Chapter 9 – Return of the Princess Zelda
Inside Arbiter's Ground, Ganon came to his allies with some explanations.
"I came to tell you we all have our own will materialisation." said Ganon.
"What is a will materialisation?" asked the individual in Majora's Mask.
"Let's say I remotely manipulate the actions of anyone and we can manipulate them into brainwashing them like Cia did to the goron, Midna and her other half. We all can. Will Materialisation derives from our mad desires. My will derives from revenge. Those who have the Will Materialisation that derives from wrath: Militron, Demise and Malladus."
"How did we all receive this will materialisation?" asked Dark Link.
"I poured them into you all. They all will be used whichever way based on your wishes." said Ganon. "You as well as Yuga have deceit, Ghirahim has envy, Cia has obsession and jealousy, Glutko has gluttony, Cole has greed which once used on Dawid, Igos du Ikana has hate, Nabooru has misery and deceit, Gibdo has selfishness."
"That's fascinating." said Yuga. "So what about the one in Majora's Mask?"
"His will is derived from pride." said Ganon.
"So Cia used her will materialisation on Midna, making her turn on Link and Zelda." said Dark Link.
"That's right. If we focus our will materialisation on the princess and the hero, they'll fall as our minion." sneered Ganon. "Now that I got Midna's flesh, I can now use it and create her replica albeit a black version like I did to Dark Link. That will replace Lupay."
Ganon placed two skeletons on the ground. He used a skeleton and reformed it as a darker version of Midna. Cia poured her will into her, giving her red eyes and a red glowing scimitar. Ganon used Zelda's flesh and placed it on the other skeleton and poured his will into it. A clone of Zelda was raised. She was completely black while her hair was white and eyes were red. In her hand was her Naykilish that glowed red.
"I present you Midna's evil clone and Zelda's evil clone."
"What shall we do with these heroes?" asked the figure in Majora's Mask.
"I have no use for them. Kill them!" Ganon allowed.
"When shall we start our domination?" asked Glutko.
"Now that we have all of us are together, the heroes we captured are now imprisoned again since we finally made our army stronger. I will change my mind, I was going to give six days, but since the eclipse nearly covered the sun, we will prepare ourselves for war."
The sky became dark red as the sun was nearly covered. Inside Hyrule Castle Town, Chancellor Cole's taxpayers forced the citizens to pay to which they found impossible. Pushed to the end of his rope, he placed even harsher taxes on the people, and arrested dozens of helpless people who were unable to pay. The town was driven into poverty and everybody was losing hope.
Meanwhile, the citizens were threatened by Chancellor Cole, who asked them.
"We'll be on our way soon," said Cole, "Have you started the 200 million rupees transfer?"
"Chancellor," Telma replied, "As you know, our country is in complete chaos. We need more time to transfer them."
"We've got no time to spare. Execute the transfer at once!"
"I'm telling you, it's impossible."
Cole warned the people one last time before hanging up, "Then responsibility for the destruction of Hyrule will be yours."
The taxpayers, guards and generals continued whipping the people. Others were taken out of their homes and arrested. Cole cut the flag of Hyrule and replaced it with Cole's flag. The flag was magenta and had a yellow symbol of a top hat and bags of rupees.
Inside Arbiter's Ground prison, Link and Zelda got annoyed by the same tricks.
"Just great, we're captured again." sighed Link.
"This time, it won't be about getting our powers. It will be our execution like he did to Queen Rutela."
"I couldn't care. If I die, so be it." said Link.
"You couldn't care?" there came a voice in Twili language.
"Midna?"
They looked below their feet and saw a shadow of a being and a huge golden hand, snatching Link as well as Zelda and bore them to the depths of it. The golden hand placed them on the grounds of Lake Hylia.
"Forgive me, Zelda. I wasn't myself."
"It was not you." said Zelda. "I forgive you."
"You were never like this. I know what's going on or what made us turn against each other."
"What do you mean?" asked Proxi.
"I heard Ganon said he uses Will Materialisation and pours it into his minions."
"Will materialisation?" Proxi couldn't comprehend.
"It is what Ganon and his minions used to manipulate anyone from any distance. Will materialisation is based on their mad desires like Cia did to you." said Link.
"In her case was that she used Will materialisation that was originated from her obsession and jealousy. No wonder you weren't yourself."
A vision came to Proxi she saw the oppression taking place in Hyrule Castle Town.
"Zelda, Hyrule Castle Town is ruled by Chancellor Cole."
"What?" gasped Zelda.
"He imposed tax on the people and started mass arrest."
"We have no time to lose." said Link.
Proxi transported the four from their area to Hyrule Castle Town where the beatings of subjugated civilians continued. A young girl was held by her arms.
The Resistance were unable to fight against the tyrants. Link had yet another strength added to his repertoire: aligning himself behind the taxpayers and slaughtered them. The captive was recognised by none other than Agitha. Midna went directly behind the unwary oppressors and caught them cold. Ibun took out a mirror to warp them out of existence.
