fleets: Thanks for being patient - here's the latest chapter. I also finished a chapter cover this time so check it out on my deviantart page.


Chapter 28: Wizzrobes Love Parties

About an hour and a half later, Link and Vaati had managed to avoid all of Ganondorf's Poes who were on the lookout for them thanks to the renegade wizzrobe's advice. They were now only about a mile away from the castle gates, and they hid behind a rock to decide what to do about getting into the castle. Link was surprised by the transformation of Hyrule from a lively, thriving castle town to a dismal, sinister one. A dark cloud overshadowed Hyrule castle and monsters were prowling around the gates instead of the usual guards. There were a few disfigured (and kind of weird) ice sculptures of mangled people dying (and half melting) off the side of the walls that were the handiwork of the Ice Wizzrobes. Link thought he could recognize a few sculptures that seemed to represent himself and even Vaati with signature pointed hats and whirling capes.

"It seems Ganondorf decided to redecorate while we were gone," Vaati observed flatly from behind the rock cliff they were hiding behind.

Link clenched his fists together in anger, "Everyone better be all right."

Vaati shrugged. "Well, if he thinks like I do, then he'll probably scare everyone to death by letting the monsters roam around the town for the first several weeks. The townsfolk will usually be smart enough to lock themselves up in their houses. After a while, it'll get so boring he might order some monsters to break into a couple of houses and kill them. Maybe one family a week to increase the psychological torture."

Link fell silent and stared at Vaati wide-eyed in shock.

Vaati continued in a dreary, bored monotone. "The guards inside though, again if he thinks like me, he'll probably kill on the spot to shut them up. You know, they can get so awfully screechy and annoying you can't help but make them quiet for good. When all the townsfolk are gone, he might let the monsters just obliterate each other in team battles. Kind of like survival tag, except you die if you lose. That also gets pretty boring once most of your monsters start disappearing."

Link finally found his voice. "… You're sick."

Vaati snapped up, startled. "I'm just thinking about Ganondorf might do," he replied indignantly.

Link continued to stare. "Yeah, except you said that's how you think. Some of the things you sounded like you've already done."

"You can't be an evil dictator without exercising your power," Vaati retorted severely, trying to defend himself, "and besides, I never actually got around to doing most of all that because some annoying little brat like you kept stopping me."

"I was stupid to begin thinking you might not be all that bad," Link shook his head, still in shock.

Vaati scoffed. "That's the problem with you, boy. You think everything is pink and fluffy and nice." He went back to scowling at an ice sculpture of himself and Link that were creatively molded around one of the spiked towers to make it seem like they had been impaled. To rub salt in the wound, whoever had made that particular ice sculpture thought it'd be funny if his sculpture was also simultaneously being stepped on by Link's ice sculpture. Apparently Ganondorf's current henchmen were having a little too much fun during their spare time. Just as he was about to say something to Link, he noticed a large shadow move behind his melting ice sculptures by the tower. He became numb when he realized what it was.

It was Argorok.

"You can't be serious. That dragon… it survived?!"

"What?!" Link immediately looked in the direction of Vaati's nervous gaze and sure enough, the armored dragon was perched along the castle wall. It was difficult to tell from the distance they were at, but it appeared as though Argorok was looking right towards them. "I think he knows we're here," Link trailed off. This was bad. Their two fights with the dragon hadn't been easy, and Argorok could have easily killed at least one of them if it hadn't been for dumb luck to save them. Link waited for the dragon to leap off of the castle walls and fly towards them with fire spewing out of its jaws, but Argorok continued to wait and stare at them with frustration. Apparently something was keeping the dragon from chasing them, but what?

"Look, the renegade is also there." Vaati pointed at the dot of unmistakable light purple of the Summoner Wizzrobe appear from behind the ice sculptures. Thistle tilted his head when he looked their way, and then playfully melted away the sculptures' faces with fire.

