CHAPTER SIX: ASCENSION
By the time they reached Hyrule Castle, it was past noon. Zelda followed Link into the throne room, where her father was looking out the window. Seeing them, he turned to greet them. "Why, hello, Zelda, Link!" he said. "It's so nice to see you! What have you been doing these past few days?"
He couldn't remember the first time she and Link had come here, in the first three days. Zelda wasn't too surprised.
At the King's statement, Link chuckled. "Sire, you wouldn't believe us even if we told you." he said. "We bring grave news."
"Oh? What is it?" the King asked.
"Sire...have you noticed the Dragon Star growing closer and closer?"
"Why...yes. It seems very close, this year." the King replied. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say it was going to hit us!"
"It is, Sire." Link said. "The Dragon Star is on a collision course with Hyrule; its path was altered by a dark being known as Majora. Before the sun rises tomorrow morning, it will impact."
Just then, Headmistress Orianis and Caspian walked in – events were happening just as they were before. Zelda noted that Caspian did not look happy to see Link with her, and she took some comfort in the knowledge that, once Link stopped Majora, Caspian would get his comeuppance.
"Is this true?" Delia said. "Is the Dragon Star going to hit us?"
"Not this time." Link said. "We're ready for Majora, now."
"Oh, are you?"
Zelda turned to see the apparition of Majora there, not so surprised to see him. "Been busy, eh, boy?" Majora hissed. "Busy leaping through time? Oh, yes, I'm aware of what you've been doing, slaying my generals. A god should know."
"You're no god." Link snapped. "You're just a worthless mask, Majora." Zelda knew what Link was doing; he was rattling Majora's chain, trying to make him angry.
And it was working.
"SILENCE!!" Majora roared. "I was going to save this for tomorrow morning, but bringing it now works just as well." Then, a dark light engulfed everyone in the room, carrying them away.
The light deposited them all on the Castle's ceremonial tower: a wide, flat stone surface – exactly the kind of battlefield that Zelda knew Link would need to fight Majora. It was now late at night, Majora's unholy powers having warped time ahead. Dawn was only hours away.
It was doomsday's eve.
Majora, controlling Stal's body, floated high in the air above them, with Tael orbiting his head, as he looked up at the Dragon Star, the deadly space-rock coated in a flaming red corona as it began to re-enter the atmosphere. "If it can be stopped...just try and stop it!!" Majora cackled.
Tael flew forward. "Sis!!" he cried.
"Hang on, Tael!" Tatl cried, as she circled Zelda. "Everything will be okay!"
"Tatl, listen!" Tael cried. "Swamp. Mountain. Ocean. Canyon. Hurry! The four who are there...you've got to bring them here!!"
"I understand, Tael!" Tatl replied.
"SHUT UP!!" Majora roared, backhanding Tael. "Don't speak out of line, you stupid pixie!!"
"No!" Tatl cried. "Majora, things aren't going to go the way you expect them to!"
"Stal, listen." Link said. "We've talked to your friends. Stal, they forgive you; they want to be your friends, again."
At that, Stal spoke with his own voice, shaking off Majora's influence. "Really?" Stal asked. "I thought..." Then Majora re-asserted control. "QUIET!!" he roared. "I'm in control, not you! You're mine, puppet!!"
Zelda knew that Link had heard what he'd needed to hear: Stal was still in there.
"You're done, Majora." Link said. "You say you know about us slaying your generals? Then you must know about how we've met the Temple occupants – Stal's friends – and can easily summon them. That's why you stole my Ocarina, isn't it?! So we couldn't call to them! Well, Majora...it's time for an introduction." At that, he took out the Ocarina of Time.
"NOOOOO!!!" Majora howled. "DON'T PLAY THAT SONG!!!" But Link ignored him, playing the Oath to Order, loud and clear.
Seconds later, Zelda heard the calls of the four giants, answering Link's call. Then, off in the distance, she saw them rise up, and walk towards the Castle, taking huge steps. In a matter of minutes, all four giants surrounded Hyrule Castle, calm under the approaching Dragon Star. They looked to each other, nodding in mutual understanding, and then each raised their hands to the comet, sending energy beams from their hands striking the comet. The giants then began to push, using all of their might to stop the incoming space-rock. The Dragon Star's fall began to slow...and then...stop. Once it stopped, the giants kept their powers trained on it, ready to push it back into space, into its proper path.
When it was over, Zelda looked around; the Star was just hanging there, and Majora was floating lifelessly in the air. She walked over to Link, and they both looked to the east, and saw the beginning of a new sunrise, just starting to form. It had been a while since she'd seen one. "I've never seen anything so beautiful." she murmured.
Link smiled, and turned to her. "I have." he said, looking at her. "Zel, I've...been meaning to ask you something."
Zelda felt her heart begin to flutter in her throat. "Yes, Link?" she asked, every fiber of her being trembling at what she knew he would ask.
But before Link could ask, they were interrupted.
"Sis!!" Tael exclaimed, as he and Tatl flew happy circles around each other.
"Tael!!" Tatl exclaimed. "Tael, are you okay?"
"Yeah, Tatl, I'm fine!" Tael replied.
At the happy little reunion, Link and Zelda both had to smile. Tatl and Tael were back together, their little family reunited.
Suddenly, an evil chuckle filled the air...as Stal's body fell away from Majora's Mask, which more than tripled in size, growing tentacles from its back. "I've underestimated you two." Majora hissed. "I'll not make that mistake again."
