It is natures cruel irony that those who appear nice are often ugly and those who appear ugly often nice.

Dark Link mind was a haze. Through blurry eyes, he watched as his opponent raised his sword high over his head. He closed his eyes, not wanting to see it come down. Maybe, if he didn't see it happen, he wouldn't feel the pain that would follow penetration. He heard the high, deafening whistling of the blade cutting the heavily fogged air. He heard the familiar sound of metal plunging through organic matter, a sound he hated. But the shoe was now on the other foot now, and it made him sick to his stomach to hear it.

Silence hung heavy throughout the flooded room and a breeze of unknown origin blew softly around his face, chilling it like it always did. He opened an eye, wanting to see what part of himself had been run-through. He felt no pain, however, which confused him. He turned his head and saw the sword embedded in the soft sand beside his head. He looked up and saw his opponent staring at him with such bitterness and hate. Dark Link watched as his opponent pulled out the sword, sheathed it and began to walk over to the unlocked door, his footsteps echoing throughout the now empty room.

He heard the door click as it raised off the ground. He saw his opponent look back at him for one last time, then walked through allowing the door to slam shut. Dark Link sat up, his muscles sore from overexertion. He looked around at his room. It was dark, no longer giving off the strange glow it had moments ago. The island and tree had vanished, along with the strange rock formations in the distance. He wrapped his arms around his knees and hung his head low.

"Why didn't you kill me?" Dark Link questioned out loud.

He knew he was trapped; he couldn't escape. That door was the only exit, and it had relocked itself. He felt the hot tears rolling down his face, something that never happened to him before. He clenched his eyes shut and screamed as loudly as he could. The echo of his outburst vibrated off the walls, making feel more separated from the outside. He sighed as he wiped away the tears.

"What will I do? I'll go crazy if I stay in here..." He whispered.

He stared at the door, noting the intricate details the creators of this temple had painstakingly put into it. His adversary, long gone, was probably fighting the boss of the temple as he sat there, thinking about what could have been if he had won that fight. The shadowy core that was his heart ached for companionship.

"Even if it means we would fight again. I would rather fight you again then stay here alone until time itself stopped dead in its tracks....I don't want to be alone!" He shouted again, louder than before, hoping, praying for someone to hear him.

But it was not to be.

He stood up and walked over to where his sword had fallen, what seemed like hours ago. He picked it up and stared into the black sheen of the blade, and saw his reflection. He growled and threw the sword across the room. He hated his appearance; the evil gleam that was always in his crimson eyes, hair that was cut of pure darkness, the ghost white paleness of his skin. Every detail made him appear like a demon that would keep killing till none remained in his wake.

He walked over towards the door, that cursed door that kept him from tasting freedom. He looked at with hatred as if it was the cause of his misery. He clenched his hand into a fist, then struck the door as hard as he could. Over and over, the banging breaking the silence of the room. When he finally stopped his hand was bleeding heavily, his knuckles crushed in. He let his arm fall to his side. He knew it was a futile attempt at freedom.

He leaned against the door. knowing he would never see the outside. All he could think about were the descriptions of it his master had told him. The rolling plains, the deep lakes, and oceans, the vast desert, all these things he would never see. He felt the tears coming again; he felt so hopeless. He sank to his knees, his hands never leaving the cold stone surface of the door.

It was getting very cold and without the surface of the small island that had disappeared, he would die from hyperthermia. He shivered, trying to keep himself warm, yet the cold seeped through his wet clothes, chilling him to the bone. His eyes began to close, and he welcomed the death that would surely follow.

"Anywhere is better than being trapped here...." He whispered to himself as his eyes shut closed though it didn't stop the tears from pouring down his face.

He felt like he was sinking through the floor as his hands slid off the only escape he had. He didn't fight the force that was pulling on him. It was an almost welcoming feeling. It was warm against his chilled skin. He could hear a feminine voice whisper into his ears with a motherly tone in it that he would be alright. Dark Link felt as if a pair arms wrapped around him though they felt more like wing covered in feathers. Whatever the case it was, Dark Link leaned against it while tears poured down his face. Trying to get more of the warmth it offered along with the love it seemed to shine. Dark Link thought for sure he finally lost his mind as he felt whatever it was kissed his forehead as if he was a child. It felt like a mother comforting their child. Dark Link sighed as felt the warmth leave him while he stayed on the grass..........grass?

Dark Link opened his eyes only to close them as his eyes were filled with sunlight. Raising an arm to cover his eyes until he adjusted to the light he only had one thought on his mind. 'What happened?'

