Smitts walked into Ganon's office while the Dark Lord was taking his lunch. He had returned to the town barely an hour before, running faster and further than he had ever run in his life. As such, he had collapsed the moment he had explained to the guard at the gate why he had returned alone from his raiding mission, only to be awoken several minutes later by a summons from Ganon. The boss had requested that he carry out a 'very important' errand, and it was from that mission that Smitts was returning.
Ganon looked up from his meal, eyed Smitts for a moment, then took a long drink from his mug. Wiping his mouth on the back of his hand, he went back to his meal. "Well, Smitts? Have you carried out you task?"
"Yessir," Smitts replied hastily. "The message from our boy in the rebel camp has been forwarded to Razza's squad, and the group currently patrolling that area, and sent your orders with 'im."
"Excellent," Ganon commended. "And which group was it again that was in the area?"
"That would be Bone's squad, sir."
Ganon's smile widened even further. "Even better. Though I suppose it will be a bit of a waste…"
As usual, Smitts was confused by his master's plots. "Sir? Don't you think Bones will be able to win? I mean, lookit what he has for men…"
"Oh, don't get me wrong," Ganon took a large bite from a cuckoo leg. "I'm sure he will put up a valiant effort, and of course there is always the chance he will succeed. But it is far more likely that he and the rest of his men will be dead within the next couple of hours, as will Razza's. Still, that is not the point."
"Begging your pardon sir…what is the point?"
Ganon chuckled, as if he took some pleasure out of explaining his plans to his minions. "Sometimes Smitts it is far more effective to distract rather than destroy. To humiliate rather than defeat. Link—or the Gladiator, if you prefer—is the type of enemy that requires such tactics. This attack will serve to distract him from what will happen to tomorrow night. He is not stupid; he must be suspicious of my inaction up to this point. No doubt he suspected me to come after him long before now. This will lead him to believe that I have not been idle, that my inability to find him and his rabble is due entirely to skill and good luck. Thus he will never anticipate what is to come. Which will make it all the sweeter."
Smitts was still confused, but he did understand one thing. "So we're still on fer tomorrow?"
Ganon smiled down on him and clasped his shoulder, squeezing until the smaller man winced in pain. "Yes, Smitts. We are 'still on' for tomorrow. Be prepared."
* * *
Link had been gone for an hour, and seeing as how no further planning could be done till his return, the inner circle of the rebellion dispersed to go about their business. Cremia had gone to the stables, Bacas to the mess hall, and Uvan had slipped quietly out the back, followed by Rankish. Anju had gone to check on Jon and Kayla, which left Kafei free to wander among his people.
As he walked among them, watching them train, sort through armaments, and other daily routines, he couldn't help but be amazed at the complete and total turnaround these peaceful, timid, and—if he was to be completely honest with himself—generally lazy townsfolk had made in the short time since Link had become their leader. Kafei was not jealous, however; far from it. He knew that he was a capable leader, well liked and respected by the people, but he was no warrior, and as such he had no idea how to lead like one. Link had changed a great deal in the eight years since Kafei had last seen him, and given the circumstances, those changes were for the better. But he was holding something back; Kafei could tell. When he wasn't leading his class or helping plan the assault on Ganon's forces, Link was often withdrawn, as if his thoughts were focused on another world, likely the one he had come from. Kafei had chosen to respect the other man's privacy and had refrained from prying, but Link needed to be at the top of his game by the Festival. Kafei and the rest of the rebels knew, even if Link didn't, that the battle would either be won or lost by Link alone. He would need to focused and clear of any other thoughts.
As if on cue, he turned a corner and almost ran right into Romani, her face as red as her hair in anger, a vicious scowl on her face. She stormed right past him, heading, it would seem, for the stables. His brow wrinkled in confusion, Kafei turned back in the direction he was heading and saw Boomer glaring after her, arms crossed in stubborn defiance. "I'm almost afraid to ask," Kafei started, "But mind telling me what that was all about?"
"Nothin'," Boomer hastily answered. Kafei waited patiently, and a few seconds later, Boomer let out a sad sigh and said, "Somethin'. Me and Romani just got into a fight."
Kafei offered him a small smile, wrapped an arm around the teenager's shoulders and led continued on with his walk, Boomer in tow. "I gathered that. What about?"
Boomer waited a moment, searching for the words, than began, "We just got to arguing because she thinks she beat me in a match during practice today, and I just told her that I wasn't even trying that hard, then she said that I was, and then…"
"And did she?"
