"So...you're the Shadow! The one I met at the end of the Great Palace! You know, you've made me REALLY angry...but I MIGHT let you live if you order your guards to drop their weapons!"

Chapter 23: Apocalypsis

Koholint Island, beach…

"Get away!" Fi screamed, still trying to keep the darkness away.

A bright light had pushed the darkness back, all coming from the person they assumed was Link. Eight swords of light came from his being, forming a shield around the trio, and Fi seemed to relax a bit. Midna kept her guard up, glancing around as she didn't know if the barrier would hold. She thought to put up a Shadow barrier of her own, but figured that the searing light would just burn it away.

Turning her attention to the aglow look-a-like, she muttered, "Link, if that is you…please, whatever's going on. Fight it! Win!"

The figure groaned, sweating as he seemed to be fighting an illness or a mysterious force. Midna could sense the turmoil within and prayed, "Please let him come back, if this is him! Please!"

Aboda Village…?

Link pushed back the shadow, the two in a stalemate for what seemed like forever. He tried everything he could think of at it, sword slashes, shield bashes and even channeling light into his weapon. But nothing worked. Almost as if the shadow really was him and it anticipated his every move.

Grinning, Shadow Link said, "Almost as if I'm more you than you are. Well, I'm not surprised! I'm the real thing! And you're fake!"

It jumped into the air, crashing down sword first just as Link backflipped out of the way. Link then swiped vertically, but the shadow disappeared, reappearing behind him. The youth swiftly turned, clashing swords with his shadow again.

It grinned widely, the sight very disturbing, and the shadow asked, "So, if you defeat me, then what…? It's not like you can put yourself back together again."

"I'll find a way," Link said, pushing it and successfully bashing it in the face.

The shadow staggered back and retaliated with a sword swipe of its own. But the attack released a powerful shockwave of dark energy. All Link could do was block with his shield, but he ended up getting thrown into the air by its sheer force.

Landing in a pile of snow, the youth jumped back to his feet, seeing his shadow had disappeared. The land changed to that of the Sunken City and Link called out, "Hey! I thought you said that you'd make me regret not sleeping! Now, you're pulling disappearing acts?"

"Haven't disappeared. Just had to make a costume change."

Raven appeared, stepping out of the shadows, but Link could tell that it wasn't him. Instead of bluish-green eyes, they were blood red, an indication of the shadow. He brandished his weapon, a one-handed sword and Link could see small bubbles coming from the blade. Link figured that Shadow Raven was going to use water attacks and braced himself.

Just as he suspected, the shadow sprinted forward, his sword ready for a strike. Link blocked, only to get thrown back by the sheer force of the strike. He fell onto a snow mound, a bit dazed and surprised as he was sure that Raven wasn't that strong. Shadow Raven then jumped in the air, arcing towards the fallen Link and the youth in green rolled out of the way. The shadow stabbed the mound, his sword getting stuck as the water on it turned into ice.

"Gotcha!" Link yelled, throwing his buckler like a boomerang and hitting Shadow Raven in the face.

The shadow fell back, disappearing into shadow. The shield returned to him and Link looked around, knowing that the shadow wasn't done. Seconds later, he spun and parried a stab from the sea captain, Bartolomeo. The one-eyed captain was joined by the Sheikah, Yami. Blocking a kunai swipe, Link said, "Oh, come on! That's not fair!"

"Who said it had to be fair?" Shadow Yami told him.

Shadow Bartolomeo grinned, revealing very sharp teeth, and said, "I told you I'd make you regret it."

Link pushed them away and leapt out of the way as Bartolomeo and Yami attacked with elemental strikes. He landed near the ruins of the town's school and looked around for some high ground. That and he had to find a way to stop the shadow from multiplying. If he continued, then the shadow would split into four. And then four into eight and so on and so forth.

"I thought you were going to prove me wrong, Hero."

