Chapter 2: A Hero Rises Again

Link...

Link...

LINK!

Link was jolted awake as he fell out of bed and landed with a loud thud on the hard wooden floor. He looked up to see Beth, Talo and Colin standing over him. "Hey!" he shouted. "You don't always have to yell so loud to wake me up, you know!" "We wouldn't have to yell if you didn't sleep like such a mossy log." Talo shot back. "You're the laziest person I've ever seen. We have to yell otherwise you'd just lay there all day long." Link could only look sheepish at this statement, he was known for sleeping in later than anyone else in Ordon village. He picked himself up off the ground and stretched his arms. "Well, I'm awake now, so what's going on?" Colin looked down bashfully as he spoke. "Well, today's the day you promised to train with Talo and I." Talo started jumping up and down in excitement. "Yeah! My dad says I'm almost old enough to get my own sword! I'm gonna be the champion defender of Ordon village! Maybe someday we'll even become knights of Hyrule!" "Calm down, Talo!" Beth interjected. "It takes years of training to qualify to be a knight of Hyrule. You'll have to practice night and day for AGES! Well, unless you're like Link, who's just a natural hero." The look Beth gave Link made him even more embarassed, so he smiled and said "Well, you're not going to learn anything standing around my bed, so let me get ready and I'll meet you all at Ordon Ranch!" With that, the three children dashed out of his house and ran down the road towards the ranch where Link still helped Fado herd goats from time to time, when not tending to his duties as Hyrule's champion and protector.

Link sighed as his three younger friends left. He was happy that they had kept their youthful enthusiasm despite everything that had happened to them during the war against Zant and Gannondorf. It had only been a year since he and Zelda had defeated Gannondorf and brought peace to Hyrule. Although rebuilding was sometimes harder than they would have hoped, all the peoples of the land had really pulled together in the wake of the destruction caused by the power of the Twilight Realm merging with the Light Realm. The Gorons had helped tremendously with the repairs to Castle Town, and the Zora had been sending a constant flow of supplies and willing hands down the river from their watery domain. Kakariko village had been fully repaired and was now growing into a booming center of commerce, led by none other than Malo, Talo's younger brother, who despite being barely out of his toddler years was already considered one of the best businessmen in all of Hyrule.

Link got dressed in his usual Ordonian clothing, he preferred not to wear his hero's armor in public except when he was needed for official business at the castle or for the occasional monster slaying expedition, but those were becoming rarer and rarer these days. It seemed that while evil could never be completely banished from the world, it had been pushed back far from Hyrule. Even the Bulblins were becoming more peaceful now, ever since King Bulblin had sworn to serve Link they had been trying their best to get along with the other races. Link, of course, took no credit for any of it. Despite all that had happened he was still the same kind, gentle and humble soul he had been before the mantle of the hero was passed to him. Of course, people still treated him differently. When he walked through Castle Town the people would all smile and wave. Everyone moved out of his way when he walked down the street, and despite his insistance against it, he was never allowed to pay for a meal at the tavern or or snack at one of the market stalls. The exception to this rule was Malo Mart, where he was always expected to pay full price. He sometimes found himself relieved to go shopping at the little brat's annoyingly cheesy store just to be treated like a normal customer. Girls would giggle and squeal if he looked at them (so he REALLY tried not to), and guys were always trying to shake his hand or slap him on the back (which, if the guy was a Goron, was an especially painful experience). Even the people of his hometown of Ordon village attempted to wait on him hand and foot, which embarrased Link to no end.

So Link was always happy when he got to spend time with his friends, just like they used to before he became the Hero of Hyrule. Colin had been training hard with the sword and shield ever since he'd returned to Ordon village, and while he was nowhere near being as skilled as Link, was making excellent progress. Talo still admired Link for his now legendary skills, and he had also been training with the sword, although he displayed a natural talent with the bow. Beth now spent most of her time with Colin, and Malo, of course, was hardly ever seen in Ordon due to the runaway success of his Malo Mart stores.

