Author's Notes:

While I stick very closely to the HTTYD movie/TV show lore, I take liberties with the LoZ elements. Please read with an open mind, as if this were a new game.

New chapters on Wednesdays. The whole thing, 30 chapters plus Prologue, is written and will be posted!

***If you're jumping in here and you like what you're reading, I highly recommend going back to the beginning because things are ramping up, and it will make a lot more sense with full context. :P

The giant crimson crystal rose six feet in the air, terror frozen on the trapped princess's face. A trail of black and red mist crackled with electric energy from the crystal to Ganon's palm. With a twist and a clench of that fist, the Triforce of Wisdom flared to life on Ganon's hand as it disappeared from Zelda's.

WHAT?! HOW?! Link seethed even as the terror of that impossibility took hold. A wicked smile curled across Ganon's face as Zelda's eyes rolled back in her head.

"No!" Link wheezed.

"And you." Ganon turned his burning eyes on the boy. Link struggled in the Desert King's grip as the misty trail faded from the crystal and appeared in front of the Hero. Ganon clenched his fist.

Immediately, Link felt as if his breath and heart were being sucked through a tiny hole. The veins on his neck popped out, and his back arched till he felt it would snap. Sweat drenched his clothes. His insides burned as if being raked over live coals. He'd never experienced this, but he knew exactly what was happening: Ganon was ripping the Triforce, the essence of the goddesses, from his very soul.

HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? The Triforce blazed on Ganon's hand, and Link realized with shuddering clarity Ganon was using it to steal another piece. The thought enraged him. It was twisted and perverted. He didn't think the Triforce could be used like that, and yet it had already worked once. He couldn't fight it; he could only hold off the inevitable.

Help, help me! he prayed.

But there was no response.

Panic greater than the pain overwhelmed him. He was alone. Had he always been alone? Had he even been called in the first place? Had Hylia ever cared about Hyrule?

Link had no breath to cry out, but every fiber of his body screamed as Ganon drew his fist back. The boy went limp. Ganon dropped him, and his body hit the ground with a sickening thud.

Holding his hand aloft, Ganon smiled as the Triforce of Courage glowed on his hand. "At last."

Link tried to crawl, do something, anything, but his muscles refused to answer. The sounds of destruction echoed around him: the crackle of fire eating a tapestry, the creaking of wood, the screams and jeers of the bulblins climbing up the mote. Smoke choked his nostrils. Sweat and blood mingled in his mouth. The Triforce was lost, Hylia was gone, Saria—

Tears welled in his eyes.

He had no calling, no purpose, no reason to keep fighting; he was so tired, he could close his eyes, let it all be over …

Stay with me, Link.

His heart stirred. That voice, the one that had drawn him back to life as he lay across Impa's back, the same one that had encouraged and guided him these long, lonely years. Zelda's voice.

His eyelids fluttered, and it took all his effort to look up to where the crimson crystal imprisoned his princess. The anguish in her face ignited a fire in his chest. With a growl, he forced his arms to move. Every movement prickled as if fiery briars burrowed into his skin. His fingers scraped against the stonework, pulling him forward one painful inch at a time. Closer, closer. He seemed destined to be chasing her. Crawling on his knees or limping through a forest shrine. He wouldn't lose her again! He was almost there! Hold on, Zelda!

A spiked boot kicked him in the stomach and sent him sprawling on his back. He wheezed, every nerve crackling like dynamite, as Ganon strode forward. Link's eyes followed the giant, silver blade from the tip to the hilt to the hand where the complete Triforce gleamed through the thick leather.

His eyes went wide. No, it can't end like this. The goddesses said— But they were gone.

The Desert King glowered over him. "So dies the Hero of Legend."

Ganon raised the sword with both hands. Link closed his eyes, expecting the blow that would end his life and the hope of Hyrule.

But it didn't come.

The clang of metal-on-metal rang out. Slowly, Link opened his heavy eyes and gasped. Standing over him, holding back the fury of the Desert King, the Master Sword grasped in both hands, stood Hiccup.