Boomer's expression was puzzled. "Did she what?"
Kafei laughed a little. "Did she beat you?"
"Well yeah, but that's not the point…"
"The point is that she wounded your pride in front of your friends and your teacher, and you don't want to admit it."
Boomer nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly! That's exactly it! She just doesn't understand."
Kafei looked at him sternly. "Romani's a smart girl; I'm sure she understands perfectly. What else was your argument about?"
"No, that was it," Boomer told him. But then his face lit up as if something just dawned at him, then it immediately fell again. "But I did say some pretty stupid things." Kafei waited patiently for him to continue. "She said that Link said that gender doesn't matter in a fight, that all that matters was skill and desire, and she said that I shouldn't get mad just because she's better than me at some things. I said she wasn't better than me, and that Link isn't always right—which I didn't mean, it just came out—she called me jealous and I called her a flirt and a teacher's pet, and then she stormed off."
Kafei nodded, understanding. "I see. What makes you think she's a flirt?"
"I don't! But…y'know, Link's just…I dunno, so much cooler than I am, and they were friends before Romani and I even met, and all the girls in camp think he's 'so cute' and everything, and I'm just…
"Jealous?" Kafei offered.
Boomer sighed and nodded in defeat. "Jealous. And scared. I don't mean to be! I mean, Link's my friend, and our leader, and I know he'd never screw me over like that, but I can't help but think that Romani thinks less of me just because I'm not as cool as he is. And just now…I didn't say things as nicely as I just told you, and we've bickered a bit before now, and I'm just afraid that this time I may have pushed a bit too far."
Again, Kafei nodded. "Jim…"
"Boomer."
"Jim, let me tell you a little something about women. We, as men, will never, ever, understand them. I can't stress that enough. We can guess at what they're thinking sometimes, and that helps a lot, but we will never know their feelings and why they're feeling them. But if marriage to Anju has taught me anything, it's that there is nothing in this world that can love as completely as a woman, and nothing that a man could want any more than that love. Romani loves you very much; everyone can see that. And what you've just told me is proof that you love her as well. Something like that is special, and doesn't happen often. I'm not going to tell you how you should handle this—my opinion won't help you in the long run—but I will tell you this: think about what you'll be gaining and what you'll be losing with this relationship, and once you've done that, make your decision. But be sure to think long and hard."
Boomer nodded, and they continued their walk in silence for a few minutes. Then he looked at Kafei and asked, "Sir, why is it that we can't understand women but they know us in and out?"
"That, my boy, is one of life's great mysteries, and most likely we'll never know."
"That's not fair!"
Kafei chuckled. "No, Boomer, no it isn't. Still…" he stopped abruptly as he spotted something in the sky. Something that definitely shouldn't be in the camp.
Boomer followed his gaze and cursed. "Is that a keese?"
"I don't see how it could be, but it sure looks like one," Kafei responded. Breaking into a brisk jog, he headed in the direction the bird had been coming from, Boomer hot on his heels.
* * *
The sound of gulls calling out across the water carried on the wind as fierce white caps crashed against the rocks of the of the cliff overlooking the Western Ocean, the same cliff that was also home to one of the Great Fairies of Termina. At any other time, Link would have found the sights and sounds to be peaceful and soothing. But, hanging over a hundred feet by only his hands over the craggy rocks below left him in not position to appreciate the beauty of nature. As it was, these weren't even his biggest distractions.
"I still don't see why you didn't just play that 'Song of Soaring' or whatever it was called and just flew up to the entrance," Tatl was saying as she hovered over Link's shoulder. Gritting his teeth in determination, he lifted himself higher up the rock wall, finding purchase in a small niche.
"I told you before," Link managed to gasp, "I left the Ocarina of Time in Hyrule with my sister Zelda, and my own ocarina was destroyed when I arrived here."
Tatl paused, trying to think of an argument against this. "Alright, fair enough. But didn't you have a spell or something that would let you teleport? Farore's Wind I think you called it, I can never get those goofy names straight."
"That only works as a return warp," Link explained as he hefted himself higher up the cliff face. "At best, I could use it as a safety net, so if I fell I could just teleport back into my boat safe and sound. But seeing as how I can't tap into my magic anymore, I'm obligated to be a little more cautious, otherwise there'll be a large, Link-colored stain on those lovely rocks below." Tatl was about to reply with a sarcastic comment, but Link stopped her before she could start. "And while I appreciate your company, Tatl, I really need to concentrate, so if it's not too much trouble, please shut up."
