Hey! Sorry this one took so long, but I was having a hard time writing this chapter for some reason. Oh well, it's done now. So hope you enjoy it. Bren if you would please.

Bren: Storm does not own The Legend of Zelda, just Adri. You steal her, your life is forfeit.

Chapter 7: Wolves in Ordon

It was like she was torn apart into tiny pieces. Yet she could still think with her mind, even barely feel herself being hurled through the air. She couldn't see anything, just shadow. And Midna's giggle was still ringing in her ears. If she had any connection with her stomach she would've hurled in midair. Please let this be over soon.

It didn't take long. Adri felt her body slowly rebuild itself and found herself in familiar surroundings. The slosh of water came from her feet and the spring roared in her ears. Yes, it was all familiar, but something still didn't feel right. She looked into the water beneath her, and the image reflected back at her caused her stomach to drop. She was still a wolf. Her ears drooped as she watched black pixels form Link's lupine form next to her. Once he was solid again, he looked around in shock. The look on his face when he saw himself showed that he was not at all thrilled with the form he was still in. And to add to their list of surprises, a giggle echoed around them.

"Oh, that's right. I forgot to mention one more thing....although you've left the darkened realm, you haven't transformed back into your normal selves." The giggle became laughter. "And you won't anytime soon!"

"What!" Adri snarled. She looked around for the imp sending water splashing everywhere. "You little-show yourself! Where are you!"

"Adri please calm down," pleaded Link, although there was a detectable growl in his voice. To the air he barked, "Midna where are you!"

"Right here!"

Before their eyes Link's shadow suddenly stretched and warped. It leaped right off the ground to float in the air in the shape of Midna. Now she didn't have her swirling patterns on her skin, instead she was almost see-through. The only thing that could be seen clearly was a bright tint of orange from her hair and her uncovered eye. She grinned and laughed, pointing at Link.

"You should see your face!" laughed she, "Did you think I'd just disappear?"

"We were hoping you would," Adri growled. This earned her a scowl from Midna, but she ignored it. "Look, could you just leave us alone. We were just going to come up with a plan to go rescue the children-"

"No you don't. You can't go saving your friends, not looking like that anyway. What would they say if they saw a pair of beasts like yourselves running for them?"

Link flinched at statement and his ears noticeably drooped a bit. Adri glared at Midna and shot back, "Well then, what do you expect us to do?"

"First off, I want a sword and a shield that will suit me." Midna's grin widened a bit as she continued, "Look, you won't be able to reenter the Twilight without the cooperation of someone FROM the Twilight, so you've got no choice but to do as I say. And I'd hurry. The longer you dawdle the more the Twilight continues to expand and the greater the chance your friends could be dead. Chop chop!"

With that said Midna dove back into the ground forming Link's shadow again. Both he and Adri stared at it for a few seconds, then came to their senses. Link fixed her with a look of worry. "Adri, what do you mean the children?"

Adri shook her head saying, "Let's just head to Ordon and get what that imp wants. I'll explain on the way."

She took off at a sprinting out of the spring, Link following close at her side. Adri surprised herself with how well she was keeping the pace, much better than her stumbling gate within the castle dungeons. They passed beneath the archway of trees, the sun's last rays lighting the path before them. Before long it was dark, but their new eyesight was perfectly adapted to this kind of light. As they ran, Adri explained what she had seen with Talo, Malo, and Beth. Of course Link gave her a short scolding for chasing after the monsters.

"What if you were killed!" he barked, "If you hadn't followed them, you wouldn't be like this!"

Adri's ears drooped a bit. But I went after you too. I thought they had kidnapped you along with the kids and Ilia. Out loud she sighed, "What's done is done, alright? Nothing can change the past."

There was silence between them after that. It didn't take long to reach Link's house. It seemed so dark compared to the way it had been the other night. Adri started to make her way towards the village when she heard a short whine behind her. She skidded to a stop and turned around. Link had stopped and was looking up at his home, his ears drooping and his tail lowered. He hung his head closing his eyes. Adri padded over to him.

"Link? Link are you okay?"

"How am I supposed to save them? How can I save everyone when I'm this.....this beast!"

"That's it," Adri growled. Without warning she leaped at Link, flipping him on his back. Before he could get up she was on top of him pinning him down without any signs of wanting to let him up. She lowered her head until her muzzle was right in his face. She narrowed her eyes, anger flashing dangerously within them.

"Listen, I don't want to here another word about beasts coming out of you, got it? It was bad enough coming out of Midna and I don't need you bashing yourself about it either." Adri's lips lifted a bit as she added, "I'm not letting you back up unless you promise not to say anything like that again."

