I wonder who that could be to make Midna scream? I don't own Legend of Zelda.

Makura felt terror grasp his heart as he ran as fast as he could, fearing it would be too late. He rounded the pillars that framed the Mirror Chamber. Zant had one pale hand wrapped around Link's throat. Link's feet kicked weakly as he tried to find the ground below him. Even as Makura watched, Link's struggles ceased and his face rapidly lost color. Midna hung unconscious next to Zant, her wrists held by an invisible force.

Makura roared a battle cry and slashed at Zant with his sword. His blade sliced Zant across the stomach, but barely penetrated the armor. Zant gave a hiss in pain and released Link. Link fell and rolled painfully to land by Makura's feet. Link gasped as oxygen rushed back into his lungs and his face recovered from its pallor.

Makura stood ready to strike again, but Zant said, "You have failed! Soon this land will be ruled by the Gerudo King. Do what you will, but for naught. Goodbye, 'Hero'."

Makura rushed up the pedestal to attack and screamed, "No!"

Zant and Midna disappeared right as Makura's blade plunged its tip into Zant's abdomen. Makura braced himself for the pressure, but it was gone and he clumsily caught himself. Makura heard coughing below him and quickly turned.

He ran back to Link and helped him sit up. Makura waited until Link could speak and then asked, "What happened?"

Link pointed to the pillars and said weakly, "The Caretakers of the Mirror finished explaining what had happened. We were coming to find you when Zant attacked." Link coughed and rubbed at his throat before continuing, "This time was different. He wasn't toying anymore. If you hadn't come when you did, I'd be dead right now."

Makura frowned and paled. "Did Zant say anything?"

Link shook his head and said, "Nothing that made sense. Why?"

"The Mirror is broken, but not shattered. Only the true ruler of the Twilight can utterly destroy it. He seeks to be the true king, but Zant isn't the heir. He could never rule legitimately. He wants to strand us here in Hyrule so that we can do nothing to stop him."

Link's eyes lit in understanding. "Midna is the Twilight Princess."

Makura nodded. "If he can find a way to get her to destroy the Mirror, we won't be abled to do anything to help her and he may as well kill her."

Link asked, "Can't he marry her and destroy the Mirror himself?"

"She would never go through with it and Midna would still have to be the one to destroy it. Midna has to bequeath her rights as Princess Heir for him to rule," Makura explained.

"It's just a matter of time. We need to get there first," Link finished. He suddenly said, "Midna tossed something right before Zant bound her."

Link nodded to his left and Makura searched through the sand to find what she left. He found the stone curse Zant had placed on them and picked it up.

Makura heard as though through a fog, 'If you have this stone, I won't be around anymore. I'm sorry to leave this burden to you, Makura, but I know you have need. I have infused the curse with enough of my power to allow you to access the portals. As long as it's in your pouch, you should be able to activate your wolf form or the portals with a thought. I remember my oath.'

Makura felt his eyes sting and closed them to lock the pain away. His hand closed around the stone and it cut his palm. Makura barely noticed the blood flowing freely. He walked back to Link and said, "She is a fool. We need to act quickly, or she may do something stupid."

Link smirked faintly. "Most people are fools. How do we get down from here?"

Makura held up the stone and said, "She gave me this. I can get us where we need to go."

Link stood unsteadily and said hoarsely, "I could use a drink. Let's get back to Castle Town and visit Telma. She can direct us to our next location. The Caretakers told where the pieces are. One is on a snowy peak, another in an ancient forest, and the final resides in the heavens."

Makura nodded and put the stone in his pouch. He hoped Midna was right and thought of himself and Link back on the bridge of Castle Town. The portal above them opened and Makura concentrated so they wouldn't get separated. He blinked and the desert was gone, replaced with wood planking underneath his feet.

Makura sighed in relief and Link shot him a look. Makura shrugged as he walked and said, "I wasn't sure it would work, alright!"

Link smirked before he stumbled. Makura put a hand on his shoulder and said, "We should really get to Telma's place."

Link nodded and rubbed his throat. Makura could already see faint bruising above Link's tunic collar where Zant's hand had been. They walked into the bar with their heads hung low. Telma took them in before saying, "You two look awful. Did something happen? Auru told us he saw you two before you shot off into the desert."

Makura sighed and said, "We didn't find what we were looking for. The false king took Midna to my realm and tried to kill us yet again."

Link added, "He would have succeeded this time if Makura hadn't saved me."

Makura said, "He wouldn't have gotten either of you if I had stayed."

Link added scornfully, "Or maybe he would have killed both of us. There's no point in your train of thought so you may as well stop now. We can't ever know what might have happened."

Telma placed two mugs of milk down and said, "Sounds like you had it rough. Do you plan to go after Midna?"

"We can't until we find the rest of the key to get where she's being held," Makura stated flatly.

Telma said, "It's late. Why don't you two stay the night and then head to Zora's Domain in the morning. That's where Ashei is right now. She heard something about a mountain monster appearing and left."

They were about to refuse when Telma gave them a look. Link placed rupees for the drinks on the table and started to pay for their rooms when Telma said, "This is a tavern, but not a hotel. My rooms are for my friends and they owe me no charge."

Link and Makura flashed grateful smiles and Telma giggled. "You two really do look like you've been run over by life. Finish your milk and go through the door behind the bar. You'll find my house. There are a couple guest beds down the hall to the right."

Link and Makura downed the milk and stood to follow her instructions. Telma watched them go. When they were through the door, she took out a pad of paper and a quill to write a letter.

So Midna's terrible toss and memo attached to an item is a reference to Ocarina of Time for all those who caught it. Please read and review.