#her life was forever changed but she did not die that day- she was victorious

[erik-christine]

I watched a true crime video about an incredible woman named jennifer. it was a horrific story about how she was kidnapped, assaulted, and left for dead at the age of 8 with a slit throat on top of a fire ant hill. by all rights she should’ve died, but miraculously she survived - major arteries were missed and the ant bites shocked her sporadically, keeping her heart beating. she fought to earn her life back and the man who attacked her walked free. 20 years later, her testimony, given at the age of 8, allowed police to finally arrest him. she wrote out her statement of what she would say to him, the man who left her for dead. but he hung himself in his cell, taking that moment of justice away from her. later though, after he was buried, jennifer and her husband visited his grave and she read him her statement.

her words were powerful, “I am not a victim. I am victorious.” and she asked her husband if she thought the man heard her. her answer was the bite of a fire ant

#true crime #tw assault #I just really wanted to share that story #it was so incredible what she all went through #the doctors said she would never speak again and she would never have kids but she did both #her life was forever changed but she did not die that day- she was victorious #elizabeth rambles #my post #*

[livsbrutalitys-blog]

May I request Fem!Reader gets a makeover after joining the Judgement Day & Damian (who disapproved of her joining) is left awestruck.

Enemies to lovers?Damian priest x fem!reader

use of y/n :)

requests are open!!

As the loud music blared through the sold-out arena, the anticipation in the air was palpable. The audience, a mix of die-hard wrestling fans and curious onlookers, waited with bated breath for the newest addition to the infamous Judgement Day to make her grand entrance. Y/N, a female wrestler whose reputation for being fierce and fearless had preceded her, stepped out onto the ramp, her eyes scanning the crowd hungrily. She was about to embark on a journey that would change her life forever, joining forces with the enigmatic Damian Priest and the formidable Rhea Ripley. But little did she know that it was Damian himself who would have the most profound impact on her.

Dressed in a sleek, black bodysuit that hugged her curves and accentuated her athletic physique, Y/N's new look was a far cry from her previous attire. Her long, sleek hair cascaded down her back, framing her delicate features. As she strutted confidently toward the ring, the crowd erupted into a frenzy of cheers and chants. Even Damian Priest, who had initially been skeptical about her joining the group, couldn't help but feel a surge of respect for her.

The match began, and Y/N's skills were on full display. She moved with the agility of a panther, taking down her opponents with ease. Damian, watching from the sidelines, found himself increasingly impressed with her abilities. As the match progressed, he began to see past her new look and appreciate the raw talent that she brought to the ring.

After their victory, Damian approached Y/N backstage. "Look," he said, his voice gruff but sincere, "I want to apologize for how I acted earlier. You're a damn good wrestler, and I'm proud to have you in our family. You've got drive, and that's something we need more of." Y/N looked up at him, a mixture of surprise and gratitude in her eyes.

"Thank you, Damian," she said softly. "I've always admired your skills in the ring, and it means a lot to me that you're giving me a chance to learn from you." Damian nodded, feeling a strange warmth in his chest. He hadn't expected to feel this way about her, but there was something about Y/N that drew him in. Maybe it was her determination, or her willingness to push herself to be the best. Or maybe it was simply the fact that she looked damn good in that new outfit.

As they continued to talk, the tension between them began to dissipate, replaced by a sense of camaraderie. They exchanged stories about their wrestling careers, their hopes and dreams for the future. Damian found himself leaning in closer, hanging on to every word she said. And the more he listened, the more he realized that Y/N wasn't just another wrestler - she was someone he could truly respect and admire.

Meanwhile, Rhea Ripley watched them from a distance, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. She could see the connection forming between Damian and Y/N, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. After all, she had been the one to bring them together. As they continued to chat, the atmosphere in the room seemed to shift, becoming charged with an electricity that could only come from two people who shared a deep understanding of each other's passions.

#wwe raw #wwe smackdown #wwe x reader #wwe x y/n #angst #fanfic #writers on tumblr #writing #damian priest x reader #damian priest #wwe

[cassiopeiagarcia]

Once upon a time, in what is now Jaén, Andalucía, there was a king. And a war. Such stories usually begin this way, don’t they? Two swords clashing; the leaders of two opposite sides, the last ones standing. Around them, nothing but corpses. The sky darkened by the amount of crows flying towards the battlefield, attracted by the smell of blood, even if they yet couldn’t see it. Hungry, impatient to claim the soft tissues, to rip eyeballs from their sockets. While both kings fought and fought and fought to the death.

Moors against Christians. The year 1212. Moroccan and Arabian forces crossing the Strait of Gibraltar and ending the reign of the Visigoths. The creation of Al-Andalus, a place that would become a center of production and cultural interaction. A home for bright minds, with even brighter futures. But not all agreed – some others, of fairer skin and lighter eyes, consider the land as theirs. Could someone really claim that a piece of soil belonged to them? It seemed to be the case.

And as such, wars were fought and won and lost and treaties were sent and none of them accepted by any of the sides. ‘We won’t retreat,’ had the Moor king said. And as such, he had gone to war, in shining chainmail and armor, arm raised, holding a sword. Him and his horse disappearing into the horizon were the last things his most adored treasure, his daughter, had seen before being hidden underground, locked inside a secret room only her father knew about, with enough provisions and oil lamps so that she could survive until he was back. He hadn’t told anyone about it, hoping he could keep her safe. His last, and most fatal mistake.

Because he never returned. The Christians were victorious; her father’s heart had been punctured by a spear. She hadn’t been there to see it, but had she been, she would have watched as the king was standing there, in his white steed one second and then… not anymore. Strides behind it, he laid now, with the blade deep inside of his chest and a red stain that grew bigger and bigger and bigger. Eyes open, misted, that watched no more.

But Cassiopeia hadn’t been there. And as such, she trusted in her father’s prompt return. Prayed for it, even when madness started to get a grip on her mind, even when she had run out of oil for the lamps and of things to eat. Soon, she knew the truth she had refused to accept: no one would be coming for her.

Winter and hunger, worse enemies than entitled men. A battle she couldn’t really win. Desperation and insanity. Cassiopeia thought she would die – but she didn’t. Feverish, she couldn’t feel her frozen legs any longer, but when she touched them with numbed fingers, she found scales. Like that of a reptile.

It wasn’t long until despair became anger. And thirst for vengeance.

No longer could the big stone that acted as the door to the secret room keep her in. No longer was she scared of venturing out. No longer did she care about anything other than blood and killing and separating heads from bodies and sticking her sharp teeth on warm bodies be it woman, or man. The last vestiges of humanity she had left, she used them to sing. On dark nights, walking around, with her serpent tail acting as legs, the top half of her body covered only by red curls that reached her hips.

Whoever listens to me sing

Won’t see the light of day

Or the night of San Juan…

It was precisely the night of the 23rd of June that she found out something that would change her immortal life forever.

She woke up, ready to kill and rip and murder, as hungry as ever, to realize she didn’t crave blood. Instead, bread and potatoes and spiced meats like her mother used to cook filled her mind. Shaking her head to dispel those thoughts, she stood up from the humid floor of the castle dungeon she had made her home, only to find she still had legs.

A pair of white, sickly-looking things, filled with bruises but not with scales.

Each step felt like a thousand knifes stabbing the soles of her feet, and yet, she danced and sang and cried of happiness and did so some more when she found an old dress that had belonged to a maid once and put it on and went to the nearest town and was served mead, and bread with meat and potatoes and danced to the tunes of the local tavern’s bard, until he asked her if she wanted to spend the night with him, and she did, kissing him until her lips were sore and stroking his skin, his hair, until her hands were tired.

However, by morning, a blinding pain.

And she didn’t have to lift the sheets to know, she was half serpent again.

Because the bard’s meat had been ripped from his bones, his blood sucked and the tender hands that had caressed her body were not anymore attached to his.

Cassiopeia ran away. And hid. And started eating only lonesome travelers that deviated from the road, or those that wanted to see the legend of the Tragantía, as the locals had started to call her. She cured her bloodthirst with those that invaded her privacy, furious with their behavior, feeling rage travelling through her body instead of blood, plasma, and other fluids.

And still, every San Juan’s night, she went out. She bathed, carded her curls, wore a dress. She was still a celebrated beauty; slanted brown eyes, full lips, a round face. Too thin, from the famine before her transformation, but nothing a blouse and a skirt couldn’t mask.

Every year, she wandered the world. Stood wide eyed in front of new things – a television, you say this is called? Are there little people inside? – and heard people’s stories, mostly in bars she entered, pretending to be a foreigner, justifying that way the way in which she spoke Spanish; using strange words, that were out of fashion. But Cassiopeia still managed to make herself understood and to learn, so that hopefully, the next year, she wouldn’t draw as much attention to herself.

It was 2020 when she met him.

A man, another traveler. Perhaps looking for something else in that small town, but finding her. And she knew; finding him was one of the reason why she had been alive for over 800 years, why she hadn’t wished to die any of them. A scholar, maybe, asking questions about eternal life, immortality, a deity he called Sleep. Local legends.

‘I can tell you all about them,’ Cassiopeia said out loud, with a smile, drawing shapes on the wooden table using a finger as a pencil.

‘I would be thankful…’ He seemed to be looking for a way to call her.

‘Cass.’ Her smile grew wider.

Hearing her name come out of his mouth was like a dream come true. Telling him all about the Tragantía, the beast who many used to scare their children when they misbehaved in Cazorla, didn’t. And that’s why she confessed, after their lips had met in a dark alley, remembering the fate of that bard and not wanting this to happen to him. To Alexander.

She told him everything. How she had been left to die. How consumed by hunger and thirst she had gone crazy. How she had cried, waited for her father to return, but he hadn’t, he hadn’t and her prayers had been directed towards a deaf God who hadn’t replied to them, and…

Others would have questioned her words. Would have screamed in horror. But not him. Instead, he placed an unruly curl behind her ear, and looked at her straight in the eyes.

‘You’re the most beautiful monster I have ever seen, then.’

Was he joking?

They had gone their separate ways, after the light of the morning had started to illuminate the small hotel room they had rented for the night. With a promise. One that she hadn’t thought he would fulfill.

‘See you next year.’

However, there he was in 2021. And 2022. And 2023. Waiting for her, spending hours simply talking, holding her hand, kissing the top of her head, her cheeks, her lips, her shoulder… as if he had truly missed her.

As if he loved her, as much as she loved him.

@j-ofspades

#monthlyau002 #j-ofspades #based on the legend of the tragantía in jaén #lskdakdasldj bye love u small pressy

[lovipop2049]

fanfic request: henderhop as prom king & queen

FULL FIC HERE: https://archiveofourown.org/works/44006433 !

Heres a snippet :). Also there is some small byler crumbs here and there but mainly henderhop! sorry it took so long these past few days have beennnn wow

-

In spring of 1987, things started to calm down. After Vecna was defeated, the town worked together for what seemed like eternity to finish rebuilding Hawkins. Plenty of things changed, shops demolished, familiar hangout spots turned into shelters and buildings, but one thing stayed the same. 

Hawkins High school, a nightmare for some, memories and fun for others. Of course, as soon as everything was normal again, the kids had to go back to school. And there was prom. A dance that happened every year, of course, but this one was special. In some weird way, it also celebrated the hardships and trauma the town of Hawkins went through. Some sort of final celebration for what everyone had overcome, how they’ve become better people.

Unfortunately, though, the Byers family had to get back to California. As much as they were happy for the reconstruction of Hawkins and their tremendous victory, it was safer where they used to live. Even though there was no possible threat here, Joyce was paranoid. 

Lucas, Mike, and Dustin were the most devastated out of everyone.

Lucas would miss Will and El. He shared lots of good memories with them. He would miss Jonathan too, as he was practically there for his whole life, when taking Will to campaigns and watching them to make sure nothing happened. He was sad that it was time to part ways; possibly for good.

The Byers family spoke of possible plane visits, but it was just false hope. It was already going to cost so much for them to go back to California, it would take a long time for them to get back on their feet. And even then, frequent visits were not a possibility. It was depressing, but everyone knows nothing lasts forever, after all.

Mike would miss Will the most. He was already grieving, even though they hadn’t left just yet. During battle, a panicked Mike poured his heart out to Will. He was so worried Will would die, and he realized he’d been neglecting their relationship. After the battle, the two reconnected and got together over time. 

But Dustin was the most anxious. A weird reaction to someone leaving, as you’d expect them to be upset or crying. And Dustin was upset, but he was also planning something.

Over the years, he’s had a huge crush on El. Once she became Mike’s girlfriend, he quickly seeked a way to get over her. He had a girlfriend for a while, he focused on other people, he made new friends such as Eddie and Steve, but nothing was enough to get over his feelings for El. 

The second he realized Mike and El got together, his heart shattered like glass. He, of course, didn’t want to strain the party’s bond more than it already was, so he kept it cool. But all he felt was regret for not telling her of his feelings beforehand. 

Now there was a similar feeling once again. 

Mike and El agreed their relationship wasn’t healthy and they shouldn’t have been together in the first place. They agreed to stay as friends, and that they loved each other, but not romantically. They weren’t meant to be together. 

Dustin felt like an asshole, but he was more than thrilled when he heard about their breakup. He was incredibly excited to finally confess to someone he’d been pining over for five years. 

But he kept putting it off, kept overthinking and getting scared, and now that the family said they would be moving, he knew he had to do something.

Because even if El rejected him, he’d most likely never see her again. He needed to finally say something, get those feelings out. If El did reciprocate, he’s handled long distance before. It was fine for him. El did, too, even though the person she was with wasn’t exactly the greatest for her. 

So he finally had an idea. Since prom was coming up, he’d ask her to go with him. He already told his friends, they told theirs, and because everyone wanted to make it a special final day for El, they voted for her to be prom queen. Dustin was voted as prom king in addition. He was really hoping El felt the same.

It was now May 25th, the day before prom. Joyce went with Dustin to help him buy a suit and a bouquet of flowers. 

Now he was pacing in his home. He had his hair done, his suit on and his bouquet in hand. He was waiting for his ride. He didn’t know what to say, or when to say it, or how to say it. He’d been practicing with Steve on what to do, and Steve tried so hard to give him advice, but he kept thinking of the worst possible scenarios. 

Steve offered to give him a ride to El’s house, but he didn’t know how else to help. So now it was up to Dustin to come up with the perfect thing to say.

#henderhop #el x dustin #dustin x el #dustin henderson #eleven hopper #eleven byers #el hopper #jane hopper #jane byers #stranger things ship #stranger things ships #fic request

[ebbiemunson]

“ everything's gonna be okay. “

Sentence Starters || @losesfights

Eddie tried to take slow and deep breaths. He used to love thunderstorms. Not so much the rain. But now... the flashes of lightning and booming of thunder only reminded him of red skies and the encroaching feeling of the end of the world on their shoulders. The feeling of a deep-seeded responsibility that they, so young, never should have had to carry. Eddie remembered the tension before the snap. The calm before all hell broke loose in Hawkins. And he remembered how it had been punctuated by ash and storm.

Eddie remembered what it felt like to die. The smell of copper, and ozone, and rot had surrounded him like an itchy blanket as the skies flashed in red.

He remembered being five years old and the tremble in his bones when thunder cracked across the sky. His mother had gazed at him with gentle eyes, and then she had shouted at the clouds for him. She told them that they were being too loud. That they were scaring her little Bambi. Eddie, after that day, had never been scared of the storms. They had reminded him of his mother. He would never forgive Vecna for taking that away from him.

Eddie sucked in a sharp breath at Steve's approach and flicked his brown eyes up to meet his sincere expression. Steve always looked so empathetic; he could be a little catty, and Eddie liked that about him. In these quiet moments, underlined with his fear, he was grateful for the comforting air Steve seemed to simply exude.

"I know," he said wetly; life would go on around them. Like they hadn't faced Armageddon. That, he supposed, was the bittersweet victory of it all. The world would never have to feel the way they felt. Suffer as they did, because they had saved the world.

"You know," Eddie said quietly, his eyes drawn back to the dark clouds and gathering storm. "Lord of the Rings is kind of a tragedy," he told Steve matter-of-factly.

"The shire was burned, and the entire Fellowship was changed forever by the darkness of the wars they faced. Frodo was forever daunted because of the burden of the ring, and Sam had to say goodbye to him because he departed to Valinor. Nobody in the book was unscathed by the reach of Sauron's deep and seeded evil. It corrupted the very land and marred it. The characters were all haunted by the horrors of their journey until they passed.

"Even in the Hobbit, Thorin died... Bilbo returned to the shire after facing war, and hardship, and spent his life falling victim to the Ring until he left to Imladris. I just—"

Eddie took a deep breath, his eyes watering as he ducked his head, ashamed.

"I can't help but think... what if our story is a tragedy Steve? There is no magic, no undying land to go to for healing... just... shitty hospitals we can't even tell the whole story to. I'm so afraid. All the time. I can't help but wonder where the story is even supposed to go from here, man. I..." tears dripped down over his cheeks, and Eddie flinched as the thunder crashed above them, rumbling through the sky.

"How do we carry it all?"

#losesfights

[itsyourchoicedevotionals]

Did You Know

“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; His kingdom will never end.” Luke 1:32-33NIV

I was listening to Clay Aiken’s song —when I received a download from Papa God. “Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy will give sight to a blind man? Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy will calm the storm with His hand? Did you know that your Baby Boy has walked where angels trod? When you kiss your little Baby you kissed the face of God?”

—‘Mary’s most joyous time introduced the time of her greatest heartache and suffering. Only to find the heartache short-lived— replaced by the greatest of all rejoicing.’

Imagine with me, riding the roller coaster of emotion. Pre-Holy Spirit baptism, pre- New Testament, no reading in the back of the book to see— ‘we win.’ Mary received and raised a precious baby son, with all the glories of motherhood. Then followed the worst living nightmare a mother could endure— watching her Son tortured to death.

Even Mary’s knowledge of Almighty God had to go into topsy-turvy mode. She KNEW this Son was also THE Son of the Most High God. Lulled her into normalcy mode of childrearing. Nothing could happen to Jesus without passing through the God filter.

Wait! THEN! How her thoughts must’ve gone wild for three days. Could it be— satan was stronger than God? How else could she reconcile God’s power together with her Son’s tortured breathing, kneeling there at the foot of His cross? See John 19:26. Per the movie, “The Passion,” when Jesus fell under the weight of our cross, Mary was nearby, watching His blood splatter on the rocks, (Luke 23:27).

When our son was nine, the doctor diagnosed him with lymphoma. How could’ve God healed him miraculously at birth, only to allow him to die at nine with lymphoma? My emotions reeled but didn’t near the heartbreak, panic, fear, and brokenness of this mother of Christ endured.

Mercy from God rained upon Louis and I, with God changing his diagnosis. Thousands of mothers and fathers can’t say the same thing. There wasn’t a good answer for the loss in their lives, their arms, their broken hearts. Anger towards God erupts. Pounding on His invisible chest, they scream, “it’s not fair!” All the while God is holding them in His arms, crying with them— otherwise, how could they’ve survived?

The glory came to Mary and Jesus’ disciples on the third day. Jesus arose to a new life— no longer flesh and blood, but flesh and bone, (Luke 24:39). What before couldn’t be reconciled, now united as one. Prophetic scriptures unfurled with perfect accuracy. Jesus arose the King of kings to take His place on high.

For those who’ve lost their children or believing loved ones— “…Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 1Corinthians 15:54NIV. Christ’s resurrection swallowed the pain of death. Those young children and Christ Believers merely went to sleep here and awoke on the other side. Jesus is Lord over death. Your loved one is eternally alive with Christ. Don’t harshly judge the salvation of unsaved people, you’ve prayed for— only God has that final say.

Finally, Mary’s exultation came true: Luke 1:48NASB “For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed.” We can’t visually see the resurrected Christ. Ours is to blindly believe that He will take our sorrow and turn it into rejoicing because "His kingdom will never end." Will we rejoice, even after this horrible place? It’s your choice. You choose.

PRAYER: Almighty God, You deserve the glory forever. Even when we don’t understand, help us to blindly believe. Help us overcome our unbelief, in Jesus’ name I pray.

by Debbie Veilleux Copyright 2023 You have my permission to reblog this devotional for others. Please keep my name with this devotional, as author. Thank you.

#Jesus Christ #lord of lords #word of god #holy spirit #god #it's your choice #devotional #know #joyous time #blessed #broken hearts #download #hope #love #faith

[christian-perspectives]

Death Is Defeated

Death, what a morbid subject, yet one day, we will each experience it. Even though medical science might prolong life, it can't stop death. But take heart because God has defeated death. Friends of mine who get a daily newspaper primarily to check the obituary page. Why? Because people die all the time, and the list may include someone they knew. We don't ask, "Why do people die," unless it was untimely or the death of a child. So, let's ask the question, why do people die? The answer lies in the second chapter of the Bible. The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. But the Lord God warned him, "You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden— except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die." Genesis 2:15-17 In the next chapter, the serpent tricked Eve, and she ate that fruit. All the while, Adam stood there, watched her, and ate some. At that moment, they birthed sin, resulting in death. For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:56-57 Take note that Adam and Eve didn't eat a piece of poisonous fruit, which made them drop dead. Instead, they ate in disobedience, which caused a separation between man and God. Their disobedience infected all of Adam's race with sin. Now, because of their sinful nature, within themselves, humans have no hope and live far from God.

Living Without Hope

You lived in this world without God and without hope. But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:12-13 When we talk about death, it usually refers to when a person's body has stopped functioning. But we must understand there is more to death than that. Jesus mentioned the two types of death. "Don't be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28 If a person dies without Christ, they will enter the second death, meaning a separation from God for eternity. When God defeated death, He defeated that type of death. Our bodies' physical death is inevitable because they won't last forever in their present state. God, however, will change them. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. 1 Corinthians 15:53 This promise goes to all who have committed their lives to Jesus and received Him as their Savior. The transformation will take place instantly when Jesus resurrects us. It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. 1 Corinthians 15:52

Death, Defeated Forever!

The completion of the transformation of our mortal bodies to immortal means the defeat of death forever. This also fulfills Old Testament prophecy. Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" 1 Corinthians 15:54-55 Our verse for the day tells us that sin's results end in death. But victory over sin and death comes through our Lord Jesus Christ. This became available because of what Jesus did on the cross. He offered Himself as the only sacrifice acceptable to God. Then Jesus rose from the dead and offered us life. His sacrifice for sins stands good for all time. In other words, once and for all. What did He do when He finished His work on earth? He sat down in the place of honor at God's right hand. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. Romans 5:10 Now, everyone can call upon the name of Jesus. He mediates between sinful man and the sinless God. So when God looks at us through the blood of Jesus, He doesn't see any sin. I don't say this lightly, but death shouldn't be an issue with Christians. I understand that losing a friend or a loved one creates a void in our lives. But the Holy Spirit can fill that void.

We Can Live For Eternity

Also, remember, you will see your Christian loved ones again. Those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life will not see death (eternal death) because Christ defeated it. So, in the final verse of 1 Corinthians 15, the Apostle Paul gave us a word of encouragement. He said for us to keep working enthusiastically for the Lord. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. 1 Corinthians 15:58 Lord, thank you that you defeated death for each of us. Holy Spirit, prepare the hearts of others to hear our message that Jesus defeated death for them.  Check out these related posts. - What Will You See After Your Death? - Our Hope Is In Jesus Read the full article

#BibleStudy #Devotions #Evangelism #Genesis

[riverstardis]

reap the whirlwind part one:

it's so weird to think that i was about to do my GCSEs when this aired like that was so long ago wtf??? i also have never rewatched it since

ellissons in the previously... 😡

the strike's getting set up. elle's like "let's hope things don't get too ugly" .... mental smash cut to lily being run over and cal being stabbed😭

cal's working on his sign in the staff room and ethan looks at it and tells him not to give up his day job SJSJFHJ

i'm just gonna try not to think about how cal will be dead by the end of the day and ethan's whole life will be changed forever😢

ethan tries to convince lily to join the strike but she says she wants the same as them she just think it's best to work with sam rather than against him and ethan reminds her how overworked they'll be if the cuts go ahead but she still doesn't agree

ellissons🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬 roy and scott making monkey noises at a black guy

if they could just leave roy to die outside the pub that would be great

alicia's still upset about the photos :(

sam says he's got everything under control but connie thinks he hasn't done enough to prepare for the strike

iain recognises roy from last time and tries to get jez to drive instead go in the back with him without letting on but jez thinks he doesn't trust him or something... wellll he'll find out soon enough

oop the locum calls in sick so sam's really screwed now

jez tries to look at roy's shoulder and uncovers his swastika tattoo

"i guess you didn't count on having saggy moobs when you had that one done!" HAHAHAHSH GET HIM roy grabs him and asks if he's queer and jez just smiles and says he's the poster boy for everything roy hates while mickey looks like he wants to melt into the chair

iain tells jacob that it's roy and jacob tells david he's all his and to keep him away from him. idk i think they should just let jacob at him tbh, i mean if it weren't for him jacob wouldn't have been shot

omg cal convinced the locum to pull a sickie. kinda feels like he's setting up his own death at this point.....

"that's the sweet smell of impending victory" :(

sam's called everyone to the staff room to beg someone to cover the locum because he's still refusing to divert

cal: "so you think we're just gonna cave in, is that it?" ethan: "we're not gonna let you sacrifice patient care" love to see them working as a team!! also ethan's getting to look up to his big brother one. last. time.😢 as even though he was the one who took the biggest issue with what sam was doing right from the start, he never would've taken action like this if it weren't for cal's lead🥺

sam goes "with respect, dr hardy, what do you think you're doing by striking? this place doesn't run itself." bro that's literally the point!! if you can't handle being a doctor down because of the strike how are you gonna handle being a doctor down because you fired one??? not to mention that losing a consultant will also impact the junior doctors' training so it's more than just being a doctor down!

sam says he'll just do it himself, cal says he's not ed trained, and sam says he did 3 years in a us emergency room and it's like learning to ride a bike😬 oop then he publicly thanks lily for not striking which she doesn't look too happy about, because she doesn't actually agree with him ofc

now cal's having a go at lily for ruining it for them while ethan tries to hold him back :/

cal going "you won't win this" to sam… unfortunately neither will you :(

cal arriving a bit late to the strike to see ethan and alicia laughing with each other instead of chanting sjsjjf yeahh he doesn't like that poor mickey honestly

iain discovering that it was gem who edited those photos of alicia😬

lmaoo now ethan and alicia aren't even holding their signs they're just standing by the refreshments talking and cal is NOT happy with them saying they trust connie to divert. and then robyn shows up and they rush over to see charlotte and ethan asks to hold her🥺 but cal's like "we're supposed to be protesting! 'can i hold her' this is not a day out!" and ethan just asks why he's being so angry sjsdjdjf

awww ethan and babies >> it's such a shame that covid meant that they hardly ever got a real baby to play bodhi bc imagine what we could've had😩

aw mickey explaining to jez how he's not like his family and he's dead if they find out he's gay :(

"dr chao is worth her weight in gold" SO TRUE

i guess jez is trying to help mickey by going "you're not the first person to come out to their parents! you think my dad was happy? no! but in the end you have to, it's your life!" but like… mate… this guy is an actual neo-nazi, he grabbed you and called you a slur while you were treating his injuries, consider that mickey might genuinely not be safe

iain and lily confronting gem about the photos and her excuse is "ever since i got here she's just been a cow to me!" they do not believe that for a second lmao "alicia?" "yeah! making me look stupid in the shop checking her change, making me look like a fool." "that's it?" "then she got her claws into sam. she's a slapper. can't believe he fell for that stupid airhead." "wait you're jealous? you're jealous of alicia sleeping with sam so you go and do something like that?!" my thoughts exactly iain. kinda ironic for someone who can barely read and write to call a literal doctor a "stupid airhead". someone has some internalised misogyny to work through😬

yikes sam wants to move lily's patient to a corridor while she waits to go up to keller which lily isn't happy about but eventually gives in and now even duffy's questioning her going along with sam instead of striking "where does it stop, lily?"

yikes x2 roy telling mickey "you never take anyone's side against the family, understood? you've got a good heart but it makes you weak." "i know what you are. i know what you do. i know everything about you. i've always known since you were a kid. i spent my life trying to protect you from yourself." "i don't need protecting" "don't push me! you're my son, and i forgive you, because you've got this weakness, and we've gotta work on making you strong." "i'm not weak, dad, i'm gay" GO ON MICKEY!!!

roy grabs him and tells him to stay away then and "there's no place in this family for filth!" poor mickey

imagine being so pathetically homophobic you re-dislocate your shoulder and make your arm go numb lol deserved

lily finds robyn hiding from cal in a store room because he was trying to make her spy on sam and now she's had to with both cal AND sam and moves her patient back to her cubicle and tells sam she's leaving and sam tells her not to get on the wrong side of him and she goes "it's true, you really will stop at nothing." go lily!!

gem driving round a car park like a maniac… well we know how this ends

lily passes the strike to go find gem and cal tries to have a go at her again but she calls him out for making the strike all about him and "is this really about patient safety or are you just trying to teach sam a lesson?"

lmaoo cal goes "she is being ridiculous" and ethan and alicia immediately look anywhere but at him sjsfjf

"look you have to admit-" "maybe it's all getting a bit too personal now" "yeah" "too personal?! that is rich coming from you two!" "meaning what?" "i know what you did behind my back. i found your cufflink, ethan, i know you slept with her. she was seeing me, and you went behind my back. so you can say i'm being selfish or egotistical or making this personal, but you two are the last people who get to call me out!" and so it finally comes out😬😬😬

NOOO LILY!!

she actually just looks like she's having a nice little nap on the floor there😭😭

welp now i won't be watching part two for obvious reasons so isn't it great how lily's fine and then nothing :) else :) bad :) happens :) and they all live happily ever after!

now i'm skipping to rash's first ep/lily's last ep

#classic casualty #reap the whirlwind part one

[stardustprompts]

hulu’s  the great   season 2 ,  ep 1 - 4  —-   sentence starters change tenses/pronouns as needed !!  some lines have been edited for clarity / length / ease of roleplaying tw :   language ,  pregnancy , nsfw ,  sexism ,  violence

‘I’m somewhere between bored and enraged.’

‘battle has it’s own rhythm. you must play it as it lays, not how you wish it.’

‘we are one step closer to victory, feel free to congratulate me.’ 

‘you’ve become quite the worrier. it is dull and makes me want to punch you when I see you about to speak.’ 

‘god will blow the right wind soon.’

‘your serene faith is really fucking annoying.’ 

‘you look amazing. look how big you are.’ 

‘you’re so sweet sometimes I could just kiss you on the nose.’ 

‘did the baby just kick you?’ 

‘don’t be stubborn. I mean, I love it, but it’s fucking wearing at times. like right now.’ 

‘I’m not sure appealing to my selfless side has a lot of traction.’ 

‘I shall have another great idea and we will prevail.’ 

‘you underestimate how well liked I am.’ 

‘you have steel in your heart.’ 

‘you’ll realize you haven’t even known love until this baby comes out, and men forever after will be merely useful trinkets.’ 

‘the wind blows her way, well played.’

‘I’m saying blame is not an attractive characteristic.’ 

‘don’t get pregnant, (name). it’s like a coup on your body.’ 

‘there is the poetry of what we want and there is the blood and grind of how we get it.’ 

‘head not heart, (name).’ 

‘reason not rage, (name).’

‘a child should float in a bubble of love so that nothing can touch them, at least while they’re young.’ 

‘if you can not take a life and still get what you want, then why take the life?’

‘only men are dumb enough to do that. it’s why they’re endlessly creating their own destruction.’ 

‘I will fuck who I want, when I want.’ 

‘my love for you hangs heavy.’ 

‘barbaric. good for you. maybe you can do this.’ 

‘you’re alive. that’s all I need.’ 

‘now I suppose having not thought things through properly, you’ve probably resolved to kill me.’ 

‘children seem endlessly problematic to me.’ 

‘unbelievable. all our enemies are alive and having a lovely day.’ 

‘reason and compassion can win any argument better than violence.’ 

‘you are forgiving. she betrayed you.’ 

‘if you dress well, no one notices what you do, just what you wear.’ 

‘did he just call me a dickhead?’ 

‘I wish a knife was in your heart.’ 

‘even your charm cannot win all battles.’ 

‘I will protect that which I love. no matter what.’

‘no one wants a fierce wife.’ 

‘they think better things come from better husbands.’ 

‘if I could summarize my response to your request as elegantly as possible... go die, you pig.’ 

‘you are lit from within.’ 

‘it is a storm. they will never stop coming, but pass through and away. they always will.’

‘it’s talk like that which will get you killed.’

‘I intended to be all calm and high-handedly bitchy with you but I am unfortunately not that person.’ 

‘I will leave you to do nothing as usual.’ 

‘are you angry or are we fucking?’ 

‘hands up, who had sex last night?’ 

‘is anyone listening to me? have I stopped making sound when I speak?’ 

‘I fucking give up.’ 

‘for you, I will try to be better next time.’ 

‘you are a bloodthirsty thug, and I wish I had killed you when I had the chance.’ 

‘you are uncharacteristically yell-y.’ 

