Chapter 13: Dark Link

It's been a few days since the group successfully awaken the sage of fire, though it came with a price of a friend, Volvagia the dragon.

Link hasn't eaten for the next 3 days, which left him sloppy and depressed.

Sanji was preparing a meal for the fairy boy. "Here, eat..."

The fairy boy didn't respond let alone look at the pirate chef.

This irritated the cook, so he grabbed by his tunic. "Listen you moron, this is the 3rd day that you haven't eaten so far!" He yelled. "If you keep this up, then you'll do damage your stomach!"

Chopper appeared and pulled the chef away. "C'mon, Sanji, let him go, we'll just give it Luffy."

Link sat from his bed. "I'm going to take a walk for a while."

"Are you crazy, in your condition, you might pass out, and even if you don't, if any monsters show up, you'll be an easy target!" Chopper shouted.

Zoro put his Sword in front of the Reindeer's face. "Let him go..." Link heard that and opened the door, but Zoro spoke up. "But, don't go too far, Chopper does have a point."

Link nodded slowly and walked out the door.

Nami and Usopp were having a chat with Anju nearby the chicken coop. "So far, Link hasn't eaten in three days, if this keeps, he'll get sick or worse."

"Yeah, at this rate, Link will get sick if he doesn't eat something," Usopp added with concern.

Anju looked a bit sad. "I see, I'm worried about Link, I hope he'll pull through."

Usopp then noticed someone was missing. "Where's Robin?"

"She went to take a walk, that's what she told me anyway," Nami answered.

Brook was in the graveyard, along with Franky, and Luffy made a grave for Volvagia.

"Rest in peace... old friend..." Luffy prayed as tears started to form in his eyes.

"Luffy, it's okay, but we need to move forward, we can't what happened to you, happen again 2 years ago," Brook said.

The straw hat captain opened his eyes, remembering of what Ace's death and how much it affected him badly. "You're right, we can only wish that he rests in peace."

Franky nodded. "Right, let's just hope that... Link pulls through this hell."

A short time later.

Link went to take a walk outside the gate of Kakariko Village.

"This stinks... I couldn't help Volvagia like I couldn't save the Great Deku Tree," He thought slightly awake. "Who else is next to die?"

Then he heard footsteps from behind.

He turned his head and saw Robin. "Oh, it's you, Robin, do you need something?"

The Archaeologist gave the boy a sad face. "No, I was just wanted to see if you were okay, I mean you haven't eaten three days, if Ganondorf's minions attack you, you'll easy target especially in your condition."

Link couldn't deny the words of the famous Nico Robin. "I know, I guess I just feel a bit useless, I mean first I couldn't save the Great Deku Tree despite Usopp and I killed Gohma, he still died."

Robin remembered that seeing the grief from the fairy boy and the other Kokiri Children broke her heart, she knew what it was like to lose people you cared about.

"Now... Volvagia my friend, dead by my hands, even though I had no choice, I still feel like I was unable to do anything," Link continued looking up into the sky as an image of Volvagia as a baby appeared in the sky.

Just then out of nowhere.

A figure leaped over Link, the figure came so fast that he barely blocked the attack in time, eventually, he was pushed to the ground.

"Who are you?" The stranger asked.

"Ow, what was that?" Link asked.

Robin prepared her stance, there in front of the fairy boy was a Sheikah, a woman, with a white ponytail.

The woman looked at the blade Link was wielding, she gasped in realization. "Link..." A small formed on her face. "It's been seven years, hasn't it?"

Link realized who he was looking at. "Impa?"

A short time later.

Link returned with Impa, the two went to Anju's house for a big meal.

Sanji returns after some more shopping for food. "Hi guys, I'm back-" He stopped as soon as he saw Impa. "Ah!" He twirled around and took the woman's hand. "You're the attendant of Princess Zelda, Impa was it?"

The Sheikah gave the cook a blank stare. "Yes..."

Sanji's eyes were replaced with pink hearts. "Such a beauty for a Sheikah like you, those purple lips match your style of beauty!"

Brook then arrived with Luffy and Franky.

"Hey, guys!" Franky waved. "Who's that woman?"

Brook then approached the Sheikah. "Oh my, what lovely woman you are, aren't you Impa, Zelda's attendant?"

Impa smiled. "Yes, I take that you're Brook the Skeleton, right?"

"Oh, you know my name, that's quite surprising, but it's a pleasure to meet you mistress Impa," The Skeleton bowed in respect. "Also, would you be so kind enough to show me your panties?"

Nami came out of nowhere and threw her purse at the skeleton's head. "That's enough sexual harassment!"