Numbly, Link nodded. Satisfied she let him up, unscathed but still shaken. Adri shuddered inwardly when she imagined how she must have looked to him. This wolf thing is starting to get to me. Without another word they started at trot towards the village, but not before a squeak stopped them. It was soft but not too soft that their new ears didn't pick it up.

"Wait." They turned around. Perched on the patio area of Link's house was a small chipmunk. It paced too and fro, almost nervous in its actions. Adri couldn't believe her ears. Wait...did that chipmunk just talk? Her question was confirmed as it spoke again.

"Please, if you're going into the village be careful! Monsters recently attacked and took the children, so everyone is in shock right now. If they see you.....," it paused, then continued, "But I know you two aren't bad because you smell like the trees of Ordon and the she-wolf carries the earth within her eyes. Still, be careful! If you run into any trouble talk to us; we animals can understand each other."

The chipmunk scampered off. Link and Adri didn't move for a second, then looked at each other. Adri was about to ask Link a question when he shook his head. He took off running past the gate and into the village. Shrugging as best as a wolf could, she followed. In the village however, there was something that just didn't seem right. What had once been a happy place suddenly seemed sapped of all joy. The creek didn't even sound the same without the voices of children filling the air. It was like a dark shroud had settled over Ordon with the recent kidnapping. The darkness felt like a heavy weight upon everything.

Still they had to find a sword and shield if only to make Midna cooperate. In the distance, in front of the house with the waterwheel, the light of a single lamp could be seen, and within its light two familiar shadows could be seen. Link started walking towards them. Adri followed suit, careful not to make a sound. That was easily accomplished with her new paws and her ears perked forward to detect any sound. They crossed the bridge without any problems, Adri blessing it for not creaking, and slipped into the bushes. Bo and Jaggle, a man Link had introduced her to the other day during the cat situation, were standing in the light of a lamp held by the later. Both men's faces were set in grim expressions of urgency.

"Alright, the shield's in the house right?" questioned Bo.

"Yeah and Rusl had the sword over at his place plus a bunch of other ones."

Bo nodded, then looked around quickly before continuing, "Good. I need you to get it. In the meantime I'll go and search for the children in Rusl's stead since he's too injured to move." Link perked up at this and leaned closer.

"But Mayor, Rusl had a sword and he STILL got hurt! If you go....."

"No time for that. Just get the shield and-" Adri slowly began to move closer when a twig snapped under her paw. Both men stiffened and looked straight at where the two wolves were hiding. Adri held her breath as they came closer. Before they could see anything though a loud splash echoed from who knew where. Bo and Jaggle both let out shouts and ran for it, leaving Link and Adri alone.

Link looked at Adri, confusion all over his face. "What was that?"

"I don't know but…"

"Honestly! Do you two need me to do everything?"

Link's shadow stretched once again as Midna reappeared. She crossed her little arms snapping, "I sent some magic flying at the slope over there." She pointed to the hill behind the mayor's house. "It sent a rock down into the creek. So you should be thanking me now for saving your furry hides."

Adri was about to comment, but Midna cut her off, "And nothing from your mouth, girl. You were the idiot who stepped on the twig. Sheesh, if you're this clumsy as a wolf I can't imagine how bad you are as a human."

"You-"

"Adri," Link stated. His voice had this funny quality that automatically calmed her, yet she couldn't figure out why. Adri shook her head and held her tongue, not happy but willing to listen to Link.

Midna shrugged, then continued as if nothing had happened, "Anyway, that's not a bad bit of information you heard, huh?"

Link nodded, turning towards Rusl's house. Despite the fact that they had gotten a great tip, Adri could see the worry in his eyes. The way Bo put it, Rusl barely managed to survive the attack. Adri placed a paw on Link's own saying, "Look, why don't you go check Rusl's house for the sword? I'll handle the shield."

"Adri are you-"

"Look, you're worried about Rusl," she sighed, "Just get going!"

Midna chose that moment to cut in, "Oh, and you might want to use that up there." She pointed to the roof. Adri looked up and saw a door into the loft wide open. The imp giggled as she added, "This village is full of idiots!" At a growl from Link she let out a small laugh. "A perfect example right here! Now are you going or no-"

Without giving a response Adri dove into the creek. While the imp had been making her snide comment a plan had already been forming in her head. Her legs churned beneath her as she swam to the waterwheel, forcing herself to get used to swimming with four legs. Adri snorted as the water entered her nose even as she struggled to keep her head elevated.

