Chapter 13 – 7th Hyrule War Countdown
In Lake Hylia, Link and Proxi wandered about this place, waiting for Zelda and Midna.
"Ah the meeting is done." said Proxi. "I transport Zelda and Midna to you."
"Thank you, Proxi. You know, you're the best and nicest fairy I ever met."
Proxi giggled. "You're just too much."
She warped the two princesses to Lake Hylia.
"Zelda, Midna…"
"There's no time to talk." said Zelda. "We need to gather some allies."
"Then let's do it! I'll go to Hyrule Castle Town and gather the Resistance, Midna will go to the Twilight Realm. You will go to gather yours in Ordon and Faron Province."
"My clones will go with you." said Link. "Upawik rau aokanak hoodu ekasike – Separate me into four."
Link groaned as he split himself into four while the outfits were different. The three Links were dressed in different coloured outfit: - one in red, the other in blue and the last was in purple.
"What? How are you able to…?" asked Midna.
"He used to separate himself in the past whenever there are urgent matters. The Link in red has the power of fire. The one in blue is specialised in water powers. The purple one uses lightning powers."
"Hello, my dear." said Link in purple.
Midna was surprised to see the Link in purple attracted to her. "My dear, I will help you just like my original self did. Besides, you are pretty."
"This is no time for love. We can do this all we want later." said Midna.
The Link in purple felt torn inside. "Very well, but I'll go with you to the Twilight Realm."
Proxi warped them to their different locations. In Hyrule Castle Town, Zelda and Link in blue went to the Throne Room and warned the guards about an incoming war.
The throne room was a vast chamber. High tiered balconies admitted to dim light. Gigantic statues of Zelda and the King of Hyrule towered against the walls and at the middle of the room were column spires of burning incense. A long red carpet led up to a large throne. On either sides of the room were large stained glass windows of Tetra, the King Harkinian, Prince of Hyrule, Impa and Link.
"Such a beautiful room." said Link in blue.
"Father, built this for the royal family." said Zelda.
"Very amazing."
The original Link appeared in Aboda Village which was in the southern part of Ordon Ranch. He met young warriors: Aryll, Beth, Colin and Talo who were armed with bows & arrows, swords and Aryll had a crossbow which once belonged to Link.
"Big brother?" cried Aryll.
"Link, what are you doing here?" asked Colin.
"I was going to ask the same. Well, I am looking for anyone who is able to follow me in a real fight."
"You found the right people. We're all on our way to look for new heroes too." said Beth.
"Big brother never fails us." said Aryll.
"He never does." said Talo.
They suddenly disappeared from Aboda Village and appeared in Kakariko Village. They found Luda in a black waistcoat with brown Wingcrest over a beige tunic, cut in a fringe on the edges. On the back of her tunic was a Tri-Force symbol. She had a bow and arrows. She had longer hair falling past her shoulders."Thanks, Proxi." said Link silently.
"Beth is that you?" asked Luda.
"Luda?"
Beth and Luda hugged expressively. "I thought I wouldn't see you all again."
"Same here. I felt lonely, thinking about you and Kakariko."
"It's not over, there are more like us that are going to be heroes." said Link.
Inside the Twilight Realm, the cursed Midna and the Link in purple were greeted by the Twili.
"Welcome back, I wanted to…" Una gasped as she saw the apparition. Her form was incredible but unmistakable. "Midna? What happened to you?"
"I was cursed by Cia."
"She was cursed by Cia." Link in purple repeated.
"Oh I see. How about I return you back to your normal form?"
"Not yet Una. I will signal you when to return me to my normal form."
"That's right she'll signal you when to return her to her normal form."
"Alright."
"Una, you're the greatest twili sorceress, I've ever met." said Ibun.
"Yes, you're the greatest twili sorceress."
"Will you stop repeating whatever someone says?" asked Ibun. "And why are you in purple?"
"Link has been separated from his original body and what you see is a replica of his being. And he's getting a bit too protective of me." explained Midna.
"You mean protective of you and your people?" said Link in purple.
"Oh I see."
"We don't have that much time, a war will take place in the Light Realm." said Midna.
"Prepare our forces! We march at dawn. Wait a minute, doesn't seem to have dawn or sunrise in here." Link in purple realised.
"It's not called the Twilight Realm for nothing." said Una.
