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Link is the hero and primary protagonist of ''Twilight Princess'', where he is a ripe seventeen-year-old boy. He works as a rancher, and lives in [[Ordon Woods]]. He is dressed in a multi-colored shirt and pants, and sandals. He buys a [[slingshot]] and shows it off to the kids when a [[Monkey]] comes and [[Malo]], [[Talo]], and [[Beth]] run after the monkey. Talo keeps running after the monkey, while Malo and Beth get left behind. Link has to find Talo and the monkey. After he saves Talo and the monkey he returns to Ordon Village. The next day he prepares to go off for [[Hyrule Castle]] to deliver a gift, but [[Ilia]] notices a cut on his horse, [[Epona]], and yells at him. Link must then go to [[Ordon Spring]] in order to retrieve his horse. After taking a secret passageway to get past the locked gate, Link reunites with Epona. But then the gate bursts open and a [[Bulblin]] knocks Link unconscious. [[King Bulblin|Their leader]] then kidnaps Ilia and [[Colin]] and blows his horn, causing a portal to open. Link then wakes up and notices the children gone. Frantically, he runs after them, only to run into a huge black wall preventing him from proceeding. A monster pulls him through the wall into [[Faron Province]], which is now covered in [[Twilight]]. This causes him to transform into a sacred [[Wolf Link|wolf]]. He meets up with [[Midna]] in the [[Twilight Realm]] who becomes his partner for this game. Link meets Zelda and eventually returns to the light. Throughout the game, Link has to return the [[Tears of Light]] to the [[Light Spirit]]s, and go through three dungeons to get three [[Fused Shadow]]s. As Link progresses through Hyrule, he learns more about [[Midna]], the [[Twili]], and [[Zant]] and how all of the three are associated with one another. After collecting the Fused Shadows, Midna meets a terrible fate and Link becomes cursed to permanently roam as a wolf. He helps Midna visit [[Zelda|Princess Zelda]], who entrusts him to save the [[Hyrule|Kingdom of Hyrule]] from the tyranny of Zant, and tells Link a way to transform back into a human. He acquires the [[Master Sword]], removing his curse, and travels to the [[Gerudo Desert]] to seek the [[Mirror of Twilight]], which he finds has been broken by Zant. He then has to repair the [[Mirror of Twilight]] that was broken into four pieces. Once he does so, he has access to the Palace of Twilight. He goes there to defeat [[Zant]] and save [[Hyrule Castle (Twilight Princess)|Hyrule Castle]] from the Twilight. He eventually goes on to confront his old nemesis, [[Ganon]]dorf and defeats him, bringing peace to Hyrule. In the end credits, he is seen riding away on his horse, leaving the Faron Woods to an unknown location, also leaving the [[Master Sword]] back in its pedestal. His role in Twilight Princess ranges from many things, but he ultimately strives to help Midna in reclaiming her power and helping her people.  

Midna is the secondary protagonist and the guide character in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|Twilight Princess]]''. For much of the game, Midna takes the form of an imp-like creature. It is later revealed that this is not her true form and is part of curse placed on her by [[Zant]].  

[[File:Interlopers.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Dark Interlopers]]Zant is a descendant of a group of sorcerers named the [[Interlopers]]. This tribe excelled in shadow magic and intended to use the power of the [[Fused Shadow]] to seek domain over the Sacred Realm. However, the three Light Spirits of [[Hyrule]] intervened, taking the Fused Shadows and breaking them into four separate fragments. With the power of the Fused Shadows gone from their grasp, the tribe was left powerless. They were chased across the lands of Hyrule and were driven into another Realm by the Light Spirits. Over time the Interlopers eventually evolved into a peaceful tribe known as the Twili.  

The Twili race became gentle creatures and over time a monarchy was established in order to lead the tribe. Zant had been a loyal servant to the monarchy of the [[Palace of Twilight|Palace]] for many years. He was meant to be next in line to ascend the throne, but it was Midna, chosen by her father, the former king of the Twilit Kingdom, as the true leader, now to be known as the Twilight Princess. As his indignation of the royal clan of the kingdom grew, Zant, distraught by this news, looked to the heavens for an answer. It was at this moment that he was gifted a mysterious foreign power by his supposed god.

