A Hero's Dream

by TwinGamers011701

The Hero of Hyrule, and The Princess of Destiny. The paragons of the Hylian race, with the powers of Courage and Wisdom at their side. Together, they were capable of combating any enemy, even the Power of the King of Evil. But when said King calls upon the powers of the Triforce by mistake, with a wish that was never truly desired, how will the two handle the new dangers ahead? AU

16. A New Position

Hello everyone, and welcome to another chapter of…

"A Hero's Dream"!

Reference Page: Map of Beacon

I am sure that many are surprised to see a new chapter of this story come out, as it has been almost Two Years since last I uploaded! I am amazed myself, where has the time gone, I ask myself… But that would be a lie. I know exactly where it has gone, and why I haven't uploaded it.

This story hasn't been uploaded for many reasons, some of which I shouldn't list on a public website, and can't due to how it would affect me and others should those secrets be revealed. But between those secrets, College, COVID-19, 60-hour high-stress weeks at work alongside the College, Family Issues, Bouts of Deep Depression, Procrastination, and Perfectionism, it has been… a rough two years. Things I had thought were true have been flipped, and with this came a necessary time of reflection of what I want to do, and who I want to be.

As I am writing this, I still struggle with it… Much like Zelda did when Timothy died, I feel I have allowed myself to become a passive part of my life, and have allowed it to be filled with things that aren't important or harmful to my goals. For a while, I thought that writing might be a part of that, and many other things I enjoy, but I know that to be just a trick of the mind. While being too focused on the things you enjoy can be harmful, what I do and what I enjoy is a part of who I am, and part of who I want to be. Because of that, I struggled through Writers Block, the inability to focus on the story, and even my fears about how this chapter simply wasn't good enough to be posted.

This Chapter has gone through 4 rewrites, each often totaling 10,000 Words, and for the longest time, I hated every single word I had to write for it. I simply tried to do too much, from introductions of Main Characters and hints at Future Plot Points that likely won't be written about for years, to making it engaging enough to feel that it was worth reading. But I am neither a Bestselling Author nor a Perfect Author. I am a writer who writes to enjoy, entertain, and create a world where characters I enjoy collide in new, interesting, and spectacular ways! So even though parts of this chapter are rushed to simply get it out of the way, and parts of me want to go back and restart it, I'm not going to.

When I upload this, this chapter and every problem it has, and every problem I have written upon it will cease to be a worry, for it will be behind me. In a way, this chapter represents the last two years of my life, a block that has kept me from enjoying it, from putting it out there out of fear that it simply isn't good enough to be with the rest of the enjoyable stories that I read on this site. That this story and my life have to be something important and meaningful to others before I can find any meaning and importance in it.

And that might just make it my favorite chapter of the many, MANY, more to come!

So kick back, and grab a cold one with me, as I get to the Reviews you guys have waited so long for me to answer, with two words to start the resurgence of this story!

I'm Back!

Monster King: Thank you for the Review, and have a Happy New Year!

Darkmist111: Oh, the magic music in Zelda is crazy! From turning Day to Night to Summoning Storms to even messing with the flow of Time! Unfortunately, can't have an action story without stakes, so many of the strongest spells aren't going to work since the Fairy Ocarina simply isn't strong enough to use them. So the Song of Time and any variation of it are off, but wait and see what Songs I have planned to use.

We'll see the Shade, and many others in the Story!

Their relationship is pretty fluffy. As mentioned in this chapter they have huddled for warmth more than a few times, and when money was tight and Link was injured, they have certainly shared a bed once in a while. When I get to it, it's gonna be so fluffy it'll make your teeth hurt!

While she knows that someone always steps up to be the Hero at every age Hyrule is in danger, she doesn't quite know that the 'Spirit of the Hero' is quite literal. To that end, no, it is not total reincarnation as that would be boring having every Link be the same. Rather, specific traits are handed down and their Nature is much the same, but how they were raised and events that happened to them change their Nurture. Thanks for the Reivew, and have a Happy New Year!

Dragonmaster150: Thank you for the review, and yes, it would be a shame if Sienna Khan opened up a nice can of Whoopass! The Heroes Shade is a favorite of mine as well and leads to some interesting things in the future. And there will certainly be a scene of Link teaching Eva many things, just wait! Have a Happy New Year!

Inheritance 1990: Yes, I am back and hoping to be better than ever! I'm so glad you like Eva, because she is an honest to god breath of fresh air to write. I believe I wrote about this before, but I work at a Daycare, so kids are really easy for me to write since I interact with them a lot. Sienna Khan will be an interesting situation to tackle, and her personality is oozing in the little we have with her. So it will be incredibly fun to write her, as I already know what her Semblance and her Personality is like.

Have a Happy New Year!

Fisherman 342: Thank you for saying that, 'cause I often felt that the numbers reflected how good my story is. My brother has over three times my Favorites and Bookmarks, but reviews like yours let me know while the numbers are different, their quality does not suffer. So again, thank you, and have a Happy New Year!

GreenEyesOrigamiDragon: I'm glad to see that you guys are paying attention to this stuff! Though Timothy is not based on the Steadfast Tin Soldier, he is based on Shawshank Redemption, hence his name Timothy Redbrooks or Tommy, Red, and Brooks, and why that Library was a Prison for him. There are a few more obvious references, such as Bloody Mary, Mac, and his friend Donald, but Ed the Hyena Faunus is based on the goofy Hyena from Lion King. Furthermore, the Family that Link is staying with is a reference to Phantom of the Opera, with Carol being Christine, William being Raoul, and Eva being a reference to the Phantom's (Erik) fear of others seeing her true appearance. The Grandfather isn't based on anyone, and is rather a reference to my own grandfather, who passed away while I made this story! Hope you have a Happy New Year!

Virgomiguel1992: I'm glad you enjoyed it, have a Happy New Year!

Alexkellar: Thank you for the clarification, and have a Wonderful New Year!

MisMorn: Thanks so much, and have a Happy New Year!

JustUsingARandomName: Thanks for the review dude! How you enjoying his rework? Have a Happy New Year!

Daxen123: Thanks for the compliment, and yes, that was Sienna Khan, so be excited for that! Have a Happy New Year!

Spedyalarm: I know, but thank you for the review. I simply enjoy writing, and understand that the pacing is quite dreadful… I hope you stick around and enjoy though! Have a Happy New Year!

JensenDaniels32: I'm so glad you enjoyed seeing the Blue Team! Hope you're enjoying the new chapter! Have a Happy New Year!

Kadessor: I'm so glad you are enjoying the story! She is confused for being a Faunus, it's just that people aren't close to her, and it isn't something you bring up when you first meet someone… The only reason we know that Link is confused for a Faunus is because of Heinkel, who spread the rumor that The Wanderer of Mistral was a Faunus. I hope my story brings more twists and turns for you to enjoy, and wish you a Happy New Year!

Fryer: Thank you so much for your compliment! I work hard when I write to try and make it as enjoyable as possible, for both me and the reader. I am glad to see that my hard work has equated me to a professional Author, if only in your eyes! I agree with you, OC's if they aren't done right, can pull you right out of a story. Hence while I usually stay away from OC-heavy stories, except for Despair Remnants, of course. I'm glad Zelda and Link are both interesting and in character for you! In truth, it was a gamble to put Link in Mistral, but I am glad to see that it is paying off! Have a Happy New Year, and enjoy this new Chapter!

Envoy of Importance: I'm so glad that my story is binge-worthy! As I said before, I work hard to make sure Zelda and Link are relatable and characterized well, along with many of my OC's. I'm so glad you like Timothy! It made me so sad to see everyone call him a creep when his story is a tragedy! And people always ruin Torchwick in their stories! Torchwick and by extension Neo, are survivors. Yes, they are bad and they are thieves, but they only do what is necessary for them to survive with the cards they've been dealt. So, showing them that who they were working for was more dangerous than they thought was an easy way to turn them.

I'm so glad you love Zelda's part of the story! She was hard to start, but as time went on, she had such interesting things she could do in the main story! With this chapter out of the way, it will be really fun to what she'll do, and what she can do! Enjoy the Chapter, and have a Happy New Year!

Guest: Not gonna lie, I was a little mad when I first read your review. Now though, having taken a step back, your comment is as right as it is funny! Still, as this is an Action Fantasy setting, a little suspension of disbelief is warranted, but I will work not to let such discrepancies happen again! Have a Happy New Year!

Masterchief1229: It continues now my friend! Have a Happy New Year!

Ogay the SIMPson: Thank you for the review! Have a Happy New Year!

With that, let's get on to the story!

.

. .

. . .

.

. .

. . .

.

. .

File Loaded.

Choose Your Character!

Link

—[Zelda]

Continue?

—[Yes]

No

---

Chapter 15: A New Position

---

Zelda

I stepped out of the Bullhead with wide eyes, admiring the area that revealed itself before my eyes.

'This was a school?' I asked myself internally, as I gazed upon the courtyard in disbelief, the beautiful bush and well-kept grass begging for my attention. All of which was only a backdrop for the crystal clear pool at the center, easily wider than some lakes. Above it was a simple stone walkway, enhanced by the many stone arches in the lake, creating an intricate design if one saw it from a bird's eye view.

