Dark rode into the Castle Town as its residents slept peacefully, oblivious to the fact that he was up and about in their own beloved town square. He dismounted and sat on the wall of the fountain in the middle of the square, closing his eyes and searching his mind for memories. They weren't his memories, they were the memories he shared with Link. They were mostly bad memories, but some of them would provide Dark with the information he desired. He could remember as far back as Link could at the time they met in the Water Temple, and he could remember their encounter, but beyond that, they were solely his own memories of the past two days.
He wasn't interested in those memories, however, but instead searched farther back, concentrating on the events surrounding the three Spiritual Stones. In his mind, Dark replayed Link's earlier journeys as a child; his quest to lift the curse from the Great Deku Tree, Guardian spirit of the Forest; his adventures in Dodongo's Cavern where he sought to defeat the King Dodongo and help the starving Gorons; and his trials in the belly of Lord Jabu-Jabu, the patron deity of the Zoras. He saw the finding of the Ocarina of Time, and the process by which the Door of Time was opened. Dark's eyes opened. He had the answers he needed.
Leaving his horse to drink at the fountain, Dark walked through the square and up the stairs that led to the Temple of Time. He crossed the parched grass of the Courtyard and entered through the enormous stone doors, which were always open in case there was a citizen that wished to repent of an ill deed, or pray to the Goddesses for any other reason. The place was huge and empty, and Dark's footsteps echoed ominously off the stone walls as he made his way towards the altar where the Spiritual Stones should be. He felt that something was amiss, and hurried forward, but when he got to the altar, all it held where three fist-sized indentations and an inscription that read:
Ye who owns three Spiritual Stones
Stand with the Ocarina of Time
And play the Song of Time
The Stones were gone. Dark slammed his fist on the altar in frustration. Now he had to go find them and bring them back, not to mention that he had to figure out a way to get the Ocarina of Time. With a heavy sigh, he sat down on the floor with his back against the altar, suddenly exhausted. It was new feeling for him. He wasn't used to days that were emotionally or physically tiring, or going without sleep for extended periods of time. He assumed a position that was comfortable for him, with his knees to his chest, his arms on his knees, and his head on his arms, and dozed off, with the soft chanting of the spirits of the Temple resonating in his ears.
He woke up in that position the next morning. He lifted his head, and blinked rapidly as the light pouring in through the open doors made his eyes smart. He got up and stretched, cracking his neck, then shuffled out of the Temple, quieted by the peacefulness of the place and by a good night's sleep. He found Shadowmane grazing the dewed grass, and rode off out of the Market and over the drawbridge onto Hyrule Field. It was a crisp, cool morning, and the feel of it invigorated Dark as he guided his horse towards the Southeast, seeking the entrance to the Forest.
He found it without much difficulty, a long tunnel stretching back into darkness with a few tall trees in front. Dark urged his horse toward it, but Shadowmane didn't like the looks of the place and wouldn't go near it, so he was force to continue on foot. He walked through the tunnel, and bits of fairy dust began to drift in the air around him as he stepped out onto a plank bridge that spanned a short drop in the forest floor. He crossed it, but instead of continuing into the second tunnel on the other side, the ghost of a memory drifted across his mind, and he turned and looked back.
By some trick of light or magic, the memory was replayed in from of him. He saw a young Link walk past him onto the bridge, and almost reach the other side before a young-looking girl appeared as if from nowhere and called out his name. Link stopped and turned, then walked back to her. They talked for a short time, and then she gave him something. After giving her his most winning smile, young Link turned and left, eager to face his destiny, and she looked after him sadly, knowing it was his destiny to leave the forest, but wishing it wasn't. The vision of the girl slowly faded back into the shadows, and Dark turned away, passing into the second tunnel.
The Kokiri Forest was still asleep, since the leaves of the trees blocked out most of the light of the early morning. The giant shapes of the tree houses lurked darkly in the dim light, and Dark passed through the village unseen and unheard, a shadow among shadows. He made his way stealthily into the glade of the Great Deku Tree, and nothing resisted his passing. He stood in the shadow of the Tree itself, staring up at the lifeless giant. So this is this former guardian of the Forest, he thought.
