A/N I have moved all the stories from my previous account to this one, to make things a little easier for myself. I created a second account due to loosing forgetting my original's log-in information for a long time but have figured it out. I deleted the original of this entry and have re-posted it here, and plan to re-edit most of my stories soon.
Hello Everyone! So this is a fic that I was going to make a one-shot but after getting about half way through it decided that I wanted to make it longer.
Disclaimer: Although I own a copy of Ocarina of Time, I do not own Ocarina of Time.
The spider-like monster fell to the ground with a thud that shook the floor, and the young hero quickly charged at her. The parasitic queen barely had a chance to get up before the Kokiri sword was plunged into her eye for the last time; ending the long battle between the two. Link watched in amazement as Queen Ghoma's body began to slowly disappear, he let go of his blade which was stuck in her eye and took a few steps back as she vanished into thin air before him. The clang of his sword hitting the ground snapped Link back to reality and he had to shake his head for what felt like the hundredth time this day, again trying to understand that this dream-like adventure was his new reality.
However now he was finally done, he'd saved the Deku Tree. Stepping forward and reaching for his sword, Navi's voice cut the silence in the air. "Link! You did it! Maybe you aren't just some defenseless Kokiri after all," with this the blue fairy drifted into the hero's vision. She was just like all the other fairies in the Kokiri forest, except for her attitude and the way she flew around as if she were his mentor. The other fairies were all kind to their Kokiri counter parts; but Navi... "Hey! Listen when I'm trying to talk to you!"
Link snapped his eyes up to match the fairy's, she was once again staring at him as if he were a child. Granted he was, but Link felt like after defeating that giant bug she would at least accept him a little more. "Yeah.. Well we're done now right?" Link looked down at his arms, covered in cuts and bruises. His tunic had turned a nasty shade of reddish-green; the hero hadn't even noticed until then and he begun to feel the pain. Navi seemed to notice this and quickly tried to steal his gaze from his arms, flying down under his nose. Something caught Link's eye though, Navi didn't seem as fluent as she usually did
"Yup!" she practically squeaked, she always seemed to get nervous when he looked at his wounds; almost like she actually cared about what happened to him. Shaking his head again the young hero simply dismissed the thought. It's probably something silly that she's just getting worked up about. The cuts didn't feel as bad as they looked, but that may just be the adrenaline keeping the pain from sprouting. Navi continued, her high pitch voice sounding as sharp and loud as ever. "well, let's go! We have to speak to The Great Deku Tree right away, then we can be done with this and you can just go back home!"
Link rolled his eyes and watched her carefully, the little blue being was acting suspiciously but he decided to go along with it. Most likely she just wanted him gone; she didn't exactly seem thrilled that the Deku Tree had asked her to find the boy. Navi flew around him and pressed her tiny hands into his back, trying to push him towards a blue glow that had appeared from the ground. Link's eye spotted something else though, something green and he wandered to quickly go pick up the small pile of rupees before moving back towards the light. Never know when some extra rupees might come in handy.
Link stared at the circle on the floor and was about to turn around to go out the way they came in; but he had tried to disobey Navi enough today and knew that questioning this would only gain him a lecture from his little winged friend. Looking at Navi quickly to confirm he was doing the right thing, the hero placed one foot into the small circle before the other.
Link felt a rush of energy pass through him; it was like nothing he had ever felt before! The blue light seemed to pass through him like soft electricity through his muscles, looking down the hero watched his scrapes and cuts disappear; even his ankle which he had thought sprained if not broken seemed to go numb and then feel completely normal. As the light began to fade he almost wished it would stay, however soon enough his feet touched soft earth and his senses were assaulted by the open forest.
The smell of fresh leaves and flowers which he had been taking for granted before his adventure felt like a breath of new life on his lips. The warm and slightly moist air embraced his skin and muscles, forcing all thoughts of fatigue and pain to ease away. He could almost force away the memories of the atmosphere in Ghoma's lair. It was dark cold and wet, with a slight chill that could cut through bones. 'Never again' he thought, wanting to never leave this place.
