When the Royal Sisters entered the Golden Oaks library, Skyward sneaked a glance at the rulers of this realm as everypony bowed their heads, and she too went into a full kneel.

Princess Celestia could have been the mirror twin of Princess Zelda--they shared the same color of coat and wing, but with cutie mark, mane, tail and eye hue? Definitely different. Truly this princess, was the literal representation of the dawn, the sun's light. The princess's mane and tail billowed constantly as if in an unseen breeze, and the colors were akin to an aurora borealis display. Her gaze was a beautiful violet hue, yet Skyward saw the wisdom and power within that gaze. She wore golden hoofcovers, a golden yoke with a single purple gem in the middle, and a golden crown with yet another purple gem set there.

The other sister...now, this was where the differences extended, especially since she knew Princess Zelda had no siblings. Princess Luna clearly lived up to her name and her cutie mark--a white crescent moon against a black cloud. Her coat was a deep cobalt hue, akin to a midnight sky, and her mane and tail glittered like a clear summer night, awash with stars aplenty. It too waved to and fro, as if touched by a phantom zephyr. Her eyes were a bright turquoise, and her regalia was black and sparkling silver unlike her elder sister's. She was smaller but Skyward knew likely no less powerful than the other alicorn.

She bowed along with the others, but made no move to rise from her own bow--not unless they bade her do so.

Twilight Sparkle crossed to her mentor, asking for nuzzles, which she received--Princess Celestia smiled down at the pony she considered the closest thing she had to a daughter as she stepped inside, followed by her sister, Princess Luna, who greeted the ponies and Spike with a kind smile, albeit a sleepy one. Once they were inside, Spike shut the door and locked it, turning the sign from 'OPEN' to 'CLOSED', then shut the drapes as well.

"Twilight, you stated in your letter this was an emergency. Is something wrong?"

Twilight Sparkle bit her lower lip, then she began to speak. "Yes and no, Princess. A new pony has arrived in Ponyville, however, her story of her background is rather hard to believe. However, Zecora made a potion that, when a single strand of a pony's mane or tail hair is added to it, causes the truth to be seen in clouds of mist."

Celestia nodded her head at this. "Yes, the 'Mists of Truth'...I know about this potion, Twilight. But, please, continue?"

"Both Applejack and Zecora have vouched for her, Princess--and given that Zecora has never lied to us and Applejack is the Element of Honesty, I see no reason to deny those claims. But what makes it all the more strange is that Skyward..."

Twilight turned and gestured at the pony in question--who surprisingly had not moved from her kneeling posture, as if waiting for something.

"That Skyward is not from Equestria at all."

"No wonder why this pony's dreams hath been so odd..."

Attracted by the tone of her younger sister's voice, Celestia looked at her lunar counterpart. "What do you mean, sister?"

Luna paused to gather her thoughts, then gestured at a still kneeling Skyward with one glittering hoof. "This pony's dreams hath been quite interesting--mainly because nothing in them is recognizable to me."

"You wouldn't be able to, Princess Luna--Skyward isn't from Equestria, or from this world at all. You see..."

Intrigued, Princess Celestia walked over to Skyward and blinked when she saw the Haylian shield on the pony's back. She lightly nudged Skyward, who looked up at her--albeit a little fearfully.

Celestia gave her a warm smile and helped her to her hooves. "Please, rise now, my little pony. You don't need to kneel for so long."

Skyward bowed her head, removing her helm as a gesture of respect. "Forgive me, Princess. One is used to doing so until commanded by mine liege lady to rise. 'Tis force of habit..."

Celestia smiled kindly at Skyward. "I completely understand. I take it you are the reason Twilight asked us to come here?"

Skyward nodded her head. "Aye, Sun Princess. I am in dire need of aid, and from the looks of things, only thee and thy sister can help me. Not that the others have not been helpful themselves. I owe them all so much..."

"What is your name?"

The armored mare saluted her crisply. "I am Skyward of Fiador Village, personal protégé and war mage in training to Princess Zelda of Hayrule. And, I beg of thee, thou must believe me--this is no attempt at a foalish joke."

Celestia tapped a hoof against her chin in thought for a few minutes before she lit her horn, gesturing at Skyward's own horn. "Will you allow me to read your mind, Skyward?"

