Chapter 39

As soon as Link and his friends walked into the Fire Temple, they had a feeling that they were being watched. Link turned around and addressed everyone.

"Okay, everyone. We don't know what kind of monsters await us in this temple. Let's be careful though. I think somebody or something knows we are here. Try to stay alert and focused. I don't want to see anybody get hurt or captured in here."

Argus walked over and patted him gently on the back.

"What a touching speech, Link. Thank you for the kind words. I am not going to let myself or others get hurt or captured. If monsters try to capture me, they are in for the fight of their lives."

Brad walked over beside Link and drew his scimitar.

"Same goes for me, pal. I will slice them in two before they get me."

Navi giggled.

"I cant wait to see an enemy's face if they try to cast a fireball at us. Can you try to teach me and Izzy how to use that fire control ability, Valerie?"

Valerie nodded.

"I will certainly try. However, that is no easy task. The only reason I was able to send that fireball back is because I am a skilled magic user and you and Izzy are just beginners. With some training, I think you two will be just as good as me or better. When we get out of here, I will try and teach you guys. Until then, let me handle that ability."

Navi nodded.

"That sounds fair. I can't wait to learn it!"

Izzy flew forward.

"Me either. I want to feel more useful. If I can learn some spells, perhaps that would help."

Link looked around the room and checked to make sure there weren't any enemies nearby. All he could see was a few bats flying around near the ceiling. All around the room, there were lit torches scattered everywhere. Some ranging from very tiny to colossal. There was a huge stairway in front of Link and his friends and two small doors to each side of it. Both of them had chains across them and a lock securing them. Link decided to climb the stairway, with his friends following closely behind. When Link reached the top, he heard a strange noise behind him. Before he could turn around, he heard Argus shout.

"Watch out! Vaati and Dark Link are here!"

Vaati laughed evilly.

"Well well well. What do we have here? A little rescue party attempting to save the gorons? We can't allow you to proceed any further. Why do you have those suits on? Can't you wimps handle a little heat? No matter. I will burn those suits right off of you!"

Valerie grinned as she saw Vaati getting ready to cast a fireball. Time for a true display of her powers against a real enemy. Link was also watching. Suddenly, a plan was beginning to form in his mind. He turned to Vaerie.

"Can you try to keep them distracted? I have an idea. I want to cast my purify spell and see if I can hit one of them."

Valerie smiled and nodded.

"That sounds good to me. This is going to be fun!"

Argus and Brad cheered Link on.

"What a good idea, brother. See if can get one of them on our side again!"

"Go Valerie! Go Link! Show them how it's done."

Vaati had his fireball ready. He looked beside him, and Dark Link was just watching the battle. He threw the fireball and glared at Dark Link.

"Why aren't you helping me? Come on! Get a damn fireball ready."

Dark Link hastily obeyed.

"Sorry, brother. I didn't mean to slack off."

Suddenly, a fireball shot right above Vaati's head. He turned his attention to his enemies while Dark Link got a spell ready.

"So, now you're playing with fire too? Let's see if you can handle this!"

Suddenly, a huge fireball began to form in Vaati's hand. It was much bigger than the last fireball. He then threw it towards Link and Brad. Link was concentrating on his purify spell and he was almost ready to cast it. Brad was stunned at what he saw. If that hit them, it would be the end of them. Valerie flew in front of them and held out her hands and they began to glow orange. Vaati started to laugh.

"Say goodbye to you and your friends, Link. It was a pleasure killing you!"

Suddenly, the fireball stopped in mid air. Vaati's mouth opened wide with shock.

"What the? What's going on? Why isn't the fireball moving and destroying you?"

Valerie's eyes started to glow bright orange and all of a sudden, the fireball turned around and headed towards it's creator! Vaati was panicking. He looked over at Dark Link and he was concentrating on a purple ball of energy forming in his hand with his eyes closed! He had no idea a fireball was heading his way. Vaati kicked him. He grunted in pain and the ball of energy vanished.

"Snap out of it you fool! We have to move! My fireball is going to hit us."

Vaati's fireball was getting closer. He added a lot of destructive force to the fireball and he didn't want it to hit him He pushed Dark Link in front of it.

"Stop that fireball you fool! Do something useful for a change!"

Stung by the insult but obedient to his brother, Dark Link created a shield of dark energy around himself and Vaati. The fireball hit it and shattered it, sending Vaati and Dark Link flying. Vaati and Dark Link both groaned and got up. Suddenly, they saw something else heading towards them. It was a purple ball of energy coming towards them at an incredible speed.

