(ZGen/Fan)The Legend of Zelda: The Blade(t)

The
Legend
of
ZELDA

*img by Jac06*
______________
Prologue

It was some time after the events of the phantom hourglass took place. Hyrule, or... the 'sea' of Hyrule, lived on peacefully. For almost one thousand years.

Then it came - the storm; bigger than a hurricane, any hurricane, bigger than hurricanes combined. It rained, and rained. The seas grew, and soon, covered all land. Everyone was killed.

Except the Zoras.

They lived on, building their Empire underwater. And like Hyrule had, it grew, but faster - much faster. Submarines’ going unbelievable speeds for transportation, water guns, a form of computer, even!

But what this empire didn't know is that the water was starting to disappear. It wasn't until many years, when over half the empire was destroyed, showing up above water. But the king had a secret. He grabbed an old dagger, which secretly had been made out of the master sword and gathered his children, and the swords light protected them, as all the water disappeared; except a lake.

Soon, his children had children. And their children had children. And soon most of the Zoras evolved into land animals, like humans, slowly loosing their fish like bodies. And most of the Empires secrets were lost.

Most of them, anyway...

CHAPTER 1:
The invasion

On a quiet, cool summer morning, Link awoke. A village boy. He was popular with a few of his other friends, though really he wasn't all so great. Orange hair, usually brown pants, dirty from yardwork, and a white shirt worn by most peasants at the time. He had no tunic or forest hat - neither a fairy. No master sword and a great metal hylian shield. Just a small knife for cutting rope and wire.

He was 9, and had done a lot as a farm boy. Being an only child with no father, he was the only help his mom had. He rolled out of bed. He pushed his window open, letting the breeze travel into his room. He got dressed and went downstairs to his mom.

"Good morning, hun! We're going to a party this evening!" she greeted.

Link nodded. Oh boy! The Lake Town! So many shops, people, merchants, the market, the fish, the entertainment. But above all a party!? " Did the emperor invite us?" Link asked curiously.

"You bet he did!" His mom replied.

"Wow!" Link exclaimed in amazment.

"Alright, go milk the cow, and we'll have milk with our breakfast, I'm almost done cooking."

Link nodded, grabbing a bucket by the door," Yes ma'am!"

He shoved open the wooden door and into the warm summer air. A fire was cooking in some of the neighboring cottages. Some birds could be heard twitering, and a neighbor stood outside his cottage, examining a broken window.

"Hey Link, m'boy! Where are ya' off to this time?" He said.

Link stopped walking and turned to face the man," Milking Jane, my cow." He replied to the man.

"Oh. Okay. I best not be keepin' ya' waitin'!"

Link ran behind his cottage and into the barn. They had one cow, and two horses. A male horse and a female. The female would hopefully become pregnant in another year or so. They needed to sell the new-born horse for money. He approached the cow who was in it's stall, occasionally mooing.

Link set the bucket under her utters, going to work squeezing the fresh milk out. Milk. One of his most favorite drinks. As he finished up, his bucket filled up two thirds of the way, he carried it back to his house, bringing it inside. His mom already had some cooked Cuccoo they had saved. They had a big chicken house, and everytime they killed a Cucco, they preserved it in a smoke house and saved it for later. It made a good meal.

After breakfast, Link went back outside to feed the animals. He went into the barn and looked out to the pasture. Yeah. He should just let them graze for today. It'd be easier. So he lead all three animals out into the small pasture. The cucco's had been fed extra last night, so they probably had some seeds left over.

He went to the well in the center of the pasture and filled a bucket with water. He brought it back to their small garden and watered each plant with care. He then got another bucket of water for something to drink for him and his mom.

As he came back outside after bringing the water in, he heard a kid's voice, about his age.

"Hey, Link!" the boy exclaimed, racing up to him," I heard you got invited to the party this evening!"

Link grinned," Yeah. First big party ever!"

"Man, you're so lucky, that's like a once in a million chance for anyone in our town to go!"

"Link nodded briskly," It is. I bet it'll be great! Music, speeches, people..."

The kid shook his head," I hate speeches, they're boring."

"Oh," Link replied," Still, I'll bring you back some food!"

"Okay, thanks! I have to go feed my animals now."

The kid scurried off to his cottage. Link looked around, before going back inside to change into his cleanest clothes.

Time. Where did it go? After a meager lunch, Link and his mom were ready. Link had his knife tucked in his belt around his waist and his mom had her satchel. He had no clue what was inside the small bag, but he never had asked before.

They walked through their small village and came to a narrow river. They approached a petty rowboat with a small sail on it furled up. They unfurled it and untied the boat from shore and started to sail down the river. A slight breeze blew, pushing the along as Link rowed hard. He was excited. His first ever big party!

