Chapter 24: The Mysterious Mask
The party rode across the roads from Hateno Village back to Kakariko Village. They arrived, and it was still night time. Zhago got off of his horse and had Pokh follow him into Paya's Place. "Paya, I have something very important to show you."
"What is it, Zhago?" Paya saw Zhago's son walk from behind him. She didn't recognize him at first but then it clicked in her head. "Pokh? Little Pokh?!" Paya got up from her seat and excitedly ran up to Pokh and hugged him. "By the Goddess, he is alive!" She exclaimed as she hugged him tightly. She then held both of his shoulders. "How are you still alive?"
Pokh spoke up. "Well, it all started on the day when I jumped off a cliff. My body landed in a river, barely alive. It drifted to a camp where several Yiga Clan members saw my body. They took me in, nurtured me back to health and then trained me in the ways of the Yiga. Their leader, Ghirahim, assigned me on many different missions across Hyrule of varying degrees." Pokh put his face into his hands. "I've killed so many people. Innocent people throughout the 7 years of my time in being a Yiga Clan member." Pokh put his face out his hands. "For my latest mission, I was tasked with kidnapping the Hateno Villagers and bringing them to the Arbiter's Grounds in the Gerudo Desert. And then after a few weeks of working on that mission, Dad came along and managed to pull me out of the Yiga Clan."
Paya pat his head. "It will be alright. You're safe here in Kakariko Village. You will be another member of the Sheikah Clan, like you were before."
Zhago nodded his head in approval. "You will look after him now, right Paya?" Zhago asked.
"Yes, I will Zhago." Paya said to Zhago. "He is in safe hands now."
Pokh turned around to look at his father. "I'm glad you found me, father."
"I'm glad too, son. Now I must leave because we have business to attend to."
"That's alright Dad. See you!"
"See you around kid." Zhago walked out of the door and walked down the stairs. "He's in safe hands now. So, what will we do with our time right now?"
"Link told us to deal with the Lynel within Tipa but we got that settled down." Uten thought about other things to do. "Didn't that Keeseman guy want us to go to Hyrule Castle Town and participate in the Mask Festival or something like that?"
"Oh yeah, he did send us that letter. We should check in on Hyrule Castle Town in that case." Zhago said.
"We can also get our pay for the last monster colony from Zelda herself." Poump added. "I can even get to say my goodbyes to my friends before we go on the voyage across the sea."
"Sounds like a plan. Let's ride." Zhago made his horse ride forward and the other party members followed behind. Their horses rode through the moon-lit roads of Hyrule Field. They passed through a checkpoint across a bridge which didn't take much time to go through. They eventually rode up to the walls of Hyrule Castle Town and docked their horses into the stable outside. They walked through the gates and to the main plaza.
There were great festivities going around, and there were lights that stretched across the rooftops across the Main Plaza. People danced to music being performed by a band of Gerudos, with a Goron blowing on a horn to add to the music. Their music infected the people of Castle Town, who all seemed to be wearing different masks. The party walked out of the crowded area and next to a few outdoor shops, one of which was selling masks.
"Hello lovely people, may I interest you in purchasing a mask?" The salesman said from behind the counter. He had a really big smile that seemed somewhat creepy. Poump looked at the different masks on the stand.
"What are these masks named and how much for each one?" Poump asked.
"Ah-ha! I'm glad you asked! From left to right, this yellow mask with pointy ears is called the Keaton Mask. Kids love wearing this, as it is a family favorite icon here in Hyrule! This next mask takes on the appearance of the popular fictional character, Mario! Observe the red hat and the accentuated mustache! Finally, this is the Skull Mask! Most people like wearing this mask when they want to frighten people! Each mask is 50 rupees."
Poump looked at the different masks. "I'll buy all of them." He handed the mask salesman 150 rupees.
"My my! What a wonderful customer! Here you go!" The mask salesman gave the party the three masks.
Poump put on the Skull Mask, Tipa put on the Keaton Mask, and Uten put on the Mario Mask. "Zhago, do you want a mask?" Uten said to Zhago, who was maskless.
"I don't need a mask." Zhago replied.
