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[[File:Hyrule Castle Town-TP.png|300px|thumb|right|Hyrule Castle set ablaze.]]
{{Infobox Event
'''The Shadow Invasion''' is the name of a large-scale invasion launched against the land of [[Hyrule]] by [[Zant]], the usurper King of Twilight featured in {{TP}}.  
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The {{Term/Store|Shadow Invasion||Series, TP, TPHD}},<ref>{{Cite Book|quote= |book= HH |publisher= |page= 69}}</ref> also known as the '''Invasion of Shadow''',<ref>{{Cite Book|quote= |book= HH |publisher= |page= 114}}</ref> is the large-scale invasion launched against the land of [[Hyrule]] by [[Zant]] in {{TP}}.


==Previous Events==
==Previous Events==
{{Main list|Interloper War|Ganondorf's Execution|Overthrow of Midna}}
{{Main|Interloper War, Failed Execution of Ganondorf, Overthrow of Midna}}
 
==Zant's Rule==
==Zant's Rule==
[[File:Zant Meet's Ganon.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Zant is awestruck when he meets Ganondorf for the first time.]]
[[File:Zant Meet's Ganon.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Zant is awestruck when he meets Ganondorf for the first time.]]
Over a century after the [[Twili|Twili's]] exile from [[Hyrule]], the Twilight Realm entered a period of political instability when an evil [[Twili]] named Zant usurped the throne from the true heir, [[Midna|Princess Midna]]. Zant had been a servant of the Royal Family of the Twilight Realm, and was embittered that he was not chosen as successor.<ref>{{cite|I had served and endured in that depraved household for far too long, my impudent princess. And why, you ask? Because I believed I would be the next to rule our people! THAT is why! But would they acknowledge me as their king? No! And as such, I was denied the magic powers befitting our ruler.|Zant|TP}}</ref> With the ascension of Midna to the title of Twilight Princess, Zant became emotionally unstable and severely depressed. It was in this state that he was approached by the spirit of Ganondorf, who posed as a god and offered an exchange: he would give Zant the power to take the throne by force, and once he was secure as the ruler of the Twilight Realm, Zant would release Ganondorf back into Hyrule.<ref>{{cite|It was then, in the thrall of hatred and despair, that I turned my eyes to the heavens...and found a god.|Zant|TP}}</ref><ref>{{cite|I shall house my power in you...If there is anything you desire, then I shall desire it, too.|Ganondorf|TP}}</ref><ref>{{cite|My god had only one wish...To merge shadow and light...and make darkness!|Zant|TP}}</ref>
Over a century after the [[Twili|Twili's]] exile from Hyrule, the [[Twilight Realm]] entered a period of political instability when an evil Twili named Zant usurped the throne from the true heir, [[Midna|Princess Midna]]. Zant had been a servant of the Royal Family of the Twilight Realm, and was embittered that he was not chosen as the heir to the throne.<ref>{{Cite|I had served and endured in that depraved household for far too long, my impudent princess. And why, you ask? Because I believed I would be the next to rule our people! THAT is why! But would they acknowledge me as their king? No! And as such, I was denied the magic powers befitting our ruler.|Zant|TP}}</ref> With the ascension of Midna to the title of Twilight Princess, Zant became emotionally unstable and severely depressed. It was in this state that he was approached by the spirit of [[Ganondorf]], who posed as a god and offered an exchange: he would give Zant the power to take the throne by force, and once he was secure as the ruler of the Twilight Realm, Zant would release Ganondorf back into Hyrule.<ref>{{Cite|It was then, in the thrall of hatred and despair, that I turned my eyes to the heavens...and found a god.|Zant|TP}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|I shall house my power in you...If there is anything you desire, then I shall desire it, too.|Ganondorf|TP}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|My god had only one wish...To merge shadow and light...and make darkness!|Zant|TP}}</ref>