‘sometimes people say words and I just hear a buzzing in my ears. this is one of those occasions.’ 

‘being sad is a pathetic, self - soothing indulgence now, and I will not fucking have it!’

‘I thought perhaps because it was verging on unpleasant with a woman, perhaps a man was more the carriage I should be riding in, but the road is different, but the feeling much the same.’ 

‘the road is different, but the feeling much the same.’ 

‘I love you, and I want you but he needs me right now.’ 

‘I am your best friend and need to talk. that is the prerogative of a best friend.’

‘I am your best friend and need to talk. that is the prerogative of a best friend. In the madness of the night, when one has a problem, we are there for each other.’

‘I fear you will make yourself, and those around you, suffer, and perhaps the country as well.’ 

‘an angry, seemingly out of control woman is not looked on kindly. trust me on that.’ 

‘are you fucking defending him?’

‘what is it you wish to say to me? say it and it will magically heal me.’ 

‘you have an overly benevolent view of me.’ 

‘your ruthlessness, which I know of already, has taken me aback this last day.’ 

‘forgiveness will perhaps soften both our hearts.’ 

‘you did as you had to. let it go, like a bluebird off a tree in the spring.’ 

‘if you wanted to save him, you would have.’ 

‘I don’t know what to do with this feeling.’

 ‘you are careless with people, their pain.’

‘first love is good. but I also recommend 21st.’ 

‘I lost my way a little. I am back, reason itself.’ 

‘it might be good that people remember him. the nightmare should not recede from people’s minds.’

‘I’m sure people will see through him soon enough.’ 

‘I know that look. and don’t you fucking dare.’

‘she is backing me into a corner and you know I hate that.’ 

‘it would also make me really happy, which should be everyone’s top priority, really.’

‘what is your point? because so far, I hate it.’ 

‘no one should have that power over me, even if I love them.’ 

‘it very odd to feel your lungs being crushed like an accordion into your throat by a foreign invading creature who has taken over your body.’ 

‘you are a blossom that has never grown in this garden before. no need to twist and turn your glory to impress a man who cannot see.’

‘I hold out my hand in friendship. I do not want to close it into a fist.’ 

‘I find power imbalances wildly erotic. I suppose I’m old fashioned that way.’ 

‘I suggest you keep your fingers out of the machinery of this issue lest you lose them.’

‘it’s excruciating, but I’m thinking of things to distract me from the pain.’ 

‘I’m going to be a dad.’ 

‘I’m trying to save your life here.’ 

‘you love your people and are not black of heart or evil of eye.’ 

‘when you have a party, it should be an impromptu, spontaneous outpouring of love and alcohol.’

‘I suppose that’s hard to understand for an un - fun person.’ 

‘that’s not quite the beginning of an apology, is it?’ 

‘it’s fucking dangerous, the way this is being handled.’ 

‘I fear I may cheapened myself tonight for no reason.’ 

‘the joy of being a woman is knowing that we have unseen and unacknowledged depths and strength beyond anything a man will ever know, and knowing that, when we feel like it, we can outplay a man on his own field.’ 

‘I haven’t felt much of anything. I don’t want to feel anything.’

‘I think I need the person I’m fucking to feel something. numbness is not very attractive.’ 

‘so, it’s either numb, or terrible.’ 

‘you think I will not last. but that is because you have never seen a ruler like me before. because I am the future.’ 

‘the gesture, grand and aggressive as it may be, is pointless.’

#rp memes #rp prompts #rp sentence starters #television prompts #television sentence starters #the great sentence starters #the great prompts #historical prompts #historical sentence starters

[thiscrazyfan]

The Leader

The only leader they can have, is Pan. There could be no other leader than him.

At first Wendy didn't noticed it. She was certian that this island, the island that free from rules and hierarchy, there was no need in an actual leader. She told herself that the boys are all behave, and that they are all happy here and do what they want.

When she started to notice that the boys do only what Pan wants, she told herself that it was because he was responsible. He was smart, and creative, and always came up with the best games to play. In her naivity she told herself that those were the traits that drawn the boys to him.

She started to notice that something was wrong when one of the new lost boys, Fred, offered that they'll go find a tresure. Pan imdytly got intrested and said he'll organized a search party that would find the best tresure in the world. Fred didn't said anything, but by the look in his eyes it was clear he was disapointed that he didn't got any credit. Feeling him, she turned over Pan and asked, "shouldn't Fred orgenaized the search party? I'm sure he wants to."

Fred's face light up like christmas tree. However, Pan looked directly at her. She didn't noticed that the boys around her all turned quiet, or the little smirk on Felix's face. Pan said, "Come again?"

"I think that Fred should be in charge on the search party."

"No, that's a stupid idea."

The way he said it, as if it was a fact, insulted Wendy. Why did he thought her ideas were stupid? She never critisissed him before. "Just let him be in chargerged this one time, it will be fun."

The redhead boy turned over to Fred. He looked at him directly, as if there was no one else in the island. He asked, "do you want to lead?"

Fred, the pure little soul that he was, nodd exited.

Still soer, Pan let him be in charged. Wendy was excited for Fred until the search party which the newly- lost- boy lead retuned without Fred, and Pan was the one who declared that his bad leadership got him dead. She cried for monthes after that, and it didn't helped that Pan reminded her, "it was your fault for encourage him to lead."

The next time was years later, when the mask started to sleep and she relized that not everything was as it seemed. She noticed that Felix helped one of the lost to improve his shooting skills. She watched how the other boys looked admirely at him and without thinking she said, "wow Felix, the boys really trust you."

Everyone stoped. Felix looked at her blaimingly. Suddenly she knew she had said something that was really, really wrong. Felix took a threatining step towards her and said, "I only do what any other lost boy would do."

"That's true," Wendy hurried to say, to fix it.

But Edgar, the newest and youngest lost boy, disagree. "That's not true Felix. You do beyond that."

Another lost boy shut him up right away, and Wendy was greatful. Pan was nowhere around and she had almost let herself to calm down when in the next day Felix is gone. She is paniced. Maybe she and Felix are not best friends, yet she didn't want him to die. She, Tootles, Slightly and the twins searched for him and Pan all around the camp. They all feared the worst and Wendy blamed herself for that.

Thankfully, they came back a few hours later. Felix had a new scar, nothing else bad. She made sure not to say ever again something about how helpful Felix was.

And whatever Pan and him had been through that day they were gone, it sank in. Felix stopped helping the other boys around. When they got hurt, when they needed something, there was no responsible lost boy to turn to. No older lost boy who knew how to shoot an arrow. No lost boy who came to disinfect their injured knees.

Wendy knew it can't last like this forever. If every lost boy would only have himself to take care of, they would be in troubles. Pan might be the leader, but he didn't cared enough to help them with all their little problems. Someone had to put an end to that.

So she was the one who helped. She learned how to shoot the target to teach the other boys how to shoot well. She learned how to make medicines from wild flowers and how to encourage the boys to go on adventures. She payed attention to them, and helped them whenever she could.

She couldn't tell when the change started exactly. One day she was all alone, doing her everyday tasks. The next day she barely had any free time for herself. The boys were starved for attention. They asked her all day, they wanted her to help them. They always wanted to know what was on her mind, what she had thought about their ideas and if she was proud at them.

Wendy really didn't thought that Pan would mind it. It wasn't like she had done something out of the ordinery. She just helped them as she could.

Maybe he really didn't cared. Not really. At least not until the day he offered that they would go to fight the pirates and Eddie, little Eddie, whispered, "what mom thinks of that?"

The boys all looked at her. Wendy felt ice swiming in her veins. Surly Eddie just got it a little mixed up. He just missed him mother so badly that he thought of her accidently as such.

And then Gabriel, who was just a little bit older asked, "yeah, what mom thinks?"

More and more mumbles repeated the question. The older boys, Rufio, Felix, Nibs and all those who watched it all before kept their mouth shut. It didn't made up for the other twenty boys who eagerly waited for her reply.

She could feel Pan's eyes on her. The memory of the day poor Fred died crossed her mind. She felt her lower lips shaken. Pan stood in front of her. His eyes drilled a hole into her soul. With the coldest voice she heard, he said, "very well, what mom thinks?"

Wendy wearked her mind in a way out of this question. She couldn't have let Pan know what she really thinks about fighting against pirates. She couldn't lie to him either, not when he knew all too well how much she hated those fights.

Her voice broke, "I think... that your leader knows what he is doing. He brought you're all hear safetly, to this wonderful land where you should never grow old. He always comes up with the best plan. I'm sure you all should listen to him."

Pan and her kept staring at each other. From the corner of her eyes she noticed that Nibs covered his mouth. It was probably look into snake's eyes.

Finally, Pan looked away from her. His lips quirk into a wild smile and he called, "you heard mom boys! Let's go fight the pirates!"

The boys all cheers. Rufio tapped on her back in cheer. Wendy was shocked. She did it. She passed the test. And she proved to Pan that she was not a threat to him.

That was what she thought. A few days later, after they won several battles against the pirates, Pan showed up behind her. He scared her so much that she almost lost her balance. Her reaction amused him. He said, "come with me."

Wendy was surprised. Not from the invatetion. From the tone he used. It was actually a more soft tone than she was used to hear him use. It almost sounded like a request. If he could request stuff. "Sure."

It wasn't like she had any choice.

He gave her his arm, and Wendy tried to ignore the little spark she felt when he did so. They held hands, such a grown- up thingy, and walked deeper into the woods. Pan had a seriuse expression on his face, one that Wendy not often had seen.

She wanted to ask him how was his victory, or tell him any other compliment that would make it easier for her. She couldn't. The next words should come from Pan himself. She waited paitently to open his mouth. Only when they were farther into the woods he spoke, "You really like the lost boys, right Wendy?"

Wendy bited her tounge. His question was so inecent, and yet Wendy knew she should be careful with her words. She looked at his boyish face and thought how misleading he looked. "Of course I like the lost boys. All of them."

"Hm-hm." He removed another bench from her way. How noble of him. "How much you like the lost boys, Wendy?"

"I- I like them a lot."

"A lot?"

"I- Yeah, a- a lot."

"Could you be more specific? I really want to know how much you like them."

She heard the edge in his voice when he said that word. Wendy felt her words escaping her. She had to come up with something to say, fast. "I'm- I'm-"

When he grabbed her shoulders, she sileneced. She let him pull her over one tree and press her back against it. She gasped. Pan smiled at her, his nails dugg into her flash hard. He said again, "go ahead Wendy, tell me how much you love them."

Dear god, this was the end. She would never see her brothers or her parents again. Wendy forced herself to look at him without blinking. She whispered, "I love them- very deeply. Very- very deeply."

Pan nodd, as if it was the answer he wanted. His nails cut her flash. "Would you say you love them... as a mother, loves her children?"

Obviusly not. She was a kid. She could not really love them as if they were her children. Well, what's worst? That they'll feel towards her parenting affection, or normal one? "I love them as a mother loves her children," she said the words quickly.

Pan removed one hand from her shoulder. She noticed he lowered it down to his side, close to where he put his dagger. "See, I'm a little... lost here, Wendy. How does a mother loves her children?"

If only she could run. Maybe if she'll scream someone would come to help her. But they'll have to fight Pan, and Wendy would never forgive herself if they'll get in troubles because of her. She said quickly, "A mother- a mother always thinks of what's good for her children. She reads them stories, and comfort them when they cry, and they can come to her if there is any trouble-"

She saw that his smile tighten. No, please no. "She can solves problem?" His hand touched the handle of his weapon.

"No- Well, yeah, but-"

"Kind of like a leader?"

In the real world, mom was her leader. But this was in another life. Better life. And Wendy knew from Pan's expression that she have to find another answer. She can't delete her words, she can't take them back. She worked her mind of what to say.

Right before Pan pulled out his dagger she squeezed, "she is secondery."

Pan stopped. He didn't let her go, but he looked at her lips. He was listening.

Wendy didn't knew if this was right. She didn't cared either. She had to come up with something. "Mom is always secondery. The real leader."

His eyebrows raised up. He pushed her harder against the tree. "And who-" he whispered in her ear, "-is the real leader?"

Her back hurt her. It was hard to think this way. "It's dad."

Pan's grip on her losen slightly. If he was surprised by her words, he didn't shown it. He repeated. "Dad."

"Yes. Dad is... He is the one that in charged on everyone."

She had his attention now. She noticed the way his lips moved up, the way that he smiled when he had thought about a new advanture. "What does dad do?"

"Dad is the one... He is in charged on the family. He tells everyone what to do. And there are problems mom can never solve, you know? So dad is the one that fix those for her."

Things that mom can't do, and he can. This thought is more like him. Gaining more cinfident, Wendy went on: "he is the strongest, the smartest, and the most important parent. Mom always have to listen to dad. And everyone loves him."

And that is the key sentence. She knew all too well how much Pan wanted to be loved.

His grip turned gentler now. The dagger had been forgoten. Pan thought about her words, considered her idea. The look he had was softer, and Wendy knew she was almost there.

He asked her, "And mom?"

"Mom loves dad more than anyone else in the world."

"Does she?"

"She does. She have to love him more than anyone. He is dad."

Pan likes that idea even more. She can see it. She feels it from Pan. He let her go from the tree and ofers her again his hand. "We should come back, they probably looking for us."

Wendy didn't said a word. Not when they come back, not when all the sudden the young lost- boys called pan "dad". Not when Rufio gave her that worried gaze, or when Nibs thanked heaven quietly that she came back.

She had never forget that dagger, and that Pan is the one true leader.

#ouat peter pan #dark peter pan #peter pan #wendy #wendy darling #lost boys #dark prompts #dark neverland #darling pan #dark story #toxic family #twisted fairy tail #twisted peter pan #dark love #dark fanfic #dark fanfiction #leader #toxic love

[morihaus]

Apotheosis

Winds howl outside of the Imperial Palace. Belharza, son of the Emperor Alessia, sits alone in his chair in the chamber of the council. The weather has not been the only thing weighing on the city of Rumarium; for days now the Emperor has been poor of health, the toll of all her life's toil and struggle finally arriving to meet her on her deathbed, the somber hand of Arkay, the bitter kiss of Kyne.

Twelve hours hence, she has been dead. Her son survives her as only child and heir to her throne. The city mourns her, and as word spreads, all of Cyrod mourns its mother, its liberator and caretaker, its Emperor for 23 years- just 23, such a pittance when stacked up to the tyranny of the Ayleid hegemony, which to men seemed to stretched beyond the farthest point of remembrance, so many lives ago that the time before exists only in myth. The First-crowned Queen-ut-Cyrod deserved better than this. Belharza's mother deserved better.

He feels a breeze blow in from behind him, a wind coursing through the marble halls of the palace, blowing his long dark hair over his shoulders. It is only wind, and then, footfalls on the floor, slow and heavy, in stark contrast to the flight of the wind. Belharza lifts his head and glances over his shoulder. A massive minotaur fills the doorway to the council chamber, long hair waving and curling down his shoulders like a sky of black clouds. His horns are tall and proud, wrapped with rings of gold and ebony, strung with strings of hawk's feathers. Two large wings are folded on his back. The cold wind blows behind him.

He regards his son with deep blue eyes, clouded and gray, belying his true age. The old bull looks weary. "Belharza." His voice is deep, carried and reverberated by the chambers even as he addresses him gently. He steps forward, his armor of fur and iron the only noise apart from his footsteps, and the gentle wind that surrounds him.

Belharza stands up from his seat. He meets the eye of Morihaus- he can see now why his mother has often remarked their resemblance with a melancholy smile, although his own hair does not roll like the clouds do, his own eyes do not hold the dangerous glimmer of lightning, nor does his form hold the foreboding rumble of thunder. He did, however, sprout a small pair of wings from an early age- too small to be useful, but just enough to be there. It is among the only things his father has ever given him.

"Father." Belharza speaks flatly, his mood dark, unfit for this meeting he had always dreamed of. He never knew Morihaus growing up, he'd taken flight from the Imperial City before he was born, something his mother had never been bitter over, and for the most part, he'd followed her line of thinking. He had often wondered, though, speaking with the clan of Morihaus- for he was a great uncle to many war chiefs and soothsayers- and hearing tales of his greatness, his good humor and passion for song, and he wondered too while speaking to the Paravanics who had fought alongside him and his mother, who spoke of him as a great general, savior of men, one who could clear a treeline with his voice- he wondered what it would be to meet his father, this mythical figure of his boyhood who so many grownups seemed to know.

He wondered, but he had never pictured the meeting like this.

Morihaus walked so that there was only a small distance between the father and son, and then bowed his head- in sympathy, in apology, in reverence, Belharza could not say.

But he says this: "She is gone." And when his father does not move, he continues. "She has left us. Gone to join you, I suppose." His words are without venom, he states them as a fact he wishes to grow used to. His father raises back up to meet him. His features are set in a worried frown. "I am sorry, Belharza." He breathes into the room as a whisper. "For my loss?" He asks plainly. "Or, do you wish to amend your own absence from my life?" His face does not change. "I should like to apologize on both accounts, dear Bel."

"Did you come to see her?" Belharza asks, neutral once again.

Morihaus nods. "I felt her time approach and made haste." The face of a minotaur is not extraordinarily emotive to a man, but to a man-bull, like Belharza, he can interpret the subtleties, the shame painted on his face, the guilt in his eyes. "In service to my Mother Kyne, I have carried many souls of great warriors on wing to her realm, or to the realm of Shor... it was understood between us, your mother was a great warrior, an ardent follower of her ways, and she would have her place there. But when I arrived..." He becomes quiet, his full and melodious voice withdrawing back down his throat, filling his lungs up heavy with bitter words.

Belharza makes no motion to speak. He only looks at his father, expectantly. He continues, eventually.

"What I witnessed is... difficult to explain. You were present- did you see? As she passed?" Morihaus asks. Belharza nods. "I was there." He pauses. "...I may have seen, something. I see many things that others do not. Mother always said you were to thank for that, your divine blood." The old bull nods at him. "Aye, that is the truth. The mortal and the divine, they see things differently. On that balcony, at her side... he arrived before me."

"The Crusader." He says, half-questioningly. "Pelinal."

A huff of hair blows out from Morihaus's snout. "It looked that way. But Pelinal is dead. He was torn asunder in this tower, he spoke to me as his spirit passed into a place I could not follow. And this... apparition, in it, I did not sense his spirit. Did you hear?" Belharza nods quietly, Morihaus continues. "What he spoke of, the et'ada, the beginning place, the movements of the heavens... in life, he never did say much of the gods. He served them, and I knew him as kin, but he has always held a distaste for spiritual matters, spoken in mortal tongues. I cannot fathom why he came to Paravania, nor what he meant to say."

"He took her," Belharza says, glancing to the floor. "I saw- I thought I saw. It looked as though he carried her up, up into the heavens."

"He steals mine own honor." Morihaus snorts, almost laughs. Then, again, he grows serious. "My uncle was never one to covet in life. He hungered, he wanted, but he did not covet that which was another's. He would have nothing to do with Perrif's soul, nothing before my mother and I."

His son looks back up to him. "Where... where did he take her? To the halls of Shor?"

Morihaus shakes his head. "I have been myself- Pelinal's spirit does not reside there. It cannot reside there. I would have carried him myself if he could." He hangs his head some, recalling the passing of his uncle, and finding himself on complicated ground betwixt mundane and immortal once again. "I have thought on it in these past years. At times, I blew through the great fields and forests, delved into the deep oceans, soared to the highest points in the clouds, hunting his spirit, without luck. I am wise enough to confess my stubborn nature, for divine I may be, I am still a bull, and I hunted for long on my own before thinking to ask my mother."

Belharza tries to conceive of what his father says- the shape of a bull with the wings of a hawk, darting throughout all of creation to find a departed soul. He suspects it may be more complicated than that, some divine metaphor twisting around it, but then again, he recalls fondly-remembered stories his mother would share of Morihaus, his willfulness and the strange places it could take him- times he would cross over the Jerrals, travel half the continent while meant to be petitioning in Skyrim, to return to Cyrod and meet with her at night.

The image of his father, flighty and wild, turning over logs and stones searching for the lost Pelinal, it's almost enough to lighten his expression. But this is just his own mind wandering. Perhaps they are more alike than he knows.

"Understanding my mother is no mean feat," He says, regarding his son. "Strange as I must seem to you, know that to me, my divine parent is just as alien. I am her, but as am I my mortal mother, my mortal people, my mortal self, and some of her perceptions are all but lost on me. She told me little, she told that Pelinal had done what was needed of him, and to die with the revolution's victory was a good end... but as to his whereabouts, she said he was not her soul to keep." "Then whose?" Belharza asks. He is met with silence, frustrating silence. He asks more forcefully. "Whose? Where is my mother's soul? What did he do to her?" "He pulled her up- made her from mortal to spirit, so she might lay among the heavens forever. Queen-ut-Cyrod, brighter than the stars-" "I don't care for your poetry-" Belharza loudly asserts, his own voice now booming in the hall. "I don't care for your god-talk- dammit!" He turns to one side with a huff, boots clattering against the tiles of the chamber. He paces away from his father in no particular direction, approaching a column and glaring into it.

Morihaus looks on, forlorn. He sighs, and the breeze almost wraps itself around Belharza's shoulders as it tussles his hanging braids, like some form of comfort. "I'm sorry. This... is what I hope for, Bel, but whether it is the truth, I cannot say."

"What do I care?" Belharza shakes his head, clenching his fists at his sides. "Whether her spirit is in one place or another- she's gone, that's what has happened today, and that is the grief I will carry for the rest of my life. What is the point in wondering where she is? The realm of Kyne, of Shor, of Akatosh, it makes no difference, she is gone to me any way." His voice grows ragged as he chokes with tears, his eyes stinging with bitter sorrows. Though a grown man, he feels helpless like a child in the face of such a loss- his mother had been his world, and now the shadow of death had ripped her away from him, and she was gone, forever.

His father approaches him, but leaves a fair distance, just slight enough for his whispering voice to carry to him. "Do you remember what she told you, Bel, about me? When I was gone to you?" Belharza does not reply, only taking a breath as he remains fixed on the pillar in front of him. "...I am a spirit, Bel. I am more than my body, more than a man-bull. I am the skies and storms, the thunder; I am movement, I am the movements in the hearts of men, I am their battlecry; I am the wind in the rolling hills, blowing the grasses and flowers; I am the breeze in the canopy of the forest, swaying the branches; I am the gale upon the sea, the scent of it in your lungs, I am the very breath that you take." Belharza finally turns to face his father again, without expression, with tears on his face. Morihaus is not shaken from his words. "When a mortal dies, their spirit is released into a vast cosmos. They are gone from their lives, from their loved ones, but from there, there are many roads, countless paths that a soul can take... do you understand?"

He only receives an expectant look. Belharza's face lightens somewhat. There is hope in the winding words of Morihaus.

"Though I was forced to leave you, and could no longer walk this world as I had, I found my ways to you- to both of you. It has been, and will be forever, a great pain that I could not stay... but there are some ways in which my presence could be felt, some ways in which I was there all along." Morihaus steps forward, slowly raising his hand to brush Belharza's hair from his face, as gently as the breeze, as his own mother's hand. "Your mother will be gone as I was. You will feel her. She will still be with you."

---

Belharza was anointed Emperor before the Elder Council and the citizens of the Imperial City, including his divine father, who could not stay for long, but was pleased to see and know his son as a man, and content to answer the questions of the citizenry to the best of his ability, or at least his want.

The new emperor spends the first weeks of his reign still in mourning, but more hopeful for having spoken with his father and his other relatives, who gave him heart to imagine his mother at peace. He spends much of his days outdoors, honoring her memory in the gardens and outside the city walls, even beyond the shores of the Rumare and into the jungles. On one occasion, which would be a moment only for him to know and remember, he stumbles upon a field of flowers below a small hill. He finds it a good place to say his piece, and there he would speak to his mother, expressing his deepest affections and tearful goodbyes. All of the sudden, he feels drops of water landing on his bowed head, and he looks up to see a spring running from the rock, a spring which had most definitely not been there before. As though the land of Cyrod itself were weeping for him.

At this, Belharza only smiles knowingly.

#tesfest21 #mori writing #belharza #morihaus #cw for death and grief

[the-knight-of-the-stars]

Fictober Day 4: Arranged Marriage - Uma/Ben

Help

When Uma came down the stairs, and the scandalized crowd looked at her between whispers, she couldn't help feeling a lump in her throat, she froze for a moment. But she remembered the words she had said to her crew when she had left them behind, doubt and fear throbbing in her chest. "We will be free, whatever it takes."

So Uma took a breath and raised her head, taking pride in what she did, taking pride at this moment as she would have done in the face of a battle fought and won. Because that's what it was. It was a victorious night, of rejoicing. At least that was what Ben had told her when she had released him from his imprisonment and he had agreed to stay and talk. Until Mal had arrived to rescue him from a problem for which he had already found a way out, without the need for swords and blood, only with his words and his kindness.

From that moment Uma had realized how different Ben was from Mal, how powerful he could be despite being a mere human that at first glance did not seem to stand out in any way. He was good with words. Uma respected that quality, but at the same time, she feared it. The Island was full of silver tongue masters, and the sweetness of their mouths was always revealed as rotten lies.

But Ben had given her more than words, he had given her time, he had entrusted her with his life. Uma found herself surprised by the courage of this skinny and seemingly naive boy, who would rather die than commit a dishonorable act, rather than fail his people. The same could not be said of his father, who Uma knew, would never have deigned to set foot on the Island.

And much less, King Adam would never have returned a second time, without coercion, without backup, just him and his goodwill, to offer Uma the opportunity she had always asked for. The opportunity to change things. Returning to ask her to come by his hand to the land of the opulent and become one of the ladies of his court. Asking her to accept the political power he offered her so that the guilty would be punished and the innocent would be free.

But Uma hadn't really been able to believe his words until that moment. There, in shells and tulle dress, illuminated by the glow of the chandeliers, staring into the face of all the people she had waited all her life to face. And as she went downstairs, Uma realized that Ben and only Ben looked her in the eye, with respect, with dignity. So Uma dared to take his hand, relying on her own goodness, her own strength, daring to believe that happy endings existed even for people like her.

She dared to see the light beyond the horizon, she was tired of the dark. She had spent her life drowning in anger. Uma had grown up to take pride in calling herself a villain, in embracing all the darkness in her world and transforming it into her own power. She would be the villain if that's what it would take to get out of that prison to which she and her peers had been condemned. She would burn Auradon to the ground, bring the mighty to their knees if need be. Because even her anger wasn't enough. Because she could do better because she deserved better.

Uma was tired of anger, of hopelessness. So he took Ben's hand. And allowed herself to be young for one night, allowed herself to smile when he kissed her hand and announced her to everyone as his lady. She allowed herself to forget about Mal, about revenge, about the misery that had been her life. And she allowed herself to celebrate because while she accepted her place as one of the daughters of Atlantica in that court, the royal knights were ordered to prepare the new royal decree: Liberty, for all the villain kids, all the children of the Island.

The decree, stamped with the king's ring, signed in his own handwriting, was carried to its dusty glass case outside the castle, displayed for Auradon to know as soon as the sun rose. And the councilors would protest, and the nobles would try to stop it, and the old kings would refuse to allow it. This fight was not over yet, but there was no going back. The decree had been issued, there was nothing anyone could do to stop it.

So Uma danced to the beat of the violins, looking into Ben's eyes, her heart moved, recognizing in the boy the same longing for happiness, for greatness, to do whatever was necessary. The same stolen youth, the same tired struggle. And she realized that he too had spent his life waiting for someone to take the necessary step to change things. Uma recognized him, and it was like seeing herself in a mirror.

And when the day came the obstacles came, and they could feel that something in the world had already changed. And they had changed it. The static shock of the people, the scandal of the nobles. People who came screaming and protesting to the boardroom, where Ben had to shut himself up to calm things down for hours. And Uma had to restrain herself, listening behind the door, not to enter to strangle the arrogant councilors who called the inhabitants of the Island hopelessly ignorant villains.

The ancient King Adam, in particular, found no graces in the decree. He saw it as a challenge. For him, for his kingdom, for everything he had built. But it didn't take long for him to realize that manipulative words and half-truths no longer had an effect on Ben, now he was out of their reach. He had underestimated the true power of his son. And now, face to face with his mistake, he wanted to find an alternative. After all, he was not the type to give up power so easily.

He knew his own vague and pliable laws, he had made them that way, and now he planned again to use them to his advantage. If Uma, the instigator of this ridiculous mission, turned into a lady, he would make sure to see a benefit. And it was not difficult to find it, after all, the girl had only achieved it thanks to her ancestry. Triton's court.

By the time the second dawn arrived, King Triton had already been summoned to answer for his niece, and at the instigation of King Adam, he arrived with a stern hand. As part of his court, Uma now had to answer to him.

And so she did, with her head held high, while bearing the gaze of the King of the Seas, and holding her ground, defending her position as she had done all her life. But Triton, in his already known intolerance, called her to answer for her mother's crimes. Thanks to Adam's advice, now he could do it within the fuzzy limits of Auradon's law. His plan to bring order seemed perfect.

But Adam, in his human arrogance, had forgotten that even the great Triton must respond to a greater power.

Uma was ready to break free and return to the fight when the sirens arrived to chain and condemn her. And Ben was ready to let her do it, even if it cost him his throne. But they did not even get the chance. Triton retracted, to the surprise of those present, much to Adam's disbelief, who saw his strongest ally bow his head and solemnly proclaim that the matter was beyond his power. And then he understood.

Olympus had taken matters into their own hands.

The Great Lord of the Seas, Poseidon himself, had ordered to have Uma under his wing, recognizing in her the anger and power that all his other granddaughters and grandsons lacked, the strength forged by metal and blood. A worthy heir to the gods. Poseidon looked at the earth and saw that this kingdom was the least he could offer her, it was what she needed to rule like the mighty. Oh yes, The God of the Sea had plans for Uma, and there were nothing mortals could do at the will of a god.

Uma heard him call her from the waves of the sea, the echo of his great power manifesting itself in that invisible ghost, who stroked her hair and offered her power over human affairs if she agreed to become the queen of Auradon and leave the name of the sea forever embodied in the history of the kingdom. In his own words, the perfect union between men and gods. This was how the world had to change, that was his command.

Ben heard it from other ears and realized that he also had no power in the matter, after all, he had always known that his marriage was hardly a matter of the heart. He couldn't risk his people to the fury of the gods, he had no choice. Ben had given up the right to choose love when he had put on the crown. Now more than ever he understood that.

There was no need for Uma to say a word when they finally sat down to talk. It was only enough to see her in the eyes to know that she carried a similar duty on her shoulders. They had been born with power and had decided to use it. Now they had to bear the consequences. Uma looked at Ben, understanding and resigned, and remembered that hope was not yet over. She could still do it. They could still do it. No more fighting, no more bloodshed.

"We will be free, whatever it takes"

#buma #ben x uma #uma x ben #uma daughter of ursula #uma descendants #ben florian #king ben

[mrneighbourlove]

A King to a God

This has been a labour of love in the making since 2019. Created for charity, this is my story around Ganondorf for the Ganzine. Now the Zine has been released for digital for a while now, I am releasing the story here in full. Hopefully you can read the hard cover soon if you ordered it! May do chapter by chapter at a later date if you find that easier. Despite being a couple years old I am still very proud of this story. I hope all of you enjoy this story as much as I did creating it. 

30596 Words. The King of Evil believes that the world is his for the taking. But when a true evil rises up to confront his belief and surpass his power, Ganondrof must face the threat or die with the rest of the world.

Chapter 1: Change in the Wind

Lightning snapped against the blackened sky, illuminating the landscape in bursts of flashes. Fire crackled and spat wildly, shuddering with each step the mighty figure took. A roar thundered out, and clash of metal echoed far. Amidst this battlefield stood a man in green, battered and bloody. His courage was faltering. A princess stood not too far. Her wisdom unable to help her. And towering above the man, a monster with a red mane snarled down at him. His power burned and he felt victory beat like a drum. With one last swing, the beast threw his sword at the man in green. A sickening slice grated against the ground, the man falling to his hands and knees. A mighty roar filled the air, overtaking the scream of the princess. This day, Ganon, King of Gerudo, of Evil, and of Darkness, had won.

His hand glowed with the Triforce of Power as he reached down to the boy known as Link. He could feel the boy’s life drain as he pulled the light from him. It was like a toggle being brought down when Ganon took the Triforce of Courage from Link. The Hylian’s heart stopped as soon as the Triforce transferred to the mighty King. Ganon felt a surge of strength flow through him. It appeared as if fate favoured him this day, as a beam of light struck him from behind. It burned his flesh, but due to the mighty magic of the Triforce of Courage, Ganon persevered against the magical attack. Raising an open hand, the King of Darkness opened fire a beam of malice at his attacker, entrapping Princess Zelda in a wave of pain.

The Princess’ body bled from the attack, as the darkness attacked her physically and mentally. She fought with all her will, but it was too late. Her body succumbed, and she felt the Triforce of Wisdom leave her. The King of Evil merely had to will the last of his treasure to him in her weakened state. Clenching his fist, Ganon felt the last piece of the Triforce enter his being. Waves of energy rippled through his body, and the King of Darkness felt a state of nirvana. After all his sacrifices, he finally felt true, unlimited power.

