The Legend of Zelda: Winds of Equestria

Chapters

Lost Woods
The Dark Clouds of Despair
Cursed Fortress
The Wind Mage
Vaati's Wrath
Frozen Ruins, Lunar Wing

Lost Woods

The wind. Some may think of it as a living being, it's breezes a breath, it's gusts simple indicators of travel, and it's howls shouts of anger. Not all beings share this impression, but many, if not all, can always sense what the wind carry's.

The wind can carry wishes and dreams, happiness and joy, or even an evil desire for total darkness. Regardless of what it carries, the wind is always moving, and never ending. Few things in the worlds are as absolute and never ending as wind.

This is a legend that was nearly lost in the wind, surviving only in the most obscure texts and ancient artifacts left known to Hyrulians and Equestrians alike. This is a legend of friendship. Not only friendship amongst others, but also of the friendship one holds with one's self.

Our story starts in the land of Hyrule, to the west of Hyrule castle and to a cottage a ways outside of Kakariko village. Just let the winds that sway the nearby forest drift you along, and we'll come upon our first hero...

"Whew! They may just be apples and berries, but these are getting a little heavy! Time for a break." a young boy clad in green exclaimed, shortly afterward placing a woven basket on the grass and stretching. Sighing, he laid upon the grassy hillside he found himself on and let a light breeze flow over him as he watched the clouds float by in the blue sky. Closing his eyes, the by began to let the sounds of leaves moving in the light wind lull him into a light snooze. Just as he began to descend deeper into sleep, he was begrudgingly awakened by the voice of his mentor and friend, Ruul.

"Link? Link, where are you! I need to speak with you!" Link heard Ruul shouting from just around the hill. Grumbling, Link sat up and looked towards the source of Ruul's voice, and waved towards him.

"Over here, Ruul!" Link shouted to his teacher, who walked over holding a shield, causing Link to let loose a hefty 'gulp!', as he knew what was coming. As Ruul frowned and approached, Link tried, ultimately in vain, to change the subject. "I got a pretty decent haul today, should last us the week!"

"Link..." Ruul said with a sigh, his expression making him seem much older than he actually was. Sure, Ruul was old enough to be Link's father, but that really only put him in and around his late forties. The last few days seemed to be putting a large strain on him, however, as Link could have sworn he noticed a few grey hairs turning up on his head.

"Link, what have I told you about leaving without your blade? Let alone, your sword." Ruul spoke sternly to Link, disappointment etched across his face. Link, however, was surprised. Normally Ruul completely chewed him out for his carefree attitude when it came to his equipment, but to simply appear disappointed.

"Ruul, is something...wrong?" Link asked, looking directly into his mentor's face. Ruul sighed and was silent for a moment.

"I've received a letter from Princess Zelda, requesting my presence at the Castle again today..." Ruul explained, looking towards his student.

"And I guess it's more of the same stuff, huh? Strange creatures showing up and attacking the villages across Hyrule?" Link asked, to which Ruul simply nodded. "Then take me with you! I'm more than enough for some stupid monsters!" Link demanded, completely forgetting the fruits behind him.

"Oh? You call yourself prepared to do battle with the evils of the world, and yet you leave your equipment behind at home?" Ruul asked, raising an eyebrow.

"But...I'm only around the fields and trees near our house...and they're heavy...total waste of energy if I'm just going to be within running distance." Link grumbled as he crossed his arms.

"Link, you have skill, to be sure, but with an attitude like that, you are far from a master swordsman. You must think of your blade and shield as two close friends. With them, they will do whatever they can to protect you. If you are any measure of distance from them, they can't do anything for you against a mortal blow. The more you spend time with them, the more they can and will do for you." Ruul lectured Link, causing a sense of normalcy to return.

"Yeah, yeah, okay Ruul..." Link grumbled some more as he took his equipment from his teacher.

"Now, return with your bounty to the house. I shan't be more than two days. Remember to avoid entering the forest if you can avoid it. Strange magic has been flowing within it for the past year, and I'd prefer if you didn't turn yourself into a science experiment." Ruul joked, causing a small laugh to escape Link. As Link finished donning his equipment and turned to grab the basket of fruit, he watched as Ruul galloped away down the lonely dirt road that led towards Hyrule Castle. The only thing he could do is grumble as he hoisted up the apples and berries once he realized he should have gotten Ruul to say hello to Zelda for him.

On the morning of the day of which Ruul would return, Link found himself without milk, after having a large number of bottles to himself the day before. Cursing his gluttony, Link wandered up to his bedroom and gathered up his satchel of Rupees, promptly tying it to his belt, before grabbing a knapsack to carry some bottles of fresh milk back from Lon Lon Ranch. Just as he placed a boot onto the home's front door, he glanced down towards his sword and shield. Thinking for a moment, he grabbed his shield.

"I better take my shield with me at least, just in-case I make any Deku Scrubs mad again. How was I suppose to know that comfy flower was actually his home? Jeez..." Link said to himself in a troubled manner, slipping his shield onto his back. Link left the sword to fall along the wall and onto the ground once he left the house and slammed the door closed.

Time moved along uncaring as Link did the same along the road to the ranch. After a rather uneventful hour long trek, Link came upon the familiar farmhouse that his best friend outside the castle lived: Malon. After making sure he was rather clean, he puffed his chest out slightly in an attempt to be humorous and approached the house. Knocking on the door, Link expected to see Malon answering it in her usually bubbly manner, but was surprised when her Father answered it instead.

"Why hello Link! What can I do ya fer?" Talon exclaimed, vigorously shaking the now dizzy Link's hand.

"I juuust neeeed sooooommmeee milk...?" Link asked in a daze, before falling backwards.

"Well, why didn'tcha say so, boy? Comm'on in!" Talon replied to Link, who was still picking himself up off the ground. "So how many bottles ya need?" Talon asked, as Link fished the used bottles out from his knapsack.

"Just the usual, Mr. Talon. I sorta drank them on Ruul, and figured I should replace them. He usually likes to have a bottle when he comes back from trips." Link explained, as Talon began to refill Link's bottles from a large tank of milk he kept near the front door.

"Another trip?" Talon asked, a look of surprise across his face as Link nodded. "My, ol' Ruul sure has been movin' around alot lately. Makes me wonder what has Princess Zelda makin' ruts in the castle floor."

"Well, she's always been a bit unsure since the King passed..." Link explained, thinking back to the day when he was visiting Zelda. He had never seen such sadness come from her, ever.

"Well, I suppose it's good of 'er ta talk to those with the knowledge. Good ol' Ruul will advise her right." Talon said with a nod, as he finished filling the last bottle. "S'There ya go, Link! That's ten Rupees per bottle, so that'll be fifty Rupees please." Talon requested, as Link fished out a little purple Rupee and handed it over. Talon slipped the bottles into Link's bag and handed the bag over to him. As Link accepted the bag and slipped it on underneath his shield, Talon glanced out a window to the side with a slight frown. "Thanks fer the business, Link! I'll tell Malon ya'll said 'Hello!' when I see her back from Kakariko village. You'll want to probably use the road that cuts beside the forest if ya didn't earlier, looks like we'll be in fer a nasty storm soon." Talon suggested to Link, who thanked him and left the ranch. He was a little depressed that Malon wasn't in the serve him, but at least he got Ruul some milk for when he got home later that day.

"Man, Mr. Talon wasn't kidding. That thing looks like it'll be a doozy when it hits! I hope Ruul won't have to ride in that..." Link spoke to himself quietly, as he went along the forest path. Noticing the clouds had already begun to overtake the sun, Link picked up his pace to a light jog, hoping to make in home before the rain hit.

'For the love of Nayru!' Link thought to himself, as he ducked into the treeline beside the road. Some highway bandits had taken up residence on the path up ahead of him, no doubt hoping to snag an unwary traveler who was using the path to be able to hide from most of the rain in the trees if it fell. Normally, Link would simply defeat them in a fist fight, but this wasn't a simple highway holdup point. This looked like an all out encampment of around twenty bandits!

'Great. Just...great. This couldn't get any worse.' Link grumbled within the confines of his mind. He wandered further into the bushes, far from the bandits and the path, in the general direction of home. The storm above wasn't giving any indication of letting up anytime soon, and Link found himself feeling clammy pretty quickly. After deciding to cut his losses, Link began scanning his surroundings for cover, and came upon a giant, old hollow log that seemed to overtaken by extremely thick and impenetrable brush. Entering it he found that it was open on both sides, saving him only from the rain, but the chilling wind still howled through it. As he rested inside of the giant log, using his knapsack and shield to deflect most of the wind, he could have sworn a few times that the howling he was hearing wasn't just the wind, but he chalked it up to the forest playing tricks on him. That is, until he heard a girl's blood curdling shriek from the opposite side of the log tunnel.

"Hang on, I'm coming!" Link shouted, not wasting time as he sprang into action. Slipping his right arm through the straps of his shield, he bolted into the woods again, his knapsack laying inside the log, forgotten. As the unknown girl shrieked again, Link's flagging endurance was bolstered, and he ran right into a clearing to witness what looked like a group of monsters surrounding something that was cowering near a tree. Hearing the intruder, the monsters turned to look. They looked just like dogs, but they were all standing upright wearing odd assortments of raggy clothes. Some even sported Armour and spears.

"You're....definitely not Moblins. What are you creatures, and why are you harming that girl!" Link pointed towards where the dogs were almost completely blocking from view, save for a glimpse of yellow and pink.

"We are Diamond Dogs! We are taking Pony to be our slave! To haul Gemstones! What are you?" one of the shorter Diamond Dogs spoke up, walking away from the girl, which Link could see clearly now was not an ordinary girl. Curiosity seeped into his mind, but he suppressed it for the time being, as someone needed his help and it didn't matter to him it they were Hylian or not.

"I...am a Hylian. And as a Swordsman of Hyrule, I will uphold the will of Princess Zelda and protect the innocent from demons such as yourselves! Now scram, or I'll have to resort to violence!" Link commanded, entering a much more threatening posture as he raised his shield.

"Swordsman without Sword? Me don't understand how it works..." the Diamond Dog replied, looking honestly confused as Link's expression fell in embarrassment. Ruul had definitely mentioned something about this a few hundred times...

"Don't care! We'll take Pony AND you as slaves!" a lankier Diamond Dog said with a snarl, as he pointed with a paw and howled, causing the armored Diamond Dogs to begin rushing Link.

'Okay, recall Ruul's training Link, come on! Uhh...when disarmed, improvise!' Link instructed himself, as he quickly raised his shield and danced backwards to avoid a spear strike, the thing falling uselessly as it caused Link's shield to vibrate slightly from the strike. After nearly tripping over a log, Link snapped a perfectly shaped bow off a smaller fallen tree and brandished it like his blade. He didn't have to wait long to test it out, parrying a spear stab with his shield and answering with a swift club to the head of the Diamond Dog soldier that dared harm him, earning him a nice bump on the head and a dirt nap.

"I don't need a blade to defeat you, Diamond Dogs! Retreat now before you humiliate yourselves!" Link offered the Diamond Dogs, who simply guffawed and pressed their attacks. After a few more attempts to fatally wound Link, another Diamond Dog joined his peer in his snooze. Link was beginning to like his branch!

"Wauf! Fall back, Diamond Dogs! Retreeeat!" the stocky Diamond Dog commanded after witnessing Link fell at least half of their forces within mere minutes. He quickly burrowed into the dirt with his comrades leaping down the hole he made in the ground. Link couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of his defeated foes stumbling around while holding their heads in pain as they attempted to follow their leaders. It wasn't long after the last Diamond Dog ran down the hole that the strange creature that the Diamond Dogs called a 'Pony' began stirring, and Link was quickly at her side. When she noticed him, panic set in, and she began to flail in fright.

"Hey, wait! Calm down, I'm not here to hurt you!" Link said in an attempt to calm the mare down. A fleeting look of understanding from her eyes was overshadowed by fear returning as she whipped her head around to look for her attackers. "Hey, don't worry about the Diamond Dogs. I made quite a few of them regret attack you with this." Link explained, raising his make-shift club. "I'm going to hazard a guess that you can understand me. What's your name?"

"F...sh..." The mare spoke quietly.

"I'm sorry, that was really quiet and I couldn't hear it over the rain..." Link asked, still looking towards the mare intently.

"F...Fluttershy..." The mare finally said, hiding her eyes behind her pink mane.

"So that's your cottage? I didn't know anything was on the west side of the forest. All I've ever been told was that it was coastline." Link said, in way of explaining his surprise. Fluttershy gave him and odd look, however.

"Uhm...my home is north of the forest..?" Fluttershy replied. Link stopped in mid stride to look directly at the mare.

"Wouldn't we be seeing Kakariko village to the north, then? I mean, I can see some sort of settlement in the distance there," Link asked as he pointed a finger towards the nearby town as the rain died down to a simple few drops every now and again, "But that definitely doesn't look like Kakariko village."

"Kakariko village? Where is that?" Fluttershy asked, tilting her head to the side. Just as Link was about to let loose an exasperated sigh, a voice shouted out from above.

"GET AWAY FROM HER, YOU FREAK!" a multi-colored blur screamed in on Link, who raised his shield is surprise. The shield did halt his attacker's strike, but it caused Link to stumble backwards and over a fallen tree, a broken branch placing a nasty gash in his right leg as he fell.

"Rainbow Dash, no! Stop hurting the poor thing!" Fluttershy scolded the multicolor pony, who was beginning to recover from flying headlong into a metal shield.

"Huh? Why? Weren't you attacked? Your cottage is a mess of broken stuff." Rainbow Dash asked, showing clear concern for Fluttershy and even clearer disregard for Link, who was grunting with the struggle of getting back up over the tree.

"Oh, no Rainbow Dash! Angel Bunny was being naughty earlier and not taking his medicine for his cold, so I had to upturn most of my furniture to catch him. After that, he ran off into the Everfree forest, so I chased him." Fluttershy explained. Pointing a hoof towards Link, who was favoring his right leg, she continued. "Just as I found Angel Bunny, I was attacked by Diamond Dogs. This creature named Link saved me!"

"Wha..? Oh, really? Uhmm..." Rainbow dash looked over at Link with embarrassment, rubbing her withers with a foreleg as she hover just above the ground. "...Sorry." Rainbow Dash said quietly, to which Link frowned for a moment before sighing.

"Oh...it's...alright. You really didn't hurt me all that ba-AAAAAHHHD!" Link finished with a yelp when he put some weight on his right leg, it's injury preventing its use.

"Oh Rainbow, you hurt his leg! Help me get him into the cottage so I can bandage it up..." Fluttershy instructed her friend, and the both of them braced him up as they carefully walked him towards Fluttershy's home.

Upon entering Fluttershy's home, Link took a good look around as the two mares eased him onto a couch. Very predominate in her home was the large variety of little animal homes, as well as the number of creatures living within them. The other thing that stood out to him was the fact that there was a white Rabbit staring daggers towards him. Once it noticed her had Link's attention, he used his paws to point at his own eyes and then towards Link. He got the message, replying with a roll of his eyes. As he took in how foreign everything was to him, Link recalled that Fluttershy never mentioned the name of the settlement in the distance. Noticing that she wasn't in the room any longer, but her friend was, Link took to asking the cyan mare.

"Uhm, what's the name of the settlement nearby?" Link asked, giving a curious look towards the mare.

"Oh, over there? That's Ponyville! Best town in Equestria!" The mare replied with pride, thumping a hoof onto the floor to emphasis her statement. "I'm sorry, I never actually caught your name! Mine's Rainbow Dash! Fast flyer in Equestria!" Rainbow Dash introduced herself, offering her foreleg. Link figured it to be the equivalent of a handshake, and grasped it firmly as they both shook.

"You can call me Link." he replied with a small smile, which was quickly replaced with a troubled frown after letting Rainbow's hoof go. "You...wouldn't happen to know if Miss Fluttershy has any maps of the land, would she?"

"Haha, Fluttershy, you hear that? You're a 'MISS' now!" Rainbow Dash teased her friend, earning her an 'eep!' from the next room over, followed shortly after the sounds of falling objects. "Haha, whoops! Better go help her clean up. I think I can get you a map, just hang tight." Rainbow Dash told Link, motioning for him to remain sitting.

"Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere for a bit." Link replied with a smirk as he pointed to his right leg, getting him a snicker from Rainbow Dash. At least she seemed to have a sense of humor. It wasn't long before the two of them returned, with Fluttershy balancing a small tray of medical supplies on her back with the assistance of her wings, and Rainbow Dash holding a rolled map inside her mouth. Pushing a stool along, Fluttershy went to treating Link's injury much like she would one of her animal friends as she gingerly picked up his injured leg. After much stinging from the disinfectant, Link took a good look at his calf, which had been wrapped up in medical cloth. Just as he stood up to walk, Fluttershy pressured him back down onto the couch.

"Please, rest. I did what I could for your cut, but your joint there is injured, and inflamed. At least stay the night, please?" Fluttershy asked, staring at Link with concerned and sad eyes.

"Uhm...if you insist, I guess I'll stay the night. It'll give me a chance to get my bearings, anyways." Link finished, tapping on the still rolled up map beside him. As he began unrolling the map, Rainbow Dash turned to Fluttershy.

"Hey, listen, I'd like to stay and talk and stuff, but this storm has been sticking around in the sky for too long. I've gotta go find out why Thunderlane hasn't moved 'em yet. Chiao!" Rainbow Dash announced, not waiting for any form of reply. Fluttershy simply giggled.

"Don't mind her, she's always like that. Anyways, I've got to head out myself and buy some more animal food. Just rest there, and I'll wake you for dinner." Fluttershy mothered Link, who sighed and gave a slight blush, but heeded her words and laid down upon the couch, unfurling the map shortly afterwards and taking a good look. Fluttershy simply smiled and walked towards her front door, stopping only to grab saddlebags and her bag of bits with her wings. Looking back for a moment to her charge, she headed back out the door.

'He can't be very old, although I can't be sure...I've never seen anything like him before! But he certainly still has a bit of coltish behavior in amongst his Gentlestallion mannerisms. I'll stop by Twilight Sparkle's on the way home and see if she'd like to meet him! Maybe she can tell me more about what he is.'

"So you're telling me that you have an intelligent and strange, albeit polite, bipedal animal that you've never seen another of it's kind before laying down on your couch. Right now." Twilight Sparkle asked, a raised eyebrow betraying her own disbelief.

"Y-yes..." Fluttershy shrunk a bit, seeing her own friend unsure of her story making her nervous.

"And that Rainbow Dash can vouch for you, that this thing really exists?" Twilight asked again, eyebrows still slightly askew from one another. Another nod, silent this time, from Fluttershy. "Well..." Twilight trailed off, looking down in thought, before nodding something to herself. Turning around, she began to speak to someone outside of Fluttershy's vision. "Hey, Spike? Grab my quills and some paper for me, could you? We might be taking some notes over at Fluttershy's cottage.

"Aww, but I was just about to make dinner, Twilight..." Spike's disappointed tone could be heard from beyond the door, reminding Fluttershy of a gift she bought for the baby dragon.

"That's okay, Spike. I got you some yummy gems to snack on while we're at my home." Fluttershy offered with a smile as she removed a little brown satchel from her saddle bags, shortly before handing to the little purple dragon that found his way around Twilight. After quickly munching down one of the gemstones and thanking Fluttershy, Spike proceeded to run around the Library and grab the requested items, garnering a giggle from both Fluttershy and Twilight.

After a few minutes of walking out of Ponyville and along a short path, the trio of friends found themselves arriving before Fluttershy's home. Entering quietly in-case Link happened to be sleeping, they were alarmed when they noticed that Link wasn't where Fluttershy had left him. As she went about panicking about his injuries not being cared for properly, Twilight shushed her. They could hearing a faint creaking of metal and wood from the backside of Fluttershy's home.

"Don't you hear that...? Sounds like your well being used. Let's check out back." Twilight suggested, now fully convinced that Fluttershy must have had something in her home. As they carefully peeked out from her back door, they watched as Link splashed handfuls of water onto his face, as well as wash his mouth out. Just before Fluttershy made her way outside, Link gave himself a great heave, and proceeded to get sick next to the well.

"Oh! Oh my! Link, are you alright?" Fluttershy gasped, as she galloped over towards the boy in green.

"I...I'll be fine, really. Sorry about that, it's just...I took a look at all the maps you had in your house and...I couldn't find Hyrule anywhere. So I guess I jumped to conclusions and got myself into a panic, and..." Link shrugged, shivering slightly from the effort of being sick.

"I'm sorry, but what's 'Hyrule'? I'm afraid I haven't heard of it." Twilight's voice floated out from the cottage, catching both Link's and Fluttershy's attention. Link sighed.

"That does it then. I really am from a place that, according to your world and continental maps, doesn't exist." Link said, curling up into himself slightly from the ground. He's gotten himself into a real nasty situation now!

The Dark Clouds of Despair

Image by Daboya

Link awoke with a start. It had only been a handful of hours since he went to sleep on Fluttershy's couch, but he found himself feeling restless in the early hours of the morning. Taking a glimpse outside, Link found that the sun hadn't even begun to rise yet, which would give him the chance to experience the cool night air.

Quietly testing his right knee, he figured that he would be able to put up with a limp, and so he headed outside, being careful to avoid kicking his shield and creating a ruckus. As he eased the front door shut, Link took a look around as he inhaled deeply. It was only a short time between when the mares found him, and going to sleep after a filling meal, but it felt like much more had occurred. After meeting with Twilight Sparkle and her assistant, Spike, a theory to Link's origin had been put in place. Twilight had mentioned that there were a number of ongoing studies into the possibilities of alternate dimensions, worlds that existed and were similar to her own, but also very different. Based on the fact that Link's biology doesn't match any known species ever recorded in Equestrian history, and that his story indicated that only a visibly short distance was covered, Twilight theorized that Link had ventured to Equestria from one of those alternate dimensions, his home.

Shortly after this realization, Twilight seemed to venture off into her own world, frantically writing using her telekinesis, and at one point calling Spike to write a letter to their Princess, which made Link very nervous when she replied that she would arrive at Fluttershy's home shortly after sunrise.

Taking another deep breath, Link was surprised to notice that in his thinking, he had lain on the ground and closed his eyes, and quickly opened them to witness that the dark of the night had given way to twilight.

'Wont be long now...' Link thought to himself, as he picked himself up off the ground and ventured back into the cottage.

"Hey, another early riser! I didn't know what to expect from you, but that's a start, I guess!" a boy's voice floated out. Link recognized it as Spike's, but he was still surprised to hear the little dragon awake so early. Looking down, he saw the little dragon munching on a handful of little green and red gems, something of which Link still had a hard time understanding was possible.

"Hi Spike. Yeah, I couldn't sleep...guess I'm just nervous to meet this 'Princess' of yours. I've always been a bit nervous to meet royalty, as even in my own homeland I find myself fidgety." Link explained. Spike devoured another handful of the color gems, which their appearance began to nag at Link slightly...

"Ha ha, if your nervous about Princess Celestia, just wait until you meet Princess Luna!" Spike exclaimed, before shoving his maw full of gems again. Link simply swallowed his building saliva nervously. Twilight had mentioned a Princess Luna, and how she controls the moon's orbit.

"Man, these Gems taste pretty different! I have to ask Fluttershy where she got these, they even went through the trouble of cutting them!" Spike exclaimed, pulling one of the red ones out to examine it. Link immediately identified it as a red Rupee, and suddenly discovered why Spike eating them was causing him concern: Spike was eating his Rupees!

"AAAH! No, my Rupees!" Link exclaimed, tearing the little satchel away from Spike's grip, only to discover that none of them remained. Spike had cleaned him out. Link slumped to the ground, and began to mope. "Months of allowance...gone...all gone..."

"Guys? What's going on out here? Spike, we're you looking for your gems?" Twilight asked as she peeked outside, only to witness Link moping and Spike looking guilty. "Spiiiiike, what did you do to Link?"

"I, uhm, sort of...ate his money, I think. I confused them for my gems?" Spike explained, wringing his wrists.

"Wha...huh? How? Bits look nothing-- oh." Twilight stopped abruptly when Spike presented the one surviving red Rupee. "So, their money is represented with gems, interesting..." Twilight mumbled to herself as she levitated a journal and quill before her.

"He...ATE all my Rupees! HOW IS THIS INTERESTING?" Link shouted in frustration, flipping the satchel inside-out to bring across his point. Twilight looked at Link, her expression showing that she didn't exactly know what to say. "I'm leaving to get something to eat and cool off before your Princess appears." Link said in a huff, tossing the empty Rupee wallet onto the ground. As he disappeared into the nearby batch of trees, Twilight glared over at Spike silently.

"What? I'm sorry, okay? I tripped over his shield this morning and must have grabbed his 'Rupees' by mistake! How was I supposed to know any different when the bags look similar?" Spike asked, looking towards his pseudo-sister.

"Oh, possibly the whole part where they look like they've been specially cut. You know no one in town sells cheap bulk gems pre-cut!" Twilight admonished Spike, who simply looked towards the ground in guilt. "Oh...come inside now. Fluttershy has probably woken up by now and is making breakfast. Besides, something about Link tells me he won't hold this against you for long." Twilight suggested, earning a nod from a silent Spike. As Twilight turned to head back into the cottage, Spike quickly grabbed Link's wallet and placed the surviving red rupee back within it, and jogged to catch up with her.

Soon after stomping away, Link felt ashamed of himself for yelling. Spike was only a little baby dragon, regardless of how mature he acted at times. Even though he, Link, was young himself, he was representing not only the Knights of Hyrule but the Kingdom of Hyrule as well, and he went and snapped because someone ate his meager allowance by mistake. Link made himself a mental note to apologize to the dragon as soon as he got the chance.

Link had begun idly picking a bush filled with some plump purple berries as he wandered around in thought, and quickly found his hands both quite full. Taking a seat amongst some short grass, he began to listen to the sounds of the forest as he chewed on the berries. Once or twice, you had thought he heard some movement in amongst the taller shrubbery nearby, but after quietly listening, he shrugged it off as small animals moving about. "Well, those berries were pretty filling..." Link said to himself as he picked himself up off the ground and cast aside some uneaten berries.

"I may be a bit late to meet Princess Celestia now as she arrived, but I suppose she'll still be there. Time to head back..." Link decided. After making sure he hadn't made himself a mess, he nervously pushed forward towards Fluttershy's cottage. Or he would have, if he hadn't heard some excited 'shhh!'ing coming from an oddly shaped bush nearby. Staring at it for a moment, Link could make out some small, shadowy pony muzzles in the bush, that seemed to scrunch up when he stared.

"Ah think he heard us!" a young girls voice could be heard faintly from the bush. Smirking slightly, Link decided to tease them a bit.

"Thought I heard something, but I guess not. Time to get back, I guess..." Link spoke aloud in as carefree a tone as he could muster, eliciting a shift from the bush. Moving away, he quickly doubled back and crouched inbehind the bush, getting a good look at the girls inside.

"Com'awn, let's turn this bush an' follow it! We'll get our cutie marks in biology fer sure!" The orange filly, who's mane was bright red and sported a cute red bow, whispered excitedly.

"Hurry up, Scootaloo, or we'll lose it! I don't want to have to tell Rarity that my hair is dirty for nothing!" the little white filly with a dual-toned and curly mane grumbled, tapping a hoof determinedly on the dirt of the forest floor.

"I'm sorry, but I don't think I want a cutie mark in biology anymore. How can that even be a little bit cool?" The orange and purple maned filly asked, who's name Link had just learned. Silently laughing, Link followed them at a slow pace as they moved forward. Eventually the girls became frustrated and stopped. As they deliberated where to look for him next, Link decided to speak up, and did so with as innocent an expression as possible.

"Umm...what are we following again?" he asked, the three fillies whipping their heads around in surprise at the unexpected visitor.

"Aaaaah!" was all the three girls shouted in fright, before comically bolting from the bush and ran from the forest and away from Link, who was doubled over with laughter. Quickly recovering his senses from the strange, albiet entertaining encounter, Link made his way back to the cottage.

Upon his exit from the trees, Link came upon the sight of a white chariot resting before Fluttershy's home, along with a pair of brawny looking ponies wearing Armour. Link and the guards took wary glances of each other for a few moments, before one of the ponies finally said anything.

"The Princess waits inside. Please don't keep her waiting." the guard instructed, to which Link silently nodded. He found them intimidating, but he wasn't going to show them anything, and didn't hesitate to walk straight past them and into the cottage. Once the door was closed, Link overhead one of the guards muttering about something to the other.

"Fifty bits says he's just some little kid." the guard on the right said to the one leaning on the cottage wall.

