Hey, guys. I'm back with the next chapter. Not much to write down except, please enjoy.

Link awoke the next day, Navi right beside his pillow. Link took in his surroundings of the room Ruby offered to him and Spike. Link looked to see the dragon hadn't awoken yet, either. Looking out the window, Link could see the entire cave city of the Diamond Dogs. From what he saw, any rupee collector would have a field day here.

The city was interesting, to say the least. Some of the houses were tunnels in the in the wall, with doors and windows on them, much like Ruby's home. Some were made from giant crystal stalagmites. Diamond dogs could be seen wheeling wagons full of various gems, guards were patrolling with crystal spears, and puppies were eating smaller crystals from a bag, like they were rock candy.

The door creaked, and in stepped Ruby.

"How are you feeling this morning, Link?" asked Ruby.

"Better, Mrs. Ruby." said Link, hopping out of bed.

"Good." said Ruby.

Link noticed that Ruby had her fingers tipped with blood, and she was cleaning it off with a towel. Link knew that blood belonged to Flurry Heart, and his good mood was dimmed.

"Well, Mrs. Ruby? Is she gonna be okay? How was she this morning?" asked Link.

Ruby sighed, a dark look on her face.

"From what you told me, the barbarian who did this really knew where to cut." she said.

"I got her cleaned up, used the strongest fabric I have to stop her bleeding, for now. She'll recover, but the orbitals were cut deep. When her eyes have healed, her sight won't. She'll be blind. There's nothing more I can do. I'm sorry, but I've done all I can."

"At least... she'll get better. Thank you, ma'am." said Link, sadly.

"Of course, Link." said Ruby.

"How am I gonna explain this to Twilight and Cadence?"

Link and Ruby turned to see Spike was already awake, and getting out of bed. Navi fluttered her wings out of bed.

"Sorry, I was already awake. I couldn't help but overhear." said Spike.

"It's okay. We'll both tell them, Spike." said Link, then turned back to Ruby. "Is it okay if we see her?"

"She's sleeping, right now. Just be quiet." said Ruby.

Inside the guest room, Link, Spike, and Navi gasped at the sight in front of them. The poor princess of the Crystal Empire, laid in bed, bandaged around the eyes. Blood was caked on her bandages, the pillow, and the sheets. A bowl of cold water, and a soaking cloth was at the foot of the bed. There was even some herbs to help the pain.

If Twilight and Cadence were here, this would break their hearts.

Ruby ushered the boys and fairy out of the room, to let the poor alicorn rest. Soon, Ruby, carrying her son in his sling, on her back, led her guests outside to the rest of the cave city. Walking up to the market, Link and Spike helped Ruby getting food and more medical supplies for Flurry Heart, in order to repay for her kindness.

Returning home, Ruby made some leftover fish and herb stew for the boys, leaving a bowl for Flurry Heart by her bed, without the fish, when she awoke. Spike was left a tiny side of gemstones.

"Y'know, me and my friend Rarity had a run-in with some naughty Diamond Dogs a long while back, I just assumed all dogs were like that. But, most of you guys are pretty good. No offense, ma'am." said Spike.

"None taken, Spike." said Ruby. "You must be referring to Spot, Fido, and Rover. They're the town bad boys. Every dog in town knows about what they did to your friend. For that, on behalf of all us good dogs, I apologize for that."

"It's in the past. Thank you, though, ma'am." said Spike.

"Mrs. Ruby? Have you been hearing what's been going on in the surface world?" asked Link.

"You must be asking about those two jokes on all Equestrian leadership, King Tirek and Queen Chrysalis." said Ruby.

"King Tirek?!" blurted Spike.

"News travels fast. I've heard from other dogs in the square, today and yesterday." said Ruby.

"Tirek, Chrysalis, and their forces have already conquered the seat of the kingdom. Now, they're on the move to expand their rule. First, they're headed for the Everfree Forest, where the princesses and the last of the free ponies are in hiding. Luckily, Discord has place a powerful defensive spell around the entire forest. I just hope it lasts. At least we'll be safe here, for now. They don't seem to be too concerned with us petty dogs, but I'm sure it'll be a matter of time."

"It's a mess." said Link. "Spike, we gotta find the others. We need to find the Sword and Shield of Harmony. It's the thing strong enough to match those tyrants." said Link.

"We can't go anywhere without Flurry Heart. Who knows how long it'll take for her to recover?" said Spike.

"Wait, boys. What was that about a Sword and Shield of Harmony?" asked Ruby.

"Oh, just something I found in this book the princess of my kingdom, Zelda, gave me about Equestria." said Link.

Ruby stood up from the table, and closed the window curtains, before locking the door. Then, she lit a couple of candles to brighten the darkened room. The boys were in utter confusion.

