The land of Hyrule was at peace, currently the laziest ranch hand in all of Hyrule lay in the grass, a piece of hay in his mouth as he tried to nap. He was resting upon the hill over looking the ranch below, the village of New Ordon lay just outside Kokiri forest the last stop along the trade routes to and from Castle Town. Link was the village orphan having helped herd and take care of the goats, cows, and horses they raise here. Yet the rest of the sleepy farm boy was disturbed by the preparations for this years festival. All across Hyrule people would celebrate tomorrow as the day the Hero of Time fought to save the world, of course Link would be in Castle Town tomorrow.

He sighed and sat up rubbing grass out of his hair as he yawned, he'd been asked to deliver the tribute to the Royal family. It was a big honor and they hoped Link could find work as a guard, his sword arm was wasted out here with only the occasional Bulblin attack to give him cause to fight. The blonde boy finally got up deciding to head over to the forests edge just near the stream where his tree house awaited. The others claimed the forest scared them yet Link loved it, he'd played their as a child and found it to be safe and welcoming. As the boy approached his house he could see Fado and Rusl were just finishing loading the wagon, a job Link had skipped out on.

The wagon was loaded with goods from the village, the finest steaks preserved in a magic ice cooler, dozens of skins gorgeous animals they had hunted, a sword with the Ordon crest entwined with the Royal families, and freshest fruits from the orchards. The boy walked over as the two men turned and left wishing him a safe trip. Link gathered his own shield and sword, dressing in traditional garb packing extra clothes in a bag along with his old slingshot. The green tunic and hat were poorly made and the chainmail under it was the same the guards in Hyrule wore. The boy didn't care however he doubted he would need it, as green clad youth stepped of the tree house he decided to visit the woods. The stream pooled just along the edge Kokiri forest and villagers often went their to pray Link silently wondered if the Goddesses even listened.

He hitched Epona to the wagon then gave her a rub down, before looking into the woods he stepped just inside and followed a shallow path. The water here felt sacred and a melody seemed to float on the wind He kneeled down before the pool and silently prayed to the Goddesses for a safe and easy journey. Then slowly he sat down by the water just staring at it, he didn't want to leave. He felt as if the moment he left his little village things would become irreversibly terrible. Yet he knew he must, his destiny was not here it seemed.

The Happy Mask Salesman flitted about his small shop, turning newly displayed masks to perfect angles and humming a light tune. Tomorrow would be a good day. He just knew it. The festival always proved to be absolutely wonderful on his typically empty pockets. It made up for the rest of the year where money and mask-wearing children were a little more scarce.

He counted exactly fourteen handmade, wooden masks - the finest - as he hung them. There were of course many more behind the counter. There was no doubt that there would be far more than fourteen people at the festival. It was a sort of trade secret. If it looked like there weren't enough masks for everyone, people were more likely to buy them at a higher prices.

Once all the masks were straightened, he recounted - fourteen. But his collection, however colorful and creative, seemed a little lackluster. An idea came to his head and he made a sound of sudden excitement. He ran behind the counter, producing a colorful, heart-shaped mask with horns around the rim and huge orange eyes. He grins at it. Majora's Mask.

Of course, it wasn't the real Majora's Mask. That would be asking for trouble. But it would certainly attract people. Most likely older people who knew the legend of the child who stole the mask. It would be more of a sentimental value - the memories of the bedtime story would likely light up the faces of the people who entered the shop.

He walked over to his display, placing the mask in the center. He thinks for a moment before deciding on a price. The other masks ranged from seventy-five rupees to one-hundred and fifty. He tacked a tag on it that indicated that the mask could be bought for four-hundred. There was only one in his stock of course. It wouldn't make any sense to sell it for the same price as the others.

The people in Castle Town were bursting with energy, busy in preparation for tomorrow's celebration. People seemed to be more joyful and full of cheer than normal, certainly excited about what was to come. Even behind the walls of the castle where the royal family resided guards, servants, and nobles alike were more chipper than usual. It was the biggest holiday of the year after all.

However, the Princess was in another mood altogether. She'd told Impa she was feeling ill and needed some rest, and had locked herself away in her chambers. Everyone was excited for tomorrow, but instead the Princess was filled with nothing but worry and dread. Dark had been her dreams of late, for the past week they'd been getting worse, becoming more terrifying and real every time she slept. She hadn't slept much at all the previous night, they'd become almost unbearable.

She knew they were more than just simple nightmares, they were warnings, warnings that could not be ignored. She'd tried to tell her father, but he'd dismissed them all to easily. It was a time of peace, of prosperity. Dark dreams and ill omens seemed laughable and for another age to deal with. But the Princess could not ignore the signs.

In her dreams there was a dark man, his appearance was obscured, but he radiated power and great evil. She had no doubt she'd know who it was if she met him. There was also a boy, clad in green, who radiated bravery and stood courageously against the darkness. She knew he'd be the key to saving Hyrule.

Her fate was tied to both of them, but she knew not how. She knew that she'd meet one of them at the festival, which one was unclear. In her chambers alone she'd been preparing in secret to sneak away from the festivities tomorrow, she had a disguise ready. She knew not for sure what would happen tomorrow, but she didn't feel safe in the castle, she had to disappear. Only Impa would know, she was the only one she could trust.

