To the Sacred Grove! I skipped a couple things... so what. It's author's choice. I don't own Legend of Zelda.

When Link and Makura made it through the sacred grove, Makura said, "That kid with the trumpet is really annoying."

Link nodded and said, "I've played with him twice now."

"You call summoning skeletons to kill us playing?"

Link explained, "He may be all that remains of the people who used to live here. Both times I've been here, I had this overwhelming sense of sadness. It's like the forest is lonely. People rarely travel this deep in the forest and when they do, they tend to go missing."

Makura had to agree that the woods felt forsaken. "Now that we're here, what should we do?"

Link shrugged. Makura raised an eyebrow. Link said defensively, "I didn't really know what I was doing the first time I was here. Do you have any idea how long it took me to solve the statue's puzzle just to get to the Master Sword?"

Makura crossed his arms. "Enlighten me. I was kind of possessed when I woke up after you knocked me out and wasn't paying attention."

Link said incredulously, "But that was days apart!"

Makura said, "And even with the assistance of magic, it took days for me to heal. Between you and Shadow, I'm surprised I didn't die. Anyway, what did you do the last time you were here?"

Link turned to the pedestal and said, "The statues that blocked the path moved and I walked to the sword. It did most of the work. The sword broke my curse and I withdrew it."

Makura rubbed his eyes and said, "I guess we start there."

Link walked to the pedestal and stabbed the Master Sword back into it. As he withdrew the sword a second time, a statue moved to reveal a new path and doorway. They walked to the door and paused.

Makura elbowed Link and said, "You go."

Link asked, "Why?"

Makura smirked, "Because you're the one who drew the sword. And if you don't, I'll force you to drink a whole bottle of the Yeti's soup."

Link asked cautiously, "You still have that stuff?" Makura grinned and Link added suspiciously, "You're bluffing."

"Maybe, but can your stomach afford to be wrong?"

Link waved him off. "Fine, but remind me to tell you about Coro's soup and why I don't trust strange food."

Link stepped through the door and disappeared. Makura waited a moment before following. He seemed to get stuck part way, but then a hand grabbed his wrist and pulled him through. Makura gasped as he took in the chapel around him.

Link saw his expression and said, "I know, right! Who would have thought?"

Vaulted ceilings rose above them. The windows were filled with beautiful stained glass. Mosaics covered the floor and walls between marble tiles. A staircase rose to a closed door and hauntingly beautiful music echoed throughout the hall.

Link thumped Makura's back before jogging over to another pedestal. Makura realized it was identical to the original and that the position of it would be exactly where the pedestal from the forest sat. As Link stabbed the pedestal again, the door at the stairs opened. Link was walking back when a small bird-like creature rushed by.

Link cried out in surprise and awkwardly kept his footing. The creature flew through the open door of the temple. Makura asked, "What was that?"

Link cocked his head and asked, "Ooccoo?"

Makura confirmed, "That was your bird friend?"

Link answered, "Yes, but I don't know what's got her so excited."

They entered the Temple and met up with their teleporting friend. As they entered another reception hall, Makura suddenly turned squeamish. "Why'd it have to be spiders?"

Link asked, "What's so bad? They're just babies."

Makura shook his head. "It's not the babies I'm worried about."

They reached a room a while later near the top of the Temple where a suit of armor stood in front of them. An iron grate slid over the only door to lock them in. Makura commented, "This guy looks tough. Think we can take him?"

Link raised an eyebrow. "Let's focus on working together to achieve our goal."

Makura gave a crooked grin. "Just like the Warrior?"

Link returned the grin and repeated, "Just like the Warrior."

Makura hung back to let Link have the first blow. The monster used a double handed sword larger than both of their weapons. As Link started going in for a backslice, Makura ran forward to attack. He used the monster's confusion to spin in and deliver three quick blows before rolling out of range.

Link drew its attention and used a helm splitter. The creature's armor went flying. Now that it only wore chain mail, the creature was much quicker. It jumped back and threw the sword horizontally at Link. Makura tackled Link from behind to keep Link's head firmly on his shoulders.

Makura rolled off of Link and looked for his dropped sword. After not spotting it, Makura said, "Uh, we have a problem."

Link scrambled to stand and said, "Yeah, this guy just got a lot faster."

Makura stood beside Link and said, "That too. I lost my sword."

