Father and Daughter

With how much time and effort Zelda had put into praying lately, and with a little coaxing from her knight, she finally decided it was about time they had a day to relax. The princess now wore a blue, white, and gold formal dress rather than her travel clothes.

Link couldn't help but notice how well the outfit suited her. They spent some time in the library, though Link wasn't much of a reader himself, and then he took her on a little picnic in the castle gardens where she pointed out several species of birds.

After some time spent in her study, Zelda led Link out onto the bridge leading to the rest of the castle. She stopped when she heard mechanical sounds coming from below and leaned over the side to watch the researchers working with the ancient Sheikah Guardians.

Her eyes sparkled like they did when she was excited as she began to rant about the mechanical wonders. She really did have a bright mind and a fascination for Sheikah tech. Link admired that about her.

"What are you doing out here, Zelda?" Her smile disappeared as she turned toward the scolding voice.

Link knelt on one knee and bowed his head, as was customary, as Zelda's father crossed the bridge to where they stood. The King's tone was harsh, and he did not look very happy either.

"I…" Zelda clenched her fists. "I was assessing the results of the experiments with the Guardians. These pieces of ancient technology could be quite useful against…"

"I know that." The King interrupted. "They are essential to Hyrule's future, and our research demands that we keep a close eye on them; however, as the princess, you currently have a crucial, unfulfilled responsibility to your kingdom."

Zelda gave a small sigh and dropped her gaze. "I'm doing everything I can. I'll have you know that I just recently returned from the Spring of Courage where I offered every ounce of my prayers to the Goddess…"

"…and now you are here wasting your time!" The King interrupted. "You need to be dedicating every moment you have to your training. You must be single-minded in unlocking the power that will seal Calamity Ganon away."

Link frowned. "Can't he let her breathe for once?"

"I already am." Zelda was shaking her head in frustration. "Don't you see? There's nothing more I can do!" Her tone suddenly turned from angry to nervous and pleading. "My hope... My hope is that you... That you'll allow me to contribute here in whatever way I can."

"No more excuses, Zelda!" The King snapped. "Stop running away from your duty. As the King, I forbid you from having anything to do with these machines, and I command you to focus on your training."

Zelda began trembling slightly.

Link had to fight off the temptation to growl. "Telling her to stay away from the Guardians is like telling her to stop being herself."

Her father turned toward the scene below. "Do you know how the gossip mongers refer to you? They are out there whispering that you are the heir to a throne of nothing but failure." Link could almost feel the hurt emotions coming from Zelda in waves.

"It is woven into your destiny that you prove them wrong." The King turned away from the Guardian, which was spinning its pot-shaped head around, to face his daughter again. "Do you understand?"

Zelda slowly hung her head as if a great weight was being placed on her shoulders. "Yes… I understand."

As the King turned to go, Link had the urge to stop him and tell him all about how hard his faithful daughter was working. Of course, it wasn't his place to address the King without invitation, but he felt he needed do something.

He took a deep breath before speaking even as his nerves screamed at him to remain silent. "Your Majesty?"

The King paused. "What is it?"

Link looked up and cleared his throat nervously. "If I may, your daughter works very hard. She is tired and needs a break occasionally. She's… not a machine."

The King whipped around, making Link flinch. "You dare accuse me of treating her like one!""

"No! I-I didn't mean…" Link tried.

"Enough! This matter is finished." The King declared. "I now see that you may very well be the cause of my daughter's dawdling. I'm putting you on probation. If you do not shape up, I will see to it that you are replaced. And as for you…" He turned toward Zelda again who was barely holding herself together. "You are to leave at once for the Spring of Power."

As soon as the King was gone, Zelda began to shake with silent sobs. She stayed rooted to the spot not wanting to show her face.

"I'm sorry." Link whispered while scolding himself. "I've only made things worse."

"No. Thank you for... for trying." Zelda stated sincerely. "I'm the one who should be sorry."

He stood before resting a hand on her shoulder. "Don't be. We'll figure this out." He nodded. "On our way to the Spring of Power, I'll teach you some tips on horseback riding."

She sniffled and nodded. "I would like that."

Roxas' Diary

Day 174: Seashells for Her

Xion hasn't woken up, but I'm pulling double duty to make up for it. Axel and I talk about the dumbest stuff now. Afterwards we head back to the castle, and I leave a seashell by Xion's pillow.

It would please me to see her smile when she finds them. Those pictures flashed through my head again in Never Land. And when I flew, it felt like I'd done it before. Has the guy in red flown before, is that it?

Day 193: Best Friends

Xion's awake now. The three of us were going to go get some ice cream after our mission; however, she passed out again, so we had to take her home. I talked with Axel in her room until she woke up. He said the three of us were best friends-inseparable.

Day 194: Even Far Apart

We've all started going back to our usual spot after work. Sometimes Axel and Xion are there waiting for me, other times I get there first. Things have gotten busier for us, so we can't all make it every day.

But even if they're not there, at least now it seems like we're together again. I wonder if it seems that way to them, too. I forgot to ask Xion about the pictures in my head again... It was the same guy in red. Who is he? What does he have to do with me?

Slumbering Power

Zelda was almost as silent as Link on the journey to the Spring of Power. Her eyes had gone dull after her father's chastisement. Her only smiles were less than half-hearted. Link continued to pretend not to notice as to avoid throwing salt on the wound.

Besides, his usual strategy for dealing with his own problems was to keep silent. He couldn't blame her for not wanting to talk. Now, he kept watch as Zelda stood waist-deep in the cold waters of the Spring and gazed longingly up at the mossy statue of the Goddess Hylia.

