Link burst into the throne room, remarkably unscathed from his furious struggle to get there. Blood dripped from his sword, staining the ornate carpet. He didn't understand. His intuition told him Zant was here, yet there was no sign of him. Searching for the distinctive helmet, Link only saw a pale form sprawled in front of the throne. Something about the robe struck Link as familiar, but he ignored it. His eyes continued to scan the room. The dead man was obviously one of Zant's victims; he must be close.

The deep voice caught Link by surprise. "You looking for something, boy?"

Link whirled, blade coming to guard position as he regarded the tall man standing in front of him. A jewel adorned his forehead, and he had the darkest complexion Link had ever seen. "Nothing of any consequence," he spat. "Just the murderer of my closest friend." And beloved, he thought silently.

The dark man frowned. He extended a hand, and to Link's surprise, an image of Zant, composed of light, appeared there. "Does he look anything like this?"

Ganondorf grinned. Stringing the hero along was proving to be even more fun than he'd originally hoped. Now to go for the kill, he thought.

"Judging by your expression, that's the one you're looking for." The man sniffed haughtily. "You're a bit late. I killed him about ten minutes ago."

Link's reaction was not what Ganondorf expected. Instead of grief, he drew his sword and aimed it at Ganondorf's chest. "You rob me of my revenge," he said softly. "I'll just have to kill you instead."

In response, Ganondorf drew the sword he had stolen from the sages, making his Triforce of Power glow on his hand. "That would not be wise, boy."

Link staggered back in shock. He had come here expecting Zant, and ended up not just with Zant dead, but the sworn enemy of Hyrule standing in front of him.

"It was not Zant who was responsible, it was I," Ganon gloated. "Zant was just my puppet. I pull a string, and he curses you. I move another, and he kills your friend."

Ganon's words had been intended to further crush Link's spirit. Instead, they had the opposite effect. Link roared and charged at Ganon, whirling his sword in a deadly offense. Ganon caught the first blow on his sword easily enough, but the next one caught him by surprise as Link reversed his stroke. It was only from a frantic dodge that Ganon avoided being disemboweled.

Ganon fell back beneath Link's onslaught, sweat beading his brow. Link was an accomplished swordsman, but Ganon's skill level was about even with his. How then, was he losing? Deflecting an overhand blow, Ganon leaned back as Link changed it into a backhand strike. The tip of the blade whistled past Ganon's throat a hairs-width away from the skin. If I wanted a shave, I'd ask for one, Ganon thought irritably.

Remembering what his weapons instructor had said years ago, that the best defense was a good offense, Ganon tried to take an offensive stance. Yet by the time his sword started moving, Link was already gone, putting a new tear in his robe and the skin beneath. Link moved his sword as if by instinct, not even appearing to think about what direction he would strike in next. His formidable skill was joined by the canine grace and aggression of his canine other self. A chill went through Ganon as he realized he was witnessing a true mastery of the blade. Cursing, Ganon dropped back into a defensive form, blade ringing as it deflected Link's attacks. I need an endgame, and fast, Ganon thought desperately. I can't keep this up.

Link, as it turns out was thinking the same thing. Why can't I get past his guard? Link jumped back, landing a quick one-two slash. Both attacks were blocked by Ganon's blade, the sword of light seemingly moving of its own accord. I can't keep this pace up much longer. I need a trump card.

Although Ganon was tiring, he sensed that Link was, as well. He blocked a slash that came much slower than usual, then launched an attack of his own. Link fell back, sword flicking out in every direction as Ganon pressed his advantage. At this point, Ganon found Link's fatal weakness: although he fought well, he was fighting with rage, not courage. As a result, he couldn't draw power from the Triforce of Courage that blazed on his hand. Ganon laughed, driving Link back. He locked blades with Link, and laughed in his face.

Link disengaged from the lock, backpedaling frantically. The seemingly unlimited surge of energy that came with his rage was fading quickly. Desperate, he caught Ganon's sword on his shield, then thrust his sword forward in a stab that would have taken Ganon through the heart. It would have, had Ganon still been standing there. "Over here, boy," a voice said from his left shoulder. Link turned, just as Ganon smashed a fist into his face. Recovering quickly, Link spun his sword in a circle, reversed it, and locked it with Ganon's. The unusual grip gave him slightly more leverage, allowing him to push Ganon back.

Pressing forward, Link attempted to end it by driving his sword into the dark man's throat. As the blade of evil's bane approached, Ganondorf closed his eyes for a split second, concentrating. He released the spell, creating an illusion of Ilia's face over his. Confusion flickered on Link's face, and he faltered for a split second. That respite was all Ganondorf needed, as he slammed the flat of his blade into Link's leg.

Link staggered, off balance, as Ganon launched a devastating vertical blow. Link just barely got his sword in the way in time to prevent the blade from bisecting him. However, the force behind the blow almost drove the Master Sword into its wielder, the shock numbing Link's hand. Sensing an opportunity, Ganon reversed the blow, driving his sword upwards. More by luck than anything else, the blade struck Link's shield, saving his life, but numbing his other arm. Knowing the next blow would cleave him in two, Link closed his eyes, knowing he was about to die.