As they floated up to Lake Town, they tied the boat up, furled the sails, and started to walk through the large town. Link and his mom held hands as they fought past crowds of people. Link loved the excitment.

They passed a man in a blue uniform, a few scales on his check, left over from the Zora ancestors. He helds a large stick with some metal on it." What's that, Mom?"

"I think they call that a gun dear..."

"It looks in-effective. I choose a blade over some stick any day!" Link declared proudly, curving his head back, to reveal a face that had only slight similarities to an eel *ancestors zoras remember...* yet his eyes were large and blue like a feral beast's.

Link's mom smiled," You're really old-aged aren't you, saying something like that."

Link never replied.

They finally aprroached the palace gates. Guards stood at the door holding the long... what were they called? Gins? Garms? Whatever. Link didn't care.

"Halt, if you're entering, you must pay a toll of five ruppees. Link's mom grimly handed the blue ruppee. The gate opened for them, and they continued into the courtyard.

"That's gonna dent our wallet..." his mom mumbled.

Link hardly payed attention as he observed the courtyard. Guards marched about holding the... 'guns' and seemed to follow a never ending pattern. A guard standing by a small fountain saluted Link and his mom. There were a few other villagers heading towards the palace, too.

They came to another gate, already opened and continued through the last courtyard, and into the palace. It was a sight to behold! Grand pillars stretched on, several doors. Guards lined up, and people milling about. And massive chandelier.(sp?)

At the end of the great hall was a large door, opened, leading into and even bigger room with tables of food and even more people! And more guards.

Link proceeded into the party room with his mom. They milled about, snacking on some food, chatting with a few good samaritans now and then, when suddenly they heard a sudden bang! as trumpets started to get everyone's attention.

The emperor walked to a podium on a huge stage." Thank you all for coming, tonight!" He greeted. A few clapped." It is my honor to hold this party, for my wife. She is pregnant!" A few more claps, and some cheers this time," And I have hopes it will be a son to continue my vast empire's growth. But we will have to wait and see. So, continue, and my orchestra shall entertain you while we prepare the real meal!"

Many applauded, whistled, and cheered. Oh man, Link heard great things about castle-food. Exotic, rare, and finely cooked. Suddenly some curtains pulled back on the side of the room to reveal an orchestra. Most hushed down as they started playing some traditional, lake songs. A few danced along.

Then it happened.

Another bang! sound, but it wasn't as before. A bang Link had never heard before. Then a sound followed, which sounded like millions of peas falling from a height into a tin pan, only louder. Then a few explosions, followed by screams, clangs, more explosions, and scream here and there. Suddenly the windows shattered as men started swinging in from the roofs. They looked like bandits. Except there were tons of them. The door blew open and more of the 'bandits' ran in, firing guns. Several of the partiers fell dead. There were several loud screams as some drew swords. Guards rushed forward, firing the guns.

And if a magical blade had flown from the end of the gun, to the enemy, some fell dead with screams. Other guards drew swords, coming at the so called 'bandits' swiftly, only to be taken out by the growing number of these mysterious rouges.

Link drew his knife, preparing for the worst. Then he looked around him." MOM?!" He cried loudly, yet his cry was only drowned out in the others. He felt scared, life threatened, he wanted to break down crying. But then a warmth filled his right hand and seemed to travel up to his heart, lifting his spirit. He would have never looked down to notice the now glowing triangular shape on his right hand.

Despite not knowing where his mom was, he had to get out. Fast. The enemy was getting closer. He charged past the crowds, and leapt out a window, landing on the ground. He sprinted as fast as he could away from the castle. He tore through bushes, jumping out onto the side walk leading back into the city. He'd never foget what he saw next.

Bodies. Dead and bleeding. Several of his own soldiers, the proud, marching guards - dead. One or two here and there let out a moan or a cry of pain and sorrow, and Link desperatly wanted to help them. But it'd be no use.

He ran out of the final courtyard, horrified. He just wanted to leave and never return.

______

Okay, my tab button doesn't work on ZU, so just so you know, I know about indenting. And I'm still editing it. It's late here, so yes, I will make mistakes.

EDIT: I'm indenting everything now.

Chapter 2:
8 Years Later

Knocking. It awoke Link from his sleep. Someone was banging at his door. He got up, grabbing his knife, and a lantern off the wall, which he lit.

"Open up! We know you're home!" Link approached his door, opening it.
Outside stood a neighbor who had recently moved into town a few years ago.

"Oh; it's you." Link said surprised.

"Yes, mind if I come in?" he asked.

"Um, sure." Link replied, moving from the doorway and allowing him in.

Link let some fire in his lantern onto some wood in his fire place. And lit a few candles on the wall. As time passed. the fire grew. The man took a seat infront of the fire," Thanks, kido."

