Woooo. Look, this will be a first and only time I do this! I hate disclaimers, because it's quite OBVIOUS I don't own these characters. (Well, most of them... If you don't recognize a name from the game, then it's prolly mine.) If I did, then this story would have probably never ever been made. Hell, it most DEFINITELY would never have been made. The only reason I'm putting a disclaimer here now is because certain parts of this chapter have been pulled from the manga by Himekawa Akira. They are not directly pulled from the manga, as I changed some scenes by lengthening or shortening things, or adding things altogether. However, the idea was not mine. I hope Himekawa, if you ever read this, won't be mad at me! Oh, also, most of the dialogue in these scenes is made up by me, seeing as I can't read them that well to translate them. Some, however, ARE direct translations, which I found here: http://www.bsu.edu/web/agscherer/zeldaindex.html This is a GREAT site that translated the OoT manga, and is starting on the Majora's Mask manga. Everyone! Visit this site and enjoy the manga and then load this girl down with praise! She's wonderful for doing this, since most people don't even know OF the manga. I hope she doesn't mind that I'm promoting her site. ^-^x

Also, anything between ~ ~ ~ these things is a memory from the manga. If you don't want to read it, then don't. Read the manga instead. ^-^x There ARE spoilers in here.





Eon sighed as he hugged Volvagia to him.

"So, Elah was speaking the truth. You really do know each other."

Link nodded. "Yeah, I know him. And he has every right to be angry and disappointed with me."

Navi punched her small fist against his collarbone, making the boy wince. "Don't say that Link-kun! You didn't choose to be trapped between times for those seven years! And even then, didn't you originally buy him to set him free?"

Link shook his head. "But he stayed with me and saved my life from monsters. We were friends..." Link closed his eyes, remembering...


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~


He'd only been outside the forest for a while now. The world was so big! The sky stretched forever with no trees to break it, and the fields waving in the winds carried such sweet, different scents. And now, Hyrule Castle Town, this new place...

Link took it all in, gazing at everything. True, he'd already met with Zelda, and was on his way to meet the Gorons, but... He couldn't just go straight there! There was so much to see and learn.

Passing a hawker's booth, something caught the boy's eye. He stopped, his eyes widening at what he saw. There, in a cage, for seventy rupees, sat a baby dragon. The dragon was extremely small, with two horns that curved backward adorning its head, and a small tuft of hair between them. It had no hind legs, but instead its body ended in a tail. The two legs it did have were front legs, well muscled and with deadly claws. However, it looked lonely and scared, and Link dug through his pockets, scrounging. Finally, when he'd found what he was looking for, he went up to the vendor, holding out his hand.

"Seventy rupees for the baby dragon, sir."

The man took the money and Link walked up to the cage, shaking slightly. He'd just bought a dragon!
Taking the cage and its occupant with him, Link left Hyrule Castle Town, giddy. Once outside the town a ways, he set the cage down and opened it, beckoning to the creature inside.

"C'mon out, it's ok."

Link regretted his action almost immediately. As soon as the door to the cage was opened, the small dragon bit onto Link's hand, refusing to let go. The small boy screamed and yelled and danced around, trying to dislodge the small creature. Finally, once the little dragon was off his hand, Link held it by its tail, face to face.

"Hey you! I used the last of my money to save you, and this is my thanks?!"

The dragon responded by blowing fire in the boy's face.

A while later, Link was on the road again, slightly charred but none the worse for wear. He was perfectly fine in his contemplations and sightseeing when Navi's small voice broke the silence.

"Link-kun, that small guy is following us." Link "erked" but nodded. Deciding he'd traveled far enough for the day, Link settled down and made a fire.

"Navi-chan, can you get those fresh fish from my bag? The ones we caught in that river?"

Navi nodded and flew to the pack, then dragged it over to her charge. Link thanked her and took one of the fish out, grabbed a stick, and proceeded to shish kabob the morsel of food. The small dragon watched on, hiding behind a tree.

When the fish finished cooking, Link smiled and crept over to the baby dragon, ripping a piece from the fish. Holding it out, he said, "Here, want some?"

