"So Link." Groose smiled widely. "You excited for Friday?" The blonde gave him an inquisitive look. The taller man simply grinned wider. "It's going to be a beautiful day, we're expecting perfect flying weather." Link nodded but looked away. He'd sit on the sidelines and watch the others then. The Sky Nights could have fun flying around with each other, since he didn't feel keen on falling off his bird. Well, he supposed they could force him to ride with one of them instead. That could end all sorts of ways…

"And don't think for a second I'll let you stay inside all day. It's gonna be a great adventure, I can feel it!"

"Y-you can?" Link stuttered. Groose struck a masculine pose in response.

"Of course! I'll be there so you know it'll be awesome!" The blonde simply sighed and shook his head. He was acting a bit oddly, even for Groose standards. As long as the guy seemed happy though it wasn't anything to worry about.

Link waved farewell and entered the kitchen to help Henya with meal preparations. He didn't notice the devious smile on Groose's face as the larger man walked out the double doors into Skyloft.

There was a lot of work to do for both parties.

XxxxxxxxxxxX

Link sat on his bed staring at the carvings along the bookcase. He sighed heavily, unsure when the others would come for him. It was Friday, the day everyone seemed excited for. First Groose was acting oddly, then Pipit and Fledged followed suit. Within a few days even the professors seemed off to him, and the Headmaster was really giddy for some reason. They all had plans for him today, he just didn't know what they were yet.

"Are you up?" Karane asked through the door. She opened it a crack to check on him, seeing Link already dressed and seated. "Good." She entered with a smile before forcing a pair of boots, a mess of leather, and a wide belt into his hands. "Put these on, got it? You'll be needing them for today's trip. I'll meet you out front in a few minutes." She headed out the door before Link could respond, leaving him with the new boots and supplies.

So that was the plan. They were taking him somewhere, and that made him nervous. Last time he traveled out of Skyloft he ran into bokoblins, the Water Dragon and a terrifying horse. Hopefully this trip would turn out better, though he still felt on edge.

Looking down he examined the boots carefully, being sure to check the seamwork and leather. They were a bit heavier than his actual shoes, better suited for more rugged terrain than what he was used to. They reminded him of the Sky Knight's boots that Karane and the others wore. He fiddled with the thick leather before sliding the pair on over his pants. They didn't go quite as high as Karane's did, but they really resembled hers in every other aspect. He put the belt on next, interested in the metal loop that protruded a bit from the belt section. The other mess of leather really surprised him though. It looked like the straps the Sky Knights attached their weapons to overtop their tunics, and it had an oddly shaped sheath attached to it. What was he supposed to do with this? It's not like Link would dream of wielding a weapon. She must have given it to him by mistake.

Getting his cane Link made to leave. He walked out of his room still a bit baffled by the whole thing. The others just wanted to take him somewhere, and they didn't tell him the location either. He couldn't stop his mind from going to darker places, all questioning the unknowns of his situation. What if that somewhere was dangerous? What if it was a very cold place, or a very hot or scary place instead? They wouldn't intentionally harm him though. He could trust Karane and the others, they would never hurt him without reason.

That small comfort didn't make him feel any better though.

He spotted Karane waiting for him by the entrance, talking to Henya in hushed voices. Link approached, waiting for Karane to notice him. When she finally looked up he held the sheath out towards her.

"I-I think this was a mistake." He said quietly. She just laughed at his confusion.

"No it's not. And you were supposed to put it on. Here." She took the sheath from his hands and started hooking the leather around his shoulder and chest. He shifted his head seeing a bit of the sheath poking out from behind his left shoulder.

"It looks pretty good." Henya grinned. "I think Gondo gave me my money's worth at least."

"W-What?" Link blinked.

"The sheath is for your cane." Karane explained. "And it's a gift from Henya and the Headmaster, so you'd better say thank you." Link hurriedly bowed his head towards the old woman.

"Sorry- I-I mean thank you."

"Well, as long as you use it that's all that matters. Now I won't be tripping over your cane when you're working with me in the kitchen." His face turned red, not realizing the trouble he had caused her.

