Raising himself up into a seating position from the rubble, Link heard the familiar sound of cackling nearby, and as he searched through the dust, he saw Dark Link flying towards them. As he quickly tried to get to his feet, Link noticed his target was not aimed for him but rather the priestess who laid unmoving a distance away.
"Kagome!" Link cried out, but as he ran towards her to stop his nemeses, he was too late.
In one fell swoop, the dark shadow grabbed her and flew out of Link's reach. He chuckled at Link's thwarted effort, taunting him to follow him, and as the young swordsman glanced behind him to determine the wounds afflicted upon his companions, he saw they were merely unconscious. There was no time to wake them, and instead, Link chased after on foot in the direction Dark Link disappeared.
'Leave her alone!' His adrenaline fueled him faster down the winding path, and he knew it led to the cliffs edge of the waterfall. Where was he taking her? Why Kagome of all people? "Dark Link!"
When Dark Link finally came into view, still flying with the priestess held in his arms, he turned around, still flying around the canyons in a zigzag pattern, chuckling at his counterpart. "You've gotten slower over the years," He remarked.
"Give her back!"
At his shout, Dark Link Smirked. "You want her back so badly?" Outstretching both his arms, he suddenly dropped the priestess, watching in amusement as the young boy sped faster in hopes of catching her before she plummeted to her death. The height was enough to break her neck, and Link threw himself, his arms held out to catch her. Unfortunately, he was met with nothing but a cloud of dark smoke, and Kagome was nowhere in sight.
"Did you really think I was going to let her die?" Dark Link questioned, before laughing hysterically, much to Link's annoyance as he picked himself up off the ground to chase after him. With a show of mockery, Dark Link stuck his tongue out at the boy with his middle finger under his eye. After which, he promptly turned around and smacked his ass before rounding the canyon to his destination.
Pissed, Link reached into his satchel and removed his Hookshot and aimed. It latched onto Dark Link's leg and with a surprised yelp, the chains pulled him roughly to the ground, and as soon as Link closed the distance between them, he raised his fist and punched him.
Although he was capable of dodging the blow, Dark Link only chuckled at the boy before raising his leg to kick him square in the chest, knocking Link back quite easily. "You haven't changed one bit. Still as weak ever."
"Where's Kagome?! What have you done with her?!" Link yelled, which in turn caused Dark Link to laugh. Once again he lunged at him, and each time, Dark Link maneuvered out of his intended aim.
He chuckled. "With Armaros, since you're so damn curious."
Link paused, his teeth grinding together out of aggravation. With Armaros? Why was she with him? Why? "What are you doing? Why does he have her?"
Dark Link merely shrugged, his smirk never faltering. "Who knows?" With a quick snap of his finger, a dark sword materialized within the dark entity's hand, and Link, likewise, unsheathed his own. "It's been a while since we last fought, wouldn't you agree?"
Without a moment to spare, the two lunged at the other, their blades clashing loudly with each swing. There was no reflection within Dark Link's gaze; all Link saw was cold malice staring back at him. However, his want to kill was somehow unnoticeable to Link; he wasn't taking this fight seriously.
As Link's sword swung at his torso, Dark Link back flipped out of harm's way snickering at the boy's futile attempt. As enjoyable as this was, Dark Link knew there was no reason to fight, in fact, it was simply a waste of time.
For a moment, neither moved and this confused Link greatly. What was he planning? This was very much unlike him. Grinding his teeth out of aggravation, Link yelled. "Fight me! Why do you hesitate?"
Dark Link chuckled before shaking his head. "I've grown bored from our tedious battles. I can't hurt you anymore," He explained indifferently. "And I'm sure you know the reason why."
His eyes narrowed. So he was aware of the situation as well? "Since you can't hurt me, why not step aside and return Kagome?!"
Now that was something he couldn't do. "No can do, Link. What's done is done. She's Armaros's now. I wonder what he plans to do with our fair and beautiful Kagome?" He mused before smirking at Link's reaction.
Without a word, Link lunged at him once more, but it was thwarted when Dark Link kicked him square in the chest, knocking the air from his lungs momentarily before sending Link flying, his back hitting the canyon wall behind him. He collapsed and struggled to regain his footing.
"You know something Link? For years I have been wanting to eliminate you, but you always seem to find a way to persevere, either by the help of your friends or by some other worldly power," Dark Link began, approaching the fallen warrior passively. "But now this time is different. You're not the Hero of Time any longer, in fact, you're nothing more than a lost soul searching for a way to get your old life back."
As he got to his feet, Link scowled. As much as he didn't want to admit it, his words were true.
Pausing in his approach, Dark Link accessed the former hero before scoffing. "How pathetic. It's over Link. And now that's it over, I guess in some way I have already won. The only downside is that I didn't have the pleasure of killing you myself." With a show of mockery, Dark Link suddenly began clapping. "I have to give credit to whoever did that."
Despite his impudence towards him, Link remained calmed before straightening his back to glare him in the eyes. "There's been something that's been bothering me for a while now."
Dark Link nodded at this, a twisted smile appearing on his face. "Yeah there's a lot of things bothering me too, like seeing your face."
"Then I advise you to look at your reflection then. We both look alike," Link countered.
That earned a chuckled from him. "You think you're pretty funny, don't you?"
