IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOTE! DON'T YOU DARE SKIP!

Okay so I have improved tremendously in my writing and grammar and you can see that in the recent chapters. These earlier chapters are old and they have a lot of mistakes in them. I know it looks bad but please try to tolerate the bad writing. I promise it really does get better.

Oh my god, it's been forever since I wrote anything. I know I still have The Dark Angel to finish and the other one about Toon Link's roommate but for now I want to focus on this story and I promise you guys that I will finish that story in a second.

The reason why it took my forever to publish this story was because I've been writing about 25 chapters. I put my heart and soul into this story and I hope you guys can feel that.

Other than that I would really appreciate constructive criticism. I really need to improve on my writing so please don't be shy to give me some brutal honesty. I'll accept any form of flames and questions so don't hesitate to send me a review or PM me.

Thank you for giving this story a chance for a read and I hope you enjoy it.


PART ONE - LINK THE HERO?

Hardship shapes the soul.

That was what the princess said anyways, and so did the captain of the guard for that matter. But Katie never bothered with any of those things. The little fairy secluded herself in a small red tower just south of the castle, like a tiny princess in distress; only she actively refused to come out.

Nothing could be said to her while she was working. Destined to be the hero's aid, she spent her years reading and analyzing every ounce of detail from the legendary book: The Hyrule Historia. It was the last of its kind and practically priceless. Her small room also contained every bit of information on flora and fauna, every monster that ever roamed, every temple built, and every item used and remade.

Most fairies ventured out into the world, much like any other creature would. Katie, on the other hand, would spend her early mornings in the tower, before the sun had reached the sky until the moon rose high. Her dream to become like her ancestor Navi was what set her mind on becoming the best adviser for the chosen one.

When she wasn't preparing herself for her destiny, she would often prance around the castle grounds, snapping at guards if they laze around or show even the slightest bit of carelessness. On normal days, when she wasn't absorbed in her studies, she would fume at the most tedious of details around the castle. If she saw but a painting slightly crooked she'd find the nearest guard and shout at him for it, and then scold him for having just a tiny speck of dirt on his Armour. Her low tolerance for imperfection is what made her hard to approach. In her mind, everyone has to contribute to something, and if they don't she would title them as failures. She found no use for parties or laughter and would often call them a waste of time.

She would often be considered bad company. Anyone would find themselves uncomfortable in her presence.

The little fairy was difficult to understand.

None of that matters to her though. In the end she'll become a part of something far bigger than anyone could ever dream.

And that moment started now.

The day the hero would soon turn the age of eighteen was upon them and it would signify the beginning of his great adventure to perish evil. She'll be by his side, guiding him through it all. When asked how to find him, Princess Zelda smiled.

"You and the hero are connected, Katie," she said kindly. "It's your destiny after all."

That was their last conversation until the princess left to perform the same old ritual that might end up taking her life. No one said anything directly, but Katie could hear the whispers and suspicious glances. If she fails, not only will she let her ancestor down, but also the princess who has been the only true friend to her.

Following the princess' advice, Katie conjured up everything she's been taught. Where would the hero be? He must be in a place that ties to the past in some way.

The answer was clear as a lighthouse shining in a moonless night. The Hero of Time lived in the woods and the Hero of Twilight also next to the woods, the Hero of Winds on an island, yes, but near a wood. The woods also happen to be named: "The Lost Woods." It just so happens that there's a village called Ordon at the bottom of a peak near Hylia Sea. At the peak there happens to be a wood called...
The Lost Woods. As soon as that thought entered her mind she felt it in her gut; the hero was there.

Impa took care of everything from packing to transportation. The journey would take at least a few weeks and it will also be the longest time Katie's ever been outside. The Sheikah leader wished her luck and saw her off.

The journey was a rather laborious one but, finally, they arrived. While the guards took care of the horses, ready to go back to the castle, Katie made her way to the Chief of the village.

Kidon was a large man with a bald head, beady eyes, and a white bush for a beard. He wore a long red robe that signified his status along with a loose white sash. He sat down with a grunt of relief after standing up for too long and set aside his cane.

"So," he started to say, "You're looking for a boy?"

"Yes. Anyone named Link here?" She says, her warm yellow body sparkling. She felt anxious, worried that he might not even be here and wasted her time—Zelda's time—for nothing. Despite her restlessness, she still kept things to a professional level and waited patiently to receive an audience with the leader.

The Chiefs son, Rickon, a lanky boy with brown messy hair piped up "What he do this time?"

Katie noticed the hard tone in his voice and went firmly in his face. "I'll have you know, sir, that boy is the chosen hero of the goddess." She declared, feeling a jolt of excitement as well. She was right; the hero is here.