The Haylian mare inclined her head. "Do as thou see fit, Princess. T'would be easier, by far, to be honest."

Meanwhile, Twilight, Applejack and Zecora were finishing their own explanations to a rather perplexed Princess Luna. "...and so she was banished here by two evil unicorn hags wielding dark magic. But her mentor saved her by negating their spell and it sent her here, to Equestria."

"But from whence does she come from, Twilight Sparkle, if not any known land of Equestria?"

Applejack caught a golden glow out of the corner of her eye and blinked. "Hey, what's Princess Celestia doing t' Skyward?"

Luna glanced over, and tilted her head. "My sister is reading her mind through a magical link--it makes for a swift validation of her claims, wild though they may be."

Applejack gestured at Skyward, who still had her eyes closed as the golden hue of Celestia's aura surrounded her head as well as her horn. "Trust me, Princess. Skyward's tellin' the truth. You'll see."

The mind of a pony was a strange thing to be sure. Now, Luna she knew, would likely have more experience with this than she did, given her place as Princess of the Night, which meant she had control over dreams as well. But this was no dream, and Celestia knew her little sister was suspicious of Skyward's motives, especially with the claims she was making. Yes, Applejack backed her up and so did Zecora, but still--this sounded a bit too crazy for anypony's liking. However, the second her spell touched Skyward's horn, she soon realized that this pony was indeed who she said she was.

The solar princess glanced around--this pony's mind showed three specific areas...a lush forest with a bustling farming village nestled in the emerald confines. A great white and blue castle looming over a sprawling, busy town beneath the massive royal dwelling. And last but not least, a vast desert, showing endless dunes of sand, heat shimmering off of the sparse stones and the sands themselves. She and Skyward were standing in the middle of a bustling medieval town of sorts--to be sure, it looked almost like Canterlot nearly eight hundred years or so ago...

"To better tell thee the tale of what one faces...I shall tell thee the tale of Hayrule's creation, Princess..."

Celestia blinked as Skyward faded away from sight, leaving nothing but darkness around her....but she wasn't alone for long as three jets of light suddenly shot past her, making her start and rear a little in shock, before she got a good look at the 'lights' in question. Three mighty alicorns soared through the heavens--each one as beautiful and powerful as the one before her. Yet all three were a different hue of color...

The first bore a coat of a most brilliant crimson shade, her mane and tail shifting hues of the warm spectrum. Golden eyeshadow graced her eyelids and her eyes were akin to fiery rubies as she soared by her two sisters on wings akin to pure fire. Her entire body's stance cried of dexterity, yet also of power, of strength, of indomitability.

The second alicorn had a coat of sapphire, almost akin to Skyward's own royal blue eyes. Her mane shifted various shades of azure, almost like that of a lake's surface--her wings graceful and sleek. If one looked at her massive pinions one would liken them to an endless summer sky. Silver eyeshadow touched her gentle cerulean gaze--her body bespoke grace and serenity as she flew onward through the darkness.

The final alicorn was no less magnificent than her other two sisters. Her coat was the hue of verdant summer foliage, her mane and tail changing colors from spring's green to the deepest of ancient forests. Her wings would remind one of a lush canopy of leaves, or shining emeralds. Burnished bronze eyeshadow caressed her kind emerald eyes, her body showing her speed and her courageous nature as she arced up and over her siblings, her fearless laughter echoing in the endless abyss around them.

All of them wore golden yokes, hoofcups and crowns atop their horns, an aura of supreme divinity surrounding them.

Skyward's voice again echoed from the void. "Din, Goddess of Power. Nayru, Goddess of Wisdom. And Farore, Goddess of Courage. These three golden goddesses descended on Hayrule when all was chaos, long before any of us existed..."

The crimson alicorn grinned at her youngest sister and dove into the blackness, increasing her speed so she was akin to a scarlet shooting star. Flames roared off of her as she bulleted forward...then with a shattering CRACK, she landed on...something, an explosion of energy erupting from her entire body when she 'landed'. Something solid began forming under the red alicorn's stomping, shifting hooves...something reddish brown, solid, and substantial...

"Din..."

The reddish brown patches began to form and take shape, spreading at a near terrifying pace around them. At the alicorn's command, the world began to slowly take shape...

