Chapter 6

The Reign of Darkness

Thunder rumbled in the sky. Lightning shot from skies that blotted out the sun's very existence. Castle Town's streets remained empty and deserted. A cat prowled along the dank streets. It slunk past the leaking fountain, gladly knowing it would no longer be chased by the vile dog that was owned by that awful lady that wore too much makeup. It leapt over the large blade once held by a rebellious soldier that worked for the King of Evil.

Suddenly the huge hand of an goblin-like creature picked the feline animal from the air. Not intending to be killed after surviving many years just for freedom, the cat hissed, spat, and struggled against the piggish beast's grasp. However, this cat's dream to be the well-deserved pet of a wealthy owner was not to be fulfilled. Instead, it owned a different destiny. Its fate would end as the main course of a meal.

The owner of the hand that held the cat howled in pain when it was scratched. In retaliation the palm squeezed the feline angrily. Slowly the poor animal was crushed. With a violent force, the hand stuffed the cat into the moblin's mouth.

Hungrily, it took a bet from the cat's body, tearing the flesh from bones. The moblin looked to its companion as they walked. "Good meat. Like wild cuccoo." It took another bite from its 'catch of the day.' They were headed for town square, where an event was likely to occur, especially since Ganondorf's ruling had begun. "I wond'r who be at gallows t'day." said the moblin in Hylian. They had adapted to the language ever since they were recruited under the Great King of Evil.

"Ma'be nob'dy." muttered the other. It laughed to show how unlikely that was. The other joined him in the maniacal laughter. They both then looked towards Ganondorf's Castle. Hyrule Castle had been, unfortunately, obliterated so a new palace had been built in place of it.

Ganondorf frowned at the ocarina he held in his hands. "How nostalgic." he muttered. This was wrong!. "It looks like it but it is different... This is not the Ocarina of Time..." The evil king inspected the instrument in his hands closely. Suddenly he crushed it with a single fist. "You really tricked me, kid..."

Where had the goddesses hidden the remaining Triforce pieces! Ganondorf turned to his 'loyal' Iron Knuckle. Was it as truly loyal to him as it had so previously said? Of course it was. The problem was that it was not dedicated enough. He raised his right hand before him, slowly curling it into a fist. As he watched, the Iron Knuckle's armor buckled suddenly, the gold and silver protection crumpling and crushing the knight with its own weight. The evil king made a motion as if tossing an object and the knight flew against the wall. Slowly, Dragmire released the tension on his fist and the soldier fell limp. Two stalfos were summoned to take away the corpse.

Ganondorf began to pace once more. Of course, his contemplation was bothered by yet another servant. Stalfos. "What is it?" he asked eagerly.

"The child that you took the ocarina from was spotted."

"Stalfos, is it true that that boy is the Hero of Time?"

"Y...Yes, Lord Ganondorf. I believe he also has... the Master Sword."

"Is that so? The Master Sword?"

"Y...Yes, Lord Ganondorf. It is confirmed that he traveled to Kakariko Village with the horse that went by the name of Epona." the stalfos knight also confirmed.

"He has the Ocarina?" Ganondorf interrogated.

"Yes." answered the undead.

One of Ganondorf's minions chided, "You should have killed him back then, huh?" They gave a cackle of laughter.

Ganondorf waved a hand, silencing them. "Then we will take the Ocarina from him. Let us take care of him before he masters the blade of evil's bane.Very well. You may return to your post at the tower bridge." Ganondorf replied. He browsed his thoughts for a second or two.

Then he turned back towards the throne room's door. No one was there, he knew. But there was someone he needed to see. He created a portal in the ceiling.

From it came a horde of Shadow Shards. Before Ganondorf materialized a very shocked looking rancher known as Ingo. Quickly he bowed to Ganondorf and straightened. "Lord Ganondorf!" Sweat ran down his face, eyes were twitching around the newer Throne Room. "You summoned me!" His voice was greatly magnified by the obvious nervousness in his state of being.

"I did, Ingo." replied Ganondorf. "You have failed me twice. Once in informing the knights I was going to send to you that the Hero of Time had arrived. Twice when you enabled him to escape with that horse." He raised his hand before him; on it the Triforce of Power glowed.

"Wait...! No...! Give me another chance, my lord!" cried the Hylian. "I'll do anything! Anything!"

"You've wasted both of your chances, Hylian. You are released from my services." Ganondorf stated, obliterating the seal that bound Ingo to him. His eyes rolled up, leaving only their whites to be seen, the rancher keeled backwards, and he fell to the floor unconscious.

Ganondorf looked at the man for a moment in disgust then turned to Phantom Ganon and his surrogate twin mothers. "Escort young Ingo back to Lon Lon Ranch, Twin Rova, and Phantom Ganon... Go to the Forest Temple and make sure that the Hero of Time does not release the Forest Sage from their seal." The phantom gazed at its master for a moment, or perhaps two. Then it nodded silently and vanished on the spot.

The King of Evil sat on his throne, ordering all of his soldiers, servants, and other workers from the room with an exception of Koume and Kotake. The two witches warped away the Lon Lon Ranch farmer. Silent, Ganondorf began to ponder questions that seemed to pop up rather often lately. Finally his tired eyes moved up. He sighed at last, "Sheik."