And that was all seen from a distance, no doubt much more detailed and extravagant if one were to look closely. In fact, the closest object I could see was a statue in the center of the walkway, depicting a Huntsman and Huntress upon a stone, standing above a clear statue of a Beowulf. And beyond that, dwarfing the entirety of the courtyard was the school itself, modeled in white and gray stone. Which was much too large to be considered a school…

I think this Academy was only smaller than my own Castle, otherwise dwarfing many if not all of Hyrule's structures.

I stepped forward, low heels clicking against the stone as I observed my surroundings, watching as others slowly got off the Bullhead I had ridden. I brushed my simple blue dress, making sure it hadn't wrinkled in the flight over, more out of habit than anything. It wasn't anything special, just a simple dress transformed to not stand out as much, with simple gold Triforce earrings and barely any makeup on. It was what Link would refer to as my 'casual' look whenever we were moving and trying not to be seen, though I usually had a cloak on with none of the additives.

As the other people around me gasped and pointed at the School, I glanced at them. Though I was unsure of their origin, they seemed much younger than anyone capable of going here. Perhaps a field trip of some kind, or maybe they had won some kind of contest?

Either way, it was clear that many marveled at the academy with both open eyes and jaws, some unable to contain their excitement. I, on the other hand…

I felt a sigh of relief wash over me as I made my way forward, a small weight having left my shoulders. Not even a minute here, and already some of my homesickness had washed off of me, like moss on a Goron's back.

It was kinda nice, being in a castle again after two years… granted, mine was far more beautiful in comparison. This one didn't have any of the cerulean blue roofs that made the place feel like home…

'Still…' I thought to myself, passing the fountain, eye-catching crimson trees planted in special plots over the pool, creating a wonderful contrast. 'I should look into those when I get home…'

But the distraction was over when I reached what seemed to be a ceremonial chamber if the sign had been correct, as I forced myself to relax. A feeling of tightness was slowly made apparent in my gut.

It had been 10 days since my little deal with the Duo was set in stone. 10 days since I sent them back to where I had found them, and had to rest, sick from fully summoning Solon a second time that day. A stunning success, if one overlooked having to be almost bedridden the entire day after.

Although they were scum in my eyes, it had already been made clear in my… interview that they were both competent liars and deceivers. I was sure at this very moment they were cheating a few Fang members out of their Rupees… no, I mean Lien. However, that wasn't the only thing they were doing.

I also had them gather all of the information they had on Cinder Fall, from their own experiences to any rumors in the Fang. I hadn't expected much from them, as the reason I had hired them was to be an inside man, and more muscle to back me up when things get messy. However, what they had given me was a lot more than I had thought…

Cinder Fall, the Leader of the operation, was both the brains and the brawn of its little team. Since it was a Maiden, it was capable of powerful feats of magic, enough to coerce someone by the name of Adam Tarus into joining them. It was clear that it had connections, as the creature had somehow gotten that Atlesian Paladin.

Adam Tarus, according to Roman, was a Bull Fanus, and one of the most powerful members of the White Fang. Part of this is due to his sheer skill and strength, but his Semblance was the real reason he was to be feared. Unfortunately, Roman and Neo couldn't get any more information on this Semblance due to their… previous comments. More than that though, once this mission was over, the White Fang was planning to cut all contact with Roman, so they wouldn't give him any more information than necessary.

Mercury Black, the only son of a once coveted assassin, was quite the powerhouse himself. That info had cost me quite a bit of money from an information broker that Roman got Sheik in contact with, as this 'Marcus Black' kept to himself. Though Roman and Neo had never fought him personally, they could tell he was far ahead of most Huntsmen his age. Skill-wise and strength-wise, he was on par with some Huntsmen, without even using his Semblance.

Emerald Sustrai, the one I was most cautious of out of the four, wasn't like the others in this case. For some reason, she was attached to the Demon Cinder by the hip, even if their relationship was like that of an owner and their abused dog. She was completely loyal, unable or unwilling to do anything without Cinder's express permission, unless in a vain attempt to grasp some recognition from the demon. From what little I had seen of her Semblance… she would be the first to take me down if I were to ever fight.

This was everything I had gotten from Roman and Neo after their first week on the job, dispelling all doubt or hesitation I might've had from hiring them.

Yet, there was still so much more to learn.

I had names, I had talents, I even had faces thanks to Neo's fascinating Semblance, Overactive Imagination. I had reasons and even the end goal of Roman's Operation…

But it was cut off there.

After Roman accomplished his end of the deal, bringing Grimm into the heart of Vale for reasons he didn't know, that was it. From there, he was supposed to sit in a jail cell and wait for Neo to get him out, and then he was cut off from the deal. Supposedly, with 'no strings' attached…

Yet, it was obvious what the plan with Roman was… he was a patsy, he even told me so himself. Everything about his end of the deal wasn't for the overarching success of the plan, it was just misdirection to throw people off of Cinder's scent.

So, even though I know how to make their lives harder on them, I couldn't stop what they had in motion. Not to mention, Roman and Neo had nothing on the Maiden or what Cinder wanted. As far as they knew, and in his own words, 'that Witch is just after chaos.'

So, as their first assignment, I asked them if they could get more information on Cinder, as well as what it was planning. They objected at first, and to loosen their 'morals' I gave them a Rupee each so that they would do as I asked without fuss.

Needless to say, they pocketed what was given to them after drooling all over it, before clarifying that it wasn't that they wouldn't….

It's that they couldn't.

According to Roman, Cinder, Emerald, and Mercury had stopped being a part of the operation about a week before I had 'hired' them. Before it left, it gave Roman everything he needed to know through word of mouth, so that no documentation could be tracked to it. Since then, there was no communication between them, as no one on his side of things had heard a word from the creature.

Which, in and of itself, was a concerning piece of information, as that left me with no leads despite my efforts. However, even without Roman's help, one thing was clear…

Whoever or whatever Cinder Fall was, it was clear the creature was after the Maidens. So desperate was it, that it even risked exposing itself just to get its demonic hands on me. And if getting the Maidens was its purpose, then what better place to search than the one who wished to protect it?

It wasn't hard finding who Timothy had been referring to over the phone. The first person to come up when I put 'Oz' into the search bar was the Headmaster of Beacon Academy. Furthermore, other than frequent references to the late King Ozymandias, he was the only living person to show up. And since I saw him at Timothy's Library, it made me completely sure that this Ozpin is exactly who I was looking for.

And if the reserved ticket was any indication, it was the same for him.

But that didn't mean I could relax…

As my thoughts swam in my head, I found myself standing in front of an open ceremony hall, a small directory to the side. It seemed that this school had everything, as there were over five locations in each of the cardinal directions. Quite a lot for one school to have, but perhaps it was all really necessary.

'Let's see…' I thought to myself, looking through the list as I memorized it to not get lost. 'Information Office, Administration's Office A, Dorm Rooms, Faculty Rooms, Concept Research, Applied Research, Grocery… Store…? This school has its o- Ah, here it is, the Headmaster's Office!'

Taking the sign for its word, I began walking straight ahead out of the back of the building, where a little more foot traffic found its place. Without so much a glance, I easily moved past some of what seemed to be the student body, if their uniforms were any indication. Luckily, it seemed the school had that built-in mind, as the walkways were built in a noticeable wide diamond shape, with a thinner path for those moving straight ahead.

The roar of sound didn't bother me much, as it was nothing in comparison to being in view of all my subjects at certain events and festivals. Neither did many of the men and women turning to stare at me as I moved past them, as traffic seemed to get worse as I brushed my way past.

Stepping through another building, an Admissions Office if the signs were correct, I made my way past some of the people there. However this area was less busy for obvious reasons, as the semester had already started, so there was doubt any student wishing to sign up this late.

Finding my way through, I eventually found myself in front of easily the largest building on Campus. A Tower that seemed to be well over a quarter mile high, green lights glowing near the top of it, pulsing ever so slightly against the white stonework. The walkway before it widened, as hundreds of people moved past one another without a care in the world, small quarter-circle pools spread in a vague circle at the center.

In fact…

A quiet splash echoed in front of me, as many turned and laughed at someone who had fallen in while not paying attention to where he was going. I didn't spare a chuckle, however, as I simply moved forward, rolling my eyes at the people around me laughing like there was no tomorrow.

Ignoring them, I walked ahead while careful not to bump into anyone as I moved, quickly stepping into the building. As soon as I did, I found myself in a room with ten separate receptionists behind a large kiosk in the center, and many elevators on the side of the large circular room. Making my way through, I found myself near one of the said receptionists, a man who seemed to be in his forties and available to talk to.

After having made sure I was in the right place, I walked up to him, and he turned to me with a plastered smile.

"Hello, how can I help you?" He asked me, his voice sounding cheerful, hiding his boredom horribly as he hid his Scroll behind his back.

"Hi," I said simply and sweetly with a smile, the man behind the desk not even blinking in reaction. "I'm here for a job interview. I was told to come see Headmaster Ozpin in his office as soon as I arrived. If you could point me in the right direction, it would mean a lot."

"Well," The man said, trying his hardest not to roll his eyes, as I got the distinct impression that this was not the first time someone had asked to see Ozpin. "Go to the elevator right behind me, and put your name into the little keypad at the side, and if you have a meeting, he will send it right down. I'd be careful though, he's pretty busy, so I doubt he'd like any unwanted interruptions. But, feel free…"

With that, the man turned right back to his Scroll, keeping an eye out to see if anyone else came to talk to him. I wasn't sure what he was looking at, but it was none of my business either way, as our interaction had finished.

