Beginnings:

"I'm gonna be laaaate!" A green clad boy ran through the large castle town of, well, Castle Town. He ran, dodging, in and out between merchants with their colorful goods, the townsfolk seeking to buy those wonderful things, and the royals. Royals, come for the knighting ceremony to take place that very day... And for that very thing, the boy was late for.

Running as fast as he could, which was remarkable for his age mind you, he sped toward the grand castle settled neatly in the center of the town. Now here is a question for you, who would you fear more? A knight with a big pointy sword? Or, a petite princess? The knight, right? Nope.

'Zelda's going to kill me if I'm late! Again...' For the boy, you see, was one of the princess' closest friends, though that doesn't mean she wouldn't give him a earful if he was late... Again. Still running like a man on borrowed time, the boy dashed through the gates into the castle.

It was a sight to behold, the castle decorated for special events. The banisters connecting the six small towers to the main body of the castle were hung with a myriad of bright streamers. Grand wreaths of summer flowers hung over every doorway, and a grand stage sat in the middle of the spacious courtyard.

The boy took none of this into consideration, however, and simply ran through the largest doorway, right in the center of the main building. A glass window, equivalent to master piece, rapped 'round the throne room depicting the story of an ancient hero. The jewel of this room, however, was the young girl sitting idly on a majestic throne of oak and red velvet.

Light pink gloves covered delicate hands. A dress of the same color adorned her figure, and darker vest covering her torso. Gold ornaments held a small tapestry with the triforce outlined in red. Dandelion hair was held together with a golden crown and large, red bow. Soft blue eyes peered warmly at the boy in the green.

"So," the girl giggled as the green clad boy stumbled to a stop before her. "Late again, Link?"

The boy, Link, just gave a sheepish grin. "Not everyone is always on time, Zelda."

Zelda gave a small 'tsk tsk'. "How brave of you not to address me as 'princess' in my court."

That did it.

The two started to laugh like crazy and Link, still chuckling, gave the princess a rather mocking bow. "Soooo," he began. "Is the Captain here yet?"

The princess smiled. "Yes, he's here. And don't try to avoid him this time, okay? You are his protégé, not to mention his son."

Indeed, were you thinking that our hero here was receiving his knighthood today? Nope. Both Link and his father were knights at the castle. His father was captain, as you may have heard, and Link was... A freelancer of sorts. Taking part in training, but never in group-missions. Preferring to do-it-alone.

Link sighed. "Fine. But, only for today!" He laughed and stood, offering his arm to the beautiful girl. She took his arm with a giggle, and the two walked out back into the courtyard... Only to be pulled apart moments later by a very large, very familiar man in heavy armor.

"And where do you two think you're going?"

Link sighed. "Outside to look at the decorations?" He turned toward his captor, or rather his father. Tall and handsome, the captain of the hyrulean army was quite the looker for an older man. With a strong frame, well-meaning blue eyes, and soft brown hair with a few gray streaks, (which the princess insists Link gave him) he had that stare that could freeze you in a second. Don't think he's a bad father or anything though. Tough sure; but a good father figure to both Link and Zelda, who's own father and mother had died when she was just a tot. Links own mother had died at child-birth.

The man sighed, imitating his son. "Fine then, just no running off to the lake and coming back late again, okay?" The pair nodded and ran out the grand entrance. Well, fast-walked for the princess' case.

As they walked out the lieutenant of the hyrulean army, Valensuela, stepped into the room and glanced at his superior. "They're going to the lake again, aren't they?" he asked, chuckling.

The Captain sighed. "Of course."

As the two teens walked into the lavishly decorated courtyard, a tall man in a green tailcoat and matching hats placed on either side of his head stepped in front of the pair. "Ahh, my dear princess. How are you this very fine day?"

Ghostly thin hands took Zelda's delicate ones and brought them up to pale lips. A kiss, that lasted too long for either of the children's comfort, was planted on the princess' gloved fingers. It made Link feel sick.

"I am fine, Counselor Cole. Have you come for the ceremony today?"

Cole. Of course, how could Link have forgotten about Cole? The tall man always came for ceremonies simply to see Zelda. Always flirting with her and trying to find her...well, alone.