Dark Link stayed there with his arm covering his eyes. Finally thinking it was safe, he lowered his arm while opening his crimson eyes. His eyes widened when he saw he was no longer in the temple. All around him, he was tree's least that's what he thought they were the way his master describe them. The tree's were tall as they completely towered over him while also blocking off some of the sun? Yes, that was what the giant flaming ball was called. Dark Link glanced around everywhere then he saw something reflecting the light back over at him. Walking over towards the object, he saw it was his sword along with the shield. Dark Link continued to stare down at the two dark items before reaching down and strapping them back on his back.

'What forest is this?' Dark Link wondered. He heard his master telling him of the many forests. That was he said. He never told him what the trees of the forest looked like.

Dark Link thoughts were cut off as he heard a loud scream that echoed all throughout the forest with the sound seeming to bounce off the trees making it echo longer. Dark Link was simply about to ignore the scream but stopped and stared towards the sound of where it came from. All he could see were more and more trees. He didn't know why he was even bothering with the sound. More than likely whoever it was dead.

Do you know that, though?

Dark Link blinked a couple of times when he heard a voice spoke to him. Glancing all around he saw nothing. No monster or person. Where did that voice come from? Maybe he was already dead and he didn't know........or perhaps he had finally lost himself to madness and this was all a delusional vision conjured up by it. His master would have tortured him for even thinking of helping someone.

You master is not here.

That voice again. SO maybe he wasn't crazy. 'Who are you?'

You are your own person. Your master has no control over you.

'You still didn't answer my question.'

You can choose who you want to be. Be the person your heart wanted to be. Not what someone else wanted.

'I am made of shadows. I don't even have a heart.' Dark Link countered.

Silence.

'Hey answer me!'

Dark Link received no answer from the voice as he simply stood there only to glance towards the direction the scream came from as another one was heard. Dark Link stood there just staring towards the direction. 'I guess.....it couldn't hurt.'

As soon as the thought left his mind, he sprinted through the forest zigzagging through the trees towards whatever made that sound. The only problem was he had no idea where they were. He knew their screams came from this way, but that was all there was! Even if he did find them they would be dead.

Go right.

Oh so the voice now comes back. He didn't really trust the voice but the way it sounded......motherly? Yes, that was the word. It sounded gentle, kind, and serene. What was irritating him was the fact the voice was nowhere to be seen! His master.....was Ganondorf even his master anymore? Your master has no control ver you anymore. 'Who are you exactly?'

The voice once again didn't answer him.

Fine then. He would just find the dead bodies of these people or whatever their race was. Though what he saw kind of surprised him but not shock him. 'Interesting.'

Dark Link stared at three small horses.....no too small to be horses. What were they called? Ponies. He saw three little fillies. Was that the right word? Yes. That or colt. Looking at them, he could tell they were females.....why did they have such weird colors? Was one of them wearing a ribbon? Better yet, where was their master? Didn't the Hyrulians take care of their pet? Glancing over at what surrounded them, he saw wolves.......made of wood. What kind of monster would be made of wood? They would just break too easy. He saw probably about five of the wolfs though one was inching closer to the three while they huddled in fear. Wondering why they didn't just run Dark Link glanced behind them and saw the reason. A very long drop that would kill them.

Save them.

'They are just animals.' Dark Link countered as he turned to simply walk away.

They are scared......just like you were.

That caused him to stop in his place.

Look closer at them.

Dark Link turned and glanced down at the three again. His eyes narrowed, but he didn't see anything of what the strange voice was talking about. He was about to yell when he saw something. Not knowing how he could, he saw despair in their eyes along with tears.....the same feeling he felt in the water temple. He stared more and more.

Save them.

That broke Dark Link out of his trance. He still stared for a little bit before eventually unsheathing his sword and sprinted down the hill. 'Funny. A monster saving ponies from monsters.' Dark Link chuckled dryly. He wasn't sure, but he swore a pair of eyes were watching him with sadness......and love. That was just ridiculous. He was an abomination.

Reaching the first wolf he slammed into it with his shield sending knocking it away a few feet on its side. The wolves were surprised by what happened that one of the wolves didn't dodge the blade swung at its head completely separating from its body. The wolves shook off their surprise and started growling at the strange thing that kept them from their dinner. Dark Link stood in front of the ponies with his shield held out in front of him with his sword pointed at the wolves beside his shield. The timberwolves just stared at him not sure to make of this thing. Just looking at it was making them slightly uneasily. The timberwolves backed away before finally turning and running off. Dark Link waited until they were gone for sure before strapping his shield and sword back on his back. 'That's taken care of.'

Dark Link turned towards the three ponies only to see they were shaking even in more fear. Dark Link let out a big sigh. 'Congrats. I saved the ponies only for them to be scared more of me than the wolves.'

Silence.

Dark Link turned to walk off so he wouldn't have to look at the scared ponies with the two having a horn or wings......wait......what? He turned and faced them. Sure, enough they did. 'Ponies can have those?' Curiosity getting the better of him, Dark Link walked closer to the three causing them to shake more in fear while their eyes widened. Standing a few feet away and taking a closer look while crouching down. 'They do.'