"With her powerful flaming hooves, she cultivated the red earth of mine homeland..."

The alicorn nodded at her work, testing the earth with one mighty stomp of a hoof, and looked up. Above her was nothing but dark gray skies, covered with dense clouds. But those clouds were soon blown away by an azure streak that cleaved the skies--

"Nayru..."

It was Nayru. She cleared the foul, poisonous air, making it pure and breathable, an azure sky filled with soft white clouds taking its place. Nayru streaked downwards--faster, and faster, until she impacted the ground atop a high cliff-face. But this strike did not kill her sister...for seconds after the impact...there was gurgling, a swooshing sound...

Clear, clean water slowly began trickling over the lip of the cliff...but the trickle soon became a rivulet, then a river...

Din stamped her hoof, and a mighty crack ripped through the earth as she assisted her younger sibling. The sweet water gushed over the edge, flowing freely throughout the new lands her eldest sister had created.

"She poured her wisdom forth, creating the sky, the rivers that feed the land, and granted law and order to the world."

The youngest tossed her head and landed on the barren crimson land her eldest sister produced. She pawed it for a moment, then trotted over to one of the rivers her second sister had created. She lowered her head and drank, closing her eyes in contentment, and nodded at Nayru in approval. She reared and took off, running for all she was worth, her aura blazing about her like an emerald star. She rose into the skies and soared high into the air, releasing a powerful wave of emerald light...

That light swept over the bare ground...and soon enough after it had passed, green sprouts and shoots began to rise from the earth. It was not long before verdant grasses, abundant trees filled with fruit and foliage, flowers, shrubs and varied other flora filled the new land she and her sisters had created. Yet...something was still missing. Farore tapped a hoof against her muzzle and glanced at her sisters, tilting her head. Din raised an eyebrow, and glanced at Nayru, who looked thoughtful, then smiled, nodding. The three sisters came close and bowed their heads, their horns creating a pyramid when they connected. Shining crimson, azure and emerald light blossomed and began swirling around them. Faster and faster did the vortex fly, until it flowered outward in a silent burst of multicolored stars.

But each star did not fade, and where the star landed...it took the shape of a pony.

Pegasi...

Unicorns...

Earth Ponies...

Celestia watched in wonder as even the Zora, Goron and the secretive Kokiri tribe were also created. The Gerudo tribe were created by Din, she noticed...and the Sheikah tribe were created by Nayru and Farore.

The three alicorns stepped back, and all three exchanged a single nod. Opening their vast wings they took to the heavens, soaring into the vast blue expanse.

"The three golden goddesses hath finally completed their tasks, and upon doing so, departed for the heavens above."

The three alicorns were soaring upwards, flying closer and closer to one another, yet none of them seemed afraid of collision. They simultaneously reached the apex of their flight, a brilliant flash filling the sky, so bright, Celestia had to raise a wing to shield her own eyes. When she lowered her wing, she beheld a sky graced with the colors of dawn, and three golden triangle pieces looking to be wrought of solid gold, hovering in front of her.

"And, these three sacred triangle pieces remained where the Goddesses departed mine world, Princess...Din, Nayru and Farore departed and this, the Triforce, was born. The Triforce symbolizes all three in balance, and as such, prosperity abounds in Hayrule...however..."

The idyllic scenery began to change to the immense expanse of sand, the sky darkening menacingly. The thunder of hooves could be heard in the distance--Celestia turned despite herself and saw an army of armored ponies charging at them. They passed through Skyward and the solar ruler, war cries echoing from their throats, pegasi swooping through the air to impale other ponies on their spears, frying them with thunderbolts or sending them flying with powerful gusts of wind. Earth ponies reared, trampled, kicked and bucked, their incredible strength allowing them to crush bone and tear sinew with vicious blows...

To say nothing of the unicorns, whose spells created terrifying cadavers across the battlefield, ruin and pain echoing across the battlefield itself.

"There are those who would seek the Triforce for their own selfish ambitions...and war was the result..."

