*Oni steps in*

Oni: Greetings, everyone. This is Oni. I will be filling in for Isabelle for a little bit. I know she took FOREVER to update this story and...

Izzy: Oni? What are you doing?

Oni *startled* What? Oh! Nothing! Just...

Izzy: Doing MY job? I don't think so!

Oni: *grumbles and walks away*

Izzy: Sorry about that. The reason why it took so long was because I had to get my story edited by my beta. I like to thank HenrytheWise for his amazing skills in grammer! You go, Dude! ^-^ Now my stories will definitely improve!

Roecliff: It's about time!

Izzy: Oh, quit! Anyway, onto summary. Mystia and Scrubs just managed to escape a bulokoblin and a collapsing bridge. Now they are on their way to Cabistone Mountain. What will happen there?

Oni: Does it occur to you that you never mention my name in the most recent summaries? Where am I in...

Izzy: On with the story!

Disclaimers: OH HOW I HATE THIS PART! I don't own Zelda in any shape or form! OKAY! GEE!


Cabistone Mountain was becoming covered in snow and ice as the autumn months became colder, sooner than Mystia had expected it to be. She and Scrubs made it to the mountain trail and, with Mystia on foot and pulling Starfire along, began to climb it. It was leveled out for travelers with horses and carts trying to reach the next town on the other side of the mountain, which was convenient for Mystia with her horse. As they climbed higher, it got colder. Mystia heard Scrubs shiver, which sounded more like vibrating boards on a tree house. She looked back at Scrubs, who had been sitting on Starfire's back, and saw him shaking in the cold wind.

"Brrr!" he purred and chattered, holding his stubby arms around his tiny, wooden body. "Does it have to be this cold? I'm turning into a wooden icicle here!"

Mystia stopped and shivered herself. It was starting to get to her, too. She had wished she had her blankets with her. Then, she remembered. Her baby blanket! That could work for a Deku. She reached into on of her bags hanging on Starfire's side and pulled out the old, green blanket. She unfolded it and wrapped it around Scrubs.

"Oh! Wow, thanks," Scrubs shivered. "This is very warm and soft."

"You're welcome," she said with a smile. She grabbed Starfire's mane and continued up the road. She rubbed her left arm in a shiver.

"Mystia?" Scrubs spoke.

"Yeah?" Mystia said.

"Why are there burn marks on the blanket?" the Deku asked.

Mystia paused. She had never thought of that before. Why were there burn marks on the blanket? How did they get there?

"I...I don't know," she admitted. "I never found out."

"You mean no one told you?" he asked.

"Well, my parents said that it was like that when they found me," Mystia told him.

"Found you?" he asked, sounding intrigued, "Were you adopted?"

"Yes, I was. The blanket was the only thing I had," she said, gazing at the green cloth fondly, "They don't know where I came from, but they took me in and raised me. They were so young then."

She felt tears build up in her eyes and she tried to wiped them away. "They didn't have a child of their own, so they treated me like I was their daughter. They did tell me I was adopted (which I had accepted), but they made me feel a part of their lives." She gave a slight sniff, and rubbed her pupil-less eyes again.

"Have you ever wondered where your real parents are?" Scrubs asked.

She nodded. "The blanket is my only clue. It has a symbol on it: three gold triangles that formed into one."

Scrubs' eyes frowned at the image on the blanket. "Yeah, I've never seen it before. I wonder what it is?" he pondered.

"Not sure," Mystia responded, "but when I get to Hyrule, I'm going to find… Oh, no!"

Up ahead on the snowy path, giant boulders were clumped in the middle of the passage between the tight corners of the mountain, blocking the way.

"Din!" Mystia swore. "The path is blocked! Now how do we get through?"

"Look over there," said Scrubs, pointing to the right.

Mystia looked to see a sign, pointing in three directions. One said, 'To Mountain Village' another said, 'To Cabistone Canyon', and the last one...

"To Deku Palace?" Mystia read.

"Deku Palace sounds promising," Scrubs said enthusiastically, "Dekus can be really friendly."

"No one from my village that went to Hyrule has told me about this," Mystia said thoughtfully, "but maybe we should try that path."

More Dekus? Oni said annoyed, That's the last thing we need. They are so bothersome!