"Young... Hero" the old tree's voice did not fill the forest as it had before; the boom of its accents had left leaving a soft almost broken cry. Link's eyes widened as he spun around to see the once Great Deku Tree withering away. The boy had not noticed the leaves falling around him or the forest spirits weeping in harmony for their loved friend but now he lost that sense of security; replaced with a heart-piercing sense of fear and guilt.
"Deku tree!" Link yelled, trying to keep open the eyes of wood that were beginning to close. "What happened!? Why are you not better?!" Link felt his chest tighten the same way it did when Gohma opened her pulsating eye and he fell to his knees. He looked around frantically for Navi knowing that the Deku Tree was her only friend; but she was gone. The boy spun his head back to the massive tree and saw the blue orb of light floating motionlessly in front of him. Link couldn't make out Navi's body although he knew it was her. She was covering herself in light as not to be seen and he knew exactly why. Suddenly all his harsh thoughts towards the fairy felt like needles in his chest.
The Great Deku Tree did not finish what he had begun saying to Link but I stead turned to Navi's orb and spoke quietly. Link could barely hear him through the depressed hum of the forest spirits. "Little one... Weep not, it is verily mine time to pass." He paused, and with no reaction from Navi continued after a deep breath. "Ye have been my most treasured friend young Navi.. Ye insisted on waiting with me… Whilst the others all left to find their Kokiri..."
Link slowly got to his feet and moved closer, his feet not responding as they usually did but none the less taking him towards the Deku Tree. The massive tree continued after a second saying "It is time now.. You know that you are to accompany the hero." at this Link's mind began to run with thoughts. 'Hero? Accompany? If he means me where are we going?..' Link was about to make his way into the conversation but Navi beat him to it.
"Great Deku Tree, I understand. I will take him." her voice seemed to be cracked, it wasn't its usual high-pitch speech and it wasn't the rare softness that the hero had heard. It was simply defeated. The soft glow around Navi's form slowly began to fade as she turned to face link, she didn't have her usual proper posture but instead was slouched over with her wings holding her up. It looked as if an invisible hand was holding her by a thread. Navi's blue eyes were pointed at the young hero and yet she did not look at him.
The Great Deku tree took back the spotlight as he turned to Link, speaking "Link… An evil man from the desert is the cause of my pain, You must stop him.." A bright light appeared in the Deku Tree's canopy and began to move down towards Link and Navi. "What ye see before you is the Kokiri Emerald. It is one of three jewels needed to find the only hope you have against the man from the desert. You must go next to Castle town, and Hyrule castle. You will find your path…" The Great Deku Tree paused a moment as the Kokiri Emerald descended into Link's arms.
"I am dying my young friend... From here on, Navi.. Will guide you.. Link.. Ye are not ready for this... And yet I must ask it of you, young hero" Link watch in terror as the Forest Spirit's bark began to rot and fade. Turning to Navi, he spoke "Navi the fairy... Help Link to carry out my will. I entreat ye... Navi.. Good bye..." The Deku Tree was still alive and yet he was rotting from the bottom up. Looking towards the sky Link saw that almost no leaves remained. The wood that formed the Deku Tree's lips was splitting and cracking.
Link was terrified, but deep down knew he had no choice. The wish of a dying friend was one that must be kept; therefore the boy nodded his head firmly. He had to be strong, he had to be brave. He had to have.. Courage. "Great Deku Tree, I will go with Navi and-" Link's voice escaped him as a knot made its way into his throat. The Deku Tree's eyes were sealed shut along with its mouth. The entire tree now was being engulfed with the splinters and rot leaving the once powerful Kokiri protector as nothing more than firewood. "And save you..." Once again the boy's legs failed him and he fell to his knees.
It felt like he'd been there for hours, unable to get up as he wept for the tree. Link did not know why, but for some reason he felt connected to the tree. Even though he had never seen the Great Deku Tree Link got the feeling that it had been watching over him for a very long time. Lost in his thoughts, Link clung the Kokiri Emerald close in his arms unable to let it go; but as he knew she would, Navi attempted to break him from his defensive ball.
"Link.." she almost whispered as she flew by his right ear. "Link I know that it's hard.. But we have to get going..." at this the boy clung onto the emerald only tighter. Navi, whom had been with the Deku Tree her entire life, was telling him that they needed to go. Link slowly nodded and rose to his feet, staring at the ground while doing so.
