The Legend of Zelda - Union of Evil Powers Ch 5

The Legend Of Zelda: Union Of Evil Powers

Chapter 5: Troubles arise

Link, Saria, Zelda, Ruto and Nabooru had woken up to a new day. After their breakfast, they equipped the weapons they could carry at the time to defend themselves until their blades had been finished with upgrading. After checking everything and buying some additional supplies for their trip, the five went towards the Zora Cape, at the Great Bay. The Zora there were very much honored to have the Princess of the Zora Race over, earning the five a special performance from the Zora band: The Indigo-Go's, which included the greatest hit: The Ballad of the Wind Fish. The guitarist present was the successor to Mikau, whom had passed away after being gravely injured during his attempt to retrieve Lulu's eggs, which had been stolen by a tribe of Pirates, which were of the Gerudo Race. Link told his friends what happened back then: After he went to the Great Bay himself, he found Mikau's mortally wounded body floating in the water of the Great Bay. Link helped him to shore and listened to Mikau's final words, after which Link used the Song of Healing to heal Mikau's soul, allowing Link, by means of the Zora Mask, to masquerade himself as Mikau in order to fulfill Mikau's final wish: To retrieve the eggs from the Pirates, restoring Lulu's voice and going so far as to smite the evil that had been haunting the Great Bay Temple: Gyorg, the Gargantuan Masked Fish, who was responsible for imprisoning the 3rd Giant, the guardian deity of the Great Bay, causing the waters of the Great Bay Coast to become polluted and dangerous and causing an abnormal climate shift in the Great Bay area, which was restored to normal upon Gyorg's defeat. Princess Ruto in particular was amazed at what Link had done to preserve the Zora Tribe in the Great Bay area. After moving back to shore of the Zora Cape, the group made their way back towards the Great Bay Coast, stopping only to enjoy the sights.
“The water has surely improved in quality in comparison to the last time I was here.” Link said.
“How so?” Ruto asked.
“Well, when the Majora-possessed Skull Kid wrecked havoc around these parts, the weather was rather abnormal here, causing an increase in the ocean’s temperature which in turn wouldn’t do the Zora Eggs trapped in the Pinnacle Rock any good.” Link said.
“True that; the eggs of our kind are very sensitive to temperature changes in their environment.” Ruto said, nodding.

On their way back to Termina Field, Link, Saria, Zelda, Ruto and Nabooru paid a visit to the grave which Link had set up to bury Mikau in, the five holding a moment of silence in his honor. After that, the five went to see the professor at the lab to allow Ruto to see the Baby Zoras that had hatched from the eggs that Lulu, the band’s singer, had laid a year prior. The Baby Zoras were fortunately growing well, looking like slightly bigger tadpoles that had to develop their forms like Ruto over the years to come.  After leaving the lab and moving back on the sand towards the shore, taking out several Leevers that tried to bother them along the way.
“I could have sworn to have seen a Like-Like or two here as well…” Zelda said.
“They dwell in this area, Zelda, so we need to watch our backs, although most of them are underneath the water surface.” Link said.
After about 10 minutes, the group finally entered West Termina Field. It was there that the five were suddenly approached by the sound of a horse galloping, along with a friendly neighing. Link turned around, before his eyes went wide.
“I don't believe it! Epona!” Link exclaimed, seeing his trusty steed once more, alive and well.
“Whoa, she's cute.” Ruto said, finally getting a good look at the horse.
“Maybe we can make a detour towards Romani Ranch, perhaps we can find some more horses so we all have a shorter travel time. Besides, it can help us getting to certain areas faster.” Link said, smiling.
“Great idea.” Zelda said with a smile.

Unknown to them, they were being watched from a distance by about three people.
“Are they the people we seek?” A gruff man asked.
“Yes. They are in possession of some of the items we looted the other day. They also seem to have quite the riches with them, concerning the jewelry they have with them. And that boy’s sword has traces of gold within it too.” A female said.
“Hmmm, how interesting.” The first man said, deciding to gain a bit more information about them first before acting.

