"I now understand you."
Zelda, Midna, and Ganondorf position themselves alone on a hill near North Castle. It has been hours since the battle at Saria and the Hyrulean Resistance moved quickly. After regrouping with the group that wasn't stuck in Saria (and almost decided to retreat. Zelda and Link standing up to Ganon moments afterward kept them from doing so), teleportation magic was used to ship the entire group to the ruins of Rauru Town.
Being the only ones to know the castle front and back (and sneaking inside a day prior), Sheik and the Sheikah concocted a battle plan to infiltrate North Castle. Oren will create a dense fog that will allow Zelda, Midna, and Ganondorf to sneak around the castle walls and enter from the back. Ralph, Nayru, Hilda, and Oren along with Mipha and the Zora will use the waterways connecting to the moat of the castle to infiltrate the dungeons and rescue a man Sheik called Ezlo. Riju and Ravio, absent from the battlefield, were sent by Zelda to test out Fi's previous hunch about the souls used to resurrect Ganon. The rest of the forces will march to the field outside the castle and hopefully draw enough attention so that Zelda, Ganondorf, and Midna can get to the throne room without much trouble from the monsters.
According to Sheik, the castle wasn't well-guarded, but it had no reason to be. Now, he estimated Vaati will have impediments at every route. That might include Veran and Twinrova. Besides those two, he expects the seven of them to be able to get around the castle without too much difficulty. Zelda will have Fi as a guide while Oren's team will use Nayru's memory of the castle during her stay.
"You understand me?" Ganondorf replies in response to Zelda.
"Yes. Back then, when we first met… I understand why you were the way you were. After seeing Link go through the same thing, I finally get it. Being defeated as you were, with the legacy you two have, and being broken… It makes a man want to be stronger. Link thought me to be dead by Ganon's hands and it shattered the unbreakable spirit. You watched helplessly as Calatia was attacked by a power far beyond your understanding and at the call of Ganon, your great pride gave way to him. The Fierce Deity, being gifted Ganon's power...if you two fell to inner darkness, then what about me?"
"Link told me once that we weren't any different. We knew each other because we were the one and the same. He was right, after all." Ganondorf sighs and turns to the red horizon against the dark sky. Dawn of a new day is approaching. The castle, barely visible, looks even more haunting to the trio. For Zelda, this is the first time in her memory seeing the castle; for Ganondorf and Midna, this is the closest they've been to it. It is as big as they've imagined it, much larger than any of the other palaces. Surrounding the castle is a city, but according to Sheik, it seems to be fully devoid of activity. If people still live there (which is the current hypothesis) they haven't left since Rauru fell. No one has come in or out besides the Imperials.
The mission begins at sunrise, so there's at least a few minutes before the celestial provider of light sneaks above the horizon line. With that on her mind, Zelda takes a deep breath and steps away from her comrades to check on their horses. Ganondorf and Midna stand alone together, gazing at the large plain of green between them and their final destination. Crossing her arms, Midna huffs with some degree of disappointment. "You know how in the stories, the final dungeon has thunder and lightning? Not here. It really is messing up the ambiance."
Ganondorf snorts. "We're here after five years and this is what you go to say? You hate the nice weather?"
"Yeah." Midna turns to Ganondorf, softly shouldering him. "Hey, tough guy, what's with the solemn look?"
"I didn't get to beat Ganon or Zant like I wanted to, that's what. But I guess those fights were not mine in the slightest. It was yours and Link's. But Vaati, I'm getting some of that action."
"Save some for me… But you are right. Five years, we've finally made it. Together, as promised." Midna reaches for Ganondorf's hand and squeezes it tightly. Ganondorf looks to Midna and smiles, then leans down and kisses her. For the short longevity of the kiss, they forget the impending doom, the upcoming fight, and the troubles of the world. They even forget the heartbroken woman nearby, who can do nothing but hold the swords of her beloved.
