A/N: I'm so into this concept that I started writing the second chapter immediately after finishing the first one. Don't know when it'll actually be published, though.

Link stood there, mouth agape, his brain malfunctioning as it desperately tried to process the situation he found himself in. Is this a joke? Had Ghirahim really fallen so hard (though the stab to the gem-heart might also have something to do with it) that he'd gotten amnesia, and forgotten everything about himself? Could he be just pretending to have memory loss to make Link drop his guard? That didn't really seem like the demon's style, but he still kept his sword drawn, just in case.

As Link was suffering through this internal crisis, Ghirahim continued speaking. "Where are we?" He asked, gazing at the diamond crystal platforms above them, his eyes filled with uncharacteristic wonder. "This place is very beautiful. I absolutely adore the diamond esthetic!" Okay, so maybe he didn't forget everything about himself… "Did I die? Have I been sent to eternal paradise? Is that why I cannot remember a thing about myself anymore? Do we simply forget our earthly lives when we move on to the next one?"

The demon scoffs, and it actually makes the frazzled Skyloftian feel a little better, finally seeing some essence of the haughty, stuck up, self-proclaimed demon lord he'd dealt with before. "Well, that's a bit of a let-down, is it not? All those years, all those precious memories, gone? Just like tha— aaahhhh!" As Ghirahim monologued, he had snapped his fingers to emphasize the point. As he did so, a little burst of diamonds poofed out, causing him to jump violently and let out a surprised yell. The fact that the demon got spooked by his own powers would have been funny if the situation wasn't so strange.

Ghirahim stared at his own hand in disbelief, examining each individual long, thin finger as if they held the secrets of the universe. And to the amnesiac demon, maybe they did., "What in the… name of… did I do that? Did—did that come from me?!" He goes to snap again, but is stopped from doing so by a sudden, apparent pain. His jump must have aggravated his injuries. That, or his accidental use of his powers. Or maybe both?

He grasps at his chest with one hand, his head in the other. "Ouch… my head… m-my chest… there isn't meant to be pain in eternal paradise. That must mean I am alive… but in that case, why am I unable to remember anything about myself? Or you? Who are you?"

Link barely stops himself from startling when he realizes Ghirahim's attention is back on him again, having gotten lost in thought about how he was going to get out of this situation. "Uh…" Should he tell him? Well, Ghirahim eventually learned his name before, so there was no real reason to keep it from him. "My name is Link."

"Link," Ghirahim echoed, sounding the name out. This was the first time he had ever said it in a neutral tone. Ghirahim seems to ponder this for a moment, before his expression becomes vacant, with a slight hint of disappointment. "I can't say it rings a bell, unfortunately. However, judging by your demeanor, you seem familiar with me, at least. Earlier, you called me Ghirahim. That name… could it perhaps be my own? I cannot even remember my name…"

At first, Link was tempted to be sarcastic, make a snarky remark at the demon's expense. But then he looked into his eyes, or rather the eye not covered by his hair, and he saw the genuine hope of reclaiming a lost part of himself. And Link just couldn't bring himself to do it. Curse his heroic heart! "Yes," he says with a little nod. "I'm Link, and you're Ghirahim."

"Wonderful," Ghirahim replied through a large sigh, shoulders slumping in relief as if a weight had been lifted from him. "Ah, Ghirahim. It has a nice ring to it, wouldn't you agree? I must admit, however, though I don't recall the significance of the name right now, It still feels correct. As if I have reclaimed a lost part of myself, becoming slightly more whole." He does a sweeping gesture with his hand. So even as an amnesiac, he is still as dramatic as ever.

He then tries to stand, but his legs buckle, and he lands hard on his backside with a thud, and a groan. Link, startled at the sudden movement from his enemy, brandishes his sword at him. Apparently, this is the first time Ghirahim notices the divine weapon, and he flinches. Then he raises his hands in surrender.

"Whoa, easy there, Link." The demon's voice is… placating? With a slight hint of nervousness? "There is no need to aim your oddly sacred looking sword, which, I feel, should mean something to me, but unfortunately does not, at me. I don't mean you any harm. I merely wish to stand so I can hopefully get closer to figuring out what has happened to me."

Link almost laughed at the absurdity. Ghirahim? Not meaning him any harm? He had meant nothing but harm, all smug taunts and sadistic threats, since the moment they first met! But he sounded so genuine, more than he ever had before, and so, so lost. The anger, the confidence, the malice was gone. Link didn't want to let his guard down just yet, but at the same time, the hero found himself beginning to think that maybe, that version of Ghirahim he'd spent all this time opposing was well and truly gone.

Slowly, reluctantly, he sheathed his sword. Fi made no move to protest this, so hopefully this wasn't a terrible idea.

Ghirahim sighed again, rubbing his temple, wincing slightly when he feels the drying blood in his hair. "Link. As I said before, I don't remember you. I do not remember anything. And it's really quite distressing. And I can tell it is for you as well. Before we do anything else, however, I'd like to formally apologize for whatever I had done to you in the past to provoke such a reaction from you."

And, Link found himself gaping yet again. An apology? From ghirahim, of all people? If you had told Link this is where he would be before all of this, he would—well, he wasn't sure what he would do, but he'd likely be very concerned for your mental stability.

