Fan Fiction ❯ Shattered Dreams, Broken Soul, Unbound Love ❯ Broken Soul ( Chapter 10 )

By: Squall-sama

Parings: Link+Sheik

Warnings: NC-17, Somewhat Squick-ish here, Angst, Link bashing, Sheik bashing, SAP, LIME, FLUFF. The 'Mysterious Masked Creature' will finally be revealed in this part too!!

Disclaimer: Don't own them, don't sue me, Nintendo is the rightful owner so pick on somebody else who doesn't know what they're doing.

Notes: I know Sheik has blonde hair but he's special in this and he has Silver hair-so deal with it! Actually, I have a really good explanation to why he has silver hair-later chapters though. ^_^ I really had a hard time finding the right words to say while writing this part so forgive me please!

Extra Notes: * ~ * ~ * ~ * scene break

* * * * same scene, different POV-sort of. ^_^

Thanks: Spryte: *laughs* *hugs Spryte* You are just too adorable! =^_^= there-I didn't even get reviews from 5 different people, but since you and Eoko reviewed so much-I decided to post. Which reminds me-it looks like you're gonna have someone to compete with, being my biggest fan! =^_~= Eoko is practically throwing herself over me! *laughs* But I love you still-very much-you defended me from the stupid reviewer/flamers! =^_^= Oh! And, I don't believe I edited the last chapter-I might have changed a few words here and there, but no more than that… *frowns* unless I really am losing my mind and just forgetting EVERYTHING! *laughs* Thank You! Leila15rose: *cringes and types worriedly* I hope I spelt your name right! I couldn't tell if it was a '1(one)' or and 'l' see! They both look the same! Stupid people who invented the same-looking number and letter! Anyway… simple and clean… =^_~= Thank you, I'll try. =^_^=Eoko: Hehe… ok, I don't know where to star except to say thank you so far to all the reviews! =^_^= Like I said to Spryte, it looks like you two are gonna be fighting over who's the 'biggest fan'! =^_^= *laughs* but I like all the attention! *grins* And the protection!! Yeah! No more stupid flamers!! Oh, and by the way, even though you've been saying that my fic hasn't made you cry yet… I think starting this chapter you might! It's pretty sad… and uh… gory. See!? I can't even remember what I've written on my own damn fics! It's a good thing this one is finished already… *sighs wearily* Ine: *falls over laughing* I like you, you're smart! *reads back over review at the part where you don't want to be hurt by Eoko* Don't worry, as much as I love my regulars, I still love you newer reviewers too… and I won't let them chew on you… too much. *grins* Thank you for such a lovely review too! =^_^= Phoenix1: *falls out of chair laughing* Oh god! That's great!! *can't stop laughing* I love you! You're great! AMEN TO PHOENIX1!!!! By the way, you're lucky I refreshed the page before uploading this chapter, otherwise you wouldn't have been in here! =^_~= Thanks!!

Extra (Forgotten) Notes: If there was anyone who didn't understand the part about the Triforce, just ask and I'll be happy to explain… I know my head is hard to understand at times-even I get lost….

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~Part 10: Broken Soul~

All thought, reason and emotion left Link as the two giant doors before him flew open, sending a gust of hot air out, swirling around him, causing his hair to flutter about his face for a moment. Link was so nervous he couldn't even blink-he just stared strait ahead, refusing to show his fears out front… this was Ganondorf he was facing-he would not let that horrid man see how scared he was, even if he did feel like he was going to melt into a puddle of tears if he took one more step closer to Ganon. The mysterious masked creature stood perfectly still next to Link, it didn't even act like it was scared in the tiniest measure-it just stood there, with that same proud posture and aura about it that Link had grown used to since it had been following him. Link let out a long, shuddering sigh; the masked creature looked over at him and for the first time since it had been near him, it finally saw the truth behind the mask-that this boy was only that, a boy. How could they have ever made him do all of those horrible things and force him to face it all alone?

The masked creature watched Link hesitate for a moment, unsure of what to do now-now that he was finally within Ganon's lair and only moments away from seeing his beloved. Why did this poor boy have to face such evil at such an innocent age, with such an innocent heart? The masked creature shook its head ruefully, unable to bare those depressing thoughts any longer; it looked back at Link and what it saw surprised it…

Even through all the innocence and fear Link was radiating off of him, there was still the Courage-the Courage that kept him going and let him continue with his quest throughout life. Link proudly bore the crest of the Triforce of Courage because he was Courage plain and true. Unlike the other Triforce bearers, Link didn't use the power that came with the ownership of the Triforce of Courage to his advantage-he was part of it…. His power was true and from the heart, unlike the others', they're power came from the Triforce pieces-not from within their souls. The masked creature saw that now, and no matter how much it wished for that fact to be untrue, it wasn't-Link was born with the Triforce of Courage inside his heart and soul all this time, when Zelda's and Ganondorf's power was only placed within them for… 'safe keeping'.

True, when the Sacred Realm had been disturbed and Ganondorf broke the seal, the Triforce pieces were scattered and embedded within the souls of those who were touching it at the time, but those were just the artificial pieces-the physical object of the Triforce, not the true power within. The full power of the Triforce of Wisdom, Power and Courage were never really separated, only 'put to sleep' within one soul and one body…

The Hero of Time.

Within Link, all the Triforce pieces were held and the only reason why the Triforce of Courage had shown upon his hand at all was because that was the power-the one truth he believed in the most, so, naturally only the symbol for Courage would have appeared on his body. Wisdom and Power appeared on Zelda and Ganon's bodies because they believed they actually did possess the powers of those Triforce pieces and that they actually did touch the real Triforce-they became so obsessed with wanting to find the Triforce that they found what really wasn't there, to be true. The masked creature shook its head again-how could they have been so foolish?

