Chapter 9: The Queen Guardian

"Let us not burthen our remembrance with a heaviness that's gone." -William Shakespeare

The Zoras continue to fight off the besieging metroids, buying the trio as much time as they can to restore Vah Ruta and halt the spread of corruption.

"Don't let up, we have to hold them off for as long as we can!" King Dorephan declares while swinging his sword, bifurcating several gamma metroids. "Muzu, are you alright?"

Muzu, albeit with some difficulty given his age, swings his spear in a manner that catches several larval metroids off guard. "Hah! This is how we did it back in the day, your highness!" Muzu then kicks away an incoming alpha metroid. "It would bring shame to lady Mipha if her teacher didn't live up to expectations."

King Dorephan smiles widely at his old friend's determination as they both continue fighting alongside their warriors (surprisingly, Sidon is nowhere to be found).


Toto Lake

Finally having arrived at the lake, the three bear witness to Vah Ruta's corruption, even covering the water surrounding it (the ruins having been previously cleared and the lake being expanded to allow Vah Ruta to be stored in it).

"Remember; there are three omega metroids protecting the divine beast. Keep your guard up." Samus reminds the pair as those same three come into view, growling and snarling at them.

"Speak of the devil." Link says while gripping the master sword tightly. "Let's clear them out and head inside the divine beast."

Suddenly, an alarm goes off inside of Samus's suit. "Warning; there is another metroid signature coming from underneath the divine beast." Virginia confirms, alerting the group.

"A fourth omega metroid perhaps?" Zelda questions.

"I'm afraid not; it is a category 5 metroid."

Samus becomes unnerved by this, and berates herself for not realizing the obvious of where the eggs came from, at first assuming that they were produced solely by the phazon.

"Samus, what is a category 5? I thought the omegas were the last stage of development." Link addresses this inconsistency with dread.

"Not entirely, there is another stage, but it is a rare occurrence. Few metroids have the genetic capacity to develop into this form and they're the ones who lay the eggs." Samus answers and as if to confirm it, the omegas step aside as a massive beast with an armored carapace, four large three toed legs, an extendable neck, 6 pairs of eyes, a mouth resembling more of a crocodile instead of a leech with an additional jaw flap on each side of its head and a long tail with a dorsal tube on each side of its rear. "They are known as Queen Metroids." The queen then roars at the intruders, causing a slight tremor as it does, followed by a massive stream of red energy fired from its mouth at the group. Link jumps in front of Samus and Zelda, hits his knuckles and then extends his arms outwards as the burst hits them. When the dust finally clears, an orange force field surrounds the group, protecting them from the blast.

"What just happened?" Samus, with genuine confusion, asks.

"It's Daruk's Protection." Zelda answers, a hint of nostalgia present in her voice. "Link was given this ability by the Goron champion of the same name."

Link then dispels the barrier and prepares to fight as the queen commands the omegas to attack. "Here they come!"

Link blocks one of the omegas as it pushes him back. Before they can come to his aid, Samus and Zelda are intercepted by the other two. Zelda, using her power like a makeshift barrier, manages to toss one of the metroids behind them just as the other runs up and is hit by Samus' ice beam, causing it to run about and try to get the ice off. While this is happening, Link continues to struggle with his omega, until an automated voice in his suit speaks to him, "Structural integrity of omega metroid analyzed, Augmented Kinetic Energy Burst (AKEB) online." As the voice concludes, the master sword vibrates intensely while radiating glowing purple energy. Not thinking twice, Link slashes at the omegas ribcage shielding, causing it to be blown backwards and then falling on its side with its shielding broken and having received significant damage as it tries to stand up.

"Now that's what I'm talking about." Link smiles as he observes the sword as it returns to its regular state.