This power was gifted to Zant by [[Ganon]]dorf, who had previously escaped his imprisonment in [[Arbiter's Grounds]]. Due to his failed [[Ganondorf's Execution|execution]], the remaining [[Ancient Sages|Sages]] decided the only option now was to seal Ganondorf into the Twilight Realm. Ganondorf housed his power into Zant at one request, that he merge light with shadow, therefore creating complete darkness. Zant took this power and usurped the throne of the Twilight Realm. With this false power, Zant turned the realm's inhabitants into mindless [[Shadow Beast]]s and Midna into an imp. Zant then proceeded to invade [[Hyrule Castle (Twilight Princess)|Hyrule Castle]] and force [[Zelda|Princess Zelda]] to give up the throne. In a plan to shroud the Kingdom in [[Twilight]], the King of Shadows sent out the devilish Shadow Beasts and ordered them to steal the light from the provinces across Hyrule. The Kingdom now became a world suspended in perpetual Twilight.

Link first hears about the whereabouts of Zant when escaping his imprisonment in Hyrule Castle. Midna assists the young hero in reaching the tower where Princess Zelda resides. She tells Link about how Zant invaded the safe confines of the castle where she was forced to give up the throne. Zelda also explains to Link how Hyrule is covered in perpetual Twilight, and all of its inhabitants have turned into helpless spirits, who know only fear. Later on in the game, after restoring the light to Faron Province, the Light Spirit, [[Faron (Light Spirit)|Faron]], tells Link about a dark power that lies in the [[Forest Temple (Twilight Princess)|Forest Temple]]. This is a fragment of the Fused Shadows, and Faron tells Link that he must use this dark withered power to defeat the King of the Shadows, Zant.

Link first encounters Zant after collecting the third and final piece of the Fused Shadow from the [[Lakebed Temple]]. Zant halts Link and Midna as they exit. The Light Spirit, [[Lanayru (Light Spirit)|Lanayru]], tries to intervene, but Zant once again steals the light, thus restoring Twilight to the province. Zant also takes the Fused Shadows from Midna, calling them an old and withered power, proclaiming that his power is new and was granted to him by his god. [[Wolf Link]] tries to attack Zant, but, in the process, Zant uses his dark powers to curse Link, meaning he is now suspended in beast form. The Usurper King then goes on to tell Midna of his desires, and that darkness and light will meet at last while asking the cursed imp to join him on his quest. After Midna refuses to aid Zant, he manipulates the Light Spirit Lanayru to return Midna to the Light World, leaving Midna an inch away from death.

Later on in the plot, Link and Midna find the whereabouts of the [[Mirror of Twilight]], hidden within Arbiter's Grounds. This is the only connection to the Twilight Realm, so Link has to pass through the grounds to reach the [[Mirror Chamber]]. Upon navigating through the [[dungeon]], Link finds the remains of a skeletal being covered in sand. Zant appears and is surprised that the young hero has made this far, he then explains to Link that this is the last time they shall meet alive. The King of Shadows then pulls out the Twilight Sword and thrusts it into the skull of the remains. This brings the seemingly dead being to life and this is the fourth boss of the game, [[Stallord]]. Upon defeating Stallord, Link makes his way up to the Mirror Chamber where he finds the mirror broken. The Ancient Sages tell the young hero that this was the work of a dark power that once resided within the demon thief Ganondorf. The Sages also tell Link that they previously sealed Ganondorf within the Twilight Realm and that this could be the source of Zant's power.

After collecting the three [[Mirror Shard]]s, Link and Midna are now able to access the Twilight Realm and confront Zant. Upon entering the realm, Link has to restore the two Sols to the plaza. Each Sol is found on the opposing ends of the Palace. Once the Sols have been returned to their original position it powers up Link's [[Master Sword]]. The Master Sword now becomes the [[Light Sword]] and it allows Link to clear up the shadows that block the entrance to Zant's Palace. Link advances to the northern palace where he confronts Zant. Upon entering the throne room, Zant explains his hatred for the Light World, saying they trapped his people like insects in a cage. He also explain his frustrations with not becoming king and how he was gifted power by his god, Ganondorf, who was ultimately using Zant.

After Link defeats Zant, he explains that the curse set up on Midna cannot be broken. This curse was put on her by his god, Ganondorf, who is now reborn in the Light World. Zant proclaims that as long as he lives, Ganondorf shall resurrect him. It is at this moment that Midna wields the complete power of the Fused Shadow to ultimately kill Zant. However, after the defeat of Ganondorf, Zant can be seen snapping his neck upon Ganondorf's death. This could be seen as symbolism of the betrayal.  

