Link looked up at the sky. Another beautiful day in the country of Hyrule. Not a cloud in the sky—at least none above Kakariko Village. Not even a breeze disturbed the whistle grass around the spring. He stood and stretched, forgetting that Midna was on his back. She slid off, jerked awake, and then growled at him.

"Damn it, Link," she snapped, her voice thick with sleep. "How many times have I told you to wake me before you get up?"

Link rolled his eyes and looked south. Though he had just been turned into a wolf by Zant, he was surprisingly calm. There were no more twilight covered areas and he had spent the night hidden in the village. Having the scent of Ilia close by was comforting.

Today, he would be heading to the Sacred Grove. When he was done there, he would go to Ordon Village and tell Mayor Bo that he had finally found Ilia and that she was safe in

Kakariko Village. He suddenly felt Midna jump up onto his back again. "Come on," she urged impatiently. "Let's go."

Link yipped excitedly and bounded forward. Midna cut a scream short and grabbed onto the thick fur on the back of Link's neck. She started cursing at him and his stupidity, but he ignored her. He had newfound energy and a desire to use it. He ran through Kakariko Spring just for the fun of it and snapped at a couple butterflies before finally turning and heading out into southern Hyrule Field.

Link never got used to the feel of the wind rushing through his fur. He barked into the wind and felt a jolt of excitement in his heart. He continued to bark and run across the vast field that separated him and his village. Upon entering the woods, he reached Coro's hut. The man watched nervously and remained silent as Link passed for fear that he might be attacked. After passing the hut, Link spun around the corner and into the cave that separated the southern part of Faron Woods from the valley that was filled with poisonous mist. It wasn't until they reached the end of the cave when Midna slapped herself in the forehead. "Why didn't we just warp here? It could have saved us so much time!"

What's the fun in that? he thought. If we just warp everywhere then we don't get to see the world! Besides, it feels weird.

"Hang on, wolfie," she stated excitedly. "I'm getting us there now!"

Link held back a whine as Midna focused her power and warped them to the northern part of Faron Woods. Link bolted forward and surprised Midna so much that she fell off. He stopped and glared back at her as if to say, "That's what you get for warping me places."

"You stupid dog!" she yelled and climbed onto his back again. "What was that for?!"

Link growled and walked towards the forest temple that they had defeated so long ago. He looked around in hopes of finding a bridge or ledge he could leap onto. Midna floated passed him and showed him a spot to aim for. He jumped across the ravine and entered the vast and mysterious forest. Link looked around the forest, but found no other way out. Then he noticed a Howling Stone. He tilted his head in curiosity. There was

just one outside, he thought. Why would there be another one here?

He approached the howling stone and listened carefully to the wind as it whistled the notes. Confidently, he raised his head and howled. Every note was rich with nobility and Link assumed it was written for a royal family. There came a child's laugh from above and a small Skull Kid landed in front of them. Link tilted his head curiously at the child. The Skull Kid laughed again and blew his instrument. The instrument was something Link had never seen before. It was a horn but instead of just one end it had four. Forest Puppets, tall, gangly monsters that jerk awkwardly, fell out of the trees and surrounded Link and Midna. The Skull Kid then ran off through a path that suddenly appeared.

Link and Midna ran through the grove, fighting off puppets and attacking the Skull Kid until he led them into a large clearing and bombarded them with puppets. The whole time he played his horn and laughed at them. The two struggled to make it through to attack him, but he would flit to a new area and taunt them again. Finally the Skull Kid laughed and disappeared laughing. "Hee, hee, hee!" a child's voice rang clear through the trees. "Bye!"

Another pathway opened as his voice faded away. Midna felt grumpy after the fight and was upset that their mission to destroy Zant was taking so long. She just wanted to finish and go back to the Twilight realm. She growled darkly as Link made his way up the path. They stopped suddenly as they entered a clearing. The two of them marvelled at the ancient temple above them. Link found his jaw hanging open embarrassingly wide and snapped it shut. Looking down, he noticed the Triforce painted on the floor. He heard the majestic and royal song ring through the wind. Lifting his head, he howled the tune and felt a warm sensation run through his body.

Suddenly everything went dark around him except for the Triforce beneath him. The two statues guarding a blocked doorway began to glow and jumped so one was in front of him and the other was behind him. The ground was split into twenty tiles and the statues began to speak. "We are guardians of this land... Guide us to where we once stood. Only then can you enter the true Sacred Grove."

Link froze. How could he figure this out? Midna sighed and smacked his head.