"Come on, there's a festival going on! The least we could do is be a part of the celebration!" Uten walked up to the mask salesman. "Do you have any other variety of masks on sale?"
"Ah-ha-ha, why yes I do!" The salesman shuffled through his large backpack and pulled out another set of masks. "It is 50 rupees for any mask!"
Uten looked at all of the different masks. She looked at a mask depicting an Octorok. "I'll have that one!" She handed the salesman 50 rupees.
"Here you go!" The salesman gave Uten the Octorok Mask. Uten gave the mask to Zhago and he reluctantly put it on.
"See! That's not so bad now, is it?" Uten said to Zhago.
"Let's just get this over with and be done with it." Zhago said with his arms crossed. The party walked into the crowd partying it up with their masks. A dance circle formed in a part of the crowd. A Gerudo Woman was dancing with another Gerudo Woman in the circle. They both had a wonderful display of synchronization. At the end of their dance, they both looked at each other and kissed each other right in the lips. The crowd cheered, and then the next song started being performed. At the other side of the dance circle, Poump noticed someone wearing a uniform with what looked like a Guardian Helmet. He knew that was Keeseman. Poump motioned for the others to have them weave through the crowd towards Keeseman. As Poump approached Keeseman, he walked into the dance circle, much to Poump's surprise. Keeseman was in the dance circle alone, with his really expensive outfit on. The music started and then Keeseman started breaking out some dance moves to the rhythm of the music. The music was very intense, so Keeseman reflected that in his dance moves. At one point, he pointed his arm out to the party members from in the crowd and motioned his fingers to make them come inside of the circle with him. The party walked into the circle and Keeseman continued his dance moves. Then once the music hit a drop, Keeseman hit the floor with a smoke bomb which concealed all of the party members. The smoke cleared up and the crowd looked in silence at the empty circle. Then they cheered loudly, because they thought that was really cool.
On the rooftops of Castle Town's buildings, Keeseman looked down at the crowd with the party members. "I would've never taken you for being the dancing type." Uten said to Keeseman.
"Dancing is a very important skill when it comes to coordination. It allows you to think on your feet and practice your stamina usage." Keeseman started clicking on something on his arm. "Dancing also helps with learning how to fight, as a fight in and of itself is like a dangerous dance." A screen popped up on his arm. "Take a look at this." Keeseman showed the party the image of a mask with large eyes and spiky sides on certain parts.
"What is it?" Poump asked.
"This is an ancient artifact known as the Majora's Mask. It is said to house a dangerous power within itself. It is currently in a shipping container that is being sent to an island off the coast of Akalla, where it will be locked up and examined. However, it is said that the mask manipulates the minds of many people, making them lust for unlimited power. I intend on getting the mask and locking it into my Keese Cave where it will be locked up by all of my technology, and only a few people will even know of it's real whereabouts. It is best that as few people know about it as possible."
"What if the mask causes you to lust for power?" Poump asked.
"It won't. My own mask has a frequency that blocks its powers from overwhelming my mind. And if it does ever overwhelm me, kill me and destroy it."
Poump widened his eyes. "Whoa, we went from dancing in a circle to discussing an evil power hungry mask in mere seconds."
"The crate should be shipping soon. It's in Hyrule Castle's courtyard. Investigate it. The other possible location of it could be somewhere here in Castle Town. Which crate would you like to investigate?"
"The one in Hyrule Castle." Poump replied. The other party members nodded.
"It is settled then. I will investigate the crate here inside of Castle Town while you deal with the crate inside of Hyrule Castle. I wish you luck." Keeseman ran off of the building and glided down with his cape.
"He's so extra." Uten said.
"Alrighty guys, let's go deal with that crate." Poump said. The party grabbed onto Zhago and Zhago teleported them down to the Main Plaza. They walked up to the gates to Hyrule Castle. A guard stood before them.
"The Castle is on lockdown right now." The guard said.
"What? Why?" Uten asked.
"Because an incident has occurred inside the Castle. We can't risk having these gates open while the incident is occuring. There is a party going on right now, and the possibility of the incident causing harm to the citizens is something that can't be toyed with. I'd advise you all to go back to the party and enjoy your lives." The guard stood into a stoic position and didn't move anymore.
