To Be Real

So I decided to write again.

I don’t know what made me pick up the pen – so to speak – and crank out another chapter. But whatever the case, I am pleased with it. I hope you will be, too. Read and review, as having people show interest is the best way to get the author motivated.

By the way, none of these characters truly belong to me, but I re-designed Dark Link somewhat to fit my own vile purposes. Thus his design – appearance-wise – belongs to me.

---

So why was he doing this?

The question badgered Dark Link incessantly during his entire trek through the Shadow Temple. Here were his brothers, his fellow minions, all created by the Evil King in the Tower. He was fighting and killing his own kind and they were doing their best to hamper his progress toward the boss. He carried the mark of the Hero – the Hylian shield – and the hated Master Sword. These near-blind night-creatures saw only these symbols of the Hero of Time and not the face of the Imp of Shadow. They did not recognize him as one of their own and therefore unleashed all the fury of Ganondorf upon the unholy doppelganger. They fought furiously against him and although they all fell beneath the sword, he still sustained moderate damage from each encounter.

So why was he doing this?

When this question wasn’t silently nagging him, Navi was loudly nagging him. “What are you doing? Why are you doing this? Where do you think you’re going? Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” Buzzing around Dark’s hear, Navi was more of a distraction than a partner. She wasn’t the least bit of help – especially when fighting Dead Hand, dare I say – and she liked to speak up and ask questions at the worst times.

As Dark fought the Stalfos warriors on the great Spirit Barge, his fairy friend was being especially pesky. She ducked under the high swing of a Stalfos’s blade, squeaking at Dark, “We should not be going this deep into the temple! We need to turn back and get Link; only he can defeat the temple boss!” Dark blocked the deadly swing with the Hylian Shield and brought the Master Sword up over his defense. The holy blade splintered one of the Stalfos’ skulls into bits and Dark stood leering over the skeletal corpse as it fell to the ground and melted away. He was caught off guard, however, as the second soldier struck him in the back. Dark cried out as the fiercely curved blade bit into his shoulders, tearing away flesh and muscle. The new and excruciating pain coupled with his fatigue pushed him to the edge of unconsciousness. He pitched forward off of the edge of the ship. Luckily, he landed safely on the grassy peninsula at the other side of the river and not into the chilly waters.

The shock of hitting the solid ground jarred him back to reality. “Navi!” he bellowed, scaring the fairy out of her wits. Groaning while he sat up, Dark craned his neck to examine the deep gash across his back. “Please,” he sighed, “I brought you along so that you could help me, not bug me to death.”

“Well what do you expect me to do?” she huffed, “You’re not my partner.” But watching Dark wince in pain as his fingers probed the depth of his wound, Navi felt pangs of guilt in her chest. She flitted over toward the far wall where several clay jars lay scattered. “Ganondorf isn’t the only one who’s been in these dungeons. The sages left some things here for Link to use when he gets tired or hurt. Here.”

Navi went into one of the jars and pulled out a small heart. She struggled to carry it to Dark Link who accepted it in an open palm. It was a tiny glass heart-shaped container no bigger than his palm. Inside sloshed some thick red liquid. “It’s a red potion,” she said. “It will heal your wounds.”

Dark bit the cork off of the vessel and took a hearty drink, promptly coughing and spitting as the medicine burned in his throat. It was a strong elixir but it worked rapidly and the pain in his shoulders quickly subsided. He mumbled a “thank you” as he stood, brushing blades of grass from his black tunic. He turned toward the nearest door then, drawing the Master Sword. Navi flitted to his side, illuminating his path with her soft light. “All we need now is to get the boss key. That will gain us access into the boss’s chamber.” Dark nodded and the pair headed silently onward toward their next challenge. From that point on, Navi proved herself much more helpful.

After defeating a few more ReDeads and several bothersome Wallmasters, Dark was ready to face Bongo-Bongo. He entered into the dark foyer before the boss’s door and stopped to take a rest. “No wonder that hero always looks so haggard,” he commented, wiping sweat from his forehead. He planted the Master Sword in the ground and shook his left hand rapidly as though shaking hot water from it. He had bound his hand when taking up the Master Sword but his precautions had not completely protected him from harm. Some of his bandages had moved during his struggles and he had tiger-striped burns on his palm and fingers.

