I am so so so sorry for my long absence. It is a small chapter but I wanted to give you guys something. Currently working on the next one. I hope you enjoy it, and again, I sincerely apologize for my long absence.

Chapter 10: Turmoil

"Zant!"

As soon as those words came out, Midna's declaration sent everyone on the defensive.

Inuyasha loudly growled as he unsheathed Tetsusaiga and glared at the fiend in front of him. Sango and Miroku got their weapons ready, Sango trying to put Kagome behind her but Kagome wouldn't budge. All she could do was stare at Zant as he venomously stood before them. He was tall, his body covered in dark baggy clothing with turquoise symbols all around him. His sleeves were long-long enough to cover his hands and at the hem it had eight tassels on each one. Kagome could feel the hairs on the back of her neck standing as she realized his whole face was covered. It was big and metallic, the markings reminded her of a chameleon the closer she looked.

She could just feel the ominous stare coming from Zant.

A powerful flash of light snapped them from their shock. The Lanayru spirit emerged from the water, its power and hissing resonating across the spring. Zant didn't move, but instead, he let his power take charge. He sent a wave of dark magic to the Lanayru spirit, knocking it down and slowly fading away. The feel of darkness made Miroku instantly tense up. He wasted no time and created a barrier around them, hoping that it would shield them from the darkness that was falling upon them. Inuyasha snarled as he made a motion to move forward to attack Zant, but Miroku put a strong hand on his shoulder. Kirara reacted in pure instinct, so the cat demon launched at Zant, but the moment her body came in contact with the twilight, the cat fell to the floor paralyzed.

Miroku struggled with the words, "Don't Inuyasha. We don't know what will happen to you stepping out of the barrier. Kirara got paralyzed. Who knows what will happen to you. It's pure darkness."

"Link!" Kagome desperately cried out as she saw him laying on the floor.

Link had been the closest to Zant when he let out his attack. Link was currently on the floor when he started pulsing. In mere seconds, Link was no longer there in his human form. Midna became solid as she angrily stared at Zant. Inuyasha, Miroku, and Sango were staring in shock at the wolf that was currently where Link had been. It was their first time witnessing Link in his wolf form.

Their attention was instantly turned to Midna as she cried out. Zant hadn't moved a muscle, but it was clear that he was controlling her. He had her float right in front of him. Just then, the three fused shadows that they had worked so hard for appeared before her and floated towards Zant. She struggled as she tried getting the pieces, but there was nothing she could do. He let out a chuckle as he stared at the pieces in front of him.

"Did you honestly mean to take an ancient and withered power like this and turn it against me?"

His voice chilled Kagome to her bones. She worriedly kept looking at Link that had yet to get up.

"You are a foolish traitor, Midna. Why do you defy your king?" He declared as he stared at her.

She sneered at his comment, "My KING? You?! Who do nothing but abuse the magic of your tribe? You must be joking!"

Zant slightly tilted his head, "How dare you?!" he screeched, "Are you implying that my power is… our old magic? Now THAT is a joke. You are so foolish Midna."

Without a warning, Midna floated in the air and slammed her on the ground away from the others, her grunt of pain echoing in the spring.

"Why don't you pick on someone on your own fucking size you bastard!" Inuyasha loudly yelled from within the barrier. Zant glanced at him but did not say anything. He continued forward to where she laid.

"This power is granted to me by my God! It is the magic of the King of Twilight and you WILL respect it!"

His magic started revolving around him as he took another step forward. A ball of dark energy formed in front of him and sent it to Midna. Before anyone could react, Link stepped in front of her, taking the blast of the darkness. Slowly, they saw something inserting itself on his forehead. Kagome didn't care and acted out of instinct and stepped out of the barrier. Sango couldn't stop her and Inuyasha yelled her name.

They expected the worst as she stepped into the twilight, but their eyes widened to see a pink aura around her as she ran towards Link and held his head tenderly. Midna was next to her, worriedly looking at Link as his eyes remained closed.