Skull kid's eyes burned their familiar intense orange as he watched from the store's rafters. His darkened face and body were wrapped within the shriveled leave garments he had crafted himself in the lost woods, his signature corn husk hat casting a shadow upon his forever hidden face. He looked down upon a peculiar man tending to his shop, his back mostly arched as he examined his wears. And wear these wears you could, masks populated every single inch of his shop. It seemed as if this middle-aged man had created his own colorful world within his limited space.

Skull Kid licked his chapped lipped as he patiently waited upon the creaking rafters of this establishment. Three days had he been perched up here, three days had he watched the citizens of Hyrule dance upon the cobblestone streets paved centuries ago. "They look like they were having so much fun, why aren't I having fun? Because Link, that's why. He said he was my friend and he USED to come and play with me in the lost woods, but he just stopped. B-but why did he stop? Because he's a jerk that's why! He said I could be his friend, but after just 50 years he stops coming?! What kind of friend is that?! I want friends!! Why does link get all the friends, who dance in the street for him?! Who are actually his friend!! I WANT FRIENDS!!..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
Many a night could these voices be heard from the attic of the Maskman's shop, usually after a long day of prerecreational dancing was enacted as the eve of the festival started to draw closer. Skull Kid had been throughly devastated as Link, one of his only companions, stopped coming to the lost woods. Skull Kid could just not take it, he could not comprehend Link's inevitable mortal death, so he just blamed the Hero himself. Tatl, Tael, both of them were gone as well. He blamed Link for that, too. So as the grief-stricken Skull Kid peered down upon the most recognizable Mask salesman below, he looked frantically for the only friend that would truly never leave him.



Finally! Months of tracking, searching, starving on the dirt roads of Hyrule and he had finally found it! "Majora!" the overjoyed forest boy screeched as the salesman displayed the mask upon one of his many racks, starting to price it as Skull Kid came tumbling down from the rafters. He pryed the mask from it's comfortable position on the shelf and immediately put it on, the cavity within the wood ornament fitting nicely over the charred Stalfos-child's face. "He-he hee.. He-he, He-he he-Heee... HE-HEE, HA-HA HAAAA!!", the little troubled boy cackled. Skull Kid didn't care who heard his spine chilling laugh within or without the confined shop. He had found Majora's mask, he was going to have a friend again, he was going to be happy, he was going to- 'Nothing's happening.'

The realization burned Skull Kid like Skultala venom (which he had much experience with). The mask was slung away from his face in an instant, the bottom of the item cracking as it came harshly into contact with the floor. 'This isn't Majora! This mask lied to me!' cried the many voices within Skull Kid's head. He looked up for something to break, something to burn this deceiving copy with, but all he came across was the astonished face of the mask salesman. As quick as a light Skull Kid disappeared into the many shadows near the back of the shop. He had blown his cover, and all for what? "A FAKE?!" the mini-Stalfos whispered as he looked over the slender shop keeper from his discreet place in the shadows.

Skull Kid's unnatural Amber eyes started to burn into the Mask Salesman's, as he waited for a reason not to silence this witness with a quick taste of death (another pain he was familiar with).

"Drink! Drink! Drink!"

Shouted voices around Navi as she knocked back shot after shot of Goron Fire Wine. Every time she drank some her eyes glowed iridescently orange for a brief moment. This was not a typical reaction to fire wine, but then Navi was not a typical girl. Navi was a fairy, a very ancient and wise fairy. Though most onlookers would not have attributed that to her if they were watching now. Regardless of her actual age the human form that Navi had learned to adopt appeared to be about sixteen. She had lily white hair and soft skin. She wore a simple white dress that was bare back. Her wings where pressed against her skin and folded over her shoulders in such a way that they appeared to be a very elaborate tattoo. They're were very few people that would actually recognize Navi as a fairy. It was only after a thousand years of age that any of the fair folk learned to take human form and even then most preferred to exist as glowing balls of energy, it was much easier to maintain.

As Navi finished the last shot she stood up her eyes glowing and turned to the Goron next to her. "Pay up." she said nonchalantly but with an air of complete certainty. "Warned ya mate, she could drink anyone outta 'ouse and 'ome." said a Hylean soldier Navi had been in a drinking contest a couple of days previously. The goron grumbled some before giving up a purple rupee and lumbering out of the bar. Navi smiled before exiting the back way.

She'd pay for that bet, alcohol didn't affect fairies the same way it did other raises. She wouldn't get tipsy or drunk, instead in about twelve hours Navi would be violently sick as her body purged the harmful elements from her system. Still it wasn't a bad way to make a little cash. Most fairies derived nourishment from pure energy at places saturated with mystical energy like a fair fountain or the Kokiri Woods. That wasn't an option for Navi. After a mistake some couple hundred years previously Navi was no longer welcome at the fairy fountains, the woods or even the land of the fair folk. Banished from her own kind Navi had to use actual human food to sustain her which meant obtaining money, even if it wasn't exactly honest.

Their was a baker and his wife that let Navi stay in one of there spare rooms. It wasn't exactly luxurious but Navi took was little kindnesses the Goddesses still felt charitable enough to bestow upon her. Navi had more or less twelve hours to enjoy herself before she'd start to regret that fire wine. She could hear fiddle music in the air not far off. Following it she found a square where a little stage had been erected and a crowd of people were dancing to the songs being played. Navi knew the music and she knew the dances. In fairy culture there was nothing more honorable or more enjoyable than song and dance. The fairy music might not have been as famous as their ability to heal but it was just as powerful.

