Repaying a Debt

Disclaimer: This thing's so long, they may as well be mine...but sadly, they aren't.

This is it folks. The final chapter. So I'm just going to shut up, and tell the story now. (Third person perspective now.)

^^= Sheik's thoughts

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Ganon was held down by the great power of the Princess Zelda of Destiny, who also charged the sacred blade of the Master Sword. Link held the shining blade, and plunged it into the heart of the quivering creature. It became limp, and Zelda lifted her arms to the heavens, which still spilt rain across the land, to call the six Sages to do their task. They appeared, and wove their magic over Ganon's body, sealing him away in the Sacred Realm forevermore.

The Princess collapsed onto one knee, panting heavily, and looked up at the valiant heroes before her. Only two - where was the third? The Sheikah and the Hero of Time had their eyes cast down to the floor, bitter tears running down blood stained faces. The Princess turned to look around, rising from her kneeling position. And there, lying as though asleep, was the other - the girl, who Zelda knew quite well was not from the world of Hyrule at all. She shook her head sadly, and picked up the girl's sword from where it had lain in the mud since the beginning of the second battle against the dark king.

Link and Sheik walked over to her, heads still bowed in silent reverence. Zelda followed, the sword carried like a precious thing, clutched to her bosom. This, she laid at the feet of the girl, and then stepped backwards to let the other two pay their respects. Firstly, the Sheikah knelt down in the mud, and leant his forehead on his raised knee. The Princess watched in amazement as the man shuddered with loud sobs. A Sheikah that cried? This was something she had never seen in her life before; and she had seen much, much more than most.

The Hero followed suit, taking a knee on the waterlogged ground - but he held back his tears, grieving silently. He patted the sobbing Sheikah on the back, unable to find any words of comfort at all. No words seemed able to describe the scene. No words were needed now. It was over, but at the price of so many lives... The Princess sighed, and cursed her own foolishness - perhaps, if she had not meddled, so many people would still be alive now. Her father would still be...she took in a hitched breath, and fought back her own tears. It was not good etiquette to cry before one's subjects.

Sheik could not believe what had happened. They had been so close to victory - just a few seconds more, and they would all have made it alive, and for the most part, unscathed. And yet, here she lay, still and broken on a pile of dusty rubble, her face twisted in a permanent grimace of pain. He reached out to touch her cheek, which was still holding traces of warmth, and withdrew his hand again, unable to bear the thought that so soon ago, she had been standing and fighting.

She had been alive.

The mourners did not notice a tiny rip forming in the air, which quickly grew and grew into a large portal. Out of this, there tumbled a tall, stately figure, with dark eyes, and black, shoulder length hair. Not to mention the black feathered wings, which sprouted from his shoulder blades, and flapped slowly to keep him airborne. He had on robes of bright, startling white, which swirled about bare feet, and over that, a cloak of the same dazzling brilliance. His ageless face was torn between sorrow and anger, and he moved towards the group.

The Princess noticed him first. She turned her head to look up at him, and a flicker of understanding dawned across her face. He looked down upon her, and his stately graveness silenced her. Even so, he pressed a long finger to his lips, and she nodded her understanding, bowing slightly to the man.

He proceeded forwards again, and moved around the Hero and the Sheikah, to land above the girl on the pile of rubble. They looked up in shock, and the Sheikah wiped the tears from his face, jumping to his feet. "Who are you?" he demanded, hand making a move to the bow strapped to his side.

"Leave your weapon," the winged man commanded, and Sheik dropped his hand. "To answer your question, my name is Loki. I am an angel, if you had not of course already guessed." Link and Sheik's mouths dropped open in astonishment, but the Princess just nodded as her theory was being proved before her.

"If you are an angel, then can you save her?" Sheik asked abruptly, taking a step forwards. Loki held out his hand, and shook his head.

