The way was sealed off entirely with no way to get in, through, or past.

Just as the old hags promised.

Hissing in frustration, the darkly-cloaked figure clenched his fists as he stood at the head of a flowing, raging waterfall, impassible by normal means, yet there was a secret way in. The only problem was that he could not find anything so far. No mysterious out-of-place rock, no particularly sturdy tree branch, no indication of any sort of switch or button that would allow for entry into the realm that rested behind the waterfall.

He was completely locked out.

“They could have been a little more specific,” he muttered under his breath, knowing that there was no further use in staying here, lest someone see him and he would draw too much suspicion.

After all, his kind wasn’t exactly welcome in these parts, despite the dear King of Hyrule’s wishes to unite the countries’ people. It would be extraordinarily worse if he was caught, a man.

One of their men.

Still, he wondered if his subordinates at the other supposed entryway were having any better luck.

Miles Away

“This is hopeless,” the woman in red groaned. “We’re never going to find the way inside through all this water!”

“Calm yourself, Aveil!” Her companion chided, dressed in pink and looking out at the expansive lake. “Although, if there were a passage into the heart of Zora’s Domain, what better place than one where you’d drown trying to get to it?”

Both women were well-built and defined in muscle and shape, radiating both an unusual yet powerful strength, but with an edge of femininity added to their collective image. Aveil possessed a red cloak while her comrade was garbed in pink, the shawls shielding them from the night air. Still, they would do them little good to help them breathe underwater.

Then, in the distance, the woman saw something. “Hey, Nabooru,” Aveil spoke up. “What’s that?”

The other woman, Nabooru, gazed in the direction of interest and found herself looking upon a shape halfway submerged in the water, motionless and still, yet…strangely recognizable.

“Hey, wait!” Aveil protested, Nabooru navigating her way around the portions of land situated around the lake, finally reaching the mysterious shape and finding that her discovery was larger than initially suspected.

Aveil reached her position and was about to give her a piece of her mind for daring to leave her behind (let alone for some sea monster or even a Zora themselves to snatch up), yet her words never manifested as she too was robbed of speech at what was before her.

Or rather, who.

Temple of Time

Castle of the Two Sisters

“This place is big and dangerous,” Twilight Sparkle thought aloud. “They could’ve gone anywhere.”

The search for the six students had begun, the six ponies having taken a lower route via a clue of one of Gallus’ discarded feathers.

“Still,” Rainbow Dash observed, retrieving one of the griffon’s blue feathers. “Why would they go anywhere in the first place? After all, the puckwudgies were gone, right?”

Indeed, the lilac Alicorn thought, purple eyes glancing around the library. So far, they had searched every other area that they had previously explored the last time they were here, yet there was no sign of the six youths anywhere. However, one of the griffon’s feathery leftovers sat atop of a peculiar text that none of the others had noticed until now.

Or rather, Spike had taken notice, quite literally tripping over it.

“What the…?” the small dragon looked to find a peculiar book with a plain brown cover, yet opening its contents proved to bring forth yet another mystery, for the pages were hollowed out and in a seemingly unreadable language full of characters the drake had never seen before.

The only element he could discern was a set of what appeared to be three golden triangles resting in spaces hollowed out in the book, apparently just for them. “Spike? Are you ok?” The drake heard Rarity ask, the ivory unicorn and the other ponies gathering around both him and the book.

“Yeah, but…” he trailed off, eyes centered on the set of three golden objects, the ponies being drawn in as well by the sight of them.

“What do you think it is?” Fluttershy questioned, reluctant to touch it, let alone get too close, lest it do something not in their favor.

“I don’t know,” Twilight answered. “I don’t remember seeing this book, let alone this…thing last time we were here.”

Spike found that no ill-effect awaited him upon touching the golden triangles, so he took them and began to turn and analyze them. They may have not been jewels, but their shimmering surface began to make his mouth water.

“Well, if they went in here, then they couldn’t have gone anywhere else,” Applejack observed, noting that there was only one entrance into the library, yet the library of this ancient place was, in itself, a large place with many hidden areas and doors, many of which they had probably yet to uncover since their last visit here. “But,” she surveyed the room with her green eyes, trying to find any hint of evidence as to where they could’ve gone. “So far, we’ve got nothing but this to go off of,” she replied, picking up the blue feather with her hoof. “It just doesn’t make sense.”

