Harsh Reality

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By Sailor Zel

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Disclaimer: I don't own Zelda and you don't sue, clear? (P.S. I got this idea from watching an episode of Charmed. This fic took some thinkin' and some work, please be kind and review!

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Koume grimaced as sweat began to form on her brow.

"Damn that kid, he's too fast!" she scolded.

"He can't keep this up much longer," Kotake screamed over the roar of Koume's fire attack, "we'll get him!" Koume breathed heavily as the kid dodged again and the platform was ignited in flames.

"Link! Look out!" Navi shrieked. Link gasped and brought up his mirror shield, the waves of fire glanced off the shining metal and struck the ice witch. She screamed in pain then struggled to steady her broom. The fire sorceress, Koume, narrowed her eyes and glowered down at her foe.

"No more fun and games," she hissed, "now you're mine!" Kotake sneered menacingly and armed her broom, her sister following her.

"They're ganging up on us! Link, your shield!" Navi shouted, fluttering madly around his head. Link crouched down and raised the shield. The intense heat and frigid cold of the two witches' attacks pricked his skin and then the two sorceresses released. Link gasped, the mirror shield was useless. The colossal rush of fire and ice sped at him, the two elements tumbling over each other and merging into one lethal weapon. With the force of a hurricane, the witches' attack slammed their prey into the reddish gold-colored stone wall of the temple.

"Link! Link! Oh Nayru! Wake up!" Navi screamed desperately. She stumbled over to him and tugged on the golden bangs. "Oh please! Oh please, wake up!" she whimpered, huddling up again his cheek. She had faired better than her partner had; though her rose-colored hair was singed, and bruises and gashes doted her little, pale face, she was alive.

"I told you he's didn't have much time left," a voice said. Navi let out a gasp and glanced up. The temple witches floated above her, she'd (for the moment) forgotten about them. She crawled into the shadows on her hands and knees and prayed to the goddesses she wouldn't be seen. Her broken wing prevented any escape through flight.

"Gannondorf said he wanted him alive," Koume asked, "Farore knows why, he's awful troublesome."

"Gannondorf has something special planned for him though," Kotake said.

"Ah, yes, well we'd better not disappoint him," Koume said, "come along, so-called Hero of Time." Koume waved her hands, tracing invisible symbols in the air, and a bright light engulfed Link's body. The light was faint at first, then blazed into a blinding radiance, and finally vanished from sight. The witches cackled and disappeared leaving Navi alone in the empty room. The tiny fairy quivered as the numbing silence settled over her.

"Link…I've gotta get help!" she said, she opened her transparent wings and shuddered as a sharp pain stabbed her back and shoulders. "No good," she told herself, closing them up again, "I can't fly, I'll have to go on foot." The concept of maneuvered her way through the gigantic temple on foot frightened her. She'd never been so vulnerable to attack before. She clutched her arms to her chest and slowly began walking to, hopefully, the door.

* * *

"Link? Link? Wake up, honey, it's me," a soft voice woke him gently from sleep. Link tentatively opened his eyes and a face floated into view. An oval, pale face framed by long blond hair with sapphire blue eyes, a short, straight nose, and perfect, rose-shaped lips. Link blinked up at her, it was simply impossible and it just could not be.

"Zelda?" he whispered. She smiled warmly and kissed his cheek.

"Uh-huh, I came to see you. Just like I promised," she said. Confusion swept over him, befuddling Link's senses. What was she doing out of hiding? Surely she knew the risks of being out in the open.

"What are you doing?" he asked, "he'll find you!"

Zelda frowned, perplexed, and curled her hand around his.

"Who?" she asked furrowing her brow.

"Gannondorf!" Link told her. Zelda frowned again and released her hold on his hand. She stood up and turned her back to him, rubbing her temples.

"Please, Link," she said, glaring down at the floor, "not that again." Link looked around the room for the first time; the walls were an off-white color and lined by neatly made beds.

"Where am I?" he asked as Zelda met his gaze.

"You're here…at the sanatorium," she said.

"Sanatorium?" he repeated, feeling dazed.

"Yes," Zelda said, "the Three Triangles Sanatorium."

"Are we still in Hyrule?" he asked. Zelda shook her head; worry was etched across her face.

"No, Link," she said in a dark tone, "we're in Boston, Massachusetts, the city were you grew up, don't you remember?"

Confusion was a feeling Link wasn't very fond of, but unfortunately it was all he was feeling now.

"Boston?" he said to himself. He glanced across the room at Zelda. She was staring intently down at the ground, gripping the beaded handle of her satchel. She wore a blue denim skirt and jacket, with a tight-fitting white blouse underneath and her hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail. Zelda smiled again and knell beside the bed.

