A/N: This is an AU-ish fic, I will say now. I don't believe in giving credit or glory to any other god but my Heavenly Father, and so, I have done some altering to Hyrule's history. If you have a problem with this, you can simply not read my story. No flame comments please; these changes are done according to my own convictions, not to shove anything into anyone's face.

Disclaimer: I do not own Legend of Zelda or any of its characters.

Prologue:

Malicious Intent

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:"~1 Peter 5:8

A volley of hellish flames cascaded vertically to its target, the wicks of the waiting candles on the chandelier that hung from the stone ceiling. A rather pitiful piece of metal, but the only available source of light in this cursed room at the moment. The threads in the wax of the candles ignited easily, bathing the cavern below in a hungry orange glow. The light bounced off the hundreds of thousands of reflective objects that lay scattered about the floor like hailstones after a storm, and millions of little points of light danced on the rough shale walls.

Blood red eyes took in the extensive wealth before them, scanning over each and every ruby and diamond, as well as the carpet of coins of gold and silver and copper. A lusted treasure – the dragons' hoard.

This… thought he who looked upon the glorious riches, this is what my father's life succumbed to…

A great roar of fury erupted from his black, scaled lips and he struck wildly, his muscular arm and vicious silver claws sending the piles of coins and gems flying in every which direction, exposing the smooth surface of the stone floor beneath. Smoke billowed from his flaring nostrils, and he clenched his razor teeth, as if the culprit behind all of this was betwixt his jaws now. Nothing would have given him more pleasure than to taste the blood on his forked tongue, to feel the bones breaking under his teeth…

But alas. Here he was, still cowering like a mangy dog in the bowels of his mountain fortress. Still an exile, still a creature despised… still a beast to be feared.

Reputation tainted long ago… So long ago, it was. Ages, perhaps, as his kind were known throughout for their lengthy lifespan. But the time was just about ripe for the taking. Soon, he would have his victory…

The Hero of Time would pay.

Oh, yes. He would pay indeed. Pay for assisting that inferior king in the banishment of dragonkind. Though the Hero he had known was no doubt long since dead, his line had to have continued… No… The next Hero had to have emerged. Yes…

The rush of hastily flapping wings broke through his conscious and he lifted his head in time to see a Shadowbat drop from the opening in the ceiling. It panted heavily, looking disoriented and very travel-weary. But upon seeing him, it dropped to the floor, dragging its body along the coins, closer to his clawed feet.

"My lord…" it croaked in its rasping voice. The sound grated on his eardrums, making him clench his jaw. A rumbling growl emitted from his throat, and he suppressed a shudder as a chill made his spiny crest tremble.

"Speak, don't grovel, wretch," he spat, curling his lips and baring his teeth. The Shadowbat quivered. "My patience is short today…"

"Y-Your suspicions were confirmed… The Queen of Hyrule is with child, due to deliver next summer, my lord. The country is-is hosting a celebration that will last a week…"

He said nothing in response, the wheels in his mind whirring and clicking like the gears of a clock. They did not slow, even after the longest while; if anything, they quickened. Everything fitted into place within the confines of his intelligence, and soon, his malicious plan fell together. Everything was ready, except…

"In one month's time, you will send one of your best stealth agents to Hyrule once again, Embrister. Have him make haste to the king and queen's chambers, and tarry there until nightfall." He turned, regarding the mounds of wealth around him casually, the flicking of his tail betraying his anxiety. "Once both are asleep, he will scratch the queen's womb, just above the child within…"

The groveling creature chanced a shaking glance upward, looking befuddled. "Er… Wouldn't it be easier, sire," it uttered with hesitance, "to simply bite the womb?"

He sighed long-sufferingly, smoke leaving his jaws with the hot breath. "No, Embrister… That would kill it. We need it alive. A scratch will merely weaken the child's defenses, making it easier to control… when the time is right."

"What of the effects on the queen? Surely they will suspect something…"

"Concern yourself not, my loyal minion. The effects will appear nothing more than a side effect of the pregnancy. Mortals, particularly Hylians, are ignorant in that way. They are far too hesitant with their suspicion. Even after everything they've endured in the past ages." His piercing scarlet eyes swiveled to the Shadowbat once again.

"On that note… What have you found of the Hero of Time? Is there one in existence among the mainland races?"

The Shadowbat swallowed, easily feeling the contempt in his master's voice. "Th-There have been confirmed rumors… Of many great wars on the mainland, against a usurper called Ganondorf… All battles have been aided and won by a brave warrior who wields…" The creature hesitated. "The Master Sword. And… h-he is also the father of the queen's child, the current king of… Hyrule."

The red eyes widened. "So… It is true. The sword has been drawn… And the Hero of Time has returned… as… king." A sadistic grin tugged at his snout. "My calculations were correct." He chortled darkly, and glanced back at his subject.

"No time will be wasted. Gather the forces, quickly. We will be ready."

"Gather the forces? But sire, we have a month's time, and even then, only one of us will be dispatched. Must we rush so?"

The coal black tail whipped through the air, missing the bat by mere inches and making the scruffy patch of hair on its head bristle. It whimpered, cowering back against the gold.

He whirled, wings extended broadly and the spines on his head and back tingling with rage. His eyes blazed; he slammed his hands against the floor, one on either side of the bat, making the floor shake. His claws glimmered in the dim light, twitching with an ache for bloodshed.

Lowering his head, he snorted down over the pitiful, trembling creature. When he spoke, his voice was dangerously low, and rumbling.

"We. Will. Be. Ready."

The Shadowbat nodded vigorously, openly regretting its mistake in questioning its great master. The master then drew back again, sitting back on his haunches; the rage was gone from his scaled face, as if nothing had upset him.

"Now…"

There it was again. The rage returned in full force, and the bat scarcely had the time to dodge the blast of white flames.

"GO!"

"Yes, sire! Yes, yes!" Whimpering and shrieking, the bat fumbled into the air, wings flapping desperately as it ascended up, and disappeared through the exit.

The deep, menacing laugh of its master ricocheted off the stone walls and followed it, pounding through the tunnel halls and making all those able to hear it tremble.