Okay, a new story, so please tell me what you think!
Valisa
I swung my legs over the side of the tree branch, glaring at the forest below. It was a beautiful day, if I had cared, with the sun shining bright in a clear blue sky and green leaves of every shade covering the trees. Everything looked so...happy. And that was what was irritating me.
Well, one of them.
At the giggle of children I groaned and lay down on the branch, tucking my legs in. I was too high up to be noticed, and easily camouflaged in the leaves, but I didn't want to be spotted, even by pathetic children.
I flopped on my stomach and looked down at them, bored out of my mind. Finally, I was free, yet I still couldn't do anything worth while. What a waste. Stuck, hiding in trees and underneath roots when I should be ruling the people I was hiding from. Damn her!
I hated this form. No, I loathed it. So weak, the barest amount of magic contained in this tiny body could do nothing more than defend me against any creatures I could not run from. She had taken it from me, but I would get it back. All I needed was a little time, and I would be powerful enough. Either that, or a strong magical occurrence...
"C'mon, we're gonna be late!" The children were almost below me, and I could now see them. The one closest was a boy of twelve, at the most, with short brown hair, dressed in a cheap green tunic. The girl behind him was younger, perhaps eight, and had long brown hair, wearing a pink dress and fake tiara. She laughed excitedly and chased after who I assumed was her brother. I growled quietly at their innocence and happiness.
"Hurry up!" The boy said, grabbing the girls hand and tugging her along the path, "We don't want to miss the Picori Festival!"
My ears perked at these words, interest renewed. Did I hear right? Picori Festival? Impossible...
I smirked and stood up as they ran out of sight. This world definitely wasn't the one I came from, I could tell just from the feel of the wind, but it certainly was similar. I hopped down from the tall tree, letting myself drop until I was close to the ground. I moved my hand in a circular movement, creating a pocket of air to slow me down.
The moment my feet lightly touched the ground I walked forward. I knew this area, if it was true that this place corresponded with my own, and I could also sense it nearby. I moved faster to compensate for my tiny steps, even mere grass stalks towering over me. Not much longer.
I had cut the skirt long ago when I first came here, stitching it into a set of baggy trousers instead to allow easier movement. I had lost my cap and shoes and never bothered to comb my hair, shortening it however when it grew past my waist so it was now a short bob. I had loved my long, lavender hair, but when I was human again I could change it instantly. My once purple robes were ragged and torn, so mud-splattered that they were now a dark brown shade.
I entered the clearing and glanced around. I was right about the near identicalness; there was a tree stump in the middle of the otherwise empty clearing, a large crack visible from where I stood. I headed towards it, checking for any other living creatures. When I was at the side I could see a round tunnel in the stump which I entered.
The interior was exactly as I remembered it, three mushrooms, each higher than the other, with a ring carved into the floor around it. Using puffs of air I climbed to the top on, then leaped straight upwards muttering the spell at the magic's strongest point.
"Kcab em nrut ot ytiliba eht evah flesym ylno tel dna, mrof namuh ym ot em nruter." I added the last words to ensure she could never turn me back again.
Immediately I grew in height mid-jump, until I landed softly on the tree stump. I laughed and stretched my muscles to their limit, relishing the height and strength.
I felt so powerful! The raw strength coursed through my veins, ten-fold on what it had been in my Minish body, and now I would never have to return to it.
For the mere exhilaration of it, I blasted a ring of pure wind around me. It travelled at least a hundred metres, destroying the peaceful forest and uprooting or slicing trees clean in half. The birds silenced in their irritating chirping, and I heard a quiet scream in the distance. Maybe I had caught one of those children? No matter.
I lifted a ball of water from a puddle beside me, that had before seemed as large as a lake, and froze it in a long rectangular shape. I may be a Wind Mage, but that did not mean I could not control some of the other elements, though I was weaker in those aspects.
My reflection smirked back at me, as I observed my new appearance. I had swapped the brown leggings for indigo, slimming on my thin legs. The purple tunic ended just above my knees and a gold belt pulled it tighter to my waist. Instead of sandals as I had worn before, dark purple boots covered my feet, much more practical. My restored cloak was pinned together on my right shoulder with a gold broach adorning a swirling pattern, symbolising air, and silky hair reached my waist, billowing behind me in an unnatural wind. The cap had been discarded, my fringe covering my right eye and bangs framing the violet-tinted face. Blood red eyes stood out against the pale pallor, and the curved T-shape that I had been born with was tattooed below them. A sword was now attached to my belt, even if I did not know how to use one it may come in useful, and I had learnt a few things from watching her. The sheath was a simple dark purple, and the handle was a lighter shade with a winged guard.
