Uraka, with her squad, to set herself up on top of a hill, in preparation to strike against the desert caravan that was returning from Hyrule. While the units were preparing themselves, Uraka's mind went back to the time when Ganondorf found out about Nabooru's betrayal.

Great was Ganondorf's rage when he found out that Koume and Kotake were slain by his second-in-command, Nabooru and her rebels. He received the news while he was enroute back to the desert. When the messenger arrived, she bore a scroll with a scarlet ribbon. His eyes grew wide, and he gnashed his teeth. Taking the scroll from her, he unfurled it to reveal the message:

Ganondorf,

We have received word of what happened in Hyrule Field. Your wanton abandonment of our sisters to the Hyrulians was the final straw. Your ambition and cruelty ends with your death. I have slain Koume and Kotake with my hands. I assume total command of the Gerudo now. If you surrender now, I promise to make your death swift and painless, although you deserve far worse.

Nabooru

"SHE DARES?! SHE DARES?!" She looked fiercely at the messenger, who seemed to be resigned herself to her fate. She closed her eyes, awaiting death. And death it comes in the form of Ganondorf taking his massive sword and stabbing it through her heart. "Nabooru assumes control because of my defeat in Hyrule Field! She claims to rule the Gerudo now!" The surrounding Gerudo warriors all looked on, with confusion. Uraka stood near Avesa and Narufefi while, for the next hour, he yelled obscenities that would make a drunk Hyrulian blush. He ended his tirade with this. "Let it be known. We will be fighting our own. There is us and there are the traitors! Nabooru, and all those who pledge themselves to her, have no right to be called Gerudo!"

The Gerudo warriors snapped out of their stupor, yelled and called for war. "If Nabooru wants to take the desert for her own, she will have to pry it out of my cold, death hands! With my monster army and your determination, we will make swift work of this pretender! Then, we can focus on our revenge against Hyrule! Stand with me, sisters! Stand with your king, and together we will take control of our destiny!!"

It was promising, at first. Ganondorf summoned and bound the desert monsters to his will. With them, he assailed the Desert Town and the defenders. But the defenders were ready. Multiple wooden fences, stone walls and well-trained archers littered the entire town. Ganondorf cut off water and supplies to Desert Town, preparing for a long siege. With each passing month, however, all Gerudo noticed that the Gerudo King's monster army was becoming smaller. Where he preformed an elaborate ceremony to summon his monsters to inspire respect and fear, not a whisper of it was seen now. When the last of the monsters were slain, the defenders were emboldened to take the fight to Ganondorf. With this, Ganondorf called off the siege and started to retreat to the Spirit Temple. The place where all of his grand ambitions began. He had the foresight to take the temple and reinforce it. It was assumed that with the monster army, they would have the Desert Town in a couple of months. Now, Ganondorf's forces were on the run and hunkered down. Two places: Desert Town and the Spirit Temple. Nabooru vs Ganondorf. This happened for an entire year. Each side not giving the other so much of an inch without casualties.

As for the Gerudo King, his behavior started to change. Once there was full confidence, suddenly doubt. He didn't summon or tame monsters anymore. He started to take an off-handed approach in letting his officers handle rebellion matters. There were times when he would respond to criticism with cruelty, now he simply left discipline to his officers. Attempts to resolve the civil war through negotiation didn't go so well. When Nabooru sent envoys to negotiate, Ganondorf's officers ordered them killed in his name. Each day, he would go into the Spirit Temple and pray.

As a result, cases of desertion started to arise. Avesa pretended to defect to Nabooru's side, but secretly still held her alliance to her king. From her came intelligence reports about the Hylians and Gerudo defenders reinforcing their position. They learned that Nabooru had requested aid from the Hylian King, and peace talks started to take shape. This enraged the rebels more. When Avesa told them about the Hylians patrolling the border, this gave the rebels an opportunity to replenish their supplies via raiding.

This was a stopgap, at best. The fact of the matter was that they were virtually leaders essentially, with a king that was so despondent with his subjects that he would rather pray to the sand goddess than hear the lights of his subordinates and do something about it. However, Uraka thought that changed when Ganondorf called her to the Spirit Temple to discuss 'a mission of great import that could decide who the victor of this war.'

