He woke the next morning to bird song and some light playing over his face. Cracking his eyes open slightly, Link waited for the blur to recede and his eyes to stop watering. He'd slept soundly, not once waking or dreaming. Link could hear Navi sleeping beside his head, and he turned his face slightly, finding her at the top of the pillow, cuddled in his hat. Smiling, he shoved himself to his knees, the covers falling off his shoulders. Yawning and stretching, he only remembered he didn't have a single room anymore when he heard a yelp from behind him.
Eon glared at him, the covers held to his nose, from the opposite end of the huge bed. Link smiled sheepishly and nodded.
"Morning."
"Too early for 'morning,'" was all Eon would say as he covered himself up again, falling asleep. Link sighed and jumped out of bed, adjusting his tunic. It was wrinkly from sleep, but nothing he wasn't used to. Walking barefoot to the door, Link checked on his family one more time before silently exiting the room.
He found Sahasrahla up and about, cooking some soup in a pot. Sitting down at the table, Link ran his hands through his hair, trying to settle the locks.
"You're up rather early, all things considered."
"Yeah. The sun woke me up. I'm ok, although a little sore."
Sahasrahla nodded as he sat down. Folding his hands on the top of the table, he looked over at the young boy. "Tea?"
Link nodded. "Please."
Standing once again and walking to a small kettle beside the large pot, Sahasrahla poured the hot water into two mugs, then brought them back to the table. Taking up a small container, he spooned some leaves into the water, stirring them around. Finally satisfied, he handed one of the cups to the boy sitting across from him, and kept the other to himself.
Link took a sip, the warm liquid instantly heating his entire body and slightly numbing his tongue. Breathing out, trying to stop the burning sensation in his mouth, Link managed to say a quick "It's good" as the elder watched, a smile playing over his features.
Setting his own cup down, Sahasrahla watched the boy again, his expression unreadable. Link noticed and stopped fanning his tongue to ask what was wrong.
"You're leaving today, isn't that right?" Link nodded. "And Zelda Hime?" When Link looked at the table, Sahasrahla nodded. "It's your decision. No one will hold it against you. However, you are in charge of her well-being as her guardian."
Link nodded. "I know. But, she's only going with me to the Kokiri Forest. After that, she's going to return to the castle with Impa."
"That's fine, as long as you make sure she's safe."
The boy nodded. "And what of you? Are you going to stay here?"
The elder nodded, taking a casual sip of tea. "I'm too old for adventures, child. My place is here, for now."
"For now?"
"Yes. Until I'm needed out in the world again, this place shall suit me fine."
Link blinked, but asked nothing else. Sahasrahla confused him most of the time, but he was a nice person all the same.
"Link, go wake the others. You need an early start."
Nodding, the boy set his cup down and walked towards the bedrooms. He stopped at Zelda's first, knocking politely.
There was no answer.
Frowning, he walked back to the table, stopping a few feet from it.
"Um, they're not up yet."
"That's why I asked you to wake them up."
Link blushed. "I mean, they didn't hear me knock..."
"Then open the door slightly and call to them." Sahasrahla had an amused smile on his face.
Still blushing, Link nodded and once again walked to the door. This time he knocked slightly louder, but there was still no response. Mustering his courage, he was about to open the door when another door opened, and Eon walked out, his blue tunic wrinkled and his hair disheveled, rubbing his eyes with the back of his fists.
"What's wrong? Why you standing there like that?"
Link kept staring at the door. "I have to wake Zelda and Impa up."
Eon snorted. "I doubt the scary warrior woman is asleep, but the princess, yeah. Why don't you just walk in there and shake her?"
Link blushed over his entire body. "Because!"
Rolling his eyes, Eon pushed Link out of the way, and to the Kokiri-boy's horror, opened the door wide, sauntering into the room.
"Hey, Princess! Time to wake up! Your knight's out there waiting to get you, but he's too much of a baby to open the door and wake you up." Link clutched at his hair with his small fists, his mouth open and eyes wild. Inside the room, he could hear a soft voice, but couldn't make anything out. Eon's loud voice answered his question of who it was, though. "What do you mean, 'who's my knight?' Link! He's out there beat red, too." There was an awkward silence, then he heard some whispering again. "Oh, ok. I'll tell him. LINK! SHE SAYS YOU CAN COME IN NOW!"
Link walked into the room wincing, and heard Zelda say "I could have done that," before Eon grinned like a wolf and passed him.
"That wasn't so hard, now was it?" He paused for a second, one foot before the other as though he was about to take a step. "I smell food, see ya." With that, he was gone, leaving an embarrassed Link and equally embarrassed Zelda together. Impa was nowhere to be seen.
"So, um, sorry about that. He's kind of, not very shy about anything..."
Zelda nodded, her face slightly red. She had the blankets around her middle, and her dress was wrinkled from sleeping in it. "Yeah. Um, what did you want?"
Link shrugged. "Sahasrahla told me to wake everyone up. I gotta go get Navi and Volvagia now, so-"
"Thank you," her quiet voice broke his sentence. "For letting me go with you."
He smiled, unfazed by the change in subject. "No problem. You've never seen my home, have you?" She shook her head. "You'll love it. And Saria will be happy to meet you. Well, meet you meet you, not meet you through the power of the Sages..." Link stumbled to a halt, aware of what an idiot he sounded like. Zelda giggled.
"I'd like to meet everyone there. I'm sure they're all very nice."
Link scoffed. "Yeah, everyone except Mido. He's the boss of the Kokiri," he stated when she gave him a funny look. "He thinks he's the best at everything and he's always teased me..."
"Sounds like a close friend to me."
Link shook his head, not believing Zelda just said that. "No way! He always picks fights-which I win until he cheats-and he thinks some weird things about Saria's and my friendship, which I don't quite follow, and he calls me Half-Person even though I have Navi now." Link blushed. "I mean, well...I don't mean to sound like I'm rude, or anything, and, well...um..."
Zelda shook her head. "It's ok. But I think he's not so bad, even if he does seem mean. Can you honestly say he's just bad?"
Link stopped, then slowly shook his head. "No, he's got his good points."
The princess smiled. "Then I'm sure I'd like to meet him too. Now if you'll excuse me...?"
Blinking, Link nodded, suddenly understanding. "Yeah. I'll see you in the main room." Standing rigid suddenly, as though he'd forgotten something, Link bowed slightly. "And good morning, Zelda."
"Good morning, Link."
Closing the door quietly behind him, Link continued down the hall to his own room, where the door was still open. Walking to the bed, Link gently tapped the sleeping faerie, running a finger down her small, delicate wings. Navi shuddered as he tickled her, then moved slightly, signaling she was awake. It was times like this Link wished she had more of a visible human form, so he could see her expression, but then he reminded himself she wouldn't be Navi if she wasn't a faerie orb. It was weird, those few times he'd actually seen her as the young woman she really was.
Fluttering off his hat, Navi's glow slowly intensified, until Link knew she was fully awake. Smiling at her, he picked up his hat, settled it on his head, and held out a hand for Navi to light upon.
"Morning, Navi-chan. Did you sleep well after your laughing fit?" He was still sore about the fact that she wouldn't tell him what was so funny. From the way her glow tinged with pink, Navi was aware of his discontent.
"I slept fine, Link-kun. I'm happy you're in such a good mood. I heard Eon yelling, so..."
Link's eye twitched slightly. "Don't worry about that, everything's fine now." Carrying Navi on his hand, the young Hero walked past the bed, nudging Volvagia awake, and back into the doorway to the main room to be greeted with one of the funniest things he'd ever seen.
Eon was floating in the air, his feet at least a foot off the ground. Actually, floating would be a loose term, since Impa's strong hands held the boy by the collar of his tunic. The Sheikah looked as though she could kill someone, but Eon only had his usual goofy grin. Zelda was pulling at the warrior woman's clothing, trying to make her release the boy, to no avail. She'd changed her dress, Link noticed, so she now wore some leggings that tied up the sides, with a short, thigh-length tunic belted at her waist. Her hair was braided, since it now reached her mid back, and she had wrist cuffs on. The boy nodded, agreeing with her choice of travel gear, and he took a step into the room, his boots clacking lightly on the wood. When they heard Link enter, they all turned to face him, completely silent.
Link blinked a few times, then casually walked over to the chair he used earlier that morning, sat down, and took a drink from his mug. "It is too early for this..." he muttered to himself before once again facing everyone. "So, may I ask what the problem is here?"
Impa glared at the grinning boy in her hands. Eon shrugged nonchalantly. "The old woman heard what I said about her while you were trying to get a shot at the princess, is all."
The tea Link was trying to drink as the boy said that flew out of his mouth, and Zelda turned bright red while Impa did as well, only for different reasons. Shaking the boy hard, she tossed him to the ground, then stood over Eon, her sword drawn and the tip at his throat. Still, Eon only smiled.
"You sure are too serious, lady. Put the pointer stick away and calm down, I was only joki-hey!" Eon was once again lifted by the collar of his tunic, only this time at sword-point. Eyeing the tip of metal stuck in his clothing, Eon gulped.
"Refrain from speaking so casually about royalty, boy, or you'll be eating this sword." Both Zelda and Link were trying to calm the Sheikah down as she threatened Eon's life, and finally Impa relented, releasing the smaller redheaded boy, who immediately crawled under the table. Sticking his tongue out at her from where he was, Eon was almost attacked again, had Sahasrahla not intervened.
"Calm down, children. We have work to do, and these petty fights will solve nothing. Impa, sheath your sword. Zelda Hime and Link, both of you, come here."
Nodding, they came to stand before him, side by side. He looked at each, his expression unreadable. Finally, he turned to Zelda.