The boy leaped back at her sudden approach and exchanged looks with his father. "A hero…?"

"That's right," she said proudly. "The hero who will save us all from the evil that threatens this world."

They both roared in laughter. Rickon slapping his knee and Kidon slamming the table enough to make the glasses jump.

"A hero!" Rickon cried out between his giggling fits. "A hero she says! Soon there'll be pigs flying in the sky!" His posture was hunched forward, thin arms around his stomach.

Tears rolled out of the old man's eyes as he struggled for air. "If he's a hero then I'm a monkey's grandpa!"

"If he's a hero then we might as well be doomed."

They both observed Katie turning bright red at their outburst and the laughter died in their throats. "You—you how dare you mock our hero! I am here on a mission from the goddesses and I will not have you peasants laughing at someone who will save us!" She moved up and down as she spoke, sparkles fluttering vigorously off of her. "This has not been ordered only by our fair goddesses, but also by his royal highness the king himself! On behalf of the king and the goddesses, I order you two to take me to Link at once!"

Rickon looked at his father, stunned. "She's serious."

The chief stroked his bread, looking deeply disturbed. "Sorry about that, my dear—"

"Father, she's serious."

"I heard you the first time boy," he snapped then turned to the fairy with a softer yet a stern tone. "That boy is not a hero."

Katie kept the urge to scream. "I'm sorry, what?"

"That boy is no hero," he repeated firmly. "I'm sorry you travelled so far but it was all in vain. You've come to the wrong village and found the wrong person. He's the last person you'd be asking for help."

Katie felt her hope shatter a bit. "No, I know he's here," she insisted. He must be an outcast. Yes, that must be the case. Just like the Hero of Time and the Hero of Sky. These people couldn't possibly understand the dire situation they're all in. They're all laughing at the only boy who can possibly save them. The nerve!

"I'm telling you this for your own good."

"And I'm telling you," She warns, "if you keep making a mockery of what the goddesses have decided, I will see to it that you are punished."

The older man paled which satisfied her immensely. Rickon kept snapping his head back and forth between his old man and the fairy, worried and even a little scared.

Kidon stayed silent for a moment, looking out of the window, his eyes then shifted to his son. "My boy will take you there."

Rickon's eyes widened. "You can't be serious! Do you know what he tried to do to me?!"

"She'll have to see it for herself," he replied, pouring himself a glass.

Katie glanced at the sulking son and wasn't too pleased. "I can go myself," she huffed.

"We've been having raids lately. It's best to not go alone." He pushed himself up using his wooden cane and limped to the door. "Go on you two, and don't be out too long."

Still irritated at having to be stuck with this sorry excuse of a boy, the fairy did her best to show her gratitude and left with her appointed guide. If Rickon had any issues, he didn't share, his sore expression said enough. He led the fairy to the village and the sight of it blew her away.

When she first arrived, she was in such a hurry to have an audience with the chief, she didn't take so much as glance at the village. Small houses with uneven shaped roofs were lined in two rows. Right at the center was a river that stretched up the peak, it shimmered in the generous sunlight. A sturdy stone bridge stretched over the waters, it looked ancient as moss covered the sides and the stone had decayed, but held strong nonetheless. The sweet and almost sickly smell of flowers cut through the soft scent of the morning grass, which softly waved in the cool breeze.

For someone who's locked herself up for so long; the sight of this measly little village was breathtaking.

There were open merchant shops but not as many as she thought. Guess the bandits really did a number on them. She was starting to notice some burnt houses and grasses, there were barely anyone out at all save for the merchants and some children playing near the water and climbing on trees.

Rickon stopped by a merchant's shop much to Katie's annoyance. "What's with the hurry? We have all day." he told her.

If only she could strangle him. After that little satire he had with his father she didn't think too much of him. Somehow she knew that he didn't really want to take her to the hero.

"Look at these apples! Aren't they a beauty?" He pressed a few coins in the merchant's hand and took bite out of the fruit. "Mmm, delicious. Try one."

Katie threw herself into the side of his head.

"OW!"

"Quite wasting time and take me to Link!" she snapped. "As a matter of fact, just tell me how to get there. I don't need you."

He gave her a similar look that the guards would often throw at her. A bruise swelled on his forehead. "You want a beating so bad? then follow the river and you'll see that bastard."

She would've given him another blow for his insulting remark but decided against it. Time was of the essence. Without giving him another glance, she followed up the river, eager to meet the chosen one. A narrow path ran parallel to the river. A breath of the wild calmed her down. She never knew being outside would be such a pleasant experience.

