fleets: What madness is this? Three story chapters (oa, rend, oa) within the scope of 2 DAYS?
... The Phantom hourglass. I must be using it without knowing about it. Otherwise how would I have been able to write so much in such a short period of time?

Chapter 2: The Two Magicians

The Magician and The Reversed Magician:

There is someone skilled and powerful, with a willingness to take risks. This is a dangerous individual indeed, but is accompanied by his other, The Reversed Magician. Equally skilled and equally competent, but together there is poor cooperation.

XXXXXXXXXXX

Vaati yawned loudly as he walked out of class with Dark. He reached into his pocket for his cell phone and checked the time. "The day's only half over," he muttered. He rubbed his eyes and stuffed his hands into his maroon jacket. "That stupid game of yours – I'm so tired."

"We might've played a little too much," Dark agreed tiredly. They had gone late into the night playing Four Swords Adventures. It had quickly become a game of wits when Vaati found ways to sabotage Dark's progress. Needless to say, even with all the hours of playing they didn't get very far. "It's all your fault. You didn't try to help a single puzzle and placed bombs in the worst possible places."

Vaati sniffed. "Like I said, historical accuracy. I'll be damned if I believe those four were perfect at solving everything I threw at them. Besides, all of those monsters were too weak to be realistic."

"And then you'd push me into pitfalls until I get a game over and we'd have to start from the beginning."

The sorcerer shrugged.

"Let's also not forget the fact that I had to make sure you didn't go and kill yourself, because you seemed to find it funny to watch your Link jump off cliffs and die."

"You know that yell he makes right before he dies? If there's anything they got right it's that."

"To top it all off, right when we were actually close to finishing the level, you'd somehow manage to unplug your link cable so you'd get a game over. And then we'd have to start over for the hundred billionth time."

"See, the game sucks."

"It's not the best, I agree," Dark growled, "but you actually managed to make the experience worse than Zelda CD-i."

"Another one of those Zelda games, hmm? They can all rot in the bottom of the ocean for spreading vile lies for all I care."

"You're just bitter the whole point of the game is to ruin your plans."

Vaati whirled around. "Think of it this way," he said, leaning lazily against a wall. "Let's say I decided to make a videogame right now about the Holocaust where your goal is to be the most efficient concentration camp in the country. How do you think that will make people feel?" He turned and began to walk down the hall again. "Not good, right? Same thing."

"It's not the same thing because these games are based on myths!"

"But they actually happened," Vaati stated stubbornly.

"No one knows that but you." Dark rolled his eyes. "Find yourself a ladder and get over it."

Avoiding the bustling students gathered by the locker area, Dark squeezed his way towards his locker to grab his bagged lunch while Vaati waited for him. With a half-bitten sandwich in his hand, Dark nodded to Vaati. "Going out for lunch?" he asked. Dark didn't like either cafeteria food or fast food so he packed his own lunch from home. It was a very Japanese thing to do, and Vaati figured he had picked it up from his time there.

"Yeah. You want anything?"

The edgier Link shook his head. "Nah."

"Alright. See ya."

Instead of walking towards the cafeteria like the rest of the students, Vaati headed straight for the men's room and walked into one of the stalls. Making sure no one noticed him, he shut the door and muttered a spell under his breath. In the blink of an eye, Vaati had vanished into thin air.

XXXXXXXXX

The repugnant smell of garbage hit his nose as Vaati teleported next to the dumpsters behind the local Burger King. Before he had remembered how to use magic, he needed to make his way over on foot. Now he could go anywhere in an instant, and it was up to him whether or not he wanted to be late for class or impeccably on time. He usually varied his lateness, as he didn't want anyone becoming suspicious. No need to spread the gossip more than he had to.

Vaati strode to the front of the building as though nothing was odd about a person appearing out of the blue next to the dumpsters. It was a known trick that if you were confident enough, people rarely thought there was something odd about you: this was all too easy for the sorcerer since confidence was something Vaati had in abundance.

Vaati walked up to the register and placed his order.

"I would like to have a Whopper with a medium soda please."

"Is that all?"

