Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Heroes
Chapter 2: The Demon King
Link and Malon spent the whole morning running around the ranch.
Their reason for doing so was a big one.
Links father was coming to the ranch with a special guest.
Princess Zelda!
Yes, the princess of Hyrule!
After she had begged to visit some place nice and sunny, Flint had suggested her father that she should pay a visit to Kakariko!
She wasn't going alone of course.
Along with Flint as a guide, she travelled with her bodyguard, Impa.
A Sheikah warrior with blood red eyes and snow white hair.
She would go along with Zelda as Flint guided her to Lon Lon Ranch, and then show her around the village.
That is why Link and Malon were on overdrive in preparation.
After three hours of non-stop work, they were done.
And just in the nick of time!
As Link and Malon sat in the grass covered in sweat, they heard the sound of a carriage nearby.
Link, "gasp, looks like, gasp, we did it, gasp!"
Malon, "yep! Phew! Good job Link!"
Aryll sat there giggling at the two with Flynn by her side.
Link, "very funny Aryll! I didn't see you helping out!"
Malon, "Link, c'mon, she's just a little girl."
Link, "yeah, I guess."
The carriage stopped right in front of the two.
They looked up to see Flint at the helm, guiding the horses.
Link, "heya dad!"
Flint, "hello Link. Lovely dad huh?"
Malon, "very lovely sir."
Flint, "good to see you too Malon!"
Flint climbed off of the carriage, and waited beside his son for the door to open.
The door opened three seconds later, with Impa holding the door for the princess.
She had flowing golden hair, a bright pink gown with her tiara shining in the sun.
Her eyes were a shade of blue.
"Hello, I am Princess Zelda."
Link, Malon and Flint all bowed down as the princess exited the carriage.
"I must say, your village is quite beautiful, am I right Impa?"
Impa spoke in a calm defined voice, "yes your majesty. A very peaceful place to visit."
"I'm glad you agree", she turned, "thank you for taking us here Soldier Flint."
Flint, "no problem at all your majesty. It was a pleasure."
She smiled at Flint, but her attention was soon drawn to Link.
"Oh! I'm sorry, who is this handsome young farmer before me?"
Link's face grew red from the compliment, while Malon his her jealousy.
Link noticed Malon right away, "oh, I'm sorry Princess. I'm Link, and this is my fiance Malon-"
He immediately closed his mouth.
Malon shot up at what he said.
Zelda, "oh, forgive me, I just haven't seen many men like you."
Flint, "I'm sure my son would love to chat, but I think he needs to attend to Epona at the ranch. Meanwhile m'lady, would you like to meet my daughter? I bet she'd love to go around the village with you!"
Zelda, "Oh I'd love that! Thank you!"
And so, Flint, Impa, Zelda and Aryll ran off to the village, while Link had to face Malon.
Malon, "f-fiance!?"
Link, "yeah…. I was saving it for tonight, but it kinda slipped out when I saw how jealous you got of the Princess flirting with me."
Malon, "I was a little jealous…."
Link, "look, Malon-"
She immediately hugged the young man.
Malon, "why didn't you propose sooner dummy!"
Link, "I wanted it to be special!"
Malon, "it already is, regardless of how you do it!"
Link was silent for a moment.
"So, does that mean-"
"YES! YES, I'LL MARRY YOU!"
The two of them were so happy.
Link had finally popped the question, and Malon had said yes.
Even Flynn was happy, jumping up at the news.
Malon, "I'm just glad you didn't fall for that Princess."
Link, "please, she may be the Princess of Hyrule, but you're my princess here!"
The two kissed.
But they were interrupted by a drop of water landing on Malon's head.
She winced.
"Looks like rain", she said.
Link, "Now? But there wasn't a cloud in the sky a minute ago…."
But as soon as the two looked towards the village, they froze.
As the storm clouds rode in, smoke rose from the village.
Screaming was now being heard.
Everyone was running outta the village.
And behind them, Moblins.
Fearsome little creatures.
Made in the image of the Demon King.
The only male Gerudo.
Ganondorf Dragmire.
The two looked at each other.
Link, "dad! Aryll!"
Malon, "not to mention the Princess."
Link, "what do we do?"
Malon, "grab the wooden sword you got over the holidays. I'll grab my daggers!"
The two split off towards the ranch, Flynn following Link to the barn.
Link grabbed his sword as quick as possible.
He ran back to the edge of the ranch to Malon, who had her daggers in hand.
Malon, "c'mon Link!"
The two ran into the village, avoiding the moblins as they searched for Link's family, Impa, and the princess.
It only took a few moments before they came across them.
And in front of them stood a tall dark skinned man on a horse.
With a dark glowing sword.
His eyes were yellow.
His hair a shade of orange and red mixed.
And his body had the build of a suit of armor.
Lord Ganondorf.
Link's father was standing with Impa, defending the Princess and Aryll.
He stepped off of his horse in spoke in a deep voice.
"All I want is the Princess. You give me her, I'll let you two go. Simple, is it not?"
Flint, "If you think we'll let you take her from us, you've got another thing coming."
Impa, "he's right. Stand down Ganon."
Ganondorf laughed, and immediately swung his sword to the ground, knocking the pair to the ground as a huge shockwave traveled to them.