The feeling of peace that had wrapped itself around Dark was rent by a voice in his head that sounded like something halfway between a flute and oboe. "Who is the caster of the shadow that has entered this sacred place?" Dark turned to see a much smaller, greener tree not far from where he stood. "Hello," said the Deku Sprout. "You come for the Spiritual Stone of the Forest, do you not?"
"That's why I'm here," confirmed Dark.
"You will not find it here," said the Deku Sprout. "It is being guarded by one whose eyes can see into the soul of every being, one who is worthy to judge the hearts of the living. If your heart is good and your intentions are pure, he will grant you the Stone. Look for him at the Forest Temple."
Dark bowed slightly, a gesture of thanks and respect towards this being of older and greater magic, and then walked out of the glade. He made his way to the entrance of the Lost Woods using knowledge he'd gained from Link, and after successfully navigating the Woods and the hedge maze of the Sacred Forest Meadow, he climbed the stairs to the Temple.
As he reached the clearing, Dark stood on the disk that had the symbol of the Triforce engraved on it and looked around. He saw only the entrance to the Temple with the broken stairs, two large trees whose limbs reached out over the landing in front of the entrance, and the trees surrounding the clearing. He sensed movement at his back, and spun around, but saw only the long flight of stairs heading back towards the Woods. He turned back around warily, and then looked up as he heard a voice call out to him. "Hey, you! You, down there!" It was a large, ancient-looking owl, looking down at him from one of the giant trees.
He wasn't there before… thought Dark. "Who are you?" he said aloud.
"My name is Kaepora Gaebora," said the owl. "Who are you?"
"I am called Dark," said the youth, crossing his arms. It didn't occur to him that this might be the person he was looking for, and that he should probably be more respectful.
"Dark Link?" finished the owl, knowing who he really was.
Dark bristled at the name. "I am my own person. I'm not anyone's shadow."
"And yet you are so like him, not just in looks. You too seek the Spiritual Stones as he once did, only his intentions were nobler."
"Then are you person of who the Deku Sprout spoke? You have the Spiritual Stone of the Forest?"
"I am, and I do."
"And you will not give it to me?"
"In your heart I see hatred and a craving for vengeance, and it consumes all else. If you show me that you are worthy of the task in front of you, I will aid you in it."
"How do I prove myself?"
"The other two Stones, the Goron's Ruby and the Zora's Sapphire, are both guarded by strong warriors who will not give their stone over to someone they do not trust. Obtain the Stones of Fire and Water, and bring them here to me. Then I will give you the Kokiri Emerald."
Dark bowed slightly once again, then turned and left the glade. He made his way back to the bridge and walked into Hyrule Field. His horse looked up from sniffing a tuft of grass and trotted over to him, happy to see that his master was back. Dark patted the horse's muzzle, feeling a little annoyed. He hadn't intended to be heading off on some huge journey, he just wanted to find Ganondorf and kill him. Who knew it would be this difficult? He sighed, then climbed up into the saddle and made off towards Death Mountain, which he decided would be his first destination.
As a child, Link had received the Spiritual Stone of Fire from Darunia, leader of the Gorons. To get to Death Mountain where the Gorons lived, Dark had to pass through Kakariko Village, and that would mean more staring. So he pulled his hood up over his head once again, even though the day promised to be unusually warm.
As Dark reached the entrance to Kakariko Village, the guard standing there eyed him suspiciously, but let him pass. Dark rode through the village, heading strait for the mountain path, not wasting time or sparing anyone a passing glance. When he reached the gate that lead to the Mountain Path, the guard standing there stopped him. "Halt!" he said, slamming the butt of his spear on the ground. He glared at Dark. "What business do you have on Death Mountain?"
"Whatever business I have is mine and mine alone," said Dark in a threatening tone, impatient at being stopped. "I am permitted to go where I please throughout Hyrule by the Princess herself. Now let me pass."
The guard sputtered, making a face of indignation at being talked down to. Dark smiled mockingly at him from under his hood, then urged his horse forward up the trail, leaving the guard to glare after him as he disappeared around a bend in the path.