What is he like? She wondered. Would he be shy like the Hero of Time? Or gentle with creatures like the Twilight hero? Would he a tad bit mischievous like the Wind Waker? Emotional like the Skyward hero? Or maybe adventurous just like the Hero of the Wild?

He'll be heroic, kind, honorable, and courageous; every quality a hero must have. They will adventure out together just like she always dreamed they would be. The hero fighting and the fairy advising like the captain would say. It would be the two of them against the world.

The further she was from the village, the quieter it became, except for the river, the rush of water being her only comfort. There was this unsettling feeling in her small body that she couldn't quite place. It was her first time in a forest and in her mind, the tree trunks started growing mouths, and the branches seemed to bend more out of shape the deeper she went in. It almost seemed like they'd snatch her from the air and eat her. Maybe she should've brought that Rickon boy with her...

The path soon turned to the deepest brown with twigs twisting out of the dirt that would take any absent-minded fool by the foot, and for once she was happy that she was a fairy that could easily fly over it.

Where is he? She pondered, now growing impatient and maybe a bit frightened. He couldn't possibly be inside the Lost Woods.

To confirm her thoughts, wisps of curling black smoke arose from the north, it seemed to be coming from a chimney. She continued down the path until she came upon the mouth of the river. The grass here was far darker, with sticks and swords plunged down to the earth and shields littered everywhere. A cottage crunched low into the grassy embankment as if trying to stay out of sight. Sunlight rays penetrated the canopy, blessing the fairy with light.

The cottage was smaller than the houses in the village and poorly constructed with a carpet for a roof and logs tied together to make the base. The smoke appeared to be from a small fireplace that seemed to be stomped out just recently. Behind the small building she could see an enormous rusted gate that stretched between the separated lands and the river. On the front a wooden posts read 'WARNING LOST WOODS UP AHEAD FORBIDDEN ENTRY'.

A scream froze her in place and cry came with it. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"

It was taking place at the edge of the river. On the ground with mud on his face, a large boy was brought to his knees, hands fasten behind him, and his hair seemed to keep its upright position. A foot knocked the boy to the ground; the owner of the foot was a tall boy, and next to him, sitting down obediently, a beautiful golden retriever, with shining silky fur. Its tongue lolled in and out of its mouth as its tail waved back and forth.

Katie cautiously approached the scene watching the tall boy. HYis laughter sent a chill through her body. "I would've let you off you know," he said, with a tight smile. "Had you not done this." He raised his hand over at his blackened eye.

"Pl-please—"

"Came here to have fun here now, did you?"

"N-no—"

Another kick. "Didn't I say this place was mine?"

The boy underneath him whimpered in fear. It struck her that boy might be the chosen one. A bit too large maybe, but it most definitely must be him. To her horror, however, the taller boy seemed to be shoving something up the other boys nose. A scream pierced the air, and it surprised her how loud a boy can be.

"N-no more." The boy on the ground pleaded, his face bright red with tears trekking down his face.

"I'll let you decide the next one. Spicy mustard or powdered pepper?"

The dog leaped onto its feet in alert, catching his owner's attention. "What is it, Agnes?"

Her head turned to the fairy, paws stretched out and tail up in the air, black lips curled back in a snarl. Katie wasn't intimidated by this and easily fluttered over the animal that barked under her. Katie lunged herself over at the tall boy like a rock from a slingshot. "You better stop right there and leave him alone!" She cried.

He caught her with such ease that it made her feel momentarily embarrassed. "What's this?" He said with a laugh and bent down to the boy, showing him the little critter he captured. "Need a little sprit to save you?"

Katie struggled in his iron hand. "Let go! Release me at once, you fiend!"

Much to her relief, he did as she asked. He shifted his weight on one hip and crossed his arms. "Haven't seen a fairy in a long time," he said, still with that awful smile of his which looked charming on his face.

She turned bright crimson. "How dare you harm our hero! Just who do you think you are?!"

He frowned. "Hero?" He looked down at the boy who was crunched up like a fetus to hide his face between his knees. The sight was so pathetic she began to doubt herself.

"Y-yes," she started, and then spoke firmly. "That right there is our hero Link, and by the orders of the goddesses I command you to release him and beg for forgiveness!"

Taller boy seemed to be momentarily confused. His pet sat by his feet warning Katie to keep her distance. "Wait, you think he's Link?" He said flabbergasted. A grin stretched on his lips. "You think he's a hero?!"

The boy on the ground looked up at her with pleading eyes. "Pl-please sa-sa—" A kick to the gut silences him at once.

"I didn't say you can speak," the taller one said, and then cocked his head to the side at the fairy, and gave a wicked smile.

