Prologue: Death of a King
This is the end.
That thought flashed through Link's mind, as he sheath his sword, the Master Sword. He stood towering over the lifeless form of Ganondorf.
It had taken over four thousand years for the reign of the legendary demon king to finally end. The princess Zelda sat on her throne tied down by invisible chains.
This doesn't seem right, Zelda thought, as she struggled, still tied down.
Link started towards the throne to free Zelda. "Wait," she said. "This isn't over. He's not dead."
Then they heard clapping. It was a single person's clap, then followed by more from the same person.
"It was a fucking phantom!" Link exclaimed.
"You did very well," Ganondorf said. "Very well indeed."
"Gods damnit! What does it take to kill you?!"
"Foolish boy," Ganondorf said, his voice dripping with hate. "Did you think you could kill me? Heh, you don't even know what it is within you. I have full control over the power within me which means I'm more powerful than you. And you can't kill me! I am immortal!"
"Tell me something," Link said. "Why do you do this? Why are you so hell bent on conquering Hyrule. Why do you want to kill me?"
"Because you stole from me!" Ganondorf screamed, his anger rising. "You have something of mine by right!"
"And I can give it to you... Over my dead body."
"Gladly," Ganondorf said. "But lets not fight in my soon- to- be castle."
This man lived for blood. For death and torture of innocent lives. It wouldn't be over until he was dead. Link reached for the Master Sword; gripping it so tight, that it turned his knuckles white.
One more time, he thought. I won't let your death be meaningless, Midna. I'm going to slaughter that son of a bitch.
He turned to face Ganondorf. The dark man was near. Then everything suddenly froze. A soft hand took Link's shoulder. "Follow me."
Link turned to see Zelda. And with a blinding flash, a shortbow and golden arrows, known as the Light Arrows suddenly appeared. The bow was carved from scorched black wood, and was overlaid with golden designs and spirals.
Zelda bowed, and said, "Lend me your strength and courage for just a little longer..." Then she held her hand out.
Link took her hand and said, "I will do everything I can to protect you, and the rest of Hyrule, and kill the bastard, while doing so."
Then they snapped back into reality. And Ganondorf was charging them once more. Link met his charge, riding on Epona. Their blades clashed with a shower of sparks. The collision left Links sword arm numb.
This isn't working, he thought. Have to find a way to get him off his horse, so I can fight him with an advantage. While one can fight from horseback, they would not be capable of such moves as Link can do. Not without chopping up their horse, anyway.
Ganondorf was once again spurring his horse, ready for another charge. Then, Link spotted a drop-off that he remembered had led to Kakariko Village. Ganondorf was upon him again; attacking with an overhead swing, missing Link by a few inches. Link kept going. Ganondorf spurred his horse around and gave chase.
Link pulled Epona's reigns to the left, as Ganondorf hurled a large ball of the Triforce of Power's energy at him. Then, Link quickly steered right, as Ganondorf hurled another ball of energy at them.
Almost there, he thought. Come on.
Finally, they were there. Epona leaped over the wall out into the darkness of night. A good fifteen feet down. A bolt of energy flew over there heads. When they finally hit the ground, Epona snorted loudly. The landing had hurt her but, thankfully, nothing was broken.
A second later, with a loud demon laugh, Ganondorf leaped over the wall, crushing Ebony, his demon horse, upon landing, for the light weight horse couldn't hold the heavily muscled man.
Link dismounted. That horse wasn't getting back up. He drew the Master Sword, and slid his shield down on to his left arm.
"Nice," Ganondorf said, getting up from his landing. "Very nice. You might be the best enemy I have ever fought. Your kind never cease to amaze me, Link."
Thunder echoed across the field. Darkness rolling over the night sky.
"Ah, yes. Twilight, Ganondorf said. A fitting time to end this, wouldn't you say, Link? Answer me this: What is it that you fight for?
"Me? I fight for my values and I fight for my friends; and the rest of Hyrule, who are depending on me.
