//------------------------------// // Prologue: The hero of Twilight // Story: The Legend of Celestia: Twilight Princess // by Kaliann25 //------------------------------// The hero of Twilight Deep within the dense forest and undergrowth of the Faron Woods there lies the mysterious Lost Woods. A place where reminders of Hyrule's once glorious past lie in wait to be rediscovered, and where the ruins of the Temple of Time found their final resting place. As night fell upon the Woods, a young Hylian and his horse found shelter for the night in the Temple ruins. The young man, called Link, was a total mess. His home, Ordon Village, was really close, but he couldn’t go back there, not anymore. Link knew all too well that after his little adventure saving the world he wasn’t the same Link who left the village looking for Illa, his childhood friend. At the beginning he did tried to readapt to his old life as a goat shepherd living with his friend Illa, but he couldn’t. Everything he was changed, including how he felt about her. At first she seemed like the right one for him, but it didn’t worked. And at this point young Link didn’t know what he missed the most: the adventure or his partner. Lastly he used to spend his days wandering around the Temple of Time keeping an eye on the Master Sword, the legendary weapon that destroys Evil waiting for something to happen but he wasn’t sure what. And suddenly, a neigh in the middle of the night called his attention. “Epona! What’s going on?!” He shouted to his steed. The mare pushed him with her nose towards the Master Sword that was emitting a white and golden light calling for him. Link knew it was time. “It can’t be” he mumbled. Epona sighed and pushed her owner to the sword, but Link was too shocked to react and just let her push him. What the hell was going on? When they passed the entrance Link recovered from the shock and ran to the sword ready to answer its call but he stopped just a few steps from it. No, something was definitely not right. He exchanged a look with Epona, who nodded reading her owner’s mind. Together they approached more to the sword and were about to touch it at the same time, but one more time they stopped full of doubts. What was going on? But suddenly they heard a voice very well-known for the two of them: “Seriously, I don’t want to bother you mister important hero and company, but I would appreciate if you touch the damn thing like now! You have no idea how much power I had to gather in order to communicate our worlds, so HURRY DUMBASS!” Link looked around the temple really excited. “Midna! Is that you?!” “We’ll greet properly later, right now I need you to make a decision and touch the damn thing. If you’re willing to help me, of course” No need to say more. Link smiled and along with his steed, he touched the sword. Epona looked at him relieved, since he said good bye to Midna, he seemed a little depressed, but now he had a smile on his face she haven’t seen since the Mirror of Twilight were broken. They both disappeared in a shaft of light only to reappear in some kind of strange landscape, with a grayish sky with some kind of orange glow in the horizon. Still Link wasn’t afraid, he knew this place, it was Midna’s home. The Twilight. And speaking of Midna, the green-skinned woman were lying on the ground breathing heavily. “Nice to see you again Link. I’m glad you came” she smiled. Link stood before her astonished, he was used to see his friend in an imp-shape, covered with green and black fur; but after their little adventure she changed, and god she was beautiful. Looking mostly like a human with green skin, she had long orange hair and beautiful red eyes; with a perfectly-shaped body she was astonishing with her black top and a cape. “What? Did you forget how beautiful I really am?” Mocked the green woman. Link blushed but quickly shook his head and offered a hand to her. “Sorry about that. I’m just so happy to see you again Midna, you have no idea how much I missed you” She took Link’s hand and stood with a warm smile. “I missed you too Link. And I must said, I’m a little surprised that you answered to my call that soon” “To be honest I’ve been around the Temple of time since our little adventure. I don’t know, is like something ties me there” Midna raised an eyebrow but shrugged and smiled gently to her friend, it was so good to see him again that she won’t bother him with details. So she just hugged her friend. Link was a little surprised but returned the hug happily, but then he remembered Midna was still weak for bring him to the Twilight and released her gently. “Well enough with the sappy stuff” said Midna softly. “Come on, follow me to my Palace, there’s so much to discuss right now. Sweet Fog!” A gray Twilight Stallion trotted to Midna and gently lowered his head allowing the Princess to get on him. Midna petted her horse’s mane and looked to Link who