Chapter 4 - Courage, Wisdom, Power
The sun was slowly setting on the kingdom of Hyrule, casting a warm, golden glow over the grassy cliffs and mountains in the distance.
On one such cliff, Zelda and Link sat side by side, soaking in the serenity that they'd fought so hard to protect. For once, there was no danger looming on the horizon, no urgent quest to fulfill. Just a peaceful silence as they gazed over their homeland.
Zelda glanced over at Link, who seemed lost in thought, his usual steely gaze softened by the tranquility around them. Catching her gaze, Link gave a small, rare smile. Zelda quickly looked away, cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
"You always were good at sneaking glances," Link teased softly.
Zelda raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms. "And you're still annoyingly quiet. I've had to get used to all this silent companionship," she replied with a smirk.
Link chuckled to himself. "It's the way I've been ever since I… woke up without any memories."
Zelda's expression softened as she remembered the difficult journey they'd been through. She lifted her Sheikah Slate, which she'd spent hours studying ever since peace returned to Hyrule. But as she tapped the screen, a slight frown creased her brow.
"What's wrong?" Link asked, leaning over to get a better look.
"There's something odd…" Zelda muttered. "It looks like the Divine Beast Vah Rudania has... been deactivated. It shouldn't be off unless something's wrong." Her eyes lit up, and Link could tell her curiosity was piqued.
She turned to him, excitement gleaming in her eyes. "We should probably go investigate. It's been so long since I've visited Goron City anyway. Daruk always had the best stories..."
Link smiled, happy to see Zelda so enthusiastic. "I'd like that," he replied, though he could see that Zelda was watching him with a hint of concern.
"Do you... remember much about Daruk? Or Urbosa? The others?" Zelda asked, her voice softer now.
Link nodded, though he looked away, a bit uncertain. "I remember them... sometimes in flashes. I remember the Divine Beasts... but some memories are still hazy." He chuckled, giving Zelda a sidelong glance. "I remember you almost getting yourself killed more than once. Actually, a lot more than once."
Zelda's face turned red, and she crossed her arms again, looking away with a huff. "Oh, please! If I recall, you were the one always taking risks. Your stubbornness hasn't faded a bit!"
The two laughed, and soon they mounted their horses, setting off toward Goron City. The journey was familiar and brought back memories of old adventures, but the peace of the evening was soon interrupted when they noticed something crash from the sky, landing in the fields near Hyrule Castle.
"What... was that?" Zelda asked, pulling her horse to a halt.
"Let's go find out," Link replied, already spurring his horse forward.
They rode quickly toward the crash site, their curiosity growing with each passing moment. As they approached, they saw a figure lying amidst the debris. A lanky man in green overalls lay unconscious, his green cap tilted slightly off his head.
Zelda gasped, recognizing the face. "Is that… Mario's brother? His name is Luigi, isn't it?"
Link nodded slowly. "It does look like him. But, how did he get here?"
Just then, Luigi's eyes fluttered open, and he blinked in confusion as he took in his surroundings. "Mama Mia..." he muttered, rubbing his head. Then his eyes widened as he recognized Link and Zelda.
"Uh, hi?" he said nervously, waving. "I, uh, didn't mean to just... crash-land here."
Zelda kneeled beside him, helping him up. "Are you all right, Luigi?"
"Yeah, I think so. Thank you!" Luigi gave her a grateful smile. As he got to his feet, he looked around, remembering what had led him here. "It's kind of a long story, but apparently there's some multiverse shenanigans going on. I think that's why there's been so many strange things happening."
Zelda's expression turned to shock. "The entire multiverse? Ganon was strong enough; this is something else!"
Link's expression grew serious after hearing Zelda's comment. "We've been dealing with strange occurrences lately too," he said. "If the multiverse is truly in danger, we'll need all the help we can get."
Luigi's eyes lit up. "Does that mean you'll help me? If there's anything out of the ordinary, we should band together and stop it."
Link nodded, his hand gripping the hilt of the Master Sword. "Right, we're in this together."
But just as they shared a moment of solidarity, a deep, menacing laugh echoed through the fields. Link, Zelda, and Luigi turned to see a figure emerge from the shadows. Clad in dark armor was Ganondorf, his eyes gleaming with malice.
"Well, well," Ganondorf sneered. "I figured I'd find you here, Princess Zelda. And you, Link... I've been waiting for a chance to settle our score."
Link stepped forward, drawing his sword. "Ganon, whatever plan you have with Hyrule stops now!"
Ganondorf's gaze flicked to Zelda, his lips curling in a sinister smile. "But I have my eye set on something more valuable." He lunged toward her, raising his fist. Zelda tried to shield herself, but a green blur darted forward—Luigi.
"Not so fast!" Luigi yelled, delivering a powerful kick that knocked Ganondorf back. He trembled slightly, but there was determination in his eyes.
Ganondorf sneered, "Ah, I see you've got a new ally. Do you really think you can stand against me?"
Link took up a stance beside Luigi, sword at the ready. "Nothing is impossible with the two of us," he said. "We've fought hard for this peace, and you won't come here and destroy it!"
Ganondorf smirked, not backing down. "If this is what you want, then so be it. Let me show you the true power of darkness!"
