Two days later...

"Darknuts, Lizalfos, and Lynels? A golden knight as well." Shade scratched his chin as he processed the information his team had relayed to him. Those monsters were leagues above the Moblins and Bokoblins, with much more intelligence. To think the Darknuts were humans… Hylian conscripts by the King? Or were they human in likeness? The Darknuts he faced were summons by Ganon, just like the rest of the monsters.

The Lynels were also old news, yet new. Based on the description, they were more dangerous now than they were before. Lizalfos, however, were a new thing to Shade, however, he had read about them in books. The king was not playing at all. He had seen two Resistance victories and wasn't going to underestimate them with the simple pig creatures. He had just raised the difficulty.

Which made Shade's task not only more difficult but urgent. Auru will invade North Hyrule soon, no matter what. The war will continue until one side is done. Shade couldn't delay turning the tide to his faction's favor. It was urgent that the Triforce, even a piece of it, was found. "You succeeded anyway, thank the gods. Link, Zelda, stay with me. Everyone else, dismissed, but make your preparations for a long journey. The biggest task for you all begins tomorrow." Ralph, Ravio, Hilda and Oren left the two heroes and the Hylian princess behind. Link and Zelda watched their friends leave, then turned their attention to Shade.

"Father, why must we stay?"

"It is the time we find the Triforce. Pendants please."

Link worked the Pendant of Courage off his neck. "You don't know where it is?"

Shade looked at Link with an expression that said 'Of course not.' "If I knew, we would be there now, wouldn't we. When I was searching for Wisdom, I could find a piece by using the ones I obtained to search for others. I used a repaired Wisdom to find Power. Courage was found once I proved myself worthy. Because I held two pieces, and even with one, I could sense their presence. Zelda and I taught Error and Bagu how to do the same. But they can't feel it, and neither can I. They think it is with the king, which makes sense, but if your mother's words to the goddesses are true, then the Triforce is not with him. It explains why no one can sense it. It isn't here, on this plane of existence."

Zelda gathered the Pendants of Virtue and handed them to her father. "So it is within the Sacred Realm."

"Correct, Zelda." Shade placed the three pendants on a rug in a triangular fashion. Once he had them placed as he wanted, Shade gestured for Zelda to come over. "Sit in the middle of them."

"Sit in the middle of them."

Zelda complied, crossing her legs and positioning herself as perfectly as possible between the three pendants.

"What now?"

"This might take a while, but we got time to spare for a day. I need for you to try to feel something for the Triforce."

"How?"

"The blood of Hylia runs through you. It will be easier for you to find it than me. Link, I would feel that your talents and concentration are required elsewhere. Go now." Link had a mind to demand to stay, but Shade's face was etched in stone. Regretfully, Link walked away, leaving father and daughter together. Shade turned back to his daughter, who looked at the door wistfully before gazing up to her father.

Sitting down in front of his daughter, outside the triangle, his face stern and ready. "Now let's begin."


Ganondorf had always hated the plains of his homeland. Not the fact that it was different from a desert, his people's ancient home, but because it was like the desert. Grass for miles on end, just weak, flimsy blades of green as far as the eyes could see. It was a desert, yet just the opposite. He didn't understand how his people could survive the desert, yet alone make another home in a biome that was just the opposite. Naboorians were weird.

Midoans were just as bad. Standing in Queen Riju's palace, still confining himself to her quarters, he gazes out towards the general direction of his lost kingdom, while looking down upon the one he resided. If he couldn't understand why his people, the golden-eyed Gerudo, settled for a home in the middle of a plain, he really didn't understand how the green-eyed Gerudo of Mido chose to be a city upon a river. Neither made sense given their heritage, but it wasn't like he could change that. Why not settle within the deserts of Parapa or Tantari? Why did they choose the greenery instead of the grainy? He didn't understand, but yet… There was a small part of his that told him that it was right. That his people deserved the green just as much as the Hylians did. They've been here as long as the Hylians, why not live just as they have? Hadn't his people suffered enough? The Gerudo were still a majorly female race, and it seemed only males were now born to a royal bloodline of the yellow-eyed. Ganon's direct lineage. His people's curse was broken for one type of blood, but even then, males were still rare. As a matter of fact, Ganondorf's birth was very unusual. His father was the male of the century, yet just 32 years later Ganondorf himself is born. His mother called it a miracle, his father a sign. His father was right; it was the sign of impending doom.

