Link went over to the window, to stare out at the rain. He now felt very alone and helpless. He wondered when Midna would arrive and what she could do. Physically exhausted and emotionally drained from all he had been through, he lay down on the cold floor and waited. His thoughts wandered in and out, eventually settling on what worried him most. A torrent of memories flooded around him, he thought only of Sheik.
Sheik waited for Link to appear on the dais as foretold in the prophecies of his people. He stood in the shadows as the beam of light appeared, revealing the Hero of Time. Link looked around confused for a minute, not knowing what to do. His fairy was unable to travel through time with him, and in its stead, Sheik was to guide him. Link was told of the journey to come, and what they needed to do. Together they would awaken the Sages and save Hyrule.
Link thought of how Sheik had stuck by him through the bad times, making them seem better, keeping him company on that lonely road. They became friends over the journey, always being there for each other, someone to lean on when times were hard. One particular memory stood out in Link's mind, that of the dreaded Water Temple.
Link met a terrible being waiting for him in a room of illusion, a dark copy of himself whose only purpose was to kill. They fought hard, but his shadow was strong, mirroring every skill he had. He was also very reluctant about killing this foe, it's very nature meant to disarm him with confusion and doubt about himself. Finally, after endless clashing, Link had managed to gain a brief advantage, where he was forced to thrust his blade through the shadow. The look on its face, his face, was that of pain and fear. He had not expected the evil being to feel, he saw himself in that shadow and it chilled his heart. Before in battles, he had only ever killed monsters and beasts. But this was so different, this was a person, whether it be made of flesh and blood or dark magic. He was not prepared for that step.
Sheik waited on the island, not being able to enter the Temple, time dragging on for eternity. When Link finally appeared on the platform, he looked over to Sheik and dropped to the grass. Sheik ran over to him, to see if he was hurt or injured. He saw the suffering in his eyes as Link started to cry. Sheik sat down next to him and pulled him close, cradling the hero's head in the crook of his arm as his body racked with painful sobs. After a time, he was finally able to tell Sheik of his experience and how disturbing it was. Link just lay there, seeming to lose hope and not wanting to move. Sheik just held him, content on comforting his friend.
Eventually, Link looked up into Sheik's red eyes, similar in color to that of his shadow's. His shadow had glowing crimson eyes, the color of blood, like all the other evil creatures. But Sheik's eyes, they were a rich carmine, like rubies, shining with intensity. He was aware he was staring into Sheik's eyes a little too long and a little too hard. But Link also noticed the caring smile on his face as his own blues eyes were being searched as well. Sheik tilted his head down and gently placed a kiss on the hero's forehead. Link closed his eyes, the tender sensation flowing over him, washing away all of his troubles. It seemed like time stopped, but eventually Link sat up, the hurt was gone for now. He faced his friend and softly, placed his hand on the side of his neck. Hesitating for only a single heart beat, he slowly leaned forward to feel those soft caring lips once more. It was just a small kiss, but enough to tell him he wasn't alone. His fingers were laced with those of his friend's hand, and their foreheads met, eyes closing with a sense of completeness. There they stayed, until everything around them faded away.
Link awoke sometime later, sensing another presence seep into the room. He looked up and saw the green glow sparkle and flare. It looked as though Zelda's form was coalescing once more. The glow turned from green to turquoise, then darkened as the figure solidified. It was an interesting little creature, somewhat resembling an imp, just hovering there. She had grey skin with a black covering that clung to it in strategically placed areas, and glowing lines of turquoise etched over her limbs. Her long, fiery orange hair was pulled back through a horned mask of stone, which covered one eye, and left the other, yellow orb with its orange iris, to glare down at him. "So, you are Link?" she said, a mischievous smile spreading on her face, revealing a single pointy fang sticking out.
"I am," he confirmed to her, "Princess Zelda told me that you would be looking for me." Then after the calculating look he received, added "She said you were the only one that could help me, as I hope I can help you."
She relaxed her tense expression, feeling that she had met the one Zelda spoke of. After looking at his paw and the glowing triangle, she felt more trusting. Midna related her background to him, about the Twili, and being exiled from her realm when Zant had taken control. He had acquired a powerful dark magic and displaced her on the throne. Link looked at her with awe, and she continued. "That is right. I am the Princess of the Twilight Realm. Zant has corrupted our land and my people have been altered, much like he is doing here, and with your people. He must be stopped before your realm is covered in shadow like my own." She looked down with the same shamed face that Zelda had earlier. "I regret that I cannot do anything for my people with my power as it is now. I would be grateful if you could assist me, and would do whatever I can for you as well." Her eye brightened a bit as she waited for him to say something.