Zelda screamed in fury, using every fiber in her being to stand. Both hers and Link’s efforts couldn’t end like this. She’d drain her own lifeforce if it meant killing Ganon. Channeling all her spirit, she unleashed all the holy magic of the gods she could.

To Ganon, her effort was useless. He countered with his blast of darkness. His own newly acquired power was overwhelming, a surprise to even him, and his attack devastated Zelda, overcoming her final assault and erasing her from the world.

All that remained was the broken body of the boy in green, the seared scar lines in the earth of where the princess had once stood and standing in the middle of the battle field was Ganon, Master of the World.

The sages looked onward, but knew they could do nothing. They would need to evacuate before Ganon sent his minions into the sacred realm. Nabooru looked to what was once the man known as Ganondorf. Even if he took human form again, and took the title of Ganondorf, she knew that the darkness that was in Ganondorf’s soul had forever changed him. Gathering with the others, she and the rest of the sages decided to formulate a plan of resistance in order to give the world sanctuary from Ganon’s evil. With Zelda gone, they had lost their leader and the power needed to seal Ganon away.

Looking around, the mighty Ganon felt the air change. The only bloodlust he felt came from within him, but it was slowly dying down.

In his mind, the man and the beast conversed. The Beast promised unlimited power, so long as it remained in control. It’s malice and terrifying might could bring the world to its knees faster, in the name of Ganon. The man, still in control, gave it a thought, yet ultimately, decided against it. He would be the face of the world, and not this beast.

Squeezing his fist, the dark beast used the power of the Triforce and his body glowed with a powerful light. The silhouette of his form shrunk and, out from the blinding light, Ganondorf emerged anew.

He was surprised to still have his scars from previous battles, despite acquiring his complete power. With a clenched fist, Ganondorf took a deep breath and, following an exhale, his body relaxed. The King of the Gerudo looked to where Zelda stood her final ground. “A shame Zelda. You could have been my queen for this world had you shared my vision. You were formidable, but not wise enough in your scheming to defeat me.”

The man turned to the body of Link and judged his formidable adversary. “And you… well boy, you did well. I can relinquish a little pride to admit that you almost had me. But in the end, you fell. You were nothing but a kid after all, playing with toys too much for you. It was inevitable that you would die at my hands. My struggles far surpassed yours after all. And you lacked the vision to ever kill me.”

Ganondorf glanced back and forth between Link and where Zelda once was. “You had strength, and the princess held vision. But I was the one to have both. I was the one to be perfectly balanced… No.” The King looked down at his hand, watching the glow of the Triforce with a twinkle of pride in his eyes. “I wasn’t before. My mind was clouded with power. Now that I hold the last two pieces, I know what I must do. This world will find peace and prosperity under my singular rule.”

Ganondorf walked by the ruins of his destroyed tower. Perhaps a palace could be constructed to replace it. “First, I bring a final order to Hyrule. Then, I will march onto the world. They might call me King of Evil, but I am the King they will deserve.”

The King of Darkness lifted his hand and commanded the Triforce to enhance his magical might. With this new power he could raise entire armies of monsters to follow his command. From the shadows, Ganondorf willed into creation artificial Moblins and undead Stalfos. In time, he’d train legions of Darknuts and Iron Knuckles as his vanguard. Monsters and dragons would spread fear to his enemies. However, for now, these simple monsters would do.

“All of you, get to work on raising my palace anew. A king such as I will need a throne.” For now, Ganondorf lifted a stone slab from the earth to sit down upon. As his minions immediately set out to collect and carve away stone slabs, Ganondorf thought about what he wanted and why he had set out to acquire his power in the first place.

His people, the Gerudo, toiled in the desert. They had to steal just to survive the heat of the land in the day, and the blistering cold of the night. So why did a land like Hyrule, full of ungrateful slobs, have such comfort? It maddened Ganondorf, filling him with greed and envy. His enemies called him the King of Thieves, but he justified his actions well enough. He needed power, the kind of power that would raise him and his people to prosperity. And as he began his quest, he came to the most logical conclusion. The world needed a singular will, a being who would be willing to make others sacrifice to bring everyone together. By becoming King, he could make a world united under his protection. As King, he’d bring peace and security to people like the Gerudo. If any resisted, then they’d be wiped away, making room for only those who would accept his utopia.

The Goron, the Zora, and the Great Deku Tree had resisted seven years ago, with them being blinded by their loyalty to the royal family. Had they simply given the spiritual stones to him, he’d have spared them. But instead they spat in the face of the Great Ganondorf. That was the last mistake they’d ever made. Feeding the Goron to a dragon had amused Ganondorf, similar to how he had fed crickets to the desert scorpions as a child. The Zora would remain frozen now that he had defeated the Princess and her little ‘hero’. As for the Kokiri, Ganondorf considered sending a horde of monsters to wipe them out. He carefully thought over the option, finally deciding the wiser course of action might be to give them one more chance as citizens of his new empire. The surviving Goron tribe, if they hadn’t grown a back bone, would become slaves. Every empire needs strong labour after all.

But his own people … Ganondorf winced just thinking about what to do with them. Nabooru, his second in command, was supposed to lead the Gerudo in his absence. Yet, she had stabbed him behind his back. He had caught her treachery over seven years ago, but her freedom at the hands of the hero had set her loose in the world and free to plot against him. How many of the other Gerudo could be wishing to see him fall? The king squeezed his hands on the cloth above his knees. Taking a deep breath, he shook his paranoia away. Even neglected, his people still adored him. Any negative feelings they’d have toward him would be erased once he moved them out of the desert. Nabooru was simply a virus, an isolated incident. A mistake of putting too much trust in one person, one that he’d never fall for again.

“I’m so tired…” Ganondorf gave a light chuckle. In the seven years looking for the Triforce, he had barely slept. Now, he felt like he could take a moment to breathe. Pulling himself slowly upright, Ganondorf decided his first course of action would be to raid the lost woods to secure wood for building supplies. He could at least build himself a new bed. For the time being, he’d settle his eyes on Kakariko Village. His minions would clear out the inhabitants so he could have a safe night’s sleep.

As Ganondorf slowly walked out of the ruins of his crumbled tower, he took note of the environment around him. The winds of Hyrule that he coveted were still. Why did the wind not blow in his direction this day, on the finality of his victory? Was fate not satisfied with him just yet?

~

The Sacred Grove was devastated. A group of Hylians made their last stand in defending the Kokiri and evacuating the defenseless. From all sides, monsters and spirits of evil intent swept through the undergrowth, overtaking all who fought against the enemies of the Great Ganondorf. They killed everyone from soldiers to civilians who came to aid the evacuation and bring comfort to the forest children.

One of those who escaped the carnage was a single Imp. The Skull Kid, the last of the Skull Children, rose from a pile of shrubbery. His head was aching like nothing he felt before. His feet shook as he tried to pick himself up. Why did everything hurt? How had he gotten here? What had happened to him? How could he -

Slowly, Skull Kid started to recall the events of the previous two weeks. He remembered finding Link’s body floating down a moat towards Zora river; the fairy boy who showed him kindness when only one other would. The Hylian kid had even given him a new face to wear in the form of that cool skull mask. When Ganondorf first appeared and declared himself as King of Hyrule, no more fairies came from the Great Deku Tree. Skull Kid hadn’t seen any fairies nor Link for seven years. Link said he was going to put a stop to Ganondorf, that he was going to make up for the loss of those seven years. But now Link was dead.

With Link gone, Skull Kid remembered Saria telling him to keep an eye out for monsters. He didn’t want to, as a happy looking man was giving out masks to the Kokiri. It looked like fun and he wanted to join in. It was then that Skull Kid had been suddenly attacked by a Poe, which smashed its lantern against his head. If it wasn’t for the mask he wore taking the brunt of the force, his head would have cracked open instead. The Skull Kid heard the sounds of screaming in the distance before he lost his vision.

Skull Kid didn’t know what to do. His head wouldn’t stop hurting, and every time he reached with his hand to touch it, he felt a stickiness on his forehead. Why did his head feel wet and sticky? The imp stumbled past the hacked-up pieces of other Skull Children when he stopped in his tracks. Among the bodies was the still image of a girl with green hair. “S-saria? Saria, are you-!”

She only had one wound, a small red circle that stained her green sweater. A single spear thrust was what fate had dealt her for her ending on this earth. Her eyes were like a glass doll’s, looking longingly into the distance. Immediate guilt hit Skull Kid. He couldn’t protect the last good thing in this world that mattered to him. His friends were dead.

“Oh……… I guess you’re gone now.” Skull Kid reached out to feel her face. Cold. Someone as kind as her shouldn’t be so cold. His body started to shake as he felt emotion leak from his shattered heart. What was the point of living in a world like this? Ganondorf was going to take everything for himself. Make a world of cruelty. The world had shown him cruelty before Ganondorf had come along, so Skull Kid assumed it was only fitting.

A gust of wind from the north caught Skull Kid’s fragile attention, feeling the cool air hurt his open head wound. He needed a new ‘face’ now that the one Link had given him was gone. Stumbling away from Saria, he came across another body. The Happy Man who was giving away masks to the children laid dead on the forest floor. He had his giant backpack still on him, with masks thrown about everywhere around him. One of Skull Kid’s eyes grew dark as the liquid from his forehead dripped down over it.

Skull Kid wanted the perfect face. He wanted to put all his worries behind him. Going through the bag, he felt a pull towards something. Discarding the faces useless to him one after the other, the Skull Kid eventually found the perfect mask. Wiping away tears from his eyes to see, he looked into the eyes of a heart shaped mask. This was it. This was what he wanted. What’s more, he felt he needed it.

He carefully turned it around, and placed it on his head. The mask was a perfect fit. As soon as he put it on, Skull Kid giggled to himself. This giggle turned into a laugh. His mind was clear, and he knew exactly what he wanted. This cruel world took the things that mattered to him, and it wanted to give a monster like Ganondorf everything in return. Such a world didn’t deserve to exist, and Ganondorf deserved the suffering tenfold that Skull Kid had faced. The Mask’s eyes gave an eerie glow, and with the last of Skull Kid’s laughter, it vowed to give the King of Evil a new taste of terror.

Chapter 2: Demon King in the Court of the Mad Jester

 Ganondorf growled, squeezing the head of a Hylian merchant. This peasant had seen the traitors he sought. “Tell your King where they are.”

“G-go, ACK- to h-hell.”

Ganondorf growled and, with a simple toss, threw the man to the ground. “The sages, and all those who follow them, are traitors to the kingdom of Hyrule.”

 “You’re a monster! May the holy goddesses strike you dead!”

Ganondorf smirked, a little chuckle escaping him. “Now that’s peculiar. The Gods you say? Fool, who do you think sided with MY destiny!”

The Triforce glowed brightly and, using his power, Ganondorf blasted the man with waves of darkness. A terrible curse overtook him, as boils burst on his body.

“I am your King. I alone defeated the menaces Link and Zelda. All of my citizens should be grateful. I’ve allowed you to live and prosper independently while I focused on finding those two. But times are changing. My rule as King will expand and, as I do, you will all bow in my presence! Now tell me what I want to know!”

The man screamed from his torture, and a confession escaped his lips. “Snowpeak! Snowpeak Mountain!”

“Good. Was that so hard?”

Ganondorf looked towards the rest of the merchants he had captured. They should be celebrating his might. What would it take to have them bow willingly? Didn’t they see he brought order?

After giving the command for them to be imprisoned and processed, he got on his horse, galloping away. Now that he was able to lead his army without any further distractions, Ganondorf would finally be able to end this rebellion that dared stand against him.

~

The inside of Death Mountain was as hot as ever as Gorons worried about monsters rising up. They sealed off the Fire Temple, but knew that any monsters could find alternative ways out, besides the main entrance. With Ganondorf victorious over their brother, Link, he’d be free to resurrect his minions over and over.

Two Gorons were getting ready to evacuate when they heard something odd. One of them looked up to see a figure dropping rocks into the lava centre of Death Mountain. They were black glowing rocks, and every time one hit the lava, it made it pop violently.

“Hey! What are you doing?!”

The little figure looked over to them, and a small laugh echoed in the mountain. “These tiny charged pebbles won’t do. I need a bigger rock. One of you two will do the trick.”

The Gorons didn’t understand. Suddenly, one of them yelled out in pain. Keeling over in a ball, the Goron sizzled and steamed, his body growing larger and larger. The second Goron ran away in terror as his companion fell into the lava. The mountain started to churn into an active volcano, and events were set in motion that would bring doom. The figure giggled some more as he ran away. He had a party he needed to crash.

~

The beat of war drums echoed up the slopes of the snowy mountain. Moblins beat their shields with their clubs and spears. Any that were paralyzed by the cold were pushed forward to continue walking. The area had winding paths with the room for lines of ten to walk side by side. As a back up line to this army of monsters, were half a dozen Iron Knuckle warriors, selected specifically by Ganondorf himself. Traveling up Snowpeak Mountain was a bitter experience for them. The cold of the desert was completely different from the snowy mountain. Their armoured joints would freeze together if they didn’t keep moving. When a Moblin tripped in front of one of the armoured warriors, the Iron Knuckle merely swatted him to the left, sending the pathetic creature falling down the mountain to freeze in a hole.

Ganondorf rode on a war horse, slowly trotting through the snow. He barely felt the cold, his attention entirely focused on his destination. The traitorous sages that remained had decided to hold out in a mansion deep within the mountains. To make matters more complicated, the Goron tribe decided they wouldn’t simply surrender as they did before. Darunia and the rest of his people were inspired by the actions of Zelda’s hero. The Gerudo King gripped the harness of his mount, squeezing his fingers into his palm. Even in death that damned kid was causing him more grief. A false and deluded sense of hope was dangerous. It clouded the judgement of his subjects, turning them into renegades.

His army was growing tired, but Ganondorf knew that their adrenaline and strength would be the perfect match to combat the Gorons. As they rounded a corner on the mountain, Ganondorf heard a Moblin scream out. “My Lord! Incoming fire!”

The King cracked a smile as he saw a massive boulder send four Moblins off the mountain top. With a yell of dominance he drew his weapon, a Gerudo Battle sword, and charged forward from the front line. His army followed suit, charging towards the mountain. They would need to get away from the mountain’s ledges to combat the enemy. From above the stone mansion’s walls, Goron warriors continued to throw boulders down at the invaders, burying Moblins into the deep snow.

The beasts threw spears at the Gorons, bringing a few down. The Iron Knuckles’ armour kept them safe from most of the rocks thrown at them. From the mountain cliffs on their right, Goron rolled down, smashing into as many of Ganondorf’s forces as they could. The Iron Knuckles took hold of the Gorons, throwing those who rolled too closely towards their lord into the abyss down below, or into striking range of a Moblin’s spear. The vanguard reached the mansion’s doors and started to break them open. Ganondorf laughed as a Goron tried to punch him off his horse. With the Triforce of Power, each swing of his sword sent every fool that he hit flying into or off the mountain side.

Inside the mansion, Goron warriors and Sheikah, under the command of Impa, were getting to their stations. The Sheikah chief walked to the dining room, in a hurry, as she heard the main door shutter with every pounding from Ganondorf’s forces. Standing about was Nabooru, carefully overlooking the floor plans to the mansion. The ceiling rumbled and dust fell below. “Where’s Rauru?”

Nabooru coughed as the dust fell in front of her. “He’s gone to assist Darunia in the fight outside.”

“They’re almost through the front door. Once they get inside, it will be a close quarters bloodbath.”

“I know that Impa.”

“We aren’t going to last long.”

“I know that too…” Nabooru checked her scimitar for inspection. In hindsight, she hadn’t thought that her death would be so imminent. “If we do die, perhaps we can make Ganondorf bleed for it.”

Impa nodded as she walked to grab her own weapon for the final stand. “For Princess Zelda.”

“For Freedom and-”

Explosions were heard outside and at the main door. Darunia decided that there was no stopping the forces of Ganondorf from making their way inside, so perhaps he could make it easier for them by giving them the ‘key’. Unfortunately for the King of Evil, the only skeleton key available was 200 pounds of gunpowder in the form of a powder keg.

Ganondorf growled as splinters of wood grazed him. Feeling his cheek, he wiped away the cut of green blood. A good portion of his men were blown to pieces in the surprise attack. In the midst of the confusion, the King of the Gerudo looked up to spot an owl flying above. From his talons, Rauru dropped bombs onto the Moblin forces. They squealed in terrified union, completely losing morale as they were torn apart by the ambush. One of the Iron Knuckles even lost her footing, and the snow collapsed from under her feet as the bombs shifted the landscape. The snowy mountain’s earth was already unstable and windy. Once she was on her back, the slope of the mountain took her down and off the ledge to her death.

Raising his hand, Ganondorf was growing tired of this little game that the sages were putting him through. With dark magic flowing through him, he steadied his breath and took a shot at Rauru with a bolt of magic. The bolt crackled through the air and found its mark, striking its target and sending the light sage tumbling down onto the mansion roof. The king saw the bird’s left wing was damaged beyond repair, and feathers scattered, slowly floating downwards. With a smirk of triumph, Ganondorf raised his sword and pointed it forward. This display of force inspired his Moblins to find their morale once more. They would not falter when Ganondorf commanded such power and courage in the face of his enemies.

Darunia was combating the invaders with a smelting hammer, furious at the stench of evil advancing on him. “Come on you hooligans! Come get some, you pigs!”

An Iron Knuckle swung her axe at the Goron Chieftan’s head. Darunia held off his opponent's assault with his hammer and, swinging a fist, he clocked the armoured warrior in the head, sending her backwards. “You can’t beat THIS brother!”

Ganondorf slowly trotted through the devastated front door. Feeling cheeky, he chuckled at the disarray of his enemies.“Knock, knock.”

Raising his hand, he didn’t even bother to fight Darunia face to face. The Goron Chief took a blast of magic, sending him flying through a wall and out into the courtyard. Darunia had the wind knocked clean out of him. Trying to stand, he saw Ganondorf finally get off his horse. The King of Evil laughed in his face at his efforts. “Get up. I’m not done with you yet.”

“You killed my brothers. My sisters, Saria and Ruto! You killed my sworn brother Link!”

“I killed the boy, Darunia. And had you and the rest of the sages bowed to me after I did so, the forest sage and Princess Ruto would still be alive.”

Darunia got his breathing together, and rose to strike Ganondorf in the face with a right hook. Ganondorf pushed the strike to the side with the smack of a wrist, and with dark energies filling his other fist, struck the Goron Chief with a warlock punch. With a roar of dominance, Ganondorf slammed his fist into the Goron’s chest. Darunia’s eyes nearly rolled into the back of his head. Raising his foot up high, Ganondorf kicked the Goron in the chin. The strike lowered Darunia into killing range, as he fell to his knees. Ganondorf’s foot glowed with a red energy, ready to detonate a blast of fire as he brought his leg down to split the Goron’s skull in half.

From above, Impa intervened, striking Ganondorf with a deku nut, blinding him just enough so his strike merely hit left to Darunia, sending the Goron flying away, but alive for now. Two of his Iron Knuckles faced Impa as she tried to cut down the King of Evil with a Biggaron Sword. Nabooru finished slaying a dozen Moblins that were intent on finishing off the wounded Rauru. With the sage of light’s safety secured, she jumped down to assist Impa. “Ganondorf! Face me!”

The King of the Gerudo recovered his vision, and his new found sight on Nabooru gave him a sense of satisfaction and rage. “Nabooru. At last. I end your treachery here.”

An Iron Knuckle took a swing at Nabooru. After being in that suit of armour herself and brainwashed for seven years, she knew all its weaknesses. Kicking up snow, she filled the eye holes of the helmet, blinding her attacker. As the Iron Knuckle swung wildly, Nabooru took a thin dagger and jabbed it through the helmet's eye, puncturing the forehead of the occupant inside. “That’s the second to last Gerudo I’m killing today. I’m ending your final insane quest to rule the world here and now!”

“The only thing that’s insane here is your lack of vision, Nabooru. Why can’t you see that I’m what the world needs?” Ganondorf took his great sword, and his eyes contorted into murderous intent as he slammed the girth of his blade against Nabooru’s scimitar. “You deserve a traitor’s death!”

Impa fought against the horde of Moblins that stood between her and Ganondorf, wondering how they’d ever win. “Darunia. Get up! I need you here and now!”

Ganondorf reeled his left arm back and struck forward with a palm strike, blasting Nabooru with a wave of energy. She was an incredibly talented sword duelist, but Ganondorf was something far above her. His magical strength couldn’t be topped, even before he acquired the power of the gods. This was easier than his battle with the boy. “Don’t you understand Nabooru? You can’t beat my power. This is my reward for all the struggles that we both endured growing up in that wasteland we called home. My desire to end suffering like I endured is what brought me this power. The greed of the Hylians could never have controlled this might I wield.”

“You’re the one full of greed Ganondorf.”

“Fate is on my side Nabooru. I’ll bring peace to all people by bringing them under a singular utopia.”

“And you’ll just kill everyone who disagrees with you!?”

“If that is what it comes to, yes. Can’t you feel the winds in my favour?” Ganondorf lifted his hand one more time, dark energy formulating to blast Nabooru from her resting place and send her off to hell. “My will is unrivaled.”

“Wow, it doesn't seem like you’re being fair to everyone else.”

Ganondorf turned his direction to a new voice. Sitting on a roof was a child. What caught Ganondorf’s attention was the odd mask it wore. A purple shaped heart with spikes and piercing orange eyes. “What are you little Imp?”

“Hehehe, I’m Skull Kid. And I came looking for fun.”

“Fun?” Ganondorf wasn’t amused. He was here on the peak of ending all resistance in Hyrule, and a mere child was making his presence known in the middle of it all. “Such nonsense. Be gone.”

Ganondorf turned his fire from Nabooru to this kid, firing his bolt at him. To his, and everyone’s surprise, the Skull Kid caught the blast with his feet like a ball. He kicked it up and bounced it between his knees. “Wow, anyone else and that might have killed them.”

As Darunia got to his feet, Skull Kid glanced at the Goron standing up. With a spin, the Imp kicked the energy bolt towards the chieftain. A sizzle in the air, Darunia’s expression changed into pure shock as he felt his chest. The bolt found its bullseye and went straight through his heart. Impa and Nabooru felt their spirits being crushed with despair as the Goron slumped over lifelessly. With a giggle, Skull Kid looked back to Ganondorf. “You have a really strong attack there. Like I said, anyone but me might have been killed. Where’s the fun or challenge in that?”

Ganondorf’s attention was fully captured by the Imp now. This creature was floating in midair. “What are you, some sort of sorcerer?”

“I don’t like to repeat myself. I’m Skull Kid. And I came looking for fun. How about we play a game that will challenge you?”

Ganondorf’s Triforce glowed from his hand as he channeled his energies. “If you’re going to attack, how about I let you have the first hit. That way, a brat such as yourself can see how outclassed you truly are.”

Skull Kid floated down to Ganondorf, the King of Evil’s army clashing with the sage's forces to keep them from interfering. The Skull Kid shook his head, and waves of chaotic magic spun around Ganondorf. The king simply stood still, his ego and his word allowing Skull Kid to get one free blow in.

The King of the Gerudo believed that nothing could overcome the sacred power of the gods that he was destined to wield. What he didn’t know was that the Imp’s power was nothing like the goddesses of Hyrule. And he was a fool to let his guard down in a show of pride. Ganondorf felt a splintering headache, and his Triforce radiated light in response. “W-what magic is this?”

Darkness exploded around him like a tornado. In his mind, a dormant spirit of malice and hatred twisted around inside him. Ganondorf, in this mindscape, looked about like a lost child. As he turned, he saw his inner demon take on the shape of a beast. With a snarl, it clawed at Ganondorf’s arm, trying to steal him away. Ganondorf planted his feet and raised his arms up, resisting with every fibre of his being. The Gerudo’s arm was slit open by the claws of the beast, and Ganondorf tumbled back into the darkness. He felt as if he had lost a part of himself.

When he came to from the mindscape, Ganondorf found himself lying on the snowy floor of the courtyard. Looking up, Ganondorf could have sworn his reality was unreal. In the shadow of the beast, Ganondorf looked up at… himself. Snarling, with two swords, Ganon had been formed from shadow energy taken out of Ganondorf. On its hand was the Triforce of Power. Ganondorf looked to his own hand, and saw that his most trusted and comfortable piece of the Triforce was gone. “Impossible.”

Skull Kid landed on top of Ganon’s head, and giggled insidiously. Sheikah warriors that got too close to his waves of chaos were transformed into grisly redeads. “Let’s play tag. My beasts are it. Go get them boy!”

Ganon roared as Skull Kid jumped towards the mansion. Reeling back its arms, Ganon spun about, cleaving the surrounding Moblins, Gorons, and Sheikah that were still alive. One of the Iron Knuckles screamed in terror as the incarnation of malice took a step and crushed them underneath its hoof. Ganondorf scrambled to his feet, adrenaline taking over. He tried to get the beast’s attention by firing a bolt of magic at it. “You are a part of me! Return to me! I am your master!”

Ganon shook his head in annoyance at its snout being crisped by Ganondorf’s magic. It responded to this weak attempt of control by slashing Ganondorf away. The Gerudo took the attack without dying due to lifting his own blade in time to defend against the strike. The man was thrown through more of the mansion, landing in one of the halls.

Nabooru didn’t know what to do. She watched as Ganon tore apart all life around it. “Impa, Rauru, what in the holy spirits do we do?!”

Rauru, transforming back into his humanoid form, wheezed from his injuries. “We flee. This is a new evil. If we survive, we can look into it. But it will do us no good as protectors of this realm if we die here.”

“Alright, we can-” Nabooru stopped mid sentence as she saw the Skull Kid’s mask light up, firing a laser at Rauru. She pushed the sage to safety as two thin lasers fired through her lungs. The wounds burned from the inside, and she looked back to Impa. The light in her eyes went out as she fell over, slumping into the snow. The Skull Kid gave a light laugh.

“I was aiming for the annoying owl, but I suppose one more Gerudo doesn’t hurt. Still got my shot.”

Ganondorf’s fury grew as he got up. Could destiny be so cruel that he’d die at the hands of his alter-ego? Looking to the left, he took note of Nabooru’s body. He felt confused. She was dead? How could she be dead? She couldn’t die from anything that wasn’t by his hand. She was too good for that. Suddenly, the Skull Kid landed on a box next to him. “You’re quite the sturdy one. You know, it's hard for me to tell if you got any head wounds with all that red hair. And that mullet is just ugly. You should get a haircut.”

“Insolent child!” Ganondorf dashed towards Skull Kid, yelling with rage as he swung down on the box. Looking up, he saw the Imp standing on the wall. His fury only grew as the upstart moonwalked along the wall away from him. “Face me you brat!”

Skull Kid giggled and his eyes glowed, blasting Ganondorf with a flash of light. The King of Darkness wasn’t prepared for his unorthodox methods. Skull Kid flipped behind Ganondorf, landing on his back like a monkey. With another giggle, Skull Kid thrust his palm forward, gripping Ganondorf’s mullet and some skin behind it. With the power that Skull Kid held now, he simply had to give his hand a twist and pulled back. Ganondorf screamed in agony as the Imp scalped him, ripping the hair behind his head, a small portion of flesh with it.

He turned around to see Skull Kid dancing about and wearing his mullet like a wig. The blood of the Gerudo King was red now, as it dripped down the mask the Imp wore. With a moon walk around Ganondorf, Skull Kid gleefully mocked his pain. “Wow! I’ve never had hair before! This is rather fun! But why the long face on your part? I did you a favour!”

Ganondorf’s rage turned cold and focused, which fueled the Triforce of Wisdom within him. Using his magic, he teleported close to Skull Kid, giving him a kick across the head. The scalp fell off Skull Kid as the Imp crashed into another box.

“Owey. That really stung.”

“Not as much as the pain you put me through you little bast-”

Skull Kid cut him off with a whistle, and from above, his personal attack dog crashed through the ceiling. Ganon found itself between Skull Kid and Ganondorf. The beast’s eyes were like a predator, and it sniffed Ganondorf as it clenched its fist. The Gerudo saw the movement, but was too slow to stop it. All he could do was endure.

“Oh no.”

With a roar, it gave Ganondorf an uppercut with its fist, sending the Gerudo flying through the hole in the ceiling and up the mountain top.

Ganondorf screamed in pain as he flew through the air, until he finally landed in the snow. With a crash, he felt ice scrape up against his body. Getting up, he had a spat of blood and felt a deep laceration on his cheek. How was he supposed to win this battle? He was bleeding all over, his enemy was overwhelming and, in this environment, the cold would get to him with time. He tried to stand up, when an orange laser pierced his kneecap. Turning around, he looked at Skull Kid, floating just above the mountain top, with Hyrule behind in the distance. “You lose the game.”

“Cease this hostility! Give me back what is mine and I will grant you anything you desire.”

“Well, I’m already getting what I desire by winning this game. And I like taking things, especially from you.” Skull Kid leaned down a little closer, and his voice grew a tad more intense. “You lost, your royal highness. Soon, there will be nothing left for you.”

Leaning back up, Skull Kid looked to Death Mountain in the far distance. “Look Ganondorf. Look at what MY power can do.” With the snap of his fingers, Skull Kid and Ganondorf watched as Death Mountain erupted. From the eruption came a massive rock, flying into the air. It was as black as a meteorite, pulsing a crimson glow within its cracks. The rock flew right toward Ganondorf’s palace and, after a moment of silence upon reaching its target, detonated. A shockwave of tremendous, unnatural fire rippled through Hyrule, devastating the land as it uprooted earth.

Lon Lon Ranch was swept away first. Malon was tending poor Epona after Link’s death. Ingo and Talon were gathering milk bottles from the tower when the three of them saw the fire. They were the first casualties. The next marker of death was Kakariko village. Many Hylians didn’t see the wave of fire come, due to the village being hidden in the mountain side. The tune of the windmill man was silenced, and the family of the cursed house barely had time to revel in their freedom. The Zora, frozen underneath the ice, were freed from their prison, only to be executed in the same second by the intense heat of the fire. All the forest creatures of the Lost Woods, from the Deku that rested peacefully, to the fairies that fluttered about, were incinerated into charcoal. Death Mountain crumbled into itself in an avalanche of lava and stone, taking what was left of the Goron tribe with it. The shockwave reached towards the territory of the Gerudo Desert. All the Gerudo women, from warriors to children, screamed as they were terminated from existence. The fire consumed all, and rocks launched from the blast to pummel lands beyond Hyrule. The ancient land of the gods had met a terrible fate.

Skull Kid looked back to Ganondorf. The Gerudo felt insanity bleed off the Imp as Skull Kid was shadowed by the fire in the mainland. The mask's orange eyes stared deep into Ganondorf’s soul, and the Gerudo felt fear when it spoke. “Beautiful fireworks, don’t you think?”

Ganondorf turned to the growing destruction and couldn’t take his eyes off it. In a moment of clarity, his pride was blown away with Hyrule. All those people dead. What was the purpose in this scale of death? What choice were they given? For a moment, he didn’t care about ruling, for how could he? As King, he had failed to protect his land from this threat. He wanted this land that he coveted turned back to its former beauty. He saw the fire creep up the icy mountain, but faster than that, Ganon charged towards Ganondorf’s resting spot. Ganondorf was shocked as he saw it change form to scale the mountain. Dark magic molded Ganon to give it multiple appendages. While it still held the face of a boar with horns, Ganondorf recognized the form of a spider when he saw one. Its legs had armoured joints with hooked claws to scale easier.

Skull Kid gave a chuckle as he watched the beast move in for the kill, looking back and forth between it and Ganondorf. “I’d tell you to run, but there’s no point. Have fun accepting your death.”

As Skull Kid backflipped away from view, Ganon eclipsed the destruction of Hyrule from Ganondorf’s vision. Backing away, Ganondorf grasped his great sword from the red patch of snow. When Spider Ganon snapped its jaws to rip apart Ganondorf, the man slashed his blade across the beast’s face. It roared in pain and spun about, smacking Ganondorf further into the mountain range with its legs. Each appendage was like a massive club, delivering a bone shattering force.

Ganondorf tumbled through the snow, leaving patches of blood with every full roll and bounce he made. The Triforce and his willforce were keeping him alive for now, but how much time would fate allow him at the rate he was going? As he picked himself up, he ran through the snow storm that had started deep in the mountains. Snow blew through the valley, turning into a torrent quickly. The demonic spider chased him through the mountain peaks, roaring with fury and hungry to consume Ganondorf.

It tried to crush Ganondorf beneath the bulge of its body as it ran over the man, but the King wasn’t ready to fall at death’s knees quite yet. Rolling out of the crushing weight of the demon, the Gerudo threw his great sword at the back sac on the rear of the creature. The monstrous spider grunted at the attack, but Ganondorf wasn’t finished with his assault. Charging an energy ball above his head with both hands, he threw it at the sword lodged in the sac. The blade acted as a lightning rod and the magic raced through the body of Ganon. The energy exploding from various places inside the creature made a sickening popping sound that echoed even through the snow storm. One of its legs blew off from the energy as it thrashed about in pain.

