Hi, everyone! Ruler of Nintendo here, with my very first fanfiction. I was pretty nervous writing this, but I finally got around to it, and I'm super excited! It took six months of hard work (counting being sidetracked) and endless editing, so I hope you guys like it. It's a fun little story I wrote mostly just for practice with the characters, but I really like how it turned out. Without further adieu, onwards!
*NOTE: This story borrows heavily from Zelda mythology. I explain a lot here, but it might be best if you're at least familiar with Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword before continuing. This has MAJOR spoilers for both Skyward Sword and Kid Icarus: Uprising, so if you haven't played those two yet, proceed with caution.
"Where is the edge of your darkest emotions?
Where does it all survive?
Where is the light of your deepest devotion?
I pray that it's still alive..."
– Within Temptation
"Good morning, Link – Sweet Palutena, you look awful."
Link glared playfully at the sheepish, grinning angel. Without uttering a word, he continued to poke at his breakfast, barely noticing as the boy slid into the large booth opposite him. His new companion sat his tray down and leaned his arms on the table, never relenting his coy gaze from the Hylian. "Did you get much sleep last night?" he asked.
Link shook his head, still staring at the bottom of his coffee mug. Ever since Crazy Hand had introduced it to him, he rarely ever went without a cup in the mornings. However, even with the pick-me-up, Link found himself preoccupied. He just couldn't get that voice out of his mind.
Wake me up, okay?
A strangled cry.
I have to find her.
Link!
"Let me guess." Pit's voice startled him out of his reverie. "Message from home? Worry for a friend? Nightmare?"
Link looked up, surprised. Pit smirked as he shook a sugar packet for his tea. "That's the one."
"How did you know?"
The angel averted his gaze, the twinkle in his eye fading. "I've had my share."
An uncomfortable silence settled between the two, and Link returned to his pensive state. Pit continued into his breakfast. After a pause, the angel met his eyes again. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"Maybe later."
Pit nodded, understanding. He continued in a contemplative voice, however, as he speared a piece of omelet with his fork. "You know, in Angel Land, dreams are usually prophetic messages showing us something that we should be aware of. Sometimes they come in the form of places and sounds, maybe even-"
"Flashbacks?"
The angel glanced at him. "Yeah..." A few more seconds of thickness passed between them, and Link again took an interest in his coffee. However, Pit wasn't having any of it. "Listen, if you think it's important, it probably is."
"I'll tell you later. Are you scheduled for any matches today?"
"No, I won the two I was in yesterday, so my schedule is clear until the next round of eliminations."
Link rubbed his thumbs against the rim of his mug, deciding whether discussing this was a good idea. He could trust Pit, right? Angels were pure beings by definition. Besides, he'd always been reliable in the past. He knew, despite his looks, that Pit was an old and capable warrior, someone you would not want as a enemy - if his personality should ever permit it, of course. Decades were hidden behind those innocent eyes of his, tragedy and loss all his own pervading the past he shared with the legions he commanded. Link had a hard time believing it, but behind his boyish demeanor and mischievous personality was a timeless, untainted soul.
"Okay. We'll wait until about midday, when everyone else is either competing or in the stadium watching the matches. Then I have a favor to ask you."
"Aw, does the big legendary hero need help from a little chicken-winged kid?" Pit mocked.
"Watch your cheek there, little angel. It's too early in the morning."
He took a sip of his coffee as Pit snickered into his breakfast. With the tension in the air cleared, Link could finally bring himself to eat properly, and his ears perked up as a melodious sound reached them.
"There's nothing I like more than a cucco's egg omelet," a cheery voice said.
Another one softly giggled. "Your world's cuisine is truly a novelty. Then again, Phoenix-egg omelets aren't exactly easy to come by in Angel Land."
"Goddesses, nine o'clock," Pit grinned.
"Good morning, Pit!" Zelda said as she slid in next to him, Palutena on her other side. Both ladies were bright-eyed and rapt, and Link softly smiled at their combined radiance. Zelda's smile alone could brighten a room, and united with the beauty of the Goddess of Light, they were truly a force to be reckoned with. Link was sure that he and Pit both would've been floored in their presence if not for the sheer factor of time spent around them.
"Good morning, Princess," Pit said, sparing a glance and a bright smile sideways. "Good morning, Lady Palutena. Did you have a good night last night?"
"It was very relaxing," Zelda confirmed.
Lady Palutena chuckled. "Indeed. I never knew that Peach was capable of such... aggressive spa treatments."
"I see your, uh, slumber party went well."
"What's wrong Pit? Jealous?"
As Pit and Palutena continued to banter around the back of Zelda's person, Zelda laughed to herself. It was one of those mysterious, playful laughs that made Link wonder what she knew that he didn't. She cut her omelet, flicking her blue eyes up at him as she made herself comfortable. "Good morning, sleepyhead."
Good morning, sleepyhead.
A shooting pain pulsed its way through Link's forehead, prompting the hero to squeeze his eyes shut and rub his temples. When the white noise subsided, he was greeted by a worried glare from Zelda, and the questioning faces of Pit and Palutena.
"Are you okay?" Zelda whispered gently. Link winced, but smiled weakly.
Before the princess had time to challenge this assurance, two more voices joined their table. Ike slid into the booth next to Link, followed by Marth. Red was behind them as well, and borrowed a chair from Mario and Peach's table to slide at the end of the booth. All three dropped their trays and stared at their food almost in a daze. The group sat in silence for a moment, Pit and Link mentally debating who should be the first to ask. With multiple looks exchanged between the two, Link lost the figurative staring contest and glimpsed sideways at Ike, taking another sip from his mug.
"So what crawled into your omelets this morning?" Link asked pointedly, amused at his friends' exhaustion.
"Nothing," Red grumbled. "It's just that we had a four-way match last night with Mario that ran really late." He glared up at his friends. "You'd know that if you'd have stuck around."
"Angel's Code of Conduct says strict bedtime schedule," Pit mused.
"Need my beauty sleep!" Palutena chimed.
"I was handling some things for Hyrule," Zelda said.
Link turned back to his coffee. "Frankly, I just didn't want to."
Ike rolled his eyes. "Glad we always have someone to count on," he muttered. Their friends returned to gazing at their breakfast, allowing a thick, tired silence to blanket their table. Link was just mulling over how nice it was, and was about to nod off again, when he sat his mug down on the table.