"Ye-" Vaati hesitated. The woman at the register waited for him expectantly while wondering what was wrong. The sorcerer frowned, and continued. "Yes please…" he said slowly while his red eyes began to move around the room suspiciously.

"That will be $4.97."

Vaati paid for his food and he moved off to the side to wait for the order. Tensing, a sense of wariness overcame him along with a feeling of déjà vu. He had a strange, uncomfortable feeling like the one he had experienced when he had first met Link here almost exactly two years ago.

It was as though someone was watching him, and it was someone he didn't particularly like.

That was when his eyes met a pair of hazel ones behind a set of black-rimmed glasses that narrowed slightly when the sorcerer finally noticed them. Vaati froze, and a sense of dread loomed over him.

The other man was none other than the former leader of Talon Three, and he was ridiculously out of place in his expensive suit as he sat eating French fries while staring at Vaati with curiosity. Grinning, Halstead Dugal silently pointed at Vaati's order that had arrived.

Snatching his food with more force than necessary, Vaati was about to strut out of the building when a smooth voice stopped him. "Mr. Engst, a surprise to see you here," Dugal said with a laugh, not sounding too surprised at all. "Care to have a quick chat?"

"I need to go back to class," Vaati replied curtly.

Dugal checked his watch. "Well, this is your lunch break, correct? I thought class didn't start for another forty-five minutes. We have plenty of time."

What the freak, he knows my schedule? Vaati thought. Then, But of course he would know my schedule.

Vaati slowly and resentfully made his way over to the table Dugal was sitting at. He dropped the paper bag onto the table, scattering a few fries. He crossed his arms over his chest and glared unpleasantly. "What is it now? What more do you want?"

"Nothing, Mr. Engst. We happened to meet on pure chance alone," the other man shrugged amiably. "I got sick and tired of McDonalds so I came here instead. This place has wonderful fries."

Lies. You were trailing me. Instead, Vaati gave the other man a flat look that clearly stated he didn't appreciate having to talk to him. "I hate their fries."

"Ah, to each his own." Dugal slid his food to the side of the table and cleared the area in front of him, careful not to stain any part of his suit. He picked up a fry and turned it between his fingers – his eyes suddenly took on a fishy glint. "Speaking of fries," the man mentioned casually, "do you know any way to avoid being fried by magical fire?"

Vaati stood up abruptly. "That's it, I'm leaving." He fumed when a powerful grip closed around his wrist, preventing him from leaving. It was Dugal's bionic arm, and it was like being restrained by hand cuffs.

"Sit down, Mr. Engst. Listen for a while before you decide you want to leave." Dugal was smiling cheerfully, but it was anything other than friendly. Eyes narrowed venomously, Vaati complied. He sat back down and ignored his food that was becoming cold.

"Just skip the bullshit and get to the point."

An equally dangerous expression appeared fleetingly on Dugal's face. "Indeed. I will get straight to the point." He adjusted his glasses and straightened his tie. "There's a temple I would like to explore that's as curious as your palace. I will relinquish thirty percent of whatever we find should you decide to help me." The man watched him carefully over the rim of his glasses. "Intrigued?"

The sorcerer scoffed. "You'll have to tell me more than that if I'm going to make any decisions."

"Hn. Though that's prudent of you, I can't risk divulging more until I have your complete cooperation." Dugal tapped his gloved hand on the table, making faint whirring noises as the machinery in his fake arm adjusted itself. "This venture is, ah, sensitive. I'm merely asking if you're interested or not. If you want nothing to do with me at all, then I can end this conversation right now and I can promise you that you won't hear about this from me ever again."

The sorcerer waved his hand skeptically at the general area. "If it's so sensitive, why do you want to discuss this in such a public place?"

"This is less suspicious than if I set up a meeting with you. Besides, the ambient noise is too loud for anyone to be able to eavesdrop easily, and the reception will be especially annoying if someone were to try and use a small microphone to listen."

"Huh." Vaati looked around. What Dugal said was true. Then, he smiled quite nastily. "Someone's on the tail of the 'untraceable Dugal', hmm?"

A faint glimmer of malice flashed behind the black glasses. "Careful with your questions, Mr. Engst."

