Hi, everyone! I'm back with chapter 2 of my fanfiction. I'm really happy with how positive a response this has gotten so that was enough to make me work faster on this chapter to get it out to you sooner. Thank you so much for that. I don't know if it's as good as the first one, but hopefully it can get a passing grade from you guys. This is where the AU elements come into play, because like I said this is ST but with a lot of AU elements so don't chuck wild cuccoos at me for this. Meet me in the AN at the bottom for more information later, but for now, Enjoy!

Chapter 2 - A Dark Trip

Link returned to the bustling city that lay before the castle and was once again almost overwhelmed by the energy of life in Castle Town. This place was the polar opposite of the seaside community, Outset village, where he'd grown up. Outset Village was a small, very laid-back kind of place where everybody went about a routine life at their own pace, nothing much ever happened - even the arrival of the postman was an event in itself. To Link this was a startling change of pace, but he had to admit he liked this better somehow. He'd always felt a little too cooped up in Outset, though he did love his home dearly. While he had been thinking that, Link's feet had led him back to the fountain in the town square.

After apologising to the little kids who'd run over inviting him to play again, Link sat down at drier side of the fountain and pulled out the neat envelope, looking at it with both wonder and disbelief. Why did he even have this? He'd stored it away earlier along with his certificate and other items in what people called his "endless pouch". He turned it over in his hands before carefully prying up the flap and breaking the wax seal. Tentatively, he pulled out the neatly folded up piece of parchment and unfurled it. He couldn't help the smile that tugged at his lips when he saw the hastily written, but still somehow neat and cursive words that adorned the once blank page in dark green ink. It looked like the Princess had been in a hurry when she had written it, but most probably the lessons she'd been taught since a young age had prevented her from writing sloppily like most common folk would have done. Besides, the hasty writing made sense if her secrecy during the ceremony was anything to go by. It seemed like she didn't want anyone to even have an inkling of the fact that she was contacting anyone outside the castle walls. Why him though? What could the princess of the entire kingdom of New Hyrule want with him, a newly-minted train engineer? He could only hope that this letter (though it would be more accurate to refer to it as a note) would shed some light on that. The letter read:

To our newest royal engineer (hopefully, I'll know your name by now),

I have a favour I must ask of you in person. Follow this secret path on the second floor roof of the castle and you'll find your way to my study (I've drawn a rough map for guidance at the back). Please come as soon as you can and don't let anyone see you.

Princess Zelda.

Link turned the parchment around per the Princess's instructions and, true to her word, the princess had drawn a rather detailed (this was what she called rough?!) map on the back with instructions how to get to her rooms undetected. She seemed to be a really thorough person. Link studied the map before looking back up at the castle. He found the second floor balcony after a moment of searching. Well, this much he could do, although getting past the guards would require a bit of quick thinking, something that he was thankfully quite adept at. The teen stood up, replacing the letter back in the envelope and tucking it back away into his pouch. He headed towards the castle again, hoping against hope that Alfonzo wouldn't kill him for this. Farore protect him from that man's wrath.

===LOZ: JAH===

Zelda was both nervous and excited. She knew what she had asked and was about to ask of the young engineer was by no means easy, but she was in desperate need of his assistance. She didn't know when or if she would get another chance again, besides there was something about him...Something so familiar that it made her breath hitch when she'd first seen him kneeling in the throne room. Why? Why did she have the feeling like she knew him and knew him well? They'd never said a word to each other before today! It was all very frustrating to the young princess. She took a deep breath before launching into the gentle melody she was playing on the pan flutes again, trying to hide her anxiety. Regardless of his familiarity to her, what she was planning was dangerous, especially with Chancellor Cole's interference, but she had faith. Faith that he would come to her aid, faith that she could trust him with this, faith that he would believe her, faith that everything would turn out at least marginally okay. If her Hyrule and it's people were safe then she could put up with her Council, Chancellor Cole and the paperwork a bit longer. Her father was due back in a short while, too. She was Princess Zelda Nohansen Hyrule, the great-granddaughter of the former pirate captain and late Queen Tetra, she could deal with this. With those thoughts in mind, Zelda switched to a softer tune, one she had been familiar with since she'd been an infant. It had used to be her lullaby.