Of course, the comfortable silence was broken by the squeals of newcomers as their booth was assaulted by small figures. Link braced himself for a barrage of tiny bodies clamoring for attention.
Nana and Popo peeked their heads over the booth beside Zelda and Pit, folding their arms on the wood that separated the two. Between them, Kirby bounded overhead, turning a flip and landing in Pit's tousled hair. Link was startled as a face similar to his own appeared to his left, and a black-haired boy with a baseball cap materialized to his right. At the end of the table, a blonde boy stood politely next to Red's right, and a brown-haired boy ran up to his left. They were all smiles and energetic, and despite his exhaustion Link was happy for their entrance. The young Smashers could spread their limitless energy as soon as one stepped into the room.
"Good morning, you seven," Zelda laughed as she took Kirby in her arms. Pit swept his hair from in front of his face as the puffball happily wiggled in the princess's hold.
"Morning, Zelda!" Nana sang.
"Morning to the rest of ya, too," Popo noted. Pit and Link shot the children wry grins, as the rest of the boys watched on listlessly. Palutena raised an eyebrow.
"Don't tell me you guys are too tired to compete this morning," the goddess chided.
Ike leaned back in his chair, and, folding his arms behind his head, tried to relax. "I should be asking you, Palutena.
Veterans have the day off. It's time for Newcomer prelims."
"That's right!" Ness cheered. "I can't wait to see all of you guys fight!"
"Hope you're ready, Villager," Toon Link cooed, shooting a coy grin to his new friend. Villager smiled nervously, and swung his arms around his back. Link could've sworn he'd seen the flash of sharp metal, but shook it off.
Pit, meanwhile, had a sour look on his face. "I still don't like it," he muttered.
"Oh, you worry too much!" Palutena chirped. "I protected myself and hundreds of angels for millennia before you became my captain. I even have to protect you sometimes. Don't forget the Chaos-"
"Don't bring it up!" the angel said, throwing his hands up. "That was a complete fluke, and you know it! You were entirely possessed! You'd never use force like that with anyone, not even Hades! I've been with you long enough to know-"
"Pit," Palutena cut him off, sending him a blank look. The angel sighed, and leaned his elbows on the table.
"I'll cheer for you, but don't expect me to like it."
"Don't worry, Pit," Link said sympathetically, empathizing with his angelic friend. "It took a little while for me to accept Zelda's entrance into the last tournament. But she proved to me she can handle herself just fine, and Palutena's a goddess. She'll probably be top tier before you can say 'the fight is on!'"
"Not one of my best moments," the angel quipped.
"Ew," Toony said, curling his nose at his friends' blatant show of affection for one another. The boys echoed his sentiment.
"I think it's sweet," Nana smiled.
"Me too," Lucas said. "Hey, Link, um..."
Link cast a sidelong glance at the shy psychic. "What's wrong, Lucas?"
The boy looked at his shoes. "Well, it's just that you haven't touched your breakfast..."
Link looked down in surprise. Sure enough, his plate lay in front of him, virtually untouched save for the small coffee stain on its edge. He frowned. His episode last night seemed to have affected him more than he thought. He let out a silent, "Oh..."
"Well, I'd hate for a good omelet to go to waste, so I was wondering if I could, um..."
Link's eyes softened. "Would you like my omelet, Lucas?"
The boy's face brightened. He took it from the table as Link slid it down to him, collapsing to the floor Indian-style. He took a bite and smiled. "Cucco's eggs..."
Attention Smashers!
All eyes shot to the intercom as Master Hand's disembodied voice filled the cafeteria. Every newcomer in the room stiffened, and a few of the veterans had crossed their fingers at the announcement. There were very rare moments when the mansion was completely silent. This was one of them.
Would Lucina and Mega Man please report to the Pyrosphere. All other Newcomers are to report to Training Facility #11 by seven-fifteen. Veterans, you may begin taking your seats at Samus's guidance. The first match will begin in forty-five minutes.
There was a short click as the static-filled connection was severed. Everything was still for a few seconds, until the clapping started. Cheers and whoops were exchanged as a wave of veterans carried Lucina and Mega Man out of the cafeteria, the crowd moving almost as one towards the exit.
"All right!" Ness cried, climbing down from his space behind Link. He was followed by five other excited Smashers, Lucas left behind to finish his breakfast. Marth, Red, and Ike also slid from their places on the booth, half-eaten food following them. Palutena let out Pit and Zelda, and once again sat to finish her tea. The five Smashers looked at one another.
"We'd better go if we want a good seat," Ike muttered, turning toward the exit.
The other two boys followed, and Zelda turned back to Link. She placed a delicate hand on his shoulder, and gave him a soft smile. "Listen, if you're not up to it, then don't come today. But whatever you do, make sure you get some rest, okay?"
Link nodded gratefully and watched the princess leave, Lucas trailing after her. Pit cocked an eyebrow, and folded his arms knowingly. Palutena merely chuckled.
"Don't you have a match to prepare for?" Link muttered.
Palutena smiled, putting on an oblivious act. "Oh, I still have fifteen minutes."
Link narrowed his eyes while Pit watched on, eyes darting from goddess to friend. His shoulders slumped and he pouted as Link and Palutena continued their staring contest.
"What is with you two today?" Pit asked, placing a hand on his hip. "You're totally out of it," he glared at Link, before leveling his gaze at Palutena - "and you're all gung-ho about beating up my friends. What happened to the pretty, gentle Goddess of Light? The one who wouldn't harm a Monoeye-"
"Pit, go fetch me a coffee."
The angel folded his arms and pursed his lips. "I'm not that kind of servant."
Palutena glared at him, her eyes like an emerald fire that threatened to swallow the boy whole. Her angel saluted, and with a wavering tone answered, "Cream and two sugars, coming right up!"
As Pit sped away, Palutena wiggled her lips mischievously. Inwardly, Link groaned. He recognized the same look from the numerous times it had appeared on Pit's face, and it was usually coupled by a bout of trouble and a world of hurt for him.
"I know what's bothering you," the green-haired deity sang, smiling to herself.
Link raised an eyebrow. "Do what you do best, Lady Palutena – enlighten me."