"Link, wake up!" Kagome furiously whispered to him. Midna was then dragged back and Zant was right next to her. Kagome was terrified seeing Midna so close to Zant. She saw him lean down and whisper in Midna's ear.

Midna's eye widened as she heard his ridiculous words that they could rule the world of light together.

His face then turned to Kagome. He couldn't help but wonder about the girl that was still in human form.

"And you… What sort of powers do you possess my dear? Are you that powerful that you can withstand my power?" He said as he stepped towards her.

"Get away from her!" Inuyasha angrily snarled.

Zant laughed as he saw her using her body to cover Link's. She was terrified, but she wasn't going to move. "Do you think you can fight me? You light dwellers are pathetic. I should just end you right now!"

Inuyasha's amber eyes widened and he ran out of the barrier, his Tetsusaiga raised in his hand. However, the moment he stepped into the twilight, a familiar pulsing started coursing through his body. He dropped Tetsusaiga as his eyes widened in shock. The rest of them recognized the familiar aura and their eyes went wide with terror.

"No! Inuyasha!" Sango said desperately.

"Kagome, he's turning into a full demon!"

Zant stopped his attack and made his way towards Inuyasha. He was curious since the half-demon had not turned into a spirit, but he could feel a strong aura coming from him. It wasn't pure. It was evil.

"What is this darkness coming from you? It's powerful. Benevolent…" he stopped for a moment as he saw the man in front of him struggling to breathe, "I want to see what you can do."

Inuyasha angrily looked at him as he put a clawed hand in his heart. His amber eyes were furiously glaring at Zant, as his eyes kept shifting from the blazing amber to pools of crimson. He was starting to sweat and he knew he could lose the control any moment. He could feel the pulsing of his sword struggling as it battled with the darkness of the twilight.

He knew that he couldn't hold it for long.

"Get away from him!" an angry voice yelled from behind. Zant turned to see the human girl standing in front of Link, a look filled with rage as she challenged him with her bow and arrow. Her eyes were wild as she held her gaze, her hand gripping tightly her bow as she felt the tension of the string as she pulled it.

Zant let out a bone chilling laugh as he looked at her, "What can you do? Nothing girl. You are weak. You do not stand a chance against me."

Something clicked in Kagome's mind as he called her weak. For how long had she been called that? For how long was she always being compared to Kikyo? Any demon and even human that she's come acrossed have never seen her as a potential threat. Naraku held fear towards Kikyo, not her. Sesshomaru wouldn't even give her a second glance. However, she knew her powers had been intensifying the moment she landed in Hyrule. She had seen it and she had felt it. Link had seen it as well.

She had to help Inuyasha and Midna.

She had to protect Link.

"You're wrong Zant," She said to him, her voice echoing through the spring, "I'm stronger than what you think I am!"

Then, her aura around her grew immensely as it swirled around her. Her purification powers were trickling in her veins as they made its way to her arrow. She let go of the arrow and struck Zant right in his left arm. The power he had over Midna faded away and she landed on the ground harshly. Her eye widened to see Zant in immense pain as he cried out loudly as she slowly sat up.

"You incompetent wench!" he cried out as he felt her power within him. He knew he needed to get away as panic rose from the pit of his stomach as the aura of the archer was spreading. He looked at Midna and with the last bit of power, he used his magic and had her float to the middle of the spring. Midna struggled as she had a feeling of what he was going to do.

"This does not end here girl," He angrily shouted at Kagome. With that, he removed the twilight from the spring. The Lanayru spirit emerged from the water with full power and shone its light. Midna's screams of pain echoed throughout the spring and chilled everyone to their bone. The spirit then enveloped everyone with its light and took them away from the spring, leaving Zant panting in pain alone.

"That girl will die!"

Hyrule was covered with shadows as night time had made its way. It was cold as a group of clouds currently reigned on the sky. They were huge as the sky turned into a dark grey, thunder echoing through the land.

