AN: So, this was an idea I had a while ago while thinking of the next Zelda game, Skyward Sword. I'm not sure where this story will go, but that's half the fun.
"Again!" Miyamoto shouted at the exhausted Hylian boy in the simulator.
"Please, I need a break…" The blond said through stuttered breaths. This new game was proving to be the hardest Link had ever done. The main reason being this was the first true game where he had to use his right hand. His previous one had been recorded with him being left handed, but then flipped for a new system.
"All right, we're done for today Link. Go get some rest." Miyamoto, whom Link thought of as his father, turned off the simulator, leaving Link in an empty gray room. He was quite familiar with this room. It was here that he had experienced many grand adventures for his "father". He would fight and explore, and all his actions were recorded and made into games.
Link sighed and stretched. His new game was to be called Skyward Sword, and in this game he'd have to learn to fight with his right hand. He didn't quite understand it himself, but Miyamoto said it was because most people in the world are right handed and he wanted the new game to feel real when controlling it. This confused the young man because nothing about him or his adventures were very "real" to begin with. He shrugged it off and switched his sword back to his left hand. He swung it a few times to get the feel of it back. Instantly he felt better and sheathed his sword. Nothing left to do but go to his room and wait for the next day.
Now, Link loved challenges, and at first he took having to fight with his right hand as a great way to really test his skills. After a week of recording, however, he found this time around he was having more trouble than even his first game. It just wasn't natural to him. He had talked to several of his companions about this, but they were little comfort to him. Zelda encouraged him to keep trying, which Link did the best he could. Midna laughed at him, and said he was cute when he struggled. He even tried talking to Navi, but she simply nagged at him that he was giving up too easily. Even his other Nintendo heroes were little help. Mario said that he needs to listen to Miyamoto; after all "the creators know best". Pit, whom he had formed a friendship with in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, didn't really listen to Link's rant. He was too excited about finally getting a new game after 20 years of inactivity.
Link crashed on his bed as soon as he got into his room. After a short nap he figured a few Brawls would do him some good. However, he never did get a chance to sleep. He felt a chilling presence enter his room just as he was about to drift to sleep. Instantly alert, Link shot up and turned to the door to his room. Leaning against the wall was a black and gray version of himself with burning crimson eyes. It was Dark Link, Link's "evil" counterpart. Strangely enough the two had grown close within the past few years. Just because they had to fight in the games didn't mean they have to be enemies outside, right?
"Hello, Link." Dark Link said in his usual sarcastic tone, "Have a nice day?"
"Hardly," Link answered with a sigh. "What are you doing here, Dark?"
"You're tired of this place, am I right?"
"Well…I guess you could put it that way. I just don't understand why I can't just use my left hand for this new game."
"That's because Miyamoto doesn't really care about you, Link."
The blue-eyed blond stared in shock at the other's words, "What? That's not true."
"It is. The Creators don't really care about any of us. They just want money, and we're the one's making it for them. Once our games stop selling, they'll toss us aside like a used tissue." Dark Link grinned while he said this, knowing full well he was angering the other.
"Miyamoto-sama wouldn't do that!"
"Oh? He wouldn't, would he?" The shadow being started to walk over to where Link sat, "How do you think Pit felt when he was left alone in the darkness for 20 years while the Creators focused on you and Mario and everyone else?"
"They brought Pit back!"
"What if they forgot about you for 20 years, hmm?" He raised a grayish-silver eyebrow.
"They wouldn't do that!"
"Would they?" His last words made Link stop. Would they? Would Miyamoto forget about Link if his next couple of games didn't sell? What would he do then?
"I've already spoken with the cast of Golden Sun, and a few have agreed to come with me. After all, the only mention they got in Brawl was an Assist Trophy."
"Go with you? Where?"
"To Square Enix." Dark Link leaned against the wall next to Link's bed.
"Wh-what? Wait…you don't mean…"
"That's right, Link. We're going to quit Nintendo. I'm tired of this company. Did you know I've never really had a big part in our games? I've had a few, near the beginning, but they've all but forgotten me. It really ticks me off."
"So, you're really going to…quit?"
"Yes. Are you in?" He looked at the Hylian intently; he was dead serious about this.
"I…I don't know…" Link looked away from his shadow self.
"Link, think about it. If you stay here you'll be forgotten. If we go to Square they'll keep our memories alive forever."