What would King Malladus think of his son now? Would the former Chief of the Gerudo be proud, or would he express disappointment? Ganondorf had always been fond of his father and strived to be like him. Had he done a good job so far?

No, no he hadn't. He failed to avenge his father, his mother, his sisters, and his betrothed. Ganondorf wouldn't put it past Zant as the killer of his mother, as he was responsible for the other four. But what could he have done? He followed Malladus's orders to the letter. He watched from afar, with his sisters and Aveil, as Malladus and Nabooru confronted the 'coming in peace' Zant. He stayed put as the king and the bastard talked, then sighed in relief as they broke apart, although it wasn't on good terms. He remembered his father looking up to him, Ganondorf with his characteristic grin on show, something that his father passed on to him.

Then death happened so quickly. It was like being a giant fish creature, having a dream of paradise, but then a ballad played by a human boy wakes your from that slumber into the real world, but the ballad here was a scimitar of the boy, Zant. That blade flashed from Zant's robe so quickly that neither Ganondorf nor Nabooru could warn their king. He didn't even see the killing blow, just the slow fall of his father's body, coupled with the parting of neck and head.

Something warm and comforting took Ganondorf's hands. He looked for it, finding his green-eyed counterpart in the Queen of Mido Town holding on to him. He didn't even realize she had entered, though he must commend how well she snuck up on him. A much better Queen of Thieves than he is as their king. He also hadn't realized he was crying, which Riju took care off by lifting one hand and wiping his face. Her smooth finger traced over the wet spots, also caressing him. It was a sensation he had never felt before from a woman of his age.

He now realized something more daunting. He had cried for his sisters, for his mother, for his best friend, but never for his father. What man was he? He teared not for the made that had seeded his mother, raised him as his son, taught him as a prince, and prepared him for becoming king. What son is he, that he wept not for his father, his dad, his mentor, his lord, is king?

"You don't cry for a weak man, but by doing so, you're just as weak."

"Shut up, Ganon."

"Let go of your family. What are they but speckles of the soil? They are dead, so treat them as dead. Forget them."

"I said shut up."

"Your father is dead because he was weak. Your mother is dead because she was pathetic. Your sisters are dead because your betrothed was nothing but a failure. Yet… Despite the fact she was your betrothed, you never loved her as your queen. So, in a sense, she waited and died for you, just for nothing but false promises. Oh, while we're at it, let's not forget poor Midna..."

"I SAID SHUT UP!" Ganondorf tore himself out of Riju's grasp and banged his head on the window frame. It hurt like hell, and it didn't solve the problem of getting rid of Ganon. He clutched his head, anger spilling out his eyes. "GO AWAY!"

"Now you want me to leave?" Ganondorf frowned a bit, noticing that Ganon's voice was much more than a whisper in his consciousness. He looked back to Riju, seeing that her form was frozen in motion as she strived to assist Ganondorf in whatever she thought was wrong with him. Matter of fact, nature itself was at a standstill. The wind was silenced, the waters were calm, the grass posed, and even the city below him, it was unmoved. Only he was mobile. And knowing this, rose to his feet. It was a similar sensation to when he met Din, but against her promise, the Goddess of Power hadn't met with him again since the battle with Gohma. He missed her beauty and raw power that emanated from her. Mostly her beauty and her willingness to put up with his slight anger.

