Chapter 17: Easy Kills and Foolish Tyrants
Rain was pouring on the once dry desert. Link's foot would sink into the wet sand every step. Link was thankful for having all of the monsters off fighting Hyrule's Army, and not there fighting him in the drenched sand.
Link came across the soul survivors of the Gerudo Thieves, huddled together in the rain with nothing to hide under. They were scarred from the immense torture they have received; and their facial expressions could make a funeral a cheerful ceremony. A pile of swords laid ten feet away from the Gerudo's, just passed the length of the chains they were restrained in. Some of the Gerudoes had blood coming from their wrists, where the clamps from the chains clasped.
Link approached the suffering Gerudoes to release them of this torture.
"Does anyone know where I can find the key to releasing you?" asked Link.
One Gerudo, with a black eye and an arrow protruding from her thigh answered, "Over there." The Gerudo pointed at the fortress. "There is a crystal, if you hit it hard enough, it will release these binds."
Link ran across to the crystal and swung his sword at it. A clink vibrated through the air as all of the restraints released the Gerudoes.
"I'm sorry I couldn't get here sooner," said Link. "But I had to wait till we could distract their army in order for me to sneak in."
"Better late than never," replied the same injured Gerudo, grabbing for a sword. "I'm just a little sad that I didn't get to kill any more of those monsters."
"Well, you just might get to kill some," said Link. "We need you and the rest of your people to go out and block off the entrance of Gerudo Valley."
The wounded Gerudo reached for the arrow in her thigh and slowly pulled it out, gritting her teeth from the pain. "I am not the leader; she died while fighting off those three monsters. I'll go there, but I can't make them go."
"You don't have anyone else who could lead you?" asked Link.
"Not at this time," replied the Gerudo. "My name is Samantha, but I prefer you to call me Sam."
"Alright, will anybody else join Sam at the entrance to Gerudo Valley to block off the Dark Army?" asked Link.
A calamity of noise arose from the group of Gerudoes as they went into discussion. A few moments later, Sam approached Link with an answer. "We'll do it. I can't guarantee that we'll be able to hold them off, but we'll do our best."
"Thanks," replied Link. He turned his gaze towards the top of the fortress. "I have to fight four more times."
"We've heard stories about you," said Sam. "Our leader was a great fighter and didn't stand a chance against them, but you were able to bring them to death's doorstep."
"Well, bringing them there isn't enough, I have to introduce them," replied Link calmly. "By the way, do you know who their leader is?"
"Yes," replied Sam. "He's one of us…a Gerudo."
"Okay, he's a Gerudo," said Link, trying to get Sam to continue. "What's his name?"
"Ganondorf," said all of the Gerudoes in unison in a grim tone, as though the word was poison.
"I've heard of him," replied Link. "He should be pretty old by now, and easily beaten."
"Yes he is quite old, but that doesn't mean you can kill him," said Sam. "Only if you manage to shatter the Triforce of Power; that is the only thing that keeps him alive now. Break that and you'll be able to kill him with one blow."
"How will I find it?" asked Link.
"Wait for him to summon the Triforce, then break his piece before it joins with Courage and Wisdom," said Sam. "He'll only summon it if you kill the Dark Trio, or they kill you."
Link nodded, and then headed for the door to the fortress. Right before he pushed open the large, black metal doors, Link stopped and thought of all the times he was pushed around by Rick and his gang. All of the times people disrespected him, and made him feel like he was unimportant. Link also thought of what occurred these past few weeks. He's met interesting people, lost his parents and Navi, all because of this one man.
Link pushed the large doors open, and walked into the fortress. It wasn't what Link thought it would be though. He was expecting it to be filled with intricate passageways, and traps, but instead it was one incredibly large room. The room wasn't terribly dark, or bright, but a rather dim room. The floors and walls were made of a black stone, which was damp from the precipitation outside.
In the far end of the room, Link saw Zelda, strapped to the floor by chains. Standing behind her, was Rick, Jason and Brick, all of them holding their weapons at the ready. Ganondorf came into view, this time fully visible to Link. He wore black armor, with a red cape behind him. His hair was white, and his face was wrinkled.
"So great of you to join us today," said Ganondorf with a laugh. "I have a quick question for you."
"What," spat Link, unsheathing his sword and holding his shield in front of him.
"Do you really think that forming a small army of your own would be enough to stop my army?" Ganondorf began to chuckle.
"Actually, no," replied Link with a small chuckle of his own. "It was just a little something that would distract you while I sneak in here to kill you."
Ganondorf's laughter subsided, "Pretty brave…pretty brave. As you can tell, I'm an old man. That's why I had to get these three boys to work for me. Though I am immortal, I want something more; I want to rule all of Hyrule. I've tried many times to gain control, but there was always some little urchin in my way. But there was always only ONE urchin in my way. I knew that one wouldn't be able to fight hundreds of monsters. So I create an army. But what does the next urchin do, he convinces the races of Hyrule to stand up and fight me. But that won't do them any good when you're dead, because I'll return and the Dark Trio will be able to stop them."
