//------------------------------//
// Dawn of the last day 
// Story: The Hero of Time in Equestria 
// by Mikoyose 
//------------------------------//

	Link is woken up by three small fillies shaking him. “Wake up! Wake up!” they shouted. He opened his eyes and stretched before sitting up. The fillies sat down around Link, he saw Twilight turn in her bed and cover her head with her blanket, and he heard Spike grumble. He smiled at the fillies and rubbed his eyes. “Heya Link, can we go crusadin’ today?” Applebloom asked Link. He looked at her and thought it over, “Please?” the three asked, giving him three pleading stares. He smiled at them, “Okay, we can go.” he conceded. The fillies cheered and ran down the stairs, Link followed them-after grabbing his equipment. He met the fillies downstairs, they had a few of the Poison Joke plant in their wagon. They said Zecora had put it there.

----------------------------Later---------------------------------

Link hops into the-now empty-wagon, followed by Sweetie and Applebloom. He was stuck in the back again. “Hold on!” Scootaloo said before she buzzed her wings to get the wagon moving. They had offered Link a hat earlier but he refused it because he said he wouldn’t get hurt. They kept the helmet just in case though.

The wagon slowed down as they approached the large barn that is the Schoolhouse. “What are we doing here?” Link asked them. They giggled and ran to the door, “Well Link we’re here for school. We thought why not bring you along as well.” Sweetie said, the other two agreed. Link tilted his head but followed them in, “Why not?” he said. They entered the classroom being greeted by an irritated Cheerilee. “Why are you girls so late?” she asked. They looked at each other and Applebloom spoke, “Well Ms. Cheerilee, we went ta get Link here.” she said patting Link’s back. He looked at the purple mare and waved, “Hello Ms. Cheerilee.” he said. Shocking her, she looked at him more closely, and noticed his item pouch, and he was still wearing his indestructible Hylian shield. 

“Well. Link you can sit anywhere... I guess. But you have to give me your saddlebags so nopony gets hurt.” Cheerilee said. Link nodded and took off his item pouch, dropping it at her hooves. She thanked him and put the pouch in her desk. “You can have these back after school.” she said. Link nodded and looked at the seats, the only place left was the second row, the crusaders would be in front of him and he would have Silver spoon and Diamond tiara on either side of him. He took the seat and Cheerilee began the lesson. “Okay class today we’re going to learn about Equestria’s history with our guest, that you have met before.” she said smiling at Link, he smiled back and Cheerilee continued.

“Psst!” Link heard Diamond tiara whisper. He looked over and she picked up a folded piece of paper with her mouth. He looked at it curiously, not understanding what to do. She held the paper out to try and get Link to take it. He leaned over and took the note, Diamond Tiara pulled away, “Link! Are you passing notes? On your first day!?” Cheerilee asked. Link spat the note out, “I don’t know, Diamond tiara wanted me to take it.” he explained. “I didn’t do anything like that Ms. Cheerilee.” the pink filly said turning her head away. Ms. Cheerilee walked over, “Link I want you to pick up that note and read it to the class.” the mare said. Link reached down and took the paper off the floor. He unfolded it, there was some writing but it wasn’t in Hylian so he couldn’t read it. “Well?” Ms. Cheerilee said. 

Link tilted the paper this way and that way, trying to make sense of the writing. Ms. Cheerilee understood what was happening, “Link. Can you read?” the mare asked him. He looked up from the paper, “Well I can read, but I can’t read what it says here.” he said, still trying to figure out what it said. “Hear that everypony? Link can’t read!” Diamond tiara said, making the whole class laugh. She looked at Link to see if she had humiliated him, she hadn’t. Link looked at Ms. Cheerilee, “May I grab something out of my pouch? It’s just a note from Zelda, It’s difficult for me to write without hands.” Link said. Cheerilee thought it over and trotted back to her desk, she opened it and carefully reached inside the pouch, she came out a few seconds later with the note in her grasp.

Link thanked her and opened the letter, turning it to Diamond tiara. “This is what I can read.” he said, she took the letter and looked at the symbols on the letter. She gave up trying to decypher it and handed it back, the note traveled around the room and every student had a chance to see Hylian writing. The note eventually returned to Link and he gave it to Cheerilee to return, she looked the writing over as well before putting it back. “That is very interesting writing Link. It looks very complicated.” Cheerilee said, Link shrugged, “The same can be said for your writing.” Link said turning back to the note. Cheerilee then took the note and continued the lesson.

