The Twilight Princess

Twenty

Aria cheered on as Zoey waltzed down the steps, escorted by Kai. The three friends met in a circle, and celebrated their victory. Aria felt a tap on the shoulder, and was surprised to turn around and see Old Man Wahsit. He gave her a little grin. "Looks like ya did what ya needed to do dewdrop," he said to her. Behind him, Dr. Krawl came to congratulate the trio as well. "So, did you take care of what needed to be taken care of?" Kai asked him.

Dr. Krawl rolled back his shoulders and smiled proudly. "Yes, I believe I did." He patted the old man's shoulder. "Because, after years of searching, I have finally found...my father." Old Man Wahsit laughed. "When he showed up at mah door, I knew he was the one when he explained that he had carved out a career in science. Guess great minds think alike."

Although Aria was happy for them, she couldn't help but think of her own parents. "There's something I need to do," she told everyone. As she exited the ballroom, Zoey turned to Kai. "I'm sorry about your father." Kai shook his head. "Don't be. We all knew what was going to happen to him. The only thing I can do know is honor him and his wishes. Before he died, he told me that his final wish was only and always for me to be happy. And that's what I'll be. I know it's what he would've wanted." Zoey rested her head on his shoulder and took his hand. "I couldn't agree more with him."

.........

Aria set foot once again on the cold cobblestone steps. She could feel a frosty gust of wind pass through her face. She could hear the sounds of coyotes in the forest surrounding her. It was good to be back home again.

"Aria? Oh honey, we were worried sick!" Aria felt a sigh of relief and a burst of happiness just by seeing her mother's face again. "Mom, you're okay!" Her mother wore a puzzled look on her face. "Yes. Why wouldn't I be?" Aria turned to see the ghostly girls hovering in the air, and knew that this was their doing. 'Thank you,' she mouthed. They nodded, then disappeared. "Who are you talking too?" Marie Van Hashtings was still very confused.

Aria figured only the Chosen One could see these girls, whoever they were. But that was a mystery to solve on a different day. All she wanted to do now was soak up this moment with her family. Ro sat up, head aching. "Ro, they're alive! See? Isn't this great?" Aria helped her sister up. But the ghostly girls must've erased her memory too. "What are you talking about? What happened?" Ro tried to find her balance as she stood up.

Aria just shrugged. She ran over and gave her parents and sister a huge hug. "Oh!" Her mother said, surprised by the tightness of the hug. After letting go, Aria noticed her father didn't seem too pleased. "Where have you been?" He demanded. "It's kind of a long story." Her dad just stood there, waiting for an explanation.

Aria decided she would use the story from earlier. "Zoey and I climbed Mount Verro."

"And why?"

"We wanted to see a great view. I'm sorry, she warned me not to do it. But I didn't listen. Sorry."

John Van Hashtings looked around. "Where is Zoey then?"

Aria gulped. Zoey was still at the ball. "Right here!" The door slammed shut. Aria sighed with relief. "Sorry Mr. Van Hashtings. I just got a little carried away with the view," Zoey explained. Aria's father sighed. "Well, at least you two are safe. But remember, just be careful next time. Promise?"

The girls both nodded. Aria was glad that Zoey had changed clothes too, or else she wouldn't have known how to explain that they had gone to a royal ball.

Aria led Zoey up the stairs quickly to her bedroom. As soon as the door was shut, they both started laughing. "You think they actually believed it?" Zoey asked. Aria giggled. "I think they did." She opened the curtains, letting a streak of sunlight in. "Aw, it's good to be back here." She flopped down onto the bed. "Hey, where's Kai?"

Zoey sat down next to her. "He decided to spend the next few weeks at the hospital, helping Mr. and Mrs. Evans with equirza patients. That is, until the actual hospital reopens."

Aria nodded, and sat up. "Well, what now?" Zoey remained quiet for a moment. "Now we relax and wait."

"What do you think those ghost girls meant by 'there will be more to come'? Who exactly are they? And who is Zaria?"

"I don't know. That's hard to say."

All Aria could think about were the questions that floated around her head. "Why don't we go to where it all began, Mount Verro?"

"Uh...I'm not so sure about that..."

Aria stood up. "Oh come on. Don't tell me that after all this you're afraid of one tiny mountain."

Zoey laughed. "Oh please. Afraid?"

"Then come on then!"

"Oh fine. I guess it couldn't hurt." Aria helped her up, and they sneaked out.

"I've forgotten how beautiful and extravagant this view was," Zoey said as they reached the top a few moments later. "Yeah, it really is," Aria said, taking it all in. She felt a gust of cool air fall over her. She turned to Zoey, who was looking at the spectacular view in awe. "Let's make a pact. That this place, the top of Mount Verro, will be our own secret friendship spot. We will meet here if we ever need each other."

Zoey agreed. "Deal." They fist bumped to seal the deal. As Aria looked on over the bright, vast kingdom of Zerelelia, she knew that everything was going to be okay. That no matter what comes next, she would survive it. As long as she had great friends on her side.

~ The End ~

For Now...