"Link, you have another omega rushing towards you on your left! Get out of the way!" Samus shouts as Link looks to his left and sees an omega metroid running at him with its mouth wide open, roaring all the while. Seeing this, Link grips the hilt tightly with both hands to activate the AKEB (AKEB: charging… the sword is quickly imbued with kinetic energy, giving it the characteristic purple glow and vibration ...charge complete) and upon completion, quickly runs forward and slashes vertically at the incoming omega metroid. Recovering from the slash and behind the metroid, Link sees that the power released from his attack split the metroid vertically in half (from its mouth to the tip of its tail). "That's one less to worry about." Link breathlessly comments, also realizing that the AKEB causes fatigue if used frequently.

Angered by its childs death, the Queen roars loudly causing everyone to lose balance as it fires a large stream of energy at Link (which he manages to avoid). It then enters the fight and before Link can engage it, the omega that he fought previously gets back up and begins screeching and stomping the ground. Finally, the metroids red eyes turn blue and its body radiates phazon energy (complete with wiggling blue tendrils), confirming that it entered hypermode.

"Oh, not good…" Link worriedly says and before he can ready himself, the now faster omega metroid smashes into him, sending Link back a good distance onto his back.

Seeing this, Zelda and Samus try to rush to his aid, only to be intercepted by the other surviving metroid (also activated hypermode). "Get out of the way!" Samus tries to aim at the metroid, but is quickly grabbed and thrown onto the ground with a resounding thud. The metroid holds her down with its arm and fires a powerful stream of phazon while she's pinned down. "AAAHHH!"

"Shield damage, reaching 45% of shielding threshold." Virginia reports.

"LET HER GO!" Zelda shouts as she tries to summon her power, but the metroid swings its tail at her, sending Zelda back 3 feet.

"Zelda!" Samus shouts amidst the metroids furious attack.

"Reaching 75% of shielding threshold."

Disoriented, Zelda stands up and once again tries to summon her power to at least stun the metroid, but the impact of the metroids tail whip continues to affect her. "Come on, I need this power now!" Zelda tries once again to use her power, but to no avail. She soon becomes distracted by the scene in front of her; Link mercilessly beaten by an omega and the Queen (tossed around by the leg, the queen ramming her head on him, receiving a green bolt of energy from the omega, etc.), only being more or less protected by his already damaged suit and Samus screaming as she's hit by a constant barrage of phazon energy. All of this culminates in Zelda feeling total despair as she remembers how her father, the champions and the people were slaughtered before her and she was powerless to stop it, now she's about to feel it all over again. "No…" The triforce mark on her right hand begins to glow. "No!" Her aura switches from gold to red. "STOP!" In anger, she extends her palm forward at the omega, the mark on her hand changing from the triforce to the symbol of the goddess Din, and shoots a large fireball at the metroid. Upon impact, the omega is thrown from on top of Samus and onto the ground. Samus looks to the side and is surprised to see Zelda radiating this strange power.

"What is this?" Samus asks, visibly weakened by the attack as she tries to stand up.

"I can hear it, a voice in my head saying: Din's Fire." Zelda answers, but realizes that the metroid stands up again, a large burn mark present on the right side of its abdomen, which then causes it to roar in anger. "Samus, just rest for now, I'll handle the metroid." Undeterred, Zelda continues to maintain the power of Din's Fire and stares at the metroid, ready to face it. "I've been at the mercy of monsters like you; never again." Zelda launches another fireball, catching the metroid off guard and receiving another blow, this time at its head. Continuing the barrage of fireballs, Zelda manages to force it back as it screeches in frustration, unable to counter attack the fireballs. Although initially having the upper hand in the fight, Zelda quickly discovered a drawback to Din's Fire; overuse of it causes fatigue, which begins to affect her. Finally, Zelda brandishes the ancient short sword and imbues it with fire and before the metroid can retaliate, she runs up and slams it down on its chest, causing it to screech in pain and destroying her sword. The impact sends them both a few feet back in opposite directions. Getting on her back, Zelda breathes heavily, trying to calm the headache brought on by her magic. Her recovery is short lived as the heavily injured omega metroid walks up and looms above her, growling angrily. Zelda pulls out her bow (given by the Lynel) and aims an ice arrow at it. "I am not afraid of you…"

The metroid moves in to bite down on her, but her broken sword gets driven through its left shoulder. Groaning weakly, the metroid is forced away from her direction and, to Zelda's surprise, it is revealed to be Samus. She then jams her left hand and elbow to keep the metroids mouth open as she finishes charging her cannon. "Bite this." Samus runs her cannon into the metroids mouth and blasts her ice spreader inside, rupturing its nucleus from the inside out and shattering its frozen head as the metroids corpse falls to the ground. Wearily, Samus walks over to Zelda and offers her hand, which she gladly accepts. "You've got a lot of backbone, I'm impressed." Samus says while smiling.

