The coffin was ready. It had been crafted out of some of the trees surrounding what had once been Yuriel's castle. Link and Young Link and stood polishing it for hours, and Sydney had transported large emeralds, bright as the coffin's cargo's eyes, from a local gem mine, and Toon Link (who had almost mostly recovered from his burn injuries) decorated the smooth wood with their bright green glow. Finally, Sydney and the Zeldas had helped carry the large Yuriel statue from the forest back to the huge clearing.

Once it was there, the Links chipped away at the gray and brown stone until it was instead an image of May. Emeralds were put in place for her eyes, and Link carved an inscription on the bottom, reading, "Here lies the great mind-reader May, whose courage and beauty was unmatched. Thanks to her bravery, Yuriel the Shadow-Snake was finally defeated.

"She will be missed. She has been avenged."

The coffin was lowered into the hole in the middle of the clearing, and May's memorial gravestone was magically moved into place after the hole was covered. Nighttime was spent awake, holding a vigil for May, grieving her loss, and in the morning, the travelers exchanged speeches about May and stories about her courageous acts, completing her funeral.

After May's funeral, the travelers continued the journey home. They hurried out of the forest, leaving May's grave and Yuriel's castle behind. Then they reached the cave, and Young Link and the Zeldas led them through its twisting tunnels. They reached the cave's gaping abyss, and Sydney levitated them all across.

Their next stop after leaving the cave was May's village.

Link took a deep breath and knocked on May's door. Her mother cracked the door open and gazed at the rugged travelers at her house.

"Have you come for my gold and gems?" she asked cautiously. Then she noticed Zelda.

"Princess Zelda!" she gasped. "And—oh! You're that fool who stole my May's heart and led her away towards that forest!" She opened the door all the way and tipped her head.

"Ma'am, we have something to tell you about your daughter," Link began painfully, before May's mom could ask where May had gone.

"What is it?" May's mom asked suspiciously.

"Ma'am...your daughter fought with us against the great evil plaguing Hyrule and helped save this land from disaster," Link explained. "She was very brave and her skills helped save my life. But..."

"But what?" May's mom pressed anxiously.

Link took a deep breath before continuing. "She...she was poisoned by the monster who we fought."

"And?"

"I'm afraid...I'm afraid she didn't make it."

May's mom stepped back, eyes wide, as she tried to take in what she'd just heard. Grief filled her gaze as the truth of her daughter's death sunk in. Then she was on her knees, sobbing, releasing her pain in tiny outbursts of phrases like, "My May! My beautiful, sweet daughter..."

Link knelt by her side and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "We're all grieving too." May's mom looked up, eyes still red, stains of tears shining on her face.

"I know," she whispered at last. "I know you are. The whole reason I was always so cruel to you is because I knew this would happen. I knew she would fall for you, and follow you on your quest, and end up injured, or ill, or...dead."

"I'm so sorry," Link said again. May's mom smiled past her tears.

"I know, child," she whispered, voice full of emotion. "Now, be on your way. The village will hold a memorial tonight, honoring my precious daughter."

Link stood. "Thank you, Ma'am. We will too."

"You mean I'll never see you again?" Sydney said sadly upon hearing the news that Blue would now be returning to Toon Link's body. The group had stopped at the Four Sword sanctuary to return Vio, Red and Blue to their rightful place.

Blue nodded solemnly. "Maybe not 'never'. Next time Green draws the Four Sword, we'll be together again."

Sydney stepped closer and took his hands, fingers interlaced, gazing into his eyes.

"I don't want to wait that long to give you this," Sydney whispered, leaning closer. Slowly, she kissed Blue passionately. Blue blushed madly. Sydney pulled back and smiled.

"You just..." Blue trailed off.

"Kissed you?" Sydney finished. "I...I think I'm in love with you, Blue."

Blue smiled back. "I know I'm in love with you, Sydney," he whispered, kissing her. Blue pulled away and Sydney beamed.

"I'll miss you!" Sydney called as slowly, Toon Link lowered the Four Sword back into its place. Then the Links returned to their cottage, the Zeldas returned to their castle, and Yuriel faded away until he was only a memory. *

The End