"It looks like that wizzrobe is keeping Argorok from attacking us now."

Wrinkles deepened along Vaati's forehead. "This situation is getting weirder. Who ever heard of a wizzrobe ordering an elite ore class monster around? That's as absurd as a king taking orders from a slave."

"He's not letting Argorok attack, and it looks like they haven't warned the other monsters about us yet, but something tells me he won't just let us go in peacefully," Link frowned as the wizzrobe broke off Vaati's sculpture's leg and tossed it over to Argorok who immediately torched it.

"Ehrmmm, actually I think you could be wrong about that," Vaati noted with widening eyes. Thistle tugged at Argorok's helm and whispered something to the dragon. A few seconds later, the dragon turned its great head reluctantly towards the other monsters on guard and roared an order. Vaati and Link watched, stupefied, when the entire group of monsters standing guard on their side of the wall moved over to the other side, making it easier for the two of them to sneak in. The only guard left was one moblin leaning against the gate, but all of the guards that had been walking along the top of the wall and the roofs were gone. Vaati was at a loss for words when Thistle gave them an over-exaggerated bow before following Argorok to the other side of the wall. "And this is another reason why I hate renegade wizzrobes – you can't predict what they'll do next," Vaati mumbled.

"So he does want to help us!"

"I wouldn't put my money on that," Vaati said flatly.

"But look how he got rid of all of those guards," Link waved his arms at the now empty lookouts along the castle wall.

Vaati sighed, and then watched a Kargaroc fly over the Hyrule gates thoughtfully. He didn't completely trust that the renegade wizzrobe meant to help them. "Link, what's your idea on getting us into the castle?"

Link fiddled with the Master Sword. "I don't really have one. Um… walk in?" he pointed at the lone moblin guard at the gate.

The mage let out another heavy sigh, "That's right, I forgot. You like waltzing into fortresses without thinking. What I can never understand is how you always manage to survive."

"It can't be that bad of an idea if I never seem to die," Link countered.

"I happen to be an expert in near-death experiences. I don't want another one of those because of a dumb idea by my worst enemy," Vaati snapped. "I have a better one. Go find two Kargarocs and I'll show you what we'll do."

XXXXXXXX

A while later…

"I said TWO Kargarocs, you fool! Not an entire flock!"

"I couldn't help it! They wouldn't stop following me!" Link yelled as he hurried away from the flying mass of angry monsters that had chased him back to Vaati. He shot one down with an arrow and continued to run. Vaati threw his boomerang towards the Kargarocs, causing them to become flutter to the ground in a daze.

"Okay Link, pick two that look like strong fliers and get rid of the rest."

Link had some objections to being ordered around by the sorcerer, but he hastily defeated all but two of the monsters. He didn't want to run anymore.

Vaati threw his boomerang again to keep the two from regaining their senses. "Hop on. Hurry before it wakes up," Vaati demanded as he straddled one of the Kargarocs.

"This is your idea…?" Link asked in disbelief. "They might not follow orders," he said hesitantly, but followed suit after Vaati gave him a fierce look that told him to stop whining.

"We make them listen. Link, you're not to be nice." Vaati put his hands around the monster's neck as it began to thrash about. He forcefully wrenched its neck straight and jerked it upwards so he could see its eyes. The Kargaroc understood the mage meant business, and abruptly became obedient.

Link tried to copy Vaati, but he couldn't make himself look angry enough to force his Kargaroc to calm down. In the end, he had to resort to putting the edge of his sword against its head to keep the monster from throwing him off.

"Good. Now let's see how well they fly." Vaati gave a sharp tug on his Kargaroc's neck but it didn't budge. Instead, it squawked resentfully. Vaati glowered, "If you don't take us over the castle, I'm going to order Link here to drive his sword through your skull. Now get going."

