The triumphant army of Kikwis, Mogmas, and Ancient Robots, with Link, Groose, Fledge, Fi, and Impa, reveled in their victory. All recounted the most exhilarating and breathtaking moments from the battle. Even Fledge felt invigorated and found himself caught up in the excitement. However, as the conversations died down, a heaviness came over the group, culminating in the grim and serious expression on Link's face. Almost everyone knew what it was that troubled him, though no one had the heart to say it. Machi, in his innocence, was the only one who did not seem to understand.

"Link?" he squeaked. "What's the matter? Shouldn't you be happy?"

"I am, Machi," Link said, forcing a small smile and chuckle. "But the Imprisoned will break free again soon."

"As valiant as all of your efforts were," Fi added, "I estimate the Imprisoned's power will soon outmatch our own. Even now, I can sense him gathering his strength."

"Isn't there anything we can do to stop him?" Cobal inquired.

Link sighed, growing slowly agitated at not having a certain answer for him.

"Something about fulfilling a prophecy and finding something called the Triforce."

Everyone paused. The utterance of the word Triforce filled them all with a sense of curiosity and wonder. Some even felt emboldened as the name graced their ears. However, all were at a loss regarding what it was and how to get it.

"What ...bzzzpt... is the prophesy?" X asked.

"Oh, youth..." Impa began, quietly enough to entice all listeners, "guided by the servant of the goddess, unite earth and sky and bring light to the land."

Her head was bowed and shoulders hunched. She suddenly had an even greater sense of mystery about her than normal. Groose's brow raised curiously.

"Say, that's an old song from Skyloft. How do you know it, Granny?"

"Clairvoyance," she chuckled, her wrinkled lips stretching into a smile.

"The only people I know who could understand the prophecy better are the professors and Headmaster Gaepora," Fledge said with a shrug.

"Perhaps it's time we pay Skyloft a visit then," Link uttered.

"I can't wait to tell everyone about this place," Groose said, receiving a fierce glare from Link in response.

"Not yet," he said sternly, "the time will come when the people can know, but it is not now." His brow furrowed intensely. "Is that clear?"

Groose did not appreciate being told what not to do, evidenced by his bulky arms crossing over his chest and a shift in his stance. Link could also see the boy's jaw tighten and he slowly blew through his nose, yet Link stayed firm. After a brief stare-down of wills, Groose did the honorable thing and yielded, though unhappily.

"I guess I can wait a little longer."

"Will we see you again?" Machi peeped up, his beady eyes looking quite sad.

"Yes, Machi," Link replied, crouching down to the Kikwi's height. "If all goes well, then we will hopefully be back soon. You and Bucha keep the woods safe in our absence, okay?"

"Okay!"

"But what about Granny?" Groose protested. "Can she come with us? I don't want to leave her alone with the Imprisoned."

"Oh, stop it, you," she said, laying a delicate hand on Groose's arm. "I've made do for nearly a thousand years. I can manage a bit longer, though your concern warms my old heart greatly. Besides, someone has to look after the spirit maiden while she rests."

Link's closed eyes shut tighter briefly, as the reminder of Zelda's current state hit him harshly. He felt a cold sting in the center of his chest. With a deep breath in, he nodded, trying his best to leave his feelings aside.

"Let's be off, then."

After bidding farewell to the Kikwis, Mogmas, and Ancient Robots, Link, Fledge, and Groose returned to the sky. Somehow, the air felt fresher on the other side of the cloud barrier. It blew threw their hair wildly, sending chills down each of their spines. The sky was brighter, and they all felt a great deal lighter, as though the dangers they faced could not reach them in the sky. Being on the backs of their Loftwings made them realize how sorely they missed their home, and the birds themselves chirped and squawked with gladness as they flew. Link especially cherished the feel of his bird's silky, crimson feathers beneath his fingertips as they sped toward the sky island. The professors were busy teaching their classes. As the boys crept by the classrooms, they heard the familiar sounds of book pages turnings, quills being dipped in ink, and the professors offering their gentle and wise instruction. Each of them longed terribly to be innocent students once again, though they kept these feelings at bay and went straight to Gaepora.

