Disclaimer: I do not own the Legend of Zelda
"Where am I?" Link asked walking into a circular patch of dirt surrounded by grasslands with nothing else in sight, a sun shining in the sky.
Link walked further and eight flashes of light formed at the edges of the circle of dirt. Link looked around and saw himself, or to be more precise, he saw himself in all of his forms. His younger self, the Hero of Time, Deku Link, Goron Link, Zora Link, Oni Link, Ryuu no Oni Link, and the one he knew next to nothing about, Holy Knight Link. Link walked to his younger self and looked down into his eyes, they were completely green. "Was it worth it?" his younger self asked as a light flashed.
They were in Kokiri Forest now. "Was leaving all of this worth it? You were happy here, you had friends, and your only enemy would never harm you. Was it really worth leaving all this?" his younger self asked.
"Yes, I have learned my history, I have made friends, I am happy now," Link answered.
"Are you?" his younger self asked as the light flashed again revealing the Great Deku Tree, "Was it worth losing him to become what you are now?"
"Ganondorf was the one who killed him, I tried to save him," Link said glaring at his younger self.
"But you killed so many in a futile mission," his younger self countered as several monsters dying by Link's hands, and then finally showed Gohma's death screams, "Are you happy? Killing and destroying in the name of what? Peace?"
"Yes, I fight for peace. I kill and destroy for peace," Link answered his younger self glaring, "And I am happy with my choice, I have made many friends, and few enemies. I have saved countless lives by killing countless monsters."
"I do not believe you, you have become what you hate most, you have become just like Ganondorf," his younger self stated glaring back.
"I am not like Ganondorf!" Link yelled at his younger self.
"Really? Why do you say that? You both kill and destroy to achieve your objectives," his younger self stated causing Link to step back.
"No! He sought out to kill! He sought out to destroy! He wished to conquer! I sought out monsters, sought him out to stop him and stop the killing!" Link yelled at his younger self.
"I believe you," his younger self said while they returned to the field, "But do you believe in yourself? A Hero is marked by their desire to preserve life and peace, but you must remember not to become that which you fight."
His younger self vanished; Link turned to the Hero of Time and walked over to him. "You were once the greatest hero, the legendary Hero of Time, but you gave it all up to regain your lost childhood. Do you believe that giving up all of that was worth it?" the Hero of Time asked as they were transported to that timeline, the timeline with Ganon's Castle.
"It was for the best, I missed my childhood, and there were things I had to learn that I could only learn by growing up," Link said adamantly.
"But you had everything you needed, fame, power, and even fortune. You gave it up for your childhood? To be a weak child incapable of stopping another evil like Ganondorf?" the Hero of Time asked.
"Yes, I gave it all up," Link answered as images of the temples flashed around him.
"Why? You had it so good, you were loved, almost worshipped," the Hero of Time asked as images of all the Kakariko Village, Lon Lon Ranch, Gerudo Valley, Goron Village, Zora's Domain, and Kokiri Village flashed around them.
"Because I was asked to regain what I lost," Link answered as an image of him and Zelda appeared around them.
"Ahh, so the truth comes out, you did so because you were asked too, asked to regain what you lost. Why did you listen?" the Hero of Time asked.
"Because it undid all of what Ganondorf did," Link answered as scenes of Ganondorf's acts of destruction flashed around them.
"Is that the only reason?" the Hero of Time asked as if he already knew the answer.
"No, because I wanted things to be back to normal," Link said as they were transported back to the field.
"A hero's desire is to bring peace to the land. But you must remember that it is your desire to bring peace, not your duty or destiny," the Hero of Time said before disappearing.
Link then turned to his Deku self; he walked over and peered into its yellow eyes. "It has been a long time since you lost your innocence. The twinkle in your eyes as you saw each wonder the world had to offer. The horror death once had in your eyes, and the beauty of a simple flower you once could see," the Deku said as they were transported to Terminia's fields, "Tell me, do you miss it?"
"Yes, I miss the days when I didn't have to fight, the days when I could see beauty in all things," Link answered it.
"Why not go back? Forget everything that has happened and return to what you once were?" the Deku asked.
"Because people depend on me," Link answered as various people Link has met flashed around them.
"That is not why you do not, they could easily depend on someone else, now why do you choose to stay as you are?" the Deku asked.
"Because no one can stay innocent forever," Link answered.
"Wrong, why don't you return to what you were?" the Deku challenged.
"...Because I can't turn back from my path," Link answered.
"Wrong! Tell me the real reason," the Deku ordered Link.
"Because I don't deserve it," Link said looking down as they returned to the field.
