I will not lie, THIS was very hard to think about doing. I had the scenarios in my head but I just couldn't put them down. Some I knew what I wanted to do but could not put it down due to being busy. Thank you to everyone who has read, reviewed, favourited it and followed it. It means a lot ^ ^
Enjoy!
"Hmm?" a person wearing a mask looked at the orb in front of him as he took a sip of his tea. "What an odd predicament... this never happened before" the person said as he saw two children navigating through the spirit temple, room by room. Unaware of the other's existence, almost as if they were pieces being moved on a board. Each had spoken to the Gerudo woman and yet received different responses. What a curious thing to happen indeed.
"Um… Dark? Where is Link?" Maemi asked looking anxious as she looked around the area after going through a door to see a crystal at the end of a room, looking up she saw a grate like ladder in vertical manner pointing at the ceiling to her dismay. Grabbing her bow she looked round in order to find something that would help her send it down.
"I don't know to be honest, I can't sense him and yet… I feel he is here" Dark admitted to her surprise as she fired at the crystal causing it to light up.
"How is that possible?" Maemi said before walking through the bridge in order to reach the door. Once there she used her powers to open it and went inside.
"Wha?! The bridge just dropped and- how did the door open?!" Navi cried in shock as she started moving up and down showing how startled she was. Link blinked while his eyes remained wide signalling his surprise, not wasting time since he arrived he ran towards the door before it closed which made Navi fly after him to prevent being locked inside the small room.
"Link it could be a trap… oh?" Navi paused no one except Keese but that didn't mean she couldn't sense the Wallmaster. "Be careful Link there's a Wallmaster in here" Navi said before the pair screamed and backed away as a large shadow landed just where they once where. To their surprise the creature laid dead before vanishing.
"What happened?" Navi cried while Link remained silent not knowing what to say or do about this.
"GHAAA!" Maemi screamed before Dark possessed her body and took a dagger out from her pocket, slicing it horizontally the creature had screamed in agony before laying dead on the floor. "Thanks for that Dark…" Maemi cried weakly before rushing towards the other side of the bridge, grabbing the key she rushed towards the door only to jump back in panic as she saw a few Keese blocking her way.
"Please move, I don't want to hurt you" Maemi said meekly as she took out her bow.
"Why are you talking to them? They won't listen" Dark asked sounding perplexed about what she was doing.
"But still Dark, it is nice to ask" Maemi said as she looked at the bats who stared at her with neutral expressions. "Please Keese, I really need to go up the temple someone needs me to get something at the top" Maemi continued to ask, suddenly she tensed up as she heard a squeak behind her before something touched her shoulder. Her body shook slightly until she felt something move her hair slightly before it stopped moving. Looking to her right she saw two red eyes that would have made her scream had she been too scared to move.
"Please…" Maemi asked the black bat who then looked at the others, after releasing a few series of squeaks the other Keeses backed away from the door to her and Dark's surprise.
"That is… um… something?" Dark said not believing what he was seeing, smiling weakly as she giggled in a nervous manner she looked at the Keese who rested on her shoulder.
"Thank you, I really appreciate it" Maemi said in a shy tone before feeling a wing tap her head lightly before relaxing, this made her giggle more at how kind the bat was being and walked towards the door. It was then that she saw a crawl space at the end of this smaller room that she looked at the Keese. "It would be best if you fly behind or in front, I don't think there is space on my shoulder when I crawl in there" Maemi said, immediately the Keese fluttered off her shoulder and flew inside the crawl space first. Smiling Maemi eagerly followed after it causing Dark to smile weakly at how trusting she was towards this thing, yes they weren't deadly by themselves but together… they were a real pain especially to his light half who they still had not located. Hearing screech Maemi and Dark saw the Keese fly back to her as light suddenly poured into the room and on a sun dial to their surprise.
"I guess since it was sudden that scared you?" Maemi asked as she stroked the head of the startled Keese who nuzzled her as it sat on her lap, frowning she stared at the dial. "Dark, can you sense Link now?" Maemi asked Dark who was now more baffled than ever.
"It's strange Maemi, but I think that he was just in this room" This took her by surprise before cradling the Keese, getting up she went to the door nearby and looked around to see a statue of what would be a Armos on a button on the floor. Guessing this was Link's doing she looked around the room and tilted her head at the statue of what appeared to be a snake woman.
"She doesn't look friendly, is she suppose to be what they think of Din to be?" Maemi asked as she looked at the statue, blinking she picked up traces of crumbled sand on the woman's face and took out her bow.
"Who knows, this is suppose to be a sacred place so they could have many reasons for that being in the room" Dark replied as he saw Maemi shoot an arrow at the face which then started to crumble, startled the pair watched as where the face had once been was showing now a barred door that they could hookshot towards. "That I am sure is where those witches are located. To think a sacred place would be made as a cover to such intentions" Dark said with a frown to which Maemi hummed in agreement. Spotting a door thanks to Dark she went in and began to resume her trek while the Keese remained on her shoulder.
