I messed up a bit in the last chapter.....Link must awaken 6 sages, not 7.
The sage of light is already there, or...he doesn't have to awaken Zelda,
or something like that.
Thanks all you peeps who read this!
Enjoy~
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The sight that met his eyes was disturbing. The castle market was in ruin, all around him were the corpses of the once happy towns people. It was sickening. Link turned away, he couldn't bear to look any longer. It only made the rage in him burn all the more hotter.
"Ganon will pay, he's hurt so many people, and I fear, I've only just begun to see the destruction."
He started towards the front gate when a slow movement just ahead caught his attention. He stopped and studied the movement. One of the corpses was moving. Link rushed forwards and hoped that maybe it was somebody who survived, but stopped short when he realized that Ganon must have cursed these poor people. The corps now stud upright and turned to look at Link.
"That BASTEARD! As if it wasn't bad enough that he had to kill all these people, he had to make them his zombies as well? Uhh" Link spat at the ground before he pulled his sword for battle. "You poor people.... I'll soon put you out of your misery.......May you rest in peace!!"
Link struck down the Re-dead before it could give it's petrifying scream. Soon it came to his attention that all the other Re-dead had formed a circle around him and their dead companion. They slowly began to move in towards Link and the, even more dead Re-dead. (heheh -_-;) Link was afraid that they were moving in to consume him but horribly sickened when he realized they were only moving in to eat their fallen kin. But this however made them all easy targets and he quietly disposed of them.
With the towns people taken care of Link quietly made his way out into Hyrule field. He took a step back and looked in disgust at how much the field had changed.
"A barren wasteland....... humph, I should have guessed....This can't be good for Malon's horses. Heh, this can't be good for anyone. "
He turned in the general direction of the ranch and began to slowly walk. He was pleased to see that the further away he got from the castle, the more green everything got. But sadly, the field was still not as green as he remembered it to be. By the time he made it to the ranch, it was almost as if nothing at all had happened. He looked up at the ranch and memories of his childhood came too him. Times when they used to play here. He shut his eyes, even though 7 years have passed, it all seemed like just yesterday to him. He laughed to himself, and wondered if Malon still remembered him. He started towards the door and noticed out of the corner of his eye a horse and it's rider come up from behind the hill. He paid it no mind and wondered into the ranch.
On first look the ranch looked just like it always had, but then Link noticed something strange.
"Huh, since when do they have a gate?!! That's not like Malon, or even Talon for that matter. That, that looks like Ingo on that gate. Okay, this is weird. I need to find Malon, quick." Link deiced to look in the stables. He figured that's where she'd be, since that's where the horses were. The stable door was open, ""Just like always"" And Link could see Malon feeding one of the horses. He looked at her face and could see the shining tracts where her tears had just fallen. "Aw, Malon.....What in the world could have happened?"" Link started to move through the open door to comfort his old friend when he heard the voice of Ingo booming through the stable.
"I TOLD YOU TO GET THAT DONE AN HOUR AGO!! You're just like your father was....lazy!"
"Ingo, sir, I was still doing the chores you set for me. I only just got don-"
"Be quiet you foolish little girl! Time is money! Maybe you should just start getting up earlier!"
"I try my hardest sir. I only-"
"Shut up, I don't wan to hear your excuses!-"
Link had herd about enough of this, and was about to barge in and rip Ingo a new one when he heard the clop of horse's feet just behind him. He turned and saw the rider and horse he had earlier walking up the path of the ranch. Getting a closer look, Link came to realize that the rider was a Gerudo, a thief of the dessert. Then he remembered Naomi telling him that Gerudo's were none too fond of men, especially because of what Ganon had done. He wasn't in the mood for any confrontations as of now and thought it best to hide before the Gerudo saw him. He looked around and found a big pile of hay just inside the stable, so, he jumped in and made a hole that he could see out of.
"-We need to get that mare prepared today. I want her ready to present to Lord Ganon."
