Author's Note: Heya! Heya! Huh? Oh right…I wanted to sing the epic song Vueila something…it's from Frozen soundtrack XD anyways-*dodges the flying chairs when it's safe, got up* Kay, I'm sorry about Lin—ACK! *dodges a butter knife* REALLY PEOPLE! REALLY!?

Chapter 19: Midna's Desperate Hour

Darkness.

That's the first thing that greeted me. I couldn't see anything or let alone, feel my body. It was as if everything got frozen somehow.

"Link…" a voice echoed.

Where was it coming from?

"Link…" the same voice spoke. "Awaken young one."

As the voice spoke that, my eyes opened. I blinked, trying to clear the blurriness in my vision. I just stared blankly ahead of me, unaware of what was happening until something sharp and painful entered my mind. I remember now…the water…Midna's yelling…

It all happened in a blur.

The water raced quickly and I couldn't avoid it in time so I got the full blast of it.

I winced at the terrible memory. I glanced up at the murky water surface.

Wow…I sunk that deep down, huh. I guess I should swim back up. Midna's probably worrying over me like crazy…though I don't see why she does care. She's cruel and heartless.

I turned my body around so that my feet were sticking out as if how you were lying on the bed then I began to swim to the surface.

(A/N: Midna's POV!)

Midna frantically hovered above the water. Link. That was the only thing that was on her mind right now.

Was he alright? Is he still alive?!

That was quite a painful smack from the water…if only he had listened to her…if he listened then none of this would've happened and they would finish this temple by now. And that also means, she would get the last Fused Shadow.

She stopped, staring at the water which showed her reflection.

Why does she care about him?

Because you need him.

A voice told her in her mind. You need him to help save your world. Your home.

Angered, she curled her hands into fists. "Stop it!" she shouted.

It seemed to work since the voice wasn't there anymore. Suddenly, something broke the surface hearing the gasps.

"Link!" she exclaimed, seeing the exhausted figure.

(A/N: back to Link)

I continued to swim to the surface but a noise that sounded like teeth chattering but at the same not it wasn't. I stopped swimming, looking around where that noise is coming from. I gave a puzzled look when I saw a figure though it was blurry but I could tell that it was coming at me.

Suddenly, more figures appeared beside it. Just what were they? Pretty soon, they came closer and I was able to spot what they were which caused me to have my eyes wide.

Piranhas.

Quickly, I started to swim faster than I was before. I seriously hate this temple and I will definitely not come back even if my life was depending on it.

However, no matter how fast I swim, the deathly fishes easily caught up to me and they started to bite everywhere they could. From legs to arms to shoulders to hands and sometimes even at my neck. I still pushed myself to swim faster which sometimes helped and sometimes it did not since I would end up being in a circle, surrounded by the piranhas.

I was fully aware that I was getting close to the surface. Gathering all the strength I had left, I felt myself going away from the piranhas. At last, the surface was close enough for me to break it which I did. I took a mighty gasp of air, panting heavily.

"Link!" the voice shouted.

I knew it was Midna but when she saw me, she frowned at my quickness. What was happening to him?

She then realized that there were piranhas attacking him. She thought about using her magic but then quickly realized that she can't do anything in this useless shadow form.

Helplessly, she watched the scene while her blood boiled with anger.

I kicked and swatted some of the deathly fishes away before heaving myself up to the vines then climbed up at the top to where I plopped myself on the cool ground, doing nothing other than breathing heavily.

My eyes felt heavy though it probably was from fatigue but I didn't know, nevertheless.

Midna flew towards me but what she saw didn't actually appease her. I had cuts almost everywhere and some of them had dried blood on them.

"Link…" she spoke, quietly.

I cracked open my eyes then cracked a weak smile. I opened my mouth but water came out instead. Well so much for being injure free…Telma's gonna have fun…

"You're not gonna die, are you?" Midna asked.

I chuckled, lightly. "No. These scratches won't take me down. Now…how about we finish this temple for good?"

She nodded. "But first. Rest then we will go."

I frowned. And so, another argument had been made…

Of course, the shadow being had won…How does she do it, I will probably never know. I continued to explore the temple as well as opening the last sluice gate. I then found my way to get the Big Boss while avoiding the piranhas that guarded the big chest but I sneakily found my way to obtain it.

But to get out turned to be difficult because of the piranhas…

Sooner or later, I had completed the things I needed to do before entering the boss's room for good. Once inside the door, I peered down the hole. It was completely dark down below, making it for me to impossible to see so that being said, I placed my Iron Boots on so that it can help me to sink faster.

