Remedy In The Shadows

by Crimson Bandit

An illness enters the forest. Link thinks a trip for a cure will be short, but it turns to a new problem. Who can he really trust? RR. Rating may go up if needed. Yeah...this summary sucks...but does the story?

14. Fire

A/N. I feel so mean for not saying thank you to reviewers before. ;;

blondie91- Thank you for reading so far! I'm glad you like my story, when I get out of my lazy mood I should really kick myself and read some of you writings. But thank you again!

CucumberPickles- Thank you! It's cool to have someone reviewing with what they think could happen or w/e.

da marshmallow- (Your name rocks) And I'm glad you're liking my story! Hope you find time to read the rest, but thanky so much!

Remedy In The Shadows- Chapter 14-

'…Crash!

He felt a jolt run up his back, his skin was burning. A warm brush of wind blew over his body, the air's rush echoing through his ears.

…His sleep ended…'

As his eyes slowly opened a bright line of light formed in his sight. The sudden brightness stun his eyes, causing him to shut them tightly. His body writhed upon whatever he was laying down on. The floor beneath him felt rough and even unstable. Suddenly the whole environment jumped, his body rolled over in pain. For the first time he noticed the rough vibrations through the floor, the shaking traveled through his fingers, slithered up his arms and dove right into his head to intensify his headache. The sound to turning wheels confirmed his suspicions, he was on a wagon.

"He's up!" A voice above him called out.

Link winced, his head burned with pain. Each movement caused a new wave to wash over his mind, each one more painful that the last. His hands blindly reached out for something, anything, to grab a hold of in order to gain composure.

"Should he be up?" The same male voice called out again. Link did not hear an answer, he heard multiple footsteps around him. Each step caused erratic vibrations to run through the floor, turning the waves of pain into a full-on whirlpool. With the energy that he had left, he slowly opened his eyes again, fighting the burning light that filled his vision.

The fight was short, within seconds a forced came down upon the back of his skull.

'…"Well now isn't this a difficult situation for you to be in?"

"What! What do you want from me? Who are you?"

A Laugh

"Link, I'm you!"

"No…no…"

A scream…Thea

"Thea! Where is she? Is she okay?"

"Why would you ask me?"

"Why can't I wake up?"

"You can't always get what you want boy!"

The rest of the world was darkness.

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"Wake up kid!"

Link felt a cold rush of liquid smash over his face. He woke up with his heart pounding in his chest, his blood running cold and fast through his veins, so fast he could feel the flow in his fingertips. His vision was all a blur, each time he shifted his head every object around him doubled with a hazy outline. He could make out rows of wooden paneling along the floor and on railings around him. Set along the railing he saw jumbled sets of long spears and several single-edged blades, how many weapons he didn't know. He guessed either eight or eighty-eight.

Dizziness accompanied his piercing headache. Link coughed at the feel of something rising up his throat, and his hands wrapped themselves around his stomach, he leaned forwards towards the wooden floor.

He threw up.

"Welcome back kid."

Gagging, Link shifted his kneeling position to gaze up at the voice. It was nearly impossible to make out the dark armored individual, the tall figure was framed by the darkening sky above.

'Dark…how long was I out?'

Another rush crept into his mouth, Link painfully swallowed back the bile. His head still spinning and his eyes seeing multiple of everything, but they were slowly returning to normal with each blink. He looked back up to the blurring figure in front of him, "Who are you?" His voice came out in a hoarse-like cry, his own voice painfully echoed in his own ears.

The figure laughed, "Shaset! Bharat!" He called out to unseen figures, and finally his pair of opaque forms slowly cleared into one armed soldier. Nightmarish-black armor and torn rags covered his pale skin, with exception of his pure, marble-like face hidden behind dirty strains of black hair.

'…Statue-like skin…'

Several fingers gripped onto each of Link's shoulders and with a painful tug upward Link was roughly lifted to his feet. The two men holding him dragged him towards the edge of the wagon, their leader spout out orders behind them but the words were unheard to Link. His mind was still a hazy mess, yet he knew that he was being held by the dark one's minions. He gazed down at one of the gripping hands and felt as though he'd loose his stomach again.

