A/N: I apologize that it's taken me awhile to get back to this. Also, the song at the beginning was a request.
"Now that we're men,
We can do anything!
Now that we're men,
We are Invincible!
NOW THAT WE'RE MEN,
WE'RE GOING TO-"
CLANG!
"SHUT UP, ED!" Eddy yelled after snapping the visor down on Ed's helmet.
"Who turned out the lights?" Ed asked as he looked around before flipping the visor back up.
"Finally." Navi sighed in relief. "I have no idea what he was singing, but I couldn't handle it a second time."
"Indeed. I'm surprised he knows that song." said Edd.
"Is it over?" Link asked after taking his fingers out of his ears. "Ahh~ Sweet relief."
"Indeed." Double D nodded before glancing in the distance. "Now, let us make haste for Lon Lon Ranch."
"Wonder how the place has turned out with Ingo in charge." Eddy wondered aloud.
"Let us hope that it hasn't changed into anything like Hyrule Town has become." Edd said, shuddering at the memory of the once lively town looking more like a ghost town.
"Well, we're about to find out." Navi told them as they approached the entrance. They braced themselves for anything to happen, but found themselves pleasantly surprised to find the place looking like it did seven years ago.
"Not what I was expecting." Eddy said as they looked around while walking through the gates that lead into the large pasture. The only difference he could tell was that the gates had an image of Ingo on them.
"Ed can't wait to meet all the furry friends here!" Ed laughed while hugging himself.
"Halt! Stop where you stand!"
All of them turned towards the voice that had shouted at them before a pitchfork was shoved just inches from their faces.
"Whoa! Easy with that thing!" Eddy yelped while Link grabbed the hilt of his blade, ready to draw if needed.
"Away with you! Lon Lon Ranch is not receiving visitors today!" yelled the young, blue haired man holding the pitchfork.
"B-But the gate was open!" Double D tried to point out. "Shouldn't there h-have been a sign that said closed!?"
"Poppycock! All those in the land of Hyrule know that Lon Lon Ranch does not allow visitors on the premises without prior appointment! Now leave the grounds before you incur the wrath of the son of a shepherd!" he warned.
Link glared at the man while the Eds just stared at him.
"That manner of speech." Edd whispered. "And he called himself 'the son of a shepherd.'"
"It can't be...can it?" Eddy asked after rubbing his eyes.
"HIYA ROLF!" Ed greeted with a smile.
"Rolf?" Link and Navi asked while the man blinked at them.
"How do you know Rolf?" Rolf asked in confusion.
"Rolf!" Eddy and Edd joyfully yelled in unison, further confusing him.
"Wait. Rolf? You mean one of your friends from Peach Creek?" Link asked.
"You know of Peach Creek, he who wears a dress?" Rolf asked.
"For the love of-Does nobody from your world wear a tunic?!" Link snapped, angry that all these people keep saying he's in a dress.
"None of them wear one in our neighborhood. Except for Ed here sometimes." Eddy chuckled while Ed just smiled.
"Ed?" Rolf repeated as he looked at Ed, who lifted up his visor at him.
"Don't you recognize us, Rolf?" Edd asked him.
"Yeah! It's us!" Eddy smiled as he pulled Ed and Edd close with his arms, all three of them smiling at him. Rolf merely squinted his eyes at him while rubbing his goatee. Edd, seeing his skepticism, brought his friends ears closer to whisper into them. A smile grew on their faces before they nodded and turned back to Rolf. Eddy squatted down to make himself shorter than the other two while Edd and Ed removed their hood and helmet, showing off Edd's black hat and Ed's unibrow. Rolf stared at them for another moment before a familiar image of a trio of boys overtook the men standing before him. Rolf's eyes widened as the pitchfork slipped from his hands and fell to the ground.
"ED BOYS!" Rolf yelled before crushing them in a bone-crushing hug. "Rolf's heart swells with joy at the sight of the lost-then-now-found Ed Boys!"
"Nice to see you too, Stretch!" Eddy grunted out.
"Spine...shattering!" Edd wheezed in pain.
