Chapter 13

A Prophecy Fulfilled

Link and Cimar stood in the center of the throne room. The room was empty except for the table and chairs that Zelda had been placed on and the thrones where the King Hyrule and Zelda sat. They were waiting for Dark Link to arrive. They gripped their swords tightly in their hands, ready at a moments notice. They heard another boom echoed across the castle. The main doors of the throne room burst open and a dark cloud started to fill the room, smothering the candles throughout the room. As the room went dark, they heard a cackling laugh fill the entire chamber. The two were prepared for this situation since it was the same way Dark Link had come in the last time. Cimar held the hand that held the Ameon in the air. A small disc formed in the center of his palm slowly growing and starting to spin. Cimar smashed his hand to the ground creating a shockwave of light dissipating all of the black clouds that it touched. Link brought one of his hands behind him which started to glow with a red aura. He lifted the object in his hands forward and smashed it to the ground as well. All around him a sphere of fire grew, consuming all in its path. The two looked up to see that almost all of the clouds had disappeared and the several of the candles and lamps that lit the throne room had been relit by Din's Fire.

Link and Cimar heard clapping resonating throughout the room and stared towards the throne where they thought the sound was coming from. The last of the clouds dissipated and they saw Dark Link sitting on the kings throne clapping.

"Good show, good show. I think that you should do that more often." They stared at Dark Link, but was it really him? The power of the triforce had altered him. Before he had been almost an exact match of Link but now…

His black tunic had been replaced by black armor covering him from head to toe; his sword replaced by one that stood as large as the Biggorons sword that Link had and his hat was gone. The only thing that had not changed was his face. The cruelty and malice dancing in his eyes was the same as before. Dark Link smiled malevolently, eyeing the two people in front of him.

"I was wondering where you had gone, for a second I thought that you had run away," his expression changing to one of mock sadness, then he broke into another laugh. "That might have been the better decision to make you know. When I absorbed the triforce of power from Ganondorf, my power grew to heights that have never been scaled before, that coupled with the pain and suffering of this people, I have become even more powerful than the goddesses!" Lightning cracked outside and thunder shook the castle. "Even the earth and the heavens fear what I have become…" his words echoing around the room. "Do you still wish to fight?"

His answer was an energy blast from Cimar that he quickly smacked away with a flip of his hand. Dark Link smiled, "Good, I was hoping that was your answer."

Cimar fired another energy ball and watched as his blast connected with the throne and blast it apart but there was no Dark Link there. He heard a sound behind and started to look back when he felt a knee crash into his side and then a hilt of a sword smashing into his back sending him flying across the room. He slid to a stop and got up, shaking his head trying to think of what just happened. Link saw what happened to Cimar and heard a laugh echoing around the room then saw Dark Link appear less than two feet in front of him.

"Boo."

Dark Link smashed his fist into Link's face with such power that it sent him to the floor in an instant. He jumped to his feet but Dark Link was gone again. He started to look around but then turned around when he thought he heard a sound. Dark Link had his sword up and was bringing it down on Link when he blocked it with his shield. Link followed up with his own slash that was easily parried by his opponent. For a minute Link continued his assault with each attack meeting with the same results. Dark Link had begun to laugh all the while blocking each of Links attacks with ease causing Link to become even more enraged.

Link dropped to the floor after his last attack and tried to catch Dark Link off guard by knocking his legs out from under him with a sweeping kick. Dark Link leapt backwards to avoid the kick and then leapt back forward, kneeing Link in the chest as he was getting up. Link's body was forced up by the power of the attack and was met by a blast of charged up energy that hit him in the stomach. He was blown backward, his tunic burnt and his body filled with pain where the energy had hit him. He slid to a stop next to Cimar who helped him back up. Dark Link appeared in the center of the room, laughing at the fun he was having.

"Is that all you two have?" Dark Link scoffed. "I haven't even broken a sweat. Come on, give me a challenge, and if you aren't going to give me that, I might as well kill you outright."

Link whispered something to Cimar that he could barely hear. Cimar understood and grinned.

"I think I can do that, stay close though, otherwise you might be hit as well."

