"…Who are you?"

"Are you serious? I'm you! Heh heh, it's like looking into a mirror, isn't it?"

"You can't be me! We look nothing alike!"

"You're kinda dense, aren't you? Look at yourself. We might have different clothes, different hair color, but we're one and the same, doppelgangers of each other."

"…Doppelganger?"

"Yes. Speaking of doppelgangers, do you know what happens when they meet?"

"What?"

"One has to rid the world of the other to keep the balance of the space-time continuum."

"I don't get it."

"Ugh, let me spell it out for you. One of us has to kill the other to ensure balance in the world."

"So I have to kill you, huh?"

"No, I have to kill you. Now stand still for a minute."

"Agh!" The boy shot up from the bed, coated in a cold sweat. He was breathing heavily, the anxiety of his nightmare not leaving anytime soon. He gripped the blankets around him and willed himself to calm down. When his breathing slowed, he looked outside. The view of the sea was always comforting to him. It was just a dream, Link. Nothing more. He thought to himself. That's funny, Linebeck is already up. He's usually the late sleeper! Link turned around and reached for a small leather-bound book and pen on the nightstand beside the bed.

August 10th

I had a very strange dream last night. It featured a boy that seemed to be a darker version of me, set out on killing me. I'm scared. Not the kind of terror I would feel during a big fight, but something more. In fact, it's been this dream for a few days now, always ending the same, cutting right before the boy attacks me. Why haven't I told anyone yet? I need to settle this and speak with someone about this.

Link, finished with his writing, placed the book and pen back on the nightstand. He swung his legs over the bed and stood up, cursing the cold of the floor on his feet. He yawned and stretched his arms over his head, hearing a solid crack. He bent over backwards, hearing the same crack again. He rid himself of his night clothes, and opened a closet, taking out his usual garb and placed it on the bed. Link slipped on his under-shirt and tights as he trudged over to a largish mirror. He reached for a small brush and combed his bright blond hair, humming a tune, then set the brush back down. He walked back to the bed and put on his tunic, pulling the belt nice and snug around his waist. He put his hat on and messed with his hair, trying to get it the way he liked. After he dressed himself, he walked out of the bedroom and into the hall that led to a kitchen and privy. His feet still felt cold. Ack! I forgot my boots! Link rushed back into the room and opened the ornate closet, confusion taking over him. I swear to the Gods, I put them right here, right under my stuff! He shut the door and looked under everything, to the shared bed to the chairs. Defeated, he walked out of the room and into the kitchen, noticing an older man sitting at the table, hunched over something.

"Hey, Linebeck. Have you seen my boots? I've been looking everywhere for them."

"Sorry kid, I haven't seen them. Did you look under the bed?"

"Yeah. They weren't there. I know I put them in the closet last night. By the way, what're you doing?" The captain turned his head around and stared at the boy, as if giving him a look-over.

"Fixing something. It's almost done, so wait a sec." He turned back to his work.

"Alright, I'll wait here then." Link sat on the floor, cupping his head in his hands. "Hey, Linebeck?"

"Yeah?"

"Can I tell you about something?"

"Sure. Lay it on me." Link stood up and brushed off his clothes.

"You see, I've been having this weird dream about this guy. He looks like me and he says that I'm his doppelganger or something like that. He told me that he needs to kill me to keep the balance of the world. For once, I'm actually scared of my own dreams!" Link would've usually laughed at this, but after experiencing the dream night after night, he felt more terrified than giddy.

"Huh. Doppelganger, eh? Sounds bad, kid. How long have you been having this dream?"

"The past couple of nights. Nothing is going to happen to me, right? It felt so real."

"The past couple of nights?"

"Yeah… what's wrong, Linebeck? Is anything going to happen to me?" Link's face took a dive into the white paint of fright.

"…I can't be sure of that. As long as you don't see this guy in real life, you're fine."

"So he's real?" Link moved closer to Linebeck, seeking comfort.

"Most likely. Everyone has a doppelganger, but usually they don't see them, due to each being in another dimension. Think of him as your shadow, your dark side. I wouldn't be too scared now, just forget about it. On a side note, I finished what I was working on. Take a look?"

Link moved even closer to the captain and peeked over his shoulder. "My boots! You took them when I was sleeping!" Link exclaimed.

"Well, yes. That was the only time I could fix them up. The bottoms were so worn down; I'm surprised that they didn't fall apart yesterday!" Linebeck chuckled. He stood up and handed the boots to Link.

"Uh, thanks for fixing my stuff for me." He put them on and wiggled his toes inside of them. "They're bigger than I remember."

"I had to make them larger for part of the sole to fit. Are they too big?"

"No, they're more comfy now." He scampered about, getting used to his "new" boots.

"Heh, that's good. Now how do you feel about making some breakfast, eh?"

"Sure! What's the plan for today?" Link giggled, knowing that Linebeck was most likely going to mess up the meal, like every other time he cooked.

"I'm thinking oatmeal and sliced apples. You?" Linebeck drifted over to the cabinets and took out a couple bowls, a pan and a knife, placing them on the counter below.

