With the sun returned to its correct position high above Ponyville, and the normal time of day almost three in the afternoon, the newly appointed Bearers arrived at Golden Oaks Library, eager to hear Navi's story.

"That took waaaaay longer than it should have…" Pinkie said disappointingly as she hoofed out cupcakes to everypony.

"It was only a few hours, dear." Rarity sat beside her and eyeballed her own cupcake. "When did you even make these?"

"About an hour ago. When everypony was listening to the music. Don't worry, they're still fresh." Pinkie devoured her own in one swift motion. "And that's not what I meant, but ok."

Link sat on the floor beside Twilight, with Applejack on her other side, and Rainbow on his other. "Will the princesses be here soon?" Navi asked, coming out from hiding. "I want all of you to hear this at the same time."

"Indeed. Any minute in fact. Seems to me you haven't told even us this information." Twilight bit into her own dessert. "This is delicious!" she remarked as she took another bite.

Navi flew to the floor and started walking around in a circle. "I left it out. Intentionally. It didn't seem relevant, this not being Hyrule. I didn't think anything would follow us here, least of all the Triforce."

"It's relevant now, especially to me." Link folded his arms and looked down at Navi, not looking at the shocked expressions on everypony's face. "What is this?" He held out his left hand, palm-side down.

Navi, after a moment, walked to him. "You're… talking. In front of everypony. … Is it alright if I tell them now?"

"Tell us what?" Rainbow asked.

"I was silent by choice. It's not an illness, nor birth defect. Twilight knew this, and kept quiet. Thank you. My trust issues are to blame for this. It's why I could get away with not saying 'Sir' to my captain." Again, Link looked at Navi. "Your turn."

Rainbow interrupted him. "So wait, you didn't talk because you didn't trust any of us?"

"That's right," he replied. "Aside from the 8 of you, 4 have heard me talk at all." He leaned back on his supportive arms. "Oh wait, there was that one guard. Do you remember, Twilight? She walked in during our conversation about geometry."

"I remember that. That was so long ago. It was right between your question of the difference between a rhombus and a parallelogram and my response. I'm glad she kept quiet about it." Twilight smiled and laughed a little. "I do commend you on lasting this long, though. I'd have-"

After a knock at the door, Spike jumped up and opened it, revealing the Royal Sisters, crowns atop their heads. "We are here now. The celebration has toned down enough to grant us our leave," the younger sister said as they entered the library.

Twilight moved over, away from Link so the two princesses could sit between them. Applejack moved over in turn, to make room. With Link literally their right hoofed man, the sisters sat, removing their crowns and setting them in front of them. "I'm glad you made it. And just in time too."

"About this explanation?" Celestia asked, looking down at the little fairy.

Luna got down to her level. "I do apologize. I meant not to offend you. I haven't seen a fairy in over a thousand years, and I quite easily forgot their appearance."

"Uh," Navi hesitated, "think nothing of it…" She started walking around again, as Luna rose her head. "So, the main question is this: What resides on the back of Link's left hand. To answer that, I need to tell you of my… our homeland.

"We came from a place called Hyrule. Our creators were called 'Golden Goddesses'. Their names as we knew them were: Din the Powerful, Nayru the Wise, and Farore the Courageous. Din, blazed a trail across the sky, clearing it of the haze that covered our world. Nayru, made the land fertile enough to plant and grow crops, and created the means with which to sustain said plant life. Farore, created life itself, organic and otherwise. The three, their labors completed, combined to make the Triforce. They sealed themselves away in a place called the Sacred Realm, hidden within a temple known as the Temple of Time.

"That object must have been unsealed somehow, and since it was an impure heart that did so, it split into three parts. Unless the rules are different in this world, which is entirely possible. That said, it's clear the Triforce of Courage went to Link here, but then again, the Triforce should have stayed sealed in Hyrule. Unless…"

Celestia looked at Navi and interrupted, earning a look from Luna. "Unless there's a variation of this 'Temple of Time' here in Equestria with its own set of rules. If so, that would explain the varied conditions."

"That kinda makes sense, but where would it even be?" Twilight asked.

