Disclaimer: I do not own the Legend of Zelda series or any of its characters. This was not made for any profit, except for my(and hopefully your) enjoyment.

A/N: I won't waste too much time ranting here, but this is a 'sequel' to Twilight Princess, I wouldn't recommend reading it if you have not beat the game and really want to without spoilers. And it's rated T so I have freedom to do what I want.

Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
When the Shadow Returns
Prolouge

"Has Link come back yet?" Colin asked one afternoon, bobbing after Ilia. He already knew the answer, but it didn't hurt to ask. Everyone was worried about him, now that he and the other children returned. There was nothing else to worry about. They didn't even know exactly what was going on. They weren't even observers. But one thing was obvious: Link was a hero.

"No.." she whispered, the hand clutched in the middle of her chest only tightening, "No sign of him..." She winced, and turned away from the younger boy. Colin only nodded. He needed to be strong, for everyone, especially Ilia.

"Ilia..." he said softly, trying to think of something to comfort her with, but to no avail.

"I..." she started, clenching her teeth, "I... I bet he's running Epona too hard! The poor thing's probably tired and hurt! He's... He's so careless... He doesn't notice that he hurts the things that are just trying to help." The blonde blinked, glancing at Colin, before biting her lower lip. He only smiled back at her, nodding.

"He'll be back," he assured her for what seemed the hundredth time, "This is his home. We're like his family." She opened her mouth to protest, but turned away from the boy, muttering a word of farewell and turning back to her home. He frowned. That wasn't what he wanted to happen. If he were as strong as Link, he could've comforted her.

---

"All hail Princess Zelda!" a soldier bellowed as the gates to the castle were opened, and soldiers started pouring out, all looking stern, as they were supposed to. Townspeople stopped and turned. While their princess leaving was nothing new, something was different today. They stared at the carriage that slowly lurched forward, marked with the royal family's crest.

"Why does our princess have the curtains drawn?" one of the minstrals asked his companions, "She has always had her window open to greet the people as she passed.."

"Perhaps she is ill," a man suggested to his date, turning in his chair to watch them leave.

"Where are they going?" a child asked, pulling on his mother's skirt, pouting.

"They are heading west," the mother said, mostly to herself, "Maybe she is going to visit those horrid Zoras."

"Make way!" the Captain of the Guard shouted, glancing behind him. Her Majesty had asked for this trip out of the blue, and right before dusk. What was she planning?

From inside the carriage, Princess Zelda gritted her teeth, glancing out of the window, only pulling enough for her to peek out. She was upsetting her people with her abnormalty. But she could not greet them. Not now. She glanced at her right hand, before wincing, and dropping the curtains.

---

Colin frowned, sitting on top of the hill above Fado's house. He had never been inside, as it was always locked, but eventually his curiosity about it had just died down. If he would never see inside it, why bother worrying about it? He sighed, and rested his chin on his knees, staring longingly at the pond. Dusk had just left, but he refused to return home. Another day, no sign of Link. Everyone was starting to lose hope, he could tell. Besides, if he went home he would just be bombarded with requests from his parents and the cries of his new baby sister. No, he would stay out here for at least a bit longer. The darkness held no power over him.

He had started to nod off when he heard it. It was so familiar, so he barely moved when the vibrations reached his ears. But then he processed what that sound was, and he snapped up, glancing around frantically. It had to be. It definately was the sound of a horse trotting. Could he really be?

"Link! Link!" he shouted, jumping off of the hill, rolling once he reached the end. Link had taught him that. But he wasted no time in congradulating himself on his wonderful preformance, and just continued racing towards the house that had been empty for far too long.

"Link! You're back! It's been so long!" He kept shouting like a madman, stopping when he actually caught sight of his old idol. He stopped, unable to move or speak, and just watched as he slowly trotted up to Epona's 'spot', hopping off her. The older boy sighed, before stopping, seeing Colin for the first time. He blinked, before offering a weak smile. No words had to be spoken.

"Link!" Colin cried, feeling more childish than he had ever since he had been kidnapped. But he didn't care. "You're finally home! We've all missed you! Especially... especially Ilia.."

Link blinked, before nodding, and waving goodnight, heading for his ladder. Of course! Link would be tired from his heroism! He would need his rest. But... something just seemed... off about the hero.

"You... You'll see everyone tomorrow, right?" he mumbled, his eyes downcast, "We've all missed you. You're like family, Link."

