Glancing around the large shrine, Link shivered. It was full of an evil energy, and was dark and gloomy.

I wonder why I've never seen this place before? That place in the Temple of the Forest... it wasn't there before... so why now?

Giving a sigh, Link noticed three doorways. The left doorway appeared to be the only one he could go through, as the others had iron bars blocking them.

No doubt they have electricity running through them. Stupid bars.

Walking over to the left doorway, Link stepped through it, and walked through the hallway to the door on the other side. Frowning some more, he drew his sword and shield.

"Navi," he muttered. "Get ready. I have a feeling this door is going to lock behind me. I'll need an analysis of whatever is hiding in this room."

The fairy flew out next to Link and nodded.

"Got it," she said softly. "I'm ready... let's go."

Opening the door, Link walked through it, Navi by his side. True to his suspicion, it slammed down behind him, electrified iron bars and all. Looking around, he noticed a pair of red eyes glaring out at him. A strange noise was emitted, and the shadowed figure walked out of the darkness, into the dimly lit room.

The last of the Deku siblings... if Navi and I work together, maybe we can--

The Deku suddenly lunged, catching Link by surprise and knocking him over. The little plant grabbed a sharp stone and pressed it to the Hylian's throat.

"What have you done to them-pi?" it hissed out angrily. "My brothers... where are they-pi?"

Blinking profusely, Link stared back at the Deku.

"We saved them," he gulped softly, trying not to make his throat move so much, lest his throat be slit. "They..."

Navi took over for Link, flying down in front of the Deku Nut.

"Hey," she said softly. "Your brothers were cursed by the evil power that has taken the forest. We broke the curse on both of them, and they asked that we break the curse on you... if you were cursed."

Its expression softening, the Deku took the sharp stone away from Link's throat, and let him up.

"I'm sorry-pi..." it sighed guiltily. "I got separated from my brothers when picking mushrooms-pi. When I came here, I was locked in-pi. When you both came in, I thought you had locked me here, and were going to finish me off-pi."

Link stood up, dusted himself off and shook his head slowly.

"No problem..." he said with a slight smile. "I know what it's like... when everyone is bigger, and a potential predator."

The Deku tilted its head to the side in confusion. Link sweatdropped and shuddered, recalling his adventure in Termina.

"It happened a few years ago..." he began. "I found myself in a foreign land, and was robbed by a Stal Kid. When I chased after him, he turned me into a Deku Nut. I was able to turn back into a Hylian again, thanks to a magical melody, but in order to save that land, I needed to do tasks as my normal self, as well as in Deku, Goron and Zora forms."

The Deku merely blinked profusely at Link's story, clearly amazed. It noticed that Navi was also surprised at this information. The plant-form suddenly sweatdropped, glancing back at his mushrooms.

"Oh, um... okay-pi..." it began. "I don't mean to be rude, but I would really like to get out of here-pi. I need to get these mushrooms home, and I don't like the way those eyes are looking at me-pi."

Blinking, Link glanced around, and suddenly noticed two eye switches. They had been hidden rather well, but from the angle he was facing now, he could see them. Sweatdropping, the boy took out his bow, shooting an arrow into one of the eye switches. The eye closed, and a treasure chest appeared. Walking over to it, Link opened the chest, revealing nothing but an old scroll.

It... doesn't look like a map... I wonder what it is?

The Deku Nut and Navi both stared at him as he began to read it aloud. Speaking in the strange ancient language, he re-read it aloud, but this time in modern Hylian.

"If light is where you wish to go..." he mumbled softly. "Take me, and one day you'll know."

Breathing an exasperated sigh, the Hylian shot an arrow at the other eye switch, making the iron bars raise, unlocking the door. The Deku bowed in thanks and hopped out of the room. Taking a glance at Navi, Link nodded and walked out the room, his fairy partner hiding in her usual place once more. Entering the main chamber once more, Link glanced around, noticing that the door on the right had strangely unlocked. The boy gave an exasperated sigh, looking down at the scroll he was still holding.

What's with the mystic words on this scroll?

