Chapter 1: Shadows of the Future
The door scratched across the floor with grinding noises and a medium head poked in. Golden blonde hair poked out from beneath his green Kokiri cap. It was of medium length and was draped out in front of his long Hylian ears. Bright blue crystal clear eyes poked out from under the gelled back bangs. Beneath them lay faded dark circles. He had heavy black eyelashes and thick triangular blonde eyebrows that were now furrowed with worry. "Mishcana? Are you awake?" he whispered softly as he looked in. Mishcana turned from the window and looked the youth over. His expression was troubled and his shoulders were slumped. "Mmm? I'm awake. I couldn't sleep. What's wrong?" She moved over two chairs and settled them beneath the window. Soft moonlight filtered through the window and carried with it the gentle breeze of a warm winter night. Link fiddled with his hands as he entered the room, his tunic wrinkled from sleeping. He looked at Mishcana. Her long brown hair was in disorder. He blinked slowly, "I never knew it had gotten so long in the back," he murmured softly to himself, "who could've know under that hat she wears?". Her Kokiri clothing was absent and in its place she wore a soft blue cotton robe that Zelda had given her the third night she'd been in the castle. It had been a gift of gratitude and welcoming for the young girl. Royal blue eyes peered out from under her medium sized brown eyebrows; underneath them lay similar dark circles that lay under Link's. He moved over to the chair and sat lightly upon it. He was wringing his hands while leaning forward, his eyes no longer looking at anything.
"I had a bad dream. About you, about Zelda. The triforce was in it too, I'm sure, but . . ." he sighed, his head sinking down towards his shoulders, ". . . but then the wind blew open my shutters and woke me up. I have no idea what it means."
Pity filled Mishcana's eyes. Link and Zelda often had prophetic dreams. Zelda was more likely to have them, or to remember them at any rate, than Link was. However, whenever Link had one it was rarely good news. Mishcana had had a few herself in the past. Dreams had led her to leave the Gerudo desert and rush off to save Zelda, though she had not known how, who, or why she was needed. "Maybe it was just a nightmare. You know, Link. Something similar happened to me. In my dream I was chasing you, but you were dressed all in black. You were just starting to turn around when the wind blew my shutters open, too. At least, I think so. I'm sure they were closed when I went to bed."
The moonlight filtered in like it had on that day a month ago when she had been brought in. Its sweet light caressed and embraced the two figures facing each other filling the silence Mishcana's comment had caused. Eventually Link spoke.
"Mishcana, I'm sure it was more than that. Just a feeling. I haven't been able to get back to sleep since, though. I heard something or someone moving in your room, so I thought I'd check to see if you were awake, you know, to see if you'd had a nightmare too." He paused a moment, his teeth manipulating his lower lip, "And, well, because I didn't want to be alone."
Mishcana smiled at Link. "It's alright. I've just been thinking . ."
He looked at her uncertainty gleaming in his eyes, "About what?"
Her eyes unfocused again as she gazed upwards towards the moon, "About that night."
Link looked deep into Mishcana's distant eyes and smiled, "I'm still really grateful for that night, you know. Saving Zelda and all." Red flushed his cheeks and he looked away from her beaming face, "Did I ever apologize to you?"
Her head cocked to one side as she watched him. "For what?"
Link sighed deeply and looked back towards her, "For not being there, for not being the one to take the shot, for not being there to help you fight. But mostly for not being there so you had to do my duty."
"Not your fault, Link. So don't even think about apologizing okay? At least everything's calm right now; I haven't seen anything strange happen since I came to."
Link and Mishcana talked for a while until Link stood up and walked over to the young girl's weapon rack. The sword's hilt had been freshly polished and the bow looked as though it had been newly oiled. "Good. You're looking after this stuff, I see. Provided we get to sleep tonight, we should train hard tomorrow. Impa says the training room across the hall will be ready by tomorrow."
Mishcana and Link had begged Impa for a new training room across the hall from their two rooms. The two were often up early or awake very late and wanted a quiet room that they could practice in without waking up the whole castle. After much persuasion and help from Princess Zelda the Queen Regent had agreed to let them have one provided Link gave some training to the guards and the room was available to them as well. The three, Zelda, Link and Mishcana had been very excited when Impa announced a magic barrier would be put on the walls. This would allow them to practice their magic without harming anyone.
