 Ultimately , Link restores the crystals to the six palaces , defeating a strong guardian within each one to do so , and enters the Great Palace . After venturing deep inside , Link must battle a flying creature known as Thunderbird , followed by a shadowy doppelgänger of himself known as Dark Link . Link then claims the Triforce of Courage and returns to Zelda . The three triangles unite into the collective Triforce , and Link 's wish awakens Zelda . The game ends as they ( presumably ) kiss under a falling curtain . 
