PART III:
Shadows of the Future

"Hey CJ, I was wondering something..."

"What's on your mind, Shay?" CJ asked. He and Shaylene were walking around at his work.

"I was just thinking... Do you think it's possible for their to be other Light Eaters around?" Shaylene asked.

"I don't see why not." CJ said. "I suppose it's also possible for there to be people or creatures with similar abilities that feed on other elements as well."

"I wonder what other things have been born or created as a result of the N-Sphere..." Shaylene said.

"Well, we already know about the worlds of Nintendo, our powers, the creatures from those worlds, and these... Element Eaters." CJ said. "It stands to reason that other elements of my stories may have come to life, or may potentially come to life."

"Like Duel Monsters and the cast of Yu-Gi-Oh?" Shaylene asked.

"It's a theory." CJ said. "But I was thinking our individual mastery of our powers. Some of us may have better instincts on how to handle and control our powers."

"Which would explain why you had no trouble teaching the rest of us about our powers almost as soon as the N-Sphere's effect began making themselves seen." Shaylene said.

"Exactly." CJ said, as the two entered one of the nearby buildings. "In my stories, I had my powers since the age of 10. Though my stories varied in terms of when everyone else got their powers. In early versions of my stories, I still got my powers at age 10, but everyone else got them in their late teens or early 20s. With the exception of you. You got your powers around age 12. But in the later stories, and in the life we were given by the Crystal Wii Remote, everyone's powers were awakened on their tenth birthday."

"So... which story do you think it brought to life?" Shaylene questioned.

"Based on the training we all did, I think the Crystal Wii Remote story." CJ said. "But even though we all got our powers at age 10, as the oldest of the group, I have the best mastery of my powers."

"And as the youngest, I guess I have the least mastery...?" Shaylene wondered.

"...Kind of..." CJ said hesitantly.

"Of course." Shaylene said.

"But still... 7 years of training isn't something to be taken lightly. You should still instinctively have excellent control of your powers." CJ said.

"You think so?" Shaylene asked.

"I know so." CJ said, as the two exited the building and began wandering around the outside of the campus again. Without warning, Shaylene stopped walking and started scanning her surroundings.

"CJ..."

"What's wrong?" CJ asked.

"There's a Light Eater around..." Shaylene said.

"Shit... I can feel a Shadow Eater as well." CJ said. He focused for a moment, and Shaylene felt a small rush of magic run through her body.

"What are you doing?" Shaylene asked.

"I've set up a sort of magic current." CJ said. "I'm passing my magic back and forth between our bodies, using my amulet to alter its properties as I do. That way, I can keep you from being affected by the Light Eater."

"And you too, right?" Shaylene asked.

"It's far enough away that I'm barely noticing its effects." CJ said.

"Here's a question for you... Why would a Light Eater and a Shadow Eater be here on a Sunday?" Shaylene wondered. "The campus is deserted. What source of energy could they possibly be looking for?"

"That answer is obvious." CJ said. "Us. This Light Eater and Shadow Eater are likely going after our energy specifically."

"But why?" Shaylene asked

"Simple." CJ said. "We've made enemies since the N-Sphere's detonation. People are bound to come hunting for us." He stopped for a moment.

"What's up?" Shaylene questioned.

"I've been trying to focus in on the energy signatures of the Light Eater and the Shadow Eater." CJ said. "And the Light Eater is right over there." CJ motioned to a three-story building not too far from them. He gathered energy in his hand, keeping it down at his side, and Shaylene watched in amazement as a man atop the building's roof began stumbling around. She looked closer and could tell that he was gasping for air. As she watched, he stumbled around for a few moments before collapsing atop the roof. CJ stood there, focusing his energy for a few more moments. "By the time he wakes back up, we'll be gone. And the Shadow Eater just vanished."

"Just like that?" Shaylene asked.

"It likely could tell that it's abilities were having little effect on me, and after what I just did to their comrade, I doubt they wanted to stick around and face us." CJ said.

"I can't say I-" Shaylene paused.

"What now? What do you-" CJ stopped. He felt a strange, almost burning sensation in his left hand. He looked down to see the Triforce of Power glowing strongly. Shaylene's hand was aglow with the Triforce of Wisdom.

"Where's Stacey?" Shaylene asked.

CJ glanced at his watch. "Sleeping, most likely."

"So explain what's making our Triforces glow..." Shaylene said.

"The only explanation would be someone who once held the Triforce." CJ said. "The only possible suspect that comes to mind is Ganondorf."

"But how?" Shaylene asked. "Shouldn't he be dead?"

"You've played Skyward Sword haven't you?" CJ asked.

"Demise's curse?" Shaylene asked.

"Exactly." CJ said. "When the first Hero defeated Demise, Demise eternally cursed those who bear the spirit of the Hero and the blood of the Goddess. Swore that an incarnation of his hatred would forever rise up against them."

"But you have the Triforce of Power..." Shaylene said. "I thought the curse would be the rift caused between me and Stacey because of our mutual feelings for you."

"Not really." CJ said. "There's no darkness fueling the feud between you, nor is it bringing any harm to either of you."

"Stacey would disagree." Shaylene said. "If you ask her, the feelings you have for me brings all kinds of harm to her."

"I know." CJ said. "And I guess maybe in a way it does. But it's certainly not a manifestation of Demise's curse."

"Since you have the Triforce of Power, do you think that the curse could somehow manifest itself within you?" Shaylene questioned.

"It's certainly a possibility." CJ said. "With the Triforce of Power in my possession, and a natural ability to command the shadows, I suppose I'm a prime candidate for Demise's hatred to corrupt me."

"That doesn't exactly fill me with a warm, fuzzy feeling." Shaylene said.

"I know." CJ said. He looked at his now bare hand. "But on the positive side, it appears that our Triforces have stopped resonating."