"I come seeking help… regarding this power that has been handed down over time. Prayer will awaken my power to seal Ganon away, or so I've been told." She sighed. "And yet, grandmother heard voices from the Spirit Realm. And Mother said her own power would develop within me.

But I don't hear... or feel anything! Father has told me time and time again… He always says, 'Quit wasting your time playing at being a scholar!'" Her voice broke. "Curse you…" She threw her hands down to her sides with a splash. "I've spent every day of my life dedicated to praying!

I've pleaded to the spirits tied to the ancient gods, yet the holy powers have proven deaf to my devotion!" She hung her head, gazed down at her submerged feet, and her voice took on a hysterical undertone. "Please, just tell me... What is it? What's wrong with me?"

Link turned toward her. "Zelda…"

She began to sniffle as tears dripped into the Spring. "Am I broken?"

Link shifted. Deep down, everyone was broken, some more than others, but how was he supposed to respond to that? Instead, the knight strapped the Master Sword onto his back, grabbed the blanket from her bedroll, and pulled his boots off.

Then, he hopped down into the Spring causing shivers to race up his body. The icy water took his breath away. Apparently, the princess was much more used to this. Regardless, Link waded his way over to her, and without a word, wrapped the blanket around her cold body.

Three of the corners fell in, but most of it remained dry. He gently led Zelda out of the Spring to their campsite where he quickly prepared a fire. She went behind a few bushes to change into dry clothes while Link pulled out some food and began roasting it.

When she came out, the tears had stopped, but the remaining moisture in her reddened eyes reflected the flickering firelight. "Am I not good enough?"

Link stuck the skewers into the ground leaning over the fire. "You are good enough. You just lost your teacher. Maybe... Maybe prayer isn't the answer."

The logs crackled softly, and Zelda pulled the blanket tighter around herself. "I was very young when she died. She never had the chance to show me how to use it. I... I..."

She broke into sobs.

Link fought the urge to slap a hand to his forehead. "Oh Hylia, I only made it worse again!"

"I miss her so much!" Zelda exclaimed. "I try not to think about it, but I still miss her! We used to play hide-and-seek in the castle. She would always hide in her closet behind her dresses. Then, she would read to me in the library for as long as I wanted."

Link brought Zelda down to have a seat next to him. "She sounds wonderful."

Zelda threw her blanketed arms around him as if she were afraid he would be taken away. Link blinked in surprise. He wasn't accustomed to physical affection, but if this was what the princess needed, then that was that. He returned the gesture while running a hand over her golden hair.

"Please…" She begged. "…don't ever leave me."

Link rested his chin on her head while gazing absently at the warm flames. He didn't know if he could guarantee that considering his duty to protect her with his life. Then again, he knew how to handle a sword better than anyone in Hyrule. If anyone could save her, he could.

"I promise." Link stated.

Roxas' Diary

Day 224: What's Gotten Into Her?

I think something's wrong with Xion. Is she not feeling well again? Axel said we should all go to the beach next time we get a vacation. I think he senses something is wrong, too. That's why he suggested the beach-to make her feel better.

Day 225: Something Must Be Wrong

Okay, now I'm really worried about Xion. I told Axel, but all he said was that she'll get through it. He knows something is wrong. I bet he's just telling me that to put my mind at ease. Well, it's not working.

Day 255: Now Axel's Acting Weird

I had ice cream with Axel after work today, but Xion didn't show. Axel said she got sent on an important mission, but he wouldn't look at me when he said it. I've been wondering what's wrong with Xion all this time, but now that I stop and think about it, Axel's not himself either.

To Mount Lanayru

The sun sank toward the horizon as the princess and her knight rode side by side. They made their way up to Sanidin Park at a leisurely pace.

"Be sure to take the time to soothe your mount." Zelda was quoting Link's words of advice as she patted her pure white horse, "That's the only way it will know how you truly feel." She turned her head to look at her knight. "Your advice was quite helpful. Thank you."

Link gave a small smile. He was glad to see the bond between her and her horse getting stronger. He briefly recalled when he'd bonded with his own horse as Zelda began ranting about her ride's royal gear. He'd been younger, maybe ten years old, when they'd started to get along.

A Chuchu had snuck up behind the young stallion and spooked him. Somehow, Link had managed to calm the horse down after getting rid of the little monster. Since then, his steed had no issues charging into battle confident that Link would protect him.

He snapped back to the present when Zelda turned to him again. "I'm trying to be a bit more empathetic. Benefit of the doubt, you know?"

He nodded before looked ahead at their destination. A life-sized statue of a rearing horse sat on a pedestal. When they arrived, they alighted off their horses allowing them to graze.

Zelda clung softly to the railing before looking out at the hills. "See that mountain? That's Mount Lanayru. It takes its name from the Goddess of Wisdom. Lanayru's decree is specific. It says, 'no one is allowed under the age of seventeen, for only the wise are permitted upon the mountain'."

Link knew where this was going. Even after all her hardship, the princess was still set on her goal.

"I've prayed at the Spring of Courage and at the Spring of Power, yet neither awoke anything inside of me. But maybe up there... Perhaps the Spring of Wisdom will be the one." She raised her hands to her chest. "To be honest, I have no real reason to think that will be the case.

But there's always the chance that the next moment will change everything. Tomorrow... is my seventeenth birthday." She turned to face her knight with a hint of cautious hope. "So then, I make my way up the mountain."

Roxas' Diary

Day 256: Xion's Gone Missing

Xion has gone missing, but nobody said anything about her being hurt, so that's good...I guess. Did she run off? That doesn't make any sense. Xemnas told us not to go after her. The way Saix explained it, it's almost like they don't think she's worth getting back. What is going on?

