Goddess Send
Act 11
Not As Planned
A/N: Be warned, this chapter is an absolute dialogue dump. We're making the transition between adult and child, and everyone knows how much Rauru talks... Past that, I hope you enjoy the twist that I've been planning since day one all those years ago.
2021 update: yes, you read that right. This wasn't written this year. It's been done for 2 years. Two weeks after the last chapter, actually. But, I wasn't happy with how the chapter turned out. Cowriter insisted I just post it, I said nay, then lost my Microsoft surface, meaning I lost the chapter. Finally got the thing back, so here we are. I'm done trying to promise updates though. I work a night shift security gig now so I can write at night when all is calm, we'll see if I can keep a consistent writing rhythm going. Thanks as always for the patience, enjoy the twist that I have sadly taken a decade to get around to dropping like a Shyamalan wannabe
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Link gently stoked the fire, the crackling of the tree sap burning calming his riled nerves. He hadn't had that nightmare since his journey began... he had hoped it would never return, but now...
It was painfully obvious that he experienced what Zelda had had, a premonition. The dream was exactly as it was the day he was summoned by the Great Deku Tree... his father that he couldn't save... And looking back, it was almost terrifying that he took this long to realize. In the dream, he stood before Hyrule Castle as the gates were lowered, and out came both Zelda and Impa on a white horse. This is where he realized it was a premonition, as he had this dream long before he met the two. Yet, the dream wasn't foggy or distant in any instance, it was as though it wasn't a dream at all. This frightened him, as if what Zelda said was true, this was going to come to fruition... and the next part is what scared him most.
If this was indeed going to come true, then... "Ganondorf..." Link mumbled under his breath, stabbing the fire hard with his stick. That father killer... In the dream, he rode a black stallion covered in ornate armor. The man sat upon his steed tall, putting out such immense presence that it nearly woke Link from the nightmare just upon seeing him. Hell, some of the times in the past he had woken up crying. The man was truly terrifying. But this time, it continued forward. The man spoke to him, though he couldn't hear his words, then he held up his hand and hit him with magic.
Magic... Link brought a hand up to his sword and clenched the hilt. He had magic... if this was really going to happen, maybe he had a chance to put down the Gerudo King before things got out of hand... But could he? Bringing his hand back to his side with a sigh, Link weighed his abilities versus the dream's rendition of Ganondorf. Even in the dream he felt the sting and burn of his spell. Could he deflect it with his own magic? He doubted it, as he was still mastering it. It was a miracle that it had come out the way it had against Barinade. He and Navi had already discussed it, deciding that for the time being, it seemed to gain power from his emotions. Navi warned him that that was incredibly dangerous, and that she wanted to return to a great fairy as soon as they could to help him refine his ability before it lashed out at the wrong time.
So magic was probably out of the question. Did he have any equipment that could help? He could always light a bomb and chuck it at him. He smiled at the thought and laughed softly. No, he'd be caught in the blast too, and he remembered the soreness from the bomb flower incident on Death Mountain Trail. He had acted tough, but he felt that pain for days. The fight with King Dodongo had made that worse, but he digressed.
His slingshot and boomerang wouldn't do much, he deduced. They were just too weak for armor, which the beast of a man wore prominently in his nightmare. Nightmare... perhaps he was overthinking this. It was a dream, perhaps it wouldn't play out exactly as he foresaw. Maybe he could-
"Link?" the boy turned to face the voice. His fairy partner had roused from her sleep and floated up to him, "Shouldn't you be asleep? We have a big day tomorrow."
"Yeah, a long hike and an even longer conversation with Princess Zelda. Big day," Link laughed coldly. Navi wanted to scold him, but she could easily see in his eyes he had a lot on his mind.
"Just don't stay up too late, ok? You know I worry..." Link's eyes widened a little at this. He had been so lost in his thoughts he had once again let go of his physical wants and needs. He did this all too often, and it was part of the reason his body was always so strained when he needed his full strength most, as well as why his friends worried for him so much, nagging him nearly to death. Looking over to his fay companion, he returned the smile she gave him.
"I know, Navi. Thank you for that. I'll get back to sleep soon. Just... have to think a little longer."
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"Ok, daddy. Everything's checked out, we're good to go." Malon giggled cutely as she watched her father snap awake at her words. He never stayed awake long.