As Zelda lost herself in the melody, she nearly but not completely failed to hear the soft tap of boots against the carpet. Someone was here. Judging by the location the sound had come from, she had hope that it was Link, but she had to be ready in case. Finishing the final few notes, Zelda lowered the pan flutes and turned around. She felt a bright smile break out across her face when she saw that it was indeed him who stood there, with a soft smile on his face. It occurred to the princess only a moment later that he'd caught her practicing. Well, that was a bit embarrassing though she did have some measure of confidence in her playing. Those thoughts, however, did nothing to temper the happy smile on her face:

"I'm so glad you made it, Link",- she looked around uncertainly,-"did any of the guards see you on the way here?"

He shook his head:

"No, I believe they didn't, Your Highness. Although you might want to have someone examine security around here - in my opinion they seem to be lacking, that is if I can be so bold. No offence intended."

Zelda couldn't help a small laugh from bubbling past her lips:

"None taken. Did the passage I pointed out prove useful?"

"Very. Thank you, Princess."

She smiled, her fingers curling around the pan flutes reflexively:

"It seemed to be the least I could do to help you on your way. Now, I'm hoping you can help me, Link."

She carefully set down the pan flutes back onto their pedestal before walking over to the open window and closing it quietly. Only after doing that and making sure the door was locked, did Zelda move to stand in front of the young engineer. She looked at him seriously, interlacing her fingers before her:

"I have a favour to ask of you."

Zelda took a deep breath before continuing to speak, seeing that he was watching her attentively but with a mix of confusion and uncertainty in his cobalt blue eyes:

"As you know, the Tower of Spirits has protected our kingdom for ages. Probably even before it's foundation. The tower connects all the spirit tracks that criss-cross the land",-Zelda frowned,"-However, for some reason, they seem to be vanishing from everywhere. Something must have happened at the tower to cause all this. I must go there to ..."

Link picked up where she trailed off, the look in his eyes serious:

"So you want me to take you there."

Zelda nodded, both uncertain and hopeful at the same time:

"Yes. Would you please take me to the Tower of Spirits?"

Just as Link opened his mouth to say something Zelda hurried to explain her reasoning, determined to convince him of the necessity of this:

"I've heard tales of a wise one who guards our land and lives in the tower. Perhaps she might be able to shed some light on what's happening. The spirit tracks can't just start disappearing for no reason..."

Zelda trailed off, troubled. To her surprise, Link spoke up in agreement with her:

"That's exactly what I thought, too, Your Highness. But what about Chancellor Cole?"

Zelda frowned, annoyance flickering across her face and her hands folding in front of her chest, all lessons of princess-like behaviour going out of the window. She explained:

"Chancellor Cole forbids me from leaving the castle due to "safety concerns". I think he just doesn't want me going to the tower though. But why?",-Zelda's eyebrows drew together as she grew thoughtful and uneasy-", It's clear he's hiding something."

The atmosphere in the room was getting oppressive and while Link understood that Zelda's concerns were perfectly warranted, having seem the Chancellor himself, he couldn't stop himself from trying to add a bit of levity into the air:

"Of course. Like how his two hats stay on his head? Seriously, your Highness, how does he keep not one, but two, hats on his head?! It must be against the laws of nature somewhere."

Link could see the spark of amusement in the Princess's eyes, but for the sake of the previous conversation she tried to remain serious:

"That too. I have this feeling that something terrible is about to happen and those reoccurring dreams about a darkness on the rise don't help matters...That's why I must absolutely get to the tower! So-"

Link cut the Princess off right there and nodded:

"Alright, your Highness. I need no further convincing."

Zelda looked at the boy hopefully:

"So you'll take me there on your train?"

Link confirmed her hope with another dip of his head:

"I'll take you there on the train. "

Zelda beamed:

"Thank you so much, Link."

The Princess moved behind her desk and out of the lower drawers drew a small pile of green clothes, holding them out to Link all the while smiling confidently:

"Alright, please put this on right away. It's a recruit uniform. The guards are starting their patrols, so getting past them won't be easy, but if you wear this, they'll think you're one of them! This way we won't have much trouble getting past them!"

