Summary: Mila recounts what happened on the day of the attack on Hyrule.

Mila sighed as she looked over the large number of notes she had assembled and organized. Her Dad had left publishing this chapter to her, but she didn't mind. That way, it would likely get done sooner! But it had taken her some considerable time to gather all the information, the facts she would need to tell the story of what happened in those few hours. Like any good historian, she had spoken to witnesses and double-checked sources. It was hard to believe so much had occurred in so short a time. Telling the story almost seemed longer than the story itself. The day had been uneventful until the evening. She would get to the point and begin the story then. Here goes, she thought, as she began dictating the story into her Tab.

The day had finally arrived for the Yiga Clan attack. Captain Kaplan of the Yiga Clan had carefully thought through what needed to be done. Dark Link may have been the strategist, but he was the master tactician, the one who could fill in the details of what to do and how to do it to accomplish their goals. And he had done just that in his briefings with his three lieutenants.

The first order of business that day was the abduction of Queen Zelda, and he had briefed Kenyon's team carefully on his plan. He was confident they would succeed.

It was early evening, and Yiga Clan lieutenant Kenyon was dressed as a Royal Guard lieutenant and accompanied by two Yiga warriors dressed as Hyrule guards. The two guards were carrying a rug, and they were approaching Queen Zelda's office, where they knew she was working alone. Two members of the Royal Guard stood guard outside her door.

"Yes, Sir?" asked one of the two guards at the door.

"Her Majesty spilled some ink on her rug and asked for it to be replaced," said Kenyon as he held up his Tab, which showed a counterfeit message from Queen Zelda.

"It's odd that Her Majesty didn't ask us to handle it," said the senior guard on duty with a puzzled expression. "Are you new here, Sir?"

"I just transferred here from the Akkala Citadel to oversee maintenance and supplies for the Royal Family," said Kenyon. "Not very exciting work, but closer to home for me."

"Very well," said the guard as he opened the door.

The three entered the room and promptly closed the door.

"What is going on?" Queen Zelda said, standing up.

Then Zelda's world went dark as Kenyon shot her with a tranquilizer dart, and they rushed forward to catch her as she fell. The two disguised as guards rolled her prone body inside the rug and made sure everything was secure. Meanwhile, Kenyon took Zelda's Tab and made some noise as if the furniture was being moved. When all was ready, he cracked the door and then played a recording from his Tab in a voice that sounded like Zelda's.

"Thank you. Please tell the guards outside I do not wish to be disturbed," said Zelda's voice.

"I guess you heard Her Majesty," said Kenyon as the two phony guards carried the rug out the door, and Kenyon closed it behind them, dropping his Tab as he did so. This distracted the guards from examining the rug too closely.

"Thanks," said Kenyon to the guard that helped him pick up his Tab.

They made their way outside the castle where motorized transport awaited. Speed was important now. Another team of three Yiga were waiting there, carrying an identical rug, and Kenyon handed them Zelda's Tab. That decoy team then left at once, while Kenyon's team with Zelda waited for thirty minutes.

"This is going better than I hoped," said Kenyon. "I think we can go. It doesn't look like an alarm is being sounded."

The vehicles the Yiga used were high speed, and they quietly thanked Zelda for building such fine roads across Hyrule. Both teams sped back to the Thyphlo Ruins, one from the east and the other from the west sides of the castle. It was slightly over four hours before midnight by the time the teams arrived. One Yiga soldier tossed Zelda's Tab into the bottomless swamp, and then they carried Zelda's unconscious body below to the hideout where the Poe Collector was waiting.

"Perfect!" the Poe Collector hissed. "I will begin the ritual at once."

The spell the Poe collector had begun to cast had the effect of putting its victim to sleep, so it didn't matter if the tranquilizer wore off. After roughly half an hour of chanting in a strange tongue, suddenly, a purple cloud formed around Zelda's body. It grew until it surrounded her and then hung in the air.

"Ganon is returning now," hissed the Poe Collector. "My job is done."

"Wait, where is Ganon returning?" Shadow Link asked, ever suspicious of the Poe Collector.

