Midna jumped down in front of him as the vessel returned it's light, already beginning to restore Kakariko Village to it's normal state.
"Aw, and I was beginning to have fun, too. Don't forget the Fused Shadow now!"
She dropped to his shadow again.
Eldin blazed forth, his form a giant bird.
As Tails felt himself change back to normal again, Eldin spoke.
"Hero chosen by the gods... the dark power you seek lies within the sacred mountain beyond the lands of the proud dwellers of the mountain. But beware, that land has already been defiled, draped in shadow, and seeded with evil. You alone can cleanse them of this darkness. May the way of the Hero lead you to victory."
As Eldin sunk back into his spring, there was a familiar voice behind him. He turned to see Colin running toward him.
"Tails! You came!"
Talo followed. "See Beth? I told you he'd come to save us."
Tails grinned. Midna had been wrong. Maybe they'd never know what he'd done, but they knew he'd saved them.
Renado followed with Beth and Talo on one side, and Barnes and the strange girl he still didn't know on the other.
"You are the one from Ordon of whom they spoke?" Tails nodded. "We are well met. I am Renado, shaman of this town. And this..." he glanced briefly at Barnes, who raised his welding mask, then moved on to the girl. Barnes sighed and lowered the mask again. "This is my daughter, Luda."
"The beasts took us and left us to die," Colin said. "But then Mr. Renado found us."
"At first, I could not believe they had come from the Ordona province. It is quite a distance."
"I don't remember much. Everyone was captured so quickly, and then until now it's..."
Malo finally spoke up, finishing his sentence, "It's been like a nightmare."
"A really bad dream, which we couldn't wake up from."
Renado nodded, "Nightmares are everywhere lately, it seems. This village has seen more than it's fair share of hardships. Those dark beasts attacked, but more disturbing is the sudden and inexplicable change in the mountain-dwelling Goron tribe. Long our friends, they now treat us as foes. We are not even permitted up Death Mountain, let alone into their mines. It is difficult to believe, that such a proud but gentle tribe could change so suddenly. Perhaps something in their mines is the cause?" Tails almost replied, but Renado continued. "In any case, you must take these children and flee the village before worse happens. I, of course, cannot leave my village at such a time.
There is no telling what may happen next, but it is my job to coax the Gorons back from their change of heart."
He wandered back to his home, taking seat on a bench outside.
"I don't want to just leave these people to help themselves... can't you do something, Tails?" Talo pleaded.
"Yeah," Beth agreed. "Isn't there anything?"
"You could go into the mines and try to do something," Malo murmured.
"Tails," Luda broke in. "Trying to go the mines is dangerous. Please make sure your friends here get back to their parents safely."
"Alright, alright. I'll try and do something before I leave. But it won't be much, everyone's worried about you," he told them.
Beth eyed him closely. "Hey, Tails? When did you get them?"
"These?" he gestured at the hero's clothes. "Oh, Ordona gave them to me."
"Really? You met Ordona?"
"Of course. Wait here, I'm going to go see the Gorons."
"Be careful," Colin called after him. He grinned in reply.
As he passed Barnes' store, Barnes came out and sat on the steps, depressed.
"What's up?" he asked.
"My entire stock of bombs, gone! Those beasts blew up my storage... now I have to start from scratch. But the Gorons aren't going to give me any materials, so I can't even do that!"
"Maybe I can help."
"You?"
"I'm going on up to see the Gorons anyway."
"They won't let you up. Didn't you listen to Renado?"
"Sure I did. I think I can do something."
"You're insane."
"Maybe."
Tails left him, and headed on up to where he'd seen his first Goron.
Climbing up the ladder, the Goron clearly noticed him.
"Ah! No one is allowed up here! Not even you!"
The Goron curled up and rolled down toward him. Tails almost jumped to fly, but the mountain shook, and in the distance he could see it erupt. Not a good idea to fly near that.
Unfortunately his hesitation allowed the Goron to hit him, throwing him from the cliff. He landed painfully on the ground below.
"A weak spirit is no match for the might of the Gorons. You understand? Away with you!"
Tails got up again, groaning. This wasn't a good idea, he decided. He shifted the sword back into a more comfortable position, and headed back.
Renado met him.
"Ah, how fortunate you are in one piece. I saw you heading up the trail, so I was worried. Are you trying to reach the Gorons?"
"Yeah, I thought I could help. I didn't think it was a volcano though."
"Tails, it is too dangerous! They recognise only strength. No normal person could persuade them."
"You were right about there being something in the mines. Eldin told me I had to get it."
"Eldin has shown himself to you?"
"So did Ordona and Faron."
"Most impressive. I believe... there may be a way. There was a man once who bested the Gorons. His name is Bo."
"Mayor of Ordon?"
"The very same. Please also convey my word the children are safe."
"What about getting them back?"
"With the monsters along the way, it is inadvisable without a horse and cart."
"I'll do it then."
"You're a brave... person."
"Fox."
"A brave fox, then. Good luck."
He made to leave, then paused at sounds unmistakably from a horse. He turned to Renado, but he too seemed puzzled.
At the far south of the village, with two green bulbins on her back, was Epona, Rusl's horse.
Tails didn't hesitate. He ignored Renado's warning cry, pulled out the slingshot, and ran down the path towards the thrashing Epona, who was trying to throw off her unwanted riders.
He shot one off, and the other lost it's balance. They came after him, but were trampled by the still spooked Epona.
Throwing caution to the wind, and with a surprised gasp from the watching children, he made a leap onto Epona's back, and held on.
