Chapter 14: Showdown

" What's the matter, boy, a little cold?"

Durnal cuddled himself as he sat on the platform covered with snow that floated in the large lake, where Juba Juba used to live. Snow fell from the sky, and the wind blew forcefully. Durnal was practically shivering to death from the cold. His cheeks were cold to the touch and his hands felt frostbitten. He sneezed constantly and his breath was clearly shown. He was tired from not getting any sleep for the past two days and not to mention hungry. Takara had given him some frozen fish, but Durnal refused to eat it. From what he had learned from his parents he was allergic to fish, so wasn't in the mood to take any chances.

Takara freely hovered over him, not bothered by the cold at all. She watched over Durnal carefully, guarding him to make sure he didn't try to escape. Durnal wasn't stupid, and knew that Takara wouldn't play if he did try to flee. She knew that he wasn't going to try, but did have fun seeing him suffer. It didn't matter that he was kid, she treated all of the humans the same. To her, they were useless mortals.

Durnal brought his knees to his chest and vigorously rubbed his hands together to keep warm. He knew eventually Link would show up. This was where the final battle had occurred. This is where Takara supposedly destroys the Master Sword. The final match was drawing near and Durnal still couldn't remember what the missing information was. It had something to do with the mistake and Durnal tried hard to remember. His mind kept going blank, going to fact that his body might soon shut down.

" You don't seem too nervous."

" Why would I be?" He tried hard to keep his teeth from chattering.

" Because I am the fearless Takara!" Takara raised her arms in the air, a devilish grin appeared upon her face. " Everyone fears me."

" I knew about you before anyone else did!" Durnal shouted, proving to her that he wasn't afraid.

" Oh?" Takara raised an eyebrow, a little surprised by his statement. Yet she enjoyed finding out new things.

Takara hovered closer to him, causing Durnal to lean back almost falling into the ice-cold lake. She lowered herself to the platform he sat upon, her hands firmly behind her back. Her long jet-black hair swung out behind her…Durnal noticed how part of it covers her right eye—almost like she was hiding something.

" Why do you cover half of your face?" Durnal questioned, going off from what he had said before.

Takara slowly grinned, as her evil gaze never left Durnal. " Why do you ask? It makes me look more…mysterious…" She emphasized the last word, using a deeper devilish tone.

" Are you hiding something?" Durnal studied the strange band that went across her forehead.

Takara crossed her arms, putting all of her weight on one foot. " Why would you think that?"

Durnal shrugged.

Takara's arms fell to her side and she continued to grin. " I guess since you won't live past today, that I will show you what my hair is covering." She paused. " Don't worry…there's an eye there."

Durnal waited and watched anxiously as Takara slowly brought her right arm up to her face; about to pull back her hair to reveal what she had been hiding, if she was hiding anything. A thought came across Durnal's mind; what if she reveals something that might help him remember the missing piece of information?

Before she even had the chance to lift the clump of hair she gathered, Link entered the scene from inside Zora's Domain, and raced over to Takara, carrying the Master Sword in his hand. He ran up the snowy hill and stood at the top, looking down at Durnal and Takara.

" Enough! Takara!"

Takara removed her hand and turned to the Hero of Time. She smiled and levitated into the air, gliding over the platforms and water closer toward Link. Durnal sat with a frown on his face, upset that she didn't get to show him what she was hiding. Yet, he was excited that Link had finally shown up.

" I was wondering what time you would show up," Takara greeted.

" Not too late am I?" Link tightened his grip on his sword, knowing that it was here, where the legendary blade gets destroyed.

" Not for me, but the little boy might not be able to take the cold any longer."

Link turned his attention to Durnal, who sat shivering on the platform. His face slowly turning light blue, he sniffed and sneezed. " Durnal…"

Takara laughed. " You like how your little girlfriend and her family turned out? I was actually going easy on them."

Link fiercely looked back at Takara, remembered how badly Malon, Ingo and Talon turned up after Takara's little visit. " You will not hurt those close to me and get away with it."

" Oh, Link I would worry about myself in your case. I'm not going easy on you."

" Well I won't either!"

Link leaped into the air and brought his sword back hoping to make the first move on Takara. Takara floated to the side and watched as Link fell down to the lower platforms. She sneered before lifting her arm in the air, creating a purple ball of energy. Durnal held his head as soon as he felt lightheaded. The air around them became dry, as Takara's ball gained power.

Link's eyes widened as he jumped out of the way of Takara's attack. He jumped onto the nearest platform, getting prepared to dodge another one of Takara's fierce attacks. As Link continued to leap from platform to platform, he knew that he wouldn't be able to win if Takara was making all of the shots. He had to get a couple of hits in and the only way for him was to bring Takara down, and out of the air. While she hovered in the air, she had more movement and didn't have to worry about Link reaching her.