"So, Ganondorf disappeared..." Shaylene said.

"If it even was Ganondorf in the first place." CJ said.

"Well, what else... or who else could it have been?" Shaylene asked.

"I can't say." CJ said. "But what I can say for sure is we're gonna have to really be on our guard. Clearly, someone or something is out to get us."

Shaylene clenched her fists and stood in a defensive pose, both hands surrounded by a golden aura.

"Yeah, well no one's laying a finger on my best friend!" She exclaimed. "Not a Shadow Eater, not Ganondorf, not even Demise! I'll destroy anyone who tries to harm you." CJ couldn't help but smile.

"I'm glad you feel that way, but I'm not sure if you're ready-" Shaylene interrupted him.

"Don't say I'm not ready." She said. "You've always looked out for me. You've always protected me. It's time I return the favor. I want to protect you."

"I'm glad to hear that." CJ said. "You're gonna need that confidence, that courage. I have a feeling things are only going to get harder from here on out. I'm glad to hear that you're willing to face anything that comes at us." He glanced at his phone. "What? It's already time to go home? Damn, today flew by fast."

Later that week...

CJ was directing traffic near one of the buildings near the main entrance of the campus when a familiar silver car pulled into the parking lot.

"Excuse me, ma'am, this is permit parking onl-" He had almost finished his sentence before realizing who it was. "Oh, hey Jennette."

"Morning, dude." Jennette said.

"This is still permit parking, y'know." CJ said.

"Anyone out giving out tickets?" Jennette asked.

"Not yet." CJ said.

"Then I'm fine. I'll be gone by then." Jennette said.

"So, what's up?" CJ asked.

"I dunno... I didn't really have a specific reason for being here..." Jennette said. "I guess I'm bored."

"So you drove all the way over here because you're bored?" CJ questioned.

"Well yeah. Mom and Dad are at work, and Shay started school yesterday." Jennette said.

"How did her first day go?" CJ asked. "Any supernatural problems?"

"Not that she mentioned, no." Jennette said. "Why? Are you expecting any?"

"I wouldn't say 'expecting'." CJ said. "But we felt a Light Eater and a Shadow Eater here over the weekend."

"Wait... there are creatures that can eat other elements?" Jennette asked.

"Yeah." CJ said. "Something, or someone, also caused our Triforces to glow."

"So yeah, you're expecting something." Jennette said.

"No, I'm just... yeah, I guess I'm kinda expecting something." CJ said.

"Maybe we should-"

"What? What is it?" CJ asked. "Why did-?" He paused. "Oh... Shadow Eater..."

"I think I'm sensing a Spirit Eater too..." Jennette said.

"Muster up whatever excess energy you can." CJ said. "If we can summon some magic scouts, we can scope out the high school and make sure Shay's okay. Speaking of which, did you come up with a name for your magic sort of cloning technique?"

"Spirit Specters... I know it's kind of lame, but..." Jennette said.

"Eh... the name isn't important." CJ shrugged. "The technique is all that matters." The two focused for a moment, quickly summoning 4 clone scouts each. They began scanning the hallways of the high school and were shocked when they heard the school bells ring 5 times in rapid succession.

"That's the lockdown signal." Jennette said.

"Focus on Shay's energy." CJ said. "Full speed to her classroom." The two focused, quickly locating Shaylene's class. They each sent one of their scouts to the class, where they saw the students were gathering toward the back of the class, away from the door. As their scouts entered the room, their eyes widened.

"Do you feel that?" Jennette asked.

"A Light Eater." CJ said. "We need to get her out."

"But how?" Jennette asked. "She can't leave the classroom, and everyone will notice if she just vanishes."

"There's no easy way to do it." CJ said. "We're gonna have to freak out the class." He focused for a moment and Shaylene vanished from her class, only to reappear in front of CJ and Jennette.

"Guys, something was draining my energy." Shaylene said.

"We know." CJ said. "That's why we pulled you out of school."

"Wait…" Shaylene looked around. "Haven't you said not to teleport out in the open where people can see us?"

"Yes. But there weren't any options." CJ said. "I didn't graduate that long ago. I know the school was in lockdown." The three then sensed a new energy signature, and they began looking around.

"CJ…" Shaylene whispered, pointing to a woman walking out of a nearby building. "That's the principal." CJ realized the energy was coming from her.

"Chrono Freeze." He whispered, and everything around them stopped moving and was drained of color. People, traffic, animals. The entire area was bathed in shades of gray. All frozen in time. Except CJ, the girls, and not surprisingly, the principal.

"I'm not surprised you sensed my magic." The principal said.

"What do you know about Element Eaters?" CJ questioned.

"Creatures that feed off of the elemental magic of others." The principal said. "Yes. We've gained quite a negative reputation in the realm of magic."

"We?" CJ asked. "You're an Element Eater?"

"Yes." The principal said. "I'm an Ice Eater myself."

"Are you aware of the presence of a Light Eater within your school?" CJ asked.

"Ah yes, Mrs Keating." The principal said.

"My Earth Science teacher is a Light Eater?" Shaylene questioned. "That explains why I felt so weak."

"She's feeding off of your magic?" The principal questioned. "No wonder she called me about someone with a gun… She wanted the school in lockdown so I wouldn't discover she was draining your energy. I can't believe she would willingly drain the magic of a student. Especially to the point where it was noticeable."

"So… what are you going to do?" Shaylene asked.

"She will be dealt with accordingly." The principal said. "For the time being, take the rest of the day off. I will figure out something so that your teachers excuse your absence and your parents don't find out you were out for the day."

"How?" Jennette asked.

"Let me sweat the details." The principal said. "You just worry about your sister."

"Thank you." Shaylene said.

"You're very welcome, Miss Johnson."