Rauru's POV

Rauru couldn't believe what had just happened. There was only one thought blaring in his head this time.We have to save Link.Pulling Sonia close, he rushed out of the castle. He had already called the warning song. Only those with special Zonai tech could hear it. Looking ahead, he noticed everyone from the castle waiting for him at the front gates. Hundreds of innocent children, parents, servants, and soldiers. All having their calm peaceful lives torn away from them. It was hard not to cry at the thought. "Ganondorf has stolen the Secret Stones and taken power! We need to evacuate to the Forgotten Temple!" Ignoring the gasps of shock, he took the lead. "Soldiers on the outside! Protect the children!" "SIr!" He turned around. It was Panji. "Which formation should we take?" "It doesn't matter. Just keep going and don't stop." Looking shocked, Panji fell back to the other soldiers. Hearing a weak groan, Rauru looked down. Link was stirring in his arms. The poor child. Rauru owed him his life. He couldn't even begin to comprehend what he would do without Sonia."It's gonna be okay"He murmured, knowing that it wasn't true.

Turning back to see the destruction, he saw a blood-red moon rising in the sky. "Blood moon! Hurry!" he shouted. His ears flopped as he ran faster.Just make it to the port-hole!There it was, just off the Great Plateau. The special warping device they used to get to and from the different cities was right there, hidden in plain sight. All they had to do was destroy it behind them.

Except there was one problem. The blood moon. Monsters were appearing as fast as the soldiers were cutting them down. There was nothing he could do but watch as soldiers were lost left and right.

"Sir!" Panji was back. "What should we..." But he was cut off as a moblin stabbed him in the back. Tears slipped from Rauru's eyes as he ran on, hoping this nightmare would end. Link shuddered in his arms.Poor child.He was way too young for this.

Rushing down the steps, they reached the grove where the port-hole awaited. But their path was blocked off. A dozen or so moblins blocked their path. Acting quickly, he glanced toward Sonia. Exchanging a knowing look, they filed into a well known formation. Reaching into the depths of his soul, Rauru called on his power of Light. Gently placing Link down, he slowly raised his hands into a triangle. With Sonia at his side pushing him on, he forced his third eye open. Using the same blast he used on the moldugas, the moblins were gone. Hurrying forward, he found the hidden construct. Placing his hand forward, the construct awoke.

"Authorizer Verified. King Rauru, do you wish to proceed?"

"Yes. It's an emergency. We're going to have to shut you down afterwards." Rauru choked out.

"Understood"

It was saddening to see these constructs fulfilling their duty to the very end. Rauru picked Link back up as the construct activated his port-hole.

"Hurry, King Rauru. Set to self-destruct in one minute."

"Everyone, gather round!" Rauru shouted. Once everyone was in a circle, he activated the porthole. The last construct gave a feeble wave goodbye as they disappeared from sight.

When everyone was gone, the construct sat down to spend its final moments with nature. Watching sadly as his fellow constructs were destroyed, the timer went of.

With a huge boom that echoed throughout the kingdom of Hyrule, the last construct was gone.

Marik's POV

Ganondorf was turning into a monster. Mad with power, he had forgotten all about the Gerudo. Marik had already first-hand witnessed the murders of all the innocent survivors. Ganondorf was going on a rage. Having already killed all the hylians, he had gone on to the constructs. Then he had even ordered his new army of monsters to destroy the remaining villages. They weren't even a part of this!

Dreading to tell him the news, Marik walked over to Ganondorf. "Sir, they got away. We believe they are taking refuge at the Forgotten Temple." "They WHAT?" Ganondorf raged, "You let them get away?!"

"Sir, it was an accident. We sent the moblins to stop him, but they didn't stand a chance against Rauru."

"Hmm. Rauru must be stopped. And I think I know just who to use against him."

