Author's Note

So this chapter is going to be hit or miss with some people. Some of you will like it, some of you will question my choices and probably not like it. But it's something I wanted to do. I hope you enjoy anyway.

My true self and the rising shadow

It had been almost three weeks since our visit to Dragon Roost, and I had been given a full interrogation by Twilight about this ‘Curse of the Hero’ I’d told her about. She wanted to know everything, and somehow managed to fill almost four volumes with the information I told her. There still were things I had left out, but she seemed satisfied for now and had let me leave her library. Now that I was free, I decided to check in on Rarity and see how my suit was coming along. Entering the boutique I was surprised to find a familiar face sitting in one of the chairs behind the counter.

“Well if it isn’t a little trouble maker.” I chuckled and walked up to her. She looked up and gasped before squealing in delight.

“Link! It’s you! Oh my Celestia, it’s so good to see you!” Sweetie Bell cried as she ran up and hugged me. I returned the gesture and patted her on the head.

“Good to see you kid. You still getting up to no good?” I teased as she mock pouted, rolling her eyes and smiling.

“No, but me and my friends made a club. We’re trying to get our Cutie Marks any way possible!” She said proudly. I smiled and patted her on her shoulder.

“Not bad kid. This club got a name?” I asked, watching as she puffed up her chest.

“We are the Cutie Mark Crusaders!” She announced as Rarity emerged from the back.

“Oh, hello Link. I do hope my little sister isn’t bothering you.” She said as she set some fabric down on the counter. I chuckled and shook my head.

“Not at all. Just catching back up with her. But I did come by to see about that suit I ordered.” I told her as I pulled out my wallet.

“Oh yes, it’s finished. I must say, it was quite the challenge to make from that drawing you gave me. But I managed.” She sighed as she pulled a garment bag off a rack and set it on the counter.
“Will you be paying in Bits or Rupees?”

“Rupees” I said as she counted in her head.

“Oh, that’s going to be about fifty then.” She told me as I handed her a nice shiny purple rupee. She took it and I picked up the garment bag, stowing it in my inventory. As I did this, I heard a shocked gasp come from Sweetie Bell.

“Where’d it go?” She asked as she circled around me.

“Don’t worry kid, I still have it. It’s just in my magic storage.” I chuckled as I ruffled her hair. Rarity giggled quietly at this, since she was familiar with my powers.
“Anyway, I’m off. I gotta go to Canterlot and meet with Luna.” I smiled again as I began to walk to the exit, waving at them both.

“Bye Link! I hope I get to see you soon!” Sweetie Bell called as both her and Rarity waved.

I made my way towards the station, lost in my own thoughts and was shocked as a pair of cyan arms wrapped themselves around my waist.

“Where are you headed?” Rainbow Dash asked with a chuckle, placing her chin on my shoulder.

“Oh, I need to talk with Luna about something. I was headed to the station to take a train to Canterlot.” I explained as I turned to face her. She was wearing her usual tank top and jogging shorts, which was super cute on her, and looked like she just went for a run.

“Oh? Well why don’t I come with? I’ll meet you at the station!” She smiled and zipped off before I could protest.

“You’re going to Canterlot?” A familiar voice spoke up behind me. I turned to find AJ standing there, hands on her hips and giving me a sly smile. I sighed and gave her a defeated smile.

“You wanna come too?” I asked and she just winked and hooked her arm around mine.

“Course I do. I haven’t gotten to go on one of your far-flung adventures, so the least you can do is let me tag along.” She stated as we walked through town. I couldn’t argue with that. I really tried to keep her and the others out of my adventures since they were so dangerous, but they always managed to tag along. As we approached the depot, I spotted Dashie waiting. She’d changed into a nice sundress, which was very interesting. She never liked to dress girly. But looking at her now, it seemed to look almost natural. When she saw me and AJ walking up she blushed a bit, quietly taking my other arm. I leaned down and pecked a kiss on her cheek.

“You look nice.” I whispered in her ear, making her blush more and nod. I gave AJ a kiss as well and bought our tickets. As soon as we were boarded, the train took off, rumbling down the tracks as we headed to the capital.

One train ride later, we stood in the middle of Canterlot. We walked through the city, looking at all the shops and restaurants as we made our way to the castle in its center. As we approached the gates, two guards approached us.

“Halt! State your business.” One of them barked. They huffed and hefted their spear.

“Link and two of the elements of harmony to see Princess Luna.” I said with a small smile. They nodded and set the other guard to see if it was OK to let us through. We waited a bit before the guard came shuffling back. They nodded to the first guard and we were let through. We were led through the halls to Lunas private chambers where the guard knocked.

“Come in.” A tired voice on the other side answered. I opened the door and the three of us entered. Laying on her bed was the princess of the night, rubbing some of the sleep from her eyes.

“Princess.” I said with a short bow. She nodded to me and I stood straight.
“I apologize for waking you like this.” I said with an apologetic smile. She shook her head and returned a smile.

“It is quite all right. For what did you need me for?” She asked as she motioned for us to sit on her couch. The girls and I sat down and I looked at Luna.

“I came to ask you about how you enter dreams.” I told her, making her give me an incredulous look.

“How do I enter dreams? Well, I’ve never really thought about how I do it before. I suppose it’s like envisioning a door into someone’s mind, and opening it.” She answered as she held her chin before looking back to me.
“Why are you interested in this?” She asked as I gave her a serious look.

“Because I fear Ganondorf is attempting to enter my dreams.” I said coldly, making her Dash and AJ gasp at my words.

“Art thou sure?” Luna asked, her accent slipping out as she gave me a serious stare. I nodded, and she leaned back and tapped her chin.
“This is quite the dilemma. How long does thou art believe he has been attempting this?” She asked as I tried to think.

