The Legend of Zelda: Sides of Courage by Xiade
Summary: Please note that this takes place 8 months after the events of LoZ: Twilight Princess, so if you'd like to avoid any minor/major? spoilers, then I suggest not to read this, however, if you don't care about spoilers/you've already beaten Twilight Princess or know the ending, then read on! :D

Of course this fan-fiction is written by me, just in case you're wondering. :D

"Link is back home at Ordon, for now, but the events that happened 8 months before left him heartbroken and desperate for answers."
Categories: Fan Fiction Characters: Link
Genres: None
Warnings: None
Challenges: None
Series: None
Chapters: 4 Completed: No Word count: 8096 Read: 16006 Published: Jul 09, 2007 Updated: May 26, 2008

1. Prologue by Xiade

2. Chapter 1 by Xiade

3. Chapter 2 by Xiade

4. Chapter 3 by Xiade

Prologue by Xiade
Author's Notes:
Eh, I thought the Prologue was okay, it's my first one ever so. lol xD
                   The Legend of Zelda: Sides of Courage

Prologue

The sounds of branches snapping and leaves crunching could be heard as a man was  running through a path with little light apparent in a forest-like surrounding. There was a circle of white light with odd looking designs on the outer part of the shape that seemed so similar to the man running towards it, the feeling of anxiety and desperation filled him as he kept tracking towards it, panting for breath he wouldn’t stop, the pathway seemed to be getting longer and longer as the exhausted man got more tired and lost more energy. “I have to keep going, for her. The light will get me there, it has to,” the man said almost as if he was about to pass out.
As the path became shorter, a small grin grew upon his face, knowing he was almost there. The man increased his speed until a hand, four times the size of his body appeared behind the light and grasped it, the man’s eyes widened as the hand crushed the figure and the light became dark, falling to the ground in pieces as if it was solid. “No!,” the man yelled.

Link had awakened in a deep sweat from his nightmare. It was dark outside, most of the town was inside their homes as everyone would be, seeing as they all went to bed early and usually would sleep in late. “This is happening too often,” he thought. He walked over to the bowl mounted on the wall filled with water, serving as a sink. Link cupped the water in his hands and splashed it on his face. “Why, why would you leave and not even say anything,” he said in a soft tone, almost whispering. He looked into the mirror that was just above the bowl, it was sort of old and dirty, but it was still in tact. Link closed his eyes, only remembering and visioning her breaking the Mirror of Twilight into what had looked to be a billion pieces. He opened his blue shaded eyes and walked over to the window that overlooked most of the houses and shops, along with the stream flow in-between them which created peaceful ripple sounds.
“….Midna,” he sighed. “If only you knew what’s been on my mind, if I stopped you, I,” he stopped mid-sentence, not seeing the point to go on with it. The torn apart warrior who once was, lay back in bed.

“And to think it’s only been 8 months,” Link said in a depressed tone, looking up at the ceiling beginning to doze off and eyes shutting slowly, slumber had engaged.
End Notes:
Chapter 1 is right around the corner, which I'll upload in just a few minutes!
Chapter 1 by Xiade
Author's Notes:

I worked really hard on this, I'd say a day and a few hours, I was up super late finishing this up and this is my finished version of Chapter 1! Please enjoy. :]

 The Legend of Zelda: Sides of Courage

Chapter 1

Link!,” A familiar voice shouted outside of Link’s house, which happened to reside up in a tree, built out of bark, mostly wood. “Link, get up already, it’s late!,” It was Colin, one of the village children that lived with his two parents, Rusl and Uli, he was a swordsman in progress, although he wasn’t too skilled. He remained silent as he waited for some response from Link.
A few minutes passed as the door opened from his house and Link looked down to see who was below shouting, waking him from his sleep. “Colin…?,” Link said groggily. “C’mon you’re late!.” Colin sounded enthusiastic. “Late for what?,” Link thought, not recalling anything he had to do today.” He climbed down the ladder that led to his house and finally met the ground.
“So what exactly am I late for big guy?” Colin looked at him as if he should’ve known.
“You’re supposed to do some errands for Bo, have you forgotten?!” Link obviously had forgot, but told Colin otherwise. “Of course not, how could I forget something so important as errands for the Mayor of Ordon,” Link said reassuringly. A lot has been on Link’s mind for the past 8 months, not remembering much of anything important to the townspeople, not as active as he would be and very short with people.  Colin pointed the way for Link, mostly making sure he knew where the mayor’s house was. “That-a-way!” Link nodded.
”Thanks Colin, I’ll let Bo know you told me.” Colin smiled and waved as his friend walked off.