-------------------------------Library--------------------------------

Twilight had just woken up and trotted downstairs to make herself some breakfast, leaving Spike to sleep a little longer. She made her breakfast while looking over the checklist she had made the other day of things she had to have finished that day, including ‘say bye to Link as he returns to his world.’ She drank a glass of apple juice with eggs and toast to eat. She looked over her notes for each of Link’s abilities: Excellent swordsman, strange magic-she listed the magic she had seen-and magical masks. She wanted to know what his third and final masks could do. She had seen what the Zora mask did to Trixie and was wondering what it could do in Link’s capable hooves-hands.

Although Link told her that his last mask was for emergencies only, she still wondered what it could do, she was almost curious enough to put it on. Almost. She finished her meal in silence before she woke up Spike to help her clean the library. She had sent a letter to her brother a few days prior to this one and she hasn’t received anything back, but she knew he would be too busy to write back, as he didn’t have very much time to write back with all his royal duties. She looked out the window but couldn’t hear any birds chirping or any noise besides the wind blowing. A single thought came to her mind, “The calm before a storm.” She didn’t know why this day brought that phrase into her mind but she ignored it and continued her daily activities.

-----------------------------Canterlot----------------------------

Luna was awake for the magic they would use to return Link to his land. Celestia was tending her royal duties. Everything in Canterlot seemed unusually quiet. The Princesses had no idea why but the same phrase Twilight spoke appeared in their minds. They turned to each other before using the spell to contact Zelda. They made sure they had everything in order and nothing should go wrong. 

----------------------------------Later---------------------------------

Class ended and the fillies and colts were talking to Link, mainly asking how he got that way, he just said it was poison joke. It was probably the only thing that plant could do to him. He spoke until the crusaders called him from within their wagon. Link said goodbye to the others and jumped into the wagon. He had his item pouch with him, he had recovered it after school like Ms. Cheerilee said. The crusaders went to Rarity’s place first to drop off Sweetie, the white mare picked up Link, “Aren’t you a handsome colt.” she said when she had realized who it was. Link had gone back into the wagon and they were off towards the farm.

They dropped off Applebloom and Link was embarrassed by more compliments. He was thankful for the big red stallion not talking much. Scootaloo and Link were coasting down the street, a door opened and Link saw Lyra, he waved, “Hi Lyra.” he said as they drove past, she was shocked to say the least. They drove to the library and Link hopped off, Scootaloo parked the scooter and wagon nearby and followed Link in, since she had nothing better to do.

Link grabbed the antidote for the poison joke and went to return to his normal form. Scootaloo stayed on the couch and waited for Link to come out.  When he did Twilight trotted up to him. “Link the Princesses are going to be here soon. Do you have everything you brought with you?” She asked him, he checked and nodded, he had one bottle filled with Poison joke seeds. He sat next to Scootaloo, “Well Scootaloo I’m going to return to my world today. Maybe we’ll be able to keep it open and I could visit.” he said smiling. Scootaloo bounced, “Then we could do more crusading!” a blinding light filled the tree, when it was gone Celestia and Luna stood there. Everyone bowed, “It is time Link, let’s take you home.” Celestia said, they walked outside, Zelda’s apparition was standing there. Link ran to her, “Zelda!” he tried to hug her but fell through, he heard Twilight and Zelda laugh as he stood up.

Seven other ponies arrived, they looked at the ghostly Zelda then to Link. Link waved a hand at Zelda, “This is Princess Zelda.” he said, Zelda greeted them and they bowed, she told them they didn’t have to do that and they rose. Rarity was the first one to speak, “Zelda are you and Link dating?” she asked making Link and Zelda blush, they looked at each other then each took a step in the opposite direction. “No we’re not.” Zelda said calmly, the blush still on her face. Rainbow dash laughed, “Really? Then why are you blushing so much?” her question made their faces redder. Celestia intervened at this point, “That is quite enough Rainbow dash.” she turned to Zelda, “Princess Zelda these are the elements of harmony, Twilight sparkle, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow dash, Applejack, and Fluttershy.” the mares each greeted Zelda when their name was called, Fluttershy from behind her mane. “And these three are the Cutie mark crusaders-” Link was going to say their names but they cut him off, “Ahm Applebloom.” the red maned filly said, followed by the unicorn, “I’m Sweetie Belle.” and finished by the pegasus, “And I’m Scootaloo.”

