"Beauty and the Blue Eyed Beast"

by Mase992 (-chan)

(A/N): First off, even if the title is misleading, this story isn't based on Disney's Beauty and the Beast. It's not the typical fanfic where the characters are placed as the ones from the movie and follow the same plot with a few twists (not that there are any problems with those fics, actually I love them to death). This story is different in many ways and it's far from following the happy Disney storyline. Also, I'm basing myself on Twilight Princess's version of Hyrule wii-wise.

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters from "The Legend of Zelda", Shigeru Miyamoto does and also Nintendo.

Chapter 4:

"The Secret Basement"

The tension of the nightly atmosphere was perceived easily by both princesses. The winds swayed lazily on their permanent spots reaching for the glistening sky. An invisible thick wall had been placed between the girls a few hours ago. The moon had advanced even more on its endless course and almost seemed that in a few hours it would be able to touch the grass of the gardens. The damp morning air swirled like a heavy cloud around them, clinging onto their frail and quivering bodies. Her black robes clung against Midna's body, warming her. The second princess that she learned was the famous maiden of ancient history, stood silent next to her studying the writings of a gravestone.

"So it's true... my people was capable of doing such bloody events just for power..." Midna's lip quivered with anger. Her eyes never leaving the stiff blonde's back. "How... how did it happen, Zelda?"

She didn't answer and turned her face away from the grave, looking pained and clutching her chest with a gloved fist. Midna sighed knowing that finding out more about the events that took place during the First Assault would be tough. She had read how Twili magicians had seized the original castle and that both the town and the fortress endured for over six months with little provisions. Actually, there were some scriptures that said that the Twilis were growing tired about their strategy because they couldn't find a way inside. Hyrule Castle Town and its surrounding walls were extremely thick and well protected by soldiers and Hylian sorcerers too. Some parchments said also that a powerful protective spell was bound all around the moat and kept the castle safe from attacks and magic (she believed that spell to even resist the Fused Shadows). Knowing this, Midna wondered about the kind of shielding charm used by the Hylians, intrigued by their magical skills and the properties of the spell. Maybe if she searched for it on the old books from the library maybe she could learn to use it as a counter spell, just in case (not to mention Midna was an exceptional caster when it came to defensive spells and low leveled dark magic). She sighed, knowing that the only person capable of giving her such information was the aching princess next to her. Yet, she hadn't uttered a word since Midna's last questions and Zelda remained like stone, lost in thoughts reminiscent of her own past life. A frown defined across her pearl face and Midna could tell how the blonde's chest was pressured with mixed feelings (if spirits could still feel despair and sorrow). Midna's fiery eyes turned warm and controlled as a playful smirk curved her purple lips. "Forcing back your feelings will not help you at all, you know?" She chorused Zelda's earlier words and just then, the blonde's ears perked up and she turned at her, smiling at last. A few stranded tears were still running down her face. Princess Zelda quickly grabbed both of Midna's hands and smiled at the perplexed Twili, "Thank you, Midna." She cooed. "It is indeed true that one side cannot exist without the other. A mirror is not a mirror unless it has a reflection."

Midna blinked at her words of "gratitude." Wise and confusing indeed she thought to herself. Zelda finally let go of her hands and sighed deeply, closing her eyes. "As you can see, we are both weak. You suffer because of your future and I woe about my past."

The breeze weakly lifted a few loose strands of the princess's mellow hair as she remained with her eyes closed. "Our destinies are an equal, a balance between the rough fabrics of time, sewn by the Goddesses without a certain image of the final result. As we pass the needles through the blanket we sew a different course and various endings. I have already finished mine." She looked back at the grim stone. Her facade wasn't as gloomy as before though. "Mourning will not change the final course of my own destiny. I weaved different roads and met precious people as I worked but in the end, I reached my goal, tragic it was but I deserved it for the choices I made in life."

Midna coughed and brought her hands to her hips. She couldn't believe her words. Was she giving up hope? Well, of course she was dead and all but she could still work out a better ending, amend the stitches and work out her second chance. That was why she was still here, right? "Are you kidding me?"

Zelda turned to her confused.

"Then what was all that 'don't keep your feelings to yourself' stuff? Are you giving up so easily? You think our destinies are predetermined and that we have no choice but to follow as some deity planned them as she liked?"

"Well, I—"

"That's rubbish..." she spat, "I am the one who works out her own path. No one's going to do it for me 'cause I'm sick and tired of everyone making my decisions and walking over me like some opulent rug! Maybe things didn't go the right way for you and that's only because of the choices you made and not anyone else's! It's your own fault you're dead (in a way...)."

Zelda remained silent as Midna finished speaking. She brought a fist to her heart and thought about her words. Simple, crude, but true. She had been weak and allowed herself to be killed. But she had fought death and faced it for the sake of her kingdom! Yet in the end, her death was miserable and lonesome. Hyrule had fallen and all her efforts meant nothing to anyone. She was just the princess who sacrificed herself in return for nothing. How foolish had she been, and selfish. Grieving about something that had long passed and did nothing to correct it. Her eyes sparkled once again with life and a true smile was given in return to Midna.