"S-Sorry…"

"Would you stop apologizing and get out of here already? I have work to do." He nodded clumsily and made for the exit, Karane close behind trying to hide a giggle. It was still a weird gift. A sheath for his cane, and all so he wouldn't lean it against a wall or table while he helped her? That didn't make much sense. And why was Karane eager for him to wear it too?

"Would you relax already? You look like you're ready to pass out." Karane laughed. Link took in a huge breath trying to intense his shoulders. He didn't realize he'd stopped breathing. "I thought you trusted me."

"I-I do." Link stammered quickly.

"Then stop worrying and breathe. I promise you'll enjoy this." He nodded and looked ahead, stopping in his tracks when they rounded the corner.

Right in front of the sparring hall, Gondo was standing next to the Crimson attaching something while Pipit tried keeping its head steady. The Loftwing didn't appreciate his efforts, thwacking the Knight on the head with its beak before hissing.

"Calm down! We're doing this for Link! Now you can either cooperate or he'll ride with one of us instead-" the bird cut him off with another loud squawk right in his face. It quickly realized said human's presence, jostling it's head free from Pipit's grip and trying to approach Link.

"Easy boy! Just a few more adjustments." Gondo strong armed the bird into holding still while Pipit latched onto its head once again.

"Link! Could you please calm your bird! He's very- OW!" The Crimson smashed Pipit's head with the bottom of its beak again before stealing his hat. Link moved forward taking the brunette's position.

"Hey." He patted the Loftwing's neck gently. The Crimson cooed happily, spitting the hat back out at Pipit and burying its face in Link's chest.

"I swear that bird is so attached it's unhealthy." Pipit mumbled, rubbing the bump now forming on his head.

"Can you really blame it? After a full year apart." Karane picked the yellow cap off the ground and handed it back to its rightful owner.

"I suppose not." He sighed. The bird gave him a warning look and hiss before trying to groom through Link's hair. The sky Knight just threw his hands up in exasperation while Karane laughed at the whole thing.

"Done!" Link perked up at hearing Gondo's declaration.

"Ta-da!" The man moved over letting him get a look at the strange contraption. The bird's simple neck strap was gone, replaced with what he could only describe as a narrow leather cushion with two thicker straps, one across the bird's chest with another behind its wings. He noticed metallic protrusions wrapped in leather strips near the back of the cushion by the Crimson's wings, though he wasn't sure what they were for.

"So you like it? It's a specialized saddle." Gondo explained proudly.

"Saddle?" Link questioned.

"That's right. According to Zelda, Hylians made these for their own animals in the past, but the practice disappeared after we moved to the clouds. Since returning to the surface we started making them again for use on horses." Karane explained.

"Fledge had the idea. He thought it would make staying on your bird possible again. Now you can ride like before!" Pipit crossed his arms proudly. Link stared wide eyed between everyone, completely unsure of what to say.

This was… unreal, amazing, incredible even. He would have never dreamed he could fly on his bird safely, and now… now…

"Hey, are you alright Link?" Karane approached, her excitement turning to worry. Link blinked rapidly realizing tears were pooling in his eye, even though he wasn't sad or hurt.

"I… I-I-" using his sleeve Link tried to wipe away the fluid. He didn't understand why he wanted to cry. His mind and body were overwhelmed by this emotion he had a hard time putting words to. The closest thing he could compare it to was his time spent with the Crimson, or maybe when he saw the others were laughing or smiling. His mouth was pulling up at the corners in a direction he wasn't used to.

"Happy Birthday Link." A deep voice said. Link turned around seeing the Headmaster standing there smiling with Fledge and Groose close behind.

"I-I don't deserve… w-why would you a-all…?" Link sniffled, unable to contain his emotions. His words were failing him and he just felt completely overwhelmed.

"Do you really need to ask?" Groose grinned. "Fledge had a brilliant idea, and we all went along with it. Simple as that."

"Us Skyloftians are a close knit community, much like a large family." Headmaster Gaepora added warmly. "You will always be an important part of it Link, and we hope you understand that."