The small dragon responded by grabbing the whole fish and running off with it.

Link's eye twitched and he jumped to his feet. "Hey, get back here!"

A noise behind him was all the warning he had before the monster jumped him. However, Link knew he had no time to react-the monster would kill him.

Suddenly, flames billowed over Link's head, and the monster went up in smoke, burned to ashes by the dragon fire. Startled, Link looked at the small dragon who sat there on the ground, ready to run should the Kokiri-boy still be angry.

"You...you really saved me! Could it be that...you were really lonely?"

The dragon smiled up at him. "Li...lin...ku... Li...nku..."

Navi and Link both dropped their jaws. "He speaks!"

"Awesome! I'd heard that some dragons could learn to speak, but...this is the first time I've heard it!" Navi's small voice was full of wonder as she explained to Link.

Picking the dragon up, Link hugged it to himself. "This is great! You and me...from now on, we're best friends!"

The dragon smiled and purred. "Linku. Linku."


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~


Volvagia chirped again, bringing Link's head up. Slowly, his eyes opened, only to be greeted by the large, moist eyes of the baby dragon being cradled by Eon.

"So...is that how you met? This little creature...ever since Elah handed him to me, I've been getting images from him. Small ones, like he's been trying to tell me something but just couldn't. But your face always came up. Always smiling..." Eon lowered his head a second, then looked back up. "Always smiling, except for one picture."

Link couldn't do anything, so he just stood there, trying not to meet either Eon or Volvagia's gaze. Navi, however, refused to let anyone hurt her friend like this.

"Stop it! This is terrible, what you're doing to Link-kun! Are you some kind of demon, that enjoys making others suffer?!" Her small voice carried farther than she thought, and when she realized what she'd said, Navi covered her mouth with her small hands. In a softer voice, she continued. "I mean...this is cruel. Link-kun never did anything to you..."

Eon's eyes hardened slightly. "Perhaps...perhaps not."

Navi was about to say something nasty when Link held out his hand, blocking her view. Startled, Navi looked to her friend, but his face was set. He looked like the adult he'd one day become...

"Eon, you keep mentioning a name. Elah. Who is that?"

The red-haired boy clenched his teeth, realizing he may have made a mistake. However, Sahasrahla stepped forward when the boy refused to speak.

"She's the guardian of this forest, that lake you saw before. The one Dark Link emerged from. And, isn't she also your mother, Eon?"

Eon growled and took a step back, his eyes as hard as daggers.

Sahasrahla nodded his head. "So, is that how it is? Then perhaps, if you are of that attitude, you could abandon this feud you as well have no desire to hold?"

Eon shook his head. "No."

Link took a step forward then, holding his arms out in supplication. "Then, if we have to fight...can you tell me why? You act like...like I hurt you. You say you were alone, and you talk of people being left behind. But...the only one I've ever left behind is Volvagia, before he was even called Volvagia. So...why do you accuse me?"

Eon looked down at the dragon in his arms for a minute, trying to figure out a way to phrase this. "I...I'm not sure. Elah...she told me you were the one that left me behind."

Navi interrupted him. "But...you don't even like her!"

Eon nodded. "That's true. She's nothing like the Deku Tree, who is kind and compassionate. But, ever since I opened my eyes, I've known that I wasn't with who I was supposed to be with, that I wasn't where I needed to be. She told me that you were that reason, Link. That the Hero of Time abandoned me long ago, and that some day soon, he would destroy all of Hyrule." He looked at Link then. "I believed her, Link. I still do, to an extent. I can't explain why, but for some reason, you are familiar to me."

Link shook his head vehemently. "But I didn't know you! The first time we met was here! So how could I have left you behind?!"

"I don't know!" Eon was getting frustrated, as was Link, and all those watching could tell.

"Impa," Zelda reached out and grabbed her protector's arm. "Will Link be ok? He's still in shock from whatever it was he was remembering. There has to be more than him just meeting Volva-uh!" The princess' hands flew to her mouth and she took a staggering step back.

"Zelda Hime, what is it?"

"I remember... Volvagia was that evil dragon that Ganondorf used to detain the Gorons. And Link...Link..." Tears flooded out of the princess' eyes without her knowing. This was too cruel! To make them fight again!

