"Sometimes the things we complain most about are the things we care most about. Unfortunately, we don't always know that until it's too late." -Unknown

The group reaches Goron City, which has been heavily ransacked due to the initial Yiga attack. The trio stand guard as the gorons pick up whatever they might need from their houses.

"Their home...they destroyed it." Zelda remorsefully comments while picking up a small, damaged goron statue. Link walks up to her and places his hand over hers.

"I know it's bad now, but they'll rebuild it all. They always can." Link softly says before looking out the entrance and seeing the faint visage of Hyrule castle. "They always can..."

Meanwhile, Samus helps the gorons clear out rocks covering the paths and blocking entrances to the houses. Link and Zelda walk up figure out the best way up the mountain, until Link points out a very important detail. "Wait a minute; where's Vah Rudania?"

"Did the Yiga move it?" Zelda comments.

"Wait up!" One of the gorons calls out and runs up to the pair. "You guys looking for the divine beast?" The two nod in acknowledgement. "Well, the last time I was here, the Yiga moved it to toe abandoned north mine."

"For what purpose?" Zelda inquires.

"I don't know exactly, but that's where they moved it. They never let us go near that place when we were mining, I don't know what they were trying to hide or keep out, but it can't be good."

"Well, if Vah Rudania is there, then that's where we need to go. Regardless of the situation, don't you think?" Link asks, turning his head to the left to face Zelda.

"I agree." Zelda then looks back at the destruction caused by the Yiga and their monsters. "I've had enough of this."

"It's settled then; first we send the gorons to the refuge and then we head north. From there, we'll figure out how to access the divine beast. Any questions?"

Zelda nods in compliance and they prepare to head out, the shop owner stops the pair to offer them a resupply of arrows, which they gratefully accept. Before heading off to help the gorons with their preparations, Link hangs back to take another look at Daruk's monument overlooking the city and is once again gripped by nostalgia over how he and Yunobo climbed up the summit to stop the divine beasts rampage. Zelda calls out to Link, which takes him out of his thoughts, and he runs off to join the others.

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In Tarrey Town, the residents have finally completed the carriage for their evacuation. Purah and Robbie, having spoken through personalized sheikah slates, agreed to bring them to Hateno village where they'd be safe. With some difficulty, due to the fact that Rito don't normally ride horses, Fyson had returned with 8 steeds from the South Akkala stable, which both Greyson and Karson hook up to the carts.

"Well, they said these are the best they've got. We can return them whenever we can due to all the danger in the way." Fyson explains to Bolson and Robbie what the stable owner said to him.

"Well, that's mighty neighborly of them." Bolson answers. "Now, I think we should head off as soon as possible."

"Hold on, we can't go anywhere with that barrier up." Robbie retorts. "I barely got through to Purah and she said that this barrier will kill anyone who touches it."

"So, our only choice is to wait it out, huh?" Hudson cuts in, having overhead the discussion.

"I'm afraid so. We've got to put our faith in Linky boy and his friends to get rid of the barrier, when was the last time he us down; never." Bolson gives his answer in the usual flamboyant way.

"Yeah, you're right boss." Hudson nods in agreement before looking back at the townsfolk. "You know, we should take the time to load up supplies in the carts. We've got injured and elderly people and I don't know if they'll have enough medicine to go around in Hateno."

Agreeing to this proposal, everyone pitches in to load up the final cart (the first three are for the passengers). Before that, they are alerted by loud rumbling coming from the direction of Death Mountain and they look on in worry over what it could indicate.

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Sending the gorons to the refuge in Gorko Tunnel, the group makes their way to the abandoned north mine. Just as the last goron disappears from view, the mountain begins to rumble. Although alarmed, the rumbling stops after a while.

"Link, does the mountain usually do that?" Samus asks with concern.

"Death Mountain, despite its name, is normally calm. I've visited here several times before and it's never shaken this strongly."

"Wait, didn't Ghor say that the phazon is making the mountain unstable? Could it be close to erupting?" Zelda comments.

"Yes." Virginia confirms Zelda's suspicions. "I took the liberty of scanning the seismic activity from the volcano and have confirmed the presence of phazon charged magma causing the irregularities. If left unchecked, there may be a massive eruption that will cover the mountain and several miles of land."

"How much time do we have?" Link asks with distress clear in his voice.

"It is not possible to estimate, due to the fluctuating levels in magma flow. I suggest you move quickly to restore the divine beast."