Uraka approached the center of the main entrance of the Spirit Temple. She walked, with hesitation, as this was the first time she was called by him personally in a long while. She knelt below the steps leading up to the elevated platform that Ganondorf was on. "You wanted to see me, sir?"

"You may approach." Biding her master, she stood and walked towards him. He was kneeling. His black armor, the same armor he wore during multiple campaigns, now housed a man that they didn't know anymore.

But it was of little consequence. He was king, pure and simple.

He started to speak, his back facing against her, "the war is coming to an end."

Uraka's ears perked up. Not believing the statement, she asked, "truly?"

"That depends on the success of this mission and whether your target will be helping us or not."

Her eyes focused. She had been on numerous assassination and retrieval missions during and after the civil war. "Who is the mark?"

He heaved a great sigh. "Bato of Termina has been marked for retrieval. As you know, Avesa was captured not too long ago by the Hylians. This seemed to intrigue him somewhat and, by the king's command, he marches with the delegation back to Desert Town."

She was hesitant to ask. A command from the king was absolute. "Why is this 'Bato' important to us? Expecting retribution, she braced to get hit or something.

But Ganondorf answered her, "he has a power never heard of. He has performed miracles that has changed the landscape of Hyrule. Of we can utilize that power, then perhaps we can put an end to this war."

"And become the Victor's," Uraka smiled.

"There are no victors in this war, Uraka. There those who live and those who died. Having him in our corner will be preferable than mutual annihilation."

She wanted to ask again, what made him important. That thought was cut off by Ganondorf's talking. "There is another thing. I need you to deliver a message to the others."

Her heart stopped. "What is it, my liege?"

But he stopped short of asking. "Forget it. It wasn't important."

She bowed, "as you command, my king." Saluting, she walked away, wondering what he wanted to ask her.

"My Lady?" Uraka snapped out of the memory and beheld one of her subordinates. "The strike force has been assembled. We are prepared."

"Very good." She nodded briskly and stepped forward on the cliff overlooking the Gerudo Valley. The Zora River rushed rapidly and the wooden bridge stalwart in welcoming travellers from distant lands. "Remember the plan, sisters! Our target is Bato of Termina. He will be somewhere in the caravan. Brown hair, brown eyes and travelling with a boy in green." She shuttered at the mention of the boy for it was he who had ruined all of Ganondorf's plan. If she could find that boy as well and present him to Ganondorf then...

All of a sudden, screaming and yelling arose from the warriors. Bows were aimed at the sky, spears drawn. "What's happening?" Uraka demanded.

One of the warriors pointed up to the sky. Looking, she almost screamed out of fear. Some sort of flying, giant, lizard was heading right towards them. She didn't know what it was, but it was certainly an enemy of theirs. "Stand firm, sisters! Let us defeat this foul beast!" It breathed fire upon them, immolating some and burning others. Uraka watched in horror as the flying lizard slammed itself down and swung its gigantic tail against the warriors. Then he reared his head and snapped towards an unfortunate warrior who was trying to defend herself with her spear. Grabbing her with his mouth, he snapped on the warrior like a dog with a biscuit.

"What manner of beast is this?!" Uraka could hardly believe her eyes as the beast took flight again and flew towards the advance party. She couldn't do anything but watch. Her forces decimating, most of them were either fleeing towards the caravan or dead. She watched the flames dance on the ground, fire consuming all. Then, she heard someone yell, "Gerudo! Face me!!" Turning, she saw a man holding up a strange looking sword.

"Bato of Termina," she thought murderously. Saying nothing, she answered the challenge.

It was evening when Bato arrived back at camp. Utia, with the rest of the contingent, arrived hours before, taking a different route altogether. He couldn't blame them. They must have considered him to be a monster. As he was walking through the camp, both Hylian and Gerudo stopped whatever they were doing and stared at him. However, when he was passing a Gerudo, she stood up, beat her hand to her chest, and nodded. This kept on happening with every Gerudo he passed.

His tent was already set up, with Link waiting inside. When the boy took one look at the battered Bato, he rushed over and held his hand. "I knew I should have been there!"