"Oh, good! Alright then, let's get going!" The two had managed to hit a large rock, which shook their carriage to the bone. And after Link's acrobatics act in Zora Domain, the cart had been looking a bit worse for wear. Malon swore to give the little fairy boy a piece of her mind next time she saw him...
It was at this thought that the fiery redhead's eyes drifted towards the castle. Dark storm clouds had gathered over the entrance, painting a gloomy sight for their arrival. The cart had stopped only a mile up the road, meaning they were close to arriving, and could clearly see the gate... "Daddy...?" Malon cooed as she held a hand up to block what little sunlight was still peaking through, "Isn't that... Link?"
Talon mirrored his daughter, gazing into the distance before laughing loudly, "Well I'll be, it is, isn't it!" Both lost their smiles as the gates to the castle lowered with a flash of lightning illuminating the entire field. Before the bridge had fully lowered, a white horse leapt off the thick oak, slamming down on the field and nearly trampling the boy. As they watched the scene play out, another horse tromped forward, it's owner glaring down at Link before creating a sphere of magic and firing it at the boy.
Malon leapt onto the cart, not taking her eyes off of the scene before her as the boy somehow deflected the bolt before bringing out his own special magic and chucking it at the man. The moment the bomb's explosion rang, Malon ripped the reins out of her father's hands and snapped them as hard as she could, bringing the mules to full speed without a second thought, "What in tarnation has that boy gotten himself into now!?" Talon shouted as he held on for dear life, occasionally peeking glances over his shoulder to make sure the cart was holding out.
Malon didn't respond, watching the dust cloud for any sign of her best friend. The only thing that arose was the black stallion, her master leaned in close to her body as they tore full speed across the field. He had a disgusting scowl on his face, alongside a few specks of blood dripping from his forehead; Link must have done the damage he needed, but where was the troublesome boy?
A smile blessed Malon's lips as she saw the child rise from the castle moat, but without even a second thought or a moment to dry himself, Link bolted across the bridge and into the castle town. Within minutes, their cart had arrived and Malon wasted no time tossing the reins to her father and leaping from the still moving cart, "Go daddy, I need to make sure Link is alright!" she smirked as her father waved his hand over the cart before disappearing into the distance. Malon's eyes scanned all areas of the town, looking for the green cap the boy never went without. From the corner of her eyes she saw it, heading towards... "The temple of time? But why...?" She shook her head before taking off after him. She felt a sense of urgency, pouring out from her chest with a warmth she was almost becoming accustomed to. Sharp was urging her forward. She still wasn't comfortable with the idea of the composer's soul taking residence in her body, but she let it go as she continued her pursuit.
Skidding around each bend she finally entered the temple of time, only to hear a malevolent laugh resounding through the chamber. It terrified her, but she pressed forward. On a pedestal in the center of the temple rested three glowing stones. She slowed to stare at them for a moment, recognizing each and the story behind two of them. Link had shown her the Kokiri Emerald once before, and she was there when the leader of the Gorons, Darunia, had bequeathed Link with his family's sacred stone. Before she lost herself further in her thoughts, she heard the squeak of a certain fairy, and pressed forward, finally seeing her friend standing in front of... a sword?
She quickly moved ahead following him into the room just as the boy took hold of the blade and lifted it out of it's stone, "Link, what are you doing!?"
Link spun his head to eye the girl, "Malon? What are you doing... here...?" He tried to ask, but his voice and body both became weak as a cyclone of blue energy began to swirl around them. Link's hands never left the hilt of the blade, but he tried to move toward her, taking a few heavy steps before the world went black...
But in his ears, he could still hear laughter. The laughter of that evil man...
Ganondorf.
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Water. That was what filled Link's ears. And as cool air kissed his skin, he felt his nerves finally begin to wake up. But... why was he only feeling the cold air against his face? Clenching his fists, he felt a warm thick cloth... no, leather, coat his hands and fingers. And his legs had fabric against them... that was unusual.
As the boy opened his eyes to look around, he expected to be in Zora's Domain, based on the feel of his surroundings. But instead, he was inside of a deep cave filled with waterfalls. He stood on a tall pillar covered with a never-ending stream of water with six stone tablets on the floor making a circle. He gazed over each of the colored stones, noting the emblems on each before stopping on the yellow one, quickly taking notice of the man standing upon it.
