A/N: I don't like writing Ghirahim. Do you wish to know why? HE WON'T STOP TALKING! Seriously, probably most of this chapter is him monologuing. I'm not joking. Anyway, hope you enjoy reading the chapter!
Disclaimer: See previous chapters!
After finally finding the entrance to the volcano's summit, our two heroes follow the only path that leads them through the little lava lakes.
Safely crossing over the lava, they enter a cave to find a Goron!
"Oh, hey! We meet again. How have you been?"
"Pretty good," answers Kagome. "And yourself?"
"I rumbled over here 'cause I heard someone had spotted some interesting things in the area. I have got a hunch they may be down in that direction, but…this flaming wall of fire is blocking the way!" He looks over at the flames in aggravation. "I wish there was something we could do to put out these flames…"
As Kagome was conversing with the Goron, Link was studying the area. Near the wall of fire, there were steps leading up to the depiction of a frog with its mouth open. Beside the frog was a plaque.
Quench my thirst
to clear the path
"I wonder," he mutters to himself.
Taking out one of his water bottles, he pours some of the water into the frog's open mouth. Once the water touched the frog's tongue, it swallowed the water and the wall of flames disappeared.
"Hey," cried the surprised Goron. "The flames are out! Now we can get through here."
He scurries through the open doorway and into the next room.
"What did you do?"
Link hold up his water bottle. "You need to give those frog statues some water."
"Huh."
The two enter the next room to see the Goron stopped by another wall of fire. Seeing the frog statue, they notice that the steps leading up to it are broken.
Getting an idea, Link places his hands on Kagome's waist and lifts her up over his head and settles her on his shoulders.
"Eek," she squeals. "Warn a girl next time!"
Link merely chuckles as he walks over to the frog. Handing Kagome his water bottle, he watches as she pours the water and the flames disappear.
"Hey," the Goron cheers. "Nice work. Now we are getting somewhere!" Without waiting, he hurries out of the cave.
Swinging Kagome down from his shoulders, Link wraps his arm around her waist as they casually follow the excited Goron.
The area beyond the cave looks to be the entrance of a palace built into the side of the volcano. Crossing the bridge, they are once more stopped.
"Those are some big flames," comments Kagome.
Hearing them approach, the Goron turns to them in frustration.
"Do you see this," he exclaims. Talk about intriguing! We are definitely off the map here. I bet there is something super important hidden around here!" They all look up at the giant frog head. "All I can say is that is a big frog with a big thirst. I do not think the amount of water one of your little bottles can hold is going to cut it this time." The Goron pauses to think. "Hmmm…You will have to have a big container to hold the water needed for this job. Got anything like that? And speaking of which, where are you going to get all the water? I gotta say, I am pretty much stumped."
The two walk away to talk amongst themselves.
"I'm stumped, too," Link admits softly.
"I'm not," Kagome says smugly.
Link narrows his eyes at her. "What do you know that I don't?"
"A lot," she retorts. "But in regards to this? What about using Faron's water basin?"
Link nods his head in thought. "Do you think she will let us borrow it?"
"It couldn't hurt to ask," she shrugs.
"Alright," says Link. "I'll head back to Faron Woods and ask about the basin. If she agrees, I'll just call scrapper to carry it back here and we can move forward."
"And I'll just wait here like a good little girl," remarks Kagome.
"You're far from good," Link chuckles. Giving her quick kiss, he heads into the sky.
Hearing her stomach rumble, she gives the flames a thoughtful look before digging into her pack. Pulling out some meat she sticks it on one her arrows and holds the meat over the flames to warm it up. Looking over at the Goron, she sees the funny look he's giving her.
"Do you want some?"
"No thanks," says the Goron. "My people eat rocks." And wanders off to explore.
"Oh well," Kagome shrugs. "More for me!"
~* A Very Long Time Later *~
"Where is that idiot?"
"Bzzrt! Wait for me!"
Looking towards the cavern entrance, Kagome saw Link leading Scrapper over to where she was. Reaching the door, Scrapper looks up at the giant frog head.
"You want me to pour the water on this? No problem, zzzrbt!"