"Ibun, since when did you have the Void Mirror?" asked Midna.
"I had our people craft it when you were in misery, your highness. The Void Mirror imprisons them into the void. Immortal beings will have their powers and immortality negated and they'll eventually die."
The Resistance were given the slight advantage and started to rebel against the taxpayers. Zelda fired her Divine Arrows and took down the tormentors. Without warning Zelda became gripped by a seizure. The princess wrestled in agony as her body was ringed by a strange helix spiral of deepest blue. Boiling clouds enveloped her as her helpless body was changed once more to the form of Divine Zelda.
"What is this form?"
The transformation surprised Link, Midna and Ibun. At this rate, Link was also caught in the same seizure. He arose in a strange unearthly form, hair became white and flowed upward like smoke and cinders, greenish-blue body laced with fiery designs and tri-force symbol on his back, his eyes glowing yellow. His clothing became grey. He cracked his neck and stood as a scary figure. His Master Sword glowed yellow.
"What happened to me?" gasped Link.
"You must have been like me, having the same transformation." said Zelda.
"How did this happen?"
"Like me, you were given some of the powers by Lady Farore which is now awakened." said Zelda.
"Are you certain?"
"Of course, Lady Nayru granted me her powers and I was transformed into a divine being. So maybe you must be one too." said Zelda.
"Perhaps."
Invaders had looted the market. Bodies lay strewn among burning carts and sacks of goods. A tortured soul hung off a gibbet. Celestial Link and Divine Zelda jumped out to it and swore silent vengeance on the curs that sought to perpetrate such atrocities. Celestial Link stared down at the three that occupied the marketplace. Though similar in appearance, one in particular seemed different. They spurned the easy opportunity to descend on the nearest enemy below, and began to work their way closer to the strangest of the twenty. Celestial Link fell swiftly and struck out with his enhanced Master Sword. As he suspected, the taxpayers, guards and generals had gained greater strength than those he met previously. Fully five sweeps of his flashing blade were required to send him choking to the ground. Now Divine Zelda fired Divine arrows to the others, and dealt some small recompense for the oppression of the blameless citizens.
Divine Zelda came behind Cole's guard. The situation was not advantageous. One guard seemed to cover another so that whatever chance she took she was as likely to alert one or more. She faced Cole's Guard, fired her Divine Arrow and finished it fast. Now the others were alerted but she had confidence in her ability. Divine Zelda and Celestial Link moved swiftly, drawing the clumsy brutes around the marketplace, skirting, scattered pots and baskets then lunging forward, slashing them as they fumbled about. He used walls to rebound, knocking one and another to the floor, and blew into his whirlwind and unleashed powerful winds to limit their attack should any catch him in the force of its blade. With patience and persistence he vanquished the heathen horde.
"Zelda, go and face whoever is responsible for this!" urged Celestial Link. "I will find a way to help the Resistance."
Cole's guard rushed at Midna from the shadows of an alcove. Taken unawares, she leapt aside then moved to block. From nowhere a string of arrows struck the guard full in the chest, one after the other. He reeled back but recovered, blade held high still intent on destruction. Midna skewered it with a deft thrust, and kicked the body away. She turned to find her unknown saviour. She looked across to the Castle Town East Road where Celestial Link stood.
"Thank you." said Midna.
"Too early for gratitude, let's get these people to safety!"
As they stood wondering how they must help these people, running footsteps came up from behind. Three generals hurried to confront them. Now there was no option but to fight. Midna moved swiftly, closing with the first. She managed to beat him to a halt, but the others crowded in, set to overwhelm them. Celestial Link put to use his superior agility, and rolled and tumbled aside. He found he could easily handle the clumsy brutes, and he was at his most powerful then. If they pinned him to a corner he could blow into his whirlwind, sending them scattered like ninepins. As one closed on him, Midna fired orange needles at the enemy, then jumped over to grab the hapless enemy by the shoulders and fling him to the ground. The others soon had the fight knocked out of them.
"I can sense the Twilight Princess is no longer doing my bidding." said Cia. "I have no use for her."
Cia snapped her fingers, causing Midna to feel a harsh sensation. "Midna, what's happening?"
Her body started to coat in black substance and was gripped by a terrible transformation. She had no control over this effect and gave an agonising scream as she was seized in this curse.
"Midna, your Fused Shadow is valuable. My Will materialisation will grant me those fragments." said Cia. Her hands glowed red.
There seemed no remedy for this harsh curse. Cia almost felt the powers of the Fused Shadow. Celestial Link started to realise that's one of the effects of Will materialisation and voiced his incantation.
"Nakutuk ini sern isuwk okeztidleg – Time to stop this curse."
The effects were reversed if not Midna would have died so. Yuga came to see Cia.
"Well? How was it?"
"I failed in controlling my pawn." said Cia. "It felt like something interfered in this process."
"Oh well, we'll see her dead on the battlefield nonetheless." said Yuga.
Celestial Link held Midna in his arms and saw her in her familiar form, but this time with the shadow fuse.
"Midna, you are the same as before."
