Hey there! We are getting down to the wire now. Not much to say here. Let's dedicate this to all the people whose favorite Sages were either Nabooru or Darunia. Those guys are awesome. I own nothing, enjoy.

Zelda drummed her fingers on the conference table anxiously as Malon walked into the room. The Hero looked around, taking in the two Queens and the King that were seated in the room. These three were the last of the Sages; the princess almost wondered if Link would have been able to save the others.

And then Malon's companion entered the chamber, and Zelda's mind stopped working entirely. He was tall, with ashen skin and silver hair. He wore a black tunic with a matching hat. But for his blood-red eyes and dark coloring, he was her Hero's mirror image.

Although she had to admit, Link had never to her knowledge looked so furious and hostile at the world. There was nothing but murder in those carmine eyes, and nothing in those chiseled features could be mistaken for friendly. The shadow was cruel, and it showed in the lines of his face.

The two took a seat at the table. The dry heat of the desert filled the room oppressively, reigned over by a terse silence filled with apprehensive stares. Finally Nabooru spoke, slanted eyes narrowing. "This is awkward, so I'll just start us off. Who's your friend, Miss Hero?"

Malon fidgeted in her chair, brushing a tendril of scarlet behind one pointed ear. "He's...um, he's Link's shadow."

Dark gave her an annoyed look before turning to face the Sages. "By my past employers, I've been called Dark Link. More recently, just Dark."

The Spirit Sage quirked a brow. "Uh-huh. And just who is your current employer, shadow?"

"As a matter of fact," Dark started, "my latest employer is one of yours. A Gerudo witch, by the name of-"

"Veridia." The word was filled with callous venom. Nabooru spun a knife in her hand. "Latest and late. She is dead, so who do you work for now, thing of evil?"

"Oh for the love of Din." Dark cursed, bringing out Widowmaker and slamming it flat on the table. "Dead? What the hell am I supposed to do with this if she's dead?"

Nabooru recoiled at the site of the blade, lip curling in disgust. Zelda looked at it curiously, reaching to brush her fingers along the blade. The Gerudo Queen stopped her, shooing her hand from the thing as she spoke. "Where in the Goddesses' creation did you get a spirit-sword?"

"Witch said she made it." Dark replied nonchalantly. "Said it was powered by her life force and could stand against the Triforce. What I want to know is, who stole my kill?"

"Your kill?" Nabooru snorted. "That's a good one."

"What, pray tell," spoke Zelda, "is a spirit-sword? I have never heard of one."

"I'm not surprised." The Gerudo responded, taking the sword by the hilt and passing her fingers through the insubstantial blade. "They are practically myth. None have ever documented the existence of one, but there are a couple of ancient tomes written on the subject by a Hylian wizard that once worked for one of my ancestors."

Malon arched a brow. "With all due respect, Your Majesty, if none have ever been made, then how do you know what it is?"

Nabooru paused, then shrugged. "That's a pretty good question. I recall my aunt telling me stories about the ancient Gerudo kings, but I don't think these ever came up. I'm gonna chalk it up to Sage stuff and thank Din." She tilted her chair back, heels perched on the edge of the table. Twirling the hilt in her hand, she continued. "The idea is to use a life force as fuel. The energy of the spirit bound keeps the sword sharp, and keen, and accurate. As well as an arcane source of strength. With the vitality and vigour of a living soul, the weapon is uniquely suited to accomplish a set goal. The catch," She righted the chair, laying the sword back upon the table. "is that the goal must be somehow significant to the life given. The appearance and abilities of the sword will reflect the purity of the energy and the goal."

"Hardly matters now." Dark interjected, annoyed. "The crone's dead, and the sword's no good."

Nabooru took on a thoughtful look, eyes on Widowmaker. "That's...not neccessarily true." As she leaned back again, she steepled her fingers together. "You didn't use the sword to kill her, so its condition means you didn't kill anyone else with it either. If no life is taken, and if the goal goes undone, then no life is given either. Had you killed someone, then her spirit would be bound to it after her death, unless her death was caused by the sword. But neither happened, so what we have here is a blank slate."