\\\

Ganon's face twisted in a strange mixture of anger and confusion. This scrawny, mud-haired boy, an outsider, dared to defy him! AGAIN! But how could he block his blade? Ganon's furious eyes flicked to his own hand where one of the triangles did not glow as brightly as it should have and then to the boy's hand. A tiny triangle winked at him, and the final gem on the bracer began to glow. Ganon shrugged off the sudden fatigue, gritted his teeth, and swung again.

\\\

Hiccup widened his stance as the second blow landed. The force of it reverberated through his body all the way to the craggy stonework at his feet, beginning a disturbing crack. The muddy pillar seemed oddly fragile. What was it made of? Judging from the smell, nothing pleasant. Ganon struck again, Hiccup blocked, and the crack grew. Thor, would the pillar collapse beneath them?

His heart was already racing from the climb up the pillar and now threatened to jump out of his chest. The only thing keeping his trembling arms up was the thought of what was behind him. He would not let Ganon hurt Link if he could help it.

He summoned what strength he had as Ganon swung again, and again, and again, each one more desperate. With every hit, the cracks in the stonework deepened, splintering like an ice shelf. The gem glowed brighter, and though he willed the power to stretch, Hiccup knew he had moments until the power was expended. Time was running out, and Ganon showed no signs of relenting.

Not only that, but Hiccup also felt his feet slipping towards the edge with every forceful hit. Ganon's blade struck again. His metal foot wobbled. Panic screamed, but before losing his balance completely, he wedged the metal into the largest crack in the stone, a haven too narrow for any human foot. It held. Hiccup braced himself, now able to stand his ground. The gem grew brighter as Ganon continued to bear down on the Master Sword, but Hiccup was immovable.

In a burst of light, the gem shattered, a thousand shards exploding in every direction. Hiccup covered his eyes and tumbled backwards onto the Hero as the familiar wave of exhaustion hit. Long seconds passed as he struggled to catch his breath.

"Link!" he finally managed, desperately unwedging his foot from the crack. "Can you stand?"

"Sword!" was all Link was able to get out before Hiccup realized Ganon was nearly on top of them, his weapon raised over his head. The Master Sword, blasted out Hiccup's hands when the final gem shattered, still lay on the top of the pillar—Thank, Thor!—but was hopelessly out of reach.

The future chief of Berk looked from the Desert King to the Hero and threw himself in front of his friend.

Just as the sword was about to hit, Ganon howled and staggered back. The hilt of a dagger protruded from the back of his knee in the tiny crack where two plates of metal met, the red mist wafting away from the black blade.

At that moment, a blur of white and mulberry raced forward. Hiccup realized out of the corner of his eye that the red crystal had disappeared. Stripped of the satin-gloves, the same delicate hands that lifted in prayer and stroked the harp shoved the Desert King off the pillar.

\\\

Zelda wiped her hands on her dress and glared down at her enemy. He moaned weakly from the darkness below. They'd have at least a few moments before he was up again.

She turned to see Hiccup's mouth hanging open and Link smiling incredulously at her. She rushed to Link's side as Hiccup went to retrieve the Master Sword.

Dropping to her knees by the Hero, her worried eyes registered every slice and bruise. Dark circles pooled under his eyes, and the blue of his veins were clear as rivers under his blanched skin. Zelda trembled as she threaded her arm under him. "A-are … Are you alright?"

He panted weakly, seemingly unable to form words. But those dreamy blue eyes, looking directly into hers, spoke volumes. He nodded once with a contented smile and let his head fall against her. He groaned as she helped him sit up, but as his lips brushed her ear, he managed a whisper. "There's the Lynel." She blushed and tucked a loose strand of golden hair behind her ear.

Hiccup returned with the Master Sword. "It's not over yet."

Link's eyes widened then took on an all too familiar heaviness. "Gem," he croaked out.