"She needs saving - but not from what you fear." At the looks of confusement on the two young men's faces, he elaborated. "She is not dead, if that is what you fear. Well, at least, she will not die when I take her back. No - now, she merely sleeps in this world, and I must take her home."

"Home?" Sheik choked in disbelief. "But - she comes from across the wate-"

"Hah - you do not believe that boy! Your instincts have been right all along. She is not, and never has been a Hylian. This is her true form." Loki waved a staff, which seemed to have appeared from nowhere, and the girl lying on the rubble was enveloped by white light, which soon dissipated. Now, where Blaise had once been, lay another. She looked in many respects similar to the girl that Link and Sheik had learnt to know.

But, the differences were there. Her build was even slighter, so that when she moved, the bones in her arms could be seen shifting under the skin. She was maybe a couple of inches taller, and her hair lay in a light russet halo around her delicately featured face. Just above her left eyebrow was a curved scar, and on her left palm, the scars which made up a pentagram now stood out clearly. Most noticeable of all, were her ears, which had changed from the pointed ones of a Hylian, to curved ones that could be likened to those of a Gerudo.

"But - how can this be?" Link asked, staring down at the girl who had been Blaise.

"Sit - this shall take a while to explain to you, and even then, I doubt you shall ever know the whole of it." Loki sat down on the rubble, and lifted the girl's head to rest in his lap. Sheik cast a longing glance, before sitting down next to Sheik at the bottom of the pile. "Firstly, the name you have known her by is not hers. Her real name is Alexis, and she's my goddaughter."

"She's an angel?" Sheik guessed breathily.

"Yes."

"But why does she not have wings?" Link asked shrewdly.

"I am getting to that!" Loki said, scowling. "She was an angel once - but, she committed a terrible crime against our people." Sheik looked about to say something, and Loki glared at him warningly. "At the age of nine, she aided in the murder of the Master Angel David. So, she was condemned to the life of a Fallen Angel, to serve until such time as her debt was repaid."

"She killed - at the age of nine?" Link blinked. "But - why?"

"She was in contact with a disreputable Angel sorceress name Diabola. Diabola asked her to bring David to her - and Alexis complied readily."

"No," Sheik murmured.

"What?" Loki asked.

"No!" Sheik repeated, louder this time. "You're lying! She couldn't, she didn't. This - this 'David' probably wasn't the benevolent character you make him sound to be! She wouldn't do that to anyone who didn't deserve-"

"He was her godfather, and my love, you insolent little boy! We are not here to qualm over a crime that was committed long ago. I am merely telling you the facts. Not embellishing them with your little ideas!" Loki was bristling with anger, and Sheik recoiled. His face was in shock, and he looked at the still body of the girl before him. Surely, surely she had not...she was not a murderer.

Was she?

"Now, I must tell you in what circumstances-" Loki began, but broke off suddenly, and looked over the heads of the two young men and the Princess. They turned to look behind them, and saw another of the winged people, this time a man with pristine golden wings and hair.

"Loki, you have taken enough time," the new angel drawled. "I really would like to get this case up and running before the century ends you know." Loki just glared at the other angel, and nodded curtly.

"Yes - sir," he spat the word out vehemently, and Link and Sheik turned to look back at him. He hoisted the girl - now known truly as Alexis - and moved to the shimmering portal where the other angel stood. The angel in the portal smiled nastily, and looked down at Alexis in Loki's arms.

"Finally - now we can get out of this hell-hole world." And with a crack like a whip, the two angels, and Alexis, were gone. Sheik stood stock still, staring at the point where the girl he had travelled with for the past months had disappeared. The girl, who he - he had admitted (at least to himself) that he had deep affection for. And now, all that he could think of her was that she was a murderer, and a liar.

The Sheikah collapsed to the blood soaked ground, and lay there, hoping to die, or that the earth would swallow him up completely. Neither happened, and when he felt Link's arm on his back, he got up, and allowed Link to warp him, and the Princess, to the graveyard of Kakariko. The journey to the outskirts, where they would rest for that night was blurred to him, and he could think of nothing, other than the facts he had heard, which stumbled and tumbled around in his head.

