Beat kept his arm held up in his sling as he walked up to join the other fighters. He was ready to fight, but his fight had been pushed back due to his injury. Now Finn was fighting a Hylian who clearly didn't know what he was doing.
"Wow, that sword can do that?" gasped Beat looking at the sword with a tendril of light hanging from it.
"Oh hey Beat." greeted Link.
"Who's up next?" asked Beat sitting down.
"Uh Edmund, then about three fights after that Vakanos, then another two fights Ivy versus Ace." answered Richard, thinking carefully. "I think you fight two fights after that."
"Dear Farore, I've got forever to wait!" sighed Beat.
"Well you've got some time to rest your arm." laughed Archer.
"Big whoop." muttered Beat.
"Finn wins!" announced Ricky.
"I can manage to miss four fights. I'm headed for a stroll." yawned Beat.
Malon saw Beat walk off, and decided to go join him. But as she got closer she saw a tall redhead with the same tone as him run up to him. She hugged him, and then tugged him another way.
"Din damn it!" she growled.
"Oh, your little friend Malon is upset." laughed Din.
"You can tell when people curse under your name?" asked Beat.
"Yeah, and when we are sworn under. I must say, that it was unfair to swear to my sisters but not me when you were talking to Ivy."
"You caused it." sighed Beat.
"Hmm, do you want to know when your arm will be healed?"
"Yeah." nodded Beat.
"It will be healed the next time you hear a bell. Don't go ringing any though. It has to occur without your intent." laughed Din running ahead of him.
"Damn it." sighed Beat running after her.
Ivy was preparing herself. She was aware of some form of truce between Beat and Ace now, but she wouldn't risk anything. Ace was known to go back on his word. She looked to see him doing the same she was. They shared the tradition of sharpening your writing sides blade first, moving on to the other afterwards. She was not going to back down, she was going to win.
Vakanos found himself sitting with Link and Richard. They now treated him like family and kept wishing him luck. He was glad to have people accepting him now, for he had always been shunned due to him wanting peace with the TerraSliders. Now he was with a group of people who were trying to attain peace.
Beat grew tired of listening to Din, so he wandered off. He found a stand selling masks, and found himself facing the mask salesman.
"Ah, young master Grimsley, how are you? Did the Mask of Truth bring you happiness?" laughed the man.
"Oh, right. I haven't worn it yet. I mainly got it to remind myself of my old family." sighed Beat.
"A good cause. I think you could use this mask for your next fight." nodded the mask salesmen handing Beat a mask with a cloth head attached to blank face.
"Creepy." muttered Beat.
"Wearing it will let you learn the dance of the spirit Kamaro. I saw your fight against Ace and I thought of how you like to toy with your opponents. Enjoy the happiness you create while you embarrass your enemy." laughed the salesmen.
"Cool. Thanks." thanked Beat.
"Now let's welcome Vakanos, our next fighter. He will be facing,"
"Hell no! He killed that damn dragon, I'm not fighting him!" shouted a human.
"Vakanos wins." sighed Ricky. "Let's start the next fight."
"Alright, I think anyone who's won, should go sit in the stands." growled one of the remaining fighters, noticing no open seats.
"Alright. We only have a few fights left to watch anyway." sighed Link getting up.
"We could try and find Beat's gear." suggested Richard as the rest of his traveling friends rose.
"I don't care! Just leave!" screamed the fighter.
Beat soon found himself sitting with the five that were left to fight watching Ivy and Ace get ready to fight.
"Last chance to give up. I don't want you getting hurt." laughed Ace.
"So sweet of you to surrender, but I'd rather kick your ass." growled Ivy.
"Ready, fight." yawned Ricky.
Ace had his blades on his legs, and slashed at her. Ivy carelessly blocked with her arm mounted blades. She jumped back and stabbed her blades into the soil. Ace didn't expect that, for he ran smack into them, cutting his arm on a blade. Ivy jumped forward, kicking her enemy in the stomach. He toppled over and fell on his back. He rose as she grabbed her blades and poised to throw them.
Ace flipped onto his hands and spun, creating a cyclone of metal. Ivy laughed and jumped up as she threw her first blade. Ace stopped and let it bury itself beside him. He didn't anticipate her next move. She came running at him and slashed at him with her remaining blade like a sword. Ace had to push off his hands and flip over to stand on his feet. He withdrew her blade and blocked her slash.
He then did the same move he did against Peter, he slashed his foot at her, but things turned out differently.
