Fused Shadow

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Fused Shadows,[1] also known as Dark Power and Forbidden Power,[2] are quest items in Twilight Princess. They hold the magical power used by the Dark Interlopers in the Interloper War, who sought entry to the Sacred Realm to claim the Triforce.[3]

Locations and Quest Purpose

The enormous power of the Interlopers was sealed away within the Fused Shadow by three of the four Light Spirits, under the order of the Goddesses.[4] Anything that comes in contact with the dark power radiating from the Fused Shadow is transformed, as were the bosses of the first three dungeons.[5][6] This is especially apparent in the Goron Mines where Darbus, the patriarch of the Gorons, was transformed into Fyrus by this sinister power.[7] Midna entreats Link to recover the Fused Shadows in return for her help in his quest.[8] There are three Fused Shadows that must be collected during the game and are held by the dungeon bosses Diababa, Fyrus, Morpheel, and later Zant, of the Forest Temple, Goron Mines, Lakebed Temple, and Palace of Twilight, respectively. However, there are four in all - Midna's helm is the fourth Fused Shadow.

Powers and Abilities

The Fused Shadows used to their full extent

The true power of the Fused Shadow is immense; using just a fraction of its power, Midna obliterated Zant, and when Midna dons the complete Fused Shadow, it transforms her into an enormously powerful spider-like creature, capable of piercing the otherwise impenetrable barrier around Hyrule Castle created by Ganondorf. However, the power of the Fused Shadows is less than that of the power of the Goddesses, as seen when Midna challenges Ganondorf and is soundly defeated. Ganondorf emerges from the encounter seemingly unscathed, crushing the fragment of the Fused Shadow that Midna wore as a helmet to symbolize his victory over her.

However, this may also be because the Fused Shadow's power may have withered over time. This can be assumed based on the damaged and cracked condition of the actual relic, and Zant's reference to it as "ancient and withered."[9] Also, though Ganondorf is unharmed physically, he is no longer in the form he was in when he fought Midna; possibly because she weakened him.

It is unknown what ultimately became of the crushed fragment of the Fused Shadows. In the end credits, its pieces are seen lying half-buried in Hyrule Field.

Non-Canon Appearances

Hyrule Warriors

In Hyrule Warriors, Midna wears a part of the Fused Shadow on her head. The complete Fused Shadow appears as part of her Focus Spirit Attack. When the attack is performed, the Fused Shadow will assemble on Midna, transforming her into a beast. She will then pierce her spear into the ground, returning her to normal afterward.

Animal Crossing: New Leaf

In Animal Crossing: New Leaf, the Fused Shadow appears as part of the Midna's Mask headgear.

Trivia

Nomenclature

TMC Forest Minish Artwork.png Names in Other Regions TMC Jabber Nut Sprite.png
Language Name Meaning
Japan Japanese 影の結晶石 (Kage no Kesshō Ishi) Crystal Stone of Shadow
France FrenchEU Cristal d'ombre Shadow Crystal
Germany German Schattenkristall Shadow Crystal
Italy Italian Cristallo oscuro Dark Crystal
Spain SpanishEU Sombra Fundida Fused Shadow

Gallery

References

  1. Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 124 (TP)
  2. "A dark power rests in the temple deep within these woods. It is a forbidden power." — Faron (Twilight Princess HD)
  3. "Among those living in the light, interlopers who excelled at magic appeared. Wielding powerful sorcery, they tried to establish dominion over the Sacred Realm." — Lanayru (Twilight Princess)
  4. "It was then that the goddesses ordered us three light spirits to intervene. We sealed away the great magic those individuals had mastered." — Lanayru (Twilight Princess)
  5. "The dark power you seek lies in the sacred grounds of the proud mountain dwellers. But already those grounds have been defiled, draped in shadow and seeded with evil. You must go to those sacred grounds and cleanse them." — Eldin (Twilight Princess)
  6. "A dark power rests in the temple deep within these woods. It is a forbidden power. Long, long ago, I and the other spirits of light locked it away. Because of its nature, it is a power that should never be touched by any who dwell in the light." — Faron (Twilight Princess)
  7. "But the moment Darbus reached out and touched the treasure...everything went wrong. He collapsed...and before our very eyes transformed into an unspeakable monster!" — Gor Coron (Twilight Princess)
  8. "In exchange for my help, though, I need you to gather some things for me" — Midna (Twilight Princess)
  9. "Did you honestly mean to take an ancient and withered power like this and turn it against me?" — Zant (Twilight Princess)
  10. "[...] I wanted to search through some image resources not typically used in games. So I searched in various places and eventually ended up looking at bronze artifacts from the Shang dynasty. I felt like I could feel life within them, and their shape and form were really interesting." (Art & Artifacts, Dark Horse Books, pg. 420)