He wasn't sure where the spirit had taken them, but he knew that if it wasn't for Kagome, all of them would have been dead. He wasn't enjoying his current state since he was still a wolf after leaving the Twilight. He knew he needed to do something since Midna was currently laying on his back. Her breathing was labored and harsh and her once dark and grey skin were pale.

He looked around him to his other companions, his fur moving with his movements. Miroku and Sango were talking to Inuyasha, and for the first time he could see fear in the half demon's eyes. He had been semi awake when Inuyasha had stepped out of the barrier and saw what the twilight was doing to him. He had felt his back hairs standing as he felt a darkness coming from him. He then turned to see the main person that had helped them. Kagome was currently talking to the spirit, trying to find out a way to help Midna. The young girl was still shaking from what just happened, but her biggest focus was helping the imp that was barely hanging on to life.

"The princess in the castle will help you," Lanayru informed as it slowly faded away.

Kagome turned to Link and Midna, worried as she saw more the form that the imp laid on the wolf's back. She knew she needed to process what had just happen to them and she knew her friends would have questions, however, right now wasn't the moment.

"You think you can carry her the whole way?"

Link huffed and gave her a nod.

"How are we going to get in? It's not like the guards are gonna just let us through." Inuyasha commented as Kagome started getting on his back.

Link let out a low bark and before anyone could comment, he took off. His muscles were moving with him as he sprinted, letting pure instinct take over. Inuyasha had no trouble keeping up with the wolf, and was slightly impressed by his speed since he was carrying Midna on his back.

The poor imp could barely keep her eyes open, but she knew Link was going in the direction of Castle Town.

Only one person knew another entrance to the castle.

Telma.

Halfway on the road to Castle Town, the rain started falling down hard on them. The thunder echoed loudly followed by flashes of light from the lighting, but it was ignored as the group raced towards the town. The wind howled in his ears as he didn't miss a step, as he continued running for his life.

Or more for his friend's life.

Link's heart was filled with determination as he pounced on some monsters as he was reaching the entrance of Castle Town. His snarls and growls were more ferocious as he ripped one of the goblin's throat out. He could taste the bitter taste of the monster's blood in his mouth, but that was totally ignored. Without missing a beat, he went through Castle Town's entrance, with the others nervously trailing behind him.

It didn't take long for the few townsfolk that were still outside to start screaming as they spotted Link. The fear traveling amongst them was almost suffocating to him, since he could feel it. He knew he did not look friendly at all, specially with an imp on his back. He ran through the streets and ignored the screaming townsfolk. He made a quick turn and went down the steps to reach the bar door, but Kagome's voice stopped him.

"Link! You can't go in there like that, you don't know what they'll do to you if they see you like that."

"Why did he led us here though? We are supposed to be going up to the Castle," Sango commented.

Link gave them a frustrated look as he let out a huff, annoyance spreading through him as they could not understand him. He looked at the half-demon, wondering if maybe he could understand him since he was part dog. He let out a few barks with the instructions of how to get to the inside of the castle in order to test his theory.

He let out a sigh of relief when Inuyasha nodded at him, "Got it."

"You can understand him?" Miroku curiously asked as he looked between the wolf and his half-demon friend.

He grunted and rolled his eyes like if it was the most obvious thing in the world, "Yeah. Apparently Telma knows a way back in the Castle. Let's go in and talk to her, then one of us will come back outside and tell Link."

Kagome looked down at Link, pity and worry evident in her eyes although her voice held strong, "We'll find the answers that we need, just stay here." She looked at the shivering form of Midna, and she knew what she needed to do. She ripped part of the top of her tunic to make it into a shirt and placed it on top of Midna. She was only wearing the thin cotton white shirt but she didn't mind. Midna needed to be comfortable.

Link saw them go inside and let out an impatient sound.

As soon as they opened the door to the bar, they were quickly greeted by the woman they had been looking for. Her voluptuous form had been cleaning a cup and her face was lit by a pleasant smile as she recognized the young group that just came in.

