Chapter: 21
Theme: 34. Desperation
Game: Twilight Princess
Setting: Towards the beginning of the game, just before Midna finds Link
Rating: T

Weakly the small creature moved, trying to conserve her energy, preserve her dignity, and remain hidden in the same moment. It wasn't working well to say the least, which only infuriated the redheaded imp further. Never before had she been in this situation; never before had she felt such desperation and weakness.

That foul unworthy mongrel who forced her into this disgusting body would pay, he would pay dearly for making her sink so low as to need the help of the light dwellers. How dare he steal what was rightfully hers?! She'd earned her title through the trials and tribulations required to even be considered as heir, the very same ones he'd failed. How could Zant, a loathsome worm who could barely perform some of the simplest of magics, become so powerful that he could not only remove her power as ruler but banish her to the realm of light?

She didn't have those answers, and so long as she remained in this hideous form she could not force the answers from him. She had one last desperate hope of returning to her previous state, but to say it was a long shot would have been an understatement.

The old legends spoke of one who could save her world in times of strife, one born of light but able to walk amongst the shadows. She had never been one for fairytales and legends before, but she had never been so desperate before either.

That desperation forced her to do something as revolting as to ask the Princess of Light for help. Really to think these light dwellers believed duty could be bred into a person, it was ridiculous to entertain such an idea. That cloistered little princess knew nothing of true duty to her people, not like Midna did. She was everything a proper princess should be: elegant, beautiful, and deadly. No one had ever completed the trials as she had, she was far more cunning and ruthless than any of her predecessors. She knew how to make every decision and move count to obtain her ultimate goal, and as she known it would her tactics always paid off. Her people adored her for her drive, intelligence, and willingness. What did Zelda's people think of their pampered princess?

Bah it was too absurd to even consider the thought that her people would have even the slightest respect for her. Not that the ignorant girl, she was far from a woman, hadn't had her uses. Apparently in the light world they believed their rulers should have knowledge far more vast then the endless skies of twilight, meaning the little prick knew every legend and could easily guess the manner that would be the easiest to go about researching the legend.

That was the reason Midna currently found herself traipsing through this goddess damned place the light dwellers called a forest. Really who would choose to live in such a foul environment with all the insects, smells, and otherworldly noises? The only benefit Midna had found is that there were plenty of shadows for her to hide amongst here, making it easier to traverse the labyrinth of foliage before her.

She was trying to find a remote village Zelda, urgh it sounded far too much like Zant for her liking, had pointed out as the most likely place for the hero to live. Really why hadn't the stupid hero already come out of hiding, over half his country was now covered in the veil of twilight. Personally she didn't understand their aversion to it, it was quite pleasant, but still one would think the idiot would be out fighting by now!

The imp like creature, who was only a former shell of the incredible being she'd once been, paused on a limb. There was no mistaking that sound, and sure enough just below her was one of the beasts from Zant's army. Whether the beast had once been one of her people or one of the light dwellers she didn't know, but she hoped it had been from the light. Too many of her people had already been hurt by Zant, and there were more than enough light dwellers for him to use instead.

The beast was looking just past the twilight wall, where the world of light continued. To her surprise she saw a huge ugly green brute of a creature bring up several small light dwellers, the offspring of some of the larger ones perhaps? Each of the little light dwellers was crying and whimpering in fright while being held under a large net inside a wagon pulled by a strange creature with a large snout. The dark beast allowed the ugly green beast through, and it was only as they passed her by that Midna saw several smaller versions of the large bulbous creature. How they held their shape in the twilight Midna didn't know, but it was likely some of Zant's doing if she had to guess.

This caused the small creature to huff in irritation, apparently Zant had already gotten to that village, and surely if the hero were there then he would have stopped those annoying little whimpering things from being hauled off, right?

Now what could she do? That had been her last hope and now she had nothing. True she had some power, thanks to Zant's ignorance. The fool had no concept of their society, and thus didn't know that she had already been burdened with job of protecting their most ancient and powerful of treasures. She'd kept it well hidden before, and even as she had been transformed she managed to keep it from him. Once she had escaped his clutches, and that of his hordes, she'd been able to use it and regain some of her strength.

As these thoughts ran through her ever calculating head she noticed another light dweller run up to the wall of shadow. He, she thought it was a he anyway, appeared quite frightened by the wall. Midna only rolled her eyes, ready to leave this place, obviously the hero would not be frightened of something as silly as a wall! It seemed the shadow beast saw the boy as well, and much to Midna's amusement, pulled him through the curtain. She decided to stay a moment longer, if only to enjoy the utter horror of the light dweller as he was ripped from his world of light.

For a moment the dark being appeared like it was going to play with the youth, like a predator playing with its prey right before consuming it. However, to the shock of all three a shining golden light erupted from the left hand of the light dweller causing the beast to reel back in pain, tossing the youth several feet away. Midna found the light emitting from the light creature to be painful as well, but she at least withstood it.

Amazingly the light dweller too seemed to be in immense pain as he whimpered, groaned, and even screamed while on all fours. Without warning hair exploded over the entire body of the youth while his limbs and face changed to that of a ferocious beast. For the briefest of moments the new dark beast looked straight at her, causing Midna to suck in her breath. What she had failed to notice before were the intense blue eyes of this creature, blue eyes that remained in the dark feral looking beast.

Before she could comprehend more the furry thing collapsed in unconsciousness allowing the recovered shadow beast to drag it away. Midna didn't mind though, she knew where it would take the light dweller, even those abominations of Zant's weren't that stupid. Midna's mouth opened into a fanged grin as she realized she could use this light dweller. He may not have been the hero she was looking for, but he would make the perfect patsy for her. All the old legends spoke of a blue eyed beast, meaning even Zant would fear him which would mean she could end him. Smiling more Midna jumped into the shadows, ready to remove the usurper and restore her world to its previous glory.

A/N: This idea sprang forth based off of Midna's confession during the game, and the flashbacks you see of her. She looked really kind of evil, and in the beginning of the game to say she was a bit witchy would be an understatement. She is a fun character and like Groose in Skyward Sword she goes through quite the character development throughout the game. From being a demanding nuisance to actually stepping up and helping you fight in the end. She's always been one of my favorite characters since she has so much attitude. When I use her I always kind of see her as that friend you sometimes wish you didn't have, but are always grateful when they're there for you. Hopefully you guys like this and don't hate me too much for how she's portrayed, like I said she goes through a change and this is just how I imagine her at the beginning.

Thanks for reading, and special thanks ReluctantHero for the review. Glad that undepressed you and yes I can imagine Faron doing that. Oh and I know you're not fond of long author's notes but I enjoy putting in how the idea came about every once in a while. Thank you for the input though and I'll try to remember to keep them brief.