Disclaimer: I don't own Zelda

Chapter Twenty

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Link ran all the way out of Kokiri Forest and even to the Battle Arena (that was still recovering from the uproar that he and Cardaras caused). He rested against the wall half covered by the ground. just west of the Battle Arena. Link started to walk, just as the sun set. He looked north and saw a black castle in a storm. He shuddered, and continued walking. He breathed out white mist, it was starting to get cold. Link finally noticed the ground getting hard, and plants becoming scarce. He saw the ground slope up and barbed wire. He had reached the outskirts. He entered between the small opening, and saw the familiar plank of wood used to cross, guards, and the large fence guarding the fortress. He walked the plank, and two female guards ran up to him with spears aimed at his chest.

"A man."

"Yes. I am a man! And I have important business. Let me speak to your leader."

"Then you bettwe head north east, to the dark castle."

"Give me your female leader."

"Why should we?"

Link smiled.

"You have no choice."

Before they opened their mouths to speak, their spears were chopped in half as if by an invisible force. They looked at Link, their jaw dropped, and saw his sword was oiut.

"F-follow us."

"That's what I thought."

They opened the fence, and walked further west into the fortress area. Link saw teh familiar fortress. They led him up, to the highest building. In the room, Link yelled in delight. For there, sitting at a table writing something on some parchment, was one he knew well.

One that could help him find the sages.

Nabooru! She was here!

"Nabooru!" Link ran to her and embraced her.

Nabooru exchanged the embrace eagerly, and started to tell Link all her stories at once.

"Wait, I have something to tell you instead." Said Link. He asked the guards to leave, and they didn't budge. Nabooru flicked her wrist, and they disappeared silently.

Link told her everything that had befalled him, including the lack of luck in Kokiri Forest. She listened, nodded eagerly, and clenched her fist.

"You have the Gerudo Race at your hands!"

Link grinned. "Well, how many are there?"

"We have many scouting the desert now, but there is a total of 5,000 Gerudos."

"But there were only 100 when I was here."

"You know that never quite happened. Only you and us Sages remember. There are more males in the race now, making us...more busy, if you catch me."

Link nodded quickly. "When can you get your scouts here?"

"In one day. Please, make yourself at home for the night."

"Very well, but I have another matter to discuss."

"What is that?"

"Where are the Sages!? We need their strength to help us. With all of them, we will have strength that can't be counted in numbers."

She sadly nodded, and spoke.

"You see, Link, I have news that may upset you on that."

"...What is it?"

"When Ganondorf broke free, we sages tried to fight him. He defeated us and trapped us in the Sacred Realm. I alone escaped. If it was because Ganondorf knew me as his own kind, or my agility, or even my combat strategies, I don't know. But I broke free, and came here. To get the Sacred Realm, the main entrance is at Death Mountain."

"Just our luck! The gorons have sealed everything off!"

"Even warp zones?"

"Even warp zones."

"Well, it is just are luck because another entry way is in the Desert. That is why my scouts are there."

"Wait, don't call them back. I'll help you find the entrance. Then when we free the Sages, we need to meet at the forest South West of the Battle Arena."

"Okay, let us start now. It is night, so the desert should be calm."

"But...I have no equipment."

"We will supply you!"

"Great. I need arrows and a new shield. This old one here is rusted and I feel it should break if I drop it! I need bombs, and a refill on magic powder. Bombchus would help, and so would a longshot. A megaton hammer..."

"Link, shut up. You are rambling. We can't give all that."

"...Well, I guess I got carried away."

"I guess you did. We can refill your arrows, sharpen your sword, and give you bombs. I can refill your magic powder because I am a Sage. We have hover boots in our storage, and a Lens of Truth as well. Up in my attic, I might have a longshot. I'm not sure if I still do, but I'll see. I will also give you a horse, and I remember you can do fantastic things with an ocarina."

"What of a shield?"

"I have the Mirror Shield and Silver Gauntlets. Usually I wear them, but you can have those as well."

"Thank you, Nabooru. Let us start now."

Nabooru left and returned with all the supplies. They waited an hour to sharpen Link's sword. Everything that Nabooru said, Link now had. They opened the giant gate, and walked onto the desert.

-

Cardaras still had to gather the Sheikah and animals. The Humans had failed him. He walked down the steps, and walked right passed the river. The Sheikah were anywhere. The animals were everywhere. Where could he check? Cardaras saw a small rabbit trying to remove a stone that was on its foot. He almost smiled in pity. Poor thing. But there were other matters to think of.

"How can I gather an army of animals to save Hyrule? Let alone animals AND Sheikah!" He thought aloud. He removed the small rock from the foot of the rabbit, and it hopped to his feet. He sat down and examined it. It seemed okay. The rabbit put its nose right up to the nose of Cardaras, squeaked, the hopped away.

"I think," Cardaras mused, "I just won over my first warrior."

The sun was rapidly setting. Cardaras sat under a tree, and slept.

A/n: I know I made the Cardaras part short, but I made the Link part long. Next chapter is going to hold Link looking for the Sages, and Cardaras looking for Sheikah and animals.