Navi noticed the burns and felt another pang of pity. “The Master Sword is the blade of evil’s bane,” she quoted. “When it touches you-“

“It burns like hell,” Dark finished for her.

“Well, that’s not what I was going to say,” Navi huffed. “Dark, you’re in pain and you’re tired. This isn’t your job; this is Link’s duty. Why are you doing this?”

Dark closed his eyes, rubbing the back of his neck with his right hand. He suddenly seemed introverted and uncomfortable. “You’ll… think it’s stupid.”

Such a self-conscious uttering from one of Ganon’s hated minions startled the fairy. Confused though she was, she coaxed him, “I won’t think it’s stupid. Please, tell me your reason.”

Dark sighed heavily, hanging his head and staring intently at his boots. “There is a woman I met in town,” he explained in the quietest voice he could. “She was very kind to me, nicer to me than anyone else has been. She brought me into her home not knowing who or what I was. She fed me and talked with me. She made me feel human.” He raised his eyes to the soft light hovering above his head. “She told me about how she wished that things were ‘normal.’ She wished that the monsters were gone from this village. I felt that I had to do this to her in return for her kindness.”

“But these are Ganondorf’s monsters,” Navi said, hovering eye-level with him now.

“I know,” Dark replied, shamefully casting his gaze downward again. “But Ganondorf is no longer my Master. I am free to make my own decisions now. Although my allegiance ultimately rests with him,” he spoke as he stood up, wrapping his hand up tightly again, “I believe it is my duty to repay that woman. Ganon told me to not come back until I’d defeated the Hero. That was his only order.”

Navi fell silent as the pair casually sauntered into Bongo-Bongo’s chambers. Unlike Link, who was a pure Hylian, Dark needed no Lens of Truth to see the one-eyed beast in the cavern. As soon as he stepped up onto the great drum in the center of the dungeon, he could see Bongo-Bongo staring him down. Unlike the less-intelligent creatures of Ganon’s army, the dungeon boss recognized Dark immediately. Although confused, he made a low noise of greeting and offered Dark Link a large hand of welcome. This was, after all, the person who had awakened him and offered him that nubile young virgin.

Laying eyes on that large open palm, Dark’s determination evaporated. His whole world came to a screeching halt. His posture went limp and the Hylian shield slid down Dark’s arm and hit the ground with a clatter. The Master Sword looked as if it was going to fall as well. Navi held back now, not knowing which way this unpredictable creature was going to turn. Dark stared with wondrous, tired eyes into the open hand of the Shadow Lord. It was an offering of welcome and friendship from one of Ganon’s creations. Bongo-Bongo’s hands looked so like his father’s. Calloused and rough, they felt somehow inviting. How he wished he could feel Ganon’s hand against his cheek again, even if it was for a slap.

“I wish that all of the monsters were gone from this village and that we could all live in harmony again… We fear for our lives…”

Bongo-Bongo screeched in agony, abruptly withdrawing as Dark embedded the Master Sword into his flesh, nearly severing his broad pinky. Dark was overcome with a sudden and inexplicable feeling of rage. His eyes glowed a fiery red and he let out a yowl of anger as he freed his weapon from the burning flesh of the shadow beast. His voice took on a strange quality. It was as though he was speaking with many different voices at once. “Shadow Lord!” he bellowed, “Do not treat us as your friend! We are here to defeat you for the restoration of Hyrule!”

Bongo-Bongo snarled, his eye turning red now. He would not let his guard down again. He came at the shadow puppet with a barrage of attacks, trying to hit him, trying to squish him, trying to make a sticky paste out of his fleshy body. As feverishly as he tried, Dark could not for the life of him get a single hit in. He was much too busy trying to stay alive to fight back. The struggle went on for what felt like ages and although Dark was built for fighting, even he quickly wore out.

