There are a few people that don't want Kratos to die. Well, what is Kratos' fate? Please read on.

Don't own anything except the concept of the story

CHAPTER TWENTY: INSIDE THE FLOATING FORTRESS

The two ships approached an object that looked like it was floating a yard over the water. This object didn't just look like it was floating over the water; it was floating over the water. The ships dropped anchor.

"How does it float like that?" Aryll asked.

"The fortress is using some method of propulsion using magitechnology," Genis replied. "How do we get to it?" Tetra asked. "I mean, look how high it is!"

Link pulled out his grappling hook. "We could use this."

"Great, Link, we could use the grappling hook," Raine said sarcastically.

"And what's wrong with my grappling hook idea?"

"One, the grappling hook is too short. Two, you need something that will apply so much power, it will launch the grappling hook up there."

"She does have a point," Anderson added.

"I got something that will solve all our problems," Tetra grinned. "We can extend the grappling hook with some rope down below."

"And what will you use to launch the grappling hook to the top of the fortress?" Wilder asked.

"You just leave that to me…"

After preparations, the groups were finally ready to leave. The rope was extended and everyone awaited Tetra's plan.

"Alright, Tetra, what's the plan?" Link asked.

Tetra flashed her eyes towards Link. Link immediately knew what was going on.

"Oh no," Link cried, "not that again! You can't…it's just not fair…"

"What is it big brother?" Aryll asked.

Wilder looked behind Tetra. He saw the catapult. "A rather crud method, don't you think?"

"It's the only way I can think of," Tetra relied. "If you have a better plan, I'd like to hear it."

"I guess there is no alternative," Anderson added. "I say we put this to a vote. Everyone all for this idea say 'aye'."

"Aye!" Everyone (except Link) cried.

"All oppose?"

"Ney!" Link cried desperately.

"Then it is settled," Genis said. "Link, get on the catapult."

"No, I won't."

"Either you get in or we'll make you get in," Raine said.

"Forget it Raine, I'm not gonna do your dirty work; there's no way I'm getting on that catapult! Absolutely no way, and that's final."

Five minutes later

"See," Link said. "I'm still here, and there's nothing you can say to change my mind."

"Either you get on that thing or I'll kill you," Tetra replied.

A minute later

Link found himself on the catapult with the grappling hook in hand. "Aw crap…"

"Ready?" Tetra asked.

"3!" She yelled. Link looked at the fortress.

"2!" Link closed his eyes.

"1!" Link braced himself.

"Fire the catapult!" The catapult was fire and Link landed splat on the wall (but before that, he threw the grappling hook over the wall), and landed in the ocean. He was fished out.

"Nice work, big brother!" Aryll exclaimed.

Link turned to Tetra and said, "You're despicable…"

"Love you too," Tetra replied.

Raine nudged Link's arm. "You hear that? She says she loves you…"

Tetra started to blush. "I…I didn't mean it like that…"

"Riiiiiight…"

"Stop your dawdling," Wilder replied. "We must find this Lord Kratos and quickly!"

The group made their way into the Floating Fortress. Inside was dark, damp and creepy. Only dim lights brightened the path and the faint humming noise coming from the propulsion system. All was quiet.

"It's quiet…" Raine said. "Too quiet…space quiet…"

"Will you knock it off?" Link asked. "We got to find Lord Kratos."

"Do you have any idea where he might be?" Wilder asked.

"We could always look at this map," Aryll replied.

"Aryll, why would they have a map inside this fortress?" Tetra asked,

"Because it looks really, really big and it's easy to get lost."

"Then where is this so called map?" Genis asked.

"On the wall, right there."

The others stopped and looked on the wall. Sure enough, there was a map outlining the parts of the fortress. Governor Anderson examined the map.

"Alright, let's have a look. Basement, dungeon; first floor, entrance; second floor, weaponry; third floor, cafeteria and bar; fourth floor, arrivals; fifth floor, arrival; sixth and seven floors, lower-class quarters; eight floor, high-class quarters…ah! Here we are: Ninth floor, Lord Kratos' quarters!"

