Author's Notes: Fwee!!! Chapter 2 is finally done!!!! X3 I'm so happy. Um……people are going to hate me for this chapter, but I urge you all to stick around. Things do get better…… 9,9;; Um………yeah……… just read okay, and um………yeah.
I know something you don't know!!!!
But you have to keep reading to find out… X3

Everybody Has a Dark Side

Chapter 2

What Next?

Link gently pat the base of Epona's neck as he dug through one of the saddle bags. Finding what he wanted, he pulled it out with a heavy sigh. He rubbed one hand over his face while uncorking a small bottle with the other. Just a little, he told himself, just enough to help you feel better. Link had not slept more than an hour all night and felt like he had not slept in weeks. His head throbbed with a dull ache but it was different from the headache and stomach problems he had fought with all night. This bother which made his ears hum was from sheer exhaustion.

Tipping up the bottle slightly, Link let the cool milk slip easily down his throat. He sighed and leaned heavily on Epona as he waited for the milk to take effect. It did not take long, within moments the pulse in his head subsided to a mere irritation and he felt a little more awake and ready to go. Grudgingly, he replaced the cork and slipped the bottle back into the pouch. Hopefully, he would not need it later but it never hurt to be prepared.

"Link?"

The deep but soft voice was familiar, though it took his tired mind a moment for it to register who was speaking. "Shiek?"

"Are you ready?"

Link did not face the disguised princess, instead occupying himself with rechecking his traveling supplies. "Yes, I'll be along in a moment." He heard Zelda turn to leave. "One question."

"Yes?"

"I'm leading?"

"Who else? I may have helped you in other times but no one here will remember me. I am but a stranger along for the ride."

Link nodded. That made sense. Sheik had stayed hidden during the seven years of alternate future. After all, Sheik was Zelda in disguise and, if Ganondorf had ever figured that out, Link would never have received the valuable help he did.

Link gathered Epona's reins and led her after Zelda. In the courtyard of the castle waited a troop of thirty, among them Link's friend, Darden. Link frowned at the milling soldiers before him. Do we really need thirty? Heaving a sigh, Link led Epona to a place where he could stand above the soldiers. The small horse whickered, restlessly tossing her head. She was not fond of people. "Attention!" he called above the soft din of armor, horses, and voices. He could not shake the feeling of foolishness or, worse, arrogance, from calling attention to himself like that. He was not a leader and suddenly becoming one unnerved him. However, Darden gave him a small smile of encouragement, his cool gray eyes shining with pride.

As the noise quieted, Link continued. "We are setting off today, as you all know, for the Gerudo Valley." Murmurs and soft laughs rippled through the throng of soldiers, and Link felt his ears go hot with embarrassment, but he persisted. "I'm sorry that all of you were called out here at this early hour, but only half of you will be coming."

This time the hum of surprise tickled his ears, and Link tried to ignore Zelda as her eyes bored holes into him. You said I was in charge. That means I decide who comes and who doesn't, and why. "Darden, I want you to select half the men here, including yourself, to come with me. The rest are to stay here and defend the castle."

Darden scowled a question to him but did as ordered. At that, Link heaved a sigh of relief. It took a little time but soon the troop was divided in two. Link raised his hands for silence and spoke again. "Let us get ready to move out." Link watched as Zelda—Sheik, I have to remember to call her Sheik. Him Sheik—Link watched as Shiek made his way to stand with his group. "The rest of you, defend the castle well."

"No offence, Mr. Hero, sir," one of the soldiers staying behind piped up, "but, uh, we always guard the castle."

Link tried to fight the flush that burned his face as laughs spread through the group. He also noted the dark glares Shiek and Darden shot the troop. Just remember who you are right now, Zelda, and let me handle this…Farore help me. "But until I return, your patrols are going to be slightly different. You are to gather the remaining soldiers in the castle and set troops outside the walls at all times. No place is to be left unguarded and no one is to enter without the say of…" Link scanned the group for a face he recognized and trusted, "you. Aren, you are the only one that says who comes and goes from the city." Aren looked a little taken aback but nodded his agreement to his new position. Some of the other men grumbled about it.

"Sir," Aren saluted, "may I ask why the overhaul in defense?"

