I'm doing the unthinkable. I'm updating this story. :P

I'll be completely honest with you guys…out of everything I've written here on FF, this story is probably my least favorite. I was originally going to let it get buried in the depths of the FF abyss. However, it does have a strong following (thank you all so much!) and I've been inspired by the lovely and exceptionally talented LEva114, who is rewriting her old stories and improving them. I don't intend on rewriting the first two chapters, but I do think I can steer this sinking ship in the right direction. So, let's give this story another shot, shall we? I'm pretty stubborn and I don't like to give up. xD

There have been some questions raised about whether or not this is truly classified as pre-SS. Yes, I am taking some pretty significant liberties in order to make the story fresh and original, but it is intended to lead up to SS. If you want to think of this is an AU SS or that this occurs in a parallel universe of SS or something like that, feel free. xD

Disclaimer: I don't own the Legend of Zelda. If I did…xD
Foundation is rated "K+" for some mild language, romance, and some minor violence.

The Spark Inside

Deep breaths, Link. In, out. In, out. In…

Link sure hoped he looked a lot stronger than he felt. That momentary burst of confidence? Yeah, that disappeared the moment Link actually walked into the makeshift arena in front of the windmill. Despite it being night, Skyloft was illuminated from various manmade lights. Link could've sworn he saw a lady holding up a massive mutant firefly in one section. Where she got that from, he didn't want to know. The vibrant light reflected off of the crystallized red gem on his sword's hilt and lit up every single drop of sweat on his face. On the other side of the ring, the proven champion, cloaked from head to toe in a proud steel armor, stood up and raised his sword.

Well, that was fast. Link gulped, nodding his head slightly at Sir Valon and slowly raised his own sword. He cursed internally at his still shaking right arm—shut up and be still you stupid limb—and took another massive inhalation.

His confidence was flickering on and off like a dying light bulb. When he glanced down at the comforting pink cloth on his arm, he felt a surge of self-assurance. He didn't want to let Zelda, who believed in him far more than he did, and all of Skyloft down. On the other hand, when he looked at his challenger, all he felt was a rush of fear.

"I don't like to dilly-dally," Sir Valon said. Link winced at the sound of his booming, authoritative voice. "I am prepared to start whenever you are, boy."

Link couldn't stop his frown. Didn't Sir Valon encourage him earlier? Didn't he talk to Link as if Link was his equal? What was with the new change of attitude? Maybe the act from earlier was exactly that: an act. Or maybe Sir Valon really did think highly of Link but was putting on this "tough guy" act so when Link beat him it would seem even more impressive.

Ha! Ha ha ha ha…hah….yeah right.

So it was up to Link to make the first move, then? Fine.

Have it your way, Tin Man. I ain't afraid of you. Well...actually…

Link shook his head, wiping beads of sweat off of his brow and chewing his lip nervously. Now wasn't the time to show weakness or hesitation. Even if Link had confidence issues—and he had plenty of them, that was for sure—he couldn't show it now. Did Zelda's talk with him really mean nothing?

Link's glance fell on the pink handkerchief. He closed his eyes, tuning out the deafening roar of the crowd and blacking out the harsh light. He tried breathing deeply again. In, out. In, out. In…and out. Link was a very single-minded person. He usually didn't care, but when he did, he could only really focus on one thing at once. And when he focused, he gave 1000% effort. Now, he was focused on the duel.

He was ready.

With a short battle cry, Link rushed towards Sir Valon with his sword drawn. The experienced knight assumed a battle stance, ready for his opponent's first blow.

The clang of the two swords indicated that the battle had finally begun.

Pang!

Link's body shook as if electrocuted as his sword met Sir Valon's. Link grit his teeth, refusing to back down one inch. The big guy was certainly strong, he gave him that. After a brief moment trying to push back on Valon's sword, Link realized he could never match Sir Valon in strength. Sir Valon was one of those guys who probably lifted houses for weight practice. Link, well, wasn't so fortunate.

Link abruptly pulled back his sword, shield raised as he anticipated Sir Valon's counterstrike. He had to scout out Sir Valon's moves…without being killed, of course. As he expected, Sir Valon quickly swung his sword horizontally, bashing straight into Link's shield. Link frowned. The elder knight, well aware of the obvious size difference, was planning to bash through Link's defenses. Link endured a couple of hits, but after the third it became apparent that Sir Valon's plan was going to succeed if Link didn't do something fast. Link's shield arm was his left, and as was the case for most people, his right arm was significantly stronger than his left. So, giant size difference+weaker arm=disaster. Link made a mental note to train his left arm later. Despite the precarious and already seemingly disheartening situation, Link couldn't help but smile. Just a little bit.

Yeah, Sir Valon was 100x stronger than him. Big deal. Sure. He could go straight at Link and wear him down in two seconds flat. Easy plan, easy win.

You know the thing about easy plans? They're so freakin' predictable.