The dances in the square were country dances, the kind you might find at a harvest festival in Ordon. Navi took the hands of two of the dancers and joined in. A bright smile lit her face and the world disappeared, she twirled and spun in time to the music letting it take her away. Though she did not realize it as Navi danced her skin began to glow ever so slightly a brilliant blue. Some of the other dancers noticed but most chose not to say anything.

As the day wore on, the golden-orange splendor of the breaking day's morning gave way to a brief but torrential downpour to Castle Town. The rain fell in buckets across the rooftops, slipping off them in rivulets and become streams in the maze of streets. Such an event, nevertheless, did not manage to dampen the eager mood of the citizens, all wide-eyed and earnest for the coming festival. For a certain, small group, however, an overcast day seemed to be an omen. Now was the time to put the next step of their plan into motion.

At the heart of Castle Town's trade district lay a tavern called the Magtail Fort. No ordinary sausage-and-beer inn, this structure was easily the largest building in the area, with two floors, no less than sixteen rooms, and a warm, social atmosphere that made it the premier lodging establishment this side of Hyrule Field. At the moment, its inner activity was at an almost fever pitch since so many had retreated indoors from the deluge outside. The place was a scene of bustling activity, Hylians and Ordonians and even a pair of Gorons, all laughing and eating and sharing the latest news. The quietest spot in the Magtail Fort, aside from the private rooms, was behind the curtain currently-empty stage. Even there, however, there was life.

Those three people behind the curtain were not partaking in the general joviality, though. Though they shared the same vision, they could not have been more different in appearance. One was a gorgeous, mature woman, whose milk-white skin was garbed in shadow. Her companion could have easily been mistaken for a statue; in his baggy, elaborate clothes, he seemed too ceremonious for so everyday a setting. Only his face, as pale as the female's, betrayed that he was alive. The last one, however, completely contrasted the robed man. From spiky, red pompadour to cream-white trousers, this burly fellow seemed impatient to begin. Finally, he could contain himself no longer. “Come on, already!”

He looked to the robed one for guidance, but it was the woman who answered him. “Fine. Go.”



With no further ado, the eager boy burst from the curtain, his footfalls causing the stage to resound noisily. A number of people looked his way, some with recognition, and as a grin appeared on his face, he started to speak. “Hey there, folks!' He shouted, spreading his arms wide. “My name is Groose! That's right...THE Groose! One and only ace pilot extraordinaire! Now, I don't know about you all, but it's not really flying weather. Seems to me like it's that time of the month again for Nayru, if you know what I mean!” A general laugh bubbled up from the people, but other than that there wasn't much noise. Groose smiled all the wider, reveling in their complete attention. “So instead this morning I have for you fine people a couple of special guests. You know I don't let amateurs take my spotlight, but these guys? Phew! Have they got it figured out! Let's give a Groose-tacular round of applause for...”

“Zant! Aaaaaand Midna!”

At that, the darkly-dressed pair walked on stage. The crowd gawked; never had they seen the like of them. Midna, in particular, turned a lot of heads. She laughed and rested a hand on her hip before waving, encouraging the applause to continue. On the other hand, Zant stood very still, barely looking from side to side.

He took another sip from his goblet as he continued reading the reports.

With a thoughtful look upon his grizzled face, he opened one of the windows slightly, letting in some light into his private chambers. A green and fertile land, filled with fat and lazy people, where water was abundant and nature forgiving.

He could almost laugh at the unfairness of it all.

Ganondorf opened the window fully, revealing the sight of the bleak desert. This... this was their life. But he knows now it need not be that way. Not when their neighbors had grown complacent in their luxury. But... he wasn't that foolish enough to go to war with them immediately. If he was younger perhaps. Right now, he needed a lot more information before he decides on a move.

The most obvious disadvantage they would have is supplies. Everything here in the desert that they held precious was surely to be found in abundance there. If he had to resort to war, it should be fast and decisive. Being locked into a war of attrition would mean their inevitable defeat. Another would be their armies. His people, the Gerudo, were warriors in their own rights, but from what he could glean from the reports, their armies were simply better equipped. Ganondorf himself would have no problem dealing with them, but not all of his people had the same skill or prowess. It made no sense to throw his people at such odds.

Grunting slightly in annoyance, he refilled his goblet with the wine and sat again at the table, staring listlessly at the pile of papers. Total war was out of the question; he would need something that gives him a significant advantage. The royal family seemed to have a princess, but kidnapping her could backfire horribly should the King use her kidnapping as a rallying call. He could perhaps curse the lands and bring monsters to it, but he wanted to conquer it, not destroy it.

His eye caught a glimpse of a fresh piece of paper, buried under the others. Ganondorf fished it out, scoffing once he read the content. A festival? What was he to do with a festival? Prance around doing parlour tricks to impress the masses?

Gulping down the content of his goblet, he strode out of the room, calling for his personal guards to bring him his horse.

A festival may not really suit him, but it grants him the excuse to visit their city. No one really cares about a bunch of travelers even if they may look strange. Perhaps in that time, something would come to him.