Impa just chuckled a bit. "I know your name from Darunia, I met him a while back, he informed me of everything that happened the past seven years ago."

"Oh, you're eating!" Luffy exclaimed. "Save some meat for me!"

"Count us in!" Usopp said.

"Save me some sweets!" Chopper said while drooling.

Eventually, everyone sat down and had lunch.

Sanji was preparing second meals, just in case. "There's plenty where that came from." He then brought a bowl of hot soup to Anju.

"Oh, is that for me?"

"Yeah, a lady like you working so hard needs a good meal!" The chef swooned.

Despite the display, Anju smiled kindly. "Thank you, Sanji."

The chef fell backward turning into stone. "Whoa, what happened?"

"It's fine, that happens," Chopper said chowing down a strawberry cake.

Luffy was chowing on some chicken wings. "So good!" He said with a mouthful.

"Geez, he lacks in table manners," Navi said a little grossed out.

Robin giggled. "That's Luffy for ya."

Another older woman came with some hot potatoes and chicken wings. "Now, now, don't eat so fast."

Link choked and drank a cup of water.

"He's worse than Luffy," Usopp joked with a wide smile.

"Anyway, I heard that you and your cyborg friend beat the nasty dragon at the Temple of Fire," The older woman said with a smile.

Link went silent for a moment as some of the Strawhat Pirates.

Impa knew she had to ease the tension she was feeling. "I would say you've become splendid, but..." She looked at the fairy boy with seriousness. "What is with this sloppiness of yours!?"

"She's right," Everyone looked at Zoro, who had his eyes closed. "I understand the hard times that you're going through, but, your moppy crap isn't helping, and eating nothing won't bring Volvagia back either."

Link frowned a bit, without saying a word.

Zoro wasn't done as he looked at Link with a glare. "You still want me to train you, right?"

Link was unsure how to answer, even though he remembered he wanted to train and get stronger. "Is that no?" The fairy boy looked away for a moment.

Zoro gritted his teeth and narrowed his eyes. "If you can't cut this crap out, then it's obvious that you've given up, I think that's what Ganondorf is hoping!"

"He's right," Robin spoke, the others looked at her. "Ganondorf took control of our friend and forced you to slay him to awaken the sage of fire, I bet he's hoping that this would shatter your spirit, and it looks like it did."

Link nodded feeling ashamed. "I'm sorry, it's just that, I can't forgive for what Ganondorf did and I want to beat him, but..." He paused remembered the images of the people he made friends with, especially Volvagia. "For all these familiar people to continue being hurt... Right now, what can I do now?"

Impa had a suggestion as she put down a mug on the table. "First of all, we have to return your physical strength and spirit!"

Luffy had a feeling of what was coming. "Yeah, I think a little fist training will do!"

Zoro smirked. "I like that idea, but until then, you can't leave this village, but, neither will we, if we do, we won't be able to get back home."

"That's right, we promised the Great Deku Tree, that we would look after you," Robin said with a bright smile. "So, please, get back on your feet, handsome..."

Link was flustered at the flirtatious from the Archaeologist pirate. "Uhhh..."

Just then there was racket going outside.

A horse neigh was heard, a man was pulling it using a rope that was attached to the snout.

Chopper recognized the neigh. "Wait, is that?" He ran out the door and Link followed as he caught the glimpse of the horse.

"Please, don't take away Epona!" A boy pleaded.

The woman that was in the house with Link and the others saw her son and took him by his shoulders. "Aref, we have no choice, if we disobey the evil king..."

Her son shook his head. "NO, I-I won't ever let Epona get taken away!"

Link then walked up the crowd and played Epona's song.

This got the horse to look in the direction and walked toward the fairy boy.

Epona's eyes sparkled with happiness, then she noticed a familiar reindeer. "Neigh..."

Chopper was on the verge of tears. "Epona, long time no see."

Luffy approached the Epona. "Hey! Epona, nice to see ya!"

Link hugged the horse. "Epona, I'm glad you're safe!"

Chopper jumped and embraced one of Epona's legs. "Waah, Epona, it's good to see you!"

Sanji smiled. "So, Epona is all grown."

Franky cried tears of joy. "Epona! So good to see ya!"

Brook was crying too. "Waaah, glad to see Epona is safe, my eyes are bawling!" He then paused for a moment. "Wait, I don't have eyes, skeleton joke!"

Zoro smirked without saying a word.

Navi flew around Epona's face. "Nice to you again Epona!"

Azef's mother was astonished. "Oh my, it's unusual for Epona to warm up to a person!"

