Chapter 3 – Breaking bonds

Meanwhile in Hyrule, everyone slept. Link was busy, keeping Epona company. Zelda had a dream about Link, standing victorious and hailed a hero along with Epona. The surroundings formed itself from a warp of light and revealed how Gorons, Zoras, Hylians and fairies live together. A blinding white flash transformed the surroundings to the eerie Twilight Realm.

This realm was lit with an eerie twilight glow with black clouds. Light glittered off the windows of the palace. Noise of insects and strange creatures buzzed in the stuffy air. Sitting on her Throne, Midna wrote in her book, the events from Masked figure's invasion and Link's journey to Ganon's dominance. Midna recalled her journey with Link. A tall figure came to Midna. All the conversations were in Twili.

"Lady Midna, Ganondorf has returned."

"That's not possible. Ganon could not have survived…" gasped Midna.

Midna remembered Link's fight with Ganon. Link sidestepped Ganon's incoming blow and slashed upwards. When he dealt enough damage they locked blades and began a struggle for supremacy. He summoned every ounce of strength to throw Ganon back, and they resumed their fight. Link plunged the Master Sword into his foul, treacherous heart.

"And yet we killed them. What could have gone wrong?"

Midna recalled her shadow fuses were crushed in the grip of his hands. She observed at Ganon's supposed death used the power of Tri-Force to fade and appeared. The Tri-Force symbol on his hand faded. Masked figure's neck was snapped and he died.

"Lady Midna…"

"What can we do? I destroyed the mirror to allow no unnecessary hindrances in the Light World, since I promised my old friends' safety." said Midna. "It's all my fault."

Another Twili being approached Midna. "No, I understand why you chose to do it. We can keep them at bay."

"You've been very loyal, Ibun." said Midna to her Twili servant.

Inside Ganon's Tower, a tall masked individual in Majora's Mask approached Ganon.

"My lord…"

"You fool… what do you want?" Ganon shouted at the Masked figure.

Ganon clutched his abdomen where Link plunged his Master Sword.

"My lord… I…"

"Silence! Who are you? What are you doing here?" asked Ganon

"I am a new servant of yours, My lord." Masked figure promised.

Ganon grinned.

"My lord, the time has come." said the individual in Majora's Mask.

Ganon waited expectantly. He drew a symbol on the ground and started dancing on it. The symbol glowed red, creating a vast portal. Much to Ganon's contentment, his minions materialised through this portal: Goronu, Militron, Glutko and Lupay.

"Militron, I've got a job for you." said Ganon.

"What's that?" asked the black knight with horned helmet.

Ganon's minions kidnapped Midna and started torturing her. Ganon held Midna's shadow fuse aloft. Goronu and Militron held Zelda by her arms and forced her to watch Midna's dead body, a dead Link and her shadow fuse.

"Hahahaha, the witless Hylian and the foolish Twilight Princess is vanquished as I will soon take over Hyrule. All will bow before me. All will be enslaved and work for me. Cause more dissent and your fate worsens. No heroes..." Militron threw Link's dead body into a pool of lava.

"LINK!" cried Zelda.

"…or heroines will swear justice upon us especially this foolish Twilight fairy. Hyrule will be MINE!"

Ganon crushed the shadow fuse in his iron gauntlet with the symbol of Tri-force of Power. Zelda cried out. "Midna. NOO! MIDNA!"

Ganon acquired all the Tri-Force and started a huge eruption, earthquake, flood and firestorms. "NOOO!" Zelda felt a huge agony in her heart. From dazzling white light, Zelda woke up startled. Link heard Zelda's scream and rushed to see whatever happened.

"Zelda, are you alright?"

"No… I…"

"Yes."

"It's just…" Zelda couldn't explain after the nightmares troubled her.

"You've been screaming all night."

"It's… Midna. Midna died in Ganon's hands. You died too. Ganon has new allies and got hold of the Tri-force of Power. A huge calamity has taken place."

"You really had a nightmare. I promise you, Midna is safe."

"I suppose. I don't want to lose anyone, meaning you and Midna just as how I lost my father."

Inside Telma's bar, Link and Zelda sat around a table with Telma. Link and Zelda drank milk.

"So you said about an event that will take place in Hyrule?" asked Telma.