Running from the center of Goron City, the group ascends the northern path to get a view of the abandoned north mine. From the top, they stare in shock over the fact that the lava has been completely solidified in the mine, surrounded by many black phazon crystals. Further in on the massive crustacean like rock, divine beast Vah Rudania grapples on it with its head up and spread open, releasing a beam of phazon powering the barrier, as well as covered in large growths (due to the massive quantities of phazon, Zelda's hazard shield activates itself as a precaution). Reaching the shoreline, Samus scans the integrity of the lava and confirms that it is solid enough to walk on it, with Link being the first to take a step. After making sure that it's safe enough, he beckons his comrades to step forward and they move towards the divine beast. At the halfway point, the crystals begin to glow unsettlingly and one of the massive phazon growths discolors itself, revealing it as a genesis chamber. Before they question this, a loud roar sounds from it, followed by the emergence of a monstrous behemoth of an elite pirate (double the size of a standard elite pirate, phazon plating leg and shoulder guards, two large guardian turrets over each shoulder, an under bite with elongated canine teeth and glowing yellow eyes). Facing the monster, the three ready themselves for battle.

"Wait a second, that's 'The Giant'!" Zelda, remembering what she wrote down from the files. "The pinnacle of project helix, isn't it?"

"Yes, Elite Pirate Upsilon. Also known as the Omega Pirate." Virginia confirms Zelda's inquiry. "Everyone, face this creature with extreme caution. It is different than the one previously encountered by Samus, please be careful."

Not wasting time, the omega pirate fires its turrets at the pair. Link and Zelda use their respective barriers to block the attack, while Samus jumps up and fires a missile at its phazon armor (shouting at the others to aim for the phazon plating), but the pirate uses its bayonet to destroy the missile midflight. After running a short distance, Link slides on his shield underneath it and shoots two phazon arrows at the phazon plating on the pirates left leg, destroying it and causing the monster to kneel in discomfort. Seizing the opportunity, Link swiftly gets to his feet and attempts to slash at the plating on its left shoulder, but is forced to use his shield to block a surprise shot from one of its turrets.

"Everyone, its turrets move independently! Don't try to blindside it; you'll get hit!" Link shouts after landing on the ground.

"Then we must destroy its turrets as well!" Zelda shouts before tossing two fireballs at the turrets, only for the pirate to activate a shield generator on its palm and absorb both fireballs. Using the absorbed energy, the pirate blasts at Zelda with its empowered lasers, forcing her to use Nayru's Love to defend herself (pushing her back this time). The pirate jumps to the left of them (causing a tremor as it lands), grabs a stone pillar and swings it at them, forcing the group to dodge as quickly as possible. As she backflips over the pillar, Samus shoots a missile at the pirates face, causing it to stagger and drop the pillar.

"Link, now!" Samus shouts and Link propels himself up (freezing the turrets with a pair of ice arrows) and clings to its right shoulder, stabbing the plating several times. Getting back on its feet the pirate tries to shake Link off, but suppressing fire from Samus and Zelda makes this difficult for it. Finally, Link jumps up, somersaults with the master sword (almost resembling a sawblade as he does so) and slams down on its shoulder, destroying the plating. As he lands, the pirate roars in anger and charges after him, extending its bayonets. Thanks to his training and the suits capabilities, Link effortlessly dodges all the slashes, even kicking off the blades and hitting it in the face with phazon arrows. Blinded by the hits, the pirate goes into a rampage and begins running aimlessly around the area, forcing everyone to evade before it slams its fists on the ground, creating a massive shockwave that throws the three back several feet and disorienting them. Healing the damage on its face, the pirate sets its sights on Link after removing the ice from its turrets and aims both at him. Link, recovering from the shockwave, sees the pirate charging its turrets while roaring and before either one can do anything, he hears a cannon firing and Yunobo drops down, slamming boulder breaker downward on its head, in response, the pirate falls to its knees and the stored energy from its turrets releases down on the ground, sending it on its back. Link moves his arms from his face and sees Yunobo standing over him, having shielded him from the blast.

"Sorry I'm late, Link." Yunobo says with an ear to ear grin.

"Yunobo! But, the rockslide; how did you survive?" Link, in a mix of glee and surprise, asks after placing his hands on Yunobo's shoulders.