"It's the Hero of Time and his pirate companions!" Azed exclaimed in realization.

The boy walked up to Link, and Luffy. "Hey, brothers, can you guys save Epona!" He pleaded. "Don't let her becomeGanondorf's horse!"

"You got it," Luffy said with a grin.

Link smiled and then saw Impa and Zoro. "Hey..." He walked over to the two. "I want you both to train me, I want to become even stronger, no, much stronger than I am now!"

Impa smiled. "Very well, what you do say Zoro?

Zoro smirked. "Heh, you'd better not disappoint me, I won't go easy on you!"

Link smiled with a nod. "Right."

Several days pass.

Link took training with Impa, learning how to improve his sword skills and speed, increasing his stamina.

Sanji gritted his teeth. "You'd better not kill her Link, or I'll kick your ass!"

"Relax, there won't be killing," Franky assured the cook.

"Damn it, every time she just barely dodges my attacks!" He thought. "Well then, time for my Kaitengiri Technique!"

He swiftly slashed his sword, but Impa was gone, and she hit his back with her blade's handle. "Remember this, Kating King Bakin!"

Later Link was lying on the ground exhausted, realizing how strong Impa is.

Sanji was moved by the Sheikah's fighting style. "That was an impressive fight, sweet dear Impa!"

Luffy grinned. "She looks like a worthy opponent."

Hearing that Sanji kicked his foot on top of his captain's head. "Don't even think about it, you moron!"

"Ow..." His captain moaned in pain.

Two days later

It was Zoro's turn to train Link was up.

Two of them clashed their swords together, though Zoro only used one of his Swords for the beginning of their training.

"You gotten a lot stronger, your stamina did increase," Zoro praised with a smirk. "But, that's still not enough!"

Link smiled. "I see that you're on a different level than I am, I shouldn't expect nothing less from the greatest Swordsman."

Despite the flattery, Zoro just scoffed. "Don't flatter me, but, thanks, however even I need to get stronger, once I do-" He took out his 2nd Sword. "I swear to defeat the man and claim the title "The Greatest Swordsman in the World"!"

"Big brother Zoro is awesome!" Azef cheered with stars in his eyes.

Impa had to admit that green-haired man had sheer determination and boldness, which she greatly admires.

Zoro attempted to slash his 2nd sword at the fairy boy, but he blocked it using his Hyrule Shield. "Not bad, but I ain't giving up!"

The Pirate Hunter pushed his two Swords against Link's Master Sword and Hyrule Shield. "ARRGHHH!"

"ARRRGHHH!" Link screamed in a battle cry.

Then the Hyrule Shield and Master Sword flew out of Link's hands and causing him to fall on his back. "You win... but I'll keep stronger and I'll remember our training!"

Zoro sheathed his two Swords and turned away, a faint smile appeared on his face. "You did well, Link, the Hero of Time."

Saying the word "Hero" Made him want to puke, but he decided to let that slide for once.

Link sat up but, though he didn't know that Robin was approaching him, then she caught his head in her hands and placed his head on her lap. "Thanks, Robin."

Sanji was in awe. "Ah!" He exclaimed in a gaping mouth.

"That was a quiet fight," Link muttered feeling tired.

"You should relax..." Robin suggested gently patting the fairy boy on the head.

Navi was feeling uneasy. "Geez, that idiot..." She thought. "What, did I say that?" She cared for Link, but seeing him resting his head on the lap of an older woman was making her somewhat jealous.

Franky laughed. "He sure is popular!"

Brook was being all moppy. "That little brat... lying his head on Nico Robin's lap."

"Give it a rest, the guy needs a break," Usopp said to the skeleton.

A short later

Sanji went to go buy more groceries.

Franky went to find any information about the Thousand Sunny.

Nami cleaned the dishes with Anju.

Link took Epona to the town's well, Luffy, Zoro, and Chopper decided to tag along, the boy Azef was hanging out with them.

Link took a towel and wiped his face off.

"It's such a village, really," He praised.

Impa was glad to hear that. "Kakariko Village was where I was born and raised." She replied. "Anyway, how do you feel now?"

Lind smiled in return. "Well, until now, I've seen how much Hyrule completely changed, but when I came here, I felt a tranquility I haven't experienced in a truly long time."

That's when Azef stood and began rubbing Link's hair. "You should live here, Nii-chan!" He teased. "I'll introduce you to my big sister too!"

Zoro scoffed. "Geez, not this again."

Chopper giggled. "Link is more popular than ever."

Luffy was puzzled as usual. "Huh, what you guys talking about?"