And with them down, he ran to Flint and jumped onto his arm, breaking it.
And as he did that, he looked to Zelda and Aryll, cowering in fear.
He walked forward.
And he grabbed the girls by their shirt collars.
"I'll just take you both, as compensation for that blithering idiot for not handing you over."
"Get away from them you twisted bastard!"
He turned to see Link running at him, Malon close behind.
He simply grinned and kicked the boy into the nearest house.
"LINK!"
Malon ran to her beloved Link to see if he was safe.
A few cuts, and woozy from the crash, but he was fine.
"Listen boy, unless you have combat experience and a darkness sealing sword on you, you will not win this fight."
As soon as he spoke the words, a man showed up.
He wore a dark purple cloak over his body, and a cap like Links to match.
"Vaati, take these two back to the castle!"
"Yes Lord Ganon."
The sorcerer named Vaati conjured a purple aura that lifted up Zelda and Aryll, and with a snap of his fingers, they were gone, as was he.
As Link pulled himself up, he heard Ganondorf laughing as he rode off, his minions soon following, leaving their destruction behind.
As soon as they were gone, Link and Malon tended to Flint and Impa.
The night soon came afterwards, where Link was pacing the floor of Lon Lon Ranches cabin.
Malon sat near him worrying about Aryll the same as Link was.
Soon, Impa came out.
Link, "how is he?"
Impa, "he'll live, but is in no condition to fight. Neither am I."
He looked down to see Impa's leg bandaged up.
"You can talk to him."
Link ran in the room to see his father with his arm in a sling.
"Heya son."
Link knelt by his father, forcing his tears back.
"What are we gonna do dad!? He took the Princess! And Aryll! ARYLL! My little sister! What are we gonna do!"
Flint, "I can't do anything in this state, but you can son."
Link, "what?"
Flint, "I feel as though it's up to you to rescue Zelda and Aryll, and save everyone from Ganon."
Link, "but how!?"
Flint, "at the castle, all the soldiers are told of a legend. The legend of the Master Sword…."
Flint explained.
For many lifetimes, a secret family loyal to the crown has kept watch over The Master Sword. And for many different times in history, the sword was carried by the Hero Of Time. Everytime he was reborn, he took on the same task. He used the sword to save the Princess, and Hyrule from the demon king, GANON….
"And now Link, you are that hero!"
Link, "WHAT!?"
Flint, "me and your mother were told this when you were a baby. We prepared to tell you when you were ready, but now we need you to go on this journey."
Link, "who told you!?"
Flint, "when you were born, the nurse who delivered you said that she had seen a glowing symbol on your hand. One of the Triforce. That's when we realized you were the hero."
Link, "I'm the Hero of Time?"
Flint, "yes, I'm afraid."
Link was afraid.
Flint, "I ask you Link, to travel to meet the current holder of the sword. He lives within the woods surrounding Kakariko. To find him, you only need listen for a melody his domain plays."
Link's mind wandered.
I'm the Hero of Time?
Me!?
Why me?
Why am I the hero destined to defeat the Demon Lord and save the Princess?
Flint seemed to be able to read his sons face like a book.
"I know this is a lot to take in. And I don't have all the answers. But I'm sure the sword holder will have answers. All I ask is that you have the courage to do this for Aryll and Zelda. Please Link, we need you."
Link closed his eyes, and let his fear wash away.
His concern for the girls outweighed his fear.
"I'll do it."
Flint grew a relieved smile upon his face.
"I'll go on this adventure. I'll save my sister. I'll save the Princess. And I'll fight Ganondorf if I have to. And I'll do it for everyone I care for. Especially my family!"
Flint felt pride as Link rose with his shield in hand, and strode out the door with a look of determination on his face.
Impa gave him a nod of approval as he left the cabin.
Link made his way to the ranch, carrying a lantern through the now dark field.
He walked through the ranch, crossing the stables until he got to one horse in particular.
"Epona….", a female voice spoke from behind.
Link spun around to see Malon and Flynn sitting there, lighting a lantern so Link could see them.
Malon, "you're leaving?"
Link, "yeah. I have to do it Malon. I've gotta save Aryll. And the Princess. But also Hyrule!"
Malon nodded, "then please take me with you."
Link, "what?"
Malon, "take me with you Link! I can help you! I know how to fight!"
Link, "I don't want you to get hurt Malon. I've already lost my own sister, and failed to save Zelda. I couldn't bare it if you were hurt!"
Malon, "Link, I love you. And I care deeply for you AND Aryll. I don't want to leave either of you at the mercy of that bastard Ganondorf, Ganon, whatever the Hell his name is!"
Link sighed.
He knew he wouldn't win this fight.
When Malon set her mind, nothing would sway her.
One of the many reasons he fell in love with her.
"Fine. But if you get a single hair plucked outta place…."
Malon, "I know. I won't let anything happen to us!"
Link smiled at the statement.
Malon, "alright. So, what do we do first?"
Link, "dad said we just have to listen for a melody within the forest, and we'll eventually find a man who has what we need to fight Ganon, and where we must go for our adventure."
Malon, "how will we know the melody?"
Link, "I figure we'll know it when we hear it."
And With that, Link and Malon hopped aboard Epona, with Fynn following behind them.
They went into the forest; already hearing a haunting melody….