Link apparently heard the princess, because he looked back at her. His eyes were moist.

"Yeah... Zelda was Sheik then, and took me to the place. It was hard...it hurt a lot...but everyone was counting on me. Everyone would be hurt if he kept going like he'd been." The tears he hadn't shed began to fall down his cheeks. "And I...I really tried to help him, to make him remember me, but..."

Eon watched on, his anger dissipating as Link continued to tell his story.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~


"Link-kun, shoot now!"

Link held the Kokiri Bow up, an arrow pulled taut, ready to fly. But he was hesitating. The dragon was ravaging everything, and was intent on killing the young man before him, yet that young man hesitated.
Suddenly, the dragon changed its course, the gaping mouth coming straight at Link.

"Link-kun, look out!" Navi's scream reverberated through the cave as Link fell, the ground beneath him crumbling as he tried to dodge the gaping maw.

"LINK-KUUUN!!!"


He awoke sometime later, his head pounding. Where was he...? Remembering what happened before, Link sat up quickly, and just as soon regretted it. His head started pounding even worse, and the cuts and other wounds he'd received from the fall began to throb. And it was only then that he noticed said wounds were covered with bandages.

"Where...how...?" Looking about himself, Link found his hat lying to his side. Someone had even salvaged that.

"Link-kun..."

Upon hearing his faerie's voice, Link turned his head. She was there, to his side, and someone else was too. However, as soon as he noticed who it was, the person moved to leave.

"Sheik...you saved me?"

The Sheikah stopped and turned, nodding slightly. "Yes. And the fact that you were wearing the Goron Tunic helped as well. I fixed up your wounds a bit, as well."

"Th-thanks. But Sheik, why are you here again? You only showed me where this was... You never mentioned helping me."

Sheik turned around completely, then sat himself down on a rock. Pulling out his harp, he plucked a few strings before continuing. "I came to tell you something about that evil dragon that's rampaging around."

Link looked shocked for a moment before he shook his head. "He's, he's not an evil dragon."

Sheik looked as though he didn't believe him.

"This dragon will destroy all of Death Mountain if it is not stopped. If it keeps rampaging, the mountain will erupt, and all of Hyrule field will be filled with molten lava."

"But it's not his fault! Ganondorf must have put a spell over him! He's not an evil dragon!"

Navi fluttered over to him, her glow dimmed.

Sheik looked down at his harp, thinking. "The only way to free this dragon from the spell it is under," he plucked a string, sending a hauntingly minor note into the air, "is to kill him."

Link jumped up, indignant. "You can't just say it so calmly! There has to be another way! I'll make him remember me!"

Sheik shook his head, and together they descended to the ruined Goron City. Link looked on in disbelief. So many Gorons lay dead, and all the rooms and caves were destroyed. Little Link tugged Link's hand.

"Please! Save Daddy! You're our brother! Daddy always says so! So if you really are our brother, you'll save Daddy and everyone else!"

Link looked on, his eyes pained. There had to be another way. There just had to!

A rumbling nose was all the warning they had as Volvagia shot up out of the ground, directly in front of them. Little Link yelped and jumped back, while Sheik dove to the side and Link rolled the opposite way. Volvagia passed where they'd been, diving into the earth again.

"He'll be coming back, Link. You're the only one who can defeat him." Sheik stood, preparing himself for the next attack.

"I don't want to hurt him!"

Sheik only stood there, looking at him. Link was about to say something else when Volvagia appeared again, the ground spraying up, rocks flying everywhere. Little Link screamed somewhere behind him, and Link grimaced. This was it.

Volvagia swept around in a circle, a stream of fire flying from his mouth as he circled the perimeter, steadily coming closer to Link. The Kokiri-boy just stood, waiting.

"Link-kun!"

Volvagia was close, now. Those dark, cold eyes burned into him, but Link held his ground. Suddenly, his head snapped up, boring his own gaze into the beserk dragon. His face was frightening to look at.

"It's me, Link! Remember!"

