CHAPTER 4
Wynn looked on the rippling waters of Lake Hylia. Somewhere, deep in the lake, hidden in a temple, was the Spiritual Stone of Water. And it was up to Wynn to retrieve it.
The hero slowly waded into the water. With his Zora's Tunic, he could breathe underwater. He began to swim deeper and deeper, heading for the bottom. After what seemed like an eternity, he finally entered the Water Temple.
As he surfaced inside the temple, he looked around, reminiscing. Here was where he had fought Icarnos the first time. Here, he had nearly been forced to join the wizard. But, now was not the time to worry about the past.
Wynn looked about. Now, to find his opponent...
Wynn, can you hear me?
Wynn smiled. "Yes, father."
I am sorry I cannot be there physically to help you, but I can direct you. From where you stand, you must swim to your left.
Wynn nodded, following his father's orders. He plunged into the water that flowed throughout the temple, swimming around a central platform, directed by his father to a door. He opened it, and entered.
After opening the door, he let out a cry of despair. "How am I supposed to cross that?"
Simple. If you use your magic, it can boost your strength so that you may be able to jump across.
"You may not agree, but that's not exactly my concept of simple."
Just do it, son.
"O.K., here goes..." said a nervous Wynn. He concentrated, crossing his arms. The
Wynn laughed, looking down at his hand. He was glowing! He felt a power like never before enter him. With it came the confidence he needed to proceed.
He stepped away from the edge, and took a running jump. He jumped downward, landing on a platform, and then jumped up to another one, and another. His jumps were inhumanly long, boosted by his charged magic. He leaped right up to the door, and stepped through.
"What now?" he sighed. The room he was in had several platforms, jutting out of a pool of water. In the water were several Tekitites. Wynn smiled. The solution to this puzzle was obvious.
He leapt from the platform he stood on toward the water. A Tekitite looked up, only to see a pair of boots headed straight for it. It shrieked indignantly as Wynn bounced off it, flying up to another platform. A jump later, and he was standing in front of a line of spikes, and two more Tekitites. The hero easily drew his sword. The monsters responded by squealing, and scurrying past him, making a dash for the nearest exit. Wynn smiled at the monsters' cowardice.
Wynn used the last of his magic to bound over the spikes. When he landed, however, he got an unpleasant surprise.
"Like-Like!" The monster, a hideous, featureless gelatinous mass with a hole for a mouth, moved toward him, mouth posed to suck him in. He stopped its advance with a swipe of his Biggoron sword, and watched as it dissolved into a steaming puddle.
Amazing, thought he, what the evil powers that plague Hyrule create as weapons. Without those evils, none of the monsters would exist.
Wynn walked forward, and paused at the door.
Beware, Wynn. Beyond this door lies your foe. He is the right-hand of our enemy. Do not take him lightly. He is something of the likes you have never seen.
Wynn nodded. "Yes, father."
I can help you no more. This battle is meant to be yours alone.
Wynn frowned, nodded, then opened the door.
He stepped into total darkness. As he raised his Biggoron Sword, two red eyes appeared before him. The eyes were windows into madness, filled with hatred. Those eyes were the true darkness.
"So, little one, you come to fight. Foolish move. It shall be your last!" hissed the villain. Wynn stepped forward, ready for battle.
******
"So, where do we go now, weed-for-brains?" asked Nerah.
"You should have listened to the Princess, trout breath. We go to Dodongo's Cavern, on Death Mountain," Fami sniped.
"I was listening," huffed an irritated Nerah. "I just wanted to see if you knew, that's all."
"Yeah, right. I bet you were still drooling over MY boyfriend while Her Highness was speaking," Fami guessed as the two started up the Death Mountain Trail.
"Was not! Anyways, Wynn is mine!"
"HE IS NOT!" roared Fami.
Before Nerah could answer, six Tekitites hopped in front of the two, trying to look menacing. This intrusion was fortunate, because Nerah's answer to Fami's comment was likely to have been a punch.
"Pests. Watch ME take care of them," Fami said haughtily, nose in the air. A vine sprouted under one of the monsters and hurled it against the cliff wall, crushing it.
"Child's play," Nerah gloated as she sent a geyser of water at another, defeating it.
"Oh yeah?" demanded Fami, using her magic to create an immense tree, which fell on another Tekitite.
"Yeah!" yelled Nerah, conjuring up a thunderstorm. A lightning bolt came down, turning a fourth Tekitite to dust.