I let the mirror shatter on the ground before turning left, towards the castle. In my week here I had learned it was called Hyrule Castle, and the land I was in was Hyrule. Another strange similarity.
This time I wouldn't underestimate anyone. But nor would I overestimate, either. I knew now to never trust anyone, except myself, allies weren't worth having when I could be so easily betrayed. I had trusted Ezla, and where did that leave me? Sealed in the Sacred Realm for at least two years before somehow appearing in this place, alone and vulnerable. I would never be vulnerable again.
The basic plan was to have my revenge, but I needed some way back to execute this. I knew that the Royal family always had strong magic, perhaps they had the potential to do this. One way to find out.
I strode into the town, gritting my teeth at the familiar scene. Streamers hung from the large bell ringing from my right, and balloons rose at random intervals. Laughing children and adults watched the performers at the sides of the paved street, cheering on even a plate spinner. How could they call that a talent?
Some crowded around merchants selling various goods at stalls, and flowers filled most of my line of sight. Many of the children were dressed in the costumes the girl and boy had been wearing; green tunic and hat, and a princess dress. A few gawked at me as I walked past, but what surprised me most was that the stares where not hostile in the least. Almost...in awe?
I shook myself (mentally) and chose to ignore them, following the path to the castle. The houses on either side ended and the area opened up to a cliff, the castle built onto its edge. I could hear the many people inside cheering and the faint clash of a sword, then louder cheering.
Talk about déjà vu.
The audience sat on stands surrounding the arena, kept back by a stone wall. A set of stairs led to the arena, blocked by two guards, who were grinning and applauding with the crowd. It seemed the fight had just ended, as one man was being stretchered off whilst the other simply stood. I couldn't see their figures very well from this distance, but I could see the winner was wearing green. My anger rose.
With a yell lightning exploded from my finger, sending the guards flying. An audible gasp came from the crowd as they silenced their cheering, and I stormed forwards into the ring. I was amused when a few other guards attempted to stop me, but they where taken care of with a simple flick of my wrist.
"Tell me where the princess is." I demanded of the green garbed boy, I could now see. Passing unnoticed through a town, I had spied on two children talking about the princess of Hyrule.
"Who wants to know?" He raised his head and took a step back, and I could see the confusion in his blue eyes mirrored in my own. It can't be...
He was an exact copy of Lina; dressed in a short green tunic and sock-like hat. Messy blonde hair slightly covered pointed ears, a black belt loosely around his waist and brown boots on his feet. His sword arm wavered as he took in my own appearance, and it looked almost like he recognized me.
"Link, what-" A girl ran forward, and I knew she was the princess, yet I couldn't bring myself to act from the shock. Again, she was almost a clone, apart from her gender and clothes. A female Prince Zeld stood beside 'Link', the only contrasts longer blonde hair and an elegant dress and tiara, her face rounder and figure slimmer. But that was not what surprised me most.
A boy had run over with her, freezing when he saw me close up. He was around sixteen, the same age as myself and the other two. His lavender hair was just past his shoulders, and he wore brown leggings underneath a purple tunic with brown sandals. It was almost like looking into a mirror before I was sealed, except for his boyish figure and the cap he still wore, though the gem was gone.
Whilst I was distracted ten guards launched themselves at me, pinning my body to the ground. I growled, frustrated, until one of them ordered the others to take me to the dungeon. A free ticket inside the castle. Idiots.
I let them drag me inside after binding my hands, though I would easily be able to break free. I struggled to keep a smirk off my face as they boasted amongst themselves of how easy it was to capture me, since most of the town had seen my assault on the other guards. They will regret underestimating me.
They threw me inside a dank cell, slamming the steel door behind me. It was the typical barred door with a plain stone room visible on the other side where a guard stood watch. My sword was sitting on the table beside him, and I revelled at their stupidity. They had seen me preform devastating magic, although it really wasn't that testing, yet they dismiss me like a common thief.
