Across the Ocean
By Dominus Princeps
A.N., Hey, ya'll, you know I check my hits on my stories, and frankly, I've gotten far fewer reviews than I have had people check this story out. Now, if you honestly have nothing to tell me, you could at least say "nice job" because it makes the writing easier. And if you do have something to say, tell me so I can do a better job. Not stating your views is one of the problems with this country! (now I sound like somebody behind a podium). On with it.
Chapter Three
"Man, why are they always wearing black?" Link pondered airily as he sat against the side of his red sailboat. Medli, who was sitting across from him, rolled her eyes.
"I dunno. Tradition?" she replied, pushing on his feet with her own. Link pushed back on her feet.
"Doubt it. Must be something about black that villains like," he frowned.
"Well, maybe it's like night-time. You know, all dark and scary," Makar squeaked from his perch on top of the King of Red Lions' head.
"I like the night," Medli shook her head.
"...I don't," Makar said to himself. Link sighed and looked up at the sky. A pair of seagulls flew up overhead. Medli gazed up at the seagulls as well.
"Can you talk to them?" Link asked Medli. She shook her head.
"We may have wings and beaks, but we can't talk to birds," Medli shrugged. Link frowned and sighed.
"Man...it's evening already and we're not really close to the Forsaken Fortress..." he muttered. "There's the Northern Fairy Isle right there..."
"What'd you get there?" Medli asked, curious.
"My wallet was enlarged there, too," Link replied. Makar bounced down from the King of Red Lions' head.
"Hey, is it dinnertime yet?" the Korok asked eagerly.
"Sure. Let me get out the fish and soup and we'll have some...fish soup," Link chuckled. He and Medli pulled the cauldron of soup out along with the sack of salted fish.
"Don't mix any fish in my soup; I'm not carnivorous," Makar requested. "That soup is really delicious, though!"
"I agree," Medli smiled at the little Korok. She poured a bowl of soup for the little Sage and sprinkled fish that Link had cut with a small knife into her soup.
"Mmm...this soup is really good with the fish!" Medli remarked. Link grinned.
"I'm glad. I've always liked Grandma's soup," he winked at her. They finished their soup and Link washed the bowls in the sea as usual. Makar waddled over to the side of the boat and looked into the water.
"Wow...it's so pretty and blue. I thought the ocean was green..." he turned to Link for an answer.
"We're sailing the northern ocean, my friend. This has less salt and dirt in it than the other parts of the sea," Link explained.
"Really? How come?" Medli asked. Link shrugged.
"Beats me. But the water is fresher here; that I know," he said. Medli walked over to him and pressed herself against his back, encircling his waist with her arms. She rested her cheek against him and closed her eyes.
"Now what would Komali say?" Link teased. Medli snorted.
"To hell with what he would say. Hey, speaking of which, you and I need to have a talk about this whole thing," she said to Link, bringing her arms back to her sides. They went to the back of the boat near the tiller and sat down.
"We've gotten ourselves into quite a mess, huh? What with this whole fiasco between Komali and me and between you and Tetra...we gotta figure out how we're gonna break it to them that, well...we're rather self-involved," Medli said, taking Link's hand. Link nodded, to her relief.
"I agree. I mean, hey, I like Tetra a lot, and considering what we've been through, there's plenty reason for her to, you know, like me. But she's my good friend who's saved my life; that's it," Link agreed, squeezing her hand. "And you're so much more to me."
"Oh, you're so sweet," Medli winked at him.
"Look! Link, look!" Makar squeaked. An eerie, wavy, white ship coasted on an intercepting course with the King of Red Lions.
"No way! I dispelled the Ghost Ship! And even if it were still around, there's no way it'd be around here!" Link gasped.
"There must be something terrible indeed in Forsaken Fortress, Link...you were right to head for it," Medli shivered as she gazed upon the ship. Link unlocked the tiller and turned sharply to the south. The ship followed Link's sudden change in course. Link made the King of Red Lions jump and then turned the tiller in midair. When the boat it, it turned a tight 180 and headed north. As they neared the Ghost Ship, Medli heard chanting.