Lifting the giant basin above the frogs head, Scrapper throws the basin at it. Luckily, enough water got on the tongue to activate it.
Seeing Fi come out of Link's sword, Scrapper was beside her in an instant.
"Did you see that, Mistress Fi? If there's anything else I can do to be of assistance, zzzrp, just call me! Anytime, zzzrdbtzz!" With that, the little robot returned to the sky.
"That is one desperate robot," commented Kagome.
"And annoying," grumbled Link.
"The flames blocking your path have been fully extinguished," said Fi. "I recommend proceeding ahead."
"Wow," said Kagome in awe. "I would have never thought of that!"
"Let's just go," Link chuckled.
As they began to make their way to the door, Kagome felt something grab her foot. Looking down, she saw that she was standing on a black hole that had not been there before with a familiar gloved hand holding onto her foot. She tried to shake the hand off as she slowly started to sink into the hole.
"LINK!"
Hearing her panicked cry, he turned around quickly only to see her halfway into the hole. Rushing forward, he tried to make it to her before she completely disappeared.
Knowing he was not going to make it, Kagome took off her pack along with her bow and quiver and was able to toss them in his direction just before the hole swallowed her up.
Reaching the spot where she last was, Link fell to the ground and began beating it with his fists.
"Give her back!"
It was a while before he ceased his movements and rose from the ground, his hair shadowing his eyes. Picking up the stuff she had thrown, he made his way to the open door and down the stairs.
The heated wind blew at his hair and revealed hardened eyes.
"Ghirahim will pay for this," he vowed.
~* Elsewhere *~
Kagome opened her eyes to find herself in a dark dungeon of some sort. An ache in her arms drew her attention and she felt that her hands had been shackled above her head.
"Well, well, well," a familiar voice came from the dark. "Look at what the cat dragged in."
"More like an ugly freak of nature," retorted Kagome.
Kagome felt her face snap to the side as a large hand stuck her cheek.
"The two of you have been a thorn in my side since the beginning," snarled a voice next to her ear.
Kagome quickly closed her eyes as light suddenly flooded the room she was in. Finally adjusting her sight, she finally saw the smug face of Ghirahim looking down at her.
"So you captured me," she snarled. "But you left Link, why?"
"Since our last encounter, I have thinking to myself. 'What is the agonizing way to crush those two bugs?' And then it came to me!" A dark energy enveloped his hand as he approached her. "Why not have them destroy each other?"
Kagome's eyes widened as Ghirahim came closer.
"Now my dear, what was it you said about my choice of clothing?"
Her screams echoed throughout the dungeon.
~* Back in the Sanctuary *~
After what felt like hours, Link finally made it to the final door before reaching the Sacred Flame. Inserting the strange lock, the door opened and Link entered the final room and stopped short. There, in the center of the room, was Ghirahim.
The Demon Lord looked upon him with a sick smile.
"…Oh, hello there Link" he feigned surprise. "I see you're still among the living. Fancy meeting you here. We seem to bump into each other time and time again. Oh, it's no coincidence, though, is it? You and I, we're bound by a thread of fate." With a flourish, he brings Link's attention to a mural above another door. "Look at these old drawings! Until I found these, I was…upset about that little stunt the Goddess's guard dog pulled at the Gate of Time. What was that twig's name? Impa?" He waves it off. " Well, never mind that, because these drawings suggest the existence of a second Gate of Time. This news has just filled my heart with rainbows!"
'…That was mildly disturbing,' thought Link.
"I've been a busy boy, searching here and there everywhere for another Gate of Time." He pops to another location and resumes his dramatic story telling. "And yet, I couldn't even find a single clue. Since I know I can be honest with you, I'll admit I got a little sulky. It was frowns all around." He pops away again and appears above the mural. "The thought of never getting my hands on that darling little girl again was…well, more than I could bear. But then…" he jumps from his place high up and lands in front of Link and moves behind him quickly, rest himself on Link's shoulders.
'I'm creeped out!'
"Then I found this place! The prospect of a second Gate of Time has made me positively giggly!
'How about you go be giggly somewhere else, you freaking fruitcake!'