Of course, it had to be very cold so I knew I was going to be sick the moment I complete this cursed temple.

Why Zoras had to build something so complex such as this, I'll never know.

I landed on the ground with a thud, being close to the large hole that was before me. I eyed at it with caution especially to the large electric transparent tentacle. It was then that something appeared in it and I realized that it was an eye who floated up and down, aimlessly.

It seemed to stare at me with such an intense gaze that it actually made me to feel uncomfortable about it. The eye vanished from sight since it sunk back down until a huge tremor shook the ground and soon, numerous of the same tentacles rose from the hole followed by what it looked like a head and a mouth.

I eyed at the eye who seemed to be following around, going to the tentacle after tentacle. I slowly (because of the Iron Boots) walked towards it but was careful not to get in harm's way. I didn't know what to do so I decided to try using my clawchain (I really need to figure it out its real name)…

I aimed at the moving eye before releasing the claw which grabbed the eye. I shuddered at the sight before attacking the eye. After attacking it, the eye went back to its place and began to move around from tentacle to tentacle. The strategy I just tried seemed to be working.

However, when the eye went back, the creature's mouth started to spit something out. Curiosity filled the best of me so I squinted my eyes to see the swimming figures. I groaned when I spotted what they were.

Piranhas again…

They all swam towards me, wickedly. Mind you, doing sword movements underwater isn't easy. I still would get bitten from those pesky fishes but when I destroyed them, they would go off like a bomb. I didn't had the time to avoid it quickly enough so the bomb timer went off and the explosion struck me, sending me to fall down to the sandy ground.

Muttering, I got up then went back to attack the eye again and in return, the eye went back. I struck the eye one final time. Of course, it made the creature to be angry since it sunk down, disappearing completely.

I eyed at it skeptically.

It can't be done yet…there was always a catch with the enemies. If something was easy to beat, then something big was coming next.

And I was right.

The ground shook again and then, it revealed a gigantic creature that shot from the ground and into the plain view. I gaped at the massive beast that swam around aimlessly.

It had to be at least twenty feet long!

After the fiend made a one final turn, the real battle had begun.

Um…what am I supposed to do now?! Swim beside it…?

I stared at it with wide eye as I realized that was exactly it…

Oh hell no.

Taking off the Iron Boots was a pain in the butt but I got them off. I quickly swam towards the huge monster while careful to not be in front of the beast's mouth; I really did not want to be eaten…

I quickly spotted the eye so I tried to swim towards it though it only proved to be more difficult. The creature had probably somehow sensed that its intruder was going to go towards the eye. Thinking, I got out my clawchain then aimed at the spot that was close to the eye.

The object pulled me towards it and like before, I started to hack it away. The beast gave out an agonizing scream of pain before it bucked me off, throwing me away from it.

However, I wasn't fast enough to avoid its mighty tail when I started to swim towards the eye again. The creature's tail smashed at me, sending me to hurl backwards and then, I collided into a pillar. The pillar crashed down, sending blocks of bricks to timber down me. Even in the water, I could feel the blood trickling down at the sides of my forehead but it felt like it was being washed away.

Well, no duh…

I attacked the beast two more times until it finally gave out its final roar of pain as it swayed to the side blindly. I grabbed hold of the edge from the eye's protection but it wasn't a strong grip so the creature bucked me off again, sending me to hurl through the water.

I watched the beast smash its head at the bottom of the wall, creating a large hole in which the water started to sink. Soon, the area was water free whereas the beast exploded into the familiar particles.

I breathed out a sigh of relief when I saw the final Fused Shadow.

Thank the goddesses.

No more temples…no more fighting. Are things going to be back the way it is now?

"There it is! The last Fused Shadow…" Midna exclaimed, happily. "I'll just take that, thanks!" she spoke as her hand hair snatched the dark object out of my hands.

I gave her a blank look.

"Now, don't resent me for all I've put you through. I need this thing! Besides, we have to do something about Zant, the one who thinks he is the king of shadows…"

"Can't you do it? You have that…" I pointed it out.

She shook her head. "No but anyways…his power is a false one…I'll prove it using these! So…I've done everything I needed to. I'm sorry for dragging you all over the place with me…"

I gave her a smile until it faded away. "So what happens now?"

She stared at the ground. "I…I…guess I leave then. I leave and you will…" she seemed to be struggling to find the right words.