"Oatmeal sounds good. I'll make it. You can do the fruit." Link went over to Linebeck, taking the bag of oats and dumping some of it into the pan.

"Alright, do whatever you want, kid."


After breakfast, the two went outside onto the deck. Today was what they called "Break-Day", where there would be no going through dungeons or fighting. This was to make sure that neither of them would get sick from over-exertion, especially Link. He was one to never take a break during a temple, even when Ciela told him to do so. This got him beaten up pretty badly, and made him very ill one too many times. As of now, Ciela was out for a while. Link still wondered where exactly she was, since she was out longer than how long she said she would be. He didn't dwell on it much, though. As a fairy, she came and went as she pleased.

"So, what do you want to do today? We could either just spend the day doing… basically nothing, or buy supplies for you and me." Linebeck seemed to be hinting at doing the shopping part.

"Going out for supplies, I guess. I need to check my stuff before we go, though."

"Alrighty then. Go." Linebeck opened the door to the cabin portion of his ship and let Link through.

"Uh, thanks for opening the door for me." He sprinted through the kitchen and into the hall that led to their bedroom.

"Anytime, kid." Linebeck said, slightly shouting.

Link went into the bedroom and opened the closet. He sat on his knees as he checked his quiver. Okay, I have ten arrows. I need twenty more. He checked his bomb bag, bottles, and other things. So I need twenty arrows, five bombs, and a bottle of either red or purple potion. Let's hope that I have enough Rupees for that! Link stood up and sped through the cabin and back out onto the deck.

"Well hello there, speedy! So what do you need?"

"Twenty arrows, five bombs, and a bottle of either red or purple potion."

"Better make that potion red, because we're running low on cash." Linebeck pulled out his wallet and began counting. Link did the same.

"I have around a hundred, Linebeck. You?"

"Heh, for once I have more money than you! A hundred and ten." Linebeck laughed, and dropped a few Rupees in the process. "Hold up." He bent down and quickly picked them up. "Sorry about that. So we have two-hundred and ten Rupees. That seems to be about enough."

"Cool. How far are we from the nearest inhabited island?"

"About four hours worth of travel at max speed. I'll be down in the engine room if you need me." Linebeck went past Link, ruffling his hair as he walked. Link smiled. He wandered over to the railing and leaned on it. At least today is a Break Day. I don't want to fight with so many thoughts buzzing around in my head. At that thought, his mind crawled back to his dream, remembering the doppelganger and his promise. What am I going to do? Linebeck said that this guy is real. He might be in another dimension or something, but can he still get to me? If he can send me nightmares, can he speak with me in them, not just "recordings" of the same thing over and over again? Can he do things to my real body when I'm asleep, not just my dream one? Gods, listen to me. I'm a frigging lunatic. Maybe I should lie down for a while. He pushed himself off of the railing and made his way to the bedroom. He closed the door, removed his boots and placed them beside the bed. Link took off his cap and hung it on one of the twopoles that surrounded the frame of the bed. He climbed in, snuggled deep into the blankets, and drifted to sleep, not realizing that he was to see the figure again.


A strange fog encircled Link and his surroundings. He looked down and noticed he was standing on water, or maybe perhaps a glass floor with water underneath it. He wandered around, listening to the echoing taps that his feet made whenever he moved.

"Lonely, eh? You won't be for long." Link spun around, trying to locate the source of the voice that echoed like his foot-steps.

"Where are you?"

"I'm right here." The figure of the dream before materialized out of the fog, making not a noise as he slowly crept towards Link. "Missed me?" The figure laughed and put his hands on his hips.

"No, not really. Still, at least this isn't the same thing again. I didn't like hearing you rant on and on about time and space!" Link tried laughing, but was cut off by the figure talking again.

"I don't ramble. I'm telling the truth here." The figure drifted closer to Link, their faces only inches apart. "Someday, when you least expect it, I'm going to be in your world, and nobody will come and save you. I could kill you now, but…" He gripped Link's neck and held it tight, enjoying his gasps for air. "…That wouldn't be as much fun as waiting for you to go completely insane, hm?" He let go and flicked Link in the forehead.

"Ack!"

"Heh heh. See ya 'round!"

"Oh no, you're not leaving that easily! Get back here!" Link screamed, dashing towards his doppelganger. When he reached him, he had already vanished, his laugh echoing throughout the wide room.


When Link awoke, he wasn't scared. Instead, he was determined to see his clone again. He got out of bed and went to the mirror. To his surprise he could see red marks resembling fingers around his neck. So he can attack me through dreams. That means I can too! But I need to be careful. I don't think he can get out of my dreams, so all I need to do is be prepared for anything. Wait! What if I sleep with all my weapons on? Maybe I can take them with me into my dreams, and attack from there!

A knock on the door broke his train of thought.

"Hey Link, We've reached Mercay Island. Get your butt out here!"

"Coming!" Link turned around and ran for the door, already forming a plan of action in his head. I'm going to beat that thing, I know it. When night comes, I'll be ready. Link pushed open the door and followed him outside and down to the ground. What lay ahead of him was a dangerous journey into the world of dreams, and he wasn't ready.