Sabie: Wow... YOU LIKE ME! YOU REALLY LIKE ME!
Penumbra: Relax, will you? Just reply to those reviews...

To Lucky: Thank you for those comments, I DO plan for it to be an epic fic. I'm also unsure on any pairings, so don't expect any for the moment. The question about Penumbra's age should be answered here... And I don't plan to use swearing in my fics either... Maybe if the situation calls for it, but I don't like the idea.

Sweetwater-Rhapsody: Thank you very much!

blondie91: Glad you enjoy it! Updates are dependant on how quickly I finish a dungeon and how lazy I am, BTW

EDIT: Changed some of the dialogue at the chapter's end based on suggestions from Lucky. This was because his suggestions were nice and logical, and on looking back, it actually does improve the story. Thanks, Lucky!

I do not own the Legend of Zelda. Penumbra is an original character created by me, and any story adaptations are written by me, based on the game Ocarina of Time. That should take care of the disclaimer...


As the light fades, Link, Navi and Penumbra find themselves back in the Temple of Time. A beam of light shines down on the dusty pedestal where the Master Sword once stood, appearing almost solid in in contrast with the darkened room.

Penumbra is the first to speak. "So... we're back..."

"Yeah..." Link replies, looking around the ancient room.

"But... Have seven years really passed?" Navi asks nervously. "I mean, you don't look a day older from when I saw you, "oh Divided One!'"

Penumbra gives a scalding look to the fairy. "Don't... Call me that... Anyway, I'm a divine spirit. A few years one way or the other don't affect me."

Navi gives a small annoyed sound. "Anyway, Link... From the look of it, I guess a lot of your old weapons can't be used now... We should go!"

"You're right," Link replies, walking towards the exit. "Find out what has happened..."

"Wait."

Link and Navi look nervously towards Penumbra, who appears focused on something.

"Someone is here..."

Instantly, Link draws his sword and turns back towards the center of the room. As he turns, a young man drops down onto the pedestal... His face is covered by bandages, and he wears a tight fitting outfit resembling a Sheikah's garb...

"I've been waiting for you, Hero of Time... Shadow Angel..."

"Yeah?" Penumbra replies, turning towards the new figure. "And just who in the realms are you?"

But the man continues talking as if the spirit had never been there. "When evil rules all, an awakening voice from the Sacred Realm will call those destined to be Sages, who dwell in the five temples."

"Sages?" Navi asks. "You mean like Rauru said?"

"Yes... One in a deep forest... One on a high mountain... One under a vast lake... One within the house of the dead... One inside a goddess of the sand... Together with the Hero of Time, the awakened ones will bind the evil and return the light of peace to the world... This is the legend of the temples passed down by my people, the Sheikah. Although..." The man adds, looking at Penumbra, "You are a new addition to this tale..."

"Fascinating," Penumbra replies, clearly annoyed. "Now I'll ask again... Who are you?"

"I am Sheik, survivor of the Sheikahs."

"But... Sheik..." Link adds in, "What are you trying to tell us?"

"Hmm..." Sheik says quietly, "As I see you standing there holding the mythical Master Sword, you really do

look like the legendary Hero of Time... Do the three of you believe the legend and the things Rauru told you?

"Yes..." Link replies.

"Of course!" Navi confirms.

"...I believe in the plight of the Sages, though I'm still unsure of my role..." Penumbra says after a few moments.

The Sheikah gives a seemingly understanding look towards Penumbra. "Then you have no choice. You must all look for the five temples and rescue the five Sages. Link..."

"Yes?"

"One Sage is waiting for the time of awakening in the Forest Temple. The Sage is a girl I am sure you know. Because of the evil power in the temple, she cannot hear the awakening call from the Sacred Realm..."

Link's expression becomes confused, then gains a look of clear dread. "No... Saria..."

"A friend of yours, I'm guessing?" Penumbra asks, a little concerned by the worry on Link's face.

"Yes... we were always playing as kids... But if she's in trouble..."

"Unfortunately, equipped as you currently are, you cannot even enter the

temple." Sheik interrupts. "As well, there will be difficult obstacles to face..."

