"I've seen worse! Hey, you still have me. I'll always be your friend."

-unknown

Chapter Twenty-Six: Many Who Are One

"Wait, you're back?" Ravio asked, seeing Kishin.

Kishin was just as confused, remembering being in Clock Town with his other self, Raven. Seeing Ravio instead in that misty forest was both comforting and confusing. Ravio felt the same and said, "So, what now?"

"What do you mean, 'what now'? We're stuck here as long as our true self, 'Link', stays in a funk," Kishin said.

"Uh, hello?"

Hasan peeked out from behind a tree, asking, "So, no one's trying to kill each other?"

"Why would you ask that…? Oh. I said I was sorry," Kishin said.

A wolfish grin and the redhead asked, "So, where's everyone else?"

"I dunno. We're just wandering in here," Ravio replied, looking around.

The trio couldn't sense the others but knew something bad was happening. Kishin started walking off, prompting Ravio to yelled, "Wait, where are you going?"

"See if anyone else is here. And don't worry. I'll find my way back. We're the same person, after all," Kishin said, the giant walking off.

Ravio huffed and looked at Hasan, who said, "Don't look at me. Pretty sure he'll haul the rest back here."

"AAAH!"

The redhead was knocked to the grassy ground by a rather feral Kiba. The half-wolf snarled and got off Hasan's back. He whimpered, seeing the redhead, and muttered, "S-sorry…"

"Wha…? Did you talk? You can talk?!" Ravio asked.

Kiba nodded and Hasan said, "But what's the big idea knocking me over?"

Kiba looked up, pointing at the sky, and muttered, "We're…fighting Oni…Coming back together…as 'Link'."

"So, that's why we're stuck here?"

Kishin returned, unable to find the others. He saw Kiba and asked, "Got over your shyness?"

The hybrid looked down and said nothing. With a smirk, the giant said, "Guess not. Anyway. We're fighting Oni? Well, serves him right for splitting us into eight with that heart of his. Seriously, he was dead the whole time. And how could a ReDead fight against the darkness?"

"No more falling! YAAH!"

Bartolomeo found his way there, crashing into Kishin and it was like crashing into a wall. The giant didn't move but was annoyed that he rammed into his back. The blue-wearing, missing an eye privateer released a slew of curses and Ravio muttered, "Wow, never knew we'd get a potty mouth."

"If Ma found out, she would've washed it out with soap…" Hasan added.

Bartolomeo glared and immediately became confused. He remembered passing out in Mercay Village and then fighting Oni. But why?

"That was all of us, man. I guess…we're testing him? Or ourselves? Or…Man this is confusing," Kishin told him.

Bart looked to Kiba and then to Ravio and Hasan. He could hear their thoughts and they were of confusion and relief at finding each other. Getting to his feet, he asked, "So, we're just waiting for him to beat us and those shadows that controlled us?"

"Yep. Sounds about right. WHOA! Move!" Hasan yelled.

The five moved out of the way, seeing something crash where they stood. In the epicenter was a dazed Yami, the Sheikah-like "Link" beaten soundly by Oni. He groaned, muttering, "Ow…That-That didn't hurt. I'm five…no, file. No! FINE!"

He got up, stumbling a bit, and noticed the five others. He then said, "Ow. Why do we have to get beaten up like that?"

"Well, we were shattered like this by shadows and controlled," Ravio started.

"And Oni was the one controlling us when we were one," Kishin added.

"But what was the deal with the violent part of us? The one that kept attacking Agi and Aryll?" Hasan asked.

Bart figured it was Oni's influence, most likely inadvertently as he didn't know who or what he was at the time they met. And…his existence brought back hateful feelings towards Groose and Karane. He hoped that they would forgive him for such outbursts as he didn't want to feel or be like that ever again…especially after.

"I'm sure they have. But we gotta find a way to wake up and get out of…" Kishin said.

He was interrupted by a yelling Yami, who ran out of the epicenter. He screamed, "Move it! Move it! Move it!"

Another crash, this time much more violent, sent the Links flying, including Kishin. In the epicenter was a confused Raven, who looked up from the crater he created. Yami, miffed, yelled, "Watch where you're falling!"

"Uh, didn't you fall the same way?" Ravio asked.

"Sorry. But Oni…or Link, is finally awake and fighting the shadow that controlled us. Never knew how much hatred was in our hearts…" Raven told them, getting out of the crater.

Just as he exited, the formation disappeared, returning to its flat, grassy state. Seven of the eight Links wondered what to do next and heard, "Hold on!"

A bright light and the seven covered their faces and became defensive when the light died down to reveal Oni. The dark-haired, red-eyed man in black saw their stance and said, "Hold on. I'm not going to fight."