The mysterious masked creature watched as Link took one unsteady step forward, towards his future and his destiny. It watched, as the Hero of Time's Courage wavered yet grew stronger with each unsure step, and as the boy showed so much more Power and Wisdom and Courage than any Sage or King or Princess could ever hope to bare and reveal in an entire lifetime…. Link was doing this because of a true love and because his soul told him to, not because of some selfish wish to be the most powerful or the most admired or to be the wisest…… he did it alone because of his faith within himself and one precious boy called Sheik. Link shakily took another step closer to his nightmare and hopefully his beloved; the masked creature right on his heal, never moving from the temporary shadowed spot it had built behind Link. Link let out a deep, fearful sigh, careful not to be too loud-he didn't want anybody to hear him, then it would have been all his fault that their cover had been blown, and Link could never forgive himself if that were to happen.

The masked creature watched him with an intensity that Link surely felt because he turned back to look at his masked friend-making sure it was still there? The mysterious masked creature nodded slowly and Link turned back and continued, wary about his surroundings for he could not see a thing nor what he was unmistakably walking into-a trap. Their surroundings were blacker than black-pitch. Link's breathing soon came in shorter faster breaths; he could not help himself, he felt the evil in the thick air around him and he knew Ganondorf was within this room somewhere… otherwise, how could those doors have opened, and why would he have been feeling the way he was-as if a thousand tiny needles were pricking his skin and all his insides were being twisted and pulled out of him then thrown about and placed back inside of him?

The dreadful, dead feeling clung to Link's body and soul like a dead weight as he and his masked companion walked further into oblivion and the horrible trap set for them. Link didn't understand why he was so nervous-it was never like this before, even when he had to fight Ganondorf for the fist time to save Princess Zelda…. It was like something kept nagging at him, at his mind, that if he failed it would all be his fault and only his. He would be to blame and never, ever again would he be allowed to see the light of day again or be even the slightest bit happy; everyone would shun him and look upon him as the one who failed to save just one young man-the one who was Weak, and Pathetic, and Worthless. This horrid feeling grew stronger and more fierce as he stepped closer to his undeniable fate, and it grew so incessant that he could hardly bare it-the pain escalating beyond all fear and worry he previously felt.

Link's breathing sharpened and he deftly heard himself whimpering, breathing in wheezing, desperate sobs, and suddenly, without warning tremendous rivulets of shining tears broke from his eye's dam and rolled down his flushed delicate cheeks in great flowing rivers. He just couldn't help himself as he barely caught a loud sob escaping his dry lips and he couldn't hold back the hateful tears as the dam broke completely and sob after tremendous sob broke from his desperate lips. He clutched the sides of his head, madly seeking some sort of protection from the cruel indignations of some invisible force that threatened to destroy him before he could ever save his beloved Sheik. The masked creature stood back in shock for a moment as it watched Link crying, helplessly, and it did not know what to do, but suddenly Link fell. Link just fell; he fell to his knees with a loud 'thump' and the masked creature darted to the shaking Hylian's side, desperately trying to soothe the shattered boy's soul, for the masked creature could see it was hurting and restless-it could see the torment within Link's soul through the Mask of Truth.

Link shuddered with sob after sob and cried like a little baby as the masked creature held him within its arms protectively, trying desperately to comfort the shaken boy. Link covered his face with his calloused hands and buried his face in the masked creature's chest, amazingly unaware of the fact that his companion's upper torso was not at all as masculine as it should have been…. The masked creature didn't care though-it didn't care if Link found out who it was or if Link never wanted anything to do with it again, all that mattered was the precious boy in its arms' safety and getting Sheik and themselves out of this vile place at once. Before the masked creature could even think of another thought though, it felt a tremendous stabbing pain within its mind's eye and it couldn't hold back the involuntary gasp that escaped its lips behind the protective Mask of Truth. The pain became so immense that the masked creature could hardly breathe behind the mask; with all its power and psychic energy it could muster up, it violently shoved the painful intruding force back, out of its head, breathing raggedly for a moment, trying desperately to compose itself and stay calm for the trembling Hero of Time within its arms.

Then, suddenly a maddening chuckling sounded throughout the room the masked creature and Link were in. The chuckling turned into laughter-evil menacing laughter that sent a chill down the masked creature's spine, it quickly turned its head from side to side, trying to find something anything that it could gauge their surroundings from but only complete darkness covered the laughing beast around them. The masked creature held Link closer to its body and it could only stare into nothing and wait as the laugher slowly died into the same spine-tingling chuckling that it started out as. Then suddenly, as quickly as the blink of an eye, candles flared up to light the now, enormous room Link and the masked creature were in. The masked creature looked about quickly, trying to take in all of their surroundings as quickly as it could so as to have an easy escape ready and at hand.

Link's crying had softened considerably but he was still fighting back short, small sobs and sniffles that didn't want to leave him just yet-along with the terrifying pain that had abruptly struck him moments ago. He felt his shaking body being held by someone soft and warm and he slowly looked up to see his mysterious masked companion as the creature that held him so comfortingly and protectively in its strong embrace. Link watched it for a short moment then he suddenly frowned and pressed against the masked creature's chest gently and he almost tore away from his companion in the moment of shock that overtook him-the masked creature was female! No wonder it wore the torn cloak over its shoulders and chest, Link thought, but who-. Before Link could think about this new discovery, a loud sharp bark of a laugh echoed throughout the giant room they were within and he felt the masked creature's arms hold him even tighter.