Link knew they could go back and forth like this forever, but there wasn't much time. He didn't know what would happen to Kagome and he knew Dark Link was only here to serve as a distraction. "Why are you here in Termina if I'm dead? A while back you admitted to surviving back in Hyrule after our previous battle."
It was at this moment that Dark Link closed his eyes. "Hmm…" He placed a finger to his chin before leaning back in the air with on leg crossed over the other. "Hmmmmmmm…" How perplexing that he couldn't remember. He opened his scarlet eyes and stared at the boy. "That's a good question. Why am I down here? It must be because of you. Because you know there is … 'A link' between us."
Link sweat dropped at his answer.
"Get it? Get it?" Dark Link found his little joke brilliantly humorous and couldn't help laughing despite Link's annoyed reaction. "I crack myself up sometimes. No. Seriously Link, I have no idea. But while I'm here, I figured I might as well have a little fun. Cause a little chaos here and there, stalk you and your friends, meet a new ally, so on and so forth. But you know something? I'm not going to kill you. You're already dead anyways."
"You intend to kill my friends then?"
Dark Link shrugged. "Nah. I'm too lazy these days to even lift a sword up and swing at you. Actually, if you and your friends insist on getting in the old man's way, then I can't be responsible for what will happen. Actually … I don't really give a shit."
Link almost sighed in frustration. "I really don't understand why you're helping Armaros, but if you have no more quarrels to settle with me, then I advise you to get out of my way."
"To save your girlfriend? Ka Go Me?" Dark Link chuckled, earning a glare from Link. "I unfortunately do envy you there, Link. She's quite the little eye candy," With a snap of his finger, his sword disappeared and in a cloud of smoke a shadowy form appeared before the two. She was strikingly similar to Kagome and the way in which she caressed Dark Link's cheek caused Link's eye to twitch.
"You'll never have her. She'll never love you."
In a puff of smoke, the shadow girl disappeared. "Why is that? We've been down here for some time, and I've learned a few tricks. Would you like to see? Of course you would!" With another snap of his finger, his appearance suddenly changed and color flooded Link's gaze. No longer was Dark Link gray and black, but he now looked every bit like himself. Blonde hair, blue eyes and a green tunic. It was a bit much to imagine, and somehow Link had this sickening feeling in the pit of his stomach.
"I know everything about you inside and out. If our sweet priestess lives through what Armaros has planned for her, then I'll keep her. She will never know the difference," He explained, smirking at Link's widened stare.
The shadowy form of Kagome appeared once more, and this time there was a certain fog within her gaze, almost trance like.
"As soon as she wakes up, if she does that is, she'll think I'm you that has saved her," Dark Link explained before grasping shadow Kagome's chin and pulling her towards his body. From Link's disgusted reaction, he pressed his lips against hers, pulling her in passionately before stepping away, leaving the shadow girl breathless and weak at the knees. "But don't worry Link. I'll take care of her. I'll give her a nice little home on the far far side of the country, and I'll probably give her one thing you can never give her," He winked at the boy, smirking when he understood exactly what he meant.
OOO
His amethyst eyes took in the form of a young woman dressed in white and green lying upon the stone altar before him. She was a petite girl, with ivory skin and rosy cheeks, a lot younger than he had expected. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw his bones lying against the corner of the room still intact. Dark Link had done well, and the timing couldn't have been perfect. Everything was there and ready.
Approaching the unconscious woman, Armaros raised his arm above her abdomen before muttering a few words under his breath. The full moon was already ascending into the darkened sky, and the process of extracting her soul proved somewhat difficult. Eventually, something happened; a surprising white glow resonated from the priestess's body, and he realized it was the power of her soul pushing against him.
How strange. How was it possible that this small girl carried with her such an immense soul? The barrier surrounding her was bright, and he felt the sparks crackling against his hand, but since he was but an apparition, it had no real effect against him. Although unconscious, her show of power was incredible, even if it was not realized. Armaros smirked. Her soul would be enough to replenish his mortality.
The multiple souls collided against the barrier, and he saw her eyes open wide though they were unseeing. He struggled, trying to coax her soul out of the barrier, and after much forcing, he managed to extract a small portion of her soul before allowing it to merge into his bones across the room.
"The soul gives forth life. I'm so close to regaining my mortality…"
His bones were alight with the power of the priestess's soul; however, the soul would not be enough. He had intended on using her entire soul, but the barrier would not allow him. Armaros would simply make do with what was given.
As he stood there, waiting, he heard the mockery of Dark Link's voice carry itself into the small cavern. It seemed he was just outside the entrance, conversing rudely to someone else. Armaros figured it was the friends of this young maiden here. Their obvious worry and anger to chase after in hopes of saving her was after all predictable. After he was done with her, he would give her back.
Armaros was pulled away from his distraction when he felt an odd sensation overcome him. From across the room, he saw his bones twitch, the fingers moving on their own accord until Armaros felt himself merge into the bones of his former self, becoming one. After a moment of readjusting himself to this old skeletal body, he managed to stand on his own feet, looking at himself for a small moment.
If he could smirk he would, but he knew there was only one last step needed to regain his mortality. Blood. With that he would regain his flesh and power.
Stepping towards the girl once more, he saw her eyes were now closed and the barrier gone and with that, he extended his skeletal hand towards her and grabbed her wrist. Turning it over, he grabbed a small dagger on the table beside him and placed the blade against her palm before slicing.
