As the clock face rose to the sky, Ganon felt as close to crying as he had ever felt in his life, he was just so happy. He realized that he shouldn't have been surprised; after all, he had planned everything so perfectly. Still, the satisfaction of seeing his plans come to fruition without Link meddling things up made it that much sweeter.
He watched as the stairs that would lead to the top of the tower fell into place one by one, each accompanied by a dull thud. He stared at the mask of the Fierce Deity he held in his hand, then looked back up. At the top of those stairs rested the husk of Majora's Mask, and in his hands he held that world's greatest power. In a matter of minutes that power would be his.
Without another word or even a glance at his men, Ganon made his way towards the stairs that would take him to his destiny.
* * *
"The clock is going up, Boomer."
"I know, Rocky."
"So what are we going to do about it?"
"That, my good buddy, I don't know."
The two Bombers, the ranch girls, the sewer hermit, and the fairy, stood apart from the rest of the mumbling rebels, trying to figure out what to do next. The fact that the clock could only mean one of two things: either Link had been caught and he was dead, or some unforeseen problem had arisen and they, as Boomer would say, were screwed. Either way, things did not look promising.
"I could send my rats to go figure out what's happening," Scrat offered. "I'm sure there's some hanging around here, there's always lots of food lying around for them up around here…"
"That would take too long," Cremia interrupted. "By the time you found some and they managed to find out what happened Ganon would already have found the mask. And if you sent them to Kafei and the others no one would be able to understand them."
"So what are we supposed to do?" Romani asked in frustration. "Do we attack anyway? Do we wait for a signal?"
Boomer knew what Romani would have preferred, because it would have been his idea too: attack. But for all his other faults, Boomer knew that he rarely thought before he acted. It had gotten him and the other Bombers into trouble on many occasions, but he knew that if he did that now, there would be greater repercussions than a firm rebuttal from some adult. He looked to Rocky and Cremia, the more levelheaded leaders of the group.
Rocky gave him one look, then smiled sadly. "My mother always said you were a bad influence on me Boomer, and now it looks like she's going to be proved right. I say we attack."
"So do I," Cremia agreed. "But we can't do it alone; we need to get word to Kafei's team."
"Ooo, ooo, ooo, I'll do it, I'll do it!" Tael squealed. "I can reach them faster than anyone!"
"Well don't just sit there talking!" Scrat urged. "Get going! No time for rambling, not when there's action needed, and this is a time for action…"
Thankfully, Tael was already on his way.
* * *
The rain continued to pour as Kafei struggled with the decision of what to do next. The clock was rising, throwing their entire plan into disarray. He was torn between two choices: continuing with the plan and attacking the mercs with what forces he had, or accept the loss of the city and take his people back into hiding and hope that Ganon would forget them, as Uvan had counseled from the very beginning. Either way, their chance for survival was slim.
The first course of action was what he yearned for, the choice he wanted to make. But as mayor he couldn't put his desire before the well being of his citizens, and especially not those of his family. He could take Anju and the kids into hiding, and while they may not last long, at least they would be together.
All in all, Kafei was wishing with all his might that Link was there with him.
"I know what you're thinking, Kafei," his wife said from beside him. "And I know what you want to do…"
"I can't make this decision, Anju," he admitted. "Either way we're going to lose. We're right back to where we were before Link came."
Anju gripped his hand and squeezed tightly. "You're wrong, Kafei. You and everybody else here think that Link is the one that turned this all around, that he's the only reason we managed to fight back. You're wrong, and Link would be the first to admit it. All Link did was show us that we are all more than we believe ourselves to be, that are capable of making these decisions, that we're in charge of our own lives. We don't need to react to what's happening around us, but that we can affect those happenings. He knows that you're a good man, Kafei, and a good leader. That's why Link put you in charge; he trusts you to make the right decisions, as do the rest of us. We'll follow you no matter what."
Kafei smiled at her and kissed her tenderly. "You ever consider running for mayor?"
"I have enough problems looking after two kids and a husband. I don't think I could manage an entire city."
Kafei laughed and looked up at Tatl. "Tatl, I…"
"About damn time you said so," the fairy interrupted, already on her way. "I was afraid I'd have to do all this myself."
* * *
Link turned away from the rotating gears to face Krishna. They stared at each other for a long moment, then both stooped to retrieve their swords. Link's plan had failed, and he would have to act accordingly. But first, he needed to finish his business with the fallen Sheikah.
