Ahahaha.....yeah.....I'msorryIdidn'tupdateforsolongpleaseforgiveme!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bren: O_o Okay....that was weird. Since Storm is apparently in a state of shock at the moment, I'll do the explaining. This chapter was giving her some trouble, so she let it sit during the last few weeks of school for her graduation, then over the summer while she was on vacation in Utah, and finally just settling into the college setting have taken up a good chunk of her time. All that gave her the inspiration to keep going and finally get this thing done. Hopefully she'll be able to get the next chapter up quicker than this one.

Me: *is spazzing out on the floor*

Bren: Yes, I don't want to see this again. So anywho, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess belongs to Nintendo. Storm only owns Adri and, as a bonus, any changes made to the storyline are her's too.

Chapter 9: More Questions than Answers

The whiplash release was better than when Midna had pulled them through the curtain, but it still disoriented her all the same. Once the blinding white had faded though, the light from the sun filled her eyes. Sunlight....wait, that means... The clear sound of rushing water answered her question. As the light cleared Adri felt a wave a relief rush over her. The twilight that had covered the woods had been purged from the atmosphere. Everything was back to normal; the wind, the birds, the spring, everything that had been enveloped in the shadow.

Good then, back to normal, Adri thought, feeling the water of the spring lapping against her knees, But then where's the spirit?

Before she could turn to question Link, a giggle from Midna interrupted her. The imp floated in front of them, her form smoky again, with her arms folded behind her head. "Aw, but it was so nice here in the twilight….What's so great about a world of light anyway?" Not waiting for an answer she shrugged and giggled, "Teehee, see you two later then!"

She leaped back into Link's shadow, just in time for the water above the cascade to begin glowing just like in the Ordon spring. The sound of a stone hitting water echoed and another golden-glyphed ball rose into the air. A call reverberated off the trees as a golden paw gripped the light. It sounded like a happy version of the lament Adri had heard earlier. What looked like the father of all monkeys phased into existence. Its long tail swung around its body in two graceful loops as it held onto the ball with all four paws. Once it was comfortable the spirit turned to them, its golden eyes filled with gratitude.

My name is Faron. I am one of the light spirits of light in Hyrule. I use the life force of the gods to protect this forest, and thank you for restoring my lands. The spirit's voice was like the blowing of the lowest notes on a flute. Oh brave youths....In the land covered by twilight, where people roam as spirits, you were transformed into noble beasts....that was a sign. It was a sign that the powers within you are beginning to awaken....

Adri gulped, chills running down her spine. Powers? Me? Okay, this monkey has had way too many bananas and they're affecting its brain. There's no way that I have any special powers.

The spirit must have been able to read minds for it turned to her, amusement reflected in its eyes. Do not doubt what you do not know, Earth Child. Now, Faron swept its paw through the air, look upon your awakened forms.

A gasp from Link brought her attention to him, only to have her do the same. He was a human again, no signs of the wolf anywhere, but he had been changed. He was no longer dressed in his village attire. Instead he now wore a green tunic. Underneath it were tan underclothes that covered his arms and legs as well as protected him from a copper chain mail shirt. A belt with three pouches on the side held the tunic in place. Another pair of belt straps was slung across his shoulder to hold the sword and shield from the village, now on his back, in place. Link's fingers were covered with a pair of fingerless gloves with a leather guard on his left wrist. To complete the outfit was a floppy, green stocking cap covering his mop of hair.

Link looked up from the new gloves and met her gaze. His eyes were wide, but suddenly widened even more as he breathed, "Adri look!"

