The young boy shivered as he stepped into the seemingly empty room, glancing around. He'd noticed nothing out of the ordinary, but there were questions plaguing his mind. How did he get there? Even more importantly, why was he there in the first place? Taking a few steps, he pondered thoughtfully.

Why am I in this strange place? What is it? Where is it?

His thoughts went unanswered as he slipped and fell, the ground crumbling from beneath his feet. Giving a cry of surprise, the boy shot his hands out to grab something, finding salvation with the edge of the floor. Gulping, he glanced down, noticing clouds, which parted to show a very small Hyrule.

W-what the-? How... how did I get in the sky? What am I doing so high?

Suddenly, he gasped as his grip began to falter, and he struggled to keep hold.

I... whoa! Oh no! I'm slipping...

His fingers slipping, the boy found himself falling, countless thousands of feet to the ground beneath him, screaming all the way down. Just as he was about to hit the ground...

"Waaah!"

A loud cry echoed through a house in the Kokiri Forest, as a sleeping boy was awoken from his nightmare. Lurching up in bed, he wiped the sweat from his face. Glancing at his surroundings, he found that he wasn't falling thousands of feet, but was safe at home. Breathing a sigh of relief, the boy ran a hand through his golden hair, grumbling softly.

What in the world's going on here? Why did I have such a strange nightmare? I've never seen such a place before, but...

Trying to shake off his unsettling nightmare, the boy glanced out of his doorway. Kokiri Forest was peaceful and silent, except for the hoots of owls, and cries of other night birds in the distance. Shivering, the boy got out of bed and walked over to the door, looking out at the village. His sapphire blue eyes scanned the horizon.

No sign of any evil... but with nightmares like this, it's best to remain cautious.

Breathing another relieved sigh, the boy glanced back inside, over to his clock. He smiled inwardly, glad he'd brought home one of the Terminian devices, and reconfigured it to run on Hylian time. He gave another sigh, noticing it was still only just after 3 AM. His inward smile became slightly visible on his lips as his eyes fell onto a note that was taped near the clock.

"Saria," he said softly. His young, non-aging Kokiri friend meant a lot to him. He smiled wider as he re-read the note in his mind.

Link,
I'm so glad to have you back.
Navi has missed you almost as much as I have.
She regrets that she can't see you at the moment, but she has things to do, and feels it is really important to finish them.
I can't thank you enough for saving Hyrule, and protecting us all against evil.
I can't wait to see you again.
Love always,
Saria.
P.S. I will always be your friend.

Link's cheeks reddened ever so slightly as he read it over and over in his mind. He'd kept the note pinned up since getting it, four years ago. He'd always had a crush on his friend, but he and Saria felt it would be best if they simply remained friends. After all, he didn't want to risk the possibility of a potential enemy finding out and using it against him. Plus, he was betrothed to Ruto, the young princess of the Zora. He found that despite her bossy façade, she was really quite tender and caring. He knew that in just a few short years, they would be wed. Closing his eyes for a moment, the boy chuckled softly.

May as well just sit up and think. It's not as if I will be able to get back to sleep anyway.

His mind went back to the time he had saved Hyrule, and he instantly groaned. Sure, he'd saved Hyrule, but it was as if it hadn't even happened. Link was seventeen when he and Zelda had defeated Ganon, and the King of Evil was sealed inside the Evil Realm. Then, Zelda used the Ocarina of Time to restore them to their original time. Thanks to the magic of the seal on the Evil Realm, Ganondorf remained prisoner, allowing Hyrule to flourish. When Link had restored the Master Sword to the Pedestal of Time, Navi had departed ways with Link, saying she had some important things to attend to. Link waited for almost a year, but never saw his fairy friend. He'd gone to see Zelda one last time, before leaving. She had given him the Ocarina of Time, and bade him farewell. Link had intended to find Navi, but instead had got lost, and found himself in a new land. A masked Stal Kid had chosen to play his prank, having two fairy friends scare Epona, whom Link was riding, forcing the boy from the horse and into unconsciousness. The Stal Kid had then proceeded to take the Ocarina of Time, and play it. Link awoke, and after failing to attempt to get it back, found himself dragged along the ground, as the Stal Kid tried to ride away on Epona. He'd pursued the Stal Kid, but had been turned into a Deku Nut. However, with the help of one of the mischievous fairies named Chat, Link had managed to restore himself to normal, and save this new land from impending doom. He destroyed the evil entity that had possessed the Stal Kid, and reunited him with his friends. He and Chat then parted ways, and Link returned to Hyrule.

"Five years," he said to himself softly. "Five years it's been since I've seen Navi. Saria says she's okay, since she can talk to Navi through the magic of the forest, but now I feel even more an outcast. The Kokiri have welcomed me, knowing that I'm a Hylian, but to be without a fairy, after the challenges I've faced, feels... strange."

