Author's Note: Thank you to Post Rapture, DoomRater, Mihaele Rose, Ides of Diamonds, and everybody who read and/or reviewed my first fic. This is the second part of my epic fic and I hope you all enjoy it. And I'd like to give credit to any author whose characters or excerpts from their stories (No, I don't believe I'll be using one) that I used. I can't stress enough how much I'd like everyone to READ AND REVIEW, because I feel this may be something special.


Chapter 14

Link didn't even see Somi inside the temple, but apparently she was there. And she was panicking. She said something about Sodo.

"Somi, calm down. What's going on?" Link asked.

Somi didn't calm down. "Link, please. You've got to help Sodo! You've just got to!"

"Somi, calm down," Link said again. "Where's Sodo?"

Somi began running into the temple. "This way!" she shouted.

Link and Zelda ran behind the Kokiri girl as she ran into the temple. Malon saw them both running and decided to follow. Somi eventually led them all into the courtyard.

"Where is he?" Zelda asked.

Somi pointed towards the sky. "Up there!"

Link looked to the sky and immediately saw the trouble. Link remembered the familiar walkway in which Saria almost committed suicide. This time he saw a rope tied around the walkway. Hanging from the rope, upside-down, was Sodo.

"SOMEBODY HELP ME!!!" Sodo screamed.

Link had to take action. "Everybody wait here. I'll be right back."

Link immediately ran out the door and began making his way through the temple to the door, which would lead to the upper courtyard. He climbed each ladder as fast as he could and jumped on each platform. Finally, he made his way to the door. He opened the door and rushed to the rope.

"Don't untie it, Link!" Sodo shouted. "If you untie it, I'll fall!"

This was quite a predicament for Link. He took out his sword but knew he had to do this just right.

"EVERYONE MOVE!!" Link hollered out below. "GET OUT OF THE WAY!!"

He gripped the rope with one hand and began to cut the rope above his hand. He also wrapped his legs around the walkway, so that he wouldn't fall. He sliced the rope and let his sword drop to the ground. He quickly hung on to the rope with both hands for dear life. Link was only hanging on to the walkway by his legs. He struggled to pull up the Kokiri boy and began to slip. Link now had the rope by both hands, but his legs were slipping.

Then, suddenly, Sodo began to float up to the walkway. It caught Link by surprise and he tilted to the side. He began to fall off the walkway, but was being held in the air by some unseen force. Link was placed gently on the walkway. He turned around to see Princess Zelda standing there. It was her, using her power to help them up to the walkway.

Sodo broke the silence. "W-Where's Saria?"

Link didn't have the heart to say it. The answer disturbed Link as well. "She's gone. Meyson took her."


Chapter 15

Link was dead tired. They were all in the main entrance hall now, which was a relief for Link. He needed to sit down after the near-death experience at the walkway. But he couldn't sit down for too long. Meyson had taken Saria and he had no idea where.

The only thing Link could do was think. The Iron Knuckle he faced was stronger than any Iron Knuckle he had ever faced before. Link had thrown everything at it, and it wasn't even fazed. It took the stupidity of three lizards to keep Link from meeting his doom.

"Zelda, where did that Iron Knuckle come from?" Link asked. "It was stronger than any of the other ones I faced."

"I don't know," Zelda answered. "I don't think Iron Knuckles were made to be that strong." Zelda then began to think. "The only thing I can assume is that it's true."

"What? What's true?" Link asked.

"The legend," Zelda answered. "I heard of an Iron Knuckle called Titanos that supposedly dwelled within the Spirit Statue in the Spirit Temple. But I thought that was just a legend."

"Maybe Meyson had the power to bring the legend to life," Malon suggested.

Link realized something. "If it came from the Spirit Temple, then maybe the Spirit Sage will know how to stop it. We need to go talk to Nabooru."

"It's worth a try," Zelda said. "After all, we don't even know where Meyson's going next."

"Then we'd better leave right away," Sodo suddenly said.

Link looked at the young boy in shock. "Wait a minute! Who said anything about 'we'?"

Somi looked like she agreed with Link. "Sodo, you can't go with them. What about the disease of the vastness? You know how potent it is!"

Sodo wasn't convinced. "I don't care. It's my fault that Saria's gone. I let that Meyson creep in here." He looked at Link. "Please, Link. Can't I come?"

Link wasn't backing down. Not this time. "Sodo, no. I can't risk your life like this."

Sodo looked sadly at Link. "Link, please. I've got to go. I don't care what happens to me. I've just got to save Saria."

"Sodo, no," Link repeated. "I can't let you go."