His eye travelled between everyone watching him. They were all so genuine and kind, and he couldn't understand why they would do this, but they did it anyway.

It was too much.

He lost the little composure he had left, balling genuine tears letting them flow freely. Fledge offered himself as a support to lean on while the Headmaster gave him a handkerchief.

"T-thank you…t-th-is is…t-t-thank you…" Link managed sincerely between sniffles. He was smiling and crying and the emotions shouldn't go together but they did.

Watching the scene from the cafeteria were several more people close to Link. Captain Eagus. Henya, Batraeux, Peatrice, Owlen and Horwell all watched the exchange. It was a far cry from the massive celebration given to Zelda the previous week, but after a long discussion it was decided a select few would present Link with his gift. He was so uncomfortable in large crowds, and they feared overwhelming him with shear numbers.

"Do you think we overdid it with the lot of them coming out? Maybe we should have halved the group size further." Eagus whispered the question towards Owlen. The professor just smiled and shook his head.

"I don't think there would have been any way to avoid this outcome. As you know, Link has become far more… expressive."

"Well I think it's sweet." Henya chuckled. "The poor boy deserves something nice after the string of bad luck he's suffered. I'm just glad everyone else agreed." Everyone inside was happy for him, and they couldn't help chuckling at how the Crimson kept tugging his hair trying to stop his crying.

"Are you ready to give it a try?" Fledge questioned once he was sure Link wouldn't break down again. He nodded firmly, Gondo getting excited.

"Excellent! Step on up and I'll show you how it works."

XxxxxxxxxxxxX

Link was seated on the saddle, Gondo going over what every part was for. Everyone had left except for Fledge and Karane, deciding he'd do better with a more one on one setting. His cane was safely sheathed in the present Henya had given him. Apparently a cane holster for flight was the real reason for its existence, which made far more sense then her original explanation of keeping it out of her way in the kitchen.

"See, your feet will rest in the stirrups like this. Now your whole body can lay flatter on the bird while still being stable." Gondo continued patting the metal contraptions his feet rested against. Link nodded along, surprised by how secure his body felt. Now it didn't matter that he couldn't kneel. As long as his feet stayed in the stirrups he wouldn't slide off.

"One more thing." The man reached for a metal hook and rope attached to the saddle horn, showing Link how to hook it onto his belt. "Now you won't need to worry about falling! You can stop using it once you are comfortable flying again." Link examined the hook carefully before looking back to his Loftwing, the bird cooing in anticipation. They made eye contact for a moment, and it felt like the Crimson was urging him to do this. It oddly made him feel a little more at ease, and he knew this was something they both needed to do. He attached the hook to himself.

"Okay." Link said quietly but with a sense of readiness.

"So we'll start off with a quick flight between islands. Karane explained. "I'll take the lead while Fledge will take the rear. We shall take off slowly from the side and do some glides."

He nodded in response. Grabbing onto the strap at the top of his saddle. Fledge and Karane both called their birds to the island, the two climbing on and getting into position.

"Ready?" Karane questioned.

"Let go!" Her Loftwing started rushing forward. As if on instinct the Crimson quickly followed heading straight for a drop off. Link held on tightly shutting his eye expecting another plunge. The bird leapt off the side and that same weightless feeling returned. He was anticipating a long drop, but the opposite happened. His bird pulled upwards into a steady glide, leaving Link still shaking a bit but noticeably less scared then his last flight on the Crimson. Feet secure in the stirrups, hands held tightly to the leather and stomach flat against the Loftwing.

He wasn't falling off. The saddle wouldn't let him.

Gondo followed on his own Loftwing for a short while, watching Link and making sure his saddle worked properly. Apparently he was satisfied, giving the group a thumbs up before turning back for Skyloft.

"Are you doing okay?" Fledge yelled pulling up beside him. Link nodded stiffly. He genuinely was okay. No longer focused on not falling, he was able to take in his surroundings. The great green earth looked like a painting, everything so small from this height. They were even traveling above the clouds, the Crimson dragging its feet through a few fluffy ones. Last time he rode the Crimson the texture of clouds never really crossed his mind. It looked so fluffy like wool, something soft to the touch. Unconsciously he started leaning sideways wanting to feel it, the Crimson starting to bank to the left as well. Panicked at the change in motion Link righted himself, the bird steadying out too.

