The Legend of Zelda: Loving the Twilight
Summary: Midna, Queen of the land of Twilight. Link, the savior of the world of Light. Both yearn for each other, but can their love blossom in a land where the shadow is feared?
The Legend of Zelda: Loving the Twilight
Written by SSK
Beta'd by: Slicerness
Summary: Midna, Queen of the land of Twilight. Link, the savior of the world of Light. Both yearn for each other, but can their love blossom in a land where the shadow is feared?
Chapter 1
Reunion
Midna, Queen of Twilight, hovered in the dark air. Watching sadly as the mutated Twili walked around with their giant stone disk heads, occasionally bumping into each other but otherwise showing no signs of higher thought. She reached up with her black and white hand and smoothed her fiery red orange hair out of her eyes. She then vanished into a series of square like objects and reappeared in the throne room where what few Twili she was able to revert to normal stayed; sleeping on the floor and eating what little food supplies were there. It had been 5 years, 5 long years since she and Link had saved the land of Twilight and Hyrule. In those five years she had worked to restore her people to their normal state from the mutation that Zant allowed with the fiend Ganondorf's magic. She did this to restore her kingdom to glory. However even with the strength of her ancient and powerful ancestors it seemed her efforts were in vain. Too few had returned to normal, not enough to continue the old ways.
Not only that, but Midna herself no longer wished to rule her kingdom. No, what she wished more than anything in the cosmos was to reunite with the young man that she had fallen in love with. Link, the young Hylian with blond hair and eyes as blue as sapphires with a kindness and gentleness that at first, to her at least, seemed foolish and naïve and later became his greatest strength.
Now she couldn't stop thinking about his kindness and his gentleness and had tried her best to imitate his natural gift. It was tough, but her people accepted her kindness and were humbled by her generosity. But as she looked at the people sleeping on the floors of her halls she knew this kingdom was done. She neither had the spirit or the will to continue trying to cure the rest of her people and rule the kingdom. She wanted to be in the realm of light and by Link's side... she wanted to love. She felt a tear slide down her cheek and she started, unaware she was starting to cry. She sniffed and the tears vanished into boxes. She sighed, a hand on forehead as she thought of what to do in such dire times.
'Rebuilding the kingdom is out of the question, I do not wish to abandon my people but I wish to be with Link, what should I do?' Midna sat there tapping her chin, lost in thoughts. A good ruler cannot, would not, abandon their people for personal gain. But she didn't wish to rule anymore. Part of her was surprised, and part of her was ashamed. She was a Queen, she had to look after her people.
'But it's been 5 years, my people aren't people anymore! I cannot bring back something that- that's been butchered so! A thousand curses and poxes on you Zant!' She thought bitterly remembering the traitorous, power-hungry Twili that she killed 5 years ago. The effects of his stupidity and greed had driven her people to this brink of near annihilation. She sighed, the damage though was done. Now she had to salvage what little she could.
"Your highness?" Midna snapped out of her thoughts starting slightly and looking around then at a small Twili boy. She smiled and leaned forward.
"Yes young one?" She asked.
"Why are you so sad?" He asked blinking with his bright orange eyes.
Midna looked at him, surprised at this comment. "What do you mean?" She said, not sure why this boy made such a comment.
"You seemed sad when you were thinking... are you hurt?" He asked in his cutesy innocent voice.
"No I just- I wish things were different is all... our kingdom is... collapsing, and I'm tired. I just wish I could..." She drifted off as her mind conjured up an image of Link.
"Your highness?" The boy asked.
"It's nothing, run along now young on." She said gently, turning to him.
He looked at her for a moment before he turned to go. He paused then turned around. "Whatever you wish from us your highness we'll gladly follow." He said before he went back to the many blankets on the floor.
Midna sat there still for a moment before she leaned back, her hands on her face, wondering just what to do. She got up and began to walk through main hall, looking at her people sleeping on the floor. They looked so... peaceful and content. None of them seemed distressed or distraught or worried even in the slightest. Yet it distressed her that they were so at peace with these squalid conditions. But it also gave her hope. Hope that these people would one day...