Besides, if he was to make it his, he should at least take some time familiarizing himself with the city.

The Happy Mask Salesman almost jumped over the counter as he went to hide behind it. He hadn't been expecting any visitors. Especially not ones who jumped down from the rafters after he had closed shop for the night. He poked his head up to look over the counter and at the boy. The child had mostly disappeared into the shadows, only his strange, glowing eyes showing.

The Salesman stood up, brushing himself off and straitening out his coat. He stepped back around to the front of the counter and bent to pick up the broken mask. He sighed as he realized that he would likely not be collecting four-hundred rupees for it. He turned to set it on the counter before addressing the boy.

"Do you really honestly think anyone would try to sell the real thing?" He turned to meet the amber eyes. He knew those eyes if only from legend. "Only a fool would try to sell Majora's Mask." He leaned against the counter, his usually ever-present smile was currently turned down in a frown.

He picked the replica up again, surveying the damage. Perhaps it could be salvaged, though he would likely need to stay up all night to do so. It had only incurred a crack and the loss of a horn. He rubbed his finger along the crack thoughtfully.

Shadow was sitting in Castle town's bar, currently drinking a lot more than he probably should have. "Hey barkeep! anuthr' mug for the sorrow and pain to leave me th' hell alone!" he slurred, banging his mug on the table. At the moment he was disguised as the Hero of Time (Although a much older and non "Shade-y" version). He had been covering for that Link ever since the guy decided he was gonna get himself killed. Telma sighed and walked over to him, oblivious that he was masquerading as Link at the moment.

"Honey, you've had enough to drink tonight. Now are you going to pay and leave to enjoy the festivities, or do I need to call in some help from someone not drunk off their ass!"

Shadow frowned, but got up to leave anyways. After stumbling around town for an hour with no real reason to be there, he saw something glowing in his peripheral vision and turned, only to yell out in surprise and run away. "How could this day get any worse!" he muttered, hoping she hadn't seen him.

Ten seconds later he had his answer as his body began morphing against his will into the newest generation of The Hero. He sighed and frowned again. "Well that's just great! Another person who gets to be a racist bigot towards Shadows just because I don't originate from this world. Damn Hylian bastards! Damn Mirror of Shadows!" as he went on to curse other things, getting more and more sailor-like with his choice of words, he noticed it start to rain.

"F**k! The only way this could get worse is if I run into someone who recognizes me, or can sense shadow magic!" Running to the nearest Tavern, which just so happened to be the Magtail Fort, he dried himself near the fire until he heard the names of perhaps the only two beings who would be able to recognize his powers immediately.

“Zant! Aaaaaand Midna!”

"Cucco Crap!" he breathed as he ran outside into the rain again. This was really not his day! As luck would have it, he ran into a certain glowing blue fairy at this point and once again cursed his luck. "This is just not my day!" he muttered as he waited for the familiar "Hey, Listen!" accompanied by something completely obvious like "You ran into me you jerk!"

And that was only if she didn't recognize him!

As Navi danced she could almost forget. Forget what she'd had so many years ago and forget how much she had lost not long after that. Navi could never go home again, not to the Kokiri Forest and not to the Fairy Court. She was trapped in this world of mortals if that was the case she might as well enjoy herself. As Navi spun faster and faster a blissful smile on her face something pushed against her mind, something she recognized. It was an uneasy feeling deep in her chest. Navi almost felt she was going to be sick.

The blue fairy lost the thread of the dance and stumbled to the edge of the square. A few other dancers were thrown off as well but soon compensated for her absence. Navi knew that feeling, though it had been eons since she'd felt it this strongly. It was shadow magic, not traditional shadow magic either. This wasn't the work of Twilight, this was older, much older and so much more malicious and potent. The last time Navi had felt this was in the Zora's Water Temple, ages ago before it gave way to the passage of time. This was Shadow Link, the dark form of the hero bent on destroying him.

Navi looked frantically around the square searching for the shadow. She knew he could change his shape but only slightly. There! She spotted the hero's tunic whip around a corner. Navi ran after him dodging her way through Hylean dancers. She came out on a side street. The Shadow was nowhere to be seen. Then suddenly something knocked into her spinning her around as it tried to make it's escape. Navi steadied herself and stood face to face with Shadow Link for the first time in eons.

The last time that Navi had seen this being she had been young. So young that her powers as one of the fair folk were limited to helpful advice. She remembered that battle all too well. The only advice she'd been able to offer her Hero of Time was "Conquer Yourself!" It seemed so ineffective but Navi had not known what else to say. Now ages later Navi could do so much more than just offer advice. She didn't need Link to fight this creature.

Navi blinked once and her eyes burned brilliant yellow as they locked onto her target. Her skin which had been glowing almost unnoticeable before flared brilliantly, blue as the sky. She reached out with a hand which now was bathed in a deadly green light and she grabbed hold of Shadow Link's tunics. As the green light contacted the being his disguise melted revealing the shadow below. "You should have stayed in the Water Temple. The land of light does not welcome you." She said her voice dangerous, all traces of that chipper, young fairy gone with the winds of time.