"What floor are we on now?" Tetra asked.

Anderson looked at the map again. "We're on the second floor. They have something called elevators at the end of this hallway."

"Ele…vator?" Link asked. "Is that some sort of…weapon?"

"Only one way to find out," Genis replied. "Let's get a move on."

The group ran all the way to the other end of the hall to find a strange looking device. Instantly, it opened for them.

"I guess we go inside," Wilder said. They got inside while the doors closed on them. Anderson examined the wall with the many buttons on it. He pushed the one that read '9' on it. Instantly, the elevator started to move up, up and away. Finally, it stopped in front of two green doors (like the doors in Rodyle's remote human ranch). They stepped inside to find a rather large room. After the last person got out of the elevator, the doors were sealed shut.

"Mwhahahaha!" A voice cackled.

"I know that voice," Anderson said.

General Smith dropped down from above, wielding his Glam (if anyone played Soul Calibur 2, then it's a weapon Nightmare uses). The sword had a black handle and the blade itself was blue in color. There, engraved in the blade, were mystical letters.

"Mr. Anderson," General Smith said, "What a pleasant surprise."

"You! General Smith!" Anderson cried.

"A new chapter begins! Lord Ganondorf new reign draws neigh!"

"What does 'neigh' mean?" Raine asked.

"Getting close," Genis replied.

"It seems that you have brought friends, Mr. Anderson," General Smith said.

"What do you want from us?" Wilder asked.

"Lord Kratos sent me to, how did he put it, meet and greet you."

"And where is Lord Kratos?" Tetra asked.

"Attending to some…other business, I assure you. Besides, he wouldn't be wasting his time with you inferior beings."

"How many times do you guys have to call us inferior beings?" Aryll asked. "It's not nice, you know."

"You won't have to worry about that for long," General Smith replied. "For now, you meet your deaths! En garde!" He drew his sword. It drew magical energy and shot a shockwave towards the group.

"Ow…" Raine got up. "What is that thing?"

"He calls it a 'glam'," Anderson replied. "A black sword passed down over the ages. It is said to have once been used to slay a dragon. The symbols engraved on the blade apparently have some sort of mystical effect, and it boasts cutting power much greater than it appears to have. That sharpness allows it to damage opponents even if they manage to block the blows of any attacks."

"So…what does that mean for us?" Tetra asked.

"I'll tell you what it means!" General Smith raised his sword and yelled, "Ground Dasher!"

Everyone dashed out of the way, just in time too.

"How could a darknut use a spell?" Link asked.

"That sword…" Wilder mumbled, "That sword is the source of his power!"

"A direct link-up to Lord Kratos' power," General Smith exclaimed.

"Why would he give you such a power?" Link asked.

"Simple. Lord Ganondorf needed someone to keep an eye out for Lord Kratos. He gave me this sword for me to directly monitor Lord Kratos' power."

"Why would he do that?"

"It was rumored that he was planning a revolt. A defection if you will. He was bored of all the senseless killing was beginning to get to him. He wanted…"

"Freedom…" Anderson replied.

"Correct, Mr. Anderson. But as we all know, freedom is nothing more than an illusion. War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength." (Got that 'war is peace' quote from George Orwell's book: Nineteen Eighty-Four)

"……war is not peace," Link replied. "Who is Ganondorf waging war on anyway?"

"…hmm…you don't know anything, do you. What is the point of telling you when you are already dead?"

Many darknuts started to enter the room, knocking out and capturing everyone within the room.

"General Smith, sir! Lord Kratos has ordered us to take these inferior beings to the prison," A darknut said.

"…do as you wish," General Smith replied.

Everyone was taken down to the lowest floor on the fortress in a dark, dingy cell. Everyone was unconscious. Aryll was the first to awaken.

"Big brother," she mumbled, "where are you?"

Suddenly, there was a knock on the cell door.

"Who's there?" Aryll called out through the darkness.

"Just call me a friend," A voice replied.

Who is this voice? How will our heroes escape this prison? Why am I asking you all these questions? Please R&R.