A/N: So finally! I promise this is the very last chapter EXCEPT it's going to be split into two parts. Haha! I caught you there! Lol I'm sorry if I haven't been thanking you guys personally for your reviews in my author's notes the past few legitimate chapters. D: I've been forgetting! You know I'm appreciative of you guys… I hope. So I hope that these last two chapters… (half a chapters) meets all of your expectations. The last thing I'd want to do is leave this story with a bad impression. I suppose I'm satisfied with how this story is going to end. I only wish that I had made the time-span longer… and I need to be extra cautious about spelling errors. I swear I reread my chapters a MILLION times and there are still spelling errors. Also, in future stories I want to make my chapters longer. 2,000 word chapters just don't cut it… its 4,000 or nothing! As for my stalker situation... all seems to be under control as of now which means i won't be changing my username. I changed my email and that seems to be good enough... we'll see. I'm glad i didn't have to get rid of smuttylove! :D
I don't own Legend of Zelda or any of its characters.
Chapter 31: Part 1
Link and Dark watched cautiously as his replica contemplated how to go about his actions. He never thought he'd have to deal with two heroes of time and the fact that one of them was his exact double left him speechless. He shifted nervously in his stance and it wasn't too long before Dark got sick of his fidgeting, taking off in his twin's direction with his sword drawn high. Their swords emitted a deafening ring as they clashed together, sending them sliding apart from the sheer power behind their blows. Link watched in wonder as the two warriors began to duel battle with the upmost ferocity, their bodies appearing as a blur of black and gray. It wasn't as though he didn't want to step forward and help Dark slay the evil minion, except from where he stood, he couldn't tell the difference!
Their attacks were pure mirror images of each other, and soon Dark realized that this fight was going to be harder than he'd interpreted. Every swing and thrust was blocked by the exact same move. He truly was battling his own reflection. Unlike Link, Dark didn't have the megaton hammer or a bow to switch up his strategy. He was confined to his sword, which he began to find was more of a burden than an asset. After dodging a near fatal blow, he glanced towards Link for only a second to process his emotions. He seemed a bit frustrated, his eyes squinted and his nose crinkled in worry.
While he sat on the sidelines, Link was frantically trying to find a minor detail that Ganondorf had failed to recreate. He was searching for a particular feature such as a blood stain or a rip in their clothes that was different from the other. However, it seemed as though Ganon was able to completely reconstruct the evil Dark's code to be exactly the same as the original: Except the original was made by the goddesses, stripped from the hero of time himself; whereas the copy was merely a cheap counterfeit. It dumbfounded Link how Ganondorf was able to create such a being and also… infuriated him. Not being to tell his significant other from a monster was the absolute worst feeling he could ever imagine. Just when he was considering whether or not he should step in, one of the Dark's managed to side swipe the other's arm, leaving behind a nasty gash. He cried out in pain, cursed under his breath for being careless, and then held his free hand to the seeping wound. Immediately thinking that it was his Dark due to instinct, Link ran towards the attacker, ready to fight no matter the costs.
"Whoa! Hey! What are you doing?" The man shrieked while backing away from the oncoming blonde. Link skidded to a halt, panic suddenly coursing through his body and stared inquisitively at the man before taking a step back. He glanced back to the wounded Dark and then again to the bewildered one. He was desperately confused and his heart ached for every second he wasn't able to recognize his partner.
"Link! Don't listen to him!" Link glanced back towards the man holding his arm and raised an eyebrow in shock, "He's the fake!"
"Liar!" The other cursed through clenched teeth, "He's trying to trick you!"
Link remained standing in between the two, trying to figure out who was real and who wasn't. He examined every ounce of personality from the tone of their voices to their body language in an attempt to distinguish the two men. Eventually, he ended up sighing with despair once the duo started at it again, obviously annoyed with the blonde's stalling. Link kept a cautious eye out for the wounded man, worried that it was his Dark. He was seething with rage and giving the fight his all, throwing his body into every swing to build more power. However, his energy was quickly draining and it was obvious by his harsh pants and his wobbling knees that he was tiring fast.
