Legend of Zelda: The Equestrian Hero

Luna, Link, and Applejack had teleported to Twilight's castle. Apple Bloom pulled Applejack into a hug. Everypony else joined in, except for Link. Not that he was indifferent; he found it heartwarming. The Cutie Mark Crusaders reminded him of the kids from Ordon Village. Oh, and he hadn't been in Hyrule for weeks. On some nights during the journey, he had dreamed of being home. Yet he was developing feelings for Luna. The problem was that they were from entirely different worlds. He was Hyrule's hero, and Luna was the princess of Equestria. Would they even make it work somehow, unlike when he and Midna had to part ways?

"What is it?" Luna asked, interrupting Link's thoughts.

"After I stop Ganondorf, I'm not sure if I will return to Equestria in the future," Link said.

"I can give you a key that allows you to visit Equestria. By the way, Applejack and the others are getting ready to ride the train to the Frozen North. We'll rescue Twilight, Trixie, and Starlight."

Discord materialized in front of Luna and Link. "Getting closer, right? I don't think you can survive the freezing cold without proper winter gear."

Luna pointed to her horn. "I can always conjure a warming spell."

Discord snapped his talons, summoning a variety of scarves, earmuffs, cloaks, and winter hats. "Ever the strong, independent mare, aren't you? Take the winter gear as a precaution. I'm gonna stay here until the Elements of Harmony are finished with the adventure."

"We have magic." Luna grabbed the winter gear. "But we'll pack them in a few saddlebags."

The Element bearers walked outside, and the duo joined them. Luna shut the door behind her. The thunderstorm returned with a vengeance. Would there be a blizzard in the Frozen North? She guided the group past the buildings. If the group defeated Ganondorf, Equestria would be safe again. Raindrops pelted the streets and dampened each pony's mane. She created a magical barrier above the group.

"Do you like Discord?" Link asked.

"He's a friend," Luna replied. "I'm sure you'd say the same about your female friends."

"I suppose that's true. He seems to enjoy teasing you, though."

"It's in his nature to tease others and to be chaotic. He doesn't think it's fun to make sense."

Once everypony boarded the train, the vehicle began moving. The raindrops blurred the windows. Luna peered out the window. It would take a few days to reach their destination. Pinkie Pie and the other mares chatted as they nibbled on their snacks. Was Cadence worried about the Crystal Empire? Was Flurry Heart scared? What last resort would Ganondorf use if all six Element bearers faced him in the throne room? Would he try to harm Link? How were Twilight, Starlight, and Trixie feeling at the moment? Did they resist Sombra, no matter how much he would attempt to break their minds and spirits?

"I don't want to even consider what Sombra could be doing to our dear Twilight," Rarity said.

"She's strong. She'll come through," Rainbow Dash replied.

Fluttershy shuddered. "I'll never forget the day Ganondorf scattered us."

Applejack nodded in agreement. "The look in his eyes reminded me of the villains we've fought in the past."

Pinkie Pie swallowed a cupcake in one go. "I bet he hates sugary treats and delicious desserts."

Rainbow rolled her eyes. "Pinkie, focus. We have a serious problem at hoof. It has nothing to do with what you like."

Pinkie glanced around, chuckling nervously. "Whoops. Sorry, girls."

"Well, sometimes you derail the topic."

Fluttershy looked up. "The same day Ganondorf scattered us, he overpowered Discord before invading Canterlot Castle. He's probably stronger than many of Equestria's worst enemies."

The yellow pegasus' words garnered Link's attention. He said, "Isn't Discord your friend, though? He's not hostile."

Luna adjusted her cloak. "He used to be a villain. Discord had plunged Equestria into chaos two times. Now he's reformed. It doesn't take away his mischievious personality, despite being on the good side."

"Oh. I see."

For the rest of the ride, Luna hadn't spoken another word. Instead, she observed her friends as they continued their discussion. Usually, Twilight would sit with the other five Element bearers each time the heroines rode a train. Due to the current situation, the lavender alicorn couldn't do that. Was Twilight as worried for her friends as they were for her? The minutes whizzed by. Soon, the minutes shifted into hours. Night surrounded the land. Even then, the storm raged on. The interior lights created transparent reflections in the darkened windows. Once the ponies except for Luna fell asleep, she dimmed the lights. She hadn't investigated a pony's dream for quite a while, as she was busy exploring temples, fighting monsters, and rescuing innocent ponies. For the most part, however, the monsters avoided the train. She activated her dream magic and proceeded to enter the hallway of doors.

