And here is chapter 4 :3
I hope you're enjoying this.
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Ganondorf continued to stare at the dragon in awe as it rose into the early morning sky higher, sunlight gleaming of its white scales.
Its single horn glowed with an internal light.
Farosh kept its gaze on Ganondorf but gave a low growl in the back of its throat, shaking its head. Something fell off, landing several feet from Ganondorf.
Slowly, Ganondorf stood and made his way to the item, picking it up. It was a scale, rough and white. Rubbing it with his thumb, Ganondorf could feel the internal electricity that rested within.
Startled at the gift, Ganondorf looked back at Farosh as the dragon arced over Hylia Bridge.
"What do you have there, Gan?" Zelda asked, approaching the redhead.
He showed the scale to her and she gasped.
"You have…a dragon's scale?!"
"Yes."
"Farosh just…gave it to you?"
Ganondorf nodded as Link came to look at the scale as well.
What do we do with it? Link asked, taking the scale and flipping it over to look at the green underside. Sell it?
Zelda gave a horrified gasp as she snatched the scale from the blond. "Are you crazy?! Sell a scale gifted by a messenger of the goddesses?!"
Link gave a shrug, apparently not seeing an issue with the idea.
"We'll keep it for now," Ganondorf said. "Perhaps the meaning of the scale will become apparent later on."
Zelda gave an agreeing nod while Link rolled his eyes.
Tucking the scale into a pocket, Ganondorf picked up the chains. "The nearest stable is Riverside. It'll be a three hour ride, so let's eat light. We can get food there."
"I heard they offer food to make meals. I bet we could make something very delicious."
I hope so, Link signed as he stretched. He rubbed his back. Beds too.
"If we can find things to sell for Rupees, let's do that." Ganondorf grunted as he got into the saddle of the white horse. "We'll need it if we're going to buy anything."
Zelda nodded, getting into the saddle behind Ganondorf.
They needed a lot of things to survive their journey to Akkala.
A map, weapons, different clothes, pouches….
She sighed.
It would cost a lot.
After Link dumped their extinguished firewood in a place that wouldn't offend the Lake Zora, the three made their way to Hylia Bridge.
With no means to hunt, they could only obtain apples from a nearby apple tree. There was enough for each of them and the horses as well.
With their bellies decently filled, the three headed towards Riverside Stable at a trot, trying to cut down as much time as possible.
And within three hours, the stable came into view, wooden horse head on the structure's roof making it an easy find.
Ganondorf pulled the horse to a stop, sliding down. "I'll trade the horse. Why don't you two find a merchant?"
Zelda nodded as Ganondorf handed her the chains.
"See if they'll take these, even for free."
"All right."
Link tackled Epona to a nearby tree, patting her neck before joining Zelda.
Taking the reins, Ganondorf lead the horse over to the window between the two entrances of the stable.
A bored-looking man stood there, tapping the wood impatiently.
"Excuse me."
At Ganondorf's voice the man perked up instantly, a smile crossing his face. "Welcome to Riverside Stable! Would you like to board a horse or register one?"
"I'd like to trade one for two of your finest horses."
The man stared at Ganondorf suspiciously before he looked at the horse and a strangled noise came out of his mouth. "Is—is that—?!"
"Can I trade or not? This is kind of urgent."
While the man's expression was amusing, Ganondorf didn't want to waste time. He needed at least one target off his back.
The man swallowed and nodded hastily. The redhead's height was intimidating. "Of course. You can pick any two you want."
"Thank you." Ganondorf left the horse by the man who gaped at it.
The horse flicked its ears at him in response.
Off to the side of the stable were three horses in a small stable: a plain brown one with a gray mane, a blue one with white speckles on its haunches and a beige mane, and a golden one with a brown mane.
"Good morning, sir!" the ranch hand chirped, smiling as Ganondorf observed the horses. "Does one interest you?"
"That one." Ganondorf pointed to the blue horse.
"Bluebell? She's got a great temperament and doesn't spook at monsters."
"Excellent."
While the ranch hand went to get Bluebell saddled and bridled, Ganondorf stared at the other two horses, rubbing his chin.
He was about to pick one when a loud whinny sounded nearby.