She smirked, and sat her tea down on the table. Her face suddenly dipped into a serious expression as she met Link's gaze, solemnity filling her eyes. Link tilted his head, ready to hear what the wise goddess had to say. Though she could totally be a clown sometimes, she could tell the difference between importance and impertinence. This was obviously the former.
"Listen," she said sternly, taking a tone that was very different from the kind she used to tease Pit or chat with Zelda. Link had never heard the goddess use this voice before. "Before you go out tempting fate, make sure you're absolutely ready. Truth isn't always pretty, and neither is what it takes to get to it. Believe me... I know."
Link's mouth hung slightly open. "Lady Palutena..."
"I don't know what you're chasing, Link," she whispered. "Just please be careful. Zelda would hate to see you hurt, and I can't say I'm too fond of the idea, either. If you seek truth, you must watch your back and the backs of those you take with you."
The Hylian was silent for a moment, contemplating her words. With a flick of his blue eyes, he met the goddess's eyes again. "How do you...?"
"Let's just say that I had my own premonition last night," the goddess sighed, averting his look. "And I'm afraid it didn't bode well for you or my angel, either. I'm very in-tune to Pit's spirit, as our destinies are deeply intertwined. I sense the same of you and Zelda."
"She's mentioned that before."
Palutena nodded. "Unfortunately, as much as I can sense these things, I have no control over them. There was one thing that repeated itself in my dream last night: truth, truth, truth, repeating over and over like an incantation. I saw faces, too-" she looked up at him, eyes hardening – "yours. Or perhaps, not yours - you looked remarkably similar, but he's not the Link I know."
The Hylian stiffened, but the goddess seemed too preoccupied to notice. She breathed wearily, once again giving a pleading glance to Link. "Pit was there, too. I don't know what you're planning on doing, but from one friend to another, bea careful. I sense darkness approaching. Pit will feel it before long, as well, and he'll want to do something about it. You have my full support, but please don't needlessly throw yourself into danger. Know what you're facing first. I don't want you and Pit to go out there blind- Pit might be my servant, but he means more to me than that. I don't want to lose either of you."
Link bit his lip, the weight of Palutena's words weighing on his chest. She'd extended her personal hand in friendship and entrusted him with the life of her best friend- surely a goddess didn't do that every day. The Hylian inhaled. "Lady Palutena, I swear upon the Triforce of Courage that I will look after both Pit and myself. I would never do anything to hurt Zelda, and you either..."
Her eyes softened. "I've given Pit a special blessing of my favor," she said. "Should you ever be in need, someone will always appear to your aid. Whether it be Pit or myself... You will always have solace in Skyworld."
"Thank you," he said, wondering if her speaking the words into existence made it so. If that was the case, it was nice to know he always had someone to trust.
"It is the least I can do," Palutena said. "I just wonder what our dreams could mean."
"Yeah, me too-"
She smiled perkily. "But you're a hero. You'll figure it out."
"For the love of Angel Land, that took forever," Pit whined, dragging his feet back over to his goddess. He handed her a cup filled to the brim with dark liquid. "The line was three people deep and I got behind Rob. What in the Underworld does a robot need coffee for?"
The goddess giggled, standing up. "Thank you, Pit. You know I like your coffee best."
She winked as she walked towards the exit, the clock reading 7:10 A.M. Pit blushed, and he startled fumbling with his belt. He muttered something about being there for her match later, and the goddess disappeared through the doorway.
Link shook his head. "Sorry to say it, my friend, but you are whipped."
This snapped the angel out of his reverie. "Oh, like you're much better," he spat.
He sighed, defeated. "I know."
The angel rolled his eyes, and started towards the exit. Before he made it, however, he backed up and leaned in close to Link. "Lunchtime?"
"Lunchtime," the Hylian confirmed, and the two touched fists. Link laughed to himself as Pit ran out of the cafeteria singing something about soaring and dinner. However, the hero's mind was still not fully cleansed, and Palutena's warning had only made him more worried. He frowned deeply, and examined his reflection in his coffee.
Know what you're facing.
Link left the booth, knowing exactly what he had to do.
*l~
The library never ceased to amaze Link. Worlds of information rested at his fingertips, row upon row of books telling the stories of his friends, his rivals, and their respective homelands. Many different insignias rested upon the shelves, flagging which universe they hailed from with crests taken from the symbolism of each realm. The library was usually empty save for the occasional curious Smasher, and it was especially so today thanks to the kicking-off of the tournament. But Link wasn't some curious Smasher; he had a mission to accomplish. It couldn't hurt to take a look around, though, as he still had a few hours to kill. Link wasn't about to take Pit away from Palutena's first match- the poor kid was probably reeling. Link longed to see the look on his face, but knew that he had to discipline himself. He had one little thing to take care of first.
Link hummed as he came across the Angel Land section, emblazoned by a bow-and-arrow crest. Books in multitudes of languages sat untouched upon the shelves, a small layer of dust settling on their spines. Link was surprised at the sheer amount of content this section contained – for a world that was represented by only two Smashers, the selection sure was huge. He saw books about monsters, famous figures from Pit's realm, and even a story on the great Goddess of Light herself. Link decided to come back later to try and do some more research on his friend's home world. Though he'd never find Pit here (the angel claimed he didn't know how to read, though Link highly doubted it), he'd heard that Angel Land's heroes were as legendary as the green-clad warrior himself. Link was about to give up on what he'd come here for, though, as he didn't see any book that seemed to fit the topic at hand. However, as he turned to leave, an untitled tome caught his eye. This one was thicker than most, and had a bright golden color that set it apart from the others. Intrigued, Link plucked from the shelf, and immediately grinned at his discovery.
The first thing Link noticed about the book was its immaculate detail. A picture of Little Pit was inscribed on the cover, the young boy's face forever frozen in a defiant, determined expression. Link could almost see the hatred in the young angel's eyes, still hidden behind ever-unruly brown hair – though it did have a slightly reddish tint to it, Link noted. Pit hadn't changed much; he certainly hadn't lost his baby face. He wore a simple white chiton and that darned scarf, and his entire image was framed by downy white wings that looked disproportionate to his body. Poor kid. He wasn't lying when he said he never could fly. He stood at the edge of a cliff, eyes fixated on a gold-encrusted palace in the distance.
