CHAPTER 6:

KAKARIKO, OLD AND NEW

Impaz was old, but while weak in body, especially with her age, there was little wrong with her mind. Zant had thought her cowed by the presence of the Bokoblins to do anything, once he had left Ilia in her care. But Impaz was smart, and she knew more than a few things about brainwashing.

Zant was an excellent brainwasher, though, and Impaz realised that she would have to do something drastic to ensure that Ilia would not become his little time-bomb. It was something she did with considerable reluctance, though.

In order to get rid of Zant's hypnotic spell, Impaz would have to all but wipe Ilia's memory. Not permanently, but temporarily, long enough for Zant's influence to be purged. It involved blocking the girl's memories before wiping Zant's hypnotic suggestions from her mind. Unblocking them, though, needed time, more time than Impaz had. She had to hope that the blocks came undone on their own.

Before she had done so, Impaz had spoken to the girl. Zant's spell was a relatively subtle one. Even when her friend and target, Link, was mentioned, she didn't even indicate she was going to kill him. Obviously, it would be his presence that triggered her trying to kill him. Ilia understood what Impaz was doing, and gave her consent.

Shortly after she had finished, Zant reappeared, and took the girl, cursing about how Link was causing trouble, banishing the Twilight he had placed over Faron Province. The thing was, not long after he left, Impaz felt something settle across her mind. She seemed to forget something very important. It wasn't until she began searching through her mind that she realised what it was.

She didn't know where Hyrule Castle Town or Ordon Village were anymore! And while she was getting on in years, she knew her memory was sharper than ever.

She recognised the magic, too. She knew many kinds of magic, and not just that of the Sheikah tribe she was one of the last descendants of. She knew some of the magic of the infamous Interlopers. And she knew that there was a charm that could be used to hide a person or a place. She had never learned it, but she knew it existed.

At first, she thought it might be Zant's doing, but she had to wonder why he would do such a thing. On reflection, she thought it was more likely that someone opposing Zant may have done so, to protect those places from him. And if that were true, Impaz thought it was a bloody good idea…

As they crossed the bridge across Kakariko Gorge (a bridge that Midna had to fetch from within Faron Woods via her Shadow Magic), Harry looked at Sheik. "That's a brilliant transformation. But, well, is that a full-body transformation, or your clothes only?"

"My body gets changed too. I am not unfit as Zelda, but as Sheik, my speed, strength, and stamina are enhanced. However, my identity as Sheik is not well-known outside a chosen few," Sheik said.

"Like a Metamorphagus," Harry speculated.

"Is this another of those things from your world, Harry?" Midna asked.

"Yeah. Think of a Metamorphagus as a shapeshifter. Though what Zelda did seems more like a transfiguration, or maybe like a spell version of Polyjuice Potion. Whereas poor Link has to go through what is basically an involuntary Animagus transformation every time he enters the Twilight Realm. You'd think that being the bearer of the Triforce of Courage means that he's like me."

"The Goddesses are capricious bitches," Midna remarked casually.

"They are the trials required for a hero," Sheik said.

"Dealing with these Twilit creatures is a trial enough when you've got two legs and two arms, Sheik. I've got the feeling Farore wanted a pet doggy."

Midna laughed. "You know, I think you hit the nail on the head, Harry!"

Din looked over at Farore as the three Goddesses watched the events unfold. "That mortal has your measure, Farore."

"But he's so cute as a wolf!" Farore protested.

"He's cute as a human, sis. Or have you got some sort of dog fetish?" Din asked, an eyebrow raised.

"No," Nayru said. "There is another factor involved. The Hero of Time didn't reincarnate, merely lingering as a shade to pass on his skills to the next Hero. But that does not mean that Link is not a reincarnation. Time and reincarnation are funny things, especially where different dimensions are involved."

"And what's that supposed to mean?" Din asked, looking at Nayru.

"You'll see," Nayru said, a faint smile tugging at her mouth.

Some hours later, Harry stared at the massive bird formed of light, like an owl with the wingspan of an albatross, and muttered to himself, "I miss Hedwig."

They had collected the stolen light of Eldin, the Light Spirit in charge of Eldin Province, and put it into the receptacle, as usual. Between the four of them, they managed to get it done very quickly. Along the way, they found that the remaining people of Kakariko Village had stayed in a massive shrine. Only three inhabitants of Kakariko were left, though they were far from the only ones in that shrine: to Link's delight, four of the kidnapped children were present. Colin, Malo, Talo, and Beth. Colin was expressing hope that Link would come to save them, though a pot-bellied Kakariko native by the name of Barnes scoffed at this.

They also had to climb the aptly-named Death Mountain, encountering a few of the rocky Gorons, who were lamenting having to keep outsiders out. Something, it seemed, had gone wrong with their patriarch, Darbus. Midna was willing to bet that it had something to do with the Fused Shadow fragment they were searching for. They also nearly got hit by a massive spar of red-hot debris that had spewed from Death Mountain.

And now, having returned Eldin's stolen light and banished the Twilight, they were now meeting the Light Spirit, in a spring on the edge of Kakariko. Champions of Light and Twilight, the Princess of Hyrule, and the Princess of Twilight. I am grateful to you for restoring my lands and my people to their rightful state.

Midna looked at Eldin. "Y'know, it's weird, actually being corporeal outside of Twilight. Not that I'm complaining, mind. Not to mention talking to a Light Spirit in person without dying. A novel experience, really."

I would imagine so. Long has it been since the Interlopers have walked these lands with impunity, Eldin said. You are privileged, Twilight Princess. However, I must admonish you all to take care in your quest. The Fused Shadows are not a power to be sought lightly, and the fragment in these lands have done great harm to the Gorons of Death Mountain. Even now, that dark power lies in wait in their sacred mines.