Link jumped onto the farthest platform and looked back up at Takara. She lifted her hand up in the air once more, using up her time to gather more energy. As Link studied the scene, his mind went to the final battle he had against Ganondorf. The only way he could bring Ganondorf down was to repel his attacks back at him. The situation with Takara wasn't too diverse. He was certain the Master Sword had enough power to repel her attacks, since the legendary blade was the only item to finish her.

Takara quickly fires her ball of energy down at Link. He waited until it was just within the reach of his sword, before swinging it out in front of him. Like he had planned, the purple energy reflected off the tip of the sword and soared back at Takara. Before Takara could react to anything, the ball collided with her, sending her back to the top of the snowy hill. Link quickly used this to his advantage and ran back toward Takara before she could recover.

He reached the top of the snowy hill and looked down at her necklace lifting his sword in the air. Takara's visible eye snapped open as she kicked the Master Sword out of his hands. Link watched as the Master Sword slid down the hill back toward the entrance from Zora's Domain. As his eyes continued to follow his weapon, Takara lifted herself back into the air and grabbed Link by the front of his tunic.

" Selfish, hero…" Takara hissed violently. " I can't lose."

She kneed Link in the stomach and threw him down to the ground like trash. Link moaned in pain, as Takara lowered herself to grab Link's leg. She began to twirl in circles, spinning Link around with great speed. Durnal watched as Link was tossed into the air, landing in the freezing water on his stomach. Durnal frowned, his eyes widened as Link disappeared underwater.

" Father…"

" Durnal…" Takara called softly, landing back onto the platform. " Now, where was I?"

Durnal turned his attention back to Takara, as she grabbed the clump of hair that covered her face. For a quick second, Takara lifted her hair out of her face, revealing to Durnal what she truly looked like. Her beauty mesmerized him, but he never blinked as his gaze continued at her face. He finally remembered…

" That's it…" Durnal whispered.

" Ta…kar…a…" Link pulled his head out from under the water, his face and hair soaked with freezing water. He shivered, his teeth chattered as he pulled himself onto the platform. He sat on his knees, vomiting the water that filled his throat.

" You're still alive!" Takara loudly groaned and levitated back into the air.

" Father!" Durnal shouted, standing to his feet. " I remember it! The missing information!"

Link looked at Durnal who excitedly jumped up and down, then struggled turning his attention back to Takara who had already formed another ball of energy. Link knew that if he gets hit, he would either be knocked unconscious or die. He was weak and cold, and was weaponless. His sword was on the other side of the lake, and to get to it he would have to pass Takara.

Durnal noticed that Link was too weak to move, and watched as Takara lowered her hand toward him. He gracefully jumped the platforms over toward Link, just as Takara fired the ball. Link held his hand out to stop Durnal, but it was too late.

Durnal stood right in the line of fire, and quickly held his hands out protecting Link from the ball of energy. Link covered his eyes, as the energy collided into Durnal, causing the powerful crystal necklace that Durnal wore, to reflect the ball back at Takara. Takara's painful screamed was heard loudly until her voice was muffled from hitting the freezing water. At the time, the bright light that formed had diminished.

" Durnal?"

Link lowered his hand and opened his eyes. He desperately looked around the area for other bodies. He was alone. Takara was now underwater….

Durnal was gone.

A/N:

I'm so sad! Another chapter is completed. Only two chapters left! I have everything planned, so I know. The story is almost over! I can't believe it! No! O well, I guess there's a good side because this story isn't going to be an unfinished one. See! I kept my word!

NoOnSh: I know you didn't review on this story but thanks for reviewing Underneath the Sunrise! I really appreciate it!

Xakattack: Hey, thanks for the review. I am too happy that they finally confessed. You knew it was going to happen sooner or later. Durnal really came in handy for Malon. Thanks for updating on your story, but you have to do it more often. Don't let it be an unfinished one!

Soiel: Thanks for the review; more chapters are coming your way. Sadly only two chapters left.

Mandy: I knew you would like it. I couldn't let Zelda die, even though I wished she did. A coma is kind of worse, but she has to live. The information is uncovered in this chapter, but you still don't know exactly what it is. Thanks!

The-Couch: I guess that's how you pronounce it, but I can't seem to find where I used it. I will agree with you, Malon and Link are so better than Zelda and Link. MalonLink fans forever!

Justin Time: Hey! Another new reviewer! I guess it is a little unlucky to start reading near the end of the story but like you said, you don't have to wait for tons of updates. You can read them anytime. Haha. I another MalonLink fan! Yea, I agree they are rare, but I've been seeing a lot of them appear on the site. I will continue to write more of them as well. Thanks for the review!

Liz0888: Thanks so much for your review! You really brightened my day and thanks for reading my other one-shot, Underneath the Sunrise. You truly are a dedicated reviewer! I love the MalonLink fluff as well, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I will continue to write more MalonLink stories, just for you! Look out for them! Thanks so much!

Harrypotterfan: Thanks for your review!

Until Next Time!