Link wasn't sure whether the Kargaroc understood what the sorcerer had said, but the mage's voice was menacing enough that the monster took to the air fearfully. Link gave a much gentler nudge to get his bird flying. See, being nice works, Link thought bitterly as his monster followed after Vaati's hurriedly. They flew above the castle gates high enough so they wouldn't catch more attention but thanks to Thistle gathering the sentries away, there was little worry for that. Link noticed he could steer the monster by small taps against its neck. He was thrilled at this discovery, but then became worried as he looked down at all the tiny roofs far below his feet. "Um, Vaati? How are we going to get down?"

Only the sounds of beating wings filled the silence in the air.

"You didn't think that far, did you…"

Vaati angrily whirled around. "I'm thinking, all right? You think too!"

"What do you mean, 'you think too?' I thought you knew what you were getting us into!"

"Shut up, Link! It's not like your idea was any better!"

"At least mine would've gotten us into the town!"

"Where we obviously would've died!"

"I never die!"

"And that's what drives me insane!"

"That's off topic! Don't confuse me!"

They continued to bicker. The pair failed to notice their noise was attracting the attention of the Fire and Ice Wizzrobes who were by Argorok and Thistle. One of the Ice Wizzrobes tapped the Summoner Wizzrobe on his shoulder, and the mage grinned beneath his mask when he saw Vaati and Link. "Perfect," he whispered under his breath, "I have them right where I want them." He whirled around and gave Argorok a hearty slap on his neck. "Well Master Argorok, it seems like you were wrong about where those two were going to come from kehahaha!" He warped away, still giggling, when the dragon angrily snapped its jaws at him.

"You told me to – "

"Nothing to worry about everyone," Thistle announced loudly over Argorok's objections. The wizzrobe took one warning glance towards the dragon before he spread his arms wide to catch the attention of the rest of the wizzrobes. "Let's start then, shall we? Remember, I take full responsibility so don't hold back. Kehehe."

XXXXXXXX

Vaati was the first to realize that something suspicious was going on down below. He nudged his Kargaroc to fly slightly lower so that he could get a better look. "Those wizzrobes are up to something," he noted, taking a respite from arguing with Link.

"– even know why I listened to you! You're such a – "

"For the love of Nayru just shut up!" Vaati jabbed his finger towards the Fire and Ice Wizzrobes who had formed a circle around the Summoner. Thistle had his arms crossed in front of him as though he were preparing for a spell, and his entire body glowed with an electric blue aura that appeared to be fed from the surrounding wizzrobes. Thistle noticed them looking, and Vaati could have sworn the cursed wizzrobe winked at them.

"Ummm, what is he doing?" Link finally managed. "He's still on our side, isn't he?"

At this moment, Thistle laughed loudly and threw his arms towards Argorok perched next to the group of wizzrobes. The aura surrounding Thistle threaded towards the dragon so that now Argorok was glowing in the same way. Argorok gave a shriek of protest, but after a few seconds he looked at his back in surprise. Not only had his crippled wing been partially restored, but also a new set of magical wings that were even larger than his own was spread wide behind his back.

"He was never on our side," Vaati's eyes narrowed sourly.

"VaaaaatiiiiiIIII!" Argorok screeched, his new set of wings propelling him into the air.

"Jump!" Link cried, and he reached over and forcefully pulled the paralyzed wind mage with him; Vaati wasn't a natural fighter and didn't have Link's reflexes. The two landed with a heavy thud onto the rooftops below, and they heard a dreadful crunch as Argorok's jaws closed down onto the two unlucky Kargarocs they had been riding. They scattered behind a tower to catch their breaths.

"Forget crippled. He's even faster than before…" Link gasped.

"We have to take down those wizzrobes," Vaati nodded his head towards the group of wizzrobes a few towers away from them. "They're distributing their energy towards that Summoner Wizzrobe so that he can cast really high level spells he wouldn't be able to cast normally. It's because of him that Argorok remains a threat."