Raising a hand towards them, he saw them tense up even more. "I'm not going to hurt you." Dark Link spoke hoping to calm them down. The opposite happened when the one with wings reared its legs up and before Dark Link could react brought them down.......right between his knees. His eyes widened considerably than finally registered the pain as he grabbed......jr with both his hands and falling down on both knees groaning in pain.

"RUN FOR IT!!" A voice yelled.

Dark Link glanced up but didn't see anyone but did see the three ponies running off while he continued to crouch down holding himself. 'I am not surprised at their reaction........but why did one of them have to kick me in the dick!'

”CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS POTION BREWERS, YAY!”

By this point in time, the village of Ponyville was used to the deafening trio of screams that suddenly burst out from the CMC-clubhouse. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo had seemingly thought up yet another plan to discover their talents and thus earn their cutie marks. Their ongoing quest was common knowledge among the villagers. The majority of them had already fallen prey to their different attempts to help them with their jobs and professions. More often than not, the results were disastrous. The young fillies always meant well, though, so the villagers took it in stride.

The crusaders’ plans were mostly harmless, usually taking place within the safe borders of Ponyville. But the fillies' plan today was anything but safe. Today, their quest led them to one of the most dangerous areas in Equestria. The great forest that was located just outside the borders of Ponyville: The Everfree Forest.

“Are you sure about this, Scootaloo?” Sweetie Belle asked somewhat nervously. The excitement that had filled her voice during her and her friends’ shout from before was gone without a trace.

“Oh come on! Don’t tell me you’re having second thoughts,” the purple-maned pegasus replied, skipping several steps ahead of her two friends. “Potion brewing just HAS to be our talent. We made that love potion during Hearts and Hooves Day perfectly on our first try!”

“First of all, it was a love POISON that almost ruined Miss Cheerliee’s and Big McIntosh’s life!” Apple Bloom replied, the memories of the two ponies’ gross flirting making her gag. “Secondly, while I think potion brewing could be our special talent too, I’m not so sure about searching for ingredients inside the Everfree Forest.”

By this point, the crusaders had arrived near the borders of the forest. None of them could recall how many times the adults have told them to stay away from it by now. Judging by the many nightmarish creatures that dwelled within, their warnings were undoubtedly well-founded. Scootaloo just gave her friends a mock laugh and continued on.

“Hah! We’ve been inside there by ourselves before while visiting Zecora. Besides, it’s not like we’re planning to go that far in. We're just going to get a few pieces of bark, some flowers, and whatever else we find.”

“And how will we ever be able to make potions out of those kinds of things?” Sweetie Belle asked. Scootaloo gave the young unicorn a deadpan look.

“If we could make a love potion out of clouds, rainbows, and pegasus feathers, I’m sure we could make something out of flowers and bark. Especially considering that pretty much anything that comes from Everfree Forest must be special or magical in some way.”

Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom looked over their shoulders towards Ponyville. Both of them were thinking the same thing: the huge scolding they would receive from their families once they found out where they had been. Apple Bloom’s sister Applejack and Sweetie Belle’s sister Rarity would be especially angry. Still, it wasn't like they were planning on looking for dangerous animals or anything.

The three soon heard growling coming from behind them causing the three to pause in fear. "Please tell e that was one of your stomachs." Sweetie spoke. None of them replied and slowly turned to see timberwolves staring at them.

One of the timberwolves pounced at them causing the three to let out screams as they turned and ran. The timberwolves gave chase after them. The three zig-zagged through the trees trying everything to lose them. Though nothing was working as the timberwolves slowly gained on them. "Hurry!"

The three fillies ran only to stop as they almost fell off an edge. They quickly turned around only for the timberwolves to block off their only escape. The three huddled close to each other while tears began forming in their eyes as they knew that this was most likely the last time they would ever see their sisters ever again. One of the timberwolves jumped towards its pray only for something to slam into causing the three fillies mouths to open wide at what they saw. A tall creature standing on its back hoofs with dark clothing and skin. They watched how it easily drove off the timberwolves. When it turned the three shook in fear as red crimson eyes stared at them. The thing just stared at them before turning and seemed to walk away than it stopped and walked back towards them. 'Its going to eat us.' Was all they were thinking.

The creature crouched down by them while raising a hand towards them causing the three to tense up. "I'm not going to hurt you." It spoke while bringing its appendage closer to them.

Scootaloo having a small bust of courage raised up her hoofs and slammed them down right between the creature where she saw it fell down in pain. Turning to her friends she shouted. "RUN FOR IT!" Her friends broke out of their shock and ran past the creature. The three ran to Ponyville. They knew they were going to get in trouble. But they had to tell everypony about that thing. Next Chapter: Chapter Two Estimated time remaining: 19 Minutes