Link hated being called that. He was seventeen, after all! Still, he nodded," You're welcome sir. Is there something you wanted?"

The man sighed," Link... You know ever since that man, Omra, came into power, you know how he's been demanding tax like crazy, eh?" Link nodded slowly," Yes, well, he's demanding another tax on us. I need you to deliver a finely crafted Iron sword I made. I'm moving away from the village. I can't stand it here Link! Go in my stead, and deliver it so they won't follow me. I'll even throw in a few ruppees..." he pleaded.

"Oh... do you want any soup? I can warm it up..." Link offered suddenly.

"Sure. But please Link, Go in my stead." He replied.

Link grabbed the pot of soup, bringing it over the fire place. Link paused suddenly, looking back at him," Sir... you know I haven't been to the castle since..."

"I know. But Link, I don't want them to kill me. I know you're just the right boy for the job. There's something about you I can just... trust."

Link finally nodded in agreement." Alright, I'll go in your stead. Only because I don't want you to be hunted down, though." he admitted.

The man sat up," Thank you, kido!"

Link walked over, grabbing a bowl and spoon and filled the bowl up, allowing him to eat. After the man ate, he left, thanking Link for the meal.

Once Link woke up the next day, he quickly threw on his clothes, and tucked his knife in his belt. He headed down to his neighbors house, who was all packed up and loading things into his wagon." Hey, kido! The sword's inside!"

Link nodded, going inside. Inside it was vacant; all empty. Except a single, handcrafted Iron sword. Link picked it up, strapping it to his back, where it'd be safe.

He walked back outside to say bye, but the man was already riding away. The man looked back, tossing a small bag of ruppees. Link ran over, grabbing the small bag off the ground. He then looked West. To the Lake Town.

As his boat floated up to the Lake town, he tied it up, and hopped out. He headed down the now less crowded streets. Where was all the people? He looked around. Shops were closed. A few houses were either boxed up or caved in.

One person eyed his sowrd greedily. Link looked back with a sneer. As Link approached the castle gates, some guards stepped in his way." Halt, kid!" They barked.

Link froze," Uh... I'm here to deliver a tax..." he said meekly.

"Is That so?! Well, enter, and be fast, runt!" he ordered. Link hurried past the gates and into the courtyard. Guards eyed him suspiciously. They didn't march in order and in lines, the guards just randomly walked around. Yet the courtyard was filled with them.

Link continued past the second gate and courtyard, and into the castle. Some of the grand pillars were now crumbled. There was an increase in guards, and the windows were broken. Skeletons lined the floor. Link gulped, only knowing too well what they were.

He observed the chandelier, now on the ground. Destroyed. He walked around all the wreckage, and to a man at the main door." I'm here to deliver a tax."

"Well... are ya'? Then follow me."

Link followed him swiftly, up a flight of large stairs, down some halls and a series of rooms, until he came to a very large hall with broken windows and torn curtains. The man looked at Link," Wait here." he ordered.

"Yes sir." Link said quickly.

He watched the man as he went to a large, golden door. He carefully knocked.

Silence.

No reply. The man knocked again. Yet it was still silent.

Suddenly someone yelled in an amazingly loud voice," WHAT IS IT?!"
Both Link and the guard captain leapt back as the door blew open, revealing a cloaked figure. The figure looked to the guard captain," You wanna die, you say?!"

The man replied even meeker than Link would have,"No sir... he wants to deliver a... tax." He gestured to Link.

The cloaked figure smiled, walking briskly over to Link," Ah... fresh meat."

Link took a step back, eyeing the figure with intensity and fear." Fr... f... fresh meat?"

The figure grinned. He grabbed Link by his shirt and pulled him close," Okay, so you came to pay a tax, kid. Then pay it."

Link then started to explain, unsheathing the sword," My friend is moving away, and he wants to give this handcrafted sw-"

"Did I ask for the whole story?!" The figure screamed.

"No... no sir!" Link cried.

"Then hand the sword over!"

Link hesitated. Would the man grab it, then stab him? Link heard a fairytale where the evil king did that to the servant delivering news. He thought hard. This could be life or death.

The figure suddenly lashed out at Link, kicking him hard in the stomach. Link stumbled back, dropping the sword, which the figure caught." The name's Omra. Your King!"

Link looked at the man with hatred. Oh yeah. He'd get killed for what he was going to do." The name's Link. And this; is my knife!" He cried, drawing the knife from his belt and stabbing it into Omra.

Omra screamed, stumbling back as Link drew the knife out. Omra leapt forward, chopping down at Link. Link barely made it out of the way. Link then charged forward, headbutting Omra in the stomach, causing the evil king to drop the blade, which Link caught.

"Get back here, kid!" A guard cried into the rainy knight, watching Link run down the streets of Lake Town." Omra will find you...!"