"Well hello there young lads! And ladies! It's been so long. Come on in, I'll fix you something to eat." She warmly greeted them.

They gave her uneasy smiles and walked forward. They took notice of other three people on the far end of the bar and they knew it was about to get harder.

"We wanted to ask you something Telma," Miroku started as he lowered her voice. The woman stopped cleaning the mug and gave him her full attention as she leaned into her booth. "What's up honey? Y'all look like hell. Is there anything you need?"

"Link told us that you know a way into the Castle," Inuyasha abruptly said while keeping his voice low, "We need to know where it is."

Telma furrowed her eyebrows as she looked in between them, "Where is Link? Is he ok?"

Kagome bit her lip, "Yes… but we need to get the Castle. He said you know a way."

Telma turned to her and nodded her head, "Yes. Its up there," she pointed to a corner towards the roof.

"Is there any way you can distract your guests?" Sango asked, "The less people know the better."

Telma winked at her, "Oh honey. I got you. Auru!"

The oldest man from the table looked up, "Yes Telma?"

"Would you three and be so kind? They just told me that a carriage should be here soon with supplies for the bar. Can y'all help me get everything?"

The woman that was next to the man Auru looked at Inuyasha and the rest of them with a suspicious look before nodding.

"Of course Telma."

Kagome's eyes widened since Link was outside with Midna, but Inuyasha grabbed her wrist to stop her. She looked at him but he shook his head. The moment that Telma, the goron, and the other three left the bar, he pointed towards the roof.

All three of them looked up to see Link crouching low and hiding behind a couple of pots.

"How did you know he was up there?" Sango asked.

"I saw the cat sneaking out and then I smelled him coming in. Now let's go."

All of them quickly went up to the way where Telma had showed them.

Now they just hoped they could reach the Princess in time.

Meeting Jovani had to be one of the most interesting meetings Kagome had ever experienced. The guy was literally sitting on a gold mine, but there was nothing he could do to enjoy it. He was covered in gold and could not move due to a curse. They talked to him and he opened the door way that would lead them to the water ducts of Hyrule Castle.

It was cold and they were currently soaked since they had fallen into the water. From what they could see, it seemed that Link had been down in this area before. The way he was running and turning into every corner confirmed that. There was a couple monsters in the area but

were quickly disposed of.

Midna's breathing lessening, and that made Link run harder and faster. He could not lose her. Regardless that the twilight imp wasn't nice to him at the beginning of his adventure, he considered her his friend. She guided him through the twilight, as stubborn and as mean as she was with her sarcastic remarks as she would criticize him. She still meant something to him. He knew there was no possible way he would be able to destroy Zant without her. Even if others had joined him, it wasn't the same. He needed her.

It didn't take him long to finally reach the window to go outside. Hyrule Castle had not changed much since the last time he was here. Only difference was there were no twili monsters. The rain was getting more intense and so were the winds. A few times he felt himself slip, but he continued forward as his claws held onto the roof. He wanted to make sure the others were ok, but Midna was the only priority he had in his mind at the moment.

He saw it at the distance, the entrance to the tower where Zelda stayed. His heart beat faster since he knew he was almost there. Two flying monsters tried stopping him. He jumped on one and viciously ripped its throat out, its blood spilling everywhere as it let out a dying shriek. He knew Inuyasha was right behind him and could take care of the second one.

He jumped up and reached the window, the others following right along as they started running up the stairwell. He didn't care for manners. He barged in into the bedroom, his wild blue eyes immediately spotting the princess.

Zelda gasped as she saw him. It was the second time she had seen the young hero and it was again in his wolf form. However she could not understand why he was in such a state since there was no twilight. She removed her hood the moment she saw a pale Midna harshly breathing as she laid on his back. She took notice of the other four that came in, three of them actually bowing down the moment they saw her. The young lad in red suspiciously stared at her as she made her way over to them.

