Disclaimer: The Legend of Zelda series do not, repeat, not belong to me. They rightfully belong to Miyamoto. (May he continue to make excellent games for the rest of his days.) What does belong to me are Cleo, Finn, Syrilla and Okam (sorta).

Chapter 3

The citizens had taken notice of the Moon Pearl's glow and they started gathering around Cleo, looking on with awe and a hint of hope. Okam had his mouth open, almost blank-staring. "You had this the whole time?"

"I didn't know you were looking for it! I found it in the Temple of Hira."

"Of course!" Midna piped up. "That explains why you haven't turned. It's light is protecting you."

"You'd best hold onto that thing," Okam cautioned. Nodding, Cleo put it away in her backpack. "It was lucky you found it. But there's still seven others to find."

"Where are-" but whatever question she was going to ask was soon drowned out by an evil cackle. Everyone looked around, the citizens cowering in fear. Then, out of nowhere, a smoky image appeared above their heads. It was Midna's face, half covered in hair, but it couldn't be... Cleo whipped her head toward the Midna standing behind her. The Twilight Princess looked shocked, then her expression turned to fury. Cleo looked back at the floating face and realized that it was some kind of impostor, Midna would never laugh so cruelly. "Who is that?"

"Veran... I thought I had banised you from the Twilight Realm!" Midna called out.

"Midna," Veran answered in a sweet tone. "It's been too long... Do you really think you can keep me out forever?"

"So it was you then?! You are the one behind the invasion?"

"Oh, what gave me away? Am I that obvious?"

"I've told you once before, this realm will not be yours to rule! Have you learned nothing from our last skirmish?"

Veran sneered. "Nothing can stop me from what I desire! So, I've learned that you have found one of the Essences of Light."

"And just how do you know that?" Okam asked.

"Why else did my insect army try to get into your palace? You know, they're awfully attracted to bright light."

"I'll bet you long to snuff it out! Why don't you just skedaddle back where you came from."

"As you wish, old man. But know this: I will come back and claim what is rightfully mine!"

"I don't think so!" Cleo suddenly spoke up, rather bravely.

"Who is this brat?" demanded Veran in a more booming voice.

"Hey kid, don't interfere!"

Cleo ignored Okam. "I don't know who you think you are, but you're not the boss of us and I'm not gonna let you be!"

Veran gave an amused smirk. "And just what are you going to do about it?"

"I'm going to find the rest of the essences and save the Twilight Realm! And then I'm gonna kick your ass!"

Both Midna and Okam were taken aback. "Cleo, think what you're saying!" Midna warned.

Veran let out another terrible cackle. "The word of a child means nothing. But if you insist on death, I won't hesitate in ending your life!"

"You are not hurting Cleo!" Midna spat.

"Your friend has sealed her fate. She will be the first to die as an example to all who resist me!"

"VERAN!"

"And it will be on your conscience Midna... Until then... farewell, dear sister." And with that, the smoky image of Veran was gone.

"Just what, in the name of Culex was that all about?" Okam questioned dubiously, looking at Cleo with agitation.

"Why? I can't just stand by and let all this happen!"

"You're going to get yourself killed, you whippersnapper!"

"I'm still not gonna let it happen!" Cleo continued, stubbornly.

"Did you forget that you're just a child? You're no hero, kid."

She glared at him. "Yes, I am!"

Okam barked out a laugh. "And how, pray tell, are you going to fight an entire insect army with such a flimsy sword?" He grabbed the tip of the plastic cosplay sword and pulled it back, causing it to twa-a-a-ang when he let go. She gave him a whack on the head. He was unimpressed. "That didn't even hurt."

"Enough!" Midna had walked in on their argument. "I've managed to calm the people down."

"Midna, please give me permission to go search for the Essences of Light," Cleo asked, at once.

"Oh, for crying out loud!" Okam shouted exasperatedly, face-palming.

"Cleo, I appreciate your generous bravery, but I'm afraid Okam has a point. Yes, I overheard the argument," Midna added before Cleo could say anything. "It's far too dangerous."

"But-"

"You shouldn't even be here, this is not your realm."

"Neither is Hyrule, yet when Ganondorf attacked I decided to stay and fight instead of going home. I didn't care! Innocent people were getting hurt and-"

"I understand!" Midna cut in.

"Cleo, When people do good deeds, evil will do everything it can to bite them in the butt. It's the way things are." They looked at Okam. "I have seen something like that in the pa-"

"Thank you, Okam!" After he said "sorry" with a bow, Midna turned back to her friend. "Cleo, will nothing I say change your mind?" She got her answer from the determined look on Cleo's face. "I see," she sighed. She knew she was going to regret this. "As the Twilight Princess, I Midna hereby appoint you the task of gathering the remaining seven Essences of Light. But before we start, we'd best give you a better weapon." Midna paused for a moment. "And I think I know just the one."