"Please, Link," the young boy pleaded. "I can't stand the thought of what might happen to her at the hands of Meyson. I can't bear the thought of never seeing her again. I…I love her."

Link was stunned. He looked across to see that Somi was clearly stunned as well. Did he know what he just said? Link thought it was just a crush, but apparently Sodo feels more for Saria than a simple crush. But still, Link couldn't risk his life.

"Sure, Sodo," Malon blurted out. "You can come."

Sodo smiled. Link didn't. What did Malon just do? "Malon, can I talk to you? In private?"

Link took Malon to the far side of the main entrance hall. She was smiling, but Link clearly wasn't in a jovial mood.

"Malon, what are you doing? How can you let him come?" Link demanded.

"Is there so much harm in letting him come?" Malon responded.

Link shook his head. "Yes! Kokiri can't leave the forest. They'll die if they do."

"I'm perfectly aware of that, Link," Malon shot back. "And in case you didn't hear, so is Sodo."

"He's not thinking," Link said. "He's running on his emotions. We've got to be rational about this."

"Rational?" Malon asked. "I don't know about being rational, but I will tell you what I just heard, Link. I heard the plea of a young boy in love. Didn't you hear him? He loves Saria and frankly, I don't think we have the right to stand in the way of love."

Link was getting frustrated. "What's love got to do with it? This is his life we're talking about. If he goes, he'll die."

"He'll be fine," Malon retorted. "We have plenty of red potions for him."

"He's not going," Link said firmly.

Malon wasn't giving up. "Maybe you didn't hear what I said. Sodo is in love. He's in love with Saria. The girl Sodo loves is in danger. He wants to go save her. Link, put yourself in his position. If a thing like Meyson kidnapped ME, then wouldn't YOU be willing to risk your life to rescue me?"

Link knew where this was going. "Of course I would."

"Well, this is no different. I don't see why we should keep Sodo from doing the same thing you would."

Link couldn't believe it. He had lost another argument. This time, though, the consequences could be much greater. He and Malon walked back over to Sodo.

"I hate to say this," Link said. "I really do. But Sodo…you can come too."

Sodo's face brightened. "Thank you, Link. I don't know how I can ever repay you."

"Just try and stay out of harm's way," Link said.

Sodo looked over to Somi. "Well, I guess I'm leaving, for now."

Somi wasn't comforted. "What'll I tell everyone when they come back?"

"Tell them I'm going to rescue Saria...or die trying," Sodo answered. He looked at Link. "Are we ready?"

Link nodded. He began walking out with Malon, Zelda, and Sodo. His party of three expanded into a party of four. This was originally supposed to be a party of one. They all climbed down and left the temple as Somi waved farewell.

"Where are we going first?" Sodo asked.

"We're going to the Desert Colossus," Link answered. "We've got to go talk to Nabooru in the Spirit Temple." He looked at Zelda. "Any shortcuts?"

Zelda pulled out the Ocarina of Time. "There is one. Everybody gather around."

They all gathered close to Zelda. She began to play another familiar tune. She played the Requiem of Spirit. Unfortunately, though, it didn't work.

"What happened?" Malon asked.

"Why didn't it work?" Link added.

Zelda examined the ocarina. "Meyson must have blocked the Spirit Temple off, too."

Link groaned. "Does this mean we have to walk?"

Zelda shook her head. "No, no, no. I've learned a few more songs in the last five years. Gather around, I'm about to play a new hit."

They all gathered close to Zelda again. She began to play a song Link had never heard before. Then they were surrounded by a white light. They were being transported.


Chapter 16

Saria looked around everywhere, but she had no idea where she was. She was still being held in the crystal prison that Meyson created. The only thing she could make out was the gloomy atmosphere and the figures of Meyson and his three Lizalfos cohorts. She could see the giant Iron Knuckle, Titanos, standing dormant on the far side of the room. She wondered what would happen to her. She wasn't worried about the disease of the vastness. Because she was now a sage, she didn't have to worry about it anymore. No, she was thinking about what Meyson had in store for her. She didn't know what he would do to her. She began looking around her surroundings. It was almost as if they were in a grave.

"I hope you like what you see," Meyson said. "I spent a lot of work fixing up this grave."

Saria felt frightened. They really WERE in a grave. She could only assume this was Meyson's base of operations.

"What do you want with me?" Saria demanded.

Meyson laughed evilly. "What do I want from you? I can't tell you that just yet. It's a surprise." He looked at the three lizards. "You three, watch her. I'll be outside planning our next move. Can you three at least do THAT without fouling up?"

The tall one responded. "Yes we can, Meyson. Because we're…"

"STOP!" Meyson shouted. "Spare me the stupid motto! Just DO IT!"

