Just a Dream

Fandom: Legend of Zelda: Four Swords (manga)

Characters/Pairings: Link/Shadow Link

Chapter 1: An Equal Decision

Rating: U - suitable for all

Warnings: None

A/N: Set after the events of the Four Swords manga

It was the usual morning; Link and his father were both competitive boys so their morning would usually turn into a race straight after breakfast from their house to the castle.

"Come on, Link! I'm going to beat you!" The General called, running out the door.

"I'm coming! Wait up!" Link replied, coming out second and closing the door.

Just after he turned round and ran a couple of paces, Link stopped as the whole atmosphere around him changed. The whole place began to turn as if he was witnessing a vision. He looked around, confused, until he noticed three boys that he knew stood a few feet infront of him.

Vio looked at him with a face of annoyance, "Why, Green?"

Blue looked at him with a sense of disgust on his face, "Why, Green?"

Red looked at him worryingly, "Why, Green?"

All he could do was stare at them, half in confusion and half in fear. Why were they here? Why were they just asking him 'why'? Why did Link feel guilt? That was when Shadow Link appeared infront of him, looking upset as he asked, "Why, Link?"

The sheer amount of pressure mounted on him caused the ground to crack and break open. Link fell into blackness not hearing his own scream but only them asking 'why'.

The next thing he knew, Link had woken up from the dream. He was sitting on a stone bench in the castle, leaning on his father sat next to him, who was eating his lunch.

The General looked down to him, "Ah, you're awake. Are you OK, son?"

"Uh, yeah. I'm sorry..I dozed off.."

"Are you sure everything's alright? You've been spacing out a lot today."

Link stood up and forced a smile, "Yeah, I'm fine. Don't worry about me!" He focused, looking ahead of him, "Um, Dad. I need to do something." Link swallowed and then proceeded to run outside, "I'll be right back!"

The General watched his son go, not saying a word, but thinking to himself what was making him act not himself lately.

Link panted as he finally made it to his destination. He bent down and leaned his hands on his knees to catch his breath. As he straightened back up he looked at it; the Four Sword which he had put back only a few days ago.

His unsureness was shown all over his face, but Link slowly reached his hand out to the handle, "I've got to do this!" He thought, "This had to be done!"

Link's fingers barely brushed the handle of the blade until he heard his father's voice, "Link!"

The General walked up to him as his son turned round to see him, "Dad!"

"Link, listen to me. I know something's been troubling you ever since that sword was put back. But what troubles me is that you worry about something and don't tell me about it. I'm your father, Link. You can tell me, I can understand. So, please don't make me scared for you again. OK?"

Link had listened to every word and he nodded, "You're right, Dad. I'll tell you what it is. It's not that I miss the others being here since they're inside of me. It's Shadow Link. He was a good guy but it feels like we just left him up there. I want to give him a second chance."

The General also listened, and then smiled, "Thankyou, son. You can go. I trust you."

Then Link smiled and nodded. As he turned round his face turned serious and he immediately pulled out the sword, splitting himself into four.

Red, Blue, and Vio hesitated their greetings as Green, which was his name for now, turned to them like a leader, "Guys, listen. We need to go up to the Sky-Tall Tower. I'll explain on the way."

On the command of those words of the destination, the power of the seven maidens caused a great light to shine down on them. As they rose up with eager faces ready for battle, Green looked down to his father.

"I'll be waiting for you, son."