"Sir!!! Please, not Epo-" Malon stopped short when Ingo raised his hand. She flinched away and looked at the ground. Malon kept her eyes squeezed shut, expecting to feel the sharp sting of his hand. But instead, only heard a small terrified squeak come from his throat. She looked up and smiled, that would teach him to raise his hand to her. A Gerudo woman clad in purple and black stud in the doorway, looking truly pissed at what she just saw.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Link saw her through the hole in his little hideaway. He had never seen a Gerudo before, and had to admit that all the stories he heard of their beauty were true. She was tall and thin, and dressed in a black and purple outfit. As his eyes moved up to her back he could see the deadly curved blades that were the trademark of the high ranking Gerudo. Moving further up he saw that her face was covered by a dark purple scarf. Once again he thought of all the stories his friend would tell him, ""Something about...Oh yeah, when ever they left the valley, they wore the scarf because they felt that men didn't have the right to see their full face...."" He saw a large purple and black gem on her forehead and pierced ears with large silver hoops. Higher up he saw her red, strawberry blond hair pulled back into a long pony-tail, with a large violet stone holding it in place.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She glared at Ingo. Ingo quickly moved his hand behind his back and gave a nervous little laugh. Malon tried so hard to hide her glee and quickly moved to feed the horses, making herself look like she was busy.
"What the hell was THAT Mr. Ingo?"
"Um, n-nothing."
"I'm here for the horse...."
"Er...which one was that?"
"Which one?..." she said sweetly, "WHICH ONE DO YOU THINK?!! Ga, I told you I would come for her, don't play dumb with me! Even though you're pretty good at it."
"But, but I was going to present that one to Lo-Lord Ganon and, and you already got the first one I was going to give to him!"
The Gerudo looked outside behind her to see a large black stallion paw at the ground.
"Yeah....so? I paid for him didn't I? And quite well if I remember correctly. You know Ingo, if you want to make this harder, I could just steal her like any other Gerudo would and leave you with nothing."
She pulled out a large bag and threw it at his feet.
"Or you could take the money. It's up to you."
He picked up the bag and opened it if find a LARGE sum of rupees within. He thought for a second. He wouldn't put it past this crazy woman to just go out and steal the horse. He wondered why she would pay in the first place, but decided it was because of the girl.....Of course, she was looking out for her "fellow woman." If he didn't make any money, the girl didn't. He looked back down at the money, and then up at the Gerudo who was now tapping her foot, apparently growing impatient. In the end Ingo's greed got the better of him. And after all, wasn't it better to get something over nothing?
"I'll take your filthy money!" Ingo had gained some courage holding all that money but soon lost it all when the Gerudo rushed forward and grabbed the collar of his shirt. She almost pulled him off the ground when she lifted him so that they were face to face.
"Don't you EVER raise your hand to her EVER again." She glared at him again and finished with her sweet tone once again. "Understand?" She dropped him and he fell on his butt. He grabbed his money and ran to the house squeaking all the way.
"Coward.....Heh, that will teach him to treat you like that, eh Malon?"
"Thank you so much! Most of the time, I'm just worried he'll hurt the horses. But I guess he's a little on edge today."
"You know, you could come with me.....We'd steal the horses, take them with us. I think you'd make a fine Gerudo. You could even work in the stables, you wouldn't have to steal anything. Come on, whatta ya say?"
"I'm sorry.....I need to stay here. This is my families ranch. My mother grew up on this ranch and-"
"Say no more, I understand. I won't push you into anything.....But know this, you are ALWAYS welcome in the valley."
"Heh, thanks.....So, you've finally come to get Epona? I'm glad you're taking her, I know you'll treat her right....Better than Ganondorf!"
"Amen to that! Yeah, I'm here for her finally....I always said I was gonna get her....but my friend still isn't back.....*sigh* One day....one day."
