Gameoner here, presenting chapter 1 of The Hylian King. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I essentially own nothing.
Once upon a time, biomechanical creatures like Toa, Turaga, and Matoran lived in a world among Hylians and Nightopians. The ruler of this land, Mata Nui, learned the legend of the Triforce from the Hylians. Knowing he wasn't going to live forever, he sent out a search party to find a bearer of the Triforce and bring him or her to his fortress. Two orphaned babies were found, an boy bearing the Triforce of Courage and a girl bearing the Triforce of Wisdom. Mata Nui and his mate Kiina adopted the boy and had him presented to the populace, while the girl was taken in by a Shiekah named Impa. It was a day celebrated by all.
All but one.
A tiny mouse scrambled across the red stone floor of the cave, sniffing around. It paused and lifted its head, sniffing curiously. Then it frantically tried to scurry away.
But, too late.
A black, clawed hand like the talons of a bird of prey swooped down and snatched the helpless tiny creature up, dangling it by its tail. A pair of red eyes behind a black mask passively watched it struggle.
"Life's not fair, is it?" he mused. "You see, I will never be king." He twisted his hand so the mouse's feet touched it and allowed it to scramble in a vain attempt to escape. "And you," he continued in mild amusement, catching it by the tail as it tried to jump off. "Will not live to see another day anew." He held it up and prepared to eat it.
"Did no one teach you not to play with your food?"
The powerful biomechanical being looked down with disdain at the brown owl. "What do you want?" he asked with a short sigh, drawing the mouse into his fist, its constantly twitching tail the only indication it was still alive.
"I am here to announce that the great Mata Nui is on his way," Owl announced grandly. "So you had better have a good excuse for missing the ceremony this morning, Makuta."
The mouse finally escaped its captor's claws and fled. "Oh, now look at that, Owl, you've made me lose my lunch," Makuta said mournfully.
"Hoo, you'll lose much more than that when the king is through with you," Owl snapped, "He's angry as a Nightmaren being tickled by Nightopians—"
Makuta rolled his eyes. "I quiver with fear," the last word was slightly distorted as his eyes took on a disturbing gleam.
Owl cleared his throat and stammered, "N-Now, d-don't you look at me like that… h-h-HELLLLLP!"
A massive hand made of shadows engulfed him as he tried to fly away. Makuta smiled darkly and prepared to absorb the irritating bird.
"MAKUTA!"
"Yes?" Makuta turned guiltily, trying to hide the hand and arm from the view of his brother.
Mata Nui's scowl deepened. "Release him."
Owl's head popped out between two fingers. "Impeccable timing, your majesty."
Makuta reluctantly dropped Owl and allowed the shadow arm to dissipate. Owl perched on Mata Nui's shoulder and shuddered. "Hoo!"
"Why, if it isn't my brother descending from on high to mingle with commoners," Makuta greeted sarcastically.
Mata Nui ignored it. "Kiina and I didn't see you at the presentation of the Hylian child."
Makuta feigned dismay. "That was today? Oh, I feel simply awful," he moaned and scraped his foreclaws against the rock, creating a high-pitched screech that caused Owl to grimace. Makuta approved his sharpened claws and remarked casually, "Must have slipped my mind."
Owl scoffed and flew up to lecture Makuta. "Yes, well, slippery as your mind is, as the king's brother, you should have been the first in line!" Makuta snapped his claws together, and Owl quickly retreated behind Mata Nui's legs.
"Oh, I was first in line," he replied. "Until the little fleshbag showed up."
"That 'fleshbag' is now my son," Mata Nui corrected him. "And your future king!"
"Oh, then I shall go practice bowing and scraping before a fleshling," Makuta turned away.
"Don't you turn your back on ME, Makuta!"
"Oh, no, Mata Nui. Perhaps you shouldn't turn your back on me."
Mata Nui was in front of him in a moment, sword in hand. "Is that a challenge?" he asked threateningly.
"Now, now, temper," Makuta mock-soothed. "I would hardly think of challenging you."
"Pity, that," Owl muttered from the floor. "Why not?"
Makuta smirked down at the bird. "Self-preservation, in a word." He stepped around his brother and exited.
Owl shook his head and perched on Mata Nui's shoulder. "One in every family," he muttered.
Mata Nui sighed. "What am I going to do with him?"
Owl perked up. "I daresay, he'd make a lovely ceiling decoration."
"Owl!" Mata Nui admonished him, though he couldn't hide a smile.
That night, the rain fell softly. Inside his hidden tree-hut, Turaga Matau worked on carving a picture of the little pointy-eared boy adopted by Mata Nui. He smiled and chuckled softly, dipping his metal fingers in the substance he had anointed the child with. He lifted his hand and drew a long stripe along the picture's brow, saying the boy's name as he did.
"Link."
Yeah, I'm just doing this thing for the fun of it. XD I like reviews, but no flames, please.