"A true hero believes they deserve nothing, no credit, no chance to turn back. And they must give up what many people keep for most of their lives. Keep that in mind and remember that it isn't always true," the Deku said as it disappeared.
Link then turned and walked to the massive Goron and waited for it to speak. "Tell me, what does death mean to you?" the Goron asked him as they were transported to Kakariko cemetery.
"It is the end of life," Link answered.
"Is that all?" the Goron asked as a scene of Kokiri Forest burning and the Kokiri dead flashed around them.
"Yes," Link said as the Goron frowned.
"I believe it not," the Goron said as a scene of the sages dying flashed.
"Death is the ending of life, it causes grief to those who still live but that is all it is," Link said taken back by that scene.
"I do not believe you," the Goron said as a scene of Terra dying flashed.
Tears came to Link's eyes at this and he looked down, "Death is..." he began to say before choking up.
"Death is what?" the Goron asked as the scene continued to flash around them.
"Death is evil," Link said.
"But you deliver it to monsters, does that make you evil?" the Goron asked.
"I kill them because they would kill others," Link said glaring at the Goron.
"So does the cat as it hunts for its food," the Goron said smirking.
"The cat does it because it needs to, monsters do it because they want to," Link snarled at the Goron.
"But you want to as well, what is the difference between you and them?" the Goron asked.
"I kill to protect others," Link said adamantly.
"Really?" the Goron asked not believing him, "Why do you kill? Is there not another way?"
"It is the quickest," Link answered realizing something.
"So you kill because it is the quickest way?" the Goron asked smirking.
"Yes, I do," Link answered as they returned.
"Death is a short cut to achieve a goal, but it is not the best way, remember this," the Goron said vanishing.
Link turned to the Zora and walked over to him. "What do you cherish most?" the Zora asked as they were transported to Hyrule Castle.
"Peace," Link said smirking.
"Wrong, I do not believe that," the Zora said as a scenes of what Link has done in the last few years flashed.
"I cherish life," Link said his smirk disappearing.
"Closer," the Zora said as scenes of the people Link had met in the past few years flashed around, "Whose life do you cherish most?"
"The lives of my friends," Link answered.
"Almost," the Zora said as scenes of the past few weeks flashed around.
Link looked at them and noticed that one person was in most of them. "Terra..." Link said in realization as they returned.
"All heroes fight for peace, but they all have one life they fight for above all else," the Zora said as it left.
Link then turned to the remaining three and looked them over. Each waited for him to come and speak with them. The Oni crossed his arms and looked at him with a bored expression, the Ryuu no Oni smirked and stared at him, and the Holy Knight only looked at him. Link walked over to the Oni and waited for him to speak. "What is true power?" the Oni asked as they were transported to the arena in Terminia's moon.
"The ability to destroy any that oppose you," Link answered.
"No," the Oni said simply as several scenes of Link fighting were shown, "This is destruction without purpose, the ability to destroy means nothing without a purpose to it. So what is you're purpose?"
"To protect," Link answered.
"Good, but why protect?" the Oni asked as scenes of Link fighting to protect something flashed.
"Because it is the right thing to do," Link answered.
"Good, but why do you do the right thing?" the Oni asked smirking.
"Because I want to," Link answered.
"Oh really?" the Oni said as scenes of Link getting hurt while protecting something flashed, "Would it not be simpler to do something else?"
"Yes, but it is what I feel I have to do, what I want to do, the easy path is not the best path, so I protect to make other's lives easier," Link said as the Oni smiled.
"Very good, you already know the answer to what is true power, so what is it?" the Oni asked.
"The ability to protect what you care for," Link answered as they returned.
"I have nothing else to say to you, you know my lesson well, remember that your ability is meaningless if you have no purpose," the Oni said as he disappeared.
Link then turned to the Ryuu no Oni and walked over to him, glaring at it. "You enjoyed it, you enjoyed being evil, you enjoyed being the one in control," the Ryuu no Oni said as they were transported to the flying castle.
"Yes I did, but I will never become you again, I will not allow your taint to corrupt me again," Link said glaring at it.
"But I am you, and you are me, admit it," the Ryuu no Oni countered smirking as scenes of Link's deeds as him flashed.
"Yes, you are a part of me, but one that I will never let out again," Link answered.
"But you let me out every time you fight," the Ryuu no Oni said coldly as scenes of Link fighting flashed next to scenes of the Ryuu no Oni fighting, showing how similar their faces were while doing so.
"You are a part of me, but you do not control me, my will is my own, you kill without reason, you are my darkest half, I will not let you control me," Link said as the Ryuu no Oni returned them.