It was early afternoon when he finally reached Goron City. He immediately noticed a change as he neared the entrance, most noticeably were the guards standing out on the path to block the way into the city. They wore large helmets and heavy plate armor on their arms and chests, and wielded pikes with thick shafts and heavy tips. As Dark rode up, they crossed their weapons over the entrance, blocking him from entering. "State your name and business!" one of them barked, his voice slightly muffled by his helmet.
"I am called Dark, and I wish to be granted audience with your leader," Dark said, not lowering his hood. The Gorons exchanged looks, and Dark figured that they didn't understand. He leaned in closer and said quite clearly, "I would like to speak to Darunia."
"We know what you meant," growled one of the guards, gripping his pike tighter. He leaned over to his companion and had a brief, whispered conference with him, and then he straitened up and whistled. Another Goron ran up from his post just inside the City, and after the guard whispered something to him, he hurried off. "We have sent for Darunia," explained the guard. "You must wait here."
A few moments later, a great rumbling noise was heard, and the Chief of the Gorons stomped into sight. He looked angry at having to come all the way up there from his room, and he scowled at Dark. "What do you want?" he bellowed, and his voice rang off the mountain like thunder.
"I wish to speak with you," said Dark
"Then speak now or go away!" Darunia replied.
"In private. The subject of my request is one that is not the business of anyone aside from you and I." He nodded towards the guards
Darunia grunted, untrusting. He saw that Dark was unarmed, however, and relented. "Fine," he rumbled. "But you can't bring that in here!" He pointed at Shadowmane, and Dark dismounted. "And take off your hood," the Goron leader added. "I want to see your face."
Dark moved to obey, but paused. He didn't think that would be such a good idea, remembering Link's reaction.
"If you have something to hide, we've got nothing to talk about," Darunia growled.
Dark rolled his eyes and lowered his hood. The Gorons gasped to see someone who looked like their hero Link, only much different. Darunia's eyes blazed, and he roared, "What devilry is this?"
"I have done nothing to invoke the wrath of the Gorons," said Dark, holding out his hand in a gesture of peace. "If my looks are a fault, they are not mine. I never choose to look like this."
Darunia fumed. As far as he was concerned, this guy could be Ganondorf himself. But he had agreed to see him and speak with him, so he waved the guards away and walked away from the entrance to the city, beckoning for Dark to follow. They walked to a place that was secluded from the main mountain path and had an excellent view of Dodongo's Cavern. Darunia sat on a shelf of rock that stuck out from the rest of the mountainside, turning to face Dark. "What do you want?" he asked impatiently. "Make it quick."
Dark paused a moment, choosing the right words to use, then said, "I wish to obtain the Spiritual Stone of Fire."
Darunia's eyes bulged for a moment, and then he burst out laughing. "You… you want me to give the Goron's Ruby?" he said through his laughter. "Just give it to you without a single thought? Are you nuts!" He stopped laughing and wiped his eyes, which had started to water. "You may look like Brother Link, but I'm not so old that I can't see the difference between you two. He earned our respect and our friendship. You are a complete stranger to us."
"I will do whatever is required of me to earn the Stone," said Dark resolutely.
"'Whatever'?" echoed Darunia, leaning forward a little in his interest. "Well then. You must be pretty desperate. Too bad Brother Link already got rid of those Dodongos, eh?" Darunia sat back, thinking. "Anything… hmph. I can't think of anything good right now." He got up and headed for the entrance. "Come back at sunset. I should have a task for you then." He disappeared into the city and left Dark standing there, annoyed. More waiting! Why was everyone so keen on making him wait?
He walked over and sat on a boulder next to his horse. He stroked it fondly, glad to have one friend in a cold, distrustful world. Everyone he'd met had been unkind towards him. Except for one person… He remembered Malon, the red-haired girl from the ranch, and her face entered his mind, trustful and kind. He felt a warmth in his chest, and a small smile crept onto his face. Maybe she would be his friend.
Suddenly, he was eager to see her again. He looked at his horse. "How about it?" he asked. "Would you like to see that lady at the Ranch again?" Shadowmane whickered, and taking that as a "yes", Dark swung himself up into the saddle and headed off down the mountainside, excited about something for the first time in his life.
To Be Continued