A/N: Let me say right now -- If I have missed sending any of ya'll a "thank you" message, you have my sincere apologies! I appreciate all of ya'lls feedback and comments! So, 'Thank You' to everyone:D
I've also noticed people commenting on my style. And to that I say: Uhm...I have style? x) I have to confess, I haven't a clue as to what ya'll mean by that! If anyone has better insight as to what my style is and can explain it to me in lamens terms (I'm more of a science/medical nerd) I'd be happy to research it and attempt to perfect it!
But enough from me, on with the show, yes?
Chapter Four: The City of Answers
If there was anything Link had despised in his grand adventure, it had been the times he was forced to use canons as transportation. Becoming a projectile to be hurled through space, not knowing just where and how he would land made him nauseous. Midna had found it amusing, he recalled: "Is my wolf scared? Suck it up! You've faced worse than this!" Only the memory of her voice and the thought of seeing her again pressed him onward.
It did not, however, detract from the horrors of being a human canon ball. Nor did it ease the shock of landing in a pool of icy cold water levitating miles above the earth. Link gasped for air when his head broke the surface.
"By the gods I hate those cursed machines!" he roared between coughs. He would have remained silent if he had been aware of his audience.
Half a dozen Oocca were standing (or sitting, he truly couldn't decide) on the edge of the community water hole Link had so gracefully crashed in. For a moment he considered apologizing for his outburst but, he was reminded by their odd chirps and squawks, they did not speak Hylian.
The Oocca seemed upset, and Link could see why; when he landed in the pool he created a wave that soaked the alien creatures. Their feathers were disheveled and their odd, humanoid faces were dripping wet. It took all of Link's resolve to prevent himself from bursting into fits of laughter.
"Wow! It's you! Awesome!" a chipper voice shrieked. Bobbing just inches from Link's face was a bodiless head.
"Junior...Hello." Link said to the young Oocco. As if the Oocca had not been strange in and of themselves, Link discovered early on that the young Oocca were nothing more than heads with miniscule wings. The only oddity Link experienced that was stranger than the Ooccan culture had been the Realm of Twilight. Ah, yes, that was the reason for his presence here...
"Junior, where is your mother?" Link asked as he struggled out of the pool.
"She works in the shop!" the baby Oocco cried, "You can come inside!"
Link attempted to dry himself before entering the Oocco's store, but he still managed to leave puddles of icy water beneath his boots.
"MOMMA! Look who! Wow!" Oocco Junior shrieked as he flitted about Link's head. Another Oocca appeared from behind the store counter. Oocco Junior's mother chirped something in Ooccan before fluttering over the counter and landing at Link's feet.
"Why, Adventurer! How splendid to see you!" Oocca reached over and gently patted Link's boot with her golden wing.
"Hello Oocca." Link knelt down, feeling rude for towering over the alien, "I need your help."
"My help, Adventurer? Why, I'll try my best! What can I do for you?"
"I'm here on business...On behalf of the Royal Family," Link improvised quickly, though it wasn't such a stretch, "What do you know of the Twilight World?"
"She broke the mirror, didn't she?" Oocca asked sadly. Link was caught off guard at her question -- Oocca and her son had not returned to Hyrule after Link slayed the dragon plaguing their city. Moreover, Link had not known Midna's true identity until moments before entering the Twilight Realm.
"How did you know?" Link asked.
"We Oocca know such things, Adventurer" Oocca answered simply.
"You knew Midna was the Twilight Princess from the very beginning, didn't you?" Link was baffled.
"Yes, but it was not my place to tell her secrets."
"She's not really an imp!" Oocco Junior interjected loudly.
"I'm sure he knows by now, dearie." Oocca commented, "Adventurer, you will want to speak with the Elders. They will know far more than me. They may personally assist you in repairing the mirror!"
"Wait, you don't understand: Midna destroyed the mirror. It is nothing more than dust." Link quickly explained.
Oocca paused, "Oh, well...No matter, Adventurer! We built the first Mirror of Twilight, surely we can build you another!"
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Did every society under the sun have Elders? Link had begun to think so.