"You understand that you cannot go on this adventure? That your duty is elsewhere?"
"Yes."
He smiled at her warmly. "I know it's hard, my dear, but you must realize that this is something that the boy needs to do on his own. I hope you can understand that someday."
Zelda blinked. "I do, elder."
His smile became sad. "I know you want to, child." He shifted now. "And do you understand that this battle will be the most difficult for you, and that no one may help you, or give you an answer, should you ask for one?" This question was aimed at Link.
"Yes, I do." The Kokiri-boy was suddenly scared, though, and he couldn't tell why.
"Yes, you do at that..." Placing his hands on both their shoulders, Sahasrahla closed his eyes in thought. "I'm sorry, children, that this is happening to you. But you are both strong, and will see it through till the end." Removing his hands, he turned from them. "Eon."
Hearing his name, the boy jumped, smashing his head on the bottom of the table. Cursing loudly, he crawled from beneath the wooden piece of furniture, rubbing his head as he stood before the old man.
"What, old man?"
"When you leave this place, you will be thrust into a completely different world, one that you have never dreamed of. However, you must persevere, and stay by your-"
"Yeah, yeah, I know. Can we go now?"
Sahasrahla's face darkened in anger and Impa reached for her sword, but the small chirp of Volvagia drew all their faces. The baby dragon jumped into Eon's arms, his tail wagging. Eon smiled down at the creature, and his voice was soft when he talked again, completely different from his usual boastful self.
"I know what you want me to do, old man. And I will. I can be trusted, and I won't betray those that are important to me. I'll stay with them, and help them as much as I can, and you have my word on that. So," he smiled then with his goofy grin, and pointed towards the door, "can we goooo nooooow?!"
Impa causally smacked him upside the head before Zelda could stop her. Eon held his head in his hands, muttering "ow" under his breath repeatedly, and Link grabbed his chair, sitting again. This would be a very, very long journey.
They set out a few hours later, having filled their stomachs and packs with food and water. Sahasrahla stood before his house, watching them off as they traveled north, skirting the mountain range before reaching Hyrule Field again. Everyone waved until the elder was out of sight, then they set their eyes forward, concentrating on their journey.
Eon walked with his hands behind his head, kicking the ground with his feet as he walked. This was the first time he'd ever left the safety of the forest surrounding Sahasrahla's home, and the first time he'd been on his own. Wait, he amended, he wasn't alone. He had Volvagia, Link, even the princess and her uptight guardian woman with him. It was strange, thinking of them as companions when the day before he'd tried to kill them.
A thought struck him then, making him stop. Link noticed and stopped beside him, his eyes wide. "What's wrong, Eon?"
"I was just thinking of how we were enemies two days ago, and how Elah was using me to fight you, when I remembered that sword you were holding. What happened to that?"
Link frowned. "I'm not sure. I passed out still holding it." He grimaced. "You sure did a number on me. My leg still throbs a bit."
The younger boy smiled. "Sorry about that. But now I'm curious about what happened to that sword."
"It disappeared." Both boys turned when the gentle voice answered. Zelda stood slightly behind them, smiling. "After Link passed out, the sword vaporized, and his hand slowly returned to a normal color. It looked frostbit for the longest time... I was worried..."
Eon lifted an eyebrow and shot the slightly blushing girl a look, while Link looked at his hand, shaking it a bit. "Yeah, it felt frozen. Anytime I wanted to drop it, the sword would freeze even more. How could she do that? I thought she was a water spirit."
Eon shrugged. "Water turns to ice."
Zelda cocked her head to the side, her braid swaying. "So, can you make ice as well?"
"If I wanted to, probably. I never really thought about it, is all."
Link pointed to Volvagia, perched on Eon's shoulder. "Then doesn't he bother you? Fire and ice don't exactly mix."
Eon looked to the small dragon and scratched under his chin, making Volvagia purr. "I know. I'm scared to death of fire, too. Isn't that something? But Vol-chan here is good, he'd never hurt me. We're similar."
"Why are you so afraid of fire...?" Zelda's quiet question made Eon look up. He winced slightly, but only Link seemed to see it. Smiling again, he shrugged and answered her nonchalantly. She was only asking an innocent question, after all, not trying to hurt him.
"I died in a fire. Well, because of a fire, I should say."
Zelda swallowed, suddenly aware of the pain her question caused. Lowering her face, her bangs hid her eyes. "I'm sorry. I should have thought about that more." Walking quickly passed them, she was surprised when Eon gently grabbed her arm.
"It's ok. You might not have understood when the old man explained about me." When her eyes widened, he grinned. "I wasn't awake, but I know the geezer well. He'd explain about me to you, especially for Brother's sake. But I don't blame you. It happened a long time ago, and talking about it won't change anything."
Link was looking at him strangely, and Eon frowned. "What?"
"Nothing." Eon frowned as Link began walking away, and watched his brother go with only his eyes. He would never figure Link out, no matter how much he tried.
"Eon," Zelda interrupted him, and he looked over to her. "You don't always have to act like nothing phases you. But it's nice to see you in good spirits all the time. You remind me of Mikomi a lot."
"Mikomi?"
Link interrupted them before she could explain. "C'mon, we gotta hurry if we're going to make any progress before sundown."
Smiling ruefully at Eon, Zelda continued forward, leaving him with Volvagia.
"Who is Mikomi...?"
They traveled for the rest of the day, stopping only for short breaks and for lunch. When suppertime rolled around, Impa decided they would stay there for the night, since they were under a safe outcropping near the base of the mountains, and because the "children look tired."
Gathering wood for the fire, Link and Eon didn't say much. Eon wanted to know about this Mikomi person, and Link didn't seem to care to tell him. Which seemed odd. He thought Link would explain after he'd interrupted his and Zelda's conversation, but he wasn't doing any explaining. Why wouldn't Link want to tell him something?
When they finally returned to the camp, Link set the wood down and grabbed a flint, ready to make a fire. Eon stopped him, though.
"Brother, who's this Mikomi person Zelda mentioned?"
His brother stopped short, the flint held in his hand as Link stared straight ahead. "How do you know about her?"
Eon blinked. "Zelda mentioned her." So it's a female, he thought. Ok, there's something. "But before she could say anything, you told us to get moving. I just figured you didn't want her telling me."
Link shook his head. "I never even knew she mentioned her." He turned to face Eon then, one eyebrow raised. "Is that why you've been giving me funny looks all day? Because you thought I was holding out on you?"
"Well, yeah. I mean, it was timed perfectly." Link "hmphed" and went back to starting the fire. "So, you gonna tell me or what?"
"Sure, once I get the fire going."
Eon smiled. "Well then, that's easy. Vol-chan!" Volvagia appeared then, his tail wagging. Link, realizing what the boy meant to do, dashed quickly to the side, but not in time to dodge Volvagia's flames. When the fire was going good, Link blinked, the soot slowly falling off his face as he glared at the two troublemakers before him.
"Linku!"
Eon couldn't help it and started laughing, drawing the women over to them. "That's great! I can't believe he got you! Hahaha, you should see yourself! This is the funniest thing I've ever seen!" The boy doubled over in laughter, holding his stomach while his entire body shook. Navi scowled at him.
"Really Eon!" Ignoring him, she flew over to Link. "Link-kun, are you ok?"
Link nodded, dusting himself off. "Yeah. He didn't really get me, but I got a bit singed. Nothing like before." Standing, Link walked over to the fire and kicked Eon, sending the younger boy flying to the ground. He kept laughing, though.
"That's enough, boys." Impa's stern voice made them stop and look, although Eon kept chuckling. "Settle down, and let's eat." They all nodded, settling around the fire, Link between Impa and Zelda, Eon on the other side. He found that hilarious for some reason, but a stern look from Impa kept his mouth shut. "It was so much nicer when he wasn't around..." she mumbled to herself.
Eon grinned. "Probably quieter, too."
Impa nodded. "Yes, that it was."
They ate then, the sounds of twilight soothing. When they were done, Impa left to watch the perimeter, leaving the others around the fire.
"So, Brother, you gonna tell me now?"
Link flinched. "Yeah."
"What was the flinch for?"
"Because I thought you'd forget. I don't really know how to go about explaining this, so I was sort of hoping I wouldn't have to."
Zelda looked between the two, her eyes wide. "What's going on? Explain what?"
Both boys answered at the same time. "Mikomi."
She blinked, slightly stunned by the quick response. "Oh."
Settling back, his hands supporting his weight behind his back, Link looked up at the stars, absently chewing his lower lip.
"Well, for one thing, Mikomi is gone. She left shortly after Dark Link appeared. That's one of the reasons why I was scared to explain her, because it means you won't get to meet her..."
"That's ok, I just want to know who she is, and why I'm like her..." But he still felt a weight in the pit of his stomach, making him uneasy. Did he really want to know who she was...? For some reason, he was afraid of the answer.
Link still refused to look at him, opting instead to watch the sky. "When I say you won't get to meet her, I mean it. Mikomi is a ghost."
Now the feeling in the pit of his stomach increased twofold, making his stomach bottom out. Eon licked his lips slightly, but nodded. He had a feeling he knew where this was going.
"Ok..."
Now Link finally did look at him, and his eyes were sad. "Mikomi is the one who taught me to stand on my own, and to follow my heart through all the trials I'll have." For some reason, Eon knew Link was alluding to their conversation the previous morning, about destiny and the like. Then his eyes widened in shock.
Link nodded. "Yeah, I mentioned her to you before." He paused, and Eon had the feeling the next few words were as hard on Link as they would be on him. "Mikomi is our mother, Eon."