Did Sir Valon honestly expect Link was just gonna sit there and let him attack? Of course not. Link wasn't an idiot. He knew he had a major disadvantage in the strength department. But what he didn't have in strength, he made up for in speed. His blue eyes narrowed, carefully watching Sir Valon's sword movements. There should be an opening…

…there!

Just as the experienced knight was about to land another blow on Link's already throbbing shield arm, Link quickly leapt backwards, sidestepping the blade and ran straight for the knight's left arm. He turned on the jets as he sprinted, sprinted faster than he ever had, around the knight's left part of his body and went to land a blow to the back. That was it. Link almost smiled. He got 'em.

…so he thought. Unbelievably, as if Valon had eyes on the back of his head, Valon moved his right arm—in a rather uncomfortable looking position, if Link might add—so his blade stopped Link's attack. In seconds, Sir Valon had turned around and bashed his shield into an unsuspecting Link, knocking the young knight to the ground.

Link blocked out the shouts and jeers from the crowd—he couldn't afford to think about anything except the battle—and spat a drop of blood on the ground, rubbing at his tender jaw. Okay, so the big guy was a wee bit faster than Link originally anticipated.

Valon nodded at him as Link quickly stood back up. Huh. If Link didn't know any better, he would have thought Sir Valon was smiling underneath his helmet. So that approach didn't work. No matter. Link would try to find another way. He started to give another battle shout but quickly stopped when a searing pain wracked his jaw.

Well, so much for sneaking around the back. Wait a minute…maybe that approach wasn't completely lost. Once again steel clashed as Link swung at Sir Valon head on. He raised his shield as bait. As expected, Sir Valon took it. Link grit his teeth. He wasn't sure how much more he could take. It would probably be days before Link could feel his left arm again. He'd eventually have to figure out another tactic.

Okay, if the shield arm wasn't going to hold up much longer, then Link would have to make the most of his limited opportunities. Once again Sir Valon swung directly at Link, who abruptly sidestepped and ran around the left side of his body. Sir Valon quickly moved his sword arm to block the incoming attack…just like Link was expecting. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me! Link intercepted the behind-the-back attack with his sword, and as Sir Valon quickly turned around, Link rammed his shield into the strong knight's side.

Okay, this time he really got 'em.

…or so he thought.

In Link's defense, he did actually land a hit on Sir Valon. However, the hit didn't do anything. He didn't hear Sir Valon make a noise of pain. More than that, Link didn't even feel Sir Valon's body recoil from the hit. It was as if a small child hit an adult. It would feel like a fly touched them. Is that all ya got?

In his momentary shock, Link left himself wide open. Sir Valon's sword came crashing down on Link's outstretched shield arm. The chainmail strained as it struggled to prevent Sir Valon's sword from tearing through Link's flesh and although it was successful, the damage was already done. Sure, his armor prevented a severed limb, but that was about it.

It was as if a million needles stabbed him simultaneously while a rock the size of Groose's hair pounded into Link's arm. He bit down on his lip so hard that it bled, streaks of crimson staining his flesh. Link tried to suppress the scream that naturally came—no way in hell did he want to show weakness—but despite his best efforts he couldn't contain the piercing wail that left the previously electric arena dead silent.

If this was a real-life battle, Link would already be dead. However, Sir Valon made no motion to go in for the kill, pausing a moment to see if the young knight would dare to stand up.

Link clutched his left arm, cursing, cursing, cursing the tears that threatened to fall. Seriously how lame was he? How long did that battle last, two minutes? Maybe three? Did he land a single hit on Sir Valon? Sure, if a baby punching an adult classifies as a wallop. After everything Zelda did for him…after Skyloft had finally put its trust in him…

…he let them down. He let them down, just as he always did.

He was just poor crybaby Link, abandoned by his parents because even his own mother didn't want him.

"Are you okay, Link?" Sir Valon asked, his voice filled with genuine concern. Great. Even the so-called "enemy" was showing him pity. Fantastic. Just how much worse could this get?

He laid on the ground, cradling his still burning arm and refusing to look up. He refused to look into the eyes of every single Skyloftian he failed. He didn't want to see Gaepora's disappointed downcast glance. He didn't want to see Groose and his cronies laughing so hard they couldn't sit upright.

Most importantly, he didn't want to see Zelda, beautiful pure eyes brimming with tears, sobbing because her failure of a best friend couldn't do anything right.

"Get up, Link!" A confident, strong, powerful female voice cut through all of his misery and internal hell. "Get up! I know you can get up! Get up!"

Link raised his head ever-so-slightly, just so he could take a peek at the arena. He was expecting to see all of Skyloft on the floor laughing. He was expecting everyone to be jeering and calling him names. To his surprise, everyone—not just the Skyloftians, but everyone—was shouting. They were calling.

They were calling for Link to get up.

He never noticed it before, but there was an entire section of the arena covered in green and banners. Banners that had his name on it. Link opened both eyes, taking in the sight of his best friend on top of a seemingly unstable platform—he'd have to scold her for that later—hands cupped around her mouth. Her shouts were the loudest out of the entire crowd.