Skyward stood beside the sun princess, gesturing to the vast desert before them. Dead ponies lay in the sands--some wearing armor, some not, all with blood drenched weapons. Entrails and organs lay strewn across the golden sands akin to some macabre contents of a jewelry box. Body parts and broken armor stained with blood, discarded weapons, ponies' faces frozen in caricatures of pain, terror, anger and denial...
Celestia then saw one pony standing amidst the carnage. It was a male unicorn, wearing dark armor and a billowing cloak covered in odd golden symbols. His cutie mark was that of three golden triangles stacked in a pyramid--and the top one was glowing brilliantly. He had a fiery red mane and tail, and his eyes...

Celestia felt terror--real fear, run through her entire body at the malice and cruelty in that cold golden gaze. These were the eyes of a truly cruel and merciless entity who would take an innocent's life and crush it merely because he could. He grinned at her, his horn lighting in a golden glow, a mockery of her own sunshiny aura...

Then it all vanished, returning to the bustling central square of Hayrule Castle Town.

"Now dost thou see why I must return, Princess? This is the threat all of Hayrule faces--that Gerudo pony thou saw, that, 'tis Ganondorf, King of the Gerudo...and, as the tales of the lorekeepers tell, he may be the likely wielder of the Triforce of Power."

The sun princess looked down at the Haylian mare, gesturing at the fountain statue of Time Link in the Hayrule Castle Town square.

"What of him? The pony you call the 'Hero of Time'?"

"Nopony knows. Time Link hath been gone for hundreds of years. Nopony knows who his descendants art, not even Princess Zelda knows. I may just be a war mage in training, Princess--but Hayrule is mine home. I won't let some desert thief destroy all I hold dear. Everypony is in danger...hay before I came here, the town was already under attack."

Skyward lowered her head, ears falling to the sides--her memories conjured the horrifying images of the surprise attack and the slaughter that ensued, blood spraying into the air, screams of the mares and foals as they were hacked to pieces by Gerudo mares--Skyward viciously beheading one such mare and kicking the severed head into another, roaring in pure rage as she blasted the wretch with a shrinking spell--she was instantly trampled underhoof as a result. Everywhere, armored Haylian ponies were fighting savagely, the white streets turning to rivers of blood, more guards erupting from the castle gates to help their comrades, herding terrified civilians away from the slaughter...

Then it all went dark once more, leaving the unicorn with the alicorn, the former with her head bowed, awaiting judgment.

Celestia regarded the bluesteel coated pony with a concerned, yet understanding look as she crossed to the Haylian mare and lifted her head. "Skyward, I have seen all I need to see. Rejoin me in the world of the aware."

And with that, the mindscape began to slowly fade out....

Luna regarded her elder sibling with a keen eye when Celestias's eyes blinked open, and both alicorn and unicorn shook their heads, Skyward moving back to a respectful distance from the princess."Well, sister? What is thy verdict? What hast thou seen in this pony's mind?"

Celestia opened her eyes--there was a compassionate yet stern look in them; one that bespoke of a war veteran as well as a ruler. "She speaks the truth, Luna. She is indeed who she claims, and her story is indeed a dire one. Tell me, Skyward--what do you need in terms of aid?"

"Ganondorf likely seeks the Triforce, Your Royal Highnesses. I beseech thee--I must find a way back to my realm before the absolute worst comes to pass. Canst thou and thy celestial sibling aid me?"

The rulers of Sun and Moon looked at one another--Luna put a hoof to her chin while Celestia paced--both were clearly in deep thought as Celestia began to speak again.

"Understand that what you request of us may take quite a bit of time, Skyward. You will have to live here for a time, whilst my sister and I find a way to send you back. But we have to be cautious, if we do find a way. Just like the Elements of Harmony here, the Triforce is your world's most powerful relic, and in the wrong hooves, it can bring about great destruction."

Skyward was confused; what were the 'Elements of Harmony'? But from the rest of the Sun Princess's words she surmised they had to be akin to the Triforce for certain. "One understands completely. The legacy Ganon leaves behind in every single tale passed down through time is unmistakable, Your Highness. I can only pray he hath not gotten his hooves on any of the Triforce pieces as of yet."

Luna lifted a cautionary hoof, her turquoise eyes stern. "However, thou must consider residing here permanently as well, if mine sister and I cannot find a way to send thee back to this Hayrule."

