Disclaimer: See Prologue chap.

A/N: I have to give a shout out to ShadowVDP, who suggested that I combine 2 chapters into one, since they were taking place at the same time. A fine example of how 2 heads are better than one. So, thanks for that, Shadow! I also thank those who have reviewed so far, it's motivated me to make my work as top notch as possible. Alright, this is for you guys!

On with the story! XD

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Chapter One: A Ranch Hand, A Successor, and A Plot

Italics= thoughts.

It was a warm, yet breezy afternoon in the isolated, quiet village of Ordon. The village children were playing under the watchful eye of Rusl, the village "guardian" of sorts. Further into the village, beyond the largest house was the Ordon Ranch. Sounds of whooping and hollering could be heard coming from said ranch, signifying that Ordon's resident Ranch Hand and swordsman-in-training was at work. Herding the last of the goats atop his faithful horse Epona, Link completed his work for the day and began to help Fado, his fellow ranch hand, close up for the day. Once they were done, Fado turned to Link as he mounted Epona:

" Alright, Link. We're done for today. Thanks for all your help!"

"No problem. See ya tomorrow at midday. 'night, Fado."

" 'night, Link." And with that, Link set off for his home. As he passed the Mayor's house, the Mayor nodded at him in greeting and Link returned the gesture. He greeted all the adults in the village and continued on towards the road to his home. He was halted, however, by a female voice.

" Hey Link! Wait for me!" he looked behind him to see Ilia, the Mayor's Daughter running towards him and Epona. Her short hair was blonde like his, only Link's was more golden. Her aquatic green eyes complemented his deep, crystal blue eyes. Being only a year younger than his 17 years, most in the village expected them to marry. Well, it's not gonna happen, Link thought to himself. Personally, he thought of Ilia as a sister, nothing more. Once she caught up, he continued onwards with her walking beside Epona.

"How's it going Ilia?" he asked her. She shrugged.

" Oh, nothing much, Link. We're headed to the Spring?" she asked.

"Yup, like usual." He replied, as Link's house came into view. There, he saw that the village children were waiting for him. He shook his head. Man, I'm exhausted! It's enough I have to deal with Ilia's strange behavior and go wash Epona with her too. Dear Nayru I need a day off!

" Sorry guys. I'm headed off to the spring with Ilia to wash Epona, then I'm going home. Maybe when I have a day off we'll play, okay?" he said. The kids nodded their heads silently and went off into the village. He was about to continue on, when a small boy called out to him.

"Wait! Can I go with you, Link?" Colin asked. Colin was the shy son of Rusl with neatly cut blonde hair and timid blue eyes. He looked to the ground and lifted his gaze slightly to see Link's kind smile.

"Sure you can, Colin! Here, hop on Epona's back. I'll walk." Link said, getting off Epona and lifting Colin in his place. He led them to the Spring where they worked together to wash Epona. An hour later, Rusl came by and brought Colin home for dinner, leaving Link and Ilia alone. Ilia shifted closer to Link, who was relaxing and whistling Epona's favorite tune.

"Um, Link. There's something I want to say." She said. Link tensed slightly, knowing what was coming next. Oh boy. Here we go.

"What is it?" he asked her. Ilia fidgeted, playing with her thumb.

"Well, um. You see, Link, I… I like you. As more than a friend." She stammered, looking up to see Link's reaction. She was shocked to see a serious look on his face.

"Ilia… We're young. I like you, but as a Sister. I can't see myself going beyond that boundary with you." He said. Ilia's face became somewhat indignant.

" And who else would you get married to? I'm the only-" she was cut off by Link.

"No you're not. It's a big world, Ilia and I want to explore it. I'm not going to abandon Ordon, but I'm not gonna stay here all my life! It's a decision I made a while back, so don't try to change my mind." He said. Immediately feeling offended, Ilia got up and left, pissed off by the fact that Link had stuck to his decision. With a sigh, he looked at Epona and began to whistle her favorite tune.

The hour of twilight passed into late evening, and Link brought Epona to her place by his house and he went inside, ate his supper and turned in for the night.

-Twilight Realm-

Keiran, King of Twilight, was on his deathbed. His advisors and loyal guards and servants gathered around. Only two Twili in that room were of importance to His Majesty: His daughter, Princess Midna, and a member of his entourage named Zant. The King had them gather for a rather obvious reason: one of them would be chosen to succeed him as Ruler of the Twili. At first, he believed Zant could be a good candidate. Now, he was not so sure. There was a lust for power that burned in his eyes. A lust that everyone could see, including the Princess herself. The King raised his hand, signaling that he was about to speak.

