And now without further ado, I present….
The Legend of Zelda:
The Power Within
Chapter One: A Past Nightmare
Majora's Lair
Link groaned as he staggered to his feet. Pain burned like fire throughout his body as he stared with hatred at the creature before him.
The entity known as Majora's Mask laughed mockingly at the young hero.
"HAHAHAH! GIVE IT UP BOY! YOU'RE NO MATCH FOR MY POWER!"
Link narrowed his eyes and stood in defiance, unwilling to give up. He did not know how long he had been fighting nor did he care. The only thing on his mind was stopping this monster before it destroyed Termina. He had defeated the creature's first form surprised at it's lack of power for an item that had caused so much trouble, until it had called forth the very masks that Link had used to unlock the chamber they fought in to attack him. Link was able to destroy the masks with his bow while dodging the attacks of Majora's Mask and once again turned his attention to the floating menace. He was surprised again when the mask sprouted arms and legs and began dashing around the room at blinding speeds. Link took several powerful blows from this new incarnation before he even had a chance to retaliate. He managed to recover in time to reveal the mask he sealed the Goron hero Darmani's spirit into and put it on. He felt the familiar pain of transforming that he had grown accustomed to and then prepared to even the odds. He rolled around the room drawing out the powerful spikes that only few gorons had achieved the ability to use and entered a nightmarish game of high-speed tag with both of the competitors taking painful hits. Link panted as he removed the mask as the new form of Majora's Mask fell. But the creature rose again with a cry and transformed once again into a muscular monster with a hideous face and long whips for arms. Link's eyes went wide as the monster lashed out with its whips. He managed to raise his shield in time to block the sting of the attack but the sheer force sent him flying. He rose just in time to counter another lash with his sword but he failed to block the other from striking him in the side. He hit the floor hard and slid several feet. He rose again and charged toward his assailant, ignoring the pain in his body. He dodged one whip and blocked the other with his sword. He leaped into the air and slashed at the monster's head but the creature leapt aside and lashed out again striking the young hero in mid-air and sending him crashing into the wall. He now stood facing the monster that was mocking him after enduring that last blow.
"YOU STILL DEFY ME! GGRRRAAAWWW!"
Majora's Wrath struck again drawing gashes in Link's arms and legs. Link staggered under the assault and dropped to one knee, jabbing his sword in the ground for support. Blood dripped from his wounds as stared at the floor panting heavily.
"YOU HAVE NO HOPE OF DEFEATING ME! MY POWER IS BEYOND YOUR COMPREHENSION!"
The monster's laugh echoed throughout the chamber causing Link's anger to rise.
"I..." he gasped. "will...not...let you...win."
He rose slowly to his feet with new determination.
"OH? AND HOW DO YOU PLAN ON STOPPING ME?"
Link did not answer. In truth, he did not know. He had fought with all is strength and skill and he couldn't even land a blow. None of his items would work and his masks were no match for Majora's Wrath either. But he would not give up...
Link stood his ground as Majora Wrath waited for an answer. He gritted his teeth as he wrestled for some idea. Then...he felt a growing presence in his mind. A feeling of some sort that urged him to reach into his item bag. He complied and his hand seemed to automatically grasp something. He withdrew a mask. A strange mask that he had acquired after giving up his other non-transformation masks just before his fight with Majora's Mask. He did not know why but he felt that he should put this mask on. But what good would it do? He had already tried the mask on just before the battle and it did nothing. He stared at it intensely. The mask was beautifully crafted. It had red markings under each cheek beneath the eyes, a blue mark that descended down its forehead between it's eyes and back up again, and it had silverish-white hair. It looked surprisingly like Link's older face from his time fighting with Ganondorf. Link stared at its hollow eyes before turning it over and raising it to his face. The mask fit perfectly over his face and as soon as it did he felt a sudden surge of new pain course through his body. But it wasn't the pain he felt from his other transformation masks, it was a surge of sheer power that raced throughout him so much that it hurt. Link staggered back and forth as he felt his body change. He grew taller, his muscles bulged, and his face changed to that of the mask. Silver-white hair, red marks under and around his eyes, blue mark across his forehead, and pale white eyes. His clothes changed as well for he no longer wore his green tunic and floppy hat. His green tunic had been replaced with a silver tunic with an armoured breastplate covering his chest. Dark blue tights covered his arms and legs and emphasised powerful new muscles. Dark silver gauntlets with red bands now adorned his forearms and hands but his fingers were bare. A silver version of his long floppy cap had replaced his green one. Link rose to his full height now over nine feet, his body refreshed and coursing with raw power. But Link was not fully conscious of his new form. He was still aware of his surroundings and he was amazed at what had just happened, but there was something else in his mind almost as if another consciousness had merged with his own. He looked down at his hands and flexed them feeling the force in his grip. He looked at his sword lying on the ground in front of him and reached down to pick it up. He stared at his reflection in the blade for a moment before raising it over his head. The Gilded Sword glowed brightly as it grew and changed form. Link brought the glowing blade back down as the light dimmed to reveal a twisted helix sword as long as he was tall. Link was only half-aware of doing this; the other presence he felt seemed to take over Link's motor skills. He looked to his side at the malevolent entity at the centre of the room and turned to face him, cold rage the only thing showing on his otherwise emotionless face. He had transformed into Oni Link, the Fierce Deity.
