A/N: There is an important fact about Cody that all readers should be aware of. Cody may be from Earth, but he is from an alternate version of Earth where Legend of Zelda does not exist. I figured that it would be more interesting to see the point of view of someone who was not aware of anything that was going on.

Chapter 2: Kicking and Screaming

Cody:

Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to hit your face against asphalt? Trust me. It's about as pleasant as it sounds. I could hear Katie calling my name as she ran towards me, and when I turned my aching face away from the pavement, I could see the guys who tripped me walking away giving each other high-fives, as if they accomplished some great and noteworthy achievement.

What jerks…

Katie squatted down on the ground next to me, a look of worry on her face.

"Are you okay, Cody?"

"I'm fine, why do you ask?"

The worried look on her face was instantly replaced with a look of annoyance, "I would think that it would be obvious."

"I decided that now would be a good time for a nap, is all" I said matter-of-factly.

"In the middle of the school parking lot…"

"I thought the idea was unique."

She sighed heavily. I could almost hear her thinking, 'Why do I put up with him?'

"So are you going to get up?"

"Nah, I thought I'd just stay here for a little while."

"Ugh," she said, abruptly standing up, "You are such a drama queen!"

Without getting up, I raised one arm into the air, my finger pointing to the sky as I proclaimed, "That's mister drama queen!"

Before I could put my arm back down, however, she grabbed my hand and forcibly yanked me to my feet.

"OW!" I said, rubbing my now aching shoulder, "My face hurts enough without adding a dislocated shoulder to the mix."

She ignored the comment, the look of worry returning to her face, "Are you sure you're okay."

I sighed as I straightened my jacket. She was worried about me, so I decided that it would be better to just answer her question seriously, "I really am fine. I'm kinda used to it by now."

She stared off after the two guys, who were already driving away in their pick-up trucks, "I know that I've said this before, but you really should just stand up for yourself."

"They're linebackers, and there were two of them."

She was looking at me once again, "Yeah, but if they had to work for it, they probably wouldn't bother in the future. Besides, you're much tougher than you look."

She knew that I loved to hang around outside. I would often spend hours just exploring the woods that were around my house. Sure I was not very strong, but I still liked to think that I was not completely out of shape. Of course, I still think I would have had my clock cleaned (and by cleaned, I mean thrown into a washing machine set on super spin).

"Still…"

"I would have had your back," she interrupted me, punching her right hand into her left palm, an almost evil gleam in her eye.

I had no doubt that she could not only have taken those two guys by herself, but also do it without breaking a sweat. See, Katie was a bit of a tomboy. Her brown hair was always kept short, she was a pretty good gamer, and she excelled at any sport she played (her favorite being basketball). Of course, that would not necessarily make her a tomboy, except that she did not really like doing things that most girls her age did (she especially hated shopping). She instead liked things like hunting, working on cars, watching football, etc… Because of this, most of her friends were guys.

"I figure they'll get bored with me eventually," I said as I was walking to my car.

She sighed as she followed me, "They probably won't."

Though I wholeheartedly agreed, I figured I should still not give up my position (getting punched has never been a pleasant experience for me).

I got to my car and opened the door. I turned to find that she was right behind me, still looking at me.

"What, are you going to come home with me or something?"

She stuck her tongue out at me before replying, "You wish."

That was an unexpectedly girly reaction coming from her. Before I could comment on it though, she had already started running towards her car.

"See you later!" she called as she ran.

I shook my head as I got into the car. Katie and I had been friends since the third grade when I had first transferred to this rural school (it was a thirty minute drive to the nearest city). We would always hang out and she often visited my house so that we could explore the woods together. Even as we grew older and our interests changed, we still remained close.

People are often surprised that she likes to hang out with me. She is considered one of the prettiest girls in school. I think the only reason she does not have a boyfriend is because most of the guys at school are terrified of her. In fact, she often jokes about how I am more feminine than she is (I am a 17 year old guy who does not like to play sports of any kind or watch football for that matter, so sue me).

But that's enough about that. I shook my head to clear my thoughts, started my old car which roared to life (it had holes in the muffler, though none of them were intentional), and headed home.

The house was deserted when I got home. My brother was hanging out at a friend's house, and my parents were still at work. I basically had the house to myself for a few hours. And since it was a Friday, I kicked off my shoes, plopped down on the couch, and vegged. I thought about playing a game or reading a book, but at this moment I did not feel like moving, or even turning on the TV.

Though I would never admit it to Katie, it actually did bother me a little that people would go out of their way to harass me. I always tried to keep to myself. In fact, if it were not for the fact that I was book-smart (the teachers often called on me to answer questions), then I would probably not show up on anybody's radar. I was often told that it was because they were jealous. Not that I can see why. Being a starter on the football team guaranteed that they would be more popular than I could ever have hoped to be.

I closed my eyes after deciding that a nap would be good.

About this time, I noticed that something was wrong.

I opened my eyes and noticed that the room was unnaturally dark. It had been sunny just a few seconds ago. I got up, checked my watch just to be sure I did not actually fall asleep, and stepped to the window.

Black clouds were gathering overhead. Funny, I remember the weatherman saying that there was not going to be any clouds in the sky today. As I was looking out the window, I noticed that there was green glow reflected in the window. Wondering about how many strange things could possibly happen at one time, I turned around…

…and felt my breath catch in my throat.

There, between me and the couch, was what looked like a portal (yeah I know, I play too many video games). It took me a moment to realize that I could feel myself being drawn to it. I tried to scramble away, but I did not even take two steps before an arm reached through the portal, grabbed me by the throat, and pulled me into the portal.

I was in a bright green tunnel of light that was filled with a strange sound that reminded me of a flute. I was moving at incredible speeds, the wind ripping through my hair. It felt like my jacket would be blown off at any second. It started to feel like I was being squeezed from all sides. The pressure steadily increased. Too much was going on all at once.

I don't know if it was the hand or the pressure (probably a combination of both), but after just a minute of this travel, my vision faded and I passed out.

The first thing I was aware of was that it was hot. Very, very, very hot! The second thing I noticed was that I was not touching the ground. I opened my eyes…

I was suspended in the air above a volcano. A freaking volcano! And when I say suspended, I mean I was floating without any apparent support whatsoever. I was only able to move my head. In a panic, I frantically looked around trying to see where I was, or what was holding me for that matter. All of a sudden, I was spun around, and I saw a robed man standing on the rim of the volcano. He kept his hood up, so I could not see his face.

"Who are you! Where am I! What the hell do you want with me!"

My heart was beating painfully in my chest. I had never been so terrified in my life.

This can't be happening! This isn't real! This has to be a dream!

I could barely think straight at all.

The robed man regarded me for a moment, before he finally spoke, "I will not allow you to interfere with my plans."

"What!"

Why would I do that? I have no reason to interfere with anyone's plans. For that matter, I have never met this man in my life! I did not recognize his voice, and to be fair, I am reasonably certain I would remember someone who could lift people without actually touching them.

"Farewell… Hero of Dimensions…"

With that, whatever was holding me up released, and I plummeted into the volcano.

A/N: Sorry about the cliff-hanger. I'm especially sorry that Cody won't appear in the next chapter (just to warn you), but you will see him again in chapter 4 ;).