Zelda was beyond nervous.
Today was the day of her coronation, but that wasn't the reason for her nervousness. The Hyrulean force, led by Josh and Impa, had just engaged in battle. Now that Ganondorf's return was confirmed, she hoped they could repel the Demon King temporarily. She didn't want this day, which isn't just her coronation, but her nineteenth birthday, to be spoiled. Sadly, her two best friends aren't here, but fighting a battle that would test how long Hyrule will survive under her reign. Compared to the past kings and queens, it will be a short ride.
Link stood beside her, cloaked in the legendary tunic, scarf included, and that was her only comfort. Without her father to escort her, may he rest in peace, Link stepped forward to do the same. They stood alone outside the Sanctuary, victims of the cold wind. It seemed to be picking up as of late. Thankfully they heard the signal. The outburst of the trumpets was their cue to enter.
Once inside, Zelda's nerves nearly got the better of her. It seemed everyone in Hyrule was here. She knew that wasn't true.
Hm hum, hm hm hm hmhmhm, humm.
Everyone stood, all in respect for the princess, who once she get down to the end of the aisle, and says an oath, will be Queen of Hyrule.
Hm hum, hm hm hm hmhmhm, humm.
On the windows, she could see the three goddesses facing her. She wondered if she was in their favor.
Hm hum, hm hm hm hmhmhm humm. Hm hum, hm hm hm hmhmhm humm.
As they came to the center, Zelda and Link looked at each other. She could see he was as unsteady as she is, as if he was to marry Zelda, he would walk the same aisle, say the same oath, and would become King, just like the legendary heroes before him. Link, her Link, definitely will not be forgotten. All he could do was smile as she began the remaining walk by herself.
Hm humhumhum hm, hum.
The person awaiting her was the priest, Sahasrahla, and in his hand, the Royal Dominion Rod. Something was wrong, and she could see it in the priest's eyes.
Hm humhumhum hm, hum.
She looked a little to the left. The Ocarina of Time was there, resting on the red pillow. Once she says her oath, she'll play the Royal Family's song. Her lullaby. Zelda's Lullaby.
Hm humhumhum hm, hm humhumhum hm, hm humhumhum hum, hm.
She looked to the priest's right, where the last royal item she would hold should be place. She didn't see it. And she was steps away from the end.
Hm, humhumhum hum hum, hm, hum hum hm hum. Hm, humhumhum hum hum, hm, hum hum hm hum. Hm hmhmhm hm, hm hm. Hum, humhumhum hum hum. Hm, hmhmhm hm hm, hmhmhm hm hm, hmhmhm hm hum.
She had made it. No turning back now. Sahasrahla looked towards her and smiled. "Hello, my queen." Zelda once again looked at the sacred items. One was missing. The priest looked as well. "The sacred wand is gone, my dear. Probably misplaced. Don't worry, the ceremony can go on. You can play the Ocarina, unless your boy is ready to become king."
She couldn't help but smile. "Not today, Sahasrahla."
"Alright. Then let's begin." They both turned to face the audience, but Zelda looked only at one person. The only one who is keeping her calm. Her future king. Her Hero. All he could do was smile back.
If there is a future for Hyrule.
Vaati relaxed on the roof of the castle, out of the eyes of the remaining guards. He was bored.
Agahnim and Twinrova got to play around with the heroes.
Ghirahim, Zant, Ganondorf, and Dark Link got to fight.
Vaati stole a measly baton. Well, when Agahnim told him to steal it, he thought it was measly. Now he knew why he was given it, for how fitting does Vaati, the Wind Mage, possesses the Wind Waker. Not only could it control the speed and direction of the winds, it could cause a tornado or hurricane if he wished it.
The plan was simple: Once Zelda is Queen of Hyrule, blow the girl, and for a bonus, the annoying Hero, off their pedestal. Ganondorf and his army should be here by that time, and Vaati, Agahnim, and Twinrova will join them to get the simple pleasure to destroy the Hyrulean Army, take the castle in the name of Ganondorf, and capture the fabled pair. The Triforce will be theirs.
A cheer was heard from the church. "Long live the queen, indeed. Hopefully she lives long enough to see Hyrule die."
The winds picked up speed, and the Wind Mage looked towards Hyrule Field. "Well, well, well my dears, looks like our master has arrived. Commercial break is over! Let the show..." He waved the baton, causing the wind to open the doors to the Sanctuary. "BEGIN!"
The cold air blasted everyone inside, but to Link and Zelda, this was something else. For the Triforce of Courage and Wisdom were humming. Power was nearby.
Link looked directly at Zelda before he took off out the church and ran out of the town to the Castle Keep. There, the Hyrulean Army was already prepared for battle. He saddled up on Epona and looked out towards the north of the field. His nightmare became reality.
