Darkness/Shadow/Twilight Smears the Ground

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Zelda walked silently through the darkened streets, occasionally pausing to pet a small dog or cat that wandered up to the hem of her skirt and robe. It had been a good three years since the Twilight had corrupted the land of Light. And a good three years since the Twilight Princess, Midna, had last seen her old friends. Or maybe they weren't still friends. Maybe they were just old acquaintances that knew one another for a short amount of time, only to leave in the end.

Zelda looked up at the sky, praying to the Goddesses that her land would remain with hope. In the distance, war cries could be heard, the sound of clashing swords, neighing horses, and crying men along side of it. Zelda blinked before looking back at her feet in sorrow.

For two long years now, Hyrule had been at war, and the results had been devastating. All soldiers, guards, and men old enough to use a sword were sent into war, meaning that elders and women were to guard the lands. But because of their weaker state, more people were killed and monsters began roaming the once peaceful lands. If everything continued the way it did, Hyrule would fall with no doubt. Zelda looked around the small alleyway before leaning back onto one of the walls. "You can come out," she whispered softly.

There was a small creak from one of the roofs and a dark figured appeared before the princess, landing on the ground gracefully and soundlessly. Zelda nodded to it and closed her eyes. The way things were… Zelda could do nothing but the hates of the Royal Council. To hire a warrior. They said that war funds were already low and that if they spent it on traveling soldiers or warriors, the conditions of Hyrule would be even worse. Although what they said was true, hiring one or two warriors could not hurt. So that is what she did. She hired a warrior to fight in the war, and so far, the warrior had not failed her. Yet.

"Princess, some of your men are plotting to move ahead and find the general of Taphrow and kill him by themselves. They purposely did not report this to you."

"How do they plan on carrying out this task?" Zelda asked coolly.

"In the midst of the war, three or four of the men are to sneak to the outskirts of the fields, near the cliff hanging. News has spread that the general will be climbing up the cliffside to observe the battle from there. He is supposedly going to camp there for a night and on that night, the men will sneak up the cliff and execute the general." The figure paused and began to replay the men's conversations in his head. "From what I have heard, Princess, they haven't a clue how they are going to get up the cliff, kill the general, or even manage to get through alive for that matter."

Zelda bit her lip. As much as their plan was badly thought out and it was as good as suicide, they couldn't die in the troubled times they were currently. All strength was needed to fight. And to throw their lives away during war was idiotic and irrational.

"I will attempt to stop this if you wish, Princess," the figure offered.

"No, no. If they succeed, Taphrow's soldiers will be lost without a leader and we will be able to recover, even if they decide to launch a second attack."

"And if they fail?"

Zelda frowned. "Then we have lost soldiers in war. It is to be expected. But-"

"Don't you think that it is unrighteous if they disobey their Princess's word?" the figure interrupted.

"What is your name again?" Zelda asked.

"You may call me, Shadow, Your Highness…"

"Shadow, well, yes, it would be wrong if they did not follow my word, but it would also be wrong if they didn't even try to save their land." She smiled at Shadow who was trying his hardest to not speak the words on his mind. 'You are a crazy ruler,' Shadow would probably say to her. But still, it was true, no matter what she thought. "Shadow," Zelda said softly, "how long do you think you will serve me? I do not know how much longer I will be able to pay you for your services."

Shadow blinked and turned away. "Your payments are not necessary, Princess. I am of Hyrule, so no payment is needed. I am simply doing this for the sake of this ancient land."

Zelda took in a deep, shaky breath and nodded. "Thank you."

"And, Princess, if you truly desire your land to be saved, I can do something that will turn this war around."

"What is it?"

Shadow raised his head in the air, almost as if he were trying to force himself to agree to whatever. "I cannot say right now, for you will see eventually, but I must warn you that I will not be able to serve you for quite some time… So, in my place, may I suggest that you put your general into war? Disguise him with some other garb so he is unrecognizable. Cut his hair, purposely dye his skin. I know what I ask of you is risky, but it will help your kingdom as I go elsewhere for help. And if I fail, and your general is left in battle, I will offer myself as a sacrifice to the Taphrow so they will leave this land in peace once more."

Zelda closed her eyes once more before nodding. "I thank you… Although the Council will ask why I send him into battle, I will somehow manage to mislead them. I thank you again…"

Shadow bowed low before heading away. "I will follow you back to the castle." He jumped up onto the rooftops, his figure blending in with the starless sky.

Zelda nodded to him as she walked through the streets, listening to her feet tap lightly on the cold, stone ground. She began wondering if sending her general into war was a good thing. But, it had to be, right? There was no other option but to do so. If what Shadow said was true, then her general would be sent into war. Her general… Her Link…

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A/N: That is my prologue to this new story. I just wanted to get this out here already because I have had this idea for ages, so if I were you I wouldn't expect an update anytime soon. Sorry! I do accept all kinds of critizem, just nothing too harsh, okay? Thanks. And I hope you enjoyed this small prologue to my new story. And if you know what characters I like from Zelda, you will know who is in this.

Review are like love~!