Leaning his head against the frame of the doorway, Link closed his eyes once more, giving a soft yawn. Reopening his eyes, he decided to go and pay a visit to Saria, since she rarely slept. Walking over to his bed, the boy reached underneath it, and pulled out his tunic, slowly changing out of his pyjamas. Adjusting his hair, Link reached for his cap, placing it on his head, he glanced over at his boots, along with his sword and shield.

I think I'll leave you guys here... I'll just be next door.

As if agreeing with his thoughts, Link nodded, departing his house. Climbing down the ladder, he suddenly felt cold. A strange chill seemed to brush over his body, and he didn't like strange chills. Shivering, he jumped down, and began to walk to Saria's place, giving a soft sigh at the feeling of the cool grass beneath his bare feet. As he approached his friend's house, the chill picked up. Although it was only slight, Link was beginning to get a feeling of dread. Arriving at Saria's house, he knocked softly on the doorframe.

"Saria?" he called softly. "Hello?"

Peeking inside, Link didn't spot his friend anywhere. He walked inside slowly and glanced around. The feeling of dread was growing. Saria was always at home, and if she wasn't, she'd never forget to tell Link where she was going, unless it was to the Forest Sanctuary, but there was silence all throughout the forest. If Saria was in the Forest Sanctuary, he'd hear her melody. Instead, he heard nothing. His heart began to beat faster as anxiety began to kick in.

"It's not going to work..." Link said, attempting to conceal the slight panic in his voice. "You're hiding... aren't you?"

His question was answered with more silence. Link began to get a bit scared. It was unlike Saria to be missing at all. Another chill passed over his body, and the boy ran out of the house. He didn't know what the chill was. Link ran back to his own house, climbed the ladder, and ran inside. Without any hesitation, he equipped his sword and shield, before remembering his boots. He had just finished putting them on, when...

"Link!" a tiny, shrill voice called out.

It was a voice that the boy hadn't heard for a long time, but it was back, which could only mean one thing.

"Navi!" he responded, his voice still higher pitched from anxiety. The fairy Link had parted ways with over five years ago had returned. Her eyes were wide, and it was obvious something appeared wrong. From the look on Link's face, she knew the question he had in mind, but the boy wouldn't like the answer.

"Something's happened!" the fairy gasped out, hovering over to Link. "I'd just finished advanced fairy training, when I suddenly felt an intense, overwhelming darkness. I tried to contact Saria, but I couldn't sense her!"

Link felt like he'd been pummelled by a thousand Wolfos. Had it not been for his bed, he'd have fallen butt-first to the floor, but instead had sat on the soft mattress of his bed. He glanced at Navi, his eyes appearing to tremble.

"Where?" the Hylian asked, although, his intuition told him he knew exactly where it was.

"It's..." Navi began. "...Hyrule Castle Town. The darkest region is the eastern part of town."

Link froze in horror, and instantly, an image of Ganondorf, the King of Evil, was in his mind.

The Temple of Time! That has to be it! It has to be... him...

The boy couldn't get that evil smirk out of his head, nor that malevolent snicker. It had plagued his mind for five years. Standing up, the boy clenched his hands into fists. Taking out the Ocarina of Time, he played six notes, waiting to be warped to the Temple of Time. However, he remained standing in his house.

But... I played the right notes! I should be in the Temple of Time now, but we're not...

Navi became a little edgy. Something strange was happening, with Link being unable to teleport. The melody was played perfectly, and should have warped them both to the Temple of Time. It would seem that an alternate method of transport to the temple would be needed. The fairy flew closer to Link, and gave a nervous smile.

"I'm sorry I took so long," she started. "But I'm back now, ready to stay with you for life. Let's find out what's wrong... what's causing this darkness."

Link nodded, but in his mind, he already knew what was happening.

Ganondorf... what in the name of the goddesses are you planning?

Exiting his house with Navi in tow, the boy made his way to the exit of the Kokiri Forest. As he reached Hyrule Field, he gasped at how dark it was. It wasn't pitch black, but it was dark enough for him to feel the evil emanating from it. Shivering, he took out the Ocarina of Time, and played another melody. After the notes were played, a horse's whinny was heard in the distance. Epona had heard her song and was responding. The horse made her way towards Link and Navi, stopping right in front of them with a happy snort. With a soft smile, Link pet Epona's side, slowly mounting her, Navi slipping into the pocket behind his tunic. As the boy gave a soft kick to her sides, Epona whinnied and began to gallop over the vast field of Hyrule, towards the source of the darkness.

It's worse than I thought...