Etched across the back of the minion's hand; weaving underneath and around his dark fingers, was the black, curving river-like tattoo. Link was unsure if the ink patterns were as perplexing as they seemed or if his eyesight was still not truthful. He struggled weakly against the hands, he feared that even if he did have all of his strength he would be unable to escape. The pair shoved him against the railing, the site before Link's faithful eyes intensified the churning nausea.

'Dark eyes…'

Burning heat bellowed out of household windows, choking screams could be heard escaping the lips of burning souls who were captured within the flames. The sooty smoke carried their dieing spirits to the sky. Each puff of smoke overcame the pure clouds above. With each flame, and each death, the heavens grew darker.

'This cannot be happening…'

Those words repeated in Link's mind as he gazed upon Hyrule Market in horror. His limbs went limp at the site, he did not want to see the nightmare knowing he was in no position to stop it. His eyes betrayed him again, and he watched more. Men on horseback rode into crowds, the stallion's powerful hooves causing the people to flee while crushing the small ones that remained. Armed men chased after the innocent townspeople.

'This isn't real.'

A pair of black horses trotted beside the wagon Link was held on, the two animals carried their own haul. A wooden, box-like cage was dragged behind the steeds. Several hands hung loosely between the wooden bars, as if the limbs were craving to escape the imprisonment, not caring that a similar Hell existed outside the cage. Alas, the hands hung motionless, no desire to escape or even move ran through their bloodless veins. Bloodless veins beneath the beaten, fishlike skin.

"No!" Link screamed out towards the pile of dead Zoras. Steam pumped out of his heart, causing his blood to boil with anger! He blinked, trying to erase the vision in front of him, hoping nothing he had just seen was true. Nothing changed, every time he opened his eyes he stared at death in several forms.

'…Dead eyes, pure skin…

Water…caught…thief…Gerudo…'

"Thea!" Her coughed out, crumbling down to the wooden floor.

"Oh! You mean her?" The familiar, deep voice called out again. Link looked up, and for the first time saw the sleeping form of Thea in the corner. Her body was bruised and weaponless, much like Link's own. The dark armored man continued, "Please don't wake her, she looks quite lovely while she's sleeping."

There was some shuffling around Link, and again all he saw was darkness.

--------------------

"Link…

….Link please wake up….

…Please…"

'Wake up!'

Link's eyes shot open. Expecting and even longing to see the dark eyes of the Gerudo. Those two dark stones that held no expression, no answers, only a great mystery. And he longed for that.

"Rise and shine boy." Instead he met two piercingly black eyes, sharper than the sword that was held at his throat, "We missed you." He concluded.

Link recognized the dark armored man in front of him. For the first time he was able to actually see the older man's face. The dark hair was pushed aside to reveal more of his pale skin. His lips curved upward into a menacing smile that would make a infant burst into tears. The man that gripped his shoulder now was the same man who had stood before him through the market.

"Who the Hell are you?" Link blurted out.

The man laughed, "Must you be so rude in such a holy place?" He gestured to their surroundings, "There is no need for that." He released the hot blade from Link's neck.

It dawned upon him that he hadn't took the time to look away from the man in front of him and find out where he was. They were all in a large room built of marble stones. The backbones of the building were the few polished marble pillars placed along the walls; next to an occasional stained-glass windows. The feint moonlight began to stream through the glass and illuminate the Temple of Time's pure marble floor. Off to Link's side he saw the familiar empty alter where he had once placed the three Spiritual Stones. The same crimson carpet ran from the alter to the entrance door.

'Door! Run!'

Link bolted his energy towards the door. The armored man let him go, knowing that after only a few steps Link would stop dead in his tracks. Standing in a horizontal line were numerous people. There were several tattooed minions loyally awaiting orders from their leader as they stood on guard, with weapons. A factor Link didn't have.