Bartolomeo and Yami found him standing on top of the pile of ruins. Link held up his buckler, blocking shuriken throws and debris tosses. Shadow Bartolomeo threw a larger pile and Link jumped out of the way, running as the stones, glass and pieces of metal struck where he had been standing. Shadow Yami threw several more shuriken and Link swatted and blocked them with his shield. He then retaliated with a spin attack, unleashing a beam of energy.

Shadow Yami was struck, but Link knew that he would multiply by two. Bartolomeo saw and rushed forward, attempting his own spin attack. Link bent backwards, dodging the attack and countered with a vertical slash. The shadow was cut in two and disappeared.

Seconds later, Link was struck in the face, tumbling over onto his right side. Someone flipped him onto his back and he saw the shadow turn into the figures of Ravio, Hasan, Kishin and Kiba. Jumping to his feet and getting into a defensive posture, Link glanced around at his four foes. The shadows didn't seem to be intimidated and Shadow Kishin asked, "You really aren't gonna give up?"

"No. I'm going to defeat you and wake up! I have to," Link said.

"Why? It's not like anyone will welcome you back," Hasan told him.

Link held up his sword, holding it in front of his face, still in defense. Ravio smirked and said, "Really? You honestly think the empire's gonna welcome you in to defeat the emperor and 'save the world'? If anything, they'll hunt you down and kill you before you get the chance."

"I'm not going to fight him," Link told them.

"Then how are you gonna 'save the world', Hero?" Kishin asked.

"I'll…I'll find a way. The emperor's not the threat. I know that. But, I have to find a way to…" Link started.

"Save a people that don't want to be saved? Good luck with that…if you can defeat us," Hasan said.

He waved a hand, unleashing a gust of wind that sent Link airborne. Kishin summoned the large double-helix blade, with Kiba hopping onto it. He then swung, sending Kiba towards Link. The tafrah summoned fireballs in his hands, throwing them at Link. The green-clad one swiped at one, blocked the other and parried the last.

Kiba snarled and tossed a larger fireball, throwing it as if he was playing pitcher in Octoball. Link held up his shield to block, but the attack was far too powerful. He fell out of the sky, getting burned, and crashed into the ruins of someone's house.

"Ow…" Link moaned.

He found himself in…his old room. The place was in disrepair, which was made worse by his falling through the roof. The painting that was on the walls had faded and the place was quite cold.

"Where is he? I saw him fall here."

The voices of the shadows caught Link's attention and he looked around for the door. He couldn't move, the pain from falling radiating from his back and the burns. Cursing his luck, Link wondered if he could roll and crawl his way to the door. He had to find a place to regroup as the shadows were multiplying. If he wasn't careful, he would be completely overwhelmed.

"If I try to take them out now, they'll multiply into eight…I need to find someway to stop the multiplication…" Link thought aloud.

He painfully sat up and someone said, "Find the Dark Mirror…break it…This part of the curse will break…"

The voice, familiar somehow, guided Link as the youth finally got to his feet and began searching the room. There were the clothes he could no longer fit, the books he had from the school that was no longer there, and the debris from the roof. He checked underneath the bed and even around the old desk. But no mirror.

He didn't remember there being a mirror in his room. Or anywhere in the old house. Going into the hall, Link had a wave of nostalgia and memories hit him. He stopped, seeing his younger self, feral and completely out of it. The younger self clawed at the door to Agitha and Aryll's room, with the pair behind the door screaming for him to go away.

Link felt terrible, knowing that he had terrified them over the years. He didn't mean to, but whatever happened that made him lose his memories…

"This…is your…fault…"

Link saw the feral child turn to face him. His teeth, sharp, was barred and eyes a burning red. His hair, the usual short, was wild and looked more like wolf's fur when angered. His hands had turned into claws and his muscle mass increased.

The youth backed away from his younger self, seeing him change to a feral version of him. Sounds came from behind and Link saw that the shadows had found him. He held up his shield and his feral self lunged at him. But Link blocked and threw him towards the shadows, destroying them.