Volvagia continued to advance, and opened his mouth to breathe out a stream of fire. Quicker than thought, though, Link pulled out the Kokiri Bow, knocked it, and sent the arrow flying. Volvagia screamed in rage and pain as the arrow pierced his right eye, his body arching backwards.

Link took this chance to jump, drawing the Master Sword at the same time. He could feel the power within the blade, and gritted his teeth. His eyes closed, the young man let out a scream of rage and pain and power, then felt the sword connect.

His downward momentum was enough to push the magic sword through Volvagia's neck, completely severing the head from the rest of the body. The once proud dragon fell, his cry cut short as his life bled away. Link continued his downward fall along with his friend, landing the same time as the dragon did.

He stood there for a second, afraid to turn around. Finally, biting his bottom lip to keep back cries he could feel coming, Link turned around.

Volvagia's head stared at him, unseeing. Link walked closer, his face battered and bruised, his arm hurting from the strain of cutting through sinew and bone, but he didn't care. His friend was there, eyes as blank as they'd been before. It wasn't fair! If he had to die, why couldn't the small dragon die knowing who it was? Link closed his eyes and moved to turn away, but a movement stopped him.

The eyes blinked, slowly, and as Link turned back, his gaze widened. Volvagia stared back up at him, his eyes large and moist and full of love. The same eyes Link remembered from seven years ago.

Tears made their way down the dragon's cheeks, and its voice, when it spoke, was soft and weak, not the booming cry that had reverberated throughout these caverns, nor was it the chirp from when he was still a baby.

"Li...nku..."

The Kokiri-boy collapsed to his knees as Volvagia disappeared in a cloud of dust, and around him, the Gorons rejoiced, oblivious.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~


Volvagia mewed, wriggling so hard he cut Eon's arm with his claws. Startled to the point that he dropped the dragon, Eon watched as Volvagia stood and ran towards Link. Taking its chance, the small dragon scurried through the grass, mewling and chirping the entire time, until it finally reached the small green-clad boy that had his head down, trying not to cry.

"Li...nku...! Lin..ku." The boy sniffed and rubbed his eyes, not understanding. "Linku!"

Volvagia surprised him by jumping up into his arms, purring. Link's eyes widened, but his arms tightened around the small dragon, seeking comfort.

"You're real...you're really real. I saw you disappear like that...I never said good-bye, but...you're real..."

"Linku..."

Eon took a step forward, unsure. He was supposed to fight this boy, was supposed to hate him. But, he couldn't. Even Volvagia, who had every right to be angry, was trying to comfort the distraught elf. Volvagia...wait...

Confused as a thought popped into his head, Eon turned to the elder man. He'd known Sahasrahla for a long time, and even though Elah warned him against the elder, told him the man was a bad influence, Eon could only look to him like a grandfather, even if he was a bit rude to him. So, he always trusted what the old man had to say.

"Yo, old man! I don't understand something..."

Sahasrahla nodded as he moved towards the boy. Link continued to hold Volvagia close, Navi fluttering around them. Impa and Zelda just stood back, unsure.

"What is it child?"

Eon scratched the back of his head, unsure of how to continue. "Well, Link killed Volvagia...right?" A nod. "And that was seven years from now...er, will be seven years from now."

"Not really. That reality has been sealed."

Eon opened his mouth, then nodded, completely confused. "Rrriiight. Anyway, if this isn't the same Volvagia, how does he remember all this?"

Sahasrahla paused a moment, wondering. "Well, the only thing I can think of is that this is the same Volvagia. Elah gave him to you, you say? She could have pulled him from the spirit pool the same way she did you."

Eon narrowed his eyes. How could this old man know of that? "However," the old man continued, making Eon snap to attention, "because of a dragon's life span, she didn't recreate him like she did you. Instead, she allowed him to regenerate differently. Usually, dragons sleep in the other world for a few centuries, gathering their spiritual powers again to make rebirth easier. However, she must have sped up that process."

"So, dragons don't really die?"

Sahasrahla looked down at Eon and smiled. "Of course they do, whatever gave you that idea? But when they return, they return as a different being. However, they can usually remember some things from their past lives, especially if that something was extremely important or devastating. But because Volvagia had died only a while ago, his spirit still remembered everything. In a way, Elah recreated Volvagia, instead of allowing him to be reborn."

