Chapter 25 Shadows of the Past
"Pit! Pit wake-up!"
He could hear Link calling out for him but no matter how many times Pit tried to he couldn't. Something had shocked him out of no where and had cause him to pass out. Now he was in nothing but darkness.
"Link! Hello?" He tried to call out but his voice simply echoed around him.
Pit...
"Pittoo? Is that you? Are we talking through the connection again? I wasn't asleep and that shock hurt a lot worse than the other times." Pit said as he began to walk aimless into nothing.
If you can hear me, I'm sorry.
"Of course I can hear you! But where are you? And why are you sorry?"
I forced you to run away
Pit stopped walking and dropped his head a little. He felt a tinge of guilt when he heard those words.
"Pittoo...It's okay. It wasn't you completely, it was just everything in general. I didn't want to be locked up like a bird anymore."
and now I am paying the price with my life.
He froze. He literally felt the blood drain from his face along with his body. He frantically looked for Dark Pit in the darkness but still found nothing.
"Pittoo, what are you saying? What do you mean paying with your life? Pittoo? Please! Answer me!"
It's what I deserve.
"Pittoo? Pittoo! No! It isn't! Please don't say that!" Tears were sliding down his cheeks as he desperately searched for Pittoo.
I'm sorry I couldn't redeem myself and save you.
"Pittoo, please stop! Don't die on me! Please!"
Please forgive me and know that I truly lo-
"Pittoo!? PITTO-AAAHHH!" A sudden pain washed over him at Pittoo's last words. He felt something literally slicing him up inside. He knew what it was. Their connection.
"PITTOO! PLEASE! DON'T DIE ON ME!" Pit cried. "PLEASE! I NEED YOU!"
But there was nothing he could do. Pittoo was no where to be found and the angel knew that he was dead. The connection between them was broken and he felt the emptiness it left behind. All the angel could do was sob in the middle of the blackness until he saw a random light appear before him. He stared at it for a moment before he continued crying.
After his sobs softened up a bit, he stood up and walked towards the light with a broken heart.
When Pit opened his eyes, he first noticed that his eyes stung and his face was soaked with tears. His body was also cold and hurt when he moved. He figured this was the result of that terrible shock he received. The next thing he noticed was that he was no longer at the spring. Instead, he was in some dark unknown place. He blinked a few times as well as rubbed his eyes until his vision cleared. He noticed then that he was inside a cell.
"What?" he croaked softly. He slowly got off the cold floor and walked towards the bars when he felt something cold wrapped around his ankles which made a clanking sound. Pit glanced down and saw he had a shackle around his ankle that was chained to the ground.
"Huh?" He bent down and tugged but it did nothing. The chain remained on him. "What the heck?"
He glanced down again, seeing that he was still in his shorts and they were still damp from the spring. So he hadn't been here long, but where was here? And where was Link?
The angel peered around the prison but didn't find Link in any of the cells. He checked his own cell and saw Link a few feet away unconscious on the ground. Pit tried to walk towards him but the chain on his ankle forbade it.
"Link? Link!" The angel called for him but Link didn't even stir. He was completely knocked out.
Pit tried again to reach Link and even tried to free himself from chains but both failed miserably. He sighed and sunk to the ground. He hugged his knees and hid his face in them as he tried to think of what had happened but all that he could remember was the pain he felt when Pittoo's connection broke. Next, he thought of Pittoo's last words and realized that was the last he would ever hear Pittoo and the last time he ever saw him (physically) was the day he ran away. Never again would he see his dark copy and with that thought he began to cry again.
Link awoke at the sound of sniffling and soft sobbing. He opened his eyes to find himself in a dimly lit place but didn't register where he was because he recognized the gentle crying. He shot up from the cold ground and looked to find Pit hugging his knees and crying into them.
"Pit? Pit, you're okay!" Link said as he sat up. "Why are you crying?"