It was then she realized it. 'What if they become their own kingdom? Their own rule?' It was a gamble but... maybe, just maybe, it would work! But would they be able to rule themselves? Would they be able to trust each other? There had to be a way they could... her mind raced as she walked to the library to see what could be done for her people.
-The Hylian Great Plains-
A red horse galloped through the plains, on the horse's back a young man wearing a dark green garb, his dark blonde hair fluttering in the wind and his sapphire like eyes shining. He pulled at the reins, the horse whinnying as she stopped tossing her head and snorting. He looked around and saw what he always saw in these Great Plains, emptiness. Not a Moblin, Skull Dog, or even a Poe. As he looked he could remember when he ran through these plains fighting evil with Epona and... Midna. His mind thought back to the black, white and green skinned imp... sometimes he thought of her as the woman she revealed herself to be, but... his fondest memories were of her in that form. He felt his chest warm at the thought of her. He had to ride hard to find the fragments, he didn't know what was motivating him, but he just knew he needed to do this.
He pulled the reins turning his horse to Death Mountain.
Link rode Epona to the Kakariko Village just below Death Mountain. He tied her in and hopped off. He looked up at Death Mountain and rubbed his forehead with the back of his hand, feeling the heat. Vague memories of having a red tunic of some kind that would allow him to ignore the heat briefly flashed within his mind, but he pushed past them with practices ease. He'd been experiencing flashes like that his entire life, it was nothing new. He took his first step.
-Land of Twilight-
Midna rubbed her eyes tiredly; she had spent the entire night looking up and reading texts on governments and regimes. However, using the texts she believed she had found a perfect new way for her people to rule without her. It was tough, involving the people to basically 'vote' on a new ruler, that ruler would be responsible for the well being of the populace and would rule for a certain amount of time, just how long would be decided when she discussed it with her people. But they would rule for that long and then when that time was over they could either be chosen to lead again or another person could take over. However in order to lead a person would have to be within a certain age and would need certain key skills. Also, to give variety in leadership there would be a minimum of two possible choices to lead them so that people could weigh the pros and cons of leaders. That was more or less the foundation. Anything else would be something her people would have to decide.
She looked to see them waking up to a new 'day'. She walked forward and looked at them all meaningfully; they saw her gaze and quickly surrounded her. She took a deep breath, calming her nerves that were tingling in her ears. "My people, I have been your Queen for 5 years now." They smiled at her. "But our current kingdom is in shambles, I have tried to bring our people back from the Traitor Zant's corruption but my efforts... are worthless." They stared at her, their faces blank. "I have failed you all as Queen. Our kingdom, MY kingdom, is now a thing of the past, and as such I can no longer rule you." Midna said.
The Twili began to shout toward her but she held up a hand to silence them.
"Do not despair for I have a solution to our situation, one I think should lead to a new age for the Twili! An age... decided by you." She said gently holding her hand out and turning to all of them. They looked at her aghast, shocked even. "You may not believe me, but let me say that I believe with full confidence that you can achieve this! This new kingdom will be yours to shape, entirely by you!" Midna declared confidently.
They looked at each other, disbelief and near-panic high.
"B-But Queen Midna, we cannot rule each other, none of us are royalty!"
Midna smiled at the woman who spoke.
"Yes this is true, but that is why it will work. Let me explain it all and then let me know what you think of it..." And with that Midna began to explain the new ruling to her people. They all listened attentively, nodding and asking questions every now and then. It took her an hour but she had explained everything that she had thought of.
They muttered to each other silently. She waited patiently to hear their decision.
Eventually, one spoke, "So you mean we would choose who to lead us from two, or more, candidates? And these people can be any of us?"
Midna nodded, though she had answered that question before.
"The elected individual must meet an age requirement. I think... 30 or 40 years, should be the minimum?" She asked, trying to get her people to get into the conversation, maybe stir up some enthusiasm.