"It is true. I am in no position to sit around crying about my death when I'm still here. Even if my path was cut short, there is still yours Midna. It's long and promising and of course very changing, just as you." Midna wasn't sure if she should thank her or tell her she was right. "Midna, I've decided to aid you in your road. I do not wish to command you, just be as a shadow of yourself, a simple guide that had learned about the many forks one course can have."

Midna finally grasped the meaning of her words and returned a toothy grin, "You're welcome to stay, Princess. Actually, it is quite nice to speak with an equal for once."

---

"I'm just curious. Some scriptures say that Hyrule Castle was protected by some sort of powerful barrier that was able to neutralize the Twili's magic." Zelda nodded. "Correct. That spell was our only hope for it was the only barrier capable of repelling the —Fused Shadows you said?—, Fused Shadows' attacks." Midna rested her cheek against her fist, turning page after page from a tattered blue book. A pile of volumes rested next to her. "But there's something off. If the defensive spell was as strong as it was said to be, then how were the Twilis able to whipe off the entirety of the citizens?"

Zelda's eyes seemed troubled, "That is exactly the reason I am here. Dead. The spell suddenly failed and we were beaten by the foreign artes easily. No one knew what happened on that day but it certainly was not favorable."

"Hmmm..." Midna bit her nails as she continued reading. "Strangely enough, there are different versions of the Twilis' victory..."

"Naturally."

"Look, this version doesn't mention the barrier but it says that it was impossible for the Twilis to scratch the castle walls and therefore, they sneaked into the castle by swimming through the moat and reaching the underground sewers of the town." She looked up at Zelda who shook her head in disapproval. "That's not exactly correct. It is true that several Twilis crept inside the castle using that method but it was only after the barrier ceased to exist."

"So the real mystery is what happened to the charm..."

"Exactly. Also, after the first attacks in the west wing from the throne room, the scrolls containing the spell's properties and instructions were burnt. And the person who invented said spell was killed during the ambush."

Midna's expression darkened. They were going in circles. Every bit of information was as useless as the common knowledge and Zelda was as blank as her. It was all just a vicious little circle. Surely, there was something amiss there. Zelda had mentioned that the spell had been achieved successfully in previous battles and that only by the death of its conjurer (who seemed to be an excelling sorcerer) it could be broken. Yet, the spell failed before the magician was killed and thus enabling an entrance to the Twilis. Then it hit her, how had the Twilis learned about the passageways that lead to the castle? There was indeed something wrong here. She bit her lip, thinking the situation over and over until the image of constant changing forms and deep, lonely blue eyes.

"Zelda, what do you know about a 'deadly beast' that roamed about the castle at night?" Maybe it was the cause for the spell's malfunction. But Zelda simply stared at her, confused. "I never met with such creature at all. And if I had, it would have been vanquished immediately."

"Then it appeared, probably for the first time after the battle..."

Zelda cocked and eye brow, "It would seem so, yes. But what does that creature you mentioned have anything to do with this?"

"Well, in certain history books, sightings of a deadly beast by your grave were supposedly spotted and since they were extremely constant they were marked as a myth from the old historic event."

"And why do you believe in it so fervently, Midna?" Inquired the princess, noticing the Twili's anxiousness.

"Because I saw it." She replied honestly. Zelda looked out the window that showed the Courtyard but saw nothing unearthly. "There is nothing there. Perhaps it was your imagination."

"Perhaps." Midna bit her lower lip. She was certainly growing obsessive about the creature. She didn't quite know anymore if she had actually seen it or if it was just a dream. Sighing, she closed the book she was reading and thrust it toward the bunch of other volumes.

"There goes the last one." She grumbled as Zelda sighed disappointed.

"It would seem that the power of those Fused Shadows was indeed powerful enough to destroy our defenses..." she muttered. Midna seemed distant, lost in thought when she heard her mention those accursed artifacts.

"Yeah... Professor Rilas told me that their powers were frightening. I almost hit him when he said that they are still in the castle..."

"I beg your pardon?"

"I said, the Fused Shadows are still hidden around here somewhere. We could be practically standing on them right now..."

"As a matter of fact, we are."

"Huh?" Midna almost fell off her chair when Zelda said that. The blonde walked toward the gigantic shelves and reached out for an old notebook that had been covered by leather, worn out by the ages. A blunt dagger slid through its brown pages working as a bookmark. Zelda held the coupler carefully, then she grabbed the dagger and stabbed it on a small fissure on the floor. Midna's feet shook as the floor shifted from its place and followed by a thumping sound, a hallway leading underground was visible. Stone steps led the way into the dark abyss beyond and Midna could help to stare.

"How... what did you...?!" She stammered.

Zelda smiled and placed the notebook back on the shelf. "I had to make sure that the secret chambers still worked."

"Well apparently they do!" Midna replied gruffly as she peered into the darkness. "You think the Fused Shadows are down there?"

"I'm sure of it. Father used to keep the family treasures in this hallway. Only a few trusty servants and us knew of it and only one of the royal blood would be able to open the locked doors that lead to the artifacts."