Skull Kid was somewhat surprised of how the shop keeper responded to his aerial bombardment. Casually scolding the child, and then picking up the broken replica with a soft gaze. In addition, the mask maker even called out the creature's error in believing a sane Hylian would ever sell such a dangerous relic. It really was a bizarre response, much different and more elaborate from the fleeing travelers Skull Kid usually encountered in the lost woods. This man seemed rather unique.

Stepping cautiously out of the shadows he had hidden within, Skull Kid trodded into the pale light of one of the overhanging lanterns. "Well it's blasphemy to display such a realistic reincarnation of that mask out for every heretic in Hyrule to see! Any kind of witch or moblin could just waltz in here and take it and your life from you, just because they were dumb enough to think it was the real thing!", the Stalfos child shot back, unbeknownst to the stupid correlation between the current circumstance and his witty reply.

Crossing his arms, Skull Kid waited for the Salesman to continue the time consuming argument before a rumbling came from within him. It started out as a slight purr from the boy's stomach, but then amounted to the roar of a sea lion. Skull Kid doubled over in pain as his intestines imploded in on themselves due to starvation. Little did the Mask salesman know, that Skull Kid had endured a full two weeks of continuous hunger before waiting the extra painful 3 days in his shop's roof. He was hurting, badly, and looking over at the salesman once again the adolescent creature asked, "uhh... Uhmm.. D-do you have any food?" He cringed as he voiced the words, they made him seem so damn vulnerable. But it was either eat now or die later, he thought, leaning over as the pain in his belly worsened.

The Happy Mask Salesman eyed the boy as he stepped out of the shadows. He was a strange creature. His eyes glowed amber even in the light. His clothing consisted of various kinds of plant matter and his face -save for the eyes- was completely concealed. Despite the inability to see the child's face, he could still feel the emotion an expression would have normally shown.

The Salesman holds the mask out to reveal the words carved into the back Replica of Majora's Mask. Not endowed with the spirit of an ancient demon. It was ironic really. The boy was so eager to obtain the real thing that he hadn't bothered to be thorough in his research. Or perhaps, it was just a display of a child's ambition, however twisted it might have been.

"Creating accurate replicas and elaborate masks is my profession and my passion. To make a less realistic replica would be against my standards." He turns to set the mask back on the counter. "As for food, I only have some bread." He looked at the boy, his smile having returned to his face. "I find it hard to make ends meet on my humble, ever-fluctuating income. But you're welcome to it."

He went behind the counter to retrieve the bread he'd spoken of. He was hungry as well, having spent his entire day preparing for the festival. He hadn't even thought about eating.

After a few moments, Midna held her hand up an a gesture for silence. Not a second passed before she began to speak, drowning out anyone still clapping or whistling. Her voice reverberated through the room, surprisingly practically everyone present with its strangeness; its tones were all across the board, a seemingly random assortment of octaves that barely outclassed gibberish. Despite this whimsical, lilting accent, however, her words rang loud and clear.

“First off,” she sang, “No, this is not a freak show. We have come to speak to you about politics. But of course, what is the difference?” While the majority of the people still looked confused, a general easing of tensions and a smattering of smiles proved that Midna's humor had broken the ice. “As sir Groose says, my name is Midna. Midna, you might ask? Midna who? Well, that is difficult to say. My father, King Mizorant, did not have a last name to pass down to me as is your custom, so I am sadly bereft.” At her mention of her lineage, a murmur set in across the hall. For a moment, Midna stood silently, her arms folded beneath her chest, surveying the crowd. Then the stream of language began again. “Aha! I hear the whispers. What is this strange name, I hear, and if he is a king, then surely...yes! I am a princess. Not your everyday blonde damsel, pretty in pink, no!” The low voices increased; surely this strange, alien woman was not referring to Princess Zelda?

“No,” Midna repeated, tossing her head disdainfully. A frown appeared on her lips, and suddenly her charm vanished, to be replaced by a condescending severity. “I am not like our princess. There are no legends that feature the name of Midna, but for this I am glad. I read the chronicles and hear the stories, and in every age I find the same sorry tale. A budding young princess is stolen from her throne by the malevolent Demon King, and she must rely on the green-clad Hero of Time to save her. People talk of Zelda's legacy with glowing words. They say she brings purity, peace and, prosperity to Hyrule. When I look at her legacy, I see no golden glory. I see...weakness.”

A few angry shouts assailed Midna from the sea of faces. She regarded them coolly, making eye contact with every one she could pinpoint. When the commoner's brown met her own ruby-red on yellow, they couldn't help but be silent before the regal stare. One man, however, proved braver than the rest. He stood on his stool, rising above the crowd, revealing the yellow coat of arms of the Hyrulean Forces on his breast. “Zelda has been good to us, her ancestors have been good to our own, and her heirs will be good to our children! We have had nothing but kindness from her, yet this woman -who hasn't even the common decency to properly clothe herself- tries to shame her with treason. I don't know why you all are listening to her lies!”

The roar of the crowd redoubled. More degradations flew Midna's way, even insults. The Twilight Princess didn't move a muscle. Finally, a voice, louder and deeper than the rest, surpassed the others. “Ungrateful!” bellowed the Goron, and the next instant a ripe tomato sailed toward Midna's face.

