Ch 1: Behind the Mask [August 13th, 2014]

A.N: I'm bored...wonder what kind of story I should write... :p

The two children stood alone in the circular throne room, consulting one another. It had been a few days since Green had returned the Four Sword to its rightful place, and now he was seeking a new purpose. Vaati and Ganon were no longer a threat now that the Dark Mirror was shattered. Since monsters and thieves still remained, Green decided he'd continue to fight against them. But this time, he planned to do so from a different angle.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Princess Zelda asked worriedly. "Hyrule's knights are some of the most dedicated soldiers you'll meet. And by dedicated, I mean they'd risk their very lives."

Green straightened and took a short breath. "I've considered that. Shouldn't I make as fine a soldier as any man?"

Zelda still looked troubled. "Well, yes, but-"

"I have to do this, Zelda!" Green interrupted. "If you won't let me, I don't know what else to do with my life!"

Zelda's eyes glowed dimly. "Link..." It felt strange to be called by his original name. It had been so long since anyone had.

"Please, don't hold me back from this," Green muttered. "I came here to fight for you. I give you my word: I'll do a good job as a knight." Zelda bowed her head slightly and smiled.

"Very well then..." the princess sighed. She looked up, her eyes sparkling. "If you insist on being so persistent and stubborn, how could I turn you down?" Green smiled with her.

"Thanks, Zelda!" he called as he headed for the door. "I promise you won't regret this!" The door closed behind him, leaving the princess to think to herself. Another frown of worry spread across her face.

"I just hope/you/won't regret it," she whispered.

Weeks later, Green became used to going on patrol with the other knights, mostly alongside his father. Sometimes there would be thieves or pirates robbing the town, which really got him excited. He was always up for a good fight. Green also got used to being called "Link" again, since there was no use for the nickname anymore.

Although the nickname was gone, he still never brought himself to forget about his three counterparts, which had long gone. He missed fighting by their side. Even though there were recurring fights amongst themselves, they still helped make battles quicker and more bearable. The other knights served as his comrades, but it just wasn't the same.

One day, there was a robbery occurring at the local market. The thief wasn't just a regular criminal. He was a criminal the royal guards had named Lightning. His robberies usually ended quickly. Before the Hyrulian forces could ever reach him, he'd be gone, like a flash of lightning; that's how he got his name. The most interesting feature about him, was his mask. It hid his entire face, keeping his identity a secret. The knights had been chasing after him for a while now, but they'd never caught him.

Link challenged himself that this would be the day he would put an end to that thief. Although the other knights doubted him at first, Link was able to convince them to let him go alone. Even though he was supposed to be on a team, he missed having the glory of taking down bad guys by himself. He arrived at the market shortly after the distress call had sounded. Lightning was already starting to make his escape as he arrived.

"Stop!" Link called. The thief turned around, smirking at him.

"You expect me to listen to you?" he chuckled. He drew a knife from behind while Link drew his sword.

"Look, we can do this the easy way or the hard way," Link huffed.

"Gee, you got a big mouth," he scoffed. "Let's see if you fight as smooth as you talk." He lunged forward and their blades clashed. The tension between the blades was so strong, it was hard for either opponent to keep their hold. They were evenly matched. Link took the opportunity to distract the thief.

"What's the matter?" he mocked. "You didn't expect to be beaten by a little kid, did you?"

"You haven't won yet, so shut up," Lightning growled.

"It's only a matter of time, so you might as well give up now," Link sighed. The thief's temper was rising, which allowed a chance for Link to strike. He leaped backward, and due to the sudden move, Lightning was left stunned as Link swished by.

As he looked back, he saw that his sword had cut the side of the mask the thief was wearing, and it fell to the ground, uncovering his face. As Lightning turned to face him, Link couldn't help but stare. Now he could see the thief was just a boy, much like himself. He had the same blonde hair and blue eyes he did. The thief, Lightning, turned out to be one of his three former teammates. It was Blue.

Link dropped his sword in shock, staring in disbelief at who he had been fighting. There was nothing he could say; he was simply left speechless. Blue quickly ran past him, knocking him down as he went. Like a flash of lightning, he was there one second and gone the next; he used his signature move.

Link looked toward the direction Blue had fled, wondering if he was really the same thief he fought only moments ago. He turned to the mask lying on the ground and picked it up as he stood. He peered into the distance again, still confused.

/How is Blue here? I put the Four Sword back into its pedestal months ago. It can't be possible./ he thought to himself. It was highly impossible, but he saw Blue's face with his own eyes. The only explanation he could think of at the time, was that he was going crazy.

He shook his head, trying to shake the feeling off as he headed back toward the castle, the mask of the thief, Lightning, in hand.

A.N: Dude, is this cool or what?! (says "or what") Weh, you're a meanie. (says "thank you, I try") I'm just gonna stop now...hehe. Idk how this idea came to mind-I was just sitting bored in Roosters! Weird...anyways, should I continue this, or stop here? Your call, bro! :3

Back in his own wing at the castle, Link fingered the mask, trying to figure out if seeing Blue was nothing but a figment of his imagination or not. If it wasn't Blue though, how many other people are out there that look so much like him? Well, the answer was two, but it couldn't have been Red or Vio either.

One way to distinguish between the four Links, was by the color they wore. The second was their eyes. The color wasn't different, but just the shape or the way they looked was a dead giveaway. Blue's eyes were sharp and defined, much like the eyes Link had seen once the mask had come off. It/had/to be Blue. If he could just find him, maybe he could find out if his other clones were out there too.

The first place that came to mind was the Lost Woods. It would be hard to find anyone there, especially Blue. It made an ideal place to hide from the outside world. That's where he had to go.

He started immediately for the castle's front door, ready to head out on his search. As he reached for the door, he heard a voice behind him.

"Link?" Zelda's voice called. He forgot about his duties as a royal guard. Slowly turning, he bowed to her.

"Yes, your highness?" he asked playfully as he raised his head.

"Link, you know you have a role to play here at the castle..." Zelda explained easily.

Link lowered his head again in disappointment. "Yeah, but can it wait, just this once?" he pleaded. "I need to find something...rather someone."

"I don't mean to pry, but may I ask who?" Zelda asked in curiosity.

Link bit his bottom lip. Would she believe him? Well, there was only one way to find out. "Blue." he replied.

The princess blinked in disbelief. "Blue?" she repeated as a question.

"Even I don't know the whole story," Link sighed. "But I will soon...that is, if you'll allow me to leave."

Zelda winced. "I'm sorry, Link. But it's not like you can check in and out of knighthood just like that." She took a deep breath. "The knights of Hyrule serve until they die."

"What?!" Link spluttered.

"Again, I apologize. It's not my decision to make; it's my father, the king's decision," Zelda replied resentfully.

"I see..." Link mumbled. He left the door's side and he headed back to his wing slowly. /Now what?/