Link walked down the hallway, his boots tapping lightly on the stone floor. He held his lantern out in front of him, revealing a large, open room.
The green-clad hero cautiously stepped inside. So far, he had not seen many monsters. None, actually. It was very unusual. Not that he was complaining.
Link waved his lantern around, further revealing the interior of the room. It was dome-shaped, and had no interesting features to it. Save one, that he almost missed.
Carved inside of the wall was an alcove, inside which a pedestal similar to that which the Master Sword resided. However, this one seemed to flicker in and out of existence. Link moved closer to it, to get a better look. It seemed that the closer he got, the denser it became, flickering less and less.
When he was finally close enough to touch it, it was completely black. On the bottom was an upside-down triforce symbol.
Link stared at the symbol, and it gave him the creeps. But then it started glowing.
It glowed a deep, crimson red. Link backed away. Shadows began emanating from the pedestal, visions of death and despair. Link forced himself to keep watching.
Then, a sword appeared. It looked like the Master Sword, but the hilt was black, and the blade glowed the same crimson as the pedestal. Shadows swirled around the sword. It was wrapped in a cocoon of darkness, and then it disappeared.
The room was empty once again. Link blinked his eyes. The pedestal was gone, and Link wasn't sure it had even existed in the first place.
Then, laughter echoed all around him. Red eyes glowed on the wall, and a shape melted from the shadows. Link recognized the shape, because it was him.
The shadowy Link had no face, but it seemed to be grinning.
Link looked into his doppelgangers' eyes, and saw everything he regretted, saw everything forgotten.
Then, Link knew what this creature was. A living embodiment of everything he hated about himself.
Link drew his sword, and prepared to fight.
Dark link just laughed.
After all, how can you fight yourself?
