Wolf Link cracked open an eye and took in his surroundings. It wasn't hard to tell he was back at the temple along with a broken-looking Sky Link, Volga, Agitha, and-

"Wait." He met the Bug Princess's eager eyes with a confused expression. "Agitha? Wh-What are-" His words were cut off by a jolt of pain rippling from his left shoulder blade. He winced at the harsh feeling, earning a sympathetic look from Agitha.

"The good news is that Volga already got the arrow out while you were asleep," she explained. "But it's still bleeding pretty heavy and that guy who looks like you hasn't woken up either… I'm worried about him. You call him Sky, right? Volga told me about all the details about what happened, so you don't have to worry about telling me."

Wolf Link offered her a weak smile. "Th-That's good," he stuttered in pain. "But h-how's Sky?"

"Cia used a little magic on him, but since its dark magic we don't know the effects it's having on his mind," Agitha frowned. "Cia said it would cause him to think of some weird things."

"I-Is she going to do the same th-thing to me?" Wolf Link asked worriedly.

"She is." Volga crossed his arms in the chair he sat in across the room. "She wanted to wait until she could tell how much unbearable agony you're in so she doesn't have to use more magic than she has to."

"Great," Wolf Link groaned sardonically. "A-Agitha? Can you g-go get her for me? I w-want to get this over w-with…" He rubbed his shoulder, trying to ease the pain.

"Okay." She started to the door, but turned back to say, "I'll be by your side the whole time, so you don't have to feel alone. No matter how bad it is. So just think of that."

"Th-Thanks." He grinned at her to show his gratitude.

"No need to thank me," Agitha replied politely. "A princess should never leave her royal guard alone."

After a moment of silence, Wolf Link laughed weakly to himself as Agitha rushed off to find Cia, wearing a childish grin. He looked to his side to see Sky Link in the bed directly next to him. The Hero of Sky's face was twisted in fear and pain. Wolf Link cast him an empathetic expression and reached over to place his hand on his counterpart's. Surprisingly, Sky Link's agony seemed to subside, though very slightly. The moment was ruined by a scoff from Volga, but Wolf Link didn't let that stop him from doing his best to comfort his other self.

The touching scene was again interrupted by Cia striding into the room, although this was a welcome diversion. She knelt at his bedside with Agitha following suit.

"This won't be as bad as his," Cia explained, gesturing to Sky Link. "But it will still be a bit…traumatic. I wish I could use the light magic you're used to, but that's sadly been taken away from me. This will be the quickest way to heal you, but we can use traditional means of healing if you like."

"N-No," Wolf Link responded. "I h-have to protect you. A-And to do that I have to get b-better as soon as possible…"

"If you say so," Cia sighed. "Ready when you are." She raised her hand, which was now covered in purple fog and electricity. He signaled her with a hesitant nod. She laid her fingertips on his forehead, and the moment she did so, the world went blank.

Meanwhile, Sky Link was trapped in his own nightmare. He looked around the dark, empty space he was in. He had completely forgotten about all the events that ensued in this place previously, believing he had just appeared there for the first time.

"Hello?" he called. "Anyone there?"

He turned completely around, looking for a sign of life, when he saw a familiar figure with their back to him.

"Zelda?" he gasped. She looked exactly like she did on the morning of the ceremony, wearing her pink dress and playing her harp. She turned around and beamed at the sight of her friend.

"Link! You're here too?" She rushed over to him, clutching her harp to her chest fearfully. "Thank goodness… I thought I was all alone. Do you know where we are?"

"No," he replied bitterly. "Did the enemy capture you?"

"Not sure. I was sitting outside playing my harp and then, bam, I'm here." She hung her head in frustration. "But, hey, at least we're together now. So let's find a way home, okay?"

Sky Link gave her a pathetic attempt at a smile. "Okay…"

Zelda elbowed him in the stomach playfully. "Don't give me that! We're getting out of here. We've been through worse, right? So-"

She was interrupted by a sudden dim in the lighting. Now Sky Link could no longer see her or even himself. It pitch black all around, even more than before.

"Zelda?!" he cried desperately. No reply. The light flooded in from the sky to the space he was in, revealing his surroundings. He was in an empty version of Skyloft, devoid of any homes or residents. He didn't panic at the sight, convincing himself it was just a vision. However, a fit of unsettling laughter set him on edge.

"Why, if it isn't the Sky Child," an unseen voice said smoothly. "It's been a while since we've seen each other last. I apologize for being so rude. So… Why don't you entertain me for a while?"

A tall figure leapt from a tree and landed in front of Sky Link. The Hero of Sky involuntarily recoiled. "Ghirahim," he groaned. "I thought I got rid of you."