Through Faron Woods, Link in blue and Link in red travelled by Spirit Train. The Spirit Train raced under an archway to narrow twisting tracks. He steered left and right at full tilt. Trees and mountains stretched far beyond. It passed over a long bridge of iron girders. Below this bridge was the west entrance to the Sacred Grove.
A tinsuit jogged quickly from one side and jumped aboard to hinder them. A short slash from Link in red's Master Sword beat him away. A second tried the same tactic but was cut down in similar style. Link in blue was stuck to his task of negotiating an even path between obstacles close either side. As still another enemy came aboard with a grunt he chopped savagely and sent it under the wheels. His quarry shot overhead across a covered wooden bridge.
Another thug came in front but was dragged underneath. The Spirit Train jumped a gap then flew through the air beneath the fine rainbow spray of a waterfall to an underground cave passage. As he negotiated its rocky walls a demonic train joined the chase from an adjacent path.
"Hey Link, can this go any further?" Link in red asked with impatience.
"My goodness, Link. Who is running it you or me?"
"Why do you have to be so blue?"
"I'm not sad or dull. We are in a bad situation. You're just being red."
"I'm not angry. I'm just…" Link in red tried to deny his feelings.
The two machines jostled for the line along the winding path, Link in blue trying his best to force the enemy against the rock walls while keeping his Spirit Train to its course. A cloud of bats screeched overhead. The passage narrowed suddenly and the other train smashed against an outcrop. He was left to steer a course to one side of a divide, with a perilous drop close in front. His Spirit Train took the gap without break in its course, though the train bucked and crashed against rock walls. With barely a moment to collect his breath, Link in blue saw up ahead a slender bridge. More bats flew thick from the depths either side as he thundered towards it and guided the horses across to another divide. Safely through, the Spirit Train reached Forest Temple.
"Here we are, Forest Temple. I heard monkeys and their chief roam about. Now, we're looking for any heroes like us." said Link in blue.
"I guess so.
In Kakariko Village, Luda escorted the new heroes and heroines to Renado's sanctuary where they gathered around. The sanctuary consisted of one round room with an effigy of the spirit Eldin in the centre. A small fire burned next to the statue. Four torches lined the walls, each within an alcove.
"It took you a lot of trouble. You seemed to be ready." said Aryll.
"Thanks. Who are you?" asked Luda.
"I'm sure you know me."
"I know you, Link. But I meant her." said Luda.
"That's my sister, Aryll."
"Nice to meet you, Aryll." said Luda.
"Pleasure is mine."
"We too will be heroes."
"Ariston." cried Link.
"Yes, my peers and I will be heroes like you." said Ariston.
"Agreed." said Ariston's colleagues in unison.
"Welcome to the group." said Link.
"All of you aren't enough." a voice came from the entrance.
"Gor Coron." gasped everyone.
"Did I mention that we gorons are willing to lend number of hands?" Gor Coron was under the pretence of reminding them. "Our family is yours, isn't it, Darbus?"
"Oh yes."
"And the zoras and I are ready to stand against Ganondorf." said a female voice.
"Who are you?" asked Beth.
"I am Aydia, leading figure of the zoras under King Ralis."
Everyone were puzzled.
"Sorry, let me make this clear! I once served Queen Rutela who charged me with the defence of Zora's Domain. Queen Rutela was a benevolent ruler of the zoras and so is her son."
"I am glad to know you, Aydia."
Inside Forest Temple, both Links in blue and in red made their way to a chamber full of pillars and overgrown vegetation. Gold moon light poured from above. Birds twittered somewhere out of sight. Link in blue reminisce the battle between Link and the monkey chief.
"I know this place." said Link in red.
"It is the heart of Great Deku Tree," Link in blue explained. "These monkeys I recalled live here and it was once infested by these monstrous creatures."
A roar was heard from below. "What was that?"
"DODGE!" shouted Link in red.
Long thorny vines emerged from underground, prompting both Links to dodge. Both of them drew their Master Swords in readiness. A huge cactus within its fly traps emerged with its tentacles-like vines. The cactus had red eyes and thorn-like teeth.
"What is that thing? Go and sever these vines! I'll go and take on its thorny body." urged Link in red.
Link in blue cut its vine tentacles. It roared in agony. The first blow from Link in red slashed fast, and the Weed Killer flapped his gilded fly trap, trying to dislodge Link in red, hanging on. The determined young Hylian brought the Master Sword down again and cut deep, and as he was thrown into the air put his weight and force behind another that sliced the wounded fly trap clean off. It howled in rage as Link in red dropped to the ground.
