A/N: I'd like to apologize for taking forever on this. I kept on trying to mix Hyrule style with Peach Creek attire, but after awhile I realize you can't take it with you. Shout out to Yue Twili for sending armor suggestions. Now, to the story.
After their little graveyard excursion, the group of heroes went straight to the Inn for some well deserved rest. Link woke with a start at the sound of a cucco crying out, with the sound of someone yelling "WHAT IN TARNATION?!" from the room below.
"CHICKEN!" came Ed's voice from the room across from his. Link stepped out just as the other three Eds had, the other two Eds having tired eyes trying to see what was going on.
"Please tell me Ed hasn't stolen someone's cucco." Edd yawned.
"Stupid lump!" Eddy groaned as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
"Look on the bright side," Link smiled, trying to keep things positive. "If we're up this early, then we have more day to spend getting back to the Kokiri Forest."
"Though since you guys are now grown, it'll take less time to travel back." Navi added.
"And every other place we'll eventually have to go." Eddy grumbled. "Ugh, let's talk about this later."
"I agree." Edd yawned. "For now, some nutrition would be ideal."
"Ed is hungry!" Ed nodded.
"Mom was right." came the voice of Lee Kanker as she and Marie walked up to the second floor, where the Eds and Link's rooms were located. "Food is the first thing men think of in the morning."
"About time you guys woke up." Marie chuckled before handing a box to Edd.
"What is this?" he asked as Lee handed similar boxes to Ed and Eddy.
"It's your new armor." Marie explained as Ed pulled a boot out of his box. "I put all I had into them, so you better appreciate it!"
"Oh, well, thank you." Edd smiled as sweat dripped down his face, his fear of the Kanker still present.
"Don't thank her 'til ya put it on." Lee smirked before she and Marie walked towards the stairs. "See ya at breakfast." With that, the only ones still in the hallway were Link and the Eds.
"Well? Are you going to try them on?" Navi asked.
"This better not be a girly dress." Eddy growled before the Eds stepped back into their rooms.
"While they're changing, let's get some food before they turn it into a fiasco like yesterday." Navi suggested, to which Link nodded before heading for the stairs.
-5 minutes later-
Link was sitting at a booth awaiting his order, which included his friends, and was calmly enjoying the morning air that was wafting through an open window.
"It's strange, isn't it?" Navi asked him as she sat on the window sill. "Finding a bit of peace after learning what's happening all around."
"Yeah." Link nodded. "But I'm not going to let it bring me down. I'm going to save Hyrule."
"Don't you mean 'We're gonna save Hyrule?'" Link turned to see the Eds approaching him. Ed was now sporting a dark green tunic with some chainmail underneath. Over it was a heavy set of armor consisting of iron shin guards, arm guards, and an iron helmet. A simple pair of cloth pants, gloves, and boots finished the look.
For Eddward, he was weather a set of lightweight leather armor, consisting of a leather breastplate, leather gloves, cloth pants, and leather boots. Over it was a red shirt with a maroon hood pulled over his head, hiding it just as effectively as his regular hat.
And finally, Eddy was wearing a tan top with a shirt underneath, leather armor like Edd's, but more pieces of armor on his arms and legs, and a black hood with a cape around his shoulders.
"Not bad." Navi commented as she fluttered around the three, who were looking over their new wardrobe as well. "Not bad at all."
"Light and easy to move in." Double D commented as he waved his arms around a bit. "And surprisingly comfortable."
"Ed is ready to smite the evil!" Ed shouted, his voice echoing inside his helmet before pulling the visor up to reveal his eyes.
"I'm digging this cloak." Eddy grinned before waving the cape over his face just under his eyes, acting all mysterious.
"Glad you like it." The group turned to see the Kankers approaching them. "I ran with some basics." Marie said as she looked Edd over with a smile, causing the smart Ed to sweat a little at her gaze.
"W-Well, I'm sure they'll protect us from the various dangers out there!" he said with a nervous voice as he and the others backed away from them, only to bump into someone else. "Oh, my apologies! Are you-huh?" His apology was cut short when he and the man looked at each other. "Talon?"
"Talon?" the three asked as they looked at the man. After a moment, recognition came across their expressions as well.
"It is Talon!" Eddy said while the man looked at them all in confusion.
"Do I know any of you?" he asked while scratching his head.
"I suppose we wouldn't be so easily recognized considering it's been seven years since we've last met." Double D stated before pulling his red hood back, revealing his usual black hat.
"That hat." Talon whispered to himself.
"Come on! No one else has a hat like that!" Navi said, hoping to get this reunion along so they could get back to saving the world.
"A fairy?" Talon asked before blinking a few times, images of four young boys coming to mind. "Now I remember! You four are those little kids that visited Lon Lon Ranch just before that storm hit! You boys are looking well! How have you been?"
"We've been well. Thank you for asking." Double D said with a smile. "And you look well too. But I must ask. What brings you to Kakariko Village?"
"Let me guess. Fell asleep during another milk delivery?" Eddy chuckled. Talon's smile slowly fell into a frown at the question, which shocked the group to see the man suddenly look so glum. "Geez. What I say?"
"Did something happen to Lon Lon Ranch?" Link asked.
"Oh no! What about all the little furry friends?!" Ed yelled, looking close to tears.
"They're fine! The ranch is still there! It's just...under new management." Talon explained with a heavy sigh before sitting in a nearby chair.
"I'll, uh, tell May to get you guys something for breakfast." Marie said as she pointed her thumb towards the kitchen before leaving.