Day 257: He's Avoiding Me

I want to talk to Axel about Xion, but I can't seem to get ten seconds with the guy. What am I supposed to do? I can't believe he's avoiding me. We're supposed to be friends.

Day 276: By the Sea

I don't remember much about today's mission-just that it was by the beach. Or was it? The mission didn't even feel real. Me and Axel agreed to start looking for Xion tomorrow.

Return of Calamity Ganon

The sun began to set on yet another failure as the day was dying along with the princess's hopes. Link slowed next to her as she faltered in her steps. The four champions were waiting for them at the entrance to the Lanayru Promenade.

"I... I can't face them," She whimpered. "I failed them. It didn't work!"

Link leaned in close and whispered, "You won't fail until you give up."

She gave him an appreciative glance. The four were all itching with anticipation.

As soon as they were together, Daruk spoke up. "Well? Don't keep us in suspense. How'd everything go up there on the mountain?"

Zelda shook her head sadly. Link rested his hand on her shoulder. It was all he could do to try to comfort her. Just how long would this fabled power stay out of her reach? Hylia, even he was frustrated.

Revali stepped forward. "So, you didn't feel anything? No power at all?"

The princess hung her head. "I'm sorry, no."

"Then let's move on." Urbosa encouraged with a small nod. "You've done all you could. Feeling sorry for yourself won't be of any help." She looked back up at the mountain. "After all, it's not like your last shot was up there on Mount Lanayru. Anything could finally spark the power to seal Ganon away. We must keep looking for that... thing."

At Urbosa's words, Mipha drew in a little gasp. She looked as if a light had turned on in her brain. Link felt a prickle as his childhood friend looked directly at him.

"That's kind of you." Zelda stated. "Thank you."

"If I may…" Mipha began. "…I though you… Well, I'm not sure how to put this into words. I'm rather embarrassed to say it, but I was thinking about what I do when I'm healing. You know, what usually goes through my mind. It helps when I think…"

The ground heaved and trembled without warning, as if Hyrule itself was shivering in fear. The group stumbled to regain their footing. Revali created an updraft and flew into the air. The champion gasped, and his eyes widening in horror. Lighting cracked through the sky before an inhuman roar echoed from the direction of Central Hyrule.

"It's here." Urbosa stated.

"This is it, then." Daruk agreed.

Mipha looked like she was about to run for the nearest body of water. "Are you sure?"

"Positive." Revali confirmed as he landed.

Zelda's face grew pale. "It's awake… Ganon!"

Unnatural clouds spread across the sky, darkening it. They were of thick black smoke with streaks of glowing magenta. Link could feel his pulse racing. His heart was beating against his ribs as if trying to escape the Calamity. He steadied the princess as she stumbled.

Daruk turned to her. "Let's stop wasting time. We're going to need everything we got to take that thing down." He raised his voice to the others. "Now, Champions! To your Divine Beasts! Show that swirling swine who's boss!

Link will need to meet Ganon head on when we attack. This needs to be a unified assault." He clenched a giant fist and turned to Link. "Little guy! You get to Hyrule Castle. You can count on us for support, but it's up to you to pound Ganon into oblivion!"

Link nodded. "I understand."

"We should go." Urbosa took Zelda by the shoulders. "We need to get you someplace safe."

"No!" The Princess pulled away. "I am not a child anymore. I may not be much use on the battlefield, but there must be something I can do to help!"

"Are you sure about this, princess?" Daruk scratched his head. "It would be dangerous."

"I cannot stand by and watch." Zelda declared firmly.

"Well, I guess it's decided." Revali sniffed. "Just don't get in our way. You can go with your precious knight."

Link met Zelda's eyes with concern. Even fear. How would she react when they were surrounded by danger? She didn't know how to fight. She was untrained. Soft. He partially regretted the thought. She was not battle-hardened, but she did have an unshakable sense of discipline.

If she could stand in freezing waters for hours, maybe she could keep her head. Regardless, it was still too much of a risk. The deciding factor was the look in her eyes. She's failed at every attempt to access her sealing power up until now.

The least he could do for her was let her make her own decision about this. A new thought occurred to him as they set into motion. If praying wasn't the answer, then maybe a true need was. This coming battle could be what finally unlocks her gift.

"Come on!" Revali called from down the path. "We can't wait for the grass to grow!"

Overhead, the sky was drowning in darkness.

Roxas' Diary

Day 277: No Sign of Her

I've looked everywhere for Xion, in every world, but there's just no sign of her. Where is she? Why did she leave the Organization? I don't get it, any of it.

Day 296: Castle Oblivion

There's one place we haven't checked yet to see if Xion's there-Castle Oblivion. When I brought it up with Axel, he surprised me by saying that C.O. is where Xion comes from. I guess he just found out himself. Is that where she is?

Day 297: Who is That Guy?

I went to Castle Oblivion to find Xion, but I don't remember anything about it. Axel said I collapsed as soon as I got there. I woke up in Twilight Town, and incredibly enough, Xion was there. But she wasn't alone-there was this guy with her, and he was wearing the Organization's cloak. I could tell by his build that he wasn't one of us. Who is he?

Return to the Castle

"As soon as we get to the castle, you stay outside." Link ordered.

Overhead, the sky thundered and was still disturbed by the unnatural clouds. The people of Castle Town screamed and ran every which way. The princess followed her knight as he moved through the chaos. Link nearly tripped on an overturned crate of apples.

The beast still stormed around the spires of the castle roaring triumphantly. More of the magenta lightning streaked from it. Link looked back at Zelda. She was frightened and breathing heavily; however, there was determination in her eyes.

As they climbed, the monster glanced at the approaching forces and flew inside the Sanctum. Link couldn't tell whether the thing was scared or preparing to ambush them. Either way, he left Zelda with one of the soldiers outside before going in.