-=-=-

Silence fell upon the crowd like a wet towel over a candle, extinguishing all its fire. The tomato hovered in empty space, turning in slow revolution, inches away from Midna's nose. She stared at it curiously, then plucked it from the air and took a bite. There was an uncanny eeriness to the way she ate. “Nothing but kindness?” She drawled after she had swallowed. “It may seem that way. But your golden girl is not as pure as you think. Barely more than a teenager, yet she's the one running everything? Her father no longer ruling, her mother nowhere to be found? It all falls so...happily into place. I know all of you look at my face and see a stranger, but if you look deeper you will find honesty, integrity, and a right to the throne more powerful than blood and entitlement. You will not find...weakness!”

Midna tossed the tomato into the air, and inclined her head at her companion. Zant raised a sleeve with incredible speed and released a ball of red-pink energy. Magic collided with vegetable in midair, and the latter exploded like a bursting Bombling. Shocked, the crowd turned back to look at Midna, whose arms were raised ceremoniously.

“It's about time for a new leader in Hyrule! One that will not hide behind stone walls, a trained army, and a facade of generosity! One that will not inevitability fall victim to the Demon King, and helplessly watch this fair world plunged into darkness! One who would never poison her father, exile her brother, or betray the light of the Goddesses! Princess Midna!” In the course of the Twili's closing speech, while some of the Magtail Fort's patrons had been fleeing outside into the rain, the Goron that had called Midna out had tucked himself into a ball and started to roll. Just as he was about to smash into Midna, however, her body melted into a cloud of black particles and vanished without a trace.

Just like that, it was over. Zant was nowhere to be found, and even Groose, who had been forgotten for the first time in his life due to the excitement, had disappeared. The remaining people talked in a tumult of excitement, all wondering if their neighbors had seen the same thing they had. The Goron, embarrassed by the failure of his attempt to protect the tavern-goers by subduing what he clearly saw as a threat, checked to make sure that he hadn't accidentally crushed the scroll in his backpack before jumping off the stage. The other Goron rushed to his side. “Gorko! What was that, brother? That wasn't like you at all!” Offhandedly dismissing his friend with a gesture, Gorko hurried outside. “Bad business, brother Golo! Bad business!” he called over his shoulder as he departed. He certainly seemed to be in a rush—moreso than anyone else.

Link finished his prayer then slowly he returned to the cart and his horse. Epona whined as he climbed into the cart behind and snapped the reins. Soon they were off, he chuckled at how silly he must have looked, dressed like the Hero of Time driving a wagon full of goods. The clothes he wore were nice, the tunic and hat had been made by the village seamstress and it perfectly to him. He could almost understand why the Hero wore this stuff, almost. As the cart rolled along he began to day dream, few monsters roamed Hyrule and it was still to bright out for those that did.

As time passed he began to see other people traveling, others sending tribute to the castle or just coming to join in the festival. He smiled as children waved to him and others called him Hero, it had always been his villages tradition to have the boy chosen to take the tribute dress like this. He waved back and soon Castle town came into view, people dancing in the streets and drink flowing. He could join in later he first had to visit the castle, Epona slowed as Link's cart made it's way though the streets. He looked out singing along to the tunes popular songs of legend, he even saw an acrobatic display going on. He wondered if it ever calmed down around here, with all the festivities and merriment it must have been hard to keep sleep.

Still soon Link had clear the square and his cart rolled down the streets, further and further up towards the castle where he would deliver the tribute to the King and the Princess herself. Many of the other boys had talked of pretty she was or how they would like to marry her, Link didn't see the appeal. A king could not nap when he wanted or go out for a horse back ride without a dozen armed guards or being swarmed by peasants. He would happily be a guard or even take over the ranch one day, the work was hard but he did what ever he wanted as selfish as that sounded it's what he loved. He stopped just down the road from the castle, Epona was cover in dust and the river that ran along here would be perfect to wash her before they head up to the castle.

As the day drew on the Princess eventually came out of her chambers, she was as prepared as she could be to make a hasty escape from the castle tomorrow, but it would do no good to disappear prematurely and worry the castle guards and members of the court. She put a pleasant smile on her lips and greeted familiar faces as she walked down the castle halls. As troubled as her mind was, it would do no good to worry others, though she knew in her heart that the dark visions that plagued her dreams were inevitable, she still hoped that somehow they would not come to pass, and that tomorrow's celebration would go without a hitch. Sadly she knew better, the warnings from the Goddesses were a gift and a curse, she wished she could be ignorant of what tomorrow would bring like the rest of her people, blissfully unaware of the evil that now threatened their kingdom. However it was her burden to bear, and she would use the knowledge given to her to find the boy clad in green. Yes a boy garbed in the hero's clothes would be the key to saving Hyrule from evil, just like in the tales of old.

Impa, her trust aid, was the only one she could confide in. That woman had practically raised her, she was far more than just her personal guardian, she was like family. Even now Impa was preparing in secret for what tomorrow would bring, and who it would bring. Now all that was left to for the Princess was wait.

Zelda found herself looking over caste town from the balcony. She could see the decorations and the endless sea of people preparing for tomorrow, she felt her fists clench against the stone. Could she do nothing but hide from the evil that threatened her people? Was she, the princess of Hyrule, so powerless that she had to rely on a stranger in the hero's garbs to save her kingdom? Was she to leave it up to him alone?

Her face hardened. No, not this time.

With a brilliant purple flash, the bolt disappeared into the sky.