"ROLF! WHERE ARE YOU?!" a voice barked out in anger. Rolf's smile dropped to a look of panic, his head on a swivel as he began to dance in place. "YOU BETTER ANSWER ME!" the voice yelled, making Rolf sweat.
"Wait. Isn't that-" Link started to say before Rolf grabbed the four of them and dragged them into the stables. He pushed them all in and shut the door until only his face was showing.
"Quiet, lest that fool Ingo hear you!" Rolf whispered before shutting the door all the way.
"What was that all about?" Navi asked before turning towards the Eds.
"I'm not sure. Rolf rarely acted in such a terrified manner back home." Edd explained.
"Guys. Didn't that voice sound familiar to you?" Link asked them.
"It sounded like...um..." Ed began before trailing off.
"It sounded like Ingo." Navi finished for Link.
"Hey, you're right!" Eddy agreed after thinking on it for a moment. "That did sound like him."
"That's because it was Mr. Ingo." came a feminine voice deeper inside the stable. They all turned to see a woman approaching them with a bucket of water in her hands.
"She looks like Malon." Eddy whispered to the others.
"Oh. You know my name?" Malon asked them, having overheard Eddy's whispering.
"Wait. You're Malon?!" Eddy asked in surprise.
"Gentlemen." Double Dee spoke up and pulled them a little closer, whispering much more softly than Eddy. "Remember. Seven years have passed. Everyone's aged." he explained, earning nods from them.
"Forgive me, but could you please move? I need to continue working." she told them in a gloomy tone. The men moved, allowing her to take the water bucket and begin to wash one of the horses. "I'm sorry for Mr. Rolf's behavior towards you. He gets that way when Mr. Ingo is mad. It'd be best if you stay here until he cools off or sneak your way out yourselves."
"But we came to rescue you." Ed spoke up. "Your daddy wanted us to help."
"My father?" Malon said in surprise while looking over her shoulder.
"Yeah. Talon." Navi said as she floated in front of her.
"A fairy?" Malon whispered to herself before looking back at Link. Her eyes widened as everything clicked for her. "You're that fairy boy from the forest, Link!" she exclaimed before looking at the Eds. "And you three are the Eds! Ed, Edd, and Eddy!"
"A pleasure to re-make your acquaintance." Edd greeted with a smile.
"Same. I'm so glad to see you all are okay. I'm sorry for not recognizing you, even with all of Mr. Rolf's stories." Malon said with a smile before returning to the horse she was tending to, her smile slowly fading.
"Is something wrong?" Edd asked.
"I'm glad that my father sent you, but I'm afraid I can't leave." she said.
"Why not? I don't see you in chains or anything." Eddy pointed out.
"If I leave or disobey, Mr. Ingo will punish the animals. I refuse to let them be hurt for my actions!" she declared with a firm voice.
"What?! Mr. Ingo will hurt the furry friends?!" Ed yelled in horror before scowling. He slammed his visor down and unsheathed his sword before heading for the door.
"Whoa, whoa! Time out big guy!" Eddy yelped as he and the others stood between him and the door.
"I sympathize with your want to protect the innocent, human or animal, but I don't believe that whatever you may be trying to do is the right decision!" Edd rambled quickly.
"He's right! How about we try talking to him first?!" Link frantically suggested as he held Ed's sword arm. Ed's frown deepened under his helmet before he sheated his sword.
"If Ingo hurts animals, Ed will hurt him!" Ed growled, sounding quite angry.
"Sheesh!" Eddy wheezed before wiping the sweat from his forehead. "Listen, Lumpy. Why don't you stay here and help Malon with the horses while we talk to Ingo?"
"I wouldn't mind the help. And Rolf will probably need a break after Ingo gets done chewing him out." Malon offered.
Ed lifted his visor and looked at the horses inside the stable before grinning again.
"Okay!" he nodded before nodding and sitting next to Malon to help, leaving the other three men to talk to Ingo.
"Never seen Ed that mad before." Link said in fright.