Link scoffed as he overheard the guards. He WAS a kid. Sure, he could wield a blade well and dispatch many monsters, but that didn't change how old he was. Sometimes he just felt like playing. And as much as he'd like to do so, he never truly got the chance to do so, as even when he saw other kids his age, Ruul and himself were usually on an important errand of some sort. He did enjoy being helpful to the Knight's order, but he'd like to have more friends.

As his mind wandered, Link made sure that he was at least half presentable, a habit that Ruul had made sure he had become accustomed to, as Princess Zelda would occasionally visit during Recruit calls and inspect the recruits. If he looked messy, it might reflect badly on Ruul, which Link didn't want. The only thing that always refused to cooperate was his messy blonde hair, which tended to always look exactly like he had slept in well past noon. His hair is why he made himself a matching hat for his tunic, just so most of the mess would be hidden and not be a constant nuisance.

When he finally decided he was presentable enough, Link noticed that he was being stared at by three sets of eyes that were hiding around a corner. Glancing over, he saw three little fillies, probably the same ones as before. As Link stared at them in surprise, and they of wary caution, he finally spoke up.

"Uhm...Hi."

The three fillies kindly replied with shrieks, and promptly bolted back around the corner. The door to outside opened abruptly as the guards looked inside fiercely to see what the commotion was about. Just as Link was about to shrug and explain, an irritated and large midnight blue mare appeared from around the corner, with three little fillies ushering her towards Link as they hid under her.

"He was gonna eat us!" the yellow filly with the pink bow in her red mane shouted.

"He's that monster from the Everfree, Princess!" the orange filly, Scootaloo, exclaimed. When the tall blue mare, the one whom Twilight had mentioned earlier and name as 'Luna' before he went to bed, turned her gaze back towards Link, he found himself rooted to the spot as her eyes appeared to look into his very soul as she smiled. The way she held herself was quite intimidating, however it was her mane that had garnered his attention. It appeared to shine and twinkle with the very stars of the night themselves, and Twilight's description did it no justice. When he became aware that he was staring, he looked towards the ground, causing Luna to snort and her smile was replaced with a smirk.

"Brave, indeed. Fear not, children. This one will do ye no harm. He is naught but a child himself." Luna stated, approaching Link, leaving the fillies confused. "Follow me, child. My Sister wishes to meet you, we both have many questions for you." Luna said, motioning with her head towards the room she came from. As Link followed behind her, he looked towards the fillies who eyed her warily.

"Uhm...sorry for scaring you earlier. I was only joking around, so please don't be scared of me." Link apologized, rubbing his neck sheepishly.

"Uhm...It's okay, I guess. As long as you don't actually eat us.." Scootaloo said.

"I wo-...hey, I never said I was going to eat you, what gives?" Link asked, frowning towards the fillies, the trio nervously giggling.

"We...might have, ahhh, exaggerated a bit?" The yellow one admitted. Link groaned.

"As long as no one turns around and starts treating me like some common monster."

"What are ya, anyways? Ah've never seen anythin' like ya before!" the yellow filly asked, suddenly very curious, as were the other two. Link puffed out his chest with pride.

"I am a Hylian! I hail from the land of Hyrule! I also help protect it, because I'm a member of the order of the Knights of Hyrule! Well...I suppose I should explain that I'm only a recruit, but I've been handpicked for exclusive training from Captain Ruul, my teacher!" Link explained, his excitement getting the better of him.

"A Knight? Wow, that's so awesome!" Scootaloo exclaimed, before producing a confused expression on her face. "Wait, don't knights have a sword or something...?" she asked, looking at Link in confusion. Link simply stewed for a moment and mumbled about Ruul and being correct or something.

"How old are you?" the white one said, breaking the ensuing silence by finally saying something.

"I'm twelve, actually. How about yourselves?" Link asked the girls. Just as they were about to reply, Twilight stuck her head out of the room in which Princess Luna entered.

"Link, come in please, both the Princesses are waiting." Twilight reminded him, coaxing him towards her with a hoof. Heeding the instructions, Link walked forward and into the room, which turned out to be the kitchen, only to be greeted a great white mare in golden regalia. Once again, Twilight's description of this Princess did her no justice, as one could almost argue that the very light of the sun radiated from her body and flowing, ethereal mane. Link was in awe, and he wasn't exactly certain of what he needed to do, so he simply stood and stared in silence. She was the first to break the ice.

"Hello, young one. Do you know who I am?" Princess Celestia asked in a very soft tone. Link nodded silently.

"I think so. You're Princess Celestia, right? Twilight described both you and Princess Luna to me." Link replied, obviously nervous.

"Yes, I suppose my faithful student will have instructed you about my sister and I. We've come to visit you today, to understand where you've come from. From what I do know, I must say it is very limited. Please, can you tell me your name?"

"Link, your majesty." Link replied, fidgeting slightly due to nerves.

"Link...a very distinct name, if I do say so myself. Now, please, take a seat. You have no need to be nervous around me, I'm simply curious about you and your people as I've never seen one of your kind ever before in my vast lifetime." Princess Celestia explained, motioning towards an empty seat at the table the ponies all sat at. Just as Princess Celestia found Link beginning to relax around her, she cursed inwardly when a Guard burst into the room and sent Link slamming into the wall behind the door.

"Princess, I--!"

"My Guard, please calm yourself! You just hurt our visitor!" Princess Celestia instructed, motioning to the door. The guard looked confused for a moment, and then he heard a groan come from behind the door as it slowly began to close again, he finally noticed the Hylian boy he had just crushed.

"Uhm...I..." The guard began to say, before another guard burst in, once again slamming the door closed on the still stunned Link.

"Princess, the forest is--!" The guard began, before the pair of them found their Princess having raised a hoof and giving each of them a disproving glance as Celestia checked on Link.

"I...think I'm...gonna buy the ranch..." was basically the only understandable words coming from Link, as he found everything to be spinning and in a haze. All the ponies in the room stared at him for a moment, while he collected himself. It wasn't long, however, before yet another guardspony entered the room.

"Princesses, Twily, I'm sorry for the intrusion, but we've had a development." the stallion explained himself with a bow.

"Shining Armor?" Twilight asked, confusion reigning her features.

"What seems to be the issue, Captain?" Princess Celestia asked, clearly worried about whatever it was that Shining Armor discovered.

"Some ominous, black clouds are billowing out from the Everfree forest. We haven't discovered their source, yet, but it appears to be coming from somewhere within the forest itself." the captain explained. Link started once he heard this.

"Wait! The source could be where I came from!" Link exclaimed, garnering the entire room's attention, along with the unsure glare from Shining Armor. "Before I first appeared here, there was a pretty bad storm in the sky above me. The clouds didn't seem to dissipate any when I first encountered Fluttershy in the woods."

"Shortly after that, I met Rainbow Dash, who later mentioned that she didn't know why another pony hadn't cleared the skies yet. If those clouds were actually coming from Hyrule and explain why the sky here wasn't clear, it would mean that the clouds are somehow coming in the same way that I did, and that it might be the way back into Hyrule!" Link explained, his expression showing that he was clearly proud of his deduction. It brought a warm smile to Celestia's face for a brief moment before she frowned again as Link's expression quickly became troubled.

"Sister, do you sense it again?" Luna suddenly asked, stepping into an offensive stance as she looked around.

"This climate of...evil. The clouds outside are not natural." Celestia whispered as she closed her eyes.

"But that would mean that...that Hyrule is in trouble. I have to get home somehow!" Link exclaimed. Just as Link was about to ask about getting back to where he found Fluttershy, a pair of strange creatures with the appearances of lanky goblins burst into the room. Before the two guards could react, they both received a violent club to their heads, dropping them immediately.

"Bokoblins!" Link shouted, entering a defensive stance. In the ensuing confusion, Link heard Shining Armor shouting.

"Princesses, get out of here! Run!"

"I'm teleporting everypony further into town, stay still!" Princess Celestia instructed, and everyone, save Shining Armor, stayed absolutely still. Link clenched his eyes shut, as he felt a warm white light envelope him, he heard Princess Celestia gasp, right before a loud 'CRACK!' broke the silence. Link flicked one eye open...and found himself all alone in Fluttershy's kitchen. Even the monsters had seemingly disappeared.

"H...hello? Princesses? Twilight...? Miss...Fluttershy?" Link asked in the ominous silence. No reply. And everything was being covered in darkness, as the clouds blotted out the sunlight. Feeling the heat of day quickly disappearing, Link found it prudent to locate his shield and find a suitable weapon. Amongst the gear that was dropped by all three guards as they teleported away was a narrow, short sword that Link picked up and attached the sheath onto his back through the belt he wore over his shoulder. He ended up doing the same with his shield when he located it within Fluttershy's living room, right next to his makeshift bed that was the couch. Fully equipped, Link tested the weight of his blade by pulling it out, and found that it wasn't much lighter than his own, but the awkward shape of the hilt bothered him some.

Taking a peak outside through the door, Link found it to be a very gloomy place outside. Looking around, he found the village in the distance towards the west of the cottage, and began to walk along the path towards it at a steady jog in an attempt to rejoin the ponies. Only a short distance outside the cottage, however, he found himself stunned by a strange flash of light that had disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. As Link shook his to clear his mind of the strange occurrence, he heard a loud crack, to which he had begun to attribute to teleportation, sound off behind him.

"Link! You're okay!" Rainbow Dash suddenly shouted as Link whipped around to catch a glimpse of her. As he approached the group, he noted that, along with Rainbow Dash, Twilight, Fluttershy, and the Princesses, some more mares had shown up this time, along with what seemed to be a platoon of guards. The Pink mare seemed very excited to see him, but was pulled aside by another unknown mare, this one orange, as she began to instruct the pink one. A white mare with a very stylized purple mane simply smiled at Link, who nodded in return.

"Of course I'm okay. The Bokoblins disappeared when you all teleported. I was worried you grabbed them instead of me by mistake." Link directed this last bit to Princess Celestia, who had been eying him with curiosity since reappearing.

"No, those 'Bokoblins', as you call them, didn't come with us. Nor was it my intention to leave you behind. Link, could you tell me, is there something of immense power attached to you, or do you have any sort of artifact in your possession that might be interfering with our magic?" Celestia asked, eyeing Link with continued interest. Before he could answer, however, a bright flash of lightning split the sky before them, followed immediately by the deafening boom of the thunder, serving to remind everyone of the severity of the situation. "I suppose my questions will have to wait. Link! We must travel to your world and find a way to stem this evil! Will you lend us your courage and knowledge and bring us to your leaders?" Celestia asked, staring at Link intensely. Without hesitation, Link nodded, and donned his shield.

"Alright, guards! Diamond formation! Protect the Princesses and the Bearers with your lives!" Shining Armour shouted from Celestia's side. All the ponies seemed to organize themselves, with Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and the other three mares he didn't know being forced to stand between the Princesses Celestia and Luna, while the Guards formed a two pony wide diamond shape around them all, with Shining Armour moving to the front. "Link, was it? Could you come beside me, kid?" he beckoned Link with a hoof, as the group began their march forward.

"Yes Sir?" Link heeded, giving Shining a salute as a show of respect. Shining frowned slightly out of concern.

"I...hate to drag a child into this, but I think I'm really going to need your help here. Everypony but you is treading into unfamiliar territory here, and with what I expect to be constant adversity from these 'Bokoblins', I'm going to need any edge I can get. I know that Princess Celestia already asked you this, but I'm also aware that her status tends to intimidate a lot of ponies, so...are you on board with this? I know you're a swordsman in training, but actual combat can be quite frightening, especially for one as young as you." Shining asked, explaining himself as he looked ahead into the rapidly approaching Everfree Forest. Turning his head to look at Link directly into the eyes, he asked his question. "Can you muster up the courage to face the challenges ahead?"

Link was silent as he looked directly into Shining Armour's eyes. The two maintained this staring contest, until Shining Armour seemed satisfied and the pair came to a silent understanding. "Heh, alright there, little warrior. I'm satisfied with the answer your eyes gave."

"My...eyes?" Link asked, as he continued to walk beside Shining Armour, the light around them dimming slightly as they entered the outer trees of the forest.

"Yeah, your eyes seem to have this unwavering gold light behind them. Gives you a very fierce stare." Shining Armour explained himself, only serving to confuse Link a little more as the boy rubbed a mark on the back of his hand. "Alright, keep your guard up, we're entering the forest proper, alot of dangerous creatures already live here. I don't want to be ambushed by a hungry Manticore."

"Alright..." Link mumbled quietly, bringing his shield closer to himself. As the large group carried further into the forest, many creatures seemed more interested in steering clear of them than anything. The further they went into the forest, the most cold and wet the air seem to come. It wasn't long before they began to hear the pit-pat of rain on the leaves above.

"Hey, we're on track! This is the clearing where I found Miss Fluttershy! I came through right from the other side, come on!" Link shouted, jogging across the clearing.

"Hey, Kid, wait! Don't run in there, it could be being watched!" Shining Armour shouted, just as he began to run after Link. Before he could stop him, though, Shining Armour found his path to Link blocked. Link was stuck inside a large ring of fire.

"Well this was stupid of me..." Link said under his breath as the fire raged. Looking around quickly, he found it was too tall to simply run though without getting thoroughly roasted. Before he could do much more, however, he heard a bunch of strange cries from the air, and he turned to gaze only to be greeted by the sight of a pair of Kargarocs hauling a very unwelcome sight. "Moblins...why didn't I listen to the Captain..." Link admonished himself. Steeling his resolve, he unsheathed the pony blade he had commandeered. Taking a deep breath, he exhaled when he heard the distinct thud from the Moblins landing on the ground.

"Princesses, can't you do anything? Please!" Link had heard Twilight pleading from the other side of the fire wall.

"No, something is interrupting the magic the moment it touches him! Something is shielding him from it!" Princess Celestia explained. Resting a hoof on Luna's withers to get to stop trying, Celestia shouted towards Link "Link! I'm sorry, but we still can't cast any magic on you! You must defeat these foes on your own!"

"I'M TRYING!" Link shouted back, as his shield took a stab from one of the Moblins. Quickly analyzing his situation, he found that his temporary blade was simply too short to get by the reach of the Moblins. Not to mention, the Moblins always seemed to take turns being offensive. Whenever Link would attack one of them, he would always find himself forced back by the other, lest he be impaled or sport a large gash.

'Crap, what can I do...? What would Ruul suggest...'Play against their weakness'?' Link thought to himself frantically. When he noticed one of the Moblins accidentally tripping the other, causing both to drop their guard, his mind clicked. 'They're too obsessed with being the one to end me, so they're not even paying much attention to one another! Maybe if I can get one to strike the other...!' Link concluded. Venturing as close as he dared to one of the Moblins, to exposed his side to the other, and succeed in baiting a swing from the side. Jumping away (and narrowly avoiding the fire ring), Link couldn't help but let out a little laugh when the polearm connected with his target, sending the other Moblin careening right through the fire. The Moblin let out a cry of pain before disappearing into a cloud of black and purple smoke.

'Alright, now for the remain-' Link began to think, before he felt his world explode into a world of pain and stars. Quickly coming to, he found himself sprawled dangerously close to the opposite edge of the ring, having been on the receiving end of a punch from the brute. "Ahh, you'll regret that!" Link shouted back at the laughing Moblin. Grabbing the dirt by his side, he--'Wait...dirt? Ooooohhhh SHOOT!' Link's internal monologue moaned, as he watched the blade he had been using growing red-hot at the fire that surrounded it continually licked it's surface. Glancing back at the advancing Moblin, Link only had one option left. The spear remaining on the ground from the other Moblin.

'Time to be a Hero, I guess...' Link grumbled to himself, as he plucked up the courage to try and get around the Moblin. Keeping a good grip on his shield, he ran up to the Moblin before him and threw the dirt he was still holding into it's face, causing it to try an overhead swing in rage. Rolling around it in an arc and avoiding the strike, Link threw his shield around onto his back and hefted the spear up into both of his hands. Playing on the Moblin's confusion, Link leaned back as far as he could go without falling over, gave the spear a great heave, and threw it as hard as he could at his foe. In a split second, the spear found it's mark, and burst through the other side of theMoblin, allowing a purple smoke to leak out from both ends of the wound. With a soundless gasp, the remaining Moblin exploded into the same purple and black smoke. As he watched the fire ring recede, Link suddenly noticed how exhausted the whole ordeal had made him. Turning back to the stunned faces of the ponies, he began to gasp for breath.

"And that...is how...you...anyone...water. Please?"

After repeating the agreement that Princess Celestia had made Link agree to for the fifth time, everyone was satisfied that Link would finally be a team player in the trip. He also relented for Fluttershy to keep her happy, and allowed her to bandage his jaw, the area where the Moblin had struck him, along with a few cuts and scrapes.

It wasn't that he hated being cared for; in fact, it could be quite nice, and he imagined it was quite a bit like having a mother. But he felt that he was also constantly expected to represent the Knights of Hyrule in this situation, and he doubted being treated like a child really was the best way to go about doing it.

Regardless, after he was patched up, he was eager to keep moving, partially because he wanted to find out why Hyrule seemed to be flooded with evil, but also due to the fact that the one seemingly manic pink pony kept inching her way closer to him. Once they got moving again, it was mere minutes of walking until they finally came upon a welcome sight.

"The log tunnel! It's still here!" Link shouted, relief evident in his voice.

"Is that a hint at the desire to leave Equestria as quickly as possible?" Princess Luna teased.

"If I told you that I was a little scared that I wouldn't be able to return, would you think less of me?" Link asked, shield covering that fact that he was rubbing his hands in slight embarrassment.

"No, I would think that you are simply a child who would like to go home. And that's something anypony would like, I'm sure." Luna comforted, wing extending and covering Link's back to reassure him.

"So...what gave my age away, initially? You and Princess Celestia both called me 'child' before I even mentioned an age." Link asked, as they approached the tunnel.

"Well...there was the pitch of your voice, but that isn't always an exact manner of determining a general point in growth. But your mannerisms were very similar to that of a young colt looking to prove himself. Which is also the way in which we both figured you to be male." Luna explained to Link. He didn't understand some of the finer details of what she was saying, but he did pick out the fact that his behavior was similar to a young boy. He wasn't sure if that was something to be troubled by.

"Is everypony ready? If any of you wish to back out now, for fear of your own safety, I will not hold it against you." Shining Armour suddenly declared, scanning the large platoon of guards. Seeing none of them move away from the group, a wide smile grew across his face. "Alright then, time to head out. Team Alpha will head in first, to secure the area on the other side, while Team Bravo will remain behind. After the area is secure, the Princesses and the Bearers will enter in behind Alpha, and Bravo will be right behind them. Any Questions?"

"Sir! Will the lad be accompanying team Alpha?" a unicorn guard asked suddenly, raising a hoof to the air. Shining Armour turned towards Link, who had just been granted a new, longer blade by the Armorer that was with the Platoon.

"That's actually not a bad idea. Link, what do you say?" Shining Armour asked, receiving a nod.

"Yeah, if you wouldn't mind. I want to see if there's a knapsack in the tunnel. I left it behind in there when I went through."

Upon reaching the opposite side, Link was able to rummage though his knapsack and produce the five bottles of milk. After inspecting them, he found the tell-tale curdles that they were mostly spoiled, save one bottle. After frowning as he dumped the bad bottles and rummaging around inside to find a protective spot for the sole remaining milk, Link came across a map of Hyrule, which Ruul had given him a few years back. After Deciding to take a look at the map, Link looked up and found himself looking directly into a pair of aqua blue eyes, framed by a pink face.

"Hi, I'm Pinkie Pie! I wasn't able to introduce myself earlier because Applejack told me to stay quiet because the situation was really bad, but now that we're over here all we can do is walk, and I mean, how boring is walking when you can't talk? See, watch!" Pinkie Pie instructed, pacing back and forth with an exaggerated frown as she held herself up, chest puffed out in a stiff walk. "Isn't it just boring? Wouldn't you just want to play? I mean, you specially, considering you're only 12!"

"Do you even breath? And how do you know how old I am? You weren't in the cottage, I'd remember seeing you."

"Of course I breath, silly! And I overheard you say it to Applebloom in the hallway. She's 10, by the way."

"How...did you overhear? Where were you in there? You must be really good at hiding!"

"Oh, no, I was just in Fluttershy's closet looking for Gummy, my pet Alligator." Pinkie Pie replied nonchalantly. Link was astounded by her, and began to wonder if she wasn't slightly manic. "So, where do you live? Can we go there? Is it a mansion or something? All our knights live in mansions as nobles do. I wonder what it's like to live in a mansion. I've only lived in a rock farm shack and the upstairs loft of a confectionery store before, so I wouldn't know. What's it like?"

"I....uuuahhh....ummm..." Link was at a loss for words. He had no idea how to behave around Pinkie Pie. He was fortunate, however, when Twilight, Fluttershy, and the rest of the girls he didn't know came over.

"Aww, leave tha poor guy alone, Pinkie. Yer makin him think in circles."

"Don't worry about her, darling. She's always this excitable." the white mare who sported a purple mane explained to Link, who simply nodded. "But my, are you really only 12? That seems awfully young to be using weapons, doesn't it?" Rarity expressed her concern, mostly to the girls in attendance rather than Link.

"Hey, I've been training with the blade since I was 8! I think I know my way around it just fine, thanks." Link snapped back, feeling insulted.

"Oh, I'm sorry dear, I didn't mean to offend you! It's just...well...I'm not used to seeing such a young colt skilled in combat. Infact, I'm sure not a single one of us ever has. I do hope you'll accept my apologies for any inadvertent missteps." Rarity finished with a courtesy.

"Oh, it's alright...that sort of gets mentioned alot here, too, actually..." Link mumbled. "Sort of one of the reasons the Academy refused to train me itself, so Ruul took me in..."

"What about yer folks? What're their opinions on it?" The orange mare wearing a Stetson asked in a distinct southern twang. Link was silent for a moment, before offering a small sigh.

"I suppose they don't care, they're dead. They died protecting me from some pirates, when they were attacked at sea." Link explained. He looked towards the orange mare, who had placed a hoof on his shoulder.

"Ah'm sorry, guess an should have surmised as much... mah folks are gone, too. Went missin' shortly after Ma had little Applebloom. Been so long that ah guess we've just moved on..." The mare trailed off, seemingly lost in though.

Snapping back into the present, she looked back towards Link again. "Oh, drat, ah'm sorry, ah of all ponies should know how sensitive a subject that can be. Worst of all, ah haven't even introduced mahself properly. Names' Applejack!" Applejack offered a hoof. Link grabbed it and shook it as if it were a hand.

"Yes, how rude of us! My name is Rarity, dear. You've already met Pinkie Pie here." Rarity motioned to the pink pony who was now hopping on the spot and sported a wide smile.

"Well, nice to meet you all. My name is Link." Link returned the courtesy, shaking Rarity's hoof. Upon turning to Pinkie Pie to shake her hoof, he found himself moving up and down in the air at a dizzying pace.

"Hi Link, did you want to be friends? Everypony needs friends!"

"Uhm..." Link moaned, feeling his world spinning, "Okay, j-just don't do that again, p-please."

"Okay!" Pinkie Pie agreed, before bouncing off to look at some plants.

"I think I'm gonna be sick..." Link moaned, as his vision continued to spin. Applejack eased him to the ground to ensure he wouldn't hurt himself.

"Easy there, pard'ner. This is a pretty common thing to happen when ya first meet Pinkie Pie. Jus' give yerself a chance to rest."

"Hey! This plant moves!" Pinkie Pie suddenly exclaimed, prompting Link to glance past Applejack, who had also turned to see the commotion. Pinkie Pie had agitated a visibly hungry Deku Baba, drooling as it looked upon it's clueless prey.

"Darlin' ah don't think that thing is very friendly-!" Applejack began to shout at Pinkie Pie, before she found herself shoved to the side by a green blur. Just as the Deku Baba lunged at the pink pony, Link slammed into her, and was quickly snapped up by the cavernous maw of the plant. The sight of Link's legs flailing in the air as the plant shook him a bit would have been quite hilarious if it wasn't for the fact that the plant was attempting to eat him.

"Oh my! Somepony, help!" Rarity shouted, garnering the attention of multiple guards, who had mostly stared in shock. Rainbow Dash had quickly taken to the air and began to give Link's legs some good tugs. Only once some Pegasi guards joined her did the Plant finally give up on eating Link, spitting him out and knocking the ponies out of the air in the process. Grumbling, Link picked himself up and faced the Deku Baba, sword drawn. As the plant foolishly lunged again, Link gave it a good bash with his shield, stunning it, and swung his sword horizontally at the bottom of it's stem, ending the menace as it's bloom exploded into the same purple smoke as before. Only the stem and base had been left behind, the former of which had quickly dried into a stick.

"Th-thanks..." Pinkie Pie mumbled as he began to clean some goo off of his tunic.

"Don't mention it, just try not to bug the local wildlife, okay?" Link offered with a smile. The group was quickly joined up by the Princesses and the rest of the guard, and after a quick debrief on the incident, they all continued on until they reached the edge of the forest.

"Uhh, wow? This place is drenched. Is it always this wet?" Rainbow Dash asked Link, who simply stared at the once proud fields before him. They looked like a sad, wet dog now, more than anything.

"No, normally it's pretty sunny out...now we definitely have to head to the castle. If no one knows what's exactly happening, I'm sure the Princess can give us an idea." Link instructed the group, whom simply nodded. Taking note of his surroundings, Link took a peek at the map he had found earlier and estimated them all to be quite near his home. "Could we make a pit-stop, however? There are a few things I need to collect before we head out."

"Oh? Like what? Are they really going to be necessary? I'm worried about Equestria being left alone..." Twilight admitted, a feeling which appeared mutual amongst all the ponies present.

"I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important to have. I need to grab hold of the emergency stash of Rupees, in the case that we need food or shelter and having your Princesses flashing their credentials doesn't work." Link explained. "In fact, I can leave this map with you all, let you get your bearings and plan a route, while I hot-foot it home quickly. It's pretty much just past these few hills to our right, so I won't be long."

"Sounds like a good idea, actually. I'd feel safer if somepony went with you, though, considering what happened to you earlier." Shining Armour finished, motioning to an Earth pony guard, Pegasus guard, and Unicorn guard.

"Sure, I guess. Like I said, though, it shouldn't be long." Link replied, allowing Shining Armour's magic to grab hold of the map. Nodding to the right at his 'escort', Link took off at a well paced jog across the slick field, the three ponies following behind him.

"I fear we may be relying on him too much, Princess. It's not right, with him being such a tender age." Rarity suddenly spoke up, voicing her concerns.

"What choice do we have? We're in a foreign land, probably existing in another dimension entirely, while under attack from an evil we've never seen before. That kid has all that knowledge, and we need his help if we're going to get answers." Shining Armour replied, feeling a sense of annoyance building already. He knew this was coming.

"But a child, Shining Armour. A CHILD! Honestly, he should be playing with friends, not running around with a sword fighting monsters on our behalf! He's already had a close encounter of being skewered on a spear, and was nearly eaten by a carnivorous plant! Two near death experiences, not even an hour apart, in an effort to help us! Don't you think that's just wrong?" Rarity pleaded with him, attempting to sway the captain. Not receiving a reply, Rarity turned to Applejack.

"Surely you agree with me, Applejack? Would you have even considered for half a second in bringing Applebloom along with you on this dangerous journey?" Rarity asked.

"Not a single reason in all of Equestria could ah have ever considered bringin' her. Ah can see yer point, Rar'." Applejack agreed, before shifting her saddlebags slightly and mumbling. "These saddlebags certainly seem to want ta' disagree, though. Mite heavier than ah expected...what in Equestria did Granny Smith put in here?"

Just as everyone began to get involved in the argument, along with some guards voicing their opinions, Celestia and Luna looked towards each other, Luna with exasperation and Celestia with mild concern.

"Everypony, quiet down this instant!" Luna suddenly barked, gaining the field silence, save for the rain. Celestia nodded thanks to her sister, who simply nodded.

"While I do agree with you girls that Link, as a child, should remain at home from here on, I'm sure none of you can refute Captain Armour's logic. We are completely blind in this land, one of which probably doesn't even know we're here yet. While this map will help, we may find it difficult to gain audience with the local royalty out of fear of attack." Princess Celestia spoke, pausing only for a moment for the ponies to digest what had been said. "Our sudden appearance may be met with suspicion, assuming these monster attacks have also started recently. So we need a friend on the inside, and I would hazard a guess that Link is more deeply connected to this lands Royalty than he lets on."

"So we're bringing him with us...?" Fluttershy had asked, having piqued up the courage to speak.

"Yes, my little pony, we are." Princess Celestia answered, looking up and around the field. "I'd be hesitant to leave him alone in this darkened landscape, anyways. It seems to be radiating despair."