-----------------------

Link made his way down the dirt path from his house, seeing the usual;
Uli sitting by the stream flow, Rusl working not too far off in the garden, Sera, one of the shop owners sweeping outside cleaning up after some of the messes the children made and Fado, Link’s fellow employee could be seen far off in the distance up at the ranch, working hard as usual, herding the obnoxious goats whom roam around, sometimes escaping the their stables and causing trouble in town. As Link proceeded, Uli stopped him as he reached the small wooden bridge that occupied the gap between the two sides of the town. “Link,” she said his name with such concern.
“You’ve changed honey, something seems to be on your mind, or at least bothering you,”
Link turned his head in her direction, body facing opposite of where she was sitting.
“What makes you think something’s bothering me?,” he snapped.
Uli sighed deeply and looked back at the stream, flowing into the large pond filled with a majority of Ordon catfish.
“Please stop worrying about me, whether something is bothering me or not, I’d rather deal with it myself rather than pulling others into my problems,” he said this in an angered sort of way.
It was silent for a few moments. “I understand…,” she said in a less happy tone than before it was silent. “Look I’m sorry Uli, I just, I, I need to get going.” He started to make his way across the bridge as Uli spoke four cringing words to him as he was going.
“I’ll, see you later then.” Uli made it sound so, soft, Link’s fingers cringed as he looked down with his eyes closed in heartache, as it doesn’t seem like a big deal, only four words, but they were the last ones Midna had ever said to him before she did what she had done. It was only for a brief moment before Link started walking again towards Bo’s house. At last, Link made it to the mayor’s home, taking a few steps up to the door before knocking. Three hard knocks were delivered onto the door, as the moment passed, the door was opened by, none other than the Mayor of Ordon. “Link!,” Bo said with joy. “Come in, come in, please.” Link took a few steps forward, entering the medium sized house, not too much larger than the one’s that resided in the town itself.

-----------------------

The two sat across from each other, exchanging casual chatter and conversation.

“How’ve you been Link? I heard you haven’t been around much, or at least haven’t visited town  as often as you used to.” Link looked at him like he was going to start going on just like Uli did, and others who asked beforehand. “Oh boy here we go,” he thought. “I’ve been better I suppose, nothing to get slaphappy about, just, I’ve been busy and had, well, still have a lot on my mind. Nothing I want to get into though,” he quickly added. “What about yourself Bo?,” he asked, feeling sort of forced to. “Things have been looking good, everything’s in order as they should be,” Bo replied. “But, enough with this small talk. I’m assuming Colin told you I had some errands for you to run?,” Link nodded. “Well good, because they aren’t really errands, it’s more of something I need to discuss,” Link looked at him with curiosity, not knowing what was going to come out of the mayor’s mouth next. “It has to do, with, the darkness and, Twilight,” he said slowly. Link straightened himself in his chair, paying close attention to him, anything to do with the Twilight caught his attention, of course the well-being of Hyrule as well. Reason being so is because the one he cared for the most out of all, was of the Twili race. Before Link could respond to all of this, or ask any questions, Bo added on.
“Unfortunately, I’m only the mayor of Ordon, and don’t receive much information on anything other than Ordon.” Bo went on. “I do however, know all of this because of Renado, you remember him right?,” Link nodded and replied. “Renado from Kakariko village right?,” Bo nodded. “Right. He’ll have information for you on this more than I can provide, I only called you here to inform you of this, perhaps you’d be interested in giving him a visit?,” Bo asked curiously, also knowing Link couldn’t turn this offer up. “Of course I will!” Link said with much enthusiasm and hope. “I don’t know how to thank you Mayor, this is great.” Bo smiled at Link, seeing as how this made him happy, he was clueless. “I’ve never seen someone so happy over something so, well, over not-so-good news.” Linked moved to the door, getting ready to leave. “I’m going to visit him tomorrow.” Link said with a look of optimism on his face. He was ready to leave the mayor’s house, he got up and moved towards the door. “Oh, Link,” Bo said.
Link turned around quickly. “Yeah?,” “Call me Bo, the title of Mayor still makes me feel somewhat old,” Link laughed slightly and then nodded. “Alright, Bo.” They both smiled.

-----------------------

Link left the Mayor’s home and headed back down the dirt path towards his house for sleep. It was already night out, stars in the sky, it was clear as day, only, it was dark and beautiful, just as he liked it. Once again Link reached the wooden bridge that occupied the gap, he crossed it, taking his time, observing everything that looked more amazing at night, as he was looking around he saw Llia, one of his close friends that he grew up with in Ordon through childhood.
She as well was observing the surroundings she was in sitting on a hill, hands neatly in her lap and all.

“Llia? What is she doing out so late?,” he thought to himself. He kept walking down the dirt path, not planning on talking to her, seeing as how he needed to get sleep for tomorrow’s journey to Kakariko. He passed the hill when Llia made eye contact with him just as he looked up when passing. Llia hesitated to speak at first. Link looked back forward towards his home, reaching a few feet before the ladder that allowed him access to his house. “Link…,” Llia spoke gently. He stopped walking, and turned around. “You’re coming back, right?,” A look of odyssey showed on his face. “How did she know I was going anywhere at all?,” he thought with great curiosity. “How -,” Llia stopped him before he could start. “I overheard your conversation with my father, and well, I, it,” Llia stopped and got her mind right. “I’m sorry,” she said sounding disappointed.
Link walked up to her and embraced her. “Don’t even worry about it, we’re best friends, remember?” Llia smiled as she was being embraced by someone she truly cared for. “Of course, don’t be silly,” she added. The two broke off. “I guess this is goodnight then, Link,” Llia said guessingly. “Yeah. I’ll see you around, take care of yourself alright?,” She nodded and turned the other way, back towards the town. “Goodnight, Link,” she replied.
Llia walked off thinking to herself. “He never answered my question, if he was coming back or not.” This troubled Llia, but, she continued on to her house not bothering to ask Link a second time. Link climbed his ladder and watched the blonde-haired girl walk back over the bridge and enter her home.