"He will materialize where he last left Hyrule," said the Poe Collector. "I'll be off now. There will be plenty of Poes to collect soon."

The Poe Collector left, and he was correct. In the middle of Windvane Meadow, just south of the Hyrule Garrison, a cloud formed. It grew and became a swirling mass of purple, a corruption of ancient energy, perhaps. As the cloud grew and swirled, it sparked streaks of lightning and thunder. All in nearby Hyrule turned to see the disruption. And when the cloud finally disappeared, a tall Gerudo warrior stood in its place.

It was Ganon.

Ganon briefly stretched his limbs and stared about, as if to get his feelings and his bearings. He stared north at the turrets of Hyrule Castle, then began walking toward it.

Hyrule Garrison was the closest military outpost and the first to feel the brunt of Ganon's wrath.

"What in the name of Hylia!" said the lookout on duty as he saw the enormous purple cloud and then saw Ganon approach in the light of a full moon that had suddenly turned red. He alerted the other soldiers at once, who scrambled to take up arms and defend their land.

The troops rushed outside the garrison, and the officer in charge, after alerting headquarters at Hyrule Castle, ordered them to stand their ground, swords, and spears ready. Ganon's mere presence sent a chill into the hearts and minds of any nearby, and it took some courage to stand fast.

But Ganon wasted little time with them. He sent them hurtling onto their backs with a mere wave of his hand and a dash of dark magic. Those closest to him were killed. Those further away were stunned. They rose from the ground and scattered. Ganon chuckled and continued walking toward Hyrule Castle. He took his time. There was no hurry. He would only grow stronger by the hour. And to deal with these weaklings, he did not need anywhere near his full strength.

Ganon strode on proudly, glancing from left to right. None dared get in his way. They had outsmarted him last time, thanks in part to Hylia's meddling, her Temple of Time. That was high on his list for destruction. But all in good time. First, he wanted to deal with what remained of the Hyrule Royal Family. They had always been a thorn in his side, but soon no longer. He could taste Zelda's soul slowly being absorbed. The taste was foul, bitter, but he was willing to put up with it.

The alert from the garrison was received at Hyrule Castle, and it said that a terrible being was approaching, and they could not stop it. Alarms were raised, and orders were issued to mount a defense of the castle. The guards outside Zelda's office received the alert, rushed in to inform her, and found the office empty. Now they had another problem!

Ganon's loyal followers, however, did not need any announcement of his return. Those who had studied the secrets of dark magic felt empowered, filled with newfound strength. Ganon's revival gave them confidence, a feeling of invincibility almost. And all of them let themselves soak in its feeling, let themselves become one with him bound together through his dark magic. And they could now teleport. The next phase of the attack could begin.

With Queen Zelda unavailable, her oldest daughter would be in charge now. And the Royal Guards needed to secure the safety of Princess Astra as well. Guards were dispatched to find and safeguard them.

Astra had been in her room reading when a guard rushed in.

"We must get you to safety, Your Highness," said the guard. "Something terrible is coming this way. Some say it is Ganon. We must hurry."

"Where is my mother?" Astra asked, standing up.

"Her Majesty is missing and not answering her Tab. We do not know," said the guard.

"She's missing? What about my sister?" Astra asked.

"She is in her room," said the guard. "She will be in charge unless we find Her Majesty."

What happened in each village varied slightly, though the basic Yiga attack was the same. Link was in Zora's Domain, of course, so the story will cover what happened there.

Lieutenant Fredon himself and some of his squad teleported to Goron City. Dark Link took the other half of Fredon's squad and teleported to just outside Mikau Lake, where Link's house was located. They had already determined that Mipha, Tila, and Faray were all at home. The Yiga broke into the house and spotted Mipha sitting with Link. Mipha and Link both jumped to their feet, but the Yiga used a tranquilizer dart on Mipha, and she collapsed, as Link managed to catch her before she hit the floor.

"I would advise you not to resist unless you want your family to suffer," said Dark Link as he held his sword.

Then he turned to the other two Yiga with him.

Go tranquilize Faray and Tila," said Dark Link. "Lawton should have already taken care of Sidon by now, just in case."