Zelda greeted them, and told the fillies they were adorable, and turned to the alicorns, “Celestia, Luna, shall we begin?” she asked them, they nodded and their horns began glowing, Zelda’s hands following. A space between them seemed to shiver before a hole opened showing, Zelda inside the castle.

--------------------------Meanwhile-----------------------------

Discord’s statue cracked, and shattered. He laughed and a nearby cloud cracked with lightning. Discord looked over his surroundings and saw Ponyville in the distance. He smirked and snapped the fingers of his lion arm, teleporting away.

----------------------------Ponyville---------------------------

A laugh emanated from nowhere, it somehow surrounded them. Link looked around, and drew his sword. He looked at the faces of the ponies around him, they were scared. “My, my, my. Two chances to bring chaos in a single year! That has to be a new record. Don’t you agree Celestia?” a voice echoed around them. Celestia’s horn glowed brightly, “Discord. How did you get out!?” Celestia shouted. The voice chuckled, “Well that was your fault, Celly.” Discord laughed again, “Your fault and that small child’s.” Discord teleported in next to Link, he turned with a sword swipe, missing as Discord teleported above them. “Well that wasn’t very nice.” he laughed. Link looked at the draconequs(can’t remember the name.), his eyes widened. He turned to Zelda, “Zelda! Close the portal! Don’t let him get through!” Link yelled. The 

Zelda nodded and began using her magic to close the portal, the princesses helped. “Well that’s no fun.” Discord said turning to Link. “Is that where you wanted to go? Well how about I bring something from there here?” he said, as a purple heart shaped mask appeared in his hands, four small points stuck out of the bottom of each side with two similar spikes above the wide open orange eyes. Link drew his bow and shot an arrow at Discord, it bounced harmlessly off of him. Link looked at the arrow, it was now made of rubber. Discord laughed, “What’s wrong? Is this mask yours?” he asked waving the mask in front of Link tauntingly. “We must get the elements sister.” Luna said to her elder. Celestia nodded and Discord’s head turned around like an owl’s. “Where would be the fun in that?” he said raising the mask to his face. Link grabbed a bomb and threw it to try and stop Discord. He swatted the bomb away and kept the mask off, “Well I’d love to stay and chat but I’ve got some chaos to wreak.” he snapped his fingers, he and the mask teleported away.

Link turned to the ponies, “We have to find him before he awakens the mask!” he said. “How did you beat him the last time?” he asked. Celestia answered, “They defeated him with the Elements. But he’s probably taken them again.” Pink clouds rolled in, raining chocolate milk. Pinkie squealed and dove under a cloud with her mouth wide open. Link looked at the cloud then to the Pink mare. He turned to the town and saw everything had gone crazy, the grass was now checkered, there were large hairy animals prancing around in frilly pink dresses, homes were floating and some were upside down, and the ponies that ran acted like they had never walked before as they slipped and fell all around the place. “This is chaos?” he asked confused. 

“Yes this is Discord’s doing. What did Majora do?” Twilight asked. Link shuddered involuntarily along with Luna and Celestia. Twilight looked at the three beings, “What’s wrong? What did Majora do?” she asked again. Link answered, “He used his power to change a full grown adult into a child because he thought it was funny and he tried sending the moon into the town.” Link explained. The ponies stared at Link, even Pinkie. They looked at what Discord had done and added this information, they shuddered as well. Link equipped his bunny hood and ran off to look for the mask, he was surprised they still worked in this chaos.

The six mares followed him while the three fillies were placed in the library to keep them safe. They came to Discord in the center of town, sitting on a throne with the heart shaped mask sitting above his head. Twilight approached him, “Where did you put the Elements this time Discord!?” she commanded more than asked. “I have them here.” he said, standing up from the chair to reveal the elements were embedded in the throne. He sat back down, “I thought, why not leave them there and leave myself with some excellent chaos?” Link used his hookshot and sent it at the mask. Discord’s throne moved to the side and the hookshot returned to Link. “That was a close one. What is it about this mask that makes you want it so bad?” he asked then laughed, “All the more reason to keep it I guess!”