He grinned as he looked up, shielding his eyes from the sun with his hand. Come tomorrow, the day would be eclipsed by a black sun, bringing death and destruction as darkness crept towards the royal family's castle.

"My lord! I've gathered all the supplies you've asked for!"

Ganondorf glanced sideways at the only Gerudo he had brought along, much to the chagrin of his personal guards. Aquila was one of the younger, more energetic girls, though her skills still had room for growth. However, she was a very good way to improve... opinions of the folks that saw them. Surely one so bubbly couldn't be so threatening right?

"Very good." He replied, watching the girl secure the supplies onto her horse. "Let us be on our way."

As Aquila started chattering excitedly about all the things she saw, he instead took in the sight of the green plains. Though they were on the outskirts of this green land, it was readily apparent that the land was lush and bountiful. Just the small stream Aquila took their water from would be a blessing to those back home. He could faintly see a forest too, as well as a mountain sure to contain precious metal. Ganondorf was starting to rethink simply being king of this land. With careful management, being king of the continent wasn't an impossible prospect, or even the king of the world. It almost made him feel impatient enough to start up the black sun prematurely.

"Oh and our network reports everything is in place. They're ready to jump in at a moment's notice should they need to."

Perfect. All they had to do was wait until tomorrow, when everything will fall into place.

The farm boy washed his horse clean, humming along Epona stomped her hooves shook her head as he cleaned the horse of the dust and dirt that had covered her during their along trip. Next he washed the part of him that had trail dust and grime, finally cleaned up he drew his blade spun it a couple times and smiled. He'd ask about joining the guard after the festival and a good party, harvest season had been tough and he deserved a little time off to enjoy himself. He hitched Epona back up to the cart looking up towards the castle, towards those who were not joining in the celebration but watching it from a distance. Being a prince or princess must have been terribly boring thought the farm boy as his force climbed up the hill to the castle.

As he stopped outside the gate, the first guard burst out laughing at the boy dressed in green. "Oh! Torren get a load of this, boy thinks he's the Hero of Time!" Soon both guards were laughing at the now beet red youth. Link was half tempted to yell but he had to show respect, they were the king soldiers after all. Link waited for them to stop laughing silently before the one that had called to his friend finally asked. "So you here to drop off tribute? Ordon right? You guys always have the best harvests and hunting, well go on little hero. The King and Princess are waiting, your the last one to bring in a tribute tonight." They chuckled and from inside two guards lowered the drawbridge and raised the gate.

The young boy headed through the gate yawning, he'd missed his afternoon nap he might just find a bail of hay and curl up after this. Then he remembered the party down below, a couple of dances first a drink or two to help him sleep and then maybe a room in the inn or more likely in the back of the cart. He slowly entered and took the sword from the bundle, servants rushed out unloading all of fruits, meats, and skins. The boy carried the fine blade the local blacksmiths had crafted to mark the occasion, he walked forward to the throne room. The servants sat down each of the items before the king and Link bowed, his eyes locked to the floor the sword held up to the king with both hands. "My king, I have arrived with the gifts of Ordon. The village has thrived under your protection, to thank you we offer you the best pelts of the season, our finest steaks preserved in chest of ice ready for your cooks, the fruits from our tree's, and this sword hand made to show our villages allegiance to you and your line." It was a rehearsed speech, the boy would remain until he was told to do otherwise, one did not simply rise and leaves a kings court.

"Well at least I know my intentions were fulfilled. You have gotten stronger!" Shadow Link said, a satisfied cocky grin forming on his face as his tunic ripped a bit. He got out of her grasp, this time not bothering to hide his shadowy appearance. "So am I granted life enough to offer the new one my help, or do you want the wrath of the Goddesses to be on your head?" he yawned as if bored, when he was really looking for an exit strategy.

"Why not, it has been ten thousand years. But you, you are no stronger than the day I met you. You are a mimic, a pale imitation of something so much bigger and it is time you were dispatched." Navi was angry, for the first time in a long time she was properly angry. When the blue fairy had first been banished she had been so mad. Still a child by fairy standards, she could do very little till a hundred years later when she finally learned to take on a human form. By the time she had become despondent most of the time.

Shadow Link was a reminder of everything that one mistake had cost Navi. She could feel that rage again for the first time in centuries and now she had the power to express it. Navi's yellow eyes tracked Shadow Link's movement. She could tell by slight turns in his body that he was looking for somewhere to run and that was exactly what she was not going to give him. With the Shadow out of arms reach Navi placed her hands together, both of them beginning to glow green. A pure ball of mystical energy formed between them. When she was young this magic allowed her to detect secrets, now that she was older it could do so much more. "If the Goddesses have more misfortune they cast before me be sure and let them know. You will be seeing them soon." She said before releasing the ball of energy. Green flames exploded over the cobblestones of castle town.

Shadow Link stopped yawning and in the split second that the ball of green light magic hit, he duplicated himself so that his clone was the one to take the hit, and was dispersed. "So they cast you away like a discarded tool as well?" he asked, frowning at the prospect of fighting someone who could potentially rival a Great Fairy if she had not been banished in the first place. "I do hate to be the voice of reason but can we not put aside our differences, ages have past since our conflict was worth anything. Can we not be amiable to one another?"