It could not be true. And yet - she had been so secretive. She had believed that they would not have trusted her if she had told. ^And she was right^ he thought bitterly, as the rain beat against him, and he wondered if he would ever feel again.

*

In the medical chambers of the Angel world, Alexis was being revived. She blinked open her eyes, and coughed out a mouthful of blood, before peering blearily up at Loki's face, which swam slightly in her vision. "She's not fit to stand today Lucifer, for demons sakes, anyone can see that!" Fleur, the High angel, said sternly.

"Fine, fine, I suppose I can wait for another day," Lucifer said, almost jovially. He reached down as though to chuck the prone Alexis under the chin, but Loki barred his way.

"You are not allowed to touch her - ever," he growled, and Lucifer smiled.

"Oh, trust me, when I own her, I shall *touch* her all I want," he smirked, and Loki had to be restrained by two Medical staff, to stop him from punching the Ancient Angel. "Tata now!" Lucifer laughed, sweeping out of the room.

Alexis balled both of her fists into the blankets that had been laid over her. "Damn it," she said quietly, but it was still audible to all who were left in the room. "I thought I was dead. This is so unfair!" She turned away from the gathered, and buried her face into the soft pillow. Loki ushered them all out, and then knelt on the floor next to the bed.

"Little one? Little one, come here," his voice broke, and he pulled his wounded goddaughter close to his chest. "Shh now - sleep whilst you can - there's a girl." She had closed her eyes and fallen back into sleep, and he laid her back down again. He sat in the chair next to the bed, and leant his elbows on the edge of it. "We need a miracle. God, if you are still listening to us, and have not left us all alone, please help."

To his utter disbelief, two glowing figures appeared on the other side of the bed, and smiled at him. "You called?" they said together. "Sorry about being away so long old chap, we've just been a bit busy with a few of our children - you know, Din, Nayru and Farore in Hyrule? Apparently, they've had a bit of a tiff there with some mortals and their Tri-Force toy - and there was a Fallen One there, don't you know." Loki just stared at the two, one male, one female, his mouth agape.

"Now now, snap out of it, what's all this...oh..." they suddenly looked down at where Alexis lay. "Hang on - we'll just catch up on some news," they both closed their eyes, and then snapped them open again in horror. "Lucifer's been doing *what*?!" They glowed red in anger, and then called in a loud voice, "Lucifer, Ancient one, God command you to the medical ward of Alexis the Fallen One immediately!"

Lucifer appeared at the door almost at once, and smiled smarmily at the all- powerful entities. "Yes, your majesties?"

"Don't give us all that tripe, Luc," the female of the pair scowled. "The whorehouse from hereon has never existed, and all the girls who have been used there were never used. And you - you are struck from the record as an Ancient, and demoted to gate-keeper." Lucifer's mouth opened wide in horror. "And if you argue, you will be lucky to leave this place without having your wings cut off!"

"Escort him to the gate," the male of the pair ordered to two High Angels, who had appeared at the door as the woman spoke. They grabbed Lucifer, and pulled the jewelled headband from his head, throwing it to the floor.

The door slammed, leaving the still stunned Loki gaping at his rulers. "For goodness sake, close your mouth boy!" the male reached out and snapped Loki's chin upwards to shut his mouth. "Better - now, please, leave the room for a moment. We wish to speak with Alexis."

"Majesties?" Loki raised his eyebrow in questioning, but was again shooed. He rose from the chair, looked down at the slumbering girl, and then walked out of the door into the hallway. He leant against the wall, and let out a heavy sigh. He had never in a million years expected his call to work. Though - having been so close to David, who had been great friends with the two, he shouldn't really have been so surprised.

*

"Urm - well, wake her up then," the woman prompted, twisting a shimmering curl around her finger.

"Why don't you?"

