"Craaaaaaaaaaaaaaaap!"

Link yelled out her personal feelings on the matter of sliding down a garbage chute into a prison garbage dump after a garbage day in what was quickly turning into a garbage life.

"WOOOOOHOOOO!"

Don on the other hand, seemed to be having fun. Link heard his voice from about twenty feet behind her. She was just starting to wonder how long the chute and how far below the dump was when she heard Don call out from behind her.

"Don't forget, tuck and roll when you hit the bottom!"

That was just at the point when Link finally saw a speck of light at the bottom of the chute.

"Wait, what are we gonna land in?" Link yelled backwards as the light got closer.

"Something wet, foul, and downright nasty!" Don called forward, sounding like he was laughing with glee.

Link grimaced as she prepared herself. She straightened herself as best she could on the slippery, slime-covered slide. She braced her arms and legs against the sides to try to slow herself down as the light rapidly became large and she found herself flying through the air towards a pool of dark green sludge dotted with piles of garbage. Link hit the ground roughly and did her best to deflect the impact by rolling like Don suggested. While that did wonders for saving her legs from being broken, she now smelled wonderfully like sewage-soaked fecal matter that had been left to rot for weeks on end.

"Oh Goddesses…" Link moaned as she stood up, sewage dripping off of her. "Don, please tell me you have a spell to clean us off."

Rubbing the slime out of her hair, Link looked around.

"Don?"

The Gerudo rogue wasn't among the sludge and slime with Link.

"Yes I do fair lady."

His voice oddly came from above. Looking up Link saw Don floating on a sort of dust cloud just outside the chute's exit, not a stinking stain on him.

"Why couldn't you levitate me too?!" She asked, full of anger and frustration at being covered in filth.

"Sorry, I got magic, but it's not powerful enough to make us both float at the same time." He said with a chuckle as he landed on a taller pile of garbage gently. "My powers are only enough for tricks and gimmicks."

Link was quiet for a second as she glared at Don for a moment. Suddenly she flung some goop that was clinging to her hand and hit Don square in the face.

"Fine, I forgive you." Link said as she watched Don try to wipe the sludge off, cursing while he did. She chuckled as Don silently glared at her.

After a moment, he shrugged. "Fair enough…"

Link chuckled that Don accepted her punishment for him. Looking around she started to trudge towards Don.

"Can we get out of this, forgive my language, SHITHOLE, already?"

Nodding, Don began to lead the way, guiding Link through the piles of garbage and out of the garbage dump. As they got to the edge Link noticed trees here and there. They were all dead, being smothered by trash, but as the sludge and garbage piles shrank, the trees started looking more alive and clustered together. After a few minutes of walking, they were officially out of the garbage and in a forest. At this point, Don casted the spell to clean them of the garbage, making it all slide off of them.

Looking up through a break in the canopy, Link looked up at the prison she just escaped. It was a tall, monstrous looking tower.

"You were on the top floor."

"Is that special?" Link asked, when Don noticed that she had stopped.

"While the prison is in fact full of dangerous people, murderers, thieves and the like, the top floor is reserved for people whose actions 'oppose the will of Lord Fangor'."

"Oppose?"

"Political prisoners and dissidents. Basically, good people. "

Link frowned, her brow furrowed in thought.

"And, purely because of this stupid birthmark, I was chosen to be saved out of all those people?"

Link's voice carried just a hint of indignation. Don seemed to understand Link's feelings.

"Getting anybody out of that prison was a once in a lifetime deal. Now that you've escaped, out of their maximum security wing and more, without raising an alarm at that, I'll never be able to just sneak in and break someone out again. Before I got news of your arrival, I was in the middle of planning to break out a politician with powerful friends. Do you want to know why I chose you over him?"

For the first time since she met him, Don had a look of frustration on his face.

"Because I'm a 'genuine fairy tale hero', right?" Link asked, with more than a little bit of sarcasm in her voice.

"No, that's why Fangor kidnapped you. I broke you out because Fangor is more scared of you than the old fart I was gonna save. And right now, Fangor's getting the news of your escape."

A malicious grin spread across Don's face that made Link take a step back.

"And right now, Fangor's crapping his pants in fear of you."

"But why is he afraid of me?"

"Because over the many thousands of years of Hyrule's history, a boy of tremendous courage is always born to save the land from the evils that plague it. And every time he is born, he bears the mark of the Tri-Force."

"The Tri- THAT'S JUST A FAIRY TALE TOO!"