With a quick word of gratitude, I moved towards the elevator he had gestured to, reading a sign right next to the silver doors in front.

It read, "This Elevator is strictly for the use of Students and Faculty. Please do not input your name unless you have an appointment."

I gave a short nod, moving up next to the keypad and inputting the name that I had given Ozpin in the letter, waiting as part of my name had disappeared. As soon as it did, a whirl and hum of machinery could be heard from the other side, a green light appearing on the small mounted scroll.

I felt a hint of nervous energy enter me as I moved, shifting my feet as the gears echoed in my head. Although I had researched Ozpin before coming here, there wasn't much I knew about him.

Headmaster Ozpin seemed to be someone who enjoyed his private life, for other than his name and station, I couldn't find anything else about him. Even his name was kept in secrecy, for no matter how hard I had searched, I discovered no family name whatsoever. All I knew about the man was that he was one of, if not the strongest Huntsman in Remnant.

But this wouldn't be the first time I have met someone so powerful before, so that wasn't what I was worried about. Rather, I was worried about the type of person he was.

I already knew he was attempting to protect me from the harm I may face as a Mage. In fact, I was using that to my advantage, hiding behind him as I did my work uninterrupted. But the why was more important to me.

Was he like the Great Deku Tree, knowing and seeing the danger in evil abusing such power, or did he want it all to himself? Was he like the Sages, guarding something that could not readily be given to unworthy hands? Or… was he like Link, someone who was truly doing the right thing, knowing well the danger it would cause him?

In truth, there was no way to know without first meeting him. So, I steeled my nerves, waiting for the elevator door to open so that I could finally understand the position I was in.

However, instead of opening its doors to me, the scroll next to the elevator chimed with a soft sound. Raising my brow, I looked toward the scroll once more, as I swore I heard a snicker from the man behind the desk. With a short glare, I read the passage in front of me, struggling with the urge to tip the man out of his chair using telekinesis.

'Follow the green hare.'

…

What?

I felt myself blink in confusion as the message stared me in the face, and I brought a hand to my chin. What in the name of Hyrule is this? Some kind of test?

Certainly not.

Right… So was this some sort of game?

I couldn't help but glare as the thought crossed my mind, my finger tapping my chin as I glared at the message. This better not be some sort of puzzle quest! I've already had to help Link attempt to solve someone's idea of being clever one too many times, and I would not stand another!

The screen returned to its original state, asking for my name as I gave it once more, making sure it wasn't some kind of mistake. As soon as I did, however, I had to bring a hand up to hide my frown from view.

Out of Service.

Please try again later.

I felt a knuckle crack in my hand as I squeezed it against my chin, shaping my expression into a calmer gaze. It seems this man wasn't the Deku Tree, the Sages, or Link for that matter… Rather, it seemed he was like that fool of a Jester my Father hired for my birthday when I was six.

And after playing games at the set time I had so graciously asked for a meeting, perhaps I should repeat the lesson I taught that Jester.

I blinked as I heard outcries of shock from behind me, my finger touching the panel the Scroll was housed in. That's strange, I had barely done anything visible, so wh-

WHHHHOOOOOOOOOOSH!

I felt myself resist a shriek as the sudden force of a tornado pushed me into the wall, my hands almost too slow to catch me against it. That wasn't all that followed though as loose papers, loose change, pebbles, and leaves suddenly flew around the room as if they had always been there. All of this was then followed by the shrieks of men and women, as some were blown off their feet while others had documents strewn about.

I immediately turned around, searching for any sign of what caused such a calamity in its wake. Though I didn't have my tools on me at the moment, as I had stashed those in my hideout for the time being, I still reached for them. However, as I turned around to look at the people around me, I saw faces without a trace of fear or worry for themselves.

Rather, to my surprise, a glance at the people around me showed the same sense of emotions.

Annoyance with a hint of respect.

I felt my expression shift into confusion as everyone turned to give me a look, each one sharing the same face. It took me a second to realize…

They weren't staring at me.

"Excuse me miss, I am afraid I have an appointment with the Headmaster that simply cannot wait." Someone said beside me, as without thought I moved aside, making room for him to step in front of the elevator himself. As soon as I moved, he immediately took my place, and I felt a rush of air accompany him as if he had teleported.

I blinked again as he moved, quickly realizing the source of the gust of wind was standing right in front of me. That much was obvious as his hands moved to the scroll on the wall, tapping in his name faster than I could blink. And, even more surprising, it was a name I recognized, though not that I had ever met him in person.

"What? Out of Order?!" The man said quite loudly as he put his name in once more, only coming face to face with the same message he had seen before. "Preposterous! The Headmaster himself has requested my presence at 9:32 on the dot!"

I blinked again as I watched the man take a sip from his thermos, putting his name in over a dozen times a second. It was to the point that I wondered if the machine itself would brea-

As if fulfilling some sort of prophecy, the scroll could no longer keep up with the speed he was typing. Though it did not melt into slag as I had expressly wished it to, the scroll was broken beyond a shadow of a doubt. Message after message of errors kept coming forward, unable to process everything placed into it until…

Error!

Error!

01001001 00100000 01000001 01101101 00100000 01000101 01110010 01110010 01101111 01110010

Without another word, the Scroll went dark as we both stared at the machine, likely never to come to life again.

"Oh dear…" The man stated as he stared down at the Scroll, a hand on his chin with a troubled look on his face. Without a word, he took another sip of his coffee, scratching his head as he stared at the elevator. "I believe I am going to be late… unless?"

A second gust of wind filled the room as I watched the man move- no, glide across the entire room at incredible speeds. It was incredible to witness the absolute control he had at such speeds, as my own experience had led me to believe it was almost impossible to achieve.

I was proven wrong though, as he once again stopped right in front of the elevator, arms against the frame of the door.

"This can't be!" The man shouted, as he once again tried to mess with the Scroll, attempting to turn it back on. "Thwarted not by Grimm or the very mysteries of our history, but rather the lack of an accessible staircase! Why?! 29 buildings in this Academy, and yet arguably the most important construction lacks all but one means of entry!"

Watching him, I expected him to slam his head against the elevator door in frustration. I sensed this wouldn't be the case though, as I could already tell he was calming down, taking out his scroll. Perhaps attempting to call the Headmaster and inform him of their problem, I couldn't be sure.

In fact, I was probably never going to be certain, due to my folly.

I felt the man turn his head rather than see it, as I tried to stifle a laugh at his reaction. However, the intensity of his stare as well as his bafflement only served to tickle something in me even more.

Oh, he was far more entertaining than either the Headmaster or that retired old Jester.

"Young lady, exactly what are you laughing at?" He asked seriously, his eyes hidden behind the glare of his glasses. As he did, I felt my core flex while I coughed into my hand, stifling the laugh as much as I could.

"I-I'm sorry..." I apologized to the man, taking a small breath to calm myself down as he continued to stare. "I meant no offense Dr. Oobleck."

The man before me, Dr. Bartholomew Oobleck, straightened himself to his full towering height of 6'7 in surprise. With it, I finally got a stable look at the man as he finally stood still. Though frankly, it did not match his position as the Leading Historic researcher of Remnant. A bright yellow tie which was much too short for him, and a white button-up shirt that was untucked on one side, improperly buttoned, and collar popped made that apparent. The only dress wear that he had on correctly was his pants and belt, along with a pair of thick full moon glasses that glared in contact with any light. Not only that, the gel in his hair told me he did attempt to style it, though it seemed that the absolute speed at which he moved caused his green hair to explode into a wild mane.

'Green hare…? Really?'

I felt my eye twitch as the message from earlier finally made sense to me. So he wanted me to follow this man?

"You… know my name?" The doctor asked slowly, leaning forward slightly to stare down at me with an intensity like that of the sun.

… I could live with that.

"How could I not?" I responded gleefully, attempting to hide a giggle under my breath as I felt his intensity increase. "Your work on the 'History of the Four Kingdoms' and your subsequent research paper 'Before Kingdoms Came' was fascinating. When I picked it up, I couldn't stop reading until halfway through, and that was just before the theoretical analysis on the ruins across the world!"

As soon as I finished, I watched as the doctor's body stiffened up, his legs locked as he stood absolutely still. Not a twitch could be seen in his form, as if he were entirely made of stone, keeping the same intensity as before. Despite that, I gave a genuine smile and waited patiently for his response, hands together behind my back.

"That's… Splendid!" He finished in a literal flash of movement as he appeared much closer, his expression not changing outside of a slightly raised brow, his eyes still hidden behind the glare of his glasses. "To think I would find an avid reader of my study by mere chance, who's not even a student?! Why the odds are simp- wait a second… Who are you? I don't recall seeing you in my class before, not even among our most recent visitors."

"Visitors?" I found myself asking him, but he didn't get a chance to answer my question as I remembered what was happening here at the school. "Oh, you mean the students competing in the Vytal Festival! No, I'm not here to learn, I'm not even a Huntress, in training or otherwise."

Dr. Oobleck brought a hand to his chin in thought, studying me as I thought to myself in patience. Did he not know who I was? I had assumed that since all of the teachers here were working for the Headmaster, they would know who and what they thought I was. Was that not the case?

'I guess his "Inner Circle" isn't as large as I had thought it was…' I thought to myself, watching the gears in the Doctor's head turn as he tried to come to some conclusion about me. ' When we meet, I should ask who and how many people know about magic, just to be on the safe side.'

