This fan fiction takes place after both the Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask. I tried to include idea's from both games, however if I will predominantly be using things from Ocarina of Time. I've recently begun thinking about the Zelda games again and how amazing they are so here I am writing fan fiction now. Of course there is an implied disclaimer that none of this belongs to me, but the chance of Nintendo reading this anyway is pretty slim so here it goes and enjoy.

Zelda: A Shadow of the Past

Chapter 1: Just Link? (Part 1)

"Where's your mother laddie?" the inexorable question was asked yet again. Link rolled his eyes at it and turned it over in his brain.

He despised that question, not because it hurt to be reminded that he had no parents like everyone else, no he had come to terms with that long ago. It was simply insulting to think that he had killed countless monsters, battled deadly enemies, altered hundreds of lives and even saved the world twice, and yet this one question could hinder him so easily. He reiterated his stock reply with as little indignation as he could muster.

"Ah, she's actually out of town with my father on a business trip. Buying more items for our shop you see." The large man gave Link a suspicious look as he glared down at him. Folding his arms on the table top the administrator replied,

"Even if ye'r parents were 'ere to vouch for ye' I'd still have trouble enterin' a youngin' such as ye'r self into a tournament of this size. Ye' see these are full grown trained professional fighters, they've got experience laddie, this ain't no game, ye' could be really hurt." Link held the man's stern gaze, as he waited.

Saying nothing was generally the best policy, makes them think that I know something that they don't. After a few moments the administrator's dark eyes shifted as he broke contact and let out a sigh.

"Alright laddie, I know I'm gonna regret this, ye' can't come complainin' to me when ye' get hurt. Sign the death waver and for Din's sake," he lowered his head and raised his eyes, "give 'em everything ye've got. Ye' must be desperate enough for tha' prize money."

Link took the quill and scribbled his name on the parchment; finally this guy had something right about him. He didn't particularly enjoy the attention of always being the youngest participant in these tournaments, but they really did pay well, and he did indeed desperately need the money.

"Alrigh', here's ye'r entrance slip, ye'r first match will be announced within the hour." Taking the slip, Link turned from the kiosk and began walking to the match-up tent, ignoring the blatant stares that he felt boring into him from all angles. While he had done this multiple times, he still hadn't grown used to the flagrant displays of disbelief and even hostility from the other contestants.

Just as he reached the tent a rather short man pushed passed him as he was exiting. Their eyes met for an instant as the stranger shouldered him and Link was surprised by his shockingly green eyes which were all that showed from behind his black mouth veil.

Link couldn't help but stare at him as he walked on until the curtain closed on the strange man dressed in black. Link soon forgot the stranger as he was forced to endure more questions about his parents and curious stares.

………………………..

Half an hour later, Link sat in the grass by the arena preparing for his fight. As he cleaned his sword he heard the cheers and boos of the crowds in the stands surrounding him. Despite his aversion to attention, Link did have to admit that he enjoyed the atmosphere of these events. The sheer adrenaline and thrill the pervaded the air was intoxicating and today was a perfect day for a fight, sunny with a tinge of a chill in the air. Simply being in the presence of such excitement gave Link energy, he felt like he could do anything.

He looked up at the fight in the dirt ring before him. Dust flew up in all directions as the two opponents circled each other, furiously pounding their swords into each other's armor and shields. The clang and clatter of metal on metal resonated through the air like the ringing of bells, interspersed with groans of exhaustion.

One blocked and stuck only to be blocked in turn. Using the rebound of his sword off his opponents shield the other man spun around and landed a powerful blow to the first man's back causing him to collapse to the ground in a heap of armor.

With such a mass of weight keeping his exhausted body pinned to the earth, his opponent had plenty of time to perform the signifying strike. He held his sword to the exposed neck of the fighter who lay prone on the ground and the gong rang out his victory. Raucous cheers erupted from the crowd and the match was over. Link smiled as he sheathed his sword on his back, this was going to be a good day.

The large balding administrator walked out to the middle of the arena and shouted in a booming voice,

"The next match is between the officially proclaimed master of swordplay in six provinces and las' years tournament champion, none other than Lord Hailer of Rindale," the audience unleashed the loudest cheers and applause heard during the day as they stood up to welcome their hero.

A young man clad light armor and a pale blue cape sauntered onto the dusty arena floor, his dark olive skin gleaming in the afternoon sun. He held his hand up to heightened applause as he smiled broadly to his numerous fans. Once the cheers had subsided the administrator continued

"versus," he screwed up his face and looked down at his parchment, "Just Link?!" he shouted.

