Chapter IV : An old enemy

With a yawn, Midna awoke from her slumber, raising her arms like she did when she rode Link as an imp. She turned her gaze to her unofficial boyfriend Link; he slept peacefully with his arms wrapped around her chest with a smile on his face. She smiled too; after a torturous week she finally had Link all to herself, and no mirror was going to separate them. She quietly bent her neck and kissed his neck. The second she did, his eyes fluttered open as if he was under a sleeping curse, and her kiss was the magic cure. Midna smiled and said quietly "Good Morning."

Link smiled and gave a small yawn, then swung his legs over the bed. Midna moved one of her hands to his back, lending him support for him to use to get up. Link slowly stood up and stretched his arms, trying to awaken his body. Midna then got up and walked over to him and asked casually "So how did you sleep?"

Drowsily Link replied "Fine. And You?"

"Good" Midna replied. Midna leaned in to give him another kiss when a large man shimmered into the room. Link noticed some similarities between him and a typical Darknut. However, one difference was that while he carried a large sword but used no shield. Even more so, he didn't have much armor. Link picked up his sword and shield from the side of the bed and said anxiously "Midna, stay back." As she began to argue Link interrupted "Don't argue. He could cleave you in half before you could cast one of your spells, so I want you at a safe distance." Seeing that Link was right, Midna moved to the bed where she would be safe, and watched Link engage in the duel of his life.

Link slammed his blade against his opponent's blade. His opponent merely pushed back. The fight continued, neither side claiming a clear advantage. Finally, after he had used all but one of his hidden skills, the hero sheathed his sword and waited. His opponent charged forth, ready to cleave Link in two until finally Link grabbed his sword and swiftly cut his opponent's head off. His opponent then shattered to pieces. The hero then thought there was no defense…the mortal draw deals instant death. Link walked up to Midna and was about to ask if she was okay when suddenly a ghostly figure appeared. Link's eyes widened as he realized that it was none other than Zant; his cone-shaped helmet was unmistakeable. Zant then spoke "Impressive, Hero. I see you've defeated my Buster Blader."

Midna then walked up to the image of her foe and said tensely "What do you want, Zant?"

Zant cleared his throat and replied "To issue an ultimatum: surrender and make me king, or perish as I send an army of monsters even more powerful than the one you've faced. You have one week to decide. Farewell." Zant's image disappeared without a trace. Midna then turned to Link and threw her arms around him and buried her head into his shoulder, tears streaming down her face. "For a moment, I thought you weren't going to make it."

Link stroked her hair to comfort her and said quietly "Neither did I. But we have to stop Zant before he unleashes that army of his on the Twilight Realm and Hyrule."

Midna nodded. "I know" she said, letting go of him and wiping away her tears.

Link whispered with confidence "We'll take down Zant permanently. I promise."

Midna found herself for the millionth time marveling at his confidence even faced against overwhelming odds. She began to remember a time when he showed such confidence on their previous adventure.

The pair stood at the newly formed mirror as Link stood in surprise; Midna had just been revealed as the Twilight Princess. Link had silently forgiven her for not telling him the truth. Midna murmured "I just hope we're ready."

Link smirked with confidence and said "With your magical prowess and this Master Sword, Zant doesn't stand one chance against our combined might."

Midna smiled. "Glad you think so. Let's go hero!" She then jumped into his shadow as Link walked into the portal, disintegrating into a million pieces.

The two began to pack, Link arming himself with his sword and shield and Midna packing her spellbooks and various potions. Link hadn't bothered to bring his other tools that he had acquired on his adventure, but he believed that a true warrior didn't need tools to defeat his opponents. At last the two departed. Their destination: the old decrepit castle on the other side of the Twilight Realm that was the former Palace for many centuries until the new one was built.