"Not bad for a rebellious princess, right?" Zelda quips, but she remembers that Link is still being attacked. "Samus, we have go help Link!" Nodding to Zelda's statement, they both make a beeline for Link.

Back at the Queen and remaining Omega, Link is pinned to the ground by the queen as the omega looks on. Unable to get up, Link fruitlessly tries to reach for the master sword, only mere inches away from his hand. As the queen moves to bite down on Link, she is interrupted as a trio of bomb arrows knocks away the omega metroid. She looks to the direction of the arrows, followed by Link, Zelda and Samus (still a small distance away) and they both see none other than Sidon running towards them.

"Hold on Link!" Sidon jumps and vaults off of the stunned metroid onto the Queens back, stabbing its back with the trident to keep from falling off and causing the queen to shake violently to get him off. The metroid stands back up and before it can fire at Sidon, Link slams his charged sword into the metroid, interrupting its attack. Sidon notices this and sees Link covered in a water-like shroud with a transparent silhouette of Mipha floating around him and restoring him to full health. "Sister?"

The Queen takes advantage of Sidon's lax in attention and manages to shake him off. As he gets up, the omega readies to slash at him, but is hit by a salvo of missiles and two ice arrows at its nucleus, which Sidon sees the chance to slam his trident into it and shattering the nucleus. The metroid falls to the ground, exhaling its last breath as the Queen recomposes itself, its anger increasing by the death of its children.

"Thank you for the help." Sidon says to both Samus and Zelda, who in turn nod at him.

"You showed up at the best time, I was getting worried." Link says to Sidon, who grins widely at him.

"So this is the beast responsible for the metroids?" Sidon says as he looks at the Queen. "It's bigger than I thought."

"Yes, it's the one that laid the eggs around the domain." Zelda confirms while arming her bow.

"But, if we face it together, we should be able to stop it before the eggs hatch." Samus states while activating the ice beam. A small counter appears at the top of her visor: one hour and 43 minutes remain before the eggs hatch.

"So what do you say, Sidon? You up for another round to appease Vah Ruta?" Link asks while readying himself.

"I thought you'd never ask." Sidon proudly responds as the four ready themselves to face the queen metroid, who then roars at them, ready to attack.


Back at Upland Zorana, the zoras have managed to quell much of the metroids, though not without casualties. The injured are precariously dragged off of the battlefield to be attended by the healers, risking attack by the metroids. King Dorephan himself having received several injuries nevertheless keeps on fighting the beasts.

"My king, you should pull back. Your wounds need healing." Muzu, who is also injured, says. "We'll handle the metroids."

"I don't have time to heal, we must all do our part Muzu, and you know that." King Dorephan replies, unwilling to let his people fight alone.

As he says this, Muzu looks behind them to see the remaining soldiers, both healthy and injured, ready to continue fighting. Muzu, with eyes watering, points his spear at the metroids.

"You heard your king! Forward!" Muzu declares, earning shouts of acknowledgment as they charge at the metroids once again. On another side of the fight, the Lynel (with several scratches and bites) continues fighting the omega metroid. With its sword knocked away, the Lynel resorts to fighting it bare handed, grabbing it by the throat as it lunges. Slashing at its chest, the Omega releases itself from the Lynels grasp and, using its tail, tosses it against the wall, disorienting the Lynel. The Omega fires a stream of energy and the Lynel counters by shooting a fireball to cancel it out, causing a smokescreen. The smoke clears and the Lynel is nowhere to be seen, the Omega turns around just in time to see the Lynel, with its sword retrieved, running towards it and before it can react, the Lynel decapitates the Omega from the from the top jaw down. Placing one of its legs on the metroids corpse, the Lynel roars triumphantly before running off to attack the other metroids.