Link armed himself with his Ordon sword and shield that Rusl had made for him after he placed the Master Sword back into it's pedestal. He had given the original Ordon sword to Colin after he returned to he village, and he was certain at the time that his younger friend almost fainted out of a combination of admiration and embarssement. Although Link would have been perfectly content to never have had to use a sword again, Rusl insisted on forging him a new weapon, and sometimes he would still meet with the former resistance members for training. He stepped outside and climbed down the ladder from his house and decided to check on Epona before heading over to the ranch. As usual, his loyal steed was being tended to by Ilia, who still spent more time with her than Link most of the time, which he really didn't mind. When last he talked to Ilia, she had said that she was going to take Epona to Ordon Spring for a while, so Link set off into the woods towards the spirit's sacred waters.

When he arrived at the spring, Link saw Ilia standing next to Epona ankle deep in the clear water. She smiled at him as he aproached. Link walked up to her and decided to tease her just a little. "I hope she hasn't been giving you to much trouble." he said. Ilia looked slightly offended at this remark. "Link," she said, "Epona is the bravest and most well behaved horse in Hyrule, of course she hasn't been any trouble. And you're one to talk, seeing as how I'm the one who takes care of her for you most of the time anyway." "Actually," Link replied, "I was talking to Epona." Ilia looked annoyed just for a split second, and then broke into a soft laugh. Link chuckled a little himself and then spoke again. "Actually, I was going to take her out to Fado's ranch today, I'm going to be training with Colin and Talo and I'm sure Fado could use some help with the goats while we're there." Ilia continued smiling as she replied. "That sounds nice, Link, just make sure you take it easy on those jumps, Epona deserves a brake from all the rough riding for once." Link mentally rolled his eyes, but couldn't help but smile back and nod at her in response. After everything he'd gone through to rescue her, Ilia still loved to harass him about his horse. He didn't really mind, and he was grateful that at least with Ilia things were pretty much the same between them as before he'd become the chosen hero. Ilia passed the reins over to Link, and as he prepared to get in the saddle, a sudden flash of white light surprised them

Immediately, Link's defensive instincts took over. His right hand spun around to grab the shield from his back while his left hand went up to grip his sword's handle. But as he was about to draw his weapon, a familiar feeling came over him. Link suddenly realized that the light was that of the Light Spirit Ordona, the being who resided in the spring and protected all of Ordona Province. Link relaxed and his hands dropped back down to his sides, but he was still extremely puzzled by the Spirit's appearance. Both he and Ilia turned and looked as an orb of light drifted up from the pool and materalized into what looked like suspiciously like a supernatural version of a common Ordon goat, with an orb of light suspended between it's horns. The Spirit turned toward them and spoke with a pleasant, ethereal voice. "Link, hero chosen by the Goddesses," Link stepped forward and answered "I'm here, Ordona, what do you need of me?" "Link," the Light Spirit replied, "You are needed. A great evil is stirring in Hyrule, one that we have not seen before." Ilia grabbed hold of Link's arm when she heard this. The Spirit continued speaking. "You must go to Hyrule Castle at once, Princess Zelda awaits you there."

Before Link could rely or ask any questions, a loud, unearthly sound caused both he and Ilia to cover their ears. Directly above them, a jagged black hole appeared as if the very air had been ripped open. This time Link finished drawing his sword and shield as he readied himself for whatever might appear. He didn't have to wait long, for seconds later a hideous face appeared. The creature looked like a grotesque toad with long legs and arms. It's face was covered with a white mask that looked like a boar's head with two massive tusks. Link couldn't tell if that was what it's face really looked like or if there was something else hidden underneath. As the creature stepped through the portal, it let out a ear-splitting roar. Epona whinnied in fear and reared up, but Ilia grabbed her reins and held her head. Link shouted out at the monster. "Whatever you are, you'd better go back where you came from! I'll only tell you once!" To Link's suprise, the monster spoke. "Hmmm, that man was right, I smell a particularly tasty soul, I'm going to enjoy this!" "What do you mean, a tasty soul?" Link shouted back. "You're not going to eat anyone's soul while I'm around!" He raised his shield and readied his sword. The creature laughed at Link. "Hahaha, you think you can do anything with that pathetic little toy sword? Fortunately for you, your soul is by far the most appetizing I can smell. After I devour you, you won't have to suffer seeing your companions become my next meals!"