"Believe me, Link. It was a good thing you weren't there." Link guided him to a cushion and sat down. He poured a glass of water in a cup and gave it to him. "Thanks." He gave a deep sigh. "Did you hear what happened?"

He was silent for a moment. "There have been rumors."

"All true, I'm afraid."

Another silence. "You summoned a dragon and beat up a Gerudo captain?"

"Well, I didn't know about her being a captain, but yes, I did."

"They said there were thirty to forty enemy forces out there and your monster took them out! That's pretty amazing!"

"It wasn't worth, though."

"Worth?"

"Worth it. I killed a lot of people, Link."

"But they were going to kill us, right? They were waiting on the hilltop to attack us!"

"I…" Bato couldn't say anything, in response. He didn't know whether they were actually going to kill them or for whatever reason.

"You said to Lady Din that killing is a fact of war. You did it to protect us. You might have taken lives, but you've also saved them." He looked down. "You also told me that I'll have to take a life someday. I don't like that thought, but if it means protecting the people and the world I care about, then that's what I'll do."

"Link. I'm sorry."

The boy grabbed his hand. "I know how it feels to make a mistake. It's terrible. But so long as you have people with you, I'll be okay. You taught me that, remember?"

"I remember," Bato said, ruffling his hat and hair. "Thanks for the talk, Link. It doesn't change the fact that I might be in trouble, though?"

"Why?"

"I went overboard. I'm sure of it." As if on cue, a Gerudo guard came into the tent. "Forgive me, Bato. Lady Utia wishes to speak with you."

"Of course," Bato got up with a worried Link staring at him. "I'll be back, kid. Nothing to worry about. Nothing at all."

After Uraka's humiliating defeat and capture, she was brought before Felia and Utia. Utia undid her bonds, and she sat right beside Utia. Uraka was seething. Her sisters were either critically injured or dead. "Who is he?!" She demanded. "What is that demon?"

Felia, pensively, replied, "a farmer."

Uraka spat out. "A farmer?! A farmer summoned such a beast, killed my sisters, and who defeated me in combat?!"

Utia spoke this time. "Sister. As you know, this is no mere farmer. He has been blessed with many gifts from the goddess. It is no wonder you stood no chance against him."

"And you bring such a man into our lands?!"

"I do. In order to put an end to this war."

Snorting, Uraka calmed down. "This is why His Majesty wanted him! With power like that, he could easily destroy all of us in one fell swoop!"

"That's why 'His Majesty' won't have him." Felia stood up. "I won't let you use him as a tool for destruction."

Uraka balked at the hypocrisy. "So that makes it right that you did?"

"He did it on our behest. It was wrong to do so. He sought a peaceful solution. We did not listen." Utia had regret in her voice.

Shaking her head, Felia sat down. "I've called him here to speak with all of us. This is where we will apologize for this action and, hopefully, he won't blow us all up!"

Bato was escorted to a big tent, somewhat intricate in design, and guarded. The Gerudo guards saluted, as before. He was directed inside by the guard and when he entered, four ladies with their attendants were waiting for him. Two on each side. Felia on one side, Utia and Uraka (whose leg and hand were bandaged up) on the other. Bato greeted them near the entrance. "You wanted to see me?"

"Come in, Bato." Felia waved him in. All eyes were on him as he took a seat on the prepared cushion. The looks varied from weary to cautious. No doubt about it, the whole setup smelt like a sit down. Felia started to speak, first. "I believe everyone is acquainted with one another here, save for Bato. I had intended to introduce myself when we made camp tonight but under more favorable circumstances. I am Felia Osede, Hyrulian ambassador to the Gerudo." She gestured towards Uraka, "this is Uraka. Before the civil war, she was known as one of the seven blades of the king. Regarded as the most renowned swordswoman in the tribe, she had a place in the king's elite guard."

"Still do," Uraka mumbled.

Felia chooses to ignore it. "She's also Utia's sworn blood sister. When war was declared, Uraka vouched for Ganondorf and took her place at his side. She hasn't been seen, until now."

"That's the reason Utia was so protective of her." It made Utia's actions more rational, she wanted to protect her sister.