"No it's not. I don't know for certain about this whole hero bit, but I know for sure about the Tri-Force."

Link went silent at this. Of all the fairy tales she'd heard as a child, the Tri-Force was the most unbelievable of all. In its story it was forged by the Goddesses Naryu, Din, and Farore, and was supposedly capable of granting any wish. She had thought that if such a thing existed, its power would drive the greediest of men to fight over it. And indeed, most stories about it told of wars fought over it.

"How can you be certain?" She asked warily.

"Because Fangor has the Tri-Force of Power. It's the reason he's such a powerful Warlock. It's the reason his blood is so potent with raw power that it corrupts the people injected with it into goblins and horrifying monsters."

"How do you know that he has it?" Link asked, a bit more insistently. She realized that Don still hadn't mentioned something important.

"Because I watched him acquire it." Don said with a tone of finality. "I was there when he broke the seal on an ancient tomb and a pig-monster phantom possessed him. I saw the same mark on your hand appear on his, and I saw it glow. I fled then, out of an instinct I didn't understand at the time. After that I only heard the screams of my friends dying as Fangor's voiced yelled about how the Power was his, and his alone. After that Fangor changed, he became power-hungry. He quickly used trickery and guile and rose to leadership of Ordon, somehow discovered that ancient ruin, and changed the city into New Hylia."

Link was quiet for a moment as she contemplated what Don told her. Seeming to understand her need to think, Don also went quiet as he continued to lead their way through the woods.

"Where was this ancient ruin?" Link asked trying to sort various details out in her head.

"Not far from here. It's deep within Faron Woods."

"If it's deep within the woods, how can it not be far from here, aren't we in New Hylia?"

"Technically, yes. Ordon was on the edge of Faron Woods and when Fangor took over, New Hylia started expanding. Fangor is attached to the ruins, which he uses to justify his religious crap. He doesn't want people finding it though so it's kept guarded. However, it's conveniently located in a part of the woods commonly called the Lost Woods. Normally if anyone tries to walk through these woods…they're kind of never seen again."

"I'm probably not going to like it…but what is this neck of the woods called?"

"It's commonly called the Lost Woods." Don said, chuckling.

"I assume the Lost Woods surround the prison to prevent any escaping criminals from surviving, right?"

"Exactly!"

"Oh my Goddesses…if people don't leave these woods, how the heck are we supposed to survive?"

"Because for some reason, I have no trouble navigating these woods. As long as you stick with me, you'll be fine."

"Convenient." Link commented. She followed Don in silence again, for a time while she thought. In the middle of her thinking though, she thought she saw something out of the corner of her eye. "What the-"

"Hm?"

"I thought I just saw something."

"Oh, what'd you see?" Don stopped and turned to look at Link.

"It looked like a child…"

"A child? Oh! Where, where did you see it? Did it have a fairy?" A look of manic excitement came over him.

"It was that way, and no, I didn't see a fairy or anything."

Don sprinted off in the direction Link pointed without a word. Link scrambled to keep up with him, his earlier words of people disappearing forever hanging heavy in her mind.

"W-wait! What's your problem?!"

"That was a Kokiri! If you really saw a child, dressed in green, with a fairy companion, then you saw a mythical Kokiri!" Don called back.

"But it wasn't dressed in green!"

Don skidded to a stop and turned to Link, panting, and looking more than a little frustrated.

"Tell me exactly what it looked like."

Link's brow furrowed as she tried to remember every detail.

"I…its outfit wasn't green. There were green bits but it was mostly a brown straw outfit, with a conical hat and…"

"And?"

"And a skull mask…"

Link paused and watched as Don's expression switched from confused, to thoughtful, to recognition.

"A skull kid."

"A what?"

"A myth related to the Kokiri. Supposedly, the Kokiri lived in a secret part of the Lost Woods, and if the Kokiri left the woods, and got lost, they'd turn into Skull Kids."

"Why did you flip out just now? Do you get a wish or something for catching one?" Link's question was asked sarcastically.

"Heh, no. They're just mythical and haven't been seen for ages. If I got to see it, maybe it could grant me some kind of wisdom or something."

"Wisdom, but they're kids, right?"

"Eternal kids, Kokiri don't age. They may look like ten year olds, but most of them are ancient."

At this point, Link started to feel a headache coming on and started rubbing her forehead.

"Ancient children, skull kids, ancient ruins and ultimate evils…I really am being sucked into a fairy tale, aren't I?"