Zelda changed to her Fairy-form to assist Link, but before she or Link could do anything, Majora conjured an expanding dome of dark fire. It seemed to have no effect on Link, but it forced Zelda away, pushing her to the edge, where her father, Delia, and Caspian were. Link was trapped in a domed arena! "Link!!" Zelda cried, pounding her tiny fists on the dome's wall.
"Zelda!" Link exclaimed, rushing over to her, stopping at the dome wall, placing his hand on the spot on his side of the dome where her hand was. "Are you okay?"
"Yes...but I can't help you; I can't break through." Zelda said. "I'm so sorry..."
"Don't worry, Zel. I'll be fine." Link said, smiling. "I've got an ace in the hole. I'll be okay, sweetheart." Then, he turned, walking towards Majora's Mask, drawing his weapons.
Zelda didn't know what he meant – could it have something to do with the immense power he'd started to show? Zelda simply smiled to herself; all she knew was that Link would win.
She believed in him.
As Link circled the floating Mask, Navi darted out of his cap. "Link, the only way to hurt Majora's Mask with your Sword is to use your Shield to reflect its beam attacks back at it to knock it down. Then you can attack it!" she squeaked. Link nodded, and returned his steely gaze to his foe. Majora whirled into a dervish, and flew at Link, trying to slice him with its spikes. Link easily leapt aside, and then Majora fired a steady beam of black fire at him. Link raised his Shield, using its mirror-surface to reflect it, angling it back at Majora, knocking the evil Mask out of the air. Link put his Shield away, and drew the Great Fairy Sword with the Master Sword, and then closed on the Mask, unleashing a deadly series of lightning-fast sword-strikes on it. Majora screeched in pain and anger, floating into the air, and then whirling at Link again, but the power of Link's Triforce of Courage warned him of the attack, and told him how to counter it; just before the Mask hit him, he leapt into the air and executed a down-thrust with both blades, pinning the evil Mask.
Majora shrieked as it broke free, and it began to change. The tentacles retracted back into it, as the Mask became a torso region, sprouting spindly arms and legs. It then grew a head, consisting of only one eyeball. "What is that?" Link exclaimed.
"That's Majora's Incarnation, Link." Navi explained. "It moves really fast, so stun it with a Light Arrow, and then attack it!"
The Incarnation began to run around the battlefield at incredible speed, and Link couldn't get a clear shot. Link ran after the Incarnation, managing to get a clear shot, and let a Light Arrow fly, knocking the creature of darkness down, where Link closed in and unleashed a slashing salvo on it. The Incarnation shrieked, and began to run around even faster. Link ran after it, his stamina straining, and hit it again, knocking it down, and unleashing a leap-strike.
The Incarnation screamed, and seemed to go into convulsions. Its arms and legs began to grow muscular, sprouting whip-like tentacles where its hands should have been. Its head mutated to that of a monster, with the single eye still in its forehead. "Link...that's Majora's Wrath." Navi murmured. "It's Majora's true form, and in it, he can channel his full power. I...I really don't know how to fight him, Link! Nobody's ever really beaten him in a fight like this; all anyone could ever do was trap him in that Mask!"
"That's okay, Navi. I'll be fine." Link said. Taking aim with a Light Arrow, he let it fly, but the Wrath effortlessly evaded it, somersaulting well over Link's head. As Link turned, the Wrath unleashed his whips, smacking Link over a dozen times before Link could even blink. Cackling, the Wrath unleashed a blast of deadly dark fire, and Link managed to get out of the way.
Now Link was getting tired. Keeping pace with the Incarnation had been tough, and Majora still wasn't done.
Gathering his remaining energy, Link held his blade at the ready, as Majora came at him. Majora lashed one of his whips at Link, but Link snagged it with his blade, and yanked Majora in close…but the Wrath had been expecting such a tactic, and kicked Link away before he could attack…and followed up with a deadly blast of dark fire; there was no way Link could avoid it…
"LINK!!" he heard Zelda cry out…as the wave of unholy flame washed over him…
When Link came to, he was in a vast, green field, with nothing but blue skies above his head, with not even so much as a scratch. "Ugh…" he muttered. "Navi, where are we?"
Navi zipped out of Link's cap. "I…don't know…" she murmured. "The last thing I remember was…Majora's fire-attack coming at us…"
A horrible thought came over Link. "Navi…are we…dead?!"
"NO."
The trinity of voices boomed from everywhere and yet from nowhere, being as deafening as a waterfall and as soothing as a trickling stream all at once. Very slowly, Link turned…
Floating there, above his head, were three gleaming lights: one red, one blue, and one green. Link froze…as he knew who They were.
At once, he dropped to his knees, averting his eyes, as Navi dropped to the ground, dimming her light in respect.
"RISE."
Link rose at once, not daring to so much as inquire why he was here.
"You are curious, are you not?"
It was the blue light, Nayru Goddess of Wisdom, who had spoken, Her voice cool, calm, and reflective, utterly tranquil.
Link finally found his voice. "My Goddesses…" he stammered, "…does this mean…that I am dead?"
"As we said, Link, you are not dead." This voice was the red light: Din, Goddess of Power, her voice proud, regal.
"Then…what has happened, my Goddesses?" Link whispered.
"My sisters are worried, as usual." came the joyous, carefree voice of the green light: Farore, Goddess of Courage.
"This is no laughing matter, Farore." Din said sternly.