"Call it a hunch," Link's smile held no humor. "The rest of you, let's move out!" Link hopped off the wall and mounted Epona. The remaining troop followed him quickly. "Aren," Link called back, "set up those defenses immediately." Link caught Aren's salute and "Yes, Sir!" just as he passed through the gate into the market.

All eyes in the market watched with awed interest, like children watching a parade. The troop was quickly out into Hyrule field and heading east in an orderly fashion, Link in the lead, Sheik just behind him to his right. The troop formed into three blocks of four and one line of three. The three were right behind Link, Darden among them and the rest in a line behind, creating a small triangular pattern. Their trotting pace felt slow for the Hero, though, time was short, and he could move faster without the troop, but the help was more than welcome.

Link focused his mind on the Triforce of Power—so far but closer than it had been in seven years—and yet… And yet it all felt wrong. Link felt his stomach lurch and he gripped Epona's saddle like a lifeline, fighting to stay atop the steed. Forcing a deep breath that rattled its way down his throat, the young hero relaxed his body. He concentrated as he had last night, and for half the morning, on blocking the gut—wrenching sensation. He swayed again.

"Are you okay?" Link could feel Darden's hand on his shoulder.

"Yes," Link lied, "I'm fine."

"Mind if I ask you a question?"

Link was kind of surprised that the big man did not call him "boy" like he usually did. Then again, Link was his official superior now. At least Darden did not call him "sir" or "hero". "No. What do you want to know?" Link focused his eyes on the steady horizon, trying to fight the nausea.

Darden's hand slipped from Link's back as he spoke. "Who is the masked man?" Link blinked at him a few times. "You don't have to answer." Darden glanced over at him. "I was just curious how he got mixed up in this and if he can be trusted."

Link gave a small chuckle. "He's an old friend. He was a big help to me before Ganon was defeated," Link glanced over at Zelda, once again reminding himself to refer to her as a man. "Yes, Sheik is more than trustworthy. I'd put my life in his hands and not think twice about it."

Darden nodded, "If you're sure. Remember that this future is different."

Despite the comment, Link was disappointed when Darden fell back into place among the men. He would have liked the company. Even as he thought, Zelda rode up beside him.

"Tell me why," there was no emotion in the soft voice.

"'Why', what?" Link did not look over at the masquerading figure.

"Why did you leave half the troop behind?"

"Because I felt it best to." Link had known this was coming.

"There are plenty of men guarding the castle. The troop should have stayed with us."

"Are you leading or am I?" Link glanced over at Zelda—Sheik, he chastised himself.

The man's red—brown eyes gazed back, a light of defiance hidden deep within them. That flame was gone a moment later. "You are, of course. I am but a stranger to these men. They would not listen to me without your say. That does not mean I have to agree with you, though. I do not approve of your decision to split the troop and I know the princess would not, either." Sheik shot a meaningful look at the hero.

He stared back hard. "The Princess is not here, though, and thus the decision is mine." He ignored the venomous glare Sheik shot him. "And, if you don't like my decisions, then remove your disguise and take command, Sheik." The words came out with a bite he had not intended. The man fell back, though, leaving Time's Hero with his thoughts.

He had to leave those men behind. He actually did not have a good reason but a feeling told him that he had done the right thing. He had to consider all options, anyway. With the Triforce of Power back in Hyrule, and Ganondorf most likely near by it somewhere, he had to take every precaution. Besides, he had learned long ago not to ignore his gut feelings.

If Ganon really was back, then his minions could be lurking anywhere, ready to attack, especially if they caught wind that The Hero of Time had left The Princess of Destiny unguarded at Hyrule Castle—which wasn't entirely true, considering that Zelda was riding only a few feet behind him. Link could already picture the hordes of Moblins and stalchildren, iron knuckles and wolfos, with swarms of keese bearing down on the castle and all the inhabitants of the market. He could see them storming the castle, tearing the place apart looking for a person who was not there, killing everyone when they could not find her.

If they heard of his leaving, then why not attack him, too? Enough monsters to handle thirty royal guards, a masked man, and the Hero of Time, could easily take fifteen royal guards and the other two. Perhaps leaving half the troop behind was a bad idea. He could picture now Ganon's minions ambushing his little retrieval party. His heart dropped into his stomach when he thought of them harming Zelda.

