Evil's Bane
V 3.3
By: (o'.')o (pc_prettycool@email.com)
Disclaimer:
Today I thought I'd sing for you. Here goes. 'Too Hot to handle, Too Cold to hold... Link's a bad mutha and he's owned....by Nintendo that is'. I guess that doesn't really rhyme.... Darn. I suck.
Note from the Author:
Hey guys. I just wanna say that I don't hate Yaoi fics. I like yaoi fics that are just plain good fics! I'm sorry to say that I'm not a big sap fan. I like emotion, I like angst...but I don't like sap.
Now, for today I thought I'd give you some utterly random and overall useless thoughts: I like Teletoon's commercial for Card Captor Sakura! It's killer! I also actually like the Pokémon Jhoto themesong. Just for Digimon fans, the next few episodes concerning the Emperor should be pretty cool...I saw some sneak pics :p. Sue me. Last utterly random thought: Majora's Mask rules!
Do you like this font? I won't use it for the actual story...but if you like it, I'll change my mind next time. I always did like Comic Sans. (v@-@)
One last point. I apologize for the spacey wierd formatting. I really can't do anything about it. Word 95 doesn't convert to HTML. If anyone has any suggestions ... send help!
Last Chapter:
After searching fruitlessly for the Ghanims, Saria suggested they move over to the other side of Hyrule...to a town she used to frequent called Hirocco. On the way they stopped at the Gerudo valley...much to the chagrin of Nabooru. There, they found out that their Link was in fact, of Gerudo blood. Link's mother, was Gerudo. Later that night Link realized he had very strong feelings towards Nabooru, and revealed them in a kiss. Then he found out that Zelda has feelings for him too. What's going on? Link's as confused as I am.
And now, on with our tale.
She repeated the conversation over and over in her mind.
"Now that you know about him Nabooru, you're going to have to be extra careful." The Gerudo Clan Mother warned. No matter what, you must not forget that he is not really one of us. He is a male, afterall. Do not be foolish enough to reveal the Gerudo Keepsake to him."
Nabooru huffed angrily. "I'm not an idiot, Mother. And I'm not a child. Don't treat me like one. I'm not about to tell him anything, least of all the Keepsake of the clan."
"I'm not too sure." Mother grinned. "He is a good looking young man. I'm sure you'd blurt anything in throes of passion." She narrowed her eyes at the young Nabooru. "You haven't experienced anything such as that have you?"
Nabooru blushed angrily. "The only passion I experience is in the battlefield!" she said, rather forcefully. "Why do you always do this to me!"
"Relax! Please!" Mother pleaded. She put an arm around the girl. "You must learn not to take things so seriously. You have to learn that, and I hope you do amongst these people. I have a feeling they're fine kids. Have fun." She took the girls chin in her hand and brought her face gently to face her own. "Most of all, be careful. We care for you, understand?"
Nabooru was a bit perplexed at the show of emotion, but it was rather comforting. "I understand. I'll be careful. Besides, these 'kids' are quite capable on their own."
Mother smiled. "I'm sure." she said slyly. She released the girls face and pushed her along. "You go now. Have fun."
Nabooru smiled slightly and caught up with the others as they left the Gerudo's home. "fun..." she thought to herself. "Sorry Mother, but that's not what's on my mind for this trip."
*************
Nabooru had a lot of time to think about this conversation. It took her mind off of what happened the night before they left the camp. The 'incident' as she refers to it in her mind. Several times during the trip, she glanced towards him. Link didn't even seem to notice. She envied him, he seemed to have been able to push the event towards the back of his mind, if not forget it entirely.
She wasn't having an easy a time with it.
The trip across the desert was an uneventful one. Zelda developed many bunions and complained vehemently to everyone, which annoyed Malon to no end, and she told the Princess to be quiet, which resulted in a fight that Link had to break up. Esea went heat crazy and thought that Saria's hair was actually leaves of a Deku tree, so she attempted to eat them...because Esea thought she was some kind of animal that eats things like that. This caused Saria to run like mad, only to be caught in a sand trap. They had to use the horses to pull her out. Afterwards, the horses protested being ridden by ANYONE, and they all had to walk on foot until they reached the end of the journey across the desert, making Link want to kill everyone, and making everyone else kind of afraid.
