Disclaimer: I do not own the Legend of Zelda Series or its characters. I also do not own "Beauty and the Beast", "Les Miserables", or any other musical or piece of music mentioned in this story. This story is purely for entertainment purposes only.

Hello, everyone! Thank you again for your continued support! As always, please leave a review! I'd love to hear what you think! Enjoy chapter 28! ~Opal

Chapter 28: A Moment of Truth

Vlad laughed maniacally as he stood between Sally's stepmother and me. "Not so fast, Sir Link!" He wiggled his index finger. "Didn't think you'd have to deal with me, hmmm?"

"No. I knew I'd have to deal with you." I spoke curtly. "But I want to deal with her first."

"Nope. I'm afraid you can't do that, partner." He grinned widely.

"Partner?" I chuckled despite myself. "Only in hell would I be 'partners' with you!"

"Allow me to take you there!" He drew out a sword from behind his back.

I readied my sword and shield, when suddenly Midna appeared by my side (in her lovely imp form, of course!). "Midna?" I reacted with surprise.

"I had a feeling you'd need some help." She winked.

I smiled momentarily, but the good feeling faded quickly. "I'm okay for now. Please make sure Sally's alright." She nodded and floated to Sally's cell, slipping through the bars and kneeling by her side. I looked back at Vlad and we lunged at each other, my ears ringing from the sound of our swords first making contact.

Midna's POV

I immediately began with checking Sally's vital signs. Her heartbeat was slightly irregular, her breathing labored, I'm assuming due to the pain from her stepmother's attack. I touched her forehead. "Sally?"

"...L-Link?" She mumbled as she opened her eyes. "Oh, it's you, Midna...where's Link..." Her eyes widened as reality hit her. "I need...I need to help him!" She tried to sit up, a groan coming from her as she struggled due to the pain.

"No! You need to lay down and rest!" I patted her on the shoulder, gently easing her back down with my other hand on her other shoulder. "Link told me to take care of you and to make sure you're okay."

"But he-" She started.

"He'll be fine. He's dealt with stuff like this before."

"Are you sure?" She leaned back the rest of the way and laid down again.

I floated above her so she could see me. "Positive."

She turned her head to look out the bars and watch Link battle Vlad. I saw the uneasiness in her eyes. "What's the matter?"

"...I'm scared...they want to kill him." Her voice broke. "I feel so helpless...I don't want him to die trying to protect me!"

"That won't happen. He's strong; he knows what he's doing." I patted her arm.

Despite my efforts her look of discomfort remained, so I decided to see if getting her out of her cell might ease her worries a little. I examined the lock as she stared blankly into the distance...the sounds of running, yelling, and swords clashing filling the empty void. After some brainstorming I decided it would be best to try to mold my hair into the shape of the keyhole, if at all possible. I slipped between the bars of the cell and once I was out I concentrated by shutting my eyes, trying to summon most of my power to my hair to help it move, but as I did this I became so focused that I lost touch with the world...not for long, but long enough for Sally's stepmother to hit me with a sneak attack. I instantly felt paralyzed as I gently floated to the ground, my eyes getting heavy as I saw Sally stare at me and yell, "Midna!" Then it all went black as Link screamed my name as well.

Link's POV

I screamed as Midna was struck by Sally's stepmother. "Fine. I'll humor you and let you check on her." Vlad laughed. As I ran in Midna's direction I saw that Sally was okay, which made me feel relieved...now just to make sure Midna is as well. I knelt by her side and checked for vital signs. She's doing alright, but in a lot of pain. "I'm sorry." She said, "I tried to shape my hair into a key to help free Sally, but I got too focused on that and didn't keep my guard up."

"Don't be sorry." I replied. "Thank you for trying to do that...but please don't try again...at least not until I've got a better handle on Sally's stepmother and Vlad."

"Okay." She whispered. "Sally's so worried about you...if you can, please try to console her."

I nodded and turned towards Vlad. "Please...free Sally." I begged. "You have me here, which is what you wanted. Just please let her go, and don't involve her or Midna in this. This is our fight now. I don't want them harmed any further."

"Are you kidding me?!" He chuckled. "Seeing you worry about them only makes this all the more entertaining!" He snapped his fingers and disappeared into a ball of smoke, suddenly I heard him snap his fingers again, this time from behind, and I turned around to see Sally gone.

"WHERE IS SHE?!" I yelled.

"Here." His voice rang in the air. He snapped his fingers again and was in front of me with Sally in a choke hold.

"LET GO OF HER!" I gritted my teeth.

He took out a knife and held it to her throat. I drew out my sword and ran towards him. "HOLD UP!" I stopped. "ONE MORE STEP, I DARE YOU! If you do, you'll end her life!"

"Damn you!" I felt so enraged that my body felt like it was on fire.

"Link!" Sally yelped. Vlad covered her mouth.

I suddenly felt an intense pain in my back, making me want to vomit. I saw tears in Sally's eyes as I collapsed to the ground. "Good idea to use Sally as bait, Vlad!" Eleanor chuckled, getting in front of me and showing off her now blood-stained sword. "Lucky for you I only took a slash at your back." She tittered. "I figured I ought to leave the killing to Mother and Vlad!"