With that, it lunged forward with it's mouth wide open. Link raised his shield just as the monster's jaws were about to close around him. Instead, it bit down on the shield. Link swung his sword with all his strength at the creature's face. The blade sheared through one of the tusks and embedded itself in the mask. The creature roared in pain and suprise and pulled it's head back sharply. The sword, still embedded in the mask, was ripped from Link's hand. Still roaring, the monster swung it's clawed hand at Link, who deflected it with his shield. The monster stepped back and reached up to grab the sword stuck in it's mask. It pulled it out, causing small pieces of it's mask to break off along with it. It threw the sword at Link, who doged it with a quick sidestep to the right. In the same instant, the monster clenched his fist and threw a punch at Link. Link, who had just sidestepped the sword, now launched himself into a backflip, barely managing to dogde the second blow. "You're a quick little insect," the monster growled. "But you can't dodge me for long. You're just a Human, you're no match for a Hollow."

"So, that thing's called a Hollow?" Link thought to himself. "It sure has a bigger mouth than most monsters. But that mask sure is wierd." He glanced at his sword, which was now sticking in the ground with the handle just barely above the water at the Hollow's side. "I need to get a hold of my sword again, I don't have any of my other equipment with me." Link didn't have any more time to think, as the Hollow was about to attack again. It roared and lunged forward, intending to finish it's prey off with another bite. But this time, Link lunged forward himself and lept under the Hollow's gaping jaws. He rolled and landed on his knees right next to his sword. The Hollow twisted it's body sideways and flailed at Link with it's right arm. But this time instead of blocking with his shield, Link grabbed the handle of his sword and with one motion pulled it from the ground and swung it at the Hollow's arm. The Ordon blade cut through the monster's flesh and sliced the arm off at the elbow. The Hollow roared once again in pain and stunned suprise. Before it's arm even hit the ground, it vaporized into black particles and vanished. Now Link took the offensive, and charged the Hollow. It tried to swipe at Link with it's remaining arm, but Link thrust his shield out and knocked it back. He lept into the air with his sword raised over his head, and with a loud shout he brought it crashing down, slicing clean through the Hollow's mask and splitting it's head in two.

The Hollow disintegrated and vanished, leaving Link and Ilia standing alone in the Spirit's spring once again. Link rushed over to Ilia, who had run to the far side of the spring with Epona and was still trying to calm the horse down. "Are you ok?" he asked. "I'm...I'm fine." Ilia replied after catching her breath. "I guess I should be used to monster attacks by now, huh?" She tried her best to smile, despite the fact that her heart was still racing. Link was in no smiling mood, however. That Hollow, if that was what it was called, seemed frighteningly similar to the shadow beasts that he'd fought during the Twilight Invasion. After Midna shattered the Mirror of Twilight, Zelda had set the best scholars in Hyrule to investigating the possibility of another gateway between the two worlds. All of them had come up with nothing. But if this Hollow was from the Twilight Realm, that meant that something had gone wrong over there, and not only would Hyrule be in danger, but now Link wondered if the Twili and their princess were in danger as well. He clasped Ilia's hand and spoke urgently. "Get back to the village, tell everyone to get inside and arm themselves. I'll take Epona over to the ranch and check on the others. Ilia nodded and started to run back toward Ordon Village. She turned back and said, "Link, you be careful too, ok?" Link gritted his teeth and nodded, and she turned again and ran down the path.

Link grabbed Epona's saddle and swung himself up onto her back. But as he prepared to leave, the Spirit's light appeared again. Ordona rose up from the spring and spoke "Link, you must go at once to Hyrule Castle, your friends will be safe. That creature called a Hollow was a spirit being. Now that I can identify it's presence, I can prevent any more from entering my domain, for now. But the power that caused the Hollow to appear grows stronger, and my fellow Light Spirits and I will not be able to keep them at bay forever. Go now, chosen hero. My power wiil trasnport you to Hyrule Castle. You must defeat the evil that rises in the darkness. We know you will not fail, Link." With that, a blinding flash of light eminated from the Spirit's light, and when Link opened his eyes, he was standing in the courtyard of Hyrule Castle. "Well," he thought, "I didn't think I'd be warping like that again. I wonder where Princess Zelda is? The Spirit said she'd be..." His thoughts were cut short as he looked toward the great door to the castle throne room. Princess Zelda was standing at the foot of the staircase that led up to the door. Link couldn't help but notice how beautiful she looked in her royal dress. He hadn't known her at all before the Twilight Invasion, but since then the two of them had become close friends. She smiled at him and held out her hand.