Chapter 3: Part 1
Irene

Okay, so chapter three will come in two parts. It'll be about the discovery of the ancient Zora ruins.

_________

Home, sweet home. Link had never been so glad to be home. Soaking wet, he lit a fire in the fire place. As the fire came to life, he sat down in a chair, reviewing what had happened that day. He had stabbed the King. Soldiers would most likely hunt him down.

"Why did I do it?" Link thought to himself," I should have just handed him the sword. Now I might get killed like my mom... But I must think of some course of... acti...on..."

Link awoke to a strange sound. A loud, burning sound, like you'd hear standing right beside a lit torch. Except it was even loud. Crackling and snapping. He heard feet moving around on the grass and pine straw. Link opened his eyes. Smoke. Smoke was seeping through an open window.

Link leapt to his feet, grabbing his Iron sword, strapping it to his back, and grabbing his precious knife, and put it on his belt. He also grabbed the small bag of ruppees the man had given him yesterday.

He busted out his door, to see his village on fire. He noticed some troops far off throwing torches into another house. They had a small girl pinned down, who was screaming for her parents, apparently trapped inside. Link froze in horror. He brought this on his own village!

He filled with rage, drawing the iron sword on his back, charinging forward. The first soldier went down. Headless. Another one tried to stab him with a spear, which Link ducked to avoid. Link then swung his sword, cutting open the man's stomach, then ending his life with a stab.

He killed the soldier restraining the kid, and then ran inside the now smoldering house. Inside he found a mother crying, held by a father. They were poth tied to a support pillar. Link cough from the smoke, but continued to slice the rope, freeing the two.

He lead them both outside, where they ran to their daughter. Link then ran to his own barn, where some soldiers had led two of his older horses out, and were stabbing them.

Link charged forward, swinging like crazy. Several of the guards went down screaming. One met Link's blade." Foolish, boy!" He yelled with rage. Link then stabbed the man straight in the face. He pulled the blade out, blood splatting onto his face.

Link ran into the barn. The cow was dead. All that was left was the Horse who had been born a few years ago. Link busted open his stall and grabbed a sadle, throwing it over the horse and gearing it up, he rode out with it. He rode east. Away from his village. Away from Lake Town.

Link was glad he had Irene. His horse. She was black with a white spot on her left side. It made him feel less alone... Link patted the horses head and it grazed on the open grass land. Wow! It was so big! He had never seen any land so stretched out, so wild. There was wild fruit for him to eat, and plenty of springs.

He was drifting all across the great plains. For what? He didn't know. He just felt like getting away from... life in general. The pain, the death, sorrow. Irene and these plains were all he needed.

As he sadled up Irene again and rode off again, he once more stopped his horse. For a different reason.