Pit lifted his head and saw that Link had finally awoken after what felt like an eternity. Link stood up and walked over to Pit when he noticed the sound of clinking on the ground. He glanced and saw his ankle was shackled to chains. He glanced at Pit and saw his ankle too was shackled.
"What the hell?" Link said as he tried to tug himself free.
"I already tried that." Pit said, wiping his eyes.
Again Link tried to reach Pit but found that he could barely reach him. Even if Pit made his way towards him all they could touch were their fingertips. Link let out a frustrated growl as he gave up trying to reach the angel.
"Pit, what's going on?" Link asked. "Where are we?"
Pit shrugged. "I don't know. I woke-up here after I passed out. I thought you would know?"
Link glanced around the room and knew immediately they were inside a dungeon. Though there was something very familiar about this one. It held a scent of rust and blood. He walked towards the bars but was unable to reach them so he only saw a bit of the room.
"There is something about this place that is familiar but I can't remember. My brain is a little foggy from the spores."
"Spores?"
Link returned back to the shadows of the cell and sat as close to Pit as he was allowed. He met the angel's gaze and nodded.
"Mushroom Sleeping Spores. When you passed out, we were attacked by a horde of bokoblins that used the spores to knock me out. They are very strong so who knows how long I've been unconscious."
"Why did they knock you out?"
Link shrugged. "They said they wanted us for some reason."
"It's the threat." Pit said automatically.
"What?"
The angel nodded. "It has to be. Why else would they knock you out and chain us here?"
"But wouldn't they just want you?"
Pit shrugged and sighed as he placed his head back on his knees. Link desperately wanted to reach out and comfort him but he couldn't. The stupid chains just wouldn't let him.
"Pit? What's wrong? Why are you crying and what happened to you at the spring?"
"It was a connection with Pittoo."
"Really? What did he say? Did he find Hermes?"
Pit shook his head as tears began to dwell.
"He said he was sorry for making me run away and that he...is paying the price with his life." Tears began to pour out and he couldn't make them stop.
Link froze as he realized what this meant. Pittoo was dead. While he was dying he must've had enough strength to connect to Pit and tell him his final words before he died. The skyloftian wanted to desperately to reach out to Pit now. He got up and tried to do so even though he knew he couldn't.
"Pit, I'm so sorry, I don't know what to say!" Link tried to console.
"This is all my fault! I shouldn't have left Skyworld! If I had stayed where I was and just obeyed Lady Palutena's rules then Pittoo wouldn't be dead!"
"Pit, no, please don't say that-"
The door to the dungeon creaked open with the sound of voices following it.
"They are down here sir." Someone said.
Link and Pit froze immediately and stared at each other before they glanced out their prison bars. They heard footsteps on something that sounded like stairs and instantly hushed. It sounded like only two or three people. The footsteps got closer and Link could make out two bokoblins but couldn't tell who the third person was until they stepped in front of their cell.
"Well, this is definitely a delightful surprise!" The third person said.
Link's entire being froze. His eyes widened and he felt the blood completely drain out of him as he stared back into the eyes of their captor. The Demon Lord Ghirahim.
"No..." Link barely breathed.
Ghirahim smiled and glanced back at his minions. "For once you idiots did something right. Not only did you bring me the angel but-" Ghirahim looked back at Link and grinned. "You brought back my sky child."
Pit and Link sat there speechless. Link was in the total shock state of fear. Something Pit had only seen a few times when Ghirahim was brought up but this was totally different from the mere mention of the name. Link was horrified beyond belief. Pit's tears seemed to stop completely when Ghirahim approached. This was the man that was after him. The dark aura that Pittoo had sensed. The man that brought fear into Link's eyes.
"Well now, let's have a better look at our little prisoners, hmm?" Ghirahim snapped his fingers and disappeared before reappearing inside their cell. Pit gasped at the trick while Link sat there stone stiff.
