Author's Note: Sorry it's been so long, I just haven't been in a writing mood, but now I'm back. PLZ review; it helps to motivate me to write. Enjoy!

Chapter VIII: Entering Zant's Castle

"Well, this is it…" murmured the Twilight Princess. The duo stood at the door of Zant's castle, an ominous and dark structure not unlike how the Palace was decorated during his reign. She shook a bit with nervousness; there was no telling what Zant had in store for them. Link then took her hand in his and smiled at her. He then cupped her face in his hands and kissed her. Midna wrapped her arms around his neck as she leaned into him, wanting to give herself to him right there and then as she felt his love spread through her. Link then broke the kiss gently and, still holding her hand, walked into the castle.

The duo walked through many corridors, each one dark and creepy. Link's eyes continuously darted back and forth, watching for any possible traps. Midna walked alongside him, using her magical abilities to show them the correct path to Zant. He's so protective, so cautious thought Midna. I had almost forgotten… Midna then focused her mind on other matters, mainly how to take down Zant. They had walked for what seemed like hours until they reached the door leading to his throne room. Midna took Link's hands in hers and assured "Whatever we face, we'll face it together!" Link smiled and turned to open the door.

There the King sat, his familiar mask sending shivers down Link's spine. "I'm impressed you got here so quickly…I expected those traps to keep you longer."

Midna walked forward and declared "Your time is up, Zant. It's time to take you down!" She turned to face Link. "Draw your sword, Link." Link nodded and drew his familiar Master Sword, its blade glowing in the Twilight.

Zant merely smiled and said slyly "How boring, settling this with a simple sword duel. Don't you think it's time to mix it up?"

Midna cocked her head in curiosity; if Zant didn't want to prove his skill w/the blade, what did he want to prove it with? "What did you have in mind?"

Zant grinned wickedly, a gesture that gave Midna goosebumps. "Those cards you've collected…they're for more than just summoning monsters; they can be used to play a game. A YAMI NO GAME!"

"Yami no game?" asked Midna.

"Yes" replied Zant. "You and Link will each build a deck of 40 or more cards and take me on in a 2 vs 1 duel. All players start with 8000 life points, and all players use monsters to lower their opponent's life points to zero, using magic and trap cards to their advantage. The loser loses their soul. Do we have a deal?"

Midna glanced at Link; as much as she wanted to get rid of Zant, she didn't want to lose the love of her life. What should I do?

Just then, Link announced "I accept." Midna's mouth dropped open in shock.

"Are you sure?" Midna asked. Link nodded. Zant then snapped his fingers and cards appeared in front of both Link and Midna.

"Just point to the cards you want" Zant explained. Link and Midna then pointed away, Link picking Warrior cards and Midna picking Spellcaster cards. An arena then appeared in front of them and they approached it. The duel had begun.

"Since we're playing on my field, I'll go first" Zant stated. Zant drew a card and snickered. "This card will tip the duel in my favor! I activate the field magic card, DARK TWILIGHT!" The field then turned from the twilight that Midna had been accustomed to into the twilight that blanketed Hyrule. Zant explained "This magic card makes it so that only dark-attribute monsters can attack; all other monsters are frozen"

"Be careful Link" Midna warned. "With that card in play, he's at a dangerous advantage."

Link nodded. Zant continued "Next I summon Ryu-Kishin Powered and end my turn."

Link drew his card and stated "I summon Masaki the Legendary Swordsman in defense mode and place one card face down. That ends my turn."

Midna then drew her card and smiled. "I activate Cost-Down! By discarding one card from my hand, I can lower the level of all monsters in my hand by 2." She then discarded one card to the graveyard. "Next, I summon Dark Magician Girl!" Zant flinched as she continued "Next I activate the magic card Sage's Stone. So I can automatically summon from my hand Dark Magician." Zant;s face quickly became one of fear as he realized her skill. "Next I activate Mystical Space Typhoon. This magic card allows me to destroy a trap or magic card, and I choose your Dark Twilight!" Zant gasped as the dark twilight dissolved and the normal twilight began. "That ends my turn" said Midna.

Zant growled and said "Alright, you may have destroyed my Dark Twilight, but that was just one of my powerful cards. This duel has just begun, Princess!"