywhere with you!"
Linkle swallowed a lump in her throat. She could really use Ruto's help right about now...
"We haven't killed everyone there. I know because I used to be a slave there."
Silence...
"Do you think we're stupid?! Ho-"
"Wait."
An older slave stood and took a few steps closer to Linkle.
"She isn't lying."
"How do you know?"
"This girl doesn't have the eyes of a liar. I can tell she's been through so much..."
He turned to his fellow slaves.
"You can all do what you want. I know I've lived most of my life as a slave, but at least now I get to die a free man."
The old man moved to stand next to Linkle.
"Thank you." she told him.
"No problem."
More silence as the slaves all glanced at each other, unsure of what they want to do.
"I'm going too." another slave, a woman, decided, "My beloved and I have been separated for years now- maybe... if you are telling the truth... maybe I'll finally see him again!"
One by one, the remaining slaves all joined Linkle by the doorway.
"I'll finally get to see my children again!" one declared happily.
"I've never been outside before!" another said excitedly, "Thanks to you , I'll finally get a whiff of that outdoor air!"
"My aunt was sick the last time I saw her." a third revealed, "If you've already rescued her, I hope you've taken good care of her."
Linkle felt an intense warmth in her heart as all the slaves who were formerly suspicious of her, now smiled at her, and placed their trust in the girl.
Was this... how her brother felt all those years he's protected her?
"There you have it." the old slave told her, "Our lives are in your hands."
"So not one of you are willing to stay?"
Everyone turned to the doorway to see a Human baring the exit, a gun pointed into the room.
"What a shame." he continued, "Round 'em up."
Just then, four more Humans entered the room, all armed with guns.
"C'mon. The first Human continued, "Out of the room."
The five Humans led the Elves through the halls of the building, and into a large, square-shaped room. The room's only feature was a decrepit cabinet that stretched across half the room's length. The slaves were directed into a straight line upon arrival. It was there where Linkle saw Ruto.
"I'm sorry." the Zora apologized immediately, "These creatures were just too fast; they caught me as soon as you entered into that room."
"On your knees." the Human directed.
Linkle could hear the sobbing of a girl further down the line. The sounds frightened her. What exactly was about to happen?
"No point in explaining what you did wrong." the first Human, most likely the leader, began, "You all know what you did wrong. And besides, even if you've learned your lesson, it's not like you'll be able to do anything about it. Ain't that right, girly?"
The girl sobbed, "Please don-"
BANG!
Linkle's body froze, along with her blood.
Was... this really happening?
BANG!
From the corner of her eye, Linkle could see the Human walking down the line, pulling the trigger once for every Elf he walked by.
BANG!
Linkle could feel her body begin to tremble. She was the second to last member of the line, with Ruto, to her left, being the last.
BANG!
The reality of the situation set in like a nail being hammered into wood, with each shot of the gun being an individual strike.
BANG!
He was getting closer... What can she do to stop thi-
BANG!
By now, fresh tears of fear fell from Linkle's eyes, moistening the floor beneath her.
"Don't cry, young girl."
Linkle looked to her right to see the old man.
"Even if we can't be free in this world, we'll all be free in the next one. I... I was hoping to see my son again... one last time before I pass... But I guess some things were never meant to be..."
BANG!
The Human paused in front of the old man.
"Aw, shucks." he sighed, "I'm outta bullets."
Another Human moved forward to hand over his gun, but was silently turned down. The first Human pulled out a long knife.
SPLISH!
Linkle's eyes widened at the sound of blood rushing out of the old man's head. Her breathing intensified as she realized...
...she was next...
Time itself seemed to freeze when the Human paused in front of her.
It was over... it was all ov-
"Wait a second... I believe I caught you two were with that sorceress?"
Linkle didn't dare to look up at the Human.
He chuckled, "We've got something special in mind for the two of you. But first... which one of you's the leader?"
"I am!" Ruto answered immediately.
A moment of silence.
"Oy!" the Human called to the others, "Lookee here! It's one'a them fish people!"
Linkle could see a the others draw near.
"You're right." another Human said, "I thought they were extinct!"
The leader looked down at Ruto, "Nice try, but we know you're not the leader; we were just trying to see if Elfette over here was a big a coward as the rest of her kind. Looks like she is. Well, only one thing to do about that." He turned to his comrades, "You two. Take the fish to the kitchen."
Linkle could feel her very breath begin to tremble as Ruto was taken away.
"Alright." the leader began, "I can see that this is all pretty rough on you, so we're gonna try and make this easy for ya. Now, I'm not asking for much; I just wanna know where your hideout is."
Linkle needed to find a way out of here. She decided to tell the truth.
"...I don't know."
A second of silence...
"Looks like we'll be doin' this the hard way. Take 'er out back."
"What? No! I-I really don't know!"
"An' you expect us to believe that? Don't be foolish."
Linkle was grabbed by both her upper arms, and dragged through the halls, not even being given the chance to walk.
Link had been taken to an area of the stadium that acted as a prison. The sight of bars brought back terrible memories from just this morning, but the feeling being bound by chain was new to him. His prison cell was lit by a single torch protruding the wall above him.
The boy felt absolutely horrible. In just a day he lost, who he considered, his best friend, and had the hope of seeing his sister again dashed after just barely defeating Princess Zelda. The only time he'd ever felt this bad was the night his mother died...
Just then, Link heard the sound of several small pieces of metal rubbing against each other. The sound of the cell opening proceeded.
And there... emerging from the darkness... was Princess Zelda. The Princess closed the cell behind her.
For a second, she just stood there. It was then when Link noticed the layers of bandages that covered her forehead, moistened by a spot of red. She also held a medium-sized bowl in her hands, it's contents steaming.
"Greetings." she settled with.
Link's eyes narrowed. He knew this woman was not to be trusted.
Especially after what he did to her...
To be Continued!
"The two most important days in your life is the day you were born, and the day you find out why."
Chapter 12: The Spirit of the Hero
Author's Note: This chapter was fairly easy to write. I don't know if it was because I knew exactly what I wanted in it. I dunno, I get the feeling it was a short chapter compared to the others. Doesn't feel very short tome, based on the standards set by the previous chapters, but obviously, it's not when you take into account that it took me a few days to a week (genuinely don't remember) to write, and I wait until I can barely keep my eyes open to edit for some reason. Well, whether it was or not, the next chapter should be up soon, so keep an eye out!
...Or just wait until you get an E-mail telling you that I posted a chapter.