"Link, you are here because we are concerned." Nayru said gently. "We chose you to wield the Master Sword, to defend the world against evil…but now you are on the verge of an even greater power than that of the Blade of Evil's Bane."
"What?" Link asked.
"Link, you are the heir of Rendar Wingnar, and you have inherited his power. All through your journeys, it has been growing, giving you new abilities when you needed them." Din said sternly. "When we came for you, you were on the verge of ascending, of fully realizing that power. A few more seconds, and it could have been too late."
"I…don't understand…" Link murmured.
"What my sisters are trying to say is that they're worried that all that power might go to your head." Farore said. "They don't want a repeat of what happened with Ganondorf when he got the Triforce of Power."
"You are simply between moments, Link. Time has stopped in Hyrule; you are still in the middle of the battle between yourself and Majora." Nayru said. "No harm has come to any of your loved ones."
Link was relieved to hear that, but the reason he was here still worried him. "My Goddesses, I would never misuse any power You bestow on me…"
"Like Ganondorf?!" Din snapped. "HIS intentions were good at the beginning of his life, as well, Link. He wanted to serve his people, the Gerudo, and he was made their King…but he started to crave more power…and more. And MORE. It began slow, but soon, he wanted OUR power." Din looked at Link with a fierce stare. "YOU, Link, are about to come the closest to our level of power in over 5000 years. You could be more destructive than ten THOUSAND Ganondorfs."
"To ensure that you do not misuse your power, Link, we shall test you." Nayru said. "If you pass, you will be returned to your battle against Majora, and you shall be allowed to ascend."
Link gulped. "And if I fail?"
"We will block your power." Din said. "The gathering energies within you will be dispersed."
"And if that happens, you will lose, and all of Hyrule, and all its in habitants will die." Farore said.
Link froze at that. Everyone was counting on him, now; every person in Hyrule, including Zelda, were depending on him passing this test. He took a deep breath. "I'm ready."
"Are you?" Din asked. "This test will determine your ability to resist your inner shadow."
"My…inner shadow?" Link asked.
"Link, your inner shadow is your dark side, the part of you that tries to make you do evil things." Navi explained.
"Indeed, little pixie." Nayru said. "Ganondorf's shadow overtook him when he received power. We must ensure that yours does not do the same, should you receive the power of your ancestor."
"Link," Navi whimpered, "I…I think they're going to completely let your inner shadow loose on you!!"
"I don't understand." Link said.
"Link, you're a good person, which means that all through your life, you haven't listened to your inner shadow." Navi said. "Link…an inner shadow hates being ignored!! There's no telling what it'll do!!"
"It must be done." Din said. "If you are truly worthy to accept your ancestor's power…your shadow, ultimately, will decide."
At that, the shadow beneath Link's feet began to coalesce, into a formless mass of darkness. In seconds, it leapt at him, engulfing him completely.
When Link came to, he was no longer in that pristine meadow, but in the Marketplace of Hyrule Castle Town…
…or rather, what had once been Hyrule Castle Town.
Link had once seen the Town in ruins during Ganondorf's reign. This, however, made those ruins seem welcoming.
There was almost nothing left; every building, every house had been utterly decimated, flattened by some deadly power that nothing could withstand, the sky blackened by dark clouds. And littering the grounds were bodies: some with their flesh burned away, some mangled in horrific ways, and some impaled by the wreckage that littered these ruins.
Link had thought that the most death he'd seen had been in Ikana Canyon. He'd been horribly mistaken.
Slowly, dazedly, Link began to walk towards Hyrule Castle, wondering what could have done this. He prayed that Zelda's home had been spared…
…but his hopes were in vain. Hyrule Castle was even more decimated than its Town, the once ivory spires now ebony from the ash of the power that had ravaged the land. Looking around, Link was horrified to see the body of King Andreus lying there, face-down in the scorched earth. Then, a few feet away, he saw the dimming light of Navi, inches from the dulled, lifeless forms of Tatl and Tael.
"NAVI!!" Link cried, rushing to his lifelong companion's side, gently scooping her up. "Navi, speak to me!"
"L-Link?!" Navi cried fearfully.
"Navi, what happened?!" Link asked. "Who did this?!"
"Y-You don't remember?!" Navi whimpered.
"Remember what?" Link asked. "Was it the Dragon Star?"
"N-No, Link." Navi gasped. "Majora didn't do this."
"Then who?" Link asked. "Please, tell me!"
"Link…" Navi choked out, "…it was you…" Then, she was gone.
Link did not know what shook him more: the passing of his dear friend, or her dying words. Grief and horror battled in his mind…
…and then horror won, as he saw the one thing that he never wanted to see…as Zelda staggered out of the ruins, her lovely Fairy-wings tattered, her beautiful face lined with cuts, her glittering outfit dulled from ash, and darkened with blood…from the mortal wound to her side, the one that her tiny hands were trying, unsuccessfully, to cover.
'Oh, no…' Link thought, '…oh sweet Farore, no…'
"Link?" Zelda whimpered, her eyes glazing with tears. "Why, Link? Why did you do this to us?"
Link couldn't speak.
"Why?!" Zelda wailed. "I LOVE you!! Why did you do this to me?! To ALL of us?! WHY?!"
'This isn't happening…' Link thought. 'It can't be..!!'