"What would it be like," Zelda spoke up curiously, "if either of those had happened?"

"Well that depends on what its goal was." Nabooru answered.

All eyes turned to Dark, who rolled his eyes. "As if I'll tell you self-righteous zealots. Not bloody likely unless I get a promise of amnesty in all three of your countries for as long as I see fit to hang around."

"Speaking of things that aren't bloody likely." Nabooru snorted in response. "Men aren't allowed in my fortress except on my express invitation. Or if they've proved themselves worthy."

Darunia shrugged. "Don't know ya, kid. You look creepy as heck, but if you're Link's shadow, there's gotta be some kinda good in ya. After all, you're here with us instead a'servin' the Dark King. That's gotta count for somethin'. I'll grant ya amnesty on Death Mountain, so long as ya don't run around killin' Gorons."

Zelda gazed intently at Dark Link. "Do you intend, once this is past, to try and make a life for yourself in Hyrule?"

He matched her stare with his own. "Maybe. Maybe not."

"Or do you intend to resume your sinister ways, the ways of a warlord?" Zelda continued, azure eyes boring into him. "I cannot condone the presence of someone to my people who intends only to kill and enslave them."

"I'll tell you what, Queen." Dark replied evenly. "I've heard your captain of the guard recently perished. Give me the post, and I'll tell you what you want to know and I won't lead a dark army against Hyrule and her allies."

Zelda blinked. Malon inhaled sharply. What trick did he have up his sleeve? Was this a part of his ambition to kill Link?

"Wasn't the Shadow Sage your captain?" Nabooru asked, looking from Zelda to Dark and back again. Zelda nodded before answering the shadow.

"I will grant your request, but know that at the slightest hint of treachery you will be dismissed from your post. However, unless you commit an actual crime, your amnesty will not be revoked." She folded her hands on the table in front of her. "Now if you would, please tell us what you know of your sword's intended purpose."

"Alright." Dark answered, lifting Widowmaker. "I'm not gonna sugarcoat it. This sword was supposed to shatter the Triforce of Courage and kill the Hero of Time."

Stunned silence met this declaration, until Zelda spoke again. "But...she never faced Link, why would his destruction have a personal stake for-"

"That Stalfos-licking wife of an Oktarok." Nabooru swore. Zelda blanched at the harsh language, ears flushing red as the other Queen continued. "That broom-stuffing thrice-cursed Lizalfos-spawn!"

"Your Radiance!" Zelda interrupted. "Please, for the love of Nayru, Farore, and Din, explain yourself."

Nabooru looked up, startled. "What? Oh, beg pardon, Princess. I just...there was a matter of disagreement between myself and the late sorceress. To explain it would take all afternoon as well as yet more time that we don't have, besides concerning a matter of secrecy vital to the Gerudo throne. But I will say that she was a staunch supporter of Ganon and especially my predecessor, the last Gerudo Queen before me. As Link dethroned and defeated Ganon, it is likely that she took it as a personal offence."

Zelda arched a brow at Nabooru's lie, but let it go. "Well. The sword is a blank slate. Was this an important point, Your Radiance? Can anything be done to grant...Dark...a weapon that will aid him if he should do battle with the Evil King?"

Nabooru nodded looking back at the sword in Dark's hand. "It is possible..." Her amber eyes took on a distant and glassy look. "That a spirit may imbue the blade...with a new and similar purpose...but at a cost."

Malon tilted her head. She thought she'd heard something, but the noise was distant, something...creaking?

Nabooru's eyes rolled back in her head, and she slumped forwards, face meeting the table with a thump!, jolting Malon back to the conversation. But only a moment passed before the Sage of Spirit stirred anew. Her gaze was blurry and unfocused as she took in the scene around her; the table, and its inhabitants. It sharpened as she focused on Dark Link, who met her gaze with a puzzled smirk and a quirked brow.

"Well." Zelda said as Nabooru came around. "We will consider that. But for the moment..." Her voice trailed off as she became aware of a strange creaking noise.