Back at Toto Lake, the group continues fighting the Queen Metroid with little results against it hard carapace, until Link gets an idea; using the Sheikah Slate, he throws a remote bomb as it opens its mouth and as it reaches the nucleus, he detonates it. Stunned by the contained explosions, the Queen falls to its side, giving everyone ample opportunity to attack its now exposed nucleus which they all take(Link releasing a flurry of slashes, Zelda shooting three ice arrows at once, Sidon initiating a flurry of thrust with his trident and Samus firing several ice beam shots). Soon however, the Queen recovers, gets back up and slams its tail at all four of them. The first one to recover from the hit is Samus, who tries to damage the Queen, but is blasted against the wall by its energy stream. Getting up, Link notices an announcement from his suit: AKEB is back online and ready to use.

"I've got it; Zelda, Sidon, cam you guys keep her distracted? I've got a plan to end this."

"Leave it to me." Zelda says while radiating her power.

"I'll buy you as much time as I can." Sidon says with determination.

From the wall, Samus curls up into a ball and then boosts onto the Queens head and ricochets off of it and back on the ground. "Count me in!"

Link charges a skyward strike and launches it at the Queens head, destroying three of its eyes. The Queen howls in pain as Link gives them the signal to distract it and he charges the AKEB. Fully charged, Link looks for an opportunity to attack until his suit alerts him, Warning; Kinetic energy critical, 25 seconds until AKEB automatically releases energy to prevent damage to the user and weaponry. "You've got to be kidding me!"

Seeing no alternative, Link rushes through his friends that are providing cover fire and prepares to land a blow on the Queens head, but with its remaining eyesight it shoots a green bolt of energy square on Links chest, sending him back and dropping the charged master sword. 20 seconds remaining. The Queen attempts to attack, but Samus jumps in front of it, keeps its mouth open with her feet and left arm and shoots ice down its mouth, causing it roar and violently thrash about. 15 seconds remaining. Zelda keeps it in place with her power and Sidon stabs his trident into its nucleus.

"Link! I don't how much longer we can hold her! Whatever you're planning, do it now!" Zelda shouts, struggling to keep the Queen from moving.

"It's your show, Link. Make it a good one!" Samus declares, struggling to keep the Queens mouth open.

"This is the final push, Link. I'll always believe in you!" Sidon proudly shouts, inflicting as much damage as he can.

Link recomposes himself and reaches for the sword. The now enraged Queen activates hypermode, blasts Samus out of her mouth, kicks Sidon away and swings its tail at Zelda and fires several phazon blasts at Link. 10 seconds remaining. Link uses his shield to parry several of the blasts away, being pushed back a few inches with each hit. Undaunted, Link pushes forward, now with his shield acting as a barrier against a now constant stream of phazon energy from the Queen. 5 seconds remaining. The Queen continues its onslaught as Link buckles under the pressure. FOUR. A fireball then hits the Queen on the side of its head, interrupting its attack.

"Now's your chance!" Zelda shouts in desperation. THREE.

"RAAAHHH!" Link charges forward with the sword ready as the Queen lunges to grab him in its jaws. TWO. Link thrusts forward as the Queen bites down on him, earning shock from the others.

ONE. The Master Sword erupts from the top of the Queens head, releasing the kinetic energy. The Queen roars in agony as Link, with slight injuries, hangs from her mouth before removing the sword and falling to the ground. The Queen shakes around and screeches in pain before letting out a final howl as it falls to the ground and exhales its last breath.

Link sits up and sheaths master sword, but falls back down, utterly exhausted. The next thing he sees is Sidon standing over him, offering his hand while smiling.

"I knew you'd never let us down." Sidon comments. Link smiles proudly and accepts his hand. Standing him up, Sidon pats Links shoulders in happiness. Zelda walks up to them with Samus on her left shoulder (the latter having deactivated her suit to ease the burden on Zelda).

