Chapter Six: In Which a Battle Occurs
Ganondorf smiled gleefully as Dark Link stepped though the hallway door. He turned to his master and bowed deeply.
"The deed is done, sir'' he replied and Ganon laughed boldly.
"See? what did I tell you?" he asked and faced Vernan, "is that a good enough demonstration?"
The Sorceress of Shadows flicked her tongue without saying a word.
"Impressive" Twinrova mused from the back of the room, her long hair of fire and ice illuminating the darkness of the Black Tower, "very impressive"
"How'd you do it?" Maple wanted to know. Dark Link stared at her with cold eyes, too cold even for the witch's liking.
"Fairly simple" he replied, "the key is to know the enemies weakness, the Hero of Time's knowledge benefits me well"
"Cool" replied Maple slyly. Ganon placed a massive hand on Dark Link's shoulder.
"Now it is time to put phase two into action" he announced and the women glanced up, "this is the part where all of you come in. Twinrova, I need you to go to Death Mountain trail, and slow the boy's progress. Vernan, you will led his companion away from him, do whatever you have to do, but I want them separated. Only then, can Dark Link slip in and switch"
Maple's eyes twinkled with excitement.
"What do I get to do?"
Ganon turned to her. "You can entertain our guest when he arrives" he said with a dark presence to his tone. Maple smiled.
"Neat"
Link's head ached, and it was a struggle to keep his eyes open. Even still Sheik still had to prop him upright in the saddle every now and then. The Hero of Time had not gotten very much sleep the night before. Sheik could tell, he rolled back in forth in sleepless rest and muttered to himself about things in the Old Language. Sheik was surprised that his friend knew of the Old Language. It had not been spoken in the land of Hyrule and it's neighbors for over a Mellinia. Even he didn't know it.
"Are you all right my friend?" Sheik asked glancing at Link. Link shook his head.
"No, I didn't get any sleep last night" he sighed.
"I can tell, but you normally aren't this tired after losing just one night" Sheik pointed out.
"I know, that's what's weird. But I think it's something else that's got me all weirded out" Link rubbed his eyes and yawned, "I feel weak too, like just after using my magic, but I haven't used any! It feels like...like someone else is using it, like they're draining it from me"
Sheik shook his head and sighed. "Link, you should rest, do you want to stop?"
Link looked up sharply. "Are you crazy? I have a job to do!" he shouted, "Nabooru's counting on me"
"You can't help anyone when you can barely keep your eyes open" Sheik said leaning over to Link. He placed his hand to Link's temple. "Sleep my friend" he whispered and Link slunk in his saddle, his eyes closing. Sheik grabbed him in his arms just before he fell and tied his friend to his horse. Then the Sheikah grabbed Epona's reins and rode on to Death Mountain Crater.
Another twenty-miles went by and Link slept soundly. Sheik couldn't help but smile at the sight. He seemed so venerable, lying there in the saddle, anyone could pick him off at any minute. Which was exactly the unknown warrior's intention.
He waited on a high ridge, overlooking the young men riding on horseback. Vernan was a black shadow that slinked around the trunks of trees, following, waiting for a chance to strike. The Dark Link glanced over to Twinrova, who had now separated into the witches of ice and fire. Kotake glided down on her broom cackling loudly. The Sheikah glanced up and gasped in surprise.
Kotake gathered her bone chilling power and flung it just feet away from the riders. A solid structure of impenetrable ice crawled up the sides of trees and rocks until it created a great wall, blocking the path.
The sudden explosion had awoken Link from his slumber and immediately he hopped off his horse and grabbed his sword. Komue outstretched her arm, glowing bright red with her fire and hurtled towards Link. The Hero held his ground, gritting his teeth, waiting for the last possible second. The witch screamed and Link braced his arm against his Hylain Shield and Komue smacked into it with a loud clank.
Pain shot through Link's arm as Komue was knocked off balance. His shield arm went numb and Komue flew over him, preparing for another attack, he took on the guard position and the Master Sword glowed a flaming blue. With a loud cry Link barreled down on the fire witch, cutting her broomstick in half and hitting her left arm, leaving it a bloody stump. Komue screeched in pain and Link had to rise his shield again as her twin shot a blast of ice towards him.