"Why not? You're the reason we're like this," Bartolomeo said, summoning twin katanas to his hands.

Oni looked at the others, seeing their violent intent in their eyes. Yes, he was the cause of everything. But he was also the solution. No matter what they thought, the eight of them were the same person: Link, the Hero Chosen by the Gods for the World's Redemption…or simply the Hero of Redemption.

Lowering his guard, Ravio asked, "Wait, that's what we are now? A 'Hero of Redemption'?"

"Redemption? Why that?" Hasan asked.

"Redemption…for us?" Kiba asked, voice still low due to shyness.

Kishin lowered his stance, to which Oni was grateful for, and said, "Well, we did make life miserable for everyone…"

"But that wasn't our fault. It was Oni's!" Yami said, still ready to fight.

Oni nodded, remembering how he had cursed that monument Link found as a child. He…It was supposed to be a trap for the Sheikah troop that chased him in the mountains until he was caught, defeated, and lost his memories. Then Link found it and…everything went horribly for him. The darkness that was within him connected with young Link's heart, shattering the boy's mind and bringing forth a feral beast that assaulted villagers and his family. That same beast was one they could still turn into when the Malice was too high, but he couldn't tell them that.

"We're the same, so we already know that," Kishin told him.

Flinching, Oni said, "I'm sure you all would want to erase me. But…It's not a good idea."

"Why not? I'm sure we can wake up without you," Bart said, pointing one of the katanas at Oni.

"If you do then…you'll be erasing the connection and we'll never wake up," Oni told him.

Those still not trusting him lowered their weapons upon hearing that. Raven then asked, "So, to wake up, we've no choice but to trust you?"

"Pretty much. The heart that we share has the shadow crystal fused to it. Without the Master Sword, there's no way to remove it safely. A nuisance, I know. But, also a boon," Oni said.

"How? We're still split and that crystal's the reason why we're badly affected by Malice, correct?" Bart asked.

Oni nodded and Yami said, "Then I don't see why we should…"

"Yami, Bartolomeo, please. You can sense it too. He's telling the truth," Raven said, stopping them from erasing the necessary darkness.

Oni was relieved and Raven added, "It doesn't mean that any of us truly trust you. And when you meant having the shadow crystal in our hearts as a 'boon'…?"

"The ability to change into beast form…I still consider that a boon," Oni told him.

Yami, Bartolomeo, Hasan, and Ravio gave exacerbated sighs, not happy that the wolf was still a part of them. But, it couldn't be helped. As long as their heart was fused to the old Shadow Crystal, they could do nothing about it.

Kishin put away his weapon, telling them, "Well, I think as long as we remember who and what we are, we'll stay in control."

"Wolf…not bad…just…" Kiba muttered.

Oni sighed and said, "The shadows that caused all the grief are gone, but there are other shadows out in the world that had taken the rest of our powers. And I'm sure that since the main shadow's gone, they'll come after us."

"So, all eight of us together isn't a good idea," Ravio said.

Oni nodded and said, "So, we have to stay separated or risk getting attacked by all eight shadows. And then we have the Great Sea Alliance and the Rito tribe that hunted down Kiba."

Kiba was quiet and looked at his feet. Kishin nodded and said, "What's the deal with the fat guy?"

"If I'm right, that Lord Xander wants our power to oppose the Hyrulian Empire. But a man like him…There's darkness in his heart…like the Evil King's," Raven said.

The others agreed, still not sure if their focus on who was evil was the right one. Everyone was sure it was Ganondorf, but he showed hardly any evil tendencies. If anything, it was the Council of Six manipulating him. And then there was the Shadow Corps, the group that Midna, Tetra, and Fi were a part of who helped in breaking Link into eight versions of himself. Lastly, there was the Rito and the Great Sea Alliance, with Lord Xander of Windfall as their leader.

Besides that, the eight remembered how out of whack the world was. Oceans grew too cold and the currents were virtually nonexistent. The flames from volcanoes such as Death Mountain were gradually dying, making Fire magic very weak. In Termina, where the icy of the north didn't reach, the earth grew tepid, making it hard to farm for crops. The winds around the world died, making it difficult for fliers such as the Rito to navigate. But after what happened at the Tower, that could've fooled the eight.

Light magic grew weaker as the darkness of Malice grew stronger, randomly mutating people in the empire…including the Links. Shadow magic was also stagnant, making those who relied on it stronger, but power-hungry. It also prevents spirits from moving on, making Spirit magic weaker. Forests and the few remaining jungles and swamps around the world were either dead or dying, an indication of the Malice and its hold on everything.