"On behalf of both the Gerudo and Hyrulian delegations, I wish to formally apologize for putting you in such a situation. You sought a peaceful solution, but our fear of being attacked outweighed common sense." Utia put her hand on her chest and bowed before him. "It won't happen again."

Bato said nothing. "See that it doesn't. Thank you, my Ladies."

"Moving forward, I'd like to discuss with you your future involvement in these talks. Let's lay all of our rupees on the table, shall we?" Felia faced the man, cool eyes quietly assessing him. "Utia, why did you seek Bato out as an advisor?"

Eyes were on the ambassador now. "We've been at war for a year. Both sides are running out of supplies and munitions in fighting a fruitless war. Lady Nabooru sees this. We were sent to Hyrule to request a more 'permanent solution'. The king's solders only protected their boarders and did nothing to help our situation." She turned to Bato. "But when we saw this man at the summit. How he controlled the winds, spoke with authority, and dedicated to helping the common people, we sought to recreate the same miracle he made there."

"What makes you think that he would succeed?"

"Avesa." Bato had forgotten about her. "Remember, she was Nabooru's bodyguard. She's received advanced training and partook in missions during and after the Hyrulian Civil War. She's very confident in her job." She pointed at Bato, "that man shook her so much that rather than fight her way out of a situation, she surrendered peacefully."

"Only because the king commanded her." Bato hastily interjected.

Utia shook her head. "Avesa is a free spirit. She will follow any orders so long as it does not conflict with her values. She probably sees the same thing that I do. A man that can join two broken families together. The fact that she allowed herself to be captured says a lot about you, Bato."

"In what way?"

"We follow the strong," Uraka replied, "Avesa saw in you a strength that rivals, or daresay, eclipses the king."

"Me stronger than Ganondorf? That's not flattering at all. So," he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Where do we go from here?"

"They say you are a farmer, but recent and past actions have proven otherwise. To be honest, I was skeptical about having a farmer joining our delegation. Now, I see why." Felia crossed her arms, "hubris on my part. You know a lot more than what you're letting on."

"Of course. I would rather not stand out. That's the reason I became a farmer in the first place." He looked squarely at Utia, "hence the reason I didn't want to come here."

"So, you've said, countless times." Utia gave a smile, "but with a power and mind like yours, we would be foolish not to have you. I truly believe that you are the key to ending this civil war."

"I believe Lady Uraka would have to disagree." Sure enough, Uraka was staring daggers at her sister. "Even if this was the case, I was told 'no fighting'. Lady Felia said it herself that I've stirred up a hornet's nest with my actions. Anymore, and that'll be asking for Ganondorf to declare all out conflict."

"Yes," Uraka replied, sarcastically, "because we want our sisters to die by your hand! The King is very aware of your power and skills. That's why he sought to bring you to our side!"

"So, you were targeting me?"

"From the start. It was a simple bait and switch stratagem. Our main force would engage the delegation forces while a smaller force positioned behind another hill would swiftly strike, locate you, and take you out before anyone was none the wiser. What we weren't expecting was a giant monster bearing its fangs on us, breathing fire!!"

"Yeah. Sorry about that." Bato sheepishly said to her.

This seemed to incense her even more. "You killed the majority of our best troops! You deprived the king of his elite, and you're sorry?!"

Utia held her hand out, "enough, sister. Remember, this is a war. There are no rules." That remark made Bato sick to his stomach.

"His beast attacked from the sky! We had no way to defend ourselves, let alone survive!"

"He summoned the beast at our request because we thought you were going to attack us."

"How did you even know we were up there?! We were still far away from your scouts!" Utia looked at Bato again. Uraka snorted, in anger. "Of course." Relenting, Uraka sat there silently, glaring at the man who took the lives of her sisters.

Felia sighed as she took a cup of water. "Uraka. You will be held in custody and placed in the same cell as Avesa. Once we reach the Gerudo Desert Town, we will hand you over to Lady Nabooru."

"As the victor dictates. But I am not beholden to you, Hylian." She turned to Bato. "I am beholden to him."

Wide-eyed, Bato said flatly, "what?"

"Remember you defeated me in combat? Like I said, my life is in your hands. Do with it as you wish." Utia went pale and Felia watched the exchange happening before her. Did they actually think Bato wanted to take a life in front of them?