Link took the clothes he was handed and nodded. They seemed hauntingly familiar too, maybe because they matched the guard's uniform. Why was everything, the Princess included, reminding him of something he couldn't place today? It had rarely ever happened before. Link cleared his throat and turned to look at the Princess who was watching him expectantly:

"Um, your Highness, I do need to change so..."

Zelda's cheeks flushed with colour and her long ears grew bright red, she instantly turned right around to Link's mild amusement. Embarrassed, she stammered:

"Oh, I-I'm sorry! I'll look this way. But please do hurry."

Link did as she said quickly changing into the recruit's uniform. It consisted of a white-green shirt, a green tunic, a belt with the symbol of Farore on it, brown leather boots, white pants-things and a cap. He glanced in the mirror that stood behind him as he finished folding up his previous clothes while the Princess remained resolutely interested in the mantelpiece above her furnace. Link felt his breath catch. His mind was assaulted with images he couldn't place.

He stood before the headmaster Gaepora, promising to find his daughter on the strange surface world, dressed in the newest knight uniform, absently glad that it wasn't yellow like Pipin's, but mostly glad that it was made of durable material. He was determined to find his best friend.

The images shifted...

He looked similar like his child self had, but now these clothes that he wore were slightly different. The light sage, Rauru, was telling him that he had slept for seven years. He was surprised, but that did nothing to hamper his determination to find her...

Once more the pictures changed as though he was looking into a kaleidoscope instead of a mirror...

His grandmother was handing him the uncomfortably warm clothes on his birthday, telling him he'd finally reached the age of the Hero of the legends. He definitely didn't want to put them on what with the hot weather, but seeing as she had stayed up night in a row to finish making them for him, he felt liked he definitely owed her that much.

And then Link was back in the present, trying to keep his balance by grabbing onto the nearest object. Hearing him stumble, Zelda instinctively whirled around and was once again struck with the strangest feeling. It was like images of the past, of a past she'd never gone through were being poured into her head, images of him, of Link.

Impa stood beside her, holding her back, reminding her of her duty. She wanted desperately to go to him, they'd just met up again after all. This was unfair! She hadn't expected to see him in the Knight uniform, but it definitely suited him. Hylia's memories told her he looked remarkably like her first chosen...

Different images took the place of the first ones...

He stood before her again, seven years later. He was no longer the little boy she'd met in the palace courtyard, but he was almost a man now. She'd stolen those seven years from him... He smiled at her like usual however, seemingly happy to see her again. She's missed him, her one true friend...The clothes on him looked a little different, but yet remarkably familiar all the same...

The scenery shifted once more...

Falling down from a tree branch after being saved from a bunch of monster's by a boy was not her preferred method of making an entrance. Gah, who was the kid anyway? What was with that getup?! It looked uncomfortably warm and naggingly familiar at the same time. She was not in the mood for mind games and why was he looking at her like that?!

Zelda snapped back to reality to find herself holding onto Link's arms as he'd rushed to steady her when she'd stumbled, her legs failing her. What exactly was going on? Why had she seen different versions of Link in each of them and she'd felt different in every one too? He was looking down at her in concern as she tried to regain her bearings:

"Your Highness, are you alright?"

Zelda hurried to stand up straight and nod, forcing a smile:

"I'm perfectly fine. Thank you. Those clothes suit you."

Link took a step back, away from her and looked a little embarrassed at the compliment, the tips of his pointy ears turning pink:

"Thank you, Princess. We should probably get moving then?"

Zelda's mind returned right back to the task at hand, pushing the strange event to the back of her mind:

"Right, before the guards find us!"

As they both snuck out of her room, Zelda couldn't help but wonder what in the name of the Three Golden Goddesses that had been. Little did she know, Link's thoughts were following along the same route. However, they had more important things to focus on...