"Hold it still!"
"It's too huge!"
"This thing's been struggling since Taobab Grasslands!"
Going to see what all the fuss was, Ganondorf saw three men struggling to rope a large, black horse twice the size of a regular horse.
Its mane and tail were a bright orange. Its neigh sounded more like a roar.
The horse reared up against the men trying to subdue it, snorting angrily.
Ganondorf's eyes widened as he recognized the amber gaze. "No way…"
Running over, Ganondorf pushed the men aside.
"Move! Let me try!"
"Are you nuts, kid?!" one guy asked. "It's wild!"
Ganondorf ignored the men as he held up his hands. "Hey, hey."
The horse reared up again, whinnying.
"Easy, that's it."
Stomping side to side, the horse snorted and shook its head.
Slowly, Ganondorf set his hand on the horse's nose, stroking it. "Good boy…"
He put his hand beneath the horse's jaw, smiling as it flicked its ears.
"Yes, that's right. You recognize me, don't you, boy?"
"Whoa, he calmed it down," one man mumbled in disbelief. "How did he do it?"
"Is he for sale?" Ganondorf looked at the men who all glanced at each other.
"Well, the horse has been passed from stable to stable," one said. "It's so wild no one could ride it."
"I'll take him. Does he have a saddle and bridle?"
"Well…someone managed to make one, yes, but you don't want this horse."
"It's a monster!"
Ganondorf rolled his eyes as he scratched the horse's neck. "Are you really going to deny me? Surely you want him off your hands."
The men glanced at each other, mumbling uncertainly.
"If you want him so bad, you can have him," one finally said.
"Your funeral," another mumbled.
The three went off to get the saddle and bridle.
Ganondorf smiled as he looked up at the giant black horse, patting its neck. "Good to see you again, Helltrotter."
Helltrotter snorted, nipping at Ganondorf's hair.
While Ganondorf was busy with the horse transferring, Zelda and Link were searching for a merchant.
It was harder than it sounded as it appeared no merchant was currently at the stable.
"Oh, what now?" Zelda sighed as their fifth non-merchant traveler walked away. "What if no merchant comes?"
Link gave a shrug as he glanced around. He saw someone approaching in the distance, laden by a large pack. He perked up, pointing towards them.
That could be a merchant! Who else would have such a large pack?
Zelda stared at the person as well before she nodded. "I think you're right. Let's approach them."
Together they walked towards the merchant.
Link saw the shape of the pack more clearly as they got closer and he gave an excited grin, waving an arm rapidly.
The merchant saw Link and he returned the wave. "Hellooo! Link!"
"You know him?" Zelda asked, glancing at him.
Link nodded. Beedle. My parents sold their crops to him.
"Hello, Link!" Beedle greeted as he stopped before them. "What are you doing way out here?"
Link looked at Zelda quickly before he signed nervously, Adventure?
"Oh, you and your girlfriend are adventuring?"
Zelda blushed deeply and looked like she wanted to disappear.
Link was just as embarrassed at the statement, hastily signing, Not—not my girlfriend. Just friend.
Beedle nodded. "I getcha, friend. What do you need from Beedle?"
Zelda held up the chains. "Will you take these from us?"
Humming, Beedle accepted the chains, staring at them before eyeing the two in question.
He didn't ask why they had a set of chains on them. Instead he put the chains in a side pocket of his oversized pack and took out some Rupees, counting them. "How does 300 sound?"
Link nodded as Zelda appeared relieved by the easy transaction.
After handing the Rupees over to Link, Beedle asked, "What else do you need from Beedle?"
"Do you have weapons and clothes?"
A map too. Link added.
Beedle made a noise at the back of his throat before he slowly set his back down, zipping it open. "I do. You're free to search and find what you want."
Zelda smiled. "Thank you, Beedle."
Beedle nodded as he sat down to relax without the weight of his pack.
Together Zelda and Link began to search through the items within.
"Oh, hello, Beedle," Ganondorf grunted as he approached and spotted the merchant.
"Oh, hi!" Beedle waved. "You on an adventure as well?"
"Mm-hm. We're visiting Tarrey Town."
Beedle clapped his hands together. "That's such a nice town."