Link sat outside the light of the fire so his vision would stay adjusted to the dark. It was his turn to be on guard, the others long since asleep. Navi lay cuddled in his collar, her wings slightly tickling him as she breathed deeply. He felt bad, because after finally explaining about Mikomi, Eon just sat there, his usual energy gone as he gazed out at the night, not saying a word. Link wanted to explain about her more, to tell him about everything they'd been through and what she'd said about their family, but Eon shut himself off from everyone, and finally they left him alone.
So now, hours later, Link was going through in his mind how he could apologize to his brother in the morning. Everything was getting complicated, and having Eon feeling left out and abandoned would not help matters any. Idly Link wondered how things had gone downhill so much. At first he was only afraid he was going insane, but he learned later that that was Dark Link playing with his mind. Then that particular evil was out, free to the world, even as Link faced his newest, albeit weaker, enemy.
But with Elah gone forever and Eon now with him, Link still didn't feel like things were any better. He had no idea where Dark Link was, or what his counterpart was doing. The towns of Hyrule could be in chaos now, especially since the castle burned, and there was no way he could know or do anything about it. Not even his ocarina could help him here.
Thinking of his ocarina, Link pulled the instrument off his belt, examining it. He didn't have the Ocarina of Time anymore, but he found he enjoyed this one just as much. He may not be able to teleport with this, but he could still use some magic. Saria's gift was useful, and was also one of his few reminders of his home.
Reattaching the ocarina to his belt, Link's thoughts turned back to the children that were the Kokiri. He really missed them, all of them. Even Mido. Even though Link knew about his real family-had met his mother and loved her very much, and now had a real, little brother-he still thought of that deep, deep forest as his home, and the Kokiri as his friends and family. Saria herself was like a sister to him, one who taught him nearly everything he knew and who cared for him, even when the others weren't quite sure of him and teased him to no end.
A rustling noise behind him made Link tense, wishing yet again he had his sword. His other motive for returning to the Kokiri Forest was his weapons. He was a fool not to have brought any, even his boomerang.
"I'm not going to hurt you, you can calm down." Eon's voice made Link relax, and he scuttled over so the other boy could sit beside him. Eon sat, hugging his knees to his chest. "Hey, Brother? I just wanted to apologize for being so snippy earlier....and, um, I was wondering...if you could tell me some things? About...about Mom?"
Link nodded, a sad smile on his face. Even the way they addressed her was different-his "mother" to Eon's "mom." Leaning back, his eyes distant, Link explained: "Well, she's very beautiful. She has long red hair, similar to yours, and she always had a smile for me, even when things weren't going very well. She actually saved Zelda and me when the castle burned down." He paused. "Now that I think about it, I wonder if Dark Link was responsible for that, too..."
Eon shrugged. "Well, when you meet up with him again, then you can ask, right?"
Link nodded. "But anyway... I never met Mikomi until a few days ago, really. Not face to face, at least. I heard her talking with Impa before we ever got to Sahasrahla's, but the first time I saw her saw her was after Dark Link appeared. She talked with me then, but we only had a short time together..." He trailed off again, his look distant.
"So, she never mentioned me, I take it..."
Eon's question made Link slouch. "No, not once."
"Heh," Eon's small laugh had no hint of humor in it. "I know she doesn't have any reason to know about me, but... I guess, I was hoping maybe she would wonder and maybe grieve about her unborn child."
Link reached over and gently set a hand on Eon's shoulder. "I'm sure she thought of you more than either of us can tell. I know that before I was born, even before I was conceived, she thought about me. So I have a feeling she did about you, too. She seems to have a sixth sense about children." Link leaned back again. "She told me she was and still is proud of me. And I'm sure she had high hopes for you, too. So, she'll always be proud of you, even if it is only as the child she envisioned." Link rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry, I'm not helping any."
Eon shook his head, rubbing his eyes with the back of his fist. "No, you're helping fine. It's not exactly what I wanted to hear, but it's still comforting, because you mean it. You're not spouting garbage just to make me feel better."
"Yeah."
His mood brightened, Eon looked at the stars. "But don't worry. I'm sure she'll be back, and then I can prove to her myself how good I am. She doesn't need to dream about some child, she can really see me. And then, to top it all off, I'll show Dad how good I am too."
Link smiled. "Yeah. I'm sure they'll be very happy to meet you..." He suddenly trailed off, his ears perked and eyes wide. Eon blinked, unsure of what was going on. Link looked like he was about to bolt.
"Brother...?"
"Go back to the fire, Eon. Wake Impa and Zelda, and go hide somewhere. I don't want any of you getting hurt."
"What do you mean?" Link was on his feet now, as was Eon. The redheaded boy looked around, not understanding what was wrong. "Link, what's-"
"I said go! Now!" He didn't even notice Eon's use of his name. Why was the boy still here? "Move, dammit! Now!"
The command in Link's usually calm voice made Eon jump, and he nodded, hurrying to wake everyone. Link walked out into the dark alone, leaving Navi with his brother and hoping Eon would listen, but also praying he wouldn't. This was one enemy he had no desire to face alone...
He wasn't far away at all. He sat on a large rock, one leg up, his chin resting on the knee, bangs in his face. His tunic was slightly dirty, as though he'd had a hard time, although there were no tears. His shield rested at his side, and he was holding a small object in his hands. When Link saw him, he smiled and moved, pocketing the object-it was then that the child noticed he'd been holding an ocarina. Jumping down so they could face off, the older boy grinned wolfishly at the frightened, determined boy.
"I was wondering how long it would take you to find me. I've been here for a good while, now."
Link scowled. This was their first real meeting, and already he didn't like Dark Link's attitude. The older version of himself seemed overly cocky, and nothing at all like what he'd been like in that other future. It grated on his nerves.
However, he let none of that ire show through. Nodding his head politely, he kept his eyes locked on his enemy's. "I'm sorry to keep you waiting. I was talking with someone."
Dark Link blinked, caught off guard by Link's polite answer. "Is that so? And they aren't here with you?" His tone seemed to have changed, but Link couldn't place it. Was he worried, or condescending?
Link shook his head. "No, I asked him to wake the others and go away. I didn't want them to get hurt."
To Link's surprise, his counterpart nodded. "Good. I wouldn't want them to get hurt, either." Noticing Link's look of surprise, he frowned. "What's wrong? I'm not heartless. This is a fight between you and me."
Confused, Link said the first thing that came to his mind. "But, you used all those things against me before... People I cared about..."
Dark Link nodded. "Yes, and I'm not proud of it. But it was the only way to use your energies the way I needed." He paused. "And I need to tell the girl I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt her, but I needed something to stay in while I gained strength, and she had the most magical ability of anyone around you."
"What do you mean? My energies...?"
"Yes. With you confused and uncertain, your emotions were extra high and easily malleable. And with you always holding the girl, it was easy for me to use those to make myself stronger." He scowled. "The fact that I had to do that upsets me to no end. That I had to use some weak thing like you."
Link felt his anger rising against his will. "I am not a thing. Last I knew we were the same person."
Now Dark Link directed his scowl at the child before him. "I. Am. Not. You. You're some mistake that happened. I am the real Link, and this world doesn't need an incompetent like you trying to help." For some reason, that little remark hit him hard, and Link couldn't understand for the life of him why. He did understand, however, that it angered him dearly.
"I'm not incompetent! And I'm not a mistake!" he cried indignantly. Tears stood in his eyes. "You're from a future that should never have happened! After I sealed Ganon, I had to come back!" He paused then, remembering the pain that caused. Shaking his head to clear it, he continued, hoping Dark Link didn't notice the slight break. "And eventually, I'll grow up, back into what you are. If anyone was more real than the other, it would be me."
Something hit him in the chest, sending him flying backwards. Link barely registered the kick before he smashed into the ground, sending dust everywhere and leaving a small furrow in the ground. Coughing, trying to get his breath back, the boy could only hope that Eon listened and was far away now. They'd need to regroup and come after Dark Link later, hoping Link could at least weaken him. With strength like that, he knew this child's body wouldn't last that long. Link was well aware of his own body's capabilities-both as an adult and as a child.
"Don't you dare compare yourself to me!" Dark Link screamed, his voice tearing from his throat. "I'm the real one! Me! Just for that, I'll end this now. And this time that woman isn't here to interfere."
That comment made Link blink in anger, forcing himself up to his feet. "Mother 'interfered' because she was worried about both of us!"
Another kick sent Link flying five feet, landing in the dust, his head smashing into a rock, making his vision fade out. "Now you're spouting those lies too! Mother died when I was a baby, she could not come back! Jokes like these should not be uttered!"
"It's not a joke, though!" Raising himself onto his knees, Link took a shuddering breath, trying to make his vision stop spinning. Was that pain in Dark Link's voice...? "She is dead, but Mother's ghost is what you saw. And she was worried about you! Couldn't you hear it in her voice?!"
"Shut up!" The older boy was shaking in anger, ready to jump after the still dazed child on the ground.
Link knew there wasn't much time. Dark Link would start after him soon, reaching him before he could regain enough strength to dodge out of the way. He needed to stall... Groping about blindly, Link's fingers brushed his belt, where the ocarina hung. Opening his eyes in surprise, Link pulled the instrument from his belt, ripping the cords that held it.
"What do you think you're doing? You think some song is going to save you?" Dark Link was still trembling from his suppressed rage, and Link idly wondered why he didn't charge yet.
Ignoring those thoughts, trying to figure out a way to buy time, Link held the ocarina to his lips. The song he played was fun and light, contrasting to the situation he was in now. Dark Link stopped abruptly, his eyes wide.