What greeted them was a small light that shone on the ground on the other side of the room, taking the hint Maemi took the block that had a sun dial and levitated it towards the light.
"Okay now I need to get the sun dial- where did it-AAAH!" Link cried out in shock as the block started to levitate and move towards the sunlit spot.
"Do you think Maemi has something to do with it?" Navi asked with a curious look, looking at Navi Link went quiet.
"We searched this part temple and yet we couldn't find her, not even Nabooru has seen her so what is going on? Did Maemi do this?" Spying his Deku stick he went to the torch and started to make ashes as he burned the stick. Once he had enough he started to create a message by the door in order to see if it would cause a reaction.
"Are you here Maemi?"
Maemi who had sighed after placing the block down smiled as she saw the Keese that had once been on her shoulder converse with the others, she then noticed that it was a young Keese that she had befriended and it left her smiling at how cute it was being with everyone. Slowly she went towards the door only to pause.
"This wasn't here before" Maemi mused as she saw a message 'Are you here Maemi?' Startled the pair stared at it for a bit.
"It could be a trap" Dark replied as Maemi took the ashes which felt warm in her fingertip and began to reply.
"Who is this?" she wrote while speaking it aloud, immediately there was a new note below hers- she went cold as the reply was not what she had expected.
"It's Link, did you move the sundial that was on the block to the sunlight?" Maemi looked at her pendent which burned in shock. The Keese that had been with them perched itself on her shoulder, looking at it's friends it started squeaking a bit before they started moving towards the ashes.
"Link something's happening with the Keese!" Navi cried shocking Link as they then went onto the ashes and stared at him, startled Link watched as one tapped his arm with its wing before touching the ashes which then showed the words 'Yes, why can't we see each other even though we're in the room?' Link bit his lip.
"I don't know Maemi but we're one door closer until the treasure Nabooru has asked me to get" Link replied only to see the Keese flutter up and down almost as if they were startled by something.
"That's strange! Nabooru asked me to get treasure as well and she told me she hasn't seen you" Maemi reply startled him.
"But she saw me and spoke about a treasure called the Silver Gauntlets, she said that if I give them to her… she'll make it worth my while whatever that means" Link wrote with a disturbed slash confused look on his face.
Maemi twitched from that last part.
"I think Nabooru's getting desperate after her split from Ganondorf" Maemi said bluntly causing a red faced Dark to laugh knowing exactly what Nabooru was suggesting.
"That poor bastard has no idea what she meant" Dark muttered while Maemi eyed the pendent weakly not truly understanding what he meant nor did she want to know.
"Sick man…" she muttered before hearing him laugh even more.
"Link we're going up, if we're lucky we might meet up with the other. Dark can sense you but we can't see you so I'll ask him if you're in the same room as us" Maemi said before stroking the Keese who then looked at her, thanking the other Keeses for their help she got up and went to open the door while missing out on Link's next message. Going up the place felt cold and unwelcoming to her dismay.
"Be careful I sense an evil up there" Dark said while the pendent felt a little hot signalling he was on edge.
"Is it Ganondorf or the witches?" Maemi whispered before Dark went silent once more.
"Neither, but keep your guard up" Dark said as they entered the room that would lead to the Silver Gauntlets. Looking around it looked bare except for what looked like metal armour was sitting on what looked like a stone throne. Staring at it while walking a bit closer Dark who now noticed what it was started to panic.
"Looks strange…" Maemi stared at it oddly before feeling Dark pull her back.
"Maemi get away from that! It's a Iron Knuckle!" On cue the monster started standing up causing the Keese to screech in panic and start to fly backwards as it kept it's feet on Maemi's left shoulder. Feeling the tug Maemi started to run before diving, a scream left her lips as she narrowly missed the metal axe that almost cleaved her head off while hitting a pillar to her left side. Dark bit back a curse as he tried to observe the monster while making her left eye change from brown to red.
"How do we stop it?" Maemi panicked knowing that thing would have no conscience due to being made solely by magic, so reasoning with it would be useless even if she tried.
"Fire and some weapons wouldn't do much with it either, for now just dodge it's attacks" Dark said causing her to whine a bit before getting up and started to run while avoiding it's axe. Suddenly they heard a loud clank followed by a grunt coming from the Iron Knuckle, turning Maemi noticed it had kneeled down slightly before it got up looking slightly agitated.