Like I said, pretty uneventful.
The town of Hirocco was very similar to the town of Hyrule. ( The one right before the Castle ). There were a lot of strange differences though. The town seemed more populated, or at least more dense. People were bustling through and fro, always busy, with something to do. There were a lot of strange devices that the group had never seen before, devices that churned wheels, and caused a thick grey steam to be pushed out into the sky above the town.
What the others didn't know that Saria did, was that this was a town of technology. A long time ago, the people on this side of Hyrule (The West) had forsook the magical ways of East Hyrule and the monarchy, and embraced what was known as 'Mortal Magic." They deemed it much more reliable than the Elven magic that flowed through the world, and was manipulated heavily by Sages and Magicians in East Hyrule.
Since 'Mortal Magic' was created by the people that used it, it was deemed safer, less prone to evil doings, and all in all more respectable to use. The town prided itself on its Mechanics Scientists, and Inventors, sometimes 'gracing' East Hyrule with the machines they create, such as tubes that carry sound from one long distance to another.
Link was amazed, but he doubted that this 'Mortal Magic' was any better than the real one. Perhaps he was biased. He and the Link's of the Past, along with most of the people THEY knew, were heavily submersed in Magic. If it wasn't for Magic, Ganondorf would rule this world, and these 'inventors would be lucky if they could think for themselves ever again.
'Mortal Magic.' Link didn't buy it.
Neither did Zelda, who was deeply baptized in the art of Magic. She grew more and more agitated the longer they stayed in the bustling streets of Hirocco. Saria saw this and hurried through the streets. Zelda was impressed. She never saw the little Kokiri ( or ex-Kokiri in this case ) be so aggressive. Saria pushed and shoved clueless people out of the way, like people seemed to be doing to everyone else. Zelda supposed Saria wasn't kidding when she said she spent some time with these people...and unfortunately, some of their traits had rubbed off.
Finally they reached a two-leveled house in the middle of a long row of similar strangely designed houses. There were metal pipes running around the back of the house, and the same grey steam plowed out of the end of such a pipe into the sky.
Saria turned to the others. "This is my friend's house. He and his family were kind enough to let me stay." She leaned towards the others, cupping her hand over her mouth. "Like I said, he's a Scientist ...so he might be a bit weird to you. But he's really a good guy. Just be on your best behavior allright?" She glanced at Link and Zelda for emphasis.
Zelda was a bit flustered. She wasn't used to being talked to like some child being told to behave at an grown-up social event. She hadn't been talked to like that for a long time. Still, it was Saria's call. Link scratched the back of his head and grinned largely.
"Don't worry" He told the girl in green. "I promise not to embarrass you. Heh heh."
Saria looked at him sharply, which caused the grin fall off of Link's face. Then she turned to Zelda. "And I think it'd be better to not tell them you're the Princess of Hyrule, um.. Princess." Saria said cautiously. "I don't want to intimidate them. I really think we can get some good information if we don't.
Zelda shrugged. "After that trek through the desert, I don't even look like a Princesses maid, not to mention a Princess."
Link thought that was a pretty mean thing to say of Princesses Maids ...because Zelda looked pretty bad right now. No matter, Saria was satisfied. She walked to the door and prepared to knock, when the door opened.
"Ye should know better by now, Green." the voice from inside said happily. The other's looked in as Saria smiled warmly.
Greeting them was a boy, who was not much older than Link. He had a short sleeved shirt on, and he wore baggy overalls with many pockets, all which seemed to hold notes or some tools . His face was handsome enough, and on his nose rested a small pair of spectacles. His hair was unruly and was a very light blonde...almost white.
He calmly walked up to Saria and put his arms around her. She stiffened for a second. She knew he missed her, but she didn't suspect this.
"T'is really good to see you again, Green." the boy said, pushing his spectacles up the bridge of his nose. "Ma will be ecstatic to find you've returned."
Saria's smile increased, and she turned a slight shade of red. " I'm glad Evit. I missed you and your family too."
Link coughed... not for attention, but because something was caught in his throat. Still, Zelda kicked him in the shin, causing him to yelp and grab the offended limb.
