Disclaimer: I don't own anything except for my OC Dianne

Chapter 25: The Search For The Triforce

(Dianne's POV)

It must've came as quite the surprise to the Headmaster when three battered and bloody figures burst into his library demanding the location of the most powerful force in the world. With hesitation, Gaepora looked more closely at the three of us, "Heavens! Is that Dianne I see, and Link and Groose!? What kind of trials has the goddess put you through?" Link shook his head, "It would be better if it weren't disclosed until we've completed our mission." The old man's mustache twitched, "Ah... I see... By the way, how is Zelda? Did you find her?" "She is well, but won't be able to return home quite yet." Link had to take a deep breath to finish his sentence. I could see the sparkle of hope in Gaepora's eyes vanish at the news of his daughter, and you pitied him silently. " I see... Well, why have you returned?" As Link asked about the Triforce, Groose nudged you, "I'm going to get my stuff, don't you dare leave without me." "Don't worry we won't." I said.

Nodding, as I saw him off just as the Headmaster gasped, "The Triforce!?... Link, where did you hear that word? Never mind..." He caught his wits, "I truly don't know it's whereabouts, but... Levias does." "Levias?" I piped in at the sound of the mighty name. "The great sky spirit with knowledge abound. He lives in the thundercloud, but I would talk to Instructor Owlan. He knows more about Levias than I." He said.

After we were finished speaking with Gaepora, we went to go see Inspector Owlan and see what he knows about the great sky spirit Levias. When we got there we were surprised and rather unnerved disturbance, as Instructor Owlan informed us of a secret about Levias that we'd rather stay in the shadows. As it seems Levias was possessed by some sort of demon or parasite that affected his thinking, and from what was described, the two of us were in for a hell of a fight. We quickly learned that a certain combat move, performed on a loftwing was absolutely necessary for this battle. It was a trick only the most experienced knights were taught... The Spin Attack. For skilled riders such as ourselves, it was a cinch to master. Instructor Owlan wanted us to deliver a pot of pumpkin soup to the Rainbow Island as a peace offering and hopefully that will get on Levias' good side, otherwise will end up beating the demon out of him.

After we had finishing talking with Instructor Owlan, and after Groose had gathered his things and we changed our clothes, the three of us flew off with the sun high above us towards the pumpkin place. Actually it was more of an inn/tavern where the knights of Skyloft visited frequently.

I wasn't exactly thrilled to have to deliver soup to a possessed monster, but that's the life of a hero... The welcoming smells of spices and pumpkin filled our senses as we landed outside, and the sounds of friendly music and laughter echoed around. The familiarity of the place boosted our spirit making us feel safe and comforted. Stepping through the doors, we were instantly greeted by a friendly bolstering voice, and we immediately recognized it as the tavern's keeper. "Ah! The heroes return! What can I do ya for?" Link smiled and greeted him warmly, explaining our situation to him. I stood back a bit, normally letting Link do all the explaining and my eyes wandered the tavern, smiling as I saw jovial faces. My gaze almost overlooked one very familiar figure because of his ratted appearance, but I finally recognized him, "Pipit?!" I strutted over to the lonely table in the corner of the tavern

Pipit raised his head with a great amount of effort from the table and you saw the extent of his state. His normally beautiful amber colored hair was dulled and unkempt, ruffled and greasy beyond max. Even a short amount of stubble grew unevenly across his jaw. As he looked up drowsily from the table, his red-rimmed eyes met mine, "Dianne?" His voice cracked.

My jaw dropped as I saw the great beaker sitting next to his sword, and I knew he was drunk. I was too astonished to reprimand him, "Pipit! What have you done to yourself?!" Pipit smirked, "So... You've finally decided to show up." He took another swig from his beaker. I snatched it angrily from his mouth and slid it across the table, "Stop it! What do you think you're doing?!" He sighed groggily, "Waiting for you..." "Waiting... Pipit you know I have to do this!" I tried to keep my voice down. "Do what, Dianne? All I know is that you've been disappearing with Link for days at a time and coming back like you've been in a war. So tell me..." He leaned towards me, "What is going on?" Before I could react, Link and Groose came up behind me, "What the heck?! Pipit, is that you?" Pipit leaned back against his chair, "So... Can't go anywhere without your boyfriends now can you? Tell me, where is that pale friend of yours, Dianne. Is he around too?" I have had just about had it with him, but Link took a stand for me, "Hey! What is wrong with you, Pipit? You have no idea what we've been through. Don't you dare insult her like that!"

Pipit slowly rose from his seat and looked right through his soul, "You know, Link. You and I have something to settle." He took off his glove and threw it to the ground, "Pick it up..." By now most of the attention from the tavern was drawn to us, and Link snorted, "We have nothing to settle! I will not fight you." "I'm sure we do," Pipit sneered, "Remember that one night in your dorm? Your pale friend was there too. He told me everything."

Flashback

(Pipit's POV)

I released a long sigh as I dragged my feet into the Pumpkin Place, and found an empty table in the corner of the tavern. Signaling down a maid, I ordered a tall beaker of red wine. Normally I never drank, but feeling like it dulled my senses and messed with my ability to fight, but today... I craved it. I just wanted to be hit in the back of the head and for all of this to just go away. Taking a swig of the sweet nectar, I brushed my hat off and massaged my temples. With everything that has been going on with Link and Dianne, it had given him a whale of a headache.