The party walked into an alleyway away from the Main Plaza. "Maybe we can check on Zelda." He pulled out the Sheikah Slate and pressed a button. In a few seconds, she called back.
"I am terribly sorry Poump, but right now is not the best time for calls." Zelda had a look of distress on her face.
"What has happened?" Poump asked.
"An explosion went off deep within the dungeons of Hyrule Castle. A malice explosion right at the area where we were operating…" Zelda looked off of the camera. "Oh no." She hung up the phone.
"That looks like it could be serious." Poump said. "Do you think we should check on it?"
"We can look at it after we've dealt with whatever these crates are." Uten said. "Speaking of those crates, how do we even plan on making it into Hyrule Castle in the first place?"
Poump brought up the Eye of Truth. "With this." They walked to the Castle's wall and Poump brought out the Eye. He pointed it at the wall and walked right through it. The others followed behind him. They walked through a small passageway and then made it to a closed door. They listened to what was happening on the other side. The scurry of soldiers running across the floor could be heard.
"To the throne room! We must protect the Queen!" One of the soldiers screamed.
Once the scurry of footsteps stopped happening, Poump opened the door and found himself in the courtyard. There was a crate that was loaded onto a wagon. "Let's take a look at this." Poump ordered the group to follow him and they made it to the wagon. There were no guards in sight. They looked at the crate and Poump pried it open with the strength from his Power Bracelets. They looked inside to see several masks displayed inside of the crate. There were perforations made for each mask, but one mask was missing. It resembled the shape of the mask they were looking for. There was a single playing card inside of it's spot. Poump picked it up and turned it around to discover it was a Jester card.
"Hahahaha!" The loud cackling noise of someone laughing sounded outside of the wagon. Poump and the others walked outside and saw someone wearing clown makeup dancing on top of the roof of the blacksmithing area. "What a night! A big boom distracted all of the soldiers from their duties, so the opportunity came and I took it!" The Jester pulled up the Majora's Mask in his hands. "Who knows how much power this could hold!"
"Not enough for me!" Poump used his Clawshot and propelled himself towards the clown. The clown threw a few playing cards at the Clawshot's chain which somehow caused it to lose it's grip, sending Poump flying into the wall underneath.
"Hahahaha! What an evening for my grand Play!" A poof of smoke concealed the Jester and then they disappeared. Poump got back up and looked at the others.
"Why didn't you guys shoot him or something?" Poump said to the others.
"We thought he was just some entertainer from the Mask Festival that wandered in here." Zhago said and Uten nodded.
Poump looked at them in disbelief. "He is holding Majora's Mask! Y'know! The power mask that grants evil power!"
"Oh." Zhago and Uten said in unison. Tipa walked up to Poump and looked at Uten and Zhago.
"Meat." She said aggressively to the Sheikah and the Zora.
After a few minutes, they walked through the secret passageway and back into Castle Town. "That clown mentioned a grand Play. And I think I know what that means." Poump said. The team followed Poump to the theater and saw what was showing. 'The Legend of the Majora's Mask' was the title of the play. Poump and the gang shuffled inside of the theater. Poump brought up his Sheikah Slate to all of the bouncers. "Official Queen business." The bouncers allowed them inside and they made it to the stage room. People were seated, but the curtains were closed. "Okay guys, we'll need to split up if we hope to find this Jester."
"Will do." Zhago and Uten agreed and walked through the chairs, while Tipa followed Poump up to the stage. Poump walked behind the curtains and met up with a few of the cast members. One of the cast members was wearing a green tunic.
"Hey young boyo, what are you doing back here?" The actor in the green tunic said.
"I'm looking for a Jester of some kind. One who is in possession of the Majora's Mask. Do you know where they might be?" Poump asked.
The actor looked at the stage assistant and they shrugged their shoulders. "If they are anywhere right now, they are probably downstairs. That's the other actor, who plays the villain of the play."
"Alright, thanks." Poump walked downstairs with Tipa and made it into a locker room. Some actors were putting makeup on and different costumes, but the Jester was nowhere in sight. "Hey, have any of you seen the Jester who has the Majora's Mask?" Poump asked them.