"So, I give it back. You will do as Lady Felia requests. So long as she is treated with respect." Uraka clicked her tongue, annoyed. Utia nodded her approval.

Felia gave a small smile, "thank you, Bato. As per your role in these negotiations, we'll just have to play it by ear."

"Indeed." Utia stood up, "me and my sisters will do our best to protect you. I doubt you would have need of it. A fighter. A speaker. You can even play the diplomat if you wanted to."

"I leave that to Lady Felia. Are we done here?" Felia nodded her consent. Bato stood up, bowed and exited the tent.

Utia bade farewell to her sworn sister as she was led away. Rebinded again, she was led in silence by the guards to Avesa's holding cell. Avesa's face lit up with recognition when Uraka was unceremoniously thrown in the cell.

"Sister," Avesa acknowledged as she helped Uraka up.

"Sister." Grateful for the assist, Uraka got up and walk towards him. "You've been well?"

"As it has been ordered." Avesa crossed her arms. "Bato was increasingly annoying on checking up on me."

"Sand Goddess preserve us." Uraka limped over to a corner of the cage and sat down. "That man is a pain."

"Well intentioned pain," Avesa mumbled.

"Is that why you submitted to him when he captured you."

"He never captured me. I let myself be captured. But..." She looked down at the spot beside Uraka. She sat herself down. "Bato wanted me to be 'treated with respect.'"

"Strange. He said the exact same thing about me." The two of them were silent for a moment. "Who is he, Avesa?"

"He is the solution."

Things settled down for the next couple of days. The caravan made its way from the bridge and onto the Gerudo Fortress. From there, it was a relatively short trip to the desert town. Ocarina of Time never had a desert town. It was the fortress, the desert, and the temple. However, as he was abundantly aware now, this was not the game. It was real. It had been real for a very long time.

Golden sand dunes are becoming more frequent now. Pockets of palm trees and bushes dotted the landscape. In the midst of the arid landscape, life seemed to find a way to survive and thrive. Ruins of abandoned houses made of brick were also apparent. Once or twice, Bato thought he saw moving shadows within its walls. As the view of the fortress became closer, in the distance, three Gerudo riders carrying a white flag were riding towards the caravan. The horn sounded, and the caravan came to a halt.

This time, Bato was in front of Felia and Aita. The three riders stopped and dismounted their horses. He watched them approach, their red scarves covering their faces to filter out the sandy air. They weren't armed with swords or anything. Just the clothing and pouches on their saddles. "Are they here to seek terms?" Bato asked, looking at Felia.

"No. They probably want something." She paused for a moment, looking at him. "I'm surprised you know about flags."

"Basic ones, really. You learn a lot when you read." Utia shot a glare at both of them, indicating that small talk was now over.

One of the Gerudo stepped forward. Utia did likewise. "Sister."

"Sister," the other Gerudo greeted. "We bear no arms and come under a flag of parley."

"Speak your peace, then. We have a desert town to get to."

She cleared her throat, "I seek the man known as Bato."

Felia looked squarely at him. At once, Bato walked towards Utia with his hands free. "That's me. What can I do for you?"

"His Majesty requests you attend to him at the Spirit Temple. Further, we are willing to arrange a prisoner exchange. Ten of your sisters for two of ours."

Utia couldn't help but laugh. "Is 'His Majesty' in any position to barter? You know who we have, don't you? Ten sisters wouldn't even cover one of them."

"He thought as such. But there was no harm in try, though." She turned to Bato. "What say you?"

Bato thought for a while, then nodded. "I have business with Lady Nabooru. Once finished, I will go to the Spirit Temple and meet with Ganondorf."

"You can't be serious!" Utia fiercely looked at him. "He'll kill you! You can't trust a man like that."

"I'm supposed to be impartial to both parties, remember? Besides, he couldn't kill me even if he wanted to."

"Now, that's just hubris talking! Many times, we have sent out delegations to parlay with the king, and rarely does it end up well for either of us. He is not trustworthy. You will deny their request!"

"I'm an advisor and I have no real value to the delegation anyhow. Besides, Ganondorf himself is seeking me out. I want to know why." The trio nodded, got up on their horses and strode off in the opposite direction.