With the blood seeping from the opened wound, He bent down and held her palm to his open mouth, allowing the liquid to seep down his throat and onto his bones. For a moment nothing happened. Strange. By now his flesh should have returned but nothing.
For a moment he pondered. Why wasn't this working? Releasing her hand, he wandered around the room, searching for the answer. Lying on the table to his right, he saw the scroll written by Emmett long ago and reached out to grab it. Unrolling the old parchment, he began to read its contents.
To reclaim life onto the living, a soul belonging to that of a virgin blessed with spirituality must be delivered to the bones of the deceased. The soul brings forth life. Within an altar of one's choosing, during the night of a full moon, the sacrifice should take place. The blood from the virgin must then be soaked onto the bones brought back to life. The blood brings forth flesh and all organs. Only then will that person reawaken whole once more into the world of the living.
Emmett
He almost cursed. The girl was not a virgin! From his understanding, priestess's normally were untouched and pure, yet this was not the case. He was sure she was untouched the moment he saw her. Perhaps he should have had Dark Link do a little more research on her.
Almost sighing, he placed the scroll down and turned back towards the sleeping girl. Not all was lost. He would regain his flesh, his mortality and his powers back. There was always a way. Grasping the girl's wrist once more, he reached for the small darkened jewel hanging around his neck before breaking the chain. Without a second thought, he coated the jewel with her blood before imbedding it into his skeletal abdomen.
Within a matter a seconds, the jewel's powers, combined with her blood, brought forth his muscles, veins, organs and blood, all which he remembered a thousand years ago. As his organs formed slowly, his flesh finally returned. The power of the jewel resonated within his body, and although it was not his powers manifested fully, it was enough to give him his desired mortality.
OOO
Awakening to the sound of a sword fight in the distance not far from them, Inuyasha wiped the dirt from his eyes before glancing around. Shippo was astonishingly awake, startled and looking around bewildered. Part of the canyon wall behind them had collapsed around them, and they were surprisingly alright without hardly any injuries.
"What happened? What's going on?" Shippo cried, his little eyes looking around frightened. Had they been attacked?
As Miroku and Sango slowly came to, they saw the destruction around them and looked to Inuyasha for answers. It was obvious they had been attacked, but by who?
"I had a feeling this would happen…" Inuyasha cursed.
Realizing two of their companions were missing, Sango immediately stood up with her weapon clutched tightly in her hand. "Kagome and Link are missing!"
"Where'd they go?" Shippo asked, hoping around on his feet as he searched around.
This wasn't good at all. In an instant, Inuyasha was on his feet, his eyes staring towards the winding path ahead. "I have a feeling they're in that direction." Without another word, he sprinted towards the path, with the others chasing after.
It didn't take long until they rounded the canyons when they saw Link. But on account of seeing two Links, caused them to stop and look between the two bewildered.
"Hey, what's going on? Why are there two of them?" Shippo asked.
Confused by the doppelgangers, Inuyasha stepped towards them, with the others following quickly behind. They stood a small distance away from the two Links, their attention shifted upon the other in a heated fist fight.
"What the hell is going on here?!" Inuyasha barked, stirring the two from their fight.
One of the Links turned towards the gang, his countenance somewhat disheveled and aggravated. "You're here! Kagome's been taken inside this cave, Inuyasha! Quickly, save her. I'll keep Dark Link at bay!"
Sango gasped. "Dark Link?!"
The other Link shook his head fiercely. "While he might be right where Kagome is being kept, don't believe him when he says that I'm Dark Link. I'm Link," he persisted.
Shippo looked between the two confused. How were they supposed to know which one was the real Link? They both sounded exactly the same and somewhat acted the same as well. "I can't tell which is Link!"
"This is a problem…" Miroku muttered.
Despite this dilemma, Inuyasha only looked at the two for a moment. It wasn't really hard to tell which one was lying. He already knew which one was the real Link and the other the imposter.
As he was about to approach them, he stopped when one of the Link's unsheathed his sword and swung at the other Link who was unarmed. He fought the other Link, while the other was quick to dodge, perspiration falling from his brow.
As he continued swinging his sword violently at the other, the other Link used his arm as a shield to block the attack before using his free arm to punch the other Link, sending his flying towards the ground.
"I won't let you have Kagome!"
As he picked himself off the ground, he and the other Link shared a long glare. "What are you talking about? You're the one that stole her from us! Inuyasha, don't listen to him. Believe me, please!" He turned to Inuyasha, and he looked on for a moment longer.
"Liar! You're the one that handed her over to Armaros! Right now you're in our way! I was going to go easy on you if you simply gave up." The unarmed Link explained.
As he wiped the blood from his face from where the other Link punched him, he scoffed. "If you think you'll fool Kagome, and my friends with that cheap disguise, then you are sadly mistaken Dark Link. She'll easily see right through you."
Shippo nodded at this. That was right. Kagome was someone who could easily see through people when they were lying. He wouldn't give names or anything, but that's just how Kagome was. The tyke felt an inclination to believe that Link. "I think that's Link!"
Sango and Miroku started to believe that also.
