A.N.: So I got a new computer, which kills because I used to have Windows and now I have a Mac. It's a pain in the butt to relearn all the buttons and stuff...so the going's slow here. I'll try to keep these coming.

Chapter 2: The Ship's Captain

A few flicks with the Wind Waker and both Link and Vaati were dry and ready to meet the owners of the pirate ship. Vaati led the way and stormed towards the ship, going so far as to change the wind's direction to blow from behind him so the pirates would have trouble keeping their eyes open. He claimed it had the effect of making him look more intimidating. Link looked skyward and said nothing. The boy in green didn't bother pointing out that their short stature was a severe handicap in appearing scary.

The mage hopped onto the ship while Link watched from the top of the cliff. Vaati gave two brisk knocks on the cabin door. "Open up, we have a few questions."

The door slammed open revealing a bulky pirate with a weatherworn dark green shirt. His nose was sunburned a raw red, and though his mouth appeared fixed in a perpetual frown, Vaati could see the man was panic-stricken. "We're busy now, yeah? Come back another time if you want us to mug your stuff."

Vaati stuck out his foot and kept the man from closing the door. "Hold there. I have a question, and depending on your answer, I'll ask you for your ship. I won't let you refuse."

The pirate was now genuinely upset. "Now look here, I don't appreciate your attitude. If you don't leave now, brat, I'll chuck you off this ship."

"Tsk, you shouldn't have called me that." Vaati twirled the Wind Waker and sent a powerful blast of wind towards the pirate, knocking him backwards. "Here's the question. Where are we?"

The pirate remained speechless for several seconds until Vaati's cold glare made him quickly find his voice. "Er, this is Windfall Island," the man stopped as Vaati held up his hand.

"The name doesn't really matter. How far are we from Hyrule?"

The pirate became cautious at the mention of Hyrule, and stated carefully, "Hyrule doesn't exist anymore, yeah? That's in the old kiddie stories." He suddenly gasped as he noticed the Wind Waker in Vaati's hand. The pirate fell back and pointed a shaking finger at the baton. "That…that…that…Kid! That's th –"

Vaati interrupted him with another gale from the Wind Waker. "Show some respect, fool. Never call me that again." The mage looked down his nose at the still stuttering pirate. "Well, since you do not know where Hyrule is, I'll be taking this ship from you. Oh, and some of your crew. I'll need men to run this ship." He signaled to Link to come over, and took a quick glance at the gathering group of pirates who had come to see what the commotion was about. "I'll also like a word with your captain."

"Ki…I mean, Sir! That's Link's wind changing baton! Where's Link? We need his help to find Miss Tetra!" The pirate on the floor interjected. He noticed Link behind Vaati and suddenly jumped onto his feet. "Link! What happened to you? You disappeared into thin air with Miss Tetra! Is Miss Tetra with you? We're all worried for the captain, yeah?"

Vaati turned to Link who was shaking his head, and then addressed the pirate. "So you know Link? I'm afraid he doesn't remember a thing. Give us the ship, then we'll listen."

The pirate caught Vaati by surprise when he began to bawl. "Please, please! Help us find Miss Tetra!" The mage sniffed in disgust as he shifted his attention away from the crying, hysterical pirate.

Vaati held up the Wind Waker, warning the other startled pirates away. "Stay there. I need to talk privately with Link."

XXXXXXXX

Link leaned against the mast and eyed the gloating mage. "What did you do over there? You had a grown man crying," he said with disapproval.

"Only doing what I do best," replied Vaati. "And they apparently don't have a captain anymore since this 'Tetra' is gone. We've got ourselves a ship, boy."

Link sighed. "Why do you always have to use intimidation to get anything?"

"Because it works, fool." Vaati abruptly turned serious. "I'm curious about one thing the pirate said, though. He mentioned you disappeared at the same time as Tetra. You probably disappeared because of the replacement process that occurs whenever we move to a different time period. I don't know why the same fate would befall Tetra…unless…" he glanced sharply to Link's hand that had the Triforce. Link followed his gaze and understanding dawned on him.

"No…that means Tetra is Zelda, and these pirates know something…Oof!"

Link was suddenly interrupted by a short buck-toothed pirate that had run up and given him a tight hug. "Link! My swabbie! I thought you'd died!" The pirate looked him up and down. "Gonzo told me you don't remember anything, but that's all right. You were the best swabbie I've ever had! Um…the only swabbie I've ever had," he added aside, "but still the best! I'm Niko. Don't forget this time, ok? Miss Zelda wouldn't be too happy you'd forgotten everything, but I'm a nice pirate so I won't get mad if you slip up now and then." Niko walked around Link a few times before coming to a stop in front of Vaati with his hands on his side. "Who are you? Link, is this your swabbie? Does that mean I have two swabbies now?" Niko's eyes were hopeful.

Vaati gave Niko a nasty smile. "Hmph. I happen to be in a good mood right now so I'll spare you, shrimp. Next time, you'll address me as Captain. You also mentioned the name Zelda. How do you come to know her?"

Link made a face. "Captain?"

Niko had a similar reaction. "Whaaaaaat? Captain? But Miss Zelda was –"

"NIKO! You know Miss Tetra hates being called that!" The red-nosed pirate who had been crying, Gonzo, came running up to them. His eyes were still a bit puffy from his previous outburst. "And who are you to take Miss Tetra's title?" he added.