"Moron," Was all his two crew members said with their eyes being overshadowed.

"Lately, even around here, monsters have been increasing, there have been instances in which they've been taken the shape of a person and have attacked."

Luffy and Zoro caught this detail. "Hmm?"

"Is the reason you attacked me?" Link asked.

"Yes, when I returned, I thought you were one of the shadows," Impa said feeling a bit ashamed, but her ashamed expression vanishes into concern. "Ganondorf's evil power is only getting more and more powerful."

Link walked over to the Sheikah. "Impa, do you know where Zelda?"

The Sheikah woman went silent for a moment, but Link was able to see that through her silence. "You know, right?"

Just then a dark shadow energy stream soon snatched Azef like a tentacle.

"One Sword Style: 36 Pound Phoenix!" Zoro proclaimed.

An air-compressed projectile spiral towards the shadow-like tentacle and the boy was sent free, Link jumped and caught the kid. "Got ya!"

"I knew you would come, Hero of Time," A dark voice cackled.

The Shadow dark mass began to take shape of Link.

"What the hell is that?" Luffy asked.

"Watch your mouth around the kid!" Navi protested.

Impa gasped realizing what she was looking for.

"Be careful, that's the kind of monsters I was talking about earlier."

The citizens were panicking.

"What is going on?" Usopp asked.

"Look over there!" Nami pointed.

"Is that Link?" Brook wondered.

"No, it looks like him, but it's all black and has glowing red eyes," Franky said, lifting his sunglasses.

The Dark Link began to approach the real one. "I'd like to see how much stronger you've become..."

Azef was scared but was concerned for Link, he started to tug at Zoro and Luffy, who were both standing and watching. "Big brother Luffy and Zoro, can't you help him?"

"This is his battle, we can't interfere,"

"Yeah, as a Swordsman, I can't interfere with my student's duel," Zoro couldn't believe he said, but that was the least of his concerns. "Fact is, Link must prove that he's become stronger with not just physical, but spiritual, if he wins, then he proved that he surpassed his emotions."

"I don't understand?" Azef wondered in confusion at the green-haired man's words.

Luffy put his hat on the boy's head. "Link will be fine, I believe he can kick that fake's butt."

The village boy was about to protest until he noticed the confident smile that the straw hat captain had on his face.

Azed decides to take his word for it and watch Link's duel.

"Prepare to be defeated by yourself!" Dark Link proclaimed charing towards the real deal.

Link attempted to strike back, but as soon as he did, the dark version of himself made the same move, he tried to slash at the fake, but it didn't work instead the imposter did the same move.

"This jerk is copying my moves!?" Link growled in frustration.

The fairy boy continued to slash at the dark version of himself, but the fake kept blocking his attacks easily, when he even tried to stab the figure, the imposter jumped on the blade.

"Damn it, stop copying me!" Link demanded.

"Cool your head," Impa suggested. "It only copies you as you are now."

Link's eyes widen in realization. "Just now, I see..."

Dark Link began to slash his sword forward rapidly while the real Link defend against each attack.

"This is bad, if he gets worn out then he's screwed!" Usopp panicked.

"C'mon Link, you can do it, bro!" Franky cheered.

"Yeah, kick that imposter's ass!" Luffy added.

"Watch your mouth!" Navi protested.

Link used the same move that Impa used and dived down, delivering a blow, and slicing the dark Link in half. "Got ya!"

Dark Link wasn't finished, a dark version of Epona emerged from the shadows.

"Dark Epona!" Chopper exclaimed.

"That's scary!" Nami whimpered in fright.

"Oh, my, quite the turnaround," Brook said a little shook up.

Link was knocked to the ground, just then Epona appeared and neigh as if it was ready to fight, which she did by headbutting her dark self.

Then she stopped in front of Link. "Want me to ride you?" Link asked getting what his horse friend was saying. "Alright!"

"HA!" Link roared in a battle cry.

The two Links charged at each other while riding their own Epona.

"I'll never let you enter this village!" The real Link declared.

They came closer and delivered a strike at each other, everyone was hoping that the real Link wasn't hurt, and he wasn't.

"AAAAAAHHHHHH!"

Dark Link's body was sliced in half again which made it vanish into thin air.

Imp smiled proudly. "Well done, you defeated your shadow beautifully."

"Wow!" Azef exclaimed in amazement.

"Alright!" Luffy cheered jumping up and down.

Robin smiled. "Good job, Link, you handsome man."

Nami clapped her hands. "Nice going!"

Franky cried tears of joy. "Link, you're SUUPPPERR!"

