"That doesn't sound like you," Silver said to Link, looking curious. "Even during Manic's time you weren't like that."
"Yeah, I know," Link admitted. "That was my first solo run ever. Before then, Fate had created me to help easer Her understandably heavy burden, and She ran the show. Far better than I ever could, that's for sure. Anyway, after a while helping Her out, She decided I was ready and threw me in at the deep end. All I was told was which deities to pester if I needed a hand and a vague idea of what needed doing. She expected me to pick up the rest as I went along, so naturally I was inexperienced and rather bad at handling it."
"You didn't do that badly," Knuckles defended him. "But I imagine you'd do it differently now?"
"Oh, of course. There are so many things I should have done but didn't, or things that I handled terribly before. You remember I mentioned Koholint island, with the Wind Fish? That was something I didn't do so well at. That was a fair time after Knuckles had finished up. Someday I'll find the right Hero to fix my mistakes there though."
"Take your pick," Scourge said. "Plenty of green to pick from."
"I can't do that – one of the few rules Fate informed me of. One time only. Silver got around that because his second time happened in Termina instead of Hyrule, but that aside... one time only, never more. And don't worry my bitter green friend – you're far from being the right one for the job."
"Just as well, because if you tried to conscript me I'd refuse to cooperate."
Link looked at him speculatively, then said, "You've not met my mother, have you? Fate is very determined, and if She wants you to do something, you'll do it sooner or later. She tends to make you pay for irritating Her too as well, as I recall," he added thoughtfully. "It's easier to cooperate with Her. And quieter on my ears too, when it comes to my duties. I got yelled at quite a lot in the early days, but in a way, it was Her own fault. Anyway – tell the story, Knuckles. I'll correct you if you make a mistake."
"You're too kind," Knuckles replied flatly.
It had been late at night when I set Angel Island on its course for Skyloft, and I didn't expect to see it for some time yet. Expectation, as others also found out the hard way, doesn't always match up to reality, even when you're dealing with an inexperienced God of Heroes, and by mid-morning another floating island was visible in the distance.
In this region the cloud cover appeared much thicker than usual, like a snowy white blanket laid over the lands beneath with only a handful of gaps showing all manner of landscapes underneath. Vast primeval forests, a massive lake I first mistook for an ocean until I realized how high up I was, a similarly large desert, even an active volcano.
Skyloft was not the only island in the skies either, I noticed. Far smaller ones floated without any apparent logical reason – I know, magic and all that, don't have a go at me – many with residences on, one with a giant pumpkin on, apparently used as a house of some kind.
The Master Emerald steered my island easily clear of these smaller ones without any incident beyond a few people coming out to watch and stare at the great rock floating past headed for the main island itself.
My destination appeared to be a relatively ordinary place, at least if you discounted that it was a flying island. As I later discovered it has springlike weather all year round, a spring of water that never runs out and supplies all the water, even a river that ends in a waterfall leading to the lands below. Skyloftians never have to worry about crops simply because the weather cooperates all-year round, making the fair-sized town on it completely self-sufficient – and therefore, completely unaware of what was going on below.
The edges of the island were not fenced or walled off at all, much like Angel Island. Skyloft's residents didn't bother because much of their lives centres around the skies and are fully aware of the risks, even employing Rescue Knights, knights who graduated from the Knight Academy and patrol the skies to retrieve those who fall off. Several such knights, not that I knew them at the time, diverted from their course to act as a rather superfluous escort, complete with their silly headgear – it's useful at night, but otherwise it just looked ridiculous.
Link, true to his parting words, had seen to it that the residents knew I was coming, approaching the island from what they considered to be the east. I don't carry a personal compass in my head unlike Silver, but it's hard for me to lose my sense of direction once I've got it. Moving Angel Island is a sure way though.
Decked out an a variety of rather garish and often clashing coloured clothes, the people of Skyloft looked on as another floating island approached their own. It was hard to say what they thought – for one thing there was a fair distance between us still, for another they looked more like they'd just turned up to watch.
Without needing me to guide it, the Master Emerald brought Angel Island up alongside Skyloft, making use of the remains of the bridge that's connected to so many places in its time to provide an easy way off without having to nudge the entire island.
Easily apparent even before I'd started down the steps to meet them was the fact that the strange youth was not among them. There were some few who had clothing similar, but none close enough to even consider that they were him. Two among them stepped forward to meet me, a young woman who looked about the same age as the youth, and an older man who's hair gave him a rather owlish appearance.
The crowd had been set to follow, but at a curt word from him stopped and waited, watching as they crossed over to my island first, meeting me at the foot of the steps.
"You would be Knuckles," the elderly man began, inclining his head slightly. "Or at least so I assume? We had been expecting another human."
"I guess the messenger forgot to tell you that. Did he remember to tell you about that?" I asked, jerking one thumb toward the Master Emerald.
"He said only that it would require protection in order to satisfy your need to be away from it," he answered. "That can and will be arranged, Knuckles. And now, since we seem to have neglected the pleasantries... I am Gaepora, Headmaster of the Knight Academy... and the closest thing the people of Skyloft have to a leader."
"You don't actually have one?"
"We've never found the need," the woman replied. "Oh, I almost forgot! My name's Zelda, and it's my job to make you at home here. And probably reassure everyone you're not a monster. You aren't, are you?"
I thought for a moment, then answered, "I've been called a lot of things, but I don't think I've ever been called a monster before. I'm an Echidna – in case you wanted to know."
"It would have cropped up by the time we reached the Academy, if nothing else," Gaepora said. "Your place there has been handled, incidentally."
I gave him a flat look and just said, "My place?"
"We were told you wanted one. Was that not the case?"
"Just who was it who did the telling, Gaepora?"
"He looked like a Knight," Zelda said. "Had the green tunic and everything. I don't think I've ever seen him around before now."
"Blonde hair? A bit scatterbrained?" I asked.
"That sounds like him, why?"
"He showed up on my island to get me on my way here. He didn't make any mention about any Knight Academy, he just said I was going to be needed here. I don't need to be a knight for that."
Gaepora looked nonplussed momentarily, then a voice said, "Oh, damn. I've done it again, haven't I?"
We'd missed the forming of the mist this time, but the youth again stood nearby – facing away. After a few moments he turned and sighed. "Naturally. I still haven't got the hang of doing this. Not as if I'd need it normally but-"
Gaepora cleared his throat meaningfully.
"What? Oh, yes, that's right. I got you the place there because you'll need it. Unless you can handle a sword already. I didn't really get a chance to find out."
"What do I need a sword for?" I demanded, holding up my fists. "I've got these. They've never failed me yet."
"Yes, but have you ever actually fought someone who has a sword?" he replied. "Trust me, you need one."
"In any case, the arrangements have already been made for you," Gaepora added. "Pipit has agreed to teach you the sword, and when the time comes Karane will assist you with the Loftwings. As Pipit recently graduated, his room at the academy is free for you."
"You see? I made all the arrangements-" the youth started but was interrupted, this time by Zelda.
"Excuse me? You asked me to make the arrangements!"
"Same difference," he dismissed it. "If I hadn't come by they wouldn't have been made."
"And if I hadn't reminded you, you wouldn't have come," I added.
He stared back at me, sighed and threw up his arms.
"Why now, Mother? Couldn't you have given me a better time?"
"Oh stop feeling so sorry for yourself," a new voice told him crisply. "You've got a job to do Link – grow up, stop whining and do it."
The newly identified Link gave up, his only response before disappearing, "Yes, Mother."