A/N: Wow, you guys thought I was dead there for a second didn't you? I don't know where the inspiration to finish this came from… Oh wait yes I do. Thank you RHP for sending me a message to quit lazing around and get to business! Okay so your words were a lot nicer than that but still… I needed to know you guys were still out there. Here is the continuation of Chapter 31: The Finale. Enjoy.

Chapter 31: Fallen Soldiers (Part 2)

The moment was surreal. Link was ecstatic as he relaxed in the joy of having defeated the King of Evil once and for all, and finding the love of his life in one piece and seemingly unharmed. Dark looked equally as happy, panting hard from the debris and smoke, but with a grin that could kill showing each of his individual sparkling white teeth. Dark then glanced to the princess, giving her a once over to make sure she was all right before stretching out his arms and turning to face the fallen castle.

"It's hard to believe," Dark stated as he gawked over the crumbled bricks and cluttered stone.

"It's finally over." Link finished while glancing at his significant other with the utmost pride and glory.

"I don't know how I'll ever be able to thank you Link." Zelda gushed while clasping her dainty hands together beggars style with an appreciative smile.

"Us." He corrected before grabbing hold of Dark's hand, sloppily tangling his fingers with his. Link then raised his free hand to his forehead to wipe the drops of perspiration from his brow. He then glanced to Dark and began rubbing his sweaty palms across his face to get the grey film of dirt off. The dark-headed boy squirmed away, causing a cloud of dust to form as he moved about.

"You two are so silly," Zelda giggled from behind a gloved hand, "Come now. We must return to—

The trio turned violently around at the sudden commotion heard at the opposite end of the rubble. The building had ceased falling, so the chance of it being merely the ruckus of wobbling stones was impossible.

Dark let out a faint sigh and shifted his gaze wearily to Link whose facial expression had since frozen over. He was bearing a tight grimace, his jaw clenched tight, while staring ominously towards the direction of the sudden noise. His grip on Dark's hand was now becoming dreadfully painful and he pulled away from his grasp. Link gave him an apologetic glance before taking a single step forward.

A low and bellowing groan cascaded across the broken wasteland causing shivers to jolt up the hero's spine and erect the hairs on his arms.

"W-what was that?" Zelda stuttered through a shaky breath while taking a few steps backward. The demonic noise grumbled again, echoing off of the castle remains. Dark looked to the ground and noticed the particles of rubble vibrating from the evil moan. He gave Link a hard slap on the back and began his march forward to investigate the foreboding threat.

"Dark… wait." Link ordered while reaching out his arm to grab him by his tunic, "We're in this together." Dark slipped him a quick smirk and jerked his head in the enemy's direction as if to say 'let's go'.

Upon taking a few steps forward, a pile of crowded wreckage erupted into many different directions, revealing a hideous looking creature hiding from beneath. A ghostly silhouette of Ganondorf rose from the debris and was now levitating in the air. His body was engulfed in a bluish flame that was flickering light around his distorted and disfigured face.

"No… NO!" Link screamed through a broken voice. The blonde began waving his arms vehemently around, punching the air to let out his frustration, "It can't be…"

Dark remained silent, glaring a piercing stare of pure hatred. His blood red eyes were glowing fiercely and his fists were tightly clenched at his sides. He lowered his gaze towards the ground and let out an irritable sigh, all while shaking violently from the fury flowing through his veins.

The paranormal apparition rose a single fist, the triforces of power shining intensely from the back of his hand. He was still emitting that same devilish groan. Words could not be deciphered for it was as if his demonic voice were in reverse, haunting and chilling the heroes' souls. Zelda remained on the sidelines staring wide-eyed at the risen demon.

"He's using his last reserve of power…" She muttered under her breath while shaking her head in disbelief.

Ganon spread out his arms wide, flexing and contorting his muscles before enveloping himself in a wicked green aura that began triumphantly glowing until it was a blinding flash of light. His arms and legs quadrupled in size and length, creating a mammoth of a beast compared to what he was before. Large and putrid devil horns began to sprout from his skull and his vicious fangs grew to tusk-like appendages protruding from his mouth.

Ganon had literally transformed into a monster, sporting a thick scaled tale that was intimidating by the mere size. He summed two enormous daggers, carried in each of his large hands that were radiating with magic drawn from the depths of the underworld.

After letting out a deafening hissing screech, he lowered his massive body back to the ground causing it to shake and vibrate throwing off the two young warriors' momentum. Link and Dark regained their balance, while Zelda stumbled clumsily to floor.

"Princess," Dark started as he watched the beast approach them, "You might want to step back."

