With as much haste as they all could muster after the ordeal in the Maku Tree’s Pass, the Triforce Team headed toward the ocean. They ran past the still crowded streets of Lynna City, the Labrynnans giving them confused looks, some bewildered, others angered at the amount of disrespect they were showing to the late Queen Ambi. All was once again well however when the townsfolk noticed the Oracle of Ages and the Queen of Hyrule among the group, the beautiful women among the last shining beacons of hope in the realm.
The team stopped dead in their tracks, all out of breath, and without much sense of direction. Ralph was the obvious leader of the venture, knowing the world like the back of his hand. He however was worn out as well, his face flushed and his clothing drenched in sweat.
“We’ll never get across in time. We need someone to go ahead and find the ship,” Nayru said.
“But how, you’d need to be able to fly in order to catch up with that ship before it hit the Zoran domain,” Ralph said, not a trace of hope in his words.
“Heh, that would be where we come in,” Gogetta said with a smile, stepping forward.
“You possess the gift of flight your highness?” Ralph asked, eyeing the teen up and down suspiciously.
“Yeah. My dad taught me. I have saiya-jin blood,” Gogetta answered.
“Hmm…at any rate you can’t go alone. This murderer must be very dangerous,” Ralph said.
“But I can handle it! I can nearly go super saiya-jin, and I can fight anyway,” Gogetta argued.
“Gogetta…he’s right. We have no idea who committed these crimes. There could be a powerful agent at work. I sense a certain darkness, not a powerful force, but a dark one nonetheless. The evil inside of the Maku Tree’s Pass was much worse than this feeling, yet any form of darkness can prove lethal, and should be treated as such. Someone needs to go with you,” Zelda said.
“Hmmm….yeah, you’re prolly right. But who’s gonna go with me, mom?” Gogetta asked.
“I will,” Ogre said.
“Hmm…should there be a third?” Shinota asked.
“Stealth is key, so if there is a third, then it must be one well able to blend into shadow,” Nayru said.
“In that case, I will travel with Gogetta as well,” Ganondorf said.
“Alrighty then. We’re all headed for the pirate ship. We’ll try to figure out what’s goin’ on, and stall ‘em up a little,” Gogetta said.
“Right. You’ll know when we’re comin’,” Jet said.
“How?” Ogre questioned.
“…trust us. I’m sure we’ll come up with something,” Kazuya said with a smirk. The three warriors flew off into the dark sky, ready to board the pirate ship as secretively as possible.
“Now, how’re we gonna get on?” Shinota asked.
“We need to keep going. There’s a house by the ocean very close to here. There’s a Labrynnan who lives there who may be able to help us. I’ve heard he’s been doing many different studies lately, and a motor is almost definitely one of those things he’s experimenting with,” Ralph answered, standing.
“Alright. Let’s try to make up for the amount of time we lost, huh?” Dregan said. The team began to sprint once more toward the ocean.
Through the dark skies the three traveled, cutting through the black rain clouds and over the even blacker seas. They were flying as fast as they could, already bordering on exhaustion, but it mattered not. They had to keep going, bad as the conditions were. It was nowhere close to nightfall, but not a trace of sunshine cut through the thick barrier of dark clouds, and it was apparent that a storm was brewing, something not good when in the middle of the massive Labrynnan sea.
Not even the gulls dared to travel in this dark silence, for they too could feel that it was the calm before the storm. It was so black all around that the three men would not have noticed the equally black pirate ship traveling swiftly through the sea was it not for the tell tale red sail hung high into the air. They all slowed down, hovering just behind the massive ship.
“Where should we enter at?” Gogetta asked, looking for any obvious way into the ship.
“Hmm…not a clue. But we need to decide quick before someone in the crow’s nest sees us,” Ogre answered.
“There’s no choice, we need to go onto the deck,” Gogetta said.
“Are you crazy? We’ll be surrounded by the crew before we know what hit us,” Ogre argued.
“Hmm…we can take care of that if we need to. There is a killer on the loose, and our top priority is to take him out. This crew should be expendable,” Ganondorf said.
“Right. If they start somethin’ we’ll just have to finish it. Let’s go!” Gogetta said, the same excited look in his eyes that his father had so long ago. The three flew onto the deck of the ship without further argument. They drew their weapons and stood at the ready, back to back, prepared for an assault.
“Squeeepeep!!!!” cried a shrill voice loudly. From the front of the ship hopped a small Deku Scrub with a black cape and an eye patch. There was a scar on the top of his snout, and he stood ready to fight, despite trembling at the sight of the warriors.
“Who are you?” Gogetta asked, pointing his chakram toward the Deku Scrub.