“Actually,” Link said under his breath. “I don’t know if I am.”

He got to sleep to prepare himself for the day ahead.
End Notes:

I'll be working on chapter 2 tonight and somewhat tomorrow, hopefully I'll get it up by Wednesday, or if you're lucky, maybe tomorrow! :D

Chapter 2 by Xiade
Author's Notes:

((( Ugh, honestly I didn't like how this chapter ended even though I just finished now at about what? 3:30 in the morning I believe it is but yeah, it felt like there could've been more to say, but I promise as you can see Chapter 3 will have much action and a surprise! )))

                                                 The Legend of Zelda: Sides of Courage

Chapter 2

The night had passed again, it was daytime once more. The sun was shining through the only window that was inside home so vividly,  so bright that it woke the warrior from his sleep, he yawned and crawled out of bed, getting to his two feet as he let out a sigh.

“Today’s the day,” he said with little joy, seeing as he just woke up, being tired and all.
Link walked over to the bowl filled with water and cupped it and splashed his face, waking himself up, just as before. The tired man slowly walked to the chest that lay next to his bed, admiring it for a moment until he knelt down on both knees to get closer to it.
“It’s been awhile since I opened this old thing, I’m surprised it’s still able to without breaking,” he thought to himself jokingly, even though it has been 8 months since he wore what was inside.
Link opened the chest slowly, trying to keep the hinges in tact, not trying to snap them. He gently flipped it open and rested the top over to see his green tunic, looking brand new as if it was just out of the town’s tailor. “It seemed like only yesterday that I wore this..,” he said quietly.
Link pushed out the memories that wanted to fill his mind of the adventures he’d been through with his tunic and well… Midna of course, only for the time being. He slipped the tunic over his head so it comfortably fit, he put one arm through each whitish/brownish undergarment.
“Ha! Good as new, fits like I haven’t even grown.” It had only been 8 months since he worn it, but to him that seemed like an eternity. He grabbed the dusty boots and the dusty brown gloves that lay at the bottom of the chest and sat on the edge of his bed, slipping each boot on, left, then right, same with the gloves, Link gently slipped each glove on, still admiring his outfit, he seemed to have it missed it, almost. “Oh! Can’t forget this!,” Link shouted as if he almost forgot the last part of his getup. He grabbed the green cap that was folded neatly on a small hook on the side of the chest. He walked back to his bed, leaned down and snatched the green cap off the hook and closed the chest. The green cap was slipped on as Link walked over to the mirror, trying to make it fit straight. “Has my head shrank,” he thought not so seriously, even though the cap wouldn’t stay on without engulfing Link’s head.
He looked at the cap, squinting in the mirror, only to notice that it was on, backwards. A feeling of embarrassment fell upon him. He fixed the cap and turned back around to stretch, getting into the vibe of his old, yet new feeling tunic. Link grabbed his Ordon sword, given to him by Rusl, well, more along the lines of stole, and sheathed it, he also grabbed his Hylian shield and hooked it to his back along with his sword. He walked over to his window taking one last glance of the town. “I have a feeling, I’m going to miss this place,” It was still very early, everyone was asleep as assumed to be, not any sound to be heard other than the stream flow’s peaceful ripples.
Link closed the door and started to make his way down the ladder. He reached the bottom, surprised he didn’t fall seeing as how it was getting unstable. Birds chirping, a cool breeze in the air, Link was ready to go, only, he needed his horse Epona to get there; Kakariko village wasn’t a five minute walk unfortunately. Link had quite the trip to make, so he wasn’t leaving without her. He knew she wouldn’t be in town, so he started walking away from Ordon. As he went on, he stopped, turning around to give his last words. “Goodbye, Llia, take care of everyone while I’m away,” he said silently to himself, no one was around to hear as it was. He turned around, and began his walk again away from Ordon.

-----------------------

Link was walking for some time now, passing the spring, smiling, remembering the good days where him and the children would hang out and just relax, but, those times were gone now.
Link had more on his mind, selfish he thought he was, but he wanted to do this for himself.
“Jeeeeez, Epona where did you get off to?,” he said, sounding a tad annoyed.
Link surveyed the area, spotting Coro’s Oil pot and his obnoxious bird’s potion shop in the distance, none were around at the time though. Link, surprised as he would be spotted Epona drinking out of the red potion cauldron. He shook his head and sprinted over to her, pulling her by the reigns to get Epona away from the shop, if Coro’s bird were to see, it wouldn’t be happy.
 “So this is where’ve you been huh?,” he combed her hair with his hand. Bags were already equipped with some old potions and his regular equipment on Epona’s sides. “Ah, good, everything’s here, no need to go back now,” Link said with relief. He mounted Epona, turning her in the direction out of the Ordona province. “Yah, Yah!,” Link let out continuous yells to Epona as he kicked on her side to speed up. “Whoa Epona, you were never this fast!,” he shouted in surprise. But then he thought to himself. “Wait a second, could it be the potion she was drinking out of the cauldron? She must’ve been there for awhile, probably consumed the whole thing! Who knew it had this kind of effect on horses.” Link galloped out of the Ordona Province and started making his way to Kakariko village.

