Author's Note: Well the previous chapter was extremely long! Unfortunately for Link, he lost the bet Telma made…Oh well…anyways, ONWARD!

Chapter 20: The Bane of Evil's Bane.

I growled—not because Midna snarled with angry—but because of the sight that was in front of us. The once proud castle was now barricaded with strange black and gold linings, clearly preventing anyone to enter the castle.

That monster…I'll make sure that he will pay.

I followed the path that led to Faron Woods though halfway through the path, Midna reminded me that she could warp me to whatever section of the Woods I need to go. I scolded myself for being stupid. Within minutes, we arrived at North Faron Woods where we were greeted with a familiar screech.

I realized that it was the monkey from the Forest Temple but it seemed to be frightened since it was shaking so badly. Just then, weird wooden puppet-like creatures started to surround the scared monkey though the moment they spotted another prey, they turned around and started to attack me.

I quickly destroyed them by using the help with the energy field. The monkey had also stopped cowering with fear as it thanked me for helping her.

"Listen, since you're so nice, let me tell you something: there's a really pretty wooded area on the other side of the cliff! I climbed over there, but when I tried to get deeper into the woods, those guys attacked me! What's in those woods, anyways?" she quizzed.

That sounded like the woods in which Zelda spoke of. Perhaps the bane of Evil's bane laid there.

Going with that idea, I walked towards the platform where Midna helped me with sure footing to reach to the other side. After that, I crossed two rotating wind bridges followed by a rope. I also heard a wind's howl so I knew that it was Howl Stone—the one where it will summon the white wolf.

Once I howled the right tune, the white wolf told me to find him when I am in my human form. I continued to venture a bit more until I came across the woods of what the monkey had told me.

It was definitely pretty to say the least. It's eerily light filled the environment as there were many trees scattered throughout the area as the walls had intricate patterns on them. It also contained two lit torches that were placed at the entrance.

It looked so peaceful…so relaxing that it made me want to stay in here forever.

I frowned.

Why did I have a feeling that I had been through here before?

I shrugged the strange feeling as something had greeted me after I had howled the tune from the Howl Stone. A wooden-like creature with a strange attire popped out of nowhere. It giggled before it blew into its horn which summonsed the useless wooden puppets.

I watched the odd kid who disappeared in a tunnel.

Well, time to go and follow him.

I quickly found him and attacked him. In result, he vanished into thin air only to reemerge in front of another tunnel which got opened, allowing him to go in. The wooden puppets were becoming nuisance as well as the wooden kid. I growled with annoyance when the puppets were continuously attacking me, creating me to use the energy field.

Feeling satisfied, I continued my search for the kid until I had finally found him.

He was located in a much bigger area that a lot of scattered rocks; from tall to short. I was annoyed with him though I was happy that I had finally gotten rid of him. His last words were:

"Hee hee hee! Bye!" it giggled before I could no longer hear his voice.

A new tunnel had been opened, allowing me to go in. Nonetheless, I spotted a picture of the Triforce that was implanted on the ground. Curiously, I felt a tune coming out of it so I howled and there, the two large stone creatures came to life.

I was also thrown into another world that was black for a second until the Triforce glowed, having numerous tiles to appear. The blackness died away, leaving the tiles along with the two statues that came from either side of me. I could also see a wall from ahead of me.

"We are guardians of this land…" the first statue spoke.

"Guide us to where we once stood. Only then can you enter the true Sacred Grove…"

I grew frustrated over a while since I kept repeatedly made mistakes then started all over again. In the end, I finished the puzzle and the two large stone statues slammed their staff, making them to be still once again.

The door ahead of me slid open under their command.

"Go now to the sacred place, beast…We yield passage to the Sacred Grove…"

I gave them one last weird glance before departing my way to ascend the stairs that would eventually lead me to the Sacred Grove where a beautiful shining sword rested upon the pedestal.

As if in a trace, I walked towards it as I studied it. The hilt and the crossguards were an amethyst color. In the middle of the crossguards, adorned a golden gem. The blade stood out as if it was proud to represent what it was. As if it had a mind of its own, the sword started to react causing strong wind to come in.

I dug my claws into the guard to avoid being knocked out but unluckily for Midna who was knocked out. Slowly, the bright light started to surround me and before I knew it, I was back in my human form though I was standing behind the sword with my hands grasping the hilt.

For a moment, the sword looked like it didn't want to move out of its spot. However, the minute it felt my hands it obliged as if I was its Master. Finally, I felt the sword being nudged out of its place until slowly I pulled it out of the pedestal.

While I was pulling out the sword, strange "visions" flashed before me as it happened all in a blur.

I took a breath and my eyes widened as I felt the sword out of the pedestal. A blue column of light suddenly showed itself, going upwards as if it was covering me. The triforce on the stand glowed…

A weird feeling ran through my body. It felt like I was being suspended in Time itself…it felt like I couldn't move at all…like…like…I was….

Frozen.

On the last tug, I pulled it out and I raised the beautiful sword out in the sunlight.