Zelda followed his gaze and gasped. "Hiccup! They're all—"

Hiccup waved his hand. "We'll deal with that later." Nodding to the darkness below, he said, "He's still down there." Hiccup presented the hilt of the Master Sword. "It's up to you now."

Link hesitated. Zelda wondered what he could do. He was so weak, she doubted he could even stand. But his eyes burned with that determination that had captured her heart all those years ago.

His pale hand trembled as it reached out. It dropped back. He bit his quivering lip and groaned as he forced himself to reach a little farther. As soon as he touched the amethyst hilt, energy surged from his fingertips, up his arms, through his whole body. Color returned to his face and lit it with strength. Sheathing the sword, he sprinted to the edge and began the perilous climb down.

\\\

Kogah stood frozen in the same place he had been when he threw the knife. How many sleepless nights had he dreamed of doing that? How many ways had he imagined hurting the man who had so hurt his beloved Hyrule? He breathed out slowly, savoring that moment. Then he tensed, sensing Impa still standing next to him.

They had both been distracted by the fight on the pillar. Just as Impa had begun to swing the cursed blade at him, the clang of two metal swords rang out. She'd halted, her eyes darted to the left and down towards the source of the sound. Her expression shifted from rage to incomprehension. The tip of the blade dropped to her side. Kogah crawled to his knees then stood up, keeping a cautious distance between them.

Together, they watched dumbfounded as that scrawny outsider, straddling the Hero's prone form, held back the full fury of the Desert King. Kogah could hardly believe it; no one had been able to stand against the Desert King, not even the chosen Hero. For the first time since Master Jin fell, hope pricked his heart.

Then the gem on the bracer shattered. Hiccup and the Master Sword flew apart. Ganon grabbed his sword and stalked towards the helpless boys.

Impa breathed, "He's going to kill them."

The words were out before Kogah could think. "I can make the shot."

He felt her gaze jerk towards him but kept his eyes fixed forward, not trusting himself to look at her, and merely held out his hand. Kogah knew Ganon's armor was impenetrable except for the back of the knee and only for a moment as he strode forward. It was a near impossible shot, and he knew he could do it. He knew she knew he could do it. But she knew a lot about him, didn't she? Moments ago, she was about to kill him and rightly so.

His heart tied itself in knots. He had nothing to gain her trust, and time was running out. The only hope he had had in year was about to be cut down before his eyes, again. He wanted to tell her everything. I made the wrong call. I never should have doubted, but let me try make things right!

"I'm sorry, Impa. I—"

The weight of the blade pressed into his palm. He could have cried for joy.

He exhaled and wrapped his fingers around the cursed blade. At least now he could use it for something good.

Then, an unexpected thrill ran up his spine as her fingers lingered over his and gave a gentle squeeze. His heart was thumping out of his chest. This was more than he could have dreamed! Now's not the time, he told himself.

He steeled his gaze and glared down at his target. Utilizing that despicable, dark magic he hoped for the last time, Kogah whispered, "Ahshnee." With a slow swish, sparkles dancing out of the crimson smoke, the broadsword shrank to the size of a throwing knife. Kogah focused, channeling all his skill and frustration, and threw. The knife sailed through the air and sank deep into the Desert King's leg.

Now that Link, the boy, and the Princess were out of danger, Kogah once again felt his wild heartbeat. He didn't want to let himself hope, and yet he stole a glance at Impa. There were tears at the corners of her bloodshot eyes and the faintest hint of a smile.

He dropped his eyes and knelt before her. "I know this doesn't make up for what I've done …"

Impa took a hesitant step forward. "Kogah …"

At that moment, the dusty rafters behind her exploded in a ball of flame. The wooden beams gave way, and the two warriors crashed to the ground.

\\\

Fireballs flew in every direction as Link bounded down the pillar with the sure footedness of a mountain goat. He ducked as another projectile sped chaotically from the dark ground. It was like a bomb shop had been set on fire. He leapt the remaining fifteen feet, rolled, and charged towards the enemy.