"Um, what are you doing, Mrs. Ruby?" asked Link.

"Don't worry, Link. Your secret is safe with me." said Ruby. "I know what is you're looking for. Follow me."

Ruby took Link and Spike down to her bedroom, towards an old chest. Opening the chest, Ruby brought out an old page, giving it to Link. From what Link saw, it looked to be a map of sorts.

The map was a layout of Equestria, with red X's on them. One X was right near the Diamond dog's town. Another was near the dragon's kingdom. Another was near the desert town of Appleloosa. A giant circle was in the center of the map, where Canterlot was located.

Suddenly, Link's eyes grew wide with realization.

"This is the missing page to Zelda's book!" said Link. "Mrs. Ruby, where did you get this?"

"It was thousands of years ago." Ruby started.

"Back when we Diamond Dogs first took up scavenging. Back when the Hylians were still allied with the ponies. It was my ancestor, the first scavenger, Pearl. She was the boldest to steal from the Hylian Royal Family. But, the closest she got was to steal one, single page. That page. Still, it was a victory in it's own right. After that, she set out to find the Sword and Shield of Harmony. However, she didn't get far. She had a family, and began scavenging for a living. But, she left this map for someone to find those treasured weapons."

"So, we can use this to find the shield and the pieces of the sword. We bring them together, then we can save Equestria." said Link, smiling with confidence.

"Save Equestria? What do you mean?" asked Ruby.

"With this sword and shield, I can face off and defeat Chrysalis and Tirek." said Link.

"All by yourself?!" said Ruby.

"Link's never by himself." said Navi, flying close to his side.

"That's right, because we'll be right by side, cheering him on." said Spike.

"Ruby, please, take me to where this spot on the map is." said Link.

...

Up above the peak of a mountain, far from the Diamond Dog village, Ruby, Link, and Navi stood before the mouth of a giant cave. Symbols of paw prints on stone slabs were above the mouth of the cave, showing this cave held importance to the Diamond Dogs.

"This here used to be the old mines we dogs used a long time ago, but then it became infested to a home of monsters, and it was too dangerous for us to dig for our precious diamonds anymore. It was the first place my ancestor, Pearl, started her search for the first piece of the fabled Sword of Harmony. Yet, she was lucky to get away from the monsters, and all the more reason to abandon her search." said Ruby.

"Well, I'm gonna finish her unfinished work, but it'll be for saving all of Equestria." said Link. "Thank you, Mrs. Ruby. You best head home. Spike seemed a little nervous about staying with babysitting Rocky and Flurry Heart."

"And leave you and your fairy friend to venture alone in that hazardous place? No sir. I'm coming with." said Ruby, brandishing a crystal bladed dagger, showing she can protect herself.

"Just stay close to me and Navi, Mrs. Ruby." said Link, as the three ventured into the depths of the mines.

...

From a nearby ridge, a moblin had observed Link and Ruby entering the mines, through his telescope. The moblin ran back towards his commanding officer, where he and many moblins were gathered on a bluff, just below where the village was. Many of the moblins were preparing powder kegs, on Dark Link's orders.

"Captain, I just saw the hero go through the old Diamond Dog mines. Permission to pursue them, Captain?" the lieutenant saluted.

"Negative, lieutenant Snort. We go after the village. The hero is a job for the Dodongo." said the captain.

"B-B-But, Captain Moe! Is it a good idea to let it loose?! We haven't tamed it, yet!" said Snort. "We let it loose, it's strength will crush everything underneath! Even us, if we go in the village!"

Moe grabbed Snort by the collar of his armored mail.

"Do as I say, grunt!" shouted Moe.

"If our previous master, Ganondorf, could do it, so can we. For our new masters, Tirek and Chrysalis. For for previous master, the powerful Ganondorf, who was betrayed and murdered by the Hylian Royal Family, and their sage friends! We will succeed!"

The moblins cheered. Moe grinned. The captain had his own reasons for pleasing Tirek and Chrysalis. If he pulled this off, then he'd be the leading favorite of the new queen and king of Equestria, not that little snot, Dark Link. A moblin taking orders from a child, even if a shadow clone, the captain found it ridiculous.

The captain laughed more at these victorious thoughts played through his mind...

Well, guys. That seems like a good place to end this chapter. Sorry this took so long, but don't worry. Next chapter will be up soon, with plenty of action. Because, next chapter will be Zelda Dungeon Time!

Moe, the moblin captain is named after the moblin from the game, The Wind Waker. When he talks about Ganondorf, is a reference which later sets the stage for the game, Twilight Princess.

I own nothing, except a few OC's. All rights go to original owners. No copyright intended. Thanks. Stay tuned for more of this fanfic.