Legend of Zelda: The Equestrian Hero

by NocturnalInkandQuill

Rating: everyone
Tags: Princess Luna, The Legend of Zelda, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Other, Adventure, Princess Celestia, Crossover, Alternate Universe, Main 6
Length: 30129

After Ganondorf failed to take over Hyrule, he would attempt to take over Equestria. As usual, fate has other plans...

Awakening in a strange world of pastel ponies wasn't what Ganondorf expected. He was sure he would be imprisoned until he could break free in the future. Instead, he was in Equestria, governed by a pair of equine princesses. Now he had a new goal; to usurp the royal sisters and rule the land.

Not if a certain hero had anything to say about it... Would Link save Equestria, or would Ganondorf succeed in his wicked plot to destroy the kingdom?

Published 2020-07-25 15:00:01 UTC
Last updated 2020-08-28 15:49:05 UTC

Trouble in Equestria

Ganondorf struggled to rise, yet the pain in his chest was excruciating. His breaths came in short gasps as he straightened his spine. For a moment, he glared at the sword. He turned his attention to the green-clad hero who had plunged the blade into his chest. Once again, he lost the battle. Despite the princess being a helpless damsel, she managed to assist her knight. He narrowed his eyes, then clenched his square jaw. Why couldn't Hyrule be his kingdom? Those two had always been an obstacle to him, and it might not change. Unless there was a new strategy he hadn't tried yet...

"Do not think this ends here," Ganondorf spat. "The history of light and shadow will be written in blood!"

"Hyrule will never be your land," Zelda replied.

Link glowered at Ganondorf. "This is what you get for trying to destroy Hyrule."

Ganondorf scowled. "I'm sure we'll meet again."

"You'll always be despicable."

Ganondorf could no longer move a single muscle. Everything went black. Instead of returning to his prison, he found himself in an endless passageway. If the hero hadn't stopped him, he would have been sitting on the throne by now. In many of his incarnations, he aimed to usurp the Hylian royal family, only to be defeated in the end. He navigated the passageway. An array of colors swirled around him, and a portal yawned below his feet. He plunged through the portal. As a result, his limbs turned and twisted in strange directions.

"What's happening?" Ganondorf whispered. A bright light nearly blinded him, and the last thing he remembered was complete darkness.

Ganondorf opened his eyes. As he observed his surroundings, confusion settled in his heart. It wasn't Hyrule, yet the ruins reminded him of the castle. A pair of tapestries, one blue and one yellow, hung from the shattered ceiling. Stone arches towered over the floor. He rose from the floor, and as soon as he did, he fell forward. His Gerudo physique was replaced by an equine body. He might not be as tall, but he remained muscular. What made the Goddesses think he should be a horse? He muttered as he stood on all fours and walked outside. The memory of the battle flashed into his mind.

"Curse them..." Ganondorf whispered as he studied the forest. Behind him, the sun moved closer to the western horizon. He strode across the bridge. The land seemed too peaceful. It sickened him, as he preferred destruction and doom. A dark aura emerged from his forehead. Did he have a unicorn horn, too? How much more ridiculous could this world get? At least he could use magic here. By the time his dark aura faded, a variety of grotesque monsters materialized. A snicker escaped his mouth.

"Spread out," Ganondorf told the monsters.

The beasts obeyed their leader. Ganondorf continued exploring the forest. The denizens of this place would no longer have a peaceful life. The trail led him to the edge of the woods. Bats and bubbles flew past him. He glimpsed a small cottage. The roof was covered in green moss. A cluster of moblins swung their clubs at the animals. A red door with a brown arch opened, revealing a pastel yellow pony. He expected the pony to cower in fear. Instead, the pony begged the moblins to leave her pets alone.

"They won't leave anytime!" Ganondorf shouted.

"Who are you?" The pony replied.

"I'm Ganondorf Dragmire."

"Those monsters are scaring my animals."

"What makes you assume I'll ever be agreeable? Try being a dark lord from another world, who had just awakened in a land of pastel ponies that could talk. So don't tell me to help you and your miserable little pets."

"Fine. You're so heartless." The pony backed into the cottage and closed the door.

A snake-like creature with a lion's arm, an eagle's claw, a dragon's tail, and a pair of horns teleported in front of Ganondorf. It wore a scowl, and he chuckled in response. If he hadn't known any better, he would have thought the serpentine beast was one of his minions. He smirked, then proceeded to summon a magical sphere. He tossed his magic forward, but the creature evaded the spell.

"Don't hurt Fluttershy," the creature hissed.

"Do you think you can outsmart me? I will destroy you!"

"I overheard the commotion, Ganondorf. Fluttershy and her friends had faced several villains in the past. Chrysalis, Tirek, Nightmare Moon, Sombra, and my old self... also known as Discord. If you lay a hoof on Fluttershy, I'll make sure you don't see another day. Oh, and the royal sisters will find out."

Ganondorf scoffed. "Royal sisters? You mean a queen and a princess..."

Discord rolled his eyes. "They're both princesses, and they rule Equestria."

"Where is their castle?"

"Like I would ever inform you."

Ganondorf rammed his magic into Discord's body, causing the draconequus to fall against the ground. "This is what happens when you refuse to tell me!"

Discord groaned in agony. "I'll warn my friends. You're dangerous."

"You have no idea what I'm capable of."

Meanwhile, in Canterlot Castle, Princess Luna rose the moon into the sky. Her sister, Celestia, lowered the sun, making way for the night. Despite the warmth, a shiver crept up and down her spine. Was it a premonition? A vision flooded her mind. She saw a gray stallion with a green hat fighting a muscular brown stallion. The vision disappeared as soon as it came. Celestia looked as worried as she felt.

"You sensed it, too?" Celestia asked.

"Yes, Tia. Equestria is in serious danger," Luna said.

"I'll send a letter to Twilight. She and her friends need to know."

"Good idea."

A metallic clash and several screams garnered their attention. The two sisters hurried inside the castle, then gasped. A horde of monsters had stormed the throne room. More and more guards dropped to the floor. A low-pitched screech startled the princesses. Luna peered over her shoulder. A cluster of bipeds wearing wooden masks shuffled across the rug. She shot a magical beam at them.

"Somepony could be responsible for the sudden invasion," Luna said.

"Check on Ponyville. I'll do my best to stop those intruders!" Celestia replied. "Be careful, dear sister."

"I'll be fine."

Luna fled the throne room and took to the skies. She hoped Celestia would be okay. Who unleashed those creatures upon Equestria? Chrysalis? Tirek? Sombra? A new villain, even? As she approached Ponyville, countless citizens rushed into their respective homes. In one of the alleys, Twilight Sparkle and her friends confronted the grotesque monsters. A skeletal biped knocked Rainbow Dash to the ground. The courageous pegasus levitated into the air, then charged at the skeleton. The shield blocked Rainbow's kick.

Twilight teleported behind the skeleton and blasted its skull with her magic. "Girls, go tell the princesses. I'll protect Ponyville!"

Luna raced into the alley. "Twilight, an evil foe will attack Equestria."

"Really?" Twilight's eyes widened. "No wonder Equestria is in trouble."

Fluttershy joined the conversation. "I encountered a cruel stallion. He calls himself Ganondorf."

"Where did you see him?"

"By the Everfree Forest."

Luna searched the outskirts of Ponyville for the wicked stallion. A few skulls encased in blue flames blocked her. Each skull had bat wings. A gray stallion leaped toward the skulls. He tossed a boomerang at them, extinguishing the flames. Then, he sliced the skulls. Once the skulls vanished, he glanced at her. He stashed the boomerang into his saddlebag. On his flank was a trio of golden triangles. A unicorn horn protruded from his forehead.

"Are you a princess?" The stallion asked.

"Yes. Princess Celestia and I are the co-rulers of Equestria. I am Princess Luna," Luna replied.

"I'm Link."

"Where are you from?"

"Hyrule. My homeland has a princess, too."

Luna turned her gaze to Ponyville. "The innocent civilians are terrified, and they won't feel safe until all the monsters were gone. Can you defend the ponies?"

"Of course," Link said.

Luna and Link galloped into the town square. Link drew his sword and began fighting the beasts. Stormclouds obscured the silver moonlight. Thunder crackled in the air. Would it rain? Luna scrutinized the streets. Twilight Sparkle was in the middle of battling the enemies. Where did Twilight's friends go? Had the Element bearers traveled to Canterlot? Luna couldn't blame them for wanting to assist Celestia. Wait a minute, she thought as she stared at Canterlot Castle. Was the palace still under attack? The lavender alicorn flew into the sky. Heavy rain poured onto the ground. A powerful wind whipped through the trees.

The throne room had been emptied out. Regardless, the Element bearers and the guards stood in front of the throne. Celestia unfurled her wings, preparing for the arrival of a threat. The grand doors swung open. Heavy hoofsteps echoed off the marble walls. A brown stallion glared at Twilight and her group. Then, he wore a sinister grin. The guards pointed their spears at him.

"I am Ganondorf. Since you and your sister are the co-rulers of this land, you must make a choice. If you don't surrender the throne to me, you'll suffer," the stallion said.

"How did you know that I have a sister? You won't harm Equestria for as long as I live," Celestia replied.

Twilight widened her stance. "My friends and I have defeated the worst of villains before. Ganondorf, if you attempt to take down the royal sisters, we'll use the Elements of Harmony on you!"

Ganondorf sneered. "Elements of Harmony, huh? You're basically the pony version of Hyrule's sages. Let's see how gallant you are when scattered in all directions."

"We're not afraid of you." Twilight lunged at Ganondorf. "You won't succeed!"

Ganondorf summoned a barrier, which knocked Twilight backward. Five mares charged at him. Because the barrier had the same function as a shield, the mares were also forced to lay by Twilight's side. Six crystal prisons encased them, causing the group to float. He snickered at their reactions. His cruel laughter made Celestia shake with rage.

"What did you do to my former protege?" Celestia spat as she stepped forward.

"Didn't you have a sister?" Ganondorf asked.

Celestia narrowed her eyes. "If you hurt my sister, you'll regret it."

"Where is she now? Is she in hiding? I remember a Hylian princess who fled the castle with the help of her bodyguard."

"I won't reveal the details."

"Unless you want your little friends to be scattered, just tell me where she is. Either way, the throne shall be mine."

Celestia hung her head. Now she had to make a decision. No choice would guarantee the safety of the ones she loved the most. Equestria was in great peril, too. Ganondorf's cruel grin widened. He had detected a crack in her brave front. She leveled her eyes at him. It infuriated her to know that he was capable of harming the kingdom. Why else would his minions spawn in Equestria?

"I'll surrender," Celestia said. "Whatever it takes to keep everypony safe, I'll do it."

"I figured you would," Ganondorf replied. "You won't leave the castle. If you attempt to flee, there will be consequences."

The crystal prisons that contained Twilight and her friends ascended to the ceiling. They disappeared into thin air. Celestia sighed, shaking her head. She had failed to protect Equestria. Would the Element bearers survive the ordeal? Would Ganondorf's minions search for Luna? She teleported to a watchtower, then peered through the golden telescope. The night wouldn't allow her to see much of anything. She glimpsed a silver-blue flash in Ponyville. Was it Luna? She performed a spell to enhance her eyesight. Still holding a telescope, she zoomed in on the town. The midnight blue alicorn wasn't alone. Somepony had accompanied her. They departed from Ponyville.

"Stay safe, dear sister..." Celestia whispered. She gazed at the land below the tower. Perhaps Luna and her new friend would find the heroines of Equestria during their journey. She would like to have a word with the stallion if he came to Canterlot Castle. She flew to her bedroom window and entered her room. Shutting the window behind her, she slumped onto her bed.

Celestia drifted into dreamland. As she slumbered, she tossed and turned. Nightmares of potential doom plagued her mind. Losing Equestria, her former student, and even her little sister... Those were what she feared the most. At the end of each nightmare, a pair of golden eyes would gleam ominously.

Perils Ahead

The night dragged on as Luna and Link navigated the Everfree Forest. The fog seeped onto the dirt path, forming a thick blanket. Trees stretched into the sky. A canopy of branches and leaves hung above the ground. The twigs snapped under Luna's hooves. A large spider with a skull on its back descended from a branch, and she jumped back. Huge spiders were far more dangerous than smaller ones. Not that some tarantulas weren't poisonous. She shot her magic at the spider, causing the insect to fall. Somehow the monster survived the fall, as it rolled onto its slender legs. The beady eyes stared at her. The way it looked at her would cause even the bravest of souls to shudder. A silver-blue aura enveloped her horn, and she shot a powerful beam at the spider.

"Why does it have a skull?" Luna asked.

"It's a skulltula," Link replied.

More arachnids appeared. Link slashed them each time their bellies were exposed. Skulltulas charged at him. He yanked a shield from his saddlebag and blocked the attacks. His blade penetrated every one of them. Luna summoned a spell, allowing her to eliminate multiple skulltulas at once. By the time the spiders were gone, the duo trotted deeper into the forest. Reverberating chirps pierced the silence. A swarm of bats circled the duo. Those weren't normal bats; they had yellow eyes.

"Nopony in Equestria had ever seen them until now," Luna pointed out.

"Whenever Ganondorf tried to usurp the Hylian royal family, they would spawn across Hyrule," Link said.

Luna blasted the bats toward the trees. "Would the bats be called 'demon bats?' They were aggressive."

"They're called keese. There is a variety of them." Link tossed his boomerang at the swarm. "It's easy to defeat them."

The swarm fled into the shadows. Luna guided Link through the forest. Her senses were on high alert, and it wasn't because the Everfree scared her. She knew the area like the back of her hoof. The creatures in this place could be unpredictable. To her left, a cave yawned wide. To her right, the path would lead the duo to the ruins. And in front of them, a trail would take them to the Ghastly Gorge. A bright flash garnered their attention. Standing before them was Discord. Link widened his stance, glowering at the draconequus.

"Greetings, Lulu. I went to Canterlot, and I eavesdropped on Ganondorf. Tia caught me, and-" Discord began.

"You eavesdropped? Didn't someone detect you, other than Celestia? Had she disclosed anything important?" Luna interrupted.

"I suppose I'll avoid the boring details and cut straight to it. The Elements of Harmony were scattered. Celestia told me-"

"That Ganondorf's minions might pursue me at one point?"

Discord nodded as he snapped his talons. A cloak materialized. "How did you know what I would say?"

"It's a hunch," Luna said.

"Cloaks can make decent disguises." Discord handed the cloak to Luna. "Well, the disguise wouldn't be complete without the removal of your regalia."

"Where would I put my shoes and my tiara?"

Discord summoned a pair of azure saddlebags. "In here. Besides, I'll check on Canterlot Castle sometimes." He vanished into thin air.

Luna secured the saddlebags on her barrel. Then, she stashed her regalia into the saddlebags and slipped the cloak over her body. She was reminded of the cloak she had worn during her first Nightmare Night. Didn't Discord want to rescue Fluttershy, though? They had an intimate friendship. She walked into the cavern. Her gaze flicked across the arches and gaps. She descended the stone steps. The ground was cool and moist. Small drops of water dripped from the stalactites.

Luna used her magic to illuminate the blackness. The light exposed a weave of spiderwebs. If a spiderweb was present in a cave, it usually indicated one or more spiders lurking in the vicinity. It was the reason nopony dared to explore the caves in the Everfree Forest. Link approached the web, took out a lantern, and pressed it against the web. The flames consumed the white tendrils, revealing a passageway.

"Is Discord an assistant?" Link asked.

"No. He might relay critical information to us during the quest," Luna replied. "You seemed prepared for the adventure."

"It never hurts to be prepared."

They ambled into the passageway. A shrub idled on the ground. It was odd, as the cave didn't have any vegetation in it. A short, brown creature with leaves for hair and a circular snout spat a large seed at the duo. Link levitated his shield to deflect the seed. It caused the creature to jump out of the shrub.

"That's a Deku scrub. They lurk in wooded areas," Link said as he chased the Deku scrub.

Eventually, the Deku scrub backed into a corner. Its red eyes glared at Link. "What do you want? I won't divulge the location of the yellow pegasus. My boss will be mad if I do."

Luna unfurled her wings. "Where is Fluttershy?"

"At the bottom of the cave."

The Deku scrub leaped into the foliage. At the opposite end of the passageway, a stone door slid into the ground. A staircase beckoned the duo closer. Luna and Link entered a basement. Steep chasms separated the raised platforms. Each platform had a patch of grass. It was as strange as the foliage in the corridor by the staircase. Luna teleported the duo to the nearest platform. The patch of grass shook, and an eyeless creature emerged. She was vaguely reminded of a venus flytrap. Yet this thing was large enough to swallow a pony whole. She blasted the beast backward. Another one dropped from the ceiling. It snapped at her, and she evaded the attack.

Link swung his blade at the beast and connected. "That was a Deku baba."

"How many 'Deku' enemies will we encounter during the journey?" Luna asked.

"Who knows? In Hyrule, any version of a forest temple or the forest itself will contain them."

To their right, a door yawned open. They strolled into a room. Several horned statues with a shield and sword lingered in the corner. A floor switch waited by the other side of the room. Link tapped the first statue, as though making sure it wasn't dangerous. The statue hopped after him, but he struck its backside. As a result, it spun wildly before exploding.

"Do they all behave violently when you touch them?" Luna asked.

"Not all armos do. The inactive armos can be pushed around," Link replied.

"There's one way to find out." Luna's horn glowed, and she levitated the armos. Two of them managed to break free of her magical grip. She slammed her aura into the statues.

Link's aura pulled the inactive armos toward the floor switch. Once he pushed the statue onto the switch, a door unlocked itself. The duo proceeded into the next room. Luna reached the edge of the stone balcony, then halted. The lower half of the room had a jagged crack in the wall. A low-pitched moan echoed off the stone walls. The bipeds with wooden masks shuffled forward. Link tossed a bomb at the crack. As soon as the bomb met the ground, it exploded. The dust faded. A descending corridor would lead to a second basement.

