Lies in Light, Truth in Darkness

Thank you for following my story. I will now try to take my fanfic a bit more serious than I had in the previous two chapters.

Now Enjoy.

It was almost night. This was indicated by the fierce red that bled into the land by the setting sun. The entire Lost Woods was drenched in the sun's dying light. It was only a matter of time before it sunk into the grave beyond the horizon, and rise like a phoenix from the ashes when morning began anew the next day.

Sheik sat on a tree next to the Forest Temple, his beloved treasure the golden harp of the Goddess Hylia in-hand. His delicate fingers strummed the golden strings, each note resonating beautifully. It echoed across the woods, bouncing off each tree until the sound withered away, to be replaced by a new, younger sound. He continued the melody with a purpose in mind.

Saria's Song wasn't here to guide Link, so his Minuet of Forest would have to suffice.

He quite enjoyed just sitting, hidden beneath the canopy of nature, shielded from the outside world. Just him and his harp of the goddess. Doing as he pleased…

But he had no time for such trivial things, such as self-contentment. He was a messenger of the Sages, just as Kaepora Gaebora was when Link was a child. But the wise owl had to assume his old identity of Rauru the Light Sage, and the job had been passed down to him. He really couldn't complain; he had asked for it - he wanted to be useful in this horrid dimension of Ganon's rule.

He could not stand the thought of just standing by and letting the Hero do all the work. Hyrule belonged to every race, not just the Hero. Link should not be the only one to fight for it - everyone should be rising up to usurp the Evil King!

Sheik found it very unlikely that one man could take over Hyrule Castle in what equated to three days after chasing after the princess. No. Just no.

How awful had the guards had to be at their jobs to let this happen?

How stupid was the King to not take a hint of what this man could be after?

How could an entire country just put their trust and faith into an eleven year old boy, take away his childhood, then place him into a world of ruin? It was like a messed up 'what if' scenario taken out of an elementary school classroom.

What if we put the Hero of Time seven years later in the future and let him do everything!

Oh, but the Sages! We cannot forget them! They play an important part in all this! Link has to awaken them!

"Hmph!" Sheik grunted. "As if they were asleep to begin with…"

What good were they? To slay Ganon? No. Link would slay him. The Sages would not lend him any power, as they have no power to give. The Great Fairies would lend more power than they would. A Sage was only as good a priest. Being called a 'sage' felt too good for them. All they did was pray, borrowing their strengths from the Deities up above. All they did was live in a temple, as if they were gods themselves, waiting to be waded on hand and foot. When this quest was over, they would be symbols, but the true hero would vanish from celebrity view.

Sheik shook his head. He had gone bitter again. He could not help himself. All his negativity from his personal thoughts did not truly stem from the sages, but himself. He closed his eyes, concentrating on his tune. His Minuet of Forest…

Crnch! Crnch! Crnch!

The sound of heavy boots against proud grass was coming his way. He could already tell who it was. The ninja of shadows relaxed, red eyes shut. He continued his tune, as if doing it in his sleep.

"You could have warned me!"

The complete and utter loudness had thrown Sheik off. He did not expect the Hero to yell at him! The surprise almost made him fall out of the tree. Luckily he caught himself in time.

The blond continued his rant. "That pervert asked me things no one should ever be asked by a dead guy!"

Sheik shrinked back. "Oh, uh-"

"Luckily I was able to run past him, but he would not stop chasing me! Saying creepy things like 'you're too cute, I should keep you in my grave forever and play with you every night' and other things that would make your stomach turn!"

"I apologize, I did not-"

"Didn't know he was a pedophile!?"

Sheik sighed. "Okay. Okay. You win, Link. Point taken. I understand. I was not aware of… 'that'... and I sincerely apologize for unknowingly putting you through that horrid experience. If I had known better, I would have tried to find another way." He happily noted the Kokiri-raised Hylian had seemed to calm down, if only just a bit.

Link crossed his arms. "Yeah well… okay." He gradually accepted. "What were you going to give me?" He asked, childish wonder returning to him.

Sheik smiled underneath his cowl. "Yes, I do have something for you." He jumped down from the tree he stood on.

Link took a step back, seeing him come far to close as he did in the ruins of Castle Town. Sheik was very close. Close enough to see the exact shade of red his eyes were - ruby red, with little bits of orange that glittered from the sun reflecting in it.

Sheik bowed his head. "I lend to you; my strength. I hope to be of assistance to the great Hero of Time."

Link's eyes widened. A familiar feeling grew in his cheeks."W-wait a minute! I said not to do that!"

Sheik lifted himself up. "You are far too modest for your own good, Hero."

"Sheik, please. Call me by my name. I don't need a fancy title." He said, in almost a proud whine.

Sheik's eyes lit up in amusement. "As I said - far too modest. But perhaps that is a good thing." He bent his knees, then did a massive back flip into the air, sticking the landing on the branch he was on before. "Shall we, Link? The dungeon awaits us…" He jumped off the branch and into the temple.

"Hey! Wait for me!" Link cried, pulling out his hookshot and aiming for the branch Sheik had been on. Hastily following after the quick, red-eyed warrior, Link paced himself at his side. "If we're going to be partners, then I think it would just be wonderful if you didn't-"

Before he could finish, Sheik had dashed forward towards two famished Forest Temple wolfos; jaws wide open, salivating and starving for fresh, bloody, delicious meat to wet their chops and drown out the grumbling in their hungry stomachs.

"... leave me behind." He ended sedately. He begrudgingly got over the fact and brandished his sword, taking on the second wolfos. "This is going to be a very, very long dungeon..." He muttered to himself, shielding from the large claws of the beast in front of him.

Wolfos were never easy to predict at times, but after a stretch of long minutes, the beast lowered its guard and pounced, piercing its large paw on the holy blade. It howled in pain, yanking its wounded paw off the sacred weapon. It ran off, back into the undergrowth, followed by its mate, which was covered in needles.

"Let's go." Sheik strolled over the bloody grass nonchalantly.

Link groaned. "Sheik! Wait up!" He rapidly followed.

"The door is locked."

Link skidded to a halt, stumbling over his feet. "Could you please stop!"

The sheikah warrior eyed him innocently, even going as far as to tilt his head to the side cutely. "Stop what? I apologize Hero, but what have I done wrong?"

Link inwardly groan. How could he say anything to that face? "J-just slow down... please?" He said in a soft tone.

Sheik nodded. "Very well." He concurred respectfully. "I will do as you ask."

Link nodded his head, accepting the answer. "O-okay!" He answered nervously. "Great!" He turned around. "Key should be around here somewhere!" He said, trying to change the subject.

Sheik followed behind him unhesitatingly, then he looked up. "Perhaps in the balconies of mother nature, we will find the answer."

Link looked over his shoulder in confusion. "What?"

Sheik was gone.

"Sheik!" He cried out. "Where are you!?"

"Found it!"

Link looked up to see the sheikah land right in front of him, mere inches from his presence. "What did I say about-"

"Here is the key, Hero." He handed the silver object to him. "I found it up above, in the trees. I hope I saved you some trouble."

Link looked away. "Thank you Sheik." He walked past him, aiming for the locked door. The blond, red-eyed, shadow-ninja had the sweetest eyes. He just could not say anything when he looked at him like that!

The lock fell to the dusty ground, heavy and useless. The pair walked into the quiet corridor, expecting anything to happen. It was dead silent - the calm before the storm...

Sheik glared at the door at the other end of the hall. "I sense something... unsettling beyond those doors."

Link gazed at him curiously. Indeed, the Sheikah's ruby eyes were contorted in a glare. It was as if he could see something that the Kokiri absolutely could not. "How do you know?" He asked, wanting to satisfy his curiosity.

"My eyes see all..." He said cryptically, then walked slowly ahead. But not before flicking his wrist full of daggers and threw them above his head.

A giant skultulla landed in front of Link, frightening him. The spider writhed in pain from having knives embedding themselves in his eight eyes. Link quickly finished it off with a slice, almost pitying the poor creature.

Sheik was already at the door, his eyes almost seeing through it. For all Link knew, he could! "We must watch our step at this point."

Link rolled his eyes. "I started watching my step after you charged after the wolfos." He grabbed the door knob. "Sheik, please don't just randomly disappear. Tell me, before you run off." He said, opening the door and walking in.

The room was large and spacious, with four pillars in the room with different colored flames in them. There were no windows, so the room was cast in darkness, with only the torches littered around the room to give any light.

Link noted that Sheik seemed to bristle with unseen anger. It confused him. What could possibly be making him act so... feral?

As if on cue, four ghosts appeared. Each one a different color; blue, green, red, purple. Their lanterns sealed away the flame they matched colors with and flew in different directions, cackling madly.

"Concubines." He said simply.

Link turned his head at Sheik, but not his eyes as he still watched the now-empty pillars. "Concubines?" His eyes finally followed his head.

"Yes. Those four were whores for someone who lived in this temple. No doubt to the last Sage who lived here. Most probably male. They died here, their spirits trapped in this temple. But the rise of Ganondorf and his dark influence has made them restless for mischief. Though I do wonder if they have made themselves serviceable to the monster of this dungeon."

"I... see." Link said slowly. Ghost prostitutes. That was a new one on him.

"If we wish to continue, we must put these souls to rest." He answered, walking down the steps slowly and gracefully, his hips seeming to dip and sway with each movement. Like a deadly feline. A deadly feline with rose-colored eyes.

Link followed after him, his steps not as fluid and smooth. His were far clunkier and quicker.

"So how shall we do this, Hero?"

Link looked at him. "What do you mean?" He asked.

"Shall we stay together, or split up and track the ghosts individually?" Sheik clarified.

"Oh!" Link hadn't thought of that. Then again, he never had a partner before Navi. "I think that would be great idea. We can cover more ground. If anything happens, yell."

Sheik nodded. "Sounds plausible to me, Hero. But may I ask, where is your fairy?" It surprised Sheik that he hadn't noticed the fairy's absence. It seemed she liked to hide in his clothing, but it has been far too long that he had not heard a single comment from her.

Link scratched his head. "Oh, yeah. Navi is back at Lon Lon Ranch, hatching an egg."

Sheik was now very confused. "An egg?"

"Yup. Long story. Tell you later."

Sheik quietly accepted the answer. "I shall head this way."

"Alright. I'll go see what is over here."

They parted ways for the time being.

It had been about half-an-hour that they went separate ways. Link was getting frustrated with Sheik's behavior. It just annoyed him how the ninja would just sneak up on him without warning! No telltale sign of footsteps, no walking at his side - he always walked near him in his blind spots, and never alerted his presence until he was close enough to stab him if he so wished. It unnerved the Kokiri endlessly!

"Sheik!" He shouted "Don't sneak up on me! I thought you were a stalfos!"

"My apologizes, Hero." He said. "I found the key."

Also, why was Sheik such a key magnet? This was the third one he found all on his lonesome. Link could swear, if anyone lost their keys, Sheik would find them, before anyone realized they were lost or even needed at all.

"Thank you, Sheik." He said simply taking the object out of his partners custody and opening the door. In it was a stair case, where one of the Poe Sisters taunted them from inside the world of paintings.

The red flame ghost introduced herself as the great Joelle, and taunted them. That is, until Sheik's patience with her grew thin and threw a dagger into the painting, piercing the black magic and burning the cursed brushwork.

"How did you know that would work?" Link asked, astonished.

The Sheikah shrugged. "I didn't. It was wishful thinking."

They walked into a room of Stalfos. "Beautiful..."

Sheik took out his throwing needles, getting ready for battle. "Shall we dance, Hero?"

Link mimicked his partner. "For the last time, Sheik, my name is Link. HYAAH!" He charged into battle.

Flash!

A deku nut had stunned them momentarily. The duo made quick work of the stalfos, since they couldn't block from being overwhelmed by the bright flash.

"My apologizes Her- er Link." He said, another wave of Stalfos coming their way.

"Your tactics are amazing, Sheik."

"Thank you."

The bones withered away on the wind of defeat, leaving behind a chest.

Link drew closer, not wanting to open a trap-chest.

"It is safe. I can tell." Sheik told him.

"And how do you know?" Link eyed him suspiciously.

Sheik closed his eyes. "I possess the ability to see the truth. It is an ability that is hard to understand outside the Sheikah race. You can tell us any untruth, but our eyes will always see right through it."

Link couldn't help but be blown away. "That is just amazing! That must be why the royal family have Sheikahs as body guards then?"

"Yes. Our aim is to protect the royal family, but that really didn't do much good in the last seven years..."

Link could feel the regret in his tone. "Hey now! It wasn't your fault! It was going to happen. Now you have a chance to correct the right that you feel has been wronged."

Sheik looked up, staring Link in the eyes. There was a bit of hope and some sadness swirling in them. His emotions were conflicting, and Link understood

"We'll free this temple, then travel to the next. Ganondork won't see us coming before its too late!"

For once in a long time, Sheik smiled a pure smile. Not one of bitterness, or sarcasm, but of hope. "Thank you... Link."

He grinned boyishly, showing his true age. "Hehe! No problem!"

Unknowing to the two, a phantom watched them in the distance of the shadows. The walls had ears, and they listened well. His master would do well to know the situation at hand...

...

Ganondorf sat on his throne, awaiting the news from one of his underlings. He had sensed something had happened in the Forest Temple. Now what could have happened? He was sure his Phantom would tell him.

"Master..."

Ah. Right on time.

"There has been a disturbance..."

"Oh, really now? What kind of disturbance..." His voiced hummed.

"Two young men. One clad in forest greens, and the other, seemingly, a Sheikah. They talk of plans to defeat you, milord."

He resisted the urge to laugh. "I do not see how this is important news. Simply dispose of them. You may go."

The phantom left his minds presence with a simple 'yes sir.'

So that boy had returned, thinking to relieve him of his reign over Hyrule? Well, they boy should think twice... His courage was nothing to his raw power. That brat will learn quickly, that he was not just a man to take lightly. He was feared for a reason.

Ganon swirled his hand, creating a small portal. The darkness cleared, revealing a space with a dead tree. "Dark."

Silence.

Ganondorf was losing his temper with this creation. "Dark!"

Suddenly, a transparent shadow appeared from the tree, as if a projection of the tree's soul. It yawned. "You bellowed, oh great master of all things unholy?"

If there was anything Ganon didn't like, it was a cheeky brat, and Dark was as cheeky as they come. But unlike his other creations, Dark wasn't created from his powers alone, but from what the Hero of Time had lost when wielding the Master Sword. The sword could not be touched by evil, and any darkness inside Link had been cast aside. Ganon took this darkness and crafted the ultimate of his army of monsters.

Dark Link.

But unlike his other creations, he had free will. But he would never let Dark know that, lest the power would get to the demons head. He wasn't just a shadow creation made to impersonate Farore's Chosen, but was from the real shadow of him. He would not let him out of his grasp so easily.

"You should know better than to disrespect me." He narrowed his eyes.

Dark feigned innocence. "Oh, but master! What have I done to displease you? Perhaps I should-"

"You are not leaving that room. No matter how many times you ask." He sighed, gathering his thoughts. "Dark. You understand your mission?"

"To destroy, and or, capture the Hero of Time." He said in a rehearsed monotone.

"Good. Prepare yourself."

'With what?' The demon snorted to himself quietly.

"The hero is coming your way soon. I am aware that Phantom will fall. He has been far to distracted by his ghost harem to be an actual threat to the boy. Afraid to say the Phantom has gone soft in his abilities and will no doubt lose to his own impudence. I shall give him a chance, but I expect you to finish the job if, or when, he fails."

Dark only heard one thing from that whole, entire speech. "Wait, he has a ghost harem!?"

Ganon rubbed his temples, already feeling a headache coming on. "Dark..." He said in a warning tone.

"Is it because Phantom is made of your spirit? Is that why he's spoiled!? He gets the whole temple to himself, and a bunch of hookers to boot!? Do I get nothing, because I look like the hero? Is that it!? That's so not fair! This room is boring as all hell! And Morpha is no help to that!"

He should have known another tantrum was in order. Dark was very childish, though his fighting capabilities said otherwise. The reason he locked him in that room, was because he was a handful, and he did not want to raise a demon child. Dark was just too much for any mortal parent to handle. His curiosity was overwhelming, and he created him to be a servant, but that free will made that difficult. It didn't help he was the same age as the boy he stole his shadow from seven years ago.

"Dark. You will stay there until you prove your worth." He said. "If you defeat the hero, you will be rewarded with becoming second in command. Is that a deal?"

Dark blinked, surprised at the offer. "I..I don-"

"You will also get concubines."

"Yes sir!" He saluted dramatically, very happy at the prospect of 'companionship'.

"Very well then. In the mean time, I will be preparing a ceremony."

Dark's adventurous curiosity was peaked. "What ceremony?"

"Why, the ceremony of Volvagia, and the eating of the annoying Goron race." He replied, as if it was obvious. "It shall prove that I am powerful and must be feared."

"Can I com-"

"No." He quickly answered. He got up from his throne. "That is enough of a chitchat today. Do try to not kill yourself again, it inconveniences me."

Dark's eyes widened desperately. "Wait! No-" The connection was gone.

Ganon sighed. "Ah. Peace and quiet."

Inside the Water Temple, Dark was now having a rage fit. His boots stomped the water, as if it was something solid to step on. "Why does he always do this shit to me!? AAAAAHHH!" He kicked the tree out of frustration, then howled in pain as his toes now hurt from being smashed against a dead, rock-hard tree. When the pain subdued, he laid his back against it. "Just let me out..." He cried softly. "I'll do whatever you ask of me, just let me out!"

Link was quite pleased with his find. A bow and a quiver full of arrows. He quickly found he was quite the marksman! Joelle didn't stand a chance against his aim.

Sheik applauded him. "You are amazing, her- Link."

Link bowed dramatically. "Why, thank you!" He was glad to hear Sheik breaking his habit of calling him a 'hero' all the damn time. He much preferred to be referenced as a person, not a title. "Though I bet you are much better, seeing how good you are already with your knives."

"Perhaps we should have a duel sometime, a friendly competition to test our skills."

Link grinned. "I would like that. I bet it would be lots of fun."

"I am the great Beth! You may have defeated the youngest of us, but you will not succeed!"

Link stepped to the side. "Would you like to fight this one?"

Sheik flashed dangerous needles between his fingers. "The honor would be all mine." His red eyes dazzled deleteriously. He walked into the next room, ready to put Beth to eternal rest.

Link had to wonder where Sheik got all those needles from. Did he ever run out of those things?

"To answer your question, I usually do not."

Link jumped. Could Sheik read minds!?

"No. I cannot read minds."

"Stop doing that!"

Now death was laid to Beth, the blue flamed ghost. She followed the same pattern as her sister, and was not a challenge in the slightest to the Sheikah warrior. In fact he would like to see these ghost try something else! They had become predictable and boring, in all honesty.

Until Amy, the green flamed ghost sister.

"Does she believe we are four-year-olds?" Sheik pushed a puzzle block into place. He felt like the ghosts were insulting his intelligence.

"Don't question it, Sheik. Just don't question it." Link answered.

"But-"

"Hush, Sheik. Just hush. It won't help solve this puzzle."

"..."

Amy was easily taken down by the pair without a sweat.

"Now for the last one." Link stated.

"Sniff! Why would you do such a thing!"

Link chased after the voice, all the way back to the room with flaming pedestals. Sheik followed after him in harsh, quick steps.

"You killed my sisters, now I will kill you!"

"Kill!?" Link called out. "How can you kill what's already dead?!"

"She is not aware of her death, or at least won't accept it." Sheik informed. "We must put her out of her misery!"

"I, Meg, will avenge my sisters, then resurrect them with my loving master!"

Link turned to Sheik, amused. "Does that answer your question from earlier?"

"Yes. Unfortunately it does." Sheik would like to know who would want ghost pussy? Apparently the evil Master of this Temple did.

Suddenly, Meg duplicated into four other copies of herself. She circled them, waiting to strike.

Link pulled back an arrow and shot one of the Megs. It was the wrong one, deciphered by the cackling of the other three. "Sheik, can you tell which one is which?"

"Yes. I am able to see through illusions." He struck the real ghost, Link following after with large swipes from his sacred steel.

"No! I have failed! Please forgive me, master!" She faded away slowly, but not before the final flame returned to its rightful place.

Link felt the ground rumble beneath him. "Wh-what's happening!"

Sheik chuckled. "You are fine. You are standing above the elevator the ghosts had sealed off."

"Oh." Link said shyly, jumping off. He turned and looked at the architect. "So this will lead us to their pimp, eh?"

"Not sure how I feel about that. A ghost pimp. It's ridiculous, really."

"Well, no point in arguing about it. As ridiculous as it is, we have a job to finish." He walked onto the platform. "You coming?" He asked.

The Sheikah responded quickly. "Of course!" He quickly followed.

The platform was quite small, forcing the two to huddle close together to keep from falling off when it dropped into the room below. Link didn't want to seem like he was disrespecting personal space, but couldn't help but hold on to the shorter man. The vibrations made him feel like he was going to be thrown off any second, and wanted some kind of security he won't fall.

Such as the Sheikah who wasn't even budging among the movement. Was this guy made of stone!?

"I am not-"

"I have had enough of your telepathy for one day, Sheik."

"But-"

"No."

They finally reached the bottom and stepped off the platform with gratitude. At least for Link, it was gratitude.

The room was odd, with two stone walls jutting out on each side.

"I guess we need to push them. It looks like a rotating room with this sort of mechanic."

Sheik was surprised. "You could figure that out so quickly?"

Link nodded. "Can't your honest-to-Nayru eyes see that?" He winked.

Sheik crossed his arms. "Well! I can see the truth! Not past walls!"

Link snickered, pushing one of the sides. "I think I touched a nerve." He sang.

"Keep it up, and you will find my needles embedding themselves into your nerves, hero."

Link whistled. "Wow, Sheik! Is that morbid spite? I am surprised at you! You would threaten me, after telling me you would help? I feel betrayed! Some friend you are."

Sheik could tell the grown Kokiri was joking by the childish grin plastered across his youthful face. It was nice to know he was amusing him, even if it was at his own expense. It felt nice to be able to act like this, like a person. Not a messenger of the sages.

He would like to follow Link on the rest of his adventure. Putting himself into the danger was just far to worthwhile to give up.

"There it is! The door to the boss!"

Link was correct, Sheik noted. The door had a large, golden padlock on it to prevent intruders from entering.

"Dang it! We don't have the key!" Link shouted, obvious frustration lacing his voice.

Sheik smirked. "Do not worry yourself, hero."

Link looked over his shoulder, annoyed. "You have it, don't you?"

"Have what, hero?" He tried to look innocent.

"Just hand over the key, Sheik."

"First, apologize about what you said about my 'honest-to-Nayru' eyes." He said, his lips quirking into a smirk.

Link rolled his eyes. "I am sorry you suffer from some strange eye disease that allows you to see things us normal people cannot."

Sheik's eyes went wide. "My eyes are not a disease!"

"I think I touched a nerve again." He almost giggled.

Sheik punched his arm. "You! You! You are not a hero, jerk!"

"So, I'm now the jerk of time?"

"Yes. Of all time!"

Link laughed loudly. "Wow! I didn't think you were so sensitive!"

Sheik grumbled. He indeed was. At least over his eyes he was.

"I apologize Sheik." Link bowed swiftly, mimicking him from earlier. "You have lovely eyes, monsieur."

Sheik couldn't hold down the blush quick enough. "Y-yes well, let's go. I want to leave this temple as quick as possible." He said slightly fuming. He walked past Link in a strict-strut and jammed the key into the lock, letting it fall onto the floor to collect dust. "Come along, hero." He said, dripping the last word in pure sarcasm.

Link wiped a tear from his eye, finally taming his hysteria of laughter. "Okay! Okay! You win Sheik. Lets go get this guy!" He said, invigorated and pumped like the child he was inside. He ran past the Sheikah, into the Boss Chamber without a second thought.

Sheik rolled his eyes heavenward. "Sweet Farore, I do not know if he is truly courageous, or truly stupid. But he is your chosen, so I will not doubt." After a quick prayer he followed quickly behind the Hero of Time.

The door behind them shut tight, with an evil laugh echoing and resonating in the halls of the Forest Temple. He had been waiting... and now the time had come.

But Sheik knew Link would overcome this monster. And he would be right there to assist him as he could.

I think I need to replay Ocarina of Time. My memory on the dungeons are getting sort of fuzzy. And isn't Dark just a lovely character? Teehee! My favorite part of writing this was making the Poe Sisters Phantom Ganon's bitches. Don't ask. That just made the most sense to me! XD

I have decided to try and put a lot more effort into this story. So chapters will come out slowly. I hope you can buckle down and wait. In the meantime, please review or follow this story!