"Men, he's here."
The Gerudo Prince, the Twilight Princess, the White Sorceress, and the Sheikah Guardian had failed.
It's been 30 minutes, and his army was gaining ground.
Ganondorf hadn't entered battle yet, as he was simply watching. The gates to the city were close, and, learning from Vaati, Zelda was inside. The three he had inside the city wouldn't do anything until the princess left the Castle Keep. Until then, Ganondorf decided to have a chat with the Queen of Hyrule. He already congratulated her. How nice.
"You think that shutting your gates and hiding in your castle will keep you safe? How adorable." Ganondorf then made his entry into battle, beginning to head west. He had only one goal in mind.
'If I crush the hero and the princess, then the completed Triforce will be mine for the taking!'
Zant joined with his master. "I'll force open the gate and secure a route for our advance."
"Good thinking, usurper." Ganondorf and Zant wiped out the Hyrulean soldiers in their way, and temporarily divided. But they were not doing this undercover. The queen had sent her forces to interrupt them.
"The Hyrulean queen has already figured out our plan! We must not underestimate her." You may not want to underestimate Zelda, Zant, but lets remind everyone of the real trouble for them.
"Ganondorf, you can't win! We have the legendary hero on our side!"
That pathetic boy? He dare come to the King of Demons? "The hero? I outlived more 'heroes' than you could imagine!"
Technically, Ganondorf has "outlived" many heroes. And as a show of force, Ganondorf entered the West Rockface Keep, rising into the air at the same time before stopping in the center. The soldiers looked up, confused. Ganondorf just hovered over them.
"Master, our mission is accomplished! The way is open!"
"Not all ways are open, Zant." He began to fall, and slammed his fists into the ground with more energy than the troops could handle. Those that weren't dead or dying were severely injured. The blast almost destroyed the keep altogether, but it did open the gates to the middle of the field. Ganondorf just chuckled to himself.
"Now the way is open."
Ganondorf made his way back towards his base, but instead went to the Central Keep. His forces had just captured it in his name.
He heard the hooves of a horse coming his way. He looked west, and there was target number one.
The boy jumped off the horse, and then glared at the demon. Taking out the Master Sword and the Hylian Shield, Link was poised for battle.
"It ends here, Ganondorf."
"Heh, heh, heh, nice showing off, Hero. Kinda disappointed. You want a fight, I'll give you one." Link realized Ganondorf hadn't said anything. He turned around, and saw his dark side. Dark Link was back. "The time is now, Hero. Those cheap clones Cia had were useless. They were strong, yes, but there can only be one Dark Link."
"Doesn't matter. I'll beat you!" Link charged at his clone, but the shadow simply disappeared. Link kept himself on guard, but didn't expect the villain to not attack. He just stood on the Master Sword.
"Well now, this is boring." Link tried to Shield Bash his opponent, but once again missed. However, this time, the shadow warrior began to fight, and Link didn't know how to get back to the offensive. Dark Link was more skilled, given he's done this many times, and could somehow move fast. He wasn't going to last much longer at this pace.
But luckily Zelda can talk some sense into the boy. "Link, don't wear yourself thin. Pull back and reserve your strength!"
"Alright, Zelda." He looked at the dark warrior. "Next time," and took off running.
Dark Link just looked at the spot where Link just was. 'So the queen puts all her faith in this hero and then worry he'll get hurt? How touching...and pitiful.'
Lana, despite the order to head to the forest, had just made it, but she was too late. "Things are not going well. If our plan is to work, I must do something. I don't have the strength to summon who we need alone." She instinctively looked to the east. She had an idea. "With the Great Fairy's assistance, we can win this battle!"
She made her way to the Fairy Fountain, but was noticed by the Demon Lord. She ran right pass him.
"HOW RUDE OF YOU NOT TO SAY HELLO TO YOUR FRIEND GHIRAHIM!" He gave chase, throwing knives at the blue haired girl. She deflected and pushed walls in his way, but it wouldn't slow him down. Matter of fact, he was within arms reach.
"Got you!"
"I don't think so." She fired magic into his face, and he recoiled in pain. She ran up the stairs into the damaged fountain, and sealed the entrance. She called upon the Great Fairy. Her plan was going to work.
But could she stop Ganondorf? The next few moments would decide that.
"Come on Link! We have to win this fight!" Link rushed out into the fray once more, heading to the Central Keep. Dark Link was still there, waiting.
However, Link wasn't about to be alone.
"Link has returned! We have a window of opportunity! Our forces must strike at once!" Zelda summoned her rapier, and led most of her troops in the Castle Keep towards the East Rockface Keep. But that would be her fatal mistake. For as soon as he saw this, Vaati summoned his monsters, and the raid on the city began. And as soon as Agahnim saw the raid, he teleported outside the castle, and with his group of monsters, made their way to the Castle Keep, overtaking it. In theory, it was over, but the Bearers of Wisdom and Courage were still in the fight.
