This chapter will not include MQ Ganon's Tower.
Now, before you all take up your pitchforks, I'm just going to say this: Ganon's Tower ended up being really, really long. Like, so long that it outclassed the wait-time for Half-Life 3. Putting it in a chapter with all of the stuff in here just turned out to be too clunky for a single chapter, and it was just easier and more logical to divvy them up into two chapters. Besides, I wanted to build hype for it.
Also, since nobody tried to come up with a name for the Biggoron Sword, I just used the one I have anyway. Oh well.
RRRP:
ChangelingRin (FF): I never said they didn't. In fact, I adore Twinrova's theme.
The E rating didn't stop Nintendo from putting Dead Hand in the game, so… I don't know about that. But yeah, it would be a bit weird to include stuff about Nabooru's trauma and then not talk about Link's likelihood for chronophobia (the fear of time).
And yes, lotsa innuendos this chapter.
Anon (FF): Thanks!
OlafTheDestroyer (FF): I have this weird tendency towards the grandiose. I tried to get it out of my system in the first few chapters. Regarding tonal whiplash… well, a bit. I'm not writing all of this in one sitting, and I make sure to take a few days of break in between chapters. Maybe that's why. Regarding the formatting issues, that's because sometimes I have to update off of my phone if I don't have access to my computer that particular night. It's easier to upload off my phone in those circumstances, but I can't center my !0*0!s.
Thank you very much for the positive feedback! Dual Ganon has no right to exist, but that makes it more fun to write because I can go just about anywhere with it. Also, FINALLY, someone recognizes our Lord and Savior Nierak!
Thank you! And yeah, I do wonder where all the old reviewers went. Like, FCL, Ri2, PsyKhoS1s… pretty much everyone on AO3… what happened to you guys? Also, why did you leave the same review twice? Did FFnet screw up?
Chapter XXI: The Calm Before The Storm
It was overcast when Link teleported into the cemetery, but it wasn't raining. This was unusual, as every other instance in which he'd been to this particular area, it had been storming. That even extended to when he was physically a child, before Ganondorf's dark influence had consumed Hyrule. Not that Link was complaining, of course, merely intrigued.
He decided to pass it off as mere happenstance, ditching the graveyard and entering the central plaza of the Sheikah town. Link didn't remember the place ever being this… lively. It was still evident that the town lived in something of a post-apocalyptic wasteland based on the size of the graveyard and the sunken looks in people's eyes. But those same orbs also radiated hope. Everything was starting to look up, from the ceasing of the eruption, to the cleansing of the water, to the destruction of Bongo Bongo, and even the Gerudo's freedom from Twinrova. Of course, salvation had arrived nearly six years late, but a candle would rival the sun when viewed by a person lost in a cave.
Most everyone seemed to know Link, or had at least seen him in and around Kakariko. Nobody had apparently connected him to the child who confronted Ganondorf seven years prior, though. For those reasons, few people really batted that much of an eye when Link passed them by, save the guards. The knights, having witnessed his actions at Old Lon Ranch, seemed to stare at Link with some sort of awe and respect. The Hero could tolerate that. It was the incessant fawning over his deeds that really irked him.
Naturally, that fawning would probably be occurring had Rusl informed the public of Link's true nature, let alone Malon. Thankfully, it seemed that neither had actively shared his life story, which he was grateful for. The last thing he wanted was for a crowd to follow him wherever he went.
That would be a nightmare.
He found himself at New Lon Ranch, and it looked the best he'd ever seen it. Despite Anjou's concerns, the wheat was growing just fine in the cooler temperatures of early winter, and would be ready for harvest next spring. The animals looked healthier than usual, and the carpenters had returned to Gerudo Valley to construct the bridge.
This left Malon, Anjou, and her brother as the sole residents of the farm, and the former was there to greet him as he entered. She had Epona with her for some reason, and was probably surveying her handiwork when Link appeared.
"Oh, thank the Goddesses, Link," she exclaimed, running out of the fields to meet her friend. "Is it over?"
"Yes and no," Link started. "All of the Temples are cleansed, yes. All that's left to do is meet with the princess and bring the fight to Ganondorf. After that, I'll come back- for good."
"Does it have to be you, Link? You've done so much for everyone. Frankly, I think you've done enough already. You deserve to relax, don't you?" she asked, an odd tone lacing itself into her voice.
"Mal, I can't just... not do this," the Hylian said. "I'm the only one who can wield the blade capable of ending Ganon's reign of terror. Anyone else would probably fail."
"At least tell me you'll rest a spell before you do anything rash? You really do need it," Malon stated.
