Sheik's Precaution

"Ugh," groaned Destiny, turning her head to the side.

"Ah, excellent! You're awake at last," came a voice from somewhere in the vicinity of above her.

"Whoever's there, go away," mumbled Destiny.

"No," replied the voice. "For Heaven's sake, child! Open your eyes!"

"Heaven doesn't care about whether or not my eyes are open," growled Destiny, growing more and more irritated. But she opened her eyes anyway, and saw Sheik standing over her. "Sheik!" Instantly everything rushed back to her, the icy potion, the evil chamber, the battle, the blackness…she remembered it all. "What did you do to me?" she demanded hotly.

"I killed you," replied Sheik, as though it was the easiest thing in the world to comprehend.

"Explain," said Destiny icily, drawing out the word dangerously.

"Ah, yes, ahem, well, I just figured that it was an extra precaution. You see, if you didn't defeat Ganondorf, the potion would make you seem like you were dead. Ganondorf has no use for you dead, so he'd dispose of your body, I'd collect it, and you'd wake up safe and sound with me, ready to battle him again. And if you did defeat him, then you'd still take on the semblance of being dead and wake up safe and sound with me and your parents. As it is, you're only with me for now. Oh and he's taken what he thinks is the Master Sword, but it's really a fake that I managed to switch with the real one," he said, gesturing to the true Master Sword which lay on a table nearby. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you, I truly am, but had you known, your anxiety would've counteracted the potion and everything would have fallen apart."

"I see," said Destiny. "Well in that case, I suppose I forgive you. It was a very good plan. NEVER DO IT AGAIN!"

"Yes, Princess," mumbled Sheik. "Anyway, forget that now. We have more to do."

"You mean I have more to do," replied Destiny tiredly as she sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed. "What is it?"

"What, you mean besides destroying Ganondorf, putting the Master Sword back to rest, and all in all restoring peace to the land of Hyrule? Oh, nothing really," said Sheik.

"You think you're funny. Just see what it gets you: a pinch on the ear and a kick in the pants," said Destiny and Sheik didn't doubt it for a second.

"Right, ah, well," he said, tripping over his words, "like I said, there's more to be done. How are you feeling?"

"Better," said Destiny. "Ready."

"Well, drink this anyway," Sheik said, offering her a bottle of blue liquid.

"Blech, blue potion," she said, pulling a face. But she took the bottle and drained it anyway. "I hate that stuff. And I cannot see how Papa drank it all the time."

"Well it was either that or die," pointed out Sheik, and Destiny desisted.

"I'm ready to face Ganondorf again," she said, rising to her feet. "But I have to know something first."

"What's that?" asked Sheik, almost afraid to ask.

"What's happened to my parents?" asked Destiny. Sheik sighed. He had feared this.

"I'm afraid they're still in the castle. And unless you act very swiftly, their blood will be spilt to the birth of Ganondorf's Gods of Darkness." He didn't get to say anymore, as Destiny seized the sword vanished out the door as soon as she heard this. "Luck and the Golden Ladies be with you, Princess Destiny Trifosa," he said softly, gazing after her. "You are your father's daughter."

"Why does everyone always tell me that?" Destiny said to herself as she sped down the hall; she had heard Sheik's last words. She shook her head and ran on, faster than before, down the stairs, out the door, into the open. Once outside she froze, realizing where she was. She was on the Lon Lon Ranch! "Huh, this was unexpected," she muttered, looking around. Something warm and soft nudged her from behind. Instantly she spun around, sword unsheathed, wild fire in her eyes. Dante snorted at her, a little derisively. Destiny relaxed and sheathed her sword again. "Hello, you devil. Long time, no see," she said. Dante smiled with his eyes at her. Destiny smiled back as she mounted him. "Take me back to the castle of darkness," she said. Dante jerked his head up sharply, as if to say, "What are you, crazy? That's suicide!" Destiny sighed.

"Look, I am aware of the situation, I was there before, and it's up to me to stop all this, now please take me back there or I will go back myself on foot!" she said. Still uncertain, Dante bolted for Hyrule Castle Town. This time around, he didn't halt at the ruined drawbridge but cleared it in one graceful leap and sped on. Destiny smiled and patted Dante's neck. He ran down a few ReDeads on their way, but didn't stop until they reached the bridge of rainbow light. Destiny slipped off Dante's back easily and kissed his nose.

"Thanks, friend," she said and turned to cross the bridge. Dante caught her sleeve in his mouth and she turned back to him. "Was there something else?" she asked. He responded by licking her hand. She smiled at him. "I'm coming back," she promised, and crossed the bridge quickly. There was no need to falter now, as all obstacles had been overcome before. As she ran up the stairs to Ganondorf's chamber, she stopped short. Toan! She had completely forgotten about Toan! "Toan!" she called aloud. "Toan, where are you?"

"I'm here," came Toan's voice. "Don't worry, I'm here." And he came out from under her cap.

"Oh there you are," Destiny said with a sigh of relief. "I was afraid I'd left you."

"I had thought that you were angry enough to slaughter Ganondorf without me," commented Toan. Destiny managed a smile, and swung her sword so the air rang.

"You hear that?" she asked. Toan nodded, looking at her sword. "The Master Sword sings for Ganondorf's blood, to taste his death. My blood is hot with rage, ready to destroy him forever. But no matter what, I'd have been five times weaker if you were not with me." Toan smiled warmly at her. She smiled back in the same manner, then let all mirth fade from her face and be replaced by anger. "And now it's time." The two darted up the remaining stairs to the chamber, ready for whatever lay beyond it.