"You never cease to impress me, Link." Samus says while extending her hand to him and smiling.

"Well, we couldn't have done it alone." Link kindly says as he shakes her hand. He then turns to Zelda. "Since when could you shoot fire? I had no idea."

"Since just now. I think it's derived from my power. I didn't know it was possible either." Zelda says, unsure of its origin.

"Well, I'm glad you have a new means of defending yourself. But, maybe I should also teach you how to fight as well, what do you say to that?" Link says, smiling all the while.

"Really?!" Zeldas beams ecstatically, happy that Link would finally teach her something that he was originally opposed to back in the day. "I'd love to!"

"But first, we should get you a new sword…" Link stares at the broken ancient short sword hanging from her hip.

"Actually, the first thing should be that." Samus points to the still corrupted divine beast. They all nod in agreement and walk towards Vah Ruta; Samus reactivates her suit and freezes a path towards it to avoid the phazon infected water.


Inside Divine Beast Vah Ruta

Link leads them to Vah Ruta's main control unit, which is covered in phazon.

"My goodness, this is extraordinary." Samus marvels at the inside of Vah Ruta and its complex machinery. But, she decides to put it off for later and restore Vah Ruta. "Now then, I just need to add the vaccine to the main control unit and the phazon should be purged. Here goes." The muzzle of her arm cannon opens up into four flaps, which she places on the console. The vaccine begins its administration, but is abruptly stopped. "What's going on?"

"Samus, there is insufficient power to administer the vaccine. Even at 100%, it would still not be enough for a machine this massive." Virginia reports, earning a disapproving scoff from Samus.

"Samus, what's wrong?" Zelda asks with concern.

"There's not enough power to administer the vaccine. I can't fix it…"

Everyone becomes discouraged by the news and begin to worry about how they can bring down the barrier, until Zelda speaks up.

"The problem is that you need more power, right? More than you can actually give?" Zelda asks, earning a nod from Samus, who is looking down on the console in frustration. Zelda, with her index finger on her chin, ponders an idea. "Then, I wonder…" Zelda summons her power and transfers it to Samus.

"What are you doing?!" Samus asks in alarm as she is bombarded by massive amounts of power. Zelda stops and before she falls down, Link catches her. Samus then notices that her visor and lights on her suit have changed from green to gold. "What is this?"

"Power levels at 400% capacity." Virginia reports.

"Is that enough?" Zelda breathlessly asks while Samus looks at her with surprise.

"More than enough... Alright, let's try again." Samus turns back to the console and administers the vaccine once again. Sure enough, it begins to purge the phazon from the divine beast. The others stare in awe as the phazon tendrils disappear and the divine beast regains its former glory. From outside the barrier surrounding the Lanayru, Hateno and Kakariko regions disappears. The Zoras and Lynel, having repelled the metroids, bear witness to this and erupt in thunderous applause. Samus removes her cannon and notices that her former shine returned, having drained all the power that Zelda gave her.

"Vaccination complete. Vah Ruta is freed from further corruption." Virginia confirms as everyone breathes a sigh of relief. Just then, an ethereal green light appears behind them. Sidon becomes shocked at seeing the spiritual form of Mipha smiling at them.

"Hello Sidon. I have missed you."

"Mipha? How can this be?" Sidon asks in disbelief. "Is it really you?"

"It is me, little brother." Mipha says with a warm smile as she spreads her arms out. Sidon, with tears in his eyes walks over to embrace his sister, whom of which is now shorter than him.

"I-I thought I'd know what to say if I ever saw you again, but now I can't even find the words anymore." Sidon holds on even tighter as he loses breath in between words. "I can't believe it."

"Dear Sidon, you have become an exemplary Zora. Just as I knew you would." Mipha says as Sidon loosens his grip, allowing her to face the others. "Samus Aran, we finally meet."

"You know my name?" Samus asks in surprise. "How?"