Zelda pulled the reigns, as Epona tried to move towards Link. Easy, girl. He has to do this by himself.
Link suddenly started shouting. I fight for a very precious friend of mine, who you murdered in cold blood!
A smile flew across Ganondorf's face. I have murdered many people. You should have seen my first rise to power. Oh, the mountains of bodies! The rivers of fresh blood! Killing Midna was just removing an obstacle in my way.
"You son of a bitch, Link said. After all that's happened, you don't even feel regret for what you have done?
"You want to talk ethics now? I grew up in a world sick with war. I grew up starving; watching my family and friends die so that I may live!" Ganondorf took a deep breath, that seemed to have a calming effect on his mood. Now, time to make a deal. Hear me out before you say no. If you give me the Triforce now, I will let you live. You can go back to your normal life."
Link thought about it. He and his friends would be able to live out their lives in peace. Everything he had wanted. But...
But it wouldn't bring Midna back.
"You want this? Link said, holding up his right hand. Come and take it.
Ganondorf's smile disappeared. "So be it."
He leaped. It was so sudden, that Link was barely able to lift his shield in time to block. Their swords collided with one another, a shower of sparks lighting the shadows around them. Link took several steps back. It was raining, which made footing a living Hell.
About four feet to Link's right, was the gorge that separated Kakariko and Death Mountain from the rest of Hyrule. Ganondorf lunged with a two-handed cleave that Link caught with the edge of the Master Sword. The block had forced them into a power-lock.
A power-lock is where to weapons of roughly equal durability are locked together by the hilt.
Link fought for his footing, as Ganondorf was forcing him closer to the gorge.
"Time to die, Link," Ganondorf said. "You are the last of your kind! I will make sure of it!"
Then Link slammed his knee into Ganondorf's crotch.
That was all he needed. Link shield bashed the dark warrior in the face. Then, with a mighty swing, cleaved Ganondorf's head from his shoulders; showering Link in his blood. Then Ganondorf's headless body fell over the edge and down into the gorge, followed by a loud clanking sound. Then all was truly silent.
A bright golden glow encompassed Link and he could feel the warmth of the Triforce of Courage, as it was re-uniting with the Triforce of Power. The glow was so bright, that Zelda had to shield her eyes with her hand.
After the lightshow, Link looked at his right hand, where the Triforce of Power and Courage was now visible.
Zelda walked up to Link. "It seems that Ganondorf is now truly dead."
"And you would know that how? Link said.
"Because, you now have the Triforce of Power in your possession. The Triforce can only be given freely, or taken from the corpse of a piece bearer. And Ganondorf surely would not give it up freely."
Right then, Link saw it. "It's not possible." Then he ran up the hill.
At the top he saw her. Pale-blue smooth skin, fiery-red hair. She turned around, surprised. Link!
Link tried to say something, but he could not find words.
"Am I so beautiful, that your at lost for words?"
"This... This is real?"
"Link..." Midna began, but suddenly found herself in Link's arms. She was at lost for words.
"I... I thought you were dead... I thought that foul demon had taken you from me..." Link said, sadly.
"Link..." Midna began, then stopped, when Zelda had reached them.
"It seems that Ganondorf is truly dead, now that your curse is broken," Zelda said.
"And I have you to thank for that," Midna said.
"Actually," Zelda replied, "You should be thanking Link for this. He killed Ganondorf, you know."
"Well..." Midna began, but Link had pulled her into his arms... again. They locked eyes for a brief moment. Then, their lips met for but a small moment. The kiss felt like heaven to Midna, who had been longing to kiss Link and finally did.
When they parted, Link let go of Midna and she stepped away gracefully.
"Well..." Zelda said. "It has been a rough period of time. The Age of Darkness has finally ended."
Somewhere, far off in the corners of Hyrule, where each of the three points of the Triangles of the Gods were located, there was a spark of energy. That energy came from a crack in the Barrier. Someone or something was trying to break through...