Link glanced around and noticed it just past the knight they were facing. "Well that's just typical! Can you get to it if I distract the monster?"

Makura shook his head. "You'd be vulnerable and it would take too long. I get the feeling this guy is too strong for us to attack alone."

Link whispered, "Well, he looks pissed so we don't have many options here."

Makura groaned and shouted, "Follow my lead."

Link ran after him and asked, "Do you have a plan?"

Makura replied, "Yeah, try not to stab me!"

Makura morphed into the white wolf and leapt at the creature's arm. Makura scrambled behind it as it used its free hand to try to break his hold. Makura then switched back to a man and locked the creature's arm behind its back, giving Link an opening.

Link stabbed forward and Makura back flipped off the creature and toward his sword. As the monster exploded to dust, Link said, "When I was talking about how we beat the Warrior, I didn't think you were being literal."

Link offered a hand to Makura. He took it and said as he stood, "I wasn't. It just happened that way. You should claim the prize."

Link walked over to the chest and pulled out a short staff. He held it gingerly as he walked back to Makura.

Makura asked, "What does it do?"

Link shrugged. Makura stared at him in surprise. Link explained, "All of the items I've found were either explained to me or were so obvious even I understood their purpose."

Makura slowly exhaled and thought. "I doubt it's a weapon, but try striking with it."

Link swung it experimentally and a green ball of energy flew about twenty feet before flying back to the staff. Link flinched and Makura laughed.

Makura explained as Link shot him a dirty look, "That light held a spark of life. It should be able to possess the statues lying around this place."

"Oh yeah," Link said sarcastically, "That's exactly what my first thought was."

They left the top room and saw a huge statue with a hammer. Makura asked, "Does this guy look familiar?"

Link nodded and said, "Now that you mention it, he looks like a match for the one by the entrance."

Link waved the staff at his target and the statue's hollow pulsated like a heart. Link took a step, and the statue moved with him.

Link and Makura used the teleport system built into the Temple to move the statue back to the first floor. There was only one mishap where Link had used the statue to destroy a creature with a burning eye. Spiders erupted from it and both boys started swatting erratically. Link almost killed himself when the statue used its hammer too close. They were much more careful after that.

When they placed the statue beside its brother, a new way opened. Link and Makura walked to it and saw a hallway with swinging blades, floor razors, the evil spider statues, and monsters.

Link stared openmouthed and Makura commented out the side of his mouth, "Well this looks like death."

Link closed his mouth and smirked. "Don't be so pessimistic. You watch, this will be the easiest part of the whole Temple. All we need to do is open the door on the far side."

Makura sighed and stepped up to the first swinging blade. He watched the timing before jumping past. Makura stumbled as Link smacked into his back. Link grabbed Makura's shoulders and pulled him away from the blade. As it swept by, they both ran.

Link asked, "Why'd you stop?"

Makura retorted, "Why'd you follow so close?"

Link made a face and said, "We could have made it."

"Whatever," Makura said. "You work on opening the door. I'll take care of the monsters."

Makura used an arrow to shoot out the eye of the spider statue. He was fighting an armored lizard when Link said, "I've got it!"

Link swung the staff and the little round statue he was controlling shook violently. Makura rolled his eyes and cut down the dumbstruck lizard. Makura asked, "What was that?"

Link said sheepishly, "I thought it might have an attack."

They opened the door to the dungeon master and walked cautiously into the dark room. Makura shivered. Link asked, "What's wrong?"

Makura drew his sword and answered, "This room gives me the creeps."

"You've been possessed and fought evil spirits, but a big empty room scares you?"

Makura looked at the ceiling. "It's not empty, Link."

An enormous spider dropped to the floor. Makura held his ground and shouted, "I told you it wasn't about the babies!"

Makura switched to his bow and shot the creature in the eye. Link ran to the corner where a warrior statue stood. He used the staff to thwump the arachnid. They worked together until the spider burst, but the eyeball remained intact. It was carried on the back of a smaller spider surrounded by white spiderlings.

Link ran after it, but Makura shot arrows rapidly from where he stood. The eye burst and the mirror fragment formed from the ashes. Makura opened the portal and asked, "Are we done here?"

Link picked up the fragment and agreed, "Okay, you were right. This room is creepy. Let's get out of here."

The portal sent them to the gateway into the chapel. They went through and back to the forest. Ooccoo flew in front of them and made a great racket squawking. Link pleaded, "Slow down."