Zant transformed the Twili into [[Shadow Beasts]] and attacked the [[Palace of Twilight]], where he overthrew Midna by force and transformed her into an impish creature before she escaped Zant's coup.<ref>{{cite|Midna...Foolish Twilight Princess...The curse on you cannot be broken...It was placed on you by the magic of my god! The power you held as leader of the Twili will never return!|Zant|TP}}</ref> He then sealed away the [[Sol]]s, the source of light in the Twilight Realm, within the Palace of Twilight, leaving the land in darkness.<ref>{{cite|The Sols were like the suns that illuminate this world. Once they were lost, everyone began to transform...|Midna|TP}}</ref>
Zant transformed the Twili into [[Shadow Beast]]s and attacked the [[Palace of Twilight]], where he overthrew Midna by force and transformed her into an impish creature before she escaped Zant's coup.<ref>{{Cite|Midna...Foolish Twilight Princess...The curse on you cannot be broken...It was placed on you by the magic of my god! The power you held as leader of the Twili will never return!|Zant|TP}}</ref> He then sealed away the [[Sol]]s, the source of light in the Twilight Realm, within the Palace of Twilight, leaving the land in darkness.<ref>{{Cite|The Sols were like the suns that illuminate this world. Once they were lost, everyone began to transform...|Midna|TP}}</ref>
{{clear}}
{{clear}}


==The Invasion of Twilight==
==The Invasion of Twilight==
[[File:ZantInvades.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Zant enters the Throne Room of Hyrule Castle.]]
[[File:ZantInvades.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Zant enters the Throne Room of Hyrule Castle.]]
Zant opened the gateway between the two worlds and used his sorcerous powers to shroud the areas he conquered in twilight. Zant first targeted three of the four [[Light Spirits]] that had been responsible for locking the Dark Interlopers away in the Twilight Realm long ago. He sent his [[Shadow Beast]]s to steal their light and divide it up amongst a multitude of twilit insects that would scatter around the provinces.<ref>{{cite|I am one of four light spirits that protect Hyrule at the behest of the gods. I am Ordona. The black beast you slayed was a shadow being. It had come to seize the power of light I wield. My brethren in Hyrule have already had their light stolen by these fell beasts.|Ordona|TP}}</ref> The Twili army conquered province after province with ease until they reached [[Hyrule Castle]].
Zant opened the gateway between the two worlds and used his sorcerous powers to shroud the areas he conquered in [[Twilight]]. Zant first targeted three of the four [[Light Spirits]] that had been responsible for locking the Dark [[Interlopers]] away in the Twilight Realm long ago. He sent his [[Shadow Beast]]s to steal their light and divide it up amongst a multitude of [[Shadow Insect]]s that would scatter around the provinces of Hyrule.<ref>{{Cite|I am one of four light spirits that protect Hyrule at the behest of the gods. I am Ordona. The black beast you slayed was a shadow being. It had come to seize the power of light I wield. My brethren in Hyrule have already had their light stolen by these fell beasts.|Ordona (Spirit)|TP}}</ref> The Twili army conquered province after province with ease until they reached [[Hyrule Castle]].


The Twili army eventually even reached the gates of the fortified [[Hyrule Castle Town]] itself. He marched into the throne room with [[Shadow Beasts]] following him. The soldiers who tried to defend the room were easily subdued. [[Princess Zelda]] raises her rapier sword as a final form of defense, but Zant threatened to kill all of her subjects if she did not comply with his order to abdicate the throne to him.<ref>{{Cite|It is time for you to choose: surrender or die.|Zant|TP}}</ref>
The Twili army eventually reached the gates of the fortified [[Hyrule Castle Town]] itself. Zant marched into the throne room with Shadow Beasts following him. The soldiers who tried to defend the room were easily subdued. [[Princess Zelda]] raised her rapier sword as a final form of defense, but Zant threatened to kill all of her subjects if she did not comply with his order to abdicate the throne to him.<ref>{{Cite|It is time for you to choose: surrender or die.|Zant|TP}}</ref>