"Is Link in the room?" Maemi asked before feeling Dark's relief, sensing that she was left relieved and yet anxious. She then grabbed her bow and began to concentrate on her power while trying to spot a weak spot. "Dark I need you to help me find a weak spot in that armour, it could help us get rid of it quickly" Maemi said while feeling Dark's presence wash over her. Mentally thanking him she then began to concentrate on finding a weak spot. Spotting a small part where the armour was not guarding it's body she fired a bright light which then started to set the Iron Knuckle ablaze, hearing it wailing in agony before it started swinging the axe around in a somewhat panicked manner in order to make sure the intruders died with it. Maemi's heart start to skip repeatedly in fear as she cradled her now startled friend and began to run towards the door and opened it, Dark as she ran sensed Link was following thanks to the open door and relaxed once both of them had left the room. Maemi and Link at the same time sighed in relief not knowing what to make of that event, however just before any of them could respond parts of the temple shook violently before the rumbling that had joined in the explosion slowly started to go quiet. Wide eyed and a little unsettled Maemi looked at the Keese who stared at her with a panicked look.
"Is it gone?" Maemi asked both Dark and the Keese before slowly opening the door, her mouth dropped as she gawked at the room in shock. It looked like a bomb had hit the room to the point everything had been destroyed, parts of the pillar had been either on the floor or had vanished due to the intensity of the explosion. A few semi surviving tapestries were on fire while parts of the floor had been blown to bits, to make it more horrifying there was a large hole on the floor which had been right where the Iron Knuckle had once stood.
"I… really think you went overboard with your arrow, did you just use light or did you mix it?" Dark asked looking extremely uneasy.
"I was aiming for light but I think some fire somehow got mixed with it" Maemi explained looking completely overwhelmed by what she had done.
Link's voice wavered as he stuttered at the scene before him. Not even those Bombchus or large bombs were this dangerous!
"Did… Did Maemi do this?" Navi asked looking really scared at how bad the damage had been inflicted.
"I think so… but she really blew that Iron Knuckle to pieces" Link commented as there was no traces of the monster remaining.
"And there isn't much of the room remaining" Navi said looking more unsettled as Link went to the door he had been aiming to get to. As he got outside he spotted Kaepora Gaebora.
"Hoot Hoot greetings Link, I bet you weren't expecting to see me- ah welcome princess" the owl greeted as he spotted Maemi, sadly to Link's dismay he was unable to see her.
Maemi blinked in surprise as she saw the owl.
"H-Hi? Um have you seen Link? I can't find him" Maemi explained causing Kaepora to tilt his head.
"Hoot… you can not see him? He is right next to you" This took Maemi and Dark by surprise.
"But how is it we cannot see the other?" Maemi asked causing the owl to coo slightly with a confused look.
"Strange indeed, I can see him as I can see you clearly" the owl mused before staring at them. "I can imagine something happened when you were time travelling?" the owl asked causing the four to pause.
"I… I think there was a shift but I passed out before it could fully touch me" Maemi explained earning her a low noise from the Kaepora.
"Must be princess, as you had time travelled at the same time you must have been too weak to travel with him so you both could have been separated as result. Whether you are stuck between space and time could be what caused you to be here while he is over there. Such a strange thing indeed" he said as Maemi groaned weakly. "Worry not, there will be a way to get back. It might happen once Link travels to the future but did you not travel with him to the temple?" Maemi shook her head.
"Link made me stay here" the owl paused.
"Well that could be what happened, if he told you to stay here instead of travelling time with him you could have ended up being left unprotected by the power of the temple. Instead your power must have protected you and left you in a small space until he returns" Kaepora commented causing them to blanch in shock.
"I… I did this? I caused her to be stuck?" Link asked as guilt filled him, looking down Link bit the inside of his cheek not believing what had happened.
"Hoot! Worry not hero things can always be reversed. As for why I am here I wanted to pass you one last final advice and it involves the witches that work for Ganondorf. They posses fire and ice magic, if you can find a way to turn their powers against them then you'll be able to succeed in driving the last evil away that controls the temples. I wish you luck to the pair of you" Kaepora said before flying away leaving them to maul on his words. Link looked at Navi before looking at where he imagined Maemi would be standing.
"Maemi… I didn't mean for you to be stuck, I'm really sorry" Link said feeling more and more guilty for what happened.
Dark who felt Link's guilt had tried to pin point where Link was only to pause as he heard the message, without wasting time he passed on this message to Maemi who smiled softly, grabbing some left over ashes she giggled at the Keese who helped her sort out the message.
"It's not your fault, you were just trying to keep me safe. Who am I to fault you?" Maemi wrote before feeling sadness coming from Dark.
"Dark? Are you okay?" Maemi asked as Dark rubbed tears from his eyes.
"It's not me! It's my light half, he won't stop crying…" Dark said grudgingly which made Maemi smile and started to envision herself hugging both Dark and Link, at the same time she tried to project her feelings to them resulting in the sad feelings to go.