"Link…" a moan came from all around him, as every corpse now crowded around him, led by the dying Zelda, "…what did you do to us…why did you do this to us…why, Link…why…"
"No…" Link murmured, then, he howled at the top of his lungs, "NOOOOOOOO!!!!!"
"Did you enjoy that?"
Link looked up; the hell-scene was gone, and he was engulfed by darkness…a darkness that was taking shape, coalescing into a basic form. "Whatever you hope to do, whatever you strive to achieve, you will ultimately FAIL!" the shadow hissed. "Your actions draw your loved ones into your fight, doom them to suffer for your failures! You're as destructive as those you fight!"
"No!!" Link countered. "I want to protect them! That's why I fight evil!"
"Then who will protect them from YOU?!" the shadow spat. "You doom your precious Zelda every time you draw that Master Sword!!"
"That isn't true!" Link declared. "I will never let anything harm Zelda!"
"I know you better than you know YOURSELF, Link." the shadow hissed. "If you receive this power, I will overcome you…and all of Hyrule will BURN."
Link had had enough. "If you know me so well," he growled, "then you know that I will fight evil until my very last breath, be it in the world around me or in the core of my very soul! You will not own me, foul apparition!" As he spoke, a brilliant white corona began to surround him, driving back the darkness, forcing the shadow to quiver. "So you just go back to whatever corner of my mind it is that you crawled out of…and NEVER BOTHER ME AGAIN!!"
"Enough."
The darkness was replaced by the brilliant trio of colored lights. "We have seen what we needed to see." Nayru said kindly.
Farore giggled. "What did I tell you?" she chimed.
"We could only place the path before you, Link. Only you could choose to walk it…and you have." Nayru said. "You mortals are always so delightfully unpredictable!"
"Well done." Din said gently. "But your trials after this will become infinitely more difficult, Link. Your destiny is to fight evil, in all its forms. Once it learns of your power, which it will, it will seek you out like it has never before."
Link nodded in understanding; before, all the trials he had endured in the past…they had just been basic training.
"We could not have chosen a better Hero of Time." Nayru said. "Now, go, Hero of Time; continue your destiny."
Link felt the light begin to engulf him……and then he was back on the ceremonial tower, receiving the full brunt of Majora's fire-blast. He smiled to himself, as the attack knocked him flat on his rear.
He'd passed the test.
Link groaned as he started to get up. "Ow." he muttered to himself; enlightenment really smarted.
Then, Link noticed that Caspian was closest to where he'd landed; the arrogant noble, looking smug, looked at him through the dome. "Not so high-and-mighty now, are you?" he softly taunted, only loud enough for Link to hear.
Link heard Caspian's words, but his mind had turned inward, deep within himself, searching for the power he'd felt before, the seed of potential…which the Divine Three had blessed him to use. He found it, and felt it blossom, sending the power surging through his body, putting it completely at his command, ready for use at a moment's notice. Link met Caspian's gaze, glaring at him. "Start praying, you little weasel." he growled. Then, he got up, turned, and began to walk back over to Majora.
Majora was practically salivating when Link returned. Link just smiled calmly, and sheathed his weapons. "Link!! What are you doing?!!" Navi cried.
"Don't worry." Link replied. "I'm okay, Navi...which is more than Majora will be able to say." Slowly, he began to concentrate.
He'd always had an ace in the hole...and now was the time to play it.
Zelda saw Link put his weapons away, and, despite her faith in him, she was incredibly worried. What was he doing?!
"Hmpf." she heard Caspian say. "He's giving up. The peasant shows his true colors."
"How dare you?! Link is out there fighting for all of us!!" Zelda yelled. "He's doing something, but we just don't know..."
Then she felt it.
Zelda was nearly knocked off her feet from the magical power surge she'd just felt. It had seemed to come...
...from Link.
"What...was that?" she murmured. Nothing she knew of was that powerful.
She turned to her Headmistress, who had clearly also felt it. "Headmistress, are you alright?" the King asked, confused.
Delia turned to Zelda. "Child, did you feel that?" she asked.
Zelda nodded, and then another surge, stronger this time, echoed through her. There was no mistaking it – it was coming from Link. "Headmistress, what's going on?" Zelda asked.
"I'm not sure." Delia replied. "I don't know where Link got such power...unless...unless the legends are true..."
"What? What are you babbling about, old woman?" Caspian snapped.
Ignoring Caspian, Delia continued, "Over 5000 years ago, Link's ancestor, the Grand Magus, the first Emperor of Aldare, tapped into a power that rivaled that of the Triforce, and he became what we now call a 'Master Magi.' There has never been another one since him, but the potential to 'ascend' has always been present in the Imperial line. This potential has never been strong enough to produce a Master Magi...until now."
Slowly, Zelda turned to look at Link. The power surges were coming constantly, now, as a white corona began to form around Link, energy crackling around him. Every time Zelda felt a surge, Link seemed to change, though only for a moment, his clothes flashing white, his hair going white-gold, and then he would return to normal, as if the power he controlled was building slowly.
Looking up at them, Zelda saw that the four giants now looked nervous, anxious; they knew that something was happening. She'd heard the legends of Link's ancestor, of how powerful he was.
Turning back to Delia, Zelda said, "Headmistress, are you saying..?"
"I'm saying that there is no other explanation." Delia said. "After 5000 years...it's happening again."
"Link...is ascending."
"Bah! What a load of rubbish!" Caspian laughed scornfully – now Zelda was really starting to get annoyed by Caspian. "You expect us to believe that gutter-trash is this...'super-being'?! Why, that's..."