All at once, Luna sensed the troubled emotions of many ponies. Their fears were genuine, and it wouldn't be the first time they had nightmares about a dangerous threat. She strolled past the doors, and at the end of the corridor, she approached a golden door. It had Celestia's cutie mark on it. Was the elder alicorn in a nightmare? She pushed the door open, and sure enough, an intense scene stopped her in her tracks. In the scene, Ganondorf attacked the dream version of Luna. It was brutal to watch. She conjured a spell that caused the dream ponies to vanish. Then, she descended in front of Celestia. Their eyes met. The younger sister wore a benevolent smile.

Luna placed a hoof on Celestia's upper foreleg. "Greetings, dear sister. Ever since I left the castle to guard Ponyville, we haven't spoken to each other. As we speak, Link is traveling to the Frozen North. He will help me and Twilight's friends to vanquish Sombra. After we save Twilight, we'll confront Ganondorf."

"You need to hurry. Equestria is in grave peril, and if the kingdom isn't freed from Ganondorf's clutches, it will crumble," Celestia replied. "He imprisoned me in the royal dungeon and restricted my magic."

Luna shook her head. "He did? I figured he would drop that low."

"He told me it has something to do with suffering in a desert in his previous incarnations. As horrible as it is for a pony to live in such conditions, it doesn't excuse his actions. Oh, and he would often complain about a princess named Zelda. He compared me to her."

"Sounds like he desires what he doesn't have. Still, it was his choice to chase after power. He won't win. Link and the Elements of Harmony will slay Ganondorf."

Celestia sat on her haunches. "You mentioned Sombra, right?"

"Yeah. Why?" Luna asked.

"Be careful. He's clever and ruthless."

"I know. I have to go, as the group is still on the train."

Luna left the dreamscape and found herself in the exact same seat she had occupied earlier. The lightning penetrated the inky blackness. Gazing outside, she detected a cluster of silhouettes roaming the field. She guessed they were monsters. She rose from the seat and began wandering through the cabooses. The sleeping cabin was as peaceful as she expected it to be. If it hadn't been so stormy, she was sure the group would have gazed at the stars. Yet it was late at night. She hummed a soft tune, not that anypony would hear it. It was a lullaby, the song that accompanies her as she enters a pony's dream.

Speaking of which, Luna hadn't considered checking on Twilight's. She returned to her seat and plopped onto the bench. Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply. She accessed the dreamscape, surveying the realm of sleep. A door with Twilight's cutie mark materialized. It was as if the universe had read her mind. Twisting the doorknob, she unsealed the door and stepped inside. She glimpsed Twilight sobbing in the corner of a darkened room. Several inches off the floor, a smoky haze lingered in the air. Crystals emerged from the walls and the murky ground. Had Sombra tormented the alicorn?

"Princess Celestia! I'm so sorry I failed you! Please give me another chance... please..." Twilight said.

"Twilight... it's not real. You haven't failed my sister," Luna said.

"Princess Luna?" Twilight wiped the tears from her eyes and made eye contact. "How did you... Sombra is holding me hostage..."

"You won't be a hostage for long. Your friends and I are coming."

"At least you're coming. Anyways, I've been stuck in the nightmare for some passage of time. I can't tell how much time has passed. Am I under a sleeping curse?"

"Maybe. We'll save Trixie and Starlight, too. Sombra had captured them."

At the mention of Sombra's name, the shadows charged at Twilight. Sombra's astral projection appeared in the midst. His red and green eyes glowed eerily. Twilight's eyes widened. Luna stood by Twilight's side in case the umbrum decided to attack. An evil cackle echoed off the walls. The area's temperature dropped low enough for the alicorns to shiver. Luna narrowed her eyes.

"Last time we met, you and your sister banished me," Sombra said. "Well, if you won't let me rule the Crystal Empire..."

"Did you curse her?" Luna replied.

Sombra's horn emitted a cloud of dark magic. "I'm glad you asked. I did make her sleep for weeks. I overheard the entire conversation. You should know what happens if somepony stands in my way."

"You're as sadistic as ever. Tormenting ponies? You'll pay. The Crystal Empire isn't yours to take."

Sombra unleashed a kinetic blast toward Luna. "Get out of Twilight's dream!"