Link rolled his eyes, "How did you make the Dark Triforce?"
"I took small chips off the Triforce of Power, and added dark magic to the shards," replied Ganondorf. "The Dark Triforce has the ability to enhance one's abilities. Rick with his speed, Brick with is strength, and Rick has gained all of the abilities. And soon to be added to the mix, your child. I'll raise them as if they were my own, and together, with your child at my side, no warrior will dare fight me."
"Don't count your Cuccos yet," retorted Link. "The Gerudoes block the entrance to this valley, and my army is forcing your army to Lake Hylia where the Zoras will drown them."
Ganondorf gave Link a cold glare, and then snapped his fingers.
Jason quickly shot an arrow at Link, which he blocked with his sword. Rick and Brick went around and surrounded Link.
"I'm gonna enjoy killing you," laughed Rick sadistically.
"Why did you hate me so much?" asked Link.
"Because you were the only one who ever stood up to me," shot Rick. "No matter how bad we pummeled you, you always stood up to me."
"That's a stupid reason to hate someone," spat Link, shaking his head.
"Don't forget, they are powered by the greatest evil in all of Hyrule," said Ganondorf.
Link charged at Brick with full speed, jumping into the air and pointing his sword down so he would land right on Brick's head, piercing his skull with the blade of evil's bane.
"One down, two to go," said Link as he removed the sword from Brick.
Brick's body began to glow a luminescent purple, then shot at Ganondorf where he absorbed it. Ganondorf's body began to bulk up and his hair changed to a red color.
Jason charged at Link with his sword. Link preformed one back flip away form Jason, and hurled the Master Sword at Jason. Jason fell to the ground, the sword piercing his forehead. He began to glow a luminescent purple as well and was absorbed into Ganondorf in the same fashion.
Ganondorf bulked up once again, his hair becoming a brighter red.
"They were easy," mocked Link, breathing heavily. "You shouldn't be too much harder."
Rick leapt at Link at blinding speed, swinging his swords. Link blocked with his shield, but it was no match for Rick's razor-sharp blades. His shield was sliced into several pieces that fell to the floor. Link was now left with the Master Sword.
"Hahahaha," laughed Rick. "Are you amazed at the power of my blades?"
Link ignored the question as he swung his sword with all his might at Rick. Rick blocked the attack with one sword, which was easily broken by the Master Sword.
"I wouldn't say you have blades," mocked Link. "More like blade, because you only have one."
Rick's eyes burned with rage, his face turned a dark red. He removed his black cloak, and pointed his sword at Link. "That smart ass mouth of yours will be the death of you!"
Rick went into a frenzy, swinging his sword wildly at Link. Link was able to block most of the blows with his sword, but some struck his arms and legs.
Rick's eyes gleamed with a dark red as he unleashed his fury upon Link, swinging his sword at a speed so fast, it appeared to be a metallic blur. For minutes, Link withstood this onslaught, until Rick stopped from exhaustion.
"LINK!" screamed Zelda. "Think of the times he's pushed you around! Remember that he killed your parents!"
It was now Link's turn to have a raging attack of his own. He swung the Master Sword at an equal speed to Rick, but with twice the force. Rick was not quick enough to block many of Link's attacks, receiving several blows all over his body. The sacred blade seared Rick's skin.
"Aaaahhh," screamed Rick in pain, as he fell to the floor.
"Why have you and your friends been so easy to kill?" asked Link, as he stood above Rick preparing to strike the final blow.
"I-I dunno," replied Rick. "Just please…d-don't kill me!"
"Too late!" shouted Link as he dealt the finishing blow to Rick.
Rick began to glow and was absorbed into Ganondorf, who bulked up once again.
"The answer to your question was, that I felt it was necessary for me to remove them of their power," said Ganondorf. "It would return me of my youth and my strength. Brick and Jason, you were able to take out with them at full strength and when you killed them, I absorbed naturally. When I felt what it was like to have my power back, I wanted more…I wanted my youth. I did not know just how much power they were able to give me until now."
"You are a moron!" shouted Link. "Y-you weren't able to win before, so what makes you think you could now?"
Ganondorf ran towards Link with unprecedented speed, and punched Link in the stomach with his insurmountable strength. Link flew back fifty feet before he crashed to the floor, gasping to regain the wind that was knocked out of him.
"I am much stronger than I ever was before!" said Ganondorf. "With the Dark Trio's abilities, I am faster and stronger than ever! I now see that I don't need them for protection. And when I am through with you, I won't need your child either."
Link charged at Ganondorf, and swung his sword at him with, but Ganondorf vanished from sight before the blade could make contact.
Ganondorf appeared behind Link, where he planted a round-house kick to his head. Link flew sixty feet this time before he crashed to the floor and rolled another ten feet. Link moaned as he struggled to get up, blood streaming down his face and neck.
"This is too easy, can't you try any harder?" mocked Ganondorf.
Link sheathed the Master Sword, and pulled out his bow and arrows.
"Ah, so you think you could hit me with an arrow?" mocked Ganondorf.