"Yes, I heard about a greater event will take place unless something can be done." said Link.

"What's that?" asked Telma.

"Her highness said this evil being keeps returning from the underworld and warned me about the consequences of bearing the Tri-Force."

Louise walked about the bar and sat next to the postman who was eating roast beef. The postman shared some with Louise.

"Before that event is about to come to pass, we must warn the others and have everyone seek shelter." said Telma.

"But, where shall we find shelter?" asked Zelda.

"Don't worry, your majesty! I will get them to Hidden Village for a start!"

"I've been to Hidden Village. A goron called Darbus led me there." said Link.

"People fleeing from various areas of Hyrule: Kakariko Village, Horon Village, Mabe Village, Lynna Village and Clock Town. But since Hidden Village is abandoned, where shall we find food for these people?"

"I know an old friend of mine who prepared a nice meal. Wait that's it!" Link pondered the increase urgency. "There's a mansion in Snowpeaks and it needs repairs and two yetis enjoy skiing. Perhaps these people may have a bit of fun."

"Your Highness, I would take you somewhere it'll make you feel better." said Link.

"Where?" asked Zelda.

Link and Zelda clambered on Epona and headed to Zora's Domain.

"Ganon's uprising is surely the cause of all this."

"So it wasn't a dream, but a vision."

"And yet I thought I killed him. What could have gone wrong?"

Link remembered how their weapons clanged and screeched as each fought for the upper hand. Using all his strength, Link forced the lurid Ganon away. He also recalled both him and Zelda leaving Ganon with the sword impaled in his chest.

"We both have the Tri-Force, Link. I don't know how Ganon got hold of it. The goddesses must have taken the Tri-Force away after he escaped death."

"What does that mean?" asked Link.

"If Ganon captures either of us, not only he'll have his strength restored or have his powers amplified, but he'll use it to strengthen a new army."

"What?"

"My father told me all about the Tri-Force. The three Tri-Forces have different powers based on the goddesses." explained Zelda. "Din, the Goddess of Power forged the Tri-Force of Power. Now Ganon seeks to use it to his advantage.

"Makes sense."

"You bear the Tri-Force of Courage which my father once had just as I bear the Tri-Force of Wisdom. Even these powers of Tri-Force may be in our favour."

"Zelda, you are wise… and of course beautiful. No wonder you're suitable as a ruler."

"Oh Link…"

As they were about to share a passionate kiss, she felt something wrong. Another vision came into Zelda's head. A vision featured a tower with Ganon on top of it.

"Now it's not the time for this. Ganon is now in search of the villages to raid."

Inside a 1400 ft tall tower, the masked figure returned to his master who created a black clone of Link with red eyes and gave his creation a red-lit Master Sword.

"The villages are empty, my lordship."

"And the heroes?" asked Ganon.

"They escaped." said the wearer of Majora's Mask.

"You MORON!" shouted Ganon.

"My lord…"

"Why have Militron and my minions done nothing?"asked Ganon.

"The rest are cowards." he said.

"Don't call my minions cowards!" Ganon turned his attention to Goronu and the rest.

"Boys, you must be responsible for we've already lost them. Dark Link, Militron, the princess of Hyrule holds a valuable power much like I used to bear. The hero called Link whose blood allows him to hold the Master Sword to ward off evil that no one can cleanse. Bring them to me! UNDERSTAND!"

"Yes, master." said Dark Link.

"Master, whatever you say we understand." said Militron.

"Yes." they said in unison.

"Good. Now make yourself useful! Get to work! Dark Link, capture the hero and his loved one!"

"But that will take forever." said Dark Link.

"I don't care. I have used the Tri-Force of Power to amplify you, the shadowy reflection of Link and therefore my will materialisation." said Ganon. "I poured my will and malice to power you up."

"How will I do this?" asked Dark Link.

"Why don't you capture the princess in order to lure the hero?"

"Sounds easy."

"Lupay."

"Master." said Lupay.

"My former ally, King Bulblin has betrayed me. I don't know where he is. Since you're a part Hylian – part wolf, smell for his location and hunt him down!"

"Yes, Master."

Ganon's minions left the tower for their search. The figure genuflected before his master.

"You put too much hope in them." he warned.

"Leave me! I need to rest."