Meyson left the grave and Saria was left alone with the three reptiles.

The tall one approached Saria. "Hey, boys. What do you think he's planning to do with her?"

"Isn't the better question, what's he planning to do TO her?" the short one asked.

"Don't ask me," the chunky one asked. "I would have just thrown her in the sea."

Saria was confused. "You mean you guys don't even know what's going to happen to me?"

The tall one laughed. "Meyson doesn't tell us what he's gonna do until he's about to do it."

"He doesn't like telling us his plans ahead of time," the short one continued.

"He says that we're too dumb to hear his plans so early," the chunky one finished.

"Well, doesn't that bother you guys?" Saria asked. "I always see Meyson hitting you or calling you names. Why do you put up with it…uh…?" Saria struggled. "What are your names?"

The tall one spoke first. "I'm Kreature."

"I'm Krash," the short one said.

"I'm Og. Howdy, howdy, howdy," the chunky one introduced himself.

"We are COMBAT!" they said in unison.

"Kreature, Krash, and Og," Saria repeated. "Why do you guys put up with Meyson? After everything he does to you guys?"

"Well, we've been around Meyson since he first emerged," Kreature said.

"We've been around Meyson since before he emerged," Krash corrected.

"Really?" Saria asked. "When was this?"

Kreature looked at Krash and Og. "Maybe I better be the one to tell the story."


Chapter 17

Saria was intrigued. She was about to finally get some answers. She was finally about to hear where this 'Meyson' came from.

Kreature spoke. "I remember it like it was yesterday."

"Yesterday?" Og interrupted. "Wasn't it more like five years ago?"

"Quiet, you! Who's telling this story?" Kreature chided. "Anyway, it was five years ago…"

It's been five years since Kreature and his two partners received word that Ganondorf had been defeated. It was a devastating blow, but Ganondorf had left the three Lizalfos an assignment. The Gerudo King asked them to watch a special shelled cube. But that day, Kreature was being driven to the brink of insanity by his partners, Krash and Og.

"Ok, ok. How about 'What time is it? COMBAT time!'," Krash suggested.

"No, no," Og said. "It's got to be something cool like, 'We're slimy. We're scaly. We're coming at you daily. We're COMBAT!'"

Kreature was irritated. "Are you two still trying to come up with a catchphrase? We already came up with the name COMBAT. Isn't that enough?"

"Come on, Kreature," Krash said. "Every icon has a catchphrase. We need something to take the world by storm."

"Hey, I got it!" Og shouted. "How about 'Heeeeeerrrrreeeeeeee's COMBAT!'"

"No, I think it's been done," Krash said. "What about 'We're lean. We're green. We're fighting machines. We're COMBAT',"

"You two are giving me a headache," Kreature said. "We've been stuck in here for five years and nothing's happened with this stupid shell and I don't need you two annoying me all day."

Kreature looked at the huge shell at the far side of the grave. This was what Ganondorf had asked them to guard? It looked like a useless shell.

"The only good thing about this shell is that it gives us a good light show every now and then," Kreature continued.

It was true. Anything that would touch the shell would activate something within the shell. It's as if the powers of whatever touched it were transferred into the shell. COMBAT enjoyed watching bugs and small animals land on the shell. Occasionally, a stray Deku Scrub would hit the shell and give the three reptiles a real light show. Kreature then noticed a spider begin to wander towards the shell.

"Hey, boys," Kreature called. "It looks like we got ourselves another victim."

"It's just a spider though," Krash said.

"Yeah, call me when a Deku Scrub comes by," Og added.

The spider landed on the shell and it was instantly zapped. But then the ground within the grave began to shake.

"H-Hey!" Krash yelled. "What's going on?"

"It's that shell," Og pointed. "It's going funky monkey!"

Kreature looked towards the shell. It was, in fact, reacting. Then it began to crack open.

"It looks that thing's finally opening!" Kreature shouted.

The shell cracked completely open. Then something emerged from it. It was a huge being covered in brown skin.

"This is what we've been guarding?" Kreature blurted out.

"What is it?" Krash asked.

The thing began laughing. "At last, I'm free from that that monstrosity! After all that time, I am finally ready."

"Uh, ready for what?" Og asked.

The thing laughed. "I have been imprinted with the images of my upcoming mission. My master, the great Ganondorf, created me. However, he was defeated. And that is why I am born."

"Why is that?" Krash asked.

"The great Ganondorf created me to be his trump card," he continued. "I am the final solution to the problem posed by the so-called Hero of Time and the seven sages. Had the great Ganondorf taken over the world, I would have been disposed of. But now it appears that I am needed."