Faray in a nearby bedroom had awoken to the noise and sensed trouble, and she immediately awoke Tara, who had been sleeping in the slumber pool with her.

"Stay underwater and be quiet, Tara," whispered Faray. "It's important!"

Tara nodded and sunk to the bottom of the slumber pool as Faray sent an urgent thought message to Saldon, leader of the Sheikah in North Hyrule. When the Yiga Clan soldier opened the door to the room, only Faray was visible. He shot her with a tranquilizer dart, and she collapsed in the pool. They did the same to Tila and young Link as well in the room next door. So much for Zora resistance!

"Clever, don't you think?" said Dark Link when his fellow Yiga returned. "All your Divine Beast pilots are unconscious now. By midnight, Ganon's revival will be complete. As for you and me, perhaps it's time to renew our personal battle. Right outside here should be fine. Don't forget your sword, Link. I'd like to make sure you hang onto it."

Link lay Mipha gently on the ground, kissed her once on the forehead, then retrieved his sword, and silently walked outside. The sword tingled in his hand in a way it had not for years, and Link knew what it meant. It sensed Ganon's presence. A red moon hung higher in the sky as the hour grew later.

It was three hours before midnight now.

After they emerged from the house by Mikau Lake, Dark Link began a chant in some ancient tongue and waved his hands around. A dark cloud enveloped both of them, and when it disappeared, Link found himself in some strange open place he had never been before. It reminded him of a virtual world like the ones Purah created.

"This way, any nosy Zora guards won't disturb us," said Dark Link. "Impressed?"

Link said nothing.

"No smart answer? You're very quiet, Link," said Dark Link. "You were never much of a talker, but this is bad even by your standards."

"I have nothing to say to you," said Link as he held the sword that seals the darkness. "I'll let my sword do my talking. Or do you intend to slay me with your words?"

This annoyed Dark Link, who took a fighting stance and prepared to battle.

It was almost equal against equal again, though Link perhaps had gained some small edge. But it was not enough of an edge to end things quickly. Dark Link was skilled in the same sword techniques Link was, including flurry rushes. And so the battle raged on out of sight or hearing of any Zora guards, or anyone else in Hyrule.

Their swords clashed over and over, until, after a particularly strong volley, Link wounded Dark Link in the left arm, causing Dark Link to wince. Then they both paused, needing to catch their breaths.

"Are you at a loss for words now?" Link said between breaths, for he wanted to goad Dark Link into acting rashly in anger.

"I know what you're trying to do," laughed Dark Link. "I tried to do the same thing to you."

Then Link rushed forward as Dark Link did the same, and the sparks flew once again as sword clashed against sword over and over. However, no matter which way either combatant moved, it was as if the other could sense their intent and instinctively take action to block it. They went back and forth, again and again, neither one able to gain an advantage. It was a battle of near-perfect equals. They paused again in their fight to catch their breaths.

Link's studied his opponent and tried to figure out a way to deceive him. Perhaps he could feign a mistake, leaving himself open to attack, knowing Dark Link would see his mistake and try to capitalize on it. But Link would need to be ready. It was a risky maneuver, for if he failed, he would suffer a fatal blow. But he could think of no other way to end this. And if Ganon were attacking Hyrule, he needed to be there with his sword, not battling his evil twin in some virtual world.

And so when they resumed their battle, after several parries, Link deliberately let down his guard. Dark Link struck at once, wounding Link in the chest on his left side. But Link had expected that and brought up his right arm, plunging his sword into Dark Link's chest. Dark Link gasped, dropped his sword, and his left hand went to his chest. It was a fatal wound.

But Dark Link had one last trick to save his Lord, to prevent Link from using his sword against Ganon and assure Ganon would prevail to restore Dark Link to life. With his right hand, Dark Link withdrew a tranquilizer dart and threw it into Link's chest. As Dark Link collapsed in death, he grinned, seeing Link collapse as well.

Link felt himself growing faint and saw himself back by Mikau Lake as he lost consciousness, and the sword fell from his hand.

It was two hours before midnight.