Rauru's POV

He was a failure. A failure of a king.They had lost so many innocent soldiers, let alone children! Everyone had gone through so much already. Poor Link was on the verge of death again! Link had been laid down in the back room. A few knights were watching over him. Yet again, the medics didn't think he would make it. His injuries were gruesome. He had a long cut through his right shoulder. He had lost a lot of blood, and the doctors said they were going to have to amputate.

Rauru closed his eyes as Link's screams echoed through the temple. The deed must have been done.

Kneeling down at the graves of the lost soldiers, he wept. Tears dripped onto the floor. He knew what to do.

"No Rauru." Sonia had crept up behind him. "I know you feel bad, and I understand. However those deaths were not your fault."

"Ganondorf killed them directly, but it was my duty to keep an eye on him."

"I get where you're coming from, but you couldn't have known."

"I should've." Rauru sighed and walked away. "I know what I must do."

Sonia was shocked "You can't be thinking of taking him on alone! You wouldn't stand a chance!"

"Maybe so, but it is my duty to try." Placing his hand on her shoulder, he embraced her. "I can't lose you Sonia."

"And I can't lose you. At least awaken the other stones. For me?"

"I can try. You know how much I love you."

Cupping her cheek in his hand, Rauru kissed her. It was long and slow. If only this moment could last forever. Finally taking his lips from hers, he sighed. "I'll gather the sages."

"Take care, my love." Sonia left.

And Rauru was plunged back into this nightmare.

Sonia headed to the back of the temple, the moments before still flashing through her head. She hadn't thought it would come to this. Those other stones were locked away for safety in case something like this happened. Walking into the room where Link lay, she vowed to protect the fallen hero.

Ganondorf and his minions were sure to find them. It wouldn't be long until they attacked. Sitting at Link's side, she listened to his labored breathing. Taking in his missing arm, she suddenly found it hard not to cry. He hadsavedher! She owed him her life! And she fully intended to pay that debt.

"It has been done" Rauru walked up beside her. "Is he doing okay?"

"I don't know," she sighed, "He looks so pale."

"Monster Forces! Out front! Sound the alarm!"

Their quiet moment was broken apart. Rauru rushed to the door. "Stay safe! Watch Link! I'll see you when this is all over."

She waved as he left, honestly doubting that both of them would make it out alive.

Sonia was shocked out of her slumber. It had been a few hours since the battle had begun. Something was out of place. She felt it in the air.

"Your Majesty."

She whipped around.

"Ganondorf!"

Rauru had just dispatched his 17th moblin counting, when he heard crashing sounds from the back room.

He dropped everything.

Sonia! Link! No!

Thought were rushing through his head as he sped for the back door.

Was it just him, or had the fighting stopped? The monster forces seemed to have subsided substantially.

He pushed open the door to the back chamber.

No.

Taking in his surroundings with horror, he realized two things.

First, the absence of Link.

Second, Sonia.

There she was, lying dead on the floor.

Rauru couldn't believe his eyes. He fell to the ground and wept. Everything had gone wrong. Why had it ended like this?

Why couldn't he have stopped it? If there was anything he could've done...

He picked up Sonia's cold hands and gave them one more kiss, before silently leaving the room.

Sonia had died in peace. Her debt to Link had been paid.

Everything was black. He couldn't see anything. All Link could feel was pain. Mostly where his right arm used to be.

Struggling to open his eyes, Link realized he was trapped. Trapped in a stone, cold, room. Probably underground. Why was it so dark?

Finally opening his eyes, he saw that it was still pitch-black. He was in what seemed to be a large cavern deep underground.

Wondering where he was, he forced himself to sit up.

There was a single glow coming from a long way off.

From what he could see, there was a single tunnel. Most likely leading out.

Standing up, he started to shamble towards the tunnel. Suddenly all the blood rushed to his head.

Link fell down, slamming his arm into the ground.

He screamed in pain.

That hurt like a Goron sat on it!

As he lay there squirming in pain, a large shadow covered his face.

Gasping for breath, he looked up.Ganondorf

"I see you've awoken little hero." he sneered. "Saving that little queen must have taken up a lot of energy. Too bad she died anyway."

