Ariarose wandered aimlessly, lost in thought.

She had failed for a third time, but somehow she felt much calmer in the aftermath than she did the first two times.

Two things had been made clear to her, the first being that she would never be able to return to Ghirahim, and the second being that somehow, someway, she was connected to the sky child Link. She couldn't even begin to explain this connection, but she knew it was there. She had felt it, and it had stayed her blade.

I could not kill him.

The only question that remained was why? Who was he to her? Had they known each other in her past? And if so, why didn't Link recognize her?

A sudden screech rang through Ari's forest surroundings, jerking her out of her thoughts. She spun on her heel, summoning a blade and looking around for the source of the noise.

"Not AGAIN!" the voice wailed.

Ari spotted the speaker and cocked her head in confusion. It was an imp with black and white skin and turquoise tattoos. Its ears were long and pointed, its fangs protruding from its mouth, its luminous red hair bound back. It seemed to hover weightlessly. Judging by its voice, it was female, and it was unlike anything Ari had ever seen before. She lowered her weapon, approaching cautiously.

"Where the HELL am I?" the creature shrieked, scanning its surroundings. Its crimson eyes caught sight of Ari. "Who the hell are you? Did you do this to me?"

"I don't know what you mean," Ari said, dissipating her sword, "I'm Ariarose. Who are you?"

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"I'm Midna, Princess of the Twili! Where the hell am I?"

Ari arched a brow, "Twili?"

"Yes! Did you even hear the question?"

"I've never heard of the Twili, though I don't know much about these lands. You're in Faron Woods."

Midna surveyed the scenery almost suspiciously.

"Doesn't look like Faron Woods," she muttered, "If it was, Link would be running up to give me a bone-crushing hug probably."

Ari stared at the little creature in astonishment.

"Link? You know Link?"

Midna regarded her through narrowed eyes.

"How do you know Link?"

Ari weighed her answer carefully.

"We're...acquaintances."

"Oh yeah? You from Ordon Village?"

Ari's confusion was steadily increasing.

"Ordon Village? I've never heard of such a place."

Midna looked at her as if she was utterly stupid.

"Someone hit you on the head? It's a little village where Link and his Hylian buddies grew up."

"You must be confused. The only Hylian village is Skyloft. They abandoned the Surface years ago. My Lord Ghirahim told me so."

"Who?"

Both girls wore blank expressions.

"I'm sorry. How did you get here exactly?" Ari queried.

"I don't know."

"I—what?"

Midna looked irritated.

"I said I don't know. I was sitting on my throne in my beautiful twilit palace and then suddenly I was here looking like this."

"Is this not how you normally look?"

"No!" Midna snapped.

"But...you remember who you are?"

"Duh."

Another scream tore through the air and as Ari turned to see the new arrival, she spotted a blonde haired child dressed all in green racing past them, arms flailing.

"What's happening?! I wanna go hoooooome!"

Ari had no hope of stopping the child before they disappeared almost as quickly as they had appeared.

"Okay, that's it. I'm out of here."

Midna turned and floated away, ignoring Ari's protests.

The spirit's thoughts were reeling.

What's happening? Who are these people? Are there others? How many are there? How did they get here? Where are they coming from? Am I one of them? Why am I the only one who can't remember who they are?

She needed answers but none would come to her if she simply stood there.

Then again, she thought as she heard another shout, Maybe they will.