Next, he saw her, Thea. Not just Thea though, there were several other young Gerudos being guarded by the minions. However Thea was the only one having a dagger held to her throat. The young thief's hand held tightly with the girl beside her. She was a small, blond-haired girl who's large blue eyes were overflowing with tears. Her young cheeks were covered with the shining rivulets. Link could hear the girl gasp in her breaths as she responded to Thea's comforting whispers.

Next to that pair shocked Link even more. Isabel, the red-haired beauty was held by guards with the other girls. Her green eyes were hidden by her flaming hair, hiding the fear that must have been obvious on her face. The other girls shook with fear, so young, what else could they do?

"I wouldn't do that boy!" Link felt the tip of the blade placed on his neck, "One more advancement and one of them will die!"

--------------------

Chloe's fingers tightened around Thea's hand. This was unfair, none of these girls, even Isabel, had anything to do with the situation. Hell, Thea didn't even think that she was even involved in anything. She had always wanted to venture inside the Temple of Time…

'Not like this though…what is he doing to us?'

"It's okay." She whispered to her friend, hoping that her words were the truth, but secretly knowing they weren't.

--------------------

"You never answered me." Link growled, "Who are you!"

He laughed, the sound echoed along the temple's walls. The leader took a few steps away, spun around and brush his hair back before offering an open-armed gesture, "I…am Ambrose! Leader of what was once called the Gerudos!"

"What do you mean 'What once was'!" Thea bellowed, The minion held her tighter and moved the dagger closer to her flesh, Link wished she had kept quiet.

Ambrose smiled again and spoke to Thea, "My child, I own you now!"

Fire, the element that had killed dozens outside in the market. That same element was now erupting in Thea's dark eyes. They flared to life, causing her to lunged towards her new King.

"Now, now! None of that!" The new King spoke calming. Calm enough to force Thea to steady herself, "I want no interruptions! Link and myself have to have a little talk. Now…" He paused, "I believe you remember their old Lord: Ganondorf."

The name made Link's skin crawl, "Yes." He spat. He turned and noticed how the inferno had grown in Thea's eyes. Just the mention of his name caused a burst of power in her, "Go on."

"Well," He continued while starting to pace, "most of us-and by 'us' I mean my men -know that you were in a quest including him. We even know that you, a meager kid, are the reason he is not with us today!"

'It is because of me…

…You had the power to do that greatness

…I have…power…'

Link shook his head, "Why are you saying this?"

Ambrose's face softened, he frowned and spoke with pure mockery, "Because Link, your little friend over there knew none of it! How can you ever think of lying to such a good friend?" He laughed again.

Link looked over to Thea, she had ceased her struggling to be free. She stared at him in disbelief, trying to comprehend what was being said and comfort her friend at the same time. He could feel the heat from her eyes travel over his body.

"Now," Ambrose started again, not caring that Link's attention was not on him, "Lord Ganondorf had power to destroy you…and without you he would have reached his goal of conquering all the land." His steps became more fierce and powerful until he was stomping the floor, "If you hadn't had those little friends- those sages -to help you in your work! You never would have succeeded!" He stopped, his back to the youth. Slowly, he turned with that same wicked grin carved into his marble face, "But they won't be a problem this time around. You'll be all alone…"

Ambrose gestured to a nearby soldier. The minion came forward carrying a familiar item, it was his satchel! They had retrieved it from Lake Hylia! Ambrose opened the bag and dismissing the guard while another minion took his place. This one was holding the one stone Link didn't retrieve the second time around. He handed Ambrose the Spiritual Stone of Water: The Zoras Sapphire.

'So that's why they murdered Zora, those bastards needed their stone! They took lives just to steal away a stone!'

"Boy," Ambrose called out to him, "I hold the three Spiritual stones in my hand. Is it true that you once held these precious jewels in this very same residence?"

Link glared daggers, "Yes." He growled.

"And is it true that you opened that door over there? The Door of Time?"

