Evening Update: Korok Forest
Elsewhere...
Malice. Just one look at the substance tells you that it's pure evil, without even knowing its true origin. Anger, grief, fear, jealousy, confusion...negativity manifested into tangible form, used in only the darkest magics of Hyrule. It's the key to unlimited power...if you know how to use it, of course. Otherwise, it was useless. Calamity Ganon had been unworthy of its gifts, and it had corrupted him into some disgusting beast that only lived to destroy a kingdom he had once dreamed of conquering. The result of one man's folly was a wasteland that was still trying to pick the pieces up one hundred years later. It was the perfect place for an invasion.
Ganondorf wanted nothing more than to take over Hyrule. Time after time, it was always the same. He returned in whatever form Fate gave him, attempted his takeover, and would almost have it all...if not for two people. Zelda and Link. Time after time after time after time after time...he was always the loser. Always sealed away, his prize and victory yanked away from him at the very last second. It had happened this time, too. The failure of a princess had outgambitted him, using her precious hero to prolong his takeover. How? How had she done it? She couldn't even save her kingdom one century ago, and now suddenly she was able to stop him?!
His fingernails dug into the armrest of his throne, teeth gritting as he remembered his humiliating defeat at her hands. It was all so perfect. Everyone despised each other, everyone had lost all hope...and then she arrived with her little revelation and ruined everything! He wanted to kill her. He wanted to destroy her. He wanted to-
No. No, no, no. He couldn't lose himself. Not yet.
His lips curled into a smile, as he looked around his throne room. It was still the same as before. The old trappings of Hyrule Castle were restored, as if the castle had never fallen to ruin. It was elegant, and it was a sign that his power was still there; it was all created with Malice, after all. Clark had killed nine in one go, and his secret weapon had eliminated the obnoxious spaceboy. And Mephistopheles...
"Master!"
Speak of the Devil, and he appeared. The Servant arrived in the throne room, and he was not alone, though Clark stayed in the shadows, sulking like a child.
"Master...the dead have come back to life! Whatever shall we do?"
Ah, yes. Eventide Island. Why the dead had revived there, he did not know. It was an anomaly, one that he couldn't investigate. Some sort of barrier had been placed around the island, and he needed to conserve his powers as much as possible. But it was of no consequence. They would all die anyway.
"Worry not, Caster. We can send them back just as easily. Won't we, Clark?"
Wallowing in the shadows, Clark glared at his partner.
"An arrow! He tried to kill me with a freakin' arrow?! What was he thinkin?'"
Stomping his foot into the ground, Clark barked.
"You better remember this! All I did for you! I held my end up. You better hold up yours. I want my world back. I want my birthright!"
Ganondorf had to admit, he was grateful to Agent 47 for shooting Clark. It had fueled the boy's unbridled rage, which in turn served to create even more Malice.
"Relax, my child. As I said before, you have done very well. And you will continue to do well. You have given me more power in just one day than those little girls did combined. And you shall receive all your powers again, in due time."
He turned back to his Servant. Out of everyone here, he never had to question Caster's loyalty. Even Ghirahim and Zant, he couldn't trust, which was why he sent them off to their own little game. But ever since Caster turned on the others, pledged to be the most faithful Servant...giving him the Yiga Clan was no problem. And he had done wonderfully with them, turning those jokes into an actual threat.
"Caster...how go preparations for tomorrow?"
"Ah! Yes! The castle is ready! Guardians and monsters and ninjas...they're all in place! They won't know what hit them!"
"And they have yet to find my secret weapon among them, yes?"
"Oh, indeed! So stupid, so stupid! No one will figure it out...not even the weapon itself! Ahahahahahaha!"
"Excellent." He leaned back in his throne, looking up at the sky from his seat.
"We will take back this world, the world that is rightfully ours. And all of them will perish." He was confident, now, that he would win in the end. Tomorrow...his goal would finally be achieved.
After so long, Hyrule would be his...and all that stood in his way would be nothing but dust.
---
Guardian 10 held exactly what they needed: a Giant Ancient Core.
Dell walked over to them all.
"Good job! Let's get out of here before anything else attacks us..."
A quick teleportation would bring you all back to Robbie.
"Here's your core," Dell said, tossing the old man the part.
"Now, can we get that flare?"
"Yes, yes, I'll get to work on it right away!" He looked at the group.
"You all seem to have a bunch of Guardian parts on you! Enough so that I can make everyone one Ancient Weapon! Stop by the lab tonight and I can build you anything you'd like! And tell your friends to stop by to visit..."
"Doctoooooor Robbie!"
"...yeah." Dell turned to everyone.
"Come on, guys. We need to get over to Korok Forest. feel free to get weapons after, though." He frowned at Wakaba and Silque.
"But no more snooping in my room."
---
Within a short amount of time, it became rather clear what to do with the shield.
"Give me that thing," Lee said, taking the shield and chucking it into the tree's mouth. Seconds later, the ground began rumbling, revealing the Shrine before them. A voice spoke from within.
You have done well to arrive here, heroes. Did you figure out the truth of this test? One of you knew the true way, and led you all here. Whether you followed with trust or aggravation, you all humbled yourself to take the sight of a second rather than your own. Take this Spirit Orb, and may you bring peace to Hyrule...