"My...my home..." Link mumbled, staring slack-jawed at the collapsed ruins of the cottage before him. Behind him, the three guards had already readied their weapons in-case of surprise attack. Moving forward. Link clambered over the fallen doorway into the home, and began searching for his sword. After a few moments of shoving aside crumbled and slick, wet stone, he came upon a happy sight: his sword and scabbard. Checking it over, the only issues he found was a few dings and scratches on the handle and hilt of the blade, and numerous dents to his scabbard. The blade itself was fine, however.

"You almost done, kid? I think I speak for the rest of us when I say we'd like to go." The earth pony guard asked from the front.

"Yeah, I uhh...nearly done here." Link finished with a sigh. Thinking back, Link traced the layout of the home in his mind as he moved over more rubble, until he came upon the area right where the kitchen used to be. He only had to move a few timbers away before he came upon the large wallet that held all of Link and Ruul's savings inside. Just as he secured it to his belt, one of the guards called his name.

"You're gonna wanna see this..." The female Pegasus said, motioning to a picture on the ground, which sported an arrow right through it. Bending down and grabbing it, Link looked at the picture. It was of him a few summers ago, at Malon and Talon's ranch. Something or someone wanted him, and it wanted him dead.

Author's Note

Yeeaaahhh....

This took a while, didn't it? I really have no excuse, honestly. Sorry about that.

MechWarrior: Online and Zelda: TP tended to take up alot of my free time.

In some good news, however, I already have a good portion of Chapter three done, considering this chapter was originally much longer.

Anyways, Hope you all enjoy.

Cursed Fortress

Image by Aniadraws

"CAPTAIN! Captain, sir-!" The Pegasus guard blurted out as she rocketed towards the main group beside the forest, grasping the photo of Link.

"Corporal Lightwing? What is it?" Shining Armour shouted back as she approached. Landing as she handed him the photo, the guard waited patiently.

"Where is he? I want him inside this formation, no exceptions." Shining Armour asked, shortly before the sight of Link astride the earth pony guard appeared over the hill, flanked by the unicorn guard. Shining Armour wasted no time and made way for Link.

"Captain, may I see the photo?" Celestia asked, horn glowing as the photo left Shining Armour's magical grasp and entered her own. A sharp intake of breath from the Princess caused the girls great concern, particularly Twilight. Before the purple pony could ask what was wrong, however, Celestia broke into a trot to meet with the galloping guards and Link, letting go of the photo in the process, it's only saving grace being a blue glow suddenly forming around it.

"Princess...my house-" Link began to say, before getting cut off by the Princess laying upon the ground.

"You are coming with us until we can get you to a safe location. The safest place will be upon my back until then, so please get on."

"But, I-" Link began to protest, before stopping due to an intense glare.

"No buts, Link. Get on." Celestia instructed in a strict tone, akin to a mother lecturing a child. Link quickly nodded and got on, just as they were joined by the rest of the guards and the girls. "Ah, legs in front of the wing joints, if you could please."

"Something is hunting you?" Twilight suddenly asked from beside Celestia, looking up toward Link, who nodded silently.

"Hunt a child? How could a creature be so heartless?" Rarity asked, looking distraught as she glanced over the photo repeatedly while holding it within her magical grasp.

"I can't say I know, but I'm not about to let him die out here alone. His home is blown to smithereens, so he'd probably die from exposure first." Shining Armour piqued up, having finished talking to the three guards who had been with Link. Link simply remained silent, fiddling with his belt.

Night had begun to fall by the time the group had reached a sentry outpost for the castle, which could be seen far off into the distance. After Shining Armour had hailed anyone who could have been inside, and received no reply, he took a few guards with him to investigate. It wasn't long before he had returned.

"No one is inside, but it looks like whoever was in there left in a hurry. It's a bit of a mess, but we should be able to shelter inside for the night."

And so they did, finding just enough room for everyone to fit inside comfortably, due to the discovery of a basement during the investigation.

Link was given a smaller room to sleep in for himself. He had attempted to convince them that he was fine with having company, but they simply turned him down. Sighing as he looked out the window into the extreme dark of the moonless night, he felt himself becoming drowsy at the pitter patter of the endlessly falling rain. The clouds above were illuminated for a moment as lightning struck the ground in the distance, the trademark rumble following a few moments later.

Bored, Link decided to look around 'his' room a bit, as best he could in the little illumination the Unicorn lights in the main area could muster. Nothing too interesting, mostly some old books, and stacks of scattered paperwork littered the desk in the corner. After some poking around, however, he found that the wardrobe had a lantern inside it, complete with some oil. After pulling it out and looking over it, Link grasped what felt like a small lever and flicked it, light happily pouring out of the lantern.

Just as he approached the bedside table to place the lantern, some shouting from the main room startled him. Quickly placing the lantern down, Link ran out to investigate, only to find an ashamed looking filly staring at the ground and running a hoof across it as Applejack looked on furiously.

"Ah knew something was up when ah grabbed that saddlebag Granny Smith filled up for me quickly! Applebloom, do you have any idea how serious this is? This place is filled with Danger, and Big Mac and Granny Smith are probably panicking right now! You know Granny's old heart can't take too much excitement!" Applejack shouted at her little sister, who was on the very of tears. "Ah can't believe how foalish you've just been! What do ya have ta say for yerself?" Applejack vented, finally coaxing a heated response from the filly.

"Ma and Pa went on a big, dangerous trip like this and they never came home! Ah was scared you'd never come home, either!" Applebloom shouted, tears running down her face. "Ah just wanted at make sure you came home..."

The room was silent, save for a few mares sniffling. Applejack quietly brought Applebloom in for a hug, nuzzling her and holding her tightly as she did so.

"Applebloom...of course ah was gonna come back home, sugacube. Ah have the Royal Guard to protect me, as well as my friends and the Princesses. Ah'm not goin' ta disappear anytime soon..." Applejack spoke quietly into the filly's ear, as Applebloom gave little sobs. Link quietly approached the duo, his presence noted by the pair.

"Hey, uhm...I lost my parents when I was little, too, Applebloom. So I can understand how scared you are about losing your sister. But don't you worry, because I'm gonna make sure nothing had happens to her or you on your first visit to Hyrule. I swear on my honor as a member of the Knights of Hyrule, and if you want, as a friend?" Link asked. Applebloom was silent for a moment, before nodding.

"Okay...but ya have tah Pinkie Promise. That nothin' will hurt AJ.'" Applebloom instructed, waiting for Link to mime the motions. When he did nothing but show confusion, she pulled away from Applejack, but only slightly, and mimed out what he was to do. "Cross mah heart, hope ta fly, stick a cupcake in mah eye! Now, you do it." Applebloom said, gesturing towards Link with a wave of her hoof.

"Uhm...Cross my heart...hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!" Link said loudly, feeling that, although the wording was ridiculous, he had just completed some sort of sacred rites by the looks he was being given. He was about to say something about it when his entire being was swallowed up by the insatiable desire to yawn. So he presented all watching with a very large one.

"Hmm...it's gettin' late, AB, if Link's yawn was anythin' ta go by. But where can ah put you...huuuumm..." Applejack mused, glancing around while searching for a place that her little sister could rest close by.

"Well...I don't know how uncomfortable either one of you are about being seperated, but I have loads of space in that back room. She could use the bed thats in there." Link offered, to which Applebloom looked between Link and her elder sister, who bit her lip as she thought about it.

"Well...yeah, okay, if you're up to it AB? I'd have no problem with it." Applejack relented, looking down at the form of her little sister still clinging to her.

"Uhm...like a sleepover?" Applebloom asked, unsure of how to approach the situation. When Applejack nodded, a smile crept over the filly's face. "Okay! Let's go, Link!" Applebloom shouted, to the amusment of their bed neighbors as all the ponies began to hunker down for the night.

"Hey, wait for me!" Link shouted back, a smile growing over his face as he turned to chase after her into the room.

"Hey, Link?" Applejack's voice called out, stopping him in his tracks. Link turned around to see Applejack smiling. "Thanks fer calmin' Applebloom down and lookin' after her. She can let herself get right twisted up inta' a knot if she let's her emotions get goin'." Applejack thanked him. Link simply offered a smile in return and waved it off modestly, before running into his bedroom. Applejack sighed, shaking her head, as she set about making her bedding more comfortable, oblivious to the watchful eyes of Celestia.

"Hey, before we go to sleep, would you like some milk? Seeing as I won't be storing this anytime soon, we might as well drink it before it goes bad as well." Link asked Applebloom, who looked over to see him showing her a bottle of milk.

"Sure, ah guess. Ah haven't drank anythin' since ah snuck into Applejack's saddle bags." Applebloom said, as she watched Link pull the cork out of the top. Accepting the bottle between her hooves, Link watched as Applebloom effortlessly drank about half the bottle hastily, causing Link to chuckle and smile. Stopping and looking at him for a moment, Applebloom glanced down at the remainder of the milk to see that she had downed half the bottle in a veyr short time. "Oh, sorry, uhm...kinda embarrasin'..." Applebloom trailed off, blushing as she looked away and handed the bottle back to Link.

"Hey now, if you're thirsty, drink up. I can always get some water. Besides, it's not everyday that someone from another world can have some Lon Lon." Link offered, pushing the bottle back towards Applebloom, who looked back at the milk.

"Whadda ya mean? Is this special milk?" Applebloom asked, looking back up towards Link as he leaned on the window sill.

"Yeah, I dunno how they make it the way they do, but it's really sweet and very healthy, even more than regular milk. Some people say it's because they don't water down their milk, which I can personally confirm because I'm friends with the family who makes that milk. But they told me it's because they really care about their cows and take every effort to make sure they're happy."

"Hey, that almost sounds Sweet Apple Acres! We also treat our trees with care, and we get sweet and juicy apples out of it!" Applebloom exclaimed excitedly. Deciding she wanted some more, Applebloom quickly drank the rest of the milk happily, this time savouring it's sweet taste, and finished with a loud and satisified sigh. Link smiled, and began to prep the floor for him to sleep on, having taken a spare blanket from the bed. "Aren't you gonna-" Applebloom had started, right before a creaking from the corner of her room stopped her mid-sentence. Glancing over to the source, the pair of them noticed the wardrobe having opened itself slightly, causing Link to quickly snatch up his shield and sword from their post beside the bed.

Without hesitating, Link donned his shield and held his hand at the ready on his blade's handle. Approaching slowly, Link began to nudge the doors apart using the edges of his shield.

"L...Link what is it?" Applebloom asked quietly, leaning over from the end of the bed to try and catch a better glimpse. Ignoring her for a moment, Link quickly slammed the doors open, only to witness the backing of the wardrobe missing completely, revealing a hidden staircase.

"I...don't know. Some sort of unlit staircase going into the ground." Link explained, as Applebloom hopped off the bed and came around for a peek herself. Glancing to the lantern beside the bed, Link replaced his shield and grabbed hold of the lantern. Unsheathing his sword, he wandered back over towards Applebloom. "Listen, you should wait here incase something evil is down there. If I don't come back soon, go out into the main room and get help." Link instructed her, surprised when the filly shook her head.

"Nuh uh! ah'm not stayin' in this room alone now, yer takin' the lantern! It'll be pitch dark in here, and if something gets you, what's stoppin' it from gettin' me before ah can get help?" Applebloom argued, frowning at Link. Looking back towards the staircase, she smiled a little. "Besides, it doesn't look too spooky. Actually looks kinda cool!"

"I don't think so! You could always go and sleep by your sister until I get back." Link countered, only to witness Applebloom smirk.

"And then she'll ask why ah'm there, and we both don't get to check this thing out." Applebloom smiled victoriously, causing Link to frown.

"Ugh, fiiine. Just don't start whining about spiders or something." Link warned, starting his decent.

"Spiders? Please, ah live on a farm."

"Wow, this IS a little spooky..." Applebloom admitted. They hasn't gone far, but the pair was surrounded by darkness and could only hear the eerie sounds of water dripping from the ceiling. In the dark gloom, Link could make out a pair of torches. Wandering over, he used the lantern to light the both of them, revealing a beautiful fountain. Looking around, the pair noticed that Link was standing on a particular symbol.

"Hey, what's that?" Applebloom asked, leaning in to take a closer look.

"It's...the Triforce. But what's a symbol of the Triforce doing down here?" Link asked to no one in particular. He was startled from his thoughts when a female laugh floated out from the center of the fountain, only to give way to the shape of a woman sprouting from it as she laughed in glee.

"Hello, Hero, and to you too, child of the Equines. I've been waiting for you both to appear. Be at ease, I mean you no harm." The woman, clad in nothing but leaves and vines, said as she floated in the air directly above the fountain.

"Who are you?" Applebloom asked breathlessly, completely enamoured by the newcomer. The woman gave a little laugh.

"I am the Great Fairy of Power. I preside over a portion of the Fairy Realm, and symbolize the courage and bravery of all warriors."

"Why did you call me a Hero? I've done nothing heroic." Link asked, having sheathed his blade.

"That is because you have yet to awaken the Hero that rests within you. I am here to show you the Hero's Path." The Great Fairy explained, giving pause upon noticing that Link was still confused. "Your questions will be answered in due time, child. But our time here is short, so I must act now...I give you magic, receive it now!" The Great Fairy shouted, before spreading open her arms towards Link, enveloping him in a red glow, shortly before he felt himself go light headed...

When Link woke up, he found himself in a dense white fog, pocked only by the familiar towers and spires of Hyrule castle in the distance. looking around, he came upon the sight of an unfamiliar castle, also looming out of the dense fog, as it clung to a mountainside. As he pondered what the castle was, he became aware that a number of other familiar landmarks, as well as foreign ones, were slowly appearing from within the fog, all a distance away. While he could make out the Death Mountain chain with ease, the tallest mountain's summit topped by an ancient collapsed tower, beside it stood a mountain featuring rather large, strange horseshoe shaped falls. Link began to admire the sights, but it wasn't long before the Great Fairy appeared before him.

"Admiring the view, are we?" she asked, Link nodded, taking one last quick glance around. "Welcome to the space between realms. It acts much like a fog surrounding the two realms it connects to, as I'm sure you noticed."

"How come we've never known about this...?" Link asked her, astonished that something seemingly so crucial has gone unknown for so long.

"We of the Fairy Realm know many things most other races do not." The Great Fairy offered as way of explaining their knowledge, but didn't proceed further. Nor did she give Link a chance to.

"Link, I am about to teach you a sword technique that will allow you to strike your foes with great force. It is a technique I'm sure you've heard of, the 'Spin Attack'." The Great Fairy spoke to Link. Nodding and unsheathing his blade, Link stood at attention. "Perfect. Now, to execute the spin attack, you need to first extend your blade arm behind you as best you can."

Link followed her instructions, finding the movement feeling very natural.

"Alright, now, you should be feeling a tingling sensation in your hand. That is the magical power I have granted you trying to flow into your blade. This is part of the technique that differs from that which your Teacher would have instructed you, this is the part where you infuse your blade with that magic. Imagine the blade as an extension of your arm! Feel the magic flow through your hand, into the hilt, into the steel...perfect!" The Great Fairy shouted as yellowish-green bolts of energy began to spark and crackle around Link's blade.

"Now! Release it in a spining motion and herald defeat to your fiercest of enemies with a cry!" The Great Fairy ordered, Link being only too happy to oblige. Shouting, Link allowed the magic to explode forth from the blade as he spun in a perfect circle twice, the action only leaving him slightly dizzy.

"That was a perfect execution! Bravo! Your ancestors should be proud!" The Great Fairy congratulated Link, who smiled sheepishly. Just as she was about to say something further, a look of extreme fear overcame her face. "Oh no! Your awakening must have attracted the attention of...we must return to Hyrule, Link! Grab hold of my hand!" The Great Fairy instructed. Link grabbed hold with his free hand, and quickly passed out.

"LINK! Link, yer awake, what's going on?!" Applebloom shouted to the groggy Link, who instantly became aware of the fact that the cave they were in was rumbling ominously.

"Quickly now, children! We must escape before the evil creatures appear!" The Great Fairy instructed, having shrunk in size to match that of the average Hylian woman. The pair ran after the floating woman eagerly, not wishing to remain behind for any monsters to turn them into a pin cushion. Just as they approached the point where the cave narrowed into the tunnel again, Applebloom shreiked as the tunnel collapsed before them, being snatched up by Link before being crushed.

"What now? Oh, Ah don't wanna get eaten!" Applebloom cried out, clinging to Link in fright, only looking out when the rumbling stopped. The Great Fairy was nowhere to be found.

"Oh Goddesses...this can't be good." Link said quietly. Faintly, in the darkness of the fountain's room, the pair had begun to hear some moaning, as well as the sound of things exiting the dirt ground.

"Link...what is it?" Applebloom whispered, afraid to make much noise as they stood completely stock still. Link let her down slowly, but she still pressed against his side. Link quietly grabbed his lantern, and proceeded to light it. "Holy Celestia, what are those!" Applebloom shouted as the pair looked upon the sight before them. A series of grossly elongated arms had risen from the ground, covered in putrid and grey flesh, fingernails the color of blood.

"It's...Dead Hand..." Link and Applebloom heard the Great Fairy's voice from beside them, and it took all of their will not to shout in surprise. Looking to their right, they found what appeared to be a small ball of light glowing beside them, it's wings fluttering as it worked to keep itself afloat. "Be very careful around those arms...if they grab you, they'll strangle you." The Great Fairy warned, as Link approached for a closer look.

"That's all there is to Dead Hand? Man, not even a chall-URK!" Link began to boast, before one of the hands grabbed his throat from behind and began to squeeze tightly. As he struggled against the hand, he quickly began to see thousands of stars clouding his vision. As he felt his strength fading, and a pair of hooves struggling to help him, a distant shriek from Applebloom brought him back from the brink of unconsciousness.

"NO, STAY AWAY!" Applebloom shouted at something in a panic. Link, grasping his throat as he unsheathed his sword and turned to see what Applebloom was looking at.

"Oh Goddesses!" Link couldn't help but shout, upon sighting what looked like a huge mound of putrid flesh, bone, and blood slithering it's way towards the pair of them, waving stubby, bird-like arms in the air as it held it's head high in the air.

Dead Hand moaned, gurgling slightly, as it slowed to a stop infront of Applebloom, who was frozen in fright. As the creature lowered it's head and stared directly at the pair of them with it's expressionless black eye sockets, it began shaking and opened it's maw wide, staring hungrily at Applebloom.

"LINK!" The Great Fairy shouted, and snapped him into action, shoving Applebloom out of the way, while twisting his shielded back towards Dead Hand, earning the monster nothing but a few wood splinters. Not wasting any time, Link donned his shield and held it before himself as the monster attempted another strike on Link, again failing. This time, however, Link followed up with a vertical uppercut and put a decent gash into the monster's face, watching as it moaned in pain.

"It's retreating into the ground, fall back!" The Fairy commanded, Link heeding just in time as a huge wave of dirt flew into the air. "We need to find a way out of here, now!"

"Wait, I think I know how to defeat this thing! Didn't you notice how it hid it's face while approaching us?" Link asked the fairy.

"And it definitely didn't like ya giving it that huge cut!" Applebloom added, sticking very close to the wall. "But it won't come back out of the ground... will it?"

"I don't know, but I think I can trick it..." Link mumbled, getting close to one of the arms. Hoping he wasn't opening himself up for being killed, Link swung his arm out behind himself as he began to fill his blade with magic, the glow mesmerizing to Applebloom. Wandering slowly closer, Link waited for any sign of movement from the arm.

'Come on...come on...' Link thought to himself, concentrating on the arm for even slight movement. His coaxing paid off, when the arm began to bend towards him and he answered with a shout as he spun on the spot, magic forming a deadly cocoon around him, to which the arm had no hope of survival and promptly fell to the ground dead. That wasn't the last of Dead Hand, however, as it suddenly burst forth from the ground with a vengeance directly behind Link, catching him by surprise.

"Argh!" Link shouted after being sent forward onto the ground in a face plant. Dazed, Link scrambled to raise his shield before Dead Hand could take a bite out of him. It had partially succeeded, but only up until Dead Hand had managed to just barely get it's mouth around the edges of Link's shield, to which the creature managed to crush with ease and render useless, and managed to pierce Link's arm with more than a dozen large splinters. Link was stunned by the pain, having found it unexpected. Looking towards the mess of wood, bent steel, and small amounts of blood, Link found himself, for the first time in a long time, fearing for his safety.

"Link! Get a move on, it's gonna bite again!" Applebloom shouted as Great Fairy shivered from within her mane. Just as Link looked up to see Dead Hand opening it's jaw to end him, he watched in confusion as it suddenly stopped mere inches from his head. It closed it's mouth as it turned to look directly at Applebloom, who flinched and froze on the spot.

"Applebloooooom!" A voice was heard shouting from the entryway. Turning to look, both Applebloom and Link were distracted by the sight of a fear stricken Applejack looking through an opening in the collapse. In the confusion, Applebloom was surprised by one of the hands suddenly growing out of the ground right underneath her and grasping around her barrel, trapping her. Dead Hand began to slither in her direction very quickly, as Link struggled to get up.

"NO! NO, NOT MY SISTER! TWILIIIIIGHT!" Applejack shrieked from the far side of the blocked entrance, queuing a purple light to flash inside the fountain chamber, giving way to a frantically galloping purple mare try to reach the trapped and frantic filly before the demon could. If she had only gone in sooner, as the demon opened it's mouth wide, the arm chucked the shrieking form of Applebloom into it, and with a sickening squelch she was swallowed whole by Dead Hand, the only thing remaining was the bulge in it's throat. Applejack became motionless and silent, having just watched her sister being eaten.

Dead Hand groaned again, head held high into the air again as it slithered towards Twilight, who had simply fallen onto her rear in despair. Link stood up as he looked towards Applejack, her face now furiously stained in tears as she watched in horror. Twilight had fallen to the ground, sobbing, having failed both her friend and a child in need. Link was furious. He quickly looked at his injured arm, encased in his broken shield. This was going to have to be a one-hit kill. Breaking into a full-out sprint and whipping his sword out behind himself, Link let as much magic as possible into his blade, the yellow-green glow filling the room.

"You're hungry, eh? EAT! THIS! HYAAAAAAA!" Link shouted, jumping into the air as he allowed the magic in his sword to explode out and away while he twisted himself in the air. Upon landing on the ground, he stumbled and landed on his injured right arm, cringing from the pain. Whipping his head around, he looked towards Dead Hand, finding it had stopped moving forward. Infact, it had stopped moving completely, save for the occasional twitch. As the cave entrance was cleared and all the ponies could make their way in, everyone watched in tension at what the monster would do next. Link could hear Applejack mumbling prayers under her breath as she struggled to maintain herself.

Dead Hand gave one last strained moan, as the side of it's neck suddenly split apart, and blood began to flow out of the wound furiously. Growling in pain, the demon slumped forward, it's head severing from the rest of it's body completely, and dumping a motionless Applebloom onto the blood-soaked dirt, while it's body twitched in it's death throes.

"Applebloom!" Applejack shouted as she galloped to her side, hefting her up into her forelegs. "Please, baby sister, say something! Anything!"

"Great Fairy...please help Applebloom!" Link shouted to the pink glow that was flapping it's wings in the air.

"Okay...I'll try." The Great Fairy said, her voice surprising a few of the ponies. Fluttering over to Applejack and the fallen Applebloom, she waited as the despairing Applejack gingerly rested Applebloom upon the floor. Flying in a circle over Applebloom slowly at first, before reaching a dizzying speed, the Great Fairy showered the filly with pink sparks, before flying over to Link. "Give it a minute, she'll come to..." The Great Fairy sighed, heavily drained and exhausted, if her flying was any indication. The whole cave was quiet, it's occupants waiting on tinterhooks for a sign of life from the filly. First, a hoof stirred, and then...

"A...Apple..jack?" Applebloom mumbled, raising a trembling, blood covered hoof to her elder sister's face.

"Oh, Applebloom! Yer alive! Thank Celestia, thank Luna!" Applejack cried out, hugging the filly tightly.

"We should get out of here before more evil appears...the blood of a Dead Hand forever marks the ground it stains, acting as a beacon for more demons." The Great Fairy instructed, quickly flying backtowards Applebloom and Applejack. With a flash of magic, the Great Fairy returned to her original form, sans the size, and knelt upon the ground. "Allow me to carry her, so we may exit with haste." The Great Fairy pleaded, giving Applejack a warm and caring stare. Applejack hesitated, looking at the newcomer.

"Applejack, it's...okay. She's on our side." Link quickly explained. Applejack looked back towards her sister for a moment, pondering what to do, but relented when she witnessed Dead Hand's corpse melt into the ground, leaving a large red splotch in the dirt. With a pair of the guards quickly helping Link to his feet, the entire group left the cave as quickly as possible.

"Applejack! Twilight! Are they okay? Oh, please tell me they're okay!" Rarity shouted from the bedroom, galloping to just inside the wardrobe.

"They're okay...they're both okay..." Applejack said to Rarity quietly as she approached, before bursting into tears and hugging the white pony tightly. directly behind her was the tired frame of Link being helped along by Shining Armor.

"Is that...blood?" Rarity asked, staring towards Link's blade, which had gone completely through the throat of Dead Hand.

"Wow...what happened down there? Rainbow Dash was heard asking from within the crowd inside the bedroom.

"You don't want to know..." Shining Armor said darkly, his tone caught by everyone in the room, sending shivers down their spines. When Twilight emerged with the Great Fairy, however, everyone gasped in shock at the sight of a bloodied and sleeping Applebloom.

"Relax, Equestrians. This one is fine, she only needs a cleaning and proper sleep. She's gone through a horrific experience, and is exhausted." The Great Fairy explained, caring little to explain her presence. Glancing towards Celestia and Luna, who had just entered the room with panicked expressions, the trio seemed to share a silent exchange, in which led the two Pony Goddesses to hurry down the corridor through the wardrobe. After a quick flash of light and the sounds of another collapse echoing down the tunnel, causing more than a few guards and Shining Armor to panic and gallop towards the tunnel, the two Princesses returned without a speck of dust on them.

"The chamber has been blessed and sealed. There shouldn't be any further problems stemming from it." Celestia explained, as she began to size up the Great Fairy, who was hovering just off of the floor. After a few moments, Celestia turned her gaze towards Link."My Sister and I...Link, we must apologize for our inaction. It seems the waves of darkness emitted by the foul beast prevented us from sensing the extreme danger both Applebloom and yourself were in, and made it quite difficult to rouse us from our sleep." Celestia explained, guilt having overtaken her face. Noticing the exhausted expression Link wore, as well as his wounds, Celestia's worry grew exponentially.

"No worries...Princesses...I said I'd protect...her." Link offered inbetween huffs, leaning against the wall he found himself propped up on. Applejack quickly ran over to offer assistance, before being rebuffed by Link. "No, don't worry about me...look after Applebloom...she needs you..."

"Link, ah wouldn't have a baby sister to hug tightly tonight if it wern't for you! Now let me help you, consarn it!" Applejack swore, visibly on the verge of tears again. Relenting, Link leaned upon Applejack, as she helped him out towards a tearful Fluttershy, who shrieked when she saw the state he was in.

"How is it that such a Divine Being as yourself came to reside it such a cursed cave?" Luna suddenly asked The Great Fairy, expecting straightforward answers.

"A great imbalance tainted my fountain, due to the proximity of the source of the imbalance. Your current destination is that source." The Great Fairy explained, unable to help but smile down at the sleeping form of Applebloom.

"She must trust you, to leave Applebloom in your arms so willingly." Celestia suddenly said to the Great Fairy, who nodded silently, before replying.

"Only because Link trusts me, for which I cannot blame her. He has begun to awaken, Celestia, he can only get stronger from here on. He reminds me of a friend I had long, long ago..." The Great Fairy said, closing her eyes and recalling distant memories. "Perhaps it is best to hand the child over to your care. I have done all I can." The Great Fairy said, lowering her arms once Applebloom was encased in a golden glow. Nodding once more to the Princesses, The Great Fairy turned herself into the dimmunitive form from before and fluttered out into the main area in search of Link, to assist in healing him, leaving the Goddesses alone.

"This world certainly holds many strange wonders within it, Sister..." Luna said, staring after the fairy.

"And it's share of horrors, Luna..." Celestia replied, frowning. Glancing towards the secret wardrobe, she magically shut and locked both of the doors on it. "Twilight, would you take poor Applebloom to a bathroom and clean her up with Applejack? I'm sure she'd appriciate being clean for when she awakens."

"Certainly, Princess Celestia...I just hope what she went through doesn't haunt her." Twilight said, making sure Applebloom was rested snugly onto her back before exiting the room.

"Yes, my faithful student, as do I.".