"Oh, you remembered my name," the Demon Lord replied in mock politeness. "I suppose I should be honored. Now, you may be wondering why I'm here."

"Actually, I'm wondering what you did with Zelda," Sky Link said, doing his best to hide his fear. "Where is she?"

"Why, I didn't do anything with her," Ghirahim huffed, offended. He placed a hand over his heart dramatically. "She's right behind you. Can't you see her?"

"Do you think I'm stupid?" Sky Link got into a defensive stance, despite inexplicably not having his sword on him. "I'm not turning my back on you. You're bound to try something."

Ghirahim smiled at the statement. "What happened to that innocent little boy I fought all those months ago? Your spirit as become stronger since then. A tad disappointing, but there's not much I can do about it, is there?" He materialized a black sword in his hand and pointed it as his rival. "Now, then. Let's continue where we left off, shall we?"

"Coward," Sky Link snapped. "You're trying to battle me when I don't even have a weapon?"

"Oh, right." Ghirahim summoned Sky Link's sword and tossed it to him. "There you are. It's not the Goddess Sword, so this will be a good opportunity to see how you've grown."

The Hero of Sky glanced down at his sword. "Why are you even here?"

"Yes, that. Remember when I told you you'd deafen yourself with the sound of your own screams?" Ghirahim asked, licking his lips. "I found I never acted upon that statement. So once I disarm you and make you beg for mercy, I'll torture you so much, you'll ask for death."

"Sure," Sky Link scoffed. "And what makes you think I won't defeat you like before?"

"Because without the Goddess Sword, you're just a boy," Ghirahim explained. "Isn't that right?"

Sky Link hated to admit it, but the so-called Demon Lord had a point. He wasn't just a boy like Ghirahim said, but he didn't have the power to repel evil. While he was pondering a plan, he failed to notice Ghirahim vanish until the last second. The Demon Lord reappeared an inch from Sky Link's face, causing the hero to stumble back. He stumbled over a round object and fell backwards onto the ground. He propped himself up by his elbows painfully, but was stopped from any further progress by the Demon Lord deciding to sit on him, forcing him to the ground once more.

"Please," Ghirahim scoffed, resting his chin on his hand. "I'm not that heavy."

He took the opportunity to pluck the sword from Sky Link's hand and throw it over the edge of Skyloft. He crossed his legs and smiled, obviously entertained by how easy this was.

"You're much easier to scare than before," he chuckled. "It's actually kind of adorable." Sky Link cringed at his words. "Now you just sit tight there and I'll show you what you clumsily tripped over."

He reached down at the object near the hero's feet and held it up by its long blond hair. Sky Link stared at it, dumbfounded, his mouth agape in shock as he stared at Zelda's head.

"My, I believe this would be the spirit maiden," Ghirahim studied mockingly. "But her body is nowhere to be found. I wonder how that happened."

The Hero of Sky laid frozen in fear on the ground, tears welling up in his eyes. But he was quick to wipe them away. "Th-This is just a dream. It's not real." However he sounded more so like he was trying to convince himself than defy his enemy.

"How can you be so sure?" the Demon Lord asked, delighted at the fear and dread he saw in his rival's eyes. "You left your little friend all alone last time you saw her. How can you ensure her safety? But I can be merciful when I desire. So I'll make you a deal."

Sky Link shut his eyes and prayed to the Goddesses to make this all go away.

"I can bring the spirit maiden back to life," Ghirahim continued, earning back the hero's full attention. "But only if you do whatever I say, when I say it, and with no objections. Understand?"

The Hero of Sky was silent for a full minute in thought. "Will you promise Zelda won't get hurt?" he finally asked in a small voice.

"Of course," Ghirahim replied, pretending to be comforting. "Once her head is back on her shoulders, she'll be alive and well to watch you suffer."

"…Fine." Sky Link shot the Demon Lord a hateful glare. "But only once I see her alive."

Ghirahim rolled his eyes. "Alright." He stood up and grabbed the collar of the hero's tunic, pulling him to his feet. "Here, hold this." He pressed Zelda's disembodied head into a horrified Sky Link's arms. With a snap of Ghirahim's fingers, Zelda appeared whole again, body and all. She began to fidget in her friend's arms, who quickly let him go. Her cheeks were soaked with tears, apparently having heard the conversation.

"You didn't have to do that," was all she said. She buried her face in his chest. Sky Link, relieved that she was among the living again, wrapped his arms around her in a tight embrace. Ghirahim, however, wasn't in such a patient mood. He grabbed Zelda by her shoulders and pushed her away from Sky Link.