Ivy released her blade and let it fall to make Ace swing his blade around and cut his own arm. He stopped his attack, and grabbed his arm. He growled and and attached his borrowed blade to his glove, and readied himself to slash at her.
Ivy remained calm, and raised her arms. "I concede."
Everyone stopped, and stared at her then.
"Really?" gasped Ricky.
"No." laughed Ivy, as she jumped forward and grabbed her free blade. She rolled under him and slashed the back of his legs.
Ace shouted out in pain, and spun around and slashed her across her cheek. She fell down, and he stood above her, his borrowed blade, pointed at her.
"I don't want to hurt that pretty face anymore. So concede." growled Ace.
"I really concede this time." cried Ivy, clutching her cheek.
"Ace Gold wins." announced Ricky.
"Hey Ace!" shouted Beat. "I hope we will be fighting next round, I am gonna end this little feud. Then we may be able to get along."
"After the tournament. For now, we're enemies." growled Ace.
Beat skipped watching the other fights to ensure Ivy was ok.
"The only hit he landed, and it was across my face." sighed Ivy.
"Don't worry, Gwen and Alice had bought some potions, go to the carts and get some red potion on that cut. I think I finally get to fight now." laughed Beat with a mean look in his eyes.
"Good luck." whispered Ivy, kissing him on his cheek.
"Maybe I should have done that for you." sighed Beat.
"Oh shut up." laughed Ivy punching his good shoulder.
"As you wish." bowed Beat turning to go fight.
Beat stood before his opponent, still wearing his sling. He decided to grab his new mask and toy with this TerraSlider. He put it on and laughed to himself when he realized he could see.
"So, you hiding your face?" taunted his foe.
"Yeah, I don't want to blind you with my beauty." replied Beat.
"Alright final fight of the second round. After this we will begin setting up for tonights festival event." announced Ricky. "Begin!"
The first move went to Ace's goon, who lunged at Beat, who leaped aside. Beat began dancing to avoid every attack.
"Hey Link, isn't that Kamaro's dance?" asked Tatl hitting Link on the head.
"That damn salesman sold another of my masks!" roared Link.
Beat had a plan, and it was already in motion. He couldn't fight to his full extent if he was incapable of using both arms. He was leading his foe towards a wall. His opponent lunged at him, and dove head first into a brick wall.
"Ooh, that had to ring his bell." gasped Ricky.
Beat felt his arm, and it felt like nothing had happened. He smiled and removed his mask. He jumped back as the TerraSlider got up. He roared and dashed at Beat.
"Ah, ah." chided Beat as he stepped aside.
"You're the one who needs correcting!" howled the TerraSlider as he spun on his heel and lunged at Beat's arm in the sling.
Everyone in the crowd braced themselves for a loud howl of pain. But they never heard it. They looked, and saw Beat grasping the arm the blade was secured to, in his supposedly broken arm.
"What the?" gasped the TerraSlider.
"I just won." laughed Beat.
He pulled his foe close and dropkicked him back to the wall. Beat drew his knife, and vanished from sight only to be seen standing next to his opponent.
"So I think you should give up now." suggested Beat.
"I agree." gulped the unfortunate man.
"Finally! I'm going to take a break." sighed Ricky walking off. "Preparations for tonights event, can start now."
This was followed by a resounding cheer.
"Alright, which of you men want to be auctioned off?" asked Zelda. "Keep in mind, we aren't required to have you purchased."
"Your treating us like prostitutes!" shouted Beat, evoking laughter from several of the people present.
"Mr. Grimsley, please refrain yourself from outbursts such as that." sighed Zelda, trying to hide her laughter.
"I think I should go." suggested a blonde haired Hylian.
"I can do it." volunteered a Zora.
Many volunteered, including Richard and Finn. Beat had to be convinced, or threatened, to join in. He refused to key Archer or Mido join because he didn't want anyone like Gwen buying them.
"Alright, Ricky please take all their names." ordered Zelda.
"Yes Princess." nodded the master of ceremonies.
"Once I take your name you can leave." announced Ricky, organizing the men into an orderly line.
Beat staggered back to the cart with Richard and Link. He was tired of being pushed and shoved. They all collapsed in front of the carts and sighed.
"The things," started Richard.
"We do," continued Beat.
"To satisfy Zelda." ended Link.
"Ooh, sounds nasty!" laughed Gwen pacing by them.
