A/N: Okay guys… I've come to the conclusion that I'm going to have to write another Link and Dark Link story. I know a lot of you really like this one and you don't have to read the new one but I'm just letting you know that I'm going to be writing another… There's just so many things I want to change about this one… it's just ridiculous. Don't get me wrong I'm going to finish it, it's just there are so many slip ups in consistency and time frames that I'm starting not to love it anymore. Oh and I'd like to point out, as much as I would have liked to kill off Sheik I couldn't; for the sole fact that he is one of the most important characters in Ocarina of Time when it comes to Temples and the sages. So, I couldn't have Dark kill him… it would screw everything up. Um… yeah. Sorry if I'm being a negative nancy it's just… I don't know. I just get so bored and i love all the drama and emotions but I have to have it make sense or it just isn't a good piece of writing. :'( Pffft... whatever.

Chapter 18: Back to Being a Hero

Link and Dark had decided to return to the forest for the night and to tackle the Shadow Temple in the morning. They had put off Hero duties for long enough and it was time to get back on track. Upon entering the forest Navi seemed to sense Link's presence and came to greet him eagerly at the entrance. Before she could begin to scold him for leaving her behind for such a long period of time, she caught sight of a quite rough looking Dark and gasped at his horrible appearance. He never thought he would see the day when that pesky fairy would actually be concerned about him. After they had settled Dark inside the house, Link and Navi left to buy a fairy at the local shop. They could have gone to the fountain and captured one for free but Link didn't feel like making the trip and he didn't mind spending a little money on his dear friend after all that he'd been through. When they had returned, Dark was sound asleep on the makeshift bed that still remained since the last time they had slept here. Link gently set the little pink fairy free around his slumbering body and let it work its magic. He smiled knowing that Dark would feel much refreshed when he awoke the next day.

The next morning Link woke up noticing there wasn't a warm body by his side. He jumped frantically to his feet and then ran out his front door in alarm. He sighed with relief when he saw a rejuvenated Dark sitting at the edge of his balcony lightly swinging his feet back and forth. He must have rummaged through Link's belongings because he was wearing his blue tunic and a new set of pants considering his old clothes were beyond repair. They would have to buy him some new ones.

"It's nice out today." Dark said softly still gazing out amongst the village where forest children frolicked and played, "Some Kokiri girls brought some food by earlier." He added while jutting his thumb towards a basket filled with various fruits and vegetables, "I didn't want to eat without you." Dark stated grabbing an apple and tossing one to Link. He smiled catching the fruit and nodding appreciatively. He returned inside to equip his gear and wake up his lazy fairy. She was sleeping in Link's old bed, since he had now outgrown it. It made her look quite smaller than usual as she sprawled out amongst the cushions. He chuckled at her tiny body before shouting loudly next to her ear.

"HEY! LISTEN!"

She jumped from her deep slumber and began flying frantically across the room.

"Wh-what… what's happening?" She shrieked as she ran into a shelf considering she was still half asleep. Link busted into laughter, slapping his knee in amusement. She scowled at him crossing her small arms, "That is so rude…" She squeaked in annoyance. Link rolled his eyes and motioned for her to follow him, hinting it was time to depart. When they'd returned outside to retrieve Dark, they saw him teaching a young boy dressed in green his sword fighting skills; however instead of a sword, the boy had a deku stick and was swinging with all his might at a small shrub.

"See, now you're getting it! Nobody's ever going to mess with you." He praised while ruffling the boy's red hair. He caught sight of Link and waved cheerfully. Link smiled and walked towards him signaling for him to 'come on'. Dark said his goodbyes and ran to meet Link.

"Are you ready?" Link asked. Dark nodded with slight hesitation and then spoke what was on his mind.

"Should we get some fairies before we leave? I'm getting a bit tired of these life/death situations…" He suggested with a shrug.

"Well, I suppose but we will have to go all the way to the fountain. I don't have any more money…" Link trailed off slowly, not wanting Dark to feel bad that he spent his last amount of change to buy him a fairy yesterday.

"Not to worry, I have some." Dark replied with a smirk holding out two purple rupees.

"Where did you find those?" Navi cried, "You didn't steal them did you?" She accused flying in front of his face with a hateful scowl. Dark frowned and shook his head.

"I found a treasure chest over in the bushes… and another one in that house over there." Dark said with a smile. Link's eyes grew wide and his face fell as he prepared himself for Navi's nagging.

"Wha-at?" She hissed loud enough for the whole village to hear, "That's steal-!"

Link cut her off by grabbing her quickly and shoving her into his pocket, muffling her shouts and cries.

"Nobody was home…" Dark said obviously confused about his actions. Link smacked his forehead and gave him a weak grin.

"Eh," Link muttered unsure of what to say, "Just go to the shop and buy two fairies Dark. We'll pretend this never happened." They could hear Navi screech and Link patted his pocket to shut her up, "And hurry… before we attract attention." He finished nervously while glancing around at the staring children. Dark nodded with a grin and quickly returned with two bottles each filled with a single fairy and stuck them in Link's pouch. Link pulled out his ocarina and Dark wrapped his arms tightly around his waist to prepare for the impending teleportation. He'd already gotten used to the drill. After Link had finished the slow and dark sounding melody, The Nocturne of Shadow, Dark frowned.

"Well, that was a creepy song…" He muttered as the beam of light surrounded them and took them to their destination.

The pair arrived as they usually did. Link flopped to the ground first, and Dark followed shortly after tumbling on top of the hero.

"Can't you land better next time?" Link groaned as he clutched his aching head.

