"So, he's here?" The raven haired Hylian seaced his training, to turn to his faerie friend.

She nodded, a smile forming on her little lips.

Dark Link smiled. "Finally." His eyes shone with determination. He sheathed his sword, heading over to the unlocked door. Slowly, he turned the handle peering out. A spell had been placed on the door. He could look through the opening, but a barrier held him from passing through. But all that was about to change. Soon, his target would be coming through that door, over on that platform. Then it'd only be a matter of time before he could kill him. Once that boy was dead, the spell would be lifted… and he'd finally be freed.

The opposite door opened, and a blue figure, with blonde hair entered.

The shadow's smile broadened, as he shut the door. He turned away, heading back for the center of the room. His smile turned towards the little faerie flittering around his head. "Once this boy is dead, then we're going to get out of here." His eyes closed, head drooping a bit. "After today, I never want to see any water ever again."

The unlocked door opened, and Dark Link leapt up into the tree, resting in the center of the room. He watched as the young Hylian slowly crept in. His head darted from side to side. Link had encountered so many traps in various dungeons that he was a bit paranoid when none could be seen.

He glanced up at Navi to verify if she could see anything. She just shrugged. "Might as well proceed. Just be aware." She flitted into the brim of his hat, while Link took a deep breath and ventured forward.

Un-aware that his shadow rested above, watching his every move. When Link had passed the tree, Dark Link motioned for his faerie to quickly lock the other door.

Link could see the door ahead of him and froze. This wasn't right. There were bars on it. He moved closer, pulling at the iron bars covering the wooden door, testing the sturdiness. They were solid. His eyes darted around. There was nothing else in this room, but what seemed to be mirrors to give an illusion of endlessness. "Something's not right." Immediately he spun around and ran for the other door he had entered.

"No." Link closed in on the door, but it had been barred to. He clamped onto the bars and pulled sharply. "I'm trapped."

"Join the club."

Link spun around at hearing the voice. Most likely his next opponent. There was a black figure crouched under the tree, a faerie flittering around his head. He stood, slowly making his way towards him. A pair of red eyes glowered at him, a black blade gleaming as it was drawn from it's sheath. "Tell me, Link. Are you prepared to die?"

Link's legs felt weak. Who was this guy? Navi peered out of the brim of his hat. "Link… he looks just like you."

"Smart little bug. I am you." Dark Link raised his sword. "And only one of us can exist. So you have to die."

Link's jaw lagged, eyes widening with incomprehension. How could there be two of him? And what was he doing in a place like this?

Before he fully got the chance to make sense out of any of it, a black blade swung down on him. Link raised his shield to block, but the blade seemed to swing around him to slice into his back. He cried out, falling forward.

Dark Link grinned at him. "What's wrong? Why aren't you fighting back?" He swung again, purposely hitting the shield and knocking his light counterpart backwards onto the ground. The shield vibrated hot, as more attacks relentlessly pounded against it. "Come on, Link. Fight back." He kicked the shield out of his hands, pointing the tip of his blade straight into his throat. "What's wrong? Are you actually smart enough to realize when you're outmatched? It's good of you to die, so I can live."

Link's eyes narrowed. He swung at the falling blade, sending it's holder reeling backwards. Dark Link's eyes widened in shock upon his prey, who was now on his feet, looking ready for attack. A hand wiped at his lips, turning it back into a smile. "Much better. I'd hate to think I've been waiting for someone so weak."

They both swung, swords making a sickening clang when they met. Dark Link gleamed at the battle. He could read his movement's so easily. Each attack parried with ease. Each strike showed subtle differences in their abilities, but with a true battle, that small opening was enough. Dark Link could feel it. He was stronger, faster. As their blades met they were both knocked back, but his counter-part reeled more, opening him up for an attack, which only could lead to more. He slowly chipped away at him. Wishing to break his prey fully.

Link gasped in pain and screamed, thrusting his sword forward. Easily, his shadow leapt up, avoiding it. His feet lightly landed on the outstretched Master Sword. A black blade came down into his shoulder. As his platform fell, with the cry of pain, he flipped over Link's head, stabbing him straight into the back.