He then rammed into Aryll and Agitha's door, breaking it down and was transported to an old village. It looked familiar and Link couldn't pay anymore attention as he heard a lupine snarl. He ducked, just as one of the shadows, in wolf form, jumped at him. He brandished his weapon, pointing at the beast.

"This is your fault, 'Hero'."

Link saw the beast suddenly change back to human form, his form. The shadow brandished his own sword, an exact replica of Link's. A buckler with the Hylian crest, but inverted, was on his right arm. With that weaponry, he went into the exact stance Link was in and said, "You brought this on the world, failure of a Hero."

"I…I can always try again. That's what redemption is all about, right?" Link said.

He blocked the shadow's attack and it asked, "You really think they'll thank you? After all this time? Trust me, leave them and life will be better."

"No…I can't…I…" Link said.

The shadow pushed him and jumped into the air. Link backed out of the way, seeing the shadow crash down, stabbing the ground with his sword. Looking up at him, the shadow said, "All they ever do is put all their problems on a Hero. But now, they don't even care. There's no point in saving them. You know that."

"…I do, but I'll do my duty, even if they don't want my help. And…I've never asked for their thanks before, so…" Link said.

He charged, performing a spin attack, only to be blocked by the shadow's buckler. The two struggled to overpower the other and the shadow said, "You sure? You sound so certain…"

The shadow took another strike, repeatedly hitting Link's buckler and clashing swords again with the youth. The two were at a stalemate again and it said, "This world doesn't want to be saved. It doesn't need saving. If you 'save' it, think of everything people will lose. Hasan will lose a father figure…"

Link thought about his self that was close to the emperor, Ganondorf. Based on what he remembered, the man wasn't evil at all. But his advisors were and they were steering him into getting the complete Triforce, which he had the Triforce of Courage and was working on getting the Triforce of Power. He had to figure out how to save the world, without fighting the man who was innocent in all this.

"Then Raven will lose his family in Milk Village. Kiba will lose his freedom. Bartolomeo will lose friends…" the shadow told him.

Link knew what it was talking about. But, his other selves had to come back together. That's what was agreed. But based on what he saw, troubles were all over, not just in Hyrule. Shaking his head, Link said, "I know all that. But, my happiness…or our…happiness isn't as important as keeping my family safe by saving everything," Link said.

He jumped in the air and the two clashed again, with Link glaring and saying, "No matter what you say, I'll keep fighting. Even if Agitha, Ganondorf or anyone else hates me for it, I'll keep fighting to save this place. And if anything…"

Link pushed the shadow back, sheathed his blade and performed an old skill, the Mortal Draw. He struck with blinding speed and cut the shadow through the abdomen. It collapsed and said, "Bu-But…why? They're…they're not going to…care…You'll never…get her…love back, either."

"Very well. If she's really lost to me…I'll persist. I have to…or else this world will be destroyed," Link said.

He approached the dying shadow and he realized that it was the Dark Mirror he had to destroy. The shadow's appearance changed to its previous appearance of grey hair, pale skin, red eyes and black clothes. Kneeling, Link said, "I know what you are. You're the mirror I'm supposed to destroy. But…you're also the embodiment of my doubts and fears. And…I accept that."

Shadow Link's eyes widened and he asked, "What? What are you saying? Heroes aren't supposed to fear anything. Nor have doubt in their hearts."

"Not true. Having that and having the will to push forward despite all that, that's a mark of a Hero. So, I accept the fact that I have this. But, I won't let it keep me from doing my duty," Link said, sitting.

The shadow was very confused, asking, "But what if you're not remembered for any of it? What if they hate you even more? What if we fail?"

"Eh, so be it. We have to at least try or else there won't be anyone or anything left," Link said.

"'We'?" Shadow Link asked.

Link nodded and held up his left hand. A bright light came from it and the shadow was burned away. In its place was a little Link, holding a piece of a cloudy mirror. His appearance was during the time of the accident, the accident that caused everything.

The boy looked sad and asked, "Um…But, Agi…She…she still hates me. I know she does."

