A/N: Thank you all so much for the warm response to story! It really means a lot. If you have any questions feel free to ask. Also, sorry it's a bit short, but its finals week and I'm stressed as all get out. I plan on updating every other day, and hopefully I'll be able to stick to that schedule.

Awakening pt. 2 - July 4th, 2010

Thump-thump

One heartbeat, and adrenaline was already flooding Link's veins. It crashed cold throughout his being, and the boy responded out of instinct. Vision sharpening, breathing slowing, and his mind turning as steely as the knife which inched towards to his throat; time seemed to slow to a creep as his body prepared for battle.

Thump-thump

Two heartbeats. Link's muscles twitched and burned with anticipation. Muscle-memory shifted his footing into a fighting stance, his hand already moving to intercept the man's attack. Skin slamming into skin, the boy leaned back to ensure that the knife didn't clip his neck. He guided the other man's blade away from the fight, and countered with a swift jab to the windpipe.

Thump-thump

At three heartbeats, the boy pressed his advantage. His attacker was dazed and gasping for air, and Link used the brief moment to shift behind the man. He grabbed at his opponents knife arm, twisting it backward until it was taught. He raised an open palm, placed where the blow would land, and struck with as much force as he could muster.

A sickening crunch filled the heavy air, and the man crumpled to the ground. Pained whines escaped his lips every so often, but he made no move against Link. He didn't much at all, really. Broken bones have an odd tendency of slowing people down.

Bending down to pick up the fallen knife, Link's previously steady breath returned to its once ragged state. He had no idea where any of that came from. His body moved without his knowledge, preserving itself technique that begot years of training. Even now, as the boy held the knife, he could feel his hand shift into what must have been the best striking position for weapon. Link was getting tired of all the mystery and surprise that today brought.

"What the hell are you?"

Link turned his head down towards the man again. He knew the sounds that he was making were probably words, but he couldn't piece together what he meant. The boy crouched low, taking a long look at the person who attacked him. He had a feeling that language wasn't the only difference between himself and the people who live…wherever he was now.

"G-get away from me!"

The man tried to crawl away from Link, grunting as every inch he moved agonized his arm. A small twinge of guilt hit the boy for causing the man that much pain. He was in a foreign place, and for all he knew 'knife to the face' was how people around here greeted each other. Link sighed, running a now-slightly-shaking free hand through his hair, and stopped walking towards his attacker. Regardless of the man's intent, the boy felt as if he shouldn't escalate the situation any further.

Walking out of the alley, Link got his first full sight of the city in which he found himself. Buildings soared like mountains, beetle-like metal monstrosities tore across streets with reckless aggression, and even as the night sky soared above, masses of tightly packed bodies marched to the beat of an unknown drummer as they hurried to their respective destinations.

It was the vastness, and the crowdedness, of the city that hit him first. Link couldn't fathom where to go in the wide expanse of this stone wilderness, nor who would even want to help him.

He felt paralyzed. Link couldn't even speak the language, and worse, he didn't know how anyone would be able to help him. It was his memory that was the issue. Link wasn't sure there was anyone who could reach into his mind and force it to mend.

He stood there for a little while, just watching the city move. That feeling of freezing, of not knowing where to move, kept him in place. But as the seconds ticked by, he could feel his resolve begin to return to him. All he had was his name and a blade, but somewhere, deep in the recesses of his being, Link knew that was all he needed.

One step out onto the sidewalk, and Link entered the wilderness that was Gotham City.