The boy turned his gaze to Navi and tried to give a small smile, not for himself but for her. "Navi," he whispered trying to get her to move closer. As she did he continued, "I
Promise you that we'll avenge your friend. We'll go and stop the evil that has caused this, no matter who I have to defeat to do so." thinking back on the dream he had had that morning, Link tried to sound strong but knew his emotions were likely slipping through. He was terrified.
The evil looking man on the horse he had seen, he was behind all of this. And he had to be stopped. Link's words seemed to work to calm Navi though, as the small fairy drifted closer until she was close enough to touch. Link extended his arms out to form a cup with his hands, and she simply fell into it.
Looking down on her Link sighed; Navi had passed out mid flight. Then he noticed something, Navi's left wing seemed to be torn. How had she been flying? Link always overheard the Kokiri saying that if a fairy hurt its wing it needed to rest. A torn wing could easily rip further and disable the fairy permanently. Link thought back, when did she hurt it? It could have been during their battle with Gohma, or even earlier. Link frowned as he turned to step away from The Deku Tree towards the path to Kokiri Village. They had both been through enough today and one night of rest couldn't hurt before they began their long adventure. Besides, Saria would know how to help Navi. Link slipped through the narrow path through dense forest and eventually got back to the entrance where Mido stood guard.
As Link approached Mido looked straight at him and blocked that path as he used to. "Hey!" the young forest boy shouted once Link was within a few paces. "What happened in there?! What's going on?" Mido gazed down at Navi, then to link's tunic which had been ripped up all along his arms and lower legs. The wounds had been healed but his blood still stained the green fabric. At seeing this Mido froze, unable to continue his verbal assault.
Link stepped closer and looked down at Navi as well, speaking quietly "The Great Deku Tree has passed. An evil man has been here, and did this to the forest." Mido did not reply. He only shuffled his feet in the ground a little to try and keep his legs from shaking. Link continued, "Mido I'm sorry. I killed the beast, but it didn't save him..." the young boy expected the other to hit him, or push him or something as he always did but instead felt Mido's arms wrap around his shoulders.
For once in his life the sound of Mido's voice didn't sound degrading but instead comforting. "Link, the others won't understand if you tell them that the Great Deku Tree is dead. I've been guarding this path for a long time now and I've seen the changes recently, the evil creatures and cold winds. I'll stall for you, but you need to go.. You need to find out why this is happening. The entire forest is in danger!"
Link nodded softly, that was already his plan. He had a sinking feeling that the Kokiri forest would not be safe as long as he stayed there, and that was not an option. Mido's voice continued as the boy finished "Not tomorrow Link. Now. The Kokiri already know something has happened and they will want answers. Here, take this." Mido stepped back so that he was standing in front of Link and held out a small bottle containing red fluid. "It's a potion, for Navi. Give it to her when you rest tonight. Her wing will be okay"
Link nodded once again and reached for the potion, but noticed some more red as he lifted it from the other boy's hand. Mido's palm had been bleeding. "Mido, did you try to come in afte-" he was cut off by Mido simply frowning. And Link understood; the two had been rivals ever since he could remember. "Thank you, for everything." Link said these last words and gave Mido a firm nod before moving past the boy. He pretended not to notice the tears that began moving down Mido's cheeks.
Link ran through Kokiri forest as quietly as he could, trying to avoid all of the other Kokiri's eyes. They were all doing their usual routines, however they seemed different, slower and more sluggish than usual. The biggest difference was the lack of music, the usual upbeat music that filled the open forest had been replaced with silence. As Link neared the hollow log at the opposite side of the village he feared that he would have to sneak past the Kokiri that blocked the exit, however she was not standing guard as she usually did. Every Kokiri knew that leaving the forest meant death, but still some were curious so usually there was a guard.
Taking one last peak at Navi the boy decided he may need his hands, and quickly slipped her under his hat. 'She's going to hate me for that..' he though as he moved into and through the log. It was strange, usually when looking through the log he could only see darkness but after only maybe ten seconds he was through to the other side. Looking back he saw darkness again where the Kokiri village should have been.
'There's no time for this now' he thought to himself and stepped forward see a long bridge over a small valley below. Everything in front of him was green, even the wood of the bridge was green from moss and yet one thing stood out amongst the rest. "Saria.." he whispered and she seemed to hear him from the other side of the bridge. Link began to step forward and so did she, coming together in the middle and simply staring at each other for a moment.