Malon fidgeted in her seat as the noise grew louder. Even Dark looked around as Malon spoke. "Pardon, but does everyone hear that? What is that sound?"

Nabooru's eyes snapped up as she threw off the last of her stupor. ":That's the gate. Son of a Moblin that's the Goddesses-damned gate!" In a moment she'd stood, knocking over her chair, hands going to her cutlasses even as she whirled to face the door.

Just as it was slammed open. There stood the Evil King, Ganondorf. Malon had only ever seen him once, in passing, when he had visited Lon Lon Ranch and cursed Ingo into obeying him. The man was tall, closer to seven feet than six. He had hair like fire and eyes like coals, as well as the grin of a Wolfos, all sharp teeth and malice. He was clad in dark armors, and a massive sword was held in his hand. Suddenly, her hand blazed with light, and Ganon's and Zelda's hands both matched as the Triforce was near unified.

"Ha ha ha." Ganondorf laughed, and the sound sent chills down the Hero's spine. "So this is all the forces that Hyrule could muster against me. The Hero is gone, and you don't even have a full circle of Sages to defy me with. This will be even easier than I had planned."

"I doubt that, swine." Nabooru snarled, standing before him with blades drawn.

Malon stood, as did everyone else at the table. Her hand strayed to the Master Sword, but her arm was grabbed by Dark. She looked at him in surprise to see him shaking his head as he backed up a step.

Meanwhile, Ganon spoke again. "Nabooru. At long last I will get to repay you for your insubordination."

"Do not vent upon my subjects," Zelda interjected, speaking at last, "for what I have done to you. This score is between-ahh!" She gasped as Darunia seized her by the arm, pulling her behind him.

"Outta here, Princess!" The Goron King thundered. "Away with you!"

Malon watched as Dark caught the stumbling Queen without breaking eye contact with her. He mouthed a single word before vanishing with Zelda into the shadows.

"No! You will not escape so easily, Zelda!" Ganon yelled, throwing a ball of violet electricity where Zelda had been. It was reflected back towards him by a mighty Goron fist. Nabooru flipped backwards out of the way, landing atop the table. She sheathed one curved blade and threw a knife at her former King in a single fluid motion before catching sight of Malon.

"Fly, you fool!" She hissed at the paralyzed Hero. "Sing out, and begone!" Her moment of distraction cost her dearly as Ganondorf threw another scorching spell at her. The Spirit Sage was not able to dodge, and was hurled against the wall.

"Shadow." It suddenly became clear what Dark had meant by that one mouthed word.

Ganondorf started towards the recovering Gerudo, sword raised. Darunia stepped smoothly in his way, a fist poised and aimed for his face. And time seemed to pause as Malon took a breath, her high clear voice carving the notes of the Nocturne of Shadows through the growing sounds of battle enveloping the Gerudo Fortress. As a trail of purple sparkles heralded her departure, Darunia's punch slammed into Ganon's breastplate. The metal gave, but the Evil King did not. He dealt the Goron King two blows to the head, first with an armored elbow and then with the hilt of his sword. The mountain monarch grunted in pain, but stood his ground.

Suddenly Ganon found himself beset on two sides as a pair of cutlasses tapped out a ringing tune along the side of his armors. Nabooru grinned wickedly at him, and he felt a twinge of pain as one of her blades struck home. Gritting his teeth, he jumped back, a ball of sparking energy quickly growing in his hand.

Darunia glanced sidelong at Nabooru. "You could get out of here, I'll hold him off."

"And leave you to get all the glory?" Nabooru teased, keeping an eye on the spell building in the Evil King's hand. "Not gonna happen, by Din."

"Then you know what to do, Spirit?" rumbled Darunia, fists starting to radiate embers,

"Give 'im hell, Fire." She answered, deflecting the thrown shere of light with her cutlasses.

Darunia could only agree.

"So of course the logical course of action was to leave them behind!" A sarcastic hiss greeted Malon's ears as she rematerialized on the ledge above the Kakariko Graveyard. "Leave them to face the Evil King,. against whom only Link has ever prevailed!"