The group itself managed to travel to the southwest of Termina Field, entering the Milk Road that led into Romani Ranch, Epona accompanying them along the way. The road itself was open as it always had been after Link left Termina and, after entering the ranch, the group could see how big it was, with the numerous cows present in the field, being carefully looked after by Cremia, while Romani was once more practicing with her bow. Also present on the ranch were a few more horses. It was Cremia who first noticed them.
“Oh? New visitors?” She asked, before spotting Link, “Ah, how nice to see you here again. What brings you all the way here?”
“Well, that’s kind of a long and complicated story.” Link said, scratching the back of his head.
“We’re here to ask if you have some horses available for us to lend for the time being. There’s trouble brewing again in our homeland and we fear that, due to us being sent all the way here, Termina may be in crisis soon once again.” Zelda said.
Cremia nodded.
“Well, I do have some horses available, but I’m not just giving them away for free. I apologize for it though, but I have it very busy as a ranch owner and all… it’s not easy to keep track of everything.” She said.
“That’s understandable. Do you need any help with something?” Link asked.
“Well, I’m due to deliver another supply of milk to the Milk Bar shortly, but lately the cows have been restless, producing not that much of milk because of it. Romani’s training with her bow isn’t helping much either. Although she keeps herself in the area where she won’t form a hazard for the animals around here, she’s grown more and more zealous lately.” Cremia said.
“Hmmm, perhaps she could have caught someone trying to mess with the cattle and fended them off while doing her best not to cause any alarm to you…” Link said, remembering how he helped Romani himself with fending off creatures trying to steal the cattle in the barn successfully.
“That sounds quite plausible…” Cremia said, thinking.
“If you like we can stick around to see what has been causing the uproar in a way so we can find a way to solve it.” Nabooru offered.
“That would be splendid. If you can help with keeping the cattle at ease and safe, then I’ll give you any horse you wish in gratitude.” Cremia said, smiling brightly.
The five nodded in agreement, ready to help out.
“So, you said that the cows have difficulty with producing milk, you said?” Link asked.
“Yeah, they seem calm now, but over the past days…” Cremia said.
“Perhaps I can help to solve that problem.” He said, grabbing his own Ocarina.
“What are you doing?” Cremia asked.
“Just trust me on this and keep the bucket underneath the cow’s udder, please.” Link said.
Confused, Cremia did as Link requested as Link himself concentrated, playing Epona’s Song on his Ocarina. After the song finished, the cow itself responded right away with a pleasant moo, before it began to release the milk in the bucket… filling it completely in just about one or two minutes!
“Huh?! How did you do that?!” Cremia asked, blinking at the rapidly filling bucket.
“Playing Epona’s Song helps with this; it has been said that the song reminds them of the pasture, making them feel good, hence they can produce a lot of milk in turn.” Link said with a smile, although there was no sign of boasting in his voice.
“That’s amazing! It looks like I can actually get to have a basic supply AND reserve too!” Cremia said, excited.
The group smiled at this, before going to work to help Romani and Cremia out. In a way, it served as training too, coupled with the fact that many hands could finish the job easier. The milking was done in about an hour, primarily thanks to Epona’s Song which calmed the cows and allowed them to produce practically TWICE as much milk than normal. Along the way, the group decided to spar on occasion as well, using the weapons they had at their disposal and also training with Romani on the obstacle course. This kind of practice went on during the day, until it became dusk.

Once work was over, Link, Saria, Zelda, Ruto and Nabooru sat on the roof of Cremia and Romani’s place, enjoying the sunset while also keeping an eye out on things.
“So far, so good. Your blades should be done upgrading the following day.” Link said.
“Thank you.” Zelda said, smiling.
“Is there something wrong, Zelda? You’ve been gloomy for most part of the day…” Nabooru said.
"To be honest, what bothers me is the way Majora got resurrected." Zelda said.
"Link, do you suspect that Ganondorf could have possibly resurrected Majora?" Saria asked.
"Ganondorf HAS the Triforce of Power, so he should retain some of his strength at least." Link said.
"But we sealed him away in the Evil Realm, there's no way he could have POSSIBLY gotten out of there to simply resurrect a person, trap himself back in the Evil Realm and let him help to fully break the seal!" Ruto said.
"That's right," Link said, before he went wide eyed, "unless Ganondorf somehow used the Triforce of Power to make himself an avatar in our world and use him as a pawn to get what he needed!"
"That must have been the other guy that I have seen floating next to Majora back in Hyrule Field!" Zelda said.
"Saria and I also saw him being present when we were scouting out the forces present in an open field in the area between Hyrule and Termina. And knowing how powerful Ganondorf is, they would probably concentrate on rebuilding their fortress and then spread out to at least strengthen the strongholds they already have re-gained control over.” Link said.
“So you mean we could be facing monsters stronger than they were before?” Zelda asked.
“That’s a big possibility. Perhaps Hyrule could even be off-limits to us for now, simply to either weaken us enough out here.”
“Hmmm, you raise an interesting point… but how will we be able to reach Impa, Darunia and Rauru if we can’t enter Hyrule?” Zelda asked.
“We should try to find another way in, but we would first need to find where exactly the roads of Hyrule are being blocked and/or if we can even remove them now. I doubt we can tackle them at this time, but you and I as well as Ganondorf himself know that you and I need to stay alive, considering we are in possession of the Triforce pieces that Ganondorf wants…” Link replied.
“Oh boy, I have a feeling we’re in for a long trip.” Saria said, before seeing someone entering the ranch. Nabooru saw it as well.
“Hey, who’s in need of milk at this time of night?” The Gerudo leader asked.
Link, Zelda and Ruto also looked at the person entering the ranch.
“What’s up with that person?! He’s prancing around like an idiot!” Saria said.
“I’ll say- wait a second, that’s Sakon; one of the most notorious thieves in Termina!” Link said, recognizing him.
“You know him?” Zelda asked, blinking.
“You got that right; I foiled him from stealing a Bomb Bag from an old lady during my first stay in Termina and retrieved the Sun Mask he stole earlier from his hideout with help of one of the denizens of Clock Town.” Link said.
“He’s headed for the barn!” Nabooru said.