This made the hero stop, turn, and regard Colin with sad eyes. He opened his mouth, but closed, and climbed up the ladder, opening the door. The younger boy just nodded, and turned to go, until he blinked, seeing something flying towards him. He stopped, barely catching it before falling backwords. He was now holding a charm Ilia had made for Link. He hastily looked up.

The hero just grinned, gave the other a thumbs up, and walked inside, closing the door. Colin grinned back. Link was back. But... giving up this charm? It was like... giving up Epona. Why would he do something like that?

---

"Princess Zelda..." the young ruler said, acknowleding her with a small bow before sitting back down on his throne, "To what do I owe this honor?"

"I am looking for Queen Rutela. My business is with her, Prince Ralis," the blonde princess said softly.

"You haven't heard?" Ralis whispered, his eyes suddenly hard, "My mother has been executed by monsters, and I have taken her place and ruler. Whatever business you might have had with her shall be directed to me."

"Then I have no business," Princess Zelda declared, "I apologize, but I must return to my castle." And, without another word, she left, leaving behind quite a few confused Zora.

---

"Link! Welcome home!"

That was what the hero heard the whole day, even by people who had already said it. Everyone was joyful, and they even planned a party for his return. Colin smiled as he watched Link wander through the village, speaking to everyone. But he could tell it was awkward. His movements were new, almost afraid of this place. As if it didn't suit him anymore. But that would be impossible. Everyone needed him here. He had to adjust!

"Link!" Ilia cried, rushing from her home to grab the boy in an embrace. She buried her face in his back, as he stood there, as if frozen. "Link... I missed you so much!"

Colin watched breathlessly at the scene. Would Link reject her? Did he perhaps find someone special out there? Poor Ilia! But instead, Link simply pulled away from her, turned to face her, and grabbed her, pulling her into his arms. A few words were exchanged that Colin did not see, but he was still smiling, nonetheless. Link wasn't going to leave. That was impossible.

---

"Your Majesty?" the Captain of the Guards asked hesitantly, knocking on the princess' bedroom door. He would not be permitted to enter. As far as he knew, no one was, but he could still converse with her. There was no response. He frowned, before knocking again. She was definately in there, he knew it. She had been acting odd for awhile now, and he wanted answers. They had known each other for awhile, and he might even consider them friends.

"Princess, I know you're in there," he said, exasperated. Why was she being so difficult?

"Go away!" a cry finally came from inside the room, "Just go away! Leave me in peace!" The man scowled, wishing she would open up, but turned and left. That girl was stubborn, however beautiful and gentle.

---

Princess Zelda covered her mouth, shaking her head. Her knees buckled, and she plopped down onto her bed, feeling sick. It was wrong. This couldn't be happening. It was impossible!

"W... why...?" she stuttered, staring at her right hand, her 'mark' glowing through her glove. But something was wrong. Instead of just one of the triangles glowing in a comforting light, the top, the Triforce of Power, also spoke its presence. Gannondorf was dead, Link had seen to that, so obviously the Triforce of Power had to have gone somewhere, but to choose her?

But, there was more. It wasn't just the Triforce of Power, she knew. There was something else, something darker, also invading her mind and body. A taint. One so familiar yet so unknown. Her head snapped up, and she found herself staring at her reflection. Her skin was becoming more and more pale. The essence of Gannondorf lived on... inside of her.

Warning: This is just Author Rant. Really.

A/N: Eh, just an idea I had. I like the idea, though, and hope to see it through, regardless of reviews, hits, favorites, or anything like that. I wrote it to fill the void after I beat Twilight Princess. It wasn't the worst ending ever, but it just felt incomplete. I didn't want to rewrite it, though, so I just wrote a sequel. I loved fighting Ganon and Puppet Zelda. (Oh, the memories of OoT.) Also, for LoZ, I don't really love one certain shipping(pairing), and I support Link/Zelda, although I do like others. (Like Link/Malon. And Link/Ilia.) Although, the only that kind of struck me as 'Eeer...no.' was Link/Midna. I dunno why. I don't hate it, but I prefer others. Well, I'm done ranting. Sorry I've done so much of it.

Can I get opinions? I'm not going to say "I want at least 20 good reviews until I update!!! Rawr!" Really, why bother? If people don't like it and want to tell me why, they're entitled to their opinion. And I shouldn't be writing so people love me. I should write because I love it. (Oops. 'Nother rant. I'm done now.)