The Legend of Zelda (Valiant Comics)/Issue 3

The Legend of Zelda Issue #3 was originally released in April 1990.

The Power
The story begins with Link and Zelda trapped in an underground battle with Darknuts in Ganon's Death Mountain lair as they attempt to retrieve the Magic Trophy, which is necessary to keep the town of Rauru from perishing. Zelda is ready to go and find it, but Link interrupts her and tells her that she must return to the overworld, for he fears for her safety and  confesses that he loves her. Just as Zelda is about to kiss Link, the Darknuts find the duo, and Link uses this opportunity to warp out Zelda out of the lair by pushing her into a Wallmaster. Link manages to lose the pursuit of the Darknuts when he stumbles upon Ganon's chambers. Not only does he find the Magic Trophy, he also comes to face the Triforce of Power, which burns his hand upon contact. Because of the touch, the Triforce remains with him, and he is able to defeat the Darknuts with ease. He then exits the underground lair and meets with Zelda, informing her that he obtained both the Magic Trophy  and the Triforce of Power. However, he is pursued by Ganon. The two engage in a battle, of which Link emerges the victor after using his newfound strength to heave a  large rock on top of his foe.

Several of Ganon's Goriya minions offer to serve Link, as they believe that he holds more power than their master, but Link refuses. Ganon then bursts out from under the rock pile in a desperate attempt to escape since he has no power left, but Link goes after him and gravely wounds him, paying him back for all the damage he has done to the young hero. Ganon is barely able escape and crawl back to a place where he can teleport back into Underworld lair to heal. Zelda tries to calm Link down, reminding him that they have beaten Ganon and that they must return the trophy to Ruto. Frustrated, Link refuses and tells Zelda that he needs to possess the Triforce of Wisdom and Power to be able to defeat Ganon for good. However, Zelda informs the young hero that the Triforce cannot be possessed since it must be held in trust for the benefit of all Hyrule, making Link think that Zelda does not trust him. Although Link persists, Zelda stands firm in her decision that she cannot give the Triforce to  Link or anyone and tells him that the Triforce of Power has changed  Link. An angered Link then storms off, and while the princess tries to go with him, the young hero tells Zelda he does not need her, for he will prove to  her that he has not changed by destroying Ganon with the Triforce of  Power alone.

The Price
The Price picks up where The Power left off. Following his defeat, Ganon flees to Parapa Palace, but his lust for the Triforce of Power consumes him and is a giveaway of his location to Link. Link heads to the palace, and is greeted outside by the same group of Goriya that had offered to serve him. This time, he accepts their aid. He dons a robe similar in likeness to that of Ganon's, and feels that Ganon, who is watching him through a mirror, is close by.

Princess Zelda seeks advice from the Triforce of Wisdom about Link's actions  since she is worried that Ganon, like Link, had always wanted to possess  the Triforce of Wisdom. The Triforce of Wisdom informs Zelda that Link has a sickness, for he has "power without wisdom," and that no one can help him, except by  helping to destroy himself. Zelda refuses to believe so and and follows Link's trail to the palace to cure him. There, she is taken into captivity by Darknut Prime. At that moment, Ganon teleports to Link's location and offers him the chance to join his army of darkness so that they can conquer Hyrule  together, leaving Link to rule the eastlands in Ganon's name. . Link refuses his offer, and the two engage in a short battle. Ganon attempts to reclaim the Triforce of Power, but the Triforce chooses to remain with Link, and the young hero reveals that Link's power is already greater than Ganon's.

Desperate, Ganon uses his last piece of leverage: Zelda. Darknut Prime brings her into the throne room, and Ganon threatens to kill her unless he surrenders the Triforce of Power. Link plays what Ganon thinks to be a bluff and says that she means nothing to him. Ganon orders his minion to kill her, but Darknut refuses to and states that he has only one master. Enraged, Ganon attempts to use a spell on Zelda, but it is blocked by Link, who then casts him into a cage hanging over a bottomless pit.

Overjoyed, Zelda hugs Link, but Link demands that she turn over the Triforce of Wisdom which she brought along. Zelda refuses, and when Link inquires why, she confesses that she loves him, but Link reveals he does not care for love anymore and only wants more power. He tries to fire a magic spell to attack Zelda, only to discovery that the Triforce of Courage has left him and has gone to Zelda, which  protects her from his attack. Zelda then reveals to Link what he has become, telling him to give up the Triforce of Power or, as much as it would break her heart, she will  fight him since she knows that Wisdom and Courage will always triumph  over Power. Just then, Ganon begs Link to let him have the Triforce of Power back so that the two of them can defeat Zelda together, but Link ignores him and says that the Triforce of Power is his forever. Zelda, informs that he does not need to join Ganon, for he has become Ganon himself and has even taken on a physical likeness to him. Link then realizes what the price of that power is, and chooses to throw to Triforce of Power into the bottomless pit to keep his soul,  although he is aware that doing so will end his own life. Due to Link's loss of power, the cage that was holding Ganon disappears, and sends him tumbling down after the Triforce.

However, even as Link lays dying in Zelda's arms, the Triforce of Courage  returns to him, proving that he is worthy of wielding it and thus  restore his strength. He then wakes up in North Castle, virtually unharmed. When Link mentions that Zelda admitted that she loves him, she mentions that he must have dreamed it and continues to deny it despite Link's persistence.

Bonus 1
The first bonus story is titled Secrets of the Triforce, and explains the differences between the three Triforces and their  bearers. The story explains that the Triforce of Wisdom is kept by Princess Zelda in North Palace. Its guidance helps her rule the kingdom wisely, and it also allows her to cast powerful magic spells when  needed. The Triforce of Power has been held by Ganon ever since he stole it from Hyrule, making him a nearly invincible, mighty magician, and if he  ever obtains the Triforce of Wisdom, he will be unstoppable. The Triforce of Courage remained hidden until Link accomplished a daring quest, and it now rests within his heart.

Bonus 2
The second bonus story is titled Zelda's Consumer Tips, and jokingly recounts some of the times that Link has been swindled. It takes up two pages.