Ghirahim snapped his fingers again but this time a light appeared in the cell, letting him see his prisoners better. He stood there at first, with his hands on his hips, grinning at the sight of the boys.
"I must say this is a treat. You two are almost nude." He chuckled and decided to approach Link first.
He grinned at the sight of his long lost sky child. He hovered over him before he caressed the scar under Link's eye. Link winced at the touch but still remained frozen.
"Why Link, you don't seem very happy to see me again. I must say I've missed you dearly but I knew you would return to me soon enough." Ghirahim leaned down and pecked the scar which caused Link to hiss. "The fear in your eyes is so delicious. I've forgotten how absolutely adorable you are when you are scared." Ghirahim laughed as he held Link's jaw firmly and planted his lips on his.
The demon lord moaned loudly as he began to devour Link's mouth. It had been so long since he had last tasted this boy and he was going to get every last missed taste.
Pit sat there in shock as he watched the scene. He couldn't understand just what the heck was going on. Some random pale demon man was making out with a medusa-fied Link. Suddenly, it began to click and everything started to make sense. Ghirahim did things to Link. That was why Link was so afraid of him and hated when he was brought up. Ghirahim had traumatized Link and he didn't want to relive any of those memories again. That also explains why Link looks away from mirrors to avoid seeing the scar. Ghirahim was the one that gave it to him.
Ghirahim pulled away from Link with a trail of saliva following. Link's horrified expression never changed. He was still in shock and probably didn't realize what just happened. Ghirahim licked his lips and moaned before he placed his lips back on Link's scar.
"I've forgotten just how delectable you were Link." He giggled and kissed him again. This time his gloved hands began to travel southwards.
Pit saw this and felt anger starting to dwell. He gripped his fists and stood up while he shouted, "Don't you touch him!"
Ghirahim stopped at the sound of Pit's voice. He pulled away from Link and looked over at Pit with a smile plastered on his white lips. He stood up and made his way towards Pit. The angel didn't realize just how tall he was. He was practically a tower!
"So you are the angel of light I've been trying to get." Ghirahim grabbed his jaw and examined his face. "You sure are a cute little thing. Such a sweet innocent little face."
Pit narrowed his brows and swatted the hand away.
"Don't touch me!" He snapped.
"My my, you sound just like him, though looks wise I think you are better looking."
"What are you talking about?"
Ghirahim grinned. "Your little dark twin."
Pit's face fell and soon looked almost as horrified as Link's.
The smile widened on those white lips as he started to walk around Pit.
"The boy is dead though. I tried to make a deal with him though so he would live again but-" Ghirahim sighed. "-he kept refusing."
"What was the deal?" Pit demanded.
"I told him I would revive him and all he had to do was return my sky child to me but he declined. He was such a stubborn boy. I asked him if he had anything worth living for but he said no. He said he had no reason to live and that was why he refused me."
"You're lying!" Pit snapped as tears formed again.
Ghirahim stopped and grinned while folding his arms. "Sad to say, it's all true."
"Pittoo would never say that!"
Ghirahim shrugged. "You believe whatever you want but what I'm saying is the truth. Either way it doesn't bring him back."
Pit stared back at the dark soulless eyes of the demon lord. He could feel the sting of tears threatening. He couldn't cry in front of the enemy. He just couldn't. He didn't want to show any weakness to him.
"Not like it really matters anyways." Ghirahim said, turning from Pit and making his way to Link. He brushed Link's bangs out of his face before placing his lips on his again.
"Stop!" Pit snapped and ran towards Ghirahim, pushing him away from Link.
The demon lord fell to the ground but when he got up he stormed over towards Pit and smacked him across the face. Pit yelped before the demon lord grabbed a fist full of Pit's flowery bangs and yanked for him to look up. He smashed him against the wall, crushing his wings.
"Listen here you little shit." His grip on Pit tightened. He was nearly pulling the roots out of his head and Pit couldn't help but cry out. "I will do whatever I damn well please with my sky child so don't you try to fucking stop me. He belongs to me and only me."
