Chapter Text
Part 1: A Dark Alliance
"Heh, bravo. Bravo," a male voice said after viewing a friendly sparring match, clapping slowly.
"Huh?" General Judo of the Hyrule knights said, turning around. He beheld one of the Hylian soldiers that were not given the title of knight or rode horses as the knights did. Instead, the royal guard usually patrolled the castle and castle grounds. This particular soldier was high ranked as well, as his armor was more elaborate than many of the other troops. He carried a spear and shield with him. A shield was something else lower ranking royal guard troops did not have. This soldier flipped back a strand of his dark reddish-brown hair.
"That was quite an impressive showing you and Kelli gave us, General," the soldier continued.
"Oh, thank you. You must be a captain of one of the royal guard platoons," Judo deduced.
"That I am. Captain Garrick, at your service."
"I see. Pleasure."
"Indeed. I have a question though," Garrick said. "I always wondered why Kelli fights. Why she was chosen to wield that sword and shield of hers. The Sun Sword, wasn't it? And the shield has the same name. That story of her and Sir Link almost literally digging up ancient weapons predating even the Master Sword has gone around lately since that war we all fought against so many unusual monsters. Sir Link of all people wielding the dark power of the Moon Sword, who'd have thunk?"
"I've noticed. Even I've talked about it. But what do you mean why does Kelli fight? She does because she needs to and she's highly skilled," Judo replied, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh, I don't deny her skill," Garrick admitted, but then chuckled. "It's as I said, I wonder why she was chosen for it. They say those weapons choose their wielders like the Master Sword. Link is a fine pick. But Kelli is a highly odd choice. Why not a man of your caliber instead? You've just shown that you have what it takes."
At this, Judo blinked.
"...What's that supposed to mean? That Kelli shouldn't have been picked because she's a woman?"
"Eh, more or less, I suppose. Come now, we both know men will always be the strong ones, the real fighters. Women? Even if one can fight well, she could never match a man who fights at the peak of his skill level. We just saw right now that Kelli couldn't beat you!"
"...What? Why the hell does that even matter?!" Judo retorted, his blood beginning to boil at this guy.
"I guess for the sake of our kingdom's future," Garrick explained. "Also, what could women who fight do when they want to find a husband and settle down? Women are the ones who carry and birth children, feed them when they're infants, and so on. They can't do those responsibilities if they're fighting. Especially if they're injured in...certain places."
"What did you just say?!"
Before Garrick could respond, an ebony haired knight sporting armor more elaborate than others, but not quite on the level of Judo's approached, having seen and overheard some of the conversation.
"Hey, Judo, what's going on here?" he wondered. "Everything okay?"
"Oh, Conan. This idiot's just getting on my nerves and spewing nonsense about Kelli that I can't wrap my head around," Judo irritatingly explained to his deputy commander.
"..."Nonsense?" Ha, like you'd really understand, I suppose. You and Kelli are pretty close, huh?" Garrick pointed out. "Can't imagine why. One other thing I've yet to mention is that all that fighting and training makes her so unattractive too. The battle scars, her plain blonde hair, and her curves seem a bit faded too. She'd probably have a lot of trouble finding a husband anyway even if she wanted."
"WHAT?!" Judo thundered. "Well you can just screw the hell off, you sexist bastard!"
"Whoa! Judo, calm down," Conan said, stepping in front of his superior. "This guy isn't worth it."
"Well I won't stand here and let someone insult Kelli like that just because she's a woman!" Judo replied and then turned to Garrick again. "I swear on my life if you go anywhere near her with that horse dung you're flinging, I'll make sure you never lift a weapon again!"
"Ho ho," Garrick said, raising his eyebrows. "I must've hit quite a nerve there. ...Wait, I think I get it now. You're actually in love with her, aren't you?"
"...Uh...huh?!" Judo sputtered, suddenly going from a rage red to a more embarrassed rosy shade. "I-I am not! She's just my best friend."
"Suuure. But my, you must have the worst taste in women."
