Chapter 9: Evil Freedom

Link sat up in his room at Hyrule Castle. With a small groan, he held his stomach and walked up to the large window, looking out at the moon lit Hyrule. He had an excruciating ache in his stomach after eating platefuls of food the king had forced him to eat. Almost like an awarding dinner, for getting rid of the evil that was heading their way. Link didn't know why he was getting the dinner, when Takara hasn't even escaped. The king and Princess Zelda counted on him and acknowledged him like everything was going to turn out well in the end.

Sitting up on the windowsill, Link's attention fell back to the Master Sword resting up against the wall in the corner. He had been chosen, another evil threatens Hyrule and he had been the chosen one. He was finally the Hero of Time again. He was the one everyone was depending on. After sparring for four days using the legendary blade, Link was confident in his fighting skills. Now, all he had to do—was find out how make sure Takara falls to her knees.

Sighing deeply, Link stood from the windowsill and walked over to the large bed placed within the room. He leaped up and spun, lying down on his back, looking up at the white ceiling. Brushing his hand through his hair, Link thought about Durnal and how he had forgotten the most important thing that he was told. It figures, Durnal would forget the one thing that would change the fate of the future.

Malon was probably mad at him. He left for Hyrule Castle, over five days ago. He promised her that he would come back, and whenever he returns to the ranch the promise would be fulfilled. He didn't promise when he'd come back, just that he would be back. Maybe talking some more with Durnal would help him remember what he had forgotten. Maybe spending time with his future son would help his problems. He wanted to head back, but something had prevented him.

Was he afraid?

Get a hold of yourself Hero of Time! Things will turn out all right.

" Link?"

A soft knock came to the door.

" Come in." Link called sitting up.

Princess Zelda entered the quiet room, wearing her usual attire. She warmly smiled at the Hero of Time lying down as she walked over to the bed.

" Did I wake you?" She whispered softly.

Link shook his head sitting up. He rubbed his hair, feeling that his green hat had fallen off. Zelda laughed quietly to herself, watching Link quickly turn and grab his hat putting it back on his head.

" No, I couldn't sleep."

" Did my father overfeed you again?" Zelda questioned taking a seat next to the Hylian.

Link shrugged rubbing his stomach. " It's not the food that's keeping me awake," he confessed.

" Takara…" Zelda answered solemnly. Link nodded. Princess Zelda stood and walked over to the window, her long dress dragging behind her. She glanced out at the clear night, looking down at the quiet Hyrule Market. " Occurring to the future, Takara's freedom…" She swallowed hard. "…Is tonight."

Link lowered his head, seeing Zelda out the corner of his eyes. He didn't want to tell her that he was nervous about Takara's escape. He was afraid of falling asleep, because his mind keeps on focusing on the destruction that she could make overnight. If Takara had enough power to shatter the Master Sword, then he didn't want to think of what she could do, to the helpless Hyrule.

" Nabooru is keeping watch at Desert Colossus," Zelda informed, turning her attention to the silent elf. " I'm sure she can handle everything."

" Shouldn't I be there?" Link questioned, hearing the small terror in his voice. He coughed, trying to cover it up.

Zelda raised her eyebrows seeming aware. She walked over to Link, lightly placing her hands on his relaxed shoulders. " Link, you need your rest. Besides, we could be wrong." She paused for a moment, noticing that Link was refusing eye contact with her. He kept his glaze down at the floor. She hesitated for a bit, but then asked. " Do you want to head back to Lon Lon Ranch?"

Without speaking, Link lifted his head eying her perplexed. Their gaze met, and stood for quiet some time.

" I know my father has been keeping you here ever since you gained the Master Sword. You must be homesick."

Link sighed looking away; Zelda removed her hand. " The ranch isn't my home. I'm fine here…"

" You sure?" Zelda seemed relieved, but concern filled her eyes. " I mean, Durnal is there and so is…" She stopped when Link turned his attention back to her.

It was because she was going to say Malon that got Link to pay attention to her. Zelda felt like he had stabbed her in the chest, when she noticed his reaction to the ranch girl. She understood that they were best friends, but didn't want to think that there was more going on between them. If Link actually had feelings for Malon, then he would have headed back days ago, and wouldn't refuse when she gave him the opportunity.