"What is that?" she asked.
"G-g-g-ghost pirates!" Makar yelped, burying his face in Medli's leg. Link nodded.
"You got that right," he said, deep concentration evident in his tone. They turned to the northeast and barely got past the Ghost Ship. Link then turned east to catch the full wind.
"How did you dispel it?" Medli asked.
"I went aboard and got to the Triforce chart. Then, it was suddenly just gone, and I didn't see it in any of the places it usually haunted," he replied. Medli nodded and realized she was sweating. Link was, too. Makar still had his face planted in her leg.
"Is...is it gone?" he whimpered. Medli picked him up and cradled him in her arms like a child.
"It's okay, Makar, the Ghost Ship is gone now," she whispered. Makar let out a long sigh.
"Good. I don't like ghosts," he said.
"Man, I'm beat," Link yawned, "I'm gonna go to bed. You wanna be watch, Makar?"
"Sure! I don't need sleep like you guys do," the Korok replied.
"I'm tired, too...it's been a long day," Medli agreed with Link. He lay down in the deck of the ship near the tiller and looked at Medli.
"Hey, Medli? There're two pillows in the ship's compartment," he said.
"Sheesh, Link, you're prepared for anything," Medli grinned as she pulled the pillows out. She gave one to Link and set the other right beside him. She lay down next to him and rested an arm around his waist. He wrapped an arm around her neck. Sleep came quickly.
ooo
"Link! Medli! Link! Medli!" something was shrieking frantically. Medli shot up and hit her head on the tiller.
"Ouch! Makar, what is it?" she mumbled.
"There are ships everywhere and we're gonna get spotted! Stop the boat!" he squealed. Link was also up, now, and was pulling the sail down. Medli grabbed the anchor from the ship's compartment and hurriedly lowered it into the sea. By the time Link was finished folding the sail, the King of Red Lions had come to a halt.
"Damn...look at all of 'em..." Link gasped. Black ships with a strange, red double-axe insignia were cruising through the waters. Each had four cannons at least, from what Medli could see.
"Hey, Medli, do you think you could carry me to one of those boats? We'll take out its captain and then tow the King of Red Lions into the harbor," Link explained his plan. Medli judged the distance and nodded.
"We'll have to wait for the exact right time, okay?" she warned. Link winked and nodded. He picked her up and waited.
"You're strong enough to carry her, too?" Makar gasped. Medli turned to Link.
"Oh, Link, tell me you didn't carry him, too..." she sighed.
"Now!" Link cried. He leaped from the King of Red Lions as Medli spread her wings. She caught the powerful wind Link had stirred and beat her wings furiously. They neared a boat.
"We won't make it..." Link said.
"We will make it!" Medli grunted, flapping her wings with all her might. They landed safely on the deck of one of the black ships. Medli collapsed onto the deck, panting heavily.
"Nice flying, Medli. You stay here; I'll take care of the crew," Link said. Medli nodded, exhausted and closed her eyes. She heard clanking footsteps and jumped up as adrenaline rushed throughout her body. This was no time to be tired; there was someone coming near her. Medli ran into the cabin so that she would be protected by Link.
"Medli, what are you doing in here?" Link growled as he saw her. His sword had changed again...it was glowing with yellow energy this time, and when it struck a Moblin, Medli saw a tendril of electricity snake from the sword and paralyze the Moblin. Link stabbed the Moblin that lay on the ground and faced the one that was making to cut his legs off with its glaive. Link jumped the sweep and performed a midair flip with his sword extended, slashing the Moblin down its face and chest. It fell back and burst into a puff of smoke.
"I'm here because of-" Medli turned and saw a large figure taking up the doorway, "him."
"Could that be...?" Link whispered. The figure stalked into the light. It was a Knight in black armor, a flowing red cape, a black shield, and a helmet with a red ridge.
"Well met, Link. Shall we dance the dance of blades?" the Knight taunted.
