Rebels

Chapter 6- Pride or Death?

Disclaimer: I do not own any of this story's characters, locations, etc.

Link

A/N-Ok, so the poll has closed. It looks like I'm going to write a full Yaoi seen, maybe more than one….

WARNING: I will not be updating next Sunday. I am going away with a school club on Thursday and will be gone till Monday morning. I won't be near my computer because I can't take it with me and won't be able to update. I will try to make up for it by updating on one of the weekdays when I get back. However I WILL update the following Sunday after I get back.

I'll shut up now. Enjoy the story.

There was nothing I could do as I watched Groose charge Ghirahim.

As Groose charged, he screamed incoherent gibberish. To be honest, it sounded like he was threatening to kill Ghirahim…with a little, uh, let's just say 'colorful' language mixed in. He was in a blind rage brought on by Ghirahim's words and I knew I had to stop him before he got hurt.

I quickly stepped forward and instinctively reached out my hand, "Groose, it's a trap! Stop!" I yelled urgently, but a little too late, because by the time Groose came to his senses and heard me; he was already too close to Ghirahim to get away.

Groose tried to stop and succeeded a few feet from Ghirahim, and started to try to quickly back up, but Ghirahim was faster.

Ghirahim caught Groose as he tried to retreat by grabbing his arm and ripping him over into a choke hold. I could see the fear in Groose's eyes from where I was and his eyes also conveyed a message. 'I can't breathe, DO SOMETHING!'

Ghirahim didn't have his sword at the moment, but he looked just as content with the prospect of choking the life out of Groose in front of me. His expression was exactly how most would picture the expression of a smug bastard. He had a small smile that simply screamed 'I got you now', and his eyes contained mirth and confidence.

"Well Link. I think you left rather rudely. That is no way to treat your Master now is it?" And now he was referring to himself as my Master? First it was Lord, and now Master, and what is wrong with him! Does he honestly believe I would seriously ever refer to him as my Master! He has got to be freaken kidding me! The nerve of him! He has already taken away my best friend, an innocent woman (Young and old), and soon he will take my home and life as I know it. What is with him? There is no way I would ever serve him, in any way!

Why did he even want me to?

"Link?" He called back my attention impatiently. Oh, I was so wrapped in my outraged thoughts that I hadn't been paying attention; 'Sorry your highness' I though sarcastically.

Groose looked like he was on the verge of passing out due to lack of oxygen. "Oh, your poor friend has gotten himself in quite the predicament, don't you think? He looks like he will soon pass out, and soon after that he will die from lack of oxygen." He sighed dramatically and put the back of his free hand to his forehead. Goddesses, he was so annoying with his endless theatrics. Demise was just watching a few feet in the background. He seemed to be just letting Ghirahim do as he wished. I wondered why.

"But I can spare his life, Link." Ghirahim had continued speaking, his voice was very low and soft, yet still terrifying and he looked me dead in the eye, and that dammed weird glint of emotion that I couldn't place was back again.

"All you have to do is come to me. Just come to me and accept me as your Master like a good boy." I looked at Groose through all of this and I could see consciousness leaving him. But I couldn't go with Ghirahim. I have no idea why he wants me as his servant or for what. What would he have me do even if I did come with him? I don't know and I don't intend of finding out. I had a little mental debate in my head. Groose or freedom? Freedom or my friend's life? Instinct or morals? All of these went around, and around in my head.

"Link, what is your choice?" I looked at Ghirahim, he was inpatient again, and then at Groose, who had lost consciousness. "Will you come like a good pet? Or let your friend die?" He said come like a command; like I was a dog. "Last chance Link, I am losing my patience. Drop your weapon and come here, I will not ask you again." He gave me a very stern look so I was sure he was serious and tightened his hold on Groose's neck so that the small amount of air that Groose had been getting was cut off; Groose began to weakly thrash in his unconscious state in a feeble attempt to get air, but it didn't help.

I had no choice. I may be frightened, but I can't just watch Groose die. Fi began to talk in my mind. She urged me to find another method of saving Groose that didn't involve relinquishing me weapon. I couldn't see how any of her advice would help and realized that I had no other choice.

With despair blanketing my heart and mind, I dropped Fi and walked forward, slowly but surely, she was still trying to speak in my mind, but I dropped the weapon before she could really say anything to change my mind, she began to make the "ping" noise to get me to come back.

The stern look on Ghirahim's face faded back to the smug look as I abandoned my weapon behind me and walked toward him with my head downcast. The floor looked awful nice; well, it was at least better than having to look at his face. He waited until I was about 3 feet in front of him before he loosened his grip on Groose, but he didn't let him go. Groose gasped but didn't wake up, slowly his breathing settled and became normal.

"Good boy, Link. How I love that look in your eyes, it looks so nice in contrast to your usual hopeful and willful expression. I hate to say it, but even despite being such a good boy, you still need to be punished." These words make a tremor run through me, but I didn't show it. Ghirahim didn't look at all like he was upset to say I needed to be punished. Ghirahim looked down at me and I saw amusement and satisfaction dancing in his bottomless, soulless eyes. "Now, kneel before your Master, Link" The smug tone was back, too.