She kneeled down, placing a gentle covered hand on Midna's shoulder. Midna opened her eye and stared at the Princess's eyes herself. She was the only one that could do something.

When she spoke up, her voice was weak and barely above a whisper, "Please... Please tell me... How do we break...the curse on this one? This...is the one... You need him...to save your world! That's why... Princess... Please... You must help Link…"

Zelda glanced at Link, and with her hand that held her triforce piece, she put it on his forehead. He closed his eyes as he felt her touch, since it was bringing some sort of comfort in this mess of a situation. Zelda's face shifted to concern as she looked at him and then at the imp.

"What binds him is a different magic than what transformed him when he first

passed the curtain of twilight. It is an evil power. Our world is one of balance... Just as there is light to drive away darkness, so, too, is there benevolence to banish evil."

Miroku respectfully approached her as he bowed his head, "Princess, is there anything we can do?"

She was taken aback from his garments but simply nodded as she looked at Link again, "Head for the sacred grove that lies deep within the lands guarded by the spirit Faron. There you will find the blade of evil's bane that was crafted by the wisdom of the ancient sages...the Master Sword."

The gang looked confused between themselves as they heard the name of the sword. Miroku being the voice of reason spoke up, "What is this sword?"

She took a deep breath, "The Master Sword is a sacred blade that evil can never touch.

Evil cloaks you like a dark veil...and that blade is the only thing that can cleave it," her voice turned into authority as she placed her hand on Link's head again, "Link... Hero sent by the goddesses...Like you, I have been granted special powers by the goddesses…"

She removed her glove to reveal the symbol of the Triforce, one of its triangles shining brightly as she brought it near him to see.

Midna's grave voice spoke up, "Fine... Link... You can... You can get to the woods...on your own, right?" Link's eyes widened as he turned to look at her face, however she wasn't looking at him anymore. "Princess... I have one last request...Can you tell him...where to find the Mirror of Twilight?"

The aura in the room completely shifted as a curtain of silence fell. Zelda's blue eyes widened at the request of the imp, a deep realization settling in within her as she stared right into the red eye of Midna. She knew what the imp was asking was of grave importance and it wasn't to just be said lightly. She had a feeling that possibly the conversation could be heard from someone that wasn't supposed to know the location of said mirror. She took in the pale imp's form and weakness and she knew what she had to do.

"Midna... I believe I understand now just who and what you are...Despite your mortal injuries, you act in our stead...These dark times are the result of our deeds, yet it is you who have reaped the

Penalty. Accept this now, Midna. I pass it to you…"

Zelda brought up her hands together and started glowing brightly. There was this shimmery droplets of light that were floating as they made their way over to Midna. The imp gasped and her eye widened as she knew what the princess was doing. Her form started floating and she could feel her body regaining its strength.

"No! SOMEONE STOP HER!" She cried out as the form of the princess started fading away, until she finally disappeared.

The other's eyes widened as the princess of Hyrule slowly faded away as a new light had entered the imp's body. They couldn't bring themselves to move. They were in shock as now the imp that had once been laying on the back of the wolf, stood in front of them.

No longer a shadow, but a solid form.

Midna wanted to cry. She knew Zelda had passed on her power to her because she knew who she was. She had figured it out. She angrily wiped the tear that was threatening to fall and turned to the others. Link's eyes were wide in shock to see his companion in front of him in a solid form, no longer weakening from being in the world of light.

Her one visible red eye was narrowed in determination. She was determined to fight Zant and destroy him. She was determined on repaying Zelda what she had done for her. She looked at her wolf companion… No… her friend and the rest of the strange gang that had appeared.

Her voice was strong as she got her power ready to transport them as she gripped the top that Kagome had placed on her hand tightly, "We go back, Link! We are going back to Faron Woods!"

The black particles started surrounding all of them, but they all heard her whisper, "Zelda... I've taken all that you had to give...though I did not want it."