"Why yes, I have. And I cannot wait for your speech. I'm sure it will be quite...marvelous." He smiled, though to the two children it looked as though he was a snake about to swallow them whole.

It was then that Cole noticed Link, standing mere feet behind the princess. "Link." He said bitterly.

"Counselor Cole." Link said in return, bowing slightly... Not that he wanted to do so, but it was customary for the knights to give respect to the royals.

Cole sneered at the boy. The two never got along. Being that every time Cole came to the castle, he- what's the word- hit on Zelda. Link, being Zelda's closest friend, had always been by her side through these ordeals, and so he had grown to dislike the counselor.

Cole lost his cruel face as the Princess walked forward, towards the counselor. "If you do not mind, Counselor, Link and I really must be going."

The orange haired man smiled and it was quite...greedy. "Yes, of course, Your Highness."

It was then, that Link felt his stomach drop... then come back filled with rage.

Cole lunged forward, grabbing a hold of the princess' thin arm... and... (no other word for it) attacked her... He leaned forward, and an almost purple tongue poked out; slithering towards her lips.

You know, Zelda's pretty awesome sometimes.

Smack!

Cole stumbled back as Zelda smacked the lecherous man straight in the face, causing the almost monster-like tongue to retreat back into it's hole.

"Come, Link," She said, as she marched off; leaving a stunned Cole and a hurrying Link in her wake.

The pair of hylian children walked to the edge of the glittering surface of the lake. With light reflecting against the surface of the liquid, it created thousands upon thousands of shining diamonds which bounced off every living thing. Nestled in the soft, green grass the two enjoyed the quiet moment they shared; attempting to forget Cole's... attempt.

Zelda sighed, "Ah, I wish I didn't always have to be at the castle..."

Link just shrugged, "Well, we're here now. So let's enjoy it!"

He stood from his grassy seat and walked closer to the water's edge, peering down at his reflection. His honey blonde hair, blue eyes, and rather cheerful face stared back at him from the lake's surface. Many people said he looked like his mother, though Link couldn't remember her. His father had said she was the kindest woman you would ever meet; always kind and gentle. She was a beauty as well. He had inherited her honey blonde hair and bright blue eyes, and many said her personality. His father joked that the two could have been twins, being as they both were focused and motivated;though, sometimes needed a push in the right directio-

Shove!

A sudden push to Link's back caused the green child to stumble forward... And into the lake.

"Z-Zelda!" Link sputtered, standing from the water. "Now I'm gonna need to change before the ceremony!"

The girl in question was laughing her head off, though in a rather un-lady-like way. "S-sorry! Ha! It's was just the perfect moment!" She continued laughing.

Link growled in a playful way. "Come 'ere you!" He ran to the girl, who screamed as he lifted her off the ground and spun her 'round.

Zelda giggled, "Link! S-stop! Your all wet!" Laughing, the boy set the girl in the grass and she bombarded him with playful punches. The two thirteen-year-olds laughed as they ran back to the blue-roofed castle.

Soft-bristled grass passed through their splayed fingers. The soft, yet firm earth clung to their dampened shoes. The warm sun fell on their exposed skin, while the whispering wind whipped through their golden hair and Link's hat.

Still laughing, they ran through the castle's kitchen to avoid the princess being seen by the knights or any visiting royals. Which might lead to them questioning her status. Link, on the other hand, the staff and knights were quite used to seeing dirtied and wet.

They walked up the twisting service stairway and ducked into the corridor leading to the princess' chambers. A large four-poster sat in the middle of the room, red cloth draped across the banisters. An intricately carved desk was framed against a large window that faced the hustle and bustle of the town below.

The princess walked over to a large four-legged wardrobe and grabbed a fresh set of clothing. She turned and walked toward the restroom with the clothes. "Be right back. You have a spare tunic in dresser, right?"

Link nodded and grabbed the green cloth, which had been put there for emergencies such as this one, slipping it over his head as Zelda changed privately in her bath. The clothes fit like a glove, with the brown leather belt and the gold buckle holing everything in place. Zelda as well was dressed the same as before, although she looked a good deal fresher.