quickly got on Epona and followed the two to Midna’s Palace. Surprisingly Midna didn’t used the reins the whole time, apparently the horse knew the way all too well and also knew his owner was weak for the moment so he trotted softly and gently. “So what do you need me for?” Asked Link after a while. Midna sighed. “Remember what Zant did?” Link frowned, of course he remembered Twilight’s Usurper King, he was the one who cursed Midna into looking like and imp and tried to take over Hyrule by making the Twilight to expand to the other realm. “He’s back?” “No, but the Twilight is expanding again” “What?! But Hyrule seems fine…” “It’s not to Hyrule, is other Realm completely unknown to me; to anyone. Believe me, I’ve been searching in every source but we have no clue what we have before us. Our only option is to explore it, but I’m not planning to do it on my own” Link’s expression brightened in excitement. “You mean…?” “Yeah. Tell me Hero of Twilight, want to join me into a new adventure?” “Are you kidding? Count us in!” Cheered Link. Midna chuckled and nodded. Of course, by judging that he had been camping on the Temple of Time for the last months it was obvious that Link needed some adventure urgently. And for the Hero, he was so excited that he caressed the blade of the Master Sword imagining already the adventure before them. “So when we leave?” Asked Link. “Tomorrow morning when I recover my strength. As you can see, bringing you and your horse here drawn a lot of my energy, but is nothing that a good meal and a night of good sleep can’t fix. And for today you are my guest, sounds good?” Link blushed. “Of course. Thank you Midna” “Your welcome” The Palace of Twilight had changed a lot since last time Link saw it, it looked a little more colorful than before (but always in grayish tones) and hundreds of green-skinned with colored hair servants ran to take care of the guest and their Princess. Everything seemed fine, but suddenly Link noticed small skeletons carring sharp knives and spears and other bunch of bigger skeletons armed with threatening scimitars. Stalchilds and Stalfos. Link gasped and placed his hand on the Master Sword, but he was stopped by Midna. “Wait, those are from my army, they won’t hurt you” “What? But they’re monsters!” “I know, but remember we Twilis use dark magic, that makes this creatures easy to control” “But…” “They proved to be very useful in the Battle of the Crossed Eras. Just relax Mr. Hero, here in Twilight you’re completely safe” Link nodded but he was still confused. Much for his surprise, the Stalfos where who took Link’s equipment from Epona and guided the mare to the stables along with Sweet Fog. And even a Stalchild was the one who showed him the guestroom. The stay on Midna’s place was kind of nice, she offered a delicious dinner, a refreshing bath and a comfortable bed to the Hero who saved the Twilight. This was a good change from all this nights sleeping on the ruins in the Temple of Time, even if it was a little too fancy for Link’s taste. In some things it was pretty similar to his life with Illa but he knew this was only temporary and the next morning he would arrive to a new adventure. He slept peacefully only to wake at first hour the next day. The preparations were also pretty fast, a single meal for Midna, the horses and him; and in the meantime the loyal monsters of Midna’s army refilled his quiver and bomb-bag. At the moment Link took his sword and equipped with his trustable Hylian Shield, he was ready. Midna also prepared a little something for the adventure: a small mirror that seemed like the Mirror of Twilight but much smaller. “What’s that?” Asked Link. “The Mirror of Shadows, my personal weapon” explained Midna. “During the Battle of the Crossed Eras it proved to be very useful” “I see… what happened on that battle?” “Long, long story. When this is over I’ll gladly tell you. In the meantime, follow me!” Sweet Fog started to trot to certain area of the Twilight that was evacuated when the phenomena attacked again, like the last time what looked like a wall with orange symbols was that marked which point was affected by the Realm. Midna knew her Kingdom very well and immediately recognized that the small forest before them was not a part of it. “This is the place?” “Fortunately the area is unpopulated, but it’s increasing its size every day. We must hurry, are you ready hero?” Link smirked. “Why do you think I’ve been camping aside the Master Sword?” “Lack of a girlfriend or at least a life if you ask me. Now come on!” The two of them advanced to that division between the Twilight and the ‘other’ world of light. Once they were close enough both got off the horses who advanced by pulling at their reins being pulled. As the last time Midna touched the strange black and orange wall and the two of them were sucked by a black hole that transported them out of the Realm of Darkness. When