Link's eyes widened with fear when he heard that laugh, he knew who that laugh belonged to, he could never forget it-Ganondorf. Suddenly, to Link's utter horror, the said man appeared only feet away from him and his masked companion, and all Link could do was stare. He felt the masked creature stiffen behind him and he couldn't help but do the same. Ganondorf, the evil monster Link had thought he'd killed was indeed alive and he looked even stronger and more powerful than before; to Link's dismay he felt those tears coming back again because the thought that Sheik had been tortured by this man came to mind suddenly. Ganon smirked at the fear in Link's eyes and his piercing gaze never faltered from that of the shaken Link. He stood suddenly-Ganondorf, and he slowly stepped down from his 'throne' until he stood upon the flat surface of the bloodied ground, staring down at Link and his masked companion as if they were nothing more than some insignificant insects.

Then suddenly, faster than lightning, Link was ripped away from his masked companion's comforting arms by an invisible force and neither he nor the masked creature could do anything to get to each other as they were both held so far apart from each other in mid-air by obviously, Ganondorf's new powers. Link fought terribly hard to move even his head to the side, as he saw his masked companion do the same, but it was of no use, the spell which held them confined in place was just too strong and overpowering. Ganondorf hadn't even moved a muscle through this whole act and he just stared, smiling at both Link and his masked friend. Then quite suddenly Ganondorf turned to face the masked creature and his wicked smile broadened. Link could see his masked friend struggling to break free and keep quiet-strong, but Ganondorf's evil gaze was almost unbearable and all the masked creature could do was stare back.

Then Ganondorf spoke, "It's a pity really… that you will not be able to protect your savior any longer and…… that he should find out who you truly are…" The masked creature visibly froze at those cold words and its breathing picked up slightly. Link could only stare in disbelief and confusion and fear as Ganondorf finally moved his arms, much to Link's distress, up slightly so as to control only the mysterious masked creature. Still standing quite a few feet away from the masked creature, Ganondorf used his invisible hands to grab the Mask of Truth that disguised Link's friend and almost in slow motion, the large mask was pulled away from the mysterious creature's real face. Link frowned and wanted so badly to know who it was, but also felt bad for his companion because it obviously had a reason as to why it was wearing the mask in the first place, and for a moment Link didn't want to know who it was… but his curiosity outweighed his sincerity for that moment and he had to know, so he looked up and to his utter shock he found the last person he ever thought he would see again, hanging in the place of his masked companion as that same creature…

Princess Zelda.

Link's eyes had to have been as round as saucers at that moment, when Zelda's long golden hair fell loose from the confines of the mask and she slowly opened her large blue eyes and glared defiantly at Ganondorf with more anger and hatred than Link had ever seen on anyone before. Link couldn't believe what he was seeing-how could Princess Zelda, of all people have gotten hold of the Mask of Truth and found her way down here, and how did she even know Link had come to the Underworld in the first place?

Link frowned some more and watched as Ganondorf slowly stepped closer to Zelda, to where he was only within arms length of her rigid body and he brought his arm up, painfully slow to tease Link and Zelda and finally let his large hand rest around Princess Zelda's slim waist. Zelda growled with all the anger she possessed and tried to move again but failed and could only just bear the sick, acidy feeling churning inside her stomach as Ganondorf slowly let his hand trail languidly down Zelda's firm buttocks and thigh, to her delicate knee, squeezing it slightly, causing Princess Zelda to cringe. Link watched in confused anger as Ganondorf continued to touch the Princess roughly; he didn't understand why Ganondorf was doing that to her and he didn't understand why he was so angry that the fowl man was doing that to her-he had never seen anything like it before, but he just knew it was wrong. Link continued to watch helplessly as Ganondorf slowly moved his hand up, underneath the torn cloak that covered Zelda's shoulders and breasts, and suddenly Zelda cried out and a bright blush covered the fair skin on her cheeks. Link blinked a couple of times… unsure why she had just cried like that, then she did it again and Link noticed hot tears of shame and fury rolling down Princess Zelda's face.

God! What is happening, why is she crying like that, I-! Suddenly it hit him, he understood now, why Zelda was so angered and pain-stricken; Link could see Ganondorf's large hand moving around under the small cloak upon Zelda's shoulders and suddenly all Link saw was red. It was too much to bear when he had to feel and see Sheik's pain, but now that Ganondorf had to hurt Princess Zelda, of all people, and in such the manner that he was, Link could hold his rage back no more and he let out a loud terrifying scream, surprising Ganondorf completely out of his perverse state of mind that he was in and causing him to drop his hand from Zelda's body, much to her thanks. Ganondorf turned back to look at Link, his eyebrows raised, and a very unamused look on his face… then an evil grin split his countenance and he spoke in a very low and lustful voice,

"What's the matter little boy… jealous? Hm hm, I never thought you of all people could express that emotion… but, fair enough. I didn't bring both of you here for her enjoyment anyhow…. It's really you I want, pretty Hero of Time." Zelda growled and struggled some more, then quite suddenly, as Ganondorf took a step away from Zelda, he spun back around and yelled,

"Be gone! I have no more use for you, and you should not have followed this foolish boy here. Now you can go back to the sickeningly peaceful plains of Hyrule and tell everyone how miserably you failed to protect your own protector!" And with the flick of his wrist, Ganondorf whisked Princess Zelda away, back to Hyrule.

* ~ * ~ * ~ *

In the grey shadows of the Temple of Time, all sat silent-too afraid or angry to move as the four Sages stared at Link's lifeless body, waiting for something-anything to happen, as Saria said would. Nothing had happened though… not for the past two and a half hours and some people were getting impatient. Impa laid her right hand gently upon Princes Ruto's shoulder to calm the agitated girl; Ruto looked over at Impa and frowned innocently, bowing her head when Impa gave her a stern look. Naburoo wasn't all too calm either, she kept getting up and pacing around the stairs that lead to Link's body and Saria, then walking back over and sitting down again for a few more minutes before she would get back up and repeat the same process all over again. Darunia sighed heavily and grunted when Naburoo stood again and began to walk off, his patience was running very thin and he didn't know how much longer he could stand the fidgeting of Princess Ruto or the constant pacing of that damned desert thief.