"Link, my boy... Nice of you to finally awaken." Awaken? Link blinked his eyes a few times before beginning to speak, only to freeze mid-sentence. Was... that his voice? Glancing down at his hands, he finally took notice of the gloves that coated them, and... the distance he was from the ground.
"What... what the...?"
"Link, look at you!" his thoughts were interrupted as his fairy companion shot out of his hat and began bobbing around him in the air, "You've... You've grown up!"
"I've... but... how...?" Link stuttered out as he examined himself. He had indeed grown... but... Kokiri never grew up. How did he...?"
"Hero of Time, we must waste no time getting you back up to speed." The man said bluntly. Link's eyes narrowed at the old coot into a glare. He recognized that voice all too well.
"So you are actually an old badger, not an owl?" Link smirked as the figure cocked an eyebrow at him, "Kaepora Gaebora, am I right?"
Chuckling at first before bursting into boisterous laughter, the old man nodded, "Well, it seems you are sharper than I gave you credit for," he laughed louder as Link's glare turned into a horrid scowl, "But you are both right and wrong. That is the name of my familiar, the beast I release so I may see the world and ensure it stays on the right path. My name... is Rauru. I am the sage of light, and one of the creators of the sacred realm."
Link's eyes widened at the revelation. The sacred realm? The place where the Triforce was sealed? "Wait... but... the Great Deku Tree said that was centuries ago. How could you...?
Rauru shook his head, dismissing the now adult Link's curiosity, "Becoming a Sage means becoming ageless... I am not one of the world you live in Link, but a spirit given form. I am the only one that remains through Ganondorf's evil." He smiled as he saw Link shoot to attention at the mention of the Gerudo King, "The plan you two children came up with backfired. Ganondorf saw through it and waited for you in the Temple of Time."
"But that's impossible! I saw him take off after the princess, there's no way he followed me! Besides, Malon was right behind me in the temple, so..." Link's eyes shot open as he said her name, "Malon, where's Malon?!"
Rauru held up a robed hand, his choice of clothing seeming a tad long in the arms for him, "She is fine. In fact, she's right behind you," the old man chuckled as Link's head whipped around only to snap back forward, his cheeks lit aflame with a blush.
"Ok... next question?" Link said more as a statement than a follow up. Taking a deep breath, he bluntly asked, "Why is she naked?"
Rauru lowered his head and sighed. He was dwelling this moment for the past seven years, "The Kokiri tunic will fit anyone, one size fits all. The girl's clothes, on the other hand..." As Link silently mouthed 'oooh' Rauru continued, "You may worry about her later. You have much more trying things to worry about."
"Like Ganondorf" Link said through grit teeth.
"Indeed. You're biggest question right now is probably why."
Link nodded his head in agreement. He was right. Why was a big question. Why was he older now, why had so much time passed, why was Malon in the Temple of Time in the first place...
"Why am I here, right now?"
"You were chosen..." the old man began, turning to face one of the waterfalls, "from the day you were born, you were chosen to be a hero, Link... The hero who would bring peace to this world we call Hyrule. A hero of time itself... The Hero of Time."
"Me? A hero?" Link chuckled as he scratched the back of his neck humbly, "Sure, let's go with that."
"I have seen all of your accomplishments, child. You are a hero, even if you don't want to admit it." Link thought back to all of his achievements, and nodded gently. He had done a lot. Hell, he had done more than most warriors, and only at half or even a quarter of their age, "You didn't just wander into each of your engagements, you chose to enter them. You chose to protect those around you, even when you barely knew some of them. And now..."
Link continued to stare as the man trailed off, waiting for him to continue. He could see it in the old bag's eyes; sadness. Why was he sad to continue his praise? "And now...?"
"Now, you must help the entire world. Ganondorf has plunged Hyrule into a darkness not seen since before the Goddesses themselves came to this land. He claimed the Triforce, but due to his heart not being pure, the Triforce was split into three. One of Wisdom, of Courage..."
Link finished, guessing where this piece had gone, "Power..."
"With the Triforce of Power, Ganondorf took control of the land. He wrested power from the king and now rules Hyrule with an iron fist. It is now up to you, Link, to venture forth once more and save this beautiful land. Go to the five remaining temples, Link, and awaken the sages. With their power, you will be able to conquer the Evil King and bring peace to this land once again."
