Disclaimer: GrimGrave does not own any of the characters featured – they belong to their respective franchises of Nintendo, Namco Bandai and Arc System Works. GrimGrave does not make money for writing fiction.

Heya everyone! Allow me to deeply thank everyone who voted on the poll for heroines in this new story! It was difficult to choose since plenty of people voted and the most popular girls/women had about the same number of votes. I only needed 6 of them but there were plenty more! I almost wished I could've picked a few more but alas, too many characters will clog the story.

Regardless, after careful selection I've narrowed it down to a well-rounded group! Then of course there is bound to be people who feel that there's a character missing or should be replaced, but… Let's save that selection for another time. ;3 Original idea for plot comes from Epic Snow, so credits go to him.

And now, without further ado… Do enjoy.

To Hunt Down a Hylian

Prologue

Champions Gathering

This is a tale that has yet to happen, but its place takes part of one of the legends of who people speak of. The story of a land where a power of golden radiance was said to lie dormant, granted by the great goddesses of old. A land of prosperity that knew only peace for many ages until the usurping darkness attempted dominion.

A darkness that knew no mercy, with a hunger that couldn't be satisfied till it had the whole world in its grip. Malicious was its mind and corrupting was its presence.

The same story tells of a young boy who, through many trials, grows up to save the land, and cut through shadows with a blade of evil's bane. So great was his deeds, be they big or small, that people forever remembered him as the Hero of Time. The land, known as Hyrule, was brought back to the light and an era of peace, even as the Hero mysteriously vanished on a fateful day.

None knew of where he had gone. None knew of his fate.

Until he came back – months had felt like years. Yet the boy had the same stoic spirit as he wandered the land and beyond, constantly searching for the next adventure, till he was said to have left again in search of an evil beyond his realm.

To this day he roams, with a duty and oath to protect the land from any attempts of evil.

But the evil is not easily vanquished… Darkness takes root in the hearts and mind of people…

::::::

There was a thick mist in the morning's hush. The sun, usually glowing bright over the golden land, was blocked by the dark clouds that loomed above – there was without a doubt rain coming.

Yet despite the reputation the land had, there were outskirts whereas the sun never reached. Places where the light avoided shining on and allowing the black clouds to permanently dwell over these spots of land that didn't seem to fit in with the rest of the golden land of Hyrule. The grass didn't grow and the trees were hollowed, dead with decay. Crows cried as they took flight, swiftly circling around.

Through the woods of dead trees lied a meadow, an eerie place riddled with dead leaves. Erected in the middle stood a tower made of stone; neither gracious to the eye nor particularly tall by standing twice the size of an average tree. The stony surface was blackened and covered in mossy vines.

Though despite the rough exterior, there was more than met the eye if one was to actually venture inside the building; deep down below the surface of the earth lied someone's home. An underground cavern, with a chamber of unknown maker, lit up with braziers to reveal what could be considered a humble habitat. Simple housing took up enough space in the chamber, but vast as it was it gave its resident plenty of room as he – a seemingly normal man in the flesh – paced back and forth. His eyes were glued towards a simple crystal, held atop a crude metal spire in the ground. A crystal of unknown origin, shimmering between a light blue to a venom-green shade as the man-figure just restlessly walked back and forth. Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks, eying the crystal with a slowly growing grin as he walked up to it extremely close.

"That's it. It is, isn't it? How could something so simple have slipped my mind? The Hero is a man, after all…" The figure let out a cackling laughter that soon turned into a fit of raspy coughs. "And that simple matter will be his downfall… Young and naïve, his inexperience will be the end of him. I just simply… Have to find the right ones…" He grabbed hold of the crystal as he stared deeply into its surface, images and visions clouding before him as he tirelessly stared into whatever he saw. Countless scenes of various people visualized before him, each clad in different garbs and wielded weapons that either were familiar or looked completely foreign to him. Some didn't wield any weapons, but used their bodies instead. Many looked like tough, seasoned warriors, fit for the plan that resided in the man's head. Eager was he, as he observed each and every one he saw, waiting to find those that were by him deemed worthy. Through numerous warriors, he began to spot certain ones, ones that would be perfect for his plan. Then there was another and one more. It was about to be a handful of them, and judging by what he saw, they would be enough. "Those will be great… Yes, those…"

Stepping back from the crystal, the figure raised his hands and began to chant. A shapeless mass of what could be best described as raw magic materialized around him and the crystal, reacting to words of an unintelligible language as he continued to chant. Whatever power he had at his command, it was sure to have his desire come to realisation.