(Midna's POV)Father raised his hand, and the murmurs hushed. I could tell that he didn't have much time left, the healer said he only had a few hours left, but they would be comfortable for him. I'd see to that. He may have not been as fatherly to me as he was before mother died but if I learned anything from my mother, it was to stand by those close to me no matter what. And my father definitely falls under that category. Some would say that it's cold to see things that way but I wasn't taught how to love. I was taught how to run a kingdom and fight for it as well.

I looked to the side to see my "rival" for the throne, one of my father's "inner circle" subjects. Most of them were good people, Zant was one of them. Zant's gaze was locked on father. There was a weird glint in his eyes: Greed. I felt a wave of rage engulf me at the sight of disrespect Zant was showing. The others tensed, knowing I was furious and why. They knew, all of them, that I'm not stupid. 18, but not stupid. I saw my father look right back at him and I automatically knew that he saw Zant's greed too. Father closed his eyes and cleared his throat, and beckoned for Zant and I to come closer. I knelt by his side, while Zant merely stood next to me. How I wished I could rip him apart for his cockiness. Father began to speak.

"I have called all of you, my trusted subjects because, as you all know, I am on my deathbed. It is in the presence of all of you that I will choose my successor. This kingdom needs a strong ruler, one who is kind, yet who will not hesitate to take action when it is required." Many nodded in agreement.

" These twili, my own daughter, your Princess Midna, and Zant, from my own court, are capable of ruling this land of ours with efficiency, but who will continue this era of peace? I have observed much in my lifetime, and watched Midna grow from a child to a young woman, and have studied Zant's progress as well." More nods. He looked at Zant.

"Zant. We have been close allies and friends since you entered my court. Your advice has been invaluable throughout my reign. Though you may be younger than most of my advisors, you have surpassed all expectations of you. You would make a very efficient ruler." Zant nodded.

"Thank you, your majesty." He said. Father turned his gaze toward me and smiled. I couldn't help but smile back, just like I did when I was little.

" Midna, since you were little you've always been passionate. You payed attention to your lessons, and have seen much of how our kingdom works. It seems that you inherited my good judgment, and your mother's spirit. I can only compare your temper and intolerance for disrespect with your mother's own brashness. I see her in you in so many ways, it's what attracted me to her, you know. But I ramble. " he said, still smiling.

" My friends, I have come to a decision. After years of observing, I am proud to declare that my successor will be…" I felt the air thicken with tension as everyone looked at father with anticipation.

"Midna." I gasped quietly. The shock must have been showing on my face because he opened his arms and sat up to embrace me.

" You're ready enough. And the experience will make you much wiser. Always be ready to learn. Make your Mother and I proud, Midna." He whispered before letting me go. I took his hand and squeezed it gently.

"I will, Father I swear it!" I said. The subjects left us alone after that. Alone, for the first time since Mother died.

(Zant's POV)

I ran off. Away from that blasted crowd, away from that imbecile of a King and that impudent Princess. It should have been ME! I would have taken this kingdom WAY farther than SHE EVER WILL! I slaved for years in that court like a DOG! And for what? To have what is rightfully mine taken from right under me by a spoiled, inexperienced Princess!

"Great Deities, WHY?!" I cried into the twilight skies. Betrayal, Hatred, Rage, flowed through my veins like Fire. Something caught my eye and I sat up. A Huge Golden sphere was expanding in front of me. I scrambled to get away, when I felt something I hadn't felt in a long time. I smiled. Power. I stood still and let the Power rush over and engulf me. I saw a demonic face smile at me and I smiled back. It spoke:

" You have felt my Power and wish to bask in it. You want more than the other complacent fools do. You want it all. You are worthy. So I shall house my Power in you… And whatever you desire, I shall desire it too. All you have to do is restore me to the Realm of Light. Do this, and I shall grant you my Power." It said.

"I will do what it takes, Great One." I replied. The demonic face gave a laugh.

"Good. It is your duty to conquer the Realm of Light and from there I will return. Do not disappoint me!"

I blacked out and awoke in the palace once more. I grinned maliciously and warped to my quarters to plot for the taking of my throne.

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A/N: And there you have it! The edited Chapter 1 of TP. Whew! That took long, but I'm satisfied with what I came up with! It's better than what I had written down, I guarantee that. Well, What did you think?

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