She glanced down. To her extreme relief she saw hands instead of paws, only they were clad in her own pair of fingerless leather gloves. Clasped onto her wrists were bronze wrist guards. Adri looked at the rest of her clothes. When she'd been in the woods and first shown up in Ordon, she'd been wearing a pair of jeans with a simple dark blue T-shirt and sneakers. Now they had been replaced by a dark green tunic edged with lighter green threading and a pair of brown pants. A silver mail shirt was underneath the tunic with a dark, bluish undershirt to protect her skin. A belt with a single small pouch was around her waist. Just like Link, she had a strap across her back that held the staff that she had found yesterday. On her feet were a pair of dark leather boots with the pant ends tucked into them. Adri felt a light pressure on her forehead and found a thin leather band around her head to complete her new wardrobe.

Adri couldn't take her eyes off her newly gloved hands. W-wait, what's going on here? Since when did we both get wardrobe changes?

Heroes.... Their attention was brought back to the spirit as it gestured to Link. The green tunic that is your garb once belonged to the ancient hero chosen by the gods....His power is yours. His is the power that slept within you.

Faron fixed its gaze on Adri. Your garb was not worn by heroes past, but was made for you and for you alone, little sister. Do not disappoint the one who has favored you.

Now the spirit drew itself up. You are the heroes chosen by the gods....it is you that are needed to save the realm of light.... Once that moment had passed, Faron's voice took on a darker tone.

Brave youths....A dark power resides in the temple deep within these woods. It is a dark and forbidden power. Long, long ago, I and the light spirits of the Eldin and Lanayru lands locked it away. Because of its nature, it is a power that should never be touched by any who dwell in the light.

However.... Adri could already hear the end of Faron's sentence before the spirit finished.

"Wait, you want us to go after this power, don't you? I thought you said people from this realm can't touch it."

This world weeps under a mantle of shadows.... The spirits voice was filled with sadness. There is no other choice. You must match the king of shadows. You must proceed to the temple deep within the forest.

In her mind, Adri groaned. Though judging by the look on Link's face she knew there was no choice. "We'll go," he said, his eyes set with determination. Oh great. For all we know we could be heading to our deaths! But no, he has to be a hero!

Now, little sister, I have something for you.

Think I know what this is. Adri took a few steps closer to the cascade with perhaps a bit more confidence than she had with Ordona. Faron reached down and placed a glowing paw on her forehead. Her palm tingled as the mark began to glow through the leather. You are an embodiment of the earth, as am I. As is such, the forest's power will be at your command. I give you the second gift, the power over plant life. You will have need of it when you enter the temple. Pure energy rushed from the spirit's paw into her body. This time the power was more focused in her fingers, rather than her head, and sent tingling sensations up and down her arms. One last shock to her fingertips and it was over. Just like the first time Adri felt extremely dizzy, but managed to keep herself from falling over. The mark faded back into the leather.

If you seek the dark power....you must journey to the temple.... The light spirit faded was fading away.

"What!" Adri yelled, "Why am I getting all of these gifts? Who's Farore anyway?"

All in good time....little one.... Faron disappeared in a shower of gold light.

***

"Wait, back up. You're telling me that this world was created by three goddesses, Din, Nayru, and Farore. Right?"

"Yes."

"And everything that exists breathes with the spirit left behind by them and that the whole world's good fortune comes from three triangles?"

"Yes."

"That's got to be the worse fairy tale I've ever heard."

They were walking through the tunnel. Link had managed to talk Coro(who wouldn't stop nudging Link and winking at him while looking in Adri's general direction, much to her embarrassment) into giving him the key to the still locked gate. He also discovered that the pouches on his belt were made to hold almost infinite amounts of items after he pulled his forearm-sized lantern and a bottle full of oil for it out of one. As soon as they were within the darkness Link started questioning her. The conversations with the light spirits had unnerved him and he wanted the truth out of her. Adri readily fired her own questions. Particularly ones that involved the name Farore.

Link tilted his head. "It's what I was told when I was a boy. Or do you not have gods on this Earth you say you come from?"

"No I....Gah!" Adri groaned, rubbing her temples. Link wasn't making any sense with his story, and it didn't answer the question that was looming over her. Why would a goddess pick me? Me! Of all people! I'm the loser who takes up space in the back, the one that people deal with only when they have to. Not a hero!

