Shadows Never Fade

By: DarkxLink

Summary: A new evil is threatening the land, and not only Hyrule, but the lands beyond as well. Link has to rise to defeat it again, but can he do it alone? Dark Link x Link. Rated M for later content. R&R Love!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything in this story, except the stuff that I made up... XD Er..

Author's Notes: This is my first Zelda based story! XD But I noticed there weren't many good Dark Link x Link stories out (at the time, though there are a lot now) so I decided to make my own! And this came out.. and I was inspired by pictures of the pairing.. –Drool- XD

Okay, so I don't have a beta, so excuse any mistakes, as I miss them when I go over it to edit it, sometimes. XD; I also like constructive criticism, so review please. :3 And flames are always fun to read. XD

Prologue

PoV: Nobody

Chapter Rating: T

The sounds of metal against metal rang throughout the large, dungeon room. It was no ordinary room, for as far as the eye could see, it was the same- clear water on the ground; except for a single island with a tree in the middle. A dead tree. It could also be known as the room of illusions, for the water and mist that stretched so far throughout the seemingly unending room was indeed an illusion.

The Hero of Time, Link, was inside this unending room of illusions, fighting an enemy just as skilled as he. His foe, just like the room, wasn't ordinary. His foe was... himself, only a shadow version of himself. Unlike the Hero, the enemy had charcoal colored hair and deep red eyes. And unlike Link, this darker version wore all black with gray leggings instead of white. And his skin was paler than Link's, a bit gray as well, like the dead.

His name was Dark Link- a creation made by the evil Ganondorf to kill Link. Dark Link possessed the same skills, the same movement, and even a replica of the Master Sword. The only thing he couldn't do that Link could, were the magic techniques that the Great Fairies bestowed upon him. However, Dark Link possessed a skill that Link did not. He could balance himself on the master sword when Link stabbed at him. It gave him an advantage to strike quickly while Link couldn't.

Water splashed as Link was thrust onto his back. The Hero quickly rolled to the right to dodge a slash to his neck, then simply got to his feet after the roll and did a jump slash. However, Dark Link flipped backwards to avoid it easily. This was not looking all too great for the Hero of Time.

"I will not allow you to win. You're merely a shadow; your limits only go so far." Link hissed, as much as to break the horrid silence as to reassure himself. He raised his Master Sword, defensively, as he waited. He needed to formulate a plan. Attacking randomly like this was not working.

And then the unthinkable happened. "That hurts." Dark Link spoke those words; his voice was eerily similar to Links, just one scale lower. His deep ruby colored eyes followed Link as he took a few side steps, watching the expression of shock fade from his face. "You are surprised I can talk? As you said, I am your shadow. I can talk just like you can. But enough of this chatter, it means nothing. Master wants me to kill you, so be it." The darker version of Link ran at the Hero of Time, black Master Sword raised. The clash of metal was yet again sent ringing throughout the room as Link blocked the blow.

"Hey!" Navi shouted, "Link, use the megaton hammer! He doesn't have one! And when he's down, finish him with the Master Sword!" The glowing fairy advised the Hero, swooping around him frantically.

Link's brow furrowed as he took this in. Quickly, the blonde jumped back and sheathed his sword. He reached to his back and took out the hammer, holding it with both hands. Link knew he couldn't block with it, though. His shadow paused from attacking, and he could see those ruby eyes watching the hammer. Inspecting it.

Within seconds, Dark Link ran at Link, whirling in a circle and slashing with a, "Hyaa!" It was Link's move, only without the added bonus of the magic. That, the shadow did not possess. However, as he stopped spinning, he was immediately hit with the megaton hammer, sent flying back. He held his stomach, where he was hit. And as Link jumped at him, hammer raised above his head, Dark sank into the water.

Link hit the water, but nothing was there. He paused, eyes glancing wildly about. Where did he go?! How did Dark just vanish like that? "Navi? What happened?" The blonde, blue eyed hero asked. He raised the hammer again, defensively- though it would do him no good. He suddenly felt hands around his ankles, and he was knocked to his back.

"LINK!" Navi cried as Dark Link rose from the water and stood above the Hero. He gave a small smirk and raised the replica Master Sword, ruby eyes glinting. The blow stopped mid way and blood gushed from the shadows' lips. His oddly colored eyes widened with shock and realization.

Link watched the blood fall from Dark's mouth onto his tunic as he twisted the Master Sword, giving Dark more pain. Had he won? Was it really over or was this some illusion? Blue eyes met the red ones that loomed over him, and he gasped in realization. Blood. That meant he wasn't just an illusion as he thought. He wasn't just another creation of Ganondorf. He was real. He might have been created by Ganondorf, but he was created as a real person- not one of his mindless dolls.

And those haunting red eyes... they were filled with pain and rage at being defeated. He killed his shadow. "Shadows... never fade, Hero..." Dark Link spoke between coughs. With a final breath, the shadow of the Hero of Time fell, sliding down on the sword so his chest was against the hilt of the Master Sword. The darker version of Link was slumped against the Hero, and all Link could do was stare as the illusions disappeared and a chest appeared.

He glanced at the body that was still against his. Hesitantly, Link reached out a hand and brushed the charcoal colored hair from the face of his dark side. Navi flew wildly around him as Link pulled his sword from the body. He leaned over Dark Link and closed his eyes, and then stood and headed towards the large chest.

Those haunting ruby eyes stuck in his head, along with the shadow's last words: "Shadows never fade, Hero." The male shivered as he opened the large chest, revealing blinding light and then the treasure held within. The longshot.

YAY! My first:3 How is it? I mean, seriously. Since it's the prologue, review now and tell me if I made mistakes anywhere or anything! It's always important to do so, that way I can improve it for the next chapter! And I know it's kind of short... D:

Reviews also make Dark Link and Link happy! Right, boys?

Dark: Ch, whatever.

Link: -Elbows Dark- Grump. Yes, reviews make us absolutely delighted!