A/N: Sorry it took so long! I've said that way too many times... For the record, I have this story finished up to Chapter Twenty, and clips all the way up to the literal end (yes there's an end, and you all will hate me for it) and past that, even. So, this story should fall together soon, and the side story should start up very soon. Wish me luck, then read on!

Chapter Seventeen – Dark Link

Link backed away, all but dropping his sword. "Y-you're, you're me?"

"Don't insult me, I'm not you. I just look like you. Dark Link's the name."

"Dark Link? You're not me, yet half your name is mine. That seems strange, even for a Dark anyone," Link replied.

"Shush. My name is mine and mine alone. I've been me for almost eighteen years now and you've not."

"Well, I've been me for almost eighteen years. Does that count?"

"Shut up and defend yourself!" Dark Link shouted and struck at Link, who brought his sword up to block.

"You know, even a strategic hack-and-slash technique is no good. Every move you've made, I know. The only way you'll hurt me is using moves I don't know, which means you wouldn't know them either." Link took his sword in a swinging motion around to slam into Dark Link, but, due to the swirl, the sword shot toward his head. Dark Link pulled his sword up and blocked the sword, but Link saw that Dark Link was, for a second, unsure of himself as the swords reverberated along their handles.

"What, not as strong as you used to be?"

Dark Link merely grunted as he brought his sword to bear. "Are you gonna fight, or are you gonna talk?"

Link put his shield back in his pack and two-handed his sword. "I see no problem, doing both. However, if you're not strong enough to do both, I guess we can just fight."

The two went at it, sparks from the swords flying everywhere. Link was a little slower than Dark Link, giving Dark Link an obvious advantage, but it was also obvious that Link's blows were weakening Dark Link. After a minute of this, Dark Link looked up at the castle and pulled back.

"Uh-oh."

"What now?"

"Guards." Dark Link started to run, but Link stopped him.

"Oh no you don't!" Link countered, knocking Dark Link onto the ground.

"Link: What's going on?" Zelda shouted as she and four guards approached.

"There's a crazy guy trying to kill me!" Dark Link replied, standing up.

"What? She was talking to me:" Link responded.

"There's two of you?" Zelda asked.

"No, there's only one of me, he's an imposter:" Dark Link said.

"Knock it off, you fake!"

"So, I assume we can't do this the easy way. Fine." Zelda looked at them both. "Well, any ideas?"

"Princess, look at me. Don't you recognize me?" Dark Link asked.

"You both look identical, so here's what were gonna do. You each get a chance to plead your case."

Dark Link looked to her. "Zelda, I'm the real Link. The phony over there just wants to kill me and take my place so he can kill you too! Don't you remember what I look like? Of all people, I thought I could count on you to remember me…"

Link glared at him.

Zelda turned to Link, trying to stay calm and objective. "And your proof?"

Link sat down, thought for a moment, and then started laughing.

"This is no laughing matter," Zelda said.

"Agreed. Instead of arguing, may I ask a question instead?"

"Make it quick."

"Here goes. How many tree branches does it take to destroy a porch?"

Zelda smiled. "Only one," she said as she walked to Link. "Is that all you have to say?"

"Well, I would ask how many kids it takes to knock down a branch, but it's probably redundant by now."

Zelda laughed as she wrapped her arms around Link, embracing him tightly. "I'm sorry I doubted you…"

"You did what needed to be done."

Guards, seize the imposter!" Zelda demanded, pointing to Dark Link. The four guards surrounded him, yet he merely laughed.

"A shadow cannot be caught," he said as he sunk into the ground, his clothes fading to black before vanishing.

"I want a twenty-four hour alert for the Link copy. Split shifts and double up. Keep well-rested, our greatest enemy is drowsiness," Zelda commanded, looking to each guard. "Link, come with me."

"Okie-dokies." Link followed Zelda into the giant castle.


A/N: I'm not the best swordplay writer, or any fight scene, but I try. Hopefully, I got it somewhat close to real. So now I shall post this one and maybe work on fixing Chapter Eighteen, Banishment!