"Heh, yep. And that's only for starters. According to a friend of mine, if you really are the reincarnation of a reoccurring hero integral to Hyrule's history, you're in for a whole lot more."

Link was quiet for a moment before a quiet whimper of despair came from her.

-o-o-

An hour later Don and Link finally found their way out of the woods. They were standing at the edge looking across a gap of chopped down trees at the walls of New Hylia.

"What're you looking at?" Link asked as she crouched behind a tree with Don.

"The guards. Remember, you're a fugitive from the prison wearing prison clothes. Even if we weren't trying to sneak into the city way past curfew, you'd attract attention."

Link looked down at herself now, for the first time in ages. She was wearing a ragged brown tunic and rucksack pants. She was quite obviously not dressed appropriately and suddenly felt slightly self-conscious.

"So, what's the plan Don? Got some elaborate idea to sneak me into the city?"

"Not really, I was just thinking of running past the guards when they're not looking."

Don shrugged at Link's question as he answered, stooping down and picking up a rock. He measured the weight of the rock for a second before chucking it. Curious, Link watched it arc and hit one of the guards patrolling the wall square in the head. The ringing sound of it hitting was clear and loud.

"Woah, that's one heck of an arm you got Don." Link was saying even as Don grabbed her arm and started pulling her away. Link watched as the other guards on the wall and the ones near the gate all ran over to see what had happened to the guard and assess the situation. There was only one guard left at the gate Link and Don approached who was also looking in the direction of the chaos, mumbling to himself about wanting to see. As Don and Link sprinted up, the guard barely had time to turn and look surprised when Don's fist connected with his cheek, knocking him down and out.

As Link stepped over the unconscious guard she noted the fact that he was Hylian, not one of the goblin guards. She noted to herself to ask about that when they had the chance.

They ran through the streets for some time, sticking to the dark alleys where they wouldn't be seen, despite a few close calls. Eventually they came up on a tavern with an odd sign hanging over the door of a horned man with a huge white beard. Link didn't understand the reference, since she was only familiar with Lanaryu Province, not a person. Don guided her not to the front entrance, but the back, sneaking them both into the cellar and down some stairs into a dark place. Holding onto one of Don's straps, she nearly bumped into him in the darkness when he stopped and knocked on a door.

A rectangular light appeared for a second until a set of eyes blocked it off.

"Password."

"It's me, Don. I got the girl now lemme in."

"C'mon man, you know the rules. Password."

"Ugh…." Don groaned and rubbed his forehead, glancing back at Link for a moment before whispering, "Harder than a Goron's left testicle."

"Hehe, alright buddy, c'mon in."

The door swung open as Link giggled at the silly password Don had been forced to say.

"I'm gonna kill her if she keeps making up these stupid passwords."

"Who?" Link asked, trying to stop her giggling after Don gave her a sour look.

"You'll see soon enough." Don said with a sigh as he entered and stretched. He punched the person who was holding the door open lightly in the shoulder. "I hate you, Mutoh"

"Hehehe, sorry Don."

Link looked up at the broad-chested man chuckling at Don. He looked good-natured and had the body of a man who understood what hard labor was. Turning to look at her, Mutoh nodded in greeting and held out his hand.

"Nice to see ya m'lady. I hear you're someone important."

"Thanks." Link said, giving the man's hand a good squeeze.

"Ooh, lassie's got a grip. How does a nice girl like you get a hand like that?"

"By working day and night to become one of the Royal Knights."

A snort of laughter came from the man, making Link narrow her eyes.

"A tiny lass like you, a Royal Knight? Never heard o'such a thing."

"If I hadn't been kidnapped I'd be in the army right now." Link was acting defiant now. She always became like this when someone gave her this reaction, that a woman trying to join the army was silly.

"Oh, so you're not in the army. Didn't think so. Haha!"

At this point Don had turned back and realized what was about to happen and was trying to stop Mutoh.

"Hey, Mutoh, you should probably shut up now." Don's voice had a nervous edge to it.

"I had an officer say she'd be a reference for me getting in. I'm serious." Link poked Mutoh in the chest to try and make her point more forcefully.

"Hehe. Really lass, if you were about to join the army, then I got a wager for yeh." Mutoh said with a sly grin on his face.

"You're on." Link said without hesitation, causing Don to once again place his face in his palm.

"Don't be in a rush to agree."

"No, whatever it is, I can do it."

With a shrug and a chuckle, Mutoh said. "Alright, a round of arm-wrestling."