"You're a good man, Link," Krishna breathed. "That's why you're weak. That's why Ganon will win. That's why you'll never beat me."
"You were a Sheikah," Link said, as the two combatants began to circle each other. "You were once a good man too. You can be again…"
Krishna smirked and shook his head. "Nice guys finish last, Link. Me…well, I've always preferred winning." With that, he attacked, slashing across Link's torso. Link dodged to the side and countered with a cut to Krishna's neck. That too was blocked.
They battled furiously for what seemed like hours, though Link it could only have been a couple minutes, because he was still counting down in his head. It would take Ganon several minutes to reach the top of the tower, then, Link hoped, several more as he transferred the power of the Fierce Deity's Mask into Majora's. Link would still have time to beat him.
As long as he stayed alive long enough to do so.
Krishna stabbed at Link's chest, and he just barely managed to deflect it. Krishna was backing him towards the organ, and Link really didn't want to become cornered like that. But Krishna moved with such speed and precision that Link had little choice as to the direction he went, and was hard-pressed to divert his opponent's blows.
A triumphant grin spread across Krishna's face as he saw Link's knees hit the organ's seat. "You fought well, Link. But like I said, nice guys finish last." He batted aside Link's thrust at his chest, leaving Link's own torso open and undefended.
Which was exactly what Link wanted.
As Krishna made the final stab forward to impale Link once and for all, the Hero of Time arched his back so he was almost completely horizontal, and the blade passed over him. Stunned, Krishna fell forward, the tip of his sword hitting the pipes. Link straightened immediately and grabbed Krishna by the back of the head, slamming his face into the keys. The organ blared and Krishna recoiled, which exactly the opening Link needed to stab his sword through Krishna's chest. "Nice guys finish last," Link whispered, "But the good guys always win."
As Link withdrew the blade, Krishna let out one final, surprised gasp and crumpled to the floor. Glancing once at the gears, then once at the exit, he grabbed Krishna's body by the collar and dragged it towards the doors.
* * *
Tatl sped through the rain towards the northern part of the city, hoping she could reach it in time to make a difference. As much as she complained and pretended not to care, she was deeply worried about what would happen to these people she found herself affiliated with. Link had earned her respect long before, due to the adventures they had shared, but in comparison she owed the townsfolk nothing. Before she had met Link she would have gladly taken Tael with her and left them to her own devices. For the umpteenth time she cursed herself from getting so wishy-washy, even as she thanked the gods for allowing it to be so.
But that would all be moot if she failed them now.
She sped above the heads of the mercs assembled in the town square, and it seemed to her that they were anxious and unsure, which could only mean that Ganon had not yet completed his plan. She still had time. However, lost in thought as she was, she didn't see the purple ball of light before her until they had already collided.
"Ow! Tael?"
"Tatl?"
"Kafei…"
"Cremia…"
"Attack…"
"Now…"
"Good…"
"Go!"
Before either of them really knew what was happening, they were speeding back to their respective teams.
* * *
Indeed, the mercenaries were feeling very anxious. None of them had any real idea as to why they were gathered there, soaking wet and miserable, or why Ganon had gone up the stairs into the tower. All they knew was that they would rather be anywhere else.
The body that suddenly came flying out of the doors leading down into the bowels of the clock did little to ease their feelings. Some of them recognized the corpse as belonging to Krishna, Ganon's lieutenant and the spy that had delivered the rebels into their hands. The gaping wound in his chest confused and frightened those who were close enough to see. But that was nothing compared to what came through the doors after it. Bloodied, beaten, and with a look of cold death on his face appeared the Gladiator, red-stained sword in hand.
Link stood before them unafraid, as the mercs in turn stood planted in place, unsure of what to do. He pointed his sword towards them, then used the tip to scratch a line in the pavement, daring them to approach.
At that exact moment, a loud cry carried over the air, as if coming from all directions. The frightened mercs spun this way and that, torn between Link and the cries. Link hid his surprise well, but the timing of the rebels' attack couldn't have been more perfect. From behind the clock charged Cremia, Scrat, Boomer, Romani, Rocky, and the rest of the liberated rebels, and from the south came Kafei, Anju, and all the rest. The mercs frantically drew their swords, but the rebels were already in their midst, fighting for all they were worth. Link couldn't have been more proud. The Bombers and Romani fought with a skill beyond their years; the usually timid Scrat struck down foe after foe, rats coming to his aid, clawing and biting at any merc they could find; Kafei and Anju fought back to back, husband and wife leveling every enemy in their path. Link fought his way over to them, his sword constantly on the move. Kafei saw him coming and pointed towards the tower. "We can handle it here!" he shouted over the noise of the battle. "You take care of Ganon!"