Though she flashed a bright yellow for a few moments to show her anger, Tatl contented herself with mumbling to herself under her breath, and Link was able to continue his climb. After what seemed like hours, they finally reached the entrance to the Great Fairy's cave. Gingerly rubbing his arms, Link walked down the long corridor, Tatl flying a few feet ahead, lighting their way.
After several minutes of walking, the entered onto the Fairy's fountain, a pale blue light illuminating the chamber. Link had no sooner stepped up to the pool when the Fairy erupted from the water with a wild cackle, identical to her sister in Clock Town save for her shock of pink hair. "Welcome, Hero of Time, Slayer of Moons, Magic's Son, Chosen One, Gladiator, and all other titles you have garnered in your illustrious career," she laughed. "What can I do for you on this fine day?"
Unfazed, Link leapt straight into his questions. "Well, first of all, I've been wondering where you and your sisters have been. Tatl and Tael have been looking for over a month, but your fountains were all empty."
"We've been at a little family reunion," the Fairy replied, still laughing. "My sisters and I met with our cousins over in your world to discuss the recent events you and Ganon have instigated. I swear, they can be so annoying, those Hylian Fairies…never stop laughing…"
"If that's the case," Link smoothly interjected; having spent so much time with Scrat, he was becoming quite good at it. "Then you can answer my next question: why is Ganon here? What does he want with the Fierce Deity and Majora masks?"
"Yes, I can answer that," another laugh, "But it's so much more fun when you guess for yourself. C'mon young hero…take a swing at it!"
Sighing in exasperation, Link began piecing together everything he had learned in the months since he left the Lost Woods. "Alright," he began. "Ganon is seeking revenge and domination over Hyrule, and to do that he knows he needs more power than he currently possesses, otherwise Zelda and the others will be able to defeat him. So he seeks out Necron in the Sacred Realm, defeats him, steals his power, learns of the Triforce, and sends Necron after it. That should be enough."
Link frowned in concentration as he tried to sort his thoughts out. "But he doesn't stay in the Sacred Realm to find the Triforce himself; he goes through the trouble of contacting Rolondrof and Skorn to set up his little cult and physically escape from his prison. To taunt me?" He looked up at the Fairy, who merely floated in the air, a bemused smile on her face. "No, no, there's something else; Ganon never does anything unless there's something to be gained…my mask! He had his brothers steal the Fierce Deity Mask before he escaped, even though I'm the only one who can wear it. Right?"
"Correct," the Fairy giggled. "Keep going…"
Link nodded and went on. "So he steals the mask then comes here, to Termina, and begins searching for Majora's Mask, even though the evil within it was destroyed."
"Killing my friend in the process," Tatl muttered.
Link offered the fairy a sympathetic look then continued with his deduction. "So then there must be some sort of connection between the two, something I never learned about. So…I must not have completely destroyed Majora's evil, and Ganon's trying to draw on that power to add to his own. And once he has it, he'll destroy the Fierce Deity Mask, the one weapon in this world that could threaten him."
"Very good, Link!" the Great Fairy congratulated, "Very, very good indeed! But not entirely correct."
"What?" Tatl exploded. "Which part?"
* * *
Romani rode hard down the shoreline, pressing her horse, a pinto named Streak, to go ever faster. As the wind whipped at her hair and the salty air filled her lungs, she felt a little of her anger fade. A good ride was normally all she needed to cool her head, but this time Boomer had gone and got her right steamed. The nerve of him! Where did he get off telling her that girls shouldn't be fighting and that he had let her win? Calling her a flirt and a man hunter, insinuating that she was anything but faithful to him? That she and Link…
Just thinking about it angered her, and she realized that it would take a little more than a ride on the coast to calm her down. She loved Boomer, but lately she just wasn't so sure that their relationship was working. She had seen her sister go through issues like this with her old boyfriends, and had seen how miserable and hurt she had been when they had failed, and Romani just wasn't sure that the heartache was worth it. After all, she only sixteen, and there were plenty of eligible suitors for her to pursue.
Slowing down, Romani took a moment to get her bearings. She had been traveling north, ending up in a large cove between two cliff faces. Large boulders littered the beach and the shore, and from where she was standing she could see the top of Zora Hall far off in the distance. Something closer to shore, however, caught her eye. It appeared to be a little two-person boat, but she had no idea what it could be doing so far out. The local fishermen rarely came down this far, and no one from the camp had any reason to come down either. She turned Streak towards the shore to get a closer look, but had only gone a little ways when the horse collapsed and pitched her forward into the sand.