===LOZ: JAH===

As soon as Link and Zelda had snuck past the palace gates they burst out laughing in a secluded corner of Castle town. The young boy was nearly doubled over laughing while the princess was trying not to smudge the makeup she was forced to wear with her tears of laughter. It was definitely not princess like of her, but at the current moment Zelda did not particularly care. Zelda was the first to recover at least some semblance of control over herself:

"Oh, Din, that was too funny. "

Link's laughter slowly turned to a chuckle and he nodded in agreement:

"His face...Oh, it was priceless!"

Zelda's laughter continued, bubbling up as she recalled the face of the last unfortunate guard Link had ended up distracting:

"When you...haha..when you threw those rocks...oh my...Din, that was funny."

"Yeah, but your role as the ghost princess was just as fun to watch."

Zelda's laughter turned to a giggle:

"Why, thank you. That was not bad, for a train engineer."

Link smiled brightly at her, that grin hauntingly familiar:

"You weren't so bad either, for a princess."

Zelda laughed at his comment and Link paled when he realised who he'd said that remark to. He tried to apologise, but Zelda waved it off:

"Don't worry about it. Now,"- she slowly turned serious again,-"all guard tricks aside, we need to get on your train and head for the tower of spirits. "

"Of course, Princess."

Link responded his previous calm and seriousness returning. He glanced around:

"We should probably keep you out of of sight, your highness. You are a little too recognisable. The guards aren't the only ones who could cause a fuss. Wow, now I feel like I'm stealing you from the castle, kidnapping you even."

The Princess gave him a faint smile:

"If it's kidnapping then I'm a voluntary victim."

He grinned:

"Fair enough."

Getting to the train station through the less used allies wasn't easy, but the two teenagers seemed to manage it in record time. Zelda couldn't remember the last time she'd had that much fun, though she'd been on the look out for any rats. Those were her greatest fear. Soon enough, they were standing on the steps leading to the station when Link tensed. Zelda, who was behind him, peered over his shoulder as she heard him mutter "oh no...". She beamed when she spotted the once swordsman and Castle guard captain, Alfonzo. Sighing, Link continued walking forward with Zelda following along behind him.

Seeing his protege, Alfonzo raised his eyebrows and demanded, not noticing the blonde girl behind the boy:

"What took you so long, Link? Did you keep me waiting just so you could change clothes?"

Link opened his mouth to answer while his dark blue eyes flicked to the Princess behind him. The girl looked out from behind him and gave Alfonzo her cheeriest smile before stepping out to stand beside the other teen. Alfonozo's brown eyes widened slightly in surprise:

"Oh! Your Highness! What are you doing here?"

Zelda raised a single gloved hand in greeting, her eyes sparkling with happiness and excitement as she looked upon an old time friend of her father's:

"Hello, Alfonzo! Have you been well? I'm sorry we haven't spoken since you left the castle guard. I must admit, I miss hearing you bellowing orders in the courtyard."

Link discreetly raised an eyebrow at her words: so the Princess and Alfonzo knew each other? That he hadn't known. Well, at least there was no need for awkward introductions. His mentor looked a little abashed as he reached up to scratch the back of his head - a long standing embarrassed habit:

"You're too kind to me. I'm sure hearing me yell all day was far from pleasant",-he suddenly realised what Zelda was trying to do and snapped back onto the subject like a cuccoo would it's prey, - "But you shouldn't distract me with talk about the old days! I'll just come out and ask: What are you doing here without a proper escort?"

His eyes snapped to his student and he leaned forward, eyes flashing dangerously:

"Are you responsible for this somehow, Link?!"

Before Link could say a word in his defence, the Princess stepped between them and in a calm and firm voice she corrected Alfonzo, not noticing the surprised expression on Link's face:

"I asked for his assistance. And I hope I can count on your help too, Alfonzo."

Zelda paused for a second to read the conflicted look on Alfonzo's face before ploughing on, effectively herding the head engineer into a corner. She looked up at him hopefully, insisting:

"I'd feel much safer with you at my side. Please come with us to the Tower of Spirits!"

Alfonzo looked at the princess and then at his protege who was for once keeping his face free of any emotion, however, he could see the determination in the youth's eyes. He knew Link and, knowing the princess, she had had most probably talked him into taking her there no matter and once Link was convinced it was nearly impossible to dissuade him. Alfonzo looked between the two teenagers again, trying not to let on too much.