"Link we need to get the gauntlets, I worry for Nabooru" Maemi wrote before going to the chest and started to open it spotting the gauntlets she pocketed them, without wasting time she started rushing towards the door and back down where she came but was mindful of any threats that would come after her. Thanks to Dark and the Keese she was able to navigate without any issues even as she made it to the entrance. Seeing it was empty Maemi was left baffled.
"Where is she? Nabooru?" Maemi called softly before hearing a terrified scream, it was then Maemi went pale and cold despite the fact she was in a warm area. Not wasting time Maemi ran towards the entrance before Dark pulled her to once side but had allowed her to see what was going on. Maemi felt tears run down her face as she saw Nabooru being pulled into a dark vortex, despite struggling it was futile and Maemi could see that Nabooru was growing not just tired but weak.
"You're Ganondorf's henchmen aren't you? Why are you doing this? Where are you taking me?" Nabooru screamed before feeling pain in her abdomen even as she tried to claw her way out of the vortex, "you fiends! Let me go!" Nabooru cried weakly as she tried to grab the sands which were too far for her to reach.
"Dark… we have to do something, Nabooru's in danger and I feel something bad is happening" Maemi said to Dark who was left conflicted, he couldn't move and no ideas were forming in his mind no matter how hard he was forcing himself to think for one. Maemi gripped the statue tightly as tears leaked from her eyes.
"Link! They're using dark magic on me! Get me out of this!" Nabooru pleaded loudly before slowly becoming muffled thanks as her mouth was being covered by the vortex.
"Something's wrong, why does it hurt so much? Why do I feel as if my life is slipping away?" Nabooru started gagging and choking from the lack of air as the sand went into her nose, this caused her to thrash both in pain and fear.
"It's the baby… they're crushing it" Maemi almost started to weep as she felt Nabooru's agony as she was slowly pulled into the vortex, Dark felt his stomach drop as the Gerudo woman's head was now being covered until she vanished completely. Sensing that they were coming Dark shielded Maemi who was crying as she knelt onto the cool stoned floor, her hands covered her face as she tried to muffle her weeping knowing that the lack of air had suffocated Nabooru to the point the baby's life had been completely snuffed out.
"Finally… we caught the traitor" a woman who spoke in a throaty said with a dark chuckle as she entered the temple.
"Perfect Koume now we can finally make use of this traitor" said another throaty voice said before their presence left completely. Sensing it was safe Dark removed the barrier and looked at Maemi who was crying badly, thankful for the shadows Dark knelt down and hugged the distraught girl.
"It never had a chance and they knew, didn't they?" Maemi asked as she hugged him tightly, sighing Dark was left with questions and ideas of his own. Looking up he sensed Link's conflicted thoughts before vanishing, most likely to try to reverse what had happened with Maemi. Slowly guiding her to the Fairy Fountain by using her shadow as cover Dark appeared once it was fully dark and sat beside her.
"We can't save the baby, but we can save it's mother. That's the least we can do for it" Dark explained while the Keese looked up at Maemi with helpless eyes, even it too grew sad about the situation but knew it could do nothing. Slowly the air started to shift before a pull started to take hold of them, not resisting the trio accepted it until they closed their eyes.
Once they woke up Maemi looked down at the Keese only to blink in surprise as it had grown up quiet a bit compared to seven years ago. Squeaking at its appearance the Keese looked at them not knowing what to do.
"Seven years went by, Link's taken the sword from the pedestal" Maemi said to Dark who nodded slowly.
"It'll be okay Maemi, we will save her" Dark said with a determined look despite the fact he too remained sad about the situation, on cue he spotted a shadow enter the fountain with a slow walk. Dark was quick to sense that it was Link who once he got closer looked at Maemi's distressed form with guilty eyes. Beside him Navi fluttered slowly with a downcast look on her face.
"Big brother… they killed the baby Nabooru was carrying, they suffocated her and squashed her stomach on purpose using their magic. Did they not know she was having a baby?" Maemi asked in a broken voice that left Link more upset and angry at how low the witches would go. Kneeling down he pulled Maemi who broke down once more and hugged him tightly.
"I'm sorry" Link said softly before she shook her head.
"You didn't do anything wrong, they did but Dark, Izzy and I know where their hideout is. It's where that giant statue in the main part of the temple is" Maemi said with a frown, blinking Link looked at Dark who was still able to remain slightly solid to his confusion.
"How are you solid?" Link asked before a faint light appeared behind them.
"I believe I can answer that" the fairy said softly behind them, turning they saw her forlorn look. "The link the princess with your dark half has to grown to a point that when he wanted to protect her he used the energy he gained and used it to shield her from their sight. It shows the bonds you both has strengthened quite a lot that you've gained the strength to materialise yourself Dark" the fairy said with a small smile but Dark refused to smile.
"Is there no way to help the Gerudo woman recover her unborn child?" Dark asked only to see her sigh heavily.
