Dark

As soon as Link turned to face the mysterious voice, he realized with horror that it had been far from a dream. It was more of a 'nightmare come true'.

Standing before him, was a pitch-black outline of himself. The outline of his father's sword in it's hand, and an outline of a shield in the copy took a step forward. Link in response, curled up, afraid to be killed.

"What a waste." the copy said. It's voice was deep; yet it seemed so far off and distant. Like a voice in Link's head. Even without visible eyes, Link could tell it was looking down at him.

"W-who are y-you?' Link asked meekly.

"Something better than you." it replied. It later added," Better; because at least this form can stand up."

Link realized how foolish he must have looked so he stood up. His eyes were wide in terror, and his legs were shaking violently. His clasp on his father's sword was so strong, his knuckles started to turn white. Nothing could begin to describe the fear and despair flowing through his body. His heart was racing.

"I have yet to strike - yet you now stand before me as a complete and utter coward." Its far off voice said mockingly.

Link could not even respond.

"What a waste." It said again.

"I-I am not a waste!" Link cried.

"Yes. You are. That is all you will ever be." It said flatly.

"No, I am no waste!" Link yelled.

"Not a waste? And I look and see the bodies of all your friends behind you. Dead. And who could have killed them I wonder?"

Link let out a roar," No!" He charged at the figure, swinging his blade madly. The figure disappeared right before Link's blade got near to making impact.

Link looked around. tears streaming down his eyes, and fear ripe in his heart. Quickly, Link looked down at his shadow, which looked darker than ever." Fa-" Link was cut off as two powerful feet sent him flying into the air. Link let go of his blade, which was sent flying several feet away. He looked up to see the copy standing like it had been when he first saw it.

"What a waste." It said again.

"Quit calling me that!" Link screamed.

"Waste... Waste... Waste..." It repeated each word.

Link felt rage building up inside."I am not!" He yelled louder than ever.

"Then prove it." the contour said.

With the blink of an eye; his father's sword was laying by his hand. Reaching out and taking hold of the hilt, Link slowly stood to his feet. He raised the sword up and spread his feet apart in a defensive stance. He heard a faint laugh and the shadow was gone. Link looked left and right. He turned around just in time to the the shadow raising it's blade up. As the shadow brought in down; Link rolled to avoid the blade.

"Weakling!" it said, a hint of rage in it's eerie voice.

Link yelled again and hacked at the figure. It disappeared again." I'll find you!" Link called out into the air.

"Ah... Determination. Makes you almost look brave!" The shadow said mockingly. It appeared before Link, swinging it's sword with swift, powerful, accuracy.

Link called out and jumped back. The tip of the blade left a long, bloody wound across Link's stomach. Link was overwhelmed by pain as he screamed in agony. His legs buckled under him and he collapsed. He let go of his sword and his hands flew onto his stomach, which was bleeding.

"What a waste."

Link was in too much pain to respond. He closed his eyes, hardly able to contain the pain. As he opened his eyes, he saw the figure raising his sword for the final blow. Link's eyes widened as he rolled away just in shadow's sword stuck far into the ground. Taking the chance, Link stood up and took His father's sword. He slashed it at the figure. The figure screamed.

It's body tore apart and it disappeared along with its sword.

Then he heard a voice. Far off and faint, just hardly audible," If you aren't a waste; then you'll go to the forest."

Would he go?

A/N: Woo-hoo! I've updated both sites; and I'm back to writing this story, bay-bee!

I hope everyone likes it! Again; thank you for the positive, uplifting comments.