Link smiled and nodded, and again fought his way back to the tower. As he passed, Boomer gave him a happy thumbs-up. Returning the gesture, Link reached the stairs and sprinted up them two at a time, praying that he wasn't too late.
* * *
When he reached the top, he saw Ganon, standing at the far edge overlooking the battle. Directly in the middle of the clock face sat the two masks, engulfed in a bright red light. Link breathed a sigh of relief; the power transfer still seemed to be underway.
"The second I heard the screams," Ganon started without even turning around, "I knew that it was you. Chaos and anarchy seem to follow you wherever you go."
"I won't argue with you," Link admitted without humor. "But that depends on who you're asking."
Ganon chuckled. "Yes, I suppose it does." He finally turned to face him, and Link could see that Ganon had removed his armor and now stood bare from the waist up. Why he would do this, Link had no clue, but he remained on guard.
Ganon saw him tense and smiled. "I suppose you're wondering why I am unarmed. Why I'm not wearing the mask. Oh yes, the transfer finished shortly after your attack; that light you see is just a shield."
Link stared at him. "Alright Ganon, I'll bite. Why aren't you wearing the mask?"
"Because I don't need it," Ganon's grin turned to a scowl of defiance. "This battle has been destined since the day we met, eight years ago. This contest of wills, of strength, of power. The question has always been which is of us is worthy of that power, and I will prove to everyone that it is me, and I will do so without the power of mask, even if it is mine by right." He raised his fists into a fighting position. "How about you Link? With a sword in your hand you are unbeatable. But will you face me as the goddesses intended? Will you face me as a man?"
Link continued to stare at him. He could kill Ganon this very instant, he knew; charge him, or even just hurl the sword through the Dark Lord's chest. Chances were that Ganon would use his magic to deflect the attack, but Link knew there was a chance that it would work. But he also knew that in doing so he would become exactly what he feared he already was; a cold, unfeeling, uncompromising weapon. If he struck down an unarmed man, even if it was Ganon, who was to say he would be the last? Link might become just as terrible as those he fought against. The odds were slim, but Link would not tolerate even the slightest chance of it. He would be the better man. Making his decision, he flipped the sword in his hand and stabbed it into the clock face. Raising his fists, Link approached Ganon, circling around the glowing masks. The two Triforce bearers faced each other, each waiting for the other to make the first move.
Ganon struck first, his right fist jabbing forward. Link blocked and followed through with a failed right hook. Ganon broke out a flurry of punches at Link's head, chest, and stomach. Link managed to block the first few attacks but was caught by a blow to his jaw followed by one in his gut. As he doubled over Ganon drove his elbow into the back of Link's neck, sending him to the ground. Link rolled to the side just in time to miss Ganon's heavy stomp and was immediately on his feet. He attacked with three quick kicks. Ganon blocked the first two and then caught Link's leg in the crook of his arm. Leaping with his free leg, Link spun in the air and kicked his free foot against Ganon's face.
Releasing his hold on Link, Ganon staggered, and Link followed through with two quick jabs at Ganon's stomach followed by a spinning elbow to his head. Ganon blocked the final attack and spun Link around, driving his open palm up into he chin. He tried another jab, but Link managed to grab the wrist and twist, locking the arm in place and unleashing several backhanded strikes to Ganon's face. Letting go of the arm he spun around in a roundhouse kick, hitting Ganon squarely in the jaw.
The Dark Lord staggered away, giving both opponents room to breath. Cupping his jaw in one hand he glared at Link. Spitting out a trail of blood from his mouth, he charged again, attacking with two hard roundhouse swings and a vicious uppercut that sent Link flying backwards. Link fell back with his hands above his head, pushing up off the ground and driving both feet into Ganon's gut. Ganon gasped and bent forward, opening him up for Link's own uppercut. Link attempted a punch directly at Ganon's nose, but Ganon grabbed Link's fist in his own hand. Grasping Link's arm he threw the Hero of Time over his shoulder. Link slid across the slick face with such force that he bounced overtop of the low wooden guard along the edge of the clock. Searching about frantically, he managed to grab hold of the ledge just in time.