And it was then that the first unlooked-for aid came to Hyrule. It came from a race the Yiga Clan had overlooked. For it was a race seen by few and thought of as merely playful troublemakers, even by their own kind. Link had stumbled across many of them in his journey long ago. But they had a serious side too, for they served the great Forest Spirit most called the Deku Tree who had watched over Hyrule for ages. It was thanks to their help that he watched over Hyrule, for hundreds of his loyal Koroks were spread throughout the land. They were his eyes and ears and arms and legs too, for he took the shape of a tree after all. And so, when the sword that seals the darkness fell from Link's hand, the Forest Spirit sensed it and where it was needed. An alert went out to the Koroks who served him. And they retrieved the sword and passed it along from one to the other, flying when they needed to, until they finally reached Hyrule Castle bearing the sword. And they knew just where to bring it.

Astra was in her room when there was a noise at the window. Two odd-looking green creatures with leaves as propellers had flown up to her window. And they were carrying something. She recognized it at once. It was the sword that Link carried, the sword that seals the darkness. These creatures had delivered it to her. And as she stared at the sword, she heard a voice from within it speak to her.

"It is time for you to take up the sword," the voice said. And then it added a word it had never used, ever, not in all its many years of being. It added the word "Mistress."

Astra picked up the sword, and it glowed a brilliant white, illuminating the room. A surprised guard was still urging her to take shelter.

"You go ahead," said Astra to the guard. "My sister and I have something we must do."

Astra went to her sister's room, where Princess Zelda was with her family.

"It's time, Zel," said Astra. "You know what we need to do."

Zelda nodded, then kissed Horwell and Randall goodbye. She took Astra's hand as they made their way out of the castle and toward the castle gates.

It was one hour before midnight.

You could see Ganon's approach from the dark cloud that seemed to hover over him as he strode confidently, triumphantly even, up to the Hyrule Castle gates. All fled as he approached, fearful of his power.

All but two who stood at the Hyrule Castle entrance holding hands.

One was a little girl, and the other older. He could smell Hylia's blood in them both. How nice of them to come forward to meet their doom and save him the trouble of searching for them. They both had the goddess's blood, but there was something else he recognized, and then he couldn't help himself. He doubled over with laughter.

"How times have changed! Hylia must be desperate indeed," said Ganon when he recovered his composure. "Now she sends even children to fight her battles? I recognize that sword you hold, child. I have bitter memories of it. Lay down your blade, and I will make both your deaths swift and painless."

"We are both servants of Goddess Hylia," said Princess Zelda. "Go back to the nothingness you came from."

"Strong language, Princess," laughed Ganon. "Very well. I have given you a chance to die swiftly. Now you will feel the bite of my blade and suffer."

And with that, the battle was drawn. At first, Ganon did not try his hardest, not wishing to waste energy on an unworthy opponent. But Astra held her own, parrying his blows and making him parry hers. After several minutes, neither had inflicted any wounds on the other.

"You handle a blade well, child, better than many who have dared to face me," said Ganon. "I commend you for that. It seems I must try harder. Let's begin again."

This time the fight was more intense, and Ganon landed a cut across Astra's left forearm, which caused her to wince in pain and her sister to gasp.

However, Astra did not give up but merely backed away to regroup.

"This is your last chance," said Ganon. "Lay down your sword now, and I will slay you both quickly. Fight on, and only a painful death awaits you and your blood sister."

In answer, Astra merely raised her sword skyward again, and it glowed white-hot with sacred energy.

No one will ever know what would have happened next had not something unexpected occurred. Most likely, Astra was over-matched and would have fallen in battle, though she had acquitted herself well so far.

But what happened next caused a ripple of shock and fear to race across all the Yiga Clan from one corner of Hyrule to the other.

A huge beam of blue Ancient Energy came from the North and struck Ganon with so much force that it knocked him to his knees. He groaned in agony as the beam continued to rain down on him, sapping him of his life and strength. Finally, the beam stopped as Ganon struggled to move.

"Now, Astra!" screamed Princess Zelda, and Astra rushed forward at the fallen Ganon and stabbed him through the heart. Ganon cried out in pain, then rose, clutching his heart. His face was an ugly contortion of pain and rage as he staggered.