The Winds of Time
By Sonic TH
(Short Author's Note: I apologize for the meager updates. I'm a bit behind schedule since school is getting wrapped up. I have other things I need to take care of in my life. It's cool, I've still been writing in my free time so Chapter 4 is done in rough draft form. I'll post it once this is online. Just wait, it'll come. )
Disclaimer: I have no ownership with Zelda…you know how this works…
Chapter 3: The Storm Brews
OOOOOO
Saria suddenly fell to her knees.
"Saria! What's wrong?" Link asked, rushing over to catch the green-haired sage.
"Hyrule…we are in grave danger…" Saria responded. "Gardoc has indeed created his base at Lake Hylia. He intends to infect his evil across our land."
"Link, our mission is to stop Gardoc, "the other Link said. "We can't just stand by and allow Gardoc to ruin Hyrule."
"Yes. He speaks the truth," Saria added. "Act now heroes or our future will be bleak. However, I warn you that Gardoc may be waiting for you, Hero of Time. Tread with caution."
"I understand but our time is constrained. We need to go to Lake Hylia and face Gardoc. The outcome may be bad or good but we can't stay here any longer," Link concluded.
WWWWWW
Link knew that his people depended on his success, even if they weren't aware of his upcoming battle.
"Go now and vanquish Gardoc, " Saria said.
"Ready?" Link asked the Hero of Time.
The other Link nodded. The two turned away from the Forest Temple and headed toward the stairs leading to the Meadow's maze.
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A short while later, the two heroes were standing outside the entrance to Kokiri Villiage. Epona was nearby, waiting for her master to return. The other Link mounted the horse.
"I believe that we'll give ourselves away too much if we simply warp to Lake Hylia," the Hero of Time said. " we can just ride there and we may stay out Gardoc's line of sight."
Link nodded in agreement and also jumped onto Epona's back.
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Meanwhile, in the hall of Gardoc's fortress, the evil wizard sat quietly and contemplated the arrival of the Hero of Time.
How can there be two warriors, each equipped with a legendary blade? I cannot fathom it. Ganon promised that by capturing the Hero of Time's sword, I'd become the unquestioned master of Hyrule, able to command light or darkness at my whim. However, now that there is another wielding that same sword, what am I to do? Gardoc thought.
Suddenly, an image flashed before Gardoc's eyes, stimulated by his sentient magic powers that alert him to surrounding threats.
"What's this? They've tracked me here?" Gardoc said, now engraged.
The sorcerer closed his eyes and concentrated. He saw the two heroes galloping through Hyrule Field, both headed for Lake Hylia.
"This will not stand… I cannot have them pursuing me like this…" Gardoc said with a grimace. "They could cause the ruin of all that I've worked for if I'm found in my current state."
Gardoc quickly left his chambers and exited the castle. He stood on the bridge and looked out to the shore.
"Verias desum ifdey…" Gardoc chanted.
Two large portals appeared on the shore. Out from them marched a legion of ogres and beasts.
"My warriors of the neatherealm," Gardoc addressed his newly spawned forces. "Two young heroes are attempting to stop me. They are riding here this moment and will be arriving shortly. Do not underestimate them as they both carry swords of great power. Your numbers should be able to overwhelm them. Ensure they do not reach this castle."
Gardoc finished instructing the monsters and returned to his castle as his army of otherworldly beasts began to march to the gates of the lake.
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As the two heroes sped across Hyrule Field, they stared up at the sky. They were stunned by the black clouds hovering over the Lake Hylia region.
"This is turning out to be quite the nightmare…" the Link from Hyrule observed.
The fearsome black clouds loomed closer. Lightining rained down as menacing thunder crashed in accompaniment.
The two warriors arrived at the gate and dismounted. They looked around and noted their surroundings. The same evil clouds covered the lake and there was a strange green glow emanating from the water.
"We aren't alone," Link (from the future) said.
The two Links unsheathed their respective Master Swords. They walked through the gates into the once-pristine Lake Hylia.
No sooner did the heroes walk onto the grounds when an army of hideous beasts approached them. The two warriors stood at ready to face their advesaries.
The opposing force was armed with clubs and swords. No less than 40 monsters stood ready to face the two warriors.
The Links struck first. They split up to attack the army of beasts. Link managed to take down three attackers easily. The fallen warriors exploded with a green cloud. Another two rushed him. Link parried the first's sword and rolled under the second's club swing. He quickly sprung to his feet and felled them both with a single slash. Link spun around and took out his Hero's Bow. He prepared an Ice Arrow and took aim.
OOOOOO
Link was fighting a group of three monsters. He had already managed to take down four previously. One of the monsters took a swing at Link's head but missed and instead struck and felled his own comrade. With only two beasts to contend with, Link engaged them separately from each other. The monster swung at him with his large sword. Link ducked under the attack and countered with a rising slash. He destroyed it but suddenly found himself staring down the other monster. It cornered him against the rock walls surrounding the lake.
"Here!" the other Link shouted. A blue streak blazed into the back of the attacking monster. The creature let out a final scream of pain and exploded like his the rest of the vanquished beings. The Ice Arrow fell to the ground after destroying the beast.
"Thanks," Link said as he pulled out his Longshot. Four more monsters came at him. Link stepped backwards and picked off each one with his Longshot. The spear stunned each monster and Link took the opportunity to exploit the vulnerable beasts. He warmed up and pulled back, unleashing a quick spin and taking down all four. Link then slowly back-peddled until he was back-to-back with the Hero of Winds.
"This is too much," Link said. "Their numbers are too great, we can't win."
"Don't give up," the other responded. "I've still got a way out."
He knelt down and watched as the enemy forces closed in on them.
"Go! Get out of the way!" he ordered.
"What are you going to do?" Link asked.
"Just go! Stand aside…I'll handle this…"
Link ran to the side as his counterpart focused his power. His sword was drawn to his side and started to glow bright green.
"Haaa…" he slowly charged up. His voice grew stronger as the energy in his sword swelled. Suddenly, he released the stored energy with a great burst. Link watched as the other Link spun like a tornado. He shot forward and cut through the army of monsters. The legion of creatures exploded in a veil of magic green smoke and dust. When the chaos finally cleared, Gardoc's army had vanished and the other Link was lying on the ground looking at the sky. He was panting hard as if he had expended a large amount of strength. Link rushed to his side.
"What was that?" Link asked after his counterpart had stood up.
"Its called the 'Hurricane Spin'," he explained. "I haven't used it in a long time."
The two heroes stared at the dark structure that loomed in front of them. They finally saw the green flames that engulfed the waters of Lake Hylia.
"This lake used to be beautiful… The water was clear and the sun shimmered in its ripples. Now the evil of Gardoc has shattered that tranquility," Link said with a strain of hurt in his voice. He looked at the dark clouds circling above and the lightning surrounding the castle. The two Link sheathed their swords and placed their shields on their backs. They took one more look around then walked onto the bridge and into the castle.
TO BE CONTINUED…
[A.N. – FINALLY! DONE! ;)]