"Why are you three so tired? It can't be because of the fights. And you said something about the princess, what'd you do?" asked Alice joining in on the interrogation.
"Hold up you two." growled Peter. "They were signing up for a charity event."
"Uggh, that's boring. Come on Gwen, let's go look through town." moaned Alice.
As the two girls ran off Allen crawled out from under a cart. "Thank Nayru they left." he sighed.
"Not signing up for the event?" asked Link.
"Hell no. I don't want to be treated like a prostitute." shouted Allen.
"What is with people saying that?" asked Richard.
"If you sell a person for a night alone with someone else its prostitution." growled Beat.
"Oh come on, you know you want an evening with me." laughed Ivy as she walked up.
"No, I don't want an evening with you, I need one." flirted Beat.
"Oh if only Maribelle were here, then Richard would actually enjoy himself." sighed Link, mockingly.
"You ass! Don't you talk about Maribelle." shouted Richard tackling Link.
"Where's Archer?" asked Ivy, looking for the child.
"Shooting Gallery. I swear he's not even trying." sighed Beat. "I guess I should wear something with sleeves, right?"
"I've got something." sighed Richard, "Come with me. You guys should go get seats nearby if you want to be seen by the auctioneer."
Beat was taken to the back of one of the carts. He watched Richard dig through a chest and came up with a collared shirt.
"I like the stripes." laughed Beat.
When the stage was all set, the men who were to be sold were called to the stage.
"I'm sorry, but you must wear these shirts." instructed one of the girls helping run the event.
"It can't be that bad." laughed Beat.
"Oh it's that bad." gasped Link looking at it.
"This is practically a straight jacket!" shouted Finn.
"Just wear it." ordered the girl.
Ivy found herself seated next to Peter, Penelope, Archer, and Allen. She could hear Gwen and Alice somewhere near the back. She heard some kind of arguing going on behind the curtains. Then Ricky walked out onto the stage.
"Ladies, prepare yourselves, for our first bachelor up for grabs is,"
"I am not putting that damn thing on!" roared Beat running onstage away from the girl trying to force the jacket on him.
Many of the girls present squealed at seeing Beat without a shirt. Ivy just rolled her eyes as Beat got surrounded by guards. They pinned him down while the jacket was pulled over him. After the jacket was fastened Beat couldn't use his arms.
"Alright, first up, we have the fully recovered Beat Grimsley, who seems to disapprove of the jackets. Opening bid is ten rupees."announced Ricky.
"Fifteen!" shouted one of the girls.
Ivy waited, and watched the price make it into the fifties region.
"Seventy-five!" exclaimed Malon.
Ivy cursed mentally. She forgot about the farm girl. She then made a larger offer. "One hundred fifty!"
"Two hundred!" shouted Gwen.
Beat was surprised by the offers made on him. Two-fifty, now three hundred. Now it's four hundred.
The bidding war was now stuck between Malon, Ivy, and Gwen.
"Wait, the one in the far back is using my wallet!" howled Beat. "Gwen, don't you dare dirty my money!"
His plea was ignored, and the bidding continued. He gave up and just laid on his back.
"Five hundred!" shouted Ivy.
"Five-fifty!" shouted Malon.
"Six hundred!" laughed Gwen
"Seven-fifty!" exclaimed Ivy standing in her chair.
Malon seemed to be out of it because she didn't bid anymore.
Gwen raised it again this time to eight-hundred.
"One thousand!" laughed a new voice.
Beat rose and saw a familiar face. He smiled and laughed in his thoughts.
"Eleven hundred!" shouted Gwen.
"Twelve hundred!" replied the newcomer.
"Fifteen hundred." announced Princess Zelda.
Everyone stopped when Zelda placed her bid. The princess wanted a night with this boy? What would happen if someone bid against her?
"Sixteen." announced Ivy.
"Seventeen!" shouted Zelda.
As the girls fought over him Beat thought of why Zelda wanted a night with him. He looked to see Link shooting daggers at him.
"It's not my fault!" mouthed Beat.
"Hey, how'd you get so popular?" whispered Ricky.
"I think it's because I ran out without a shirt on. Girls like fit guys, and my Gerudo blood makes me stand out from the crowd. But am I worth this much?"
"I don't know, but you alone could pay for structuring a new village. We're at twenty-five hundred, that's twice the amount we earned last year."
"Gwen stole my wallet, so can I get her to stop bidding?"
"Oh right, you said that earlier. I'll send guards now." laughed Ricky as he walked behind the curtains.