Putting the scroll away, he walked over to the newly unlocked door, opened it, and walked through the hallway to another door. Drawing his sword, he walked through, and as he predicted to himself, the door slammed shut behind him, locking tightly. A strange growth began to occur in the centre of the room.

"Navi..." he said through gritted teeth. "There's something in here."

The fairy came out of her hiding place and scanned around. Looking over at the growth, she thought carefully. Suddenly, the growth shot up, revealing a familiar looking sprout. Navi's quick analysis was given.

"Deku Sprout!" she gasped. "It's an evil sprout of the Deku Tree! Watch it carefully, and attack when you have the chance! That growth on its head looks rather suspicious..."

Link frowned and held up his shield as the Deku Sprout launched a barrage of Deku Seeds at him. They bounced off the Hylian's shield, but the force of each nut hitting his shield was enough to knock him back with every strike.

"Unh!" the hero grunted. "He's tough! Can you distract him for me, Navi?"

The fairy nodded, and began hovering in front of the Deku Sprout. The plant took the bait, attempting to spit seeds at Navi, who dodged them. Link took this as his chance to attack. He lunged at the tree, only to give a surprised gasp as the growth on the sprout's head shrunk into its body, his sword bouncing harmlessly from the sprout's body. Its eyes glowing eerily, it spun around and swung a trunk at Link. The branch found its target, knocking the Hylian across the room.

"Link!" Navi gasped, before suddenly being smacked with a Deku Seed. "Owww!"

Link's eyes shot open and the Hylian glared in rage.

I'll kill you for that!

Deciding to try a new tactic, Link pulled his arm back, and with great force, he hurled his shield at the plant. A loud thud was heard as the shield connected with the evil tree, knocking it over. The growth on its head showed itself once again, and as the plant began to get to its feet, the Hylian had already launched himself at the sprout, his sword bearing down on the growth. Hitting with deadly force, the tree let out a shriek, suddenly splitting in half, before disappearing in a puff of smoke. A button switch appeared on the floor and the door unlocked.

"Navi!" Link gasped out, running over to his fairy friend. "Are you okay?"

The fairy opened her eyes and blinked.

"Ohh," she groaned, holding her head. "That hurt... but did you get it?"

Link smiled and knelt down.

"Yeah..." the Hylian replied, nodding. "I destroyed it."

Navi smiled in return and began to hover, flying up beside the hero.

"I'll be fine," she said, noticing Link's worried look. "Let's break the curse."

Nodding, Link stood up, letting Navi hide back in her usual place. He then ran over to the button switch and stepped on it, having a feeling he knew what it would trigger. With a sigh, he ran over to the door and opened it. Back out in the main chamber, he glanced over at the centre door, which sure enough, had unlocked. Taking a breath, he approached the door.

Time to face the source of the evil in the forest...

Swallowing, he opened the door and stepped inside the central chamber, glancing around. It was darker than anywhere else in the Temple of the Forest and Forest Shrine. He felt a chill go up his spine when he heard heavy breathing.

"So," a voice said ominously. "You finally made it."


Link's heart froze, and he could literally feel the ice forming on it. He turned around slowly.

No... it can't be...?

His eyes falling on the source of the malevolent voice, the Hylian's heart stopped beating, his eyes widening and filling with tears upon realising he was looking at his best friend.

"What's the matter?" the Kokiri girl smirked. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

Backing away a few steps, Link began to shiver.

"N-no..." he whimpered. "Not you, Saria... why?"

Saria simply smirked wider.

"I don't know why you're so upset..." she snickered. "After all, King Ganondorf wants you dead, and who better than to do the job than me?"

The tears that had formed began trickling down the boy's cheeks.

"But... you're my best friend!" he protested. "Why... how could you betray me?"

The Kokiri snorted, her eyes glinting eerily. They burned deeply into the Hylian male's soul.

"It is what my king commands..." she scoffed, drawing a small dagger. "This was fated to happen. Now shut up and stop snivelling. It's pathetic... and weak."

Navi flew out from her hiding space, her eyes narrowing. She knew something weird was happening, since before Saria had disappeared, she had confided to the fairy that Link and her would always remain friends. She frowned as Saria turned and walked away, before turning again, her eyes glowing ominously. The girl assumed a fighting stance.