"That ain't nothing. You should see him when he gets a rock in his shoe." said Eddy as they left the stable.
"What does he do?" Navi asked.
"Pray that you never find out." Edd muttered as they walked towards Rolf being bossed about by Mr. Ingo, his farm hand clothing swapped for a more fancier set of clothes.
"And if I catch you slacking off again, I'll tan your hide alongside the animals! Got that Rolf?!" Ingo barked.
"Y-Yes, Mr. Ingo sir!" Rolf nodded with a nervous smile before picking up his pitchfork and walking off to do as he was ordered. Ingo merely watched him walk off before noticing the four heroes approaching.
"Who are you lot? Here to buy a horse? We have a 'Try before you buy' promotion going on now." Ingo informed them with a smile.
"Try before you buy?" Link asked.
"That's right. For a mere 10 rupees, I'll allow you inside." he explained as he gestured at the horses inside the iron fence. "From there, you can take any horse you wish for a spin for a small amount of time. If you find the horse you ride to your liking, you can buy it."
"Ed can ride the horsey?!" Ed asked in glee.
"WAH!" Ingo yelled as he jumped from Ed suddenly appearing behind him. "Where'd you come from?!"
"Blame my parents." Ed replied.
"Ed. Weren't you helping Malon?" Edd asked.
"Rolf kicked me out when I tried to shoe the horses." he explained. He was then struck in the face with his own boots, courtesy of Rolf throwing them at him from inside the stable.
"THOSE BELONG ON YOUR FEET, HALF-WIT ED BOY!" Rolf yelled before going back in the stable.
"One. Your friend here isn't all that bright. And two, leave the work to the ranch hands!" Ingo snapped before composing himself. "So, want to ride?"
"One moment." Edd spoke up before the four of them walked a fair bit away.
"How are we supposed to bust Malon out of here?" Eddy asked.
"Not to mention Rolf. He may love animals and farm life, but from the looks of it, Mr. Ingo's running him and Malon ragged." said Edd.
"Ed does not like Ingo!" Ed whispered.
"I don't either, but he's in Ganondorf's good graces at the moment." Link pointed out. All four men groaned as they tried to think of something.
"Hey! If you're not gonna try, then fly!" Ingo snapped.
"Why not give it a shot? It'll give you guys some time to think up a plan." suggested Navi.
"An excellent idea. And if the horses are within reasonable price, we can make trips around Hyrule shorter." Edd explained. The four nodded before turning back towards Mr. Ingo.
"Alright. We'll give it a shot." Link spoke for them all.
"Splendid!" Ingo grinned before shouting for Rolf and Malon to bring out the horses. They waited a few moments before all the horses were now inside the fence, waiting to be picked and ridden. "Alright. Who's first?"
"Oh oh oh! Me me me!" Ed begged before paying and walking in.
"If the large Ed Boy hurts any of the great stallions...!" Rolf began to mutter as he watched Ed approach the horses.
"If he does, he pays for damages." Ingo stated.
While the others watched, Edd gently pulled Rolf to the side to speak to him.
"Rolf. First, I wish to say it's great to see you again." Edd began.
"Indeed. Rolf and the others of the cul-de-sac thought the worst had happened to Ed Boys all those years ago." said Rolf.
"We heard. Nazz, Kevin, and the Kanker Sisters are all at Kakariko Village. They said they haven't heard from any of the others. Have you seen Jimmy, Johnny, or Sarah?"
"No." Rolf said with a shake of his head and downcast eyes. The two turned to see Eddy cackling at the sight of Ed being dragged along the ground while holding onto his chosen horse's tail.
"GET ON THAT HORSE PROPER, YOU IMBECILE!" Ingo roared in anger.
"Lovable oaf." Edd chuckled before turning back to Rolf. "My next and last question. Why on earth are you taking orders from someone like Ingo? You aren't the type to take orders from someone like him without a fight."
"Double D Ed Boy is correct. Rolf would've given Ingo a taste of the almighty three-shoe beating on his first day!" Rolf growled as he glared at Ingo's back. He kept it up before wilting away with a scowl. "But alas, the son-of-a-shepherd is strong, but Ganondorf is stronger. And he has given the ranch to Ingo."