A/N: In the dictionary, fruitcake is defined as either a cake made of fruit or a crazy person, guess which one I'm using. Seriously, have you seen this guy in game! Tell me the thought didn't cross your mind…yeah, I thought so…
Hoping to catch him off guard, and because he was seriously freaking him out, Link swung his sword at him.
MISS!
Without missing a beat, Ghirahim continues.
"That girl…Your adorable friend…She will be instrumental in bringing about the revival of my master. And though I feared she was now quite beyond my reach, I despair no longer!...But before we talk any further on that subject, there's still the outstanding matter of your punishment, Link. Do you remember when I told you that the next time we met, I'd make your ears bleed from the sound of your screams? Well, I've been thinking…Perhaps corporal punishment is a touch harsh. I might be willing to forgive and forget if you'll strike a deal…All I ask is that you tell me where I can find the other Gate of Time. That's not too much to ask, is it? Oh, and don't you play coy with me. I know you know, so why not let me in on the fun?"
"Not on your life," Link growled. "Now where is Kagome?"
"Such behavior. A mischievous boy like you needs to be dealt with firmly. I must warn you, I won't go easy on you this time."
He just stares at Link with a creepy smile on his face.
Hearing a sound behind him, he moves quickly and just avoids being struck by a sword. The mysterious enemy continues past him and stands next to Ghirahim.
"Kagome?!"
"Doesn't she look lovely," mocked Ghirahim.
Somehow, Kagome's clothing now resembled the Demon Lords with a white bodysuit with diamond shape cuts along the front covering (and he uses the term loosely) her upper body, leaving her legs bare. The skirt around her waist resembled Ghirahim's cape held up by a copy of his belt. A black glove covered most of her right arm and stopped when it reached the gold armband on her bicep.
'If she didn't look like Ghirahim's twin, I would loving this outfit on her,' thought the very male Link.
It was her eyes that caused Link concern, however. They were empty and devoid of life. His Kagome was nowhere to be found.
His thoughts were interrupted as he dove to avoid a familiar whip that appeared out of nowhere.
'I thought she couldn't do that again!'
"I thought it fitting to punish the two of you by making you fight to the death," laughed the insane Ghirahim.
Link continued avoid her blows, whether by her sword or her whip, as was quickly getting agitated.
"I need to take her out of the fight and go after Ghirahim," he mutters to himself. Moving himself closer to the wall, he is quick to get behind his possessed lover and uses the hilt of his sword to strike her on the back of the head, knocking her unconscious. Catching her falling body, he set her on the ground after gently kissing her forehead.
"You rest," he whispers to her. "I'll take it from here."
Laying her down gently, Link picks up his sword and charges Ghirahim.
"You'll pay for what you did to her!"
Smiling at him, the Demon Lord lifts his hands and wills his gloves to disappear, leaving behind pitch black arms.
"Lovely, aren't they? You'll find the supple skin of my arms tougher than any armor. Doesn't their shape just leave you…breathless?" He moves his hair away from his face revealing a diamond shaped pattern running down the side of his face. Much to Link's disgust, he began posing. "Behold! Such beauty! Such a pure form! Such an exquisite physique! Such stunning features! Yes, I've pretty much got it all. Tough there is one teensy, tiny thing I lack…" his face takes on a dark look. "Namely, mercy. Come to me, Link. You and I, we're bound by that thread of fate. Destined to fight. So come close, Link! Meet me in battle, and the thread of fate that binds us will be soaked crimson with your blood!"
A/N: Damn this guy can talk!
As their fight begins, neither notice the lids of Kagome's eyes start to move.
~* Dreamscape *~
"I thought you said I couldn't use that whip because I didn't have your powers?!"
"So I was wrong, sue me!"
"…Sue?"
"Never mind," Gome groans then takes a deep breath. "When I was alive, I didn't even know I had powers until I came in contact with a demon. That may have been what happened to you?"
"You mean Ghirahim actually helped me when he possessed me?"
"I think so."
"That should make him upset."
"Probably."
"…"
"…"
"So…can I go wake up and help Link yet, or do I need to stay here?"
"Do you remember how to summon that naginata?"
"I think so, just visualize it in my hand, right?"