Link's stomach lurched violently. Leaning to one side, he tugged Epona's reins to stop her jolting motion. He could not worry about the men behind him. He only hoped they were paying enough attention to stop before colliding with him.

Out. I need out. Link's head spun. I want out. His heart pounded in his ears; his stomach twisting in his throat. Let me out! Link pressed against the feelings. The strength of the need for freedom and the ill dizziness pressed back on his will, determined not to be silenced. The world spun around him as he hunched over in his saddle. Link forced his eyes open to stare at the unmoving saddle horn. A few deep breathes and the feelings subsided. What's happening to me?

Link realized that Darden and Sheik each had a hand on his back, helping to steady him on Epona. Link's ears burned with embarrassment when he became aware of every eye turned worriedly on him.

"I believe that Wisdom presses for a stop, Hero." Sheik's soft voice floated on the slight breeze.

"Yes," Darden agreed. "It is approaching noon. Perhaps we should stop to eat and drink?"

Link nodded, steadying his voice before speaking. "Yes, we'll stop for a little while." Link did not dismount immediately. He could already feel the weakness in his legs. After a moment though, the feelings subsided, his strength returning and he slid from Epona's back. Everyone followed suit and Darden had the troop setting up cook fires and sent one man out to scout ahead, before Link could find a place to sit.

Sheik stood beside him as he plopped onto the ground, worry showing in his red—brown eyes. "Are you sure you're alright, Hero?"

"I'm fine. And stop calling me that." Link glanced up in time to catch Sheik's amused look.

"What happened?"

Link had expected the question, but he had no answer for it. "Nothing."

"I will not be put off. Something is wrong with you, and I intend to know."

Link thought for a long moment before admitting, "I don't know what's wrong. I'm just not feeling the greatest."

Sheik seemed to be measure his response and he figured when Sheik nodded that his words had been accepted. Link's head dropped into his hands as Sheik strode to a nearby fire. The men eyed the masked man warily but none said anything. He mentally shook his head. It would have been easier on Zelda to come as herself.

Time's Hero stood to head for the fire when the scout's frantic voice reached his ears. Turning his attention to the man, he tried to make out what he was saying as the man closed the distance between them. There were no questions when he fell from his steed, his back a pincushion of arrows.

"Mount!" Darden shouted and Link echoed the command. Link, Sheik, Darden and several others managed to get into their saddles before a horde of Moblins appeared over the small rise before them.

Adrenaline took over the Hero of Time as he slipped into the battle trance in which he always found himself in. His mind was empty and the only things in the world were him and the attacking monsters. The groups collided in a rush. Arrows slowly dotted the battleground as swords clashed with spears. The troops that had not managed to mount their horses slowly fell under the Moblins. They had not stood a chance against the giant creatures. The nine that had mounted were hounded by Keese from above—the things had seemed to melt from the clouds—and Moblins all around.

Link's calm demeanor allowed him to scan the battle, his mind quickly assessing damages and separating friends from foes. Though it was not his focus, he could not help but notice the evil clouds that cluttered the sky, blocking out the noonday sun. In the onset of darkness, the boned forms of Stalchildren pushed their way through the ground. Small, red glowing eyes in the dark recesses of the animal skulls were the only things that resembled life in the creatures. The Keese darting among the soldiers were a small nuisance compared to the Moblins.

Link found himself beside one of the soldiers as he tried to make his way to Zelda's side. A diving Keese caught his attention and his sword quickly downed the leathery winged rat. The Keese was not the only thing going for the soldier, but Link quickly disposed of the pig faced Moblin before it could take another step towards the man. He was the Hero of Time and he had to do his part to help protect the men that followed him.

Another Moblin stepped into Link's path, this one after a different soldier who already had his hands full with another of the foul monsters. Link's sword arched before Epona, cutting down the beast. Epona skittered slightly but continued on at Link's urging. His heart felt sick when he saw the man had a just helped expire atop the Moblin's spear.