“Not long, maybe the last month or so. At first it was just this feeling of darkness. Then it began taking shape, and talking to me. But I could never understand what it was saying. And last night, it spoke clearly.” I shuddered as AJ and Dashie put their hands on my shoulders.

“What did thine dark shadow say?” Luna asked. I looked up at her with a slightly worried expression.

“It said ‘I am coming’” I told her. She frowned as she began pacing. She was muttering to herself as we sat there, watching her. Eventually she stopped and called for a guard. Once they arrived, she told them to go fetch Celestia. They nodded and hurried off. We waited in silence for what felt like hours until the doors opened and Celestia strode in, looking at Luna with worry. She didn’t seem to notice the three of us sitting on the couch as she began speaking with her sister.

“What is it Lulu? You never call for me during the day, did something happen?” She asked as she looked her sister over. Luna sighed and nodded.

“Yes, something indeed has happened. But not to me, to our hero here.” Luna pointed to me, and Celestia finally noticed us. She blushed and cleared her throat.

“Well, what seems to be the trouble?” She asked and I repeated what I’d told Luna. When I finished she looked just as worried as her sister did.

“I’m worried, princesses. If he’s trying to get inside my head, what could he do?” I asked and they looked at each other.

“Well, a lot actually. He could do some serious damage to your mental image.” Luna said with a pained frown. I raised my eyebrow as I frowned as well.

“My mental image? What could that do?” I asked as Luna looked to her sister for a moment.

“Well…” Celestia began, “it can cause you to cease to exist within your own mind. Making you a living corpse…” She said with a sad look.

“So it’ll turn me into a vegetable if he get in. Perfect.” I groaned in exasperation.
“Is there any way to prevent him from getting in?” I asked as Luna nodded slowly.

“There is, but it requires you to let us in.” She said as I sat up.

“Do what you have to. I can’t let him win. Not now…” I said with a determined look. Luna sighed and nodded.

“Very well. Prepare thyself, Hero.” She told me as her eyes glowed. Everything went dark and suddenly I was back in my room on Earth. I looked at myself in the mirror and felt disgusted by my own reflection. I was fat once again, my scraggly beard wild and full of crumbs. I still could not believe I had let myself live like this. Yet the only thing that was the same about myself were my eyes. They shone with a vibrant blue, filled with hope and wonder.

“Is that… you, Johnny?” I heard Dashie ask behind me. My body stiffened as she spoke, and I slowly turned towards her voice only to find both her and AJ, as well as both of the princesses. I nodded sadly and hung my head.

“Not very heroic now, am I.” I said as I tried not to cry. I sniffed and looked up, putting on my bravest face.
“This is where I lived. Before I came to Equis. It’s part of a dream loop I’ve been stuck in. The day I was sent to your world.” I told them as I pulled my costume out of the closet and began to put it on. They followed me as I went down to the car, where my friend Mikey was waiting. They watched me go to the convention, and as soon as I approached the merchants booth, a dark shadow appeared. It slowly morphed into a humanoid, taking a few steps towards me with an outstretched arm.

“I am coming…” It spoke with a raspy voice as it became more defined. It took the form of Ganondorf from Twilight Princess and gave an evil grin.
“I am coming, and there is nothing you can do to stop me boy.” He growled as I held up my prop sword.

“Fat chance Ganon-dork” I told him as I slashed through him, making his image disappear. As soon as his visage vanished, the convention hall around us vanished. We were now free floating in darkness.

“So, this is what you have had to deal with.” Luna thought aloud as I just stared at my hands, not wanting to see the girls’ looks about my appearance. Applejack floated to me, lifting my chin and giving me a smile.

“Yer still the same guy I fell in love with. I can see it in yer eyes.” She said comfortingly and brushed my cheek. I looked over to Dashie, who was looking a bit uncomfortable.

“I get it Dash. I’m not what you’ve come to love…” I said as she finally looked at me and blushed. She floated over and put a hand on my shoulder.

“It’s not that. I just hate seeing you look like this. Because I know you’ve grown beyond this.” She said as she looked me in the eye. I nodded and began to glow, turning into the Hero everyone recognized.

“You’re right. I’m not the same guy I was then.” I smiled gratefully at her before turning to the princesses.
“Now, how do we ensure Ganondorf can’t get back in?” I asked as Luna floated over.

“Simple, I cast a protection spell on you whilst in this dream scape.” She told me as she raised her hand above my forehead. I felt a cold shiver run down my spine and snapped awake back in Luna’s room. I looked around as everyone else woke up, now feeling better about my dreams.

“Thank you Luna. Truly.” I said with a small bow. She smiled and nodded.

“It was my pleasure. You should be safe from any further harm inside your dreams.” She promised. Looking outside I saw it was almost night and silently cursed myself.

“Damn. Last train to Ponyville probably left already..” I grumbled as Celestia looked at me.

“Well, you may stay here if you wish for the night. You wouldn’t be a bother.” The Solar Regent chuckled softly. I sighed and smiled.

“Thank you. Both of you. I gratefully accept your offer.” I told her as she sent a maid to prepare a room for us. I turned to AJ and Dashie and smiled.
“Let’s sleep for now, we’ll talk about what happened in the morning. Ok?” They nodded and we were led to a room by a maid after bidding the princesses goodnight. The room had a large bed big enough for all three of us and a dresser with a mirror. A door off to the side held a small bathroom with a shower, which I took advantage of. One hot and relaxing shower later, I emerged with a towel around my waist and found the two girls fast asleep in bed. I dried off and tossed my pants on before climbing in bed myself, drifting off into a peaceful sleep.