Felia looked at Bato, pointedly. "I really wished you cleared it with me before deciding on this course of action. But as you say, you're just an advisor, so I can't really command you to do anything."

"This is a mistake, Bato. Mark my words, Ganondorf is not someone who is to be trifled with!"

"High risk, high reward. Besides, we need to know what's happening with the other camp. The king wants to see me. Then, he'll see me."

"YOU DID WHAT?!" Link was livid, and rightfully so. Bato shook his head as the boy paced around in rage. "Are you nuts?! This is Ganondorf we're talking about! Ganondorf! The Great King of Evil?! The man that destroyed Hyrule!"

"Technically, he didn't destroy it in this timeline so…"

Link pointed at him, "don't get smart with me! Utia was right! You don't underestimate Ganondorf! That guy is capable of anything!!"

"Great! Which is why you'll be going with me, will you?"

"W-What makes you say that?" He took a step back. "I don't wanna see that guy!"

"You would have found out about me going regardless of whether I told you or not. Even if I did tell you to stay in the Desert Town, you'd come anyway, wouldn't you?"

Clicking his teeth, he sat on a cushion, trying to bring himself down. "Well, you're not wrong. I don't want him to do anything to you!"

"Remember how I told you I can take care of myself? This is more for your peace of mind than mine."

"I…don't…want…you…to…go!" He punctuated each word carefully. "This is the Great Deku Tree all over again, isn't it?! You're just gonna do it anyway! Why do you stick your nose in other people's business? Why can't you think about yourself for once?!"

"Myself," Bato asked, quietly, "or you?"

Getting up, Link dashed out of the tent, with tears in his eyes.

It was evening now. The tent city was set up again. Link was practicing the hidden skills he learned in the Sacred Realm on a tree. He bought a Hylian Shield from another soldier for cheap, and he was shield bashing the tree. Furiously. Continuously. It looked like the tree was halfway chopped off before a voice stopped him. "I fail to see what the tree ever did to you."

"Who said that?" He looked around. There was no one there.

"In here," said the voice. Reaching into his pocket, he retrieved the small statuette of Hylia. "Nice to finally meet you, Link."

"Are you… Lady Hylia?" Putting his sword and shield away, he walked over under the palm tree and sat down.

"Now, don't you start. Call me Hylia, okay?"

"Okay…Hylia." The boy tilted his head. "This is very weird."

"You did a lot of weird things on your adventures, didn't you?"

Link blushed a little. "O-Oh yeah. I did. Well, one of the weirdest things I've ever done, then."

"Such a nice boy." She giggled a little.

"What do you wish of me, Hylia?"

"Something's troubling you, isn't it?"

He looked to the side, towards the tent that he and Bato shared. "It's Bato. You know him, right?"

"I do. I'm the one who sent him to Hyrule in the first place."

"Really?" Link's eyes grew wide. "So, do you know about the other world he's from?"

"Sadly, no. It seems all of his knowledge came from that place, though I cannot understand why."

"You and me both." Link shook his head, ruefully. "I wonder, sometimes, if something happened to him that make him think the way he does."

"What do you mean, Link?"

"I mean, he's always thinking about other people! Never about himself. He's strong, he's kind, he understands things that most people wouldn't get. But…"

"But?"

"That's just it. He just doesn't understand me." He focused on the statuette. "Did you hear what he was going to do when he met with Lady Nabooru?"

"I did hear. He said he was going to meet Ganondorf, right?"

"Yeah. That's what scares me."

"You've faced him down before, didn't you. He was a frightful man back then, wasn't he?" Link thought back to his final battle with Ganondorf. Magical attacks reflecting off his sword. Zelda imprisoned. Him demanding the Triforce from all of them, with the world hanging in the balance.

"He doesn't know him like I do."

"Yet there is one thing, though."

"What's that?"

"Bato has an understanding that seems to transcend ours. Do you think it might be possible that he sees something in Ganondorf that neither of us have before?"

"I…" This made Link unsure now. He had always known Ganondorf as the Great King of Evil, the villain that sought to undo all creation and remake it into his image. What did Bato see in him. Did it have to do with the fact that he turned evil because of the sorceress sisters? Now that they're gone, what did that make him now? Was he still evil? He groaned in frustration.

