Heartless Courage Book One: Kingdom Hearts meets Legend of Zelda

Chapter XXI: A Link between souls

Several days after the heartless war, life appeared to slowly get back to normal.
Gannondorf had battled with terrifying ferocity, however his forces  were overwhelmed by the sheer amount of soldiers the King had arrived with- Gorons, Zoras, and Hyrulians alike had all stepped in to end the battle as quickly and with as little bloodshed as possible.

With Link standing as his warden, Gannondorf was trialed and executed, not without of course his many vows of return and vengeance.
Twinrova was not seen again after her near death encounter with her own creation, though it was unlikely she was going to give up on her plans of conquest.

Naburoo had retaken command of the surviving Gerudo. Upon surrender, the unconditional terms were that they must trade salt and steel in return for food, water, and other neccessary supplies weekly, as opposed to the previous monthly, revitalizing their economy. The Gerudo were taken aback, amazed and grateful the King did not have them all executed. His mercy was not unnoticed, and after so many years of tension and conflict it seemed that the Gerudo were finally accepted for their beliefs and values.

Zelda was returned to her father safely. He had thanked her heroes, (as did Zelda) graciously, even offering them all positions as knights-in-training, promising quick advancement. All declined, so King Alvo insisted that they at least each accept the Hyrulian medal of Valor.

A funeral was held for Talon, and though Malon was not concious Link talked her through the ceremony as it occured. It seemed that though Link could not touch her without being spirited away to the same realm she was trapped in, anyone else could without fear.

Nana and Pitri vowed to care for her until she was better, since Na'vi had done so much for them.

"You met her?" Link asked on his second day in medical.
"Yes, she rescued my daughter's girlfriend from the King's abusive jailer. She told us she'd be going to find you, actually! She never made it?" He had asked, concerned.

Na'vi did not make a suprise appearence the coming days, and Link grew worried. Once he was fully recovered he returned to his friends who were as usual bartering for ship parts.

"Just one pinion!" Donald cried, frustrated, "does this place know what engines are or not?!"

"We'll take the mace." Sora said.
They had to dismantle many parts to get what they needed, but after communicating back and forth with Chip and Dale on their devices, they had finally gotten everything they needed together.
"Hey, Link! You look much better!" Goofy greeted in the Kakariko market.

"Yeah. Nana patched me up pretty well. How's your ship coming along?" He asked, still clueless as to what their ship actually was.

"After this, we're done actually. We'll probably be leaving today. I have to tell King Mickey of the strange heartless we met here." Sora replied.

He stood side by side with Donald and Goofy and they looked at Link sadly.
"I'm ganna miss ya little buddy!" Goofy said.
"I'll walk with you to your ship. I sort of want to see what you guys use to fly!" Link said exitedly.

The travel was lengthy and relatively smooth. They mostly joked around and swapped adventure stories on the way. At one point Donald asked
"So...how do you think Twinrova found out about heartless to begin with?"
After thinking for a moment Sora replied "I think we're better off not knowing. No matter how she did, it's not a good sign.."

Upon reaching the shore, Link's eyes lit up in amazement that the thing was actually entirely gummi.
"I...I have to eat it." He declared.
The others looked at him in fear, then laughed. Chip and Dale ran out and snatched the mace from Goofy's hands.
"Yes! perfect! The grip is just the perfect sort of leather we need, and the chain can be use.." They began chattering exitedly as they ran back on board.
Within seconds, a low humming came from the ship.

"She's... ALIIIVEE!!" Cried dale from within.

Chip ran back outside.
"Isn't it beautiful?" He sniffed.
"Well guys! Whenever you're ready we'll fly this baby back to Mickey's castle!"  he informed before running back in.

"I guess this is it." Donald stated.
"Hyup! We'll maybe visit sometime Link! Your world really is purty!" Goofy drolled.

Sora held his hand out for the respectable warrior. Link shook it, and grinned at the keyblade wielder.
"Stay safe. Try to avoid crashing into anything else." Link joked.

"Ha! And run the risk of meeting someone else like you? Not likely!"
Sora retorted.
The trio climbed aboard their ship, and slowly began to ascend before finally launching off into the heavens.
The hero of time stopped waving after a while and began to make his way back.
Link's hike to the castle was interupted by a familiar brown tawny owl.
"Link, I have some rather dire news."
Link sighed and acknowledged the bird.
"It's about Na'vi. She did not return to you because I stopped her."
"What? Why?!" Link demanded.

The fog of the forest seemed to thicken, as though it too questioned the owl's motives.

"My most recent vision showed me Malon's fate. She will be lost forever, unless Na'vi can recover an ancient artifact. This artifact is said to be able to pull the seperated soul back to its body. The curse Nihl cast was powerful, Link. There is no telling how long she has before she is lost forever.."

Link struggled to contain his surge of fear.
"H-how soon? Do you have any idea how long she has?"
Kaepora shook his head no.

"Any time from a week, to several months, to many years. It all depends on her will. You said she's always smiling when you see her? Make sure she never stops. She must not let darkness consume her mind or else.." He trailed off.

"Na'vi. Where did she go?" Link asked.
"She flew far through these very woods. By now she should have made it to the distant villeges of Kane and Volgire, two races forever locked in conflict. Within the ancient ruins only the King of Kane knows of lies a temple that only the Matriarch of Volgire holds the key for.
She will likely require your help, but she should be getting the information you'll need to get the artifact, Link." He explained. "One last thing... this whole situation with the heartless. Sora wasn't lying when he told you that this planet appeared from nowhere.
The fabric of space is being split apart.
I can only assume Twinrova has something to do with it, and I wouldn't be suprised if more strange things appeared to you on your journy.
Keep yourself safe Link." With that, he asked one last joking
"Did you get all that?" Link narrowed his eyes. Keapora shrugged and flew off as the hero below ran back to the Castle of Hyrule.

"Link..." Malon started before he held his hand up. The odd realm was almost familiar by now, and Link had grabbed Malon allowing himself to be whisked away as one would unlock the door to their house.
"I'm leaving Hyrule. I don't know how long I'll be, but when I get back I'll be able to free you from here!" Link promised.
Malon smiled, not at all suprised.

"I believe you. I'll wait for you, don't worry. It's not like I'm going anywhere!" She laughed. Though she tried so hard to remain optimistic Link could still see the fear in her eyes.

"Wherever you're going, you might need Epona. I tied her up by the Zora's waterfall before I was captured..." She informed him. Link gave her a final goodbye before rushing out of the Kakariko clinic towards his long lost horse. As promised, the auburn pony roamed the river bed. She had broken the rope, and fled from Link's approach. He quickly played Epona's song on his ocarina, and with a whinny she galloped back over to him.

He pat the reddish mane and with a soft jab he rode off, leaving Hyrule far behind him and following his fairy's trail to the only object capable of saving Malon's life.

△▽...To be continued in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.▲▼