"As opposed to leaving the Princess and the idiot she's dressed up as a Hero?" Dark's irritated voice was the next she heard. "Yes. Yes, that was the logical decision. Take the Princess, and the Hero is sure to follow. Save her instead of them. It's an age-old formula, and one that son of a Stalfos can't counter."

Looking around, Malon saw Dark Link and Sheik arguing. Needles were held at the ready in the Sheikah's hands, but Dark's arms were crossed. Dark stood in front of the entrance to the Shadow Temple, and Sheik stood facing him. His back was to Malon.

"And suppose Malon stays?" Sheik pressed. "Suppose she isn't a coward like you"

Venom filled the Shiekah's voice.

Dark's eyes caught Malon's, and his lips curved into a vindictive smirk. "Oh, I'd estimate that she is exactly as cowardly as I am. But you don't have to take my word for it. Why don't you turn, and ask her yourself?"

Sheik did turn, whirling on Malon, surprise in his dark eyes. "Malon. The others...?" She looked away, unable to answer the unspoken question, and the accusation underlying it.

"Alright, jokes aside, there's hardly the time for mourning right now." Dark said. "We need a plan to nix that pig, pronto."

"Where is Queen Zelda?" Malon asked, looking around. No sign of the royal around.

"Hidden and safe, for now." Sheik's answer was prompt and smooth. "If she is needed, I know her location."

"Yeah, I bet." Dark snorted. "But that doesn't help us now. We need to get my sword working and figure out how to kill Ganon."

"The Triforce of Power keeps death from him." Sheik said, turning back to face him. "We cannot kill him, only keep him for a while."

"If the Master Sword unlocked Ganon," Malon started, "is it possible that it can be used to lock him back up?"

"It's not quite that simple." the masked warrior replied. "Link weakened him, and only then were he and Zelda able to distract him to the point that the Sages were able to seal him within the Spirit Realm."

"But the cage already exists, right?" Malon pressed. "If we could just...sort of...lure him into it...then we could put him back and lock him in. Would that work?"

An odd light entered Sheik's eyes as he considered in silence before nodding. "You know, I think it just might. We would have to lure him into the Temple and past the Door of Time. He'd have to be weakened before entering, but if at the critical moment, you returned the Master Sword to its pedestal..."

"Whoa hey, this is great, but what about my sword?" Dark interrupted. "If I don't have a weapon that can harm him, I'm not gonna be of much help."

Sheik looked at the shadow, and Malon blinked moisture out of her eyes. Confused, she brushed at her face. Was she crying? More water on her gloves answered her question, and a glance at the graveyard below answered it. It was starting to rain.

"Um, should we finish this conversation inside somewhere?" She asked as Sheik was about to speak. "It's starting to rain."

The other two looked around, but Dark spoke first "Pff. A little rain never hurt anyone." But Sheik's red eyes were as turbulent as the storm brewing, and he motioned Malon into the Shadow Temple entryroom. She followed, and, grumbling, so did Dark Link.

Once inside, Sheik turned to face Dark Link once more. "May I see your sword, Dark?" The name came hesitantly, as did the requested weapon, but Dark did hand it over. "Her Radiance did mention that it was possible to imbue it with a new purpose..." Gloved hands traced the hilt, coming to rest on the now dull ruby embedded in the pommel.

"But at a cost. What does that mean?" Malon asked. "Spirit-bound? How can we fix it?"

"I think it's kinda obvious." Dark said, leaning against an unlit torch.

Malon looked quizzically at him as Sheik continued to examine the blade. "How?"

"One must sacrifice a part of their life force, and the will of the blade is theirs to bend." Dark explained. "If no life is claimed by the blade and the goal they want isn't accomplished by the time they die, then their spirit passes on to the afterlife. But otherwise, they are trapped in the sword after they die. I can't fix it myself, being a creature of shadow. I don't have a soul to wager." If she didn't know better, Malon would almost say he sounded bitter.