Link's rush to Zelda was halted once again, but this time by his own direction. As he pushed Epona forward he caught sight of Darden, four of the giant, spear—armed creatures closing in on him. Link did not want to lose the man he saw as a father figure and adrenaline pushed him to the man's side. By the time Link reached his old friend the warrior had managed to take out one of the attacking monsters. Link downed two of the remaining three as Darden disposed of the last. Link nodded to his old friend, wondering briefly at the man's curious and worried frown. He had no time. He had to make sure that Zelda remained safe.

How? How had they found out? Was Ganon really back? Why couldn't he sense the Evil King?

He heard a man's cry to his right. A glance in that direction revealed one unlucky soldier being lifted from his horse by a swarm of Keese. It was too late for him. There was nothing Link could do now.

All around was chaos. Bursts of blue flame and smoke as a creature of evil fell under a sword made the mind dizzy. Shouts of pain and determination from both monster and human made the ears ring and the heart pound against the ribs like a caged Keese seeking freedom. The air reeked of foul souls drifting on the breeze and of the blood of the dead. Link's lip curled with disgust.

Zelda!! His mind cried out for her. Hold on! I'm coming! Epona skittered over several Stalchildren as Link pushed her to catch up. Sheik and a young guard had a group of Moblins tailing them, trying to catch the two within a circle of deadly spears. Fury filled the Hero of Time and he drove Epona forward harder than before. Catching up with the back of the group, Link lopped off the head of one of the great monsters. Blue spurts of flame were followed by the foul odor that already hung heavily in the air. Link took down four more in his desperation to reach the princess but his efforts proved vain.

Just as the last Moblin chasing after Sheik fell, an arrow from afar found its target, burying deep into the princess's back. "No!" Link had thrown himself from Epona's back before the horse had time to stop. His feet carried him the short distance to Sheik before the princess-turned-warrior fell from the saddle and into his arms. As he carefully lowered his friend to the ground, the magical disguise faded away. Link's shaky hand brushed the wrapped cloth from her head.

"Zelda," he whispered, tears thickening his voice. "You'll be okay. Just hold on." Link gently turned her over to assess the wound. The Moblin's thick shafted arrow was buried deep into her back. When he turned her back to him, careful of the arrow, blood dripped from her lips.

Her blue eyes frowned at him sending a shiver down his spine. "Zelda?"

Her mouth worked but no words would come out. Link's heart sank. Zelda! No! Zelda, stay with me! Link's throat closed, making it hard to breathe. The princess's blue eyes rolled and her body went limp in his arms.

The rage and pain boiled in his stomach and something snapped. Throwing his head back, he let out a cry of pure heartbreak.

Two Moblins were closing in on Darden. He pulled his horse closer to one, slashing at it with his sword. Turning his mount, he knocked the second to the ground. His large war horse restlessly stamped the ground, catching the downed Moblin a few times beneath its hooves. Soothing his horse, he readied himself for more monsters.

Taking out the Keese that dove through the air proved to be far easier said than done. A soldier, who Link had saved from a Moblin moments before, slumped in his saddle, an arrow through his neck. Darden did not have time to reminisce over the dead. Wraith, his mount, skittered away from a Stalchild that slashed at an already dead soldier.

Darden found four Moblins closing in on him. Even on horseback he was only a head taller than the creatures. He knew he could not take them all but he would at least go down trying. As his sword sunk into the skull of the second beast, the other two were cut down by Link.

His smile turned to a frown. There was something wrong with the Hero. Darden stared for a moment, trying to figure out what was different. Link turned away before he could figure it out. Darden watched the young hero, ducking under a Keese in the process.

He watched as Link joined the masked man and two other soldiers. Not one Moblin even glanced at the Hero of Time. Darden did not have time to wonder about it as another spear-armed beast fell under his blade.

Darden caught sight of the last remaining soldier. The man had dismounted and was picking around the bodies and still-burning cook fires. Darden watched an arrow whiz by the soldier. Without hesitation the man snatched up the arrow and continued his search. The old warrior realized what he was doing and silently nodded his approval—if they collected up bows and any useable arrows to take out the remaining enemies, the four of them might still have a chance at survival. Tossing a leg over Wraith, he started to help in the search while keeping an eye on the remaining enemy. The Moblins circled nervously around the survivors, the Keese had all but dispersed, and the Stalchildren seemed content to stupidly chase the horses.