You are the most disrespectful person ever! Mystia thought, Not all Dekus are bothersome.

I've been to the Deku Palace! Oni informed the deity girl. The Deku King there doesn't care about anyone except him and his precious princess. And he's very rash about everything! Don't you tell me that not all Dekus are bothersome!

Fine, Mr. Expert on everything! Mystia said rudely.

Was that a compliment or a sarcastic remark? Oni said. Mystia could sense that he was grinning about it.

"Mystia!" Scrubs squealed.

"Huh? What?" Mystia said as she snapped out of her thoughts.

"We got trouble!" Scrubs exclaimed.

That's when she heard an ominous sound: rumbling. The ground shook hard and she looked up. Tons of snow, ice, and rocks were sliding down the mountain, right towards them.

Oh, Goht! An avalanche! cried Oni, Quick! Find cover!

"Oh, Din!" Mystia swore again. "Come on, girl!"

Mystia turned Starfire around and rushed her as fast as she could away from the falling debris. Scrubs ducked, causing a shield to pop onto his back. Mystia kept dragging the horse, dodging the ice and rocks that fell. She looked up to see it getting closer.

"Mystia! A cave up ahead!" Scrubs shouted as he peered out from under his shield.

Without a doubt, she saw the cave and the sign that said, 'Up ahead: Deku Palace'.

"Hurry, girl!" Mystia said to her horse. "Inside!"

Mystia led the horse quickly into the cave. Once inside, the snow, rocks, and ice poured in front of the cave, piling up in front of the entrance. Soon, the cave was blocked and only source of light was Mystia's glow. She increased the brightness so they could see. The dark cave turned out to be a man-made. It continued downwards and out of sight.

"That was close!" Mystia said with relief. "Come on, let's go. There's no other direction we can take."

She pulled on the mane, but Starfire didn't budge.

"Oh, come on, Starfire! Don't do this to me!" the girl pleaded with a whine.

She kept giving commands, but Starfire decided to kneel down instead.

Mystia growled, "What's wrong with you?"

Maybe she's tired from all that rushing you made her go through, stated Oni. Or she could be hungry.

True, Mystia thought. She hasn't eaten since we left the dark forest.

She then felt her stomach growl. And I haven't had anything to eat since I was back home.

"You're hungry, aren't ya, girl?" she asked Starfire.

The mare gave her a nod as if to say 'Yes! I'm starving!'

"Thought so," Mystia nodded, then looked at the shrub. "Are you hungry, Scrubs?"

"A little," he replied. "What do you have?"

She bent over to look inside the large bag. Inside she found a loaf of bread, some cheese, carrots (for Starfire), nuts, apples, and shredded cucco meat, dried and shriveled up for traveling. She pulled them all out and showed them to Scrubs.

"This is what we have, along with a canteen of water," she informed the Deku. "What do you want?"

Scrubs didn't answer, but hopped off Starfire, grabbed the nuts and began to shovel them down his pipe.

"Scrubs! Save those!" Mystia exclaimed. "That's all we have!"

Surprised he stopped… and then fired the nuts out like bullets against the wall.

"Sorry, wasn't thinking," he said sheepishly.

Just look at that! Oni said with annoyance. He just wasted a bunch of Deku nuts! How inconsiderate! He will only cause more problems if we keep him with us any longer.

At least he doesn't complain, unlike someone I know, Mystia said in annoyance.

I don't complain! Oni said in offense. I'm only stating a fact.

With a hint of annoyance, Mystia pointed out, which, by the way, is giving me a headache.

Oni heavily sighed. You know what? Fine! Have it your way, but I don't trust that Deku.

Who said that you had to trust him? Mystia fumed slightly. And he isn't the only person not to be trusted either.

Silence filled her head.

Thank goodness, she thought in relief.

She looked at Scrubs, who was picking up the last of the nuts and brushing them off. He waddled over to Mystia and handed them to her.

"Here," he said pathetically. "I cleaned them off for you."

She looked at him and grinned. For a small, hard-headed Deku, he sure had a big, soft heart,

"Thanks, Scrubs," Mystia said. "That was very kind of you."

