Up until that point, Link had never been to Castle City. Despite it not being the largest civilization in Hyrule, it was the capital, and it certainly had the air of a capital. Every street was perfectly even and made of finely cut cobblestone, and they were surprisingly clean as well. Well-sculpted buildings of Hylian architecture dripping with Gerudo aesthetics—consisting of tan colors and awnings made of richly-colored cloth—flanked the roads, singing proud the name of the race that governed the country.

And the people... So many people. The sheer amount of auras surrounding Link when he dared to focus on them was enough to disorient him, but it was so much more worse than that. He could hardly take a step without bumping into somebody or stepping on someone's foot. He felt like he couldn't breathe at some points. When he could, he got a lungful of the frankly exotic air. Earth, Pokémon musk, wood-smoke, and an overwhelming blend of different spices that mixed into a veritable stew, making him feel lightheaded.

He absolutely hated it.

Link shoved his way through the crowds as quickly as he could, his chest and throat growing increasingly tighter. He just had to get away from all these people. The man had told Link to meet him on the border of what was obviously considered "the bad side of town" in a seedy pub known as The Wilted Voltfruit.

After Link unwillingly asked for directions, he arrived at the rundown establishment just as the moon began to rise. The darkness allowed yellowish light to leak from behind the heavy curtains covering the windows, cracks creating spiderwebs across their dirty surfaces. A faded sign hung lazily above the door, surely reading the pub's name.

Apprehension briefly pricked at Link's psyche. This did seem rather shady, more so than the few public pubs and taverns he frequented. A normal person wouldn't have come in a five-mile radius of this eventual pile of rubble. But Link wasn't a normal person, and he needed the money.

"Can you stay out here?" Link asked Luce. She began to protest, and Link held his hand up, making her pause. "I know this doesn't look like the best of places, but somebody might get suspicious if I brought you in. The last thing we need is for us to be possibly recognized in Castle City. Also... you know if things do go wrong, I don't want you gettin' hurt."

Luce shook her head, letting out a small bark. She held onto his arm, her grip tight. He managed to free himself and gently pushed her away, smiling.

"Don't worry. You know I wouldn't go in unprepared," he said, putting a hand on the hilt of his sheathed sword. He wasn't the best at fighting with a weapon, but he wasn't completely defenseless. Luce's teachings in combat and Aura tended to be more than enough help. Luce seemed reluctant to agree, but she eventually did.

The moment Link set foot in the doorway, all eyes were on him. Fifteen or so people of all races, except Gerudo, but similar in demeanor looked up from their drinks or conversations to stare at Link. He ignored them and took a glance about the premises. About half a dozen tables with peeling wood, rickety chairs, a stained bar counter run by a scruffy Hylian male, all dyed a dingy yellow-brown from the flickering oil lamps. The place screamed "bad news."

It was then that Link sensed a more far-off aura in the room, one that he recognized. He glanced in its direction, seeing somebody at a table in the corner. It surprised him that the two tables around theirs were empty despite the amount of people in the small room. The person was wearing a black cloak with the hood up, and the man who had spoken to Link before had been wearing a similar cloak.

Link made his way to the table, positive the hooded person was his client. Meanwhile, the gawkers went back to what they were doing, their drunken curiosity now sated.

When Link reached the table, the person looked up, finally allowing him to see their features. Link's eyes widened, and he was immediately put on edge. The person was a Gerudo, evidenced by their vermillion hair and dark skin. But what really surprised Link was that the person was a male Gerudo.

From what Link had heard, a male Gerudo being seen was like seeing two full moons in a month. Link could attest to that. He'd only seen a male Gerudo twice in his life before now. The reason for that was because for reasons unknown, a good majority of male Gerudo infants were stillborn. Link supposed that was unfortunate, but he couldn't care less.

"Vasaaq," the man greeted in a deep voice, only a hint of his accent tugging at his words. "You're the one who is known as the Illusion, correct?" Link hesitantly nodded, and the man gestured to the empty chair. "Please, have a seat."

Link didn't move.

"What?" The man's eyes narrowed. "Is it because I'm a Gerudo? I'll have you know that every able Gerudo doesn't work for King Daemos. And don't you think I'd have you dragged off in chains by now if that were the case?"

"Yeah..." Link muttered, still unsure.

