Author's Note: Wow, its been a LOOOOOOOOOOOONG time since I even thought about writing a new chapter for this story. I can't even remember what made me quit writing this. The style of writing might be different in this chapter then the previous ones, but its still me. In any case, here it is: Shades of Twilight Chapter 6: Mirror, Mirror

Disclaimer: Nothing in this story is mine. NONE OF IT.


VI

Mirror, Mirror

Link, Sheik, Ike, Meta Knight, Kirby, Popo, and Nana were all taken back to Peach's makeshift chamber along with the two, cloaked figures. It was small, but somehow enough chairs were brought in for everyone to be seated. The two in cloaks lighted lamps and Peach took her place at the front of the group. Sheik still refrained from revealing herself, which was just as well for Peach.

"Before I continue about the Mirror, perhaps you should be introduced to my loyal guards," She motioned to them and they lowered their hoods. "May I introduce, Mario and Luigi." Both bowed slightly. "They have served me for many years and remained by my side after Bowser's rampage."

The gathered adventurers all nodded in acceptance. They would stay as they spoke. They could be trusted.

"So, yes, about the Mirror of Twilight. It seems a few of you already know of its purpose, and some are not. I shall speak of it as though everyone is ignorant of it." She paused looking to continue. "The Mirror of Twilight was what allowed Ganondorf to spread the Twilight Realm across Hyrule over a year ago. The Mirror is – was – old; it is destroyed now. It was thought to have been destroyed long ago, but in reality it was only broken into four pieces. They were recovered and the Mirror restored.

"But that is past. What is important now is that there was not one Mirror, as previously thought, but several. There is one residing north of here, and one in Tellia, am I correct, Lord Ike?"

"Yes, milady, there is indeed a Mirror of Twilight resting in Tellia." Ike spoke confidently, but regretfully.

Peach continued. "I'm sure there are others, and I think Bowser got ahold of one Mirror, thought which I cannot say."

"And that's how he was able to devastate your kingdom so suddenly?" Meta Knight asked.

"Yes, I think so." A harsh silence fell on those crowded in a makeshift audience chamber. Link glanced at Sheik, then at Ike, and shifted uncomfortably in his seat. It must have been noticeable, because Peach then asked, "Yes, Link?"

Turning from Ike, he said, "So what is it you are going to have us do?" Peach raised her eyebrow at the question; rarely was she spoken to so directly, and only by those close to her. But it was a valid question and one that deserved an answer.

"Very well. I am asking you to retrieve the Mirror situated in a cave north of here. Bowser is, as of now, unaware of its location – else this town would not even be here. Bring the Mirror back here, so Bowser cannot get it." Without waiting for a response, Peach looked past Link at Popo and Nana. "You two don't have to go with them, the mission was not intended with you, and I will not force you to go."

Everyone turned to look at them. Popo and Nana smiled. Popo said, "After what we saw in the mountains, I think we should go with them."

"Yeah," Nana agreed, "They needed our help then, and they might need it again."

Peach nodded. "Very well. Mario and Luigi will accompany you, as well. They have…talents that you might also find helpful."

"When would you have us leave?" Ike asked.

"It is getting late, and you all have traveled quite some distance. Tomorrow at the earliest."

"Tomorrow then!" Ike announced rather grandly. Link muttered something under his breath. But he wanted to do it soon all the same. Tomorrow would be fine.

"I'll have rooms prepared for you."


The rooms prepared for them were nothing more than those of a rundown inn. But no one was about to complain, after traveling through the mountains, they were all just happy to have a bed. Even if it was stiff and probably crawling with insects.

Link and Ike were given a room, Kirby, Meta Knight, and Popo were given another (due to their small size, they were able to fit all three in one room), and Nana and Sheik were given another.

"It's strange, isn't it?" Ike asked suddenly.

"What is?"

"Everything." He would say not more, and fell asleep soon after. Link found himself wishing he were in the room with Sheik.


Link, Sheik, Ike, Meta Knight, Kirby, Popo, Nana, Mario, and Luigi set out from Mycelia the next morning. Peach and many citizens came to see them off. Link could not help but smile as they waved good-bye. It was nice to have someone cheering for you.

Time passed quickly on flat Mushroom Fields. Or maybe it seem that way after spending two days underground; the sun was now always visible, and the path clear. It was hard to maintain a bad mood in such conditions. Even Epona seemed cheerier than she had been since they left Ordon village.

Link and Ike traded stories; Meta Knight joined in occasionally. Link was curious as to how someone of his size was as skilled a swordsman as he was. A short demonstration later and Link was humbled. Nana, Popo, and Kirby chattered almost continuously. How did they understand each other? Even Meta Knight had no answer. Sheik walked with Mario and Luigi, not one of them talking above a whisper. What information was she gathering?

At noon they stopped for a quick lunch that had been prepared for them by the citizens of Mycelia. It was surprisingly good, though it consisted chiefly of mushrooms. The further form town they traveled the bigger and taller the wild mushrooms got. Eventually, some were as tall as trees and provided just as much shade.

Not long after their lunch the cave came into view. It had to be the one, as it was carved into a large rock. The only rock for miles around, Link observed. But it was strange, even more so than the fact that it was a rock in the middle of a field of tall mushrooms. There was something about it…

"Let's go check it out." Kirby, Nana, and Popo raced for the cave, leaving the others behind, only slightly amused. When they finally caught up, Nana exclaimed, "It's big!"

"Bigger than it looks!" Popo added.

"Indeed it is." Ike stepped inside and measured it up. "Looks like it goes on for a ways. Downhill." Link made a face. More time underground? Epona seemed to feel the same way. But if that's what they have to –

An arrow whizzed past his head. Or, something like an arrow; it never collided with stone. Everyone turned and left the cave to face this new threat. No one was there. Confused, Link stepped further out. Only his instincts saved him as he raised his shield in time to block another arrow. When he examined the shield, there was no dent, and nothing fell to the ground.

What was going on?

Then a figure appeared, seemingly from the sky. From the sky? The figure stood in the shade of a large mushroom. As such, Link was not able to properly identify the individual. He could see it was a youth, perhaps fourteen or fifteen, wearing some sort of robe and… wings?

"You won't be taking that Mirror!" He (as it was clearly a male) called to them.



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