But his voice was cut off, as an explosion of pure white light erupted in the dome from where Link was, shattering the dome, engulfing them all in pure white luminosity. Zelda heard the giants gasp in awe, saw their energy beams cease...but the Dragon Star did not fall; it was being held up by the excess power of what had just occurred. Zelda struggled to see in the explosion of white light. She thought she could see the outline of a person in the very core of the light, but she couldn't get close.
In her heart, she knew that Link was okay, but she couldn't see him...
Across the world, the power that had just awakened echoed through every living being that wielded the power of magic, and they knew that a new force for good had just risen...and it echoed through every dark-hearted being, and they knew that they had a new, deadly foe.
The power reached the shining Skycity of Aldarus, the capital of the Aldarian Empire, reaching the Imperial Family: the wise and just Emperor, Kondar Wingnar, and his lovely, loving wife of many years, Varila Wingnar, his Empress, and their youngest child, the sweet, loving Aryll Wingnar. Kondar was nearly knocked off his feet, but then he recognized the power...and smiled with pure fatherly pride. Varila's breath caught in her throat, but she smiled, leaning against her husband, her eyes shining proudly. And little Aryll just smiled knowingly, as she looked out at the horizon, at where she knew the power was, the power she'd known all along. He was a hero, and heroes always won. "Go get him, Big Brother." she whispered softly.
The power's echo reached the Fairy Court, and the Fairy Queen Epheremelda was nearly knocked on her rear...until she recognized the power. She smiled to herself; her dear little granddaughter had made a fine choice in that man.
And the power reached all the way to the heartland of the Anacreonian Empire, the Empire that had once ruled the world with unchallenged might...before Aldare had come; the Empire that was stagnating, despotic, and schemed to overcome Aldare, and retake its former glory. The power reached into the grand, gaudy Imperial Palace, looking over the golden city where the nobles lived, and the slums where the commoners dwelled, into the sleeping quarters of its Emperor, who had been slumbering with guards outside his door. The power's echo made the Emperor wake with a fright. He did not know what had woken him; all he knew was that there was a nameless threat, far away, which hadn't been there before. There was something that was threatening his rule, threatening his glorious Empire. He would have to eliminate that threat, one day. But for now, all he could do was shiver in dread.
The power's echo reached all across the world, and those who felt it had the same thought.
This will change everything.
The light had lasted for over a minute, and Zelda's breath caught in her throat, fearful for her darling's life, but then, the light began to diminish, shrinking back, as if commanded. Then, Zelda could finally see Link...but now he was a very different-looking Link.
A blazing white corona surrounded him now. His tunic, cap, and gauntlets were now pure white, his hair a blazing white-gold, and his eyes were pure white, with no iris or pupil in them at all. Headmistress Delia had been right.
Link had ascended.
"...im...possible..." Caspian murmured, finishing his statement, shocked silent.
Delia looked at the new Master Magi, then back to Caspian. "You were saying, Lord Caspian?" she chuckled. Looking back to Link, she said, "I honestly don't know how powerful he is, but I do know that he's even more powerful than his ancestor, and..." She concentrated, and then an awed expression appeared on her face. "...he has...perfect control." she murmured, as if she didn't believe her own words. "Even the Grand Magus had trouble controlling his power at first...but Link has those unfathomable energies under complete control."
At that, Zelda felt a little nervous. Then, she felt a gentle voice in her mind – Link's voice. 'Don't be scared, Zel.' he whispered, using his name for her, his voice seeming to echo through Time itself.
'Link?' Zelda thought back.
'I'm okay, Zelda.' Link sent to her. 'Everything will be okay.' Then, Link's mental communication ended.
Zelda smiled to herself, reassured. Seeing Caspian's scowl as he glared at Link, she suppressed a chuckle – at last, Caspian had been proven wrong about Link.
Turning her adoring gaze to her beloved Link, she watched him, silently cheering him on.
From the sidelines, Caspian glared at the transformed Link, wondering how in Hyrule things could have gotten so out-of-control, how the plan could have gone so wrong.
'It's a trick.' Caspian thought. 'He's faking. It has to be a trick.'
Except it wasn't.
'How could this have happened?' he silently fumed. 'I am a Lord of Hyrule, the cherished son of Hyrule's most noble family, with the royal blood of the Emperor of the Anacreonian Empire in my veins, a line far nobler than any of this world...and here I am, reduced to some sort of...pauper's witness to this...this aberration, this abomination. He shouldn't have such power; he shouldn't even be alive!!'
In that instant, Caspian's hatred of Link more than quadrupled.
'Majora, you idiot, why didn't you kill him when you had the chance?!' he mentally roared. 'Kill him NOW! Don't let that abomination live another SECOND!!!'
Glancing at Zelda, his rage doubled as he saw her gazing lovingly at Link; the lovely young Fairy princess wasn't frightened by Link at all.
She was looking at Link...when she was supposed to look at him that way.
'KILL him, Majora; KILL HIM.' Caspian thought. Hatred now overwhelmed his thoughts, over-riding everything, his entire universe focusing on one thought.
'LINK MUST DIE.'
It amazed Link how easily the power came to him; the power flowed into his body both from within him and from without, as though he was connected to the entire world, in harmony with every living being on the planet, filling him with inconceivable power.
It was amazing. He looked himself over; he'd been truly blessed with this gift, one that he would never misuse.