"If you're not here to learn," Dr. Oobleck continued, his thought finishing with my own as he stared down at me, hand still on his chin. "And you're not a Huntress-in-training…What exactly is your purpose here? I doubt it's just for sightseeing, and as much as I might enjoy the thought, I don't think you are the type of lady to come all the way here for an autographed textbook. So, if I might have your name and purpose in the academy, I would be happy to help in any way I can."

I took a moment to read his expression, even though it had not changed much since I had first seen him, reading past just his words. Well, he was the equivalent of a Royal Knight in my kingdom, so his words themselves did not surprise me in the slightest. Though, it was still a little jarring, as no Royal Knight had even spoken to me without absolute respect in their tone, and never with such suspicion. I smiled though, a feeling of clarity ringing in his words as such suspicion came from a place of loyalty and kindness, rather than something else.

"I understand," I told him with a smile, as my eyes saw the man relax so minutely that I wondered if I had just imagined it. "My name is Zelda Harkinian, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. As for my purpose, I was on my way to meet Headmaster Ozpin, but…"

As if in sync, we both turned to look at the elevator's scroll, repeating nonsense across its face before nothing but a blank blue screen shined across its face.

"I doubt I will be able to do that…" I told him with a frown as we both turned back to the conversation, the doctor taking a sip from his mug as I finished.

"Strange…" Dr. Oobleck said to himself, as I lifted a brow at his words, though his expression told me he had a separate problem with what I said. Despite knowing it wasn't a problem with what I said, I frowned and craned my neck to look up at the doctor.

"I understand that it's hard to see him," I began with a small huff, as Dr. Oobleck turned to me with a slight widening of his eyes. "But I doubt it is that unbelievable."

"Oh, it isn't that Ms. Harkinian," The Doctor said rather quickly, waving his hand as if to dispel my pointed stare. "Rather… were you told to come here at 9:30, or are you by chance a little early?"

I blinked as he asked me that question, not sure what he was attempting to say. Though… Come to think of it, didn't he say he was supposed to meet Ozpin at… 9:32?

My brow twitched, though it was completely imperceptible to normal people. So, this was part of the Headmaster's plan, was it? He certainly seems to enjoy playing games… wait, didn't Dr. Oobleck consider it strange that the Headmaster asked for a meeting at such a specific time?

To not even have his own staff question his odd quirks, which either spoke to how strange the man was… or how loyal his followers were.

"You're right," I responded with a simple nod as Dr. Oobleck turned to me while taking a sip from his thermos, keeping quiet to let me continue. "I was here for a scheduled meeting at 9:30 for a job interview to register f-"

"For a tutoring position aimed to aid students in their studies and projects?" The doctor finished for me, as I gave a wide-eyed expression with a slow nod, projecting my supposed confusion to him. "I see, I hadn't suspected that you would be… When Ozpin had told me he had finally found an appropriate assistant for my class, I had expected someone…"

I gave a small smile as he seemed to search for the proper term, trying to be as respectful as possible. "More weathered by experience?"

"That is an apt term for it, yes." He said quickly, taking another sip of his thermos as he brought his hand to his chin once more, while I stifled a chuckle. "If I am being truthful, I thought one would have to be 'weathered by experience' to meet Ozpin's criteria for this job. I had been hinting to both the Headmaster and about how much it would aid the students who seemed to be lost in my class, yet no matter how hard I had pushed it seemed to never-"

I blinked as the doctor began to speed up his words, no doubt making it a little difficult to understand what he was saying to the people around him as he spoke. Was this how he had taught his class? He was certainly efficient if that was the case.

Ms. Goodwitch… that was the blonde woman always next to the photos of Ozpin, wasn't it? Was she in the Inner Circle, or was she just a powerful Huntress that Ozpin trusted? The article I read said they've been working together for almost twenty years now… If she wasn't part of the group protecting Maidens, then the criteria for joining must be more than trust…

Though, I wouldn't understand if she wasn't part of the group, since she has telekinesis so powerful she can repair objects. That kind of power was already impressive enough from a magical standpoint, but on top of that, she could manipulate mass weighing upwards of a ton. I can repair smaller objects with telekinesis, but the scale I had seen her in a video manipulated and repaired… honestly, it was envy-inducing.

With that kind of power, and that amount of trust built between them, I had no doubt she knew. So…

"-atter how much I said anything, it seemed no progress was made! Luckily, Professor Peach was there to help the students, but her busy schedule meant th-"

Why was the Doctor here? Why not Ms. Goodwitch, who likely knew my secret and could explain any of my questions about Maidens? Was there something about the Doctor that made him perfect for this? Did he know and was simply being subtle, waiting to talk about it?

Perhaps it has less to do with what he knows and more with who he is.

It could be… Well, he does seem nice. Was he placed to ensure I was welcomed and comfortable after what happened to Timothy? No, someone who knew about my circumstances would be best for that…

"-o while Professor Greene and Mulberry were arguing over the mechanics of silent weapon transformation and its uses, I snuck away. Again, there was very little help there, but I was deter-"

I had to stop myself from chuckling, the speed at which he spoke being a true marvel to behold. He was loud, huh? And funny. I bet he was the center of attention at many… oh!

Suddenly, the numerous stares pointed our way came into focus, many of them no doubt wondering who was speaking so loud and fast. No sooner did they look at him though did they notice me, wondering who it was Dr. Oobleck was talking to. Already whispers were spreading, as some stared longer than others, speaking openly about the two of us.

Agreed… The best way to hide something strange is to make it normal.

"- ad even tried speaking to Professor Port to see whether or not he had any suggestions, but by the time we finished speaking, there was no progress whatsoever! Wise though he may be, the man takes far too long to get to the point. Anyway, if Ozpin had allowed you here and was calling upon me in two short minutes, I say that is enough evidence that you are hired."

I blinked again as he finished, my thoughts grinding to a halt as I was suddenly being talked to again. Quickly putting my mask back on, I gave the man a bright and excited smile. "R-really? Are you sure?"

"Of course, I'm sure my dear, I never say anything unless I am sure!" The doctor said quickly, draining his cup dry with a huge gulp, before pointing at one of the exits in the tower. "And for that reason, we haven't a moment to spare! My first class begins in a mere two hours, and that is barely enough time to get everything ready for you and give you a tour of the grounds!"

"Y-yes of course," I stated simply, as I felt a sense of dread loom over my head, as everybody in the building looked on in fright. As fast as they could, they held tightly onto any loose objects when they heard the man's exaggerated speech. "Lead the way Dr. Oob-"

I didn't even get the chance to finish what I was saying before the man disappeared in a rush of wind and sound. It was a hurricane of immense force following him wherever he went like a bat out of hell. I blinked again as I turned my head, trying to find a trace of the man who was supposed to be my guide. But he was already far past my sight, a speck in the distance no doubt rushing through his words.

"-leck…" I finished in a whisper, once again shocked by the speed and accuracy this man was able to move. However, all I could do was shake my head at the man's seemingly excitable nature. Or perhaps 'overcaffeinated' nature was more accurate.

Still, it was quite amusing to see such a free and excitable nature hidden behind a stone countenance. Perhaps it would not be so bad to have a tour, being accompanied by such entertainment.

Yet, a part of me felt…

I turned to the elevator, my gaze searching around the device with a deft quickness, before finding a camera just above it. With a long stare, I was sure I felt a gaze meet mine, as a tingle went down my spine.

It was a simple sense, just a small one, but I had felt it before. Where, I could not quite place, but the longer I stayed the less sure I became. Like looking upon a sudden gust of air, attempting to see its shape. This feeling…

I turned away, still feeling a pair of eyes boring into the back of my head, as I walked towards the exit with my heels clicking against the large stone white tile.

I did not like it one bit.

---

It didn't take long for the Doctor to realize that he had completely left me in the dust, appearing before me once again with ear-shattering speed. He profusely apologized for his disappearance, and I simply accepted the matter gracefully, genuinely excited to take the tour.

I now understood how some of the young servants felt when first being given a tour of Hyrule Castle. The campus for the school was simply incredible, with breathtaking structures and design. Just as I had noticed before, it was truly less a school and more of a castle that had been refitted into a school. The roofs, the stonework, the gardens, it was all so reminiscent of my castle that I was hard-pressed not to hug the walls and scream "I'm Home!".

Thank the Goddesses there were people around, otherwise, I might've done just that…

It was interesting to note that there were indeed differences between the two, though. For instance, the stonework on the buildings was strange, seeming to be one solid wall of stone. It made the wall almost smooth and completely uniform, a distinct difference from the stacked marble stones of my castle. Perhaps an innovation of structure manufacturing we had not discovered yet, but certainly not an improvement of design in my opinion. However, it would make scaling the walls harder, as there would be no obvious edges to grab onto.

Similarly, it would seem that the school was constructed with a far different purpose than my castle. While both seemed to house iconography and regalia that spoke of the pride of their respective nations, their primary purpose was focused differently.

No matter how beautiful or decadent a Castle may be, its primary focus was never to be looked upon with wonder and amazement. A Castle, like any base, was a tool of warfare, a last bastion for a Kingdom to stand upon. The maze-like structure, defense choke points, heavy doors, moats, and gates were all used to fend off invaders. A Castle and its defenses were considered a symbol of strength for a nation, its people, and wealth a symbol of their prosperity.

