Something deep down has always asked what there could possibly be to gain from sleep. What could there be to achieve from knocking out and letting time pass around you? Laying there, frozen in time, seeing meaningless colors and pictures form with no control, losing moments that could be used on action. Sure, rest is important and it feels good to greet the morning with energy, but it is a wonder if those things could possibly be worth more than using your time while you have it. Especially on nights like this.

Sleep eluded me. It often did, and on nights like this one I already knew that trying would be a lost cause. I could feel the cogs turning in my brain at an even quicker speed than usual, as I recognized the importance of this train of thought. I paced around my room thunderously, my lean but brawny physique causing things in my room to tremble. Things were coming together. I had a skeleton of a plan and not much time left to pull it off, so the bones would have to do. I had a race to win after all, and my cunning and strategy used tonight would easily prove that I am worthy of a knightly status. Nothing shows better wit than eliminating your opposition entirely, and mine are exactly the kind of brains that this town needs to protect them. As for speed and skill, I'll have plenty of time to show that off during the race.

Feeling that there was no more time to waste thinking, I began to make my sneaky escape from my academy dorm. My large wooden door groaned as I pushed it open as slowly as possible and crept into the open hall. Even in the dim light of the evening, the bright colors of the academy building were enough to make my eyes roll. Vibrant flowers spilled from ceramic pots hanging on the walls and stained-glass windows shone mutely in the dim moonlight from outside. They were going for a fun and positive environment, I suppose, but it's a bit overkill if you ask me. Tiptoeing quickly and without a sound, I was at the door of my trusty cohort, Cawlin.

I could trust Cawlin to help me on this mission without reserve. The short, stump of a man wasn't the brightest or most physically able, but he could take directions like a champ. Most of the time, that was all I needed. Someone who recognizes my brilliance and forward-thinking and will listen and follow orders without question, that's what I needed. And he appreciated me the way it seemed that everyone should. Guys like him gave me hope that my talents would eventually be recognized.

"Cawlin..," I hissed his name. Hours ago as we ate dinner in the dining hall I had slyly reminded him that he will need to help me at a late hour tonight. Tomorrow was a very important day, however, and he probably took his opportunity for some sleep. I hissed his name a few times more before finally being forced to put a bit of volume into my voice. "Shortie, get your butt out here!"

After a minute that felt like several, Cawlin's door finally creaked open and he emerged, rubbing his eyes. "Geez, you don't have to yell..," he squeaked out.

I rolled my eyes, sleeking back my fiery hair in restless irritation. I was too ready for action to be wasting time now. "Get Stritch and meet me at the… pen."

Scratching the back of his head and sleepily nodding, Cawlin waddled away to fetch the blonde stick. Meanwhile, I sneaked up the stairs and out the large double doors at the top which remain unlocked at night. Perhaps this was to keep from depriving any citizen the chance to clamber up to the colossal Statue of the Goddess, which was where this path would eventually lead. i wouldn't know, I'd never bothered climbing up there at night. I strode down the grassy and cobblestone lane, breathing in the fresh night air. It was a clear, dry night and a comfortable temperature for a long night walk, or even a quick trip on my loftwing into the inky sky. I could imagine the air whipping my hair back as I raced against no one and nothing in particular, leaving thoughts behind me in the thrill of speed.

But I couldn't do that tonight. I had a job to do.

There was nothing I could do to help my footsteps echoing off the stone pathways and into the village while I crept about, after having simply subverted a locked gate designed to keep us students from wandering about the town at night. I could feel the peaceful slumber of the inhabitants of Skyloft radiating from each of the structures I sneaked past. It felt as though there was a large blanket nestled over the entire skyland, and I could feel the life around me, but it was resting in a comfortable sleep. While I wove my way through the town I found myself growing less tense and less alert. The adrenaline of action was waning. It didn't feel as though anyone would be popping out of anywhere to haul me back to my dorm and notify Owlan of my misdeeds, but felt more as though not a soul around me would have any reason to break their sleep until the sun shone brightly in the morning.