"Pretty much."
"Alright, so send me back!"
"In that outfit? Not on your life."
~* End Dreamscape *~
Ghirahim had been playing with Link until the idiot decided to piss him off and out came two swords.
"Not good," said Link worriedly.
Like he promised, the Demon Lord was not going easy on Link. Being able to teleport, Ghirahim was able to get behind Link and knock him down, his sword skidding a short distance away.. With a sick smile, Ghirahim raised his sword high and brought it down quick.
Closing his eyes and bracing himself to receive the blow, Link was surprised when no hit came, only the sound of blades clashing. Opening his eyes, he saw a strange sight.
"Kagome?"
It was indeed Kagome…who had undergone yet another wardrobe change! This evening's outfit consisted of a long green cheongsam which bared her shoulders and legs. On her feet were a pair of black ballet flats and to top off the outfit, she wore her hair in two buns with a green ribbon that had bells on each end.
Link looked to where the swords were last approaching him, he saw the strange weapon Kagome had used to fight Ghirahim at the Gate of Time.
Pushing the freak shows swords back, Kagome sent a roundhouse kick in his direction to drive him away.
"Now would be a good time to get your sword back," she recommended to Link before charging the Demon Lord.
"Good idea." Link scrambled over to his sword and then followed Kagome in her charge.
With both working together, they were able to subdue Ghirahim.
"…Enough of this foolishness," he pants. "I am Ghirahim, Demon Lord!" He looks up to glare at the pair. "It shouldn't matter how powerful your weapons are, you are still nothing…Not just humans…Human children! And yet you prevail! You filthy scamps! You have awakened a wrath that will burn for eons! I swear to you, whatever it takes, I will drag you into an eternity of torment!" And then he disappears.
"What a whiny little bitch," mutters Link as he puts away his sword and shield.
"I know, right," laughs Kagome as she get rid of her own weapon.
Link snaps his head over to her, having finally realized she was actually standing beside him.
"You're back!"
Kagome looks at him like he lost the plot. "I've been back, you idiot."
Not paying any attention to her words, he wraps his arms around her and holds her close.
"I missed you," he says as he kisses the top of her head.
Tears form in the corners of Kagome eyes. "Missed you, too," she responds. "But we really should get that last flame."
"You're right," sighs Link. "Especially since Ghirahim knows where a second Gate of Time is hidden."
"…HE WHAT?!"
"Oh yeah," says Link. "You were possessed when he told me that."
With an annoyed look on her face, Kagome points to the door leading to the flame.
"Inside, buddy."
Having missed her, Link takes no offence to her tone and simply kisses her before doing as he is told.
Blushing, Kagome follows behind him, muttering plans to cause him pain.
Just like the other two flames, it is protected by the Goddess's crest. Using a Skyward Strike, Link frees the red flame. For a final time, Fi appears before the flame and engulfs herself before bouncing off the walls and at last giving the last of the Sacred Flames to Link's sword. Placing the awakened sword back in its sheath, Link looks at the back of his hand. The final triangle has been lit! Fi appears before the two warriors.
"Master, now that it has been tempered by the last of the sacred flames, your blade has finally revealed its true form. You now hold the Master Sword. With this sword's great power, you can awaken the Gate of Time within the Sealed Temple. I recommend you make your way to this location."
With that, Fi returns to the sword.
"Well," says link as he stretches. "Time to go back to the Sealed Temple."
"Wait a minute," says a confused Kagome. "You knew about the other Gate?"
Link blinks in confusion. "Didn't I tell you?"
"Obviously not!"
"Oh," he says. "Yeah, I found out after Impa blew up the other one. I had gone to see the old lady in the Sealed Temple. That was when Groose followed me, remember?"
"I remember you telling me about Groose, but not about the second Gate."
"Oops?"
"'Oops' is right," she says as she glares at him.
Leaving the Sanctuary, they approach the bird statue.
Pulling out his sailcloth, Link looks over at Kagome.
"By the way," he says. "Love the dress."
He laughs as he activates the statue and leaves before she has a chance to hit him.
"I'll get him for that," vows Kagome as she activates the statue to follow him.