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Flashback

Yunobo, after causing the rockslide, activated Daruk's Protection to shield him from the falling rocks as they crush the opposing forces. Still protected, Yunobo pondered having to dig his way out before seeing Ridley burst from one end of the rockslide. After departing, Yunobo realized that Ridley's exit had loosened the rocks significantly, allowing him to use the protection as a means to burst the them and then rolls out. Before heading off to aid Link and the others, he makes a beeline for Gorko tunnel to have Bludo help him just in case, which proved to be true as he was launched to the battlefield via one of Bludo's cannons.

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"Now, what's up with that giant rager? I only heard rumors that it existed." Yunobo says as the omega pirate stands up, having a third plating on its leg destroyed due to Yunobo's earlier attack. Everyone regroups and, deciding to hold off on the happy reunion, they prepare to face the angered omega pirate. They commence with Link and Samus running to opposite ends of the pirate, confusing it. As it looks to the front, both Yunobo and Zelda, with their respective barriers activated, collide with each other in front of the omega pirate, releasing an impact wave on it. The resulting impact leaves the pirate dazed, allowing Yunobo to uppercut it on the chin and Zelda to slash its chest with her flaming rapier (the flames of Din and the stronger than average steel her blade is made from cut through its armor like butter). Holding its injured chest with its left arm, the pirate extends its right bayonet to swing at the pair in retaliation. With its attention drawn to Zelda and Yunobo, Link fires a pair of shock arrows at its turrets to short them out and Samus shoots five seeker missiles at its remaining plating, cracking it and giving Link the opportunity to land a fiery slash at it and finally destroying it. With its defenses destroyed, Link gives the call to attack its now vulnerable carapace (Link: phazite arrows. Zelda: Din's Fire. Samus: super missiles. Yunobo: phazon crystals thrown from around the area). After being brought to its knees, the onslaught stops from the group.

"Is it over?" Link cautiously asks.

"I think it is, it can't fight anymore." Yunobo chimes in, placing a crystal back on the ground.

"Then let's finish it off." Samus says while aiming her plasma beam.

The pirate's eyes shoot up in anger and it extends its right bayonet. In an unexpected move, it impales its own chest while roaring, a red glow appearing from its injury. Remembering what she wrote down about it, Zelda's eyes widen in alarm.

"Everyone, get back! It's hitting the red phazon core in its chest!"

Heeding her warning, they all get away as the pirate erupts in a mix of blue and red phazon energy. The pirate begins convulsing as phazon growths erupt from its body, its muscle mass increases slightly, three tentacles erupt from its back (destroying its turrets in the process), rows of jagged teeth line its mouth and the red phazon core protrudes from its chest.

"Samus, a large increase in phazon has been reported. Please exercise extreme caution." Virginia reports.

The mutated omega pirate charges at the group in a berserker rage, causing small cracks in the solidified lava as it runs. Bludo, seeing the enhanced threat, fires his cannon to slow the monster down. Samus jumps up to land a charge shot on its face, but is swatted away by one of its tentacles. Link takes to the air and diagonally cuts its chest before running along its shoulders and slashing its back. Upon landing, he turns around and sees the wounds inflicted have rapidly healed, leaving him dumbfounded. Before he can do anything, the pirate turns around and swats him away with its left palm. Reeling from the impact, Links attention is turned away by massive rumbling, followed by an eruption from Death Mountain.

"Falling rocks!" Link shouts to the others to watch out, causing the others to dodge the boulders launched from the summit. Those same boulders cause several breaches on the floor, leaving exposed lava holes. After it stops, the group sees the pirate regenerating from the falling boulders.

"By the gods, how do we stop this monster?!"

"Link, I found out from the watchtower that it can regenerate from most injuries, so long as it has something to regenerate. In other words, an organ that's completely removed will not regenerate." Zelda says after running to Link's side.

"Is that right?" Link answers while looking at his sword. "Well, we'd better think of a way to get to it without getting pummeled."

They both arm phazon arrows in an attempt to slow the pirate down. Yunobo bats several phazon crystals onto the rampaging monster and Samus lays down a hail of missiles at its head. Angered, the omega pirates eyes and mouth glow blue and it releases a massive stream of phazon at the group. Samus and Yunobo get away, but Zelda pushes Link to the side and lets the full force of the blast hit her barrier, redirecting it back to the pirate (knocking it down in the process) and propelling her against the wall which dispels Nayru's Love and injures her. Link shouts in alarm and runs to Zelda's aid and Yunobo, frustrated by the pirates assault, hurls another crystal at its head as it stands up. Link, taking notice of Yunobo's excellent throw, comes up with an idea.

"Yunobo, get over here for a minute! Samus try to buy us some time!"