Music.

~~~~~

Chapter 3: Part Two
The Ancients.

Music. Like Link had never heard. It seemed to be saying something in his own language. Was that the singer? Most songs Link had ever heard were done by a violin.

" And me and you will, swim away! All over the ocean and to the bay!" Link now clearly heard it. But what the heck was that playing the song. He stopped his horse and listened. He heard at least two violins, but what was that lovely, deep bonging, vibrating sound? Or the other rythm that seemed to flow with the song? So many questions!

"Hello?!" Link cried out, but the music just seemed to die down. Then something very strange happened.

"And this is, 2.3 Love station, your source for all the love songs you want. This is your host here, now, uh; let's check out this other song, written by Wayson 'The Love Under the Sea.' It was Uh, written two years ago by him for his wife."Around the time He had started to speak the last sentence, another bit of lovely music started coming to life. What was happening? First the party, then the neighbor, then Omra, and now strange music with a host that seemed to be coming from nowhere?

"Hello?!" Link cried again in hopes of raising someone's attention. The Music continued." Okay! Very funny!" The music wouldn't stop.

Then Link saw it, beyond a few trees. One great big tree. Maybe something was over there playing it! Link rode his horse past a few trees and into the woods, where the ground was covered in pine. As he slowly rode Irene up to the tree, he stopped her, awe stucken. As he dismounted, he took a few steps forward in disbelief. A huge, metal, crowded, city. Surrounded by a massive tree. With a face. And it's Leavs were covered in seaweed, and it's roots had buildings over them, and the lower part of it's body had some shells and sea life. The music grew louder.

Link continued forward, curious. Suddenly the song quit. And everything was quiet, except the occasional gust of wind. Links hair started to stand on edge, hair on his back felt prickled. A slight chill shot down his back. This seemed strange, and terribly wrong. And much unlike a city, or a forest.

"Link!" A voice suddenly errupted, the ground shaking from the sheer power. Link jumped into action, drawing his sword, swinging around, then ducking into a ditch. His strange way of protecting himself."LINK!" the voice now roared.

"Y...yes?" he said humbly, looking up, to see the tree was glowing.

"I am the Great Deku Tree. Your kind has long forgotten of me and your ancestors. But I had defended them, even under the sea where I was... literally choking. But Link, I think my time is coming to a close soon... I have held my breath for centuries, and even the new gift of air is not enough. I have lived longer than my father." the tree explained.

"Who's your dad?" asked Link.

"The Great Deku Tree." The tree replied.

"Oh," began Link," Sort of the big family business, huh?"

"You could put it like that," it replied," But Link, there is another thing I need to inform you of. Listen, and never forget what I am to say.

"Centuries ago, my father was given an orphan. A helpless crying baby. And he called to a local village of the forest, the Kokiri. A nearby tribe protected by him. Where kids never grew old. He called upon them to raise the baby as their own, and call him what the dieing mother had wanted. But soon Hyrule fell under a dark age, rulled by an evil sorcerer. The boy rose up as the hero of time, and defeated the man almost entirely single-handedly. But the man had killed my father. I was just a seedling at the time."

"But now," he continued to explain," the land held true to the story, that in their time of need, a hero would rise from a normal little boy and save the land. Only one person was the hero. And they all beared the same name. I have been with each one."

There was a pause," But one time, the hero never came. The people prayed to be saved, but the hero never came. So the creators of the land flooded Hyrule, and all fled to high ground. And soon, all ground was flooded. Only the zoras remained. And soon they grew. Much faster than the old Hyrule. They were at an age where they had superfast transportation underwater, strange computing things that solved problems and found answers. I watched it all. And I watched the water drain into what it is now."

"What was the name of the hero?" Link suddenly said.

The tree never responded. The glowing died away. A faint wind blew, chilling Link to the bone." What was his name?!" Link called out. Still no reply. "I guess I'll go over there and wake him up." as Link headed down into the great city, he noticed the Deku Tree turning a dark, nasty color. The seaweed and preserved leaves fell. A few limbs snapped and crashed into the city below. Even the Deku Tree's nose slid off."NO!" Link exclaimed.

"He never finished the story..."

"Go... t... to the castle... and into the dun... dun... dungeon, and save the pr... pri... pr... princess..." The Deku Tree suddenly said with coughs. Then the tree, right in front of Link, disappeared. The buildings attached to his roots fell and exploded. But Link just stood there.

"Go to the castle, and into the dungeon, and save the princess..." Link repeated slowly.

Chapter 4
The Rescue

Link ran down the streets of Lake Town. An old man told him a shop in the town's centre plaza sold perfect shields. As Link entered the town plaza, he looked for the shop. It would be easier than expected. Less than thirty people were in the plaza, when there's usually at least fifty. Or at least there was when he was nine and under.

The second he spotted it, he passed up a few people and ran over to the door. A man stood at the front and opened the door for Link. He entered and looked about. On the wall behind the desk was a small wooden shield for a kid to play with, a medal shield with a lion on it, and another large wooden shield. On the wall to Link's left were the specials. A metal shield with a picture of a helmet on it, finely crafted. And on the other side, was a shield with the Hylian crest. Link thought it looked better, and picket the shield up.

"I'd like to buy this shield, sir." Link said, walking up to the man at the counter.

