For a brief moment, Midna closed her eyes to put her thoughts in order. This was no time to lose oneself. When her eyes reopened, she perused the wavy hair, blue eyes, and pointed ears of the young man standing before her with their scarlet irises. <i>Enough childish shyness. This 'hero' is my foe.</i>

The Twilight Princess kept her face even as she replied. “Of course not. I would not expect a warrior to understand the intricacies that necessitate a new rule. You mention the legends that I too have read, the recurring cycle of the kingdom falling to darkness and the hero saving it.” Her heartbeat was beginning to speed up. Her breathing was steady, but only because she forced it; why was he having this effect on her? She dearly hoped her suspicions were incorrect. “In-in the end, those legends all ended more or less happily, but only after the land was savaged was it saved. My en-end goal is to break the cycle by becoming the ruler of Hyrule, one with the power to oppose the demon king. That is what is best.”

As she said this, she made herself look away from Link's sky-blue eyes. Her gaze happened to fall on the swarthy warrior that had pledged himself to her cause, and something in her brain clicked. Her mouth fell open as she realized that she was looking at none other than Ganondorf himself. It could be no other; he had the obvious strength, the flame-orange hair, the dark clothing and complexion...how had she not noticed this before? Her mind raced to figure out what action to take, but she found her focus shattered by a flurry of conflicting emotions. One of them distressed her deeply, and it was fear. One question arose from the tumult: where was Zant?

After a few awkward, silent moments, she composed herself and came to a conclusion. Her melodic voice sang out, loud and clear. “If any of you doubt that I have the power to protect and serve this kingdom, now is the time to quarrel with me.” The Happy Mask Salesman had been totally forgotten by now. Midna's eyes bored into Zelda's. “I will gladly take on you, Princess, or you, Hero of Time, or even you, my Gerudo compatriot, in a sportsmanlike duel. Not very ladylike of me, I know, but Hyrule needs a strong ruler, and I must show that I have that strength.”

The Phantom Zant stationed nearby flickered and disappeared. Time was short.