Game: Twilight Princess

Spoilers: First Half of Game

Run. I had to run. Once again, I was stuck as a wolf, but this time I was happy about it. Wolves have much greater speed and endurance than humans, and I needed to move as fast as I could. The weight of a limp body on my back was a constant incentive to keep moving forward. My thoughts were scattered and swung from one point to another. Despite this, my eyes were open and I was alert to my surroundings.

I rushed across Hyrule Field and Castle Town loomed ever closer. My lungs, legs, and back ached but I had to continue on. I had no choice. I had to get to Zelda as quick as I could. She might be able to fix me, but that didn't matter much. She had to heal the one who was currently dying on my back. Midna must be saved.

Zant would pay for this. If I survived the ordeal, I would personally see to it. He had ordered the kidnapping of innocent children, covered the land in shadows, and now almost killed Midna. Almost. But Midna was alive, and Midna would stay alive. This thought spurred me on and overcame my exhaustion. I sprinted over the bridge that was the entrance to Castle Town and in towards the castle.

Perhaps I could continue on my quest without Midna. It would be difficult, because I was pretty clueless about some of the enemies I had faced. Midna's advice was the only reason I had survived this far. Also, I was only human. I had to sleep, and I needed someone to watch my back while I camped. If Midna died, I wouldn't have any such help. Nor would I have the power to warp across the world in an instant, something Midna promised she was working on.

Perhaps another could fill in for Midna in her role. Maybe the Hero's Shade or a fairy could watch my back and advise me instead. However, I wouldn't be sure I could trust them entirely. I knew Midna was reliable, however aggravating she might be. I wasn't just a role I needed fulfilled; I needed her to be the one to fill it. We had gotten this far together, and we would go all the way together.

Why did I care so much? It must be because she was as important to the role of the Hero of Twilight as I am. It certainly wasn't because I viewed her as a friend. She was annoying, bossy, and would clearly be my enemy under different circumstances. The current situation made us allies of necessity, but she was barely tolerable.

I was turned back at the gate to the castle. I was prepared to fight the guards who had denied entry to me, but Midna patted my back reassuringly. If she were able to talk then, she would have said something about finding a different way in her usual imperious and aggravating way. Why was I helping her anyway?

Midna was the only one who knew about Zant's power. She was the only one who knew about the Twilight Realm and possibly could stop its advance. I supposed she was also the only one capable of using the Fused Shadows, though it was clear she needed practice. If Midna died, the last hope of the world was gone.

I couldn't let that happen. I had to help her. If I didn't, I was letting Zant win. I was failing my friends back in Ordon. I was failing Midna, not that I cared. Or did I?

I had no time for such thoughts. They were only putting uncertainty into my step, slowing me down. I needed to get to Zelda quickly. I paid attention as the cat I was talking to told me of a secret route. Before it could even finish, I was halfway along the path it told me to take. The Poe that had popped up in front of me was quickly silenced, and I was back on my way.

Midna wouldn't give her life to save mine. I knew it from experience. When the bomb storeroom exploded back in Kakariko, she had merely exited and stated she wasn't going to risk her life for mine. Not only was she bossy, but she was a coward who hid in my shadow.

Actually, she wasn't a coward. She had done battle with Zant instead of giving in to the tyrant's wishes. She didn't have to fight, yet she had done so anyway. She proved herself a hero by doing so. I didn't even know what drove her to do it, though. Being secretive was also in her nature.

The castle that I now traversed was very familiar. It was the first place I had ever been in my wolf form. It was where Midna had helped train me about how to adapt to a different body. From the way she talked about it and helped him, you would think the pesky imp had undergone the same process herself. If she wasn't so secretive, perhaps I would know if she had.

Now, Midna wasn't capable of guiding and helping me. She was dying, and I had to help her. Fortunately, she had taught me well, and I was now approaching the tower in which Zelda was kept.

This was my fault. All my fault. It was my fault for being weak enough to get beaten by Zant. If I were stronger, this would never have happened. I had overestimated myself. The clothes of the ancient hero that I wore had made me think I was like him. I was overconfident, and I was beaten as I should have been. If I survived this, I would make sure I never lost again.

If only Midna hadn't had to suffer for my mistakes. She shouldn't be the one dying because I had lost a fight. What was she paying for? Her courage in standing up to the King of Twilight when I should have done so instead? If it was the only way to save her, I was willing to give my life.

It was with this thought that things broke inside my mind. Will Zelda be able to save her? What will be the consequences? What if things don't go right? What if she dies? No. No. She can't die. Midna is my friend, and I don't let my friends die.

Midna is my friend.

I was in the tower, and there was Zelda. She looked on with a concern, and started talking. I didn't pay much attention to most of her comments, only listening to what I deemed important. She could help. Zelda could save her. And she did. Zelda disappeared from the room and Midna seemed to return to normal.

I would have jumped for joy, if I had been in my human form and Zelda had not had to sacrifice herself. However, I scarcely knew the princess, and the only loss I felt was one of duty. The relief I felt was much more than that. The relief was from friendship. Midna was my friend. She was bossy, annoying, secretive, and sometimes a coward, but she was my friend.

A/N: Throughout the first part of Twilight Princess, Midna seems like an incredibly bossy character, something Link seems at odds with. If Link talked, or had his thoughts made known, I don't think he would have liked her much. But friendship can conquer any barrier.

Not my greatest chapter, but I could use some feedback. It may seem like the narration is a bit scattered and random, but I imagine in a situation of great distress and helplessness such as this, that would be what is felt. I'm not sure if I did a good job of conveying that.

The next chapter is more similar to Chapter One and it is set in Wind Waker. It is already done (except for final editing) and will be posted in a day or two. For those who don't like this chapter, it should be a return to form.

I'd like to throw out a big thanks to those who added this to their favorites or followed.