Annoyed by the distraction, Inuyasha sauntered towards the two, who turned at his approach bemused and apprehensive. Reaching out, he grabbed both the Link's by the tunic and brought them close to his face, while his friends looked on confused.
He inhaled each's scent before releasing the Link on the left. Looking at the one still grasped in his hand, he glared. "While both your scents reek of death, Link holds another scent that you do not, Dark Link."
Annoyed he had been easily caught, Dark Link raised his leg and kicked the half demon in the chest, easily flying back away from him and the priestess's friends. With a snap of his finger, his original form manifested and he glared at them. "Whatever, I'm way cooler this way!"
As Link's friends ran to stand by his side, they saw that Dark Link was about to deliver some form of an attack, and as they saw him slowly drift backwards in the sky, he raised his arms up in front of him.
The path in front of the cavern entrance was suddenly blocked. Dark shadows dragged themselves out of the ground, their appearance disturbingly like their own. Although they were dark in color, their eyes bled with malice. There was a total of three shadows, their appearance somewhat similar to Inuyasha, Miroku, Sango and Shippo.
"What the?!" Inuyasha gritted his teeth before turning back to glare at Dark Link, but the dark entity was nowhere to be seen. "What the hell? He took off!"
Miroku readied his staff. "It seems we have another obstacle in our way…"
"Damn it…"
All at once the minions charged towards them, their weapons raised and ready to attack, but they were met by their own doubles, blocking the attacks with similar weapons.
"Stand back Shippo!" Inuyasha urged, and as the fox child did as instructed, he watched the fight commence before him. He saw Kirara helping Sango in her battle, while Miroku struggled to fight off the dark monk.
Link stood beside the child, watching the fight while also thinking of a scheme to get inside the entrance. It wouldn't be easy getting past those shadows, he was sure, but it was worth a try.
As Inuyasha' sword clashed against his doppelganger's, he saw from the corner of his eye, his friends fighting against their identical attackers. As he dodged another swing towards his face, he leapt into the air and swung his sword to unarm his opponent, but his attack was evaded.
"Do you actually think you have what it takes to eliminate Naraku? You're just a lowly half demon, who can't control his demon side. And that dead woman you love? She's long since been dead. You should give up trying already and die!"
What the fuck? So they talked? Well he supposed it wasn't all that surprising. They were, after all, Dark Link's creations. "Shut up! You know nothing about me!"
"Naraku will never be defeated, and your brother will soon succumb to his end as soon as the shard is removed! You should give up on impossible goals, Sango."
Those words struck the slayer hard in the chest. That would never happen. In the end, she was sure she and her friends could save Kohaku and hopefully restore the demon slayer tribe to what it once was. It would take a long time, but it wasn't an impossible goal. "Be quiet!"
"Do you actually think the Wind Tunnel is gone forever? As soon as you leave this world, it will return. How many months left do you have before it destroys you? You haven't told them yet, have you?"
His heart pounded. How dare this foul creature read his thoughts aloud. By now he was sure his friends had heard. "Silence you foul beast!"
OOO
As the fight continued before them, Link bent down and tapped Shippo on the shoulder, earning the child's baffled stare. "While they're distracted, let's try to save Kagome."
Shippo's eyes widened. "Are you sure we can get past them? Someone is bound to notice…"
"Don't worry. If they notice, then we'll fight our way through. Trust me, Shippo."
Nodding fiercely, the child bounded after Link as he kept his body low and his back near the walls. So far the shadows hadn't noticed, but Link caught Inuyasha's eye for a quick second before focusing on his opponent once more.
"Did they see us?"
Link shook his head and motioned for Shippo to hurry. As soon as they neared the entrance, they suddenly came to an abrupt stop. Standing in their path was another shadow. It's back was turned to them, and as it turned around, they noticed it looked exactly like Kagome.
Link felt his heart quicken suddenly, but he kept himself collected. This wasn't Kagome. She was staring at them, her feet apart and bound determined to distract them from rescuing the real Kagome. He and Shippo were a little stumped at what to do next. Was it going to fight them or simply stand in their way.
"What do we do?" Shippo asked.
Before either of them could discern her movements, a partially invisible barrier enwrapped itself around the entrance of the cavern, and Link realized the only way to get past her was to eliminate her.
Although her eyes were almost hollow and unseeing, she stared directly at the two, her hands suddenly emitting a purplish glow. "I won't let you interfere!"
In a second she was running towards him, and Shippo promptly scampered out of harm's reach with a frightened yelp. Link on the other hand remained where he was and confronted her attack head on. She swung her hands at him, in a fashion much like Inuyasha when battling, only instead of claws, her hands burned with a fiery glow.
He managed to duck out of the intended attack, side stepping and blocking her attacks while using his arms as shields. Link felt the scorching heat from her hands burn his skin through his sleeves with each swing, but nonetheless, it wasn't enough to hinder him.
As he tried to evade her attacks, he found that she was too fast, but he managed to grab her wrists surprisingly enough. When he did, there was a moment's pause where they stared each other in the eye. For a moment, Link thought he saw something within her stare, but before he could discern just what it was, she abruptly kicked him hard in the stomach, causing him to fall back suddenly.
Loosening his grip on her wrists, she promptly took the opportunity and swung her fist at his side. The amount of force she struck him with took the breath out of him and he couldn't help but cry out in pain. The side of his tunic had burned away and blood seeped from the wound.
"Link!" Shippo cried out frighteningly.
Falling to his knees, Link clutched his side, his gaze never leaving Kagome's. "Stand back Shippo. I'm alright…"
Although he didn't believe it, he listened to Link and moved a good distance away from the shadow.
Picking himself off the ground, he tried to ignore the stinging pain. How strange. Even as he thought about it, he was dead, and yet the pain in this world felt so real. Even if he died here, he was still dead no matter what. He wouldn't let this get in his way, not when Kagome was somewhere inside there waiting for help. He didn't know what Armaros had planned for her, but he wouldn't give up on saving her.
She circled him slowly, watching him, and he watched her. She was assessing him, he was sure, waiting for the moment he would move, but he remained still, waiting. After a moment of silently circling him, she stopped, facing his back and she said something that caused his heart to pound achingly.
"You're a liar. I can't believe I trusted you. You're no better than Inuyasha…"
His back stiffened at her words, and his eyes widened. Wait a minute. It couldn't be that she knew … right?
"I know already. You're not coming with us…" The shadow replied, staring at him with a despondent expression. "We … were never supposed to meet."
The aching pang in his chest remained, and he swallowed nervously. Was it possible, she really knew the truth? If these shadows spoke of our darkest and most kept secrets, then could it actually be possible? Or was this shadow saying things to distract him?
As he turned around to face her, he saw the solemnity and rejection in her stare. "I … I …" The words wouldn't come out. He felt the sudden urge to explain himself, but the pain building upon his chest caused him to lose face. The look in which she sent him urged him to step towards her and reach out for her, but he withdrew his hand and grasped his tunic at his chest. "I … was going to tell you, but I was afraid … because if I told you the truth, it would mean … that I was truly dead," He replied, his voice somewhat shaky.
Shadow Kagome merely stood there, silently listening to his words.
"I have not been oblivious to the stares of my friends, and I know Inuyasha is trying his hardest to change my fate…" Link lowered his head apologetically. He felt so much dejection at this point, and it felt a little overwhelming. "I'm sorry … Kagome."
After listening to his words, she stepped closer to him, her approach non-threatening and gentle. He wasn't looking at her, he seemed to refuse though she knew he sought forgiveness from her. Comfortingly, she wrapped her arms around his waist and held him for a moment.
OOO
"Kagome's life cannot be saved. You're wasting your breath here!"
"Shut up! What the hell do you know?!"
Evading another attack, Miroku's back fell against Inuyasha's, and the half demon glanced over his shoulder, while also keeping an eye on his opponent. "Inuyasha, we can't get a hit on them. I believe since Dark Link created them after our image, that they also know our weaknesses, our strengths and thoughts…"
If that was the case, then there was only one thing Inuyasha could think of to do. As he looked off to the side, still countering the attacks thrown at him, he saw Sango struggling to keep up, and Kirara wasn't getting much luck either. "Miroku, switch with me."
As if reading his thoughts, Miroku switched with the half demon. As he did this, Inuyasha swung at the other Miroku before easily pushing him back with his sword. As the shadow monk fell to the ground attempting to regain his footing, Inuyasha took that moment to run towards Sango. "Sango!"
As she was thrown back, her Hiraikotsu shielding herself from the attacks of shadow Sango's sword, Inuyasha stepped in and easily broke her sword with his fist before punching her in the face. "Inuyasha? Thank you."
"They can read our thoughts Sango. I'll take over this one for you, focus on Miroku's opponent!"
"Understood!"
As he fought against Sango's shadow, he found that his attacks were much more successful, and like-wise with his companions. The method of switching opponents was working to their advantage, and he knew this would be a short battle.
The shadow was confused by his movements, and from the corner of his eye, Inuyasha saw Miroku and Sango delivering the final blow to their opponents.
"Link, snap out of it!" Shippo's voice cried out.
Momentarily distracted by the child's voice, Inuyasha quickly evaded another attack from shadow Sango and turned to look off in the direction of the cavern entrance. His amber eyes widened at the sight of a shadow version of Kagome embracing Link, and Shippo frantically calling out for him. 'Shit! He's lost focus!'
OOO
The pain in his heart was terrible, and he continued clutching at his chest achingly as she held him in her embrace, whispering comforting words to ease his distress.
"Link, snap out of it! That's not the real Kagome!" Shippo cried out.
The cloudiness within his gaze became clearer from Shippo's cry, and Link felt himself stiffen suddenly at the strange physical contact with the creature. What had happened? Why was she holding him? Had he started hallucinating?
"Even if we must part … I do still love you, Link," She whispered soothingly. She slowly patted his back while she nuzzled her cheek against his face, much to his discontent. "I'll never forget you. I'll never let you go. And she'll never have you…"
When she said this, he was about to push her away until her arms tightened around his waist. Suddenly, he felt a searing pain within his side once more and realized her hands were infusing a scorching heat onto his open wound.
"Link!" Shippo cried out panicked.
He managed to roughly push the shadow away before holding his side painfully. Somehow he had been tricked by her. He wasn't normally a fool for such tricks, and yet he had succumbed to it.
Because he had easily succumbed to her trickery, she laughed. It was loud and haughty, and it was enough to earn disheartened and scornful glares from the boys. "You actually fell for that? How pathetic!" Just by seeing their expressions was enough to bring her hands to her eyes and pretend to cry at their expense. "Boo hoo!"