"An old friend told me." Mipha explains and Samus realizes who she's talking about; King Rhoam. "Now, I thank you for aiding my people. Your heart is noble and your spirit is strong." Mipha says this as she courtesies.

"Thank you for your kind words, but I'm just a bounty hunter. Hardly worth the word noble."

Mipha gives Samus a compassionate smile before continuing. "I think otherwise, you've come to help us, yet I haven't heard you ask for any form of compensation. I believe you are indeed noble." Mipha corrects Samus, who in turn looks to the side. Mipha then looks at Link. "Link, I thank you for helping to free Vah Ruta once again."

Link, feeling a sense of guilt, doesn't even look her in the eye. "Of course, I'd...never let you down." Mipha then looks at Zelda and smiles.

"Princess Zelda, it is good to see you again after all this time."

"Mipha, my friend. I thought I'd never see you again." Zelda says, also teary eyed. "But, how are you here?"

"The goddess Hylia has allowed me the time to bring you this message; Hyrule is once again in need of their champions in this time of darkness."

"We need to find new champions for the divine beasts?" Link asks.

"Yes. But, they can't be just anyone. They must have all the traits of the previous champions before them. And they must be anointed by you and the princess. Only you can see who is worthy of the mantle of champion."

"This is very sudden. How will we find a new champion for Vah Ruta?" Zelda wonders aloud.

"I don't think we have to look very far." Link says. "First off, let's describe Mipha's personality; she's kind, loyal, a beloved friend and fiercely dedicated to the protection of her people." Mipha blushes at these words while fidgeting with her hands. "I know one other person who shares these traits; Sidon."

"Me? But, I'm just the brother of the previous champion. I can't compare to her in any way." Sidon counters Link's statement with downcast eyes. "I'm not worthy of being called a champion."

"Neither was I." Link cuts in. "I only planned to be a soldier of the army and becoming a champion was the furthest thing from my mind. But, I was called upon to become the champion of Hyrule. From then on I knew; it's our destiny to be greater than we already are. Let no one, not even ourselves, tell us who we can or can't be." Link declares while handing Sidon the lightscale trident once again (having dropped it previously when he was reunited with Mipha), as Zelda, Mipha and Samus smile at his declaration. Sidon takes the trident, pauses for a few seconds and gives Link a determined smile and nods. Link does the same before turning to Zelda, who gets the message and turns to Mipha.

"Gentle Mipha, I hereby appoint Sidon, crown prince of the Zoras, the champion of Divine Beast Vah Ruta." Zelda proudly declares.

"Princess Zelda, I wouldn't have it any other way." Mipha accepts the decision and then walks towards her brother. "Sidon, I asked you to be the protector of our people and you have done so much more. You are now the champion of Vah Ruta, champion of the Zoras. I couldn't be more proud of you." As she says this, a blue sash wraps around Sidon's waist, bearing the symbol of Vah Ruta. "Now, my dear brother, continue being the strong protector of Zora's Domain. I believe in you."

In response, Sidon flexes his right arm and gives her a sharp toothed smile. Samus is then alerted by Virginia.

"Forgive the interruption, but there is still the matter of the metroid eggs in the domain. They will all hatch in roughly 17 minutes." Virginia confirms and before anyone can panic, Sidon steps up.

"Leave that to me. Vah Ruta is capable of producing heavy rain across the region and last time I checked, those metroids can't handle the cold." Sidon declares. "So then Link, come with me." Both Sidon and Link walk up to the main control unit and Sidon prepares to have Vah Ruta start heavy rainfall. "Link, do you have any way of forming ice?"

"I have this, will it be enough?" Link pulls out the master sword and, with the suits capabilities, imbues it with ice. Sidon nods and, using the wisdom passed on from Mipha, commands Vah Ruta to begin. Vah Ruta trumpets loudly and produces a deluge of heavy rain.

"Now, I hope they don't mind that it will get a little nippy outside. Link, lodge the sword into the main control unit, now!" Link does as he is told and, incredibly, the rain turns into freezing rain. Across the region, the metroids succumb to the freezing rain and fall to the ground, never to rise again. The Zoras then bear witness to the hundreds of eggs cracking and crumbling from the cold, ending the threat at last.

