Author's Note: It may not be long before this story is placed under the R rating for language, excessive violence and some adult situations. Though I will not take it beyond mention of things. I'm not making this a lemon.
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Ocarina of Time: Rebirth
Chapter Thirty-Four: Showdown At Lon Lon Ranch
Seth looked down from the building as several horses and foot soldiers came through the gate which had just been forced open by a large man in armor wielding an ax. They all appeared to be men but he knew they were rather the evidence of those Gannondorf had killed brought to serve him and his men. He had only heard of this kind of sorcery but it was not of Gannondorf's nature nor was it of the Triforce, then again it had been seven years. He growled lightly "I hate this." he said holding his sword behind his back.
Seth looked back swiftly as he felt another on the area, Sheik looked back at him and he huffed lightly "They are also called the shells of men are also called the undead. While they are not truly possessed their soul it long gone but their bodies still linger. Brought to serve Gannondorf and his armies." Seth narrowed his eyes "I know, its amazing that he doesn't trust his own?" Sheik spoke again silently to Seth, her muffled voice not catching any attention from the intruders "Gannondorf doesn't chance mutiny, while he only has so many people he can trust, the only ones he can trust in great numbers are those that he can control or destroy." Seth nodded as he watched.
Seth spoke up toward his sworn sister as he watched Reeve's movements "So how did your meeting with Link go?" he asked knowing that she followed him to the forest to give him what advice she could. Sheik spoke "He feels that it is his problem. Saria is his concern, we're just going to have to leave this in his hands. He entered the temple just under four hours ago." she told him. "What was Gannondorf doing in the forest?" Seth asked.
Sheik breathed "He was apparently hoping to test the Stalfos theory with those from outside the forest. Tying them to poles and watching to see if they die and reawaken as a Stalfos. He believes the key to immortality is within this curse." Seth growled at this as he looked toward Gannondorf's troops with even more hatred "Thats the sickest thing I've ever heard." he shared gripping his new blade with anger, hopefully it would fare well in Goshinki's place.
The one called Reeve Blackwood rode up to the house as Ingo stepped outside in his long shirt and night cap "What the hell is your problem!" he shouted at them. Reeve hardly heard him as he stepped off his horse "Do you have any clue what time it is!" Ingo shouted before Reeve swung his arm delivering a strong backhand across the stubborn man's face. Reeve watched as Ingo fell to the ground the grass staining the shirt "Silence peasant!" he said harshly before glaring down at him.
He spoke as several of his troops stepped past him and toward the corral and inner grounds "You may forget about what you owe us I'm not here for that but I'm afraid that I am not to leave this place without Malon. Where is she?" he demanded to know. Ingo shrugged as he stood up "How in the hell should I know, and even if I did why would I tell you?" he shouted at Reeve as he dusted himself off. Reeve was silent before he drew his sword, unlike the Master Sword it wasn't a broad blade and could be worn on one's belt "You are her guardian and if you don't tell me right now I will kill you and every other living thing on this ranch." he threatened.
Seth clinched his fist as he heard this and slowly stood to his feet taking grip on the master sword ready to use it if he had to. Sheik reached up pulling him back "Wait, we need to wait for the right moment." she said placing a hand on the straight blade that was on her back, it was a sword made for swift movement and assassination a standard reinforced Sheikah blade labeled Force Edge on the side. Seth breathed as he wasn't one to wait but fighting people was different from fighting beast and monsters. He felt it was better that he was instead in Link's place.
Reeve called out to his people "I want Moonstar found. Burn this ranch to the ground if you have to, she is here somewhere!" he called out before a voice of protest called out "For Din's sake Blackwood I'm right here!" he looked up to see Malon approaching looking pretty irritated. Malon looked as the men seemed to stand there still holding torches they're eyes were solid white and dead they were clearly not Gannondorf's regular army of Hylians that went along side him although he had also recruited pirates into his numbers. What were these men that followed orders so blindly? She felt better knowing that Garen was keeping an eye on her from the shadows.
She turned to glare right at Reeve who approached her sheathing his sword giving much relief to Ingo "You've got a lot of nerve giving out such orders, and as low as you are on the totem pole in the King's group it wouldn't be too hard to have you dropped even further." Malon said holding out one index finger. Malon's eyes went wide as Reeve's hand shot up clutching her wrist rather harshly "Actually I haven't any fear of that whatsoever miss Moonstar." he said pulling her close to him. Malon was shocked at this change in Reeve's behavior, sure ever since he was younger he had taken things a little far but this was beyond what she imagined.