"Very good my hikari, but remember, I am but a shadow of you, I am not your true darkness. I am what you become when you succumb to temptation, remember that and you will succeed in whatever you strive for," the Ryuu no Oni said disappearing.
The Holy Knight walked over to Link and looked straight into his eyes, as if staring straight into his soul. "Tell me, do you deserve my power?" the Holy Knight asked.
"No, I do not, I have caused too much harm as the Ryuu no Oni to deserve it," Link said lowering his eyes.
"Wrong, redemption exists, a fallen hero is still a hero. You must simply work for redemption, the Master sword accepts you as a Hero, now accept yourself," the Holy Knight said grabbing Link's chin and forcing him to look into his eyes.
"But I caused so much pain, I cannot deserve redemption after that," Link said looking into the Holy Knight's eyes in fear.
"Then why am I here? I cannot exist in a being's heart that has caused pain such as you unless they have hope for such a redemption, tell me, what do I represent?" the Holy Knight asked as they were enveloped in a golden light.
"You are me, a pure me, a me that would not harm an innocent being in any way," Link said looking into the Holy Knight's eyes.
"Correct, now if I cannot exist in a unredeemable heart, and you do not believe you can be redeemed, why am I here?" the Holy Knight asked.
"I can be redeemed?" Link asked in a whisper looking into the Holy Knight's eyes.
"You can be redeemed because you feel regret, you feel remorse, you feel grief. Only if your actions did not bother you could you not be redeemed. Remember this," the Holy Knight said as it disappeared in a blaze of golden fire.
Link was alone then as he fell to his knees with his head lowered. "Get up," a melodic carefree voice said as Link raised his head.
The field grew darker, as the sun that was shining descended over the horizon and a moon appeared in the sky. Link stood up and looked around for the voice. "Where are you?" Link asked looking around.
"Right here," the voice said while Link turned around.
Before him was another version of him, his skin was as white as bone, his hair and clothing were pitch black, and his eyes were like basins of fire. He wore exactly the same thing as Link except he wore a heavy unbuttoned trenchcoat over it. He raised his hand and the shield on Link's back appeared in this being's hand. It then melted away and reformed into a pitch-black katana. "I am a representation of your innermost darkness, I am the true Dark Link," it informed Link looking at him amused.
"But how? You were removed from me," Link said backing away.
"Ganondorf did not remove me from you, he took the Dark Link you know from another world. Had he removed me we would never have fought and Ganondorf would have died then and there, the Dark Link you know is nothing but a sniveling cowardly servant. Can your shadow, the shadow of a hero, be nothing more than a servant?" Dark Link explained as Link drew his sword.
"I don't know, and I don't care, if you are here to fight me I will defeat you," Link said as he waited for him to attack.
Dark Link laughed at that, his laugh sent shivers down Link's spine. "Why would I fight myself? It is a pointless endeavor, neither of us could ever win that fight," Dark Link said smirking while staring at Link still in amusement.
"Then why are you here?" Link asked glaring at his dark self.
"Why you ask? I have asked myself that same question many times, and I have never found an answer that satisfied me," Dark Link replied as he shrugged his shoulders, "How about you, why are you here?"
"I don't know, I guess I was here for some sort of a test," Link answered staring at his darker self, who seemed unconcerned with his answer, "Why did you ask if you aren't going to listen?"
"Bored I guess, trying to strike up a conversation, you pick," Dark Link answered as he walked off, Link following him out of curiosity.
The field vanished and was replaced by Hyrule Castle; Dark Link walked in front of the drawbridge and looked up at the castle. "I always wondered what was inside those walls, haven't you?" Dark Link asked.
"Yes, why do you ask?" Link replied looking up at it as well.
"Always with the why, isn't that right Hikari?" Dark Link asked turning around to face Link, his eyes still full of amusement, "To answer your question, I merely asked out of curiosity."
"You are nothing like the Dark Link I know, you don't seem evil at all," Link said staring at him.
"How would I be evil here? In our mind, causing destruction and havoc would be pointless, I can tell you this, I am evil. But I have no desire to harm myself," Dark Link responded walking away again, Link still following.
This time they appeared in Lon Lon Ranch, the horses, Cuccos, and cows where they always are. "Quite a pretty place I must say, you used to enjoy being here, and so did I. Why have you not returned?" Dark Link asked.
"Because it was destroyed, and Malon is evil now," Link answered sadly, Dark Link slightly taken back.
"I am sorry for bringing it up," Dark Link said seriously as he looked around the place.
"You're sorry? Why are you..." Link began to ask before Dark Link cut him off.