"40." A male that had remained silent until now declared, feeling confident in his answer as he declared, "With age comes wisdom!"
This declaration was met with general approval, nobody finding a fault with it.
"Wait, will women be allowed to lead as well as men?" Said a woman.
"Why change that? We do have the Twilight Princess who is our queen." Another pointed out.
From there debate began, details were hammered out and discarded if needed. Midna watched it all happily before her eyelids fluttered and she stumbled slightly. She had spent too long awake; she needed to rest. She smiled before vanishing into blocks again, barely noticed by her people as they continued their discussion.
She reappeared in her private quarters. Walking over to the shadowy bed in the middle of her room she fell into it without grace. She sighed and closed her eyes, "I'll be with you soon... Link..." She muttered, ever so softly.
-1 Week Later-
Link looked up at the monstrous Yeto and his rather human sized wife, Yeta. "You look for pieces of Mirror, uh? Yeto not seen any pieces here!" The yeti said in his booming voice.
Link sighed and turned to Yeta, "Yeta... might have seen a piece uh. Yeta take you uh." Yeta said in her gentler and quieter voice.
She began to waddle away. Link followed instantly, relieved; if this was indeed a mirror piece it would be the final one, and if it was... then he would begin the hardest part of this endeavor: reforming the mirror.
-Several Hours Later-
Link looked at the sky as the sun began to set before looking back down to the ever slowly waddling Yeta. As much as Link liked both Yeti's, there were certain things about them he couldn't really stand. For Yeto it was his loudness and suddenness for suddenly snatching things out of his possession, much like he had during Link's adventure. For Yeta it was her forgetfulness and... ultimately her slowness in moving. He had spent about 2 hours going from one location to another where Yeta 'thought' she had seen the Mirror Fragments only to find it was a crystal. This was the last location apparently; they had been walking and had come across a... snowfall. Essentially a waterfall but made of snow. Yeta stopped just right before it. She then turned to Link. "Past there uh... It's where I saw mirror piece uh... I think..." She said with a gentle smile.
Link sighed and nodded, feeling any annoyance her felt fail to really materialize in the face of such a matronly and gentle look. He reached for the bag on his waist and pulled it open.
This was the Travelers Bag, a bag that was capable of holding a seemingly infinite amount of items. Yet the bloody thing was cursed; as he was forced to wear it around his belt at pretty much all times save when he took off the belt. Luckily the bag was invisible till he needed it. Otherwise he pretty much had it everywhere he went. But he had to admit it's ability to hold every bloody item he ever found was useful. He grabbed his dual Hookclaws, finding some Hookclaw pads along the wall as expected. He pointed one and fired.
The Hookclaw shot out, chain making a very distinct rattling sound as it did so, flying through the air to ultimately latch onto the wall. He pressed the retracting mechanism and was pulled forward. He was on the wall in an instant and was already off to the next pad, effectively swinging to pad to pad like a jumping spider.
He traversed through the pads like that for quite a ways before eventually coming to a lip of a cave where he dropped down and put his Hookclaws away and began to walk forward. It was dark, but he walked on, ever confident. Link's hand gently reached up for the handle of the Master Sword that he still carried, even in these peaceful times. Step after step, his eyes alert for any sign of monsters, but so far there were none.
Then he saw it, a glinting at the corner of his eye. He turned and saw the mirror fragment lying on the ground, erect, as it had buried itself into the ground slightly. He sighed and released the handle of his trusty blade.
He took four steps toward the mirror fragment before a tingling prickle made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. The Master Sword was out of it's sheathe and in his hand in a blink with a scraping of metal on leather, as was the Hylian shield, which raised to defend against the threat, only for a terrified mouse to go running, chittering loudly and clutching a morsel of some kind in it's mouth.
He sighed and sheathed his weapon and shield; he didn't know why he was so jumpy all of a sudden.