"Sorry," she sighed, "I'm just trying to soak this all in. Or make sense out of it." She threw her hands in the air. "I mean, why would a goddess, all powerful and all that good stuff, want me to save Hyrule? I can't even drive a golf cart without crashing it into a tree!"

"Er……what's a golf cart?"

"Nevermind."

The tunnel widened into the grove, but they stopped short. Adri was sure with the Twilight gone everything would be back to normal, but apparently not. The purple mist was still there, still hissing and drifting into the air. Adri covered her nose and mouth. The smell was just as bad as before. It was so thick that she couldn't see the sunlight through the trees anymore. Link's lantern wasn't helping much with the light either. Remembering what had happened to the stump she had used as a wolf, there was no other way for them to get across this time.

Link groaned as he held his lamp higher. "I hoped this would have been cleared."

"Guess not," replied Adri.

"Well we still need to get across this stuff!" stated Midna. Link's shadow stretched and the imp appeared. She crossed her arms glaring at the mist. "So what's the plan? We going or not?"

Adri narrowed her eyes. "We? I thought we'd be rid of you after the Twilight was gone. What do you want?"

"Teehee, you've got a bit of a thick head, don't you?" Midna giggled, "That dark power you two are going after? Well it just so happens that I'm after that same power. Convenient, isn't it?"

"What do you mean?" said Link.

Midna rolled her eye saying, "Look, I said I couldn't tell you all the details now, but I need that thing in the temple. And you two are going to get it for me."

"What!?" Adri dove at the imp before she could stop herself. She was going to strangle her before she took any orders from her. Instead of the desired result, though, Adri's body passed through Midna's as if she were smoke. Her shoulder slammed into the ground, causing a giggle from Midna and a scream of pain from her. In a flash Link was at her side helping her to her feet. Despite the stinging pain from her shoulder Adri couldn't take her eyes off of the laughing, shadowy imp.

"Oh, forgot to mention that little detail. While I'm in this form, nothing can touch me." She then added with an evil smile, "That includes you. Anyway, we'd better get going if we want to get that power." Midna dove back into Link's shadow.

Adri glared at the shadow, wincing a bit from the raw scrape on her shoulder. For a second she really wished she still had those claws. Link shook his head, fixing Adri with a bemused look. "You really don't like her, huh?"

"No, I don't," she growled. Adri turned her attention back to the sea of mist before them. "But she's right about one thing. How are we supposed to get across this stuff?"

Hey!

The voice was so sudden that Adri nearly jumped. It had sounded female, like a child's plea. She glanced around trying to pinpoint where it had come from. This was earning her a confused look from Link.

"What's wrong?"

"Did you hear that?"

"The monkey sound? Yeah, I heard it."

"No! That voice!" she insisted. Monkey sound? How could he mistake that for the sound a monkey makes? she thought, irritated by Link's lack of good hearing. The air was silent again, if not for the hiss of the mist, when the voice came again.

Hey, I can help you two get across.

The leaves above them rustled. A branch was bent as the climber slid down and onto the forest floor. It was a monkey, one with a pink rose tucked behind one ear. Adri instantly recognized it as the one Talo had chased yesterday. By the funny bow it made, it didn't take long for her to connect it with the voice she had just heard. Okay, completely forgot about that gift thing I have. The monkey grinned and before they could blink had snatched Link's lantern away.

"Hey!" Link was ready to dive for her, but Adri placed an arm in front of him.

"Hang on. I think she wants to help us."

Link raised an eyebrow stating, "Oh, and stealing the only way we can see anything in this soup is helping?"

Adri groaned saying, "Look, I'm actually hearing what that monkey's saying. That 'gift of tongues' thing that Ordona gave me is kicking in."

A sharp screech from the monkey translated to, Hey! Are you guys going to chatter all day like a pair of squirrels, or do you want to get across?