Romani shook her head as she struggled to her feet. She looked over to Streak to see that he was all right and cried out when she saw two arrows in the horse's neck. Several harsh laughs spun her around, and she watched as a huge Dinoflos walked out from behind some of the boulders, followed by three pirate women and six Termanian mercenaries, all armed. Romani hastily drew her sword to defend herself, but was halted by two mercs pointing armed crossbows in her direction.
"Now now now," the Dinoflos laughed. There's no need for that! We're just want to talk with you, miss. We don't want any trouble, especially from such a fierce warrior as yourself." This last was followed by laughs from his followers. He walked right up to her and yanked the sword from her hand. He grinned ferociously, his many sharp teeth reflecting the sun, and ran one taloned finger down her cheek. "No, we've got bigger fish to fry. But given the circumstances…"
"Just kill her, Razza," one of the pirates said. "Ganon said…"
"I know what Ganon said!" Razza snapped. "But it's not every day we get one of the rebels to ourselves. Especially such a pretty one…" His grin widening, he motioned his followers over. "Gather 'round, mates. Let's play a game…"
* * *
The Great Fairy had been laughing for a good five minutes before Link finally lost his patience and said, "You were saying that I was mistaken. How so?"
The Fairy squealed with girlish laughter. "One: you did indeed destroy Majora's evil, but not in the way you imagine, and two: Ganon is not going to destroy the Fierce Deity Mask's power; he's going to release it."
"Release it?" Link echoed, uncomprehending. "Why would he want to release a power for good? Wouldn't it work against him?"
"Silly, silly boy. Who ever said the power in the mask was good?"
Link was stunned. There was no way…no way that it could be possible. "You're saying," he started slowly, "That the power I used to destroy Majora…was evil? That I could have released something just as terrible as the thing I was fighting on your world?" Link's voice was steadily rising. "I don't believe it! Why would you have let me take that risk? The other fairy said that the mask was for your greatest god…"
"No, no, no…" the Fairy interrupted, waggling a finger in front of him. "Her exact words were 'the most dangerous weapon in existence'. Really, Hero, do you think we would allow our greatest god to be trapped inside a piece of wood? Does that make sense? Of course not! No, the power inside that mask is even more evil and more dangerous than Majora's ever was."
"Then why does the mask look like Link?" Tatl asked. "Why was he able to use it without becoming overwhelmed by it?"
The Fairy frowned down at her. "You know, at first I found your ignorance amusing, but now I'm beginning to think you're just plain stupid!"
Tatl's aura flared, and she would have streaked towards the bigger woman had Link not pinched her wings between his fingers, holding her back. "He's my double," Link reasoned, looking up at the Fairy. "The Fierce Deity. Everyone in Termina has a double in my world, and the Fierce Deity is mine."
Clapping in delight, the Great Fairy congratulated him. "Very good, Hero! Very good!"
"But that still doesn't answer my questions," Link pressed, his voice taking a hard edge. "Why does Ganon want the mask, and how could you let me risk releasing that evil on the people of your world?"
With a great sigh, the Fairy answered, "It is really quite simple. You are right in your assumption that only you can use the Fierce Deity Mask; that is your right as his double. However, the power within the mask can be used by anyone. It just needs a prison to temper it and a vessel to contain it. Ganon is going give it both. Majora's Mask—the actual wooden artifact—is magic in itself, created to hold magic in check until such time as it is released, or worn. Otherwise, Majora's evil would have escaped from it with ease. Though you destroyed Majora, the mask can still carry out this function. Ganon is going to transfer the evil from the Fierce Deity Mask into Majora's, don it, and become the god he so desires to be. And as for your second question…well, why not? You defeated Majora with it, after all."
"'Why not'?" Link couldn't believe what he was hearing. He took a step towards the pool, fuming. He didn't even try to stop the obscenities issuing from Tatl's mouth, choosing to speak over her. "Why not? These are innocent people! Your people, the ones you're supposed to protect. The ones I almost died trying to protect! Don't you care at all?"
The Fairy cocked her head, as if pondering the question. "No…" she finally replied. "No, not really."
"But that's your job!" Tatl exploded. "That's why you're 'great'! You and the others are the guardians of our world!"
