Chapter 3

Old Rivalry

As the sun set in the vast field of Hyrule, the clatter of a horses feet could be heard as it rode to the Town Market's entrance. Link clambered of his faithful steed and walked up to the open gate.

'Strange.' He thought 'Why is it so quiet?' the town seemed to be deserted. A lonely wind blew across the desolate town as the young man passed through it. He unsheathed his sword, creating an echo as the sword was released from its' scabbard. Navi looked at Link nervously.

'Don't worry.' He said smiling 'Just a precaution.' The two heroes slowly travelled through the abandoned town, taking note of every sound made, even if they made it.

'This is kinda weird.' Squeaked the little fairy 'If there was re-deads it would be fine. At least we know what was happening and who was behind it, but…it could be a completely new unbeatable enemy.'

'Thanks for the confidence.' Sighed Link. He stared into the empty shops. Not a single soul was to be found. Link stood still for a moment.

'This isn't right.' He whispered to himself 'Zelda would have…' his voice trailed as he remembered the elegant princess. He began to sprint towards the castle gate but a new sound halted him. CLUNK. The Temple's doors closed. Link's eyes met Navi's and they both nodded.

They stood in front of the towering Temple of Time. Seven years had passed and very few things had changed. A small stage had been erected in front of the gossip stones and the place looked a little cleaner but everything else was still the same. Link walked up to the magnificent doors and put his hands onto them. Taking a deep breath he pushed the doors wide open. They slammed on the wall and make a deafening echo throughout the sanctuary. Again, nothing had changed in the temple itself but the atmosphere had changed. Navi shivered and looked at Link.

'Can you feel that?' She asked, the fear could be heard in her voice. 'I've had this feeling before, but can't remember where though.' No answer. 'Link?'

The eyes of the young hero had changed dramatically. They were no longer soft, laid back eyes of the mellow teen, but the eyes of a hardened warrior.

'I know what you mean.' He stated simply. A high-pitched cackle filled the room. The echoes from the mighty walls made it impossible to tell where it was coming from.

'Oh that's not nice!' Hollered a voice 'You cant remember me? We had so much in common!' Link looked round searching for the mysterious voice. Nothing. His feet began to feel cold. As he looked down, his eyes met two glaring ovals. The heroes shadow stared at him then un-attached itself from its' owner. The silhouette moved as if like water across the floor up to the main altar. Like water.

'Water…?'Thought Link. 'Wait a second!' The eyes of the green champion widened it horror. It couldn't be, he killed it. Memories of the battle flashed through the young mans mind. The mirror image attacking him. Any attack was useless. The way it moved, like him but different. Barely defeating it. The memories of the wounds that were received during the battle. Navi must have remembered, because she began to quiver.

'Dark Link!' She whispered 'But how?' Another cackle escaped the dark, grinning figure.

'You look surprised to see me.' Bellowed Dark Link from across the temple. He began to stroll around the temple casually, pretending to admire the stain glass windows and the towering statues, but his eyes secretly flickered to the young hero and his faithful fairy friend.

'Oh I see.' He mocked. 'The all powerful hero of time thought he had killed the shadow of himself.' The fiend smiled sickly. 'You cant kill me. I'm better than you. I remember the day we fought. It haunts my every waking and dreaming hour. I was brought into this world to kill you, and then I would be free. You screamed at me as you attacked. "You fake! You monster! I'm going to fucking kill you!" Fake? Monster? Is that what I am? Is that why you left me to rot in that godforsaken temple? I waited months, clinging on to my bitter existence. Only one thing kept me going. You. Ganondorf saved me from the terrors of the temple and gave me new life, but not without any…punishment first.' The dark warrior shuddered and turned away from Link. A small feeling of remorse filled Link. Yes, it was a monster. Yes, it was evil, but nothing alive or dead deserved what the King of Evil saw fit as a punishment. Link stared at the lonely figure in the middle of the room. He hated and feared it, but couldn't help but feel a little bit sorry for the creature. Everything had feelings, no matter how evil it was. Dark Link turned around back to Link. The evil soldier saw the look of compassion on the hero and the scorn returned to his dark face.

'DON'T YOU DARE FEEL PITY FOR ME! YOU MADE ME GO THROUGH THE HORROR, THE PAIN!' The voice echoed endlessly in the vast Temple. 'Now you die…' it hissed. The shadow unsheathed its sword and attacked the hero. TING! The clash of blades echoed through the holy ground. The opposites swords clashed with each swing, hitting with a force, which would make the strongest man fall to his knees. WHOOSH! The dark blade misses the champion. Flipping backwards, Link equipped his bow in seconds and released arrows at lightening speed. The young mans accuracy was amazing but the sinister shadows speed also matched it. Dark Link back flipped and dodged behind the main altar for cover.

'You're not that bad, for an evil guy anyway!' Link shouted across the vast hall. A smile grew across his face, almost as if he was enjoying the challenge. 'Not many people can dodge my arrows.' A dagger flew out from behind the altar towards the hero. CRUNCH! The bow snapped from the force of the knife and carried on to the heroes' heart. With god like agility, the green clothed Hylian dodged the blade. He unsheathed his sword, leaving his shield resting on his back.

'You're not bad either!' Bellowed the dark warrior. 'FOR A FAKE!' A terrible silence followed.

'Fake…? Me…?' Links' puzzled face met Navis'. How was he the fake? There was a silent slither. Link swung round to find the red-eyed demon behind him. His blade swung round. Not even the hero of time could dodge such an attack. He waited for the feeling of the sword slicing through his flesh. CLINK! The hero opened his eyes quickly. Metal on metal? The opposite fighter stood there with no weapon, but with a face of bewilderment. Suddenly, as if in slow motion, the figure of a sleek young man jumped through the air elegantly towards the monster. A kick met the face of the evil one and he was launched to the side like a child's doll. Link turned to the young warrior. A young man stood wearing a one-piece blue and grey suit. A mask covered his face but red eyes and blonde hair were still shown. The eye on his stomach seemed to stare into the hero's very soul. Links' face lit up with joy.

'Zelda! You're alive! Why have you changed into Sheik?' The young man stared at the green clothed hero in confusion.

'Zelda? I'm a boy you idiot! How can I be the princess of Hyrule?' A mall groan came from the other side of the temple.

'Never mind. Let us fight this demon first.' The blonde haired hero ran into battle. Link stood there baffled by the strange behaviour the princess was showing. He ran towards the battle. I'll sort this out with her later. He thought. Both the heroes were too powerful for the dark fighter. Each one of them landed a blow after the monster dodged one of the other attacks. The demon jumped back for space and closed his eyes. A blinding flash of light emitted from Dark Links' body. Link could feel a terrible force within him. What was it? Before he knew it, he was on his knees in pain. He couldn't stand it any longer. It felt as if there was a war inside his very soul. He was now on his stomach. He looked to the side. Sheik did not seem affected. What was this magic and where did Dark Link acquire such power that he could bring the mightiest hero to the floor? It was too much. Everything was fading. This was his final battle. He would never see her face to face again, ever…

CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK! The sound of a galloping horse disturbed the hero. This is death? Link thought. Not as bad as I thought. A bit loud though. CLUNK! Gods' cant they let me rest in peace. He thought desperately. Silence… Wait a sec…The hero slowly opened his eyes and looked around he simple room tat he was in. He scanned around and found a familiar face staring at him. The red haired girl smiled at him as the white frock rippled like water as the breeze came from the open window.

'Hello…Fairy Boy…'