Past and Present

PART 1

Without a horse, he was forced to walk. Link didn't mind it too much. He wasn't even surehow to ride a horse. His clothes were still damp, but the summer sun was doing a fairly good job of warming and drying him.

He was heading towards the nearest city, The City of Lake Hylia.

MEMORY SKIPPED, ABLE TO PROCEED. REMAIN CALM, #3

He arrived at the magnificent city, and stopped at the edge of the water. Past a massive wooden bridge built at least fifty feet over the lake, out in the middle, on an island, the town was built. The middle of the bridge could be pulled up in case of an invasion. It was the perfect defensive position. In fact, Link was almost certain this town remained under Hylian control.

He climbed the wooden steps to the bridge and began to cross. Several tan and red people passed him, heading in and out of town. He frowned. Something wasn't right. Hylians were rarely tan, and he was sure none were red. Those were Gerudo colors. When he finally reached the end of the bridge, his suspicions were confirmed when the fluttering flags set up on the walls were all from the Gerudo Desert. But how was this possible? How did they capture this position? Boats wouldn't cut it. They'd be stopped as soon as they were brought to the shore. They couldn't cross the bridge. If they swam they'd be sitting ducks. Or, rather, swimming ducks, open for archers' fire.

Link made his way over to the entrance, which was blocked by four Gerudo soldiers. Link approached them.

"May I pass?" he asked. His weapons were concealed.

"You may, but stay out of the community gathering center. The great Emperor Ganondorf is preparing for a speech." the guard answered.

"Thank you." Link said, starting to walk past them. That was great! This would be over sooner than he expected!

"Welcome to The Great Lake City." he told him as he passed.

Link frowned. That wasn't the name. But then he remembered Ganondorf's speech. He would kill this man, and then the Empire would collapse, or at least go into a temporary confusion without leadership. That would be plenty of time for the Hylians to start striking back. They still had Castle Town, he heard, so maybe there was an army in their possesion?

Oh well. He was still killing this man. The Gerudos entered his town, killed his parents, friends, relatives, and neighbors. All was gone in mere minutes. And now they had Lone Lone, The Lake Hylia, and probably much more.

He wondered where the 'community gathering center' was.

He passed a man helping touists, much like the same man in Lone Lone. The only difference was their looks. He apporached the man.

"Hello, where is the community gathering center? And what time will," -he crossed his fingers behind his back-" The Great Emperor Ganondorf be speaking?"

"It is just one block south of the capital building. He will be giving his speech in... two hours, I believe." he answered.

"Thank you." Link said, walking off. Well, at least this man was nicer.

Link passed multiple guards on his journey to the community gathering center. They all seemed eager to see Ganondorf speak. And the citizens moreso.

---

Ganondorf was taller than Link expected. He wore black armor, and desert clothing underneath with ancient Gerudo markings mostly blue and red. His hair was red and combed back, and his eyes were a smoldering yellow. His nose was crooked and pointed, and his skin was somewhere between green and brown. He wore ear-rings, and also wore rings for his fingers, and necklaces. A grand jewel looked as if it were embedded in his forehead. He looked like some demon.

"My people!" Ganondorf began in a powerful voice, raising his arms up," Many must have heard of my latest orders! We will invade The remaining bits of Hyrule, and end their reign of terror, finally! After centuries of hiding, even into the great flood, we are given a grand opportunity! I will lead you to a golden age, the likes of which we could never achieve burning in the scorching desert sun! Here, the dirt is fertile, the game is marvelous, and people do not have to venture miles upon miles, or dig the same amount, for a simple bucket of water! The Hylians have shunned us, and so we will punish them!" he cried. The crowd went nuts. Link had seen the way they reacted when Sonorah had spoken, but this was even bigger. This rivaled when he killed the man.

"We have a massive army of five-hundred thousand well-trained men! These are the most elite, vicious soldiers we have ever sent into action. The Hylians used to win wars because of their army's and land's size, when they had plenty of food and we had little to give our soldiers and people. But now, let us see how they handle this!" The crowd went even crazier, The noise was deafening.

It was almost as if he had lived through the harsh times, Link noticed," I will personally lead the army. I will use my military knowledge to completely crush our enemies!" the crowd went about as insane.

It is time. His life ends. Link told himself, jumping down from his rooftop. Everyone, including the guards, were so focused on Ganondorf's speech, they didn't even notice him. Link started to move people out of the way, paving a path towards the stage. Ganondorf continued his speech, his voice seemed amplified by something, as it traveled over the roars and cheers and claps of the crowd.

Link was nervous. He was about to murder the single most famous person in all of the land. The guards would be even more vicious. The people would probably even help attack him. He couldn't kill innocents, Gerudo or not. He was at a serious disadvantage.

I will die in service to my people. Link thought with finality. I grew scared for my ancestor. He wasn't going to allow himself get killed? Surely he would kill just a few innocents to get safe? Or at least injure them. I grew nervous, more nervous than when he was running from the guards back at Lone Lone.

Link reached the edge of the stage and climbed on. Ganondorf stopped speaking, and eyed him. His eyes buldged.

"No..." he said in a quiet voice.

It was as he had met Link before. How strange. Me and him thought simoutaneously.

Link drew his sword, and the crowd went silent immediately. Link jumped and brought his sword into the Emperor's chest. He gagged and slid off the blade, landing on the ground. The crowd started to scream.

I've killed him... Link thought.

His eyes buldged in the exact same fasion when - no, it couldn't be possible - he stood up, crossed his arms over his chest, and laughed. Loudly.

The citizens and guards were equally astonished. The guards so much, that they didn't run up to attack. Link's jaw dropped. He tried to say something; anything. But nothing came. Words wouldn't come. This was unbelievable, like magic. Ganondorf smiled smugly.

"At first, when I realized you were him, I was worried. But I see you did not bring the legendary blade. Such foolishness should be illegal." he mocked.

"I was him, what are you talking about?" Link asked, still in awe.

"You mean you don't know of your destiny? How wonderful! I think I shall dispose of you the same way I should have; fast. I have given you too many opportunities to escape. Now is your time to die!" he roared, drawing a magnificent golden blade.

Link raised his own, ready to enter the fight he somehow knew he wouldn't win.

"It is futile." Ganondorf confirmed," That blade may as well be a wooden one, as it will only give me discomfort, not death. You may as well give up and let me end you."

The crowd was now backing away.

"I will kill you." was all Link said, lunging at the Desert King.

Their blades met with a tremendous force, the likes of which Link had never seen. The power of Ganondorf's swing knocked him right off of his feet, and on to his butt.

Link groaned and slowly stood. He lunged at the King again, but was knocked once again to the ground. Link stood up and raised his blade, going on defensive.

Ganondorf laughed and raised his hand. There was a lot of colors that came from his hand, and a very hot sensation, and Link was out cold.

A/N: So, story took a little turn there. Reviews pwease?

No -

REVIEW OR DIE!

Ha, kidding. (maybe)

UPDATE: For some confused, basically, Link's life was ruined, and he wanted revenge. He didn't realize his destiny was to be the hero, and that's all I have so far.

-Sam