The spell forced Luna into the hallway of doors. The stallion was desperate to break Equestria's most beloved heroine. He wouldn't get away with it. She teleported to the waking world. Despite not seeing the location of the moon in the sky, she could tell that it was three hours past midnight. In the cabin behind her, hoofsteps shuffled against the floor. The train hastened.

Ganondorf glared into his crystal ball. His foes were on the way to stop Sombra, the stallion who promised to be loyal to him. The reason he had spared the umbrum was that they shared a few similarities. Now the so-called heroes were about to cancel his plans. Earlier, he had sensed a magical disturbance. Was the midnight blue alicorn contacting her sister? He snorted. The "good guys" were in for a deadly surprise, and they would regret it. Celestia had given him trouble, yet their exchange was words-only. No physical fight was involved. How much worse would it be if more than one foe opposed him? He ambled to the royal dungeon, glaring at the terrified guards. Their reactions brought an evil grin to his chiseled face, and they ran off. Of all the cells in the vault, two of them drew his attention. Cadence and her family appeared to be frightened, yet determined. Meanwhile, Celestia gave him a cold stare.

"The four of you are pretending to be brave. I restricted your magic and your mouths. But you remained defiant," Ganondorf jeered.

In response to Ganondorf's words, Celestia and Cadence grunted. Their speech was muffled, but they lowered their horns as if pointing sharp blades at him. He snickered as he kicked the steel bars. If the mares could talk, they would throw sarcastic insults and phrases at him. They'd even threaten to eliminate him. Several minutes passed, and they resorted to sitting on their hindquarters. A small alicorn let out a fearful squeak, and he whirled around.

"Someone is scared," Ganondorf said in a menacing tone as he bared his fangs. "If you think I'm intimidating, you haven't seen my colossal form. I've transformed into a beast before." He let out an intense roar, causing the small alicorn to jump back.

Ganondorf cackled as he strode to the throne room. The little ones were always scared of him, and he relished in their apprehension. The guards were cowardly, too. Even though he was bigger and stronger than the guards, he would spare him just to amuse himself. He approached the pipe organ and played his favorite song. It was his theme, as he considered it ominous.

After a week of riding the train, the group arrived in the Frozen North. They raced to the outskirts of the Crystal Empire. A flurry of snowflakes assaulted the heroes and the night princess. The cold, biting wind snaked into their winter gear, howling past them. Tiny flakes clung to Luna's mane as she pulled her hood over her head. She guided her friends along an invisible path. Her aura illuminated the surroundings. Puffs of white clouds escaped the ponies' noses and mouths. She activated a spell that would allow her to follow a magical trail. The snow crunched under multiple hooves.

"The lack of noise is spooky," Fluttershy said.

"It is," Rarity agreed. "Gives you a feeling of isolation."

Rainbow Dash flew forward. "There's gotta be a place where Sombra is hiding Twilight, Trixie, and Starlight."

Applejack trotted to Rainbow's side. "Twilight would tell us that there's safety in numbers."

Pinkie Pie, ever the excitable mare, bounced against the snow-coated ground. "You'll get lost if you stray off the path. Nothing wrong with sticking together."

Luna turned left, navigating the blizzard. The trail beckoned the group to a large, yawning cavern embedded in the bottom of a tall mountain. She stepped through the arch. The interior contained wall torches and intricate tunnels. It reminded her of the cave in the Everfree Forest. Her eyes scanned the area, and her gaze landed on gaping holes in the ground. A series of crystals lined the floor. The same crystals retreated into the ground.

"We'll need a map," Link said.

"Yes. I believe this is the final temple before storming Canterlot Castle," Luna replied.

Sombra's laughter boomed off the walls. His phantom form manifested. "Final? Not so fast. You survived the extreme cold. This is a test!" His magic encapsulated all five mares and transported them into various directions. "Don't fret. They're in different rooms of the cave if you want to find them."

Luna clenched her jaw. "Link and I will rescue them anyways. You won't succeed, and neither will Ganondorf."

"In case you aren't aware, the maze is enchanted." Sombra's apparition evaporated. "Never underestimate a king!"

Luna performed a truth spell. She had used it in the sky temple. This was the second time, as the maze might be riddled with concealed traps and hidden enemies. The spell unveiled what was otherwise unseen to the naked eye. She wasn't surprised. The illusions were indeed created to confuse the potential explorers. The duo proceeded onward, avoiding the traps.