How to Complete the Wing Ceremony
Knight Academy
The game opens with Link receiving a letter from Zelda, instructing him to meet her before some big ceremony later that day. You'll find yourself in the Knight Academy. The only thing to do here is pick up 5 rupees from the dresser before heading out of the room.
You can speak to the nearby Pipit and Instructor Owlan for some basics on the controls and a little more info about the upcoming Wing Ceremony. Otherwise, head to the north end of the hall. Speak to the man trying to lift a barrel here; his name is Fledge. Lift a barrel and carry it over the old woman named Henya in the nearby kitchen. Speak to Fledge again to get a red rupee (20 rupees).
Go through the large doors nearby to exit the Knight Academy and enter the overworld of Skyloft. You can use the Bird Statue directly ahead to save the game if you'd like. Nearby you'll be introduced to the targeting system (which should be familiar to Zelda veterans) by Instructor Horwell. Follow his instructions and climb the nearby wooden crate and hop across the gap to reach him.
Instructor Horwell will send you on a quest to reach the Headmaster's nearby cat, Mia. Grab the ledge on the nearby building and shimmy to the left. Hop across the gaps and then climb up the vines. Push the wooden box against the building here and hop up to find the cat. Pick it up and bring it back to Horwell to get 20 rupees.
Head towards the Statue of the Goddess that Horwell points you towards. You can speak to Jakamar along the way if you wish. He'll tell you about saving with Bird Statues. Head up the stairs and enter the courtyard. A cutscene with Zelda will begin. It results in Zelda pushing Link to his doom only to find out that his rare Crimson Loftwing is missing.
Plaza
After the cutscene, leave the courtyard and speak with Jakamar again to find out that Groose's bird was seen chasing Link's Loftwing. Speak with Horwell again to give him the headmaster's message. Then enter the Knight Academy on the second floor through the nearby doors. Speak to Pipit downstairs, who doesn't know much but suggests you head to the Plaza. Exit the Knight Academy on the first floor here.
Head towards the Plaza via the now opened gate. You can speak to the young boy named Gully here and roll into the tree for 5 rupees if you wish. Continue south down this path, and you'll run into Groose, prompting a cutscene. Unsurprisingly, Groose strongly hints that he has done something to your Loftwing, and Zelda shows up to help look.
Sparring Hall
After the cutscene, head back north towards the Knight Academy. Even further past this, you'll find the Sparring Hall. Speak to Pipit and Fledge here to find out that your Loftwing is likely hidden under a waterfall on the east side of Skyloft. Enter the Sparring Hall and enter the backroom to get the Practice Sword. Head back out into the main room.
You can speak to Eagus and practice various sword techniques here if you'd like. Afterward, leave the Sparring Hall. Start heading towards the waterfall on the east side of Skyloft. The path to it is fairly straightforward; you can pull up the map with "-" to get a sense of direction. You can also use your new sword to break pots and smash pumpkins to pick up some rupees on the way if you'd like.
Once near the base of the waterfall, you'll need to hop across a series of rock platforms. Circle around to Waterfall Cave, where you'll get a glimpse of your stolen Loftwing. Use a horizontal slash to destroy the posts blocking the cave entrance.
Waterfall Cave
The cave is pretty straightforward, but you will encounter your first enemies here. You'll find both Keese and ChuChu throughout the cave. Near the entrance, you'll see a break in some fence to the right. Head through it and hop down to find a chest containing 20 rupees. Climb up the nearby vines to get to another chest containing 20 rupees.
A little further along in the cave is a wall you'll need to dash up. There will be a raised platform to the right, and you'll find 40 rupees in a little alcove. From here, simply follow the path and exit the cave.
Outside, Zelda will stop you briefly. Continue down the ramp, and you'll find your Loftwing. Cut the ropes holding the planks in place with the correctly angled slashes. After freeing your Loftwing, another cutscene with Zelda will begin. Afterward, you'll get to fly your Loftwing for the first time. Zelda will give you the basic controls for flying your Loftwing. After the tutorial, you'll find yourself back on the ground in Skyloft.
Wing Ceremony
A cutscene will ensue where Groose intimidates Link before the Wing Ceremony. Afterward, the Wing Ceremony will begin! The goal of the ceremony is to catch up to the Yellow Loftwing and grab the Bird Statuette from it. The winner of the ceremony will receive a Sailcloth as a prize.
When the Wing Ceremony begins, run off the ledge and call your Loftwing. The easiest way to catch the Yellow Loftwing is to intercept it as it is making a turn. Keep a high elevation so that you can continually dive down to maintain speed. Wait for the Loftwing to begin turning and dive down into its path. As you approach, press "A" to reach for the statue. The first time you do this, Groose will cut you off.
After being cut off, you'll be set back, and Groose's minions will throw eggs at you. Repeat the same process as before, this time dodging the eggs. After reaching for the statue a second time, you'll be able to grab it. After winning, a cutscene will begin.
During the cutscene, Zelda will give you the Sailcloth. Afterward, you'll need to jump off the Goddess Statue onto a circular area below. Aim towards the center and pull the sailcloth at the very end. Another cutscene continues where something terrible happens to Zelda. Fi will come to Link in a dream, and you'll wake up back in Link's Room.
The Goddess Sword
Exit Link's room, and you'll see Fi on the staircase. Follow her out of the Knight Academy. Once outside, continue to follow Fi. You'll shortly come across a cat that will launch out to attack you. These cats transform at night into enemies called Remlit. Use your sword, and it will leave you alone for a while. There is a chest with 20 rupees on the lower area nearby.
Hop onto the ledge and shimmy to the right. Continue following Fi. Make a running leap of faith when you get to the gap. Continue scaling this area, and you will eventually reach the Goddess Statue. Enter the opening that Fi reveals.
Inside, Fi will formally introduce herself. During this long cutscene, Link will pull a sword from the pedestal and point it skyward. Fi will then give you the Emerald Tablet. Afterward, use the new sword to hit the emblem with a Skyward Strike. Raise your sword into the air until it is fully charged, then swing.
Link will place the Emerald Tablet inside this holder, and an entrance to the surface will reveal itself in the clouds. Fi also informs you that she will accompany you on your journey, whether you like it or not. You will then be taken back to your room, where you will receive your iconic green tunic.
Skyloft
Exit your room and Fledge will give you the Adventure Pouch. Exit the Knight Academy on the first floor. Speak to Instructor Owlan outside to get the Wooden Shield. Afterward, head south towards the Bazaar, the large building in the center of Skyloft.
Inside the Bazaar, speak to Luv, who runs the potion shop. She will give you your first Empty Bottle. You can purchase a Heart Potion from her if you'd like. You can explore the Bazaar and continue to speak with the citizens of Skyloft if you'd like, but there's not much else to do here.
Make your way to the nearest wooden platform and take a plunge into the clouds. Call your Loftwing and take to the skies. Head straight towards the green pillar of light. Follow the instructions to drop down below and enter the Surface for the first time.
Continue to Faron Woods