"Well, I'll get her saddled and ready for you. Thanks again!"
"My pleasure! I always get a kick outta scaring Ingo....He always creeped me out when we were kids. Gods he was a crabby man, heh, still is."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Link looked out through his hole and saw that the coast was clear. ""Crap! She took my horse. Now what I'm I gonna do?"" Malon walked back into the stable and dropped the milk bucket. Link turned to face her.
"Oh, oh my gods!" Her lips began to quiver and she mover her hand to hide them. "You, you're.......I can't believe you're finally back!" Malon ran forward and wrapped her arms around his arms so that they were pinned to his sides. She squeezed him with such a force he winced and tried to squeak a greeting to his old friend.
""And here I thought she forgot me....Damn she's strong!""
"Hey....hey Malon. M miss....me?"
"Oh Link!!! We thought something horrible happened to you!!! I was so worried that Ganondorf got you too!" She released him and stepped back to look up into his face and he sucked in a deep breath. He looked down and could see the curtain of tears just behind her eyes, but Malon stayed strong. "I'm so glad you're back! Oh Link, so much has happened since you left. My father up and left the ranch, the field has become nothing but wasteland, as I'm sure you already saw. And, and...oh, it's just all such a mess!"
"Malon....." He walked forward and gave his friend a gentle hug to comfort her.
"Malon.....I need to ask you something... I know it must have been hard for you...Farore knows I'm still trying to move on....But..but." He could feel the tears well in his eyes. ""Aw crap, I told myself not to cry! What will Malon think?"
"But?....What is it Link? Come on, you can tell me anything."
"I, I want to know where Naomi has been lain to rest. Please, could you tell me? I want to visit her, pay my respects."
Malon gently pulled away from the embrace and looked up into Link's eyes. "Oh hun......Naomi's not dead."
"...........Zuh?"
She looked at him with such hurt in her eyes for him. "Oh gods, you think she's dead.......she said that was probably the last thing you saw."
".....wait a minuet.... Just, just hold on! You mean, you mean, she's alive?!"
Malon nodded her head and smiled. Link could barely hold in his joy! He ran up and grabbed Malon twirling her around the room, laughing all the way. He stopped abruptly plopped her down on the floor in front of him and began asking her question upon question.
"Well, how did it happen? I saw him cut her! Almost in half! I saw it with my own eyes! And where is she now? How has she been? Is she still living in the forest? What has she been doing? What-"
"Link, LINK!!! Hold up a second! Link, why don't you ask HER these questions? I'm sure she could answer them a whole lot better than I could."
"Heh, You're right...Sorry I got a little carried away there."
"It's ok, I know how much you care for her Link....There is one question I can answer for you though, you'll find her in the Gerudo valley. But.....I'm so sorry Link! I just sold your horse!"
"That's ok, I'm sure I can make it just fine. Good thing I still have the map that weird old owl gave us. I'll find my way there....Thank you so much Malon, for everything."
"Before you go, would you like a glass of milk? For old time's sake?"
"Ah....-" He really wanted to get to Naomi, but the look in Malon's eyes pleaded him to stay. ""How could I refuse?"" "-Sure Malon.....For old time's sake."
"Goody!" She clapped her hands together and ran off to get the milk.
""She's alive.....SHE'S ALIVE!!!!! Naomi......I'm coming for you, just you wait. When I find you...I'll never let anything bad happen to you ever again! I'll stake my life on it!""
He looked around for a soft patch of hay and sat down to wait for Malon.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ w00t! Yeah, I couldn't really kill her off. I'm sure you knew that. I scared some of you though, I know it. She was dead for a good three chapters, you were starting to worry, oh yeah. Don't deny it. Hope you liked it, I know I did! Anyway, soon I'm gonna put the links to the Naomi fanart I have in my little "about the author" thingy. So if you want to check that shtuff out, you can. A couple of you wanted to know how I saw her...so now you can. I have to finish the picture I'm doing right now of her, and then I'll put of the links.
