//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 // Story: The Legend of Zelda: Equestria // by James //------------------------------// "So Twilight," Applejack said, "How're we gonna handle the situation with Link and the town folk?" "Hmm, well I know that the next train to Princess Celestia comes in a few days, so we're gonna have to somehow settle Link in with the Ponyville residents." Twilight explained. "How are we gonna do that?" Rainbow asked. "We can throw a party and make Linkie Winkie look like a good guy!" Pinkie said. "That seems like a good idea but how are we gonna introduce him at the party?" Rarity questioned. "Maybe we can say that Link is one of the last of his race from the Everfree and that we all need to let him stay in Ponyville to keep him safe. I mean, if that's okay with you guys." Fluttershy murmured. "That's perfect! Although some ponies may not be completely comfortable around Link, it still might let him stay with us. The atmosphere of Pinkie Pie's party will also ease some ponies around Link." Twilight said. "You bet it will!" Pinkie said, then she gasped. "I need to prep the party today then! I need to invite everypony and decorate and make food! Quickly! Gottagobye." Pinkie Pie zipped ahead of the group towards Ponyville, leaving a flaming trail. Link looked with wide eyes and a hanging jaw. He looked towards Twilight for an explanation but all she did was shrug. "That's Pinkie Pie." Link, Spike, and the five mares managed to sneak around Ponyville into Sugarcube Corner. It was easy for them to go through the back of the bakery unseen since all the residents of Ponyville were entering the building through the front, expecting a random party from a certain pink party goer. It was nighttime as well, so it was hard to see them. As the group entered through the back door to the kitchen, Pinkie Pie hopped towards them. "Are you guys ready?" She said excitedly. They all nodded and Twilight spoke up. "Link, you stay here for now until I call you out. The rest of us will go out there. Just wait for my cue." The hero in green nodded. He took off his sword and shield and stood by them, waiting patiently. Twilight nodded and walked out of the kitchen, followed by her friends. The room they were now in was decorated with all sorts of party decorations. Streamers and confetti littered the floor. Balloons floated underneath the ceiling. There were all sorts of refreshments on the large table at the side. Ponies socialized with each other all over the room. Pinkie handed Twilight a mic and she grabbed it with her magic. She cleared her throat. "Hello? Everypony!" All heads turned towards Twilight. "Thank you all for coming! I'm sure all of you are wondering why Pinkie has invited all of you to this party." There were murmurs of agreement and the purple unicorn spoke up again. "Well, me and my friends discovered a rare creature in the Everfree." There were some gasps heard at the mention of 'Everfree'. "He is NOT dangerous! He is the last of his kind and so, I have decided to let him come to Ponyville, to keep him safe. I hope that you can all be okay with his arrival." Murmurs of agreement and sympathy were heard from the crowd as they started to calm down. Then, a random pony spoke from somewhere in the crowd. "What does he look like?" "He is actually here tonight! Make him feel welcome to his welcome party! Come out Link!" Twilight yelled. Steps were heard from the kitchen's entrance. All ponies turned towards the hero in green that walked out. Nervousness started to stir the ponies, but was interrupted when Link spoke. "Hello, my name is Link." The ponies stopped their nervous fidgeting and stared at Link. Then another pony spoke up again. "He can talk?" Twilight spoke into the mic. "Link here, saved my life. Without him, I would not be here." The ponies started to relax more and questions started to be asked towards Link. Questions such as... "What are you?" "What kind of name is Link?" "How'd you save Twilight?" "Why are you so green?" The ponies started to surround Link as more questions were asked. They were all intrigued at the creature clad in green. Link put on a weak, but genuine smile as the ponies started to get more and more comfortable with him when they saw that he was no threat. Link thought of only one thing. These ponies are so...accepting. His thought was interrupted when Pinkie Pie shouted into the mic that Twilight was still holding. "Let's ask questions later! For now, let's get this party STARTED!!!" Music started to travel through the air from the large speakers near a DJ table operated by a white mare with a electric striped blue mane and purple shades. The ponies relented their questions for now and started to dance with the music. Link awkwardly stood at the side of the room next to the DJ table. He looked at the six mares he recently met to see them also dancing with the music, even Spike. Pinkie Pie took notice of him and squeezed through the dancing ponies towards the hero in green. "Linkie Winkie! Come on! It's your party, you have to dance with us!" Link put on a weak smile and shook his head, but was still dragged onto the middle of the dance floor. The crowd made room for Link as he stood nervously still. "Just give it a shot!" Pinkie shouted. The hero in green sighed and started to move to the new song that started playing. He moved in a way that he thought was a dance as the song filled the air. His movements started to get more and more faster as the ponies watched in awe. They then slowly started to