"I'll try to be more considerate next time," Scrubs promised. "After all, you provided the food. It's only fair that you have some, too."

Scrubs sat down and the two ate small portions of each item. The food was meant for one person to eat until he or she arrived at the next village, so she gave her half portion to Scrubs (which consisted of nuts and apples that he sucked through his mouth). After they were satisfied, Mystia took her carrots and fed them to Starfire, who appeared quite content eating them. She bagged up the rest of the food and replaced it back on Starfire. As soon as she got the horse to stand up again, she set the Deku on the horse's back, clicked at Starfire, and they began their journey through the dark tunnel.

It led sloped down more than the two thought it did. They both wondered if it would ever go up at all. It seemed to last forever until they found themselves in what looked like a great hall of stalactites and stalagmites. The sound of dripping water could be heard throughout the whole cave. Mystia noticed the walls were smooth and glistening, and she saw her breath mist from her mouth.

"I don't think this place was used for traveling much," Mystia commented and the walls echoed. "These walls are still smooth."

"There could be a good reason," Scrubs said. "It's dark in here."

If only I was in physical form, said Oni. I would give him quite a fright.

Not in this body! She replied harshly.

Feet and hooves echoed with every step they took. Mystia's bright glow showed the ceiling to be really high up.

"We must be in the base of the mountain," she announced. "If only we could find a cave leading up."

Suddenly, the cave rumbled, causing dust and dirt to fall from above. Starfire reared and neighed in fright. Then, the quake subsided.

"Wha...what was that?" shivered Scrubs.

"Could be another avalanche," Mystia replied, "Or just an earthquake. We better find a way out of here quickly."

It was easier said than done. It took was felt like an hour before Mystia and Scrubs found the other side of the cave. After a long time of walking against the wall, they had found an exit.

"Thank Farore! A cave!" Mystia sighed in relief. "Let's get going."

"Wait!" shouted a voice.

She froze. That wasn't Scrub's or Oni's voice. It also wasn't Ashasti's either. She turned and saw a mysterious figure.

Everything on him was a shade of black and white. He wore a large, black cloak that covered most of his body with a white medallion on his left shoulder, holding the cloak in place. The border of the cloak had a crisscross design in white. It was the same pattern used for his boots and rounded, small turban. He had a mask covering the bottom half of his pale face from the nose down. He also had dark black hair that covered his right eye. The eye that was visible was a yellowish gold, which was the only color he appeared to possess. Mystia had never seen such a person.

"You don't want to go down that tunnel," he said in a deep voice. He took a few steps forward, his cape swaying in motion. "It's dangerous down there."

"How would you know that?" Mystia asked. "Where did you come from?"

"Where I came from is nothing for you to worry about at the moment," the figure informed her. "There are far more pressing matters at hand. There's another way out of here that will be safer and quicker. I can take you there. Please, follow me."

He turned and began to walk the other way.

"Why should I?" Mystia said as she glared at him suspiciously. "How do I know I can trust you? Do you even know where I am going?"

The black-haired figure glanced back at her.

"I'm doing you a favor and helping you out of this mountain," he replied. "I don't expect you to trust me."

The man continued through the darkness.

"I don't like this," Scrubs muttered to Mystia. "If anything seemed dangerous, it's him."

As much as I don't like this Deku, Oni stated, I have to agree with him. This person doesn't even have a lantern. How did he get down here anyway?

"Don't worry," said Mystia. "I'll keep my guard up." She lightly tugged on Starfire's mane and followed the mysterious figure.


They had tracked through the cave with Mystia's glow as a guide. The mysterious figure stopped before a set of columns and pointed north towards a far-off tunnel.

"If you go through there," said the figure, "you will enter the Deku Palace of the Southern Swamps. Trek through the swamp and you will find Termina, where Clock Town resides. The town is in the center of a huge field."

"Wait," Mystia said with a stunned look on her pale face. "How did you know I was going to Termina? Or even the Deku Palace?"

"I can't talk about that now," the man told her. "It's not the time or place to discuss these things."

"Why not?" Mystia said getting frustrated at the stranger. "You came out of nowhere in a dark cave with no lantern and somehow found out that I was going to Termina. How do I know you're not working for the enemy?"

"If I were working for the enemy, I would have killed you already," the man pointed out.