But you need him to save your world.

"So…shall we go?" she asked, opening up a portal.

I nodded, softly running to the portal then felt myself being transported.

We transported back to the light spirit's spring. I stared at the spring, taking a deep breath.

Was this goodbye?

Sighing, I turned around to get out of here but halted. There, in front of me stood a bizarre man. He wore robes with intricate pattern while a mask was shown. He stood there, unfazed.

Suddenly, I felt the spring being brighten and yet I knew that it was the light spirit that rose from the water. It used its light powers, trying to fend away the darkness that lingered here. Unfortunately, the dark magic was too strong and the evil man send the light spirit away with such force that radiated from his body.

The light spirit crashed into a wall, plunging back into the water. However, it also made me to be knocked down from the powerful force.

A sudden abrupt change in my body transforming me back into a wolf though.

Midna reappeared in front of me. She looked up and that same anger emerged into her body again.

"Zant!" she spat with venom.

As if invisible hands had picked her up, she flew back from the invisible power leaving her hanging in midair unable to do anything.

The wicked man walked towards her then stopped when he was at the edge of the cliff. Without any effort, the three pieces floated out of Midna's grasp who exclaimed with shock.

No…the Fused Shadows…

The Fused Shadows floated towards the man.

"Did you honestly mean to take an ancient and withered power like this and turn it against me?" he asked, darkly. "You are a foolish traitor, Midna. Why do you defy your king?"

"My king? You who do nothing but abuse the magic of your tribe? You must be joking!" she screamed, furiously as she tried to free herself but to no avail.

"How dare you! Are you implying that my power is…our old magic? Now that is a joke!" he said, laughing darkly.

Suddenly, the invisible hands free Midna but the man's power had forced the imp to fly through the air and with a harsh slap, she was plunged to the ground.

"This power is granted to me by my god! It is the magic of the King of Twilight and you will respect it!" he snarled, heavily while slowly producing a red orb of magic that grew bigger and bigger.

Midna groaned, trying to wash away the pain though she couldn't. She gave a gasp when she saw Zant producing his own magic.

I finally woke up, fully aware of the headache that was coming soon but I didn't worry about that. I finally remembered that there was the man and then nothing. Eyes wide, I looked back up and indeed saw that same man who was producing something in front of him though it looked like he was aiming at Midna who tried to move.

I was also aware of the environment. The spring wasn't filled with light since it got replaced with the horrible twilight.

All my hard work was now wasted…

Snarling, I got up then jumped in front of Midna taking the hit instead.

"Link!" Midna gasped out, horrified.

Of course since I got the full blast of it, I was knocked out unaware that something painful was sinking into my forehead. Midna dragged her to the unconscious me while she was trying to wake me up. It was futile.

The same invisible force made Midna to fly back as she was now in front of Zant, unable to do anything.

"My Midna…Did you forget? That beast is one of the light dwellers who oppressed our people."

She shivered when she felt his breath tickling her neck. That was not true. Link is different, that she knows.

"No matter how much you may desire otherwise, you will never be more than a shadow in their world. You cannot consort with their kind!" he said, sternly though with a bit of a snarl added to his voice.

"But if we can make their world ours, Midna…light and darkness will meet at last."

She struggled to get loose even though it hurts her hands.

"Our tribe will take back their realm…and sweet darkness will blot out this harsh light!"

Midna thought about it. It does sound good to have the light to be blocked away from the darkness but the more she stared at me, the more she changed her mind about it.

"And that, Midna, is why…" his mouth piece started to roll up, revealing a part of his real body. "I need you." he hissed in a snake like voice that would cause anyone to shiver. "Not just for me, but for all our people…lend me your power."

She had enough. On the last struggle, Midna finally freed herself as she went to join the still unconscious me. Zant gave a low snarl of angry until he spoke with such rage that caused Midna to flinch.

"So be it!" he snarled. "I will return you to the light world you covet!"

The same force forced Midna to fly to the middle of the spring. With a raise of his hand, the light spirit reemerged from the spring. The light was so powerful that it made the horrible darkness to be washed away. As the spirit continued to erase the darkness so did Midna who screamed painfully.

It felt like fire was on her body as it was burning her alive.

The light surrounded her and me, taking us somewhere unknown. Zant watched the scene with satisfaction as he knew that there was no way the stupid brat would survive this. Now with that wolf…he turned around only to see me gone.

