Rather than getting up early like he'd planned, Link found himself sleeping in on the morning of the Wing Ceremony. He turned over to lie on his back, yawning. His eyes watered and he wiped the sleep away, staring up at the ceiling.

"What a strange dream…" he said to himself. It was quiet then, and he mulled it over. A strange, big black beast, with a mouth full of teeth and no arms… and a strangely familiar voice. Something about his destiny.

Lost in thought, he was shocked and surprised when his window seemed to fly open. He jumped, sending himself out of bed and onto the floor, where he blinked and stared up at the ceiling. Moving his head back against the wood, he found himself face-to-face with Zelda's loftwing. The lavender-coloured bird stared at him, tilted its head back and forth, and then spat a letter at him before ducking out of the wooden window. He flinched, and then stood up, rubbing his head from the fall and opening up the letter.

"Hey, sleepyhead. I know you said you were gonna get up early, but after losing all that sleep last night, and knowing how you are with getting up early in the first place… I thought I'd help you out. Rise and shine, Link! Come meet me on the Isle of the Goddess. And… thank you for last night. Now hurry up!

-Zelda"

Amused, Link smiled and tucked the letter into his pockets. Lifting his arms above his head, he stretched one more time and found his clothes for the day before heading out of his room and jogging upstairs. He passed by Pipit, who grinned and waved at him.

"Hey, Link! Ready for the Wing Ceremony? You'd better try hard. I haven't seen you practicing at all out there," he said, smirking slightly. Link watched Pipit carefully. It was tough to say whether the kid was nice or not, but he always seemed to have some sort of strange anger towards Link, and he couldn't figure out why.

"What are you talking about? I've gotten tons of practice in," Link protested, widening his eyes as he slowed to a stop. Pipit stared.

"But- I haven't seen-"

"Man, aren't you a knight apprentice and stuff? Don't you patrol the academy at night? You'd better work on your awareness," Link said, shaking his head. Pipit's jaw dropped, and after a moment his eyebrows furrowed. He lifted a finger, ready to say something, but Link interrupted. "Anyway, I'm off to get a couple last minute flights in. You'd better wish me luck, you know, being a friend, and everything," Link said with the most genuine smile he could manage, before heading out the door.

He waved quickly at Instructor Horwell, who nodded back, but looked somewhat confused. More interested in making it to Zelda on time, Link broke into a run across the bridge, and up the wooden steps that led to the Isle of the Goddess. The sun already felt hot on the back of his neck, and he rolled up his sleeves, slowing to a jog as he passed under the large stone archway.

The wind picked up now that he was higher, and he took in a deep breath, breathing in the fresh air. Some sort of music distracted him, however, and he looked forwards to see Zelda standing on the circular stone platform in front of the Goddess, holding a harp. The tune was soothing, and her voice was like honey to him. Even from behind, she looked gorgeous - of course, she was all dressed up for the Wing Ceremony. She was playing the part of the Goddess this year, and who better? He walked slowly towards her, waiting for her to finish a stanza of the song before talking.

"Good morning," he greeted her happily, feeling more awake and alive with every moment.

"Link," she smiled, and she paused. "Isn't this cool? This harp is apparently a replica of the one the Goddess used!" she held it up for him to see, and he smiled, his happiness escalating as he saw her so bright and cheerful. "And I had to make this wrap myself. It's necessary for the ceremony," she added, smiling. "So? How do I look?"

"Perfect," Link replied, and Zelda smiled. The two of them watched each other for a moment, and Zelda must have thought about the night before, as a blush crept onto her face. Before Link could tease her about it, a familiar voice distracted them.

"There you two are. Are you both ready for the Wing Ceremony?" Link and Zelda turned to see Gaepora, the headmaster, and Zelda's dad, approaching.

"Nice to see you up and awake so early, Link, given your capacity for sleep. No doubt you're competing to spend the post-race ritual with Zelda, yes?"

"I'm going to give it my all," Link assured him, grinning. The large, white-haired man narrowed his eyes but then let out a hearty laugh.

"For Zelda, it doesn't surprise me!"

Zelda sighed then, and Link and Gaepora looked at her in surprise.