~Kohaku-sama ^_^x ORO!!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The sight that met his eyes was disturbing. The castle market was in ruin, all around him were the corpses of the once happy towns people. It was sickening. Link turned away, he couldn't bear to look any longer. It only made the rage in him burn all the more hotter.
"Ganon will pay, he's hurt so many people, and I fear, I've only just begun to see the destruction."
He started towards the front gate when a slow movement just ahead caught his attention. He stopped and studied the movement. One of the corpses was moving. Link rushed forwards and hoped that maybe it was somebody who survived, but stopped short when he realized that Ganon must have cursed these poor people. The corps now stud upright and turned to look at Link.
"That BASTEARD! As if it wasn't bad enough that he had to kill all these people, he had to make them his zombies as well? Uhh" Link spat at the ground before he pulled his sword for battle. "You poor people.... I'll soon put you out of your misery.......May you rest in peace!!"
Link struck down the Re-dead before it could give it's petrifying scream. Soon it came to his attention that all the other Re-dead had formed a circle around him and their dead companion. They slowly began to move in towards Link and the, even more dead Re-dead. (heheh -_-;) Link was afraid that they were moving in to consume him but horribly sickened when he realized they were only moving in to eat their fallen kin. But this however made them all easy targets and he quietly disposed of them.
With the towns people taken care of Link quietly made his way out into Hyrule field. He took a step back and looked in disgust at how much the field had changed.
"A barren wasteland....... humph, I should have guessed....This can't be good for Malon's horses. Heh, this can't be good for anyone. "
He turned in the general direction of the ranch and began to slowly walk. He was pleased to see that the further away he got from the castle, the more green everything got. But sadly, the field was still not as green as he remembered it to be. By the time he made it to the ranch, it was almost as if nothing at all had happened. He looked up at the ranch and memories of his childhood came too him. Times when they used to play here. He shut his eyes, even though 7 years have passed, it all seemed like just yesterday to him. He laughed to himself, and wondered if Malon still remembered him. He started towards the door and noticed out of the corner of his eye a horse and it's rider come up from behind the hill. He paid it no mind and wondered into the ranch.
On first look the ranch looked just like it always had, but then Link noticed something strange.
"Huh, since when do they have a gate?!! That's not like Malon, or even Talon for that matter. That, that looks like Ingo on that gate. Okay, this is weird. I need to find Malon, quick." Link deiced to look in the stables. He figured that's where she'd be, since that's where the horses were. The stable door was open, ""Just like always"" And Link could see Malon feeding one of the horses. He looked at her face and could see the shining tracts where her tears had just fallen. "Aw, Malon.....What in the world could have happened?"" Link started to move through the open door to comfort his old friend when he heard the voice of Ingo booming through the stable.
"I TOLD YOU TO GET THAT DONE AN HOUR AGO!! You're just like your father was....lazy!"
"Ingo, sir, I was still doing the chores you set for me. I only just got don-"
"Be quiet you foolish little girl! Time is money! Maybe you should just start getting up earlier!"
"I try my hardest sir. I only-"
"Shut up, I don't wan to hear your excuses!-"
Link had herd about enough of this, and was about to barge in and rip Ingo a new one when he heard the clop of horse's feet just behind him. He turned and saw the rider and horse he had earlier walking up the path of the ranch. Getting a closer look, Link came to realize that the rider was a Gerudo, a thief of the dessert. Then he remembered Naomi telling him that Gerudo's were none too fond of men, especially because of what Ganon had done. He wasn't in the mood for any confrontations as of now and thought it best to hide before the Gerudo saw him. He looked around and found a big pile of hay just inside the stable, so, he jumped in and made a hole that he could see out of.
"-We need to get that mare prepared today. I want her ready to present to Lord Ganon."