“Well, at least he has an area narrowed down we can search,” Twilight suggested. “Maybe we should split up and check various sections of the library to see if any of them are there.”

“Split up?” Fluttershy questioned, growing rather anxious. “You mean, alone?”

“No, not exactly,” Twilight said. “We’ll be in groups of two,” she then glanced at Spike. “Or, in one of your cases, three,” she clarified. “And we’ll just go through the places we both know and haven’t checked yet.”

“If that’s the case, I’m going with Rarity,” the drake declared. “I mean, this place isn’t exactly the safest and all.”

The ivory unicorn giggled. “Thank you kindly, Spike,” she said. “I wholeheartedly trust you with my safety.”

“All right,” Twilight said, glancing in the direction where she planned to search first. “Let’s go!”

Present

Pinkie Pie

There it was again.

The pink-haired youth turned to find nothing behind her yet again, but that was far from easing the growing chill crawling up her spine. Instead of going forward, she stopped, surveying her surroundings, eyes peeled for a sign of anything that may have been wrong or off. Yet from what she could see, there was nothing but forest, forest, and more forest! The only other soul that could’ve been here had to either be as lost as she was, or they were keeping track of her.

Neither of which exactly guaranteed her safety.

“Uh…hello?” Pinkie Pie said, receiving no answer save for the chittering of crickets and the occasional hooting of an owl. “Is anyone there?”

She still heard nothing but didn’t feel secure, blue eyes darting around, spotting and tracking every shadow and darkened corner nearby. Then, in the corner of her eye, she thought she noticed something. A particular tree is a short distance away, and the bark is seemingly going in the wrong direction in one spot. Hesitantly, albeit more from general unease than pure fear, Pinkie approached the tree, resting her hand on the surface. From what she could tell, it appeared normal, not to mention felt the same as bark. The skin on these new hands of hers was at least receptive to touch, she realized.

It was then that the bark shifted, almost rippling as if were made of water. Pinkie drew her hand back and stepped away, the strange section of the tree slowly transforming into what resembled a crooked face.

A face that looked directly at her and smiled.

“Hi.”

Twilight Sparkle

“I don’t understand,” the lilac Alicorn mused aloud, trotting around the hidden study of The Two Sisters. “We’ve searched everywhere in this library and still, no clues as to where they could’ve gone!”

“Maybe they’re somewhere else in the Castle?” Applejack suggested, the Earth pony having decided to accompany the Princess of Friendship.

“It’s possible,” Twilight Sparkle admitted. “But, if that’s the case, then they truly could be anywhere.”

Hidden Room

“Just how many of these do you think there are here?” Pinkie Pie questioned, she and Rainbow Dash having stumbled upon this small section of the library by pure accident. Although, it looked as if it had been visited recently.

“Not sure, although we’ll have to tell Twi when we find the students,” the cyan pegasus responded. “Still, the only hint is this single feather,” she remarked, holding the object of interest. “So either a hole opened up in the floor and swallowed them…”

Unknown Chambers

“This seems to be a bit of a special room, doesn’t it?” Fluttershy pondered aloud, noting how several of the texts located in this room were of fairytales and other literature usually meant for young foals.

“Agreed, darling,” Rarity remarked, examining the decor and wallpaper, which was remarkably well-preserved, despite the literal centuries that this structure had been through. “It’s almost as if this place has been completely untouched, save for a select few.”

“Then what do you think it’s for?” the pale-yellow pegasus questioned. “From what I’m aware, neither of the Princesses had children. Well, outside of Cadance, of course.”

“Indeed,” the unicorn agreed. “I dare say, it’s almost as if this place was a tribute to somepony or creature. But who?”

Spike, all the while, paid them no heed, trying to fidget and toy with the three triangles he had found in the text. So far, he was experiencing no luck, as none of the three wished to fit together in any way. At least, until he tried to stop forcing them atop of one another, and laid them side by side. But still, something appeared off. Where would the third one fit?

“You know,” Fluttershy spoke, nervously bringing her foreleg up. “Maybe we should get back with the others,” she bit her lip. “Don’t you feel like you’re being watched?”