The monkey had run to the old dock with the lantern hung on the end of a stick. She raised the stick high, then started swinging it above her head. At first nothing happened, but suddenly, Adri wasn't sure if she was really seeing things, the mist started moving back. Hisses filled the air and the purple air writhed as if it were a creature in pain. The monkey turned around and gestured for them to follow.

This stuff doesn't like light. I'll lead you through to the other side.

"Translation, Monkey Whisperer?" said Link.

"Not helping," Adri growled, "Let's just go."

They walked off the edge of the dock and into the grove. Around them the mist swirled, but didn't come close to the light of the lantern. The monkey had been right. It didn't help with the smell though. Now that they were passing through the heart of the grove the smell had increased tenfold. Adri had a feeling it wasn't as bad as it would have been if they had been on their own, but her lungs were still burning from inhaling even whiffs of the air. She covered her and nose to shut off the flow a bit. Link seemed to be following suit. His shadow quivered a bit. Obviously the mist was starting to get to Midna as well. Just hang on and we'll be out of here soon. However there was a run in with a bunch of keese as they passed beneath an arching root that slowed them down quite a bit. The monkey freaked out and started waving the lantern like crazy, causing the mist to begin to close in around them again. Link's sword made quick work of the bats though. They were on the other bank a couple steps away from the arch.

Link breathed in the cleaner air saying, "Out of there. I thought it was bad when I was a wolf, but just being in the middle of it."

Least I can go through the trees, the monkey added shaking her head. She handed the lantern back to Link, who frowned when he looked at it. Sorry, the oil's out.

How did she know what oil was? Out loud Adri said, "Er, thanks and all, but why did you help us?"

The monkey grinned then chattered, Don't think I didn't hear Lord Faron talking to you guys. Look, I helped you through there, now I want to ask a favor.

"Well, what'd she say?" asked Link.

"She wants a favor," she replied, "Guess she wants help with something."

Not something, someone! I'll explain when we get to the deku tree. The monkey disappeared into the brush.

Link glanced at Adri. His eyebrows were raised, but he shook his head. "Do I want to know what we're getting ourselves into?"

"Hey, she said she needs help." She then asked, "And hey, what's a deku tree? The monkey said she'd meet us at the deku tree."

"Oh, deku tree! It's another name for the old temple. Sometimes Rusl will use the name out of respect or something like that. There's a legend that the tree was once alive and-"

"Enough with the legends already!" Adri shouted, then stalked off into the tree tunnel. She ground her teeth together, ignoring Link's shouts for her to wait up. Legends, is that all that Link and these spirits can think about? Goddesses and magic? She barely registered that she was getting to thebridge that led to the temple. Everything is just....why am I even here?

"Adri get down!"

Something golden flew over her just as she hit the ground. Adri whipped her head around and saw Link standing in an attack stance with his sword and shield ready. In the next second he was gone in a flash of light. Standing where he had been was a huge wolf. It wasn't him though, nor any normal wolf. Its fur was a brilliant gold with white edging its fur and the end of its tail. It turned to her, crimson eyes narrowed and its upper lip quivering. Adri pushed herself up trying to imitate the fluid movement Link made when he drew his sword. The result was the end of her staff getting stuck in the strap. She started tugging harder on the stick, her sweaty palms slipping on the wood. The wolf was starting to advance, a low growl in its throat.

"Come on!" she yelped, "Get out already!" The wolf leaped at her and all Adri could do was raise her arms to cover her face.

Okay, I'm better now. Hope you liked it. It was hard to right for some reason, and I don't plan on leaving you guys at the cliffy for long. On a side note about Adri's behavior, let's just say something happened in her past that has caused her to kind of loose touch with the magic that she loved when she was a kid. More on that later though. Who is this mysterious wolf? Bren, the honors are your's.

Bren: Reviews are appreciated. You flame, you answer to me.