Zelda, not wishing to risk the lives of her people against seemingly impossible odds, dropped her rapier sword as a sign of surrender, and abdicates the throne to Zant. During this assault, Hyrule Castle was set ablaze. Then, [[Twilight]] surged from Hyrule Castle, turning the watching residents of Hyrule Castle Town and the majority of Hyrule's population into hopeless light spirits, unaware of what had happened to them.<ref>{{cite|Twilight covered Hyrule like a shroud, and without light, the people became as spirits. Within the twilight, they live on, unaware that they have passed into spirit forms...|Eldin|TP}}</ref> With this, the land was under Zant and his master Ganondorf's control. Zant then keeps Zelda prisoner in a room at the top tower of the castle.
Zelda, not wishing to risk the lives of her people against seemingly impossible odds, dropped her rapier sword as a sign of surrender, and abdicated the throne to Zant. During this assault, Hyrule Castle was set ablaze. Then, Twilight surged from Hyrule Castle, turning the watching residents of Hyrule Castle Town and the majority of Hyrule's population into hopeless light [[spirit]]s, unaware of what had happened to them.<ref>{{Cite|Twilight covered Hyrule like a shroud, and without light, the people became as spirits. Within the twilight, they live on, unaware that they have passed into spirit forms...|Eldin (Spirit)|TP}}</ref> With this, Hyrule was under Zant and Ganondorf's control. Zant kept Zelda prisoner in a room at the top tower of the castle.
{{clear}}
{{clear}}


==Consequences==
==Consequences==
With the exception of [[Ordona (Spirit)|Ordona]], who is saved by [[Link]] when a [[Shadow Beast]] is coming to steal her light, the Spirits of Light lose their power when their light is seized by the Shadow Beasts. This brings direct effects that, in one or another way, affect the environment of the local provinces. In [[Faron Woods]], a purple toxic fog impedes direct access to the [[Forest Temple (Twilight Princess)|Forest Temple]] and, even after the province recovers from twilight, remains as a permanent effect. In [[Death Mountain]], the surrounding volcano shows a fiercer-than usual activity, which results in the fall of tectonic material into the [[Goron|Gorons']] whereabouts, endangering them. [[Zora's Domain]], as well as surrounding zones like [[Zora's River]] and [[Zora's Waterfall]], are frozen; this in turn results into the [[Zora]] population remaining trapped inside the ice, and [[Lake Hylia]] lowering its water level drastically.
With the exception of [[Ordona (Spirit)|Ordona]], who is saved by [[Link]] when a [[Shadow Beast]] comes to steal her light, the [[Spirits of Light]] lose their power when their light is seized by the Shadow Beasts. This brings direct effects that affect the environment of the local provinces. In [[Faron Woods]], a purple toxic fog impedes direct access to the {{Term|TPHD|Forest Temple|link}} and, even after the province recovers from twilight, remains as a permanent effect. In [[Death Mountain]], the surrounding volcano shows a fiercer-than usual activity, which results in the fall of [[Magma Rock|tectonic material]] into the [[Goron|Gorons']] whereabouts, endangering them. [[Zora's Domain]], as well as surrounding areas like [[Zora's River]] and [[Zora's Waterfall]], are frozen; this results in the [[Zora]] population being trapped inside the ice and [[Lake Hylia]]'s water level decreasing drastically.