"Sonia is dead?"

"She died pathetically cowering over your body."

Link immediately stood up again.How dare he...

Ganondorf placed his massive palm on Link's head and slowly pushed the struggling hero back to the ground. "Now now, little hero. Save your energy for later. You'll be needing it."

Link stopped protesting, confused.

"First of all, you're going to need a new arm for what I have planned." Waving his arm, Ganondorf drew up a stream of malice. Pointing at Link, he directed the malice toward where his arm used to be. The malice solidified, and with a sickly crunch, it slammed into Link's shoulder.

Link toppled over.It burns it burns! Everything burns!

Slowly, the burning sensation subsided.

Painstakingly getting back up, he glanced at his shoulder. The malice had fused with his skin, creating something in the shape of an arm.

Run for it.Link immediately thought. And so he did.

He didn't make it far.

"Tut tut tut. Naughty little hero. After what I just did for you? We can't have you escaping before the main event!"

Raising a giant spiked club high, he cracked it over Link's head.

Yet again, everything went dark.

Rauru was numb. Everything around him was blurry. He had just lost his world. Panji, Link, Sonia, and that was just naming a few.

He had lost all hope. There was nothing left to go on for.

I can't do this anymore. I can't live without her.

Sonia's death had put him into a state of shock. He couldn't help but wish he had died instead.

Rauru pounded his fist into the wall.

Again.

It was all my fault.

Again.

Why didn't I listen?

Again.

I should have stayed with her.

Again.

It should have been me.

Again.

She didn't deserve this.

The tears poured from his eyes at the last one. Finally losing his composure, he broke down.

"Brother."

Rauru turned around. Mineru was standing behind him with her hand on his shoulder.

"I know how you feel. It's incredibly hard losing a loved one, but know this. We are here for you. Whatever happens next, we will stick through it together. Sonia died a hero's death. She will be remembered forever. Whatever happens, she will never die in our hearts."

"You're right" sighed Rauru, "There are more important matters at hand."

"NO! No no no no no. That's not at all what I'm saying." Mineru sat down next to him. "I'm not asking you to forget Sonia, nor get over it. What I'm trying to say, is that Sonia was a very loved queen of Hyrule. We will never forget her. There is a time to mourn, and that time is now. You just lost a very close loved one! That's really hard! All i'm saying is not to spend the rest of your life on this, don't blame yourself, and always,alwaystalk about it. Don't keep everything bottled up inside. That's the worst thing you could do."

Rauru sighed deeply. "Thanks. I guess you're right. I'll try to talk about it. But may I please mourn by myself for now?"

"Yes, that's totally alright." Mineru stood up. "Just remember not to blame yourself!"

She walked away, leaving Rauru stuck in his own thoughts.

The plan was almost complete. Sonia was dead, and Link was ready for corruption. He was also the bait for Rauru. Rauru would almost surely follow their trail down her to the Depths. He would be waiting.

"They're on the move!" Ganondorf was snapped out of his thoughts as Marik ran towards him. "The Keese spotted him moving out of the Forgotten Temple! They're on their way here as we speak!"

"Good, good." Ganondorf stood up and started pacing around, his fiery robe lighting up the darkness. "I trust everything is in place for the battle?"

"Yes, but what about the Gerudo?" Marik walked up to face him. "You promised you would bring us out of the desert! You said that was the whole reason you wanted to take over! So that we wouldn't suffer!"

"SILENCE!" Roared Ganondorf, "You will not mention that name again! I am the King, so I am in charge!"

Marik was taken aback. This was not the Ganondorf he knew. "I remember back when you were sweet and innocent. All you wanted was the best for the Gerudo. But you've changed."

Marik turned away. "I will not follow you any longer, Ganondorf. Consider me retired. I can't do this if you're going to ignore our needs."

"Do NOT speak of the time when I was not in power! That was in the past! I am a new man! And you...you TRAITOR! You will follow me for a long time yet."