"Yeah, but you overcome hate with love. Unconditional. So, ready to wake up?" the older Link asked.

The boy handed the mirror shard, nodding, and Link threw the piece onto the ground. Taking his sword, he stabbed the shard, crushing it. Its remains then glowed with a brilliant light, blinding everything.

Mercay Isle…

"RUN!" Makar screamed as the group rushed for the docks.

The earthquakes had gotten worse after Bartolomeo sealed himself away in the cavern near Oshus' house. Tetra tried to talk with him via telepathy, but he had refused. Oshus knew it was dangerous for the man to be in that cavern, but there was no way to get inside. Then the earthquakes started again, but this time it threatened to tear the island apart.

"Hurry! Everyone on the boats!" Master Mazio yelled, ushering everyone onto the ships, including his.

After arriving on the Kah Mael, Tetra and Makar looked around to see if everyone was onboard. The crew and those from the Milk Bar were in attendance. That also included Oshus, who looked at the island in worry. The other ships had the monks from the temple, shopkeepers and other townsfolk, who all looked at the island in worry.

The skies above were dark, threatening to rain and the winds began blowing violently. Makar was nearly blown off into the water, holding onto the railing for dear life. He screamed, yelling, "What's the big idea!?"

"This isn't an ordinary storm," Oshus started.

"Ya think?" Makar yelled as Tetra pulled him to safety.

"I mean it feels as if nature itself is responding to the turmoil in his heart," Oshus added.

Master Mazio looked around and said, "Yes. That's what is happening. He needs to bring himself together…or else the island will be…"

An explosion, followed by a very bright light coming from Oshus' house. Covering their eyes and holding onto railing and safety harnesses for their lives, Makar, Tetra and the others heard cracking, the waves splashing onto the ship and the winds howling. After a few moments, the light subsided and Mercay Isle was spared.

Feeling a familiar presence, Tetra leapt off the ship, like a Sheikah, and Makar joined her. They landed on the docks and rushed towards Oshus' house. The debris of the dilapidated homes and even the bridge nearly cut off their route. Tetra attempted to help Makar up, but the little boy had used leaf propellers that was like an umbrella to get himself airborne. All while giving Tetra a very…offensive hand signal.

Tetra vowed to pop him in the head for that and jumped to the other side. The two saw the other side of the island was completely demolished and she muttered, "Oh no…We'll have to fix up the houses here too…"

Makar glanced around, seeing the caved-in cavern next to Oshus' dilapidated hut. Remembering that Bartolomeo had been there, Tetra ran to the ruins and yelled, "Bart! Are you still in there? Answer me!"

Makar joined in, picking up small stones and pushing them out of the way. Tetra did the same and said, "Oh no. Don't tell me."

"Great! That magic of yours really worked, Tetra. Or should I say, Sheik," Makar said, rolling his eyes.

Tetra glared and said, "It was only to wake what was inside of Bartolomeo, not starting an earthquake."

"Yeah, then explain why everything's destroyed? It happened right after you muttered that phrase!" Makar shouted.

The young woman continued to move debris, hoping that the young man was okay. Just as her hands had started to become raw and bloodstained, Tetra heard, "Head to the Tower. Tower of the Gods. Go there."

Termina fields…

"Uh, why are we headed for the Great Bay?" Aryll asked.

Her caravan had left the Snowhead area, after Farore received a mental message to head for a tower called the Tower of the Gods. It was located in the Great Sea and taking a boat was best. Most likely it would take up to two weeks to get there, as the ocean currents were out of whack and boats had to carefully tread.

Aryll spotted her sister's caravan coming from Ikana. Glowering, she really didn't want to see her, the reason why their brother wasn't there with them. Or at least his being whole. Kishin constantly insisted that he was his own person, but his mannerisms and appearance was so much like Link's.

"Okay. The Zoras there should help us. And if not, then we'll probably have to talk with a Gerudo sailor or something…" Cremia told everyone.

"Well, I'll try to brush up on my speaking Gerudo. Can't make too many promises about that, though," Groose said.

