The Legend of Zelda: Courage - Part Two

Chapter VIII

His mouth filled with water and he felt the world around him disappear and become weightless, but being pulled down. He yelled, only for water to choke his voice.

He was drowning.

He could feel his fingers leaving the water, and suddenly, a firm grasp on his hand. His muscles ached, as he pulled himself out of the water, yet, strangely, completely dry.

When he saw his savior, Link gasped.

Because, the person who saved him wasn't Agahnim, or anyone in particular.
This being was covered in soot, dressed in black, his eyes red and smoking. A repugnant and blasphemous copy, with a midnight black shield and sword.
It was an exact replica...of Link himself.
When Link finally stood up, this Dark Link copied him. When he reached for his sword, Dark Link did the same. No matter how slowly, no matter how quickly, he copied his every move.

Link waited for his enemy to make a move. Only to find Dark Link to follow suit, circling each other, watching their twin movements, prepared to strike.
Link slowed his breathing, held his shield tight, and struck, only for the same movement to be made by Dark Link, clashing their swords. Confused, Link rolled around and readied his bow but saw Dark Link in the same position, and hesitated.

His red eyes squinted, while Link thought rapidly.

How was he supposed to fight him...or rather himself?

But the fight must continue. Be it Dark Link, Agahnim or Ganondorf, Link would fight to the death. The only thing between him and the Triforce of Courage now was this Dark version of himself.

Arrogant, haughty, and prepared to die for its victory, Dark Link whispered taunts.

"You'll die. They'll all die."

Link charged towards him knowing full well he would do the same.

And the fight would continue. Even when striking the shadow, Dark Link would deliver the exact blow to Link. They ran in circles around each other trying to copy one another. Trying to goad the other into making the wrong move, fainting at every opportunity. It was a stalemate, and Link could feel his lungs swelling, his sweat
running down his face. Clash after clash of swords, Link could feel his arms growing sore, and his vision fading.

How long has it been? An hour? Two? Three? Who was winning? Or was it truly a tie? Couldn't he have simply given up? Wouldn't that be the same as Dark Link giving up?

No.
Dropping to his knees weakly, Link stared into the eyes of his demonic twin. It was an impossible impasse.

And yet, Link was determined to fight until the end of time, not just for Hyrule but for everyone in it. With shaking legs, he tightened his grip on his shield. He tore off a piece of his pant leg, tied it around his open wounds and stood tall.
He unsheathed his sword once again.
Dark Link was waiting, forever waiting, challenging him.

And Dark Link readied his cursed black sword as well.

As quick as lighting, Link charged at Dark Link, yelling.

Now was not the time for fear, for giving up.

Swords and shields clashed, sparks fell into the water, and even pressed up against a tree, the twins fought for dominance.

If he fell now, what horrible things would occur? Link struck time and time again, making contact with Dark Link's sword.
The swords passed across the faces of the two, silver sparks and smoke emanating. He pressed the sword against Dark Link's, the ear splitting scrape being the only thing between the two.

As he held the sword against the dark sword, he reached behind him and grabbed an arrow from his quiver and stabbed Dark Link's arm. Black smoke spewed as Dark Link grabbed his own and stabbed Link, a split second after. Link gripped his sword even harder, his teeth grating in his mouth, watching its crimson red eyes widen. They both drop to their knees, and Link pushes Dark Link back and plunges his sword into his leg, and Dark Link does the same. Both Links give off guttural yells, and Link pushes back. With his leg now burning, he readies his bow and arrow. Dark Link pulls out one last arrow, and Link pulls on the string, arrow aimed in between the eyes of the Dark Link.

In the next moments, Link releases his arrow, and Dark Link does the same.
In a move too fast for the human mind, Link passed the sword in front of his face, the arrow splintering across the blade, and bits of wood spray across his face.
Dark Link had his blade in front of his face, but was frozen. The arrow had struck its target, penetrating its neck going clean through and perpetually stuck. Dark Link was shaking, its shadowy body crumbling upon itself, smoke spewing out of its neck. Limping towards Dark Link, Link raises his Master Sword, The Sword That Seals Darkness, and delivers a killing blow to its head.

An explosive plume of smoke burns his eyes, and he loses his balance.