"He hasn't gotten any practice in yet," she fretted, gesturing to Link. He frowned. "I'm worried he's not going to make it. What if- Goddess forbid it- what if Groose won? I don't want to have to do the ritual with him! This ceremony should be for Link!"

"I'm not letting that pompous, big- headed egotistical cocky-" Link paused, and Zelda slapped a hand over his mouth.

"Link! To talk about a fellow student that way," Gaepora lectured him, though he didn't seem too serious about it. "Anyway, if you don't win, it's all because you didn't get enough practice in. However, the confidence you have comes with good reason. You and that bird of yours have an intense connection."

Link grinned beneath Zelda's hand, and she finally took it away, tucking her harp in a pouch on her back.

"That Crimson Loftwing of yours is something else entirely! Needless to say, it's up to your skill to win the ceremony, not your bird's."

"That's why you're up so early, isn't it, Link?" Zelda looked at him expectantly. "To get some practice?"

"Y-yeah," he stammered, but when he looked up to the skies, he felt strangely disconcerted. He didn't seem to sense his bird. Without realising it, Zelda had moved forwards and grabbed his arm, dragging him towards a wooden launch point.

"Go on! Let's see you show off like you used to," she grinned, and he cast one last scared look at her before she pushed him off the wooden platform. His stomach sank as he fell, and bringing his hands to his mouth, he let out the whistle he used to call his bird. Nothing happened. Again and again he tried, and soon enough he'd fallen quite a distance. He flipped in the air, staring up desperately at Skyloft, only to see Zelda flying down towards him on her bird. She got underneath him, and he landed hard on top of the bird, clutching desperately at the reigns to try and get a grip. Zelda took one arm and wrapped it around him, holding tight as they flew back upwards to the floating island.

They landed in the grass and slid a few feet before coming to a stop; both Link and Zelda tumbled off of the bird. They held tight to each other, and once they'd stopped, both let out a sigh of relief. Link opened his eyes and gave Zelda an unimpressed look.

"Sorry, Link! I didn't- well, what happened?"

"My bird's not there," he said angrily, lifting himself up off the ground and folding his arms. He took a breath to calm himself, and turned around, offering a hand to Zelda, who hesitantly took it and stood up.

"Sorry. It's not your fault."

"No, I shouldn't have pushed you off like that," she protested. Her dad walked towards them, chuckling heartily.

"What a strange phenomenon… and the two of you bicker like an old married couple! Link, you must find your bird before the ceremony begins. Talk to Instructor Horwell. We will delay the event to give you time to figure this out," he instructed.

Without missing a beat, Link cast one last look at Zelda and ran off back towards the Knight Academy, picking up several stamina fruits as he went. By the time he got to Horwell, the bells for the ceremony had already rung.

"Hey… my bird- it's lost- you gotta talk to Gaebora, he's gonna delay the ceremony for me."

"Are you sure this isn't just so you can get more practice in?" the instructor asked sceptically. Link's jaw dropped.

"No! Zelda pushed me off the ledge and had to save me because it didn't come, and-"

"Yes, yes, I was just joking. Seems like this all hangs on feather or not you can find your bird."

Link gave him a bored expression, and nodded, rolling his eyes slightly. "Yeah…"

"Well, no time to waste. I'd suggest you hurry, Link. Good luck!"

It wasn't a tough call to figure out who to look for, and so Link jumped down onto the pathway below where they were standing, rolling and running straight for the plaza. He just had to ask around to see if anyone knew where Groose was. If there was anyone who would mess with his bird, and his chance to win the Wing Ceremony, and more importantly- to participate in the post-race ritual with Zelda- it would be Groose.

Luckily for him, as he slowed to a jog in the plaza, his gaze settled on a trio of people in the shadow of the Light Tower. There was no mistaking those figures- Strich, Cawlin, and in the middle, receiving shoulder rubs, was Groose. Link could tell his red pompadour from anywhere.

"…all that scratching and pecking." Strich's voice.

"Of course. A big Crimson Loftwing like that won't go down without a fight," Groose scoffed. Link frowned, walking towards them, arms folded. They stood up, Groose flexing his shoulders. As Cawlin and Strich turned around, they looked shocked and backed away, slowly. Link lifted his chin slightly.

"What's this about a Crimson Loftwing? My Crimson Loftwing?" he asked, his voice seething. Groose turned around and let out a noise of surprise.

