SSBM Master: Well, where were we? Ah yes James has popped his clogs (No disrespect meant of course.) and Gannondorf is now unstoppable. With no master sword in Link's sheath and no way of sending Gannondorf to the dark realm, Gannondorf is now invincible. How will Link stop him? Read on to find out.
I do not own Zelda
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Chapter 16: Never surrender!
Aryll heard what Orca said loud and clear, but she didn't want to believe it. She couldn't believe it. But looking down on James's lifeless body, she realised it had to be true. The blood continued to spill out of the wound and his face was steadily growing paler. Aryll took his hand. It felt stone cold.
"James…" she whispered "I… I would have loved to go to Windfall on a date with you…" James's hand slipped out of hers, and Aryll, overcome with emotion sobbed into her hands. She felt Tetra's palm on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry Aryll…" She said in a soothing voice.
"He… wanted to take me out Tetra…I never even gave him an answer." Tetra gave her a sympathetic look but before anyone could do anything else, a cry of rage sounded from atop the tower. Link had finally made it.
"Link," Aryll muttered to herself, "You better kill him. Cause if you don't then god help me I will!"
* * *
"GANNONDORF!!" Link shouted, boiling with rage. Link had just arrived atop the tower in time to see Gannondorf fling James over the edge. Link had forgotten about the plan. He had forgotten that he no longer had the master sword. All he cared about now was causing as much pain to this sorry excuse for a human being as possible. "TURN AROUND AND FACE ME!!"
Gannondorf did not turn. He had been staring down at James ever since throwing him down. He showed no signs of even knowing of Link's presence until he said.
"It isn't easy you know…" Gannondorf spoke very solemnly. Link stood, still shaking with rage, staring at Gannondorf. "Do you think I take pleasure in what I do? I do this because it is my fate, my destiny. You think I wish to carry on killing?…No, hero of winds, I will only kill those who stand in my way and though it is hard…"
Gannondorf turned round to face Link. Link had expected him to have an angry but calm look on his face. However when he turned, he had a gleeful smile on his face, his eyes were bulging and for the first time, Link understood just how insane Gannondorf was.
"…It is times like this that make it all worthwhile!!" And with that, Gannondorf threw back his head and laughed. It wasn't a cruel cackle; it felt more like Gannondorf found something genuinely funny. "You too late, hero of winds!!" he shouted. "There is nothing you can do! The sage of fire is dead! You now have no chance whatsoever of banishing me to the dark realm! And I have seen to it that the Master sword, the sword that glows with the power to repel evil is destroyed!!"
Gannondorf breathed deeply and although he seemed to have retained some of his calm attitude, Link could still see his eyes bulge and he could not seem to wipe the malicious smile from his face.
"There is nothing you can do. Without the master sword, or all six sages, you have lost." Gannondorf drew out his two swords. "Maybe you will be triumphant in death."
Link had not listened to a word of Gannondorf's egotistic speech. Drawing his own weapons, he bellowed, "I'LL BE TRIUMPHANT IN LIFE!!" and with that, he leapt at Gannondorf.
Link came at Gannondorf so ferociously, that Gannondorf did not seem to have any time to fight back. He had forgotten all about strategy and timing. All that seemed to matter to him now was to put as much force into his blows as possible. Gannondorf kept stepping back, away from Link, however the gleeful smile was still there and Link had the impression that Gannondorf was only toying with him.
Link brought his sword down to connect with Gannondorf's shoulder but as always, Gannondorf brought his sword up to block it. Before Link could draw back though, Gannondorf rammed his fist into Link's stomach causing him to double over.
"Give up!" Gannondorf hissed at him "You have lost!" More to the contrary however, Link swung once again at Gannondorf who casually sidestepped it.
"It isn't over until one of us is dead!" Link spat savagely. Gannondorf surveyed him with interest.
"You really believe that don't you?" he said with a slightly mocking laugh. Link just stood there saying nothing. He did not know why Gannondorf had stopped the fight to talk but it was a good chance for Link to catch his breath. "Tell me, Hero of winds, how do you feel you are faring?"