"Now we can begin with the rules," the Demon Lord said with a bloodthirsty grin. "First off, you call me Master. I expect you to realize your new role as my pet fully. And a pet obeys its master, yes?"

He gave Sky Link an expended stare while Zelda glared at him hatefully from behind.

"…Yes," the hero replied hesitantly.

Ghirahim cocked his head. "Yes…?"

Sky Link grit his teeth. "Yes, Master."

"We'll have to work on that attitude of yours later," the Demon Lord sighed impatiently, twirling his sword in his hand. "Second, if you don't listen to reason, I'll be forced to empty out that little head of yours and make you become my lifeless puppet. And I don't think either of us want that. Do we?"

"No, Master," the hero replied emptily, beginning to zone out.

"Lastly, you'll allow me to do anything I want to you," the Demon Lord finished, licking his lips once more. Upon noticing Sky Link's disgusting expression, he added, "Is your mind going to dirty places? We wouldn't do anything like that. Well, unless you want me to that is."

"Um, no thanks," Sky Link grimaced. "Master," he hastily added, realizing he forgot it.

"What a good, loyal dog you are," Ghirahim laughed mockingly. "It'll be fun to humiliate my mortal enemy, wouldn't you say? Now…" He pushed Sky Link's chin up with the tip of his sword, forcing them to meet eyes. "We can have our fun."

Wolf Link would say it was a peaceful day at Ordon like as usual. Only he was continuously telling himself it wasn't. All of a sudden the temple had faded away and he was herding goats again. He was even back in his old clothes.

"This doesn't make any sense," he said for the millionth time. "How did I even get here?!"

He was currently sitting with their backs against the trunk of his treehouse with Ilia, who was now becoming quite annoyed with his rambling.

"Link, I think you've officially lost it," she sighed with a shake of her head. "You haven't gone on any adventure and saved Hyrule. Maybe you just had a dream about it."

"No!" he practically shouted at her. "I didn't dream an entire quest filled with misery and mayhem. It wouldn't-"

"…make any sense," Ilia finished. "Link, the mind is a funny thing. I…"

Her voice faltered as the ground began to shake violently. The friends grabbed each other as an anchor. However, as soon as the earthquake came, it faded.

"What was that?" Ilia asked slowly. "Is Epona okay?"

"Yeah." Wolf Link looked up at his horse, who was tied to a tree next to his home. "She's alright. I'll go into town and make sure everyone's alright."

"I'll go too!" Ilia volunteered, though Wolf Link wanted to specifically tell her to stay just in case there was another quake. But he knew how headstrong she was, so he didn't argue. They rushed into the town and came to a dead halt at what they saw. Most of the townspeople were lying on the ground, unmoving. It didn't take a genius to know they were dead.

"Father!" Ilia cried, running to Bo's body. Wolf Link, however, didn't make a movie. He stood his ground, glaring at a certain Twili standing in the middle of the bloodbath.

"Zant," he greeted bitterly.

Zant chucked darkly from under his mask, holding out a child by the back of his collar. It was one of the kids who regularly visited Wolf Link, Colin. Tears were streaming down his face as he desperately kicked wildly to try and break free from Zant's hold.

"Let him go," Wolf Link ordered firmly, showing no signs of fear.

"Why should I?" Zant kept his calm demeanor despite the childish phrase.

"Yeah, why should he?"

Wolf Link gasped at the nostalgic voice as an imp levitated into view from behind Zant. "Midna!"

"Link," she replied coldly. He raised an eyebrow at her icy attitude.

"Midna, I've been looking everywhere for you!" he grinned nonetheless. "I mean, I know you've been in the Twilight Realm, but I've been finding a way back and-"

"Just shut up," she spat, placing her hands on her hips. "We're not partners anymore in case you haven't noticed. So stay out of my way and you won't have to die painfully." To emphasize her statement, she zapped Colin with a bolt of teal electricity from her hand. He screamed in agony, his body convulsing for only a few seconds until he went limp. Zant tossed his body nonchalantly over his shoulder.

Don't panic, Wolf Link told himself, though he was beginning to anyway. This isn't real. Cia said you'd go through traumatic stuff, so…

"I've decided to go on the winning side," Midna grinned, crossing her legs. "You can join us if you'd like. Honestly…" Her cold demeanor faded somewhat. "I kind of want to be partners again, but not if…" She sighed deeply. "Not if you're going to oppose us."

"Midna," Wolf Link replied after a moment. "You know I want us to be together again, but if this is your price, forget it." He glared at Zant defiantly.