"I'd hate to be a bother," Link asserted. "All this time, I've kind of been forcing your hospitality onto me… I can always just rent a room in the inn."
"Fairy Boy," she said assertively. "You're never a bother to have. Besides, Anjou and Grawg are with their father rebuilding the bridge to Gerudo Valley, so you'd be the opposite of a detriment."
"... I guess I could stay the night… but only if I can ride Epona to Castletown tomorrow at dawn."
"Noon."
"Deal," Link sighed.
"Come on, Link. Let's get inside. It's going to snow today," Malon said, ushering the Hero of Time inside.
"How do you know?" Link asked, glancing up at the sky. The sun was starting to peek out from behind the clouds.
"I was born and raised on a farm. You start to pick up on weather signals," she said dismissively, closing the door behind her.
!0*0!
True to Malon's word, it was snowing by just before noon. The Gorons who had come down from their City to sell things quickly packed up shop and moved back, as the freezing temperatures would have adverse effects on their health.
"So, I've been wondering…"
"Hm?" Link asked.
"I understand if this isn't something you'd like to talk to me about, but… what happened with me last time all of this happened?" Malon asked, sounding oddly vulnerable.
"First timeline, huh… Well, none of my bad memories were associated with you, so I wouldn't altogether mind sharing it with you. As you've probably guessed, the only real difference is that Ganondorf didn't destroy Old Lon Ranch and half of the other towns in Hyrule. This made Kakariko less of a refugee camp than it is. The water wasn't toxic to drink, and there wasn't a food shortage of any sort.
"Lon Lon Ranch specifically… I don't know many of the details, but it was the first place I went to after I got out of the Temple of Time. I figured you'd be a good source for what happened over the last seven years, not to mention how nice seeing a familiar face would be. When I got there, though… Ingo had taken over the Ranch."
"Really?" she asked, more like her usual self. "Ingo never really struck me as that sort of person. Where was my father in all of this?"
"I think Ganondorf had somehow manipulated Ingo into running Talon out of the Ranch and into Kakariko, where I found him sleeping in some house. I woke him up with one of Anjou's Pocket Cuccos later, but that's not important."
"Sounds like him…" Malon grumbled.
"Ingo had taken over the Ranch, and basically taught me how to ride a horse for ten Rupees at a time. I didn't catch much of a glimpse of you until I looked in the stables, where you were tending to the horses.
"Anyway, Ingo eventually bet me fifty Rupees that I couldn't beat him in a lap around the corral," Link continued. "Even with a head start, I beat him because I had Epona and, well, Epona runs really fast. He then said that if I could beat him again, I could keep my horse. Once again, I crushed him by about three seconds. Then Ingo's all like, 'You can have the horse, but I'll never let you leave the ranch!' So I just jumped over the gates and practically trampled his stupid moustachioed face into the ground. He'd wanted to sell Epona to Ganondorf because she was the best horse on the farm, and Ganondorf was the source of most of Lon Lon's income at that time. After I left, though, you somehow wrested control over the ranch from Ingo and turned him back to his normal self. Then I sent Talon back and everything sort of went back to normal.
"You always gave me this odd look, though. Like you wanted something from me. And you were always, like, sort of showing off around me, which I didn't get. And you were always really a bright spot, even when others… well, weren't. You were the only person who'd listen to me when I ranted about the Water Temple. But whenever I asked about it, you'd always change the subject. I never figured out why."
"Looks like leetle man was just as dense in that timeline as you are in this one," Ivan commented.
"What the- I'm not dense!" Link argued vehemently. "You know firsthand how perceptive I am!"
"Not in this situation, though. Even Ivan figured out the meaning behind that, and Ivan is a fairy. Not to mention how Ivan wasn't even there when it happened."
"Can it, Ivan!" Malon shot back, mortified.
"Can someone please explain to me what's going on?" Link asked. "Ivan is making fun of me and I don't get it!"
Malon sighed. "Goddesses, I hate that fairy. Okay, Link. Look at me, alright?"
"Sure?" Link agreed, more a question than a statement.
And then she pressed her lips into his.
Coherent thought became impossible for a time. All that existed at that moment was the two of them, locked at the mouth as they pressed against each other. Link was aware of the passion that Malon was putting into the kiss, and understood that he was pushing back with equal fervor, if not more, but failed to comprehend what was happening in the moment. When they finally pulled away, both parties were breathing deeper than before, slowly regaining consciousness of the world around them. The first thing that either party noticed was Ivan's deep sigh of "Finally!"
Link got up, found an empty bottle, and shoved his partner into it. He'd let him out later.