Link frowned to himself. Closing his eyes for a brief moment, the boy tried to listen to any sound that the three great goddesses may be making, but heard nothing. He opened his eyes, frowning more as they approached Hyrule Castle Town. Slowing Epona down, he dismounted her and gave her a soft pet, before giving her a gentle smack on her rear, encouraging her to go back to Lon Lon Ranch. Epona obeyed without hesitation, galloping back without a sound.

If anything happened to you, I wouldn't forgive myself... and Malon would kill me.

Link stared at the entrance to the town, crossing his arms. The drawbridge was up, but not all the way. There was enough room for him to squeeze through. Taking a breath, he ran for the gap, as wings suddenly appeared on his boots, keeping him suspended long enough for him to make it to the other side. Managing to barely squeeze through, Link glanced around and shivered. It was even darker here, and over in the east, it was indeed even darker. Gulping softly, he ran towards the Temple of Time, and upon reaching it, entered cautiously.

"Navi..." the boy whispered softly. "Be ready for anything."

Said fairy emerged from her little hidey-place and flew next to Link. The two approached the Altar of Time. Looking up at the colossal Door of Time, they noticed it was closed. There was only one way to open it. Playing his Ocarina once again, Link played the Song of Time, once again coaxing the Door of Time into opening. He then ran into the room with the Pedestal of Time, followed very closely by Navi. They were a bit surprised when they saw the Master Sword was still in its place. However, something didn't appear right. The Hylian approached the sword, and wrapped his fingers around the handle.

This doesn't feel right... The sword is the same as when I last used it, but something feels... different.

Suddenly, he heard the sound which plagued his mind for over 5 years. The sound he dreaded, hoping he'd never hear again. He was there. He would usually have mentally cursed himself for not preparing an Arrow of Light to be fired, but he had already realized that any hostile attempt would be futile.

"It's you," he growled, without even turning around. Once again, the familiar snicker was heard.

"Of course it's me," the familiar sounding voice of the malevolent Gerudo King said with pure amusement. "I can't be sealed for eternity, not when I hold the Triforce of Power... and now..."

The Gerudo smirked ominously at Link, his next words sending a chill up the boy's spine.

"I, Ganondorf, King of Evil, have returned."

Ganondorf sneered at Link, mentally cursing the boy for having ruined his plans for total world domination. He began to slowly stalk towards him, his eyes narrowed, the evil sneer still on his face.

"I should have destroyed you when I had the chance, but I hadn't figured you'd have gotten so far," the Gerudo growled. "Because of you, I've been sealed in the Realm of Evil, but thanks to the Triforce of Power, I overcame the seal. I have you right where I want you."

Link gritted his teeth as Ganondorf stopped, standing beside him. The Hylian's fingers tightened around the handle of the Master Sword, giving a low growl.

Get away from me...

As Link prepared to pull the Master Sword from its resting place, his eyes narrowed when he heard the sound of Ganondorf's evil laugh. Oh, how he wanted to shut him up forever, but instead, he fought back his rage. He knew that if he lost his cool, he'd be blinded by anger, and his defences would be significantly weaker. But that laugh. Ooh, he hated it so. Ganondorf suddenly and forcefully clamped a strong hand onto the teen's shoulder.

"You overestimate yourself, kid," the older male said with a snicker. "You honestly believe that you can defeat me again? I think you'll find it hard, especially without the help of your precious sages."

Link's head snapped to the side, the boy partially turning his body to glare up at the evil king. However, his glare wasn't as powerful as the confusion in his eyes.

"What do you mean?" he spat viciously.

Ganondorf's lips curled into a malicious smirk, one which Link wanted to slice off his face. The taller male's grip on his shoulder suddenly tightened, causing Link to gasp out in pain.

"This is what I mean!" Ganondorf boomed, a dark energy surrounding them. The energy was so dark, that Navi gave a shrill cry.

"Ah!" she yelped, holding her head. "It's too evil!"

Link couldn't respond, as he was too focused on something else that was happening. He felt six familiar energies leaving his body, all giving a different coloured glow. He instantly recognized them.

The Power of the Sages! What's happening to them?

The boy cried out in shock as one by one, each energy glow shattered in a flurry of sparkles. As each glow shattered, his power decreased. The medallions which the Sages had awarded him were being destroyed, one by one. The dark energy slowly dissipated, and Link suddenly felt weak. The Master Sword fell from his hand and hit the ground with a loud 'clang'.

"G-Ganon...dorf..." the Hylian wheezed. Dizzily, he glanced around for the Gerudo, but was unable to find him. Dropping to the ground beneath him, right next to Navi, Link fell into unconsciousness.


"Link... wake up," a mysterious voice urged. "Wake up, Hero of Time."

The unconscious Hylian slowly awoke, glancing around dizzily. He didn't notice the surroundings, and last time he awoke to someone calling him the Hero of Time, he'd awoken in the Chamber of the Sages, or at least in a damaged timeline.