Ingo Long found himself back up against the several crates that were on the side of the house, he couldn't believe that Blackwood was threatening to do such a thing and he found him shaking in both anger at Gannondorf and fear of death. Suddenly a hand came around Ingo's mouth pulling him back over the top of the crates, one of the soldiers looked as he heard a noise and then turned to face his leader and the young lass. Ingo looked to see the boy from before with his index finger upon his lips signaling him to be silent "Keep absolutely still and don't make a sound." he ordered. He released Ingo who shot him a glare before watching the development through a gap between the crates.
Malon looked up at Reeve as he spoke to her in a tone that was slow and steady, almost seductive it chilled her to her bones "You see Malon I've no intention of leaving without what I want." he said with a smirk. Malon looked at him "What are you talking about? Let go of me!" she shouted. Reeve chuckled before one hand wrapped around her waist and pulled her chest against his own, his eyes looking right down at her own. Malon was scared now as he spoke "There is no choice to be made here Malon. Ingo is out of business and you are mine." he said. Malon narrowed her eyes as he leered at her.
Garen narrowed his own eyes into a piercing glare as he saw this look in Reeve's eyes while it was likely Link wouldn't have been clear on it due to his innocent upbringing he had seen it before. It was the look of want, lust, desire and anything else that could pertain to it. He watched in anger as Reeve grabbed a handful of her hair keeping both of her hands together "You've teased too long with your tomboy nature Malon. I'm going to see first hand how much pleasure you can give." he chuckled.
Ingo looked over as he heard Garen's knuckles cracking as he gripped the grass at his sides breathing heavily as he watched this. It wouldn't be long before Garen's patience snapped. Reeve's next words did just that "You will cooperate or I will do just that. Everything on this plateau will be destroyed including your precious horses." Malon protested that Gannondorf would never forgive such senseless destruction. Reeve chuckled before looking at her "You really are a nieve bitch." he said reaching low. Suddenly there was the sound of a blade being drawn from the right, he snapped his head to look over.
Garen Sheikan stood there his eyes narrowed and burning with anger "Reeve take your damn hands off her!" he demanded. Malon finally got one hand loose and back slapped Reeve across the face, the bracelet she wore left a few deep cuts across his cheek the pain forcing him to release her. She rushed to Garen's side breathing as she felt violated by him, Garen looked at his old senior rival "You've got a lot of nerve." he growled. Reeve looked at Garen and it didn't take long to recognize him "You can be a real cockroach Sheikan." he said placing a hand on his own sword.
Garen's grip tightened around the handle of the mythical blade as he glared at the man standing before him, he never did like his lack of respect for others but when he dared to touch Malon in such a way that crossed a line. Reeve continued his talking "I thought you were dead. Didn't you make an attempt on Gannondorf's life seven years ago?" Garen huffed as he kept one hand on his blade the other was held out to separate Malon from him "Didn't expect you to be one to believe gossip Reeve." he said with hatred in his voice.
Reeve's sword was slowly drawn from its sheath and raised to be pointed toward Garen who brought the Millennium Saber up from its housing ever so slightly. Reeve spoke in a dark seriousness "I haven't time to dispense with you Sheikan. This girl I have been ordered to bring to the king is of more importance than you could imagine. Step aside." Garen narrowed his eyes before drawing his own single edged blade. It glowed slightly as his anger fueled its power "Not a chance in hell." he said as he also placed his free hand on Goshinki ready to make his move. Reeve looked back to those that followed him who gathered "I think you will find that the numbers as always are not on your side." he said.
Garen looked back at Malon motioning her to get away from the scene where they stood, she nodded her head before she turned and moved away keeping a gaze at Garen. Reeve narrowed his eyes "Fine then. I came for Malon but killing you will more than make my day." he said, Garen glanced up at the barn seeing a certain shadow take a stance "Well then I invite you to go ahead and try." he challenged. Suddenly several Deku Nuts rained down from the barn into the crowd blinding several of the troops as they exploded in their powdery flashes. Reeve looked back "Ambush." he growled.
