Chapter 11

Temple of Time

Dark Link better not fail me! The cold and heartless Malika muttered darkly to herself as she made her way down to the barren cells, the market was destroyed…if he did, that would slow them down anyways, it would be their nature to stop and help... She dismissed the single stalfos guard with a simple nod and gazed pensively through the bars at her captive.

He slowly came up to her, and returned her stare, "What do you want?" he spat contemptuously, although very weak. Malika failed to notice he kept his right hand well hidden.

"What is mine." Malika growled softly, almost sounding afraid someone else was listening.

"Which would be…?" Chunk questioned meekly.

"My necklace! One of you two brats stole it from me!" Malika snapped, her voice raspy.

He eyed her quizzically, "Uh…What necklace…?"

She smirked, "That means your little friend has it…"

"You better not harm Alexis!" Chunk threatened.

"Or you'll do what? Your threat means nothing to me."

"Now of what importance would some old necklace be to you?" Chunk led her into a trap.

She took the bait, "It's not some old necklace! Without it, I am not as strong as I can be----..." her eyes went big and she slammed her mouth shut tight.

"Uh-huh." He smiled. "And I suppose you didn't want anyone to know that right?"

"You better not breathe one word to any of my servants---or your death will be slow and painful." Malika snarled menacingly.

"Whatever." Chunk replied, going back away from the cell door and leaning heavily against the wall and pretending to sleep without another word.

"You impudent little---"

"My queen, the shadow and the Hero are engaged in battle."

The queen swing around smiling acidly at the girl who had come up behind her. "Ok…And…? She said hurriedly.

"That is all for the moment." The girl hurried off, her job done for the moment.

Malika mentally slapped herself, how had she not heard her servant come? How much had the girl heard…? She pondered these things to herself as she walked gracefully off after the girl, she had to be finished off just in case for secrecy to dominate.

When she had gone, Chunk sat up and studied his right hand. On the back a golden triangle had suddenly appeared…What was it? Why was it on his hand?

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Despite everything, Link didn't sop running. He leapt over ruins, bodies, making his way rapidly towards the Temple of Time. Dark Link had eventually figured out what was up and tried everything to bring Link down. Link wouldn't stop.

He skipped the steps and practically flew through the doorway to the Temple of Time; the Door of Time had been left open!

Dark Link dived on him, he managed to grab his leg and pulled him down. Link kicked Dark Link off of him and with one final burst of speed, dashed up to the pedestal shining in magnificent glory and pulled the Master Sword out. The ground began shaking violently, and then settled as if nothing had happened. Link turned to face Dark Link, who had come up behind him. The master sword felt so comfortable to his hand…As if it were truly made for him…

"Bring it on." Link challenged.

"You got it." Dark Link charged forward and unleashed a massive attack of tactical sword strokes and strength, Link blocked and dodged, barely parrying the blade swinging at him several times. Dark Link managed to catch Link unawares, and cut him across the arm. Link winced slightly, but would not let a single wound slow him down.

He shoved the master sword deep into Dark Link's side, but was returned by a punch in the jaw that left him stunned and pain that shot through his stomach from the blade that had pierced through his flesh. Link pulled his sword out and stepped back a few paces. Dark Link's eyes lit up with anger.

Link feinted a swing at neck level, but then just as Dark Link moved his sword up to block it, Link brought the blade down and stabbed it straight through his chest, where if he had a heart it would have been…

Black liquid dripped from the corner of Dark Link's mouth and nose as he staggered back, he looked down at the blade protruding from his chest and gave out a cry of anger, "I will not be defeated so easily!"

Link barely had time to pull his blade back and block the swing as Dark Link attacked him with a wave of fury; he was using the last of his strength just to bring Link down…

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Alexis was slowly making her way through the market, she was in complete shock of all the destruction. Decaying bodies littered the area, as did giant chunks of rock that probably hid more bodies.

She hurried through to where they had run...She entered the sacred temple to see Link and Dark Link engaged in battle. Link wielded a different sword now...

Blood lay splattered on the ground in several places, she could see it was Link's…

There was nothing she could do…but watch as the fight took place.

One moment she thought Link could win, but then Dark Link made a huge come back and nailed Link good. Dark Link seemed to grow weary of the fighting, he smirked cruelly as he saw Alexis standing there…and unarmed.

Breaking away from Link, he grabbed Alexis and had his blade at her throat before she even realized what hit her. "Drop your weapon and give up…Or she dies." As if to indicate he really meant it, he nicked her throat drawing a single drop of blood.

Link knew if he died, Dark Link would inevitably kill her too…but there was no way he could stand there and watch her die.

He sighed and dropped the master sword. Dark Link nodded with satisfaction, but failed to notice Link still had his old sword strapped across his back.

Dark Link threw Alexis forcefully away and charged full out towards Link. To bend down and pick up the master sword would have taken too long, and time was not on his side. He speedily drew out his old sword and swung it horizontally as Dark Link lunged forward to stab with his blade. Dark Link never saw it coming…His eyes widened in shock as he was cut in two, right across the center of his stomach.

Alexis' stomach became queasy as she watched the two halves of Dark Link plop down to the floor with a sickening thud.

Link breathed a heavy sigh of relief as he grabbed the master sword and walked towards Alexis, not even glimpsing at the corpse. "Let's go."

He helped her up and they walked quietly out of the defiled temple, Link now realized it probably would have been wiser to take the fighting outside…but he had been too caught up in the fighting to think of such a rational thing…

He suddenly remembered something and hurried back into the temple, but Dark Link was gone…

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What did you think of that chappie? I kinda had to really rush to getthis chapter donein time cuz all week long I'm gonna be gone at a camp and it'll probably be another week after that before I can get the next chapter done...but as soon as I get back home, I'll get started on it so yup. And I'm almost done packing too...Yipee for me...Thanks again for all the wonderful reviews!

blondie91