"But I do." Sheik spoke, drawing both of their attention. "Well, not me personally..."

"What do you mean?" Malon asked, suspicion starting to gnaw within her. Sheik reached with one hand to his mask, before seeming to think better of it. His fingers instead raised, tracing an arcane symbol in the air above his head. A trail of pink spakles rained upon the young Sheikah, and where they passed, he changed. Within moments, Queen Zelda stood where Sheik had been.

"Malon...you have done well." Azure eyes met Malon's, and shebowed, astonished. "Sheik is my disguise, who I am when I need to be...something other than royal. However, like this, Ganon stands a better chance of finding me. So what must be done, must be done swiftly."

Her gaze turned back to the blade in her hands, and the Queen closed her eyes. The air around her shimmered, and the ruby pommelstone started to glow, as did the Triforce of Wisdom upon the hand that held it. Brighter and brighter, until the gleam enveloped both Zelda and the sword, growing so brilliant that Malon was forced to look away.

A sharp cry forced her to look back, in time to make out from the silhouette that Zelda was falling, and a step towards her brought Malon close enough to catch her as she stumbled.

"Let she who gives of herself in heart, be who she is within." A cool, detached feminine voice said. It sounded vaguely familiar, like someone Malon had heard once in a dream, but she could not place it.

In anycase, the light was fading, a metallic clang announcing Widowmaker's descent to the ground. And as that blazing light faded, Malon could see that the girl who'd fallen was not Queen Zelda. Her hair was shorter, thicker, darker, and her skin was paler. As she blinked, Malon watched her eyes transition from the royal's dark azure to Sheik's blood red. A white-gloved hand reached up to rest upon her brow, and Malon saw that no Triforce shone upon it. At last, dizzy carmine eyes focused on the redhead.

"What...what happened?" Her voice was not as melodic as Zelda's, but Malon realized with a shock that it was a dead ringer for Sheik's voice.

"...Your Highness?" Malon asked hesitantly. Hadn't Zelda said but moments ago that she was Sheik?

"Highness? What..." The blonde's voice trailed off as Malon helped her to her feet and she looked at herself. "Oh my."

"Hell yes." Both of the two looked, startled at Dark as he picked up the fallen sword. It, too, had changed. What once had been an obsidian blade was now white as snow. Devoid of a pommelstone, it possessed instead a curved ivory crosspiece which brought to mind a gust of wind. In the center of the hilt, metal formed a ring around a violet gemstone. Paler lavender highlights danced along the length of the blade, accentuated by a white gleam emanating from the sword.

"Now this is a sword for fighting evil." Dark said, whirling the blade. "I'm kinda surprised I can touch it, but pleasantly so. Ganon won't know what hit him."

Malon looked back at the ground, bending to pick up a pair of glimmering pieces of metal. One was a tiny triangle, and the other was a slightly larger angled piece. Both were gold and glowing slightly, and Malon realized she was holding a piece of the Triforce. Indeed, they looked to be pieces of a puzzle. She looked apprehensively at the girl who'd been Zelda.

She had a slighter build than Zelda had, but the Hero could definitely see a resemblance in her facial structure and the regal tilt of her chin as she spoke. "I...I think...whatever just happened, it turned me into Sheik."

"But...didn't you say you already were Sheik?" Malon asked, confused.

"Yes, but Sheik was an alias. Not real." She frowned, examining her hands. "But now, I am. Being Zelda...I think...I'm starting to forget. But I wonder, if the spell that once turned me to Sheik...I wonder what it would do now?" She raised a hand, forming the same gestures that she had used only a short time before. Again, an array of sparkles fell, transforming not the dress but only the figure. And within moments, it appeared that she was Zelda once again. A troubled look came over her.

"What's wrong?" Malon asked anxiously, worry tinging her voice.

"I..." Zelda swallowed, and her gaze fastened on the Triforce pieces in Malon's hands. "There was always a part of me, when I was Sheik for seven years, that knew I was only pretending. As myself, I've never felt that. But now...it's like being Zelda...was only ever a dream."