With his inner beast distracted, the Gerudo continued to flee, when he heard energy charge from behind him. It sounded like the generation of fire similar to a King Dodongo. The Triforce of Wisdom wouldn’t stop piercing his mind with warnings. Following his instincts, he dodged to the left. A beam of dark plasma tore beside him at his right. The mountain rumbled and loose snow gave way. Using his magic to float, Ganondorf tumbled his way through the air as an avalanche took Ganon. The Spider tried to get out of the sliding snow, but its body was too weak and it found itself swept away.

Ganondorf collapsed nearby on a crevice, losing all the energy he had left to fly. Looking down, it was a deep, deep drop into an unforgiving darkness. He needed to get away from it. His lungs burned from the blood loss and icy winds, but he found the strength to crawl away from the crevice, eventually picking himself up to hobble closer to the mountain and its snow banks.

Before he could take a breath of fresh air, Ganondorf heard rumbling from under the snow beside him. Emerging from underneath were the jaws of the beast, its eyes wild and tormenting. Ganondorf’s inner demon rose up, growing taller and taller. He looked at this new transformation, difficult to see as the side of his face was drenched in snow, sticking to his patches of blood. Ganon now had the form of a leathery snake, its tongue flicking out towards its target. It had a long red mane running down its back, and its tail shook with a golden rattler.

The Snake hissed at Ganondorf, wishing to tear him apart for the pain and rejection the man had caused. It would be his demise. Darting its head back and forth, it lunged at the Gerudo. Ganondorf no longer had the Triforce of Power and, in his injured state, he wasn’t sure how much he could rely on his natural strength. His only hope now was perhaps with the other two pieces of the gods in his possession, he could push his magical reserves to their final limits. He gripped the mouth of the beast open when it snapped at him, straining his muscles to keep the jaws of teeth from closing tight. The tongue of the monster jabbed forward, driving itself through Ganondorf’s shoulder. He didn’t even have the strength to let one arm go and fire a bolt into its mouth.

All the Gerudo could manage to do was to redirect the Snake. By pushing with all his might, he threw himself left, leaving the monster to spring past him with its own momentum. Snake Ganon slithered about on the snowy cliff side, sticking to the mountain’s surface as it hissed in boiling wrath. Ganondorf, while dazed, saw a slight pattern in its movement. As the Snake suddenly darted forward to attack again, Ganondorf darted to his right and fired another bolt of magic. It sizzled weakly, but found its mark, hitting the rattler at the end of its tail. Ganon smashed about against the mountain sides, causing icicles to drop from above. Grabbing one that fell next to him, Ganondorf threw it like a javelin, and the sharp tip plunged into the snout of the beast.

His inner demon thrashed about harder, its head acting like a battering ram against the icy surface, and Ganondorf heard a distinct crack. Blind rage ended this contest of survival. Ice shattered beneath Ganon as it slithered too close to the crevice, and the monster gave a roar of desperation as it fell down into the darkness below. The mountain had swallowed the snake whole as snow and rubble came down after it.  

Without looking to see if he had succeeded, Ganondorf could only hobble away as the ice beneath him began to break apart too. He kept moving, until finally he could run no more. The King of the Gerudo fell with a yell, falling through a dark and long tunnel in the ice.

Ganondorf felt he must have been hallucinating from all his injuries. For as he fell into the darkness, the Gerudo saw faces in the pitch black. Odd colours entrapped his mind. So many different faces. The King of Evil was going to die here, like this? He was to die alone in failure? Then blackness took over his mind and he thought no more.

On the mountain top, streams of darkness rose from where Ganon was crushed. These shadows slunk over the area of the mountain like pollution, and flew into Skull Kid’s mask. With glee, he looked at the golden triangle in his hand. It gave him even more power to twist for his own games and goals. Or perhaps it would make a nice ornament.

The Skull Kid looked back to the orange and red fires that overtook all of Hyrule. The flames of the devastation had now reached the old mansion below him. From the top of Snowpeak, he was safe from the destruction.

Emptiness. That was what he felt looking at what he had caused. And that was what was left of Hyrule. A land empty of life. The mask was illuminated by the flames of death that continued to burn the earth. Skull Kid and his mask would have a little more fun before the grand climax. This was just a test, the beginning of the end. Now that the king had been knocked off his throne, the jester would move on. Squeezing his fist, he felt focused. This entire world would be consumed in fire. Everything would be consumed. 

Chapter 3: The Countdown Begins

 Ganondorf was dreaming. In his dream he was a child, playing in the desert with his band of sisters. He enjoyed playing with swords, even at such a young age. As the rightful heir to be King, it was lucky he enjoyed combat. Nabooru gave him a teasing punch in the shoulder as they ran around the village, clashing with wooden swords. They pretended they were grand heroes, and that they alone had the power to bring their people out of starvation and the ravaging conditions of their home.

As they played, the wind suddenly shifted. It brought death with a heat beyond the norm of the desert. Looking to the sun, Ganondorf saw a wave of fire overcome the land. It tore through the mountains, the clouds and the sand. It burned away all the insects, the lizards, horses, food and, finally, the people. His people were screaming and ceased all sound in a second alone. Nabooru burned inches from Ganondorf, then the boy burned himself. He was overtaken by flames, and his grasp on reality collapsed as he was tossed into the air by the inferno. All that remained around him was darkness and fire and death. Ganondorf screamed as he was stripped of his flesh, muscles, and bone. Pain and agony. So much pain. He saw the image of a heart shaped masked stare into his eyes from within the flames of destruction, an imp’s laughter echoing through his ears.

Suddenly the dream shifted from flames to a blizzard of ice and Ganondorf was a man again. He felt broken and bloody and beaten. The snow made Ganondorf feel so cold, so numb. The Triforce was his only source of heat, but even it started to fade. Ganondorf stumbled down the mountain, when his failing mind saw a vision of a ghostly Nabooru watching him. He couldn’t make out her expression. Was it mockery? Disgust? Or disappointment? How could she just stare at him?

“You… Nabooru. You…”

Ganondorf couldn’t finish his sentence, as he walked towards her, he suddenly fell over a frozen waterfall. Crashing into icy water, his body quickly floated to the surface and floated about the current, until he was dragged out to the shore by his tattered cape. He couldn’t make out what took him from the water. The Gerudo couldn’t feel anything. He couldn’t see or hear well either. Was this his end?

Voices spoke about him, but he couldn’t understand the words that were spoken. His vision came in and out of focus at times. He saw a giant man with a stone face. He was talking with some smaller man. It was hard making sense of them. His mind would slip in and out. Time was an illusion. One moment he was on a bed. The next he was traveling on a cart… Then blackness overtook his mind, wishing to stay for a longer time.

~

“…Le-…he poor ma-…underst-….me Romani?”

“…Yes Sist-”

Ganondorf was walking up, yet the world was still hazy. His hands slowly reached to feel his side. No pants, let alone a weapon could be felt. Trailing upwards he felt the back of his head. There were bandages there. In fact, he had bandages covering all sorts of areas on his body, from his knee to his chest. Taking a deep breath and exhaling, he caught the attention of his caregivers.

“Excuse me? Are you finally awake mister?”

“Romani, I told you to let him rest. Go make yourself useful and get him a glass of milk.”

“Sure thing, sis!”

Ganondorf opened his eyes to stare into the figure of a woman. She looked Hylian. The moment she presented herself as a threat, he’d tear a figure like her in two. “Do I… do I know you?”

“I don’t see why you would sir. We’ve just met.”

Ganondorf could have sworn he did. She was a pretty thing, with long clothing and bright orange hair. She had a brooch with a yellow scarf. Overall, she stood out. Ganondorf took a few moments of silence to just breathe. “Where am I?”

“You’re at Romani Ranch sir.”

“Where is Romani Ranch? How did I get here? And who are you?”

The woman slowly nodded her head. This man probably had so many questions on his mind. “Well sir, my name is Cremia. I’m responsible for the care of this Ranch. Romani Ranch is part of the country of Termina. As for how you got here, that’s complicated.”

Ganondorf slowly rose himself up by his elbows. The ache vibrated throughout his body, but he’d overcome it. His change in stature immediately made Cremia feel he was a man who commanded authority. “Tell me.”

“You were found dying floating in the icy waters of Snowhead mountain. Some of the folk up there pulled you out. They decided that you would most likely die if you didn’t seek help from the mainland. I want to ask, are you some kind of warrior?”

“I’m a King…. Or was a King. Why do you ask?”

“The folks who brought you down the mountain were detoured away from Clock Town by monsters. So instead they brought you here to my ranch for help. Can I ask what your name is sir?”

Ganondorf looked her dead in the eye. As he spoke, his words carried weight. “I am Ganondorf. King of the Gerudo.”

“G-gerudo? You mean like those pirates?”

That took Ganondorf by surprise. When were any of his people seaworthy? “Pirates? I am unfamiliar with any pirates.”

“There is a band of Gerudo that pillage the Great Bay. I’ve never been out there myself, but I heard it’s beautiful.”

Romani came through the door, holding a tray of milk. The little girl held a ray of energy that was a little much to stomach. “Is he fully awake Cremia?”

“Yes Romani, he is. You can set the tray down on the counter. Thank you for being a dear.” Cremia looked towards Ganondorf with a light smile on her face.

“It’s the best milk in the country.”

Ganondorf took a glass offered from the older sister and drank it down. It reminded him of the imports from Lon Lon Ranch. Quenching his parched throat, the man was glad it was going down smoothly. Given what his body went through, this treatment was exactly what he needed. “Thank you for your hospitality.”

“You're quite welcome, Ganondorf.”

Ganondorf simply enjoyed his milk for a minute or two in silence as the sisters studied him. His recollection returned to him as he pondered his thoughts. Hyrule. It was all gone. All thanks to his own weakness in not being able to stop that Imp. His kingdom, his subjects, and his right to rule as king was toppled by a mere jester. The failure rocked him to his core.

Cremia watched Ganondorf slowly rub his brow and listened to his heavy sigh. This was a man who had gone through great strife. “Are you alright?”

“No. My destiny was stripped from me. I failed in protecting my kingdom.” Ganondorf paused, thinking about how he got here. The Imp had his Triforce of Power. What kind of damage could he be scheming with it? “You said that monsters attacked my caravan. Are monsters common in this land?”

It was Ganondorf’s turn to study Cremia, as she and her sister instantly took on expressions of fear. “No. It all started with a mask child showed up and-”

“A masked child?! Tell me more!” Ganondorf bellowed. His heart was pumping with revenge at just the mere mention of Skull Kid.

Cremia almost flinched in surprise. This man had such sudden intense and passionate anger. Did the Masked Child bring him strife as well? “Yes. A masked child of wicked intentions showed up around Termina around a month ago. Ever since he showed up, monsters have shown up all across the country, and tales of curses against people were spread around. It should be a hot summer, but Snowhead is encased in an icy winter. In the South, the entire Deku Kingdom has been covered in poison. It’s been nothing but random cruelty and malice. But then three days ago, the moon changed.”

“I was out of consciousness for a month? And pre tell what exactly do you mean by the moon having changed?”

Cremia looked to her sister with concern. “Ganondorf, can you walk?”

Ganondorf threw his feet over the bed. Planting his feet, there was a moment of concern as he couldn’t feel his legs. Channeling his magic through his body, he gave a silent command for his body to obey. Through his own will, he found the strength to stand tall. Cremia couldn’t help but look him up and down as he was up on his feet for the first time in front of her. He was beautiful and quite large. Ganondorf put a hand on his chest to feel his heart beating once more for reassurance he was still living. “A simple matter.”

“Then follow me please.”

Ganondorf crouched under the door frame, turning left to go down the stairs. All the windows had heavy curtains over the windows. Stepping on a horse toy, he raised a brow as it squeaked. He never had such things growing up as a child. With each step Ganondorf took towards the door, the Gerudo felt a sense of dread creep up beat by beat. Something in the air simply felt off. Opening the door to outside, Ganondorf looked at the purple skies of a twilight sunset. Looking up to the sky, he understood what the ranchers meant now.

In the sky was a massive celestial object simply hovering over the middle of the country. It was the moon, yet an abomination at the same time. It had a face with unblinking eyes. Ganondorf couldn’t read what expression it had, only that he knew it felt wrong. “What insanity is this?”

Cremia sighed, making sure Romani stayed inside first. The moon was already giving them the odd nightmare “The townsfolk say it's going to fall in two more days, right on the eve of the carnival. Right into the earth. Most people can’t even evacuate due to all the monsters outside the town.”

“This is madness…” The Imp must have been responsible for this. Did he do this with the power of his Triforce? Or was it that mask? Such destruction could only bring the end of the world. What was the point in that? Why have such an end goal?

Ganondorf quickly turned away from the sight of the celestial nightmare in the sky. He needed to leave. He needed to put an end to this darkness. That thought alone made him pause in his tracks. Him, of all people, stopping an evil. He was the self-proclaimed King of Evil. This was a job suited for an errand boy such as… Link. If he hadn’t killed him in a quest for power, Ganondorf would have had a powerful ally against this newest threat.

Feeling his chest, he patted the bandages strapped around him. “Cremia, was it? Where are my clothes?”

Cremia couldn’t help but once again eye Ganondorf when he mentioned his lack of clothing. He was such a big man, that it was a rare sight for her. “Well, you were incredibly damaged. Most of your clothing was shredded. I put it in a box, but I don’t know how well it would work for you.”

“Get me this box. I wish to examine myself in a mirror.”

“Oh, yes, of course. Please follow me.” As Cremia led him back into the house, she shouted to her sister. “Romani, please gather Mr. Ganondorf’s box of clothing!”

“Ok! I think we put them in the crawl space!”

“Just be careful!”

Ganondorf elected to ignore the sister’s banter as he entered the bathroom. The first thing he noticed was that he had grown a beard. His hand trailed the red rim of his chin. It seemed that the ranchers had kept it clean, yet allowed it to grow. With a smirk, he decided that he liked it. It was rather kingly in origin.

His mood was quickly cut short when he checked the back of his head. The mad jester had done major damage in pulling skin from the back of his skull as it ripped his mullet off. His hair had grown back in so he wasn’t bare in the back, but he felt a large circular scar around the tearing point. Had the Triforce helped him recover, or did other medical work help his skin? He also had a scar against the left cheek from the laceration he suffered at the hands of Ganon. Who knows what could be done about that?

Examining the rest of his body, Ganondorf carefully removed the patches of bandages around his body. To his luck, his wounds had healed finely. He noted it down as his magical reserves being boosted by the Triforce of Wisdom and Courage. Link had been studied by the King as he went against him. It seemed the Triforce of Courage enabled him to survive otherwise lethal blows that would have killed others. Duly noted that the Triforce was unbiased in assisting its user. Perhaps with time, he could fully explore the abilities of Courage and Wisdom.

Sitting on the toilet, Ganondorf put his hands on his head and breathed a sigh of shame. Here he was, a fallen King, humbled and nearly naked. He needed the help of peasants just to be nursed back to health. It made Ganondorf absolutely furious the more he kept dwelling on it. He tried to draw upon his darkness to calm his thoughts, but all he felt was a void. How was he supposed to stop the Skull Kid without the Triforce of Power? Without the ability to become the Beast. Maybe he should have permanently stayed in that form after all…

Hell to that.

Ganondorf shook those thoughts from his head. No. He was a man first. And even without some of his tools, he was still the most capable and powerful man on the planet. He only needed courage to push himself forward. He swore to himself that he’d take his throne again.

When he heard the knock, he saw Romani smiling up at him as he opened the door. “I got your clothes, mister! I even put your cool knife back in!”

“My knife?”

“Yeah! It’s got super cool etchings on it! Are you a warrior of some kind?”

Ganondorf ignored her, taking the box and shutting the door in her face.

Romani’s excitement couldn’t be fazed, even if the sound of her voice was muffled by the door. “I think it's cool!”

Ganondorf opened the box and took his clothing out. His clothes received a large amount of tearing from his previous battle against his expelled darkness. His cape was useless, with so many holes they could be mistaken for swiss cheese. The rest of his clothing was a total disaster. One of his sleeves was torn off from his shirt, and his armour had battle damage that would need various examination and repair.

Grabbing his knife, he unsheathed it. It was still sharp, but without his great sword, he’d need to rely on his fists or magic for combat. He quickly got to work cleaning patches of longer hair to keep it even, short, and elegant. After all, he wouldn’t look anything other than flawless. Looking at the messy pile of ripped fabric, Ganondorf grunted in annoyance. To ask for help was beneath him, but he needed clothing. Opening the door, he found Romani swaying back and forth, with the biggest grin on her face. “Anything I can do mister?”

“Yes child. Gather me a sewing needle and cloth. I need to make myself a few adjustments.”

“You got it!”

Ganondorf returned to the bathroom. The least he could do was put on his boots and pants. Stepping outside and making his way to the table, he got to work immediately assembling a new outfit once Romani brought him what he required. The little girl couldn’t stop asking him questions.

“How’s the back of your head feeling? If you’re a King, where’s your kingdom? Are you really a warrior? Can you help me fight ‘them’ off? Are you going to stay here longer? Can you show me how to use your knife?”

Ganondorf’s face scowled towards his work, and Cremia huffed as she guided her sister up stairs. “Cremia, stop berating the man with questions. Now it’s time for you to go to bed.”

“But sis! I need to stay up for-”

“Now Romani!”

“Ugh- fine.”

Cremia watched Ganondorf as he worked without his shirt on, offering him milk as he carefully sewed his new robes together. The King of the Gerudo silently drank as he sought completion. Whenever Cremia asked him a question, he’d indulge, but only in brief answers. He wasn’t a fool; the Gerudo knew that most likely the woman had an attraction to him. However, he had far too much on his mind to have his thoughts wander to such pleasures. It was an hour and a few after midnight when he finished his clothes.

Placing them on, they were black robes that acted as a coat with golden trims along the edges of his sleeves and collars. He held the red Gerudo symbol for ‘Voe’ on his back, and had flowing golden designs down his arms and up to his shoulders. He took his old tattered Gerudo neck collar and repaired it to go around his chest as a belt. His shirt was crimson red, complementing his hair and giving him a striking neck. He felt his Gerudo gemstone on the crown of his head, and he felt saddened that it was cracked during his fight at Snowpeak. In time he’d replace it, but he supposed it was appropriate to wear for now. The fallen king indeed.

Cremia watched as Ganondorf gave his arms a wave to test his clothing in awe. They were tight and close to him, giving him an air of elegance and superiority. “You look very refined, Mr. Ganondorf!”

“Thank you for your praise.” Ganondorf allowed this moment of pride to uplift his spirits. The praise of one woman wouldn’t have him falter after all. Once he got a feeling for his clothing, he made his way to the door.

Cremia was shocked that he was leaving. “Wait? You’re going so soon?”

“Of course. Someone needs to put an end to that masked imp.”

“But, it's so late outside!”

“I don’t need sleep. Especially after being in a coma for a month.”

“But it’s reckless to just go and leave in the middle of the night.”

“I am more than capable of journeying out on my own.”

They’re argument was cut off by a scream coming from outside. Both Ganondorf and Cremia rushed outside, the former more out of curiosity. Littering the field of the ranch, spot lights landed on the grass, and bizarre creatures flew menacingly towards the barn. Romani was standing on a crate, shooting arrows best she could at the creatures. “Cremia! It’s them! They’re here for our cows!”

Cremia felt incredibly frightened that her sister was so recklessly endangering herself by being outside with these creatures. “Romani! Get back in the house!”

Ganondorf felt an unexpected anger rise up in him. These creatures dared to attack the household that he rested at? Did the Imp send these things as assassins to finish him off? These ranchers did him a great service by nursing him as his body healed itself. He could just leave and take a horse, but he felt a sense of honour in repaying a debt of gratitude. Ganondorf never showed any kindness to Hylians before, never saw them as anything but lesser people, or rats at worst. Afterall, they treated him as a lesser being. But they were dead now, and these weren’t the Hylians. As King of Hyrule, he neglected the people. Perhaps this was fate giving him a chance to rise from his failures. If he were to be a proper king, he needed to care for all his subjects.

Ganondorf darted toward Romani as one of the ‘ghosts’ got close to her. With a punch, he blew the thing away with a single blow. Simply opening a hand to the girl, he gave his command. “Give me the bow.”

Romani quickly did so, and she ran to her sister, looking back as Ganondorf gracefully fired a volley of arrows into the invaders as they neared the barn. The Gerudo saw that the creatures renewed their fallen numbers in the distance. If these were Poes, perhaps they would hate the light of magic. Standing atop a crate, Ganondorf boomed over the field, giving his one and only warning. “Leave these lands now, or perish at my hands.”

The ‘ghosts’ continued, caring little for his warning. Was he ready? Did he still hold the right to use his magical might after his failure? The only way he’d find out is if he stopped pitying himself and accepted his place as the balancer of the world. With that thought, Ganondorf chose to believe in himself.

Ganondorf’s hand had two triangles glow, and pulling his arm backwards, he charged his magic silently. As the invaders drew close, Ganondorf gave a yell as he showed off his fist with a twist of his arm. Waves of light pulsed from his being, and the invaders screamed as they were atomized, turning to dust from their fatal weakness to the light. The Gerudo felt overjoyed at the might that radiated from him. After they all disappeared from this earth, Ganondorf witnessed the faint light in the sky scatter over the mountain, vanishing from view. In his heart, he felt victory was his.

Cremia and Romani watched in awe as Ganondorf stepped down and walked towards them. He was their hero, but he carried himself in such a way that particular title was beneath him. The Gerudo looked down on them both, feeling that his debt had been paid. “I need a horse. Do you have any in your possession?”

Cremia cleared her throat and nodded, slowly pointing her finger to the horse barn. “We do. Are you leaving now?”

“Show me.”

Cremia nodded, quickly not wanting to waste any more of his time. Having been led to the stables, Ganondorf walked by his selection of horses, until he made his choice. He couldn’t help but laugh lightly to himself. A black tall horse with orange hair and blue eyes stamped its hooves in his presence. It wasn’t too different from his old steed. “Him. I’ll take him.”

“Do you have to go?”

Ganondorf looked down at Romani as Cremia set out to saddle Ganondorf’s choice of horse. “Yes child. There is a great chaos plaguing this world that only I can purge. I have to bring balance.”

The Gerudo quickly got atop his steed, patting its side to calm its nerves. Romani frowned as her sister rushed to the house to grab something. “Will you come back?”

“Perhaps child. I won’t forget your service that you did for me. Rewards come to the most loyal.”

As Ganondorf started to gallop off, Cremia ran out holding a bottle of milk. “Wait! Take this with you!”

“More milk?”

“Yes and no. This is a special brand called Chateau Romani. It’s a magical brew of milk that will heighten your senses to their maximum potential for a short while. And it tastes very good to boot.”

“Hmmm. I will put it to use. Be well, Cremia.” With no other words, Ganondorf galloped out of the ranch, leaving Cremia to watch in more awe. Looking up at the moon, she really wondered if even a man like him could do something about that.

~

The Gerudo patted his horse as he found himself entering a large open field. Ganondorf noticed a large town in the distance, surrounded by a large circular wall. He didn’t need to get close to sense hidden malice radiating from just outside the wall. That must be where the Masked Imp would be. As he was now, Ganondorf didn’t feel confident in attacking the town alone. He tried to summon an army of monsters, but he felt a force in the land block his attempts. It was like a negative wall blocking the man’s attempts. Ganondorf summed it up to the brat using his own magic on the land to prevent him from doing so.

He’d need to form an army on his own. Those Pirates in this Great Bay Cremia told him about sounded like a good call to investigate. If they were anything like the Gerudo of Hyrule, Ganondorf could use them for his forces. Following the direction of the various signs he came across, Ganondorf found himself traveling down a sandy road. Eventually, at the first break of dawn, the King arrived at Great Bay.

With the sun's glow warming his face, Ganondorf found himself staring in awe at the sight in front of him. It occurred to him he had never been to the ocean before. He had heard stories, but this was different. The trees had leaves that were thick and blew gently in the wind. And the wind itself carried a fresh salty air he never felt before. The wind blew by him, and it carried a smoothing warmth in its wake. Getting off his horse, Ganondorf immediately noticed a difference in the sand compared to his home in the valley. His hands went through its grains, his fingers rubbing together. The sand was soft and un-irritating. It carried a warmth that didn’t burn.

Walking closer to the beach, Ganondorf felt the waves that slowly rocked back and forth like a crib. The water was so smooth, light, and it carried a comfortable temperature. He looked out across the ocean, and took in a breath of content. There was such beauty here.

Investigating the area, Ganondorf walked along the beach line. His stomach grumbled when his ears picked up the sound of splashing fish. Even with a near immortal body, he still needed sustenance once in a while. Lifting his hand, he fired an electric burst to kill the fish. Satisfied with the results, he was leaning down to pick his food up, when from the water burst forth a small island from under the waves. The shock knocked Ganondorf backwards, and he was ready to fight, when he saw what materialized from the water. “A turtle?”

Indeed, a massive turtle carrying an island on its back partly beached itself on the sand. “Who are you to disrupt the sea? You rudely awakened me from my nap.”

Ganondorf didn’t flinch in the face of this sea turtle. “I am Ganondorf. King of Hyrule.”

“Hyrule? I’ve never heard of Hyrule before. And what is a King doing here, electrocuting my home?”

“I simply willed food to be brought to me. And I am here in Termina to put a stop to a masked Imp.”

“Ah, the masked one. Ever since he first arrived, the seas have become chaotic, teeming with unnatural predators. I’m so lucky I’m so big. Others are not.”

“Tell me Turtle. Where can I find the band of Gerudo Pirates?”

“The pirates? Along the rocky shores closer to the twin pillars. I’d be careful when approaching them.”

“I will be diligent.” Ganondorf grabbed a single fish, leaving the rest for the turtle. “Consider that payment for me awakening you. I’m glad that you are the first talking creature to be civil and cooperative with me.” Certainly better than an old tree and overgrown fish.

Within the hour, Ganondorf made his way to the rocky reef. Looking up at the moon over the town, he felt a shutter in his bones. Even from more of the backside, he could feel the celestial’s stare. What twisted motivation could there possibly be for wanting to drop that onto the planet? Ganondorf averted his gaze, looking down at the coral in the reef. Such pretty scenery was rare to him. Sitting down on a rock, he enjoyed watching the fish play about in the water. However, his silence was disrupted by a rumbling sound and the water churning. Looking up, Ganondorf saw an odd-looking boat with a crew of three on it.

These Gerudo pirates wore clothing similar to his own tribe. He assumed it must have been the humid air that was picking up. Not exactly like Gerudo Valley, but still hot enough to wear baggier pants and a crop top. As they pulled closer, two of them hopped out, one immediately pulling out some small device from their pocket and simply pointing it at Ganondorf. “Halt! Who are you?!”

Ganondorf raised his eyebrow at the girl trying to command him. “I am Ganondorf Dragmire. King of the Gerudo tribes of Hyrule.”

The three Gerudo studied Ganondorf, and it dawned on them that he had all the features of a Gerudo male. “Well damn. Would you look at that.”

“Is he really Gerudo?”

“He got dark skin and red hair, don’t he?”

“Well, he’s a nice-looking man that’s for sure.”

“Let’s take him to Aveil!”

Ganondorf tilted his head, getting a read on the Gerudo Pirates body language. They were all armed, but didn’t appear to be overly blood thirsty just yet. And it sounded as if they were willing to take him to their leader. Good. Would save him more time. “I’m willing to travel with you.”

The Gerudo holding the object in her hand looked to her companions and they nodded in agreement. “Well, get on before I accidently slip and pull this trigger.”

Ganondorf figured that the object in her hand must have been some kind of weapon the way her arm aggressively held it at him. Not wasting any time, he stood on the boat, the Gerudo Pirates getting behind him. As they took off on the boat, Ganondorf was astonished by the sudden rush of air flying by him as the boat quickly zoomed through the water. It felt good against the scar of his laceration on his face.

The boat sped around the rocky shoreline of the bay and, in the distance, Ganondorf noticed a large, concentrated storm out at sea. Peering closer, he noticed a building deep within. “What is that?”

The pirate platoon leader looked out at the sea to see what he was talking about. “That? That’s some kind of temple. It, and a huge hurricane just recently showed up in the last month. Our boss has reason to believe there might be treasure inside.”

“Really now. Seems dangerous out there.”

“Eh, doesn’t look all bad.”

As they kept driving the boat, the crew pulled into a tight cave. The boat had to slow down in order to make key turns, but once it finished its maneuvers and pulled out, Ganondorf found himself in a lagoon with a giant metal fortress stationed.

On metal walkways over the water, Gerudo Pirates were on patrol. One looked down at the boat pulling up and whistled for another guard to open the gate to the docks. The pirates on the boat snickered to Ganondorf as they led him off upon reaching the docks. “You’re going to love it here.”

Ganondorf walked up metal steps, finding himself in a large artificial courtyard. They’re appeared to be many exits all around to go from one room to another, but here was the bustle and center point of the fortress. There were more Gerudo than he expected here. It seemed like a large tribe of their own rather than a single crew.

There were a few children, but most were adults. Some had odd clothing. One of them had a hat and leather boots the likes of which Ganondorf had never seen on a Gerudo woman. And was that corset? He couldn’t think more on it as he was led through a door and down some dark steps. “I didn’t expect your exalted leader to be downwards.”

“Don’t worry about it.” The pirate snickered as she extended an arm for Ganondorf to take the lead. “It’s exactly where you need to go.”

Ganondorf stayed cautious and on guard towards that statement. His growing suspicions were confirmed when he saw a dimly lit prison storage with various captive men either thrown in cells, or even chained up. The Gerudo pointed her weapon at Ganondorf and pointed at the cell. “Get in, new meat.”

Ganondorf looked at the men in the cell, then back at the Gerudo. Back in his village, he heard of kidnapping men for boyfriends, but the Gerudo usually met the men first and got to know them before bringing them over. The pirate cocked the ignition on her weapon, then a shot ran out beside Ganondorf’s head. He looked at the hole it made in the wall, then trailed his gaze back to the user.

“What, never seen a pistol before? Get in, before I put a round in your head.”

Ruthless, demanding, and taking charge. Ganondorf couldn’t help but laugh internally at this. Why not play along? Getting in the cell, he shrugged his shoulders. “Now what?”

“Now you wait here nicely until our leader decides what she wants to do with you. You’re cute, so I’m sure you’ll have your use. Especially if you really are a Gerudo man.”

The pirate left and Ganondorf looked at the other men in the cells. “Tell me. Are you fighters?”

One man nodded, glad he finally had company. “I was a soldier of Clock Town.”

“Well ‘soldier’. What brought you here?”

“A month ago, an imp in a mask suddenly appeared and liked to cause chaos. I left to get help from the Zora in Great Bay, when I was ambushed and overwhelmed by those Gerudo Pirates.”

“Can you fight? Or was your time as a soldier merely an act to find yourself in a better position in life?”

“I can fight. Not that it matters now.”

“Nonsense. I will have need of an army soon if I am to put an end to that devilish imp. Wait here for my return.”

“Wait here? Where the heck do you think you’re going?”

Ganondorf put his hand over the lock of the cell, and his Triforce of Wisdom activated. A pink glow beamed over the lock and the door flew open. The other prisoners were confused, excited, and shocked by this man simply stepping out. The king turned to them with the slight turn of his head. “I’ll be back.”

Without turning back, Ganondorf walked up the steps of the prison cell and into the courtyard. The odd Gerudo with the odd fashion sense in wearing a corset nearly dropped the cigar she was about to light up. Putting it away, she walked up to Ganondorf, a hand on her holster. The other pirates were making their rounds, leaving her alone. She didn’t feel confident in facing a man this big alone. “Hey, aren’t you supposed to be locked up?”

“I gave myself parole.” Ganondorf curled a light smile. “You’re very conservative looking for a Gerudo, besides the jewelry and earrings.”

“And you’re very manly for a Gerudo. You are a Gerudo correct?”

“I am King of the Gerudo. So yes, I suppose I should be.”

“Ok, Mr. King. You got a name?”

“Ganondorf Dragmire.” Ganondorf put his hands on his hips, liking this woman more and more. “What’s your name?”

“Lin. Why are you here?”

“To take control of your band of pirates.”

Lin paused, looking Ganondorf deep into his eyes, until she finally laughed. He had a pause for only a moment, but Ganondorf laughed right back, and there they were, two Gerudo laughing aloud. At one moment they were laughing, in jolly release, and in the flip of a switch both grew deadly serious.

“Wow. What a jackass thing to state Mr. King. Give me a reason to not shoot you.”

“Because I’ll have my hand around your neck before you draw your weapon. I only speak the truth. And I like to show my actions are louder than my words.”

“Ha-ha, alright than King Ganondorf Dragmire-”

“I love it when my title is spoken fully.”

Lin smirked at his interruption. Ganondorf let his cockiness bleed onto this face. “Like I was saying my ‘lordship’, why don’t we find out what Aveil would think of you?”