"Prepare to die," she hissed evilly. "Nobody stands in the great Ganondorf's way and lives."

Link tightened his grip on his sword, standing motionless and heartbroken. Navi frowned some more and hovered in front of the Hylian.

"Get a grip, Link!" she cried. "She's possessed! You have to fight, and break the curse. If you just stand there, you'll die, and Hyrule... no... the entire world will be covered in darkness!"

The boy wiped his eyes and gritted his teeth together. Grinding them, he assumed a defensive stance, making Navi nod, before turning to Saria to analyse her.

"Saria," she began. "Sage, and spirit of the forest, possessed by the Evil King! She controls all forest lifeforms. Vanquish the evil darkness that controls her, and restore her purity!"

Link nodded, and went in for the attack. Saria snickered and parried Link's attack with her knife. As the boy jumped back, pondering what move he should make next, the possessed Kokiri held her free hand out, palm facing Link. Suddenly, it began to glow with a dark green energy.

"Time to die!" Saria laughed, her tone menacing. "Goodbye!"

The girl unleashed the energy, but Link countered with the magic of Nayru's Love. It absorbed the dark forest magic and made it disappear. His eyes filling with tears, Link drew his bow, and shot an Arrow of Fire at the girl. Saria dodged it quickly, snarling at Link.

"You'll have to do better than that!" she hissed in rage. "You're too slow!"

It then dawned on her that Navi wasn't with Link. Realisation set in too late as she heard the fairy's voice call out.

"Kaze no Yousei!" Navi yelled, summoning the power of the wind. As her attack command was obeyed, she watched as Link held onto his hat, and braced for the power of the wind. Saria wasn't prepared, wind whipping at her. Despite being caught off guard, she only got pushed back a few feet, before dispelling the magic, giving an evil glare to the fairy.

"You'll pay for that!" she hissed, her eyes narrowing to the tiniest slits. "Nobody sneak attacks me and gets away with it!"

She concentrated more dark energy and prepared to fire it at Navi, but she fell to her knees as she felt a burning pain in her back. Looking around, she saw Link, bow poised, with tears streaming from his eyes. An Arrow of Fire had been shot into her, and now the Hylian had an Arrow of Light prepared.

Saria... I'm sorry...

Link fired, the divine arrow striking Saria's chest. She clutched her chest and glowered at Link, gripping her dagger tighter. The Hylian approached quickly, sword poised, ready to strike.

"Forgive me, Saria..." he whispered, bringing the sword down on the girl. "I didn't want to..."

The attack landed, and Saria fell to the ground, weakened, the dagger dropping beside her, and disappearing into nothingness. Her eyes returned to their original colour, and she smiled weakly up at the hero.

"Thank you, Link..." she murmured weakly. "You broke the curse on me, and have returned the forest to normal. I'm going to grant you the power of the forest, but..."

Saria closed her eyes, tears beginning to stream from them. Her weakened and bloody body began to shimmer, as too did the charm that Link was given from the forest spirit. Saria's eyes opened once more and they locked onto Link's, a sad smile on her lips.

"I must give my life..." she began. "I must sacrifice myself to bestow you this power."

Cradling the shimmering girl in his arms, Link shook his head in despair.

"Saria, no!" he wailed. "Don't do it! Stop! Please don't! Saria!"

Saria's sad smile widened, more tears emerging from her eyes, her body beginning to fade.

"I must go..." she said, her voice cracking. "But I'll always be a part of you. Goodbye, my dear friend."

With those words, Saria faded and her energy was absorbed into the charm, before it faded into Link's body. As he felt his power grow, the boy heard Saria's final words.

"I will always be... your friend..."

Dropping his sword and shield, Link fell to his knees, tears flowing freely from his eyes. He began sobbing uncontrollably. He didn't even notice the blue aura that surrounded him, returning him to Kokiri Forest. He didn't notice the blood that began to seep from the palms of his hands, a result of his fingernails clenching into them. He didn't even notice the rest of the Kokiri react in shock as he slammed his fists into the ground and screamed up at the heavens.

"SARIAAAAAAAAAA!"