Floating against the ceiling was a cloud of darkness. The darkness writhed before becoming solid and turning into an acrid-smelling goop. It started to drip down the walls. Malice. He looked for something he could at least fight. Sludge was all he saw and some of it dripped onto his clothes.

"So, the little hero came to play." Link gasped as the gravelly voice pierced his mind. "You show true courage; however, it is in vain, for you have no power to stop my Calamity."

A stabbing pain shot through his head followed by dark images that were not his. The king consumed in an explosion. Zelda screaming his name. He saw himself, lying motionless on the ground. Burning flames, pain, destruction, malice, and death.

The pain subsided and Link came to noticing little bits of malice were now on the ground after having fallen off his clothing. A soldier was shouting something which brought Link back to the situation at hand. He stood while drawing the Master Sword.

Its blade shone with a pure, blue glow. The mere sight of it seemed to give the soldiers strength.

The Malice oozed to the floor on the edges of the sanctum while making a low gurgling sound. For the moment, it was still. One of the soldiers leaned over it with a disgusted look on his face.

The malice grabbed the soldier and sucked him in. He screamed and writhed. Within seconds, nothing was left but a bulge in the malice and a single boot. Another soldier screamed, then another, as they were grabbed by tentacles of malice. Each met the same fate as the first.

"We have to get out of here!" Link declared while dodging between a panicking ally and a malice tentacle. He slashed at it, and the Master Sword severed the tentacle. The end fell with a squelch and disintegrated into particles that floated in the air.

The rest of the malice let out a high-pitched screech and recoiled. Link dashed to the nearest exit and slashed down at the body of malice. It shrieked again and pulled back from the blade as if in pain. It created a clear path for him and the soldiers to escape.

Link followed the frightened soldiers out of the Sanctum and looked back as the malice made its move. It exploded. Link flinched, expecting the blown apart chunks to hit him and the others. Instead, they flew far past.

He watched in confusion as they… "No. No! NO!"

The chunks of malice landed right where the research team had been testing the ancient Sheikah Guardians. Link was rooted to the spot in disbelief. It couldn't be. Moments later, a flexible metal leg dug its claws into the stone before them. Then another.

A machine pulled itself up on the ledge. The Guardian was not its usual gold. It glowed the color of Malice as it aimed right at Link's chest. The knight snapped to action. He deflected the blinding laser beam with the edge of his blade.

The blast hit the nearest tower sending shingles and stones showering roadway below. He slashed at the Guardian's nearest leg. His sword bounced off the first time, but with another slash, it severed stunning the mechanical monster.

It was distracted long enough for Link to cut through the other legs until it tumbled back down and fell with an explosion of broken parts and thick goop. Before he could celebrate his victory, the ground quaked violently.

From where he was, he could see three massive pillars burst out of the ground glowing with Malice. Guardians swarmed out of the tops of the pillars like dozens of spiders crawling out of their egg sac. Link felt his heart hit the ground. The soldiers around him gasped in horror.

"Zelda!" Link screamed. "Zelda! Where are you?!"

He ran around the outskirts of the Sanctum to find the terrified princess. Seizing her hand, he tugged her along behind him down the roadway. There were not three, not four, but five pillars surrounding the castle.

"Link! What's happening?!" Zelda asked frantically.

"The Guardians are attacking!" Link exclaimed.

"They're fighting the Calamity?" Zelda asked hopefully.

"No! It possessed them!" Link shouted.

Sure enough, as they descended toward Castle Town, laser beams lit up the streets. Burning flames. Pain and destruction. Malice and death. Metallic claws scraped the stone behind them. Link turned to fight, but someone else was there. A broad figure, hefting a royal broadsword. It was the King himself accompanied by his guardsmen. Link started toward them

"No! As the King, I order you to fulfill your duty!" He shouted.

Link locked eyes with the King. He saw understanding in his Majesty's eyes. Zelda's father knew it was the last time he would see his daughter. Link cut off all his emotions and grabbed Zelda's hand again. She looked back in horror as her father charged the coming horde.

They rounded the corner meaning they didn't see the blast, but it still shook the ground. Cries rang through the air. Zelda screamed hysterically and tried to wrench her hand away, but Link refused to let go. He couldn't. The future of Hyrule depended on the power hidden within her.

If she fell, all hope was lost. He had to keep her safe, no matter the cost. He pulled her through Castle Town, ducking and dodging as Guardians stormed the streets, destroying everything in their path. Buildings collapsed, rooftops exploded, and debris pelted the ground around them.

Townsfolk wailed as their families were torn apart. Scattered people fell prey to beams of light and never moved again. Somehow, miraculously, the knight and princess made it out alive. As they were passing the fountain, however, a stray Guardian surprised them.

It slammed into them with one of its legs, sending them tumbling through the mud. Link managed to recover and stab its eye before it could fire. They then ran for their lives. He didn't know where he was going or how far they would have to flee. He just had them running away.

Roxas' Diary

Day 298: Some Other Way

I don't believe it. Axel attacked Xion. There had to have been some other way. I know she's acting weird, but I hardly recognize Axel these days either. What's going through their heads? I feel so left out.

Day 299: Sora?

Xemnas told me that "Sora" is the connection between me and Xion. But just who exactly is Sora?

Day 300: No Words

For the first time in a while, the three of us met up on the clock tower. None of us really knew what to say. We used to talk each other's ears off, but I guess those days are gone. So much has happened lately.

I've even been forgetting to write about those pictures in my head. Now it happens even when I'm not on missions. More often, too. They even show up in my dreams. Xion told me she has dreams, too. Is all of this connected?