"Din is used to putting up with anger. She can be like that herself." Ganondorf turned towards the entrance to the quarters of Riju, gasping in anger. There, in the doorframe, stood at least a seven foot mass of piggy proportions. The burly boar-man stepped into the room proper, his pupil-less yellow eyes bearing down on Ganondorf.

"After 30 years, you finally show your face. I would desire to wipe it from existence permanently."

Ganon grinned, although Ganondorf doubted it was because he accepted his words. More like he loved what he heard. "Now why can't this Ganondorf be present at all times? The merciless one on Death Mountain, until his girl passed out. The one that, disgustingly, allied with the Hero and charged up to that machine. The one that, pathetically, got tossed off a mountain by a mockery of power. Where is he? That was not the boy I joined."

Ganondorf scoffed. "He was tossed off a mountain. Reality hit that he isn't as strong as he was promised!"

"Yet here you mope about your feeble family, while the king and the chosen pair seek to become stronger? You are not worth my power."

"Then leave. You have no use for me, and I quite had enough of you for one lifetime."

"And we had only just gotten to know each other." The King of Evil had a sense of humor. Great.

Ganondorf turned away, annoyed with his ancestor. "What do you want?"

"As I said, your enemies are seeking power while you dawdle about daddy. You need to be doing the same."

Ganondorf was curious as to what could have both the King of the Imperials, Link, and Zelda running over each other, but as he looked down to Riju, his mind said otherwise. He wouldn't let the last member of his wonderful childhood, and the remnants of his people plus her own become caught up in the war. Not at his instigation. Plus, the Resistance had the pendants. "I will not interfere with them."

"Fool. You would give up the power of the gods for what?... The girl of the mountain?" Ganon sneered as his host glared at him. "Foolish boy. You remind me of your namesake, for he had a similar problem. He found love with the namesake of your town, the Sage of Spirit, but unlike you, his desire for Hyrule overcame his love for her. What of your desire for revenge against the Imperials?"

"I cannot beat him! He is too strong!" Ganondorf barely knew what he as saying, for the words escaped his brain before he could think of them. But he knew what he had stated, and it was true. The king, whoever he was, had easily cast aside the Hero and had not Ganondorf been there, only he and the princess would remain. But even with the power of Ganon, he was defeated. Tossed like a rag doll by a tempered child, and thrown off a mountain like an unwanted Christmas gift. Ganondorf desired his revenge, how dare Ganon question that, but… How would this power help him if the devil himself could not?

"You're weaker because you have a vile heart. A heart that cares. It has love. The girl you fought on the mountain is the one force that keeps you from becoming who you should be. Then there's the Gerudo people. They are fragile, and these people, that girl right there, traitorous now as they were then. Leave all your cares behind, and take what is yours."

Ganondorf was about to respond, but his ancestor had vanished, and he was back in his position before it all began. His head hurt much less, and he was able to rise to his feet. "Gan, are you alright?" Riju was still there, her hands on the boy's shoulders.

"Yeah… I'm fine."

"What is wrong with you?"

He scoffed internally. Like he could tell the tale that the greatest disgrace of their race is harbored within him. He'll get thrown out for real. "I'm...not well."

Riju's green lips lengthened and parted. "I can see that, Gan. But really, is there something wrong, and don't lie. I know you since we were seven, and while I am not Aveil, I know a liar. Blame it on my intuition as a woman and descendant of the Sage."

Oh...right. Riju was the latest in the line of the Sage of Spirit. Ganon thought he was smart. No wonder he wanted him to desert the remains of his people. He didn't want his blood getting cozy with the blood of the traitor. Although the Demon King was alone in thinking that the Sage was a traitor, and not him. It is also the reason for the two sects of their people. One loyal to Ganon's bloodline (not the man himself) and one loyal to the Sage's line.

Ganondorf parted himself from Riju, looking back out the window. He didn't know how Riju would react if he didn't say a thing, or if he told her everything. However… She didn't demand it, as she rightfully could. No, she didn't see him as a visitor in her land, but as one of her own. But how much as one? As an equal as both as are royal blood, or as a subject of special interest? Time would tell. "I'll… I'll tell you later when I am well."