If anything good came out of that attack, it was that Saria realized that her friends were standing outside. She blushed again. "Evit, can we come in?"
"Of course." the boy replied. "What was I thinking? Please." He stood to the side and ushered them in.
Link and Malon bowed involuntarily ...something he learned to do when entering others houses. Zelda walked in as if she owned the place, something that made Evit raise an eyebrow. Everyone was amazed at the inside of the house. Pipes ran throughout the roof and the walls, seeming to give the place heat without the use of an open fireplace. Weird contraptions and inventions littered the place. It was something to behold.
A large woman with a plump but happy face walked out of a large room down the hallway. "I don't believe me eyes!" the woman said, running up to the little girl in green. She gave her a big teary-eyed hug. Saria and Evit laughed.
"Please!" She laughed. "Mrs. Stal! It's good to see you too, but I'm kinda busy...." The woman got the message and slowly released her. Saria sighed. "I want to introduce some of my friends."
Saria turned and put her hands on the Princess's shoulders. "This is Ze...Zel." she stammered. Zelda stiffly nodded, then bowed. She was about to try a curtsy when Saria moved over to the redhead. "This is Malon, from Lon Lon Ranch," Malon curtsied and said something about how nice it was to meet them. Saria turned to the taller girl. "This is Nabooru. She's a Gerudo."
"Obviously." Evit said lightly. Then he bowed to each of them, "T'is my perfect pleasure meeting ye. Any friend of Green, be a friend of mine."
Then Saria turned to Link, looked at him for a second, then put her hands on his shoulders.
"This is Link. He's also from Lon Lon Ranch." she said.
Link rubbed his right hand on his tunic and held it out for the Mother and son to shake. The mother took it vigorously. Evit looked at Links hand briefly, then leveled a smile at him.
"Link, eh?" he said, nearly smirking. "Green's told me a lot about ya."
Link met the boy's eyes. "That's funny. She told me nothing about you."
Saria gasped, mortified at Links insult. Evit however, grinned and caught Link's hand in a strong shake. "Well met. Truth be told, I didnae think ye Easterners had it in ye."
Link returned his grin and his handshake. This guy wasn't going to be a pushover. Link decided he liked him already.
*************
Mrs. Stal prepared a modest meal of lamb sides, hot mashed potatoes, chicken soup, warm buttered bread and other small various goodies, including a light wine. She called it something she just 'whipped' up. The went at it ravenously. To them, if they died right now, they'd be very satisfied.
Saria began to ask Evit many times during the dinner questions about the Ghanim and Knata in particular, but Evit quickly put a finger to her lips.
"I'm sorry darlin' " he started. "But yur absolutely filthy. T'is sad but true. Ye all looked like ye've been thoroughly trashed by a pack of Wolfos, and their mothers." The girls flushed at the insult. Nabooru was seriously thinking about explaining to the pup their trials, and why they look less then stellar. Of course, if Nabooru explained it, then there'd be a good chance Evit wouldn't survive the lesson. Link sniffed his tunic and made a 'blah' noise, proving Evit's point.
To his credit, Evit did see the look on the girls faces. He moved up his specs and put his hands up in the air. "Hold on, hold on! All I'm sayin is, there'll be no discussion until ye've all freshened up and made yurselves completely relaxed. There'll be no doubtin' that you deserve it." He leaned forward, grinning slightly. "Am I right, or am I right?"
"Well...." Zelda started "....it depends what you have for us to freshen up with."
The grin on Evit's face widened. "Oh, I think ye'll like what our humble abode has t' offer."
**************
In East Hyrule, it was called a "Jet Bubble Tub."
Zelda had never experienced anything like it before, even in the castle. Pipes were sent into the side of a large wooden plated tub, and jets of hot water flowed into the tub, causing continuous heat and small bubbles to be pumped into the tub. Add to that a unique brand of soap found only in West Hyrule, and it equaled unadulterated pleasure to those who used it.
Zelda sighed with blissful content and sank deeper into the bubbling waters. Now only her head was above the water.
Nabooru had taken her pony tail apart, and her long wet locks hung loosely around her face. She tried not to show it, but she was finding this extremely relaxing as well.
Malon sank into the waters beside her, smiling contently. They definitely have to get one of these at the ranch.