The pirate waved a finger for him to follow him as she adjusted her hat. Ganondorf did so, walking up a large watch tower. Gerudo guards were surprised that a man was walking about, even reaching for their weapons. Lin waved them off, letting them know it was ok to relax. Walking across a bridge, she led Ganondorf through a rather tacky golden door.

To Ganondorf’s delight was an Iron Knuckle standing on guard. The shoulder pads were a different colour, but the overall design and purpose seemed intact. The armoured Gerudo whispered to her companion. “Lin, what the hell are you doing letting that man in here?”

“Relax, Redd. You’ll never believe what he has to say to the Captain.”

Ganondorf saw a colourful room with treasure decorated among the walls. A large fish tank on the left had a piranha swimming about, and weapons and war masks were on a display case. The Gerudo who tried to imprison him was talking with a Gerudo lounging on a throne. He motioned Lin to stay at his side as he eased dropped on the conversation. “So that’s about it, Aveil. I don’t know if he’s the real deal or not.”

“Well, he can wait. Gerudo or not, he’s just a man. What I want is for us to send the first battalion into that temple. The masked one said that we’d find a great treasure inside.”

“Jewels, diamonds, and gold?”

“And so much more! All we need is to sacrifice a few scouts to find a weakness in the storm, then we can plow right through.”

Ganondorf was amused. A leader who would sacrifice her people. Unfortunately, she was too greedy to see the obvious trap. Stepping forward, Ganondorf boomed his voice over everyone else in the room. “I am Ganondorf. Consider your role revoked.”

Aveil stood from her seat, more insulted than surprised that this man had found his way inside. “Who the hell are you?! Smoke him!”

The pirate that aimed her gun at Ganondorf before tried to fire on him again, but Ganondorf was too fast, his enhanced speed getting the drop on her as she fumbled to get her gun out of her holster. With three punches he broke her neck with the force of his blows, sending her flying away with a crack in the wall.

The other Gerudo were completely shocked by this unfolding. Ganondorf considered this as necessary to prove his dominance. “Let me reiterate. I am Ganondorf, King of Hyrule, King of the Gerudo! By the right of power and the force I command I declare myself monarch of your tribe. You will assist me by serving as my vanguard against the masked one’s forces. Join me, and I will make you the most feared and respected tribe in the world.” Ganondorf flew his hand out in a dramatic fashion, before pulling it back into a fist. “Or else you will die.”

As Aveil grabbed her blade, other Gerudo Pirates were grabbing their swords, but unsure if they’d attack unless given a command. “No! The masked one promised us riches and power. He-…!”

The pirate leader stopped talking, a fearful lump in her throat growing. Ganondorf followed her gaze slowly up to the sky window in the ceiling. Floating there, was the masked imp himself. Skull Kid looked down at Ganondorf, surprised at his survival. “You’re a hard nut to crack, aren’t you? Hehehe.”

Ganondorf clenched his fists, cautious rage filling him. The Skull Kid was too far up for him to get into striking range. “You. Give me the power you stole from me back, as well as the mask you wear. Those toys are too much for you!”

“No, I like my little golden triangle. It makes a nice keepsake.” Skull Kid snickered as he stretched out midair as if he were sitting on a couch. “I haven’t seen you in forever? Did you have to drag yourself back from hell to get here? Sure looks like it.”

“That moon. It’s your responsibility, isn’t it? What purpose can you possibly have in the destruction of this whole country.”

“Nononononono. Think bigger.”

“…the world.”

“Bingo.”

The other Gerudo shook in their boots. They saw the moon outside get closer and closer, but they had no idea what its purpose was until now. Ganondorf snapped at the Skull Kid, losing his composure and snarling like a dog. “What you’re suggesting is madness! You’d die too!”

The Skull Kid snapped himself back into an upright position, the eyes of his mask trained solely on Ganondorf. “So, what? This world is nothing. It is meaningless. But why not have a little fun with the garbage before casting it aside?”

“I’ll put an end to you, you evil creature.”

“Me? Evil? Hehehe. That’s rich.” Skull Kid looked at the contents around the room, before looking back at Ganondorf. “You’re no hero Ganondorf. I know exactly what you are. Your other half is here with us. Such a sweet hatred. Do what you think you can. But we know you don’t have much time left. You have your puppets. And I have mine.”

Skull Kid let out a scream, and two rays of chaotic magic shot from his hands. One hit the piranha in the fish tank, and the other the mask in the display case. The water churned, exploding wildly as the wall next to it crumbled. Something fell into the lagoon before Ganondorf could get an eye on it. But the mask quickly formed a body, swarms of insects coming together. A green titan of a man rose up, wielding a massive machete and shield.

The Skull Kid laughed, spanking his ass towards Ganondorf. “Have fun with my new toys. Be sure to play nice! Hehehe.” Floating away, the Imp scampered from the site. Ganondorf turned his attention to the monster in front of him that swung wildly at him.

The Masked Jungle Warrior, Odolwa, missed its first strike as Ganondorf dodged to his right. The Gerudo King needed weapons if he were to fight this threat. Viewing the various weapons racks, Ganondorf settled his eyes on two decorated swords. The giant leaped high into the air just as Ganondorf reached the two blades. Gripping the handles, Ganondorf crossed the blades and turned around, defending himself from having a machete cleave through his head. The Gerudo and the Masked Warrior were now officially locked in combat.

Aveil stammered her orders, pointing to Lin to intervene. “Lin! Shoot the monster!”

The Gerudo Pirate cocked her pistol, and took aim at Odolwa. Firing a shot, it went straight through his fat belly. To the disgust of all those around it, swarms of flesh-eating moths poured out as the Jungle Warrior made a chant. Ganondorf growled as Odolwa jumped back, letting the insects try to eat every Gerudo in the room. Raising one sword, the King charged a bolt of electric energy at its tip. Finishing his spell, Ganondorf fired it forward, launching through the moths, killing them in a chain reaction and sending Odolwa out the hole in the wall.

“Get everyone to their battle stations. I’ll finish it off.”

Aveil grabbed her sword, a vein nearly bursting in her forehead. “Hey! You aren’t the boss of me! Ladies! Get to your battle stations!”

Jumping down onto a metal catwalk, Ganondorf took note of the water below. There were ships flipped over with blood in the water. Flipping from underneath the catwalk, Odolwa bashed Ganondorf in the face with its shield as he turned too late. Gripping both his swords, Ganondorf felt his ear ringing from the surprise attack. This creature was nothing to him, and it was only lucky in striking him. As Odolwa tried to strike him with the massive blade, Ganondorf parried, blocking with one blade and striking with his other. Every slice against the Masked Warrior’s belly caused it to spill out bugs. This time they were spiders that tried to leap at Ganondorf. He simply swatted them into the water.

As Ganondorf jumped over Odolwa after the warrior missed a vertical slice, he kneed his opponent in the head, stunning it as Ganondorf flipped over it. With a twirl of his swords, Ganondorf didn’t even look behind him as he walked backwards and stabbed Odolwa in the back.

The Jungle Warrior screamed a death rattle, but to Ganondorf’s surprise, he didn’t expect the warrior to reach forward to take hold of his shoulders. With a leap, Ganondorf was taken by Odolwa, plunging into the water of the lagoon below.

Ganondorf didn’t know why this desperation took place until he saw the jaws of a massive fish swim towards him. The blood was red with the blood of unlucky Gerudo patrolling the lagoon. This was the Gargantuan Masked Fish, Gyorg, and it was hungry for more Gerudo. Ganondorf was pissed at the prospect of being attacked by the jaws of yet another monster. Maneuvering the body of Odolwa, he kicked it into the fish’s mouth. Gyorg tore into his fellow monster as Ganondorf swam up to catch his breath.

His swords had dislodged and fallen on the catwalk far above, unfortunately leaving him weaponless. Ganondorf thought fast about what he would need to do to survive. Swimming to one of the boats floating on the water, he quickly climbed aboard. The water churned with limbs of Odolwa floating to the surface. It seemed he wasn’t a good meal for the fish.

Gyorg rocketed into the metal boat from below, easily sending it flying off. As Ganondorf and the fish launched into the air, he had taken hold of a spear lying on the deck. Throwing it, he pierced the monster, blinding it in its right eye.

Falling into the water, Ganondorf sank down. He saw the predator swimming back and forth, the massive fish quickly shaking off its pain. He needed to charge a magical blast that could defeat this creature, but he lacked the time. Ganondorf waited in sick anticipation as Gyorg swam up from the bottom of the lagoon to snap its jaws around him.

Suddenly, from the deep blue, the mouth of a giant sea turtle snapped on the fin of the masked fish. The monster thrashed around, giving Ganondorf enough time to focus his shot. ‘Smile you son of a-’

With a sizzle through the water, a yellow bolt swirled like a torpedo. The turtle let go in time and the magic traveled down the mouth of Gyorg. It swam closer to snatch Ganondorf whole, only to suddenly explode. Chum launched out of the water, scattering across the lagoon.

Gerudo Pirates got onto their boats to look for survivors on the lagoon. Standing on a catwalk, Aveil growled with annoyance. “Damn that masked kid. He said that we could find salvation in the temple’s treasure. Little punk tried to have us killed. At least that Ganondorf fellow did the dirty work for us in dispatching those monsters.”  

To her surprise, Ganondorf had made his way out of the water and back onto the catwalk, sneaking past all her guards. The man was soaked from head to toe right in front of her, yet he didn’t lose any sense of power in his presence. In front of all the Gerudo Pirates watching, he squeezed her by the neck and held her over the lagoon, placing her in a one-handed choke hold. Below in the water, sharks gathered to feed on the chum of the Gyorg.

Aveil gasped as she felt his fingers squeeze tight around her neck. How the hell did he sneak up on her? She wasn’t allowed to die like this!

“Listen to my command, little girl. I, Ganondorf, announce myself as your King. Look above me and you will see that rock coming closer and closer to the earth. Vile magic is the cause of this, vile magic controlled by the masked imp. His goal is complete annihilation. Complete annihilation is not good for your business, and it is not good for my rule. You will become my vanguard for an army to storm the capital city that he resides over. You will release all your prisoners and arm them. You will take what weapons you can, you will gather your fighters, and we will march onto a decisive victory over the jester that mocks life itself.”

Aveil was choking, her face turning purple from Ganondorf squeezing her neck. Her feet kicked wildly, one of her shoes falling into the water below. “W-w-ck!’

Ganondorf looked at Aveil unimpressed. He released her just enough to grab her by her hair so she dangled over the water. The pirate leader could barely get her breath back as she choked back air. “Y-you freaking psychopath. D-don’t kill m-me!”

“What can you possibly offer me? I’m sure I can command these pirates without you.”

“M-more troops. An undead army.”

Ganondorf tilted his head, a tiny flex of his lip pondering this information. “Continue.”

“Farther East. There’s a land called Ikana Valley. It’s rumoured to have a King that rules over the dead. One of my caravans tried to plunder some treasure there, only to come back with one survivor who said there was a whole army of freaks she’s never seen before.”

Ganondorf slowly lifted Aveil up by the hair. On his side, her most trusted advisors had gathered, shocked by the man’s power and bravado in taking charge. A man had never ruled over the Gerudo Pirates before. Ganondorf smiled an evil, yet simple grin. “Who do you work for?”

“I work for you! We all do!”

“That’s right. And if you ever forget it, I’ll erase you. But please, I’d rather you think of this alliance as nothing but a benefit.” Ganondorf threw her to the side of the catwalk. Ganondorf pointed at his swords and snapped at Lin to pick them up. The Pirate quickly did so, and returning to Ganondorf, took a bow, presenting his weapons to him.

“For you, my l-lord.” Lin had the fear of god put into by this man. He was so dominating. It was terrifying, but somewhere in her soul, she felt a little bit of thrill.

Ganondorf took his weapons from her, and he felt a warmth fill him. He had an army of the living once more. And they were Gerudo women as well. While not entirely the same, he felt more like his older self. To be truthful, the mercy he provided Aveil surprised him a little, but it felt good to simply threaten her, rather than kill a valuable asset right away.

His eyes turned east, and he felt a fire stir within his gaze. Skull Kid said he had little time left. In his heart, Ganondorf knew that was true. Having a large army would be most beneficial in his final assault. Not wasting time, Ganondorf decided to see if a King of the Dead was what he needed for his board in this game of life and death.

Chapter 4: What is King

 Ganondorf’s horse slowly trotted along the beginning of the valley. When he and his army first entered, they had to clear it out of explosive vermin. His armoured Darknut that he liberated from the Pirate Prison informed him that they were known as Bombchu, disgusting little creatures, but suicidal and dangerous monsters that would detonate against travelers if they were allowed the chance.

Luckily, none of his escort crew had been harmed, but it annoyed Ganondorf every time one scuttled out from behind a rock. He had his horse stop when he looked up at a hooded man with one eye sitting on the cliffside. “You. I know you.”

“Yes. The Great King Ganondorf. You were gracious enough to allow me to set up my business in Hyrule, collecting souls of the dead. Now though, there’s not much of Hyrule left. Nothing in fact. Not even spirits roam the charred land. Ha-ha-ha.”

Ganondorf tightened his left fist. It made him furious that such failure was weighted on his shoulders, but he kept his composure intact. “Indeed… Hooded man, does Ikana Valley lie ahead?”

“Yes. I should give fair warning. The land is full of danger. Spirits of the damned roam every corner, as well as other forces.”

Ganondorf turned to his platoon that joined him. “I want all of you to secure this entrance we traveled through. It will be our staging operation from the East, while the rest of the Gerudo attack from the West.”

The Iron Knuckles and the Darknut Soldier nodded, giving a bow to their lord. “Yes, Lord Ganondorf.”

Ganondorf got off his horse, and with a leap, flew himself up to the upper cliff. Landing, he found that the mysterious hooded man had disappeared. Not giving it any thought, Ganondorf walked by himself through the valley. It would be dark soon, so he could only imagine that creatures of death would rise up more regularly.

The Valley had a dry heat, and Ganondorf had a long way to walk. Reaching into his pocket, the Gerudo swallowed down the milk Cremia had given him the night before. The special cocktail was marvelous, smoothing Ganondorf’s parched throat. He felt absolutely incredible and alert. Taking a few breaths, Ganondorf thought about how he could reward her once his quest was over. People like her, that were loyal to the end, would be taken care of in his new era.

Coming across a river, Ganondorf smelled the air. It was thick with iron, and a stink flew down from a waterfall leading into the river. He noticed bits of Gibdo bodies being tossed around in the water. Turning a little more to the upper right, Ganondorf noticed massive stone walls built into the mountain. That must have been the castle he needed to raid.

The man took a few more steps, when he sensed a rush of bloodshed in the air. Drawing his swords, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was covered in thick robes, and had two glowing eyes. “You’re not from these lands.”

Ganondorf saw the figure pull out two cutlass swords, and a ring of fire shot up around them both. The figure jumped back and forth on the spot, before bounding at Ganondorf. Having no patience for a duel, Ganondorf smashed the weapons out the figure's hand with one swipe of his left arm, then brought down his right blade against his opponent. The figure let out a rattle from his wound.

The magic fire died down and the figure gasped between his breaths. “R-regrettable. Although my rival, you were spectacular. Such power.”

“What are you?”

“I am Garo.”

“Tell me Garo, how do I get into that castle?”

“Ah, a question that even we seek. There is a house above the hill outside the castle. Inside, a man and a little girl live there. The man knows the secrets of this valley that we do not. We wait for him to leave his house, but he has not exited his home for quite some time.”

“And why should I believe your word?”

“Belief or disbelief rests with you. To die without leaving a corpse… that is the way of us Garo.”

Ganondorf saw him pull out a bomb from his pocket, raising his hands, he raised a magic barrier to shield him from the blast. The Garo’s body scattered, burning away in a green fire.

Lowering his protection spell and sheathing his swords, Ganondorf looked above to where the water fell. It took him a while to scale the cliff side to the top, when he started to hear odd music. Twilight was in the air, and Ganondorf saw a house with large musical instruments playing a happy tune, something out of a Hylian carnival.

He was about to approach the house, when he saw a little girl come out of the front door. She was walking out with a bucket and heading to the pond stream that led to the waterfall into the river. Slowly approaching from behind like a shadow, Ganondorf scared the living daylights out of her when she turned around.

“Hello child.”

“W-who are you?!”

“Where is your father? I’m here to call upon his services.”

A look of fear filled her. “No! You can’t see him! He’s very sick!”

Ganondorf decided to go with a softer composure in his voice to sooth the child’s fears. “Why?”

“An awful masked person came and made him sick!” The little girl started to cry, the memory of an evil imp suddenly appearing, only for him to curse her father being too awful to recall.

Ganondorf felt sympathy for the child. If he were to get what he needed, compassion over force would suit him better. Kneeling on one knee, Ganondorf got lower to look the girl in the eye and establish himself as less of a threat. “What is your name, child?”

“P-pamela.”

“Pamela. I can help your father. I need you to let me see him.”

Pamela dried her tears, looking at Ganondorf with hope. “Ok.”

Taking the little girl’s hand, Ganondorf looked at the castle as he was led to the house. The moon was looming down on a new night sky. How much did he have left? He needed to get into the castle without as much time wasted as he could.

Inside the house, Pamela put away a mess she made while she had dinner. She used the pond water to clean the dishes. “My father is downstairs. Can you wait for me? I need to prepare his dinner.”

Ganondorf ignored her as soon as he found out where her father was. With Pamela distracted, Ganondorf went down the staircase, rounding the corner to enter the basement. It was a tight place with plenty of lab notes strung around the area. As he got close to a closet, a monstrosity burst forth.

It was covered in bandages, with half his head wrapped up. A disturbed yellow eye filled with hunger and pain darted around, unable to get a lock on Ganondorf, but even so, it knew he was there. With a moan, it started to walk towards the Gerudo. Ganondorf was ready to end the monster’s pathetic existence when Pamela ran down. “No! Papa! Stop!”

Ganondorf looked at this thing hobbling towards him. This abomination was Pamela’s father? His thoughts went to memories of curses he once laid on demi-god-like beings, such as the Deku Tree or Jabu-Jabu. Ganondorf had no regrets about unleashing such darkness on others before. He was a man with a deep hatred inside him that blotted out any sense of mercy. Now, such slow pain seemed pointless. At least, a curse on a simple man such as this being was pointless. Raising an open palm, the Triforce of Wisdom glowed with a piercing light, and Ganondorf willed his cure upon the creature.

When the light finished its glow, Pamela’s father looked at himself in shock. “What happened?”

“…Father?”

Before Ganondorf could approach and get his answers, Pamela ran forward into the arms of her father.  

“Father!”

“Pamela!” Pamela’s father patted her head softly, looking at who this strange tall man was. “What have I been doing this whole time?”

“You… haven’t been doing anything…” The little girl started to cry as she held her father as tightly as she could. “You had a bad dream. You were just having a little nightmare.”

“…Pamela.”

Ganondorf's thoughts went back to his own biological mother. He never knew who his father was, but his mother was a gentle woman. Someone who watched out for him and his every need. It was the neglect of trade with Hyrule that ultimately led to her death. Ganondorf had to look away from the father and daughter to dispel his own thoughts on family.

Pamela quickly fell into a deep sleep, exhausted from the relief of her father’s return to normality. Her father gently set her into a bed, turning his attention to the tall figure in his laboratory.

“Did you save me?”

“I did.”

“Then you’re my daughter’s saviour.”

A saviour. A title Ganondorf considered in his larger vision of himself, but no one had vocally and openly called him before. “I have need of your services.”

“Of course. Let me just grab something to drink. I’m famished. What’s your name?”

“Ganondorf.”

“Call me Iwata.”

As Iwata went upstairs, Ganondorf looked down at a sleeping Pamela. Sitting beside her, he wondered what she was thinking.

When Iwata returned downstairs with two drinks, he saw Ganondorf holding his hand over her head. “What are you doing?”

Ganondorf was still as a statue, looking down on the girl. “I’m peering into her dreams. I see a wave of fear, one after the other crashing into one another. I see monsters in her dreams. She holds onto the love she has for you for safety. It gives her strength, even when you were turned into a monster. She tries to hold on during the nightmares, but she’s losing strength. If you don’t leave this place, she’ll plunge into the abyss, and you’ll lose her. Just as… just as you lost your wife. She’s afraid of losing you as she lost her mother.”

Ganondorf stood tall away from Pamela and faced Iwata. “I need the secret to entering the castle. You will produce the knowledge I need.”

“Yes. Of course. It’s the least I can do.” Iwata walked over to a desk and pulled open a draw. Taking a map out, he laid it out for Ganondorf. “The main gate is impenetrable. It won’t open for any man, monster, or even an army.”

“Everything has a weakness.”

“Indeed. There’s a single hole in the wall of the castle.”

“That’s a serious oversight.”

“Yes. I’ve even investigated it myself. But once inside, I only found myself in a small storage room. The door to the room was a massive square block keeping me from investigating the castle. It had an image of the sun on it, and an ancient text that read, ``Only heaven’s light may pierce my shield of night.”

Ganondorf felt he had all the information he needed. “I believe that I have a key.”

“You’ll be going then?”

“I will. My words of wisdom. Stay here for a few days, then pack your things and leave this valley of death.” Ganondorf went up the steps and looked back at the father and his daughter. “Stay away from Clock Town until the day after tomorrow.”

Leaving the house, Ganondorf heard the lock click behind him. The happy music was annoying, but gradually died off the farther he walked away. Walking along the outside of the castle walls, Ganondorf finally discovered his mystery hole. Crawling in to not hit his head, he turned to his right to find his ‘door’. Placing his hand on the face of the sun, Ganondorf put no emotion in activating his Triforce. His holy light burned away the door into dust, and Ganondorf was able to walk into the castle’s courtyard.

As he stepped forward, Ganondorf felt the air fill with bloodlust once more. Quickly turning around, he was greeted to nothingness. On guard, he turned back to head to the castle’s entrance, when he saw clumps of dirt and pebbles fall down. Looking up at the top of one of the courtyard's many impressive stone pillars, he saw a figure above. This figure let out a deep laugh that echoed throughout the castle’s courtyard, and with a light floosh, he glided down to the ground.

Ganondorf drew his blades from his sheathes. This looked like the Garo he encountered before, only this one was more ceremonial. He had colourful robes, and a golden mask covering his face. When he spoke, his voice was piercing and low. “You have done well in opening the path. My spies have told me about you. I am the Garo Master. But only one of us will enter the castle.”

Ganondorf stayed his ground when the Garo Master drew his cutlasses, only his blades burned with a fire encasing his blades. The Garo danced about, and leapt at Ganondorf. The Gerudo was ready to counter as before with the last of his kind, when the Garo suddenly bounded up at sonic speed. It caught Ganondorf off guard, and this confusion allowed the Garo to come down from behind and slice Ganondorf’s backside open. Two deep lacerations cut apart his back and the King of the Gerudo roared in fury.

Spinning about, Ganondorf clashed with the Garo Master. Each duel bladed duelist was skilled in their technique. Metal clanged and echoed in the castle courtyard. Both jumped off the pillars as the speed of their duel magnified, jousting in midair as they connected swords. When Ganondorf slammed both his blades against the Garo, he towered over him, his face contorted with anger at his opponent. He told himself that he needed to stop dropping his guard around smaller opponents. The Gerudo would not make the same mistakes again.

The Garo Master jumped back, then disappeared with another bound into the air. Ganondorf took a chapter out of Link’s book, and made a spinning motion with his blades. He managed to catch the Garo by surprise, clipping him across the hip when the warrior was sneaking from behind Ganondorf. The Garo made a sound of pain, but suddenly counter-attacked by spinning like a tornado. Ganondorf leapt over the warrior, following this movement by throwing himself at the Garo as soon as his feet touched the ground.

The master reflected one blade, but found himself unable to stop the second from stabbing into his left side of his stomach. Ganondorf kicked the Garo backwards, and swiped his sword of blood off with a quick flick. When the Garo Master took hold of his footing, Ganondorf threw himself at him once more. With both his fists, he beat into the Garo. Ganondorf yelled out a warrior’s cry, launching one final punch with explosive darkness that launched the Garo Master into a stone pillar.

The dust settled, and Ganondorf walked over to the Garo, pointing a blade towards his neck.

“Yield.”

“I concede.”

Ganondorf felt the sting of his wounds burn, the flaming sword having cartelized his flesh. “You were a mighty opponent Garo. Why did you feel the need to attack?”

“The Ikana Kingdom, when their people were still among the living, were at war. I was sent here to gather information on this nation. But alas, time wasted by, and us Garo too found ourselves drawn to this land, trapped.

“Garo Master. I have an ultimatum for you. You can die here with no purpose in your death. Or you and your spies can serve me. I need an army to combat the masked one’s forces in the centre of Termina. He seeks the destruction of all life. I will stop this from happening at any cost.”

“This is a noble endeavour… very well. My life will push off death’s embrace for a little longer now.”

“Meet with the camp at the entrance to the valley. Once I converse with the King of this castle, I will join the rest of you.”

The Garo Master picked himself up, and drew a deku nut. “I look forward to seeing how you will take command.”

The Garo threw the blinding deku nut, disappearing with another echoing laugh. Ganondorf grumbled, wondering if such theatrics was truly necessary. Looking towards the castle, he journeyed into its darkness.

As soon as he entered, undead Redeads stumbled toward him. They gave their trademark paralysing screams, but Ganondorf was in no mood. When one tried to lunge at him, the King backhanded the undead, decapitating it with the force of his arm. He continued walking forward and, with a smirk, launched a wave of fire from his hand, burning away the zombies.

Ganondorf witnessed a group of stalchildren rise up and try to gather weapons. The skeleton warriors were no match for his magic as he shot a volley of magic bursts at them. He couldn’t be bothered to draw his weapons to deal with such soldiers. Reaching the doors to the throne room, Ganondorf pushed the set to enter.

It was a large, empty room, with only two open windows that allowed the moonlight to pour in. Sitting on a throne, a skeleton with a heavy crown sat still. Ganondorf could barely make out his piercing sapphire eyes being dimmed by the glow of the moon. He swore this would be his last introduction in this land. “I am Ganondorf. King of the Gerudo.”

“Welcome to my castle, King Ganondorf. I am King Igos Du Ikana. I heard you had a different title in Hyrule.”

Ganondorf narrowed his eyes, crossing his arms slowly. “What title would that be? King of Hyrule?”

“The King of Evil. King of a dead and a wasted land.”

“We both happen to rule a kingdom filled with only the dead and memories. The only difference is that I’m still alive.”

“What difference does it make? Your people are dead, and you are completely separated from them. You lacked the power to stop the destruction of your land. And you lack the power now.”

Ganondorf started to pace the room back and forth. “I am power. I was blinded by my pride. That is what led to my fall. I didn’t use my wisdom properly.”

Ikana chortled at that retort. “And do you think that admitting your faults in your character will give you forgiveness from all the dead? They speak to me, Ganondorf.”

“Forgiveness? Why should I seek that?”

“You can’t defeat the power of Majora’s Mask. You should make peace with your sins before you meet the gods.”

“Majora?”

“Yes. Majora. The name of the artifact that tore the darkness and malice from your heart. It was used in ancient times older than both of us for the purpose of dark rituals. It is a terrifying weapon of evil.”

Ganondorf finally had a name for that mask on the imp’s head. It would make a fine addition to his collection of treasures when he put his head on his mantle above a fire. “King Ikana. Give me your forces. With an army, I can lay siege to Clock Town and put an end to this threat.”

“Why, so that you might bring your own brand of evil to the world once you put this chaos to rest?”

“My rule as King does not matter if there is nothing left.”

“But you WILL rule, won’t you? Over all men and women.”

Ganondorf squeezed his fist, illuminating the room with his Triforce. “It was my birthright to be simply king. But as a man I rose up and learned to control power. True power. With that control I gained the right to play god. To become a god.”

King Ikana slammed his fist on his throne. “You?! A god? Such nonsense. That pride is what brought you shame and failure in the first place. The spirits of all those that have fallen because of you curse your name Ganondorf. You held a truly evil malice in your heart that gave you power. But it is gone now. What can a man who isn’t even whole possibly accomplish?! You cannot change fate! You cannot stop death!”

“The power of the gods flows through me Ikana! I am their avatar. When I only held a single piece of the Triforce, I destroyed the two other beings chosen by the gods. I am their champion.” Ganondorf put his glowing hand close to his heart. “If fate was truly out of my control, then why would the gods let me ravage their lands? Lay dominance to their people? Bring control to the chaos that they set loose? If not my own will, it is there’s. They recognize my vision is correct. The spirits of the dead be damned to hell. The living is my concern. Time without the Triforce of Power and that voice in the back of my head, I will admit, has given me clarity. I was brash, demeaning all that stood under me. If I truly want to bring balance to this world as its king, I must give back to the people by giving peace to the world. Only I and I alone have the kind of true, absolute power that has a chance of defeating that masked fiend’s power. In the end, you don’t matter. My soldiers don’t matter. But if I can’t stop him, then nothing will matter. Not even me. You don’t have to like me, but I AM the king that you deserve. I am Ganondorf Dragmire, and only I can save this world!”

Ikana felt the willpower radiate off Ganondorf, and the undead king took a deep sigh. “You certainly have the determination to lead. I might even call you mad with power. But I can see it in your eyes. There is no greed present. You have the eyes of a cornered animal. You’re truly ready to fight for this world, but you don’t know if you can succeed.”

“I tire of this conversation, Ikana. Give me your answer.” Ganondorf settled himself, ready to take what he needed if necessary. Fortune smiled on him, however.

“Very well, Ganondorf. You will have access to my forces until the time that you defeat the Masked Child. Go. Your presence is no longer required. I’m curious to see whose darkness consumes the other…”

Ganondorf, satisfied with acquiring his army, set out from the castle. Walking out the castle, he felt the sting of his wounds on his back now that his adrenaline was dying down. The old wounds stung throughout his body, including the laceration on his cheek, acting like a reopened phantom wound. As he walked into the moonlit courtyard, he felt a soft breeze next to him, and a soft voice he thought he’d never hear spoken to him ever again.

“Hello Ganondorf.”

“N-nabooru? How are you here?”

“How? Ikana Valley is a pot for the dead to gather. I have the strength here to gather myself to speak to you.” She was very faint, with light embers surrounding her. A spectre that appeared could be blown away with a strong gust of wind. “Is it true?”

“What is?”

“That you truly want to save this world?”

Ganondorf scoffed at that question, insulted by her words. “Of course it is. If you didn’t betray me, you could have been at my side in defeating that masked child.”

“That masked child is in a way a creation of your own desire for domination over the world.”

“…Why are you here?”

“I’m here because I’ve been watching over you. It honestly confuses me that someone like you has a heart. The ranch? Sparring that pirate? Or helping the little girl.”

“Bah. Your words are like scratching one’s nails against steel.”

“Ganondorf. Despite the need to preserve your own skin, you’re going about acquiring your army far more diplomatically than I anticipated.”

“I’m doing what I must.”

“For the King of Evil, I thought for sure you’d have snapped Aveil’s neck. You’ve changed.”

Ganondorf turned his head to look her in the eye, his gaze filled with conflicted anger. “You prattle about false beliefs. I’m who I’ve always been. You are just seeing the side of me that rewards those who are loyal. Not that you’d know what loyalty is.”

Nabooru scowled hard at that last statement. “I was there, Ganondorf. I saw the Skull Kid tear the manifestation of your hatred from your body. You’re acting as you were when we were children. Before suffering and power rooted itself into your heart. You’re expressing mercy.”

“I would have given you mercy Nabooru. You only needed to serve.”

“You never gave me a choice in serving you Ganondorf. All you did was take.”

“What, and that scared you?”

“Yes. You’d prattle about ruling the world Ganondorf. You had me and others that wouldn’t kneel willingly brainwashed.” Nabooru’s expression grew soft, sad, but most vibrantly, tired. “I looked up to you once, Ganondorf. You were once a man who inspired hope. Our king. Now you are a mere tyrant.”

Ganondorf walked towards her, and Nabooru’s ghost reached up to trail her hand down the laceration of his cheek. Ganondorf had a sad look, but he didn’t return the gesture. “If I am really just a tool of the gods to shape this world, then I’m sorry that they set you against me.”

“Ganondorf… I became a sage, and you the wielder of power, and even though destiny may have played its hand in that, you were the one who gave into hatred and lashed out against the world. People like Link and Zelda, you could have acted like them.”

“A spoiled princess growing in prosperity and a boy raised by a tree in a sacred forest? No. I wasn’t going to be cast aside by the cruelty of the world. Now look, Nabooru. Look to the sky. Where has your kindness gotten you? An evil even greater than you claim I am is going to erase everything. You’re dead when I need you by my side the most. You were the most tactical woman I knew. And now you’re nothing but dust in the wind.”

“Ganondorf. Answer me one question… and I will leave you.”

“Yes?”

“If you defeat the Skull Kid and take your power back, will you accept darkness back into your entire being once more?”

“I will do whatever is necessary, Nabooru. I think it's time that you leave and find whatever peace your soul can find. I need to prepare myself for the upcoming struggle.”

“You have until tomorrow night. Despite my deep dislike of you Ganondorf… I hope you succeed. The world needs to live.”