Perhaps it was the sense of dread that after all his hard work something would inexplicably come to block his way somehow. For some reason he had felt that it was a... common experience for him. He turned back to the mirror fragment and reached down, grabbing it.
After a few hard tugs he pulled it out. Lifting it up, he moved it slightly to shimmer in the light. It really was a beautiful item, despite its shattered state; it was still a work of art. He placed it into his bag and headed out.
Once again he navigated through the Hookshot walls back to Yeta, who had been looking up into the sky, a look of wonder on her face. Link landed and went to where she was and looked up curiously.
What he saw took his breath away. The sun was nearly gone but still was poking out of the mountains slightly and was giving off a glow that sent a rainbow of color into the sky. "Pretty uh." Yeta murmured.
Link could only nod, he made a mental note to come here with Midna... that is, if he saw her again.
He shook his head, he couldn't think like that. He would see it her again, the only question would be if she would be up to coming back to the World of Light with him, even if only for a small visit, maybe even an adventure to a dungeon he'd been saving for a special occasion for old time's sake.
He turned to Yeta and nodded in thanks then he set off to find Epona to begin restoring the Mirror.
-Twilight World-
Midna sat on her throne, basking in the comfortable seat; it was the last time she ever would. She looked down at her people, with their varying sizes, shapes, and features. She smiled and stood up holding up her hands in an open gesture. "People of Twilight, today is the start of a new day and age for the Twili." She intoned imperiously. "For now the age of Monarchy is at an end... Now comes the age of choice, of reason, and of free will." Midna's voice rose steadily. "This path will not be easy at first, and sometimes you will falter or err in your ways. But I have faith that you will be able to usher in an age of plenty, peace and greatness!" She looked at them.
"I now give my final command as the Twilight Princess, go... find a new land to call home. A land free of the taint of Zant, a land where you can prosper with no fears a land that will bring you the greatness and glory you so rightly deserve." Midna said she looked at them fondly before bowing. "Be safe." She said, not a command as a ruler, but as a mother would to her children.
The Twili watched her as she walking away, one by one bowing to her in turn as she passed. The Twili boy that had spoken to Midna watched her go sadly before his shoulder was touched by an older female. He turned to her then grabbed her held up hand and the two followed the crowd.
Midna stood at the window of her chambers, her gaze on the mutated Twili, she had tried so hard yet... in then end it had been in vain. Well not entirely, she had saved some, enough to ensure a new destiny and life for the Twili. She stood up and held up a hand, energy glowing as the ancient Twili artifact appeared. She grabbed it, looking it over before holding it up. She knew that when the Mirror was destroyed it wasn't completely destroyed. No, that was impossible, for it was an item of great magical power that was forged by the ancients long ago. The items they created were nearly impossible to truly destroy. The Mirror was simply fragmented, and now... now was the time to find those fragments and repair the mirror. Now was the time to find the one she loved. She put the helmet on and turned, her body vanishing on the spot.
-1 Month Later-
Link released a cry of effort as he slammed the large hammer clenched in his heavy gauntleted hands down. Sparks flew and magical energy crackled like lightning from the impact.
"Good hit!" The enormous Goron Darbus encouraged.
Darbus had come to help Link forge the Mirror, mainly giving tips and helping him out with the heavy lifting as well as holding the mirror in place as Link hammered them together. For the past month Link had slaved away at repairing the mirror slowly, doing so piece by piece, starting from the center and working outward. It had been tough and grueling, especially later on when he had to heat the outer layers of the mirror. He was grateful for a Darbus' immense resistance to heat for that. It was entirely likely restoring the Mirror by hand as he was would have been impossible without his friend's help.
Link stood there panting and rubbed his sweaty forehead with his equally sweaty arms.
"Need a break?" Darbus asked.
Link shook his head and raised the hammer again, only for it to slip from his sweaty hands and crash onto the ground.
"Yeah that's about enough." Darbus laughed proudly at his smaller friend's actions. He had the resolve of a Goron, it was just his body that couldn't keep up, even as well trained as it was. "Come, I got some nice hot Mountain Spring Water!" He offered with a wink.