"I'm afraid that is impossible, once a person dies they can never be revived otherwise it would cause dangerous consequences" Dark nodded faintly but didn't go near Maemi as it could cause Link to react due to the hostile tension between them.
"We should get going, the sooner we stop the witches the sooner we can save Nabooru" Dark said, looking at Maemi with sad eyes Link picked her up and allowed her to rest her head on his right shoulder.
"I'm counting on you to keep her safe should anything happen" Link's words surprised Dark enough to stare at him, unable to mask his disbelief but instead of speaking he followed Link silently. Once outside they saw that it was night time which left Dark confused until he remembered Link could influence the day and night through the ocarina. Not trusting himself to speak he followed Link towards the temple, not releasing Maemi who gripped his tunic tightly while her eyes were closed signalling that she could be asleep.
Once at the temple Link slipped the gauntlets on and pushed the large silver stone blocking their path, slowly the trio walked through the makeshift path meanwhile Maemi noticed Izzy the Keese she named flying beside her while using it's sonar ability to check for any danger. Hearing a sudden help Izzy flew towards Maemi who looked at Link who gawked at the large statue's face.
"What did you do to the statue?" Link asked while Maemi and Dark remained quiet.
"I fired a light arrow at it, it's face didn't look right" hearing this Link snorted weakly while covered his mouth.
"S-Sorry, let's try to get up there" Link said before the trio began their search.
"I found a mirror shield" Link called from one side of the room before jumping as he heard a loud thumping noise. Looking at the hole that was not there before he moved towards it, seeing Dark and Maemi looking up at him with frowns on their faces.
"We found the platform" Maemi said causing Link to scratch the back of his head weakly.
"Umm... right" Link said with a weak smile before jumping down the hole. To his relief Dark and Maemi caught him and helped him remained on the platform, noticing that chains were keeping the platform in check Link observed the room before taking out the hookshot. Both linked arms with him before he fired at the metal bars, wincing from the sudden pull the trio remained close until it the grate went up.
"This is it" Link said while Dark nodded slowly.
"Maemi, I'll stay within the pendent because these witches will be unpredictable, the last thing we will want is for them to use me against you" Dark said before Maemi looked at him, seeing her unease Dark smiled and knelt down. Placing his hand on her shoulder he gave her a reassuring look.
"It will be okay, we will save her" and with that he vanished and entered the pendent, trying to shake off her nerves Maemi looked at Link who nodded with a determined look who in turn allowed her face to harden. It was time to face the witches.
Once inside a semi grand room they spotted two short women with white hair while holding brooms.
"Hohoho looks like we have intruders here Kotake" said one of the women.
"Hehehe that will not be a problem for us. There's no need to call Master Ganondorf" said the other woman. Maemi bit her lip as her nerves grew.
"Where is Nabooru? I know you have her!" Maemi asked as she took a step forward, seeing this the witches cackled.
"Look at this girl, isn't she a bold one?" Kotake asked with a sly smile.
"What are the chances of her being the princess our King wants dead, sent that Sheikah dog to kill her and even he failed" Koume jeered but Maemi remained unphased as she knew how much it killed Sheik to even be near her without being forced to remember what was ordered.
"If you think dodging the question will stop me from wanting to know then you had better think again. Where is she?" Maemi snapped as a red glint appeared in her eye. Seeing her cold expression caused the witches to pause.
"If you want to know where she is then why don't you face our minion?" Koume asked with a sly smirk before Maemi's mouth twitched angrily.
"Did you know she was pregnant when you squeezed the life out of her?" Maemi asked bitterly silencing the witches who then laughed.
"Her? Can you believe this Koume?" Kotake chortled with glee as she gripped her broom tightly.
"To think she would even allow herself to even have a child" Koume agreed with a shake of her head, Maemi folded her arms and tilted her head up slightly.
"And to know you killed an unborn heir of Ganondorf? Does he know you killed his child before it could even take it's first breath?" the witches stopped laughing and looked at her with disbelief in her eyes. Maemi sighed and shook her head "to think you killed a princess or worse- a prince, I don't think he would thank you for that. After all he could at worst take and moulded the child to suit his ambitions should anything happen to him… oh well, at least he would never know" Maemi said as she sensed fear enter the witches, Link as he watched narrowed his eyes while gripping his sword tightly.
"But we will know won't we?" Maemi continued bluntly as she stared at them with half lidded eyes "although…" the witches tensed up at what she could say next. Despite being in Ganondorf's good graces, taking and destroying what was his was not what he would call a smart. Worst case they could end up dead or even more worse things could happen to them and it scared them to think about it.