Double D could only frown at this, but couldn't find anything else to say to the disheartened man.
"Time's up!" Ingo shouted at Ed, who was riding on the horse backwards.
"Aww." Ed pouted before he fell off the horse. "I'm okay."
"Alright, who's next?" Ingo asked.
"I would like to give it a try." Double D spoke up before paying Ingo 10 rupees, hoping a quick ride would help clear his mind. He walked in and, after a moment of contemplation, chose a horse to ride.
"Horses are fun!" Ed laughed from where he now stood next to Rolf.
"Indeed." Rolf nodded as he looked at Double D slowly ride a horse. "Rolf sometimes has dreams of raising the hard working mammals across the plains of Hyrule." His smile fell as he continued. "It helps dull the pain of worry at the son-of-a-shepherd's livestock lost in this land."
"Lost?!" Ed gasped in horror. "Oh no! We must find our furry friends!"
"Rolf has already tried long ago." Rolf sighed as he looked up at the sky, lost in thought. "Shortly after arriving in this land, I had to hide to avoid the evil ones that scoured these strange lands, keeping my eyes open for everyone from the cul-de-sac. Alas, Rolf found nobody from home. Not Rolf's family. Not the children from the cul-de-sac. Not Rolf's livestock. Nothing."
"A lot of the kids are at Kakariko Village." Ed said with a smile.
"Yes. Rolf has heard of this and is very glad." Rolf nodded, a ghost of a smile returning to his face before it vanished again. "Rolf would've loved to go and meet them, but Ingo has Rolf stay to work at the ranch while Malon girl makes milk deliveries. Rolf has not set foot off Lon Lon Ranch since coming here."
"Why not?" Ed asked, his eyes blinking at different times.
"Because Mr. Ingo refuses Rolf any sort of leave." he grit out in anger, his eyes glaring daggers at the man watching Double continue to ride. "He claims Rolf may run like a cowardly baby."
"Then why not beat his head in?" Eddy whispered, having been eavesdropping on the two of them. "I mean, have you seen the guy? I bet he hasn't lifted a finger since getting the ranch. You could take Malon and just run."
"Rolf has considered this many times, no-longer-small Ed Boy. But, Rolf will not put the livestock or horses in danger for Rolf's actions." the man sighed.
"Come on, Rolf. You gotta stand up for yourself!" Eddy quietly snapped. "Where'd the Rolf that'd chase us with a rake go when Ed would steal his chickens? Or when we'd scam you?"
"Ed Boys do not have evil Ganondorf to call if things do not go their way." Rolf answered.
"And since when did that stop you before?" Eddy asked him as Double D's turn ended. "I mean, we know Ganondorf's powerful, but so what? If Link, Navi, and the three of us are standing up to him, then why can't you stand up to Ingo?"
Rolf could only watch as Eddy paid Ingo, chose a horse, and began to ride around. While he and the Eds were talking, Link, while listening to their conversation, was wondering what horse to ride.
'They all look good, but that just makes it hard to choose.' he thought as he looked them all over from outside the riding area.
"Hey, Link. That horse, over there." Navi pointed out. Link turned to look at the horse she indicated. "A red coat with a white mane. Doesn't that horse look familiar?"
"You know...I think it does." Link nodded after looking at the horse in question for a moment.
"Time's up!" Ingo called out to Eddy. They watched as Eddy got off the horse and exited the area before Ingo turned to Link. "You want a go?"
"I will." Link answered as he paid Ingo 10 rupees. Ingo pocketed the money and allowed Link inside the area to choose a horse to ride. The man immediately walked over towards the horse, only for it to run away before he got too close.
"Oh dear. Do you think the horses dislike Link?" Double D pondered out loud.
"Looks like it's only that one." Eddy commented as Link approached the same horse, only for it to run away again.
"Come on, Link! Be one with the horse!" Ed shouted with a grin. They watched as the horse ran off for a third time, earning a chuckle from a few of them at how funny it looked. Link grew frustrated for a moment before closing his eyes to think.