"Something to consider, Link. He sees what we cannot see. He hears while we do not understand. He knows your history, Link. But it doesn't mean he knows how you feel about it. Maybe if he knew…"

Link gripped the statuette in his hand. "Thanks, Hylia."

When Link arrived, Bato was sitting alone in the fire. Everyone had just finished dinner. No one spoke to him, as usual. Now it seemed that Link found himself switching positions with Bato this night. He walked over and sat right beside him. "I'm sorry for yelling. I'm just scared, that's all."

Bato looked at the boy as he moved near the fire. "What do you mean?"

"You mentioned how you were able to see through my eyes, looking at important events. There was more in that dark future than you saw. Did you know that there was a resistance group based in Kakariko Village?"

"No, I didn't."

"Their hearts were in the right place. They wanted to help those who were displaced from Castle Town. The leader of the resistance took care of the people like she was their mother. The resistance defended the village from monsters and Ganondorf's men."

"Ganondorf's men? You mean, the Gerudo?"

Link shook his head. "Ganondorf offered people to join his new army. They would be his enforcers in Castle Town, Hyrule Field and all the other places. They…they did awful things. Kakariko was a free town, but there were others that fell to the attacks of the enforcers. The resistance wanted to change that. When the leader died, a stupid, young guy stepped up and started to plan to take back Castle Town." Link scoffed at the idea, "I mean, how stupid can you be!? Planning to fight the enemy at their home base?"

"You told them as such?" Bato asked, wonderingly. He could see pain in the boy's eyes.

"Despite everything that I did. The medallions, the ranch, the forest, the mountain, Zora's Domain. They still wouldn't believe a kid. That was all I was too them and to be honest…I didn't care for them. Why help a group that treats me bad, right?" He got quiet while Bato watched on, not daring to interrupt. "It…It was bold. They would sneak into Castle Town and take down the enforcers controlling the city. They would create a 'breach' in the city walls to do this."

"But someone ratted them out?"

Link nodded sadly. "On the day of the operation, the resistance was ambushed by a massive enforcer monster force. So many people died or ran. There were bodies…everywhere." His words sounded broken and haunted. "They caught the leader and a few of his followers. Days later, I saw him again…with a pike…" He said the rest, barely audible. "…shoved through his body, along with the rest of his friends."

"Goddess." Bato had no idea of the scope of the nightmare that was the dark future. He could only see major events in Link's life, but everything in between was hidden from him. What he saw and what he suffered.

"So that's why!" He looked at Bato fiercely, "I know the type of person Ganondorf is! Even though we stopped him, he's capable of such evil! He can't be reasoned! He can't be forgiven!!" There was fear in his voice again.

Bato got up and walked over to the fire, standing near Link. "I've been to speak with him."

"What?"

"Do you remember our friend in the cage? Her name's Avesa. She was originally part of Utia's delegation but secretly works with Ganondorf."

"You mean, like a spy?"

"Exactly a spy. Before we left Castle Town, she came to my room unannounced." Shock covered Link's face as Bato continued, "She had a crystal on her, and that crystal allowed me to speak with Ganondorf personally."

The boy breathed heavily, "what did he say to you?"

"That despite all of his actions, it was all for the sake of the people. He speaks of oppression under the king; the Gerudo all struggling to survive in the harsh desert. The civil war would give him the leverage he needed to seek a better future for the Gerudo."

"And you believe him?"

"No, I don't. I believe that there are half-truths and whole lies in this story. But to regard him as completely irredeemable. That requires investigation. The delegation cannot afford to send anyone now. Our forces are stretched thin as it is. The men we brought are there to relieve the beleaguered troops. If I am able to figure out Ganondorf's true motives, then we would be able to plan ahead with the limited resources we have."

He sat down with Link, on the sands. "I apologize for not listening to you. Like, really listen. I need to do this. I cannot rely on the Gerudo's nor the Hyrulian delegation to broker a peace anytime soon. I mean, they had an entire year, and they're still stuck. This is my choice. Since there won't be anyone that I'll be relying on, there's no one else that they can blame."