Why couldn't I have been a fish or something with fins? she mused as her paws made contact with a plank on the wheel. Adri hoisted herself up as the wheel moved upwards, making sure she had the right balance on the slippery plank in order to achieve what she had been planning. She struggled to keep herself steady as the plank beneath her started rotating into a vertical position. The loft was getting closer though. Adri dug her claws into the wood praying her back legs wouldn't slip out from beneath her. As the plank was about to reach the loft she leaped. She clawed for holds in the wood, managing to drag herself onto the platform. She let out a sigh of relief.

Need to be more careful next time.

Turning to the opened hatch, Adri slipped inside. She dropped onto something soft, finding herself on the topmost mattress of a bunk-bed. There were no lights inside the house except for another open window in the corner. Hanging next to it on the wall was a good sized wooden shield.

Adri grinned and padded over. The shield was hanging on a pair of metal fastenings in the wall, but she could see it had been hung too quickly. It looked ready to topple at any minute. Adri chuckled thinking, Let's give it a hand then.

Lowering her head and pawing the floor like a bull she charged at the wall. Despite her conscious screaming she was going to regret this later she hit it head on. Instantly stars danced in her eyes quickly followed by a sharp pain on the top of her head. Adri yelped and backed up, still a bit woozy from the collision, and the shield landed at her feet after ungracefully bouncing off her head. For a wooden one, Adri couldn't help but admire the craftsmanship, and despite its simplicity there was an image of an Ordon goat skillfully carved into the oak.

Discovering a long strap of leather attached to it, Adri slipped the shield over her head. Knowing it was securely on her back she turned to the open window above her. She leaped and, balancing herself on the sill for second, landed in the creek outside. As she broke the surface of the water, coughing to clear the water out of her nose and hoping the shield on her back was alright, a sound caught her attention. Adri swam for the bank and after ridding her fur of water listened again. It was like the sound of someone drawing a sword.

The clang was followed by a howl of pain. Adri snapped her head in the howl's direction only to see a gray streak coming straight for her. She yelped as Link barreled into her, knocking the wind right out of her. They tumbled head-over-heels in the grass with Adri all the while trying to catch her breath again. When she did manage to get back on her feet, she gasped at the sight of Link. Though he had the sword strapped on his back, running down his leg was a trail of blood from a deep gash on his shoulder.

Before she could ask what had happened, he roared, "Run!"

Link bolted for the road without waiting for her reply. From behind her she could hear shouts of rage coming from the general direction of Rusl's house. Not wanting to know who the voices belonged to Adri followed Link barking, "Link wait up!"

He didn't though. The young man turned wolf raced ahead of her, past his house and into the woods. Adri desperately chased him, the shield banging uncomfortably against her back. At the speed she was going the trees were but a blur in her eyes, though all that really mattered to her at the moment was finding out what was wrong. The gray streak that was Link turned the corner and Adri chased him, only to find herself in Ordon Spring. Link was standing in the middle of the spring, his chest heaving and his ears drooped. She could hear him repeating one word over and over as if it was a curse.

"Why?"

Adri padded over, but didn't get far before Link turned around. The blood from his wound stained the water pink as it dripped down his leg. In his eyes she could see pain, and it wasn't because of his shoulder. Adri moved closer to him until she was looking directly into his face. "Link, what happened?"

Link lowered his head, his eyes darkening as he said, "He attacked me," he said, "Rusl attacked me." He looked back up into her eyes continuing, "After I got the sword, I heard Rusl outside the house. Adri, he was wounded! I wanted to see if he was alright and he swung his sword at me, in order to protect Uli."

"I heard her yell for help, but I didn't stay. I guess you know the rest."

His head went down again. Adri sighed and gently touched his shoulder with her nose. "But are you okay? I mean-"

"I'm not okay, alright!" Link snapped. He shoved her away as he barked, "I told you I can't save the children or Ilia looking like this! They'd run away as soon as they saw me!"

"Link…"

"Some hero I am," he growled, "I can't even save myself."

Heroes....

The voice echoed all around them. They both whirled around to face the spring and saw something floating at the top of the falls. What looked like a golden ball of light had risen from the water. Adri tensed up, not because of the sudden voice or the light, but another feeling. Something was wrong. Almost like a dark presence was slowly seeping into the tranquil air of the spring. It made her fur stand on end. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Link glancing around, his stance shifting into a crouch as if he sensed it too. She copied his movement, the darkness growing stronger. Again the sonorous voice spoke.

Beware....a shadow being....it approaches....