Something light shone in a semi dark place. It grew brighter and brighter before it vanished. It revealed to have two people but one of them seemed to be in a horrible state whereas the other figure seemed that it had just woken up.

That person was me.

I shook my head to clear the pain away until the events from not too long ago flashed back into my mind. I stared with disbelief at my paws.

Great, I was a wolf again.

Suddenly, a heavy labored breath was heard so I turned around and saw Midna in a awful condition.

What did that man do to her?!

"Link, hero chosen by the goddesses…" the voice spoke as I tried to find where it was coming from. "Go to the princess locked away in the castle. That princess holds the key that can unlock you from your shadow form…"

If she could do that, then can she save Midna as well?

Quickly but slowly (as to not injury or make Midna to fall off), I dashed straight away to the path that led to Castle Town. The ground beneath my paws hurts but I paid no mind to it until I sometimes have to blink my vision so that it could still be clear because rain was falling down.

The minute I entered the town, screams from the citizens came but I ignored them as I had something much more important now. I faintly felt Midna's weak grasp; she was trying to hold herself onto me…

Hang on Midna. You saved me so I'm returning the favor to you.

I entered the bar since I instantly remembered about the information Telma gave me…about the passageway to the castle and that stuff. However, the moment I entered the bar, terrified and angered screams came.

I saw a guy who had a brown helmet on getting up from his seat as his hand started to go to his sword so that he could unsheathe it.

"Stop! Don't attack it unless it attacks us." a female voice spoke, sternly. "There's something about that wolf that makes me feel as if I know him."

I stared at the woman who I knew that it was Telma.

It's me, Telma. It's me, Link.

"Whatever. It still caused chaos. Out beast!" the mighty Goron threw me out of the bar without so much of an effort.

The force caused me to hurl out, plopping myself on the puddle.

Now what?

Where was that passage Telma was talking about?

"You there!" a new voice announced.

I turned around and there, sitting on the top of the box was a white cat.

I thought cats hate to go outside…especially in the rain…

"You're Link, correct?" the cat asked.

I nodded, wondering how the cat knew my name. The white cat then ran towards me, sniffing me as if that will help the animal to confirm its words.

"Mmm, yes, I thought so. I could just tell, you know."

Aren't you the brightest bloke?

"I'm Louise. Do you remember meeting me in this shop before? Though I don't think we were properly introduced…In any case, I must tell you. I'm a bit puzzled as to why you look like that."

Long story…

"Really, dear, you can't blame the humans for tossing you out, the way you look."

I gave a bit of a snarl.

The cat stopped talking until it eyed something on my back.

"Oh…Another patient? You certainly are a curious sort…"

The minute the cat (it's a she, right?) said that, my eyes wore another expression, a pleading one as if to say: please can you help me?

"…Plea…Please…" Midna's weak voice spoke. "Princess…Z-Zelda…"

The feline seemed to understand what was going on since she spoke. "This way!" it commanded, standing in front of the large boxes. "Here, get in through the window. The attic is connected to the castle's waterway. It's an old waterway, though…so it could be a rough trip."

I'll take my chances.

"Well…I suppose all that's left to do is make sure that the humans don't notice you."

I gave the cat a grateful look before the feline walked away…away from the rain. I started to go towards the large boxes though I noticed a spare box that wasn't stacked with the others. After pushing the box to its location, I climbed on it and went through the hole which left me back in the bar though just on the top.

I saw ropes and like before I started to walk on them while pausing to hear what the people down below were saying.

Telma stated something about a wolf randomly going in and out while the other group of people started to say something about me and how I rescued Zora and all that stuff.

I cringed when I accidentally knocked one of the pots down which alerted the Goron.

"What was that?" the Goron asked, only to receive shrugs.

I soon came into a room where it was filled with gold things that I soon realize that it was money. I then notice a bizarre man who was sitting on the chair while a blue whitish orb was dangling around. Curiously, I honed on my senses only to find that it looked like a miniature ghost.

Ah, poes. I've heard about them.

I quickly killed the poe then started to wonder where was the path that led to the castle so I made my way to the odd figure.

"Oh…Th-Thanks for beating the ghost. Can I call you…doggie? I'm Jovani. I…became consumed by greed long ago and sold my soul to a dark creature that did this to me…I can't move…I can't go see my girlfriend…My pet cat Gengle is frozen on my head…I don't think I could be more miserable."

After the talk, I went down the chest only to receive a somewhat of a harsh slap from the water that dragged me down and around until I found myself in a large area that was filled with water though there were some grounds that wasn't filled with water.

