//------------------------------// // The final Great fairy. // Story: The Hero of Time in Equestria // by Mikoyose //------------------------------// Link holds his hat with a hoof as he rides in the Crusaders’ red wagon, behind Sweetie belle at the back. “Where are we going again?” He asked Sweetie as they swerved to avoid hitting a vegetable stand. The white unicorn filly looked back, “We’re going to the Everfree, to help Zecora make her potions.” she replied. Applebloom looked over Sweetie so she could see Link as she spoke, “Ah help her all the time. Jus’ yesterday I picked a few berries n’ flowers to make a... uh... poultry?” Applebloom tapped her chin as she spoke the last word. “You mean a poultice?” Link asked, having heard the term used before in Hyrule. “Yeah that’s the word.” Applebloom replied. A short time later they stopped by the entrance to the Everfree forest. “We’re here girls. And Link.” Scootaloo said before she hid the scooter and the wagon in a bush and joined the others. A shiver ran through the three fillies while Link was filled with a sense of nostalgia, a dangerous forest filled with monsters. At least it isn’t like the Lost woods, a maze. Link thought as he lead the way, the other’s following close behind. They walked with Link in the lead for a short while. Until he had led them in a circle, then the red maned filly took point. They stopped when they had reached a large hut with long masks placed around the front. Link examined the masks as the crusaders knocked, “Zecora! We’re here to help you again!” they shouted in unison. There was no answer. The crusaders knocked again, and again received the same silence in answer. “Shouldn’t she be here?” Sweetie belle asked the others, “Maybe she went tah get more flowers fer her potions.” Applebloom reasoned. “Or maybe she was attacked by a Manticore!” Scootaloo said, making the other two gasp. They continued with their theories before Link trotted up to them. “Well if she’s not here then we should go back right?” he asked them. “Don’t tell me that you are scared.” Scootaloo said giving Link a bewildered expression. He shook his head, “No I just think that if she isn’t here we don’t have to wait for her. Plus it’s hard to use a sword like this.” he said looking at his own, ponified, body. The bushes nearby rustled, Link instinctively turned to it, head down and crouched. “Who do we have here?” a voice with a strange accent said as a striped pony walked out of the bushes. She had golden bands on her right foreleg and around her neck, she also had gold earrings and a few more gold bands at the base of her tail. Link relaxed as the fillies ran to her, “Zecora! Do you need any help?” they asked, once again in unison. The striped pony smiled at the fillies, “Why if it isn’t the crusaders, Sweetie, Scootaloo, and Applebloom!” she said with a smile. She looked at Link and he waved, “Who is this? His outfit seems amiss.” she rhymed, Link looked at his rupee emblazoned tunic. “What’s wrong with my clothes?” Link asked as the crusaders ran to his side. “This is the newest crusader!” Scootaloo said, patting Link on the back. “Yeah his name is Link.” Sweetie belle continued. “He’s from another world!” Applebloom concluded. Zecora looked at Link with an arched eyebrow, “Another world?” Link nodded and looked into her saddlebags. “You mustn’t be rude. It will put me in a bad mood.” she said to Link as he let go of her saddlebags. “Um... I apologize...” he began as he thought of a rhyme that would fit. Zecora smiled and accepted his apology and entered her hut, holding the door open for the others to enter. On the way inside Link asked what kind of pony Zecora was to Applebloom, she told him, “Zecora’s not a pony. She’s a Zebra. She comes from a different part of Equestria.” Link nodded and looked around the room, Zecora was in the center with a large pot, filled with a greenish bubbling liquid. Link approached it and smelled a familiar scent of green potion, missing a few fragrant mushrooms. “What is in this pot?” Link and the Cmc said as they looked inside. “That is a new brew, but it is still unready for you.” Zecora answered, adding a few other ingredients to the brew, Link could smell that the potion wouldn’t be done without a few mushrooms. “Hey Zecora, what did ya’all need us tah do?” Applebloom asked, getting echoed by her friends. “Well little ones, an ingredient is needed for this to be done.” Zecora rhymed. Link nodded, “It’s missing a few