Link had made it to the Central Keep, and Dark Link stood in a battle ready position. Link had other plans. For as long as their is light, darkness shall fall. Raising his hands, he summoned the power of the Triforce of Courage to wipe out the dark magic in the keep. Dark Link included.
The dark knight raised his shield to protect himself, but as long as he was in the keep, he would grow weaker. But magic also feeds off the user, and using the Triforce requires lots of energy. Which meant...Dark Link cocked a grin as he stepped into the northern area, awaiting for Link to finish his light show.
To the east, Zelda was almost at her destination. She just had a roadblock. A feminine roadblock.
"Hello, my queen. Nice ceremony today." In front of the princess was the Gerudo witch, Twinrova. She held twin scimitars in her hands, one made of fire, and the other ice. Zelda held her rapier, and imbued it with the power of light.
"Thank you, witch." Zelda charged forth, using her speed to quickly strike the woman. Despite having two blades, Twinrova had a hard time stopping the princess. But she will wait. For the girl's weakness was just around the corner, beginning battle with his shadow once more.
Link swiped for the legs of Dark Link, trying to make him fall. But he failed.
Dark Link used the failed move to his advantage, striking the hero's stomach with a kick and then bashing him with the shield. Link fell, but got back up. Dark Link was amused. "Not going down easy, I see."
Link said nothing as he pointed his sword at his adversary, and Dark Link never expected the next move.
"GAAAAAH!" A hole was in his stomach, and although Dark Link didn't draw blood, it hurt very bad. Good thing he heals fast, but that takes some strength. He returned his gaze to Link. "Sword Beams? Seems you unlocked the sword's power, didn't you." He jumped into the air, hoping to slice the boy's head off, but missed as Link rolled left before striking the warrior's back. The powers of the Master Sword caused more pain for the dark knight, but it also fueled his anger. He needed a precise moment to take out the hero.
And did he find one. For Vaati had arrived from the sky.
Link saw the purple haired mage arrived in front of his opponent, and saw the familiar Wind Waker. "You...you stole it!"
"Not stolen...awakened!" With a few waves, Link was battered by the winds. It was hard trying to beat Dark Link. Wind is mostly unbeatable, and Link had no way to do it.
"Tis a terrible performance, Hero. So let me give this battle a little blast." Waving the baton from center to left, left to right, and right to center, Vaati created a huge whirlwind, and Link and some Hyrulean troops were caught in it. When the winds ceased, Dark Link rushed towards the stunned, but somehow managed to stand up, Link. The Hero deflected the villain's strike, but was too weak for block the next attack. He was struck by the flat side of Dark Link's sword, and then was hit on the elbow, disarming him. The Master Sword cluttered to the grass.
Link was kneeling on the ground, not believing what had just happened. He could feel the tip of Dark Link's sword on his head. He was defeated.
No, no, he wasn't defeated. He grabbed the blade, and began to rise. Using the power of the Triforce, he amplified his strength.
Dark Link watched as his copy tried to fight back. It was amusing. But it had to end.
Moving so fast that you missed it whether you blinked or not, Dark Link kicked Link in the head, knocking him out. Looking at the slump body of the hero gave Dark Link some pride. Ever since the Water Temple during the Era of Time, he's wanted to see the Hero fall.
Now as he extracts the Triforce of Courage from him, he relishes the fact that now, when Hyrule needed him most, the Hero failed.
Zelda couldn't believe it when she felt Link's energy slipped drastically. He wasn't dead, but if it went that low...
"Aww, is something wrong, Your Highness? Perhaps the Hero has fallen?"
"No!" Angered, Zelda prepared to fire a Light Arrow at the Gerudo. "You will fall instead!"
"Nice choice of words, Princess." Zelda turned around and was blasted by a beam of energy. It sent her skidding across the ground, and she believed something was broken. As she painfully looked up, she could see Twinrova approach her, followed by the Chief Adviser to the Royal Family, Agahnim.
The evil grin on his face wasn't very comforting. "Hello, Your Highness. Today's been a blast, just like I promised." She said nothing back as the Triforce of Wisdom left her and went to the Gerudo. It was the nightmare she hoped to avoid today.
Josh had failed.
Impa had failed.
Link had failed.
Lana had failed.
But most of all, Queen Zelda Nohansen, Queen of Hyrule, had failed.
The Demon King didn't expect to battle this hard today, and his former adversary was giving it to him.
Ever since the White Sorceress summoned him, Ganondorf had been in battle with the Hero of Time and Termina. Or shall he be called Fierce Deity. While most would expect the Deity to already defeat Ganondorf, let's be real.