Link's sword flashed as he unleashed a flurry of strikes, each one aimed with precision and force. But Ganondorf moved with unsettling grace, sidestepping each slash, his smirk widening as he effortlessly evaded Link's attacks.
Before Ganondorf could counter, Luigi sprang into action, leaping forward and landing a solid kick to Ganondorf's face. Ganondorf staggered back, momentarily caught off guard.
Turning his gaze to Luigi, Ganondorf let out a low growl and lunged at him with a dark-powered strike, but Link intercepted him, raising his shield just in time.
The Hylian shield absorbed the brunt of the impact, and with a swift kick, Link forced Ganondorf back. Seizing the moment, Link nocked an arrow and fired a rapid volley.
The arrows zipped through the air, but Ganondorf shrugged off each strike as he barreled forward. With a vicious shoulder tackle, he knocked Link back, sending him skidding across the ground.
Luigi took a steadying breath, and in a moment of courage, Luigi seized his chance, leaping forward and spiking Ganondorf down with a fierce blow that sent him reeling. Hovering in the air, Luigi unleashed a flurry of kicks, each one landing with precision, before finishing with a powerful uppercut. Ganondorf stumbled, clearly fatigued by the unexpected assault.
But before Luigi or Link could regroup, Ganondorf's gaze shifted to Zelda, who stood defenseless at the edge of the castle ruins. With a wicked grin, he closed the distance in an instant, delivering a brutal backhanded strike that sent her crumpling to the ground.
"Zelda!" Link cried out, his fury igniting. Link's eyes widened with fury as he charged back into the fray, his sword flashing with renewed determination.
He struck at Ganondorf with all his might, but Ganondorf anticipated each swing, dodging and countering with ruthless efficiency. A well-placed punch from Ganondorf sent Link sprawling, gasping for breath as he fought to regain his footing.
Luigi glanced back at Zelda, struggling to rise, then turned to face Ganondorf alone. He narrowed his eyes, trying to hide his fear. "I'm not letting you hurt them!"
With a yell, Luigi launched an assault, hitting Ganondorf with everything he had. He landed a few good strikes, but Ganondorf's strength was overwhelming, and Luigi began to tire. Ganondorf knocked him back, and Luigi stumbled, barely able to keep his footing.
Struggling to think of a way to turn the tide, Link reached into his pouch and pulled out his Ancient Bow. Just as Ganondorf raised his fist for a final crushing blow, Link took careful aim and released the Ancient Arrow. The projectile shot through the air and struck Ganondorf dead center, and he let out a roar of pain.
However, the anguish he felt was just a ruse. "Fools, this power I possess is far beyond your comprehension!" Ganondorf laughed, pulling the arrow from his chest as if it were nothing.
In a burst of dark energy, Ganondorf shot into the air, his form crackling with immense power. Hovering above the ruins, he gathered dark energy into his palms, summoning a massive orb of shadow that pulsed with malice. With a wicked grin, he hurled it down at Luigi, who was knocked back, hitting the ground hard as he slipped into unconsciousness.
Just as Ganondorf prepared to attack again, Zelda, dazed but determined, used the last of her magic to stun him, creating an opening for Link. With a final, powerful swing, Link slashed at Ganondorf, who let out an agonized roar as he vanished in a flash of light.
Link quickly helped Zelda to her feet, "Thanks, Zelda. You really saved me there. Are you going to be okay?"
Zelda leaned against him, panting while looking at him with worry. "Yeah, I'll be fine, Link. Although that fight felt almost... too easy."
Link frowned, his hand still on his sword. Before he could respond, Ganondorf's shadow loomed behind him, his hand reaching out. He grabbed Link by the neck, lifting him into the air with a laugh.
"She was right, Link. Did you really think it would be that simple?" Ganondorf taunted, sending waves of electricity through Link's body. Link cried out in pain, and Zelda, weakened from using her magic, could only watch in horror.
As Link's body went limp, Ganondorf tossed him aside like a broken toy. Zelda caught him, holding him close, tears streaming down her face. She tried to summon her magic, but her energy was spent. The only thing she could do was try to take Ganondorf out with her bare hands.
Ganondorf sneered at her as he saw her charging. "Pathetic," he said, swatting her aside easily. She hit the ground hard, her energy completely spent.
With a wave of his hand, Ganondorf opened a rift. He grabbed Link's and Luigi's unconscious bodies, hurling them through. Zelda tried to crawl forward, but it was too late; the rift had closed.
"You… won't… win…" Zelda mumbled, exhausted from the fight.
"Oh, please, Zelda. Link is gone, and you will be too," Ganondorf taunted. "Hyrule will be under a new rule, if you're even alive to see it."
Ganondorf turned to leave, but before he did, he looked back at Zelda's fallen form. With a twisted smile, he teleported her unconscious body to Galeem's realm. Galeem's light filled her eyes, binding her to its will.
"Now that she's been taken care of, I suppose I could enact my pla—" Ganondorf said before he was interrupted by Galeem appearing before him.
"Well done on bringing me Zelda," Galeem praised. "Although those two that you sent through the other rift landed in the Kingdom Hearts universe instead of my domain. Bring them back."
"Apologies, Galeem," Ganondorf said. "I suppose the overwhelming power got to me. I promise I will not falter this time."