The actors scratched their heads and looked at each other. "The last time we saw him was 3 hours ago. He hasn't been in here since, although the play will be starting soon, so he should be around here soon." One of the actors opened up their locker and then a blue glowing circular object rolled out of it.
"Ahhhh! It's a bomb!" The actor said, and they ran away from the bomb. The other actors also ran away from it.
"Great. A Yiga presence of some kind. The show's gonna need to be cancelled."
A voice sounded from above them. "Actors, get ready."
"Okay boyos, to positions!" The actors walked out of the room up the stairs. Poump looked at the bomb in the room. He tried thinking about what to do with it. He took out the Clawshot and dragged it with him upstairs. He was going to try and take it outside. He climbed the stairs and heard an announcement.
"And now presenting, from the Lon Lon Ranch Entertainment Association, The Legend of the Majora's Mask!" Music started playing. The green tunic actor walked out on stage and bowed to the crowd. Zhago and Uten were originally trying to ask people questions around the crowd, but the play's starting peer pressured them into stopping to watch it.
The green tunic actor ran in place. "I am the Mighty Hero Link! Off onto a grand adventure to the land of Termina!" The other actors showed up on stage, dressed up in different outfits that showcased different monsters.
"Brave Hero Link, we will stop you in your endeavors!" The monster actors said to the Link actor.
"Not if I can help it!" The Link actor pulled out a prop sword and started attacking the monster actors. They fell to the floor, playing dead.
"Noo! The Great Hero has slain us!" The monsters cried out. Another monster walked up from behind Link. Just as this was happening, Poump emerged from behind the curtain with the blue bomb in his hand.
"Bombs!" Poump exclaimed to the crowd with panic. Just as he said that, the Link actor pulled out some prop bombs and threw them at the monster that was sneaking up on him. Smoke covered up the area where the prop bombs landed. The crowd applauded, but Zhago and Uten had a feeling something was wrong.
Poump held the bomb above his head some more and then it detonated within his hand. As it went off, several other bombs behind the curtains went off. Poump recovered himself from the explosion and Tipa ran up to him to help him up. Both of them were on stage. The crowd thought it was a part of the play, so they cheered some more. The Link actor turned to the others.
"What are you two travelers doing here? Don't you know these are dangerous lands?" The Link actor said to them.
"You need to go, now!" Poump said to Link, and Tipa nodded in agreement.
"I'm sorry, humble citizen. I shall not go because I am Link, the Hero of Termina!" The Link actor raised his sword into the air. From behind the curtains, the Jester appeared with the Majora's Mask. "Evil doer! I shall slay you!"
The Jester put the Majora's Mask on and then the room lit up red. Once again, everyone thought this was a part of the play. The Jester raised his hands and then a stream of energy blasted the Link actor to the floor. "DOOF!" The Link actor hit the ground and slid across the floor. He struggled getting back up. Poump and Tipa ran right up to the Jester but the Jester also blasted them with energy making them fall back as well. Zhago and Uten got out of their chairs and ran right down the aisles towards the stage and hopped on, but the Jester's attacks were too much for them. Then, as if from nowhere, Keeseman jumped from the ceiling onto the Jester. He was holding on the mask, trying to pry it off, but then the Jester shook Keeseman right off and into the crowd. The Link actor crawled off stage and it was at that moment the audience knew that this wasn't a part of the play. They ran out in a panic, leaving just the 4 party members, the Jester, and Keeseman left in the room.
Poump tried to attack the Jester again. He Clawshotted the mask and used his Power Bracelets to try and power pry it right off of his face. The mask was almost pulled off, but the tug sent Poump flying right at the Jester who attacked him again. 7 more people in clown makeup appeared on stage. Some of them were only armed with knives, while the others were bare handed. Uten took her spear and stabbed at some of them, sending them flying back. They tried overwhelming her, but then the Jester blasted Uten down with more energy.
"Yes! With this mask, I can become immortal! An instrument of chaos! All the potential!" The Jester screamed out like a maniac. "And that Keeseman will be doomed!" The Jester traveled towards the seats and tried to find the Keeseman, but he was nowhere in sight.