Despair

The only landmark Link recognized in his haste was the Hylia River. They ran south along its bank. Suddenly, a sound shook the air. A colossal trump of an elephant. He felt his burden ease slightly. The Champions were doing their part.

As he looked toward Zora's Domain, the lights in the Divine Beast's eyes changed. Mipha had fallen. Emotions threatened to surface, but Link couldn't let the pain distract him. Instead, his tears came not from his eyes but the sky.

Hyrule itself began to mourn. The rain picked up quickly with a rumble of thunder. As they ran, the other Divine Beasts cried out from the distant corners of Hyrule announcing the fall of their Champions in turn.

Mipha, Urbosa, Revali, and Daruk. Link buried his pain deep down. Zelda couldn't keep up anymore. Her hand slipped free. Link stumbled forward with a grunt before looking back. Zelda glanced towards her old life as it burned.

"Princess, we must keep going!" Link declared.

She knelt on the ground trying to catch her breath. Link jogged back to her. He sheathed the Master Sword and crouched down in front of her.

"How did it come to this?" She breathed. "The Divine Beasts... the Guardians… they all turned against us. Ganon turned them all against us." She looked up at her knight, her voice hushed as if she feared being overheard.

"And everyone, Mipha, Urbosa, Revali and Daruk, they're all trapped inside those things." She paused, then buried her face in her hands. "It's all my fault!" she cried. "Our only hope for defeating Ganon is lost because I couldn't harness this cursed power.

Everything... everything I've done up until now... was all for nothing." She looked him in the eye again. "So, I really am just a failure. All my friends, the entire kingdom, my father, most of all... I tried, and I failed them all." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I left them... all to die."

At that, the princess could no longer contain her grief.

Link caught her as she pitched forward, sobbing. He held her close and rocked her gently. He felt his chest tighten with empathy for her. Her entire life had revolved around stopping the Calamity, and now it had killed everyone she knew and loved. They were all gone.

He couldn't find a single word that would help. There was nothing he could do but hold Zelda as her entire world came crashing down in the rain. He was useless. Useless against the Calamity. He couldn't even comfort her. He could only hope that she would live through the night.

Roxas' Diary

Day 301: My Dream

I dream all the time now, but I don't sleep well. I wake up tired every day. I guess that makes them nightmares, not dreams. Xion and Axel don't come to the clock tower anymore. I thought maybe if I got everything off my chest with them, I might stop having the nightmares...but so much for testing that theory.

Day 321: No Energy Left

I feel so tired-almost disconnected from my body. The dreams have gotten stranger. Now I wake up with water on my cheeks. I don't know how it got there, but I think there's something wrong with me. Today, I was teamed up with Xion. She seems to be in a lot better shape than me. We had ice cream together, something we hadn't done in a while.

Day 322: Another Dream

I had another dream. My head feels heavy. I want to have ice cream with Xion and Axel again.

Zelda's Awakening

Link felt Zelda beginning to drag behind him again. How long had they been running? How long could they keep up their strength? How much damage was the kingdom suffering?

"Come on." He prompted.

"I can't... keep running," Zelda was unable to catch her breath. "I... I can't..."

Link gritted his teeth. They had to keep going. The farther, the better. They had to survive, but he supposed part of that was to not run themselves ragged.

"We'll rest... as soon as we get to... the dueling peaks." Link panted.

"How far?" Zelda asked.

He pointed at the mountain in front of them. It was split in two as if Hylia had taken a massive sword to it. There were rumors that one of the dragon spirits had something to do with it. As soon as they reached the chasm between the peaks, Zelda collapsed to her knees in the mud.

Link stopped beside her and leaned against a rock. Both still panted heavily. He pulled out some apples, meat pastries, and water skins. Zelda ate almost as fast as he did which was saying something. The two sat in silence for a while.

Though they were both glad to have a break, the air was heavy with the horror's past. Heavy with dread for the future. Link absently watched a line of water trickling down the cliff wall. It followed a little groove in the rock. Its path was predestined.

There was nothing the helpless water could do to change its fate. A beam of light lit the chasm. Link flinched away just in time. He leapt to his feet, drawing the Master Sword, and faced his opponent. A possessed Guardian closed in on them. Link deflected the next beam with his blade.

"This is bad" Link looked to Zelda. "If we stay here, we're trapped! Go! Run!"

He held the foe off as she made a run for it. Her legs were unsteady. Exhausted. His own legs were burning too, despite the chill rain, but adrenaline flooded his veins. The Guardian fired its laser toward Zelda. He deflected it before being knocked down with a swipe of its leg.

It pursued the princess while crawling over him. Link managed to roll onto his back, stab it in the vulnerable spot, and scrambled out just before it fell right on top of him. He'd beaten it, but if one had found them, there were bound to be more.

Plus, this dead one would act as a trail marker. The knight sprinted to catch up to Zelda. He grabbed her hand and pulled her along. They had to get out of this death trap. Up ahead were the distant lanterns of the Dueling Peaks Stable. Light at the end of the tunnel.

As they drew closer, Link could make out individual silhouettes. "Run!" Link was pulling Zelda across the bridge. "They're coming! Run!"

The tired staff looked confused at first until another Guardian scuttled down the side of the mountain and fired a beam straight at the stable. People screamed. Horses reared and yanked on their restraints.

The rain put out the fire quickly, but there was a hole blasted through the tent either way. Another came behind it. Link threw a whirling beam of sacred light from his blade at the Guardians. They focused on him instead allowing the civilians to get their horses and flee.

He dodged one blast, then another, until they raced across the bridge after them. The wooden planks barely held. He sent Zelda ahead of him and charged at the first one slashing through its hull. He cut through something vital, and the machine sputtered to a halt.