Navi flew in circles around the now-ascended Link. "Oh...oh my gosh!" she squeaked. "Link, y-you're a Master Magi! That's incredible!!"
"Yes." Link agreed, and his voice seemed to take on an echoing quality in his Master Magi form. He'd never felt like this before. Everything was heightened: strength, speed, stamina, agility...even his senses functioned with superhuman sharpness. His ability to use magic was now...virtually unlimited.
Majora was tired of waiting, and he snapped his whips, to try and strike Link; to Link, it seemed that Majora was moving in slow-motion. As the whips neared him, he simply said, "No."
The whips stopped in mid-air, as if frozen in time. Majora shrieked angrily, trying to free his whips, but he couldn't move them an inch. Link then turned to face Majora, his eyes narrowing, and then he simply arched an eyebrow.
That action – that tiny little gesture – generated enough force to send Majora flying across the battlefield, ripping out his whips, sending him crashing ingloriously to the stone floor. Snarling in fury, Majora re-formed his hands, and sent deadly bolts of dark fire at the ascended Link...who casually swatted them away, as if they were no more than annoying flies. Majora was all rage, as he floated into the air, sending a killing beam of dark flame at Link...and Link was no longer there; he was behind Majora, floating in the air. As the Wrath turned to face him, Link, with apparently no effort, smashed his fist into Majora's abdomen, sending him flying away, and then he instantly zipped to intercept Majora, and slammed him with an axe-handle strike, sending him falling to the ground with enough force to crater it.
Majora began to recover, and sent multiple dark fire blasts at Link...who easily evaded every single one, moving faster than a firefly. Link descended to the ground, and Majora came at him, with a barrage of punches; the Hero of Time moved like lightning, blocking every single one. Then, he connected with a punch of his own to Majora's face, and used his Time Magic ability of Hyper-Time, moving outside of Time's flow, enabling him to execute a series of attacks with literally no time in between them; to anyone else, it seemed that Link was executing one attack right after the other, with inhuman speed. The Hyper-Time attack lasted for a full minute, with Link darting around Majora, pummeling him, and then Link stopped, allowing Majora to fall.
When Majora managed to get back up, he choked out, "What...are you?"
"I am the Hero of Time, and the Prince of Aldare." Link replied. "I am the chosen of the light, sent to defend the weak from evil...and I am the last thing you will ever see. You will never hurt anyone ever again."
Now Majora was angry. "You FOOL!!" he roared, rising into the air. "YOU DARE DEFY A GOD?!!" Then, he unleashed a barrage of dark-fire blasts, but Link effortlessly swatted them away, and then fired a beam of off-white energy from his hand, knocking Majora out of the air. Link then drew the Master Sword and the Great Fairy Sword, charging them with his power, making them glow white-gold. As Majora fell, he re-entered Hyper-Time, unleashing a deadly series of sword-attacks, seemingly zipping toward Majora, slicing as he passed, then darting away, to come right back at him. Then, Link came out of Hyper-Time, and drove the Great Fairy Sword into Majora's black heart, before momentarily letting go and spinning for the fatal blow, regaining his grip on the Great Fairy Sword as he came around.
The last thing Majora could think was, 'This can't be...I'm a god...' before the Master Sword sliced his head off.
As Majora's head rolled across the ground, it began to disintegrate, as did his body, as Link sheathed his blades. Only the Mask was left behind – now only an empty shell, devoid of all dark power.
Link looked to the four giants, who lightly bowed, in respect. Link returned the bow, and then gestured to the Dragon Star; the giants nodded in understanding. Then, Link aimed straight up, firing an off-white energy beam at the comet, and the giants fired their own beams; their combined effort easily pushed the Dragon Star back into its proper path, allowing it to blaze harmlessly across Hyrule's sky, marking the passing of another year. Link took a deep breath; at last, it was over.
By then, Stal had recovered, and was looking at the giants. "You guys...forgive me?" he asked them. The giants nodded. Stal lowered his head. "We...can be friends again?"
The giants simply nodded...and then, in a soft-yet-booming mental voice, said, 'WE ALWAYS WERE.' Then, singing out their song-call, the giants started to walk back to their Temples, their task done.
Stal then turned to Link. "I'm sorry I made such a mess..." he whimpered. "I didn't know what that mask was, honest I didn't!"
Link just smiled. "Don't worry." he said. "All is well, now."
Stal's face brightened. "Can...I go to the Carnival?" he asked. Link nodded. "Thanks, mister! See you there!" Stal exclaimed. Then, he hurried off.
Suddenly, the Deku Mask, the Goron Mask, and the Zora Mask floated out of Link's pocket. The Deku Mask simply vanished, but the Goron and Zora Masks became spheres of energy, and zipped away; Darmani and Mikau's lives had been returned to them.
By then, the sun was rising; it was a new day, and Hyrule was safe.
Now, Link could ask Zelda what he'd wanted to ask her.
Zelda saw Link turn to her, a smile on his face. Smiling, Zelda flew to him, and stopped just outside his blazing corona, suddenly nervous. Link's smile put her at ease, as he held out a hand to her. "It's still me." he said, his voice having a mesmerizing echo-quality, his words an echo of her words when he'd been a Deku Scrub.
Smiling, Zelda took Link's hand, a happy blush on her face. "I know." she cooed.