“Oh, don’t be so skittish, darling,” Rarity reassured the pegasus. “There’s not a soul in here but you, me, and little Spike here,” she then gestured to the small drake, who had just placed the last triangle atop the other two. “Spike?”

The baby dragon held the complete puzzle, three golden triangles fashioned into one with three individual sections, each glowing brilliantly as if they were made of shimmering gold held underneath the light of Celestia’s morning rays. Next everything was consumed in light, no pony or dragon having a chance to react before golden hues of brilliant majesty overtook their vision.

And finally, everything went dark and still.

Pinkie Pie

The magenta-haired girl stepped back, bringing her hand close as if to shield it from the bizarre and somewhat frightful display that was before her. “Wh-What the…?!” she stammered, feeling uncharacteristically tense and, dare she say, scared.

“Greetings, child,” the “tree,” said, or rather, the face imposed on the trunk. The voice was male and old, yet it bore no warmth or any sense of friendliness. “Hmm…you look different than that old fool’s other children.”

“Old fool?” Pinkie questioned aloud. “That’s not very nice. Sure, people can be a little loopy, but calling someone a fool…” she then paused, realizing the other portion of his statement made little sense. “Wait…children?”

“Yes, children. That is what you are, yes?” the face asked her. “Are you not one of the Kokiri?”

“Kokiri?” the girl questioned. “That’s a funny word. But I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t play dumb with me!” the face bellowed in rage. “You’re dressed in their clothes! You have their mark and scent all over you! You must belong to that blasted rival of mine!”

Pinkie was becoming more than a little nervous in this…thing’s company, wondering if she should make her exit soon. Still, if that was the case, in which direction?

“No matter, whether you tell the truth or not. In the end,” the face presented her with a twisted yet gleeful grin, Pinkie’s pointed ears hearing howling in the distance. “You’ll spend your last moments regretting ever setting foot in my territory.”

Twilight Sparkle

One moment, she was searching through the old castle’s library, and the next, she was yanked off her hooves and tossed into a void with seemingly no end, her senses robbed from her and everything completely black. She couldn’t do anything but merely be. Exist here, in the darkness of this unknown space, completely alone with no one around to hear, let alone help her.

“AJ?” Twilight Sparkle called out. Or rather, she thought she did, communicating however she could at the moment that she was looking for anyone. She couldn’t even feel her muzzle move to form sounds, as if her very thoughts were all left of her very being. “Spike?” no answer from either the Earth pony or the little dragon. “Pinkie? Fluttershy? Rarity? Rainbow Dash?”

Nothing.

She was completely alone.

…

“...Princess…”

“Huh?”

“Star-keeper, Galaxy-holder, Ambassador of Goodwill to All,” a voice echoed in the darkness, childlike and mellow, yet it held a particular sense of intrigue and curiosity to it as if the Alicorn’s very presence amused them. “Your journey is well underway to where you are now needed.”

“Wh-What?” Twilight stammered, realizing that she was slowly regaining her shape back, albeit only partially. It looked almost as if she were outlined with some sort of thin light, her dimensions present, yet her form was overall non-corporal, non-solid, and almost mist-like in function and movement. If she had to compare it to anything, it was as if all the atoms in her body had loosened and simply shifted left to right with her motions, yet there was no pain.

“But, it would perhaps help if you saw my face in a way you would understand,” the childlike voice added, another shape forming before the somewhat transparent Alicorn, a quadrupedal form of what appeared to be an Earth pony mare with a light green coat and a forest-green mane and tail, her mane somewhat short and curled upward at the ends, a vibrant yellow follow behind each ear. Her eyes were a brilliant green, almost emerald, and she wore a chipper, innocent grin on her face. “This better?” The last detail of this pony was a brilliant yet otherworldly marking on her flank, a golden triangle surrounded by vines and flowering plants that appeared to glow.

Twilight was unsure of how to respond other than simply nodding. But still, she couldn’t stop herself from asking. “What…Who…are you?”

She giggled. Of all things, this mystical…whatever they were, giggled at the Alicorn’s bewilderment. “Yes, well, that’s right! I’ve seen you, but you haven’t seen me!” the green mare exclaimed. “I suppose introductions are in order then,” she then extended a hoof. “I am Farore, the Third and Youngest of the Three Sisters of Gold, creator of the flora and fauna of this world,” she paused. “And I am well aware of you and your comrades, Princess Twilight Sparkle of Friendship.”