They watched as Dark Link disappeared again and they heard movement behind them. "Cimar, now!"

They were well rewarded when they heard a crackle and looked back to see Dark Link being blown backwards by Cimar's shield, his sword smoking in his hand. They both charged at their opponent while he was distracted. Dark Link saw them coming and blocked both of their swords at once. Dark Link smiled, "I guess it is time then." He threw their swords off of his and aimed a horizontal slice at both of them which Link countered while Cimar tried to attack while Dark Link was occupied.

Their battle raged for minutes with Link and Cimar on either side of Dark Link trying to get in the first hit with Dark Link parrying every blow although a little line of sweat had started to appear on his forehead. Dark Link decided to try something different. He slashed at Link which made him jump backwards to avoid it. When Link tried to rush forward, a wall of flames erupted in front of him as Dark Link turned and focused his attention on Cimar. Another minute went by and Cimar had been pushed back several yards. He was almost entirely on defense and barely had any time to think ahead. He blocked another strike and then tried to parry a horizontal slice aimed at his side. The impact of the blow jolted Cimar and he lost his balance for a second. It was too much time. Dark Link kicked Cimar in his side sending him flying against the wall of the throne room and then stabbed his sword into Cimar's shoulder.

Cimar screamed in pain as Dark Link pulled his sword out and let him drop to the floor. Dark Link let down the barrier preventing Link from joining the fight and turned away from Cimar. It was a mistake. Cimar charged energy in his hand and shot it at the retreating figure and hit Dark Link straight in the back causing him to stumble forward. Link had just arrived and slashed at Dark Links right, who noticed it and tried to block it. Link felt as the master sword made contact with his enemy's arm. The moment was short lived though as Dark Link smashed his fist into Link's face, sending him flying across the room.

"I have to admit that I am impressed that both of you still live." Dark Link said as he gripped his wound, the pain pulsating through his body. "This fight is starting to bore me though so I think I will end this now." Dark Link let go of his arm and Link saw that the wound was almost completely healed due to the power of the triforce. His momentary distraction was enough for Dark Link though. He ran forward and sliced at Link which was blocked by Link's shield. They both heard a crack and saw that split had appeared in the shield, breaking it in two pieces. Link threw the remains of the hylian shield to the ground and attacked Dark Link with even more fury than before trying to throw him off balance enough so that Cimar could join in soon. The two fighters fought across the room, a dance of death performed by the two master swordsmen. Each time their blades connected it would send showers of sparks through the air. Cimar had finally gotten back up and stood in awe of the power that each man possessed. This was a clash of titans, and both of them did not want to lose.

Dark Link executed a back flip to dodge the latest attack from Link who was already charging up his sword for a spin attack. Link discharged the energy and spun around with incredible force, more than he had ever put into a spin attack before. It was all for naught for Dark Link blocked the attack with ease. Link was thrown off-balance for a second and Dark Link ran up to him grabbing him by the throat and started to squeeze tightly, his sword being brought to bear against Link's neck.

Link brought the master sword around and smashed it into the side of Dark Link's face, loosening his hold as he dropped Link to the ground. Link took a small dagger from his belt and leapt forward at his opponent taking advantage of his distraction. This was his moment to avenge Zelda.

Dark Link saw the attack coming and grabbed Link by the arm and brought the hilt of his sword crashing down on Link's extended arm.

A loud crack could be heard around the room as the bone in Link's arm snapped in two. Link dropped the dagger and backed away screaming in agony, the pain searing through his body. He dropped the master sword to the ground and grabbed at his arm, hoping that the pain would go away. Blood began to run from the spot where the bone had broken the skin, staining Link's shirt and tunic a dark crimson. Dark Link bent over and picked the dagger off of the floor and twirled it in his hand.

"You shouldn't be playing with such sharp objects you know…someone might get hurt." A wicked grin crossed his face as he spun the dagger one last time before he threw it directly at Link.