"For Nayru's sake, stop bidding on me!" shouted Beat.
Zelda was determined to get Beat. She knew that she could win. Beat was going to speak with her, plus dinner with him might be nice. But the late arrival may pose a problem.
The new arrival was Din, who decided to join in the fun. She could conjure up as many rubees as she needed, so she was bound to win. She saw two guards enter the crowd and exit carrying a girl cursing in tones a lady should never use. They dragged her off while her friend just stayed behind and laughed.
"Gwen surely needs to stop going to bars." muttered Din.
The bidding finally ended for Beat, for a whopping forty-three hundred, fifty-two rupees, he was sold to Zelda. Link ended up being bought by Ivy, and Richard went unsold. Malon went off with Finn, who she bought for six hundred. They all headed to the place the woman who owned them that night wanted to go. Beat was taken to the royal residence. Link went to the spring where Ivy and Beat spent their time together. Malon wandered the festival with Finn, stopping to get a few things every now and then.
"So why did you spend that much on me?" asked Beat looking at the retreating figure of Ivy.
"I had to thank you for all you've done. You saved this village, Link, and awakened the Fire Sage Warrior, all at once." laughed Zelda.
"Well you don't need to do that, I did it to get help to save my people." replied Beat.
"Well, you deserve a good meal, and I want to know you better." added Zelda.
"Really? Well, if the Princess wants it, then it shall be." laughed Beat picking her up.
"Put me down, or I'll give you over to Gwen." warned Zelda.
"As you command." sighed Beat placing her feet on the ground.
The princess led him to a small room where a table had been set. She motioned for him to sit down.
"Alright where do I start?" asked Beat as he pulled her chair out for her.
"Well, how about you tell me about your life." suggested Zelda.
"Well alright, you asked for it." sighed Beat as he pushed her chair in.
Link sat with Ivy, gritting his teeth. Ivy was just as angry, but she remained calm. She offered him a glass of the drink Malon had introduced her to.
"Relax Link. I doubt it was Beat's idea. He isn't that kind of person." reassured Ivy. "Now if only I could trust that." she thought.
"It's just, what did Zelda want? Why did she spend that much on him?" sighed Link accepting the glass.
"Who knows?" sighed Ivy sadly.
"And that about sums up my life. So, yeah, thanks for bringing me back to Hyrule." yawned Beat taking a sip from his glass.
"I must apologize. I didn't know your life was so unpleasant, I shouldn't have made you tell me." apologized Zelda.
"It's not a problem, I don't mind sharing my story with you. I must thank you for dinner."
"Maybe you could do me a favor as thanks." giggled Zelda leaning close to him.
"Where are you going with this?" asked Beat leaning back.
"Just let me show you." whispered the princess.
"He did that?" laughed Link.
"Yeah, he walked up behind him and pulled my bag right out from under him." laughed Ivy.
"He did that even though Ace was ready to kill him. Beat's crazy." sighed Link. "You like him don't you?"
"Huh?" gasped Ivy bolting upright.
"Do you like him?" yawned Link as he stood up.
"What makes you say that?" stammered Ivy.
"Besides the fact that you always seem happier when he's around? You always walk off with him, you nearly broke Richard's arm because you thought he was one of Ace's goons, you bid so long for him, you kissed him before his fight, and you slept in his arms on the night before the first fight. That enough reasons?" laughed Link.
"I don't like him," started Ivy before sniffing, "I love him."
"Heh, you should make it clear so he isn't stolen from you. I watched too many people suffer heartbreak because they were too afraid to admit their feelings." sighed Link.
"Thanks Link. I needed that." smiled the girl before turning away. "Let's call it a night.
Beat stood still, not wanting to make the princess upset. She had him stripped down to his boxers, and was trying to keep from making Zelda yell a him. She already jabbed him with a needle three times.
"Alright. All done." laughed the princess wiping sweat from her brow.
"Finally. I was really unsure about this Zelda. I mean you are a princess, and I doubt that this is normal." sighed Beat pulling his pants back on.
"Oh please. I do it for my palace guards all the time." laughed the princess. "Ah, my neck hurts."
"I'll give you a massage." suggested Beat.
"Alright that's enough!" screamed Percival bursting through the door. "I respect you Grimsley, but you've gone too far making the princess do that!"
"What do you mean? She was getting my measurements. She was going to have a suit made for me so I could attend the ball after the tournament." explained Beat, as he pulled his shirt on.