"I'll do my best!" Samus answers and runs towards the already charging omega pirate, using her ice beam to slow it down while Bludo, taking notice of this, shoots several cannonballs at it. After reuniting, Link tells Yunobo his plan while cradling the unconscious Zelda.

"Are you crazy?! This'll never work!" Yunobo shouts.

"That thing is going to keep healing, no matter how many times we strike it. We need a definitive hit to take it down and this might be the only way. "Link answers while placing a palm on Yunobos shoulder. "Trust me, you've got this."

Yunobo hesitates for a second before nodding in acceptance. Link sets Zelda down and kneels next to Yunobo. He then talks with Samus via his communicator. "Samus, when I give the word, hit its chest with the best weapon. I have an idea."

"Alright, make it a good one!" Samus says while being forced back by the advancing pirate. After being pushed back enough, Link gives the word and Samus quickly fires a super missile at its chest before being kicked away. The missile makes contact, rupturing its chest and Link, charging his sword with fire, has Yunobo hammer throw him at the pirate. While airborne, Link points the sword forward and plunges into the pirate's chest and out through its back, ripping out its heart and landing a few feet behind it. Tossing it aside in disgust, he looks back and sees it standing still, its injury not healing at all. As the others look on, the pirate's eyes lose their yellowish glow and it falls to the ground and into the lava. After a few seconds of silence, Yunobo breaks it by cheering loudly (We got it! Whoo! It worked, Link!), followed by everyone regrouping.

"Now that's what I'm talking about!" Bludo shouts in praise. "Listen up, I'm going to go and check on the others, you guys fix up the divine beast! Come on back when you're done!" Bludo finally hobbles off, leaving the others to their business.

Yunobo aids Zelda in walking towards the divine beast while Link and Samus offer them back up in case they're not alone. Link looks at Zelda from behind with a disapproving look before being brought out of it by Samus as they enter the divine beast.

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Inside Vah Rudania.

Zelda once again charges Samus with her power and, jumping up to the inclined level where the main control unit is, begins administering the vaccine. The phazon disappears from its body and its head closes, preventing the barrier over Eldin and Akkala from being powered. The solidified lava around Vah Rudania begins to melt and the seismic activity stops completely, allowing the sun to shine through from the smoke once again.

"Vaccination complete. Divine beast Vah Rudania is now freed from further corruption." Virginia gives her report before realizing that the divine beast begins to move on its own. Once it's leveled on top of the stone, the group is greeted by the spirit of Daruk, who wastes no time in rushing towards Link.

"Hahahah! You did it, little guy!" Daruk happily shouts while patting Link's back, much to his discomfort. Once he's calmed down, Link looks at him and smiles. "I missed ya', buddy."

"It's good to see you again Daruk." Link pats his arms in a friendly manner. "I promised I'd never let you down."

"Hahah, I always knew that. Say, isn't that the princess?"

"Yeah, it is..."

"I don't believe it!" Daruk walks up and stands in front of Zelda with his arms wide open. "Princess, good to see you again!"

"Daruk, my friend!" Zelda happily receives Daruk and gives him a hug. "I'm so glad to see you again!"

"Hah, just like Link, you haven't changed a bit since the last time I saw you." Daruk says while gently embracing Zelda. "And you must be the hunter lady that Mipha told me about."

Samus steps forward to speak with Daruk. "Yes, I'm here to aid the princess and her knight to stop this plague. I made a promise, after all."

"Well, it's good to know that the little guy won't be all by himself again. Thanks a lot, hunter lady." Daruk smiles widely at her and Samus returns it with her own. Gathering everybody, Daruk stands in front of them and adopts a semi serious tone. "Now, I'm sure Mipha told you already, but ol' Rudania needs a new champion and, well, it can't be me anymore. You've got to search for one like me."

"About that, I think someone would like to speak to you on that subject." Link says before gesturing to Yunobo to come forward.

"Ah, I remember you; you're the little brother who helped Link calm Vah Rudania last time!"

"Yes sir, I'm Yunobo; assistant to Boss Bludo and...Your grandson." Yunobo hesitates before answering and even activating his barrier as proof, leaving Daruk speechless.

"I...have a grandson?"

"Yes sir. I was little when I first heard about you, Bludo told me a lot about you. He said you were a paragon among us Gorons; I wanted to be just like you! But, I'm not as strong as you, or as brave. I still have a lot to learn, but I hope I can have your blessing...grandfather."