Link didn’t know what to do, he was doing what he had done plenty of times before: he analyzed Discord, A being that can alter reality, no physical weaknesses that I can see. This would be easier with Navi. Link was pulled away from his concentration by Celestia as she teleported all of them to the castle. She turned to the others, “Is everypony alright?” she asked them, they all nodded. Celestia looked out a nearby window to see everything was falling apart, literally and metaphorically. Twilight walked up to her mentor, “Princess? What are we going to do?” she asked. Celestia turned to Luna then to Link, he was sitting down, deep in thought. “I don’t know Twilight. But I know Discord will be defeated again. I can assure you all of that.” she said. Discord’s voice echoed throughout the room, “You are so full of yourself Celly. You can’t beat me, not without your precious little trinkets.” he laughed mockingly.

Link snapped his fingers, getting everypony’s attention. He pulled out the Fierce Deity mask then put it away, “Only for emergencies.” he muttered. He turned to Celestia, “Are those the only elements?” he asked, Celestia nodded. “If I can distract him maybe we can get them and use them against him. Then I can hide the mask where nothing will ever find it.” he said. Celestia was shocked at his plan. She shook her head, “I can’t have anypony get hurt.” she said. Link sat down again and began thinking of another plan, coming to the same conclusion, “This would be easier with Navi.” he sighed, Fluttershy flew over and put a wing around him. He smiled at her and she smiled back.

“We need to come up with a plan.” Twilight said. “I say we just go up and take them back.” Rainbow dash said, punching the air with her hooves. “That isn’t going to work. We have to come up with something quickly. Din knows how much longer till he decides to put the mask on.” Link said. Applejack agreed, “Yeah, and who knows how long Applebloom and. Oh no.” she said sharing a worried look with Rarity and Rainbow dash. Link stood up and pointed to Twilight and the princesses, “Stay here and come up with a plan, we’re going to save those fillies.” he said jumping onto Rainbow’s back, she didn’t mind this time. Link turned to Rarity and Applejack, “We’ll get there faster this way, I promise I’ll bring them back safely.” he said, going through the motions of a Pinkie Promise to emphasize. They watched him and Rainbow dash rocket off back to Ponyville.

Link didn’t stop to enjoy the feeling of flying this time, no, he had a promise to keep. Rainbow dash moved to the left to avoid one of the pink clouds, Link was able to stay on Rainbow’s back as she rolled and dodged the clouds and other various objects that were floating in the sky. Link ignored the chaos and focused on the tree in the distance. Discord appeared next to them, “I know where you’re going and I’m here to tell you that you’re too late.” He laughed, “I already took care of those fillies and the dragon too!” he laughed again, Rainbow dash stopped flying and turned to him, “Oh yeah? I’m not afraid of you! Bring it on!” she challenged Discord, Link gripped her shoulders and turned her away and towards a cloud with a swirling image, they were mesmerized by it.

Rainbow could see the crusaders being turned to stone, cracking, and slowly breaking apart with the pieces that fell turning to dust. Link saw Hyrule as it was when Ganon had taken over, then what would’ve happened if he had failed to stop him. The world was plunged into Ganondorf’s evil. Discord’s voice rang in his head, “This is what’s going to happen the longer you stay here...” He continued but Link was unable to hear him due to the darkness he saw. Then a light broke through the clouds, it was the Tri-force. The golden triangles split apart, leaving only the Tri-force of Courage. The triangle molded into the form of a woman, it had no eyes or mouth but it spoke, “Link, this is an illusion, don’t believe his lies. Protect your friends.” she said, glowing brightly. Link could feel his magic return fully.

