Chapter 4

Twi woke to the sensation of someone petting his head. He opened his eyes and at the source, which was Time.

"Sorry, did I wake you?" Time asked.

"N-No." Twi rose his head up. "I'm glad to see you're awake. You gave us quite a scare earlier."

"I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault. Don't worry about it. How are you feeling?"

"Much better."

"Good. I'm really glad to hear that." Time smiled.

"Are you feeling alright? You slept for quite a while."

"I did?"

"Mhmm, probably two hours minimum I believe."

"Wow..."

"You must have been tired."

"I guess so." Twi rested his head back down.

"Is there something on your mind?" Twi sighed.

"There's probably a million things on my mind..."

"If you want someone to talk to, you can talk to me. I'd be willing to listen, no matter what." Twi's ear twitched. Time sat up a bit and put a hand on Twi's head. "That's a promise." Twi smiled.

"Well, um..." The door opened.

"Oh, you're both awake. Great." Sky said as he walked in. "How are you feeling, Time?" Time sat up completely.

"I'm feeling much better."

"That's great to hear. You have to stay in bed though. Twi, could you come here? I want to give you something." Twi glanced at Time then back at Sky and stood up.

"Um, sure." He walked over to Sky who pulled a sword from behind his back.

"Here, this is yours to have." Twi's eyes widened and let the sword drop into his hands.

"Thank you, you didn't have get me a sword though."

"Yes I did. It's so you can defend yourself better. You said you were trained, so I have faith you won't abuse it." Twi nodded and pulled the blade out of the sheath to take a look at it.

"This blade is amazing... It's better than anything I could make, that's for sure."

"You make blades?"

"Rusl taught me. He's the blacksmith of our village." Twi put the sword back. "Each family in Ordon has a trade. With each of us, our village works very smoothly. I'm better off as a ranch-hand than a blacksmith though." He put the sword on his back carefully to not disrupt the wound on his shoulder.

"That sounds amazing. It's ok that you're not good at making swords. As long as you can use one, then who cares." Twi smiled brightly. "Anyway, the meeting is about to start. Do you still want to go with me?"

"Sure. If it helps you get through it." Sky nodded.

"Thanks, pumpkin spice." He looked behind Twi to Time. "We'll be back in a little bit. The meeting won't take long." Time nodded. Sky smiled. "Let's go." Twi nodded and followed Sky, but then stopped and turned to look at Time.

"See you in a little bit." Twi turned and followed Sky out. Time looked down at the blanket covering him up and felt it was familiar to him, but he wasn't sure why. He felt the fabric and relaxed, which confused him. He shrugged it off and pulled the blankets away. Standing up, he walked over to the desk and put his stuff back on, but left the gloves since he felt they weren't needed. He then tied his hair back up in a ponytail to keep it off of his neck.

"I think I'll go on a little bit of a walk." He opened the door and stepped out into the hall. He then walked up the steps that were to his right. "So I passed out about here." He continued heading up the steps and down the hall to the door at the end. "Where does this lead?" He opened the door and saw a path and some stairs nearby. He followed the path and went down the steps to a tent. He walked inside and looked around in amazement.

"You there!" Time jumped and turned his head. "You look like you're on a bit of an adventure. Come to me and I can tell you your fortune." The guy sat under a tent with a table in front of him and a crystal ball. Time's ears perked back. "These eyes see many things, boy. Do you doubt the powers of these eyes?"

"Um, no, I just, I've never met a fortune teller before."

"Well, then come closer and have your first experience. First fortune is free."

"Uh, ok." Time walked over.

"Sit down." Time quickly sat down on his legs and crossed his arms on the table. "Your fortune is coming into focus now." The fortune teller waved his hands over the Crystal ball, gazing into it deeply with his large eyes that reminded Time of a bug's eyes. "I see! All is revealed! I see, white. White is danger, yellow is pain, grey is protection, green is love, blue is safety, gold is valuable, but not of wealth. I also see chains, cold and restraining chains that send shivers up the spine and bring fear and confinement." Time raised an eyebrow. "I recommend you go forth cautiously, young man." Time nodded and stood up.

He started walking toward an exit in the tent that was closest to him. He pondered the words of the fortune teller as he walked and before he knew it, he was starting to stumble, which brought him out of his thought. He was able to save himself from falling and he looked around, seeing stepping stones in front of him that go across the stream. Curious, he jumped across the stones and followed the path up to a cave. He stepped inside the dark cave, but then stepped back a bit due to the sudden smell it gave off. He wasn't expecting such a strong smell. He covered his nose and walked forward, being barely able to see anything. He tripped a few times on some rocks, but managed to get out ok.