Sally bit Vlad's hand. "AH! WHY YOU!" He screamed, slamming Sally to the ground like a ragdoll in his rage.

"Eleanor, why?! Why did you do that to him?!" She lifted herself up to look at Eleanor.

"Because he didn't want me! Hmph! Serves him right!" She spat on me as I lay on the ground.

"That's no reason to hurt him like that!" She argued.

"Don't...Don't worry about me, Sally." I struggled.

"How can't I?" She faced me. "You're seriously hurt!" She tried to crawl towards me, but Vlad grabbed her again.

"Now!" He said as he held the dagger to her neck. "Now try to bite me!"

"If it means Link doesn't get hurt any further, I will!" She shouted.

"I DARE YOU TO TRY! I'LL HAVE NO REMORSE KILLING YOU TOO!" He screamed insanely, bringing the dagger closer to her neck.

I managed to stand up. "You lay one finger on her and I'll send you to a place so dark that even demons won't dare dwell!"

"I WILL DRAG YOU DOWN WITH ME, HERO OF TWILIGHT!" He threw Sally to the ground, a cry of pain coming from her. "COME AT ME!"

I drew out the master sword and ran at him with all the strength I had, but I was so weak that I could barely even phase him. He spun around and got behind me, plunging his sword into my back faster than I could blink. I coughed up blood as I fell to the ground, the sound of Sally's blood curdling scream ringing in my head. "LLLLIIINNNKKK!" It echoed for what felt like an eternity as I slowly lost consciousness, fighting it and losing miserably.

Midna's POV

The sound of Sally screaming Link's name at the top of her lungs woke me with a jolt. The horror before my eyes was too intense to comprehend. Link was lying on the ground, gravely wounded, and losing a large amount of blood. Sally screamed again and tried to reach him by picking herself up. "DON'T YOU DARE EVEN TRY!" Sally's stepmother hollered, launching an electrically-charged orb at her, making her collapse.

I felt the rage building inside me like an inferno, giving me renewed strength. My power glowed throughout my body. "WHY YOU SON OF A-!"

"I wouldn't finish that phrase if I were you, dear."

"Why?!" I looked at Vlad, and then at Sally's stepmother. "Why do this to them?!"

Sally's stepmother scoffed. "Link killed Ganon. Ganon was my first husband. Must I explain anything more? I loathe that young man!"

"That young man has saved countless lives! He has risked his own life and handled difficult circumstances! Does he lament and allow his anger to build because he and those he loves have been caught in the crossfire a time or two? No! He handles it all with humility and courage...your first husband..." I rolled my eyes. "Was taking innocent lives and tortured anyone who tried to defy him. He deserved to die."

"And I involved Sally in this because she had the nerve of-!"

I cut her off. "Sally loves Link, and Link loves Sally. Why is that so bad? If love was so simple it probably wouldn't have taken the goofball so long to find her!"

"YOU DON'T GET IT!" Sally's stepmother screeched.

"No. You don't get it." I sighed. "Life is complicated, it never happens as we expect it to. We just have to learn to roll with the punches because it all happens for a reason. You're not married to Ganon anymore, and you weren't when Link killed him that day. He had no ring on. Ganon was an evil man, just as you're an evil woman...and evil needs to face justice one way or another."

"YOU CAN'T JUST TALK YOUR WAY OUT OF THIS! I'M NOT GOING TO LISTEN TO THAT! I WON'T BACK DOWN!"

"That makes two of us." I grinned devilishly. "I didn't say that to back down and be peaceful with you, no, I said it to prove a point!"

"Instead of talking, you should be worried about Link." She smiled with content. "He doesn't look too good."

I looked in Link's direction as he woke up and tried to stand up, blood dripping steadily from him. His breathing was very labored and wheezy. Vlad punched him in the face and kicked him until he fell back down on the ground. "Quit it!" Sally screamed. "Haven't you done enough?!" I looked at her, seeing that she was weak, but determined to keep Link from getting hurt any further.

"SHUT UP BEFORE I KILL YOU, BITCH!" Vlad glared at her, his nose twitching from anger and madness. "IT IS MY DUTY TO KILL HIM! ONLY THEN WILL I AVENGE MY ANCESTORS!"

Sally crawled to Link and laid on top of his blood-soaked frame. "Fine then, kill me! Only then will you be able to hurt him!"

"I'LL GLADLY OBLIGE!" He laughed evilly, taking out his sword from its sheath.

"SALLY!" I yelled. "LINK WOULDN'T WANT YOU TO DIE LIKE THIS!"

She laid her face on his, a tear trailing down her cheek. "I would rather die than live knowing he's dead." Vlad stepped over towards them and aimed his sword at Sally. He raised it up and prepared to thrust downward. Sally closed her eyes to brace herself, but at the last second Link wrapped his arms around Sally and rolled over, taking the hit. She opened her eyes and stared at Link in horror. His eyes were squinted in pain as he collapsed on top of her. "NO! LINK!" She touched his cheek. "WAKE UP, PLEASE!"