-----------------------

The sky was dark, but light could still be seen through. It was familiar darkness, not of rain clouds or nature’s clouds, he felt something was wrong, and getting worse.
Epona’s speed was phenomenal, as they got closer to Kakariko, the clouds got more thick looking, and more dark, less light was visible than before. Link finally reached the entrance, the gate was closed as he could see from a distance, Epona’s speed was fast enough so she jumped it no problem, knocking two figures onto the ground as she did. Link couldn’t get an eye of what they were, but he had an idea.
 “This isn’t looking good,” he thought. He was anxious to find Renado quick to see what was going on. He pulled hard on the reigns, stopping Epona; he held on around her neck, apparently the speed he stopped at almost sent him flying.
Link hopped off and left Epona by the pond near Renado and his daughter Luda’s house.
He continued forward, looking to see if anyone was around. Link stopped to hear a quick, but loud whiz sound pass by him, he thought nothing of it, so he continued onward, only to hear it again but this time, it sounded like something had penetrated the ground. Link looked, it was a long silver arrow. “Damn moblins,” he thought, knowing from past experience. As he surveyed the arrow, longer than he should’ve, another barely missed him, this time nearly almost in his shoulder. Link acknowledged the archer, taking cover behind a small barrel and realizing his bow was tied onto the side of Epona.
Seeing as how Epona only had been around fifteen, maybe twenty feet away, he didn’t want to take the chance of being struck, but being as open-minded as he was, Link thought for a moment and took his Hylian shield off, holding it tight in his left hand grip, in front of his chest running backwards, hoping not to trip over anything that would foil his plan. As Link got closer, more arrows flew by him, some hitting his shield, bouncing right off, and others still nearly missing his body. Link stood on the side of Epona quickly untying his bow along with the quiver that held his arrows. Link stood firmly, making contact with the string on the bow and the back of the arrow, pulling back hard, letting go. “Come on…,” he whispered in a chance of hope.
The arrow missed the purple-skinned moblin by a hair at most. Link ducked to evade the arrow, striking the rock behind him. He loaded one more arrow and aimed, waiting a few seconds to get an accurate shot. Link held his breath and let go, only hoping this time the arrow nailed his foe.
Link saw from afar, a purple figure falling from a building, with an arrow sticking out of it’s neck, as it hit the ground, dirt clouds exploded from under it’s body as a sign of hard impact.
 “What a shot, I haven’t used this thing in awhile either,” a cocky grin grew upon his face, as he spotted another, loading the arrow onto his bow, taking a precise shot, penetrating it’s chest, the moblin fell backwards. “Mess with me shall you moblin!?,” a bit too cocky Link had gotten, only from two arrow kills.
He stood proudly wiping himself off of dirt and other messes, when he heard another arrow whiz pass him, only to find when he turned around, a moblin with an arrow through it’s forehead, it fell from behind Link, only a few feet away, as if it was going to kill him. Link naturally had his bow and arrow ready, not knowing who killed the creature just not a second ago.
He was cautious, aiming his bow around. “Link, they’re all gone, you can relax now.”
The green tunic warrior turned around once more, slowly, sighing as he knew who was there.
 “Renado,” he had more to say, but he thought it’d be better just to keep his mouth closed.
 “Thanks, I could’ve been skewered if it weren’t for you,” he said graciously.
“Think nothing of it, I appreciate you making your way down here and finishing off the last two of those things, I know how long of a trip it can be all the way from Ordon.” Link walked over to Epona, tying his bow and quiver back onto Epona’s side. “Yeah, no worries. I mostly came because Mayor Bo said you knew something about what’s been going on, the dark clouds, the creatures coming about and possibly Twili.” He made his way over to Renado who was already at the door to his home. “I haven’t seen any Twilight yet, but then again we have no reason to, unless -,” Link made his way into the house as Renado stopped him from finishing his sentence.
“And that’s what I want to talk to you about, transformed versions of the Twili shouldn’t even be here, let alone causing havoc,” Renado insisted. Link quickly added on. “They shouldn’t appear regardless of any reason other than Zant being dead!” Renado paced nervously as Link kept talking. “It’s stupid for us to be discussing the possibility of transformed Twili around here.” As much as Link kept pushing the fact that it’s next to impossible for evil Twili to wander around without someone leading them, perhaps there was something he wasn’t seeing or remembering, or something he didn’t want to remember. Link needed to ask him from the time he got there. “Renado, you haven’t seen any transformed Twilight, right?” Renado didn’t respond, he was staring out the window. “Renado.” Link said again. No response was made from him, seconds passed until Link walked over to the window where Renado stood staring blankly. Link shook Renado until finally looking out of the window just as he did. “No..., not possible,” Link said under his breath. Renado heard him, and snapped out of his disbelief. “No, Link, as much as this doesn’t seem so, somehow…,” He just went silent, not finishing his statement.