Link pulled out some clothes and stared at them before he ran off to go try them on.
Ganondorf rolled his eyes as he knelt by the bag, beginning to search as well.
"Wow, you have Sheikah clothes!" Zelda said.
Beedle nodded proudly. "Oh, yes. They are nice, aren't they? I even have some Sheikah weapon needles."
"Can I have those as well?" Zelda asked, holding the Sheikah garb close to her.
"Of course. The weapons are on the bottom."
Zelda smiled and stood up, wandering off to go try on her find.
Once the two were gone, Ganondorf continued to search for clothes, eventually finding a jacket with a dragon design on it. He held it up, staring at it before he stood up.
Beedle waved as Ganondorf left before he rifled through his pack, taking out the weapons he had and laying them out on the ground.
These are nice clothes. Link signed as he returned dressed in beige trousers and a sleeveless white tunic with a blue cloth tied around his waist with an orange band.
"I'm glad you like them," Beedle said. "I got them in a faraway province. Ord—something or other."
Zelda returned with the form fitting Sheikah armor, a white cloth pulled own around her neck. "I didn't realize these clothes would be so…tight…."
Link snickered and earned a swat on the arm.
"All right, you two lovebirds," Ganondorf grunted. "Pick your weapons."
Zelda looked at him and her breath caught.
The jacket went down to his knees, the sleeves reaching his elbows. Beneath the jacket he wore dark clothes with a red sash around his waist.
She saw the much larger man charging at her, intent on destroying her and the boy beside her. He wasn't going easy on them just because she was a child.
"You okay?" Ganondorf asked, raising an eyebrow when he saw Zelda just staring at him.
Zelda blinked, startling out of her thoughts, and nodded quickly. "Of course."
She busied herself with looking the weapons over.
Link had already chosen a traveler's sword, hooking it at his waist, and a traveler's bow with a quiver full of arrows attached to his back.
Ganondorf scanned the weapon selection before his eyes landed on a pair of long blades that had decorative string hanging from the pommel. He slowly picked one up, turning it over.
"Where did you get these?"
Beedle looked at the weapons with a hum. "Oh, I was exploring the desert down south. Found them in some ruins. They have inscriptions on them but I can't read them."
I can. Ganondorf thought. Koume and Kotake.
"I'll take them." Ganondorf slid the swords between the sash, one on each hip.
Zelda set a short sword at her waist, several Sheikah knives and needles beneath the bandages wrapped around her forearms. She took out her nightgown and held it out to Beedle. "Will you take this as well? It's made from the finest Akkala silk."
Beedle took the nightgown, looking it over and running his fingers down the material to feel it. "1,000 Rupees?"
"Will those pay for everything?" Ganondorf asked as Beedle handed them a map as well as some supply packs.
"Of course! Beedle's friends get discount."
Zelda smiled. "Thank you, Beedle."
Beedle nodded, returning the smile.
As Link and Zelda walked away, Ganondorf took out a few Rupees and handed them to Beedle. "If anyone asks, we weren't here, all right? We need to keep a low profile."
"Beedle's lips are sealed."
Ganondorf patted Beedle's shoulder. "Thank you, friend."
Walking off, Ganondorf joined the other two at the cooking pot that was outside the stable.
"Well, we have our disguises," Zelda said. "But we should choose aliases as well. The guards are looking for Zelda and Ganondorf."
"Smart idea," Ganondorf muttered. "They won't be searching for other people."
We can change our names? Link signed eagerly.
"Temporarily. Until things die down."
I want to be Raven!
Ganondorf raised an eyebrow while Zelda snorted.
Link pouted. I like it.
"Raven, then," Zelda said. "I'll be Sheik."
"Sheik…the Sheikah?"
"It's not original, I know!" Zelda smacked Ganondorf's arm, frowning when he laughed. "Well, what do you have then?"
"Demise."
"You can't be serious," Zelda mumbled.
Ganondorf gave a shrug. "What? I like it."
Zelda rolled her eyes. "Fine. Raven, Sheik, and Demise. Those are what we call each other now, okay?"
Link gave a thumbs up as Ganondorf said, "Fine by me."
I can make food? Link suggested, gesturing to the pot.
