Born a Weapon

A Twilight Princess Fan story

Chapter 27

Echo

For several seconds, nobody moved.

The strange man with Link's face stared at the hero with a cold expression. As much as Link tried to stay focused, keep his guard up, and be ready for combat, but he was too shocked. Everything about this man was identical to him. The face was the same. The height was the same. Everything was the same except the coal-black skin features, red eyes, and outfit. Instead of the green hero's tunic, the figure wore dark clothing with identically colored armor. The outfit reminded Link of the strange assailants from his first night in Kakariko.

The doppelganger turned his head, looking at Midna stuck in the tree's shadow. The twili was also too shocked to do anything, but the figure turning his head snapped both adventures out of their daze. Midna took a step back, unsure what to do, and Link studied the figure's face. His expression didn't change, but Link could see slight differences. It was clear something about Midna was unexpected. Link assumed it would be Midna herself, but a weird feeling told him that wasn't it. The piercing red gaze turned back to Link and examined him. Link could tell the figure was thinking, planning what to do, but he had no idea what it was thinking. The planning only lasted a second before the giant crossbow seemed to implode and disappear. Link kept his expression neutral but was confused and could hear Midna make a surprised noise.

"Interesting outfit," the doppelganger spoke in Link's voice.

"I could say the same about you," Link gripped his shield tighter, holding it up, "who are you?"

"I thought you'd recognize yourself. Haven't you looked in a mirror?"

"I'm flattered by the impersonation, but who are you really?" The figure didn't answer Link's question, instead keeping his examining gaze on Link as he crossed his arms.

"Wow. You really don't remember anything." Link nearly dropped his sword. He couldn't hide his expression anymore. His face telegraphed the confusion and fear he felt.

"What do you know?" The figure said nothing. "What do you know?!" Link shouted in anger. The rage emanating from his voice surprised Midna, never heard him so angry, but the doppelganger didn't even flinch.

"Considering I'm you, a lot."

"You're not me! Just some weird dark imitation!"

"A Dark Link?" the figure said, raising an eyebrow. "Creative name." 'Dark Link' uncrossed his arms, and his poker face turned slightly more serious. "Whatever. Enough wasting time."

Dark Link began walking closer with clear hostility. Once he was close enough, Link took a slash at his head. Dark Link leaned back, just enough to avoid the blow, and Link quickly followed up with a downward slash, and his doppelganger merely stepped to the side. Link made several more attacks, and Dark Link moved just enough to dodge each one, never changing his cold expression. After several failed attacks, Dark Link grabbed Link's arm mid-swing and drew his left hand back for a punch. The hero raised his shield just in time, and his arm was released. The punch collided with a force exceeding the corrupted Darbus. Link staggered back and fell over before quickly rolling onto his feet.

Midna blasted the doppelganger with some magic, but the enemy didn't even seem to notice. Epona charged forward to ram him, but he sidestepped the horse and struck her neck, knocking her out in one move.

His opponent was fast and strong, two very dangerous traits, and he wasn't even using a weapon. Link needed to match his speed and avoid the powerful blows, so he started putting barely any strength into his attacks, focusing entirely on being fast enough to land a blow. He dashed forward and slashed with incredible speed, cutting through the air, his sword a blur.

But it wasn't fast enough. Dark Link merely started moving faster, avoiding every attack. During a swing, Dark Link caught the hero's arm and flipped him over his shoulder. Link landed on the ground with a thud and quickly rolled to avoid a punch that sent dirt flying through the air. He couldn't stop there, though, and had to keep rolling as Dark Link pivoted off his fist and flipped, coming down for another punch again and again. Finally, Dark Link performed a flip that turned into a hammer kick, leaving him performing a split on the ground when Link dodged it.

The hero quickly rolled to his feet and tried to remove his head, but the dark copy bent backward impossibly low and grabbed Link's ankle in the same move. Dark Link got to his feet with inhuman speed and spun Link through the air before releasing him, sending him flying into a nearby tree. Link dropped his equipment and struck the tree with a scream and a loud crack that even made Midna flinch. From her shadowy prison, she watched as the dark copy marched towards the unarmed hero struggling to rise.