"Not all evil beings are like Ganondorf and the Ryuu no Oni. I couldn't care less about power. Evil is not the desire to kill, destroy, and conquer. Evil, when put simply, is not holding life sacred. To put it a little more correctly, evil is the ability to kill without ever giving it a second thought, to be able to kill anything or anybody without giving it a second thought, and believing you are right in doing so. That is what evil is, nothing more, nothing less. Everything else you associate with being evil is really something else," Dark Link stated as he walked off.
This time they appeared in Kokiri Forest, the Kokiri laughing and playing not noticing that they were there. "I find comfort in this, don't you?" Dark Link asked smiling.
"What do you mean?" Link asked more confused than ever.
"They are carefree, the worries of the world have no effect on them. I wish I could be like that at times," Dark Link answered still smiling.
"What makes a being become evil?" Link asked Dark Link curiously as they both sat down on a ledge.
"Many things, some like me are born that way, because a darkness must exist for a light. Others are driven to become evil by other things. Insanity, hatred, and even compassion are some examples," Dark Link answered smiling as he watched a couple of Kokiri play tag.
"What would you do if I freed you?" Link asked surprising his shadow.
"It is my turn to ask the why," Dark Link said still surprised.
"I don't think it is right to keep you locked up inside of me," Link answered looking at his darker self.
"I suppose I would help you my Hikari, help you get out of your current problem," Dark Link answered, and Link looked like he believed him.
"And then?" Link asked.
"Then I suppose I would find something to occupy my time with, perhaps rebuilding Lon Lon Ranch and running it myself," Dark Link answered.
"I don't understand, why pursue such a peaceful life?" Link asked confused.
"Because it would make me happy, I always loved that ranch, even though I could only see it through your eyes," Dark Link answered with a hint of sadness, "But enough of that, it is time for us to awaken."
"What?" Link asked as everything faded out.
Link's eyes were closed as he came to; he opened them and squinted at the light above him. He slowly got up and looked around, he was in the castle from what he could gather from the way the room looked. "So you finally awaken," Darunia's gruff voice said drawing Link's attention to the big Goron.
"How long was I out?" Link asked blinking his eyes trying to get used to the light.
"Three days, that Terra girl has been worried sick about you," Darunia answered as he walked over, "And sometime after we got you here Dark Link appeared."
"Where is he?" Link asked as Impa came in.
"He is awake," Impa said as she noticed Link, "And so are you, glad you are back with us Link."
"Take me to him," Link said standing up, and then immediately falling back down, "Maybe I shouldn't have tried to stand up so quickly."
"You shouldn't have, Darunia could you carry him, I think he should see meet with him as well," Impa said as Darunia complied.
They walked down the castle halls and then walked into a dungeon. Zelda and Nabooru were already there looking at a cell in front of them. "Why are you here Dark Link?" Nabooru snapped at the cell as Link got down and walked over.
"I'm just as surprised as you," a melodic carefree voice answered as Link walked into view and looked in the cell, "Well it would appear you freed me already Hikari."
The figure sitting on a simple bed was wearing an unbuttoned trenchcoat and red flaming eyes. "Release him, this isn't the Dark Link you know," Link ordered as the sages looked at him oddly.
"What do you mean?" Zelda asked him in surprise.
"This is my Yami, my true shadow, Dark Link is a being from another realm, he is a part of me," Link tried to explain, but only succeeded to confuse them more.
"Allow me Hikari," Dark Link said standing up, "I am Link's evil half, the Dark Link you know is from a mirror world opposite of Hyrule."
"Not really helping your case," Link muttered as the sages glared at him.
"You kill me you kill Link, we are connected. I unlike Dark Link have no wish to harm him or what he cares for," Dark Link continued sighing.
"Why should we let you out?" Darunia asked glaring.
"Because I have already said I would help Link. How can I help if I am stuck in here?" Dark Link reasoned out.
"Very well, but we can't call you Dark Link, that would cause more problems, what should we call you?" Impa asked as Link sighed in relief.
"Call me Yami Link, Yami for short," he answered as they let him out.
Yami Link walked over to Link after being let out and held his hand out, and Link's shield disappeared and reformed into a pitch-black katana in Yami Link's hand. "So what do we know about the enemy?" Yami Link asked as the sages stared at him in surprise.
And that is all for this chapter! Now onto the questions!
1): Was this an interesting chapter?
2): What do you think of the plot twist with a real Dark Link?
3): We all know how Link fights; now how do you think Yami Link fights?
4): Was that an interesting take on the idea of what makes something evil?
5): Who thinks I need to make this story go by faster.
6): Who wants to have a double Dark Link fight?