The bandages on his left hand wore away gradually but he ignored the pain in his flesh. It wasn’t until it became physically impossible to hold the Master Sword that he noticed something was wrong. As he threw his arm backward to jab toward Bongo-Bongo’s hand, the hilt slipped from his grasp. The mighty sword went sailing across the chamber and clattered against the wall. “Dark, what’s wrong!?” squeaked Navi, flying in close to look him over. Dark stared at his hand in disbelief, finding that the flesh of his palm had worn away to expose the bone. He hadn’t noticed the blood soaking into his clothes until now. It would be impossible for him to fight if he was unable to hold a weapon. The brightness in his ruby eyes began to fade. He froze, his eyes widening, as he fell under the shadow of Bongo-Bongo’s outstretched hand.

Just before it came down upon him to crush him, the beast shrank back with an agonized hiss. Black blood dripped from the giant hand as it fell limp before Dark, six deadly blades embedded in its eye. The dark twin didn’t have time to react before the second hand - which had been closing in on him from the side - suffered the same fate.

“Link!” squeaked Navi joyfully. Sure enough, the Hero of Time stepped up to take the Master Sword from the ground. He shot Dark a glance of bewilderment before looking up and catching his shield. Dark turned to his left, from where the shield had been thrown, and he saw someone new standing near him. An angry looking Shiekah boy with choppy blonde bangs and a crimson scowl met his gaze.

“What are you staring at, meddler?”

“Sheik! We don’t have time for him,” Link said, motioning to Bongo-Bongo’s twitching hands. The other boy nodded, joining Link as the three brave souls ran into the heart of danger. Dark watched the fight with wide eyes, marveling at their skillful teamwork.

They made short work of the Shadow Lord and Bongo-Bongo was consumed by the darkness of his hell once again. As the two brave warriors claimed their victory, the dark twin – now once again in full control of all his faculties – slipped away into the shadows.

---

“So you’re saying he was trying to help?”

The two brave light warriors stared at the helpless fairy in disbelief. Navi looked from one incredulous face to the other, nodding vigorously. “He said that he was doing a favor for a woman he’d met in town. He only really borrowed your sword, Link, and obviously the Hover Boots. That is, of course, why I followed him,” Navi said, a hint of guilt in her tone.

Link and Sheik shared a wary glance. “It makes no sense,” the Hero spoke. “He’s … evil! He’s one of Ganondorf’s best creations, the hardest to beat. What’s with the sudden change of heart?” Link folded his arms, huffing. “I don’t trust him one bit.”

“You don’t need to trust him,” Sheik said as he leaned back against the entrance to the Shadow Temple. “There is nothing in the prophecies that mentions him. He is not an integral part of your success. Logically, he should have been defeated by now.”

“But he’s not that bad of a guy,” Navi piped up. “He was mean and evil before because of what Ganondorf had told him to do. Now he’s his own person. Now he’s making better decisions.”

“Still,” Sheik spoke, “he is unpredictable. It would be best to keep him at a distance, if not to ignore him altogether. I will keep an eye on him for you,” he said, looking to the Hero. “It is important for you to continue your journey immediately.”

“No problem,” Link said with a grin. The once exhausted Hero pulled at the delicate silver chain around his neck. On it hung several crystal heart containers, including the newest one that he’d won after defeating Bongo-Bongo. “I’m ready to go. You too, Navi?”

“Y-Yeah,” she said, slipping inside the shelter of Link’s hat. She was trying hard to hide her reluctance. “Let’s go.”

“To the desert, then,” Link said, hopping over the gate and down into the graveyard. “That’s where we should find the fifth sage and maybe even some more information about Ganondorf’s past. Are you coming Sheik?”

When the Shiekah boy didn’t answer, Link turned to see why but no one was there. The little spy was already gone, off to some other far-away adventure without the Hero. Link sighed, walking down the path toward Kakariko village. “That guy sure is strange,” he spoke, “but I’m glad for his company. I just wish he would stick around longer.”

“What, don’t I make good company!?” Navi snapped. Link laughed nervously, lifting his arms to defend himself against the gentle thrashing his fairy-friend was giving him. His lilting laughter floated upwards, reaching the ears of a trembling creature who whimpered as he held his bleeding hand.