They explained what had transpired. Fledge and Groose shared the most, quite excitedly, until it came time to reveal Zelda's fate, at which point they turned to Link, who all could see was beginning to withdraw. His eyes shot back and forth between them, and he took the smallest of steps backward before he caught himself and straightened his stance. His mouth opened, yet no words came out at first.

"Link?" Gaepora questioned, concern overflowing in his tone. "What has happened to my daughter?"

Link swallowed dryly, the point in his neck rising and falling as he did. He lowered his gaze to the floor and drew in a deep breath.

"Hylia," he began, somewhat shakily, "she's taken over Zelda's body and is now locked away, asleep, until we fulfill the Goddess' prophecy, and find something called a Triforce. She claims this is the only way to keep the Imprisoned sealed."

The bushy brow on Gaepora's forehead bobbed up and down, and the white mustache above his lip danced as he wrestled with what he heard. His tan skin paled as he sat down behind his desk. A time passed where no one said anything. Gaepora stared plainly out the window, eyes growing red and breaths short. At long last, he nodded his head, choking back unimaginable emotion.

"I have never doubted my daughter's faith in the Goddess," he said slowly, "nor her unshakable loyalty to her. In the magnitude of her sacrifice, I will not allow myself to doubt her now." His brow furrowed as he rose up, and walked over to Link. The boy stood with his gaze downward, his honey blonde bangs casting a shadow over his face. As Gaepora approached, Link looked into his deep, stern eyes. "Zelda needs us to keep the faith, now more than ever. Let's fulfill the prophecy and bring her home at long last."

He handed each lad a book and a stack of old parchments. If it mentioned the Goddess' prophecy, then it was laid out in the room for all to rummage through. The professors dropped off piping hot tea with sugar cubes, fresh fruits and vanilla cakes between classes to encourage them in their efforts. Fi also skimmed through the abundance of pages and texts in hopes of finding something that could point them toward the location of the Triforce. While the others sat, Link paced back and forth as he flipped through his aged and worn book. Unbeknownst to him, a loose page drifted down to the floor in near silence, though it was not lost on Fi. Her head shot up from her reading as she looked this way and that for the source of the small sound only she heard.

She hovered over to the page. Her head tilted as she carefully studied the old, scarcely visible images on it.

"Master," she called.

Link turned and his eyes were quickly drawn to the page. Approaching, he saw a long, black figure, which looked as though it had been painted by someone with a shaky hand. It was vertical in the center of the page. Below it were lines of blue, green, and orange. Each had eyes and an open mouth, as well as lines jutting from their tops.

"The dragons?" Link questioned, scooping up the page.

"I believe you have interpreted this correctly, Master."

Above the black dragon was a triangular artifact made of three smaller, golden and bright triangles. Link's jaw opened and his brow flinched. He produced the sailcloth which Zelda had given him, and on it was stitched the same shape over and over. It was also the shape of the statue that had stood tall in Lanayru at the Gate of Time.

"This has to be the Triforce," Link stated, a hint of excitement bubbling up in his tone.

As he continued to look over the page, small, glistening, golden, otherworldly shapes appeared as the light hit them at just the right angle.

"Fi?" Gaepora inquired. "Is this your language?"

"Affirmative, Headmaster," she said with a nod. "The light of the blade will reveal the way."

Link passed the old and worn page to Gaepora, then promptly pulled the Master Sword. It was enveloped in a cyan glow as he held it over his head, casting a blue light on everything and everyone in the room. He then carefully lowered the blade to the page. Sure enough, other letters appeared under its light. Though they were scarcely visible, Fi began to read them.

"The Song of the Hero, entrusted to the guardians of surface and sky, will open the gate to the Triforce. He whose spirit is unbroken and whose heart is balanced will be granted a wish of their heart's greatest desire, and peace will befall the world once more."

Gaepora and Link exchanged a nervous glance while Fledge observed. Their expressions were enough to make him feel uneasy.

"What's the matter?" he asked.

"I'm afraid the time has come to confront him," Gaepora uttered grimly.

"Who's him?" Groose asked.

All eyes fell back onto the page, fixing on the black dragon whose body was stretched upward.