"Big deal!" Penumbra shouts. "I can get by anything that Ganondorf guy dishes out!"

"Ah, but Link must solve these tasks himself if he is the true Hero of Time. Besides... There will be a duty of your own to fufill. Not only has Ganondorf invaded Hyrule, he has made a devil's deal..."

Penumbra double-takes for a split second, then looks seriously at Sheik. "You mean that, don't you. They've moved in on his power..."

"Yes. And even more will come now that you are here..."

"What?" Navi asks, flying directly between Penumbra and Sheik. "What are you guys talking about?"

The reply from Penumbra is deathly cold: "Demons. Creatures of darkness, who chase and enchant those with great power..."

"Then what are we waiting for?" Link shouts out in surprise. "Sheik, how do I get to that Forest Temple?"

"If you truly believe my words, then head to Kakariko village," The Sheikah answers. "Do you understand?"

"Yeah..." Link states, running out of the temple. "C'mon, guys!" Penumbra and Navi quickly follow after him.

Sheik continues to watch the doors they leave through for a long time.

"Good luck... Link..."

-------------------------------

"Penumbra..."

After leaving the temple, the three travellers rest at the entrance to Kakariko. Link had been shocked to find Hyrule castle town infested with the zombie-like ReDead, but they were able to escape after Link played the Sun's song on his Ocarina. Now, Link looks at his companion curiously...

"Yeah, Link?"

"What was all that about in the temple? Rauru called you 'Shadow Angel', and that light..."

Penumbra sighs, and looks up at the sky. "I really didn't want to bring this up yet, but... If demons are working with Ganondorf, you deserve to know..."

She stands up, still looking at the sun.

"Link... Look at my back... See the mark of a celestial being..."

Penumbra closes her eyes, and her back glows with an intense light. But instead of a pure whilte radiance like that of the light medallion which shone from her, this light is a pale grey... The light spreads out and takes shape until it forms a pair of wings.

"All angels and demons have a pair of wings, though one can choose to keep them concealed. An angel has the wings of a dove, while a demon has the wings of a monster. But I..."

All Link sees of Penumbra now is a pair of large wings with feathers so white, they appear to be formed from starlight. But then Penumbra turns, and he is able to see that the underside is a deep black, the skin and bone of a dragon's wing contrasting against the pure dove.

"I am half angel, half demon. I have the powers of both races... and a curse all my own."

"Goddesses..." Link replies, shocked, "That's why... That light from the medallion... Half light and half dark..."

"Yes. And because of this, both forces seek to either control or destroy me." Penumbra states. "Hence my 'unflattering' nicknames your little firefly mentioned before."

"Hey!" Navi butts in, "It's not like you don't deserve it! I mean, all you want to do is live by yourself somewhere so they can't bug you! What kind of spirit does THAT?"

The spirit retracts her wings before answering Navi with a hint of anger. "One who doesn't want her abilities to make greedy demons and angels destroy worlds in their insane power struggle!"

"Don't badmouth my kin like that!"

"I'm a closer relation than you, and I'll badmouth them as much as I want to!"

"That's it, will you two STOP?" Link finally shouts, making Navi and Penumbra stop in mid-argument. The hylian stands up and faces his two friends.

"Both of you have been arguing ever since we left the Temple, and I'm getting tired of hearing it. Navi, I don't know anything about what spirits are like, but you should know better than to insult an ally! Penumbra's with us, whether you want her here or not."

"I never had a choice, you know," Penumbra adds bitterly, "And I can't leave until Ganondorf's control over Hyrule is broken."

With a small 'Hmph', Navi flies back to Link and rests on his hat, her back turned.

Link sighs softly as he walks towards Kakariko village. "C'mon, let's go..."

"Right behind you." Penumbra replies, refusing to look at the fairy on Link's hat. And with the previous argument still hanging in the air, the travellers walk into Kakariko.

Meanwhile, on a ledge high above the village, a dark figure watches the three heroes, flashing a sinister grin as they enter.

"The Shadow Angel will join forces with the Hero of Time... Exactly as foretold... I can't wait to tell that idiot, Ganondorf..."


Sabie: Alright! I've already made it to the Forest Temple, so a new chapter should come (relatively) soon!