The knife plunged into Link's stomach, immense pain coming from the wound. He looked down to see a dark crimson stain beginning to form on his tunic as he felt his life starting to drain away. He looked back up to see a ball of energy speeding towards him, hitting him the chest and was blown backwards, smashing through the solid stone wall of the throne room and hitting against the wall on the other side. The wall crumbled around him, smashing into Link. He lay in the ruble of the wall, slightly propped up against the remaining bit. This all seemed so familiar; Link thought…where had he seen this before. His eyes widened in shock as he remembered the dream from so long ago. The dream almost two months ago… he knew what was coming next and stared at Dark Link, fury burning in his eyes, knowing what was going to happen to him.

Dark Link watched as Link smashed through the walls of the room and into the hallway outside and started to laugh. Lightning crashed outside as he walked forward a couple of steps to get a closer look at his handiwork.

"There is no need for me to delay this any longer Link. The Hero of Time, how pathetic. The last time we meet years ago you showed so much promise… I find it amusing that I had more of a problem killing Zelda than I have had killing you." He charged up another ball of energy and aimed it at Link. "Say hello to her when you meet her again and tell her that I regret killing her so quickly." He laughed and fired the energy at Link. Link watched as it drew near, waiting for the end. He had broken his promise that he had made to Zelda.

"Ok, but be careful Link, I do not want to become a widower this early in our lives." He looked at her, "Trust me; you will not be a widow after this is over. I promise."

Link watched the energy speed towards him. Sorry Zelda, he thought…I couldn't keep my promise.

Dark Link watched the ball of energy explode in the hallway, collapsing the roof down on top of Link as he laughed with sadistic pleasure. Now all three pieces of the triforce could be his and the only thing left that he would have to get would be the Ameon. Once that was in his possession, he would the most powerful entity in the universe. He turned away from the wreckage that held the remains of Link and started to walk towards where Cimar was. He stopped short when he noticed that Cimar was gone, the only thing left being a pool of blood where he had once been.

Link watched as the blast connected with something blue in front of him and explode, collapsing the ceiling down on top of him. When the dust began to settle he watched as Dark Link turned and walked away from him. What happened…was he alive?

"I couldn't be away from you Link, besides from the sound of the battle it looks like you needed me." Link turned his head and saw Zelda kneeling next to him.

"Zelda…You need to…" Link tried to sit up but the dagger in his stomach and his broken arm prevented any movement. He gasped in pain and Zelda saw the dagger for the first time.

"Link! What happened?" she gasped.

"Just a little fight, nothing to worry about." he responded trying to grin but only coughing at the pain that he was trying to hide from Zelda.

"You lie worse than a two year old Link." Zelda scolded. "Now hold on, this will only hurt for a second." Zelda took the dagger and yanked it out of his stomach as Link gritted his teeth in pain. Zelda put her hand over the wound and started to perform a healing spell and Link could feel the wound starting to close and the pain starting to subside.

"Thanks Zel…" Link stopped for a second then realized something. "Cimar is still in there, he will stand no chance against Dark Link. With the triforce of power he has become almost unstoppable." He tried to get to his feet but was stopped by a hand on his shoulder.

"Now why would you think that I am in there with that guy?" Link looked up to see Cimar standing next to him. He looked at Cimar's shoulder and saw that the wound was completely gone.

"Zelda found me a minute ago and healed this up. She also told me how we can defeat this guy."

Link stared at Zelda, wondering what Cimar meant. Zelda looked down at Link and frowned. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier. I remembered it as I was going upstairs and tried to get back to you two. The guard tried to stop me but…what can he do against the princess." She grinned. "Anyways, I overheard Rauru and Impa talking a month ago the day after Cimar arrived. They said that whoever had the Ameon could control the power of all three pieces of the triforce if they were together. The wielder of the Ameon would then have the power of all three pieces." Zelda stopped to let the information sink in. When it did, Link looked up at Cimar who nodded solemnly.

"I know what I have to do." Cimar started to walk through the hole in the wall and into the throne room.

"If you're looking for me, I'm over here." Dark Link turned to see Cimar standing near the opening in the throne room's wall. Cimar started walking towards Dark Link sheathing his sword which puzzled Dark Link somewhat.