"And...That should do it." Sidon commands Vah Ruta to stop the rain and Link removes the master sword.

"No more metroids detected and all eggs have been destroyed." Virginia confirms much to Samus's complete shock.

"Incredible...this is the power of the Divine Beast?"

"That's why they're called mechanical wonders." Zelda giggles as she sees both Link and Sidon fist bumming and smiling. Now, their labors completed, the group decide to return to the domain and tell everyone the good news. Before that, Link tells everyone to go on ahead as he still has things to tell Mipha, who is residing within the divine beast until further notice.

"Mipha?" Link calls out and Mipha floats down from her perch atop the divine beast.

"Link? Is everything alright?" Mipha asks with genuine concern.

"I'm sorry, Mipha." Link remorsefully says as a confused Mipha looks on. "You and the other champions will always be important to me. But, try as I might, I can't remember our times together, not even with you." Link clenches his fists in frustration and shame before continuing. "I know how important the zora armor you left for me is and I know its significance. In another time, I think I'd be flattered and thought that you'd make a wonderful wife. But now, if I barely remember any of our times together then how could I ever be the man you thought I was?"

Saying nothing, Mipha walks up to Link and hugs him, much to his surprise. "Oh Link, it was never your fault that your memories were fragmented. There are things that cannot be changed, but one should always expect them. The past is in the past, so look to the future now." Mipha loosens her grip to look at Link in the eyes. "There are many trials and tribulations on the horizon, but I know that you will all pull through. The Princess needs you Link, protect her."

"I- of course." Link, feeling more or less eased of his burden, says to Mipha, who then kisses his cheek, much to his shock.

"And remember, even though your memories haven't returned, my soul belongs to you." Mipha then embraces Link once again, only this time Link returns the hug. After a few seconds, they separate and Mipha places her palm on his cheek and smiles warmly. "Go now."

Nodding, Link walks out of the divine beast and with a renewed sense of duty, runs off to Upland Zorana. Upon reaching it, he sees Zelda and Samus conversing with the Zoras, all of whom ecstatic that their home is safe once again, Sidon in particular crushing the two in a hug, much to Samus's mortification, Zelda's slight embarrassment and Link's laughter. They all then notice him and cheer for him, Zelda, Sidon and Samus in particular smile proudly at him. Link then realizes that Mipha was right in that they all should look towards a brighter future, free from the darkness that plagues the land. Something that he plans to do with the aid of everyone, fir true strength lies in unity. Link runs towards the group as Zelda runs towards him. Then, from out of nowhere, a blue meteor impacts Link and tosses him over the Uplands.

"AAAAHHH!" Link shouts as both he and the meteor impact the domain.

"LINK!" Zelda shouts in horror as the others run up to witness the event.

"What treachery is this?!" Sidon looks down to see a barrier covering the domain.

"Virginia, what's going on?!" Samus asks as Virginia scans the barrier, until she gives her report.

"Samus, it's her…" Virginia confirms as Samus reacts in horror.

"It can't be…"

"Samus?" Zelda asks as Samus reactivates her suit and runs down the Uplands, Zelda and the others follow her.


Link gets up off the ground, groaning from the impact. Recomposing himself, he sees that he's back in the domain which is now covered by a barrier.

"What's going on? What is this?" Link wonders aloud before being distracted by otherworldly sounds emanating from dust covering whatever it was that hit him. Link focuses his vision and as the dust clears, it is revealed to be Dark Samus slowly floating towards him. "Who are you?"

"I found you… prepare yourself…" Dark Samus menacingly whispers as she takes aim.

To be continued

/_\

Author's note: *whistles* I think this might be the longest chapter I've written thus far. Anyway, I decided to do a small scene involving Link and Mipha because I didn't like very much how there wasn't enough interaction between him and the other champions, it just seemed like a missed opportunity to me for more character development. Nevertheless, stay tuned for the next chapter and once again, rating and reviews are most appreciated. :)