"No, you're not as strong as me or as brave." Daruk says, causing Yunobo to look down in sadness. "...You're braver and stronger."

Yunobo looks up to see Daruk smiling at him. "What?"

"I could see everything from here; you helped free your brothers from the Yiga and their forces, you put yourself in harm's way to save Link and his friends and you stood your ground against a crazy monster." Daruk holds out his fist. "You never needed me to give you my blessing; it was already yours to begin with."

Yunobo, overcome with emotion, fist bumps Daruk in acceptance. "Thank you, grandfather."

The other look on in pride as Zelda decides to step forward to the pair. "I believe we've found our answer; Mighty Daruk, I appoint Yunobo, your grandson, as the new champion of the Gorons."

Yunobo's eyes shoot up in surprise and he looks at Zelda before turning back to face his grandfather, who only smiles. After a few seconds, Yunobo's apprehension disappears and he nods firmly, accepting his new role as champion.

"Princess, it would be an honor to have my grandson as the new champion." Daruk proudly says as a blue armband with Vah Rudania's insignia appears on Yunobo's left arm. With a round of applause from his three friends, Yunobo uses his new knowledge (telepathically passed on by Daruk) to operate the divine beast and move it to its original perch on Death Mountain. Upon leaving it, bidding Daruk farewell and returning to Goron City, they are met with massive applause by the Gorons. Bludo walks up to receive Yunobo personally, who tells him that he finally got to meet his grandfather, much to Bludo's surprise and confusion. Before asking anymore, Bludo declares to the others that their home is safe once again and even though they've been through a lot these few days, they will rebuild it all, causing more applause from the inhabitants. Bludo gives his thanks to Link and his friends and, satisfied that all is well in Goron City, he bids him farewell until the next time. Samus calls down her ship, having cooled down from the earlier bombardment, and the group boards it while waving goodbye to everyone. Link and Yunobo look at each other and nod, both happy that they were able to stop the chaos on the mountain. The ship takes off and the Gorons cheer as it flies away.

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"So, what's our next stop?" Samus asks while flying the ship slowly.

"Well, first I think we should return to Tarrey Town, they might need our help when they start their ride to Hateno." Link answers while looking out the window. "I want to make sure they're safe."

"Alright, we can make time. There are only two divine beasts left anyway, so we can afford some side objectives."

"Excuse me." Zelda abruptly cuts in. "I want to say something." She then looks at Link with inquisitive eyes. "Link, is everything alright? You haven't spoken to me at all since we entered Vah Rudania. What is the matter?" Link doesn't even look at her when she asks, causing Zelda to place her hand on his shoulder. "Please, I want you to know that you're not alone in this fight. You will always have me as your backup, I promise."

"You don't get it, do you?" Link says in an upset tone before turning to face her, his usually friendly demeanor replaced with one of disappointment. "Princess, it was stupid of you to take that shot for me."

"What?" Zelda asks in shock over Link's harsh words.

"Damn it all, you have to be smarter than that; you almost got yourself killed! What were you thinking?!"

"Link, if I hadn't done so, you'd have received the full force of that monster's blast! If I could turn back time, I'd do it again!"

"Don't you understand?! You're the only heir to the throne, you must survive this!" Link's eyes begin flaring with anger. "You cannot risk your life, even for me. This will be the last time you ever do that."

Angered and hurt by his words, Zelda turns him around until they are both facing each other. "Why is your life worth less than mine?! You are not expendable and I don't need you to tell me what I have to do for Hyrule!"

"Then why are you avoiding the subject?"

"It's none of your business about what I plan to do! You don't get to ask me this, never ask me again!"

"I see." Link turns away to look at Samus, who had been uncomfortably listening. "Samus, we're heading to the castle, we have to drop off the princess there."

"What did you say?!" Zelda angrily asks.

"You've proven that there is nothing I can do to convince you to be more responsible with your life. Therefore, you'll stay there for the remainder of the mission."

"You can't make that decision, you're my knight and you must do as I say!"

"I'm exercising my right as your protector and taking the necessary steps to keep you safe. I won't speak on the subject further."

Finally pushed to the edge, Zelda says something that would sting Link very deeply. "Sometimes, I wish you had never woken up from that shrine!"

Link looks back at her, the hurt present in his eyes. Deciding that their fight has gone too far, Samus harshly speaks up. "Alright, this is quite enough! First of all, this is my ship and I decide where it goes. Second, there will be no more exchanges of insults or demeaning sentences. We've decided to head to Tarrey Town first, so that's where we're going. Zelda, take your seat." Samus says in an authoritative tone. Zelda grudgingly returns to her seat, but not before tossing her rapier on the ground. The rest of the flight is continued in silence.