Vaati whirled around and snarled, causing Link and the two pirates to hurry a few paces away from him. "I claim possession of this ship. Anyone who opposes will answer me!" He stomped over to Gonzo who was watching Vaati's Wind Waker uneasily. "You! Get all the crew together. I need explanations! Especially about Zelda!"

Gonzo held up his hands in defense. "Whoa, whoa, calm down…Captain. I'll bring everyone up here now, yeah?" He ran away to the cabin at a speed that was pretty fast for someone his size. Vaati followed the retreating pirate slowly back to the cabin, and Niko looked after the menacing figure in amazement.

"Wow, Link. I can't imagine what life must've been like with Mr. Temperamental."

"I don't even know how I'm still standing at all," Link said, as he shook his head. "He was a bit better before I gave him the Wind Waker. Now he thinks he's unstoppable."

Niko's jaw dropped. "You gave it to him?"

Link brushed some loose strands of hair away from his face. "Actually, it was more like he took it from me." He waved a hand over to the small pirate. "Come on, before Vaati blows us up for being late."

XXXXXXXXX

There were only six pirates in all: three tall ones and three short ones. Besides Gonzo and Niko were Senza, a muscular bearded pirate who managed the catapult, Nudge, a pirate who had helped Miss Tetra in decision making, Mako, a pirate who never let go of his book and had the habit of holding his cracked glasses with his right hand, and Zuko, the ship's watchman who rarely spoke more than three words in a row. They listened to Link's story of chasing Ganondorf and the flooding of Hyrule with interest.

"So Ganny's come back?" Niko asked after Link was finished. Link nodded affirmative.

Mako tweaked his glasses, "That kind of explains the return of the bird, then."

Vaati narrowed his eyes. "What bird?"

"A great big bird terrorized the sea just a while ago. Turned out it was Ganondorf's, yup. I believe the people called it the Helmaroc King…Link defeated it…but it's returned somehow." Mako tilted his head towards the other pirates. "It reappeared at the same time Miss Tetra and Link vanished…right, brothers?"

Gonzo waved his hands in the air, "Yeah! It just poofed into existence right above our ship when we found out Miss Tetra and Link had gone. It was crazy! I heard this loud screech and I looked up and I see this enormous bird flying away. Scared me, sure did."

Link and Vaati exchanged glances. Vaati grumbled under his breath, "So future Ganon even took away my pet. Link…?"

"Yeah, how could I forget? The freaking large bird at the Tower of Flames? That one was a pain in the ass to beat Vaati. Thanks a lot."

Vaati huffed, and then addressed the crew. "All right everyone. We're going to hunt down the Helmaroc King. It might give us some insight on the whereabouts of Ganondorf and the princess." He looked from one pirate to the next as the room fell in silence.

Senza began to laugh, and everyone turned to look at him. "Vaati, was it? You really think we'll follow your orders?"

Gonzo and Niko tried to shush him. "Stop it Senza, he's really scary when he's angry," Niko whispered in his ear. Gonzo kept throwing apologetic glances towards the mage who had stood up with his hands down flat on the table they were sitting at.

"Don't worry, Captain. I'm sure Senza and the rest of the boys will see sense soon."

Vaati continued to glare. Gonzo gulped.

"Or, um, Captain, can I say a thought that just came to mind? I'm just a lowly swabbie and my ideas will never be as good as yours, but how about we all go out to town tonight to get something to eat? A last meal before we go out and face the rough seas. Get to know each other at the bar, yeah? There's nothing like a round of drinks that'll get people together tight like." Gonzo nervously watched Vaati's unreadable face.

Seconds ticked by while the six pirates waited for Vaati's answer. Finally, Vaati moved away to the door. "Do what you want. I could care less." The pirates cheered.

"All right! Link, you're doing gate duty because you're my swabbie." Niko said as he joined the celebrating pirates.

"What? Why can't I go?"

"Because you're my swabbie!"

"Wait a minute, Niko. You have to stay here with Link," Gonzo said as he pushed the little pirate towards Link. "You're underage to go to the bar."

Niko was shocked. "But…but I've always wanted to go."

"We can only take ya if you're old enough. You're not, yeah? Stay put with Link. He's underage too."

Niko pouted and went over to Link to discuss how unfair the pirate hierarchy was.

Suddenly, Vaati halted in his tracks as he realized something. He would have to choose between staying on the ship doing guard duty with Niko and Link or going to the bar with the pirates. Ha, that wasn't difficult. "Crew, I'm going to the bar."

The cheering stopped.

Vaati gave a malicious grin. "Surely the Captain could enjoy a few drinks? And of course the crew will take care of expenses." The mage turned on his heel and laughed as he went out the door. Link put a hand on Niko's shoulder.

"See? Gate duty isn't that bad."

Niko nodded wordlessly.

OXXXXXXXXXXO

H-bomber: Maybe just a tad much (sweatdrop). Glad you like it :D

Reily96: Well, you've all been pretty nice about this story with criticism where needed (thanks!) :). I haven't been on here long enough to experience the flames of wrath...eep.
Oooh, let me know if you do them! I can do Vaati, but when it comes to Link I'm miserable. I doodled the slingshot scene and then gave up when I got to Link :P.

xX-Dea-Of-Letum-Xx: I'll try really really hard to keep this up. Thanks for the support!

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