Ganondorf watched as Nabooru’s spirit disappeared, sand blowing into the air. The Gerudo King took a pinch of the sand and brought it close for examination. They were grains from the Gerudo desert, hot and coarse. And although he could even consider them irritating and rough against his skin, it filled Ganondorf with a great sense of nostalgia. It was a nostalgic reminder of what he was fighting for.

After Ganondorf took time to heal his wounds, he slowly made his way back to the valley’s entrance. Looking back at the music house, he saw the lights go out in the window, but the happy music kept playing.

Reaching the bottom, he took his steps more carefully. As he finally reached the entrance of the valley, Ganondorf saw the rising sun. It bloomed, rising higher and higher. But once it reached a set point, its light was eclipsed by the moon. Ganondorf felt the need to catch his breath. It had grown considerably closer to the earth, sitting above Clock Town.

Ganondorf needed to hurry his forces. Time was not in his control. And soon, he’d have none left to spare. With a silent promise, Ganondorf told himself he’d see another sunrise, unblotted by evil.

Chapter 5: The Curtain Falls

 Ganondorf’s armies were positioned in two key areas. The west and the east. They knew their orders, what they planned to do. Were their doubts? Any private thoughts of deserting? Perhaps. But none acted on them. The brave would not falter, the cowards knew they had nowhere else to go if things fell apart, and the undead either way had no regrets in dying all over again. Ganondorf had his recon scout ahead as he prepared his personal armoury.

It was the middle of the afternoon. Earthquakes had started shaking the earth at random times, causing disturbances in Ganondorf’s men and women setting their siege operations up correctly. The Garo Master returned to Ganondorf, standing dramatically above him on some rocks. “My Lord. The town's walls are littered with monsters around it. Lizards, undead, Deku Baba and creatures I do not recognize.”

“Lin.”

The Gerudo pirate was getting her cutlass checked over when she looked up at the Gerudo king. “Yes, my lord?”

“Take a horse and go to Aveil. Tell her to begin her attack immediately. I’ll be leading the first strike shortly before you should get to her position.” Ganondorf reached a hand out to her. “Your telescope.”

“Oh, sure. I want it back, so don’t break it.” Lin got on the horse they stole from a smaller ranch outside Cremia’s and raced off.

Ganondorf finished suiting up into a lighter armour surrounding his robes in a tight fit. He had a long cape on the back with art trailing down the sides to the bottom in a symbol. Putting on two onyx coloured gauntlets, Ganondorf felt the broken gem on his forehead, reminding himself what being blinded by pride got him in his last battle against the mask. Getting on his horse, he gave it a smack to run into battle. Behind him, in the Ikana Valley, was a legion of Stalfos all ready for war. Leading the undead was a massive skeleton of a giant named Captain Keeta. Ganondorf was confident the giant could tear open the doors to the town.

Taking the telescope, Ganondorf examined the area around the town. There were Deku Baba’s simply snapping at each other, and Redead walking aimlessly around. Scanning around, Ganondorf assumed the Dinoflos would be the worst of the enemies to deal with, but that was when he scanned the tallest structure in Clock Town.

On top of the rounded building was the Skull Kid. He was looking up at the moon and twitching about. He suddenly snapped his bed back and looked straight at Ganondorf. The Gerudo felt a drop of sweat drip down as he looked through the telescope at the imp. The Skull Kid, while still twitching, pointed up at the moon with one finger. Ganondorf turned his view to the moon and, from its eye, he saw various objects fall.

These ‘tears’ fell onto the outside of Clock Town and water scattered over the Redead, Deku Babu, and Dinaflos. All the monsters started to scream. The Deku Baba and Redead hissed and dug themselves underground, as if being pulled under. As Ganondorf galloped closer, he saw the lizards suddenly foam from their mouths, their forms expanding to monstrous proportions.

It was similar to the Dodongo’s in Hyrule, but they were abominations, their muscles and bones stretched out from their original forms unnaturally. A swarm of giant dinosaurs bounded towards Ganondorf. He commanded his forces to attack, when from the ground, white, red spotted hands shot out, knocking Ganondorf off his horse. The Ikana Stalfos were suddenly attacked by Dead Hand’s that sprouted their terrifying forms from the ground to bite at the other undead.

As Ganondorf sliced apart other hands that clawed at him, the earth violently exploded from underneath him. The moon’s tears had turned the simple Deku Baba into horrifying Manhandla. These gigantic plants that sprouted all around the area of the battlefield started spitting seeds at the speed of bullets, spraying acid, or simply devouring Ganondorf’s forces. The green fields of Termina were turned brown as the carnivorous plants stole the nutrients to fuel their rampage.

On the west side, Aveil and her Gerudo forces used cannon fire to obliterate the monsters that attacked them. Iron Knuckles with heavy axes split the skulls of any Dead Hand that slithered in range, but the larger enemies were more difficult. The Garo danced about, throwing bombs onto the lizards and plants, encasing them with fire to slow them down.

Ganondorf leapt into the air, and, forming a large energy ball into his hands, fired at the gathered swarm of Manhandla. His electric blast tore many of the heads from their bodies. This gave him room to get onto his horse and rally his troops. “Push forward! I want that imp dragged through the city streets!”

Captain Keeta picked up one of the lizards, and swung it by its tail, throwing it into a group of the Dead Hand like bowling pins. “At your order, SIR!”

As Ganondorf reached closer to the city, he noticed a flock of crows fly overhead. Out of the blue, a beam zapped them out of the sky and landed into the city. Skull Kid blew smoke off his finger as he admired what would come next. As Ganondorf tried to get closer, he noticed figures pour from the city wall far above. Feathered knights in armour called Fokka leapt with swords and shields. Screaming in anger, they engaged Ganondorf’s forces.

These bird knights were more skilled, fighting one on one with various Gerudo warriors and Garo. They ran at the speed of raptors, catching up with Ganondorf. The Gerudo readied his swords and parried their attacks away from him. These vultures were keeping him from getting to the centre of the town. Ganondorf raised one of his swords, and called upon his magic for some creativity. Launching a bolt ahead of him, phantoms on horseback swinging tridents galloped at the Fokka chasing Ganondorf. When the avian warriors hit the phantoms, they were engulfed in electricity.

Ganondorf found that in his time of galloping, he had reached the southern side of the battlefield. Steering back towards the town, he looked briefly up to have the perfect view of the moon again. On cue, another quake shook the land as he looked up at its insidious grin. Looking down at the wall, Ganondorf didn’t know why the wall was shifting like a mirage. As he got closer, he noticed little critters made of single eyes and tentacles clung to the wall. With a charge in the eye, they fired lasers at Ganondorf to keep him away.

Such monsters only made Ganondorf annoyed with his time wasted. Thrusting a hand forward, Ganondorf cast a bolt of fire. When it burned one of the Digdoggers, it quickly spread to the others. The King looked around, and saw the battle raging on in the west and east. Heading toward the gates of the south entrance, he was prepared to attack, when suddenly two mechanical golems leap down from the wall.

These Eyegore fired thick beams of plasma towards Ganondorf. The Gerudo diverted his horse left in turn. Their eyes turned yellow as they recharged and Ganondorf calculated a plan. Leaping away from his horse, he knew it would be put in danger if he got closer to these golems. He slowly walked towards them, with both swords drawn. When the Eyegore fired another laser stream, Ganondorf suddenly dashed forward.

Maneuvering around the fire, Ganondorf was like a leaf in the wind. The Eyegore tried to trip Ganondorf by crossing their streams, but the Gerudo simply flipped into the air. His determination made him think more efficiently, and be more deadly. When their eyes turned yellow, Ganondorf landed on one of his victims, and plunged his blades into its eye socket. Leaping towards the second Eyegore, Ganondorf danced around the golem as it tried to crush him with the weight of its mechanical arms. The first Eyegore’s eye turned red and, after falling to its knees, exploded, sending shrapnel everywhere.

This shrapnel stabbed into the second Eyegore, distracting it. Ganondorf blocked a strike from behind, assaulted by more Fokka that attempted to end his life. With quick sword play, the King of Hyrule cut down the monsters. With a kick to the head, he sent one Fokka in the path of the angered Eyegore, having it get crushed underfoot. A Manhandla stalk spurted forth from the ground, spraying acid towards Ganondorf.

Another shake of the earth, and Ganondorf cut down more Fokka stumbled by the tremor. As the acid spat towards him, Ganondorf ran towards the Eyegore. The golem became encased in acid, and it shot out all of its energy toward Ganondorf. The King merely had to take a side step to have the beam detonate the Manhandla. In motion with his head turning, he cut down one last Fokka. What else did that Imp have guarding the town?

His worries were answered when the door blocking the south entrance was blown apart. A massive Masked Mechanical Monster known as Goht trotted its hooves. It looked like a metal bull with the face of a man. It gave a terrible roar filled with blood lust and lowering its head, did what bulls do best. It charged head first towards Ganondorf.

Ganondorf steadied himself for the first strike as Goht stampeded in his direction. The bull’s horns acted as long hooks, catching Ganondorf and throwing him into the air. Ganondorf poured his magic into protecting his body, encasing his body in a crystal, but the force of the masked bull shattered it. He saved himself from a devastating blow, but he did not know if he had the concentration to lift such another life saver.

Whistling for his horse, Ganondorf leapt on and chased Goht from behind. As he wondered how he would stop this beast as they ran eastward, a small hatch opened up in Goht’s back. Bombs suddenly fired out, firebombing both foe and friend. Ganondorf growled as he maneuvered his horse around the gunpowder. “Everything has a gimmick.”

Getting closer, Ganondorf raised a hand into the air, giving a green magical glow. This unique light got the attention of Aveil. Seeing the mechanical bull, she commanded her pirates to redirect their cannons at the fiend. Aveil secretly hoped Ganondorf might get caught in the crossfire. Cannonballs fired through the air, smashing into Goht’s exoskeleton. The bull fell head first, ruining the earth as it skidded forward. Ganondorf raised a hand and as he rode by, fired an electric ball into the monster’s head.

The masked mechanical monster wouldn’t be put down so easily. Raising itself up, it reared it head back, and thrusting it forward, a powerful line of electricity zoomed outwards, blasting the cannons that pelted into it apart. Ganondorf was making his way back around when he saw the monster fire a beam of lightning at him. It struck his horse, killing his mount and causing Ganondorf to take a heavy fall into the sand below him.

Coughing out the sand that fell into his mouth, Ganondorf picked himself up from the fall. Turning, he saw Goht rampaging about, throwing Gerudo Pirates into the air. The bull finished smashing one of the Iron Knuckles against a hill, when it turned its attention to Ganondorf. The Gerudo King scowled, putting his hands close together to charge one more magic sphere. He’d only get one shot at this.

Goht roared, and charged at Ganondorf, lowering its head and picking up speed with every second. If Ganondorf had the Triforce of Power, he’d feel a lot more confident in taking on a rampaging monster speeding at 200km per hour. He dug deep into his courage and kept his ground. Goht was ready to trample Ganondorf to death or pierce him with his horns, when Ganondorf thrust his palms forward with his energy sphere. With all his force he pushed it deep into Goht. The bull started to push Ganondorf back as his hands touched its head.

In a flash of light, Goht’s entire body lit up. A millisecond of tension occurred, then the monster exploded in a ball of fire and electricity. Ganondorf was sent flying high by the force of the blast. Shrapnel from the monster’s mechanical body flew across the fields of Termina, singling the beast’s defeat. Ganondorf found himself falling and falling through the air, his nerves numb. The last thing he saw before total blackness was a tree he was crashing towards.

~

Everything was a haze. Ganondorf felt someone shaking his arm. By reaction, he seized their arm and squeezed. His eyes started to open, and his mind thought it was Nabooru he had in his grasp. Now she made herself useful to him? As his mind became clearer, he noticed it was only the pirate Lin. “What happened…”

Lin held her arm, comforting it as Ganondorf let go his tight squeeze. “Lord Ganondorf. It’s almost midnight. You were sent flying away from the battlefield. It took our scouts that weren’t fighting all evening to find you.”

“No. How much time is-” Ganondorf stopped mid speech as he looked to the sky. Instead of a dark sky filled with stars, it was blood red. The clouds were black and hazy, and the moon had grown even closer. It was the earth turning to hell. The sight of it gave Ganondorf a wave of nausea. “…is a path open for me?”

Lin nodded, pointing to the southern entrance. “Monsters have poured from the north from Snowpeak, but your army is keeping them away. The south entrance is wide open for you. I suggest you take it before more monsters spread this way.”

Ganondorf did everything in his power to not grimace in front of a subordinate as he stood up. “Go. Assist the rest of your clan. I have a duty to finish.”

“As you wish… good luck.”

Ganondorf and the Gerudo Pirate parted, with Ganondorf picking up his pace as he got closer to Clock Town. He wondered what monsters laid in the town waiting for him. The walls of the city were so large, he had no clue what lay inside. Finally, the moment he had been waiting for revealed itself to his eyes.

Inside the town, were posters and stands for a festival. In fact, to his shock, there were people celebrating. All the townsfolk had masks on. They played music, danced in the streets, played games of catch and chanted. Ganondorf’s eyes widened as he got a closer look. All the townsfolk had their masks sewed in by what looked like vines stitched to their heads. Some had their feet and hands bleeding with blisters, appearing to have danced and played music with no rest.

The horror of this façade of joy made Ganondorf disgusted, bile in his stomach wanting to escape him. “This is sick.”

Looking around, he noticed a child with a pig mask oinking and crawling on all fours. On a lily pad held a tree that had an expression of shock and fear, but also gave off a feeling of sadness. Chickens chased a dog around, not letting it rest. Despite the insanity around him, there was a quiet malice behind all the noise. Ganondorf looked up to the structure in the middle of town, when the bells started to go off.

“Ganondorf?”

The Gerudo turned around to see a group of small boys wearing odd masks. They gave a little dance. “Skull Kid wanted us to welcome you! We’re going to kick off the last of the festival with a bang! We’re the bomber gang, ya get it?”

Ganondorf heard a ticking and he realized the twisted meaning.  Leaping away, he avoided the suicide bombers from taking his life. Children? The little devil was using children against him now?! No screams from the blast were heard, all the surviving townsfolk still carrying on their celebrations.

The rings of the bells rang and singled a clock to go off. Twelve gongs went off in the town, and fireworks shot out into the air. The structure in the middle of the town shifted its position, and a circular platform was made visible for the public. A series of doors unlocked, sliding down and making a stairway to reach the top. The earthquakes got heavier, and Ganondorf knew this was it. His world would be saved, or it would die.

Finally making his way to the top, Ganondorf stood tall on the platform. Simply floating in the air, still and with little care was the Skull Kid. When he spoke, he wasn’t even amused. “Did you like the welcoming party? All the villagers put on their masks and got to dancing. And that gang of punk’s surprise sure was a blast. I wanted the world’s last celebration to end with no signs of stopping. Well, except for the one above us. Hehehe.”

Ganondorf reached out a hand, like a parent demanding a child of something. “Give me Majora’s Mask. That toy is too much for you. This is my only warning. Refuse, and I will end your life. You have nowhere to go.”

“You think you stop me? Fool. Your collection of puppets fails in comparison to mine. Look above you. As if you can stop this. As if you can stop me! Have my final parting gift!”

Skull Kid screamed aloud, and waves of energy spiraled outwards from his mask. Ganondorf was ready to attack, when he heard a massive shockwave echo all the way from the east. Turning his head, he witnessed lightning crackle above what was the Stone Tower Temple. From the sky, two Giant Masked Insects flew through the air. These Twinmold were titans of such size that Ganondorf physically took a step back from shock.

The Twinmolds took their time descending to the armies in Termina field. Their massive bodies tore up the land as they flew in and out of the earth and through the sky, devouring everything in their paths. Aveil screamed as she was lifted up into the air, and swallowed whole in a matter of seconds. Many of the Gerudo tried to flee in terror, but many were torn up by the pincers of the titanic insects. The Dinoflos and Stalfos alike were each devoured with ease and equality. Even the giant Captain Keeta, was a mere toy in the wake of the Twinmold, and his bones were scattered across the land.

Ganondorf saw one of the Twinmold discriminately fly towards Romani’s Ranch. He tore his sights away from the monsters and focused on the real demon at hand. He knew what needed to be done. Bracing himself, he leapt into the air with all the speed he could muster. Getting in Skull Kid’s face, he charged darkness into his fist and threw a mighty warlock punch at the imp. The trickster took the hit, being flung into the platform.

Lightning crackled in the sky; the earth continued to shake. Ganondorf landed with a hard landing, scowling at the Imp. Skull Kid merely laughed at him, sucking in the pain he was feeling.

“Hohohehehaha. It matters not how hard you fight. You have no hope.”

“Hope? I fight with determination. And my will IS stronger than yours!”

The Skull Kid stood up, firing a finger beam at Ganondorf. The king opened his palm, taking the hit as he slowly marched forward towards the Skull Kid. His hand started to burn, but using his second one, he fired a bolt of magic at the jester. His magic directly found its mark against the Skull Kid’s chest. Skull Kid was sent flying against the edge of the platform, his orange tunic having a hole from the burn radius, exposing his wooden chest. Ganondorf noticed how sickly it looked.

Getting up, Skull Kid stamped his feet in frustration. Grabbing his head, he screamed out to the moon. The celestial answered by dropping more tears. They came down like meteors, trying to smash Ganondorf to pieces. The Gerudo dodged and weaved around, one rock managing to burn a hole in his cape.

Using one sword, Ganondorf cleaved other meteors that came close to hitting him. Turning his attention back to the Skull Kid, he saw the Imp jump to the left and, in a fit of rage, he threw balls of explosive darkness at Ganondorf. The king ran around the spheres, the darkness searing the wooden platform with acidic destruction. As Skull Kid reached his hand back to throw another shot, Ganondorf took the dagger on his side hip and lobbed it at the Imp, the blade finding its mark by going right through the mad child’s palm.

The Skull Kid screamed and whimpered at the knife in his palm. An unnatural black goop even to him leaked from the wound. “Y-you big jerk! Look at what you did!”

“What I did? What I DID?!” Ganondorf sped forward, and while Skull Kid was able to get the knife out and barely defend himself from a slash of Ganondorf’s blade, he couldn’t stop the boot to the head the Gerudo delivered to the side of his skull. “Look around you! What purpose was all this for?”  

Skull Kid adjusted his hat as he stood, his knees shaking. Ganondorf gut kicked Skull Kid up into the air before he could fully recover, and thrust a hand forward, blasting the imp to the centre of the platform with a wave of magic.

As Skull Kid tried to find the strength to summon another curse, or fire a laser through Ganondorf’s heart, the king slowly walked up to him and grabbed his neck with a choke hold. Ganondorf used his other hand to stab his knife into the Skull Kid’s chest. It was a slow twist of the knife. Ganondorf wanted to make sure that this would kill, and that it would hurt. He could only hope it would come close to the pain this Imp put his victims through. With a look of anger, he pulled the knife away and grabbed the mask off his face, tearing it from him and casting it aside. Ganondorf wanted to look into the dying eyes of this mad Imp and see what kind gaze a sickening mind like him had.

The Skull Kid choked hard, Ganondorf’s grip tight on his neck, and the wound in his chest working its way to end his life. Ganondorf was disappointed to see fear and sadness in the gleam of this creatures’ eyes. “Tell me why you did all this before you die.”

“Y-you took everything from me. You killed the only two people that cared about me. They were my friends. You made the world a place of cruelty that couldn’t be changed. You dashed away my hopes, so I wanted to take away yours. The mask was going to give me the power to put an end to this cruel world.”

Ganondorf scowled. All of this death over revenge? A tantrum? His Triforce glowed, and he could feel the Triforce of Power pull back to him from the Imp’s weakening lifeforce. “Mere child. If you want to have your suffering end, all you need to do is ask.”

Ganondorf squeezed hard on the wooden neck, and Skull Kid flailed his little feet in the air, gasping his death rattle. “S-saria. L-li-” His eyes quickly rolled back, and a small whisper escaped him. “You lost this-”

With a snap like lumber being cut, Ganondorf broke his neck, and released a small blast of darkness to ensure death, shooting the body of the Skull Kid away from Ganondorf’s hand. His body landed back on the mask and, from it, Ganondorf saw his Triforce of Power levitate in the air. Too long had he felt incomplete. “My Triforce, return to me!”

Ganondorf squeezed his fist, the Triforce of Wisdom and Courage glowing on the back of his hand. The Triforce of Power flew forward, and Ganondorf felt a surge of godly might flow through him. The king could feel the holy unlimited power of the Triforce’s light fill him, yet the power of his inner darkness had not returned. As he let the feeling of completion die down, he noticed the Giant Twinmold alter their course of devouring the land and fly around the town. Suddenly, a massive quake shook the land, and gravity started to alter, with pieces of the earth and town itself flying up towards the moon. “What is-!!!!!”

Ganondorf saw the body of Skull Kid float up in the air, just dangling about. He was at a loss of words, and fear rooted in his heart. What was this thing?! “A puppet who can no longer be used is more garbage.” The Mask dropped the body of the dead Skull Kid and floated in the air. Its eyes glowed an insidious orange. “This puppet's role has just ended.”

Ganondorf braced himself, drawing both his swords. He had no idea what insanity could happen next. The Moon opened its mouth slightly, and a sphere of air sucked the mask into its mouth. Majora was gone. Looking up to the moon, he saw its eyes glow with hunger, and a voice rattled out to the world below.

“I…I shall consume. Consume… Consume everything.”

The Moon started to have a sphere of fire burn around it as it prepared to detonate against the planet. The Twinmolds roared, unconcerned by the Armageddon, and flew towards Ganondorf to devour him.

Ganondorf held his Triforce against his heart. His life had led him to this. All the suffering he had endured. His quest for power. His battle against the gods' chosen ones. Giving into his inner darkness just to survive. His failure as a king in defending his kingdom. His battles to get to this exact point. With no hesitation, he called the Triforce to materialize into a physical form and laid his hand on the Golden Triangle.

“GODS! ANSWER ME! HEAR MY WISH!” The Triforce glowed on and off at the command. “Erase everything that Majora has done! Cast aside its creations! Bring an end to its curses! Restore the lands it has destroyed and the lives it has taken! Restore all those affected by its evil! This is my command to you! Restore my world to its proper state and bring it peace!”

The Triforce beamed brightly, and the holy Triangle expanded in the sky. Waves of holy light boomed out to all four directions of the earth. The Twinmold that tore through the town to reach Ganondorf were obliterated piece by piece. The insects atomized bit by bit with each wave of light. Their bodies exploded from the inside, raining what wasn’t immediately turned into atoms onto the earth.

Ganondorf looked up to the moon, and to his utter disbelief, the moon was pushing against the Triforce. A low-pitched roar echoed, and the earth continued to shake. Majora was not going to fall to the power of the Hylian Goddesses. Ganondorf looked at the vortex that led to the inside the moon. With a tired sigh he couldn’t believe this is what it would take. If he died here, he knew the spirits of Zelda and that kid would laugh down upon him. Taking a running start, Ganondorf leapt in the vortex, and flew headlong into the darkness of the moon.

~

Ganondorf felt very weightless. Everything around him was so… bright. Not understanding why he was lying on his back, Ganondorf stood up. Looking around, he was shocked to find himself in a bright green field. The field went on forever in all directions, with only the sight of the odd collection of butterflies, and a tree directly in the middle of a small hill.

“Are you lost?”

“Who said that?”

Was that his voice? He sounded like a mere child. Looking at his hands, he discovered he was a child! His mind was still an adult, but his thoughts were lighter. “What is the meaning of this?”

“Are you lost?”

The same voice called from behind him, and Ganondorf turned. A simple boy in white clothing wearing Majora’s Mask stood still. “You’re new here.”

“Who are you?”

“It doesn’t matter. Nothing does. So that’s why I’m not going to ask your name.”

Ganondorf watched this moon child walk slowly through the field to the tree. There were other children in masks running around, but they paid no mind to Ganondorf. “Are you Majora?”

“You ask a lot of questions.” The moon child wearing Majora’s Mask sat down, holding himself close while leaning against the tree. “Do you think you're special?”

“I have to stop Majora! I’m the only one who can!” Ganondorf’s voice was high pitched, more so than he intended to be.

The moon child didn’t even budge. “You think that makes you important?”

“Of course it makes me important! I’m stopping a bad guy!”

“Hmmm, how interesting. You think you’re a hero? You’re not much of a good person yourself.”

Ganondorf bit his lip, angered by the words that were thrown at him. “I’m king! I have the power to change the world! And I’m deciding to save it! Majora wants to destroy it!”

“Any who need to say they are king aren’t truly a king at heart. But then again, you are just a child.” The moon child stood up. “Then you think you can win?”

“Yes! Monsters need to be crushed!”

“Then I guess we’ll play a game. The monster vs. the king. Good guys vs. the bad guys. Let’s do that.”

Ganondorf tightened his fists, pumped and ready to go. His adult mind clued in that this must have been some manifestation of Majora speaking to him. He was growing tired of all these tricks. “Alright, I’ll play one last game with you.”

“Are you ready? You’re the bad guy.”

“What?” Ganondorf, the child within him, was startled by this title.

“And when you’re bad, you just run. That’s fine, right? Well… shall we play?”

~

Ganondorf, in the blink of an eye, found himself in a single room. The walls surrounding the room were eerie, glowing and changing all sorts of colours. He felt his chest to confirm he was back in the body of his adult self. He tried to call upon the Triforce, but he didn’t feel a trace of its presence. Everything was a dream like haze until he laid eyes on Majora’s Mask.

The haze dissipated when the Mask’s eyes came to life, glowing wildly. The wall it was on shook, and the Mask levitated off. Tendrils expanded off its back, and the thing flew around Ganondorf. The King drew both his gilded swords and awaited combat. This was the final battle. This was his personal ultimate showdown.

Majora’s Mask carefully observed Ganondorf, floating around the arena until, suddenly, it turned horizontally, and flew at Ganondorf like a spinning blade. The Gerudo dodged to the side and the Mask whizzed by. Ganondorf could feel the air be sliced by the force of the Mask. It kept spinning, coming around for another pass, when it suddenly went through a small portal, disappearing from sight.

Ganondorf took a stance, thinking back to previous battles. Whenever his enemy disappeared, they always wanted to come… from behind! He was rewarded for trust in his instincts, as the mask appeared to cut him in half from the back. Ganondorf clashed his swords against the spikes of the Mask, and as it flew up to avoid Ganondorf, he stabbed one of his swords into its vulnerable backside. To his disgust, it looked like pure muscle.

Majora gave out a shrill cry as it fell to the floor. Rising slowly up again, tendrils that dropped from its body lashed out and attempted to ensnare Ganondorf. They managed to take hold of one of his arms and, as Ganondorf set to work cutting them off, the other tendrils went around Majora like the shape of the sun, with the Mask’s eyes beginning to heat up. With ferocity, Majora fired two beams of plasma from its eyes, burning up the floor and quickly picking up to slice apart Ganondorf.

Unable to cut himself free, Ganondorf used the metal of his sword to reflect the laser. Sweating madly, Ganondorf had to be quick and precise or he’d be dead. Twisting the sword just enough, he cut the tendrils that ensnared his arm. Following this, he redirected the beam to fire back at Majora. The Mask flew back, burning up in flames and giving a devilish shriek once more.

Once it was done shrieking, its eyes dimmed out, and it flew up in the air. Ganondorf could only describe it as a blood red fire that burned out its tendrils and surrounded its body. Once the flames ended, Ganondorf heard a pop, and a leg sprouted out. Another pop, and the second leg joined it. With two more pops, it grew arms. Like fish poking its head out of water, a single eyeball with horns sprung out, echoing the chamber with its birth.

This Incarnation of Majora started to stretch out, and Ganondorf raised his eyebrow at its shrill, childish voice. It gave a little dance and, with a giggle, slapped its hands together. In a flash, the arena changed. Ganondorf knew this was an illusion, because he found himself in a twisted version of Clock Town. There was carnival music blaring, and fireworks constantly going off. The buildings crumbled apart, and as rubble hit the ground, they turned into bubbles. Some pieces of stone merely floating in mid air. The sky was a whirlwind of multi-colours. Reality was descending into madness.

Majora’s Incarnation ran around Ganondorf, trailing after images behind it. The Gerudo tried firing bolts of magic, but he merely missed. The fiend suddenly stopped to do a cossack dance, laughing and kicking about. Ganondorf grew tired of its immaturity, and struck the ground with his fist. The tremor caused Majora to fall over, crying and screaming like a mere toddler. Ganondorf fired another bolt of magic, finding its mark in its rear end. The demon stood up, holding itself in pain, but just as soon as Ganondorf was in reach for a sword strike, it ran off again.

Ganondorf did his best to track its after images. At one moment, he saw it doing a ballerina dance, spinning around while singing to itself. Next, it was moon-walking up the wall of one of the buildings. Ganondorf was charging another energy sphere, growing tired of its games, when out of the blue, Majora stopped running and fired a volley of electric blasts at Ganondorf.

The man had grown so accustomed to its childish insanity, that he had dropped his guard. He screamed as his body was overcome with pain, being blasted onto his belly. The demon laughed as it jumped up and down in joy, then zoomed over to Ganondorf while he was down. With the same speed as his running, it kicked into him over and over. Ganondorf’s stomach took a beating, until Majora switched it up to curbing his foot into the back of Ganondorf’s skull over and over again.

Every kick to the skull brought about visions of failure. How many times had he been beaten? How many times had his enemies cut him down? The imp and his mask was going to have the last laugh. It was unbearable.

Throughout all the pain a memory to a solemn, but calm voice rang in his mind. “I hope you succeed. The world needs to live.”

The Triforce burned on his hand, and his eyes exploded awake with righteous anger. He would not die at the hands of a childish demon! Blasting the earth around him, he launched himself into the air. Landing, he quickly drew his swords and dashed towards Majora. The demon danced around his sword slices, its thin body allowing it incredible speed. Raising his hand, Ganondorf activated a spell to keep himself and Majora’s Incarnation in a ring of fire. With it confined, Ganondorf fired two shots to his left and right. The demon skidded as it found itself with nowhere to go. With one more dash, Ganondorf smirked as he stabbed both blades into the eyes on Majora’s body.

The illusion of the arena fizzled and cracked, its reality breaking apart. Majora’s Incarnation screamed and held itself in pain. Ganondorf pulled his swords out and backed away, feeling a terrible feeling of death rising up. “Why won’t you die?”

“Because we are the end of all things. Your own hatred has fueled my existence. Everything in this world, including you, will be consumed in fire and wrath.”

The voice finished echoing, and Ganondorf saw Majora’s body swelling its muscle mass. In fact, he heard it. It was like the sound of flowing water churning. The demon’s muscles grew, and from its neck a demonic, eldritch head came forth. Its head was grotesque with muscles fibres visible. It had its eye with the horns from its previous form atop its head. Its eye sockets had a never-ending spiral to them, that sucked in the attention of all who would dare stare into them. A deep, ominous growl echoed from deep within it, and as it threw its arms out, thick, whip-like tendrils made from its muscles sprouted. Majora gave a high-pitched screech, and the eyes on the middle of its stomach glowed bright orange. This was the sound of a predator on the hunt. This was pure Wrath ready to kill.

The arena collapsed, with the flames Ganondorf saw in his dreams sprouting from below, devouring the reality around them like a typhoon. Clock Town, Castle Town, his old desert home, and every place his mind knew was falling into the flames. Darkness surrounded them, and soon that’s all that would remain. Fire, followed by complete darkness.

Somehow, Ganondorf found his footing in this insane collapsing landscape. His senses couldn’t tell the difference from truth to fiction. Majora leapt next to him, and with its whips, lashed out at him. They were as sharp as the blade of evil’s bane, cutting Ganondorf’s chest plate apart, and giving him light cuts to deep lacerations on his body.

Ganondorf got in close for some retaliation, slicing at Majora’s torso. It gave a high-pitched scream, and leapt over the Gerudo. As it did, a tentacle wrapped around Ganondorf’s leg and picked him up. With psychotic laughter, Majora threw Ganondorf around, having him smash into stone towers of Clock Town and Castle Town. For illusions, they felt incredibly real. Ganondorf spat out blood on the fourth collision. With great satisfaction, Majora’s Wrath threw Ganondorf against a wall, and he tumbled down, falling from a piece of debris downwards one at a time, until he landed in a floating courtyard.

Ganondorf felt fear. He felt anger. But he wasn’t using them. Majora’s Wrath hissed as it slunk down closer and closer to Ganondorf. The Gerudo stood up, and by the time he was on his feet, the Demon was down at his level. With a screech, it spun like a top, whipping its sharp tentacles about. Ganondorf parried every lash with his swords, but his muscles burned. They were begging him for a release. His arms were sore, and his injuries were grave. As Majora stopped spinning, it gave another shriek as it whipped forward to ensnare Ganondorf again.