"Well, well, going on a walk are you?" Time looked toward where he thought the voice came from, but saw no one there. He knew it was Ghirahim's voice though. Before he had the chance to pull out his sword, a hand went over his mouth and an arm wrapped across his chest. He started to struggle against the grip. "Hey now, settle. I might accidentally hurt you." He wrapped his arm tighter around Time's chest to the point it was a bit difficult to breathe. "You wouldn't want that would you?" He wrapped his arm even tighter and Time's eyes closed tight due to the pain. "I could probably even break your ribs." He let Time go, "But I'm not going to do that." He put his arms underneath Time's and lifted him up before he could draw his sword.

Time thrashed around and kicked out, trying to escape Ghirahim's grasp. He carried him over to a little alcove, set him down and pushed him in roughly. He fell onto the ground in the middle of the alcove, but got back up quickly, finding chains across the alcove's opening. He pulled out his sword and tried to cut them, but he was very weak, so the sword dropped onto the ground and he fell to his knees, gripping the chains, which were freezing cold on his hands.

"How pathetic. Are you really that same boy who stood up to me in that forest?" Ghirahim knelt down in front of him. "Oh, I see, you're ill. That explains it. Also explains why you're keeping your mouth shut." Time put his head on one of the chains running horizontally and closed his eyes. A headache was starting to develop. Ghirahim started to laugh. "It's amazing how sicknesses can make one so weak. Luckily us demons don't have to worry about such weaknesses." He reached in and grabbed Time's chin and made him look up. "You'll serve as bait for the Sky Child. I can tell he already cares so much for you that he'd willingly throw his life away for you." Time glared at him. Ghirahim laughed and stepped away.

"You're not going to win... We will find a way to stop you from accomplishing your goals..." Time spoke quietly. Ghirahim sighed.

"You need to learn who has the upper hand here. I know just the way to do that." He snapped his fingers. Little yellow blobbed creatures appeared in the alcove with him. They latched onto his legs and side and activated their power.

Time fell over screaming in pain due to electric shock. They stopped, leaving Time breathing heavily and struggling to get back up. They activated again and he collapsed back down on the ground again screaming. He started crying due to the pain. They activated again and left him convulsing. Once again, they activated and he started screaming louder than he ever had. His back arched up, his eyes wide with fear and pain and tears. He then collapsed onto the ground, his eyes were barely open and he couldn't move, though the tears continued to flow.

Ghirahim snapped his fingers to make the creatures disappear. "That right there, boy, was just a tiny fraction of what I'm able to do." He reached his hand through a hole in the chains and put it on Time's cheek, pulling at it so he'd look at him. "Don't cross me, young one. You have no idea who you're dealing with." Ghirahim chuckled. "I sense someone coming closer. I'll take my leave for now until the right moment." Ghirahim snapped his fingers and disappeared. Time's eyes slid closed and he fell limp.

~Sky and Twi~

"We're going to the plaza and will talk to them from the first level of the tower. Gaepora thought it would be safer."

"Will it be that dangerous that we have to be above them?" Sky didn't answer. Twi was beginning to worry about this meeting. He said he would be there for Sky and that's what he will do, for emotional support. They finally reached the plaza. Sky climbed up the ladder first then helped Twi up once he got close to the top due to his injured shoulder.

"They should be arriving at any moment." Sky took a deep breath in and let it out. "I'm a social butterfly nowadays, but I still have a bit of trouble talking to these people."

"I believe I can understand why." Twi put a hand on Sky's shoulder. "Everything will be alright, Sky. I'll be right here, you can do this." Sky looked at Twi and nodded. Sky took another deep breath in and let it out. "A sword wields no strength unless the hand that holds it has courage." Sky nodded again. Soon, people started to arrive. Once Sky saw everyone's face in the crowd besides the younger children, he started the meeting.

"You're probably wondering why I asked for everyone to come here. Well, I have something very important to say. We're all in danger." The crowd started to chatter a bit. "Do you remember that time where Zelda seemed to have just disappeared and you all believed she was just in the knight Academy? Well, I'm going to set the record straight. Zelda was kidnapped. After the Wing Ceremony, she and I went flying together and a sudden dark tornado appeared and pulled her down. I was knocked unconscious when I tried to save her. I then awakened as the Hero of Legend, chosen by the Goddess Hylia. While in my venture to bring Zelda back home, I met someone who proved to be very dangerous. I am warning you all now of him since he's on the move and he may try to attack at any point. So, please, keep your guards up and protect yourselves and each other. Only then can we hope to stay alive." The crowd was silent for a few moments then there was a lot of chatter, no one could tell what anyone was saying.

"Oy!" Twi shouted. The crowd went quiet. "One at a time."

"Link, what's your plan to stop the dangerous person?" One person said.

"Well, I haven't developed a plan yet."

"Do you know what he's after?" Another person asked.

"Well, um, he's after me at the moment." Sky said.

"So, what are you still doing here?" Someone said.

"You're going to bring danger to our community by staying here?" Another said.