"Sir!!! Please, not Epo-" Malon stopped short when Ingo raised his hand. She flinched away and looked at the ground. Malon kept her eyes squeezed shut, expecting to feel the sharp sting of his hand. But instead, only heard a small terrified squeak come from his throat. She looked up and smiled, that would teach him to raise his hand to her. A Gerudo woman clad in purple and black stud in the doorway, looking truly pissed at what she just saw.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Link saw her through the hole in his little hideaway. He had never seen a Gerudo before, and had to admit that all the stories he heard of their beauty were true. She was tall and thin, and dressed in a black and purple outfit. As his eyes moved up to her back he could see the deadly curved blades that were the trademark of the high ranking Gerudo. Moving further up he saw that her face was covered by a dark purple scarf. Once again he thought of all the stories his friend would tell him, ""Something about...Oh yeah, when ever they left the valley, they wore the scarf because they felt that men didn't have the right to see their full face...."" He saw a large purple and black gem on her forehead and pierced ears with large silver hoops. Higher up he saw her red, strawberry blond hair pulled back into a long pony-tail, with a large violet stone holding it in place.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She glared at Ingo. Ingo quickly moved his hand behind his back and gave a nervous little laugh. Malon tried so hard to hide her glee and quickly moved to feed the horses, making herself look like she was busy.
"What the hell was THAT Mr. Ingo?"
"Um, n-nothing."
"I'm here for the horse...."
"Er...which one was that?"
"Which one?..." she said sweetly, "WHICH ONE DO YOU THINK?!! Ga, I told you I would come for her, don't play dumb with me! Even though you're pretty good at it."
"But, but I was going to present that one to Lo-Lord Ganon and, and you already got the first one I was going to give to him!"
The Gerudo looked outside behind her to see a large black stallion paw at the ground.
"Yeah....so? I paid for him didn't I? And quite well if I remember correctly. You know Ingo, if you want to make this harder, I could just steal her like any other Gerudo would and leave you with nothing."
She pulled out a large bag and threw it at his feet.
"Or you could take the money. It's up to you."
He picked up the bag and opened it if find a LARGE sum of rupees within. He thought for a second. He wouldn't put it past this crazy woman to just go out and steal the horse. He wondered why she would pay in the first place, but decided it was because of the girl.....Of course, she was looking out for her "fellow woman." If he didn't make any money, the girl didn't. He looked back down at the money, and then up at the Gerudo who was now tapping her foot, apparently growing impatient. In the end Ingo's greed got the better of him. And after all, wasn't it better to get something over nothing?
"I'll take your filthy money!" Ingo had gained some courage holding all that money but soon lost it all when the Gerudo rushed forward and grabbed the collar of his shirt. She almost pulled him off the ground when she lifted him so that they were face to face.
"Don't you EVER raise your hand to her EVER again." She glared at him again and finished with her sweet tone once again. "Understand?" She dropped him and he fell on his butt. He grabbed his money and ran to the house squeaking all the way.
"Coward.....Heh, that will teach him to treat you like that, eh Malon?"
"Thank you so much! Most of the time, I'm just worried he'll hurt the horses. But I guess he's a little on edge today."
"You know, you could come with me.....We'd steal the horses, take them with us. I think you'd make a fine Gerudo. You could even work in the stables, you wouldn't have to steal anything. Come on, whatta ya say?"
"I'm sorry.....I need to stay here. This is my families ranch. My mother grew up on this ranch and-"
"Say no more, I understand. I won't push you into anything.....But know this, you are ALWAYS welcome in the valley."
"Heh, thanks.....So, you've finally come to get Epona? I'm glad you're taking her, I know you'll treat her right....Better than Ganondorf!"
"Amen to that! Yeah, I'm here for her finally....I always said I was gonna get her....but my friend still isn't back.....*sigh* One day....one day."
"Well, I'll get her saddled and ready for you. Thanks again!"