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Tarrey Town

After arriving, Zelda quickly disembarks and heads to the inhabitants boarding their carriage to give them the good news and how they'll escort them to Hateno. By the ship, Link and Samus await the next step, the latter in particular with downcast eyes. Seeing this, Samus decides to offer what comfort she can.

"Aw Link, she didn't mean what she said, you know that." Samus says while patting Links back.

"It doesn't matter; my duty is to keep her safe. What I feel isn't important." Link quietly and directly says.

"I doubt it. I know what hurt feels like and I see it on your face."

"What, you're an expert now?"

"No, but I can put two and two together." Samus says with a smirk. "Besides, I don't blame Zelda for taking that shot for you."

"If you're trying to make me feel better, this is not helping." Link says with an annoyed tone.

"Listen." Samus exasperatedly says. "Do you remember what you told me at Impa's house a few days ago? You said Zelda is all you have left; don't you think it's the same for her as well?" Link finally looks up to Samus, his demeanor slowly softening. "The fact that you, practically, said that your life means less than hers probably hurt more than anything else. Don't you think she's lost enough already?"

Sighing, Link looks at Zelda's direction before speaking up. "I never meant for it to sound like that, but I don't want her to get hurt because she was protecting me. I'd rather risk my own life than hers. That goes for you too." Samus looks at Link with surprise, who looks at her with a soft smile. "We're pals now, aren't we?"

Samus smiles at Link for his words. "Yeah, we are. Thanks." The two look back at Zelda who is continuing her check up with everyone else. "So, what do you want to do now?"

"First off, we should get airborne. Then, I'll apologize to her for what I said." Link answers.

"Sounds like a good plan." Samus says and Zelda walks up to them, ignoring Link altogether, and tells Samus that they'll escort them from the sky and that that while the residents will be inside, the soldiers (sans commander Mormont) have offered to sit on top of the carriages to attack any hostiles that approach. With all that settled, the group boards the ship and the carriage exits the town (Hudson leaves the carriage for a while to close the gate leading to Tarrey Town and then rejoins Robbie at the reins). While airborne, Link decides to talk to Zelda.

"Zelda." Link calmly calls out to her from behind, who ignores him completely and looks at the console to her left. "Alright, I'll just come out and say it; I should not have said that, I understand what you meant. I thought that if you survived, then it would mean that Hyrule would pull through, but I never stopped to think about what you wanted." Zelda, while not turning her head, moves her eyes in his direction. "You're all I have left, but I realize that it's the same for you too. I shouldn't have been too quick to throw my own life away. I appreciate you helping me; I could not have done this without you or Samus. Thank you, Zelda." Link stands up and walks over to her, placing the rapier on her lap. "And I'm sorry." Link bows his head to her and returns to his seat with Samus giving him a thumbs up. Zelda, feeling a sense of guilt, exhales slightly and strokes her rapier in regret.

"Link, I was angry." Link, without looking back, listens attentively. "What I'm trying to say is-" Before she can say anymore, an explosion hits the ship, causing it to fall out of the sky.

"What's happening?!" Link shouts in alarm.

"Something hit us! Emergency landing!" Samus responds and crashes the ship into Kaepora Pass. From inside, the first to recover is Zelda, a bleeding cut present on the left of her forehead.

"Link, Samus, are you alright?" Zelda wearily asks, trying to unbuckle her seatbelt. Link wakes up and, ignoring his own injuries, sees Zelda trying to get loose. Seeing her rapier had been flung next to him, he uses it to cut her loose.

"Get out." Link says in a strained voice. "I'm going to pull Samus out of here, hurry." Link passes back her rapier and she exits through the broken windshield. Upon exiting, she sees the carriage far away, content that the villagers haven't been attacked. Her relief is short lived as she hears otherworldly sounds behind her and sees Dark Samus standing on a hill a few feet away. Jumping down, Dark Samus confronts a now fearful Zelda.

"You... You took away my slave..." Dark Samus says in quiet anger before instantly closing the distance between them and seizing Zelda by the throat and holding her aloft, extending a new phazite blade from her arm cannon. "How did you do that...?"

"What are you...talking...about?" Zelda, while struggling to breathe, asks.

"Ghor... You removed Ghor's essence from me..."