An incoming roar warned them to start running again, fast. Argorok crashed through the tower they had been hiding behind, spewing blue flames instead of his usual red. It appeared Thistle's magical upgrade allowed the dragon to breathe hotter flames.

"Vaati stun them all at once with your boomerang. They're defenseless!" Link shouted as he took out his bow and aimed it at the Wizzrobes who were completely exposed as they were spell casting.

"Got it! What the –" Vaati skidded to a halt just as a huge, mystical blue claw crashed down in front of him. He fell back, covering his face from the splinters that flew everywhere. "Tch!" Vaati jumped onto his feet and looked towards Argorok who now also had additional claws that extended from his body.

Thistle peered at them from the corner of his eye, and tutted. "Ah ah ah, not so fast." The Wizzrobe slid his arms across the air, and Argorok moved to the side in a similar fashion. It was like a puppeteer controlling a puppet.

The dragon hissed and settled between the two partners and the wizzrobes. "You have foiled me twice, but thrice you will defeat me not." Argorok was about to close in on them when more blue rings appeared around his neck and tail. They stopped the dragon's movement completely, and Argorok growled when Thistle giggled at the new development. "What issss the meaning of thissss?" He would have flailed his tail in frustration if the blue rings didn't stop him from doing so.

An Ice Wizzrobe cocked his head with a bit of strained exertion on his voice. "Yes, Summoner. We are sacrificing much of our energy already. Haven't you had enough to be able to let Master Argorok fly?"

Thistle sniggered wickedly. "Well Master Argorok, you just admitted you were foiled not once, but twice! You have a terrible track record."

"What issss the meaning of thissss?!" Argorok roared again when his neck was twisted upwards, making him unable to spew fire at either Link or Vaati. The hero and the sorcerer could only watch, dumbfounded.

"I'm just making sure I have your full cooperation, that's all. What if you make another mistake and fail to please Lord Ganon a third time?" Thistle took a moment to laugh, and at this point the other wizzrobes were beginning to exchange worried glances with each other. Argorok stuttered; it didn't bode well when the ordinarily giggly wizzrobes were actually looking perturbed. Thistle abruptly stopped laughing and cocked his head indignantly, letting his true colors show. "But… oops. You already made a mistake." He circled his hands, and Argorok's neck helplessly followed the same motion so that he was now facing the group of wizzrobes instead. "Me, on your side? Didn't you know I'm a pathological liar?"

"What issss your motive, traitor?" Argorok glared at his puppeteer murderously. His body out of his control, Argorok lashed out and attacked the Fire and Ice Wizzrobes that had been allocating their power to the Summoner. Only a few lucky ones managed to warp away to safety, but Thistle immediately sent the dragon to hunt them down.

Amidst the chaos, Link and Vaati backed away from the fight. Link blinked, and slowly put his bow away. "I guess we can leave it to that crazy wizzrobe to take care of things up here?"

Vaati gave a deep frown. He knew what the wizzrobe had done, and as a fellow sorcerer he didn't like it. "That wizzrobe," he began, "that wizzrobe… his aim was to siphon energy off of the other wizzrobes to make himself powerful." Vaati would have taken that course of action himself back when he was still trying to become the greatest sorcerer in the world, but he'd believed that no mage was dumb enough to voluntarily donate his or her own Force energy to someone else. This voluntary energy transfer was semi-permanent: only if the other mage died would the donor gain his or her energy back.

"In that case I can make you as upset as I want, for I am already as good as dead."

The wizzrobe's comment came ringing back in Vaati's ears. Oh, that's right. The other wizzrobes were confident the Summoner would die after their task was over with, because the Guild had condemned him to death. Vaati face palmed. Those imbeciles… the renegade must have made a convincing argument. Vaati shrugged. "His plan all along was to gain more power."

Link nodded for a moment, but then confusion blossomed on his face. "Wait a minute. If that's all he wanted to do then why did he need us here? Couldn't he have done the same thing when Argorok first saw us outside the castle? Why go through the trouble of moving the other wizzrobes away so they wouldn't notice us, and then get them to start the attack once we were on the roofs?"