"No he doesn't! Link belongs with Zelda not some sick weirdo!" Pit hissed out.
"Oh the spirit maiden? Ha! Don't make me laugh angel boy. Link truly is mine." Ghirahim moved slightly so Pit could see the scar on Link's frozen face. "You see that, boy? The scar? I am the one that branded him with that. The scar means that I am his master and he is my slave." He move back in front of Pit and slammed his head into the wall. "Therefore, Link is mine."
"No! Just because you gave him a scar doesn't make him yours." Pit slammed his fist into Ghirahim's belly.
The demon lord fell back and stared at the angel in surprise. He didn't expect the boy to be so strong. He didn't like it. He glared at him while he snapped his fingers and got up.
Chains came from behind Pit and grabbed his wrists, pinning him against the wall. Another shackle appeared on his other foot and both of those chains retreated to the wall, completely pinning him there. Ghirahim grinned as he approached the struggling boy. When he was a few inches away from him, he gripped his jaw and forced Pit to look at him.
"You've got some fight in you. I will give you that." His grip tightened to the point where Pit cried out and knew there would be bruises. "But you don't want to fuck with me boy because I will beat you within an inch of your life and you will be deafen from the sound of your own screams." A thought occurred as well as a wicked smile. "Perhaps I should punish you the way I punish Link."
Pit's eyes grew wide as he felt Ghirahim's gloved fingers walk down his abdominal line. Pit wiggled and flailed, trying desperately to escape those fingers.
"S-stop! Don't touch me! Get off of me!" Pit panicked as those fingers got dangerously lower.
The sound of Pit's panicked cry managed to reached Link and snapped him out of his shock. He shook his head and glanced around to see Ghirahim standing in front of Pit with his arms and legs chained. He gasped and without thinking, ran towards the demon lord. However; the sound of his chains hitting the ground alerted Ghirahim. The demon lord snapped his fingers and disappeared once Link was about to shove him. Link whirled around and saw Ghirahim standing a few feet away from him. He narrowed his eyes and stood in front of Pit, protectively.
"It's nice of you to finally join us Link." Ghirahim laughed.
"Don't think you can do to Pit what you did to me!" he snapped.
"Don't worry sky child, I have no immediate intention to do anything of the sort to him. As I told his twin, I enjoy blondes much better."
"His twin? Pittoo?"
"Is that his name? What a ridiculous name!" Ghirahim laughed.
"Hey, Lady Palutena gave him that name!"
"I don't care who gave him the name. It's stupid either way."
"How did you meet Pittoo then?" Link asked.
The demon lord rolled his eyes and placed his hands on his hips. "Honestly, sky child if you weren't so surprised at the sight of my beauty you would've heard the story." He sighed. "Angel boy's twin is dead and I tried to make a deal with him-"
"What was the deal?"
"I'm getting there boy!" He snapped. "The deal was: I would revive him in exchange he would bring you to me but he refused saying he had no reason to live anymore. He was a sour puss really."
"So what is it you want with us Ghirahim?" Link demanded. "How're you even here? You were sucked into my sword with Demise."
A coy smile played on those white lips as he approached Link. Link backed away as far as his chains would allow him but the demon lord still approached him. He stayed a few inches from the boy, loving the fear that was still dwelling in those fierce blue eyes.
"It's simple really. Two sword spirits can't be in each other. I was released from your former sword a few months ago actually. Now the only issue is getting my master out of there."
"Wait he is a sword spirit?" Pit asked.
"Zelda and I told you this already, Pit." Link glanced back at the angel.
"Oh yea."
"So what is it you want with us?"
Ghirahim closed the gap between them and towered over Link. "Truth is sky child, you are just a nice little bonus for me." He caressed his face which Link recoiled at. "It's your cute little angel friend that I really want."
"So you are the threat that is after me!" Pit gasped.