Link turned and nodded; truthfully he could use the break. He walked off with the great Goron Chief to refresh his body, and mind.
Minutes later, Link sighed as he rested in the large barrel of hot spring water, soaking in it. He had to admit the Goron's hot spring water was amazing, he could feel his muscles relaxing; easing up as the tension just melted away. Darbus himself was in an enormous barrel like structure filled to the brim with hot water. "Heh you're a determined one, that's for sure. Been working for a whole month with less than 30 hours' worth of sleep." Darbus said as he leaned back, the wood of the barrel creaking as it strained to hold his weight. "So what're you trying to accomplish with all this hard work? Nobody works this hard without a special reason, something special that drives them on."
Link laid back, his mind on the words of the Goron chief.
What was he trying to accomplish? Was he trying to find a way to see Midna again, or was he trying to do something to prevent himself from going crazy thinking about her? A traitorous and pessimistic part of him felt that he would never see her again. And the truth was it was only the faintest of hopes that he would; that one day someday he would see her again.
He shook his head fiercely. No, not hope. He would see her again! Link put his hands on the side of the barrel and pushed himself out. He went to his discarded leggings, the only article of clothing he had during this whole operation minus his gauntlets, and slid them on.
"Ha ha, you're a tough one that's for sure. Alright, back to the grinder!" Darbus bellowed as he jumped out of the barrel with enough force to shatter the bottom.
-The land of Twilight-
Midna looked at the final piece in her hand then at the podium that held the mirror up. The other Mirror Pieces held up by her twilight magic. They rotated, fragmented, but more akin to puzzle pieces than a truly shattered object. She then held up her free hand and the ancient mask fell on her. Midna's body fluctuated before it turned into a mass of glowing green and orange blob-like tendrils. The tendrils ends formed into hands that held up the pieces then shot toward the other pieces, grabbing them and pulling them apart before mashing them together violently.
The tendrils glowed, and the fragments glowed with them. White light appearing from between the fragments as the magic of an ancient power willed the pieces to form again. One by one, piece by piece, the mirror connected with each other.
-Hylia-
Link roared as he swung the hammer down. It hit the mirror with impressive force and the fragments hissed. Link panted and he saw Darbus holding up the final piece, glowing red hot. "This is it human... you ready?" Link looked at him.
"Yes..." He declared. He held up the hammer again, his fists tightening.
Darbus set the piece in place and he looked at Link, who nodded before bracing himself and swinging the hammer, hitting it from the side first. The fragment stuck in rigid. Link then held up the hammer again and swung it down, sparks and magical energy crackling. The mirror flickered with white light.
Darbus looked up at Link. "One more!" He shouted.
Eyes sharpening, Link looked down at the mirror intensely as he zeroed in on the perfect impact point. Releasing a signature cry he brought the hammer down one last time.
Energy exploded out throwing the two back and the mirror glowed brightly with white light. The two quickly recovered watching as the Mirror flashed before the light died down to a gentle glow. Link dropped the hammer and walked toward it Darbus right behind him. They looked at the mirror then at each other. "Ha, ha! You done it!" Darbus said, "Now comes the final step, cooling it off!" He said, "Wait here I'll get some spring water, it should do the trick." Darbus lumbered off, Link nodded then he fell back as an exhaustion consumed him. He sat there panting then he raised his hand, his left one, and looked at the back of it. He could see the Triforce of Courage shining there. He blinked and suddenly he saw white.
-The Sacred Realm-
Link stood in a sea of white; he blinked as he looked around.
"Link."
He turned and saw Zelda standing on nothing in the vast white expanse, her shadow the only indication the whiteness her feet here pressed against was 'ground'. "Why are you doing this?"
He gazed at her. "..."
She looked at him sternly. "Why do you seek to repair the mirror? Do you wish to let evil come forth? Or is this for a more... selfish reason?"
He glared at her. "What I do is my business... I will fragment the mirror again, but I must do something first..."
