As Spike and the others returned to Goron City, they filled Twilight in on what happened.
"You really fought a giant skeleton?!" Twilight was bewildered. "How're you holding up? Are you sure you don't need me to try and find another way to get you back?"
"No, no! I'm doing surprisingly well, all things considered." Spike reflected. "I'm not completely confident yet, but will I ever be?"
"I suppose not," Twilight acquiesced.
Just as they reached the outskirts of the village, they spotted Chief Link approaching. "Did you do it?" he asked hopefully.
Spike nodded, and the Chief lit up like a Hearth's Warming tree. "Then we must celebrate!" He hoisted the young dragon onto his shoulder, and carried him into town.
That night, the residents gathered together for a feast in Spike's honor. Stories were told, laughs were shared, and Spike got to eat gems to his heart's content (they tasted intriguingly different here than in Equestria - not necessarily better, but different).
"...and thanks to Fluttershy finally overcoming her fear, Cloudsdale was able to get the water they needed!" Spike finished regaling a recent story. Almost everyone listening clapped and cheered.
"What a story!" cheered one of the Gorons.
"Good for her!" commended another.
Hamzah pondered, "It's still so weird to me that you have to make your world's weather."
Spike shrugged, "We have our ways of doing things, and you have yours."
One of the Gorons in the crowd piped up, "That reminds me of the time I met this Zora chick, Umah, swimming in the river. Seemed normal at first, but then I realized she was missing an arm! So I said to her, 'Boy, it must be hard swimming with only one arm,' and you know what she said back? She said 'I don't need your pity'! I was just try'na show some sympathy, lady; you don't have to be so rude!" Most of the crowd agreed with him.
Spike yawned. "Uh, actually, if it's okay with you, I'm gonna get some sleep. We're gonna hit the road again tomorrow, and I wanna be rested up."
Everyone nodded in understanding, then continued to listen to the story as Spike headed off to the town's inn.
As they got settled (the owner wanted to let Spike stay for free, but he insisted he pay with the Rupees he earned in the dungeon), Hamzah landed on the edge of the bed. "Y'know, it's kinda funny."
"What is?" Spike asked.
"Just yesterday, you were scared to face a swarm of Keese. But look at you now; you took down a giant skeleton creature!"
Spike blinked, then smiled. "I guess I did, didn't I?"
"We're so proud, Spike," Nuha smiled, settling in next to her brother.
"I couldn't have done it without you two," Spike admitted.
"We didn't do much," Nuha started drifting off.
"What're you talking about?" Hamzah was confused. "We helped him solve that puzzle, remember?"
"I guess you're right," Nuha acknowledged before she fully fell asleep.
Spike thought back to that puzzle. "Hamzah? I'm sorry I got mad at you over that; you were only trying to help."
"Hey, I'm the one who should be apologizing; I wasn't being patient with you. You're a smart kid, but that doesn't mean you have to figure everything out instantly."
"Thanks," Spike smiled, falling silent for a moment.
Then he thought of something. "Hey, what's gonna happen when this is all over?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, once we get the Triforce, then what happens?"
"It is said that the Triforce -"
"I know, it grants one wish. But who gets that wish, and what happens to the Triforce afterwards?"
Hamzah thought for a moment. "Well, it can only be used by someone who has a balance of Courage, Wisdom, and Power in their heart. Once it's used, unless there's another person nearby that can also wield it, the pieces will scatter themselves again. So if Princess Zelda is able to use it, then as long as she's nearby when you wish yourself home, she'll be able to save Hyrule as well.
"And before you say it," he caught Spike about to object, "I'm certain you'll be able to use it. You're clever, you're becoming braver than ever, and you're even becoming powerful."
"That's good to hear..." Spike sighed in relief, but his tone betrayed his growing concern.
Hamzah raised an eyebrow (or the fairy equivalent). "What's wrong?"
Spike hesitated. "Well, it's silly, but I kinda want you two to come back with me."
Hamzah stood up. "What??"
"I'm really growing to like you two, so if we're separated once this is all over.... I know, it's silly and selfish; we'll still have the gem to communicate. But it's just... I don't have many of my own friends back home. Almost all of my friends are either in a different city, or they're much closer to Twilight than me. It's not every day that I can meet someone like you guys, and I'll have to say goodbye to you pretty soon. I actually feel... important to someone other than Twilight."
Hamzah chuckled. "Well, then I guess you'll just have to make the most of the time you've got, huh?"
Spike's eyelids drooped as he replied, "I guess so." Before he knew it, he was asleep, leaving Hamzah to ponder in silence.
In a dark forest on the other side of Hyrule, someone dressed in a cloak was limping through the underbrush. A large portion of their left arm was stained a glossy red, their right ankle was seemingly broken, and their eyes were burning with a hatred unlike any other. Behind them, in the distance, smoke could be seen billowing up from a village in ruins.
As the strange traveler moved through the dense foliage, Hyrule Castle came in and out of their sight. Every time they spotted it, their eyebrows furrowed further, and the hatred somehow grew.
"Zelda..."
The next morning, Spike sent a letter to Zelda, informing her of everything that was happening. He was then provided rations and a domesticated ostrich he could ride to Lanayru, and everyone gathered to send him off.
"Once you get there," Chief Link told him, "find their leader, King Volim. He'll be able to help you with your quest."
"Thank you, Chief Link," Spike held out his hand for a handshake. The Chief gripped it tightly and shook, making Spike wince. The only reason his hand didn't break was because he was wearing the Silver Gauntlets.
Thankfully, Chief Link spotted his discomfort and stopped the handshake prematurely, opting instead for a salute. Spike thankfully returned it, then turned to everyone else. "Goodbye, everyone! Thank you for the hospitality!"
The Gorons began to cheer as they waved him goodbye and good luck. With that, Spike turned and sped down the mountainside on the ostrich, everyone's farewells fading into the distance.
As they rode to their next destination, Spike pondered on what may lay ahead for them. But as he glanced towards his traveling companions, who were clinging onto the head of the ostrich, he realized that he'd be able to face whatever may come as long as he had them by his side.