Link's smile grew, and he sent away his powers, returning to normal. "Zelda, there's been something I've wanted to ask you for a long time." he said, reaching into his pocket. "Zelda, I love you more than life itself – you're the most important person in my life. I was just wondering if...maybe...you'd want to spend the rest of your life with me."
Zelda's heart nearly leapt out of her throat at that statement, her heartbeat racing, and her breath catching, refusing to obey. "Link..." she managed to murmur, "...are you asking me...what I think you're asking me?" In her mind, she added, 'Oh sweet Nayru, please don't let this be a dream.'
Link then got down on one knee, taking his hand from his pocket, holding out the ring he'd kept in there: a simple crystal band with a single, rainbow-colored jewel in it. It was the most beautiful ring she'd ever seen, and the fact that it was from the man of her dreams made the moment all the sweeter.
"Zelda Aurora Hylandia, Princess of Hyrule..." Link said, "...will you marry me?"
Slowly, Zelda took the ring, looking at it. "Oh, Link..." she murmured, tears of pure, undiluted joy forming in her eyes, running down her face, "...I. can't believe it..."
"Please, Zel, don't cry." Link said softly. "I didn't mean to upset you..."
"No, it's not that." Zelda assured him, her happy tears slowly flowing. "Link, I dreamed of this; I dreamed that you would ask me to marry you. And...and now it's come true!"
"Well..?" Link asked, smiling. "Did you dream of how you answered?"
Giggling, Zelda nodded. "Yes!" she declared. "A thousand times, yes! I will marry you!"
"You will?" Link asked, and Zelda nodded. A huge, goofy grin broke across Link's face, and he picked her up and whirled her around in pure, stupid joy. "You will!" he crowed, as he let the giggling young Fairy down, enfolding her in an embrace, their noses touching. "I promise, Zelda, I'll make you the happiest woman alive." Link promised.
"You already have." Zelda cooed. Then, Link smiled, and, slowly, he began to move closer to her. Zelda closed her eyes, in anticipation, and stood up on the tips of her toes.
Their lips met in a wonderful, passionate, loving kiss. Zelda sighed in utter contentment, happy to let Link's strong arms enfold her, keeping her safe, as his lips and tongue slowly and sweetly eroded her defenses, rendering her helpless in his arms, completely vulnerable. She wasn't worried – she trusted Link with her life. Then, she felt a wave of warmth wash over her, as Link's powers reactivated, turning him into a Master Magi – her Master Magi, she thought to herself, giggling; he was hers, just as much as she was his Fairy princess. Link was so warm, his embrace so inviting and comfortable...Zelda was content to just let herself get lost in their kiss.
Nothing else mattered...nothing but each other.
As Link and Zelda kissed, King Andreus simply watched his daughter and her new husband-to-be express their love for each other, smiling. So, Link had heeded his advice; it was nice to know he'd helped, if only a bit.
Then, Andreus saw his daughter's silver-blue aura interacting with Link's blazing white corona, and then, Zelda's magic, bolstered by her emotions and aided by Link's new powers, caused the sky above them to explode in luminous color – an aurora. There were reds, greens, yellows, and blues, oranges and violets, and tiny little flitting sprites, covering the sky over all of Hyrule, making the sunrise and the Dragon Star seem plain.
Andreus turned to Delia, whose hands were clasped, her eyes shining. "Beautiful...oh, King Andreus, they're perfect." she murmured. "They're a lovely couple." Andreus smiled; Delia was such a romantic.
Sighing, Andreus turned, bracing himself for Caspian's reaction, expecting something like a scowl, or an arrogant remark...but was surprised by the look of pure hate on the young Lord's face. "Caspian..?" Andreus began.
Caspian kept his hateful glare at Link...and drew his rapier. "TAKE YOUR FILTHY HANDS OFF OF HER!!!" he roared, and he ran at Link, weapon ready.
'Maybe Majora wasn't the only evil in Hyrule...' Andreus thought.
"TAKE YOUR FILTHY HANDS OFF OF HER!!!"
Link sensed Caspian's attack before the insane noble had even moved. Swiftly moving in front of Zelda, the young Master Magi simply raised his hand, his fist clenched with his middle and pointer fingers extended, and charged power into them. By then, Caspian was in striking distance of Link, and swung his rapier in a wild, untrained attack. Link simply moved his hand to intercept it, the blade clanging harmlessly against his charged fingers. Caspian tried again and again to strike Link, but Link blocked every single attack with ease. Finally, when Caspian tired, Link simply knocked the blade out of the corrupt Lord's hand with one swift chop, releasing the charge in his fingers as the blade clattered harmlessly to the ground. But Caspian would not yield; his insanity prevented him from realizing that it was pointless to attack Link. He tried to charge at Link, to choke him, but Link simply gestured, sending Caspian flying back, to land ingloriously on his rear end. "Your actions betray you." Link said coolly, and he then turned to Zelda, making sure she was okay.
"DON'T TOUCH HER, YOU FILTHY ABOMINATION!! YOU SHOULDN'T EVEN BE ALIVE!!!" Caspian screamed. "ZELDA IS MINE!!!"
Link's eyes narrowed, and then Zelda moved out from behind him. "Caspian, I will never love you." she declared. "Link is the man that I love, and you can never change that. You're just going to have to live with the fact that I don't love you."
"You will." Caspian growled, madness and lust burning in his eyes. "I'll make you love me..."
"Caspian!! That's enough!!!" the King roared. "You dare speak to my daughter – Hyrule's Princess – in that manner?! Pit off your attack this instant!!"