The beast came barreling towards Link first, waving those gigantic blades in a whirlwind of swings. Link drew the master sword and prepared his stance, standing his ground while the mammoth creature came barging in his direction. Once Ganon was within attacking distance, Link rolled forwards underneath his legs and managed to side swipe his thick tail with his legendary blade. The scales split, and a dark green fluid began to spurt from the wound.

Ganon whirled around from the sudden injury, hitting Link in the chest with his tail in the process, sending him skidding across the ground to Dark's boots. The brunette helped him to his feet quickly, getting him situated, before taking his turn on the beast himself. Dark being much quicker than Link was able to swiftly maneuver between Ganon's tall legs.

His new size and weight slowed him down even more so, causing a cat and mouse game between the huge creature and the shadowy man. Although Dark was able to get in a few lucky swings, his copy of the master sword was almost completely useless against Ganon's black magic. Only the true legendary blade could slay him.

Ganon swung one of hit mighty daggers towards Dark, who gracefully performed a back flip to not only dodge the blow but landed promptly on the flat of the blade. Link couldn't help but smirk from where he stood; laughing inwardly that Dark was using his fancy gymnastic skills in such a serious dual.

Link took the Dark Lord's sudden distracted attention to his advantage and quickly made his way to the base of his ankles. Link jerked his arm back far behind himself before swinging forward with all his might, slashing the tendon between his large heel and monstrous calf.

The beast cried out in agony raising his arms along with Dark who was still balancing on the dagger. He dove towards the creature's head, swinging around to take a vantage point on his back, before stabbing viciously with one hand and hanging on with the other. Ganon began violently spinning around trying to buck the pesky swordsman off of his back.

"Dark! Be careful!" Link cried as he watched the monster thrash vehemently about.

Dark paid no mind but continued to thrust with his blade deep into the creature's flesh. Ganon, flustered in his current state thought only to fall to the ground and perform a barrel roll. Before he hit the floor, Dark leaped off and made his way back to Link's side.

Ganon was clearly furious, groaning and screeching a series of awful sounds. He stood back to his feet, rearing his head back to let out one more goddesses' forsaken roar before trudging towards the two swordsmen. Link was ready with the master sword drawn, holding his ground. The beast took a step forward, swinging his mighty blade which Link attempted to block only to have his weapon knocked from his grasp and sent sailing over the edge of the cliff they were now standing upon. Link glanced worriedly to Dark who simply replied with, "Way to go, butter fingers. Go get it!"

He took off down the mountain side without any protest knowing the predicament he'd just gotten the two of them in. Without the master sword they didn't stand a chance. It was up to Dark to fend on Ganon for as long as possible.

The beast was snorting smoke like a bull, kicking his legs as if he were about to take off in a sprint. Dark drew in a hasty breath and held out his free hand waving him to come, beckoning Ganon closer.

"Let's see what you've got, you son of a bitch."

The taunting worked, for the monstrous creature came barreling towards his bucking those wicked horns and screeching something fierce. Dark avoided the stampede in the same manner as Link by rolling underneath the figure, turning around quickly to grab hold of the beast's tail.

"Dark, what are you doing?" Zelda cried from the sidelines. He simply gave her a confident smirk all while trying to get a good grip on the meaty appendage. Dark drew his sword and lodged the blade deep at the base, severing part of the creature's spinal cord. Ganon let out a shrill cry before whipping his wounded tail to the left sending Dark sailing to the far end of the cliff, his sword still lodged in his enemy's flesh.

Dark grunted from his aching muscles of being jerked around like a rag doll. He tried his best to stand to his feet just as Ganon was coming within threatening distance. Dark stumbled forward in an attempt to run away when he was caught in the deadly grip of one of Ganon's enormous hands.

"FUUUCK!" Dark screeched hoarsely, trying desperately to get in a breath through his lungs that were slowly being crushed.

On the lower ground of the castle ruins, Link was frantically searching through rubble for his master sword. He saw a flicker of something metallic in the corner of his eye when he heard Dark's blood curdling scream from above, followed by a horrified cry from Zelda.

"Oh no…" He quickly ran over to what he hoped was his sword and began throwing aside rocks and plaster. His hopes were confirmed when he found the legendary blade seemingly unharmed. He placed it in it's sheath and began scrambling desperately up the rocky mountainside to Dark's aid.

When he finally pulled himself over the cliff he was horrified to see Dark in one of Ganon's hands with his other holding the enormous dagger dangerously close to his chest. Zelda was standing by watching in worry as she waited for the Dark Lord to do in the poor man.

"Hey!" Link bellowed, his strong voice echoing across the ruins, "Mother fucker!"

Zelda's cheeks flushed from Link's sudden use of provocative language as she put a dainty hand to her mouth in shock. Even Dark mustered the strength to slip a devilish grin.