Around a half-hour later, the first rays of sunlight poke over the horizon. Dense fog blankets the plains around the castle, barely allowing anyone to see out of it. Even high in the castle, neither the king, queens, wizard, or adopted princess can see the force approaching North Castle.
Leading the charge are the Gorons, the hard-bodied humanoid rolling across the field with the sound of a war drum. Some distance away, the Hylians march in a rugged formation. They walk united, inspired by the sacrifice of Link, but with each step of determination and courage comes with the following step of fear and despair. They're not soldiers, they're regular men and women who want to be free. Leading them is Sheik, the scarfed warrior staring at the home of his former liege and the standing symbol of Hyrule's imperialism.
Just north of them, the Zoras and their human comrades await the signal to dive in the river leading into the city. The Princess continues to use the water from the river to create the low-lying condensation while the royalty of Lorule and Labrynna nervously stands behind her. Like their friends on the hilltop, this is the closest they've been to the castle in their lifetime, even Oren who used to live not too far away. Two years ago, they were just a ragtag group of dissidents; two months ago, a small but troubling rebellion; now, on the verge of capturing freedom. For them, this is a moment they honestly thought they'll never reach, and it is still unbelievable now. They didn't fight their way here, Vaati insisted on their presence a week prior, and now they have come.
At the castle, the Imperial Queen stands on the front castle wall overlooking the field. The mist might cover the rebels, but she can sense the lives of each and every ant approaching the capital. She knows, just as her enemies have already thought, that this fight is the end of everything. She does not agree with her husband's methods of not squashing the heroes twice now when they've been vulnerable, but even she notes that he has his reasons. Ganon is gone, Link (both of them) is gone, and even the goddesses are powerless to stop them. If they make the Princess of Hyrule and the King of Thieves submit, no one can stop them. Even if their army continues to advance, Veran has already left a little surprise for the rebels with Castle Town.
Elsewhere, the Imperial Princess sits still in a meditative pose in the courtyard. She cares not for the rebellion at large, but the presence of her flesh and blood close by...and no Riju to interfere...it forms a twisted smile. Finally, after five long years, she will get Ganondorf all to herself. She will fight him for her sister, Kotake; for the girl she looked up to, Aveil; and for herself.
Back outside, Sheik halts the advance behind Daruk and the Gorons. Narrowing his eyes at the sight of the castle, he glances to the southwest in the direction of the hill the strongest rebels wait at. He nods to Kafei and the man lifts up his bow and aims for the lightening sky. He shoots an arrow into the atmosphere and seconds later, it illuminates the plains with an explosive light. For now, they'll hold this ground until those three and the Zoras are within proximity of the town.
Ganondorf turns to the saddled women behind him while mentally connected to the other sages and points to the explosion. "Everyone, that's our cue. Nayru, Ralph, Hilda, Oren, good luck!"
"See you guys on the inside."
"If we don't, take down Vaati once and for all!"
Zelda nods. "Right. We're counting on you too!"
Midna gallops back up on the hill. Behind her, scores of warriors from the Twilight Realm stand to "avenge" their former king. "Let's not make His Majesty wait a moment longer. Hiya!" She leads the charge off the hill with Ganondorf and Zelda right behind her. Due to the fog, it is unlikely the trio can be seen from the castle, but their path is free of obstruction for now. To the north, Ralph, Hilda, Nayru, and the Zoras dive into the river and swim forth towards the castle.
None of them advances for the same reason anymore. The Labrynnians move forth with vengeance for the battle that claimed their queen; the Princess of Lorule seeks to avenge her lost kingdom; the Zora Princess desires vengeance for the Octorok's attack on the Zoras; the Twilight Princess seeks to accomplish her father's dying goal; the King of the Gerudo looks for vengeance for his people and to put down his sister; the Princess of Hyrule, freedom for her people.
But the endgame is the same. The Imperials must fall. There'll be no mercy from the seven who head towards the castle, else the sacrifices of people made before are all in vain. Twinrova, (whether she lives or dies), Veran and Vaati are the only things standing between a world of light; in turn, they stand between the Imperials and a world of shadows.