"Yes, the world," the Fairy agreed. "People are really rather insignificant. If anything, they're more trouble than they're worth. But they do grow on you. Kind of like a beauty mark one grows fond of after a while."
Link and Tatl were speechless. They had always thought of the Fairies as the watchers of Termina, the protectors. If what this one was saying was true, then they were just as bad as Ganon. No, worse; Ganon at least was honest about his intentions; the Fairies hid behind laughs and 'good intentions'.
Link could think of nothing else to say. Scowling, he turned to leave. "Incidentally," the Fairy said to his back. "My sisters and cousins and I discussed your role in all of this, and we have determined why you didn't die in the Sacred Realm, and how you'll die now."
"Save it," Link shot back, almost at the exit. "I have nothing more to say to you."
"Fight Ganon again, and you will die."
Link didn't want to stop. He fought with all his strength to keep his feet moving. But in the end, he just couldn't help it. He looked over his shoulder at the Fairy and slowly replied, "What do you mean?"
"It's really quite funny," the Fairy laughed. "You see, you were supposed to die a long time ago, before you even fought Shumbo. But fate has a funny way of creating it's own problems."
"And what was this problem?" Tatl pressed.
"Malon."
Link spun around to face the Fairy. "Malon? What does she have to do with this?"
"Everything." The Fairy's voice was grave, and all humor was gone from her face. "Every decision you have made concerning her has thrown destiny from it's original path. You were never supposed to take her from the city the day you fought Skorn. You were not supposed to teach her how to fight. You were not supposed to take her with you as the Hylian representative of the Chosen. You definitely were not supposed to fall in love with her. That is what changed everything. Ganon was to have killed you upon his release, and had that happened, he eventually would have been defeated. But through your link through the Triforce, he could sense your feelings for her. He figured it would cause you more pain in the long run if you were alive to see her die. And because you saved her from Shumbo, the magic transported you here instead of killing you, for whatever reason; I don't pretend to know the will of the goddesses. Needless to say, it is your involvement with Malon that has led you down this path, where the only outcome will be your complete and utter destruction." The laugh returned. "I always said love was a killer."
"Will I beat Ganon?" Link asked, as if he had not heard a word; his face was an expressionless mask.
The Fairy smiled down on him in a condescending manner. "My dear boy, you can't beat him if you are dead."
With that, Link turned to leave, Tatl following diligently over his shoulder. "Take the back entrance," the Fairy said cheerfully. "Your first right. It'll take you right down to the beach. Much better than that dreadful climb. And one more thing." Link continued walking. "Would you change it?" the Fairy asked. "If you knew then what you knew now, that the choices you've made have doomed our worlds, would you change it? Would you have stopped loving her?"
"If you have to ask that," Link told her, disappearing into the shadow of the cave, "Then you obviously haven't been paying attention."
* * *
Romani struggled to keep her feet as she was shoved into another of the mercs. The big man shoved her again, into one of his comrades, and still she refused to fall. The mercenaries had formed a circle, around her, the kind immature school bullies did to the 'unpopular' ones, pushing her from one to another. They had been doing this for a good ten minutes, and none too gently; Romani was cut and bruised in several places. She tried hard not to show it, but she had never been more scared in her entire life.
Razza, who had been standing off to the side, thoroughly enjoying himself, finally spoke up and said, "Alright, boys, enough's enough. Do what you will with her. But make it quick, and keep her alive." His forked tongue moved over his teeth in anticipation. "I like my meals squirming."
Romani tried to make a dash for it, striking out at everyone around her. But it was to no avail. A fist lashed out, throwing her to the ground. "This is it," she thought, doing her best to hold back tears. "Way to go Romani. You're going to be raped, you're going to be murdered, and no one will ever know." She clenched her eyes shut, preparing for the inevitable, wishing that she could she Boomer one last time.
"Malon, stay down!"
She didn't know who Malon was, but she knew the voice, and did as she was told, curling up into a ball on the ground. She watched as Link charged out of nowhere and leapt up into the air, legs scissoring out and taking down the two men with the crossbows. The circle scattered, and Romani was able to crawl out the way and hide behind the body of her horse.
Razza and his men backed away, giving themselves room to regroup. "So," he hissed. "The Gladiator, in the flesh. This was supposed to be an ambush, but I suppose us killing you in the open will make you just as dead."