Link scolded himself mentally for not being able to tell the love of his life from this monstrosity. He could feel his blood rushing to his temples as anger started to boil inside of him, due to the guilty emotions running through his mind. Link felt as though he were betraying Dark by standing aside like a sitting duck and letting him do all the work. But he couldn't risk killing his partner and so he would not step forward. Even after making his decision to stay docile he couldn't help but keep his eyes on the wounded man. His aura was radiating valor and concern; emotions that Link couldn't help but feel were directed towards him. The determination in the injured Dark's eyes showed fierce compassion while the other showed livid desire; two definite contrasting personalities. Still, that wasn't enough evidence to fuel him to risk killing his best friend.
Suddenly, Link remembered that Dark's tunic had a tiny triforce on the sleeve and he glanced frantically between the two only to be utterly disappointed. Ganondorf had truly taken every pesky detail into consideration. The concept that the Dark Lord had been spying on the pair long enough to notice a tiny embroidered triforce sent chills up Link's spine, causing the soft tiny hairs on his neck to stand on end. At this point, not only did he extremely detest the Evil King but he full-fledged hated him. The fury that had been dwelling inside him began to make him nauseous until he was ready to act upon internal feelings and pure instinct. He was going to go with his gut.
His suspect was slowly backing up towards him, his attention completely focused on the injured man. Link knew what was at stake and he felt dirty for attacking someone with their back turned but the strong intuition he felt in his heart was legitimate. The shadowy man jerked his attention towards the blonde as he heard him unsheathe his sword, metal sliding against metal, creating an echoing sound of impending death. He tried desperately to keep his eyes on both men but found it impossible and assumed that Link was only bluffing.
Which is why he was completely caught off guard when he felt the cold steel of a blade plunge through his back and resurface through the front of his stomach.
This moment was all too familiar to Link as he watched in anticipation as the man's jaw dropped, his eyes gaping wide. He then looked up towards the blonde in astonishment, his eyes vacant and stained with agony. Then he glanced wearily back down to the weapon still lodged in his gut and he wrapped his hands around the blade in an attempt to push it out. The other Dark appeared equally as shocked and he lowered his sword while staring intently at Link's fingers still curled around the hilt.
Panic began to run through Link's body as he quickly withdrew his blade and watched the man fall to his knees. Why was he so anxious? Why was he suddenly feeling the strong will of regret? Had he killed the wrong man? Had he murdered his Dark?
The room was chillingly silent, and the air thick with dread as they waited.
The man coughed and choked up spurts of liquid… and to Link's relief it was a dark green fluid and soon the man burst into a plethora of turquoise flames.
Sent back to the underworld.
Link knew that when he saw Dark cut, bleeding real blood—human blood… it was him; however, he couldn't be positive, taking in Ganondorf's sick and twisted magic into account. Link reared back his head in relief and let out a heavy sigh of joy. Dark continued to stare at him in disbelief as if he'd suddenly grown another head, before finally breaking the dreaded silence.
"What the fuck!"
Link instantly jerked his head in his companion's direction and raised an eyebrow, "What?"
"That could have been me! You can't go killing replicas of me willy nilly!" Dark shrieked while frantically waving his arms about. He was clearly distressed and Link was frustrated that he'd doubted him… even though he was having his own uncertainties only a few moments ago.
"Well it wasn't was it?" Link spat back while shaking his sword to sling off the excess goo before returning it to the home of its sheath.
"That's not cool, blondie." Dark grumbled as if he were giving a foreboding warning. He then scrambled around in his pockets before pulling out an item, "If this should ever happen again, let's take the easy route." He then revealed the fairy ocarina to Link as if he were showing him the Holy Grail, "This little beauty would have saved us a lot of trouble."
"How was I supposed to know he didn't somehow have the ocarina too? He had the same tunic and even the same shield I gave you." Link retorted with his arms crossed. He felt offended but at the same time could comprehend the valid point Dark was trying to make. He was worried that Link would slice him into bits if they should ever come across any more evil clones again and that was understandable.
"Because this ocarina holds sentimental value. Ganondorf doesn't bother with cheesy stuff like that." Link only rolled his eyes in return as if to say 'oh of course!' in the most sarcastic way possible, "Don't sweat it though. I knew you could see right through that imposter." Dark joked while giving him a wink and pulling him into a quick side hug, "Now let's go kill that bastard, once and for all."
