Author's Note: As a quick head's up I'll tell you that this almost entirely AU. I will try to keep the characters true to form, but the storyline is all Author's Universe (Or Alternate Universe; whichever you prefer). That said I hope you enjoy it. Forgive me if Midna's dialogue is a bit off; haven't played in a while.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Legend of Zelda, this story maybe, but not Legend of Zelda.
Chapter 1: Saying Good-bye
Saying good-bye to someone is never easy. Whether you love them or you wish them death, it is never easy, for to say good-bye is to admit that you will never meet again. Never again be in their presence as they stumble through life. Never to lend them a helping hand, or stick out a tripping leg. You will never again know their smile, their glare, their soft, comforting embrace. You will never again help or hinder them. To them you will be only a forgotten memory doomed to haunt their dreams, as they will be to you.
_
Link plunged his blade down into the depths of his enemy's eye. Inky purple blood oozed from the wound into the dark, oppressing water that surrounded the foes.
Link yanked the sword from the eye and launched from the back of his adversary, the Twilit Aquatic Morpheel. The great eel let out heart stopping screech as it thrashed about, seeking to end the pain. Unable to see due to the Hero's attack, Morpheel slammed into walls. No matter how many the beast struck it would not stop; the pain had driven to insanity.
Morpheel hit the ground, hard, but kept going, finally smashing through the ancient wall of stone. The monstrous eel died on contact, its skull compacting and crushing its brain; there was no pain. Morpheel fell limp.
As the Hero swam towards the Twilit Aquatic the water began to be sucked from the chamber through newly opened ducts. Link, having reached the bottom, stood some feet away from the eel, waiting. When the water had drained away enough Link removed his mask and began to trudge over toward his deceased foe, muttering a short prayer to the Goddesses.
He didn't have to go far. As soon as the water had seeped almost completely away, with only small puddles remaining, Morpheel began to explode, in sections, into Shadow Squares, its yellow and red eye burst, and, with a small, black cloud of smoke, became a Heart Container.
The Squares coalesced in front of the Chosen Hero, taking the form of the third and final Fused Shadow.
Midna popped out of Link's shadow, something that had taken a bit of getting used to, but was now the most natural thing in the world to the Hero. She grabbed the piece with her hair-hand.
"I'll take that! Thanks!" She said almost giddily. "I'm sorry for dragging you all around Hyrule. Now don't resent me for all I put you through; I needthis thing." Midna paused, then continued. "As a reward for all your help I'll tell you a little something: Zant. That's the name of the King of Darkness who cast the Pall of Shadows on your world." She allowed this to sink in for a moment. "But, he'll never be my king. Not that your Zelda is much better," Midna sneered, "A pampered life of luxury? How does that teach duty?"
Here Midna stopped short, and said after some thought, "Still I shouldn't begrudge the circumstances of her life; she didn't choose them after all, and I would never wish harm on her… No, as long as I get the Fused Shadows, I'll be fine." She floated a few feet away and, with a soft crackle, created a Warp Portal to the outside.
"So, shall we go?" She asked.
Link, who had been listening with rapt attention, was suddenly shaken from his trance. He nodded and took a step forward, then stopped. He made a sign that clearly meant 'one minute', and ran off towards the Heart Container. Midna sighed impatiently.
Link picked up the Container and held it over his heart. He pressed it gently to his breast. After a moment or so, the Heart Container sunk into his chest. Link could feel his strength and endurance rising as it melted in his heart and began to be pumped through his veins.
Midna sighed again.
As the Hero looked back at her a small smile graced his lips. He walked over to the Portal.
"Shall we go?" She asked again.
Link nodded and stepped into the swirling mass of Twilight Magic.
"It's finally over."He couldn't help but think as he dissolved into Shadow Squares.
_
Link reformed in Lanayru's Spring. He turned around and walked quietly out of the cavern.
The Hero gazed at Lake Hylia and its surrounding valley, created long ago by a meteor. He marvelled at its sheer beauty-- a beauty that would forever remain, now that the Twilight was gone. Link took a deep breath and let it out slowly, savoring the crisp air.
Link's gaze drifted to his shadow and he wondered what exactly would happen to Midna now. They had each fulfilled their part of the agreement, so what would she do now? She had said she needed the Fused Shadows, but for what? Did it have to do with that Zant person? And just who wasMidna anyway?
Before he could voice any of his queries Midna hopped from his shadow, not having done so before because of the concentrated light given off by Lanayru and absorbed by his cave. She floated in front of the Chosen Hero.
"So... I guess... this is it, huh?"
"I suppose..." Link responded hesitantly. "Unless... you... need anything else. I'd be more than happy to assist you." Link said this almost hopefully. Despite himself, Link had grown to quite like the imp during their journey.
Midna seemed somewhat shocked by his offer.
"Oh... uh... No, I'll be fine on my own, Link." She said, not quite able to believe that after all she had put him through, Link was still willing to help her. Nor could she understand entirely why she refused, yet at the same time understanding perfectly. "The matters I have left to attend are best handled by me and me alone." This was a lie. The real reason was she knew it would be unwise to get any closer to a Light Dweller. She just wasn't sure why. After all, everything she had heard about them, all the scary stories, the gruesome tales; Link had proved them all wrong.
"Alright then." Link said, knowing it would be of no use to argue. "Which shadow should I drop you off in?"
"The one cast by Fyer's hut, if you don't mind."
Link walked over to the hut, ignoring Fyer's speech about the canon; he practically knew it by heart. When he reached the back Midna shifted from his shadow to the hut's, as she sometimes did when Link was performing a particularly tedious task. It allowed her the short change of pace one often needs when things seem only to go from bad to worse.
"Well... See ya later, I guess." Midna said breaking the awkward silence that had ensued. She settled down into the shadow a little more.
"Yeah... Good-bye, Midna." Link responded. He turned around slowly and walked to the front of the shack to buy a canon ride, forcing himself not to look back; if he did he would not leave. Something about the thought of never seeing Midna again made Link feel uneasy and completely alone. He entered the canon.
It is never easy to say good-bye.
Author's Note 2: Well there you have it. Chapter 1 of 'What Could Have Been'. Sorry it's so short. Read, Review, Mock, Flame, Critique, Light on Fire and Stomp on the Ashes then Mock, Die from the Terribleness, just respond damn it! RESPOND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My thanks, as always it seems, to Midna3452 for Beta readin' for me and for helpin' with the flow of the story. I'll take this time to recommend her fics 'Into the Twilight' and, for those of you who enjoy parodies, 'Link and Midna Come Alive Literally' and 'Legend of Zelig: Twilight Prince'.
Twilit Guardian, signing off.