Link was laying down on a few blankets that separated him from the cobblestone floor of the small fortress, feeling quite drowsy. Looking towards where he and Applebloom were originally going to sleep, he noticed a pair of guards standing fairly still, facing the door of the bedroom with the blunt end of their spears resting on the floor while they quietly discussed something amongst themselves. Glancing to his left side, he could see the freshly cleaned Applebloom snoring quietly, her rhythmic breathing an indication of her being in a comfortable sleep. Further to Link's left lay Applejack, watching her sister sleep. Glancing up, Applejack saw that Link was still awake and looking directly at her.

"Hey, aren't ya tired yet? You should probably go to sleep soon, get as much energy as you can." Applejack suggested. Yawning, Link nodded before moving into a more comfortable position.

"Mind waking me up tomorrow, if you get up early? I'd like to take a look around the fortress for a new shield." Link asked, keep one eye open to watch for the response. Upon getting a nod, Link smiled and closed his remaining eyes, and Applejack watched as Link quickly fell into a deep slumber, prompting her to smile at the Hylian.

'He really does know how to use that sword well...'suppose living in a world that has things like that in it would make it a requirement.' Applejack thought, watching the two children sleeping. Applebloom had suddenly begun to whimper and shake, no doubt dreaming of the horrors she endured, and just as Applejack was about to move to comfort her, she stopped and watched for a moment. Link moved his left arm to the side in his sleep, only for it to lightly bop Applebloom on the muzzle. Flaring her nose slightly, Applebloom quickly grasped it and snuggled into it, ceasing all whimpering. It looked rather cute, something of which she'd have to tease them about in the morning. Applejack smiled at the scene warmly, looking away only ro lower her head, before quickly falling into dreamland herself.

"Isn't that just the cutest...?"

"So adorable...!"

"Just look at how peaceful they are..."

Link was beginning to wake up, mostly due to the giggles and excited talking that was going on around him. Opening his eyes a crack, he was able to vaguely make out a bunch of mares, some in armour looking at him, smiling, having taken their helmets off. Opening his eyes, Link went to wave his left hand at them to go away, but quickly found it weighed down by something warm. As the mares giggled at his surprise, he look down to his left to see a very comfortable and peacefully sleeping Applebloom curled up into the crook of his arm.

When he blushed slightly and attempted to remove his arm, his face began to grow into a much more ripe color when Applebloom's hooves went and put a vice grip onto it, preventing his escape.

"Uhm...A-Applebloom? You need to wake up and let go of me." Link instructed the sleepy filly, exasperation in his tone.

"Mmmm...five more minutes, Big Sis, please..." Applebloom mumbled, maintaining her grip. Link sighed, and stood up, dragging Applebloom along the floor for a moment before she finally lost her grip and fell back onto it with a gasp. "Wha-, whazz goin' on?" Applebloom asked, clearly still half asleep.

"You were using me as a blanket and pillow." Link explained, most of the mares still present and now giggling about Link's expression.

"Wh-what? I'm sorry, I Uhm..." Applebloom shouted, now completely wide awake, pawing the floor nervously. Link simply snickered, motioning to the circle of mares, two of whom, Link noticed, had turned out to be Fluttershy and Rarity. Applebloom blushed fiercely, eliciting more giggles from the gaggle of mares still watching them as Rarity stepped forward.

"Applejack asked me to wake you two and let you both know that breakfast will be served soon. Perhaps you two should go outside and play in the sun until then?" Rarity suggested, motioning a hoof to the window. Looking outside, Link beamed when he was finally able to see the sun again.

"Hey Link!" Applebloom shouted from across the room, having bolted to the door to the outside. "Last one outside is a Cockatrice!"

"Hey, not fair, you're already at the door!" Link shouted back at the retreating form of Applebloom, making chase. "Besides, I don't even know what a Cockatrice is!"

"No excuses, slow poke! Ha ha!" Applebloom shouted back, quickly peeling out into the surrounding fields. Link made chase, but even with Appleblooms smaller stature than the adult ponies, her speedy gallop was too fast to match. Link quickly gave up, crossing his arms and frowning as Applebloom teased him from a distance.

"Mornin' Link! Havin' some fun before breakfast?" Applejack asked, stirring an unknown substance that lay within a decently sized cauldron which rested upon an appropreatly sized fire.

"I suppose. I like being able to run around, and with what's happened these past few days, I haven't been able to." Link explained, crossing his arms and scowling at Applebloom as she made a particularly aggravating taunt using a complex series of hoof motions.

"Applebloom, cut that out, that's mean!" Applejack shouted to her little sister, only receiving a series of giggles from the yellow filly. "Anyways, Ah suppose it goes without sayin' that you two should stick close by, considerin' the things that've been goin' on." Applejack said, smiling when Link nodded.

"I thought Applebloom might like to go swim in the river that's close by. You can see it from the top of the hill on the other side of the fortress." Link said, looking for permission to take Applebloom that far.

"A river? Huh, Ah'm surprised ah can't even hear it." Applejack replied, lifting a hoof to her hear and straining to listen.

"Oh, the hill wraps around, see where the path is?" Link explained, pointing a finger towards the road that led to the distant Hyrule Castle. "The river sits in a very small valley, which was created by the river itself. It's coming down from the smaller mountain in the Death Mountain chain, Mount Crenel, and from what I read in a book a few years ago, I guess it has water torrent down it during the summer seasons because of massive storms, which is why that little valley exists." Link finished his explanation.

"So...that taller mountain is Death Mountain?" Applejack asked, hesitantly, and frowned when Link nodded. "Does it have...monsters on it?" Applejack asked, eyeing the nearby mountains with unease.

"Yeah, but mostly only Keese inside the caves, while Hiploops and Red Tektites roam the mountainside." Link answered. Catching the unhappy look on Applejack's face, Link continued. "But those monsters normally keep to themselves off the mountain, if they ever come down, which is rare."

"Liiiiiink! Come on, ah'm getting bored!" Applebloom complained, having trotted over during Link's lesson in Hyrule geography.

"Well, Breakfast is gonna take a while to heat up properly, so ah suppose you two should get along now, 'cause you're both distractin' me!" Applejack announced with a chuckle. "Say, Link, you wouldn't mind tellin' me where Ah could learn a little more about your world, could you?" Applejack asked, honestly curious.

"Amazing! I wouldn't have expected a pair of mountains to be so close by!" Twilight's voice was heard from the fortress's entrance. As the purple unicorn trotted out to admire the scenery, she was closely flanked by a pink fairy.

"Yes, those are part of the Death Mountain chain. As I said, created by the oceanic plate crashing into the continent of Hylia." the Great Fairy explained, hovering beside Twilight.

"Navi, how is it you know so much? You HAVE to tell me more about this world! I have so many questions!" Twilight exclaimed excitedly, grinning widely. Link looked towards the group with a smile.

"So, Great Fairy of Power, your name is Navi?" Link asked, looking towards the small fairy.

"Oh, yes. I never properly introduced myself to you, and I suppose I should considering I shall be accompanying your party to Hyrule Castle. My name is indeed Navi. As for my knowledge, I have existed for an epoch and have learned many unique lessons about the world we reside in. Long ago I assisted a warrior in a quest for peace and justice, only to ascend amongst my peers to my current position as a result, and have remained at my fountain for countless years, assisting those who would become the Hero of the age." Navi explained, wowing her audience.

"So...you could even be older than Princess Celestia and Princess Luna?" Applejack asked, staring at Navi in astonishment.

"I could be, but I don't find it particularly important to establish exact ages. If you've lived as long as I, or even your Princesses, it simply becomes a number that mortal creatures fret about. But I envy them for that ability." Navi finished with a small sigh.

"How come, Navi? Ah think being immortal would be fun!" Applebloom pipped up, her question seemingly causing Navi to brighten.

"Well, mortals may not live forever and revel in the ever-changing history of the world, but they get to learn something that we never will, and that is 'What is on the other side of the veil?'. I've been curious about that on many, many occasions." Navi explained, the group growing quiet for a moment. "Ah, listen to me! We shouldn't be discussing such sensitive matters right now, you two should go and enjoy yourselves before we depart!" Navi flew inbetween Link and Applebloom, The fairy landing atop of Applebloom's head, eliciting a giggle from the filly when Navi fluttered her wings against her ears. "Run along now!" Navi instructed, watching as Applebloom nudged Link and ran, starting a rather one-sided game of tag. The three watched, seeing a pair of Pegasi guards fly in the air high above the two children for their protection. Navi, flapping her small wings so that she was facing the two grown mares again, she cleared her throat. "Now, where were we...?"

"Wow, ah've never seen such a clear river before!" Applebloom exclaimed, looking at the perfectly blue water before her, it's slowly flowing surface marred only by the occasional cloud moving overhead. Excited, she galloped down the slope beside a bridge that spanned the river, and looked at her reflection, as Link descended after her. Seeing some movement from under the bridge, she glanced up in curiosity to look at the oddity. Once the object left the dark shadow of the bridge, she recoiled and stumbled backwards in a hurry when the object turned out to be a blue, four legged bug-like creature standing on the water, carelessly floating along with the current.

"Hey, don't worry about that thing, it's just a Water Tektite. They only eat fish, so they're pretty docile things as long as you keep your distance. They tend to attack when you get close, though, out of self-defence." Link told her, kneeling down and placing a hand on Applebloom's shoulder to calm her. "It's probably looking for food, so if we let it float along for a bit, it won't bother us. It's just like a bee."

"Oh...okay. Ah haven't seen anything like it before, it looks so weird." Applebloom said, staring after the Tektite, watching as it suddenly jumped off the water, splashing into it for a moment before resurfacing with a fish between it's mandibles, as they worked to push the flopping fish further into it's narrow jaws. They watched for a moment as the Tektite continued it's trip down the river, before Link suggested they take a swim.

Eagerly wading in, the pair swam around and splashed one another, occasionally diving underwater before sneaking up on the other and dunking them into the water. Roughly an hour went by as the children played, and Link savoured every moment, having not had many chances to ever play with other kids while living with Ruul, considering the only one that lived within an acceptable distance was Malon.

Alas, Applejack had appeared on top of the hill as Link and Applebloom were only partially complete their make-shift sand castles, calling an end to their games as breakfast was ready to be served.

"Race you back?" Applebloom asked, eager to beat the much slower Link, considering she wasn't the fastest filly back home.

"Naw, you know that I have no chance to beat you." Link sighed, giving a smirk to Applebloom, who giggled. The pair began to walk in silence, slowly nearing the fortress again from atop the hill, as they walked onto the path towards it.

"Link...how come yer not mad at me?" Applebloom suddenly asked, looking towards the ground sadly as she continued forward.

"Mad? Mad at you for what?" Link asked, looking sideways at the depressed filly.

"Fer not listening to you back in the bedroom, when that wardrobe opened. You told me not ta follow you, but Ah didn't listen and blackmailed you instead. And then Ah got in the way with that monster, Dead Hand, and it got you hurt... and then you had to go an' save me from it after..." Applebloom explained herself, a few silent tears forming at the corners of her eyes. Link stopped on the path and knelt down, placing a palm under Applebloom's chin to meet her eyes with his own.

"Applebloom...if I got mad at you for following me to such a suspicious place, then I'd be a hypocrit. I'm still only a recruit of the Knights of Hyrule, and in all honesty, what I did was very, very stupid..." Link explained, pausing only for a moment to examine her reaction. "And as for getting in the way, you didn't. It simply chose to attack you over me, because I resisted more. And did you forget about what happened right at the start?" Link asked, waiting for an answer.

"Ah...Ah got that arm to let go of you...?" Applebloom replied in a questioning tone, looking directly into his eyes.

"Yeah, exactly!" Link replied with a smile. "You saved MY life first, Applebloom. It was strangling me, and I was about to suffocate before you stepped up. All I did was return the favour. So don't feel like anything was your fault. I mean, if Navi isn't mistaken and I'm some kind of fated Hero, I was going to end up down there one way or another." Link explained. Applebloom suddenly appeared deep in thought, when Link let go of her chin.

"Come on you two! Grub is gonna get cold!" Rainbow Dash shouted from above the fortress while she looked down at them. Link waved back and turned towards Applebloom again.

"Come on, I'll race you after all!" Link shouted, before running off like a maniac. Applebloom stared for a moment, before galloping after him, absolutely beaming. Staring at him as she willed herself faster, Applebloom became aware of a faint heat upon her face as her cheeks blushed slightly. She wasn't sure why she was blushing, but she figured it had to do something with the butterflies she was feeling in her stomach. 'Probably Just hungry.' Applebloom thought to herself as she caught up to her new friend.

The Wind Mage

Image by Nintendo (I think, nabbed it off a Wiki).

Link was in a pretty good mood, all things considered. He woke up to a beautiful morning, played with a new friend, had a VERY delicious apple stew for breakfast, and even got to demonstrate his spin attack, at Twilight's request. As he listened to her prattle on about his unique form of magic manipulation from atop of Celestia, he looked towards the east and watched as Hyrule Castle loomed ever closer, its spires appearing to pierce the very sky itself. As they began to approach, they saw at a distance that the drawbridge at the castle lowered to allow a group of figures to exit, sending the pony guards into a cautious state. As the men from the castle approached, Link could see them astride horse, nervously beginning to wonder how the ponies, who looked so similar physically, would react to the sight. Once they became quite clear, murmurs began to float around the large group, as Shining Armor steadied his guards.

"Princess, I should probably get down and greet them. They're going to be pretty uncertain." Link said quietly, with Celestia consenting by crouching slightly. Hopping off, Link ensured his blade was still sheathed properly, and made his way out of the protective cocoon the guards had made around The Princesses and the mares. As Link wandered forward, he closely inspected the now clearly visible figures, only to find...

"Link! Oh, thank the Goddesses you're okay!" Ruul shouted from astride his steed, quickly dismounting from it a short distance away.

"Ruul!" Link shouted as he broke into a run towards his teacher. After the pair met halfway, a quick hug was shared between them, before their conversation began.

"When my men reported that the cabin was completely obliterated and you were missing, I had assumed the worst..."

"Yeah, that's...kind of a long story to explain what's happened." Link replied, rubbing the back of his neck and frowning.

"It'll have to wait then. Now then, who," Ruul said, motioning to the large group of ponies behind Link, "and what are they? They appear similar to Horses, but I can tell they are not so simple..." Ruul trailed off.

"If I may, my guards...?" Celestia said softly to her entourage, only moving forward upon their heeding of her command. Moving forward towards the pair, all eyes watched with intense curiosity, including the Horses. As Celestia approached, she bowed her head, a courtesy that Ruul returned.

"So you are Ruul. Link speaks rather highly of you." Celestia started the conversation, her capacity for speech startling Ruul slightly. Celestia smiled. "Yes, I suppose it's not everyday that you meet a talking equine in your world, is it?"

"I will not lie to you, madam, it’s not." Ruul spoke with a hint of amusement, nodding with her in agreement.

"Please, Sir Ruul, you may call me Princess Celestia." Celestia advised, Ruul quickly bowing in response.

"Well, as a high ranking member of The Knights of Hyrule, I welcome you warmly to our beautiful land of Hyrule, Princess Celestia. Will you allow me to escort you to an audience with fair Princess Zelda?" Ruul asked, wasting no time with idle chit-chat and gawking, which the men he brought with him seemed to be doing most of the latter. Again bowing, Celestia's smile grew.

"I would much appreciate it, Sir Ruul. Do you object to my Sister, guards and my wards joining us?" Celestia asked.

"Not at all, Princess Celestia. I shall have my men search for accommodations immediately." Ruul replied, waving to the two men that were with him, watching as they willed their steeds back towards the castle with haste. "Shall we? We have a bit of a walk ahead of us, and I'd much like for Link to fill me in on what's occurred before politics begins to get in the way."

Ruul stared in awe at the lad before him, who was shuffling uncomfortably with his blade drawn.

"Do it again, please." Ruul instructed, watching with intense scrutiny as Link entered his charging stance for the spin attack. Quickly, the familiar yellow-green electric energy enveloped his blade, as he stood stock still.

"And release." Ruul commanded his student. Link, only too willing to abide by Ruul's wishes (it took a lot of concentration to maintain the charge!), executed the spin attack and a spinning fury of power. Ruul was in awe.

"Link, do you realize that you are executing a maneuver that only The Four Heroes are known to have been capable of its true potential?" Ruul asked, studying Link's reaction.

"I...not really. I mean, I know that no one has been able to recreate the magical portion of the attack, but..." Link trailed off, deep in thought about what Ruul had just told him. "When Navi taught me the attack, she told me that my 'ancestors would be proud.' Is she saying... that I'm related to one of them somehow?" Link asked, glancing towards Ruul. Ruul sighed for a moment, looking away towards the floor, nodding to himself before returning his gaze towards Link.

"Link, do you recall what I've always said about the mark on your left hand?" Ruul asked.

"That it's a sign, one saying that I'll go on to do great things, right?" Link replied, asking for confirmation.

"Yes, exactly. The symbol of the Triforce on your hand proves that you are to make a mark on the world, just as Princess Zelda already has begun to do so. I...fear it to be of no coincidence that a great evil has begun to seep into the land, just as a Great Fairy unlocked a unique ability within you, and acts as a guidepost to what she has called 'The Hero's Path'. It's painfully clear. Your destiny to to defeat the evil plaguing Hyrule. And I'm sure this 'Equestria' is going to play an important role as well."

"But...what about those monsters hunting me down? Won't that be trouble?" Link asked, solemn.

"Has anything even remotely similar ever stopped you from diving headlong into trouble before?" Ruul asked, smirking as Link smiled in embarrassment. Ruul's expression became serious, however, as he continued speaking. "Link, now is not the time to become discouraged. You're a Knight of Hyrule now. Your slowly waking abilities say that much to me. Take what you felt when that filly was in trouble, and use it as your means to continue forward when you feel you can't go on."

"Besides, you'll always be able to send me questions through the mail should something stump you about Hyrule, as well as Princess Zelda, I'm sure." Ruul began to say to Link to calm him, as he began milling about his office in search of a map of Hyrule. There was a sudden, frantic knocking at the door, shortly before it was quickly opened, revealing a pale-faced Knight clad in armor.

"Captain Ruul, sir- the blade, it's-!" The knight began to stutter, before Ruul silenced him with a wave, and turned his gaze towards Link.

"Link, follow me." Ruul said, Link on his heels without hesitation. His mind remained behind, however. So much was happening so quickly the past few days, that Link was having trouble keeping up. He definitely liked it better when Applebloom and he played by the river, he didn't have to worry about a thing...

"Link! Oh Link, I'm so happy you're safe!" a blur in a pink and white dress shouted as it suddenly gripped Link in a tight hug.

"Zelda, I...of course I'm safe." Link said quietly, returning the hug. Ruul had led Link to the throne room while Link had been in thought, and found himself surprised at being there. Glancing up, Link wasn't too surprised to see Princess Celestia and Princess Luna flanked by a pair of their own guards each watching.

"Princess Zelda, I have received word that the blade is acting up again. We should investigate immediately." Ruul suggested, Zelda nodding her head in agreement as she detached herself from Link.

"Yes, of course. I was about to show Celestia and Luna to it to witness it's behavior, let us make haste." Zelda answered. Without a word, Zelda was quickly flanked on both sides by Castle Guards, and led the procession down a series of corridors, until the approached a strange door that Link never recalled existing. Raising a single hand, Zelda willed the giant iron bars to retract into the ceiling, and another pair of guards pushed the doors open to reveal a heavily overgrown courtyard. As they moved forward, the trees and bushes peeled back to create a small clearing, marred only by a pedestal pierced by a sword. The scene would have been majestic, had the atmosphere of the area not been so ominous, and the sunlight overpowered by shadows.

"This...is the source. This is the source if the evil that is plaguing Hyrule, and that threatens Equestria." Celestia spoke up from behind Zelda.

"Are you sure? That blade is supposed to be righteous..." Zelda explained with a frown, looking towards the elder monarch.

"Yes...I have no doubts about it. This blade...is holding some sort of terrible secret." Celestia replied, glaring towards the blade, it's golden hilt gleaming in a non-existent light. As the group examined the blade from a distance, Link noticed an odd sensation build up from the bottom of his stomach, something telling him that he was being watched. Scowling, Link looked around the courtyard in search of the source. Glancing at a dark portion of the tree canopy, he was startled when he noticed one giant eye suddenly staring back. Before he could so much as let out a shout, three black arms shot out from the canopy and wrapped themselves tightly around all three Princesses. The monster began to let out a grunt of pain when it's grip on Celestia burst into flame as a golden light from the sky pierced through the trees, freeing her. Unwilling to make the same mistake twice, the demon formed a sort of crystalline cocoon around the two remaining Princesses, preventing any form of escape.

"Unhand My Sister and Princess Zelda, you fiend!" Celestia shouted at the eyeball. It simply closed it's eyelid and laughed in mirth, floating out of the shadows as it did so, to reveal it's massive size to those left in the ground. As it approached the ground, both Hylian and Pony guards rushed the beast. Scoffing, the beast shot a shadowy tentacle out from it's body and whipped it across the floor, sending the guards tumbling across the floor, unconscious.

"Fools! Do you have any idea who you are dealing with?" The floating eye asked, anger apparent on it's features. "I am VAATI! Master of the Winds, and soon of the Universe! I-- eh?" Vaati stopped in mid sentence, as a bright white glow began to cause his grip on Luna to shake. "Oh ho ho! Such an extreme power, command of the moon and stars! I shall take it for myself!" Vaati exclaimed, staring at the enclosed Luna, and scrunching his eye as he concentrated. Suddenly, the cocoon began to glow with an orange hue, and Luna let loose a silent scream as she screwed her eyes shut in pain. As everyone was frozen, watching in horror, Link had finally had enough. Seeing that Vaati was focused entirely on Luna, he charged in, Sword drawn. Taking a hard final step, Link launched himself into the air and raised his blade over his head, letting loose a war-cry as he began to descend from his jump, his attack surprising Vaati as he looked up in shock. Upon Link's blade striking Vaati square in the eye, the grip on both Zelda and Luna was released, the pair of them plummeting to the floor. Uncaring for her own safety, Zelda rushed to Luna's side as Ruul and Celestia ran over to pull them away. The courtyard was surprisingly quiet, as both Link and Vaati remained motionless for a moment.

"I'm...unharmed." Vaati stated in surprise. Link gasped, watching as his sword shattered at its midpoint, rendering it useless. Looking towards his opponent a moment too late, Link found himself mercilessly slammed into the floor, one of Vaati's tentacles crushing him.

"You know, boy, you really have been a thorn in my side for over a millennia! And even now, when I've tried to end your life three times, THREE! In the span of TWO days! It's time I end this before you can withdraw that Four Sword!" Vaati shouted angrily, glaring at Link with pure hatred. "But no, I won't simply kill you. You ALWAYS weaseled out of that fate! No, I am going to do something a little more satisfying. Watch from a stone prison as I destroy all you care for!" Vaati yelled, gripping Link and placing him on his feet. As Link could feel an extreme pain overtake him, he let loose one final agonized shout before promptly turning into a stone statue.

"Link? Come on, Link, please wake up...Mr. Ruul said you were supposed ta wake up..." a young girl's voice floated out to Link from his drowsy sleep. He felt very stiff, almost as if he...

"Gaaah!" Link suddenly shouted, bolting upright as he checked himself over, but quickly found that he was back to normal.

"Yer awake! Hey, everypony, Link woke up!" Link heard Applebloom to his right side, the little filly excited that her friend had woken up. A short moment later, both Zelda and Ruul entered the room, to which Link noticed must have been the medical wing at the castle.

"Link, how are you feeling? Are you okay?" Zelda asked, greatly worried.

"I feel fine...just a little stiff." Link said, thinking back about the events from before he blacked out. Gasping, he turned to face the group to his right side. "Princess Luna! Is she--!"

"She lives, but only just. Undoubtedly thanks to you." Celestia said from the doorway. Entering the room, she was silent for a moment, thinking about what to say. "First Fluttershy, and now my own Sister. I seem to be going further and further into debt with you, Link." Celestia said, as she seemed to descend further and further into sadness.

"Hey...it's not like I was going to just stand there. How is she feeling?" Link asked, a little more calmly this time.

"She is...weak. That creature, the Wind Mage Vaati, he has, in layponies terms, stolen her powers. I'd say at present, she wouldn't be much more powerful than a unicorn like Miss Rarity. Given time, perhaps a week, she should rival Twilight Sparkle, but she won't ever truly return to her full strength unless it can be retrieved from that vile beast..." Celestia explained, a single tear falling from her eyes.

"I see..." Link replied quietly, as he thought back to what had happened in that courtyard. Something in his head clicked as he recalled what Vaati had said to him before turning Link to stone, but he couldn't exactly determine what, so he asked about what happened afterward.

"Once you turned into a stone statue, Vaati fled. Princess Celestia gave chase, but when he noticed he was being followed, he disappeared into a black mist. We have no idea where he has gone, either...for all we know, he could be terrorizing poor Equestria." Ruul explained to Link.

"And that will not stand. I refuse to let another land suffer from an evil that originated from Hyrule." Zelda spoke firmly, staring directly at Link. "Link, Ruul and Princess Celestia have told me everything. That you are supposed to play an important role in these events, and it's something that the Triforce itself seems to confirm." Zelda admitted. She turned towards Link and noted his confusion. "It was the Triforce of Courage that freed you, Link. We had no role it your de-petrification."

"I...oh." Link replied, unsure of how to react to the news that the Triforce symbol on his hand reacted again after so long, and unconsciously rubbed the mark atop his left hand.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but...I'm curious as to what the 'Triforce' is." Celestia had suddenly asked, reminding Link that she was still present.

"The Triforce is an ancient relic that was left at the point where the three Goddesses, Din, Farore, and Nayru, left our world after cultivating it, giving it the spirit of law, and creating life which would uphold those laws." Ruul explained to Celestia, pausing only for a moment.

"It is supposed to have unlimited power to reshape the world into how the holder of it sees fit, an evil world for an evil heart, or a paradise for a pure heart. When a person with a strong belief in only one of three mindsets touches the Triforce, it splits into it's three individual parts: Power, Wisdom and Courage. Link holds the Triforce of Courage, Whereas Zelda holds the Triforce of Wisdom. We have no idea as to the whereabouts of the Triforce of Power."

"I assume it would not be as easy to correct everything by simply using those two parts?" Celestia asked, hoping she was wrong.

"Correct, unfortunately. The Triforce is very powerful, and is still quite formidable when separated from it's other parts, but it simply cannot change the world unless it is once again whole." Ruul answered, frowning. Celestia simply sighed and placed a hoof to the side of her head in a rubbing motion.

"Contact with another, previously unknown nation has always been a time of great joy amongst my people, and after contact with a new nation over such a long period of time...how I wish the circumstances were not so dire and foreboding." Celestia grumbled. "Never before have I ever encountered such an evil being. We've certainly had our own troublesome spirits, but nothing quite this..." Celestia trailed off for a moment, searching for the right word, shuddering when she landed upon it. "...Murderous."

"There are records of great evil plaguing Hyrule over a millenium ago, and they do mention an evil 'Wind Mage'. It's actually where the stories of the Four Heroes and their exploits comes from." Zelda began to explain, hoping to inform Celestia as to why Vaati appeared to be so violent. Just as she was about to continue, a quick series of knocks was heard at the door, shortly followed by it opening to reveal a particular pony guard.

"Captain Ruul, Princess Zelda, Princess Celestia, I have an update on the whereabouts of the fiend Vaati." Shining Armor announced loudly as he entered the room.

"Let's hear it then, Captain Armor." Ruul returned the courtesy. Shining Armor nodded, and then began his report.

"My Pegasi scouts report a ring of dark clouds around a strange, triangular black tower, surrounded by thick forest. They made an attempt to enter the fortress, but were repelled by ferocious winds, similar to the ones that blew through castle town upon Vaati's awakening. Evidence is pointing towards this being his lair, or in the very least somewhere we can gather evidence on his location."

"A black tower...he has made his foul nest within the Tower of Shadows." Ruul explained, leaning back into his chair as he rubbed his chin in thought. Link seemed to nod something to himself, before he hopped out of bed, much to the dismay of everyone present.

"Well, then I should probably get a move on collecting equipment, right?" Link announced, beginning to stretch his tight muscles.

"Link, please! You must rest, you were very nearly killed!" Zelda pleaded with him, as he eyed the door. Sighing, Link turned his gaze to his Princess with a sheepish smirk.

"Zelda, you just stated that I'm apparently really important to what's going on here. If I'm supposed to help, then let me do it my own way." Link asked, grasping Zelda's hands in his own, to which Applebloom rolled her eyes and looked away. Zelda simply sighed.

"Let me guess: you're going to chase Vaati down and fight him again? If so, I won't try and stop you. You never did listen to a word I said anyways." Zelda said with a laugh, a slight smile forming on her lips.

"Just be careful, I don't want to hear about how you got smashed into the ground by an angry Hinox. In the very least, take this red potion with you. I was supposed to administer it to you when you woke up, but you seem healthy enough right now." Zelda said, handing over a bottle filled right up to it's cork with a cloudy red liquid. Link took it from her hands as he searched for a spot to lash it onto his belt.