Amused, Link looked at the title.
Kid Icarus.
Link smirked. Oh, he'd definitely be back here later.
Swaying a few rows over, the Hylian looked up to see a flag bearing the Triforce, the symbol of his homeland. He was marked with the same symbol on his left hand, as were Zelda and Ganondorf. He took a moment to sweep the shelf, and took a step back in amazement.
Compared to Hyrule's section, Angel Land's compilation was like sitting Nana next to Ridley and measuring their sizes. Hyrule had at least three shelves and that wasn't even counting the scrolls that hung in the back of the room. The Hylian sighed, and set to work.
He came across many different stories he'd heard growing up. There were books depicting everything from the Imprisoning War to Deku Anatomy. This wasn't going to be easy.
He walked over to a section labeled Hyrule Historia. Beneath this banner sat many books that showed the stories of the different heroes of Hyrule. He even saw his own story, The Legend of the Twilight Princess. Memories flooded back and he couldn't help but smile at the thought of his friends back home. As he continued thumbing through the volumes, he saw books on his ancestors, The Legend of the Ocarina of Time and The Legend of the Minish Cap. Toony's stories, The Legend of the Wind Waker and The Legend of the Phantom Hourglass appeared to him next. Link frowned. He needed older stories. However, as he continued down the line, things got murkier. He saw books entitled The Legend of the Four Sword, The Legend of Link's Awakening... the list went on. This world, Link knew, transcended time and space, so there was no telling what eras these legends were from. Frustrated, Link moved to the book at the end of the shelf. He squinted at the vaguely familiar writing, and took it from its place.
On the front was a picture of a sword that Link recognized. Its silver blade shone majestically, capped by a blue hilt wrapped in green ribbons. An emblem of the Triforce was engraved near the blade's base, and Link had difficulty making out the title.
The Legend of the Master Sword.
Link subconsciously reached over his shoulder and ran his fingers along his trusted weapon's hilt. Deciding that the story looked promising enough, he gripped the tome and made his way over to one of the small tables on the side. When he was comfortable enough, the hero plopped the book down on the table, and examined its contents. A nearly unrecognizable script made out several symbols on the page, some he was familiar with, some he'd never seen before.
Link groaned. He had a hard time understanding Ancient Hylian. Zelda could read it no problem, but there were hundreds of different variations of his native tongue. He felt ashamed of himself for not paying attention when Zelda had tried to teach him.
Not knowing what else to do, he turned to a random page close to the end of the book. He slumped on the table, resting a bored cheek on his fist. Slowly but surely, he pieced together the tale in his mind.
And so the Hero ventured forth from the heavens, bathed in a sea of Light. As the statue of the Great Hylia crashed to the surface, the seal that bound Demise was eradicated, and peace was to once more return to the land.
"Yeah, yeah," Link mumbled, turning a page. Here, the hero's eyes widened at the vivid illustration on the paper.
A black figure was silhouetted in clouds, lightning dancing around it. A large sword similar to his own was gripped firmly in his right hand, and a single red eye protruded from behind the smoke. In the background, five large birds flew overhead, seemingly trying to approach the dark figure. Merely looking at this painting sent chills rolling down Link's spine, and the hero forced himself to decipher the words on the next page.
However, it was not to be. As the Hero entered the Sealed Temple to reunite with his goddess, Hylia was struck down, only to be captured by Demise's loyal servant. The Demon Lord escaped with Hylia to the ancient past, in hopes of reviving his master when Demise's seal was still young. Undaunted, the Hero gave chase.
However, the Hylia's chosen youth was met with severe resistance. Making his path down to the Demon Lord was not an easy task. The servant sent wave after wave of monsters towards him, and yet the Hero persevered. Nearing the bottom the the chasm, the Hero raised his sacred sword. The fated encounter had arrived. The Hero had challenged the Demon Lord.
Though his skill with the blade was sharp and his magic ever-powerful, the Hero overcame this barrier. Death in his face, the Demon Lord was to breathe his last, when a cry from above stole the Hero's attention. It was Hylia, the one whom he had risked his life for ever since leaving the clouds.
The servant had merely entertained the Hero's notion of a challenge, instead serving only as a distraction against the child's true enemy. As the two opposing sides fought, the ritual the Demon Lord had started was completed, and Hylia was once again wrenched from the Hero's grasp...
"Link, you still in here?"
"Ten minutes, Pit, for crying out loud!" Link shouted.
"Okay, geez, I'll go grab some lunch or something. Dang..."
Link rolled his eyes and returned to the story. With every word he read, it seemed as if his dream was becoming clearer. He squinted, stumbling over some unfamiliar words, but continued on nonetheless.
The Imprisoned Beast the Hero had kept at bay was sealed no longer. Using what little strength the Demon Lord had left, he dragged the Beast from its resting place and offered Hylia as sustenance. With a great roar, the Beast stood to full height, and devoured the goddess's soul.
As the light faded, a new entity was revealed – Demise, the embodiment of hatred and lust in this world. Clad in shadows and the flames of Hell, Demise sprung forth, and called to his servant.
The Demon Lord, injured and battle-worn, emitted a bright, inhumane light. From his chest a weapon emerged, and, beckoned by Demise, returned to its master. As the Demon Lord faded away, his soul remained in the blade and Demise was fully formed, ready to begin his reign of tyranny anew. Aided by his comrade, the Hero was able to secure Hylia's physical form, and thus set forth to duel Demise.
Hylia's soul and the fate of Hyrule hung in the balance. Transported to another realm, the Hero and Demise proceeded into battle.
The fight was long and hard. The Hero was almost defeated multiple times. However, armed with Light, the Triforce, and the favor of a goddess, the boy found his strength. With a final cry, Demise was stabbed through the chest, sentenced to fall and never rise again.
However, with his dying breath, Demise issued a curse upon Hylia and her courageous Hero- that, as long as one contains the blood of the goddess and the spirit of the hero, Demise shall ever struggle against them. With this, the Hero's faithful companion sealed away Demise's soul within the Master Sword, christening it the Blade of Evil's Bane.
Having cleansed the Surface-World of all evils, Hylia decided to rebuild her kingdom, and stayed to watch over the mortals forever more. The Hero, never wanting to lose Hylia again, stayed alongside her, accompanied by his comrades.