She ran around, one way then the other, trying to throw him off, but he kept a firm grip. When she reared, he seized the reins, trying to calm here.
She turned her head to look, and saw him. Some manner of recognition flashed through her, and as she came back to all four hooves on the ground, she settled.
He'd never ridden a horse before, but it had seemed so clear to him what he should do, as if he could already do it, but didn't know it yet.
"Remarkable," was Renado's only comment.
"Impressive," was Midna's. "I didn't think you had it in you."
Tails said nothing. He was still breathing hard, adrenaline still pumping through him.
"This should ease your way back to Ordon," Renado said, checking Epona over. "I am no expert on horses, but it would appear the bulbins did not harm her. I would go easy on her. She is likely a little tired after that."
"I'll remember that."
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. Just trying to get over it. I've never done that before."
Renado smiled. "You're a natural. Go with my best wishes."
He nodded, and used his tails to lightly spur Epona on.
The gate at the south of the village was still closed, but Epona, apparently having done it once before, leapt over it easily.
"I don't suppose you know what happened to Ilia, do you?" he asked the horse. She didn't reply, except to flick an ear.
"I guess not. I hope she's alright too."
Tails paused when he passed Ordona's spring, spotting the grey wolf. He dismounted, patting Epona gratefully, then approached the wolf.
Like before, it leapt at him, and like before, his vision blurred, then cleared, leaving him in the misty white place near the castle.
"We meet again."
"Just who are you?"
"Another who once bore the same title you have."
"That's not helpful."
"There are some who knew me as Link. That is not why we are here."
"The Ending blow again?"
"No. I have a new skill for you. But first, prove you have mastered the Ending blow."
Link took up a battle stance, and Tails followed suit. He didn't waste any time, and leapt at Link, then finished him just as before.
Link got up. "Clearly you have mastered it. Very well."
"How come you don't..."
"Get injured? I am here by the request of the gods, to teach you. It would be difficult to teach you if I was dead, no?"
"I guess that explains that."
"Now, we move on. The Shield Attack.
"When your foe has armour and a shield, not even the most well tempered sword can inflict much harm. When facing such a foe, you must strike swiftly with your shield, thrusting against your opponent's defences. Now, try it!"
They took up battle stance again, this time Link held his shield more prominently.
Tails pushed forward hard with his own, pushing Link back.
"Excellent. This attack may also be used to repel an enemy's projectile attacks. Now, block my magic attack."
Link sheathed his sword, and put forth a hand, a small ball of energy forming there. He threw it at Tails, who pushed back, but failed to repel it.
"You must time it correctly. To soon, and it will have no effect, too late, and it will hit you. Again."
This time, he hit it just right, and sent it back against Link.
"Done! The second hidden skill has been passed on. Do not neglect your daily sword training. May we meet again, Hero."
His vision blurred, returning him to Ordona's spring.
Rusl met them as he rode Epona the rest of the way into the village. He glanced up at his workshop, which seemed to have been left untouched.
"I didn't know you could ride, Tails."
"Neither did I, actually."
"Where did you find her?"
"Kakariko Village. Some bulbins were riding her, and she'd spooked."
"And you calmed her? Impressive. You're a fox of many hidden talents, it seems."
"By the way... let everyone know. Renado, the shaman of Kakariko, said not to worry – all but Ilia are there, and they're safe. He'll take care of them until it's safe to bring them back here."
"And Ilia?" Tails downcast look told him everything. "Ah. Bo won't like that."
"I'm sorry. As soon as I find out something..."
"Quite. I'll let everyone know the good news. You can leave Epona with me, I'll get her rested and ready." Tails looked puzzled. "I'm in no condition to ride, my boy. You've shown you can. I'm sure Epona won't mind.
"Thanks."
"Don't mention it. Go see Bo, lad."
"Tails! You're back alright!"
"Bo! You're crushing me!"
"Sorry. I was excited. So come on, tell me the news."
"Colin, Beth, Malo and Talo are under the care of Renado of Kakariko."
"I know him, he's dependable. And my Ilia?"
"I'm sorry Bo. I haven't been able to find anything yet."
"That ain't what I wanted to hear."
"As soon as I know."
"So what were you doing in Kakariko?"
"Oh, the usual saving everyone," he grinned. "Actually, Renado is having trouble with the Gorons. I tried to go up to see if I could help, but they threw me out." He rubbed at a sore spot. "Painfully, too."
"The Gorons, you say?"
"Renado also suggested I talk to you about it. Something about besting them before?"
"Oh... he told you about that. I think you're a little scrawny to do the same as me though."
"Why?"
"I beat 'em by sumo wrestling... and a secret. You, on other other hand... you've seen a Goron?"
"Yeah. Big, rocky, hurt a lot when they hit you."
"That's a Goron alright." Bo thought for a moment. "I can hope my name still carries some weight with them. I'll write you a note for them, and if you'll keep a secret..."
"I'll do my best."
"That's the spirit." He went to a chest, and pulled out some boots. "These here are the Iron boots. Not even a Goron will move anyone wearing these. They're mighty heavy though. Don't tell anyone, especially Renado, this is how I beat the Gorons."
"I'll keep it secret."
"You're a good person, Tails. Good luck."
As he left, Midna looked at the boots. "You'll never be able to carry them like this. Let me hold onto them until you need them."
"Thanks Midna. I didn't like the idea of carrying them."
"See? I can help."
"When it suits you."
"Hey! Watch it, wolf boy!"