Hauling himself back up, he was just in time to defend a hard kick from Ganon. Grabbing onto the boot he pushed forward, causing Ganon to slip on the wet surface and fall onto his back. Link leapt in the air after him, hoping to drive his knee directly into Ganon's sternum, killing him instantly. Though Link was less than a foot above his target, Ganon managed to raise his fists, and twin bolts of red energy crashed into Link's chest, shooting him up and over top of Ganon.
Link landed hard, clutching his midsection and gasping for breath. Ganon stood up and casually walked over to him, spitting out more blood, grinning triumphantly. "No one said anything about not using magic," he laughed. Then his face took on an expression of mock surprise. "Oh! I forgot! You don't have any…my my my, that does put you at a disadvantage. Silly me for forgetting. However, I suppose we must use the gifts the goddesses granted us." Palming Link's face, Ganon lifted him up until his feet were off the ground. His fist glowing with magical energy, he drove it into Link's stomach. Link gasped into Ganon's palm as the breath left his body.
"Maybe he's right…" Link thought as he struggled to maintain consciousness. "I am destined to die this year, fighting Ganon. Navi and the Fairies confirmed it. Maybe this is my destiny…" Bringing him back down to the ground, Ganon spun Link around and grabbed him in a tight headlock. He dragged Link over to the edge, holding him there so they could both look down onto the swiftly ending battle below. "Look at them," Ganon hissed in his ear. "Your rebels are victorious. Against all odds, they have beaten my horde and retaken their city. They succeeded. You, however, have failed, Hero of Time." He tightened his hold, and Link clutched at the arms around his neck. "The outcome was inevitable, you know. There was never any doubt that I would win in the end. As long as the Triforce of Power is in my hand…doesn't that sound familiar? I wasn't lying, or bragging, or ranting. That was a promise, Link. And I always keep my promises." He began tightening his hold even more, seeking to finish Link off once and for all. "This is the end, Hero of Time. Goodbye."
* * *
Kafei knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that what he and his people had just done shouldn't even have been possible. By all rights the vicious and experienced mercenaries should have wiped them out, if not tonight than long before. But whether he had underestimated his people, or through the grace of the gods, or just dumb luck, the battle was over, and the citizens of Clocktown stood victorious. The remaining mercs dropped their swords one by one and fell to their knees, arms behind their heads.
A cheer rose up among the former rebels, and Kafei searched the crowd. There were casualties; far too many to make him feel particularly good about the cost of the battle. But the majority of his people—not to mention the children and the elderly still safely hidden in his office—had survived. The B.G. Boys led the cheer, even as they kept a sharp eye on their captives, Boomer and Romani in passionate embrace. Cremia tended to a flesh wound in Scrat's scalp, even as the old sewer hermit happily chatted away. Bacus was leading a squad of men to round up the fallen weapons and bind the mercs' hands.
And then he felt Anju clutch his hand. Even standing there in the pouring rain she looked as beautiful as the day he had met her, the scrapes, bruises, and even the sword in her hand only adding to the effect. "Happy anniversary, dear," she said, smiling up at him.
It took Kafei a minute to even recognize the fact. "Gods! So it is! Eight years to the day. And what better way to celebrate than with an all out war?"
"I can think of better ones," Anju grinned mischievously. "But they can wait. Has Link come back yet?"
That immediately killed Kafei's good mood. He searched around for their leader, but he was nowhere to be seen. A sinking feeling came to him as he looked up towards the clock tower. Anju followed his gaze, then screamed when she saw Ganon holding Link over the edge. The other rebels heard, and also looked up, others gasping and screaming as well.
For a moment, Kafei felt as if all hope had been lost. Then the memories of the past month—indeed, even memories from eight years ago—came back to him. He remembered Link's constant lessons and encouragements as he molded the frightened rebels into the warriors they had become today. He recalled Boomer and Rocky's story of Link falling from the sky like a tear from the gods, a sign of their deliverance. He remembered the stories his people had told, of the ten-year old boy who had appeared out of nowhere and helped them all in their time of need, laying his life on the line for complete strangers. And he was no longer afraid.
"You can do it, Link. We believe in you."
* * *
"It is happening."
"Yes, I can tell. He's beginning to understand."
"Once again, he is defying destiny's path, blazing his own trail. Good for him."
"Yes, I agree. It looks like there may still be a chance after all."
"It's Link, my dear sister. Of course there's a chance."
"We must still wait on the Fourth, however. She has not yet made her choice."
"That will happen in a couple of minutes. I'll go to her as soon as it happens."