'Link? Link, is that you? Why are you calling so late at night...? Is something the matter?'
Link smiled slightly. He hadn't heard her voice in so long, it was as much a healer as any faerie. He forgot where he was for a moment, and that a darker version of himself was less than five feet away, ready to kill him. He just wanted to talk to her, hear her voice and wish he was back home, with everyone else, not on some fool mission... His mission. That's right. He had something he needed to ask her.
"Saria, some friends of mine are heading your way. They're Hylian, but please allow them passage into the Forest..."
'Link?! What's wrong? You sound hurt!'
Link ignored her, trying to finish his message. He could feel the pain winding from his chest upwards, and it was hard enough to not let her hear it as it was now. "They should arrive within the week. Please help them, they'll explain everything that's going on..." His limit was reached. He couldn't keep talking, and the ocarina fell from his hands, breaking the spell and effectively blocking Saria's next words out. It was all Link could do to keep himself from collapsing.
"Why..." When he heard the older voice, Link looked up. His eyes widened at the look of pain on Dark Link's face and the extreme lack of tension in his muscles. It was as though Saria's voice had calmed him. "Why did you do that...? Why did you involve Saria?"
"Because...she's the only person I could think of that might help. Eon and the others should reach there, and they'll let her know what happened to me." Standing was painful, but Link managed it anyway, holding his ribs tightly and closing his eyes against the blinding pain behind them. He didn't want to show such weakness, not now. "My job right now...is to stall you and make sure you can't hurt them anymore."
Dark Link shook his head, his eyes still full of pain, confusing Link. "I never planned on hurting anyone. I'm not a monster!"
Link was taken aback. He thought this version of himself was like the shadow he fought in the Water Temple, but so far, everything he said proved otherwise. What else could he be but some monster created to destroy Hyrule? But at every chance, this older boy refused to accept that he was some creation, refused to think in the way monsters did. It was confusing, because Link was beginning to doubt if he truly was fighting a monster or not. But then, in that case...what was he...?
"The only one I'm after is you!" Dark Link pointed at Link, his face contorted in pain. The green-clad Kokiri child took a hesitant step back, afraid. "And you call me a monster, yet you involve those you care about?!" He reached behind him, his left hand grabbing the sword that materialized out of nowhere. Link's eyes widened in surprise when he recognized the insignia on the hilt, but he had no time to think about how it could be possible. The sword arched through the air, hitting the ground directly where Link had been standing. Scowling, Dark Link spun on his heel, the sword parallel to the ground as he made to cut Link in half from his place a few feet to the left of where he'd been.
Link jumped the sword, landing on it and using the weapon like a springboard. Only adrenaline and instincts were keeping him alive, giving him the strength he needed. But, at every jump, every turn, he could feel his body wearing down even more. He needed to get out of swinging distance.
Jumping over Dark Link's head, he kicked out, hitting the taller boy in the middle of his back with the balls of his feet. Dark Link lurched forward, his balance lost, and Link fell to the ground, using his shoulder to begin a roll. Just as quickly, Link sprang to his feet, dashing the opposite way of the campfire. He could hear Dark Link chasing him.
Where could he go? He couldn't go back the other way, because his friends were there. But he had no clue where this place he was heading towards was, or how to navigate it, especially in the dark. He could run around in a giant circle, but Dark Link was too smart for that. And also, the older boy was catching up fast, his legs longer and his body not injured. What could Link do?
He tripped suddenly, his face scraping along the ground. Crying out in pain, Link lifted himself to his knees, trying to reorient himself with his surroundings. His vision was blurry and his head and face hurt, adding to the pain he already felt, but Link knew he needed to get moving again, or he'd be caught. And without any weapons, there was no way to win.
Even with weapons...would there be a way...? The thought rippled through him, and Link regretted it instantly. If he had no faith in his own abilities, then how could he ever help this world or the people he loved?
The sound of metal swinging through the air was followed by Link's sudden yelp of surprise as he crashed himself back to the ground to save himself from getting decapitated. Rolling to the side, Link vaulted to his feet and instantly began running again. The sudden shift in weight was too much for his ribs though, and he felt the bone jab his skin as it cracked. Screaming out, he was saved from falling to the ground as something grabbed the back of his tunic. The fabric pulled back against his neck, and Link's eyes widened as the air rushed from his lungs, unable to return. He was going to die.
Fingers clutched the fabric of his clothes, pulling with all their might. Link gagged, the front of his tunic pressing into his throat. His vision doubled and then alternated between a piercing white and a fading black. The pain wouldn't go away! It hurt, goddesses, how it hurt! Link struggled vainly, his energy spent; he didn't want this. Not like this! Those fingers, they kept pulling the fabric, always tighter...
The pain was dwindling, though. Link's eyes rolled back, he couldn't see. And then, the one holding him tugged one last time, and Link's legs collapsed under him, sending him sprawling. The hold was released, and air filtered back into his lungs so fast Link's vision whited out. His body trembled as feeling returned, but with that came the pain again. And to mock it, he could hear that older tenor voice, so gentle before, now torn with anger and pain.
"Running is a coward's way out. But then again, I should have expected that from you." Dark Link hovered over him, the sword held above Link's neck, the tip touching his skin. Link swallowed, his eyes darting every which way. How could he get out of this one? But his body was so ruined and in so much pain, did he even want to?
Shouting in the distance made both Links look to their left. The child on the ground widened his eyes at the sight of Eon charging forward, his naginata appearing as he ran. With a curse, Dark Link lifted the sword from Link's throat, facing the oncoming boy. Link painfully rolled to the side, then forced himself to his feet, hobbling towards Eon, not caring whether the older boy was following or not, ready to strike him down. He knew he never had a chance, though, when he was stopped, the other him grabbing his tunic, dragging him to the ground.
"You aren't going to hide behind anyone-"
"Eon, run! I told you to run away! I didn't want your help!" Link's vehement cries cut the older one off, and his grip loosened. Immediately, the child Link kicked out, knocking Dark Link to the ground, making his way to his feet and running towards Eon, who had slowed when he heard Link's voice.
"Brother, what do you mean...? He's gonna kill you!"
Link's punch sent Eon flying to the ground.
"I told you not to worry about me! You need to get to the Kokiri Forest while I hold him off! Why can't you listen for once in your life?! You call me Brother, now treat me like one and listen!"
Eon blinked up at him, his mouth hanging open. "But, I..." The confusion was evident as Eon stared at the blond boy, his eyes wide with fear and hurt.
"If you die, then how am I going to explain to Mother that I couldn't save you? You think I want to see you die? Not when I can help you this time!" His voice softened. "This is my fight, and I'm used to things like these."
Eon shook his head as he got to his feet. "But you'll die. He was about to kill you! You expect me to just let you let yourself die?! Now who's the stupid one?! You can barely stand... Look at you!"
Link's eyes narrowed in anger, and he was about to respond when Dark Link took a step forward; Link's eyes widened. Pushing Eon away, he turned him around so his back was to the two Links.
"Please hurry and go!"
"Wait."
The quiet tenor voice stopped them both. Dark Link stood, his sword held loosely in his hands. "What did you call him?"
Link faced himself, determination in his eyes. He would let nothing happen to his brother. Cold and yet still polite, he said: "I called him Eon, that's his name."
"Not you." He turned his eyes onto Eon. "What did you call the boy."
Now Eon looked a bit confused. "I called him Brother, because he's my brother. And I won't let some magic creature kill him!" he finished emphatically.
Dark Link scowled. "I'm not a magic creature! And I have no brother, no family, no one! Why do you keep doing this to me?!" The last question was directed at Link, and the small boy took a step back, trying to protect Eon.
"I'm not doing anything to you! Eon has the soul of my brother that died when Mother did. I'm not lying, and I never have lied to you!" For some reason, Link felt it extremely important to let his older self know that truth.
Dark Link's eyes tightened around the edges, his mouth a thin line as he held his anger back. The two boys prepared themselves for the attack they could see Dark Link forming, but it never came. As soon as he took a step forward, Dark Link cried out, holding his arm in pain as the sword clattered to the ground, disappearing.
Link looked on in surprise as his counterpart's arm began to vanish. Dark Link's eyes were wide with fear and pain, and he looked to Link, seeking an answer.
"Why is this happening?! Did you do this to me?" His voice tore at Link's heart.
"No! I don't understand..." This was wrong...this shouldn't happen. Not like this. "Why are you disappearing?"
Dark Link didn't answer. Instead, he reached into his tunic and pulled out a green stone, one that made Link suck in his breath, causing his chest to ache even more. Holding the stone before him, Dark Link focused his magic into it, and just as suddenly as the pain in his arm had appeared, he was gone.
Eon grunted as Link collapsed against him, his body finally giving in, the adrenaline produced from his fear and pain gone in an instant. Lifting the older, broken boy in his arms, Eon made his way to their camp, more than a little confused and frightened.
LINK NO MIKO'S LITTLE CORNER OF TALKINGNESS
Oro, everyone! I is sorry that I took so long, that I is. This chapter needed a loooot of fixing, that it did. Also, school has been painful for me, and I've been having some trouble, but I find that is no excuse. However, I am done with one of my acting things, so hopefully, between Grandia and some Rurouni Kenshin DVDs, I will write much more. -_-x hauu...
Anywho, this chapter is longer than I originally planned, that it is. Eleven pages, aren't you special? Sorry about the length, really. I like long chapters, but this is ridiculous... All my readers will abandon me now! *cries* I'm really sorry if these long chapters upset you, but please bear with me, and I can only hope you find them interesting. Wait...sorry, I'm being a silly again. I've been in a funk for a few days now, so if I come off as whiny or anything, just, um...kick me.