"It'll be your last night in the limelight, buddy," Link returned. Medli stood back so as not to be decapitated with a stray swing. Link circled the Knight, shield lowered. Medli thought about calling out to him to raise his shield, but thought the better of it. He's the Hero of Winds; he knows what he's doing. I'm no warrior, she scolded herself. As was readily verified, Link did know what he was doing. Medli watched as Link leaped over a horizontal slash and pulled the Knight's helmet off, teasing the warrior. The Knight growled and whirled to face Link, but Link had already circled around the back of the Knight. He cut at the belt holding the Knight's heavy armor on, and the armor fell off. The Knight, clad only in what appeared to be a loincloth, blushed and raised his shield.
"Not so tough without your clothes, eh, lord Knight?" Link grinned. He rolled to the side of a wild attack and came up with the uppercut slash Medli had seen so many times. The Knight fell to his knee, and Link slashed it with two vertical slashes, then leaped into the air with a lesser uppercut slash which finished the Knight. He fell over and then disappeared in a burst of purple smoke. Link picked up the Knight's crest and tucked it into a small, purple pouch on his belt.
"Nice work, Link. Do you think that could've been...?" Medli began.
"No way. That guy was just a normal Knight. Even if a high-ranking one, there's no way that that was the guy we're looking for. Come on, let's go hijack this thing," Link replied. He ran off to where the wheel and various levers were located. Link turned the boat around and coasted over to where the King of Red Lions was parked. Link hopped off the ship and swam over to his own boat, where he hauled anchor, assured Makar that everything was okay, and then tied the King of Red Lions to the large, black cannon-boat. He clambered aboard the cannon-boat and went to where Medli was waiting.
"Let's go," Link said, sitting in the captain's chair.
"What time is it?" Medli asked. Link looked at the sky, then at a small dial next to his compass.
"Near two in the morning. We were asleep probably for six or seven hours, considering how early we went to bed," Link replied. Medli nodded.
"Okay. Just wondering. Link consulted his dial again and sighed.
"This thing always jams around here. Well...besides the fact that it seems like it's eternally night-time around here," he grumbled, maneuvering the cannon-boat around a rock outcropping. He sailed it into the harbor of the Forsaken Fortress and took Medli's hand.
"You ready?" he asked.
"Yep," she replied.
"Good. Let's-" Link began.
"Going somewhere?" a sneering voice asked behind them. Link and Medli whirled to see what appeared to be a huge suit of incredibly heavy armor. The suit was carrying an even larger axe.
"We are indeed," Link growled, pulling his sword and shield off his back.
"You've got something I want: the Sages. Give them to me and I won't harm you or them," the voice came from the suit of armor.
"Good luck getting them!" Link snarled, circling the figure. He angled his shield at the blade of the axe as the figure wound back for a powerful swing, but the swing was a fake; Medli screamed as the butt of the axe's grip knocked Link's sword from his hand. The sword clattered to the ground near Medli's feet. She picked it up to give it to Link, but never got the chance. The next swing was the flat of the axe, which struck Link square in the chest. He sprawled limply on the floor of the ship. Medli ran over to Link and put the sword in her right hand. I'll try to defend him...I can't let him die like this! Medli thought, facing the fearsome warrior in the heavy armor. In a feat of surprising speed, the warrior dashed over and caught her by the neck with the grip of his axe. He pushed her against the wall. Link's sword clattered to the ground as Medli put both hands on the axe's grip in an attempt to push it from her. She could barely breathe, and what little breath she could take came in short gasps.
"You're an intense one, Medli. I've seen your fire...but I never would have guessed that you and Link would come together like you have. Ah, well. You'll be my queen when I gain access to the Sacred Realm. But for now...sleep," the sinister voice grinned. He pushed the grip up, elevating Medli from the ground. I can't breathe! She struggled and flailed with the strength only one dying has. The world blurred. She was choking. Her arms drooped, and her eyes rolled back into her head. The world was no more.
ooo
Medli awoke groggily, her vision blurry. She blinked several times to clear her eyesight and was greeted with a bleak room. Medli realized she was cuffed to an uncomfortable wooden table that was slightly slanted but mainly upright. She jerked her wrists and ankles, but they were firmly secure. She looked around and saw a Knight taking his armor off. He turned to her and grinned.