Again, Link did not speak. Gannondorf smiled broadly. "Surely, even with the desire to avenge your friends death, you must have noticed how little progress you have been making in this battle. When I fought you six years ago, I was overwhelmed by how much power a child such as you had at your disposal. I underestimated you and that was why I lost."
"However," he continued. "I don't want you running away with the illusion of your superiority. You see, there is nothing special about you. You were, and still are no more skilled compared to me than the next man."
"I beat you didn't I?" said Link, unable to resist himself. Gannondorf shook his head.
"No Link, You did not. You would have perished long before now had it been only you that defeated me. You see, during our battle, you had three influencing forces on your side. The first was the assistance of princess Zelda. She had been a major distraction for me in our dual. The second was the master sword. The one blade with enough power to be wielded with success against me. And finally…" Gannondorf suddenly looked menacing again.
"You had behind you, the power of the Triforce. The kings wish gave you the strength you required to defeat me."
"Is that what you think?" Link asked boldly. "It sounds to me like you've just come up with some excuses as to why you were nearly killed by a pair of twelve year olds!"
"Well, even you have to admit that now that none of these forces are with you, you are fighting a losing battle." Link raised his sword again.
"We'll soon see who loses." He said. Gannondorf laughed.
"You appear to need further convincing." He said. "Very well, come and strike me." Link hesitated. He had been hoping to catch Gannondorf off guard, but in any case, that would not be happening now. So, Link fiercely thrusted his sword to where Gannondorf's chest was. Gannondorf blocked the shot…but not with his sword.
Gannondorf had literally caught the blade end of Link's sword with his left hand! Gannondorf then jerked the sword out of Link's grip and threw it over the side of the tower. Link looked, horrified, into the face of Gannondorf. He had always been told by the king of the red lions that only the master sword would work against the king of evil but he had not realised to what extent. Gannondorf HAD been toying with him, and James as well.
"You see?" Gannondorf said, his eyes narrowed. "You never really stood a chance against me. You are no hero. Merely a boy that got mixed up in a lot of complicated event's." Link took a few steps back. He now had no sword, not that it would have made any difference if he had. "So," Gannondorf began "How confident does the hero of wind feel now?"
Link felt, defeated. There was nothing he could do. Gannondorf had won this time. "Goodbye Link, Gannondorf said, raising his sword. "You have been very entertaining!"
* * *
The Pirates watched, stunned as James gave Link a sharp martial art's kick on Link's left hamstring, causing Link to stumble. Before he could turn to face James, James ducked to the floor and swung his left leg along the floor in a smooth arc, eventually connecting with Link's left shin. Link fell flat on his face and before anyone knew it, James had Link's sword prodding Link in the back of his neck.
"Look's like I win," said James smugly. "You shouldn't have gotten cocky and moved in for the kill."
"I'll have to remember that." Said Link, smirking.
* * *
Link snapped back to his senses. He had just remembered the sparring match he had had with James on the first morning they had known each other. Link had lost that match because he had gotten cocky since James had lost his weapon and he now realised that the same was happening here. In the last second he had also remembered everything he had done without help. He had taken down thousands of adversaries and there was no rule that would stop him doing the same to this one.
As Gannondorf's sword was raised, ready to strike, Link charged at him. Gannondorf was taken completely by surprise and dropped his swords when Link's shoulder collided with his gut.
Link had, once again, lost all regard for his own safety. Gannondorf staggered further toward the edge of the tower and Link charged again. This time however, Gannondorf was ready for him. As Link drew within his reach, he grabbed Link and hurled him over the edge!!
However, although Gannondorf had sent Link to join the same fate as James, he had also inadvertently thrown him a line. Link grabbed Gannondorf's outstretched arm and started fiercely trying to pull Gannon down with him.
"You fool!!" Gannondorf cried, trying his best not to share Link's fate. "Let go or we'll both fall!!"
"THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I'M COUNTING ON!!!" Link bellowed back. He was not bothered by the fact that no human being could survive what he was embracing. Link gave Gannondorf's arm one last fierce pull and the both hurtled to the courtyard below!