Seth looked at Sheik who nodded before ordering him to move, he jumped off the roof to slam into the soldiers before him sending them scattering. Sheik followed smashing the sole of her foot into the head of another, Seth looked up at those that looked at them "Okay this was your idea, how far does it go?" Sheik shot a glare at Seth with her dark red eyes before drawing out her own sword and preparing herself "How well can you fare with a normal blade?" she asked. Seth reached back pulling the average sheikah tanto free before going into a well developed stance "Well enough." he said as the legion neared them.
Garen brought up his sword and rushed Reeve with a cry of anger, Reeve brought up his own blade to block the blow and stepped back to glare at Garen. Reeve could tell that Garen's blade wasn't the average kind of Sheikan sword used for multiple strikes and hacking, the broader blade made it useful for both that and dueling. Reeve had seen this sword before but he couldn't put his finger on just where, he decided not to both with wondering and rushed Garen again. Garen brought up Goshinki crossing it over the mythical sword catching Reeve's sword, he then brought up Goshinki and swung the Millennium Saber at Reeve's head.
Reeve grunted in pain as the razor edge of the blade slashed open his cheek bone, he reached up looking at his own blood before glaring at Garen who slowly sheathed Goshinki. Reeve silently vowed to not fall for that again, he then prepared himself again speaking "Your making a mistake that will cost you dearly boy. Back off." Garen ignored him as he looked toward Malon "Get out of here!" he shouted. Malon looked back as one of the soldiers broke off from the legion and rushed Malon, both Reeve and Garen gasped as it raised its blade "NO!" both shouted in unison for their own reasons.
Malon Moonstar however was more than prepared as her eyes took an angered and serious leer as her hand dropped to her hip to be placed on the handle of her own tanto. She slowly drew it from its sheath the blade seemed to beat with an odd aura as this was done, the blade was white like ivory and the rest of it shared other tones of gold and white. It was one sided as Seth's was but clearly of a finer make, she drew it up and it seemed to flash upon impact with the Lizalfos's neck. The blade cut straight through all but decapitating it as it sizzled with energy.
Reeve growled before looking at Garen "So thats why you're here!" he growled at him "You know she will awaken soon and realize her purpose. And its all because of your worthless existence!" he shouted before rushing. Garen looked over as two others rushed at Malon a shadow also jumped down from the house landing on one breaking its back, Malon cut the other one down before it could attack her. Seth stood to his feet looking at Malon wondering how she had acquired such a weapon "Get behind me." he demanded willing to protect her while Sheik held back the decreasing number of troops.
Garen looked at Goshinki as he slapped one of Reeve's blows away "Hey Seth heads up!" he shouted before tossing it back to its owner. Seth caught his familiar blade and held it with the other prepared to fight, Malon looked at Garen and nodded. Garen smiled before putting his full attention toward Reeve. Garen brought up the Millennium Saber just in time to block the exclusively made doubled edged blade Reeve possessed and pushed it to lock hilts with him "You'll pay for what you have done Blackwood!" he shouted before pushing hard back trying to get him out in the open as much as possible.
Seth swung hard at one of the lizard beings cutting right through the simple made sword before bringing it up to slash through its chest. He brought up his right arm to catch another by the neck of his armor before stabbing Goshinki threw its face, Sheik looked back "They're just the low level grunts of Gannondorf's forces. They don't have any training or true skill!" she shouted as she impaled one through the neck. Seth looked toward Garen as he prepared to fight Reeve "What about that guy? How much skill does he possess?" Sheik breathed before dodging another blow "Quite a bit! Can't make a judgement but let Garen deal with him!" she said before swinging a kick into one's head.
Garen and Reeve clashed again as both swung their swords into one another the clash of metal echoing over the ranch. Garen pulled back and swung again but Reeve managed to dodge and swung toward Garen's leg but luckily Garen was able to catch this one as well "Too slow Reeve." he shouted. There was suddenly a bright light as one of Reeve's hands left the sword, Garen looked up as Reeve brought back his hand with now held an orb of fire "Oh yeah?" he said before smashing it into Garen's chest sending him over the grass.
Garen coughed as his back made impact with the wall of the ranch "Damn it. Reeve can use magic." he breathed. While he could as well he needed to do it through his staff and he was still drained from his seven years of sleep to tap into any of his energy. Garen quickly jumped up as Reeve ran up swinging for his side, Garen hacked as he felt the mythril lace give way to be cut cleanly through. Garen held up the Millennium Saber as he jumped back avoiding another one of Reeve's fire balls which seemed to be his only magical attack. Garen however remembered what Rauru had told him specifically.