"Hello there, girl..." he walked over to her and gazed at her hungrily. Medli struggled against the cuffs.
"No use...they're iron. You can't get away..." the Knight smiled. He ran a hand along her cheek, down her neck, and along the curve of her body. His hand stopped at her bare thigh and began creeping up under her attendant's dress. Medli closed her eyes. This is it...I'll be impure soil before Link even gets so far as to touch me... she thought, horrified. Suddenly, she felt something awaken inside her. As the Knight reached to cup one of her breasts, Medli's red eyes glowed eerily. And the first thing she thought of...
"No way!" Medli gasped as a piercing, ethereal shriek slashed through the air. The Knight froze, overcome with fear. A blue, wiry, earring-wearing zombie with terrifying red eyes stalked over to him and leaped onto his back, biting down hard on the Knight's neck. The Knight lost all color in his skin and crumpled to the ground. The Re-Dead sat back down and watched Medli intently, its eyes unlit. Medli willed it to come and free her. The Re-Dead picked up the Knight's key-ring and manipulated it methodically until it came to a key that fit. The zombie fit the key into one cuff and freed Medli's wrist, then handed the key-ring to her. Medli freed her other wrist and then her ankles. She kicked the dead Knight as a final touch and pocketed the key-ring.
"Come on, Re-Dead. Let's go find Link," Medli said. The Re-Dead somehow kept pace with Medli as she jogged through the corridors of the Forsaken Fortress; she had never seen a Re-Dead move so quickly. Medli peered around a corner and saw a Moblin patrolling the halls.
"Go get him! Go, go on!" Medli whispered to the Re-Dead. It pondered her for a few seconds before slowly marching toward the Moblin. Apparently, it only moved sluggishly when it was anticipating the kill...or whatever it did to its victims. Its trademark bloodcurdling scream filled the stale air, and another enemy fell to Medli's Re-Dead partner. Medli pumped her arm and jogged over to the Re-Dead.
"Good work," she smiled. The Re-Dead wavered, then disappeared.
"Well...I guess it isn't permanent...but having this ability sure is useful," Medli said to herself. "I guess that pirate was right about the zombie warrior summoning."
"Medli! Is that you?" a frightened squeak asked. Medli whirled.
"Makar? Where are you?" she asked. A pot on a shelf shook, then fell and shattered, revealing the shivering Korok.
"I tried to find you and Link, but I couldn't get past those Moblins! They stuck me in this jar, those meanies!" he pouted. Medli picked him up and set him on her head. He held onto her ponytail as she jogged down the corridor.
"I swore I heard somebody scream...who was that?" Makar asked confusedly.
"That was...eh, that was my Re-Dead that I summoned," Medli replied. Makar squeaked in fright.
"A R-R-Re-Dead? But those are evil zombies!" he said, surprised. Medli shrugged.
"Well, I can apparently summon them to my side. Weird, huh?" she replied. Makar sighed and pointed ahead.
"Hey, it's another cell block! I bet Link's in there!" the Korok squealed excitedly. Medli nodded.
"I bet you're right. Let's be careful...I'll summon a Re-Dead just to be safe," she said. She closed her eyes and focused on the features of the Re-Dead. At Makar's yelp of fright, Medli knew she was successful. Sure enough, when she opened her eyes, a Re-Dead was sitting in front of her, watching her with its black eye sockets. Medli called it to follow her and walked through the door to the cell block. There were some bent steel bars...Link must've already busted out! Medli thought. She heard the sound of fighting and clashing blades. Then, the sounds ended. The Re-Dead walked ahead of her to scout what was going on. She heard a yelp of fright and saw the Re-Dead look down curiously at something.