==Aftermath==
==Aftermath==
After Link is told to find a way to restore light to Hyrule, he explores the affected provinces, one by one, in order to retrieve the Tears of Light and give the Spirits the ability to expunge the influence of twilight in the regions. Every time the young hero enters a darkened region, he's turned into [[Wolf Link]], but recovers his [[Hylian]] form when light comes back in said region. After managing to retrieve the pieces of the [[Mirror of Twilight]], and infiltrating the [[Palace of Twilight]], Link finds Zant, who reveals that a [[Ganon|god]] came down to him, and gave him part of his power. Zant battles Link, by replicating all of the boss rooms in the past dungeons, but Link defeats him. Zant reveals that Midna cannot have her true form back, since he does not have that power. In her fury, Midna uses the newly retrieved [[Fused Shadows]] to creates large spears, which impales Zant and causes him to explode.
After Link is told to find a way to restore light to Hyrule, he explores the affected provinces one by one in order to retrieve the [[Tears of Light]] and give the Spirits the ability to expunge the influence of twilight in their respective regions. Every time the young hero enters a darkened region, he is transformed into [[Wolf Link]], but recovers his [[Hylian]] form when light returns to said region. After managing to retrieve the pieces of the [[Mirror of Twilight]] and infiltrating the [[Palace of Twilight]], Link finds Zant, who reveals that a [[Ganon|god]] came down to him, and lent him his power. Zant battles Link, replicating all of the boss rooms in the past dungeons, but Link defeats him. Zant reveals that Midna cannot return to her true form, since the power he used to transform her into an imp belongs to Ganondorf. In her fury, Midna uses the newly retrieved [[Fused Shadows]] to create large spears, which impale Zant and cause him to explode.


Link goes to Hyrule Castle, and Midna uses the Fused Shadows to smash the Twilight pyramid surrounding the castle. Link enters the castle, and finds Ganondorf, and a catatonic Zelda in the throne room. Ganondorf gloats Link and Zelda, and then possesses Zelda, to battle Link. Link wins the battle, and Midna forcefully takes Ganondorf out of Zelda. Ganondorf transforms into a large boar-like creature and battles Link again, but is once again, defeated. Midna opens up a Twilight portal and tells Link and Zelda that she will fend of Ganondorf.
Link goes to Hyrule Castle, and Midna uses the Fused Shadows to smash the Twilight pyramid surrounding the castle. Link enters the castle and finds Ganondorf with a catatonic Zelda in the throne room. Ganondorf gloats Link and Midna, and then [[Possessed Zelda|possesses Zelda]] to battle Link. Link wins the battle, and Midna forcefully takes Ganondorf's essence out of Zelda using the Fused Shadows. Ganondorf transforms into a [[Dark Beast Ganon#Twilight Princess|large boar-like creature]] and battles Link again, but is once again defeated. Midna opens up a [[Twilight Portal]] and sends Link and Zelda through it, choosing to fend off Ganondorf herself with the Fused Shadows.


After teleporting on [[Hyrule Field]], they falsely believe their problems to be over, but a large explosion destroys the castle, and Ganondorf, on his horse appears, holding aloft Midna's helmet, which shows that he has defeated her. Link and Zelda fight Ganondorf on Epona, to which Link again wins. Ganondorf then has a sword duel with Link, but drives the [[Master Sword]] into Ganondorf's chest. Injured, Ganondorf sees the Triforce of Power disappear from his hand, and sees Zant, whose neck snaps to one side. Ganondorf then presumably, dies. The Light Spirits revive Midna, who regains her true form. Midna then enters the Mirror of Twilight, and with her tear, smashes it, breaking the barrier between the Twilight Realm and Hyrule. The land then gradually redevelops over time.  
After teleporting to [[Hyrule Field]], Link and Zelda believe their problems to be over, but a large explosion destroys the castle, and Ganondorf appears on his horse, holding Midna's helmet aloft, symbolizing her defeat. Link and Zelda fight Ganondorf on [[Epona]], and Link emerges victorious again. Ganondorf then has a sword duel with Link, and the latter drives the [[Master Sword]] into Ganondorf's chest. Injured, Ganondorf sees the [[Triforce of Power]] disappear from his hand and sees Zant, whose neck snaps to one side. Ganondorf then presumably dies while standing in place. The Light Spirits revive Midna, who regains her true form.
 