The silence was almost deafening until, quite suddenly, a loud tearing noise like thunder could be heard right within the very room all the Sages occupied, and before any of the five occupants could protect themselves, a bright, blinding light lit up the entire room and all who were within the chamber reluctantly shielded their eyes from the searing light before it blinded them. Then, as suddenly as the whole fiasco started, it was over. All the Sages slowly uncovered their eyes when they heard a heavy 'thump' upon the stone floor of the temple and what they saw brought a muted, wide-eyed silence to them all: Princess Zelda, wearing much the same style of clothing as Impa wore, laying unconscious on the cold stone floor, face down and what skin showed was flushed. Impa immediately ran to her Princess' side and lifted the seemingly weightless girl into her muscular arms, cradling the unconscious beauty protectively. Impa stared at Zelda for a moment, wondering what just happened and as she looked up she saw the same confused and worried expressions upon the other Sages faces.

Impa gazed around at each Sage and when she got to Saria, the little Kokiri had her mouth open and was staring in complete shock back at Impa. She only stared for a few minutes, but then she must have caught herself because she blushed and looked down at the Princess, their seventh Sage. Impa watched as Saria grew serious, yet couldn't hide the grief she felt for everything that was happening; the wise Sheikah gave a sympathetic glance towards Saria who only saw it mildly upon the rest of the older woman's strong features. Saria looked to be on the verge of tears-she knew what the consequences were in taking this burdensome task into hand and she knew that no matter what, she could change nothing or reverse nothing, only watch as the painful battle she had initiated played out before them in the traumatizing manner in which it had started. But now, now it seemed her will of steel was finally collapsing and she wanted nothing more than to take everything she had started, back.

Saria let out a shuddering sigh through her closed lips and turned away, hunching down and dropping her head in defeat; she knew the other Sages hated her for what she did and even though she knew what was going to happen she felt as though everything was wrong and nothing was going as planned… what has happened should never have. She wouldn't abandon Link though, not until one or both of them were safely back on this plane of the world-alive. Suddenly a quiet moan escaped Zelda's lips and everyone, including Saria, turned their attention towards the unconscious princess, waiting-hoping for her to wake. Impa gently brushed a stray strand of golden hair away from Zelda's face and tried her best to sooth her Princess as the unconscious girl fought to come back to the conscious world. All the Sages watched intently as Princess Zelda moaned and squeezed her eyes tight and fussed all about until she finally cracked open one eye and then the other, until both the beautiful blue orbs were staring widely at their surroundings. Immediately Zelda sat strait up in Impa's lap and looked around frantically, her breaths coming quickly and ragged until she turned her face and stared right into the sharp piercing red eyes of her mentor and dear friend, Impa.

"Impa……" The name barely sounded as a whisper, it was so quiet and delicate-a pin drop would have been louder. Impa's eyes softened considerably-she was never this way except around Her Princess, there was just something about her that made all the tenderness inside want to come out. Then suddenly Zelda broke down and threw her arms around Impa's neck, tears flowing from her sad eyes as Link's had. Impa was a little surprised for a moment, she wasn't used to Zelda doing that anymore; when the princess was little, she used to run to Impa and the kind Sheikah would comfort her but as the princess grew, so had the need to be strong and brave and the times when she would run to Impa's strong embrace passed…. But now the princess was crying openly in Impa's comforting arms as her small body was racked with sob after sob.

Impa immediately took control as the 'nanny' once more and slowly began to rock back and forth, 'shooshing' and 'cooing' for the princess to calm down and relax. Everyone around watched with mild shock as Impa became a loving and caring person and the princess became a sobbing, whimpering child-these sides of their friends were unexpected. Soon Zelda was only sniffling against Impa's shoulder and she had stopped shaking; gently, Impa took hold of Zelda's shoulders and held her up so she could into her princess' face. Zelda blushed and tried to hide but Impa grasped her delicate chin gently and turned Zelda's little face to look at her.

"Princess… look at me… what has happened, what is the matter… tell me?" Impa spoke softly and quietly, not wanting to rile Zelda up more with a loud, cruel voice. Zelda sniffed again and finally looked up at Impa and she hesitated for a moment, not sure what to say, then it all just came out.

"Oh Impa, I'm so sorry! I went to the Underworld and followed Link to Ganondorf's lair! I put our lives in danger and did such a foolish thing! Now Link is still trapped down there and we didn't even find Sheik!! I wanted to help; I did what you told me to do! I followed my heart's voice-I did as you told me! I helped the one who I had hurt terribly only to lose and fail miserably in my task!! What kind of ruler am I!? I cannot even save one boy from his pain! I have failed!!" Zelda broke down once again and Impa let her cry away into her shoulder, though she was still a bit shocked by what Zelda had just said. Impa knew of what the princess spoke of and she wondered why Zelda could not complete her task and help the one she had chosen-he was worthy… only……

As if reading Impa's mind, Saria interrupted her thoughts and provided the missing information as to why Zelda could not save Link from his death or Sheik's suffering.

"The Princess could not fulfill her heart's cry because she does not hold the true power of the Triforce of Wisdom… she only holds its shell, the empty glass to the full cup." Impa frowned at the little Forest Sage as did the other Sages she did not understand what Saria was getting at, how could Zelda not possess the real Triforce of Wisdom?

"Explain Little One……" Impa inquired firmly. Saria sighed and turned away, slowly walking over to Link's cold body and kneeling down beside it before she began again.