"You're welcome to try. Better than you have." Link challenged, dropping into a fighting stance. Romani marveled at the confidence he exuded, especially given the current odds. She remembered Socks telling her one time how he had seen Link take on twenty armed men during a raid on the mercs, and also remembered Link sheepishly telling her that it was more like ten. Seeing him now, she was beginning to think Link was being modest.
The first two came at him, one of them stabbing at him with a spear. Link grabbed it in both hands and pulled forward, sticking out his leg. The merc tripped and released the spear into Link's possession, who in the same motion spun around, jabbed the point into the merc's back, and snapped off the tip. He completed the spin and was just in time to face the next attacker as he swung his sword at Link's head. Link brought his staff up over his head, blocking the strike and pushed upwards, throwing his opponent off balance long enough for Link to jab the end of the staff into the man's throat, killing him instantly.
The three pirates struck at once, and Link was hard pressed to dodge all the swords. He ducked under one, sidestepped, and batted away the final blow with his staff. After several more attacks, Link apparently found the opening he was looking for. All three pirates made downward slices, and Link managed to catch them all on his weapon. He twisted the staff hard, disarming his opponents, and immediately went on the offensive. His foot lashed out and caught one of the pirates in the stomach, doubling her over, and Link leapt over top of her, twisting her neck as he did so. He rolled along the ground, picking up one of the fallen swords as he did so, and used the momentum to hurl it towards one of the other men closing in to attack, impaling him through the chest. Back on his feet, Link stepped up to meet the other two pirates.
They attacked with a flurry of punches and kicks, and Romani was afraid that Link wouldn't be able to handle the attacks. But she watched as he evaded and blocked each strike, Tatl helping him with lightning quick instructions on where to move next, and Romani remembered the efficiency they had shown when battling the 'aliens' eight years ago, lessening some of her concern. Indeed, Link lashed out with a vicious kick to one pirate's solar plexus, dropping her to the ground and leaving him with only one opponent. That didn't last long, however, as two of the mercs joined the fray. At Tatl's warning, Link back-flipped high over the head of one of the charging mercs, who impaled the remaining pirate on his sword. Link landed and grabbed the man around the head and twisted, snapping his neck. Holding the man in front of him like a shield, Link grabbed his limp sword arm and began warding off blows from the other attacker. After a few strikes he shoved the dead man towards his opponent. The man tried to back away but was too late, and that was all Link needed. Kicking high, Link knocked the man's sword out of his hand and into the air. Reaching up and grabbing it, Link spun and decapitated both the corpse and the live merc in one blow. Tatl yelled out a warning, and Link turned just in time to meet the remaining Termanian's sword. They battled for several moments, and just when it looked to Romani like the mercenary had the upper hand, Link attacked with an amazing combination ending with his sword stabbing into the man's chest.
"GLADIATOR!" Razza roared. Holding a viciously curved sword in each hand, the Dinoflos roared again and charged, his huge fanged mouth open wide. Link watched him for a moment, trying to catch his breath. Instead of running to meet the attack, Link reversed his grip on his sword and hurled it like a javelin. The blade soared through the air and caught Razza in the mouth, stopping the Dinoflos dead in his tracks.
"Good thing we took that backdoor, huh?" Tatl quipped. "Told you it was better than 'keeping your pride'." Without another look at the carnage he had caused, Link walked up to Romani, huddled behind the body of her horse.
"Are you alright?" he asked her. She nodded her head slowly, her mouth open in awe.
"Wow," was all she could think to say.
"C'mon," Link urged, lifting her gently to her feet. "My boat's docked over there. We better get back to camp."
They had only gone a few steps before they were halted by a slow, mocking applause. They turned towards the same rock Razza had appeared from and saw the tall, tattooed figure of Bones leaning casually against the stone. "Well done," he commended, the white skull on his face grinning grotesquely along with him. "Quite a show. I always thought Ganon granted you a little more credit than you were due, but now I'm beginning to reconsider. But then again, Razza was an idiot. I on the other hand am far from it." With that, a dozen more mercenaries and Dinoflos charged from around the rock wall, followed by a gigantic lumbering Eyegore.
"Well," Tatl muttered. "I certainly didn't see this coming."
"Tatl," Link instructed, removing his coat and wrapping it around Romani's shoulders. "Get Romani to the boat and get her back to camp."
"What?" Romani gasped. "No way! I'm staying!"
"Damn right!" Tatl concurred. "You can barely walk without me. What makes you think you can all of them?"