"ISN'T THAT JUST PRECIOUS?!" Vlad cackled. "SACRIFICING HIS LIFE FOR THE ONE HE LOVES!" He looked right at Sally and spoke calmly. "Don't fret, my dear. I can kill you so you can join him in hell."

"Don't..." Link muttered. Sally gasped, putting her hand on his shoulder and letting it slide off as he got up on his knees. "...Don't count me out yet!"

"Ha!" He burst out laughing. "You wouldn't be able to lay a finger on me in your state! You can barely breathe!"

"That may be true..." He replied breathily. "...But I will stop at nothing to defeat you and protect those that I care about!"

"One more hit and you're dead, hero! I'm sure of it!" Vlad smiled as he raised his sword. I started to fly over to them and Sally tried to get in front of Link to protect him, but before Vlad could attack a sword was plunged through his chest where his heart was, killing him instantly. At the other end of the sword was Sally's father Curtis. My eyes widened, and the three of us stared at him with our mouths agape.

"OH!" Sally's stepmother cried, running to Curtis. "Thank the Goddesses you're here, dear!" She put her hand to her forehead.

Eleanor came out from hiding. "Father! You are here! Thank goodness!"

Curtis didn't say a word. "That was so brave of you to kill him, honey! You're a hero for us all! Much longer and we all could have been done for! I'm so emotional! I might cry! I need your embrace, dear!" She held up her arms and started to walk towards him.

He held his sword up in front of her. "That's enough, Jenna."

"What do you mean? Why are you pointing your weapon at me?"

"I know the truth...and I am ashamed of myself for trusting you and taking your side over my own daughter's." He frowned deeply. "Trying to kill Link and torture both him and Sally? How evil is that? It's something I'd never imagine you doing, and yet here you are in broad daylight; it's like you're hitting me in the face."

"Oh, dear! Don't believe them! They are blinded by their affections for one another! Please you must li-"

"We're done." He took off his ring and threw it on the ground. "It's over."

"WHAT?! NO! YOU'RE REALLY GOING TO BELIEVE THEM OVER YOUR OWN WIFE?!" Her anger began to show more.

"Yes...because they would never lie to me, unlike you and Eleanor."

"Fine!" She raised a hand and began to form an electrically-charged ball. "Take this!"

"PAPA!" Sally yelled.

Link got up and limped in front of Curtis and took the attack. He fell to the ground, motionless.

"LINK!" Sally screamed.

"OH MY GOD, NO!" I cried, flying to their side.

Curtis used a deku nut to temporarily blind Eleanor and Sally's stepmother, enabling him to get behind and quickly tie the both of them up to a column. He watched them and then came to our side after some Hylian royal guards arrived and arrested the two.

Sally's POV

Midna and my father were by my side as I tried to wake Link. He wasn't breathing very well, and he was gravely wounded. "Link! Link!"

"No..." Midna whispered with despair.

I looked at my father, tears welling up in my eyes. "Papa...can we save him?"

"I don't know...I...I'm so sorry." He put his hand on her shoulder. "I should have listened to you both."

"It's alright, Papa..." Tears flowed from my cheeks. "...You were trying to do what you thought was best for me..." I turned my attention back to Link, moving some of his hair away from his face and then cradling his cheek in my palm. Please...please wake up! Finally he took in a ragged breath and coughed loudly. "Link!" I put my hand on his.

"Let's leave the two of them alone." My father turned to Midna, who nodded. They walked out of the room.

He slowly opened his eyes. "...Sally..." He said hoarsely.

"You're so badly wounded." I took out a first-aid kit from my knapsack. "I'm not even sure where to start..."

"Don't bother." He replied.

My eyes widened in shock. "What?! And not try to save your life?! What are you thinking?!"

"I don't think I'll make it regardless..." He moved his hand and squeezed mine.

"D-Don't say that!" My voice broke. "Of course you will! You have to!"

"I want to, but I don't think I can..." He frowned.

The tears started to flow steadily from my eyes. "Then why?!" I blinked and the tears squirted and dropped on me and him as I shook my head. "Why do all of this for my father?! Why do all of this for me?! I appreciate you doing it, I really do, but..." I wiped my tears from my eyes, but they wouldn't stop. "...I just don't understand...there are so many people that need you! Why do this for someone as insignificant as me?!"

"Because..." He grabbed my hand again. "...Because I need you..." I knelt down lower and kissed him on the lips, my tears dropping on his face. He brought his hand up and wiped some of the excess tears away from my face. "You are not insignificant. You are the most significant person in my life...and I'd gladly give my life for you...that's why I did this for you..."

He coughed again and I sat up, but still kept my hand on his at the very least. My heart sank when he coughed up blood again and lost consciousness. "Link!" Suddenly there was a doctor and some nurses that had arrived to come to our aid. They went to grab Link and I had to let go of his hand, which made me feel miserable, and then they lifted Link up onto a gurney as I was bawling my eyes out. "Don't die! Please don't die!" I shouted.