Transformed Twilight and Moblins surrounded the house.
End Notes:

Hopefully Chapter 3 will be done soon, I hope you enjoy the story so far, I'm trying hard! :D

Chapter 3 by Xiade
Author's Notes:

It's been more than a few months since I've updated.

 

Note: This chapter has been done since two weeks after chapter two, meaning, I forgot to upload this chapter a long time ago. :D

 

Chapter 4 is still half-way done, I don't know when I'll get back into my writing.

 

Hang in there people; I appreciate all who've been reading.

Chapter 3

The time of day was unrecognizable due to the large amount of darkness that smothered the sky; it had gotten worse, both of them knew this. As the invaders patrolled the village, knocking supplies over, wrecking homes, some on all fours, some on their two feet, Link stuck his head out quick, to make sure Epona was not in any danger, but to his surprise she had already been hiding behind the small waterfall that flowed into the pond where he had originally left her.
“What do we do!?,” Renado said in an unusual panic. “There’s far too many,” he quickly added. Link put his head back through the window and turned around to face Renado, a look on his face went from worried to confused mixed with anxiety, Renado could see this. “I, we can’t stay here. We need to either fight or get out of he-,” Link was cut off from his sentence as three moblins hacked at the flimsy wooden door at the back of the house down, seeing as how the home wasn’t too big, it was right there. Link drew the sword from his sheath quickly, making a small, but noticeable sound. The moblins charged in and swung their small yet, effective swords at Link, clashing fast, almost causing him to lose balance. Sword’s locked, Link being the stronger one quickly pushed the moblin back and sliced sideways diligently defeating the weak warrior. Two more rushed at him, slicing in aimless movements, some made contact with his sword, while one of the two moblins caught Link’s leg creating a small wound, yet threw him off balance just a bit. Link then took control and pushed them both back, the two moblins were both locked with his sword at the time, unbalanced as they were, Link went forward lifting his sword up and slicing down right after curving it to a right making sure he killed both of them.
“Renado, please get out of here,” Link said panting. “Get Luda and take Epona to Ordon, it’ll be safe there!” Renado looked at the warrior, strong, out of breath, but filled with might. He nodded. “You must promise me you will not stay here Link.” He said, going to add on. “I wanted to tell you something before all this, but,” he let out a sigh, not wanting to, yet he knew he should.
“I suggest you head to the desert, the Gerudo desert if you’re uncertain.” Link looked at him curiously, the only reason he had any business there would be regarding the Mirror Chamber just above the Arbiter Grounds. “Why? Out of all the places I could go for help, or cover, you want me to go to the desert?,” Link said with confusion and little understanding.
Renado nodded once more. “Yes, they’ll be waiting there for you, you need to leave now,” he insisted. Link had no idea who “they” were or why he was going there, but he agreed and went along with it. Sword then sheathed and ready to go. “Who’s they, why am I g-,” Renado shook his head. “I can’t go on, you’ll find out once you arrive.” Link not being content with that answer, let alone being cut off mid-sentence, nodded. “Luda’s in the graveyard behind here, so I’ll go and get her and we’ll be on our way,” he said calmly, placing his hand on Link’s right shoulder. “Be brave Link, and strong, as you already are, do not stop moving, keep going and seize those who choose to stop you.” Link slightly nodded, appreciating his kind words. “I will Renado, for whatever reason you have me going to Gerudo desert, I’m sure it’s worth it,” Link expected Renado to say yes, as it wasn’t a pointless journey. “You’ll thank me later,” he said calmly, jolting out the broken door that the moblins had hacked up from before, heading down the path to the graveyard. Link trailed behind, not letting Renado know he was going to follow him.