"NOW, you two." Link ordered. But he saw almost instantly that his argument was futile; the mercenaries had cut off the way to the boat. "Fine," he told them. "Just get out of the way. This isn't going to be pretty."
* * *
Kafei and Boomer had followed the keese out past the boundaries of the camp towards the cliff overlooking the ocean before they lost it. Panting and out of breath, the continued their trek up the hill leading to the edge. "So," Boomer gasped. "What…do you think…a keese…is doing here?"
"Well," Kafei replied. Though he would never admit it, Kafei was beginning to wonder just how old he was getting. "There are two possible explanations: one, it's just here by chance, just flying over. Two…"
"It was sent here by Ganon, meaning he knows we're here," Boomer finished the thought, wincing.
"Or," a voice from behind them added. "Someone in the rebellion is feeding it information."
Kafei and Boomer jumped at the voice, and turned around. Standing there behind them was Rankish, a calm yet intense expression on his face. "Gods' sake!" Boomer cursed. "Don't do that!"
"Sorry," Rankish grinned, even though they could tell he really wasn't. "But come on, get off to the side."
"What?" Kafei asked, confused. "Why?"
"Just get into the bushes and you'll see why."
Boomer and Kafei looked at each other once and followed the older man into the bushes by the side of the path. They waited in silence for a few minutes before they saw someone come over the crest and head down the hill towards them. Kafei was astonished to see that it was Uvan, of all people. The gambler looked from side to side as he made his way down the hill, as if looking for something. The men in the bush waited for him to disappear from view before they stepped out from the bushes.
"Uvan?" Boomer said, completely shocked. "Uvan is the spy? No way! I don't believe it."
"I find it a little hard to swallow myself," Kafei concurred. "Uvan may be arrogant, greedy…"
"Stupid," Boomer added.
"…But he's no traitor. I can't see him betraying us to Ganon."
"Neither could I," Rankish agreed. "But I when I followed the keese up here I saw him tying something to it's leg. I don't think he saw me, but we should be careful with how we handle this."
"Yeah, we don't want him getting too suspicious," Boomer added, nodding his head enthusiastically.
Still not entirely convinced, Kafei nodded a little more slowly. "Alright. We'll keep an eye on him. But I also want the sentries watching the skies as well, just to be safe. We don't want an entire army springing in on us."
* * *
Link wasn't sure how long he would be able to keep this up. Seven of his opponents lay dead on the beach, but that still left five, not to mention Bones and the Eyegore, who Link had to dodge as he battled the remaining mercs. He dived out of the way as the beast swung a massive fist in his direction. The evasion caused the Eyegore's blow to strike one of the mercenaries, crumpling him lifelessly to the ground. "One down," he thought grimly. Another merc was attacking with a heavy hook attached to a long chain. Link brought up his forearm to block, and the chain wrapped around it securely. Pulling on the chain, Link drew the man into a fierce punch that dropped him to the ground, giving Link enough time to jab the hook through his foe's skull.
Standing, Link spun the chain through the air in a dizzying combination, confusing the remaining three and forcing them to keep their distance. He crouched low and swung the chain at the legs of one merc, dropping him, and in the same motion stood back up and wrapped it around the neck of another. As the merc gasped for air, Link charged them, leaping in the air and driving a foot into the chest of the fallen merc, shattering the bone. He picked up one of the many fallen swords from the sand and slashed at the stomach of the enemy.
He didn't have time to rest, however, as the Eyegore was on him almost instantly, bellowing with rage and swing both hammer-like fists. Link rolled back to avoid the attack, and for several seconds he was a blur, doing his best to avoid getting hit and trying to remember how he had killed Eyegore's before. The memory came to him, and in between dodges he surveyed his position, looking for the weapons he would need. Spotting what he needed, he steered himself towards them, bringing the beast with him. When he was close enough, Link charged the Eyegore and drove his sword into it's foot, causing it to stop and rear back in pain. Using the precious time, he turned and dove between two of the bodies from the first battle, snatching up one crossbow in each hand. He landed in a crouch, pivoted, and leapt backwards in the air, firing both shafts at the creature's one massive eye. They both struck dead center in the pupil, and with one final cry, the Eyegore collapsed.
Link struggled to one knee and struggled to catch his breath. Though he was ashamed to admit it, he wasn't used to fighting without having his magic as a back up, and was beginning to wish that the destructive power he had once loathed was back with him.
"LINK, BEHIND YOU!"