"WHAT IS THIS! HOW DID YOU...! IMPOSSIBLE!"
Majora's Wrath roared with fury as it lashed out with its whip arms. Oni Link raised his sword and deflected both attacks as if he were swatting two keese. He then responded by gripping the sword with both hands and raising it over his head and behind his back. Energy crackled from the blade as Oni Link delivered a mighty slash in front of him sending out a blast of pure power that caught Majora's Wrath full in the centre of his mask body and sent him flying. The creature screamed in pain as flew and struck the floor.
"HOW...DARE YOU! DIE!"
Majora's Wrath rose and lashed out again. Oni Link dodged the attacks and charged forward, holding his sword to the side. He slashed at his opponent's side but the monster leapt away then spun in circles rapidly swinging his deadly arms. Oni Link was knocked back by the attack but quickly regained his feet and charged again. The monster lashed out again while spinning with deadly force. Oni Link swung his sword and severed the tentacle before it could strike him.
"AAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHH!" Majora's Wrath roared in surprised pain.
He lashed out again only to have the warrior hack off his other whip-arm. Oni Link swung his sword horizontally and unleashed another blast of energy that struck the monster and sent waves of crackling power throughout its body. Majora's Wrath screamed in agony and gave Oni Link an open chance to stab his blade in between the eyes of the mask body. For a second everything was still.
"That mask..." Majora's Wrath groaned. "How did you...you couldn't...it's been dormant for centuries..."
Then a cracking sound was heard as spidery lines began forming from where the blade was embedded, bright light spilling out of each one. A powerful explosion ripped the mask and body of the final incarnation of Majora's Mask apart and blew Oni Link into the wall behind him. When Link's eyes opened he was back on the top of the clock tower, lying on his chest. He slowly pushed himself to his knees. His sword and shield were lying to the side, his Gilded Sword had returned too normal. On the ground directly in front of him was the mask that had just saved him and Termina. He picked it up with both hands and stared at it. He was amazed at how much power he had felt. It was unlike anything he had ever experienced before and he shuddered at how easily he had beaten Majora's Mask with it. A cracking sound snapped him out of his thoughts. He watched as the mask split apart into two pieces in his hands and then crumbled altogether. In the space of a few moments, two of the most powerful items he had ever seen had been destroyed.
Link awoke with a start and sat up in his bed. He panted heavily for a while before looking around slowly. He was still in his room. He was eighteen, not ten. He was in Hyrule, not Termina. It was only a dream, but to Link it was more of a nightmare. It had been a long time since he had fought in that terrible battle but he could recall it clearly just as he could recall his battle with Ganondorf. He remembered the ancient mask taking over his body, turning him into a destructive force and raining death on Majora's Mask. It was an experience burned into his memory. He sighed and got out of bed and walked to the window. It was early in the morning. The sun had not even shown itself yet though it's faint light could be seen in the distance. Link sighed again, turned, and walked to his dresser. He wouldn't be able to sleep now anyway. He dressed himself in his usual attire. White under tunic with tight sleeves, matching leggings, green tunic, green hat, and brown, fingerless gauntlets. He ran his finger through his golden blonde hair before flopping on his hat. He put his boots on and then walked over to a chair in the corner of his room where his sword, shield, and belt with item bag were set. He never felt right without having his gear on. He strapped on his equipment and then headed for the door. He stepped out into the hallway and made his way towards the castle gates. He had come to live in the castle upon invitation of the princess Zelda about five years ago. He waved at the castle guard who greeted him at the entrance of the castle.
"Morning, Link!" he said cheerfully. "Bit early isn't it?"
Link shrugged. "Couldn't sleep so I decided to go out for awhile."
"Alright. See ya later!" the guard opened the gate for him.
Link thanked him and left. He remembered in his other life walking up this road for the first time as a kid trying to reach the Princess of Destiny and the same guard not letting him through and then having to sneak inside a dodge the other guards that were on patrol. He grinned to himself now that he could walk freely about without any trouble. One of the many ironies of life. Link continued on towards the city below the castle as the sun's first morning rays peaked over the horizon behind him.
Author's Note: So whatcha think so far? Sound interesting? Please review and let me know. I promise to update quickly so in the meantime if you like Zelda fics and a couple of Soul Calibur ones with Link check out the stories in my favourites. And don't forget Erenriel's fics as well!