This feeling of ease, however, was quickly stripped from me as I neared the quickest diving platform. The Knights that patrolled the sky would not take kindly to any of my cunning plans that I would be enacting between now and sunrise. Years of doing what I want to do when I want to do it and "disrespecting authority" has given me everything I need to know about evading notice from the Knights patrolling in the darkness, and while I succeed quite regularly, it isn't without great care to not get caught.

I only peered into the darkness below the wooden platform for a brief moment before letting out as quiet of a whistle as I could manage while still catching the attention of my loftwing. My trusty companion had a keen ear from years of late night adventures and I knew he would hear despite the low volume. The late Knight patrollers usually hang a bit lower in case of any emergency, or further away from Skyloft itself. My loftwing knew exactly what to do at this late hour, flying very near to the platform so that I might quickly guide us into less guarded territory.

WIthin minutes, I began to relax once again. I gripped gently but firmly onto my flying partner as we soared through the thick black of the night sky. It was easy to avoid the patrolling Knights as the bright lights which they used were beacons of "don't go this way". I glided around for some time, searching for an obnoxiously bright feathered beast as I soared. I knew from previous nights out that the bird, as they all do, would be flying about aimlessly, waiting for its master to rise, waiting for a certain whistle. However, if all goes right tonight, it should not be able to respond to that call in due time.

Thankfully, it wasn't too long before I saw the bold creature. Because it was merely drifting along, it didn't take much for me to lightly pull up to a point in which I was floating just behind the bird. I then guided my Loftwing upward until I was a few feet above the crimson brute. I jumped.

Though all had been silent up to this point, I hadn't considered the bird's reaction to my accosting him. It screeched and squawked, and if it kept this up long enough, I would be noticed and punished. That would be unacceptable. I had to make sure that there was no possibility of a difficult competition tomorrow... I had to win my chance… Being alone with her... what could a 'congratulations' hold?

I snapped back to reality because of a certain stupid aviary being's pathetic attempt at shaking it's latest assailant. It wiggled and darted around as I fumbled with the buckle on it's collar. Each time I thought I had it unclasped, he would dart his head in a new direction and my clammy fingers would slip. A shout of victory escaped my lips when I finally detached the collar from the bird's neck. I dove off and whistled, feeling as though the hardest part of my mission was completed, happy to have not seemingly attracted any knights' attention in the brief but rambunctious scuffle.

Very quickly I felt the warm down of my Loftwing beneath me, and I immediately guided him nearer to Skyloft, waving the brown collar with a smirk. A loud squawk of indignation sounded as I gladly raced to Skyloft, an angry, flaming creature hot on my tail.

In a flash of brilliance and the beginning of this daring plan, I had escaped to a little known secret section of Skyloft a few nights before with nothing but my bare hands and a load of determination. Near a popular lounging spot by a towering waterfall there lies a deep cave, teeming with malicious life which leads to a narrow strip of land alongside the belly of our large village. For many years now the cave had been closed to the public, as it only seemed to serve as a place for dumb children to get lost or hurt. It was possible to reach this place from the sky, however, and it was perfectly secluded enough to be an occasional escape from the obnoxious daily life of a knight in training.

Very familiar with this hidden spot which would be very difficult to find for your average sky inhabitant, I used my hands and nearby boulders to hollow out an indent in the wall large enough to securely ensnare a large crimson Loftwing.

This spot was hardly visible but accessible nonetheless in the dark night. I leapt from my bird and smoothly rolled to the ground, landing directly into the large indent in the wall. Dropping the collar on the ground like it was on fire, I scurried to the side as the Loftwing dive-bombed the ground where it lay. I was admittedly grateful as Stritch and Cawlin immediately appeared behind me with long, wooden planks and string. Had they managed to mess this one up, this whole plan might have been for nothing. They sloppily slammed the planks across the entrance as the bird tried to pound its way out.

"Stand here," Stritch panted as he pathetically attempted to fend off the sharp beak.