That was a lot. Link gulped as everything was registered in his brain. That was a lot to take in. Glancing back at the naked form of Malon –thankful that the crystal she floated in was fogged over certain girl parts-, he swallowed again as something dawned on him, "What about Malon?"
Rauru furrowed his brow for a few moments, lowering his head. Then Link noticed his mouth moving. Was he talking to someone? Almost on cue, a warmth lit his chest. He recognized it immediately, the warmth that gave him strength when his last drop was spent. When the sage lifted his head once more, the warmth dissipated, "She will accompany you. She is... a special case. She was chosen not from birth, but by the Goddess of Time herself many years ago."
This statement confused Link. He knew Malon had an energy that rivaled many others, and Sharp had joined her just as Flat had joined him... but she was chosen too? "Alright... So go to the temples, and wake the sages. Sounds easy enough, but I'm sure it's not so simple. Where should we start?"
"I suggest you return to the girl's home. She will want to see what has become of the place she grew up." Links eyes grew in shock at the comment. Was something wrong on the ranch? "Seven years can change the world Link... when you were a boy, you weren't strong enough to wield the Master Sword... but now, I fear what will happen to you once you see what has changed. Start there, then make your way to Kakariko. You will need a new tool before you may even enter the first temple."
Nodding quietly, Link turned and walked toward Malon, tapping on the crystal to free her. Much to his surprise, as well as relief, the crystal reformed around her, wrapping her in a new set of clothing, very much like her old only more fitting for her adult body. He was pleased, however, to see that the skirt was shortened with leggings similar to his underneath. If she was indeed going to follow him into these temples, she had to be able to move, and her original one piece shirt and skirt was a bit too tight for her to perform anything close to his acrobatics in combat. The only major addition, he noted as the glow of her previous shelter continued to take form, was a purple cloak, decorated with many markings and sigils, including both the Triforce, and... he shook his head, deciding to ignore it. Taking her bridal style, Link turned back to Rauru one last time, "So you will be watching us, right?"
The old man chortled kindly to the young adult, "Yes, but don't worry. I'll make sure my familiar doesn't cause you too much trouble."
"Too much?" Link asked in a deadpan tone.
"Too much."
"I can't get more than that?"
"You have my word he won't bother you too much."
Link sighed, accepting that as the best outcome he could have, a blue circle surrounded Link before engulfing him and his friend in a light and lulling him into a gentle rest. When his eyes opened once more, he was standing in the Temple of Time, next to the Pedestal of Time. In his arms, his friend moaned and shivered before at last opening her eyes. In a swift motion, she was out of his arms and on her feet, hands held out defensively, "Who the heck... are... you?" She started strong then faded into a whisper. Her eyes scanned the man before her, immediately noticing the green hat and clothes... followed by a blue fairy emerging from his hat with a humorous grin planted on her face.
"What's wrong Malon? You look like you've seen a ghost or something." The sprite giggled at her friend, her smile growing in glee as realization dawned on the poor girl's face.
"Link... and Navi?"
"In the flesh."
Malon gawked a little longer before her eyes trailed down a bit towards herself, her eyes finally resting on her chest. She didn't dwell long, moving her head around to look down at her legs, then behind her, then once more to Link, who was doing his best not to blush. While Malon was examining herself, Link had found his own eyes wandering. He knew Malon was cute, but awakened hormones inside him were running rampant as his eyes took in the beauty that was now his friend.
"So... What happened? We were here, in the Temple of Time..." At this Link withdrew his sword from it's sheath, the two eyeing the magnificent blade.
"I pulled this sword, then I turned around to see you..."
"And then everything went blank..."
Link let out a long sigh, realizing he was going to have to relay everything that Rauru had told him to her. He fell to a seat, patting the ground to signal her to follow suit, then began, retelling the story he had been told.
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"That's... a lot to take in," Malon sighed, leaning back to look at the high ceiling.
"My thoughts exactly, but... here we are."
"Seven years..." Malon looked to Link, catching his wandering eyes. She wanted to be mad, but the child was uneducated. He just lost seven years of learning about growing up, and she knew that. She grew up a normal child on a ranch, she understood these things. Link, however... A blush started creeping up her cheeks before she finally clenched a fist and clocked the man child, eliciting a loud hiss from him followed by his typical 'what was that for'. Giggling lightly as she shook out her fist, she stood, "That's for staring. I thought a gentleman like you knew better than to stare at a lady."