There were three Elders in Ooccan society, and Link found himself kneeling before them. They were old - or so they appeared. Never before had he seen wrinkles on the human-like faces of the Oocca. Their feathers did not shine as the younger Oocca's did, and their eyes were a dull shade of red.
They were seated on identical thrones, surrounded by scrolls of parchment and other Ooccas that Link concluded were servants or assistants. The Elders were chirping to each other, musing over whatever was written upon the scrolls. When the Elders saw Link, their chirps seemed to drop to low, almost hushed tones.
"They are simply shocked to see a Hylian," Oocca explained with a reassuring pat. Oocca began speaking with the Elders, and Link waited patiently. Oocco Junior landed on Link's shoulder and began toying with his cap. Link's urge to swat the young Oocco away was overwhelming, but he resisted.
"They say they are honored to see a messenger of the Royal Family, because it has been many years." Oocca said suddenly, "They ask if you know how the Mirror of Twilight came into being?"
Link shook his head, "I believed it was a creation of the goddesses."
"You are right, in a way. They say that the goddesses placed the task of creating the Mirror on our race because we were...Oh, how can I say this? We were peaceful." Oocca explained.
"Neutrality..." Link muttered, "You weren't waging war, shedding blood..."
"I suppose so, yes." Oocca replied, "The Elders say that rebuilding the Mirror can be done. However, they must first know why a son of light wants to enter the Twilight World?"
"The Princess of Twilight is in danger. Princess Zelda has assigned me the task of rescue-- No, of assisting Princess Midna." Link stated. If Midna had heard the term 'rescue' she would have beaten him within an inch of his life.
Oocca translated and waited for the Elders to reply. Link remained kneeling, his patience being pressed to its limits.
"They say that rebuilding the Mirror of Twilight would not be too difficult of a task, for all of the materials used to build the original Mirror are all here within our city's storage facilities. However, they say that a Hylian saving a member of the Twilight's Royal Family is...how would you say? Unnecessary." Oocca said quietly, clearly concerned at the Elder's words.
Link breathed deeply, controlling his frustration, "Why?"
"Why? Well, they say Shadow and Light were never to mix." Oocca answered.
"Shadow and Light have mixed. You saw it yourself, Oocca. Tell them so! Tell them that Shadow and Light spent nearly a year working side by side together for the greater good of both realms. Midna -- Princess Midna is an ally to the Realm of Light, to Hyrule! Can they really deny my desire to assist an ally of our world?" Link pleaded.
Oocca nodded and began translating, but half-way through she paused and turned to Link, "Your desire? I thought it was the Royal Family of Hyrule who appointed this task?"
Link back peddled, "Well, she was - is - my friend. I won't ignore a friends call for help."
"You love the Twilight Princess!" Oocco Junior blurted loudly. At this announcement, Link felt his face become hot.
"Junior, honestly, don't say such things!" Oocca scolded, but Link saw the smirk on her odd little face. This matter was quickly becoming embarrassing.
"Give them this." Link hastily offered the scroll Zelda had given him, "From Princess Zelda herself."
Oocca took the scroll from Link and proceeded to translate its contents to the Elders. After an endless stream of chirps from Oocca, the Elders looked at each other with what Link assumed was utter cynicism. After a tedious moment spent staring at Link, the Elders spoke once more.
"They say that they will rebuild the Mirror of Twilight, Adventurer! It will take them a weeks time." Oocca chirped happily, "But...they must ask a favor of you, if they are to work so hard for you."
Link was hardly surprised, it seemed that all he did came at a cost, "I'll do all that they ask."
"Do you see these scrolls, Adventurer?" Oocca asked as she pointed to the scrolls surrounding the Elders, "These are the records of our people. There are thousands of years of Ooccan history in these scrolls...But there is an issue. When our city was under seige, the monsters damaged our documents. The Elders have managed to sort most of the undamaged records, but they still need assistance..."
"I'm not a scholar, Oocca. Time is also of essence..." Link began to explain when a thought came to him, "Would they allow another Hylian to do the work on my behalf?"
Oocca quickly asked the Elders, who nodded, "They say yes."
Link smiled, "Tell them to begin work on the Mirror immediately, and I will bring them the brightest mind in all of Hyrule."
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"Y-y-you've found the City in the Sky?!" Shad cried, dropping one of his father's notebooks, "And...and the Oocca...You've seen them?!..."