::::::

"It was all just a sham!" A stern voice called out loudly. The voice overwhelmed the nearby peoples applauds and cheers, with every letter dripping with venom of animosity. The person behind that voice, a seemingly normal girl with short, brown hair and equally hazel eyes now reeled back as her leg swooped up and forward in a sharp kick. Her opponent parried it without much effort, and attempted to kick her back as she withdrew her leg, resulting in a brawl between the two. Kicks and punches, jabs and slaps were exchanged between the two as they fought it out in the middle of the cities inner shopping district.

Her opponent laughed softly, but mockingly back at her. "Didn't I just tell you it's rude to make false accusations? You should…" She blocked another kick and responded by attempting a jab at the brunette. "try and provide proof for your claims, Asuka Kazama."

The brunette, now known as Asuka Kazama, scowled at her opponent. She poised a stance, eyes completely focused on the object of irritation before her. "I just showed you the fliers AND the transmitter! You're just pretending not to know, Lili!" She spat back in anger, watching her opponent, Lili, graciously assume her own stance. Her golden locks swayed with the wind, and her clear-blue eyes stared right back.

Emilie "Lili" De Rochefort smiled at the Japanese high school girl. "Those could have belonged to anyone, I'm sure. What proof do you have that they are mine? Silly Kazama…" She giggled, poising to strike. Asuka straightened herself accordingly, betting on the defensive for the moment as Lili prepared herself. Her body-language was always difficult to read, giving her self-taught and acrobatic "fighting" style that wasn't even official. The blonde leapt at her, a high kick swooping up, narrowly missing, and swept down with high speed at the brunette. Asuka took the impact head-on, but the force knocked her down onto the pavement. Lili was standing above her, striking an innocent pose with an equally innocent face.

"Did it hurt, Asuka Kazama? I'm so sorry; I didn't mean to go so easy on you." She giggled again. "Can you still stand?" Asuka glared back at her, hardly enjoying the feel of asphalt beneath the back of the head. She arched her arm to strike at Lili's unprotected legs and cause her to loose foothold, only to find the blonde having jumped in order to avoid it.

But as the brunette waited for Lili to land again, she found that it was a wait in vain. Perplexed, her eyes widened as did the eyes of everyone present. There was a bright light appearing right in the middle of the district, shining a blinding shine. Its flash consumed vision, leaving only the sound of Lili screaming in the midst of the brightness.

"W-What is this?! S-Sebastian! Asuka! Help!"

Wide-eyed and bewildered, Asuka got back up but couldn't see anything beyond the reach of her arm. Only a faint silhouette of Lili was barely visible in front of her, a struggling form that only seemed to slowly disappear. "Lili! Lili, grab my hand!"

She reached out as far as she could towards the light, hoping for her rival to grab onto her. With the little vision she could manage through her half-open eyes, she could see that Lili's silhouette was reaching out for her – for briefly a second before the light suddenly vanished. Her heart sank when vision came back, and the outburst of a worried old man was heard behind her.

There was only an empty space left in its wake. The crowd, once cheering and loud, was dead silent.

:::::::::

Elsewhere, amongst snowy reaches that only seemed to rise higher to the sky, a group of three braved the ever falling snow and winds that cut to the bone. The snow was deep, reaching to their ankles with its crystal chill that numbed whatever spot of flesh it touched. The trio, already cold and tired so far, were interrupted by the supposedly most energetic of them who spoke through clattering teeth.

"I-it's so c-cold here…!" She said, rubbing her bared shoulders rapidly. "I wish we could get back to the ship already…"

"I don't particularly enjoy this any more than you do…" Said the other member of the trio; a silvery-grey-haired young woman. "But we have to find… ugh, what were their names again…"

"Ayde and Lian." Said the third member. She turned around and smiled at the other two. "You two better hurry up or we'll get separated in the snow. We have to find Lian and Ayde before something happens to them!"

The blonde member, still forcefully clattering her teeth pleaded in a fashion that resembled a simple whine. "But Yunie..!"

"No buts, Rikku! Don't you want to help them? Help Kimahri?" The brunette, "Yunie" inquired with a light smile which only grew when Rikku eventually nodded, a confident grin plastered on the blonde's lips.

"You're right! Let's go find our young Ronso's! … I just wish it wasn't so cold…"

"Then you should've brought a dressphere that provides a bit more warmth…" The silver-haired member stated bluntly as she marched on. "Or just wear something more than just underwear in general."

"I got it Paine! Geez, always so serious aren't you?" Rikku pouted at her friend, still rubbing her shoulders to gain a shred of warmth. "I can't help that I simply forgot to put on more clothes in the rush!" Yuna merely giggled at Rikku's remark whilst Paine muttered lowly, both walking with haste through the snowy terrain. The winds cut more roughly against them, almost pushing back them the higher they got.