Immediately a Sheikan man covered completely from head to toe in cloth, except in his eyes and nose, appeared before Ganondorf. He stood there, calmly playing a harp while he stood, fully unperturbed by Ganondorf's mood. As the Sheikah continued to play, he asked, "Yes?"

"Stay here for a moment will you? I need to think over something and perhaps I will require advice." Ganondorf said.

The Sheikah looked at its master strangely then nodded, stopping his playing. Dragmire closed his eyes and began to think, ignoring the taunts Twin Rova sent at Sheik. "Oh, Sheik." one began. "Play one melody for me, a beautiful tune."

"Yes. Play us a song. Maybe we'll cry." mocked the other, flying about the room.

Suddenly Sheik's voice rang out. "He will not be defeated by the likes of Phantom Ganon... Under the guidance of the Shadow Sage, Link is growing stronger and stronger." Ganondorf's gaze raised up to Sheik. "You know this, don't you? You're sending the Phantom into a trap."

"Yes. That ghost is doomed to fail... But only once the Hero of Time heads to the forests." He sighed once more. Something was missing... "Twin Rova, leave us and return to the Spirit Temple." he commanded. The hags seemed confused but didn't dare to not obey.

Ganondorf stood from his throne, beginning to pace the room. Suddenly he paused, looking at Sheik. "Sheik... Why do you serve me? You, a descendant of the Sheikah Tribe that has served the Hyrulean Royal Family for many ages... Is it revenge?" He seeked answers to himself through others.

Sheik replied slowly with much thought, "We are a tribe of 'shadows.' Without 'substance,' we cannot exist." He closed his eyes as if opening an old memory and continued, "When I had no master, you appeared before me. That is all." He watched his master for another second. Then he said, already knowing his orders, "I'll lure the Hero of Time to the Forest Temple."

When Ganondorf looked back to where Sheik had stood, the Sheikah was gone and his only remains was a small gust of wind. He walked back to the throne, sat, and closed his eyes. He may have had the Triforce of Power but sure as hell knew that didn't excuse him from rest.

Suddenly he awoke, gathering dark magic and standing. Then he realized that he wasn't in the vicinity of any danger and released the power. Ganondorf closed his eyes, allowing himself to take on Phantom Ganondorf's vision. Strangely enough, he got nothing.

Quickly he understood. He opened a portal to the gap between dimensions in the Forest Temple and used his Crest of Power to allow his voice to be heard where the Hero was. 'Hey kid, you did quite well... It looks like you might be gaining some slight skill... But you have only defeated my phantom... When you fight the real me, it won't be so easy! What a worthless creation that ghost was!' Ganondorf sent Phantom Ganon through the portal he had created. 'I will banish it to the gap between dimensions!'

With that done he released the magic and closed the Shadow Portal.

He turned to the southern wall of the throne room, extending his vision beyond his castle. So Phantom Ganon had failed. He needed a stronger minion to make sure that the remaining five seals would not be broken. His gaze fell upon Death Mountain. It was time to make sure the Hylians and their feeble forces didn't dare to continue the Imprisoning War. What sort of threat would keep them from gaining allies and force them to continue their hiding? He returned his gaze to the room. "Captain Avonej." he said.

A red-eyed Sheikah, brainwashed of course, appeared before the evil king. "You called me, my lord?" asked the white-haired man, brushing aside a part of his trenchcoat.

"Yes." Dragmire replied. "What information do you have on Death Mountain, as the people of this land wish to call it?" Ganondorf's golden eyes pierced through the Sheikah's mind and saw his wants for his tribe but ignored his feeble mind. "Tell me."

Versae Avonej returned with a blank look. "Long ago, the Gorons of Death Mountain were told to guard a sacred stone, known as the Gorons' Ruby or the Spiritual Stone of Fire. An ancient demon sent a dragon called Volvagia to attack the Gorons into submission so they would give up the stone. When they did not, Volvagia's attacks frequented and a reign of terror grew over the Gorons for their complete survival was threatened. This occured during the Great Hylian War. But, of course, one day, this dragon died and peace was restored to the Death Mountain once the war was over until aproximately seven years ago, when the Imprisoning War began." When he finished, Avonej fell silent, awaiting new orders.

Ganondorf returned to the throne but did not sit. He faced the brainwashed Sheikah. "Ready the forces. Send peons to the remaining four temples. Oh, and make sure the 'hero's' dark side meets with him. I'm sure he'll enjoy the challenge." The captain bowed and vanished. "Twin Rova..." he began. The two hags instantly appeared. "I'm sure you'd like to have a visit with Commander Nabooru, the traitor that you so loyally brainwashed."

They looked to eachother then back at Ganondorf. "Back to the desert, my lord?" Koume asked. Ganondorf nodded. Kotake joined in, "The Spirit Temple? That's fully protected. I'm sure the soldiers we brainwashed are capable of..."

The King of Evil interrupted, "It is not a question of their capability. It is a question of your capability and loyalty to me." He drew his katana. "Or would you rather face the consequences, Twin Rova?" Hastily the witches opened a portal which closed once they had hurriedly entered it. With satisfaction, he returned the blade to its sheathe. He looked east once more. He had a dragon's resurrection to prepare.