Dark sought solace above Kakariko village, crumpled against the windmill and holding his gory hand tight. He watched the Hero stroll past him, biting his lip to hold back his cries. His left arm was shaking uncontrollably as his blood soaked into the grass. The Master Sword had seared away his flesh and the muscle of his palm had all been eaten away. The delicate tendons and bones in his hand were clearly visible. The pain of his loneliness was even greater than that of his wound, though. Having that little fairy to keep him company during his ordeal in the dungeon was … nice. He wasn’t used to having someone to talk to.

Dark knew, though, that he couldn’t dwell on his pain for very long. He pushed himself to his feet, wrapping his hand once again in the dirty bandage he’d used in the dungeon. “It’s off to the desert, I suppose,” he sighed, limping off after the Hero, several dozen paces behind.

---

What was it that kept the Shadow Imp following so closely in the Hero’s tracks? Was it the strength and unwavering courage reflected in those deep blue eyes? Was it the shivers that ran down Dark’s spine when that soothing voice, like the sound of a babbling brook, tickled his ears? Was it the warmth that radiated from every pore of the Hero’s lively body? Was it the burning in Dark’s loins, the haunting need to fall to his knees before the Hero and worship him like a god?

No! He reprimanded himself, I am following him to bring him to Ganondorf! Once my Master sees that I am a worthy minion, I will regain my rightful place at his side.

Still, although he repeated this to himself again and again, his determined mantra slowly faded, replaced by a silent ache within his body. His red eyes slightly dulled and he let his mind sink into stillness, allowing his subconscious to control his body. By now, the fifth limb between his legs had once again become engorged and now it growled for attention as it rubbed against his left thigh. Dark had learned to ignore the now common annoyance – he didn’t exactly know how to take care of it in the first place.

The sun was sneaking up behind Dark as it rose, searing the earth around him and scorching his backside. He realized now why it was a bad idea to wear black all the time. His tongue lolled from his open mouth as he panted to cool off. A droplet of sweat trickled down between his brows and fell from the tip of his nose, hitting the dry ground and breaking into a hundred tiny droplets. The ground was so dry that each drop remained beaded on the arid soil until the sun evaporated them away again.

A large part of Dark’s exhaustion was caused by the trail of blood he left behind. All across Hyrule Plain, he’d left a curving, zigzagging trail behind him as he followed in Epona’s hoof prints. Unfortunately for Dark, Ganon’s neglected creatures were ravenous. Once Dark had lost sight of Kakariko village, he could hear the Guay circling high above him. He didn’t waste his energy yelling at them to leave. They were hoping that he’d expire and maybe they’d get a free meal.

Dark Link’s steps became slow and plodding until they stopped altogether. He stood, panting heavily, looking out across the plain. The wind had kicked up and erased Epona’s tracks from the ground. They were all covered in dust and now he wasn’t certain which way to go. As he stood inwardly debating, he heard a twig snap behind him. He whirled around quickly, reaching for the hilt of his sword with his sore, bleeding hand.

A pack of wild Wolfos surrounded him in a half-circle. The animals were gaunt and ravenous, staring him down like he was a plump ham. Dark’s ruby eyes widened as he realized that he was about to become their main course. His hand closed around his weapon but as he drew it, he yelped and let it fall to the ground. His hand was much too sore to hold a heavy sword. As the Wolfos saw him drop his only weapon, they jumped at the chance and closed in for the kill. The alpha dog, a great black beast, was the first to run forward and spring at him, claws unsheathed and jaws wide open. Dark yelled out, covering his face with his arms and backing away. He tripped over his own feet in his hasty retreat.

His butt hit the ground with a thud and he heard the strangled yelp of the injured Wolfo. Cautiously, he opened his eyes and looked up to the great shadow standing between him and certain death. Sheik stood protectively over him, his short throwing-knives ready and thirsty for blood. Dark scuttled away as the angry pack of dogs descended upon the Shiekah with bloodthirsty ferocity. The lithe warrior easily fended them off and in less than a minute, all that was left of the angry pack was a few clumps of bloody hair on the ground and a fleeing, yelping bunch of cowardly pups.

