Everyone should know what the disclamer is. All non-orignal charactors are Nintendos. Now you can't sue me for any reason whatsoever. Enjoy!

That Time…

Ch. 2- Brawl at the gate

"So, what was the time you were talking about?"

"About 5 years ago. When the guild found you. Remember that?"

"Yeah. Unfortunally…"

"Unfortunally?"

"Only time I ever showed fear to them."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"Do you think a real mercenary shows fear?"

"I know humans do."

"…"

"Are you saying you're not human?"

"…Are you saying I'm not?"

"You look like one."

"…Maybe looks aren't everything."

"Maybe so."

Sunlight in a back alley. The ultmate oxymoron. When you think about it, a place so dank, unclean, and rat-infested shouldn't really see the light of day, you know? Maybe it's just the way it works. I could take it up with the castle though…

Streaching my legs, and climbing out of the box I used for shelter, I dusted off my old, teared up Vest. I kenw it was starting to get a little small for me. Perhaps I should use the money from this mission to buy myself a new one. Yeah. A vest, and maybe some pants too. Nice pair of shoes…

Bah, what am I thinking? I'm always cheated out of it anyway. I'm lucky enough Alex lowns me a few rubies in a while. Shouldn't get greedy. Nope. Not me. Like I said. Too many greedy Mercenaries, not enough earnest heros.

A hero… How cool it would be to be one of thoses. But, it's only a little boys fariy tale. Pure fiction. Not like anyone can meet a princess, be her bodyguard and save her form the…

Oh, right. I AM going to be the princesses bodyguard.

I yawned, which is odd, seeing as I just woke up from a long night's sleep. "Funny how that works." I said to myself, as I walked into the town square. I was to meet Alex by the gates of the castle entrence. Man will that feel odd.

When you look around, you see all the nobles, the countryclub men, the proper gentleman helping the old lady crossing a puddle. Then you see the looks they give you as you pass by. Not to say it annoys me, but I don't like it. Crazy bastards. I'd love to see them live one second in my life. See who gets the odd look there.

But where was I? Oh, yes. The Castle gates.

Sure enough, Alex was right there. Something was different though. His cropped up, black hair was smoothed back making a fine wave of Black. His clothing showed more of a mild-mannered gentleman, rather than a rough edged killer.

Heck, he even shaved.

"For the love of God, Kid!" He yelled as I walked over. "You could at least look nice for the royal family!"

"I don't know if you noticed," I replied. "But usually you're limited to one old article of clothing when you live on the streets."

He sighed. "Least you're not a total wreck. Except for them bones that show up all over. Maybe they can plumb you up some these next few weeks."

It was true. I was likely the skinniest boy alive, without not being sick from it or anything. And he was right. The change of food for a while was something to look forward to.

"Yeah. Well, best turn around. Solders coming."

Two Castle guards, wearing proper guard armor and such arrived at the gates as Alex turned to face them.

"You're our two mercenaries?" One guard, a tall and lanky one asked.

"Better believe it!" Alex replied, pridefully. One of the guards muttered under his breath. I bet it was an insult.

"You'll show us in?" I asked, handing them the parchment that had our mission info, as well as our ticket into the castle.

They looked over it. "Right. Edward!" He called to the watchguard above. "Lower the gates!"

"Right-o!" Another, Edward I guess, shouted, as the gates began to lower. When they finished, I stepped foward a step, only to hear behind me:

"NOW!" Screamed a voice from behind.

Five grown men rushed past all of us. From the looks of them, it seemed they were common theifs.

"Hey, Stop!" Shouted another guard. This one quite fat, with blubber reaching out of his armor.

Alex turned to me. "Shall we give them a demonstration?"

I grinned. "I've been itching for a good scrap."

"Heh, heh. Yeah!"

We dashed forward, and struck. Now we didn't look the type, but both of us are talented Hand-to-hand fighters. Alex was taught before entering Hyrule, and I being self-taught. It didn't take long for us to take out 3 of the 5 of them.

"Hey! Who the hell are these guys?" One of them exclaimed, while running from us.

"Looks like Mercenaries! Maybe if we bait them with some money… Hey! 50 Rupies says you'll let us go!" The other taunted.

This, above all else, pissed me off. REALLY pissed me off.

"Assholes." Alex said, as he gave chase to the thiefs.

But I beat him to them, jumped onto one of them, and pulled him backward to the ground, flipped him over, and threw him into the other one, taking them both out with one blow.

"You're lucky you're still breathing after that." I snarled, dropping a ruby onto their heads. "Mercenaries aren't all about money.

"You're dumb kid…dumb…" One thief gasped out, before passing out.

No one spoke for a sec. The guards stared at me. Alex stared at me. Seems like the world was staring at me.

"Holy Hell, Zach." Alex finally spoke. "You knocked them both out, like… that?"

"Is there something wrong with that? We do it all the time." I replied.

"… Right. Well, let's head for the castle. Guards?"

The tall one scampered up. "Yes, sir. Men, arrest these convicts, and have them ready for a little talk with the king."

Numerous replies of "Sir!" Where heard as we entered the castle. And the thing I saw next took both Alex and my minds off the fight out there.

The castle. Holy heck, the castle.

Beautiful. The best word to describe it. Banners from the cealing showing signs of the royal family embilm, streams of glass-clear water all around, walls of pure while stone. It was an absolute change from the dank alleyways of the town.

The guard lead us up a few flights, and to a crossroad in the halls. "I would like to first introduce you to our ruler, the King. Then to your objective, Princess Zelda."

Alex's heart skipped a beat. "T-The King!"

I looked at him quistionly. "Only right we meet him. Right?"

Alex looked at the guard, nervously. "C-Can I… skip that and meet the princess first?"

The guard thought for a sec. "Yes, it might be better for them to see you indivually first. You, Boy. You can see the king first."

I glared at him. "Don't call me "boy"." I warned.

He got a nervous look on his face. "Y-Yes sir. You'll follow me to the Throne Room. Sir, if you could follow that maid over there, she will lead you to the castle courtyard."

Alex nodded, patted my sholder, told me to keep out of trouble, and followed the madden over the stairs.

"If you'll follow me," The guard beckoned. "I'll lead you to the king."

"Yes." I said, as we took the path to the throne room.

The plot thickens!

-Zdr