"He always causes trouble, ever since he was small." Someone else entirley said. Sky's eyes widened.

"Yeah, he is the cursed child after all." Many people started talking again. Sky started stepping back away from the crowd and toward the wall of the tower. Twi turned back to look at Sky and clenched his fists when he saw the fear in his eyes. He turned back to the crowd.

"HEY!" The crowd stopped talking. "What the hell is the matter with all you people!? You should all be ashamed by the way you're acting! You're afraid and you blame your fears and unexplained on a child?! Who the hell does that anyway!?" Twi stepped up closer to the edge. "Yes, be afraid, but you shouldn't take your fears and anger out on someone who is try to save you. Back when your Zelda was taken, there was a threat on Skyloft you knew nothing about and he saved your asses! The Demon King from your stories was going to rise again and destroy everything! Link stopped it from happening! You know what, from what I've seen, those who talked badly about Link all deserve to be destroyed! You should all be on your knees and thanking him for saving you all and begging for forgiveness for the way you've treated him! He's always been loyal to everyone despite how you've treated him in the past! Are you all that stupid and ignorant to the fact that he's a strong, helpful, courageous person who would do anything for his family?! You're his family, for Gods' sake! Act like it!" Twi turned around. "Come on, Link. Let's leave these people to think of their actions. We shouldn't leave my father all alone for too long." Sky slightly nodded.

Twi walked over to the edge and jumped down. Sky followed and they walked through the crowd which parted for them. They got back inside and Sky collapsed onto his hands and knees and started breathing heavily. Twi knelt down in front of him.

"Link, are you alright?" Sky looked up at him and started crying. Twi put a hand on his shoulder. "Don't pay attention to what they said, ok?" Sky nodded and sat back on his legs. Twi scooted up closer to him and hugged him. "It doesn't matter what they think of you. You're a great person and you're one of the people I look up to. Those who are closest to you know the truth and love you so much. Don't waste your time on those who treat you in such a way. It's clear they don't love you, but we do. Isn't that enough?" Sky nodded and hugged Twi back tightly.

"It's more than enough... Especially knowing I have a descendant like you to look forward to watching over..." Twi closed his eyes and smiled.

"I'll be sure to make you proud." Sky pulled away and put a hand on Twi's cheek.

"You already have. I'm already proud of you." He kissed Twi's forehead. Twi closed his eyes. "I'm sure you'll continue to do so, pumpkin spice." Twi nodded. Sky stood up and helped Twi up in the process of standing. "Let's go back to Time. He's probably wondering how it went." Twi nodded. They both walked back to Sky's room and opened the door, but didn't find Time inside. Twi's ears perked back.

"He might have gone to see about supper. Why don't you go look and I'll try to find some clues." Sky nodded and walked out. Twi walked over to the desk and set his sword down. He pulled out the stone from his pocket and put it on. He started to fall to the floor in dark particles and took on the form of a wolf. Time had left behind nothing but his gloves. Twi sniffed them to gain the scent and started to follow it. He followed it up the steps next to the room. A door opened as he got to the top. Zelda had walked out of her room and stopped when she saw Twi. Midna stepped out and her eyes widened. She stepped out and went towards him.

"Midna, be careful."

"Don't worry, he's not going to hurt anyone. He's my pet." Midna knelt down in front of him. "What are you doing here, boy?" Twi nudged her hand.

"Time's no longer in bed. I'm trying to find him." Twi said, but only Midna could understand.

"Haha, ok. Let's go." She stood up. "He wants to go outside. I trained him to nudge my hand when he wants outside."

"Wow, that's a really well trained pooch." Midna smiled.

"Come on, Wolfy." Midna started to walk toward the door. Twi followed her. Once outside, Twi took off in a run, Midna ran after him. "Are you sure he was nowhere in the building?"

"I'm positive, we didn't go up through the top door at any point." Twi kept running and got to stepping stones that went across a stream. He carefully jumped across, Midna still close behind. They stopped in front of a cave. "Maybe you should stay here, Midna."

"Um, no."

"You could get hurt. This could be a trap."

"I don't care. I lost you once, I'm not going to let that happen again." Twi shook his head then ran inside the cave. Midna followed. They got through it really quick. There was a point where Midna had to help Twi up a ledge, but that didn't hinder them too much. Twi stopped once they left the cave because his instincts told him there was a threat nearby.

"Midna, please be careful." Midna nodded. Twi walked further down the path and spotted a little alcove with chains all across it. He could see Time a bit through the chains. Twi ran over and dug underneath it to get to him. He was lying unconscious on the ground. Twi nudged his cheek with his snout. He opened his eyes slowly and jumped up into a seated position the moment he saw the grey wolf. Twi perked his ears back and curled away from him. Time reached his hand out to him slowly then started petting his head.