The swirling treacherous mist that barricaded the entrance to the top of Ganon's tower had dissipated, allowing access to the Dark Lord. The heroes couldn't help but shiver in trepidation, now completely aware of the duty bestowed upon them. The heavy weight that had been placed on their shoulders for the past few months now felt ten times heavier and their shoulders slumped from the burden. Dark could see Link trembling slightly from wrecked nerves and he wanted to comfort him, yet couldn't find the heart to give him any false hope. He elbowed the blonde in his ribs and gave him a reassuring grin. Dark had promised Link that he would leave with his life and this was the only thing he was certain of at the moment. That was one thing that he wasn't worried about.
Surprisingly, Link gave him a genuine grin back, something the raven-haired boy hadn't expected. Perhaps Link was too much of an optimist at times but at least he wasn't scared. Worried, maybe, but he didn't want him to be frightened. Hell, he was the hero of time. Why would he be scared? However, his eyes were flooded with concern for the future, something neither of the boys could predict. Link slid his hand into his companion's, entangling his fingers with his, causing the boy to blush something fierce and give him a joking scowl in return.
They started up the long winding staircase that seemed to go on as far as their eyes could see. Dark couldn't help but keep his eyes towards the velvet carpet, red as blood, while Link kept his head held high with pride and dignity. He glanced up towards the blonde, for only a second, so he could remember Link exactly the way he looked at this second. Proud and valiant, heading to a war he didn't know if he could win, but treading on nonetheless and if Dark didn't know any better he could have sworn he saw him smiling.
It wasn't a full-fledged grin, teeth peeking out from behind those perfect lips with joy. It was subtle gesture, emitting more from his aura than his facial features. Although this wasn't quite the time to gawk over Link's beauty, Dark found himself admiring his partner with upmost affection until the blonde must have felt his stare burning holes through him. Link turned to face him with raised brow and Dark merely slipped him a hearty smirk. It was amazing how they could share a conversation of feelings without actually speaking words. Dark only wanted to portray to Link that he knew the hero was ready for this and he would prevail with no doubt in his mind. The blonde seemed to understand the message because he nodded his head ever so slightly as if to say 'thank you'. Although, Dark didn't know what Link would be thankful for.
If anything he was the one to be appreciative for all the things the hero had done for him over the time they'd spent together. He showed him kindness and compassion. It would take forever for him to list out all the significant events and tingling emotions he's felt over the past few weeks. He could never run out of positive things to say about his fellow companion and the way he made him feel. He was once a cold-hearted brute, living alone in a water-filled tomb. But an angel came along one day and set him free and showed him the world and everything he'd been missing. Link made him feel alive.
Although, the staircase had seemed to go on for miles they were so wrapped up in each other's thoughts that they hadn't focused on the time. They approached an iron door, rusting at the edges, beckoning them forward with foreboding threats. Link gave Dark's hand a tight squeeze before pushing the door open, and allowing them entry through the gates of hell.
Of course, like an ironic horror film, Ganon was sitting at his organ playing a dreadful tune. Dark couldn't help but cringe at the sharpness of the notes and cover his ears in protest. Zelda was suspended high in the air, still encased in a diamond cut ice structure. Link shifted his gaze from the trapped princess and towards the King of Evil, who also happened to be a horrible musician. An ominous atmosphere cascaded throughout the room, emitted from the wicked stone statues resembling evil guardians of destruction to the crimson red carpet, the color of gore, war, and tragic endings.
The music suddenly came to a halt and the Dark Lord began to speak with a low and daunting voice, yet failed to turn around and face them.
"The triforce parts are resonating. They are becoming one again."
The tone in his words was intimidating, pricking at the hero's nerves. Suddenly, Link felt a burning sensation on the top of his right hand that started to tingle. He glanced down to find the cause when he saw the outline of the triforce printed across his skin, the lower left triangle glowing fiercely with a bright light. He'd never noticed the mark until now and assumed that it was merely showing because he was in the presence of the other two parts. It both scared him and amazed him at the same time and he couldn't help but notice Dark in the corner of his eye gazing at his own hand with curiosity, only to be utterly disappointed when he hadn't seen the same mark. Link would have thought it was quite cute if the matter at hand wasn't so dire.
"The two triforce parts that I could not capture on that day seven years ago… I didn't expect that they would be hidden within you two."