-----------------------

Far down the path he was, Luda was seen kneeling in front of statue-like graves, which were on a higher level of ground, she heard the footsteps from behind and turned around as she stood up, it was her father. “Luda we need to go, now,” he didn’t leave a choice for her to say no or maybe, they needed to go. “But father, what’s going on?,” she had no idea there was an invasion. “If you haven’t noticed -,” a stretching noise, as if a tight string were being pulled could be heard in the distance. Renado turned, looked around to see a moblin up on a small cliff having it’s sights on him and his daughter, knowing the moblin couldn’t hit both of them, Renado stood in front of Luda. “Go, monster, get away from this village, leave us!” he shouted demandingly, hoping it would run off. As the moblin released it’s small, pudgy, purple fingers from the string, allowing the arrow to be released, three precise slashes were created in it’s back, causing the moblin to fall and let out a loud screech, also misguiding the arrow that just passed Renado and Luda, almost hitting Renado. Another dust cloud formed under the moblin as it made impact with the ground. Renado saw Link standing above him and his daughter, in his green tunic and with his sword being sheathed again. Silence filled the air for a moment. “I was just returning the favor,” Link smiled, being glad he could help Renado and his daughter. “I told you not to worry about it,” Renado said jokingly, seeing as how he saved Link’s life before. “Thank you, Link,” Luda said gently. Link nodded and headed back down the cliff towards the exit of the graveyard. “Renado, most of the evolved Twili are at the end of the village where I need to leave from. If you two can get on Epona and make some noise for me, you’ll attract them towards you.” Renado looked at him as if he was crazy. “Don’t worry, Epona got pretty fast, just give her some of the red potion that’s in the second pouch on her left side, it seems to give her some kind of extraordinary boost of energy.” Renado agreed to his plan and set out passed him with Luda, Link followed behind. They headed back through the broken door and out the front of the house. No Twili or moblin was around where Epona was, Link whistled for her, she came out from behind the waterfall, galloping through the pond over to him. Renado mounted Epona as Link helped Luda upon his horse. “Thank you,” she said with appreciation. Link smiled and looked to Renado. “Alright, you know what to do right?,” he questioned him. “Yeah, yeah, just head out behind one of the houses, you’ll know when to run.”
Renado kicked both sides of Epona to get her going, she rose up on her hind legs and moved forward as Link ran back to one of the houses placing himself against it’s side wall waiting for a signal of some sort. Link looked at the two from where he was, seeing as how they were just about to leave. Link heard the strangest noise not seconds later. “BAGA-WAGA-WOOGA-WAGAH-LAGA-BAGA-WAGA!,” Renado screamed pulling Epona’s reigns making her go in a circular motion. “Oh, oh wow,” Link said, a little surprised giving him a thumbs up as his facial expression was just about priceless from the odd noise that Renado made. The ground started to shake, closer and closer as evolved Twilight stampeded passed Link, there must’ve been six, seven at most. Renado pulled on her reigns tightly once more, facing Epona towards the front exit kicking hard enough with both legs to get going. Epona took off as the Twilight chased after them. “The gate’s closed, I don’t think they’ll be able to jump it so Renado and Luda should be fine,” he thought surely. Link stood in the middle of the village, in between the houses and shops looking around, seeing if anything or anyone was still around. Everything was going according to plan until, he realized he now has no transport other than his legs own two legs.

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Angered, but thankful Renado and Luda got away safely. Not only did he lose his horse, but he forgot to untie his bow and quiver off of Epona as well as unlatching his pouches. He was in quite the predicament. Link finally exiting Kakariko village, making his first few steps into Hyrule field to the west where Eldin Province resides, he observed the sky once more, seeing that is was still remained dark, filled with didn’t even seem to be clouds anymore, but more of a curtain.
“It would’ve been easier if I went out the same way Renado and Luda went out,” he thought to himself, seeing as how he needed to head Southeast of his current location. He continued walking. A few hours had passed as Link was already in the middle of Hyrule field, he was making good time, though out of breath and exhausted. “It feels like I’ve been walking for days,” he said without emotion, wanting to give up, walking from left, to right, trying to vary the way he was moving. Upon entering the Lanayru Province, which resided on the East side, Link was about ready to take a break until a very large thud sound filled the air as a Twilight creature smashed onto the grass in front of Link, sending him off his feet and onto his back. Disoriented as he was, Link looked up noticing the deformed being hovering over him, it let out a loud, inhuman scream at the warrior, about to finish him. He was pinned down trying to get away, just as the Twilight creature lifted it’s whips that were attached to it’s back up in the air, ready to finish him off, stampedes circled around Link and the Twilight being, he was clueless, there were boar-like creatures with Bulbin’s mounted on them. The circle continued for a good minute before what seemed to be their leader in front, taking his large, rusty axe from his back and swinging, lifting the Twilight monster off of Link. “What the?!,” he was beyond astonished. The damage inflicted by the leader of the Bulbin’s was severe, disintegrating into black particles and heading back into the sky, the Twilight being was gone. Link got up slowly as the circle of Bulbin’s turned into a line-up, each organized in a row. “King Bulbin..,” he said, making eye contact with his orange yellowish eyes. King Bulbin remained silent. “Thank, you,” he said softly. Bulbin nodded. He wasn’t known for much of speaking, but this may have been the second time Link had heard him speak more than one word. “Do you always travel with little caution?,” he said curtly. Before Link could respond to a joke of a question, Bulbin continued. “Where are you headed that you do not require transport?,” he didn’t have too much emotion in his voice, it was more monotone. “Gerudo desert,” the warrior replied. King Bulbin let out a small but heavy laugh. “Gerudo desert? What business do you have there? Quite the distance for you to be walking,” he pointed out. “Yeah, it is, but there’s no other way of getting there,” Link really needed a lift, he couldn’t walk out in the field any longer, it was too dangerous. “I could use one of the boar’s, but then again I don’t want to piss off Bulbin,” he thought. Immediately after, King Bulbin rode along side Link, seizing the movement of his boar and looked down at him. “Get on,” Link look puzzled, Bulbin’s never seemed to be so kind, especially King Bulbin for that matter. “Do you have a hearing impairment?,” he implied. “I said get on. We’re headed to the Arbiter’s Grounds, at least you’ll be in the desert, where you need to go exactly is none of my concern,” Bulbin exclaimed. If it could be anymore convenient and somewhat funny for Link, the Mirror Chamber was right above the Arbiter’s Grounds so it worked out for everyone.
The green tunic warrior nodded and mounted King Bulbin’s boar from behind, grabbing the saddle to assist himself up placing his rear down. Link had forgotten how these boar creature’s gallop, and it wasn’t so graceful, it was more rough if anything. “We move.” Bulbin lifted his hand and pointed it Southeast, he slapped the boar on the side and they were off, fast.
Bulbin’s really had no problem riding their bulbo’s, seeing as how they were more heavy-set than most, unlike Link, where he was tossed around like a rag doll.