“I am Kevin Armstrong, captain of this fine ship for the time being. And you, my intrusive intruders who have intruded upon my ship?” Captain Armstrong questioned.
“My name is Ogre,” Ogre answered darkly.
“And I’m Gogetta, the prince of Hyrule,” he answered, stepping forward.
“What about the third, or is he too scared to face the might of the Captain Armstrong the Scourge of the Seas?” Captain Armstrong questioned.
“I am in no way frightened,” Ganondorf answered, stepping forward and facing the Deku Scrub.
“Ahh!!! M-m-master…y-you are traveling with this group?” the Deku Scrub asked in terror at the sight of Ganon.
“Of course I am. I am taking them onboard as slaves,” Ganondorf answered.
“O-of course. How could I doubt you my lord? Is anything I can do for you?” Captain Armstrong questioned.
“Yes. I relieve you of your duty. Take a lifeboat and head back to your own crew, tell them that Lord Mandrag sent you,” Ganondorf ordered.
“Yes master!” the Deku Scrub said happily, bouncing away from the main deck.
“What was that all about?” Ogre asked.
“I’m not quite sure. The Deku Scrubs served me for a time in the Temple of Darkness hidden in the Lost Woods, but only when…” Ganondorf’s voice trailed off and a dark look entered his face, darker than usual.
“When what?” Gogetta asked.
“I too now have a suspicion as to who may be responsible for the murders…but I will hold my tongue until I know for sure. At any rate, we now control the ship, and I shall make my first action as captain to be dropping anchor,” Ganondorf said. He quickly ran to the back of the deck, opening what looked to be a maintenance closet, finding the anchor and dropping it to the ocean floor with haste.
“Now what?” Gogetta asked.
“Now we wait for the others and hope we don’t have to make anyone walk the plank,” Ogre said, eyeing the door to the areas below deck cautiously.
They came at last to the wooden house that Ralph spoke of. It rose out of the ocean on a metal frame, and the door was wide open, the scent of sawdust hanging strong. A man seated at a wooden desk heard the travelers step inside of his workshop, and he stood slowly, turning to face them. He wore a red hat and a blue vest, with tattered red shorts and a pair of leather boots. Both of his hands were bound in bandages, and out of his left hand stuck three nails, points out. His hair was black, hanging down below his hazel eyes. Jet stepped forward.
“Hello, I’m the King of Hyrule, my name is Jet. This is my team of fighters. We’re hunting the murderer in Labrynna, and we believe he’s onboard a pirate ship. We ask you to lend us your quickest ship,” Jet said, getting straight to the heart of the matter.
“Ah, welcome your highness. My name is Rafton, the best shipbuilder and captain in all of Labrynna! My fastest ship is a motorboat parked out back, but…there’s a problem,” Rafton said with a dismayed expression.
“What’s that?” Jet asked, arms crossed.
“There’s no way it’ll carry all of you,” Rafton answered.
“How many can fit?” Samus asked.
“Ten, nine since I have to steer,” Rafton answered.
“Hmm…I’m going,” Jet said.
“Me too,” Shinota said, eager for action.
“As will I,” Akullodorf said.
“So will I,” Zelda said.
“Me too,” Impa said.
“And I will,” Link II said.
“I’ll go,” Samson said.
“And I’ll go,” Jin said.
“But what about Ralph and I?” Nayru asked.
“You have to stay here Oracle. If the murderer is on board that ship…you’d be his first target. And Ralph must protect you,” Impa answered.
“Very well,” Nayru said in a disappointed voice.
“Let’s go. We don’t have much time before that ship reaches the Zoran kingdom if what you say is true,” Rafton said, dashing out the back door of the house. The nine team members followed.
The wooden doors to the deck were thrust open hastily, and out of the darkness of the massive black pirate ship came three forms in black robes, moving slowly yet swiftly, seeming to be one with the air. The three men were still armed, weapons ready.
“What are you doing here you three?” the first figure ask, the whispered words surprisingly loud.
“I’m here to deliver these two prisoners,” Ganondorf answered.
“Bullshit. Now what do you really wish to accomplish?” the second asked.
“I have already told you,” Ganondorf answered.
“Our lord has no dealings with one who is no longer of the shadow, Ganon,” the first figure said again.
“And just who is your lord?” Gogetta asked.
“You will never know,” the third answered in a loud, raspy voice. They each drew long blades of silver, dashing at the three warriors.
“That’s one for each of us!” Ogre said happily, rushing toward the figure approaching him. The figure slashed at Ogre, who blocked with his golden shield, forcing the blade back, rearing his free fist back and punching the hooded man hard in the face. There was a loud crack, and out from the hood rolled a skull, bursting into green flame. The rest of the robed body fell to the deck in a crumpled mess, exploding into flame as well seconds later.
