I think of if I left anything uncleaned . <| sep |> What would you wish for ? a voice asked from behind him . Link shuddered and dropped his pots . He had wandered away from his uncle and become mesmerized by a royal inscription . It told the story of the Triforce , a magical artifact capable of granting three wishes . Now , he was standing over a shattered pile of pottery he had brought to sell . He scrambled to pick up the pieces . Oh no ! I ' m so sorry , she apologized , helping him to gather up the mess . I didn ' t mean to startle you . Link looked up for a moment and smiled , embarrassed , but said nothing . The girl frowned . My name ' s Zelda , she introduced herself . Link flashed another obligatory smile , then took a doubletake . He gasped , fell to his knee , and gave his best impromptu bow . Oh , come on ! There ' s no need for any of that ! she giggled . There was a long pause . Aren ' t you going to say anything ? He can ' t talk ! a crude voice sneered from behind . Can you , fairy boy ? Two dapper young men entered the courtyard . Talon , Ingo , what are you two doing here ? Zelda snapped . We should be asking you two the same thing , the shorter Talon chortled . Especially him , Ingo sneered . Kokiri trash . Can ' t trust fairy boys , Talon added . Look , he ' s already smashing our pots ! Worse than Gerudos . Ingo muttered . I DOUBT that , a masculine voice beckoned from a distance . The four of them looked around curiously before finally spotting the source of the voice a young man , maybe a few years older than them , sitting perched in a secondstory window of the castle courtyard , slicing an apple as he spoke . He tossed it aside and dropped down to the ground , his desert garb fluttering in the wind . Kokiri are timid folk , his voice echoed . Even if he could speak in his own defense , he probably wouldn ' t . Too many manners . The Gerudo , on the other hand . he continued , spinning his dagger in his hand . . do not tolerate bullies . The two young nobles shifted uncomfortably . Courtyard ' s a little crowded today , Ingo said , excusing himself . Seems like they let all manner of riffraff in , these days . Seems that way , the Gerudo agreed , watching them go . Zelda waited for Talon and Ingo to be out of earshot before hugging the boy . Thank you . You didn ' t have to do that . People should not be allowed to act that way , he said without acknowledging her embrace . Still , she admitted . Thank you , Ganondorf . Ganondorf winced at the sound of his own name . Ganon . He corrected her . She leered at him . You ' re still doing this ? Gerudo sultans choose their own names he huffed , knocking her arms away . And you are not a sultan . Your father is , she corrected him . She turned to Link . His father and mine are old friends . Ganondorf , this is . she paused , realizing she had never gotten the boy ' s name . His name is Link , Ganondorf responded . He came here with his Uncle to sell pottery . The two of them stared at Ganondorf in surprise . How did you know that ? Zelda asked . Ganondorf motioned behind himself . Because he ' s looking for him . and because he was just kicked out . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ What are you wishing for ? Ganondorf asked , sharpening his swords on one another . Link pondered the thought by the fire , stringing his bow . He thought for a moment and shrugged , then motioned for Zelda to respond instead . Ganondorf leered at him . You joined us on this quest and you don ' t even know what you ' re going to wish for ? He scoffed . Fine . I ' m taking his wish . You will not ! Zelda laughed , closing her spellbook to slap him on the shoulder . Three wishes , one for each of us . That was the bargain . This bargain gets worse every day , he grumbled . I agreed to kidnap you to get you away from the castle so we could hunt the Triforce together . Now , we ' re actual fugitives . If we do find it , we ' ll need those wishes to make this worthwhile , so I ask you , again , he inquired , pointing his sword in her direction . What are you going to wish for ? The princess peered at him down his glittering blade , the firelight flickering against it ' s cold surface . Wisdom , she replied simply . He paused , his eye twitching . Wisdom ? You expected gold or glory ? I ' m a princess , remember ? No , but I did expect something useful . She sighed and opened the clasp of her book again , waving her hand across the fluttering pages . If I want to be a great sage , I have to be wise . Why not just wish to be a great sage ? Ganondorf eyeballed her . I ' m not kidding ! Fine , she rolled her eyes . What are you wishing for ? Ganondorf stared into the fire . Power . Link tilted his head curiously . Power ? Zelda asked . Power , plain and simple . Ganon elaborated . The power to rule , to fix this world . And who decides which parts are broken ? she picked on him , narrowing her eyes . Ganondorf smiled . That ' s why I have you two . The band erupted in friendly laughter . After a time , Ganondorf addressed Link again . I know what you should wish for , my friend . Link looked up curiously , awaiting his response . Courage , he continued . Zelda scoffed , almost offended . Ganondorf ! Link ' s plenty brave ! Ganondorf kept his gaze locked on Link , who looked back just as intently . No , he continued . He ' s curious . Even now he ' s just listening to what I have to say , waiting to see where all this leads . Just like with his bow and his arrows . Just like the day we met , with Talon and Ingo . Link furrowed his brow , almost alarmed at his friend ' s tone . Ah , Ganondorf sighed pleasantly . There it is . There is a fire in you , Link . I know there is . I hope to see it one day , but I fear I never will . Not unless you learn that there is a difference between being fearless and being brave . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ What did you wish for ? ! Zelda cried out in fear as the temple began to crumble around them . Two golden triangles still remained , but Ganondorf clutched the third , writhing in pain as his body began to twist and crack . His moaning became loud , booming , inhuman . His skin darkened . His red hair became a mane against his back . Horns sprouted from his head , and his face became like that of a boar . Finally , his moaning subsided . YES ! He cried . I feel it ! The power of my ancestors ! The power to rule this world ! This isn ' t right ! Zelda called up to him . He towered above her , three times his original size . I can fix this ! she exclaimed , flipping through her largest tome . There has to be a way to reverse this ! Reverse it ? REVERSE IT ? His maniacal laughter billowed through the crumbling chasm . This is everything I ' ve ever wanted . With this power , I will crush the Zora , the Gorons , the Kokiri ! The Kokiri ? Zelda gasped . She turned to Link . He stood at the ready , his bowstring drawn , but uncertain whether he should take aim . The two exchanged horrified glances . Zelda looked up to her friend once more . This isn ' t you , Ganondorf ! The creature took pause at these words , then turned to face her . He lowered his head , narrowing his eyes as he blew hot steam from his nostrils . My name . is GANON .