A/N: NO! LINK HAS NOT TURNED EVIL! THE WORLD WOULD END IF HE TURNED EVIL! 8O Don't worry, friends, all shall be explained in this chappie, my personal favorite chappie. You'll see why. :)

"Hey, when you were down I always picked you up.

Why didn't I recognize that everything was never fine?

I'm kicking myself that I shared spit with you!

So fuck yourself and fuck this bleeding heart of mine!" -Leech, Incubus

Brother Squadron: Chapter 16: There's Still Hope

The prison areas of the Fortress were on the top floor to discourage escapees to leap out of the few windows. They weren't regularly kept for a purpose, to bring as much discomfort to captives as they could handle before they could be rightfully executed. It was a sick plan of Crazy Hand's, with a goal to make sure prisoners have no spirit left before they die.

The cells were damp and cold, mold and moss coating the corners of the walls. This created a pungent smell, and the very air they breathed was toxic and tasted of blood and urine. The sandy stone under their feet and hands seemed so real, but was simulated, just for their discomfort. They couldn't see anything three feet in front of them, it was so dark. Even the blue-green glow emitted from Ness' handheld (he managed to slip it past the Frames) was quite tiny, as if the darkness was trying to shut the light away.

In this cheerless cell, the Nintendians had spent a few hours bitterly sitting and thinking. Zelda made her way around and healed to rest of the wounded, just to distract her concentration on the horrible thought of her very own brother betraying them. He couldn't have done it intentionally! He just couldn't! But soon enough, her rounds were finished, and she was left to her own scarring fears.

Though refreshed from her soft hands, most Nintendians were absolutely sickened from the past events, withering in silent anger and frustration. No one had the gall to speak for hours now, and someone finally decided to break the stiff, corrosive silence.

"I don't believe this..." Bowser growled deeply, arms crossed and sitting in a humped, uncomfortable-looking position. Mario would've returned an angry retort, but he looked down at his brother, who sat huddled and depressed. He had obviously grown a mostly close bond with Link over the short period time of knowing each other, so it was no wonder he was upset. And breaking his promise would only sadden Luigi more, so Mario kept quiet.

Fox shook his head silently and brought a hand to his forehead, not able to believe any of this either. "... He's left us behind to be shot like sick dogs... After all this time of trusting him..."

Luigi glanced up timidly, shivering slightly, and not just from the cold. "H-hey, come on... We can still trust him..."

"How?" Roy screamed out his frustrations, scaring some of the others witlessly. "He had a goddamn choice, and he chose to have us be killed!"

"Hey, we were gonna die either way!" Mario was growing angry by the whole situation. "What're you blaming him for?"

"Link always told me us Nintendians gotta stay together," Fox explained heavily, then his voice rose in anger. "And now he's left us behind! And for what?"

"His brother!" Zelda screamed in agony, drawing all attention to her. Her face was streaming with tears, body trembling in fear. She buried her face into a bent knees and sobbed as loud as a muffled sob could get. There was a silence, and for some reason, Luigi shuffled over to her, genuinely concerned as he wrapped an arm around her bony shoulders.

"Who's his brother?" he asked softly. He knew the answer, but wanted the other Nintendians to understand as well.

Dry sobs escaping her throat, she forced herself into somewhat calmness, wiping her cheeks with a thin knuckle. "His older incarnation... They called themselves brothers..."

"Older incarnation...?" someone asked.

"Oh, that's right!" Ness spoke up, eager at last to show off his intellect once more. "I heard that when we entered this world, one of us came out as two as a result of the break in the time-space continuum."

Zelda smiled sadly. "That was Link. Seven years apart in age... My brother... the one you all know... he was the younger one..." A deep silence filled the cell, and tears and sobs became strong again as Zelda forced herself to continue. "He loved his older self so much... After we saw the execution ten years ago and ran away for safety... I'd hear Link cry and cry and cry himself to sleep every night... He was so depressed when his brother was gone..." She couldn't go on through the tears, and buried her face from view once more. Luigi, ever sympathetic, held her close and offered his comfort as she cried out her grief. There was silence once more among the other Nintendians, as now the pain of guilt replaced the bitterness and hatred. They felt so stupid, blaming it all on their leader.

"...Well..." Marth spoke at last, coughing. "I guess all there is to ask is whether Master Hand will stay to his word..."

"He won't." A heavy, female voice spoke, one that none of them recognized. They all turned towards the iron bars, barely able to make out a dark, thin figure standing right outside their cell. She made a movement, scratching a match against her boot, and placed the orange flame in her lantern, revealing her face and returning light to rid away the darkness.

Angry glares came back to their faces as they saw who it was, and she knew and prepared herself earlier for this kind of judgment and hostility. But then she looked down at Luigi, who looked more surprised and curious than angry.

"You..." he spoke softly, pointing an index finger in confirmation. "You're Master Hand's bodyguard, Sayu, was it?"

Sayu paused, amazed that someone remembered her name when it was only briefly mentioned. She nodded, then faced his angry comrades. And she knew why they were mad.

"... Why the hell did you kill Ganondorf for?" Bowser snarled, never repositioning from his earlier position and looking stiff and agitated.