"I told you he wouldn't go for it," Zant told Midna impatiently. "So let's get rid of him already while he's not armed."

"Give me a second." Midna floated over to Link and placed her hands behind her back shyly. "Listen, I really do want us to be partners. Everything you went through… What did you get for it? Nothing. Not even a thank you from anyone but Zelda. You went through all that torture for nothing."

"It wasn't for nothing," Wolf Link retorted weakly, glancing at Ilia weeping over his father's corpse. "I didn't do it for a reward. I did it for everyone's safety."

Midna frowned sadly. "Link, you're too nice, you know that?" She reached down and took one of his hands in hers. "Come on. You deserve to be ruler of the world." She heard Zant cough behind her. "Secondary ruler of the world," she corrected herself in an annoyed tone.

"That isn't me, though," Wolf Link replied, almost disappointed his morals held him back from being with her.

Midna glared at him half-heartedly. "But… Are you really sure?"

The area her hand was on his began to feel cold, but he ignored it. "Y-Yeah," he answered, less confident than before. "I'm sure."

"No you're not," Midna told him. She clenched his hand tighter. "C'mon, you want to join me, don't you?"

"Well, yeah, of course I…" His voice trailed off as he looked down sheepishly. "I do, but I wouldn't be able to, you know…"

"Kill people?" Midna finished. She giggled in the way she always used to during their adventures. "Of course you can. You kill monsters all the time. How is this any different? The humans we're getting rid of aren't even on their level."

The freezing feeling on his hands intensified, but he was beyond noticing it by now.

"I guess…" He turned to Ilia and her mourning with a blank expression. "What about her?"

"Oh, right, her…" Midna finally released his hand and tapped her chin thoughtfully. "How about making her your first target? Just so you can get the feeling of it. Here." Pixels of twilight were summoned around her and bolted towards Wolf Link, a black sword appeared in his grip. "Consider it a gift." She jabbed a finger at Ilia. "Now, go prove your loyalty."

Wolf Link stared at his childhood friend vacantly. "I…I don't know…"

"Oh, come on!" Midna threw her hands in the air in irritation. "Do you want anyone to come between us again? No, you don't. So get rid of her. The world will keep spinning without her."

Wolf Link unconsciously took a step closer to Ilia. Midna waved him forward with an encouraging smile. Midna… Even if it had to be with Zant, he still wanted to be with her. And if the death of his friend brought Midna happiness, then so be it. He didn't even stop to question the feeling that came over him. He just kept taking slow, silent steps towards the sobbing girl.

He finally reached the point where he stood over her kneeling body. She didn't even bother to look over her shoulder, too wrapped up in her sadness to notice. Midna levitated towards him and leaned on his shoulder. He eventually worked up the nerve to raise his sword over Ilia's head, a sadistic smile spreading over his face as he did so.

This wasn't the first time he did this. In the vision Lanayru showed him during his initial quest, he killed his good side. His innocence, per say. And it was all for power. It was so satisfying, seeing his pure self cowering in fear at his greatness. This was quite a similar experience, wasn't it?

With one last grin from Midna, he didn't hesitate to bring the sword down cleanly through his former friend's neck.

He did his best to focus on Zelda, who was struggling against the chains that bound her to a nearby tree, but it was hard. After all, it's a bit difficult to ignore a sword going through your stomach.

Sky Link did his best to keep from screaming in agony for Zelda's sake, but he was having a hard time holding it in. Ghirahim was obviously having the time of his life with this. He had the hero pinned to the ground with his knee, likely having some…suggestive thoughts that Sky Link would rather not consider.

"Stop!" Zelda screamed from her bonds. "Take me instead! Don't hurt him!"

Ghirahim halted his actions, leaving the blade stuck midway in Sky Link's middle. "Can't you leave that damned mouth of yours shut?" He pulled his sword out of the Hero of Sky's body uncaringly, earning a pained groan from his new servant. He pulled Sky Link up by his hair and pointed at Zelda. "Go take care of her, would you?"

"What? But you said she wouldn't get hurt!" the hero replied, dumbfounded.

Ghirahim rolled his eyes in response. "Have I ever been one to keep promises? Honestly. If you don't do it now, I'll make you."

Sky Link stood his ground defiantly. "No."

"Oh, and here I thought you'd be civil," the Demon Lord sighed dramatically. "No matter. This will be just as fun. Right, my faithful little dog?"

He placed his palm on Sky Link's forehead. Against his will, the hero stopped his useless struggles. Zelda stared on worriedly, wondering what was going on.

"Right?" Ghirahim asked again, a little more forceful this time.

"Of course, Master!"