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As the Bulbins and their “hitcher” left the Lanayru Province, they came across a narrow gorge that was about forty-five feet long which led into the Desert Province. “This is it,” Link calmly said. “Gerudo desert.” King Bulbin made a sound of satisfaction and nodded, leading the rest of the way into the gorge. They reached the sandy plains with a curtain of darkness still looming in the sky, the fact that it was night time was noticeable. “Almost there, almost there,” he thought.
The Bulbin warriors and Link began to near the Arbiter’s Grounds, creating a small grin on the young hero’s face, urging him to peek over King Bulbin’s shoulder to see for himself that they were arriving. They began to slow down, passing broken pillars and other religious looking structures around the area, stopping completely. The dust settled and all the Bulbin’s dismounted as Link did, standing before the Arbiter’s Grounds. The large path that led up to the Mirror Chamber was still a bit in tact and the passage leading inside the Arbiter’s Grounds was accessible; not much had changed at all. Bulbin turned to face Link as they both were at least five feet away from both their destinations. “Where you wander is none of my business.” Link still held that grin on his face, being at the base of the staircase that led to the Mirror Chamber.
“Do you hear me? Where are you going?,” he continued. The young hero turned, facing King Bulbin. “Up here, this is where I had to go.” Awkward silence filled the air for about ten seconds before Bulbin spoke again. “Above the Arbiter’s Grounds?,” he said with a puzzled tone, confused as to why Link didn’t mention it. “Well you were too busy telling me that you didn’t care about where I had to go and such so, yeah.” Bulbin sighed. “We part ways now, I bid you luck,” he said meaningfully as his Bulbin followers made their way into the Arbiter’s Grounds.
“And to you as well, King Bulbin, I thank you for all your help.” King Bulbin mostly never showed emotion towards anything, but he managed to crack a small smile, Link did the same.
King Bulbin turned and made his way into the Grounds along with the rest of the Bulbins.