"What would you do without me?" she laughed.

She levitated above Link and looked down upon the tiles. She carefully directed him along the tiles until the guardians were back in their original spots. A door in front of them opened and the statues spoke once again, "Go now to the sacred place, beast. We yield passage to the Sacred Grove."

After climbing up the stairs Link gazed upon the Master Sword. The sunlight above reflected on the blade in a serene yet powerful light. He was amazed by its mere existence. He had only heard rumours of the legendary blade. Slowly, he crept closer.

The very tip of his nose touched the blade and light exploded from it. Midna was thrown back screaming, but Link remained where he was. He growled and barked at the sword until it soon engulfed him in light. The change was sudden and painless. When Midna was finally able to look up again she was startled to see a human where the wolf used to be. He grabbed the Master sword and lifted it out of the pedestal. Sudden warmth filled his veins and he smirked. He twirled the sword around in his hand a few times and held it out to arms length. It was a good blade indeed. Midna stared at him in amazement and gasped. "The Master Sword accepted you as its master."

A slow, quiet clapping came from behind Link. "Well done, brother," a dark, amused voice reached his ears.

Link turned to face his twin brother, Dark Link. He continued to clap sarcastically until he was ten feet away from Link. "I guess I should be proud of my little brother." he sarcastically.

"I guess you should," Link answered, sheathing the Master Sword. "But I'm guessing you're not."

"Oh no, I'm proud," Dark Link laughed. "Maybe now you'll put up a decent fight."

"I'm not going to fight you, Xellic," Link replied with a sigh and began to walk past him.

"Why not? You'll fight Diababa, Fyrus and Morpheel, but you won't fight your own brother."

"I won't fight because I know a fight is exactly what you want. You have a problem and you need to deal with it without me," Link answered and turned to leave. "Midna, let's go."

They were about to leave the area when Xellic spoke again, "Were you ever curious, brother, to know how Zant knew where you were?"

Link froze. "It's not that difficult," Midna scoffed, unfazed. "Anyone from the Twilight Realm can do it."

"Yes, but who told him that the Twilight Princess was on the move? Who told him that someone was trying to stop him?"

Link looked at Midna. Twilight Princess? Midna? No...

Midna growled to herself and said, "Zant has always been after me. It's not much of a surprise to know he's watching me."

Xellic laughed. "Don't give me that, Princess! You and I both know that Zant had no idea you were here. I told him that my dear baby brother was getting help from someone from the Twilight Realm."

Midna screeched and lunged for Xellic. "Midna!" Link cried. "No!!"

Link grabbed her around her impish waist and shoved her to the ground. He felt Xellic's sword strike the shield that was strapped to his back. He rolled around and jumped up, still holding Midna back. Xellic's red eyes were wild and crazed. The Shadow Sword and black Hylian Shield were in his hands. There was no avoiding it now, they had to fight. Midna was struggling in Link's arms, cursing. "Shut up, Midna," Link hissed. "Stay back."

Xellic watched his brother draw the Master Sword and put the Hylian Shield in place on his arm. "Come, Link!" he yelled hysterically, a sadistic grin on his face. "Let's see how much you've learned since we last met!"

Xellic attacked before Link was able to fully prepare himself. He managed to lift the shield just enough to keep the blade from piercing his heart. Link stumbled back. Xellic spun and slammed his shield into Link's and watched him go flying a few feet away. Sighing, he put his own sword and shield away again. "You disappoint me, brother. Maybe in a few years you'll be a worthy fighter" Xellic turned to leave, but found Midna blocking his way. She was growling menacingly.

"I'm going to kill you!" she shrieked and jumped at Xellic again.

Xellic merely reached out and grabbed Midna by her throat. Her magic floated around her but could not touch him. "You, my princess, are a constant nuisance," he stated calmly. "Excuse me, but I have my own little princess to deal with. I think you know her, don't you? The princess Zelda?"

"You stay away from her!" Midna cried and struggled to free herself from Xellic's grip.

"Trust me, I would," Xellic said in a bored tone. "But it's my job to guard her and lately I've been ignoring my duties."

With that he threw Midna at Link, knocking him over again. "I'll see you later, little brother."

Xellic then turned into a wolf that was pure white except for blood stains that covered his muzzle and chest. It was apparent that he took pride in the people he'd killed. He took off; his speed and grace surprising for someone who was so cruel in every situation. Midna sat up and began to grind her teeth. "Your brother's a jackass."

Link sat up too. "I know," he whispered. "I know."