"That's how you steer Link!" Fledge instructed. "Lean left if you want your bird to turn left! Lean forward if you want him to dive!" Link took a moment to roll over the new information. Lean forward to dive, which meant leaning back would be for climbing up, right?

Taking the chance he put more weight into his legs, the Crimson rising higher above the other two. Fledge followed him while Karane stayed lower, looking ahead at some floating rocks in their path.

"Link! Try steering your bird around the rocks! Don't hit them!" He looked out at the oncoming obstacles trying to squint through the gust of air drying his eye out. The first few rocks were pretty small, and he managed to guide his bird using gentle shifts in weight. It was odd how familiar yet foreign this whole flying thing was. He could honestly say he'd never felt closer to the Crimson. On the ground they were more like two separate halves of the same being. Now they were acting as one unit, the Crimson trusting in his judgment to keep them from ramming into danger, and Link positive the bird wouldn't let him fall.

It was like time vanished, and his focus was completely taken by the task at hand. He almost didn't notice the larger rock coming into view, one that he soon realized was another floating island. There was a round structure on it too, with tiny lights shining all over it.

Wait.

Was that a giant pumpkin?

"This is our stop! Prepare for landing!" Karane ordered. Fledge and Link readied themselves, the Loftwings slowing down slightly as their legs got ready for impact. The landing was nothing more than a light jostle. Karane and Fledhe were quick to slide off their birds while Link took a little extra time. He tried to remember all the steps. Unhook the rope around his belt, lift the bad foot a bit out of the stirrup while putting weight on the good knee, swing his leg over.

It was much easier than he expected, and even the cane sharif proved very useful in keeping him from using it. He pulled it out in a smooth motion, nearly dropping it when Katane rushed over.

"You had me worried for absolutely nothing, dumby." She gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder. "You're still an expert flyer even after all this time. It's good to know that hasn't changed."

Still an expert flier… like this 'Hero' everyone kept referring to. He barely registered Fledge's excitement, too focused on her words. Was this another attempt to get their old friend back? Make him remember something that never happened?

They must have really loved this hero of theirs, but he still had no memory of such events. He didn't want to let them down, but he couldn't pretend to be this amazing person either. How could they still not understand that?

"Why, if it isn't Link." The boy in question looked up at hearing the rough voice. An overweight man with round eyes and a big nose was talking to him from behind a counter. They had gone inside the giant Pumpkin at some point, and his friends were currently sitting at a large table in the center, chatting and laughing at a funny joke Link didn't hear.

"Link, you remember Pumm. He's the guy that makes the pumpkin soup." Fledge stated. The stocky man nodded.

"You mean the best pumpkin soup in the world, up here and the surface."

"Right, my bad." Fledge chuckled. Link was too distracted by the massive contraption hanging from the ceiling. It was covered in candles illuminating the whole building, with a few wooden hoops holding the whole thing together. He'd never seen anything quite like it.

"Don't even think about it!" Link jumped at Pumm's warning tone. "Last time you looked at it that way you broke my entire chandelier. I'm not losing this one too." The blonde just blinked in confusion while Fledge and Karane snickered like this was a big inside joke.

"But I didn't…" he grumbled.

"Hmmm?" Pumm leaned closer. "You'll need to speak up boy."

""I-I didn't break anything." He said a little louder. Pumm just raised a brow skeptically.

"Boy, you literally spent weeks paying off the first one you broke."

"That wasn't me!" He growled getting irritated. Pumm did not like that answer.

"I won't tolerate liars boy. Everyone knows-"

"Stop it Pa! We talked about this." Kina slapped his arm lightly before smiling at Link kindly. "Happy Birthday Link. I'm glad to see you made it. You three should take a seat with the others. Pumm walked back into the kitchen mumbling to himself about Link lying through his teeth.