"The clock is still ticking! No refunds if you can't get on a horse!" Ingo shouted.
"I'll pay for an extension!" Link shouted back before turning back towards the horse. "There's gotta be a way to get them to not run." He closed his eyes and entered a bit of deep thought, his friends, Rolf, and Ingo just watching him stand there.
"His time's up." Ingo grunted after a moment.
"Here." Double D said as he handed Ingo 10 more rupees. "An extension."
"Alright." Ingo said with a smile as he pocketed the rupees. His smile fell to a look of confusion as he and the others all heard music coming from Link. The wielder of the Master Sword had taken out his ocarina and began to play a familiar tune.
"That music sounds like the one Malon-girl hums while working." Rolf said while rubbing his chin.
"Look!" Ed yelped with a smile while dramatically pointing. They all turned to see the horse that had been avoiding Link was now being pet by the man.
"About time. I didn't wanna fork over more cash just to watch him run after the horses all day." Eddy chuckled as Link mounted the horse. They watched as Link rode the horse around for a small walk before the horse began to sprint around, easily jumping the fences inside the fenced off area.
"Your dress wearing friend is quite good." Rolf stated with a smile as they all watched.
"Indeed." Double D nodded before he saw Ingo walking off with a smirk. "Oh dear."
"What?" Eddy asked.
"Mr. Ingo had the same look you have whenever you've got an idea for a scam." groaned the smart Ed in worry.
"Ah, the good ol' days." Ed said with a smile as they watched to see what would happen.
"Hey, young man!" Ingo called out to Link before beckoning him to come over. "You seem pretty good on that horse."
"I wouldn't really say I'm good, but at least she's not bucking me off." Link chuckled.
"I know this is sudden, but how about a race?" Ingo asked.
"A race?" Link asked while the others listened.
"Oh no." Rolf whispered in worry.
"What's wrong, Stretch?" Eddy asked.
"Only a fool would challenge boss Ingo to a horse race." he said.
"You four! Off the track!" Ingo yelled at the four of them. "We've got a race!"
"I guess Link's a fool." Eddy shrugged as they left the track.
"Wait right here. I'll be back." Ingo grinned as he walked towards the stables, leaving the rest of them to talk.
"How many rupees is Mr. Ingo going to take from you?" Rolf asked in a defeated tone.
"He hasn't won yet. And the wager's 50 rupees." Link answered.
"FIFTY?!" Eddy snapped. "You better win this thing!"
"It is useless." Rolf muttered while shaking his head. "No one has ever beaten Mr. Ingo in a race since his takeover."
They all looked over at the stables to see the doors being opened by Malon before she walked back in. She appeared a moment later leading another horse towards them all, Ingo confidentaly riding on it's back.
"Why'd he get a new horse? It looks just like all the other horses here." Eddy pointed out.
"No." Rolf groaned with a shake of his head. "That horse is different. That's Chestnut, Ingo's personal horse. The best food. The best care. The best everything has gone into that stallion."
"Oh dear." Edd gulped in worry while Link and Ingo got to the start of the track.
"One lap around the fence!" Ingo declared before glancing at Rolf. "Rolf! Get over here and start the race!"
"Yes sir!" Rolf yelped before running towards them. He cleared his throat before raising his right hand high. "RACERS! ON YOUR MARKS!"
Ingo grinned as he and Link raised their own hands, ready to snap the horses into a run.
"GET SET!"
The Eds all tensed as they waited. And...
"GO!" Rolf yelled, slashing his hand down.
Both racers smacked their horses rumps, sending them off the track. The two started evenly as the horses ran down the track.
"Look at them go!" Ed said with a smile.
"Come on, Link! Make us fifty rupees richer!" Eddy yelled.
"They seem evenly matched." Edd stated.
"For the moment." Rolf said with a frown. His words were proven true as Ingo started to pull ahead. "As with all the others, Ingo shall once again rob another unlucky soul of their hard earned money."