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Link turned back around and made his way up the broken, chipped staircase, which most of was somewhat destroyed. “Just. About. There,” he said panting as he leaped over each staircase block, seeing as how every jump he took, their was a gap in between making it more difficult to get to the top. Finally meeting the last block to leap, not surprisingly the hardest one, Link buckled his knees, took a deep breath and jumped as far as he could, nearly making it grabbing the ledges with his hands. “No, no, no come on!,” he exclaimed flailing his arms to get back up and prevent him from falling. “Gotta get there, can’t fall now…” The young hero gained what strength he had left and pulled himself up with the assistance of what seemed to be a solid banister that he grabbed onto. Reaching the top with the feeling of satisfaction making it all the way, he turned facing the vast Gerudo desert exhaling a long breath. “I’m finally here, but, apparently “they” were supposed to be at the Mirror Chamber. I might as well go look,” he thought.
Link turned around and started to make his way into the arena-like chamber. “It’s been so long,” he looked around, observing the abandoned place. “It, doesn’t seem like anybody’s here,” he said to himself. The man in the green tunic stood in front of the bronze structure that once held the Mirror of Twilight. He walked closer to the bronze structure, feeling along the outline of it, wishing a mirror would appear, but it was only a fantasy. “Is this a joke,” he said aloud. “Playing with my emotions?” He got angrier thinking Renado wasted his time or more so wanted to play with his emotions. “Mid-,” he was cut off from his thought as a flash of blinding light appeared behind him and the bronze structure, it was so amazing, Link shielded his eyes with his right arm; the event must’ve lasted for a little more than fifteen seconds.
As the light dimmed and all was back to normal again, three solid, spirit looking figures leveled mid-air in front of the young warrior, giggling.
”SISTERS!,” the figure exclaimed loudly. “Are we late!?” The other spirit’s figures replied joyfully. “No, no he seems to be here still. See?!” They all referred to each other as sister until Link realized who, or what for that matter levitated in front of him. “Nayru,” the floating spirit said softly that was next to her. “Shouldn’t we give him the thingy!,” Din, which was the spirit on the end quickly added to what Farore had said. “Thingy? Don’t you mean the mirror, sister!?” Nayru quickly turned to Din and Farore. “Shush! You aren’t supposed to tell him what we have!,”
”Oops sorry sister!,” Din and Farore both said giggling. Nayru floated into the other two sisters, attempting to physically scold them. “Ugh! You’re lucky we don’t have bodies, or else!”
“Sorry sister…” Farore and Din said childishly. Shocked and disoriented Link was, he managed to speak. “Um, excuse me,” the young hero said confused. The three sisters turned to him. “Yes?,” they all replied. “Um, well, you three are the Goddesses right?,” he questioned.
“Of course we are!,” Din replied. Farore and Nayru gave him a sign of correction.
“Well, then, what mirror are you talking about? Not the Mirror of Twilight, right?,” he knew this was beyond impossible, but just maybe. Nayru turned to look at Din and Farore. “Well sisters, why don’t you answer him?,” she sounded ticked. Din and Farore then faced the man in the green tunic. “You see, um, well, it’s not exactly the Mirror of Twilight, it’s more of a -,” Nayru cut Farore off from finishing as she continued instead. “What she’s trying to say is, we have the mirror, but we can’t just hand it to you like that, you see.” Link was speechless, he looked at them blankly in disbelief. “What’s wrong with him sister, he looks like he had just seen a ghost or somethin’?!,” Din asked Nayru. “Maybe he’s so excited that he has no words left.” Nayru replied.
Link walked closer to the three spirits, standing before them. “Can…I please...have the mirror,” it was more a demand than a request. The three sister’s giggled at him. “Of course not, you can’t just take it like that.” Link looked at her in desperation. “I know what we can do!” Din exclaimed.
The Goddess of power Din, made some sort of spirit like extension out of her that looked to be a hand. A medium sized solid figure formed slowly in her hand as it shined in all it’s glory. Link’s eyes widened in amazement. “The mirror…,” he said in extreme disbelief. The Mirror of Twilight hovered in Din’s hand, strangely, her hand grew a bit bigger around the mirror. “This is where the fun begins!,” shouted Farore. “Link’s facial expression went from amazingly happy to extreme disappointment. At that exact moment Din crushed the mirror into nine different pieces floating them slowly to the ground by the bronze structure. Link fell to his knees. “There were better ways to go about this, other than breaking the mirror,” Nayru said. “I know sister but I thought we could make him work for it!,” Din giggled. Link was too busy cursing under his breath putting his face to the ground. “Come to think of it now, we could’ve hid it somewhere and made him look for it,” Farore added. “Or! We co-,” Din was cut off by Link’s interruption.
“Can you please tell me why you would do that, what logic was behind that?! tell me!,” he screamed in anger at the three Goddesses. “Well excuse me!,” Farore said sarcastically.
“Oh quiet down you green baby, we broke it into nine pieces, not a billion.” Nayru explained further. “You can put it back together, can’t you see? Boys need to use their heads’ more sisters.” “Mhm!,” Din and Farore agreed. Link calmed himself down after hearing this. “So, you’re telling me-,” Din cut him off in return. “We’re not telling you anything else, hero. It’s all up to you to finish this!” “Could you be anymore vague?,” he asked. “Yes!,” the three sisters quickly and joyfully replied. Link sighed. “Well we’re done here, hero. Take care of yourself,” Nayru said gently. “Yes, please take care of yourself young one,” both Farore and Din added. Before Link could say anything more, the three Goddesses disappeared one by one. “Wait for me sisters!,” Din yelled as she also disappeared in a magnificent blinding light. Link shielded his eyes once more as the moment passed, soon all was dim again.

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The young warrior turned around and stood up to walk towards the broken pieces of the Twilight Mirror.

He knelt down on one knee, picking up each piece gently one by one, placing them steadily in the bronze structure. A few hours passed, seeing as how the mirror pieces needed to be put in the exact place they were originally as if it was never broken, which took time, focused time.
Whilst he was just about to assemble the last two pieces on top to complete the Mirror of Twilight, a loud noise was heard below, in the Arbiter’s Grounds, as if battle was taking place. Link couldn’t be bothered with anything other than finishing the mirror right now so, he stood up in front of the bronze structure once more with the last piece in his hands. “It’s kind of funny,” the hero thought. “My dream… they were similar to what Goddess Din had done to the mirror, only, nothing was left of it in my dream. Er, maybe it doesn’t have to do with this, maybe I need to keep looking, be more aware I suppose.” Link placed the last piece of the mirror into the bronze structure fully completing it, taking a few steps back. The young man in the green tunic looked at it as the mirror started to glow brightly. “This is, amazing,” he said under his breath. “This is-,” the mirror glowed with an intense light and pushed Link back with an invisible force off his feet, he caught himself, but didn’t bother to get back up, being too amazed at what had been occurring before him. The light from the glowing mirror’s light shined off of Link’s blue eyes, he got back on his feet to witness a transparent staircase be emitted out from under the Mirror of Twilight and into the air just as a portal-like shape filled mid-air spinning counter-clockwise in front of the gigantic rock behind the portal. Link took a few steps towards the base of the white transparent staircase only to be demanded by several eerie voices to get away. He quickly turned around only to realize it was the six of the Seven Sages; Light, Forest, Fire, Water, Spirit and Shadow.
Not giving them anytime to stop him as they once tried before like the first time he entered with Midna, Link turned his shoulder fast and ran up the narrow, transparent staircase, trying not to slip or fall off as he almost did coming to the last step; he put every nerve, bit of strength and energy into his final jump, into the portal. In an instant, the man in the green tunic was gone, leaving the six Sages angered and worried. “What has he done..,” the Light Sage said concerned yet quietly. “He’s gone into the other realm,” he spoke once more.


The Hero was once again in The Twilight Realm.

This story archived at http://www.kasuto.net/efiction/viewstory.php?sid=2520