"Don't worry about it Link. Let's just take a seat with the others." Karane led him to the table, but his mind was still swirling with what Pumm said.

Link had broken the chandelier before… but like everything else, he didn't remember doing it.

That seemed to become the new theme of the day.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Link sighed in relief, finally shutting the door to his room. That was way more socializing then he was comfortable with. He had fun, but the whole experience at the Lumpy Pumpkin left him completely drained.

At least it wasn't as active as Zelda's nightmare party.

He had to sit on the bed to pull his boots off, finally noticing something that didn't belong.

It was a forest green bundle of fabric with dark brown stitchwork around the edges that accented his eyepatch. Something else was hidden within its folds, something solid as Link soon discovered. The fabric itself was a strong water resistant material. Curious to the object it held Link peeled the edges back. He couldn't stop himself from sneering at the object. It was a lyre, similar in design to Zelda's harp but silver instead with a wood base rather than solid gold. This was from Zelda obviously, and he hadn't forgotten that night they played together.

She was trying to make him remember things that weren't there. She wanted him to be someone he couldn't be anymore, and she just couldn't take a hint. Honestly the motive behind the gift stung more than the lyre itself, but he didn't want it anywhere near him.

Standing he opened his wardrobe and shoved the thing as far back as he could, well out of sight where he wouldn't have to think about it. He decided to focus on the fabric instead. Part of the green bottom weight had beautifully embroidered feather inspired patterning snaking along the back of it, while the rest of the stitching looked poorly done and uneven. Upon further inspection he realized it was a travelers hood. A little card fell from the folds, Batreaux wishing him a happy birthday, and Kukiel wanting to make it as a thank you for saving her from the ice. This was her first time trying embroidery, and Link couldn't help but smile. He'd forget the lyre existed and focus more on the other kind offerings.

He would definitely make use of the hood, especially with the amount of flying he wanted to do now. This still felt like a dream. They really do consider him family, even if their affections are focused on someone that didn't exist anymore.

Groose even said he would take him to the Nayru Desert and introduce him to the Thunder Dragon. He didn't know what exactly to expect from the desert, but apparently there were a lot more little robots like the rude one in Skyloft. It was weird. He wasn't sure what caused the prospect of exploration to suddenly be appealing. Maybe it was the newfound independence he gained for the saddle that allowed him safe flight, or perhaps the sincerity and kindness everyone showed him today.

Either way, things seemed to be falling into normalcy, and for that he was grateful.

XxxxxxxxxX

Step by step, feet finding sheets of resistance no matter what path she took.

Snow was more troublesome than she remembered.

Impa looked out across the surface of white blanketing the mountains as far as the eye could see. Her and her Sheikah had started their investigation of the mountains several days ago, and as their search of the lower portions of mountain proved fruitless the team was forced to climb higher and higher.

They had already searched the cave Link was rescued from, and unfortunately it had long since been abandoned. No hidden rooms or signs of his tormentor, which just made Impa more concerned. Other then the torture chamber…

"This cave is empty too." One of her scouts stated with a quick bow. He had just returned from searching another small cavern they discovered, giving Impa another location to mark off her map. The weather was frigid, and the winds only seemed to increase in speed. Impa and the scout continued climbing, meeting up with the rest of her party as they continued. Again, nothing, but she knew they were getting close. The higher they climbed the more bokoblins they came across. Monsters were birthed near sources of demonic malice, so that could only mean one thing.

Ghirahim was indeed back, and they were getting close to discovering his hiding spot.

As the day grew later, their focus shifted from finding Ghirahim to staying alive. The weather was taking a turn for the worse, a snowstorm quickly forming and pelting the team with freezing hail and wind. They were too far up to return to the mountain base, so the only option was to trudge forwards.

"I see a cave up ahead!" One of her scouts shouted over the winds. Good, that would provide a place to wait out the storm.