Sky Link cringed inwardly at the overly enthusiastic voice he heard.

I swear… he thought bitterly. If that was my voice, I'm gonna kill him.

"I'd go through anything for Master!" he said again against his will. "He can do whatever he wants to me." He tugged on his collar and winked at the Demon Lord seductively.

NO, was his reaction. No, never, no! NO! Why is Ghirahim looking at me that way? Perv! Ugh, when I get back in control of myself I'm gonna-

"But you're forgetting my command," Ghirahim smirked. "Go on. Kill the girl."

Sky Link eagerly reached for the blade the Demon Lord held out to him. He stood up, despite the extreme agony that coursed through his body, and rushed over to Zelda, his sword ready.

Stop! the inner Sky Link uselessly commanded himself. Please! It's Zelda, remember? Your friend!

But his pleading fell on deaf ears. His body was grinning in an almost childish fashion, only wanting to please his master. Zelda was pulling as much as she could against the chains, but her struggles stopped when the hero's sword stabbed her clean through the heart.

Both Links bolted upwards in bed, breathing heavily and panicked. Sky Link wiped a bead of sweat from his brow. It now occurred to him that he went through that same scenario at least three times, and now all of it was weighing down on him.

"Oh, you're awake."

He looked over at Cia, who was kneeling next to his bedside. She gazed at him sympathetically and placed her hand on his, which gripped the edge of the mattress tightly.

"I'm sorry," she apologized sincerely. "You were heavily wounded, so I had to heal you with dark magic. That's what caused whatever horrible vision you witness. I wish it didn't have to happen that way, but…" She looked over at Wolf Link worriedly. "Link? Are you alright?"

Sky Link turned to his counterpart. Wolf Link still had a slightly healed wound on his shoulder, unlike Sky Link, whose injuries had completely healed. The Hero of Twilight was hunched over and panting, his eyes glazed over and unfocused.

"What's wrong with him?" Sky Link asked, his tone full of concern.

"This is extraordinary," Cia gasped in awe. "Both of you woke up at the same time. Wolf shouldn't have woken up until he was fully healed. That should explain his current condition. You see, I believe his body is now with us, but his mind is still halfway in that nightmare he was having. But you two awoke simultaneously. Perhaps your souls are more in sync than I thought. They are identical, after all."

Wolf Link collapsed, his head hitting the pillow hard. His breathing became more laborious, sprawled unceremoniously on the bed. He let out a pained moan, obviously having quite a frightening experience.

"Poor guy," Sky Link sighed empathetically. He placed his hand in his other self's gently, which Wolf Link instantly clasped tightly. "Don't worry. It'll be over soo- Cia, is your nose bleeding?"

Cia flinched and wiped some blood pouring from her nose. "O-Oh, no, I, uh… It's nothing."

Sky Link ran a hand through his counterpart's hair, calming him down a bit. "Young Link… He's still missing, isn't he?"

"Yes," Cia said seriously despite her nosebleed. "But we'll get him back. Trust me."

Sky Link laughed weakly at her words. "Knowing him, he'll probably break out before we even leave." He allowed himself a sorrowful smile. "Cia, I don't think I've properly thanked you for bringing us together."

"Um, well, you don't need to," Cia replied sheepishly.

"No, I do. No matter how shameless or clueless these guys are, I don't feel so alone. I don't know what it is. It's probably just because we're technically the same person, but I really do feel happy. And I have you too." He grinned at her innocently. "Right?"

Cia sat frozen in her spot, surprised at his confession. "Th-Thanks," she stuttered timidly. "Um, I'll look for Young Link through the crystal ball. You stay with Wolf until he snaps out of it."

Sky Link nodded and the sorceress hurried out of the room. He stroked his doppelganger's hair affectionately, guessing it was making him more comfortable. "Don't worry," he told him contently. "I know you're scared of something, but I'll protect you. I promise."

*DANG. That was quite the chapter. But… Wait a minute. This chapter has no Young Link! *world explodes* NUUUUUUUU! Oh, well. Next chapter we'll be focusing on him, so it's all good! ^^ This time we delved into some of the Links fears. (That's what the visions were based around, in case you didn't guess.) Poor thing. :( But we had to mentally torture him some time in this story so, hey, what the heck. I would've had this chapter out last night, but I got SO into it I lengthened it to ridiculous lengths. 0_0' I don't think I have it in me to make the next one quite as long, but we'll be introducing a new character~! You all know who it is. ;)

And I FINALLY got to work in my favorite villain, Debby! Er, I mean Ghirahim! :D He's totally making another appearance sooner or later, so I hope you like him. Or at least love to hate him. :3

K bye.*