Luna made her way to the arch. The bipeds advanced, and she unleashed a powerful spell at them. They stumbled backward, then disintegrated. She trotted down the corridor. Link trailed behind. At the end of the corridor was a wide hall, with a set of stairs that led to a large treasure chest. Monstrous hands, almost the size of skulltulas, skittered across the floor. A giant door lingered on the left wall, barricaded by a huge lock.

Link ascended the stairs and opened the treasure chest. A golden key hovered above him. The monstrous hands lunged at him. He drew his sword before they could snatch him and the key. "Back off, you annoying floormasters!" He waved the blade at them.

Luna let loose a kinetic blast at the floormasters, flinging them against the wall. As Link carried the key toward the giant door, more floormasters spawned. The stallion sighed in annoyance as he plunged the sword into multiple floormasters. She helped Link push the key into the lock. A metallic click resounded, and the chains dropped to the sides. The door rolled into the wall.

"Let me guess. We'll battle a monster that is much bigger than the ones we had vanquished," Luna said.

Link crept ahead of Luna, investigating the chamber. At first glance, it seemed empty. Yet they couldn't shake off the feeling that they were being watched. Luna scanned the area. A frightened whimper caught her attention, and she peered in the direction of the sound. She glimpsed a silhouette trembling behind steel bars. Was it Fluttershy? An unmistakable whir prompted her to look up. Sure enough, she detected a spider-like monster. The beast had a large eye. She jumped back, preparing her magic. It landed onto the floor, then approached the duo.

Link retrieved a slingshot from his saddlebag, placed a Deku seed into its pouch, and fired the seed at the spider's eye. He slashed the eye until the gohma rose to its legs. The gohma crawled to the ceiling. Luna discharged a spell at the gohma's eye, and it fell to the ground. She heard Fluttershy whispering her name. Did the pegasus recognize her?

"How did you manage to flee Ganondorf's clutches?" Fluttershy asked.

"We'll discuss this later. Link and I are trying to defeat the arachnid," Luna replied as she ducked the gohma's claws.

Link fired another seed at the gohma. He pummeled its eye until the arachnid crumbled to dust. The steel bars sank into the ground, freeing Fluttershy. She raced to Luna's side and hugged the alicorn. When she released Luna, she scrutinized the cloak.

"Are the two of you on an adventure?" Fluttershy inquired.

"Yes. Equestria could be suffering under Ganondorf's tyranny as we speak. His minions will hunt me down," Luna explained.

"How is Discord doing?"

"He's okay, at least for now. He took it upon himself to be a spy."

"What about Spike, Starlight, and Trixie? Are they safe?"

"I think so. We should check on them, though. They're probably worried." Luna's horn glowed. Her aura enveloped Link and Fluttershy. The three of them teleported out of the chamber.

Once the trio arrived at Twilight's castle, Luna entered the council room. The room had a cutie map and six seats for the Element Bearers, along with a smaller chair for Spike. Starlight Glimmer and Trixie stepped into the room. At this time, the two unicorns would usually be asleep instead of wide awake. Perhaps Starlight and Trixie decided to stay up late. It was twenty minutes past twelve.

"Where were Twilight and the others?" Starlight asked.

"They're scattered into various locations. Link and I will find them," Luna explained.

Trixie's eyes widened. "They're gone? Didn't they know Equestria was in serious trouble? It's worse than when the monsters invaded the castle."

"Did they attack you?" Luna asked.

Starlight nodded. "Yeah. Discord came to us earlier and told us about a tyrannical stallion named Ganondorf. Anyways, because Twilight didn't return home, Spike started having nightmares."

For a moment, Luna paused. It wasn't the first time the baby dragon had nightmares. "I'm sure he did. I'll talk to him in his dream."

"He'll appreciate that. If you rescue Twilight, can you send us a letter?"

"I will inform you by then."

Fluttershy chimed in. "We'll spend the night. Princess Luna can keep watch. Also, Link will protect the castle."

Luna activated her magic and concentrated on the spell. An aura carried her into the dreamscape. She searched the dreamscape for Spike's nightmare. If it was a normal night, she would take time to quell the ponies' fears. She had to supervise the waking world due to the risk of dangerous creatures storming the castle. As she navigated the hallway of dreams, she discovered Spike's. She pulled the door open and observed the scene before her. The Element bearers appeared to be comatose, and Spike was sobbing.

"Spike, it's not real," Luna said as she landed in front of the small dragon.

"Princess Luna? Weren't you in the castle with Celestia?" Spike replied.

"What you see is what you fear the most."

"Twilight and I had been together for years. I don't want to lose her."

Luna placed her hoof under Spike's chin, which prompted him to make eye contact. "It's normal to be afraid. Twilight had been in perilous situations, and she's still alive. The heroes will triumph over evil. May your slumber be peaceful. By the way, Link and I saved Fluttershy."

Spike's face brightened. "Really?"

"Yes. Don't lose hope." Luna wore a benevolent smile as she left the dream. She returned to the waking world and began patrolling the castle. Everypony else, except for Link, had gone to bed.

Journey on Hoof

Morning came, and everypony gathered in the dining room to eat breakfast. Golden rays of light spilled through the windows, illuminating the stained glass. No vicious beast had invaded the castle, which was a start. Last night at two o'clock, Link had gone to bed. Luna remained awake until the crack of dawn. Alicorns didn't need as much sleep as a normal pony would. Spike sat between Trixie and Starlight. On the opposite end of the table, Luna occupied a seat. Link and Fluttershy were in the middle. Discord teleported into the room, then pulled Fluttershy into an embrace. He released her and plopped into a chair.

"Well, look who's back. I'm glad Fluttershy is alive. Regardless, her friends need help," Discord said.

"I know, which is why we're leaving Ponyville today," Luna replied.

"Did you have a destination in mind?" Discord snapped his talons. A map and a pair of binoculars materialized. His lion finger hovered over the map. "Hmm, where should we go next?"

As much as Luna desired to laugh, her thoughts were preoccupied with Equestria's fate. "This isn't the time to goof off, Discord. Aren't you worried about our friends and the rest of the kingdom?" She levitated the berries and sprinkled them onto her pancakes.

"Of course I'm worried, Princess. Prior to your banishment, one of your Elements was Laughter. Ironically, your sister is the funnier of the two. Unless you count your occasional mischief, that is... Oh, I gotta get to the point. Ganondorf's wicked magic had affected the Dragon Lands. Vicious beasts infiltrated the volcano, forcing the dragons to escape."

Fluttershy's ears perked up. "Discord, how is exploring a volcano a solution to their current problem? Volcanoes are deadly."

In response to Fluttershy's words, Link joined the conversation. "I explored volcanoes in the past. Nothing scares me, as I have the Triforce of Courage."

Luna lifted a cup to her mouth, then sipped the tea. "I'm sure you did, Link. What is the Triforce?"

"It's a trio of golden triangles. Ganondorf has the Triforce of Power, while Princess Zelda has Wisdom. The dark lord is hungry for power, and he won't stop until he steals the other two. If he succeeds in doing so, Hyrule and Equestria will collapse."

"Sounds serious. We must not allow him to achieve his goals. Celestia and I won't be happy if Equestria perishes. Nopony can survive under tyranny."

Discord summoned a compass. "No brave adventurer dares go on a quest without a compass. Unless you already have one in your saddlebags... if that's the case, just assume I'm making a reference."

Trixie rolled her eyes. "Discord! Luna told you not to goof off. After Ganondorf is defeated, you can joke around like there's no tomorrow."

Discord shrugged. "I suppose. However, where's the fun in being somber?"

Starlight shook her head. "Not to rain on your chaotic parade, but Trixie is right. We have a critical issue to solve."

Luna rose from her seat and grabbed the map. "I'll use it for the journey. Somepony should check on the Crystal Empire."

"I'll visit the Crystal Empire anyways." Starlight approached the door. "While you weren't here, Princess Cadence sent us a letter."

"What did the letter say?"

"An army of monsters invaded the empire, and while the ponies hid in fear, somepony stole the Crystal Heart."

Luna stashed the map into her saddlebag. "Had the culprit been caught in the act?"

"No. I think the monsters intended to distract the citizens."

Trixie accompanied Starlight. "First, Equestria. Second, the Crystal Empire. Is Ganondorf trying to destroy the world?"

Luna nodded. "It appears so. If you find the Crystal Heart, place it on the pedestal as soon as possible, or the empire will become a frozen wasteland." She turned her attention to Discord. "Can you and Fluttershy babysit Spike?"

"Yes. I guessed it would be another 'redeemed villains rescue the heroes' story, but I'm mistaken," Discord said. "Instead, it's the reformed damsel's turn to save the day."

"Just because I got captured several times and had given in to my dark side doesn't mean I'm helpless. At times, a pony might need help."

"It's usually the princesses who require a hero to save them."

Luna arched a brow. "Power-hungry villains perceive righteous leaders as obstacles."

Discord crossed his arms. "I see your point. Still, Celestia is stuck in her castle, unable to flee. Your newest friend, who came from a different universe, is a knight."

"That's enough. Link and I are going. Even after you changed your behavior, you haven't stopped being rude. Thanks for the cloak, though."

Luna and Link moved on to the exit, then trotted toward the street. The town seemed empty, except for the occasional pony. There wasn't a single enemy in sight, yet the ponies were probably afraid to leave their homes. Pulling her hood close to her face, she strolled past the buildings. Several windows and doors were boarded up. She glanced at Canterlot Castle. A magical barrier encased the palace. When Celestia had told her to defend Ponyville, neither sister expected this to happen. The duo continued onward, meandering to the edge of town. Luna watched as Trixie and Starlight entered a train. She guided Link to the Rambling Rock Ridge.

"Let me guess. The land of Equestria is vast," Link said.

"It is. When my sister and I were younger, we used to explore Equestria a lot," Luna replied. She yanked the map from her saddlebag, then scrutinized the paper.

They had been walking for five hours. Craggy rock formations lined both sides of the ridge. Luna's gaze wandered across the expanse. A group of bipeds lingered by the trees, and she squinted her eyes. They could be diamond dogs, but she wasn't sure if they were. She hadn't seen a diamond dog with a club, a suit of pewter armor, and a set of horns. Link drew his blade and stepped ahead. He levitated his shield in case the monsters decided to attack the duo.

Link widened his stance, and his sword gleamed in the light. As the bipeds inched closer, he performed a spin attack, scattering the beasts into multiple directions. Similar creatures stood atop the rock formations, shooting arrows at him. He took out his bow and unleashed the arrows at each biped.

"Back off, bulblins!" Link shouted.

Luna discharged a spell at the bulblins. Another kinetic blast sent them flying into the air. By the time all the bulblins were gone, she proceeded to navigate the ridge. According to the map, the duo should arrive at the bridge by sunset. A strong gust of wind almost forced the hood off her head, but she caught the covering before it could slide off. Her eyes scanned the area for more enemies. The coast was clear, at least for now. Dangerous creatures had been roaming the land ever since Ganondorf found his way into Equestria.

"Earlier, you mentioned that Princess Zelda is wise. Celestia holds a lot of wisdom," Luna said. "And I'm not talking about the Triforce."

"Is she kind?" Link asked.

"Yes. It's the reason many ponies adore her. I used to be jealous of her until I changed my ways. After my return from the moon, I discovered that there are ponies who love the night. Ultimately, it doesn't matter if somepony likes the night or not. What matters is how a pony treats their peers."

"I know of another princess who learned the same lesson, although she wasn't banished."

"Does she happen to be Zelda's sister?"

"They weren't sisters. Midna, the Princess of the Twilight Realm-"

"Twilight Realm?" Luna tilted her head. "It sounds perplexing. Considering that Equestria has a princess named Twilight Sparkle..."

"It does sound confusing. The Twilight in Equestria is a pony, while the 'Twilight' in my world is a kingdom."

"Alright. Tell me about Midna."

Link wore a wistful expression as he looked at the clouds. "When I first met Midna, she had a sarcastic attitude. She expected me to work for her, as Zant had usurped her. At times, I wanted to tell her to go away. Yet something in my heart didn't let me do so. One day, Zant told her to join his side. She refused, and he exposed her to the light. It weakened her."

"It must have been painful," Luna said.

"Very. I carried Midna to the castle, and Zelda healed Midna as soon as she appeared to us. Because of this, Midna began to change. She vowed to help me save Hyrule. During the final battle, she attempted to destroy Ganondorf, but her efforts were in vain. With Zelda's assistance, I defeated Ganondorf. The light spirits revived Midna, and the curse was lifted. After that... she bid me farewell."

Luna heard the sadness in Link's voice as he said the last four words. "Were you close? Did she leave for good?"

Link sighed. "We were. She had her own life in the Twilight Realm."

"It can be difficult to part with a friend."

"Especially when you've known someone for a month, and she had to go."

Once the duo reached the other side of the Rambling Rock Ridge, Luna glimpsed a river and a dirt path. The sun crept toward the western horizon. Ribbons of orange, pink, and red spilled into the blue sky. Shadows stretched across the ground. She began walking along the path to the bridge. Either she could follow the path, or she could travel along the river to Horseshoe Bay. Somehow, the latter made sense. The dirt path would have led the duo straight to the Badlands. The moon climbed into the sky.

Skeletons emerged from the ground. Luna's horn glowed as she stared down the skeletons. They surrounded the duo, each of them advancing at a slightly different angle. Their icy blue eyes gleamed ominously. One of the skeletal hounds snapped at her, and she summoned a magical barrier. The hounds leaped forward, only to be deflected by the magical shield. She cast a kinetic blast at the hounds.

Link plunged his blade into a stalhound's chest. The stalhound dropped to the ground, then crumbled to dust. He glanced around, searching the area. The monsters could be lurking in the shadows, waiting to ambush the duo. So far, he hadn't seen anything suspicious. Still, he remained vigilant. His archenemy had kidnapped beautiful princesses before. Midna was an exception, although Ganondorf outsmarted her during the final battle.

"Tell me when you start feeling tired. I may keep watch," Luna said.

"I tend to stay up late," Link replied. "It'll take me a while to become tired. Back in Hyrule, I would sometimes explore the kingdom during the night."

"So, you're used to it. I can be nocturnal, too."

They continued chatting as they trotted near the river. Stars shone in the midst of the inky blackness. The river sparkled in the faint moonlight, splashing against smooth rocks. If it wasn't for the sense of being observed by potential threats, they would have allowed themselves to enjoy the peaceful scenery. At one point, they set up a pair of tents. As Luna had promised, she guarded the tents. Her eyes and ears were on high alert. A twig cracked, and an unmistakable hiss garnered her attention. It could be a rogue changeling who refused to listen to Thorax.

Luna whirled around. Sure enough, a small group of changelings approached her. "Why are you here? Did you stalk us?"

"Yes. One of your friends helped Thorax ruin Chrysalis' throne," a female changeling to the left said.

"Were you spying the whole time?"

A tall figure stepped into view. Its gnarled horn was distinct. A pair of neon green eyes glared at Luna. What did Chrysalis want? Luna maintained her composure. As far as she could tell, the former leader of the changelings could be up to no good. What if Chrysalis and the rogues were working for Ganondorf? Then, an idea formed in Luna's mind.

"Do you know Ganondorf?" Luna asked.

"Know him? I offered to help him find a certain princess," Chrysalis said.

"You have me mistaken for somepony else. Try looking in Los Pegasus."

"Fine, whatever. The voice and height reminded me of Princess Luna. So much for revenge. Is Starlight Glimmer with her?"

"Leave us alone." Luna narrowed her eyes. The magic tingled in her horn, waiting to be unleashed. "Or you'll go to Tartarus, where the most dangerous enemies belong."

Chrysalis turned away. "My fellow changelings, let's check out Los Pegasus."

Once the changelings departed, Luna sat by the river. The swift confrontation almost made her expose her true identity. She wouldn't be surprised if one day, she did that while battling a monster. Her thoughts shifted to the time when she first encountered the changelings. They had interrupted her sleep on that day, which had prompted her to fight a few of them in her bedroom. The memory of them hovering above her bed was still ingrained in her mind. To be fair, waking up to an aggressive intruder would trigger anypony's fight-or-flight response. It was the reason she was currently protecting the tents. Oh, and the presence of vicious beasts in Equestria provided another reason to do so.

The sun rose into the sky, causing the shadows to dissolve. Vibrant, fiery colors lit up the eastern horizon. Luna and Link rolled up their tents and began cantering. The golden light warmed her coat, which made her think of Celestia's warm embrace. She sighed. The elder alicorn was stuck in Canterlot Castle, and Ganondorf was probably smiling at her misery by now. The wicked stallion would pay for his crimes.

"We should be at Horseshoe Bay by noon or an hour after twelve," Luna said.

"Will it lead you to the Dragon Lands?" Link replied.

"Yeah."

"I heard a commotion outside the tents last night."

"A group of rogue changelings and their leader, Chrysalis, decided to pay a visit. I told them to leave, and they did. They had followed us because they recognized my voice. Chrysalis claimed to work for Ganondorf."

Link stopped in his tracks. "Chrysalis does? I haven't heard of those creatures."

Luna took out her map. "They're from the Badlands. Also, they rebel against Thorax due to him replacing Chrysalis."

During the rest of their journey to Horseshoe Bay, they discussed the recent events. Above them, a cloud of smoke wafted through the air. Judging by its direction, Luna could tell that it came from the Dragon Lands. What were the dragons dealing with? And what was responsible for the smoke?

The Volcano

After Luna and Link arrived at Horseshoe Bay, they boarded a ship. The boat began floating to the middle of the sea. Ocean waves splashed the bottom of the boat. A gust of wind penetrated the sails, propelling the ship forward. The whiff of the ocean air mingled with the acrid stench, creating a discordant scent. Luna rarely visited the Dragon Lands, except for when she and her sister were much younger. As she gazed at the trail of smoke, a story about a snoring dragon came to mind. What lurked inside the volcano?