A roar echoing from the shadows of the hall almost arrested his steps. Though he couldn't see it yet, he'd recognize that roar anywhere. He didn't have the Triforce of Courage to shield him from the terrible reality or numb the fear. If not for the epiphany he had received on the pillar, he would have fled. But his mind and his heart were firmly set, and he clung to the truth like a sailor lashing himself to the mast of a ship in a stormy sea. He grit his teeth and ran on.

Sliding behind a fallen statue, he managed to just barely evade another fireball. His hand flew to cover his face as the fire scorched the back of the green hat. Following the projectile as it rocketed toward the pillar, his eyes suddenly went wide. No. Hylia, please!

He screamed, "ZELDA! HICCUP! GET OUT OF THERE!"

\\\

Hiccup inched along the narrow ledge, keeping his back to the wall of the pillar, and tested the next step with his boot. The stinking, muddy rock crumbled instantly, sending a shower of pebbles bouncing down the cracking surface. Not that way, Hiccup thought. The cracks that began when Ganon battled with Hiccup crept down the pillar, making the trek down much more dangerous and difficult than going up. The going was slow, but better safe than sorry.

Hiccup looked back. Zelda stood a few feet behind him, back pressed to the wall, fingers digging into the rough rockwork, her eyes squeezed shut.

"You're doing great, Zelda. Just don't look down." The whiz of another rogue fireball prompted him to move.

As he was about to test another step, he heard it: the roar from his nightmare. His heart froze. He dropped to his knees and covered his ears. It reverberated through the hollow castle till he couldn't tell where it came from. Then, cutting through the chaos, he heard Link's distant voice, unintelligible but urgent.

Hiccup looked up just in time to see a fireball flying towards him. If he stayed put, he'd be safe. It would hit a few feet behind him, right where the princess stood with her eyes tightly shut.

\\\

"ZELDA!"

The Princess heard Hiccup scream. She saw him dash towards her, felt his shove. Then she was falling, tumbling down the rocky pillar as the fireball exploded in a shower of rock and flame above her. Her head smashed against stone, and everything went dark.

When her eyes fluttered open, Link was at her side, helping her to her feet. She cried out as pain raced up her left wrist. She could see Link's mouth moving but was having trouble hearing. Finally getting to her feet, she swayed and leaned against him.

Then, she saw it. Out of the darkness, the complete Triforce glowed on what was once a hand. Now enormous feet like a bear stalked forward. Claws chiseled the ground with every step. Matted hair prickled along the massive boar-like back, and gleaming tusks caught the orange light as a fireball rocketed out of the massive jaws. It was Beast Ganon.

Her legs went limp, and she felt Link supporting her. She looked for allies, but they were alone. Zelda felt blood draining from her face, her breath as ragged as the banners around her. They had to run. There was no way they could survive this.

Trapped in the crystal, she thought she had heard Hylia tell her to let go, to let Ganon have the Triforce. Now she wasn't sure. Was it obedience or fear that had prompted her to give up so quickly? Maybe she should have fought for it like Link. True, her body had not been spent and tortured the way Link's had, but what did that matter now?

The beast roared. Her knees were about to give way again. "We're going to die," she whimpered.

Link took her by the shoulders and faced her away from the beast. Tears glistened in her wide eyes.

"This ends now," Link said, "but I need your help. Can you keep them back?"

"I … I …" Her eyes darted towards swarms of bulblins streaming through the broken windows. In moments, Link and Zelda would be surrounded.

"Hey. Don't look at them."

She forced herself to focus on his eyes, those deep, blue eyes.

"Remember what you told me about courage?" She stared at him wide eyed. What had she said?

He squeezed her hand. "You can do this."

Then, he pecked her on the cheek and ran towards the beast.