“And just where did you think you were going?” hissed Sheik, sheathing his knives. “It was foolhardy to travel while bleeding so heavily. No wonder those Wolfos caught up to you so quickly. Did you really want to…”

Sheik had turned around and now realized that Dark was really not in the best of shape. Deathly pale and sweating profusely, he stared at Sheik with unseeing eyes and an open mouth. Be it from fear or exhaustion or just hunger, Dark had passed out cold.

Sheik looked around to see if anyone or anything else was watching before he hoisted the fallen minion up over his shoulder. “I have no idea why I am doing this,” he sighed, slowly trudging off in the direction of Lon-Lon Ranch.

---

Malon was surprised, if not horrified, to have Sheik stumble into the Ranch that afternoon with a strange man slung over his shoulder. Though she was unprepared for visitors – much less injured ones – Malon allowed the pair to have her bedroom for the night. Once finished with her chores, she played the role of the attentive nurse, bringing warm water and towels and fetching whatever herbs the Shiekah might require. The afternoon waned and the moon rose in the east, casting a somber blue light through the single open window. Malon lit a single candle on the bedside table to illuminate the room, giving Sheik just enough light to prepare his medicines.

The ranch girl sat near, entranced as she watched Sheik grind up several herbs and add some clean water to make a thick, dark paste. He smeared the concoction onto his own fingers and began massaging the potent ointment into his patient’s wounded hand.

“Have you never been trained in the healing arts?” Sheik questioned without lifting his eyes.

“N-No,” Malon shakily replied. She swallowed a lump of nausea rising in her throat as her eyes played over the gore of Dark’s hand. “Whenever one of us gets sick, we have to travel to the potion shop in Kakariko for our medicines.”

“Traveling across that beast-infested plain isn’t the best idea. Here,” Sheik said, passing the bowl toward Malon, “I can teach you what little I know. This is a special ointment used to promote fast healing and to prevent infection. Rub this gently into the wound and then bind it up tight with clean linen. I need to step outside for a moment,” he said, rising from his seat and heading for the door.

Before Malon could question him, Sheik was gone. The ranch girl sighed, moving cautiously onto the bed and setting Dark’s hand in her lap. Delicately she began applying Sheik’s ointment, but she kept her eyes on the Shadow’s peaceful face.

Malon had originally been startled by the patient’s arrival, thinking immediately that it was really Link in Sheik’s arms. But then she noticed the raven hair, the metal ornaments in his brow and lip, the earrings that made his long ears tilt slightly downward, the arching scars that traced his arms where Ganon had sewn him together, and lastly the inverted Triforce tattooed on his left shoulder. Sheik had hurriedly laid Dark in bed and covered him to the neck with blankets but not before Malon’s suspicions had become aroused. She knew exactly what that tattoo implied.

Now that they were alone, Malon reached a trembling hand up Dark’s left arm to his shoulder. She pressed the fluffy pillow out of the way to reveal the black Triforce on his arm. Her hands began to shake with fear. This was an evil incarnation of the Hero! Made by Ganondorf no less! But why was Sheik helping this evil little imp? He was probably out to kill Link and find Princess Zelda! Keeping him alive could spell the fate of the entire country!

As the spirit of patriotism welled within her, Malon rose from the bed, letting Dark’s hand fall listless at his side. She strode quickly to the bedroom door and locked it tightly from the inside. She wanted to commit her holy act in peace. In her dresser drawers she rooted around, searching desperately for a weapon.

There was a strong knock at the door. “Malon?” Sheik gruffly called. “The door is locked, please open it.”

“Just a minute!” she breathlessly whispered, feeling bloodlust rise within her. Her fingers closed around the ivory-handled blade her father had given her when she was only eight years old. “If someone comes toward the wagon while I’m making a delivery,” he’d said, “and they try to steal some of our milk, you let ‘em have it, Malon! Understand?” Ever since then, she kept the knife in her drawer when they weren’t on deliveries.

The impatient Shiekah tapped on the door again. “Malon!” he called, “I have an armful of things here, could you hurry?”