"Maybe, if you take this back...?" Malon held out the broken pieces of Zelda's Triforce.

Zelda studied them, taking one in each hand, before holding the triangular piece out to Dark Link. "There is a part of me held in that sword, shadowed one. Hold onto this, to signify such for the time being."

Surprised, Dark took the proffered piece, tucking it in a pocket. Zelda continued speaking. "I have a plan which came to me in a dream. Let us set up camp here, and I will tell it to you. In the morning, we will put it into action."

The fire burned low, throwing shadows dancing throughout the room. Outside, the rain could be heard still falling at a steady drizzle. Sheik had reverted back to herself, and now reclined against the wall in the corner, fast asleep. Dark leaned against the wall just inside the door, looking out at the graveyard and the rain. Malon sat by the fire, stirring the embers with a stick. Withdrawing her makeshift fire poker, she blew out the flame clinging to the end and stood, walking over to stand by Dark Link.

"Dark?" She asked hesitantly. "Can I ask you something?"

"What's up, carrot-top?" He asked flippantly, eyes on the sky.

"You said you spent seven years becoming Link's shadow..." Malon started slowly. "What does that mean?"

"That's turning into a mantra for ya, isn't it." Dark replied. "What does it mean, what does it mean." His voice was mocking. "We're killing a villain here, not discussing philosophy. If you've got something you want to get off your chest, spit it out, carrot-top."

"Do you think Link loved me?" The words came out in a rush before she had time to think about stopping them, and Dark Link looked at her like she was crazy.

"You do realize where Link spent those seven years of Ganon's reign?" The shadow asked, quirking a brow. She shook her head slowly, and he continued speaking. "He spent them basically in stasis, aging and unaware. At seventeen, he might as well have been ten still for it was worth. Not to mention the stress and pressure of facing Ganon both before and after the time skip." He returned his gaze to the rain outside. "Kid had all of Hyrule and its Princess depending on him. I personally am surprised he didn't snap and kill somebody. Well, you know, other than Ganon. If he had time to fall in love with anyone I'd be shocked."

"Oh. I...didn't realize." Malon responded, looking away.

"And really, what kind of question is that anyways." Dark went on. "You know I want to kill him, right? Why are you asking me for insights on his character?"

"Well, you did spend seven years studying while he slept." She answered, turning to walk back towards the fire. "I'd think you'd have some clue about what makes him tick."

"Pff." Dark didn't face her, only putting his hands behind his head. "I'd never have guessed that he'd leave Hyrule. I guess I figured he'd be too moon-eyed over the Queen. Guess I was off on that one huh, carrot-top?"

"Guess so." She said softly as she sat by the fire again, putting her back against one of the torches and letting her eyes drift closed. "Think you can handle the watch for the rest of the night, Dark?"

Dark waved a hand dismissively. "Yeah, if that murder-eyed freak comes galloping along on his dark horse I'll let you girls know."

Her eyes snapped open. "Horse! Oh Goddesses, Desert Wind! I left him at the fortress!"

"Well it's not like we can go back for him now." Dark replied scathingly, turning to face her. "Way to take care of your steed, Hero."

She threw him an indignant look, and he put both hands up in a placating gesture. "Look, I'm sure he'll be fine. The Gerudo take good care of their horses."

""I'll have to go back for him." Malon said, sitting up straight again.

"Okay, one, now is hardly the time. And two, even if it were, Ganon's got the Gerudo basically in his pocket." Dark replied. "How else would he have got the gate to open for him? He had to have had someone, or more likely several someones, working for him on the inside. For all we know, Nabooru is dead, and we cannot go back to the Gerudo Fortress. Sorry, carrot-top, but when the Evil King entered his Fortress-and make no mistake, it was his Fortress-you basically lost your horse. The good news is he's in a good home. Probably."

Malon frowned, unwilling to accept his words but knowing they were true. Unable to do anything else, the Hero shut her eyes and waited for morning.

Wow, that was a long one. What did you think? Review and let me know! :-)

-Lady DM