"He never belonged to you, you monster...!"

"Then you will take his place, you little nothing..." Dark Samus prepares to run her arm through Zelda, but a white light hits her, loosening her grip. Getting back on her feet, Zelda sees Link crossing the gleaming master sword with Dark Samus's blade.

"Zelda! Take Samus and get out of here!" Link shouts while struggling with his opponent. Zelda looks to the ship and sees the unconscious Samus (suit deactivated), whom Link pulled out of the wreck before engaging Dark Samus.

"But Link!"

"Don't argue, Zelda! Do what I say this time!" Link shouts in a mix of frustration and desperation. Zelda, hesitating for a second, nods and goes over to pick up Samus and head away from the fight. Seeing this, Dark Samus grabs Link by the neck and drains all the energy from his suit (via purple surges), deactivating it and rendering him nearly defenseless and then produces phazon tentacles that block their escape.

"No one is going anywhere..." Dark Samus declares before slamming Link on the ground. Zelda, having gotten a few feet away before being blocked, hides Samus behind a boulder and invokes Nayru's Love to protect her before going back to help Link.

Link, after kicking Dark Samus off, jumps to his feet tries to hit her with several slashes, only to have her dodge each of them. Dark Samus backs away and then propels herself to attack and Link responds by hitting her with the swords pommel on her visor and repelling her further with Revali's Gale, followed by a phazite arrow shot by Zelda. After seeing Dark Samus fall to the ground, Link looks back and tries to call out to Zelda, but she is seized by an intercepting Dark Echo, who forces her to the ground at gunpoint. Link prepares to fire a phazon arrow, but Dark Samus recovers and tosses his bow away before running her left hand into his abdomen. Struggling from the pain, Link tries to remove her arm to no avail.

"It is inevitable... You will fall..."

"Not this time!" Link defiantly shouts before jabbing an assortment of phazon and phazite arrows into her right abdomen. This causes her to finally release Link, who hurriedly runs off before those arrows explode due to him having mixed in a bomb arrow among them. The resulting explosion seriously wounds Dark Samus and shatters the Dark Echo, allowing Zelda to get up and run to Link's aid.

"Link! Are you alright?!" Zelda shouts to get Link up off the ground, having been propelled by the explosion. Her attention then turns to Dark Samus, who shakily stands back up. "What in the name of the goddess?" She becomes disturbed by what she sees on her exposed suit parts (namely the left thigh, right shoulder, right foot, upper left thorax and upper left helmet); an odd, light blue skeletal structure with pulsating organs, artery like appendages connecting to a heart like center and a humanoid, mouthless skull with three yellow eyes. Saying nothing and with anger in her eyes, Dark Samus menacingly walks towards Zelda. Fearing for Link's life, she runs towards the ship with Dark Samus in pursuit. Zelda quickly turns around and tries to slash her, but Dark Samus effortlessly grabs the rapier, shoves her away and tosses it aside.

"You will die...." Dark Samus extends her phazite blade and moves in for the kill, but Zelda conjures Nayru's Love, forcing her back and allowing her to fetch her bow from the ship and shoot a phazon arrow at Dark Samus, injuring her further. Dark Samus digs her hand into the ground and creates a trail of ice pillars towards Zelda, who dodges them and prepares to shoot more arrows, but anticipating this, Dark Samus rushes over and swings her phazite blade at the bow, destroying it. Zelda reels from the impact and falls on her back.

"I assume you realize what this does now...?" Dark Samus asks, referencing her phazite blade.

"Yes; it's stronger than regular steel, it can destroy other substances." Zelda says while clutching the remains of her lynel bow.

"All except that strange sword... No matter..." Dark Samus fires off several rounds, which Zelda scrambles to avoid and is then slashed on the left arm by the phazite blade when she gets to close. Holding on to her arm, Zelda sees her rapier a few feet away, backs off and releases a burst of her power which blinds Dark Samus. After stabbing an arrow on her attacker's foot, Zelda runs to get her rapier back and upon reaching it, Dark Samus painfully removes the arrow and zeroes in on Zelda, who instinctively holds her rapier up. The blades make contact, yet the rapier remains undamaged...

"Hmm?" Zelda stares in wide eyed surprise.

"What...?" Dark Samus silently questions why the rapier didn't break. After a few seconds of mutual staring, Dark Samus slashes downward, but Zelda dodges it and slashes her waist. Kneeling, Dark Samus breathes heavily over the discomfort her injuries are causing. Zelda uses this time to back off and recompose herself.