He pulled Rainbow dash’s head away from the swirling vortex. “We have to keep going! Don’t listen to him!” Link said to her. She turned her eyes towards Link, they had the same swirling pattern, “We’re too late.” she said, Link shook her head, “No we’re not! It’s all a trick!” he yelled. She didn’t listen and turned around, Link tried to turn her back, she didn’t budge. He tugged on her right wing, “OW! Hey don’t pull on my wings!” she yelled over her shoulder. Wings! That’s it! Link thought as he equipped his Roc’s wings. He heard Discord, “Oh the monkey has a few tricks.” Link ignored him and kept flapping his wings. Rainbow dash was making them slowly move back to Canterlot. Link jumped off of Rainbow dash to save the fillies himself. He tried to fly faster, falling several times but knowing he didn’t have much magic left. 

He looked back and saw Rainbow dash turn to Canterlot, then back to him then to Canterlot again. She looked like she wanted to leave but something was stopping her. He couldn’t go back so he kept going. He wasn’t anywhere close when his magic ran out, the wings disappearing, leaving feathers in the air. Link screamed as he fell, he knew that unless he landed in a lake he wouldn’t be able to move for months without a fairy to heal him. “I’m coming Link!” he heard Rainbow dash say. He looked back and saw her speeding towards him, the strange cone forming around her. He saw her break through the cone, leaving the rainbow trail behind her as well as increasing her speed tenfold. He landed on her back again, “Thanks Rainbow dash.” he said, “Now let’s save the Crusaders.” he added. Rainbow dash didn’t say anything but kept flying.

They reached the library and Link opened the door, Rainbow dash stayed outside. Link kept the door open, “Come on Rainbow, they have to be in here somewhere.” he said, waving her in. She shook her head, “Why bother? They won’t be in there.” she was still under his illusion. Link looked at her but couldn’t figure out what to say. He turned around and ran into the tree, “Sweetie Belle! Applebloom! Scootaloo! Spike!? Where are you?” he yelled. No answer came. He ran upstairs, nothing, he ran back down and searched. They weren’t there, then he checked the basement. It was nearly pitch black inside. He looked back and saw Rainbow dash sitting on the couch. Maybe seeing them will fix that. Link thought as he ran down the stairs stopping as he heard a single word, “CHARGE!” four voices said the word and the fillies and dragon charged him from behind Twilight’s strange machine. Link drew his bow and shot an arrow into the ceiling, the arrow flashed and stayed glowing, lighting the entire room.

The ponies and dragon stopped when they saw Link. They then continued to tackle him in a large hug, “We thought you were captured by Discord!” they said, Link just patted their manes and asked them to let go of him. They did as he asked and he herded them back upstairs to the waiting Rainbow Dash, “Rainbow Dash!” Scootaloo yelled from the door before sprinting past Link to hug the mare. She looked stunned, the swirling in her eyes disappeared as she looked at the orange filly. She hugged her back, they stopped the embrace when Discord appeared, “Ugh, gag!” he said pointing a finger down his throat. Link looked at him and an idea formed, he grabbed the mask of truth and placed it upon his face. Discord turned to the Hylian and stared at the mask confused, Link heard his thoughts, ‘What is that? It looks strange.’ Link used the mask to try and find any weaknesses, it didn’t work. “Well young one, you are strange. But you’ll never get the Elements, not until I get bored of my beautiful chaos.” he said, disappearing.

Scootaloo jumped onto Rainbow dash’s back, along with the other two crusaders, Link was behind them with Spike holding onto his shoulders. “Um Link are you sure it’s safe to be back here?” Spike asked, Link nodded, “Yes just hold on, but don’t choke me.” Link said as Spike tightened his grip on Link’s neck. He released it and apologized, “Sorry, heh guess I don’t know my own strength.” he said holding his arms out. Link rolled his eyes and told him to hold on again. Once he did Link leaned over, “Okay Rainbow we’re all here, let’s go back.” She smirked and flew out the window, Spike’s grip tightened around Link’s chest as they took off. Link saw more random debris floating in the air and he told Rainbow dash to continue forward, “What!? Are you crazy!? We’ll never make it back if I don’t avoid all this!” she yelled back, Link took out his second bottle of Zecora’s potion and drank it, it gave him just enough to use the spell. “Trust me.” he said, she was about to argue but decided against it and just said, “You better be right about this.” Link thanked her and used Nayru’s love, they were enveloped in a large blue crystal.

