Chapter 8: The Destroyed Village

Carefully, Link scrubbed the filthy rag dry of its distasteful smell as Niko dusted the new and fantastically organised desk, which Link used for doodling. "Finally..." Link hissed as he finally had the opportunity to breath in stench-free air, "Now I could go back to my sweet, sweet, cloth pile and snore my heart out. As Niko would say."

"Uh no no no no no," interrupted the dusty old figure on the other side. Ol man Niko was practically cocooned in a heap of dust. "You're not going to snore again."

"Why not, dusty?" moaned the nauseated Link.

"Link, after all the years we've been together in this worthless bunk of a house we've got, we suffered weather hazards, Miniblin pirate problems and we had to use rags as our beds. But not anymore child, we're moving out of the joint!" The alarmed kid brightened up at the speed of light! The memory of the foul odder from the filthy cloth immediately emerged from his mind.

"Really?! We're going to live in Papuchia Village?"

"Even better, we're moving to..." He took a deep breath to drive Link's excitement to ceiling, "CASTLE TOWN!" Link bounced and almost touched the ceilings.

"Are there trains there Niko?"

"What kind of party pooper do you take me for? Of course, there's a ton of them! And we're going to ride them!" Link screamed with joy and anticipation in his young voice and performed a cartwheel... into the fishing equipment. Niko then rushed to pick Link up and sat him on the floor with a slight chuckle "Well enough slacking, let's get packing!" Link quickly recovered and they both began to pack their bags and ponder the possibilities of what seemed as their new life.

"I wonder if there's games, there's food, there's magic and more information on the Hero of Winds, even Tingle!" Niko frowned at the name Tingle, but quickly forgot it and continued to pack. "Oh, and I also wonder if my parents are there!" Niko's happiness got quickly booted out with realisation. He had almost completely forgotten about finding Link's parents. Sadness and Heat break quickly consumed the thoughts of the old man.

"Oh um, yes we'll see..." Niko 'cheerfully' croaked out forcing a toothy grin on his face.

"Then let's go! We packed our bags now it's time travel to the capital place of Hyrule!" The door flung open, barley touching the wall of the house as Link merrily skipped... with the shallow old man following from behind. Unbeknownst to the duo, a demon was close behind lurking around the forest, waiting for the right time to strike.

"Are you sure these are the 2 humans who fished you out of the water?" The nervous little Miniblin nodded, however the boss still found it hard to believe that a boy and a elderly human being actually managed to pull at least 10 miniblins out of the water with a fishing rod. "They better be, if this is a waste of time your heads going over me fire place! Got it you gnome sized land hog?" threatened the cold-hearted demon. The miniblin trembled and forced a nod. And with that, the demon proceeded to stalk the unsuspecting Link and Niko.

Meanwhile, to keep Link from noticing his dull feeling, Niko forced out smiles, slow skips and jokes to mask his narrow emotion. However, Link slowly began to catch on that something was wrong with Niko during their formerly wonderful journey. "Niko, is there something wrong?"

Niko quickly snapped out of his thoughts. "What er um, well ya know it's just lack of sleep. Sleeping in rags for years is really uncomfortable."

"I don't believe that. Niko, please tell me what's wrong?" With that, Niko swallowed the remaining amount of hesitation and finally explained.

"It's just that, if we find your parents, I would really miss you. We've been through so much and I didn't want to part with you but, it's for the best." A sad expression came across Link's face.

"I didn't realise..." Link than immediately hugged his best friend. "I'll miss you too Niko." he sobbed in Niko's chest. A encouraging smile made its way on Niko's face as he gently removed Link from him and grasped his shoulders.

"Buck up lad, don't you fret. We've got a few more days together! Let's enjoy them while we can buddy boy! I'll promise I'll visit ya."

"You promise?"

"Cross my heart kid." Niko replies with a heart warming smile that only a demon could resist. They immediately continued their journey with big great smiles on their faces.

The boy and man held hands as they made their way out the forest with their beaming faces... when suddenly, they came across a destroyed, demolished and discarded pile of wood. It looked kind of like a village. Everything was battered, smashed and all were blood stained. Both witnesses' hearts throbbed with panic. Unbeknownst to the duo, this was the work of the evil Chancellor Cole, whom Link would face much later on in his lifetime. "OH MY GOODNESS!" exclaimed Niko who's eyes lens reached their limits. Link was speechless, he was frozen in place. Niko examined the phenomenally dismantled village. Link slowly followed the frightened old man as they both examined the former town. Link then found a mashed up teddy bear with the name, 'Link'? That was the same name that Niko coincidently named him. Link slowly turned to Niko with tears in his eyes and showed him the teddy bear. Niko's hair practically stood on his head.