"Ah doubt some fancy temple would go unnoticed for a thousand years," Applejack inputted.

Luna provided the answer. "You were just there, and it was a fancy temple a thousand years ago. Hoof-made by my sister and I and several forest dwellers. But I'm off subject. Tell us, did you explore, or just come to find young Twilight?"

"I voted to split up, but that was quickly shot down. I mean, it's not every day I get to go exploring like that." Rainbow piped up, and stood as well. "Buuut, I guess it's a good thing we didn't. We'd never have beaten you if we weren't all together…" She looked at Link, and frowned a little. "No offense." To which, he shrugged his shoulders.

Princess Luna looked upward in passing remembrance. "We surveyed the land before building, and found some ruins of something already there. We thought it would be a great foundation to build upon, so we cleared the rubble and started our construction."

Celestia nodded in agreement. "Now, I ask that you all get some sleep. Surely you must all be tired from today's exploits. Oh, and there's no more need for you to hold the elements. Allow me to carry them for you all."

One by one, the ponies hoofed their necklaces and crown last to both Luna and Celestia. Rarity was so hesitant to rid herself of it, and Applejack couldn't part with it fast enough. Link stood before them all. "That still leaves my duty. What am I to do now? My order was to be Twilight's bodyguard as she oversees the celebration. Now that it's over, what do I do next?" Link asked the princesses.

Again, Luna was the first to suggest a solution. "Hmm. It seems your presence here is not without reason. May I recommend his continuation of military service? His abilities would inspire our forces."

"If that's the only option, then what will it lead to? I know this is what I signed up for, but isn't there anything else?" Derpy's voice rang clear in his head as he remembered their conversation. "Besides, if 'bodyguard' was the role you were meant to play, you wouldn't be here now." Link pondered a moment, hoping to come up with his own alternative. "I got it. Assign me to Ponyville. Station me here."

"… Link…" Celestia sighed audibly and looked down for a moment before returning his gaze. "If that is what you want, so it shall be. I'll file the paperwork for your transfer as soon as we get back to the castle. I'll send them through Spike's fire for your signatures. I trust this library will be your base for the time being?"

Link nodded and looked at Twilight. "If that's alright with you."

"I'm perfectly ok with it. It'll be great having you around again after all this time. Maybe now that you're older, I can try again to teach you some magic, and help me train my own."

"Twilight, this isn't a vacation for him." Celestia thought a moment. "Well, maybe it can be, but he's still in service," She had to tell her student.

"I get that, but with him here, I have to do something with him. I haven't seen him in 5 years. Some bonding must be done." Twilight elaborated on her position.

With no opposing argument, Celestia nodded her head. "That's a grand idea. Plus, with Spike nearby, we can send you orders if we need you." Princess Luna smiled at Link.

"And, may I ask a favor?" Link turned to the designer. "I'd like you to create an outfit for me. It must be durable, but flexible. I can stop by tomorrow for the measurements."

"Uh… For you? Hmmm… I - hm…" Rarity hesitated to provide an answer.

"Trust me, he's not that difficult to measure. My tailors made for him all his outfits. That he would ask another to do so is a step in a growing direction," Celestia assured.

"Alright," she replied, "nothing ventured, as they say, is nothing gained. I cannot guarantee its quality, but I'll strive for perfection."

"It'll be fine. And thanks. It's not a whole line, just one outfit." Link looked at the group as a whole. "Now, if you'll all excuse me…" He turned and headed up the stairs, Navi quickly following.

"Me as well," Fluttershy added. "My animals must miss me so much. They're sure to be hungry by now." She stood and left for her cottage.

"Just so I understand this right, Link is staying here?" Rainbow asked.

"Yes, at least for now," the elder sister replied.

"Awesome!"

"With all due respect, Princess," Twilight interjected, "I believe he should be honorably discharged from service. On the grounds that we still don't know much about humans. The longer he stays in the military, the more likely it is he won't come home from a mission. If we lose him, we'd lose the best chance we have of-"

"Twilight Sparkle." Princess Celestia raised her voice a little. "I understand your concern. Admirable it is to want for your brother's safety. But don't forget: it was his choice to join the Royal Guard, and so it shall be his to leave."