Link ignored this, and prepared a Light Arrow and aimed it for Ganondorf.
Ganondorf began to teleport around the room, trying to avoid the arrow Link had ready. But Link didn't release the arrow; he only stood there, aiming at Ganondorf as he shot across the room.
"Why do you only stand there boy?" asked Ganondorf puzzled, letting down his guard.
Link used this chance while Ganondorf stood there to fire the arrow at him. Ganondorf did not have any time to react and was struck in the chest by the mighty arrow. Link sprinted at Ganondorf while he was stunned from the attack, and stuck him multiple times with the Master Sword. Ganondorf began to fly backwards from the force of Link's attacks. Thinking quickly, Link pulled out his hookshot and fired it at Ganondorf, connecting it with his shoulder. Ganondorf was pulled back towards Link, who had the Master Sword ready for a stab. The sacred blade pierced Ganondorf's abdomen.
"You fight well boy," complimented Ganondorf. "But you are no match for what is next to come."
Ganondorf kicked Link away from him, and pulled out the Master Sword, throwing it to the floor. Ganondorf began to glow a bright red, his body changing form. Ganondorf was no longer shaped like a man, but an extremely large pig-beast. Link stood in awe as Ganondorf transformed into Ganon.
"I am Ganon, King of Evil!" bellowed Ganon with confidence.
Ganon stood fifteen feet tall, and had dark blue skin. Large tusks protruded from his mouth, almost giving him the appearance of a bulldog with a very large over-bite.
Ganon reached towards Link, picking him up in his enormous hands. He squeezed Link with incredible strength. "You will surrender your piece of the Triforce to me!"
Meanwhile, Dominic and the Chief were fighting incredibly well. Only suffering a few losses, their army was pushing the Dark Army back. Soon Ganondorf's Army began to retreat for Gerudo Valley, only to be cut off by several very angry Gerudoes.
Along with the Gerudoes, and Hyrule's Army, the Dark Army's only escape was for Lake Hylia. The remaining monsters fled for the lake, unaware of what awaited them in the watery depths of the lake.
Within minutes, the remaining Moblins and Dark Nuts where blocked off from escape. The Gorons, Hylians and Kokiri, blocking them off from escaping Lake Hylia, and frigid water behind them, they were unaware that the Zoras were preparing to pull them in.
"ALRIGHT EVERYONE!" screamed the Chief. "WE HAVE THESE BASTARDS WHERE WE WANT THEM, LETS PUSH THEM BACK FARTHER SO THE ZORAS CAN GET A GOOD GRAB AT THEM!"
Gorons, Hylians, Kokiri and even the Gerudo joined in to push the monsters back farther. The remaining monsters were now in the water, screaming as hundreds of Zoras leapt out of the water, attacking them and pulling them into Lake Hylia. The monsters screamed in fright as they were drowned.
"WE'VE DONE IT!" cheered Dominic. "WE'VE DESTROYED THE ENTIRE ARMY!"
The remains of Hyrule's army began to cheer as they watched the monsters being pulled out into the lake.
"I wonder how Link is faring," thought Dominic.
"Give me your piece of the Triforce!" demanded Ganon.
Ganon squeezed Link with his enormous fist. Link winced in the pain, and a golden triangle appeared above him.
A sinister grin grew on Ganon's face as he watched the sacred relic float in the air. Ganon turned to Zelda, and glared at her. By some magic, the Triforce of Wisdom was forced out of her, and it joined the Piece of Courage in the air.
Ganon dropped Link, and released his piece of the Triforce.
Link, unable to stand, pulled out his bow, and aimed an arrow at Ganon's piece as it floated towards the other two pieces.
"Say good-bye!" screamed Link, releasing a Light Arrow at the Piece of Power.
Ganon didn't have any time to react. He watched that which had kept him alive for so long shatter as the arrow flew through the air.
"NO!" screamed Ganon. "I-I was this close! And….and I lost! Once a piece of the Triforce is broken, its shards are spread across the land!" Ganon began to glow with an intense light. "So this is the end? I have finally been defeated entirely."
Link struggled to get on his feet, and he ran as fast as he could for Zelda.
"How do I break these chains?" asked Link, looking around the room frantically.
"Get the Master Sword and break them!" replied Zelda.
Link ran over to where the sword lay, and brought it over to Zelda. With all his remaining strength, Link cut the chains, freeing Zelda of her restraints. "C'mon! We gotta get out of here quick!"
Zelda did not hesitate. She quickly got to her feet, and ran side-by-side with Link to the exit of Ganon's Fortress, their pieces of the Triforce following them along the way.
They barely made it out the door when Ganon said his last words, "DON'T THINK THIS IS THE LAST OF ME! MY BLOOD WILL GO ON!"
At that, Ganon exploded with such a force, that the warriors at Lake Hylia could see the rubble of the fortress flying through the air. The explosion sent Link and Zelda flying through the air for several seconds before they landed in the drenched sand.
"It's finally over," gasped Link before he passed out.
"Yes…it is," replied Zelda, as she passed out as well.