The Hero would never again return to the clouds.
The Hero would never again return...
...Never again...
Link cried out as another sharp pain rippled through his head. He clenched his temples, trying to curb the throbbing that had suddenly attacked. Losing his strength, the hero collapsed onto the table, images he'd never seen flashing in his mind.
Boy... What are you?
Your kind have lost! Your world and everything in it belong to darkness! It belongs to my master!
You're all Zelda's got!
It is all over!
You shall taste it in the bite of my blade!
Those like you... Those who share the blood of the goddess and the spirit of the hero... they are eternally bound to this curse. An incarnation of my hatred shall ever follow your kind, dooming them to wander a blood-soaked sea of darkness for all time!
Perish, Hero!
A bird... a bird clothed in ruby feathers... Link was flying, the open sky stretching before him, undaunted, unabated. Below him, a pristine, untouched Hyrule expanded in all directions, beckoning him to explore every unseen alcove. Beside him, a beautiful girl flew on a blue bird of her own, a musical laugh flooding his ears. This was exactly how things were supposed to be, meant to be.
But it could not last.
Come to me.
"Ngh..."
Link looked up, his clouded vision slowly returning. His headache was fading away, but that was merely replaced with something even more painful- heartache, a void widening in his soul he couldn't hope to grasp. Something wrong was happening in Hyrule's clouds, and, whatever it was, it needed to be addressed. Link peeled himself from the table, his recent experiences crashing over him.
Now, there was only one thing to do: consult the one who knew about the clouds better than anyone else.
*l~
Pit sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. The angel shifted his weight, wings furrowing in agitation. He cast Link a weary look. "Okay, let's go over this again. You had this dream, and in it, you were..."
"Flying."
"...Right," Pit muttered. "Of course."
"Now, now, jealous angel, it wasn't me. I was on some kind of- it was a bird, I think."
Pit blinked. "A... bird."
"Yup."
The two were sitting in the mansion's garden, one of the only places in the entire grounds that had a little bit of privacy. However, with everyone at the matches, the mansion was pretty much empty anyway. Now, the two heroes were completely alone, Link's problem at the forefront of their minds. Pit was having a hard time understanding, though, but the Hylian couldn't blame him- he had trouble understanding himself.
"You said something about a flashback this morning," the angel mumbled.
Link closed his eyes. "Yeah... but it wasn't something I remember doing," he explained, clenching his fists. "When I'm living these memories, it's like I'm seeing through the eyes of another. He has my name and my face, but..."
"He's not you."
Link nodded.
He'd half-expected his friend to not understand what he'd meant, but there it was again, looks could be deceiving. Pit had a deep frown etched upon his face, and he folded his arms as his eyes narrowed in contemplation. His wings twitched, something he subconsciously did when he was upset.
"I wonder if this has something to do with reincarnation," he murmured, more to himself than Link.
Link raised his eyebrow. "What?"
"Reincarnation," he repeated, clawing at the dirt they sat upon. "Lady Palutena tells me about human souls, how, after they die, some don't necessarily move on to the afterlife. Some souls, like mine and hers, are immortal, and cannot be erased or can be revived at will, depending on our injuries. And then some souls are immortal in a different way, to be reincarnated over and over through the eras, lying dormant until they're needed. Some souls are chosen to protect their realms, and as long as evil lives, their souls will never have peace. Of course, they don't know that. When souls are reincarnated they pass through the river Lethe, and their memories are taken, at least in my realm. Some souls are okay with it, but some feel it's a curse. If souls aren't allowed rest and are destined to fight until every last bit of evil is eradicated, I can't say whether or not that's a noble existence."
"So who decides which souls get reincarnated?"
"Depends," he mused.
"But you're immortal," Link said. "You've served Lady Palutena for years."
"Yeah, but it's different for me. If I'm killed in battle, Lady Palutena can usually retrieve my soul and save me. I'm the only soul she has that power over. She can revive the Centurions, too, but they're a lot like robots. They don't have mortal souls. Of course, if I ever lost the will to live or my injuries are too serious, Lady Palutena wouldn't be able to bring me back. But that'll never happen. I know that living with the same people for literally forever seems like it might get old, but it's not so bad. I'm pretty okay with being with Lady Palutena for as long as she'll let me. It's nice to know that, even if I outlive all of you guys for eons, I won't be completely alone."
"She cares for you. A lot," he said. Pit grinned. However, Link mulled his words over. It was funny to think that Pit was going to have that goofy baby face even when Link was old and gray, but then again the kid was already more than three times his age. Palutena herself was centuries old, though the goddess didn't prefer to discuss it. "So Lady Palutena doesn't have the power to reincarnate souls herself?"
"Only mine, and that's thanks to a blessing. In Angel Land, the souls usually have the chance to choose to try reincarnation three times, in order to have the best afterlife they can. Some are chosen by the elder gods to walk again. Anyway, the souls that choose reincarnation have a chance to be a hero, and are granted eternal sanctuary in Elysium if they succeed. But then again, that's just my realm. It's probably different in Hyrule. That's something you'd have to ask your own gods about."
Link gave him a look, and Pit laughed nervously. "Oh, right, you're a human-Hylian-thing. Gods don't intervene in their affairs. Sorry, man, you're on your own."
"Maybe not..."
Pit flinched. "Okay, what now?"
"Well... As my dream ended, I got one more message: 'come to me.' I think... I think somebody in Hyrule needs my help. But there's one problem: she lives in the sky."
"How do you know?"
"I don't. But... I can feel it. I haven't been sure of many things in my entire time on this earth, but I know this without a doubt. I am absolutely positive that there is someone in the sky who needs my help. So... This is where you come in."
"I don't like where this is going."
"Pit... Can you fly?"
The angel groaned, collapsing on his back in the soft grass. "You said you didn't want anyone else to know, right? If I were to fly you, I'd have to ask Lady Palutena to guide my path. Besides, the Power of Flight only lasts five minutes, and it wouldn't be very practical to carry you."
"Right," Link muttered.
"I'm sorry, Link."
Silence. Pit slammed his fist into the ground, and Link sighed. He hadn't meant to stir up bad feelings within his friend. Pit really hated his wings. As the quiet once again thickened over the two, Pit's eyes were on the sky, longing in his heart and sadness on his face. Link was about to give up, when suddenly, Pit shot straight up. With an excited grin, the angel turned to Link, and the Hylian braced himself.