"So...that's why he remembers Link killing him like that?" Sahasrahla nodded. "Well then...why isn't he angry?! Elah told me that he would fight Link! That he was left behind and lonely too! So why is he forgiving him?!"

"Because," Sahasrahla's voice was warm and gentle, "that's what friends do. As the child said, they are friends forever. And Volvagia is probably grateful. Being under a curse and being controlled is a terrible thing, especially for creatures of magic."

Eon shook his head. "I don't understand..." He could see Link across from him, still crying, but laughing also. His smile beamed as he twirled Volvagia around, and his laugh echoed around the small area. Why would he be laughing? Volvagia as well was laughing; chirping and mewing, smiling and crying as the boy swung him around. But it was something about the way the green clad boy smiled that startled Eon the most.

How can he smile and laugh like that? He was in pain only minutes ago...how can he be so carefree? ...Why does his smile bother me...?

Eon looked out of the corner of his eye at Sahasrahla, but the old man only made that knowing smile of his and nodded. The young boy puffed out his cheeks in annoyance.

"Hey, Link!" The other boy turned to face Eon, still smiling. Eon tried to ignore how that smile bothered him, but it kept nagging. He'd seen Link smile many times, so why did it bother him now? Because what Elah said would happen wasn't happening? No...there had to be another reason... "I guess I was wrong. Seems he doesn't think of you as an enemy at all."

Link nodded. "Yeah... It makes me happy."

"Linku!" Volvagia wagged his tail and crawled up onto Link's shoulder, nuzzling the boy's head so hard his hair was messed up. Reaching up, Link pulled the small dragon down again, holding him under his arms and lifting him up. The Kokiri-boy's smile was radiant, and watching him, Eon suddenly realized what it was that upset him so much about that smile. It was the same...

'So, you've finally figured it out, have you? Or is it more of a suspicion?' Elah's voice in his head made Eon jump, but he knew better than to look around. No one else needed to know she was there. Although the old man looked at him strangely, Eon was sure he didn't sense the spirit's presence.

'What do you want? I don't know what you're talking about.'

Her laugh was cold. 'Please, my child. You can't trick me. It's been bothering you for a while now. This boy has actually made you think things through. That's not good for me, you know.'

'What do you mean?'

'Why, do you know how hard it is to control you when you question everything I tell you? That's why I'm afraid I'm going to have to make you fight him. He's awakening memories within you that you don't need to know yet. I'm angry enough you wouldn't forget that one memory.'

Eon's eyes opened wide against his will. She was going to what?

"Eon, are you all right?" He was startled awake by Navi's small voice, so close to his ear. Blinking rapidly, he saw the small faerie beside him, and could even see the young girl that was her true self beyond the light. She really was rather pretty.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Why?"

"Link-kun was wondering. You seemed to daze out..."

Silently cursing his thoughtlessness, Eon smiled lopsidedly at Navi, then turned to face Link. The other boy had set Volvagia down, and was looking at him with worried eyes.

"Yo, Link! You ready for this yet?"

Link shook his head. "We don't need to fight."

Eon shook is own head in response, then crouched slightly, bringing his naginata to bear. "We do...need to fight." No, this is wrong! Why am I doing this?! That's not what I wanted to say...Elah! Eon's thoughts shouted out her name, but he only heard a slight chuckle in response. Dammit, how can I stop her?!

Link was shaking his head vehemently, Volvagia hiding slightly behind him, growling. The dragon could sense something was wrong. "Eon, what's wrong? You didn't seem like you wanted to fight at all!"

"I didn't," I don't! "But this is something we need to do." I want to talk to you! I want to know for sure!

"Link-kun!" Navi's voice broke the startled silence, and both boys turned to look at her. She was trembling slightly. "Link-kun! This isn't Eon! Something is controlling him!"

"What?!" Were both boys' responses.

Navi fluttered uncertainly, and Volvagia suddenly barked something out. Eon turned along with Navi, and a slow smile crept up his face.