That is all! Now push that review button and give me one! Ciao for now! ^_^~Tis has been a fic from your unfriendly neighborhood LunaticChaos~^_^
"Where am I?" Link asked walking into a circular patch of dirt surrounded by grasslands with nothing else in sight, a sun shining in the sky.
Link walked further and eight flashes of light formed at the edges of the circle of dirt. Link looked around and saw himself, or to be more precise, he saw himself in all of his forms. His younger self, the Hero of Time, Deku Link, Goron Link, Zora Link, Oni Link, Ryuu no Oni Link, and the one he knew next to nothing about, Holy Knight Link. Link walked to his younger self and looked down into his eyes, they were completely green. "Was it worth it?" his younger self asked as a light flashed.
They were in Kokiri Forest now. "Was leaving all of this worth it? You were happy here, you had friends, and your only enemy would never harm you. Was it really worth leaving all this?" his younger self asked.
"Yes, I have learned my history, I have made friends, I am happy now," Link answered.
"Are you?" his younger self asked as the light flashed again revealing the Great Deku Tree, "Was it worth losing him to become what you are now?"
"Ganondorf was the one who killed him, I tried to save him," Link said glaring at his younger self.
"But you killed so many in a futile mission," his younger self countered as several monsters dying by Link's hands, and then finally showed Gohma's death screams, "Are you happy? Killing and destroying in the name of what? Peace?"
"Yes, I fight for peace. I kill and destroy for peace," Link answered his younger self glaring, "And I am happy with my choice, I have made many friends, and few enemies. I have saved countless lives by killing countless monsters."
"I do not believe you, you have become what you hate most, you have become just like Ganondorf," his younger self stated glaring back.
"I am not like Ganondorf!" Link yelled at his younger self.
"Really? Why do you say that? You both kill and destroy to achieve your objectives," his younger self stated causing Link to step back.
"No! He sought out to kill! He sought out to destroy! He wished to conquer! I sought out monsters, sought him out to stop him and stop the killing!" Link yelled at his younger self.
"I believe you," his younger self said while they returned to the field, "But do you believe in yourself? A Hero is marked by their desire to preserve life and peace, but you must remember not to become that which you fight."
His younger self vanished; Link turned to the Hero of Time and walked over to him. "You were once the greatest hero, the legendary Hero of Time, but you gave it all up to regain your lost childhood. Do you believe that giving up all of that was worth it?" the Hero of Time asked as they were transported to that timeline, the timeline with Ganon's Castle.
"It was for the best, I missed my childhood, and there were things I had to learn that I could only learn by growing up," Link said adamantly.
"But you had everything you needed, fame, power, and even fortune. You gave it up for your childhood? To be a weak child incapable of stopping another evil like Ganondorf?" the Hero of Time asked.
"Yes, I gave it all up," Link answered as images of the temples flashed around him.
"Why? You had it so good, you were loved, almost worshipped," the Hero of Time asked as images of all the Kakariko Village, Lon Lon Ranch, Gerudo Valley, Goron Village, Zora's Domain, and Kokiri Village flashed around them.
"Because I was asked to regain what I lost," Link answered as an image of him and Zelda appeared around them.
"Ahh, so the truth comes out, you did so because you were asked too, asked to regain what you lost. Why did you listen?" the Hero of Time asked.
"Because it undid all of what Ganondorf did," Link answered as scenes of Ganondorf's acts of destruction flashed around them.
"Is that the only reason?" the Hero of Time asked as if he already knew the answer.
"No, because I wanted things to be back to normal," Link said as they were transported back to the field.
"A hero's desire is to bring peace to the land. But you must remember that it is your desire to bring peace, not your duty or destiny," the Hero of Time said before disappearing.
Link then turned to his Deku self; he walked over and peered into its yellow eyes. "It has been a long time since you lost your innocence. The twinkle in your eyes as you saw each wonder the world had to offer. The horror death once had in your eyes, and the beauty of a simple flower you once could see," the Deku said as they were transported to Terminia's fields, "Tell me, do you miss it?"
"Yes, I miss the days when I didn't have to fight, the days when I could see beauty in all things," Link answered it.
"Why not go back? Forget everything that has happened and return to what you once were?" the Deku asked.
"Because people depend on me," Link answered as various people Link has met flashed around them.
"That is not why you do not, they could easily depend on someone else, now why do you choose to stay as you are?" the Deku asked.
"Because no one can stay innocent forever," Link answered.
"Wrong, why don't you return to what you were?" the Deku challenged.
"...Because I can't turn back from my path," Link answered.
"Wrong! Tell me the real reason," the Deku ordered Link.
"Because I don't deserve it," Link said looking down as they returned to the field.