“They’re Shrouded Stalfos!” Gogetta yelled, parrying several blows with his chakram and slitting the throat of the Shrouded Stalfos attacking him.
“Please tell me you aren’t the elite bodyguards of the killer,” Ogre said.
“We are the messengers,” the Shrouded Stalfos said angrily, turning and running toward the door to the lower deck to bring tidings to his master.
“Triforce of Power!” Ganondorf yelled, blasting the golden light into the Shrouded Stalfos’ back, its body blown to flaming pieces.
“What do you make of that?” Ogre asked.
“I don’t know…it doesn’t mesh with my suspicions…things are moving in a very weird direction,” Ganondorf said darkly.
The motorboat Rafton had constructed moved much quicker than most on Earth, and it cut swiftly through the black waters, heading toward the pirate ship as fast as possible. The nine seated there on the boat had to brace themselves to keep from being flung to the water with each sharp turn the boat made, and a few were growing sea-sick, Zelda among them.
Within what seemed like mere minutes, the shape of the pirate ship became visible, but something was different. It wasn’t moving. None on the boat knew what, but they knew that Gogetta and the others must have done something. They only hoped the three were still safe.
At length they came to the pirate ship, Rafton killing the motor and standing. He strapped a belt around his waist, a pack of sharp nails and two hammers hooked to the belt, along with several knives and a sharpened wooden stake. Jet eyed the Labrynnan up and down.
“You know how to use those?” Jet asked.
“Yes, I had to learn to fight from a young age. People came from all over to try and steal my boats. My hands are more than a little dirty with the blood of thieves,” Rafton answered.
“What’s your view on evil? Ya’ know…true, uncaring, ruthless, evil?” Jet asked.
“My opinion is that the world will stay dormant, never improving until it’s gone,” Rafton answered.
“Man….okay, how would you like to leave your life in Labrynna and join the Triforce Team with us? you’ve got a ton of potential,” Jet said.
“…could I?” Rafton asked, excited.
“Yeah, of course,” Jet answered.
“I’d love to!” Rafton said happily.
“That settles it. You’re on,” Jet said happily.
“Hey you guys! I’m lowering the ladder now!” Gogetta called down to the motorboat, aware of their presence. All on the boat were relieved to hear the voice of Gogetta, and they hastily climbed the rope ladder hung before them, greeting the three Triforce Team members standing before them happily.
“Did you guys learn anything?” Link II asked.
“Yes…whoever our mystery murderer is….he has the allegiance of both the Stalfos and the Deku Scrubs,” Ganondorf answered.
“What does that mean?” Samson asked.
“It means that I have no clue what’s happening anymore,” Ganondorf answered.
“At any rate, now that you all are here, let’s head below deck and solve this mystery once and for all!” Ogre said.
“Right! Everyone! Ready your weapons!” Jet called out, unsheathing his sword and heading toward the door that led into the shadow below deck. There were several old, creaking stairs leading down into the lower deck. Jet walked forward slowly, the Triforce Team behind him. The hallway they entered had two doors on either side, and one long hallway in the center in front of the stairs.
“What direction should we take?” Akullodorf asked.
“Forget the side doors I say, and head straight, into the heart of the ship. That’s where the leader’s bound to be,” Impa said.
“Okay, not a bad idea. Not a bad idea at all,” Jet said quietly, heading straight. They all tried to remain as silent as possible, going very slowly, each small footstep they took bringing them closer and closer to the open doorway where the killer was bound to be. They were just mere feet from the open door now, and with a single step, there was a loud creaking, and a sudden crack, and instantly, there were three skeletal forms upon them. The two to the side of the figure in the middle wore blue bandanas and had red and white striped shirts, with tattered shorts of blue, large metal swords in their bony hands. The third stood near to seven feet in height, and wore a long black coat with golden buttons and a three cornered hat, a silver emblem upon it. He wore also leather gloves, and there was a long curved golden handled blade sheathed at his side. He looked down upon the Triforce Team, arms crossed, then spoke.
“Who are all of you and what is your business upon this ship?” he asked.
“A question you should be answering,” Rafton said angrily.
“Silence craft worker. Who are you all, and what do you want on my vessel?” he asked again.
“My name is Jet, I’m the leader of this Triforce Team and the king of Hyrule. Are you the one responsible for the recent murders?” Jet asked.
“I will tell you nothing of the operations of this ship for it is none of your business to know,” he answered.
“Well then, d’ya think ya’ can at least grace us with your name?” Gogetta asked.
“My name is Lieor Kellerhigh, but I am better known as Captain Shuruto,” Lieor answered.