"Oh, you're going to get it now..."
"I'll pound you..."
The two remaining Tekitites looked to each other, to the feuding girls, and back again. They hopped off, deciding those two weren't worth the risk.
"See what you have done? You've scared them off!" yelled Fami.
"That was the point!"
Fami paused. "Well, still, it's your fault."
"Kokiri. They're all brats."
"Zoras. They're all fishy."
The two turned their backs on each other. They stood like that in silence for what seemed like an eternity, neither willing to give in to the other.
"Hmph! While you stand here, I'll go beat the monster, and impress Wynn!" yelled Fami, dashing up the trail. Her desire was less to impress Wynn than to show Nerah she was the better of the two.
"You little witch! Wynn is mine!" yelled Nerah as she raced up the trail. She smiled. Fami wasn't near as fast as she was. It wasn't long before she overtook the girl.
Fami yelled indignantly as Nerah passed her. Her cry soon changed to one of victory as Nerah dove out of the way of an immense boulder hurtling at her, falling behind Fami. Fami ran straight into the Dodongo's Cavern, Nerah not far behind.
This is Zelda. Go straight ahead, into the mouth of the dead Dodongo, and then to your left. There you will find your foe.
Fami nodded as she heard the voice of the Princess. Now that she knew where she was to go, beating Nerah would be all too easy. She raced forward, not noticing the chasm until she was right on it. She shrieked as she nearly plummeted into a pool of lava, leaping for a nearby platform. She sighed as she caught the edge, and started to pull herself up. She was rewarded by Nerah's foot planting itself on her face as the Zora used Fami as a springboard to jump to the next platform.
"Yes!" she yelled, sparing a glance at the fuming Kokiri girl.
She was stopped, forcefully, in her tracks as she collided with a statue. She began to pull herself up, glaring at the offensive statue. It was golden, divided into two parts. The lower part was oval, with a mouth shaped into it. The top was a sphere, cut in half. As she watched, the top half of the sphere rolled back, revealing a metallic eye. She yelled out in fear as the eye shot a blue laser at her, narrowly missing.
Nerah was saved by a vine that sprouted under the statue, raising it into the air and slamming it back down, destroying it. "Well, one less obstacle," noted Fami, running past Nerah. Nerah ran after her.
Before the two was the massive skull of some long-dead reptile, with a door in the throat. Fami ran up the jaw and through the door, but was tackled soon after by Nerah. The Zora turned left, and had nearly reached the final door when a root suddenly appeared under her feet, spilling her to the ground. Fami dashed by.
Nerah ruthlessly pursued Fami into the next room. Fami slowed, seeing no door. Where was the exit?
"Gotcha!" Nerah yelled, slamming into Fami.
"Oh, no you don't!" Fami caught Nerah, holding on. The two struggled, rolling around, trying to overcome the other, until they fell into an unnoticed hole in the floor.
The two fell far, smashing into the ground below with a loud "Oof!" Fami, the unfortunate of the two who was on bottom when they landed, groaned and shoved Nerah off her.
"Well, what do we have here?" came a roaring voice from near them. The girls looked up, scrambling away. "It looks like a pair of snacksss dropped in. Good, I wasss getting hungry." A forked tongue licked scaled lips.
"Who...what...are you?" asked Nerah.
"I am Lord Dodongo." announced the voice, as if he needed no further introduction. "I am an ally to the dark one, and he has given me a simple task in exchange for a simple reward."
"Reward?" asked Fami, trembling.
"Yesss," hissed Lord Dodongo. "For the protection of the Goron's Ruby, I get...food."
"Food?" Nerah's voice quavered.
"Yesss. I suppossse he meansss you."
The monster was huge, triple the size of the two girls. It was an enormous reptile. Its green scales had the look of armor plating. Around his neck was a frill of red scales. He was bipedal, walking awkwardly on his hind legs. Intelligent, hungry eyes blinked over a drooling maw filled with protruding fangs. Clawed hands gripped an enormous war hammer big enough to squash a horse.
"Uh...maybe we'll come back later. After dinner, maybe?" Fami suggested, scrambling backwards.
The reptile chuckled; an evil grating sound like the monster had hiccupped while hissing. "But you are dinner!"
"Trust me, I wouldn't taste good. Eat her!" said Nerah, pointing at Fami.
"But, I love seafood!"
