Disclaimer: I do not own "The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess" or any of its characters

Alright, I've officially gone back and started playing the game haha. Partially research of the map, which reminds me that I'm avoiding saying east and west with the reverse between GameCube and Wii but if I do point out a direction, it will match with the GameCube version as it is the one that I own... for now. I really want to buy the other version.

~*~

The two of us rode across the fields of Hyrule and, when I saw the turnoff to Kakariko, I directed Epona to turn when I felt Midna grip my shoulder. "Alright, alright. You can hide now," I said.

"No, that's not it," Midna said in a shady voice.

I turned and looked at her and saw the three Fused Shadows I helped her collect spiralling around her. "What?" I mumbled.

"They're responding to the fourth piece," she mumbled.

"That's right. It completely slipped my mind," I said. I pushed Epona into a gallop away from Kakariko. Almost in the middle of the field, I stopped and slid off Epona. I turned and helped Midna down who was looking ahead at a black object on the grassy floor.

"Is that...?" she mumbled.

"After he..." the memories ripped at my heart like claws. "It was broken and I never thought to come back and get it. Will it still work?"

"I just have to fix it but I'm not sure how. All I know is that, with this, Ganondorf won't stand a chance," Midna said as she picked the Shadow up, piece by piece.

"Maybe we should bring it back to the Princess when we're done checking up on everyone," I said.

"Probably not a bad idea," Midna said. "Either way, let's go."

I climbed back on Epona with Midna and we headed back to Kakariko. As we approached the gates, Midna dove into my shadow. I urged Epona on and the first person I saw was Renado.

"Link," he smiled.

I pulled Epona to a stop and slid off her back as he approached me.

"What do I owe to this visit?" he asked me.

"Just checking in. There have been sightings of monsters returning near the castle and my hometown so the Princess would like me to make sure everyone's alright and that there are no other attacks," I said.

"Oh, well, there have been none here and I've been in contact with Gor Coron and he hasn't mentioned anything. Is everyone alright?" Renado asked.

"Yeah. We were able to stop them in Ordon and as far as I know, the guards stopped them in castle town. Just do me a favour and keep on guard. If you can, get a few of the Gorons down here," I said.

"Oh, Link!"

I looked up and saw Luda running towards me.

"Hello," I smiled.

"How are Prince Ralis and Ilia? I've been worried about them," she asked.

"Well, last time I saw Ralis he was well and happily ruling the Zoras. As for Ilia, she's fine," I said.

"I'm glad," she smiled.

"Well, not to be rude but I really do need to check on the Zoras too," I said as I pulled myself onto Epona.

"Travel safely," Renado said.

"Send me a letter if something happens," I said.

"You have my word," he bowed.

I directed Epona out of the village. "Okay, I know you'd rather not scare people but I don't know another way to get to Zoras Domain," I laughed.

"I guess you're right. The Zoras seemed pretty calm before when they saw you in your wolf form so I don't think they'd be startled. She touched the crystal to my head again and we were in the throne room of Zoras Domain.

I swam to the edge of the water and left the throne room briefly to have Midna revert me back. I walked back into the throne room.

"Link!" the Prince called out.

"Prince Ralis," I said with a bow.

"I've been hoping to see you again. I wanted to make sure you were alright. I knew you were heading into your final battle and, after all that you did for me, I'd never be able to live with myself if harm had befallen you and I didn't help," Ralis said.

"That's not your responsibility. Leading and caring for the Zoras is," I said.

"Is there anything I can do for you?" he asked.

"Well, I did come to ask if there have been any sightings of the shadow beasts in the area," I said.

"None of the Zora have reported anything in the domain or at Lake Hylia," Ralis said.

"Okay then, the thing you can do for me is keep an eye out for them and contact me if any are seen," I said.

"Okay," he said with disappointment. I could tell he wished to do more for me.

I bowed to him again and left the throne room. As I stood at the top of the waterfall, completely unnoticed by the Zoras below, Midna stood from my shadow.

"Do you want me to take you back to castle town? The Zoras and Kakariko are the only other villages besides Castle Town so we should report back to Zelda," she said.

I nodded and Midna took us back to Castle Town. As my wolf body stabilized, I sniffed the air and could smell people coming our way... a lot of people. "Soldiers!"

"Coming this way?!" Midna asked.

"Get into my shadow!" I shouted.

"But if they're not that close, I can change you back!" Midna said.

"You can change me in time but you can't hide in time! Just get down!" I ordered, my voice echoed in a bark.

Midna didn't argue further and dove down into my shadow.

My bark seemed to draw their attention as I heard them running towards me. When the gates opened, they all charged at me. I turned on a dime and started running away from the castle. They all followed.

Link! If you they follow you away from the castle then Zelda and the rest of the town will be unprotected! Midna said.

"Not good," I mumbled quietly. I turned back around and charged in their direction. They did just as I expected and divided to avoid being hit by me. I ran right past them and into town. People shrieked at the sight of me.

Go to Telma's bar. Use the passageway to the castle, Midna said.

I nodded and turned to the south of the town. The soldiers were still chasing close behind. I turned into the alley of Telma's bar and looked to my left. "The crates are gone! I can't reach the window," I said.

Just go in through the front door, Midna said.

"Here goes nothing," I said, moving just in time to avoid a soldier's arrow. Inside the bar, I saw that every one of Telma's friends were present. They all stared at me and I froze for a moment.

Link! Midna shouted.

I snapped out of my reverie and raced around the room. Rusl charged at me with his sword and I did my best to dodge him and the rest of the soldiers that flooded the room. I was doing well until I got tangled in a net someone threw on me. I tumbled in a mass of fur and feet and lay on the ground, watching the weapons that approached me.

"Stop!"

The soldiers and others turned to the door and, as they spread apart, I saw Zelda standing tall.

"I got word of a monster tearing through the town again and came to see for myself," she said.

"Right in the corner," Telma said as she pointing as accusing finger at me helplessly lumped at the wall.

Zelda sighed and looked to me. "I must apologize but I'm afraid I have to compromise your secret."

I nodded, showing her I understood. There was no way I was getting out of this mess without revealing this dark secret.

"Telma, do you see Link as a hero?" she asked.

"Of course I do. If not for him, Hyrule would have no Princess and no future," Telma answered.

"And how do you see this creature in the corner?" Zelda asked again.

"Wha... it's a beast! A foul creature that wants nothing than to conquer us!" Telma shouted.

"Then are a beast and a hero really so different?" Zelda asked everyone.

No one seemed to follow her interrogation.

She walked over to me and all the soldiers shouted at once.

"Princess!"

"Relax. I'm with the Hero of Twilight. I couldn't be safer," she said. She untangled me from the netting and touched her hand to my head. When she moved it, the shadow crystal was in her hand.

~*~

Worst cliff hanger ever! Hahaha

Sorry but I have to cut it off before it gets too long. I should have the update within the next week. I know my updates were really fast recently but that's only because I was off sick from school so I had a lot of free time. Let me know what you think about the end of this chapter. Do you like the idea or should this have remained a secret.

Oh, and thanks to Archerygurl. I can always count on you to give me feedback ;)

Oh, and thanks for your input, ConGie. I'll gradually raise the chapter lengths rather than just a sudden growth. I would've made this one longer but it was already finished by the time I read you comment.