"I can see what the stable offers for us to cook," Zelda said, standing and walking to the stable.
Ganondorf stared at the skies, sighing.
They had spent longer at the stable than he had planned. The sky was turning pink with the beginnings of sunset.
"I suppose we can stay the night," he mumbled.
Having an actual meal and soft bed sounded too good to pass up.
Rhoam mumbled to himself as he paced in front of his throne, running his hand down his beard.
A soldier had just returned with news that Zelda wasn't in the Faron region, the area Ganondorf had gone towards two days ago with her.
If not in Faron, then where? He wondered. Had they turned around?
Of course. Ganondorf would be so clever as to turn around and head somewhere else to throw the soldiers off their trail.
"But where…?" Rhoam mumbled to himself. He halted then raised a hand towards the soldier awaiting orders. "Check Akkala. It's possible he believes he can hide out in Tarrey Town."
"Yes, sir." The soldier saluted then bowed, an arm across his chest.
Purah stood nearby, watching Rhoam as he continued to pace after the soldier had left.
"I should have killed him when he was a baby," Rhoam muttered vehemently. "It was my own foolishness that brought this about."
Purah was about to say something but the doors to the chamber slammed open.
Impa came in followed by two soldiers on either side of a quivering merchant with a huge pack on his back.
Impa paused several feet from Rhoam, dropping to a knee and lowering her head. "Your Highness, we caught this merchant trying to sell some very interesting things in the market."
One of the soldiers came forward, carrying a garment and a set of chains.
Rhoam took them, looking them over. He looked on the inside of the manacles, spotting the royal crest imprinted into the metal. The garment was silk with golden embroidery reminiscent of the royal family.
Rhoam narrowed his eyes, staring at Beedle. "Where did you get these?"
"I-I get a lot of items form a lot of people," Beedle said, trying to appear brave even though he was shaking. "I'll take anything!"
Impa stood up quickly, pulling out a small knife and brandishing it towards the merchant. "Do not disrespect His Highness, merchant!"
Beedle squeaked, covering his head. "Riverside Stable! I got them from Riverside Stable!"
"From Ganondorf?" Rhoam growled.
Beedle nodded quickly. "He was there with Link and a girl!"
"When did you see them?" Impa asked.
"A-a few hours ago? They spent the night."
Rhoam looked at Purah. "That experiment you were working on…is it ready for a test run?"
Purah gave a nod. "Of course, Your Highness."
"Send it out."
With a nod, Purah left the room.
"What shall we do with the merchant?" Impa questioned.
Rhoam wave a hand. "Release him. He obviously didn't know any better."
Impa frowned but scowled at Beedle. "You're lucky His Highness is in a good mood, merchant."
"O-oh, thank you!" Beedle gave a hasty bow before the soldiers lead him away.
Purah hummed as she trotted down the steps leading to the basement of the castle.
"My dear, little thing. Are you ready for your first mission?"
Mechanical hisses sounded before three pairs of glowing blue eyes lit up the darkness covering the back of the room. A robotic roar pierced the room.
Ganondorf sighed as the three of them neared the bridges that connected the Akkala Falls. The falls dropped into the waters of Lake Akkala below.
The two hour ride hadn't been too difficult. Red Bokoblin and a few Green Lizalfos stood in their way but they were easily dispatched.
Ganondorf slowed Helltrotter to a stop. "Why don't we stop for a lunch break?"
Link perked up at the idea, hopping down from Epona.
"Lunch does sound good," Zelda admitted as she halted Bluebell.
Her legs had gotten numb from all the riding anyway.
Link pulled out the pack Beedle had given them, searching through it. He took out a few empty bottles, a cooking pot, a wooden spoon.
Ganondorf raised an eyebrow as he looked at the items. "Beedle gave us all that?"
Link nodded. He held up the bottles, pointing to the falls.
"Okay, water is a good idea." Ganondorf looked at Zelda as Link ran off. "See if you can find some herbs. We don't have much to go on, but sweet grass and apples may pair well."
Zelda nodded, sliding down from Bluebell and rubbing her lower back.
While the two wandered off, Ganondorf set up the cooking pot to prepare food.
As it heated up, he headed to some nearby trees to pull down a few apples.