"Watch out, brother!"

Dark Link saw that it was going to hit Vaati and he ran over and pushed him out of the way.

The ball of energy struck Dark Link and sent him flying Link saw it strike Dark Link and he cheered.

"Yes! I hit Dark Link. I hope it works."

Dark Link rose from the ground and groaned. He held his head. Strange memories were coming back to him. He was starting to remember his former life before he was turned into Dark Link against his will. His name used to be Charlie. Link was his friend, not his foe. He was also fighting for all of Link's friends instead of fighting against them. All of Charlie's memories were beginning to flood his mind. He was starting to wonder if he would be better off resuming his life as Charlie instead of Dark Link. Just then, Vaati snapped him back to reality by pushing him.

"Snap out of it! We have a job to do! We have to get rid of those enemies somehow."

Dark Link nodded.

"You're right, Vaati. I think I'm going to start with you!"

Dark Link started to form a big ball of Dark energy and turned around to face Vaati. Vaati backed away.

"What the hell are you doing? I'm not the enemy! Link and his friends are the enemies!"

Dark Link Released the ball of Dark energy towards Vaati. It struck him and sent him flying. Link and his friends were watching in confusion. Argus tapped Link on the shoulder.

"What's going on over there? Why are they fighting each other?"

Link shrugged.

"Maybe they had a disagreement between them."

Valerie shook her head.

"I don't think so. I may be wrong, but I don't think that's Dark Link fighting Vaati. I think that's Charlie!"

Brad shook his head.

"I don't think so. If it's Charlie, why does he still look like Dark Link? I think Link's right."

Navi shrugged.

"I guess we'll have to wait and see."

Vaati groaned and got up. That blast from Dark Link really hurt. He glared at Dark Link.

"You...Traitor! How could you do this? Me and Father gave you everything! When I get rested, I am going to find you and kill you! I swear it! There's nowhere you can hide."

Suddenly, Vaati disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Dark Link turned and started to walk towards Link and his friends. Link was on his guard. He drew his sword, and he had his shield ready. Argus was eager for a fight, Brad drew his sword and stood beside Link. Navi, Izzy and Valerie watched him carefully as he got closer. Link shouted at him.

"What do you want? You sent Vaati away so you could destroy us yourself?"

Dark Link shook his head. Link was confused.

"Then what do you want then?

Dark Link smiled.

"I actually want to rejoin you on your quest, Link. It's me, Charlie."

Everyone gasped in shock. Link couldn't believe his ears.

"Charlie! Is it really you? I can't believe it. That spell actually worked!"

Charlie nodded.

"Whatever spell you cast worked like a charm. I really have to thank Ganondorf and Vaati.I have the powers and appearance of Dark Link but the mind of Charlie."

Brad walked over and patted him on the shoulder.

"It's good to have you back, buddy. I missed you."

Argus walked over and patted him lightly on the head.

"Same goes for me, brother. At least Link has one of his friends back now."

The three fairies flew around Charlie.

"We got our friend back and also a powerful ally!", said Navi.

"I'll say! Maybe you can teach me some of your spells!", said Valerie.

"Yeah. Maybe you can teach Brad some of your quick reflexes!", said Izzy.

Brad glared at Izzy.

"What's that supposed to mean? You keep telling everybody how good my reflexes are! Why do I need more training?"

Izzy held out her hands.

"Sorry, Brad! Only joking of course. You're awesome."

Charlie laughed at Izzy's comments.

"I think I'm going to like you guys all over again. My mind is still a little hazy I'm just glad to be back."

Link patted him on the back.

"Everyone is glad to have you with us once again. Do you remember much about being Dark Link?"

Charlie shook his head.

"Not really. The last thing I remember was being inside a big castle. Then Ganondorf channeled evil power inside of me and everything went black. I guess I was Dark Link after that. I can't seem to remember anything else... Wait! I remember two gorons escaping from the cells. Ganondorf was furious when he heard the news, and he told us to find them. That's weird. Why do I still know that? Maybe because it was my most recent memory as Dark Link."

Link shrugged.

"It's hard to say. I wouldn't worry about it. So, two gorons escaped? Do you remember their names?"

Charlie shook his head.

"No I don't. I'm sure we will run into them somewhere in here if they don't get captured."

Link nodded.

"Sounds good. Let's get moving. If we're lucky, we'll bump into them before Ganondorf or Vaati does."

Everybody got ready to resume the exploration through the hot temple with a new powerful ally and an old friend.