Ganon dropped the black clad boy to the ground and set his sights on the blonde who had the nerve to call him out. Dark hit the floor with a thud and began clutching his ribs in agony. A few were bound to be broken. He fumbled in his tunic for his bottle of red potion in which he managed to drink more than half of. He gulped down the rest of his precious medicine, hoping he would not need it later.

As Link was distracting the beast from the front, Dark took the opportunity to retrieve his sword still lodged in between Ganon's vertebrae.

"Link, use the light arrows!" Zelda shouted while hiding securely behind a large stone.

Link nodded as if he understood and pulled out his bow.

After summoning the spell and taking aim directly between the beast's eyes he sent an arrow sailing to the middle of Ganon's forehead. He attempted to knock the arrow from its flight but was distracted by the sudden sensation of Dark pulling his blade from his back. The arrow was dead on emitting a powerful light that surrounded Ganon's body, enveloping him in a state of shock. He wavered back and forth before falling backwards and crashing down in a pile of bricks, plaster, and other castle remains.

All went silent.

Link took turns glancing from the fallen creature to Dark and then finally to Zelda.

The beast remained still. His wretched groans had ceased.

After a very long and exaggerated pause, Link finally smiled.

That same smile he was bearing an hour ago before this damned creature from hell spawned back to life. The same smile he wore when he thought his journey had finally come to an end. The same exact smile he had on his face after every experience he and Dark shared together. This was one of those times.

Dark turned around to face the blonde, giving him the same toothy grin yet it was different. It held all the qualities that Link's didn't. It was passionate, seductive, and proud. Together their grins created the epitome of happiness and joy and everything that was right with the world. Together they were one.

Dark took another step forward, standing directly in front of Link. There was a strong sense of want twinkling in his eyes, and the way his lips were parted ever so slightly showed that he wanted to show Link right then and there exactly how much he meant to him. The brunette whipped his head to the side, letting his long bangs drift to the side to reveal his tired face. Despite the bruises, scratches and dirt he was still beautiful.

Link could have relived this moment for years to come. It was as if everything were in slow motion from Navi bobbing up and down in the air, to the smoke rising in the sky, to Zelda swaying back and forth in excitement. The moment could have been perfect…

Except just beyond Dark's beaming face Link noticed something rustling in the shadows. He felt his heart drop below his stomach as his gut slowly churned with dread. Everything was still stuck in slow motion, and the silence ensued. It was as if the world was on mute.

Nobody seemed to notice the disturbance except for Link who couldn't even muster the energy to shout out. Dark was still grinning that dead sexy smile and his lips were moving as he began to speak words. Link was trying desperately to read his lips and keep his eyes on the movement behind him.

Eventually Dark noticed the suspicious look in Link's expression, the way his heart suddenly went cold. Dark turned around just as the hideous creature erupted from the debris once more creating a storm of bricks and rubble. As if on cue, sound suddenly returned to Links ears as he heard everything from Zelda's frantic shrieks to Navi's warning to "Watch out!"

Ganon began slinging heavy rocks and boulders along with chunks left behind of the castle. He was on a violent rampage, using his last amount of energy to destroy the heroes and the princess. Link stood still in shock and watched as Dark led Zelda to safety behind a broken wall before running out to try and tame the beast. It wasn't until Dark was knocked violently to the side that Link suddenly came out of his stupor. Ganon was still throwing deadly chunks of brick and stone, larger than the heroes themselves.

Link shook his head to assess the situation before dodging a boulder that was thrown like a mere baseball in his direction. He maneuvered his way through the junk before drawing his bow and striking Ganon once again with a light arrow. Link glanced around wearily for Dark but couldn't locate him through all the commotion.

Anger started to course through his blood as he situated another arrow to shoot at the dreaded creature. This time he was to make sure that this bloody beast would finally drop dead. After impaling him with a plethora of light arrows, Ganon dropped once more.

Link took this opportunity to kill the creature once and for all. Once he approached the large skull of the monster he jabbed his mighty master sword through the left eye socket of the demon causing it to convulse and twitch. Spurts of putrid goo came shooting from the wound, splattering across Link's face and tunic.

Letting out a powerful scream of fury, Link repeatedly stabbed the beast's eye before finally thrusting his sword through the monster's neck and through the other side of its skull. He gave it a harsh twist of finality before sliding it to the side and slicing its jugular.

Link was panting furiously by this point, his eyes wide with blood thirsty anger, "I swear to the fucking goddesses if you fucking re-spawn one more time I'll make sure there's nothing left of you…" He grunted before kicking the enormous bull-like head like a soccer ball.