Of course, that is where they differed. My Castle was designed to fight foreign invaders, human or even demonic soldiers. It was meant to hold off an army, using any tactical advantage the enemy might gain against them every step of the way. This Castle, the wide spaces between buildings, the taller buildings with wide windows…

It was a defensive structure meant for hordes of monsters, with no thoughts or strategies in their minds. That was for Grimm, as beyond the creature Cinder, there weren't any human enemies to face nowadays.

But the structure and strategy of this temporary stop weren't important right now! What was that for the first time in over two years, I was surrounded by towering, interconnected stone walls! Walls that echoed with people's laughter, and were filled with the scent of freshly cleaned marble floors! Stone that stood for decades, and would continue to house many occupants for centuries to come! Gardens that grew such beautiful flora, attracting the creatures of the wild in picturesque visions of nature!

No more camping, no more late-night watches, no more cold nights huddling for warmth, and no more annoying owls interrupting my sleep! Just me, the solid stone beneath my feet, and a large bed with silk sheets! What more could a Princess ask for?!

…Needless to say, there was a pep in my step as I spoke with Dr. Oobleck, who was leading the tour. Mind, his tour was… oftentimes excessively detailing the History of Beacon Academy and which sections were built when. If it were anyone else, I'm sure they would have let this knowledge fall to the wayside without care. I, on the other hand, drank in the information like a drunkard does a barrel of wine.

In truth, I never knew I could speak so quickly, nor how effective and efficient it was. I knew this now though, because by the time we were a quarter way through the tour, we had already spoken much of Beacon's History. It was a unique exercise, recalling information faster than the rapid pace I spoke, but it truly was amazing to see how densely packed one can make a conversation. The problem with such a manner of communication reared its head though, as there wasn't much to fill the gaps now that we spoke at length so quickly.

Thankfully, Dr. Oobleck was used to coming up with topics to discuss. Though, in this case…

"And over here is the Teacher Apartments where you and your soon-to-be fellow instructors stay." The Doctor continued, rapidly spouting out sentences as the passing students could only watch in awe. The words spoken were as if strung together, incomprehensible at speeds not thought possible to some. "Be sure to ask them any questions on the curriculum if need be. Now, when and where was the Vytal Treaty signed, and why there?!"

"Are the Teachers available after hours?" I asked in turn, rapidly speaking and recalling information through my mental library. Now the attention was on me, my word working to keep up with the Doctor, though perhaps not as clear and precise. "The Vytal Treaty was signed on the Isle of Vytal July 18th, 013 M.O. King Ozymandias chose the small island because it was a heavily fought over territory during the Great Kingdom War for its beauty and resources. As such, signing it upon this sought-after land and making it a historical landmark made it unable to be claimed by any of the four kingdoms, while simultaneously giving it to all Kingdoms."

"Yes and Correct! Astounding!" The Doctor exclaimed excitedly, looking as if he would explode with energy despite his passive expression! I took that moment to catch my breath, the speed of my speech leaving me a little light-headed. Despite that, there was a smile on my face, as if I had taken a long but satisfying jog. "Truly astonishing Ms. Harkinian! It is no wonder the Headmaster has hired you for the position! With your knowledge of the subject, you could even teach my classes! If only you were a Huntress, oh the late night research, the studies I could conduct… "

"M-maybe in a few years, Dr. Oobleck…" I said between gasps, taking a deep breath of air to calm my burning lungs. Standing straight, I craned my head to look up at the man, as he stood a foot taller than me. "Let's see if I can handle tutoring first."

"Quite right," Dr. Oobleck spoke quickly, turning to slowly walk down the path, expecting me to follow. I did, keeping pace with the comparatively slow speed of the Doctor as he continued. "Now, as this is where you'll be staying, are there any questions you might have?"

Hearing his question, I took a second to organize my thoughts properly, fixing the jumbled mess they had become due to our conversation. As I did, I asked the first thing that came to mind, planning out how to effectively use the space I hadn't seen yet.

"Do I have my own office," I asked, imagining my own office back home, my Deku Oak Desk and quill sitting neatly with papers at the side. Portraits of my family on the walls, and thick drapes that caught the sun just right… "Or am I expected to be working in the room I will be given?"

"Hahaha, not to worry Ms. Harkinian." He laughed, continuing to walk forward on the path, standing like a giant among the students. "Each Apartment is equipped with state-of-the-art Scrolls that are capable of processing any task you could need. It is also lined top to bottom with the latest in Atlas security and is completely soundproof as well! If you need to work on something, private or otherwise, your room is well equipped to do so!"

Atlas Security? So… that meant cameras and listening devices? Like Timothy's Library? That was… comforting. Seems I needed to come up with countermeasures to avoid my secrets being discovered.

"I should warn you, however," Dr. Oobleck started again, suddenly stern as I turned to him, creating plans in the back of my mind for the cameras. "That even though you are not necessarily a Teacher and are within the same age range as many of our students, it is still considered highly inappropriate for you to bring students to these apartments. With that said, I suggest you have any tutoring sessions you handle to be in the library, which is our next stop."

"Of course Dr. Oobleck." I answered easily, inwardly rolling my eyes as I passed some of the students 'my age'. Watching as they messed around on the Campus, playing some strange sport I had learned was called Grifball. I couldn't even bring myself to understand the rules, but the people playing seemed to be making a show for any girl passing by. I was no different, as when I passed, the student catching the ball suddenly forgot what he was doing. With ball in hand, he dazedly waved his hand in my direction, before he was crushed beneath five other students.

"…I will keep that in mind." I turned with a smile, ignoring the other students with practiced ease as they stared.

"Splendid!" The Doctor exclaimed, beginning to pick up his pace before stopping himself, matching my own pace again. Say what you will, but Dr. Oobleck was nothing if not a gentleman. "Now, as we continue, I should bring up the students in general. As you are a tutor for my class, I expect you to be able to offer aid to any students that ask for your aid. From here on, unless it is a matter of due dates, research references, and an overall outline of homework and projects, my first instinct will be to direct the students towards you. I am quite assured though, as you have answered every question I've asked to its fullest, and more accurately than some of my own constituents."

I nodded, showing him I was following along with what he was saying as I continued down the trail after him. In truth, it was like following the stride of a Gerudo Warrior, though more in part due to his height t-

Someone recognized you.

I turned my head, feeling a pair of eyes immediately leave as I did, my right hand tingling in apprehension. But unlike the eyes that had been on my person ever since I had gotten here, these eyes…

They were familiar.

"However," Dr. Oobleck continued, as I outwardly shrugged my shoulders and inwardly tried to catch a glimpse of whoever it was. Yet, it was not meant to be, as the sea of students simply blended together, any chance of picking one out of many simply gone. "As most Teams share the same classes, it usually falls upon one of these members to aid the Team in studying. This, I tell you from… personal experience."

"Struggled in school, Doctor?" I teased, mind racing as I felt my skin crawl, the thought of that creature here… Was it possible? Could that thing really be here, right where I moved to be protected from it?

It could very well be. But remain calm, for panic will only make this opportunity harder to grasp.

"…Now what in the world would make you think that?!" Dr. Oobleck exclaimed loudly, unaware of the thoughts in my head as he unintentionally joked around. Still, his silliness was a welcome distraction from my thoughts, as dark as they were growing. "Ahem, as such, you should expect to be aiding students in their usually assigned groups of four. To start, I have a few teams in mind that have… unique circumstances that may require your aid."

"Unique circumstances?" I asked, wondering what he could be talking about as I found myself looking out of the corner of my eyes. Searching for anything, a twitch, a whisper, or even the odd student following me. All as I kept an ear upon Dr. Oobleck, trying to take both my job and my life seriously.

"Well, one of the members of a Team was held back in my class due to their grades." He continued, bringing a hand to his chin as I felt the stare on me once more. I kept a frown off of my face, 'listening' to the Doctors' every word as I tried to pinpoint their location. "Though, it was less of an academic problem and more of a psychological one due to her lack of confidence. It has never been my strong suit to give anything more than facts and hypotheses, so I believe you will be of great assistance."

Let's see… I was on the path, there was nowhere to hide within direct view of me, and only a few students around me. The buildings were too tall to overhear us due to the quiet bustle of the campus. He was nearby, on the ground, so it was safe to assume…

I pulled out my Scroll, pretending as if I had gotten a text or notification from the futuristic piece of technology. Instead, using the barest second I had, I used the glass as a mirror, a terribly dark one that only spared a few details. That was enough, however, as when I angled the Scroll just right…

I saw a familiar tuft of silver hair, before the screen turned on.

"I see…" I said aloud, putting away my Scroll, ignoring the existence of Mercury Black only a few yards behind me. Walking boldly down the path after us, casually talking to another student as he glanced at me, if my ears were right anyway. The panic in my chest swelled, but I allowed none of it to show on my face, not a hint. I didn't know he existed, and I was standing behind a Huntsman, there was no reason to panic.

But why was he here? How was he here?! Wasn't this the base of his enemy?!

…Actually, it was perfect. He was an Assassin by trade, and young to boot, so it was easy to disguise himself as a student. And getting in for an enemy territory was the first priority of warfare.

I had underestimated the Demon. It was far more cunning than I had realized, and it had cost me to underestimate her…

No. Even if he was here, that doesn't mean I was caught. As far as I knew, it was only my appearance that had been compromised, nothing else. For all I knew, Mercury noticed me because I was a blonde woman being led by one of the teachers. Seeing the similarities, and knowing that Ozpin was after them was enough to garner suspicion from him. But unlike me, he couldn't confirm that I was the Summer Maiden just from a glance.