[[File:Zant Boss.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Zant boss fight]] Zant is one of the longer boss fights in ''Twilight Princess'' and the battle itself is composed of six stages. Each stage of the fight takes place at a different boss battle location, including the Forest Temple, [[Goron Mines]], [[Lakebed Temple]], and more.

Ganondorf is first spoken of about halfway through the game, once Link has completed the [[Arbiter's Grounds]] and entered the [[Mirror Chamber]]. After finding only a quarter of the [[Mirror of Twilight]], the [[Ancient Sages]] tell Link of how the mirror was broken, which was dark power. Power that only ''he'' possesses. They are of course referring to Ganondorf. They continue to tell Link Ganon's backstory, which includes Ganon being the leader of a band of thieves who tried to control the Sacred Realm, the location that the Goddesses left the world. However, the Sages explain that he was blind of any danger, and thus was he brought to justice. A cutscene is shown of the Sages executing Ganon, right in the Mirror Chamber. However, Ganon survived because of the [[Triforce of Power]], which he possesses. Fearing Ganon will leave the Mirror Chamber and repeat his previous offenses, the Sages use the Mirror of Twilight to banish Ganondorf to the [[Twilight Realm]]. The Ancient Sages continue by suggesting that his power has been passed on to [[Zant]], which [[Midna]] responds to with a snide comment on how it is much too late to be figuring out where Zant got his powers. The Sages conclude their speech by telling Link he should be able to collect the [[Mirror Shard|fragments of the Mirror of Twilight]]. Ganondorf is not spoken of again until much later.

Once Link has gathered all the Mirror Shards, entered the [[Palace of Twilight]], and confronted Zant, he will again hear more of how Zant got his powers. Zant will start his explanation by telling Link and Midna about how he was tired of living in this world, where there was not the faintest bloom of desire. He continues by saying that he believed he would be the next to rule the [[Twili]] people, but was denied. Zant continues by telling them how he found Ganon, who he refers to as "god". There is then a scene showing Zant on the outdoor area of the Palace of Twilight, smacking the ground in frustration. A large ball appears above Zant's head, and proceeds toward him. It encompasses Zant, and Ganon will be shown, telling Zant that he will store his power in Zant, making whatever Zant desires something Ganon desires too. Zant ends his speech by saying that Ganon had only one wish, to merge light and shadow, to make ''darkness''.

After Link has defeated Zant, Zant will reveal to Link and Midna that his god, Ganon, has already descended and been reborn in the World of Light. He continues by showing good faith in Ganon, saying that as long as Ganon survives, he will resurrect Zant without cease. This mini-scene shows how much Zant really praises Ganon, which can be interpreted as Ganon playing Zant so he can be revived in Hyrule, or as a true relationship that has mutual feelings.

Ganon is finally confronted by Link at the very end of ''Twilight Princess'', where he is physically seen for the first time. This confrontation happens at the highest tower of [[Hyrule Castle (Twilight Princess)|Hyrule Castle]], in the [[Throne Room]]. Ganon can be found sitting on the throne, with [[Zelda|Princess Zelda]] levitating above him, in the middle of the Triforce statue. He arrogantly introduces himself by welcoming Link and Midna to ''his'' castle. After a dramatic scene of Ganon standing up, Ganon begins his speech by making fun of Midna's people, saying it was very pathetic that they defied the gods with ''petty'' magic only to be cast aside. He continues by saying the anguish felt by the Twili people acted as his nourishment, as their hatred ''bled across the void'' and awakened him. He explains why, in his opinion, Midna's people did not succeed; it was because they lacked true power. The kind of power those chosen by the gods wield. He continues by saying that someone with the type of power would make a suitable king, while at the same time holding up his right hand, which has the marking of the Triforce of Power. After Midna vows to deny Ganon what he desires, Ganon redirects their attention to Zelda, who he refers to as their ''little friend''. He uses [[Twilight]]-magic to possess Zelda, and this begins the epic four-phase battle that concludes ''Twilight Princess''.

After Link completes the four and final phase of the battle by stabbing Ganon in the middle of his chest with the [[Master Sword]], Ganon states his final words. He says to Link to not think that this is the end. He explains that the history of light and shadow will be written in blood. The scenes continue by showing the Triforce of Power leave Ganon, at which point Zant will appear, in more of an image rather than physically. He leans his head to the right, with a crack. This seemingly ends Ganon, as his eyes roll to the back of his head, and he seizes movement, yet still standing. This is the end of Ganon in ''Twilight Princess'', but it is unconfirmed if he died or not.