"Wasn't Nabooru one of his favourite allies? Killing someone he had an interest in would be considered treason regardless of whether she went against him?" Maemi asked before taking a step forward while the witches took a step back in response, fear now festered to the point their brooms were now shaking badly as they tried to keep a hold of them. "So let me ask again- WHERE IS NABOORU?!" Maemi bellowed sharply not caring if the room had gone colder as she glared at the witches with intense fury that made them go pale in fear. Izzy meanwhile perched itself onto Link's shoulder while narrowing it's eyes at the witches.
"Best answer" Link called causing them to jump "she hates to being lied to or kept waiting" Link added to their dismay.
"Sis, this is bad" Kotake whispered to her sister who nodded with shaky look.
"If the King finds out we're as good as dead" Koume agreed.
"Or I could teleport, turn myself in and spill to him?" Maemi suggested causing the witches to squawk in horror.
"NOO!" the witches screamed no longer able to keep their composure.
"Then where is she? Last chance!" Maemi added before eyeing the Iron Knuckle that looked slightly different to her confusion. Seeing what she was looking at the witches stared at the other before nodding.
"You'll never get out of here alive! Minion!" Koume yelled catching the Iron Knuckle's attention.
"Destroy these intruders on our behalf! Don't let their bodies be noticeable get rid of them completely" Kotake added before the pair vanished into smoke, huffing Maemi watched the Iron Knuckle release a battle roar before clicking it's fingers. Soon it's axe appeared and began to shake it violently before walking towards them.
"Link we need to be careful, something isn't right with that Iron Knuckle" Navi cried before Maemi took a dive and did a swipe at it's legs. Then once it was on the floor she then grabbed the axe and moved it away from the Iron Knuckle who then tried to get up. Seeing this as an opportunity Link charged at it and used his blade to swipe some armour off the monster only once the helmet came off Maemi, Navi and Link released a startled cry from seeing Nabooru's face. Once Nabooru fell to the floor her eyes started to regain focus and looked at them in surprise.
"Princess? Link? Where… where am I? Uuugh" Nabooru groaned as she placed a hand to her stomach once the armour had vanished from her body completely. Maemi seeing this rushed towards the woman's side. "The baby, I… feel weak. What did they do to me?" Nabooru asked Maemi who looked at her with tear filled eyes, seeing this Nabooru's heart stopped as she realised why Maemi was looking at her like this. Looking at Link who also before a guilty look Nabooru clenched her hands while her teeth gnashed in fury and pain.
"How… how dare they do this! It wasn't enough that they killed my baby but they also used me for their evil means" Nabooru felt more fury fill her even as the witches appeared.
"Well… well… looks like someone broke free from our control" Koume muttered bitterly.
"She's just a weak woman and yet she has gained a lot of respect from the other Gerudo… including our king" Kotake added in a blithe tone, despite being scared she was angry that their plans were falling apart.
"Maybe we should make her serve the king a bit longer? After all if she's possessed she can't speak" Koume added causing Kotake's eyes to light up with glee, Maemi continued to keep Nabooru close as her eyes narrowed. There was no way she was allowing these witches to hurt her.
"Yes sister, you are right! We should brainwash her with our strongest spell" Kotake commented before activating a spell alongside her sister. Seeing this Izzy screeched in fear and began flying towards Maemi in hopes of protecting her.
"DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH HER!" Maemi yelled in anger as she stood in front of the witches, using her arms to shield herself a bright light surrounded her, Izzy who had landed on her shoulder and Nabooru who despite being terrified of what the witches were going to do to her felt ease to her confusion.
"Is this… is this the girl's doing?" Nabooru asked a pair of white wings appeared from behind Maemi and blocked the attacks from landing a single hit, soon the barrier of light started create strange symbols that glowed sapphire blue before a light from the barrier slammed into the witches immobilizing them to the floor.
"YOU WON'T HAVE HER! NOT IF I HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY ABOUT THIS!" Maemi yelled as she remained strong for Nabooru and Link's sake.
"Link now while they're immobilized" Navi cried, gripping his sword tightly Link charged at the helpless witches who then cried out in pain from the sudden mortal blows he had given them. Both then landed on the floor while shaking badly due to the pain, looking at the other weakly the started whimper in pain. As Maemi continued to protect Nabooru a soft orange light surrounded the Gerudo woman causing her to look at her hands.
"What is happening to me?" Nabooru pondered which caused Dark to stir.
"Maemi something's happening with Nabooru" Blinking in surprise Maemi turned to look at Nabooru who then smiled as she felt a power surge through her, soon she began to hear the other sages call out to her leaving her feeling more energised than ever before.
"You did it, thank you" Nabooru said with a grateful smile before vanishing to their surprise.
"Nabooru…" Maemi said with a soft sad look not paying attention to the witches who had been slain by Link, wiping his sword clean he placed it back in it's scabbard.
"It's over now… are you okay?" Link asked as he approached Maemi who looked up at him with sad eyes.