Saria's green hair represented every detail of the forest's life, bright and alive and even now when every other Kokiri wept she stood strong in front of Link. Her pale skin stood in contrast to her darker green clothing, making every detail stand out to the boy. "Saria, I..." Link couldn't find the words to say that he was leaving. Saria was his best friend; she was the only one who truly understood him. All the other Kokiri would live their lives around the fairy-less boy while Saria would work to involve him and play with him.
Link expected her to yell at him, to get mad at him but instead his friend simply stood there with her usual smile missing from her lips. Seeing Saria not smiling was harder for him than anything that she could have said. And yet she did speak, softly saying "You're leaving?.." Link nodded softly, trying to keep from moving forward to comfort her.
Saria's focus drifted down to the ground and she began fidgeting. As if there were something she wanted to say but couldn't. Link felt movement under his hat and gave an internal groan. Why now Navi.. Although as if the blue fairy understood, she stopped shifting around. Saria slowly looked up and green met blue, Link couldn't look away as she held her eye contact. "I knew you would leave the forest, because you are different from me and my friends." at this Link frowned a little. He always felt like he was different but didn't want to admit it. After the last day though...
Saria continued, stepping a little closer which forced link to stumble back. She was staring at him, as if trying to read him. "But that's okay, because we'll be friends forever won't we?" Link nodded slowly, more so trying just to please her than anything. He knew that if he left he may never come back. Saria suddenly stepped back as well and reached into a pocked, pulling out something wooden that didn't quite fit in her hands and held it out to the boy.
Link made a cup with his hands in front of him to take the object, as Saria put her ocarina down into it. At this the boy's eyes went wide and he looked up at the green-haired girl in front of him whom had never looked more sure in the time he'd known her. Navi was moving again, Link felt her lift the brim of his hat to see what was going on and he just hoped that Saria hadn't noticed.
"Saria, I can't-" Link was cut off as a soft finger was pressed against his lips. Saria simply smiled, and spoke "when you play my ocarina I hope you will think of me and come to the forest to visit" Link nodded again to her and she continued, asking "Link, close your eyes?"
Link was a little startled when Saria's voice sounded firm and demanding. He knew better than to argue when she spoke like this and simply nodded once more, closing his eyes and shutting out the green forest. "Good, now keep them closed for a minute okay?" Before link had a chance to respond, he felt Navi on his head fidgeting and wondered what was up, and then felt soft lips press against the tip of his nose. "Goodbye Link, be careful."
Link stood in shock in darkness, he knew better than to open his eyes and just waited for Saria to get across the bridge back into the village. 'She… kissed me?..." he thought to himself, his mind running like crazy. After a few more seconds the hero opened his eyes and blue met blue. He didn't know when Navi had left his hat but he did know that she was flying very close to his face and glaring at him. Link stumbled back, but Navi didn't let him get away.
She flew up to him again, with her tiny arms crossed across her chest and cheeks puffed out. "You probably liked that didn't you?" She squeaked, and Link couldn't help but let a small chuckle out. Navi looked so worked up, it was almost cute. She didn't think it so funny however and got close enough to punch the boy in the cheek. Link barely felt it but played along to try and make her feel better.
"Oww, Navi that hurt!" He cried stepping back once again. That seemed to please her as she relaxed a little "What was that for?" Link almost instantly regretted his words as she instantly tensed up once more.
Navi did not say anything; she simply flew over to Link and plopped down onto his shoulder. Then glaring up at him spoke "It doesn't matter let's just go" Link eyed her wing once again, wondering why she kept flying if she knew it was bad for her and it hurt. 'Girls are so weird..' Thought the young boy as he took his final steps across the forest's bridge. They would head for Castle town, hopefully before nightfall. But as Link looked to the setting sun he doubted they would make it. 'It can't be that bad in Hyrule field at night, we'll just find a nice place to set up camp' Thought the aspiring hero as his first foot left the forest.
A/N: Sooo... that's the end of the first chapter. I hope you enjoyed, and I hope you'll keep reading as I continue to post. Please leave reviews as they are very motivating.