Midna stood there with a dumbfounded look on her face.

"The sword accepted you as its Master."

I gaped at the sword before him. Wasn't this…the Master Sword? The very sword from which the Hero from so long ago held? The sword that which banished the evil?

Deciding that I wanted to try it out, I gave a few quick but powerful swings. I grinned like an idiot as I felt the adrenaline rush still coursing through my body.

Awesome!

Midna then flew towards me who still wore the grinning face.

"This thing is the embodiment of the evil magic that Zant cast on you." she showed me the most deadly object. It was black with orange linings and it definitely radiated evil. I cringed at the sharp deathly spikes that were protruding from the sides.

"Ow?" I asked, flinching.

She smirked. "Guess you could say that." she then pretended to examine the thing. "It's definitely different from our tribe's shadow magic…"

I was in another trance, slowly feeling myself raising my hand. It pleaded me to touch it so of course, I couldn't ignore it.

"Careful…If you touch it, you'll turn back into a beast!"

Now that made me to pull away, ignoring the protesting voice.

With a close of her fist, the object vanished. "This thing is too dangerous…It's probably for the best if we just leave it here, huh?" she asked.

After hanging out with her for several of months…or weeks…nah, months suited better, I knew her better.

She smirked once I had given her a knowing look.

"But on the other hand…if we kept it, you'd be able to transform into a beast anytime you wanted…"

I smirked back. "I'm pretty sure you know what my answer is."

She grinned in response before adding. "Yes, since Zant was kind enough to give this to us, we should be thankful and use it all we can! If you need it, just call me. I want to keep a low profile, so I'll hide in your shadow when you're human, but I can change you whenever. You can be a wolf anytime you like! Also, thanks to this thing, you can warp whenever you want by switching into wolf form…" she explained, causing me to grin wider.

She seemed to know what I was planning since she spoke which caused me to sulk.

"But it cannot be used for scaring people, Link!" she warned.

I pouted. "Aw…"

"Nice try." she then remembered that she something else in her mind since she floated towards me, leaning against my shoulder. "Hey, but listen, Link…I've got a little favor to ask…" her voice suddenly filled with mystery.

"Would you mind coming with me to find something called the Mirror of Twilight? It's hidden somewhere in Hyrule…Yes, the Mirror of Twilight…Our last potential link to Zant!"

I nodded. "Of course I will, Midna. If that will lead us to Zant, then bring it on."

She smiled. "Thanks Link." she whispered then vanishing into my shadow.

I should really get the scratches on me from the piranhas fixed, shouldn't I?

Oh and one more thing…

"Achoo!" I sneezed, causing Midna to giggle.

"Someone is going to be sick!" she replied in a sing-song tone.

I grunted.

Well, Midna was right and so was I when I was in the Lakebed Temple.

I was sick and it ain't fun.

I glared at the wall as if it was its fault for making me to be sick. Ugh…I hate being inside. I hate being trapped all day. I hate not doing anything. I hate drinking the potion.

I HATE EVERYTHING!

Being sick is not fun! Especially if you keep on being knocked out every few seconds from Renado who forces you to drink the vile potions. SO NOT FUN!

So remember kids, stay healthy and DO NOT BE SICK! Under any circumstances.

It's not fun.

As for Telma, she kept on gloating that she had won the damn cursed bet which made me to be annoyed so I took a pillow and stuffed it over my face to let out a muffled scream.

My eyes kept on being dragged down with fatigue as my whole body was weak. Everything I do, even like walking the tiniest steps, makes me feel weak or be dizzy. The scratches were fixed so hooray on that one.

Of course, I'm going to find a way to blast the sickness into the next century…erm, somehow.

This isn't fair!

Why do bad things always have to happen to me?

Because you're the Hero. Everything hates the Hero so it has to kill it off, the voice told me.

I scowled. Bug off, whoever you are. I told it, sourly earning a laugh in response.

"Achoo!"

"Ew Link!" Beth and Ilia shrieked when they felt my "germs" on them.

I laughed until I got knocked out from drinking one of those cruel vile potions.

Oh and as for my hat, I found out that it was fake after practically shaking the answers from Talo who by the way is still scared of me. So whenever he sees me, he would run behind Ilia who scolds me for scaring him.

Even though it was a fake one, it would have to do since I couldn't find my true beloved hat. Yes, I went back to the gate to where Telma came through to deliver the Zora boy only to find it gone.

It must've been picked up from the wind the other day.

That being said, R.I.P Link's Hat.

After a few days or so, the sickness was finally gone! I couldn't tell you how happy I was to finally be outside. I exhaled a long breath, feeling the spring healing's water relaxing my sore and stressed out muscles.

This felt soooo good.

I was on the upper part of the spring. To get to it, you have to blow up the boulders that were blocking a secret tunnel then just jump off the cliff.

My head perked up at the sudden sound so I craned my head, scanning the area behind me. After I calmed myself that I probably imagined it I continued to close my eyes, letting all the worries erase from me.