In an instant, Judo's face returned to the rage red again. He couldn't hold himself back this time either, as he rushed around Conan to yank Garrick by the collar of his silvery blue tunic and throw him as hard as he could, smashing him into a pair of wooden training dummies nearby. The dummies shattered upon the impact as Garrick was dazed and lay there shaken up. Conan quickly approached Judo again, gaping at what he'd just witnessed his superior officer do.
"Judo! Goddesses, get a hold of yourself! I told you this imbecile wasn't worth it!" he said. "Come on, let's go before this gets any worse."
"...Yeah, you're right," Judo agreed. "I'm sorry. We have better things to do anyway."
"Right."
Several Years Later…
The grand Castle Town in the peaceful kingdom of Hyrule was typically busy during the day. Many businesses bustled, and the people known as the Hylians were always rushing to and fro across the square to perform their daily tasks. Citizens browsed food and other goods in the market, played various games in entertainment buildings, guards patrolled the gates and roads to maintain the peace, and more. The currency known as Rupees were constantly being exchanged for these goods and services, keeping the economy rich. Most of the people were decently off, always with money to spend. A few others, however, were not so fortunate.
A young man with reddish brown hair and wearing rather old and tattered clothing sat in one of the town alley ways, munching on little more than a slice of bread and a banana. What income and money he once had were now gone, and little support had come in the meantime. He angrily grumbled over his situation as he ate.
"I can't believe it... I'm out here on the streets now after five years..." he uttered. "All because they had to tattletale to General Ryo and get me kicked out of the royal guard! And for what?! Simply believing women aren't as strong as men?! Because my beliefs are different?!"
The man grimaced as he squeezed the remaining peel of the banana so hard that it left mush in his hand.
"Judo... Kelli... One day, you'll both pay for this!"
The man then threw the now messy banana peel across the ground. It almost hit another passerby, and the poor man looked up to see who it was. His eyes widened when he beheld a mysterious cloaked and robed figure with somewhat long grayish blue hair. This person's clothing was unlike any the man had seen in Hyrule before. It was fairly simple, but not in any style worn by the common people. This outfit contained unfamiliar patterns of stitching and embroidery, and used dark blue and purple shades of color. More than intimidated by this figure's appearance, the man quickly apologized for his action.
"Ah, pay it no mind," the passerby said, revealing to have the voice of a woman. "I'm more interested in the names I overheard you speak just now. Judo and Kelli...was it?"
"Oh...yes. I have a huge bone to pick with them!" the man revealed. "I was once a captain in the royal guard at the castle. I was good at my job. Then those two come along and have me stripped of my title and discharged all because they didn't like a few little things I said! And yet I have no idea what I can do about it. They ruined my life and now I'm stuck here scraping for food!"
"I see... That is unfortunate indeed. But perhaps we can help each other out. I am in a sort of predicament myself."
"...W-What? If you haven't noticed, I have no money or decent clothing, I can't find another job that I won't screw up in and will pay me enough, or even a good home to go to since my father won't speak to me or let me see my brother now either! What could I possibly have that would benefit you? And how do I know that you can even be trusted? I don't even know your name!"
"Well, allow me to explain," the mysterious figure said. "And I can tell you a little about myself to ease your concern. I am not from this kingdom, or even this world. I am a traveler from another realm who is seeking aid."
At this, the poor man blinked in silence for a moment.
"Another...realm?"
"That's correct. You may call me Vedette," the stranger introduced.
"I...see. My name is Garrick. Is it really possible for someone to come here from another world? Or go to another world from here?"
"Heh, it most certainly is. You see, I've taken some...interest in those people you mentioned. I may be able to help you get some revenge against them...if you do something for me."
"...You can? What would you want me to do? I'm still not entirely convinced."
"That's fine. Allow me to elaborate further, my fine new friend."