“Shuruto comes from Shurutoken right?” Impa asked.
“Why, aren’t we educated in the ways of the sea. A rarity for one such as you….my Sheikan lady,” Captain Shuruto said.
“Why name yourself after a Dark Sage?” Jet asked in disgust.
“Shurutoken was the terror of the seas! His name made people tremble in Hyrule! Even his legend here terrifies people to the point where they must sleep with a candle at their bed! That is my desire, to become as renowned as that,” Captain Shuruto answered.
“Yet you’re protecting a murderer who’s more powerful than you? Where is the skill and power in that? You’re scared, right?” Zelda asked.
“You will die for those words! Pecklo, Sagatos, kill them!” Captain Shuruto said to his two crewmates. They dashed forward quickly, ready for battle. Pecklo, the younger of the two, ran headfirst into the middle of the team, swirling his blade around with a quickness rarely seen among the ranks of seasoned pirates. The might of the Triforce Team was quickly being put to the test in these close quarters, combating a quick and fiendish opponent such as this. Akullodorf finally drew the first blood, cutting the Stalfos pirate in the leg, blue blood oozing from the wound and onto the wooden deck below.
Pecklo angrily countered with a fierce head butt, knocking Akullodorf back against a wall, the impact shaking a candle hanging from above. Akullodorf noted the light, then ran back into the thick of combat. The flashing of blades and the sound of shuffling feet attempting to evade attack went on for several more moments, but then the Triforce Team gained the decisive edge. Impa threw a Deku nut to the ground, the flash blinding the two pirates. In a moment Pecklo had been impaled with at least four blades, and Sagatos head was separated from his neck.
“What are you going to do now captain?” Jet asked.
“Now you will all die!” Captain Shuruto yelled, unsheathing his blade. He ran at the Triforce Team, moving his sword swiftly to the left, every single fighter in the deck hit. Captain Shuruto laughed menacingly, brining his blade down upon Jin, who had fallen to the ground. He quickly rolled backward and to a standing stance, lunging forward and punching the Stalfos captain in the face. Angrily, Shuruto aimed a stab at the human, but Ogre dashed in front of Jin in the last moment, parrying the stab with his shield and kicking Shuruto in the chest. He backed away, then spun back around, delivering another swift cut from his large blade.
This time most parried the blow with their own weaponry except for Impa, who wore a breastplate anyway. Rafton, readying two metal hammers, ran to the captain of the black boat, beating him in the skull with the first and digging the claw of the second into his chest. He yelled loudly, kneeing Rafton in the chest and then punching him in the face, the blow sending him to the ground. Akullodorf appeared over the Labrynnan, helping him up and only nodding. He ran at Captain Shuruto, blade of evil’s bane in hand.
He stabbed the captain through the chest, removing the blade and wiping it clean of blue blood, a grim smile upon his face. Captain Shuruto clutched his profusely bleeding chest with one hand, and with the other punched Akullodorf in the stomach, the Gerudo backing against a wall. Shuruto reached into his black coat, and pulled out a long pistol, not even hesitating before shooting, the bullet piercing Akullodorf’s chest with a piercing flash. Blood spilled from his chest and mouth, a shocked look on his face. He slid down the wall of the deck and onto the floor, a stain of blood on the wall. All in the team were shocked, not even able to speak.
“What do you have to say now?” Captain Shuruto asked, tucking the empty gun back into his coat.
“I have to tell you…that evil will never be enough to win…and you’ve picked the wrong side……Triforce of Courage!!!!” Akullodorf yelled, aiming up at the large chandelier lined with candles on above him. It fell to the ground, lighting the lower deck on fire along with the Captain of the black ship.
“Akullodorf! You idiot! You’re gonna die!” Jet yelled.
“Just leave!” Akullodorf yelled. Jet nodded, and the team slowly departed for Rafton’s ship, the black ship left to burn in the empty ocean.
Night was almost upon Labrynna, and rain had began to fall from the black clouds in the sky. The team (accompanied by Akullodorf, who had escaped by blasting a hole through the burning wall of the black ship) met up with the rest of the eager team on land. Akullodorf was currently unconscious, but he would live, thanks to the relatively poor aim of the captain.
“We took out the ship! That means we must have gotten the murderer,” Gogetta said in an excited voice.
“Akullodorf!” Nayru yelled in shock, tears welling up in her eyes.
“Nayru,” Shinota said quietly.
“What happened to him?! Is he okay?!” she asked.
“Yeah….he’ll be fine,” Shinota answered.
“You guys…don’t celebrate just yet…King Zora is dead,” Ralph said, a piece of paper in his hand, signed in Black Beyuntanian.