"You think so too, little guy? I was me a second ago, what makes you two think I'm something else now?"

"Words like that make me think like that!" Navi raged back.

"Navi!" Link's scream was cut short as Eon's hand surrounded the small faerie, holding her tightly enough to hurt, but not damage her. "Eon! What are you doing?!"

Eon didn't say anything, however, and instead charged, the naginata swinging from above to crack the earth as Link dodged. As he passed, Link noticed his eyes were glazed, but also had tears standing in them, unshed. What was going on? He didn't have much time to wonder though, as Eon recovered from the previous attack almost instantaneously and rounded on Link, drawing the naginata through the ground like a sword, and then up to cut the air between them.

Now Link knew something was wrong. Eon didn't attack in this pattern. He also would never hurt someone other than his target on purpose, and the limp Navi still clutched in his fist was enough proof that this was someone different.

But what could he do to help Eon? Link had no idea how to deal with possessions like this. All he knew was fighting visible enemies. So what could he do?

Volvagia jumping between them was enough to make both boys pause in their fight-Eon with his attacks, and Link with his rapidly dwindling ideas of what he could do to stop said attacks. The small dragon bared his teeth, his mouth opened wide. Link's eyes widened when he realized what was about to happen, but before he could warn Eon, fire shot from Volvagia's mouth, engulfing the other boy completely. A startled scream sounded from inside the flames, and then something mysteriously close to a feminine yell followed after. Satisfied, Volvagia closed his mouth, and the fire stopped.

Eon lay there on the ground facedown, his clothes burned and his hair slightly singed, but strangely none the worse for wear. Kneeling down beside him, Link rolled the boy over onto his back, and Volvagia ran up, snuggling beside the fallen boy. Confused, Link tapped the dragon on his side, until the large eye focused on him.

"Is he ok now? Are you sure?"

"Linku! E...on!" Link's eyes widened as the new word came from Volvagia's mouth.

"Uh..." Eon's soft voice made Link forget that he was in awe of Volvagia. The red-haired boy blinked his eyes open slowly, the light hazing. His head hurt, and he was unbearably warm. And there was someone extremely close to him... "Wha...?"

Something moved in his hand, and he opened his eyes wide, remembering. Sitting up suddenly, ignoring the way his vision tilted to the left, Eon opened his hand and nudged the semi-unconscious faerie with his other. "Navi, Navi, please wake up. I'm sorry, please wake up...!"

When she didn't move, Eon bit his bottom lip, terrified. "Na..." A spark. Eon found himself smiling as the glow surrounding the tiny sprite brightened and the wings fluttered slightly. "Navi!"

"Nn...Link-kun...? Eon...?" Both boys' smiles greeted her. "And Volvagia too... Oh! Link-kun!" Suddenly hyper, the small faerie took to the air, darting left and right. "That thing! With Eon! It's still here!"

"What?"

Eon narrowed his eyes and stood slowly, absently pushing Volvagia away from him. He could feel her near.

"Elah! Elah, get out here now! How dare you use my body like that!"
Link and the others looked at Eon with wide eyes. Everyone, except Sahasrahla. So, the old man had known, had he?

"Isn't Elah...that other version of the Deku Tree?" Zelda's soft voice inquired shyly, and Sahasrahla nodded.

"Yes, child. It seems this battle is nearing its end."

Zelda swallowed and nodded, anxiety playing across her face.

Eon bared his small fangs when no one answered, then flung his left arm out, sending the naginata flying, only to have it crash into a tree. A deep laugh accented the thud as the metal worked its way into the oak.

'My my, but we do have a temper, now don't we?'

"Elah! Show yourself! This is my fight, you had no right to-"

'It has long since passed being your fight, child. You and I both know you were never going to attack the Hero of Time. Now stop throwing things and listen.'

Eon snapped his head to the side quickly, his teeth still bared. The naginata evaporated, only to reappear by his side. Link looked between his friend and the tree, not sure what to do. Eon figured that was just as well; he didn't need Link trying to help him. He would show him that he could take care of himself.

'Is it that important to you, to have this boy's approval? Well, that just makes it all the more interesting, now doesn't it?'

