Chapter 24:





Zelda could feel him coming. Link threw open the door.

"Let her go, Ganondorf!" he ordered. Ganondorf smiled evilly, his eyes filled with malice.

"Thank you, Prince, for coming." Zelda cried out. The Triforce of Wisdom began to glow brightly. Link's hand began to glow too, revealing the Triforce of Courage. Ganondorf raised his hand. The Triforce of Power was glowing brightly there.

"I must admit, I never thought you would get this far, Linkathan. I underestimated you, and the Triforce of Courage."

"Link," Zelda cried. "Take these Arrows of Light! Stop him!" She held her hands above her head, summoning the powers of Light. Light enveloped Link.

"I will free you," he promised.

Ganondorf laughed.

"Let me have the Triforce pieces within you and I will let you live," he offered. "The two of you will live the rest of your lives in peace."

"Never, Ganondorf," Link replied. His Triforce piece began to glow brighter. "I will never let someone like you tread over the people of this planet!"

"Fine talk, but you do not stand a chance against me, boy! Your Royal Blood makes you weak!" Zelda smiled. Ganondorf was overestimating his own powers. Good. That would help Link in the long run.

Ganondorf lifted into the air. Zelda saw Navi try and fly at him.

"I can't get close! His darkness is too strong!"

"Navi, Link, be careful!" Zelda yelled. She felt so helpless, but she could not break out of the prison Ganondorf had put her in. She wanted to be able to help Link.

"Watch out!" she yelled down below. Link leapt out of the way of black lightning as it tore across the room.

Zelda was amazed by the skill with which Link handled the Master Sword. She had seen him fight before countless times, but he was at his best now, reflecting the blasts and striking Ganondorf down with the Light Arrows.

Ganondorf let out a scream of rage.

"To think," he gasped, sinking to his knees, "that the King of Darkness could be defeated by this little boy!" He rose up one last time. Zelda dropped to the ground. The ground began to shake beneath her feet.

"He's bring the tower down on top of us," she realized with a start. She began to run, guided by her senses. "Link, this way!" she yelled.

Link, Zelda and Navi raced down the outside track of the Tower, dodging debris and traps. Zelda opened the gates with her magic as they went along.

"Man, I wish Shiek were here," Link murmured. "I could use an extra sword hand."

"I can wield a sword," Zelda protested.

"Not like he can. I guess I just miss having him watch my back."

They arrived at the bottom, and escaped just as the castle came tumbling down behind them.

"What a tragic ending to the Hylian Royal saga," Link whispered. "I never thought I'd live to see the day that castle fell."

"I'm sorry, Link, that you've had to deal with so much."

"It's all worth it if I can be with you," he replied, taking her hand. Zelda flushed. "I love you Zelda."

"I love you too."

"Ohh, how touching." Zelda turned. Ganondorf stood within the ruins. A fiendish glint was in his eyes. "You two will not escape me so easily! I am King, you here me, KING!" The Triforce of Power began to glow brightly. Ganondorf was enveloped by the light.

"What's happening?" Link cried.

"I don't know!"

The light cleared, and a great beast emerged from the darkness that followed.

"I am GANON!" it roared. With a swipe of it's claws, it sent them flying. Zelda landed on the ground, and slid in the mud. Thunder sounded. Link stood. He was trapped within a large ring of fire, while the Master Sword hand landed in the mud near Zelda. She tried to pick it up, but knew it would not work.

"Ha ha, little Prince," growled Ganon, "what will you do without your sword?"

"Link, you can do this! Navi, find it's weak points!"

"The TAIL!" Navi screeched, narrowly avoiding a blow from the great behemoth.

Link pulled out the hammer, his quiver filled with Light Arrows. He blinded the great Ganon, and hacked at it's tail. Ganon let out a roar, and dropped to the ground. The fire ring disappeared.

"Link, your Sword!" Link ran to her, and scooped up the Sword.

"I will finish this once and for all!" he yelled. Link charged back at Ganon. Ganon let out a laugh. The laughter rung through Zelda's head. Thunder crashed all about.

Link screamed, as he was tossed by one of Ganon's blows. He sailed over the Ring of Fire, and landed at Zelda's feet. He moaned.

"Link! No, don't you dare give up on me!" she exclaimed.

"Zelda. . . I'm so sorry," he whispered. Zelda knelt behind him, tears pouring down her cheeks. They had failed. Link closed his eyes.

"This is it. I failed."

"No, Link, no you can't!" Ganon's laughter echoed through out the whole world. Zelda bowed her head. It was over.