((A/N: Finally got a new chapter up, just before the wonderful week containing midterm exams begin. Ugh, save me from Spanish II, please… I did my best with this chapter, trying to guess at how Midna would act. I mean, in the beginning she IS focused only on her mission of gaining the Fused Shadows, after all… Also, I would have had a more precise description of Leon if I hadn't forgotten to copy the character bio submitted to me to my jump drive before I left home today… maybe in a later chapter, then. Also, I stink at chapter names. I really do.

Jenn: Well, people are very good at hiding what they truly feel or think, so you need to keep that in mind… and yes, they also have the same power to shapeshift, but that depends on if they wish to or not during a fight.

Imsunprincess54: Well, glad you like it so far.))

Chapter 9: One Step Closer

Whoops.

Danielle looked at the ruins of the building she had just barely escaped from, black smoke drifting slowly into the air. Hunting the Shadow Insects had led her to some kind of storage shed. Unfortunately, whatever was being stored inside also happened to be highly flammable, as lighting a fire in the fireplace to smoke out the insect had resulted in it catching aflame and spreading to flames to everything about it. Within a few seconds of her escaping, the entire building had exploded.

Fortunately, the three insects were killed that hid inside… although at the expense of someone's home.

Without warning, something landed roughly on her back. Danielle snarled, thinking it was a foe as she snapped over her shoulder, only to have two small hands grab her snout and snap it shut. There sat Midna, rolling her eye as she held Danielle's jaws closed. "Jumpy, eh?" She looked now to the rubble, releasing Danielle while folding her arms. "Wow, you did a number on this place. Guess it was a good thing I came to check on you. Link looked pretty worried when he heard the ruckus."

Still somewhat irritated, Danielle just looked forward and prepared to head down the hill, only for Midna to lean forward and grab her neck, pulling it back so that her head was brought to the imp's own. "Link can handle gathering the rest of the tears," the imp spoke into Danielle's ear, eye flickering towards her. "Now, let's talk about your brothers for a minute."

Danielle narrowed her eyes as she heard this, neck bothering her slightly from being pulled back in such an uncomfortable position. Her brothers? For some reason, she really didn't like the tone of Midna's voice when she had said this, either. "I know Zant is sending them after you and only you for now, at least. He still wants you and that sword, and he won't stop until he gets both. Of course, he's also after me as well…" She released Danielle suddenly, hovering in front of her with the back to the transformed young girl, arms folded. "I'm sure he's figured it out by now that I helped you get out of the castle, so it's likely they'll now be looking for me the next time one of your brothers comes after you. I told Zelda I'd watch you, but getting the rest of the Fused Shadows is more important than babysitting you. And with what your brother turned into back there, well…" She shrugged, seemingly changing her mind abruptly on what she was about to say. "Link had more trouble with that thing than Diababas in the Forest Temple. If it weren't for you, he may not have survived." Midna turned to face her once more, arms still folded as she frowned. "Of course, if it weren't for you, that monster wouldn't have been there in the first place."

A shiver ran up her spine at the tone of the imp's voice. Danielle took a step back from her, slightly tensed now, but Midna hovered over to the girl and rested her left arm on her draconic head. She was looking down at her fingers idly before leaning forward to whisper in her ear. "If you being around us puts what I'm doing at risk, I won't hesitate to throw you out to your brothers, got it?" Danielle hesitated for a split second, realizing just what she was saying. The young girl nodded slowly in reply, wondering if Link had the slightest clue about this. It wasn't like she could tell him, either… "Good," Midna spoke with a grin, patting her head. "If you can manage to hold your own against your precious brothers and not get Link nearly killed again, then maybe I won't have to hand you over to them. With that settled, let's meet up with Link and get the rest of those tears." She hopped onto Danielle's back, holding on at the base of her neck. "Get going!"

Danielle couldn't help but let out an annoyed growl, heading down the path to the village. Midna's words echoed in her mind, continuing to send chills running through her even now. She knew the imp was deadly serious about this, which worried her. Would her own ally be the one who turned her over to Zant?

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They stood before a great owl of golden light, Link in his human form and Danielle still stuck as a dragon. The pair had hunted down every last Shadow Insect, even up on the dangerous trails of Death Mountain. Just as when she had seen Faron for the first time, Danielle stood staring in amazement at the spirit of light while the spirit turned its attention to Link. "My name is Eldin. I am one of the light spirits of Hyrule. I am the spirit that guards these lands. O great hero chosen by the gods… The dark power you seek lies in the sacred grounds of the proud mountain dwellers. But already those grounds have been defiled, draped in shadow and seeded with evil. You must go to those sacred grounds and cleanse them."