"To the Tower of Spirits? Whatever for?"

Zelda's brow creased in frustration as she burst out:

"We don't have time to discuss this right now! I'll tell you all about it when we're aboard!"

Alfonzo still looked uncertain his gaze flitting between the two youth's. He wasn't sure what he would do with himself if something happened to them. He couldn't let Link, a boy he loved as son, and Zelda, a girl he'd watched grow up as well as become the kingdom's princess no less, get hurt on his watch. He sighed, asking as much:

"But what if something happens?"

Zelda looked up at him almost pleadingly, imploring him with her beautiful blue eyes.

" 'If something happens' is exactly why I need you! You were once the greatest swordsman in the whole kingdom."

Alfonzo sighed: he knew when he was losing an argument, but he had to make sure the Princess understood the full truth.

"Yes, but that was a long time ago. Now I'm just a simple train engineer, living in the countryside. I can't be more than that, but I'll come along with you if you wish."

Zelda beamed, a look of triumph and happiness lighting up her young face. Alfonzo shook his head and turned to the boy.

"Alright, Link. We're heading to the Tower of Spirits. Be careful."

The boy nodded seriously:

"Of course."

Zelda clapped her hands happily and called out.

"Aaaalll aaabbboooaaarrrdd!"

She looked ecstatic as she clambered into the train car. She would never tell anyone, but that had been one of her dreams in life. Of course, it wasn't princess like to do so...Not that she cared about that right now. It wasn't like she had Chancellor Cole or the Council watching her every move now that she was finally out of the castle. Hyrule Castle was supposed to be her home, but lately it had been feeling more and more like a prison. She knew the Council didn't take her seriously because she was a child in their eyes, but, for the love of Nayru, she wasn't a little girl anymore! Her great-grandmother had been her age when she'd encountered the Hero of the Winds and she was the captain of a group of pirates. Yes, she hadn't been raised as a pirate and, yes, she was Zelda Nohansen Hyrule and not Queen Tetra, but that didn't mean she was useless! With her father away the duty of protecting Hyrule fell to her and she would to her best to uphold that duty. After all, wasn't that what she was essentially being taught as a princess? Zelda shook her head, oblivious to Alfonzo's grumbling and the start of the train's movement: she had to focus. She was the only one that knew for certain that Hyrule was in danger and she needed help. She had to focus on the task at hand, one step at a time. And the current step was bringing Alfonzo up to speed.

===LOZ: JAH===

Link kept his eyes firmly on the tracks, taking care to obey all the signs as he headed the train towards the Tower of Spirits. Dimly, he could hear the Princess's clear voice bringing Alfonzo up to speed only occasionally interrupted by the startled exclamations of the man. He hoped Alfonzo believed the princess, he certainly did. Half of it was logic: he saw no reason for her to lie to him for what would she gain from that? Also there was the matter of the words of Chancellor Cole, but ,of course, he could be reading into them too much. The other half was gut feeling: there was the malicious aura the Chancellor gave off (he still wondered why his hand had reacted that way) as well as the feeling he felt from within - he just knew Princess Zelda was right and that meant New Hyrule was truly in danger. He couldn't just stand idly by.

Suddenly, all sorts of alarms went off in Link's head and he instantly snapped back to the present. A moment later he saw the cause of his alarm: the tracks were vanishing into thin air right before his eyes. Before his mind could fully process that fact Link reacted on the training Alfonzo had put him through for years on end and swiftly pulled the emergency brake lever. As a consequence the train did stop without skidding, but not before the young boy was abruptly tossed off it. His head and back exploded with pain and it seemed like the world had decided to play a spinning game like the children back in Outset often did, but Link forced himself to sit up - he had to make sure everyone else was alright. Head swimming, he stumbled back to his feet to see that both the train and the train car were okay and if the low click he'd barely registered signified anything it meant that the Princess and Alfonzo were also fine. His hopes were confirmed when he saw the Princess walk out from behind the train car, Alfonzo close behind her with his sword in hand. They both looked bewildered, but one glance beneath the train told them exactly what he knew - the tracks were no longer there. Surprise etched itself upon Alfonzo's face, while Princess Zelda's face favoured horror and a barely born tinge of despair. Link closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths willing his head to stop spinning. He was forced to open his eyes when he heard Alfonzo gasp and call out.

