Opposites attract

Opposites attract

Shadow was having trouble figuring it out if it was possible for a shadow could get drunk at the bar. He had gone through twenty of the bar's strongest drinks, much to nearby patrons' amazement, and was barely buzzed. Though of all the things he wanted to get off of his mind, he wanted to get Green off the least. That surprised him, because he knew that Green would never love him back, and it made his chest tighten to unbearable lengths.

He had been talking with a man he met at the bar. A pirate captain by the name of Roy. He was a strikingly good looking man, with a slender build that bellied a fierce will that surpassed almost any man's. Though Roy was one of the most honorable pirates Shadow had ever met. He only robbed from truly criminal pirates, and he gave to the needy. This instantly made him Shadow's friend, since he'd been trying to turn over a new leaf, just for Green.

They had been exchanging their stories of all the adventures they had. Shadow had significantly less stories to tell Roy, since he never actually "Lived" before the Four Sword. Roy, however, had hundreds of stories to tell the little shadow. Stories of the seas, of battles, of tragedy and of love. It was the stories of love that troubled Shadow the most, as he knew that soon Roy would ask him about his love life. Which he soon did, much to the other man's dismay.

"She was a beautiful, great woman, with eyes that glittered like the moonlight itself. What about you, Shadow? Do you have a love interest?" The pirate captain finished speaking with one of the questions that Shadow would find hard to answer his entire life. But he gave in.

"Yeah. Yeah, I do." Shadow replied nervously.

"Really? Who?" The pirate captain was getting more than a little anxious.

"Well, h-he's sleeping upstairs…"

"I see… Wait, HE?!"

Shadow could barely fight back overwhelming want to just go and lock himself in his room until the storm blew over. Of all people he could fall in love with, of all the people in the world, why'd it have to be him? "Yeah, go ahead and mock me. You won't be the first."

Shadow turned back to Roy to gaze upon the eminent face of disgust, shock, and horror, only to be met with one of the warmest smiles he had ever gotten from someone. Needless to say, Shadow was completely taken aback by Roy's response.

This was the second time Shadow had been contemplating North Hyrule's sense of 'ideals'. Maybe it truly was different from Central Hyrule.

Shadow was stirred from his contemplations by a firm pat on the back from Roy, and an accompanying "I'm proud of you Shadow. You've found true love."

Shadow was confused by how Roy knew this love to be true, but it must have been just like Vio had said. Maybe he really did brighten and smile at the mere mention of his name.

"That may be true, but I just don't know how to tell him. It's all so confusing!" Shadow buried his head in his hands, trying desperately to drive away the headache that had been forming. Roy however, was propping himself with his back against the bar for reasons of comfort, when his eyes went wide as saucers. One sideways glance from told Shadow everything. That was one of two things. Either A, There was a Moblin or other extremely grotesque figure standing behind him, or B, Green had been standing behind them the entire conversation and had heard everything. Shadow thought of all the possibilities and went with the worst possible scenario. Green was standing behind him. Goddesses, why do you hate me so? Have I still not atoned for my crimes? And with that final thought, Shadow turned around in his seat to meet the face of the Harbinger of Death.

However, instead of the traditional Four Sword, or which would have confirmed Shadow's thoughts; a scythe, Shadow was met with something completely different then Sacred steel. It had been the thing that he had wanted most in life for two long years. Before Shadow had a chance to react, Green had swept Shadow into a tight embrace, with a gentler embrace between the two men's lips. Shadow's eyes went so wide Roy thought he could actually see Shadow's soul through them, but they soon went back to normal, and soon became half-lidded as he sank into the kiss.

Before he knew what was happening, he had one arm around his love, and the other hand cupping his face as he put all of his affection into that one, simple kiss. In the distant yet close background, Shadow could just make out a song being sung. It was a light tune, while melancholic at the same time. He wanted to think it was being sung just for them, and unbeknownst to him, it was, seeing as how everyone in the tavern had noticed the lip-locked couple.

When I see your smile,
Tears roll down my face

I can't replace
And now that I'm strong I have figured out,
How this world turns cold and it breaks through my soul
And I know I'll find deep inside me, I can be the one.