"Tonight," she demanded.

"Why?"

"The people-my people-are weary of having you here. You are a voe in my palace. In my home, you are safe, but once you step outside, you are on your own. Your people love having you here, but my own-Dragmire and Makeela might have shared blood at one point, and I...adore...having you here, but our lines are bitter enemies. I will have to vouch for you, and you will have to make a stand soon. But if you do not tell me about you, Ganondorf," Riju said with added venom, "then I cannot let you stay here. They're already on edge anyway, you're just an added problem."

Ganondorf sighed, thinking before he turned to Riju. She was closer to him than she was before he turned his back on her, and looked at him with pleading eyes upon her extraordinary face. Din had made the queen too beautiful in his missing years, almost as if she knew he would end up in Riju's presence and decided to sculpt a human version of herself.

"No. Not another girl in my life that I'll eventually lose."

"Then I suggest you heed my words, descendant."

Ignoring Ganon, he took Riju's hands, and clasped them greatly, as if she was the link between life and death. "Riju, I...want to tell you, but I don't want to hurt you. You are the last link to the past that I have, but…if I must go, then I will go of it pleases you and your people."

Riju nodded. "I want you to stay. Crazy as it is, we are the link between worlds of a singular people. In these dark times, as our parents would have liked it, we need to stay together. Besides, as selfish as it may seem, I might have need of you that these women cannot do." Riju caught to her words quickly and turned the skin on her face pink as she stepped back. "I mean… Not like that… But…" She sighed, recomposing herself. Ganondorf just stood there, amused. "I have a use for someone of your talents. But only if you tell me your story, and we convince the 'greenies' to let you stay."

Ganondorf saw no reason, besides his dark parasite, to not agree. "Tonight then."

Riju nodded. "Sarqso. Also, while you have been here a month, and well… You have some qualities of a gentleman… I would request that you stop lying about having a room in the inn but sleeping in the barracks. I suggest you stay up here."

Ganondorf had only moved to the barracks because he thought it improper to stay in the Queen's room once he was well. The lie worked longer than he expected, although he didn't understand why that was a problem. "What's the problem?"

"There is a class that meets in the barracks every day, on how to meet a voe the proper way...and you're not helping."

"Oh…"


The last thing she remembered was her best friend calling her name as she succumbed to heat and she sat in darkness, waiting for a light to liberate her.

"Save Power…"

Those words...so familiar. Like a dream of the past returned.

In the darkness, a red light broke through, slowly making its way to Midna. As it came closer, it appeared to have the form of a woman. She reached out for Midna, her yellow eyes warm and consoling. She hummed to the girl, her voice sweet yet powerful. Then she spoke. "You must find him, my champion. Without you, he will succumb to the Demon King. He fights, but one day, he won't be able to. You are his light… Midna Twilight, wake up, and find Ganondorf."

Midna complied, feeling her consciousness returning, her body systems turning back on. She found herself, in her hazy vision, in her quarters, returned to the Resistance base. Sitting up, she noticed just how big her bed had gotten. Stretching her arms, she warmed up her muscles, then folded them over her chest.

"Huh?" Now Midna was not a girl that flaunted her figure purposely. 'Blame the Goddesses that I am hot' as she would tell Ganondorf many times in the past when he would comment on her appearance. She knew her body attracted eyes, although only Ganondorf's were welcomed. So she knew, once she felt her bosom, that something must have happened because she knew they were not this small. They were...enough to be gawked at, she guessed, but not overbearingly huge. So Midna looked down on herself

Why were her arms small? Her arms? Her entire torso? Why was she black and blue? Why was she naked? Midna threw the covers off of her, seeing her entire impish body. Believing it was a bad dream, she scooted out her bed and...flew to the mirror on her dresser.

Midna had never screamed so silently in her life.