"Here, Link, allow me to lend you an adventure pouch. It will hold that potion for you." Ruul said, as he removed an empty pouch from his own belt and attached it to Link's belt, allowing him to slip it inside safely. "Now...we need to get you some equipment. But before we do, you have to promise me something...take better care of your equipment? The ponies showed me the state of your old shield, and honestly, I'm not surprised it broke so easily. Some of the wood on it was rotted, and there was specks of rust on the steel. Remember what I said about treating your shield and blade like good friends? Look after them, and they will return the favour?" Ruul asked Link, who simply nodded in embarrassment.

"If I may...?" Celestia interjected, to which Ruul nodded to let her continue. "Many of the creatures and monsters in Equestria have some method of control of magic. If they were to strike at Link, I fear a regular shield, wood or iron, would not suffice to protect him. I can offer a solution to that problem, however." Celestia explained, pausing for a moment as she closed her eyes and lit her horn up with magic. With a quick sound of a crack, a blue shield flashed into existence, as it was levitated down into Link's waiting hands. As he stared in awe, he became aware of the emblem that was seemingly embedded into the shield was actually similar to that of the mark that adorned Shining Armour's flanks. Not to mention, the slight reflection that Link was seeing upon its surface.

"That mirror-like surface can reflect or negate nearly any type of magic you may run across in your search for Vaati. And due to it's magical properties, it will never break or warp." Celestia explained, watching as Link slipped it over his right arm and tested it.

"This is...amazing. It feels almost weightless." Link commented, as he slipped it over his back, finding that it fit perfectly where his old shield used to. "Thank you."

"It's the very least I could do. You've already done Equestria a number of services, I couldn't simply let you wander into further danger unprepared." Celestia replied. "I'm afraid I can't assist you with your search for a blade, however. I've been told that most of our standard weaponry is very similar in terms of metallurgy to your own, and I couldn't bear make one of my guards part with one that was enchanted, they've become very attached to them, almost as if they were family..." Celestia trailed off, giving an apologetic stare towards Link.

"Think nothing of it, Princess Celestia. I've already got an idea where I can get myself a sword that can stand up to Vaati's evil." Link replied with a smirk.

"You do?" Applebloom said, in an attempt to gain a footing in the current conversation.

"Yeah. It's the one he was so afraid I'd get my hands on; the one in that pedestal. The Four Sword."

As Link and company approached the courtyard, Celestia had excused herself for a moment to discuss something with one of her own guards, taking Applebloom along with her. As Link continued towards the doorway, he watched as the guard nodded and coaxed Applebloom to follow him, the filly looking back sadly as she watched Link continue on. As they entered the courtyard, Link heard what sounded like Princess Celestia teleporting away. He was curious as to what was occurring, but focused on the task before him. As he approached the blade, Link groaned inwardly as one of the many Knights of Hyrule backed away from it, heaving and panting due to his effort of attempting to draw the blade out.

"No luck, huh?" Link asked the knight, who sneered.

"What does it look like, runt? Besides, I haven't given up on drawing it forth."

"Knight, show some respect." Ruul commanded the lower ranked Knight, who bit his tongue.

"Yes...sir." Was all that the Knight managed. Looking back towards Link, he noticed him looking directly at the blade. " You mean to try and draw forth this sword? Kmmphf...!" the Knight asked, stifling his laughter as he still found himself under the watchful gaze of Ruul. "Well, to ahead then! Be my guest." the Knight stepped backwards, holding a hand over his mouth to cover his amusement. Link pursed his lips as he approached, placing one hand onto the handle of the blade, and then another. Taking a deep breath, Link gave himself a moment to close his eyes in thought.

'Come on, Four Sword! We need your might to defeat Vaati...so please, don't let us down!' Link pleaded with the Four Sword. Upon feeling a slight vibration in his hands, Link took it as a sign, and gave the blade a great heave, the steel scraping the stone pedestal as it slid out and was pointed towards the sky. A flash of light filled the room as it swallowed everything. Upon the light's dissipation, Link was examining the blade in concern, as it seemed to be struggling to attempt some sort of magic, if the flickering light surrounding the blade was any indication.

"What's...what's happening?" Link asked, holding the sword out as if trying the avoid it.

"It...found you worthy, but it seems to be...severely weakened? It's magic, that is. It appears to be very drained of power..." Ruul explained, examining the sword as it rested in Link's palms.

"Bah! Who wants a busted up old sword anyways..." the Knight suddenly exclaimed, proceeding to storm off and out the exit. Link paid him no heed as he placed the sword into a scabbard on his back.

"So...what now?" Link asked, unsure of the immense task before him.

"Well, we should begin preparations to-" Ruul began speak, but was cut off by an insanely loud voice that seemed to reverberate off the walls.

"TWILIGHT SPARKLE, WHERE ARE YOU?" Celestia's suddenly booming voice pleaded, despair apparent. Startled, Link bolted into the hallway that connected with the courtyard, only to collide headlong into Shining Armor. Which is to say, Link was nearly trampled.

"I beg of you all, follow me!" was all that Shining Armor had shouted, before taking off down the halls towards the exit of the castle. After Ruul quickly instructed Princess Zelda to stay put, both he and Link bolted after the galloping Stallion. In a few short moments, they found themselves outside, where the majority of the Pony guards had congregated alongside a frantic Princess Celestia.

"Princess Celestia, what is going on? Your cry has shaken the very foundations of our castle, frightening our citizens!" Captain Ruul had to shout over the rallies and cries of the Pony guards. Celestia trotted over to him, visibly distressed.

"I apologize, Captain, I really do, however... Do you recall the six mares I had brought with me? The ones not clad in armor?" Celestia asked, earning her a nod. "They have gone missing, and I fear they are attempting a head-on assault upon Vaati themselves!"

"Then there is no time. Link! Make haste towards the Tower of Shadows! Remember to be on your guard! Dark forces are moving against you, do not allow yourself to be caught unawares!" Ruul instructed Link over the din of shouting. Silently nodding, Link broke into a run towards the exit into the town surrounding Hyrule Castle.

"Princess Celestia...would you be able to explain to me what has possessed some of your subjects to play hero?" Ruul asked, now irritated.

"Oh, that is correct, I never explained..." Celestia took a deep breath, before continuing. "You may want to sit for a moment somewhere more quiet. For we, the Equestrians, too possess our own powerful artifacts."

By the time he had been a fair distance from the castle and made his way into the field, Link had reduced his pace to a more manageable jogging. Eying the Tower, he had noticed how much more menacing the thing looked, what with it's dark swirling clouds limiting the amount of available light that could hit the already dark structure. The closer he approached, the more he began to feel a strange tugging from the blade as it rested inside his sheath. Whenever he would pull it out, however, the sensation stopped. Irritated, he held the blade out before him as he continued forward and began to study it's form.

It was quite a bit longer than the short sword that he had been using a day ago, and he found it's added weight a bit more cumbersome. It also sported a nice amount of flair, with a golden hilt, sporting a dull green jewel. The blade's design would allow him to hook an enemy's blade around the top of the hilt around the point where the blade jutted out slightly, serving to easily disarm them. The handle was also long enough to allow him to grip it with both hands while using his shield, to allow him to execute powerful blows.

As he continued forward, he had become aware of the fact that the tower had begun to loom over him slightly. Glancing back, he could see Hyrule Castle in the far distance, suddenly impressed with the time he made. Glancing forward, though...

"Heh heh...oh boy." Link chuckled sheepishly, as the Tower's reputation began to explain itself, with a few skeletons visible on the grounds just outside of it. After ensuring the skeletons were nothing more than 'Decor', as well as double-checking his equipment, Link took one last deep breath before opening the doors and stepping inside.

Upon entry, Link was surprised to find a few empty chests, and an open door on the opposite side that spanned a deep crevice filled with spikes. Most interesting of all was the lack of monsters. Looking around suspiciously, Link hurried on up the staircase he found on the other side.

The next few floors really weren't that much more different, save for a trap involving giant rolling balls and him nearly getting crushed a few times.

It wasn't until he entered into a room that was pretty much devoid of anything, save for a fog creeping along the floor. Wary, Link slowly walked forward into the room, attempting to glance through the darkness towards the end of the room. After having ventured into the room a short distance, Link was startled when he heard a sudden slamming of stone behind him, and a glance backwards told him the whole story: a stone slab had slid down from inside the wall, and probably locked him into the room.

Just as he had begun to contemplate how to escape his predicament, Link had begun to feel an unwelcoming sensation, making the hairs on his neck stand up. Donning his shield and unsheathing his sword in a flash, Link spun around to prepare for whatever was there. He had only just enough time to raise his shield against a strike from a large, rusty, and bent blade before he was able to catch a glimpse of his attacker.

"St-Stalfos..." Link muttered to himself, eyeing the undead, skeletal warrior as it began to circle him, taunting him with a series of chuckles, as a burning lantern light the area. Link began to circle around as Well, studying the Stalfos for any weaknesses, only to pick up on the fact that the Stalfos' blade had recently struck a victim, sporting some blood along with...a few strands of multi-colored hair?

'Rainbow Dash is hurt somewhere in here! Or, she might already be...am I too late?' Link wondered, as he skittered out of range from a jumping slash by the Stalfos. As he watched, the Stalfos looked around for a moment, unsure of where it's prey was, only to catch a glimpse of Link to it's side, resume it's chuckling and join him in their circle dance.

'So that's it, then? Wait for it to lunge and lose track of me?' Link wondered, deciding to entice it into another jump. When it did so, it's blade narrowly avoiding Link by mere inches, Link picked up on similar behavior of it looking around. Grinning and moving without hesitation, Link gave the side of the Stalfos a quick stab, earning him an audible grunt of pain from the monster as it jumped away, only to continue to circle him. As Link continued to entice the same response from the Stalfos, it seemed to hesitate to try again.

When he finally got it to try again, Link danced around to it's side and gave it a good jab with the Four Sword. What he hadn't expected was for the Stalfos to jump back, only to immediately execute another jumping strike, which had caught him completely off guard. Barely raising his shield in time, the Stalfos had managed to clip his shoulder as the blade slid off the shield. The blow knocked Link off balance sending him to the floor.

Before he could so much as move an inch, the Stalfos brought his blade to bear upon Link, only to succeed in slamming against Link's shield, the force of the strike throwing the Stalfos off balance. Getting up quickly, much his his shoulder’s agony, Link quickly unleashed a series of slashes against the Stalfos. The menace quickly regained its balance, only to shudder on the spot, and suddenly fall backwards, sending pieces of ancient bone to clatter upon the floor.

Staying in stance, Link glanced around to watch for any other attackers, but as the blackness choking the light in the area faded to a dull grey, Link calmed himself and began nursing his injured shoulder.

"Liiiiiink!" Shouted a female voice, as a small blue ball of light flitted into view from the doorway he had entered.

"Great Fairy? I wondered where you had gone off to...wait, why are you blue?" Link asked, staring at the Fairy before him.

"Link, please, there is no time for that right now! Just follow me!" Navi instructed, fluttering back out of the room through the doorway. Stowing away his equipment, Link gripped his injured shoulder hard as he took off after Navi into the previous room. Moving towards a darkened corner, Navi fluttered to a stop, Link skidding along the floor slightly behind her.

"...Navi?" Link asked in confusion, looking into the corner as the light cast off her body lit it up.

"Girls, it's alright, I was right! It is Link!" Navi announced, Link watching as the corner almost seemed to grow into a liquid, before the shape of six mares melted into existence.

"Heya...kid." Rainbow Dash croaked, bleeding profusely from a long gash on her right side that traveled from her barrel to flank, ending right before the rainbow lightning bolt mark it sported.

"Rainbow Dash, please! You have to conserve your strength!" Fluttershy snapped in a moment of desperation, as tears drained from her eyes.

"She was struck by that vile skeleton in that room...trying to protect me...I was frozen, and it raised it's blade...and she..." Rarity began to mumble as way of explanation, unable to fully come to terms with what was happening right before her.

"And I can't h-heal her. My m-magic can't...her wound is c-cursed, I can't heal it." Twilight spoke, her horn lighting up in an effort to bypass an unseen force around Rainbow Dash's wound. Looking towards Applejack, Link found the farmer pony tapping the stone floor with a front hoof rapidly, crying as she tried to think of some sort of plan to salvage the day. Pinkie Pie was rummaging frantically through a supply bag, muttering about 'saving Dashie'.

"Link, don't you have a red potion? Try giving it to Rainbow Dash!" Navi urged Link, snapping him back into the moment at hand. Nodding silently, Link opened up his Adventure Pouch and slipped the cylindrical bottle out, it's red hue apparent in Navi's light.

"Twilight Sparkle, give this to Rainbow Dash, it should heal her without any issues." Link spoke aloud, smiling as he present the bottle to Twilight, who simply stared at it.

"Twilight...just give it to me...what's the worst that could happen?" Rainbow Dash insisted, her voice still sounding awful as she tried to inject some humour into the situation. Hesitating at first to administer a foreign medicine to her dying friend, Twilight took a leap of faith and uncorked the bottle in her magic, as Rainbow Dash placed her mouth to the bottle and took swig after swig of the potion as her friends watched on.

"Oh, bleh! That stuff tastes HORRIBLE!" Rainbow Dash shouted suddenly, flaring her wings out in disgust as she clambered to her hooves. Locking eyes with Link, she continued to complain. "Seriously, something that gross tasting shouldn't even be allowed to exist!"

"It's awful, but it works." Link said smartly, pointing to her side. Glancing over to her would-be wound, she found nothing but her hair coat and a bit of dirt adorned her right side. Looking back towards Link with a slack-jawed expression, Rainbow Dash was speechless.

"It's...that's imposs..." Twilight stammered as she examined Rainbow Dash's side, along with the rest of the mares. Without warning, Rarity suddenly wailed and gripped her saviour in a vice-grip of a hug, before Rainbow Dash found herself swarmed by her friends in a hugging frenzy.

"You...saved my life." Rainbow Dash said in awe of the Hylian Boy before her. Link smiled sheepishly, and rubbed the back of his neck.

"N-naw. That was the Potions Master back in Hyrule Castle that made the potion, not me. Thank him." Link explained, before gasping in surprise as he found himself swept up by the mares in a tight group hug.

"First Fluttershy, then mah little Sister, and now Rainbow here! Link, you are a bona-fied HERO in mah books, Vaati or no Vaati!" Applejack exclaimed, giving him a noogie. Link gave a small laugh, repositioning his hat.

"It's nothing, really, anyone would have done the same in my position..." Link replied modestly. Rarity shook her head viciously.

"Darling, do you see anypony else here? You came alone, with naught but a blade and shield and a single potion, no pony else, and...oh my, your shoulder!" Rarity suddenly exclaimed, after noticing her hair coat along a foreleg becoming red. "This simply will not do! We must get you out of here!"

"Eh heh heh heh..." A low, guttural laugh suddenly sounded from the room in which Link had just left, the group frozen in shock as they watched the newly reformed Stalfos approach them, sword drawn and staring with malice as it's eyes glowed red.

"Back, get back!" Link shouted at the mares, who were all too ready to comply.

"Link! I'm going to get close so I can analyze him, I'll let you know if I find out what's keeping him going!" Navi declared, darting towards the skeletal warrior as she turned into a brilliant yellow. Link restarted his circle dance with the Stalfos once again, shield raised in anticipation of an attack.

As they circled around, the mares became quite nervous as the Stalfos neared. In a panic, Applejack spun around and gave the foe a strong buck, sending the Stalfos stumbling towards Link. Making use of the distraction, Link unleashed a number of strikes upon the Stalfos, only to watch as it jump away from him...and back towards Applejack.

"Oh nelly!" Applejack shouted in surprise, scrambling backwards as the Stalfos spun around to face her. Before the monster could land a blow, however, Twilight tackled Applejack and teleported the pair of them a few feet away. "Thanks, Twi'..." Applejack stated, as she quickly picked herself up off the floor.

"Any...time." Twilight said with a grunt as she was helped up by Applejack.

"Hey bleach-bones! Pick on somepony your own size!" Rainbow Dash yelled, as her rear hooves slammed into the Stalfos' chest, rewarding her with it's subsequent collapse upon the floor. Silence filled the room as Navi continued to hover around the bones.

"Is it...dead?" Rarity had finally asked, as Link slowly approached the pile.

"Woohoo! I killed it! I killed it!" Rainbow Dash chanted, as she kicked as the bones with a rear leg. Her excitement turned to unadulterated fear, however, when she felt a bony hand clasp onto her hoof, bucking it off as she galloped away. "No, get off me!"

"Link! I've figured it out! We need an explosion, do you have any bombs?" Navi asked, as Link prepared for another round with the Stalfos.

"Uh, nope! No bombs! What do we do, Navi?" Link shouted shortly before parrying a blow from the Stalfos.

"Ooh! Oooh, you're really gonna like this!" Pinkie Pie was suddenly heard shouting, and upon circling around, Link was able to catch a glimpse of her halfway inside a bag she had brought with her.

"Leave it to the Party master to carry bombs with her..." Rarity muttered under her breath, as she he begun to weave a weak shielding spell around her friends, only to find unintentional resistance from Link. "My word, Princess Celestia was right..."

"Tah-dah! They might not be bombs, but a pile of my party canon's fuses should do the trick!" Pinkie Pie announced, whipping out a number of cylindrical objects with rope fuses sticking out from them.

"Alright, Link, let's try to do what we did before, where Applejack bucked that thing your way!" Twilight shouted to Link, who nodded in reply as he jumped away from a horizontal swing. As he coaxed the Stalfos into a circular dance, Applejack wound up and bucked the skeleton again. As Link landed blow after blow upon it, the Stalfos jumped backwards, only to give Rainbow Dash enough room to slam into it's chest with her hind hooves again.

"Now, Pinkie Pie!" Navi shouted as the Stalfos collapsed. With the flick of an improbably large matchstick, Pinkie Pie lit the pile, only to quickly drop the hissing mass upon the bones of their foe.

"You all might wanna hunker down now." Pinkie Pie advised, as she threw the consumed match away and dove behind her bag, covering her head. All in the room quickly glanced at one another before making a beeline, Hylian, Pony, and Fairy, towards the wall Pinkie was near. Just as the Stalfos' bones began to move once more, a terrific explosion shuddered the entire room, sending bits of ancient bone ricocheting everywhere. As the room quieted, they cautiously raised their heads to look towards their work, only to see a few charred remains of what was once the Stalfos scattered around the room.

"I think...I think you used a few too many there, Pinkie Pie." Rainbow Dash said quietly, stunned at the events that had just occurred. Satisfied, Link sheathed his blade as he replaced his shield, standing up and contemplating their next move, looking towards the exit.

"Well, going back isn't an option..." Link sighed, waving his good arm towards the staircase going down. The girls looked towards it, and quickly noticed the collapsed ceiling upon it.

"Oh... Whoopsies!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed. Rainbow Dash sighed.

"Let's just keep going up, then. Me n' Flutters can fly everypony down to the ground, assuming that creep Vaati isn't around. Speaking of Fluttershy...where is she?" Rainbow Dash asked, glancing around the group as concern etched itself on her face.

"O...over...h-here...!" A small voice squeaked from a pitch black corner. Upon flying over, Navi illuminated a yellow and pink furball tucked up tightly against the corner. Applejack gave the shaking bundle a concerned smile, wandering over to calm Fluttershy down. As Rarity took stock of the situation, her ears tilted towards a few quiet sounds coming from the room from whence the Stalfos had exited.

"Does...anypony else hear that?" Rarity asked. As Link looked over at her, she tilted her head towards the room. Listening intently, Link heard nothing, subsequently shrugging. "Sounds...almost sounds alike to rushing winds."

"Be on your guard then, girls. If it's rushing wind, Vaati may be near." Twilight instructed her friends. Sighing, she stared towards the doorway. "I just hope he hadn't figured out how to abuse the Elements of Harmony, if he can at all."

"Elements of Harmony?" Link asked, eyebrows cocked in confusion as he looked back towards Twilight.

"They're ancient relics of immense, incalculable power, capable of incredible magic. Nopony knows where, exactly, they came from, or why they were originally made. The only thing that's known for sure is that they exist now to maintain the balance of the world when forces get out of whack.

"For example, last year in Equestria, the other girls and I used them to lock away The God of Chaos, Discord, as he had ruined the Harmony of Equestria. Once everything went back to normal, they went dormant."

"Wow, they almost sound just like the Triforce!" Link exclaimed, interested in learning more about the subject.

"Huh? What's a 'Triforce'?" Rainbow Dash asked, suddenly somewhat interested in the topic at hand.

"Oh, uhh, well, I don't know a lot of the specifics, but...it's a relic left behind by the three Goddesses of Hyrule, and it can reshape the world to the will of the one who touches it assuming the three forces, Courage, Wisdom, and Power, are in balance in their heart.

"If not, the Triforce splits into those three portions, leaving the one who touched it the piece that represents the force they most believe in, and another two chosen by destiny end up bearing the remaining parts." Link explained quickly.

"And yer one of 'em?" Applejack asked, motioning her hoof towards Link's left hand, which had begun to glow slightly. Flushing slightly, Link clasped his right hand over his left and turned away.

"Y-yes...I hold the Triforce of Courage..." Link mumbled in reply, his reluctance to discuss the topic confusing the girls.

"But that's a good thing, Darling! You bear the Triforce of Courage, and WE bare the Elements of Harmony! We can certainly show that ruffian, Vaati, a thing or two about messing with the wrong group!" Rarity declared. She received a cheer from her friends, as Link simply smiled and nodded. As the group, their purpose clear, turned towards the path up the staircase, Link unsheathed the Four Sword and grabbed his shield. Venturing forth, Link's Triforce mark continued to glow.

Vaati's Wrath

Goodness knows I wished I could recall where I got this one...

After climbing a series of stairs, and battling a significant number of creatures of the dark, Link and company could hear the sounds of rushing wind as they approached the staircase to the rooftop, feeling it's buffeting effects as they got closer.

"Miss Twilight, you mentioned that Vaati might have the Elements of Harmony. What… should I expect? Is it possible for him to use them?" Link asked, readying the Four Sword and his shield. Coming beside him and looking beside her through her bangs, Twilight was silent for a moment as she pondered his question.

"Honestly… I don't know. As far as I can determine, he shouldn't be able to. The last two enemies we've faced didn't do anything except attempt to prevent their use, mostly by preventing anypony from getting to them, but… Vaati is something else, a whole level above those guys. The best advice I can give is to be on your toes." Twilight finished, staring at Link as he nodded silently.

"Come on, kid! You're not getting cold feet, are ya?" Rainbow Dash teased, getting an angry scowl from Link. "Haha, yeah! We're gonna kick his flank, there isn't any other way this'll go down!"

"We're behind you on this a hundred percent, partner!" Applejack exclaimed giving Link a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

"I still detest sending a child into combat, but… you certainly know how to handle yourself, and your Goddesses do seem to think you're capable. I will assist you in any way I can!" Rarity announced, earning nods from the group.

"Anypony willing to hurt Princess Luna like that needs to be dealt a lesson!" Pinkie Pie shouted, startling Fluttershy.

"Uhm… what Pinkie Pie said… because nopony hurts my friends and gets away with it!" Fluttershy said in her best attempt to declare her feelings. Smiling, Link turned to his friends to thank them, but found his words cut short when a blackened tentacle tightly gripped him and yanked him up the stairs, eliciting a cry of surprise from him as Navi spun around in the air from the speed of the tentacle.

"I thought I had gotten the message across back inside that courtyard." Link heard Vaati's voice, right before he felt himself slammed against the floor, causing stars to dance within his vision as Vaati picked him up once more.

"Yet here you are before me, again. And still alone, I see. I-" Vaati stopped short of his monologue when he came upon the sight of the six mares that had witnessed Link snagged from the room below.

"Remove your grip from that child this instant, you ruffian!" Rarity shouted at Vaati, who seemed taken aback by her hostility. All was silent at the top of the tower, save for the howling wind of the whirling storm above them. And then Vaati burst into laughter, going so far as to wipe a tear from his eye.

"For a moment, Maiden, I honestly thought you were going to do something more productive than yell. Would've been a first." Vaati jabbed, sighing as the laughter finally left him. "Now, Maidens, seeing as you are all here and I can see you all firsthand..." he started, just as a tentacle slammed into the roof above the staircase and removing any quick attempt at escape. "I must admit, that you are all quite beautiful, and shall all make fine wives..."

"Uhh… thanks?" Applejack replied, squirming due to the uncomfortable atmosphere that filled the air.

"...for me." Vaati finished, earning looks of disgust and shock.

"How would that even… work?" Link wondered aloud, chin scrunched up in confusion. Vaati furrowed his brow and simply threw him into the floor, before picking him up again.

"Hey, you oversized storm cloud, pick on someone your own size!" Navi shouted, speeding right towards Vaati's eye and slamming into it. Vaati released Link in surprise, watching as Rainbow Dash zipped over and caught him.

"I'm gonna… buy the farm..." Link mumbled in his daze, while Rainbow Dash tried to snap him out of it.

"I HAVE grappled with a God already, if you recall, you little light ball! Behold, the powers of the Night that Everypony fears!" Vaati shouted, before eliciting a grunt. "Every… 'pony'… again..." Vaati mumbled to himself, as the loudest noise was a slight howl of the wind.

"Sooo… uhm… why-" Pinkie Pie had begun to ask Vaati, before he cut her off.

"I DON'T KNOW! I've said things with 'pony' so much recently its-" Vaati began to bemoan his new vocabulary, courtesy of Luna's powers, when movement on the ground attracted the attention of his eye. A large force of Knights were quickly approaching the tower.

"Interruption after Interruption! Bah!" Vaati shouted as he slammed a few of his tentacles against the roof of the tower, causing a large amount of vibrating to rattle Link and company. "However, you are too late! I already have a complete understanding of this power over the moon and stars! BEHOLD!" Vaati shouted, as he began to glow a dark blue not unlike Luna's own aura. As the group up on the roof looked around, the clouds surrounding the tower dispersed, and the sun suddenly shot down from it's noon-hour perch, instantly turning day into night as the moon took it's place.

"Is this Nightmare Moon, all over again...?" Twilight mumbled as she exchanged worried glances with her friends. "Nighttime Eternal?"

"Oh ho ho! No, Twilight Sparkle! I do not bring an Eternal Night. I bring a CATACLYSM! One to reshape the world as I see fit!" Vaati exclaimed, before he made a few quiet grunts as he screwed his eye shut in concentration. With one final warcry, Vaati thrust a series of Tentacles in the air, as 'his' magical aura shot forth from them, encapsulating the moon.

"Oh no… OH NO! I have no experience with this kind of… Must find Tatl..!" Navi mumbled incoherently, as she suddenly dove into Link's cap.

"The… moon it's..." Link squinted his eyes, having fully come to and witnessing the spectacle, as Rainbow Dash placed him on the floor.

"Hyrule's Moon is falling!" Rainbow Dash cried out, watching as the moon inched closer and closer towards the earth.

"Stop this nonsense you foul monster!" Rarity shrieked, unable to remove her gaze from the Moon, which had grown to be quite large and began to feature a red glow around the bottom as it pushed against the atmosphere.

"Vaati, this ends now!" Link shouted, drawing the Four Sword and using it to sever one of Vaati's tentacles as the demon was distracted by the moon.

"GRRAAAAH! Foolish child!" Vaati shouted at Link, as he regrew the injured limb with ease. "You may wield the Four Sword, but haven't you stopped to wonder why it hasn't enacted it's magic?!" Vaati screamed, as Link chanced a glance to the blade, the dull grey of the steel failing to reflect the red glow from the moon. "Because I have destroyed it's magic! The magic that sealed me within the Dark World, and another within itself, it no longer resides within the blade!" Vaati explained, narrowly missing Link as he swiped at Link with a tentacle.

"Without that cursed blade's magic, you have a naught's hope of defeating me! So enjoy your doom, Link! It's all you have left!" Vaati shouted, as he began to battle with Link. All the mares could do was watch as Link kept Vaati at bay. Slowly, the moon grew closer and closer. And all Twilight Sparkle could do was drop to the floor and weep.

"All we wanted to do… was figure out what was wrong..." Twilight mumbled to Fluttershy, who had come to her side. "We wanted to befriend the Hylians… but all we did was doom them. We brought a large amount of good power to Hyrule, so if it's anything like Equestria… then of course it would balance itself by fueling evil."