"You're wrong!"
All the men turned to Malon, who was watching the race with a determined smile.
"Malon-girl, do not try to lift hope on a hopeless cause." Rolf sighed. "You know that boss Ingo's horse has never lost to another."
"That's only because of one reason." she said, her eyes never leaving the horses. "Chestnut's raced against all the other horses...except for her."
"Hey! Link's catching up!" Ed yelled ecstatically. The others looked to see that Link was indeed starting to catch up. Rolf's eyes widened as the two horses were now neck and neck.
"Can it be?" he whispered. "Will your friend win?"
"He's got this in the bag!" Eddy said with confidence.
"I hope you're right. They've already passed the halfway mark." Edd pointed out.
"You can do this." Malon whispered as they made it to the final turn. They could see Link had a determined look on his face, a steely resolve in his eyes as they neared the finish line. Ingo was the opposite, his confident look long gone and replaced with seething anger and worry.
"MOVE YOUR ASS, CHESTNUT! WE'RE ALMOST THERE!" he bellowed as he kept slapping Chestnut's rump to make him run faster. The Eds, Malon, and Rolf all watched with bated breath as the two horses approached the finish line. After what felt like hours, the two racers crossed the finish line, with Link slightly ahead.
The cul-de-sac kids and Malon cheered at Link's victory, the man giving his horse a victory pat.
"LINK WON THE RACE! LINK WON THE RACE!" Ed yelled while dancing in place.
"AND THE BET! FIFTY MORE RUPEES, BABY!" Eddy hollered. Edd just smiled while Rolf whooped and hollered in happiness, glad to see Ingo finally lose.
"Nice work, Epona." Malon whispered to the horse while gently scratching her ears, earning a happy snort from the horse.
"I DON'T BELIEVE THIS!"
Everyone looked at Ingo as he stomped on the ground while grabbing his head.
"HOW DID I LOSE?! CHESTNUT'S THE BEST HORSE AROUND!" he yelled in anger and disbelief.
"Calm down, sir. It's only 50 rupees you lost." Edd stated.
"WHO CARES ABOUT THE MONEY?! IT'S MY REPUTATION THAT'S SHOT!" Ingo yelled before looking ready to cry. "If the great Ganondorf here's about this, I could lose everything!" he whispered to himself. He then stood up and ran over towards Link. "You! I want a rematch! One more time around the track! Double or nothing!"
"Well-" Link began before being cut off by Eddy slapping his hand over Link's mouth.
"I don't know." began the greedy Ed as he examined his nails. "Seems like such a tiny amount to keep us quiet."
The vein that had appeared on Ingo's forehead looked ready to burst before he raked his nails down his face.
"Fine! If you win again, I'll...I'll throw in the horse you're riding as well! How's that?!" he offered.
"Deal!" Edd agreed while clamping Eddy's mouth shut before whispering to his friend. "Best to not push it too far. That vein looks ready to rupture."
The two racers approached the starting line again, ready to put it all on one last race. Rolf ran over to start the race, a smile on his face.
"RACERS! PREPARE YOURSELVES!" he hollered, hand raised once more. Both Link and Ingo raised their hands to get their horses to go. "AND-"
"GO!" Ingo suddenly shouted while smacking Chestnut's rump, sending the horse down the track, stunning the others before Link got Epona to chase after him..
"HEY! FALSE START!" Eddy yelled in anger.
"MY RANCH! MY RULES!" Ingo shouted back.
"Of all the dishonest things to do!" Edd grumbled in disappointment.
"Curse you, Mr. Ingo!" Rolf growled, his hands threatening to break his pitchfork in two.
"Look! Link's gaining on him again!" Ed pointed out. They watched as Epona slowly closed the gap between them.
"Come on, Epona! Let's win this one too!" Link told Epona as he rode up alongside Ingo.
"Oh no you don't!" Ingo growled as he swung his fist at Link.
"Hey! Cut it out!" Link shouted at him as he avoided Ingo's fist.
"If I lose to some nobody like you, then I'll lose face and Ganondorf might take the ranch from me! I will not let that happen!" Ingo snapped.