"How far do you reckon they might have gotten?" Paine suddenly asked, watching the brunette intensively as to not lose sight of her. There was a brief silence before she replied.

"I don't know. Kimahri didn't tell us when they might have gone, so there might even be several hours in difference. But we should catch up with them soon enough, I think."

"Hmm." Paine nodded to herself. "Well that's good news. Hopefully it won't take too long; I'm starting to feel a bit numb myself." When Yuna just chuckled good-heartedly, Paine felt that it was too quiet. She cleared her throat and turned around. "You're awfully quiet back there, Rikku. Whatever happened to the loud thief that always-" The words didn't come to her. Even Yuna had stopped in her tracks, puzzled with the sudden pause. As she spun around, all she met was Paine, who in turn only stared at an empty area of snow behind her.

Paine rubbed her neck. "Uhm… Yuna? I think we lost Rikku…"

:::::::::

´I'm going to lose Jin if this keeps up… I followed him as per ordered too!´ The young girl thought to herself, her anxiety growing as she tried to keep her wits about. Her navy-blue coat fluttered in the night wind, though it did no attempt to blow away her beret. Her green eyes darted to and from, constantly keeping her alert of anything regarding her surroundings.

The sound of gunfire echoed repeatedly in the night, along with the sound of steel clashing loudly. Debris were destroyed and riddled with gun-shot marks as the reason – a violent battle – raged on without cease. A young girl fired her guns from her faraway position while avoiding sharpened claws of a puppet, a metal clad marionette that ceaselessly attacked despite the continues hits of each bullet.

´Why is Carl even attacking me? I told him I couldn't reveal anything about Ragna! I just can't!´

Her opponent, behind the marionette, was a glasses-clad boy with white-and purple clothes along with a stylish top-hat who chuckled at her as he ordered the marionette around. The girl dodged to the side, narrowly escaping claws of steel. She fired a few more rounds at the contraption before she began running again, the marionette still at her heel.

"I'm sorry it came to this." Carl said solemnly. "But if you won't tell me willingly, I have to force the information out of you."

"Snap out of it Carl!" The girl yelled back, firing additional rounds before dodging to her right; debris were pierced and slashed as the marionette collapsed into the spot the girl had just stood, slowly getting up. The girl just stared at it in disbelief as she kept firing, but the hits didn't seem to do enough damage to stop it completely.

"I'm sorry, Noel. I really am. But this is necessary… I'm a vigilante after all. I need to stop Ragna, and you'll have to tell me one way or another." His gaze remained focused on Noel, as was the marionette. Noel felt even more anxiety build up as she contemplated her situation; a mechanical doll behind her, ready to slash and pierce at the blink of an eye and a former classmate and friend in front of her, wishing her harm for information. Just what had happened that had changed her friend? Guns still tightly gripped in her hands, she raised them against the marionette. She couldn't possibly even aim at the boy. If she only could take care of his main weapon it would be a walk in the park. She took aim, index fingers at the triggers.

Then it happened; before Noel could fathom what was going on, she was unable to see anything. Carl, his marionette, the city; everything was turning white and blinding, and her head felt hazy as she heard Carl's voice calling out for her.

:::::::::

"You were right. It's lovely to see such trees bloom this time of year."

A raven-haired woman glanced over at a shorter woman, offering a genuine smile. Clad in a white and golden kimono-top with a purple sash that all together covered a black, skin-tight suit that only reached to the womanhood; supposedly leaving her thighs and legs bare were it not for the simple black knee-high stockings and sandals, followed by knee-high thin metal paddings and dark-blue leather armour reaching the upper portion of her thighs. A golden headband kept her long bangs at bay, whereas the rest of her hair was kept short so it only reached her neck. Lastly she wore a pair of metal protectors from her hand to her elbow, topped off with metal protectors fastened around the upper portion of her arm and arching up to her shoulders.

The girl next to her wore a garb of similar fashion, though with simply a black top instead that reached from the valley of her chest down to her womanhood. With brown thigh-high boots and brown gloves, she lastly wore a green jacket with straps, tied with a pink-red strap at the top and silvery metal shoulder pads. Her hair was tied back into a small ponytail, held together by a black ribbon.

The raven-haired woman nodded. "I told you so. A shame your sister missed out on this. I'm sure she would've liked it." She raised a small, nearly flat cup to her lips and took a sip of the beverage as she sighed with content. "The cherry-blossoms always calm me down. No matter what stress I'm currently under." She heard her friend giggle beside her, watching her take a sip of the beverage herself.