She was caught off guard by his retort, "Well excuse me for finding you attractive. Never had such a hard time looking away before." She heard Navi comment about hormones and explaining them to him once they get to the ranch as they walked away. Malon just continued to watch him grumble, her blush burning her face to the core. That wasn't the first time Link had complimented her, of course. It was how he said it. Sure, it was blunt, but... to her, and the feelings she had been trying to hide as well as her own awakened adult feelings, that was incredibly sweet. So he finds me attractive now...?
She matched her pace to his and caught up just as he exited the temple, stopping by his side to take in their surroundings. She could see Link's sensitive nose twitch and his contorted face sealed it. "This is... horrible..."
Above them crows cawed and circled over areas, and the smell of rotting flesh in the air signaled they weren't there just for show. Moans echoed through the streets, followed by... Both heads perked up at the sound. Clanging of metal. Someone was fighting. Link began to move forward then stopped, glancing back at Malon, "You don't have anything to fight with, do you?"
Before Malon could respond or even object, Link had already pulled out his retired Kokiri Sword and it's sheath and belt and was carefully tying it onto Malon's back, remembering the girl was right handed unlike him. When he was certain it was on tight, he stepped forward and examined his work, smirking cockily at the blush on her face, "Unsheath it," He said bluntly.
Malon reached her right arm up and clasped the hilt before ripping it from it's hold. She had held his sword in the Royal Family's Tomb, but now it felt so natural and light. Becoming an adult had changed a lot... When Link nodded and unsheathed his own sword as well as his hylian shield- which he could now properly carry-, the two charged into the streets of castle town, though both immediately froze in terror at the monsters that awaited them. "Shit, not again," Link cursed as he eyed his many foes, "Redeads..."
Navi flew out and examined them, "Link, Malon, they're not usual redeads..."
Before either could ask what she meant, they heard the all too familiar ear piercing screech... but much to their surprise, neither of them were frozen where they stood. "Guess that's what she meant," Link said with a smirk as he charged the closest one and sliced clean through it. His eyes widened as he felt his blade cut through the flesh. He understood that this was the sword of evil's bane, however he was not expecting such raw power. Compared to the trouble he had with the Redead in the crypt with his Kokiri sword, this weapon sliced through it with little to no resistance. He swiped the rotten blood off his blade before properly examining it. "Link!" Navi flittered in his face before reeling back as he snapped back to reality, "You can't do that anymore, stay focused!"
Ignoring his urge to verbally defend himself, Link spun on his heel and cleaved through another walking dead, beheading it easily before moving to the next. Glancing over his shoulder, he was pleased to see Malon quickly adapting, taking no time to begin putting her natural energy and speed to use. For each redead that spewed it's death throes, another was already crying out in pain as the two made quick work of their enemies.
"Keep this up, and we'll have Ganondorf begging for mercy in no time, right Malon?"
Malon just laughed, trying to keep her morale up with her friend, but both couldn't deny it was hard. As they made their way towards the clanging steel, they could see what little stood left of the once spritely and lively Castle Town. The shops had fallen into disrepair, the streets were wrecked, all of the foliage was either dead or overgrown.
Rounding the next bend, their eyes widened in horror at what stood before them. Standing on pulsing green flames was the evil king himself, Ganondorf. In his grasp was the last standing hylian knight, his brothers fallen dead around him. Link's cheerful façade all but melted away as he let his blade glide along the broken pavement, sparks flying up as he charged the man who killed his father, "Ganondorf!" he roared as he hefted his blade up for a forward slice, only to recoil off of an invisible barrier. He held strong against the invisible force, grunting loudly before being blown away and onto his back.
Malon shot to her friend's side, stopping him from rising to repeat his action. Both watched as the evil king dropped the remaining knight and opened a purple and black portal. He smiled wickedly at the two, eyeing in particular Link, before disappearing. The ranch girl jumped out of her trance, having been lost at the sight of their foe smiling at them, as Link punched the ground. With a sigh, she helped her friend up before both sheathed their weapons and moved to aid the knight. Propping him up, both gasped at the realization before them, particularly Malon.