Link fell to his knees, panting, as his shadow laughed. Sweat fell from his brow from the heat of his pain. "W-why?"

"Why what?" Dark Link sauntered over to his victim. "Why am I kicking your ass?" He pulled the blue hat from the injured man's head, using it to wipe the blood from his blade. "Or are you wondering why you're so weak? Either way, it's not going to matter soon."

Link looked up at him. The hat hit him in the face. His shadow made his way back over to him. The black blade settled under his chin. "There's no doubt now, who's stronger. You fought well, but I gotta say, I'm disappointed." He shrugged. "Oh well. Que sera."

Link closed his eyes, enabling himself to see the black Master Sword's movements. A warmth engulfed his right hand, and he thrust it onto the cool damp ground. Almost immediately, a dome of fire pushed out from his body.

Red eyes widened in shock, as their owner, jumped back to try and avoid the flames. He patted the fire that had ignited the front of his tunic. "What was that?"

Link panted, rising to his feet. Now that his opponent was away from him, he could concentrate on gathering more power, for a further range.

Dark Link put up his shield to try and block it, but the fire seemed to push past, burning him. The shield seared hot, forcing him to drop it. "Fire!" Before he was able to fully transfer it all, another wall of flames came for him. Dark Link flipped back and out of the way. The wall disintegrated before him, reaching it's limits. His smile returned as Link slumped to the floor, exhausted. "Don't know where that came from. But I'm not going to give you a chance to unleash anything else." He rushed him, sword raised. "I'm not going to fall prey to you looking at your limits. Now die."

The black blade lifted high over his head, ready to pierce it's prey. Just before it made contact, Link reached into whatever magic he had left, and unleashed one more attack powered by the Goddess, Din.

Being only inches away, Link's dark shadow instantly caught fire. He fell back screaming, seeking the water to put out the flames. Before he knew what had happened, he was engulfed by the water. The flames were out, but he still couldn't breath. He was completely submerged in water. Vaguely, overhead, he could make out a distant light. Desperately clawing at the water, he tried to pull towards it, but the light seemed to get further away. Why could he not reach it? He clutched his hands to his mouth, trying to hold in the last bit of air. All went dark until all he could see was a faint glow from his faerie, who had probably dived in after him.

This wasn't right. It's not how it was supposed to go. Link was supposed to be the one who died. Once that pathetic excuse for a swordsman was gone, he could finally live. He'd finally be free to get out of here. He'd be able to explore the world, but not now…

How could he let this happen?

All thought seemed to leave his head. His senses overcome by darkness. He couldn't die here. A blur of scaly blue crossed his vision. This wasn't right.

The darkness seemed to be pierced by a high-pitched tone. A soft melody guiding his senses back into control. He soon became aware that he could breath again. This realization was enough to force his eyes open.

Dark Link sat up briskly, feeling heavy weights against his hands. He looked down to see chains around his wrists. What? Where was he? His eyes scanned the area. The walls surrounding him seemed to be constructed of wood and clay.

The melody drew his attention to it. Outside of the steel bars, sat Link. The small blue ocarina was to his lips, and a delicate song issued from it. He had to admit… it was pretty.

Link seemed to notice his staring. He stopped playing, and gently laid the ocarina in his lap. "Do you dream?"

Dark Link started from the comment. His eyes narrowed. "What the hell kind of question is that?"

Link stood, walking over to the bars. "You sounded like you were having a nightmare." He stopped just short of reaching them. His eyes were soft. Almost pitiful as he looked down at his shadow. "What was it about?"

Dark Link grimaced, turning his head away. "Take a guess."

Link took a second to decipher his words. Then he remembered what he said to him earlier. "Oh… I see."

"Stop looking at me like that!" Dark Link growled. "I don't fucking need your sympathy."

Link kneeled so he was level with his shadow. "It's not sympathy. I just want to understand you. If you're hurting, maybe I can help you."

The raven haired man growled again, lunging forward at him. However, before he could reach, a chain caught his left foot. The chain was attached to the back wall. He fell forward, inches away from the bars. In frustration, he screamed, "I DON'T NEED ANYONE'S HELP! Especially not from you."