"Everyone to the cave! Stay alert in case it's trapped!" Everyone followed her lead, carefully entering the dark cavern to find a safe haven from the storm. Impa shook the snow off her cloak, looking around carefully, not finding signs of activity. The cave itself was only twenty feet deep, so they should only need to worry about potential attacks from the opening. "This should be a safe spot to rest. I'll take the first watch." Nobody argued with her order, all bunkering down as the storm outside started to rage even harder.

She sat cross legged and meditated, thinking back on their findings and listening to the winds howl. They found Link's prison cell, the only one in that entire maze. It was caked in old blood and filth, as if it hadn't been touched since the day Link was rescued.

Farther in they discovered a torture chamber. This room brought memories of scenes from the dungeon of the long abandoned Hyrule Castle. The torture devices were all man made, all streaked and smeared with dried blood. A chair of metal spikes, a wooden table with hand and foot restraints. The wrack of prods, branding irons, and clamps placed near a cold furnace.

It was left there to taunt her, or whoever went there hoping to find the culprit. She knew exactly what all of that equipment was used for, and all it did was stoke the coals of anger she already felt over the whole situation. Ghirahim wanted her to get sloppy, and she couldn't allow that to happen.

She could feel the energy around her growing colder, and it wasn't from the weather. Malice was in the air now, and the storm outside was lashing out with the dark magic.

"He's here!" Impa jumped up with her weapon ready. The other Sheikah awoke immediately and assumed battle stances, all stiffening at the guttural laughter fading in and out of their ears.

"Surprise!" Ghirahim appeared in an explosion of diamonds blowing the Sheikah back.

"Take him down!" Impa charged in with a cry. The other Sheikah attacked too, but the following massacre was too fast even for Impa to catch. Blades clashed, bodies went flying, and black diamond nearly blinded her. By the time she regained her bearings her scouting team was completely still, all laying in pools of blood while Ghirahim stood with his arms crossed.

"Now that was just sad." The Demon Lord shook his head. "At least you were annoying our first go around. I could hardly call your men anything more than a passing breeze. Weak and forgettable."

"Silence!" Impa threw several shuriken which exploded with light magic. It was enough to distract Ghirahim, letting her get a few hits in before he deflected her blade.

"You know how hard it was waiting for you to leave my plaything alone? You really put a huge damper on my plans." He vanished in a cloud of diamonds right as she brought her sword down, the demon appearing behind her and stabbing. She barely managed to parry the attack, their two swords locking with the next blow, neither of them pulling back. The crack in Ghirahim's face pulsed an angry red color as his grin grew more and more sadistic.

"I wanted to do so much more to him before now, kill more of his "friends" right before his eyes, but YOU had to interfere!" He snapped his fingers and a barrage of blades rained upon her. Impa used her sword to destroy them, not noticing the one blade trailing behind the others. It slipped past her defenses and sliced through her stomach like a knife to paper. Her eyes widened in shock, blood splattering against the cave wall with a sickening squelch.

"Rest assured though." He chuckled when her frame hit the ground. Ghirahim summoned several more swords impaling her legs so she couldn't crawl. "I will make up for all the time you cost me. Though you've delayed me severely, that has given me plenty of time to prepare my next phase. My plans can continue without a hitch."

"Do you think the Skyloftians will stand by and watch you harm anyone else? You've been defeated before and you will be again-" She choked on her last words when a heel smashed hard against her back, bones cracking as the foot twisted and applied more pressure.

"You mean "if" there are any Skyloftians left when I'm through." He sneered. "It's such a shame. I held back my next move thinking your Sheikah would be far more of a threat. Of course the one time I don't underestimate you humans it turns out my caution was unwarranted. No matter, once I've thoroughly destroyed the Hero's spirit…" He bent down so his lips were practically tickling her ear. "That precious goddess of yours will be next."

"Monster!" Impa tried impaling his calf with a knife, a hard foot coming down on her head before she could land the blow. Her consciousness faded to the horrendous sounds of cackling.

That mad demon was going to attack.

She had failed.

XxxxxxxxX

Wait, Is the end in sight? Yes! We are nearing the climax and it's going to be glorious, once I figure out how everything will work to get from here to my planned final.

Thanks for reading!

Leave a comment if you enjoyed!