"A true hero believes they deserve nothing, no credit, no chance to turn back. And they must give up what many people keep for most of their lives. Keep that in mind and remember that it isn't always true," the Deku said as it disappeared.
Link then turned and walked to the massive Goron and waited for it to speak. "Tell me, what does death mean to you?" the Goron asked him as they were transported to Kakariko cemetery.
"It is the end of life," Link answered.
"Is that all?" the Goron asked as a scene of Kokiri Forest burning and the Kokiri dead flashed around them.
"Yes," Link said as the Goron frowned.
"I believe it not," the Goron said as a scene of the sages dying flashed.
"Death is the ending of life, it causes grief to those who still live but that is all it is," Link said taken back by that scene.
"I do not believe you," the Goron said as a scene of Terra dying flashed.
Tears came to Link's eyes at this and he looked down, "Death is..." he began to say before choking up.
"Death is what?" the Goron asked as the scene continued to flash around them.
"Death is evil," Link said.
"But you deliver it to monsters, does that make you evil?" the Goron asked.
"I kill them because they would kill others," Link said glaring at the Goron.
"So does the cat as it hunts for its food," the Goron said smirking.
"The cat does it because it needs to, monsters do it because they want to," Link snarled at the Goron.
"But you want to as well, what is the difference between you and them?" the Goron asked.
"I kill to protect others," Link said adamantly.
"Really?" the Goron asked not believing him, "Why do you kill? Is there not another way?"
"It is the quickest," Link answered realizing something.
"So you kill because it is the quickest way?" the Goron asked smirking.
"Yes, I do," Link answered as they returned.
"Death is a short cut to achieve a goal, but it is not the best way, remember this," the Goron said vanishing.
Link turned to the Zora and walked over to him. "What do you cherish most?" the Zora asked as they were transported to Hyrule Castle.
"Peace," Link said smirking.
"Wrong, I do not believe that," the Zora said as a scenes of what Link has done in the last few years flashed.
"I cherish life," Link said his smirk disappearing.
"Closer," the Zora said as scenes of the people Link had met in the past few years flashed around, "Whose life do you cherish most?"
"The lives of my friends," Link answered.
"Almost," the Zora said as scenes of the past few weeks flashed around.
Link looked at them and noticed that one person was in most of them. "Terra..." Link said in realization as they returned.
"All heroes fight for peace, but they all have one life they fight for above all else," the Zora said as it left.
Link then turned to the remaining three and looked them over. Each waited for him to come and speak with them. The Oni crossed his arms and looked at him with a bored expression, the Ryuu no Oni smirked and stared at him, and the Holy Knight only looked at him. Link walked over to the Oni and waited for him to speak. "What is true power?" the Oni asked as they were transported to the arena in Terminia's moon.
"The ability to destroy any that oppose you," Link answered.
"No," the Oni said simply as several scenes of Link fighting were shown, "This is destruction without purpose, the ability to destroy means nothing without a purpose to it. So what is you're purpose?"
"To protect," Link answered.
"Good, but why protect?" the Oni asked as scenes of Link fighting to protect something flashed.
"Because it is the right thing to do," Link answered.
"Good, but why do you do the right thing?" the Oni asked smirking.
"Because I want to," Link answered.
"Oh really?" the Oni said as scenes of Link getting hurt while protecting something flashed, "Would it not be simpler to do something else?"
"Yes, but it is what I feel I have to do, what I want to do, the easy path is not the best path, so I protect to make other's lives easier," Link said as the Oni smiled.
"Very good, you already know the answer to what is true power, so what is it?" the Oni asked.
"The ability to protect what you care for," Link answered as they returned.
"I have nothing else to say to you, you know my lesson well, remember that your ability is meaningless if you have no purpose," the Oni said as he disappeared.
Link then turned to the Ryuu no Oni and walked over to him, glaring at it. "You enjoyed it, you enjoyed being evil, you enjoyed being the one in control," the Ryuu no Oni said as they were transported to the flying castle.
"Yes I did, but I will never become you again, I will not allow your taint to corrupt me again," Link said glaring at it.
"But I am you, and you are me, admit it," the Ryuu no Oni countered smirking as scenes of Link's deeds as him flashed.
"Yes, you are a part of me, but one that I will never let out again," Link answered.
"But you let me out every time you fight," the Ryuu no Oni said coldly as scenes of Link fighting flashed next to scenes of the Ryuu no Oni fighting, showing how similar their faces were while doing so.
"You are a part of me, but you do not control me, my will is my own, you kill without reason, you are my darkest half, I will not let you control me," Link said as the Ryuu no Oni returned them.