* * *
Tetra, Aryll, Orca, Medli and Makar all watched in a state of shock as the silhouettes of Gannondorf and Link hurtled to the ground and hit it with a large thud.
"Link…" Tetra said softly and tried to make her way over to the spot where they had landed but Orca held out his arm.
"Wait, they were close to each other when they fell." He said. "One may have broken the others fall." Tetra nodded and they all made their way cautiously over to the spot where they were. When they got there however, there was only one body. Gannondorf was sprawled over the floor showing no signs of movement.
"Where's Link?" asked Aryll. Looking around anxiously.
"UP HERE!" came a voice. The sages looked up to see Link floating down to them using a huge leaf as a parachute. Tetra did not care why Link had such a strange item or how he had got it. She was just glad he was ok and the moment he landed, she and Aryll flung their arms around him.
"Don't ever scare me like that again big bro." Aryll said. Orca chuckled
"You are full of surprises young man!" he said. After a few seconds Link pushed off Tetra and Aryll. He had a serious look on his face.
"Gannondorf had told me that James had died from the fall…is it true?" Orca nodded solemnly. There was a long pause.
"What now?" said Medli "There is no way to stop Gannondorf." They all looked at her. "He cannot be killed remember. He's only injured." They all looked at Gannondorf except for Aryll who seemed to suddenly become exited about something.
"Hey…" she said "What if…I said there was a way to bring James back?" They all looked at her.
* * *
Gannondorf opened his eyes. He seemed to be injured. Then he remembered. Curse that Link, he would pay for this. If he was still alive. Gannondorf raised his head and, horrified, he saw all the sages and Link. How had he survived the fall?
Gannondorf grunted and tried to get up, but it was no use. He would heal soon. He would have to stay down for now.
He looked up again. They were all over the dead sages body. Probably mourning. Wait…no they weren't. Link and Zelda had their hands raised and their Triforce symbols were glowing. Then his own Triforce symbol shone and he realised what they were planning to do. He couldn't let it happen. At that moment, all three of their hands shone so brightly he couldn't see but when he looked again he could see three golden triangles. They had summoned the Triforce!
* * *
Aryll walked, trembling as she went, over to the Triforce and laid her hand on it.
"I wish that the sage of fire be brought back to life." For a moment Aryll wasn't sure if it had worked. Then the three triangles shone brightly, and a beam of light shot out of it and hit James's body. Aryll and the others rushed over to him as the Triforce disappeared. Aryll was first there. She bent down over him, and took his hand. "James…can you hear me?"
James's eyes suddenly flickered and then opened. "Aryll…?" he said softly. He then shook himself slightly and sat up. "What happened?" Aryll suddenly became overcome with emotion and pulled him into a backbreaking hug. For a moment no one said anything. Then Aryll felt James turn his head questioningly to Link.
"You…well you died." Link said "And then we wished you back with the Triforce."
"Gannondorf…" James said suddenly.
"Oh, don't worry. He's not going anywhere."
"No I mean GANNONDORF!!" Aryll felt him suddenly pull her away from the spot where they had been standing. She heard a loud smash and turned to see that Gannondorf was there. He had just smashed a sledgehammer on the spot where they had just been. James must have seen him coming and pulled them out of the way in time.
Gannondorf span round to face them when suddenly Medli shot, what looked like, a beam of green light out of her hands. "You're not going anywhere!" she said. The light seemed to bind Gannondorf to the spot. Then one by on the other sages shot their own uniquely coloured light until only Aryll was left.
She raised her hands and yellow light suddenly shot out of her hands. At this point Gannondorf started spinning faster and faster. There was a burst of light and Gannondorf vanished back to the dark realm.
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SSBM Master: HA! You didn't seriously think I'd permanently kill James did you? I mean that's ok for authors like Darren Shan and J.K. Rowling but it's just not my style. Some of you didn't believe the he'd be permanently dead, (I'm looking at you Timbrain) and some of you wailed in sadness (*cough* Ani *cough* *cough*) But in any case you now know what happens.