Midna and Okam teleported themselves and Cleo to another room. There was a huge door with some kind of large circular lock which had long cylinder pins through it. "This door is specially sealed, only the rightful ruler of the Twilight Realm can open it," Midna explained. She raised her hands and, staring hard at it in total concentration, summoned her magic. Her red hair came to life and elongated rapidly toward the lock and inserting itself into three holes. There was a sound of booming, metal clicks, whirls, and shifting. The pins pulled themselves out and the lock turned counter-clockwise. Finally the door opened slowly.

"What's in there?" Cleo asked.

"You'll see in a moment." As they strolled though the door, into the huge vault, Cleo's eyes widened. For a fleeting moment, she thought it was the Master Sword, but upon a closer look, she realized that the sword she was looking at was different. The crossguard was straight instead of curved downwards and the blade's shape was tightly twisted, like an entwined rope. "This is called the Skribal Sword and it's got powers unique from any other magical blade. If it accepts you, only then would I allow you to venture off on your quest."

Saving the question of what powers it would have, knowing she'll learn soon enough, Cleo stepped forward and grabbed the hilt. She struggled for a couple of seconds (it didn't seem to budge at first) until a runed stone embedded in the blade glowed and the sword slid out smoothly. Cleo held it out and examined it closely, then gave it a few swings before sheathing it.

Midna was utterly amazed for some reason. Since she was too busy staring in awe, Okam took over. "Well then, I think it's time to teach you how to use its power. If you will come over here to this wall," he beckoned. Cleo walked over to his side and noticed a rectangle outlined on the wall. "Have you noticed the stone with a rune on the blade?"

"Yea?"

"Well, touch it and see what happens." Cleo took out the sword again and did as told. The moment she placed her finger on the rune, the tip glowed bright. "Now touch the tip to this wall and trace it." She tried it and a glowing line trailed behind the sword's movement. She instantly thought of drawing on a DS screen and tried to draw a rupee. When she was done, a bunch of real rupees popped out of the wall.

"Wow, cool!" Then she drew a heart and heart-shaped fruit was produced. "What kind of sword is this?"

"The Skribal Sword is not just a weapon to fight, but also a tool to create. It has been around since before the Twilis."

"Where did it come from."

"Unfortunately, any records of its origin are long gone. All we have is the info on how it works. But as long as we have known about its power, no one has been able to wield it until now. I will honestly say, I didn't think it would choose you of all people for you're neither a Twili or an adult."

"You say that as though the sword has a mind of its own."

Okam shrugged. "I don't fully understand it myself."

"You should take a closer look at the blade," Midna suggested. Cleo glanced at the rune again and quickly noticed (wondering why she hadn't done so before) that there were three holes below the rune. "The one you have is the Rune of Skribal, it's permanently attached to the blade. It's not the only rune in existence, there are others out there. The three extra slots are there for them. If you ever come across them, you can place them in these slots to gain new powers and abilities, so use them wisely. Do you understand everything?"

"I think so, yes."

"Cleo, you should know that even with that sword in hand, the road ahead will be very difficult."

"Will you come with me?"

Before Midna could answer, Okam said "Sorry kid, but that's not an option. She's the Twilight Princess and she needs to stay right here for her people's sake."

Cleo was a little disappointed. She would've loved to have Midna for a partner. "I suppose you're right," she sighed.

"Tell you what Cleo, I'll come with you!" Okam offered as though it was the treat of a lifetime.

"No thanks, you'll just slow me down."

"Hey, didn't your mother teach you to respect your elders?" Okam asked in annoyance.

"I'll be fine on my own, thanks!"

"Are you absolutely sure?" asked Midna. "There's no telling what these insects are capable of."

Cleo smiled. "Don't worry, I'm a fast learner!" And with that, she turned and left the vault. "Wish me luck!"

"How much do you want to bet she won't last long?" Okam whispered to Midna.

"OKAM!"

"I'm just kidding!" the elder Twili laughed. "Still have my doubts, though..." he added in an undertone.

There was a shop at the refugee camp on the first floor. Cleo spent her rupees on a new shield so she'd be better protected. She also supplied herself with magic bottles in which the Skribal Sword was powered by. She asked around the camp for any info on the Essences of Light. The Twilis told her of a rumor that the Pitch Black Caves may contain one of the essences she was seeking and that the cave was near a Twili village. She took off and was directed, by a guard, to a warp that would take her there. Cleo was soon off on her quest.

Warping to a much larger floating isle, she walked along a path through a field without encountering any of the giant insects. But then, a poe came out of nowhere and attacked her. It was small and easy to deal with. After it vanished upon defeat, the lantern it was carrying fell and shattered. What she found inside was something she needed very much for her journey.