"Will ya’? That'll be one hundred rupees."

Link handed over the money.” Cheaper than I thought it would be..." Link admitted out loud. He left the shop, and then looked to a tailor shop. A good outfit would do.

He entered and walked past some clothes and came to the counter," What do you have that would be good?" He asked.

The lady looked up, studying Link over,” I think I got a few things that'd suite you." She then went into a back room and later emerged with a trench coat," This would go good with your outfit, or," she then presented a cape with a black robe to match.

"Erm, it's uh," Link thought for a moment," their not um..." his attention then turned to an old, brown tunic, patched up," Hm, that'd be good!" he declared.

"Um, that...?" the tailor said distastefully." You sure?"

Link nodded,” Yes." the tailor grabbed it," eh, it's cheap. You can just take it." Link nodded and thanked her and put it over his own clothes. He strapped the sword on his back, the shield over his sword, and knife and bag into his belt.

He left the shop, and made his way towards the castle. A guard on the streets eyed him and walked in his way," Hey, punk, go home!" Link drew the sword off his back," You go home!"

"Guards!" The guard screamed at the top of his lungs.

Link looked around, and sure enough, guards in dark armor charged forward, closing Link in." Now, you wanna go home, kid?" the guard mocked.

Link glared," No!" He charged to the man, swinging swiftly downwards vertically. The man brought his sword up above his head and parried. Pulling his sword back down, he swung at Link's chest. Link brought his new shield up. Sure enough, the guard's sword bounced harmlessly off Link's metal shield.

A guard approached Link from behind, trying to slash his back. Link ducked very low, the sword barely missed him by an inch. As Link ducked, the guard in front brought his knee up and nailed Link's face. Link felt a sharp pain and a small crack. His nose was bleeding, and above that, it was broken.

Link rolled to the side, letting out a cry of pain, before leaping back to his feet. Right as another guard tried killing him. Link brought his shield up, the man's sword bounced right off. Link then let out a cry and swung at the man's neck. And it was a direct hit. The man's neck was cut clean open. The man staggered, and fell to his death. Link took a minute to watch the blood flow from the man's neck. He felt a little bad, even though he had done it before, he always felt bad killing someone.

His little 'moment' was interrupted by a guard swinging his sword at Link. Link ducked and stabbed the man, then wretched his sword out. The man let out a scream of agony and fell down to the ground, still screaming. Another guard rushed to his aid," Hold on, man! I'll think of something!" After that, Link decided not to attack the two.

The guard that had kneed him earlier ran forward, swinging for Link's mid-section. Link forced himself on the ground to avoid the blade. He then leapt back up, swinging vertically, and as the guard blocked the heavy blow, he swung side-ways, which the guard had to block, and then Link stabbed him.

He then started running away from the guards. The living guards tried to chase Link, but another one cried," Guys! I think he's dead!" he yelled, standing over a dead body.

"They're all dead you idiot!" One cried. All the rest stopped and turned.

When they turned to go after Link, he was gone.

Link raced down the streets, making his way to the palace. It was still in the morning, but the rescue had to go fast. He could not afford getting captured. Maybe this so called 'princess' would have some answers. Link was careful not to slip on the cobble stone, it had rained the night before, and it wasn't the first time Link had slipped on the cobblestone.

As Link reached the palace, he snuck up to the gate. The guard stood in front, keeping an eye out, holding a spear close to his side. Link drew his knife, sneaking up. Then in one swift move he pressed his hand over the man's mouth, and the cut open the man's throat. The man was killed almost instantly. Link kneeled down, searching through the man's clothes and armor. A few rupees, a cigar, a few throwing knives. (Which Link gladly borrowed.) And in one pocket, Link found the gate keys. He walked up to the gate, and pressed the key in. Turning the key, the lock fell in half, both sides dangling from a chain.

Link grabbed the body and supported it on one side on the gate, to make it look like he was standing up. Link then slipped past the gate. A guard looked in his direction, and Link stopped, standing perfectly still. The guard stared for a moment, and then shrugged and walked off. Good thing he did see him!

Link snuck past another guard, and hid in a group of shrubs. Letting another passing patrol go by, he leapt out of the shrubs and snuck over behind a statue. As the next guard passed, he charged forward, ducking behind a small fountain by the gate. Good! A guard forgot to lock it! Link crept up, opening the gate, and went through. Eyeing more guards, he dove behind a statue. Looking up, he gulped.

The statue was of Omra. The King, the one he was running from. Look up at a passing guard, Link drew a throwing knife and took careful aim. If this failed, he'd be in a world of trouble. He threw. And missed; or, mostly missed. He hit the man in the leg, who dropped his spear and screamed out loud. Link took no chances. He charged forward, tackling another guard. The guard's spear flew from his hands, landing in a flower bed full of dead flowers overrun by weeds.

"Help, guys! I'm under attack!" he screamed to his fellow troops. Link took out his knife and stabbed the man several times. The man suddenly stopped squirming, and fell limp. A few guards ran towards Link. Link leapt up, running onto the sidewalk, skidding, and running towards the palace. Guards from both sides skidding onto the side walk and collided, causing a massive pile up.

Link couldn't help but chuckle as he ran towards the castle. Just as he did, a guard leapt up in front of him. The guard forced his spear forward. Link dove, rolling past the guard; barely avoiding him.

