A/N: So I've been reading for a while now, but never got the chance to actually write. I also never reviewed, as you can tell by the age of my account. But I think I've done you all a favor by avoiding that since I'm a huge grammar Nazi. But that's besides the point.

Anyways, the reason I started writing now of all times is because I've been going through some tough times. This fic is mostly a vent for my frustrations and an attempt at convincing myself that stuff will turn out fine (as I plan to make it in the fic). So the atmosphere of the story will be kind of dark and/or gloomy at times. Think Twilight Princess's art style, but in text form!

Now with school and stuff, I might be busy, but you can expect an update at least once a week unless I say so in an A/N. I already have the beginning and the end of the story worked out, as well as some twists in the middle.

EDIT: OH MY GOSH I FORGOT TO DO THIS:
I do not own The Legend of Zelda or any related characters. This story is written purely for the amusement of myself and my readers. Please don't sue me.

So without further ado, I present to you: The Pen.

Dawn of the Final Day.

"MEEEEEEEP! MEEEEEEEP! MEEEEEEEP!"

I rubbed my eyes groggily as I sat up to look at my "alarm clock".

"MEEEEEEEP! MEEEEEEEP! MEEEEEEEP!"

I glared at my pet rock, the Gossip Stone. It was a round, gray stone that stood upright. It had a piercing eye carved into the front, where I focused my glare. "Can't you at least pick the same sound every day?" I slapped the stone forcefully to shut it up.

"BOINNG! BOINNG! The current time is 07:17. You're gonna be late for school, Link."

"I can get ready in ten minutes, no problem," I retorted, stuffing my face back into my pillow.

"Come on, Link. Today's your last day. Just hang in there, buddy."

"Fine," I sighed, dragging my feet out of bed.

I made my way over to the bathroom, where I brushed my teeth. I splashed water over my face, hoping it would clear the fog from my eyes. No luck. As usual. I walked back into my room and pulled off my white T-shirt and my navy blue shorts, discarding them onto the bed. I replaced them with a green T-shirt with three triangles printed on the front, and a plain pair of brown shorts. I slipped on my favorite green jacket, even though it was almost summer. I then proceeded to half-fall down the stairs.

"Aryll! Time to get up!" My little sister ran down the stairs and straight past me to the kitchen.

"'Hoy, Big Brother!" she said cheerfully. Dear goddesses, this girl was energetic. She was like some ungodly hybrid between a night owl and an early bird, while I was a cross between a day owl and a late bird. And I was the one who was supposed to take care of her. Ah, well. Not like anybody else was gonna do it.

I walked into the kitchen in time to watch Aryll pour her cereal into a bowl of milk. Yes, milk first, like a crazy person. I stole the box after she finished misusing it and poured myself a bowl of cereal before dousing it in milk. I ate silently, listening with little interest to Aryll go on about how it was summer tomorrow, and about how she would have so much fun with her friends, and about how she was going to cut so much grass and save up for a new phone. When we were done, I rinsed the bowls off. I slung my shield-print backpack and replica sword over my shoulder and we headed out. I dropped Aryll off at her elementary school on the way to my middle school. I walked into class the exact moment the bell rang.

"Link! Late again! Tsk, tsk, tsk," scolded Ms. Campbell, my Ancient Hylian teacher. Dragmire and his goons snickered. Goddesses, she was frustrating. I don't even know how she managed to get a teaching job. As for Ganondorf Dragmire, he and his goons have been harassing me since the beginning of time. It was really frustrating because all my teachers somehow liked him better than me. Yeah, go pick the loud, disruptive, asshole of a kid as your favorite, why don't you. I couldn't even do anything about it since there were four of them and I couldn't draw my weapon on school property. I could probably take on any one of them too. Zant was a short little shit, Vaati was pretty much a living noodle, and Ghirahim was a creepy goth kid who strutted. Ugh, gross. The only issue might be Ganondorf himself, but I'm sure I could take him on without his goons backing him up.

Nobody could see it, but I was absolutely seething. I didn't bother saying anything, opting to make a beeline for my seat in the near back corner.

The next five periods were a complete waste of time. Nobody speaks Ancient Hylian anymore, math is really easy at this level, I'm undefeated in the ring for our fencing unit, and I already knew every single bit of history there was to learn. The only thing I did that was mildly productive was eat my lunch.

I sighed as I joined the stampede out of the school. I was finally done with this goddess-forsaken school.

"Hey, nerd!" Except for that. I drew my sword and hid in the bushes as Dragmire and his goons came through, obviously looking to give me a black eye or two. Zant was the only one who saw me, but I dragged him into the bush and hit him atop the head with the hilt of my blade. Nothing lethal, but enough to silence him while I made my escape.

By the time I got to Aryll's school, her friends were basically having a party. She waved when she saw me. "'Hoy, Big Brother! Mind if I go with my friends to the party? I know the way home, I promise!"

"Sure," I replied. "It'll give me some personal time."

She whooped and ran off with her friends. "Be sure to be back before sundown!" I yelled after her. I sighed, finishing my walk home alone.

As soon as I got home, I ran up to my room and opened my Quest Log. It was a giant green tome that was bigger than the top of my nightstand and thicker than Ganondorf's skull. It had the words "QUEST LOG 1" printed on the front cover in dark letters. I unsheathed my favorite pen from its spot on the inside front cover of the Log. It was modeled after a really nice sword: It had an ornate blue hilt with wing-like protrusions and a handle that acted as the clicker. The rest of the pen looked like a shining silver blade, with the occasional nook for grip and the ballpoint coming out the tip. I smiled and started writing.

Well, today sucked, but at least it's over. I've got the entire summer without having to worry about anything. Almost makes me like life again. I really hope next year is different. I don't know what I'll do if I have to go through another year of this. But I guess that'll come when it comes.

Life just feels really empty right now. I don't have any friends, everyone hates me, and nobody wants to talk to me about anything serious. Heck, the only reason I stayed is that Aryll needs me. I just wish there was somebody I could truly confide in.

I felt a tear in my eye, so I sheathed the pen and closed the Quest Log. Time to sleep I guess. I glanced over at my Gossip Stone. "Don't wake me up tomorrow."

A/N: Surprise! No Zelda in the first chapter! Bet you guys weren't expecting that one, eh? Don't worry though, Link's love interest will come in soon enough. I just want to spend a bit of time developing Link's character and the situation before stuff gets crazy. The current plan is that we meet Zelda in Chapter 3, and I don't plan on changing that.

Also, I really don't want to do an OC, but the way the story is in my head, I might have to. If anybody has an idea for a friendly rival for Link, tell me. I don't really want to use Groose because of the way he creeps on Zelda in the game, but I can't think of another rival who's not also an antagonist.

And for those curious, no I am not just finishing middle school. This is just character development for Link. Real events will probably go up to around Link's late high school years, depending on how long I take to write this. Fairy tales start after that.

Oh, but where are my manners? Here's the obligatory conclusion of THANKS FOR READING, R&R if you time! I promise the A/N won't be as lengthy next chapter, I just had a lot to say with this being the first chapter and all.