She stood there, cheeks flushed, holding her injured wrist. He kissed me. Of all the ways she had imagined that magical moment, she had never conceived of it happening in the chaos of a battle. She watched helplessly as the Hero of Legend—her hero—ran towards such a great evil. He'll be fine. He has to be fine. Even if he falls, he has a fairy to revive—

With a strangled gasp, she noticed the fairy bottle was missing from his belt. Thoughts pummeled each other like sharks in a feeding frenzy. Had he lost it during the battle? Or already used it? He had only one chance now. What chance?! He didn't have the Triforce anymore! He was just a boy against that beast !

Her trembling fingers touched her cheek. The kiss, was that his goodbye?

Dread descended on her like a deluge. She felt naked, exposed to every danger and helpless to fight back. Ever since she was a child, she'd felt close to Hylia, cradled by a faith that she would take care of everything, and the Triforce of Wisdom bolstered that certainty a hundred-fold. But in this moment, she couldn't feel anything except the strangle of certain death.

Realization hit her: This must be how Link feels. How Impa feels. How did they endure this fear and face it anyways? She suddenly felt so cruel and callous for how she treated them, what she presumed of them.

Her hero ran on towards his destiny, his doom. She wished she could be like him, fearless. No, not fearless, courageous. Remember what you told me about courage? What had she said?

Courage is simply faith in action.

Faith told her to awaken the Fountain. She needed to pray. Even if she couldn't see the fountain, maybe it would be enough. If she could just get the words out … But they were trapped behind her teeth, like an animal locked in a cage or, rather, an animal too afraid to escape.

Then, like a friend reaching down to help her up, a melody drifted up from her heart and out her lips.

Come on, my soul

Oh, don't you get shy on me.

It felt hollow, empty words in an empty building. She had no faith, therefore, no right to say these words. Still, it was all she had to hold on to. She sang it, though her whispered voice cracked like old parchment.

Come on, my soul

Oh, don't you get shy on me.

Lift up your song

You've got a Lynel inside of those lungs

Get up and praise!

There's the Lynel. Her hero was counting on her. She didn't feel courageous as she lifted her trembling hands and whispered to the broken sky. But she did it anyways. "Hylia, hear my prayer."

Slowly, she opened her eyes, then squinted at the ground. A trickle of water wandered past her feet. She turned, finding streamlets escaping from every crack in the hideous pillar. Recognition dawned slowly. This … is the fountain. Suddenly, memory like a broken damn burst forth. Of course, it was here! It had been all along! How could she have forgotten? She shook her head, and the last remnants of forgetfulness fell away like a bad dream.

She staggered backwards, taking in its immensity. It seemed that Ganon's forces, upon failing to destroy it like the shrine statues, had resigned to cover it up. Not anymore.

Light struggled to emit between the broken rocks, and she felt power rising in her. A goddess that was strong enough to fight this much darkness was with her. She saw now in the dreadful fear and utter hopelessness of this moment what Hylia was capable of, so much greater than anything she had imagined in her sheltered upbringing.

The bulblins shrieked and growled as they closed around her. Standing tall and raising her hands to the heavens she shouted, "Let light shine once more!"

The profane crust flew off in every direction. Underneath, the goddess statue shone like a beacon. The bulblins that were not crushed by rock covered their eyes and howled, their writhing bodies falling to the floor and melting into puddles of darkness that faded in the gleaming light.

\\\

Ganon howled as a light purer than the sun blinded him. He lifted his shaggy head and sent out another volley of fire. As he opened his eyes, the light remained, casting the room into shades of white and gray.

Out of the light of the fountain, a man approached. He was clad in the hero's garb but instead of green, the tunic was white, as was his hair, and covered in a gleaming silver breastplate. The only color in Ganon's monochrome vision were the blue and red facial tattoos accentuating the man's fierce, pupilless eyes. In his left hand he held not the Master Sword but a massive helix blade. This was not just the Hero; this was something more.

The man raced towards him with impossible speed. Ganon shot a fire blast, but the man cut through it with the helix blade. Embers scattered off the silver breastplate.