"But you still don't believe or trust me, as expected." With a purposeful flourish, the man held up a golden-hued rupee. Link's heart skipped a beat. A gold rupee was worth the most, counting for three-hundred apiece. "You do want this, don't you?" the man asked.

Link sighed. "I do." He took a seat in the empty chair. "I just can't be too careful," he said.

The man nodded thoughtfully and pocketed the rupee. "Understandable," he mused. He then offered Link his hand, which the latter cautiously took. "Ganondorf. Pleased to make your acquaintance." Link shook the man's hand. He tilted his head a little, studying the Gerudo's face. He didn't know why, but he felt like he'd seen Ganondorf previously.

"Have we met before?" The question slipped before Link could stop it.

Ganondorf looked thoughtful for a moment but then shook his head. "Not that I can recall. I've only seen your face on wanted posters." Link nodded, not able to shake off the feeling of familiarity. "But before we get down to business, do you want anything to drink?" Ganondorf asked as he took a swig of the vile-looking liquid in his glass.

"No. I don't drink," Link refused with a firm shake of his head. The pungent stench of alcohol was on Ganondorf's breath, which rolled over Link in a nauseating wave when he spoke. Link resisted the urge to cover his nose, his stomach turning. He couldn't stand the taste or scent of the stuff.

Ganondorf shrugged. "Suit yourself," he said dismissively. The Gerudo's clear state of mind and lack of slurring showed he wasn't drunk, but the empty glass beside the one he held showed that he was on his way to being so. "Now, you might be wondering why I requested that we meet here." He tapped his index finger on the table with that last word.

"Kinda," Link said. "I'm guessin' ya want me to steal from somebody in Castle City, likely someone rich since ya wanted to meet in a place like this instead of a normal pub... unless you're that concerned with keepin' me a secret."

"Well, what do you know? You're as smart as they say." Ganondorf grinned. "And yes, the person I want you to... talk to isn't the poorest of Gerudo." Link didn't bother asking why Ganondorf wanted him to steal from someone rich despite obviously not being poor himself. Thieves didn't need to ask unnecessary questions as long as they got their reward in the end.

"So what do ya want me to talk to her about?" Link asked, playing along.

"A gold necklace shaped like a diamond. About this big." Ganondorf held his fingers three inches apart. "Set in each of its points is a bit of topaz with an actual diamond in the center. It's a precious family heirloom that was stolen and pawned off when my vaba died."

Link resisted the urge to roll his eyes at the terminology. Why did the Gerudo always have to mix in Gerudic words when they spoke Hylian? Couldn't they just say "grandmother" like a normal person?

Unaware of Link's annoyance, Ganondorf continued. "The broad," he spat the word with audible disgust, "who has the necklace now refuses to sell it back to us, saying her 'mommy' will sic her subordinates on us if we keep bothering her since she's a captain of the Royal Guard."

Link raised an eyebrow. "Is she?"

"Unfortunately," Ganondorf replied somberly. "If that sounds like a bad deal to you, then I'll add fifty rupees to the reward. That necklace has been in my family for eight generations. We need it back at all costs!" he said, an edge of desperation in his voice.

Link frowned, considering the offer. He'd had close scrapes with guards before, but never as elite as those in the Royal Guard. If something went wrong, he'd pay dearly for it. But at the same time... he could try to milk some more rupees out of this sap if he was that desperate. Link hid a smirk. "One-hundred, and then I'll do it," he said.

"Of course! Sarqso," Ganondorf said, relieved.

"Don't thank me, you hired me," Link said. "So ya know anythin' about this girl? Looks, daily routine?"

"All of it. I've been after her for weeks," Ganondorf said. He then went on to describe a standard Gerudo female, though a bit thinner than the norm. "Now, at around nine in the evening her path home takes her through a street one over to the east of the western fountain plaza. That place is always long empty by the time she gets there, not to mention there's hardly any torches, so it's quite dark."

"Okay." Link nodded. "So where's the plaza?"

"The west side of Castle City, obviously. Simply follow the street signs and you'll find it."

"I... can't do that," Link said. "I like going off landmarks."

Ganondorf exhaled a small laugh. "What? Can't you read?"

Link's gaze was steely as he humorlessly stared back. He hated saying this. "No, I can't," he stated.