fragrant mushrooms.” this earned a few confused looks, “A few what? Mushrooms?” Sweetie asked, exchanging glances with the other two. “What? It’s a green potion, I can get the mushrooms for you if you’d like.” he said to Zecora. She looked at Link for a short while before nodding, “Lead the way, while there is still day.” she said, Link bounded out of the hut and reached into his item pouch. “Ooh what mask are you going to put on!? I bet it’s going to be awesome!” Scootaloo said bouncing up and down, only to be put down by the tusked pig mask that Link pulled out. He received a strange look from the Zebra as he put on the mask. He took a deep breath through his nose, the mask heightening his sense of smell as well as making a snorting sound. The crusaders snickered as Link continued to sniff the air, he stopped and looked to the left, “This way.” he said, the mask not muffling his voice at all. He trotted down the way he looked with the others following. They walked for a short distance before Link stopped and sniffed the ground in front of a large leafless tree. “There are a few here.” he said pointing at the ground, he dug a little with his hooves, carefully so he didn’t harm the mushrooms. Link reeled back and took the mask of scents off and coughed a little. “Are you okay Link?” Sweetie asked him, he nodded, “Yeah these aren’t called Fragrant mushrooms for no reason, and this mask enhances smell.” he said coughing a little after the sentence. Zecora patted Link on the back and thanked him before taking the mushrooms. They walked back together and she mixed the potion together. Link tasted it and had the same feeling of his magic replenishing: a slight tingle mixed with a refreshed feeling. “Yes this is a green potion, although it’s a little less potent than in Hyrule. Would you mind if I took some for later?” Link asked Zecora, “Take as much as you want little one, just make sure to leave me some.” she said, Link nodded and filled three bottles with the potion. -------------------------------Later--------------------------- Link had taken a bath and returned to his normal self, to the crusaders’ disappointment. He laid on a hill at Sweet apple acres with Twilight, Fluttershy, and Lyra. Twilight had been given a green potion by Zecora when she had come by the town, she had given some of her large brew to each of the unicorns in Ponyville, Link had seen a single mare buy some of the potion from the others and had loaded it up onto the train and left to Canterlot. Twilight had drank the potion, she said she felt herself ‘recharge’. Link hadn’t understood. They said nothing for a short while, until Lyra started plucking the strings on her lyre. Link listens, “That’s a pretty song Lyra.” she blushed, “Thank you Link.” He sat up and looked at Lyra, “Where did you hear that music?” he asked her. She looked at him, “Well it kind of came to me as I was watching the clouds go by.” she answered. Link looked up and asked her to play it again. She complies, Link listens and follows along with his ocarina. Twilight and Fluttershy listened as the music spread far and wide. In town ponies heard the music and stopped whatever they were doing to listen and resumed when it was over. (couldn’t find a vid with harp and ocarina, Sorry. Also you learned the ballad of the goddess! this song has strange properties.) ---------------------------------Canterlot------------------------------- Princess Celestia’s gaze drifted out the window to the garden with the statue of Discord. She couldn’t forget that dream she had. She hadn’t wanted to share the dream with her sister, but felt Luna must know. She returned her attention to the speaking Captain of the guard Shining armor as he continued his daily report. When he had finished he asked her why she kept looking out the window. She smiled and told him not to worry, he nodded and saluted before leaving. Celestia waited for the door to close before she summoned a quill and paper to notify Luna of her dream. Luna was sound asleep at the moment in her bed chamber. A letter materialized on the nightstand next to the bed for Luna to find when she awoke to raise the moon. It read: Dear Luna, I have something of great importance to speak with you. Once you finish reading this come to my study so we may speak privately. Sincerely, Your sister Celestia. ----------------------------------Ponyville-------------------------------- Link and the others stand up from their spots. “That was beautiful you