Chapter 12

The Super Cucco Is With You Always

Link and Lya have left the horses at the bottom of the stairs to a large castle-like structure. They are running up the stairs to the door when:

Voice – Wait!

Link – (turning to look at the speaker while drawing his sword) Who's there?

A boy of about 19 years steps out from the bushes. He has curly red-ish hair, and dark tan skin; he's about Link's height, maybe a smidget taller

Boy – Are you here to fight Zant?

Lya – Why do you ask?

Boy – Because that's what I'm here to do. I figured maybe we could assist each other.

Lya – What's your name?

Boy – Dak – er, I'm, um … Dako.

Link – (stiffens slightly; mumbling to Lya) "Dako"? I doubt it. More like Dakara-

Lya – (stepping sharply on Link's toe as "Dako" walks up) Where are you from, Dako?

Dako – Castle Town. (seeing Link and Lya cast each other doubtful looks) I haven't been home in a while, and I'm not actually in Castle Town, it's just the closet place I think you'd know.

Lya – Riiiiiiiiiiiiight.

Link – Sorry kid, but we have our own agenda to keep up with.

Lya – Although, we could use an extra pair of hands. (Link gives her an exasperated look) Do you think you handle taking orders from us?

Dako – I think I can manage.

Link – Fine. Come on.

They've been wandering around the castle for a while, when they hear hysterical, maniacal laughter.

Lya – 50 Rupees says it's Zant.

Link – I'll take that bet.

They sneak up to the door of the room and peek around the corner.

Lya – (listening to Link's soft groan with pleasure) So when can I expect that money?

Link – Shut up.

Dako – He's got prisoners …

Lya – Yeah, they're why we're here.

Dako – So, you're not here to destroy Zant?

Link – We're here to do that too, but our first priority is saving our friends.

Dako – I see.

Zant - … So now you have no choice but to bow to me! Or you will be annihilated in then most gruesome and painful way possible!

Midna – I refuse to bow to you, you usurper, tyrant, ROGUE TRAITOR! YOU –

Lya – (leaping onto the platform behind Zant) Hello Zanty!

Zant – (swerving out of the way of a lightning bolt Lya shot at him) HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Now I have you! You shall not escape! You don't even have that stupid Cucco with you!

Link – (turning away from Dako [whose eyes got huge the moment Lya used her Tempest powers]) I'm right here Zant!

Zant – Aaaah! Link! You're alive!

Link – (with one hand on his hip, the other holding his sword) Gee, thanks for noticing.

Zant – You're not the Cucco!

Link – Not anymore. But I was.

Zant – Prove it!

Link - ?

Zant – Crow! Crow I say!

Link – ? Whatever.

Zant – if you don't crow, (lifts Aryll up and starts choking her with his magic) I'll kill her!

Link – (panicked) Alright! (clears his throat) COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO!

The castle shakes as the call of the Super Cucco fades away. Then suddenly a flock of hundreds of Cuccos fly in and attack Zant, who releases his grip on Aryll, and disappears in the flock screaming. When they all fly away, nothing is left to prove that he was even there.

Zelda – Great Tektites! What, how? How did you - ?

Link – (looking completely shocked) Um, I don't know.

Lya – Let's worry about this later. (runs up to a control panel and pulls a switch; the prison cell door opens and everyone runs out) C'mon, let's go home. Thanks for your help, Dako. (she strides out of the room with the others on her heels; Sora lingers for a second, then leaves; Link is about to go out the door)

Dako – Wait a moment, won't you?

Link – (looks at Dako through narrowed eyes) What do you want?

Dako – I wanted to tell you a little story. I think you'll find it quite interesting.

Link – (leaning against the wall) Go on then.

Dako – (challenging tone) It's about my father.

Link – (glares) Are you going to tell me a story, or your family history?

Dako – Oh, I think you'll find this bit of history quite interesting. It does concern you, after all.

Link – (warily) Get on with it. I have stuff to do.

Dako – (nastily) Yeah, like hang out with your girlfriend?

Link – No, like save the world. So I'd appreciate it if you'd hurry up.

Dako – (sneers) As you wish.