"Link, thank you for coming on such short notice. I hope that the Light Spirit Ordona wasn't too much trouble." Link, who hadn't quite recovered from the suprise of his battle with the Hollow and his sudden transport to the castle, just shook his head. Then he remembered her outstretched hand and took it somewhat awkwardly and bowed his head in respect. Zelda gently touched Link on the cheek with her other hand, causing him to twitch slightly as his face suddenly turned visibly red. Link stood up straight and swallowed, and Zelda laughed softly. "Link, you know you don't have to be so formal with me, you are the Hero of Hyrule, after all." Link looked down at his feet and scratched the back of his head, trying to hide his embarrasment. "Uh, ok Pr.. I mean Zelda." As he regained his composure, his voice became more serious as he looked at Zelda directly. "So, Zelda, do you know what's going on? There was this monster at Ordon Spring that came through a portal just like the ones made by Twili magic, but it said it was called a Hollow and it wanted to eat my soul!" Zelda's smile dissappeared as she replied. "There is something strange going on, and I don't know exactly what it is yet, but I believe we are about to be invaded from another world again. These monsters called Hollows have been appearing all over Hyrule. I've recieved reports from the Gorons of Death Mountain of Hollows attacking their people in the mines, and Prince Ralis of the Zora says that his people have seen them in their domain as well. The one you encountered is the first that has been reported in Ordona Province, but the Light Spirits have told me that they can hold back the Hollows, at least for now." "But where are they coming from?" asked Link. "That is why I summoned you here." Zelda replied. "We have a...visitor, who claims to be from another realm himself. I believe he can explain things better than I can."

Zelda and Link walked into the throne room. As they aproached the royal throne, Link noticed a man standing in the shadows behind the throne. The stranger stepped forward and addressed them. "Link, hero of Hyrule, thank you for coming." "That's the second time someone's said that to me today." Link couldn't help but think to himself. But his attention was drawn to the strange man standing in front of them. It was hard to distinguish any of his features, since he was covered from head to toe in a black robe and hood. The man continued speaking. "I know you must have many questions, but I must admit that I'm still trying to piece together the facts myself. All I can say for sure right now is that a powerful being from this world has somehow found a way to cross into another realm known as Hueco Mundo. This is the realm of the creatures you now know as Hollows. The person from this world has somehow gained control over the Hollows, and is now sending them out to attack souls in both this world and my own. If we are to defeat this evil power, it's going to take the combined efforts of the heroes from both of our worlds, and that's why I've come here." Link and Zelda were both somewhat suprised as the stranger kneeled down as he continued to speak. "I have come to ask for your help, Link. Please come with me and help defeat this new evil!" Link stepped forward, but as he did thoughts of all those who depended on him here in Hyrule crossed his mind. He glanced at Zelda, who guessed his thoughts immediately. She smiled at Link and said; "Do not worry, Link. You must go and fight whatever is threatening Hyrule. Everyone here will be fine, I still have the Triforce of Wisdom, remember? And I know you will defeat whatever is causing these monsters to appear. You defeated Gannondorf, the most powerful evil force in the world. Whoever is behind this is no match for you at all."

Link smiled back and turned to face the stranger. "Ok, I'll do it. I'll go with you, and together we'll defeat whoever, or whatever, is making those Hollows appear. I will protect all of Hyrule, and I won't return until everyone is safe!" The stranger stood up once more, and even though most of his face was obscured Link could see his mouth break out into a satisfied grin. "Well, well, I must say you're every bit as strong and determined as I hoped you'd be. Link, you remind me of a former pupil of mine, you sounded just like him there. Well, if Princess Zelda doesn't mind me stealing you away for a while, I guess now's as good a time as any for us to get going." "Wait," said Link, while looking at the stranger intently. "Before we start on this mission, or quest, or...something, at least tell me your name." The stranger lowered his head, and Link could feel his eyes staring back at him even though he coudn't see them. Then he reached up and pulled back his hood. "My name...is Kisuke. Kisuke Urahara."

Woo hoo! My second chapter finally done! I didn't realize it when I started, but it's harder to write for Link and Co. than it is for the Bleach characters, on account of there being much less dialogue in Legend of Zelda :P Hope it turned out ok! I'm going to work on this story til it's finished, and that's a promise, so please read and review and let me know how I'm doing!