They both sat in silence, waiting for someone speak first. Zelda didn't know if she should finish her sentence, or start a new conversation. Link gave her the impression that he wasn't going to say anything until she finished. He waited for her to continue.

Taking a deep breath, Zelda grew enough courage to slowly move closer to Link. She closed her eyes, and perked her lips, getting ready for what's to come. Link's eyes widen when he saw what was coming. He slowly moved his head away, before getting up and walking over to the window.

" I'm getting a little tired, now." He lied, keeping his back to her.

Zelda's eyes tightened as she bit her lip embarrassed. She forced a smile, and slowly nodded taking small steps back. When Link heard her walking toward the door, he calmed down; waiting for his heart to go back to it's normal pace.

" Yes, good-night then."

Link waited until she opened the door before replying. " Good-night."

Once the door had closed, Link turned and walked back to his bed. He laid down, resting his head on the pillow. He couldn't believe that Zelda was going to kiss him. He knew he was going to regret it later. He never thought about Zelda having those kinds of feelings for him. He didn't know if he returned those feelings either. Part of him had wished that he let Zelda kiss him, and yet the other part wished that he was kissing someone else.

Link closed his eyes trying to fall asleep, but knew that he wouldn't be able to sleep a wink, after what had just happened.

" Nabooru…" Whispered, the young frightened Gerudo, " Why are we here?"

Nabooru looked around, holding her long skinny hand above her eyes to see the calm, quiet Desert Colossus in front of them. The wind blew violently, as sand and dirt flew up around them. The young red-haired Gerudo, standing close behind Nabooru, trembled in fear. Her eyes widened at the black birds floating ahead, and the voice of the wind.

" I'm here keeping an eye out for Takara," Nabooru replied courageously. " Under Princess Zelda's behave."

" Why am I here, then? I'm no Sage…"

Nabooru sighed aggravated that she had to baby-sit Katrina. Katrina was the one who volunteered to come with Nabooru to the Desert Colossus. How could the Gerudo not know what they were doing? She desperately wanted a Gerudo that could fight and protect herself, not some toddler acting teen.

" Why are you here?" Nabooru asked, crossing her arms. " If you're scared then leave."

Katrina turned her attention to the large sand stormed desert. She bit her lip quickly shaking her head, almost pleading to stay with the Sage. " Let me stay, please!"

Nabooru sighed.

Foolish Gerudos!

" What was that?" Shrieked Katrina as she grabbed a hold of Nabooru's arm.

" Quiet!" Nabooru snapped, shoving Katrina to the side.

You make me laugh.

" Takara…" Nabooru whispered, grunting her teeth.

I'm charmed. The voice laughed.

Katrina and Nabooru both looked up at the large statue on the right. The face lit up; blue, purple, and white colors flashed into the sky. It was the same light that Nabooru had witnessed from the top of the watch post. The ground rumbled as smoke rose from the bottom of the statue.

Katrina's face went pale, as she turned and ran in the other direction. Nabooru took small steps back, watching the statue face crumble, as the colors grew casting a brighter light into the sky. The large portions of the face fell down in their direction, just missing the two Gerudo's as they land.

Once the face had completely fallen off, the three lights joined together, swallowing Nabooru and Katrina into the white light…

" Awake Sage!" Nabooru heard the loud ignorant voice.

Slowly opening her crimson eyes, Nabooru found herself lying on the sand away from the Desert Colossus. The unconscious Katrina was next to her as a small body hovered over them.

Nabooru turned her attention to the raven-haired witch in front of her. Takara's hair fell past her shoulders to the tip of her chest. Her long hair covered the right side of her face, while the left side was cupped behind her ear. Nabooru noticed some sort of band that went around her forehead, but didn't pay attention to it. Takara's visible purple eye glared down at the two Gerudo's, a smirk was held on her face. The young witch wore a black dress that went to the top of her knees. Her black boots, barely looked like they fit her, and her skin was pale, almost like a ghost. The bright red gem around Takara's neck shinned down on the Sage. Nabooru was astonished the teenage looking witch was the ruler of Hyrule in the future, although Takara's looks wasn't too intimidating.