"Your Highness, look over there!"

Link looked to the princess and followed her gaze. His blood ran cold at the sight before his eyes as the back of his left hand began stinging violently again. In the normally clear blue sky an ominous, writhing purple thunderstorm of a cloud had formed over the Tower of Spirits. In the next moment it was as thought the cloud had grown millions of thin spindly hands and they wrapped around the tower tightly, almost trying maliciously to strangle the building while the three people in the fields watched on in horror. The wind began to positively howl around them. Over the chaos Link barely heard Zelda speak, her voice fearful and concerned.

"W-What's happening to the Tower of Spirits?"

Neither Link nor Alfonzo had an answer for her. The next moment there was a rumbling sound of something breaking apart with force and the ground shook beneath them. Dust encased the Tower of Spirits, but the moment the ferocious wind blew it away, Zelda, Link and Alfonzo were met with a far more disturbing sight: the tower- a symbol of Order in the land, was broken apart, spinning in the clutches of the evil cloud. However, the storm didn't seem to be done yet, it darkened and then what looked like a voluminous navy-black cloud snapped off from it and it flew diagonally down. Paralysed with fear, Zelda absently registered that it was a flying evil train with a vaguely familiar face, a face that was saying something as the train flew directly towards her. It was going to run her and Link over and they couldn't move. Zelda braced herself only to find herself flat on the ground the next second as the train flew right over them, missing them by a few inches. A dark, chilling voice spoke in her mind, a voice she couldn't place:

"Ah, I've found you. Long time no see, Princess, Hero."

She felt a chill run up her spine at the sound of the voice. The Princess looked up slightly to see Link picking himself up off her, having shoved them both down to the ground and out of harm's way. It seemed fear had not paralysed him as thoroughly as it had her. He held out a hand to her, a concerned look in his dark blue eyes.

"I'm sorry about pushing you. Are you alright?"

Zelda nodded mutely, taking his hand and letting him pull her to her feet. It struck her that he had just saved her life while risking his. Why did this remind her of something? And that voice... Zelda didn't have time to ponder on that notion because the next moment she heard a very familiar, snide voice mockingly inquire.

"Out for a leisurely stroll, Your Highness? Tsk, tsk, tsk! You know that's not allowed!"

Zelda turned around her face full set in her 'cold princess' mask, only her eyes betrayed her fear. In a steely voice she quietly demanded, not waiting for the last of the dark cloud to clear. Her hand was burning again.

"Allowed by who? You, Chancellor Cole?"

The short man smiled sweetly before there was a flash of light and suddenly before them stood a still short man with two golden, twisted horns protruding from his head, the two top hats lying discarded on the grass. He smiled, his teeth glinting as a fork of lightning flashed in the sky. The man exploded.

"Who else, Princess?! Who do you think is really in charge?!"

Zelda and her companions were stunned speechless. Absently, Link thought that the answer to the Chancellor's mysterious hat problem was definitely not what he had imagined it could be. Meanwhile, the former chancellor reached up to rub his aching shoulders as a tall, heavily armed man with a mask approached them, stopping beside the short man. Cole sighed, dabbing at his forehead with a white handkerchief.

"My goodness, pretending to be a human is so exhausting. Who knew that Chancellor was just another word for royal babysitter?!"

He laughed at his own joke, failing to notice how the Princess stiffened at that. Link cast a sidelong glance at her to see her regal facade begin to crumble: fear, guilt, anger and despair flashing across her face like forks of lightning in the stormy sky. The Chancellor continued merrily.

"I had meant to keep up the ruse a little bit longer, but there is no need for that any more, Princess."

Cole's eyes flicked over to Link and Alfonzo. He didn't notice how the boy winced when his hand burst into a new round of pain. Link glanced at it: what was going on with his hand? Eyes stopping on Alfonzo for a mere second, Cole continued his tirade.