The blonde smiled at her. "I'll be sure to really force Sophitia over next time. But she had her soon-to-be-husband to tend to she said." The blonde rolled her eyes at the time, causing the dark-haired woman to offer yet another smile. "Still, thank you for inviting me, Taki. I could use some time away and a change of scenery."

Taki smiled back. "Don't mention it Cassandra. However, I insist that you invite me over to your homeland sometime. A change of scenery would probably do me some good too, I feel. How's the saké?"

"It's quite unusual from where I come from." Cassandra admitted bashfully. "But I could definitely get used to it." With a shy grin, she held out her cup. "Refill?"

Taki chuckled quietly. "Be my guest. Just don't drink too much or it'll get you." She said, pouring the saké into Cassandra's cup. The blonde gave her thanks and took a gentle sip, smiling contently afterwards. The sun was still on its perch in the sky, shining brightly down on the fields of Japan.

Taki glanced up at the sky. "The sun is glowing bright today. I reckon the harvest for the villages will be good."

"I wonder if the weather is as good as this back home…" Cassandra pondered out loud, enjoying the warmth of the sun that blessed their outdoor activity. Though it felt nice to sit outside in sun with the faint breeze, it felt as if the brightness was starting to grow. Had she had trouble to even look up and watch the sky before? She covered her eyes, but soon that too didn't help much. "Uhm.. Taki, is it just me or is the sun glowing too bright…?"

"No, you're right." Taki replied. "I can't even see the hand in front of me. This can't be the sun." She drew her ninja-swords, poised to battle as the light suddenly became unbearable, and a screeching sound was slowly growing louder. "Cassandra, get down! Something is happening!"

"What is this?!" The blonde shouted with weapons at the ready. "Is this one of those demons you've talked about?"

"No demon is so fixated with light!" This was the last audible sentence they managed to exchange before both the light and the noise concealed everything, and turned it all into white nothingness.

It felt as if they were floating – or perhaps soaring? – Through this nothingness where they remained blind. Just soaring through a white cloud with no sound, confused and at complete mercy of whatever it was that put them through this. Neither knew what awaited them until the nothingness slowly dissolved and colours returned, though they were dark; brimstone red, coal black and decaying brown greeted them as they suddenly felt like they were knocked to the ground. They could move again, though it was easier said than done.

Taki and Cassandra both attempted to get up on staggered legs to no avail. Their heads felt hazy and ached, and the room appeared to be spinning for the first few seconds. It wasn't until Taki had managed to get up, then helping Cassandra up, that they noticed they weren't alone. Three more girls by the looks of it attempted to get up from their dizziness, each of them being strangely clad. All of them, including Cassandra and Taki, wore a look of not having the brightest idea what was going on. Asking them was deemed pointless in Taki's mind.

"Oh! Thank the Goddesses above!" A voice suddenly exclaimed. The group instantly turned to the small fire at the left edge of the chamber, where a bald man was standing. His eyes were almost sunk in and dim and dark bags riddled underneath them. He had oddly protruded ears. His skin was almost grey, gently freckled and wrinkled around his face and hands – the only parts of his body that was visible underneath his dark-brown hooded robe. "My spell worked! Oh, lady luck is smiling upon me this day!"

"Spell?" A blonde wearing a yellow string-bikini promptly asked as she got up on wobbly legs, scowling. "What do you mean spell? Where am I? I recall treading through Mount Gagazet when this bright light suddenly just…popped up! Was that you?!"

The old man raised his hands defensively. "P-Please, calm down! I understand your confusion, but please hear me out-"

"That was you then?!" Another girl, looking very elegant, stood up and began marching with determined steps towards the old man. "What have you done? Where am I? And more importantly, send me back, right this instant!"

"Just hear me out!" The man shouted. His face was pale and baffled. "I will explain everything! Please… just listen. I beg of you, you're my only hope!"

Taki arched an eyebrow in suspicion. "Your only hope? Speak up old man."

He nodded and cleared his raspy throat. "I know what you are all thinking, but this… This is dire. I am Mau, an old sorcerer… And yes, I am the one responsible for have summoned you all here." He paused briefly. "However, I wouldn't have called for champions from other worlds if I wasn't desperate…"

"Desperate?" Cassandra inquired. "Desperate about what?" Mau merely glanced over at her, his face remaining solemn.

"Desperate to save my world, young girl. For it is tainted with a horrific evil…" He heard a few girls gasp as the words left his mouth, but he continued. "Long ago, a knight without armour arrived to these lands… Oh, I dread to even think about it. He came; he slew, and has acted in the shadows. For none other than me, at least who is still alive, know of his malice."

"What do you mean?" Cassandra said. "A knight without armour?"