"Knock it off!" Navi yelled before flying around Ingo, making him lose his concentration.
"Get out of my face, you little pest!" he yelled as he tried to swat the little fairy away. Link took advantage of Ingo's predicament and urged Epona to run ahead. By the time Navi moved away, Link had won the race.
"That's 2 for Link, 0 for Ingo!" Eddy whooped as his friends cheered.
"NO!"
Everyone turned to see Ingo marching towards them, his face red and steam shooting from his nose.
"I ABSOLUTELY REFUSE TO LET THAT BLATANT CHEATING SLIDE!" he roared.
"This coming from the guy who took a head start and tried knocking Link off his horse?" Eddy scoffed.
"It doesn't matter what any of you nobodies say! This ranch is mine! I am in charge! I make the rules! And I say that you lost!" Ingo declared. "Now give me my winnings and get off my ranch!"
"Why don't you come over here and make us?!" Eddy snapped as he and his friends all drew their swords and pointed them at Ingo.
"I abhor violence, but I will defend myself if need be." Edd stated firmly while Ed growled at Ingo.
"Admit defeat, Ingo." Link warned. Ingo started to get nervous at the sight of the weapons before turning to Rolf.
"Rolf! Don't just stand there! Defend me!" he ordered.
"Don't listen to him, Rolf! He won't have anything after we bring Ganondorf down!" Eddy declared.
Rolf stood there and nervously wrung his pitchfork between his hands as he was forced to make a decision.
On one hand, he had no desire to fight against Link or the Eds, especially after finally meeting the three Eds after seven long years.
On the other hand, his friends were trying to defeat Ganondorf, who had taken him, his other friends, and all their families from the cul-de-sac and flung them into a world full of evil and monsters. And this man of terrifying power had given Ingo the ranch and all the power over it.
"What are you waiting for?!" Ingo shouted.
"Come on, Rolf! Think of the furry friends!" Ed yelled.
Rolf began to sweat as he cast his gaze back and forth between them all. He wanted to help the Eds and the man named Link, but knowing the power Ingo held scared him.
"Rolf! I'm not gonna say it again! Move your weak and lazy butt, and defend me already!" Ingo snapped.
All movement from Rolf stopped at the moment, his face going blank. He stopped shaking. He stopped sweating. He stopped breathing.
The one thing he didn't stop was thinking.
Thinking about how scared he's been of Ganondorf's might that Ingo boasted would be brought upon him should he slack off even once.
Thinking of all the times he would bite his tongue and endure working from someone like Ingo.
...weak...
Thinking of all the unfair backbreaking work that he and Malon were put through while Ingo sat around and counted his money.
Thinking of the times he had to pick up the slack when Malon no longer had the strength to work.
...lazy...
Thinking of how the Eds, who would run when confronted by the kids when one of their scams went wrong, were now taking a stand against those like Ingo and Ganondorf.
Weak.
Lazy.
Weak!
Lazy!
WEAK!
LAZY!
And finally, thinking that enough is enough!
SNAP!
Everyone blinked as the sound of the wooden handle of Rolf's pitchfork hit their ears.
"That's coming out of your salary!" Ingo barked when he saw the broken farm tool in Rolf's hands.
"ENOUGH!" Rolf roared as he threw his broken pitchfork to the ground before glaring at Ingo. "ROLF HAS HAD IT WITH YOUR FLAPDOODLERY!"
"How dare you talk back to-" Ingo started to say before Rolf stomped his way towards him, each step seeming to shake the ground.
"You can mistreat Rolf! You can force Rolf to work until he drops! And you can even physically hurt Rolf!" stated Rolf as he continued his approach, causing Ingo to slowly back away. "But you, who makes the son-of-a-shepherd and Malon-girl do all the physical labor and threaten us using your good graces with King Ganondorf to keep us in line, WILL NOT CALL ROLF WEAK OR LAZY!"
"I think Ingo struck a nerve." Link gulped as he and the others slowly backed away.