That explains why the Gorons were so on edge while we hunted the insects… but what could have happened? Danielle thought idly to herself, stretching her neck slightly as a crick began to bother her.

"And you, child… I feel the power of the spirit Faron within you already, and now I shall add mine." Snapped out of her thoughts by finding herself being lifted into the air, she turned her gaze to the light spirit as the majestic owl stared down at her. "Another of your brothers comes to capture you, young one. You must defeat him as you defeated the eldest and take the weapon that he holds."

Curiosity filled her face now. His weapon? What was so important about the weapons her brother carried? Why were the light spirits tasking her with retrieving them?

As if Eldin detected her unspoken question, it continued to speak. "The weapons you brother carry are not ordinary tools of war. The tale of their origin has been lost in the tides of time to the people of Hyrule, but we know of the forgotten truth. But now is not the time for their origins to be revealed to you, as time is short. When you are to know the truth, it shall be revealed to you." Light formed before the great owl, taking the shape of a small sphere the size of her fist. "Now, accept this portion of my power to awaken yours further."

Still confused by the spirit's enigmatic words, Danielle nodded just slightly. The light shot into her chest, the same warmth as before filling her entire being along with a deep drowsiness. Eldin gently lowered her to the ground, her eyes beginning to close. "Your body has nearly adjusted to the power within. Only one final piece remains," the spirit's deep voice rumbled. "Rest well, child."

As sleep overtook her, one final thought crossed her tired mind. The light spirits were hiding the truth about the weapons from her right now, but why?

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"It looks like one of those monsters that invaded Kakariko."

"It does, but it is curious that when all of the beasts vanished, this one appeared tucked away in the spirit's spring and sleeping no less. It is possible that it is not one of the creatures at all."

"Maybe, since I've never seen one as frail as this before. Could be a genuine dragon, but I could also be wrong."

Danielle was awakened by the sound of two men's voices near her, a soft grunt escaping from her mouth. Water sloshed nearby, the ring of a sword being drawn from its sheath filling the air. Slowly she opened her eyes, keeping her body completely still. The man with the blade stood nearly six feet tall, his ears pointed like a Hylian's but his skin unusually tanned. He wore heavy chain mail beneath his light armor, and the way he stood hinted at an experienced warrior who was no stranger to battle. The one behind him bore long, black hair and lesser-tanned skin, clad in the robes of a shaman. "Hold, Leon. Stay your blade."

"You sure, Renado? It could be one of them."

The shaman, Renado, nodded just slightly and stepped past the warrior. "I do not see rage in its eyes, but fear." Danielle recoiled away a bit and her heart pounded in her chest as Renado approached, the clear water swirling about. He seemed quite interested, crouching down before her. "A dragon has not been seen in this land for many long years, let alone a fledgling such as this. It bears no hostility against us, which is a good omen."

"A dragon is a monster regardless," Leon snorted, lowering his blade just slightly while Renado held out a hand to Danielle, as if he expected her to sniff at it and inspect it like some animal. "I saw go ahead and kill it now before it grows up and decides to feast on the people of Kakariko in the next few years."

They really do think I am some mindless animal… Danielle thought. But that Leon fellow is already testing my nerves.

With a snort in return at Leon, she surprised Renado by reaching out her claw and pacing it against his outstretched palm. His eyes grew wide briefly as the shaman stared down at her, Leon himself looking startled. She held her claw there while the shock set in on the two before pulling it away and stepping back, sitting down with her head held proudly. "Perhaps you should watch your words, Leon. This fledgling is no fool."

"Hmph. So it understands Hylian. Big deal." His surprise had quickly faded, the dark-skinned Hylian turning while sheathing his sword. "We need to be securing Kakariko in case more of those dark monsters come instead of fawning over some dragon… unless you want a repeat of that kid Colin's kidnapping."

Renado turned his head just slightly so he could look back at Leon, a deep frown on his face. Apparently Leon's words had brought up some less than pleasant memories for the shaman. "Perhaps you are correct in one concern." He slowly rose to his feet, staring down at Danielle for a second before tearing his thoughtful gaze away and following Leon.

Well, that was interesting, she thought, tail curled around her slightly. Never a dull moment I suppose. Thank the goddesses the brute didn't try to kill me.

Stretching, Danielle let out a slight yawn and closed her eyes for a few seconds to enjoy the crisp, cool water lapping at her body and the warm sun shining down on her. It was during those scant few seconds that she failed to notice the shadow that fell over her. Before she had even opened her eyes, a powerful blow slammed into the back of her head, everything fading to black in a single burst of pain.