Seeing a handle, I pulled it down which opened the large gate. I then had the water to continue to drag me down.

After doing some of the things in the new area such as defeating Skulltulas, burning the webs and killing the Keeses, I dug a hole that led me to a new room. I spotted a short tunnel which I went through only to find something familiar about this place.

Ah, I remember now.

This was the place where I got captured…where I first met Midna.

"I found you!"

"Ooo aren't you scary!?" she mocked with false fright. "Eee hee! Are you sure you want to be doing that? Snarling and glaring at me? Well, that's too bad." she sighed but I slightly detected a false disappointment which was why I still growled at her.

I let out a long wolf sigh. It's amazing how our relationship was growing. Midna was growing out of her cruel behavior (well she's still cruel but not as much as she was before) to a semi nice…imp…

Hang on, Midna. We're almost there.

Once I got out of the familiar jail, harsh wind greeted me so I dug my sharp nails on the wet, slippery cement ground so I wouldn't get blown away. Using my strength, I made my way through the strong wind while occasionally defeating some of the unnecessary pests.

The thing that was probably hard was that broken bridge. I had to wait until the wind was picked up so when it did, I jumped on the bridge and quickly ran up so I wouldn't fall to the abyss below.

It was hard to say the least but I did it anyways.

At last, we reached the familiar castle but when I entered, I found out that Zelda wasn't there.

Zelda…no, please come out! We need you…Midna needs you.

A sudden thud alerted me, causing me to turn around and saw Midna on the floor. Her breath was worse than before. I trotted towards her, nuzzling her as if it was telling her that it was going to be okay until a hand touched her arm gently.

I followed the hand which led for me to face Zelda who looked at me softly.

"Please…Please tell me…How do we break…the curse on this one?" Midna asked, weakly as she raised her pale hand.

Zelda stuck Midna's hand between her hands.

"This…is the one…You need him…to save your world!" the injured imp said. "That's why…Princess…Please…You must help Link…"

I slightly stiffened when Zelda's soft gloved hand was tracing my body. On the top of her hand, the Triforce began to glow though it glowed even brighter when she reached beside my forehead.

"What binds him is a different magic than what transformed him when he first passed the curtain of twilight. It is an evil power. Our world is one of balance…Just as there is light to drive away darkness, so, too, is there benevolence to banish evil. Head for the sacred grove that lies deep within the lands guarded by the spirit Faron." she told me.

"There you will find the blade of evil's bane that was crafted by the wisdom of the ancient sages…the Master Sword. The Master Sword is a sacred blade that evil can never touch. Evil cloaks you like a dark veil…and that blade is the only thing that can cleave it. Link…Hero sent by the goddesses…Like you, I have been granted special powers by the goddesses." she raised her hand, showing me the Triforce that glowed faintly.

"Fine…Link…You can…You can get to the woods…on your own, right?"

I blinked back with shock. What…what? After everything we had been through…you…

NO! I refuse Midna. I refuse to complete the mission without you.

I…

I lowered my head, softly nuzzling her.

I need you.

Midna smiled weakly before something in her spark as if she remembered something.

"Princess…I have one last request…Can you tell him…where to find the Mirror of Twilight?"

Something about that question rose a spark of curiosity inside of me while Zelda gasped as if Midna had said something she wasn't supposed to. There was almost a thick silence that clung in the air until Zelda's voice broke it.

"Midna…I believe I understand now just who and what you are…Despite your mortal injuries, you act in our stead…These dark times are the result of our deeds, yet it is who have reaped the penalty. Accept this now, Midna. I pass it to you…"

She closed her eyes and suddenly sparkles emitted out of her body. It seemed to be passing to Midna who had her eyes wide as she realized what Zelda was doing. I just stood watching the scene with fascination and confusion.

What was going on?

"NO! Link! STOP HER!" Midna screamed as she rose into the air.

The imp watched Zelda as she disappeared while her hand that once clutched Midna's small ones now slipped out of her grasp.

Even though I did not know what was going on, I was so relieved to see that Midna was alive and well. However, the expression she wore threw me off.

Wasn't she happy that she was…alive?

We both stared at the empty spot, not one of us dared to speak.

"We go back, Link! Back to Faron Woods!" Midna's sharp voice rang, causing me to slightly be startled.

She did a somersault in the air then landed on my back. It felt so good to have her back. I couldn't bear to continue the mission without her.

"Zelda…I've taken all that you had to give…though I did not want it…"