'Elements of Harmony...where did you go? We needed you now more than anything...' Twilight thought to herself, only hearing the combined sobs of her friends, the nervous groaning from Rainbow Dash, Link and Vaati battling, and the ferocious sound of a large blaze burning in the sky above as the Moon plummeted ever closer towards Hyrule. And just as Link found himself bested, just as the Moon was only a few thousand feet above Hyrule and sucking light objects into the air, a miracle occurred. Above the tower, six pieces of jewelry flashed into existence, spinning in a perfect circle very rapidly, and fired a massive rainbow colored beam of energy towards the moon, the effect washing out the entire land in a light brighter than that of the day.

Very quickly, the moon was found to be in it's proper position in the sky. Link, badly bruised and beaten, watched in awe as the jewelry ceased their spinning, and floated down towards the six mares, the five necklaces attaching themselves around Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy, whereas Twilight Sparkle donned a Tiara.

"Impossible! I hold within me the powers of gods! And some pathetic children's jewelry thwarted me?" Vaati screamed in a rage.

"Not children's jewelry, Vaati… these are the Elements of Harmony! Prepare to have a taste of of it!" Twilight shouted, drying the tears in her eyes as they suddenly filled with a white light. She, and the rest of the girls, floated into the air, as the familiar rainbow glow grew out from a central point that was being fed by the light of each of the Elements.

"Not today!" Vaati shouted, focusing on a point on the tower closer towards the ground. Striking it, he flew away from the tower as the entire structure leaned towards it's wound, launching Link into the air right as the Rainbow magic shot forth from the Elements. As Link and the Bearers of the Elements plummeted towards the ground, the Four Sword proceeded to swallow the Rainbow Magic and glowed a brilliant white as Link retained his grip on it. Even as he fell, his gaze never left Vaati, and he watched as the demon flitted into the Lost Woods. Upon losing sight of him, Link returned his attention to the situation at hand; his plummet towards the ground, as the tower was falling behind him.

"Hang on, kid! I'm coming!" Rainbow Dash shouted, zipping towards Link and grabbing hold of him with only inches to spare between the ground and the tower. As Rainbow Dash slowed to a halt a distance away from the tower, she let Link go near the ground as the roar of the tower's collapse was heard. As she looked Link over to make sure he was alright, she took notice of the slight glow the Four Sword featured. "So...what's with the glowing?" Rainbow Dash asked, prompting Link to hold the Four Sword in front of him.

"I have no ide-AAAHHHH!" Link shouted, as he found himself encased in a flash of light.

"And then you...?" Twilight Sparkle asked Link, who was picking at a scuff on his green tunic.

"Yeah, I split into four. Kind of makes sense, with there only being 'one' Four Sword and the legend called for Four heros." He replied, looking towards the rising Sun.

"And you thought there was four swords..." the Blue Link snickered, mocking the Green Link.

"Correction: WE thought there were four swords." the Purple Link piped up, causing the Blue Link to scowl.

"Who asked you, egghead..." the Blue Link mumbled.

"Hey! What do each of us call each other? We can't ALL be Link, that'd just be confusing! No fun at all!" the Red Link exclaimed.

"Oooh! Oooh, I know! Pick me!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, waving a hoof in the air.

"What is it Pinkie?" Rainbow Dash asked, still staring directly at the four Links.

"We'll call them by the color of their clothes! Green, Red, Blue, and Violet!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed. Green, Blue, and Red all looked at their purple duplicate for a moment, before all three snorted in laughter.

"I'll… just go with Vio, thanks." Violet asked, grumbling as he scowled at the other boys.

"Why? What's wrong with violet?" Twilight asked, feeling slightly self conscious as she sat down.

"Heh heh, nothing wrong with the color… it's just that 'Violet' is a girl's name in Hyrule." Green explained, having collected himself. Twilight sighed in spite of herself, and began to glance around.

"Well, now that your names are settled, I think we've all spent enough time sitting around here. We should make our way back to the ruins." Twilight suggested, much to the confusion of her friends as she picked herself up off the grass and wandered towards the massive rising dust-cloud.

"Shouldn't we just make our way back to Hyrule Castle instead?" Applejack quizzed Twilight, having trotted up to her and matching her pace.

"When we were falling, I caught a glimpse of Hylian soldiers running away from the base of the tower. They'll be looking for us, I'm sure." Twilight explained.

"That means Ruul and Princess Celestia are probably there, too! Let's not keep them worried, guys!" Red exclaimed, running after Twilight and Applejack.

"Wow, guy is pretty excitable." Blue commented, before running after Red. Green looked towards Purple, and the pair shared a shrug as the rest of the group followed suit. They all remained silent for a while (save for Red and Pinkie Pie, who were both yammering constantly), until Fluttershy trotted closer towards Twilight.

"Uhm, T-Twilight?" Fluttershy asked cautiously, as a question burned on the front of her mind.

"Yeah, Fluttershy?" Twilight asked, glancing towards her friend as she continued her forward trot.

"I was just wondering… why did Link get split into four when he was hit by the Elements?"

"Well...I'm not entirely sure...but I have a theory." Twilight explained, taken aback slightly when she noticed everyone seemed to be listening, some of them motioning for her to continue. "Ah, well… as Green had suggested, the Four Sword wasn't a single blade of a set of four, but a Single blade that splits itself and it's wielder into four."

"Vaati himself said that he sapped the Four Sword of it's magic, hence why it never enacted it's magic on Link the moment he drew the blade, and why it wasn't inflicting grievous harm to him. I suspect that, when Link was launched into the path that the Rainbow Magic had flown along and was struck by it, the Four Sword pulled the raw magic into itself in an effort to regain it's abilities. It waited until Link was in a safe position, and then… split itself and him into four." Twilight summarized.

"Yer makin' it sound like tha sword is alive, Twi'...is it?" Applejack asked, glancing back at the four heroes, who had all unsheathed their respective blade to inspect them.

"It's possible that it has some form of sentience. In my studies on the Elements themselves, I've discovered a trend towards a form of sentience as well. Which means its possible that inanimate objects infused with copious amounts of magical energy can possess the ability to think and reason. In fact, I once tested the Element of Magic's self preservation response by tying a rope to it, dangling it over a vat of molten iron, and then letting go of the rope-" Twilight had begun on a tangent, before being cut off by Rainbow Dash.

"Wait, wait, wait, you almost melted the Element of Magic down into raw gold just to make sure it could protect itself? Are you nuts!" Rainbow Dash blurted out, completely blown away by Twilight's recklessness.

"I had safety measures in-place to ensure it wouldn't actually fall inside the vat! It was just an experiment to see if the Elements could sense their environment!" Twilight snapped back, starting a large argument to heat up. Blue leaned over to Vio, whom had crossed his arms and looked towards the ground in thought.

"So, uhh… what's up? You've been pretty quiet since we started walking, Vio." Blue asked, hoping to strike up a conversation.

"Oh, what's this? Blue interested in what an 'egghead' is thinking?" Vio deadpanned, earning him a scoff from Blue.

"Not really, dude, just bored. And by bored, I'm saying that I'm dying a little inside. So anything that's on your mind should help keep me from ringing myself." Blue explained, waving a hand towards Vio.

"Do you recall what Vaati had said, back up on the tower? About the magic of the Four Sword. He mentioned being sealed away in a place called the 'Dark World'. That, and that another had been 'sealed away' within the Four Sword."

"That's… yeah, I remember him saying something like that. So..." Blue trailed off, mind racing. "Vio, you're saying that Vaati isn't the only danger loose in Hyrule?" Blue blurted out, ensnaring the attention of the entire group. As Green, Red, Blue, and the girls all stared at him, Vio sighed.

"Yeah, that's what it sounds like. But if my suspicions are correct, it's not just Hyrule that’s in trouble anymore. I think Equestria is in for it's own hardships. I'm pretty sure we saw Vaati fleeing into it, right after the Four Sword swallowed that Rainbow light."

"... What?! Oh no! No, no, no, no, not good! We have to get back to Equestria, now!" Twilight shouted, galloping forward for a moment only to have her tail ensnared within Applejack's teeth.

"Naw jusc wade an ackle-ucking inute, Twi'!" Applejack commanded, promptly spitting Twilight's tail out once she had calmed down. "What do ya think we can even do? The Elements of Harmony missed Vaati completely, and nothin' has ever dodged that Rainbow Magic blast thing it does." Applejack argued, turning to look towards the four boys. "Ah mean, sure, tha Four Sword is all powered up now n' all, but what good kin' it do when Vaati is runnin' around with Princess Luna's power?"

"I know that it's dangerous, Applejack, but the Elements haven't failed us before! Remember Nightmare Moon? The Nightmare had it's own abilities AND Luna's then! If the Elements saw fit to refill the Four Sword with the powers to smite evil, then we shouldn't sit around and do nothing as Vaati roams the worlds and destroys them!"

"Ah think yer missin' the point completely, Twi! Ya knew what sort of magic to expect from Black Snooty, but this time it's bigger than that! We're talkin' about a huge, floatin' eyeball of immense power, and a malice ta match it's ego!"

"Applejack, have you forgotten that we're the Bearers of Harmony? What do you think Equestria would think of us, what the Princesses would think of us, if we just stood by and did nothing because we had no idea what exactly to do? I for one don't want to forsaken my homeland because I'm too scared to do anything!" Twilight snapped at Applejack, who's face scrunched up in anger in response.

"You take that back, right now!" Applejack shouted, as she advanced upon Twilight. Fluttershy stomped on the ground in a loss of patience as she let loose a growl. As the boys watched, along with the rest of the mares, Fluttershy unleashed the most frightening expression of sheer, unbridled irritation, that their minds went blank, save for the thoughts of obeying their Overlord's every whim.

"That is enough from you two!" Fluttershy shouted in a demonstration of her true maximum volume. Suddenly realizing her actions were being obtuse, Fluttershy let loose a sort of squeak as she collected herself, speaking as she pawed the ground with a hoof. "T-Twilight, we're all s-scared. M-me most of all. But I don't think that A-Applejack really means we s-should sit around. I mean, V-Vaati came from Hyrule, right? Won't there be books about him?" Fluttershy suggested.

"I think that's the best idea right now, researching about Vaati back inside Hyrule Castle's libraries. Vaati has already admitted that he had been calling and controlling the monsters, and he'll doubtlessly be organizing his armies as we speak, so I think that maybe Green, Red, Blue, and Myself should head towards the Lost Woods and make sure Vaati didn't place any obstacles in the way into Equestria." Vio suggested, attempting to steer the conversation further towards a resolution.

"Oh good, we get to carry out butts back towards the Lost Woods to check for and fight something that may not actually be there. Sounds. fun." Blue exclaimed sarcastically, swing his arms out to accentuate his last few words.

"Would you rather be reading books?" Green smirked as he wiggled his eyebrows at Blue.

"Eugh… touche." Blue admitted, tightening his belts in preparation for the trek.

"Well, we'll leave you now, then. We'll be sure to let everypony know you're okay, Li-...erm...boys." Twilight said with a lopsided smile.

"Bye, Twilight! We'll be fine, don'tcha worry!" Red announced, looping his arm through a disgruntled Vio's. The other two sighed and ventured forth through the trees as the mares watched.

"It's so unfair for such young boy to shoulder this kind of responsibility. He should be out playing with friends, not slaying beasts..." Rarity lamented as Twilight prepared a group teleportation spell.

"Not to mention, being split apart like that… I remember Pinkie Pie being all depressed when she just made clones of herself, but this… it really must feel awful not being whole." Rainbow Dash thought aloud, squinting absent mindedly at the sky as the group of mares suddenly found themselves enveloped in a slight glow.

"At least it gives him a chance to come to terms with, and accept, who he is inside!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed happily just as the group had enough time to give her confused expressions, shortly flashing from existence right after.

"Oh man, so hungry..." Green groaned, hunched over in discomfort as the quartette of boys continued their relentless march over Hyrule Plains towards the Lost Woods. Vio sighed as he looked back towards Green.

"We warned you to get something more than a handful of berries from the bushes before we left the thicket back at the river."

"Well excuse me for wanting to stop the bad guy and save the day before sunset..." Green grumbled. Red simply laughed, and plopped down on the ground.

"Maybe we should take a quick break! No one likes a bunch of killjoys!" Red exclaimed, procuring a bright red apple, holding it out to green as he dropped onto the grassy plain.

"Hey, that doesn't sound half bad right now, a good snooze..." Blue piped up, joining Red on the ground as he lay down and closed his eyes. Vio looked on to the pair with a look of anger, before turning his gaze upon Green, who smiled sheepishly.

"Vio… he has food, I can't just ignore this." Green said, sitting down upon the slowly swaying grass as it blew around in the wind, and began savouring the apple Red had offered him. Vio looked down at the three of them, incredulous. Staring only for a moment, Vio snorted angrily and sat down in a huff.

"The longer we waste time lollygagging, the more chaos Vaati could be wreaking in Equestria! If we find anyone hurt because we sat around, I'm holding the three of you accountable!" Vio growled, before turning himself away from the three.

"Ehh, a little swish, bang, boom with the Four Sword, and everything'll be fine." Blue mumbled as he waved off Vio's concerns.

"Come on, Vio! Everyone needs a break every now and then, even us. I mean, up till now, we've been running around non-stop since we stumbled into Equestria and saved Miss Fluttershy." Red offered, attempting to appease Vio. All he got in return was some grumbling. After that, all the group could hear for a few minutes was the sound of the light breeze and Green munching away at the apple. Just as Blue sat up to wake up from his short nap, he gave a low whistle as he looked in the direction of the tower that had collapsed only hours ago.

"Vaati really did a number on that tower… he really is that dangerous, huh?" Blue asked rhetorically as he looked over the tall debris field in the far distance.

"Which is why we shouldn't be sitting around. Logic dictates that the longer we delay, the more entrenched Vaati can become." Vio spouted off as he sat up himself.

"Wouldn't it also be logical to learn more about him, first?" Red asked, dusting the rear of his red tunic off as he sat up.

"That's why our Pony friends went to Hyrule Castle, dummy." Blue snapped at Red, who scowled.

"Who asked you, jerk? I was asking Vio." Red replied, turning up his nose. Green suddenly tossed the core of the apple away and wiped his mouth clean with the sleeve of his tunic, and quickly stood up and looked towards his three parts.

"Alright, seriously, guys. We can't be snapping at one another like this! We're not TOO far off from the Lost Woods right now, we should be able to get there around dusk. So let's do this!" Green exclaimed, slamming a fist down onto his palm to excite the other three as he glanced between them all.

"...Were you not the one who agreed with Red and take a break? What's with the sudden change?" Vio asked half-heartedly, as he retightened the belt to his sheath upon standing up.

"Actually, all I wanted was the apple, I could have walked and eaten it, but Red and Blue wanted a break, so I figured a compromise was in order." Green explained with a sheepish grin and a shrug of the shoulders.

"...Whatever. Let's just get moving so we don't miss the sunlight before we get into the Lost Woods." Vio grunted, watching as Red and Blue stood up and readied their equipment.

"Alright! Towards the Lost Woods!" Green exclaimed as he shot forward, much to the chagrin of Blue.

"Oi, who said you get to be in the front!"

"Should we...?" Vio wondered aloud as the four Heroes stood near the edge of the woods before them, earning him some stares. Noticing this, he clarified himself.

"I'm wondering if we should attempt to push on through to the log tunnel right now, with the Sun nearing sunset." Vio explained, while simultaneously pointing towards the slowly reddening sky.

"Hey, you were the one who was whining about stopping for a break, you don't get to chicken out!" Blue growled suddenly, frowning at Vio as he stepped closer towards the woods.

"Chicken--? Are you serious? You three never even gave me the option of us continuing on without a break, so don't you dare question my courage!" Vio shouted back at Blue.

"Then what’s the problem now, huh? Go on...?" Blue mocked Vio further, shooing him towards the woods as he wore a large smirk.

"Oh come ON! Could you quit it with the instigating? It's making you look like a fool!" Green snapped at Blue, who turned and snarled.

"Says the guy so stupid he can't even keep himself fed properly!"

"Uhh...guys?" Red asked out loud as the other three began to bicker amongst each other.

"Hey, I just didn't want to sit around and eat a big meal, and allow Vaati to run around in Equestria as he pleases!"

"Guys? Hellooo?"

"You don't get to say that, Green! You still opted to encourage a break, I was the one who wanted to move on!"

"Could you all stop fighting for a sec, there is--"

"And what little good that break did, wittle Vio is whining like a big, tired bab--"

"SHUT UP AND STOP FIGHTING FOR A MOMENT!" Red exclaimed at the top of his lungs, startling his three companions. Noticing their stares, he proceeded to point to the large swarm of bandits glaring at them from the treeline, a few of them chuckling menacingly as their eyes gave off a soft red glow.

"Oh." the three boys replied in unison, before scrambling to don their shields and unsheath their blades as the bandits attacked.

"I'd recommend a line formation, guys!" Vio blurted out as the first Bandit came upon him and immediately fell to Vio's blade. As they grunted in agreement, all four heroes formed a straight line to meet their foes head on, grunting and yelling as they swung their Four Swords at the bandits, all groaning and turning into purple smoke as they met their ends.

As the onslaught continued, bandits soon began to swarm the hillside behind them, causing a groan from Vio.

"Is this going to end anytime today? Guys, the hillside! We need to enter into a diamond formation!"

"Gotcha!" Green exclaimed, parrying a blow from a bandit before getting into position, with the other boys quickly following suit after dealing with their own enemies. As they raised their shields in preparation for a charge, the heroes watched with unease as the bandits formed a tightly packed circle around them, all seeming to be waiting for some sort of command.

"Are these guys mindless, or just stupid...?" Blue muttered as he glanced side-to-side, seeing only enemies.

"I think they're going to charge, guys..." Red mumbled, hiding behind his shield a little more. As Green glanced around, an idea popped up in his head, and after quickly thinking about it, he nodded to himself.

"Crazy idea here, guys, bare with me, but what if we all charged up for a spin attack?"

"... We'd just take each other out? Brilliant plan, Green, why didn't I think of it myself? Oh, wait, that's right! It's because I'm not suicidal!" Blue snipped, to which Green frowned.

"No, I mean… instead of each individually spinning on the spot, why don't we all strafe sideways around a center point; so our spun direction is constantly facing outward?"

"That… that might work, actually. I'm up for giving it a shot." Vio agreed, turning his blade towards the center of the group as he began charging it.

"Hey, I'll admit it, I've got nothing better up my sleeve… but if we die, I'm still blaming you." Blue complained as he mimicked Vio's movements, his sword joining Vio's.

"Heh heh, this should be fun!" Red said with a smile, similarly charging his blade.

"Alright then, let's wait for their move...!" Green exclaimed, putting his blade into the center to charge it, the four blade lightly touching one-another. And as the boys stood perfectly still, sweat dripping down their faces from the exertion of battle and of maintaining their blades' charge, a slight shuddering of the ground caught their attention.

"Oh my Guh..." Blue trailed off as he caught a glimpse of the source, of which being a giant of a man, clad in crude metal armor as he was flanked by similarly armored bandits. Snarling at the boys, the giant slowly pulled a rather dangerous looking blade, complete with a gruesome hook at the end, away from a sheath at his waist, and pointed it at them.

"GOOO!" the giant exclaimed as he raised his hooked blade into the air, watching as the bandits under his command instantly rushed towards the boys with thunderous roars.

"Now! Diamond Spin Attack!" Green shouted as the bandits were mere feet away. Just as the first Bandits raised their weapons to strike, the four heroes quickly moved as one cohesive unit, flooding the area with an immense, glistening rainbow shockwave that instantly struck down the majority of the bandits surrounding them. Gawking for a moment, the Giant bandit was speechless.

"BACK!" the giant ordered his surviving minions, few in number. As they piled up around the Giant, it was quickly apparent to everyone, the boys included, that the Bandits were in some serious trouble. Grumbling, the giant bandit pulled out a whistle and used it, only to climb aboard a cart pulled by a pair of horses. As the remaining bandits panicked and attempted to pile on, the horses panicked and bolted, ripping out of the bushes of the forest and up the path that winded alongside it and into the sunset, spilling a chest and a few bandits on the way who simply sprinted after their leader.

"Well that was… interesting. Was that rainbow...?" Vio wondered quietly, breaking the silence as he sheathed his sword after he was unable to notice any changes. Taking a quick breather, the boys took notice of the lone chest laying on it's back upon the path. Being the closest, Red immediately wandered over and flipped it over before flipping the lid over.

"Hey guys, they had a bunch of Red Potions! Most of them are broken from the fall, but I think a few potions survived, so there is enough for all of us!" Red informed the others as he hunched over the chest, pulling the surviving potions from amongst the broken glass and spilt Red Potion.

"Hey, that's great! Now we shouldn't have any problems with these woods!" Green exclaimed happily, pumping his free hand in the air as he began to slip his shield onto his back.

"Don't get over-confident, Green… Red Potion won't do you any good if you get killed." Vio replied darkly, causing a frown on Green's face while Red shivered at the thought.

"Loving the feel-good vibe there, Vio. Really, thanks for that." Blue grumbled as he snatched a Red potion tossed towards him from Red, making sure to tuck it away into his adventure pouch.

"Look, it's not like I WANT to be talking like this, but I just can't ignore the possibility--"

"Vio, I'm sorry, but I'm sure we're all kind of aware of the danger." Green explained, looking apologetic as he shrugged. Just as Vio was about to grumble, all remaining light from the sun disappeared in a sudden darkening, as the Moon took to it's own place at the opposite end of the sky, partnered by an ominous wolf howl.

"Aw, crud!" Blue blurted out, glancing towards the forest with a wary gaze as a light wind rustled the leaves of the trees.

"Should we maybe make camp and wait until the morning...?" Red asked the group, as the darkness inside the Lost Woods became all the more apparent as they peered into the trees, unable to see all that well.

"That lantern would be really handy right now..." Green thought out loud, frowning as nothing but pitch blackness further in greeted him.

"Well, Red has a good idea I suppose; we might as well make camp here and wait for morning..." Vio grumbled, glaring at the forest as it stood in it's seemingly self induced darkness before him.

"Alright, well, I'll go get some wood for-- " Red began to volunteer, before spotting a glow in the sky a distance away in the night sky, his actions perking the curiosity of the other three as they also looked towards it.

"What's that, there in the sky?" Red asked, unaware that the others had already begun watching it.

"I dunno, Vio? You're the egghead, any ideas?" Blue harassed Vio, smirking slightly as Vio growled.

"No idea. You're the voluntary cannon fodder aren't you? Why don't you go out and look?" Vio prodded in return, earning him a growl from Blue.

"Would you two quit bickering? We should spread out into the bushes here, so we can ambush whatever it is, assuming it's something from Vaati." Green suggested, thumbing towards the bushes as he looked behind him.

"Ack! Let's do hide quickly, that thing is moving really, really fast!" Red exclaimed, sprinting into the bushes as the edge of the Lost Woods. Glancing back, the boys were shocked to see the glow much larger, revealing a silhouette.

"Guys, you all really need to work on your hiding skills..." Rainbow Dash's voice called out from the air, garnering a collective sigh of relief from the four boys. As she landed, aided by a lantern being held by Fluttershy via her mouth, Green, Red, Blue, and Vio all approached the pair of pegasi.

"So did you find anything out in Hyrule Castle? Specifically, how he managed to bleed Princess Luna dry of her powers?" Vio asked, sheathing his Four Sword as he glanced between the two mares.

"Nothing concrete, just some vague mentions about the same sort of stuff happening in MORE ancient legends filled with MORE heroes. Seriously, you guys… are like, MAGNETS for this stuff, based on how much Twilight is spewing out about Hyrule's monsters and it's history." Rainbow Dash commented before fishing out a bright-pink, candy-coated letter, quickly handing it to Vio, who simply casted a confused stare towards the carrier, who shrugged in tandem and turned her own gaze towards Fluttershy.

"Mh? Hm." Fluttershy grunted softly upon noticing the attention. "S-sorry, uhm, Pinkie Pie wanted to give you four that key. She told me it unlocks her party supply shed, and you'll find something useful once we get to it." Fluttershy explained, pawing at the ground slightly. "S-she didn't, uhm, explain what was inside, exactly..."

"Heh, if I know Pinks at all, it'll probably be something that explodes." Rainbow Dash said with a chuckle, as Fluttershy giggled in tandem. "Anyways, were you guys about to head into the forest? It's lookin' pretty dark." Rainbow Dash pointed out as she waved a hoof towards it, not noticing the expression on Blue's face.

"Really? Hadn't noticed." Blue mumbled sarcastically, before Green spoke over him.

"Yeah, we were planning on it, but we kind of got in a little late and missed out on the sunlight to get through..." Green explained, frowning as he pointed towards the rising moon. "But, now that you two are here with a Lantern, we'll be able to get through in one piece!"

"If you two are here, where are the rest of you? Did something happen?" Vio finally edged in, his curiosity getting the better of him.

"Ah, nothing bad, really, they're still back in Hyrule castle getting Princess Luna ready to travel back home." Rainbow Dash explained, before quickly frowning slightly. "That, and one of your Oracle people wanted to talk to Apple Bloom, or something."

"Wait, one of the Oracles is talking to Apple Bloom? Which one?" Vio asked incredulously, obviously taken aback at the news.

"Uhh… I dunno, why?" Rainbow Dash asked, confused by the surprise of not only Vio, but of the other three hylian boys, as she glanced between the four of them, all of whom shared very similar surprised expressions.

"Well, considering the three Oracles almost never talk to anyone but Princess Zelda, each other, or the animals that live in the castle courtyard… getting summoned by one of the Oracles is a HUGE deal." Vio explained, still trying to comprehend what it was about the filly could possibly interest one of the Oracles so much.

"Don't forget, Farore spoke to us once!" Red offered as way of reminder. Blue simply snorted.

"Yeah, only because we protected our cousin. Not a peep since, and we're supposed to be the 'Legendary Hero'. Just goes to show how much of hermits the three of them've become."

"Hold up a sec, here, isn't Farore one of your Goddesses?" Rainbow Dash asked, surprising Fluttershy as she gave her a silent, amazed looked. "What? I pay attention to the stuff I read sometimes."

"Oh, I'm sorry Rainbow Dash, it's just, you normally only pay attention to books if it's about Daring Do.." Fluttershy apologized, pawing at the dirt trail nervously.

"Well, uhh, anyways… you're right, Farore is one of our Goddesses. All three of our Oracles are each named after one of the three Goddesses. I couldn't exactly tell you why, even I don't really know." Vio explained, crossing his arms and frowning. Just as a short silence fell over the group, Green broke the silence.

"Well, we're burning up time, let's get moving! To Ponyville!"

"Well, it looks fine, Vio. I can't see any issues from here." Green said from his post at the doorway into Fluttershy's cottage. It had been a relatively short jaunt through both the Lost Woods and the Everfree Forest, but upon reaching the cottage on the way to Ponyville, the group realised that they were going to need supplies fairly quickly, as well as funds, so they made a quick stop to grab a map of Equestria, as well as letting Fluttershy grab her bag of bits.

"I still think taking that break was needless! You could have eaten the apple while walking." Vio admonished Green, who simply looked down at the doorsill in guilt.

"Do you see pillars of fire shooting out from Ponyville? Hear any shrieks and shouts from the Ponies indicating that demons from the underworld are running around?" Blue asked Vio, who simply shot a deadpan glare in his direction. "Exactly. Don't try and fix what isn't broken."

"Hey, Rainbow Dash, where is Pinkie Pie's shed?" Red asked, looking over the large key intently as he swung his legs around under his seat at the kitchen table.

"Eh, it's in the Alleyway behind Sugarcube Corner. Hard to miss, with the giant 'Party Supplies' sign plastered over it." Rainbow Dash answered, smacking her lips as she finished making a peanut butter and jam sandwich on the nearby counter.

"Rainbow Dash, where should we go and eat? Oh." Fluttershy suddenly spoke aloud, having come back down the staircase that led to the upper floor, only to notice Rainbow Dash with an open maw hovering over the sandwich. "Well, I guess you won't be needing breakfast."

"Heh, I COULD use some food right about now." Green smiled sheepishly, staring at the sandwich as his stomach gave a little gurgle. The other three boys simply nodded in unison as their stomachs offered similar noises. Fluttershy simply giggled.

"Wow, I didn't know the cafe opened so early! It's only, like, five in the morning!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed loudly, only blushing as she heard a series of bangs from window shutters slamming closed. Hearing a polite cough behind them, the group turned to see the ever-professional waiter pony standing before them.

"Ah, Madams, good morning, how may I help you all?"

"Wow, wow, wow, hold up, did you just call us four GIRLS?" Blue blurted out in a rage, fists balling up as he was being held back by Red and Vio. The waiter gasped deeply, before bowing his head.

"You have my SINCEREST apologies, sirs! Please forgive me for my ignorant assumptions, but I have never seen your kind before."

"Ah, don't worry about it, Mister, Blue here is just a hothead." Green explained, making sure to speak over Blue's grumbling.