Zelda blinked she had never heard him say so much before.
"You cannot open the way to the world of twilight!" She warned recovering from her shock.
"..."
She gave a frustrated groan. "There is a reason why she destroyed the mirror!" She said.
"..."
She walked toward him, hands reaching up in a pleading gesture, imploring him to understand. "You do not understand, there is still evil in the realm of Twilight, if you open the door then there's a chance that whatever evil lies there will escape. Are you ready to take the consequences of such an action? Do you think Midna would want you to?"
Link's eyes widened he took a step back. "..."
He looked down, 'What if... she's right? What if Midna did this for the best of both worlds?' He paused, 'Even if a new evil does come... then I'll just fight and destroy it, as I always have. That's what I'm destined to do!' He looked up at her and Zelda saw the iron resolve.
She stopped and looked at him. Her heart thudding, she knew why he was doing this. It didn't make her feel any better about it.
"Link please... don't do this! You cannot risk my- our kingdom's safety, just to see Midna!" Zelda urged.
"I'm sorry... but once this is done the Kingdom won't have to worry about the mirror ever again." Link said resolutely before he raised his hand and clenched his fist, the Triforce of Courage on the back of his hand flashed once. Just like that he was gone, without a sound.
Zelda was surprised he'd been able to do that, but regardless she sighed, shoulders slumping. She rested a hand atop her heart, which clenched painfully within her chest. A feeling she had felt once before when she saw Link's face after Midna left.
In the short time she had known him Zelda, like Midna, had grown emotionally attached to the young hero. The oddest thing about the whole scenario was that she felt that this wasn't the first time this happened. She felt that, for the longest time, she wanted to cast aside her duties as the ruler of Hyrule or whatever she had been and just gone to live with him. She would've been happy with having a squalid and work heavy life, if it was with him.
Yet here she was, refusing to be true to her feelings. Letting her duty decide her fate for her while the man she now pined for went to possible bring ruin to the kingdom for love. She scowled at the unfairness of the situation.
She turned and vanished in a violent burst of light magic, her heart heavy with grief and longing.
-The Sage's Temple-
Link blinked, for that was how long his little exchange with Zelda had taken; the blink of an eye. He felt the ground shake and turned to the source, only to see Darbus lumbering forward with a large barrel in hand.
"Alright! Duryaaaah!" Darbus bellowed as he threw the barrel skyward. It sailed into the air before coming down and shattering with perfect accuracy atop the Mirror, water spilling out and onto the Mirror itself, which hissed as it was cooled.
Link watched in silence as the mirror became enveloped by steam. He waited for the steam to clear and when it did he saw the Mirror fully assembled and ready to be used once more.
Darbus walked over to the Mirror and grabbed it, hefting it up with seemingly no effort at all aside from a flex of his enormous muscles. He turned to Link, the Mirror raised over his head. "Okay, so where does this go?" He asked.
Link jerked his head in a satisfied nod and began walking. The journey wouldn't be long, the time was rapidly approaching to find out if what he was doing was going to doom the kingdom or not.
-Land of Twilight-
Midna gasped as the helmet was removed from her head and she fell forward, panting. She then stood up as she looked at the reforged mirror. It hadn't taken long but the process had been physically and mentally exhausting; she had been used a lot of power.
She stood, only one thing was left all she had to do now was wait... wait for Link to put his mirror in place. She knew he would, because she knew that like her he would desire one thing and one thing only: to be together again.
-The Temple-
Darbus set the mirror on it's pedestal and helped make sure it was set in correctly before he stood back and waited with Link.
Link sighed waiting, watching.
Minutes went by and nothing happened.
Frowning, he walked over to the mirror. It should've worked by now! So what was wrong with it?
He didn't need to voice his thoughts for Darbus to pick up on them. "Hmmm..." The Goron put a hand on his great chin, trying to imagine what should be happening. Unfortunately this was his first time seeing the mirror so he wouldn't have any in-depth knowledge of it, and magic was almost out of the question. Goron's couldn't use magic apart from the magic of the spiked roll.