Sheik was busy with his own problems. A thick, black shadow had woven itself tightly around his waist and he was having trouble breathing. He pulled out his dagger and started to thrust blindly until he hit it. The shadow hissed and took form of a woman, her eyes glowing a fiery red.
"You sssshall pay for that mortal!" she screamed and a black ball of magic hit Sheik dead in the chest. He let out a loud scream of pain and fell backwards. Link struggled with Kotake as he pushed his sword against her newly summoned ice weapon. When he herd Sheik scream he turned and his eyes widened with terror as he saw him attempting to rise to seize his fallen dagger, but staggered to the ground.
Vernan sneaked up behind him and grabbed Sheik by the leg and flung him into the nearest tree.
"Sheik!" Link screamed and Kotake took advantage of his distraction and slapped him hard. Link stumbled back and cursed for letting his guard down. Link regained balance as Kotake circled him again. He back flipped to dodge a stream of cold ice and leaped high in the air, his sword ready to slice the ice witch in half.
Kotake saw his attack and swerved to the left to avoid it. Link hit the ground hard but swung upward to nick the witch as she circled back. She went flying and just when Link turned to help his companion, a dark figure dropped from the trees. He lifted a silver sword menacingly, it glowing a bright blue.
Link touched the side of his head, as his enemy's sword deepened to orange and eventually red he felt weak, as if he was being stripped of his power. Link glared at his opponent and got a good look at him.
"Impossible!" he gasped, staring into the figures cold eyes. He found a shadow image of himself staring back at him and a sly smile crossed his lips.
"I told you we would meet again" the figure mused.
"Who are you?" Link asked swallowing.
"I'm you" the other answered, "don't you recognize me brother? We are filled with the same magic, share the same mind, forged of the same blood."
Link shook his head, deepening the Master Sword to orange, the magic use hurt him, but it just might save his life.
"No" he said sternly, "you...you are a monster and a murder, and by the laws of Hyrule I sentence you to death"
The figured chuckled and Link narrowed his eyes. "We will see" Dark Link leaped forward, and Link jumped back, getting away from the fatal blow just in time. Dark Link thrust his sword forward and Link brought it up to block. The sound of screeching metal roared like thunder through the trees, and Link's body shuttered with the impact. Dark Link struck again and again Link blocked high and low, but it was difficult with one hand, normally blocked with two. Link raised his shield again and Dark Link's sword hit it with a dull thud. Link circled his opponent, the Master Sword ready in his other hand.
He glared towards the chest area, certain muscles in the chest signaled the direction of the opponent's attack. A man of Link's experience knew this well and he searched for an opening where he could strike. But Dark Link was good and he had Link's ability to attack without warning, and he sliced under and up, knocking Link off balance. He pointed his sword down and went in for the kill, but Link rolled out of the way swiftly and jumped to his feet. Thinking quickly he thrust the Master Sword forward to stab Dark Link in the back, but his darker half flipped back, sensing the Hero's attack and landing on top of his sword.
Link glanced up, astonished by this amazing feat, and Dark Link struck. Link cough as the sword drove deep into his back and dropped to his knees. He leaned on his hands for support and his back and head muscles throbbed.
Dark Link stood over him, his sword gleaming a bright red, and not with magic. He laughed malevolently.
"All too easy" he mocked, "frankly, I'm disappointed, I would expect better from you, Link of the Triforce" Link panted heavily, struggling to remain conscious, he tried desperately to use his magic to heal the wound, but he was so weak. Tired...
Eventually Link gave up trying and fell to the floor while a soft, dreariness fell over him. If this was dying, it wasn't so bad. His breath came in short and slow rasps and a pink light engulfed him. Dark Link squelched at the pink fairy who circled around the fallen Link, it's magic healing the wound in his back. Soon it faded away, as Link faded away into unconsciousness.
Dark Link wiped the blood off his sword as Vernan slithered up to him and resumed her true form. Her massive and colorful wings washing over Link.
"Should I take him to Ganon's quarters?" she asked.
"Wait" Dark Link said and tore off Link's hat and shirt and boots. He changed into these clothes and put his own dark attire on Link's body and stole all his weapons.
Kotake and Komue returned from their battle as well, Komue's arm had already regenerated.
"Now you really look like the Hero of Time" Komue laughed. Dark Link fitted on the Golden Gantlets and flexed his fingers.
"Take the boy to Ganondorf" he commanded, "while I implement phase three"