Fused Shadow

, also known as Dark Power and Forbidden Power, are quest items in . 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.
==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. 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. This is especially apparent in the Goron Mines where Darbus, the patriarch of the Gorons, was transformed into Fyrus by this sinister power. Midna entreats Link to recover the Fused Shadows in return for her help in his quest. 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 , 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 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." 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==
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In , 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==
*The back of Midna's helmet portion of the Fused Shadow contains an Eye Symbol.
*In an interview in , Yusuke Nakano said that the Fused Shadow piece on Midna's head was inspired by bronze pottery from the .
*The Fused Shadow appears in as a part of Midna's helmet, which is a piece of Armor exclusive to the first DLC Pack.
*While unconfirmed, it is likely that the design for the fused shadow was inspired by the armor worn by the villain Thulsa Doom in the film . Aside from aesthetic similarities, the E3 trailer featured a track from the film's soundtrack and the Hero's Spirit recites a line that closely resembles the thesis statement of the film.
==Nomenclature==
==Gallery==
File:TP Logo Graphic.png|Silhouette of the Fused Shadow from the logo of 
File:Shadow stolen.jpg|Ganondorf crushes the shattered remnants of the Fused Shadow
File:TP Midna's Helmet Model.png|The Fused Shadow worn by Midna
File:Fused Shadow (Forest Temple).png|The Fused Shadow obtained in the Forest Temple
File:TP Fused Shadow.png|Link receives a piece of the Fused Shadow from the Forest Temple, and shadow Midna comments on it.
File:Fused Shadow (Goron Mines).png|The Fused Shadow obtained in the Goron Mines
File:Fused Shadow (Lakebed Temple).png|The Fused Shadow obtained in the Lakebed Temple
File:Fused Shadow (Complete).png|The completed Fused Shadow
File:TP Fused Shadow Render 2.png|The Fused Shadow obtained in the Forest Temple
File:TP Fused Shadow Render 3.png|The Fused Shadow obtained in the Goron Mines
File:TP Fused Shadow Render.png|The Fused Shadow obtained in the Lakebed Temple
File:TP Fused Shadows Render.png|The completed Fused Shadow
File:HW Midna Fused Shadow.png|Midna using the Fused Shadow in 
File:MidnaHelmEyes.jpg|Eye Symbol on the Fused Shadow
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