Actually it was more or less all the digging he'd been doing while they were away, and the fact that he broke up with Karane. She was sweet and head strong, but she wasn't Dianne. Pipit gritted his teeth. He so desperately wanted to see what they experienced down on the Surface. What was it like, who lived there and where was Zelda anyway? He spent hours in the library researching ancient texts for clues, and even pestered Gaeopra. Why his best friends decided to keep him in the dark through all this boggled his mind. He could help if they needed it!

He closed his eyes, imagining wild adventures where he would be Dianne's savior, and she would thank him and invite him along in her quest. He snorted. Highly unlikely.

"A bit stressed are we?" A wicked and smooth voice interrupted his thoughts.

Pipit whipped his head up to face that pale man that was in Dianne's room a few nights ago, and he remembered how this man was supposedly their enemy. With lighting reflexes, Pipit drew his knife and tried to slash at him.

The man jerked his head, and the knife suddenly flew out of his grasp, "Now, now. I'm just here to talk. Sit please..." He forced his hand toward Pipit, and knocked him back into the chair. Pipit struggled against some unknown force, like an elephant sitting on his chest, and the man chuckled darkly, "That's better. Don't want to cause a scene now do we?"

Pipit sneered, trying desperately to free himself, "What do you want?"

The man grinned and leaned against the chair opposite him, "Merely to introduce myself, I am the Demon Lord Ghirahim of 'the Surface.'"

"I've heard," Pipit's memory flashed back to the night he walked in on Dianne in her room. Seeing this lord pressing himself against her. He shivered, "And I know you are among Dianne's greatest enemies."

Ghirahim's eyes twinkled with mischief, "Really? There have been moments between us that would suggest otherwise..."

Pipit gritted his teeth in anger as images of this demon lord and Dianne blinked across the blackness of his mind. Ghirahim easily took notice and taunted him, "Oh, you've fallen for her as well? Seems like everyone has taken a liking to this heroine."

"What do you mean?"

Ghirahim looked innocently around, fiddling with a strange black dagger, "Oh nothing in particular, just that Link seems to agree with the two of us." He took a glance at Pipit's intense eyes and smiled, "You remember the night when you barged in on Dianne and I? Well just moments before, Link and Dianne were getting a little personal in his dorm room..."

"Shut-up!" Pipit hissed, and immediately seeing the pleasure on Ghirahim's face knowing it was a mistake to show his weakness, "I know Dianne. She would never..."

"Well then you don't know her as well as you thought then..." Ghirahim snickered, "You really want to know what they've been doing all this time on the Surface? And don't play dumb with me. I've seen you tearing apart all those ancient books."

Pipit hesitated between answers. Whoever this Demon Lord was, he was backing him into a corner quickly and with ease. He pursed his lips, "What do you really want? Ghirahim's grin widened, and he leaned forward on the table, pointing the dagger in Pipit's face, "Just to tell you the truth."

Flashback end

I took in a sharp breath, "You met with Ghirahim?!" Pipit turned to you, "Not only met, my dear, he spoke with me. He told me everything..." His intense eyes burned into mine. I wanted to hide away from them, having this feeling he knew it all... Groose piped in, "What is he talking about, Dianne?" I could see the frustration behind Link's features as he tried to control himself,"I have no idea what you are talking about." As he did his best to avoid the situation. "Really? Well maybe this will refresh your memory..." Before I even knew what was happening, Pipit whirled on me and smashed his lips into yours. For how sudden it came and how drunk Pipit was, the kiss was warm and passionate, yet delicate. I could taste the rich red wine through his lips and as quickly as it came it was over.

The commotion of the tavern erupted as everything suddenly became more interesting. I was still a bit dazed, but heard Pipit scream at Link, "How 'bout that, Link? You remember that?!" Red-faced with anger, Link threw off his weapons and took a defensive stance just as Pipit took a swing at him. With ease, Link ducked and slid to the side, kicking Pipit hard in the rear. Pipit's drunkenness caused him to stumble head first into the table. His coordination was down, but he was still the most skilled fighter in the academy. Charging Link again, Pipit this time was able to land a blow to Link's face. The punch was easily returned, drawing blood.

I yelled at Groose who just stood there with his jaw wide open, "We have to do something, Groose! They'll tear each other apart!" Groose ignored me and winced as he saw Pipit get knocked back. I punched him, "Groose!?" He shook himself back to the present, "Oh, right..." He snuck up behind Pipit and got a strong neck hold on him, who was pounding on Link. Before Link could strike him back, I did my best to steer him away, "Link, stop it! If I want your help defending my honor, I'll ask for it! Pull yourself together!" Link suddenly realized his mistake and stopped, wiping the blood from his face. I whirled on Pipit, "And you, Pipit! We'll have to talk about this demon lord later. Right now, we have some soup to deliver!"

My face was beat red from shouting over the ruckus, and I soon got a headache from it. As I furrowed my brow I tried my best to avoid another outbreak, as I grabbed Link and Groose, and dragged them outside. Now I wasn't sure if my anger was directed towards, Pipit, Link or Ghirahim, but as we flew away, that kiss was forever stamped on my memory.

Author's Note: okay, and stop now I know this is isn't as long as the last chapter, but it was a decent length,and this story almost has 600 views! I'm so glad I'm done with this chapter. I'm sorry that I haven't updated in a while but I've been so busy with school and other things which I don't want to talk about. Anyways be sure to review and if you have any ideas, questions or comments about the story either put them in your reviews or PM me, and if you like this story then fav and follow it.

Next Time: Levias, The Great Sky Spirit