Opia: Wewt! I'm on a roll today! 2 updates, count 'em... 2! I'm so happy, I got time (And attention span!) to type today! Yeah! Oh! So many reviews! (9 for a chapter, a new record!) :O I feel special!

Cari: You have a lot of energy today.

Opia: Yeah! I dunno why! Maybe it's the ramen I had for breakfast!

Cari: Hmmm...

Opia: Anyways! Ummm... Dangit... I forgot what I was going to say... -thinks for a few minutes- Oh, well... it doesn't matter... I have another thing to say! Because this fic is just a spur-of-the-moment kinda thing I am open to suggestions, I won't
necessarily use them... but again, I really don't know where this is going... soooo... I could use all the help I can get...

Cari: You're just lazy...

Opia: No I'm not!

Cari: You are too.

Opia: -whiny tone- Am not!

Cari: Are too.

.-etc, etc, etc.-

"Let me go!"

"For the last time princess that's not going to happen."

Ruto sat on a large boulder, her hands bound. At the mouth of the cave Dark Link stood, gazing out at the surrounding landscape. The Zora princess wriggled where she sat.

"Let me go!"

Dark Link's eyes glowed in anger as he vanished and reappeared next to her.

"You want to leave?" He untied the rope around her hands, "Then go!"

He pushed her in the direction of the exit. Ruto struggled to regain her balance, then ran over to the opening. She stopped short as the ledge in front of her suddenly cut off into a steep cliff. It was a long way down.

Dark Link laughed as she quickly backed away from the edge, "Oh, yes. I forgot to mention that slight detail."

Ruto glared, "Why are keeping me here?"

"Were you not listening at the castle? I can't let you perform the counter-spell."

"The one that'll change everything back to normal?" The princess walked over to the large boulder she had previously occupied and sat down. The slimy dampness of the stone sent a shiver up her spine. "I don't want to."

"Hm?" Dark Link turned to her.

"I don't want to perform it… I'll turn back into a Zora. I don't want to be a Zora again."

"Even after he told you that wasn't why he dumped you?"

Ruto's head shot up. "How do you know that?"

"I am his shadow." He said. "I know everything he's done, said, or felt." His wings shifted as he leaned against the dark rocks of the wall. "Your kidnapping should get him off his sorry rear… It'd be about time too."

"You're counting on him to rescue me?"

"Bingo princess."

"But… why?"

Dark Link was quiet for a moment, staring out the cave entrance to the mountainous horizon beyond. "Do you think you girls are the only ones who have been ignored this past year? My one purpose is to fight Link, how can I do that when he keeps running away from his stupid fears?"

Ruto watched the shadow curiously. It seemed as if he was listening to something, for his facial expression changed like someone who was reacting to what their companion was saying, but there was no sound in the cave aside from dripping water and the whistle of wind from outside. It would have been funny if she wasn't worried for her life. Suddenly he snarled.

"No! That impudent wench!" Dark Link leapt out of the cave, unfolded his wings, and soared away.

"Hey!" Ruto ran to the edge of the cliff, "You can't just leave me here!"

Apparently he could, for he disappeared behind a mountain.

"Great, just great…" She went back to her boulder. "I'm being held hostage by a shadow with a power trip that hears voices inside his head… This is turning out to be a fun day…."

..-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-..

Link groaned, his head pounded.

"Ugh… what happened?"

"You fainted, I told you you needed rest."

His eyes refused to focus as he opened them, but after blinking a few times his vision cleared. Zelda loomed over him, replacing a wet rag on his forehead.

"Fainted? But I felt fi—"

"The body can play tricks on us." She said.

"How… How long have I been out?"

"About two days."

"Two days!" Link shot up despite his protesting head, "Ruto!"

Zelda pushed him back down on the bed with surprising force. "You are not going anywhere." The tone in her voice was commanding.

"But—"

"No buts." She stood up and walked out the richly carved doors, "This is for your own good." The princess grinned dangerously, her voice low, as she closed the doors behind her, "You will never leave me again."

"What?" Link leapt out of bed and ran to the doors only to hear a sharp click from the other side. He pulled on the handles. "Locked!"

A sharp pain pierced his skull, but there was also something else, something that seemed to tug at his soul. He felt its cold fingers grasping at his heart and mind, trying to find a way in. Link collapsed onto the floor.

"Auuugh!" The boy screamed, clutching his head, "W-what's happening to me!"

Link.

Link.

Link.

His eyes widened.

Link.

Chosen Hero.

Hero of Time.

Voices, three of them!

Listen, you must fight it.

Do not let the curse consume you.

Like it did the rest of the land.

"Who are you?" Link yelled at the air around him. "What do you want?"

Do not be afraid.

We have come to help.

You know us by name.

Din.

Nayru.

Farore.

"The goddesses?"

Yes.

But that is of little importance.

Hyrule is in grave danger.

"Oh really? What makes you say that?" Sarcasm was heavy in his voice.

It is worse than you think.

This curse has swept far and wide.

It has even begun to affect you.

Once again Link felt the cold tug at his spirit, this time with greater force. He cried out.

Fight.

Fight.

Fight.

We will create a ward that will protect you from it.

But you must fight it.

Concentrate.

He obeyed, concentrating his full energy to push the menace away. The curse fought hard, spending Link's strength quickly. As the last of the boy's will was exhausted a warm calm fell over him and his attacker vanished.

It is done.

The curse cannot touch you now.

Relax and regain your strength.

Link was out of breath and sweating profusely. He stayed in his seat on the floor, he hadn't the energy to search for a more comfortable spot.

"W-what do you want from me?" He asked.

Get rid of the curse.

Save the world.

That is your job is it not?

Link managed to laugh, "Y-yeah… I… I guess it is. But how?"

Princess Zelda was correct.

You must find Ruto.

And perform the counter-spell.

But be warned.

The spell's consequences are abnormally strong.

Everything has been affected.

BE CAREFUL ABOUT WHOM YOU TRUST.

"I understand…" Link looked about at the room around him. "But how will I get out of here?"

As if to answer his question the sound of metal breaking and wood splintering came from the doors in front of him. They swung open to reveal a familiar figure.

"You!" Link growled.

Dark Link grinned evilly."There you are."

Cari: Had fun with Goddesses now did we?

Opia: Whaaaattt? Is there a problem with that?

Cari: Not really.

Opia: Good!

Cari: Please review!