"Percival, please tell me you weren't listening at my door again." moaned Zelda.
"It my duty to keep you safe. From any harm." sighed Percy.
"Jeez, what'd you think we were doing?" yawned Beat as he began rubbing the princess's neck.
"Oh, that feels so great. Percival please leave." cooed Zelda as she began to drift off into ecstasy.
"Woah, hey! Don't drift off, you haven't told me who I'm supposed to go with." whined Beat.
"It's a surprise." laughed Zelda.
Beat sighed and continued to massage the princess. "Why am I worried?"
Gwen sat in the cart staring angrily at the fire. She was robbed of her chance of getting a night with any of the fighters.
"You got carried away!" laughed Penny and Alice.
"Peter and I feel relieved we didn't enter that thing. We are sure we would've gotten some bids from you." yawned Allen as he returned with Peter from a walk.
Link and Ivy came into camp laughing, trying to keep each other from falling over.
"Oh my goddesses, that was rich!" laughed Link.
"I can't believe he was made to do that!" giggled Ivy.
"What?" asked Gwen snapping out of her melancholy.
"An old woman made Ace her bitch!" laughed Link.
"She had him running back and forth deliveries for her potion shop. And the best part was the apron he had to wear!" laughed Ivy.
"Let's go see!" laughed Gwen jumping up.
"Let's not." yawned Beat walking into the light of the fire.
"There you are." stated Richard looking up from polishing his rapier.
"Where's Archer and Vakanos?" asked Beat as he plopped down next to Richard.
"They left for some Sage Warrior crap thing." muttered Skull Kid.
"Ah, oh well. Third round tomorrow, hooray." sighed Beat sarcastically.
"We can check who you're fighting if you want to." offered Alice.
"I've got a good idea who I'm fighting." muttered Link remembering his talk with the mask salesman.
"We're back!" laughed Archer.
"I got my weapon from Darunia. Behold the Meteor Halberd!" announced Vakanos revealing his new weapon.
"So what was your oath?" yawned Beat.
"Hmm, how did it go?" sighed Archer scratching his head.
"I said this, mhmm." started the Vakan clearing his throat. "Alright, I take the responsibility of protecting you and your people. With my Meteor Halberd I will crush any threats to your temple."
"That sounded cool." laughed Tael.
"It was alright." shrugged Tatl.
"Darunia like mine better." taunted Archer. "He made me recite my vow."
"Oh shut up runt." laughed Vakanos shoving Archer.
"You know, the more people we get, the more food, carts, and horses we'll need." sighed Richard.
"I bet some fighters would join, they seem interested. Besides some had to come by cart." replied Beat.
"I don't care, as long as I can sleep close to a man that can protect me I'm fine." yawned Gwen.
"Oh be quiet Gwen." muttered Alice turning away.
Link watched the group and smiled. "I should've had friends travel with me, I would've had more fun." whispered Link.
"Am I not a friend?" asked Navi peeking out from under his hat.
"Oh right sorry Navi." laughed Link.
Everyone laughed until they fell asleep. Many people in the village slept. But only one seemed like something was bothering him. Edmund paced back in forth in the graveyard next to the ashen remains of Volvagia.
"Where is he? Great, set up by that damn Fright guy." he muttered.
"Well well. My new host. I envy how well you dress." laughed a raspy voice.
"Who are you?" gasped Edmund falling onto his back. He stared up and stared into a shadow as black as night, with blood red eyes.
"I am you now!" cackled the shadow diving into Edmund's body.
Blood splattered across the ground as the body tried to resist the evil spirit. The spirit of Edmund was pushed from his body, and he watched as his body began to move as it settled down.
"What's happening?" gasped the frightened teen.
"You failed as Skull King's servant. Now I will be Edmund Vanders!" laughed his body. "And your spirit is no longer necessary, so I'll devour it!"
The night air was filled with an unheard scream as the spirit of Edmund was absorbed by the new Edmund.
"Gruesome." muttered Green Spirit from the entrance of the Shadow Temple.
"Just be glad Blue wasn't here. She would have gotten sick." sighed Red Spirit.
"Should we have stopped it? He seems like a bigger threat than the Edmund we just watched being killed." murmured Green.
"I think we should have, but I doubt we can stop it on our own." replied Red.
"Let's report to Blue, she wanted us to return an hour ago." yawned Green. "Let's go."
"Yeah, I'd hate for our queen to be mad." laughed Red grimly.