Ganondorf survived an attack from the Fused Shadow.
Ganondorf survived a castle falling on him.
Ganondorf survived multiple stabbings to the head. Which is weird seeing he died to being stabbed in the chest, but that's another story for another day.
He can go toe to toe with the Fierce Deity.
It's been a few minutes since that moment, and now Ganondorf was annoyed. He didn't know of his subordinates' successes, and, although he wouldn't admit it, was getting tired. The power of the Fierce Deity was amazing. He wished the power was his.
But he got a crazy idea. How crazy was it? He'll find out.
"Doing better than the present hero, boy. But still a boy, aren't you?"
No verbal response from the Fierce Deity.
"Heh, heh, heh, still as quiet as you were then. No wonder you never told your princess the truth about your illegitimate child. Didn't want her to know the farm girl had your first one?"
The Fierce Deity only increased his attacks. Ganondorf was getting to him. He knew the one thing that will send him over the edge.
"Sorry about the loss of your fairy. Looks like the boy without a fairy will always be the boy without a fairy."
Fierce Deity forcibly hit Ganondorf's blades, disarming him, and, quicker than the blink of an eye, stabbed the Demon King.
"Check, Ganondorf. You're finished."
Ganondorf just roared in laughter, and grabbed the sword arm and face of the Deity. "You forget. Only one sword can defeat me." Using all his strength, Ganondorf removed the mask of the Fierce Deity, and the pained screams from the Hero of Time was satisfying.
When it was removed, it was just Ganondorf and the young Hero of Time. Ganondorf scowled. "I expected you to be better. Oh well." He tossed the boy aside, and removed the Kokiri Sword out of him.
"King Ganondorf." He turned around, and saw his servants bowing before him. The Triforce of Courage and Wisdom floated in front of him, and he summoned them to him. He couldn't believe it.
The completed Triforce was his! He watched as the relic rose above him. "At last, all three pieces." He could feel the power flowing through him. But not just from the Triforce, but from the mask as well. For as long as the Triforce is his, anything he want, anything he desire, it will be his.
How did he feel? Like laughing his brains out. For he had won.
When Link woke up, he first realized he wasn't in grass, but on a bed.
His next realization was the princess...queen was sleeping beside him.
His third was that they weren't in the castle, or anywhere near it. Finding his hat and lazily putting it on, he exited the room he was in and went outside. After all, he heard humming.
"Farore, give us the Courage."
He was in the Kokiri Village. But how?
"Glad to see you're alive, Link." He turned and saw Impa, but there was no sign of happiness on it. She had reverted back to serious mode. "Lana brought you, Zelda, and all remaining troops here with the Great Fairy's power."
"Well, that's good, I guess. Great to be alive."
"Right."
He looked around. "Where's Joshua?"
"He told me to meet him in the desert with our forces. We're going to fight back. And I believe," she reached behind her and held two objects, "that these belong to you."
Link took the Master Sword and the Hylian Shield from Impa and strapped them to his back. "When do we leave."
"Tomorrow." Impa and Impa turned and faced the Queen. She had the most serious demeanor out of all of them. "The time for games are over. I know the King's plan, and we will take back Hyrule. It will be bloody. It will be deadly. My troops will die out there, but I rather die out there with them than live to see Ganondorf destroy my country. So as long as I'm Queen, I will fight."
Link grabbed her hand, and kissed it. "And so will we." Impa nodded in confirmation. "But I must ask."
"What?"
"Who's is this king you speak of?"
It wasn't a long journey to his destination. Teleportation is a great gift. He should've done this earlier.
He walked up to the gate, and the guards opened them. The street became quiet as he passed, and the people began to follow him.
He continued to walk towards the center of the city, and there he stopped.
The door to the building opened, and a woman exited, walking towards the young man. She smiled as they hugged.
"Welcome back, my king. When do we retake our home?"
"Tomorrow Nabooru. We'll grant Aveil's dying wish. And after that... I will have Ganon's head."
The army of Hyrule mobilize the next morning, not a word of discouragement. The soldiers were ready for revenge. Their leaders were ready for revenge.
Link led the force of Hylians and Gorons, and was joined by Zelda, and Lana.
Impa and Young Link began a second march towards Hyrule Castle, where they would wait for the others, or die trying to fight if they fail. She was joined by her soldiers, the celebrated Ordon Unit, and by the members of the Sheikah and Zora tribes.
The last force was the hundreds of Gerudo marching to their desert, led by their newly anointed king. They were ready for revenge. Not just for their home, or the dead that died there, but against Ganondorf, who was the cause of hundreds of years of suffering before the people regained their power.
In her quietness, Zelda silently prayed to the goddesses for success.
For today was the beginning of the end.