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