Epona

Epona is a major character in franchise.
She is a silver bay horse who acts as Link's steed in several games. Initially a mare owned by Malon and her family, Link gained ownership of Epona after learning a song that is able to tame her and rescuing her from an abusive ranch owner named Ingo. Afterwards, Epona and her descendants became Link's trusted companions to repay his kindness.
==Biography==
=== Unified Timeline ===
==== The Minish Cap ====
In Epona's first chronological appearance, she is a workhorse owned by Malon, who helps her devliver and sell milk to the residents of Hyrule Town. Furthermore, Link himself can communicate and fuse Kinstones with her while shrunken down to Minish size. It is implied that these are the very first iterations of Epona and Malon, and that Epona and her offspring will be passed down through Malon's family for generations to come.
==== Ocarina of Time ====
Epona first appears at Lon Lon Ranch as a young mare (unable to be ridden by anyone at the time) raised by Malon. She is very wild and untamed, as she only stays by Malon side and runs away from Link whenever he approaches. Malon then teaches Link Epona's Song which keeps the horse by his side and causing Malon to state that Epona has taken a liking to him.
Seven years later, Epona has grown into a mare, but the ranch was taken over by Ingo who was going to present her to Ganondorf as an offering. Like the first time, she will run from Link until he plays Epona's Song, after playing the song she will then remember and trot to his side. Link can use her to race against Ingo for a sum of rupees. If Link wins, Ingo will grow furious and challenge him to a second race, with the victor claiming ownership of Epona. Should Link wins the second round, Ingo will keep to his word and let the young Hylian keep the horse, but will close the gates of the ranch to prevent them from leaving. However, the young hero can jump over the walls of the ranch with Epona to escape. Afterwards Link can play Epona's Song in Hyrule Field to call her. Link is invincible while riding her and can only attack by shooting arrows.
===Child Timeline===
After defeating Ganondorf at the end of Ocarina of Time, Link travels back to his childhood and exposes Ganondorf's plans to the King of Hyrule, preventing the Gerudo king's rise to power. This creates a new timeline starting with the following game.
====Majora's Mask====
Several months after the events of Ocarina of Time, Link rides Epona into the Lost Woods, in search of the missing Navi. However, the pair are attacked by Skull Kid and his two fairy friends, siblings Tatl and Tael, who steal Epona and the Ocarina of Time as part of a prank.
Epona somehow escapes from the Skull Kid and runs off into the land of Termina. Eventually, she is found by the sisters Romani and Cremia, who own and operate Romani Ranch. Epona recognizes them as the Terminian versions of Malon and allows the sisters to take her in.
Some time later, Link and Tatl stumble into Romani Ranch and reunite with Epona. On the night of the first day, Link rides Epona around the ranch and ward off an army of alien invaders that are attempting to steal the ranch's cows. Afterwards, Link is free to reclaim Epona and ride her to the Great Bay region.
After defeating Majora, freeing the Skull Kid, and saving Termina, Link takes off on Epona and returns to the Lost Woods to continue his search for Navi.
====Twilight Princess====
A new version of Epona is owned by Link, the descendant of the Hero of Time, on the outskirts of Ordon Village. Epona is also tended to by Link's love interest, Ilia.
As strange events start to befall Hyrule, one of the village's children, Talo, goes missing in the nearby Faron Woods. Link rides Epona into the woods and rescues Talo. However, Epona is injured in the process, leading to Ilia scolding Link for being reckless, only to later apologize after learning the full context of the situation. Immediately after, however, the village is invaded by King Bulblin and his army of Bulblins, who capture Ilia, Colin, Malo, and Talo, as Link is dragged into the Twilight Realm by Shadow Beasts. In the chaos, Epona flees in terror.
Epona finally reappears in Kakariko Village, dashing through the town while trying to shake a pair of Bulblins off of her. Link rescues her and takes her, once again reclaiming her as his steed. However, Kakariko Village is invaded by King Bulblin, who kidnaps Colin once again. A furious Link mounts Epona and pursues him through Hyrule Field, culminating a jousting match on the Bridge of Eldin, which Link ultimately wins. Triumphant, Link and Epona raise themselves in victory against the backdrop of Twilight.
From then on, Epona carries Link and Midna all across Hyrule on her back to aid them in their quest, and even recognizes Link while in his wolf form. In the game's finale, Link and Princess Zelda mount Epona in order to pursue Ganondorf across Hyrule, as the Demon King summons spirits to attacks them and Zelda strikes back with the Bow of Light.
After Ganondorf's defeat, light fully returns to Hyrule and Midna shatters the Mirror of Twilight to keep the two worlds from colliding ever again. With his mission complete, Link mounts Epona and the two ride off into parts unknown.
===Era of the Wilds===
Set at the end of the series' chronology and incorporating elements from all previous timelines, these games tell the story of a Great Calamity that rises and brings Hyrule to ruin. 100 years later, an amnesiac version Link awakens and sets out to save the dying kingdom.
====Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom====
Epona appears in these games as a mode of transportation for Link. She is only unlockable with certain amiibo. Epona's stats are 4 stars for strength, speed, and stamina, making her the highest balanced stat in the game.
In terms of gameplay, riding Epona is done automatically, with Link needing to steer (like he can with other horses). He can only attack by using his sword or bow while riding her. Link is able to jump off Epona, slowing the game (via bullet time) in order to shoot arrows more precisely. These actions work with other horses as well. Unlike other horses, Epona comes with max bond, so she will not disobey Link.
==Other Media==
===Hyrule Warriors===
Epona appears in the game as a DLC attack weapon, then in the victory scenes of Link.
===Super Smash Bros. Series===
====Super Smash Bros. Brawl====
Epona appears as a sticker that give a boost on hand and foot power attacks by 9 to Link, Zelda, Ganondorf and Toon Link.
====Super Smash Bros. for 3DS====
Epona appears as a trophy.
====Super Smash Bros. Ultimate====
Epona appears as a ace support spirit that gives the user stronger attacks and faster movement speed if they don't take any damage. Her spirit only can be summoned by using cores from Rapidash and Malon.
==Audio Samples==
==Gallery==
Link and Epona (Ocarina of Time).png
Zelda OOT Link and Epona.jpg
Epona recongnizes her master Link while in his wolf form.png|Epona recognizes Link while in his wolf form.
TP Epona Model.png
EponaTMC.png
783E6CAF-F48E-41BD-A89A-CFCC8E142B4C.png
== Trivia ==
* She shares the same name as the Goddess of horses and fertility (whom is also named Epona).
* In the The Legend of Zelda: Oracle series, various unnamed horses share a resemblance Epona.
* In The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Epona's name can be chosen by the player (in the same fashion as Link), though her default name is Epona.
** Curiously in Breath of the Wild, the stable owner almost made Link give a name for Epona, but stops when realizing that she is the Horse of Legend
* Epona in Majora's Mask is faster than her adult form in Ocarina of Time, which about about the same speed as her Twilight Princess incarnation.
* In Ocarina of Time, it is worth to note that obtaining Epona is entirely optional. As Link can also use the longshot to cross the broken bridge in Gerudo Valley.
* Minish Cap and Twilight Princess are the only games where Epona can speak to Link (while in his Minish and Wolf form respectively).
* Twilight Princess is the only game where Epona encounters Ganondorf's steed in the third phase of the final battle.
==External Link==
*Epona — The Legend of Zelda Wiki
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