"Link! Well- uh- how long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough!"

"I know what you're here for!" Groose said then, smirking. "To talk about the race. To beg me, the mighty Groose, to go easy on you, right?" he asked, and then brought his face in close to Link's. "Well, I've only got one thing to say to that: tough! I'm gonna kick your wimpy ass! And that time with Zelda at the end… mm, yep, it's gonna be all me."

"Get your ugly mug out of my face," Link snapped, and Groose backed off, eyes wide with surprise.

"This is what I love about you, Link. You talk the talk, but I haven't seen you practicing one bit! We all know how you and Zelda go way back. Think you're something' special, don't ya? Well, that friendship isn't going to save you in the Wing Ceremony. It's all up to skill and macho!"

"Enough of this crap! Give me back my bird!" Link's hands turned to fists, and Groose raised his eyebrows.

"Oh yeah? You wanna take me in a fight? No matter how many times I beat your face into the mud, you still come back for more!" "You might have muscle, but you're dumb as a post," Link said dismissively. Groose clenched his teeth, raising a fist.

"You wanna say that again, airhead?"

"I said, you might have muscle, but you're dumb as a post!" he exclaimed, and then shut his eyes tight as he waited for the impact from Groose's knuckles. It was an unfortunately familiar situation.

"Stop right there!"

Link opened his eyes in surprise to hear Zelda. Turning around in surprise, he watched her push past him to face up to Groose, pointing an accusing finger at him.

"You'd better straighten up, Groose! On the day of the Wing Ceremony, at that. You'd be disqualified for injuring a competing student before the race," she said in a matter-of-fact manner. Frustrated, Groose dropped his fist and put on a dopey smile.

"That's quite the nice outfit, Zelda," he complimented her, pushing Link out of the way. He staggered back and quickly made his way back to her side.

"Stop picking on Link," she snapped, and Groose shrugged it off.

"Pfft! Whatever. I don't need this." He turned, and Strich and Cawlin followed him quickly as he stormed off away from them.

"What a prick," Link said angrily. Zelda turned on him.

"You can't go out picking fights like that all the time!"

"What? I heard him talking about my bird! It had to be them, they hid him away somewhere!"

"I don't want you getting hurt, Link," Zelda said resignedly, her shoulders dropping.

"I get hurt a lot," Link protested, frowning. "A couple punches from Groose is nothing anymore. I'm used to it."

"I wish he wouldn't bully you so much. I don't understand why it's just you, too!"

"He likes you. You know he likes you. He's jealous of me," Link explained. Zelda looked at him sceptically.

"I suppose. I don't know, anyway. It seems silly to me, two guys fighting over a girl."

"I'd fight anything for you," Link blurted out, and Zelda looked at him in surprise.

"Now that's really silly. Anyway… I'm gonna fly around and see if I can spot your bird anywhere. You keep asking around!" Without another word, she ran off the wooden platform at the end of the plaza, and within moments was up in the air, soaring over him and the rest of Skyloft.

He ran back towards the Isle of the Goddess, thinking that he'd have a good view from up there, but as he got to the wooden steps, a yell distracted him.

"Hey! Link! Over here."

It was Pipit. Glancing down towards the sparring hall, he could see Pipit and Fledge standing there, looking up at him.

"Pipit… and Fledge?" Link muttered outloud, scratching the back of his neck in confusion.

"I've got some info! Come on down!" Pipit yelled, waving his arm.

After jumping down to where they were, Link watched Pipit expectantly.

"So?"

"Fledge here knows what happened to your bird. Dontcha, Fledge?" Pipit stared at the smaller boy in an intimidating manner. Fledge looked up at Link guiltily.

"I'm sorry, Link, I wanted to tell you, but… well, Groose, Cawlin, and Strich were all talking about their plan to kidnap your Loftwing… something about it being near a waterfall. I tried to get out to warn you, but they grabbed me! They said if I told anyone, well…"

"Thanks for telling me. Don't worry, I've had my share of getting the shit kicked out of me by Groose," Link admitted, and then looked at Pipit, who nodded along.

"Pipit," Link said, watching him. "Pipit."

"Yeah, yeah," the knight apprentice sighed, "me too."