"Yes!" He balled his hands into fist. His veins overflowed with hot blood.

"And is it tru-"

"What do you want from him?" A voice called out, "Stop this!

Everyone turned to the red-head. Isabel was now looking up, her long hair back away from her defiant face. Her emerald eyes staring up at the man who was her new leader.

Ambrose smirked, obviously unharmed by her comment, "My dear, do not worry. Our Link knows what he's doing. He's done this before, and he will open the door again."

'Open the door…

…You will open the door…

…Wait!'

Link shook his head, "I won't. You're foolish to think that I'd even consider repeating that action! Besides, you can't even open it with just the stones."

"Hmmm…" The dark one narrowed his eyes, and in a flash he was standing in front of Link. The boy hadn't even seen him move. A gauntlet-covered arm swung out and back fisted the side of Link's face, sending the boy tumbling to the floor. "You think so?" Ambrose questioned.

Link spat out the blood dripping from his lips. He moved onto his hands and knees and glanced back up to Ambrose. The dark man was gripping his shoulder tightly while holding another new object in his hands. Shining blue, almost like his eyes. Sacred and precious, but dangerous when held in the hands of that evil.

'The Ocarina of Time'

"How did you get that?" Link gasped. He pushed away from the gripping hand and stumbled back up to his feet. "Zuh…" He coughed out, "Zelda?"

Ambrose just smiled.

"What have you done!" The boy screamed, "Where is she!"

"If Princess Zelda is still alive I must congratulate her." He turned away, "We sacked the castle hours ago."

That stung. The castle conquered? The words lingered in the air, no one in the room desired to acknowledge that they were spoken moments before.

'Conquered…taken over? This cannot be happening. This can't happen!

…It is…

No!

…give in…'

"No." Link growled, "You're going to tell me where she is!"

"She's of non of your concern"

"Tell me!"

"No!" Ambrose's roar bounced off of the temple walls so loud they went to the heavens, "You're in no position to make demands boy! Now I suggest that you do what I say or you'll have another death to grieve on!"

'Another death…'

The crying Gerudo gasped, that directed Link's watery eyes back to Thea. She was no longer whispering to her friend, no longer fighting the hand on her shoulder or the knife at her throat. She was just looking at him, whether that was good or bad he didn't know. She observed his actions, her eyes still encased with fire, but he could not tell if the flaming hate was directed towards him, or her new "owner".

"Ambrose…" Link met the man's black eyes, "I won't do anything at your command."

Silence…Just two dark eyes…

"Humph…" Ambrose paced again, taking in what Link had said. His eyes searched the ground as if it held and answer.

"I'm not one of your minions Ambrose!" Link called out, small drops of blood spurting from his mouth.

He stopped. Ambrose's pale face looked at him and laughed. The smooth sound flowed up Link's spine, causing the boy to cringe. The older man reached down to his shin and produced a hidden dagger. Link had noticed the hilts along the man's waist, but he didn't think about he possibility of a hidden weapon, "No my boy…" Ambrose chuckled, "That's where you're wrong."

Ambrose's arm reached back, and with the flick of the wrist the sharp knife was sent forward, piercing through the air…

…and through the chest of the crying Gerudo…

"NO!" Thea's voice filled the temple. Her arms thrashed around, trying to grab at her friend. She fought to peel to weapon from her throat and struggled against the soldier holding her. She kicked the struggling man away and reached out to her friend, "No…" She whimpered.

That was when he saw her eyes. Those natural stone-like eyes now filled with tears, and he saw her face fall. Her eyes, the inferno they carried moments ago was dead. The fire extinguished with her free-flowing tears.

The blond girl touched her chest, and gasped; a river of blood poured from her paling lips. The top of her blue garment was now coated with blood, the stain grew as the girl took her shallow breaths. Her knees buckled and she crumbled to the floor, Thea could do nothing but collapse as well and whisper her soft words to her friend. None of that would help the girl, the actions would only give Thea false hope.

"As I said before, you will do as I say!"