"Because I'm the woman, and I know best - so you have to do it," she answered sweetly, and he sighed. Being all-powerful was all right, but he still never could say no to his partner. So, the male half of the pair who made up God prodded Alexis in the ribs. She stirred, and then turned over, jamming the pillow over her head. "Do it again," the woman urged, and he did it again.

This time, Alexis sat up with a startled scream, and almost pulled the wire which was drip-feeding her blood out of her arm. "Argh! What the...?" she too stared open mouthed at the two, and they sighed, this time the woman reaching out to snap Alexis' chin upwards.

"Now, child, we've been away for a while, so things have been getting a little out of hand," the woman began, and was nudged by the man. "What?" He looked meaningfully at her, and she nodded. "Oh yes - well, whatever, you don't need to know all the details. But, we do have a preposition for you."

"A what?" Alexis murmured, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, and pinching herself to check that she was awake.

"Yes, you're awake!" the man said exasperatedly. "Now, will you listen!" Alexis nodded, and looked at them attentively. "A preposition is an offer."

"Which we're going to make to you!" the woman interjected joyfully.

"Yes, yes dear, now pipe down!" the man scolded. "Anyway, it's this. And you can only choose one mind. You may bring your family back from beyond the gate, just as Diabola promised all those years ago," Alexis gasped, and bought her hands to her mouth, tears jerking into her eyes.

"Or - you may bring back David from where he has been standing by the gate."

Alexis looked down at the coverlet, her brow furrowed. [No - this is too hard...how can I choose?]

"We will give you some time," God offered, and disappeared. Alexis continued to stare at the bedspread, her mind turning over and over. However, it was only a few more seconds before she managed to call out,

"I've made my choice..." The man and woman reappeared, faces grave.

"Are you sure it is the right one?"

Alexis nodded fervently. "I am sure. I made a mess of things to begin with, and now it's time I repaid my debt in full." She shakily lifted her eyes to meet those of the most powerful entity before her. "Bring David back - Loki needs him. He's suffered enough...he deserves David back." The golden pair before her smiled knowledgably, and nodded their heads in praise.

"Well done child - you have chosen what we would never have suspected you to. From that, you show a righteous heart - we grant you the status which was torn away from you." They smiled, and began to fade. A tingling sensation ran across her back, originating at the base of her spine, and then flooding into her dead shoulder blades. She felt things erupt, though there was no pain, only a slight itching, and when she turned her head, grey, mottled feathers confronted her.

"Wings...I have wings..." she whispered, the tears now overflowing from her eyes. And, when she turned to look back, it was to see a face smiling at her, that she had never suspected to see again. "David," she whispered hoarsely, raising her arms to the merrily grinning man. "Is it really you?"

"Aye, it's me all right shortie," he smiled, lifting her easily from the bed in a bear hug. "Thank you - thank you so much for bringing me back," he whispered into her tangled hair. "And know this - I blame you not even the tiniest shred for what happened. You could not have known what Diabola would do."

"I should have guessed."

"Don't be silly," he laughed, the sound rumbling around in his broad chest. "Come on, Loki's probably still waiting outside, tapping his foot and pouting like a little girl," David chirped, letting her drop gently to the floor again. Alexis opened the door into the hall, and Loki turned.

"You're done at last then," he smiled wearily. "Good - I was beginning to wo-" the words caught in his throat, and Alexis moved aside so that David could come through the door. "David?" Loki's mouth dropped open for the second time, and then he ran towards the newly risen angel, crashing into him at such a speed that both of them fell over backwards.

Alexis smiled a tired smile, and leant against the wall, to look out at a patch of cloud, which was being lit from above by the sunset. There, far in the distance, she thought she saw two shining figures waving at her. But, she blinked, and they were gone. She sighed, and stared at the sunset, which was a beautiful vermilion. [It's over.]

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[Looks stunned]. Oh my God. It's finished.

R+R, for old time's sake.

Soda XXX