Both Tatl and Romani cried out from their spot behind the dead horse, and Link was brought back to reality, his senses focused in on his surroundings. Hearing the all-too familiar hiss of a sword passing through the air and the shuffling of feet in the sand, he clapped his hands above his head, catching the blade that would have cut him in half and forced it and the attacker to the side. He rolled out of the way and snatched up another sword, just in time to meet Bone's next attack. The tattooed man wielded a sword in each hand, and his attacks were skilled and ferocious. Link was stuck on the defensive, and while Bones was fresh and rested, Link had been fighting for nearly fifteen minutes straight.
When he was able to gain enough space, Link retrieved another sword and attacked, both blades moving in synch with Bones'. The fought for several minutes, Bones always on the attack, forcing Link on the defensive. Link swung both swords at Bones' neck, but the big man ducked out of the way and sent a vicious kick up into Link's chin. Momentarily dazed, Link quickly backed away, then blocked a blow to his waist and another at his neck. Link batted the blades aside and finally managed to press his attack, cutting first at Bones' chest then sweeping around with a cut to his legs. Bones nimbly dodged both, but now it was his turn to be off balance, and Link didn't give him the chance to gain it back. They for several more minutes, both combatants at the edge of their endurance, when Bones made one final lunge, hoping to impale Link with his blades. Unprepared for the attack, Link only just managed to swat the swords to the side, and with one smooth motion he made a complete spin and plunged both of his blades into Bones' chest. The mercenary leader let out one final gasp and fell backwards to the ground, the swords protruding from his torso.
Link spared him one final look then turned towards Romani and Tatl, who were making their way over to him. "Come on," he told them, a reassuring smile on his face. "Let's go home."
* * *
"Who's Malon?"
The question caught Link totally off guard, and he almost dropped the oars into the ocean. They were in Link's boat, and he was steering them towards the little cove that opened into the docks of the rebel camp. "Where did you hear that name?" he responded.
Romani blushed a little, apparently embarrassed at bringing up the subject. "That's what you called me when you came to save me. And Scrat says he's heard you talking in your sleep sometimes."
"Hmm," Link muttered to himself. "Thought I'd got rid of that problem." He looked away from her, trying to sort out the words that would help him explain. Finally, he asked, "Have Kafei or Scrat ever told you about where I come from?"
"Scrat told me once that you come from another world, or dimension, or something like that."
Link nodded. "That's right. There's a lot of differences between our worlds, but also a lot of similarities, one of those being…well, you see, the people of my world look exactly like the people here, even if they have different personalities. We're all doubles of each other. Malon…Malon was, I mean is…
"She's my double," Romani finished, catching on.
"You and your sister's, yes."
Romani nodded, as something dawned on her. "This Malon…was she important to you?"
Link stared off into the distance, fighting hard to beat down his memories. The first time they had met in the Castle Market, their first kiss…
"More than anything," he whispered in response. "More than anything."
"Does she know you're here?"
"No," Link responded. "She thinks I'm dead."
Romani couldn't think of anything to say. She didn't think there was anything she could say. Even Tatl was speechless. Link merely stared off out into the ocean, lost in thoughts of what might have been.
* * *
Rolondrof sat cross-legged in his tent, scowling darkly at the wall, deep in concentration. His Lizaflos lieutenant Brackas twitched anxiously as he waited for the Hylian to make some sort of movement. He had been sitting there for the better part of an hour, never moving, hardly even breathing, and Brackas had been forced to stand there the entire time. Rolondrof had of course explained the plan to him already, but Brackas wasn't so sure; while he may have been adept at magic, Rolondrof was no warlord, no matter how much he pretended to be, and in Skorn's absence Brackas was determined to do his best to temper him.
Finally, Rolondrof got slowly to his feet. Cracking his neck, he turned to face Brackas. "It is done," he grinned. "The spell has been cast."
"I hope you know what you are doing, sir" Brackas ventured. "Should this plan fail, it will deprive our forces of many valuable officers."
"I know the risks, fool!" Rolondrof snapped. "Just as I know the rewards. And my plan will all but destroy our enemies, paving the way for a quick and total victory. Instead of questioning me, you should be congratulating me."
"Yes sir," the Lizaflos replied, bowing low to hide his sneer. "My apologies, sir."
Rolondrof smirked. "You are forgiven. Now, fetch me two wenches, I feel like celebrating. It's not every day you destroy the royal families of Hyrule." Then, as an after-thought he added, "And make sure you frisk them!"