Could it be a dragon that was influenced by Ganondorf's magic? Luna observed the water. If the duo had battled monsters on land, there was a chance they had to fight the water-based ones. She placed the map onto a table, then sat by the railing. Discord might have suggested taking a compass, but the royal sisters knew Equestria like the back of their hooves. She took out a quill and a bottle of ink. Lowering the quill to the map, she made a curved line. It could take several days to a week to reach the Dragon Lands.

Luna's thoughts shifted to the faction of rogue changelings and their leader, Chrysalis. Did Chrysalis convince the defiant ones to leave the Changeling Kingdom? What would the former ruler do if she couldn't find Luna in Los Pegasus? Would they return to the river? Those ponies weren't above ambushing others and kidnapping them. The first time was during Cadence's wedding; the second time happened a few years later. Therefore, the confrontation from last night was a close call.

A flock of seagulls hovered above the water. As the ship approached the flock, a squid-like beast with multiple yellow eyes emerged from the water. The whirlpool pulled the ship closer. Link levitated his bow, then shot an arrow at its eyes. Once he finished shooting arrows, the beast sank underwater. He steered the vessel in the direction of the smoke. Ganondorf must have been insane enough to summon the monsters from Hyrule into this pastel-colored world.

"That horrifying creature could have capsized the boat," Luna pointed out. "Imagine encountering one during a storm."

"I think Ganondorf invited a variety of monsters into Equestria. They should be gone once he is sealed," Link replied.

"Have you ever been scared?"

"Not often, to be honest. I did get worried about the children in my village when a bunch of bulblins kidnapped them. I felt the same way when I dueled with their leader on a bridge."

Luna peered at the horizon. "I have my share of fears. Losing Equestria is one of them. After my reformation, I was afraid of losing control and reverting to the dark side. However, my dear friends assuaged my doubts. Celestia was there for me... and still is. She expressed her guilt over not paying attention prior to my banishment."

"We may not know each other very well, but I can tell that you have a kind heart. No one's perfect."

Luna nodded as she turned her attention to the map. They weren't close friends, yet they shared the same goal, which was to save Equestria. Dark clouds gathered in the sky, obscuring the sunlight. Her eyes scanned the sea. There was no huge squid lurking in the vicinity. Yet the duo could never be too careful. Concerning her vision, would Link be the only pony to fight Ganondorf in the final battle? The Element bearers weren't in the vision. Unless she was overlooking an important detail... Then, she realized something. Twilight's group might not assist Link. Maybe they could give him some of their power, though.

Meanwhile, in Canterlot Castle, Ganondorf lounged upon the throne. The palace had undergone a sinister renovation, meaning the pristine white walls were replaced with dark stone walls. Many lights were exchanged for ominous torches. Darknuts guarded every entrance and exit. The guards who used to defend the castle now cowered in fear. Their leader, who happened to be a white alicorn, didn't shrink back in fright. Yet Celestia didn't raise a hoof. He was reminded of Princess Zelda. Perhaps a little too much like her...

The alicorn in question entered the throne room. "Why did you send Chrysalis and her minions after my sister?"

"Since you refused to tell me where your little sister is, I assumed Chrysalis would spill the beans," Ganondorf replied.

"Twilight and her friends will save Equestria. Whoever the stallion is-"

"It's Link. I bet he is helping a certain mare." Ganondorf's face contorted in disgust. "He's a nuisance. It wasn't the first time he had transformed into an animal."

"What creature was he, originally?"

"A Hylian. Bipeds with pointy ears..." Ganondorf stepped toward the stained glass windows. "If my followers capture this 'Princess Luna,' I will strangle her if she admits to accompanying Link in his adventure."

Celestia clenched her jaw. For a calm and composed pony, she felt tempted to set Ganondorf on fire. "Your willingness to murder others has proven to me that you're a coward."

An amused laugh erupted from Ganondorf's throat. "How amusing. It is you who is the coward. You're not the first princess to surrender when given no choice. Princess Zelda once surrendered to Zant and had to wait for her hero to save Hyrule. You're in the same situation."

"You're not the first villain to threaten Equestria. We faced Nightmare Moon, Discord, Sombra, Chrysalis, and Tirek."

"Sure. The first two chose to be goody-two-shoes." A menacing scowl widened across Ganondorf's muzzle. "Seeing as I have the Triforce of Power, you have no idea what I'm capable of. My magic is as strong as it had always been. Regardless, Link defeated me in each of my incarnations. I'm never the victor. It all started with Hylia and Demise."

Celestia maintained eye contact. Was Ganondorf as strong as Tirek, or was he sturdier than the centaur? "I'll wait. It's not as if we had to fight."

"I'd rather lure all the so-called heroes here." Ganondorf levitated his blade. "By then, I'll crush them. Equestria shall be mine. Hyrule, too, if I successfully end Link's life." He pointed the tip of his sword at Celestia. "You won't have a kingdom anymore."

Celestia trotted into a corridor. She didn't know what was worse; being trapped inside one's own home, or being unable to defend Equestria. The fact that her sister and their closest friends were in danger didn't help matters at all. She navigated the hallways, muttering to herself while she cantered. Darknuts and lizalfos stared at her as though she was crazy. She stared back at them, and they didn't seem bothered by her silent response. Did they expect her to disappear from the castle? Several minutes dragged on, and she reached her bedroom door. It had a curved golden handle on it. An arch of the same color clashed with the dark walls.

To Celestia, the contrast symbolized the current state of her kingdom. Despite the impending doom, there was hope. Her mouth curved into a sad smile. An idea bloomed in her mind. Because the magical barrier was thick enough to prevent the large telescope from detecting distant objects, she could use a spell to see what was happening. She stepped into her room. A golden glow enveloped her slender horn. The door closed behind her.

A mirror sat atop the alabaster vanity. Unfinished papers cluttered the desk. A pile of books lingered on the bed, waiting to be read. Celestia's magic surged into the mirror. She settled on the pink cushion. At first, the mirror showed a ship floating across the sea. Her sister was probably traveling to the Dragon Lands by now. The mirror showed a couple more scenes. She discovered that Fluttershy had been freed, and that Starlight had gone to the Crystal Empire. What she noticed in the last scene disturbed her. She canceled the spell and blinked rapidly. Her hoof flew to her mouth.

Another villain had returned? It couldn't get any worse, right?

A week whizzed by. Luna parked the ship and led Link to the Dragon Lands. A group of monstrous lizards with green scales aimed toward the duo. The huge lizards inhaled, then proceeded to expel fire at Link. Luna quickly summoned a magical shield. The flames vanished, and she unleashed a kinetic blast at the lizards. To her surprise, the magical beam bounced off their hides. As the lizards opened their mouths, Link tossed a bomb into each one.

"The scales on dodongos serve as protection from any attack," Link explained. "They can explode if they swallow bombs."

"So that's why my magic doesn't work on them," Luna replied.

Luna glimpsed a towering volcano in the distance. A ring of smoke hung above the volcano. She ascended a rocky hill. Were the dragons aware of the curse that Ganondorf had placed upon the volcano? Which Element bearer was being held in there? Those questions prompted her to trot faster. A cluster of dragons blocked the duo. Half of them appeared to be aggressive. Should she risk endangering herself by revealing her identity? Link jumped in front of Luna and widened his stance.

"I'm here to speak with the Dragon Lord," Luna said.

"Why is your little friend challenging us to a fight?" The red dragon replied.

"Maybe because you have negative attitudes about ponies. I'm sure if you choose to not be hostile, Link will not attack you. If you don't listen, you'll find yourself on the receiving end of a shouting alicorn princess."

"Fine. You can talk to Ember."

As if on cue, a blue dragon descended to the ground. "What brings you here?"

Luna glanced at the volcano. "Link and I saw a trail of smoke. We're here to investigate."

Ember shrugged. "I suppose our current situation is concerning. The other night, monsters spawned in the volcano and forced the dragons to leave it alone. A door to a large room had been sealed. The cavern can be perilous. I think the monsters are responsible for the smoke. I'll make sure the dragons don't hinder you from taking a look."

The dragons flew into the sky. Luna and Link continued onward, searching for an entrance to the cavern. They meandered for an hour, and when they found the entrance, fiery rocks plummeted to the ground. She formed a magical barrier that surrounded the duo. Was it why the dragons avoided the volcano? Several rocks exploded. Whatever lurked in the cavern probably had a temper. She guided Link into the cavern. The interior contained an abundance of doors and arches.

Stone bridges stretched from platform to platform. A swarm of bats encased in flames charged at the duo. Luna unleashed a cooling spell. Her aura doused the flames. Link swung his sword at the bats. Then, a red slug crawled along the stone floor. A flame emerged from its back. Link pulled a hammer from his saddlebag and slammed it against the ground, flipping the slug over. He slashed it, and the creature crumbled into a pile of ashes.

The duo walked down a few bridges and navigated a corridor. Soon, they found themselves in a room with a platform in the center. A ring of lava encircled the platform. A barricaded door stood by the opposite side of the room. Two bipedal creatures unsheathed their swords.

"More reptiles?" Luna asked.

"They're lizalfos," Link said.

The lizalfos on the left leaped forward. Link jumped onto the platform and swung his blade. His sword clashed against the shield. He sidestepped an attack and sliced the lizalfos. Then, the other lizalfos rammed into him, and he fell to his side. He rose to his height and dodged the incoming blows. Luna shot a powerful beam at both lizalfos. Upon impact, the two lizalfos stumbled backward. Link performed the final blow.

As a result, the door was no longer barricaded. Luna and Link galloped to the door and entered a smaller room. Each wall had a door. Of the three doors, one was locked. A treasure chest idled in the corner. Bipedal skeletons aimed at Link, but he blocked them with his shield. He parried their blades, then leaped behind them and stabbed their backs. Before he could finish them off, they whirled around and held up their shields. He bashed them and proceeded to perform the helm splitter.

Luna let loose a deadly spell at the skeletons, causing them to shatter. Link opened the treasure chest and grabbed a key. He unlocked the door, revealing a coil of stairs. The duo descended the stairs into a darkened chamber. Torches were the only sources of light. A chest lingered. He unsealed the chest and retrieved a map.

After a while of exploring the volcano, Luna and Link meandered into the final floor. She spied a huge key, and as she levitated it, floormasters raced toward her. Link hacked the floormasters into pieces. Much to the duo's annoyance, more floormasters spawned. He continued battling them. Luna carried the key to a large door. She moved the key into the lock. The door sank through the floor.

As soon as Luna and Link stepped into a passageway, they were greeted by the churning smoke. The staircase spiraled upward, leading them into a lava-filled basement. The heat penetrated the air. There was a stone stage in the center of the den. A snake-like dragon hovered several inches off the ground.

"Wasn't Volvagia imprisoned somewhere in Death Mountain?" Link asked. "Unless Ganondorf had placed him here to torment the dragons..."

"Death Mountain?" Luna replied.

"It's a volcanic mountain in Hyrule. In case you're wondering, it's not a dangerous region."

"The name makes it sound perilous, though."

Volvagia surged into one of the holes. Link took out his hammer and waited for the dragon to emerge. Sure enough, the dragon materialized behind him. He pounded Volvagia's snout, then slashed its skull. Volvagia slipped into the lava and climbed through another hole, looming over the duo. Rocks pummeled the ground. Link ducked the rocks and shot an arrow at Volvagia's body. The dragon plummeted in front of him. He sliced Volvagia multiple times, yet the beast refused to give up.

Luna carefully walked over to a small prison cell. Peeking inside, she scanned the cell. A familiar mare returned her gaze. How did Pinkie Pie survive in here? Pinkie's eyes widened. The dragon roared as it approached Luna. Her horn glowed, and as she prepared to cast a spell, Link unleashed another arrow at Volvagia. Luna released Pinkie from the cell. She stood in front of Pinkie in case the beast decided to attack.

"Luna, how did Ganondorf not find you?" Pinkie asked.

"We'll talk later," Luna replied.

Link thrust his sword into Volvagia's neck, and the dragon bellowed in agony. He twirled his blade before sheathing it. The dragon was no more. Luna led Pinkie toward Link. Now it was the time to have a conversation, albeit a brief discussion, as they wanted to leave the cavern.

"What was it you said about talking later?" Pinkie inquired, grinning.

"Pinkie Pie, meet Link. He's helping me save Equestria," Luna explained. "We rescued Fluttershy a week ago. I'll inform Ember of Volvagia's defeat."

"Nice to meet you, Link." Pinkie turned her attention to Luna. "Is anypony else okay?"

Luna nodded. "At this moment, I'm not certain. I hope Ponyville is safe, considering..."

Oceanic Odyssey

Luna guided Link and Pinkie to the ship. They hadn't encountered falling rocks or a cloud of smoke. It was as if an evil presence had left the Dragon Lands. And Ganondorf was the one who put Volvagia inside the volcano. Her ears detected the unmistakable flap of dragon wings, and she turned around. Ember must have intended to speak to her. Why else would the Dragon Lord follow her?

"Thank you for destroying the monsters inside the volcano," Ember said.

"You're welcome," Luna replied. "Link assisted me. We didn't know that Pinkie Pie was in the huge chamber. I guess Ganondorf must have put her in there."

"Whoever Ganondorf was, I bet he could be responsible. If I ever meet him, he'll pay for what he had done."

"My friends and I are going back to Ponyville. Next time you need us, you can always visit."

"I think we're good. Farewell. And tell Spike I said hi."

Luna grinned as she boarded the ship. The vessel drifted toward the center of the sea. A cool breeze rippled through the sail, propelling the ship forward. The outside temperature was a stark contrast to the cavern's blistering heat. She placed her saddlebags next to the table. Pinkie Pie leaned against the railing. The pink mare would stay with Fluttershy and Discord until the other Element bearers were rescued. By then, they would take on Ganondorf. Was Chrysalis planning to help Ganondorf in the final battle, though?

"I just had a thought," Pinkie said.

"What is it?" Luna asked.

"When all this is over, I'll throw a huge party in Ponyville. Many ponies will be invited, including your new friend."

"You've always been the kind of mare to see the light at the end of a tunnel. It's good to have some hope, even if the future appears bleak."

"True. What are Starlight and Trixie up to?"

"They visited the Crystal Empire. Somepony had stolen the Crystal Heart."

Pinkie tilted her head. "Could it be Sombra?"

"I'm not sure. Still, it's likely that Sombra is a possible culprit. But it could be anypony, especially Ganondorf. As far as I know, he might be responsible for the disappearance of the Crystal Heart. If he did revive Sombra, it means he would be as capable of bringing back Tirek."

"Goodness, I hope not. Tirek was dangerous and cruel."

"Indeed he is. I wouldn't want to end up in Tartarus again. It's creepy down there." Luna shuddered at the memory. "It didn't help that Celestia and I didn't have magic back then."

"So, the cloak you're wearing... was it supposed to be a disguise?"

Luna nodded. "I guess. Discord gave it to me."

"Had anypony seen past your disguise? Somepony may recognize you."

Luna's mind transported to the swift meeting with Chrysalis. Well, Chrysalis had initiated the conversation by leading the rogue changelings to her. If she had slipped up instead, she wouldn't be here by now. Besides, Chrysalis was working for Ganondorf. What if Ganondorf had discovered the other villains? If it was the case, it could spell doom for Equestria. A legion of powerful threats working together might cause nationwide destruction. However, as long as the heroes were around, they would foil the plans of the wicked.

"Chrysalis almost did," Luna said at last. "The rebellious changelings preferred her over Thorax."

"Chrysalis?" Pinkie asked.

"Yes. Her minions had followed me to the river." Luna told the rest of the story to Pinkie. In response to the tale, the pink mare's eyes widened.

"So, basically, Chrysalis accepted her defeat? There's no struggle? It's not every day that an actual pony tricks a real changeling. Wouldn't they return if they don't find you in Los Pegasus? I bet Chrysalis will want revenge. I mean, she took us to the Changeling hive one time. Who knows what she's plotting?"

"Chrysalis' desire to have revenge is probably the reason she gravitates toward Ganondorf," Luna said.

Link decided to chime in. "Chrysalis isn't the first bad guy to join forces with him. Zant betrayed Midna by accepting Ganondorf's offer. He wasn't content with not ruling the Twilight Realm."

Pinkie gave Link a confused stare. "Twilight what?"

Luna cleared her throat. "Pinkie, the Twilight Realm is a kingdom in Link's world. He wasn't referring to Twilight Sparkle."

"Oh! Okay..." Pinkie shrugged. "I got puzzled for a second."

"I was perplexed, too, when Link told me of the realm. They share the same name."

Pinkie giggled. "Wait until Twilight Sparkle hears this."

For the rest of the day, the trio chatted. Luna didn't think she would develop a friendship with a pony from another world. Yet she befriended Link. To be fair, anypony who cared about Equestria would be willing to help save the land. There was one factor to consider, which was Link's relationships with Zelda and Midna. She could be wrong, but he might be dating either Midna or Zelda. Due to current events, she wasn't looking for romance. Equestria had to be safe first before she could pursue a relationship.

Sunlight illuminated Equestria by the time the trio arrived at Twilight's castle. They strode through the front door, and as soon as they cantered into the council room, Fluttershy welcomed Pinkie Pie into an embrace. Discord and Spike joined in. Luna stood by the exit, guarding the door. A strange inkling niggled at her mind, and she scanned the area. She couldn't shake off the sense that something happened to Starlight Glimmer and Trixie.

"Had Starlight sent a letter?" Luna asked, and the room grew quiet. "Should I be worried?"

"She hasn't said a single word," Spike replied.

Fluttershy furrowed her brows. "I hope she and Trixie are alright."

Discord approached the window. "Usually, I make jokes. Even the Lord of Chaos has to acknowledge the seriousness of the current situation."

Luna stepped forward. "I assumed Starlight would have informed you about the Crystal Empire by now."