" A welcoming party?" Takara grinned, shaking her head. " How thoughtful."

" About time, you escaped." Nabooru stood, brushing the sand off of herself, eying Katrina who still laid unconscious.

" It took some time," Takara confessed. " I'm surprised you knew."

" We have all the information we need."

Takara devilishly smiled and nodded. " Oh yeah? So do I? Where is the Hero of Time, Link?"

" Why?"

" I want to meet the boy who's trying stop me." Takara noticed Nabooru's shocked expression. " Just because I've been locked up for so long, doesn't mean I don't know what's going on."

" He will stop you!"

" I'd like to see him try."

Nabooru lifted her hands in the air, creating a yellow beam above her head. Takara continued to hover over the Sage and the unconscious Gerudo, her looks calm and collective. The yellow beam would do nothing to her, except help prove that the Sages were weak. She wasn't worried about any of them, and even Princess Zelda.

Nabooru fired the beam toward the witch, but Takara held her hand out stopping the beam in its tracks. Nabooru's eyes widen, when Takara waited until a ball formed, before retargeting the beam down toward the Sage.

Katrina moaned and slowly opened her eyes when she noticed the beam heading straight for Nabooru. Before the Sage could move, the beam collided within her, sending Nabooru back to the sand. No body can hurt a Sage…Takara had…

" Nabooru!" Katrina cried.

Nabooru laid on the ground unconscious.

Takara laughed. " That wasn't just Nabooru's magic, I had added a taste of my own, power. See what I can do little Gerudo?"

Katrina stood to her feet in terror as she ran in the opposite direction, away from the witch. Takara frowned, and lowered herself to the ground, watching the Gerudo try to flee. When her boots touched the sand, Takara created many large ripples as they headed in Katrina's direction. Katrina fell as the ripples knocked her to her stomach; her face collided into the ground, her mouth filled with sand.

Katrina whimpered as she spit the sand out and turned around to find Takara standing behind her. Takara had her arms crossed, a large grin upon her face. Katrina shivered as tears rolled down her cheeks. Nabooru was out, and she was powerless, what more can she do? Takara on the other hand, loved the feeling of power, the fear of others in the palm of her hands.

" What to do with you?" Takara questioned. " Go ahead! Scream for help! Who can hear you?"

As Takara's purple eyes began to glow, Katrina couldn't help but scream. All of the energy came out of her mouth, as her gaze never left Katrina's eyes. Takara's evil hysterical laugh pierced the night, but it wasn't enough to die out's Katrina's painful scream…

" No, Katrina!"

Zelda shot up from her bed, looking around the empty room. She panted, as sweat poured down her forehead. She felt hot, probably from the nightmare she just had

" What…"

Zelda wiped her forehead, and took deep breaths before getting out of bed. Her bare feet pounded on the hallway floors, as she desperately ran down to Link's room, to aware him of the terrible prophecy that she knew had come true.

A/N:

Very sorry that this chapter had taken longer to submit, a lot of things were going on and I didn't have enough time to stop and write. My mother had gotten married and my family came down from Erie, PA, so I have a good excuse.

Anyway, hopefully this chapter was good. I tried hard to make up for the wait. It's not long, and I had planned on ending it this way. I'll try to make the next chapter longer, a lot of things are going to happen, now that evil is free…

Xakattack: Thanks for your review; you are truly a dedicated reviewer. You review every time, and I really appreciate that. Also, I'm waiting for you to update your story, just to let you know. If you want to send me your novel, that'd be great and I'd promise not to send it to anyone else.

NoOnSh: Thanks for the review! Another reviewer, I'm looking forward too! Hehe!

Liz0888: I'm not totally done with my project, I just have to write two more two paged journal entries. I'll finish them before school starts, no need to worry. I do believe that many authors wait a long time before submitting, but not me. Thanks for your review! I'll be looking forward to seeing more of them.

Until next time!