No, no, no, no, I can't, I won't! Kneeling was just out of the question. My pride screamed in wrath, and my dignity followed its example. "No" I said with as much hate, determination and pride as I could, in the situation. Just at his suggestion my stomach was doing flips.

Ghirahim's expression went from amusement and satisfaction to anger and annoyance; he must really hate defiance, meh…oh well, like that's going to stop me.

"No?" His tone was cold, deep, and demanding. "No?" He got louder and I could feel a rant coming on. "You dare to tell the great Demon Lord Ghirahim NO?" He looked at me and I could see my reflection in his furious eyes; I could see that my own eyes were filled with determination and willpower; I actually expected him to tell me it made him 'Furious, outraged, sick with anger'! I kinda was hoping he would; it would have been amusing.

"Sky-child," He had calmed down, a little, "I will not tell you again"

"Then stop telling me and we wouldn't have a problem." I instantly regretted my smart mouth when backhanded me and then clamped his chokehold over Groose's neck so tight that I could hear his bones crack. I had been somehow been able to remain standing at the blow.

"Stop!" I couldn't stop myself from crying out while I held my stinging face. He looked at me and smiled his sadistic, evil smile.

"You want me to stop, Sky-child?" He spoke each word slowly and maintained his grip on Groose's neck; not getting any tighter, but not getting any looser either…

He spoke louder now, very sternly and very angrily. He even lowered his head slightly so that his eyes had a shadow over them, letting me realize that there was absolutely no hint of a joke in his words.

"Then fall to your knees and beg me to stop!" I was about to protest but he cut me off. "Do it now or I will crush his neck until his head pops off and rolls around at my feet!" He was nearly screaming at me and I crushed my involuntary instinct to step back. Groose was turning blue and purple from both pain and lack of oxygen. I would never admit it to Ghirahim, but I have never been as scared of him as I am right now.

I knew that Ghirahim was serious by his furious expression and I had no other choice. My pride howled in pain as I slowly sunk to my hands and knees. I sat on the back of my legs and placed my hands out in front of me on the floor as I bowed my head and stared at Ghirahim's boots.

"Lower" My pride felt like it was dying a slow and painful death. I contemplated resisting, but Groose couldn't hold out much longer without any oxygen; so I reluctantly complied as I lowered my head until I could smell the floor, my hair brushing against the tile.

"Good boy. Seems all you need is a firm hand until you learn discipline." I could hear the sick, satisfied smile in his voice and I knew he was looking down at me; the only thing this moment was missing was for him to toss down a dog biscuit, and I was actually sorta expecting one; I was kinda disappointed. "However, I'm not quite satisfied yet."

He had loosened his grip on Groose slightly, but only enough for him to take in very small breaths. "You haven't gotten around to what I'm dying to hear yet…I'm still waiting for you to beg me Sky-child and I'm sure if you try hard enough you'll be able to leave me absolutely breathless!." He caressed the word 'beg' like it was the most beautiful word in the world to him. Strange, he gets fuzzy feeling from that word, yet when I hear it, I get kinda a more 'where's the bathroom, I'm gunna be sick' feeling. I really felt like I was going to puke…maybe this could turn out in my favor, I mean, I could always aim for his boots…

I can't beg. I won't! I know the only reason he's doing this is because he wants the submission of my pride, but I won't!

But then I heard Groose give a choked gasp. Guess I'll do it just to get it over with. I glanced up at Ghirahim through my eyelashes, but he noticed. He narrowed his eyes and glared at me; it sent the message 'Put your head down'. I put my head back down quickly; apparently, I'm not supposed to raise my head for any reason when kneeling. Well, I didn't know! I can still feel his eyes glaring at me. "I'm waiting Sky-child." His tone was irritated.

Sigh. "Ghirahim, please release Groose." Yea, it was weak, but maybe he'll take it. I had no hope that he would, and that hopelessness was correct.

"Weak, Sky-child. Hmm, I'm starting to think you don't care about his life at all," I couldn't see but I assumed he jerked his head at Groose when he said 'his'. "I guess I'll just have to kill him then…" He was about to tighten his grip, but I spoke up.

"Wait!" I was starting to get desperate. I-I …couldn't stand to lose anyone else I cared about. Huh, I guess I gotta kiss my pride and dignity goodbye.

"Yes, Sky-child? Are you ready to learn how to beg properly?" He had taken on this fake innocent-sarcastic tone.

"Yes" I agreed reluctantly, but really, what other choices do I have?

"Good" He took on a very serious tone. "Well first off, you are always to address me as Master. Second, you don't get up until I am satisfied and have given you permission. And third, you will do whatever I say, no matter what it is. All of these same rules apply when you are being punished, as well as other activities that I tell you they apply to. Understood?"

"Yes" The main two words that stuck in my head were Master and Punished. I don't know which I feel more, hate or shame. They are both pretty high right now…but I think shame is pulling ahead. What other activities was he talking about? I don't think I want to know.