"Gaaaah! Re-Dead!" Link's terrified voice carried around the corner. Medli ran around to greet him.
"Link, you're alive!" she cheered. Link looked from her to the resting Re-Dead next to her, which abruptly disappeared at her will.
"Uh...what was the Re-Dead all about?" he said as he got up from where he had been crab-walking backward away from the zombie.
"Well, apparently one of my powers as the Sage of Earth is the ability to summon Re-Deads. Cool, huh?" Medli smiled. Link let out a breath and scratched his tousled hair.
"Uh...I guess so," he replied shakily. Medli put a hand on his cheek.
"I was worried about you," she said softly. Link put an arm around her waist and drew her so she was pressed against his chest.
"And I you," he whispered, kissing her forehead. Makar pretended to gag.
"Ewwww! Mushy mushy!" he protested. Medli shook her head and dislodged the Korok.
"There, that's better," she smiled at Link. He smiled back and turned to the door behind him.
"We need to get moving. I've gotta find my sword," Link said. Medli nodded.
"Hey, I saw a Bokoblin carrying your sword off to the tower, Link!" Makar said, happiness to be of help to Link evident in his voice.
"Well...let's go then. Between my remaining weapons and your zombie armada, we're unstoppable!" Link pounded his fist into his palm. He took Medli's hand and, after Makar had climbed up Medli's ponytail, they ran through the door into the next hall. Two Moblins noticed them and charged the pair. Link pulled out his Skull Hammer and Medli called a Re-Dead. After a few smacks from the hammer and a chilling scream, the Moblins were down for the count. Link eyed a glaive but left it and led the way to the next door. The Re-Dead disappeared behind them. They entered an open-air hall with a ramp. Link led Medli up the ramp and pointed to the tower that was barely thirty feet from them.
"Do you think you could carry me that far?" he asked. Medli nodded.
"Sure. You know the drill..." she grinned, crouching. Makar held on tight as Link jumped and Medli spread her wings. In a flurry of wingbeats, Medli touched down on a balcony. Makar breathed a sigh of relief.
"We made it!" he cheered. Medli huffed; Link chuckled and took her hand.
"Come on; I need my sword back. Man, what's with this fortress and me not having a decent weapon?" Link grumbled. Medli shrugged and squeezed his hand.
"Even without a sword, you're still better than all these guys," she smiled. Link grinned and sighed.
"Even so, it'd make me feel better if I had a blade in my hand. You know, after keeping one around for two years, it's just force of habit," he said. Medli carried Link and Makar over another few gaps until they reached a set of stairs that led up to a balcony with a pair of huge wooden doors. Standing on the balcony was a Knight in red armor. He had a shield and the trademark serrated broadsword. The Knight took a ready stance and circled Link. Link let go of Medli's hand and pulled out his Skull Hammer and held it in a defensive position. The Knight swung at Link, but Link deflected the blow off the Skull Hammer's grip. He struck at the Knight, but the Hammer glanced off the Knight's armor.
"Damn...I need a sword!" Link growled. Medli pondered summoning a Re-Dead but thought the better of it. While powerful (and frightening), Re-Deads weren't any good against anything in heavy armor. Medli sighed, then had an idea. Maybe Re-Deads weren't it...she thought of the Stalfos warriors with the heavy maces...Come on, let's go! Medli concentrated hard on the skeletal berserkers.
"Hey, what the heck?" Link's voice told her everything she needed to know. Medli opened her eyes and grinned. The eight-foot-tall, mace-wielding skeleton warrior was currently valiantly battling the Knight, who was so surprised that he could barely keep up with the Stalfos' vicious mace blows. The spiky club was denting the Knight's armor in many places. The Knight attempted to attack the Stalfos with his blade, but received a wild blow to the wrist. Medli heard a sickening crack and realized that the Stalfos had broken the Knight's wrist. His sword clattered to the ground. Link dove for the weapon and picked it up. It looked a little out of place in his hands, but Link put it to good use. The Knight, who was clutching his wrist in agony, couldn't keep up with fending off two assaults and focused on the Stalfos, who was a more immediate threat. Wrong idea, buddy... Medli grinned. Link cut the Knight's armor off, then stabbed the broadsword through the now armor-less Knight. The Knight choked as blood poured from his mouth, then fell over. Link dusted his hands off and turned an amused eye to Medli.