Twilight sank where she sat a little at the unexpected loudness in her mentor's voice. "If it's still on the table, Ah'll be wantin' his help on the farm within the next week or so." Applejack attempted to lighten the mood. "Besides, he already said he wanted to."

"I see no issues. However, as I mentioned, I expect him to be compensated for his efforts." Twilight did some quick math in her head. "How's this: Number of apples he 'bucks' over the number of trees he 'bucks' from. Does that make sense?"

"Absolutely. And that sounds reasonable. Ah'm sure he won't complain. He's a strong kid." Applejack smiled at Twilight.

"Nopony said there'd be math," Rainbow said, mocking a gag reflex. "Math's for eggheads like you, Twilight." Noticing the stares from royalty, she quickly added, "No offense. Eh-heh…"

"I take none. Egghead, Bookworm, Smarty pants, I've heard it all before…" Twilight slumped down, lying where she once sat. offense was taken anyway… it hurts sometimes…

Applejack laid a foreleg over her friend's back. "Cheer up, Twilight. You bein' so smart was a great thing this time 'round. Imagine how it'd be if y'all weren't here."

"I'd rather not… Thanks for your support." Twilight turned and smiled. "Ever since Link left for the Royal Guard, nopony's been there to defend me besides the princess. When we went to school together, he'd always sit next to me. Even help with some things that didn't quite make sense." Twilight got lost in her nostalgia.

"And now that I'm back, I'll resume doing so." Link appeared coming down the stairs in a custom made set of sleepwear, with a convenient front pocket for Navi. In reaction, Applejack moved her foreleg from Twilight's back, like she did something wrong. "Until the day comes when I no longer have to." He walked down and returned to Twilight's side.

A pale green mist entered through an open window from the kitchen and formed as a scroll in front of the princesses. "Oh, pardon me for a moment." She unfurled the scroll and read silently to herself.

"If I may, Link," Luna started, rising to her hooves, "I would like to ask you something." After a quick nod, she continued. "Where did you, and from whom did you learn a barrier spell?"

As a display of ability, Link extended his right palm out, erecting a small barrier in front of him that glowed a light blue. "This? I learned it from my captain, years ago. About a year after joining the guard. It's been slow going, but progress is progress."

The lunar princess walked to him, and put her hoof against it, feeling its surface, non-breaching its defense. "Interesting… That a human would … could possess such magic…"

"Does it mean anything?" Twilight asked, sitting up and looking at the shield in question. Link dropped his arm, and the shield along with it.

"Hmm," she said, putting the same hoof against her chin as she began to think. A moment later, she started explaining. "I fired a beam at you, if I recall correctly, and you deflected it with this barrier. Even as Nightmare Moon, when my power was greater, I could not pierce this barrier." As she walked back to her seat, she went on. "There are three main possibilities why that is, or any combination of them. 1: Being locked away on the moon drained me of my magic, thus leaving me too weak to break through. 2: This, Triforce of Courage, boosted your magical ability, strengthening your shield to withstand my attack. Or 3: You were meant to excel in barrier arts, and therefore won priority." She again went to sit beside her sister. "As I said, a combination of the three is an option as well." With a glance to her sister, she added, "What has thy face in such disgust?"

Celestia quickly rolled up the scroll and replied, "Not one of disgust, but of worry. I must say, this is something of a coincidence; having you here, and this event now unfolding." Reducing the scroll to ashes, she stood, and levitated her crown before her. "Recall, ages past, our 5 lenses hoof-crafted. One has been unearthed after 12 centuries. You can only guess who it belongs to..."

"If it belongs to whom I believe, then we have need for the object beyond the door." Luna removed the small, round, blue gem from the base of her own crown, and levitated it over to Link. "This is one of two pieces that open the door."

"This is the other," Celestia added, removing the sunburst ring from her own. "Hers, along with mine, will open the door. It's protected by immeasurably strong magic, and could not be opened by either of us alone. Not that we could open it together anyway..." She shook her head and dismissed the thought. "And, I think you should know, the door bears the same mark as the one on your hand."