"Link! Get up!"

Link did rise, but not in time. Dark Link grabbed Link's throat and slammed him into the tree, drawing back another punch. Link moved his head just in time to avoid the blow, and it struck the tree hard enough to cause it to collapse. Link was lifted high before being slammed into the floor, letting out another grunt of pain. Another punch was sent his way, but Link managed to redirect it with his hand, and it struck the ground. Two hands grabbed Link's collar before he was headbutted, making his vision distort and ears ring. He was dimly aware of another distressed cry from Midna and the feeling of flying through the air and smashing right through a smaller tree.

Link painfully rose to his feet and shook himself out of his stupor. When Dark Link threw another punch, he redirected it and retaliated with his own, but it was dodged. The battle turned into a fist fight, Link only managing to block or avoid every fourth punch, and any attack the hero made was parried and punished. Link quickly drew his knife and tried to slash Dark Link's arm as he rose it to block, but the move was quickly changed as he grabbed his wrist, moved the blow past him, and struck Link's arm with his forearm. The knife flew from Link's grasp and bounced uselessly underneath Midna's tree. That was the same move Link used in Kakariko.

Link was spun through the air by his arm and sent tumbling across the ground. Every part of his body screamed in protest as he forced himself to his feet and realized his sword was nearby. He sneakily grabbed the sword as Dark Link approached, seemingly unaware the hero was now armed. Once Dark Link was close, Link spun around and swung at his opponent's neck.

The sword stopped an inch away from its target. Dark Link held Link's left arm tightly with his left hand, not letting his arm move. When Link tried to retaliate, Dark Link pulled his arm across his body, forcing Link's back to be to him. Link caught sight of Midna inside the shadow with his knife in hand before Dark Link struck Link's elbow with his open palm.

Link screamed as his elbow bent the wrong way, and his arm went slack, dropping the sword. Link's right knee dropped, and he could do nothing but breathe and grunt in pain. Dark Link merely held Link's arm and watched the broken hero.

Link lifted his head slightly, wincing in pain, and saw his companion in the shadow. She was unsure what to do, but she still held the knife in a firm grip of fear. She was so close but couldn't leave the shadow to help. Link gathered what strength he had left and slowly got to his feet. He stared defiantly into Dark Link's red eyes and shoved him towards the tree. Dark Link didn't move much, but it was just enough.

Midna knew what she had to do. She had hoped it would never come to this, but Link desperately needed help. She swallowed down bile forming in her throat and flew at Dark Link. He spun around, and Midna plunged the knife into his chest with a shout.

She squeezed her eyes shut, refusing to look at what she had done. Her throat seemed to lock up, and she gasped for breath. Her stomach was revolted and threatened to empty its contents at any moment, but then she realized something. There was no scream. No pained grunt. Nothing. She forced her eyes open and looked at the knife in her hand, the wound she caused, and her heart stopped.

There was no blood.

Her eyes snapped to Dark Link's face, adorned with a smirk.

"Thanks for the knife," he said before grabbing her wrist and twisting it. Midna cried in pain, losing her grip on the knife, and a palm strike sent her reeling into the tree. She collided with enough force to completely stun her and helplessly flopped to the floor. She regained her senses just in time to see Link charge and fail a punch with his good arm. Dark Link grabbed his arm, spun him out of the shadow, grabbed the knife from his chest, and plunged it into Link's stomach.

Link slowly turned his head down to look at the wound. He stared in disbelief and saw blood leaking out, staining the green tunic. He heard Midna scream his name, loud and long, and the pain hit him. He grasped Dark Link's arm, still gripping the knife tightly, and began staggering back. Dark Link moved with him, not letting go. His cold red eyes bore into Link as he felt breathing become difficult, and he gasped in pain. He could hear Midna become overwhelmed by panic but could tell if she was trying to say anything.