For some reason, seeing the pretentious Dugal agitated over his comment filled Vaati with immense pleasure. No doubt he had struck a nerve, and probably on something that the man was having trouble with.

Irritably, Dugal snapped, "So what will it be? Should I leave?"

Yes you should. And while you're at it, please fly yourself to the moon and stay there until humanity disappears.

… At least that's what Vaati had wanted to say. He wanted to see that smug expression crushed in little pieces, but at the same time this offer was something to consider. The fact that Dugal, with all of his resources at his disposal, was coming to him for help indicated that this temple was magical in nature.

A magical temple.

Vaati the Sorcerer of Winds was currently the world leader and greatest power regarding the magical arts, and he planned to stay that way. He was also the world's only sorcerer as far as he was aware. He wasn't too keen on letting someone like Dugal get his hands on magical artifacts, especially after he had seen what the man had learned while at the Palace of Winds.

Also, seeing how the bastard had somehow survived the plane crash he should have died in, Vaati suspected there was a possibility that Dugal had found other things than what he had revealed during the fight at the palace.

Basically, the bottom line was that it would be a bad idea to let Dugal have the opportunity to figure out the secrets of this temple alone.

But wait. Not so fast, Vaati's brows scrunched together as he debated in his head. He needs my help, and he won't be able to get it anyway if I don't help him, right? If I refuse his endeavors end here.

Except…

Except regarding the Avilux I incident that had happened two years ago, some idiot might be able to figure out how to gain access to the temple anyway. It might take more time without Vaati's help, but who was he to say that no one would be able to take its secrets? Whew, I was about to let my arrogance be my downfall again.

Making up his mind, he raised his head and met the other man eye to eye. "I'm interested." And besides, maybe this will be a good opportunity to find something that would let me solve the reincarnation problem, he added to himself.

Dugal's sneer broadened. "Perfe-"

"BUT," Vaati stopped him with a raised finger. This time, the sorcerer's grin grew wider while Dugal's began to dip. "You need my help. I take eighty-five percent of the shares."

Dugal stiffened. "You don't really expect to make deals with me."

"Oh but I do. You'll soon find out I'm more significant than you think I am, Mr. Dugal."

"Don't get cheeky with me. Thirty-five."

"Seventy."

"Forty and final."

"Sixty-five and final."

"… You don't seem to understand the concept of the word 'final.'" Dugal said thinly, betraying his calm exterior.

Vaati only grinned wider. "Neither do you, if you don't agree to my offer. You need my help more than I need yours."

Dugal glowered for a moment, not enjoying being placed in a position of defeat. Once he came to terms, he resumed his cheerful façade. "Deal." He reached over the table with his gloved hand, prompting Vaati to shake it.

The sorcerer should have known that the gloved hand was the fake one.

The metal skeleton squeezed the life out of his hand. Wrenching it away, Vaati scowled. "A damn firm handshake you have there."

Dugal's smile was like a snake's. "Sorry I'm still not used to this arm," he chuckled, feigning innocence.

"Hff." Vaati rubbed his hand where there was still a small throbbing pain. This is going to be one hellish partnership. The sorcerer stood up to leave. "So how am I going to get in touch with you?"

"You won't. I will," was the curt reply. Dugal handed him a phone. "Have this with you, but don't use it for anything besides answering calls."

Vaati pocketed the small black cell phone into his jacket pocket. Reaching over for his lunch that was now gross from cooling to unsalvageable temperatures, he nodded one last time. "Anything else?"

Relaxing now that the exchange was done, Dugal lounged across the booth seat once again. "Not really. But let me ask you this…"

A few seconds later, the sorcerer smirked at the question and the two appeared to laugh at something Vaati said. The teen turned to leave, and Dugal raised a parting hand.

He appeared satisfied. "Very well. It was a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Engst."

XXXXXXXXXXX

"Did you eat at a five-star restaurant or something? What took you so long?" Dark asked when Vaati showed up by the lockers just as lunch break was ending. When he didn't get a response, Dark began to grow suspicious. "Hey, what's up?"

"Huh?" Vaati finally turned his head, snapping out of whatever thought his mind was wandering in.