Fledge seemed slightly relieved then, and smiled half-heartedly at Link. "You should check your map, Link. It must be the waterfall at the edge of Skyloft. There's a cave there."

"It's full of monsters, even in the day," Pipit added, shaking his head. "You'd better ask Eagus if you can borrow the practice sword."

Link nodded once, and entered the doors that were behind the group of boys, making a beeline for the door at the edge of the room. He grabbed the sword, and, confident in his abilities, made his way to the door.

"Wait- Link? Where are you going? That sword isn't to leave the sparring hall."

"Commander Eagus, um.." Link turned around sheepishly. "Groose hid my Loftwing in the waterfall cave somewhere. I've got to go rescue it so I can participate in the ceremony today."

It took a moment for the info to sink in, and the older man shook his head in disappointment. "I wouldn't put it past him. Well, you've always been a good swordsman- just don't hit anyone, okay? Skyloft is a peaceful place! And if anything went wrong, well, it'd be my fault in the end, so just… don't hit anyone."

"I'm not going to attack anyone," Link said incredulously. "I'm not like that."

"I know! I know," Eagus sighed. "Just… okay. Good luck then, Link! Go find your bird!'

By the time Link had gotten to the waterfall cave, he was beginning to panic about missing the ceremony, and his anger towards Groose had grown into something poisonous. He slashed away at the wooden stakes barring the way to the cave.

"Stupid fucking Groose, with his stupid fucking hair," he muttered, walking into the cave with his sword drawn. Keese and globs came at him and he slashed away at them, hardly paying attention to what he was doing.

"Thinks he's gonna spend alone time with Zelda? With my Zelda? What's he gonna do? She doesn't like him," Link hit away some more keese absently, and then ran up another steep slope. He brushed away droplets of water that were falling on him from above.

"Thinks he's all that. Everyone hates him, except for Cawlin and Strich, Two cowards. Cawlin, Strich, and Groose, one short, one tall, one asshole…" Link flipped his sword in his hand and plunged it into a glob monster, unsure of what their real names were. They were always just globs to him.

It wasn't long until he was in the final room, and, after defeating the array of monsters that threw themselves at him, he sheathed his sword and ran out into the light. When he got out there, he only took a few steps before he heard the cry of a Loftwing- Zelda's bird.

She landed on the grass next to him and stood up quickly, straightening out her dress.

"Pipit said you were here, looking for your bird. There's a spot just up ahead where Groose and his friends always hang out- let's take a look over there."

When they got to the bottom of the slope, Link and Zelda stopped in surprise to see the Crimson Loftwing pent up behind planks of wood, tied with ropes at the end.

"That's him!" Zelda exclaimed, but Link had already made a run for the cave, slashing away at the ropes with the sword. It wasn't long until the planks fell to the ground, and his bird crept out of the cavern carefully, finally stretching his wings and letting out a grateful caw.

"He's okay," Link sighed in relief, and Zelda came up beside him, putting a hand on his shoulder.

"About time we headed back to the ceremony, huh? It's a good thing we found him. Oh…" she trailed off, her gaze averting to the clouds below. She walked slowly to the edge, and Link followed her warily, taking her hand once he got to her side. Her fingers twitched in response, and her grip became tighter.

"It's that calling again… I can hear it. Someone is down there. It's like a plea… I don't know why, Link, why am I hearing this?" she looked at him in confusion, and he turned to her, placing a hand on the side of her face.

"I don't know how to say this, Zelda, but… you're going insane."

She stared at him for a moment in surprise, until a smile broke through his straight face, and then the two of them laughed.

"Don't do that!" she said, grinning at him.

"Sorry," he laughed. "You know… I had a strange dream last night, too. Maybe it's connected. I'm sure we'll get it figured out, between the two of us."

"You're right," she nodded, relaxing a bit. "Thanks, Link. Well?"

"Let's go," he agreed, and the two of them jumped off of the platform, each whistling to call their birds, both of whom flew down to catch the two teens immediately.

"Do you really think you'll be ready?" Zelda called out to Link, who grasped the reigns of his Loftwing tightly. He exchanged glances with his bird.

"Yeah," he called back, grinning.

"I believe you," she replied, and the two of them headed for the plaza, where the Wing Ceremony would take place for the 25th year.