"Anyways, since Ganondorf blocked me from entering Canterlot, I'm now unaware of his future plans. At least Celestia's alive. She's still a damsel in distress."

Luna rolled her eyes. "It doesn't make her useless. She tries to protect Equestria, and isn't easily frightened. You told me you would be serious. Or do you prefer to add humor to our discussion?"

"It depends on my mood. Oh, and the ocean has problems, just like the volcano."

"The sea does have monsters," Luna said. "Link and I saw a huge squid on the way to the Dragon Lands."

"Have you ever gone underwater?" Discord asked.

Luna wasn't thrilled at the prospect of meeting a dangerous underwater creature, especially a shark. "Do we need to? How much do you really know about Equestria's oceans?"

"Keep in mind that we have lived for a long time, Lulu. Our magic causes us to age slower. I've seen underwater temples."

Luna listened as Discord spoke. Of all the places she and her sister visited in their youth, they didn't explore such a temple. Since Discord could defy logic, it would make sense for him to go underwater without requiring a scuba mask. As he mentioned the puzzles and traps that lurked in the temple, her ears went up. He even revealed the location. She figured the temple would be more complicated than the first two. Once the conversation was over, she trotted outside, and Link followed her. Which Element bearer would they rescue next? They proceeded onward, and for a moment, she considered teleporting them to the ship. She knew they had to save Equestria, and they couldn't waste time merely traipsing around. Or was it her impatience speaking to her? She peered at Link.

"If we don't hear from Starlight Glimmer or Trixie for another week, we'll travel to the Frozen North," Luna said.

"Maybe they're in trouble," Link replied.

"We'll find out in the near future. They might have been trying to solve an obstacle other than the Crystal Heart's disappearance. It is the only thing that keeps the empire from falling. Somehow, I think an ancient enemy has stolen it."

"It would be like Ganondorf stealing two more pieces of the Triforce. Well, I already told you what would happen if he usurps Princess Zelda."

As they cantered through Ponyville, Luna's gaze drifted to the train station. The train was in town, yet Starlight Glimmer and Trixie hadn't arrived. She strolled toward the station. A cluster of ponies dismounted the train, while others entered the caravan. A stallion, whose cutie mark was a train track, stood by the entrance. She stopped a random mare. The mare's eyes narrowed.

"Do you know where Starlight Glimmer and Trixie are? They visited the Crystal Empire, and they haven't sent a letter to Spike," Luna said.

"I'm in the middle of an important errand," the mare replied. "I was there last week, though."

"Did you see them?"

"They were racing to the castle. It was the only time I've seen them." The mare tapped her hoof impatiently. "I'm going to be late."

"I didn't mean to bother you. I'm worried about Starlight and Trixie."

"Oh. Makes sense. I'll go."

The mare galloped into the horizon. Luna and Link began walking to the Rambling Rock Ridge. The memory of the confrontation surfaced in her mind. Her horn glowed, and an aura enveloped the duo. It wasn't unusual for a villain to want revenge after being defeated. Also, Chrysalis wouldn't take kindly to being outsmarted. Luna imagined herself standing by the water in Horseshoe Bay. Sure enough, the spell transported the duo to Horseshoe Bay.

It was the second time the duo borrowed the ship. The boat cut through the sea, cruising past the islands. Four hours whizzed by, and Luna was already scrutinizing the map. She drew an 'x' over a specific area, where the underwater temple was located. She estimated that it would take a few days to reach their destination. The ocean was vast, and no matter how beautiful it was on a clear day or a starlit night, it concealed many dangers. Whether the peril manifested itself as a storm, a vicious beast, or simply getting lost, the ocean was the source of myths and fables surrounding the sea. After Ganondorf had cursed Equestria, the ocean was more perilous than it already was.

Link's bow and saddlebags sat by the helm. As he steered the ship in a certain direction, a thick fog blanketed the water. He squinted his eyes. An unnatural silence infused the air. Luna performed a spell on the fog, yet it didn't work. The haze darkened from ghostly white to smoky purple. It wasn't a normal weather phenomenon. She focused her magic on creating several orbs of light, then enchanted them so they would have a cleansing effect on the haze. The orbs floated to various parts of the ship, causing the smoke to form a wide circle.

"It reminds me of the fog I had seen back in Hyrule," Link said.

"It does?" Luna asked.

"Yes. Faron Woods."

"Is Faron Woods anything like the Everfree Forest?"

"If you count the monsters and the temple, then yes."

Luna inched toward the front of the ship, surveying the distance. The churning smog attempted to approach the vessel from time to time. Still, the orbs kept the mist at bay. She yanked a compass from her saddlebags. According to the compass, the duo wasn't going in the wrong direction. But it was possible to wind up getting lost, and she didn't want that to happen. Not when Equestria's fate hung in the balance.

"I don't get why the Triforce of Power would choose Ganondorf," Link said.

"Me, either. The desire for power can corrupt a pony," Luna replied.

"Or a person. Whenever he breaks free, he tries to destroy Hyrule. This usually prompts a courageous hero to save the kingdom and defend the royal family."

"And you're the hero."

"Of course I am. On occasion, we heroes save other lands, such as Termina and the Twilight Realm."

"Does Termina have its own ruler?"

Link levitated a telescope from his saddlebags. "No. The people in Termina are quite independent."

A dark silhouette materialized, advancing toward the duo. A silver-blue aura lit Luna's horn, and she intently watched the silhouette. It turned out to be a ship. Unlike her boat, the large vessel had a gargoyle statue on the front. The cannons pointed at the boat. Link accompanied her while observing the dark vessel. A horde of bipedal monsters shot arrows at the duo. Some of them boarded the smaller ship, brandishing leather clubs and curved blades.

"They better not capsize our boat," Link said as he fought the monsters. "I bet Ganondorf told them to ambush us."

Suddenly, an all-out battle commenced. The stallion's sword clashed with countless weapons. Luna struck the beasts left and right, never once stopping to take a break. She shot kinetic blasts, kicked their jaws, and shoved them into the murky water. Link unleashed arrows at the ones that didn't board this vessel. The remaining enemies launched cannonballs at the duo. Luna summoned a magical shield. The cannonballs bounced off the barrier, plunging into the ocean. The waves slapped the sides of the boat. The enemy's vessel receded into the fog.

Ganondorf scowled at his crystal ball, taking in the scene. The hero had succeeded again. Why weren't his minions quick to capsize the vessel? Who was the cloaked mare assisting the blasted wielder of Courage? He placed the crystal ball onto a pedestal, muttering to himself. If the mare was indeed the younger sister of Celestia, it meant trouble. Did Midna not help Link to defend Hyrule? And now, it was possible that another princess could be helping the Hylian knight. Perhaps it would make more sense to let the younger princess wander around for a bit before coming here. Hoofsteps echoed off the walls, interrupting his contemplation.

"We searched Los Pegasus," Chrysalis announced.

"It doesn't matter. We have a change of plans," Ganondorf replied.

Chrysalis bowed her head. "Sure, why not? I commanded my allies to spread out."

An idea formed in Ganondorf's brain. "You have the ability to disguise yourselves, correct?"

"Yes. Are you giving me an order?"

"Listen closely, Chrysalis. I want you to visit the Crystal Empire and disguise yourself as Celestia. Deceive their ruler into surrendering the throne to me."

Chrysalis wore a sadistic grin. "Sounds perfect. I won't disappoint you." Green flames spun around her, and she transformed into the sun princess.

The real Celestia stormed into the throne room, but Chrysalis fled the castle before a confrontation could start. "Ganondorf... I heard everything. How dare you? Now Cadence will no longer have a kingdom. You just made it worse for the empire."

Ganondorf threw his head back, cackling through clenched teeth. "Do you expect me to care? I can't lose to the hero of Hyrule!" He composed himself and maintained eye contact. "Soon, you pitiful ponies shall meet your doom!"

Celestia grimaced. "Have you lost your marbles? You won't get away with it!"

"I will. And you'll cower in fear. I know, because Princess Zelda and her incarnations are afraid of me."

Celestia bit her bottom lip and meandered to her room. Did Ganondorf assume she was frightened of him? He was wrong. She didn't want him to win. If he did, Equestria was toast. And the fact that Chrysalis agreed to his orders? Shaking her head, she plopped onto her bed. She might as well wear black, as she was concerned for Equestria's future. If her former student hadn't arrived, the six mares would be assisting the stallion instead.

Would Luna find the other Element bearers before it was too late?

Water Temple

The ship arrived in the western ocean. As Luna scrutinized the water, she rolled the map and stashed it into her saddlebag. It hadn't been easy to navigate the fog, and there were moments when a storm would threaten to overcome the boat. She peeked at Link, who currently wore a blue tunic and a matching hat. Was the purpose of the tunic to help him breathe underwater? She cast a spell on herself. The spell would enable her to breathe underwater. Link dove into the water, and Luna followed. The duo descended to the seabed. Stone columns lined the path to a yawning arch. A swarm of skeletal fishes circled them. Link slashed the skeletal fishes, and as he sheathed his sword, a seapony swam to the mouth of the temple.

"Are you land dwellers?" The seapony asked.

"Yes. Why?" Luna replied.

"My friends decided to investigate the darkness inside the temple. I didn't want them to go, as they could get hurt. It's been more than a week. If you're going to explore this place, can you rescue my friends?"

"We'll do it."

The seapony smiled. "Thank you. I'll be waiting. You must be careful. The dark inhabitants can be ferocious."

The duo nodded, and they proceeded into the temple. A tunnel guided them upward. Monstrous clams and electric jellyfishes floated along the walls. The clams snapped at the duo, while the jellyfishes moved closer. This must be what the seapony meant by ferocious. Above them, an exit beckoned them. They swam to the surface, and Luna's gaze wandered over the ancient architecture. It could be a thousand years old. Like a true temple, the building contained huge staircases and timeworn carvings, not to mention sealed doors and elongated passageways. The ceilings loomed over the floor by two hundred feet. A four-legged arachnid with a red slitted eye hopped across the water. Link sliced the arachnid's eye, and the creature jumped back. He unleashed an arrow at the arachnid, finishing it off.

"This place might have tektites, lizalfos, skullfishes, baris, and shell blades. It's similar to the Lakebed Temple from my world," Link said.

"Interesting, yet perilous. It was probably around for a millennium, but my sister and I never came here," Luna replied.

"Somehow I knew the two of you weren't for temple exploration."

"Back in the day, Celestia and I preferred to face the most dangerous threats as soon as they revealed themselves. We once wielded the Elements of Harmony until I gave in to my dark side. Now, let's focus on freeing the seapony's friends and rescuing another Element bearer."

Luna and Link ascended the stairs to an inner balcony. A stone bridge spanned from one side to the other. Levers and stalactites hung from the ceiling. They continued onward, searching the balcony for clues. A treasure chest idled at one end of the platform. Link opened the chest, exposing a map of the dungeon. The map had specific markings in various rooms, indicating the locations of the seapony's companions. How did the seaponies wind up locked in this dungeon? Had Ganondorf or his minions imprisoned them? As Luna had guessed, no one was safe from Ganondorf's tyranny. The cruel stallion's ultimate goal was to oppress every kingdom. In a way, Ganondorf reminded her of Sombra. Both villains were thirsty for power and would do anything to usurp a righteous monarch.

Shaking her introspection aside, Luna cantered to a door by the opposite end of the balcony. It was locked. She led Link across the bridge, their hoofsteps echoing as they walked. A door lingered in the center of the platform, and they approached it. The door slid into the arch, unveiling a square room. The duo stepped into the chamber. A shadow lurked in the upper-left corner. Luna squinted her eyes. Could it be a seapony posing as a hippogriff? Behind them, steel bars blocked the door. Whoever resided in here clearly meant business. Link unsheathed his sword, which seemed to prompt the shadow to advance. As it turned out, the shadow was his doppelganger. The doppelganger glowered at him.

"We meet again, Link. It's unfortunate that we're ponies instead of Hylians," the doppelganger said.

"And what's wrong with that? I've been an animal before. A wolf, to be exact," Link replied.

"I'm you. A manifestation of your dark side. Even as a wolf, you have negative emotions."

"We're not the same person... or pony."

"Heh. I don't suppose you're afraid to reveal this side to the women in your life, right? The pretty lady behind you discovered the truth."

"Well, guess what? Despite looking the same, we won't join forces. You're insane if you think so."

Link swung his blade at the evil clone, parrying the blows and blocking attacks. Their swords clanged as they struggled against each other. The clone ducked a strike and rolled around him, then sliced his back. He whirled about and bashed his shield into the shadow's face, giving himself a small window of time. Then, he delivered a flurry of jabs and prepared the final blow, albeit a little too soon. The doppelganger blocked the incoming slashes and lunged at him. Their swords connected, and their glares met.

"You're as formidable as ever," the clone jeered. "Anyone can see that, so-called hero."

"Whatever you say," Link replied, and their blades clanged.

The blades emitted white sparks as Link pushed against the impostor. The battle lasted for several minutes. Once the clone fell onto its back, he plunged the blade into its chest. His dark counterpart hollered in agony before vanishing into thin air. At the same time, the steel bars disappeared. He studied the map, then continued across the room. The next entryway guided the stallion and the alicorn down a spiraling staircase.

They found themselves in a sloped room. An underwater cage stood in the right corner, holding a seapony captive. A cluster of tektites leaped forward. One by one, Link stabbed the tektites. He widened his stance and performed a spin attack, flinging them in various directions. When all the tektites were gone, a key dropped from the ceiling. Luna gathered the key and unlocked the cage.

"You can go back to Seaquestria," Luna said.

"Thanks. Those spiders were getting on my nerves. Also, my name is Coral," the seapony replied.

"Be careful when leaving the temple."

Coral jumped into the air and transformed into a hippogriff. "I'm going home. My family's probably worried sick by now. More than seven days ago, Aqua, Pearl, and I attempted to explore the temple. Some hideous bipeds captured us."

The hippogriff fled the room. Luna spied an arch that would lead into a hallway. She trotted to the hallway, and Link trailed behind her. The hallway resembled an intersection. A lizalfos charged at them. Link dodged the creature's blade and swiveled his own at the lizalfos' skull. The impact sent the lizalfos tumbling backward. The biped dropped its weapons and let out an annoyed growl. Link sprung at the lizalfos, allowing his sword to pierce the monster.

Luna surveyed the corridor, wondering where to go next. She unfurled the map and stroked her chin. The three doors would lead to either a second basement, another room, or the main chamber, respectively. She chose the door that would take the duo to the adjacent room. They strode to the nearby room. Sure enough, she detected a makeshift cell. A small box lingered by the door, beckoning Luna to it. She unsealed the box and retrieved a key. As she peered at another entryway, winged skulls encased in blue flames hovered by the cell. Link shoved an armos statue onto a floor switch, and the cell door swung open. A hippogriff emerged.

"I'll meet up with Meri and Coral," the hippogriff said. "I'm Aqua."

"Is Meri the seapony who didn't want you to come here?" Luna asked.

"Yes. Did you meet her?"

"Of course. She's waiting for you."

"I've been here long enough. It's as perilous as I imagined it to be."

Aqua left in a hurry. Luna and Link moved through the adjoining passages and vaults. At times, the monsters would ambush them. But they didn't find a seapony named Pearl yet. Was the seapony stuck on the final floor? The duo returned to the main chamber, where they had crossed the bridge. Who knew that an archaic building would contain ancient technology? It had levers and traps in each den. The dungeon reminded Luna of a complex maze. Her silver-blue aura enveloped a lever, and she yanked it. The bridge spun around. She and Link ambled to the opposite platform and unlocked a door.

They descended into a third basement, navigating the area. White flames burned above the torches. A hallway stretched before them. They trotted into a contiguous room. Shell blades and baris idled in the vicinity. The monsters appeared to be guarding a cell. The baris floated toward the duo. Shell blades bounced closer. Link retrieved a hookshot from his saddlebag and aimed the metal claw at a bari. The metal claw ripped a nucleus out of the bari's body, instantly defeating the beast. He attacked the other baris with the same method; grab the nucleus and vanquish the creature.

Luna fired several kinetic blasts at the shell blades, and they dissolved into clouds of smoke. The steel bars receded, and a hippogriff walked to the exit. The hippogriff's name must be Pearl. She peeked at the map again. The boss was located on the opposite side of the basement.

"When we came here, I expected the temple to be completely underwater. Somepony must have intended to strike a balance," Luna said.

"The Lakebed Temple's interior isn't completely underwater, either," Link replied.

"Speaking of temples, I think the seaponies wanted to confront the monsters in this place. According to Seaquestrians, the temple is meant for honoring the water spirits. It's uncommon to encounter a water spirit. The legends made them sound important. Sometimes if Seaquestria is in danger, the inhabitants will wonder if they have provoked the spirits. However, Ganondorf endangered the seaponies by cursing the ocean. The wicked doesn't care who gets harmed. I've seen villains take drastic measures to fulfill their sinister plans, such as threatening kingdoms and usurping rulers. Celestia and I have defeated the worst of foes."

"I bet you had quite the adventure in the distant past."

Luna guided Link through the adjacent corridors. "Yeah, we did. When Equestria was young, the land wasn't as safe. Grogar once created various monsters. Gusty the Great eventually banished him. The vicious beasts were why ponies used to fear the night. Even after my sister and I took the throne, the beasts still roamed the fields at night."

Link nodded as he listened. "It reminds me of when I navigate Hyrule Field after sundown. A ghostly voice added to the atmosphere."

Meanwhile, Chrysalis brought Cadence, Shining Armor, and Flurry Heart to Canterlot Castle. Ganondorf snickered at the family's reaction. The trio had been muzzled, and their magic was restricted. He told Chrysalis to imprison them, and she obeyed. Everything seemed to work in his favor... at least for now. The fog hadn't confused Link and the cloaked mare. He groaned in exasperation. Oh, that was probably because the "hero" had traipsed through the fog back in Faron Woods. Also, the mare's magic appeared to have an effect on the haze. The moment he lured her here, he would render her useless. Besides, she was too helpful. If she had stayed in the castle instead, she would be a prisoner.

