Disclaimer: The Legend of Zelda series do not, repeat, not belong to me. They rightfully belong to Miyamoto. (May he continue to make excellent games for the rest of his days.) What does belong to me are Cleo, Finn, Syrilla and Okam (sorta).

Chapter 23

In many barless cells, there were Twilis, Geozolas, Mortrams, and many others imprisoned. Finn and Midna were sharing a cell together. Finn was sitting, slumped over very low, silent and unmoving. Midna had given up trying to comfort him, nothing she said would bring him out of his depression, even when she said that he was not to blame for what happened.

She gazed at him again and he still didn't move or talk. She looked outside the cell and her eyes widened in astonishment. "Finn! Look, it's Cleo!"

Cleo was standing in the dungeon hall, her smile growing into a big grin. "I found you!"

Finn suddenly snapped his head up and looked at Cleo. "Sis?! I'm not hallucinating right?"

"No you're not Finn, I'm here. I'm back!"

"Cleo! Oh my God!" He shot up off the seat and ran to her. "You're here! I can't believe you're ba-" ZAP! Finn was thrown back by the invisible force field imprisoning them. "...I forgot that wall's there..."

"I'll get you out." Cleo placed a hand on a glowing circle next to the cell and the field appeared briefly before melting away. Finn got up, waved his hand across like a blind man, to make sure it was gone, and then went over to hug his sister.

"Cleo, these people need help," Jack said.

"I know. Finn, Midna, I need you to evacuate everyone here. Jack and I are going to find Scervo."

"Cleo-" Finn started to say.

"Don't argue with me! These people need your help."

"Sis... ...I was about to say where Scervo is. He asked me to tell you he's going to bring the essences to a place called the Altar of Dawn and he'll be waiting for you there."

"The Altar of Dawn?"

"Yes, that's the place where all eight must be gathered in order to use their powers at their highest peak," Midna explained. "That's what the ancient scroll said. Scervo must be expecting you to come with the Moon Pearl and complete the gathering."

"But Okam-I mean Aku has the pearl and now knows Scervo has the rest," Cleo explained.

"I know... Finn told me."

"And no one can hide from Aku for long," Jack added. "We need to hurry to the altar."

"Cleo..." Finn started again.

"Finn... This path I'm taking, this whole mission, is my decision. Not yours, not Midna's, no one else's, mine... I could have chosen to abandon it, but I didn't. Oni himself set this path for me, along with the Skribal Sword, the moment I made this decision. He knows I can do it... And I do too..."

"Jack... do you feel the same about Cleo?" Midna asked.

"Yes, I do. Cleo has become truly strong and selfless. Since I am unable to destroy Aku, it is up to her now."

"You've been taking care of my sister for me all this time," Finn replied. "Thank you so very much, Jack. Please continue to look after her."

"On my honor, Finn."

"We can't keep these people waiting Finn," Midna urged. Finn finally pulled away and went to rescue the captives. The Twilight Princess hung back. "Cleo, Jack, there is a warp at the very back of the palace that will take you to the Altar of Dawn. Go, hurry!" Cleo nodded and she and Jack left the dungeon.

They ran through the halls, dodging the insects, until they reached the warp and stepped onto it. They teleported to a small floating island. There was a large bridge connecting to a far larger island holding a massive round temple with eight spires. As she started to cross the bridge, Cleo heard a voice, so much like Midna's, shout out "This is as far as you go, Cleo!" Then black particles appeared and bunched together into the solid form of Veran.

"Aw man! I knew I'd run into you, again!"

"I don't know how you're still here in the Twilight Realm without any of the essences protecting you, but once I'm through with you, you'll wish you'd stayed a lost spirit!"

"Get out of the way, Maleficent!"

"Never! I am this close, this close, to achieving power over all those pathetic lives! And I will not let a child put a stop to that! My master is making the final preparations as we speak, he has arranged everything from the start for me. Finally, my dark desires will become a reality!"

"You really don't get it do you?!" Cleo scoffed, shaking her head. "Aku doesn't give a damn about what you want! He's using you, so he can have everything for himself and once he gets it, he'll toss you out like yesterday's garbage!"

"SILENCE, YOU BRAT! I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF YOU!"

"You need to listen Veran! Cleo speaks the truth. I have known Aku far longer than you have!" Jack shouted.

Veran never looked more angry or, as Cleo closely observed in her eyes, devastated. "... ... ...I've... I've gone too far... I will not back away from a child... I will prove my worth to Aku! I will have my revenge!"

She's getting desperate, Cleo thought. This has to stop!