Vedette then explained that she had come to Hyrule through magic that even she had not known existed at first, and now she could travel between it and her own land whenever she wished, or even other worlds. However, she had a situation at home that could not be solved through any means found in her world. She had to seek a power from outside. And Vedette soon learned of something called the Triforce, which existed in Hyrule. At this, Garrick could only laugh, even though he did not want to be rude to someone who might be able to help him.
"...Why are you laughing?" Vedette inquired in a rather annoyed tone.
"Heh...I'm sorry," Garrick replied. "It's just that if you expect to find the Triforce at all right now, especially with the help of someone like me, you're way in over your head. I don't know much about it, but what I do know is that it's our kingdom's most powerful relic and it's currently split into three pieces, each of which is held by one person of that piece's choosing. And those who hold the pieces aren't just any random people. One is our princess, another is one of her retainers, and the third...well, let's just say he isn't in Hyrule anymore. He's been banished to...somewhere. Not sure where exactly."
"Oh, I am fully aware," Vedette assured. "I did my research when I came here, you know. I may even know more than you at this point. The Triforce is said to be able to grant any wish desired when someone touches it. But it will split into three pieces if that person doesn't have the three forces they represent in balance. Your princess holds the Triforce of Wisdom, does she not? The warrior woman known as Kelli has the Triforce of Courage, which was previously held by Link, the other retainer. And the third piece... The Triforce of Power. It is sealed away with...wasn't his name Ganondorf?"
"...Whoa. Yes, that is all correct, as far as I know."
"I told you, didn't I? Oh, and…one more thing. There's a rumor that despite the Triforce of Power technically being locked away, the man named Judo is able to...call upon it in certain situations. Apparently, it recognizes him as a worthy holder, should it one day escape from Ganondorf's hands entirely."
Garrick's eyes soon widened again, not believing what he was hearing.
"What?! Even despite that thing being sealed away, its power can still help him? And he doesn't even need to hold it? That sounds no different than someone cheating at a game!"
"Heh...perhaps so. But things such as the Triforce are mysterious sometimes, aren't they? In any case, I can lend you some of my power if you agree to help me get my hands on the pieces of the Triforce. With my plan, you can get your revenge on Judo and Kelli, and I can use the Triforce's power to solve the situation I have at home. We can both satisfy one another's needs."
"...Hmm. I would be interested...but what exactly do you want to use the Triforce for? I am quite hesitant to agree to anything criminal or evil."
"No worries. What I'll do will only affect my world. I don't even wish to keep the Triforce forever. I merely would like to make a wish...to more or less help my own people."
"I see... That would be admirable enough. But you must promise me that I really can make Judo and Kelli pay for what they did. And I'm not sure you can make good on that given that you're asking for the bloody Triforce of all things. How are we supposed to get our hands on it? It's not something we can simply sneak out of someone's belongings. It's power that literally resides within a person."
"Heh... Believe me, I know. I assure you I can keep that promise. My plan cannot possibly fail."
Garrick then thought for a moment before responding.
"Well... Alright then. I don't really have anything to lose anyway."
"Heh heh... Excellent! Now...here's what you must do."
Vedette then explained her plan as thoroughly and clearly as she could. Garrick followed along with intrigue...until Vedette brought up his part in it. And when she finished, he growled.
"Alright, first of all, I already said I would not be doing anything criminal," he protested. "Second, one of the two children you're talking about has crazy powers! The last time someone messed with her, they got their arse handed to them big time by both her parents and her! I wouldn't lay a hand on that kid if you paid me!"
"Ah, but my friend, remember you're going to have my power on your side," Vedette reminded him. "And I am aware of the one little girl's powers, actually. Not hard to be when some people around here don't know how to shut up. But anyway, with my magic helping you, this will be a simple task. It pays to come prepared, after all. And just think of it this way. Those people you mentioned took everything from you, did they not? Now you can take something precious from them!"
"...The idea is…very appealing," Garrick admitted, and then cracked a devious grin. "Alright, you have a deal. But you have to give me your word that we won't seriously hurt anyone."
"Fair enough, I have no need for that," Vedette agreed. At least for the moment...heh heh.
"Alright...excellent."