Chapter 2: A Dark Warning

(Bush Rescue HQ in Buramudgee)

Link was standing in the Bush Rescue training ground while Ty, Sly, Julias, and another person were still inside the building, observing Link through the monitors on the computer. This new character looked human with short brown hair, blue glasses, and both of his arms looked robotic. He was also wearing a black jacket with a Gundam T-shirt underneath.

Link- Ok, Ty. I'm ready whenever you are.

Ty- Sure thing, mate. You heard Link, activate the prototype.

Julius- Matthew, you do it. The controls are on that computer over there.

The new character walked over to the computer Julius mentioned and turned on the machine. Then a small vent opened up where a swarm of nanobots entered the training ground where Link was.

Link- What am I looking at?

Ty- A little something Julius and I have been working. I call it the Doppel-Union.

Link- Why did you name it…

Before Link could finish that question, the nanobots merged together and took the form of a metal Link. It looked solid enough at the real Link, but it also looked like it was made out of metallic liquid.

Ty- That's why, mate. These little nanobots are designed to take the form of their opponent and match them blow for blow.

Link- A doppelganger…hmm…

Link slightly lifted his left arm holding the Master Sword and the clone did the same. Then Link slightly shifted his right angle and saw the clone doing the same thing. Then Link began walking in one direction and the clone did the same.

Sly- What's Link doing?

Julius- My theory is Link is trying to see how the Doppel-Union moves to try and identify a weak point. Link seem aware that this clone could match his moves and strength.

Eventually, Link rushed at the clone and so did it. However, when Link and the clone were about to clash swords, Link quickly crouched down and immediately stabbed at the clone. This caused the clone to burst into all the nanobots that made up the Doppel-Union and splatter all over the training ground.

Ty- What the…

Sly- Wow! Link sure did make sort work of that invention!

(Later)

Link entered the lab where Ty and the others were.

Ty- I can't believe that, mate! How did you best me invention so easily?

Link- Truth is, this isn't my first time dealing with a doppelganger. Ganondorf once created a copy out of my own shadow that was designed to mimic my every move. The trick I used was getting myself backed into a corner, luring the copy in close, and then crouching down with a low stab to defeat it. In other words, I got myself into a position where the copy could only strike from one angle and left itself wide open for a counter. I know it's a cheap trick, but it worked against my shadow copy…and on your little nano drones. And now that I think of it, you and Sonic encountered someone like that once, right?

Ty- Yeah, that magic mirror that copied our skills and powers evenly. I was able to beat that by attacking it with something I had no skill in using. Still embracing that I can't ride an Extreme Gear.

Link- So, why would you want to make something like that?

Ty- Something I thought might help in case Tabuu returns. I'm sure you're well aware, Tabuu has had plenty of time to recover from that devastating wound Marco inflicted on him after he escaped Subspace. It's just a matter of time before he gets his full strength back and escapes Subspace again. I figured we needed to improve our defenses that does happen, because I don't know how much longer before Tabuu regains his ability to turn into Perfect Tabuu again. And I'm sure you remember, Perfect Tabuu nearly destroyed all of our homes while making all of us look like clueless armatures. And I really don't want to go through that again, mate.

Link- Understandable. But I doubt that would've worked on Tabuu. Tabuu probably knows how to deal with a mimic better that I do and I don't think those machines could replicate Tabuu's strength.

Ty- I guess not. Back to the drawing board.

Suddenly, a bright green light appeared in the lab before Link's sister, Aryll, appeared from it.

Link- Aryll?!

Aryll- Sorry to interrupt whatever you were doing with Ty, but Zelda requests you return to Hyrule.

Link- Why? Is something wrong in Hyrule?

Julius- Hold on! How on earth did you just pop in here?

Link- That was a teleportation spell called Farore's Wind. Zelda can use that spell using her Triforce of Wisdom to access Hylia's magic, but my sister has Hylia's magic and can use it even without a Triforce.

Then Aryll saw a strange man standing next to Julius.

Aryll- Who is that? I don't think I've seen him around Buramudgee before.

Julius- Oh, this is Matthew. He's a sentient android that has recently joined Bush Rescue as my assistant. And he has done a very good job at handling all of these machines Ty and I have been working on.

Matthew- Uh…nice to meet you…

Aryll- You seem shy for an android.

Link- So tell me, Aryll, is Zelda sensing Ganondorf's magic?

Aryll- Actually, Zelda's sensing Tabuu's.

Link- What?!

Aryll- That's why Zelda told me to bring you back to Hyrule.

Ty- I better come too, shela! If Tabuu is involved, this can't be good.

(Hyrule Castletown)

All of the Hylian were making preparations for the Picori Festival. Little did they know, Vaati and the Quinking (who had taking Vaati's form) were hiding in a dark alley near the Castletown square. They were both wearing cloaks to disguise themselves, but they were still taking caution to not draw attention. However, Vaati seemed annoyed that the Quinking had taken his form.

Vaati- Quinking, why are you copying me?

Quinking (in Vaati's voice)- I can't take on my real form without drawing attention and since Master Tabuu paired me with you, your form was the first that came to mind. Which is why I usually do take to the form of whoever Master Tabuu partners me with in other stories.

Vaati- But there being two of us can still draw attention! Take the form of another Hylian if you need something to turn into!

Quinking (in Vaati's Voice)- Fine…

Then the Quinking saw a random Hylian hanging up some decorations and turned to him.

Quinking (in the voice of the Hylian)- Happy now?

Vaati- It will do. Now we just need to get into the courtyard in Hyrule Castle before the Minish Door opens.

Quinking (in the voice of the Hylian)- You sure that's where the Minish Door is?

Vaati- Of course. It's how I crossed over to Hyrule from the Minish Realm. And besides, I still remember the teachings of my "so-called" (Vaati holds both of his hands up and has his fingers quote a jester) master, Ezlo. The door opens right there in the courtyard once every 100 years. Which is why these Hylians are having this festival. I believe it was two or three hundred years ago when I crashed that one Picori Festival to look for the Light Force. Come on, Quinking. As long as no one notices us, we should be able to get inside without any issue.