Sayu sighed. She had prepared for this question and swiftly answered it. "I shot him for my own reasons, not to protect my master." As they cooled down a bit, she noticed another type of regret in their eyes. "This wasn't Link's fault. He didn't have a choice. My master made the choice for him."

Glares were replaced by looks of suspicious curiosity. "What do you mean?" asked Mario.

"My master has mesmic powers, and is able to twist a being's deepest desires to his advantage. Believe me, I know. He's done it to me many times when he wanted me to execute Nintendians before you." She shivered as memories of those executions hit her at full force.

Somehow, someway, some Nintendians wanted to trust her. But they still didn't know who to trust in this snake pit, so there was still a sign of mistrust. Fox spoke up, ever so cautious of his words. "So did Master Hand keep to his word?"

Sayu ruefully shook her head. "No. Link won't ever go home, let alone have his brother back, if my master has his way. He's on the basement floor right now, being tortured."

"No!" Zelda cried out, new fears instantly brewing. The others as well sat up in shock, unbelieving that their leader was being subjected to torture.

"But there's still hope," Sayu spoke once more, gaining their full attention. "My master is unsuspecting. He would never predict a breakout in the prisons. I can make sure all of you, including your leader, get out of this world." She reached into her pocket and produced a ring of keys, twirling them on her finger. "All you have to do is trust me."

They all turned to Fox, knowing him to be the co-leader when Link wasn't available. There was a stiff, untrusting look on his furry face, ever reluctant to trust a Wire Frame for obvious reasons. His jade flint-eyes met with her orbs of ember, and though the color was dark and unwelcoming, there was something different behind them, a sensible mind that could distinguish right from wrong. Fox had stared down many Frames before and saw the same thing within their dark pits- hatred, murder, and destruction- but this particular Frame was different. Yes, she used to be fiercely loyal to her master, but there had always been that nagging feeling that all this death just wasn't right. And Fox believed it. She was their only chance of escape, and now he saw there was no reason not to trust her.

At last, he stood, never once tearing his eyes away from hers. He sighed deeply, standing tall, then nodded. "Alright, then."

Sayu couldn't help but flash a tiny smile, and for some odd reason, it actually fit her face well. "Good choice." She stuck a key into the slot and turned it with a click. Withdrawing the key, she slid the clattering iron-barred door open, and with this trusting bond, the Nintendians were free.

With an excited buzz, they all leaped to their feet and approached the exit as she gave out intelligent orders. "You find yourselves a good hiding place on this floor. I'll go down and fetch Link."

"Please hurry!" Zelda begged, and Sayu nodded, then sprinted down the hall towards the shortcut to the basement only she knew.

Betrayal. Deception. Blood. Torture.

Those were the main thoughts plaguing the weak and tired mind of a certain elf, physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausted. The Frames were given direct orders to be as uncannily cruel as possible to Link during his first session of torture. They reveled in sick enjoyment as they beat him senselessly, showed him disgusting and bloody executions, and spilled his own blood and then forced him to drink it.

And now he was left in a huge chamber underground, arms chained up between two stone pillars, a single beam of the moon shining down on his limp figure. He was on his knees, hunched over as he had no energy to lift himself up. The bitter cold stung at his skin and infected wounds like a thousand poisonous thorns, including the parts that were exposed from torn and stained clothing. The sleeves of his jacket were nearly completely torn off, only the cuffs and a few shreads of leather left as proof of their existence. His tank top underneath was slashed in too many places, showing the deep cuts that had dried with infection. His lips were brittle and cracked, coated in dry blood, the only thing that had color on his pale face. His bangs hung in front of his closed eyes, breathing slow and weak. He had no broken bones (expect for a couple ribs), as the Frames promised that would be saved for a later session. And now he was left alone. All alone.

All of this torture was meant to slowly break him from the inside, to crush his spirit until nothing was left. But Link was too strong-willed to be bested by these cruel torturers, too willing to live for reasons he didn't know, even when he had nothing to lose. The only thing that came close to breaking him was the knowledge that he wasn't going to get his precious brother back, and the rest of the beings he cherished will be killed.

How could he be so fucking stupid? Master Hand, the bastard, he tricked him! Link easily recalled the one-sided conversation, unable to believe he was actually thinking those thoughts. Why would Master Hand have any sympathy on him and just give him his brother? Link felt like an idiot, trusting the mortal enemy, and for what? All this torture, pain, and grief.

And he betrayed his people for these lies. How could they accept him back as a leader after what he did to them? No, he was alone now. All alone in his misery and sorrow. He had so many chances to express his past agonies, but now it was too late. He was all alone. All...

...Click clock click clock...

Footsteps on the sandy stone floor. Did the hour pass already? Was it time for the second part of his torture? It didn't seem likely, as there was only one pair of footsteps, soft and delicate, and no manly grunts or chortles. Link was curious as to who was approaching, but didn't bother to pick his head up to look. He did open his eyes, however, seeing the cold, stony ground below him. The toes of the new being's leather boots appeared in his field of vision, stopping quite close to him. There was crinkling of leather as the being kneeled down, slender, open-fingered gloved hands placed on the floor for support.