dance along with Link. After a half hour of dancing, the tired hero in green walked towards a chair next to the refreshments table, where he was about to pour a drink. But when he grabbed the bottle, his hand was stopped by a purple hoof. Link looked up to see Twilight's serious expression. "I would check the bottle if I were you." Link had a confused look, but it was replaced with surprise when he saw that he almost poured himself a glass of hot sauce. Twilight smiled and took a seat next to the hero in green, who started pouring a glass of punch. "Everyponies reactions were a lot better than I thought it would be, but then again, ponies around here were always very nice and caring. By the way, you can stay at my place for your time here. I live in a library so there should be some space for you to sleep in. It's the least I can do for saving my life. Thank you again for that." Link smiled and nodded his head in thanks. Suddenly, he was tackled and knocked off his chair, sending him to the ground. Dazed, the hero in green looked down to his waist to find a mint green unicorn with the same mint green mane has wrapped herself around Link. "Ohmygosh, you are the most FASCINATING creature I have ever seen. Can I please examine you more? You smell wonderful..." The unicorn said excitedly. "Lyra! Get off him!" Twilight said with a small blush on her face at the mention of Lyra's last comment. When Twilight finally managed to pry Lyra from Link, her five friends walked over, hungry and thirsty from all the dancing. "This is a great party Pinkie Pie, thank you." Twilight said. "Of course it's a great party silly! And don't worry, it was easy for a pony like me!" Pinkie replied. "Those were some nice moves Link!" Rainbow chuckled. "I agree, the way you danced was very interesting." Rarity remarked. "I almost forgot, where are you gonna stay?" Applejack asked. "Twilight said she would let me stay at her library." "Um, if you'd like, you could stay with me and Bon Bon." Lyra suggested. "What are you talking about Lyra?" A beige earth mare with a blue and pink mane had spoke and stood next to Lyra. "You just met him and we don't even have enough room for him to sleep!" "He can sleep with me!" Lyra exclaimed. Bon Bon blushed. "What!? No! How could you even...? Nevermind, it's getting late, let's go home." "NNNOOOOOOO!" Lyra protested, but was dragged out the door by her beige colored friend. "Uh...anyway! Bon Bon is right, it is late, and it looks like everypony is leaving." Twilight said as she looked at the departing ponies. "I'm gonna leave now to let Link know where he's gonna sleep. Good night girls! Come on Spike." The mares said their goodbyes to Link, Twilight and Spike who started walking towards the library. On the way, Twilight started to ask questions about Link's world. "So, this Hyrule, what's it like?" "It's big, and ruled mostly by people like me, Hylians. But there are also the strong Goron tribe that lives in the volcanic mountains and aquatic Zoras that swim in the waters of their domain. There are many different races in all parts of my world, but those are the main ones in Hyrule." "Does everyone get along?" "Yes we do, even the ones that were once enemies became our friends, like the Bulblins." Link smiled at the memory of facing King Bulblin and how he made peace with Link. He was still surprised that he was able to talk. "So, what kind of place did you come from in Hyrule?" "I came from a small village called Ordon. I was working as a rancher." "Why would a rancher need armor like yours?" "Apparently, I am the Hero Chosen by the Goddesses." Link raised his right hand for Twilight to see. "This mark and armor was bestowed to me by them." Twilight was dumbfounded as she stared at the three triangles on the hero in green's hand. Link sighed and tried to explain it the best he could. "Hyrule was in trouble and the Goddesses of my world chose me to save it. There are still many details left out but that is the general idea." "...Wow, that's amazing! You need to tell me more of the details! But it looks like we're here." Link looked forward to see a large, hollowed-out oak tree with various windows and a balcony. "Welcome to the Golden Oak Library! Come on in!" Twilight announced from the front door with Spike. The hero in green had to crouch to fit through the doorway, but the interior was big enough for him to stand comfortably, since the ceiling was high above his head. Link walked around and took in his surroundings. It was a large and spacious room. There were many shelves in the walls filled with books. There was also a table that had piles of parchment and books laying on it. "Sorry about the mess." Twilight said as she tried cleaning up as best she could with the help of Spike. The purple unicorn then begged the hero in green to follow her and Spike as they walked up a flight of stairs at the side of the room. He followed them up to a bedroom where they were setting up a second bed. "I can sleep on the floor." Link said. "It's fine! I still owe you more for saving me!" Twilight said as she finished setting up the bed. She then hopped into her own bed and covered herself with a blanket. Spike also hopped into a large basket with a pillow and blanket. "Let's go to sleep for now. I'm sure you're tired. I would like to ask you more questions in the morning though." Twilight yawned. Link nodded and laid down on the bed across from Twilight's and Spike's. He drank some of Zecora's poison remedy and was soon fast asleep, exhausted from the walk and party.