"Link!" Zelda shouted, "Look out!"

He looked up just in time to dodge a blast, but three more came speeding from the chasm. "Hylia above!" Link swiped his sword in the direction of a nearby wall. "Get to Fort Hateno!"

The knight then held his ground as the guardians surged forward.

"They're coming!" Zelda screamed.

The guards patrolling the wall of the fort stopped in their tracks and leaned down to look at her. "Princess?"

"The Guardians!" Zelda shouted. "Calamity Ganon is controlling them!"

A blast echoed through the rain from Blatchery Plain where her knight was holding off the machines. Flecks of malice rose through the air.

"Get everyone!" Zelda ordered. "He's fighting those things all on his own!"

The guardsmen snapped to action. "We're under attack! The Calamity is here! This is not a drill!"

Within moments, soldiers flooded into the plains to fight. Link slashed through another Guardian, but more took its place.

"How many of these things were there?" Link thought desperately.

He picked up an abandoned traveler's shield. In his exhaustion, he didn't time his shield bash right, so the blast destroyed it in one blow. He rolled behind a pile of rubble to dodge another laser.

Link grunted while holding his burned shield arm. "There's too many of them. I can't…"

Footsteps thundered across the soggy ground. A whole battalion rushed past and attacked the swarms of enemies.

One of the soldiers stopped beside him. "Sir Knight, are you alright!?"

"I…" Link wheezed. "I'll be fine."

The soldier looked the blue-clad knight over and noticed the burned arm under the charred remains of his sleeve. "Take a breather. You need it."

As much as he hated the idea of leaving the fight, the soldier was right. "Go for the eyes."

The soldier nodded before joining the others and repeating his advice. Link leaned back into the pile of rubble out of sight of the Guardians. The cold rain soothed his burn, but he could not ignore the yells. The screams.

"Use your shields!"

"Where's my spear?"

"Where did these things come from?"

"I need backup! Augh!"

Link stood. He'd regained most of his breath, but he was still panting. An apocalypse raged around him. A soldier fell victim to a laser right in front of his eyes. The knight charged the Guardian with a cry of vengeance and beheaded it with a single blow.

Another came right at him, but he leapt over it before attacking from behind. Link buried his blade in the next one's eye. The remaining soldiers glanced at him in admiration. The sight of his sword inspired them.

Some let out another battle cry and they redoubled their efforts. The fight went on, and the land was slowly covered in dead machines. Finally, things were looking up as almost every Guardian was down. Then, the next wave came.

"Incoming!" Link shouted.

They came like a flood spilling over the remains of their predecessors. Malice burned in their eyes.

"There's too many! Retreat!" Armor clattered as the soldiers ran for the fort walls.

Link stood in the path of the oncoming storm before leaping on the first Guardian and gouging his blade into the machine severing mechanics. He then leapt off the guardian and ran slashing through another's legs. Link fought like 20 men.

For the moment, he might as well have been immortal. He crashed through the enemy line leaving a path of dead Guardians in his wake. He was a storm. He could not be stopped. He… The guardian he was hacking at reached up with its leg and grabbed Link from behind.

The knight cried out as the sharp claws dug into his back. He somehow managed to sever the leg and fell. He stood and finished it off. The claw wounds didn't feel too deep, but that didn't stop them from hurting like Demise. He glanced briefly at the troop of retreating soldiers.

Part of him wanted to follow them, but he needed to fight as many of these things as he could before they got to the fort. Otherwise, they'd be overwhelmed. Link took out another. Then another. Time became a discombobulated blur of flashes and sounds.

"I need to firm up my stance!" Link thought as he continued to fight and dodge. "Being sloppy now is not something I can afford!"

Zelda anxiously watched the distant fight. Beams of light lit up the malice-infected sky.

"Please, be careful, Link." She whispered under her breath.

Shapes moved toward the fort. She flinched upon looking down. The soldiers were coming back. Some limped along after them, most were injured, and many were missing.

The princess scanned the crowd filtering in through the gate trying desperately to pick out even a scrap of blue. "Link!"

There was no response.

She nearly tripped as the flew down the steps. "Where is Link!?"

The way the soldiers exchanged glances seemed guilty. "Er, he... I think he's still out there."

"What in the name of Hylia were you thinking?" Zelda snapped.

She turned toward the open gate and past the incoming wounded stragglers. The fight still raged.

Her heart sped up, drumming along to the sound of the rain. "I must do something!"

"Too many. There's too many. I can't fight them all." Link thought as he kicked off one Guardian and slid underneath the next hitting its soft spot. "No! I can't think like that. I'm protecting Zelda! I will save her!"

A Guardian fired at him, and he simply moved too slow. It hit just above his knee.

"Hylia, damn it!" Link could only spare a brief glance through watering eyes, but from what he saw, the blast had carved out a section of his flesh.

He rolled away from another blast before standing again sending a burning pain shot through his leg. If not for his nearly inhuman strength, he would have collapsed. He plowed through another Guardian. Then another. And another.

"How many have I destroyed?" Link wondered as the horde seemed endless. "Have I even scratched the surface?"

He stiffened and whipped around. "Zelda, what are you doing!?"

Zelda had arrived. "I... I had to do something!"

"You can't be here!" Link shouted.

"I won't leave you alone!" Zelda declared firmly. "I can be your extra set of eyes… if nothing else."

"No. You must…" Link began.

"Look out!" Zelda shouted.

Link dodged the laser from a Guardian that had snuck up behind him before killing it quickly.

Then, he gave the princess a cold stare. "The second things get bad, no matter what, you must run."