"I can't fly you myself... But I do have a way to travel in the sky."
*l~
"Oh my goddesses! This is amazing!"
Link grinned as as a cold wind pelted his face, wisps of clouds whipping by in a tantalizing blur that was almost dreamlike. He held tightly to the side of the majestic chariot Pit had somehow commissioned, loving every second of airtime he spent in the angel's care. Pit snapped the reins and smiled back as well. Link knew how much the angel loved flying, and now he understood why. It was freeing.
"It's so good to be back in the sky again!" Pit laughed. "Now that the tournament's started, I don't get to do much else but train. I'm so glad you asked me to come with you; this is just the type of quest I needed to get out and stretch my wings a bit!"
Link shook his head good-naturedly. When Pit had disappeared through the portal into his own world and returned with a chariot pulled by two unicorns, he had been skeptical. And when the angel had assured him that the unicorns he stroked were perfectly safe, as he saw to their care himself, Link was ready to abandon the mission and ask Dr. Mario for some of his sleeping potion instead. But it wasn't until the one Pit called Lux nickered and allowed him to stroke her mane did Link truly realize the sublimity of the situation. An angel was about to escort him to a lost kingdom in a chariot pulled by two unicorns. He was about to decode a prophetic dream. He was taking to the skies.
The Hylian hero beamed. "No problem! Actually, I should be thanking you! How often does a guy get a favor to fly from an angel?"
"Not very! I'm the last one, and I don't get out much. You'd better feel special!"
Link glanced down, trying to pinpoint where exactly in Hyrule they were. The portal had opened just north of the Faron Province, right in central South Hyrule Field. He'd directed Pit above the trees, though he didn't dare climb too high for fear of losing his bearings; he'd never had a bird's-eye view before. He wasn't even quite sure what he was looking for. His companion, however, clearly wasn't focused on the sky.
Pit's eyes were wide, consuming the scenery like a Drink of the Gods. He'd heard tales of Link's adventure through these very lands, but still they seemed so surreal. The angel couldn't help himself.
"This is Hyrule?"
"Yup!" the native exclaimed proudly, a wide grin spreading across his face. He spun himself around so that he faced the front of the chariot alongside Pit. He pointed down, and the angel craned his neck to see what the excited hero was looking at.
"The Bridge of Eldin?" Pit asked, confused.
Link nodded. "Master Hand commissioned a special portal to bring us there for fights," he explained. "The Bridge of Eldin is where I had one of my most intense duels."
Pit continued on at Link's direction, passing over gorges and rocky mountains. They easily combed over obstacles that normally took Link days to cross. The Hylian made mental note to look out for unicorns needing a home in the future.
Link again pointed down to the water-filled crater below them, a lone bridge spanning the expanse. "Lake Hylia," Link grinned. The angel could merely watch on in awe. If Pit looked left, he could see the orange sands of a desert, and to the right stood tall, proud mountains. Subconsciously, he slowed the chariot, following a pathway that carved through the fields of Hyrule. As they crested another hill, their bird's-eye view cleared, and Pit could see a rather well-established town below. Towards the north end of the town, a large amount of people buzzed, carrying materials towards a structure that was just beginning to take shape. Link glanced at him. "Hyrule is rebuilding," he explained. "Ganondorf kind of blew up the castle."
Pit shook his head. Regardless of all that, this place was still incredible. Link had told him the stories, he'd heard the legends, and he'd even seen paintings done by the princess herself. But nothing had prepared him for this.
He'd been told Angel Land was beautiful. Nothing compared to Hyrule.
"You'll have to show me around someday," he said. "I'd give my left wing to see more of this place!"
"This is nothing!" the Hylian shouted. "Wait 'til you see Zora's Domain; there's a huge waterfall, and canoeing down the river is loads of fun! Or Snowpeak mountains in the north... Cold, but Yeto and Yeta, the Yetis that live there, are really welcoming, and their snowleafing competitions are legendary. Or even Faron and Ordon to the south... That's my homeland."
Pit smiled softly at Link's wistfulness. He was obviously feeling homesick. He decided that, if they had time, they should drop by the village Link called Ordon and see his friends. Of course, he'd have to hide his wings, as mortals didn't necessarily accept beings like him.
Pit wasn't very worried about mortals seeing them from below, however; divine objects that mortals couldn't understand tended to mask themselves to those who weren't of heavenly status. To the townspeople below, Pit and Link were nothing more than a shooting star against an oil-painted sky.
His friend, however, seemed preoccupied. Pit looked beside him, where Link was crouched low, looking out from the back of the chariot. Deciding that it was better to have some understanding of what they were doing, Pit spoke up. "So... Any idea on what we're actually looking for?"
Link laughed sheepishly. "Well, to tell you the truth... I didn't exactly think it through this far."
"What?"
"Sorry, sorry! Look, I was too busy trying to not die from telepathic overload. Seriously, having so many voices in my head is vastly uncomfortable. I don't know how you do it all the time."
"I need some kind of direction here! The sky's a pretty big place, you know."
Almost on cue, a loud squawking noise crept forth from below the chariot. A red blur rocketed past them, spiraling ahead and seemingly dancing amongst the clouds. As its theatrics subsided, it stopped a fair bit in front of the chariot, its form becoming clear. There, flapping wildly in the sky, the blur focused into the shape of huge, ruby-colored wings. Its beak was slightly ajar, as if beckoning the two heroes forth as it hovered in the air in front of the chariot. Link's eyes widened in recognition.
Pit frowned. "That bird..."
"After it!" Link cried, jumping beside the angel and pointing towards the crimson avian. Pit snapped the reins and the unicorns initiated a hot pursuit, their gallops punctuated with braying that rang out like thunder. Pit grit his teeth in concentration. However, this was much easier said than done. The bird was fast, and could easily outrun the chariot at its neutral speed. Link growled in frustration.
"It's getting away!"
"Wait until you see what these babies can really do," Pit grinned. "Phos! Lux! Giddy-up!"
The propulsion was so intense that Link was forced to reach up and hold on to his hat. The green of Hyrule's forest blurred past, and the bird itself seemed to have catapulted back towards them. Its head swiveled back and it squawked once more, angling its wings so that it picked up speed.