“In a second,” she whispered, barely audible. She withdrew the knife from its leather sheath, examining the blade. The knife was more of a visual threat to thieves than a true weapon, as the blade was long-since dulled and rusted in many places. This didn’t phase Malon, though. She could use brute force to kill the evil minion.

She slowly walked across the bedroom with the sound of Sheik’s impatient knocks growing louder in the background. I wonder if you realize who this is, Malon thought, or what you’re even doing with him.

Sheik sensed that something was amiss and began frantically calling, “Malon, open up this instant!” His knocks became pounding and Malon heard him drop what he’d been carrying. “Malon!?”

She paid no attention to him. Her victim, still out cold, lay helpless and vulnerable in her bed. This was her only chance.

Her shadow fell over Dark Link’s face and she lifted the blade up over her shoulder.

“Malon!!”

---

Her heart pounding in her chest and her wings tiring quickly, Navi ignored her fatigue and pressed on. Intuition told her to head to Lon-Lon Ranch; she knew she’d find him there. But why was she seeking him, of all people? Link was in trouble; she should be finding Sheik for help! But something told her that Dark Link needed help, too. She hurried onward toward the ranch.

Floating over the open yard crowded with sleeping horses, Navi went directly to the ranch house. It was a gorgeous evening so all of the windows were open. She easily found her way into the main bedroom, following the sound of frantic banging and Sheik’s angry cries. As she alighted on the windowsill, Navi rested her tired wings and waited for her eyes to adjust to the dim light in the bedroom. When they did, she gasped in horror.

“Dark Link!” she shrieked, “Wake up!!”

Sheik’s incessant banging had no effect on him. Malon’s haggard breathing had no effect on him. Her shadow falling over his body had no effect on him. But when he heard Navi’s voice, Dark’s eyes snapped open. As Malon brought her knife down toward his chest, his left arm shot out to grab her by the wrist. Dark cried out in pain as she put crushing pressure on his open wound. Malon fell atop him and the two rolled around on the bed, the ranch girl trying desperately to stab him and the evil minion trying desperately to fend her off.

As the two fell off of the mattress, Malon gained the top position. She straddled Dark’s waist, her blade mere inches from his face. He would have been fighting back with more strength if he wasn’t so exhausted from his ordeals. His arms trembled as Malon struggled to stab him. “Dark!” Navi squeaked, now taking to the air again. She flew over and got right in Malon’s face, blinding her with blue light. The girl cried out, dropping her knife and reaching up to rub the spots from her eyes. Dark took advantage of her weakness and grabbed her about the waist. Frantically, he threw her off of him and against the wall. Her head hit the wood with a dull smack and she fell limp against the floor, a tiny trickle of blood flowing away from her head.

“Dark, are you alright?” Navi questioned, flitting close to him.

His eyes were wide and his breathing was haggard. He struggled to sit up, holding his chest to keep his heart from pounding out through his ribs. “I-I’m fine,” he stammered, slowly standing up. He began cautiously checking himself over.

“Dark, there’s no time! We need to get going!” Navi flew close, captivating him with her bright blue light. “Link is in trouble, we need to rescue him! Quickly, get your things and let’s go!”

Sheik, horrified by the sounds he was hearing beyond the door, started ramming his shoulder into it. “Malon! Open up!” he yelled. Finally, after one hearty shove, the door gave in and swung wide open, sending the Shiekah tumbling in.

First, he noticed the disheveled bed, then the ranch girl lying unconscious and bleeding on the bedroom floor. Then, a soft rustle drew Sheik’s eyes to the window. There was the Shadow Imp, crouched down and ready to jump out, but he momentarily turned back to face the Shiekah. His ruby eyes were wide and bright in the moonlight. Sheik unmistakably sensed excitement and fear in those eyes. He began to reach out toward Dark to keep him back but in the next instant, he was gone.

Sheik ran to the window in time to see Dark mount one of the horses. The pair rode toward the edge of the ranch and, just as Link had once with Epona, they jumped the fence. They were gone before Sheik could even cry out.

He turned back to the disheveled room where Dark had apparently just attached Malon. 'I guess we’ll have to put off our healing lesson for another day,' he mused to himself.