The two were now slowly rocking back and forth in each others arms at this point, forced to break the happiest moment of their lives by the painful reminder that no matter how deep love is, Hylians still need to breathe.

I will never let you fall (let you fall),
I'll stand up with you forever
I'll be there for you through it all (through it all),
Even if saving you sends me to heaven.

It's okay. It's okay. It's okay.
Seasons are changing,
And waves are crashing,
And stars are falling all for us
Days grow longer and nights grow shorter,
I can show you I'll be the one

"I love you Shadow." Green told his look-alike.

"And I you, my love."

Green chuckled inwardly at this, thinking that no one could ever break the ice that had formed around his heart after Shadow's death. He had to admit to himself, he had been emotionless and bitter for the better of two years. Woman after woman had pledged for his heart and hand, only to be shot down without remorse or at best as a second thought. But Shadow had cracked that ice with his own icy-warmth. And he loved him for it.

"How long have you felt this way about me, Green?"

"Please, Shadow, call me Link."

"Well, Gre- I mean Link, how long have you thought about me this way?"

"Since about half-way through our adventure to stop Vaati."

"Heh, me too." Shadow said this and immediately had the look of remembrance, "Ah shit, Vaati!" He immediately smacked his forehead because Link looked up at him with a look of worry and shock.

"What is it Shadow? What about Vaati?" He had heard, alright, and he was angry that Shadow had hidden something from him that was as big as having something to do with Vaati, of all people.

I will never let you fall (let you fall),
I'll stand up with you forever
I'll be there for you through it all (through it all) ,
Even if saving you sends me to heaven

Cuz you're my, you're my, my, my true love, my whole heart,
Please don't throw that away
Cuz I'm here for you,
Please don't walk away and
Please tell me you'll stay whoa, stay whoa

Humorously enough, Link had calmed down enough to stop asking questions about Vaati. All he had to say was, "You'll know soon enough." And Link quieted down. Though they were very tired of standing and decided to sit down. Unfortunately, both seats were taken by his side. One by Roy, and the other a woman who tried flirting with him earlier, only to be extremely disappointed when she heard Shadow was gay.

Yes, he said it. He. Was. Gay. It was all made clear with Link sitting on his lap. Most would find it annoying to have a Seventeen year old man sitting on your lap, but Shadow found it was perfect. With his chin resting in Link's golden hair, he took in the sweet man that was his Link. His Link. Not Hyrule's, not Zelda's, and definitely not another man. He was his from now until forever. His arms were wrapped around him tightly, clinging to him as if for dear life.

Use me as you will,
Pull my strings just for a thrill
And I know I'll be okay,
Though my skies are turning gray (gray)

I will never let you fall,
I'll stand up with you forever
I'll be there for you through it all,
Even if saving you sends me to heaven

Yes, his Link. Just as how he was Link's. Shadow figured that Link had fallen asleep, so he let out a loud sigh.

"What's the matter, Shadow?"

Shadow was startled out of his near sleep by the voice. He quickly took a glance to his side to note that it was only Roy, feeling a little considered for the man with the new-found love. Roy had to say, Shadow, the emotionally distraught young man who gave off a foreboding appearance and aura, now looked more like a adorable young man, what with the Hero of Hyrule asleep in his lap.

"Nothing. Its nothing."

"Well I don't think its nothing."

"Really, its nothing. I don't need any help right now. I think I'll just take Link off to bed. I could really use some sleep.

"I understand. I'll be sitting here in the morning probably. If I'm not, my room is 203. See ya'."

Shadow barely heard Roy except for "My room is 203." He had been too preoccupied with carrying his new-found love up the flights of stairs to their rooms. Unfortunately, Shadow's plan was to just get some sleep and tell the guys the next day, but he didn't get as far as his bedroom.

"So, Shadow, what happened?" Shadow froze in place at the sound of Vio's calm voice. Shadow turned his head to find Vio leaning against a wall next to the stairs he had just come up. He hadn't even noticed Vio standing there, and probably wouldn't have if he hadn't spoken.