Midna sensed something strange as the darkness seemed to haul them to come over. She grabbed the fickle candle on the desk and stretched her arm toward the entryway, "Care to lead the way, Your Highness?"

Frowning slightly, Zelda descended the stairs first, followed by Midna who decided to stay close to the blonde in case something jumped at them inside there. The narrow hallway they followed seemed to have been abandoned for ages as rats and other disgusting animals peeked their nasty heads from the fractures on the granite walls. The candle was barely useful since it only lighted Midna's face and slightly traced a yellow road before her feet. At least it helped her see where she was stepping, the ground seemed like it was going to crumble at any minute. And indeed, it had crumbled before. The princesses found themselves before a dead end. The stairway stopped before a number of rocks blocking the rest of the road. Midna soon remembered what Professor Rilas mentioned and knew they were following the right path. The Fused Shadows had to be beyond those rocks, she could tell. The ever-growing and taunting anxiety that she felt was the only evidence that they had to be here.

"Now what?" said the Twili angrily. Zelda seemed just as disappointed. She placed her palm over the surface of the rocks and pressed hard on it. Midna frowned. Then, yelping, the blonde removed her hand as quick as she could and looked at her gloved arm with worry. Taken by surprise, Midna almost let go of the candle. "What happened?"

Beads of sweat formed across Zelda's temple as she examined her hand with caution. "I can sense a great evil aura behind these rocks. The dark energies are slowly draining away the rocks..." Crimson eyes narrowed. "So it's true..." Midna breathed. "The Fused Shadows are here."

Zelda nodded, "And its evil energies are seeping toward the castle..."

Midna hissed, "We have to get these rocks out of the way or else...!" Raising her index finger, Midna pointed toward the hard surface, preparing a weak spell that would easily destroy the obstacles.

"Don't!" Demanded Zelda, holding Midna's hand down. "Your magic is not strong enough to counter that cursed article's. If the Fused Shadows' powers are indeed leaking, then we mustn't be close or else we could be consumed by it, like those Twilis."

Midna pouted, glancing at the blonde she pursed her lips and wrinkled her nose. "Then what do you suggest we do? Just let them seep toward the castle? No way!"

"You told me that the Fused Shadows were being protected by a powerful barrier, right?"

"Yes, but it doesn't seem to be as powerful to me as it was said to be."

"But, it is a powerful barrier..."

"What do you mean?"

"Protective spells are usually dispatched easily once the magician that conjured it has died. Only the ones done by great wizards would be able to stand the course of time. And this one is still potent, just slightly weakened. How long has it been since it was casted?"

"Supposedly it's been there since the Second Assault, more than 100 years ago." Midna frowned. "But still, we have to get rid of those things now that we can before something terrible happens."

"Control yourself, Midna. If you face those artifacts with your current power you could be easily corrupted and the bloody events of the past could happen once more." Her piercing azure eyes narrowed. "You yourself said that you would not allow history to repeat itself... It would truly be a tragedy..." Her expression became somber. Sighing in defeat, Midna turned her back at Zelda knowing that the princess was right. At that moment, both were weak and wouldn't stand a chance against the great power of those gadgets of olden times; those who had caused the spilling of blood for a senseless cause. She refused to let that happen again. She would prove everyone that she was strong and that she would overcome the tragedies of the past. She had to let them slip away, and the only way to do it was by destroying the remnants of that forsaken history.

"Let's go before someone sees us. At least we know now where these cursed things are. I will try to keep things under control for a while..."

The princess of yore smiled pleased at the back of the leaving Twili. She followed closely behind her until they reached the exit of the passage and were once again on the library. She removed the dagger form the crack and placed it on the old notebook safely once more and the floor returned to its normal state. No underground corridor could be seen anymore. Midna stared at the spot where the stairs had been gloomily. All this time, the cause of her people's suffering had been under her nose and she hadn't noticed! A sudden feeling of uselessness overtook her and she hit the desk with her fist. All this time it was before her and she hadn't seen it! She cursed and hit the table with more force. Zelda only looked at her with understanding. The blonde princess turned to the window and the last remnants of moonlight reflected on her celestial orbs. She walked next to Midna and placed her hand on her shaking shoulder and squeezed it gently. Midna remained still. "It is time that I go, Midna. I can see how shaken you are and I must tell you, it is not your fault. Don't blame yourself."

Midna, cursing, brushed her hand away and leaned her head against the oak surface, her tears staining the polished wood. Zelda gave a final glance and the stepped before the windows, allowing the newborn sunlight to bathe her figure. Exhaling with contempt, she closed her eyes and felt as the golden beams stroked her pale body, painting it with warm yellows. As Midna continued sobbing on the table, she didn't notice when the girl vanished under the gentle strokes of the dawning sun.

(A/N): And so, the story slowly progresses and now we're close to when the real story begins. Almost there guys! But now you know about the main mysteries of the fanfic and have grown to learn two of the main protagonists and their relarionship. Hope you are still enjoying this fanfic and see you in the next chapter! I promise the interesting stuff will start soon.