He remembered back before he gave Link his Medallion what he told of the Master Sword and Millennium Saber "While the Master Sword is indeed a powerful weapon intoned with the courage and skill of many warriors the Millennium Saber also possesses powerful properties. Other than being easily one of the sharpest swords in existence it also has the ability to channel one's energy through the blade which works off the potential for power of the user. This is why some call it the Phantom Blade." he had told him.
Garen had asked why he already felt the power of the Millennium Saber flowing through him "The Millennium Saber will never dull and it will never break. As you grow in power its sharpness and innate power will begin to reflect that, not only that but both swords also double as a shield against black magic. While it is true the Master Sword will deflect dark magic, yours is a sword of power that will cut through even the most powerful of magic, just be wary of its power." he said before he left to speak with Link. Garen also had learned something else, whoever possessed the third blade Excalibur would possess the knowledge and wisdom of the original sages.
Garen growled as he came back to reality to dodge another one of Reeve attacks, he came down allowing one of his hands to dig into the dirt "Alright bastard, round two." he said as he brought up his blade ready. Reeve brought back his hand creating an even larger sphere of flame "You're an even bigger fool than I thought. Enjoy your last moments of life." he said. Garen then rushed at Reeve from the large distance "Even more so." he said before hurling it, as it came at him Garen jumped up and swung the blade. It flashed as it cleaved right through the fire splitting it in half and deflecting it away, he then proceeded toward a shocked Reeve.
"What kind of sorcery...!" Reeve growled as he pulled up his sword to guard at the last moment as Garen swung down the determination to keep Malon safe and rid the country of Gannondorf filling his mind. The blade glowed with Garen's own energy as it cut downward, there were sparked as it passed right through Reeve's blade before cutting down right through his armor. The two pieces of the blade fell to the ground as Reeve stumbled back holding his chest "You...how did you cut through?" he gasped as he looked at the glowing sword "The Millennium Saber! You're the one Gannon fears, it cannot be!" he shouted.
Garen swiped the mythical katana through the air before stabbing it back into his sheath "I'm afraid it is Reeve and its only the beginning or your King's fall. Take whats left of your troops and leave this place. And if I ever see you near her again you will die." Reeve stumbled back to the four or five remaining troops who were just regaining consciousness and weakly climbed onto his horse "You'll rue and lament this day Sheikan. Nobody does this to me, or Gannondorf." he then moved away from the ranch with his troops.
Sheik stepped toward her partner as he was sheathing Goshinki behind his back "Are you sure it's a good idea to allow him escape? It would be a lot less trouble to end his life and keep their existence secret." she said holding up one of her throwing needles which had been dipped in a very powerful poison. Seth shook his head at this "I won't take another human life. He has done me no wrong and it is Garen's score to settle, not my own." he says.
Sheik nodded her head as Malon ran up to Garen. Sheik tugged on Seth's arm "We should leave them be." she said. Seth showed some hesitation, that is until his sworn sister took him by the ear dragging him toward the house "Come on! It isn't your business!" she said as they entered the house to check on Ingo.
Malon kneeled next to Garen who held his bleeding side, obviously he overestimated the strength of the mythril. Malon looked at him concerned beyond the ability to hide it "Are you alright? Are you hurt?" she said one after another. Garen reached up to take her hands in his looking into her eyes "I'll be alright. Malon, I'm sorry I waited so long to return to you its hard to explain but I'm hoping that you'll believe me." he said not noticing just how close the two of them were moving. Malon smiled at his words "You know that I would believe you on anything you could tell me Garen. You are after all a Sheikah and I believe your honor." she said.
Garen brought one hand around her shoulder to hold her while the other rested on her side "Malon...I will never leave you in the dark again. You have my word, and my heart." he said. Malon's hands gripped his tunic even more as she heard these words she had so longed to hear over the years of her life, coming from him it couldn't be any better. Tears streamed down Malon's face as her soft lips touched his ever so gently "Oh Garen..." she whined before she made the press into a kiss which lasted several moments. Everything seemed to melt away and she finally found a lost happiness in her heart.
NEXT CHAPTER: The Oathkeeper
Lon Lon Ranch returns to normal and is prepared to stand up and not just bow down as more of Gannondorf's pawns. Malon also gives something very precious to Garen knowing that it will aid him in his journey. All of this before they are given a deep discount on everything in the Ranch's stores.
QUESTION: How did I do on the whole Garen/Malon romance in this chapter?