Link, for the second time that day, held his arm out to the young girl. "Shall we?"

Zelda held her hand up. "Just a sec." She walked to the desk and picked a long, thin package and handed it to Link. "I'm not suppose to give this to you 'till later, but I couldn't wait to see your face. Besides, you also might want to hold onto it for the ceremony, it would suit you."

Link took the package from his childhood friend and unwrapped it.

A sword. It was a sword.

"Surprise!" Zelda said, clasping her hands together and smiling. "I know your old sword broke during training one day, so I asked the blacksmiths to make it a useable replica of the four sword! That is our favorite legend after all."

Remember the stained glass window in the throne room?

'Long ago, the evil wind mage Vaati cast a pall of darkness and fear over all of Hyrule. A single hero appeared to rescue the maidens the mage kidnapped. When he drew his sword, the hero magically split into four. Together, the four heroes trapped Vaati and all his followers below a stone seal. The seal is hidden somewhere in Hyrule... Whilst the sword is hidden within the castle of Hyrule, and only appears once a year at the knighting ceremony.(1)

...The ceremony that is being held today.

Link inspected the sword, carefully. A almost silver blade rested tightly in an impressive gold hilt, wrapped in black cloth for a better grip. A round, green gem was inlaid on the bottom of the hilt.

"Your certain this isn't the Four Sword? It looks exactly like the elders described it! And they're so old they've actually seen the real sword."

Zelda laughed, causing the young hero to stop his inspection of the sword and stare at his friend. "Link, you do know the legend, right? You'll be able to see the real sword today! Remember? It appears once every hundred years, for the new men wishing to be knighted can only be-"

She was cut-off as Link continued her explanation. "They can only be knighted with the Four Sword, unless they have the blood of the Hylian Knights. Father always said I was lucky I didn't have to wait so long to get knighted as his grandfather did, who was knighted but then too old to fight!"

While Link sighed, exasperated, Zelda gave a small tee-hee from behind a gloved hand. "That's just like the captain, isn't it? Which reminds me, it's time to go!" With that, she grabbed the boy by the arm and started to tug the teen along with her.

As the two walked into open space of the courtyard, a small murmur ran through the crowd gathered there. Zelda smiled and walked over to her advisors, while Link stood by the other knights and his father.

"You two went to the lake again, didn't you?" the Captain asked, eyebrow raised.

His son just grinned, his new sword strapped to his back.

Link inspected the people gathered there, the townsfolk here to watch their monarch speak, the knights and trainees, waiting to be knighted... And the royals. Link's eyes locked onto Counselor Cole, sitting smugly among the other fancifully dressed people.

'The creep,' Link thought bitterly, remembering how the man had, well, hit on the princess that very day. How someone could think so highly of himself, and that everyone must think so as well, sickened Link. He hated people who thought they were better than everyone else. Zelda was never like that, always kind and sweet. She put up with annoying meetings and fancy dinners, or even ceremonies such as this, but always would fume in her room later. Though, Link would always listen when she wished. Always.

The boy's attention was brought back to earth as Zelda walked onto the stage and began to speak. "We welcome you here today for the knighting of these fine gentlemen here," she gestured to the rows of unarmored men. "So, without further ado, Colin, the sword please."

The sandy haired boy stepped forward and opened the thin case. A collective murmur ran through the crowd as the holder of the throne lifted the sword, that looked so like Link's own sword, out of the case and held it in her two hands.

But, as soon she was about to continue her speech, a high-pitched laugh cut her off, echoing through the courtyard. "Now then, what are you going to do with that, hmm?"

Suddenly, a woman in the crowd screamed as a black shadow passed over the crowd and launched itself at the princess. In a flash, the Four sword was snatched from her hands as she stumbled backwards. A knight- the top knight, Artura, no doubt- swung his mighty sword at the shadow. But before the sword could make contact with the mist-like substance, a second shadow appeared and took solid form.

Cole.

Cole hovered high above the crowed, a sinister grin spread across his face.

"Counselor?!" Zelda gasped, stepping back slightly.

Cole started laughing maniacally. His fingers grew into long talons, hats popped off to reveal dragon-like horns, and pale skin turned an almost green color as fangs pressed against lips; smiling. "Surprised, Dear Princess? But as I said; what do you plan to do with that sword, eh?"