Link then jumped back onto his feet, running to the castle door. He threw it open and ran past a few guards. As he found a hatch, he kicked it open, and climbed down the ladder as fast as possible.

Letting go of the ladder about three quarters of the way down, Link hit a hard, stone, floor. He shivered, the room was cold. He looked up, and saw a guard climbing down the ladder after him. Link looked down a long, dark, passage way and started running.

At the end of the tunnel, he found two doors. One on the left, and one on the right. Link went in the left. A few seconds later the guard ran up and went in the right. Later followed by two others.

"Wow!" Link said, looking down from the balcony he was on. In the large, stone basement, he found a massive room full of portraits and armor and scrolls. Link also watched another door open and several guards run into the large room yelling.

"Where is he?!" one exclaimed.

"I don’t know," started another," you lost him!"

"No, you lost him, and you should look for him!"

Another guard spoke up," Both of ya' - shut up! Look for the kid! He'll be hiding somewhere around here!"

Link made his way across the balcony and spotted a ladder. Running up to it, he heard another guard scream,"Up there!"

Link looked down to see one guard pointing up at Link, and all the rest looking up. Link made a break for the ladder, climbing down as fast as possible.

"Told you ya' lost 'em!" the second guard exclaimed to the first. Then they all ran back through the door in search of Link.

As Link made it to the bottom through a deep tunnel, he found himself in a dark, musty room. He felt his way around. The first thing he touched was something hard, cold, and slimy. Link pulled his hands back, shaking off the mess. He cursed silently. Then he remembered his lantern.

Taking it out of his belt, he lit the inside. He only had a bit of oil left, but it'd do. Observing his surroundings, he found himself in the dungeon. The walls were covered with slime, and some areas on the ceiling had water dripping from them, creating small puddles of full of nasty, moldy water. Link headed down the first corridor he saw. Along the walls were several bars, revealing skeletons and dead prisoners. Link shuddered and looked away. Turning down the next corridor, he saw more prison cells, full of skeletons. How terrible this was!

Link turned down the next corridor, still looking. Then he heard something. Very distant, yet it seemed to be right down the next corridor. Link ran down, realizing his lantern would only be lit for a tad bit longer. As Link turned down the next corridor, he found in the second prison cell, a young girl, a year or two younger than him writing in a small book.

"Dear diary," Link heard her say," my life is so terrible living down here! It's been eight years... or was it nine? Oh whatever... Hm, what should I write? Oh! It's been eight years, and hardly any food. Good thing I told that mean Usurper that I was a maid, or I would have been killed like my un-born sister, father, and mom.

"Are you the princess?" Link suddenly asked her.

The girl squealed in terror and hid behind a pile of chains," N... no! I told you! I'm only a maid!"

"Listen, I'm not here to hurt you! I'm here to bust you out! We've got to hurry, too! My lantern is almost out of fuel!" Link exclaimed quickly," Guards are on my tail - where's the key to this gate?!"

The girl slightly lifted her head up to look at Link," Huh...? Al... alright. There is no key! It's a switch that's down three more corridors!"

"Thanks! I'll be right back!" Link then turned and ran, leaving the girl down in the darkness.

The girl thought to herself worriedly. What if he was bluffing? What if he let her out and then killed her? She didn't know but grabbed her diary and held it close. Only two more pages left...

The girl looked up hearing a strange sound. The bars on her prison cell were lifting! She stood up, took a deep breath, and waited for the man. But the lantern’s light never returned. Hearing another voice, she gasped.

"Hey!" Link said, running up without his lantern. Seeing the girl gasp, he added," It's just me! My lantern ran out. Alright, follow me. Link started to trot down the corridors so she could keep up. The girl stayed close behind, not knowing the way; Link didn't know. They finally reached the end, where they heard the guards running. Link drew his sword and ran up to them in the dark. Seeing a figure of one, he swung his blade, killing the man. Another turned.

"Huh? Will?! Guys! Someone killed Will!"

"Watch out! That means he's here somewhere!"

Link then ran forward, swinging his sword like mad. And a few times, he felt himself hit a sword or a bit of armor, or even better - a guard! Soon he figured he had killed them all and ran back to the girl.

"Lets go!" he exclaimed. They then ran up to the ladder, and started to climb up towards the light.

As they reached the balcony, Link turned to see if the girl had kept up. They then turned and went through a door, entering the long, narrow hallway again." Alright, we're about to come out at the main entrance!" Link warned her.

The girl grabbed his shoulder just as he started to run," Wait! I know of a secret passageway into the sewers!" she told him. Link nodded and followed her through the right door. They ran down the stairs and into the large square room where the guards had been earlier. The girl led him to a bookshelf," Can you push this aside?" she asked, looking at him hopefully.

Link nodded, running to one side of the bookshelf and started to push. Sure enough, the bookshelf slid over and revealed a door. He and the girl ran through, and found themselves in the sewer. He and the girl ran down the sewers and long way before deciding it was safe to climb up. They went up and ladder and onto the streets.

The daylight hurt both of their eyes. Link put his hand over his forehead and looked around much like a lookout would. The street was empty, so he led the girl into the town plaza and down some other streets and two the city gates, which were now closed.

Awsome story Sam!

I STILL don't get why no one else is posting!