Pinkie Pie

The combination of the face’s words, plus the distant howls growing ever closer served as no better motivation for Pinkie than to begin running. Running where, she didn’t know, yet at least she knew she was running away from the danger. At least, she hoped so.

Still, she knew that she couldn’t go on like this forever. Already, her legs were sore from the good distance she had traveled beforehand, and the lack of any sense of direction only served to make her feel less and less like laughing in the face of whatever trouble had found her. Still, just what had that face meant when he (it?) said what they did? Kokiri? Was that what she was?

It perhaps would explain the ears, seeing as Twilight mentioned nothing of that upon returning from her trip to another world.

Of course, what also wasn’t recounted in the Alicorn’s trip was the ever-present sounds of howling and low growls from predatory creatures Pinkie couldn’t see, yet all her other senses alerted her that they were on her tail, sighting glowing eyes in the darkness of the forest floor. Above wasn’t much better, shapes jumping from tree to tree watching and following her every move, Pinkie running so fast that she had completely lost track of everything else, save for getting away.

For one of the few times in her life, she found herself legitimately afraid.

Then, just as her anxiety reached its peak, she felt something swift and sharp smack her on the back of the head, just above her neck. This motion sent her to the ground, both from the force and the angle of the hit, consciousness fading from the pink-haired girl as her green-clad body found itself unable to move any further, the world around her fading to black as the steps of her pursuers drew closer, Pinkie able to feel hot breath on her face as something fierce and hungry approached.

Then she was aware of nothing else but stillness and the dark.

Twilight Sparkle

The Alicorn floated in the vast, endless space of what appeared to be a void of swirling galaxies and stars, small planets and asteroids able to be seen passing down below. “Wait,” she then began, realizing something. “You know me?”

The mare that identified herself as Farore nodded. “You’re probably wondering how, right? Truth is, I’ve actually seen you before. Several times, in fact.”

The lilac Alicorn’s eyes widened. “Wait, what?”

“But rest assured, I had no influence on any factor of your life, I merely observed. Your world is strangely fascinating,” Farore explained. “Yet it is because of these observations, I believe that you and your companions are the perfect candidates to send.”

“Send?” Twilight questioned.

“There’s much that you need to learn, yet now is not the time to explain, for time itself is of the essence,” the green mare told the Princess. “As one of the Three Creators of this world, I am one of those that see and know all that occurs within,” she clarified. “And my Sisters and I have received a prayer from one of the players in this most current cycle.”

“Cycle?”

“Yes, the Cycle that this world’s history is based on,” Farore told the Alicorn. “The Maiden of Light has sent out a plea for help in her task against the King of Darkness, and the Hero shall perhaps benefit from the answering of this prayer as well.”

“Maiden? King of Darkness? I’m sorry, but what do you mean?” Twilight asked. “Where’s Spike? Where’s my friends? Do you know where they are?”

“They shall join you in time,” Farore told her. “But first, you must visit the Maiden of Light in her Castle. Aside from her attendant, you are the only one that is able to help her at this moment. Your friends shall take care of the others that reside in this tale.”

“Tale?”

“You shall understand later,” the green mare informed her. “But, before you meet her, or any of the others, you can’t stay as you are now,” her eyes then closed. “Your form must change.” Then, the mysterious pony vanished from sight, as if she were never there.

Twilight Sparkle looked around, yet found no sign of anyone or anything. “Farore? She called out, yet received no answer. “Farore?! Anyone?!”

She was about to shout fruitlessly again, if not to have some illusion of power over the situation, yet before she could do so, Twilight felt her body shift. The sensation wasn’t painful, yet she could feel it, she was changing. Forelegs transformed into arms, her snout into a nose and mouth, and mane into a full head of hair with her tail and horn vanishing entirely. Yet, during this process, the Princess spotted something in the distance, dim at first, but fastly approaching and growing brighter by the second.

Three brilliant triangles presented themselves before her, their light all encompassing and consuming, she soon knowing nothing but the light and what its power was doing to her.

“May your Way lead to the Triforce.”

Author's Note

A small preview of a minor character from the manga, albeit one that hasn't been mentioned again.