"Nice Stalfos warrior, babe," he grinned. The Stalfos struck a mock salute with its mace and disappeared.
"I didn't know I had it in me until recently," Medli smirked. "Nice work with that sword."
"Well...I've had experience with that weapon, seeing as I've fought countless Knights," Link shrugged. He turned to the door, then to where Makar was hanging on Medli's ponytail.
"You're sure you saw them taking my sword in here?" he asked.
"Mm-hmm! I'm sure I saw it!" Makar nodded. Medli sighed, uneasy about the menacing doors.
"Well...into the lions' den, huh?" she chuckled weakly. Link nodded.
"Guess so," he said, his features statue-like. Medli took his hand; she was frightened of what might be on the other side. Give me strength, Link...Nayru knows I need it from you.
"Whatever's on the other side, Medli...we can take it, you and me," Link smiled slightly, as if reading her thoughts. Medli nodded and kissed his cheek. Link pushed the door open, and he and Medli walked into the center of the room. In a cage were Tetra and Komali.
"I can't believe you followed us here, too! Does your father even know where you are?" Medli scolded Komali. Komali looked down, embarrassed.
"It was her idea..." he pointed to Tetra.
"You didn't have to come!" she shot back.
"Quiet, both of you. Did you guys see any Bokoblins with a sword come past?" Link asked.
"You mean the little Moblins, right? Yeah, two of 'em came past with a package; it was the right size to be a sword," Tetra replied. Medli called a Stalfos.
"Stand back; he'll bust that cage open," she instructed. In awe of her power, Tetra and Komali obeyed silently. The Stalfos wound up and struck the door with its mace. The metal shrieked as it twisted horribly from the blow. The Stalfos took another swing and knocked the door in. It disappeared as Medli dismissed it.
"Wow, you're a necromancer?" Komali gasped, walking out of his prison. Medli shrugged.
"Not quite. She can only summon creatures from her temple, which would be Floormasters, Red and Blue Bubbles, Stalfos, Re-Deads, and Poes," Tetra answered the question instead. Link grinned.
"Cool. You should summon some Floormasters and make quick work of any enemies we meet. Plus you could toss yourself and get some extra speed for flight," he suggested. Medli nodded.
"You're right. Floormasters are adept at throwing things," she shivered, remembering wandering around in curse-fog with Link and being struck with pots and skulls that were apparently being thrown from nowhere.
"Hey, come on, we've gotta get Link's sword!" Makar urged. Link nodded and ran ahead up the huge wooden ramp. Medli followed close after, then came Komali and Tetra. Komali spread his wings, grabbed Tetra, and flew her up to the top.
"Showoff," Medli shook her head. Link grinned at her.
"He's so trying to impress you, Medli," he smirked. Medli sighed and continued jogging up the ramp.
"Man, how long is this thing?" she groaned.
"Not too long. The last time I came up this ramp, I was under attack by a gigantic buzzard. At least that's not happening right now," Link chuckled. Finally, they reached the top. Link hoisted himself up out of the tower and helped Medli up. Makar pointed.
"Look!" he squealed. Link's sword was lying on the ground. Link ran over to it.
"No, Link, it's a trap!" Tetra cried. But it was too late. A ring of fire rose around Link as he picked up his sword.
"Damn! I should've used the Hookshot!" he growled. The remaining four turned to face down a hulking figure in white armor similar to the armor of the man who had captured Link and Medli.
"Heh heh...you guys'll never get to the Black Knuckle...I'll kill you first!" the figure in the white armor snickered.
"It's an Iron Knuckle! I thought they were just legends!" Tetra gasped, eyeing the armor and oversized axe. The Iron Knuckle swung his axe to make a point and advanced on them. Medli called a Stalfos warrior to their side.
