Lynx: So all you lovelies who read Innocence of Children…please don't kill me! (Ducks behind desk) I know I told you all I was only revamping the first few chapters, but as I was going over them all I could think was, "What the hell was I on when I came up with this plot?" I felt like it didn't have a lot of depth or creativity to it. So I got to thinking how I could improve the plot…and this is what I came up with. I really, really hope you all like the changes just as much as I do because I've poured everything I've learned about writing into this. If you don't though, then I'm sorry and I hope you can find another story you enjoy. As for new readers, welcome! It's great to have you!

Link: You're rambling.

Lynx: Shh! One is only rambling if what they're saying isn't important, and everything I have to say is.

Link: In some demented alternate dimension maybe.

Lynx: ….Ass….

Link: Thank you.

Lynx: (pouts) Whatever. Anyways enjoy, R&R or don't, and may your life be fantastic!

Warnings: Insanity, eventual torture, OCs, swearing, gore, violence, yaoi (I think you all expect this from me by now), awesomeness, and if there's anything else I'll add it later.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything other than what originated from my own mind. Unfortunately that does not include Legend of Zelda or Fire Emblem. (sighs in utter despondency)

Lying Forgotten: Prologue

Giggling as he darted between the legs of adults, Marth wove his way deeper into the festival and farther away from his escort. All around him people were laughing, shouting; sellers were hawking their wares in an attempt to get potential customers to come nearer to their booths. Marth couldn't stop himself from ogling all the different races: Gorons, Zoras, Hylians, and Gerudo interspersed by the occasional human who'd traveled to be here. One in all though, they had happy expressions on their faces as they reveled in the warm, spring night.

It was the Festival of the Goddesses, held annually to celebrate the three deities the races of Hyrule believed created the world. This was Marth's first time attending; it was actually his first time visiting Hyrule ever. The fact that he was only nine years old and his father already thought him old enough to accompany him on diplomatic trips made him swell with pride. Elice had been eleven before she gotten to go on a trip with Father.

The only thing which was marring his happiness in coming with his father was the number of guards that had been ordered to watch him. Honestly, he was perfectly capable of taking care of himself. So he'd ditched his security as soon as he could. How could he enjoy a festival if he had a ring of people blocking his view?

He dodged down a side alley between two stores along the market square of Castletown, emerging on the other side into a street crowded by dancing revelers. He wiggled between gaps in the shifting mass, making his way over to the other edge. He entered a fairly clear space just in front of a booth; lifting up on tip-toe he peeked over the side so he could stare wide eyed at the colorful masks on top.

"Hello there, young man," the woman overseeing the booth greeted him jovially, smiling as she spread her hands over her mask, "are you looking to be from the legends this fine evening?"

Marth blinked up at her, his eyebrows climbing up his forehead, "From legend?"

The woman chuckled at his question, gesturing to the festival around them, "Well of course. That's what this festival is; a night when we remember the legends that created our world." Pointing to one, a grinning gold fox mask, she explained, "This here is a Keaton, a ghost fox. They are said to be fond of riddles, enjoy giving gifts to children, and they are able to hide in plain sight."

Touching a finger to the mask, Marth laughed happily, "It's cute."

"That it is," the woman grinned at him then glanced down the street, "why don't you head on that way? I know there's a stage on along and I heard they'll be telling the Legend of the Hero tonight. I think you'll like that one."

Face lighting up, Marth's heels thumped back on the ground, "Really? Thanks ma'am!" Without waiting another moment, Marth took off down the street in the direction the woman had indicated. It took him only a little searching to find the stage which was starting to fill with chattering festival goers. Hastily Marth dashed up the center aisle and took a seat on the front bench near the center of the stage.

Ten minutes later the benches were full and the lights on the stage had dimmed. Excitement was bubbling up in Marth's stomach; giggles had him pressing a hand to his mouth to try and stifle them. All around a hush fell over the crowd, even on the children younger than him.

A male Hylian came traipsing out; his raven black hair done in messy spikes which emphasized his pointed ears tapering along the curve of his head. Unconsciously Marth fingered his own round ears, but his attention was riveted to the Hylian as he swept an elaborate bow, "Welcome ladies and gents. My name is Vaiden and I want to thank you for taking time from your evening to hear me tell my tale."