Ganondorf grinned, seeming to find humor in Link's reply. "Are you kidding me? You really can't read?" he chuckled. "Did your parents not teach you?"

"No. No, they didn't," Link said, his gaze becoming an icy glare, contrasting with the hot ire sparking within him.

"That's a riot! What are you, eighteen, nineteen, and you can't read?" The man was fully laughing now.

Link was done. "If ya think that's so funny, then I have a joke that'll really have ya laughin'," he began sarcastically, "the deal's off," he finished in deadpan. He started to stand, but Ganondorf stopped him.

"Wait, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to insult you!" he apologized. "I'll add an extra fifty rupees onto your payment for that, just don't walk out!"

Yeah, I bet ya didn't, Link thought angrily, still glaring at the Gerudo. He really did want to leave, but nearly six-hundred rupees for a mugging was incredible. Too incredible. "Fine, I'll still do it," he muttered. He would just have to be more on his guard, like he wouldn't have been already.

—~*~—

The brick was cold beneath Link's back as he leaned against it, its coarse edges biting through his cloak and shirt. He and Luce were blanketed in the shadow of the building they hid behind. They had been staking out this place for a while, and Link was getting bored.

He sighed, closing his eyes and opening his mind to Aura for the umpteenth time that evening. If he concentrated he could see actually see someone's aura, which gave him more reach than just outright sensing, unlike Luce who could see them naturally. Whether it be limitations to his own ability or just an undeveloped aspect of the skill, he wasn't sure. But at least he could practice during times like these. He expected little to nothing like the previous attempts. However, this time wasn't for naught.

Somebody was coming.

Link nudged Luce, instantly gaining her attention. He put a finger to his lips before jabbing a thumb over his shoulder towards the street. She nodded, her fur bristling in anticipation.

Soon enough, a young Gerudo woman came into view from down the road. It had to be her. She looked just like how Ganondorf had described, even down to the cloak she wore with white flowers embroidered along its hemming.

Link waited until she had put about a foot of distance in front of him before he made his move. He darted out of the alley and ran at the woman. Before she could turn around he put a hand over her mouth and reached for her neck, feeling for the necklace's chain. Surprise and slight alarm jolted him when he found no chain. A risky reach forwards made it clear that there wasn't even a necklace to begin with.

What the—?

The Gerudo suddenly grabbed one of Link's wrists, clutching it in a death grip. She tore his hand away from her mouth and whirled to face him, snagging his other wrist in his shock.

"Didn't expect that, did you?" she said, smirking. "I got him! We're over here!" she then yelled loudly. Gerudo seemed to appear from nowhere, almost materializing out of the shadows. They were all garbed in silver and red Royal Guard's armor and had a Pokémon at their sides.

Panic splintered through Link. What the hell is going on? Although he was confused beyond belief, above all he knew he had to get away and run.

Link planted one of his feet and swept the other into the Gerudo's legs, toppling her balance. She hit the ground hard, and a gasp of shock left her when the air was forced from her lungs. Her grip had loosened, and Link was easily able to pull himself free. "Luce, run!" he yelled before darting into the alley where she was waiting.

"Don't let him get away!" a voice demanded, but Link was too far away to see who it was.

The duo sprinted farther down the alley, deeper into the darkness. One word bounced about Link's mind. Trap. It had all been a trap. Why wouldn't there have not been a necklace? Ganondorf had tricked him! Of course he had, how could have Link been so stupid?

It didn't take long for the guards and their Pokémon to join him in the alley. The mass of auras was disorienting to focus on, but Link could count at least eight.

Luce and Link had taken note of the maze-like gaps earlier, loosely planning out a route if things were to go sour. "Let's make it difficult for 'em," Link told Luce. She nodded and turned down another alley, Link following.

A couple of crates and stacked barrels quickly came up in Luce's and Link's path. She cleared the crates flawlessly while Link aimed a kick at the barrels, sending them toppling and rolling down the alley. He then vaulted over the crates and continued following Luce, quickly rejoining her. As expected, there was a bit of a halting commotion, letting the fleeing pair gain a little more ground.

"Cacturne, Poison Sting!" a Gerudo commanded. Link and Luce threw themselves towards the alley walls just in time to see glowing purple barbs shoot past them.

"Okay, Luce, Aura Sphere!" Link hissed. The Lucario formed an orb of shining blue light in her hands before firing it behind her in the general direction of their pursuers. This was all meant to slow them down. Link knew they wouldn't win in a fight against them, not when there were so many.