"His name is Levias," Link answered at last. "He dwells in the Thunderhead. He's been corrupted by malice, and it seems as though he is the key to finding the Triforce."

"So... you're going to have to find a way to help him?" Fledge asked.

"The power in the Master Sword can undoubtedly dispel the malice from him," Fi said.

"It's going to be dangerous," Gaepora warned.

"Eh, Link will be fine," Groose said with a scoff and a shrug, earning a side-eye from Link. "He's seen worse."

The door creaked open, and there stood professors Owlan and Horwell. Horwell stood with his hands held gracefully behind his back. Owlan, however, carried something bulky in his hands.

"Please forgive us for listening in," Horwell said, bowing his head.

"We've been anticipating the need to help Levias for some time, now," Owlan said, stepping into the room. "Therefore, we have been working with Gondo to prepare this. We believe it can aid you."

The device looked like a glove made from a cream white metal, and it came to three sharp, bronze tips.

"This," Owlan continued, straining slightly as he lifted it up, "was designed to grab onto a dragon's scales with its clawlike grip. The chains inside will allow you to make contact from a far distance and then pull yourself onto Levias himself."

"Then dispel the malice with the Master Sword," Fi said.

"Precisely, Fi."

Link took the device and looked over it carefully. A sense of nervousness welled up in his stomach. However, he thought back to the times he had seen Levias, and heard how terribly tortured the dragon sounded, and it made him all-the-more eager to help him. With a nod of Link's head, all were in agreement that this was the only way to go. While Groose and Fledge stayed behind, Link mounted his Loftwing and made for the Thunderhead. As they approached the swirling dome of cloud, Link patted his Loftwing on the side of his neck.

"Get yourself to safety as soon as I leap, alright?"

The bird squawked, looking at him with a confused expression.

"I'm not going to risk you getting hurt or worse, bud," he said sternly. "You're just dropping me off to face a malice-possessed dragon all by myself, is all."

The bird flung his head back so that his head feathers smacked Link on the face gently. Fi also called out from the sword.

"You are not all alone, Master."

"Oh hang it all," Link chuckled. "Neither of you can take a joke."

Together they soared into the Thunderhead and were almost immediately soaked by the frigid rain. The wind was sharp and the lightning bright. Link's eyes scanned the area as best as he could for any sign of the dragon. As they flew further in, they could begin to hear his long, tortured groans amidst the rolling thunder. Link felt a stink of pain in his gut as his breath caught in his throat at the sound of it. His bird continued to navigate as they drew closer and closer to the moaning growls. A flash of lightning drew Link's gaze downward. Through the layers of cloud, he could see the frame of the long, flowing beast below them, its shadow exposed by the flashes of light. Link looked at his bird, nodded, and dove.

The descent was eerily calm. Perhaps the sound of the wind drowned out all that was happening around him. Link's fierce, green eyes were fixed on the growing shadow of Levias, until at long last, Link fell through a cloud and found himself nearly face-to-face with the mighty dragon. Levias was lurching forward and twisting his body this way and that, as if he was trying to outrun his torment.

"Hold on, Levias," Link uttered.

With that, he activated a claw shot. The chain sped forward, with the sound of the metal chain flying forward piercing through the wind and rain. With a loud clank, the claw gripped onto Levias, and Link found himself being jerked forward as the dragon picked up his pace. As the chain retracted, Link was pulled swiftly until he was able to pull himself atop of Levias. Burning malice bubbled up all around him, and from it emerged dozens of orange, fiery eyes. Link's stomach churned at the sight of them, yet he charged the Master Sword and began slashing. With one arm, he cut through the malice, and with the other, he used the claw shot to move further and further up the dragon's back.

Levias reacted immediately, flying faster and more fiercely, and roaring as he went. His jerking movements did little to deter Link, so the dragon aimed his body downward and flew with breathtaking speed. Link continued to cut through the malice at best as he could, though he found himself frequently in the throes of coughing fits as the airborne malice choked him. Underneath his feet, he could feel the rumbles of Levias' growl growing deeper and longer, and a sense of threat welled up inside him. He looked up just in time to see Levias turning his head to meet him. The dragon lurched, mouth open and teeth at-the-ready. Link held the glowing sword outward to deter or strike the beast. Yet before he could, a blinding flash of lightning stunned them both.