Mishcana's two hands clapped together, "I can't wait. I want to practice that magic spin attack technique you've been trying to teach me. Oh, and if you and Zelda could use some of your magic on me, I'd like to try out my reflect spell as well as some defence magic if I could." Mishcana had been a diligent student and tried to absorb everything thrown at her with great success. Link nodded in answer to her, "Sounds like fun." He added with a grin. "I'm glad you're enjoying your stay here. Actually, I was wondering, for training's sake, would you be willing to take a few shifts with the guards? They're always looking for more people to cover for people stricken ill and I think it would be a great experience for you. " Mishcana nodded and smiled, "Sure! I feel horrible, not doing anything around here. I'd really like to earn my keep, and put my skills to practical use." Link's features softened in relief. He spoke softly a smile spreading across his face, "Great. I was worried you wouldn't want to. I do a few myself. They're pretty boring, just standing there, but they're good for teaching patience. I would of asked you sooner, but Impa said it was important to let you settle in a little first." Mishcana and he stood up and faced each other. Grins spread across both their faces. "I can't wait for that room to be complete!" they said in the same breath.
Mishcana went to her window again and waved for Link to follow her, "The moon's really pretty tonight." Outside the moonlight sparkled off the bright white snow blanket that had settled over all the buildings in Hyrule. Again, she smelled the scent of sweet roses. "Hmm." She said slowly, and troubled expression crossing her face.
Link looked at her, his head cocked and his eyebrows lifted in concentration, "What?".
Mishcana fingered the snow on her windowsills again. "Well, it's just that it's winter. I keep smelling roses but there's no greenery around here.".
Link smiled faintly and craned his neck out the window looking up at the Princess's balcony. "Zelda likes roses a lot. She had a big bottle of perfume full of it in her room. . . . " he trailed off shock filling his eyes. Mishcana's eyes stared back it him the same realization filling them. The princess!
"Go get you hookshots Link, we'd better sneak up there. I'll get changed, go, go!" Mishcana whispered harshly as she shooed him out the door.
Link ran to his room next door and grabbed some items quickly. The gilded sword of the land of Termina was quickly strapped to his back as well as his hero's bow and shield. He popped a few deku nuts into a pouch and strapped it to his side. Confident he'd grabbed everything he needed he took the hookshot he'd found in Termina and the one from the future and rushed to Mishcana's room. Mishcana was waiting for him dressed full in her Kokiri tunic and hat. Her simple double-edged training sword was strapped to her back. Its leather sheath was simple but well made; the inside was made of strong wood allowing for great protection. She had no shield as of yet but Link was sure he or she would find her one soon. An invasion of shield eaters in the castle last month had seriously depleted their supplies; there were now only enough for those on duty. Link of course had his own shields but most of them were priceless and he wasn't ready to risk giving her one. Her gerudo bow was ready in her right hand, her magic quiver appearing on her side as small leather pouch.
"Alright. You ready? We should get going. I set up a standing platform so we could aim for that hook shot spot you put on the princess's balcony. Let's go." Mishcana and Link walked out on to the makeshift platform as she spoke. He handed her the brass hookshot of Termina; it was smaller and fit her hand better. Click, clunk! The hooks flew upward and held fast in the hard wood above them.
"Alright, push the button and we'll fly up there. Get ready to hold onto the banister when we get up the there." Link spoke quickly. Chink! They flew up to the top and climbed up onto the smallish balcony. They pushed the retraction buttons and snuck up to the curtains. The window was open and the semi-transparent white curtains shifted gently in the breeze. Mishcana and Link crouched down and approached the curtain. Mishcana had her arrow knocked; Link had his sword drawn.
Inside was a shadowy figure. His hair was such a dark brown that it was almost black. It was brushed similarly to Link's. Dark chocolate eyes peered out from under his heavy black brows. Jet black covered him from head to toe. The clothes were shaped much like Mishcana and Link's Kokiri clothes. His chest was broader than that of Link's and he was taller. Heavy raven black leather boots came up nearly to his knees. Great gauntlets plated with black armour covered his arms. Around him many of the princess's bookshelves had been knocked over; their books spilling out onto the floor. He was leaning against the wall a book in his hand, reading. On the bed the delicate Princess Zelda lay sleeping or drugged on the bed. Her flowing golden hair floated over her pristine white pillow. Covers came up to her waist revealing the satin pink robe with long sleeves she wore to bed. Near the curtain the broken bottle of rose perfume lay.
Mishcana and Link looked at each other. Mishcana appeared confused and worried and had begun aiming for the older boy looking at Link for permission to fire. Sweat dribbled down Link's face as he peered in the curtain. His ears drooped and his eyes widened. The gilded sword's point sagged. "It couldn't be." He whispered hoarsely, "He's not suppose to be solid like that . . . How can he be in this time?"
Mishcana's ears drooped as she looked at Link's horrified expression. "What's wrong?" she whispered worriedly.