"Very good my hikari, but remember, I am but a shadow of you, I am not your true darkness. I am what you become when you succumb to temptation, remember that and you will succeed in whatever you strive for," the Ryuu no Oni said disappearing.
The Holy Knight walked over to Link and looked straight into his eyes, as if staring straight into his soul. "Tell me, do you deserve my power?" the Holy Knight asked.
"No, I do not, I have caused too much harm as the Ryuu no Oni to deserve it," Link said lowering his eyes.
"Wrong, redemption exists, a fallen hero is still a hero. You must simply work for redemption, the Master sword accepts you as a Hero, now accept yourself," the Holy Knight said grabbing Link's chin and forcing him to look into his eyes.
"But I caused so much pain, I cannot deserve redemption after that," Link said looking into the Holy Knight's eyes in fear.
"Then why am I here? I cannot exist in a being's heart that has caused pain such as you unless they have hope for such a redemption, tell me, what do I represent?" the Holy Knight asked as they were enveloped in a golden light.
"You are me, a pure me, a me that would not harm an innocent being in any way," Link said looking into the Holy Knight's eyes.
"Correct, now if I cannot exist in a unredeemable heart, and you do not believe you can be redeemed, why am I here?" the Holy Knight asked.
"I can be redeemed?" Link asked in a whisper looking into the Holy Knight's eyes.
"You can be redeemed because you feel regret, you feel remorse, you feel grief. Only if your actions did not bother you could you not be redeemed. Remember this," the Holy Knight said as it disappeared in a blaze of golden fire.
Link was alone then as he fell to his knees with his head lowered. "Get up," a melodic carefree voice said as Link raised his head.
The field grew darker, as the sun that was shining descended over the horizon and a moon appeared in the sky. Link stood up and looked around for the voice. "Where are you?" Link asked looking around.
"Right here," the voice said while Link turned around.
Before him was another version of him, his skin was as white as bone, his hair and clothing were pitch black, and his eyes were like basins of fire. He wore exactly the same thing as Link except he wore a heavy unbuttoned trenchcoat over it. He raised his hand and the shield on Link's back appeared in this being's hand. It then melted away and reformed into a pitch-black katana. "I am a representation of your innermost darkness, I am the true Dark Link," it informed Link looking at him amused.
"But how? You were removed from me," Link said backing away.
"Ganondorf did not remove me from you, he took the Dark Link you know from another world. Had he removed me we would never have fought and Ganondorf would have died then and there, the Dark Link you know is nothing but a sniveling cowardly servant. Can your shadow, the shadow of a hero, be nothing more than a servant?" Dark Link explained as Link drew his sword.
"I don't know, and I don't care, if you are here to fight me I will defeat you," Link said as he waited for him to attack.
Dark Link laughed at that, his laugh sent shivers down Link's spine. "Why would I fight myself? It is a pointless endeavor, neither of us could ever win that fight," Dark Link said smirking while staring at Link still in amusement.
"Then why are you here?" Link asked glaring at his dark self.
"Why you ask? I have asked myself that same question many times, and I have never found an answer that satisfied me," Dark Link replied as he shrugged his shoulders, "How about you, why are you here?"
"I don't know, I guess I was here for some sort of a test," Link answered staring at his darker self, who seemed unconcerned with his answer, "Why did you ask if you aren't going to listen?"
"Bored I guess, trying to strike up a conversation, you pick," Dark Link answered as he walked off, Link following him out of curiosity.
The field vanished and was replaced by Hyrule Castle; Dark Link walked in front of the drawbridge and looked up at the castle. "I always wondered what was inside those walls, haven't you?" Dark Link asked.
"Yes, why do you ask?" Link replied looking up at it as well.
"Always with the why, isn't that right Hikari?" Dark Link asked turning around to face Link, his eyes still full of amusement, "To answer your question, I merely asked out of curiosity."
"You are nothing like the Dark Link I know, you don't seem evil at all," Link said staring at him.
"How would I be evil here? In our mind, causing destruction and havoc would be pointless, I can tell you this, I am evil. But I have no desire to harm myself," Dark Link responded walking away again, Link still following.
This time they appeared in Lon Lon Ranch, the horses, Cuccos, and cows where they always are. "Quite a pretty place I must say, you used to enjoy being here, and so did I. Why have you not returned?" Dark Link asked.
"Because it was destroyed, and Malon is evil now," Link answered sadly, Dark Link slightly taken back.
"I am sorry for bringing it up," Dark Link said seriously as he looked around the place.
"You're sorry? Why are you..." Link began to ask before Dark Link cut him off.