The hero tried to hold back a grimace from the livid anger boiling in his blood. For some odd reason he was allowing the man to speak. Maybe he expected Ganondorf to explain himself and all the wrongful acts he'd committed that had been causing chaos across the land. Perhaps, a single shred of his optimistic personality had hoped that Ganon would step down right here and right now and surrender so he and his partner wouldn't have to risk their lives. However, he knew the obvious answer and he kept one hand on the handle of his sword in case he need draw it.
"And now, finally, all the triforce parts have gathered here."
Finally the Evil King gathered the manners to turn around and face the pair, but not without a fancy twirl of his maroon colored cape. An accessory that Dark found most disturbing, "These toys are too much for you. I command you to return them to me."
When Link refused to do so, even though he didn't know how to retract the magic from his body if he wanted to, Ganon raised a mighty hand and with a flick of his meaty fingers sent a void of spiraling energy directed towards the heroes in an attempt to retrieve them himself.
"Li-Link! I can't help you because of the waves of darkness! I-I can't get close!" Navi squealed before flailing backwards from the power behind the dark energy. Link could hear her shrieking an 'I'm sorry' until her voice faded from the distance. He was slightly worried but with Dark here, his concerns quickly vanished. Plus, it was calming to know that she was out of the line of fire. He knew that Navi would be safer at a distance. There were already too many lives at stake, and he didn't want to put hers into jeopardy as well.
The blast caused the room to shake and shift until the very tiles they were standing upon began to falter and fall to a seemingly endless drop. Dark stumbled backwards as the ground he was standing on started to crumble until both of the men found safety on a nearby ledge. In the center of the room was a single platform with a menacing looking Ganondorf levitating above it.
"Dark Link," He stated lowly while raising his chin in dignity, "You still have time to join my side. Think of how easily we could take care of him."
Dark couldn't help but be a bit amused when he noticed Link's eyes nearly shoot right out of his head. He tapped him quickly with his arm and shook his head as if to resolve any of his doubts, and then he turned to face Ganondorf with a straight posture and the same proud look he was giving him, "I've chosen my side."
The Evil King let out a bellowing laugh before giving the man a response, "Very well. But just remember, I offered to spare you."
"It is you who should be begging for mercy."
Dark's simple statement was enough to rile Ganondorf up quite easily, "Silence!" He held out his massive green palm that began to generate a strong orb of electricity, "We shall see who is begging after this!" He then thrust the orb of magic like a baseball in Dark's direction who instinctively rose his shield to protect himself. However, the shield did nothing more than act as a conductor, sending the jolts of power running through his body. Dark let out an agonized yell as he felt his skin burning and his blood boiling. It was as if his body was an oven and it was cooking his insides. He dropped to his knees with wide eyes, completely cut off guard, and tried to regain his breath. His hair was disheveled in all directions from the jolts of electricity and he thanked the goddesses it didn't burn right off.
Link dropped his jaw in shock and then remembered how he had defeated Phantom Ganon in the Forest Temple and immediately felt guilty. He should have known, and he should have warned Dark, "Dark! I'm sorry! I should have told you that—
"Silence!" Ganondorf shouted while gathering yet another sphere of magic and projecting it in the blonde's direction. He had tried to catch Link off guard, but he was too quick and swiftly drew his sword, swiping the orb of electricity and sending it back to its beholder. Dark watched in awe from where he sat on the ground, he hadn't expected a sword to be able to reflect the magic and he was weary that his own would have the same effect, "So you want to play, hero?" Ganondorf beckoned while swiping the orb right back, this time faster and fiercer.
Link raised his sword in a batter's stance and hit the ball again, swinging hard to get the magic moving quicker to hopefully catch the Evil King while he was being careless. Ganondorf was quick to return the blows and it seemed like hours that the two played ping pong, with that orb of electricity. The ball was starting to move back and forth at an alarmingly fast rate and Dark was beginning to worry that Link was going to slip up in his consistancy. The orb was now indecipherable, resembling just a bright glowing line, connected between the two warriors.