"I'm glad we saved Nabooru but… I wish we could have saved her baby. It didn't deserve that" Maemi admitted as she looked down feeling more sad about what happened. Nodding Link saw a door and was about to walk towards it before a blue light appeared near Maemi, blinking Maemi looked at him before biting her lip.
"I guess… you need to go" Maemi said before blinking rapidly in surprise as he picked her up while Izzy hovered beside them, she smiled weakly as Izzy nuzzled her with her furry head causing her to pet the bat softly.
"We'll all go and see her, Impa no doubt wants to see you" Link said with a soft smile as he watched her look away, she then nodded in a shy manner before he walked into the light.
"Thank you, I know you did your best and I cannot fault you for it" Nabooru said with a grateful smile as she stood before them in the Sacred Realm "if it wasn't for you two I wouldn't have awaken as the Sage of Spirit, it's funny that someone like me could be the one you were both looking for" she added before folding her arms and looked away with a bashful smile.
"Still… I… we have a job to do and that is to stop Ganondorf, to think a once kind person would become this evil monster… he ruined everyone with his greed. He even caused the death of this little one who would never be able to see the world" Nabooru said as she placed a hand to her scarred stomach, horrified Maemi approached Nabooru and hugged the not kneeling woman tightly.
"I'm sorry Nabooru, we couldn't stop them. I… I just couldn't stop them then" Maemi broke down causing Nabooru to sigh heavily.
"Maemi, you are only a child… not that I am putting you down but I would never want you to get yourself killed. You both were brave enough going in there to get the Silver Gauntlets and that I would never ask you to do anything more than that, he may have got the jump on me" Nabooru winked "but combined with these Sages we will help you stop him Link, have no fear we will not let him terrorize us anymore oh and be sure to head on over to the Temple of Time. Someone I heard is waiting for you… Maemi… no more tears okay? I would rather my child is somewhere where it would not be in anymore pain then be used by Ganondorf for evil things" Nabooru said with an assuring look despite the fact she was trying not to break down.
"You can say this but your heart says otherwise, so don't go acting like you're okay when you're not! You were brainwashed and used for seven years to do their bidding, not knowing what was going on or who they made you hurt. You can be upset and mad as well" Maemi said as she saw a bitter smile form on the woman's face.
"Oh I am more than mad, but for now I'll hold it in until it's time to take him down. For now take this medallion and run along" Nabooru said as she handed Link the Spirit Medallion. "Be safe you two and you as well Izzy" Nabooru chuckled as Izzy nuzzled her before landing on Maemi's shoulder.
"I really did wish that you and your child would be happy" Maemi admitted before going towards Link, once the four had vanished Nabooru stood up with a sad smile. Tears ran down her face as she tried not to break down.
"I wished for that too, this life… would it be worth bringing a child into this world?" Nabooru asked, without warning a soft light surrounded her, surprised she saw the scars on her belly vanish which left her wanting to cry as it wouldn't make much of a difference. However… it was nice to know that the Goddesses were looking out for her, only just as she turned her head she felt something odd was happening with her stomach.
"Hmm? What is?" Blinking Nabooru placed her hand to her belly only to feel it was a little bit harder to her confusion, she then saw Saria who stared at her as she approached the confused Gerudo woman.
"If I may?" Saria said as she lifted her hand and placed it to the woman's stomach, her eyes lit up as she smiled at Nabooru who remained anxious and worried about what was going on.
"What is it?" Nabooru asked while trying to remain calm.
"Your baby is going to be just fine" Saria said with a kind smile, hearing this news however stunned the Gerudo woman.
"That's… that's impossible, the baby-"
"He had died but he was brought back to life, I think to Goddesses are thanking you for your help" Saria said as she watched Nabooru's eyes glisten with tears, a shaky smile formed on her face as she placed a hand to her mouth.
"Thank you…" Nabooru said while Saria smiled brightly at her.
"Maemi… Link, can you believe that I will have a son? A son of all things… but I promise to raise him to be a better Gerudo than his father. Just you wait" Nabooru said with a happy smile before seeing Impa who gave her a small nod followed by some smiling Sages who appeared to congratulate the mother to be.
"I see that you both have returned safely" Sheik said as Maemi and Link appeared. "Now that you have awakened all the sages there is one last thing I must tell you, it regards about the Triforce. Something that my people the Sheikah have been keeping secret for years" Sheik said while Maemi sat on the steps. As she listened to Sheik speak about the Triforce and how it would split if handled by bad people, it made Maemi wonder about how she had failed to stop Ganondorf from getting his hands on it. Sadness and guilt filled her, if she had been strong enough then Ganondorf wouldn't have obtained it.
