Tribulations of Twilight

Chapter 2

Zelda woke from her haze at the question. "The shield...?"

She pointed up at the top of the throne, and there, resting a couple feet away from Zelda's head, was the Hylian Shield. It was still as battered as Link remembered it, but it looked at if it were polished. Zelda slowly stood up on her throne, dismounted the shield, stepped off her throne, and walked over to Link and gave him the shield.

Link took it, and looked upon it, like an old battle-damaged friend on the end of its rope. Zelda looked at him strangely, as he brushed a hand across it, gazing at the torn up piece of metal, that had saved his life on so many occasions. The very same shield had saved him from arrows, Darknut swords, magical blasts, clubs, spears, a ball and chain, a magical boomerang, a goron's fist, and the likes. This wasn't just a piece of metal, a shield, no. It was a part of him.

Link placed his left hand just above the center of the shield, as his Triforce glowed. It shined a radiant gold, as slowly, the Shield got pieced back together. Metal stretched out and reformed, as the markings replaced themselves, as slowly, but surely, it became whole again.

Link donned the shield on his back, reuniting it with the Master Sword. He quietly thanked Zelda, and apologized for his absence. He realized it must have taken a toll on her to explain how the savior of Light and Twilight disappeared suddenly after an emotional breakdown, and to lose a friend. Link had a high regard for the Princess, although they hardly knew each other. It wasn't a simple relationship that a hero and princess had, no, it was a friendship. A friendship that in which they could open themselves up to each other, without judging each other. Link just wished he could have realized this four years ago, when he was in his moment of weakness.

Link brushed the thought away, while he looked at Zelda again. Her gaze was to the side, obviously, her mind was elsewhere. He turned around, glancing at Zelda one last time, as their eyes met, and exchanged a silent goodbye. Link turned his gaze forward, and looked at Zeke, who patiently waited by the doors, as Link walked toward him. They had a long road ahead.

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Books were piled on a brown mahogany desk, with a man sitting on a black cloak in green clothes, while a man wearing a white t-shirt, black gloves, black pants, and black boots set another pile of books on the desk, before taking a seat near the green clothed man.

"So, any luck, Link?" Zeke asked.

"Nope. All I've read so far were some possibilities, but aren't iron-clad leads." Link answered, skimming through another book.

"Like?"

"Rituals, seeking power to cut through realms, and something to do with the Lunar Eclipse..."

Link sighed. This was getting them nowhere. He set his gaze on the pile of books, before setting his gaze on one with an old blue cover, and it was covered in dust. He slowly grabbed it, and blew on it, the dust flying forward, revealing the cover. There was no title on the book, only the Triforce, with the Master Sword going through the middle, and a spiral circling the symbol. He opened the book slowly, and it's pages were yellowed and wrinkled with age.

Link looked at it strangely, before opening it, and skimming through a few blank pages. He flipped through some more, and started to read.

Zeke fell asleep some time ago, a book falling from his lap. Link, who was reading the blue book intensely, suddenly jumped up, and exclaimed, "THAT'S IT!"

Zeke yelped in surprise, and leaned back a little too far on the chair, falling onto the floor with the chair. He rubbed his head in pain, before mumbling, "What's it?"

"This is how we're going to get into the Twilight Realm!"

Zeke stood up, placing the chair back on it's four legs, before asking, "Are you sure? What is it?"

Link, rather than explaining and messing it up, showed him the book he was looking into. Zeke rubbed his chin in thought, as a shadow of a doubt crossed his face, "Link, I don't know..."

Link set the book down, "It will probably work."

"It will, probably, but I'm not sure if they will agree..."

"We don't know that until we try." Link countered.

"But Link, a council with the Goddesses?"

"Why not?"

"I'm hoping that's your courage speaking, and not your stupidity." Zeke said, sighing.

Link scowled, waving away the comment, "Well, it says here, 'For one to seek council with the Makers, you must go where Time is Irrelevant.' Where do you think that could be?"

Zeke thought for a moment, before answering, "Well, do you think that could be somewhere in the Temple of Time?"

Link nodded, "Couldn't hurt to try."

Zeke nodded, before slipping back on his cloak, Link doing the same. The two embarked on their journey, walking out of Hyrule Castle, out of Castle Town, and to Southern Hyrule Field.

The two walked, both in silence, each thinking about what's to come. Thinking about what's going to happen, each fearing the worst. They walked until it was night, and they both decided to rest.

Link prepared a camp fire, and the two warriors sat near it, the silence continuing. They had asked their questions of each other long ago, and they both trusted each other completely. There was no doubt in their minds, that they could rely on each other to get the others back.

Link lay down, as Zeke kept watch, and slowly fell asleep.

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Link awoke, his sapphire eyes staring into the sky that rivaled his deep blue. He stretched and yawned, before sitting up, and looking around. He saw the edge of the forest, and turning his head, saw the vast field, and Hyrule Castle in the horizon. Looking down, he saw Zeke asleep nearby, and the fire was extinguished, nothing but ash in it's place. Link felt different today. He felt the best he had in ages. All his training during the four years were about to pay off once he reached the Twilight Realm. And boy, was he ready. He smiled a little, being on edge, waiting, for when he was going to reunite with Midna.

