As the Twilight Fades

Author's note: This is a one shot of how I feel the Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess should have ended. First time writing and posting a story so I'm looking for reviews to improve future story styles! Please be constructive rather than just critical, but otherwise you'll either like it or you won't.

Disclaimer-I can only dream of owning Legend of Zelda and it's characters, but its owned by Nintendo so I'll just be writing stories about its characters

-Hyrule Field-

Lightning flashed overhead, the dark clouds ominous and foreboding as if awaiting disaster. Link wasn't paying attention to them, he focused on the imposing shadowy man in front of him. Despite being normally accepting and caring of all people, he couldn't help the twinge of hate in his chest for this monster who destroyed and ruined countless lives. And thru it all he had the audacity to smile and laugh at their anguish, even as he laughed now. Within the circle of magical barriers he could see the princess in his peripheral vision who could only gaze on helplessly, unable to break thru and aid the tired hero.

He was exhausted, after having battled the twisted controlled Zelda puppet , then battling a hulking behemoth in Link's own wolf form with Mid—

He cut off that line of thought before he fell to despair. While his precious imp friend and he were successful against the monster, the holder of the Triforce of power simply wouldn't die! He appeared again and in an act of selfless sacrifice she teleported the Hyrule princess and Link to safety outside the castle walls to take on the demon alone. He still recalled the horror of seeing the castle explode and seeing his greatest enemy appearing again horseback triumphantly raising the helmet of his beloved companion in his clutches. Even after defeating the demon again on horseback with the princess' help, once again Link found himself locked in within the demon's barriers where only one of them would leave alive.

They had been exchanging blows and dueling for who knows how long. To see the demon as adept with the glowing white sword as he was with his dark magics was almost despairing for the young hero. Sweat dripped down Link's face as his feral blue eyes remained fixed on the malicious golden eyes in front of him.

They circled each other, both wounded and bleeding in various places, but neither willing to back down. There was no escape from this fight, the ultimatum was finally here, the end of all things or the glimmer of hope shining forth.

Despite the wounds the demon, Ganondorf, smiled evilly at his opponent, still confident in the power he had taken for himself. But the hero didn't back down from such a penetrating gaze. Only anger and courage filled his heart and determination and fierce grit kept him going, despite how heavy his limbs felt.

The demon moved first, charging with a roar and and sweeping his long sword horizontally aiming to cut the hero in half. But Link's hard practiced reflexes allowed him to drop and roll under the gleaming blade and jump up hard while twisting his own sword to slice deeply into the demon's side. Caught off guard at such a bold move Ganondorf clutched at his side and paused in shock. Unrelenting, Link began a swift barrage of slices and cuts, each one connecting and biting thru both black armor and flesh.

Unable to move under an attack the villain could only look on as the green clad youth came in low for a heavy blow sweeping the master sword up, slicing from stomach to chin. The impact was so strong, Ganondorf flew onto his back collapsing on the ground. Without even a moment for recovery, the hero jumped high into the air with a battlecry and plunged his sword thru the glowing mass on Ganondorf's chest. The magical power of the blade of evil's bane released and destroyed the dark power locked within the demon.

For a moment everything froze; silence reigned in the air, only to be cut with a roar of rage and anguish. The demon's eyes, glowing with hate, landed onto the hero's calm and stoic face. Link climbed off of Ganondorf, leaving behind his Master sword. Thoughts racing, the demon stayed staring up at the sky trying to formulate a scheme to survive, but the sword had struck. It was no ordinary blade that remained inside him. It expelled all the evil power he had painstakingly gained in just a matter of moments, including his dark immortality.

Gritting his fanged teeth in pain, the demon staggered to his feet staring at the green-clad hero and the regal princess who had joined his side after the barriers dispelled. Breathing heavily, Ganondorf could feel his life ebbing away, blood and bile rising in his throat he issued one final threat.

"Do not think this ends here….." he gasped, "The history of light and shadow will be written in blood!"

With that final roar, he felt a huge snap, the sword cutting and separating his spinal column. Instead of collapsing, his legs locked up, his spine supported by the metal blade impaling him. Slowly his head dropped along with his eyes closing, exhaling his final breath of life before leaving this existence.