"Link..." a soft female voice spoke to him, no anger or malice detected behind it. Link attempted to lift his head, but groaned and gave up, as it hurt his neck to do so. As if understanding, one of those hands lifted off the ground and those petit fingers curled around his pointed chin, slowly lifting his head up. He could hear his neck bones creak, stiff and in great pain from the beatings hours before. Through tired, crystal blue eyes that lost their warm glow, he looked upon a face he vaguely recognized from the throne room, into those vermillion orbs that were strangely soft and warm. But as Link realized what she was, his brows knotted in distrust.

"What the fuck do you want?" he growled in a hoarse voice, throat completely parched of moisture.

Sayu raised a dark, thin brow. "That's no way to talk to your rescuer."

His eyes narrowed. "You're sick... You killed Ganondorf." She seemed shocked that he knew such a thing. "I know you did. They showed me his body. Bullet to the back. Completely cold-blooded." He locked eyes with the Frame. "How can your kind do something like that?"

It was a question he always asked, but no Frame would answer. They'd just chortle and continue the torture. And he was sick and tired of being ignored. This bitch had better answer his question.

Sayu sighed, almost ruefully. "I wish I could tell you... I've been asking that question as well..."

Link raised a brow. "You're a Frame. You should know."

"I was made differently," she answered softly, to which he inclined his head in question. "Don't ask, it's a long story. But my guess is that they have no regrets, no true feelings except hatred or fear. That's how they're made..." She shrugged. "There's not much else I can tell you..."

Link looked at her levelly. "So why did you kill Ganondorf? To protect your master?"

Sayu immediately shook her head. "Hardly. I had a reason. Traitors don't deserve to live."

"Then what're you waiting for?"

She glanced up into those hurt eyes, wanting rapture from all the misery. He lowered his head once more. "Just get it over with..."

"Link..." She lifted his head again, tears glittering in his eyes. "I know what you're thinking, but you are not a traitor. Master Hand twisted your deepest desires to trick you into thinking you betrayed your kind. Trust me, I know. He does it to me, too..."

"But..."

"Listen," Sayu spoke for the reason she was here in the first place. "Your Squadron has escaped. They now have a chance to go home."

Link nodded in acknowledgement, then sighed. "Then go. Get them there safely."

"What?"

"Just leave me... I don't care anymore... They wouldn't want me anyway..."

Sayu was growing angry from his ignorance and self-pity. "But they're on the top floor, in hiding, waiting for you!" Hearing this, the elf looked up at her again in surprise. "They want you to come with them!"

"But..." He lowered his gaze in befuddlement. "But why...?"

"They understand, Link. I explained everything to them." She looked at him closely. "I'm here to come take you home."

Link raised his gaze again, but then, remembering who she was, glared with distrust. "And what makes you think I can trust you?"

Sayu knew he didn't wish to be tricked again. He wouldn't be so easy to convince. But, of course, she had other ways of persuasion, methods with no sinister intentions and believable persuasions. Or, at least, she hoped so, as she had never tried this before.

She leaned closer bit by bit, to which Link backed off as much as he could, a disturbed look on his face. She grew close enough that he could feel her warm breath creeping onto his skin, melting away the bitter ice cold. Then, without warning, she leaned forward and pressed her lips against his.

Link's eyes bulged as an initial shock to such an advancement, but then it slowly faded at the new sensation of her warm, moistened lips against his own. The contact with moisture seemed to absorb into his brittle lips, and then they were no longer cracked. In no time, he became lost and found himself returning the passionate kiss. His eyes gently shut, his tongue rolled over hers, and his heart began to beat like a rabbit's. Whatever this exchange meant, it simply made him melt, icy cold bitterness evaporating into the outside where it belonged. There was a deep feeling in this union of flesh and soul, and by God, it just felt so right.

Now, there's a lot you can tell about a person through a deep kiss. From his hesitation and uncertainty in his oral movements, Sayu could tell Link had never been exposed to something as wondrous as this before, living in constant struggle and mental anguish. From her gentleness and patience in his more awkward movements, Link could tell Sayu really did know what he was going through, and she suffered at the expense of her race's reputation. Perhaps... he could trust her. But trusting a Wire Frame... it sounded so insane...

Too soon, her lips drew away, and Link was left in a state of shock, breathing labored as it was getting caught in his throat. His eyes stared at Sayu, aghast, and glistening once more, but this time with tears not of remorse. Damn... That was something else.

Sayu burned her eyes into his. "I can get you out of here. Do you trust me?"

Link stared back, a bit of that warm glow regained. He then told her his decision...

"I tried to kill the pain,

But only brought more.

I lay dying,

And I'm pouring crimson regret and betrayal.

I'm dying, praying, bleeding, and screaming.

Am I too lost to be saved?

Am I too lost...?" -Tourniquet, Evanescence

A/N: THEY KISSED! 8D I know, I said earlier there wasn't going to be that kind of ooshy gooshy mushy stuff, but I couldn't help myself. X) NO, THIS DOES NOT INDICATE ROMANCE! It's sort of a trust bond sort of thing. Only a few chappies left! W00T! Review, please!