She nodded solemnly. Zelda found nooks and crannies to hide in while calling out to Link whenever a Guardian was coming from behind. They worked together like this for some time. Though, with the constant battle of adrenaline and exhaustion, time was impossible to gauge.

Link fought on. He stopped dead in his tracks when he heard Zelda scream. The laser had missed, but it exploded the rubble above her. Small stones pelted her which dirtied her wet prayer dress. Link leapt at the Guardian and stabbed it repeatedly until it was dead.

He glanced back at her. "Zelda, are you…"

The ground at his feet exploded throwing the knight into the air. Link hit the ground while his head spun. He could hardly hear the distant scream coming from the princess direction. The knight tried to stand, but something hit him hard across the chest.

The next thing he knew, he was flung back into a pile of rubble. Link could no longer ignore the pain. The ache of his far-too-overworked muscles. The burns on his right knee and left forearm seared into his flesh. The pounding of his head where it smacked a rock.

"I can't breathe!" Link's chest was tightened so much that he couldn't fill his lungs. "Breathe. Breathe!"

He finally gasped in a rush of air like a drowning child pulled to safety. His ribs screamed at him as they felt broken in several places.

"I must save Zelda." Link thought firmly.

He took a step forward, but his injured leg buckled. Claws raked his right side, and a laser exploded against the back of his left shoulder. Zelda cowered in her hiding place as another monster spotted her and scuttled toward her with frightening speed.

Link screamed as he moved against his bodies wishes and charged at the nearest Guardian. He cut a huge gash through its mechanisms. Another came at him, so he brought it crashing down as well. The enemy's numbers dwindled, but so did his second wind.

Soon, the hulls were too difficult to cut through, so he focused on the eyes and legs. "Cut the leg. Dodge the laser. Pierce the eye. Dodge… Cut… The eye…"

The Guardian lashed out as it sputtered and died. It threw Link back again. His mind barely recognized the sharp pain in his chest. He opened his mouth wide in a silent scream before doubling over with a fit of hacking coughs.

Drops of blood splashed down with the raindrops. He looked around. Dead Guardians. They almost made a wall between them and the distant sounds of metallic legs. Malice was rising through the air. A flash of dirty cloth.

He hadn't realized he'd fallen to one knee and began supporting his weight with the Master Sword. The blade was pitted from laser blasts and malice. The sight terrified him because that wasn't supposed to happen. Something touched his shoulder, and he flinched.

Link looked up at Zelda's frightened face. "I… told you… to run."

"Link, save yourself!" Zelda demanded. "Go! I'll be fine! Don't worry about me! Run!"

He couldn't respond. There was nothing to say. The knight could hardly even breathe. Besides, he would die before abandoning her. It was both his duty and… and… his feelings for her.

"That's right." Link thought weakly. "I… love her."

He coughed up more more blood and felt it running down from the corner of his mouth. It also flowed out of the parallel gashes from the metallic claws and warmed the side of his tunic. His shoulder, arm and leg burned like the fires of Eldin. More mechanical claws approached.

"No." Zelda whimpered.

Link used every ounce of his willpower to force himself back to his feet. He stumbled backwards and almost fell over. His fingers could barely close around the hilt of his blade. Red light. Beeping. Zelda stepped in front of him and threw her hand up like a silent plea.

Three glowing triangles. Light exploded in front of his eyes. Blinding light. It was all he could see. The light slowly faded, and the knight blinked in disbelief. Malice shrieked and abandoned the mechanical beast. All of them.

Is it…over?" Link thought. "Can… can I rest now?"

Zelda looked at herself in shock. "Was… was that… the power?" Before he knew it, Link was collapsing on the cold ground with an agonized grunt. "No. No!" The princess rushed to his side and rolled him over before cradling him in her arms. "Link! Get up!"

Link looked up into her eyes and could see the pain inside them. "I… I'm s-sorry… Princess Zelda."

"Don't you leave me!" Zelda shouted desperately. "Don't you dare leave me!"

"I..." Link trailed off nervously, but he knew this would be his last chance to tell her. "I…" To Demise with the societal expectations! "…love you."

Zelda blinked in disbelief. "He… He loves me? He's had feelings for me all this time?" She looked at her knight and knew her feelings for him. "I love you too, Link."

The words sounded foreign. A princess in love with her bodyguard? Then again, Hyrule lay in ruin. What would be the point in worrying about something so small? Link didn't respond. She watched her knight's eyes glaze over and rolled back into his head.

"No!" Zelda cried before burying her face into his tunic. "Please, don't leave me alone! I can't... I can't…"

She broke off into sobs. Though her face was soaked with rainwater, she couldn't give any tears of her own. They had already dried up. It was so unfair. Only Hylia herself shed tears for him, and they were cold. Zelda then noticed the, clutched in Link's cold hand, was glowing.

"Princess Zelda… There's still a chance to save him." A voice was coming from the sword. "To save Link, you know what to do.

The soft voice gave her a sliver of hope. "So, he can... he can still be saved?"

She gasped and looked up at the figures running toward her. Two Sheikah men were leaping nimbly over dead Guardians. They stopped in a crouch in front of her.

"Princess. Are you alright?"

She set aside her pain for the sake of her fallen kingdom. "Forget about me! Take Link to the Shrine of Resurrection. If we don't get him there immediately, we are going to lose him forever. Is that clear?" The two nodded in unison. "Make haste and go! His life is now in your hands."

Roxas' Diary

Day 352: Us and the Sunset

Xion, Axel, and I had ice cream. The sunset was beautiful. I don't have to write anything else down because I'll never forget this day.

Day 353: Broken Trust

Axel let Xion leave the Organization. Like he wanted her to go. She's a puppet? A mirror that reflects me? He's talking nonsense. I can't trust him anymore.