'Cole, evil?' Link thought. 'Could've guessed that one.'

"Why?" the girl asked, bravely, glaring at the creature as guards started to make their way to defend the monarch. "What do you want with us?"

Cole glanced at the mass of armor making its way toward the golden haired girl. "Tch, don't waste your time." He waved his hand in the direction of the army and a swirling wall of energy formed, blocking the men from advancing. "But to answer your question, girl, all I need is that sword there."

"And you plan to take it yourself?" Zelda asked, slowly backing away, gripping the sword tightly in her hands.

Cole laughed again, his hand dripping with dark power. "Oh, no." The dark field holding the knights back dropped; however, as this happened, and dark ovals appeared in the ground of the courtyard. "I plan to let them take it."

Shadowy figures emerged from the portals, taking on monstrous forms and launching themselves at the armored men.

Link dashed forward, now being freed from the restraint of the dark wall, slashing through the vague forms of the monsters, his new sword draining the life-force from the monsters and making them disintegrate.

Link ran towards the dragon-like form of Cole as the monster prepared to throw another swirling sphere. As the boy slashed at the once-nobleman, who made no attempt to dodge, a smile crossed his disintegrating form.

"Heh, too late~"

Link then saw the globe of energy drop at his feet, creating another dark portal.

"Go!" Cole screeched, clawed hand pointed toward the princess. "Retrieve the sword!"

A purple shadow leapt up from the pool of darkness and launched itself towards the future queen. It swung a clawed hand toward the girl and though it did not harm the girl, it did grab the powerful... dangerous...sacred Four Sword.

Link ran as fast as he could. The monster was now advancing on the princess, sword tightly held in its clawed palm.

"Zelda!" Link shouted as he skidded to a halt in between the two. The shadowy figure paused for only a moment before advancing slowly forward once again.

"Li-link..." Zelda stuttered. She gripped his tunic's sleeve tightly as they backed away slowly as the shadow crept forward. "Link you have to save the other maidens from three other providences! Then, maybe you can-"

A cackle suddenly cut the girl off, as the shadow suddenly jumped... Over the head of the young hero and grabbed the princess from behind, pulling her away from the green boy. Zelda screamed as she tried to fight off her attacker, who just chuckled and held her 'cross her throat.

"Let her go!" Link said, stabbing his sword toward the shadowy mass.

Would you believe that he hit it? And would believe what form the creature took?

"Li-link?! H-how?!"

Indeed. Link himself stood behind the princess, although the color palate of the boy had turned completely flip-side. A dark tunic fitted his body, complete with a swirling (gravity defying) black hat nestled in dark purple hair. A red earring was fitted to the end of his tapered ear. The most noticeable difference, however, was the blood red eyes that glinted maliciously along with a devious smile, showing rather fang-like teeth.

Zelda looked back and forth between the two Links blinking in surprise. "How? Who are you?!"

Link nodded, brandishing his sword. "I'd like to know that too."

(I just want to say: Everyone else at this time, were still fighting monsters. Just so you know.)

The creature that looked so much like the young knight laughed, pointed teeth sticking out his mouth. "Ha! Don't you know? I'm the hero, Link. Just as yourself."

"M-myself!?" Link stuttered, confused.

The shadow laughed at the boy's confusion, grinning evilly. "To put it so you can understand, I'm your shadow. Your living reflection in the dark world."

"Lorule..." Zelda muttered, still held tight in the Shadow Link's grasp. "That's where you're from, Vaati's domain." She turned, as much as she could being restrained, and screamed to the boy. "Link! You have to find the other maidens! They'll tell you what to do. And find the other elemen-"

The shadow growled, "That's enough out of you! Goodbye, hero!" Link ran forward to try and catch the monster, but to no avail. The shadowed boy disappeared with a dark energy, with the screaming princess in hand.

She was gone. Just gone.

A/N: hope you enjoyed. Read/Enjoy that's all I want... I don't own... A lot of FS manga references. Next chapter soon...

(1): slightly modified version of the FS legend in my version of the manga... it sorta fell apart at the end -.-'