Link took the pieces, and looked at the sisters. "What door do you mean? What lies beyond the door, and what purpose will it serve?"

Both Princess Luna and Princess Celestia sat in silence for a few seconds. The latter closed her eyes and looked down in further silence. "There is a door in our old castle, on the lower floor. Behind it lies a sword. I only saw it for an instance, before the door shut us out. Our sorcerer friend from long ago did his research on it, before they shut. He described it as 'A blade, not crafted by normal means, nor forged in normal fires. This sword has had unknown masters, in name and in number. And will likely have countless more by time's end.' He gave it the name, 'Sword of Masters'."

"Further," Celestia added, "though I know much less of this than my sister, I do know this much: throughout history, carriers of this sacred weapon have used it to rend evil asunder. It has a magical quality that seems to be used for sealing, and also a repellent for dark magic."

"It's... strange. Most, if not all, of this lore matches that of a sword in our homeland. Magic sword, sealing, evil's bane, all of it." Navi spoke from his chest pocket. "In Hyrule, it's sealed behind a large door with the mark of the Triforce. Within the Temple of Time, wouldn't you believe it. The use of three sacred stones are used to open it: the Kokiri Emerald, the Goron Ruby, and the Zora Sapphire. Along with a played tune, the door will open, and reveal the legendary blade of evil's bane: the Master Sword."

"You said... tune. On what instrument is this tune played?" Celestia asked, showing a bit more interest than before.

"It is played on the Ocarina of Time, handed down within the Royal Family."

I wonder... "Sister, remember that rock we found in the forest during our cleaning?" Celestia looked to Luna.

"Indeed. Though we determined it not to be a rock, as it was hollow and poked full of holes." Luna shuddered for a moment. "I still remember the wind you conjured after trying to breathe into it."

Link let out a small chuckle at the thought of a raging wind ripping through the Everfree Forest.

"Deeming its power uncontrollable, we locked it away, with me the chest, and with Celestia the key to unlock it. I swore never again would I hear her... awful playing again."

"I wasn't that bad... was I?" she questioned, shrugging.

"Well, it wasn't exactly a masterpiece."

"If I may interrupt your conversation..." Twilight dared to do so, and did so very cautiously. "So I have this all correct: Link holds one of three pieces of Hyrulean history on his left hand, the Sword of Masters is behind a sealed door that can only be opened by a tune and two gems, and your old castle is where all of it is hidden away?"

"Yes, that's absolutely correct. Since you know this, then we need not be here anymore." Celestia rose to her hooves, as well as Luna, and headed for the exit.

Luna paused, and turned back to the group. "We mean not to leave you as we are, but pressing matters call for our immediate attention." Celestia stopped at the door, to have the last word. "Oh, and before I forget, it is recommended you undertake this mission alone. For only you are needed to complete the task." Before he could reply, the two sisters left, their crowns atop their head once more.

"Phew!" Applejack exhaled, slumping to the floor. Her back audibly popped back into place, being still for so long. "Ah ain't sat proper for that long in ages. Ah forgot how much it hurt."

"Nopony asked you to stay," Rarity countered, with a swish of her mane. "I suppose 'proper' is in short supply on an apple farm."

"Why you-" She paused, and let out another sigh. "Ah hurt too much to be doin' this with ya."

"And here I thought earth ponies' backs were strong from the work they do. Or, is it from something else?" Rarity wouldn't let this go, and it started to bother Pinkie.

"You two... You both need a hug!" She wrapped her forelegs around the two, despite Aj's lying position, and squeezed them tightly in one of her warmest hugs to date. "There. Now play nice, or it's to time out for the both of you." Pinkie released them, as they fell to the floor.

"I most certainly will, if she does."

"Ah will, providin' y'all can do the same." Applejack practically slinked back to her seat beside Twilight. "Now that that's all settled… Link, Ah take it you'll be headin' out in the mornin?"

"Yeah, I got stuff I have to do here tonight. I don't know what to expect, but it shouldn't be too much." He got to his feet and started for the stairs.