"Not much. We just confessed our love for each other. You know, nothing big," Shadow told the grinning Vio with a shrug of the shoulders.

"Well, I think I can take him off you for the night; I don't know how he'd react to waking up beside you in bed. And I think it best we don't find out this soon in your relationship." Vio told the increasingly wearying shadow as he slowly transferred the sleeping man from his new friend's arms.

Shadow stretched out a little after being lifted of his sleeping beauty, "You know, for such a slender body he sure weighs a lot!"

Vio looked at him with a raised eyebrow, "Are you calling me fat?"

Shadow looked completely confused for a moment and then mentally slapped himself when he remembered the whole Four-Link-Clones thing. "Aw crap. Sorry, I forgot about that. What I meant to say is that Link is heavy!"

Vio, again, raised an eyebrow at Shadow, only this time without a question.

Shadow noticed this, and then remembered he hadn't told anyone that Green wanted to be called Link now. "Yeah, he said something about me calling him Link after I kissed him." Shadow was turning a barely noticeable pink in the face, but Vio, being the one who takes in all the sights, spotted this immediately and chuckled.

"He-he. Now I remember. It was a little bet he and Blue had made between each other. I think it was along the lines of, 'Whoever got their true love to kiss them and actually mean it with all their heart and soul. Now that I think about it, did you mean it, in that kiss?"

Shadow looked a little shocked at Vio's sudden change in belief of Link and Shadow's love. "Of course I meant it! You think I would miss the chance that I've been waiting for for two and a half years?!"

The purple-clad warrior turned his head, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have doubted you like that. Please accept my apology."

Vio snapped back around when a firm hand gripped his shoulder. "I will only accept your apology if you get him in that room," Shadow told Vio, pointing to the four Link's room, "and into a bed."

The man's face twitched into a sort of smile as he turned to go into the room, as he turned to see Shadow unlocking his door, albeit with some difficulty, "See you in the morning, Shadow!"

The shadow man didn't even turn back to see off his friend for the night, opting to just wave over his shoulder, still trying to get the door opened, and shout, "Same here! If I ever get this Goddess damned door opened!!" After about a half-hour of struggling with the door, he finally yelled out, "Ganon take this Goddess damned door and throw it into the depths of the Dark World!"

It would only seem ironic that exactly after finishing that sentence, the door swung open, throwing a very shocked Shadow halfway across the room and skid comically to a halt.

He looked upon the room for the culprit of the jammed door, only to find that whatever it was had bounced to somewhere in the room, not to be found until he started packing again.

He slowly pulled himself up off the floor and into his warm, cozy bed. He didn't complain about the clock from Termina hanging on the wall, as its steady ticking had lulled him to sleep many times. And it just so happened that tonight was no different. The rhythmic lullaby of the clock slowly but steadily caused Shadow's eyelids to grow heavy after the night's recent events, and brought him into a well-deserved realm of slumber and serenity.

--

While his four brothers were sound asleep, in their worlds of pleasant dreams, one purple-colored Link was tossing and turning in a realm of nightmares and horrendous memories. It was one such memory in particular that had haunted him forever since its happening.

The four Links were standing atop the Tower of Winds in the final standoff with their nemesis, Gufuu. His three brethren wounded and barely able to stand, and with Gufuu in a similar state, one specific Purple-clad warrior had the duty of vanquishing the evil from Hyrule for good.

He raced towards the hovering evil eye, dodging and twisting by the multitude of arms with as much grace as Din herself. He finally got close enough and summoned Farore's courage to guide him into leaping onto on of the outstretched arms and made his way up to the eye in the center of the enormous blob. He called upon Nayru's wisdom to read the arms movements and counter-balance them equivalently.

Finally, he made it close enough to the center to strike. He called upon all of the power he had as he thrust the Four Sword deep into Gufuu's eye. The demi-god howled in pain, and at that moment, Shadow sent the Dark Mirror crashing to the ground.

Vio watched as Gufuu's enormous body dissolved into nothingness in front of him, his sword still deeply imbedded in the center. He watched the husk shrink around his sword.