Two more arrows flew through the air. Not many archers, Darden thought. A quick scan of the surrounding country revealed only two. His hand found a bow as an arrow found his leg. Hissing, he gripped the shaft in his thigh, but he dare not remove it yet. The warrior saw that the other archer's arrow had found his companion.

Using a bloodied arrow wrenched from the side of another fallen comrade, Darden felled one of the Moblin archers. As he fired a second arrow, a cry filled the air, causing his heart to jump. The old warrior was almost afraid to look and his heart filled with anguish when he did.

The young hero sat slumped over the masked man's body. He could see the tears streaming down the young man's face and he felt for him. The hero gently laid the man down and found his feet. Darden was taken aback by Link's eyes as he turned toward the carnage. No longer the normal sapphire blue, the irises burned a blood red.

What followed next twisted Darden's stomach until he felt he would vomit. Consumed by an inhuman rage, Link pursued and killed every remaining creature, using arrows on the ones that fled. As the dark clouds melted away, the wayward Stalchildren returned to the ground. When there were no more monsters to kill, Link turned his sights on Darden.

The man tried to gain his feet when he realized Link's intent but his leg throbbed and he could not get it to cooperate quickly enough. "Link! Stop! What are you doing?" Darden was not getting through. The Master Sword bit into Darden's left arm. He fell back with a hiss, blood seeping between his fingers as he pushed himself further from the enraged hero. Link's blade was poised over him once again. "Stop! It's me, boy!"

The Hero of Time looked as though he had been slapped. His eyes wavered, returning to their natural blue. Slowly his sword dropped to his side. "Farore's Light," he breathed, "what…" Darden was about to speak when Link stumbled back but he held his tongue.

The young hero seemed blankly to survey the area. The bodies of the soldiers were the only evidence there had been a battle. The creatures of darkness burst into flames the moment their evil spirits were vanquished. Darden was sure that the young man's eyes stopped on his masked friend. His shoulders hunched and he began to stumble away, headed back in the general direction of Hyrule Castle, or perhaps more towards the Kokiri Forest to the west.

Darden struggled to his feet, the shaft in his upper thigh screaming agony in his brain. A quick limp took him to Link's side. "Wait—"

"Leave me alone!" Link shouted back, violently smacking Darden's hand away. Under normal circumstances, Darden would have thought the gesture childish coming from the boy he had known—it just was not like him—but today had been a day of strange things and, moments before, Link truly had not been himself. Darden had no choice but to let him go.

The old soldier did not feel up to checking his own wounds yet. Instead, he scanned his surroundings again. Curiosity over the masked man urged him slowly to the downed figure. The thick Moblin arrow, angled slightly down, stuck like an extra limb from between the shoulder blades. Blood dripped from the person's mouth, soaking the cloth mask that hung loosely from the chin.

As Darden drew closer, he realized that the face was familiar and, more importantly, that the body was now distinctly female. "Princess Zelda?" Darden could not believe his eyes. "No…" The soldier slipped gingerly to the ground beside the lifeless princess, pain shooting up his back from the wound in his leg. His could not make himself touch her.

Turning away, Darden busied himself with his own injuries. The arrow had gone completely through the side of his thigh. Baring his teeth, he strained to break the thick wood. The snap of the weapon ripped a cry from his throat. Breathing heavily, Darden quickly pulled the rest of the arrow from the wound. A cursory inspection of both arm and leg told him that he was well enough to move on. The arm he wrapped with cloth strip torn from his shirt and he knew from experience it would be better—more painful but better in the long run—to leave the leg wound uncovered. Letting the wound drain would hopefully prevent major infection.

Now was time to move, though. His priority was to reach the Gerudo Valley, and, if nothing else, speak with the Sage of Spirit. A shrill whistle brought Wraith to him. Leaning on the large animal, Darden pulled himself first to his feet and then onto the horse's back. His left arm and right leg felt afire but he had to go on.

Darden spared one last glance for Zelda's still form and Link's dwindling figure before painfully spurring Wraith towards his destination. He would not look back, not now. "Forgive me, Princess. I will return for you but I know that you would put the Triforce first, so I do this for you. I pray the Goddesses protect your spirit until I can bring your body home."