two.” Twilight commented. Link smiled at Lyra and she smiled back, her lyre in her saddlebags. “Yes it was. I like it.” Fluttershy said looking at the unicorn and Hylian, both of which began scratching the back of their heads in embarrassment. Fluttershy and Twilight clap a little more before Twilight looks at the sky, “I should get back to the library. Thank you for playing such a lovely song.” she said before trotting off. “I’m sorry but I should get back to my little animals, it’s time for their lunch.” Link and Lyra waved the two mares goodbye before turning to each other. “What can we do now?” Link asked aloud looking around. “We could go walking.” the mint green pony suggested. Lyra and Link were walking through the streets, Link was still unable to read anything but could understand the pictures, if they had pictures. They walked past the small restaurant that Link had seen Twilight go to several times. He looked at the horizon and saw the cloud city of Cloudsdale, and closer than that he could see Rainbow Dash’s, large, cloud home which was vacant because of the Wonderbolts ticket she had bought earlier. As they walked along Link waved to many of the ponies that were outside on this bright day. The only strange thing were the gossip stones that were still everywhere and everypony avoided eye contact with them. “Lyra!” a voice yelled from nearby attracting the mare and Link’s attention. It belonged to Bon bon. She galloped over, “Lyra I need your help to deliver some candy.” she said before nervously greeting Link. “Can Link help too?” Lyra asked her friend, Bon Bon looked at Link then back to Lyra, “I’m sorry Lyra but I need your help not this human. No offense Link.” she added Link smiled, “None taken. Go help your friend Lyra, I can take care of myself.” he said patting Lyra on the cheek, like he would do to Epona. She blushed and followed Bon Bon, looking back one last time as Link walked away. Link continued walking, wondering what to do. Rainbow dash is at that show, Twilight and Applejack are busy, Pinkie is off delivering with the Cakes, the Crusaders are in school. I guess I’ll just visit Fluttershy, maybe I could help her somehow. Link thought as he started running. He stopped and decided to roll there, he put on the Goron mask and began rolling towards Fluttershy’s cottage, unknowingly making a loud rumbling sound. Fluttershy was outside, she gave the ferrets underneath the bridge a few fish, she gave the birds worms, spitting out the taste they left and apologizing before putting a bowl of lettuce in front of Angel. He looked at the bowl then looked at his owner. “Come on Angel bunny, you have to eat something.” she said. Angel looked at the bowl and raised a cookbook, with the same fancy recipe he wanted before on the page, he tapped it for emphasis. Fluttershy pushed the book away, “Angel you still want this?” she asked him, he nodded and tapped the book but dropped it as a rumbling was heard. The pegasus and the bunny both looked towards the source of the noise and saw a large spiked boulder barreling towards Fluttershy’s home. They watched it as it stopped rolling and skidded to a stop, the spikes leaving deep gouges in the dirt. The spikes then retracted and the boulder sprouted two hands and legs, the arms raised the rock before it stood up. a green hat flowing in the breeze. Fluttershy released a breath she was holding when she saw Link rolling towards them, he reached up and took the mask off, putting it back in his item pouch before waving to Fluttershy as he crossed the bridge. Angel was shocked at what he had seen, he had never seen Link change. He approached, “Hi Fluttershy, hi Angel. Fluttershy I was wondering if there was anything I could help you with.” Link said, Fluttershy thought it over and shook her head, “There’s nothing I can think of. Sorry Link.” she said Link sighed and sat down next to the small river before laying down to rest. “Are you okay Link? If you don’t mind me asking.” Fluttershy meekly asked. Link shook his head, “I’m fine, just a little bored. I’ve been in very dangerous situations and here in Equestria there are no monsters to worry about. Not that that’s a bad thing it’s just that it’s still strange to me.” he said, Angel tapped his head, he looked at the snow white rabbit as he gestured with his paws, raising them both to his face. Link stared at the rabbit, confused before it dawned on him. He sat up and put on the mask of truth, turning its gaze to