"There's one thing I don't get: if this 'sword' is from your world, what's it doing here? And more importantly, when did it arrive?" Rainbow sat, looking at Navi.

"I... don't know... I do know that the only wielders have been holders of the Triforce of Courage, and have been used to defeat the holders of the Triforce of Power, and rescue the holders of the Triforce of Wisdom from evil. There may be variations of it here, but the idea is still the same." She flew over to her and stood on her muzzle. "I bet, way back then, this 'sorcerer' friend of theirs sought to use its power for himself, thus releasing the Triforce into the world, and sealing the doors. The same doors that won't open without a melody that nopony knew. All these years, the three parts travelled from owner to owner, until today, where Courage found Link when he needed it most. But... now I have to wonder..."

"Get off my face, please." Rainbow sat still, as the fairy flew off.

"Yeah, sorry. Forget that last part. It's been a really long day, and we need to gear up and sleep." Navi flew to Link's pocket as he went up the stairs into his room for the night.

"The longest of the year!" Pinkie exclaimed, throwing her arms out as confetti peppered Rainbow and got in Rarity's mane. "They'll only get shorter from here." She returned to her position, and chuckled at Rarity's new hairdo.

"If you'll excuse me... Spike... Spike!!" Twilight called, as the little dragon came bounding from upstairs. "Ah good. I need your help cleaning up around here."

"Alright, no problem," he responded, gathering the plates.

"Hey, Twilight. Link's gonna be awful hungry tomorrow. Do ya mind if Ah stay the night and cook some lunch for him? Ah'll head out in th' mornin, so-"

"I don't mind at all. I may not have much, but I'm sure your culinary skills are better than mine. Besides, it'll give me time to do a little more research. There's something that is bothering me..." Twilight headed into the kitchen, where Applejack, Rainbow, and Spike followed, the middle one unexpectedly.

"Twilight, I'll admit, I was half asleep through the whole thing in there, so level with me." Rainbow elected to sit on the chair beside the island in the kitchen. "Link's going back there tomorrow, alone, right?"

Twilight nodded, and looked back at her. "Yes. There's really no need for us to follow him."

"But there might be. I could go with? Just to be safe."

"It was the princess who recommended that he do this alone. There's your answer." She looked back to the sink where Spike put the dishes. "Besides, I wouldn't worry too much. He may be straight out of the Royal Guard, but that must be because he's earned it. I don't mean to sound rude, that's the last thing I want. But, Link has this. I know he'll succeed."

"How long ago'd he join the Royal Guard?" Applejack asked, sitting beside Rainbow.

"5 years ago, by his own choosing. I don't know the extent of his abilities now, but I'm sure they're satisfactory." She turned towards them and leaned in, whispering. "Don't tell him, but I've been working on a spell I learned last year. It'll be greatly useful to him. I know it's been useful to me." She returned to the sink and began drying the plates.

"Alright, if you say so..." Rainbow started to fly out the door, when she stopped short.

Twilight asked, "By the way, Applejack. I've been thinking. How did you all manage to open that big wooden door? I thought for sure Nightmare Moon had sealed it behind her."

"That? Oh, just that Rainbow felt a barrier on that old wooden door, and Ah bucked it in. She said, uh... What was it again?"

"I said that it was no use, that there was a powerful magic barrier sealing the door closed. Then you just destroyed it with a single kick." Rainbow sounded impressed. "If you ask me, I'd say we got special powers."

"I can assure you two, that is, by no means, the case. You simply... matured."

Rainbow looked at Applejack, who did the same to her. "I don't follow..."

Twilight was the one to answer. "I know a fair amount about pegasi, and one of my favorite topics was magical ability. One of which is magic detection. Not as strong, nor as reliable as Unicorn magic detection, but still trustworthy. It's an inherent skill. All pegasi, or most of them, have this, depending on the role the Creator meant them to play." Twilight turned to the farm pony. "And, as in your case, Earth pony magic works as an active and passive force. You use it naturally when you walk, gallop, or more aggressively when you buck trees. You were able to bust through the door because you applied more Earth magic than it had barrier magic. Like the tale of the impenetrable shield versus the unstoppable spear." She paused to take a breath. "Actually, Rainbow, I'm surprised it took you this long to figure out your ability."