they materialized to the other side Link observed relieved that he was still himself, he didn’t transformed into an animal like last time; same for Midna. But something was wrong, where were the horses? Looking down they found them, and luckily they weren’t riding them when they appeared on that Realm because they shrunk. Seriously, now the once tall steeds were only half of their height being more or less at their masters’ waists; their faces changed to become more expressive with two huge eyes and a tiny little nose that gave them an innocent look. Also they also had fur covering their hooves and a strange tattoo appeared on their flanks. Epona had the Triforce and Sweet Fog the symbol of the Royal Family of Twilight. And to make things even stranger, Sweet Fog also had grown wings, reptilian dragon-like wings and his eyes also seemed somehow draconic. “I didn’t saw this one coming” mumbled Link. “My only question is, why is my horse a Therstral?” The two horses looked each other and exchanged a few neighs but they seemed equally confused. “Anyway, are you guys okay?” Asked Link. The horses nodded. “Want us to carry our stuff?” Asked Midna also concerned. “It may be a little too heavy for your current size” Fog nodded and gave Midna his saddlebag; but Epona felt even stronger than before so she kindly refused Link’s offer and began to walk proudly though the forest followed by the other three. The forest itself was harmless, a little dark indeed but for Link and Epona it was almost like walking though the Faron Woods all over again; and for Sweet and Midna, they were used to Twilight’s soft illumination so they seemed fine. “I hope we find civilization soon” sighed Link punching a tree a causing a fall of three rupies. Midna didn’t say anything, she was busty concentrating looking for a trace of magic, anything that indicate her what was affecting the Twilight. And she found one, but it was wild magic from the forest itself; and was as powerful as the one in the Lost Woods so it would take a while to find the right trace. It was when they heard a scream on the distance. After exchange a quick look, the four heroes ran to see what was going on. And what they saw made them stop by the surprise: The victim was a mint-colored unicorn at the same size Sweet and Epona; who was facing a giant wolf entirely made of wood and leaves. “What the heck?” Neighed Epona. “Do I look like I know?” Answered Sweet Fog. Midna raised an eyebrow. “I guess this is why our horses transformed” Link smirked. “Let’s save the thing already. Epona, Clawshots and bombs!” The little mare snorted in agreement and took from her saddlebag the requested objects, so Link equipped for battle. Lyra Heartstrings was in a predicament, about to be devoured by this giant Timberwolf… she only had seconds left, when suddenly something called the beast’s attention: the sound of something nailing to a near oak. Predator and pray turned where they heard that, it was a claw-shaped object attached to a large chain, and the chain itself was retracting at full speed, pulling some kind of bipedal creature with a green suit and a large sword on his hand. The Timberwolf roared to this new visitor who simply smiled to him and force some kind of round object into his mouth. The little unicorn looked at Link with a blank expression and he simply smiled confidently. Soon enough the bomb literally turned the beast in a million pieces. “As powerful as Barnes’ bombs!” He said proudly to the rest of the group who were approaching. Midna had a sweat drop on her temple. “You had to go this far?” “It was the first thing I thought” Then they turned to the unicorn who approached quietly to them. She was clearly in shock, not even trying to communicate, just staring at them in surprise. “What we do now?” Asked Link. Midna looked at him. “I have an idea but you won’t like it” “What is it?” “If we want to figure out what’s going on we must communicate, and since nobody else is here, I think we must talk to this unicorn. The only problem is you must be able to speak with animals” “Oh come on!” Protested Link knowing what was coming. “I know is uncomfortable but I still have Zant’s dark crystal and we have no other choices. Besides I’ll turn myself into an imp is that’s make you feel better” Link groaned in complain but knowing that Midna was right, he nodded. So Midna took a dark crystal from Sweet’s saddlebag and aimed it to Link who was transformed into a wolf as twice as big as the ponies. And then she turned herself into a small creature with two pointy ears and a helmet made of stone (the Fused Shadow). “You now buddy? I missed talk to you this way!” Chuckled Epona. “Whatever” sighed Link approaching to the little unicorn. “Ehem, are you alright? We’re up to no harm. My name is Link and…” Suddenly Lyra shrieked in excitement. “IT CAN’T BE! HUMANS! REAL HUMANS WHO USE MAGIC! THIS IS A DREAM COME TRUE!”