Dark noticed Link bring his sword back farther behind his back, then swinging it forwards with all his might, throwing his whole body into the blow. He squinted his eyes to try and make out the orb in all the confusion and to his disbelief it exploded into several bolts of electricity against Ganondorf's chest. The man clenched his fists in pain, letting out a low bellowing yelp before falling to the ground from his levitated state. Link just stared in awe at the fallen man and glanced to Dark as if to ask 'Now what?'
"The light arrows!" Dark called and Link immediately obliged. He drew his bow, summoning the spell, and sent the magical arrow sailing in the direction of the Dark Lord. Ganondorf attempted to knock the arrow aside with his arm but failed miserably in his shocked state, and the tip lodged itself in his left shoulder. It seemed to explode in a blast of light that surrounded the evil being and dubbing him practically unconscious. The pair gave each other both a feeble glance before hopping across the broken floor, in an array of platforms to the center where the limp body of the Ganondorf remained still.
"Do it." Dark ordered and this time Link held no hesitation. He raised his master sword high above his head and just when he was about to bring the blade down to decapitate the King of the Gerudo, he began to stir, "Now Link! Do it now!"
However, Ganon had already woken and he let out a husky yell before swinging his forearm toward the blonde, knocking him off the platform to fall to his demise. Dark scrambled to the edge, catching the boy in a slippery grip. He glanced to the demon that was dangerously close to his side and used all his strength to sling Link to the ledge behind him. After he made sure the boy had crawled up to his safety he turned to face Ganon with his sword drawn.
"You are being a fool." The Dark Lord grumbled before rising from his knees.
"Perhaps," Dark replied while keeping steady eyes on the massive man. Ganondorf towered at least a good three feet above him yet he did not fear him, "But I'd rather be a fool than a selfish, mad brute."
"Mad?" Ganon began to erupt into laughter, "What is so insane about stealing an entire kingdom to call your own. That is power. That is pride. I will rule the world Dark. A world you could have been a part of."
"I must decline," The raven-haired young man replied while puffing out his chest to assert his dignity, "If the world were yours to own, I'd rather be dead." He then lunged towards Ganon thrusting forward with his blade. The larger man raised his arm, blocking the steel with his ruby encrusted gauntlet and throwing his fist into a punch with his other hand. Dark rolled underneath his arm, spinning around with his weapon in a side swing. He nicked the back of Ganon's knee, slicing the tendon and causing him to stumble.
"Ha ha, so you've gotten lucky!" The evil man yelled before thrusting his palm in Dark's direction that produced a dark purple mass that headed towards the boy. Dark stood to his feet in an attempt to run towards the safety of the far ledge for he knew he was vulnerable against the Dark Lord's socery. He leaped across the gap but the dark mass was too quick and it swirled around his body pulling him down to the bottomless pit below. The smokey aura tugged at his legs as Dark grasped at the edge of the platform, trying desperately to pull himself over. His fingers were slipping and his nails were breaking from his frantic clawing, causing blood to gush, creating an even slicker surface. Link ran over to try and help him up but as soon as he approached his companion, Dark's fingers slid loose from their grip and he was sent barreling to the ground below.
Link watched in horror as he saw the boy's body grow smaller and smaller with the distance until he completely disappeared into the darkness. He saw a tiny blue light zip into his direction and immediately recognized it as Navi, running to Dark's aid. He stood there, looking over the edge with vacant eyes and trembling hands, until he finally glanced towards Ganon with utter insanity. Navi could not save him. His senses suddenly became extremely acute. He could feel the sweat forming against his forehead and every second it took for the drops to slide down to his chin. Every breath he took was dreadfully sensitive, almost painful, as the air entered and exited his lungs. He could hear his pounding heartbeat in his ears, so loud he couldn't process what his enemy was snickering about from across the room. He had never felt so infuriated in his entire existence.
"Did I strike a nerve, hero?"
Link glanced once more down to the endless shadows below and then again towards the monstrosity that had murdered his friend, his companion, his love. He was already gathering another orb of electricity, "Let's play again."
Link did not respond but tried to maintain the shaking grasp he had on his sword.
If Ganondorf was expecting Link to be too disoriented from the loss of Dark to be able to defeat him, he was terribly wrong. If anything, it made him ten times more determined to kill the son of a bitch. Ganon looked extremely pathetic as he laid there, panting fiercely as death approached him. Link had managed to give him a piece of his own magic on more than one occasion as well as skewer him with many arrows of light. Now the hero of time stood towering over the fallen warrior with his sword to his side, staring intently into the Dark Lord's sinful golden eyes.