"Done."

"Ah, but the wager, if I win, you, pretty girl, have to give me a kiss full on the lips."

"I-what?!" Link drew back in disgust.

"Hahaha!" Mutoh laughed triumphantly. "Told ya lassie. Haha!"

Link gritted her teeth and stood back up to him, defiant look back.

"You're. On."

Mutoh looked most bemused that Link hadn't backed down.

"Uh, this is nice and all, but Link needs to-"

"She'll see my daughter soon enough. She's made a man's wager after all, she needs to complete it, and suffer the consequences." Mutoh spoke almost menacingly as he took a step to the side, pulled two barrels next to a crate, and sat down on one of the barrels. "Besides, it'll be over quick."

"Yes it will." Link sat down opposite of him and put her right arm on the crate. Mutoh's large hand quickly wrapped around Link's.

"Goddesses damn it, fine." Don said, stepping up and grabbing their joined hands. "Let's make this fair then. On the count of three, I let go. One. Two. Three."

Before Don had let go, Link and Mutoh had already started pressing their hands against each other. When Don's hand pulled away, much to Mutoh's apparent surprise, their hands went in neither direction. In fact, it tipped ever so slightly in Link's favor. Quickly Mutoh put his all into the contest and it held, shaking from the effort, in the middle. An amused chuckled came from Don.

"By. The. Way." Link grunted through her teeth, her eyes almost on fire as she stared at Mutoh. "In a wager, both sides have to offer something to the winner."

They tipped an inch in Link's favor.

"Since you made a kiss your prize, you perverted bastard."

Another inch.

"Something like that is extremely precious to a girl."

Two inches from victory.

"My prize."

One more.

"Is you, wearing. A. DRESS!"

Link yells the last word as she slams Mutoh's hand down. Mutoh groans in pain while Don is laughing his ass off. Link is panting and sweating from the immense effort of beating someone of Mutoh's raw strength.

Link watches as Mutoh rubs his sore arm, mumbling about Link cheating.

"No way man. I was watching. She beat you fair and square." Don said, catching his breath from laughing so hard. With a snap of his fingers, a large pink dress weaved itself into existence. "Now, for Link's prize. I think I'll borrow from your wife's wardrobe, if you don't mind."

Link chuckled now as Mutoh stared at the dress in horror. Before he could form the words to say no, Don snapped his fingers again and the dress replaced Mutoh's clothes.

"G-Goddesses dammit Don!"

Link and Don were now both laughing their asses off. Mutoh was covering his face, mortified. But their fun came to a swift end when a voice rang out.

"What in the name of Naryu is going on in here?"

"Anju!" Don and Mutoh cried out at the same time as Link turned to look at the red haired girl standing at the far doorway. Looking back, Link watched Don quickly undo his magic and return Mutoh's clothes to normal. Link turned again to look at this Anju. She had an air about her that said she was the brains of this operation, and she didn't like silly antics.

"Dad. What the hell were you doing in mom's dress."

Mutoh hesitated to answer so Link piped up.

"He lost a bet."

Anju looked at Link quietly.

"This the girl? She have the mark?"

Link raised her hand to show the mark on it.

After a moment of contemplation, Anju asked, "What was the bet?"

"I beat him at arm-wrestling because he thought it was funny I was joining the Royal Knights."

"And you made him wear mom's dress?"

"Hey, he wanted me to kiss him as his prize."

At this Anju smirked finally, the tension leaving the room. Link heard Don and Mutoh beside her audibly let go of the breaths they were holding.

"Figures. Well in that case, well done. C'mon. Time to introduce the gang."

Anju motioned for Link to follow her as she went through the door. Link again glanced at the two men beside her, Don looking relieved and Mutoh looking sour. With a confident grin, Link hurried to follow Anju. Now that she was out of that prison, she felt like things might start looking up.

Author's Commentary

Hi guys, sorry about the delay posting the chapter. But the superstorm that came over the east coast kinda killed my mood for writing the last half of this chapter (blatant excuse for my laziness).

I loved the reviews I got. All three of them. I like getting praise. Also, to ZombieKillerLevi, about Don not dying, I make no promises that any of the characters in my story will survive, not even Link (not done writing the story outline).

Also, the other day I was rereading chapter 3 and I noticed a few grammatical errors, a misplaced question mark and a couple typos. Since I'm doing this myself without an editor or anything, I'd appreciate it if you guys would let me know of any screw-ups you spot in my story.