"Seems like you called it, Midna," Harry remarked. "Has it affected Darbus?"

Indeed. Champions, Princesses, through you, Hyrule and the Twilight Realm has hope. Do not let that light be extinguished… Then, Eldin faded.

Before they could discuss what happened, the door to the shrine opened, and a boy with blonde hair and blue eyes peered out. He cheered when he saw Link, only to be promptly bowled over by a dark-haired boy and a girl with light brown hair. A smaller dark-haired boy, rather like a baby walking upright, emerged. They scurried towards Link, the blonde-haired boy following. The three natives of Kakariko soon followed, the pot-bellied Barnes, a tall, dignified man in robes who put Harry in mind of a Native American in terms of looks, and his daughter.

As Link was swarmed by the children from his village, the dignified man approached. "So, you are Link, the one these children spoke of?" the man asked.

Link nodded. "Yes, sir."

"And your travelling companions?" the man asked, his gaze turning to Harry, Midna, and Sheik. He frowned when he saw Sheik. "Lady Sheik," he said, clearly recognising Zelda's alter-ego. "If you are here, then things must be dire indeed."

"They are, Renado," Sheik said. "We are currently working to counter the actions of Zant, the usurper-king of the Twilight Realm."

"The Twilight Realm?" the now-named Renado asked, surprised. "So that's what those beasts were." His eyes went over to Midna. "And yet, you have a Twili accompanying you, it seems."

"This 'Twili' has a name, you know," Midna huffed, putting her hands on her hips. "I am Lady Midna, the Twilight Princess. The rightful ruler of the Twilight Realm, and, incidentally, one of those who just helped banish the Twilight from your town."

"My apologies," Renado said with a bow. He seemed genuine at least. "But those foul beasts slew many of the townsfolk. The others evacuated to Hyrule Castle Town. If they are not your kin, then I apologise for the offence I caused." His eyes went over to Harry. "And what of you? May I have your name?"

"Harry Potter. The Goddesses basically conscripted me into being the Champion of Twilight."

Renado nodded. "I am Renado, the village shaman." He indicated the dark-haired girl next to him. "This is my daughter, Luda." He indicated Barnes. "And this man is Barnes, the bomb-maker. I believe you are acquainted with the children left in our care?"

"Link is," Sheik said. "There were five children abducted, according to Link."

"Ilia was taken from us," Colin, the blonde-haired boy, said. The four children had been talking to Link about what had happened. "Some weird scary guy in armour came along after we were kidnapped."

"He said something about the Bearer," Malo, the toddler who looked like an upright baby, said. His voice was quiet, and a little deeper than one would think for a child his age. His eyes also glittered with intelligence.

Midna looked at Harry, then at Colin. "This guy in the armour, did the helmet have these bulging eyes and this big tongue sticking out?"

The four children nodded. "He was freaky!" Talo, the rambunctious boy with the darker hair, exclaimed. "He exploded one of those things that kidnapped us right in front of us!"

"Zant," Midna hissed. She looked at Link. "That's why he kidnapped the children. Somehow or other, he got wind that you were in the village, and ordered the kidnapping."

Renado came forward, and checked Link's hand, frowning. He looked over at Harry, then came over and checked his hand. "I have not seen a symbol like this before, save for in the most ancient of texts. Some believe it to be even more ancient than the symbol of the Triforce. The Favours of the Goddesses, that symbol is called. It was once a symbol of good luck. So, we have two Bearers, and three who are branded with symbols of the Goddesses."

"Whaddya mean?" Barnes asked. "Don't tell me these guys are all the Goddesses sent to help us out?"

Midna gave the bomb-maker a vicious smirk. "I'm more than enough for the task. Between the four of us, Zant has no chance." It was hyperbole, but Harry, Link, and Sheik knew she was saying it more for these people's benefit (especially the kids') than their own.

"Dunno whether you noticed, Midna or whoever you are, but they have an army," Barnes remarked.

"We have a wolf," Harry joked. Link glared at him.

Renado then turned to Barnes. "Barnes, please head back to your store for the time being. These people may have need of your bombs." As the pot-bellied bomb-maker slouched off, Renado cradled his chin. "Had it been but one of you, I would not burden you with our troubles. However, with the four of you, and with Lady Sheik no less, we may have a possible solution to those troubles."

"What troubles are those?" Sheik asked.

"The Gorons of Death Mountain have closed off the mountain path, destroying the ramps we normally use. Though they are a proud people, they usually aren't like this. And yet, any attempt to parley with them are rebuffed. Although the Gorons tend to respect only strength, the Elders do know of Lady Sheik, and may grant her an audience."

As Sheik nodded, Link looked at them. "Can we rest for a while first? I want to catch up with the kids first."

"Very well," Sheik said. "But we will have to ascend Death Mountain as soon as possible. We cannot dally while the fate of Hyrule hangs in the balance."

"Quest to save the world from a murderous maniac and seeking out artifacts of dark power?" Harry remarked. "Story of my bloody life…" he concluded with a sigh.

CHAPTER 6 ANNOTATIONS:

Sorry about the wait. Motivation was a little lacking, and I wanted to resolve Ilia's problems as soon as possible. And by the way, there will be a reason for Link being able to turn into a wolf in Twilight…and Zelda's ability with changing appearance. I only thought of it partway through writing this chapter, and it'll give a nice little twist to the story. You'll have to wait until another chapter for the revelation, though I'm sure many of you can make an educated guess…

No numbered annotations this time.