"What are you waiting for?" Ganondorf spat through a mouthful of blood, "Are you scared Link?"
The blonde refused to speak as he stared blankly at the mad man. However, he was starting to question his own sanity as he felt his own madness start to corrupt him. Ganon let out a bellowing laugh in an attempt to mock the hero.
"Why are you hesitating? I can't believe the hero of time—the one who's destiny it is to kill me, is stalling!"
Ganon continued to burst into crazy hysterics while he fidgeted weakly on the ground. Finally, after Link had remained silent for long enough he rose his blade to the curve of the Dark Lord's neck and pressed it dangerously close to his skin.
"I wanted to get a good look at you."
Ganondorf looked to him in confusion raising his eyebrow inquisitively.
"While you still had your head."
Link heard a choke and a gurgle before the thud of Ganon's skull rolled to the tiles below. He'd never taken pleasure in manslaughter and even now, he didn't consider himself happy. Link glanced up to where Zelda was suspended in the air and noticed cracks forming at the base of the crystal-like structure where she was encased inside. Finally, the ice shattered into thousands of shards and the princess came tumbling to the ground. Link ran out to catch her, smiling weakly as she landed in his arms. He set her gently to her feet before walking once more to the edge of the platform to look down to the darkness below. Something inside him was telling his heart, Dark wasn't dead. Zelda stepped forward to place a comforting pat on his back as she glanced over his shoulder.
"I'm sor—" Zelda began, but was quickly interrupted as the ground began to shake and the structure of the building began to tremble.
"What's going on?" Link asked, instantly snapping out of his weary state.
"Ugh! Ganon's spirit! It's still here! He's taking down the building with him!" Zelda cried as she pulled Link to a nearby door that was barred off. She clasped her hands together whispering a sacred chant before the bars slid open, allowing them access down the stairs, "We must hurry!"
Link was hesitant. He wanted to look for Dark, even if there was a chance he was gone forever. He wanted to take his body out of this wretched hell hole. However, he followed Zelda close behind, hoping to see him when they reached the bottom. Ganon's last attempt to kill them both had driven Link over the edge. Even after death, he wanted to make sure no one was left alive, bringing down the castle and locking every door and blocking any escape route. He'd thought his plan through, that was for sure. The more Link thought of Ganon, the more he thought of Dark, and the faster he was running down the stairs. He found himself getting ahead of Zelda, even though it was only she who could open the barricaded doors. He was impatient, stamping his feet while the dainty princess made her way through the halls.
Lastly, they finally made their way outside but not without the bothersome burden of a few Stalfos and redeads. Surprisingly, the blonde was not stopped cold in his tracks from the horrific moan of the mummified demons because now he felt dead as well. His heart had ceased beating when he saw Dark fall to his ultimate demise. The pair finally rounded the corner and crossed the bridge, turning once more to watch the castle fall to the ground. His heart sank as the building fell apart and he began to debate if he should run back for him.
In the corner of his eye, Link could have sworn he saw a thin figure dashing through the clutter of smoke followed by a tiny bluish light. The debris only seemed to pile higher as each tier of the building crumbled, making it difficult for Link to see through all of the smoke. While squinting his sapphire eyes to get a better look, he took a step forward only to be pulled back by a worried Zelda. He glanced quickly through the clouded air to confirm his suspicions when he saw the frail man sprinting in their direction with Navi close behind. He was coughing something fierce, and waving his hands in the air to disperse the dust.
"Dark!" Link shouted while running towards his companion with utter joy. The dark-headed man approached them wearily, covered from head to toe in a dirty gray film. He pulled the boy in a tight embrace, squeezing him so hard, it caused him to cough even more so, "How? What did you—How did you?" Link stammered as he took Dark's face in his hands to examine him for injuries.
"Don't worry about it…" Dark replied through a fit of chokes, "The point is… I'm alright…"
A/N: So sorry I have to end it here guys! Obviously he still has to fight Ganon's Reincarnation so... the battle is far from over. I feel like I needed to post a new chapter ASAP. I'll try and get part two out by Sunday but I can't promise anything. Thank you for reading.