This was no ordinary lightning, however, as it had a distinct, green glow about it, and it felt more fierce than any other. In a flash, a large streak of emerald flew between Link and Levias, letting out its own monstrous roar as it sped by. Levias shifted focus and began giving chase. Link was jerked around as Levias' lengthy body made a rapid turn, but the claw shot held tight and kept him atop the dragon. Link blinked his eyes to clear away the dizziness, and was amazed to see Nayadra taking on Levias. The two roared and nipped at one another, until Levias withdrew, with Nayadra following nearby.

Link held tightly as Levias' body twisted and turned, trying to outrun Nayadra. Then, a most brilliant blast of blue light filled the sky, and the air became icy and chilled. From the burst came Farosh, who tried to intercept Levias with her sudden appearance. The dark dragon dipped downward to avoid a collision with such agility that Link could hardly breathe against the wind speeding past him. However, coming up to meet them was yet another dragon, this one with gray scales, the undersides of which glowed orange like wild flames. Two massive, giant horns jutted from the top of his head. Link deduced that this was Dinraal. Dinraal tipped his head downward, and Levias flew right into the fiery horns and let out a terrible roar as an explosion of scorching heat rang out. The jolt of the impact continued down the length of Levias' body until it made its way to Link. The claw shot tore away from Levias' back, and before Link could grab onto the dragon himself, he felt his body lift into the air, only to begin plummeting into dark, stormy nothingness. A sick feeling welled up in the pit of his stomach as he fell.

He opened his arms and legs to slow himself, desperately looking for anything that could spare him from a certain death. Another flash of blue radiance overwhelmed his vision. Farosh flew beside Link with immeasurable grace and fierceness.

"Grab hold," she said, her voice overpowering even the rain, wind, and thunder.

Link aimed the claw shot and fired it toward Farosh. It latched onto one of her glorious, diamond-like scales, and Link was pulled along as she sped back into battle. As her body curved, Link swung himself forward and released the claw shot, then aimed it at Levias and managed to latch onto him. He pulled himself near the base of Levias' head, where the last of the malice remained. As Link approached, the malice began to twitch and move. Link readied his blade, expecting another eye to come forth. However, from the malice came what looked to be a tall parasitic beast, which unleashed a battle wail so piercing it sent a shiver down Link's spine. The unsightly creature opened its body and revealed dozens of small, sharp legs, with putrid globs of malice spilling from it.

The parasite flung a ball of burning malice at Link. He leapt out of the way, only to be met by another that struck him in the foot. A yelp of pain escaped him as the thick malice adhered to his leg, rendering it unmovable. Link flung the blade, unleashing its energy into the parasite, which wailed and withdrew. Link charged the sword again and tried to free his leg from the malice, which continued to expand and singe. The malice steamed as the illuminated blade sliced through it. However, just as Link was ready to pull himself free, the parasite emerged once more with a screech, and immediately spewed more malice at him.

He ducked, avoiding the first onslaught. However, his body was twisted backward painfully as his sword-wielding arm was struck by the malice and pinned to Levias' scales. The parasite wasted no time in rearing back, preparing for a strike that was certain to hit Link straight on. His scared, forest green eyes widened, then shut tightly as he prepared for the inevitable. Yet, instead of feeling himself engulfed by the smoldering malice, he felt something harsh hit his abdomen. It tore him from the dragon's back, freeing him from the malice with a mighty pull. Before Link knew it, all that was before him was the dark sky and the raging storm. When he at last got his wits about him, he realized that it was a talon wrapped tightly around his frame. He looked up and saw none other than his faithful Loftwing.

Link wanted to be upset that he had defied the orders given to him, and yet a warm smile crossed his lips.

"I know you Loftwings are stubborn," he said with a hint of a chuckle, "but you might be the stubbornest of them all."