"They need help," Link gave Shad a gentle pat on the shoulder, "There is no other in all of Hyrule who could be of greater help to them."
"They...you...how...why...why, how can I ever thank you?!" Shad threw his arms around Link, who could have sworn he felt several of his ribs break in Shad's grasp.
"Thank me by packing your supplies immediately," Link gasped out as he broke away from Shad's bear hug, "We need to return to Lake Hylia as soon as possible."
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For a man who had spent the past year fighting his way through hordes of enemies, Link found that patience was a virtue he lacked. It had taken Link a mere three days to return to the Sky City with Shad in tow, and he was then forced to wait in the City's halls for the new Mirror of Twilight. The final day was upon him, and Link was pacing as he watched dark, ominous clouds build over the platform where he had fought a fierce dragon.
The Elders, though grateful for Link bringing Shad to assist them, denied Link's request to witness the Mirror being reborn.
"They say it is an ancient secret that requires a blessing from the goddesses," Oocca had translated, "No one but the Elder's may see it..."
Arguing with the only creatures who seemed capable of helping him was a foolish idea, and Link had conceded to spending the remaining days with Shad and Oocco Junior (who had taken quite a liking to Shad).
"Link! Are they almost done?" Shad asked as he ran out to Link, "You should be able to enter the Twilight World by nightfall!"
Link nodded and continued his pacing. He had already packed everything he considered necessary, had polished the reclaimed Master Sword until the edges seemed to gleam on their own accord. He had run out of tasks to busy himself with, except for pacing the tiled floors.
"Here," Shad held out his hand, "Try these! They're delicious!"
Link took the small, red pebble-like treat and placed it in his mouth. He chewed silently, his eyes never leaving the dark clouds hanging above the city.
"Come now, Link, talk to me mate!" Shad urged, "I know you must be concerned about what you have to do. I imagine the World of Twilight is terrifying..."
"No. It's quite lovely." Link confessed after a moment of silence.
"How can a world of darkness-- Hold on. You've been there before?" Shad's eyes grew wide in surprise.
Link nodded and took more of the pebble treats from Shad's hand.
"You're neglecting to tell me something..." Shad accused quietly, "But, I suppose we're all entitled to our secrets."
"He loves the Twilight Princess!" Oocco Junior cried as he flew out of one of Shad's many pockets. Link glared.
"Loves?! A Princess? What Princess?" Shad grabbed Link's shoulders and shook him slightly, "By the goddesses, mate, just what are you doing?! You simply must tell me!"
Link waved his hand dismissively, "As long as I'm not too late, you will see soon enough."
Shad had barely opened his mouth to protest Link's silence when Oocca scurried up to the trio, "Adventurer! The Elder's are finished! They will bring the Mirror down in a few moments!"
Link gave a long sigh of relief, "Thank you, Oocca."
"Link, how do you plan on taking the Mirror back to the desert?" Shad questioned, "Don't tell me you plan on placing it in the canon with you?"
The issue had not occurred to Link, but it seemed the Oocca's had a plan, "Never you worry, Scholar, the Elders have entreated some of our citizens to assist the Adventurer in returning to the Mirror Chamber!" Oocca chirped.
Link considered Oocca's statement, then became concerned, "You don't intend to fly there, do you?"
"Heavens no, Adventurer! We will warp you there! However, with the Mirror and the Scholar to transport as well, it will take more than just I to get you back to the desert." Oocca answered. Link nodded again, continued his pacing. Shad and Oocca began conversing in Ooccan. Oocco Junior sang merrily and flew in lazy circles around Link's feet.
Suddenly, the Elders fluttered to the ground beside Link. Shad, Oocca and her son fell silent as the Elders positioned themselves in a three point triangle. The Elders looked at Link and began to spin rapidly. Link backed away, giving them room for whatever magic they were conjuring.
In the blink of an eye, Link saw his own reflection upon a large, glimmering mirror laying on the floor between the Elders. Link smiled for the first time in an age and knelt beside the new Mirror of Twilight. He traced his fingers along the face of the glass, memorizing the patterns and cool sensation the Mirror seemed to exude.