"Do you wish to die without your sword in hand, how odd? I guess I shouldn't complain though. Either way tonight you will die." Dark Link charged forward and brought his sword down straight towards Cimar but the sword connected with empty air. Cimar had dodged to the right and landed a kick into Dark Link's side sending him flailing across the room but he managed to level himself, barely landing on his feet.

"I actually don't need my sword for what I need to do." Cimar said as he smiled holding his hand in front of him. "This is the power I need. I know the reason why you want the Ameon so badly."

Dark Link raised an eyebrow, as Cimar continued. "I believe it has something to do with it being able to control all three pieces of the triforce, isn't that correct?" Cimar's hand began to glow a dark sapphire as sparks started to dance around the mark of the Ameon. "Since I can control the powers of the triforce pieces, I choose to take the triforce of power for my own!" Dark Link's eyes widened in horror. He had to stop him before he ruined his plan. Dark Link disappeared and then re-appeared behind Cimar with his blade at the ready to slice Cimar in two. Cimar twirled around and as Dark Link prepared to swing and Cimar smashed his hand that wielded the Ameon into Dark Link's chest.

Dark Link screamed in pain as the light wrapped around him, sparks now shooting off of his body in all directions. Cimar backed away shielding his eyes as Dark Link fell to his knees, a blue aura surrounding his body. A bright white flash filled the room and then disappeared as Cimar felt new power flowing through his body and felt a throbbing in his hand. He looked down and saw a faint glow which started to grow until he saw the outline of a triangle with one of its sides glowing. The triforce had responded to the Ameon and now Cimar was the new owner…

He looked over to Dark Link and saw that he was kneeling on one leg, gasping for breath. His armor was gone, his power drained without the triforce helping him. With the energy of the triforce no longer in him, he was a shadow of his former power.

"Nice…trick…" Dark Link gasped as he stood up. "But I don't need the triforce to kill you." Dark Link grabbed his sword that lay on the floor and charged towards Cimar who quickly unsheathed his own sword and dodged the blow. Cimar brought his sword down in a vertical slash which Dark Link parried and attacked with a horizontal blow. Cimar noticed that even without the triforce of power he was still powerful enough in his own right. Their battle raged across the throne room, each blow parried or blocked almost effortlessly by the two combatants, though Cimar was slowly gaining the upper hand.

Dark Link stabbed forward which Cimar evaded by moving to his left. As Dark Link moved forward, Cimar met him with an uppercut that smashed into his chest. Dark Link coughed blood as he felt two of his ribs crack from the blow while Cimar followed up with a kick to his opponents face, sending him flying across the room smashing into the lone table in the room. His body breaking it in half and splintering it from the impact. Dark Link cringed from the pain as he tried to get back up realizing that the impact had sent pieces of word through his body, dark stains started to appear where jagged slices of wood had gone through him. Cimar started to approach him as Dark Link looked over and saw a part of a table leg on the ground. That would do just nicely. He turned and saw Cimar running towards him his sword at the ready. Dark Link lunged forward with his sword and Cimar quickly dodged out of the way. As he did, Dark Link grabbed the table leg and smashed it against Cimar's leg, shattering the wood as well as bone. Cimar screamed in agony as his leg collapsed from under him sending him sprawling to the floor.

Link and Zelda heard a cry echoing in the throne room that sounded like it had come from Cimar. Link started to get up while holding his broken arm. He winced slightly but got to his feet. "I'm going to go help him."

"Link, I don't want you fighting him again, especially with your broken arm. Once Cimar uses the Ameon he will be able to handle him alone." Zelda pleaded.

"Link looked back, "Zelda, that scream came from Cimar not Dark Link. He needs me help." His eyes said it all. There would be no quarreling between them, his decision was final and she nodded her head in agreement.

Link walked through the hole and surveyed the room. Cimar was trying to stand up as Dark Link ran over and kicked him in the stomach. Link ran over and picked up the master sword from the place where he had dropped it and started sprinting towards the battle between Dark Link and Cimar. He would end this battle once and for all.