"You really have forgotten everything," Dark Link said. Link summoned his strength and moved his hand from Dark Link's arm to his collar. He gripped the collar tightly, pulled back his head, and slammed into his opponent's face with all his remaining might. Dark Link lost his grip and took a step back, uninjured but surprised. Link collapsed to the ground, only supported by his right arm. Dark Link turned his head, looking at Midna, who had just yelled something, but Link wasn't sure what. He heard footsteps and realized with horror that Dark Link was moving away from him and towards Midna.

The imp floated back, trying to get as far away from the monster approaching her as possible. Her back touched the tree's wood, and she quickly moved around it. She kept moving until she felt a burning pain in her hair as she began to float out of the shadow. She hissed and moved further into the shadow, trapped between the sunlight and Dark Link.

"Get back here…"

Dark Link stopped his approach and turned around, seeing Link shakily standing on his feet.

"Well, you may have forgotten everything, but you haven't changed much. Still willing to fight after all that." Dark Link began approaching Link, and the hero staggered forward to meet him. Link saw a slight smile on his enemy's face, as if he was hoping Link would challenge him again. Link made a slow and pathetic attempt at a punch, and his fist was caught in Dark Link's hand. His right hand grasped Link's throat, lifting the hero off his feet. Link pulled his hand free and punched Dark Link in the face, but he didn't even blink.

Link felt the pressure on his throat increase, and his airway began to block. His rapid, erratic breaths turned into sporadic choked gasps, and he tried to pry the hand off his throat to no avail. Link threw his fist into Dark Link's face again and again. His vision began to fade, and his strikes became slower and weaker with each passing moment. Finally, his vision turned black, and his arm fell to his side as his consciousness left him.

Midna watched helplessly as Link was choked to death, his attempts to free himself doing nothing. She screamed at the dark being to release her hero, but she was ignored. Fear flooded her as she realized there was nothing she could do. Link was going to die, and there was nothing she could do. Her magic was useless, and she could leave the damn shadow! She fell to her knees, her breathing accelerating, and gripped her head in panic, and there she felt the one remaining option.

The Fused Shadow.

Faron's word echoed in her head. "Do not make use of its power unless necessary. Once you access its power, corruption will flow into you, and you may not be able to resist it."

She had made sure to never use the relic, aware that what Faron said was true, but what choice did she have? Should she risk it? Should she risk losing herself to the artifact?

Once Link's arm fell to his side and his eyes closed, she made her decision. She felt for the massive magical energy coming from her headpiece and stopped holding it back, letting it flow into her. She gasped and fell over, supporting herself with her right arm. The power felt overwhelming. It was way more than she expected. She felt the energy course through her body and was amazed at how… good it felt. There was nothing to compare it to, no feeling that even came close to matching it. She felt like there was nothing she couldn't do!

A thump brought her attention back to the present. She raised her head to see Dark Link looking in her direction and Link's body lying on the ground. No! She got distracted! How long had she been sitting there, basking in her new power? Was she too late? Was Link dead? Rage filled the imp, and if Link were watching, he would have noticed another small smile on Dark Link's face.

Midna thrust her hand forward, sending a continuous blast of magic. Dark Link raised his hand to stop the blow but was pushed back considerably. Midna floated forward, out into the sunlight, and was unaffected. She approached Dark Link, and he leapt forward to punch her.

Midna's arms moved on her own, projected a solid shadow that danced with orange electricity before her. The shield absorbed the impact but forced Midna back, and she struck with a ball of magic that Dark Link dodged. Midna was slowly forced back, her arms moving without her input to make shields.

When Midna was forced back to the tree, Dark Link held his hand up with his palm facing skyward. Link's sword, shield, and one of his daggers floated above his head, and the blades tilted to point at Midna. Midna projected another shield, but Dark Link pointed his palm away from her and towards Link. The blades and shield flew in his direction, and Midna quickly placed the items into her magical storage before they could strike the hero.

Only half aware of what she was doing, Midna's hair hand reached out and grabbed the tree she hid under and pulled it out of the ground. She slammed it onto Dark Link, then lifted it and slammed it again, and again and again. She lost track of how many times she smashed the tree into the ground before she tossed it aside, eager to see Dark Link broken before her.