"What?" Marik turned around. A giant beam of malice was headed straight for him. The malice surrounded him, turning him into some sort of crystalized statue.

Marik was stuck a horrified look on his face.

Ganondorf laughed. "In case something goes wrong, you will awaken in a thousand years, ready to serve me once again."

He turned to study the statue.

"And I shall name you..."

"Astor."

Rauru was furious. Furious at Ganondorf, furious at the world, and furious at himself. It really helped as he led the sages into the huge chasm that had appeared in the Zonai Fields. Using his third eye he had sensed Ganondorf right under the north side of the Zonai Fields. He and the sages were riding a Zonai wing into the chasm. It was pitch-black here. They should have brought a light.

Rauru had heard of the Depths, but had never seen them in person. Under different circumstances, this would have been a delightful opportunity to explore. However, this was not the time for that. They had a literal demon to vanquish.

After a few long minutes, they finally reached the bottom of the chasm. Hopping off the wing, Rauru signaled the others to follow him quietly.

To Rauru's surprise, there seemed to be a large building already constructed down here. There was a single tunnel in. And most likely their only hope of escape if things went wrong.

Leading the others silently forward, he crept up to the entrance of the tunnel.

"Naboris, you take the left side, Ruta the right, Medoh and Mineru, you follow right besides me, and Rudania, you take up the rear."

Assembling into their instructed positions, they all followed Rauru down the hall.This was their last chance.Rauru couldn't help thinking. If they failed this time, it was game over. Ganondorf would take over everything. And with the power of the secret stones, he would rule for many years to come. Rauru suddenly remembered Ganondorf hadtwosecret stones. That meant double the power. Or he could give one to one of his assistants. That would spell trouble as well.

"Rauru."

It was Naboris who spoke. "Up ahead."

Rauru looked up. Finally! There was a light at the end of the tunnel. Stepping forward, he leapt into an open chamber, ready to fight.

But there was nothing to fight. The room was empty, save for a patch of gloom in the middle of the room.

Rauru looked around in confusion.

Where was Ganondorf?

"Rauru? What's that?" It was Ruta this time.

Rauru looked to where she was pointing.

Hands. Hands with eyes on them. Appearing out of the gloom puddle.

"I got this!" Rudania called on his power and rolled into a ball, shooting himself at the hands.

They caught him. Theycaughtthe unstoppable Goron!

The gloom hands reared up and threw Rudania back at them.

Everyone jumped out of the way, barely missing being flattened by the heavy Goron.

Dazed, Rudania goto to his feet. "Whatarethose things, Goro?"

"They look like...Ganondorf'shands!" Mineru rushed forward. "I'll take this one!" she said charging at the middle one, "You guys take the others!"

"Careful! They burn!" shouted Rudania as he ran back into the fray.

"Aim for the eye! It's probably the weak point!" Medoh shouted as he joined as well.

Naboris and Ruta joined without hesitation.

Rauru couldn't help but stand there, amazed at their abundance of loyalty.

Shaking his head, he rushed in as well.

Ha. This was amusing. All Ganondorf needed now was a snack, and the show would be complete.

Ganondorf had been watching Rauru and the sages through the gloom hand's eyes. They were getting whumpedprettybadly. He hadn't even brought out the phantoms yet. Let alone joined the battle himself. This was going to be a piece of cake.

Rauru still hadn't noticed that he had sealed off the entrance with gloom. They were trapped.

Oops.

Looks like they finally had the upper hand. Time to bring out the Phantoms.

Then he would join the battle himself.

The hands were gone.

Finally.

They had just dispatched the last hand. Rauru was burned in several places, and Ruta was already out of commission.

Now that the hands were taken care of, it was time to find Ganondorf. Where could he be?

There was no other way out of this building.

Wait.

"There he is! On the far side! Get him! Make him pay for all he's done!" Rauru screamed.