"Smoke some weed, did you?" Dark noted the sorcerer's dazed expression.

"Eh." Vaati shrugged and wandered over to class.

Usually Dark would have expected a snappy retort of some kind, and it was a little freaky that the sorcerer sounded so out of it. Either something had happened during the past forty-five minutes that he had been gone that Vaati wasn't willing to share, or he was now a pothead.

If it weren't for the fact that he knew Vaati denounced drugs for reducing his reflex and mental capacities, Dark would have figured the sorcerer had gone for a smoke.

Therefore, whether or not he was smoking aside, something was bothering his temperamental housemate and troublesome friend. He was going to keep a close eye on him, just in case.

XXXXXXXXXXX

Vaati mulled over everything Dugal had said as he leaned back in his chair in the far corner of the classroom. The teacher was droning on and on about something he didn't really care about. Maybe something about Tocqueville in America; he wasn't paying attention. He also didn't notice Dark glancing at him occasionally, wondering what was up with him.

All Vaati could think about was what he was getting himself into. He remembered the last bit of conversation just before he left the fast food chain:

"Anything else?"

"Not really. But let me ask you this,"

Vaati glanced over at him.

"Are you willing to take risks?"

Vaati smirked to himself at the memory. The history teacher stopped lecturing when she noticed the sorcerer not really listening.

"Vaati, are you paying attention?"

"Hmm?"

His response encouraged a few giggles, and there were a few grumbles as the teacher warned him about his participation grades. Vaati still continued to smirk with an amused air, not really caring about what the teacher thought.

The more he thought about it the more he couldn't get the temple out of his head.

Are you shitting me Dugal? He grinned, chewing on the end of his eraser. Of course I'm willing to take risks.

fleets: And now we begin to follow the cards ;). Hope I know what I'm doing ahaha.

Midna Hytwilian: Glad to be of service :) (bows)

SubZeroChimera: No. No I couldn't XD

Astral S. Kepeire: Their play-through of FSA isn't over yet, thanks to Vaati's sabotage efforts. I really wish I could reveal more about the double-T pair, but unfortunately I think it'll severely ruin their entrance. You'll find out if I change my mind (because by that point I'll start spilling info). I won't forget about Rend (lol, considering I ended up submitting Ch 16 the same day OA Ch 1 came out D:)

henslight: I think with this chapter it'll be clear who the two Magicians are ;)
Gamecube adventures are still ongoing. Stay tuned for more! ... lol

Lord Siravant: Not many people can understand his logic, don't worry. He's a little batty XD
Also just curious, but have you read Avilux yet? I don't know how the reading experience for this one will be without it (you might get confused by the references). Then again, it might be possible to read this without having read the first one (I really have no idea).

Purplegc: Thanks! You know, this might be the first story ever where I focused on someone besides Vaati to set up the plot (disregarding the intro by Dugal in Avilux because he was talking about Vaati anyway). As for your question, yes, I'm implying he died in FSA but had the reincarnation spell figured out just before. I might mention it in the story if I remember to :)

Vaati the wind mage1: I know I've told my parents that the first thing I'll do if I gain the ability to use magic is to make all my chores go away. They weren't very amused by that.

Reily96: Really really really. Really. Want to draw the double-T pair. To compensate I've been doodling all over my notebook, and then erasing them so I wouldn't be inclined to submit them on the intarwebs. Sad. Well we'll see, because FSA with V and D aren't over yet! XD

TheParanoidLime: I finally figured it out, so I'm going to attempt to write this one. Glad you like it so far, thanks for the support! :D

Shadow R-B: Thistle and Thyme are very vague, yeah. It's frustrating for me too, because I want to reveal them so badly but I have a feeling that would just ruin their official entrance. Aw thanks, you too! Emoticons! (jumps after them)

TwilightWakerofTime: Seriously. I wouldn't have to study as much. The game doesn't change too much - instead of controlling all four Links, you each control two for two-player (I don't know how it works for 3 player though). And obviously you'd need to cooperate to clear the stages (as Dark found out the hard way). It's a good thing you mentioned the gba in the review though: I forgot how you needed that to play D: