When Zelda awoke that morning, she was confused to not find her usual bedroom. It took her a moment to fully wake to remember where she was and why.

'That's right, Vaati asked me to stay over," she thought to herself, and sat up. She turned to look at him to see if he was still sleeping, only to find it empty besides herself. She threw the covers off of her and adjusted her appearance to something a little neater before leaving to find Vaati. She looked throughout the house, but she did not find him in there. She was about to try once more, but she suddenly heard clashing outside. If she listened closely, she thought she could hear metal on wood. Well, that wasn't exactly normal. Zelda went through the front door, and made her way around the house. When she entered the backyard, she was surprised to see Vaati training. And he was really into it, for he did not even notice her appearance. Or at least that is what she thought.

"I see you are finally awake," Vaati called out as he swung his sword at multiple targets. She approached him, but she was far enough where she wouldn't get in the way.

"How long have you been out here?" she asked. Judging by his appearance, which was very out of order with his hair sticking up and him sweating buckets, he was out here for a while.

"I came out here a little after sunrise. Judging by the sun's position now, It is near 10," Vaati responded, and after his last swing, he willed his sword away and turned towards her.

"Any reason why you are training?" she asked, genuinely curious. He hadn't trained since Ghirahim taught him, as far as she knew. And there wasn't any threat to Hyrule now, once again, as far as she knew. He sat down on the stone railing that bordered the little porch he had, and ran his fingers through his hair, brushing it out of his face.

"There is something I have to tell you," he said, his tone suddenly becoming dark. She became concerned at his sudden change of mood, and moved so she sat besides him.

"I am sure you remember the demon I fought after Ghirahim's death. Demise." Vaati looked down and put his hands in his lap.

"Yes, what about him?" she asked. Her own tone turned a little dark, realizing where this could be going.

"He isn't gone. In fact, he has made a return," he said, and Zelda's heart skipped a beat.

"How do you know this?" she asked. She didn't think he sensed it, after all, she didn't and Zelda was as skilled in sensory as he was. Zelda had not felt anything different lately.

"I spoke to Hylia last night while I slept," he said casually.

"Excuse me? Hylia, the goddess that is no more?" she asked, thinking she had heard wrong. Of course he couldn't mean Hylia, the goddess that gave up her divine form for a mortal body. She was long gone! How could he speak to her?

"Yes. Judging by your reaction, you did not know of this. I thought you would have witnessed it perhaps, since she is speaking through your conscious. I guess not," Vaati explained, and sighed deeply.

"Oh, I see. So, Hylia told you?" she asked, try to clarify the situation.

"Yes. That must have been what I was feeling before, when I felt that something was wrong. Hylia told me that he has Ghirahim as well. That explains why I haven't been meeting him," he said. Zelda was wondering why he was being so calm about this, if she were to be honest. Had she known this, and was in his position where her most loved one was in terrible danger, she would be all over the place. How was he so calm?

"You are quite calm about this," she pointed out. He chuckled, which confused her more.

"Of course I am. Demise doesn't know what's coming. He doesn't know that I am going to utterly slaughter him for taking Ghirahim from me twice now," he explained with a disturbing smirk. Zelda could understand his reasoning, but it doesn't make his smile any less creepy. However, she pushed that aside when he spoke up again.

"Zelda, I have a favor to ask you."

"What is it?" she responded. Her eyes followed Vaati as he got off of the railing and stood in front of her.

"Demise has many demons behind him, that much is obvious. However, I cannot spend my time and energy on them," he said, and he looked at her with an expression full of pleading. She was surprised to see something like that on his face, and she knew what he was going to ask.

"I understand, Vaati. I will do all that I can to keep them out of the way for you. You are right. Demise has to pay for what he has done, and the only one that can bring punishment to him is you. It is your right, after all," she said, and she could say she has never seen him look more grateful. He drew her in for a hug, and she smiled and gladly returned it.