Anywho, that's about it. I hope people can like Dark Link, and maybe ask some questions *nudgenudgehinthintwinkwink* They will be answered...eventually. ^-^x Thank you all for reading, I really appreciate all of you. *bows low*
Eon glared at him, the covers held to his nose, from the opposite end of the huge bed. Link smiled sheepishly and nodded.
"Morning."
"Too early for 'morning,'" was all Eon would say as he covered himself up again, falling asleep. Link sighed and jumped out of bed, adjusting his tunic. It was wrinkly from sleep, but nothing he wasn't used to. Walking barefoot to the door, Link checked on his family one more time before silently exiting the room.
He found Sahasrahla up and about, cooking some soup in a pot. Sitting down at the table, Link ran his hands through his hair, trying to settle the locks.
"You're up rather early, all things considered."
"Yeah. The sun woke me up. I'm ok, although a little sore."
Sahasrahla nodded as he sat down. Folding his hands on the top of the table, he looked over at the young boy. "Tea?"
Link nodded. "Please."
Standing once again and walking to a small kettle beside the large pot, Sahasrahla poured the hot water into two mugs, then brought them back to the table. Taking up a small container, he spooned some leaves into the water, stirring them around. Finally satisfied, he handed one of the cups to the boy sitting across from him, and kept the other to himself.
Link took a sip, the warm liquid instantly heating his entire body and slightly numbing his tongue. Breathing out, trying to stop the burning sensation in his mouth, Link managed to say a quick "It's good" as the elder watched, a smile playing over his features.
Setting his own cup down, Sahasrahla watched the boy again, his expression unreadable. Link noticed and stopped fanning his tongue to ask what was wrong.
"You're leaving today, isn't that right?" Link nodded. "And Zelda Hime?" When Link looked at the table, Sahasrahla nodded. "It's your decision. No one will hold it against you. However, you are in charge of her well-being as her guardian."
Link nodded. "I know. But, she's only going with me to the Kokiri Forest. After that, she's going to return to the castle with Impa."
"That's fine, as long as you make sure she's safe."
The boy nodded. "And what of you? Are you going to stay here?"
The elder nodded, taking a casual sip of tea. "I'm too old for adventures, child. My place is here, for now."
"For now?"
"Yes. Until I'm needed out in the world again, this place shall suit me fine."
Link blinked, but asked nothing else. Sahasrahla confused him most of the time, but he was a nice person all the same.
"Link, go wake the others. You need an early start."
Nodding, the boy set his cup down and walked towards the bedrooms. He stopped at Zelda's first, knocking politely.
There was no answer.
Frowning, he walked back to the table, stopping a few feet from it.
"Um, they're not up yet."
"That's why I asked you to wake them up."
Link blushed. "I mean, they didn't hear me knock..."
"Then open the door slightly and call to them." Sahasrahla had an amused smile on his face.
Still blushing, Link nodded and once again walked to the door. This time he knocked slightly louder, but there was still no response. Mustering his courage, he was about to open the door when another door opened, and Eon walked out, his blue tunic wrinkled and his hair disheveled, rubbing his eyes with the back of his fists.
"What's wrong? Why you standing there like that?"
Link kept staring at the door. "I have to wake Zelda and Impa up."
Eon snorted. "I doubt the scary warrior woman is asleep, but the princess, yeah. Why don't you just walk in there and shake her?"
Link blushed over his entire body. "Because!"
Rolling his eyes, Eon pushed Link out of the way, and to the Kokiri-boy's horror, opened the door wide, sauntering into the room.
"Hey, Princess! Time to wake up! Your knight's out there waiting to get you, but he's too much of a baby to open the door and wake you up." Link clutched at his hair with his small fists, his mouth open and eyes wild. Inside the room, he could hear a soft voice, but couldn't make anything out. Eon's loud voice answered his question of who it was, though. "What do you mean, 'who's my knight?' Link! He's out there beat red, too." There was an awkward silence, then he heard some whispering again. "Oh, ok. I'll tell him. LINK! SHE SAYS YOU CAN COME IN NOW!"
Link walked into the room wincing, and heard Zelda say "I could have done that," before Eon grinned like a wolf and passed him.
"That wasn't so hard, now was it?" He paused for a second, one foot before the other as though he was about to take a step. "I smell food, see ya." With that, he was gone, leaving an embarrassed Link and equally embarrassed Zelda together. Impa was nowhere to be seen.
"So, um, sorry about that. He's kind of, not very shy about anything..."
Zelda nodded, her face slightly red. She had the blankets around her middle, and her dress was wrinkled from sleeping in it. "Yeah. Um, what did you want?"
Link shrugged. "Sahasrahla told me to wake everyone up. I gotta go get Navi and Volvagia now, so-"
"Thank you," her quiet voice broke his sentence. "For letting me go with you."
He smiled, unfazed by the change in subject. "No problem. You've never seen my home, have you?" She shook her head. "You'll love it. And Saria will be happy to meet you. Well, meet you meet you, not meet you through the power of the Sages..." Link stumbled to a halt, aware of what an idiot he sounded like. Zelda giggled.
"I'd like to meet everyone there. I'm sure they're all very nice."
Link scoffed. "Yeah, everyone except Mido. He's the boss of the Kokiri," he stated when she gave him a funny look. "He thinks he's the best at everything and he's always teased me..."
"Sounds like a close friend to me."
Link shook his head, not believing Zelda just said that. "No way! He always picks fights-which I win until he cheats-and he thinks some weird things about Saria's and my friendship, which I don't quite follow, and he calls me Half-Person even though I have Navi now." Link blushed. "I mean, well...I don't mean to sound like I'm rude, or anything, and, well...um..."
Zelda shook her head. "It's ok. But I think he's not so bad, even if he does seem mean. Can you honestly say he's just bad?"
Link stopped, then slowly shook his head. "No, he's got his good points."
The princess smiled. "Then I'm sure I'd like to meet him too. Now if you'll excuse me...?"
Blinking, Link nodded, suddenly understanding. "Yeah. I'll see you in the main room." Standing rigid suddenly, as though he'd forgotten something, Link bowed slightly. "And good morning, Zelda."
"Good morning, Link."
Closing the door quietly behind him, Link continued down the hall to his own room, where the door was still open. Walking to the bed, Link gently tapped the sleeping faerie, running a finger down her small, delicate wings. Navi shuddered as he tickled her, then moved slightly, signaling she was awake. It was times like this Link wished she had more of a visible human form, so he could see her expression, but then he reminded himself she wouldn't be Navi if she wasn't a faerie orb. It was weird, those few times he'd actually seen her as the young woman she really was.
Fluttering off his hat, Navi's glow slowly intensified, until Link knew she was fully awake. Smiling at her, he picked up his hat, settled it on his head, and held out a hand for Navi to light upon.
"Morning, Navi-chan. Did you sleep well after your laughing fit?" He was still sore about the fact that she wouldn't tell him what was so funny. From the way her glow tinged with pink, Navi was aware of his discontent.
"I slept fine, Link-kun. I'm happy you're in such a good mood. I heard Eon yelling, so..."
Link's eye twitched slightly. "Don't worry about that, everything's fine now." Carrying Navi on his hand, the young Hero walked past the bed, nudging Volvagia awake, and back into the doorway to the main room to be greeted with one of the funniest things he'd ever seen.
Eon was floating in the air, his feet at least a foot off the ground. Actually, floating would be a loose term, since Impa's strong hands held the boy by the collar of his tunic. The Sheikah looked as though she could kill someone, but Eon only had his usual goofy grin. Zelda was pulling at the warrior woman's clothing, trying to make her release the boy, to no avail. She'd changed her dress, Link noticed, so she now wore some leggings that tied up the sides, with a short, thigh-length tunic belted at her waist. Her hair was braided, since it now reached her mid back, and she had wrist cuffs on. The boy nodded, agreeing with her choice of travel gear, and he took a step into the room, his boots clacking lightly on the wood. When they heard Link enter, they all turned to face him, completely silent.
Link blinked a few times, then casually walked over to the chair he used earlier that morning, sat down, and took a drink from his mug. "It is too early for this..." he muttered to himself before once again facing everyone. "So, may I ask what the problem is here?"
Impa glared at the grinning boy in her hands. Eon shrugged nonchalantly. "The old woman heard what I said about her while you were trying to get a shot at the princess, is all."
The tea Link was trying to drink as the boy said that flew out of his mouth, and Zelda turned bright red while Impa did as well, only for different reasons. Shaking the boy hard, she tossed him to the ground, then stood over Eon, her sword drawn and the tip at his throat. Still, Eon only smiled.
"You sure are too serious, lady. Put the pointer stick away and calm down, I was only joki-hey!" Eon was once again lifted by the collar of his tunic, only this time at sword-point. Eyeing the tip of metal stuck in his clothing, Eon gulped.
"Refrain from speaking so casually about royalty, boy, or you'll be eating this sword." Both Zelda and Link were trying to calm the Sheikah down as she threatened Eon's life, and finally Impa relented, releasing the smaller redheaded boy, who immediately crawled under the table. Sticking his tongue out at her from where he was, Eon was almost attacked again, had Sahasrahla not intervened.
"Calm down, children. We have work to do, and these petty fights will solve nothing. Impa, sheath your sword. Zelda Hime and Link, both of you, come here."
Nodding, they came to stand before him, side by side. He looked at each, his expression unreadable. Finally, he turned to Zelda.
"You understand that you cannot go on this adventure? That your duty is elsewhere?"
"Yes."
He smiled at her warmly. "I know it's hard, my dear, but you must realize that this is something that the boy needs to do on his own. I hope you can understand that someday."