"It's always that one female," Ganondorf complained.

Chrysalis cleared her throat. "Make it more than six. In my case, they stopped me twice. First, the Canterlot wedding. Second, the disappearance of Equestria's most beloved ponies. Unfortunately, I haven't captured Starlight or her 'reformed' allies."

"It sucks to have a plan, only for it to backfire. In my case, I've reincarnated several times and tried to take over Hyrule. But then, Princess Zelda would have a prophetic dream and tell her knight beforehand... or beforehoof, equinely speaking. I usually kidnapped her, as she's the weakest of us three. She barely even put up a fight each time. And she'd scream whenever it happened."

Chrysalis chuckled. "Sounds like Twilight Sparkle's panic attacks. I'll give you an impression of her."

Ganondorf smirked. "Go ahead."

"Watch..." Chrysalis transformed into Twilight Sparkle. "Oh no, if I don't save Equestria, we're all DOOMED! I'll fail Celestia!"

"Classic. Some ladies get scared so easily."

Chrysalis reverted to her changeling form. "So true. I recall Fluttershy being a shrinking violet."

Ganondorf stepped toward his pipe organ and began playing an eerie tune. This garnered Celestia's attention. The alabaster alicorn stormed past the throne and glared at him from behind. Would she criticize the music as much as Zelda did? He cackled at the notion. Both princesses were damsels who enjoyed acting feisty, no matter how frightened they were.

"Cancel the racket!" Celestia demanded.

"Why should I?" Ganondorf retorted.

"It's awful... just like your evil self."

"It's my theme."

"Fine."

Luna and Link reached a large chamber. A small pool of water drew them closer. She peered into the water and glimpsed a strange shape. She didn't have a good feeling about this, as the shape resembled a bari's nucleus. A transparent tentacle emerged, and she backpedaled. Water droplets plummeted to the floor. Link unsheathed his blade. The metal glinted, and he lunged forward.

"I knew it wasn't safe," Luna said.

Link aimed his hookshot at the nucleus and grabbed it. As it bounced on the floor, he hacked and stabbed the nucleus. It fell into the water. The tentacles swung at the duo. The tendril on the left wrapped around Luna as she attempted to use magic on the beast. It squeezed into her body, and she conjured a teleportation spell. Her hooves were on the ground again.

Link yanked the nucleus out of the tendril a second time. He thrust the sword into it and sprung into the air. He sliced the creature, and it stopped moving. Luna trotted to a cell, and the door opened, revealing Rarity. The white unicorn surveyed the area, then looked up at her. Rarity bowed. In response to this, Luna shook her head. There was no need to be formal, and this certainly wasn't the time.

"You're going to Ponyville," Luna said.

"That thing was dreadful. I can't wait to be home. Oh, and have you found the others?" Rarity replied.

"We rescued Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie."

"Are you referring to both yourself and the stallion?"

"Yes. Let's go to the ship."

Rarity nodded. "Good idea. Sweetie Belle's probably wondering where I am."

Sky Temple

When Luna and Link visited Ponyville, the town remained as silent as usual. She couldn't tell if the citizens were terrified of monsters or refusing to leave their homes. It could be both, as a horde of beasts attacked the town a few weeks ago. The duo, along with Rarity, entered Twilight's castle. The Cutie Mark Crusaders had been asking Discord, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie about the Element bearers. While Fluttershy and Pinkie were telling them that the others would come back, Discord mentioned Ganondorf's actions. Sweetie Belle turned, then froze. Her eyes met Rarity's. The younger unicorn raced into Rarity's embrace.

"What about Applejack?" Apple Bloom inquired.

"And Rainbow Dash?" Scootaloo added. "Whoever this Ganondorf is, I hope he gets what he deserves."

"He'll get it soon enough," Link said. "It won't last forever."

Rarity released Sweetie Belle from her hug. "Prior to Ganondorf taking over Equestria, I had planned to submit my latest creations to a fashion show. It wouldn't be the first time, though. My friends and I went on adventures before, putting my career on temporary hold. We have to put Equestria first, despite not ruling the land. There's always the next fashion show, so it's not much to complain about."

Sweetie Belle tilted her head. "Can I do it for you? I'll take pictures."

Rarity smiled. "Aww, darling. It's so sweet of you to offer some help, but I want you to stay safe. Equestria's still in serious danger."

"I'll take an adult. I'm not in elementary school anymore, remember?"

"Look, Sweetie Belle. There are monsters. Besides, Link and Luna will take care of the problem."

Sweetie Belle sighed. "I see. My friends and I will wait until Ganondorf is defeated."

Everypony gathered in the dining hall, where the silverware and plates had been arranged. On the center of the table stood a dark chocolate cake with buttercream frosting. The plate next to the cake contained vegetable sandwiches. Luna found herself staring at the cake. Last time she had a delicious dessert, it was when she ate dinner with Celestia in Canterlot Castle. Everypony occupied the seats. She gazed at the window. Starlight and Trixie could have been here. A frightening thought flashed into her mind. At first, she dismissed it. Yet it became clear. She was unaware of her friends staring at her until one of them spoke.

"Luna, are you okay? You zoned out," Link said.

"Of course," Luna replied. "It's just that I have an inkling."

Discord snapped his talons and summoned a white potion. "Twilight Sparkle used this. It made her see into the past. I adjusted it so you can observe what's happening to Starlight Glimmer and Trixie. Also, if you take a second sip, you'll gain insight as to what goes on inside the castle."

Luna eyed the potion skeptically. "Didn't this give her nightmares after the plunderseeds disappeared? I could witness something that might disturb me."

"Here, drink it." Discord placed the potion in front of Luna's plate. "Don't you want to know?"

Luna inhaled sharply, then exhaled. "Alright. Here goes." She levitated the flask to her mouth and ingested the concoction. She let out a gasp as a vision of the Crystal Empire flooded her mind. In the vision, Starlight and Trixie journeyed to the outskirts of the empire. Dark clouds engulfed the sky, obscuring the sun. A pair of ruby eyes gleamed ominously, and a chill stampeded down her spine. What was that? The scene fell away, replaced by the dining hall and her group of friends.

Luna panted as she attempted to compose herself. "He ambushed them."

"Is it Ganondorf?" Discord asked.

"No. A different enemy." Luna sipped the potion again, and another scene played out. "Tia?" She watched as the alabaster alicorn descended into the underground prison. A trio of silhouettes waited in a prison cell. Cadence? Shining Armor? Flurry Heart? Celestia approached the iron bars and proceeded to speak to the family. Flurry Heart was sniffling, while Cadence and Shining Armor tried to comfort the tiny alicorn.

Luna shook her head as the vision receded. "Ganondorf captured Cadence and her family."

"Can I visit the Crystal Empire? I'll search for Starlight and Trixie," Discord said.

"You may. However, if you side with a villain, Celestia and I won't trust you. Neither will Twilight and her friends."

"Oh, relax. I didn't join Chrysalis, so I won't assist this bad guy."

"You must keep your promise. I don't want things getting worse than they already are. Celestia is locked inside Canterlot Castle, and Cadence's family is imprisoned. Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Twilight Sparkle are still scattered somewhere else."

Discord nodded. "I'll keep my promise. Do you think Sombra is the one who ambushed Starlight and Trixie?"

Luna's aura gripped a sandwich and brought it to her plate. "It's a possibility. If Chrysalis and Sombra team up with Ganondorf, it could spell doom for Equestria."

"They did, in a sense."

"Except that Ganondorf and Sombra aren't aware of each other... yet." Luna drank her tea. "Say, aren't there some locations we can explore next?" She retrieved a map from her saddlebag, then unfurled it.

Discord grabbed the map. "For starters, there is a floating isle west of the White Tail Woods, above the undiscovered west. Unless you have wings, you can't access it. You can teleport to it, though." He conjured an illustration of the isle.

Luna scrutinized the illustration. "So, we go into the mountains to discover the isle?"

"Well, if you ascend a mountain, you'll see the isle a little better."

"Every spellcaster knows that to teleport to an unknown area, you must have an idea of what the destination looks like."

"Speaking of destinations, there is another temple in the San Palomino Desert. At one point, you'll have to investigate the Frozen North. After Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Twilight Sparkle are rescued, I'm thinking we all storm Canterlot Castle and stop Ganondorf. Since you're the princess, you'll lead the way."

Luna wore a determined grin. "It doesn't sound too far-fetched. We'll show him, and he'll regret it."

Discord crossed his mismatched arms. "That's the spirit. Despite being a damsel sometimes, you're a courageous warrior at heart."

Luna glanced at Link. "Let's travel to the floating isle. Equestria is waiting, and we must not tarry any longer."

The group ate in silence, and Luna collected a few sandwiches for the journey ahead. So far, they hadn't encountered Chrysalis and the rogue changelings. She guided Link outside. Gray clouds eclipsed the sky. Thunder boomed, and the rain poured onto the streets. Luna conjured a barrier around the duo as they galloped onward. Watery droplets bounced off the magical shield. They had a kingdom to save, and they weren't about to give up. Her horn glowed. An aura enveloped them, and they teleported to the White Tail Woods.

The duo had walked for an hour. A dirt path led them further into the undiscovered west. Eventually, they stepped off the dirt path and approached the mountains. Jagged mountain peaks rose above the dark clouds like tall shadows in a thick fog. The rain had moistened the ground. Clumps of dirt latched themselves onto Luna's hooves. Animals pattered through the underbrush. A breeze whistled along the slopes. She continued onward, and Link followed her. They turned a corner and ascended a towering hill. To their right, an isle hovered. Large stone towers stretched toward the heavens, their roofs resembling sharp spears. A group of purple bipeds lunged at the duo, wielding wooden swords. Link waved his blade at the monsters, then sliced them.

Luna tossed powerful blasts at the bipeds. A gigantic fruit-like plant with propeller leaves emerged from the ground, then swooped down at the duo. She glimpsed a tiny root beneath its base. Her horn emitted a kinetic spell, sending the beast backward. A thunderbolt zigzagged along the horizon, accompanied by an echoing clap. She analyzed the isle from a distance. It might be bigger than it looked. Closing her eyes, she poured her energy into her magic. The spell transported the duo to the isle.

A swarm of rogue changelings trailed behind a familiar silhouette. If it was Chrysalis, what was the former changeling queen doing here? The silhouette entered a tower. Did the swarm intend to populate the isle? Chrysalis wouldn't be above that. Luna and Link strolled through the main entrance. A chasm separated each platform. If a pony were to fall into the gap, that pony might plummet to the bottom of the mountain.

"If there is a loose tile, it means a tile worm is present. Also, keep on the lookout for dynalfos, helmasaurs, and kargaroks," Link said.

"Don't forget the rogue changelings," Luna replied as she scanned the area. "They can disguise themselves as anypony and anything. If necessary, I will cast a spell that allows us to see past the illusions."

"Sounds like the Lens of Truth."

"Is the Lens of Truth a Hylian artifact?"

"Yes. It can be used to perceive things that are not visible. Also, it shows fake walls and floors."

As soon as Luna performed the spell, she detected large worms hiding beneath specific tiles. The duo moved past the tile worms and jumped onto the nearest platform. A steel gate retreated into the arch. They stepped outside, and the wind blew the rain across the stone bridge. A dynalfos charged at them. Link pulled a shield from his saddlebag and levitated it. He bashed the shield against the dynalfos' chest, then leaped above the dynalfos and sliced its head in a vertical motion. After landing behind the dynalfos, he hacked and slashed the creature's back. The dynalfos fell into the abyss.

Luna and Link trotted onto the bridge and cantered toward a door. They found themselves in another room. This chamber had fans inside the walls. The fans emitted huge gusts of wind in various directions. Much like the other chamber, this one had yawning holes. A pair of changelings advanced forward, snarling. Luna pointed her horn at them as though it was a rapier. She volleyed a series of kinetic blasts at the changelings, and her enemies ducked each spell.

"Didn't we meet you before?" The male changeling asked.

"You were with Chrysalis?" Luna replied as she unfurled her wings. "Even in an unpopulated area, you're still a danger to Equestria."

"Did you realize that the great Chrysalis had to scour Los Pegasus for several days? She was close to going insane."

The female changeling glowered at Luna. "Meanwhile, Thorax the traitor is lounging on Chrysalis' throne. He usurped her in the name of friendship! I bet Starlight encouraged him. Where is she?"

Luna widened her stance. "You can't keep feeding on other ponies' love. If you and your leader wreak havoc in Equestria, there will be consequences."

Both changelings dived at the duo, and one of them rammed into Link. He swiftly got to his hooves and swung his sword at the aggressors. The insectoids unleashed their magic at him, but he deflected the blows using his shield. Just then, a horde of changelings, led by a larger insectoid, surrounded the duo in every direction. He prepared to spin his sword in a clockwise motion. Luna flapped her wings and ascended into the air, her horn brimming with magical energy.

"You have an alicorn princess with you?" The leader asked.

Link spun his blade and sliced through the insectoids. The changelings were sent skyrocketing outside. Luna slammed her magic against the creatures, finishing them off. The stallion and the alicorn battled the swarm, not missing a single changeling. Fifteen minutes later, the insectoids escaped the room. Luna and Link proceeded into the next room. A treasure chest idled in the upper left corner of the room. A helmasaur lunged at the duo. Link sidestepped the incoming blow, then stabbed the helmasaur's back. The spiked armor flew toward the wall and clattered against the floor.

Link opened the chest, revealing a map of the isle. Compared to the other temples, this dungeon didn't seem as complicated. Similarly to City in the Sky, all he did was avoid falling into the abyss. The duo strode into the adjacent room. A flight of stairs ascended the round walls. Parts of the stairs were missing. A chasm yawned in the center. Kargaroks loitered by the steps.

Luna led Link onto the stairs, and they began moving up the steps. The kargaroks screeched at them. She shot a kinetic spell at the winged beasts, while Link unleashed a flurry of arrows. They continued navigating the staircase. As they reached the top, a trapdoor opened above them. Soon, they meandered onto a roof. A tall silhouette lingered, and it was accompanied by a pack of smaller changelings.

"Look who's here," an all-too-familiar voice said.

"Chrysalis! Where is the hostage?" Luna replied.

"You mean the rainbow one, right? I trapped her in a cocoon so she wouldn't flee."

"You're desperate for revenge. If you don't change your ways, Celestia and I could send you to Tartarus. Starlight once offered you a hoof of friendship, and you rejected it."

Chrysalis' eyes gleamed eerily in the darkness. "You and your army of pastel-colored friends destroyed my hive! I'll have my minions reproduce more changelings, and we'll usurp Thorax!"

Luna narrowed her eyes. "The reformed changelings won't allow it. You don't gain love by draining others."

"You're going down."

"No. You are!"

Chrysalis let out an aggressive hiss as she crept forward. A sickly green aura encased her horn. Due to the lack of light, she resembled a demonic bug. She circled the duo as if contemplating her next move. Then, she advanced at Luna. Both mares took to the air, attacking each other. Their horns clashed, and they maintained eye contact. A silver-blue aura exploded from the tip of Luna's horn, and it crashed into Chrysalis' body.

Chrysalis descended to the roof. "You Equestrians sure are formidable. Well, except for your sister. I took her down. She's so weak."

"Tis a lie!" Luna's voice veered into the Royal Canterlot Voice. "Do not insult my sister, or you'll regret it!"

"We could battle all night in the middle of the rain. Or..." Chrysalis rose to her height. "I could find an unpopulated area to form my new hive."

"As an alternative, you and your cronies might wind up imprisoned."

Chrysalis beckoned her minions to the edge of the roof. "I'm not about to rot behind bars while your precious Starlight tries to offer that friendship nonsense!"

Luna summoned a spell. "You and your minions won't be able to harm anypony. Instead, you'll be sealed away." A bright flash penetrated the sky, and the changelings disappeared.

Luna and Link crossed the bridge and entered the neighboring tower. She spied a cocoon, then unsealed it. Rainbow Dash emerged from the cocoon. The changelings might be clever, yet the insectoids chose the wrong location. In this case, Chrysalis' subjects had decided to stay in the undiscovered west. Luna and her friends left the isle. Her next stop was the San Palomino Desert.

Desert Temple

Rainbow Dash had flown to Ponyville, while Luna and Link traveled to the San Palomino Desert. Two days after the duo visited the desert, the rain stopped pouring. The endless acres of sand stretched into the distance. Link was vaguely reminded of the Gerudo Desert back in Hyrule, as the San Palomino Desert wasn't populated. It wasn't as if the Arbiter's Grounds or the Spirit Temple could reappear in this place. On the horizon, the canyons pointed into the clear blue sky. Where would the temple be? The air brimmed with heat. At least the Princess of the Night was using a cooling spell. He glanced at Luna, and she wore a faint grin. When they had met each other, he thought she would be like Midna. Well, no two princesses had the same personality. Back then, he hadn't been happy at the prospect of Midna leaving Hyrule for good.

Link replayed the scene in his mind. He hadn't liked Midna at first, but they had become close friends over the course of their journey. He considered Zelda as just a friend. Midna, however, could have been his love interest. But as the princess of the Twilight Realm, Midna had her own responsibilities and her own life. And considering Princess Luna... she had a gentle personality, and was as courageous as Midna would be. It wasn't that Zelda didn't have courage. Zelda was more of a wise diplomat and ruler. Of course, comparing the princesses would be like comparing oranges to apples. However, would his friendship with Luna end on a similar note to the way Midna had departed?

A shuffling noise interrupted Link's thoughts. Leevers and moldorms charged at him, and he levitated his shield. He directed a flurry of slashes and jabs. Luna unleashed a powerful blast at the creatures, then retrieved a map from her saddlebag. The scorching wind rippled through her star-studded mane. When the duo had chatted with Discord about temples, the draconequus seemed to know where each dungeon was located. To be fair, Discord had been around for a long time. Was there any history between Luna and Discord?