Tired of playing around, she lowered her arm and stood with her feet apart. Closing her eyes, a surge of power flooded her form, and an immense flame burned at her fists, so big, that it caused Link to step back warily.
Before he could anticipate her next move, she suddenly charged at him with incredible swiftness. Her arms swung at him from all sides, and he found himself stumbling backwards to avoid the hits, however, he found it impossible to do so. He had never encountered a human being, besides Inuyasha, to charge at him with such speed.
A swift kick to his stomach sent him flying across the ground, and he rolled a few feet before lying there in pain. It felt as if all his strength was quickly depleting, the longer he spent in this cursed world. As he attempted to lift himself from the ground in a seated position, he realized his sword was not in its sheathe.
There was a cry which escaped Shippo, and as Link turned to look at the child running towards him in sheer panic, he wasn't prepared when the tyke jumped at him, hitting him with as much force as any child could manage. "Your clothes are on fire!" He cried.
Startled by this, Link suddenly noticed the small flames emerging onto his tunic and pants. They were growing hotter and larger during the minute, and as he also attempted to put out the flames, he found he and Shippo were unable to.
Link couldn't help but utter a stifled cry. New injuries were forming upon his skin, and if the fire wasn't put out soon, then he could only imagine the outcome. The fire spread to his arms and midsection.
"What do I do?! Link it won't go out!"
Another fit of laughter resonated within the vicinity, earning the baffled stares of Link and Shippo's companions in the distance. "The fire can't be put out, you fool. Soon only your ashes will remain."
This wasn't good. Grasping Shippo's shoulders, Link pushed him away. If he could prevent the fire from spreading, then that was all that mattered. "I don't want you getting hurt, Shippo. Get away, quick!"
But Shippo refused, his determination to help his friend overruling all other thoughts. "No, I won't leave you!" He cried. They had to save Kagome, and Shippo wasn't going to leave without saving Link. He continued patting at Link's clothing and arms, though it was in vain. Tears fell from his eyes and trailed down his reddened cheeks.
"I guess I have the pleasure of killing two instead of one." With a devilish smirk, she raised both her arms above her head, and all of a sudden, a ring of fire appeared upon the ground until immense flames rose incredibly high, encompassing Shippo and Link.
Fearful of the close flames, the child clung to Link despondently, and Link held Shippo close to him, even as the flames spread to the child. There was no escaping this, not without burning to death. Inuyasha and the others were fighting still, and Link wasn't sure if they would reach them in time to save them.
"I don't want to die!" Shippo cried. "Kagome … mommy…"
As the ring of fire tightened itself around the two, Link felt the searing pain of the flames scorch his back, and he stifled the pain as best as he could without upsetting Shippo further, but he found it almost impossible.
Inuyasha's voice could be heard over the roaring flames, but it was already too late, Link was sure. He felt his vision darkening slightly, but his hold on the child remained strong. There was no escape.
Something embraced him and Shippo from behind, and for a moment, there was a chilling sensation sweeping across his entire body. The searing pain he had felt moments before dissipated, and in the next second, the ground beneath him disappeared. Darkness invaded his senses, and as the roaring fire around him faded away, he felt the ground beneath him once more, and opened his eyes.
No longer was he standing near the dark priestess, but he was sitting upon the dirt near his friends who were at his and Shippo's side almost immediately. The fire which had once been upon him was no longer visible and the wounds inflicted upon him felt numb.
Although a little dazed from all that had happened, Link's focus finally came to and he heard his friends around him calling his name.
"Are you okay, Link?" Shippo asked, pulling on what was left of his tunic. He saw the reddened flesh of his skin seeping blood from various places on his body, and he couldn't help but feel sorrow for his friend. The important thing was that he was safe.
Nodding, Link held the child close to his chest for a moment, until a strange presence from beside him caught him off guard. The person beside him, with their hand rested upon his left shoulder was not Miroku, Sango or Inuyasha; it was the last person he expected to see.
Emmett.
He knelt beside the young warrior, dressed in his usual silken robes of purple and gold, his familiar scarlet hair and eyes watching him yet there was no smile upon his expression. The peddler was examining his wounds carefully, while his friends turned their attention towards the entity near the entrance of the cavern.
"Fortunately I got here just in time," The sorcerer replied, hovering his hand over the worst of his wounds, from his back to his side. A faint bluish light emanated from his hands, and a numbing sensation crept over the young warrior. When he pulled away, Link saw that the injuries remained, however the pain felt more tolerable.
Shippo was in awe at the sight of the peddler's powers, but remained silent, warily looking over his shoulder towards the shadow silently standing and watching.
"Heal him all you want peddler; it just makes it more fun for me to inflict more wounds!"
Although he never took his full attention off the dark priestess, he had been greatly concerned about Link and Shippo's safety and was relieved Emmett arrived just in time. Unsheathing his sword, he stalked towards the being, with every intent to obliterate it in one blast. "I've had just about enough of this bull shit!"
With her hands placed on her hips, a show of mockery overtook her expression. "Oh, the dog boy is my next opponent! Come here boy. Come fetch me if you can!"
Unnerved by her haughtiness, Inuyasha ran at her, despite Shippo's protests, and he swung his sword, however, she managed to easily dodge his attack, back flipping away from the blade.