"Why do this when you want nothing to do with it?"

"Because, sooner or later, the war will hit where we live. When that happens, it'll become my problem. I'd rather nick this in the bud than let it fester."

"Then…then you can rely on me."

"Link."

"I won't lie. I'm scared to death of him. If you're willing to risk your life for peace, then I have to be able to do that too."

"No one is asking you to-"

With his blue eyes, he stared at Bato, "I've done it before, I can do it again. This is my choice, after all." He couldn't control himself. Reaching out, before he knew it, Bato gave a tight hug.

Before the Gerudo Fortress was the Desert Town. The town itself boasted a medium-sized oasis, providing respite for weary travelers, local inhabitants and those merchants who braved the hot desert to peddle their wares. Like the ruined buildings, houses were made from hardened rock and clay, baked together in the arid heat. Gerudos spectating the arrival of the caravan could be seen on top of the city walls.

Felia and Utia came in first. While speaking to the leadership, Bato waited with Link in the wagon with his driver. He was fanning himself with a palm leaf he found on the way to the town. Every couple of seconds, he fanned Link who was having just as difficulty keeping cooler than he was.

"When do we get to go in?" Link asked Bato, after the fourth time. Bato alternated between fanning himself and the boy.

"Well, why don't you show your membership card. They gave it to you, didn't they?" Link made a shushing motion with his finger. The driver, luckily, didn't hear them. "Whoops."

"Do you usually spill secrets so casually? Besides, you can only use that at the fortress. Also, I think my card's seven years too early to use." Eying the driver, he took it out. It was a small, faded document that was given by Aveil who commended Link's bravery and skill when he rescued the carpenters from their 'predicament.' Not only that, but he was also able to best four of them in various sword duels.

"True."

A horn was heard, suddenly, in the air. "We have been cleared for passage," said the driver. "Another inspection will take place when entering the town."

"Isn't there a strict no 'voe' rule here?" asked Bato.

The driver was quiet for a moment. "Usually, yes. But during the civil war, we had to rescind that rule because of the Hylian soldiers that would come here for respite. I'm not sure if that will be the case once the war is over."

"You sound confident. What makes you think the war is ending anytime soon?" The driver smiled at him. The man couldn't help but sigh as the wagons were pulled through. It seemed that the Gerudo in the caravan were expecting them to be their salvation. This put an unexpected strain on whether he could deliver or not.

Crowds of Gerudos lined up the streets for the caravan. The marketplace was packed full of spectators and merchants trying to sell their products. Shimmering jewels, weapons, tapestries, and food were abundant here. In front of them was a palace, most likely Nabooru's seat of power. The palace had staircases, intricate mosaics and lush gardens, a paradise within a wasteland. The wagons were herded into the outer courtyard where the Gerudo and Hylians started to unload their equipment, materials, everything that they could carry from Castle Town.

Link and Bato got out of the cart, looking around. "Okay." Bato was gob smacked by the Desert Town and the Palace. "I remember this not being a thing."

"You mean you didn't see the Desert Town?" Link tilted his head and smiled. "Guess there are some things that you don't even know!" Bato pulled Link's hat over his eyes, the boy trying to get free. There was merriment between the two as everyone was doing their assigned duties. Just then, this was interrupted with the arrival of the driver.

"Lady Utia requests all the delegates to make their way to the antechamber. There, they will be presented before Lady Nabooru."

"Guess she also means us." Shrugging, Link and Bato went with the rest of the delegation to the palace's antechamber. When they arrived, everyone was ragged but still kept themselves clean for appearance's sake. It was early evening and Nabooru would entertain the delegates before they headed off to sleep. There were some people Bato didn't recognize. The Gerudo from the caravan saluted, as usual. The palace guards started to question, and a secret discussion was had. Some guards were shaking their heads, others making wild gestures to their caravan counterparts.

"This is how it starts." Bato was dismayed over the rumors that would be circling now that the stories of his supposed heroism had started to spread.

"How does what start?" Asked Link. Another horn was heard, this time it carried an eloquent tune.

"Our meeting with Lady Nabooru." The guards took their place between the delegation, and they ushered everyone in.