A timid smile found the Hylian's lips. "What's wrong with needing help? Nobody can do everything on their own."

"Not me."

Link just shook his head. "So, what's your name?"

Red eyes widened on the comment. Why was he asking that? "Why?"

"I need to know what to call you, don't I?"

"There's no reason for such trivial things." He sat up. "We're not friends, so why do you want to know my name?"

Link shrugged. "You know mine. It's only fair. Besides." He motioned to the two faeries sitting at the top of the door to his cell. "They're getting along."

Dark Link's eyes darted up to them. He glared at the two faeries. "Down here! NOW!"

His faerie startled, zipping down. "Traitor." He snarled, and the little faerie slumped in shame. "Sorry."

"That's not nice." Link commented.

His shadow glared at him. "Don't start."

"Fine. But you're not making much sense. I know the names of my enemies, so why can't I know your's?"

Dark Link was silent for a short while. He slumped back against the wall, folding his arms across his chest. "Do you really want to know?"

Link's ears perked up. "Yes… I do."

His shadow sighed, turning his eyes away. "… I don't have a name."

Link slumped slightly. "You don't?"

"No, I don't."

"… How could you not have a name?"

"I've been alone for seven years!" He snapped, turning sharply to Link. "Why the hell would I bother to have a name? I was supposed to be Link. But you had to die. As long as you're alive, I might as well not exist. So what's the point in having a name!" He turned his head back around, trying to hide the tears that'd tried to worm their way through.

"Hmm." Link slumped down to the ground. "But she has a name… doesn't she?"

Dark Link glanced up at the Faerie as she brushed away his tears.

"What was that you called her earlier?"

He took a deep breath before finally answering. "Ivan."

"Well… why'd you start calling her that?"

Dark Link turned his head away. He just wanted this nosey bastard to leave him alone. So Ivan answered for him. "It's Navi spelled backwards."

"And what do you call him?"

She balled her fists, turning fully to him. "His rightful name… Link."

Navi flitted around Link's head, ready to square off with her dark reflection. "Well, then. If you call him Link, then why didn't you just go by Navi?"

"Cause I don't like that name. It's stupid. Link started calling me Ivan, because it's cooler."

Navi's glow reddened. "WHAT!" She started chasing her shadow around the small dungeon.

Link just ignored them, turning his attention back to his current dilemma. "Sorry to say, you can't have Link."

His shadow snorted.

"It's just that people would get confused. Even if you kill me, I don't think it'd stick. Besides," He smiled. "I've had it longer.

Red eyes glared at him at the comment, and the smugness of his tone.

"But we can't just call you my shadow. Or dark side, or whatever you are. You need a real name."

"Don't bother."

"What's the fun in not bothering? Now let's see….. I could just call you Shadow, but that's kinda dumb."

Dark Link just shook his head. Didn't matter what that imbecile decided to call him…. It's not like he'd respond to it.

"Hmm." Link started tracing his finger through the dirt on the dungeon floor. Following his dark side's logic, he wrote out 'Navi' then 'Ivan right next to it. Under the two names he proceeded to spell out 'Link' then reversed the letters to spell 'Knil'. Link studied the letters a bit. They looked funny that way, and he tried to think of the best way to pronounce them. Seemingly coming to a conclusion, he crossed out the 'K'. "How bout 'Knil'?"

Dark Link's whole body tensed. "What did you call me!" His eyes flared, turning fully to Link. "Did you just call me nothing?"

Link jumped back a bit at his sudden anger. Thought he said he didn't exist… why would being called nothing upset him? "What? No… not 'nil'…. 'Knil'… K-n-i-l. It's Link backwards. The k's just silent."

The tension drained from Dark Link's body, in comprehension. But his eyes still narrowed. It sounded too much alike.

Link drew in the dirt some more. "If you don't like it, I can always just adjust the spelling… how bout 'Likn'."

Dear goddess, this boy was dim. With a sigh, he slumped back against the wall. "Knil's fine."