"Then I'll leave you two. Bon appetite," said Fami.
"But what meal is complete without a side of Hylian?" Lord Dodongo again licked his lips.
"Looks like I'm gonna have to beat him. Stay out of my way, Fami," smirked Nerah.
"Not without me!" Fami glared.
"Shut up and get in my mouth!" roared Lord Dodongo, lunging at them. The girls ran to the side as the hammer decimated the ground they had been standing on. The two ran away, searching their surroundings for means of escape. They were on a narrow shelf of rock, ring-shaped. To the outside was stony walls, to the middle was boiling magma. The only exit was the entrance, a hole in the roof inaccessible to them.
The monster chased them around the ring. With its enormous stride, it easily caught up to them, its head lowering to the ground in an attempt to snatch the girls up. Before he could catch them, they turned, and ran between his legs. He whirled, letting out an annoyed growl. The monster obviously didn't believe in fast food.
Fami steeled herself, and sent a column of vines spiraling at the reptile. They nearly made it to him when he sent a geyser of flames from his mouth, burning the vines to a blackened crisp.
"A fire-breather, eh? I can handle him," Nerah smiled slightly, and a spout of water gushed at the monster. He grimaced, covering his face with his arms. Nerah laughed as he curled up into a ball. "Ha! That'll show him!"
His response was to roll forward, moving towards the girls. Fami glared at Nerah, and they both turned and ran. They couldn't get past him, because he took up the whole shelf of rock, and he was gaining on them. He had nearly caught them when he unrolled himself, looming over the two heroines.
"Give up, you're just making me more hungry," he demanded.
Fami and Nerah looked at each other. They would have to work together.
"Hey, you overgrown lizard, I think you need to be more concerned about losing weight! I mean, you're just a tub of scaly lard!" yelled Nerah, distracting him. He snorted, looking insulted.
Meanwhile, Fami concentrated, calling on her plant magic. Again, vines sprouted, this time behind Lord Dodongo. They wrapped around him, binding his arms behind his back. He roared, sending flames out to fry the vines.
Nerah saw her chance. Another geyser of water flew out, this time aimed for the monster's open maw. The water slammed into the reptile's throat, choking him and dousing the flames. In surprise, he dropped his hammer.
One of Fami's vines caught the hammer. It pulled back, ready to smack the creature. Lord Dodongo didn't notice, instead sending a look of hatred and hunger to the two girls. "I will eat you slowly for that, insolents!" he roared, furious.
"I think not. The only thing you're going to eat is lava. Hit him, Fami," Nerah said sweetly.
Fami nodded. "My pleasure."
The monster turned, confused. His eyes grew as he saw his hammer hurtle at him. The collision sent both him and the hammer into the scorching magma. Lord Dodongo bellowed in pain, thrashing about, but only sinking deeper. A final bust of flames erupted from his throat, and he sunk completely into the lava.
"Well, looks like I beat him," bragged Nerah.
"You? I'm the one..." Before Fami could challenge Nerah's claim, a red light appeared over the two. They looked up to see a red jewel descending towards them. It was a ruby, shining with an internal fire.
Good job, girls. You have recovered the Spiritual Stone of Fire, the Goron's Ruby. I shall help you return.
"Thanks, Zelda," Fami said as a blue light surrounded the two. They felt themselves flying upwards, and were gone. They left behind them only a memory of the lizard king.
******
The dark figure scowled. Two of the stones had been recovered. Now, one remained. It was up to his right hand to insure his plan's completion.
But, he had other matters to attend to. His thoughts turned to his other two minions, and they appeared, instantly coming at his psychic summons. His General bowed deeply, silver armor almost a blue hue. The Assassin was a mere shadow on the wall. The features of both were obscured by the murky blackness surrounding them. Both shared red eyes, but those eyes were worlds apart. The General's eyes were cocky and arrogant, while the Assassin's eyes were cold and heartless.
"You called, my lord?" drawled the General, bowing deeply.
"Yes. I have tasks for you two." The shadowy figures eyes flitted over them briefly. "General, you are to form an army and begin taking the towns and villages of Hyrule."
"It will be done." A flash, and the General was gone.
"Assassin, your task is to eliminate those pests that killed my monsters. Start with those infernal females."
The Assassin nodded, and the figure waved a hand, obviously dismissing him. The Assassin melted into the wall, and was gone.
The shadow figure sighed. Soon, his task would be complete. It would be all over, and the darkness would take Hyrule.