"I've got something to check on at the shop. See ya later." Lee stated before walking out the door, leaving the five men and fairy alone. The four heroes sat down on nearby chairs to listen to Talon's tale.
"After Ganondorf took over Hyrule, a lot of people appealed to him for favors and such. A lot of people with...dark hearts." he began. "And one of them was Mr. Ingo, the ranch hand."
"That guy?" Eddy asked, remembering the thin man that grumbled a lot during the storm all those years ago.
"The very same." Talon continued. "He felt that all I ever did was sleep and play with the cuckoos while he did all the important work. And, thinking back, he was right. I hardly did anything."
"What about those Super Cuccos?" Double D asked.
"That's probably all I ever did." Talon said. "Anyway, it was during one of the times he was making a delivery to Ganondorf's Castle that he appealed to the Dark King. I don't know what he said, but it was enough for Ganondorf to grant him ownership of Lon Lon Ranch. Next thing I know, I'm being kicked out of the ranch without a rupee to my name."
"That stinks." Eddy commented.
"So you and Malon have been here ever since?" Link asked. At his question, Talon just seemed to get even more sad.
"You're half right." he said. "I told you. I got kicked out of the ranch. Ingo forces Malon to do most of the work to anger me while he just sits back and enjoys being the boss."
"Oh dear!" Edd gasped, his hand covering his mouth. "I shudder to think of anyone else we've met that could've appealed to Ganondorf."
"If not for the fact that a new ranch hand was hired a few years back, I'd have thumped Ingo for forcing all the work on my daughter's shoulders." Talon growled.
"I'm starting to hate Ingo." Link huffed.
"Me too." Navi agreed.
"Me three! And they make four and five!" Eddy added while pointing at a nodding Edd and Ed.
"Ed must rescue Malon and furry friends from evil Ingo!" Ed announced while posing dramatically on the table.
"Here's your breakfast." said May as she brought them all some hot grub.
"After breakfast!" Ed yelled in the same tone.
-Time Passes-
Having finished their breakfast, the Eds and Link were preparing to leave for a quick stop at Lon Lon Ranch.
"Everyone ready?" Link asked, earning nods from the others. "Alright then. Let's-"
"HOLD IT!"
Everyone turned to see the Kankers, Kevin, Nazz, and Talon approaching them.
"Where do you three think you're going?" Lee asked with a smirk.
"Watch it! She's planning something!" Eddy yelped as he and the others got defensive.
"What are you gonna do? Fight us barehanded?" Marie giggled before pulling a short sword out and pointing it at Double D. She grinned before chucking it towards him, causing him to fumble with it before it fell to the ground. "You better learn how to handle that soon if you want to survive." she said.
"What did you mean by 'learning how to use it?'" he asked as he picked the blade up off the ground.
"Duh. Because it's yours now. I thought you were the smart one." Lee said as she handed Eddy a sword that was roughly the same length of the Master Sword. "Here's yours tough guy."
"Sweet!" Eddy exclaimed as he gave the blade a few practice swings.
"Oh oh! My turn! My turn!" Ed said as he bounced in place.
"No way! Get your own!" Eddy snapped as he kept the blade away from his dim-witted friend.
"Here you go, Big Ed." said May as she held out a huge two-handed sword towards him.
"Oooooooooooh!" Ed squealed as he took the blade in both hands, his hands quivering in excitement.
"I'm more afraid of what he'll do to us by accident than whatever harm our enemies wish to inflict upon us." Double D whispered, his eyes never leave Ed's shaky sword.
"Tell me about it. Maybe we can get some practice at Lon Lon Ranch before we hit the Forest Temple." Eddy said with a nod.
"Hope you boys apprec*yaaawn*iate it." Lee groaned before vigorously shaking her head, followed by Marie slapping her own cheeks. "We were up all night making that gear for you."
"May and I made some food for you guys for the trip." Nazz beamed as she handed them a small package.
"If you ever need more, we'll make you some. No charge." May smiled.
"Oh! Well, thank you!" Double D responded with a smile of his own.
"Hey." Kevin spoke up, gaining there attention. "If you feel the need to run, no one will blame you." His eyes shifted to the bandaged stump resting in his overalls. "Trust me."
"Thanks for the concern, Shovel Chin, but we're not running." Eddy said with a smirk as he rested his blade at his hip.
"ED SHALL-"
SLAP!
"Sheesh!" Eddy groaned as he picked the ear Ed yelled in with one hand while shaking the hand he'd just used to slap his helmet while also forgetting that he was now wearing a helmet. "Can't you ever whisper?"
"Pot, meet kettle." Double D whispered to himself with a snicker while Talon stepped forward and rested his hands on Link's shoulders.
"I don't know what you four will do, but I'm glad someone's taking a stand against all the injustice and evil spreading everywhere." he said with a smile before it dropped into a stern expression. "Listen, whether you take down Ingo or not, I don't care. Just promise me, no matter what, you'll find a way to save my daughter."
"Don't worry. We'll get her out. Even if we have to simply grab her and run." Link reassured him with a nod with before turning to the Eds. "You guys ready?"
"Ready!" they agreed.
"About time." Navi grumbled before they all set off.
"Be safe guys!"
"Come back whenever you need a rest!"
"Yeah. Whatever, dorks."
"Bye bye!"
A/N: Short chapter, I know. Now that I've got the armor choices out of the way, the next chapter will, hopefully, come sooner. Next stop: Lon Lon Ranch!
