Chapter 1: Link's Awakening
12 years before The Wind Waker ...
The full moon shone in the dark, starry sky as I ran for the cliff before me. The shadow-cloaked figure of my father watched behind me. I leapt into the air, wind nearly pulling my green stocking cap from my blond hair. On Roc's Island, boys were given a green hat, and a magic cape on their coming-of-age birthdays. The cap symbolized some ancient hero I didn't know much about. The cape gave the ability to fly, and was made by Roc, a strange weaver. He was said to be from a long line of weavers, making magic items that gave lightness. I spread the brand new blue cloak wide and flew over the fresh, saltless ocean. I had just received mine and was trying it out. Everyone over thirteen had one, but there were only a few dozen living here.
I soared in all directions, laughing aloud at the sheer pleasure at being able to zoom about. The wind pushed by me as I flew, up and down, in twisting circles, but suddenly, I felt it, a slight pain like being winded. The cape needed a chance to rest. I was about to turn and head back for the cliff-top where our house rested, when I saw a shadow against the ever-moving waves. I gasped when I made it out.
A pirate ship, here! Few but pirates ever sailed, fearing what would happen when the comfort of the tiny islands was left behind. My curiosity won out over my fear of punishment from my father, and I soared downwards towards it, as my cape drew nearer to giving out. I landed on the crow's nest quietly. The lookout saw me so quickly that he started and collapsed to the deck. I could feel my cloak recharging as I climbed down the mast. Suddenly I heard a strange swoosh and something grabbed me from behind and pulled me into the air.
I soon realized it was my father and that he had come to pull me back towards the island. I did not struggle, knowing it would only make the anger that was coming even worse. When we returned home, he flung me to the grass near our house and descended, pulling out a small staff and raising it to the moon. He brought it down with a swift crack on my leg, and I could already feel it bruising.
"You could get us all killed, you fool! We have survived on this island by keeping to ourselves and you nearly ruined everything!" I said nothing in response, taking the beating that came without words. When he was finished, he turned without speaking and stormed back towards the house. We lived alone, my mom and two sisters having died to a plague years ago. I wanted to fly, but was in to much pain, and laid back to watch the clouds dance by the moon, and with the peaceful wind blowing my hat and hair I soon fell asleep.
I awoke to see my best friend, Meena, a member of the family of a family of Zora that lived on the island, mid-morning sky framing her face. "Wake up, Link! Your father wants you back home right away! You know what he's like angry!"
"Yeah. I learned all over again last night," I muttered, standing up.
"Wow! Is that your cape? I wish I had one!" I suddenly remembered the strange cape on my back.
"Yes, it's great. Father's at home,
right?"
"What? Oh, yeah! You'd better get going!"
She gave me a shove and I took off for home, using my cape to
'pick up speed'.
I ran in the door and received the greatest shock of my life. There, sitting with my father at the table was a man that could only be the legendary Ganondorf.
"Is this young Link? Looks a strong lad. He'll do nicely," Ganondorf said in a deep, yet oily voice.
"…what?"
"Yes. A bit brash, foolish, but I'm sure you'll
work that out of him," My father said.
"What's going on here?"
"Of course. Of course. He'll receive a great deal of work, very character building."
"WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?" I yelled, chest heaving.
"See what I mean?" Father said, "Brash. Foolish. Watch your mouth, boy. You're to be Mr. Boroki's apprentice.
"No! That's Ganondorf! I won't go with him! I-I won't!"
"Ganondorf? Don't be silly. He was destroyed centuries ago by the Hero."
"Keese! Then what's he doing in our living room?!"
"You'd better watch that language. Mr. Boroki is a respectable merchant and you will work for him. No more argument."
It was obvious I was getting nowhere. I bolted for the door as fast as my legs could carry me. As I ran, I risked a look back and saw that the two had taken to the air and were flying after me. In the excitement, I'd forgotten my cape! I leapt into the air as well and soared over the very same cliff I had the night before, my father and that hateful man now very close behind.
"Running won't help, Link! Come back now and we won't punish you."
I ignored them and kept going. There was no going back ever again. Far off in the distance I could see the pirate ship had dropped anchor. Somehow, I knew safety lay there and began to soar for it, hoping dearly I could make it.
Suddenly I heard a thwok thwok behind me and knew my father had launched his boomerang. He had a magic boomerang that could be made to go any direction he desired. I turned and nearly lost an eye as it flew for my face. My hand swept up and I just barely managed to catch it. I held on tight as it spun in circles and loops.
"Come on…just a little longer…" I whispered, waiting. Then…
"Yes!" I had only to hold onto it for long enough and it would obey me. Ganondorf was not far behind me now. He had outdistanced my father and drawn twin swords from behind his cloak.
"Heh. You've got courage, kid. No mistake there, but you're coming with me now." My hand, my right hand, began to throb. On the back of it I had an odd yellow birthmark of three triangles close together, they formed a triangle of sorts themselves, with two on the bottom and one on top. The lower right one was filled in, the other two hollow. It was then that I noticed he had one as well, but the upper was filled instead. A change came over me then, though I hardly realized it at the time. It had been as if something inside me had stirred.
I had no time to ponder this. I threw the boomerang and guided it into his left sword hand, causing him to drop it. I soared underneath and caught it, blocking the blade he still had and swinging up, catching the boomerang as it returned to me and letting it fly into his head, after stunning him, I caught the boomerang once more and fled, I tucked my limbs close and the pirate ship began to loom closer and closer, and the pain of keeping aloft grew stronger and stronger.
Finally, when I could take no more, I landed on the deck and the last thing I saw before collapsing into darkness was a brown-haired female pirate.