"Why? Why do you want Pit?" Link demanded.
"All in good time. If I tell you, it will ruin my fun."
"If you don't tell us I will-"
Ghirahim firmly gripped Link's jaw. "You'll what boy? Fight me? You are in no position to do so. You are a prisoner in my domain once again and this time you have absolutely nothing to free yourself with. Your little sword isn't here and neither are any of your weapons. I made that mistake before but not this time. You both are completely at my mercy which I may show you some if you comply with me."
"I don't know what the heck you just said but there is no way we will come-pli with you! Whatever that is." Pit snapped
"I see your friend is lacking in intelligence."
"I am not! I have brains!"
Ghirahim chuckled, amused. "So I see." he released Link and strolled over to Pit and began to stroke his cheek. "Not very bright but surely are cute. I will have some fun with you."
"Don't you even think about it!" Link snapped and rushed to push Ghirahim away from Pit. "You leave Pit alone!"
Ghirahim growled and snapped his fingers as he got up. The chain on Link's ankle seemed to grow and coil around his legs. Another set of chains appeared and wrapped around Link's wrists, chaining them together. The blonde boy fell to the ground and struggled against his bindings. Pit gasped and tried to worm out of his own bindings to help his friend but to no prevail.
Ghirahim collected himself as he strolled over to Link where his foot met with the boy's gut. The demon lord knelt down to Link's level, where he grabbed a fistful of blonde hair and forced him to look at him.
"You've been away from me for far too long sky child. You've forgotten your place as my slave. It appears I will have to punish you, though I do enjoy doing so."
"I'm not your slave! Punish me all you want, Ghirahim! I will defy you to the last breath!" Link shouted.
Ghirahim sighed and glared at the defiant boy. Did he really have to do this over again? He did enjoy making the boy scream and see his blood but sometimes he just wanted the boy to comply. He seemed to do so when he had a- oh! A sudden idea occurred.
"Oh I can make you submit to me again, dear boy. You may be impossible to break when it comes to torture but you are easy to break-" The demon lord looked at Link then glanced over his shoulder and back, grinning wickedly at him. "-when it comes to others."
Ghirahim released Link and summoned a dagger.
Link's eyes widened as Ghirahim approached Pit with the dagger.
"No!"
The demon lord ignored Link and brought the dagger to Pit's cheek, jamming it in and slowly slicing along side his jaw. Pit hissed and tried to hold back his cries but he couldn't. Ghirahim brought the dagger to Pit's other cheek and sliced it again, this time deeper to get the angel to really cry out.
"Stop! Ghirahim!"
Ghirahim glanced over at Link and smiled. "You know the drill boy. I did this before and I will do it again. I will keep your little friend alive so long as you obey me!"
Pit cried out as the demon lord stabbed him in the shoulder.
"Fine! I will! Just stop! Leave him alone!" Link pleaded.
Ghirahim stopped and looked over at Link. "I'm sorry what was that? I couldn't hear over the sound of the angel's screams."
Link glared at him for that but he took a deep breath and said, "I will obey you as long as you don't harm Pit."
"Link no! Don't worry about me please!"
Link glanced up to see Pit worrying over him. Not a shred of fear laid in those eyes for himself even though he was bleeding. It was all for Link. Pit truly was a selfless creature but so was the blonde. He couldn't bare to hear Pit's cries anymore. He would do anything to keep his friend safe...even if it meant submitting to the demon lord.
"I'm sorry Pit." Was all Link could say.
Ghirahim laughed as he walked back towards Link, snapping his fingers to free the chain that held him to the ground, and swooped him up in his arms. The demon lord snapped his fingers again, this time releasing Pit from the wall. He glanced over his shoulder and grinned at the angel.
"Don't worry angel boy. I'll take good care of Link." He said as he held his arm above his head and snapped his fingers.
The last thing Link saw was Pit running up to the bars of his cell with a pained expression as blood dripped down his face and arm.