Snorting, I took his place against the wooden beams and held there with little effort. Just like leaning against a normal wall. As the oddly strong Cawlin and I stood our ground, wanting to cover our ears because of the damn bird screeches, Stritch expertly tied the planks in place. He says he knows what he's doing because of bug-traps. He has some weird affinity for bugs. He says they're treasures. I say he's crazy.

Anyway, within a few minutes, the bird was trapped with no hope for escape.

"I can't help but ask, Groose," Stritch stared at the angry bird with his beady eyes as he scratched the back of his head, "When will you let this bird go?"

I frowned in annoyance, because I knew what he was really asking. Will you let it go?

"I'm gonna let it go after I win the ceremony, of course. I'm not heartless."

The three of us made it back to our rooms unnoticed just before the sun began to rise. When I reached my room, I changed into some daytime clothes, my stomach rumbling all the way. At the sight of the sun just barely starting to peek over the clouds, I walked down the hallway to the dining hall, Stritch and Cawlin joining me. Nothing looked suspicious or out of place. This is a daily occurrence.

I grabbed some fruit from the barrels and sat, the two other decent-in-any-way knights-to-be sitting across from me.

"So, Groose," Cawlin chirped with a bite of apple in his mouth, "how'd you do it?"

I looked up from my meal with an eyebrow raised. What a broad question.

"You know. Capture Link's Loftwing."

I smiled. This story could be a movie, would it not get me jailed. I began to describe my efforts; the dangerous search, life-risking contact with the rabid bird-brain. "...and you guys waiting at the waterfall finished the deal; he was stuck in that pen for good."

We had a good laugh when suddenly Cawlin donned a look of alarmed surprise, pointing at the doorway. I turned, fearing Link or, even worse, Zelda, but was greeted with some weak little shrew tip-toeing towards the door. Immediately, the three of us rose, cornering the stick against the wall. Had he gotten out, we'd be done-for.

"Hey," what's the guy's name? Ah, "Fleck." Makes sense. As an obstacle, that's all he is. "Where, exactly, are you going?"

The guy practically wet himself as he stuttered a response along the lines of "I-I-I w-was j-ju, uh-" before I interrupted with a firm threat.

"Because it looks like you have secrets that you're just dying to share. But secrets don't make friends, do they?" Did I use that phrase right? Ah, whatever. I'm sure mine makes more sense. "And you really need those, don't you? So why don't you just pretend you don't have a secret? Maybe the shrimp'll make a friend today."

The three of us laughed. When the laughter died down, I made sure to look stern with my parting words. "If you do share some newly learned secret today about a certain bird, I'll make sure you can never ride yours again, either." I took a step back and, nodding, Fleck stumbled out the door.

Once I returned back to my room, I slumped onto my bed. I imagined that the following morning on this dull skyland would be as intensely uneventful as usual before the Wing Ceremony, so I decided it might be best to get a few hours of shut-eye. My dreams are usually weird, with no real substance. One a few weeks ago included Skyloft merely being an enormous bird's tongue. Another showed a large bug carrying a smaller one in a cage. The one this morning, though, presented some creepy old lady telling me something about one day putting my hand in fate... too. Didn't know what she was talking about. It wasn't really that freaky, but for some reason I awoke completely shaken.

In any case, I could not return to my blissful sleep because of the dream, so I decided to get to the ceremony early.

The sun having risen had not much changed the blissful weather that I had experienced a few hours ago, but simply added a warmth that graced the environment. It really was a good day for a race. I made my way down to the Light Tower where the race would begin and sat, enjoying the nice weather and the feeling of impending victory. After a while of waiting however, I noticed that something was off. Either I was the only one on time for the ceremony, which would certainly be a first, or the time of the race had been changed. It had been set to start a few minutes ago, but it looked just like a normal day at the Light Tower. Zelda wasn't here, nor was that feeble friend of hers. Just as I began to question what was going on, though, Cawlin appeared with Stritch just behind.

"Groose," he shouted, panting. "They're pushing the ceremony back so Link's bird could be found..."

