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Hey there, everyone, this is Ten ways to spoil with another Zelda game theory.
This theory centers on a popular villain of the series: Dark Link.
Though his first incarnation appeared in Zelda II, Link's Adventure,
as the final boss
he's probably most known for being the mini boss in the water temple
He has appeared in numerous Zelda titles over the years,
and has garnered quite a...
...Fanbase.
Fangirls aside, Dark Link is one of the most interesting characters in Zelda
despite little being known about his character
In Link's Adventure
Dark Link appears at the end of the game as a final test for Link to face before he
can earn the Triforce of Courage and revive the sleeping princes Zelda
as far as we can tell from the story, that's all Dark Link is: a challenge
This is very similar in concept to the battle between Link and Dark Link in
Ocarina of Time.
When you enter the miniboss chamber in Ocarina of Time there's an isolated island
in the middle of a desolate room.
The only other person in the room is Dark Link
There's no story, there's no context
Just a fight between Link and his shadow
These are the only two real major appearances of Dark Link. Now, I know what some of you are thinking...
"Dark Link also appeared in the four swords games!" However...
The Dark Link that appeared in Ocarina of Time and Zelda II is not the same being
that was shown in those games
The being in Four Swords is Shadow Link, and he is
different in more than just name.
aside from his behavior -- shown to be more of a trickster, akin to the Skull Kid --
he also has an established back story.
Shadow Link was created by Ganon using the Dark Mirror.
This means that Dark Link is a different entity, as, according to the
"official"
Nintendo Timeline
Shadow Link was created after the appearance of Dark Link in Ocarina of Time. While I may have some qualms with the official timeline
I do believe Ocarina of Time
takes place before Four Swords
and that creates some problem for Shadow Link and Dark Link
So, where did Dark Link come from? Well, since Ocarina of Time was the first zelda to feature
Dark Link, let's start there
I may have a habit of reading too much into things, but I believe Dark Link is meant
to have a higher purpose than to simply fight Link in the middle of a temple
he isn't just a test for the hero
he's the test
of a hero
he's symbolic of overcoming one's own personal demons
And the evil's on the inside.
However, Link is holding the Master Sword
the blade of evil's bane
Link is rarely shown to have any hatred in him
He's a good person in just about every incarnation.
However since it has been reincarnated
it is possible that every Link still retains some level of individuality.
Every Link has their own set of personality traits.
There's a nature versus nurture element, so
in Ocarina of Time,
Link is different than other Link's because he has a certain amount of
negativity in him.
Take for example when he firsts meets Nabooru in the Spirit Temple.
When she asks if he is working for Ganondorf, one of Link's reply options is
"I hate Ganondorf."
Now, Link has every right to hate Ganon, knowing all he's going to do in the future.
but look at this situation.
She just asked if he worked for him.
Link could just as easily have said no.
Instead
he can say that he hates Ganon, which comes off as a pretty spiteful thing for a kid to say
when he's out to save Hyrule.
Now, this is a minor detail.
But, looking at Link's upbringing, it isn't any wonder that he has some built up resentment.
He was raised in an environment where everyone was supposed to have a guardian fairy and yet
he did not.
Mido and his friends ostracized Link, leaving him with few friends.
After being pushed around for so long even with the spirit of of the hero inside him.
He might harbor some hatred for those people.
But he can't have those emotions since he's supposed to be the hero.
Whe he pulls the master sword out,
he has to have a pure heart
That is a consistent requirement of using the master sword.
Only someone with the heart of a hero can pull it out, and the hero already exists.
But if the hero no longer fulfills those requirements, what then?
Those negative traits have to be taken away.
Simply put, after Link takes the master sword out of the pedestal of time, all of those negative
emotions, all of Link's anger and venom, are drained from his body, but you can't just destroy evil
like that. Now,
maybe it was fate that this would happen. Maybe the goddesses saw this opportunity to test their hero. If you want to
add that kind of dramatic spin to the theory, that's fine.
But, whatever happened afterwards
the end product
was Dark Link. His anger and hatred became its own being,
and Link eventually had to face his darker self.
However, as seen by his multiple appearances,
you can't simply kill the darkness within your heart.
That ends another game theory from Ten ways to spoil dinner
If you enjoyed this video feel free to like it or leave a comment below telling me what
your take on Dark Link is. Thanks, and out.