It was too risky, with too many variables. Such as, if I really was the Summer Maiden, why was I being paraded by what was likely the most distinct teacher here? Was I a trap meant to attract any insurgents? Was I really the Summer Maiden? Was I both, a powerful mage and a trap meant to catch him if he bites?

And from the loud click of teeth behind me, it seemed that Mercury had come to the same conclusion. It was simply too risky to confirm, and since I wasn't giving him anything else, he was stuck with the questions.

"Anything else I should know about the students I will be tutoring?" I asked Dr. Oobleck as the Assassin trailed off, unwilling or unable to make a move near the Huntsman. But it would not be the last I see of him, nor his group.

'But thanks to him carelessly revealing himself, I am all the more prepared.' I thought to myself with a smile, continuing down the path as if nothing happened.

At least my stay would be interesting.

"Other than the odd eccentric personality, I doubt there is anything t-" Dr. Oobleck continued before stopping himself, no clue how close a Demon's henchman had been to confirming my identity. "No, let me correct myself! Two Teams might need your help from an academic standpoint…"

"Really?" I asked, watching from the corner of my eye as the tuft of silver hair disappeared from view. I felt my heart relax, making it so much easier to simply pretend to be ordinary. "Who?"

"Team RWBY and JNPR." Dr. Oobleck answered, as I nodded, vaguely aware that Huntsmen-in-Training were teamed up into groups of four. Safety in numbers, I believe? I would have to read up on that later…"More specifically, their Leaders."

That, however, was something I didn't know.

"Their Leaders?" I asked, unaware that the Teams of Huntsmen had people who lead them. Was it like my knights, having leaders in a squad for tasks and duties my General would assign?

"Yes, every Team at every Academy is assigned a Leader from the four partnered applicants." Dr. Oobleck explained, adjusting his glasses as we turned to a large building in the distance, a large flood of students moving in and out. "They are the representatives of their entire team, both leading in battle and as an example academically. Though they showcased an incredible talent in combat and teamwork respectively, the Leaders of both Team RWBY and JNPR happen to be falling below what I consider to be acceptable standards for such a position."

"Ok," I nodded along, drinking in the information easily, wondering what these team were like. "So I should be aiding them as best I can, correct?"

"As well as any other students wishing for additional aid." Dr. Oobleck acknowledged with a nod, continuing to walk towards the building with his comparably slow gait. Quickly approaching the door, I found myself peeking ahead, trying to see our destination through the glare of the glass doors. "I'm sure the Headmaster will provide you with your password to the grading system to see who needs what. And though you will be working the most in my class, I will say it is likely that students from other classes will be asking for help too, so be prepared for that."

"Of course Dr. Oobleck." I agreed easily, as the Doctor moved ahead of me, blocking my view. Frowning slightly at his unintentional move, I sighed and asked my next question in an even tone. "So, where will I be teaching them, your classroom?"

"Tha will not be necessary." Dr. Oobleck spoke with a smile, the lens of his glasses glaring in the direct sunlight. "Because I will now be showing you your own."

As soon as he said that, he opened the doors and invited me in as a gentleman should. Stepping inside with a smile, I turned my head to see where it was we were…

Only to see what was, without a doubt, the best Library in this world.

Over 48 bookhelves, each 5 yards long and half as tall, absolutely stuffed to the brim with books. Large Windows that perfectly filtered the sun in at a comfortable brightness and warmth, with a large number of desks and scrolls. Proper security, nice and warm, not a speck of dust in sight! It was a far cry from Timothy's Library, and was a proper place to protect the knowledge that Nayru coveted.

It was wonderful…

"I had the same expression when I first came here." Dr. Oobleck spoke, the smile easily showing in his voice, as he stepped to the side as if to continue the tour. "This way!"

Unable to turn away from the Library, past shelves that stood taller than some houses, in a room large enough to hold hundreds of people, I moved. It was automatic, as they both maneuvered towards a staircase, realizing that there was a second floor! Of course, upon closer inspection, there were many copies of many books, likely so that many students could take out the same book. Still, it was by far the largest library I had ever seen, even if my Castle's Library had all First Editions of many of not all the available books to exist in Hyrule.

As we moved further through second floor, as I absentmindedly count the number of books instead of copies, the Doctor suddenly turned. Opening a door, he gestured for me to follow, as he coughed slightly upon entering.

"This is where you will be teaching as many or as little students who require your aid." He spoke through his coughs, bringing up a hand to block his mouth. I raised a brow at his cough, wondering why it was h-

But following him, I quickly figured out exactly why it was he was coughing, as I had to bring up my own arm. What greeted me was… a much less impressive sight than the Library. Though still quite large, it was a classroom that one would find at any school in Hyrule. A large green blackboard on the wall, with 4x2 rows of long desks and benches, capable of seating about 32 students. Honestly, it was quite nice…

If it weren't covered by the thickest layer of dust I had seen, ticking my throat with every breath.

"It's.. dusty." I couldn't help but state, as the two of us stared, unwilling and unable to move further in, in fear of what may exist beneath the layer. If I could use my Magic openly, it would be a simple matter, but it seemed that this classroom would need a deep clean.

"Well… that can't be helped." Dr. Oobleck stated through a fit coughs, clearing his throat before continuing. "According to the Headmaster, this classroom was reserved for students in case our Study Halls were ever completely booked. That… ended up being a large oversight on the school's part though…"

I couldn't help but laugh, imagining so many students simply passing by the room upon its completion. It didn't help that I could imagine the Doctor taking it quite personally, seething behind a corner. "It is a rare few who take what they learn and observe it to the deepest level."

"Quite right." Dr. Oobleck said with a nod, seeming to take pleasure in someone that seemed to truly understand the weight of knowledge. "Anyway, it shouldn't be too hard to clean. The Headmaster will get some of the janitorial staff to do some sweeping and vacuuming, and it should be as it was when it was first created."

"That's good to hear," I spoke easily, stepping out of the room to take a breath of clean air, the difference a few feet could make simply staggering. "And supplie-"

"Will be delivered as soon as you officially sign the paperwork with the Headmaster." He finished for me, doing as I did and stepping out of the classroom, taking a deep breath of clean air. "Should be relatively soon as well, as no doubt the Headmaster himself will soon arrive to give the rest of the tour."

I blinked, having not expected to hear that. Ozpin was coming here? Before I could say anything though, a loud beep came from Dr. Oobleck Scroll, before it suddenly appeared in his hands.

"Aha," Dr. Oobleck said with a smile as he read something on his Scroll, quickly putting it away. "There he is now. He'll continue the tour as best he can, and probably even better than I could. Now, are there any other questions you have?"

So, I was going to get my answers soon? Wonderful. As pleasant as this tour had been, it would be wonderful to finally get what it is I came here for. Still, since he asked, there was something that I should be curious about…

"Well," I began hesitantly, bring a hand to my chin a bashful move, hoping that I would get the answer I wanted. At least, the answer the helpless Zelda Harkinian wanted. "I was wondering about… the combat classes. I am a tutor in a school meant to train Huntsmen and Huntresses how to kill Grimm, but…"

"I see." Dr. Oobleck stated, looking at me with a smile as I finally seemed to be acting my own age. He reassured me, however, as he looked back up into the distance, glasses glaring from the light. "Not to worry, it just so happens that fighting and sparring is one of the few things our students never need help with. They are very keen when it comes to combat simulations, even if they don't enjoy their studies."

I sighed in 'relief', allowing myself to relax as he confirmed what I wanted to know. Wonderful, now I didn't have to worry about anyone asking me to fight. I could simply take my time, search for Link and the Triforce of Power, and ward off any attempts to take the Maiden Powers. Simple enough, now to simply plan for when t-

"Why, just a little over two weeks ago, two teams completely took over the Cafeteria and created a bloody mock battlefield of Protein, Carbohydrates, and Juice."

…what?

I turned to Dr. Oobleck with wide eyes, unable to fully comprehend what he was saying even though I understood every word. That, was he, but…

I followed my instincts and laughed, the sudden mirth causing the Doctor to turn his head toward me with surprise.

"And here I thought you didn't make jokes!" I told him honestly, gently ceasing my laughter with a shake of my head. He truly was quite funny when he wanted to b-

The sound of wood shattering and a sudden roar ripped through the air, as I instantly covered my ears at the sound. Despite this, Dr. Oobleck gave no reaction, and simply looked down quizzically at me.

"What joke?"

Rushing towards the railing of the second floor, I found myself looking down at the first floor. There, I saw a sight I hadn't thought I would see again within a school, even if it was a warrior school.

There, sitting at one of the library tables, which cracked in half between what appeared to be two students, were 8 students. Currently, it seemed they were having some kind of stare down, as a woman was staring at someone like she was trying to light him on fire. That, however, was not what I was referring to having seen again…

"That's…?!" I couldn't help but whisper aloud, widening in surprise as Dr. Oobleck's steps followed behind me.

It was the blonde, open-shirted monkey Faunus I had seen at the White Fang Initiation!

"Oh dear." Dr. Oobleck spoke with a hand on his chin, shaking his head as he spoke. "It appears there's another fight among the students."

'He's… a Student?!' I thought to myself, watching as the Faunus took a step back, looking very confused as the girl across from him stepped forward. 'I knew they were young, but… A rookie shouldn't be that skilled…I thought that Huntsman was at least the equivalent of my Royal Knights?'

