I wish I could animate the chapters. If I could, I would animate the title of this chapter so it'd be just like the story titles in the Animatrix (if anyone actually watched the Animatrix, you know what I'm talking about; all others, disregard this). Anyway, we're in the forest where Shadow is about to tell her story.

Don't own anything.

CHAPTER TWELVE: SHADOW'S STORY

Aryll sat on her stump, listening intensively while Raine and Link were listening behind a tree. Shadow started to tell the story of her life, her words echoing against the forest's trees.

"Like I said before, I was once like you," she said softly, "Had everything you had. I was created by my master, Lord Ganondorf, to serve him and only him. First, he created my arms, then my legs, then my body, my face, then everything else. When I came into being, and realized that I existed, he told me that he was my creator, my father and I existed only because he willed it. At first I didn't know what he was talking about, but when I looked around, I saw two people just like me. Their names were Yuan and Kratos. Then he told me that he created them too, so I knew what he was telling me held some truth. I swore my allegiance and promised never to steer away from him. The proof of this pact was a black-coloured gauntlet with a stone in the middle of it. He used that gauntlet to give me orders and such. From that moment on, I was trained to use weapons called Twin Blades because he wanted me to become an expert swordsperson. My skills were inadequate making Master Ganondorf quite annoyed. Finally, he decided to create someone to train me; someone with extensive knowledge of using the Twin Blades…"

Begin Flashback

Shadow Narrating: "Although at first, I didn't know why Master Ganondorf summoned me, Yuan and Kratos to the main chamber, I soon found out why…"

"Another person has entered our little family," said a very pleased Ganondorf.

"Please, Lord Ganondorf, elaborate for us," Yuan replied. "What has transpired here?"

"Now, now, settle down. All will be revealed. As you are all no doubt aware, Colette, here is…how should I put this delicately…unable to use her weapons efficiently..."

"You mean she totally sucks at using the Twin Blades, right, Lord Ganondorf?" Kratos asked.

Colette bowed before Ganondorf. "I'm sorry, Lord Ganondorf," she said. "I'm useless."

"No need for apologies, Colette," Ganondorf replied. "That is why I have created a person who will train you to be the best. Lloyd Irving, come out here, please."

A boy dress up in golden clothing, wielding the same weapons as Colette, appeared before everyone. His brown hair swayed in the drafts of the room and his eyes looked like they had thunder in them.

"Lloyd, this is Colette," Ganondorf started. "The one I was telling you about. You will train her, teaching her everything you know. Is that understood?"

"Yes, my master," was the reply.

Ganondorf turned to Colette. "Colette, this is Lloyd. He is your teacher and you are his student. You will address him as you would address me, is that understood?"

"Yes, Lord Ganondorf," was the reply.

"Lloyd, take care of Colette and Colette, take care of Lloyd. With the four of you, I'll rule this pathetic sea yet! You are dismissed!"

The angels took their leaves. Yuan and Kratos flew in separate directions while Colette and Lloyd flew together to a nearby island.

End Flashback

"From that moment on, Lord Irving and I were inseparable. He trained me constantly, teaching me techniques that I would have never learned on my own. We had constant battles, seeing how much I've improved in the coming weeks, months, and years. Due to our inseparability, we were given nicknames from Kratos. Lord Kratos said that we cared so much about each other; we would give our lives to protect one another. Sort of like a brother and sister, hence the nicknames we received…

Begin Flashback

Shadow Narrating: "We were on an island when I told Lord Irving the nicknames Lord Kratos came up for us…"

"Master Irving, what does 'fratello e sorella' means?" Colette asked.

Lloyd chucked. "That means brother and sister. Where did you hear that from?"

"Uh…Lord Kratos gave us that nickname…"

"Hmm…I guess you could say that we are kind of like brother and sister."

"Technically, we are, because we're created by the same master."

"I guess your right."

"Besides…I would give my life in order to protect yours…like any good sister would."

"And I would give my life in order to protect yours…like any good brother would."

"I guess you can say that we are more than brother and sister."

"I guess you're right…"

End Flashback

"Brother and sister?" Shadow scoffed. "That will be the day. Who ever knew that he would betray me? Me? Out of all the people! Why? How could he…I thought he……"

"Are you okay?" Aryll asked.

"I'm sorry," Shadow replied. "I didn't mean to get…emotional…"

"You were emotional? And what do you mean he betrayed you?"

"……this is the part when I tell you why I am like this…looking like a shadow…"

Begin Flashback

Shadow Narrating: "I will never forget that day…the day I was sealed away…by my own teacher…my own mentor…my own…friend…"

Colette was looking over the ocean on one of the many balconies of the fortress. Just then, Lloyd approached her.

"Colette, can you come with me, please?" He asked.

"Yes, Master Irving," Colette replied. The two flew over to an island with dark clouds and no life.

"What is this place, Master Irving?" Colette asked.

"………"

"Hmm…"

The two angels entered the nearby cave. Inside was a room with ancient writings and a glass chamber.

Colette gasped. "You…you wouldn't…"

"Colette, I…I'm sorry, but this had to be…"

"No! I won't let you!"
The two fought but Lloyd eventually won. He threw Colette into the glass chamber. Colette's muffled screamed came out of it.

"Why…why would you do this!" She yelled.

"It was meant to be…goodbye…my dear Colette…"

The glass chamber was lowered, and Lloyd puts the gauntlet on a pedestal and leaves.

End Flashback

Aryll was in disbelief. "You mean…he…"

"That's right!" Shadow shouted. "He sealed me away in that accursed chamber! In order to prevent my powers from diminishing, I had to transform myself into this…this…thing! Damn you Lord Irving! Damn you straight to hell!"

Shadow burst into tears (although no one could see her face). Shadow stopped crying, got up and looked at Aryll. "I need you to do something for me. Hang on to your brother. Don't make the same mistake I made."

"And what mistake would that be?" Aryll asked.

"I let go of him…afraid he would…push me away. I was right…he probably sensed weakness in me…and thought of me as…useless. Please, Aryll…don't get your brother to think that way as well…it is bound to happen…"

Shadow left (not seeing Raine and Link) and started back to the island. Raine and Link emerged from the darkness.

"Aryll…" Link said. "I'm sorry about earlier…"

"Forget it, big brother," Aryll replied. "I'm just glad you're here."

"Shadow…" Raine whispered. "So much sadness in her heart…"

"Raine, I think its best we didn't tell anyone what happened here," Link said.

"I agree, it might worry everyone," Raine replied.

"You'll have to confront her about this someday," Aryll said.

"I know, but not now. The time is not right yet."

"When will you confront her?"

"Soon, Aryll…very soon…"

The two started down the forest path, towards the bondfire and their friends.

Whew! What an emotional chapter. What will happen next? Please R&R.