He realized the demon was still talking and forced himself to pay attention, closing his mouth for good measure. "I realize that whatever it was must have been pretty severe, since you don't point a sword at someone for spilling a cup of tea. At least, not if you are a decent, sane person, which I gather that you are from my impression of you thus far—" he does a little hand wave. "But I digress. What I meant to say is that, I am not asking for forgiveness. I don't know what I did, nor if it is even forgivable. All I ask is that you set aside our differences for a moment, and help me! Please!"

Okay, this is getting weirder and weirder. Not only is Ghirahim, his (former?) nemesis, outright begging for his help, but he's also giving him puppy dog eyes! And worst of all, they're actually really damn effective. He's even holding the hair away from his eye so he can be hit with the full effect.

Stay strong, Link. This is Ghirahim, a demon. Demise's right-hand man. He kidnapped Zelda. He wants to revive a tyrant who will destroy the world! He's evil!

Is he, though? He no longer remembers any of that. He's a different person now. You might even be able to say I killed that version of him.

Link let out a small sigh. He supposed that, being a hero, he couldn't turn away someone genuinely in need, even if that person was a demon. And bringing back his memories meant that he may continue his evil plan, but he'll burn that bridge when he came to it.

Mind made up, Link nods.

And Ghirahim smiles. Not an evil smile, not a smug smirk, but a genuine grin that lit up his whole face. "Thank you!" He almost bounced with joy, his hands fluttering around excitedly. "Oh, yes! Thank you, from the bottom of my heart! Thank you, Sky Child!"

They both freeze.

"Sky Child," Ghirahim repeats, puzzled. "I… that just slipped out, I haven't got the faintest idea where that came from. It suits you, though. May I… would you mind if I continued to call you 'Sky Child?'"

Link thought about it. He never thought he'd get a say in that nickname. And if he did, the Skyloftian thought he'd want it gone, immediately. But now? He found that he actually welcomed its return. It was a bit of familiarity in this bizarre situation (although maybe in hindsight he should be feeling more dread, since this could mean Ghirahim's memories were coming back already.) But nonetheless, he found himself agreeing. "Sure, I don't mind."

"Splendid!" Ghirahim claps his hands once in finality. "Now that is settled… would you mind helping me stand? These legs of mine simply refuse to cooperate with me. It is really quite inconvenient."

Link snorts at that. "This entire situation is inconvenient."

"That is the understatement of the century, Sky Child."

Link does as asked with little hesitation, walking over to Ghirahim and reaching out for his hand. He takes it, and the hero helps him to his feet, with more difficulty than expected. The man was heavy! No wonder he was having difficulty lifting himself. The Skyloftian wouldn't be surprised if there was still a part of him made of metal, even in this form.

"My thanks," Ghirahim says once he's back on his feet, and Hylia, Link is never going to get used to the demon being polite.

What was he going to tell Zelda—Zelda! He'd completely forgotten in the chaos! Zelda was still having her soul sucked out! Demise could have already come back, for all they knew.

He must have shown his panic on his face, because Ghirahim's brow furrowed in concern. "What is it, Sky Child?"

"Zelda," Link breathed before he could stop himself.

Ghirahim looks confused again. "Who?"

"Listen. I will help you, but I'm going to need you to help me with something first."

The demon quirks an eyebrow, but then simply shrugs and nods his ascent. "I mean, I'm not quite sure just how helpful I would be in this state, but I shall try my best."

Even after everything else Ghirahim had said, this quick agreement still took Link aback. "Really? You're agreeing, just like that?"

Ghirahim also seems puzzled. "Well, you are helping me even though I have apparently wronged you in the past, it is only fair that I assist you in turn."

Link opens his mouth, but shuts it again. They were wasting time. He could gawk about just how ridiculous this situation was when his best friend was safe, and they weren't under threat of being demolished by the King Of All Evil. "Okay, look. Zelda, my best friend, is in danger. You—she's been kidnapped and is about to be sacrificed to an evil god."

Ghirahim stared at him blankly, uncomprehending. "What." Then, he started to laugh. "What?"

Here it comes, Link thought, feeling himself becoming angry. He's going to reveal that this was all a trick, and then—

"Sorry, sorry, I do apologize," Ghirahim placated, restraining his laughter. And actually, it was more a laugh of incredulity than a laugh of derision. "I just—wow, that is quite the—I do not know what I was expecting, but it was definitely not this. This is intense., It is—where is she now? Do you know?"

"Up there." Link points to the platform.

Ghirahim sighs in relief. "Well, that makes things a tad easier… except, no, it does not. How are we meant to get up there? These platforms do not look the least bit climbable."

Whatever Link was going to suggest dies on his tongue because soon, he finds that both he and Ghirahim are floating back up to the platform they fell from in what feels like an entire different time period. Ghirahim shrieks, flailing around comically as his cape billows out behind him. "What is this? What is happening!?"

"I'll explain later," Link grumbled.

"You had better. It's quite rude to cause one to defy gravity with no warning!"

"Noted," Fi replied flatly, but in Link's head, so only he could hear it. And he had to fight a smirk.

Zelda looked just as bad as Ghirahim had when they reached her, if not worse. She was unconscious and barely breathing. And the moment his unlikely companion saw this, his eyes filled with horror.