All she saw was a mess of broken branches and destroyed grass.

She growled in anger as she spun her head around, searching for him, but she saw no sign of him. Her eyes settled upon Link, and she remembered why she was fighting in the first place. She flew to Link's side and turned him from his side onto his back.

"Link! Link!" she called, and she gently slapped the hero's face, getting no response. She placed her ear to his chest, closing her eyes so she would have to stare at the dagger in his gut, and listened. Quiet, but she heard the sound of him breathing. He needed to get back to Kakariko, to Renado.

Midna extended her hand to form another portal, which took almost no effort this time. She levitated Link onto it, turning his body into black particles and sending him through the portal. Before going through herself, she did the same to Epona.

Midna appeared beneath the portal in Kakariko next to the unconscious forms of Link and Epona. Her head swiveled around, searching for the healer, and saw him down the street. He watched the children play from a distance as he rested underneath the overpass of the inn's entrance. Midna zipped to him with unexpected speed, colliding with him and making him stumble slightly.

"Midna?" Renado said, "what're you-" Midna interrupted him by grabbing his arm and pulling him in Link's direction.

"Link's hurt! By the spring!" That was all Renado needed to hear. He sprinted down the street, and Midna was only able to catch up with her Fused Shadow-enhanced speed and merge with his shadow. Renado slid to a stop next to Link and immediately spotted the problem. His gaze flew to Epona for a second, but he saw no injuries on her and could see her chest steadily rising and falling.

The healer scooped Link into his arms and ran back into the inn, kicking the door open. He dashed up the stairs and placed Link on the same bed he was on after his fight in Kakariko. Midna emerged from the shadow and hovered over Link's side as Renado rummaged through medical supplies nearby. She tried to shake him awake again but got no response.

Renado returned and gently pried Midna off Link so he could focus on healing him. She reluctantly allowed herself to be pulled away and turned around when Renado began moving a metal device toward the dagger. She heard the awful sound of the knife being removed from Link's flesh. She placed her face in her hands, feeling the Fused Shadow, and was reminded of what she had done to save Link. She tried to block out the sounds behind her and focused on stopping the Fused Shadow's energy, denying it entrance to her, but should she? Dark Link was still out there somewhere. What if he came back?

Midna shook those thoughts away. She needed to stop drawing its power before it affected her. The energy didn't want to leave, but she pushed it out with every ounce of willpower she had before placing it into her storage. She turned around to see Renado trying to stitch Link's wound shut, and he held the skin closed using a metal clamping tool. The hero had yet to stir in the slightest, and this time Midna was thankful for that. She had not seen Renado apply the numbing medicine. Midna wrung her hands together, feeling helpless, and prayed Link would be ok.

Renado worked tirelessly to heal Link while Midna sat nearby in a chair. The stab wound alone took several hours, and Link's broken arm took several more. The stab wound had been stitched shut and bandaged, and Renado had to reset Link's arm bones before wrapping it in a cast. Once the two major injuries were dealt with, Renado asked Midna what had happened while he applied spring water to the many bruises on Link's body. Midna told him the truth but left out the part about what she had done, telling him she merely teleported Link.

When he finally stopped working on the injured hero, he monitored him, checking his pulse and breathing for the rest of the day, only stepping out when the children began calling for him. When he was finally content Link was making a recovery, it was very late, and he and Midna were tired.

"He should be fine now. I think we can get some sleep."

"You go ahead," Midna said, "I'm going to wait a bit."

"Midna, it's late, and you're exhausted."

"I know. But I don't want anything to happen while we're not watching."

"Midna," Renado said, gently placing his hand on her shoulder, "trust me. He'll live." Midna said nothing refusing to budge. "Very well, tell me if anything happens." Renado stood and left the room, closing the door gently.

"How am I going to explain this to you?" Midna wondered aloud, "you told me not to use the Fused Shadows, but I didn't have a choice…" Midna remained in the chair for an unknown amount of time before finally yielding to sleep and moving to a nearby bed.