In a scream of rage, Veran began to transform, shedding her dress, her body forming an exoskeleton, sprouting antennae and crystal wings, her eyes becoming compound. Her wings buzzed as she lifted in the air. In her hands, she formed a shadow ball and tossed it to the ground. It split into four, each taking Cleo's shape. Cleo got the Skribal Sword ready and equipped the Rune of Anubis to counter the shadows. Her own shadows fought them off, both sides took each other out. Veran shot out rings of fire, Cleo blocked them with her shield. Veran swooped down, Cleo jumped aside and slashed at her as she passed. Veran shot a string of webbing at Cleo's leg and tried to pull her in, but the young heroine cut herself loose. Getting frustrated, Veran began shooting large stingers, Cleo tried to run out of the way, but was soon cut off. They were aimed around her, not at her! When she got trapped, her attacker swooped down again. Cleo spun around...

...Cleo fell. Toppled by the impact, a stinger dug into her shoulder... She cried out in pain. Veran cackled as she grabbed her by the neck and lifted her up. "Your luck has run out! Now you will finally pay for your interference!"

Cleo lifted her head and looked Veran in the eye and, to the sorceress's slight confusion, gave a mischievous grin, one that was all too familiar. "You're right... I did interfere... by giving Cleo an opening," said a voice like Veran's coming from Cleo's lips. In an instant, Cleo's image was gone, to be replaced by the mini-formed Midna.

Veran knew what was about to happen the moment she saw her twin... and it was too late. She dropped her and fell... with the real Cleo standing behind her.

The villainess was on her knees, breathing heavily, clutching her wound, bleeding black blood. Cleo ran past her to Midna and crouched next to her. "Mid, are you okay?"

"I'll be fine, the injury isn't serious." They heard Veran's breathing getting raspier and they saw her try to stand up. She staggered uncontrollably. "Veran, don't! You are making that wound worse! Stay down!"

"Be quiet!... Just be quiet!"

"Why sis?! Why did you ever end up like this?! What wrong has the family done, what have I done? We are supposed to be sisters for Oni's sake!"

Veran didn't answer, her eyes seemed to be on the verge of tears, though they were ones of bitterness and disappointment. She staggered again, dangerously close to the edge of the bridge. "Veran, careful! You will fall!" Jack shouted.

She could not keep her balance, she was so weak. Her foot missed a step and was about to topple over. She felt a hand grab her arm. Veran looked up at Cleo. "Hang on, I'll pull you back!"

And the girl was being true to her word. As she tried to pull her to safety, Veran stared at her for a moment with unexpected gratitude. "Cleo... thank you..." That peaceful expression was gone in a flash, replaced with a vengeful grin. She grabbed Cleo's other arm and was attempting to pull her off the bridge along with herself.

Cleo's mind was spinning, hearing Jack and Midna scream her name. She grasped the edge to keep from falling off, but the weight of Veran was causing her grip to weaken fast. Her hand slipped and for a wild, heart-stopping moment, she was falling. But someone grabbed her and the sudden stop caused Veran to lose her grip. Cleo heard her scream as the sorceress fell into the abyss. Cleo was pulled up and saw that her rescuer was Finn.

They all looked down at the abyss. Veran was gone. Cleo glanced at Midna who looked stunned. She wanted to say something to comfort her, but couldn't find the words. "You have to go now, Cleo," Midna said without turning her gaze away. "You don't have much time now that she's wasted it for you."

"Mid..."

"Just forget about Veran, okay sis?" Finn urged her. "She's pretty much kicked the bucket."

There was a moment of dead silence. "Aren't you suppose to say 'what bucket?'" Cleo asked Jack.

"I think I know what it means this time... And he is right. We must finish this."

Cleo nodded. "I'm going now guys!"

Midna looked at Cleo. "...See you later..."

"Please be careful," said Finn. Cleo turned and ran to the door of the Altar of Dawn and entered.

The temple was the toughest she'd ever faced. The very first room had eight doors for her to choose. When she picked one and entered, it locked behind her. Then she had to go through a trial using the required runes and when she had gone up a floor, she was once again facing many doors, only one of the next eight was sealed. It was a rinse and repeat task, each door she chose led her to rooms that were a lot like the previous dungeons, with their puzzles harder than ever and a plethora of every insect enemy she fought. She only had to go through four of the eight doors before ending up on the top floor. Having earned the big key earlier, she unlocked the final door. Cleo stood in front of it for a moment and slowly reached out a hand and pushed. The big door opened with a deep, loud CRRREEEEEE... "Are you ready Cleo?" Jack asked.

A pause. "...yes." And she walked through straight-backed, shoulders level.