******
The leader of the Tekitons, the original and the late Seron's right hand, chirped pitifully as it backed into a wall, shying from the others. A large army of Tekitons surrounded him, weapons drawn. They blamed him for their failure. It was something to take out their frustration on. It doubted it would survive.
As the mob began to attack, it was saved by a sudden presence. Standing at the mouth of the cave was a man, in bluish armor. The man smirked at the monsters, red eyes narrowing. "A pitiful little bunch, you."
The Tekitons whirled, looking at the man angrily. Several pointed their swords at him, responding to his insult. They moved away from the cowering leader and towards the man.
The dark armored man's answer was a laugh. "You will do quite well for an army for my master. After a few modifications, that is." He raised a gauntleted hand. A dark power left his palm, cascading over the crowd. The monsters shrieked as one, and collapsed to the ground as one by one they were struck down.
The power hit them all, save one. The leader had the presence of mind, and lack of spine, to hide behind a rock column. As it watched, its former fellows slowly mutated, growing in size. It gripped the stone in fear as it watched the dark man's 'modifications'.
The monsters slowly stood. They were now twice as tall, behemoths dwarfing their former leader. They were purple, and their sword had also grown in length to become fierce blades. Their sole eye had changed from yellow to a blood red. They stood at attention, awaiting orders.
"Good. Now, come, my Tekititons. Together, we shall swarm Hyrule like a plague, and then, evil will triumph! Ha ha ha!"
The leader of the Tekitons slipped out from behind the rock, silently trailing the army. This didn't look good.
******
Wynn looked about in the darkness, and his eyes returned to meet the gaze of the red glowing slits hanging in the air. "Nice place you have here."
The eyes narrowed even more. "I will kill you."
Wynn sneered at it. "Well, come on! I can't fight you if I can't see you."
The eyes responded with a laugh. The darkness swirled, and dissipated, revealing a long room full of columns. Standing in front of him was his foe. It was a man, swathed in dark clothes. A dagger was in his hand, and the symbol of a red eye was on his chest. Twin red eyes glowed out from under a black mask. Wynn gasped, stepping back. It was Jier!
"Prepare to die, Wynn," came the cold, emotionless voice. Wynn frowned. That wasn't Jier's voice.
The false Jier lunged at Wynn, dagger out. Wynn jumped to the side, narrowly dodging the dagger swipe. The Shadow Jier landed on his feet, twirled, and threw himself at Wynn. Wynn moved aside, watching as the fake hero slammed into a column, and fell back, eyes glossed over. Wynn walked over to him and planted a foot on his chest. Red eyes stared at him unworried.
"You wouldn't hurt a friend," the Shadow assumed.
"Jier is dead. So are you," Wynn said emotionlessly, his sword falling.
Wynn stepped away from the corpse that had been his foe. "That was easy. Now, where is this Spiritual Stone..."
"Do you think you beat me? I will crush you!" boomed a voice from behind him. Wynn whirled. Standing there, where the false Jier had fallen, was an exact replica of Tane, but with glowing eyes. "You can't fight your partner, now can you?"
"My partner isn't here. Only a monster that looks like him," Wynn said, staring at the imposter. His sword raised.
"You will pay for defying my master." The fake Tane clutched his ax and walked forward, his step almost the same as Tane's arrogant swagger. Wynn took a few steps, and then rushed forward.
Wynn vaulted over the wide swing of the ax, landing behind Shadow Tane. He swung his Biggoron Sword in a wide arc that would have separated his enemy's head from his shoulders, but the imposter ducked. Wynn coughed as a fist slammed into his stomach, doubling over.
Tane laughed as he raised his ax high, ready to cleave Wynn's head open, but the hero tackled him. They rolled across the floor, exchanging blows. Finally, Wynn got on top, and raised his sword. The false Tane held his ax handle over his head, trying to block the coming blow. It was unsuccessful as the blade sliced through the handle and continued down.
Wynn stood, glaring down. The body of Tane seemed to dissolve, reforming itself. Wynn gasped as Nerah materialized before him. "Would you hurt me?" asked Shadow Nerah innocently, but there was evil in that sweet voice. Wynn steeled himself, telling himself that she was not real, just a monster. "Die!"
Wynn hurled himself to the side as a geyser of dark water flew at him. He ran forward, dodging blast after blast of water, leaping at Nerah. She screamed as he slammed into her, knocking her off her feet. She climbed back up, looking at herself. "This form is too weak...Hmm..."