He looked over at Link as his younger companion placed a hand against the mirror.
-Land of Twilight-
Midna sat in front of the Portal Stone, looking at it hopefully. Time had passed and her hope had faded with every passing minute. She had done what she needed to do, all that was needed was for Link to assemble the Mirror and-
It was then that Midna realized what was wrong. The mirror would need a catalyst, more specifically, magical energy! However Link didn't know magic - he had the potential to learn magic, and she would even hazard a guess the pools of magic at his disposal would be sizable judging by... certain factors of his physical appearance, which she would save for later musings, perhaps before bed. The problem being, nobody had taught him any magic, or even how to harness and use the energy source!
Midna felt her heart sink at the thought.
-The Temple-
Link felt a jolt pass through his body and the Triforce of Courage shone on the back of his hand.
He lifted his hand, aiming it at the round reflective device on a faint compulsion and jumped as his arm suddenly bucked, a powerful blast of what he could only assume was magic burst from his palm, slamming into and sinking into the mirror with a crackle of energy.
The mirror began to shine and he stood back as the images on the mirror came out of the mirror and onto the black portal stone. The symbol of Hyrule Family crest shined brightly upon the stone, glowing with the same powerful golden light as the symbol on his hand.
-Land of Twilight-
Midna looked up as she heard the ringing. When she did she couldn't believe her eyes. She stood and stepped back as a hole emerged in the portal stone. Forming into a corridor and she saw the mystic symbol on the ground. Was this some prank? Or was this really happening? She swallowed the lump in her throat and she took a tentative step forward. The ruin didn't fade and the portal stayed open.
She swallowed again and stepped on the ruin, her body turning into specks of light. She was heading to the Land of Light, she was heading... to the one she loved.
-The Temple-
Link could see the portal spinning and he could see something emerging he walked forward, disbelieving, when the portal suddenly shuddered, the symbols breaking apart. He heard a crackling and turned to see the mirror cracking. He looked again and saw a particle of light suddenly turn black and form into a square shape.
He took a quick step forward, only for reflexes to kick in and his legs to force him right back scant milliseconds before a crackle of electricity filled the air and hit the ground right where he'd been standing.
"Look out!" Darbus' massive form was in front of Link an instant later and another bolt of lightning slammed into the Goron's back... to absolutely no affect. A third a fourth connected, as well as two dozen other bolts that hit the ground in random places, but the Goron weathered the storm with nary a flinch, his human companion kept secure and safe, albeit slightly crushed by the man's bulk.
When it finally stopped he released the green wearing human and stepped to the side. Turn in the same motion, he caught sight of the fading portal in the same instant Link did.
Link, however, was more focused on something else. His gaze dropped the the ground where he saw... a black lump on the ground.
He took a step then ran toward the lump, hoping and yet not hoping it was Midna. His feet carried him there in a flash; he likely would have tripped if there were any obstacles in his way, as hyper focused as his vision was.
There wasn't though, and the second he could Link reached down to grasp the lump, pulling it back just a little he paused as he recognized it. Heart thundering, he threw the familiar cloak over his shoulder. A lump caught in his throat and tears began to flow as he reached forward and grabbed the small form of Midna. The Twilight Princess had returned to the world of light, but in the form she had been cursed with so long ago. He held her tightly to his chest, sobbing with relief and grief, tears spattering her face.
"That... hurts..."
He gasped and held her away to see Midna opening her eyes to look at him. She smiled, eyes and mouth curving into the mischievous smile he'd grown to love. "Hi..." He swallowed and rubbed his eyes and nose, giving a sniffle before he turned back to look at her, now slightly more presentable.
"Hi... Midna." He said thickly.
Midna smile stretched wider. She raised her arms as if to embrace him, only for her eyes to widen as she looked down at her thin appendages. Her face contorted into a look of disgust and shame.
She was an imp once again.