The defeated demon remained an eerie sight, the wind blowing his large dark cloak behind him; while the hero finally relaxed, nearly collapsing in exhaustion. It was done, they won. Such a bitter-sweet moment, the faces of all those who had been sacrificed to reach this victory flashed in his mind. His thoughts drifting towards his dearest friend, now gone, her crumbled stone hat lay in pieces in the field.

Zelda laid a consoling hand on the hero's shoulder, understanding to a degree the pain he must be going thru; though his stoic stone-face didn't betray any show of emotion at all. Zelda looked towards the sky, feeling tears well up in her eyes for the woman she had once shared a heart and soul with. With her gaze up to the sky, Link's sank to the ground, deep in thought on how to continue life now that the quest was over, struggling to stave off the gloom and sadness.

Haunting melodious music sounded thru the air, quietly at first but growing in strength. The sorrowful pair set their eyes to the top of the hill in front of them to see the four light spirits glowing in their now uninhibited glory, shining brightly for all to see. However what truly drew their attention was the small figure appearing in their midst, a small shadow contrasting the great shining light.

Shock ran thru Link's heart as the small figure seemed so familiar, while the glowing spirits departed. Hope raised in his heart as he began to walk forward, forgetful of the royalty behind him. The closer he drew the faster he walked, daring to hope, daring to dream that it could be true. He increased his pace until he began jogging, the small form becoming more clear to him as he ascended the hill. Heart racing at the almost certain recognition, he began sprinting. Higher and higher he climbed, able to see the black cloak covering the form, and a small burst of orange swaying in the wind on her head.

He finally reached her but stopped feet away, suddenly confused. The figure was larger than he remembered with dark clothes splaying out on the ground where she sat, back still turned to him. Slowly she rose from the ground, the dark cloak straightening. Link looked on with wide eyes as the figure kept standing, until she stood at least a head taller than himself. Slowly, almost cautiously, she turned to face him. His eyes grew even wider and his mouth began to open slowly in wonder.

This beautiful woman standing in front of him seemed familiar but so different. She had a long graceful hourglass body, her hooded cloak raised onto her head. Small clawed hands now were soft delicate ones surrounded by the glowing cyan markings rising up her forearms. Her once fiery and wild ponytail had since become smooth and shining hair, framing her face and tied together on her chest. Her skirt was tied to her hip, revealing one white leg covered in more cyan markings, while an unusual intricate crown adorned her head atop the hood, connecting down towards a detailed metal design adorning a large ruby on her forehead. Her face was lovely and thin, her straight nose sitting above luscious dark lips uplifted in a small smile.

Link stared into her eyes, one of the few things familiar to him, bright and yellow with warm glowing crimson irises. Surrounded by dark eye shadow those gorgeous eyes gazed at him, searching him as well, uncertain, as if almost nervous? Wary? She glanced past him, where Link could hear the sound of hooves; Zelda was riding Epona up towards them. Upon arriving Link heard the small gasp escaping the Princess; but he never tore his eyes from the woman before him, examining her, trying to decide whether it truly is her.

She returned the stare and for a minute there was only silence in the air. Then she finally spoke,

"What? Say something!" A voice no doubt deeper and more womanly, but all the more familiar and easily recognizable. Link's mouth dropped further in shock as the realization hit.

The smile grew on the woman's face, as she continued, "Am I so beautiful that you have no words left?" Amusement spread across her face.

He knew, without a doubt. It was her, she came back.

"Midna…..?" he questioned starting forward.

She folded her hands in front of her and blushed slightly, her smile broadening over her luscious lips, "Hello wolf-boy, did ya miss me?"

Link tried to walk forward but it was too much. His strength completely left him and he fell to his knees. She was there to him in an instant, concerned, hands grasping as she searched his injuries.

"Link! Are you ok? How bad are you hurt? Do you need some red potion? A fairy? Some milk?" she fretted over him. He could only stare in awe and shock

"You're alive?" he managed at last.

She cupped his face in her hands and looked directly into his eyes, "Yes Link, I'm here, I'm ok."

Suddenly the once held-back tears streamed from the Hero's eyes. He grasped her and embraced her fiercely sobbing, "I-I thought I had l-lost you! I th-thought I'd n-never see you a-again!"

She held him tightly, tears of her own coming forth as she soothed him, "I"m here Link. It's true, I'm alive. I thought I'd lost you too. Oh my little wolf, I'm here, I'm here. Oh my poor little wolf."