"Yes." Mau nodded. "His skills are otherworldly, and his arsenal with both weaponry and magical artefacts are vast. None here can get close to him… But perhaps you, champions of different origin can take him down and save this land." He fell down to his hands and knees, his dim eyes tearing up. "I implore you, please help me… Help my homeland! I'll even pay you anything! This fiend has robbed me of my home, my closest… and driven me into exile in a God-forsaken cave! He's a monster in sheep's clothing!"

"You're in luck old man!" The bikini-clad blonde exclaimed as she skipped over to Mau, patting him in a friendly manner. "I love to help people! It wouldn't be right of me to just abandon you, even if you did just… well, kidnap me in a way…"

"Y-You'll help? Oh! Thank you! Oh thank you child! Bless you! What about you girls? Will you… help me?" There was a brief silence. It didn't look good until another girl, clad in a blue cap and cloak stepped forward with a bright blush. She looked uncomfortable, even as she tried to speak.

"I-I'll help too! T-That man is o-obstructing justice! I can't t-turn my eyes from this! I w-won't let him harm as he p-pleases!"

"Tch! You two are so naïve…" The group turned now to the elegantly white-clad girl who seemed to be far more interested in inspecting her fingernails. (They were absurdly pink too!) "You kidnap us all to do your dirty job? Preposterous. I'll have nothing to do with it, so send me back right now! I have a fight to win." She ignored the baffled stared she received, tapping her boot against the stony floor impatiently. Mau sighed.

"It's not that simply, girl." He said. "I am an old man, and such a spell requires an abundance of magic. I won't be able to send you all back till the deed is done, I'm afraid."

The girl glared at him. "What?! Well, isn't that convenient for you?" She said with scoff, her hands placed on her hips. She remained silent for a few seconds, shifting balance from one leg to the other as she seemingly contemplated. "Very well old man. Have it your way. I could use a fight anyway…"

"You won't be disappointed girl. I'll reward you all handsomely for your troubles before I'll send you back! But you two!" He motioned towards Cassandra and Taki, a faint glint of hope in his eyes. "What say you? Will you lend your aid to an old man?"

They exchanged looks. Taki's face had become unreadable, as expected of a ninja to hide her emotions whenever she was "on duty". She gave Cassandra a slow, questionable nod to which the Grecian nodded back with a confident smile. She stepped forward. "We don't have much of a choice anyway right? We'll help you rid of this menace, Mau." Mau smiled greatly, his eyes tearing up again. With the girl's support, he got back up on his feet.

"I can't thank you girls enough for this… If you now have answered my desperate pleas, I will tell you how you'll recognize him."

"Please do." The cap-wearing girl said politely. "We w-will need to know everything vital in o-order to know him when we see him."

Mau nodded. "As I've told you, he's a monster in sheep's clothing… He has the people's trust and might not appear as the demon he is, in public. You'll know him by his green garb; a long cap and a tunic. He wears a detailed blue shield and a sword, but don't be fooled! He has his arsenal with him at all times… He could easily pull out something when you least expect it."

While the others seemed to try and keep this information in mind, Cassandra stopped her mental tracks. This man's description rang a bell somewhere in her head…

"He has blue eyes and blonde hair- … Much like the lot of you, with the exception of you." He pointed at Taki. "What a coincidence… Still, you can't miss him."

´Blue eyes and blonde hair, garbed in green… No, that can't be it. This man seemed honest, so it couldn't possibly be him… But if it is, then… Did something happen to him?´

"I'm counting on you now… Not only for my sake, but for the peace and welfare of this entire land. Just follow the path out of here up the spiral stairwell. Then it's just out the door. May the Goddesses watch over you, champions."

"Thank you!" The bikini-clad girl exclaimed as she waved Mau off. "I'm not going to let this meanie do as he wishes anymore!"

"We w-will ease your t-troubles, sir." The girl in blue said politely. "F-farewell!"

The others joined in with simple farewells as they walked up the stony stairs that spiralled up. It was decided; though a cruel trick of fate had forced them here, they were now united with a single goal to find and kill this evil knight. Only then would they be able to go home, and the world they left behind would be rid of the malice. A strange new, and hopefully short, adventure was before them.

What the women didn't know was that the once dim, kind eyes watched their every step with an antipathy, a curling smirk lingering on the dry lips.

Longest prologue, ever.

I really, really hope you liked it. And if you didn't, then dont be shy. I can take mature, constructive critisism. Also, just to clear the air; Taki and Cassandra are both wearing their player-2 outfits from Soul Calibur 2.

Until next time, in which I refer to chapter 11 of A Hylian's Harem. Bye!