Ah well, my story's coming to an end but I have one more chapter to write. So don't give up on me till I'm done.
I do not own Zelda
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Chapter 16: Never surrender!
Aryll heard what Orca said loud and clear, but she didn't want to believe it. She couldn't believe it. But looking down on James's lifeless body, she realised it had to be true. The blood continued to spill out of the wound and his face was steadily growing paler. Aryll took his hand. It felt stone cold.
"James…" she whispered "I… I would have loved to go to Windfall on a date with you…" James's hand slipped out of hers, and Aryll, overcome with emotion sobbed into her hands. She felt Tetra's palm on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry Aryll…" She said in a soothing voice.
"He… wanted to take me out Tetra…I never even gave him an answer." Tetra gave her a sympathetic look but before anyone could do anything else, a cry of rage sounded from atop the tower. Link had finally made it.
"Link," Aryll muttered to herself, "You better kill him. Cause if you don't then god help me I will!"
* * *
"GANNONDORF!!" Link shouted, boiling with rage. Link had just arrived atop the tower in time to see Gannondorf fling James over the edge. Link had forgotten about the plan. He had forgotten that he no longer had the master sword. All he cared about now was causing as much pain to this sorry excuse for a human being as possible. "TURN AROUND AND FACE ME!!"
Gannondorf did not turn. He had been staring down at James ever since throwing him down. He showed no signs of even knowing of Link's presence until he said.
"It isn't easy you know…" Gannondorf spoke very solemnly. Link stood, still shaking with rage, staring at Gannondorf. "Do you think I take pleasure in what I do? I do this because it is my fate, my destiny. You think I wish to carry on killing?…No, hero of winds, I will only kill those who stand in my way and though it is hard…"
Gannondorf turned round to face Link. Link had expected him to have an angry but calm look on his face. However when he turned, he had a gleeful smile on his face, his eyes were bulging and for the first time, Link understood just how insane Gannondorf was.
"…It is times like this that make it all worthwhile!!" And with that, Gannondorf threw back his head and laughed. It wasn't a cruel cackle; it felt more like Gannondorf found something genuinely funny. "You too late, hero of winds!!" he shouted. "There is nothing you can do! The sage of fire is dead! You now have no chance whatsoever of banishing me to the dark realm! And I have seen to it that the Master sword, the sword that glows with the power to repel evil is destroyed!!"
Gannondorf breathed deeply and although he seemed to have retained some of his calm attitude, Link could still see his eyes bulge and he could not seem to wipe the malicious smile from his face.
"There is nothing you can do. Without the master sword, or all six sages, you have lost." Gannondorf drew out his two swords. "Maybe you will be triumphant in death."
Link had not listened to a word of Gannondorf's egotistic speech. Drawing his own weapons, he bellowed, "I'LL BE TRIUMPHANT IN LIFE!!" and with that, he leapt at Gannondorf.
Link came at Gannondorf so ferociously, that Gannondorf did not seem to have any time to fight back. He had forgotten all about strategy and timing. All that seemed to matter to him now was to put as much force into his blows as possible. Gannondorf kept stepping back, away from Link, however the gleeful smile was still there and Link had the impression that Gannondorf was only toying with him.
Link brought his sword down to connect with Gannondorf's shoulder but as always, Gannondorf brought his sword up to block it. Before Link could draw back though, Gannondorf rammed his fist into Link's stomach causing him to double over.
"Give up!" Gannondorf hissed at him "You have lost!" More to the contrary however, Link swung once again at Gannondorf who casually sidestepped it.
"It isn't over until one of us is dead!" Link spat savagely. Gannondorf surveyed him with interest.
"You really believe that don't you?" he said with a slightly mocking laugh. Link just stood there saying nothing. He did not know why Gannondorf had stopped the fight to talk but it was a good chance for Link to catch his breath. "Tell me, Hero of winds, how do you feel you are faring?"