Nerah dissolved into a black cloud, quickly reforming into another girl. Wynn narrowed his eyes as he gazed at the darker form of his friend. Shadow Shezarah drew her scimitar, blade slicing through the air. "This is more like it," she said gruffly.
Wynn held his sword in front of him as Shezarah prowled forward. She suddenly sprung into the air, and Wynn ran under her. However, he was a little too slow, and felt her blade cut into the armor protecting his back, but without any serious damage. Wynn gritted his teeth in pain.
Wynn turned, his sword flying towards where the monster had stood, but caught only air. He whirled, sword barely deflecting another swipe. He jumped back, hand falling to his chained mace. He waited till Shezarah jumped again, ran a few steps, turned, and pressed a button on the mace. The spiked ball flew forward, soaring to the right of the imposter. Shadow Shezarah laughed.
"Ha! Missed me!" Wynn smiled at that comment, flicking his wrist. The chain wrapped around Shezarah's legs. Wynn yanked the chain, sending Shezarah sprawling to the ground. Her head hit a column with a loud crack, making Wynn wince.
Shadow Shezarah's body swirled, reforming again. Wynn sighed, frustrated. He was hurt and tired, and this monster wouldn't give up and die! Wynn stepped back, astonishment in his eyes when he saw the monster's new form.
"Wynn, give up. I won't hurt you," pleaded Fami.
Wynn felt groggy, his mind slowing. This wasn't real, was it? He stepped forward slowly, then another.
No! This was the monster's magic! He tried to tear his eyes from Fami's, but he was held by their brown depths. She was real!
As he neared her, he saw a glint of red in her eye. She was a fake! He wouldn't allow this monster to distract him. The real Fami was probably in danger, and he was dallying here!
He closed his eyes as his sword finished Shadow Fami.
He opened his eyes. The body lay still, lifeless. He turned, seeing a blue light drop from the ceiling. It was the Stone! He started forward.
"Oh, no you don't, hero!" Wynn turned, furious. His fury fell into despair as he saw his new foe. "You may be able to defeat your friends...but can you beat yourself?"
Standing across from him, Biggoron Sword in hand and chained mace at his side, was Wynn.
******
Baro frowned in concentration. He may not be able to help Wynn, but he could monitor his son's progress. He let the image of his son slip into his mind, and gasped at what he saw.
His son was fighting himself! The two hurled themselves at each other again and again. Baro could barely tell them apart!
He gasped at that realization. He had heard of this monster, and recognized its tactic. It was slowly taking Wynn's mind, corrupting his heart. If Wynn didn't act soon, he would become the monster.
Hold in there, son. We're all counting on you.
******
Wynn grimaced, staring at his foe. He ran a hand over his eyes, wiping away sweat. His foe sneered at him. They were evenly matched, every way. Neither could win, but they would fight till they died or triumphed.
"You can't win. I will kill you. Even if you do beat me, I will kill your friends!" Shadow Wynn bragged.
"I will stop you! If I have to go to the ends of Hyrule, I would hunt you down and kill you!" Wynn yelled hoarsely.
"Ha! Fool! Your friends are turning against you! They will stop you!"
Wynn roared in rage. "No one will stop me!" His mind was whirling. Nothing mattered but killing his clone. He would kill anyone that tried to stop him.
"Anyone?" the monster gloated. Images of Fami, Tane, and the others swirled through his feverish mind. He wouldn't allow them to stop him! If it meant killing them, then...
He stopped. What was happening to him? He was losing his mind! He was becoming obsessed with defeating this mockery of himself. It had to end now.
"You may think you have the upper hand, but you're wrong. Do you believe we're equal? We're not! I have a heart," Wynn said, a smile coming to his face, "And, I have my magic."
He watched as his mirror image's mouth dropped. "No!" The clone rushed forward as Wynn raised his arms. A soft yellow glow surrounded the hero, and a fierce wind swept the room. The familiar globes appeared, orbiting each other as Wynn lowered his arms. It was obvious the monster wouldn't reach him in time. The globes came together as Wynn clapped his hands. The beam shot forth, slamming into Shadow Wynn.
The monster howled as the light overcame him. The figure of Shadow Wynn vanished, the darkness reappearing. The two red eyes were slits of pain.
"Master!!!" The word was a howl as Wynn's pure light extinguished the darkness.