Eon opened his mouth to answer, but suddenly froze. She was controlling him again, only this time she was using him like a puppet.

"Link...move! I can't control myself, so..." The naginata spun around, barely missing the green-clad boy, but managing to cut his tunic sleeve. Link hopped farther away until they were both a good distance apart from each other, facing off. Link was going to say something when the air between them shimmered, and a form appeared.

She was rather beautiful, actually. Her skin had a tint of blue, and played with the eyes-one could never tell if it was actually moving or if that was just the light shining off her. Her pale dress followed her form, but still hung loose enough to only suggest, and left her arms bare. Her hair was almost translucent, it was so white, and the way she shown only made it seem more so.

Eon snarled. "Elah..."

She ignored him and opted instead to face Link. Her smile was chilling.

"Why, this is the first time we've met, if I do believe so. You're a rather handsome little boy, now aren't you?"

Link took a hesitant step back. "Who are you?"

She smiled again. "Why, the way Eon over there has been talking, I was sure you'd have figured out my name by now. Could it be you aren't very bright?"

Navi flared in anger, and Link had to hold her back. "You! How dare you!"

"Navi..."

Elah's laugh cut them short. She ignored Link then, and turned towards Zelda and the others.

"And this is the princess I've heard of as well. She's rather beautiful. And a Sheikah...? You people are still alive?" Impa's eyes narrowed and she held the princess behind her. Elah turned to face Sahasrahla next. "And the old man. How long do you plan to live?"

Sahasrahla faced her, not flinching. "As long as it takes, Elah."

She made an indelicate sound in the back of her throat, then turned from them as well, gliding over to the frozen Eon. Leaning in next to him, her hand on his shoulder, she put her mouth by his ear.

"Well now, my child. Did you hear how rude they all were to me? And you want to stay with these people?"

Eon growled, deep in his throat, and Elah smiled. How he hated that smile! "They're my friends."

She took a step back, placing a hand to her chest in mock surprise. "Friends? Have you forgotten everything I've told you about them already?!"

Eon bared his fangs and made a sharp yell, almost like a bark. "You're a liar! You've only been using me!"

The water spirit frowned slightly. "How rude." Her smile returned though as she leaned down by his ear again. "But, don't you remember those feelings of loneliness? Those were no lie. Those all originated from you. Shall I refresh your memory?"

Eon opened his mouth in a silent scream as she placed her hand to his forehead, and images swam before his eyes. He once again saw that mother and child, laughing and playing, and knew he was no part of it. He could feel the distance, the wall between them and his own happiness. Then everything was hot, so hot! He was falling, somewhere, and it was dark, and lonely, and suddenly cold. And he was calling, calling, but no one heard, no one cared.

His gaze drooped slightly as his eyes lost focus. They'd left him. They'd left him because they never cared.

'Yes,' he heard a voice, kind and gentle. 'They left you because they never loved you. And that boy, over there,' he saw a boy with reddish-blond hair and a green tunic, playing happily with a group of other children in a forest, 'he left you behind. He took the life meant for you, and what is he doing with it?'

"Wasting it..."

Elah smiled as the boy slowly began to follow her words and only her words. It was so easy, to follow that voice...

No! The sudden thought burst through Eon's mind, shattering the visions the other voice had placed there. These are lies! Yes, you were alone! But remember why! There was no way anyone could know! Remember! This boy never left you alone, Eon...he would have done anything to help, if he'd known. And Mother...

Something cold slashed through his thoughts, and his consciousness suddenly fell away as Elah intruded into his mind one more time.

'You will listen to me, Eon. I gave you a body and the chance to live, obey me!' The voice was no longer warm and gentle, but cold and hard, unfeeling. But Eon listened anyway, because he had no choice.

Link watched as Eon's eyes glazed over again, and any spark of life in them vanished. He was completely under her spell again. And he was suddenly angry.

"You! What have you done?! Give Eon back!"

Elah turned from the boy to face Link, her delicate mouth turned up in a smile.