"In the chaos of this world, the Three Great Goddesses came forth and made it whole, leaving behind a reminder of their arduous work and presence-the Three Triforce pieces, you know that. Only, those pieces left behind aren't the real Triforce pieces… they are merely a shell, a fake statue of the real thing to keep unwanted forces away from the true power. That power-the real Triforce was entrusted to the only reliable being known to the Goddesses, a beautiful young man, with a heart of gold and eyes full of trust and care and passion for everyone to love, just for whom he was. This man, this creature that the Goddesses trusted so thoroughly was Link-our Hero of Time's great, great, great ancestor. His heart was pure just as Link's is because they are of the same blood and heart and soul… even though the first caretaker of the Triforce was Link's ancestor, and he died, come old age, his soul-his precious mind and heart were passed on to his child and his child's child and so on… until Link was born.

"Thus, the real Triforce being held within Link's body and soul, and Zelda and Ganondorf only possessing the shells or fake Triforce pieces. So, Link had the full power of the Triforce within his body his whole life-that's what made him the 'Hero of Time', but because of the expanse in time that the Hero of Time walked across, people's stories changed… legends became myths, myths became fairy tales and fairy tales became another whimsical memory of some old woman or senile old man. That in turn made people forget-children weren't told of the heroic stories of the Hero of Time, and nobody spoke of him ever again… the only beings known to the real facts were those great men and women called Sages, and even those 'wonderful' beings began to forget the truth. When everyone forgot, so did the carrier-Link-the Hero of Time… and when he forgot, the stories changed and the truths were turned around to hurt the Hero of Time and make even him believe those false fairy tales.

"Now, even though the Triforce pieces that were held within the Sacred Realm gave Princess Zelda and Ganondorf power it was not the true power of the real Triforce. The only reason they had gained any power at all was because those fake Triforce pieces did at one very short time hold the real thing within them and after the real power was stripped from the shells there was still a tiny bit of each power left, which had radiated into the shells of the Triforce pieces and that was how Zelda and Ganondorf gained the power that they did. Link does not know of his powers or abilities because there has never been anyone to tell him of them or guide him through his desolate and demanding life. His mother abandoned him in her death when he was only a small babe and since then he has been on his own, as you all well know. Unfortunately, it is too late to help him now… we were selfish and cruel to him and he was forced to fight for something that didn't exist within this world but that already existed within his own heart and soul.

"That is why Zelda was not able to help Link. That is why he is still down there fighting for the one he loves more than life itself… and that is why he will win, be it in death or life…"

* ~ * ~ * ~ *

Link stared, horror-struck at the now empty space where Zelda had once been; he just couldn't believe his eyes-how did Ganondorf do that!? He had this power, where did it come from? It couldn't have come from the Triforce of Power, could it? Link's mouth gaped open and he didn't even notice when Ganondorf had made his way over to Link and was only a few feet in front of the astonished boy.

"Hm hm, did you like my little trick, boy…? It's a new power I have developed since I was banished to this 'Hell'…" Link blinked and stared down at Ganondorf for a moment, not completely registering who it was for a minute, then Link's eyes narrowed and he glared at Ganondorf for all he was worth. Ganon immediately started laughing and held his hand to his stomach as he threw his head back and laughed louder. Link frowned and tried to glare harder which only earned another fit of evil laughter from his captor. This was really getting him nowhere and Link tried to move his head again, trying to look around at his surroundings but his body was still held firmly in place by Ganondorf's new power. Link began to struggle again but quite suddenly, a jolting pain spread throughout his body and it felt as if he was going to be shocked to death.

Link opened his mouth in a silent scream of pain and almost as quickly as it had started, the lightning coursing through his body was gone. If Link could have moved his body, his head would have fallen forward in exhaust; Ganondorf merely watched his beautiful captive with a clever smirk-he was very pleased to finally have the meddlesome boy within his grasp… now nothing could stop him.

"So now you know if you try to struggle it will only end in more pain…… Perhaps you'd like to be set free…?" Link glared at Ganondorf, the horrid man was only teasing him and he knew it could only get worse…. He had to find Sheik and get them out there-but where was the said boy? Link glanced around the room for a moment, trying to find anything of the lost Sheikah, but there was nothing. As if reading Link's mind, Ganondorf supplied the boy with the information he had been wanting,

"The illusive boy you seek has been placed somewhere away from your eyes… but I suppose one little peak wouldn't hurt… maybe it will make you more fun to torture after… hmmm?" Link's eyes widened then narrowed and before he knew what to do next, he was dropped to the hard ground and left gasping for air, as the wind had been knocked out of him from the fall. Link struggled to push his body up and when he got to his knees he was looking around anxiously for Sheik, but the boy was nowhere to be found and neither was Ganondorf. Link bolted up into a standing position, his sword drawn and ready for a fight; laughter echoed throughout the giant room and Link spun around to find Ganondorf comfortably seated on his 'throne', legs crossed and a cup of red wine in his hand. Link growled at the wicked man and yelled,

"Where's Sheik!? Show him to me or I'll kill you like I did before!" The smile that had been plastered to Ganondorf's lips disappeared and he stared at Link with one eyebrow raised-a very unamused look on his face. Ganondorf sat up strait and sighed in a very annoyed manner, but then that smile came back-small but conniving as usual.

"All right… you want to see your precious lover now… so be it." Ganondorf brought his hand up with a thoughtless flick of the wrist while sitting back in his 'throne' again. Link waited to see Sheik appear before him or at least where he could see the boy but nothing ever happened-or at least not from what he could before him. Link frowned and gritted his teeth, growling again-he wanted to see Sheik and all Ganondorf was doing was playing these stupid games. Just as Link was about to say something a faint moan was heard behind him; his eyes widened and he spun around to find Sheik lying before him on the bloodied floor. What Link saw, horrified him.

Sheik was still very… exposed, he lay facing Link, on his left side-legs outstretched and his arm stretched out above his head while the other lay weakly over his stomach. His whole body, from head to toe, was covered in nasty-looking bruises ranging in all sizes and colors-all looking quite painful. A deep laceration lay along his ribs-blood and other substances oozing out of it and a nice deep, red swelling surrounding the scar. His long elegant legs wore many sharp looking abrasions that seemed to look even more painful than the bruises. Sheik's wrists and ankles bore deep marring-bloodied and burnt tattoos of shackles, and the wounds looked to be festering; thick pus and blisters surrounded the injured areas.