And skilled he was, if I recall correctly. Although he wasn't as much help against the Atlesian Paladin, the blonde was by no means unskilled. Wielding a strange combination of staff, nunchucks, and what this world called firearms, it was an utter travesty that I'll call a nightmare to wield. Yet, he was still capable of taking on a third of a small battalion, empowered by Aura alongside the one called Blake.

None but 30 of my Royal Knights could boast of defeating such a force, and that was only counting the small battalion. A few had died pulling off the same feat. Yet, what equated to a rookie knight in my world was capable of defeating a third of that?

'If that was the case…' I thought to myself, sparing the green-haired man next to me a glance, his eyes unseen from the lens flare bouncing off of them. 'How strong was a fully trained Huntsman?'

To move at such speeds, completely in control as he did… I let my mirth fool me into thinking otherwise, but I had underestimated the caliber of these warriors.

They were strong, incredibly so. If this entire school were to invade my Kingdom, and the blonde Faunus was the bar to compare them by, their sheer force and durability would make my remaining Knights look like children in comparison. My Royal Knights may be capable of holding them off, but much like That Night two years ago, they would be overwhelmed by the sheer number of students. Not to mention that any interference by an actual Huntsman would likely destroy any defenses that could be put up by any of my nights.

Without Link's aid as well as my own, only Enchantments on their equipment could give them a chance, and only the wisest and most powerful of Sages could place a strong enough Enchantment to bridge the gap.

And even then, it would be too late to even start the delicate art of Enchantment, much less craft the necessary tools and materials for the Enchantments to last longer than a few hours. Make no mistake, True Magic Items like most of Link's arsenal were incredibly rare, and the strongest of them always exact some kind of price on their user.

Simply put, with my Kingdom as it currently was and without the full force of my army, I would be helpless. Which begged the question…

With a force like this, what exactly are Ozpin and his Council so afraid of?

Were they that afraid of Magic? Yes, Magic is a powerful force, the very essence of nature at your beck and call, but the amount of effort or talent required to be truly feared… I only knew 12 mages on that scale, with myself being one of them. But the rest were filled with the might of age and Wisdom, the Great Deku Tree being an example of one, as he was capable of guarding and ruling his realm with the utmost authority.

If the Maidens switched around as much as I believed, untaught and untrained, there couldn't be more than a few every generation with enough talent to make up for their lack of teaching. Was there something I'm missing? Did magic work differently here in Remnant, or…

I felt my eyes drawn back to the commotion below, as I finally focused back on the brewing argument between the two. It seemed to be getting worse as time went on, and knowing how strong the blonde was, there would no doubt be consequences if it continued.

"Doctor," I spoke up, adding a little air of worry to my voice as I watched the argument begin to grow, as many students turned to stare. "I believe you should do something before this gets worse."

"Quite right," Dr. Oobleck spoke quickly, taking another sip from his thermos with an unreadable expression. "Something should be done before Ms. Valkyrie decides to break any more furniture. You may also spectate for any pointers you may need in dealing with the students."

I nodded, agreeing with him and expecting the doctor to use his super speed to break up the argument as quickly as possible. It shouldn't be too hard, seeing as how he knew the female student and had been working at the academy for some time.

So, with the explosive movement at my side and the sudden appearance of Oobleck on the bottom floor, I took my time to make my way down the stairs. As I was moving, and the crowd around them was forming to watch the carnage of two students seeming to have a fit, I strained my ears to listen in. Perhaps I could get a glimpse at what the future Warriors of Remnant would be like.

"WAFFLES ARE NOT BETTER THAN PANCAKES!"

I grimaced at the sudden shouting, cupping my ear as the rest of the crowd followed suit, their expressions mixing in pain. What in the name of Hylia wa-?

"Of course they are!" The Blonde Fanus spoke casually, his body language laid back with his arms behind his head. "They taste better, they last longer, and they don't turn to paste after you pour Maple Syrup on them! They're better, hands down."

"Blasphemy!" The red-headed, boisterous girl shouted, her face turning red in anger as she was physically held back by a 6'1 boy with black hair, his face turned away from me. However, he wasn't the only one who was holding her back, as someone was on the other ar-

I blinked, rubbing my eyes to make sure I saw it right, blinking again as my eyes were not lying to me.

Was that a Gerudo?

Standing at the girls' side, struggling to hold Ms. Valkyrie back from attacking the Blonde Faunus, was a beautiful giant of a woman. With blood-red hair put up in a ponytail and a bronze decoration holding it in place. She was the spitting image of a Gerudo Warrior, reaching almost 6'4 with a clear strength to her presence that was unmistakably that of the desert warriors. The only clear difference between her and the unmatched warriors of the desert was the color of her skin, a creamy white instead of the dark tan that always seemed to accompany such features.

There were Gerudo and Sheikah in this world? I guess the transcripts of the Hero of Time's journey to Termina were accurate indeed. Some things never change, even while crossing worlds.

"Nora." A softer voice spoke, tickling something in the back of my brain as it reminded me of something. It seemed to be from the other person trying to hold Ms. Valkyrie back, as I realized how odd it was to see two much taller people struggle to hold back the shorter girl. "Calm down, it's not worth it."

"But Ren," The girl, now clarified as Nora Valkyrie, spoke with effort as she tried to push through her soft-spoken friend Ren and the Gerudo at her side. "Your pancakes!"

"Sun, I think you might wanna…" Someone said a tall blonde man who…

I blinked again, focusing on him as I looked up at a familiar face, but too different. Too soft, too tall, and certainly not projecting the warrior spirit he did, but certainly similar to my hero wearing that green school uniform of his. Yes, this tall boy certainly reminded me of Link, though only if I squinted and was maybe standing on a tall box.

"Come on," The other blonde, Sun I think he said, began quietly with a simple shrug of his shoulders and, amusingly, his tail as well. "It's just pancakes. If she wants to fight about it… well, I've wanted to see how good your coliseum is for a while… "

"I don't know…" Another boy, this time with blue hair, a few steps back from the two said as he watched Nora be wrestled into place by her friends. "Didn't you hear her talking about breaking that guy's legs earlier? I mean, that doesn't sound like someone fun to fight…"

"That just means she's giving it her all." The one named Sun said flippantly, not caring about the ominous signs that stood before him. If anything, he seemed somewhat pleased about that fact, as he turned back towards Nora with a smile, bringing the argument back in full swing.

"Y'know, I can't think of even one way that pancakes are better than waffles." Sun continued with a smirk, as Nora once again strained herself against Ren and the Gerudo women like a wild animal in chains. "Bet even Professor Caffeine over here can't come up with a reason."

With that challenge issued, the entire library turned to Dr. Oobleck, a still statue of a man with a hand on his chin. Each of them was waiting to hear his opinion, while I couldn't help but raise a brow at the strange and sudden interest in Waffles vs. Pancakes. Wasn't this the equivalent of a college? Why were they entertaining this? Just to get these two to fight?

"Doctor!" Oobleck suddenly exclaimed, turning his head towards Sun so fast I swore I heard his neck crack. The blonde in question had to hold a hand to his mouth to stop his laughter. "Why must I insistently remind you all? I did not go through eight years of research simply to be called a Professor, but a Doctor! So, to answer your question Mr. Wukong, no, I will not be wasting my time with such a subject!"

The crowd instantly dissolved into a wave of voiced disappointment, and I could only sigh in relief. At least someone had some sense in this school. And as Sun frowned in disappointment, while Ren, the Gerudo, and Fake Link sighed in relief when Nora relaxed…

"Not without a proper scientific study conducted by both you and Ms. Valkyrie on the various quantitative aspects that could determine such an argument!"

I blinked in confusion as the room exploded with a rapid typhoon of motion, various books pulled off of the shelves, and dust suddenly filling the room. As soon as the room stood still again, it was to my shock that the entire room had shifted! Where once was space was now two tables, each with six plates and a chair, both Nora and Sun sitting in them as they looked around surprised.

"Now then," Oobleck began, suddenly shifting into view with a clipboard in his hand, writing something down fast enough that I was sure the paper would burst into flames "I have no time to waste, so we will simply argue the facts that you brought to the table Mr. Wukong! As taste is a matter of opinion, we will simply cross that off the list, but the other factors that you supplied were quite interesting! If indeed a Waffle can last longer than a Pancake before it expires, and doesn't break down with the introduction of additives such as Maple Syrup, then the logical conclusion stands that Waffles are indeed better than Pancakes! Ms. Valkyrie, your retort?"

The room was filled with utter silence, as the situation unfolded before me like that of an incomprehensible dream. I felt my stomach tighten as I tried to keep a straight face watching this… unexplainable situation play out. It- there was no rhyme or reason, no purpose to what was unfolding before me! And yet…

"Neptune…" I heard Sun say as he turned to his blue-haired friend, whom I now knew to be Neptune, as the other blonde just looked utterly confused. However, much to my amusement, real tears were in his eyes due simply to the pure joy he was feeling in this moment. "I love this school."

I felt my poker face crack, as I had to hold up a hand to my mouth to avoid revealing that fact. Oh Goddesses, this school was jus-

And not even a moment after I managed to hold myself back and keep such an unladylike expression in…

"RRRRAAAUUGHHHHH!" Nora roared with absolute fury, as she tackled Sun into one of the many large book shelfs. Before anyone knew what was going on, the Gerudo managed to race in after the girl, pulling her off as the shelf teetered and some books fell to the floor. Even still, she tried to break the Gerudo's hold, her arms outstretched to get even the smallest scratch on him.