Tipa decided to ram herself horn first right into one of the clown actors, knocking them over. Zhago pulled out his sword and pointed it at the actors, but then the black swoosh of Keeseman's cape danced around all 7 of the actors and then they all were left on the floor, bruised and beaten. Keeseman looked back at the Jester. The Jester looked back at Keesman, with the mask radiating great power. Keeseman pulled out a device and pressed it, which created a loud noise throughout the whole room. The party members covered their ears, but the Jester seemed to have difficulty with the loud noise.
"Ahhh! My ears! The noise!" The Jester fell to the floor. Keeseman pulled out a grappling line and fired it at the mask, grabbing it and pulling it towards himself.
"Poump, take this mask!" Keeseman threw the mask at Poump. The Jester got back up and Keeseman punched him right in the face. The Jester was knocked out immediately by this attack.
Poump held the mask in his hands, and then an overwhelming feeling started to overcome him. He felt like putting it on. "Use me! You could become more powerful than any being in all of Hyrule!" Poump started putting it towards his face but then Keeseman quickly snatched the mask out of his hands. Poump felt the urge go away immediately.
"What the heck is that thing?" Poump said in reference to the mask.
"Something really dangerous." Keeseman said. "I'm glad I got your help, that way we were able to divert this crisis before it could get any worse. I'll pay you with a few rupees soon. I will take this to the Keese Cave where it will be locked down far away from any being willing to use its power."
"What about the crate with the missing mask?" Poump asked Keeseman.
"I've already put a replica of the mask in its place. It's good that I learned of the mask's true whereabouts when I did. Otherwise things could've turned out much differently." Keeseman pulled out a smoke bomb and then disappeared once the smoke was gone.
"He really loves doing that, doesn't he." Poump said to himself. He picked up his teammates who were down. People went into the theater. One of them seemed to be wearing a green skin tight suit.
"Ah it's a mess!" The person in the green skin tight suit said.
"Wait a moment, Tingle?!" Poump said when he noticed the guy in the skin tight suit.
"Kooloo-limpah!" Tingle replied. "Even though this whole thing was unfortunate, I will reward you all for trying to stop it. Here's 100 rupees." Tingle threw the rupees across the seats, which the party quickly gathered up for themselves. Tingle walked up to the Link actor. "Are you alright?"
Poump looked at this and made a heavy sigh. He reached into his pocket and pulled out 1,000 rupees and gave them to Tingle. "You deserve this more than us." Poump said as he gave them to Tingle.
"What?! Really?! For little old me?!" Tingle said.
"Yes. Now get better security for these shows." Poump and the gang walked out of the theater and passed the crowd.
Poump was still curious as to what was happening in Hyrule Castle, so he made the team follow him back to the secret entrance. On their way there, a Goron got in their way. "Hey, Poump! It has been a long time!"
Poump made a heavy sigh. "Goggodu. I would know that face if I ever put a look on it."
"Yeah, without your buddy Groose to help you, I can finally get to slam you for all of those times you bested me in the Knight Academy!" Goggodu hit his large Goron stomach.
"I'm very busy right now, bully me later." Poump replied as he tried passing him.
"Nuh-uh! We're gonna fight! And your other friends are gonna watch you fall over!" Goggodu prepared to punch Poump but then Poump used his Power Bracelets to stop Goggodu's punch and then he punched the Goron square in the stomach, sending him rolling down the alleyway. "OOFH!"
"I don't have the time for this, bye." Poump and the gang walked passed Goggodu who was recovering from the attack. He was very flustered.
Uten looked at Goggodu and then back at Poump. "Who was that?"
"His name is Goggodu." Poump replied. "He bullied me during my time in the Knight Academy."
"That's so unnatural though, Gorons are usually nice people." Uten said.
"Not that one." Poump said. The party made it to the secret entrance through the Castle Walls and they walked through the wall and into a passageway. They reached a door. Just as they were about to open it, the Sheikah Slate started vibrating. Poump pulled it up and saw that Link was calling them.