Link shook Zeke, who slowly woke up. Link informed him that they needed to move. Zeke groggily obliged, and the two packed up, and set off.

Link and Zeke walked into Faron Woods, passing by Coro's hut. He wasn't out in his usual spot, and Link looked around the scene nostalgically. All the times he ran out of Lantern Oil, Coro had been there. And, he was one of the select few that wasn't (totally) afraid of Link in wolf form, and Link admired him for just that, when most of the Hyrule Guards would quake in their boots when confronting a Cucco. And the fact that the bird that nested in his hair amused him to no end.

Link looked at the scenery, until Zeke placed a hand on his shoulder. Link looked at Zeke, and Zeke had a serious look in his hazel-green eyes. Link simply nodded, and the two were on the move once more.

They walked through Faron's Woods, and they came to the Forest Temple. Link cursed himself, for the nostalgic scene. 'Everywhere I look, Midna was there, or here. There is no where in Hyrule we haven't been... But soon, she will be with me again.' Link smiled at the thought.

Link took a long look at Trill, the bird who was owned by Coro. Link chuckled to himself, remembering when Trill had attacked a Bokoblin that had snuck up on Link, while he was purchasing Lantern Oil. Trill had actually destroyed the Bokoblin, which made Link tip him extra just for the performance.

Link sighed away the thought, and continued on, Zeke not too far behind. They reached the Ledges, with the seemingly never ending gray abyss below. Luckily, Link had practiced magic for four years, and knew a trick or two. Link called upon the power of the Triforce, and slowly, Link began to levitate. Zeke did something in a similar fashion, following Link as the two floated to the entrance of the Sacred Grove.

The two walked, and much to both their dismay, the first pathway had been opened, but the rest, closed.

Link guessed what would happen next, and, spot on, the Imp appeared.

"Welcome back! Play with me, please! I know that after this, you won't be around anymore... So, play! Play! Play!" The imp cheerfully exclaimed.

Link and Zeke gave the imp an odd look, before Zeke broke the silence, "You know this... little fella?"

"More or less. He made me play Hide and Seek, only, I played with my teeth." Link chuckled darkly.

Zeke shrugged, and sighed. "Nothing has to be easy anymore..."

With that, the Imp blew on his strange trumpet, and Puppets appeared, surrounding two. With a, "Ee hee hee!" The imp dissapeared, and the hauntingly sad melody filled the sacred grove.

Groaning, the two warriors unsheathed their weapons of choice, and began the trivial game of Hide and Seek, only as an added variation, with their Swords.

An hour passed, and the exasperated warriors finally beat the Imp, who seemed sad that they would go now. Thus, the two were let into the Real sacred grove.

Link walked through the ruined Temple of Time. Zeke followed suit, looking around him, and gazing at the ruins. Link passed by the two stone guards, forever in their duty to look after the Master Sword, and trial the Hero. To the naked eye, they were just decoration, but Link knew better.

Link walked through the doorway, and was met by the Pedestal of Time. Zeke waited by the door, looking to see what was going to happen. Link felt his Triforce of Courage burn, but it wasn't a hurting burn, weird as it is. Link let instinct take him, as he briskly walked to the Pedestal of Time. He withdrew the Master Sword, and knelt by the pedestal. Feeling his Triforce resonate with the action, words slowly flew from his mouth.

"Hear me, the Three Golden! I, the Incarnation of the Legendary Hero of Time, The Hero of Twilight, have come here in search of Answers! Hear my plea! I placed my life in your hands, as I brought Peace to the Triforce, with the destruction of the Evil King! And now, I seek what I desire most! Hear me, The Golden Goddesses of Hyrule!"

Zeke looked at Link strangely, as Link let out a loud grunt, as he struck the Pedestal of Time, sinking the Blade of Evil's Bane deep into it, as far as it would go. Blue light shone from the Pedestal, consuming Link and Zeke. Link withstood it, a sense of knowing entering his mind, while Zeke looked shocked.

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Link awoke in a field. He noticed instantly that his sword was missing, as he leapt to his feet, looking around. He looked into the Field, it seemed neverending, vast. It placed Link with a feeling of calm, satisfaction, yet, he felt alone, empty. He knew of only one person that would change this feeling, and she wasn't there to make her snide remarks.

Link heard someone behind him, and he turned around, looking at whoever was approaching him. He then set his eyes upon a Green light, and slowly, it faded, into a woman wearing a green robe. Link's mouth was agape, as he stared at her perfect face, her emerald green eyes, and her luscious long hair. Though, in his eyes, she almost compared to a certain Twili with flaming red hair, searing red eyes that could tear a hole in your soul, and yet, look so calm, peaceful, and compassionate.

Link fell to his knees, speechless. He bowed on the ground, mumbling, "F-F-Farore... Goddess of Courage..."

Farore looked upon the kneeling and bowing hero, and simply told him in a voice that echoed, "Rise, Hero of Twilight, and ask, of what you seek council for."