"Auntie Lulu...?" the woman in question coughed roughly before lifting her helmet to reveal the rest of her face, "Lulu, is that you?"
Smiling weakly, the woman ran her eyes over her two saviors, "You... you can't be... Malon...?"
"It is you!" Malon cried as she hugged the woman in her arms. Link didn't bother asking this time. At this point, he assumed Malon knew everyone in the royal guard. However, he did take notice of her shallow breathing. While the two caught up, Link quickly began checking her vitals, only for his eyes to widen.
"Where... Where did you go, Malon? Your father has been worried sick about you..."
"Lulu, what happened to daddy? We heard there's something wrong at the ranch!"
"Yes..." Lulu coughed once again, this one more noticeably painful, "Yes, something happened... it was... the tall one..."
"Mr. Ingo?"
"Yes, he-" she was silenced as Link coughed, interrupting the two. The knight captain looked to her other savior and smiled, realizing that he must have noticed, "You... who are you?"
"Who I am doesn't matter, you need to rest before you-"
"No." the captain said sternly, momentarily putting up a façade that she was back in power, "If I am to pass, I want to know the name of my savior."
"It's Link, ma'am. My name is Link Kokiri."
"Link..." her voice said weakly before being consumed in another cough, blood blatantly spilling from her lips as she did, eliciting a cry of remorse from Malon.
"No, Lulu! Hang on, we'll get help!" Malon shouted as she tried to rise to her feet, but she was caught by Link and held in place. She glared at him, but received no counter; his eyes weren't moving from the fallen captain.
"There's no help... is there?"
Lulu shook her head before chuckling under her breath, "No, Envoy of Zelda, there is not..." She laughed a full laugh at their look of shock before losing herself to another fit of heaves, "That evil man's magic... is finally taking it's toll on my body... Zelda... Told us everything when that bastard threw the coup... She said... one day a man in green will save us..." She reached up and patted Link's trademark cap, "That his name would be Link... and we were to do our best to take back the kingdom until... you came for us..." Her hand slid off his head to be caught by Link. The man looked to his partner, who was doing her best to keep calm as she watched her family friend slowly fade. "And... you did... now... please... save the... princess... save... this kingdom that I love..." she breathed deeply, trying to find what little strength she had left to look at Malon.
"Malon... we... succeeded in moving everyone... to Kakariko... there... you will find your father..." hissing as the pain began to become too much for her, Lulu laid back against the alley wall, "Please... help him... he was... a good..." her free arm fell limp at her side as a single tear fell from her eyes, "Friend..."
Both friends sat in silence, Link wide eyed staring at the now dead captain, and Malon quivering, barely holding back tears, "Auntie... Aunt Lulu...?" Malon stuttered as she shook her fallen family, "No... Nayru, no..."
Link sighed before leaning in and closing her dead eyes. He at least knew to respect the dead thanks to Navi, and closing their forever lifeless eyes was the only thing he knew to do right now. "She's gone, Malon..."
Malon just continued to stare at Lulu's corpse, willing it to not be true. Was this really what had become of the world? She was praying, wishing it was a joke, that this was some big charade planned out by the goddesses... but as the seconds became minutes, she knew it wasn't. This was the life they were in now...
Link wanted to say something, but deep down he knew no one could console him when the Deku Tree passed. He hid it behind fake laughs and jokes, but nothing ever covered that hole in his heart. To his surprise, Malon rose, slowly but strong, then began walking away. Link shot to his feet and followed after her, matching her pace at her side. As he breathed in to speak, she cut him off, "I want to go to the ranch. Then I want to give her a proper burial there. She would want that."
Link's mouth hung agape, but no words came out. He didn't know what to say, so instead he nodded as the two made their way through the destroyed streets. Both of them were thinking the same thing, though.
Ganondorf will pay for what he has done.
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A/N: Yeah, I know, another kind of short one at only 5.5k words. But considering this was an absolute dialogue dump, I didn't want to drag it out another ten pages with the return to the ranch and Kakariko Village. That will be another 10+ pages on it's own right that I'm not going to force it into here. Might also have overkilled the Lulu scene and I apologize, but I wanted something to soften Malon before she sees the ranch. Heh, stay tuned guys, the next chapter is going to be feels ahoy. Until then