"I haven't seen Rolf this upset since you challenged him for that one badge." Edd stated nervously.
"Rolf and Malon-girl shall toil under your oppressive rule NO MORE!" Rolf declared in Ingo's face, the man now cowering under Rolf's rage.
"Yeah! You tell him, Rolf!" Eddy cheered while the others nodded their agreement.
"But, Mr. Ingo will-" Malon began to protest, only to be stopped by Rolf placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Rolf will not allow Ingo to attack the animals either, Malon-girl. The son-of-a-shepherd swears!" Rolf declared with a smile before glaring at Ingo. "And if he brings the wrath of Ganondorf down on us, then we shall not run like teensy-weensy babies!"
"You'll definitely cry like one!"
CRACK!
"ROLF!" the men yelled when they saw Rolf fall to the ground after Ingo whipped him.
"I don't know what made you think you could against me, but it seems I'll have to beat it out of you!" Ingo warned as he cracked his whip against the ground. He raised an eyebrow when he saw Malon stand before Rolf, arms spread wide and glaring at him. She was soon accompanied Link and the others, their faces just daring him to try again.
"Rolf is right." Malon said, his eyes brimming with angry tears. "You took this ranch from my father, then forced me to work endlessly to hurt him!"
"Oh, I haven't begun to hurt him." Ingo chuckled before his eyes became bloodshot. "BUT THAT'LL CHANGE WHEN I GET THROUGH WITH YOU!"
With that, he drew his whip back, ready to strike her down. Link, Rolf, and the Eds readied themselves to block the attack.
NEIGH~~~
POW!
Everyone blinked as they registered Epona sending Ingo soaring threw the air from a kick before smashing into the gate into the pasture, his face lining up perfectly with his image on the metal gate. They all stared for a moment before the men all laughed and cheered at Epona.
"It seems that Epona was quite tired of Mr. Ingo's antics." Edd chuckled.
"She reared back with her hooves and POW, right in his kisser!" Ed laughed.
"He'll be feeling that in the morning!" Eddy guffawed.
"No good Mr. Ingo got what he deserved." Rolf stated with a proud smile before gently patting Epona's neck. "Rolf sees extra apples and carrots in your future."
Malon said nothing as she looked at Mr. Ingo slide to the ground, his half-conscious vision filled with cuccos going in circles. She smiled as she released a sigh.
"It's over." she said.
-Later-
The group were now standing near the exit to Lon Lon Ranch and saying their goodbyes.
"I can't believe you're gonna look after Ingo, even all he put you through." Eddy said to Malon. "You even bandaged up his head and gave him a health potion."
"It's true that he's become like this, but it wasn't all Ganondorf's fault. My father was a bit of a lazy person, and I was oblivious to Ingo's anger. We're both at fault for stirring these feelings inside of him." Malon explained in a sad tone before perking up. "But I'm going to change that. I don't know how, but I will."
"And Rolf shall help." Rolf stated with a smile. "The son-of-a-shepherd will not forget this debt to Ed boys, Link, or your little mountain nymph."
"What'd you just call me?!" Navi shouted in anger, causing Eddy to snicker.
"We were happy to help." Edd said with a smile before looking at Epona and the wagon she was attached to. "But I must ask. Are you really sure you want to part with Epona and your delivery carriage?"
"We insist." Malon said with a smile. "After all you've done, it's the least we can do for you all. Besides, I can't think of anyone else who'd Epona would want to travel with other than all of you."
"Thank you, Malon. And you too, Rolf. This'll definitely make our journey easier." Link said in gratitude. "And don't worry. We'll stop Ganondorf!"
"May you vanquish the evil everywhere you go." Rolf bid them as he shook their hands goodbye. He and Malon watched and waved them goodbye as the heroes left to continue their journey.
A/N: I finally got this chapter done. I kept doing it over and over in my head! I wanted to have Rolf and them smack Ingo around with a round of 'That's My Horse' but I couldn't find a place to fit it in. Hopefully, next chapter won't take so long. Please remember to leave a review. Let me know how I'm doing.