"Hi guys. The monsters have been put onto the boat. Once you're ready, come to Lurelin Village. We're preparing for the voyage, so we just need all of you to come along and we're tip top. Do take your time though." Link turned off the call and the party looked at each other. They opened the door and found themselves in the courtyard again. They walked up the road of the Castle and made it to the throne room. Guards were standing in front of the throne room.
"Halt! You mustn't pass!" The Guard said. "A strange incident has occurred inside of the building!"
Poump brought up his Sheikah Slate. "We are some of Zelda's closest contacts. May you allow us entrance?"
The Guard observed the Sheikah Slate. "You may pass, just be careful there." The Guard opened the door for them and they walked inside of the Throne Room. The room had a large gaping hole in the center of it, and the soldiers were circled around the whole room, looking down the hole, with Roldi in front of them all. Zelda was also looking down the hole and quickly noticed the squad walk inside.
"Stay back. This is dangerous." Zelda said to the party.
"Can we have our rupees for the desert monster colony?" Uten asked.
Zelda looked up with disappointment at her. "This very dire circumstance is happening now and you ask for rupees? The rupees are being delivered to Lurelin Village. You can collect them there."
Uten felt Zelda's pressure and shut up. Poump spoke up. "What has happened here?"
Zelda looked at Poump. "I guess I must tell you everything about what that thing is down there." She pointed down the hole. "Down there, we were running tests on an old decrepit body, which we recognized as Ganon, or Ganondorf. Link and I discovered three triangles form onto our hands one day and they lead us to this body, which mysteriously also had three triangles on it's hand. It was locked deep in the dungeons of this castle in a research facility. For 10 years, it didn't move. Until now." She looked down the hole again. "Wait a moment, it was just there! Where did it go?!"
Out of nowhere, a tall dark skinned Gerudo Male with red flowing hair and a red beard appeared before everyone in the Throne Room. He was holding Princess Hilda, who was sleeping in his arms. The soldiers around the room aimed their bows at the Gerudo Male.
"Wait! Don't shoot! He has Hilda!" Zelda screamed at the archers. They all put their bows down.
The Gerudo Male looked around at the people in the Throne Room with a menacing look in his eyes. "The Royal Family must pay in blood!" The Gerudo Male started grabbing his head as if it was in conflict. Hilda was still sleeping in his arms, as noticeably the Gerudo Man made sure he didn't drop her.
Roldi and the soldiers in the room looked at Zelda with nervousness. Zelda didn't know what to do. Poump, Zhago, Uten, and Tipa brought out their weapons and approached the Gerudo preparing for a fight. Then to break up the commotion, a Sheikah Warrior teleported into the room. Everyone looked at this Warrior.
"Sheik?!" Zhago and Zelda exclaimed at the sight of her.
Sheik looked around the room and then at the Gerudo. She pulled out a harp and played a song that seemed to stop time completely. She was able to walk around, while everyone in the room was completely still. She observed the soldiers readying their weapons, and the look of shock on Zelda's face. She observed the party members, taking note of each of their appearances. She gave a slight chuckle. She ended her walk by looking at the Gerudo Male standing with Hilda in his arms. "So, Ganondorf. This is how it all began."
The Gerudo didn't move an inch, however he spoke back as if his mind spoke to Sheik. "Began? What do you speak of? Who even are you, and how do you know my name?" Ganondorf replied with his mind.
"You have met me. We've seen each other a lot throughout the ever flowing river of time. You just haven't seen me yet. In fact, you are meeting me right now." Sheik replied.
"What silly joke is this?" Ganondorf replied, trying to mentally escape this temporal disturbance he found himself in.
"That girl you hold. She will answer your greatest flaw. You must ride to the Great Plateau and speak to Rhoam Bosphoramus Hyrule." Sheik said to the suspended Ganondorf.
Ganondorf searched his thoughts. "That man! Why would I speak to someone who despises me so much?! Why would I go to a place where the Hero was revived and speak to the man that made him defeat me?!"
"You are making assumptions, Demon King." Sheik replied softly. "Time will tell why you must go there, for if I tell you why you must go, you would possibly not go in the first place."
Ganondorf thought about what Sheik was saying.