"Man, don't we got a job to do?" Bartolomeo noted.

"So, how are we gonna do this? I'm thinking to find Ganon and the girls, bring them over to our side. Riju and Urbosa did mention about him seeing how his empire is doing," Hasan said.

Oni shrugged and Ravio said, "Wouldn't everyone be really, really suspicious if we asked that?"

"It's not like we have a choice. And all the chaos that's happening…We need as many people as we can find to help. We have at least ten things to do and little time to do it," Raven replied.

"Well…I'll go with Midna back to the continent. What are you gonna do?" Hasan said.

Raven nodded, saying, "I will help Hilda find Zelda and Tetra. Hopefully, Lord Xander didn't do anything…"

"Why would you say that?" Kishin asked.

Oni and the others' eyes widened and Raven glowered, telling them, "No! Nothing like that!"

He huffed and folded his arms, thinking his other selves as perverts. Shaking his head, Kiba said, "I'll go…see about finding Makar…Medli."

"Then, I'll see about finding Ruto and Mipha," Ravio said.

"And the rest of you…?" Hasan asked.

Yami elected to go with Ravio. Bartolomeo agreed to go with Kiba. Kishin agreed to follow Raven. Lastly, Oni agreed to follow Hasan back to the continent. When he said that, the others were confused and he said, "You'll see once we wake up."

Kanalet Castle…

"So, all eight of…you…will go investigating? What about us?" Karane asked.

Link looked around, seeing the few of his friends that were left. Most likely they wouldn't be too happy being accompanied by a "Link", let alone two. Seeing his sister sitting in a corner, reading a book, and ignoring him, Link knew that she would be the one vehemently opposed. But he needed her to help as she was good at using crossbows. And if Aryll was there…she would be great at using a shield as a boomerang.

"We'll find Aryll too, Agi," Bart answered as if knowing what she was thinking.

"Would've been great if you discussed that earlier…" Agitha muttered.

Link looked to the floor again, not sure how to get his sister on his side. She was one of the best archers he knew. Especially from his memories as Raven.

"Okay. We're kinda getting a plan on what to do. But, how're we supposed to help?" Groose asked.

"Well, it's not a good idea for any of you to come with me or Link. You're still wanted back in Hyrule, y'know," Hasan said.

"So is Link…" Pipit said.

Link gave a shrug and said, "I'll find a way. I'm wondering what you all will do."

"If you're willing to help find my sisters, then I shall accompany you," Hilda said.

Two bright lights and Kishin and Raven reappeared. The giant of a man looked eager to help while Raven stared, not getting why his counterpart was so chipper about it. If anything, it was a rescue mission. And that's if they found the two women safe.

"Whoa…so you really can split yourself. Isn't that dangerous?" Pipit asked.

"Depends. But it helps. First things first. We need to know what we'll tackle first," Raven said.

Midna started off, saying, "I can take you back to the palace. But…Link's gonna have to go in disguise or something. Everyone's on high alert there over the 'Kingslayer'."

"You could always go and check on Ma. I can get Epona out of the stables," Hasan added.

Link agreed but wondered how she would react to his reappearance. She probably thought he was dead…And then there was the case of the missing Aryll.

"If you're going, then I'm going too," Agitha said.

"I thought you were…" Groose started.

She walked towards Link and said, "Don't get me wrong. I'm only coming to see if Mom's okay. That and I won't let you hurt her."

Link nodded, understanding what she really meant. She wanted to see if he had indeed gone back to normal. Or if he was still the monster that tried to hurt and kill her repeatedly. He wasn't that monster, the one that he hated as many times he blacked out, only to see his friends and family either hurt or terrified. So, he'll prove it. He'll prove to her that he was different.

"Okay, then I'll go with Raven," Hilda said.

Groose looked at his options and muttered, "I guess I'll go with Mr. Bart over there…Please try not to kill me."

"Why would I…? Oh…" Bartolomeo muttered.

Pipit decided to join Kiba and Kishin decided to return to Termina to check in with the Ikana King. Two more bright lights and Yami and Ravio appeared. Ravio was going to check up on those in Hytopia and Yami was going to head for Zora Hall to gain support.

The group hoped to gain allies during their separation, but doubt was prevalent with everyone. If they were to gain allies, how would they go up against an empire? And the entire Great Sea? And what if they fail to gain support? Would their attempts at saving the world be for naught?

Shaking his head, Link wanted to rid the doubt out of his mind. He had to try. If he failed, then he could say he did his best. But he couldn't fail. Not again.

And there's chapter 26. Shorter than usual, but we're finally getting into the heart of the story. Thanks again for those that have read this fic and thanks for those that gave reviews.

-miano53