"Anything we can get, right?" she said aloud. Tetra and Komali ignored her. Why are they such jerks? Medli thought to herself, irritated. The Stalfos hung back to guard its master, but Medli sent it into the fray. It lurched forward at the Iron Knuckle, wound back its mace, and began swinging it around wildly. With a single strike, the Iron Knuckle knocked the top half of the Stalfos off its bottom half and sent it hurtling over the edge of the tower.
"Uh...that could be a problem," Medli gulped. Tetra ducked a powerful swing of the white Iron Knuckle's axe and jumped onto the armored warrior's back. He tried to pry the girl off, but his armor was not flexible enough to allow him to reach her. Tetra unsheathed her dagger and stabbed it into the Iron Knuckle's neck armor. Instead of piercing the neck and killing the Knuckle, as planned, Tetra's dagger shattered. In the split second it took Tetra to realize how ineffective her attack was, the Iron Knuckle had reached up and pulled her off its neck. It tossed her into the air and swung the flat of its axe into her chest. Tetra cried out in pain and skidded across the tower.
"Medli, catch!" Link yelled, tossing his sword to Medli.
"What do you want me to do with this?" Medli held the sword awkwardly.
"Try what Tetra did; this sword won't break on simple armor," Link encouraged, pounding his fist into his palm. "You can do it."
"O-okay, I'll try," Medli said uneasily. In truth, Medli wasn't even sure she could get near the Iron Knuckle without being decapitated, but it was worth a shot. She advanced on the Knuckle, which was currently swinging his huge axe at Komali, who had taken to the air to avoid being cut in two.
"Hey, you! The ugly one! Leave him alone!" Medli called, holding Link's sword with two hands. The white-armored Knuckle turned to Medli.
"What have we here, little girl? Two little Sages, eager to die...well, the Black Knuckle needs you alive, but he never said I couldn't hurt you..." the Knuckle said maliciously. He advanced on Medli, who backed up cautiously.
"Medli...I have an idea. I'll summon a Floormaster to hold him in place, and you stab him, okay?" Makar suggested. Medli shrugged.
"Sure. But, wait—how can you summon a Floormaster?" she asked. Makar seemed to grin.
"Well, if you can, I should be able to, right? They're in my temple, too, you know," the Korok said confidently. Medli sighed and shook her head.
"Give it a shot, then," she said, "but you've gotta concentrate to bring it here."
"I know; I've watched you do it," Makar said. She circled around the Iron Knuckle and screamed as it swung its axe at her. The flat of the axe never connected, though. Restraining the grip of the axe was a blurry, purple-black hand connected to a thin arm that ran from a pitch-black hole.
"Good work, Makar!" Medli cheered. She ran up, ducked under the Iron Knuckle's axe and ran around to his back. By this time, the Iron Knuckle had wrenched his axe from the Floormaster's grip. But it was too late. Medli sat on his shoulders, reared back, and plunged the sword into the neck armor of the Iron Knuckle. Something glowed in the sword, and suddenly electricity was flowing from the sword into the Iron Knuckle. It felt like a mild static shock to Medli, but she decided that that was because she was holding the sword; the Iron Knuckle obviously found it far more painful. He dropped his axe from the pain. Medli jumped off his shoulders and watched the spectacle unfold.
"His armor is amplifying the shock," Komali said in wonder. Suddenly, with a loud crash, several layers of armor fell from the Iron Knuckle. He picked up his axe and turned to Medli.
"You're mine!" he roared, sprinting at her with amazing speed. Medli screamed and ran from him.
"Medli, use the sword! Its shock is medium-range!" Link called from his fire-prison. Medli turned and stabbed the sword out. A tendril of electricity snaked from the sword and struck the Iron Knuckle, paralyzing him. Suddenly, his helmet flew off, revealing a tanned face with war-paint on it.