He continued to cry, tears of joy, tears of relief, tears of hope; pulling her so close she was seated onto his lap. She continued to hold him, stroking his unruly, dirty blonde hair; his green hat slipping and falling to the ground.

Zelda watched the heart-warming reunion between them, having to hold a hand to her own mouth to withhold her own sobs of joy while silent tears of happiness slid down her cheeks. She clung to Epona's neck for support, her heart and body warming at the sight of the two companions together again. She silently expressed her own gratitude and happiness that they were both well.

Link, shaking from his sobs, sat back to better view the Twili. Raising his hands, he touched her face and wiped away some of her tears while gazing upon her; a large smile was spread across his face.

"You're really here," he whispered simply, joy filling his heart and soul.

Laying her hands on the ones holding her face, she sniffed and smiled, "You didn't think you'd be able to get rid of me that easily did you? You still need someone to do everything so you don't end up hopelessly lost," she giggled.

He laughed and sighed, closing his eyes in relief while tears still slid down his face.

"Its true," he admitted, "I was hopelessly lost without you. I didn't know what I was going to do with you gone."

Pulling him back into her arms she started cooing and kissing him lightly on the top of his head.

"It's ok my little wolf, I"m here now," she kissed him again on the forehead, "You don't need to worry anymore, its all over."

She kissed him repeatedly on the cheeks, her lips brushing lightly over his skin. He calmed under the affections and the tears slowly began to stop. His hands rubbed across her back underneath the black hood, her heat warming his heart and soul. He opened his eyes and cupped a hand to her cheek while gazing lovingly into her eyes, stroking away a final tear from her cheek with his thumb.

She blushed, becoming even more lovely, her cheek color almost matching the color of her eyes. Slowly he raised himself up and pressed his lips to hers gently. Her soft lips tantalized his as they held the kiss, eyes closing in joy, while she wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him in and tilting her head to deepen the beautiful kiss. They remained there, kissing simply and affectionately, his arms wrapped around her back while she played with his hair.

They separated, resting their foreheads against each other and breathing heavily, heat rising in their cheeks. No words needed to be said, love emanated from them both. Midna slid her arms from atop Link's shoulders to underneath by his sides to hold him tightly again. As she tightened her arms around him he suddenly hissed in pain. Midna jolted back in surprise, and Link collapsed on the ground his face grimaced in pain and coughing profusely.

It was only then did Midna notice the multiple spots of red staining his green tunic where Ganondorf's sword had pierced thru his chainmail armor. In a panic, she climbed out of his lap and knelt by his side, unsure of what to do. In an instant Zelda was there, her hands held above the hero began to glow softly with green light. Almost instantly Link's coughing fits subsided and his face relaxed as he slipped into unconsciousness.

Midna struggled for words, eyes threatening to tear up again with fear and sadness, but she met Zelda's cool and calm gaze as the Triforce holder spoke, "He'll be ok, I've healed him to the point where he won't bleed anymore, but he's lost a lot of blood and is completely exhausted from the fights. Once we move him to a bed and give him rest, he'll recover just fine."

Midna sighed in relief, "Thank you," she replied simply.

Zelda grasped Midna's hand, "No. Thank YOU Midna. You've saved both the light and twilight realms from utter destruction."

Midna lowered her eyes to the unmoving Hero, "He deserves most of the credit, he's given everything to save our kingdoms."

Midna used her magic to levitate Link onto Epona's back where Zelda held onto him as she began to ride back to Castletown with Midna floating lightly in the air beside them. They had retrieved the Master sword and burned Ganondorf's corpse until nothing but ashes remained of the villain.

As they rode, Midna watched the hero as his head rested back onto Zelda's shoulder, unaware of the sun setting in the sky creating the reddish glow of the twilight hour, soon darkening into night.

This will be a 2 part story, unless reviews and requests say otherwise. The conclusion coming soon!

Just a couple of notes, the whole Zant cracking neck thing for Ganondorf to die made no sense to me whatsoever, so I adapted it to make a little more sense to me. Considering its my adaptation I figured I could get away with it XD

You can kind of see where I want to go with the ending, but you may be surprised how it plays out….wait and see! Please read and review! I'd love to improve my story writing! Please be constructive, not criticizing! Thanks!