Carefully sneaking around so no one would see him, Sakon entered the barn carefully, sneaking past the sleeping cows.
‘Yes, soon enough their riches will be mine.’ He thought as he carefully went to open the door to the storage where the Chateau Romani was being stored, intending to finally take some of it with him to sell at the Curiosity Shop for a bargain, which in turn would put the ranch out of business. It was more of an elaborate detour which he was performing into getting to the real treasure, the riches of the ranch owner Cremia. It was of his intention to make it appear he was going to steal their precious milk, so his true plan could come to pass, but as long as the door was locked… Taking a jar, he went towards his exit to carefully sneak out, managing to go outside and ready to sneak away towards the exit of the ranch and towards those who paid him to do this. It was then that someone landed in front of him, drawing his sword and shield! It was Link!
“Where are YOU going, Sakon?!” Link snarled.
“Huh?” Sakon, looking down to him.
“Remember me?” Link asked, his demeanor showing that he wasn’t messing around.
“Ah, you! You were the one who snuck into my hideout and stole that mask from me!” Sakon snapped.
“Stole it from you?! I helped someone RECLAIM the mask since YOU were the one who stole it in the first place!” Link retorted.
“Why you little brat! I should knock this jar on-“
Sakon couldn’t finish his sentence as he felt something pointing in his back. Link however smiled at this, seeing Zelda having snuck up behind Sakon and was currently holding her bow ready at Sakon’s back, an arrow placed at point blank range.
“Don’t even think about it!” Zelda said.
Having heard the commotion, both Romani and Cremia rushed outside, seeing Nabooru walking up to Sakon and pulling the jar out of his hands.
“This belongs to the ranch, thief!” The Gerudo said, proving to Zelda that she was totally unlike the other Gerudo and Ganondorf as a whole.
Sakon growled; he was caught like a rat in a trap! But how was that even possible?! He was one of the greatest thieves of Termina! And now he was bested, again! Saria then used her lean fingers to pluck something from Sakon’s pocket.
“Check this out, looks like this one was on a payroll… it says here that the Gorman Brothers paid him…” She said.
Cremia’s eyes narrowed at this.
“Those blasted Gorman brothers… always trying to put me out of business…” She said.
“Hmmm, I think I may have something to help you out with it in the future.” Link said, having an idea.
Sakon in the meantime was struggling in the arms of Nabooru, whom held him tightly at the arms.
“You’re due for a long time in prison, pal!” The Gerudo snarled, narrowing her eyes at the thief.
Sakon went wide-eyed at this, before promptly head-butting Nabooru backwards, knocking her full in the face, breaking her nose which forced Nabooru to let him go. In a quick reflex reaction, Sakon snagged one of the Deku Nuts that Link carried with him before smashing it onto the ground, its blinding flash effectively blinding the others for a brief moment, at which Sakon took it as his cue to bail out as quickly as possible. Cremia dropped the jar she was holding, but due to the soft grass below, it didn’t shatter, it just fell over on the ground, although Romani tripped over it as she staggered to get the flash out of her eyes.

Link was the first to recover and saw Sakon running away like a dog running with its tail between its legs. Playing Epona’s Song to call his trusty steed, Link first grabbed his equipment and tried to help the others before mounting Epona.
“He’s NOT going to get away!” Link said, with Epona neighing in kind.
Before he could take off in pursuit, someone took position behind Link on Epona. It was Zelda, her bow and arrows ready.
“Go get him!” Zelda said.
“You bet!” Link said as Epona then took off with them, gaining ground on the thief.
As they went in pursuit, both Link and Zelda got their bows ready, wanting to intercept him once they had him in their sights, but with him running left to right a bit, made it not easy to aim.

