The Legend of Zelda: Shadow Prince

by The Virtual Warlock

An explosion in Hyrule Castle, fatally wounds the Hero of Twilight. In response to this, Zelda activates a secret intelligence group known as the Queen's Personal Guard to keep an eye on the once peaceful land. But with Ganondorf rising after being immobile for 10 years, a new hero has to be recruited to face him. Enter Colin, the new recipient of the Triforce of Courage.

2. Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

Colin looked at the village below him. After a good day's work, I just want to relax, he thought to himself. I just want to see Beth. Please let my job be over. But he knew it wasn't. "HEEEYYY!" shouted Fado. "Time to round up the goats!" Colin groaned quietly. He mounted Silver and chased after the goats. One thought he had too much of this, and charged into Colin's leg. "OWWWWWWWW!" he shrieked. Fado brought a butcher knife, ran to the goat, and chopped off the goat's circular horn. "Another giant arch for the collection." Colin was still in pain; he knew Fado's discipline for the goats: horn lost = warning, another offense and they die. "Calm down. This won't hurt a bit." He snapped Colin's leg back into place. Colin felt the sharp pain again. "I lied. But the good news is you should be able to move your leg now." Colin lifted his leg up and down a few times. He still felt some pain, but he could easily get over it. "Now, enjoy your day."

"You too." Colin was thinking about Beth. He thought about marrying her on the spot. Absurd. We're not in a relationship yet. Then he saw her. He dismounted and ran up to her. "How is it going?"

"I'm fine. You?"

"Same."

"Let's walk."

As they walked, they talked about the village, and about Malo Mart influence. Malo Mart was competing against Lon Lon Ranch for dominance over the market. Both corporate giants have stolen each others goods, bribed government officials, and nearly destroyed the middle class just to make a profit. Both companies even used red herrings on the road and in the store: one would steal a carriage, drive it to the destination, and unpack the products in the opposing store; some cashiers would add funds to their pockets instead of the cash register, and deliver the funds to the other corporation. Either way, the working class was paying for these leeches. Protesters gathered in front of the stores and demanded that they should be represented and given raises. In return, they were hosed down. Even Ordon had these kinds of struggles, but it was the first to deal with them. Their parents had different plans to deal with this problem, but both promised removal of money from politics.

"HEYYYY!" called out Fado, "The elections are about to start!" Everyone rushed over. "Now this year's candidates are Ilia, Sera, and Rusl. Guys, tell them about your plans for the village." Ilia's speech was short, and the only applause came from Malo and Talo. Fado invited the next candidate to give her speech. Sera stepped up to the podium and said, "Friends, I know that we have been plagued with the presence of a corporation that leeches off of middle class workers." Everyone looked at Malo. "I have a right to express my opinion." "Not as a corporation!" The villagers shouted him down. Sera continued, "I promise to give newcomers a chance, and equate the wages between genders. I will give the middle class a raise from 1 rupee to 3 rupees per hour." Colin thought about his vote, who should he vote for? Sera concluded her speech, and Rusl announced his plan (which was congruent to Sera's) and left the podium. Fado announced, "Time for the election. Write one of the candidate's names down on your slip of paper, then fold it in half and place it in this box." Fado pulled out a cardboard box and placed it on the table. "Take one of these slips," he said. Colin took one and ran over to one corner of the village that wasn't taken by anyone and wrote a candidate's name down, folded it up, and returned to the Mayor's House to place his vote into the box. A few minutes later, Fado counted the votes and declared Rusl the winner. Colin just stared into the distance, thinking about his vote for Sera. No, you made the right decision, he told himself.

In the evening, Colin caught Malo and Talo sneaking out of the village with Ilia. He rushed outside to stop them. "HEY!" he shouted. Talo turned around just as he was about to leave the village. "WHAT?!" he responded. Malo approached Colin. "We simply want to leave before any disasters happen."

"Like what?" said Colin.

"Getting taxed excessively."

"Imagine what other people had to go through when your bribed mayor was in office."

Talo thought about it, and then asked Malo, "Is it true? Did you bribe Bo?"

But before Malo could answer, Rusl called, "NOW!" and Ilia cuffed Malo and Talo. "You can't do this Ilia," said Talo, "YOU of ALL people!" But Ilia didn't listen. She took them away to the Mayor's House. Rusl stayed behind and said to Colin, "Your actions have saved not just this village, but also other villages beyond. I hope you can come to the trial tomorrow." Colin said, "I will, Dad," and entered his own house. The house Colin lived in once belonged to Link, until he left to save Hyrule. He came back once to tell everyone he was marrying Zelda, and left the house to Colin when he was of age. Rusl maintained it until Colin's 18th birthday. Tonight however, was no ordinary night.

Colin was in Hyrule Field. He could see the Castle in front of him, and Faron Woods behind him. He could see Kakariko and Zora villages to his left and right, respectively. The world was beautiful. Suddenly, The Castle exploded, and the Town crumbled to dust. The Woods and Ordon Village were met with the same fate, followed by Kakariko and Zora villages. Then, a loud voice, that could cut a hole into reality, said, "I AM YOUR KING! BOW TO ME!"