A purple orb floated down from above, displayed before them all before vanishing into the air. And then...nothing.
Lee clicked his tongue.
"...whatever. Let's get out of here."
---
The updraft, as Brook said, was able to carry them all the way above the pathway. All it would take was a quick drop down to the ground, and then they had finally arrived at the shrine, where they would all be greeted by a voice.
You have done well to arrive here, heroes. Whether you ran, fought, or floated your way here, I hope you did so with someone by your side. The world can be a dangerous place, no matter who is beside you...but sometimes, having someone there can ease a terrible burden. I hope you all remember this as you face the great darkness tomorrow. Now, take this Spirit Orb, and bring peace to Hyrule...
A Spirit Orb would float down, and within seconds, vanished. Silence came to the group.
"Um..." Margreet looked around.
"I guess we go back now?"
---
"Okay, here I go...!" Opening up her Paraglider, Zelda followed everyone else to the shrine, narrowly avoiding the bog by lifting her knees up at the right time.
"Oh, my! How exciting that was! Good work, everyone, we-" Zelda was cut off as a voice spoke.
You have done well to arrive here, heroes. Whether a day, a week, a year, or even a century, patience remains an important virtue, along with diligence and determination. You have all endured hardships during your time here in Hyrule, and have had to bide your time until the final hour. Now, take your chance, and this Spirit Orb, and save Hyrule once and for all.
From above, came a Spirit Orb, as well as two others. They didn't stop before them all, but flew to Zelda, where they seemed to dematerialize the second they touched her. The princess gasped, as if feeling the force of the Spirit Orbs. Once she recovered, she looked at them all.
"I think...it's time."
---
Everyone now gathered within the Korok Forest as the Sun began to set. Standing alone, on the center pedestal, was Zelda, standing before the Master Sword.
"Whenever you are ready, my child," The Great Deku Tree said.
"Take the hilt, and take the test."
"...all right." Zelda clenched and flexed her fingers, staring at the sword for a moment, then closed her eyes, and took hold of the hilt.
"Gah!" The second she did, Malice clouded around her, clearly causing her pain.
"Zelda!" Margreet attempted to rush to her, but Dell stopped her.
"This is part of the test," he said.
"Give her time."
Zelda closed her eyes, tightening her grip on the hilt. She had to do this. For Hyrule, for Link, for everyone here...there was no going back. Fight through the pain. Patience. Diligence. Determination. Use it all.
After a full minute, it ended. The Malice disappeared. And Zelda was able to pull the sword from its place.
The Koroks all began to cheer, jumping for joy as she did this. The Great Deku Tree seemed to smile.
"Congratulations, my child. You have done well. I recommend you learn to fight with that sword tonight, for tomorrow, you will need it. The rest of you...this will be your final night in Hyrule. We here have beds prepared, and any food items you could desire. Take the time tonight to finish any business you need to, because tomorrow...it will all be over. But it will not be easy, either. So...prepare in whatever way you need to. And in the morning...the fate of Hyrule will be sealed."
Places of Interest:
Inside the Great Deku Tree: Get any food you want to eat here, use the cooking pot as well.
Outside: Explore the scenery, chat with Koroks and each other.
Akkala Tech Lab: Choose one Ancient Weapon for yourself, free of charge!
As this is your last night, do any last minute things you would like. Tomorrow is the final chapter in this calamitous tale.
Cast List
@Alex Azure as
Akane Owari (Danganronpa 3)
@Archmage Jeremiah as
Rex and Nia (Xenoblade Chronicles)
@Atomic Knight as
Asher Forrester (Game of Thrones) and
Teruteru Hanamura (Danganronpa 3)
@Crow as
Yuuki and Kokkoro (Princess Connect! Re: Dive)
@CrunchyCHEEZIT as
Shovel Knight (Shovel Knight) and
The Drifter (Hyper Light Drifter)
@Donder172 as
Agent 47 (Hitman) and
General Grievous (Star Wars Clone Wars 2003)
@Gummi Bunnies as
Nadeshiko Kagamihara (Yuru Camp) and
Ellie Phimister (Deadpool)
@Hida Tomonatsu as
Jin (Samurai Champloo)
@Jeremi as
Linkle (Hyrule Warriors) and
Fred Flintstone (The Flintstones comics)
@Josh as
Superboy (Prime Earth DCU)
@Kaykay as
Wakaba Nogi (Nogi Wakaba is a Hero)
@Krieg as
Diana of Themyscira (Wonder Woman)
@Lucky as
Peter Parker (MCU) and
Peter Parker (The Amazing Spiderman)
@MelodyMeister as
Reimu Hakurei (Touhou Project)
@Minerva as
Selesia Upitira (Re:Creators) and
Celica (Fire Emblem)
@Otto as
Darius (League of Legends)
@Raynar Saassin as
Lyndis (Fire Emblem)
@Siege as
Shallot (Dragon Ball) and
Akuma (Street Fighter)
@Space_Candy as
Thor Odinson (MCU)
@Takumi as
Silque (Fire Emblem) and
Azel Halgal (Otoyomegatari)
@Ver as
Guy Cecil (Tales of the Abyss)
@York as
Enu (RiME)