"If this is anything like the last battle, it will be hell."
Sheik looks away from the man who said that."This time, we will be part of it." He draws a blade and rides in front of all the Hyruleans. "All good men and women of Hyrule, advance!" Behind him, the Hyruleans look confused. Aren't they supposed to wait for a signal before advancing? The fog, while not as thick as earlier, still hides much of the field. Sheik knows all of that. He also knows that both teams have had enough time to get close to their destination. and knows fear still dominates their mind. Turning his horse around, he looks to the assembled force and addresses them. "The fate of Hyrule will be determined at this very moment! I do not see a future in which we sit here again and don't help those moving forward! We will fight with Zelda and either live or die! We're not heroes, we're not princesses, we're not sages, but we can give our hearts!" Sheik turns his horse around and slams his fist into his chest. The military salute of the former Hyrulean Army. "Reclaim Hyrule!"
Sheik rides forth towards the castle, immediately followed by the Gorons. Soon after, the thundering screams and steps of all of Hyrule roar behind him, repeating "Reclaim Hyrule" as they march onward out the fog.
As they come out of it, they can see the army of monsters prepared to defend the city. They look to be strong, definitely not for the majority of amateurs Sheik is leading. However, he won't let be discouraged. "Keep going!" As he stretches his arm out, Sheik fails to notice a large shadow creep over him in time to avoid a large talon grabbing him off of his horse's back. Sheik, shocked, looks up and sees his captor is a large, multicolored bird. The fog really hide this beast...no matter, he could probably get out of it, but for now, he concentrates on the Hyruleans who look up in fear.
"Keep going! The Imperials are right there! Reclaim Hyrule!"
Chained in place in the throne room is Ezlo and Zelda, both able to somewhat see and definitely sense the events occurring outside. Their hopes and fears come clashing as the distant explosion in the sky vanishes. "Zelda, what do you think that was?"
"The Resistance. They're here."
"Well, yes, but was that explosion a signal or a warning?"
"Possibly both, Master Ezlo." The two turn their attention to a surge of power from behind the throne room. It is accompanied by a blast of light that blankets the throne room and beacons the location to the outside world. It comes from the chamber sealed by the thrones, a location only known to the Royal Family that once housed the Triforce. Within, Vaati sits, temporarily shut off from the rest of the world.
With him is the Triforce, now possessing its full power.
He knows they have finally come as invited. They're Hero-less, but he knows Zelda's will and Ganondorf's pride. Those alone will make them fight no matter what.
"The future?"
"Yes, the future. I have foreseen it. A boy and a girl from another world. A princess of the Zoras and the prince of a faraway kingdom. A girl of the desert dwellers and a girl with the power of day meeting night. I see them standing alongside three youths chosen by the gods. A king of the blood of the demon, a boy raised by a knight with the courage of heroes, and a girl whose light will one day make you cower in fear. I might not see that day, but I will be proud of her."
"I should have known the one you spoke of would be your daughter. I would have snuffed her out quickly." Vaati sighs as the light of the Triforce dims and stares at the mark. He could make the wish now and end this, but the princess has come all this way. He will not be foolish and wait too long until it is too late. No, he will let her witness defeat with her own blue eyes.
"Zelda…the time...has come…"
Twinrova's ears twitch as the squeaking sound of an opening door is caught. A moment later, she hears three sets of footsteps enter from the other side of the door. She listens to their conversation about how, despite the gloomy miasma, the castle is very beautiful. Zelda comments on the two towers nearby, how they must be the joined towers that her mother and father once lived in when they were youths. How many adventures did they go on, what shenanigans did they really get into...where they any different from her and Link when they were younger?
Next comes the surprised shouts of Zelda and another woman as fire and ice separate them from the single male in their group. She opens her eyes and stands up, twirling the twin scimitars in her hands as fire and ice coats one sword each. Her golden irises glow with hatred as she eyes her enemy.
"Ganondorf… Brother, you have come..."