He expected wisps of black smoke.

He found Vaati with Vio's sword through his chest.

The world around the Sorcerer and Hero seemed to go in slow-motion as they glided soundlessly to the ground. As they touched the floor of the tower, Vio caught the mage in his arms as he stumbled, and withdrew his sword from Vaati's chest.

He noticed not when the others grouped around the fallen mage. He noticed not when Zelda moved into the group. He took no notice for he cared not for anything but the dying mage in his arms. The wishing cap fell off of Vaati's head as it drooped near the ground.

With a great load of effort, Vaati had turned his head back to the sky. And as would be expected of a dying man, Vaati whispered his final words among his final breaths.

"I… Know, I cannot… ask for your… forgiveness… for my actions… But please believe… me when I tell you… it was not in my… intentions to hurt anyone… I had used the wishing cap… to become powerful… to be accepted by others… but as my… intentions and heart… were not pure, I could not control the power… that surged through my body… when I donned the cap… Gufuu took over… and left me to… weep in the corner of my mind… I know… I could never ask for forgiveness… for what I've done… But please… as a man's dying request… forgive my master Ezlo… for creating this fool of a man… and forgive Shadow… for he was the only friend… this mage ever knew…"

And with that, Vaati took his final breath and died in Vio's arms. He looked not upon the weeping Princess. He looked not upon his comrades as they turned their heads as to force back the urge to weep for the used mage and their inability to honor his dying request, for Shadow had already died in Green's arms, much the same way as Vaati had died. He did not look for he was blinded by an ocean of tears.

"Well, well. Now isn't this just so touching?" a deep voice boomed off the walls of the tower as Ganon himself emerged from a great ocean of darkness.

"How can you call yourself a 'Hero' know, little 'Vio'? You just murdered a completely innocent man who only wished to be accepted by others. Some 'Hero' you turned out to be. Your just as bad as I am."

"Don't talk to him like that you pig-faced bastard!" Blue was starting to get fed up with Ganon's trash, and he was going to show it, right down through Ganon's black heart.

Vio was not joining the others in their defensive stances for he feared that if he set down the mage for a fraction of a second, he would disappear in a puff of smoke like everything else he had so absent-mindedly slaughtered.

He was fighting back the urge not to call out his name in a futile attempt to bring Vaati back from the dead.

He lost that fight.

He lifted his head towards the heavens as he screamed the name of the only man he would ever grow to love, and that man would never be alive to tell him so.

"VAATI!!"

His passionate cry rang through the sky so greatly, and so overflowing with emotions that even The Three had heard him, and the Fierce Deity roused from his slumber for a few moments.

Most astonishingly though was at that moment, Vio's eyes lit up and were consumed by an ethereal white, and he was lifted from the ground an inch as ancient, archaic symbols and arrays sprung up around him. And in a flurry of feathers and gusts an immense angel appeared behind Vio, and opened his arms and unfurled his majestic white wings as a great ray of holy light tore through the heavens, hitting Ganon directly. Vanquishing him.

Vio's eyes returned to their normal misty blue as the symbols, arrays, and the angel disappeared with nothing left behind but a large amount of otherworldly white feathers flowed to the ground. Taking Vio along with them.

Vio awoke from the nightmare with a start. He looked out the window as he looked upon the sunrise as he remembered him. Vaati… Why had he been taken from them so early in his life?

Vio walked over to the windowsill and propped himself against it. The sky was turning every hue of red and orange, mostly purple with the gray of night still upon them. Sunset. It reminds me of him. The night was lifting, as well as the storm…

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Finally! Chapter 3 is up! I hope I did a good job at it. Sorry for making you guys wait so long. :'( But, it's turned out nicely. And the italics are meant as thought, except for the dream. You'll get to find out Red and Blue's new names in the next chapter, so keep reading! And I'll keep writing! By the way, any help with my story, mostly maps of Four Swords Adventures Hyrule would help A LOT. And you may get a spot in the story! Videos would be most helpful too.

Well till next time. Bye!