"Forever…" Link didn't want to be forgotten. For in this world being forgotten meant disappearing. You wouldn't exist any longer. It seemed to Link like he only had one option, "Okay. I'll go with you."
"That's my Hero of Time." The shadow quickly planted a small kiss on Link's cheek, causing the latter to blush slightly and recoil from the former. This made Dark Link chuckle. He loved teasing the 17 year old like that.
"Just get out of here." Link said while lying back on his mattress.
"All right, all right. I'll leave you alone." Dark Link stood up straight and smirked at the blond, "See you tomorrow, Link." With that, the dark entity vanished.
Link sighed and stared at the ceiling of his room, "Quit Nintendo, huh…"
~/~
The next day Link was back in the simulator, fighting against a giant scorpion-looking-thing with eyes on its claws. That was another thing Link didn't quite get. All of his enemies had such obvious weak spots, it was almost funny. He wished he had a real challenge; like something that didn't have an eye growing in a strange place. He tried slashing with his right hand, but his reflexes with that hand were still slow, so his strike was parried and he was sent backwards. He stumbled on a root beneath his feet and fell onto his back with a thud. That finished off the last of his hearts.
Miyamoto sighed and turned off the simulator, "Link, you need to get the hang of this. We can distract the fans with handheld games for only so long. They don't want Toon Link, bless his heart; they want you!"
"I know Miyamoto-sama." The Hylian said as he stood up. "I'm sorry. I need more time to practice."
"…Fine. However, from now on you're going to use your right hand in Brawl to get used to the feel of the sword. I know this is asking a lot of you, but I need you to do this for me."
"I'll try, fa…Miyamoto-sama."
"Good. Now, take a break before the next session."
"Okay." Link sheathed his sword and headed for the exit of the simulator.
"Get your ass kicked again, Link?" The shadowy voice waiting for Link on the other side of the door said.
"Shut up, Dark." Link ignored the shadow of himself and kept walking.
The shadow followed, as he always did. He whispered to the Hylian, "Tonight, at midnight. You have until then to persuade anyone else to join us."
Link turned to his darkness, but he had already disappeared. "Persuade others…" He said to himself. He could only think of a few people he wanted to ask; namely, Zelda, Midna, and a few others. First thing's first: asking Zelda. Link started off to look for his Princess.
~/~
"What?" Zelda held a hand over her mouth in surprise to Link's news. "You're seriously going to leave Nintendo?"
"Shh." Link pressed a finger to his mouth and looked around in case anyone heard. He then continued in a hushed voice. "Yes, I am. And I want you to come with me. We'll go to Square Enix. There we can be safe. We won't be forgotten."
"Forgotten? What makes you think we'll be forgotten?"
"Think about it, Princess. If The Legend of Zelda games stop selling, Miyamoto-sama and the others are just going to throw us away and move on to the next best thing. We're going to die if we stay here."
"But…" Zelda looked away from her long time friend and hero.
Link took her hands in his. "Please Zelda; I don't want to go without you."
The Princess of Hyrule stared into Link's sapphire eyes. There was no way she was going to abandon him. Not ever. "Okay, I'll go with you."
Link's face broke into a wide smile. He hugged the Princess tight. "Thank you, Zelda!"
Zelda couldn't help but smile as Link hugged her. Leaving Nintendo was a scary and reckless idea, but if her hero was by her side everything would be alright.
"Thinking of eloping with Princess Zelda?" An alluring feminine voice asked from behind Link.
Immediately the Hylian boy released the Princess and turned to the familiar voice. "Midna." He smiled at the tall figure of the Twilight Princess. He had to say, he liked her normal form better than her Imp form that followed him around most of the time.
Midna put her hands on her hips. "I hope you were going to invite me along as well?" She raised an orange eyebrow.
"Of course." Link said. "I wouldn't leave without asking you, Midna."
"Good." Midna crossed her arms. "Then I'm in. When are we leaving?"
"Tonight at midnight." Link answered.
"That doesn't give us much time." Zelda stated.
Link turned to her. "I know, but the sooner we leave the better chances we have of success."
"Well said, hero." Midna said. "I'll see you tonight then." With that, she walked off leaving the Princess and the Hero of Time alone.
Zelda pulled Link into a hug. "I hope you know what you're doing, Link."
Link hugged her back. "So do I."
AN: I hope you enjoyed the prologue for Switching Sides. Please keep reading and reviewing.