The bird chirped and seemed to nod his long head in agreement before swinging round and taking Link back to Levias. Dinraal rose in front of Levias, stopping the dragon in his tracks. Meanwhile, Nayadra appeared from behind, looping his long body around Levias and wrapping his tail with his own. Levias fought valiantly to keep from being pulled backward, until Farosh wrapped herself around his mid-section, before reaching out her neck and biting him fiercely. Link aimed the claw shot at Levias, near where the parasite was standing erect in wait, yet before he pulled the trigger, he pointed instead at the malice beast itself.

The chain sped forth, and the claw latched onto the parasite. Then Link was torn from the grip of his bird and flew toward the screeching monster. Using what momentum he had, he circled the beast until the claw shot's chain was wrapped tightly around it. Then, as he drew closer, he charged a skyward strike and hurled himself directly into the beast with the Master Sword outstretched. As the creature melted into a cloud of malice, a blinding ray of light came from Levias, and for a time, Link saw nothing but brightness and heard nothing but wind.

He no longer felt the harsh rain pelting against him. While he felt miserably cold and wet, he could begin to feel himself being warmed, as if by the sun. The thunder died away and was replaced by what was no longer a strong wind, but a gentle and comforting breeze. As Link's vision returned, he saw the raging storm clouds and flashes of lightning were gone, and now all that was before him were the bright clouds he knew so well. He looked down to find himself still on Levias' back. The dragon was black with an underbelly like shining quartz. He had no horns like the others, but a gray and wild mane which swayed in the wind, along with what looked like a beard, which amused Link greatly. The look of torment and torture had left his face, and the dragon now appeared to be as peaceful as ever. The others dragons joined in flight alongside him, all growling back and forth to one another, though not in animosity, but in gladness. Fi emerged from the sword and flew beside Link.

"This is amazing," Link uttered breathlessly.

"I can sense that this moment is meaningful to you," she said with a nod, "you should enjoy it as much as you can."

Link nodded in kind and held tight as the dragons continued to soar together. At times, he closed his eyes and drew in as much of the crisp, clear air as he could. How he wished Zelda could have been there to marvel at this with him.

The dragons converged near the Isle of Songs, where Link was returned to the ground and joined by Fi and his Loftwing. Gazing up, all four dragons, Dinraal, Farosh, Levias, and Nayadra, looked down at him. He found it hard to stand under the weight of their magnificence and glory, yet he stayed up and kept himself composed as best as he could.

"Child of Destiny," Levias began. His voice was calm and soothing, and yet it boomed in the air around them. "Surely you are the one who has freed me from the curse of malice."

"With some help," Link chuckled nervously, gesturing to the others, who closed their eyes and lowered their heads in gratitude.

"For countless years, we have waited for the Goddess' chosen one to arrive, and now here you are, nearly ready to vanquish the darkness at long last."

Link nodded confidently.

"Surely you are after the Triforce, which contains the power of the Goddesses."

"Long ago," Farosh said, "we were each given a portion of an ancient and powerful melody, the Song of the Hero, to protect the Triforce from any who might pursue it with an unrighteous heart."

"You, however," Dinraal spoke at last, his voice deep like a distant thunder, "have truly proven yourself worthy of possessing the Triforce, and with it, restoring peace to this world once again."

"Listen well, child," Nayadra said proudly.

The dragons began to move, circling the island while Link readied the harp. First, Farosh opened her mouth and sang a soft melody that seemed to stretch on for miles and miles. Dinraal joined in next. His melody was bold, booming, and alluring. Nayadra joined and filled the air with harmonic energy. At last, Levias lifted his voice, which rang out like a loud bell, so loud in fact that it was rumored to have been heard even on Skyloft. Seeing the dragons circling the sky and belting together in song was perhaps the most awe-inspiring display Link had ever experienced. As they sang, his eyes closed and his fingers strummed the harp effortlessly. Somehow, he could hear its delicate and soft strings blending in with the mighty voices of the dragons. Each note filled him anew with a feeling of courage like never before. As the song concluded, Link felt the residual ringing deep in his head and chest, and he marveled at the sensation.

"What is your name, child?" Levias inquired as the sun shone gloriously behind him.

"Link," he said.

"Link, we give you our collective thanks. There will be a time where we will return the favors to you. But go now, and seek the final door to the Silent Realm, where you will complete your conquest for the Triforce once and for all."