the bunny, who visibly shuddered before Link heard his voice, “That is still creepy.” Angel shook his head to stop himself from looking at the mask and said, “Hey I need you to tell Fluttershy that I don’t want to eat lettuce.” he said kicking over a bowl and raising a cookbook, “I want to eat this and I won’t eat anything else.” Link looked at the recipe, unable to decipher it he walked over to Fluttershy, the mask allowing him to read her thoughts, I don’t like that scary mask. she thought, Link took the mask off and passed it to her, “Here Fluttershy you can hear your animal friends thoughts with this mask. If I can’t help you here I can at least lend you the mask, but remember, don’t look at anypony using this.” She nodded and took the mask in her hooves, she went to put the mask on but it fell out of her hooves, Link chuckled and helped put the mask on Fluttershy, Angel impatiently standing to the side, his arms crossed and tapping a foot. Link left Fluttershy with the mask, knowing that she wouldn’t use the mask on others. He was walking to Twilight’s home, on a path next to the Everfree. He stopped when he saw a small flash in the trees. He looked into the forest for the source of this light, he saw it once again and realized it was flying. He put on the Great fairy’s mask and saw the hair flowing and sparkling. The glow came into view and flew to Link, it looked like one of the fairies that appeared when Majora separated the Great fairies. It flew around Link saying, “I am a lost piece of my former self, please reunite me with my sisters.” Link nodded and the fairy led the way into the forest. -------------------1 hour later------------------ Link reached a wooden bridge and crossed it, he had fought a Manticore on the way, it ran off after he cut it once. Link followed the fairy across the bridge and into a destroyed castle, he slowed down to examine the whole castle, walls were missing, there were holes in the ceiling and on some of the walls, the entirety was filled with dust. He stopped in front of a large set of double doors, on one was an image of a white alicorn with the sun behind her, and on the other was an image of a dark blue alicorn with the moon behind her and for an instant Link saw the moon change to the one Majora created. He blinked and opened the door to a large room with some kind of fountain pedestal in the center, it had indentations for five round objects; the fairy flew over to it and went behind it. Link followed. Link was confused when he went around the giant pedestal, the fairy had disappeared. He stood there and looked around before he pulled out his Lens of truth and raised it to his eye, it revealed a hidden stairway that spiraled under the large fountain thing. He walked down the staircase, the only light was the faintly glowing fairy that was slowly guiding Link. They continued for a while before the staircase ended at a hole in the wall directly ahead, Link had a strange feeling and used his Lens again, he caught several holes in the floor and a second hole hidden by magic. The fairy flew to this hole. Inside was the same as the ones he’d seen before, a large circular stone with pillars holding it up, equally spaced to allow anything to pass, the fairy flew into the center and more fairies appeared, the fairies flew around each other looking like they were welcoming the new fairy back before they flew around into a single point and the Great fairy appeared, a seven to eight foot tall woman with hair that had three ponytails which flowed in a sparkling wind, she wore nothing but leaves. She cackled as she appeared and laid herself down on the air, interlocking her fingers under her chin; she giggles before speaking. “You have gifts from my sisters, three magic spells, increased strength(defense), that mask, those Light arrows, and... Oh the Great fairy’s sword.” she smiled widely as she spoke of the sword. Link nodded and bowed to the Powerful being. “You are very silent. Because you have done me this kindness, I shall restore your health.” she said, standing back up and holding her arms out, a light enveloped Link and he floated in the air as the Great fairy restored his health, magic, and set him back down. “I am the only Great fairy in this land, Equestria. You are not one of the residents here, Please accept this gift.” She brought her hands to her chest, a ball of Light glowed within her palms. (Can't think of what to make the gift, leave your ideas in the comments.)