Link turned to the murderer, "You." He drawled advancing towards him.

Ambrose stepped back and Link froze, the taller man dropped his head while bringing his arms closer to his chest. His face was hidden behind the dark strains of hair, and a light growl erupted from his lips. He raised his head and unleashed a great shielding red aura around his body. The color reflected off of the walls, making everything look hauntingly crimson. The aura's power reached out, away from it's host. The streams of light moved like hands, or an animal, searching for possible prey. And they lunged forward, grasping onto Link's body.

"You bastard!" He heard Thea yelling. It was impossible to know if she was cursing for him being attacked, or her friend being killed.

He screamed at the magic's touch. Heat coursed over his skin before plunging below the surface and diving into his blood streams. The heat burned up his arms, through each section of bone and piercing into his eyes before he shut them and felt the power pierce into his head.

…Blood…A sea of blood…His eyes opened and that painfully familiar site is what he envisioned.

'…blood…I've seen this sorcery before…

…The Market's allywa-!

Link screamed as the magic attacked his brain, he felt his thoughts slip away, his feelings slip away. He expected to feel himself to pass out in seconds…yet he was still there, in the temple, seeing everything in a blooded shade. He no longer held feelings for those around him.

'Your mine!' Ambrose said in his mind

He didn't see it, he felt the leather satchel containing the Spiritual Stones, and the Ocarina of Time placed into his hands. The thing that was now Link gripped the objects tightly, because that was what he told him to do.

'Move to the altar, you will place those stones where they belong!' The sorcerer said.

'I will place the stones in the altar.'

One step, two steps, seven steps…The crimson alter before the Door of Time was now in his bloody site.

'Do it! Now!' Ambrose said, along with chaotic screams that meant nothing to Link.

"Link? Link!" A familiar girl's voice called out. Link knew who it was, he knew Thea was questioning Link. He wasn't Link now, and she was nothing to him. His hands took out each stone and gazed at them in his fake crimson site. With little effort the stones were placed where they had been put the first time he opened the door. Of course, he wasn't remembering his past now.

'You know what to do- Oh…wait you don't. Use the ocarina. Play the Song of Time' He was told.

'I have to play the Song of Time…'

"Link! What are you doing!" Thea's screamed, but her voice was faded to him, "Stop! Whuh- What are you doing!"

The ocarina's mouthpiece touched his mouth.

"Stop Link!"

'Ignore her, play the song.'

He did. The tune he heard was scratched and unpleasant, each note seemed to cause his ears to bleed with pain. The spell wouldn't even allow him to hear the peaceful tune.

Shaking…The large door in front of him began to shake. Above him, he caught site of the large figure of the Triforce beginning to glow with sudden power. Streams of light shot out from the treasured symbol, the light brightened the great room, and the room that was revealed as the Door Of Time separated.

'That's it…' Ambrose whispered, 'Go ahead kid, go inside.'

One step, two steps, five steps. Each step bringing him up staircase beside the alter, and closer to the now opened Door Of Time.

A scream. The aching painful cry pierced into his tender head. Thea cried again in pain, again and again. He heard her call out something else…something familiar…"Link!"

He did not know who this "Link" was, and again he did not care.

A few more steps under his feet. He entered the newly opened room, leaving the cries and screams at his back; stepping closer to the shining platform, closer to the item atop of the platform. Evening light streamed down from above, making the mythical blade shine in its pedestal.

'Go ahead…' Ambrose whispered, 'Take it…'

One step, two steps, Link extended a hand, his fingers glowing with red light.

'Nothing could possibly help you. Besides…She and those other seven are already dead!'

A touch of blade…Streaming light…Darkness…Time…

A/N Ahhh…so that mind overpowering spell thing kinda explains the weird, aggressive thoughts that went through Link's mind after the chapter where he got attacked behind the Market. Soooo… What's going to happen? Who's still alive? How much does Ganondorf play in all of this? What's running through everyone's heads? And! That one question I know you all are thinking! "Where's Navi?"

Peace out