The Master Sword

As Zelda watched the Sheikah carefully pick up her dying knight and carry him away, she felt her resolve shatter. At least throughout this, she'd had him. Now, she was alone. She worried if the experimental technology would even work on Link. Would she ever see him again?

"Oh, Goddess Hylia!" Zelda cried into the storming sky. "What do I do?"

In response, three golden triangles glowed on the back of her hand.

"Do not fear, descendant of my mistress." The voice inside the sword whispered. "I project a 73% probability that your knight will wield this blade again."

"Who are you?" Zelda asked.

"I am Fi." The sword responded. "My mistress, Hylia, created me to aid the first chosen hero on his quest."

"How long…" Zelda trailed off as her voice shook.

"I am unfortunately unable to calculate the amount of time it will take for my master to recover." Fi informed.

"Oh, Link!" Zelda cried. "I can't... I can't face the Calamity alone!"

"Princess, you are stronger than you are aware; however, I recommend you seek shelter and regain your strength." Fi informed. "My readings indicate your body temperature is dropping."

"I… I failed him." Zelda whispered.

"That is a lie, princess." Fi retorted. "According to my knowledge, your concern and devotion directed toward your people was admirable. Now, it is time to think of your needs. As the voice of the Master Sword, forged by Hylia to seal the darkness, I urge you to follow my advice."

Zelda fell silent for a long moment before she managed to stand on her stiff legs and pick up the glowing blade. "Thank you, Fi."

Roxas' Diary

Day 354: Who Am I?

I don't understand the Organization. I don't understand Axel... I understand myself least of all. Why do I keep coming back to the castle? Xion and I are special… connected by "Sora." If she's a puppet, maybe I am too. I don't know what I am.

Day 355: I Am

I must know who I am... I am DONE WITH THIS

Day 357: Three Again?

I'm going to set Kingdom Hearts free and find my way to Sora. I'm going to get Xion back. The three of us will have ice cream together again-I know it.

Holding Back Ganon

"Are you sure you want to this soon, princess?" A soldier asked. "That thing is still out there."

"That's exactly why I'm leaving," Zelda replied.

She stood firm against the worries of the soldiers. After she'd entrusted her knight's sword to the Deku Tree, Zelda had returned to Hateno. There, she got a change of clothes, a hot meal, and twelve hours of sleep within the guarded walls of Fort Hateno.

"You'll be killed!" A solider exclaimed.

"No." Zelda shook her head. "I have Hylia's sacred power now. Plus, is it not a princess' duty to take care of her people?"

The soldier fell silent before the captain spoke up. "You'll have our aid should you have need of us."

"I appreciate that." Zelda smiled. "You should stay here instead and see to the safety of the people. My power will protect me." The captain saluted. "Now, I have my knight to avenge."

Zelda strode through the long grasses of Hyrule Field. It had taken her longer than she'd expected to get there, but that didn't matter now. Instead, she looked up ahead at the Calamity swirling with its corrupted form of malice around the spires of the castle.

"Ganon." She stopped and held out a glowing hand. "You have taken something precious from me."

The beast saw her light. It roared menacingly and thundered toward her. Her heart beat against her chest in fear, but she did not heed the urge to flee. The burning shadow closed the distance between them. A memory surfaced in the princess's mind.

Darkness. Chaos. Fear. She saw herself leaping in front of Link to defend him from the Guardian preparing to shoot him. Then light. She repeated the motion of stretching out her hand, just like before. Golden light exploded from her just as the jaws of death were snapping shut.

The World That Never Was: Almost 100 Years Later…

Roxas made his way through a city landscape wearing the black cloak of Organization XIII.

"All those hearts I've captured . . . Kingdom Hearts. . . Set them free." It was that which echoed in Roxas' mind as he tore through Neo Shadow after Neo Shadow.

His keyblades, Oathkeeper and Oblivion, moved in accordance with his thoughts in a deadly dance. He never stopped nor hesitated. Rain began to pour around him with the occasional bolt of lightning outlining the silhouettes of his deadly foes.

One by one, they lunged. One by one, they perished. Mist rose; however, it was not the kind that a rainstorm would bring, but a black, inky mist. The lifeblood of slain Heartless. His blades moved so quickly that it yanked the mist forth to fill its wake.

"I'll make them pay, Xion." Roxas thought.

He repeated that name again and again, clinging to it with all his might. He didn't care what she claimed, he would not forget. She was his friend, and he was hers. Once he was done fulfilling her last wish, once everyone paid for what they had done to her, he would go to… Static.

"No." Roxas shook his head. "Her name is Xion. Her name is Xion. Her name…"

Thunder crashed as he ripped through the last Neo Shadow just as a figure was illuminated on a building high above. It was that unknown figure who wore the same cloak as him, yet he was not part of the Organization. Roxas clenched his jaw.

They ended up fighting, and he was so close to winning. He brought the other boy, Riku, to his knees. Even as Riku claimed Xion was destined to be forgotten, Roxas hung onto the picture of her face because he would not, could not, forget. Riku was shrouded by darkness.

"No, it can't end here!" Roxas' eyes widened. "I-I don't have the magic or energy to combat him… Wait! There is something I can do." He held out his hand behind him. "Please work! Take me anywhere but here!"

The dark, flame like corridor opened behind him. Just as it opened, a large, dark hand reached for him. Roxas barely managed to leap back away from his grasp and into the corridor.

"No!" Riku exclaimed as he lunged forward.

Fortunately, the corridor closed just before Riku could enter it.

Lisa Russell: Thank you!

Guest: I looked at the channel, and while funny, I didn't really gleam many ideas. Not sure if I was missing something though.

UltimateAvengers: I'm planning on it eventually.