"Or maybe you're leading me down into a trap," Mystia guessed.

"Then I wouldn't have stopped you from going down the other cavern," the stranger said.

"What if the other cavern wasn't dangerous?" Mystia pursued.

"By Din's Fire, Mystia!" the man shouted. Do you have to keep asking these ridiculous questions?"

"How do you know my name?" Mystia yelled. "Who are you?"

Suddenly, another earthquake rose. The ground shook so hard that it knocked Mystia off her feet. Starfire got spooked and leaped with Scrubs holding on for dear life.

"Din!" the figure grumbled, "The creature is waking up from its hibernation. There's no time to discuss this. You must leave at once. I'll hold it off, so you can get ahead. Go!"

"What?" said a shocked Mystia, "What creature?"

"GO!" the man yelled.

Mystia, Scrubs, and Starfire took off toward the mouth of the cave. Mystia stopped to look back.

The figure had removed his cloak, revealing the other articles of clothing he wore. His balloon pants were black and the same crisscross patter that was on his cloak and turban were on his belt as well. The white peasant shirt he wore was tucked in and long sleeved with one sleeve missing on his pale, right arm. The bare arm, from his wrist to his elbow, had the crisscross pattern covering it. He held his left hand up in front of him.

Right before him appeared a huge, white mole with red eyes. Its snout was long and pointed and it bared its sharp teeth at the figure. The creature rocked back and forth against the walls, causing the ground to shake more. Mystia heard rocks falling.

"MYSTIA!" she heard Scrubs cry.

She looked back at the cave, which was blocked off by boulders.

"Oh, Din!" Mystia groaned.

That's what happens when you don't follow orders, Oni smirked. You end up stuck in situations you don't want to be in.

Are you always like this with people? Mystia snarled.

Trust me. I could say worse, Oni informed the girl.

Mystia looked towards the mole. The figure kept dodging its huge, sharp claws.

Man, that creature looks tough, Mystia thought.

Wait! I see something! Oni exclaimed. On it's head! Do you see it?

See what? Mystia said confused.

Oh, right! You don't have my eyes yet, Oni sighed to himself. The eyes of the Fierce Deity can see the invisible. Watch.

Mystia vision changed right before her. Instead of the dark colored halls, she saw everything in a reddish-purple hue.

Whoa! That's weird! she thought as she took a step back. The change in vision threw her off a bit.

This vision is what I call the Eyes of Truth, Oni informed. You can see everything that is visible or invisible. Now, look on the mole's head and tell me what you see.

Mystia looked and gasped. On top of the mole's head was a figure, but it didn't look human. It was shaped like a human, but it was a white, solid ghost with bright, beady red eyes. It was holding the mole's head with such force, making it even more angry.

What in the world is that? Mystia thought to Oni.

I don't have a clue, Oni replied. I've never seen this species before in my life.

I doubt even that guy sees this, Mystia pointed out. I should help him.

Whoa! Wait a minute! Oni said quickly. Help him? We don't even know what he's capable of!

I know, but what if the next traveler decides to come through here and run into that mole? she mentioned.

Oni was silent.

Wow, you're so helpful, aren't you? Mystia said sarcastically.

I've got nothing to say, Oni said.

Mystia pulled out her sword and rushed up next to the figure. He noticed her with a shocked look in his gold eye.

"What are you doing?" he said with frustration. "I told you to get out of here!"

"The cave is blocked," Mystia confirmed, "so it looks like you're stuck with me no matter what."

The figure huffed. "You should have listened to me the first time."

"Sorry to interrupt our argument, but we have a bigger fight to deal with here!" Mystia pointed out.

"We? Forget it!" the man told her. "I'm not going to let you fight this thing! It's too dangerous!"

"Oh, and you are doing any better?" Mystia remarked sarcastically. "Look, there's something different about this creature. If you let me at it, I'll be able to stop its little tantrum! Got it?"

A huge claw swiped towards them. Both warriors dodged it in time and landed in a crouch, an arm thrown out for balance.

"Fine," the man said with a glare, "but please be careful!"

Mystia rushed toward the monster. The mole's beady eyes caught her and it screamed with a loud shrill. The white figure on its head looked down at her with its red eyes. It shook its arm at her in anger and started messing with the mole's head again.