"Sorry about him," Link apologized. "But what we just did- was that-"
"Yes. I… I've been wanting to say this for a long time… probably longer than I've even known you, given how you described me last timeline… but… Link… I'm in love with you."
He'd heard the word 'love' being thrown around a lot by a number of people in his tenure as a living being. To be quite honest, he had no idea what it really meant. It could mean an innumerable amount of things. But he was certain that it was a good thing to have and be in.
"I'm not quite sure what that means, Mal," Link started, wrapping her in an embrace. "But if it means what I think it does… I love you too."
She practically melted in his grip, pressing her head into the crook of his neck. "Well, what do you think it means?"
"I…" Link started, before a pregnant pause ensued. "I think it means to be friends with someone, but… more. To be closer than inseparable. Like that one couple… what are their names? Sugar and Pumpkin?"
"Honey and Darling?" Malon clarified.
"Them, yeah. They're in love, and it's sort of like that. Just… not as cheesy. Am I right?"
"Yeah," Malon breathed. "You're right, Link. You're absolutely right."
!0*0!
Much of the rest of his stay passed like that, although Ivan was let out of the bottle for most of it. They talked, relaxed, and enjoyed the company of the other. It was, by far, the most comfortable experience Link had ever had- bar none.
Unfortunately, all good things had to come to an end, and this was no different. At noon the next day, Link remembered he could just play the Prelude of Light to warp to the Temple of Time instantly, and did so, teleporting straight into the decaying cathedral.
"I have been waiting for you, Link."
"Sorry I took so long," Link said. "I needed to take care of a few loose ends."
"No, don't be. I understand. Anyway, you have overcome many hardships and awakened six Sages. I understand that that's an understatement, but…"
"We get it. It's fine," Ivan assured.
"Now there is one last challenge- a final battle with Ganondorf, King of Evil. But before that… I have things to tell you that you alone can hear. Please listen…"
"If this is about the fact that I have the Triforce of Courage because Ganonwhoref broke the Triforce by touching it, then yes. I get that," Link said. "I also know that you have the Triforce of Wisdom and are secretly the princess. So…"
"I keep forgetting that you know everything," the ex-princess grumbled. "How do you do that, anyway?"
"Don't worry about it," Link said quickly. "Also, if you shed your disguise, Ganondorf will capture you. So maybe we shouldn't do that…"
"Actually, that was the plan. Get captured by Ganondorf, that is," Zelda revealed.
"Excuse me?" Link ejaculated.
"You see, I can only give you the Light Arrows, the weapon that can stun Ganondorf long enough to deal the final blow, with all of my magical power. The entire point of the Sheik disguise was to mute that magic power, to protect myself from the King of Demons. Therefore, I have to dispel Sheik to give you the Light Arrows. Besides, Ganondorf wants the full Triforce, and needs all of us to piece it together. Being captured by invoking the taboo would bring the Triforce of Wisdom to Ganondorf, and then he'll be even more bent on procuring the Triforce of Courage. This will make him intentionally drop the wards around his castle and allow you to face Ganondorf. If we never get rid of that shield, being disguised won't help us- or Hyrule- in the slightest. The Sages won't be able to allow you entrance to the Tower if he doesn't drop those wards. Do you understand?"
Link blinked, taking all of this in. "You've really thought this out, haven't you?"
"I have the Triforce of Wisdom for a reason," Sheik laughed. She then went through a series of complicated hand movements, allowing the Triforce of Wisdom to shine through her facade and reveal her true nature as the rightful princess of Hyrule.
She was identical to how Link expected her to look, save the fact that she was missing her Triforce earrings. She also had a more serious edge in her eyes and features, things that were not marred by the mask of Sheik. Link definitely preferred this Zelda to his first. His first Zelda was a little more dainty, a little less rough around the edges. She still certainly was all of those things, but this Zelda was more so, and felt more… real because of it.
"It is I, Princess of Hyrule, Zelda," she said, specifically to invoke the hex Ganondorf had set up. "Once again, I apologize for meeting you in disguise, but it was necessary to hide from the King of Evil. Please forgive me.
"On that day, seven years ago, Ganondorf attacked Hyrule Castle. I saw you as I escaped with my attendant, Impa. I thought it would be best to entrust the Ocarina to you… I thought that would be our best chance. As long as you had the Ocarina in your possession, I thought Ganondorf could never enter the Sacred Realm, but… then something we could never have expected happened… Ganondorf forced you to draw the Master Sword by threatening the lives of countless people. And after you opened the Door of Time, a choice I fully agree was the right one, the Master Sword sealed you away in the Sacred Realm for seven years…"
Zelda sighed, looking morose. "Your spirit remained there, and the Triforce fell into Ganondorf's hands. He went on to conquer the Sacred Realm… and he became the King of Evil. The Sacred Realm became a world of pure darkness. All of this is an unfortunate coincidence. So I passed myself off as a Sheikah and hoped that you would return. I waited for seven years…"
"But now I'm back," Link stated.