"We're getting closer," Luna said. "I have a feeling we wouldn't find Twilight Sparkle here. For all we know, she could be in the Frozen North. The weather in the north can be deadly." She stashed the map into her saddlebag. "Remember when Discord and I discussed the Crystal Heart?"

"Yes. Why?" Link replied.

"I think Sombra has stolen the Crystal Heart after breaking free from his prison. He is cunning and dangerous. Before Celestia and I defeated him, he governed the Crystal Empire with an iron hoof. He was a cruel tyrant. Under his rule, nopony was happy. They were oppressed. When the wrong pony is in power, the nation can suffer. As long as the Elements of Harmony are around, Sombra will never win."

"You did vanquish Chrysalis without using the Elements, though. By the way, Sombra sounds harsh."

"Chrysalis won't escape her prison for a while." Luna walked ahead. "Sombra is indeed a wicked stallion."

They meandered past the vibrant desert blooms, navigating the area. Time whizzed by as they held a conversation and exchanged stories. Link found himself gazing at Luna. If she was a Hylian maiden, what would she look like? Would she be as tall as Midna, or the same height as Zelda? Luna's eyes met his, and he turned his attention to the jagged canyons. A small chortle bubbled from Luna's lips.

"It's not every day that a stallion stares at my visage," Luna said.

"I was deep in thought," Link replied.

"I saw you gawking at me."

Link glimpsed an entrance to a temple. The yawning arch beckoned the duo into the temple. There was quicksand in the center of the room. He raced to a nearby platform. A cluster of fire keese swooped down at him and flapped their wings aggressively. He blocked their attack and swung his blade at them. The bats dropped into the sand. He continued toward a door, and Luna accompanied him. They strode through the entryway, finding themselves in another room. This one contained stone columns on both sides of the chamber. A pair of stalfos lunged at them. He parried the blows, then bashed the shield into both stalfos. A pot flew at him, and he ducked.

Link spied a set of levers in the corner of the room. A chest idled by the levers, and he approached. A beamos unleashed a fiery red pillar at him. He yanked a bow from his saddlebag and released an arrow at the beamos' eye. Green bubbles closed in on him, and he held up his shield. The bubbles bounced on the ground. He sliced their skulls, and they dissolved into dust.

Link opened the chest, revealing a note about the levers. He pushed the blue lever first, then the yellow one, and finally, the gray one. A hidden door slid into the right side of the arch. The duo proceeded into the adjacent corridor. In front of the inner balcony was a platform that hung from the ceiling. Stairs descended from the opposite sides of the balcony. He trotted downstairs. A group of moldorms leaped at him, but he stabbed them. He scanned the area and detected a floor switch. Disembodied squeaks, along with puffs of dust, alerted him to the possible presence of ghoul rats. Those things were a nuisance. He had dealt with them at Arbiter's Grounds and the Cave of Ordeals.

"Invisible rats?" Luna asked.

"They're called ghoul rats," Link replied. "I used to be able to transform into a wolf. As a wolf, I could see things that aren't visible."

"Mind if I use the sight spell again?" Luna stepped toward Link, and her horn glowed. "Here you go."

Luna shuddered. Did the ghoul rats latch onto her? Link retrieved a boomerang from his saddlebag and directed it at the invisible critters. The boomerang sent the rats plummeting into a nearby quicksand. He made his way to the floor switch, then depressed the switch into the ground. Steel bars retreated into the arch, unblocking a door. A spiraling staircase guided the duo into a dimly lit vault. Small skeletal bipeds surrounded them, then advanced. He widened his stance, readied his sword, and performed a huge spin attack. The skeletons crashed into a wall and shattered.

Meanwhile, Celestia cast a spell upon her mirror. So far, her sister hadn't been captured, or worse, murdered. Oh, and Ganondorf was incensed at the fact that Chrysalis wasn't returning. The former queen of the changelings deserved the banishment. A scene in Twilight's castle replaced the other one. Four of six Element bearers were freed; Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash. When Ganondorf had spoken to Sombra the other day, he allowed Sombra to keep the Crystal Empire. However, Sombra would have to obey Ganondorf. Those two were somewhat similar, though. At least they didn't let Tirek escape Tartarus. The spell halted, and the mirror darkened.

Celestia had observed the effects of Ganondorf's takeover. The citizens of Equestria hid inside their homes, and many of them were afraid to confront the monsters. The castle guards trembled whenever they were in the same room as Ganondorf. If anypony so much as said a negative word about him, he would send the innocent pony to prison. He hadn't locked her behind bars yet. She trotted to the throne room. As usual, the vile stallion lounged on the throne. He didn't deserve to be the ruler of Equestria. The royal sisters should be on the throne instead. Ganondorf was desperate for power, and he had gone low enough to usurp the righteous alicorns.

"You again..." Ganondorf muttered. "Here to yell at me once more? I bet you would oppose my people. They had to tolerate the desert."

"You shouldn't take out your anger on innocent ponies," Celestia retorted.

"You so-called heroes sure love throwing the word 'innocent' around. You have no idea what's it's like to be reincarnated many times and watch as your people perish in the boiling heat. The land of Hyrule is lush, and so is Equestria... why can't I have either kingdom? What did I do to gain a terrible fate?"

"Ganondorf, you should realize by now that you don't need to pursue absolute power."

Ganondorf let out an aggressive snarl, and his eyes turned white. His teeth became fangs. "No one shall stand in the way of my ultimate goal!" His voice echoed off the stone walls. "Not even a silly alicorn with a little neck! If I hadn't turned into a pony, I would have wrung your neck and Luna's neck by now!"

Celestia unfurled her wings. "Not under my watch. You can't lay a hoof on Luna or the rest of Equestria."

"Says the mare who surrendered!" Ganondorf rose to his height and stormed forward. "You can say goodbye to both, since you care about them. I'll take what should've been mine." A dark aura enveloped his horn, and he encased Celestia in a crystal prison.

"Coward!" Celestia pounded the crystal, yet it didn't crack on impact. "Resorting to such measures, aren't you?"

The crystal carried Celestia to the royal dungeon, and she found herself in a windowless cell. Ganondorf would pay. She hoped the heroes would hurry, as the dark lord was going too far. She didn't want him to hurt Luna. After all, he said he would wring the younger alicorn's neck. At least she could see Cadence's family in an adjacent cell. The crystal disappeared, leaving her to fume in silence.

"Troubled past or not, it doesn't excuse Ganondorf's actions," Celestia whispered.

"This temple can be disturbing," Luna pointed out.

The duo had been exploring the temple for an hour. In the narrow passageways, they had encountered redeads and gibdos. Parts of the temple reminded Link of the Shadow Temple, as it also contained skulltulas, dangerous traps, wallmasters, and dead hands. He cantered into another hallway. He and his archenemy might have transformed into ponies, yet the bipedal monsters were untouched for an odd reason. By the time Link and Luna arrived in a darkened room, they discovered the Master Key.

Link grabbed the key, and as soon as he moved toward the large door, floormasters emerged from the shadows. He unsheathed his sword and slashed the beasts. Then, he carried the key to the door and pushed it into the lock. The door rolled away, revealing a huge, sunken chamber. For a moment, he wondered if he would fight Stallord again. Last time he battled the monstrous skeleton, it took place in Arbiter's Grounds. He yanked a spinner from his saddlebag and mounted it. The beast's eyes glowed. This time, it wasn't Zant who resurrected Stallord. A disembodied male voice garnered his attention, and he recognized the tone.

"You came this far? Say hello to your old friend... he decided to visit Equestria..."

"Shut up. I figured you would resurrect this thing," Link replied.

"Maybe the Frozen North will kill you, in case Stallord doesn't..."

Link rolled his eyes and watched as Stallord straightened its spine. A horde of staltroops materialized, forming barricades to guard Stallord. Luna bombarded the staltroops with kinetic blasts and powerful spells. More staltroops spawned. Link hacked and stabbed the aggressors. The spinner rammed into Stallord's spine. He pounded the spine again, and Stallord disappeared into the sand. As the sand vanished, he moved the spinner into the center of the pillar. The skull ascended into the air and roared at the duo, making them fall to the ground.

Luna took to the air, while Link mounted his spinner. Blade traps filled the walls, and Link ducked them. The demonic skull unleashed fireballs at the duo. Luna conjured a spell and fired her magic at Stallord. The blast smashed the skull, and Link's spinner collided against it. Stallord collapsed onto the floor. Link slashed the skull several times. Then, Stallord jumped to the top of the pillar. The beast crumbled to dust.

A bridge surfaced. Luna teleported herself and Link to the bridge, and they began trotting toward the exit. They spied a cell in the corridor. She opened the cell, and Applejack stepped forward. She would help the five mares search for Twilight Sparkle in the Frozen North. Then, the Element bearers would use their respective Elements to defeat Sombra.

"Link and I rescued the other Elements. We have yet to save Twilight," Luna said. "After saving her, we'll stop Ganondorf."

"So, how's Equestria?" Applejack replied.

"Ganondorf is still ruling the kingdom. He won't be on the throne for long."

"How did he not find you?"

"I wore a disguise, and later on, he probably gave up. Let's return to Ponyville."

"Good idea."

The trio teleported outside. Luna glanced at the sky. Soon, it would be nighttime. And it would be wise to not physically traverse the distance, as it could take up extra time. Besides, the royal alicorns couldn't afford to lose Equestria to a ruthless tyrant. The wind howled past the canyons. Of all the temples in Equestria, she considered the desert temple the creepiest place in the land. Skeletons, undead creatures, and disembodied noises added to the spooky atmosphere. She summoned the teleportation spell again, and the trio disappeared in a flash.

The Frozen North

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.

Sombra's Dungeon

As Luna had estimated, the cave turned out to be confusing. It had fake entryways and arches in the walls, and at times, the floor would give way to a bottomless chasm. Was Sombra trying to kill the duo? The maze suited the wicked stallion's personality. Illusions were his forte. She strolled into a room. The floor was made of ice. Freezards, ice keese, and white wolfos inhabited the chamber. A stone path stretched across the ice. Link moved ahead of Luna, only to be hindered by crystal spikes. Luna scrutinized the wall, then the suspiciously harmless ceiling. She ascended into the air, and a cluster of crystal spikes surged at her. She ducked them. This den would be tricky to pass through. A swarm of ice keese circled her, and she conjured a barrier to block their attacks.

Link approached a floor switch, then applied pressure to the switch. The spikes withdrew into the walls. A subtle noise similar to a ticking clock penetrated the air. As he trotted to a nearby door, the noise hastened in tempo. Luna landed by the door, and it swung open. They raced into an adjacent chamber. Behind them, steel bars obstructed the exit. A darkhammer propelled a metal ball at the duo. Link and Luna evaded the incoming blows. Then, he rolled behind the darkhammer and slashed its tail.

"Is it another variation of a lizalfos?" Luna asked as she shot a kinetic blast at the biped.

"In a sense, it is," Link said.

The duo continued battling the darkhammer until the beast dropped to the ground. In front of them, an entryway opened. They cantered into the next room. A crystal prison caught Link's attention. One of the mares, Fluttershy, was trapped inside. He spied a lever by the lower right corner of the room. A pack of white wolfos lunged at him before he could access the lever. Unsheathing his sword, he stabbed the wolfos and performed a huge spin attack. The impact sent the wolfos flying in many directions.

Luna teleported to the lever and pushed it toward the ground. The crystal prison disappeared, freeing Fluttershy. The yellow pegasus awakened with a start. Luna surveyed the area. There had to be a treasure chest somewhere. Her gaze brushed a crystal box. It was different from the ones she had seen in other dungeons. Link unsealed the box, revealing a map.

"I didn't think this place would include a map," Luna said. "I bet Sombra intended to perplex us."

"I won't be surprised if we discover an upside-down room," Link replied.

"Upside-down? Have you explored such a temple?"

"My ancestor did. He never returned to Hyrule after winding up in Termina."

Fluttershy appeared by Luna's side. "We must find my friends. They're stuck somewhere else."

Luna nodded. "We will rescue them. Don't worry. At the moment, Twilight is under Sombra's sleeping curse. We may have to awaken her with an effective spell."

Sombra's disembodied voice silenced the conversation. "My curse is powerful. Do you assume I can't hear your discussion?"

Luna unfurled her wings. "You're too cowardly to face the Elements of Harmony. If all six of them are together, I bet it means bad news to you."

"Cowardly? Why didn't you stop me the moment I scattered your puny allies? Good luck finding the rest."

Link sheathed his blade. "Sombra is insane if he believes he can defeat us. He's as horrible as Ganondorf and Zant combined."

Luna guided Link and Fluttershy into an adjacent room. Something about the area seemed off, as if somepony had mistaken the ceiling for the floor. An abyss separated two platforms. Strangely enough, the void went both ways. She did notice a flight of stairs above them, though. Yet there wasn't a single lever or switch in the vicinity. A silver-blue aura lit up her horn, and she poured her energy into casting the spell. The aura encased the room and created a protective sphere around the trio so they wouldn't plummet into the chasm. The cave rumbled as the inverted den shifted in the opposite direction. Now the stairs were below the trio. Darkness churned at the bottom of the steps, threatening to swallow a pony whole. It made Luna think of the fog she had encountered on the ship. She led her friends downstairs, and she conjured an illumination spell.

"It's the Twilight Palace all over again," Link commented.

"Twilight what?" Fluttershy asked, tilting her head.

"I'm not referring to Twilight Sparkle. Instead, I'm mentioning a place in the Twilight Realm. The Twilight Palace has fog in some of its chambers."

"Oh, okay."

A magical barrier surrounded the trio. The thick, smoky haze formed a wide circle, allowing them to navigate the blackness. A familiar phantom lurked in the shadows, observing them closely. Sinister laughter rang through the air, halting the trio in mid-stride. Fluttershy hid behind Luna and Link, trembling in fear. Luna's senses were on high alert for the slightest sound. A pair of glowing green eyes with purple smoke stared back at her, and she put up a brave front, reflecting the courage she held deep inside her soul.

Sombra let loose a sadistic cackle. "Surely you have nothing left to lose. Equestria is doomed, and your sister didn't fight Ganondorf. Once again, you failed the land you've sworn to protect. The first time it happened, you transformed into Nightmare Moon, converting yourself into what you would consider a threat to Equestria if you had been smart."

"The past is in the past. I won't revert to my old ways, no matter how I feel," Luna said.

"Are you being honest with yourself?" Sombra's apparition invaded Luna's boundary, and his horn met hers. "Isn't turning dark a second time what you fear the most? You also failed Celestia and your friends. If you were never Nightmare Moon, they would have truly accepted you."

Luna opened her mouth, then clamped it shut. Fluttershy and Link stepped forward. They didn't have to defend her, yet they apparently felt the need to do so. The umbrum backed away, growling at the stallion and the pegasus. She stood tall, refusing to cave to Sombra's taunting.

"How noble of you, young stallion," Sombra jeered. "Defending the princess from her dark side?"

Link pointed his sword at Sombra. "Whether she has a troubled past or not, I will still accept her. If your intent is to make her dark again, you've lost the battle."

Fluttershy glowered at her foe. "Link has a point, Sombra. You won't get away with your vile plans."

Sombra vanished through a wall. An unmistakable shuffling garnered Luna's attention. Redeads, stalfos, and skulltulas advanced toward the trio, preparing to attack. The redeads unleashed a resounding wail that froze the mares. Link's blade sliced the air, penetrating the redeads and stalfos. Skulltulas crawled closer. Luna shot a bolt of silver-blue energy at the monstrous arachnids. Then, she aimed a kinetic blast at the stalfos. Wallmasters descended from the ceiling. The trio sidestepped the beasts.

"What are those things?" Fluttershy asked.

"Wallmasters. If they grab you, they will take you to the beginning of the dungeon," Link replied. He approached the wallmasters and delivered a flurry of strikes and blows. The monsters shattered to dust.

Meanwhile, Sombra loitered in a large chamber, watching his enemies through a crystal ball. Time dragged on as his meddlesome foes solved puzzles and evaded perilous traps. He was forever grateful to Ganondorf for reviving him, and if the Element bearers vanquished him, his conquest would be for nothing. The stallion, who had been assisting the mares, was too similar to the six heroines of Equestria. He could sense the amount of courage the stallion carried. Why else would the stallion rush to protect Luna? Eventually, the moon princess and the knight rescued the other Element bearers. He gritted his teeth. They shouldn't have gone that far. The purpose of the traps was to befall the heroes, not be outsmarted by them. Beside him, Twilight Sparkle tossed and turned in her enchanted slumber. Sombra chuckled at her misery. The leader of the Elements had shown a significant amount of fear in her body language.

"Oh, Twilight... you pretend to be brave, but deep inside, you know you won't win. Abandon all hope," Sombra muttered.

"Please forgive me! I'm so sorry! I'll do better!" Twilight shouted as tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Forgetting Luna's advice already? It proves that she isn't to be trusted. She doesn't care about anypony but herself. Nopony will ever save you. Get used to your fate, Princess Twilight Sparkle. Your world is doomed, and you can't change it."

"I didn't forget her advice." Twilight seemed to relax a little. "You banished her from my dream. Wake me up!"

Sombra smirked. "Why should I bow to your demands? Despite your title, you're not special." If he couldn't break her the normal way, he could ignite jealousy in her soul. "To the royal sisters, you're a pawn who is supposed to defeat the enemies of Equestria. The reason they crowned you is that they want you to believe you can inherit their crowns. Isn't your ultimate desire to defend the nation you love and cherish so much? We can rule together, as king and queen."

"It won't happen, you despicable tyrant!"