"Is that all you got, dog boy?" She teased, earning a growl from the half demon.
While Inuyasha and shadow Kagome fought, Emmett stood up, aiding the young warrior. "It seems the barrier prevents me from getting inside. My powers are weak against this magic."
"What do we do? If we even try to touch her, we'll be caught up in flames!" Shippo cried, hoping his friend, Inuyasha, would not fall prey to her attacks.
The group mused for a moment as they watched Inuyasha recklessly attack the shadow created by Dark Link. Her speed, compared to Inuyasha's was incredible. It was as if her strengths were intensified more so than that of their own reflections.
With the Great Fairy's sword drawn, he nimbly darted out of the shadow's intended attacks with her fists of glowing fire. He sensed the familiar pulse of his sword, and as he focused on his target, he unleashed a beam of bright light which encompassed the entire vicinity.
The light was so bright and intense, everyone had to shield their eyes. After a few seconds, they saw the shadow being lying upon the ground, half of her body disintegrated by the heat of the sword.
Inuyasha smirked at the fallen being, silently praising the power of the sword. "You call yourself a priestess?" He mocked, turning his back to her, which his thumb over his shoulder as he gloated to his friends. "She didn't even have a bow!"
Everyone sweat dropped at the half demon's comment. Was that really all that came to his mind at the moment?
"Inuyasha, you of all people should know that not all priestess's carry bows," Miroku stated. "For example-"
Sango sent a dreadful look at the half demon suddenly, interrupting Miroku. "Inuyasha, watch out!"
Puzzled by her shout and fearful expression, especially by that of the rest of his companions, he looked back. She was standing a short distance away, her lower half mysteriously replenished. "What the fuck? Hey! How the hell are you still alive?!"
Shippo couldn't help but bite his lip. "I have a bad feeling…"
Aggravated by his returned mockery and show of power, she stood firm and raised both her arms. To everyone's amazement, a bow and arrow materialized within her grasp. "I won't be made a fool!"
Immediately after saying this, a surge of electricity swirled around the tip of the arrow before she fired. The ominous power was enough to send everyone into action. Without a moment's pause, everyone jumped out of the path when an explosion filled the air around them.
One by one, arrows flew in all directions, but the swiftness of her fingers pulling on the string of the bow only intensified at a speed which was unfathomable. When one arrow wasn't enough, she began using three all at once, much to the gang's dismay.
Fortunately, they sought refuge behind some boulders, evading the falling debris with each impact. At one point and fed up with hiding, Sango removed herself from hiding and threw her Hiraikotsu at the girl, but to her surprise, she caught it with one hand.
"How'd she do that?!" Shippo cried in surprise.
Emmett, who was leaning against the back of the boulder thoughtfully, looked on wordlessly. There wasn't much time.
With a disgusted growl, a surge of power infused itself from her hands into the boomerang. Although the Hiraikotsu was a large weapon, it grew massively large with her powers. Without much force, Kagome sent it straight back at the slayer, who managed to duck just in time before it hit the canyon's walls across the raging waterfall.
"You know, I truly hate you all, and I don't just mean me," Her words drew curious ears and stares from the group. "You never give me a chance to show my potential. All you do is put me down. You're always babying me and second guessing my opinions. I'm not some naïve little girl that constantly needs guidance and protection!"
Inuyasha narrowed his eyes before slowly stepping out from behind the rock. So far she wasn't making a move to shoot them. The others remained behind, watching, but taking in every word. "Don't listen you guys."
She narrowed her eyes at the half demon. "I'm not some cheap imitation that you can toss aside whenever you feel like it." Her words stung Inuyasha briefly. For a moment, it seemed like she wasn't going to fight, but she glanced at each person scornfully. "I'm tired of everyone trying to take away my happiness. I'm so tired of everyone getting their happy ending but me. I'm nothing to all of you. Just by me being here, is a mistake, isn't it?
It was nothing but distracting lies but deep down, they wondered if it was possible Kagome was feeling neglected and suffocated on their journey. Of course that was plausible; after all, she was practically forced into the well into their time and had unexpectedly become the key to locating the shards scattered across the lands of Feudal Japan. There were times they rested during their travels, and times they struggled to cope with their environments and battles. It hadn't been easy on the young girl, and they knew this.
A silver tear spilled from her eyes, but Inuyasha wasn't about to let its words bother him. He stepped closer, his sword held tightly in both hands. Just one strike, and the barrier would lift.
A sudden want to stop Inuyasha from attacking urged Shippo forward, past the half demon, who openly blinked at the child. Even if she wasn't the real Kagome, maybe he could stop the fight. He couldn't bear to watch Inuyasha strike her down, not when she looked just like his mom.
"Shippo wait!" Inuyasha hollered, but Shippo didn't answer. What was he thinking? Normally in situations like this, the kid would always run and hide, but now he was showing a brave front. Looking over at Link near the boulders with the others, he saw that Link seemed calm, and he gave Inuyasha a reassuring nod.
He knew the real Kagome would never hurt him. Maybe this shadow look alike wouldn't either? "Mommy…" Stepping closer, he easily caught her attention for a brief moment, but he soon stopped in his tracks when she aimed the arrow straight at him. His fur stood on end, and he felt his legs shake. He could do this. He had to be strong. "Mommy…"
In an instant, before Inuyasha could make his move, Link ran forward before stopping directly behind Shippo. "Kagome!" The name drew her attention away from the child. "You wouldn't hurt you're only child, would you?"