A bathtub crashed into them and bounced off the spinning crystal. Rainbow dash laughed, “This is awesome! How long is this going to last?” she asked him, “It should last long enough to reach Canterlot.” he answered. Link felt something wet slide down his back, he looked at Spike and saw him drooling and looking at the crystal. Again Link was reminded of Volvagia as a baby dragon. He looked forward and saw the city on the mountain growing in size as they neared. The spell began to wear off as the crystal faded away leaving the six of them vulnerable to anything. Nothing strange happened as they reached the castle and entered the throne room through a hole in the ceiling. Spike let go of Link and fell to the floor, Twilight picked him up in her magic while Applebloom ran to Applejack, and Sweetie to Rarity. Link dismounted and left Rainbow with Scootaloo. He walked to the Princesses, “Excuse me Princesses, but have you come up with a plan?” he asked them. 

Sadly they said they had no idea’s to speak of. Link sat down and thought, “If only I could use the Master Sword, but that would release Ganon and probably put Equestria into a world of evil along with Hyrule. Plus I don’t have time to wait seven years.” he scratched his head but couldn’t think of anything. Discord spoke again, “Well this is boring, how about we play a little game? I’ll hide the Elements and that mask somewhere in Ponyville and if you don’t find them you lose and chaos reigns!” he laughed evilly. Twilight stood up and looked around for the entity, “We will not play your games Discord!” she yelled. Discord appeared in one of the windows, “Well that’s too bad, how about this, I’ll put these three fillies and the dragon with one of the Elements, and if you don’t play then I’ll turn them into statues for decoration.” he said with a threatening tone. Link drew his gilded sword, “I won’t let you touch them Discord!” he looked at the mismatched creature who laughed and stroked the image of what looked like Luna, but a darker version wearing armor.

“Well look who thinks he’s a hero.” Discord said, moving from one window to the next, “I can easily fix that. But I’ll leave your ‘Hero’ with you until you give up... Or lose, either way I’ll be watching.” with that he laughed and snapped his fingers, Spike and the Crusaders disappeared. “Just to be fair I’ll give you a hint. One is in the sky, another lies in a hot place, hurry or she’ll fry, The third and fourth, are beneath the castle. The last two are all wet, and can only be reached if one like a fish is met. That dragon and those fillies are each with an element. Find one to find the other. The clock is ticking.” he said as the clocktower from Clocktown rose from the ground and began turning quickly. Link knew what to do, he grabbed his ocarina and played it. He felt the same dizzying sensation he had felt before as time slowed. Celestia and the others saw the same thing Link had witnessed several times before, the whole world becoming white as clock faces spun around them, keeping them from moving slower.

Discord laughed again, but it seemed deeper and longer. “W-h-a-t. W-a-s. T-h-a-t?” he asked. The others asked the same question and Link answered them, “The power of the time goddess is on our side.” he said. Pinkie was the most confused of them all, “So did the world slow down? Or did we speed up? Ooh! Does that mean I can make cupcakes faster!?” she bounced up and down happily. Link shook his head, “The world around us has slowed, I can restore the speed myself or she will when we have no need of it.” he answered. “Now from his riddle, I’m guessing one of the fillies is near a volcano, one is probably in, what was it called? Cloudsdale? The third and fourth must be under this castle or the one in the Everfree. and the last two are probably in a lake.” Link said, having solved many a puzzle to achieve his goals. “We should hurry then. Fluttershy, Rainbow dash you two go to Cloudsdale and search for the element and the filly or Spike. Pinkie, Applejack, you search the castle in the everfree, Rarity you and I will search every lake that’s nearby.” she turned to Link, “Can you search the volcanoes? Or would that be too hard?” she asked him. He shook his head and grabbed the Goron mask, “I’ve walked through lava with this mask and without it, it shouldn’t be too hard.” She nodded and Luna spoke, “We shall stay here and search the castle and the city for them. Rest assured we shall not fail.”

Link nodded and before Celestia and Luna teleported Pinkie and Applejack away, he told them where to find the Great fairy just in case anything happened. They thanked him for the information as they disappeared in a golden flash, Twilight teleported Rarity and Luna teleported Link to the nearest volcano after he put the mask on. 



(Well this took several hours of editing and re-editing, and re-re-editing along with my computer restarting and losing half of what I had initially written. But I think this is better, but I can't remember what I had written before so oh well.)