Chapter One
PoV: Nobody
Chapter Rating: T
It was only four days previous that the great Hero of Time defeated the evil Ganon. But in those four days, much had occurred throughout Hyrule. For one, the Castletown was no longer full of redeads awaiting their next victim, but instead, filled with the boisterous people they once were.
But that wasn't the only change that had taken place. In just four days, the castle and the land around it was restored to its original, beautiful self- if not a little greater than before. It would not have been accomplished in so short a time without the help of the sages.
There was no large floating castle with a rainbow bridge over a lava pit, for sure. Much to Princess Zelda's dismay, though, the sages could not bring back her father, the King. So it was that she took over, ruling Hyrule from the newly built castle.
But throughout all these new changes, all this new rebuilding, one person remained the same. And that person was Link, the Hero of Time himself. He was faced with a choice that he wanted to think about first. The choice was to take up Zelda's offer and return to being a child again, to make up lost time, or to remain as such- a ten year old in a seventeen year olds body, or so said Zelda.
However, Link disagreed. He was not a ten year old any longer. After everything he had seen, he was even beyond seventeen. Would he retain these memories of so much bloodshed throughout his childhood if he returned? And then he had to face Mido and his gang again, and that wasn't what he wanted.
Besides, he wouldn't have Epona, on which he sat right now. His loyal friend til the end. Even Navi had left him in the end, left him all alone. She had gone away, back to the Deku Seed, he assumed. Link realized he was not a Kokiri long ago, and he had to face the facts. He didn't belong there with the Kokiri and fairies. Link didn't belong in his childhood.
"Come on Epona, let's head for the castle." The Hero's voice was relatively calm, stroking the horse's mane. He kicked her sides lightly with his heals and ushered her forward and across the large field.
Thoughts ran through the Hero's head, wondering if Zelda would accept his decision. It would not be fair, to go back and live his childhood while everybody else suffered losses. No, time travel.. it was too disorienting for him and others. He didn't want to go through that again.
So with his mind made up, the Hero of Time looked up, a determined look upon his elegant face. He gripped Epona's reigns tighter, determined to ride her through the market and into the castle grounds. He had that right now, for if he walked, he would be bombarded with people. And that was not a very pleasant thought.
As Epona galloped across the bridge of the moat, the guard posted there gave a small wave to Link. Everybody seemed to acknowledge him now a days, whereas before he defeated Ganon, he was just a simply fairy boy.
The thought brought back painful memories. He was no longer the fairy boy for he had no fairy. It pained him to know this, for Navi had been a close friend and a helpful guide. But she left him, leaving him alone. It was true that one look at the Hero of Time and you could tell he was sad, depressed, and even lonely.
It confused many, for wasn't he supposed to be happy that he defeated Ganon? That's what everybody thought, except him. Nobody understood what it was like to lose Navi. To lose a friend like her.
The Hero shook the morbid thoughts from his mind and simply steered Epona through the busy crowds of people. It wasn't hard, for most everyone made way to clear a path for him. And one brave soul had the nerve to thrust a girl towards him, "Marry my daughter, Hero!"
Link looked away, simply continuing onwards. He felt bad for ignoring it, but marry some random girl? No, they were just obsessed with his title. Because of his feats. Nobody except Zelda and Navi understood him for who he was: Link. A boy raised with the Kokiri and missed 7 years of his life.
Link's sapphire blue eyes opened as he dismounted Epona, smoothing the wrinkles in his tunic. He advanced through the main doors of the castle, everybody acknowledging him with a bow as he passed by. It unnerved the Hero, a lot actually.
"Link! It's so good to see you! It's amazing how much Hyrule changed in just four days, isn't it?!" A cheerful voice bounded towards the Hyrulian Hero, throwing arms around him in a hug. It was Zelda, of course. "So have you decided?"
Blinking at the suddenness of her actions and words, Link stumbled to regain some thoughts. After a moment, he gave a small nod. "I wish to remain as I am now. I have no desire to regain lost time."
Zelda's face went from cheerful to sympathy. "Oh, Link... Are you sure? You've suffered so much for a land which didn't do anything for you. You're very brave, Link. But please, think this through..."