"Bringing in the boy and the engineer didn't help either."

Zelda took a step back, uncertainty in her eyes. She wasn't sure why she was faltering, she had been prepared to confront Cole had she not? So, why, why did all her courage seem intent on leaving her now? The stinging sensation on the back of her hand was not helping matters. Voice wavering, she asked.

"What are you talking about?"

Cole looked at her almost pityingly before sighing exaggeratedly. He started walking in the direction of the spirit tower, his profile turned to them. With an infuriating sort of patience, as though explaining something obvious to a small child, he spoke.

"I'm talking about the relics of those horrifying spirits."- his voice was dripping with disgust before a small smile settled itself on his lips,-"Now that those vile tracks are disappearing, the time is finally at hand!

He sounded positively giddy with excitement. He paused, stopping his walk. In the same tone, though now it held a mocking edge, he continued.

"All we need now is...",- Cole turned around and flashed a malicious grin at Zelda,-"- little help from the Princess!"

Before anyone else could say anything Alfonzo intervened. His stepped to stand in front of Zelda and Link, shielding the teens with his body. In a grim tone, he addressed the princess of New Hyrule.

"I don't know who these two are, Your Highness, but with your permission...",- Alfonzo raised his still sheathed sword his stance changing to that of a warrior,-"I'd be happy to teach them some manners!"

Cole suddenly flew up a few feet of the ground and cackled.

"Nyee hee hee hee hee! How adorably...human!"

Alfonzo had had enough. Swiftly, he unsheathed his sword, casting the scabbard back as he declared.

"Enough out of you! My family has served the royal house for generations! I will not allow you to touch the Princess!"

Inwardly, Alfonzo added his own protege to that too. He'd sooner fall than let any harm come to either of them. Cole sighed and in a whiny voice he spoke to the tall man beside him, floating by his shoulder.

"Melodrama bores me. Staven, would you kindly dispose of this fool?"

The man,Staven, surveyed Alfonozo's battle stance calculatingly before speaking in a cold, smooth baritone voice.

"This man speaks the truth, Cole. His movements are not those of an amateur. And he's not my enemy."

Cole seemed slightly annoyed by that, but he chuckled and floated back anyway as Staven thrust out his claw-arm. For a few long moments they circled each other before arm and sword clashed, producing a deafening clanging sound. They parted and weaved before coming together once more. It seemed Alfonzo was fighting seriously to kill, while Staven was aiming to injure and incapacitate, but not kill. He was sticking to his words. The duel pattern repeated itself over and over with neither willing to give any ground. Breathless, Alfonzo fiercely proclaimed.

"I told you, I will defend the princess at any cost!"

In a muffled, but equally strong voice, Staven retorted.

"And I told you: we're not enemies!"

With that he gave a strong push, digging his claw fingers into Alfonzo's side, drawing blood before kicking him away. The tall darker skinned man was cast back and slammed into the train car before falling to the ground,blood seeping out of his puncture wound, seemingly unconscious. Link turned to look at him, horror written over his face, his heart beating wildly. No! This couldn't be happening! Alfonzo couldn't be...couldn't be...he just couldn't be! Zelda felt an equal amount of pain and fear at the sight of the once-greatest swordsman lying in pool of his own blood a few short feet away from them. Cole cackled manically, floating closer to Staven again, clapping his hands gleefully like a small child.

"Nyee hee hee hee hee! Oh, Staven, you do know how to put on a show!"

Staven sighed, looking at Cole over his shoulder. The man did not understand anything beyond his own ambitions. He had no sense of a warrior's honour whatsoever.

"He's only human, Cole. He's no match for me at all."

"Oh, whatever. Just grab the girl!"

Staven advanced towards Zelda, his muscular body much taller than the Princess's still rather short delicate one. She stood still, once again paralysed by fear. Her feistiness and courage were nowhere to be found. In a broken whisper she called out to her only protector left.

"Help me, Link, please!"