Link clumsily stood up, finding his legs to be suddenly made of rubber. He fell flat on his ass, still gaping at one of the Golden Goddesses. This earned a chuckle from Farore, as she slowly walked, hell, floated to Link. She knelt in front of him, and placed her hand on his cheek. "Do not be nervous, Hero. Now, slowly, rise, and tell me what you come for..."

Farore removed her hand, and stood up. Link stood up also, finding his legs to be stable once more. "I come for help, Farore..."

Farore's face didn't change. In her eyes, she held a calm look, with a slightly amused tone in it, as Link continued, "As you probably already know, along my journey, I traveled with the Twilight Princess, though she was in her imp form. At first, I loathed her, but now, as we grew to eachother, I started to like her, and then, after the Lakebed Temple, where Zant almost took her life, that's when I knew I couldn't live without her, because I love her. And now, that my journey is completed, she broke the Mirror of Twilight, so that none of this could ever repeat itself... But... without her, I find life empty, meaningless... So, I beg you, Farore, let me and Zeke into the Twilight Realm! I can't live without her!"

Farore gazed at Link, studying him carefully. Then, in an instant, her eyes burned with loathe and anger, as suddenly, the calming blue sky became a blood red, as the Grass slowly caught fire around them, as Lava geysers suddenly shot. Farore's voice boomed, "So, you take up the quest to defeat the King of Evil, and now, you're thinking that you deserve something? A reward? And this reward you want, is to live with a bunch of forsaken people? How dare you! We banished them so our precious Hylians could live in all it's beauty, and you're just throwing that away, for some Twili?"

Link felt angry. "I would throw it all away, just for ten seconds with her! I'd throw away my Triforce, throw away my world, Throw away my life just to be with her! I may not be deserving of a reward, but I'll let you know, I have come too far to be stopped!" Link reached into his pouch, and pulled out the Mirror Shard he kept.

He looked at it longily, the destruction around him being pushed to the back of his mind, as his Triforce glowed with the Courage of his resolve. "I just want to be with her again. I don't care if she was the Imp, or the Twilight Princess. She will always be Midna to me, and I will love her, regardless of what you or the other two goddesses think!" Link stared at Farore, conviction burning in his sapphire eyes.

Farore looked at Link, searching for something. When she was satisfied, everything returned to normal in the field around them. No lava geysers spewing Magma, no grass on fire, no red sky, just the peaceful prairie.

Her eyes returned to the calmness, with a sense of proudness in them, "I chose well for the Bearer of the Triforce of Courage. I expected my Relic to resonate with me, and give you false thoughts, but unbelievably, it sided with you." Farore smiled a peaceful smile, as she continued, "Very well. I will grant your request, Link, Hero of Twilight."

Link looked at Farore with disbelief, "It was a test?"

Farore nodded, "Nothing more, nothing less. Now, I will send you to the Twilight Realm, but first, I need to give you something to help you on your way. Seeing as how the Master Sword is no longer in your possession..."

Farore held her hands in the air, and a golden light appeared above her. It shined brightly, causing Link to cover his eyes. When he looked again when the light died down, she saw Farore holding a golden blade, with a green hilt.

"...I'll give you a new sword. This, is called the Golden Sword. It was used by one of your predecessors, also by the name of Link. It will fit well with your Triforce, since it's accustomed to power up more when a bearer uses it, especially when it's the Triforce of Courage. This blade can also repel evil to the same degree the Master Sword can." Farore explained, handing Link the divine sword.

Link gratefully accepted it, and slid it into the golden sheath that appeared on his back. Thanking Farore, and saying goodbye, she transported him to the Twilight Realm.

XXXXXXX

Link looked around at the scenery, and almost cried from pure joy. 'I'm here! I'm finally here! The Twilight Realm! It's a lot bigger than I remember it... a Lot bigger.'

Link realized he was in the middle of a field, with an unconscious Zeke laying down. Link looked toward the Horizons, but saw nothing but a faint black shape in the distance. Link slowly woke up Zeke, who groggily stood up.

Suddenly, a man in a white cloak approached them. Zeke was instantly alert, drawing his Claymore, and hissing, "You...!" Link looked confused, but judging by Zeke's reaction, this man meant bad news. Everything happened in a blur, Link unsheathed the Golden Sword, when the man in the white cloak suddenly glowed white, and attacked Link.

XXXXXXX

Link awoke hours later. He looked around, with a puzzled expression on his face. He stood up, looking around, and found nothing. He noticed though, that all he had was a black cloak, black shirt, black pants, and black boots. He felt around his body, and didn't find anything. His instincts told him that he lost something, but he couldn't place his finger on it. Moreover to the strange scenery around him, he began to question himself, and what happened.

Link thought and thought, and he couldn't remember anything. Suddenly, and Idea dawned on him. He had heard about it before, though he was not sure where.

He had amnesia.

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A/N:Well then. Didn't expect that, now did you? What's going to happen now, now that our Hero has no recollection of why he's in the Twilight Realm, and now that he has no rememberance of Midna! Stay turned to find out! =P