- - - - -

Xellic ran up the hundreds of steps that led to Princess Zelda's room with ease. He skidded to a halt and sighed exasperatedly. He was so close to slipping back in without being noticed. He quickly changed back into his human form and turned to face a demon-like human that was a bit taller than Xellic. Ganondorf had flaming orange hair and beard and his eyes were close to the same color. He wore black armour that matched his black skin and a gold crown of sorts. "Where have you been, Xellic?" he asked coldly.

"Don't give me that tone," Xellic rolled his eyes. "You sound like my mother."

Ganondorf flew forward, grabbed Xellic by the neck, and slammed him against the wall. "How's this for you, human? Motherly enough for you? You have neglected your duties and allowed Link to get in twice! I could have killed him by now if it weren't for you!"

"No one kills my younger brother but me!" Xellic snapped. "And I will be right by his side, helping him until I know that he's safe so I can kill him!"

"Insolence!" Ganondorf screamed and threw Xellic against the opposite castle wall. "I will kill anyone who gets in the way of my goal! And if that includes you or your dear little brother, so be it!"

"You won't kill me!" Xellic laughed with the same sadistic smile he had while fighting Link. "I know things you would only dream of. And I know that once I tell you, you'll kill me! So get out of my way, you sand dweller."

Xellic pushed by the other man and began up the stairs again. He was used to this. He sighed and ruffled his black hair before opening the door to Zelda's room. She whipped around, wide eyed and panicked. Xellic snickered. "Calm down, Princess, it's only me."

Zelda sat down on her bed, clutching her chest. "You haven't been here in a couple weeks." she said quietly. "Where were you?"

"Don't give me that tone," Xellic rolled his eyes and smirked. "You sound like my mother."

Zelda blushed fervently. "What... what happened to your parents?

Xellic blinked in surprise. He hadn't expected that. He expected an apology of some kind but not this. He sat down on the floor, crossed his legs, and looked up at her. "Why do you want to know about my parents? No one's ever cared about my life."

Zelda blushed again and looked away. "While you were gone I thought of things we could talk about... I didn't want to be stuck in another awkward situation... like last time."

Xellic sighed and looked at the ceiling before saying, "Eighteen years ago my mother gave birth to twin boys who were complete opposites and born within four hours of each other. The first son was born strong with black hair and red eyes, and the first one to learn the way of the sword and shield. The second son was born weak—brown hair, blue eyes and pathetic when it comes to the art of fighting. But he was always the favourite. Mother and father would boast about how perfect Link was and what a good boy he was... It was always Link this and Link that and Link's so perfect—almost as if they didn't have another son. But when they did notice me it was always to point out my shortcomings and compare me to my brother." he paused a moment before continuing, "The other Ordonians noticed that I was being treated differently. They warned my parents that treating children differently would lead to something dangerous. My parents didn't care. They didn't think that I would grow strong enough to kill them."

Zelda gasped and put a hand over her mouth. "You... You killed your parents?"

Xellic shrugged and smirked. "Surprisingly, no," he answered and looked down from the ceiling to his hands. His expression changed from amusement to disgust. "I should have. I really should have. No, my parents were the village guardians. Ordon was rarely attacked because there was never anything to gain by attacking it. The most anyone would get is cheese and some good meat. Anyway, the village was attacked by a group of bandits. My parents were trying to fight them off, but both of them were struck down. I saved them. I killed the bandits attacking the village and saved my parents. My mother was severely wounded. My father was left with a badly injured arm. On the morning my mother passed on, my father kicked me out and blamed me for my mother's death. He said that I should have come faster and fought harder. He didn't care that my mother was already badly wounded when I got there. I left, but didn't give my father a scratch. I don't know how he died. But when I returned to Ordon he was dead. I never asked anyone exactly how... I suspected the old man's heart gave out, but I never really cared."

"There was nothing you could have done, though. It wasn't your fault that the bandits came," Zelda replied softly.

"The world isn't as fair when you live outside these walls, Princess."

Xellic stood up and stretched and Zelda rose as well. Though they were twins, Xellic stood about two feet taller than Link and about a foot taller than Zelda.

"Why do you hate your brother if your father was the one who banished and blamed you?" She asked.

Xellic shook his head. "That's another story for a different time, Princess." he replied. "I'll come by later."

He transformed back into the white wolf and was gone without another word. Zelda watched him go and sat back down on her bed. Once again the feeling of loneliness set into her heart.

"Goodbye..." she whispered.