As Link and Zelda went about Hyrule Fields and checked. Not far was Hyrule Castle looming.

"I need to Zora's Domain." said Link. "Ralis, the new ruler of the domain seems to be troubled due to his mother's death."

"I know Queen Rutela's dead. I can imagine how sad Ralis must have felt." said Zelda.

Suddenly, Militron and Dark Link spotted the couples.

"Well, well. You two aren't very hard to find." said Militron.

"Indeed." remarked Dark Link. "What's wrong? Care to surrender?"

"Remember what our master said? He wants them alive." said Militron.

"Who cares?" said Dark Link. "If they come in without doing anything stupid, I guess I'll let them live otherwise, this will end in bloodshed."

"Not if start with yours." challenged Link.

Zelda stepped besides Link and faced up to Link's ruthless alter ego.

"We will never submit to a false ruler. Who would dare take up arms and face me?"

"As you wish."

Link was now adept at face-to-face combat and divided his attack between Dark Link and Militron, holding off one as he dealt with the other. Link moved swiftly, closing with Dark Link. He almost managed to beat him to a halt, but Militron crowded in, set to overwhelm him. He put to use his superior agility, and rolled and tumbled aside.

Link focuses his sword fight with Dark Link. Alter-ego or not, this creature was expert with sword. A red lit sword in hand flashed cruelly as Link blocked Dark Link's incoming blow. He found very quickly that force would not be enough; he must use speed and agility to counter his swift attack. Blows came in rapid volleys, Dark Link turning to deliver blows behind and from above. Link blocked and probed for weakness.

Zelda stood before Dark Link who held her beloved hostage.

"Militron, she yours."

Militron advanced menacingly upon Zelda who fired divine arrows which he spewed fire on them. But these arrows injured him. Her divine arrows shafted from her position and caught the huge knight full in the chest. A second followed to send it staggering back, then a third cut through its helmet full in the face, and with that Militron was injured.

"Let him go or you'll have to account for your deeds to the goddesses!" warned Zelda.

"I clearly have underestimated you. Militron, why are you not getting up?"

Militron was incapacitated under the effects of the celestial weapons. Epona knocked Dark Link out of the way and came to rescue her; inadvertently allowing Dark Link and Militron capture the wounded Link and disappeared through a portal.

Epona fled with Zelda to Faron Woods where she was met by a man with large afro hair.

"You? The Princess of Hyrule!" gasped the man, grovelling before her. "Welcome to Faron Woods."

"You may rise, Coro." said Zelda.

"What's Guy's horse doing here?" Coro noticed Epona.

"There's no time to explain. All of you are in danger."

"Your majesty, what's happening? What happened to Guy?" asked Coro.

"Go and seek shelter in Ordon Village! Take this message to Mayor Bo! I'll hold them off." Zelda handed Coro an envelope with a Hyrule seal on it.

"Very well, Trill, let's hurry!"

"Who'll look after…"

"Nothing, let's get to Ordon Village. I'm sure the Princess of Hyrule said it." Coro remembered Link. "Guy, stay safe! I can count on you. I know I can. Good luck, your majesty."

"You too. Warn the people of Ordon Village to head back home as an incoming threat is on the way. We don't want it to be like last time."

Zelda pondered on how to get Link to safety. She climbed on Epona and headed back to Ganon's Tower.

"Link, it's all my fault. How could I let this happen to you?"

Mayor Bo and the people were about to leave Ordon Village until they were met by Coro.

"Coro, what brought you here?" asked Mayor Bo.

"A letter from the Princess of Hyrule." he panted.

"Well, my lad, let's see what it is!" he started to read the letter.

Dear Mayor Bo,

I am very sorry the wedding at Hyrule has been postponed due to a new threat coming. I am writing this to warn you of a threat approaching under different circumstances. You and your people must return to your home unless you have trained warriors like Link. As the Princess of Hyrule, for your safety, I order you all to head back home!"

Zelda of Hyrule

"Hmm, I see."

"What is it, father?" asked Ilia.

"We all must turn back as the Royal Family of Hyrule ordered us to do so!"

"What?"

"We need some trained warriors like Link. Colin, I heard you completed your training. You perhaps will follow Link's footsteps. Where's your father?" asked Mayor Bo.