She was dressed in a gaudy, overdone outfit, covered in random inspirational quotes, her blond hair lazily pulled back into a ponytail. She too was covered in a sheen of perspiration as she never stopped moving, never stopped cheering for the person she always believed in. She noticed Link was looking at her—Link could've sworn she had the eyesight of a Loftwing—and only nodded once.

We believe in you, Link. I believe in you.

Ignoring all sense of pain and rational thought, Link tenderly pulled himself up. He leaned down and picked up his sword, gems still radiating in the starlight. Wiping the blood off of his chin, his once frightened blue eyes narrowed at his attacker.

The crowd exploded in cheers as Sir Valon gave his challenger an impressed nod. Link closed his eyes, once again tuning out the crowd and focusing on his battle with Sir Valon. As he breathed, in and out, over and over again, the pain in his left arm greatly diminished as the desire to win overflowed. He was going to win, damn it. He was going to win even if it killed him.

Link gave a hearty battle cry, charging at Sir Valon with all of his might. Steel clashed and blows were exchanged as the two warriors met each other blow-for-blow. When Sir Valon brought his sword down, Link brought his sword up in return. When Sir Valon swung horizontally, Link met it with a vertical strike. For moments at a time, the two swords would push back on each other, two opposing magnets desperate to best the other.

Despite his new burst of energy and confidence, there was no way Link could keep up the fight in his condition much longer. For a moment, he tried to think about the situation, and then was harshly reminded again that thinking wasn't his strongpoint. He couldn't keep going, though. Something had to change. But what?

Don't think, stupid. Feel. Feel the battle.

Link jumped backwards and allowed his adversary to study his defenses for a moment. In the mutual pause, Link began to breathe deeply again. In, and out. In, and out. Allowing his senses to relax, he closed his eyes and once again became completely immersed in the battle.

Even though his eyes were closed, it was if Link could see everything. Sir Valon was attacking from the northwest, why, if Link just sidestepped to the east and intersected the blow with a vertical slice…

Link could feel the battle. He could sense the movements not only from Sir Valon, but from everyone in the arena. His eyes could no longer play tricks on him. He no longer had to be intimidated by Sir Valon's size. He couldn't be tricked by Sir Valon's feints.

Sir Valon charged straight at him, this time from the head on. Gathering all of the courage he had within him. Link listened to the slight metal ping of Sir Valon's sword as it was carried through the night wind. He could hear the slight whoosh as the experienced knight brought his sword upwards, ready to strike. There. There was his opening.

In a move that surprised even himself, Link swiftly performed a forward roll, rolling in-between the massive knight's legs. As he came out of the roll, Link quickly performed a horizontal slice, his sword penetrating the soft skin of Sir Valon's knee. The sword strike was performed with perfect precision—right in the weak spot of Sir Valon's protective garments. Link did not swing hard enough to completely sever the limb—although he could have if he needed to—only to render Sir Valon virtually immobile.

Now it was the experienced knight's turn to give an audible yell, a shout so poignant that it silenced the involved cry. Link got up and finally opened his eyes, watching, watching, watching as Sir Valon fell to the ground, panting heavily as he dug his sword into the ground and used it as some sort of crutch.

All Link had to do was hold his sword at Sir Valon's neck and he'd be declared the victor.

I won, Zelda! I won!

Link couldn't help but smile as he raised his sword arm to bring down near Sir Valon, who was over to the right a couple of paces. Wait a minute, was he to the right? Or was he to the center? And why were there two of him? On that note…

…why was the world spinning?

Link let out a cry, desperately trying to keep himself awake as the world continued to spin and familiar voices morphed into possessed screams. He tried to zone in on Zelda's voice, to think of her and only of her, but after a moment he couldn't even recognize her.

Not now. Not now, darn it! I'm so close! I've come too far!

He desperately reached out for the being he believed Zelda, even dropping his sword in the process, his vision swirling around her spot on the precarious platform. She reached for him, screamed for him to hang in there, but he couldn't hear. All he could hear were screams, screams from the netherworld of pain and suffering.

Darkness threatened to overtake him, his world turning from a bright shade of white to a somber gray. The gray transitioned into a harsh shade of midnight.

He knew of only one thing. A feeling, a feeling so horrible it would forever scar his spirit. A feeling of pain, loneliness, and despair. A feeling that called itself failure.

I lost.

So there you have it. It's a bit short, but I felt like it was an appropriate place to end. I wasn't sure how long to make the duel, but I felt that was a sufficient length. Of course, if this was a TV show/game/movie it would be a lot longer and better, but… xD

I hope my action writing wasn't too terrible. Still trying to work on it. xD Anyways, I do feel a lot better about writing this story after this chapter.

If you see some grammar errors/typos, please forgive me (but let me know!) as I can read a chapter 10 times and still miss my own mistakes. Please leave a review! It would fill my heart with rainbows and daisies.

Thank you to all of you who patiently waited for this story, as I did give up on it for the better portion of a year.

Thank you again everyone and I'll see you later! (Wherever and whenever that may be. xD)