Chapter 2
Strike Team
"Is there any particular reason why we're allowed to meet the Princess?" Link asked.
"Because she requests to see the both of you," Impa replied impassionedly.
"Oh."
Six years had passed since the adults had decided that it was best if Link was left in the care of the Sheikah clan. Kratos and Alexia had visited frequently, as had other Tenshi to keep Link up to date on his studies. Sheik and Link had become the closest of friends during that time. They caused mischief inside the Sheikah daily with their pranks on the older Sheikah. Everyone knew that it was them but the boys had learned ways to keep the blame away from themselves. Even when they were caught, most people thought their pranks were funny and let them go.
"Does this have anything to do with the red hair dye that was accidentally used by one of the noble women?" Sheik asked casually.
Impa sighed. "No. This has to do with the nightmares she has been having recently."
"And we're supposed to know what to do about those?"
"No. Your part of them. I have not been fully informed about the details but I believe that they may have some connection to Link's nightmares. Now, it would be wise to change your appearance before we continue Link."
Link snorted before touching the silver necklace that had been his father's. There was a flash of light Then instead of the phoenix boy, there was another blond haired Sheikah boy in the servant's hallway. The boy's could be identical twins if one didn't look to closely. Link's hair was shorter and pulled back into a ponytail instead of a braid and his eyes still retained the pieces of gold in them. Link's fake attire was modeled after Sheik's with only slight changes. Link's jumpsuit was a deep green instead of Sheik's blue and he didn't have a bandage covering the top of his head.
"Happy?" Link asked, his voice muffled.
"Very," Impa said after inspecting her student. "Time to go."
She strode out into the hallway. Link looked at his friend who only shrugged and followed their teacher. What's gotten into her, Link thought as he followed them. She's gotten tense lately. Did something happen?
"Hey Link," Sheik said slowing down to walk next to him. Link looked over at him as they continued to walk. "Don't worry too much about her. She's just worried."
"Am I that easy to read?" Link asked stifling a laugh.
"Yeah, you are," Sheik said smirking under his scarf. "Or maybe it's because I've been your friend for such a long time. We'll never know."Link rolled his eyes and shoved his friend lightly as they approached Impa at the entrance to the courtyard.
"Be on your best behavior boys," Impa said glaring at the two. "I will not have the two of you besmirching the name of the Sheikah just because you wanted to be funny and I know that you can act properly when need be."
"Yes ma'am," Link and Sheik said saluting her.
Impa nodded and stuck her head out into the court yard calling softly, "They're here Princess."
"Send them in," a young girl called back.
Impa waved to the boys who walked past her into the court yard. They went down on their knees as Impa walked up beside them. "These are the boys that matched the descriptions you gave me."
The Princess bit her lip slightly as she inspected the two. "Only one does Impa. Why do you say they both do?"
Link looked at the entrance to the courtyard and then at Impa expectantly. She nodded to him so he touched his necklace yet again and changed back into his true form. His hair began tuning red until only the ends were left a golden color. The Sheikah jumpsuit changed back into his formfitting sleeveless black turtleneck, black pants with deep red highlights, and black boots. The bandages covering his arms were replaced with fingerless gauntlets that ended halfway above his elbows. A slight nudge from Impa prompted him to unfurl his red and gold wings as well.
Princess Zelda gasped and backed toward the widow she was near. It was obvious that she had not been expecting that. "Y-you-?"
"My apologies Princess," Link stated quickly, looking at the ground, "but it would not be wise for me to walk around like this when most think my race extinct, not to mention the fact that man that killed my father is supposedly arriving here today."
"Oh," Princess Zelda said quietly.
Suddenly, Link turned his head toward the doorway and quickly touched the necklace again. He had just managed to transform back by the time a tall man entered the courtyard.
"I'm sorry," the man said as he stepped forward proudly. "Am I interrupting something?" He looked anything but sorry.
"What do you want here Ganondorf?" the Princess demanded coldly. All three Sheikah glared at the Gerudo King.
"I was told that the princess was currently in this courtyard and decided to pay my respects. I do apologize for interrupting your little meeting however."
"Thank you but now I must kindly ask you to leave. I'm sure that my father is waiting for you."
"Very well Princess. I look forward to the pleasure of talking to you at dinner tonight." With that, the man walked out of the courtyard.
"You think he saw anything?" Sheik whispered in Link's ear.
"I don't know but he was staring at me the entire time," Link hissed back. "If he didn't, then he's suspicious, that's for sure." Sheik snorted.
"I think we found our next target."
"ABSOLUTELY NOT!" Impa snarled as she hit the back of Sheik's head. "You will not prank him!"
"But-"
"Do you want to get killed? Must I remind you that he and his men killed almost all the Tenshi living in the castle were Link was born. Fully trained Tenshi can whip out armies with one spell. They are not easy to defeat."
There was a giggle from the Princess' direction. "Don't worry Impa," the girl said. "The reason I asked you to bring them here was because I had a request for them."
All three blinked. "You have a request for us?" Link asked.
"Yes. I believe that Ganondorf is after the Triforce. I want you two to go find the three keys to the Sacred Realm and protect them."
"Uh…" Link and Sheik said looking at each other, utterly confused.
Impa sighed. "The three sacred stones held by the Gorons, Zora, and Kokiri," she clarified.
"Oh."
"Will you please?" Zelda asked. "I think Ganondorf is already trying to get them. Something is blocking off the mines the Gorons use for food and I'm sure the other races are being hurt as well."
The boys looked at each other again before nodding. Link said, "Alright we'll do it, but… Why us?"
"Because you're the ones that I saw fighting Ganondorf in my dreams… Except that you were older… and um… one of you was wearing the green clothing the heroes are always depicted in…" she finished sheepishly.
"I told you, Link," Sheik said with a smirk. "The Tenshi are always the hero- OW!" Both Link and Impa had smacked him. Zelda giggled again.
"So which stone should we look for first?" Link asked. "You said the Goron's food supply was cut off and that's the nearest one, but we don't know what's happening anywhere else."
"Darunia, the leader of the Gorons, informed me that it was only their best food supply," Impa said slowly. "It would probably be best to go to the forest first because the Kokiri are more vulnerable seeing as they don't fight."
"Okay," Sheik said cheerfully. "The forest it is. Don't you worry Princess, We'll take care of this in no time. Come on Link." With that, he began dragging Link out of the court yard.
"Wha – Hey!" Link said as he struggled against his fried's grip on his scarf. Then they were out the door.
Zelda giggled again as Impa sighed and put a hand to her forehead.
Sorry for the uneventful chapter but next week's should be much better and more exciting. I just needed to set up more of the plot.
I'm working on drawing Link's different forms. I have a Deviantart account under the same name as my Fanfiction account. I'll write down when I've finally posted them on my account so you can look if you want then. :)
As for the necklace, Link's still young and in training. He uses the necklace to channel his magic for the more powerful spells and to alter his form. He doesn't have enough control yet to do something like that on his own, but don't worry about it, he will eventually. :)
Thanks for reading and please review.