I burned the ropes off my wrists and sat more comfortably, allowing my mind to attempt to sort the confusing information I had gained. This land, Hyrule, was a near replica of Hyrulia with a few minor changes. There were doubles of Lina, Prince Zeld and myself, with the genders altered, and names it seemed for at least Lina/Link. However, my male clone appeared to be on their side, so their personalities obviously weren't correct.
But first, how was I going to convince the princess to teleport me to Hyrulia? Kidnapping could work, but I wasn't too keen on turning her to stone again. Too much trouble, especially when I would have to turn the rest of the castle occupants to stone also. I wondered if my wind palace existed here, though if everything was reversed, the boy would own it. But he probably had no need, seeing as he was with the hero and princess.
Traitor. You would never see me joining the side of 'good', as they said. Claiming you were good seemed to give you reason to do anything you wanted, at least I admitted I was evil.
The best thing to do, it seemed, was to escape, check the layout of the castle, go to my palace and return at the right moment. I had never really explored Hyrulia Castle, so it would most likely help if I knew my way around. I had no need for the cap this time, after discovering I could be a powerful sorceress without it. The cap allowed me to realize this though, so I guess the damn thing did have some use.
"You highness! What are you doing here?"
I looked over at the guard, who was now standing at the entrance to the cell block. In front of him was the princess and the two boys, Link glaring fiercely at me.
"We would like to speak with the prisoner." She replied, crossing the room. The flustered guard opened my cell for her, Link entering first with his sword drawn. The other boy raised his hands in threat, not that it had any effect on me.
"Now, who are you?" The princess asked, keeping a safe distance away. Should I tell them? It couldn't do much harm, I suppose, since I would be leaving soon anyway. Maybe they would also give their names, so I wouldn't have to keep calling them clones.
"And why do you look like me?" The boy asked quietly, stepping forwards. He seemed the least aggressive of the three, curiosity painted on his face.
I considered answering, then looked over at the guard still stood at the door. I nodded my head in his direction, keeping my eyes on the princess, who seemed to understand.
"Please leave." She ordered, and the guard complied. I relaxed only a little, suspiciously watching Link as he turned sideways and spoke seemingly to no-one.
"Shadow, can you guard the doors?" I raised an eyebrow, questioning his sanity.
"Fine." I kept my expression blank at the low grumble. Links shadow stretched upwards and solidified, forming yet another clone, but this one barely looked like Lina, though a near duplicate of Link. He wore a black tunic, boots and hat, with a white undershirt and leggings. His hair was black and his skin was paler than Links, red eyes regarding me. 'Shadow', as Link called him stepped over to the door, blocking it. I'd read about shadow beings in a book somewhere, I'm sure, and they usually tended to be against their light. Could this place get any odder?
"Answer!" Link shouted, pointing his sword to my throat. I calmly pushed the tip of the sword away with my finger, rolling my eyes at his impatience.
"My name is Valisa." I said, shifting so that my knees were drawn up to my chest and I was leaning against the wall. "As for why I look like you," I turned slightly to my clone, "I have no idea."
I thought it best for the honest approach, at least while it suited me.
"Why did you attack us?" the princess looked surprised that I had answered willingly.
"Technically I didn't attack you, just the guards." I glanced at the door the guard had through, "They're pathetic, by the way."
I swear I heard purple boy, as he would be nick-named until I knew his actual name, snigger.
"Well, what do you want with Zelda?" Link asked. So that was her name, Zelda. Not much variation from Zeld.
"Why would I tell you that? Are the bad guys pathetic here too?" Purple boy stiffened when I said this, "I guess so."
"Hey, leave Vaati alone!" Shadow defended. Vaati? At least it wasn't so similar to Valisa, compared to Link/Lina and Zelda/Zeld.
"So you joined them, hmm? You wouldn't find me backing down so easy." I jumped to my feet, causing Link to take an involuntary step back, "See you around."
"You're not going anywhere until we get some answers." Link said, him and the others aiming their weapons or magic threateningly.
"Good bye." I waved, smirking, then closed my eyes. I allowed the wind to seep into my body, separating each cell into tiny particles. I didn't use this way of transport very often, as the feeling was both strange and uncomfortable, but it sufficed for quick getaways. I would have to put that castle tour off, since Vaati would be able to detect me, but it was not too important anyway.
This will be easy.
