Disclaimer: I don't own any of this stuff, someone more important does.
Note: The land of Hyrule to me is far larger than it actually was.
Link stopped by the Village of Kakariko on his way back to the ranch. It actually was in the total opposite direction, but hey, whatever. He needed to go get his sword sharpened from the blacksmith, and the blacksmith in castle town was too busy with swords for soldiers who potentially might not have any. The thought of war in the vast land of Hyrule frightened Link. There were so many places that could be attacked. Then he remembered the Kokiri. They couldn't fight. They were mere children, (children of the age of 58 to 106) and could not defend themselves. He would have to bring this up to Rittory next time the met. He finally arrived at the blacksmith, and asked for Pikino, the master smith.
"Ah, Link. Haven't seen you around these parts since last time you brought Malon in for a look at fending swords. She still interested in fencing, we just got some nice fencing swords in."
"No, Pikino. I'm actually here for me. I'm not sure how fast news travels, but-"
"The King was killed by the Ganondorf, whom escaped, and the Princess Zelda has declared war?"
"How'd you know that much?"
"Rittory was here earlier, he said they might need the shop, but to act normally for now. He told me you'd probably be in as well."
"Well, he was accurate in his assumption. I actually need a couple things done. Can you sharpen Brianin, and also polish my shield?"
"Of course." Pikino said, holding Links sword. "Lito, come get his shield."
"Yes sir, right away." An awkward looking young boy came from the back of the shop, wearing a smith's apron, and holding a dagger. Lito was an apprentice to Pikino who was still learning the ropes. He tripped over a rod on the floor, and the dagger flew into the air. It zoomed past Pikino's head, and Link caught it.
"Stupid boy. You could've killed a well paying customer!" Pikino snapped.
"Sorry Uncle, I didn't mean to." The boy said standing up and taking Link's shield. He started walking to the back again.
"This is what I deal with every day, Link. He's just as stubborn as his mother, and allergic to those damn birds. What kind of woman cares for birds that she can't even touch?"
"Take it easy Pikino, you have a family."
"Yeah, I know. It's just, how could my sister get mixed up with a damn carpenter who ditched her for a Gerudo. It's just not right."
"You're right it isn't. Life, unfortunately, doesn't go our way."
"Don't get smart with me, Link. I'll slay you with your own sword." Pikino joked, pointing Brianin in Link's direction.
"Well, I if you stabbed me with it you might be able to pinch me. It wouldn't even cut twine though. That is why I'm giving it to you."
"Alright kiddo. It'll be done Thursday. You won't be in the front lines by then will you?"
"There won't even be lines by then. You have time. And if you could maybe get some diamonds in the edges, to give it a little bit of hardness to it."
"That costs money." Pikino said. His thought was finished by a bag of red and purple rupees slid to him over the table. "I'll see what we can do." He finished.
"I'll be leaving then." Link said turning. Without his shield and sword, he knew he'd have to lay low for a day or so. He checked his small sheath by his waist to make sure he still had the dagger Malon gave him. "See ya later Pikino. Bye Lito." Lito peeked out from the back and waved goodbye. He forgot he was holding Link's shield and it crashed down on his foot. He jumped around on one foot, holding the other wincing.
"What have I told you Li, just say 'Good day, Sir.' That way maybe you won't drop everything on your foot. Don't make me take that foot off." Link continued out the door, chucking.
* * * *
Meanwhile back at the ranch (oh har har) Malon was busy picking flowers in the garden. She looked up as her father came towards her. "Hi, Daddy." She said with a dull smile.
"Hello Malon. Pickin' flowers are ya?" Malon giggled, looking at him with a look of 'how dumb are you?' He let out a light chuckle. "You're worried about Link aren't you?"
"Yes, I am. I'm worried this war is going to kill him. No. No, not that it will kill him, that it will kill his spirit."
"What? I'm worried that this war is going to hurt him, in an emotional sense. There is no doubt in my mind he will come home, But, I don't think he will be the same man."
"Oh, Malon." Talon said bending down to be closer to her. "Link is not only strong physically. He has a strong will. He would never change just because of some war. He will come back, and you two will live happily ever after."
"Fairytales, Dad." She said standing up, "There's no proof they come true. They aren't even real." Talon looked away from her, fearing she would go into a depression over such a little thing. She'd done it before. He never wanted to remember that. Only Malon and Talon knew about what had happened that one day, but he blocked it from his mind. He jerked his head up at the sound of some sort of scuffle in the barn.
"What are you doing? No don't! Aghhhhh…"
"That was Ingo! What happened?" Malon yelled as they started towards the barn. Just then the side door blew off and out came a horrible image.
"Ganondorf! You bastard of a man, what have you done." Talon yelled. "Just 'cause your plan of Ingo taking over the ranch didn't work, you didn't kill him, did you?"
"I am not Ganondorf. There is no Ganondorf. There is only Ganon, Great Lord of Darkness! I am his phantom. And yes I did kill that pitiful excuse for a man." Phantom Ganon reached behind him, and lifted Ingo's head, without a body. He held it in his hand, and purple flames jumped from it. Phantom Ganon let out a hideous laugh, and a horse came to him from the barn. He jumped on it, and rode towards the sky. A thick blanket of clouds came over them. It wasn't clouds though, they were Keese. The Phantom rode into them, and disappeared. Then a terrible dragon flew through the Keese. It came down and looked at the two farmers, the Keese flying in circles.
"Sorry about that, folks. The Phantom was here to dispose of the fool. I am here, to dispose of this ranch. We have what we need, thank you for doing business." Volvagia flew back towards the sky, and let out a blast of fire from his mouth. I miniscule spark touched one Keese, and in a matter of seconds, they all ignited. The sky was filled with a fire, which descended to Earth. The Keese started to fly into everything in the ranch, catching everything on fire. Malon and Talon stared in disbelief, as the ranch went up in flames.
Read and review folks. Please be positive, I don't like that 'this story blows' crap. If you have suggestions, e-mail me. Maybe I'll use them.