Even Esea was having a fun time. She washed herself in many of the bubbles floating and popping in the air. She bounced from one to another, sometimes being sucked inside for a playful little cleaning.
Saria had forgotten how good it felt. It was nice to experience this with her friends too. It was nice to have them all around, lounging in the bubble bath.
Well ... not all her friends.
A couple of knocks on the other side of the door signified the boy's presence again. "Hey, what are you guys.... come on, we're all friends here!" Link cried.
"Get lost!" Zelda shouted, not bothering to open her eyes.
"Wait for your turn." Malon murmured.
"Come on! Hey, I promise not to open my eyes. I can feel my way around." He smiled unconsciously reached for the doorknob."
"You try that, and I'll rip it off." Nabooru said, without looking up. Link grimaced and dropped his hand. The boy slouched and banged his head against the door in frustration.
"Ah, girls can be so cruel." Evit said from the stairwell. Link straightened and walked over.
The white-haired boy noticed the sword strapped to Link's back. He chuckled. "You Easterners. I mean really, if ye really need to protect yurself, then why with that stone-aged prop?"
Link blinked. He gestured innocently to the handle sticking out to his right. "You mean this?"
Evit nodded and pulled out something from his back. It was a small device, with a handle and a short barrel. Link looked at it curiously, peering inside the length of the barrel. Evit chuckled.
"See there, I could have killed you right there if I wanted."
Link looked up and backed away a bit. Evit explained. "This is a pistol. With enough powder fuel, it fires a small blast of superhot ash. T'is powerful enough to blow holes through walls. To destroy elven body is a synch." He waved the pistol around, circling it in his hand and aiming it at the walls and then at Link's head. "It's much more accurate, much more reliable and versatile than that archaic weapon."
He glanced over at Link, who was looking and listening intently. "You should try it. Ti's pretty obvious that you're the body-guard of the group. Ye'll have to protect 'em...so you should pack the proper hardware."
Link nodded, then bent his knees ever-so-slightly. Evit saw what was coming, but he was a bit too late. Link held the handle of the Master Sword in reverse, and whipped the sword out at a sonic speed, only to stop it an inch away from the barrel of Evit's pistol. To add to that, the flat side of his blade was resting only a foot away from Evit's neck. Evit's smile faded, and his face took on a look of slight shock.
Link smiled. "I get by." He withdrew the Master Sword and re-sheathed it behind his back. "See, I could have gotten that Pistol, and then with a lil' flip, I'd have gotten your neck too. Sword's aren't too cumbersome." Link scratched the back of his head and smiled. "You underestimated me, that's why I was able to do that. You're dangerous with that weapon, I'm tough with mine. It's all a question of what we're good at."
Evit stared at the tuniced-elf, then nodded. "Yur right, I did underestimate you. Tis a failin' of mine." He put the pistol away, fixed the position of his specs, and smiled. "Tis a mistake I wont make again."
"It'll be closer next time then" Link said smiling.
Evit laughed. "Tis good to scrap wits with someone again. To tell ye the truth, this town was gettin boring. Ever since Green left, I was thinkin about traveling to East Hyrule to check her out, match wits with new people." Evit sighed. "I kinda wish it was like when Knata was still here."
Link nearly chocked on his spit. ( There's a pleasant imagery for ya! ) He stared at Evit wide-eyed. "What!? Who did you say?!"
Evit looked at him as if he was looking at a monkey with his hair on fire. "Knata, mate. What's the problem?"
"You know Knata!?"
Evit shrugged. "Yeah. The kid and his brother lived with me when we were just children. He was my best friend for a while." He saw the look on Link's face and frowned. "What? Ye know something? Is he...is he in some kind of trouble?"
Link gulped. It's a good thing the girls were relaxing now. The coming conversation would be sure to stress them right back up again.
NEXT CHAPTER:
Link and Co get info about Knata's past, and the coming and goings of the Ghanims. Link then makes a decision that is sure to anger a lot of people. After that, things are gonna pick up...story wise. Link, Malon, Zelda, Saria, Nabooru's and ( to a lesser extent ) Ruto's journey is going to get a lot tougher from then on....both physically and emotionally. It should be good! Stick around, and please review if you read. Later guys. (o'.')o