Ganondorf let his fear of death keep him alive. With all the force he could muster, he swatted the tentacle away. Majora whipped its other tentacle to trip Ganondorf. Ganondorf called upon his anger to fuel his rage. Scowling, he let Majora grab his sword, then twisted his positioning to stab the blade and the tentacle into the ground. Majora screamed as it tore the tentacle off its arm, and in its place quickly grew another one. The Gerudo became desperate to attack Majora before it could regenerate its appendage fully. As Ganondorf picked up his pace to catch the demon with one sword, Majora’s Wrath gave a shrill scream as it whipped both tentacles back and forth at Ganondorf.

The King of Darkness blasted a bolt of energy forward, stunning Majora in its place. The demon cried and even moaned as it held its chest in pain. Did it hate the pain or get off on it? The sounds it made were utterly insulting to Ganondorf’s ears. Taking his blade, he made wide, deep swings, giving it his all to tear Majora apart. The demon screamed loudly as Ganondorf cut its body apart slash by slash. With a hiss, it jumped, flipping over Ganondorf. As it landed, right behind Ganondorf, the demon kicked him in the head, stumbling the Gerudo back. With a hiss, it whipped Ganondorf again, cutting his pinkie and index finger off on his left hand as Ganondorf was in mid recovery from the kick.

Ganondorf screamed in agony and rage. His hatred was brimming to its boiling point. Yet he couldn’t step off the edge. When he wailed on Majora, he felt a connection to it. No. He felt what that fiend had taken from him inside it. His malice. If he wanted to win, he needed it back.

Majora Wrath’s eyes in the centre of its body of what was once the mask glowed, and a laser shot out, attempting to scorch Ganondorf. The King ran as fast as he could through the nightmarish landscape, evading the beam of death hungry for his life. Scooping up his second sword, he turned to face the demon once more. It was scaling the wall next to him, and with a thrust, one of its tendrils pierced through Ganondorf’s shoulder. Using both his blades he sliced the tentacle off, but the damage was done. Ganondorf felt a sickness course through him. A glance at his shoulder and he saw the festering green and purple pulse at his gaping wound. The king had been poisoned with darkness.

Screaming a battle cry, Ganondorf leapt towards Majora, and the demon leapt to him. Mid air, they crashed into one another, with Ganondorf piercing both blades into the stomach of the Mask. Majora’s Wrath leaned down and took a bite into Ganondorf’s shoulder. Ganondorf dropped his blades as soon as he pulled them out due to the jaws of the demon, but before they hit the ground, he reached up and tore the horns off the smaller eye’s sides, and stabbed them into the spiral eyes of the head.

Both the Gerudo and Majora landed with a heavy crash on a platform close to the inferno of flames. Majora leaked darkness from his body, and Ganondorf felt his essence with it. Reaching out, Ganondorf could only whisper his command. “I willingly ask you to rejoin me. Join me.”

As unseen shadows crept towards Ganondorf, Majora’s Wrath regenerated its wounds slowly, screaming as it grabbed the horns from its eyes and tore them out. Now healed and recovered, the demon gave a scream that echoed eternal darkness and destruction. With a whip of its tendrils, it took hold of Ganondorf. With the other, it stabbed into his lungs and out his back. His cape was the farthest thing from being the most damaged.

Ganondorf gasped, blood leaking out of his mouth and down his lips. “I accept the darkness in my heart. I accept the hatred that I used to fuel my survival. I ask it again to help me survive...”

Ganondorf’s heart started pumping fast, and magic around him made him flicker. A black fire started to rise around him. He gripped the tentacle in his body with one hand. “I am Ganondorf. King of the Gerudo. King of Darkness. You are merely an ugly shadow. The basic thing. I cast you out of existence Majora.”

Ganondorf reared a hand back, and an avatar of darkness appeared behind him. Giving a swipe of his arm, the avatar of Ganon smashed Majora’s Wrath away. Ganondorf clenched his fists, shadows levitating his swords into grabbing reach. The Mask was confused. Where did this come from? The malice was supposed to kill him, not empower him. How was a mortal being able to fight back? With a screech, it plunged its tentacles into the ground, having them emerge right under Ganondorf’s nose. With precision, Ganondorf cut them away.

Despite his wounds, despite all his injuries and pain, Ganondorf used hatred to fuel his resolve and keep him alive. Dashing forward, Ganondorf charged a massive energy sphere and threw it at Majora. The Demon was overcome with shocking energy and moaned in agony once more. Ganondorf bared his fangs as he took both his blades and cut Majora apart. His own wrath had become stronger than this mere mask. The demon kept screaming over and over as Ganondorf sliced and diced over and over.

Finally, Ganondorf stabbed both his gilded swords into the eyes of the body. Reaching back, Ganondorf opened his right palm to summon forth a trident made of pure energy. Taking it, the Gerudo screamed and thrust forward with every fibre of his being. He could feel his animalistic, demonic side push forward with him in his soul. The trident stabbed into Majora’s Wrath’s centre. Tentacles raced around to pierce Ganondorf’s body, but they stopped mid-motion.

Majora stumbled back and it held its head as it wailed in suffering. The painful end it wished upon others; it was now receiving itself. An echo of a scream left Majora’s body, and it floated into the air. A piercing light started to overcome its form, and its body began to disintegrate. The whole area quaked, the reality of Majora breaking. With its soul defeated, the Triforce began its work to erase the last of its physical trace.

As Majora glowed bright in defeat, Ganondorf stumbled and closed his eyes, welcoming the darkness with a sigh that swarmed him in victory. He slowly looked up to face the eyes of the shadowy demon with tusks. It had no corporeal form. What Ganondorf heard was the sound of a thousand voices he couldn’t understand distorted and whispering. He felt a draw to it, that it wanted him to give in control. Had he gone too far in defeating Majora?

The darkness reached closer, but with one command, Ganondorf shook his head. “No. You are a part of me. But you will not control me. This world is ours, but I am the one who leads it. Begone beast.”

A thousand angry growls echoed in protest, but Ganondorf felt a light in the darkness. His Triforce had returned to him, giving him a sense of warmth. With only a look from Ganondorf, the malice disappeared. Reality started to come together properly once again…

~

Ganondorf came too on top of the carnival tower in the middle of Clock Town. He heard cries of concern from people below. Looking out to his right, he saw the sun was rising peacefully onto the world. He had done it. His power and will saved this realm.

Ganondorf felt… so tired. Resting against the edge of the platform, Ganondorf took a few breaths. He flexed his limbs, discovering his injuries against Majora had healed, including his fingers. It must have been a by-product of his wish. Feeling his face, he held a slight grimace when he felt the scar of his laceration still there. That was due to his fight with his inner beast after all. He supposed that there were consequences to his failures that even the gods couldn’t fix.

His rest was interrupted by cheers in the streets. Walking to the edge of the platform, he looked down to see Gerudo pirates explaining to the townsfolk what happened. They all came to the realization that Ganondorf was their hero. All the townsfolk, including the little bomber gang, had been restored properly. Cheers shouting his name echoed throughout the town.

“HAIL KING GANONDORF! LORD GANONDORF! OUR SAVIOUR GANONDORF!”

Ganondorf, even as tired as he was, felt a wave of pride and joy fill him. Finally, subjects who were grateful for the sacrifices he made. He would return to Hyrule, but he felt that Termina would have no need to be conquered.

As Ganondorf turned around, he noticed two things. The body of the Skull Kid was gone. A small concern, but nothing that worried Ganondorf, because the second thing he noticed was the physical artifact of Majora’s Mask itself. Picking it up, Ganondorf gave it a hard, long look. This little piece of wood carving caused him so much grief. He couldn’t sense a trace of evil from it now. All it had become was a mere decoration. Putting it into his pocket, Ganondorf decided to keep it, lest someone try anything with it in the future.

Detaching his cape and armour, Ganondorf felt relieved to walk in mere robes once more. Walking down to the village, he was greeted to an eruption of cheers and celebration. Ganondorf smiled, giving waves back to the crowd. Lin ran forward, with Aveil standing nearby, grateful to be alive, but not wanting anything to do with Ganondorf. Lin, on the other hand, was ecstatic. “Ganondorf! You did it!”

“Was there any doubt?” Ganondorf was too tired to mask his sarcasm well, but he still held pride in his words.

“It was touch and go. So… what now?”

“Now?” Ganondorf took a breath of fresh air. “A little celebration for your King. Then I will return to Hyrule. I wish to see my home nation. If it has truly been restored. But afterwards I think I’ll return here. Termina is a nation I think I’ve inspired loyalty into. It, as well as all its citizens that continue to view me as King, will be protected and taken care of for generations to come.”

“What of us?”

“You, my dear, will lead the Gerudo Pirates with Aveil. You will be my agent in Termina. Aveil will be in command, and you will be my mediator of information.”

Aveil scoffed under her breath, upset that her chain would never be loosened. She was thankful, however, deep down, that he saved her world. She couldn’t loot and live a life of luxury if there was no world to do so. “Of course, Lord Ganondorf.”

“Good. Now both of you, disperse. This victory was well deserved. Today, on the dawn of a new day, I stand victorious.”

Ganondorf walked down the steps to be worshiped by the people of Clock Town. The Mayor made him an honourary president of the city. The word of Ganondorf’s power throughout the day spread to the other tribes of Termina from his Garo spies, and they were given a choice. Submit, or fall as the demon of the mask had. They bowed to the will of their new Lord and Master. How could they refuse his might? They suffered the effects of Majora and were powerless against it. This mighty King saved their people.

After a day of celebration in Clock Town, Ganondorf traveled to Romani Ranch. As a token of gratitude, he bought the entire ranch as its benefactor using Aveil’s riches. Cremia and Romani were grateful for his help in saving the world. They even offered him a night’s rest. Tired, Ganondorf accepted this token of appreciation as well as others. With a supply of milk to take home with him, the King wished them well the following morning as he began his journey for Hyrule. The last gift he bestowed on them was a group of Garo spies that made bandits and monsters that got too close to the ranch disappear.

With his black horse, and the rest of the Garo following on horseback, Ganondorf made his way back to Hyrule.

~

The Skull Kid slunk away deeper and deeper into the Lost Woods. His shame was great indeed. Not only had he failed in his revenge, but he believed his spirit met Saria. She was so disappointed with his actions. She had the saddest look in her eyes when she looked at him. He wasn’t sure if it was a dream or not, but the guilt ate him up regardless. He heard that the sages he killed had returned to life. Instead of preparing to fight Ganondorf, they took all the tribes who were against him, anyone who hated him, and they fled Hyrule before his return. It didn’t matter to Skull Kid. Nothing did.

Now so deep into the Lost Woods, Skull Kid sat on a tree trunk, and started to play a melody to himself. He felt so alone. So very alone. Why was something like him even still alive? He had no friends, no companions, nothing.

As he played his tune, the flutter of pixie wings soared by. Skull Kid, with tears running down his eyes, looked up to the sound. “Hello?”

~

Ganondorf came out of the Gerudo Valley, satisfied with his answer on if his people were alive. Many of Hyrule’s citizens had fled. Mostly the Goron and Zora. But even a few of the Gerudo. He wasn’t angry, however. In time, he’d catch them. And nothing had the power he had to challenge him. On his horse, he trotted back towards his castle. His purpose was clear. He would create a Utopia for the world. Every source of chaos to his world vision would be eradicated, and everyone under his rule would have peace.

The Gerudo King knew in his heart that he wouldn’t age thanks to the power of the Triforce. He’d have all the time he needed to shape the destiny of the entire world. With a sigh of relief, Ganondorf smiled. At last, he felt the wind was blowing in his favour.

#Ganondorf #Large Fic #Skull Kid #Majora #Majora's Mask #Ocarina of Time #Legend of Zelda #Gerudo #Termina #Triforce #Sages #Ganzine

[heavenlyeros]

All this recent lore seemingly pointing us to draw the connection between Umun’arath’s corruption and Saladin slowly falling to the darkness himself is driving me crazy. Is Xivu Arath whispering dark temptations to our favourite angry warmonger? We don’t know, but it sure seems like it. And then, of course, we have the emotional rollercoaster that Osiris has been going through. Naturally, I can’t help but look (respectfully) at these two arrogant and extremely competent men 👀 They have both spent a very long time with only themselves, and they are both acutely aware that they are good, so it’s no surprise they’ve built fortresses around themselves - and blinded themselves in the process, too. It’s been exciting and terrifying hearing these two grow to respect each other over the past few weeks, but while Crow sways Amanda to acceptance... I was not quite expecting Osiris to be swayed to Saladin’s views. He was always quite firmly in the middle, for what’s logical for the greater good if nothing else, and it makes sense, but it hurts. And that exchange where Osiris confirms his support were Saladin to split from the Vanguard and go against their wishes? Sign me the f up.

I wrote a thing about this, of course: my interpretation of what’s been going on in Osiris’ brilliant, idiotic bird brain. Warnings for angsty O14, Sagira, and general sadness. This is only how I see it (hint hint please come scream about lore with me whether you think the same or different), shaped in part by some amazing lore people in the community (check out r/destinylore and also tumblr user homosiris’ essay on Osiris if you haven’t because dayum, that’s some good shit that echoes my angsty feelings just right): 

Picture this: you wake up one day from your forever-slumber with no memory of who you were before. The little drone who appears to have brought you back - your ghost - explains that the Traveller has gifted you with Light. You have infinite questions. You might not precisely remember the world you came from, but you know it has changed. Everywhere you go is a battle: the hive, the fallen, even your own kind - war lords versus iron lords. You find out that not many were given this gift. There is no other logical option, of course, but to keep fighting these battles to protect those who cannot. You don't understand, but every day answers a new question, and you have faith that the machine god in the sky must have chosen you for a reason. Years pass, outright wars, the weight of leadership. Your questions take different shape. Reason chips away at blind faith. You realise, one day, that the only gift your people have been given is the gift of war - that the Light's gift for you was to be a warrior. Endlessly. Your questions make others uncomfortable. Eventually you are exiled. Your student, your colleagues, your friends - they don't stick up for you. But you've been bearing the gift of dying to protect others forever. You must carry on. And despite all of your doubts and all of your anger, the Traveller's shackles, your ghost, your little light - she sticks by you. She never stops supporting you. She is your dearest friend. The two of you spend what feels like an eternity in the corridors of time. Not lost, but always searching. You make echoes, countless reflections of yourself, but for centuries upon centuries the only voices you ever hear are Sagira's, and your own. No one reaches out. They did not listen before, and they will not now. You carry on fighting in your isolation, forever seeking an answer to the most frightening of questions - how do you stop the end of everything you hold dear, the annihilation of your people? The few who paid some mind to your so called "prophecies" are little more than fanatics. It lends you little credibility. You are not only an exile, you are a pariah; you are alone and that extends beyond the simulated limitlessness of the infinite forest. You would not admit to it, but you are lonely, too. Time changes you. Confined within these confluxes, doubt takes roots, and you realise your mistakes. No one ever came to apologise to you. But more painfully than that - you have no one to apologise to. Would they give you the chance, if you were to return? Would they even be there at all? Or would everything you failed to prevent have crushed them into nothingness? You must fight on. Time also makes you powerful. You were always amongst the very best, but in the forest you hone your skills into the closest thing your kind has had to godhood. If nothing else, you have faith in yourself. If no one else, you will prevail. Something changes, one day. In the blink of an eye you are lost in the inevitability of the vex's machinations. You lose Sagira, too, for her own good, maybe for good. No matter; you must fight on, you must continue in your mission before the calamity has time to sink in. But another Guardian shows up. They carry the fight where you couldn't. They bring with them Ikora, too, and she seems willing to listen. She invites you to come back - come home. But what you did get back was your little light, and a million more timelines to explore, infinite new questions, and you know there will be no place for you in the City that threw you out. You have become invincible, and with that invincibility comes the wisdom of knowing where you cannot take another blow. You have spent eternity preventing untold histories repeating outside the realm of your control. You have grown skilled at not repeating history. Amongst the people who left you behind - whom you left behind, a little voice that might not always be Sagira's nags in the back of your mind - was the one that you loved most. You would never say, you would never risk it. So when you find out that he did not abandon you at all, but has come on a crusade to get you back -- you don't know what to feel. Joy. Horror. Love. Fear. Only, you don't know what you fear most. And suddenly it feels like your whole life's work has come to exactly this moment. It is now your turn to get him back. It strikes you, all at once, the suffocating loneliness you have endured. The tether to your sanity that was your clear purpose. It terrifies you, the hurt Saint has been subjected to. It terrifies you, too, the purpose that has kept him fighting. You don't know what to make of it. But in the end, you don't have to. You don't succeed. You wouldn't ever let your countless failings eat at you, but this failure is like a dagger through your chest. It is the Guardian, once again, who recovers Saint. Time is funny and cunning like that. You know where to find him. You know you would be welcome back, too, but time has made you see open arms as little more than a cage, a trap waiting to close in on your lungs and crush them. The guilt, most of all, cannot be reasoned with. Saint is good. Saint represents every ounce of Light you wouldn't believe in but cannot help still having faith in, even after all this time. Saint would not see in you the hate that you do. You cannot put him through that. Saint deserves the world, and even in your egotistical confidence you know that you are not it. So you must fight on. For the world that Saint deserves. Sagira, of course, is as always by your side. You don't know how it happens. One moment you are a fury of light in its every shape, and the next you are alone. Truly alone. You had accepted time has finally come for you. You were ready to die. Not... not this. But you must carry on fighting. You have nothing else left. It is once again the Guardian who saves you - this time because you asked. Not to save yourself, but to avenge her. Days and weeks and months pass and all you can do is drown in the fight. You must do it for those you love, so you do not lose any more, even if they will not have you back. The fight takes a different form now, but it is still a fight. You are confined to the City. The place that exiled you, now become prison. All because you dared ask the questions that terrified them! And you paid dearly for it. You are heartbroken and tired and underneath it all you are angry - an anger that bubbles pleasantly to overtake all of the pain. You must not give in to it. You are invincible. This, too, time will heal. So you tell yourself you fight because of love. Your love for the people, your love for this prison-City, your love for Saint. You catch glimpses of people looking at you with pity and it fills you with rage. You cannot escape this anger. It keeps you fighting because you are so, so exhausted, and there is no place for you to rest your head. You have made your loneliness into a way of life. You do not need their pity. You will prevail, as you always have. Sagira might be gone, but you will learn to carry on. You always have, you will prevail. You will fight for those who are hurt - you will not fight just to hurt those who hurt you. That is how it's meant to be. And you are always right. You are the Vanguard Commander's advisor now. It feels like a mockery - the mighty phoenix, now little more than a flightless canary in a gilded cage. You remind yourself these people care about you. That after all this time, and after all of your perceived wrongs, they have taken you back. You remind yourself it is them you fight for, any way you can. It is a slow road back up now that you cannot fly, but you will make it out. You will come out soaring. Victorious. You know it is true; you are always right. You work alongside Lord Saladin. He carries the same exhaustion you are all too familiar with less gracefully than you do. You see him be consumed by countless traumas, you see him for what he is - a shellshocked veteran flailing in resemblance of fight, clinging desperately to a place he used to have in a world that has moved on. He doesn't sleep, doesn't care for himself, his living quarters are a mess. You almost pity him, but you have to stop yourself to laugh at just how similar you are. Saladin is past forgiving. Saladin is past compromise. He has let the hate consume him, make him blind - but in his anger you see him come alive with a fire you know you shall never again harness. Perhaps Saladin is right. Perhaps you were wrong. Perhaps the only way to not give up is to give in.

#destiny the game #season of the chosen #destiny 2 #lord saladin #osiris #destiny osiris #destiny #i have a lot of feelings and all of them hurt #if there is an ounce of potential for angst and pain in something you bet i will latch onto it like the hungriest monke #these two angry assholes? yes #i could have had something wholesome but no #give me the idiots #someone needs to slap some sense into them #at first i hoped osiris would slap some sense into saladin #and honestly? he is well known for playing the long game #he might not be the wisest but he is smart and a good strategist #so maybe this is all just a ploy for osiris to do exactly that #osiris has a voice line i think in presage about saint saying hello #he is not an island #he has a support group #i just really don't think he's actually accepted that whatsoever #maybe he will #or maybe he'll fuck up again he's good at that #tell a man you don't agree with him once and he will go fight literal god all by himself #anyway yes #p a i n o c l o c k

[itsyourchoicedevotionals]

Convey Power

“But faith’s way of getting right with God says, “Don’t say in your heart, ‘Who will go up to heaven?’ (to bring Christ down to earth). And don’t say, ‘Who will go down to the place of the dead?’ (to bring Christ back to life again).” In fact, it says, “The message is very close at hand;
    it is on your lips and in your heart.” And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” Romans 10:6-10NLT

What is the message of salvation? Romans 3:23NLT “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” Everyone is precisely— every single person, no exemptions— save the Savior Jesus Christ who was without sin, see 2Corinthians 5:21— From Adam to the end of time Jesus was and is the only sinless person. This means the nicest person you know, who doesn’t acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord. to the worst criminal sinner you’ve ever heard of— BOTH of these extremes are equal sinners in Father God’s sight.

How can I say sins extremes are equal? "God doesn’t see one sin as worse— we do. Yahweh sees every sin as a separation from Him. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23NLT  Sin caused death to come into the human body, see Genesis 3. Adam’s body took over 900 years to learn to die.

I remember when Mom died. Angry wasn’t an adequate word for the way I felt. She prayed and praised God all the time. How could God allow her to suffer? A sinful neighbor of hers never, (to anyone’s knowledge,) acknowledged Jesus as Lord died quietly in his sleep. This wasn’t right in my eyes. Holy Spirit took me to Romans 6:23 and then to 1Corinthians 15:55NKJV “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” For the sins Mom had committed, her body was allowed to suffer. as her spirit soared with Christ, smiling most of the time in the days she slept before death, Unless those in the ‘know’ about the neighbor were wrong, his spirit-man will suffer throughout eternity.

As our text says: it’s impossible for any of us to go to heaven, or descend into hell to find Christ and then return. We must use faith from God to find Christ’s salvation. Amazingly, like everything else in God’s Kingdom, salvation “is on your lips and in your heart.” Faith starts in the heart by believing. Then speaking out of the mouth what the heart believes. “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”NKJV.

Words combined with faith convey power to change futures, obliterate past sins, soothe and smooth rough places and bring reconciliation. Problem is— people often don’t use their words to create those changes. Will you read the following words aloud? If you mean the words with your heart, they’ll  change your life? Lord Jesus I believe You are God’s only Son, that You died for my sins, and rose again from the dead to give me eternal life. Please forgive all my sins, enter my heart and be my Lord and Savior. I need You for now and forever, in the name of Jesus Christ. Did you pray the prayer I’ve written for you? Now tell someone, It’s your choice. You choose.

LET’S PRAY: Father God You made the way possible for every sinner to go to heaven. Thank You. Please speak to hearts and help them pray and be born again, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

by Debbie Veilleux Copyright 2022 You have my permission to reblog this devotional for others. Please keep my name with this devotional, as author. Thank you.

#Jesus Christ #lord of lords #Word of God #Holy Spirit #God #it's your choice #devotional #convey #power #wrong #eternity #words #reconciliation #love #salvation #hope #faith

[jessilynallendilla]

To get through the quarantine here’s a super long list of Hobbit/LOTR/Silm fics

Let me know if links aren’t working and feel free to add more

(check the original post as I update the list)

Please read the tags before reading some have sensitive content/are unfinished

Kili/Tauriel Centric

Stolen Heir

Who is Kili's father? He doesn't know. Thorin doesn't know. Dis knows. She's not telling. What happens when he finds out that she left and didn't tell him she was carrying his son? Alternative Ending to BOFA. Family drama!

Paths in Starlight

Kili has never set foot in the magical land he was born in, but the search for a fallen star leads him beyond the Wall and into world of Arda. The star he finds is not what he'd thought she'd be, and Kili is pulled into an adventure that takes him over hill and through the air, joins a crew of Sky Pirates to help them aid their King, and finds out the truth about his family.

Take a Bow

Tauriel has been a prisoner in Erebor since returning a gravely-wounded Kili after the battle. Now finally she is permitted to stand before the Dwarven court and tell her truth; to save her life, to show why she wants to stay.

King Under the Mountain

Or the one where Kili survives the Battle of Fives armies but has to learn to live without his brother and uncle and to accept the throne.

All Those Who Wander

Kíli goes on a simple diplomatic trip to all the elf kingdoms. Of course, because Kíli’s involved, it quickly becomes anything but simple.

Dare You to Move

Each year since their victorious alliance, the respective Kings and Councilmen of Erebor, Dale, and The Woodland Realm gathered together in one of their great cities for the duration of five days. During this time they would spend the daylight hours debating and discussing the maintenance of their alliance, and then by night the people gathered together to celebrate. In the midst of the complex political negotiations, Prince Fili learns what it means to be a great King from the one person who just might be his Queen, while Kíli and Tauriel struggle to keep their illicit relationship hidden from those who would keep them apart.

Think of all the Places We Could Go

Kili woke, panting, to have his mother fuss over him and his brother sit and sharpen his swords on the chair adjacent to his bed. “Are we dead?” were the first words out of his mouth, prompting his brother to laugh and his mother to look at him strangely.

Silver Starlight, Burning Bright

Once upon a time, there was a hidden kingdom in the woods. There are not many stories of this hidden kingdom, as they were a secret and private people. There is one story, however, about a prisoner and jailer.

Erebor Restored

The Lonely Mountain is reclaimed. Thorin, Fíli, and Kíli recover from their wounds while Dáin makes himself at home.

Land of What Might Have Been

Five years after the Battle of the Five Armies, Fili sits on the throne as he struggles to help his family and his people. Kili is lost without his love, the elf maid Tauriel who was injured before the battle and disappeared. What becomes of a dwarf who has lost the love of his life?

Flowers Among the Fallen Leaves

Bilbo Baggins returned home in mourning after the Battle of the Five Armies. All of Middle-Earth knew that Thorin and his nephews had fallen in the battle. It seemed that all that was left to him was a quiet, lonely existence in his empty smial. Then fate in the form of a pregnant Silvan Elf came knocking at his door one night. Bilbo Baggins, it seemed, had never been meant for the quiet life.

A Frank Conversation (Is Easier Said)

He always loved making Tauriel laugh. For all the time Kili spent trying to understand the woman before him, he had come to cherish the moments of simplicity. There was nothing complicated about a laugh. Smiles were trickier, but laughter—that required no translation.

Waiting

Kili hasn't kissed her yet, and Tauriel doesn't know why.

Love is Never Wrong (Together We’ll Make it Right)

With a little help from a nosey wizard, things might just work out for a prince of Erebor and a Captain of the Mirkwood guard.

Beneath the Stars

After the Battle of Five Armies and the Slaying of Smaug, King Thranduil held a feast in honor—grudging honor, but honor nonetheless—for the King Under the Mountain. Tauriel had mixed feelings about this feast because it meant that Kili would be in attendance. There was a part of Tauriel that wondered if the connection they had formed was indeed some dream.

The Lesson of the Moth

The battle is over. Thorin Oakenshield, King Under the Mountain, is dead. His nephews still live, even if the life of one hangs in the balance. Tauriel too has survived, although what that means for her, she is not altogether sure. Choices are made, and promises are kept, though not without hardship. Sometimes the best course is to forge your own path, even if it takes you far from all you know.

Together Forever

Alternate ending to BOTFA. Kili and Tauriel are able to slay Bolg, but the battle leaves her badly injured. Further complication arise when King Thranduil blames the two for the death of his son and Kili is willing to lay down his own life to ensure her survival.

The Line of Durin

How do you build a new life when you're supposed to be dead? Three new royal tombs in Erebor, but two are empty. Kili, Fili, Bofur and Tauriel are on the move. Now what?

Starlight and Firemoon-Part 1

They walked in starlight, under a firemoon.

The Five Wives of Kili Durinson

The bride thought he understood. The groom thought he did too. Cultural misunderstandings abound. Now what?

So Comes Snow After Fire

In the weeks since the battle, Kili has kept his meetings with Tauriel secret. Yet when a fierce snowstorm looms, he would rather dare Thorin's displeasure than leave the exiled elf unsheltered on the mountainside. Once Tauriel enters Erebor, of course, it is only a matter of time before her feelings for the dwarven prince are discovered. And despite Kili's hope that there is a place in his life for all those he loves, he may soon have to decide whether his loyalties lie with his kindred or an elf.

Innikh Dê

In the aftermath of the Battle of the Five Armies, is there anyplace that will shelter an exhausted prince of Durin and an exiled Woodland Elf? Perhaps Lord Elrond's magical city of Imladris will offer Kili and Tauriel a haven as they prepare to have their first child. Or does the promise Kili made to his mother to return to her take precedence? In either case, Kili and Tauriel know the path won't be easy, but neither of them expected that so many Elves, Dwarves, Orcs, and Wargs, much less a wizard and a hobbit, would be on that path with them!

The Heir Apparent

Tauriel saves Kili's life during the Battle of the Five Armies and alters the course of history, forever. 

Elf-Friends

After the Battle of Five Armies, Fíli is stuck running Erebor while his brother and uncle recover. However, things are somewhat mixed up with the arrival of Tauriel, banished from Mirkwood and carrying a secret. If Thorin can forgive Bilbo, though, surely he can be convinced to accept an elf?

In the Moonlight

Tauriel and Erebor

The Poison in Your Veins

She is guardian to a besieged and rotting dynasty, duty-bound and well served by her predator's instincts. He is one of Durin's Folk, hunters of renown until calamity destroyed much of the bloodline and cast the survivors from their home. Their descendents roam the land, carrying on the fight as best they can while hiding the secret that once made their kind so formidable.

A Promise Kept

He made a promise, and she returned it. But in trying to save Kíli's life, she caused his death. Or so Tauriel thinks until she returns to Erebor to throw herself on the mercy of her unborn child's only kin and discovers that sometimes love outlasts death. But can it remain unchanged by the harsh realities of life?

Spring After Winter and Sun on the Leaves

After their wedding, Tauriel and Kíli will share their most exciting adventure yet: raising a child. But blissfully happy as they are, becoming the parents of the world’s first dwelf isn’t easy. No one is certain a half-blood child is even possible, but prejudiced dwarves don’t want to let Kíli live to find out. As even darker forces take an interest in Kíli’s unusual heir, others are put danger, including Fíli and his bride, Sif. All Kíli and Tauriel want is to start a family, but they may end up having to save Erebor, too.

Marriage of Choice

Kili had always been the spare prince. Always been the Golden Heir's shadow and companion. He knew his purpose and place. After retaking Erebor, he's surprised and just how much his life changed because of it. Tauriel believed she would be captain of The Greenwood's guard for the rest of her life, expected to die in battle for her king. But she's been banished and everything has changed. Elves don't like change.

Bilbo/Thorin Centric

Finding Purchase

“What are you doing in here?” Thorin gestured around the audience-chamber as he approached, his half-smile obvious even at a distance. “I mean, my throne is yours if you want it, ghivashelê, you know that, but in the middle of the night?”

The Seven Gifts

Thorin had his crown off. This wasn’t an uncommon sight to Bilbo. Even though Fili had crafted his uncle a new crown, the weight of it still made him wary. Bilbo was not as used to seeing the dwarf’s hair gathered together in a braid that spilled over his shoulder. Or the spectacles perched on his regal nose. He would deny the ache of his heart in that moment.

Sansûkh

The battle was over, and Thorin Oakenshield awoke, naked and shivering, in the Halls of his Ancestors. The novelty of being dead fades quickly, and watching over his companions soon fills him with grief and guilt. Oddly, a faint flicker of hope arises in the form of his youngest kinsman, a Dwarf of Durin's line with bright red hair.

Battle of the Mind and the Heart

Thorin, Kili and Fili, and the others survived TBOTFA but Bilbo does not know this thinking Thorin died in his arms ...and now as the dwarves make the trek back to the shire to show their burglar that they are okay, the other hobbits of the shire have to deal with a rapidly mentally deteriorating Bilbo and the dwarves will not like what they bear witness to when they get there

Marriage of Necessity

In a desperate attempt to make sure someone he trusts rules over Erebor, Thorin marries Bilbo on what will probably be his deathbed, as well as that of his heirs. When all three Durins survive, Thorin's marriage to Bilbo comes under scrutiny. Not everyone is happy with it.

Reclaiming Erebor…Again

Bilbo is sailing to the Undying Lands but wary of letting go of the guilt that has been with him for many decade. His most sincerest wish is to go back and change what was done. Before reaching the lands of peace and healing, he dies aboard the ship and finds that his wish is being granted but not because he is the one to wish it. He finds that not only is he going to be sent back to his younger body, but so is the entire Company of Thorin Oakenshield. Time is a fickle thing and not all the members have their memories returned to them at the same time. The journey on becomes interesting as the dwarves slowly remember and fight for themselves and their kin, yet for some reason they are not the only ones to remember.

Hiding Myself

Bella Baggins is a perfectly normal, respectable Hobbit living alone in Hobbiton. That is, until Gandalf the Gray arrives at her house looking for someone to share in an adventure. When thirteen dwarves show up at her doorstep, she stupidly agrees to go with them to reclaim their homeland. Thorin Oakenshield, the moody and brooding Dwarven king, has managed to capture the unwanted affections of the Company's burglar. But one thing nobody knows is that their burglar is hiding a secret from them all that may destroy everything or change the way dwarves think for a very long time.