Fortunately, however, the red bird was no match for Pit's unicorns. Phos and Lux caught up easily, cruising in the sky next to the bird. The bird's eyes widened, and with a screech, suddenly changed its direction. It barreled upwards, disappearing behind a cloud.
Thanks to the unicorns' instincts and some quick thinking on Pit's part, Link's caravan also spun on a dime, the chariot now spiraling up. The crimson bird stayed in the center of their helix, folding its wings close to its body and carving its way through the air.
Pit watched on in amazement. "Whoa..."
"What is it?" Link asked.
"This bird... Its flying techniques are really advanced. I don't know what it is, but its not wild. This bird was taught those moves."
"Yeah," Link whispered, suspicions confirmed. "It was."
The unicorns continued circling the bird, rising ever-higher in the sky. Phos and Lux had no problem keeping up with it, as it seemed the bird was now more conscious of its pursuers. The bird had seemingly decided that the two heroes were worthy of sharing its airspace, and had stopped trying to evade them. Now, it in fact seemed to be leading them somewhere, changing directions almost randomly but still flying at a gentle upwards slope.
A few seconds later, they crested the clouds. It was strange, Link thought, how they gathered high in the sky almost in a barrier-like fashion. Pit seemed to notice this as well, and commented on the sky's appearance. For, as high as they seemed to be, the light here was soft and ethereal, almost dim like dusk.
Odd outlines caught his sight in every direction. Sky-islands of many different varieties loomed in the horizon, nothing more than silhouettes from where they flew. However, the crimson bird seemed to be guiding them to a specific destination: an island bigger than all the rest, situated in the center of all the other lifeless, floating islands. Both boys were now on the defensive, Link pulling out his sword while Pit slowed the unicorns, brandishing his bow in one hand. As the large island drew closer, Link was overwhelmed with nostalgia, though he was sure he'd never seen this place before. It hadn't even been mentioned by his ally Shad, who studied the skies for a living. While it did remind him of the City in the Sky, this place seemed much more sacred, closed-off from the world.
Link could see buildings on the rock, various levels and man-made structures donning its surface. He couldn't make out much except for a large building to the north, and a plaza with a tower to the south. To the east, a large lake filled with waterfalls from an even higher island fed the crater, flowing in multiple directions. At the very northern point of the island, Link could see a bridge that dropped off into the abyss as if another island had once been there. Overall, the entire area was eerily quiet and run-down, as if it hadn't been inhabited in ages. Link braced himself, then directed Pit towards the bird, who had circled near the tower.
Pit delicately landed the chariot in the wide plaza near the south end of the island. Phos and Lux skidded easily to a halt, evenly dragging the chariot to a stop behind them. The two heroes disembarked, taking in their new surroundings.
"It kind of reminds me of Skyworld," Pit said, glancing around the area. He stomped his foot on the cobblestone. "Only solid."
Link's eyes widened in childlike wonder. Of all these places in Hyrule he'd seen, none had felt this surreal, this... sacred. Despite the rotting outlines of wooden doors and guardrails, the collapsed tent near the center, and the eerie glow that had cast itself over the village, Link gazed at this place with a muted sense of respect. Barring the Sacred Grove, he knew he'd never set foot in a place this important. He wasn't sure how he knew, but...
"I... This place, it's so..."
Familiar?
The shadow of the tower grew long and oppressive as a faint golden glow shone forth from behind them. Link knew from instinct that he should've been throwing up his weapon in defense, but somehow this presence did not feel the least bit malicious or, dare he say, evil. This presence was pure, it filled his very soul with a warm, soothing embrace. Link slowly turned, breath leaving him as he did so.
He'd heard tales of her, he knew, and yet none had done her justice. Beautiful didn't come within a stone's throw, and "majestic" or "glorious" were just horrible misrepresentations of her splendor. Whole legends were dedicated to her, and yet, Link couldn't bring himself to believe that the figure who stood in front of him was her- but the hero knew it in his heart to be true. Her long, golden hair flowed down past her shoulders, framing a body that radiated with the glow of life. She dressed simply, and Link knew it was from modesty. However, even her silk dress flowed around her, dancing like light and hiding bracelets and hair trinkets that shimmered as she moved. Her face was kind, though Link saw in it a deep sadness, well-hidden but there nonetheless. The girl inclined her head to him, almost beckoning him closer.
"I know you," Link whispered, reaching a hand out. Timidly, he took a step closer. Pit hung back respectfully, understanding that this exchange was not his to be a part of. Instead, he watched on, smiling knowingly as his friend faced his destiny.
The girl smiled, and though her lips never moved, a sweet voice that resounded as a melody filled his ears. Her eyes were kind and gentle, and Link had a hard time looking away.
She had Zelda's eyes.
Yes. Her blonde hair seemed to move from a breeze he couldn't feel, and her body shimmered in the lowlight.
"You're from my dreams."
Dreams, memory, imagination... All are different forms of reality. Though you do not remember it, you've stood in this very place with me before. It has been a long time... my Hero.
Link grinned, knowing in his spirit exactly who stood before him. He glanced back at his companion, pride and excitement in his eyes.
"Pit, meet Hylia, Hyrule's very own Goddess of Light."
Hylia smiled approvingly. I am a goddess of many things. Light, the Triforce, the Hero's patron deity. All fall into my domain. All I guard with my life.
"That's very n-noble of you," Link stuttered, losing his nerve. "Uh, right Pit?"
Your companion cannot hear me. Hylians alone have the ability to hear the voices of the gods, she said, playfully tugging on his ear. That is why you were given these.
"I apologize," Link said. "I, ah, I didn't know you wanted our meeting to be private..."
"It is well," the goddess chuckled aloud, her voice ringing in his ears just as it did his head. "You can't just sprout wings and fly here. This boy has dealt with his share of deities, and defeated a few to boot. He is as divine as I. You could not have selected a better companion."
Pit flushed. "I-I appreciate your compliments, Your Grace," he stammered.
"I am honored to meet both of you." She curtsied shortly, before rising to her full height. It was then that Link noticed her feet hovered slightly off of the ground, almost as an echo to her power. "And I am happy you could meet me here. There is something I wish to ask of you."