Again, Link did not speak. Gannondorf smiled broadly. "Surely, even with the desire to avenge your friends death, you must have noticed how little progress you have been making in this battle. When I fought you six years ago, I was overwhelmed by how much power a child such as you had at your disposal. I underestimated you and that was why I lost."
"However," he continued. "I don't want you running away with the illusion of your superiority. You see, there is nothing special about you. You were, and still are no more skilled compared to me than the next man."
"I beat you didn't I?" said Link, unable to resist himself. Gannondorf shook his head.
"No Link, You did not. You would have perished long before now had it been only you that defeated me. You see, during our battle, you had three influencing forces on your side. The first was the assistance of princess Zelda. She had been a major distraction for me in our dual. The second was the master sword. The one blade with enough power to be wielded with success against me. And finally…" Gannondorf suddenly looked menacing again.
"You had behind you, the power of the Triforce. The kings wish gave you the strength you required to defeat me."
"Is that what you think?" Link asked boldly. "It sounds to me like you've just come up with some excuses as to why you were nearly killed by a pair of twelve year olds!"
"Well, even you have to admit that now that none of these forces are with you, you are fighting a losing battle." Link raised his sword again.
"We'll soon see who loses." He said. Gannondorf laughed.
"You appear to need further convincing." He said. "Very well, come and strike me." Link hesitated. He had been hoping to catch Gannondorf off guard, but in any case, that would not be happening now. So, Link fiercely thrusted his sword to where Gannondorf's chest was. Gannondorf blocked the shot…but not with his sword.
Gannondorf had literally caught the blade end of Link's sword with his left hand! Gannondorf then jerked the sword out of Link's grip and threw it over the side of the tower. Link looked, horrified, into the face of Gannondorf. He had always been told by the king of the red lions that only the master sword would work against the king of evil but he had not realised to what extent. Gannondorf HAD been toying with him, and James as well.
"You see?" Gannondorf said, his eyes narrowed. "You never really stood a chance against me. You are no hero. Merely a boy that got mixed up in a lot of complicated event's." Link took a few steps back. He now had no sword, not that it would have made any difference if he had. "So," Gannondorf began "How confident does the hero of wind feel now?"
Link felt, defeated. There was nothing he could do. Gannondorf had won this time. "Goodbye Link, Gannondorf said, raising his sword. "You have been very entertaining!"
* * *
The Pirates watched, stunned as James gave Link a sharp martial art's kick on Link's left hamstring, causing Link to stumble. Before he could turn to face James, James ducked to the floor and swung his left leg along the floor in a smooth arc, eventually connecting with Link's left shin. Link fell flat on his face and before anyone knew it, James had Link's sword prodding Link in the back of his neck.
"Look's like I win," said James smugly. "You shouldn't have gotten cocky and moved in for the kill."
"I'll have to remember that." Said Link, smirking.
* * *
Link snapped back to his senses. He had just remembered the sparring match he had had with James on the first morning they had known each other. Link had lost that match because he had gotten cocky since James had lost his weapon and he now realised that the same was happening here. In the last second he had also remembered everything he had done without help. He had taken down thousands of adversaries and there was no rule that would stop him doing the same to this one.
As Gannondorf's sword was raised, ready to strike, Link charged at him. Gannondorf was taken completely by surprise and dropped his swords when Link's shoulder collided with his gut.
Link had, once again, lost all regard for his own safety. Gannondorf staggered further toward the edge of the tower and Link charged again. This time however, Gannondorf was ready for him. As Link drew within his reach, he grabbed Link and hurled him over the edge!!
However, although Gannondorf had sent Link to join the same fate as James, he had also inadvertently thrown him a line. Link grabbed Gannondorf's outstretched arm and started fiercely trying to pull Gannon down with him.
"You fool!!" Gannondorf cried, trying his best not to share Link's fate. "Let go or we'll both fall!!"
"THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I'M COUNTING ON!!!" Link bellowed back. He was not bothered by the fact that no human being could survive what he was embracing. Link gave Gannondorf's arm one last fierce pull and the both hurtled to the courtyard below!