Child? What was this nonsense? She didn't have a child. On further inspection of the fox boy, sniffling and shaking before her, she was frozen in place, somewhat confused. Did she have a child?
Shippo sniffled before reaching his small little hand towards her. Although it was a fake display, it seemed to have an effect on her. Even if she wasn't the real Kagome, it held similar emotions and feelings.
She stepped back, pulling at the string until she could pull no further. What was this feeling? Seeing the tears spilling from his large and green eyes, filled the being with a sense of remorse, and her grip on the bow loosened. Perhaps, she really didn't dislike the child. Lowering the bow, she slowly started towards Shippo, her hand extended to reach out and hold him like a real mother would do.
The chance never came when a spear of fire flew directly at the dark priestess. It happened almost too quickly for anyone to process. One moment she was distracted by Shippo, and the next, Emmett had used his powers to eradicate the source of evil. She gave out a loud shriek before fading away in a puff of black smoke, and Shippo fell to his butt tiredly.
To everyone's relief, the barrier suddenly lifted and with a gesture of his finger, Emmett disappeared from sight, reappearing deep within the cavern where he was confronted by a sight he hadn't seen in a long time.
Armaros's back was turned to the peddler, his attention shifted elsewhere but towards him, and Emmett's eyes flashed over the unconscious priestess before reaching out for her. The motion caused Armaros to turn, his sword immediately drawn, but the girl was already held tightly within Emmett's arms.
What words could Emmett express confronting his rival from a millennium ago? The vengeful and seething hate was obvious from his stare, but Emmett made no room to attack, and instead, transported himself out of the cavern. The most important of this mission was to protect the group and send them to the Goddesses. After all, it's what he lived to do since his mistake years ago.
The sight of the Happy Mask Salesman reappearing in front of them, this time with Kagome held within his arms, urged the group towards them. Inuyasha promptly took his friend into his arms, scanning her face and body for any signs of injury. There was a cut on her palm, but other than that, she was fine.
"Kagome … what did he do to her?" Shippo wondered. He didn't like it here. This world was far too dangerous.
"I'll make that bastard pay…"
The ground beneath them suddenly shook, and crevices ripped at the earth, splitting the canyons apart around them. Boulders fell from overhanging cliff sides, and cavern exploded with a thunderous noise. As the debris and dust settled, they saw the menacing figure of Armaros hovering above them, his eyes ablaze in vengeance, solely focused on one particular person.
Emmett.
Link immediately drew his sword, and the rest of the gang prepared themselves for an arduous battle, but a motion of Emmett's hand caught them by surprise.
"This fight is mine," he explained, his eyes remaining firm on Armaros's.
Inuyasha scoffed. "The hell is it! That bastard has the Sacred Jewel!" Not to mention he caused them a ridiculous amount of trouble during their journey.
"I shall return the jewel. I give you my word," Emmett promised. "This battle between us was never finished, and I will put an end to it myself. Go now. The tower is just over the cliff's edge, across the waterfall. Summon the Goddesses, and you shall all be returned to your respective world. Remember, only one with a pure heart can summon them."
Although hesitant to leave, Inuyasha nodded, his hold on Kagome tightening. Even if he didn't care for the peddler, he did save his friends, and for that he was thankful.
While his friends turned to leave, with Link standing beside him, Shippo stepped towards the peddler. "When we get there, how do we summon them?" Did they have to use a spell or a chant?
Emmett withdrew a book from his coat, his eyes locking on the child for a split second. "Simply call out their names. Din. Farore and Nayru. The pendants will do the rest."
Understanding, Shippo turned and quickly followed his friends, but on account of their pauses, their eyes looking back worryingly, Shippo stopped and turned back as well. "Link? Aren't you coming?"
Bending down to pick up his fallen sword, Link prepared himself for battle, just as Emmett. He could feel the stares of his friends behind him, waiting for him, but he couldn't follow after. "Sorry Shippo. You guys go ahead."
His emerald eyes widened in disbelief. "Why? I thought we were going together?"
A moment of silence passed between them until Link glanced over his shoulder with a smile. "I'll follow you soon. I promise, Shippo," When he saw the child nod, satisfied with his reply, Link turned his gaze to his friends before locking his eyes with Inuyasha. "Take care of Kagome for me while I'm away."
Inuyasha stiffly nodded, looking at the priestess in his arms. So this was what Link chose in the end? To stay behind? His amber eyes shifted back to Link. "Don't give up just yet, Link," He replied. "I said I'd help you out, and I will. So you better follow us once you're done here!"
Link nodded. "Thank you, Inuyasha. Thank you all for everything. I'll … catch up with you guys soon."
With that, they left the area, and Link turned with his sword ready beside Emmett. This was finally it. It was bound to happen eventually, and he didn't regret it. The least he could do was retrieve the Sacred Jewel for his friends and assist Emmett in this battle.
'Kagome. Be safe. Perhaps in the next life, our fates will be kinder to us. For now, I wish you and the others luck in defeating Naraku and restoring the jewel once more. Kagome … goodbye…"