Skyward bit her lip hard enough to draw blood--that, she hadn't been trying to think about too much--that she could potentially be trapped here. But she mutely nodded--what else could she do, or say to that? Some magics were just too powerful or there was a reason they weren't trifled with, and she knew the Princesses would not risk their kingdom and the safety of their subjects. She knew Zelda would do the same to save her people.

"If she is, Princesses; we'd be happy to help her out," Twilight Sparkle spoke up from where she was standing with the others.

Affirmatives rose from the other mares (and one dragon) and Celestia looked at all of them, casting her wise gaze over everypony (and dragon) in the room. "Very well then. Twilight, bring Skyward to Canterlot within the next four days so we can register her as a citizen of Equestria...I assume she will be living in Ponyville?"

Twilight rapidly nodded her head. "Yes, she will. Or...umm...Skyward, are you all right with that?"

Skyward inclined her head. "Best to remain with what is familiar than dive into new waters untested, aye."

Luna cleared her throat to get everypony's attention. "Where shalt Skyward be residing?"

Twilight raised a hoof into the air. "Well, she has been living with Zecora, but she could stay with me, Princess. She needs to learn about Equestria and its history, so nopony gets suspicious about where she's really from. This does have to remain a secret to some extent."

Zecora spoke up once more, indicating Skyward's shield, which was leaning against a nearby desk. "If word spreads about legend being truth/Skyward would be hunted, in sooth. Nopony would give her a moment's rest/Still others would put cruelty to the test."

Rainbow Dash spoke up. "That and she's gonna need to learn our language. Not for nothin', Sky; but ya can't read Equestrian, can ya?"

Skyward backed her ears, stomped one hoof and glanced down, clearly embarrassed...but the silent answer was a definitive yes. Applejack glared up at the multihued pegasus. "Nice goin', RD."

Rainbow Dash looked around, completely lost on what she had done. "What? What'd I say?"

Rarity sighed. "Never mind, but do think about what you say next time, dear. I'll make her some proper clothes, perhaps a dress or two..."

Skyward tensed at the word 'dress' and shifted nervously; she hadn't worn one since...since that one night when her mentor had shown her Jade Mist and Dark Wind's true intentions...never mind being cruelly tricked at the Midsummer's Festival three years ago...

"Art thou all right, Skyward?"

Skyward jerked, startled and looked up to gaze into the luminescent turquoise eyes of the Moon Princess. She sighed, and rubbed one armored hoof over her muzzle. "Nay...I am not, Princess Luna. My mind weighs heavy on my kingdom's fate...and my Princess's wellbeing. She is akin to family--we art like sisters, thou see."

Luna nodded, gently putting a cobalt wing over the clearly burdened unicorn to comfort her. "A dedicated soldier and a loyal friend indeed thou art. Rest easy in the knowledge we will do all we can to help thee, Skyward."

Skyward managed a watery smile, shaking her head a little to hide her tears--Luna gave her an understanding look. "I thank thee, Princess...thou and thy sister both."

Luna then tilted her head at the unicorn mare. "There is one question I wouldst' ask thee, however..."

Skyward angled an eyebrow, clearly asking her to continue, and Luna obliged her. "How didst thee get thy armor to shine akin to mine own night sky?"

"That? Well...the first step is simple enough--just a silver washing 'tis all it needs at first. But t'was my mentor Princess Zelda who enchanted mine armor, and diamond dust was a major component to the spell itself."

Luna looked thoughtfully at the floor for a moment or two, eyes narrowing in deep contemplation. "Diamond dust, is it...? Do thou knowest how this spell be cast?"

"One could write it for thou if one knew thy land's written word..." Skyward muttered, looking embarrassed anew, and Luna shook her head, smiling kindly at her. "Nay--merely form a mind link with me, and 'tis good as done."

The Princesses soon had to take their leave, given Celestia had to lower the sun and Luna to raise the moon, yet both of them welcomed Skyward to Equestria, quite warmly. Skyward was permitted to keep her armor and weapons, since they, along with a few things tucked in a small hidden compartment of her helm, were all she had with her. They emerged from the library, heading to Sugarcube Corner, yet Skyward lingered behind, gazing morosely at her helm for a long moment before she sighed, and followed the others.

She had hope, at the very least. And that would have to be enough for now.