"I'm sorry I jumped, I wasn't expecting a wolf to be in my face." Twi relaxed and inched closer. "You seem like such a sweet wolf."

"Hello!" Time jumped a little when Midna spoke suddenly. "Tee hee, you're jumpy, aren't you?" Midna was looking through a hole in the chains. "That's my pet in there with you. Your friends are worried about you, so let's go ahead and get you out of here." Midna stepped back and made a ball of energy form in her hands. She released it and it cut the chains in certain places to make them fall. She held her hand out to him and he took it, being pulled up rather quickly which made him a bit dizzy.

"Be a little careful, Midna, he's sick." Twi said.

"So, who are you?" Time asked.

"My name is Midna. I'm part of a race that is in another realm. I'm not who's important here though. Let's get you back to your friends." Time nodded and followed Midna. Twi ran up ahead to the entrance of the cave, but saw it was chained up. He backed up and looked around. He then ran back and went to Time's side. "What's wrong, boy?" There was a bright flash that sent all of them back. Time quickly got back up. He saw Midna right away, but didn't see Twi anywhere. He saw a stone on the ground just a couple of feet in front of him.

"I recognize that stone." Time thought. His eyes widened and he crawled over to the edge, but didn't see Twi like he expected. There was a noise behind him and he turned around. Ghirahim stood there, holding onto Twi once again. This time, he had an arm wrapped tightly across Twi's chest, causing him to be suspended in the air a bit. Twi of course was struggling against the grip but couldn't break free. "Let him go!" Ghirahim started laughing.

"Deja vu." Midna clenched her fists.

"Get your hands off of him right now." She warned.

"Is that any way to treat the one who saved his life? He fell off the edge and I caught him."

"He wouldn't have fallen off of the edge if you didn't attack."

"Hmm, good point." Ghirahim pushed Twi over toward Time. Twi stumbled but Time caught him and hugged him.

"Are you alright?" Twi looked up at him and nodded. Chains suddenly appeared around them, around Time's stomach which was right at Twi's chest. It got tighter and tighter. Chains then wrapped and Midna's wrists and pulled them together and lifted her arms up. She couldn't move. Ghirahim appeared behind her.

"You're a very pretty woman, you know. So powerful and strong." He put a hand on her stomach.

"Don't touch her like that, you creep!" Twi shouted. Ghirahim looked over and made the chains tighten around them tighter. Twi's eyes closed tightly and he buried his face in Time's chest who hugged him tightly. "You bastard..." Twi muttered. Midna used her hands being held in place to her advantage. She pulled her legs up, swung forward and then kicked back to kick Ghirahim back away from her. He fell back onto the ground. He got back up and appeared in front of her, slapping her.

"Learn your place, woman!" Midna lifted her legs up and kicked him so he was against the wall. She then kept kicking him several times.

"Don't you dare slap me again!" Ghirahim fell over unconscious. The spell keeping Midna's hands up in the air and together disappeared and she ran over to Time and Twi. She broke the chain and they both collapsed onto the ground. "Are you both alright?" She helped Twi up first and then helped Time up. He stumbled a bit, but stood up straight.

"Midna, I need you to get him out of here, protect him. The moment Ghirahim wake up, he'll be mad and will go after whoever is here, I'm sure of it."

"Link, don't be crazy." Time said.

"I already achieved that." Twi put a hand on Midna's shoulder. "Please, do this for me, Midna. You're the only one I can count on. When he wakes up, get out of here with my father and I will hold Ghirahim back. I'll probably end up captured, but that will be worth it if it means you both get away and are safe. I lost you once before too, Midna. I'd rather not repeat that again."

"Baby face, I don't know." She put a hand on his cheek. "I can't lose you either."

"You won't. I promise." Midna nodded and stepped over to Time.

"You're going to have to come with me."

"What? No! I'm not leaving him!" Time shouted. Midna scooped him up, he started struggling. "No! Put me down...!" His voice was getting quieter. Ghirahim was starting to get up.

"Go, now!" Midna nodded and made a platform of twilight energy and climbed on. Ghirahim summoned a sword and was charging toward him. He rolled out of the way.

"Link!" Midna shouted.

"I said go!" Midna looked down at Time who had his eyes closed tight and looked at Twi who dodged another attack by Ghirahim who was blindly fighting due to his anger. She used her powers to make the platform float away. Twi saw it out of the corner of his eye. He barely dodged another attack, but he tripped and fell. Ghirahim stabbed down on Twi's injured shoulder. He twisted and bent the blade, causing Twi to scream then passed out from the pain. Ghirahim pulled the blade out and made it disappear. He then closed his eyes and regained his composure. He lifted the unconscious Ordonian raised Hylian.

"So tempting to take his soul now, but I must not. He is for my Master. Such a shame I will not be able to try a taste. A pure, untouched soul..."