Straightening, Vaiden smiled charmingly out at the audience, "So I'm sure all of you are aware I'll be telling the Legend of the Hero this fine night, a tale close to all our hearts here in the great country of Hyrule. Our heroes have kept the world safe for time untold, their noble hearts infused with Farore's courage." With a flourish Vaiden produced a tall, black wood staff from mid-air and thumped it against the stage, "So without further ado I will begin."

Long ago, before the world had been formed, three golden goddesses descended upon the chaotic land. Din, the Goddess of Power, Nayru, the Goddess of Wisdom and Farore, the Goddess of Courage, were the names of these three golden goddesses.

Din, with her strong, fire-bathed arms, shaped the land to create the earth. Nayru poured her boundless wisdom onto the earth to give the spirit of the law to the world. Farore's rich, abundant soul created all life forms who would uphold the law.

When they were done with their work, the three great goddesses returned to the heavens, leaving behind the golden sacred Triforce. The Triforce was sealed in the Sacred Realm connected to Hyrule.

The legends say that whoever holds the Triforce can make their wishes come true, but one must have the perfect balance between the three forces: Power, Wisdom, and Courage. If someone without the right balance lays his or her hand on the Triforce, it will split into three pieces. The one touching the Triforce will hold the force that he or she most believes in, and the two other parts will be given to persons chosen by destiny to carry the Triforce-part that they represent. The persons who carry the Triforce or a part of it can be recognized by the Triforce symbol on their hands.

"It is well-known that our beloved queen carries the Tri-Force piece of Wisdom. Many believe the Tri-Force is the reason our kingdom has been so prosperous since the Renovation." Vaiden smiled, looking over his shoulder where Marth knew the castle rose over the town. Everyone in the audience followed Vaiden's gaze, their eyes filling with patriotic fervor.

The Goddesses, in all their all-knowing power, foresaw the need for a protector of the Tri-Force, since such great power always draws those with less than benign intentions. So they crafted a soul, infused with Farore's courage, Nayru's steady patience and Din's unwavering determination to guard the Tri-Force through all time.

Thus was how the Hero came to be, our shield against the evil of this world. Now, whenever the world enters danger, the Hero is chosen among our people and they step forward to fight. In every age a Hero has stepped forward to defend this world, without fail. This is the Legend of the Hero…

Marth stopped listening, his imagination caught by the idea of a hero chosen by goddesses to protect everyone. Oh, someone so brave, who would sacrifice themselves to stop evil from ruining everything. Plus, if he could believe this tale-teller, these heroes actually lived in every age where they appeared to fight off evil.

Abruptly excitement thundered through Marth and he shot to his feet as he blurted, "Does that mean there's a hero right now?"

Everyone went deathly silent, Vaiden staring flat-eyed at Marth from his spot on the stage. Shrinking in on himself, Marth glanced nervously around the crowd. He didn't know why everyone was so put-out by his question, but they were.

Up on the stage Vaiden took a deep breath, lifting his hand to make a soothing gesture, "He obviously is ignorant of what happened and he's only a child. No need to be angry with a boy." Hands dropping, Vaiden looked at Marth, "What is your name?"

Looking up through his lashes, he answered, "Marth, sir."

Vaiden didn't smile at him, face serious, "Marth son, if there's one thing you take away from here I want it to be this. Never again mention the−−" here Vaiden's mouth twisted in a grimace, "hero of this age. He wasn't… well-looked upon. Besides the hero of this age is dead, and there's no use in thinking on dead. Do you understand?"

Marth nodded hastily, his eyes wide with shock and disbelief. Giving a small nod back, Vaiden tugged his cloak closer around him. Then, sweeping his eyes over the crowd, he returned to his legend as if he had never stopped. Marth didn't bother to continue listening, instead slipping away back into the rest of the festival. He realized that he no longer had any wish to take part in merry-making, so he turned toward the castle. As he trudged back to his father and the inevitable lecture he would receive for dodging his guards, his curiosity about the hero tickled at the back of his mind.

This hero…how did he die and why?

Lynx: Well, here's the new prologue. I don't know how good it is, but it does its intended job. So ya, anyways this is what has become of Innocence. There will be elements that are the same but I've changed quite a bit. I hope all you readers like it, especially those who liked the old Innocence. By the by, if you happened to read it, what did ya'll think of the summary? Out of curiosity on my part.

Link: You're pathetic, I hope you know that.

Lynx: Better than you could ever know.

Link: Good. Then my work is done.

Lynx: (flips him off) Asswad.