Wynn smiled, sheathing his sword. He had overcome his rage and fear, and had mastered himself. The monster was slain, as was his darker side.
He turned, walking to the Stone. He laughed as he held the Zora's Sapphire, the last of the Spiritual Stones. He held it over his head.
Good job, Wynn. Now, with the Spiritual Stone of Water, the Door of Time can be opened. I shall return you to the Temple of Time with the Stone. We must discuss our plans.
Wynn nodded. A blue light surrounded him, and he felt himself fly. The Temple disappeared. Wynn left behind him the hall, brightly lit, no traces of the darkness that had claimed it earlier. The Shadow was no more.
******
Tane sighed. They had nearly reached the Gerudo's Fortress, and the noon sun was beaming down on them. He growled as Shezarah continued her tirade, his temper flaring like the noon heat.
"Tane, you nearly got me killed! I can't believe you missed!" Shezarah yelled, berating the slumped hero.
"Its not my fault that I'm not experienced with a bow! And I saved you!" Tane snarled.
"Don't speak back to me, servant!" Shezarah ordered.
"'Servant'? Is that all I am to you? Well, you can forget it!" Tane stopped, staring her in the eye. She met his gaze.
"I captured you, you're mine!" she screamed.
"You have a lot to learn, girl. And you can just forget this guy; I'm out of here!"
Shezarah watched him walk off. She yelled, "Then don't ever come back!" She turned, and continued toward the fortress.
I don't need him, she assured herself. I can take care of myself. She scowled, her thoughts never leaving the roguish man with the arrogant swagger and cocky grin.
"What's that?" she asked, hearing the sounds of battle coming from ahead. She rushed forward, looking out at Gerudo's Valley. Her mouth dropped open in shock.
There, across the narrow chasm that was Gerudo's Valley, was a battle. The Gerudo warriors were struggling against monsters. They were like Tekitons, but taller and purple. They were obviously more competent, because they were overwhelming the skilled Gerudo.
Shezarah spotted her mother at the front of the Gerudo's, commanding the army, since she was the leader of the Gerudo. As Shezarah watched, one of the monsters grabbed her mother, throwing her to the ground. Shezarah rushed forward, weapons at ready.
She came to the bridge crossing the chasm. Standing before her was a monster, sword at ready. She leapt at it, removing its head. It spilled off the bridge, falling for what seemed like forever, finally landing in the narrow river that created the valley.
Several monsters rose up to fight her, and she defeated one after another, but it was taking its toll. She moved more slowly, exhausted. She flipped over a monster, but landed wrong, pain shooting up her leg as she collapsed. The monster effortlessly picked her up, ready to throw her off the bridge to her death.
The monsters eye suddenly bulged, and it fell to its knees, and then all the way down, dead. Shezarah freed herself from its grasp, looking into the dazzling smile Tane gave her as he freed his ax from the dead monster's back.
"I can't leave you alone for a minute, can I?" He laughed as she met him in a hug.
"Now, let's save the Gerudos!" Shezarah said bravely. Tane nodded, and they ran into battle.
******
The last of the Tekitons chirped pitifully as it found itself in the thick of the battle. It hadn't intended to fight, but had been swept up into battle. It ducked under a scimitar swipe, running for its life, shrieking at the top of its lungs.
It ran out of the battle, setting foot onto the bridge. It fled, never looking back.
******
"Tane!" Shezarah screamed as a dying monster slammed into her. Both her and the monster fell off the bridge, but at the last second, Tane caught her hand.
Shezarah looked down into the chasm. There was no way she could survive that fall. "Pull me up!" she screamed, desperate.
Tane grunted, his arm throbbing in pain. "I'm trying, babe!" He started to pull her up slowly.
******
The Tekiton chirped wildly, nearly free. Once it reached the end of the bridge...
It never finished that thought as an unseen obstacle sent it flying. It whirled, barely catching a glimpse of what had tripped it. It ran for its life, escaping the death that had seemed so certain.
******
"Ugh!" Tane cried as something slammed into him. The collision nearly sent him flying off the bridge. Shezarah screamed, then looked down. She started to free her hand, ready to sacrifice herself to save Tane.
"Oh, no you don't!" Tane yelled, "If you go, so do I!"
Shezarah sent him her best smile, and he returned it. They fell off the bridge, flying to their doom, together.
Author's note: Heh heh heh...aren't I evil?