She had no means of defending herself at all. To both Staven's and Zelda's surprise the boy didn't hesitate to come to her aid, picking up Alfonzo's sword (which was clearly far too large for him) and pushing Zelda behind himself. A tingling sensation exploded in both teenager's hands as soon Link's hand touched her bare shoulder. A trio of golden triangles lit up on the backs of their left hands, one glower brighter than the other two. Zelda gasped, recognising the mark of the Triforce. But what was she doing with it? And Link? Meanwhile, the young engineer stood valiantly in front of the princess, sword held aloft in a position his body had told him to adopt though he had never held a weapon in his hands before this moment. Staven had to admit he admired the boy's courage, but courage was nothing without skill. The boy managed to block his first two strikes, but Staven's physical strength and skill quickly overwhelmed him and he first disarmed the boy before throwing him aside, leaving the princess defenceless. She clutched the hand that was glowing (why was it glowing? Staven wondered briefly) closer to her chest and took a shaky step back, fear evident on her young, but undoubtedly beautiful features that were streaked with rain and mud.

"No! Don't come any closer!"

With a small flash of light from her hand a transparent spherical bubble surrounded the girl's body from the front. Staven was surprised: the Hylian princess knew how to use defensive magic? He wasn't worried though. While the princess was focused on him Cole flew up from behind and struck her with a bolt of dark magic. The Princess screamed as the zaps engulfed her body, but she fell before their feet quickly enough. Cole smiled, satisfied. His grin only faltered a bit when he saw a small light blue orb of light exit the young girl's body, but he dismissed it as nothing of importance, never noticing that the shining triangles on the girl's hand had disappeared along with the orb which shot off in the direction of the castle. He turned to his warrior.

"Good work, Staven. That takes care of the first step of our plan"

He chuckled delightedly, looking at the unconscious form of the female teenager, the vessel for his majesty. Staven picked the body up, easily tucking it under his arm. Cole floated forward, adding.

"Our work here is done. Come now, Staven!"

The warrior obediently followed him. Neither of the noticed the young boy struggle to stay conscious, angry at himself and his inability to protect the princess, as he watched them carry her body away before he succumbed to the sweet tide of unconsciousness.

Ok, so that's it for the second chapter. I hope you liked it, feel free to give me an honest review down below telling me what I should work on AFTER you read this AN.

1) Ok, I know people who know LoZ history and lore expertly will be mad at me for what I've done with the inclusion of the Triforce and an identity for the train, but listen up here people - THIS IS AN AU! It's not meant to be canonical. This isn't exactly like the game because it's a fanfiction with what I'd find intriguing in it. Don't get me wrong, I adore Spirit Tracks, it's the first game I ever played period, but I'm writing this fanfiction as an AU take on it. Things won't be the same. I can understand that this would annoy some people, but if a faithful spot on adaptation of the game is what you're looking for this is not it. I'm sorry, but that's how it is and I will not budge on this. If you are a decent, civilised person and are not happy with what I've done you will calmly leave this fanfic and go read another one that suits your tastes. I will not be accepting any flames. Yes, I know that after WW the Triforce most probably returned to the sacred realm, that the train is just the boss evil train etc. There's no need to tell me this either, I promise you I did my research. I'm sorry if I offended anyone with this rant, but I decided to address this as early as possible before I got spammed with reviews or PM's saying the same thing. Thank you.

2) On a less ranting note: Who liked the little inserts of the past I showed? Honestly, I loved the way that Ganondorf tells Link in WW that he can see that he truly is the Hero of Time reborn so I thought it would be interesting if Link and Zelda slowly regained their memories of their previous incarnations because in the end their souls or spirits are the same very time. Heck, they even look the same very single time (Tetra doesn't really count.) If anyone's curious the memories are from (in this order): Skyward Sword (SS), Ocarina of Time (OoT) and Wind Waker (WW). I decided to go with these three and exclude MC and TFSA from it.

3) Tell me if you spotted any typos please.

Well, I hope you liked this chapter and aren't too mad at me for my rant. I have no clue when the next chapter will be out (chances are within the next 2 weeks but no definite date) so leave me a note if you have the time on what I should improve upon. See you in the next one!