"Good gracious," she said, "You have it. The key to returning home!"

"Key?" Makura prompted.

She clucked, "The staff!"

Link pulled it out and said in surprise, "The light died. I'm afraid it's broken."

Ooccoo explained, "Heaven's no! It just needs to be recharged. Now what was the spell?"

She sat in thought before ruffling her feathers. "Oh bother. I must go in search of the words."

Ooccoo flew away with her son. Makura shouted after her, "What do you mean?"

Makura turned back to Link and started to ask, "What do you thi-"

He stopped when Link's face blanched. Link whispered, "I think we need to get to Kakariko."

"What did you say?"

Link said louder, "We need to get to Kakariko."

Makura asked, "Intuition?"

Link nodded. Makura instantly opened a portal and they were at Eldin spring in a heartbeat. The children were all gathered around the door of the sanctuary and wore worried looks as Link and Makura ran to see what had happened.

Renado greeted them and said, "Ilia's remembered something."

Link rushed past him over to where Ilia sat. She started hesitantly, "I was held prisoner with someone. They helped me escape. They gave me something, something important." Ilia grabbed her head and screamed in confusion, "Why can't I remember?"

Link knelt beside her and grabbed her hands. "We'll find them."

Ilia nodded slowly and a tear rolled down her cheek. Link turned to leave, but Ilia didn't release his hands. Link looked helplessly over at Makura. The children had gathered around him, Colin especially seemed upset. Makura rolled his eyes before kneeling and wrapping Colin in a hug. The boy turned into him.

Makura smiled encouragingly at Link before picking Colin up and walking outside. He herded the children in front of him and the last thing Makura saw as the door closed was Link supporting Ilia as she stood against him.

Makura walked to the inn and sat by the counter. Colin didn't show any sign that he wanted to be put down, so Makura set the child in his lap. After a while, Colin asked, "Do you think Ilia will be alright?"

Makura reassured, "Your cousin is strong. Plus, she's got all of us for support."

Collin hugged Makura. "Did the Shadow Man hurt you?"

Makura tensed and squeezed Colin. "Who told you about him?"

Colin pulled away and answered in a nervous tone, "Link said you were stolen by a man who controlled shadows. He told me to watch for the shadows that lie. Did I do something wrong?"

Makura hugged Colin comfortingly and said, "You haven't done anything wrong, but under no circumstances are you to confront that man. He's dangerous and I wouldn't want you to be hurt on my account."

Colin asked again, "Did he hurt you?"

Makura nodded. Colin tensed. Makura explained, "He couldn't do anything to me directly that I wouldn't heal from given enough time. He attacked my friends instead. Knowing I was helpless was what really wounded me."

Colin nuzzled into him and asked, "Will you tell me about Midna?"

Makura smiled at Colin's blunt subject change and stared at the ceiling. He began, "The first thing I noticed about her was her eyes."

Makura told stories late into the night as he waited for Link. When dawn was closer than midnight, Link finally entered to check on Makura. He found the two fast asleep and tiptoed over to wake Makura.

Makura woke slowly. Link was grinning and it took a moment for Makura to remember Colin curled up in his lap. Makura saw Link cock a smirk as he stood, careful not to wake the kid. Makura walked upstairs and put Colin to bed while Link watched from the doorway.

They crept back outside. Link asked, "Are you ready to leave? Ilia lost something in Castle Town so that's where we go next."

Makura shook his head and explained, "I just don't want Colin to think I left without saying anything."

Link waved the concern away and said, "He'll be fine. I've left like this countless times."

Makura raised an eyebrow. "And you wonder why he never opens up to you."

Link knit his eyebrows and said, "If it makes you happy, we can leave a note with Renado."

Makura nodded and they walked to the Sanctuary. Makura spoke as they went, "Which brings me to my second point. How could you tell Colin to watch for Zant!"

After they saw Renado, the boys rode out of town as the sun was rising.

"They all become Stalfos!" that girl was always too chipper for her message. And yes, I wanted that to be a thing in this story.

The spiders always grossed me out! And yes, if you destroy the Beamos with the statue, the little creepies fly everywhere. Please tell me what you think. Is Colin getting OOC? Does Makura fit as Dark Link? Should Link get a mustache? Seriously! Tell me what you will.

Please read and review.