Dark Link kicked Cimar again as he tried to stand up, this time landing the blow directly into his chest, breaking several ribs and puncturing one of his lungs. Cimar gasped in pain and tried to stand up again. Cimar finally stood back up and held his sword in front of him, wincing from the agony he was in.

Dark Link heard running behind him and saw as Link ran into the throne room. How had he survived? He had killed him just a few minutes ago. Dark Link was stunned by how he had managed to survive.

Cimar saw his chance and took it. He leapt forward at Dark Link who turned around in time to see the lunge and ducked down to avoid it as he brought his own sword up. Cimar looked down just in time to see Dark Link's blade heading straight through his side, piercing his body and going straight through to the other side.

Cimar blinked and dropped his sword which clattered to the ground. Dark Link withdrew his sword from Cimar's body and watched him fall to his knees and then collapse to the ground. Cimar felt his blood rushing from the wound and started to cough. He had failed Turalis; he had failed Malon he thought as he lay on the ground.

He could not tell how long he lay on the ground when he started to hear the sound of swords clashing together in front of him and heard the same voice that he had heard earlier when he had brought Zelda back to life.

"Stay still, you will not perish as long as you hold my power."

Cimar felt a twinge of pain and watched as his body started to glow. That was all he saw before his mind clouded over as the Ameon took control of his body.

Link watched Cimar as he collapsed to the ground. He screamed in anger and brought his sword back to end Dark Link's reign of terror. Dark Link evaded the attack and brought his sword up, ready for battle. Link was filled with adrenaline and no longer felt the pain in his arm. He swung the master sword wildly and relentlessly at his foe, never letting up the pressure and forced Dark Link back, almost against the walls of the throne room. Dark Link tried to slice at Link only for Link to block his attack and twist Dark Links sword out of his hand sending it clattering across the floor. Link began to walk forward raising his sword at Dark Link's throat, smiling knowing that he would be able to finally rid the world of this evil being.

"You know why you are going to die don't you." Link's words echoing around the empty hall. "You destroyed Turalis, you murdered innocent people, destroyed Lon Lon Ranch and sent your hordes to destroy Castle Town. You murdered my wife and tried to kill Cimar and myself." Link was walking forward the entire time he listed what Dark Link had done, eventually forcing his enemy against the wall of the room, Link's sword poking into his throat causing a line of blood to trickle down his neck.

"The punishment for your crimes is death. How do you plead…"

Dark Link looked to each side of him looking for something that could save him. He spotted an oil lamp lying on the ground near him and looked back up to face Link.

"I say you first." Link drew back his sword to lunge at Dark Link who leapt to where the lamp lay and threw it at Link's face. The oil caught him in the eyes as Link screamed and dropped the master sword as he wiped at his eyes to rid them of the oil. Dark Link dashed over to his sword and then started towards Link. He drew back his sword and aimed it at Link who had finally gotten most of the oil out of his eyes and was trying to focus on Dark Link.

"As I said…you first."

Link waited for the strike to come but it never did.

Dark Link felt something enter into his stomach and looked down and saw the master sword sticking out of his chest. He turned his head around to see who had stabbed him and his eyes widened in shock.

"How can this be…its impossible?" He stuttered as he dropped to his knees. The person behind him smiled and leaned down to face him, whispering into his ear.

"I told you that you could never beat a woman…"

"How…" was all that Dark Link could think of as he stared in the woman's eyes behind him. "I…killed you…" The woman smirked slightly and removed the master sword from his chest.

"Well, I guess you were wrong."

His plan at destroying Hyrule had failed. He fell onto his back, starting at the ceiling as it slowly faded from his view as he felt his death approaching.

"Why couldn't you have just died…when I…killed…you…" He whispered as he tried to grab at Zelda. Dark Link felt his chest seize up and he coughed violently. "Why….."

The evil that had walked the lands for fourteen years breathed his last breath and passed from the world of the living through the veil of death. Dark Link was finally gone, destroyed by the woman who he thought he had killed.

For some reason I like the idea of Zelda being just as battle able as Link and sneaking in for the kill there. Maybe I was just playing too much Super Smash Bros. when I wrote this...