"The Triforce of Courage lies within you and the one who bears Wisdom" Sheik said before revealing his Triforce piece created a flash of light, there Maemi stood up and smiled as she greeted her sister Zelda who could finally reveal herself. Seeing that Sheik was actually Zelda startled Link deeply to the point he had no idea of what to say, his mind then went to how protect Sheik was and compared it to how Zelda was with Maemi. Now picking this up Link mentally slapped himself for now seeing this sooner, of course Zelda would act up as Sheik. They were close just like how Maemi was with him.
"I Zelda bear the Triforce of Wisdom" Zelda said before biting her lip as she saw Maemi smile at her. "Please forgive me for deceiving you but I had no other choice, if I allowed myself to be seen Ganondorf would have captured me without hesitation. As the leader- the Sage of Time it is my duty to wait for the others to awaken before I could bestow The Sacred Arrows of Light and the power to help seal him away for good" Zelda admitted.
"I feel awful for using you, please forgive me" Zelda said with a low bow, startled and feeling uncomfortable he approached her.
"I understand, don't worry. Besides… seeing how you acted I should have figured it out sooner" Link admitted with a sheepish smile that took her by surprise, chuckling softly Zelda composed herself as she stood straight.
"Alright, now I must bestow you the Light Arrows for they will be helpful in sealing the darkness. Maemi I will need you to stay safe-"
"Dark's with me sis! He'll keep me safe" Maemi beamed at her sister as she hugged her tightly, Zelda felt part of her inner self shrivel from the comment but knew better than to argue.
"Fine, Dark she is in your protection. Do not let her get hurt" Zelda said before the pendent reacted.
"What do you take me for princess? Honestly! It's bad enough I am trapped in this thing, don't go acting like that" Dark retorted with a frown, hearing this Maemi giggled before shaking her head.
"You three are something else" Maemi said as she watched Zelda hand Link the arrows.
"I hope he didn't say anything bad" Zelda said sharply while Maemi rolled her eyes playfully.
"At least he was just being honest" Maemi said before sensing a dark presence. "Um… sis, this place is protected by darkness right?" Maemi asked feeling more uneasy, going pale Zelda looked at Link.
"Link take Maemi and run now-!" Zelda screamed as she was now encased in a violet diamond.
"Sis!" Maemi felt her stomach drop and began to run towards the diamond in hopes of breaking it only to pause, her body refused to move to her dismay which Zelda recognised was Ganondorf's influence.
"Link help her!" Zelda cried but before Link could save Maemi a violet and blue diamond surrounded her while Izzy was sent
"Zelda you no good traitor! And you! The one I most wanted to meet after your sneaky stunt, did you think I wouldn't get you both?" Ganondorf's voice echoed, to Dark's dismay he was immobilized in the diamond and felt his energy being zapped. "Did you not think I wouldn't notice what you had done with my prize?" Ganondorf bellowed in anger.
"What prize?" Zelda asked while looking at the ceiling.
"I didn't take anything! You gained the Triforce which I couldn't stop you from getting remember?" Maemi yelled only to hear him sneer.
"Oh… I remember, to think that if I allowed him to run about you both would flock towards him. But I never expected him to bear Courage, that itself is a bonus so hero! Come face me, otherwise I'll squeeze the life out of this girl after all, if she doesn't co-operate I'll end her life VERY slowly" Ganondorf said to Zelda and Link's horror.
"You sick monster!" Zelda yelled before screaming in pain as he used his powers, seeing this Link tried to punch the diamond but was unable to break it apart to his dismay.
"Best hurry up Hero, come to my castle… that is IF you dare" Ganondorf laughed as he teleported Maemi and Zelda away. Izzy who now fluttered to Link's shoulder felt it's shoulders sag while looking at him with tears in it's eyes. Seeing this Link sighed and patted it's head softly.
"I know Izzy, we will get them back just you wait" Link said before hearing a squeak below him. Looking down he saw what he recognised as one of the icicle monsters Maemi kept sneezing up.
"That's one of the creatures Maemi kept making when she was ill" Navi commented, seeing it look at him with a sour look a smirk formed on his face.
"Hey do you and Izzy think you can help me with something?" Link asked causing the trio to look at him oddly.
"I can't believe I am doing this…" Link muttered at the atrocious plan he had cooked up. "I think Maemi's rubbed off on me" he added with a sheepish smile.
"Are you all ready?" Link asked once the bridge had been formed thanks to the Sages, behind him was a large army of not only icicle creatures but Keese were now airborne behind him. Hearing squeezes he lifted his sword up. "Let's get going" Link yelled before the icicle creatures charged along side the Keeses. Some icicle creatures even were riding some of the ice Keeses while making a series of battle cries.
"I can't believe you did this" Navi said as she gave him an unamused look that made him laugh.
"I still can't believe I pulled this off, but I'm glad so far it's going well" Link admitted before entering the castle.
"So far…" Navi's voice echoed inside the entrance.