Link ran his fingers through his sweaty locks when he heard the frantic squeals of a panicked Zelda from behind him. He turned around to see her crouched beside a seriously injured Dark.

Link could feel his heart shatter into a thousand tiny shards that lodged themselves into the confinements of his chest.

Dark was lying on his back with a very large boulder situated just below his torso, crushing his pelvis along with his legs. Link rushed desperately to his significant other before dropping to his knees. Zelda politely moved aside before walking away with her face in her hands, choking on frantic sobs.

"No… no no no…." Link repeated over and over while assessing Dark's condition. He settled the brunettes head in his lap while rubbing his shoulders and grabbing his hands just to feel as if he were doing something helpful.

Dark's eyes were open and he was shaking fiercely from the sheer pain of being crushed alive. He tried desperately to give Link a reassuring smile but failed through his chattering teeth.

"Relax Dark… please…" Link begged while running his fingers through his hair, "You're going to be alright…" Link scanned his eyes down Dark's chest to where he body caved in from the massive rock smothering everything below his waist, "Y-you're going to be… you're going to be…" Link stuttered before breaking down into a fit of uncontrollable wailing.

Dark reached up a single finger wearily flicking aside the blonde bangs covering Link's face. Link opened his eyes to see Dark's red eyes staring up at him, their light slowly dimming, "Cheer up… sweetheart…" Dark croaked hoarsely, "A frown…d-don't… suit your pretty face…"

Dark then grabbed at one of Link's hands gently caressing his calloused fingers. He placed Link's palm against his cheek, embracing the warmth of his skin.

"Dark," Link stated quickly while standing to his feet, "We're going to get this off of you." He decided while positioning his hands underneath the boulder.

"Stop." Dark ordered while gently placing his hand on Link's boot, "Don't move it."

"But why?" Link cried while dropping back down to Dark's level, "Please, we can get you help."

"What's done is done, Link…" Dark muttered, his eyes rolling in the back of his head from losing consciousness, "You won't like what you see."

Link had already noticed the pool of blood surrounding his frail frame.

"Dark! Please!" Link wailed through his tears, slamming his fists against the stone floor; the droplets of his tears soaking the fabric of Dark's black tunic.

"I'm…" Dark went silent for a second, his face contorting for only a second, "Too far gone…"

"Zelda!" Link screamed, turning to face the panicked princess, "Please, you have to do something! Anything!"

"L-link… I'm s-so sorry," Zelda sputtered while clasping her hands together beggars style, "There's nothing I can do…"

Link's face went completely pale. He didn't want to blame the princess but part of him was boiling with anger. All of this was for her. It was all for her.

"Link…" Dark called while patting the hard ground next to him, "Sit down…"

Link did as he was told, once again cradling the brunette in his lap. He grabbed onto his hands and laced his fingers around his which were growing colder by the second.

"I… want to thank you." Dark mumbled softly after a few moments of silence, "For showing me the world… despite all of its evils… its really something beautiful…"

Link remained silent, keeping his eyes directed towards that blasted boulder.

"You did something great today hero." Dark stated proudly while reaching up his hand still entwined with Link's to brush his cheek.

"Please…" Link begged, "Don't call me that… not right now."

"It's what you are…"

"Call me by my name…" Link demanded maybe a bit to harshly, "If you're going to leave me, I want you to call me by my name."

"Distance will take away the pain."

"Since when do you care about gentleness?" Link almost laughed. Dark smiled ever so slightly.

"So be it… Link?"

Link looked down into Dark's dull ruby eyes.

"I think I'm in love."

Link forced a smile through the river of tears flowing down his cheeks, "I feel it to."

"It hurts so good." Dark grumbled through a broken voice. Link glanced down to see tears swelling in his eyes, "It hurts so damn good…"

The time that proceeded was irreplaceable. The silence that followed wasn't really silence at all, but a revelation of everything that had happened between the two of them. After quite some time, Link had begun to think Dark had passed with out his knowing until he heard his raspy voice speak up once more.

"I beg of you…" Dark muttered, his eyes gently lidded, "One last request?"

"Anything." Link assured him while bringing the dying man's fist to his lips.

"A kiss goodbye?"

Link began to convulse from the sobs that overtook control of his body. He drew in a quivering breath before glancing down to see the corner of Dark's mouth curved into a smile, "It would be my pleasure."

As Link's warm, heartbroken lips grazed the ice cold skin of Dark's he could feel his chest release his last reserve of air and he withdrew his last breath. As Link rose to his feet, he couldn't resist staring at the look on Dark's face.

He left with a smile.

A/N: Don't kill me. Please. Um… there will be an epilogue… if that helps? Um. Bye.