Deep red blood oozed from all of the angry wounds upon Sheik's body, even though it seemed impossible to lose blood like that when you were dead. It also looked as though quite a few ribs had been broken by the horrid bruising and one of Sheik's legs didn't look like it should have been able to turn that way…. Sheik moaned again and Link's attention was drawn away from the horrid sight of Sheik's tattered body to his lovely face…. Even though many bruises and cuts adorned that part of his visage as well, the mysterious Sheikah still looked beautiful. Link found himself admiring how gentle the boy's features were and how he looked even more feminine with those few stray strands of silken locks falling over his closed eyes and curling over his pert little nose. Link found himself wanting more than anything, to touch that delicate face and run his fingers through that lovely main of silver hair to find out if it really was as silky as it looked-suddenly as an afterthought, he found himself wondering why Sheik's hair was silver and not gold and he was frowning at himself for a moment until Sheik moaned again and Link's gaze was glued back to Sheik's bloodied and bruised body.

Link couldn't even find a happy thought when he was looking at how Sheik must be in such terrible pain, no matter how vulnerable and beautiful the mysterious boy was-but that was the whole reason why Link didn't feel it was right: Sheik was too vulnerable and now that he was injured almost beyond repair, he couldn't defend himself in the least. Link didn't like that and soon all he could see was red once again; how could someone be so vindictive and ruthless enough to do something as horrible as what was done to Sheik? The thought made Link sick, he could hardly even stand the idea of Ganondorf doing this but looking upon his dirty work, then turning back to gaze upon the man who did this to his beloved, was enough to make Link want to be sick right there before the horrible man. Link swallowed hard and glared at Ganondorf once more, surprising the said man with how much anger radiated off of him. Ganondorf raised his shoulders and stared back at Link, unmoving, waiting for the troublesome 'Hero of Time' to make his move.

Link wished right at that moment that he had his Light Arrows, this would be so much easier then, but that was the reason why he didn't have his Light Arrows-because it would be too easy. Link quickly ran all his possibilities through his mind, trying to figure something out fast enough so he could be rid of Ganondorf once and for all and save Sheik finally… but nothing came to him-he was completely drawing a blank! Link frowned at himself; of all the times to be out of ideas….

"It seems we're having doubts…? Let me make this easier for you, Hero of Time…" Link looked up at Ganondorf with a confused frown and he watched with trepidation as Ganondorf stood up and raised his right arm and hand, motioning behind Link with a slight movement of his fingers, leaving Link more than a bit bewildered. Then Link heard Sheik's moans and he spun around in an instant, only to find himself too late to do anything as Sheik lay in midair, much the same as he and Zelda were, only this time, Sheik was moving-towards Ganondorf, until the helpless boy was laid down squarely into Ganondorf's arms. Link's anger flared, this man-no, monster, was going to hurt Sheik again, Link could feel it and he could do nothing. Ganondorf stared calmly at Link-a frighteningly soothing smile gracing his devilish lips as he slowly stroked Sheik's pain-contorted face and elegant neck; never taking his cold, unnerving brown eyes from Link's display of utter rage and fear.

Sheik moaned with his pain and weakness, never opening his beautiful red eyes, Link remembered; he just lolled his head from side to side, moaning with each stroke of Ganondorf's rough fingers across his aching, battered body. Ganondorf never took his eyes from Link though, which only made the situation more unsettling to the blond elf. Link frowned and grew even more enraged, the closer Ganondorf's fingers got to Sheik's nether parts-this was going too far and Link could bare no more of it. With each inch covered and the closer Ganondorf's slimy fingers got to 'personal' regions of Sheik's body, Link grew more and more infuriated and just as Ganondorf's fingers reached the small indent of Sheik's naval, Link stopped him-drawing his bow and arrow.

"I wouldn't press my luck if I were you… unless you do not wish to keep that hand…? Take it away at once, before I personally remove it myself, then you will not even have anything to relieve yourself with…" Link's arrow was a perfect aim and he stood with such unnerving form and precision on his target that Ganondorf involuntarily froze. The confident arrow pointed directly at his arm and the suddenly deep, commanding voice of authority Link radiated from his inner-conflicting feelings was enough to make even the Great Ganondorf himself falter for a moment. Then instantly, as if nothing had ever changed, Ganondorf was back to his composed and cool self, that irritating smirk of his plastered to his face once more. Saying Link 'frowned' would have been an understatement; the calm, sweet, innocent Hero of Time was the perfect definition of venom in its truest form. He glared at Ganondorf with such a monstrous audacity that it rivaled even that of the said monster himself-it seemed the sweet child was trying to take Ganondorf's place all of a sudden, and once more, Ganondorf was shocked back into a silent stillness.

Where was this venom-this pure hatred coming from? Even in their last battle, Ganondorf had never seen such contempt from the easy-going boy… it was, to say the least, scary. Ganondorf suddenly grew angry with himself for being afraid of a pathetic, weak boy like this and he growled out loud, showing who was boss within this domain. Link didn't budge though-couldn't have been, even on the fiercest stormy day; he stood his ground valiantly and never let his unyielding gaze fall. Ganondorf was furious, how dare this boy make a fool out of the Great Ganondorf! Ganondorf suddenly roared with all his pent-up anger and yelled,

"Do you dare challenge ME!!? I will kill you in the slowest most painful way I know and then I will rip this boy's body apart, limb from limb!!!" Bragging that he would harm Sheik in such a way, was probably not the smartest thing Ganondorf had ever done, because that final infliction of verbal pain was enough to completely send Link over the edge and before Ganondorf knew what hit him he had three arrows lodged into his body-one in each shoulder and the other in the hand that held Sheik. Ganondorf roared with pain and rage and he ripped the arrows out of his body. It was probably not a good thing to do-shooting those arrows at Ganondorf with Sheik still in his arms-because he was immediately used as the monster's shield when Link drew up his next arrow to strike the beast.