"Not all evil beings are like Ganondorf and the Ryuu no Oni. I couldn't care less about power. Evil is not the desire to kill, destroy, and conquer. Evil, when put simply, is not holding life sacred. To put it a little more correctly, evil is the ability to kill without ever giving it a second thought, to be able to kill anything or anybody without giving it a second thought, and believing you are right in doing so. That is what evil is, nothing more, nothing less. Everything else you associate with being evil is really something else," Dark Link stated as he walked off.
This time they appeared in Kokiri Forest, the Kokiri laughing and playing not noticing that they were there. "I find comfort in this, don't you?" Dark Link asked smiling.
"What do you mean?" Link asked more confused than ever.
"They are carefree, the worries of the world have no effect on them. I wish I could be like that at times," Dark Link answered still smiling.
"What makes a being become evil?" Link asked Dark Link curiously as they both sat down on a ledge.
"Many things, some like me are born that way, because a darkness must exist for a light. Others are driven to become evil by other things. Insanity, hatred, and even compassion are some examples," Dark Link answered smiling as he watched a couple of Kokiri play tag.
"What would you do if I freed you?" Link asked surprising his shadow.
"It is my turn to ask the why," Dark Link said still surprised.
"I don't think it is right to keep you locked up inside of me," Link answered looking at his darker self.
"I suppose I would help you my Hikari, help you get out of your current problem," Dark Link answered, and Link looked like he believed him.
"And then?" Link asked.
"Then I suppose I would find something to occupy my time with, perhaps rebuilding Lon Lon Ranch and running it myself," Dark Link answered.
"I don't understand, why pursue such a peaceful life?" Link asked confused.
"Because it would make me happy, I always loved that ranch, even though I could only see it through your eyes," Dark Link answered with a hint of sadness, "But enough of that, it is time for us to awaken."
"What?" Link asked as everything faded out.
Link's eyes were closed as he came to; he opened them and squinted at the light above him. He slowly got up and looked around, he was in the castle from what he could gather from the way the room looked. "So you finally awaken," Darunia's gruff voice said drawing Link's attention to the big Goron.
"How long was I out?" Link asked blinking his eyes trying to get used to the light.
"Three days, that Terra girl has been worried sick about you," Darunia answered as he walked over, "And sometime after we got you here Dark Link appeared."
"Where is he?" Link asked as Impa came in.
"He is awake," Impa said as she noticed Link, "And so are you, glad you are back with us Link."
"Take me to him," Link said standing up, and then immediately falling back down, "Maybe I shouldn't have tried to stand up so quickly."
"You shouldn't have, Darunia could you carry him, I think he should see meet with him as well," Impa said as Darunia complied.
They walked down the castle halls and then walked into a dungeon. Zelda and Nabooru were already there looking at a cell in front of them. "Why are you here Dark Link?" Nabooru snapped at the cell as Link got down and walked over.
"I'm just as surprised as you," a melodic carefree voice answered as Link walked into view and looked in the cell, "Well it would appear you freed me already Hikari."
The figure sitting on a simple bed was wearing an unbuttoned trenchcoat and red flaming eyes. "Release him, this isn't the Dark Link you know," Link ordered as the sages looked at him oddly.
"What do you mean?" Zelda asked him in surprise.
"This is my Yami, my true shadow, Dark Link is a being from another realm, he is a part of me," Link tried to explain, but only succeeded to confuse them more.
"Allow me Hikari," Dark Link said standing up, "I am Link's evil half, the Dark Link you know is from a mirror world opposite of Hyrule."
"Not really helping your case," Link muttered as the sages glared at him.
"You kill me you kill Link, we are connected. I unlike Dark Link have no wish to harm him or what he cares for," Dark Link continued sighing.
"Why should we let you out?" Darunia asked glaring.
"Because I have already said I would help Link. How can I help if I am stuck in here?" Dark Link reasoned out.
"Very well, but we can't call you Dark Link, that would cause more problems, what should we call you?" Impa asked as Link sighed in relief.
"Call me Yami Link, Yami for short," he answered as they let him out.
Yami Link walked over to Link after being let out and held his hand out, and Link's shield disappeared and reformed into a pitch-black katana in Yami Link's hand. "So what do we know about the enemy?" Yami Link asked as the sages stared at him in surprise.
And that is all for this chapter! Now onto the questions!
1): Was this an interesting chapter?
2): What do you think of the plot twist with a real Dark Link?
3): We all know how Link fights; now how do you think Yami Link fights?
4): Was that an interesting take on the idea of what makes something evil?
5): Who thinks I need to make this story go by faster.
6): Who wants to have a double Dark Link fight?
That is all! Now push that review button and give me one! Ciao for now! ^_^~Tis has been a fic from your unfriendly neighborhood LunaticChaos~^_^