Rudania dashed forward, sword in hand. "Got you!" He shouted, bringing down his Boulder Breaker on Ganondorf.

It went right through him.

That wasn't Ganondorf.Rauru realized. He tried to shout out a warning, but it was too late.

The real Ganondorf appeared behind Rudania.

Rudania turned around. "Ganondorf! You got me. You got me good. But if I'm to fall, I'll fall with honor."

Rudania charged at Ganondorf.

"And so I'll take your life with honor."

Ganondorf's sword clashed with Rudania's.

As if in slow-mo, the battle ended.

Ganondorf stepped to the side.

He raised his sword.

Rudania didn't see it coming.

The sword came down.

The Goron was...

FIND OUT IN THE NEXT CHAPTER!

SIKE nope

Rauru screamed in horror, as the last member of the Rudania family was killed.

The Goron was dead.

Everything was blurry with his tears. It all went in slow-motion, like a nightmare.

Ruta shambled forward. "You'll pay for that!"

Slice.

Another one down.

Unable to contain himself, Medoh charged next.

Slice.

Another one.

Naboris, keeping a safe distance, threw her sword at Ganondorf.

He caught it. The sword came flying back at Naboris. It sunk into her stomach. She collapsed.

And then there were two.

That was easy. Rauru put his trust in the wrong people. Those pathetic sages with their pathetic stones. They were no match for me.

Mineru charged. Ganondorf waved his hand. A wall of gloom rose up in front of her.

She didn't stop in time.

There was only one left.

Rauru.

Where was he?

Had that fool wimped out?

I'll just have to draw him out of hiding then.

Ganondorf chuckled. This was bound to work. He waved his hand again. A chasm opened up next to him. A pair of gloom hands crawled out, dragging an unconscious body with them.

Link.

Ganondorf walked over to Link. Picking him up, he violently shook him awake.

Link, still half unconscious, drearily looked around.

Death. Everywhere.

Ganondorf had killed them all.

Laughing, Ganondorf smacked Link upside the head.

His neck cracked.

Ganondorf summoned a stream of gloom, and sent it straight into Link's mouth.

Link screamed in agony.It burns! It burns!

He felt a new presence inside him. A sinister being. The gloom coated him, and once again, he passed out.

Laughing, Ganondorf picked up Link and threw him as hard as he could back down the chasm. It closed up behind him.

Ganondorf proudly walked over to the center of the room. Puffing out his chest, he shouted, "Is that all you came here for Rauru? To watch your people die? To watch Link suffer? You are not much of a king. I expected more of you. I will lead my people much better than you."

"That pride will be your downfall, Ganondorf!"

Behind me!

Ganondorf turned around. But he was too late.

Rauru was right there his hand raised ready to strike.

His hand was glowing, Zonai characters swirling around it. His third eye was open.

Rauru screamed. He screamed for everyone. He screamed for Panji, for Sonia, for the construct, for Link, for the Sages, "You will pay for everyone you've ever hurt or killed!"

"NOW DIE!"

Rauru stabbed his hand through Ganondorf. He felt it pierce his flesh, bone and organs. For some reason, it was weirdly satisfying.

His hand locked into to place, his final spell complete.

Dong

"You know this will wear off in a few years."

Dong

"I don't care. You will pay a thousand years for everyone you've killed."

Dong

It was complete.

Rauru and Ganondorf both solidified. Ganondorf frozen, Rauru, dead.

No one was there to witness his final sacrifice.

He died alone.

Back at the Forgotten Temple, everyone safely awaited Rauru return.

He never did.

Eventually everyone moved on. They even built a castle over the chasm.

With no Zonai left in the world, everyone forgot about Rauru and the Sages.

Except for one person.

The priest. He and his wife never forgot everything Rauru ever did for them.

They even named their son after him.

Their son was so much like King Rauru, that when he was old enough, they gave him a special item that had been passed down for centuries.

On Rauru's 16th birthday, he was entrusted with a special duty. To protect that object at all costs. The Ocarina of Time.