The news genuinely surprised me. I wouldn't have expected the strict officials to delay an important annual event due to a silly technicality. I mean, for all they knew, it was due to the kid's own incompetence that his bird wasn't around…

I was sure Zelda was the reason behind this. She got her dad to change push back the race for Link. I couldn't help but frown, unable to shake the feeling that she wouldn't have done the same for me.

"Ah, well," I muttered nonchalantly. "So, what? They can't push it back forever. That bird's in a nice secluded spot, too. They won't find it. Everything... will be alright."

Cawlin could clearly sense that I was not completely unbothered by this. "You seem stressed. Need a massage? Loosen those flyin' muscles a bit?"

I smiled. These goofballs always knew what to do to maike me feel better. "Sounds good, boys!"

After a few minutes of some nice TLC, Stritch suddenly whined, "...You know, Groose, that sure was a pain, what with all the scratching and pecking." Of course, a good massage can't last long without Stritch hinting that he needs one. Geez.

Ignoring his hints, I responded, "Course it was. You thought a big Crimson Loftwing like that was gonna go down without a fight?" I got the worst of it, you know. "But we got him, and I don't care how tough those birds are supposed to be. He's not getting out of that pen anytime soon, boys."

Suddenly, the two of them jumped up, so followed, stretching out and turning to see what they were ogling at.

Imagine my surprise when I saw the dumb kid just feet away, grimacing, probably looking for his bird. "Whoa! Link! So, uh... yeah. Just how long you been standing there?" Instead of answering, the kid just stared at me with what I'm guessing was supposed to look like anger. Talk about rude. "What's your problem, anyway? Oh, wait... I got it. You're here to talk about today's race. I can see it in those dopey eyes of yours. They're pleading "Oh, Groose, can you please find it in your heart to let me win today? Please!""

The boys snickered as I circled around the shrimp. "You're just desperate to win so you can get some alone time with Zelda up on the Statue of the Goddess at the end of the ceremony." I stopped circling and glared him down. "Well, sorry, pal. Groose doesn't do charity for wimps. My advice, Work hard and wish with all your heart. You might even come in second. ...Say, come to think of it, how come I don't see your bird? Where is that scruffy pile of red feathers? I can't imagine what could have happened to him. Do you think his tiny brain got confused by all the clouds and got lost?"

"...give him back." He muttered, looking down. The baby looked like he might cry. Pathetic.

"I've got no idea what you're talking about." Bring it home, Groosey. "You know, we're all getting tired of how you never let anyone forget you and Zelda go way back. You've been friends since you were kids? Big deal. It doesn't change the fact that you float through life with your head in the clouds. Would you wake up, straighten up, and grow a backbone already? Dopes like you are dragging our honored academy through the mud."

"And just who might you be talking about, Groose?" came a voice that, at the moment, had the odd power to fill me to the brim with joy and chill me to the bone at the same time.

"Oh. Zelda. Hey. Nah, it's... uh..." I stuttered as she drew near, sporting a fragrance that sent my brain even further into a twist. She pointed fiercely at my chest and started yelling, but all I heard was my name in the beautiful tones of her voice. I could only focus on her eyes, the color of that rare time you get to see between the evenings and night, where you look back on wonders and look forward to rest. They were beautiful. Her golden hair shone brightly in the sun, which-

Wait. Has she been talking all this time?

"Yeah... I suppose..." I said, hoping that answer would suffice for whatever she had said, but her gorgeous eyes bored into mine and I mumbled nonsense as I atttempted to regain my thoughts. Finally, I realized that I wasn't making anything better. "Pfft! Forget it. I wasn't supposing anything, okay?"

She didn't respond and the three of us headed towards the nearest diving platform. I turned and waved. "OK, we're outta here, boys! Later, Link! Hope you find your bird, or else you're gonna have to sit out today's race. That could be a major setback toward knighthood, so find that bird or get real used to the taste of failure! It's your special flavor."

As I jumped, I thought some things over as I whistled. I didn't just make myself look like a total idiot in front of Zelda. They can't find that bird. And even if they do, I will win.

I will win, I thought as I flew to who-cares-where. I will win.