A sound like one of the transporters on the Sci-Fi channel reached Adri's ears. She looked at the night sky just in time to see it rip open. Pixilated squares like the ones in the Twilight rippled across the sky until they had formed what looked like a black hole with red lines running across the surface. Adri felt a growl forming in her throat as a black form fell from the hole. It landed with a splash, and was quickly on its feet. Her growl intensified into a snarl. The creature was just like the one that had pulled her into the Twilight and the guard that had been outside her cell.

Without warning it charged straight for them. Link, seeming to have recovered from his outburst, leaped aside roaring, "Adri move!"

She didn't respond, but dodged to the side out of the monster's way. But instead of going after her the thing just knuckle ran right past her. Adri turned to see the golden ball right in its wake. She bared her teeth and, ignoring the tiny voice that was screaming to get away, leaped into its path and bared her teeth. The monster came to a halt as she growled, "Stay away!"

Whether it understood her or not, she didn't care. All she saw was the huge hand coming down upon her. Before she could move it had wrapped its fingers around her neck and flung her across the spring. Adri's head collided with a rock, pain sent with a jolt through her body. She fell into the water with blood running down a gash on her head, but tried to stand up anyway shutting the pain out. A thought was passing through her mind though. The monster had done that exactly like the one from three days ago. There wasn't time to dwell on it though since the beast was coming at her again. Adri growled and planted her paws apart in order to absorb the charge that was coming, but it never reached her. From the side Link came, knocking the thing off its feet and onto its back.

He leaped back to her saying, "You alright?"

"Yeah. Thanks."

Link smiled, grimacing from landing on his hurt leg. "Thank me later. We've got to get rid of this thing."

The monster was one its feet again. This time it swung its arm at them, but Link and Adri dodged to the sides. Without any form of signal they lunged at the beast. So in synch were they that they didn't notice anything else. Adri's teeth close around the black skin on its chest while Link latched onto its neck. Adri bit down hard, ignoring the awful taste that entered her mouth when she did, and wrenched her head away. What looked like black pixels fell away and the monster's legs buckled. Link's jaws had done their work as the head lolled to the side. It collapsed and, as they leaped off, burst into a flurry of black pixels. The pixels in turn floated into the sky, reforming the portal from before, only this time it was green instead of red. They both tensed up to anticipate another attack, but it didn't come. Adri let out a sigh of relief.

Panting, she turned to Link. "Glad that's over. But we did it."

Link laughed as he nodded. "Of course. Maybe not the most graceful victory, but we destroyed that thing."

Before she could answer, golden light flashed around them. Adri whipped around, wincing at the backlash from her head, and gasped. The golden orb they had been defending was rising into the air. The rocks in the spring were suddenly covered in glowing designs as the water became illuminated with light. A melodious call filled the air as the massive, familiar shape of an Ordon goat's horns encased the orb. A golden head phased in next followed by a body and tail. The huge creature before them looked just like an Ordon goat, only its tail was long and shaped like a fan. Swirls that pulsed with the light from the orb ran the length of its body and its eyes were two pinpoints of white in the golden form.

It lowered its head to their level and, with the same voice from earlier, spoke. O brave youths...I am one of four light spirits that protect Hyrule at the behest of the gods. I am Ordona. It nodded at the portal above. The black beast you slayed was a shadow being. It had come to seize the power of light that I wield.

My brethren in Hyrule have already had their light stolen by these fell beasts. The entire kingdom has been reduced to a netherworld ruled by the cursed powers of darkness. Ordona suddenly fixed his gaze on Adri, the twin lights filling her vision. The blight will not stop with Hyrule. Before long, the entire world of light will fall into the hands of the king who rules the twilight.

Adri's ears perked up at his last words. She stepped forward saying, "Wait, are you saying-"

Your world will succumb to the shadow as well, child. If the Twilight is not stopped, there will be no safe haven for any who dwell in the light.

She gasped. But...my family, everyone back home...they'll be... Her eyes fell.

But there is hope. Adri's head came up again as Ordona continued. If you are to save this land from the king of twilight, the lost light must be recovered. The three light spirits who have lost their light must be revived.

Link cocked his head at the spirit. "So you're saying, if the spirits are revived Hyrule can be restored to the way it once was?" Ordona nodded. Adri let out a sigh of relief, but something else was bothering her. She stepped forward saying.

"But what about us? Are we stuck like this then?"

Ordona lowered its head until he was eye level with her. Those who have been transformed by Twilight usually cannot regain their original forms... Adri felt like her bubble had just been burst, and from the loud sigh Link let out the words had the same affect on him. Unless... At that word Adri perked up. I smell a loophole, she mused with hope. If you were to return to Faron Woods where you were first transformed...If you were to revive the light spirit...There, by the power of the light spirit, you may find the means to regain your other state of being.