"By the goddesses...It's beautiful." Shad was mesmerized, and Link recalled the evil powers the first Mirror held. Link quickly stepped between Shad and the Mirror.
"We must go." Link announced, "The sooner I return to the Realm of Twilight, the better...For all of us."
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Only an hour after the Mirror's completion, Link was standing in the center of the Mirror Chamber atop the Arbiter's Grounds. The sun was blinding as it slipped behind the mountains, and it cast an eerie glow around the Chamber. Link welcomed the warm air of the desert after spending a week in the windy, cold Sky City.
"Fantastic! This place is legendary!" Shad cried as he explored the Mirror Chamber, "Have you been inside the building itself?"
Link shuddered and nodded.
A group of six Oocco's warped into the Chamber beside Link, the Mirror of Twilight roped between them. Link knelt and helped the Oocco's remove the ropes from themselves. They chirped appreciatively, then backed away, allowing Link to examine the Mirror a second time.
"It's undamaged," Link said after a moment of exploring the Mirror's edges and surface, "I think I can lift it myself."
It was heavy. Heavier than Link had expected, but he refused Shad's protests to help him. Link carried the Mirror up the steps of the alter, ignoring the crunching of the previous Mirror's shards beneath his feet. With a grunt, he sat the Mirror on it's pedestal. Cautiously, he released the Mirror -- and was intrigued by the way it seemed to levitate into place.
"Now is the moment of truth, Adventurer," Oocca said quietly, "If it doesn't work, we will have to start again."
"If it doesn't work?" Link said rather harshly, "There's a chance it couldn't?--"
He didn't need to finish.
The faint patterns embellished on the front of the Mirror began to darken, creeping like spider webs across the face of the glass. Link side stepped as the Mirror began to glow. The Mirror erupted with power, sending a beam of pure, white energy rocketing into the center of the obsidian stone. Link watched euphorically as slowly, one by one, the white steps reformed and the great portal slid open.
"We will wait for you, Adventurer." Oocca said gently as she hoped onto the alter beside Link.
"I don't know how long I will be gone." Link replied.
"We will wait." Oocca smiled.
"Thank you." Link whispered.
He sprinted up the glowing steps and, rather than waiting to be transported, leapt into the portal. He hovered in mid air for a fleeting instant before the power of the Mirror broke him into a thousand pieces and pulled him into the portal.
"You would never know he's done that before," Shad muttered with a smirk.
A/N: I think this is the long chapter ya'll were waiting for! However, I'm not sure what it is, but I feel like I butchered this chapter. It was difficult for so many reasons; the biggest being separating the actions and times. I wanted all of these occurrences in one chapter...but splitting them up? Oye ve!
I may edit this chapter later, maybe split it into more chapters? But let me know what you guys think first! If you liked it, well, awesome! If you hate it and feel the need to gouge your eyes out with a spork, then I'll do some editing. x)
Thank you again for your feedback:D Keep it coming!
EDIT 2/13/07
Since I had such a large number of requests for how the Ooccas built the second Mirror, I offer you the explanation!
First, I should say "process" probably isn't the best word to use. I had no intention of explain how they built it, but rather the items they needed to build it.
Originally, I was going to have the Elders send Link out in a classic Zelda "search for the missing items" theory. Link was going to get three key ingredients: 1) Sand from the Mirror Chamber 2) Water from Zora's Domain and 3) Blood of the Royal Family of Hyrule. (I was debating about adding Sulfur from Death Mountain, but eh, four ingredients sounded odd to me.)
The reason I didn't do this, you ask? Several reasons. The biggest being that I just didn't want too x) I'm lazy, I know, lol. Second, this would through the timeline off -- Link can't spend another month searching for these missing items and still return to the Realm of Twilight in time to save Midna. And finally, it would have made the story all the longer and all the more confusing...Okay, and I wanted to bring Shad into the mix. I loved his character!
When Link would bring the items back to the Elders, the story would have picked up in the same spot after Link brings Shad back to the City in the Sky. I never intended for Link to witness the Mirror being built because, frankly, I don't know how mirrors are built and coming up with a magical process would have been annoying to me.
Hopefully this offers a little more insight to the story. And, as always, questions and comments are welcome:D Thanks for reading!