We'll definitely have to start hunting, Ganondorf thought with a sigh as he stared at an apple.
A tap at his arm caught his attention and Ganondorf looked to see Link holding up some fish with a proud grin.
"Oh, you caught some fish? I wouldn't have thought there were any fish in such cold water."
Link raised an eyebrow before singing, How did you know it was cold?
Taking the fish over to the pot so he could begin skinning them, Ganondorf gesture to the area around them. "The water comes from a basic mountain and mountain water is generally cold. You can get hypothermia if you stay in it too long, but the Zora don't seem to mind."
Wow, you know a lot!
"I read." Ganondorf smirked at Link. "Unlike you."
Link scowled before punching Ganondorf's arm, earning a laugh.
Can I help? He signed after watching Ganondorf for a bit.
"You could cut the apples."
Link nodded, sitting down and grabbing an apple.
Zelda returned with a handful of Hyrule herbs and a few hearty truffles.
"The truffles will go well with the fish and apples," Ganondorf said as he looked the items over. "Good job."
Zelda smiled, sitting down to watch Ganondorf slice up the fish as Link dropped the cut up apples into the pot as well. Using the wooden spoon to stir the concoction together, Ganondorf gave a hum.
"Where did you learn to cook?" Zelda asked.
"My mother."
Ganondorf wasn't going to say out loud that he was aware that Draco and Irea weren't his real parents.
"Well, she was a good cook."
Ganondorf gave a faint nod before he glanced up when a glint caught his eye. He squinted at the form flying above them, circling like a vulture.
"Is that a bird?" Zelda asked, looking up when Ganondorf did.
"Not any bird that I know of…"
It's shiny, Link signed.
The flying thing suddenly dropped down, diving towards them. As it got closer, Ganondorf saw that it was a mechanical dragon.
He stood up when he saw a Sheikah eye embedded in the beast's breastplate. "It's a Sheikah machine!"
"A Sheikah made it?!" Zelda asked in alarm.
The only one she could think of that would make something like a mechanical dragon would be Purah.
The dragon opened its mouth, firing multiple blue beams at the three.
They all dodged in different directions to avoid the attacks, a beam hitting close to the pot and knocking it off its perch, spilling the food on the ground.
Bluebell and Epona spooked, taking off towards Ukuku Plains. Helltrotter stood his ground, whinnying angrily at the dragon as it swooped back into the air.
Ganondorf withdrew his swords, standing to face the dragon.
Link took out his bow, pulling an arrow out and firing it at the dragon.
The arrow bounced off the metal hide.
"Arrows aren't effective, huh…" Ganondorf muttered to himself.
The dragon hovered nearby, flapping its wings to keep airborne. Two of its six eyes turned red, two beams shooting out to target Ganondorf, one aimed at his head and the other at his heart.
"It has a targeting system?" Zelda asked as she held her own sword tightly. "Of course it does."
If Purah had built the machine, she wouldn't have spared any additions.
Ganondorf growled, putting his sword away before he charged towards the dragon, the beams still on him.
He heard a whirr and dodged to the left, two blue beams whizzing past his cheek. He could feel the heat from the beams.
"What are you doing?!" Zelda shrieked while Link looked uncertain as to whether he should fire another arrow to distract the dragon or charge the dragon as well.
As the dragon targeted him again, Ganondorf jumped up and grabbed onto one of its back legs, using his weight to bring it down, slamming it to the ground.
With a grin, Ganondorf withdrew a sword, approaching the downed machine.
The dragon suddenly twisted, swiping out with a paw, claws catching deep into Ganondorf's side.
Grimacing from the pain, Ganondorf held his side, feeling the blood seeping through his fingers. Before he could react, the dragon charged at him, head slamming squarely into his chest and sending him flying.
"Ganon!" Zelda screamed when the redhead disappeared over the edge of the falls.
The dragon flapped its wings, lifting off the ground. It stared intently into the water below before firing several short beams into the water where Ganondorf had landed.
With no sign of the redhead, the dragon turned and flew off.
Link stared after the departing dragon before he ran to the cliff's edge with Zelda, peering over it to search for a sign of Ganondorf.
"Ganon?!"