"My pleasure! I always get a kick outta scaring Ingo....He always creeped me out when we were kids. Gods he was a crabby man, heh, still is."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Link looked out through his hole and saw that the coast was clear. ""Crap! She took my horse. Now what I'm I gonna do?"" Malon walked back into the stable and dropped the milk bucket. Link turned to face her.
"Oh, oh my gods!" Her lips began to quiver and she mover her hand to hide them. "You, you're.......I can't believe you're finally back!" Malon ran forward and wrapped her arms around his arms so that they were pinned to his sides. She squeezed him with such a force he winced and tried to squeak a greeting to his old friend.
""And here I thought she forgot me....Damn she's strong!""
"Hey....hey Malon. M miss....me?"
"Oh Link!!! We thought something horrible happened to you!!! I was so worried that Ganondorf got you too!" She released him and stepped back to look up into his face and he sucked in a deep breath. He looked down and could see the curtain of tears just behind her eyes, but Malon stayed strong. "I'm so glad you're back! Oh Link, so much has happened since you left. My father up and left the ranch, the field has become nothing but wasteland, as I'm sure you already saw. And, and...oh, it's just all such a mess!"
"Malon....." He walked forward and gave his friend a gentle hug to comfort her.
"Malon.....I need to ask you something... I know it must have been hard for you...Farore knows I'm still trying to move on....But..but." He could feel the tears well in his eyes. ""Aw crap, I told myself not to cry! What will Malon think?"
"But?....What is it Link? Come on, you can tell me anything."
"I, I want to know where Naomi has been lain to rest. Please, could you tell me? I want to visit her, pay my respects."
Malon gently pulled away from the embrace and looked up into Link's eyes. "Oh hun......Naomi's not dead."
"...........Zuh?"
She looked at him with such hurt in her eyes for him. "Oh gods, you think she's dead.......she said that was probably the last thing you saw."
".....wait a minuet.... Just, just hold on! You mean, you mean, she's alive?!"
Malon nodded her head and smiled. Link could barely hold in his joy! He ran up and grabbed Malon twirling her around the room, laughing all the way. He stopped abruptly plopped her down on the floor in front of him and began asking her question upon question.
"Well, how did it happen? I saw him cut her! Almost in half! I saw it with my own eyes! And where is she now? How has she been? Is she still living in the forest? What has she been doing? What-"
"Link, LINK!!! Hold up a second! Link, why don't you ask HER these questions? I'm sure she could answer them a whole lot better than I could."
"Heh, You're right...Sorry I got a little carried away there."
"It's ok, I know how much you care for her Link....There is one question I can answer for you though, you'll find her in the Gerudo valley. But.....I'm so sorry Link! I just sold your horse!"
"That's ok, I'm sure I can make it just fine. Good thing I still have the map that weird old owl gave us. I'll find my way there....Thank you so much Malon, for everything."
"Before you go, would you like a glass of milk? For old time's sake?"
"Ah....-" He really wanted to get to Naomi, but the look in Malon's eyes pleaded him to stay. ""How could I refuse?"" "-Sure Malon.....For old time's sake."
"Goody!" She clapped her hands together and ran off to get the milk.
""She's alive.....SHE'S ALIVE!!!!! Naomi......I'm coming for you, just you wait. When I find you...I'll never let anything bad happen to you ever again! I'll stake my life on it!""
He looked around for a soft patch of hay and sat down to wait for Malon.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ w00t! Yeah, I couldn't really kill her off. I'm sure you knew that. I scared some of you though, I know it. She was dead for a good three chapters, you were starting to worry, oh yeah. Don't deny it. Hope you liked it, I know I did! Anyway, soon I'm gonna put the links to the Naomi fanart I have in my little "about the author" thingy. So if you want to check that shtuff out, you can. A couple of you wanted to know how I saw her...so now you can. I have to finish the picture I'm doing right now of her, and then I'll put of the links.
~Kohaku-sama ^_^x ORO!!