At another blast that he barely dodged that took off a chunk of the tunic on his upper left torso, he frowned. This was not going well. "Navi, if I were to explain the reason behind my actions all those years ago, would it help at all? Perhaps over a meal?" wincing he added, "I am buying?" hoping to calm a very pissed looking fairy down enough that she would at least allow him to give an explanation.

The magic in Navi's hands died as her natural blue shine replaced the green. Had Shadow Link really just asked her to dinner. "You have become pathetic have not you. I remember a time when you had the power and the resolve to resurrect the ancient beast. Now look at you. Begging for scraps and offering explanations. You are a sad relic of a forgotten past."

"If I'm a relic what are you!?" Shadow Link shouted before he could stop himself. Then to cover up his mistake, he added, "We were both given a fate worse than death. I suppose this means I should expect to be viewed as the villian, and since you were erased from the legends, you should be considered dead. I do not see how that is right! I may be of Vaati's dark mirror, but that does not make me or your for that matter the goddesses tools, to be DISCARDED!" He was shouting now, a dark aura just barely visible to those who could sense magic. He then noticed the surprise register on the fairy's face that he would mention it, surprised that he would notice she'd been thrown away just as he had. As his anger had come, it passed, and he looked up at the sky for a moment, hands behind his head.

"I just thought of something." Shadow Link smirked. "We both are on our own. In a way I suppose it was my fault for playing my part years ago, but maybe we can do something to change that, together."

Navi watched Shadow Link's rant with a hard gaze. It was not as though he was wrong. She had followed the legends of the hero, watched every time he appeared but she never spoke to him. In the smallest ways she had tried to sent him help as best she could but her banishment meant she had no right to interfere. It was her curse to watch each new Hero rise and fall and be unable to do anything. The Goddesses replaced her, Ciela, Tatl, Midna, Proxi, for a brief time the King of Hyrule himself.

Mostly it had been other fairies, not always but mostly. They had done Navi's job and they had done it well. Navi was not needed anymore. She looked down on this Shadow for drinking his immortal life away but she was really any better. She danced with the people. Sometime she even let some of them hear her fairy music but what had she been doing twenty minutes ago? Knocking back Goron fire wine to put a few rupees in her pocket. Not that Navi actually had pockets, she stored her things in a fold in space time that fairy children were taught to utilize. Eons ago it had been the resting place of the equipment the Hero of Time did not need at the moment. Now it contained a very small number of personal items that Navi could summon on a whim.

"You are the bad guy Shadow, and I have been dead for a very long time. In whatever way you define living I do not fall into it. I am not welcome in my home and I will never really be apart of this world. We are both lost souls, not that you have one." Navi's fire had drained out of her even as she sensed Shadow Link's dark aura mounting. "Go, disappear back into the shadows and the crowds. My fight does not exist anymore. I will not stop you."

Shadow Link's temper broke more violently than it had previous, the magic he radiated cracking the pavement. "Why will no one care about my life, my feelings? I did not ask to be the bad guy!" he rounded on Navi with a stone hard gaze and a mirthless laugh. "If you care so little about precious Hyrule... Maybe I'll burn it to the ground. Destroy the royal family, they have no use for me. Why should I not destroy them all, starting with the ever beloved Princess. If she rejects me like you have, like the Goddesses have then her life if forfeit. Demise damn the Goddesses and all their kin!"

Shadow Link snapped his fingers and his form dissolved, dispersing into the shadows. One intent on his mind. He would find Zelda and beg she give him a chance, he could be just as effective as any Hero. If her wisdom did not lead her the same conclusion, he would more than willing to carry out his threat.

Zelda hadn't stayed on the balcony for long, soon after her presence had been required beside the king as representatives from the surrounding villages brought tribute. It was a tradition that Zelda had since she was but a child learned to secretly hate, standing there, smiling, waving, and thanking everyone for hours was nothing to be excited about. This year it was worse, as her anxiety about her visions was on her mind, she really did not want to be there. Still, for appearances sake she smiled, waved, and thanked each representative for their tribute as she did every year with her father. She stood to the right of the King, her father doing the talking as she just stood there to basically look pretty.

Hours passed, and it was announced that the next tribute would be the last. Zelda visibly sighed, it was almost over. Then she could get back to preparing for what was to come. She was not prepared however for who entered next.

A young boy, clad in green like the hero of old walked into the throne room. Blonde hair, dark blue eyes, on the scrawny side...her eyes widened and her mouth was agape, he was the one! The one from her visions that would be the key to saving Hyrule. She had not expected him so soon.

Her mind reeled as she quickly composed herself and watched the boy give what was obviously a rehearsed speech to her father. She had to take advantage of this, she would not let him slip away after finding him. She had to warn him of what was to come, and the role he had to play. This was her duty.

She knew what she had to do, it would be out of line, and might even upset her father a little. He'd get over it. She stepped forward before her father could reply to the boy. "We thank you and your village for your most generous tribute, and promise to reward your loyalty with continued protection and prosperity for eons to come." She said with a genuine smile, reciting what she'd heard her father say only a dozen times over that day. Then she added, "Maybe I ask for your name young sir?" She could practically feel her father's eyes boring into the back of her head, obviously it would be an embarrassment for him to say something to her now, but she knew she'd hear about it later. That was fine, as this was far bigger and more important than her father's ego.