Zelda blinked. "I do, elder."
His smile became sad. "I know you want to, child." He shifted now. "And do you understand that this battle will be the most difficult for you, and that no one may help you, or give you an answer, should you ask for one?" This question was aimed at Link.
"Yes, I do." The Kokiri-boy was suddenly scared, though, and he couldn't tell why.
"Yes, you do at that..." Placing his hands on both their shoulders, Sahasrahla closed his eyes in thought. "I'm sorry, children, that this is happening to you. But you are both strong, and will see it through till the end." Removing his hands, he turned from them. "Eon."
Hearing his name, the boy jumped, smashing his head on the bottom of the table. Cursing loudly, he crawled from beneath the wooden piece of furniture, rubbing his head as he stood before the old man.
"What, old man?"
"When you leave this place, you will be thrust into a completely different world, one that you have never dreamed of. However, you must persevere, and stay by your-"
"Yeah, yeah, I know. Can we go now?"
Sahasrahla's face darkened in anger and Impa reached for her sword, but the small chirp of Volvagia drew all their faces. The baby dragon jumped into Eon's arms, his tail wagging. Eon smiled down at the creature, and his voice was soft when he talked again, completely different from his usual boastful self.
"I know what you want me to do, old man. And I will. I can be trusted, and I won't betray those that are important to me. I'll stay with them, and help them as much as I can, and you have my word on that. So," he smiled then with his goofy grin, and pointed towards the door, "can we goooo nooooow?!"
Impa causally smacked him upside the head before Zelda could stop her. Eon held his head in his hands, muttering "ow" under his breath repeatedly, and Link grabbed his chair, sitting again. This would be a very, very long journey.
They set out a few hours later, having filled their stomachs and packs with food and water. Sahasrahla stood before his house, watching them off as they traveled north, skirting the mountain range before reaching Hyrule Field again. Everyone waved until the elder was out of sight, then they set their eyes forward, concentrating on their journey.
Eon walked with his hands behind his head, kicking the ground with his feet as he walked. This was the first time he'd ever left the safety of the forest surrounding Sahasrahla's home, and the first time he'd been on his own. Wait, he amended, he wasn't alone. He had Volvagia, Link, even the princess and her uptight guardian woman with him. It was strange, thinking of them as companions when the day before he'd tried to kill them.
A thought struck him then, making him stop. Link noticed and stopped beside him, his eyes wide. "What's wrong, Eon?"
"I was just thinking of how we were enemies two days ago, and how Elah was using me to fight you, when I remembered that sword you were holding. What happened to that?"
Link frowned. "I'm not sure. I passed out still holding it." He grimaced. "You sure did a number on me. My leg still throbs a bit."
The younger boy smiled. "Sorry about that. But now I'm curious about what happened to that sword."
"It disappeared." Both boys turned when the gentle voice answered. Zelda stood slightly behind them, smiling. "After Link passed out, the sword vaporized, and his hand slowly returned to a normal color. It looked frostbit for the longest time... I was worried..."
Eon lifted an eyebrow and shot the slightly blushing girl a look, while Link looked at his hand, shaking it a bit. "Yeah, it felt frozen. Anytime I wanted to drop it, the sword would freeze even more. How could she do that? I thought she was a water spirit."
Eon shrugged. "Water turns to ice."
Zelda cocked her head to the side, her braid swaying. "So, can you make ice as well?"
"If I wanted to, probably. I never really thought about it, is all."
Link pointed to Volvagia, perched on Eon's shoulder. "Then doesn't he bother you? Fire and ice don't exactly mix."
Eon looked to the small dragon and scratched under his chin, making Volvagia purr. "I know. I'm scared to death of fire, too. Isn't that something? But Vol-chan here is good, he'd never hurt me. We're similar."
"Why are you so afraid of fire...?" Zelda's quiet question made Eon look up. He winced slightly, but only Link seemed to see it. Smiling again, he shrugged and answered her nonchalantly. She was only asking an innocent question, after all, not trying to hurt him.
"I died in a fire. Well, because of a fire, I should say."
Zelda swallowed, suddenly aware of the pain her question caused. Lowering her face, her bangs hid her eyes. "I'm sorry. I should have thought about that more." Walking quickly passed them, she was surprised when Eon gently grabbed her arm.
"It's ok. You might not have understood when the old man explained about me." When her eyes widened, he grinned. "I wasn't awake, but I know the geezer well. He'd explain about me to you, especially for Brother's sake. But I don't blame you. It happened a long time ago, and talking about it won't change anything."
Link was looking at him strangely, and Eon frowned. "What?"
"Nothing." Eon frowned as Link began walking away, and watched his brother go with only his eyes. He would never figure Link out, no matter how much he tried.
"Eon," Zelda interrupted him, and he looked over to her. "You don't always have to act like nothing phases you. But it's nice to see you in good spirits all the time. You remind me of Mikomi a lot."
"Mikomi?"
Link interrupted them before she could explain. "C'mon, we gotta hurry if we're going to make any progress before sundown."
Smiling ruefully at Eon, Zelda continued forward, leaving him with Volvagia.
"Who is Mikomi...?"
They traveled for the rest of the day, stopping only for short breaks and for lunch. When suppertime rolled around, Impa decided they would stay there for the night, since they were under a safe outcropping near the base of the mountains, and because the "children look tired."
Gathering wood for the fire, Link and Eon didn't say much. Eon wanted to know about this Mikomi person, and Link didn't seem to care to tell him. Which seemed odd. He thought Link would explain after he'd interrupted his and Zelda's conversation, but he wasn't doing any explaining. Why wouldn't Link want to tell him something?
When they finally returned to the camp, Link set the wood down and grabbed a flint, ready to make a fire. Eon stopped him, though.
"Brother, who's this Mikomi person Zelda mentioned?"
His brother stopped short, the flint held in his hand as Link stared straight ahead. "How do you know about her?"
Eon blinked. "Zelda mentioned her." So it's a female, he thought. Ok, there's something. "But before she could say anything, you told us to get moving. I just figured you didn't want her telling me."
Link shook his head. "I never even knew she mentioned her." He turned to face Eon then, one eyebrow raised. "Is that why you've been giving me funny looks all day? Because you thought I was holding out on you?"
"Well, yeah. I mean, it was timed perfectly." Link "hmphed" and went back to starting the fire. "So, you gonna tell me or what?"
"Sure, once I get the fire going."
Eon smiled. "Well then, that's easy. Vol-chan!" Volvagia appeared then, his tail wagging. Link, realizing what the boy meant to do, dashed quickly to the side, but not in time to dodge Volvagia's flames. When the fire was going good, Link blinked, the soot slowly falling off his face as he glared at the two troublemakers before him.
"Linku!"
Eon couldn't help it and started laughing, drawing the women over to them. "That's great! I can't believe he got you! Hahaha, you should see yourself! This is the funniest thing I've ever seen!" The boy doubled over in laughter, holding his stomach while his entire body shook. Navi scowled at him.
"Really Eon!" Ignoring him, she flew over to Link. "Link-kun, are you ok?"
Link nodded, dusting himself off. "Yeah. He didn't really get me, but I got a bit singed. Nothing like before." Standing, Link walked over to the fire and kicked Eon, sending the younger boy flying to the ground. He kept laughing, though.
"That's enough, boys." Impa's stern voice made them stop and look, although Eon kept chuckling. "Settle down, and let's eat." They all nodded, settling around the fire, Link between Impa and Zelda, Eon on the other side. He found that hilarious for some reason, but a stern look from Impa kept his mouth shut. "It was so much nicer when he wasn't around..." she mumbled to herself.
Eon grinned. "Probably quieter, too."
Impa nodded. "Yes, that it was."
They ate then, the sounds of twilight soothing. When they were done, Impa left to watch the perimeter, leaving the others around the fire.
"So, Brother, you gonna tell me now?"
Link flinched. "Yeah."
"What was the flinch for?"
"Because I thought you'd forget. I don't really know how to go about explaining this, so I was sort of hoping I wouldn't have to."
Zelda looked between the two, her eyes wide. "What's going on? Explain what?"
Both boys answered at the same time. "Mikomi."
She blinked, slightly stunned by the quick response. "Oh."
Settling back, his hands supporting his weight behind his back, Link looked up at the stars, absently chewing his lower lip.
"Well, for one thing, Mikomi is gone. She left shortly after Dark Link appeared. That's one of the reasons why I was scared to explain her, because it means you won't get to meet her..."
"That's ok, I just want to know who she is, and why I'm like her..." But he still felt a weight in the pit of his stomach, making him uneasy. Did he really want to know who she was...? For some reason, he was afraid of the answer.
Link still refused to look at him, opting instead to watch the sky. "When I say you won't get to meet her, I mean it. Mikomi is a ghost."
Now the feeling in the pit of his stomach increased twofold, making his stomach bottom out. Eon licked his lips slightly, but nodded. He had a feeling he knew where this was going.
"Ok..."
Now Link finally did look at him, and his eyes were sad. "Mikomi is the one who taught me to stand on my own, and to follow my heart through all the trials I'll have." For some reason, Eon knew Link was alluding to their conversation the previous morning, about destiny and the like. Then his eyes widened in shock.
Link nodded. "Yeah, I mentioned her to you before." He paused, and Eon had the feeling the next few words were as hard on Link as they would be on him. "Mikomi is our mother, Eon."
Link sat outside the light of the fire so his vision would stay adjusted to the dark. It was his turn to be on guard, the others long since asleep. Navi lay cuddled in his collar, her wings slightly tickling him as she breathed deeply. He felt bad, because after finally explaining about Mikomi, Eon just sat there, his usual energy gone as he gazed out at the night, not saying a word. Link wanted to explain about her more, to tell him about everything they'd been through and what she'd said about their family, but Eon shut himself off from everyone, and finally they left him alone.