Link, Zelda and Midna return to the Mirror of Twilight to say their goodbyes. Midna enters the Mirror of Twilight and smashes it with a tear, breaking the gateway between the Twilight Realm and Hyrule. Hyrule gradually redevelops over time.  


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{{TP Events}}
{{TP Events}}
[[Category:Events]]
{{Categories
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Latest revision as of 18:33, 12 October 2022

The Shadow Invasion,[1] also known as the Invasion of Shadow,[2] is the large-scale invasion launched against the land of Hyrule by Zant in Twilight Princess.

Previous Events

Main articles: Interloper War, Failed Execution of Ganondorf and Overthrow of Midna

Zant's Rule

Zant is awestruck when he meets Ganondorf for the first time.

Over a century after the Twili's exile from Hyrule, the Twilight Realm entered a period of political instability when an evil Twili named Zant usurped the throne from the true heir, Princess Midna. Zant had been a servant of the Royal Family of the Twilight Realm, and was embittered that he was not chosen as the heir to the throne.[3] With the ascension of Midna to the title of Twilight Princess, Zant became emotionally unstable and severely depressed. It was in this state that he was approached by the spirit of Ganondorf, who posed as a god and offered an exchange: he would give Zant the power to take the throne by force, and once he was secure as the ruler of the Twilight Realm, Zant would release Ganondorf back into Hyrule.[4][5][6]

Zant transformed the Twili into Shadow Beasts and attacked the Palace of Twilight, where he overthrew Midna by force and transformed her into an impish creature before she escaped Zant's coup.[7] He then sealed away the Sols, the source of light in the Twilight Realm, within the Palace of Twilight, leaving the land in darkness.[8]

The Invasion of Twilight

Zant enters the Throne Room of Hyrule Castle.

Zant opened the gateway between the two worlds and used his sorcerous powers to shroud the areas he conquered in Twilight. Zant first targeted three of the four Light Spirits that had been responsible for locking the Dark Interlopers away in the Twilight Realm long ago. He sent his Shadow Beasts to steal their light and divide it up amongst a multitude of Shadow Insects that would scatter around the provinces of Hyrule.[9] The Twili army conquered province after province with ease until they reached Hyrule Castle.

The Twili army eventually reached the gates of the fortified Hyrule Castle Town itself. Zant marched into the throne room with Shadow Beasts following him. The soldiers who tried to defend the room were easily subdued. Princess Zelda raised her rapier sword as a final form of defense, but Zant threatened to kill all of her subjects if she did not comply with his order to abdicate the throne to him.[10]

Zelda, not wishing to risk the lives of her people against seemingly impossible odds, dropped her rapier sword as a sign of surrender, and abdicated the throne to Zant. During this assault, Hyrule Castle was set ablaze. Then, Twilight surged from Hyrule Castle, turning the watching residents of Hyrule Castle Town and the majority of Hyrule's population into hopeless light spirits, unaware of what had happened to them.[11] With this, Hyrule was under Zant and Ganondorf's control. Zant kept Zelda prisoner in a room at the top tower of the castle.

Consequences

With the exception of Ordona, who is saved by Link when a Shadow Beast comes to steal her light, the Spirits of Light lose their power when their light is seized by the Shadow Beasts. This brings direct effects that affect the environment of the local provinces. In Faron Woods, a purple toxic fog impedes direct access to the Forest Temple and, even after the province recovers from twilight, remains as a permanent effect. In Death Mountain, the surrounding volcano shows a fiercer-than usual activity, which results in the fall of tectonic material into the Gorons' whereabouts, endangering them. Zora's Domain, as well as surrounding areas like Zora's River and Zora's Waterfall, are frozen; this results in the Zora population being trapped inside the ice and Lake Hylia's water level decreasing drastically.