"Maybe you should roll out of the way!" Dark retaliated waving his arms in the air. Link stood up to examine his surroundings. They were standing atop of a fenced off ledge a couple of yards above the Kakariko graveyard. Behind them was a stair set that led deep into an enclosed tomb-like room where there lay many torches surrounding a pentagon shaped pedestal. In front of the pedestal was a large stone door with the same design that was on both Impa's and Sheik's clothing, a single large eye. On the floor there were rows and rows of illegible writing encircling the platform with symbols and lines that neither of the two men could read. They assumed it must have been ancient Hyrule script. Dark walked around the area poking at the torches and examining the large symbol imprinted on the door, knowing exactly why it looked so familiar. He decided not to bring it up.

"So I suppose the temple is just beyond that door. How do we get inside?" Dark asked.

"Well obviously we light the torches, you dunce!" Nave sneered sticking out her tongue. Dark narrowed his eyes at the bratty fairy.

"I know that," He replied snootily with a hand on his hip, "I mean how do we light them all?"

"I know a few magic tricks," Link said with a wink as he examined the unlit torches. He walked on top of the platform and shooed Dark and Navi away. They complied and stood far against the wall to be sure they were out of range. Link spread his feet, getting in a ready stance. He brought his hands together and Dark noticed a small orange and red ball beginning to form within his palms. After whispering a few words under his breath and then with an epic battle cry just for show, Link thrust his fist to the ground creating a force field of flames that shot out in all directions across the room. Dark was worried that the fire was going to reach him and possibly burn his eyebrows off but to his relief it dissipated a mere foot from his body. Dark shot Link a wild grin as he glanced around at the now lit torches and began clapping with amusement.

"Nice show, Hero!" He exclaimed as he watched the stone door open revealing the entry way to the inside of the Temple. Link shrugged conceitedly then put his hands behind his head and raised his brow.

"Yeah, well you know…" He bragged jokingly then hopped off the platform and walked towards the open doorway. As soon as they entered the hallway they could feel the air become denser and there was a sudden eerie atmosphere surrounding them. It felt humid and hot yet their bones were chilling.

"Wow, this place feels freaky!" Dark shouted shaking his jitters away and then planting a smile on his face, "I kinda like it." Link frowned at him and continued down the hall. It cut off shortly and the only way to go was to the right where there was a large gap about 10 feet across. They were going to have to pass it in order to get to the other side. The only problem was the other side looked like a dead end. All that was there was a wall with a creepy looking painting of a distorted face bearing a abnormal smile.

"What the hell is up with this? There's nothing even over there and there's nowhere else to go!" Dark yelled with frustration, "What a jip-ass temple."

"Hang on a second Dark," Link said pulling out the item he'd retrieved from the well. He had been told by Sheik he wouldn't be able to complete this temple without it. He held up the lens of truth and gazed through the purple glass. He lifted it towards the seemingly dead end and was amazed when he was able to see straight through the wall! "Dark check this out!" He said handing him the item. Dark took it and saw for himself that the wall was a phony.

"Just when I thought this place couldn't get any weirder…" He muttered crossing his arms. Link pulled out his longshot as he noticed a target on the other side of the gap and then he pulled out his older hookshot and handed it to Dark. He pulled himself to the other side and then waited for Dark to cross. He aimed the item towards the target and then pushed the button to release the chain; however, he was disappointed when it didn't seem to reach and shot back into its chamber, "HEY! It's too short!" He called after Link. He could see Navi snickering in the distance and shot her the finger. She covered her mouth in astonishment and glanced to Link.

"Did you see what he just did?" She squealed. Link ignored her and tossed Dark his longshot, luckily far enough that it didn't fall into the endless trench of darkness below. Once Dark was across Link held up the lens once again so he could see his way through the wall. He motioned for Dark to look through as well but he shook his head.

"You go across, first. I want to feel like a badass when I walk through this wall like I don't know the truth behind it." He chuckled evilly. Once Link was gone he strode on through feeling like a champ. When he met Link on the other side he was crossing his arms with a raised eyebrow.

"How'd that feel?" Link asked sarcastically.

"Amazing." Dark replied simply with a goofy smirk. The two of them gazed around at the new room. There was a giant statue of a large malicious looking bird in the center of the room surrounded by grey stone pillars with a single skull atop each one. Across from the sculpture was yet another large gap that seemed to have no bottom, and beyond the gap was another stone door located inside the mouth of a huge dragon-like figure jutting from the wall. Along the walls behind them were many more paintings of the same creepy looking face from before.

"Well, this blows my temple out of the water!" Dark exclaimed slapping his knee, "Get it?... Because it's… it's the water temple?" He struggled to choke out through fits of laughter. He noticed Link wasn't going along with it and silenced himself. Link pulled out the lens of truth knowing that one of the paintings along the wall had to be a fake. He walked along slowly examining each one before he came to the last picture at the end and saw that it was another passageway. He waved Dark over and pulled him through. On the other side was a series of hideous looking corridors with countless numbers of skulls along the walls. They walked around the hallways cautiously, awaiting what was lurking in the dark.

"Hey look over there!" Dark shouted pointing to a skull on the wall in front of them, "Its eyes are glowing blue… the other's don't seem to be doing that… pull out your magic thingy and check it out!" He demanded frantically. Link did as he was told and saw a door on the other side. They walked through yet another false wall and prepared to enter the door.

"Are you ready? I got a weird feeling about this…" Link asked wearily turning to face Dark.

"Of course I'm ready! Stop treating me like a child!" Dark stammered. Link rolled his eyes as they entered the next room. He groaned in agony as he saw 6 familiar looking pale lanky arms jutting from the floor.

"What the hell is that?" Dark shouted with disgust.