Morning rolled around in the little town of Ponyville. The only audible sound that early was a rooster's call. Applejack cracked her eyelids open as it was the sound she's used to. Before the sun shone too much through the window, she could see Link still asleep on the floor. He hadn't made it to the bed last night, allowing Applejack to sleep there in his place. Walking quietly, she also noticed Twilight's bed was without its usual inhabitant. Huh… Guess she's gettin' an early start on that researchin'. Not to wake either Link or Navi, she walked out of the room and down the stairs. There, she saw a couch, piled with books, but no Twilight.

"Hum." Aj looked around the library for any sign of the purple mare. After a few minutes, to no avail, she returned to the couch and took a look at some of the books. "50 Magical Musical Scores, Starswirl the Bearded's Autobiography: A Tail in Time, The Ruins of Equestria. What are you lookin' for, Twilight?"

"I could ask you the same thing," Spike said, standing behind her. "Snooping is frowned upon."

"Gah!" Startled, she turned quickly, sending a few books hurtling to the floor. "Ah was, uh, lookin' at these books. It's hardly snoopin' if they're out in the open."

Sighing, Spike set about returning the fallen books to their spot on the couch. "If you really want to know what she's researching, you can ask her when she returns."

"Yeah," she replied, "where'd she go, anyway?" Aj walked off to the side to get out of his way.

"Town. She mentioned something about a commission. Not sure what she means, but it's none of my business. I hope she comes back soon." Finishing, he began walking up the stairs.

Applejack looked outside, and saw the sun barely over the horizon. "Hey, ya hungry? Ah make some mean pancakes."

Stopping in his tracks, he turned and walked back down. "I suppose it couldn't hurt to eat this early…"

The two made their way to the kitchen, and started in on making breakfast. After a total of 20 minutes, Spike had a plate of 5 pancakes set before him. Footsteps were heard plodding down the steps of the library, followed by an audible yawn. "Mornin' Link! How'd ya sleep?"

"Okay, I guess… Haven't slept on the floor since my old captain caught me awake past lights out..." He took a moment to stand in the doorway. "What's that smell?"

"Pancakes. Hungry? There's plenty for all y'all." Applejack expertly flipped over the two in the pan.

"Where's Twilight?" he asked, coming to sit down, beside Spike. "I noticed she's not in her bed, nor on the couch."

"Town, or so Ah'm told. She'll be back soon, most likely." She placed the two on a plate in front of him. "Hope ya enjoy. Ah got more comin'."

Link looked at the food, at the steam coming from it. Then, he glanced at Spike chowing down like no tomorrow. I suppose it's safe… Carefully, he began cutting and eating those on his plate.

"So, whatcha think?" she asked, looking on with a smile.

"Hmm… Certainly some of the best pancakes I've ever had. Family recipe?"

"Yeah, actually. Learnt it from Granny Smith, and her from her granny. 5 generations worth o' cookin' there." She returned to putting more batter into the pan.

"It shows. Maybe you could teach Twilight how to cook. It was never her … forte." He continued to eat slowly, as it was still fairly hot.

"Maybe, if she decides it. Say, can you cook?"

"Some things, yes… But nothing like this. I lack the imagination to make something from scratch as you have. I mean, I could forage for food like no other, but actually making something from it? … That's a whole different story."

"Hey, you should tell her about the time you tried to get into the cupboards for cookies at the castle," Spike interrupted. "It was funny, watching him try to climb the door without claws."

"And I seem to recall you burning Twilight's mane when you were that young. Just learning to spit fire." Link let out a laugh at the jesting.

"That's somethin'. Mah kid sister's a real hoof-full sometimes. Always gettin' into things when we ain't lookin'. Ah caught her wrapped in her bed sheet like a cocoon on a few occasions." She, too, let out a chuckle.

Just then, the door shut to the library. Within moments, Twilight stood at the doorway to the kitchen with her saddlebags being carried by her magic. "Wow, that smells great, Li- ! Oh, morning Applejack. You made this?"

"Ah certainly did. Have a seat, Ah'll fix ya some. Actually," she flipped those in the pan, "these're almost done."

"It smells wonderful." Twilight sat opposite Link at the table, setting her bags at her side. "Did you sleep alright? The floor must not have been comfortable…"

"More than you'd think. I'm used to it." Link bit into his second pancake.

"How are they?" Twilight asked, smiling as Navi poked her head out of his chest pocket. "And good morning Navi."

"They're great. Do me a favor, and get the recipe." He, again, chuckled a little.

"H-hey now, family members only. It's a secret to everypony else, alright?" Applejack gave the pancakes to the plate for Twilight, and returned to make more.

"I'm not a pony, does that exclude me?" Link smiled, thinking he had this one.

"No, you were brought up by ponies, that makes you a pony at heart."

"Aren't you hungry, Applejack? Or did you eat already?" Twilight broke the conversation for the better.

"The cook eats last. So, in this case, y'all eat first," she replied, preparing another two.

"Ah huh… So… Where'd you go, anyway?" Link asked between bites, and glancing at her bags.

"Funny you should ask that." Twilight pulled a set of two leather pouches from her bag, and displayed them before Link. "I, uh, went to a leatherworker. I paid him to make these for me." She gave them off to Link. "Or, for you, I should say. They have a loop on the backs of them, so they can be attached to your belt."

"Okay, aside from that, what are they?" he asked, looking at their insides.

Twilight had to eat a few bites before explaining. "This is very good, thank you Applejack. Anyway, those are magically enhanced pocket dimensional adventuring pouches. Used for storing items, like food, clothes, and stuff like that. Each one of those is capable of carrying 20 different items, or as many as 20 of the same item 20 times over. So, really, 400 things, so long as 380 of them match something already inside."

Link held up an index finger as he swallowed. "Okay, I have several questions. One: wouldn't there be an increase in weight, the more stuff I put in?"

"No, thankfully. The things you put in aren't actually in the pocket, rather in another space entirely." I really hope he likes this… Would be a waste if he doesn't… "Two?"

"Two: Why only 20 if it's another space? Shouldn't the space be unlimited?"

"No, unfortunately. The space created, is directly proportionate to the space it can originally occupy. One cubic inch is the equivalent of one cubic yard."

"Again, nopony said there'd be math. Hehe…" Applejack's attempt at a joke made the others laugh a bit.

"Thanks 'Rainbow Dash'. Anyway, because it can hold 20 different things, each set of objects has its own area. So that means there's no overlapping spaces inside." Twilight continued eating, feeling that there'd be some thought before his next question.

"Okay… Hmm… Ah. Three: Once something's inside, how do I take it out?"

Applejack fixed her own plate and sat beside Twilight. "That's a good question. And I'm glad you asked it. Unfortunately, in my research, I couldn't find a single spell that I could apply to you or it that would allow such an action. However, I did find a 'conscious connection' spell, that would do such a thing. But, for it to work, I need to cast it on all desired objects at the same time. In this case, you, and it." Twilight clearly did her research, and appeared to have an answer for every question Link had.

"Ain't somethin' like that, dangerous? Creatin' a void?" Applejack began to enjoy her breakfast while mildly knowing what's going on.

"Well, maybe? I mean, the bigger void that's created, the less stable it is by nature. Small as they are, they're perfectly stable, which is also why there's a limit on the space inside. Making one as big as, say, my saddlebag, would 1: drain me of nearly all my magic, and 2: be so unstable, it could very well collapse on itself, creating an endless black hole, and that's worst case scenario." Twilight finished her meal and sent her plate to the sink.

"How was it?" Applejack asked, finishing her first one. Ah admit, Ah make great pancakes.

"Oh, it was delicious! Feel free to make them any time, with some head's up of course."

"Glad y'all liked 'em. Link, Ah made some lunch for ya to take with ya to the castle. It's in the fridge."

"Awesome. Last night I'm guessing?" Link finished his meal and walked it to the sink himself, and looked in the fridge after. "Hmm. 2 apples, some juice, and… a slice of pie?"

"That's it. Made the pie last night for dessert. It was great, so we decided to save you a piece." She glanced outside. "Ah, shoot! Ah gotta go! Spike can have mah last one. Ooh, Granny Smith's gonna have mah hide for sure." Aj made a mad dash out of the library and toward Sweet Apple Acres.

"Huh," Navi said, "She got out of here fast. But, she gave you food, so you won't be hungry later."

"Yeah, that's a good thing," he replied, taking out the food. He walked to the table and set them beside the pockets. "Last thing I need is to have my stomach rumble when I'm in a dangerous place."

"I know it's dangerous, even the path we took was deadly, but you should find that the same path is unobstructed. After all, we trekked it yesterday, so you know what to expect." Twilight frowned a little at the memory of Celestia saying he had to go it alone. "Just… be careful, alright?"

"Absolutely. Now, about this, connection spell…"

"Right, now hold still. This won't take long…" She lowered her horn and focused. The pockets lit up with light purple magic, as did Link himself. After a few moments, the lights dimmed, then disappeared completely. "There, all done. Syncing complete. Give it a try."

Link opened the pocket, and put one of the apples to the opening. Immediately, the apple vanished inside. He almost didn't get his hand away in time. "Woah! That supposed to happen?"

"Yes, but don't worry, it won't affect you. You're incapable of being sucked in to your own pouch. Like the snake eating its own tail, it knows better than to do so."

"Uh huh… So, the apple is in there, and to take it out…" Apple… Apple… Apple… He placed his hand over the top of it, and felt a stem poke his palm almost right away. Pulling the apple out caused him to grin. "That's cool! I'm definitely gonna experiment with this."

"You like it? It's a vacuum. No matter the size, so long as it's within the predetermined limit, it'll get sucked in, and placed in one of the open slots."

"Can you attune it to another? I want Navi to be able to do this too. That, and … So she doesn't get vacuumed in. That would be bad…"

"I can. One moment. Navi? Can you come closer please?" As Navi floated toward her, Twilight repeated the process. "Done, again. Now you can use it too, safely."

"Now, different items…" With that, he put the apple back inside, with the juice bottle soon after. Now… Juice. Repeating his previous motion, the cap poked his palm. Now, change my mind, and think about the apple… Within seconds, the cap retreated, and was replaced by the familiar stem of the apple, as he again retrieved it from the pouch. "That's also cool. If I change my mind, it'll put back the first thing, and get the second. But, why isn't it instant? Just asking…"

"Yeah, about that. As there are 20 slots, what you put inside goes to one, non-specified slot. When you go to pull one out, it looks through all of them to find what you're looking for. Now, if you put it in a specific slot, then go to recall one item from that specific slot, it won't look through them all to find it, making it that much faster." Clearly, Twilight did her homework.

Link was silent for a moment. Then, suddenly, he threw his arms around Twilight's neck into what he remembers as a "hug". In reaction, she placed a foreleg around his side. "Thank you, Twilight. This is the best gift ever." Releasing his sister, he returned to his chair. "Where did you even learn this spell, anyway?"

"Funny you should ask that… See, the day before you came to Equestria, I was reading a book called 100 Useful But Not Easy Spells. Written by one 'Star Point'. This was number 43 in that book. Right after a transformation spell, and right before some spell about mind reading… Anyway, intrigued, I had that book sent to my room so I could study it further. In fact, it's one of the books I brought with me to Ponyville."

Link saw the loops she mentioned earlier. "Fits on my belt, huh… Mind if I modify them a little? You know, make it so they don't move?"

"I don't mind at all. They're yours now. Just be sure not to rip holes in it, or the space inside will overflow into our space." With so many things that could go wrong, I wonder if he can handle it all…

"This really is the best. Thanks again." He took his new pouches and headed off up the stairs, leaving Navi with Twilight. There, he changed clothes, dawned his equipment, and collected the two keys he needed to get the sword.

"So… Um… About last night… Applejack slept in Link's bed… He doesn't know that, and I won't tell him unless he asks. Did you say she could? Because if he finds out, he might take it personally." Navi started, sitting on the table.

"Think nothing of it. I just, felt that it was rude to make her sleep down here in the main room. That's reserved for larger groups. But if it's just one, I don't see a problem with it." Twilight felt so sure of her reasoning that she dismissed any other explanation. "Besides that, I didn't think he'd mind. He seemed… content, on the floor."

"Yeah, he did… with what little light that shone through the window from Luna's moon."

"How was it? The moon, I mean. I'm sure Princess Luna had some trouble with it." Soon, Link came back down, wearing his silver colored Royal Guard colors, and his belt with the new pouches at his side. With the sword and shield on his back, he looked ready to take on his task.

"Alright, Navi. We're heading out. We got things to do, so let's try and hurry."

"Link. Before I forget, can you do me a favor? This, ocarina, can you bring it back here once you get it? I know not its limits or abilities, and you may very well cause calamity upon its misuse." She got down from her chair and walked to Link. "It's a safety measure. And, for practice, I want to replicate it, from a non-magical material."

"Hmm… I guess that's fine. I mean, I don't exactly know how to play any instrument, let alone a magical one that can apparently summon windstorms."

Twilight grinned and went to the couch. "Do be careful, again. I want you back in one piece."

Link was hit with shock as he remembered something. "Right! I have to stop by Rarity's place. I asked her for an outfit, remember?"

"Oh, right. Well, still, be safe." Twilight retrieved a scroll, an inkwell, and a quill, and began writing notes while flipping through her books on the couch.

Link payed her little mind and headed for the door, Navi hiding away in his hat. Once outside, a grey pegasus caught his eye, trying to put mail into the mailbox. "Oh, hi Derpy. This is your job, huh."

In surprise, she dropped her mail on the ground. Turning, she saw him approach. "O-oh, excuse me…" She picked up the mail in her hoof. "Also, I notice you're actually talking. Can I ask why?"

"Uh… long story. Maybe another time? Anyway… What do you have there?"

"Oh right. This is for you." She handed him the mail. "My own personal copy."

Link took it and noticed several colors through the envelope. Opening and unfolding it revealed a map of Ponyville, though it appeared to be drawn and signed by Derpy herself. "Uh what is this for?"

"It's for you, so you don't become a missing Link." Derpy smiled at her statement. "I made it myself. See? I even signed it and everything." She pointed to her signature in the lower right corner of the page.

"It's hoof-drawn, clearly… Well, thank you. I'm sure it'll be useful." He took a moment to actually look at it. There's a legend beside the name, and several marked locations. Surprisingly, it's well-drawn, for being made by a cross-eyed, navigationally challenged pegasus. There's Sugarcube Corner… the library… where is the- there it is. Carousel Boutique. Rarity's establishment. It's not too far from here. "Thanks again. Anyway, I'm sure you're busy so I-"

"Oh, not really. There's not much mail today. Besides, my deliveries are at noonish, mostly," she replied with a smile.

" … uh huh. Well, I'm busy, so I guess I will see you around later." Link started walking away, when Derpy flew off. He watched her sail through the air, guided by her grey wings. I wonder… "Dream as hard as I might, never will I ever attain flight."

Suddenly, Pinkie jumped out of a bush beside him. "You don't have the ability, I know, but-"

"There you are, Pinkie. I was expecting you."

" … Huh? How?"

"Easy. Every time somepony rhymed, you spoke up, telling someone to wait for something, and claiming 'We're not there yet'." Link turned toward her and grinned. "What is all that about?"

"Oh, that… It's, uh… Hard to explain… Here." She walked beside him, and looked where he was facing, and pointed. "There, you see that? Right there, that, shimmery glossy thing in the air?"

Link looked, glared, squinted and narrowed his eyes, trying to see what she meant. "Nope. I don't see anything. What's there?"

"That is the fourth wall. … The fourth wall." Pinkie paused and sighed. "I guess I'm not allowed to say it."

Link saw her lips move, but heard nothing. "Are… you okay? Anyway, I'm kind of in a hurry to get to Rarity's, so…"

"Oh, about that… Rarity got a fair-sized order to be done by this friday, so she needs focus." Pinkie went toward the bush.

"She's busy, huh… Alright then. See ya later." He watched as she jumped into the bush. A minute or so later, he searched the same bush, and found no trace of her even being there. "Ok, that's weird. Anyway, off to the old castle."

Within 20 minutes of walking, Link arrived at the edge of the Everfree Forest, where they all entered the day before. "Link, what do you think about what Pinkie said?"

"Don't know, couldn't hear her." He started walking in, cautious from their previous encounters. Venturing in, and not ten minutes later, he saw the same trees Pinkie had laughed at, as well as the other ponies he had accompanied. "You know, if Nightmare Moon had such magic, why was it broken so easily?"

"How do you mean?"

"I mean, she made these trees have scary faces on them, but all it took was a little laughter to shake it off. Makes me wonder… Did she really lose so much power in her thousand year banishment?"

"It's quite possible." Navi looked ahead and saw the cliff they fell down. "Here's where Applejack helped with her honesty. Still, that was a great catch."

"Heh, thanks. Though my barrier is not meant to be a platform, I'm surprised it held up as well as it did." He looked down at the curved cliffside as he recalled the landslide. Carefully, he slid down the side, and stopped as he got to the edge. "How'd she get down… Ah!" The ground again gave way under him, as he fell to the ground. In reaction, he put up his barrier, as it shattered upon impact with the ground.

Link layed there for a minute or so. "Not gonna lie, that really hurt. And the shield broke too… Falling this far, I'm not surprised. Guess it's not as durable as I thought." He stood, dusted himself off, and felt his back pop into place. "Oh ow… Yeah, that hurt… Hm?"

Ahead of him, was the very same manticore Fluttershy calmed with her kindness, and Link, Rainbow, Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie had difficulty beating. Navi clung to him. "Hm. Yeah… I think I'm gonna let him sleep…"

"Yeah," he whispered, "I like living, thanks…" Quietly, he tiptoed around the manticore. And, as yesterday, he arrived at the sea serpent.

"Oh hello again. Traveling alone, I see. Need to cross?" the sea serpent offered.

"Uh, that'd be great, thanks. Oh, by the way, how'd you get your mustache back?" Link asked, looking at his flowing gold facial hair.

"It grows back rather quickly. I really must thank that white pony for her help yesterday. It was sooo awful what happened." The kind serpent made a bridge with his long body once more.

"Can you tell me something? If the water is shallow enough to walk across, why'd you make a bridge?" he asked, walking across.

"It was the least I could do. You know, be generous to those who are generous toward you."

Link arrived at the opposite side. "I suppose that makes sense. Thanks again."

"Absolutely," he replied before disappearing into the water.

Navi came out of his hat. "Okay, so that sea serpent offered us passage, as yesterday. And mentioned generosity. Do you think that means something?"

"Nothing at all. He simply thought to repay us for helping him. Let's continue." Not soon after crossing, they came to the bridge Rainbow had to fix. "Then there's this… I know we're close now. Huh?" He barely saw a figure run off into the woods. Quickly, he bounded across the bridge and stopped before a thicket. "Where'd it go?"

"I don't know… maybe they live around here?"

"Don't be silly. This is the Everfree Forest. Nopony would dare to live here. Lest they meet their end by the beasts that also inhabit this Celestia-forsaken forest." Link huffed and continued on down the path. Much like yesterday, he arrived at the stone bridge over a chasm, the castle on the other side. "And, there it is. The castle of the royal sisters. The key is in Celestia's room in one of the upper rooms, the chest in Luna's. But, as Twilight asked, we're taking the ocarina back to her."

"On top of that, the 'Sword of Masters', or Master Sword, is in a room under the castle. And it requires the two keys we were given by the sisters themselves." He held them out to look at them. "And apparently, they had the keys in their crowns. What's up with that?"

"I don't know… Well, we're not gonna get through this standing here. Let's go." Link put the two stone keys into his pouch, and started over the stone bridge, Navi peeking out of his hat.

Neither Link nor Navi could have predicted what they'd find, besides what they came for.

Ok, the slashed out words are supposed to be mouthed and not spoken. That's why Link didn't hear anything.

Had originally planned to skip out on his journey to the castle, as well as some of the castle itself, but decided, "Why not lengthen the chapter by telling his journey, and the next one be an expanded 'dungeon'?" So yeah, next chapter won't be far behind this one, so something to read.