Aftermath

After Link is told to find a way to restore light to Hyrule, he explores the affected provinces one by one in order to retrieve the Tears of Light and give the Spirits the ability to expunge the influence of twilight in their respective regions. Every time the young hero enters a darkened region, he is transformed into Wolf Link, but recovers his Hylian form when light returns to said region. After managing to retrieve the pieces of the Mirror of Twilight and infiltrating the Palace of Twilight, Link finds Zant, who reveals that a god came down to him, and lent him his power. Zant battles Link, replicating all of the boss rooms in the past dungeons, but Link defeats him. Zant reveals that Midna cannot return to her true form, since the power he used to transform her into an imp belongs to Ganondorf. In her fury, Midna uses the newly retrieved Fused Shadows to create large spears, which impale Zant and cause him to explode.

Link goes to Hyrule Castle, and Midna uses the Fused Shadows to smash the Twilight pyramid surrounding the castle. Link enters the castle and finds Ganondorf with a catatonic Zelda in the throne room. Ganondorf gloats Link and Midna, and then possesses Zelda to battle Link. Link wins the battle, and Midna forcefully takes Ganondorf's essence out of Zelda using the Fused Shadows. Ganondorf transforms into a large boar-like creature and battles Link again, but is once again defeated. Midna opens up a Twilight Portal and sends Link and Zelda through it, choosing to fend off Ganondorf herself with the Fused Shadows.

After teleporting to Hyrule Field, Link and Zelda believe their problems to be over, but a large explosion destroys the castle, and Ganondorf appears on his horse, holding Midna's helmet aloft, symbolizing her defeat. Link and Zelda fight Ganondorf on Epona, and Link emerges victorious again. Ganondorf then has a sword duel with Link, and the latter drives the Master Sword into Ganondorf's chest. Injured, Ganondorf sees the Triforce of Power disappear from his hand and sees Zant, whose neck snaps to one side. Ganondorf then presumably dies while standing in place. The Light Spirits revive Midna, who regains her true form.

Link, Zelda and Midna return to the Mirror of Twilight to say their goodbyes. Midna enters the Mirror of Twilight and smashes it with a tear, breaking the gateway between the Twilight Realm and Hyrule. Hyrule gradually redevelops over time.

References

  1. ↑ Hyrule Historia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 69
  2. ↑ Hyrule Historia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 114
  3. ↑ "I had served and endured in that depraved household for far too long, my impudent princess. And why, you ask? Because I believed I would be the next to rule our people! THAT is why! But would they acknowledge me as their king? No! And as such, I was denied the magic powers befitting our ruler." — Zant (Twilight Princess)
  4. ↑ "It was then, in the thrall of hatred and despair, that I turned my eyes to the heavens...and found a god." — Zant (Twilight Princess)
  5. ↑ "I shall house my power in you...If there is anything you desire, then I shall desire it, too." — Ganondorf (Twilight Princess)
  6. ↑ "My god had only one wish...To merge shadow and light...and make darkness!" — Zant (Twilight Princess)
  7. ↑ "Midna...Foolish Twilight Princess...The curse on you cannot be broken...It was placed on you by the magic of my god! The power you held as leader of the Twili will never return!" — Zant (Twilight Princess)
  8. ↑ "The Sols were like the suns that illuminate this world. Once they were lost, everyone began to transform..." — Midna (Twilight Princess)
  9. ↑ "I am one of four light spirits that protect Hyrule at the behest of the gods. I am Ordona. The black beast you slayed was a shadow being. It had come to seize the power of light I wield. My brethren in Hyrule have already had their light stolen by these fell beasts." — Ordona (Twilight Princess)
  10. ↑ "It is time for you to choose: surrender or die." — Zant (Twilight Princess)
  11. ↑ "Twilight covered Hyrule like a shroud, and without light, the people became as spirits. Within the twilight, they live on, unaware that they have passed into spirit forms..." — Eldin (Twilight Princess)
Twilight Princess Chain of Events
Interloper War > Failed Execution of Ganondorf > Overthrow of Midna > Shadow Invasion
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