"Did I used to live here? Did you kidnap me?" Link sobbed as he dropped the teddy bear. Shocked and heartbroken by the sudden question, Niko's eyes became filled with tears.

"What? No Link! You know me better than this!"

"Then how come this teddy bear has the word LINK on it like you call me?! HUH?!" screamed Link. Niko's eyes darkened.

"I have no idea what happened here Link and I certainly do not know what happened to your parents!"

"Then how come I lived with you for the past 4 years Niko?!" bellowed the enraged and saddened child.

"I found you in a bush outside of OUR house."

"That still doesn't explain how you know my name! I question that you even are a part of Tetra's crew..." Niko suddenly snapped.

"QUITE!" Link Immediately froze while keeping his angry expression. Niko's facial expresion softened and he slowly explained. "Link, I'm sorry that your home was destroyed. I'm sorry that we've been through all this trouble and still haven't found your parents. But please believe me when I say this Link, I didn't steal you and I would never ever try to hurt you. I have no idea what happened in this village at all. I didn't know your name truly was Link, I just thought I'd call you something else until we figured out your real name and until we find your parents." Link's face softened and again became filled with tears. Before Link could reply, a figure appeared in the shadow clapping as if he just saw a grand performance.

" Bravo, Bravo! Wow, such strong emotion coming from two pathetic human beings. I for one found it delightful!" chuckled the figure. He strolled towards them revealing himself.

"W-who are you?" croaked Niko.

"The names Andre, pal." The demonic pirate whistled and a few miniblins sneaked up and impressively shoved Niko down to the ground.

"NIKO!" Screamed the frightened and disheartened boy as he sprinted towards Niko only to be quickly grabbed from behind. Andre had caught Link from behind, Link's struggles only made Andre chuckle with delight and satisfaction. "Let me go you big bully!"

"Oh boo-hoo!" mocked the heartless pirate as he grabbed him by his shirt. "I suppose that witnessing all this horror and misery is too much for a child like you could handle, considering the fact you have to watch your friend being pinned down at such a young age." Though judging by his name, he's probably the hero 'destined' to defeat my former boss Malladus. Andre thought to himself. "Never mind we're still going to DESTROY you little pests!"

Niko was infuriated. "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU SADISTIC SELFISH BRUTES?! That little child and I have done NOTHING wrong to you and you stupid pirates. PUT HIM DOWN, NOW!"

Andre just laughed some more at Niko's sudden fit. "Remember that little fishing trip you and this other waste of life had? You robbed me and my miniblins of all our treasure. Also you're friend's grandson Alfonzo humiliated me in front of Hyrule so he's going to pay one way or another!"

"How do YOU know about..." Before Niko can scowl Andre some more, the miniblins gagged him and stuffed him in a cage. Andre then threw Link miraculously into another cage nearby. They then carried the two victims along.

"Looks like Tetra's pirate isn't so mighty after all!" exclaimed Andre with glee. "Come now little pirates, let us be on our way!"

During the journey, Link kept yelling and screaming in attempt to catch Andre's attention. At first it was amusing to Andre, then it became vastly annoying. Why didn't I gag the kid as well? "Would you shut it you little sea rat! There's no escape, once we get Alfonzo's attention nothing changes it." This didn't silence Link however.

"Why are you treating us like this you big meanie?! So what we fished some of your miniblins, so what?! You can find more treasure..."

"THAT's IT KID! Walking the plank is too good for the bitter likes of you! I'm thinking of a nice meal of roasted humans to celebrate our capture of the day! Squirm more and I'll cook ya RIGHT NOW!" Link's heart sank as all he could do was wait for the tragic death that would end his short-lived life.

The moblins weren't doing any better as Niko tried to fight them with his cane. He ripped of his gag and tried to mash the heads of the miniblins. "LET ME GO YOU SCURVY SCUM BAGS!" Surprisingly, it seemed to work and the moblins finally had enough and tossed the cage onto the cold damp floor. Niko frantically got up only to bump his head on the metal bars now floating above him. All he could see was the miniblins scurrying away and the fading cries of his name by Link. This was all too much for Niko to handle. He had broken his promise to bring Link, his best friend, safely to his parents. "LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINK!" Niko screamed desperately. It was no use. He dropped his face on the metal bars below him and sobbed over the capture of Link.

That was probably darker than my prologue! It's been a while since I've written anything. Please review me and give me feedback on this chapter.