"I need to find my friend who has been lost in the Twilight. He is a cunning warrior, and would help greatly in our quest. Zelda has given me her power to restore him, well to transform him as I am at least, I need only find his spirit." She looked amused for a brief moment, snickering as she thought of who it was, then decided a more concerned expression was appropriate.
"I saw your friend as he was pulled through the barrier. At first I thought it was you," the amusement showing again, "but when he became just a spirit on the other side. I was disappointed," her look of concern returning. Link was not sure about this being, and its warped sense humor did not give him a confident feeling, the snicker just didn't seem to show any sympathy. "I did see a Shadow Creature take his spirit toward the forest. It is my guess that he is being held there in the Temple, which has been overcome by the shadow. Zant seems to have poisoned these sacred places of yours. I can take you to the closest portal, but I cannot enter your realm. I can only remain in the Twilight's shadow."
Link agreed to this and they worked out their best plan. She would take him to the portal, then he would have to enter the Twilight from there and head to the forest. She could not travel through the land without great risk, for the Shadow Creatures always had an eye out for her. Link still looked a little skeptical and felt he still wasn't sure about her willingness to help. "Link, I will follow you when you re-enter the barrier, but I can only come to your aid if it is dire. I am keeping Zelda's life-force safe with me, and do not want any harm to come to her. She and I agreed to help each other where we could, and I will stick to that on my honor, which I give you as well in her stead." Link was grateful to hear something serious and more caring come from her, and it made him feel a little better.
The glowing lines on Midna's arms seemed to ooze out and swirl around. She formed a small vortex in her hands, then electricity crackled around him as he was scattered into little particles. His head spun a little, then cleared as he materialized under the vortex in Ordon Spring. He started to head towards the gate, when several giant, sharply pointed stones came down around the perimeter of the spring, stabbing into the ground. He was stopped by a sizzling barrier of pink energy that spanned between them. A Shadow Creature, as this must be what Midna was referring to, fell out of the vortex, plummeting into the circle. The creature was large, moving about like a primate. It had two small back legs and much larger forearms that it seemed to walk on. Its head had long black tendrils coming down like hair, and a stone mask sat on its circular flat head. It had black markings etched all over it, and the ones on its back glowed in the same pink as the barrier. It immediately slashed at him with its long arms and giant hands. Link jumped on it, biting at its neck while clawing at its front. The creature howled out a high shriek that pierced the senses. It went down after only a few attempts, not being as difficult as it looked. When it died, it exploded with a black cloud and a pink burst of light, scattering into shifting particles the same way as had been when he was transported. The vortex collapsed and was quickly reformed, only this time with a turquoise glow limning it, very similar to Midna's markings.
Link was just exiting the spring again, when he heard a voice call to him. The springs rocks glowed in blue spirals, like it did before the shadow enveloped the land. The water shone like gold as a glowing orb rose up out of the center. A light spread out from the orb, flowing into the shape of a giant animal. It looked like a goat with circular horns and a combination of other local creatures. This was Ordona, a Spirit of Light, the Guardian deity of Ordon Province. It thanked Link for freeing it from the shadow. Link did not understand, but continued to listen to its tale. It told him that there were four Light Spirits, and the other three had their Light stolen by the Shadow Creatures. Link would have to revive the other Spirits to lift the Twilight from their Province's. Ordona told him to go to Faron, where he was first transformed, and revive the Spirit there, then maybe he would be able to regain his Hylian form.
Although Link was near his house and wanted to get some things he left behind in his rush that fateful morning, his current form didn't allow him to carry anything. There was one item that he insisted he needed though, so he decided to go and get it. After it took him a few tries to get up the ladders, he was finally able to reach the bedroom. He sniffed at Sheik's clothing, taking in its scent, almost reeling in the memories it triggered, his senses being much more acute as a wolf. He pulled out the strip of cloth that Sheik usually wore around his head, thinking it to be the easiest thing to bring and the most meaningful. He tugged it free with his mouth, then went to take it back down the ladder, but finding it easier to just jump down to the lower level. He pulled at it until it was stretched out like a long ribbon across the floor. Holding one end in his mouth, he rolled around on the floor until it was wrapped completely around his neck. Thinking himself rather clever, he felt more confident and headed off.
Going up the north trail to Faron, he soon crossed the bridge and arrived at the black wall he had seen in his foggy memory. He sniffed around, not knowing what else to do. Should I just walk through it? He tried this but bounced off as it crackled in defiance. He then heard a familiar snicker from the other side, wondering who it could possibly be. He growled at her, since he could do it quite effectively now, and it was more fun than yelling. He stood there waiting as she settled down, trying to prepare himself for what would be an interesting experience. Without warning, a giant orange hand shot out of the barrier, engulfed him, and pulled him in screaming.