Sakon initially slowed down to try and catch his breath, but blinked as two arrows, courtesy from Link and Zelda, flung past his ears, causing him to make a mad dash out of the Milk Road and heading to the right, to where the Gorman Race Track was, running over the track in a counter clock-wise direction.
“COME BACK HERE, YOU DIRTY COWARD!” Both Link and Zelda said in unison as they pursued the thief over the track.
No sooner have they gone over the track, when suddenly two masked man with a familiar battle-cry began to pursue them, making it a two way chase; Sakon running for his life while trying to avoid arrows, Link and Zelda riding Epona to try and stop him while the Gorman Brothers were after them to give Sakon the time needed to escape.
“We’ve got enemies on our six, behind us!” Link said, hearing the battle-cry.
“I got them. I’ll hold them off for us, you concentrate on catching up with that thief.” Zelda said.
“Understood.” Link said with a smile, doing his best to keep up with Sakon, whom looked like he had gained wings with the speed he was running.
Apparently that ‘prancing’ of his was merely a deceptive move of him to keep his condition up. Nevertheless, Link managed to keep up the pace, not pushing Epona too much because of added weight, but also to give Zelda the chance to aim properly to keep the Gorman Brothers at a distance. Zelda on her turn lended Link’s Shield to deflect incoming strikes due to the pitchforks that the brothers wielded, with Link trying his best to aid her by making it hard for either one of the brothers to come in close enough for a strike.

At the same moment, Nabooru recovered as well, ignoring her bloody nose.
“Where did he go?!” Nabooru asked.
“If he’s working with the Gorman Brothers, he’ll likely be gone to their race track to seek their aid!” Cremia said.
“Then there’s no time to waste, I’m going after them.” Nabooru said, mounting one of the nearby horses, taking Saria and Ruto with her, before letting the horse go in pursuit of the group, leaving Cremia to take care of her injured sister Romani.

Sakon was showing signs of getting tired, which allowed Link to take an arrow himself and shoot one in the direction of his legs after Zelda had taken another shot at one of the approaching Gorman Brothers, effectively making him back off. As they neared the other side of the track, to the entrance/exit area, Sakon decided to pull a tricky maneuver of his own. Lighting the fuse of a bomb he pilfered from the Bomb Shop a few days ago, he waited for a bit until he was at the exit area, before tossing it to the side amongst a group of bushes. The resulting explosion only destroyed the bushes, but the shockwave and the sound of the blast caused Epona to rear up on its hind legs in fright, effectively throwing both Link and Zelda off, causing the two to land on the ground, losing consciousness as their heads bashed against each other during their fall. Because of this, Sakon managed to get away while Epona rushed into Termina Field, while the Gorman Brothers were closing in to finish them. However, two well-aimed shots from the Slingshot, courtesy of Saria, caused the Gorman Brothers to back off, especially after one shot nailed one of the Gorman Brothers straight in the eye, blackening it in the process.
“Oh no! Link and Zelda!” Saria said, seeing the unconscious duo lying next to each other.
“You two stay with them, I’ll get Epona back.” Nabooru said as she let both Ruto and Saria dismount, after which she took off to retrieve Epona.

Saria went to check on the condition of the two.
“They’re unconscious, but alive. They don’t appear to have any severe injuries, but they must have hit their heads against each other during their fall or landing.” She said, using a bit of her powers to soothe the injured areas.
“Dang, that Sakon guy really is rude.” Ruto said annoyed, before moving to use her water abilities to put out the few small fires from the remains of the plants destroyed by the bomb.
After making sure there was no lasting damage or anything that could make things worse, Saria and Ruto then carefully turned the bodies of Link and Zelda around to examine the other side for damage, just as Nabooru returned with Epona in tow. Ruto saw her coming.
“Sakon got away, but he won’t be coming back here anytime soon,” Nabooru said, before looking at Link and Zelda, “how are they?”
“They’re unconscious for now, but they’ll be fine; I haven’t seen any permanent damage or something like that, maybe having gotten a concussion.” Saria said.
“Let’s take them to the ranch to have them rest up for a while. It’s much safer there.” Nabooru said, taking Link and Zelda on her horse, while Saria and Ruto gently mounted Epona to head for the ranch again, where Cremia was waiting for them.
“Good grief! What happened to them?” Cremia asked.
“That coward Sakon used a bomb as a diversion, scaring Epona and throwing the two off of her in the process, knocking them out.” Nabooru said.
“We’d better treat their injuries and put them on a bed to their bodies can rest and heal up.” Cremia said, opening the door, calling Romani to help her.