Katie noticed something she hadn't before. Only because he was covered in mud but upon closer inspection the tormented boy had thick locks of velvet hair and a long face with a sticky yellow substances leaking out his nose. His ears, one of the traditional physical attributes to a hero, were too small

The taller boy was the real issue. Golden hair ran down his face (a bit too long for her liking), pins were what kept his bangs from touching his sky blue eyes. He had a slender built with lean muscles and what was far more impressive was how he managed to pin a boy twice his size on the ground with no trouble. His outfit matched the state of the cottage, which Katie assumes to be his, consists of a white tattered shirt with a green leave over at his shoulder and brown trousers.

She felt dizzy for a moment as the painful truth slapped her. "You're Link."

"Aren't you just a smart fairy?"

"You're the hero…" The words were painful to let out.

"I wouldn't say a hero unless you want me to be, darling," he said with a glint in his eyes. "But it pains me to tell you that I'm only interested in female Hylians."

"You need to come with me!" She said, appearing in his face so suddenly, forcing him to take a step back. The dog barked up at her, even trying to reach up and grab her by the mouth.

The boy, Link, raised an eyebrow. "Go with you?"

Katie took a deep breath. Yes, his first impressions were shattered, but there could be a reason for his action. She glanced down at the red-haired and felt doubt creeping over. A hero would never do this. Not to his worst enemies.

Yet he had the physical attributes of a hero, the name of the hero and in time the power would be unlocked just like all the other heroes. She took a deep breath, preparing for the speech she had practiced for months. "This may come as a surprise, but, you Link, are the chosen hero of the goddesses, tasked with a mission to perish evil from this land and it is you that will rise and bring—"

"I'm sorry I need to stop you there, darling," he said, his smile lost its confidence and he looked at her as if she'd lost her mind.

She huffed, annoyed that he cut her off at the best part. "What do you mean? I know it's hard to believe but—"

He laughed but it sounded forced. "Hard to believe? She's saying it's hard to believe, Groose," he said hysterically. "Here's what's hard to believe, darling: spending my morning getting fish only to have this—" He set his foot down at his victim "—steal it."

"I caught it first," Groose coughed.

"My territory my fish," he snarled with a smile that showed all his teeth. "What you're saying isn't hard to believe, sprit, now if you're done being a bother, can you please leave us gentlemen to our fun?"

She expected this. "Show me your hand."

"Why?"

"Just humor me."

He took out the glove, which had something yellow on it. He threw it away and held out his smooth, bare hand. "This is ridiculous."

She ignored him and concentrated, whispering soft ancient words as Zelda often did when she was meditating. He stayed quiet as his shoulders tensed up and sweat dripping from his forehead. For a moment she wished nothing would appear, that this was all just a tasteless joke. Then it happened. The bright triangle with a corner brightening up the most: the Triforce.

Words seemed to be lost on both boys as they tried to grasp at what was happening. His mouth continued to open and close. His eyes lost their playful glints. His face glowed from the light, turning his flush to a warm yellow. When the light dies out he still had that disbelief and even took a tentative step back.

"What did you do to me?" He asked quietly, looking at his hand as if it wasn't his.

"What – just what…" Groose tried to say, his eyes were bulging out of their sockets.

"That's what I've been saying," she says as a matter of fact. "You are the chosen hero and you must fulfill your duty to banish evil from this—HEY!"

She screamed that last part when she found herself in a glass container. Link pressed the lid on before she could even hope to escape. "You think you'll win me over with your tricks?" He says, trying to keep up with his jokes but his voice cracked. "I like to stay single. Tell her, Groose."

The red-head didn't say anything. Only stared up at the sky; maybe making a prayer.

She felt humiliated that she would even let herself in this situation but saw then how badly his hands were shaking. Seeing this bully break a little was darn right hilarious. "You believe me, don't you?" Katie says with a giggle. "You're just scared to admit it, big boy."

He paused, it was at that moment she knew, she messed up. "What do they say when the boys play catch?" He asked quietly, his dark eyes looming over her. His smile was the same as a madman.

She caught on at once. "Wait, I didn't mean it!"

He held her in his hand with the bottle over his head. "Bring your rock up and aim for the head."

"No, wait!"

"Then launch!" He yelled.

She felt a drop and in her gut, and all of a sudden the world was a blur. She crashed into the river with a great splash and the bottle then bobbed up and down in the river… silently floating away in the cool water on a hot summer afternoon. Her voice soon died after screaming and she gave up, letting the river carry her. Shame soon enveloped her and she could only hope the river would swallow her whole, she had failed.