To Love a King

"“I never assumed that I could – that he could -,” Bilbo tried feebly. Dain leaned in close enough for Bilbo to feel his hot breath over his face. “He could never have cared for you. Was he not clear enough when he threatened to cast you to your death?” Bilbo pinched his face up in pain and clenched his hands into fists. Dain smiled triumphantly.

Buried Coals

After the Reclaiming of Erebor, life was supposed to settle down. Things were supposed to be simpler once there weren't people trying to kill them and things trying to eat them and so on and so forth. Things didn't get any simpler, but after the whole Tauriel incident, and after Dain got the snot beat out of him, things seemed to settle a bit. Billa should have known it wouldn't last.

At Last

Thorin Oakenshield has spent twenty long years alone with his broken heart, he has spent twenty long years learning to live with what he has done and what he caused, and he has spent twenty long years thinking that Bilbo hated him. But miscommunications can cause the worst heartaches of all, he finds, as Bilbo has spent twenty long years thinking that he’s dead.

Alive

Bilbo fled Erebor before his friends could be buried, before he had to see Thorin encased in stone. He returns to the Shire and settles into a life of unsociability and some amount of loneliness, but finds comfort in the figures of the children of Hobbiton. After twenty years, however, his luck is gone, and Bilbo has to flee the Shire with Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin, and with four very young Hobbits, there is only one place he can turn to.

This is a Love I Cannot Undo (Eyes Open, I Burn in Hell)

In which Kili, Fili, and Thorin survive the Battle of the Five Armies and have to deal with the fallout.

Fiercer Than Fire

The Quest of Erebor as it might have been. Billa Baggins is not your average burglar- or, perhaps, a burglar at all. That remains to be seen. Thorin resents this little female's habit of gaining a foothold wherever she lands. Even in his heart.

A Flower Among Gems

The Fell Winter destroyed Billanna (also known as Billa) Baggin's small hobbit family, as her parents were murdered and she kidnapped by orcs. However, she is saved by a familiar group of dwarves which, after deliberation (and Thorin's younger sister giving him grief) Billa joins the family of Durin. As the years pass, relationships are brought into light, and with quests thrown in, it seems a quiet life is a little hard to find for a hobbit among dwarves.

Think Before You Speak

The three fools of Durin's Line try to court their Ones. Things get crazy, hectic, emotional, and brains continuously shut off at the worst times.

Words Unanswered

The most terrible thing you can do to a writer, Bilbo is sure, is answer words with silence.

Together Once More

Thinking himself banished, Bilbo leaves Erebor before he and Thorin can reconcile. Meanwhile, the entire company thinks that Bilbo died in bofta. 20 years later, Bilbo, now the guardian of Frodo Baggins, is asked by Gandalf to travel to rivendell to discuss a growing evil that is encompassing Middle Earth. However, the two hobbits mysteriously vanish, and never make it to rivendell as they were supposed to. And somehow, to make matters even more confusing, Gandalf comes to the realization that Bilbo Baggin's has the One Ring.

Hurricanes in Hertford, Hereford, and Hampshire

Bilbo was banished. That's it, the end. She wants nothing more to do with dwarves. Now all she needs to do is get back home, but there may be some complications along the way.

Eastern Homecomings

After an unprecedented Goblin attack on the Shire, Bilbo finds himself whisked back to Erebor with his son he never wanted Thorin to know about.

A Most Sensible Idea

Bilbo Baggins isn't sure about this. Not one bit. Frodo is definitely too young to enter into an arranged marriage with a dwarven king called Thorin Oakenshield. It's a good thing that Bilbo is there to chaperone him through their courtship. After all, there's no chance that a fussy hobbit bachelor would ever catch the eye of a king.

You Got Me

The Company shows their affection for Bilbo in accordance with dwarvish tradition. Bilbo... has no idea why everyone keeps giving him gifts.

The Most Precious of Treasures

Bilbo is thought to have died during the Battle of the Five Armies, but in reality she has returned home to Shire, believing that she is forever banished from her friends sides and that they are far better off believing that she is indeed dead. However, her plans to remain dead to them are complicated by the most precious treasure a certain Dwarf King left her with and by a few friends who simply refuse to believe that she had truly gone from Middle-Earth. Bilbo believed that her journey was done, she had gone there and had come back, her story was finished, she had no idea that she had just walk headlong into another.

A Second Chance

The Valar send Bilbo back in time, to the day where Gandalf asks him to join in an adventure. After living a lifetime of regret and suffering, he vows to change things for the better. For Thorin. For Frodo. But will he succeed?

Retelling the Hobbit

This is a comic adaptation/retelling of the Hobbit! It's framed as a bedtime story that Bilbo is telling a younger Frodo.

A Passion for Mushrooms

There are many trials for a hobbit attempting to make a life among dwarves. A hobbit wants a garden. A hobbit wants to eat regular meals. A hobbit wants friends, good books, and comfortable chairs. Bilbo does his best to carve out a little hobbit life for himself in the mountain. If only there were not one final obstacle. For a hobbit heart wants love, and among dwarves that is a sticky subject.

Something Blue

Thorin marries Bilbo after the Battle of Five Armies, a marriage of convenience, not love. Slowly, they must come to make the best of it, Bilbo resolves. After all, he's a Hobbit. They make the best of things.

Azhâr

Following the aftermath of the Battle of the Five Armies where Thorin must fight with his own guilt and mind over his choices and what they mean and meant, where he must decide whether or not to rule, and how to live with himself after dying. Focusing on many different characters and relationships, as well as building on the lore of Erebor and Middle Earth. A story about coming home.

An Expected Journey

For years Bilbo has written about his adventures and told stories about his dealings with dwarves and dragons. To most it seemed like fanciful nonsense but to Bilbo it was all very real. A weight followed him home from his travels, one called regret. Now in his final moments Bilbo has a choice to make – go quietly into death’s embrace or go back again and face all the fear and pain for the chance to make things right?

Lay Down Your Sweet and Weary Head

Thorin dies. Thorin wakes up. He is understandably confused by this, especially since he appears to be in the Erebor he knew as a young dwarf, about to be attacked by a dragon.

Call You Home

In which the Company are entirely too nosy about matters that are supposed to be a secret, and Bilbo learns that being concerned about propriety is overrated when you could be making friends instead.

Courting Habits of the Line of Durin

Hobbits didn’t have such things as courting rituals – they were uncomplicated folk. They announced their affections with flowers or a cooked meal, a shared pipe or simply a kiss – and then there were meetings with both families and a date set for the wedding. Dwarves, as he kept discovering, were a completely different kettle of fish.

The Road Delivered Us Home

In the years since Bilbo left Erebor, he has lost his respectability, gained a nephew, and gotten on with life at Bag End. He'd left aside adventure for the comforts and peace of his little Hobbit hole, and for the love of a child who needed him. Though perhaps, adventures can yet find him.

Intertwine

“To let someone else braid you is an intimacy. Brothers often do it for one another, or parents in our youth, or lovers when we are of age. I have none of these.” Thorin pulled a silver bead from the pouch and rolled it between his fingers, and his gaze on Bilbo held weight

Fix That Which Was Broken

When Mahal himself offers to send Thorin back to the start of the quest to save the line of Durin, he is determined to make amends for all of the mistakes he made the first time around. When Bilbo wakes up in Bag End eighty years in the past, all he knows is that he has somehow been given the chance to see his beloved dwarves again and he'll be damned if he doesn't take it.

Tears of the Sun

Based on a prompt where Frodo is Thorin and Bilbo's son and no one knows.

Reading in Autumn Sunlight

Summer was over. The lingering warmth from those long, languorous days were steadily replaced with opaline skies and bracing winds which brought with them the threat of the first frosts of winter to Erebor.

Portrait

Three years to the day following the beginning of the Quest for Erebor, Bilbo was asked to pose for an official portrait.

The World Spins Madly On

The end of the journey to retake Erebor is harrowing. As Bilbo Baggins surveys the wreckage of what was once a group of the best friends he ever had, he wonders if it was all worth it. And then he wakes up. And wakes up. And wakes up.

How Shall This Day End?

Thorin Oakenshield dies. And then returns to himself in Erebor, staring down at a gold-covered floor. He doesn't quite understand what is happening at first, but soon realizes he has been granted an incredible chance (and a terrible burden): to relive the battle again until he finally gets things right.

Though the Stars Walk Backward

Bilbo wakes, always in Erebor, with dark shadows to one side and the first light of a terrible dawn to the other.

Many Paths

Bilbo wakes up in Dale. With the memory of a battle won but lives lost, he finds an army of Men and Elves readying to attack Erebor. Bilbo tries to save his dwarves. Again and again.

Nothing Gold Can Stay

Bilbo Baggins led a rather peaceful life, thank you very much, until an old acquaintance decided to turn it upside down, and he found himself agreeing to take a job that’s… let’s say not exactly up his alley, and might eventually cost him a little more than his treasured cozy lifestyle. Who would have thought tutoring a slightly menacing monarch’s more than slightly overbearing nephew could prove to be such an adventure?

Courtship Works Best When Both Parties Are Aware of It

The halls of Erebor flourished under the reign of Thorin Oakenshield. His coronation was a welcoming ceremony to celebrate the final wave of refugees returning to the Lonely Mountain. Bilbo, the hobbit under the mountain, is concerned with the amount of time the weary King under the Mountain is spending with a simple hobbit. Thorin is worried Bilbo is spurning his courtship. Suddenly all the dwarves are concerned for Bilbo's happiness in Erebor. These two idiots need to learn to communicate.

Run! Glorfindel Saw Us!

Bilbo Baggins was raised by elves in Rivendell. Thorin is not impressed. At all

The Rampart

When Thorin realized what Bilbo had done, realized that the hobbit had traded his Arkenstone, he saw fire. And Bilbo, being so incredibly small, was easy enough to throw from the Rampart. The company leaves Erebor, seemingly forever. 10 years after Thorin 'killed' Bilbo, he breaks from his dragon sickness, sick at what he's done. He runs to the Shire, hell-bent on paying his respects to his burglar, ashamed at killing him over a stone. But what will Thorin find in Hobbiton?

An Unexpected Addition

All of the dwarves survive the Battle of the Five Armies, but Bilbo must return to the Shire to sort out his old life and make way for a new one in Erebor. Over one year later, Bilbo comes back to the Lonely Mountain with a recently orphaned Frodo. King Thorin isn't quite sure what to make of this new, tiny addition to his Company.

Heartbeat of the Mountain

Bilbo adjusts to caring for a nephew and realizes that the Shire holds no future for him anymore. It is time to return to the mountain. With Frodo in tow, he sets off to find out if Thorin regrets his decisions and to discover if the mountain can handle not one, not two, but three troublemakers.

The Took’s Arrangement

Shortly after Bilbo Baggins comes of age, he is swept up into a life he never expected. Upon the promise made between his grandfather and the dwarrow of Ered Luin, he sets off to marry the crown prince of Erebor, Thorin. Arranged marriages are not ideal, but he is a Baggins, and Bagginses keep promises, while his adventurous Took blood sends him running down the road to Erebor.

Beware the Nice Ones

Five years after becoming Consort Under the Mountain, Bilbo is struggling to prove his worth to Thorin's most xenophobic subjects and foreign kinsmen. However, when visiting nobles mistake Bilbo and Frodo for common servants, Thorin is not pleased and Bilbo has had enough. Political intrigue, cultural misunderstandings, and a trial of honor ensue...

The Greatest Treasure in Erebor

It takes roughly two months of being taken on a different walking tour of The Splendors of Erebor every single day for Bilbo to work out that Thorin and Company are trying to convince him not to leave.

Our Lives to Make

Bilbo must venture the long road back to the Shire to see his newborn nephew, leaving Thorin to rule over Erebor. But when word reaches him mid-travel that Frodo has been orphaned, he knows he cannot go back to the Lonely Mountain alone. What will Thorin say when Bilbo returns with his nephew in tow, when he’s lost his own kin so recently?

An Unexpected Son

Bilbo left Erebor with a treasure more precious then gold or rings. What happens when the dwarves discover Frodo? Will Thorin bend enough to admit he was wrong to force Bilbo to leave?

lay down your sweet and weary head

Thorin dies. Thorin wakes up. He is understandably confused by this, especially since he appears to be in the Erebor he knew as a young dwarf, about to be attacked by a dragon. A time-travel fic with Thorin as the one living his life twice

The Shire's Sacrifice

When the Shire cannot honour its Treaty with Erebor, the dwarves enforce a contractual clause: one Hobbit must be sent to Erebor to marry the King as a sign of good faith. But with neither party at all willing and plans afoot to undermine the King, maybe an unwilling Bilbo Baggins is exactly what Erebor needs…

Gimli/Legolas Centric

Comes Around Again

Gimli closes his eyes, an old Dwarf on the brink of death in the home he had built with his husband in the Undying Lands, and opens them again as a young Dwarf in his childhood home in Ered Luin. He's returned to the tumultuous week before The Company set out to recruit their Burglar from his cosy hobbit hole. Gimli, once again a impetuous teen in the eyes of his family, must get into that Company--the lives of his loved ones, and the very fate of Middle Earth--depends on it.

Heart of the Mountain

For three hundred years they've been under attack. It's become background noise now but Gimli can't help but wonder why. Why in Mahal's name are the elves still attacking them after all this time? Surely they have something better to do?

Hearts Will As Hearts Must

The Dwarves are returning to Erebor reclaimed, and the elves uphold their promise to safeguard the caravans as they pass through Mirkwood. One particular Dwarf has wit and spark enough to match Legolas Greenleaf - perhaps even outmatch him. It's hate at first sight.

Cultural Differences: If Thou Kiss Not Me

Legolas and Gimli fall for each other, hard. But culture shock causes some problems when Gimli realizes that Dwarves and Elves don’t share certain customs.

Forged in Frame

A very contrived take on the Professor!Gimli and Influencer!Legolas AU, in which they’re still somewhat reluctantly trying to save the planet because Aragorn asked them to.

Secrets of the Lonely Mountain

Legolas is sent to Erebor after the War of the Ring, where he's given the chance to meet up with Gimli again.

we raise our cups

Legolas determined he would have to cut through the Woods of Oromë. If all went well, it should be a straight shot to what Celebrimbor had labelled as the Mansions of Aulë. Perhaps, were he a wiser elf, he would first seek the guidance of Mandos – because after all, he was still alive, and Gimli was still dead. But Legolas was, at the end of all things, not a very wise elf. He was simply an elf with a fiddle and a bow, who was deeply in love. And he had to hope that would be enough.

Terroir

"Terroir - the characteristic taste and flavor imparted to a wine by the environment in which it is produced." It's almost the tourist season in the wine country, and Greenwood Cellars is gearing up for its busiest time of year. The new Blue Mountain Public House threatens to disrupt decades of tradition - this is wine country, after all. Aragorn is running for County Sheriff on a platform of community policing - but he's running against his boss. Eowyn feels trapped in the family business, and thinks the handsome young motorcycle cop is her ticket out. And Gandalf is selling his fireworks, like he always has, even though there's no way they should be legal. The story of a town, and the people who want to make it better, and what happens in one tourist season.

Building

A city, a marriage, a world. Legolas and Gimli return to Minas Tirith with their people to help Aragorn rebuild his city, and learn how to be together in a new world of peace.

The Wild Hunt

Vampire Legolas vs. Slayer Gimli

What Song Can Fell the Mountain

Valinor has been their home for a century and a half when, scant days after his four-hundred-and-twelfth birthday, Gimli says, "I will soon die. What are we going to do about it?"

Lest We Burden Our Weary Hearts

If one must call them ‘missed chances’, then do so warmly, for even in the distance of space and years there is no shortage of affection here. Each other’s dearest companion, indeed.

Homespun

Modern Lasgalen bears some little resemblances to canon Mirkwood. Gimli encounters one of them in the bathtub one morning.

Going Viral

When a dangerous new virus spreads rapidly through Middle-earth, Gondor goes quickly into lockdown. Legolas and Gimli weather the pandemic together as best they can.

Rebuild Your Seawall (Brick by Brick)

For weeks and months, Legolas has felt a pull - and dares not name it, does not heed its stormy-sky warnings, does not track the ebb and flow on the shoreline of his life. Here’s the thing about the tide, though: it rises whether one wills it or not.

M&M and E&E2

A Gold Star in his Crown

The Silmarils have been stolen. So has Elrond, on the very same night, and the only trace left of those who took them is a note in Maglor's handwriting. Years later, after Elros has gone after his brother and never returned, Gil-Galad goes to reclaim his young kinsmen from their second captivity in Faerie.

The Ransom of the House of Fëanor

Maglor goes to war for a final time, the eternal darkness looms, and Elrond bargains with the Valar for the ransom of the House of Fëanor. In which fathers give up everything for their sons, and their sons offer everything in return; title, name, and fëa. Or, the one where Maglor believes he is destined for eternal darkness, and Elrond politely says otherwise.

To Safety

Elrond and Elros, after yet another horrible day of being hostages for their mother's Silmaril, awaken in an unfamiliar forest where the sunlight doesn't seem quite right, and somehow run right back into the arms of their captors. Maitimo and Makalaurë have no idea who these children are, but it seems like they're supposed to raise them. It's more difficult than it sounds, because somehow they don't speak Quenya. In other words, the twins time travel to Valinor in the Years of the Trees and proceed to be parented against their will.

Low Water

Elrond is gifted with foresight. Elrond has seen how this chapter ends.

New Strings

Maglor is rescued, now to fit him into life in Imladris.

And Love Repaid

It was never about owing.

Protector

It began with the Second Age. Or actually, it did not begin at all. It simply did not end. Against all odds, Maedhros and Maglor survive. For Elrond, that is a beginning of sorts.

Lessons Learned

It all begins with Maglor wanting to give the young Peredhels he and his brother captured a some sense of normalcy in their lives. He gave them over to Erestor so that they might learn simple things, how to read and write. He hardly expected to find his own relationship with the twins to develop, and Maedhros expected it even less...

Unwell

It's not that they're not happy that Maglor's been brought back to the Undying Lands. It's just that they're a little concerned about the fact that he's been taken into the house of someone he once kidnapped, and that no one's seen Maglor since.

Russandol

The attack on Sirion

After Sirion

After the Third Kinslaying, two pairs of brothers struggle to repair their broken families.

Songbird

Caught up in his grief over his twin brother’s death, Elrond hears rumours of his foster-father’s whereabouts. With only Erestor as his companion, the half-elf leaves Lindon to find Maglor. But at the end of their journey they must all face the question of what to do when the elf who was never meant to return to elven settlement is actually found.

Barriers

On the way back to Amon Ereb, Maedhros and Maglor carried not a jewel, but two small boys instead.

Always There

A young Elladan and Elrohir return from playing by the sea with a strange tale that sends their father on a mad chase.

Sons of Eärendil

Elros, King of Numenor, reminisces to his absent brother. Talking through memories of the terrors of their childhood and the things that drove them apart as adults.

As Little Might Be Thought

From the Sacking of Sirion to Amon Ereb; from princes to captives to sons. The story of the unlikely bond between Elrond and Elros and Maglor and Maedhros.

Pieces of Stars

When the Oath brings disaster to Sirion, Maglor attempts to fix what he can, but a temporary arrangement becomes much more permanent than anyone had foreseen. Elrond and Elros grow up, grow together, and grow apart at the end of a world slowly decaying into myth and legend.

The Lines on My Face, the Lines on My Hands

Nearly eighty years after Celebrían left Middle Earth to seek healing, the people of Imladris have yet to quite move on. But when a simple task of 'make sure the road is clear' ends in the Elladan and Elrohir bringing home a seriously injured and sorely missed elf, the entire household is forced to re-examine just what they are to each other, and to themselves.

The Starlit Sky

Elrond's account of his boyhood with the Fëanorians

Jailbird

There is singing from the southeast tower of the citadel. There is always singing from the southeast tower of the citadel. For over three thousand years someone has lived in that tower and sung, and today Faramir wants to know why.

I Beg a Deep and Dreamless Sleep

An alternate version of my fic "Give the Children Closure" Maedhros is unsurprised by Elrond coming to let him out of the Halls, though he knows he won't actually be leaving. This is a kinder hallucination than most. Again I will stress that everything is going to be okay, he just has to be sad first.

Lords of Amon Ereb

Maedhros and Maglor have stolen the Silmarils and disappeared. Beleriand is sinking. Finarfin, Gil-Galad, and all the people moving east pay a visit to Amon Ereb, assuming that the Sons of Fëanor returned there. Instead, they find Elrond and Elros.

With Eyes of Nightingales

Finarfin wants to know what happened to Elrond and Elros. Against their better judgement, Círdan and Gil-Galad go with him. What they find is a terrifying forest, a fortress that defies geometry, and a pair of twins with bright eyes.

Nightmare Sequence

A series of dreams and nightmares that everyone sincerely hopes are not prophetic, mostly taking place in the early days of Elrond and Elros's time as hostages. (aka things that were too messed up or too out of character that I really wanted to write)

plus ça change

Elrond has had many homes and many families, in the Ages of Middle-Earth. He has lost them all. Or, a character study, from toddler in Sirion to Lord of Rivendell.

Softly Sing the Children

Elrond and Elros are unsettling children. All the children in their family are.

Childhood Memories

Sometimes the waves of war wash strange things to the shore. Perhaps Maglor senses what it means for him when he finds Elwing's twin sons Elrond and Elros abandoned in the forest. He does not take them with him to Ossiriand as his prisoners of war, but rather takes on the role of a foster father for them. Little by little, the little Half-elves learn that he means them no harm, and gradually they begin to love him as their father.

And Family Means No One Gets Left Behind

Earendil returns home to find it burned to the ground and his sons missing, presumed captured by the Feanorians. He does the logical thing. He goes after them. He's not entirely expecting what he finds when he gets there.

MISC

Tears Like Rain

The first in the epic Mellon Chronicles. Mirkwood has suffered tragic losses in the Last Great Alliance, including her King. With the very survival of the kingdom at stake, Thranduil finds himself at deadly odds with his older brother Doriflen. When young Legolas becomes a pawn in his abusive uncle’s ruthless power games, the lies, deception and betrayal risk destroying more than just the young prince’s life.

Golden Light

They have loved each other for so long that when Finwë grieves, Ingwë grieves with him, but he also tries his best to comfort him.

No Other Choice

“Your word means nothing,” she spits at him, baring her teeth, nearly shaking with anger as sudden as a cataclysm. The sea roars behind her, cold droplets spraying up and flecking her bare legs. “I do not barter with murderers.” The Fëanorians descend upon the Havens of Sirion to retrieve the Silmaril. Elwing makes an impossible choice.

All Our Old Follies, Come 'Round Again

Celebrimbor sees Elrond again after a long separation. It isn't a good thing, at first. But then Celebrían meets Elrond for the first time under... unexpected circumstances.

The Siege of Khazad-dum

Rescued from Sauron by Celebrían, Celebrimbor and Elrond fled with her to the great dwarf-kingdom and stronghold where Durin is king. Celebrimbor, badly injured in body and spirit, is impatient. Galadriel and Durin oppose the might of Sauron to the utmost. And in Lindon, Gil-galad is unwilling to wait. This is a direct sequel to All Our Old Follies, Come 'Round Again

Songs of the Heart

It's not that Earendil isn't glad that the kinslayers are in custody. It's just that he's not entirely happy that the place they're currently in custody at is his ship.

Letters to a Daughter

After arriving in Valinor, Elrond writes down his thoughts and experiences in letters addressed to his now mortal daughter.

Songs of Shadows, Songs of Blood

There are shadows in the forests of Beleriand. Some of them have teeth.

More than the Stars Above

Elrond had lived without his parents for this long. He could certainly continue to do so if they proved to be indifferent. That didn't stop his hand from shaking when he reached out to knock on the door.

Watcher in the Woods

"The creature has been with us for many weeks, and Balan caved to its wish to learn. He has been teaching it our language, our politics, our culture. Our very way of life. Wherever we go, it is there. Watching. Always watching." Something does not bode well with this golden stranger in our camp, and yet, there is nothing to be done about it. I can only watch, and pray that what I fear does not come to pass. And it will.

Suitable Foster

"“Children?” Felagund sounded uncharacteristically distressed." Bëor strongly discourages his friend from adopting.

Beor and the Faerie King

The humans have their own story of how they met the Faërie King, what they gained and one they lost. The story of Finrod and Balan later named Bëor, as told by an old woman in a mountain cabin.

Little Boy Lost and Crying

I feel like the house of finwe just found a confused, crying, and lost little boy in the woods one day and decided to keep him and call him gil-galad and thats why his parentage is so confusing because everyone claimed he was theirs

Scion of Kings

Gil-galad struggles to write a letter to the man he thinks (hopes) might be his father. Or, in which we are all Gil-galad, failing to start an email.

Foundlings

The untold story of what happened to Dior's sons during and after the sack of Menegroth.

Twin Troubles

When Celegorm ends up in the Halls, he finds himself reluctantly playing guardian to a pair of lost twins.

Forget Me Not

It’s a marriage of convenience, a way to forever strengthen the bond between the Dwarves of Erebor and the people of Dale. Or so Sigrid tells herself.

Too Much Truth

Legolas accompanies Tilda to Erebor to visit her sister. It is his father’s wish that he does so. Legolas does not understand the new world he finds there.

Work for Idle Hands

King Bard carries so many worries, especially now his council want his eldest daughter Sigrid betrothed in a way to best benefit Dale. Sigrid carries her own worries and is determined to cut back her Da’s. There’s a trade agreement between Erebor and Dale; Sigrid and Fili begin using it.

My Lady Dis

On her way to Erebor following the deaths of her family, Princess Dís receives some unexpected news from King Thranduil, and an offer to make Mirkwood her home. King Thranduil can't abide Dwarves, but the more time he spends with Erebor's last princess, the more he begins questioning his long held convictions.

We Were Legends: Book I - Champion's Dawn

In the First Age of the world, House of Elmo supports the King and Queen of Doriath in ruling their Kingdom. Princes of Doriath hold on to it as well - they found themselves in different roles to support their Kingdom, but beside their duty, they still hold deep loyalty and love towards each other despite grudges from the past and poorly made decisions. Will their loyalty linger through all the Ages to come?

The Burned Prince

After the sacking of Doriath, the lands once girdled by Melian were abandoned. Faerbraichon, Lord of House Brethil, went east in search of a new land for his Sindar Elves, a land far removed from the grief caused by the Silmaril Thingol had coveted. With him came his family - those who were left - and those for whom he was Lord.

Extraordinary

The first time he saw her, when he climbed out of her toilet and into her father’s home, he barely even registered her presence – he was too preoccupied with his mission and his brother’s injury, so he wrote her off simply as a perfectly ordinary human girl. But then he started observing her – and Mahal, she was the most extraordinary creature he had ever laid eyes upon.

A Favorable Arrangement

Fili and Sigrid agree to an arranged marriage, and quickly learn that mountains and lakes ally more quickly than people.

Episodes from Middle Earth

Collection of one-shots

Fear and Family (Or, the One Where Kíli Is the Sensible One)

After the Battle of Five Armies, Bilbo isn't sure of his welcome in the mountain, and thus returns to the Shire as soon as he can. Somewhat to his surprise, Ori goes with him -- but it turns out Ori has his own reasons for leaving Erebor behind. Well, Bilbo's quite used to being the talk of the Shire.

Solace

The tale of Thranduil and his wife from the beginning of their journey to the downfall of their tragedy.

Seduction to Destruction

Before the awakening of the elves there was the rise of the Valaraukar. As the Valar attempt to keep and contain their Maiar from succumbing to Melkor’s might, they fail to realize that it only takes one to destroy their efforts from within. The fall of Almaren will be detailed with Mairon and his relationships with others as the central plot points. Eventual Angbang because that was why I started writing this thing in the first place.

Bury My Sins Down By the Sea

Wandering along the seashore singing an unceasing lament for what his people had become and what they had done was supposed to be the last line for Maglor, son of Fëanor. When he accidentally trespasses on Avarin territory, they take him briefly hostage in order to ensure that he will lead no war parties to them. Among their people, thrust headfirst into a culture completely alien to him, Maglor learns quickly exactly how different they are. Despite all their differences, he still finds kinship with Denethor of the Laiquendi, and the comfort of a connection helps him open his heart again at long last.

Adopted of the Khîtikweni

Maglor has been avoiding others since he flung the Silmaril into the sea. Some, he finds, are more stubborn than he is.

Mortal Cold

Elladan, Elrohir, Legolas, and Aragorn are in the mountains during a terrible cold autumn storm and the sons of Elrond reluctantly stay with some of the Avari after Legolas' insistence and the severity of the storm.

Secret Hope

Nerdanel is, she suspects, among the last to receive word - the ships are coming home. The Elves are returning at last. She knows she will likely be disappointed. But she can't help but hope.

Vegetarian

Whenever anyone asks Erestor how he ended up in Rivendell, he defers to Glorfindel.

My Father’s Eyes

They are terrible and cruel; warm and loving. I see my father trough his ever-changing eyes, and they tell me his truths if I read them wisely. But sometimes I fear i will never get to know everything there is to know about them. They are like the grey sky before it rains, like the universe itself or the forest when it rains. They speak to me if I listen closely. And I do listen.

The Prisoner of Dol Guldur

Thranduil makes a terrible discovery after the fall of Dol Guldur

The Web of Darkness

An experiment of the Witch-King backfires, big time, and the Elves of Mirkwood find an unexpected ally.

Hungry Eye, Ancient Soul

"In this Fifth Age of Middle Earth, there are many stories about the romantic past of the earlier ages. Ancient stories of love and adventure, and those who inhabited these lands alongside us mortals. The terrifying reality of these stories is often ignored, and I will bring them to light, remaining anonymous lest these beings find me for revealing the truth." It is the Fifth Age of Middle Earth, and the Elves have fallen into legend; legend twisted into tales of deceit, Fae magic, disappearances, and betrayal.

The Unseen Fate

Namo once said, "There long shall ye abide and yearn for your bodies, and find little pity..." so basically, he said that the House of Feanor will abide in the Halls of Mandos and remain dispossessed for ever. However, it would seem that Eru has another fate in mind. A story where the House of Miriel has found their place in the world. They meet new friends along the way and grievances are forgiven. Finally, a happy ending for the House of Miriel.

Consequences

"She is her father's daughter. He was never really a father at all." Elwing and Eärendil remember their children.

The Wanderer (Maglor's story)

The silmarillion as told from Maglor's perspective. Some implied Russingon and a whole bunch of vala/elf relationships.

A Meeting In Valinor

After the War of the Ring, Sauron returns as a prisoner to Valinor and, much to the incredulity of his self-appointed guard Eönwë, encounters a hobbit.

Casting Out The Serpent

Balan-who-will-be-Bëor comes to some conclusions about his new friend after said new friend demonstrates a terrifying knowledge of venomous snakes. In conclusion, Finarfin was a reptile hoarder and also elves might be poisonous.

The Fourth Hall

Where do the orcs go when they die?

green are the leaves (i leave in mirkwood)

"A choice sits upon his head, pressing down past his elven bones and into his very fae. He must choose either to turn back to the stifling safety of the King's Halls, or venture on into a world that will not offer favours nor protection to an Elf as young and inexperienced as he." OR: Legolas learns what it means to chase freedom, choose, sacrifice and find family even in the darkest of hours.

A Feast of Ashes

Now High King of the Noldor in Middle Earth, Fingolfin decides to host a feast to reunite the free people of Beleriand, the Noldor, and his own family. What he did not expect is to be reunited with dead relatives, spies from Angband, dark secrets from Cuivienen, and a fair share of angst

An Unexpected Exchange

Bilbo always knew there was something off about his nephew. He didn't fit in amongst the hobbits. And when a stranger shows up on his doorstep claiming that the boy is not his nephew at all, things get a bit... complicated.

Should A Star Fall, The Sky Won't Go Black

The stars are sacred to all of the eldar, but for some, they may have a little bit more meaning. Or: Elurín has a nightmare that leaves him lost and confused, and Maedhros helps guide him back onto his path with the help of the night sky.

Two Stars in Time

While undergoing a hunting test, Elurín and Eluréd have a strange setback and wake up under the Two Trees. Lost in a land of old, there is only one person whom they can think of to search for: Adar Maedhros.

In Elin Gelebrin

After the Second Kinslaying, Maedhros searches for two young children and succeeds in finding them. Here are some small moments of their time together.

An Untold Tale

Injured, afraid, and freezing in the forests of Doriath, Elurín manages to tap into an inheritance from Melian he never realised was there. In his desperation, he uses it, and he and his brother vanish from history. Three thousand years later, a patrol of Imladris finds two strange boys in the woods.

What if Elrond Had Pushed Isildur into the Fires of Mt. Doom? Theory

The One Ring and it’s survival by the hands of Isildur gave rise to Sauron and the War of the Ring in the Lord of the Rings, but what if Elrond had pushed Isildur into the fires of Mount Doom, bringing an end to the One Ring altogether?

#fic rec #the hobbit #lotr #bagginshield #gigolas #kiliel #the silmarillion #long post