"I, uh, didn't pay much attention in flight academy..." Or to most of that, honestly. Was too busy looking at the wooden horse head on the table.

"Noted. And, before you ask, I believe Princess Luna hit it right on the muzzle. Link deflected the shot because of all three reasons. That's not to say I'm right, just what I think." Twilight finished drying off the plates and turned to them once more.

"So, what you're saying, is that we had the ability all this time, but just didn't use it?" Rainbow asked, to be sure.

"That sounds exactly like what she just said," Applejack inputted. "Ah get it, the Earthy parts, not so much the pegasus part. No wings."

"Hmm... Okay, it's like this: she can feel magic, and then, if she can, manipulate it with her own. Much like you. You feel through the ground, and apply your own, to brace for impact when you buck trees. Then, when you connect, the magic built up gets transferred to the tree, which in turn uses it to let loose its harvest." This was beginning to sound like school all over again, but it wasn't so bad, was it?

Rainbow went to sit down again. "Are we bothering you? You can tell us to leave..."

Twilight shook her head as Spike went to work sweeping the other room. "No no, I like the company. There is... another thing I want to ask you, Rainbow." The pegasus in question sat again, this time with raised eyebrows. "Where'd you learn how to fight?"

She nearly fell off her chair at that. "Oh? Why the sudden interest?" Rainbow looked again at Aj, who just closed her eyes and looked away. "Junior Speedsters Flight Camp. There was a self defense class for beginners, and I was one at the time. After the first few lessons, the instructor praised me for my learning curve, and recommended that I continue. My dad wasn't too happy, but he said, 'Your happiness is more important than mine'. After that, I dropped out of the flight camp, and got enrolled in martial arts." She stood up proudly. "You're talking to a soon-to-be-black belt."

"I think that's impressive." Twilight smiled at the idea of family acceptance. "But... if you can fight as well as you say, why not join the Royal Guard and put it to use? Why stay a weather pegasus?"

Link sat in his room, his sword drawn on his lap. He fished for a whetstone from his bags, and procured one within moments, as he set to work sharpening his sword. After having been stabbed in the ground, it grew dull and needed maintenance. I just had to do that. It'll take half the night just to get the shine back in it.

"So, the key is in Princess Celestia's room, the chest in Princess Luna's, and the door at the bottom of the castle. I don't know which is which room, but I'd guess the key is in the right tower. As we entered, there were stairs leading up the towers, I'm sure those led to the rooms." Navi had been pacing since they got to the room.

"You seem more nervous about this than I am. You'll be there too, you have to be. You're my companion, and I, yours." Link paused his cleaning to reply.

"I know, but... what if it's been booby trapped, against invaders? Old castles in Hyrule were notorious for it."

"I honestly doubt the princesses made traps in their own castle. What purpose would it serve? The Everfree Forest's only threat is an overgrown lawn." He continued his labor.

"Still, what if you're wrong." Navi looked at him.

"Then I'm wrong and will better prepare the next time. All I'll need this time is this," he said, pointing to the sword, "the matching shield, and you. With all that, what could go wrong?"

Link finally fell asleep around 1 in the morning where he sat, as he was too tired to crawl into bed. Navi as well, though she much quicker.

Twilight saw Rainbow out the door as Applejack started making actual dinner. It was a simple meal, but one Twilight won't soon forget. After all, it wasn't every day she got to eat fresh apple pie. Applejack had just sat down to eat, when Twilight started up another conversation. It didn't matter what it was, or how long it lasted. All that mattered, was there was somepony there to talk to. Somepony who would listen, and reply. Twilight's mind started to wander as she made her way up the stairs to her room, inviting Applejack to sleep in the opposite bed, seeing Link passed out on the floor.

I'd wake you, but I'm too tired to deal with this. Good night, Link. Good night, Applejack.

Yeah... That took longer than anticipated. Prepare for Link's dungeon adventure next chapter.