"Come on! I dare you to shoot! Go ahead, you can't miss your little boyfriend!!!" Ganondorf laughed manically and before Link new what came over him, he was yelling at the top of his lungs and running towards Ganondorf with his Master Sword drawn. Ganondorf barely had time to dodge Link's attack as the enraged boy swung at him with no particular plan of attack except to hit Ganon himself. Link swung with all his strength, not caring how he hit Ganon, only as long as he hurt the bastard. But Ganondorf had other ideas in mind and right as Link was going to hit Ganon with a down-ward strike, the evil man held Sheik up right above him so that the defenseless boy would be the one to take the deadly blow…. At that moment, Link was so enraged by what Ganondorf was doing to Sheik that he would never have seen the beautiful Sheikah were it not for the pained moan and whispered name of the Hero of Time himself escaping those delicate red lips; a spit second before the Master would have cracked Sheik's skull open, Link snapped out of his killer trance and threw his sword to the ground and tried to move out of the way, only to be caught in Ganondorf's strong grasp.

Link was in complete shock-he had no clue about what had just happened. It was almost as if he was another person and all that being knew was to spill blood-no matter to whom it belonged. He didn't register the fact that he was now caught in Ganondorf's clutches, but when the said man slowly began to squeeze Link's throat between his giant fingers, Link couldn't ignore the situation anymore. He felt his breaths coming in short quick gasps, trying to get all the air he could into his lungs, but Ganondorf had a very good handle on him and if Link didn't do something quick, his neck was going to end up as a tooth pick for some Shadow beast. Link opened mouth, trying to make some noise, but the only thing that came was a soft, pained cry and gasps.

Ganondorf, sneered hotly at Link, as the boy turned redder and redder and was starting to slow in his actions against Ganon until the boy just hung limply in his giant hand. Ganon snorted at the pathetic excuse for a warrior and he threw Link's unconscious body to the ground. But, just because Link wasn't a good fighter didn't mean he didn't have a good body-and very tempting to Ganondorf who absently threw Sheik's body to the ground a few feet away from Link's own. Ganon sneered sensually and he stalked over to Link's helpless body and he stared down at the beautiful boy for a moment before he just dropped to the floor, and lay upon Link. Link moaned with the heavier weight upon him and he dropped his head to the side, clearly exposing his beautiful neck and part of his lovely collar bone.

Ganon's lust soared at that moment-this boy was more beautiful than that annoying Sheikah… Ganondorf was suddenly glad he had waited to take the boy before Link had arrived. Ganondorf slowly dragged his heavy hands over Link's vulnerable body and made sure to 'accidentally' rip the green tunic from Link's 'sleeping' form. Link squeezed his eyes tight and moaned again, which only made his situation even worse, with Ganondorf getting even more aroused with each moan and twist of Link's body. Ganondorf was almost frantic with his lust as he roughly massaged Link's body and private parts; Ganondorf leaned down and nipped at Link's neck and as Link's moans grew louder, Ganon grew bolder and he suckled on the sweet, tantalizing flesh of that lovely neck and shoulder. Ganon slowly made his way to the two dark spots of Link's nipples and he roughly bit at them and pinched them, making the pink nubs hard and pert-Ganon smiled at that and made his way down, precariously close to dangerous waters.

In Link's mind, he knew the sensations he was feeling were wrong-that they shouldn't have been given to his body and that they were coming from someone all together wrong. He could feel the evil radiating off the body atop him and he didn't like the rough fondling of his body. He tried desperately to awaken himself and stop the being that was doing this to him, he had to save Sheik; this couldn't be happening right now, there was no time for it. Link could feel the slimy fingers inching closer to his private areas and he was not going to let that happen-not again… like that horrid dream. Then a sudden sharpness hit his groin and he gasped out loud, though still 'asleep'-that did not feel good… Ah! Neither did that!

Ganondorf violently poked and prodded Link's groin and nether parts, enjoying his little game far too much to notice that Link was now wide awake and glaring down at him with that same venomous gleam in his eye as before. Just as Ganon was to reach for Link's limp member, a sharp pain erupted throughout his stomach and side leaving him stunned and bewildered. Lying there-frozen from the sudden painful shock, Ganon heard a low growl from above him and he looked up to see that vicious gleam, in a wide-awake Link, once again. Ganondorf involuntarily froze with fear-he was so surprised that when this boy got that gleam in his eye, he would cower back… it was infuriating him. How dare this pathetic boy make the Great Ganondorf fear anything, especially him!

Ganondorf growled and reached up to grab Link by the throat again when more pain coursed through his side once again and he curled in on himself and rolled off of Link, only momentarily noticing that it had been the boy's knee that had connected so violently with his now sore side. Ganon had no time to recuperate from that blow when another blow was landed to his rib cage by Link's knee once more and in all his shock, Ganon found he couldn't escape from the boy above him pinning him down. How…? Before he could answer his own question, a sharp punch was landed on the left side of his jaw, leaving him stunned and trying to correct the feeling that his jaw was broken. Suddenly punch after blow after jab and strike were connecting with every part of Ganondorf's body, leaving good-sized welts and bruises and cuts and gashes in their wake.