Pleased with their success, they were wary of its attacks. A number of Deku babas appeared out of the ground. As Link in blue stood spellbound they unleashed violent whirling attacks. He snapped out of his trance and struck back, moving among garden furniture to limit their advance, and slashing where he could. Usual combat techniques would not easily prevail. His reliable aerial assault was most often successful. A sudden vicious swipe hooked his legs from under, and flat on his back Link in red was at their mercy. He sprang to his feet and rolled aside. A stone lantern pillar proved useful to launch a sweeping attack, and he was quick to face them directly as they recoiled, and give the full force of his sword. Had the energy in their Master Sword this might all prove much easier, and they struggled hard to find the exact combination of blows that might be effective against them, yet if it took fifty strikes, they were determined to keep up the attack until each loathsome creation shrivelled to seed.
Link in blue severed the vines. Link in red sprang out off the column, and slashed at the other fly trap. As the Weed Killer twisted, Link in red hopped to the other side and clung onto an arm in a desperate struggle as the creature writhed about. He made two swift slashes to the glittering appendage. In a swift flowing move he leaped up above, and plunged his Master Sword down. The second fly trap fell to the ground. Satisfied that he had crippled the demon sufficiently, he jumped down to the arena floor.
With an avenging cry, they plunged their Master Swords into the Weed Killer's abdomen. It gave a dying groan, turned black and burst.
Imprisoned kids emerged from their temporary prison. They bore their weapons in hands: swords and bows & arrows.
"We're free." cried a boy.
"They are heroes." a girl cheered.
"Link?" Agitha was glad to see him.
"It is Link." Romani and Cremia saw their saviours.
"How come? There are just two of you."
"There are more on the other side. Enough of me, why didn't you remain in Termina?" asked Link in red.
"Termina is no more." said Cremia.
"What madness is this?" asked Link in red.
"Yuga was behind this. He destroyed the whole realm. There are some survivors who escaped to Hyrule and we are among them."
"Link? You're alive." said Irene.
"Irene? How is that training of yours?"
"I am now a certified witch just like my grandmother." said Irene.
"There will be a war. Do any of you want to be heroes and help us fight a war?" asked Link in blue.
All whispered among them while both Links expected replies.
"Let's get to Kakariko Village!" urged Link in red.
"I'll transport you all there." said Irene.
Irene's hands glowed purple and all of them disappeared from their area to Renado's sanctuary. Inside the sanctuary, they appeared.
"Who are…" Beth was surprised to see Links and their new friends. "…Links?"
"How come there are three?" Talo was unable to understand the three Links
"Big Brother?" Aryll started to find the situation confusing.
"I'm your Big Brother." said the original Link.
"I'm your Big Brother." said Link in red.
"I'm your Big Brother." said Link in blue.
"I'M HER BIG BROTHER!" shouted Link in red.
"NO, I AM." shouted the Link in blue.
"Wait! That doesn't make sense. Who is Aryll's Big Brother?" asked Luda.
"I am." the Links shouted as a union.
Irene sensed the real Link who was the original. "According to my senses, the Link in the colour we knew is her real brother."
Inside Ganon's Tower, Majora's Wrath was presented in a black robe and Majora's Mask was altered black and green with red eyes.
"That's quite an outfit you got there." said Ghirahim.
"The Majora's Mask is not altered to my liking."
"Since we have our Will Materialisation, we can make that army turn against each other." said Ghirahim.
"Things are going as planned." said Omfak.
"Not yet." said Yuga. "We still need more allies to make sure we bring this to a full circle."
Yuga and three witches recited in an unknown language. "Ito pada auvadhi agara aag tuwek ogkansasi – Time to bring the past."
More enemies from the past appeared from the ground.
"Lord Ganon, I bring those from the past. Lady Middee, Veran, Pasquinade and Dakkon."
Ganon now presented in a crimson robe and black armour stood inside his chamber. The masked figure along with his allies stood before Ganon.
"My lord, our army is assembled." said Omfak.
"I still want to get my hands on Lana." said Cia.
"And we will." said Dark Zelda. "We have a new army formed for this conquest."
"Now, let us be off! The 7th Hyrule War is about to start."
Majora's Wrath led his allies and his army. They now marched to where they wish to annex first.