They were interrupted when an otherworldly squawk resounded throughout the plaza. The bird that had guided him walked up to the goddess, wobbling behind her and placing its beak lovingly on her shoulder. Now that he saw it up close, Link could now get a feel of just how huge it was; it towered almost two feet over him, and he could easily fit on its back. Hylia laughed and patted it under its neck.
"There, there, my beautiful crimson Loftwing," Hylia cooed. "You did wonderfully. He would be proud."
The Loftwing, as Hylia had called it, crowed contentedly and curled itself around Hylia, lying on the cobblestone at her feet. The goddess kept one hand on the bird's head, the Loftwing looking at Link with large, wise eyes. Hylia sighed.
"You know who I am, dear Hero, so that means you must know my story."
Link nodded. "You gave up your divine form to protect the Triforce," he whispered. "You saved all of Hyrule before it even began."
Hylia, looking down upon him, nodded. "The life I lived was vibrant and meaningful, and for that I am grateful to every single being that partook in it. I accomplished much in my time on the earth, setting many events in motion and helping the future citizens of Hyrule towards the better."
"Until..."
"Evil rose." Hylia was still smiling, but the sadness had returned. "The curse placed upon our people by Demise was never far from my mind, and I created many things to help my champion. I did everything I could to help in the short time I was allotted. But, sadly, when my mortal self expired I was once again forced to assume the form of a goddess. But my time in Hyrule had already sowed its seeds, and mine and the hero's descendant – the very first Princess Zelda - established a monarchy in my honor. Now, the line of Hyrule's royal family carries my blood, and we will forever be a target of Demise's hatred and lust."
The girl petted the Loftwing on its neck. The crimson bird chirped, teetering back and forth on its talons. Hylia smiled softly. "This Loftwing belonged to him, the first hero," she said. "He senses that you are connected to him. In too many ways..." The goddess sighed. "He passed on to another life, and yet he remains. Now, all I am able to do is watch over his spirit and protect him from Demise's vengeance. Though his body has gone, his spirit will never be at peace," the goddess said. "So long as Demise remains, my Link's spirit will forever be reincarnated, the only thing able to oppose Demise's eternal hatred. Sometimes I wonder if the greatest curse ever thrust upon him was that demon's promise, or the burden I myself have placed upon him: the burden of being our only chance against Demise."
She was silent for a moment, lost in her own memories. Link shifted uncomfortably, sorrow for the woman that stood in front of him and for his best friend filling his soul. He looked up at her.
"With all due respect, my lady," Link said, stepping forward, "why did you call me here?"
The goddess stiffened, looking at him with sullen eyes. "Because, as well as you've done so far, evil never falls. A fragment of Demise's soul has entered a place that is sacred to me. I managed to trap it there, but he is quickly breaking free of his bonds. As much as I wanted to distance myself from you, this is something that cannot be ignored. If Demise is allowed to seek solace here, he very well might grow more powerful than he has since the Sky Era. I am not able to intervene, and that is why you must stop him."
As Link conversed with the fabled figure that stood in front of them, Pit looked on in awe. He wasn't quite sure who this Hylia was, but she must've been important in Hyrulean history. He was ready to assist Link at a moment's notice- until, however, a familiar voice invaded his thoughts.
Pit!
The angel paled. "Uh-oh..."
Link glanced back at his friend's odd outburst. "What is it?"
"Lady Palutena's on our case," Pit said, wobbling nervously. "And I think Princess Zelda and Mario are with her. They don't sound very happy."
His eyes opened very wide then, and his muscles tensed. His wings drawing in visibly close to his body, the angel shivered. Link had never seen such terror in his face, not even during the Subspace War.
"No, Lady Palutena, you can't!" he cried, throwing his arms up. "I-I mean, that is to say, we're in the middle of something important. Sorry for shouting... Look, I know you're worried, but we're fine! I promise! Right, Link?"
Link blinked. "Uh... whatever you say."
Pit glanced upwards. "See? No! No, you can't join us! It's too dangerous here. I know you think that you're okay to fight now that you're in the tournament but that is so not the case. I'm supposed to protect you, remember? How can I do that if you're just throwing yourself into danger?"
Link cast a sidelong glance at Hylia. "The kid serves his own goddess," he explained, gesturing towards Pit, who was freaking out. "Right now she's communicating with him telepathically. I guess she's trying to find us."
Across the plaza, Pit froze. "Huh? 'If I can't come with you, I'll just retrieve you'? But, Lady Palutena-"
Suddenly, a bluish-white light surrounded the angel, much to his protest. The column of light extended, opening a portal upwards. Pit's wings began to shimmer with Palutena's blessing. The angel's feet lifted from the pavement.
Pit, not knowing what else to do, ripped his laurels from atop his tousled brown hair. The light dimmed, and the glow of flight faded from his wings. His cerulean eyes growing wide, he stared at the wreath in his hands as if he'd committed an unspeakable act. "Oh my gods, what have I done..."
"Pit, what-"
Link was cut off as the ground underneath his feet started to vibrate. He shot Pit a terrified look. "Remind me to never piss off Palutena."
"This isn't Lady Palutena," Pit clarified, trying to steady himself as the quivering grew more violent. It felt as if something had taken hold of the island from its bottom and shaken it like a snow globe.
Hylia's eyes snapped open. "No-"
She wasn't able to finish, however, as another wave more destructive than the first ripped through the island. Link and Pit were thrown to the ground, Hylia unaffected only due to her heavenly prowess. Even the Loftwing and the Lightning Unicorns staggered on the pavement, indignant at the intrusion. As the shaking subsided, Hylia looked at the two boys apprehensively. "Are you two all right?"
Link nodded, and turned to Pit. The angel had face-planted and looked otherwise unconscious except for the thumbs-up he stuck in the air. Link stumbled to his feet and glanced at Hylia. "W-What was that?"
"That," she whispered, "was Demise."
The ground shook again, and Link nearly fell, when the crimson Loftwing haphazardly flapped over to him. He found a stable footing with the bird, the hero throwing an arm around its shoulders to keep himself balanced. However, as he attempted to gather his bearings, stillness replaced the quakes with something much more eerie- a faint orange light that danced at the edge of his vision.
He was blinded. "What- argh!"
His world faded to black.