This boy couldn't be so strong… it was impossible-it was he, Ganondorf that received the Triforce of Power, not this damned brat but somehow this boy had increased his power by tenfold! Ganondorf lay helpless under Link's onslaught and for once he knew what it was like to be on the receiving end... and it hurt. Link never stopped and slowed in his attack and he just kept punching until his own fists were red and bloodied with all the force he used to attack Ganondorf with. After he had been hitting Ganondorf for a good while, Link finally stopped, for Ganondorf wasn't moving and he stood up and stepped away from the vision of pain before him. Link raised his chin and glared down at his arch enemy… for the longest time it seemed, he had been fighting with this man-this monster and it never seemed to come to an end either… but now it was finally happening and all of his nightmares would be over-hopefully… there were still the living people of Hyrule to contend with…

Ganondorf finally began to stir again-of course he wasn't beaten, Link knew that, Ganondorf was much too strong for a few measly punches, but the man did seem to be out a lot longer than Link expected…. Ganondorf cracked open his eyes and when he found what he was searching for, they narrowed angrily and he pushed his hulking body up from the ground and lunged at Link, sending an energy ball at Link at the same time. Link dodged the attack gracefully, even with how close Ganon was to him he still managed to avoid even getting scraped by the attacks the large man threw at him-magic or physical alike. Easily leaning to one side or rolling under another attack was slowly starting to show its wear on Ganondorf as Link effortlessly dodged all attacks thrown at him; if only Ganondorf could get one good hit in, then he could defeat the brat with his special, ultimate attack that he had perfected since he had been down here… but getting the boy to slow down was the problem…… Aha!

Ganon suddenly stopped mid-swing in an effort to hit Link and he spun around, reaching for Sheik's tattered body and picking it up with little effort when he found him; Link saw this and his eyes widened with rage, but what he didn't expect was for Ganondorf to throw Sheik's body at him. How could a person be used as a weapon like that? Link frowned and caught Sheik's body as delicately as he could without harming the precious boy anymore, but in the struggle to avoid hurting his precious burden he momentarily lost his balance enough to send him wobbling around, which was more than enough initiative Ganondorf needed to make his move and as Link turned back around, he came up, face-to-fist with Ganon's larges knuckles. Link barely had enough time to widen his eyes in shock when the hard bones of Ganondorf's large fists connected with his face and sent him flying back a good twenty feet, an unconscious Sheik still held firmly in his arms. Link's face hurt so much, he couldn't even open his eyes and he felt as if he had been thrown into Lake Hylia on a rainy day-everything spun, even behind his closed eyes.

Ganon laughed wickedly and immediately started to summon up the spell he had been waiting so long to use. Link moaned weakly and tried to move his head but it hurt so bloody much when he did and he could only lie there very still, hoping for the pain to subside quickly and for Ganondorf not to make a move…. Unfortunately fate was not on his though-as usual, for Link could hear the remnants of a spell being summoned and cast-most likely upon him and if he didn't move now, he along with Sheik could be seriously injured. Link forced one eye open and saw a blurry blob of what was most likely Ganondorf and a very bright light coming from the beasts hands-or what Link thought were Ganon's hands. He could feel the enormous amount of energy being put into the attack and he knew he definitely needed to move or somehow shield Sheik from the attack.

Link just felt so weak though, his head hurt beyond belief and every time he tried to sit up, a wave of dizzying sickness swept over him-how hard did Ganondorf hit him…? Link couldn't think of that now though because it seemed Ganon had finished summoning up the spell… Link swallowed hard and tried his best to glare at Ganondorf but only succeeded in hurting himself more. Then he heard Ganon speak coldly, in a tone he knew would only be used for his inevitable demise,

"This is it little boy… you had better run-if you can! Hahahahaha, this spell is my ultimate attack and it can instantly kill… so, do you want your boyfriend to live or would you rather spend the rest of eternity thinking you should have sacrificed yourself instead of his life for your miserable one? Either way, I'm not hesitating to kill you now!!!" And with that last word, Ganondorf flung the massive energy ball at Link and Sheik, directly on target with the said boys. Link froze, he didn't know what to do-he couldn't move much less even run, his head was in so much pain, all though, more than that would be hurting if he didn't do something-fast! All Link could think of as the deadly energy ball grew closer was to protect Sheik and nothing else seemed to matter; with his mind made, Link rolled over and covered Sheik's body with his own…. Everything moved in slow motion for Link as he looked down upon that indescribably beautiful face and suddenly a very serene feeling enveloped Link as he slowly lowered his head and brought his lips to Sheik's own, just as the energy ball met and surrounded them, exploding with such force it even sent its creator flying back against the far wall, laughing.

* ~ * ~ * ~ *

~tbc~

Hehehe… cliffhangers are a bitch, aren't they?

Duo: *glances back at S.S.* Along with someone else I know….

*glares at Duo* Do you want to keep that braid?

Duo: *eyes grow all watery and wobbly* You wouldn't!?!

*menacing look grows in eyes* Oh, I would… believe me…. *grins evilly*

Quatre: *bursts out of nowhere* No! you can't! How could you do something so volatile and debasing!? That beautiful long silky braid is Duo's love and life!! You can't cut it off…!! Oh! My Spaceheart!! *faints*

*Both Duo and S.S. stare at a fainted Quatre, eyes wide and lips twitching*

*Looks kinda scared* Did that just happen…?

Duo: *looks equally frightened* Uhhh…. Yeah….

Uhhmm… ok…. *looks at Duo*

Duo: *looks at S.S.* So……

So… *starts rocking on heels and clapping hands together*

Duo: Nice weather huh?

Yeah… *looks around stupidly*

Duo: *glances over at S.S.* This is kinda lame… you wanna go catch a chick-flick or somethin'?

*nods thoughtfully* Yeah, sure… sounds good…

*Both walk off, leaving a still-fainted Quatre on the ground*

…

….

……

*Heavyarms pops up out of nowhere suddenly*

Heavyarms: Uhhh…. Ok, that was really freaky…. *looks out the corner of his eyes…… sort of… at S.S. and Duo* Anyway…. As usual, 5 reviews will be required for the next chappie! Thank you! *skips off in pink tutu*