"Something's wrong, she isn't as strong as before." Zelda says to herself, realizing that Dark Samus is much weaker than their last encounter at Zora's Domain and that she's not healing. If anything could be the cause, it would have to be when she tried to take the master sword and its power affected her. Dark Samus stands back up and fires off several phazon shots with hindered aim, making each shot random and increasing the overall danger. Using Din's Fire to shoot down the blasts, Zelda gradually makes her way to Dark Samus. Seeing this, she propels herself forward and tackles Zelda, who jabs another phazite arrow into her chest, forcing Dark Samus to back off. Now with very sluggish movements, Dark Samus removes the arrow and weakly swings her phazite blade, breathing heavily and "bleeding" phazon.

"What... is happening... to me...?" Dark Samus asks, barely able to make contact with Zelda.

"You've been damaged by the blade of evils bane; your power is almost gone." Zelda says while holding her rapier up front. "This is over." Zelda rushes Dark Samus, swats away her blade and rapidly slashes her torso with pinpoint accuracy. Exclaiming from her injuries, Dark Samus angrily backhands her and shoots a stream of phazon, which Zelda manages to deviate to the sky. Using her barrier one last time to push away Dark Samus, Zelda runs up and lands a powerful downward slash on her chest. After a few seconds of no response, Dark Samus's eyes shoot open and she grabs her by the hair.

"You worthless insect...!" Dark Samus prepares to shoot Zelda through the chest, but she quickly cuts her hair and ducks down. Before she can fire, three phazon arrows hit her "heart", the origin of these arrows being Link.

"Keep your hand off of her!" Link angrily shouts with his ancient bow ready. Dark Samus reels from the damage and is further hit by five seeker missiles, making her kneel down.

"Guess whose back?" Samus quietly says, having activated her power suit. Link gestures for Zelda to return to his side and he and Samus bombard Dark Samus with phazon arrows and missiles. Dark Samus shouts in rage, releasing a barrier that pushes everyone back. Unable to resist her injuries, Dark Samus limps away a few feet before finally succumbing and falling down a nearby hill. Finally in the clear, the three regroup after recovering from the impact.

"Just in the knick of time." Samus says after retracting her helmet. "Is everyone ok?"

"I'll live." Zelda says in discomfort from her injuries and bruises.

"We'd better get those looked at." Link says while wiping the dirt from Zelda's face. "Thank you for keeping us safe. Now I owe you one."

"No, it's alright. You'd have done the same for me. I was more afraid than anything, unlike you."

"Who said I wasn't afraid?" Link answers and Zelda looks on in confusion. "I'm pretty afraid now; we've got a plague that can easily wipe us out, new monsters born from it, what's not to fear? Yet, keeping you and my friends safe is what keeps me going. You said so yourself; courage need not be remembered, for it is never forgotten. I live by that, now and always."

Zelda and Link look at each other and smile. Samus walks up and Zelda surprises her with a hug. Samus pats her back before bringing up the subject of her now unkempt and jagged hair, which Zelda says she'll just have to give it a trim. Samus tells them that the ship is damaged and it'll take a while before it can fly again, so they all decide to head to Hateno on foot (Virginia gives the brief note that Dark Samus has disappeared from the area, meaning that she has in fact survived). The three make their long trek to Hateno village while the ship begins its auto repairs. Unfortunately, their walk will hit a precarious situation as Virginia gives a startling alert.

"What's wrong Virginia?" Samus asks in concern.

"Link, you are showing a rapid decrease in vital signs. There are also foreign bodies detected in your bloodstream." Virginia confirms.

"Link, are you alright?" Zelda asks, the worry present in her voice.

"I feel fine- argh!" Link is cut off as he puts his right up to his mouth and violently coughs. Zelda moves to hold him up and tries to calm him. When he stops, he looks at his palm, which is covered in blood with an unsettling bluish tinge.

"Virginia, what's going on!?" Samus shouts upon seeing his vitals.

"I've found the cause. I'm sorry; he has traces of phazon within."

Link holds on to his chest and exclaims in pain before dropping to the ground and losing consciousness.

"No!" Samus shouts in alarm.

"No... this isn't happening..." Zelda drops to her knees and starts shaking Link. "Link! Wake up! You must, we have much to do! We can't do this without you!" Link does not respond to any of her shouts, finally pushing her to tears. "Please don't leave me again!" Zelda cradles him and allows herself to cry. The corruption has taken ahold of Link.

To be continued