Sombra surged his magic into Twilight, causing her to become motionless. She took in deep breaths. He enjoyed silencing her whenever she made a protest. An hour whizzed by without the lavender alicorn uttering another word. He peered into the crystal ball again. What he saw infuriated him. That group retrieved the crystal heart! He slammed his forehooves against the ground and flung the crystal ball at the door. They would pay for taking back the crystal heart. He laughed with an edge. This was it; he couldn't sit idly while they undo his plans. Perhaps a battle would be the last straw, after all...

"And maybe I would be victorious this time," Sombra whispered to himself. The moment he finished speaking, the door gave way.

Luna guided her friends into the final room. The Element bearers, except for Twilight, glared at Sombra. This seemed to amuse Sombra, as he wore a cruel grin. She stepped closer, maintaining eye contact. She levitated Twilight toward the Element bearers. In response to this, Sombra cackled like a madpony. Had he gone insane? It didn't surprise her, as he had always been desperate to rule the Crystal Empire.

"The umbrum had always been imprisoned in the crystal heart, unable to flee," Sombra said through clenched teeth.

"It doesn't excuse your crimes," Luna replied. "You've committed another crime, by the way. It's wrong to curse a pony and refuse to let them awaken."

Sombra bared his fangs, and his nostrils flared. "Do you think I'm doing this for my own gain? I did it so the umbrum can be freed!"

Link cleared his throat. "So, that's why you and Ganondorf joined forces. To destroy Equestria and the rest of the universe..."

Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie channeled their energy into their respective Elements. The gems shone with magic. A rainbow enveloped Twilight, compelling her to awaken. The lavender alicorn's eyes fluttered open, and she glanced around. Surprise and confusion flashed across her features. She landed onto her hooves. Then, she looked at Sombra.

"How long was I asleep?" Twilight asked.

"A month and a half," Sombra retorted. "You shouldn't have awakened."

"So, you turned me into Sleeping Pony. How did I survive all those weeks?"

Sombra charged at Twilight, snarling like a rabid beast. "I will end you and your comrades!" Crystal spikes circled Twilight as he approached. A silver-blue beam sent him flying backward.

Luna, Starlight, and Trixie pointed their horns at Sombra. Rarity blasted the spikes. Twilight accompanied the powerful spellcasters, glowering at Sombra. A dark aura encased Sombra's horn, but Twilight was swift to counter his magic. Their beams pushed back and forth. Several minutes dragged on as they continued struggling. Sombra was gaining the upper hoof. Her friends joined in, and a rainbow pillar lunged at the wicked stallion. Sombra sidestepped the incoming blow, snickering as he leaped at Link. He formed a sword and parried Link's attacks. The blades emitted a metallic clang as silver sparks escaped the steel.

"I am King Sombra, the rightful ruler of the Crystal Empire!" Sombra bellowed.

Link ducked Sombra and plunged his own sword into Sombra's chest. "No, you're not. As far as I know, you don't deserve to have a kingdom to call your own."

Sombra wailed in agony. "You... are... a nuisance!" He swung the weapon at Link. Once again, he was blocked. He prepared to aim a fatal blow, only to be enveloped by the rainbow. "No!" His body dissolved into a mess of shadows. An otherworldly scream erupted from his mouth. The room dimmed.

Luna's teleportation spell carried the group to the center of the Crystal Empire. She placed the Heart onto a pedestal, and it shone, reviving the Crystal Empire. The ponies cheered as they emerged from their respective homes. She faced the crowd, then proceeded to deliver a speech. Link and the Element bearers stood by the moon princess as she spoke to the citizens of the empire.

"The heroines of Equestria vanquished Sombra. Link, who came from Hyrule, assisted them," Luna said. "Princess Cadence, Shining Armor, and Flurry Heart will return."

By the time Luna finished the speech, she led the group to the train station. They boarded the train, and the vehicle began moving. She gazed at the window. "Celestia is waiting for us, and we shall not tarry any longer. Ganondorf will not prevail. We'll defeat him."

Link sat next to Luna. "You're correct. He won't destroy Hyrule and Equestria for as long as we live."

"Before we met, I had a vision. You were fighting Ganondorf in the middle of a field outside Canterlot Castle. I knew you would help us save Equestria. Well, along the way, you've proven to be capable of slaying dangerous threats. During the adventure, we befriended each other. I see in you a strong sense of loyalty. You would aid those who need help. Even the most powerful enemies fail to frighten you."

Link nodded. "No truer words spoken, Princess. You are a noble and selfless leader."

A smile graced Luna's muzzle. "Well, I've considered it my duty to guard the dreams of countless citizens, especially the children's. At times, I would confront a nocturnal monster. To be honest, it feels wonderful to perform good works."

The princess and the stallion continued their conversation for the rest of the train ride. Their final destination was Canterlot Castle, where Ganondorf lurked. It was time to stop Ganondorf and banish him from Equestria. Luna found herself listening to the Element bearers. Twilight Sparkle explained the curse to her friends. The mares shuddered when Twilight mentioned how it felt to be unable to awaken. Who would want to be under a sleeping curse? Luna couldn't blame them; if she had been the one in an enchanted slumber, she wouldn't tolerate it. She observed the weather. As usual, a thunderstorm raged above the land.

Storming Canterlot Castle

After everypony arrived in Canterlot, Luna paused in front of the magical barrier. The castle exterior was grotesque compared to what she was used to. The doors had strange symbols emblazoned on them in place of the two sisters' cutie marks. She pressed her hoof against the barrier, yet it didn't budge. She beckoned the Element bearers closer. Would the Elements of Harmony break the shield? Rain slid off the barrier. Soon, it would be nighttime. It didn't matter if the group had to battle Ganondorf all night; the tyrant needed to go away. He wouldn't escape severe punishment, as he had oppressed Equestria.

"Activate the Elements," Luna said.

Twilight and her friends nodded. The heroines of Equestria lined up and triggered their respective Elements. Six magical auras fused together, forming a large rainbow. The rainbow slammed into the shield. A crack resounded through the air, and the dome shattered into a million pieces. The huge doors gave way, luring the heroines and the princess inside. They strode through the entrance. Link walked ahead of the mares, his sword unsheathed as he widened his stance. Yet the monsters weren't in the vicinity. A cluster of castle guards crept past them. Silence permeated the interior. The stillness was unusual and eerie, as if the palace was devoid of life. Heavy footsteps echoed. Colossal bipeds with wide shields and long swords charged at the group.

Link swung his blade at the darknuts and evaded the blows. He retrieved bomb arrows from his saddlebags, then unleashed the arrows at his aggressors. Luna, Twilight, Rarity, Trixie, and Starlight shot kinetic blasts at the bipeds. Applejack tossed a lasso at one of the darknuts and yanked it to the floor. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy kicked the helmets off the darknuts. Pinkie Pie wheeled out a party cannon and battered the bipeds with swift bursts of confetti, hindering their movements.

"Keep it up!" Luna commanded.

"We're on it!" The Element bearers replied in unison.

"Starlight and Trixie, search the royal dungeon. If you find Celestia, Cadence, Shining Armor, and Flurry Heart, free them. The Crystal Empire needs Cadence and her family. Be careful while you're at it."

A white flash materialized, revealing Discord. He snapped his talons and summoned a suit of armor. "I figured you would explore this place. I saw you coming here, and-"

Luna rolled her eyes. "Discord, you can watch Starlight and Trixie."

Discord performed a mock salute. "Aye-aye, Princess. At your service."

Once Discord, Trixie, and Starlight left the hallway, Luna guided her companions into the next corridor. The stone arches loomed over the floor. She spied an inner balcony. A golden barrier obstructed both sides of the corridor. A swarm of keese, bokoblins, stalfos, and rats lunged at the heroes. Ganondorf must have been desperate to win. Otherwise, the monsters wouldn't be lurking in the dimly lit passages. Pinkie Pie aimed the confetti at the keese and stalfos. Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Applejack bombarded the bokoblins. Rarity and Twilight unleashed a volley of spells at their enemies. The transparent walls disappeared.

Starlight, Discord, and Trixie found their way into the royal dungeon. She held her breath as she scanned the cells. Next to her, Trixie was trembling visibly. What did the showmare expect to see in here? A grotesque beast? Discord appeared to be indifferent to the obvious peril. She ignored her rapid heartbeat as she meandered past the cells. The dungeon was supposed to hold the criminals, not the innocent ponies. Celestia had to be in here somewhere. Cadence, Shining Armor, and Flurry Heart were also imprisoned, so she kept the information in mind. A small squeak caused the mares to flinch. She squinted her eyes. Multiple rats emerged from the shadows, snarling as they leaped at the trio.

Starlight conjured a shield, while Discord summoned a cage. He drew the rats into the cage, then eliminated them. The trio proceeded to the end of the vault. A chest tempted her to open it, so she unsealed the chest. It contained a few keys. She checked her surroundings. Trixie and Discord faced the opposite direction, standing watch. A thick blanket of fog obscured the exit. Was it another trap designed to confuse them?

"The Great and Powerful Trixie could always teleport her allies," Trixie said.

"So can a draconequus," Discord replied, smirking.

Starlight levitated the keys and pushed them into a pair of locks. She focused her magic on shattering the chains. Celestia and Cadence approached the trio, and so did Shining Armor and Flurry Heart. The sun princess gave Starlight a worried look. What was on Celestia's mind? The Element bearers? The moon princess? Equestria, even? Starlight moved to the fog, contemplating an alternate way to escape the catacombs. Several pairs of glowing eyes manifested. Sinister laughter penetrated the dungeon.

"Are Twilight and her friends in the castle?" Celestia asked.

"Yes," Starlight murmured.

"That means Luna is also present. We must find the girls and my sister before Ganondorf hurts them."

"Of course."

A golden glow enveloped Celestia's horn, and she teleported the group to a hallway. "Discord, take Cadence's family to the Crystal Empire. Make it quick."

Discord nodded. "I will, Your Highness." He saluted Celestia, which made her crack an amused smile. "I assumed you would laugh." He teleported himself and Cadence's family out of the room.

Celestia escorted Trixie and Starlight into an adjacent hallway. She knew this place like the back of her hoof, so it shouldn't be complicated. Well, the dark renovation didn't change the internal structure of the castle, after all. Remnants of her recent nightmares flashed into her mind as she continued strolling. If she lost Twilight, if Luna suffered, and if Equestria crumbled, she would blame herself. No, she would make Ganondorf pay for his crimes. He would regret the day he came to Equestria. This time, she might refuse to hold back. She cantered through another door and ascended a spiraling staircase. Trixie and Starlight trailed behind.

"Shouldn't we say Luna's name out loud?" Starlight suggested.

"Not a bad idea," Trixie agreed.

And so they did. Their voices bounced off the walls and the ceiling. Celestia considered using the Royal Canterlot Voice, but decided against it. The two unicorns were loud enough. The sole upside would be that the moon princess would hear them. Surely her younger sister would respond. She arrived at a door on the top of the staircase, and they entered the courtyard. A bridge stretched from this tower to the other one.

"Aren't we going to the throne room?" Trixie asked.

"I told you earlier. We're searching for Luna and the heroines of Equestria," Celestia explained as she surveyed the courtyard.

Starlight trotted onto the bridge. "I'm sure they can take care of themselves. Regardless, we can meet up with them in the throne room."

Celestia followed the two unicorns to the nearest tower. They navigated staircases, infiltrated the passages, and made several turns. Perhaps the others had discovered the throne room first? Her stroll hastened into a gallop, and her smaller companions attempted to keep up with her. Their swift hoofbeats rang through the corridors, accompanied by their shouts. She halted in front of the grand doors. She shoved the door with all her strength. A large, muscular figure loitered on the throne. Her throne. Ganondorf acknowledged their arrival with a deep scowl. The stallion chuckled at their facial expressions.

"I'm surprised your sister and her band of 'heroes' aren't here yet," Ganondorf jeered. "Guess they got scared and left."

Celestia could have laughed at the irony if it wasn't so serious. The first time she and Ganondorf met, he was the one demanding her to surrender the throne. Now it was the reverse. She unfurled her wings and approached her archenemy. She had no desire to cower in fear. Not anymore. Trixie and Starlight stepped between the sun princess and the dark lord, defending the princess from him.

"You defied me. There shall be consequences," Ganondorf threatened, his voice rising. "Since you fled the dungeon, I'll make you endure a fate worse than death."

"I'm not afraid," Celestia retorted. "You stole the throne; now return it to me and my sister!"

"You can serve as decorations, a reminder of my victory." Ganondorf wore a deranged grin as he conjured his magic. "No one will hear you scream!"

"What are you talk-" Before Celestia could finish her sentence, a dark aura encapsulated the mares, transforming them into stone statues. Now she knew what Ganondorf was talking about. He was quick to turn them to stone. It was his way of telling them to shut up. And she hated it.

Luna had heard a familiar voice earlier. She had a feeling her sister was in danger. The realization sent her galloping throughout the castle. She left no stone unturned. The Element bearers, along with Link, followed her to the throne room. She let out a horrified gasp. Celestia, Trixie, and Starlight were now statues. Did the sun princess try to fight Ganondorf? He rose to his full height, glowering at Luna and her friends. A flash of lightning pierced the chamber, punctuated by a deafening crash. The booms softened into a rumble. Ganondorf descended the steps, levitating a huge sword in front of him.

"You have finally arrived," Ganondorf said as he pointed his blade at Luna. "Were you expecting to reunite with your sister? I can see it in your eyes. This..." He glared at Celestia. "Is what you deserve for escaping my clutches and helping my longtime enemy!"

"You're so cruel, and you don't deserve to rule a nation. A real leader never oppresses their subjects," Luna replied.

Ganondorf threw his head back, cackling. "That's rich, coming from a certain princess who betrayed her own sister and her kingdom!"

"It's in the past, you vile scum. We'll vanquish you!"

"Ha. An individual who wields the Triforce of Power should be allowed to rule. Wisdom is the weakest weapon a monarch can ever possess. You and your sister are no stronger than Princess Zelda herself. Celestia didn't battle me despite her threats. Rather, she allowed me to defeat her. How pitiful. Princesses aren't as formidable as a great king would be. Queens are as feeble."

Luna shook her head. "Such arrogance, Ganondorf. If you think you deserve the crown, why steal it from a righteous pony? It proves that you can never conquer a kingdom and anticipate prosperity. Sombra once oppressed the Crystal Empire, and nopony was happy. Not one soul rejoiced under his tyranny."

"Speaking of which..." Ganondorf paused, as if contemplating his next words. "You are denying me the throne. Why can't I rule the universe? Why?" He lifted his chin, and a muscle flickered in his bearded jaw. "Is it because I'm a Gerudo? You'd treat Sombra's kind the same way. I bet you would."

"If you intend to elicit sympathy from us, you've failed," Luna said.

Rage contorted Ganondorf's features as he levitated Luna. He brought his blade to her neck, and she struggled against his powerful grip. She forced herself to maintain eye contact. Time seemed to slow down as she refused to break her steely gaze. For a moment, she glanced at her friends. A low snicker slipped from Ganondorf's lips. He had watched her falter. She prepared to unleash a kinetic blast, but he flung her across the room. She landed onto her side. Pain flooded one of her wings, and as she looked up, a transparent barrier formed in front of her. Perhaps she shouldn't have uttered those words.

Ganondorf narrowed his eyes. "It's foolish of you to challenge a wielder of Power. Even without magic and the Triforce, I can still crush your little body and your skull. I've fought those who are as strong as you."

"You're the worst! And you're a beast." Luna limped forward and summoned a spell. "You don't turn ponies to stone. It's an act of cowardice!"

"You amuse me, lunatic. Oh, is your name short for lunatic? No wonder you went insane! Let's see how you fare when your magic is restricted..."

Ganondorf directed a curse at Luna. "Now you can't use it."

Luna exhaled sharply. "Are you intimidated? We've outnumbered you. The Elements of Harmony-"

"The six mares? Ha. They saw how vigorous I am, so they'll cower."

Twilight and her allies combined their magic and enchanted Link's sword. The heroic stallion charged at Ganondorf, while the mares watched on. Luna approached Celestia. The older alicorn wore a horrified expression. Was Celestia aware of the confrontation? She wished she was able to free her sister from the stone prison. And the fact that she couldn't help Link in the final battle... So much for making Ganondorf pay for his atrocities. Who would come out as the victor?

Final Battle

Link parried Ganondorf's blade with his own. They threw swift blows at each other, and he sidestepped a slash from the dark lord. He jumped behind his enemy and stabbed Ganondorf's backside. The dark lord whirled around, scowling. Of all the Hylians in Hyrule and beyond, why did the Triforce of Power choose Ganondorf? What was the purpose? Did the goddesses think it was a game, letting Ganondorf use the Triforce for wicked ambitions? He blocked his archenemy's sword. The two warriors pushed into each other, trying to gain the upper hoof. Even as ponies, they retained the ability to fight using a sword. Would Ganondorf still be able to resort to his beast form? The villain's horn gleamed with black magic, and Link knew what it meant. Ganondorf would attempt to cheat, which made sense, considering the evil wizard's long-running history.

Link stepped back, holding up his shield. His aggressor chucked a sphere of energy toward him, but he slashed the ball in time. Ganondorf deflected, and Link sliced the aura. They pounded the sphere back and forth until Ganondorf revealed an opening. The warlock hollered in agony. Link retrieved a light arrow and unleashed it at Ganondorf. Then, he went in and aimed a flurry of stabs and hacks. His enemy recovered, grimacing.

"You are as impossible as ever," Ganondorf spat, venom dripping into his voice. "If you have never discovered Equestria, I would have destroyed your moon-loving friend by now! Oh, and your allies are as beatable. Why didn't you let me at them?"

"Because you're despicable!" Link shouted.

"Huh... really? It isn't the first time you'd say that to me. Anyone can blurt those words to me. Heck, you'd tell it to Sombra and Chrysalis. I'll always flee my prison to have revenge and ambush the ones who opposed me."