"Needed for what?" Kreature asked.

He smiled. "My services are required. My purpose is to free the great Ganondorf from the prison in which he lies."

"You mean, you're getting Ganondorf out of the Sacred Realm? How do you plan on doing that?" Kreature asked.

The thing began laughing. "No one can stand a chance against me, for I hold powers beyond those of Ganondorf's other servants."

"And what powers might those be?" Krash asked.

To Kreature's amazement, the thing began to transform. It first transformed into Kreature. Then it shifted into Krash and then Og. He then began transforming into various Hylians. Finally, he transformed into Ganondorf before finally assuming his own form.

"How'd you do that?" Og asked in bewilderment.

"I naturally assume these powers," he answered. "I am a shape-shifter." He looked at the three Lizalfos.

Kreature grinned. "A shape-shifter. Ganondorf created a shape-shifter."

"Well, what do we do right now, Mr. shape-shifter?" Krash asked.

"I have a plan to free the great Ganondorf from the Sacred Realm," the shape-shifter said. "Are you three rowdy reptiles ready?"

A light bulb lit in Kreature's head. "Hey that's it! We're rowdy."

"We're ready," Krash continued.

"We're reptiles," Og finished.

"We are COMBAT!" they said in unison.

"COMBAT?" the shape-shifter asked. "What's that supposed to be?"

"It a name for us as a group. It's me, Kreature."

"Me, Krash."

"And me, Og."

Kreature looked up at the shape-shifter. "But what do YOU call yourself?"

The shape-shifter began to grin evilly. "I am MEYSON!!"


Chapter 18

"That's the most I can remember from that day," Kreature continued.

"We haven't left Meyson's side since that day," Og added.

Saria looked on with wide eyes. The origin of Meyson was finally revealed to her. He was planted in this grave by Ganondorf before he faced Link on that fateful day. And his purpose, the whole time, was to free Ganondorf. But that still didn't answer the question of why Meyson abducted Saria.

But she decided to ask different questions. "And have you guys been happy since Meyson emerged?"

It looked like Saria hit something in the lizards when she asked that question. They looked like they didn't know how to answer.

"H-Happy?" Kreature asked.

"Yeah, happy," Saria said.

"W-We're happy working for Meyson," Krash said.

"No one's treated us as good as Meyson," Og said.

"Has anybody ever been around to treat you any better?" Saria pointed out.

The three reptiles were taken off guard. It's as if they had never thought of that.

"Have you thought about what your lives might be like without Meyson?" the forest girl continued.

"Hey, I can see through this," Kreature said angrily.

"Yeah, you're trying to turn us against Meyson," Krash added.

"You're just trying to help yourself," Og agreed.

"No, guys. I'm not trying to help myself," Saria said. "I just want you to think about what you're lives are now…and what they could be."

The lizards grew silent again. Just then, Meyson entered the grave.

He wore an evil grin. "Get ready, boys. We're about to initiate the next phase of my plan."


Chapter 19

Link recognized where he was. Zelda had transported them all to Gerudo Valley. It wasn't exactly the Desert Colossus, but it was close enough for Link.

He looked at Zelda, Malon, and Sodo. "Well, let's go."

Link couldn't get what happened at the Forest Temple off his mind. Saria had been abducted by the evil Meyson and he couldn't figure out why. If he were still looking for the Spiritual Stones, he would have made his move by now. There was another reason he took Saria, but he didn't know why. But Meyson was lying low. And until he made his move, then Link would get some assistance from Nabooru. If there were a way to beat that Titanos, then Nabooru would know.

Link looked at Malon. "Are you feeling any better?" Luckily, Link had some tape on hand and was able to tape up Malon's ribs.

"It still hurts a little, but I'm ok," Malon said. She began looking around the vast valley. "I've never around this part of Hyrule before."

"It sure is hot out here," Sodo added.

"I guess the weather hasn't changed," Link said.

They crossed the bridge that led to the Gerudo Fortress. If Link had his way, then they would be able to cross the Gerudo Fortress quickly before dawn. As they entered the fortress, thoughts began to cross Link's mind.

"I remember when I first came to this place," Link said. "The buildings are still here. The guards are still on patrol. Honestly, I don't think anything's changed."

"HALT!!!"

"DON'T MOVE!!!"

"PUT YOUR HANDS UP!!!"

Link and his party were soon surrounded by dozens of Gerudo warriors. They were all pointing spears at them. This was a scene that was all too familiar for Link. As they all held their hands up, Link had only one thing to say.

"Yep. Nothing's changed."


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