And as many of the students winced in sympathy, the Blonde Faunus having been crushed against a bookshelf, some books fell on his head, Oobleck spoke. The voice of reason, one meant to stop arguments from happening and to keep the peace in the school only said:

"Well… at least she's paying attention."

That was the rock that broke the Goron's back, and I quickly realized I couldn't help it anymore.

On the stairs leading down to the library, I felt myself almost collapse into a fit of laughter that shook my entire body. I could feel the laughter down to my very bones, as the mirth that I had been holding back had broken down the dam I had created. All the stress, all the looking over my shoulder, it was all gone due to the sheer abnormality happening before me. Oh, I could feel the fit of giggles invading the darkest corners of my mind, invigorating me unlike anything else since my otherworldly arrival.

I hadn't this hard laughed since Link angered that flock of Cucco- oh no! My laughter redoubled, echoing across the halls of the library that would no doubt have me ejected from the premises! Oh Goddesses, make it stop! It's too embarrassing!

I tried to take a breath to calm down, as I felt many eyes begin to stare at me, trying to fight down a blush from the shame of it all. I could hear them whispering, pointing fingers at my shameful display, laughing at someone else's expense like this. If we were in my Kingdom, by now the poor man or woman would've been the target of so much ridicule for their act, they'd never show their faces in high society! Oh, Father would've been furious to see this, me laughing so uproariously at someone else's misery!

Even still, the clear bells of my laughter rang through the room, as I tried to force myself to calm down. I ended up having to pinch myself to even take a breath, slowly but surely working my way back to my casual mask. Even then, the mirth did not leave me, as I couldn't help but find the situation so amusing! That, however, was hampered by the multitude of stares that were pointed in my direction, as I had to force down a blush.

It didn't help that further attention was brought to it by the resident Doctor.

"Ms. Harkinian," Dr. Oobleck began, as I still faced away from the onlookers and took a breath to steel my emotions. "If you are finished, I believe your assistance in this matter would be much appreciated! Now, what are your thoughts?!"

It took every ounce of my will not to break out into laughter once again, his passion in such a silly argument just tickled me. I swear, when I get home, I would find a Jester of such talent if it was the last thing I did.

Seeing no point in staying turned, I faced myself towards the crowd of what would soon be my students. Without so much of a hint that I had been laughing as hard as I did, I gave them all a gentle and polite smile.

As soon as I did, I was no longer seeing a sea of confused and curious faces, but a red sea of stunned and awestruck faces. Jaws fell to the floor, while others stared at me with big eyes as if they had seen something beyond comprehension. Others still had dropped everything they were carrying, as it crashed to the floor with a loud bang. Some of the students that were walking by ended up crashing into bookshelves and desks, while some had heard the commotion and looked up from their scrolls only to be equally star-struck.

I blinked, looking at them all with what might've been a bemused expression, a little surprised at their reactions. I knew I was beautiful, but wasn't this a little much?

Glancing at the group responsible for the 'Pancakes vs. Waffles' debate, they had some interesting reactions as well.

The Gerudo was looking at me in interest, but not as the rest of the student body was. Rather, she seemed to be questioning who I was, and why Bartholomew seemed to know me. That is, if the glances between me and him were any indication.

The one called Ren, however, was staring at me with a blank expression that seemed to be that of indifference. Even still, I could delve a bit deeper and see that like the other students, he couldn't take his eyes off of me. Rather than being emotionless, he was merely expressionless, hiding his emotions better than most.

The other two, the one named Neptune and the Fake Link, both had the same reactions. While Fake Link was more obvious with his intentions, they both looked like they were plotting something. However, plotting sounded bad, as I was pretty sure they were simply coming up with ideas on how to approach me. It was a face I was familiar with because it was one I had recently made a habit of rejecting.

The perpetrators of my laughter, Nora and Sun, were stunned but nowhere near as red in the face as the other students. Nora was indifferent to me, as she seemed more interested in finishing what she started with Sun, getting ready to maybe destroy a few more bookcases. That changed, however, as she felt the grip on her loosen, turning a questionable glance towards Ren. As soon as she saw the way he stared at me, she stood as if shell-shocked. A moment later, the rage that filled her eyes not only directed itself towards me, but even doubled in strength. For a second, I could've sworn she was about to call down a bolt of lightning upon me, but she simply seethed silently.

Sun, who was openly staring at me with his mouth open, blinked, shook his head, and picked up his jaw. However, unlike the rest of the student body, he didn't continue to stare at me. Rather, he got himself out of the bookshelf he was stuck in and subtly glanced towards one of the desks in the library.

Curious about what he was looking at, I took a glance myself and was once again shocked by the only person not staring at me. Once again, I was surprised to find it was another person I knew, staring at a scroll and completely unaware of everything that was going on. A familiar black cat Faunus, Blake, in her school uniform and wearing a black bow over top her cat ears, looking as if she were slowly turning into a Redead.

I frowned as I watched Sun walk up and elbow the girl, whose first reaction was to turn to him with a glare. Why was she covering her ears? She didn't have them covered the last time I saw her, but now…

Later. Now wasn't the time to wonder about the choices made by students, but rather to play the part of the teacher. And to that end…

"I'd love to help, Dr. Oobleck," I told him with a smile, as the entire room seemed to lean in when I spoke. Even those uninterested in my words seemed captivated by them, as Blake was suddenly paying close attention to me. "But, unfortunately-"

"Miss Harkinian and I have some unfinished business."

I blinked at the sudden interruption, as the force of the student's gaze suddenly and somewhat reluctantly shifted away from me. And that shift came with a plethora of other reactions that soon followed. Whether it was the straightening of their backs, or the desperate dive to retrieve the previously dropped belongings, everyone worked quickly to be as presentable as possible.

Well, not everyone, as I could still feel the desperate wish that I would be struck down where I stood.

Still, even before I turned around, I knew exactly who it was I was turning to meet. The man I had originally come to see, to ask my questions of the Maidens, to know where I stood in this new world as mysterious enemies could stand on any corner. The man who could single-handily guard me from any threat as I discover the nuances in this world, or simply drag me in whatever he and his Council were planning. For a second, I felt the thrill of fear enter my heart, time slowing as I prepared myself…

And shuddered in relief as soon as my crystal blue eyes met his hazel, tears peaking through their corners as The Princess of Destiny sunk away in my mind. As she did, 'Zelda Harkinian' made her appearance, and the relief of having finally met the person who would protect me from that awful creature that killed Timothy surfaced. The exhaustion from having to hide said fear, from looking over my shoulder every second to jumping at every moving shadow.

Details too subtle to fake were made real, and expressions too genuine to play were summoned forth. Although it was still 'me', it was me that could never be but certainly was, a facade used to hide the Princess of Destiny. A new actor in this story is known as Remnant. Why?

Because it was necessary.

Just as the Duo did not need to learn of the existence of Magic, as well as my true identity as Zelda Crown Princess of Hyrule, Ozpin did not need to know either. As far as I would let him know, I was the Summer Maiden that Timothy had found by chance, brilliant but unaware of the dangers around me. And it would stay that way, either till the day I leave this world, or the day I am forced to disappear.

I was already certain of the brilliant mind that stood before me, his eyes told me that much, and his confidence spoke deeply of his strength. He likely knew much of everything that happened in this world, his silver hair a badge of honor for the wisdom he carried. And with his expensive dark emerald green suit, vest, and emerald green turtleneck, he projected the resources he had on hand, what he could do with them was anyone's guess. This was a man much like that of a Wizened Warrior King, ruling his Kingdom with sword and scepter alike.

And because of that, my true existence was deemed both a threat and an inconvenience. To reveal myself as the Princess of Destiny, the Sacred Relic I carried, or even my existence as someone from a different world… The awe, the turmoil, the demands for answers, the unbound curiosity…

The fates of Hundreds of Millions of people changed by my mere existence in this world...

I did not need such a weight upon my conscience.

Already I felt Fate itself twist and turn with my presence, impacting me and affecting other people like a current hitting a small stone. I was worse than an obstacle to the path of Fate I was a threat to it. I was already responsible for one death, a death that never would've occurred if I hadn't appeared, who was to say that I wouldn't be responsible for more?

And what was I supposed to do with that knowledge? Wait and do nothing? No… I've already promised to do all in my power to return home, as well as actively face the enemies blocking my path. I couldn't turn back, not even an inch. Still, if I interfere too much, then whatever Fate this world had in store could be lost. Yet if I did nothing, my home was doomed, all because of me.

But what was ruling a Kingdom if not the art of compromise?

I didn't have to destroy the Fate of this World, nor did I have to do completely nothing. I just had to do something in between, observe the flow, and minimize the damage while maximizing the effects of my interference.

And what better way to do that than to shield myself behind a much bigger stone in the Stream of Fate?

So until the time came, I would use the man before me, shield myself from threats, and wait for my chance to destroy the Demon known as Cinder. With that threat gone, I would search for Link, and the remaining Triforce piece, and return to my world. And if something happened, if I changed Fate too much…

That was a price I would have to pay, to save and return to my Hyrule.

---

"I'm here Bitches! And I brought Favours for Everyone! HOHUHHAHAHHAHHAHHA!

-Joker, Batman: Assault on Arkham

---

Next Time on "A Hero's Dream"!

"The Old Guard!"