"Thank you. You truly are a great friend," he said. Her smile widened, never having heard him call her a friend before.

"It is what friends do," she said, and he smiled back at her as he pulled away.

"Are you going to ask Link as well?" she asked.

"Yes, I am. I was going to after I finished training. I believe I shall go now. Care to join?" he asked.

"I would say yes, but I have to go back to the castle. That, and I should brush up on my magic and fighting skills. For obvious reasons," she replied.

"Then I shall see you later." Zelda stood up, and they went their own ways. Zelda made her way to the castle, and brushed up while Vaati looked around to find Link. He walked around Castle Town, but not through it. Yes, he was no longer depressed, but he still couldn't bear to see that accursed area. He asked shop owners on the border of the market area if they had seen Link lately. Most of them said that they hadn't, but one, an owner of a pastry shop that just smelled too good for its own good, said they had seen him go outside of town. He nodded his thanks, and it took a whole lot to not walk in there and buy everything in there. This was not the time to be snacking on sweets, however he made a mental note to make sure that place did not get harmed in the battle.

He exited Castle Town, and he looked for the green clad hero. It didn't take him that long, he found Link casually sleeping on a small hill that was in the shade. Really, he was too lazy for his own good. One of these days, Vaati made a mental note, he had to pull a trick on him. Vaati laughed to himself, and made his way to Link. He stood above him, and lightly kicked his side to wake him up.

"Get up, you idiot," he said when he saw Link start to stir. He nudged him a few more times until Link started to swat at him.

"I'm up, I'm up, stop kicking me," he said, and sat up.

"What do you want?" he asked as he stood up. Vaati could tell he was still waking up, but honestly, when wasn't he? A good half of the time Vaati found him Link was sleeping.

"Do you remember when I let you stay at my place because you had nowhere else? How you said you owed me a favor?" Vaati asked. Link nodded his head, understanding that Vaati was going to ask him of something.

"What about it?" he asked.

"I need you to fight for me," Vaati said.

"What?" Link asked, confused, and with good reason.

"Demise has returned. I need you to fight his army while I fight him," Vaati said, and like Zelda, he had so many wonders about how Vaati was so calm about this. He had nearly destroyed the city last time! They barely survived last time!

"I mean, sure, of course, but...How is he back?" Link asked, deciding to not question Vaati's calmness.

"I guess he wasn't vanquished like we thought. However, this time, I am going to make damn sure he is put to an end," Vaati replied. Link nodded in understanding.

"Alright. Do we know when he is going to attack," Link asked. Vaati opened his mouth to speak when a loud and very sudden loud crash broke through. The both of them jumped, obviously not expecting the loud noise. However, the two of them knew almost immediately what it was.

"I'm going to go ahead and say now," Vaati said, and he ran back to Castle Town, not wanting to waste any magic my teleporting there. Yes, it could potentially be at the cost of a little destruction, but that was better than Vaati losing to the demon king. He heard Link follow behind him, and he summoned his sword as Link drew the one he always carried with him just in case. Well, he can say with a hundred percent certainty he was glad as hell he did now. When they reentered the town, they both saw demons scattered everywhere, causing all sorts of destruction. Vaati's eye caught one corning a civilian woman, and he ran to cut it down before it could harm her. She nodded her thanks and ran off to safety. As Vaati ran past the demons, he did not see anyone else. He hoped they got to safety before they could be harmed. Vaati ignored all the demons he ran past, dodging any attacks aimed at him as he made his way to where he could sense Demise was.

When Vaati pinpointed his location, he couldn't help but slow down for a moment. Of course, the damned king had to choose that one spot Vaati loathed going to; where he had killed Ghirahim. Vaati growled to himself, and re quickened his pace. Of course he didn't want to go there, but he had no choice. He wasn't about to let his own fears stop him from battling Demise and protecting Ghirahim. He would be damned to hell if he allowed himself to do something so atrocious. When he entered the heart of the town, he could practically feel Demise's smirk even though his back was to him. Vaati watched him as he turned around, and he snarled when he saw his face.

"So you have come to fight me, have you?" Demise asked, though Vaati knew it was rhetorical. Vaati tightened his grip on his sword 'til his knuckles turned white.

"More like I came here to put an end to you," Vaati spat out. Demise laughed, and Vaati frowned deeply.

"I seriously doubt a weakling like you could defeat me. It was a stroke of luck that you were able to defeat me last time, and I wasn't even at my full power then," Demise said. He saw as the large man readied his own sword, and without warning, he lunged at Vaati. However, Vaati was smart enough to know he would make a surprise attack like that, and he parried the attack, holding his sword at an angle as he pushed against Demise's blade. But Demise was much stronger than him physically, and he pushed him back. Vaati stumbled for only a moment before quickly regaining himself, jumping back as Demise swung his giant sword at him. Vaati just barely missed the blow, his shirt getting torn by the sharp edges. He ran at the king and pulled his sword back. But right before he swung, much to Demise's surprise, Vaati rolled around him, and struck his back. Demise grunted in pain as the sword dug into him, surprised the smaller man was able to land a hit on him.

"You little brat!" He exclaimed, and swung his sword in anger at him. However, that was Vaati's plan, and he lept out of the way and struck his arm. Demise tried once again to attack him, and this time, he moved faster than Vaati anticipated. His sword dug into Vaati's side, and he yelled out in pain for a moment. He jumped back as Demise once again swung, and this swing cut shallowly into his shoulder. Vaati kneeled down and gripped his side for a moment before standing.

"How pathetic. To be staggered by such an attack is laughable," Demise taunted, and Vaati growled. Vaati understood though that he was baiting him. He knew that Demise wanted him to get angry, to start losing control as he tried to get back at him. Hell, that is what he planned on doing to Demise. But of course, he was going to be more clever about it than Demise.

"Do not think that this will hinder me," Vaati yelled out to him, and he ran forward and thrust his sword. Demise expected so, and he countered the blade with his own. He snickered, finding it pathetic that someone would dare think that would work on him. Vaati, though, had a trick up his sleeve. Discreetly while he was approaching, he summoned another sword in his left hand, and when Demise countered his right, he swung with his left. Demise was caught off guard at the addition of another sword, and he yelled out when the sword slashed through the glowing wound that was on his chest, a wound given to him long ago, and one that he cursed was so vulnerable to attack. He jumped back, and glared at the smaller man.

"It seems I have underestimated you slightly. However, this is but a scratch," he said, and Vaati snickered.

"However, I believe I have something you would like to see. Now is as good of a time as any," he said, and Vaati looked at him confused, however he did not let his guard down. Demise chuckled evilly as a warm orange red light appeared in between the two. Vaati watched it as it began to take shape, and his eyes widened when he saw what it really was.

"Surprised to see him alive? To tell you the truth so was I. I almost thought I was mistaken when I felt his magical signature, however, I am never wrong," Demise said, and the light burst away to reveal Ghirahim. Vaati grew angry when he saw the many wounds covering his figure, and almost ran out to catch him when he fell to the floor, to weak currently to even hold himself up.

"He really is a stubborn one. Day and night we interrogated him, however he wouldn't speak back to us. His mistake, really, but I was content to beat him within an inch of his life, Demise said, grabbing hold of his white hair, forcing him up.

"As if...I would ever...tell you anything," Ghirahim spat out, and Demise snarled at him, not at all amused by him. Demise struck him, and Ghirahim grunted.

"Foolish idiot. Trying to defy me when you are this powerless and weak!? How dare you!" Demise yelled out, and he raised his sword. Vaati, without thinking, ran towards him and slashed his sword, bringing his attention back to his current battle. He dropped Ghirahim, and deflected the attack. Vaati moved out of the way, and stood in front of Ghirahim.

"You shall harm him no more!" he exclaimed, and shifted to a guarding position with both of his swords. He looked back momentarily at Ghirahim, and his eyes caught the others.

"Rest up, Ghirahim. Now, it is my turn to protect you," Vaati says. Ghirahim smiles weakly at him as his thoughts go to the last time they fought Demise. This scene, it was almost exactly the same. He laid on the ground and watched as Vaati and Demise resumed their fighting. He would have done anything to take Vaati's place, take him out of immediate danger and fight himself, but he was powerless to do anything right now. He watched as Vaati struggled to fight against the demon king, but he could also see Demise was struggling as well. It seems Demise did not expect this much power out of Vaati, Ghirahim thought.

For every time Demise struck Vaati, Vaati did the same to Demise. They both were wearing themselves out quickly, it seems. Ghirahim honestly didn't know who would run out of energy first, however he was hoping with his entire being it would be his former master, Demise. And it seemed the goddesses decided to give him a miracle. When Vaati made an unexpected blow to Demise, it staggered him, and it was more than enough for Vaati as he drove his sword deep into his glowing white wound. Time seemed to freeze in that moment. Demise's eyes widened, and Vaati pulled the sword out harshly, knocking the king to his knees as his hand went to his chest.

"It seems you are not as strong against me as you thought, Demise," Vaati growled out, though satisfaction could be heard in his voice at the sight of Demise's state. His breathing grew heavy, and he put his weight on his sword to keep him from falling over. They stood in silence, Vaati watching Demise struggling to cling to life. However, it surprised Vaati to see Demise raise his head slightly, and smirked widely at him. Not a moment later, he heard the sound of a sword piercing flesh, and it took him not a second to realize what happened. He turned his head quickly, only to see a demon hovering above Ghirahim, its sword sticking out of his chest. Ghirahim's eyes widened at the sudden pain, and he spat blood out. Vaati lunged at the demon, killing it in an instant as it was not expecting him to move that quickly. He kneeled down at Ghirahim's side, and carefully lifted his upper half into his arms. He could hear Demise laugh behind him.

"I did not expect it would come to this. I did not think I would have to pull that trick, but if I am going to die, I am going to make sure he comes with me," Demise explained, though Vaati did not listen to well. He carefully set Ghirahim down, and stood up. Faster than Demise ever saw, Vaati was gone from sight. Only a second later, he felt a sword pierced through him, again and again. He yelled out in pain, to weak from the earlier stab to stop him, and he was growing weaker with each attack. He barely lifted his head, and he saw Vaati, looking more demonic than ever before. And Demise felt fear for the first time in his long life strike him, realizing this really was the end for him. Vaati's eyes glowed red with hatred as his sword repeatedly cut his flesh, wounding him again and again. With his finishing blow, Vaati drove his sword straight through Demise's head, ending his life in an instant. He watched as Demise turned into nothing, disappearing for good.

His sword clattered to the ground as did Vaati. He could hear Zelda and Link as they finished off the last demon, and come to see how he was doing. When they arrived, Zelda gasped at the sight, as did Link, but Vaati cared not for them right now. He gripped his head tightly as tears fell from his closed eyes, hoping to the goddesses above that this was some sort of hellish nightmare. But it wasn't, and he knew that. He didn't want to believe it.

"Vaati…" he could hear Zelda say quietly. He did nothing to hide his sobs, not caring that he was showing such weakness in front of the two of them.

"I couldn't do it...I couldn't save him…" Vaati whispered out. He curled into himself more as sobs continued to rack him form. Zelda rushed to his side, and knelt down next to him, doing her best in their position to hug him. She didn't need to say anything, there was nothing that could be said. He suddenly hugged her back tightly, crying into her shoulder. She allowed him to do so as she gently ran her fingers through his hair, doing anything and everything to bring him any sort of comfort. However, it was all in vein. Nothing could comfort him. And to be honest, she wasn't sure he would be able to handle this. He had just witnessed Ghirahim die a second time, and he could do nothing to help.