"I have. I made my choice, Princess. Please, let me decide for myself." Link murmured, but then he lifted his head and bowed. "I will help rebuild Hyrule, Prin-"
"Zelda, Link. Call me Zelda. You have that right, so use it." The Princess smiled gently, hugging the Hero yet again. "I'm so sorry about Navi, as well, Link. If there's anything I can do for you, all you have to do is ask." The blonde gave the Hero a kiss on the cheek and dismissed herself- having to attend to other matters.
Link slowly turned and departed, eyes immediately looking to the sky once he made it outside. Epona was brought to him by a guard, along with a sword. "Sir, Princess Zelda requested you carry the sword of the Royal Family, as you will not possess the Master Sword in the future." The guard spoke, bowing low and extending the sword.
The Hero took the sword from the guard and watched him depart, not speaking any words. He looked down to the sword in his hands and buckled the sheath to his belt, opposite the Master Sword. If Zelda requested him to have it, then so be it. He could test the sword out, later. And he planned on returning the Master Sword later, for he wanted to just spar with it a few last times.
Mounting Epona, he steered her towards the exit, debating what to do. "Head for Lake Hylia, Epona. We haven't been there in weeks." Link gave a small smile for once, knowing that the lake was a perfect place to relax at. Perhaps he could go swimming, as well.
'I am alive? Where am I?' A hand with a black gauntlet stretched above the persons head. Ruby red eyes slowly fluttered open, staring at the dull ceiling above him. He had been stabbed; killed by the Hero of Time. So why was he alive?
'Shadows never fade.' The black-clad warrior thought, clenching his raised hand into a fist. The shadow of the Hero sat up, shaking the dizziness from his head. Was Ganondorf dead? Did the Hero succeed since he failed?
Pushing himself to his unsteady feet, Dark Link turned for the door and made his way through the underwater Temple. It was hard to find his way around, but he finally found himself in a room that he remembered as Morpha's. There was no water. 'So the Hero defeated Morpha? Or was he killed and then Master found no need for Morpha and killed it? If that's the case, will he kill me?'
Disturbed by these thoughts, Dark Link looked up. And that's when he saw a shining ring of light that extending into the air. Curious, the shadow walked over to it and stepped into the circle. He let out of a yelp of surprise when he found himself being lifted into the air by an unknown force.
Landing gently on his feet on some sort of soft, green material, the shadow found himself in a totally new area. He glanced wildly around, eyes widening. Everything was so... beautiful compared to that dank temple! There was beautiful water with trees that were alive! And live fish that weren't monsters swimming in the water.
And as he looked around, he noticed some sort of plaque, and then a raised marble slab with some sort of mark on it. His deep red eyes glanced around some more and noticed a bridge and two buildings. He also saw a small field where some sort of thing attached to a stick was.
Fascinated by what he saw, Dark Link moved over to the edge of the small island and knelt down. He watched as a few fish swam back and forth. And he could see so far down into the perfectly clear water! The bottom of the Lake was completely visible! But as the shadow stood up again, the thing he found most fascinating was above.
The sky. It was as blue as the water with white puffy things floating high above. They seemed to look almost lazy as they drifted in the wind. And they looked so soft, Dark wondered what they were. He had never seen the sky before, so this was a unique experience.
However, the shadow didn't realize that he wasn't exactly alone. Approaching from Dark Link's right, to the east, Epona and Link jumped the gates. They were coming, and quickly.
Yay! XD Chapter one, everybody. How is it? Good? Bad? Review, dammit! Also yay, Dark made his appearance! And don't worrrrryyyy, everything will be explained in the future why he's still alive and all that wonderful stuff. :3
And I'm sure you're all awaiting the lemon that I've planned for the future. However, since I don't plan too far ahead, I can't say how long this will be nor can I say how many lemons there will be. XD (Note that there will probably be more than one… :O)
Well anyway, hope you liked this chapter! I know I did! Especially with all the detail. Curse my inability to make chapters longer! I'm sorry.. Urgh. Well, anyway, ta ta for now! Time to go back to playing OoT for the bazilionth time. XD Well, mainly just saving before fighting Dark and then fighting him over and over again. XD Hehe.