When I decided that I should probably get out of the spring (as I did not want to catch another cold since a bit of wind was picking up), I turned around only to stare.

I twitched while at the same time being stiff. "Midna…" I said, massaging my jawline.

"What?"

"Did you by any chance steal my clothes?"

She snorted. "Even if I did, I would shred them to bits."

I scowled. Why does everyone hate the clothes I'm wearing? Well as far as I knew Midna is the only one who hates them—I do not know why.

"Then who did?" I asked, sharply.

I then blinked as I recalled that I had heard some giggles which made me to give out a bit of a snarl.

"Link, you're not a dog."

I gave Midna a sharp look as in to indicate the irony of it though the look actually made Midna to shrink back.

"Hi Link." a female voice greeted me.

I eyed at Ilia who stood near the end of the small waterfall. I couldn't help but to think that she was the responsible one.

"Hi." I replied through my gritted teeth.

"Is everything okay?" she asked, "innocently."

"Oh everything is just dandy!" I snarled, slightly.

She seemed to be unfazed by it. "Well, okay. Renado told you to come out of the spring since he didn't want you to catch another cold. Anyways, see you."

"HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!" I boomed, making her to halt.

She whirled around again to face me.

"Where are my clothes, Ilia?!" I asked in the most menacing way I could produce.

"What clothes?"

Annoyed, I replied. "My green clothes. My Hero's clothes!"

"Ohh, those ones. I don't know." she shrugged then skipped away.

Breathe Link breathe.

I perked up as I felt someone else was coming. It was Colin though he was a bit far away from the spring, causing me to groan. This was going to be embarrassing.

"Colin." I hissed.

Colin stopped what he was doing and turned around only to find a medium rock pillar.

Did it just talked…?

"Colin!" it spoke more firmly.

He blinked. He was going crazy. He knew he shouldn't have trusted Talo's cooking. Yeah, Talo decided to cook so in the end, Talo end up creating a cook monster.

Don't ask.

"Colin?! It's me, Link!"

Colin breathed out a sigh of relief. He wasn't going crazy.

"Link?"

"Come here."

The boy walked towards the pillar, pressing himself against it.

"What are you doing behind the pillar?" he asked.

Colin really liked me as he felt like I was an older brother to him but sometimes to him, I was really weird…

"Erm…there had been a slight accident…my clothes went missing!" I whispered, dramatically.

"Okay." he whispered. "I'll go find some clothes for you." he told me, immediately catching on. "And one more thing…why are we whispering?"

I paused, really not finding the answer. "I don't know…just go!"

Nodding, the boy scurried off to find some clothes. I breathed out a sigh of relief since I knew I could still trust Colin. Sometime later, Colin returned and I breathed out a huge sigh of relief when he brought clothes.

It wasn't my original clothes but I suppose it was fine for now. I had a brown simple tunic-like robe that reached up to my knees. A lighter shade of brown belt was placed across my waist. Of course, brown was definitely not my color but I had to deal what I could…On the bright side, my brown boots wasn't stolen so I snatch it to replace my bare feet.

"You done?" Colin asked.

There was a lot of grumbling and shifting until I finally came out. Colin blinked with surprise as though what he saw wasn't me.

"You look…different." he commented.

I grunted. "Is that good or bad?" I demanded.

"Uhh…Renado told you to come back to the Inn to eat dinner." Colin quickly said before dashing away only to be pulled back.

"I'm not going to hurt you, geez Colin! Calm down!" he slightly calmed down. My eyes started to scan the place as if I would find my clothes. "I'm going to find my clothes and you're going to help me."

Eyes wide, Colin gulped. "I will?"

"For Din's sake, Colin!" I exclaimed, exasperated while accidentally dropped him. "Do you seriously think I'm going to hurt you?"

"No." he squeaked.

"Colin…"

He sighed as he ashamedly admitted. "Yes…"

I frowned. "Now why would I do such a thing? You're like my youngest brother." I ruffled his hair.

"Oh thank the Goddesses! You're not gonna eat me!" Colin scrambled up to hug me.

"What?! You told that?!" I asked, sharply.

"Um…erm…well…" he paused. "Malo and Talo told me said that if we do not follow the orders you give us, then you will eat us!" he blurted it out.

I stared at dumbfounded. "Now Colin, you have lived with me for far too long, did you honestly think I would actually do that? I'm a human—well a Hylian but that's beside the point—not a human eating creature."

"But—"

"Look kid," I cut him off as I placed my hand on his shoulder. "How about we decide to avenge them as soon as we find my clothes? You know, tell some scary stories only to make them real?" I asked, grinning mischievously.

That seemed to brighten Colin up since he grinned from ear to ear. "Yeah! That oughta prove to them that I'm not gullible."

"Atta boy!" I ruffled his hair again. "Now…let's find my clothes!"

Author's Note: Hehe that clothes mission is really random! XD can anyone guess who is responsible for taking Link's clothes? And if you want to know how the robe/tunic look like, it will be up on my friend's profile facebook page which is called Skychild101. Make sure to like the page!