"What the...?" Medli frowned. She gasped as she saw what had caused it. The Stalfos she had summoned had reformed itself unexpectedly (as Medli recalled that Stalfos warriors enjoyed) and was now on the offensive again. It struck the Iron Knuckle furiously, apparently lusting for revenge for being split in two. Its powerful, wild, and undoubtedly vicious blows dented and split the Iron Knuckle's armor and caused it to stumble. In a quick sweep swing, the Stalfos knocked the Iron Knuckle to its knees. With its enemy's head clearly vulnerable, the Stalfos took the opportunity and brought a quick, decisive mace smash on the Iron Knuckle's head. Medli turned away from the brutal blow. She heard the Iron Knuckle burst into the familiar purple smoke and dismissed her Stalfos warrior. Link's ring of fire disappeared, and he ran over to Medli.
"That Stalfos is sweet!" he cheered. Medli handed him his sword.
"Here. You're a lot better with it than I am," she sighed. Link ran his hand through her hair.
"Well...I trained under a great swordsman. Besides, you're not of a warrior race," he said. He kissed her forehead.
"Nice save, anyway," Link grinned, "I totally didn't expect the Stalfos to regenerate."
"That makes two of us," Medli snorted. Makar cheered.
"I'm a summoner, too! Didja see my Floormaster?" he squeaked.
"Yeah, that was a cool Floormaster, Makar!" Link patted the Korok from where he was hanging onto Medli's ponytail doggedly.
"Saved my life," Medli reached back to pat Makar.
"Well? What are we waiting for?" Komali said as he landed in front of the trio.
"Let's check on Tetra," Link suggested. Medli nodded, and the three of them ran over to Tetra's side. Komali stood back where he had landed and watched Medli. If she won't be mine, I'll make her mine!
"Tetra...Tetra?" Link whispered. Tetra's eyes fluttered open.
"Uhhh...I feel like crap..." she groaned, sitting up. Medli pulled out a bottle of Red Potion.
"Here, take a sip for a quick fix," she offered. Tetra uncorked the bottle and sipped twice from the bottle.
"Ah...much better. Thanks, Medli," Tetra grinned. She picked herself up and stretched.
"Well? Shall we go?" the pirate grinned.
"Yeah...we got unfinished business with this 'Black Knuckle' guy," Link said, stony-faced. Medli took his hand, and they walked up the stone ramp where the white-armored Knuckle had come from. Tetra watched them and sighed. Oh, Link...I can't believe I lost my heart to you...
"Come on, Tetra. The lovebirds are too far ahead of us," Komali said bitterly. He jogged up the ramp after Link, Medli, and Makar. Tetra shook her head and ran up. Link let go of Medli's hand to unsheathe his sword and fit his shield on his arm. Medli pushed the door open and blinked as it fell down. They walked into the scorched remains of what had been Ganondorf's personal room in the Forsaken Fortress. They were greeted by the black-armored Iron Knuckle Link had fought earlier.
"Well, well...you took out the White Knuckle. I'm not surprised; he was headstrong, and you're a seasoned warrior, young Link. And Medli, you've found your summoning powers! You will be a most worthy queen," the Black Knuckle said. Link bent his knees in a ready stance.
"She won't be your queen, you rotten bastard! Let's finish this!" Link growled. The Black Knuckle chuckled, a sound that was eerily familiar to Tetra. Medli put a hand on Link's shoulder as he stared the Black Knuckle down.
"Be careful," she whispered. Link turned to her with a tender look in his eyes, then faced the Black Knuckle. His sword sparked with electricity. Link advanced on the Black Knuckle, who as of yet had done nothing. He hadn't even turned to face Link. Link raised his sword and swung it at the Knuckle's back. The harsh ring of metal on metal sounded, and Tetra gaped as she saw what was blocking Link's blade. One of Ganondorf's swords...!
ooo
A.N., As to Medli's and Makar's powers, I figured if they're the two Sages, then they might as well have some sweet powers other than the ability to soup up the Master Sword. Any suggestions for further powers for the Sages are welcome!