Yet you have not discovered your true power...particularly you. Child, come closer.

Adri eyes widened. She turned to Link hoping her eyes would reflect her anxiousness at him. If the message did get through, he didn't respond. Thanks a lot, Link. With a gulp, Adri took a few hesitant steps towards Ordona. The light spirit fixed its gaze upon her. Suddenly Adri felt like she was fixed in place and found herself unable to look away from the twin pools of light. At the same time a sense of calm was slowly filling the air as the spirit's essence suddenly washed over her.

Power sleeps within you, child, a power that has yet to be awakened and released. One that the goddesses choose for one mortal when times are dark and the time for a hero comes. The spirit raised his head and before Adri could question his words light began to radiate from the golden ball resting between his horns. At the same time another equally brilliant light began to pulse from her paw. Adri gasped as the marking from before appeared on it, that same swirl that graced her forehead. With each pulse she felt energy flowing through her veins and filling her entire being. Over all this she could hear Ordona's voice ringing in her ears. Adri, child of the earth, Beast of Shadow, I give you the first of Farore's gifts, the gift of tongues. May the languages of all living things be known to you and serve in your quest. And may the gods watch over you.

As quickly as it had begun, the river of energy was stopped. Ordona slowly faded back into the spring that he guarded. The bubbling of the spring could be heard once more and the chirps of crickets and frogs as well. As for Adri though, she felt wobbly on her legs and everything kept spinning. She felt like a pitcher that had been filled to tipping point. Her body was threatening to pitch forward, but Link managed to slip his head under her and keep her steady. What felt strange though was her paw. A tingling kept running up and down her leg and the mark, now a silvery patch of fur, hadn't gone away. Link looked at her with worry.

"Adri, are you alright?"

She nodded, managing to keep her legs from buckling beneath her. It was then that Link's shadow stretched and lifted away to form Midna again. The imp's single eye was wide and fixed on Adri.

"Okay, what was that all about?" she demanded, "What did that spirit mean by powers within?" Before she could answer Midna's eye narrowed. "Are you hiding something from us?"

"Why would I?" said Adri, "I have no clue what that was about, but what I'm more worried about the other light spirit."

Link's eyes widened for a second then were fixed with a determined gleam. "Ordona said if we restore Faron Woods, we'll be able to change back." He looked at Midna and growled, "We got everything you wanted, now time to uphold your end of the bargain. You will let us into the Twilight."

Midna glared at Link, but quickly dove back into his shadow with a nod. "Then head to the woods."

Satisfied, Link looked at Adri. She was still trying to rid herself of the tingling that had filled her body. When she saw Link's questioning gaze she shook her head. At the same time she noticed that the wound on Link's leg had healed, and realized that the pain from her head was gone as well. Spring water, Uli said it had healing properties. Guess she was right. "I'm fine," she said aloud, with a hint of wonder in her voice, "Let's just get to the woods and get into the Twilight." She then smiled gently adding, "And by the way, next time we meet one of those things, we don't hesitate to kill it."

Link's muzzle formed a smile and he nodded. With those words out of the way the pair of them sprinted out of the spring. As the bridge passed beneath her paws, though, questions about what the spirit had said were filling Adri's mind. What was that about goddesses? I don't know any goddesses, and there can't be anything special about me. That fight with the bokoblins was just luck.

The sky was blotted out in seconds. Suddenly they were standing before the wall of shadow once more. Again the feeling of foreboding entered Adri's body as she gazed upon the shifting wall, just like it had when she had first seen the darkness. A growl started in her throat as Midna reappeared. She crossed her arms and sighed.

"Listen, the Faron Woods you know so well…they've been shrouded in Twilight. So…are you still sure that you want me to let you in?"

Adri looked at Link. She could see his answer in his eyes even as he nodded. She did the same in turn. Midna giggled and phased through the wall, sending ripples across the inky surface and distorting the symbols. A minute passed and Adri was beginning to think the imp had abandoned them when an orange had shot out of the wall. It groped along the canyon walls until it brushed against Link's nose. Adri yelped as she slammed into Link as they were scooped up. With a quick jerk they were dragged through the wall. Adri's senses were filled with the ink-like substance and all went black.

So...yeah, that's the chapter. Don't worry, hopefully the next won't be as hard to write. And I don't have much to say other than read and review.

Bren: Please read and review. Flaming is my job, so none of those please.