"So... I've become this thing again. Here I was hoping that I would be here in my real form but I'm... this-
Link hugged her, this time more gently to avoid crushing her. "I don't care..." He declared passionately.
Midna gasped in both surprise and happiness. He pulled away and looked at her, reaching up to rest a palm against her cheek softly. "I don't care." He repeated, right before he pulled her in to kiss her.
Midna's eyes widened then softened as she returned the kiss.
By this time Darbus walked away and was now observing the Mirror. It hadn't shattered, but it was severely cracked. Darbus didn't know what was going on, but he knew who would; Princess Zelda. but Link had told him specifically to not mention this to Zelda at all.
Darbus tapped his rocky chin before turning to lumber over to the two still kissing beings. "Hey if you two are done I'm heading off." He declared.
The two stopped kissing and turned away from each other, blushing, Midna's fingers at her lips while Link rubbed the back of his head.
Darbus nodded shortly before walking away, a content smile on his face before getting into his ball form and rolling off.
Link sighed as he turned to Midna again then he looked down and blushed. "Uhhh... ahem..." He tried to say.
Midna looked at him, confused, and saw him looking away with a blush on his face his finger pointed at her chest.
She looked down and her own face colored. For some reason she had the breasts from when she was in her true form on her imp body.
Now if it had been on her real body this wouldn't of mattered since on her true body it looked average, but on this imp body they looked rather large. She blushed even harder when she saw her nipples, a slight dark green pair with runes on them, were showing. She waved her hand and her black pigmented skin covered and hid them.
It was then she remembered she had her hair. She concentrated and she looked to see her hair hand in front of her. She smiled and decided to get some payback.
Her hair hand swung around and slapped Link's rear. He jumped to his feet, his hand on his sword but he stopped when he saw Midna grinning her mischievous grin while her hair retracted back to it's normal form.
She put her hands on her hips and then paused. Turning, her hands on her hips, she squeezed them slightly. They were wider than before, and she looked behind to see her bottom was also slightly 'fuller' now. She blushed, this body was... lewd. Then again considering what her paramour had himself it was probably appropriate. Still, it wouldn't hurt to try and regain her real form unless... he really was serious about her staying this way.
Link looked at her again and then realized something, she was missing her mask. He looked at her face quietly, it was... surprisingly beautiful. With how her face was patterned with it's black/white skin pigmentation and her ears with the ruins she looked... like a nymph. He blushed and turned away before his little master 'sword' got unsheathed. He coughed and inhaled, calming his mind and purging the impure thoughts.
He turned to her and stood up. Holding out his hand Midna looked up at him.
"Let's go home..." He said warmly.
She grabbed his hand and he hoisted her up, cradling her like he had once before. She blushed but nuzzled against his chest regardless.
"Yes," She said with a concealed smile. "Let's go home."
Link smiled and put her onto his shoulder and began the long journey to his home.
-Ordon Village-
Midna sighed, recalling the journey; seeing so many sights she hadn't seen in 5 years brought so many memories back. She had spent the journey recollecting with Link. It had been fun, yet also sad as she remembered her own cruelty and callousness. Link, though, cheered her up nicely and the two chatted actively for the rest of the journey.
When they came to Ordon Village though Midna had to hide in his and Epona's shadow for fear of the villagers. When they came to Link's house she was able to come out. Link smiled and he opened the door.
He stood aside his hand held toward the inside. "Welcome home." He said with an eager smile.
Midna slowly floated inside and looked around. She hadn't been in his house before. It was a standard squalid home. It was actually fairly good size, she imagined, for a single person. With the addition of her into the household it was downgraded to just a little bigger than what they needed. For a girl so used to living in a grand palace, it would take some getting used to, but as long as Link was there she would be able to handle it.
He closed the door behind her. "Sorry it's not much... but..."
Midna swiveled around in the air and floated up to him, putting a finger on his lips, silencing him.
"It's home." She said proudly before she kissed him.
He returned it gladly, and just like that the two were ready to live their new lives... in love.