Brook laughed in amazement. "Yo-ohohoh, you did an excellent, good job, Link!"

Sanji smirked. "Not bad."

Zoro smiled a little. "Good job, Link, it seems I didn't make a mistake when I was training you."

Chopper ran over to Link and hugged him. "I was so scared, with your injuries from your training, I thought you were going to die!"

Link just smiled holding the reindeer in his hands. "Relax, I'm okay, oh, and thank you for treating me a while back, you're an amazing doctor."

Chopper was stunned and jumped out of the boy's hand and started doing his happy dance. "Saying that "I'm an amazing doctor" doesn't make me happy, you big jerk!"

"You did it!" Navi said flying over to her partner. "Good job!"

"Thank you, Navi," Link said smiling brightly.

The fairy blushed red and turned her face away. "Uhh... no need to thank me."

A short time later

Impa walked over to Link and grabbed his left earlobe. "Even though you're not of the Sheikah Tribe..." She put an earring on it. "This is a rite of passage for young Sheikah Men, you've truly become splendid Link."

She then turned to the Strawhat Pirates. "You all, I thank you for helping Link through these hard times, the word of your assistant spread through the land of Hyrule, I'm in your debt."

The villagers even other children cheered happily.

"Yeah, you pirates are amazing!"

"Link is cool too!"

"Luffy the pirate captain is so cool!"

"Yeah, the green-haired Swordsman is awesome!"

"The robot guy Franky is super cool!"

"Brook is amazing and a great musician!"

"Chopper the raccoon dog is a great doctor!"

"Nico Robin is the smartest woman in the world!"

"Nami is a greatest navigator too!"

"Sanji is best the cook in the world too!"

"Usopp is a cool sniper!"

Luffy grinned. "Aw, don't worry about it."

Sanji was swooned by the female Sheikah's words. "Oh such a sweet woman you are, Mistress Impa and to all the female villagers, Sanji will make you happy!"

Navi tackled the chef's head. "Don't count on it!"

Brook rubbed his skeleton head. "Aw, I'm flattered my heart is happy, wait, I don't have a heart, skeleton joke, yo-ohohohoh."

Chopper began to do his happy dance again. "All this cheering doesn't make me happy, you big bunch of jerks!"

Franky did his superpose. "Heh, the people love us, I'm SUPER!"

Zoro turned his head away but a faint smile formed on his face.

Usopp smiled widely. "That's why I'm the great adventurer Usopp!"

Robin giggled and smiled happily.

Nami smiled brightly with an unconscious Sanji lying beside her. "It's fine, but, do we get a reward or something?"

Link was a little embarrassed by the cheers, his cheeks blushed red. "This is so embarrassing."

A short time later.

The Strawhat Pirates and Link along with Navi were ready to depart from Kakariko Village.

"There's a shortcut through the valley in the southeast," Azef's mother explained, handing over a bridle.

Link chuckled sheepishly. "Thanks, everyone... but I need a bridle."

Zoro smirked. "I'll take it, it's been a while since I drank from one."

"What about you, Miss Dipa, will you come with us?" Luffy asked.

"It's Impa, you idiot!" Navi and Sanji corrected the rubber man.

Impa smiled before she spoke. "I would like to go with you all, but I must stay here to seal the well and protect the village, please take Princess Zelda to my place, okay?"

Link nodded. "Sure thing!"

Sanji cupped Impa's hands into his with a tender smile. "M'lady Impa, it's time for us part, though I will pray for your safety, also, if we stop by this village again, then you and I can have dinner together!"

Nami grabbed the chef by the ear. "Hang it up, Sanji!" She began to drag him away.

Epona neighed as Link held Master Sword up. "Okay, Let's go, Epona, Strawhat Pirates!"

"That's my line!" Luffy exclaimed in shock, but he then laughed. "Whatever, hehehehe, let's go, guys!"

"Right!" His crew declared.

Sheik was watching from a nearby hill.

"Good job, Link..." He whispered proudly.

With Link back on his feet and training, he did with Impa and Zoro, he's back on his feet and managed to defeat the dark look-alike, now he and his friends the Strawhats along with his partner Navi are on their way to the southeast, with their new member Epona, what danger awaits the group, find out next time.

Luffy: in the next chapter: The Lon Lon Ranch Rescue

I'm going to be King of the Pirates

P.S, Those that have played Ocarina of Time, probably knows that the Cucco Lady is only named during Majora's Mask(her parrellel character in Termina), however I wanted to name the Cucco Lady, Anju, so don't get mad about it.

End of chapter.