Chapter 2

Darting forward and shoving the tip of his sword right up against the Twili's throat, he growled "So, Zant. Ganondorf couldn't get to the people I love from the Evil Realm, so he sent you to do his dirty work, did he?"

Zant sneered. "As if I would tell you anything!" His tone was coated in pure venom.

"You'd better start talking, or you won't be able to talk when I've finished with you!" Link threatened. Zant roared with laughter, flicking back his cloak to reveal the hilt of his own weapon; the Sword of Twilight. As quick as a cobra, the Twili's hand flew to his side and drew the blade from its sheath, knocking the tip of his opponents' blade away from his throat. He ran forward, slamming into the Hero and throwing him off his feet. Then, seizing his chance, he swept Midna into his arms and vanished. Recovering from his stupor, Link shot to his feet and turned to the nurse, who was staring in amazement at the scene before her, he said "Do you think we could book this appointment for another time, like after I get my wife back?" he asked. Dazed, the nurse nodded slowly. "Thank you" said Link, before turning and dashing out of the hole in the wall towards his horse, Epona.

Minutes later, he arrived outside Hyrule Castle, having ridden as fast as he could to the portal which separated the Twilight Realm from Hyrule, gone through the portal, and then raced across Hyrule Field, to eventually arrive outside the palace where Princess Zelda lived. Leaping off of his horse and running up to the door, he hammered his fist into the wood repeatedly and, almost immediately, a castle guard answered. "Oh! Link! How are you today?" Running past the guard and heading towards the stairs, he replied "No time for that. I need to see the princess. Urgent business" Nodding, the guard returned to his post.

Outside the door to the princesses' chambers, Link met a man dressed in a white and blue leotard, emblazoned with the blood red emblem of the Sheikah. Link inclined his head towards the figure.

"Sheik. Zelda."

She grinned at the Hero.

"That's right, Link. It is I, Zelda, princess of Hyrule, although you know me as Sheik."

Then it hit him. 'Things must be really wrong if she's dressed like that,' thought Link. Oh wait, things are really wrong.'

Addressing Zelda, he said "We need to talk."

The princess nodded. "Come into my chambers. We can talk there." Following her into her bedroom, the two sat on Zelda's bed and began to talk. "What's troubling you, Link" she asked.

"That's the problem. Midna's been kidnapped by Zant" Zelda gasped in shock. "And to make matters even worse, she's pregnant with my child. There's no telling what a scumbag like him would do to her." Zelda gasped again. Rising to her feet, she took Link to the basement of the castle and showed him an enormous box decorated with emeralds, rubies and sapphires.

"This box contains all the equipment of the original Hero of Twilight. When I was given this box, I was told not to open it unless all was lost. And I'd say it fits this situation nicely." Link nodded and began taking the equipment from the chest piece by piece. The fishing rod, the slingshot, the lantern, the gale boomerang, the iron boots, the hero's bow, the Hawkeye mask, the bombs, the clawshots and double clawshots, the water bombs, the spinner, the ball and chain, the bomblings, the dominion rod and finally, the horse call. Each piece had its own unique use, some more useful than others, but useful all the same. Stowing the items away in his inventory, the Hero thanked the princess, and left to travel to the Sacred Grove, deep within the Lost Woods to retrieve the Master Sword, otherwise known as The Blade of Evil's Bane and awaken the ancient weapon from its eternal slumber.

Traversing the Lost Woods was easier said than done. Every turn, bend, bump and crack felt like he was already hopelessly lost. But, being the Hero of Twilight, he did not give up so easily. After what felt like days, when in fact it was only a few hours, he finally arrived at the Sacred Grove. The Master Sword rested in its pedestal. The Sage of Forest, Saria, who was also his childhood friend stood waiting at the base of the steps leading up to the sword.

"Come, Link" she said "Draw the blade. Embrace your destiny." Without a moment's hesitation Link stepped forward and closed his fists around the sword's grip. With an almighty tug, he wrenched the blade from its housing, and a divine blue light erupted from the gash left in the stone by the sword's enchanted blade. A booming voice rang out and was lost as it was swallowed by the forest around the Grove.

"Link, Hero of Twilight. You have embraced your destiny and claimed the Blade of Evil's Bane. Go forth and see that your beloved wife gets home safely, and save the Twilight Realm from the evil hands of Zant, the Usurper King."

Nodding, Link unsheathed his father's sword and handed it, hilt first to Saria, before sheathing the Master Sword in its place at his side. The Sage of Forest took the sword and kissed Link lightly on each cheek. "Thank you, Link." she said. "I want to give this blade to someone I trust. And I trust you." replied Link. At his words, the Sage of Forest burst into floods of seemingly endless tears. The Hero stepped forwards and cradled the girl in his arms as she cried.

When the Sage had emptied herself of tears, she sniffed and rested both hands on Link's shoulders. "Stay safe, my Hero" she said.

Embracing Saria one last time, he said "I will. For you." Then he turned and strode away through the opening in the forest, the trees swallowing him as they closed behind him.

Meanwhile, in a bare stone room, with granite walls, Zant had Midna laid out on a cold marble table. He ran his hands over her belly, making her shiver. The Usurper King reached out to try and touch her face, but she bit at him, almost taking off his fingers.

"Ooh, feisty" he grinned.

"Don't patronize me" snarled Midna, and kicked him sharply in the shins. For Zant, this was the last straw. From his robes, he withdrew a long knife with Twili markings etched into the steel of the blade.

"Make one more move," he growled "and I will cut your child out of you, as slowly and painfully as possible!"