"Sure I would, as they are!" Link charged at Ganondorf and bashed the Hylian shield into the wizard's jaw. "Can't you or the goddesses end the vicious cycle?"

"Not until I get what I want!" Ganondorf bombarded Link with heavy blows. "It's individuals like you who give me a headache! All of you are obstacles who dared to stand in my way!"

"You're upset over your destiny. Can't you give up? I bet you won't, as you're too stubborn!"

"Just so you're aware, this isn't my final form. When I win, I'll bask in my victory." Ganondorf swung his blade at Link's neck, and the hero ducked. "I'll be unstoppable!"

Link rolled around Ganondorf and pierced the villain. "You are full of yourself, assuming you can win. You've never changed, as you are insane." He followed up with another attack, but the dark lord evaded him.

Ganondorf unleashed a powerful beam at Link, crashing the hero into the transparent wall. "Since you work for the opposite side, someone probably raised you to be self-righteous and bothersome. Can't you admit it? You and your ancestors... your incarnations, even... you knights would embark on an adventure to save Hyrule and countless maidens from me. We Gerudos are forced to tolerate the scorching desert!" His thunderous voice rattled the windows and startled the mares. His pupils turned white, and he let out an animalistic growl. He slowly approached Link. Behind the wall, the moon princess spoke to the hero.

"Fight back," Luna said. "Don't let him win!"

Link rose from the floor. His body was in pain, yet he was determined to vanquish his foe. "Ganondorf, I'm not going easy on you. You should return to your prison, where you belong!" He performed the same tactics as earlier, and the Gerudo warrior outsmarted him. It wasn't as effective as he anticipated it to be.

Ganondorf snickered. "Alright, kid... has it ever occurred to you that we've acted out the same story over and over? The bad guy shows up, kidnaps the cowardly princess, and loses to a green-clad knight?"

Link halted in mid-step. Was it a trick? The demon king didn't deserve even the slightest drop of sympathy. "Each tale is in a different setting, I guess. Why do you ask? As Princess Luna had said, we won't pity you. You've done too much damage to receive a second chance."

"But of course! I don't need friendship or redemption! Power is my top priority, especially at the expense of wimpy individuals!"

"You're a corrupt man... or stallion."

Ganondorf leaped above Link, slicing the hero's backbone. He landed behind Link and prepared a fatal blow. Link caught him in time and parried the attacks. The swords clanged as they continued exchanging blows. Ganondorf flung magical spheres at Link. The hero dodged each one, then sent the last one flying toward the evil wizard. Ganondorf bellowed again, and Link aimed the slashes at him. Again, the blades clashed. While Ganondorf was desperate to succeed, Link wanted this over with.

Link aimed the sword at Ganondorf's chest. "It's over, you monster!"

Ganondorf ducked the blow. "No, it's not. I'll display my full power, since you won't surrender. Just like the rulers, you won't capitulate." He belted out an intense cackle as he bared his fangs and transformed into his beast form. This time, he possessed a pair of monstrous hands and a boar's snout. He roared as he charged at Link. The floor shook under his weight.

Link dodged the beast, then cut into Ganon's flesh. Before he could make another move, Ganon swiped him with brute force, knocking him off his hooves. He rose as soon as he fell, then lunged at his enemy and pierced Ganon's shoulder. Ganon rammed into him and pinned him to the ground. The wizard began speaking in a demonic voice, while the mares observed the entire scene.

Ganon's nostrils flared. "Your unicorn form is as difficult as the wolf. Tell me, kid. Which way will you look? To Hyrule, where your family and friends reside? Or the mares who helped you? Wherever you look, that will be the first thing I'll destroy. It's futile, Link. You're more feeble than I thought."

As much as Link desired to glance in either direction, he suppressed the urge. Ganon's hand clamped around his throat, lifting him off the ground. He levitated his blade and swiveled the weapon at Ganon's neck. The weapon gashed the skin on the beast's neck. He dropped from Ganon's grip, performed a spin attack, and proceeded to charge the power in his sword. Then, he sprung forward and slammed the weapon against the floor. The shockwave blasted Ganon toward the wall, but the dark lord promptly recovered.

"Do you think you can win?" Ganon taunted. "What will you even gain from this?"

Link incised Ganon's body; once, twice, three times, and the villain evaded the fourth strike. "Hyrule and Equestria shall have peace again, and both lands can do just fine without you and your minions!"

Ganon reverted to his stallion form. "So, you believe I'd do a horrible job as a ruler? Then why did I have the Triforce of Power? Is it a joke to you? No more games or swordplay. Time to dirty your hooves, kid!" He launched a bolt of kinetic energy at the Master Sword, knocking it out of Link's magical grip. The weapon landed next to the statues.

"How dare you!" Link retorted as he pointed a light arrow at Ganondorf. "Are you so desperate that you'd banish the Master Sword?"

"I can't afford to have you defeat me, so-called Hero. However, sometimes you need a little lady to back you up. I bet it makes you feel less masculine. How embarrassing. Without Luna and the Elements of Harmony, you would be stuck on the journey across Equestria."

"I don't see anything wrong with needing help." Link loosened the light arrow, and the missile plunged into Ganondorf's barrel. "The question is, why do you always come back from your prison? An individual as powerful as the goddesses should seal you forever."

Ganondorf eyed the arrow in his barrel, then yanked it out. "You mean Hylia? Usually her host is a Hylian maiden, who allows herself to get captured and waits for a hero to save the day! She isn't strong, despite the tale of her vanquishing Demise." He dashed toward Link and unleashed dark spells at him.

Link dodged the spells and shot more light arrows at Ganondorf. The evil wizard's horn emitted a pillar of dark energy, and the spell surged at him. Levitating a shield, Link blocked the magic. He peered at the Master Sword, then nodded at Luna. She tossed the blade forward, and Link's aura caught the hilt. Ganondorf released a battle cry, rushing in and aiming a vertical strike at the hero. Link pivoted, deflecting the blow and running his blade through his adversary's barrel. The villain responded by directing a horizontal slash and an uppercut toward the hero's forearm. Link parried the incoming attacks. He faded back to avoid his foe's weapon.

Link slitted Ganondorf's ribs and hacked the larger stallion's hindquarters. "Still stubborn, you vile scum? Your desire to rule the world has severely corrupted you. What other strategies will you resort to? It better not involve kidnapping someone... or scattering the Elements a second time, if it's what you have in mind."

"Do you honestly expect me-" Ganondorf stepped closer. "-to play fair?" He sliced the air, and his blade met Link's shield. "Well, do you? I'm a Gerudo warrior, destined to be a king! Not a puppet for the goddesses' entertainment!" He spun before ramming his back hooves into Link's shoulder.

Link sidestepped the next blow. "Shut up, Ganondorf! You've never cared about anyone but yourself. No wonder you often reawaken with the same goal in your mind."

Ganondorf leaped into the air, crimson energy crackling above his horn as he descended and launched his magic into the floor near Link's hooves, sending the hero flying toward the wall. "I'll destroy you right here while your friends watch helplessly! They'll mourn you and attempt to avenge you, yet they will all meet a deadly end. Also, Chrysalis and Sombra are done being useful, so I won't revive them anytime soon. The demon king needs no one!"

Ganondorf delivered a kick to Link's ribs and smashed him against the barrier. "Besides, I might send you to my prison. You can't go around trying to defeat me whenever I escape my exile!"

Link panted as he widened his stance. The impact must have affected his ribs, as the kick probably broke a bone or two. He hated Ganondorf. The dark lord had tried to conquer Hyrule, to usurp the royal family, and was responsible for what once happened to the children of Ordon Village. Ganondorf seemed to take pleasure in torturing him, as the villain unleashed a fit of sadistic laughter. Link stabbed at Ganondorf, but the demon king vanished. Ganondorf reappeared behind him, the dark sword glowing with crimson energy.

"Are you serious?" Link demanded in frustration as he performed a jump attack.

"Yes, you pesky hero. Yes, I am," Ganondorf jeered as he deflected the jump attack. His aura gleamed around him, and he increased his magical reserves. His eyes went white. A kinetic blast emerged from his horn and surged at Link. Then, he conjured a sphere of crackling energy. "It's over. Surrender or else!"

Link levitated his shield, and the sphere bounced off. The battle seemed to last forever, and he was becoming more frustrated by the minute. Yet he chose to keep his wits about himself. His friends cheered him on, which offered him the strength to continue fighting Ganondorf. The villain parried his blade and swung the sword toward him. Their blades clanged as Ganondorf cornered Link.

"Why are you not conceding?" Ganondorf asked.

"Because I won't! You've lost the battle before we even started!" Link said.

An enraged bellow erupted from Ganondorf's throat as he swiped at the hero and attempted to murder him. "That does it, kid! No more of this nonsense! I've had enough of your existence! Allow me to show you just what hope you have... see how much your precious allies and both worlds are worth!" He summoned another sword.

"You've gone completely insane," Link muttered as he braced himself for the impact. "Leave Hyrule and Equestria alone." He projected a flurry of light arrows forward, stunning Ganondorf in the process. He would have to act fast, or Ganondorf would recover.

Link plunged the Master Sword into Ganondorf's body, and the wizard collasped. Ganondorf's mouth opened as if letting out a silent scream. The hero backed away, waiting for the sorcerer to pass on. Ganondorf struggled to his height, gasping for air. Everypony in the room stared in anticipation.

"You've done it again," Ganondorf rasped, his nostrils flaring. "You thwarted my plans... to conquer the universe... May your descendants suffer!" He exhaled his last breath. Golden light enveloped him, and he disappeared. The barrier vanished, too.

"Link... you saved Equestria," a feminine voice spoke.

Link turned his head to the speaker in question. Celestia was freed from her stone prison. Starlight and Trixie were no longer statues. Luna approached him, wearing a benevolent smile as her hoof brushed against his. For a moment, they maintained eye contact. Her cobalt eyes expressed joy and relief, and he gave an understanding nod. The older alicorn released a musical chortle.

"I don't mean to interrupt your little moment, but Pinkie Pie is wondering if we can have a party before you go home," Celestia said.

"We sure can," Link replied.

Parties and Farewells

All across Equestria, the monsters disappeared. Canterlot Castle was renovated to its original appearance. Everypony emerged from their homes and began celebrating. Pinkie Pie had thrown a party in Ponyville, and many ponies were invited to town. Even Cadence and her family visited. The sun was inching toward the horizon. Soon, it would be night, and there would be a meteor shower. Luna and Celestia stood in the town square, watching over the citizens. The heroines of Equestria, along with the Hylian knight turned stallion, were approached by the ponies who sought to express gratitude to them. Rainbow Dash performed the Sonic Rainboom. Fireworks exploded in the sky, emitting a multitude of colors. The confetti was strewn across the ground. Mares and stallions collected the desserts and snacked on their respective sweets.

Luna and Link strode to a bench on the outskirts of town, then sat down. She draped a wing around Link. "Equestria is at peace, thanks to you. You're our hero. More importantly, you're a good friend to many of us. Well, here is a reward for your efforts." She summoned a Pink Heart. "This is the Pink Heart of Courage. Before you received this, Trixie, Starlight, Thorax, and Discord had gotten their own Pink Hearts. The reason they got one was that they invaded the changeling hive and rescued the heroines of Equestria. Yours is for a different reason, and I have just explained it to you."

"Yeah. Anytime Equestria is in peril, I will come here," Link replied.

"Even if it's not in danger, you can pay a visit. You have friends here. Celestia and I will lend a key to you."

"I know. I also have friends in Hyrule."

Luna nodded. "Tell me about them."

Link gazed at the western horizon. "For starters, the children in Ordon Village are like younger siblings to me. Ilia and Colin are the ones I talk to the most. Colin wanted to be a swordsman and a hero. He looked up to me, and after I defeated Ganondorf back in Hyrule, I had planned to train him. I hope he learned something in my absence. There's Beth, who has a tendency to scold the boys. The youngest of the children is Malo, but he acts mature for his age."

"I've seen foals act mature, too. Not all of them do, though. Other than saving Hyrule, what do you do?"

"I work on a ranch. On occasion, the goats would break free. They can be rebellious."

"Do any animals talk?"

"Only the Hylians and humans do. Horses in my world are different. They don't use magic."

As they continued chatting, the sun began dipping into the horizon. Ribbons of coral, pink, lavender, and orange flooded the sky, making way for the darkness of night. Luna's horn glowed as she rose the moon into the sky. A cluster of stars materialized, twinkling like diamonds on an evening gown. It was a clear night. Not a single cloud lingered in the heavens. The storm had passed. Nopony had to worry about losing Equestria to a cruel tyrant. She smiled again, glad that the threat had been vanquished. The duo's laughter bubbled into the air as their discussion lasted for a few hours.

A throng of ponies surged from the town, preparing to watch the meteor shower. A cool breeze rippled through Luna's mane. She arranged several stars into a triangle-shaped constellation. It resembled Link's cutie mark. This wasn't the first time she had created a constellation inspired by what a pony had done for her or for Equestria. As the comets streaked across the sky, the crowd responded by saying either 'ooh' or 'wow.' Next to the bench, the Element bearers occupied a picnic rug.

"Are you getting cozy?" Pinkie Pie asked as she gave two plates of cake to the duo.

Warmth graced Luna's cheeks, and she grabbed the plate. "Why do you ask?"

"You have a wing around him. Also, he hasn't left your side. Are you falling in love?"

"Only time will tell, Pinkie. We're from different worlds."

"I'll let you enjoy each other's company. Oh, and the cake is tasty."

Luna and Link exchanged glances. The stallion eyed his cake with curiosity, and he cut off a piece. He slipped the fork into his mouth. Luna shoveled her own cake into her mouth, savoring the delicious, chocolatey flavor. The icing melted on her tongue. She scooped a cherry off the edge of the sugary confection and brought it to her maw. The moon climbed high into the eastern horizon, bathing the town in a soft and gentle glow.

"The night is beautiful, just like you," Link said.

"Thanks," Luna replied. "You're going home soon, aren't you?"

"Yes."

"Twilight's mirror might take you to Hyrule. The mirror is in the Castle of Friendship. It's where we will part ways." For now...

By midnight, Luna and Link visited the Castle of Friendship. Celestia and the Element bearers joined them. Starlight, Trixie, and Discord lingered in the doorway. Link stepped toward the mirror. The royal sisters approached him. A crystal-studded horseshoe materialized. Luna and Celestia enchanted the object. The Hero of Hyrule smiled at his friends. It could be a while before he returned. The moon princess was the first to speak.

"This is the key to Equestria. You can use it on any mirror, and you can come here anytime you want," Luna said.

"Princess Luna... I'll think about you while I'm in Hyrule," Link replied.

"It's the sweetest thing you can say." Luna pulled Link into a hug. "Farewell, Hero of Equestria..." She released him from her embrace. "See you later."

"Those were Midna's last words." Link inhaled deeply, then exhaled. He looked to the Element bearers. "Twilight Sparkle, always be a courageous leader for your team. Rainbow Dash, stay awesome. Fluttershy, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie, someone will always appreciate your kindness, generosity, and laughter. Applejack, be strong and honest."

Tears moistened Luna's eyes. "I'll miss you. Not a day will pass that I forget the time we've spent together."

Celestia wore a benevolent grin. "Link, thank you for saving Equestria."

Twilight chimed in. "And thanks for helping Princess Luna rescue me and my friends."

Pinkie Pie, who was usually the most cheerful mare, was shedding tears. "Well, I would consider throwing a 'Welcome to Ponyville' party, but I guess a farewell celebration also works. Bye."

Discord crossed his mismatched arms. "Link, I know we didn't talk much, but you're cool, I guess."

Link grabbed the key and stashed it into his saddlebag. He waved before stepping into the mirror. A bright glow penetrated the room, and as the area dimmed, Luna stared at the mirror, then hung her head. The older alicorn placed a wing over her back. The two sisters stood in silence. One of them spoke.

"I'm sure you'll see him again," Celestia whispered.

"Maybe. Originally, he wasn't a pony. Remember the stories of the dimension Sunset Shimmer resides in?" Luna replied. "He was a biped in that realm called Hyrule."

"Do you like him?" There was a knowing gleam in Celestia's eyes. "Don't deny it. I saw that look in your eyes."

Luna giggled. "Of course I like him! He's a good stallion. By the way, did I resemble a lovestruck schoolfilly to you?"

"I figured you would develop a sort of connection during the journey." Celestia strolled to the exit. "Let's attend to our duties. I may sleep in, so..."

The morning sun dawned in Ordon Village. Link stirred from his slumber, memories of the adventure still fresh in his mind as he climbed out of bed. Since his friends had wondered where he went, he would have to give them an explanation. Even the princess deserved to hear the whole story. He could always write a letter to her. He retrieved a quill and a piece of paper, then proceeded to write the whole tale into the letter. As he shut his eyes, he dwelled on a certain pair of teal blue eyes. The moon princess had left an impression on him. He placed the Pink Heart of Courage and the horseshoe onto his desk.

The Hero of Hyrule folded the letter and mailed it to the Princess. An entire day whizzed by, and a mailman handed him a note from Zelda. The Princess wrote:

So, Link, that's where you went. Everyone was worried for you, and I've prayed for your safe return. The princesses of this Equestria sounded intriguing. I wish I had the chance to meet them, but my responsibilities could serve as an obstacle. Princess Luna reminds me of Midna, as the Twilight Princess once accompanied you. On the other hand, I can see myself in Princess Celestia. Both of us had to surrender in order to defend our respective kingdoms. The way you spoke of Luna suggests that you have feelings for her. It's good to hear from you after the people in your village had reported your disappearance.
Sincerely, Princess Zelda

Link gazed out the window. He meandered to the Ordon spring and sat near the water. The children waited for him, and he told the tale to them. When he was finished talking, the children inquired him with countless questions. He answered each one of them. Hyrule was safe again, and so was Equestria. Perhaps someday, he'll go back. For now, there wasn't any danger present in either world...

The End