I did notice a few mistakes with typing though but it's no big deal, the only thing is in "The Ancients" chapter you called Link's horse Epona but it's Irene, right?

Anyway still, I really like it so far!

Originally Posted by Jac06

Awsome story Sam!

I STILL don't get why no one else is posting!

I did notice a few mistakes with typing though but it's no big deal, the only thing is in "The Ancients" chapter you called Link's horse Epona but it's Irene, right?

Anyway still, I really like it so far!

Thanks! Um, thanks also for catching that mistake - I'm fixing it now!

Originally Posted by SamGarrison

Thanks! Um, thanks also for catching that mistake - I'm fixing it now!

No problem Sam!

Chapter 5: Part 1
Escaping Lake Town

The gates were locked! Of all times, it was now! Link cursed his misfortune, looking around frantically. It was only a matter of time before a group of soldiers came by and arrested them. Link slapped his forehead.

"We're going to die..." he mumbled.

The girl searched the walls," Not really! You know how troops fight on top of the walls? They have to get up there somehow!"

Link looked up. Thinking over what she had just said, he decided to help her look around. As he was looking for a ladder, a shadow caught his eye. A long shadow, like a bridge was over head. Link looked up, and sure enough, there was a bridge connecting a military storage room, to the city walls.

Link and the girl hurried over to the door and opened it, walking inside. There were several of the long guns, boxes that read 'ammunition' - whatever that was - some spears, and several swords. Link spotted a ladder at the far end of the room and ran over to it. He hopped on, starting to climb.

The girl ran up behind him, climbing the ladder until both an arrived at the roof of the building." We have to hurry!" Link said as he heard a few guards shouting. The girl nodded and they both ran across the small wooden bridge connecting to storage room to the walls.

As they arrived on top of the walls, they both jumped down. Link almost yelled as he went falling off the walls and into the ground hard. He made sure the girl was okay and they ran up to a stable building right outside of the wall's main entrance. They hurried inside and Link led her to his horse's stall. Link opened the stall and hopped on Irene. The girl also climbed on.

"Alright," Link began," I know of a village, not too far east of here, where I was born. It's mostly gone now, but I know of a homeless man that's been hanging around there for a little while. He'll have some answers more than likely."

-----------------------------

After the two arrived, it was about night. They hopped off Irene and Link secured her to a tree. The two came to the village's ruins." Alright, the man's usually out looking for food. He's really timid at night though, so we must be fast and silent on approaching him." Link explained to her as they snuck past a burnt down cottage. It smelled like smoke, and there was a thin fog in the village. It was strange seeing everything abandoned and quiet.

Link ran over to another house, peering around the corner. Nothing. He snuck past the building and made his way over to his home, which had a broken window and the flower bed was all burnt up, but it seemed fine. Link froze hearing noises coming from inside his house.

"Lets see, we got some ol' soup. Some carrots and tomatoes and potatoes. We got some uh, dem spare candle things..." Link could only pick up a bit of the mumbling. Link motioned the girl to come over, which she did.

"You find him?" she whispered.

"Yes," replied Link quietly," He's in my house searching for food."

Link motioned her to stay and slowly crawled into the building through a broken window. Seeing the bearded homeless man basically ransacking the place, Link rolled behind a table. The man looked up suddenly.

"Did I see someone?" he asked himself. After a few seconds he shrugged and went back to searching for food.

As soon as he went back to looking, Link leapt up from behind the table and ran up to the man," Halt!" he cried.

The man screamed and fell over into a pile of old food," Don't kill me!!!"

"I'm not." Link assured him," But I need to ask you a question of how we could reach the King without hundreds of guards attacking us. After all; you used to work in the castle."

The man hesitated," If you go through the sewers down a certain path, you'll reach a strong metal door locked down tightly. It'll take several keys to open them, and a map to navigate the sewers."

"Where's the map and keys?" Link asked him.

"Um, I don't have them. A few officers from this gang stole them all from me. Even the map. They split the things up amoung themselves, and brought each key to their camps. The map was brought to their fortress and-"

"-wait," Link interrupted," you said they were a gang!"

"Yes I did. A very, very large one that left our Empire nearly one hundred years ago. They have camps all over the land. You couldn't possibly hope to take them all down!"

How many camps are there?" Link asked.

"Most likely as much as dem officers have camps."

"And this would be...?"

"Ten." he replied flatly.

"Alright." Link then turned to the girl," Hey, I'm not sure I can bring you with me. It's going to be very dangerous. You might have to stay with him. But don't worry, there's food here. Plently."

The girl hesistated," Y...you sure?" she asked, a little frightened.

"Yes."

"Hey, kid," the man suddenly said," you got guts going against a small army." he mused, observing Link." As you are now with nothing but a sword, a knife, and a shield, you'd be killed almost instantly."

"I have to. If no one will kill that bloody Usurper than we might as well all die!"

"As I say, you got guts. But kid, are you willing to do this, just to kill one man?" he asked.

"Yes. One man that is ruling a world that doesn't belong to him." Link said. He made his way over to where the man was searching for food and grabbed a few rolls and a bit of meat." I'll get food along the way." And with that; he left.

------------- To be continued. . . !
*Note: I'm going to be editing this part and the rest of the chapters, so those of you willing to comment, please point out as many of the mistakes as you see.*