"And now you're back. It's time for the reign of the King of Evil to end! The Sages will open the sealed door and lure Ganondorf back into the Evil Realm. Thus, Ganondorf the Evil King will have effectively vanished from Hyrule altogether. Link, in order to do this, I need your courage again. You must protect me as I do my part. To meet that goal, I shall bequeath you with a weapon that can penetrate the Evil King's defenses… the power given to the chosen ones… the sacred Light Arrow!"
A pool of holy energy coalesced around the princess as she drew from her magical reserves, a massive sphere of raw energy appearing in her outstretched arms. The light then burst off in a wave of brightness, temporarily blinding the Hero of Time. As he recovered his vision, the Light Arrows floated into his grasp. This was the weapon that could defeat Ganondorf himself. This was the critical juncture. This was it.
As if to accentuate his statement, the entire Temple went dark as an ominous rumbling shook dust and dirt down from the upper echelons of the cathedral. On instinct, Link drew the Stygian Light- the new name for the Biggoron Sword- and clutched it tight as Zelda let out a faux little gasp.
"That rumbling- it can't be?!" she exclaimed before glancing at Link to let him know she was faking her shock. Out of nowhere, a strange pink diamond shape coalesced around Zelda, and despite its pure-looking facade, Link knew from experience that it was Ganondorf's work. He punched the beautiful cage for emphasis, just to ensure that Ganondorf didn't think that this was all part of the plan.
"Princess Zelda… you foolish traitor!" the Demon King's gravelly voice emanated throughout the once-sacred Temple. "Loath as I am to admit it, I must commend you for evading my pursuit for seven long years. But you let your guard down… I knew you would appear if I let this insignificant little shitstain run around like a headless Cucco!"
Zelda looked about in fake fear before her prison slowly started to rise against the pull of gravity. "My only mistake was to slightly underestimate the ability of this little weakling… well, the ability of the Triforce of Courage, anyway! But I care not. With the Triforce of Wisdom I obtain from Zelda… I will truly rule reality! Boy! If you really want to rescue your precious Zelda, or if you recognize the hopelessness of it all, come to my castle! I'll be happy to offer you your respite- right through your gut!"
Ganondorf's disgusting laughter echoed throughout the Temple as Zelda slowly faded out, teleported straight into the belly of the beast. Link could only watch in horror as the princess disappeared. He sheathed the Stygian Light and left the Temple of Time, ignoring the Redeads in the Castle Town central plaza, and beelined for what was once Hyrule Castle.
The entire place had been transformed into a nightmare. Corpses of Hyrulean guards littered the earth, accompanied by the decayed bodies of a few moblins. Where Hyrule Castle proper had once stood was replaced with a Gothic citadel made purely from stone that shared a color with the void. Gargoyles perched themselves on the walls of Ganon's Tower, as if keeping watch. The whole thing was suspended over a vat of magma, which also served to illuminate the floating castle from below with an angry red glow. The whole thing was just as surreal as it had been the last time Link had seen it, and just as horrifying. Without the help of the Sages, there was no way he could possibly enter the Tower.
"Link, can you hear me? It's Rauru, the Sage of Light!" Rauru's tinny voice echoed inside Link's head. "We six will gather our power to create a bridge to the castle where Ganondorf dwells. The keep, which is known and feared as Ganon's Tower, is protected by six evil barriers. Bring down the barriers, and save the Princess!"
Once the Sage's little speech was over, a dazzling array of colored lights descended from the sky, each colored the identifying shade of one of the Sages. The result was an ornate rainbow bridge that clashed so much with Ganon's Tower that it was honestly funny. Link examined the bridge, admiring the handiwork, but nearly fell into the lava below when he heard an Elder Skullfos scream from somewhere in Castle Town. The Hylian wasted no time in darting into the Tower, where destiny awaited.
It's all coming to a head now. It's honestly kind of humbling to realize just how far this work as come. Like, it's already more than 150,000 words, which is mind-boggling. I'm also stunned with the realization that it's almost over. I mean, there's only MQ Ganon's Tower left to do, and that basically entails breaking the Barriers and fighting Dorf. And after that… I don't know what I'll do. And I'm okay with that.
NOOTTD: Nadie.
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