"You can't be serious!" Caspian screamed. "You can't let that...creature wed the Princess! He'll destroy us all!!"
"Like you and Majora tried to?" Link asked.
The King went pale. "What?!" he gasped.
Link continued. "You brought Majora here. I heard it all, Caspian. Furthermore, you had a hand in your father's plan. You've been guilty from the beginning, rebelling against the King."
"He's no King of mine!!" Caspian roared. He pointed an accusing finger at Link. "You dishonored my family by killing my father, and then he covers it up! I owe no allegiance to that old fossil!!"
The King spoke calmly, keeping his fury under control: "Caspian, you are dismissed..." At that, Caspian looked smug, confident that he would not be punished...
...until the King finished his statement: "...from this country."
Caspian whirled around, as if he'd been struck. "What?!" he cried.
"You, like your father, are guilty of treason, by your own admission. Your father's death was kept secret to save your House from shame; it is the reason you were allowed to take his place, the reason your family is still part of the Royal Court." He sighed. "And you threw it all away, for madness."
"No..." Caspian murmured, "...you can't..."
By then, two guards had arrived. "Caspian de Llednares, son of Ruthlage de Llednares," the King said, "you are hereby stripped of your title, your rank, your social stature, and your privileges as a member of the Court – you shall never refer to yourself as a gentleman again – and you are hereby banished from Hyrule. You are never to set foot in Hyrule again, under penalty of death." To the guards he added, "Get this traitor out of my sight."
Before the guards seized him, Caspian looked at Link once more, and Link saw the pure, undiluted hate in Caspian's eyes. "You..." he snarled, pointing at Link, "...you do not know what you have done!!!" Then, as the soldiers led him away, he screamed out, "But you WILL!!!" Then, the guards led him away, taking Caspian out of their lives.
Hopefully forever.
Once Caspian was gone, Zelda leaned into Link, letting him comfort her. "Oh, I'm so glad he's gone, Link." she murmured. "But...what do you think he meant, in the end?"
Link then sent his powers away. "I don't know, Zelda, but I do know this much: I won't let him hurt you, Zel. Ever." He smiled as he saw her happy blush...and remembered one last thing. "Now, as I recall..." he gently took the engagement ring from her and placed it on her finger, "...that goes there." Zelda smiled happily at that, and cuddled into his embrace.
Then, the King walked over to the young couple, smiling. "I'm very happy for the both of you." he said. "Now, I believe we all have a Carnival to attend...and a future wedding to plan."
"Perhaps we can help with the latter."
Turning, Link was surprised to see his parents, Kondar and Varila Wingnar, standing there! Kondar was a tall, stately man, in his mid-forties, his face resembling Link's, with short, dark-blond hair, cobalt-blue eyes, a small moustache and a small goatee beard, clad in black pants, a black sweater with a quartz-purple overcoat over it, with a simple gold head-ring, and black gauntlets and boots. Varila was a bit shorter than Link, elegantly built, with long, ebony hair and emerald eyes, clad in a long, quartz-purple gown, a silver tiara around her head.
Kondar smiled warmly, putting everyone at ease. "We came as fast as we could, Link," he said, "and just in time, too! We just overheard the wonderful news!"
"I don't believe it! My son is getting married!" Varila exclaimed. "This is wonderful!"
"We also sensed your power, son; even now, it amazes me." Kondar added. "To think: my son has ascended to the level of power foretold of our ancestor, the Grand Magus..." he smiled proudly, "...it boggles the mind."
"I knew it all along!" came a small voice, and Link smiled as the tiny form of 6-year-old Aryll Wingnar darted out from behind Kondar, and hugged Link's leg. Link's baby sister was a tiny little thing, delicately built, with sapphire-blue eyes, and golden-blond hair tied in two pigtails, clad in a simple blue child's dress, with flowers embroidered in it. "I knew it, Big Brother!" Aryll squealed. "I knew you'd find the Grand Magus' power! It's 'cause you're a hero, and heroes always win!"
Link smiled at his baby sister. "I'm glad you have faith in me, too, Aryll."
Then Aryll looked up at him, her eyes blinking. "Big Brother...are you and Princess Zelda really gonna get married?" she asked.
Link looked at Zelda, smiling so much he felt as if his face would crack, and Zelda was sweetly blushing. "Yes, Aryll." he answered.
Squealing with joy, Aryll hugged Zelda's legs. "That means you're gonna be my Big Sister!" she exclaimed.
Zelda smiled, and she knelt down to Aryll. "I hope that's okay with you, sweetie." she said. Aryll promptly hugged Zelda, and Zelda smiled, returning the hug of her little sister-to-be.
Kondar smiled at the sweet scene, and then turned to his son. "I believe that you will be a true force for good in this world, son." he said, and Link smiled at that, glad that his father held such confidence in him. Kondar then turned to the King. "I hope you don't mind, King Andreus, but my wife and I had planned to move Aldarus to float over Hyrule – we'd hoped to spend more time with our son...and perhaps we can get to know our future daughter-in-law." Zelda softly blushed at that.
"Not at all, Emperor Kondar." the King replied. "Hyrule would be happy to have a neighbor overhead. Besides, with our children to wed soon, we should discuss the strengthening of our alliance."
"Indeed." Kondar agreed. "We all have much to discuss." Then, Link, Zelda, Aryll, the King, and Link's parents all headed to head back into Hyrule Castle, as a new day began.