"Give him back? You really want this boy back?" Link's whole frame shook with his suppressed anger. "My, aren't we the violent one. Very well, I shall return him to you. If," Link blinked, berating himself for thinking she would just return the boy she thought of as a tool. "If, you fight him. That won't be so hard, now will it?"

"Fight him? But Link-kun already said he wouldn't fight! He doesn't want to, and there really is no point!" Navi yelled, her small voice carrying across the space between them. Behind Elah, Impa nodded, taking a step forward.

"The sprite speaks the truth. Stop playing with these children's lives!"

Volvagia growled in agreement, small flames leaping from his mouth as he hunched his back, preparing to attack. Elah ignored them all, focusing only on Link.

"Will you accept these terms? If you win, I'll explain everything about this boy. And, I'll set him free." Behind her, Sahasrahla suddenly stiffened, his eyes going wide. Link noticed but didn't have time to wonder. If he accepted this fight, he could free his friend. He could free Eon...

The Kokiri-boy took a step forward, nodding his head slowly. Sahasrahla was shaking his head, though.

"Link, no! There has to be another way, but you cannot fight this boy!"

Startled, Link stopped. Sahasrahla had just called his name. "W-what do you mean? I'm sure I can win! I just wish I had a weapon to use..."

Elah smiled, speaking before Sahasrahla had any time to dissuade the boy more. "I can give you a weapon, Link, that won't be hard. So, do you accept?"

Sahasrahla was frantic. "You won't win this fight, Link! You're not mentally prepared for it!"

But Link ignored him. "Give me a weapon, I'll fight him."

Elah's laugh rang through the clearing, startling everyone. "Oh, how cruel you really are, Link! Here!" A sword exactly like the Kokiri Sword appeared before him, and Link reached out, his hand fitting perfectly around the hilt. "Now, a fight to the death!"

"What?! I never agreed to that!" Link tried to throw the weapon away, but he couldn't release it. He looked up, his eyes wild, as Elah laughed and Eon prepared for the attack.

"Truly, Link, you are cruel. To attack a family member like this."

Link's eyes widened and he began to shake. What...what had she just said...?

"Wh...what? I don't have any family left! Don't lie to me!"

"Why would I lie to you about your baby brother?"

Link gasped as Eon flew forward, the naginata swinging, aiming for his heart.






LINK NO MIKO'S LITTLE CORNER OF TALKINGNESS

Well, did everyone enjoy? And yes, it will all be explained in the next chapter, I promise. Sorry for leaving everyone at such a bad spot, but I couldn't help it! And dangit, I was hoping for a 7 page chapter...you get a 9 page one. Aren't you happy? ^-^x

Anywho, while working on this, I got to take a three day break between the 26-28 at this little thing known as Otakon. ^-^x Not only was it Otakon, it was also my very first con! W00t! And I saw soooo many Links there! I saw red (ick, no like red Link, but the costume was good) and blue and GREEN (weeeee) and I even got my picture taken with a female Asian Link. I also bought Himekawa Akira's Zelda no Densetsu: Majura no Kamen (Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask). Screw the fact that I have yet to play it (I HAVE it, just haven't played it. I dunno, something about its setup *cough TIME LIMIT cough* makes me averse towards actually starting a game), the art is gorgeous and it has Kishin Link (Oni Link, in the English version. It means Fierce God, though it has the kanji for demon and god. Does it say that in the game...? Eeeee)! Ooh, and there was a Flik there from Genso Suikoden! And I played in a Melee Tournament and got my ASS handed to me (but I did better than oneesan-I killed someone). And there were more Trigun and FFX characters than you could shake a stick at. Speaking of FF (as the opening song starts to play on my winamp), I got to see Final Fantasy: Unlimited! The first four eps! Cid Rules! There was also a sexy chocobo cosplayer and a Bartz (from FFV) complete with chocobo ride. And the masquerade was great, what with the giant three headed monster (Monster Zero, anyone?) that sang and danced to Bohemian Rhapsody.

Oh yeah, and I plan on going back next year. Maybe there'll be an Eon cosplayer. Yeah, I can wish...^-^x

Oh yeah, and also, since I forgot to before. To reviewer Alexis, than you for pointing out that Impa is a SheikAH and not just Sheik. Heh...