"Where... am I?" the boy mumbled, gritting his teeth when he noticed Navi lying motionless beside him. He was about to panic when he heard her tiny groan. The fairy sat up and rubbed her head.

"Ugh... that dark energy... it hurt..." Navi grumbled. She and Link both jumped when they heard the voice speak again.

"At last, you are awake..." the familiar sounding voice said softly. The voice sounded like a young boy, approximately the same age as Link. Stepping forward, the boy revealed himself, making Link gasp.

"Princess Zelda?" the Hylian wondered aloud, believing Zelda to have assumed her disguise again. However, he was in for a shock as the boy shook his head.

"I am not Zelda, but merely the essence of her disguise, given form..." The boy began. "You know me as Sheik. I am all that remains of Princess Zelda's power."

Link stood to his feet, Navi beginning to hover in the air. Both of them stared at Sheik, wondering if his words were true, or if he was just a hallucination. Link glanced around for a few moments, still somewhat confused.

"This is a place where time has no meaning," Sheik continued, noticing the other boy's perplexion. "It is a secret place within the Temple of Time. I was destined to remain here, and bring you here when the King of Darkness made his return."

The green hatted boy frowned, his eyes narrowing, but Sheik ignored him, continuing with his explanation.

"Zelda never believed the seal would be eternal..." he murmured. "Ganondorf was destined to return, since he had retained the Triforce of Power when sealed... and even though you possess the Triforce of Courage, you've suffered a great blow. Without the Medallions in which the Sages had given you, your power is only a small fraction of what it was with all of them."

Gritting his teeth, Link was about to take out his frustration on the wall, until he heard Navi speak up.

"What is the problem anyway?" the fairy asked. "Let's just go see the other Sages. I'm sure they can help us again."

Sheik slowly shook his head.

"I am sure you have noticed Saria's disappearance?" the Sheikah asked, earning an annoyed grinding of the teeth from Link, followed by a nod. Clearing his throat, Sheik continued. "All of the Sages have disappeared. As Ganondorf began his escape, his power radiated forth, and the Sages have not been seen or heard from since. Only you can save them, Link. The temples you once broke the curses on have been cursed once again, but your quest is going to be much harder and more dangerous than your last. To return to the temples safely, use the melodies you were taught."

Bringing the Ocarina of Time into his hands, Link stared at it in confusion. Navi glanced at Sheik.

"But we already tried using it!" she objected. "Link tried to use the Prelude of Light to return here, but it wouldn't work."

"Yes," Sheik instantly responded. "I know, and in fact, let me tell you why. Since Ganondorf was using his evil power to assault the Sacred Realm, there was too much evil around the temple. Not only that, but... the melody you were playing was not the Prelude of Light. It was actually the Time's Phrase. The real Prelude of Light has never been found. That aside, if you wish to return here, you should be able to, using the Time's Phrase, since Ganondorf's evil power has dissipated from the Temple."

With a blink, Link continued to glance at the ocarina, before giving a shrug, opting to figure it out later. Suddenly, he heard the sound of a harp being played. Turning to the side, he noticed Sheik playing. It was a sad-sounding melody, one which reminded him of the Oath to Order. He listened intently to its notes, before his thoughts were interrupted as Sheik spoke, though the music didn't end.

"You must not waste time, Link. You are Hyrule's last hope. I will remain here. Once you have provided aid to the Sages of Forest, Flames and Water, return to me. Good luck, Hero of Time."

Link nodded, and glanced at Navi. The fairy nodded back at him solemnly. They both knew their first destination, the Temple of the Forest. However, just as Link was about to play the familiar melody to teleport him to the temple, Sheik halted him.

"I have one more thing to say..." Sheik said in his mysterious voice, no longer playing his harp. "There are many creatures that roam the land, some of them which are thought to have only been a part of legend. Take great caution, as they may be out for blood."

Link nodded slowly, placing the Ocarina of Time to his lips once again and playing the Minuet of the Forest. Green sparkles formed around him, and as the melody finished, both he and Navi vanished, warping to the Forest Sanctuary, leaving Sheik behind in his chamber.

"Good luck, Link..." he whispered softly, starting to play the same sad melody. "You'll need it for this quest."

In the Forest Sanctuary, Link had used the Hookshot he acquired from Termina to bring himself up onto the ledge that led into the Temple of the Forest. The boy glanced at Navi, who nodded to him slowly.

"Let's go, Link..." she said softly.

Link nodded back and gazed at the ground for a moment.

I'll save you, Saria... Together, we'll rid Hyrule of Ganondorf forever.

Swallowing softly, Link looked through the portal that led into the temple. Navi looked at him, confused.

"You're going in, right?" she asked.

The boy offered a shaky nod, the two cautiously entering the temple moments later.