"Nonetheless, I must apologize in proper! Name any food item, and I'll shall have it brought out to you post-haste." The waiter instructed, to which the four Links began to wonder.

"Didn't Apple Bloom say that her family's Apples are really good?" Red asked aloud, upon which the waiter's ears drooped dramatically.

"Ah… alas, we are completely out of apples from the Apple family..."

"Wha- huh? How could you be out of apples? Isn't Big Mac delivering them?" Rainbow Dash suddenly cut in, confused over the turn of events. But the waiter simply shook his head.

"No, Madam, he hasn't. We are not certain as to why, and I was about to go and inquire them about the cause of the delay." The waiter explained, seeming to grow irritated as he thought about the shortage.

"Oh, drat. I was looking forward to trying out some of their Apples… uh, do you guys have a menu, then? I can't really speak for the rest of the guys." Green requested, and sure enough, they found themselves seated inside the cafe, complete with menus.

As the boys looked through the list of breakfasts available, they became quickly aware of how difficult it was going to be to read Equestrian text, finding it quite foreign to them, and so simply opted for a giant fruit salad (Sans the apples, of course) to share amongst themselves and the two mares. As they quickly dug in with shocking speed, the waiter approached the table with another, smaller menu.

"And what would you all like to drink?" The waiter asked, and upon seeing the four boys hunch over their menus in deep concentration, he turned his attention to Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy.

"Apple Cider for me, if ya got any left." Rainbow Dash answered quickly, handing over her menu with a wing to Fluttershy, who simply piled it upon her own.

"Earl Grey tea, please." Fluttershy said quietly, handing over the two menus to the waiter, who grasped it in his magic. "Boys? Is everything alright?"

"F-fine! Fine! Everything is okay, Uhm, w-we would like, uhh..." Vio blurted out, looking incredibly flustered as it appeared that he was floundering for a word, and instead opened to simply point out the large image of the fizzy drink that adorned the menu. "...this?"

"Ah, a morning glass of Sarsaparilla? Interesting choice, sirs! I shall have the drinks out shortly." The waiter bowed slightly, before grasping the remaining menus and wandering back into the kitchen, and Blue quickly rounded on him.

"I wanted that cool brown drink at the bottom of the menu! Don't go around making choices for me!" Blue snapped at the target of his annoyance, who simply harrumphed.

"Yeah, ‘cause you definitely knew what it was you'd have been getting! I didn't even know what I ordered for us until he said it's name!"

"What? You were going to get espresso? Kid, do you LIKE bouncing off of walls?" Rainbow Dash asked, looking at Blue with an incredulous stare.

"Uh, no? I think that's Red's deal, not mine." Blue offered with a blank expression, thumbing towards the subject at hand, who had begun launching small items across the room using his fork as a pseudo-siege engine. Fluttershy simply looked at the four boys for a moment, before a look of understanding appeared upon her face followed by some giggles.

"Oh, I'm sorry, but, none of you could read the menu, could you?" Fluttershy asked quietly, the four boys going rigid, only for Green to break.

"No, we couldn't… it's not that we can't read at all! We just couldn't understand that written language!" Green rushed to inform the two mares, who simply smiled in understanding.

"Hey, no worries. We couldn't even understand your world's writing until Twilight borrowed a dictionary and used a spell to translate it all in our heads on the fly. We'll just have to zap you with it, but the other way around… but that's only temporary." Rainbow Dash frowned slightly, happening to glance out the window and have her eyes land upon a particular building that sparked an idea.

"Hey… might be an idea to stop by the schoolhouse and see if Cheerilee has any books that might help you four out."

"So long as we don't have to stay in it for long..." Blue grumbled, viciously snatching a piece of watermelon from the salad and quickly gnawing on it.

"Well, this stinks." Green said suddenly, crossing his arms and frowning. While on their way to the Schoolhouse, they had made a short detour through the marketplace to visit the Apple family's stall, only to find it deserted, having apparently been in that state for a few days.

"Yeah, you're telling me! I was really looking forward-!" Red began to whine, before Green raised his hand and shook his head.

"No, I mean that something seems off." Green explained to Red, before turning his attention to Rainbow Dash. "Has 'Big Mac' been late often before?"

"I don't think he really ever has… except for those two different times Discord ran around town." The Rainbow Dash offered. Raising an eyebrow, Rainbow Dash cut in before Green could ask.

"Long explanation, we'll tell you about him later. But I'm basically saying almost nothing stops Big Mac from delivering on time."

"I think I see where Green is taking this..." Vio said quietly as he began glancing around.

"Oh well… let's stop by the Schoolhouse, anyways..." Red moaned, looking seriously down in the dumps over the lack of apples being available. As the group made the short trek towards the Schoolhouse, they could hear the sounds of children playing and laughing in the playground, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy became confused. Wandering around the side of the building, they found the source.

"Why are they all still playing outside? Class should have started by now..." Fluttershy spoke in a worried tone, only to be overheard by one of the little Pegasus colts playing, garnering his attention long enough to notice the two Mares at the gate entrance.

"Oh, hi Miss Fluttershy, hi Miss Rainbow Dash! Miss Cheerilee told us to come out here while she went over to Sweet Apple Acres to see why Apple Bloom hasn't been coming to school. I dunno what's taking her so long, though. Or Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, cause they went with her." The colt offered as way of explanation. Suddenly, something clicked within the four boy's heads simultaneously.

"Okay… which way is Sweet Apple Acres?" Green asked, noting the direction in which Fluttershy pointed with a hoof, her expression one of extreme worry. Before the four boys were able to get far in the direction, Rainbow Dash stopped them.

"Guys, before you go, we should stop at Pinkie Pie's shed. She may be random and a little wacko at times, but if she says she has something useful for you, it's best to trust her."

One street corner later, after leaving poor Fluttershy to look after the foals, Rainbow Dash and the four heroes came upon Sugarcube Corner. Quickly walking across the roadway towards the alley beside it, a sidelong glance indicated to Red an apparent lack of Apple based pastries, meaning to him that a great apple injustice was being committed. Big Mac MUST be hoarding all the apples to himself! As he glanced towards the ground in anger over the selfishness of the stallion, Blue let out a low whistle as the other three boys and Rainbow Dash crowded around the now open alley shed.

"What do we have here? Come to Papa!" Red could hear Blue exclaim, rustling with a small bag.

"What is it? Apples?" Red queried, stepping onto his toes in an attempt to get a better glimpse of what everyone was interested in.

"No, Red, BOMBS..." Blue corrected him, turning as he cradled one of the light blue death bringers in his hands, practically drooling. "Man, I can't wait to try-"

"'For Vio.'" Vio suddenly blurted out loud, having tilted his head and looked at the tag that happened to be dangling down from the rope used to tie the bag closed. "How...could she have even-?"

"Trust me, Vio? Don't question it. Even Twilight couldn't answer that one. Just accept it as 'Pinkie being Pinkie', and everything will be okay." Rainbow Dash sagely instructed, to which Vio slowly nodded. Blue simply pouted as he handed the small bomb back.

"Stupid things are tiny anyway, probably wouldn't even break glass." Blue grumbled as he glared at the ground. Vio simply sighed.

"Fear not, Blue. Maybe we'll find you something cool wherever Vaati is."

"Oh, you miscreants needn't have to look far for me." a smooth, spine-chilling voice called out from the mouth of the alleyway. As the five of them twisted around in haste, they came upon the sight of a pale skinned Hylian sorcerer, wearing a grin of twisted mirth as he chuckled at the group.

"V-Vaati? But you're-!" Vio stammered, surprised by the new form his enemy had taken. Vaati simply chuckled in reply before actually responding.

"Hylian? Close, but no. Technically the only surviving member of an ancient race that died off long ago. Thanks to these new, godly powers I've plundered, my memories of my life before taking on the form you saw before have begun to return, and as such, my ability to retain this form has, once again, become open to me."

Without warning, Red charged at Vaati and struck at him with a wild swing of the Four Sword, only for it to slide right through him and into the dirt ground below his feet. Vaati simply laughed.

"Insolent child! Did you honestly think I would appear unprepared against the Four Sword?"

"Hey! Give Princess Luna her powers back before I lay a beat down on ya, you creep!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, glaring and snorting in anger as she prepared to charge, pawing at the dirt in the alleyway.

"Are you honestly THAT dull witted? Or did you not notice how your compatriot here simply fell through me?" Vaati insulted the proud Pegasus, smirking as she simply gritted her teeth in anger.

"Now that the theatrics are over… I see that you've restored power to the Four Sword. In record time, I might add. Honestly, I'm impressed, I did quite a bit of damage to it's magic this time around." Vaati spoke smugly, crossing his arms as he smiled and glanced between each member of the group. He closed his eyes, however, and shook his head.

"Of course, it was probably the power of those trinkets you Ponies hauled around with you. I suppose I have only slightly more to concern myself over, at this point. Or Perhaps not." Vaati finished with a small laugh that could chill boiling water.

"W-what do you mean by that, huh?" Blue challenged Vaati, garnering the Sorcerer's complete attention.

"Ever the over-confident and rude fool, Blue. But I suppose I can explain." Vaati said with a nod of his head, casting his arms out to his side as a small gust of wind continually kicked a light amount of dust inside the alleyway.

"I'm sure, by now, you're all suspicious of the state of the farm and it's inhabitants and visitors, just outside of this pathetic little village? Yes, it has been seized. I won't drag this on in a guessing game, as much as I do love the occasional puzzle, but the culprit would indeed be me." Vaati said with a smirk, as his image floated up off the ground slightly.

"Now, I've been considering the fact that, while I am quite a bit more powerful than any other time I have raged across the lands, thanks to your keeper of the night, I am still able to find a weakness. Namely, that while in my current state, the Four Sword could do little to slay me, your Elements of Harmony are more than capable of rendering me quite vulnerable to that accursed blade's powers, what with being able to seal Luna's powers not too long ago." Vaati explained, clearly unhappy as he crossed his arms and frowned darkly, looking upon the group.

"So that was the scenario I have been attempting to find a manner of overcoming. And let me tell you, I found it rather grating. That is, until a few of my Moblins stumbled upon a quaint little apple farm, inhabited by none other than three of the four living family members of Honest Applejack's family? Quickly, I exerted my power and captured the three of them. Why? I think that is fairly obvious at this point in time." Vaati explained with sadistic glee.

"So I can use them to protect me against the use of the Elements of Harmony!"

"You sicken me...!" Green exclaimed harshly, drawing his Four Sword in a rage. Vaati simply laughed.

"That's not even the best part! Imagine my glee when a local teacher, the sister of Generosity and the biggest fan of Loyalty appeared, looking for little Applebloom!"

"S-Scootaloo! No!" Rainbow Dash cried, fear and adrenaline rushing into her system as she stared at the villain before her helplessly.

"Yes, Rainbow Dash. I have your precious Scootaloo. Now, I've said too much, so I'll leave you a message to share with your friends: 'Attempt to use the Elements of Harmony, and they all die.'" Vaati stated in a tone of finality. Looking between the enraged faces of his direct enemy, Vaati simply smiled.

"Now, that doesn't stop YOU boys from trying to save them. I'll give you four a fair chance, if you feel capable of defeating me. If you do, please, come and join me and my minions at the farm. I'll be sure to greet you in a manner befitting your place in my heart." Vaati goaded the four boys, before disappearing into the gust like dust, his laughter still faint in the air.

"No! Get back here you monster!" Rainbow Dash shrieked, diving past the boys and towards Vaati's last position as he finished turning into a dark dust. When she landed and fell onto her stomach, she dropped her head into her outstretched forelegs and simply lay there for a moment. As Red approached her, she quickly stood up, sniffling.

"I'm… sorry guys. But I can't help with my element, I guess… which is kind of weird, considering by Loyalty's very nature, I should be. I-it's just..." Rainbow Dash struggled, opting to not look at the boys as she was tearing up.

"Rainbow Dash… we understand, Don't worry. Even though it's an obvious trap he's laid, I think Vaati has overlooked a key point in the relationship forged between the Elements of Harmony and the Four Sword." Vio explained, walking up on Rainbow Dash's right side. As she turned and looked at him with a pair of wet, confused eyes, he elaborated.

"Vaati himself said it: the Four Sword's magic was restored with the magic from the Elements of Harmony. And in doing so, I think part of it's magic was imbued in the Four Sword."

"Imbued...? What do you mean? The Four Sword acts like a miniature version of the Elements?" Rainbow Dash asked, intrigued. Turning to look at the others, Vio gave them all a smile and a nod, the three of them returning the gesture as they pulled out their blades and exited the alleyway, Rainbow Dash following them out of intrigue.

"Alright, Diamond Formation! Charge blades!" Green shouted in the street, startling the ponies gathered on it as they went about their day. As they all watched, the swords that the boys held within the center of their formation began to glow and arc with what looked like an electric rainbow.

"Now! Diamond Spin Attack!" Green shouted, and the four boys gave a war cry as they spun in a wide arc, a circle of pure Rainbow magic bursting out and harmlessly phasing through the nearby buildings and ponies as it gave them a sense of warmth. Rainbow Dash simply stared in awe, as the dazzling colors of the rainbow magic shot out for a distance around the boys before dissipating.

A few minutes later, the boys and Rainbow Dash found themselves just outside of Ponyville again, on the road that led to Sweet Apple Acres, holding a quick discussion.

"So, like I said, I'm gonna go back into the Everfree and find everypony and warn 'em about what Vaati is up to. You guys get in there, kick some monster flank, and save everypony on the farm, okay?" Rainbow Dash rehearsed, flexing her wings as she prepared to fly away.

"You make it sound like this is gonna be hard..." Blue joked, shuffling his shield into a more comfortable position within his grip as Rainbow Dash gave a quiet chuckle. Lifting off the ground, Rainbow Dash stayed for a moment to look the boys over.

"Just… be careful, okay guys? Last thing I need is for Rarity to lose it on me because her little sister is kidnapped and I got you guys hurt trying to save her." Rainbow Dash asked, a little calmer when each one of them nodded silently. Watching her fly away for a short moment, the four boys quickly entered into a jog as they made their way towards Sweet Apple Acres.

As they silently continued their journey, a large, red barn began to come into view, flanked by a farmhouse and rolling hills filled with apple trees surrounding the area.

"So, you've come… foolish children!" Vaati's demonic voice boomed out from behind them, as a massive gust of wind that sent the four heros sprawling. Looking up, they all quickly came upon the sight of Vaati's familiar form of a giant, demonic eyeball.

"Give us back our friends!" Red shouted at the familiar shape, getting up from the dirt path with sword in hand. Vaati simply laughed at the display.

"Gwoh hoh hoh! Yes, I suppose I can show you your precious 'friends' one last time..." Vaati mused, and with a plume of dark smoke blasting forth from the ground underneath him appeared the captives, tied up to poles that had been imbedded into the ground.

"Ha! See, you giant eyeball! I TOLD you Link was coming to save us! He's a Knight of Hyrule!" Scootaloo suddenly declared, having caught sight of Green and promptly began celebrating her personal victory.

"Yeah, uh, all… four of him?" Sweetie Belle ended with a question, eying each of the different colored boys in front of her.

"G-girls, please! Quiet down, don't draw attention to yourselves!" frantically exclaimed a mare, who featured a red-purple hair coat and mane of two alternating tones of a light pink, and a trio of smiling flowers as her cutie mark.

“You boys need ta’ take off and get ta’ safety!” a large, red stallion shouted at them from his position high up on the pole, grunting as he struggled against his bindings.

"EHH? Whosit-?" An elderly, lime green mare suddenly shouted aloud, as if waking from a nap. "Mah Celestia, you sure are a big feller, ain'tcha? Are you the stallion mah oldest Granddaughter keeps yammerin' on about?" she asked, looking up towards Vaati, as the flying demon simply stared back incredulously, unable to think of a proper reply. Closing his lone eye and sighing in annoyance, Vaati turned his attention back onto the four boys.

"... Moving on, I believe it's about time for this charade to come to completion, wouldn't you agree?"

"I couldn't agree more, Vaati. It's time you went down like the spawn of Tartarus you are!" a familiar voice rang out behind the boys, and as they turned their heads, they came face-to-face with an enraged Celestia.

"Ahh… Princess Celestia. I'm glad you could finally join us during this special moment of my own glorious victory." Vaati gloated in amusement, followed by further cackling from the demon.

"The only thing you'll be achieving is an eternity in an endless void, demon!" Celestia declared, splaying her wings out as she prepared for a fight.

"Gwoh hoh hoh! Look at this, everypony! Your precious Goddess of the Sun thinks herself capable of defeating me!" Vaati cackled, before glaring towards the combined threat before him. "You lack the Elements of Harmony, and as such the Four Sword is powerless before me!"

"Vaati, you've failed to take into account the type of magic that now powers the Four Sword! A fatal mistake that you won't survive to correct!" Vio suddenly declared, quickly charging his sword as he charged towards the monster, the sight of the Rainbow Magic flowing around it seemingly unphasing Vaati.

With a war cry, Vio leapt into the air and unleashed a spin attack upon the face of Vaati, a cry of surprise emanating out of Vaati as Vio landed just underneath him with a victorious smirk. And then Vaati laughed.

"Fools! Did you honestly expect the meager level of Rainbow Magic contained inside that cursed blade to be capable of stopping me?" Vaati asked the party before him, Vio having quickly jumped back and out from underneath him. Suddenly a wind began to howl harshly, as Vaati glared in unbridled rage at his foes.

"You are naught but candlelight to the wind! And when I snuff you all out, true darkness will reign in a manner of which that pathetic cur Nightmare Moon could only DREAM of!" Vaati declared, his voice echoing over that of the massive twister that formed atop the four boys, quickly picking them up much to their surprise. Reaching out, Vio managed to grab hold of Celestia's outstretched foreleg and held on for dear life, the pair of them only able to watch in horror as Vaati vanished into thin air and the twister began to carry away Green, Red, and Blue.

"SWEETIE BELLE! SCOOTALOO!" the captured mare shrieked, able to do nothing except watch the two fillies get sucked out of their bindings and into the twister as well. And just as suddenly as it appeared, the twister disappeared, leaving behind only the faint, fading sounds of the screams of the terrified children it had stolen as they were flung far across Equestria.

The cry of Celestia's despair could be heard across Equestria.

Author's Note

Honestly? This chapter has actually sat around a third complete since I put out my last chapter. And it looked like a steaming pile of poop that had flowers put on it after I finally finished writing it the night before... until I noticed a message from the fic's new editor. After a few swapped messages, I eventually sent him the product as it was, and trust me, in comparison to what you see here, it wasn't all that descriptive. Might as well have been "LINK WEN GO STAB BIG EYEBAWL GUY. END, LULZ."

With this chapter clocking in at over 11k words, you can thank our newest, glorious Editor and Pre-reader, Nihatclodra. Infact, have a message from him below.

Editor's Note:
Hello everyone, my name is Nihatclodra: the new Editor and Proof-Reader for this fanfiction. If I missed anything, please feel free to say so in the comments.

This story seems to be taking quite a colourful direction, likely to be full of Quests and Hardships... puns aside, I hope you enjoyed the chapter.

Aesthetically Adventurous, Nihatclodra

Frozen Ruins, Lunar Wing

Image from AdamFerrando.com

'Overwhelmingly cold' is the best way to describe how Blue felt, as he was slowly coming to. Opening his eyes, he slowly raised his head and glanced at the frozen, billowing wasteland around him. Standing up with a shiver, Blue brushed the offending snow off of his hat and tunic; his hand protesting the action as the snow melted on them, sending the sensation of being suddenly frozen directly to Blue's head. With a grunt, Blue began to squint through the Blizzard in an attempt to spot any of the other boys.

"H-hello? Is anypony out there? I'm lost!" A familiar voice rang out to Blue amidst the howls of the storm.

"S-Sweetie Belle? Is that you?" Link cried out, hoping to locate her through her voice. As silence reigned for a moment, Blue wondered if it wasn't simply his imagination that made him hear the voice when suddenly the silhouette of a filly appeared a few meters in-front of him.

"Link? Link! Oh my goodness, I was so scared that I was out here alone, I-- I--!" Sweetie Belle cried as she bowled into Blue, knocking the both of them back into the snow clinging to him tightly. A few moments later, Sweetie Belle got off of Blue, allowing the both of them to stand up.

"Link, why was there four of you? I definitely remember seeing four different colors of you, and you were wearing green when I first saw you..." Sweetie Belle trailed off, her voice quickly being swallowed up by the howling of the blizzard's winds.

"Long story, Sweetie Belle. I'll explain everything, but we need to find some shelter and get out of this storm!" Blue yelled over a particularly loud howl, as he shielded his eyes from what felt like razor sharp ice shards as they slammed into his exposed skin.

"Shelter? Like that cave over there?" Sweetie Belle shouted back, as she flung a hoof out to what seemed like a random direction, pointing towards a landmark in which Blue couldn't even see.

"You sure there's a cave there? I don't see a thing!" Blue asked her, looking back towards Sweetie Belle.

"Yeah, there is definitely a cave there! You don't see it?" Sweetie Belle asked, confused as to why Blue couldn't see it, while it seemed to jut out like a sore thumb in the storm to her. When he nodded in confirmation, she simply cocked her head. "Well, okay, just follow me then! I can see it fine!"

"Uhh...okay!" was all Blue could muster in reply, as he watched Sweetie Belle trudge through the snow, only breaking the surface. When Blue went to follow, he found himself sinking into the snow much more than Sweetie Belle was. Having picked up on Blue's difficulty, Sweetie Belle wordlessly slowed her pace down as she guided him towards the large cave before them.

As the pair of them finally approached the mouth of the cave, Blue chanced a glance in the direction they were traveling and finally sighted their destination through the billowing snow. Trudging through the snow that filled the entrance, the pair quickly became aware of how dark the cave truly was.

"Ahhah, I'll be honest, I'd much rather walk into this thing to get out of this cold, but… if you know any spells for light, it'd be much appreciated!" Blue jumbled out quickly, as shivering began to rack his body in an attempt to warm up. Sweetie Belle simply scrunched up her nose in concentration, as her horn seemed to spark and fizzle with a light-pink glow.

"Ugh, come on! Twilight just helped me practice this one last week!" Sweetie Belle grumbled as she fought with her horn, and just as Blue was about to call off her attempts, Sweetie Belle's horn began to emit a white light. And it cast it's pure light upon a morbid scene, of old wagons and items and slightly shriveled Ponies of days-gone-by, all claimed by the frozen wasteland the pair of them found themselves in. With a shriek, Sweetie Belle bolted behind Blue, who simply glanced around at the scene before him.

"Well, atleast we'll have materials to keep us warm until this storm lets up." Blue mumbled to the shaking filly behind him.

Only after a few moments of collecting stray wood from the remains of what appeared to be an ill-fated expedition, Blue had managed to start a respectable fire a ways into the cave, to which to warm Sweetie Belle and himself up from the endlessly biting cold of the storm outside their cave. As Sweetie Belle cautiously scooted closer towards the fire, she watched carefully as Blue began to blanket the numerous ponies with old cloaks and blankets he had found, giving each and every one of them a moment of silence and a prolonged bow.

"Why were you doing that?" Sweetie Belle quietly asked once Blue returned to join her by the fire.

"Respect for the dead is a pretty big deal for Hylians. Mainly because we tend to have some bad...run ins with restless spirits, and we like to try and calm them down before things go crazy. But I also did it because it's something I think I'd like to have, to pass on comfortably, when my time comes." Blue explained, as he poked the fire with a metal rod he had found earlier while rummaging for supplies. "And considering these guys look like they didn't get the chance to pass on in comfort, I figured it would nice if someone could atleast give them that comfort in death."

"Wow..." was all Sweetie Belle could say in reply, unsure of what she could say to promote a constructive conversation. Blue simply snorted in laughter.

"Yeah, I know, listen to me! This sort of philosophical stuff is Vio's game." Blue joked, smiling as he fed the fire before him with another plank.

"Speaking of the others, you promised to tell me why there was four of you." Sweetie Belle reminded her partner, who looked towards her in surprise.

"Yeah, I did, didn't I? Welp, I'm not really up for super-long explanations, so I'll give you a really quick run-down of what's happened. Sound fair?" Blue asked, before continuing. When Sweetie Belle nodded, he continued.

"So yeah, that demon guy that kidnapped you? That's Vaati. Green, Red, Vio, n' me are here to stop him from destroying everything, but as you can tell… that didn't exactly go according to plan. Anyways..."

"... and that's when Green, Red, Vio, n' Me showed up, and you know the rest." Blue finished explaining, as his audience listened with rapt attention.

"Holy cow, I didn't know so much could happen in such a short time!" Sweetie Belle finally exclaimed, her eyes widening in surprise as Blue sighed.

"Yeah, I guess a lot has happened, huh? I mean, I didn't even tell you about my fight in the Everfree when we first decided to head to Hyrule Castle, about my house being blown to smithereens, or even the fight all four of us had with a swarm of bandits in-front of the Lost Woods." Blue added, numbering off the events on his fingers as he did so.

"So how are we gonna get back home? I don't mind a bit of snow, but the Frozen North is always snowing." Sweetie Belle asked, catching Blue off-guard.

"Uhh...I dunno, Sweetie Belle. I was kind of hoping that this storm would end, but you just said it doesn't?" Blue finished in a questioning tone, as Sweetie Belle slowly nodded with a panicked face.

"Y-you have to get us home! I don't wanna die like these ponies!" Sweetie Belle shouted frantically, as Blue frowned.

"We're not gonna die, dummy. Someone will come looking for us. I mean, heck, how much did you want to bet that your Sister is organizing a search party right now?

"What about food! You don't know how long they're gonna take!" Sweetie Belle squeaked out in anger, glowering at her would-be rescuer. As he stared at her, transfixed. A moment later, his mouth dropped in realization.

"Oh man, I didn't even think about that..."

As Sweetie Belle slumbered soundlessly in the makeshift bed that the two of them had slapped together, Blue ventured towards the mouth of the cave to cover their agreed upon Guard shifts. As he glanced out into the still-roaring blizzard for any sign of rescue or trouble, he scoffed when wondered how Sweetie Belle planned to fight off monsters if any appeared, and silently decided to maintain the night watch by himself until morning.

As he stood, unmoving, for what seemed like it must be the early hours of the morning, he began to become aware of the fact that he wasn't any more tired than he had been a few hours ago. Infact, none of the others or himself actually slept the previous night, either. Just as he stood silently in confusion, he jumped about a foot into the air when he heard a voice sound off inside his head.

'Boys… it's me, Celestia… please listen carefully. Vaati has declared war on Equestria, and has seized Canterlot castle by placing the entire Royal guard within Canterlot under his spell, including Captain Shining Armor's wife, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. Shining Armor has ventured off towards the castle alone, and I fear the pair may have been captured, as I cannot sense either of their magic any longer.

'Equestria has already begun to succumb to this overwhelming Evil, and Hyrule shall surely follow. If both our lands are to drive off this darkness, the four of you need to reunite, and rescue the two fillies from Vaati's grasp, and return them to the bearers of Harmony.

'I entreat ye, bring light to our darkness...'

"Damn you, Vaati..." Blue mumbled to himself as he stared angrily out into the blizzard. As he contemplated Sweetie Belle and his own next move from their location, his ears picked up on something moving deeper within the cave. Turning to look, Blue was startled when he heard Sweetie Belle shriek.

"Monster! Blue, help, a monster is taking me!" Sweetie Belle's voice echoed out in terror, as Blue tore right back into the cave, his shield out and blade flourished with zeal. Upon entering the deeper portion of the cave, Blue caught sight of a giant, white, hairy beast cradling Sweetie Belle in one arm as it handled a secret door made of the icy cave wall.

"Hey, let her go you freak!" Blue shouted at the beast, surprising it as it moved deeper into the hidden passage. With a shout, Blue rushed at the monster with haste, sword at the ready to land a strike. As he lept into the air with the blade over his head, Blue watched as the monster simply pushed the wall back into place, and completely out of his reach. His strike slammed against the wall of solid ice and stone, making him cringe as the force reverberated through the Four Sword and into his body.

"Grrr… get back here! Nobody makes a fool out of Blue!" Blue shouted with fury as he moved back and quickly charged towards the false wall, shield in-front of him as he intended to try and ram it open...only for it to suddenly open and let him run right into the passage, and over a spiral staircase. With a gasp of surprise, Blue attempted to stop himself, only to succeed in sliding right across the icy floor and over the side of the staircase, with a fine view of a bubbling lava pit at the bottom of the long, winding staircase.

"Waaaah-!" Blue exclaimed in terror, before finding his feet tightly gripped by a large hand.

"Be careful, child! The Crystal Mountains do not take kind to tomfoolery!" the white beast from before rasped out as it carefully lifted Blue back over the edge, and deposited him on the floor.