Hytopia Castle Town, Madame Couture's…

Zelda and Beatrix returned to town, after Ravio disappeared in Zelda's arms, flustered and not knowing really what to do. All they knew was to go to the Tower of the Gods, but that was all the way in the Great Sea. Hytopia was a province of Hyrule and leaving the place wasn't easy. So, if they wanted to leave for their, getting exit visas would be best.

"Or, you can go find the sailor, Linebeck. He's in town and he has a ship that you can use," Madame Couture told her.

"But what if he says no?" Zelda asked.

The Madame handed her a letter and replied, "Present this to him. He won't have any issues taking you to the Tower."

Zelda took the envelope and look to Beatrix. The rotund woman shook her head, saying, "I think I had enough excitement for one lifetime. Just…bring Ravio back safely and I'll pray for your success."

The youth nodded and quickly realized that she was going on the journey alone…

"Don't worry. You'll find allies there. While you're gone, help them as best as you can," Madame Couture said, placing her hands on her shoulders.

With her blessing, Zelda went to her room to pack, not seeing the Madame's worried gaze. The older woman muttered, "Please watch over her…and her sisters and not let the Triforce fall into imperial hands."

Zora Seas…

Pipit, Karane, Ruto and Mipha headed east, towards the Great Sea as Yami had disappeared. Only a light shot from the Zora Palace and east, with a voice telling the four to head for the Tower of the Gods. Mipha and Ruto had seen it before. It was on an island, near a place called Dragon Roost Isle, and its spire reached the heavens.

Those that were caretakers of the tower were nuns and monks loyal to the goddesses, Nayru and Hylia. And whatever defenses they had came from goodwill from the Great Sea Alliance. It wouldn't be easy getting there, as the ocean currents were out of whack. But with Mipha and Ruto, they could use their power to get there faster.

"So, why there?" Pipit asked as they pushed off.

Using their power to keep the boat on the right course, the Zora twins swam in the waters in front and behind. Ruto, in the front, said, "The Tower's home to a great power. Something I'm sure that the Great Sea Alliance would want."

"Yes. It's connected to the Hero, the old Hylian Royal Family and the Demon King. Yami's probably headed there, trying to find himself," Mipha told them.

"Find himself?" Pipit asked.

"She means Link's coming back to us!" Karane told him.

Pipit still didn't believe that Yami was his friend as he didn't look like him. Sure, there were a few features, but everything else screamed Sheikah. So, how was the man his old friend?

"Well, the tower is supposedly home to a sword that once belonged to the Hero. He's probably looking for it," Ruto told the pair.

Karane was hopeful, but Pipit doubted it all. If they go to the tower and there's nothing, then the whole trip would be a waste of time.

Koholint Island, Toronbo Shores…

"Midna! He's…!" Fi started.

The body of the young man began glowing with a vibrant light. The shadows that surrounded them were burned away and Midna said, "Oh…my…"

The light engulfed them, taking them as it disappeared.

Aboda Village Ruins…

"Where did he go?" Ganondorf asked over Byrne's Sheikah Slate.

The half-breed stood ontop of a ruined bell tower, seeing the further destruction of the town's chapel. Hasan had entered, phasing through the stones like a ghost. The Hero's grandmother and old classmates had been trying to get the youth out of there, but nothing, even as they attempted to move the fallen stones. When the ruins began glowing with burning light, the group fled, returning to the only home in the place.

The chapel imploded, leaving behind a crater. Byrne couldn't sense life and had been worried for Hasan's wellbeing. Ganondorf had panicked and Byrne hoped that the boy would be okay, for His Majesty's sake. Losing another one like his child…he doubt the man would recover.

"The Tower…Head for the Tower…"

The voice sounded like Hasan's, but something was off. And the voice beckoned him to head for hostile territory, the Great Sea. Before he could ask, Ganondorf ordered, "Find him and bring him back. And try not to bring the Alliance to our shores."

"Yes sir," Byrne told him.