"Yes, what?" I heard his smug, expectant voice, and I had to hold back a shutter.

"Yes, Master" I said bitterly and sarcastically; and I regretted it.

He swiftly used his foot to kick me on the side of my head and I was sent to the floor. He glared down at me and said something, but my head hurt too much to register his words.

"I said, get up Sky-child!" I heard him this time and complied to avoid another kick, he was furious now. I looked at his boots as I returned to my upright position on my hands and knees. "You will never disrespect me like that again! Do you understand me?" I was going to protest, but he cut me off and literally screamed, "DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME!"

He actually hurt my ears. "Yes."

He knelt down slightly so he could tilt my head up with his hand to force me to look at him. His expression that would scare even the most terrifying Demon, maybe even Demise. "Yes what, Sky-child? He said this very calmly, but I could hear the threat in his voice. Somehow when he was deadly calm was more terrifying than when he was screaming at me; not that I would tell him. It was like being in the eye of the tornado before being ripped out into the raging winds when you make a mistake.

"Yes, Master." I ground it out and felt my pride take its fatal blow while dignity and integrity were mortally wounded. I felt hopelessness begin to take over.

His expression went from furious, to sickly smug and satisfied; he cupped my chin, forcing me to look into his eyes. "Good boy." And then his eyes got a mirthful look in them again. "Now, what were we discussing before I had to reprimand you?"

I know full well that he knows what we were 'discussing', but at the risk of losing my teeth, chose not to say this. "Begging for my friends life?" I phrased it like a question.

"Yes, my kick didn't wipe those rules out of you pretty little mind, now did it? What were they again?" He was trying to be funny now, and I was not amused! I just looked at him with a blank expression; showing that I didn't think he was the least bit funny. He scowled and I remembered that he was still awaiting an answer.

"I'm supposed to call you Master, obey everything you say, and…uh…" I wasn't really paying attention when he was saying them; I was lucky to even get those two.

"You can't leave until I say you can." He said rather irritated.

I just nodded as best I could with him still cupping my chin. I swiftly snuck a glance at Groose who was somehow still in Ghirahim's grip and still in the choke hold, but it was loose enough he could somewhat breathe. "Speak when you respond to me; understand?"

'He just wants to hear me call him Master', I thought bitterly. "Yes, Master."

"Okay enough stalling. I still want to hear quality begging, Sky-child." His expression was one of anticipation as he finally released my chin and I let my head drop back hopelessly to the floor. I knew there was no other way to avoid it. Sigh, I'll have to be serious now if I really want to save Groose. I just know this is gunna come back to haunt me later, if I ever find a way out of this.

Ghirahim

I listened as the Sky-child pleaded with me to spare his worthless friends life; this was hilarious! Did he actually believe I would ever spare such I worthless bag of flesh just because he asked me to?

Oh, if he wanted me to spare him, he would have to do a lot more than just begging. Things that would make him cringe and probably become sick if he knew what was flowing through my thoughts. I went back to listening to my pet's begging.

"He has done nothing to you, Master," I loved hearing the word Master come from his mouth, especially when he was addressing me, I wonder how much it would take to hear him scream it? "Please, let him go. If you must hurt someone, do it me, and I…" Oh! The expression on his face! I loved it; he looked so defeated and hopeless! I had heard enough of his begging and I was growing bored. "Good Sky-child." He looked at me, I had stopped him mid-sentence. It was now time to go; it'll be so fun to make him watch as I kill his friend and then take him back to my castle to…play with him.

Link

He interrupted me mid-sentence and I was surprised. At least I could stop begging. But…something was wrong, I could feel it. He looked at me with that unknown look again! What was that! It was like the way Groose used to look at Zelda when she wasn't looking, ugh!

Anyway, the feeling I was having, and I mean the 'something's wrong feeling', not the 'I'm gunna puke' feeling, was trying to tell me something. Wait…why was I sure begging would save Groose's life, how do I know he will keep his word? My suspicions were confirmed by the look of malice and bloodlust rising in Ghirahim's eyes. He snapped and his sword appeared.

He gave a chilling laugh. "You're a fool child! What would ever make you think I would allow this worthless bag of flesh to live, especially with his hideous hair?" I was about to get up, when Groose "awoke". Something tells me he was faking the unconsciousness…when did he wake up? He surprised Ghirahim and stomped on his foot and, when he bent over in pain toward his injured foot, used his momentum to elbow him in the face. He worked his way out of Ghirahim's grip, and grabbed me to pull me up from my kneeling position.

He glared at Ghirahim and his sword a few inches away that had flown from his grip. "No one makes fun of MY HAIR!" Groose growled angrily. Groose grabbed a bomb from my bomb-bag just as Demise was coming to intervene. Groose threw it to the ground and when it exploded, it created a smokescreen.

The only thing Demise and Ghirahim would have seen was black smoke, and all they would have heard would had been a side door to the Faron woods being opened and closed; also, if they listened closely, they could have heard two young men running like hell to no destination in particular.