At the end of the alley they were currently in stood a wall, just higher than Link was. Its purpose was unknown, but that didn't matter to him. Luce again easily jumped the wall and Link followed, jumping at an adjacent wall and kicking off it. He grabbed the lip of the wall and hauled himself up and over, landing in an empty street.

Link frantically looked about. It would be safest if they tried to hide in another alley than risk fleeing down the street. He pointed to a possible destination and they both took off again, only for a duo of guards accompanied by a Sandslash to intercept them.

With a growl, Luce flung a pair of Aura Spheres at the guards. The Sandslash leapt forwards and cleaved the orbs apart with its claws, causing them to burst with blue light. In that time the other guards' Pokémon had emerged from the alley and taken up positions in the street, allowing their Gerudic companions to fill in the gaps between them. The criminal duo were trapped.

Link and Luce instinctively positioned themselves back-to-back, adopting practiced fighting stances. Link drew his sword and Luce summoned a long bone fashioned from Aura energy, a form of Bone Club she'd manipulated to double as a makeshift sword. They both waited for the oncoming brawl with bated breath. However, none of their foes made a move.

One of the Gerudo stepped forwards, her scimitar sheathed. Link didn't dare lower his own blade. Interestingly, she wasn't wearing the mouth-concealing veil the other guards had. Link figured it was a sign of importance, a higher rank perhaps.

"We didn't think the Illusion would show his face here," she said in a powerful voice. "Especially considering your popularity out east."

"Oh wow, good to know I'm so well-known!" Link grinned through his scowl, turning it into a menacing glower. "Then ya might also know that I hate small talk, so just tell me what the hell ya want."

The Gerudo seemed amused. "Bold words for somebody who's surrounded. It's almost admirable." She frowned. "But we hate voe like you," she almost seemed to spit the Gerudic word for "man," "especially ones who would try to attack us. Don't think you're getting out of this one, Link Renier."

Link paled at the mention of his full name. He couldn't remember the last time he'd heard it. "How do ya know my name?" he snapped.

"Believe me, we know more about you than you may think," the Gerudo said. "Now, somebody take him out already. We've caused enough of a commotion doing this."

Link and Luce tensed.

"Heliolisk, Thunder Wave!"

Link's heart dropped as a reptilian cry rang out to his right. In an instant his limbs locked up, the muscles stiffening against his will. The paralysis swiftly traveled across his body until he couldn't move at all. He collapsed, his sword hitting the cobblestone with a clatter.

Luce had been hit as well, but the move did nothing more than slow her down greatly and make her twitch grotesquely. She acted like the paralysis was nothing, staggering to stand over Link protectively and wielding her "blade" as best she could.

What're you doing? Run! Link wanted to cry, but he couldn't move anything, not even his jaw. But of course she wouldn't leave him, and it pained him to know that.

The veil-less Gerudo sighed. "Deal with them," she said. A Cacturne, Heliolisk, and a duo of Sandslash stalked towards Luce, claws and fangs bared to attack, electricity sparking from the Heliolisk's unfurled collar.

Just run! Link begged internally. Luce didn't move.

One of the Sandslash dove at Luce, their claws clanging against the bone Luce held up to block it. The other swiftly dove behind her and slashed at her back, drawing blood and a hiss of pain.

Link's breath hitched, his chest tightening. Please..!

Luce was rendered unconscious within seconds, being shocked or slashed until she collapsed beside Link in a heap. He saw the slashes and burns littering her form, the dark red leaking from under her as she lay on the ground. He managed to clench his teeth and again struggled to move, rage searing him. How dare they treat her like that! Knocked aside like she were a mere doll...

"Damn, that was a pain," a Gerudo huffed.

"Who cares?" another growled. "What matters is that we caught him. King Daemos will certainly be pleased to hear this."

The king? If Link wasn't frozen by paralysis, he would have been rendered so by shock. What did the king want with him? He'd broken laws, sure, but there were worse people out there to track down.

The veil-less Gerudo approached Link, smugly staring down at him. He glared back at her, the only real thing he could do at the moment.

   "Now it's your turn," she said with a smirk. She raised her foot and brought it down on Link's skull, tearing his own consciousness away within seconds.