"Because I love parties. Don't you love parties too?"

Link and Vaati jumped away from Thistle who had suddenly appeared behind them. The wizzrobe shook his head in disappointment.

"Unfortunately I've yet to hear from one more person to attend. I hope he RSVPs soon, or this party won't be as fun." The wizzrobe laughed, and the other two tensed as they drew their weapons. "The last guest usually doesn't like to go out of his way to attend parties, you see. He usually only attends private parties that take place in his own home, and only when his friends bust down his door. But I thought that if he hears just how much fun we're having, he'll just have to take a look outside." Thistle looked at them coldly from behind his mask. "After all, everyone loves parties."

Vaati ground his teeth together. "You're talking about…"

XXXXXXXXX

"Lord Ganon." The Darknuts standing guard bowed and allowed the King of Darkness to pass. Ganondorf's steps thudded down the hall in slow, deliberate steps. Opal trailed behind him lifelessly like a piece of dust stuck on a broom. Ganondorf's expression became much more menacing with each thunderous crash the castle suffered from the battle above.

He stopped a poe that was unfortunate enough to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. The ghost froze up in fear and almost dropped its precious lantern when the Gerudo addressed it. "What's going on up there?"

"L-L-Lord Ganon! Master A-Argorok is currently f-f-fighting the w –"

"Tell me. Just how hard can it be to subdue one boy with a sword and one useless mage?"

"…Um, apparently extremely difficult, my Lord."

Moments later, Ganondorf was making his way up the staircase of the Northern tower that would take him to the rooftops. Unluckily for the poe, honesty had not been the best policy. At least it wouldn't have to worry about dropping its lantern anymore.

Ganondorf balled his fists in fury. He was surrounded by incompetent fools, and that fact alone made him more annoyed than anything.

He was going to finish things himself.


fleets: I thought I could squeeze in the entire battle in this chapter, but I decided against it. You might recognize some parts of the original, but now that Thistle's in this story a lot has changed.

Purplegc: I have lots of plans for Thistle in OA. He was really created for that story after all (and only afterwards stuck into this story). Unfortunately I think it'll be a while yet until Thistle makes his official appearance in the other story :/

Bishieluver01: I kind of want to play WW again - that was one of my favorite Zelda games. Also, I really want to start writing the WW arc! I have a few changes that I'm pretty stoked to write about this time around. Thanks!

Reily96: I honestly didn't mean to create another asshat of a character, but the more I progress this story the more Thistle takes part in asshattery. I had a twinge of guilt when I wrote about Thistle turning on all of his fellow wizzrobes after taking their power. But... only a twinge.

Midna Hytwilian: LOL. OOC Vaati hahaha. Ionno... I'm always surprised, especially since this story is a rewrite too. O.o (bows) I owe you guys!

SubZeroChimera: It's reeeeaaally interesting you would point out their similarities. I'm going to be all mysterious and leave it at that (shifty eyes).

SilverEyeShinobi: Oh yeah I icompletely/i forgot about Blizetta. Probably forgot because that was a boss I didn't care that much about lol. Dang you're so right! The ice dungeon gave me a good lot of problems. Even the item you got in that dungeon (ball and chain) was awkward to use (I'm not patient enough to use slow items haha). Hmmm, I don't think Vaati will meet those two - I can't think of a way to incorporate them at this point (though I can imagine a few funny incidents).

Lord Siravant: Poor Argy indeed! Not only his sanity, but now his physical well-being is at stake. Let Siravant know that I haven't forgotten (it's coming along slowly but surely). I finished up to the base coloring so the next thing to do would be the shading and details. It'll be done eventually!

Sapphiet: Yup... if only Argorok listened to his gut. Poor dragon, nothing really good happened to him this whole story...