"Of course it'll happen. Have a little faith."
"I think Link will need that faith more than us."
"Agreed. Let's watch a little more. The ending is about to happen."
* * *
"This is the end, Hero of Time. Goodbye."
"We believe in you."
Kafei's voice snapped Link back to his quickly dulling senses. He suddenly remembered where he was and what was happening. And he felt strong. Stronger than he had been in a long time, if ever, even as Ganon tightened his grip. Something was happening to him.
"We believe in you."
There it was again. But this time the voice belonged to Anju. Neither of them was up there with him. He couldn't have been hearing them. He must have been blacking out.
"We believe in you."
Romani's voice this time, followed by Boomer's, then Cremia's, then Scrat's. Then a hundred other voices uttered it in his head, the voices of all the rebels, even some other ones that he didn't recognize. They were all there, in his head, in his heart. It was like hearing Saria talk with him through the ocarina, that magical sense of joining the magic brought between them. But the Great Fairy had told him that the magic had not lied in the ocarina, but within him. If that were true, then these voices weren't just some figment of his imagination as he slowly died from asphyxiation; they were real, and joined with him through some branch of the magic that he had never lost. They really did believe in him.
And if they believed in him, then he could believe in himself.
Link released his grip on Ganon's arms and drove his elbow into his captor's stomach. Ganon was taken by surprise, but still he held on. Link struck again and again, and each time the grip slackened, allowing Link a little more air. Link's elbow struck once more and then he threw his head back, smashing it into Ganon's face.
Ganon let go and staggered back towards the middle of the clock, dropping Link to the ground. When he regained his senses, Ganon looked up to see Link standing before him, fists at his side, a look of cold determination in his eyes. A crash of thunder and a flash of lightning illuminated the Hero of Time, and Ganon finally understood why he had feared this man above all things. "THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE OF US, LINK!" he screamed in defiance. "ONLY ONE OF US CAN SURVIVE!"
"You're wrong, Ganon," Link replied. His voice was calm and steady, and utterly without fear or doubt. "Our fight…our war…has caused too much pain, too much death. This ends tonight…for both of us."
Ganon roared and charged him. Link met the charge with a hard roundhouse punch that stopped Ganon in his tracks. He followed through with another strike, and another, and another. Ganon wildly swung his fist, but Link ducked under it, driving his own into Ganon's stomach. The Dark Lord spun around to meet another of Link's strikes.
Though Ganon attempted to fight back, Link would barely even let him raise his fist. The Hero rained blow after blow upon his opponent, each stronger than the last. Eight years of anger and frustration, of doubt and uncertainty at the life he had been forced to lead, at the weapon he had become, the fear of what that would mean for his future, all flowed into his fists and released with each blow. The events of the last few months since this war had started strengthened him and fueled his resolve. He fought without style, without technique, but with pure, unadulterated passion. He fought for everything he was worth, every single blow accentuated by that passion.
"For the Forest…
"…for Hyrule…
"…for Malon…
"…for Zelda…
"FOR ME!" He unleashed one final uppercut that sent Ganon sprawling back into the ground until his back hit the edge. Bloodied and bruised, Ganon struggled to his feet and reached down into his boot and withdrew a fierce-looking dagger. Roaring with fury, he attempted to charge Link one final time. Without even knowing why, Link held out his hand, palm up. He didn't even stop to question why an instant later he felt his sword in his hand. He simply yelled in response to Ganon's cry, charging forward, sword pointed ahead. He drove the point of the sword up to the hilt through Ganon's chest and continued pushing, driving them both back. He didn't even notice as their momentum took them over the side of the clock and into the air. Power and Courage glared at each other one final time as they fell, then everything fell into darkness.
* * *
Kafei, Anju, and the rest of the rebels sprinted over to the crater, the fear and horror palpable in the air. At the bottom of the meter-deep pit were Link and Ganon, side by side, eyes closed and not moving, a sword jutting through Ganon's chest. The rebels circled the crater, not moving and barely breathing. Finally, Rocky tentatively edged his way down into the crater, as if afraid that in doing so he would cause more damage. He reached down and felt for Link's pulse, then Ganon's, and then Link's again. Tears streaked his face with the rain as he looked up towards Kafei. Both he and Anju knew from his look what he was about to say, and with a sharp gasp Anju buried her face in Kafei's chest, even as he struggled to remain on his feet.
"I…I'm sorry…" Rocky choked. "They're both dead."