The mole quickly raised its paw and started to swipe at her again, but Mystia was faster. She dodged the blow, landed on the mole's arm and leaped onto its head. The white figure was stunned at how quick she got on top and didn't have a chance to react before Mystia brought down her sword on its head. Right before her eyes, the figure shattered into white pieces and each one dissipated into thin air.

The mole shook its head, causing Mystia to lose her footing and fall on the ground with a hard thump. It began to shrink down in size. Soon, it became what appeared its normal size.

The mole shook his head again. He looked up and saw Mystia with her sword. It squealed in fear and took off toward the other side of the cave. Mystia sheathed her sword and turned to the figure, who had replaced his cloak around his body again.

"I must say, I'm impressed," he said. "How did you know that white shadow was on its head?"

He knew? Mystia thought in shock.

More of a reason NOT to trust him! Oni pointed out.

"I would like to know how you knew," Mystia responded while crossing her arms. "Also, explain how you knew my name and where I was going. Who are you?"

"Goodness, Mystia, one question at a time," the boy said. "My name is Takaro and I am from Hyrule. I've been following my instinct a lot lately and discovered you. I felt as if I had known you and that you were coming here, so I came here to meet with you. Now, I would be willing to tell you everything, but it would be too hard to explain. I also felt the need to protect you and make sure you get to Hyrule safely."

"Hold on!" exclaimed Mystia. "How did you know I was going to Hyrule? I didn't even tell you I was going there!"

"Like I said, it's hard to explain," Takaro said. "Now about the white shadow, I've also been tracking down these things. They've been causing problems."

"There's more of them like that!?" Mystia exclaimed.

"Unfortunately," Takaro said grimly, "The white shadows are mysterious creatures that cause things to turn black and white. If they enter a person, they can possess them to do whatever they want. They also like things to be reverted to its natural state, like fish and rocks."

"How do you know all this?" Mystia asked.

"It's happened in Termina," the boy said, "so trust me when I say this: You will find more dangers outside of this cave than you could imagine. Try to be careful on your travels. Now you must get to Hyrule. I will open a way for you to get out of here."

He raised his hand up and a huge, yellow light formed from it. It blasted away and slammed into the boulders, causing them to blow up.

"I hope you make it to Hyrule safely," he told her. "We will meet again, Mystia."

With that, he backed away and faded into the blackness.

"WAIT!" Mystia called out angrily, "Come back here! I'm not finished with you!"

Following instinct, indeed! Oni said. Hmph! What a lame excuse! I still want to know how he knew about us!

At this point, Mystia replied to Oni, I don't know if he'll ever tell us.

Mystia walked towards the entrance of the tunnel and found Scrubs, still sitting on Starfire. He leapt up and down on the horse's back when he saw her.

"Oh, thank goodness, you're okay!" he exclaimed, "I was so worried about you!"

"I'm okay, Scrubs," Mystia assured the little Deku. "Are you okay?"

"Of course, I'm okay!" Scrubs said with pride as he thumped his chest with a hollow 'thunk' for emphasis. "Why wouldn't I be? I'm the most fearless adventurer around! If I had know you were going to fight that giant creature, I would have been right next to you!"

Yeah right! said Oni, More like right behind you!

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Scrubs announced. "Let's get going to Termina!"

They went on their way through the tunnel. As they got deeper, they began to notice the cave turning black and white. Before they knew it, they found themselves before a small door colored in black and white.

"This must be it," Mystia stated.

"Yeah," Scrubs said a little wary, "but shouldn't it look more colorful?"

"Perhaps," Mystia said with a shrug, "Let's go inside."

She pushed the door open and right before them was...

"Oh, Din!" Mystia said in shock.


Scrubs: What? What happened?

Izzy: HA! You won't find out til the next chapter!

Oni: That is SO unfair!

Izzy: Well, it looks like there is something going on here. A white shadow? A stranger named Takaro? How does he know Mystia and where she was going? Find out next chapter!

Oni: How long will the next chapter take?

Izzy: o.o...

Scrubs: I don't like the look on her face.

Oni: You've got to be kidding me!

Roecliff: Review please.