"The curse. You want to break free from it. It's bound to you, forcing your spirit to be reborn over and over with the same goal of wanting to cause chaos and destruction. I know that deep down inside of yourself, you want to live a normal life. One away from the tedium of this endless cycle." Sheik circled around Ganondorf. "You must bring her to the Great Plateau. Find Rhoam and enter the Temple of Time. All of the answers to your questions will be solved there. You must exercise your restraint. I can trust you to come through on this." Sheik walked up to Zelda who was still suspended. "I'm sorry mother." She played the harp and then everyone around the room started moving again. Except for Zelda, who fainted over and the soldiers quickly carried her away.
"Soldiers, we must defeat him!" Roldi the General said to the other soldiers in the room. They raised their weapons and charged at Ganondorf. Ganondorf turned his back to the soldiers in order to ensure Hilda's safety. The soldiers' weapons met with Ganondorf's skin, which all of them broke upon impact. Roldi's squadron of soldiers stepped back a few paces seeing their weapons had done absolutely nothing to the absolute unit that was Ganondorf. The party tried attacking Ganondorf, but didn't actually hit him when they realized what Ganondorf did to the soldiers' weapons. Ganondorf looked at Hilda in his arms, who was still sleeping.
"I don't want to do this, but it seems like I must." He thought to himself as he walked out of the Throne Room with Hilda in his arms. Poump didn't like seeing this mysterious being carry Hilda like that.
"Hey you! Don't you dare harm her!" Poump said to Ganondorf as he followed behind him.
Ganondorf turned around to look at Poump with eyes so evil that even Poump's heart sank at the sight of them. "I must take her to the Great Plateau. I have been told so by a mysterious person. They knew who I was, so I must listen to them."
Poump reconfigured his mind and spoke to the Demon King. "No way I'm leaving you alone with her."
"If you must follow me, then follow me. Just don't be a nuisance." Ganondorf replied. He walked through the courtyard and then to the gates. The remaining guards outside looked at Ganondorf with caution and weapons raised. He looked at all of them with a face that was filled with such a lust for blood that it intimidated all of the guards to allow him through. Ganondorf walked into the Main Plaza, where the Mask Festival was being held. The party followed behind him. The crowd at the Mask Festival was at first really lively, and then slowly but surely the music stopped. The people in the crowd were confused and then made way for Ganondorf to walk through. They all looked at him. Some members of the crowd had no clue who this was, but the Gerudo Females amongst the crowd took issue with the appearance of this Gerudo Male. The crowd looked in disapproval of Ganondorf's presence, at least the people in the crowd that knew of what he looked like. Ganondorf's gaze was still enough to make anyone in his way walk to the side. In this moment, Ganondorf almost felt the rage overcome him. So many eyes from so many people, judging him. He could've turned the whole Main Plaza into a bloodbath if it weren't for Hilda who was in his arms. For some reason, she emanated an energy that kept his dark thoughts at ease. He walked through the gates of Castle Town out to the horse stable outside. He whistled with his fingers and then a large horse much bigger than any other horse the party had seen appeared before Ganondorf. Ganondorf put his hand on the horse's head. "Phantom. It is so good to see you again." Poump was surprised by Ganondorf's rather humanly approach to this horse. Ganondorf got onto his horse. "I must ride for the Great Plateau. Tonight." Ganondorf said to the others.
Poump still didn't like seeing Hilda with the Gerudo Man. "We will ride with you, but you must give me Hilda."
"No, I can't. She belongs with me." Ganondorf replied.
Poump understandably looked at Ganondorf. "Okay then, as long as you don't hurt her."
Uten quickly spoke up. "Wait, can you wait for us to buy a few things here in Castle Town?" She asked.
"I cannot wait. I must ride for the Great Plateau as soon as I possibly can." Ganondorf said to Uten.
Zhago looked at Uten. "Looks like we have to play by his rules for now." Uten nodded her head in defeat and the party saddled up onto their horses. They all seemed to be hesitant towards accepting Ganondorf, except for Tipa. The party rode their horses into the moon-lit Hyrule Field towards the Great Plateau, with the Demon King himself leading the way.