"So… you're not a monster? You're not going to eat me?" Sweetie Belle asked cautiously, looking the beast in the face as she remained stock still, cradled within it's arms.

"Goodness, no! I apologize, little filly, but I simply mistook you for one of my children." The beast explained sadly, as it gently placed Sweetie Belle on the floor beside Blue.

"What, you lose your kids or something?" Blue blurted out without care as he checked himself over for any missing equipment. The beast gave a sad sigh in reply as it blubbered.

"N-no, not lost! My babies were kidnapped! By frightening creatures from the ruins down below!" the beast cried, it's white furry hands rubbing at it's eyes as it bawled. Sweetie Belle quickly moved in closer to comfort the creature, giving it a hug.

"H-hey now, it's not the end of the world! Blue here is a knight from his world, maybe he can help you fight the monsters and get your children back!" Sweetie Belle offered in Blue's place, shooting him a dark gaze just as he opened his mouth to argue over it, allowing Blue the chance to make the sagely choice of staying silent instead.

"R-really? You'll h-help?" The monster asked, having stopped sobbing long enough to do so. Blue sighed and nodded, jumping slightly from his position on the floor when the creature shouted for joy.

"Before I go, though, could you tell me what happened, uhh...?" Blue trailed off, looking at the creature questioningly as he hefted himself off the icy floor.

"Yeta, I'm a Yeti, and… I suppose I should, if it helps..." Yeta mumbled, sitting down beside Sweetie Belle and taking a moment to collect herself before continuing.

"You see, my Babies and I live inside these caverns, and have for a very long time. About halfway down this staircase, you'll find a grand chamber, completely coated in ice. We used it as our home, and never had any problems until today..." Yeta began to explain, pausing for a moment, only for Sweetie Belle to urge her to continue.

"We were returning to cook our dinner, an ice boar that had wandered into one of our traps outside, when I quickly noticed these three strange, disturbing ice sculptures embedded inside the wall, sculptures I'd never noticed before. I went to move my babies away from them, but before I could even utter a single word, the three sculptures burst out of the wall and grabbed them, before turning around and sealing themselves back into the wall! I smashed all three of the sculptures, but my babies...they were gone!" Yeta wailed, before turning back into a sobbing mess, Sweetie Belle attempting to console her.

"That almost sounds like a group of Freezor… but that's not possible unless..." Blue struggled to determine the beasts at work, when his mind flashed back to what he heard only moments ago.

'Equestria has already begun to succumb to this overwhelming evil...'

"This… this was Vaati's doing!" Blue declared, before turning to look towards Sweetie Belle. "Vaati must have known about these ruins, thanks to the knowledge imparted to him by Princess Luna's powers! He must have cursed them, filling them with monsters, hence why demons from Hyrule, the Freezor, are here!"

"Is that why… he sent the two of us here?" Sweetie Belle asked, looking towards Blue with an expression of fear. Blue was silent for a moment, before shrugging.

"Honestly? Don't know for sure. Maybe he simply cursed it in his efforts to take over Equestria using fear. Could be the case for all I know. But if he did send the two of us here after cursing the ruins… those Freezor might have actually been after us instead, and mistook Yeta's children for us." Blue explained, prompting Yeta to renew her bawling as Sweetie Belle hugged her, casting a confused look at Blue.

"Yeah, I know, dunno how they could confuse us with… well, someone not us, but they ARE just solid ice and dark magic, so… not exactly the most intelligent of creatures." Blue explained, shrugging his shoulders. Turning to face the staircase, Blue began to walk away from the trio and descend, only to stop for a moment and look back towards them.

"Yeta? Would you make sure Sweetie Belle is kept safe? I've been asked to make sure she gets home in one piece." Blue asked of the kindly Yeti, who nodded with a warm smile, while Sweetie Belle cocked her head in confusion.

"Who asked you to get me home? Other than me, of course." Sweetie Belle asked, looking at the Hylian with curiosity.

"Princess Celestia did… I'll explain later, but for now, I've got to go find those kids."

After bidding Sweetie Belle and Yeta a temporary farewell, Blue quickly ventured down the spiraling staircase and came upon the bubbling pool of lava. Taking a good look, he noticed that a hallway filled with more of the deadly lava actually opened up underneath the staircase and ended with a rocky platform complete with a giant, blue, ornate set of doors at the far end.

Making note of the hallway, Blue turned his attention behind him and came face-to-face with another hallway that mimicked the one behind him, yet featured icy surfaces and a pair of giant, red doors. Seeing no Alternative, Blue carefully stepped onto the icy surface before him, and made his way down the slick floor that led to the door. After a few steps down the hallway, he became aware of a series of markings on the wall to his left. After quickly examining them, Blue became frustrated when he realised they were Equish characters, and he was unable to decipher them, prompting him to stomp further down the hallway. After a few slips and falls, Blue finally made it to the doorway while he rubbed his sore behind, and gave the doorknob a turn, only to find the door resisting his efforts to open it.

"Aw, come on you crummy old… aha!" Blue exclaimed, victorious in opening one of the doors after giving it a great heave, the sound of crunching ice echoing throughout the hallway with only the distant bubbling of the lava to compete with it.

Stepping into the adjacent room, Blue found himself within what appeared to be some sort of ancient stone ballroom: complete with a pair of iron chandeliers, each still holding a large candle in their centers; as if waiting for someone to light them to continue their fight against the creeping ice.

Examining the room further, Blue came across the obvious remains of a trio of Freezors, scattered across the far wall, their homes within it empty. Moving on, Blue picked up upon the presence of two separate doors, with one of them covered by iron bars that protruded from the floor, removing any chance of getting through. The other, an open doorway, stood at the back of a small stone stage; which sported a single large stone-table, and what Blue suspected to be the aforementioned 'Ice Boar', forgotten in Yeta's panic.

Hoisting himself up onto the stage, Blue made his way towards the open doorway to find a narrow staircase leading further into the depths of the ruins. Taking the stairs as they spiraled downward, Blue quickly began to feel the temperature drop further, as the very air around him felt as though it had begun to freeze. Grumbling, Blue came to the bottom of the staircase and looked into the following room: only to come face-to-face with what might as well been a giant chasm, complete with narrow platforms of ice that jutted out from the darkness below in an almost comical manner, what with their stems being ridiculously small.

"Well, isn't this a pleasant sight. All this for a pair of pony princesses." Blue grumbled to himself, as he eyeballed two wooden doors, one of the left side of the room, and the other on the right side. From his position on the south side of the room, Blue pondered which side he should try for.

"To the left it is!" Blue exclaimed, glaring at the platform in-front of him for a moment, before he ran towards the edge of the floor and took a great leap towards it. As he sailed through the air, Blue watched as he flew towards the right side of the platform, landing on his feet with a thud and a very audible cracking sound.

"Uhm..." Blue uttered in confusion, moving slightly to turn to the left, only for more of the loud cracking to sound off as the platform wobbled slightly. Closing his eyes, Blue sighed. "Really, this is how I die? By being stupid? Seriously, what in the name of D-hah!" Blue gasped, feeling the platform falling to the right as it finally separated from it's narrow support. As he was flung towards the right, Blue flailed unto he felt his hands purchase onto something icy, and quickly hoisted himself up, laying upon his stomach and panting.

Taking a quick glance, he became aware that he had struck upon some serious luck, and landed upon the platform that was next in the chain towards the right side of the room. Before he could let loose a sigh of relief, however, Blue began to feel the subtle movements from the platform that indicated that it, too, was beginning to break apart: just like its counterpart.

"I don't think so..." Blue mumbled to himself, quickly picking himself up as he felt it beginning to shift, leaning towards the next platform. Just as the platform he was on gave one last great cracking sound, Blue gave the gap between the two platforms a running leap, his landing proceeding to break that platform as well. Not skipping a beat, Blue continued the dangerous leaps each time the platform he was on broke, continually bringing him closer to the door and ledge on the right side of the room.

After one last olympian leap from the final platform, Blue caught the side of the narrow ledge with his stomach, his hands scrambling to find purchase upon something until he found himself clinging to the edge by his fingers, dangling over the seemingly bottomless chasm. Adrenaline having fully kicked in at this point, Blue gave himself a mighty heave, bringing his left arm up to the ledge and using it to help swing his right foot up and over, and finally the rest of him, onto solid ground. Taking a moment to calm down and catch his breath, Blue began to fume from his seat in-front of the door.

"Seriously, who in the world would have a basement like this? I mean, come on!" Blue finally shouted aloud to the uncaring deathtrap before him, just as he stood up from his seat and looked towards the door.

"Well, you might not be the door I WANTED to go to, but let's see what you've got hidden on the other side." Blue mumbled, gripping the wooden handle and giving it a turn towards the floor, ice creaking and cracking as the aged door was swung open to reveal a small, brick room: whose only feature was a rather large, rather old wooden chest. Glancing around the room from the doorway for a moment, Blue shrugged when nothing leapt out at him, attempting to disembowel him.

Approaching the chest, Blue felt the curiosity inside of him build, reaching a bursting point when he gripped both sides of the top and get it a good shove. Leaning over to take a look: Blue caught a glimpse of a thick, old parchment of some sort. Hoisting himself onto the edge of the chest, he grabbed the slightly rolled paper, and then slid himself the short distance back onto the brick floor. Looking the paper over, Blue quickly became aware of how similar some of the shapes on it were to the rooms of the ruins he had visited, and then smiled.

"It's a map of the ruins! I still don't understand any of the writing, but this is definitely a map." Blue whispered to himself, as he sat down again and began to study the parchment. As he looked over the various shapes, he quickly pinpointed his own location as the eastern-most room on the bottom floor, as well as where he had left Sweetie Belle and Yeta, atop of the main spiraling-staircase.

Looking back upon the floor Blue found himself on, he noticed a few details that immediately jumped out to him. Firstly, while there were a sizeable number of rooms within this particular floor, the floor itself seemed to be separated into two halves. Looking back to the previous floor and recalling what he had seen from the bottom of the main staircase, Blue figured that the ruins featured a particular theme of fire and ice, and were separated accordingly.

Secondly, both sides of the bottom floor seemed to feature fairly important rooms, if the emphasis on them being highlighted with small doodles and more confusing Equestrian text was any indication. Blue began secretly wishing he had brought Sweetie Belle with him to decipher the writing, but shook his head when he remembered the events that happened only minutes ago in the previous room.

"We seriously need to get this Equestrian writing problem fixed. This is nuts. Like, what are these? Altars?" Blue spoke to no one in particular, as he looked at some more of the odd writing on the map around the rooms. With a quick runthrough of the map and a nod of his head, Blue determined that the best thing for him to do was make his way towards the 'Altar' on his side of the basement, all the while keeping an eye out for the Yeti children.

Sitting up and reaching for the door, Blue opened it back up again to the sight of his near-death experience. Closing the door behind him, he glanced towards the other door, opposite of him, and then to the empty chasm between them, completely void of any of those Din-forsaken platforms. His way back was also still missing, seeing as he had destroyed the platforms on his way across.

"What." Blue uttered in a monotone, unable to comprehend that he had marooned himself. Dropping to his knees, Blue cringed at the prospect of starving to death, and the multitude of other possible endings for him that began to flood his mind. He would have began shouting, if he hadn't been broken out of his misery by a friendly voice.

"Look! Try hitting the crystal in the wall beside you!" a voice called from within Blue's head. Or more correctly, from under his hat.

"Is it-! Navi!" Blue exclaimed, pulling his hat off to reveal the small fairy fluttering in his hair happily.

"Yup, it's me! Sorry I took so long to come back, Blue, but I got caught up in the uproar in the fairy realm. The Queen really doesn't like it when a Great Fairy's fountain gets destroyed." Navi explained, having left Blue's hair and fluttered into his vision.

"But just because I'm back, doesn't mean you can go and get yourself impaled by a giant icicle. Or fall into lava. From now on, I'm just a regular Fairy." Navi explained, a hint of sadness in her voice.

"'Regular' Fairy? Not so Great anymore?" Blue asked, cocking an eyebrow at the fairy, who became quiet before turning away from him and fluttering away slightly.

"No… not anymore… the Queen wasn't happy about the lost fountain, as I said. She didn't strip me of my title because of that, though. Nor did She do it because I neglected to set up a new fountain right away, and followed you and the ponies instead." Navi paused for a moment, seeming to give a small sigh.

"It's because I wanted to return to you and help you all defeat Vaati, instead of creating another fountain as I was supposed to."

"What the heck? That's not very fair. Doesn't that silly Queen of yours get that if Me, Green, Red, n' Vio don't go and kick the teeth out of Vaati, she isn't going to have ANY fountains?" Blue asked, staring at the fairy in-front of him with an annoyance.

"Actually… that's what I said. You get three guesses as to how she responded, and the first two don't count." Navi replied, turning back towards Blue before continuing. "But that's okay! As long as I'm helping you boys out and getting those fillies home, I'd say it's a fair trade!" Navi exclaimed defiantly, prompting a smirk to grow upon Blue's face. As he stood up, Blue looked towards the wall next to him, recalling Navi's first words.

"So you said some sort of crystal was in this wall?" Blue asked, eyeballing the wall and coming upon a strange, pendulum shape within it.

"Yeah! Give it a good whack with the Four Sword, it should make something happen." Navi explained, flying behind him to hover over his right shoulder. Blue turned to look at Navi with a raised eyebrow.

"'Something'? You have no idea what's going to happen?" Blue asked, unsheathing his blade as he waited for the reply.

"Well, not exactly, but I can tell you that it's a switch that's activated by something striking it, so something in here is going to move." Navi said as she watched Blue wind up his left arm. Hesitating for only a moment, Blue let loose a swing of the Four Sword and struck it upon the crystal with a resounding clang, and watched in awe as it suddenly began to emit a bright yellow glow. Mere moments later, the room began to rumble and vibrate, as the back wall began to slide away from the pair, giving Blue a walkway towards the other door and a way forward.

"Wow, I think you just saved my life, Navi..." Blue mumbled once the rumbling stopped. The fairy simply giggled and flittered on ahead.

"And I doubt it will be the last time, either. You've got to remember, Blue, you're not in a world made for Hylians. This chamber was probably meant more for Unicorns or Pegasi, both of whom wouldn't need to use those platforms. The hidden pathways in the walls were probably originally meant for the Earth Ponies to get around." Navi lectured the young swordsman, who simply nodded in reply. As they came up to the door that had been causing Blue so much grief, Blue suddenly had a thought run through his mind.

"Say, Navi, can you read Equestrian text?" he asked, hoping for a good answer. Which came in a nodding gesture.

"Yup, I managed to get my hands on some Equestrian books from Twilight Sparkle and pour over them... when I had hands, that is. Why? Got something for me to read?" Navi asked, moving towards Blue's face. Blue nodded and quickly pulled the map out from inside his tunic for Navi to decypher for him.

"Oh! Hmm... this... is a bit different than what I had managed to read. Wouldn't be surprised if it was an older version of their written word, considering how ancient this place looks. Hold it steady, I'll see if I can't figure it out..." Navi trailed off, going into deeper thought as she scanned over the words.

"Okay, so... the important looking room on this side of the basement? I think it's an Altar to the Pony Princesses. Something about some of their powers or elements being stored there, in a 'Holy Artifact', and only those who are pure of heart being eligible to use them." Navi explained, before turning her attention to the opposite room.

"The other room, I couldn't understand much of the text there, but it's probably the room where you'll find the key to the Ceremony chamber, which is the room behind the doors in the Celestial wing. I think this map was made for newcomers for whatever these ruins were used for." Navi informed Blue, who simply became confused.

"Wait up, what's the Celestial wing? Are you talking about that Lava hallway upstairs?"

"Exactly! The room behind those doors is the Ceremony room. I betcha anything that those Yeti children are being held in there by some sort of giant, hideous monster!" Navi exclaimed with gusto, earning her a frown from Blue.

"Have you done this sort of thing before?"

"Yup." was all that Navi offered in reply, before moving towards the door in-front of them. With a shrug, Blue ventured forward and gripped the handle on the door, giving it a twist and a push to present the pair of them with a view of the next room.

The entire floor was covered within a sheet of ice, marred by the occasional icy outcrop, while the walls and ceiling were made of a dark brown brick, with icicles hanging from the latter of the two. Directly opposite of Blue was the next door forward, which according to the map, led to a lengthy hallway, and then the Royal Pony Sisters' Altar.

"Be careful, Blue...this feels like a trap." Navi warned, as the pair of them stepped forward into the empty room, jumping when they heard the door slam and lock behind them as if by unseen hands. Snarling, Blue drew out his Four Sword and donned his shield, inching forward as he glanced around the room and waited for any sign of movement. Making a single step forward, Navi seemed to spasm in the air beside him as she looked up.

"Watch Out!" Navi cried as Blue looked up, only to see an icicle from the ceiling drop towards him. Barely raising his shield in time, the icicle was deflected off to Blue's right side, and quickly transformed into an unnatural creature, which quickly began to stab a spear of ice at him. "It's a Chilfos! Watch for its spear of ice, it'll throw it at you if you fall back!"

"But it keeps swinging the thing at me when I get close! How can I get around that spear?" Blue asked Navi, who had zipped over to hover the Chilfos as Blue focused on it.

"Then you'll have to break it! Use the sword technique that I taught you, it should be enough!" Navi instructed Blue, who nodded and complied, while making sure to hold his shield out to block the continuing onslaught from the monster.

"Hah, eat this, you freak!" Blue growled from behind his shield, letting loose a spin attack that sliced through the air with a trail of Rainbow Magic, and smashed right through the center point of the Chilfos' spear. As it shattered into a million little fragments, Blue let loose a war-cry and charged the retreating Chilfos, battering the creature with numerous strikes from his Four Sword. With one final strike, the Chilfos split into two and dramatically exploded into tiny shards as it fell, the ice shards turning into little wisps of purple smoke that dissipated into nothing.

"Game, set, and Match! I'm invincible." Blue bragged, hefting the Four Sword onto his shield as a giant smirk filled his face.

"Blue, stop standing around with a stupid smirk on your face, this is dangerous!" Navi said angrily, watching the last of the smoke disappear as the Hylian laughed at his defeated foe and ignored her. With a sigh, Navi turned to look at Blue, having watched the monster disappear into nothing, only to gasp as another Chilfos appeared.

"Blue! Look out!" Navi exclaimed as she turned a bright red and zipped over to the newest threat. As Blue went wide-eyed and turned in an attempt to block the strike coming his way, he opened up his left side to the incoming spear, which struck home and impaled itself in his left shoulder before exploding into tiny fragments.

"No, Blue!" Navi shrieked as she watched the Hylian boy stagger a bit and gasp in pain, before a familiar determined glint flashed in his eyes.

"No one messes with Blue! No one!" Blue yelled in a blood-curdling rage, and launched himself at the Chilfos, executing a spin attack and slicing the monster into two pieces like it's counterpart only moments before.

"Blue! Another one behind you again!" Navi shouted, hovering over the third Chilfos as it uncurled from the floor after it's trip from the ceiling. After a few parrys, Blue managed to pierce the Chilfos directly in the head with a well-timed stab, the monster slumping to the floor as it and it's weapon exploded like the others before them. Once an uneasy silence filled the room, Navi and Blue continued to spin around their spots in the room, looking for any further signs of ambush. When none presented themselves and both the doors emitted audible clicks that indicated their locks were disengaged, Blue cringed and collapsed to his knees, dropping the Four Sword as he grabbed at his left shoulder, the searing pain finally coming to the fore-front.

"Guess I let my guard down, huh Navi...?" Blue mumbled as he looked down at the wound in his shoulder, the blood around it staining his blue tunic as it flowed.

"If you weren't such a braggart and listened to me when I told you to pay attention...!" Navi trailed off as she hovered towards Blue to take a better look at his wound. "I told you I can't heal you anymore..." Navi mumbled as she assessed the damage.

"Yeah… you're kind of right, I guess… good thing Red found… some of these." Blue said in an even tone, as he dropped his shield and fished out a bottle of Red Potion from his adventure pouch that was looped around his belt. Carefully popping the cork off with the help of his left hand, Blue quickly drank the foul tasting potion, finishing with a cringe and a deep exhale, watching as a small, red cloud billowed from his mouth.

"Well… it looks like it's fully healed. Just be more careful next time!" Navi exclaimed as she hovered directly in-front of Blue's face, earning her a sheepish grin.

"Yeah, yeah, I got it, Navi..." Blue replied as he picked up his shield and the Four Sword, replacing both to their respective homes upon his back. Standing up, Blue turned towards the door that led them further towards the altar and stepped through it. Navi quickly followed in behind him as he closed the door, still staring at the obstacle before him.

A large lava pool in-front of him bubbled and frothed with the occasional hiss and little screech. On a rack beside him, Blue noticed a number of large, blue, sealed jugs that featured a crescent moon over a dark blue splotch painted onto them. Looking out towards the other side of the hallway, Blue noticed a small outcropping of rock in the shape of a sun, featuring a sort of pressure switch directly in the middle of it.

"Blue...don't these markings on the jugs look like Princess Luna's cutie mark?" Navi asked, having hovered to get a closer look at oddity. Looking back towards the lava pool, Blue looked upon the sun shaped outcropping and nodded.

"And that over there... kinda looks like Princess Celestia's cutie mark. I guess that would make sense, considering this entire place looks like some sort of ancient temple in honor of them." Blue surmised, to which Navi hovered in silent agreement.

"What's in these jugs, anyways? Might be an idea to try breaking one and see." Navi suggested, their attention back upon the jugs. Nodding in agreement, Blue quickly hefted one of the jugs over his head, offering Navi a look of surprise when it gave off the sound of liquid splashing around inside.

"Is that really the key here? Water onto lava?" Navi asked, fluttering towards the edge of the lava pool. She shrieked and ducked when one of the blue jugs sailed over her and into the lava, transforming into a sort of rocky platform.

"Yup, looks like it." Blue answered, snickering as he looked over the fuming fairy at the rock platform, as it suddenly broke apart and was consumed by the lava moments later.

After bringing a pair of jugs to the edge of the lava pool, Blue hurled another jug into the lava and created a platform just like before. Grabbing the second jug, he gave a running leap towards the platform he had created, landing perfectly in the center as it slid a little across the lava. Ignoring the intense heat, Blue lined up the second jug with the outcropping and tossed it, creating himself another platform. Just as he was admiring his work, he suddenly felt the platform he was on begin to wobble and shake, and quickly lept for his second platform, just as the first broke into pieces. Riding the second platform, Blue lept off of it as it bumped into the outcropping and began to sink under the lava. Turning his gaze back towards the area he had started from, Blue offered a cocky grin to Navi.

"See? I can figure this stuff out!"

"Just like you figured out that giant chasm?" Navi deadpanned, flitting over towards the now scowling Blue.

"I'd have figured it out... eventually." Blue grumbled, making his way towards the switch as he began scanning the area in-front of him. Save for more lava and the raised platform before him that the door rested upon, nothing gave any indication that the switch did anything. Shrugging, Blue raised a foot up and slammed it down upon the square switch, hearing nothing but the sound of a few loud thuds of internal mechanisms moving.

"Well, that did a lo-" Blue began to deadpan, being cut off when a pair of narrow, rocky platforms shot out from the lava in-front of the pair, leading towards the doorway in-front of them. As Navi and Blue looked towards one another, Blue wiped sweat from his forehead with a sigh.

"Is it... getting hotter in here?" Navi asked, moving towards the lava pool before gasping, as the lava began rising steadily. "B-BLUE! You've got to get to that door! The lava is rising!" Navi shouted frantically, moving to buzz around his head with a yellow glow. Without hesitating, Blue ran and leapt for the first platform, gripping the edge of it and hoisting himself up. Stopping for a moment to peer over the edge, Blue noticed the lava quickly following him up, having nearly swallowed the entire sun outcropping.

"W-what are you doing! Keep moving!" Navi shouted at him, breaking him out of his trance as he watched the sun disappear underneath the lava. Turning, Blue moved to the back edge of the platform as best he could, and gave a short dash before jumping towards the second platform, mimicking his previous success.

Without stopping to watch a second time, Blue simply leapt towards the platform with the door, and managed to land on his feet. Running towards the door, Blue quickly opened it and ran into the next room, and slammed it shut.

"That should hold... for a second or two." Blue cringed, finishing the sentence when he noticed that the door was made of wood. Turning around to face the room he found himself in, Blue took notice that the room seemed to share a similar challenge as the last, what with Luna jugs and a narrow river of lava separating the two ends of the room, with one side winding down a narrow stone hallway. Not wasting any time, Blue grabbed one of the jugs and lobbed it into the lava, making sure to run across before the lava had a chance to destroy his way across. Quickly running up a short staircase to a platform above them, Blue stopped at the sight before them.

"Blue, look!" Navi shouted, zipping over towards a rather ornate chest, and hovered over it. Intrigued, Blue jogged over and stopped in-front of the chest. Carefully opening it, Blue leaned over the edge, only to find a meticulously designed stick with a pair of large, red and blue gemstones beautifully inlaid on either end. Grabbing it, Blue held it above him to get a better look at it in the light of a torch hanging on the wall.

"Looks like some sort of wand! I wonder what it does..." Blue thought out loud, turning it around in his hand, before Navi groaned loudly, having turned back towards the door.

"I don't know if we'll have time to find out! Look, the lava is catching up!" Navi exclaimed frantically, as she began zipping all over the room, attempting to find a way out of their current predicament as lava began to ooze out all around the now ferociously burning door.

"Wait, wands are magical, right?" Blue asked loudly, staring at the blue end of the wand as Navi continued to zip around in a panic. Blue rolled his eyes in annoyance and raised the wand over his head. "Fine, ignore me then..." Blue grumbled, swinging the wand down in an arc until it rested before him. Without warning, a large burst of blue energy shot forth at an incredible speed, and collided with the now exposed doorway, freezing it and the lava pouring out of it instantly.

"Blue! Blue! This hallway leads back... into..." Navi trailed off, having gone down the lava hallway and came back just as the ice magic struck the doorway.

"Cool! Finally got my own awesome tool!" Blue exclaimed as Navi came near.

"That won't hold forever, Blue. We need to get down that hallway quickly, it feeds the room back there with lava. I found a ladder that dropped from the ceiling back there, it should bring us back upstairs, but we need to hurry before lava fills the room up completely!" Navi instructed Blue, who nodded and hurried back down towards the lava river.

Gripping the wand tightly, Blue swung it out from his side, blue end exposed, and instantly froze a portion of the lava into a rocky platform. Grinning from ear-to-ear, Blue continued the process of creating himself platforms, and leaping between them, until the end of the twisting hallway.

Peaking out from the edge, he could tell that the room was nearly completely swallowed by the lava, with only the top portion of the large room exposed. Looking forward, Blue noticed the metal, strangely shaped ladder that Navi had mentioned. Making his way over via lava platforms, Blue quickly became aware of the red hot glow that was coming off the end of the ladder.

"Huh...I wonder if I can just cool stuff off with this thing." Blue pondered as he gripped the wand tightly. Pointing it at the ladder and giving the wand a little flick, what felt like an arctic wind blasted out from the wand and cooled the ladder off within seconds. Stowing the wand aware with a smirk, Blue lept off his final lava platform as it was swallowed up by the lava again and gripped the oddly shaped ladder, not wasting any time climbing it.

Upon reaching the top, Blue pushed on a wooden trap door that blocked his path, and peeked out to find himself in what could pass for a giant closet. Pulling himself up, he quickly glanced around in the dimly lit room (Thanks to Navi) and came upon a door. Seeing no alternative, Blue walked over and gave the knob a turn, and pulled the door open. Quickly recognizing the room they were in, Blue gave a startled jump when the door behind him slammed shut of it's own accord, and a series of iron bars shot up from the floor to block it.

"You came through here already, didn't you?" Navi asked, flitting out in-front of Blue as she took in the sights of the frozen ballroom.

"Yeah, the stairs at the back of the stage lead back into the room that you found me in." Blue explained, thumbing towards the stage. Turning his gaze towards the giant red doors that adorned the entrance, Blue steeled himself for the opposite side of the dungeon.

"I get the feeling that things are going to be just as hard on the other side of this place, so let's get going while I'm still on a roll."

Author's Note

So yeah, I'll admit, this took way too long. Changes in my work schedule and ample procrastination are to blame, no dancing around it. Hope you enjoy the chapter!

Editor's Note:
The errors... they touched me in places I didn't know I had to be touched... and the run-on sentences; those long and hard(-to-correct) run-on sentences... oh gods! It was horrible officer! Can... can you call my therapist? Go ahead and tell him he's a rich man...

Immaculate Innuendos, Nihatclodra

Author's Note:
Oh yeah, yeah, whatever. So I gave you a version hot off the press before I took the time myself to read it over... sheesh. ¬¬