Link spoke quietly his eyes not leaving the figure behind the curtain, "It's Dark Link, I think. It's supposed to be my shadow but it doesn't look like my shadow anymore. I don't understand . . ." he trailed off slowly taking a deep breath, "He knows all my moves, Mishcana . . . "
Mishcana looked back at him and sighed softly, "Great. If it's him, that is. What's his weakness?"
Link shook his head slowly in sadness, "Din's fire." He said simply.
"Not much good in the castle is it? What's the plan then?" Mishcana whispered in return.
Inside the dark figure had switched books and begun to grin. Link stood up from his crouch, "I'll go in and fight him. When I call you, try to take him from behind. He won't expect you. Maybe, just maybe he doesn't have the knowledge of the future . . ." ice ran down Link's spine and he shuddered, "At any rate, protect the Princess. We can't let anything happen to her during the fight. Get you sword out; arrows won't work."
Soft footsteps fell on the entrance to the bedroom from the balcony. The curtain was gently brushed aside as Link ducked under it silently. Dark Link was sneering into his book and had begun reciting to himself. "Ye who seeks to weaken the barrier of the sacred and evil realms, listen well. The three jewels of ancient times have the power to entrap the energy of the three guardians. Place these jewels on the pedestal of time after the door has been opened once. Combined with the three spiritual stones these jewels will weaken the hold of the barriers protecting the three worlds. Hmmm. Interesting, I believe this is what he was looking for." Behind him, Link snuck quietly towards him. Crack! A piece of glass broke beneath the green-clothed youth's feet. Staggered, Link stopped in his tracks and looked down at his feet and back up at Dark Link. Dark Link spun around with surprising agility the book quickly shoved into a pouch with his right hand, his left holding a sword pointing towards Link. A black iron shield took the place of the book and a smile crossed the dark one's face. "A little younger now, aren't you?" he taunted. Link didn't answer; he merely circled. Right, Left, Parry, Stab. Each time his attacks were deflected with ease. Dark Link fell upon him, his sword swinging with strong jarring hits. His arms hurt; he wasn't as strong, he realized with shock, at least not as strong as he had been at their first meeting in the future. Dark Link bashed him down to the ground with his shield and raised his sword. Dark's feet left the ground and he yelled, "Now, you die!"
His sword rushed down towards Link's head. Link's eyes snapped shut. He couldn't watch. Clang! His eyes snapped opened to see Mishcana standing over him her furious stare piercing into Dark Link's as she countered his attack with both hands holding the sword from reaching her and Link. "Back off you son of an octorock! Get away from him!" She held her own sword with one hand a moment, straining with the effort to hold back the laughing Dark Link's sword. "What's this, Link? Getting a mouse to fight for you?" Link was still stunned from being bashed into the wall and could not move just yet. "Mouse am I?" Mischana shouted, "Fire attack!" Her left hand shot up and blasted the dark figure in the chest with a small fireball sending him flying across the room as it exploded. A sweaty hand grabbed hold of Link's and helped him to his feet. Quick as a jackrabbit she fell on Dark Link again, twirling in the non-magical spin attack.
Dark Link kept laughing entertained by the girl's efforts to defeat him. Link was rushing him again as well; they were trying to surround him on both sides. A great leap and Dark was in the air and flying over Mishcana's head. He landed squarely on the balcony's banister and stared at the girl. Something about her drew his gaze to her. In his pocket he could feel the fire stone burning bright. "Could it be?" he murmured to himself. He pointed his sword to Mishcana and Link each in turn. They stopped in their tracks unable to move as he jumped of the balcony shouting, "I'll return for you later mouse! And for you Link." His taunting voice echoed through the castle courtyard.
Link's hand glowed pale green and he began to break free of the spell, "Ugh. He's so much stronger, now. How can that be?"
The pale mark of wisdom on Mishcana's hand glowed dully and she regained motion more slowly then Link, "Who is he? What is he?"
Link sighed, and looked over at the window where the man had left. "A figment of myself summoned by Ganondorf to be a challenge to me. He shouldn't be solid like that; though. He shouldn't look real. He's supposed to be my reflection, in a sense, but not so real. Not so corporeal." His ears perked up and he smiled slightly, "That was a pretty good fire attack. A bit small though. We should really work on it. Smart thinking." He praised her happily. Mishcana flushed deeply then glanced towards the princess. The covers felt soft and cottony in her hands. Slowly she brought the covers up to Zelda's chin. Link leaned in a careful finger stroking Zelda's jaw. His eyes closed with fierce concentration. A soft sigh of relief washed free of his lips, "Good. She'll be fine. It's a minor sleep spell; she should wake up normally in the morning. C'mon, we'd better get back down. If Impa catches up here at this hour . . ." He trailed off as he and Mishcana's skittered down the hookshots back to their rooms.
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Go to the Chapter two, The Power of the Mind