* * *
Tetra, Aryll, Orca, Medli and Makar all watched in a state of shock as the silhouettes of Gannondorf and Link hurtled to the ground and hit it with a large thud.
"Link…" Tetra said softly and tried to make her way over to the spot where they had landed but Orca held out his arm.
"Wait, they were close to each other when they fell." He said. "One may have broken the others fall." Tetra nodded and they all made their way cautiously over to the spot where they were. When they got there however, there was only one body. Gannondorf was sprawled over the floor showing no signs of movement.
"Where's Link?" asked Aryll. Looking around anxiously.
"UP HERE!" came a voice. The sages looked up to see Link floating down to them using a huge leaf as a parachute. Tetra did not care why Link had such a strange item or how he had got it. She was just glad he was ok and the moment he landed, she and Aryll flung their arms around him.
"Don't ever scare me like that again big bro." Aryll said. Orca chuckled
"You are full of surprises young man!" he said. After a few seconds Link pushed off Tetra and Aryll. He had a serious look on his face.
"Gannondorf had told me that James had died from the fall…is it true?" Orca nodded solemnly. There was a long pause.
"What now?" said Medli "There is no way to stop Gannondorf." They all looked at her. "He cannot be killed remember. He's only injured." They all looked at Gannondorf except for Aryll who seemed to suddenly become exited about something.
"Hey…" she said "What if…I said there was a way to bring James back?" They all looked at her.
* * *
Gannondorf opened his eyes. He seemed to be injured. Then he remembered. Curse that Link, he would pay for this. If he was still alive. Gannondorf raised his head and, horrified, he saw all the sages and Link. How had he survived the fall?
Gannondorf grunted and tried to get up, but it was no use. He would heal soon. He would have to stay down for now.
He looked up again. They were all over the dead sages body. Probably mourning. Wait…no they weren't. Link and Zelda had their hands raised and their Triforce symbols were glowing. Then his own Triforce symbol shone and he realised what they were planning to do. He couldn't let it happen. At that moment, all three of their hands shone so brightly he couldn't see but when he looked again he could see three golden triangles. They had summoned the Triforce!
* * *
Aryll walked, trembling as she went, over to the Triforce and laid her hand on it.
"I wish that the sage of fire be brought back to life." For a moment Aryll wasn't sure if it had worked. Then the three triangles shone brightly, and a beam of light shot out of it and hit James's body. Aryll and the others rushed over to him as the Triforce disappeared. Aryll was first there. She bent down over him, and took his hand. "James…can you hear me?"
James's eyes suddenly flickered and then opened. "Aryll…?" he said softly. He then shook himself slightly and sat up. "What happened?" Aryll suddenly became overcome with emotion and pulled him into a backbreaking hug. For a moment no one said anything. Then Aryll felt James turn his head questioningly to Link.
"You…well you died." Link said "And then we wished you back with the Triforce."
"Gannondorf…" James said suddenly.
"Oh, don't worry. He's not going anywhere."
"No I mean GANNONDORF!!" Aryll felt him suddenly pull her away from the spot where they had been standing. She heard a loud smash and turned to see that Gannondorf was there. He had just smashed a sledgehammer on the spot where they had just been. James must have seen him coming and pulled them out of the way in time.
Gannondorf span round to face them when suddenly Medli shot, what looked like, a beam of green light out of her hands. "You're not going anywhere!" she said. The light seemed to bind Gannondorf to the spot. Then one by on the other sages shot their own uniquely coloured light until only Aryll was left.
She raised her hands and yellow light suddenly shot out of her hands. At this point Gannondorf started spinning faster and faster. There was a burst of light and Gannondorf vanished back to the dark realm.
********************************
SSBM Master: HA! You didn't seriously think I'd permanently kill James did you? I mean that's ok for authors like Darren Shan and J.K. Rowling but it's just not my style. Some of you didn't believe the he'd be permanently dead, (I'm looking at you Timbrain) and some of you wailed in sadness (*cough* Ani *cough* *cough*) But in any case you now know what happens.
Ah well, my story's coming to an end but I have one more chapter to write. So don't give up on me till I'm done.
