~Chapter Four- Doppelganger~
His green tunic made him stick out like a sore thumb as he walked through the streets of Castle Town. His sword’s handle peered over his left shoulder, and over the scabbard of the blade was a Hylian Shield. His green hat’s tail hung off his right shoulder as he walked. The golden hair and sea blue eyes glistened in the morning sun as people greeted him.
“Hey, Link!”
“Mornin’, Link!”
And as he passed a group of girls they swooned over him. If it was just any boy walking around in a tunic—Warro among others—the would be instantly creeped out, but this was Link, a boy who was friends with Princess Zelda, a skilled swordsman, and young hero of Castle Town. Everyone knew he was from the Kokiri Forest to the south, but judging by the fact he did not remain as a pint sized kid forever, he was clearly a Hylian like them. As he walked by, Link waved at the people who addressed him, but remained on task. Zelda had called him earlier to take a look at one of the prisoners in a cell. She said he was from the forest, and asked if he recognized him.
The boy did seem familiar. A few months before he left the Kokiri forest, everyone, including the intimidating Mido, spoke of a boy amongst the Skull Children, playing tricks on the Kokiri. So, he was not the only Hylian in the forest all along. Zelda told him the boy was sent by the Great Deku Tree, because something was wrong in the forest. He had been investigating Ganondorf the past six years. Could there be a connection between the events of the forest, and the sudden kidnapping attempt?
“Wait! Wait up!” somebody called from behind. Link turned around and saw a boy, who looked about his age, in blue running towards him. His skin was white, and a black marking resembling a T was under his left eye. He wore a dark blue cap with a large ruby on the center of the golden hem on his head of long, white hair. He was most definitely not from Hyrule, despite having the ears of a Hylian. He came to a stop and caught his breath before Link. “You’re Link, right?”
Link nodded.
“Then I can help you,” the boy said. “You’re looking for the intruder from last night, correct?” The boy retrieved a small medallion from his pocket. The silver metal would have blended in perfectly with his skin had he not been wearing those fingerless gloves. On the medallion was the symbol of the Royal Family. Link nodded once more, acknowledging the fact that this boy was chosen by the Royal Family to help them in times of need. “The Princess told me that the intruder had a very dark aura to it. She believed it was not safe for her to help you herself, so she sent me.”
Link smiled, and extended his hand, and the boy shook it.
“The name’s Vaati. I hope you’ll remember it. Anyways, I am able to sense the presence of all kinds of darkness. So, I hope I am to some use for you.”
“Princess, what’s the matter?” A woman approached the young princess of Hyrule, and sat on her bed next to the girl. The woman had silver hair tied back into a short ponytail. Her red eyes had the expression of calmness and protectiveness of the girl she looked at.
“Impa, these visions…”
“My grandmother told me once, that I too would have to help the Princes, if there was one, when she had these visions. Princess—“
“Impa, call me Zelda,” the princess interrupted. “You’ve taken care of me for so long, and it still feels weird having more respect from you.”
“As you wish, Zelda,” Impa replied with a sigh. “Humble as always. Now, where was I?”
“Your grandmother telling you about helping me deal with my visions.”
“Yes, thank you, Zelda.” Impa stood up and walked toward the window and looked outside. She could spot Link’s green from so far away. Not many people stuck out as much as him. “Your visions are always going to be unclear. I merely help you interpret them, however one day, it will be your decision, not mine that will determine the outcome of the future.”
“But what of that prisoner?”
“We both agreed the Great Deku Tree sent him, did we not?”
“Yes, but—“
“The Great Deku Tree sent him to you, whereas Link was sent to the King, remember?”
“So, does that mean…”
“Your visions spoke of a messenger coming to the castle, not who they would be giving the message to, or how many messengers there were, as we have already concluded. It was by fate that the two came here. Have they met each other, yet?”
“The other one was asleep,” Zelda replied. “But Impa, the boy never told me what the Deku Tree sent him for. Six years ago, it spurred my suspicions about Ganondorf; now, the forest is in trouble again. Impa, I won’t stand by like Father does, and sit on my throne like a good little girl. Impa, I want to help. I’m a natural at magic, but…”
“Your fragile, Zelda,” Impa said. “You are still a girl, so naturally your magic tires you quickly.”
“But I want to help!”
“By what means?”
“I… I don’t know…”
“When you know, bring it back up,” Impa said, heading towards the door. “I will continue to monitor Ganondorf’s actions for you. I saw him heading out to the Clock Tower a few minutes ago.”
“Oh, and Impa?” Zelda asked, just before the door shut. “Tell Kuro she is relieved of her duties.
“Why, Zelda? She is a fine guard, and an example to all women.”
“Father will do worse to her, if she is not let go. If he finds out what she did…”
“I understand.”
“Give her one last order, will you?
“What is it?”
“Keep an eye on that boy from last night. I believe the more she’ll be around him, the more we’ll understand why I sensed a dark aura from him.”
“I sense the dark being down this alley, Link,” Vaati said, peering down the alley before the two. “Not a soul is in there. Why don’t you confront it?” Link looked at Vaati, which Vaati translated as,
“Aren’t you coming?”
“I have terrible claustrophobia,” Vaati said. “That alleyway is too cramp for me.” Link sighed at this sign of cowardice and entered the alley.
It was dark. Darker than normal, and the feeling of somebody’s eyes following him was constantly on his mind in this alley. As he walked, he heard footsteps from behind him. He grabbed his sword and shield from his back and turned around. He saw nobody, save for Vaati, who waved innocently at him from the entrance to the alley. Again! That feeling. Link turned his head and saw a shadow behind him, standing where his shadow would be. The glowing, red eyes were narrowed in such a way, that if this being had a mouth, it would be greening widely. Suddenly, as if it was the wind itself, a blade formed in its hand and he thrust toward Link’s back. He gasped as he brought his shield around to block it. The shadow’s sword bounced back and, then the shadow retreated to a safe distance, allowing Link to see it while he was completely turned around. This was the Dark Link Zelda spoke of.
“Haaaaaaa!” Link yelled as he charged towards the shadow. It was a monster. It had to be easily beaten. He swung his sword, and Dark Link blocked with his own, materializing a shield on his other arm and attempting to bash Link’s ribs with it, only to be blocked by Link’s own shield. The doubles pushed and shoved, until Link was finally flung back with a sudden burst of strength from Dark Link. He rolled out of the way as Dark Link stabbed at the ground. The first time he narrowly avoided the blade, but the second grazed his cheek as it came up, and went down on the other side. Dark Link continued to stab down, until Link finally found the timing to roll backwards, back onto his feet. He was crouched down, his shield held in front of him, and his sword brought back. Dark Link cocked its head and approached Link calmly. Sweat rolled down Link’s forehead as Dark Link came closer. There was no way on earth that the original could lose to a copy. Dark Link was in range, now, and Link let loose, in a large burst of energy, a spin attack. As he finished, he looked where Dark Link stood, and saw nothing. He looked on his sword, and saw Dark Link standing on it with its blade held at Link’s forehead.