The crowed went utterly silent with the exception of a few scattered murmurs. Link walked out into the ring, head held high, which wasn't saying much considering his height. The whispers turned to laughter as the people saw the scrawny looking youth dressed in strange green tunic and ridiculous hat. More absurdly, he wore no armor.

Link looked around at the people not taken aback but not exactly thrilled at his reception. This was by far the most mockery he had experienced. It's ok, just focus on the fight, you need the money, that's all that matters right now. The administrator moved his great mass between the two fighters and summoned them to him.

"This fight is ta' be sword fighting clean an' simple. No magic. Ye' understand?" Both nodded their heads. "Good, then begin the figh'!" he shouted as he raised both arms and moved away from them.

Link sized up his tall and muscular opponent. He had muscle but he also looked light and fast, especially considering his scant armor. Hailer however appeared to have no such need for these frivolities against Link. A scathing smile spread across his slender brown face.

"So just-link, how'd you get in this tournament, you sure you don't want to back out, your mother must be extremely worried." Link glared at him through hooded eyes,

"Look, I just want this prize money, so you can either fight me or make my life easy and let me take you down without a struggle. Either way, I've got nothing to prove, but if you lose, well," he swiftly unsheathed his sword and removed his shield in one fluid motion, "you'll have lost to a little kid."

Hailer looked mildly amused and continued standing with his hands on his hips in mock-superiority.

"Well you seem pretty sure of yourself, however I have a general rule against beating up little kids, especially when they're still in their pajamas." Laughter issued from the audience at this.

"Have it your way."

Before another word could be said Link lunge forward thrusting his shield into Hailers side. Instinctively he tried to move out of the way but still sustained much of the blow to his hip as he stumbled to the left, his sword flashing from its sheath. A sense of satisfaction resonated through Link as he saw uncertainty in Hailers almond eyes for the first time.

"Alright, you've got speed, I'll give you that, but you're going to pay for it."

Hailer charged with a lightening fast jab but Link blocked, spinning into him and landing a solid blow with the hilt of his sword to Hailer's side, right between the armor plates.

Hailer staggered again but wasted no time. In moments he was unleashing his full fury against Link, letting fly flurries of sword strikes that were becoming increasingly difficult to block and parry. Link continued defending, sunlight dancing on their swords and shields. Hailer landed a particularly powerful blow to Link's shield causing him to fall back.

"What, have you suddenly realized you're way out of your league now?" Hailer sneered as beads of sweat streamed down his face.

"No, just that you suddenly don't see a need to hold back."

"Impudent fool, allow me to demonstrate real skill. At least I don't hide behind my shield!" Yeah, you gave away your technique. Hailer moved in with a low swing but Link was ready for it.

Performing a quick aerial, he was able to not only vault the attack but gain Hailers backside. Lashing out with an inverted two-handed spin attack while in mid-air, Link landed a powerful blow to Hailer's thin armor, leaving it dented and tattered.

The young lord flew across the ring, hit the ground in a clatter of metal and slid through a cloud of dust. Link landed with ease and watched with satisfaction as the wounded nobleman struggled to his to his knees as he gasped in pain. He groaned and looked up in disbelief at the inscrutable boy who had just bested him. All guile and mockery had left his handsome face and was replaced with sweat and blood.

"You…" was all the Hailer could groan before he collapsed back the ground. Sweat ran down Link's face as he stood in the middle of the arena breathing heavily. He had all but forgotten about the audience until their defining silence magnified the beating of his heart in his ears.

Link looked around to see shock and even horror on the faces of men and women all around him in the shabbily constructed wooden stands. The satisfaction that formerly filled him subsided as it dawned on him that there would be no applause or cheers of victory. He had just crushed their hero, the embodiment of their hopes and dreams, how could he expect anything more than utter despair. He remembered what it was like to be a hero to people, losing wasn't an option and now he saw why.

Link gave one last sullen glance at his fallen opponent, his aids gathered around him, even some crying woman kneeling in the dust at his side, this was the price of being alone in the world. Link had experienced this all too often.

He considered all of the times he had been abandoned and left out of the celebration as he walked out of the arena to nothing but the wind in his ears. The celebration at Termina, the Kokari, the great Deku tree, princess Zelda, even Tatle and Navi, his two most trusted fairies. He'd never had anyone close to him, but that was the life allotted him and if the goddesses had anything else in mind for him, then he would find it.

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Ok, I cut the first chapter into 2 sections so that you don't kill yourself trying to read it all at once. So part 2 is up next, get ready.