Ganon reared on his hind legs to stomp him. As the massive paws came down, the man slid between his legs, holding the blade high and slicing through the beast's underbelly. A spray of dark liquid splashed the stonework. Ganon dropped to his knees. He swiped at the man with his claws, but the warrior flipped backwards out of harm's way and sliced upwards, catching the beast in its jaw. Ganon howled and fired again, but the man was too quick.

The man darted, jabbed, and sliced, avoiding the ever-increasing puddles of blood dotting the ground. Ganon's bestial eyes narrowed. He spun around and finally caught the Hero in his tail. Holding him up, the man's arms pinned to his sides, Ganon considered him a moment. He looked identical to the youth Link, and yet his manner was entirely more raw and wild. Whoever—whatever—this was, it ended here.

Ganon opened his mouth, and a blast of fire consumed the man. The heat was so intense nearby pools of blood dried instantly into gruesome stains. When the flames were spent, Ganon snorted and narrowed his eyes. The man, dripping in sweat, panted heavily but remained unmarred, glaring back with a fierceness that made Ganon tremble.

The beast hurled him into a pile of rubble, creating a small crater in the process. He stalked towards the dusty crater, squinting against the blinding light. The warrior lay in a crumpled heap. One leg twisted at an odd angle. The left hand weakly reached towards the sword laying nearby. A smile curled around Ganon's tusks. This was it; he was done playing.

The beast raised his head to deliver a killing strike when he heard a woman's voice in his head. The fury in the voice stopped Ganon in his tracks.

"You have trespassed on my Kingdom."

The Triforce of Wisdom glowed of its own volition, as if recognizing its source.

His blood ran cold. Every quill along his back stood on end. He tried to flee, but the Triforce kept him rooted to the spot—one did not leave the presence of the goddesses without being excused. Trapped, he could only watch in terrified anticipation as the man shakily got to his feet and grabbed the sword.

"You should have known better," the voice continued. "I never send my champion in alone."

Ganon's bloodshot eyes frantically searched for the Witch. In his strange black and white vision, the Outworlder was easy to spot. A halo of red surrounded her frail form, and even the trails of her milky white hair glimmered like blood. He knew she could understand him in his bestial form, so when he roared, he knew she heard him call her by name.

"EXCELLINOR!"

She extended her skeletal hands wide, like a scarecrow in a field, and adopted that wicked, scheming grin. "Patience, my lord." Then, she clapped her hands over her head and vanished.

Completely alone and outmatched, Ganon trembled. With the helix blade in hand, the man charged, heedless of his twisted leg. The light from the statue grew brighter and brighter, and the last thing Ganon saw was something like a woman of light flying at him from the statue as the man leapt forward.

\\\

Link heaved deep breaths. Sweat dripped off his brow onto the beast's unmoving body as he stared in disbelief at the sword plunged through the skull. He gripped the amethyst handle with both hands, pulled, and stumbled backwards off the body. He tumbled onto his back and yelped. White hot pain shot up through his leg, and his knee throbbed so hard it felt like the bones would shatter from the inside.

Panting through the pain, he slowly tilted his head back until it rested against the stones.

He chuckled. Then laughed. The laughter turned into a sob. Tears ran down his face past his trembling smile. After all this time, it was finally done. He clasped his hands together and whispered, "Thank you, Hylia."

"HICCUP!"

Link turned his head, hearing Zelda's shriek. She was scrambling over the rubble towards the foot of the statue. Link's eyes dilated, registering that his friend was nowhere to be seen. With a grimace, he used the Master Sword to push him to his feet and then let it clatter on the stone pavers as he limped as fast as he could to Zelda's side.

It took a few minutes to remove all the debris from the statue, but eventually they found Hiccup buried in the rubble, his body charred and crushed and still.

Author's Notes:

Only two more chapters to go! (how did that go so quickly!)

Also, since we're almost at the end (you have a pretty good grasp on the story at this point), are there any tags you think I should add? I'm new to FFN and tagging is something I'm still learning about.

Thanks to Ari Lewis and Luke for beta reading!