So now, hours later, Link was going through in his mind how he could apologize to his brother in the morning. Everything was getting complicated, and having Eon feeling left out and abandoned would not help matters any. Idly Link wondered how things had gone downhill so much. At first he was only afraid he was going insane, but he learned later that that was Dark Link playing with his mind. Then that particular evil was out, free to the world, even as Link faced his newest, albeit weaker, enemy.
But with Elah gone forever and Eon now with him, Link still didn't feel like things were any better. He had no idea where Dark Link was, or what his counterpart was doing. The towns of Hyrule could be in chaos now, especially since the castle burned, and there was no way he could know or do anything about it. Not even his ocarina could help him here.
Thinking of his ocarina, Link pulled the instrument off his belt, examining it. He didn't have the Ocarina of Time anymore, but he found he enjoyed this one just as much. He may not be able to teleport with this, but he could still use some magic. Saria's gift was useful, and was also one of his few reminders of his home.
Reattaching the ocarina to his belt, Link's thoughts turned back to the children that were the Kokiri. He really missed them, all of them. Even Mido. Even though Link knew about his real family-had met his mother and loved her very much, and now had a real, little brother-he still thought of that deep, deep forest as his home, and the Kokiri as his friends and family. Saria herself was like a sister to him, one who taught him nearly everything he knew and who cared for him, even when the others weren't quite sure of him and teased him to no end.
A rustling noise behind him made Link tense, wishing yet again he had his sword. His other motive for returning to the Kokiri Forest was his weapons. He was a fool not to have brought any, even his boomerang.
"I'm not going to hurt you, you can calm down." Eon's voice made Link relax, and he scuttled over so the other boy could sit beside him. Eon sat, hugging his knees to his chest. "Hey, Brother? I just wanted to apologize for being so snippy earlier....and, um, I was wondering...if you could tell me some things? About...about Mom?"
Link nodded, a sad smile on his face. Even the way they addressed her was different-his "mother" to Eon's "mom." Leaning back, his eyes distant, Link explained: "Well, she's very beautiful. She has long red hair, similar to yours, and she always had a smile for me, even when things weren't going very well. She actually saved Zelda and me when the castle burned down." He paused. "Now that I think about it, I wonder if Dark Link was responsible for that, too..."
Eon shrugged. "Well, when you meet up with him again, then you can ask, right?"
Link nodded. "But anyway... I never met Mikomi until a few days ago, really. Not face to face, at least. I heard her talking with Impa before we ever got to Sahasrahla's, but the first time I saw her saw her was after Dark Link appeared. She talked with me then, but we only had a short time together..." He trailed off again, his look distant.
"So, she never mentioned me, I take it..."
Eon's question made Link slouch. "No, not once."
"Heh," Eon's small laugh had no hint of humor in it. "I know she doesn't have any reason to know about me, but... I guess, I was hoping maybe she would wonder and maybe grieve about her unborn child."
Link reached over and gently set a hand on Eon's shoulder. "I'm sure she thought of you more than either of us can tell. I know that before I was born, even before I was conceived, she thought about me. So I have a feeling she did about you, too. She seems to have a sixth sense about children." Link leaned back again. "She told me she was and still is proud of me. And I'm sure she had high hopes for you, too. So, she'll always be proud of you, even if it is only as the child she envisioned." Link rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry, I'm not helping any."
Eon shook his head, rubbing his eyes with the back of his fist. "No, you're helping fine. It's not exactly what I wanted to hear, but it's still comforting, because you mean it. You're not spouting garbage just to make me feel better."
"Yeah."
His mood brightened, Eon looked at the stars. "But don't worry. I'm sure she'll be back, and then I can prove to her myself how good I am. She doesn't need to dream about some child, she can really see me. And then, to top it all off, I'll show Dad how good I am too."
Link smiled. "Yeah. I'm sure they'll be very happy to meet you..." He suddenly trailed off, his ears perked and eyes wide. Eon blinked, unsure of what was going on. Link looked like he was about to bolt.
"Brother...?"
"Go back to the fire, Eon. Wake Impa and Zelda, and go hide somewhere. I don't want any of you getting hurt."
"What do you mean?" Link was on his feet now, as was Eon. The redheaded boy looked around, not understanding what was wrong. "Link, what's-"
"I said go! Now!" He didn't even notice Eon's use of his name. Why was the boy still here? "Move, dammit! Now!"
The command in Link's usually calm voice made Eon jump, and he nodded, hurrying to wake everyone. Link walked out into the dark alone, leaving Navi with his brother and hoping Eon would listen, but also praying he wouldn't. This was one enemy he had no desire to face alone...
He wasn't far away at all. He sat on a large rock, one leg up, his chin resting on the knee, bangs in his face. His tunic was slightly dirty, as though he'd had a hard time, although there were no tears. His shield rested at his side, and he was holding a small object in his hands. When Link saw him, he smiled and moved, pocketing the object-it was then that the child noticed he'd been holding an ocarina. Jumping down so they could face off, the older boy grinned wolfishly at the frightened, determined boy.
"I was wondering how long it would take you to find me. I've been here for a good while, now."
Link scowled. This was their first real meeting, and already he didn't like Dark Link's attitude. The older version of himself seemed overly cocky, and nothing at all like what he'd been like in that other future. It grated on his nerves.
However, he let none of that ire show through. Nodding his head politely, he kept his eyes locked on his enemy's. "I'm sorry to keep you waiting. I was talking with someone."
Dark Link blinked, caught off guard by Link's polite answer. "Is that so? And they aren't here with you?" His tone seemed to have changed, but Link couldn't place it. Was he worried, or condescending?
Link shook his head. "No, I asked him to wake the others and go away. I didn't want them to get hurt."
To Link's surprise, his counterpart nodded. "Good. I wouldn't want them to get hurt, either." Noticing Link's look of surprise, he frowned. "What's wrong? I'm not heartless. This is a fight between you and me."
Confused, Link said the first thing that came to his mind. "But, you used all those things against me before... People I cared about..."
Dark Link nodded. "Yes, and I'm not proud of it. But it was the only way to use your energies the way I needed." He paused. "And I need to tell the girl I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt her, but I needed something to stay in while I gained strength, and she had the most magical ability of anyone around you."
"What do you mean? My energies...?"
"Yes. With you confused and uncertain, your emotions were extra high and easily malleable. And with you always holding the girl, it was easy for me to use those to make myself stronger." He scowled. "The fact that I had to do that upsets me to no end. That I had to use some weak thing like you."
Link felt his anger rising against his will. "I am not a thing. Last I knew we were the same person."
Now Dark Link directed his scowl at the child before him. "I. Am. Not. You. You're some mistake that happened. I am the real Link, and this world doesn't need an incompetent like you trying to help." For some reason, that little remark hit him hard, and Link couldn't understand for the life of him why. He did understand, however, that it angered him dearly.
"I'm not incompetent! And I'm not a mistake!" he cried indignantly. Tears stood in his eyes. "You're from a future that should never have happened! After I sealed Ganon, I had to come back!" He paused then, remembering the pain that caused. Shaking his head to clear it, he continued, hoping Dark Link didn't notice the slight break. "And eventually, I'll grow up, back into what you are. If anyone was more real than the other, it would be me."
Something hit him in the chest, sending him flying backwards. Link barely registered the kick before he smashed into the ground, sending dust everywhere and leaving a small furrow in the ground. Coughing, trying to get his breath back, the boy could only hope that Eon listened and was far away now. They'd need to regroup and come after Dark Link later, hoping Link could at least weaken him. With strength like that, he knew this child's body wouldn't last that long. Link was well aware of his own body's capabilities-both as an adult and as a child.
"Don't you dare compare yourself to me!" Dark Link screamed, his voice tearing from his throat. "I'm the real one! Me! Just for that, I'll end this now. And this time that woman isn't here to interfere."
That comment made Link blink in anger, forcing himself up to his feet. "Mother 'interfered' because she was worried about both of us!"
Another kick sent Link flying five feet, landing in the dust, his head smashing into a rock, making his vision fade out. "Now you're spouting those lies too! Mother died when I was a baby, she could not come back! Jokes like these should not be uttered!"
"It's not a joke, though!" Raising himself onto his knees, Link took a shuddering breath, trying to make his vision stop spinning. Was that pain in Dark Link's voice...? "She is dead, but Mother's ghost is what you saw. And she was worried about you! Couldn't you hear it in her voice?!"
"Shut up!" The older boy was shaking in anger, ready to jump after the still dazed child on the ground.
Link knew there wasn't much time. Dark Link would start after him soon, reaching him before he could regain enough strength to dodge out of the way. He needed to stall... Groping about blindly, Link's fingers brushed his belt, where the ocarina hung. Opening his eyes in surprise, Link pulled the instrument from his belt, ripping the cords that held it.
"What do you think you're doing? You think some song is going to save you?" Dark Link was still trembling from his suppressed rage, and Link idly wondered why he didn't charge yet.
Ignoring those thoughts, trying to figure out a way to buy time, Link held the ocarina to his lips. The song he played was fun and light, contrasting to the situation he was in now. Dark Link stopped abruptly, his eyes wide.
'Link? Link, is that you? Why are you calling so late at night...? Is something the matter?'
Link smiled slightly. He hadn't heard her voice in so long, it was as much a healer as any faerie. He forgot where he was for a moment, and that a darker version of himself was less than five feet away, ready to kill him. He just wanted to talk to her, hear her voice and wish he was back home, with everyone else, not on some fool mission... His mission. That's right. He had something he needed to ask her.
"Saria, some friends of mine are heading your way. They're Hylian, but please allow them passage into the Forest..."
'Link?! What's wrong? You sound hurt!'
Link ignored her, trying to finish his message. He could feel the pain winding from his chest upwards, and it was hard enough to not let her hear it as it was now. "They should arrive within the week. Please help them, they'll explain everything that's going on..." His limit was reached. He couldn't keep talking, and the ocarina fell from his hands, breaking the spell and effectively blocking Saria's next words out. It was all Link could do to keep himself from collapsing.
"Why..." When he heard the older voice, Link looked up. His eyes widened at the look of pain on Dark Link's face and the extreme lack of tension in his muscles. It was as though Saria's voice had calmed him. "Why did you do that...? Why did you involve Saria?"
"Because...she's the only person I could think of that might help. Eon and the others should reach there, and they'll let her know what happened to me." Standing was painful, but Link managed it anyway, holding his ribs tightly and closing his eyes against the blinding pain behind them. He didn't want to show such weakness, not now. "My job right now...is to stall you and make sure you can't hurt them anymore."
Dark Link shook his head, his eyes still full of pain, confusing Link. "I never planned on hurting anyone. I'm not a monster!"
Link was taken aback. He thought this version of himself was like the shadow he fought in the Water Temple, but so far, everything he said proved otherwise. What else could he be but some monster created to destroy Hyrule? But at every chance, this older boy refused to accept that he was some creation, refused to think in the way monsters did. It was confusing, because Link was beginning to doubt if he truly was fighting a monster or not. But then, in that case...what was he...?
"The only one I'm after is you!" Dark Link pointed at Link, his face contorted in pain. The green-clad Kokiri child took a hesitant step back, afraid. "And you call me a monster, yet you involve those you care about?!" He reached behind him, his left hand grabbing the sword that materialized out of nowhere. Link's eyes widened in surprise when he recognized the insignia on the hilt, but he had no time to think about how it could be possible. The sword arched through the air, hitting the ground directly where Link had been standing. Scowling, Dark Link spun on his heel, the sword parallel to the ground as he made to cut Link in half from his place a few feet to the left of where he'd been.
Link jumped the sword, landing on it and using the weapon like a springboard. Only adrenaline and instincts were keeping him alive, giving him the strength he needed. But, at every jump, every turn, he could feel his body wearing down even more. He needed to get out of swinging distance.
Jumping over Dark Link's head, he kicked out, hitting the taller boy in the middle of his back with the balls of his feet. Dark Link lurched forward, his balance lost, and Link fell to the ground, using his shoulder to begin a roll. Just as quickly, Link sprang to his feet, dashing the opposite way of the campfire. He could hear Dark Link chasing him.
Where could he go? He couldn't go back the other way, because his friends were there. But he had no clue where this place he was heading towards was, or how to navigate it, especially in the dark. He could run around in a giant circle, but Dark Link was too smart for that. And also, the older boy was catching up fast, his legs longer and his body not injured. What could Link do?
He tripped suddenly, his face scraping along the ground. Crying out in pain, Link lifted himself to his knees, trying to reorient himself with his surroundings. His vision was blurry and his head and face hurt, adding to the pain he already felt, but Link knew he needed to get moving again, or he'd be caught. And without any weapons, there was no way to win.
Even with weapons...would there be a way...? The thought rippled through him, and Link regretted it instantly. If he had no faith in his own abilities, then how could he ever help this world or the people he loved?
The sound of metal swinging through the air was followed by Link's sudden yelp of surprise as he crashed himself back to the ground to save himself from getting decapitated. Rolling to the side, Link vaulted to his feet and instantly began running again. The sudden shift in weight was too much for his ribs though, and he felt the bone jab his skin as it cracked. Screaming out, he was saved from falling to the ground as something grabbed the back of his tunic. The fabric pulled back against his neck, and Link's eyes widened as the air rushed from his lungs, unable to return. He was going to die.
Fingers clutched the fabric of his clothes, pulling with all their might. Link gagged, the front of his tunic pressing into his throat. His vision doubled and then alternated between a piercing white and a fading black. The pain wouldn't go away! It hurt, goddesses, how it hurt! Link struggled vainly, his energy spent; he didn't want this. Not like this! Those fingers, they kept pulling the fabric, always tighter...
The pain was dwindling, though. Link's eyes rolled back, he couldn't see. And then, the one holding him tugged one last time, and Link's legs collapsed under him, sending him sprawling. The hold was released, and air filtered back into his lungs so fast Link's vision whited out. His body trembled as feeling returned, but with that came the pain again. And to mock it, he could hear that older tenor voice, so gentle before, now torn with anger and pain.
"Running is a coward's way out. But then again, I should have expected that from you." Dark Link hovered over him, the sword held above Link's neck, the tip touching his skin. Link swallowed, his eyes darting every which way. How could he get out of this one? But his body was so ruined and in so much pain, did he even want to?
Shouting in the distance made both Links look to their left. The child on the ground widened his eyes at the sight of Eon charging forward, his naginata appearing as he ran. With a curse, Dark Link lifted the sword from Link's throat, facing the oncoming boy. Link painfully rolled to the side, then forced himself to his feet, hobbling towards Eon, not caring whether the older boy was following or not, ready to strike him down. He knew he never had a chance, though, when he was stopped, the other him grabbing his tunic, dragging him to the ground.
"You aren't going to hide behind anyone-"
"Eon, run! I told you to run away! I didn't want your help!" Link's vehement cries cut the older one off, and his grip loosened. Immediately, the child Link kicked out, knocking Dark Link to the ground, making his way to his feet and running towards Eon, who had slowed when he heard Link's voice.
"Brother, what do you mean...? He's gonna kill you!"
Link's punch sent Eon flying to the ground.
"I told you not to worry about me! You need to get to the Kokiri Forest while I hold him off! Why can't you listen for once in your life?! You call me Brother, now treat me like one and listen!"
Eon blinked up at him, his mouth hanging open. "But, I..." The confusion was evident as Eon stared at the blond boy, his eyes wide with fear and hurt.
"If you die, then how am I going to explain to Mother that I couldn't save you? You think I want to see you die? Not when I can help you this time!" His voice softened. "This is my fight, and I'm used to things like these."
Eon shook his head as he got to his feet. "But you'll die. He was about to kill you! You expect me to just let you let yourself die?! Now who's the stupid one?! You can barely stand... Look at you!"
Link's eyes narrowed in anger, and he was about to respond when Dark Link took a step forward; Link's eyes widened. Pushing Eon away, he turned him around so his back was to the two Links.
"Please hurry and go!"
"Wait."
The quiet tenor voice stopped them both. Dark Link stood, his sword held loosely in his hands. "What did you call him?"
Link faced himself, determination in his eyes. He would let nothing happen to his brother. Cold and yet still polite, he said: "I called him Eon, that's his name."
"Not you." He turned his eyes onto Eon. "What did you call the boy."
Now Eon looked a bit confused. "I called him Brother, because he's my brother. And I won't let some magic creature kill him!" he finished emphatically.
Dark Link scowled. "I'm not a magic creature! And I have no brother, no family, no one! Why do you keep doing this to me?!" The last question was directed at Link, and the small boy took a step back, trying to protect Eon.
"I'm not doing anything to you! Eon has the soul of my brother that died when Mother did. I'm not lying, and I never have lied to you!" For some reason, Link felt it extremely important to let his older self know that truth.
Dark Link's eyes tightened around the edges, his mouth a thin line as he held his anger back. The two boys prepared themselves for the attack they could see Dark Link forming, but it never came. As soon as he took a step forward, Dark Link cried out, holding his arm in pain as the sword clattered to the ground, disappearing.
Link looked on in surprise as his counterpart's arm began to vanish. Dark Link's eyes were wide with fear and pain, and he looked to Link, seeking an answer.
"Why is this happening?! Did you do this to me?" His voice tore at Link's heart.
"No! I don't understand..." This was wrong...this shouldn't happen. Not like this. "Why are you disappearing?"
Dark Link didn't answer. Instead, he reached into his tunic and pulled out a green stone, one that made Link suck in his breath, causing his chest to ache even more. Holding the stone before him, Dark Link focused his magic into it, and just as suddenly as the pain in his arm had appeared, he was gone.
Eon grunted as Link collapsed against him, his body finally giving in, the adrenaline produced from his fear and pain gone in an instant. Lifting the older, broken boy in his arms, Eon made his way to their camp, more than a little confused and frightened.
LINK NO MIKO'S LITTLE CORNER OF TALKINGNESS
Oro, everyone! I is sorry that I took so long, that I is. This chapter needed a loooot of fixing, that it did. Also, school has been painful for me, and I've been having some trouble, but I find that is no excuse. However, I am done with one of my acting things, so hopefully, between Grandia and some Rurouni Kenshin DVDs, I will write much more. -_-x hauu...
Anywho, this chapter is longer than I originally planned, that it is. Eleven pages, aren't you special? Sorry about the length, really. I like long chapters, but this is ridiculous... All my readers will abandon me now! *cries* I'm really sorry if these long chapters upset you, but please bear with me, and I can only hope you find them interesting. Wait...sorry, I'm being a silly again. I've been in a funk for a few days now, so if I come off as whiny or anything, just, um...kick me.
Anywho, that's about it. I hope people can like Dark Link, and maybe ask some questions *nudgenudgehinthintwinkwink* They will be answered...eventually. ^-^x Thank you all for reading, I really appreciate all of you. *bows low*