"I am cursed now." said Midna.
"I reversed the process. You still retain the Fused Shadow even in this form." said Celestial Link.
Divine Zelda climbed up a stairway which was lit with tiny stacks of candles. Inside Hyrule Castle, she found her handmaidens were killed while others were nowhere to be seen.
"Where is kind Impa?" Divine Zelda wondered. "Where are they guards who should arrest the one responsible for this? Gone, all gone."
With a heavy heart she pressed on towards her goals. Sounds of sword fights beckoned Divine Zelda, making her rush urgently. She saw Impa fighting against Cole.
"I would have locked you for 10 years. You really made it worse for yourself. Guards! Lock her in for 500 years!"
"Not yet!" Divine Zelda arrived at the scene.
"Have we met?" Cole wasn't able to recognise the identity.
"I was sent by the goddess Nayru as her champion." said Divine Zelda. "Impa, go and get the people to safety!"
"I will, champion of the goddess." Impa didn't seem to recognise Zelda either.
Cole brandished his sword while Divine Zelda unsheathed her Naykilish. Cole's sword proved useless against Divine Zelda. She must rely on her own powers and abilities. She noticed that as she struck Cole, he gave off a charge of red light, obviously sustaining damage.
"You will pay for imposing tax on these people." Divine Zelda vowed.
"That tax was meant for me after the Spirit Tracks were taken out." Cole scoffed in reply. "Things will be better now. The former princess should thank me."
"They live under mindless taxpayers and elites in service to your madness." she insisted.
Divine Zelda kept on the move, tumbling out of reach of sudden swipes and strikes, sure to regain her feet quickly as she was knocked down (an overhead smash from him being certain to follow). He blocked but the Divine Zelda was quicker indeed. Better to keep moving, charging in at every chance when the man responsible for his tyranny left himself open. Divine Zelda was gratified to see red flashes each time her sword hits home. Eventually the Cole reeled back, and Divine Zelda moved in then to slash hard, delivering a succession of blows that cause him to shrivel.
"Your exertions are most amusing," mocked Cole.
It proved the last the fading abilities of the ailing Cole can display. Divine Zelda moved to the evil man. She had no pity for the wretch now coughing and gasping. One downward slash and an uppercut from Divine Zelda sent him skating through the screen doors, crashing out onto the balcony with a reservoir. Divine Zelda fired her Divine arrow into his heart tainted by greed. He collapsed to the ground, wheezing, "I could have been...wealthy."
He coughs his last. Divine Zelda waded into the water, and on first contact instantly changed back to her accustomed form, casting off the force that surrounded her. Zelda climbed all the way to the flag pole and severed the flag of Cole and raised Hyrule's flag.
Eventually, Princess Zelda returned as the benevolent ruler and found out about the terrible deeds Chancellor Cole had inflicted on the people of Hyrule. She immediately reclaimed her throne from her former chancellor. Zelda stood on the balcony that overlooked Hyrule Castle Town.
"My people, the goddesses of Hyrule shine upon not only this kingdom but all the nations. I realised you all were in need of me since you lived in such poverty. Now to make up for my error of disregarding you all, Impa, Ibun, Link, Midna and the Resistance under my command will repeal all of the unjust taxes Cole had imposed on you all. All the people who were banned from worshipping the goddesses, go and pray to thank the goddesses who helped us restore this kingdom. The Spirit Tracks will sonn be restored. This will allow Hyrule to return to happiness and prosperity."
All the people cheered at their salvation. Charlo was happy now. "May the love of the goddesses descend upon you!"
One cry from a man aroused all the people to cry out. "All hail Princess Zelda! Long live our beloved princess!"
Proxi appeared before Link without warning.
"Link, another realm is now under attack."
"What realm?" asked Link.
"It's found in the sky and it's under attack."
"Then let's get to the realm in the sky." Link agreed.
"Zelda." Link called out.
He ran eagerly inside. To his delight Zelda waited for him, Midna, Proxi and Ibun.
Suddenly she was snatched away.
"Do not take another step!" a voice roared.
Dark Link descended in his fabulous dreadful form, the helpless Zelda clutched in his arms.
"I am impressed you made it so far," he sneered as Zelda struggled in vain. "You all are nothing but a hindrance to my desires. Zelda will make an excellent queen fit for a god."
"Let her go!"
"Ha-ha-ha-ha!" Dark Link threw Zelda to the floor as he towered above Link, Midna and Ibun. "You act as though she's your wife which she's not."
The enraged Link charged forward, but Dark Link hurled a whirlwind of dark energy that blasted out the stone at his feet. The platform shattered and the trio fell into a bottomless pit. Dark Link's contemptuous words faded behind.
"The wedding will start."
'Link, Midna, Ibun and Proxi were robbed of Zelda, distanced from his nemesis. No matter who he wishes to save another gets left behind. What alternative can anyone find?'
Pinpricks of light glowed in the darkness. As they fell, the tormented Link and his companions used the help from Midna and Proxi. They slowed down their fall and drifted to Lake Hylia.