I cut this chapter shorter than I originally intended because I didn't want the last two scenes to suffer due to length. So, those scenes have become part of chapter 8.

But in this chapter, Link draws ever closer to a new confrontation, and a meeting with the Brotherhood. But first, there is one other person from his old life he must see...

Chapter 7 – The Journey Home

The horse-drawn caravan pulled its occupants though the plains of the Faron province. It was heavily protected by guards clad in silver plate armor trimmed in gold, armed with halberds and swords. The Royal Guard had yet to be challenged by Kneph in his years of carnage, but they were well prepared for the possibility.

Within the caravan, Zelda sat next to Link as he told her about his new life in Centropolis and his eventual awakening by Lucario. The pokemon himself sat across from them, eerily quiet during the tale.

"I would like to visit this city someday," Zelda murmured as she tried to imagine the advanced technology.

"I'm sure we can arrange that. When everything is said and done, Lucario can take us there. I'll show you around and introduce you to my friends and parents."

There was no protest from Lucario. In fact, there was no acknowledgement from him at all. Link leaned forward and noticed that his eyes were closed. Was he asleep or simply paying them no mind? His curiosity got the better of him and he reached out his hand to poke him.

"He's sleeping," Zelda whispered, pulling him back.

"He nodded off? Huh."

"Lucario is very busy. He has kept contact with me at least once a week, and maintaining such powers must be taxing. We should leave him to his rest, however brief it may be."

Link leaned back, agreeing with the princess. There were no pressing matters he needed to bother Lucario with at the moment, though something did run across his mind time and again: Ascension. Lucario was decidedly vague on the process, but perhaps Zelda had more answers.

"Princess, what do you know about Ascension?"

"Hmm…is this the power Lucario promised you?" Zelda inquired. Link nodded. "I see. I am aware of it, and I know there are actually several ways to go about it. Generally, if you are to accept a powerful position that involves advanced magical abilities, Ascension is involved. Typically, those who have unlocked these powers are known as Elementalists. For example, the sages are ascended."

"And each one is assigned an element," Link concluded. It made sense to him when he thought about it, and it made him wonder how many of Hyrule's historical figures were Elementalists. As his mind wandered, he moved the red curtain that served as the door and peered outside to find that they were already in the Faron Woods.

One of the guards turned to see him. Those eyes shadowed by the rim of the helmet bore into him and judged him, even if it was just for a second. The Royal Guard followed every one of Zelda's commands without hesitation, yet they did not trust him. The princess could not force trust within them, and Link wouldn't dream of asking her to try. He would have to prove himself through the destruction of Kneph.

Link sat back and sighed. He knew Zelda was reading him before she even spoke.

"Don't worry about them," she comforted him. "The time for the truth is not far off. I would love to shout all the way to Death Mountain of your return and dispel the myth that you are an imposter, but such sensitive information will only invoke Kneph, and we are not quite ready to deal with him."

Link nodded and continued the trip in silence. He allowed nature to fill his senses. The hooves of the horses drummed against the ground and the scent of the forest wafted into the caravan. It was no secret to him now that his affinity for the Lucent Gardens stemmed from his locked memories of Hyrule.

The sound of running water jostled one of Link's memories and he immediately knew where they were. He leapt out of the caravan without a second thought. It didn't stop until Zelda emerged, but Link had already stepped onto the sand, allowing the shallow water of Ordon Spring to envelop his boots.

Off to the side were a girl and a horse. It was exactly like the memory he had, though every sense was met with the bluntness of reality. The girl hummed as she washed the horse, oblivious to Link's presence. The horse's dark and gentle eyes closed in on Link before she galloped towards him with an excited whinny, leaving the girl baffled.

"Epona," Link murmured as the horse nuzzled her head against his face, nearly knocking him down. He ran his fingers through her white mane. The gasp he heard beside him was of no surprise, though what he did see stunned him.

Ilia, his childhood friend, appeared before him much like in his memories, yet her normally short hair was down to her shoulders.

"It's me," he whispered.

"I-I…know. Epona would never run to a fake."

The ensuing silence was deafening. What was she thinking? What was he thinking, showing up suddenly like this? The confused but hopeful look on Ilia's face quickly turned into anger. He knew that look well upon her.

"How could you let me think that you were dead?"

"Uh…?" Link was taken aback.

"Was this part of your cunning plan to fight the demon? Go underground and make everyone think you were dead?"

"What? There was no plan, I really- oof!"

Link was suddenly pushed into the water. Before he realized what happened, the girl had already stormed off, leaving him with Epona. Even though he was caught off guard, he shouldn't have been surprised. Ilia always had a temper.

Epona nuzzled his face again as he sat in the water.

"At least you're glad to see me…"

Ilia left the spring quickly, nearly charging into Zelda. She noticed the golden crown and purple and white dress adorning the princess. She backed away, gasping at the regal woman before her.

"You must be special to him," Zelda said, watching Link climb out of the water in the distance.

"You're…you are…" Ilia suddenly bowed. "Yes," she answered quickly. "We have known each other forever."

"I can see how his sudden return is so startling."

"Please tell me, did Link go into hiding? Were you involved in any plan?"

"Hm? Hiding? No, Link was truly resurrected. He was given another chance and he is here to stay. We should do what we can to help him destroy the demon once and for all. I assume keeping him dry would help."

Ilia blushed. The princess of Hyrule saw her behavior; she wanted to shrink and hide in the shrubbery. Most of all, she wanted to apologize to Link. He would have explained it to her if she had given him the chance.

She turned to face Link as he headed towards them with the reins of Epona gripped firmly.

"Link, I want-" her voiced was drowned out by a sudden explosion in the distance.

"That's in the direction of the village!" Link exclaimed. He climbed onto Epona with the same speed and skill from years gone by and raced down the forest trail.

"Wait!" Zelda called. "You don't have a weapon!"

"I'll find one!"

Zelda sighed when Link was gone.

"Princess, this is dangerous," one of the guards warned, knowing her intention.

"Follow him," she commanded. She stepped into the caravan and motioned for Ilia to get in. The girl obliged and froze when she saw Lucario sitting across from them.

"He is a friend," Zelda said. Ilia nodded but never took her eyes off of him. Lucario was wide awake and annoyed by the new attention.

"Link may need your help," the princess told him.

"It's not demon activity," Lucario stated apathetically.

"So you won't help him at all?"

"…I will if I must."

The caravan followed after Link to Ordon Village.

The village is under attack...and it's not a demon? Hmm...

There will definitely, without a doubt, be a little action in the next chapter. And maybe a Smash Brother or two...