(A/N: Yes, this is gender bent! everyone's gender is appropriately switched and the names are changed to the best of my ability. But I decided to keep Link and Epona's name—It just felt right. Yes, there are some changes to the characters, but don't worry! There is a reason for everything. Okay! Please enjoy and review!)
A single shape slinked through the Twilight world, the once lovely land of Hyrule. It was blending into the realm of shadows perfectly, as if it had been made there. And indeed it had. The blob of shadow traversed the ghostly land, expertly slithering past phantom trees and shrubbery, and soon reached a large, looming castle, drenched in darkness and empty save for the floating souls of its once physical inhabitants. The shadow scaled a parapet wall and jumped over the battlements, coming face to face with a hooded figure.
"Prince Zelderon," The shadow hissed in greeting. Even though its voice was a mere whisper, it still conveyed a teasing, impish tone through its soft voice.
"Midas," The hooded figure answered, its own voice clear and firm.
The shadow bulked and twisted in reply, rising from its lowly place at the figure's feet until it towered over the figure, now taking the form of a well muscled man, a stone mask with horns hiding the top half of his face, but cracked and worn with age so that a single red eye sparkled from under the stone. Large, glossy, black horns curled out of the back of his head, etched with ancient Hylian script in a glowing blue color. They were nested in what seemed to be hair of fire. It glowed with a fury, illuminating the space around the two figures as they stood on the parapet, curling and flickering from his mask like a large tail of flame, ending in a large, clawed hand. The hand flexed and bared its claws at the figure as if it were trying to intimidate it. The shadow man's skin seemed smooth—much like the texture of a human man's—and was colored a ghostly blue-gray color, iridescent and interrupted by swirls of black and electric, glowing blue tattoos. He was dressed in curling robes of shadow, made of what looked like black smoke. They spilled from his broad, muscled shoulders and fell to the ground, seeming to create a pool of shadow around his bare, blue-gray feet, one foot painted completely in black tattoo. Beneath his cloak of black mists, he was completely unabashed in his nakedness, for clothing was not something those of the Twilight concerned themselves with. He wore his shadow robes out of respect and courtesy for his...acquaintance as they stood there on the castle wall, but what he failed to realize was that the only thing that he really needed to cover was bared to the world. His uncovered male anatomy swayed obviously when he moved, much to the figure's disgruntled disgust.
"How are you this fine evening?" The shadow called Midas drawled, leaning forward in an unrestrained bow before leaning back on the battlements, crossing his arms across his broad chest.
"Don't act like you actually care," The hooded figure hissed, its face still concealed in darkness.
"Oh, I'm wounded, dear Zeldy," The shadow man gasped in mock hurt, placing a clawed hand on his chest before breaking the facade and snickering evilly.
"I told you not to call me that."
"And I told you, that I'd do what I please."
There was silence for a moment while the two glared at one another.
Prince Zelderon was the one to break the silence, however. "Have you found her yet?" He asked.
"The chosen one? Of course. Now it is just a matter of getting her here," Midas replied, absentmindedly looking out at the surrounding Twilight as he twiddled his thumbs.
The hooded prince hissed his disapproval. "Where?" He bit out.
"Ordon Village," the shadow man breathed, seeming to relish the feel of the words on his tongue. He grinned evilly, his sharp, fanged teeth glistening in the Twilight he called home.
"What a beautiful day, isn't it?" A rugged and fit woman asked from her place beside the spring in Faron Woods. "You've been very helpful to me lately," She added before turning to her younger companion. "And now, I have a favor to ask. Can you help me?"
The younger woman turned to look at her elder and smiled. "Of course, Rue," The young woman said.
"You haven't been to Hyrule yet, have you?" The woman asked.
"Nope," The girl chuckled nervously, running a hand through her shaggy crop of blonde hair.
"Well, I need you to deliver a special sword to Hyrule castle. Can you do that for me?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Ha! If you're lucky, you might even meet prince Zelderon!"
The two laughed together at the absurdity of the notion. How could a small, rugged, slight and coarse little ranch hand named Link ever meet the legendary Prince Zelderon?