"Excuse me, miss?"

Link froze, the tone of the voice was deep and harsh and very familiar.

"Good afternoon, Dr. Dragmire," Zelda said, rising to her feet. The tall man, clad in the long white jacket, nodded and gave her a pleasant smile.

"Wonderful to see you again, Ms. Kinnian," he said, "if you will, I'd like to have a word with you."

"Of course," Zelda said calmly, "I'll be right back." She quickly turned on her heel and exited the room.

"How are you today, Ms. Kinnian?" Dragmire asked.

"A little stressed," Zelda told him, "why is he in the recovery room?"

"Oh, he had another one of his…episodes," Dragmire said.

"What happened?" Zelda asked, concerned.

"Well, we're certain he began to hallucinate…"

"And?"

"He threw himself into a wall."

"Oh my god," Zelda gasped, Dragmire placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"You have nothing to fret over," Dragmire reassured her, "Link is in good hands but I do hate having to restrain him, but you see it's for his own safety."

"I know and I'm sorry our payment's late," Zelda said, once more staring at the floor.

"Ms. Kinnian, I'll not hear another word, it's my duty and profession to help people. Besides seeing one of my patients walk out of this clinic happy, healthy, and sane is payment enough," he told her. Zelda sighed, "I just wish I could repay you."

"Hush, visiting hours are almost over, you'd best say your good-byes or you'll worry him," Dragmire said. Zelda nodded and stepped back inside the room.

"Link, baby, I have to go," she said softly, "but I promise as soon as I get off work tomorrow, I'll be by and see you." She gingerly kissed his forehead and left, leaving Link alone and baffled by the whole encounter. Zelda waved and was gone, her perfume still lingering in air.

* * *

Navi suffled along slowly, she had developed a painful limp in her right leg. She let out a long sigh and plopped on the ground, exhausted.

"This temple is so much bigger from down here," she moaned, glaring up at the pillars that suddenly seemed stories high. She groaned again and managed to stand. "I've got to help Link," she told herself, "I've gotta go get help."

* * *

Link tugged feebly on the leather binds but to avail. He'd been moved to the basement of the clinic.

"I don't understand it," he said aloud, "where am I?" This strange world puzzled him, he could hear roaring outside and sometimes see vehicles rush by the open window. Zelda had called this mysterious place "Boston".

"Well hello Link, how are you feeling?" Dragmire said upon his entry.

"You!" Link shouted, yanking at the manacles, "what are you up too, Gannondorf!" Dragmire sighed and eyed Link.

"I'm not up to anything, I'm merely making my rounds," he said confidently.

"What is this?" Link demanded, "another one of your deceptions?"

"I am not deceiving anyone, this is reality," he said.

"Bullshit! I know! You're trying to capture the Triforce and if you think I'll let you, you're wrong!"

"Link, I only wish I could make you understand, I'm not trying to capture anything, I'm just trying to help you."

"Help me?! Why in Din's name would you want to help me?!" Link shouted, wrenching at his bonds.

"You're not well, Link, and as your psychiatrist I want to help you get better. But in order for you to do that you must stop believing in these impractical fantasies, sages, Gerudos, Sacred Realm? None of it exists. This is Earth, Link, not Hyrule," Dragmire told him sharply.

"This is one of your tricks! You know damn well that Hyrule does exist! And the Sages are the one obstacle that are keeping you from getting what you want!" Link shouted.

"I'm not the bad guy, Link," Dragmire said peacefully, "true this world is full of villains but I'm not one of them. I'm trying to help you but if you don't let me and keep resisting me then I can't do anything for you."

"I don't understand it, what are you trying to get from me?"

"Nothing, I just want to help you, that seems to be what you're having trouble understanding."

"I won't believe it!" Link said stubbornly, "it's all lies! You're just playing with my head!"

"I'm not playing with your head," Dragmire said, frustrated, "and this is reality, this is the truth, this Hyrule you speak so often of, is lies and falsehood. And I prefer if you didn't involve the other patients in your little "hallucinations". Dr. Kit has brought it to my attentions that you've begun telling Navi Wicket stories? Is this true?"

"I dunno," Link responded.

"That helps, well please if you are, I want you to stop, understand?" Dragmire said abruptly. Link glared angrily at the ceiling, ever so often jerking at his restraints. Dragmire sighed and started to leave.

"I am going to be so happy when the Sages seal your ugly, lying ass away in the Sacred Realm!" Link shouted.

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End of chapter 1

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