"You're late," Zelda said flatly. It was nearly midnight when Link reached the garden, and she had apparently been waiting for quite a while. She was wearing a smaller version of Impa's outfit, the traditional Sheikah attire. "Did you at least bring your Ralts?"
Link nodded, holding up the pokeball that held his new companion. "Sorry it took so long, this tunic is harder to put on than it looks."
Zelda laughed. When she noticed Link's disapproving stare, she calmed down again, and explained, "I can't believe you're still so shy that you only talk to me. I mean, Impa and I are the only ones to ever hear you talk."
"That's a choice," Link said, pouting a bit. "Not so much with Impa, really." He looked around, but couldn't see the Sheikah.
"She's preparing to talk with my father," Zelda said. "I wanted her to see us out, but she said it's important for us to start our adventure ourselves." She placed her hand on a rock. "Help me move this. It's hiding a secret passageway."
Link pushed on the rock, surprised by how easily it shifted. He knew that he was stronger than the average ten-year-old, due to his time at the forge, but it was a large rock. He looked over at Zelda, who was wrapping her head in bandages.
"I can't have the townsfolk recognize me," she said, noticing his inquisitive look. "For now, you can call me Sheik, and my Ralts is Tatl."
"Ok, then," Link agreed. "I'll call my Ralts Tael."
"Sounds fine to me." She motioned to the now-uncovered hole in the castle wall. "Well, age before beauty."
Link rolled his eyes. "I'm only two hours older than you." Still, he crawled through the passage first. It lead them under the wall, all the way out to the Temple of Time.
The temple, while still in good shape, had seen very little use in the past decade, ever since Queen Zelda had died. People avoided it for many reasons, most due to respect, both for the incredible destructive force pokémon had, as well as for the history of the place itself.
"So, this is where the Triforce resided, right?" Link asked once Zelda emerged from the tunnel behind him.
"Close, but not quite," Zelda corrected him. "This was the passage to the Sacred Realm." She looked past the altar, deeper into the temple. "It seems the Hero of Time left the key in the lock, too. Do you see the master sword?"
Link looked, and sure enough, there it was. The sword that most assumed was a relic of times past was still seated in its pedestal, awaiting a new hero who would use it to battle evil. Laying against the sword was another relic from the hero's time: the mirror shield.
Both children stood silent for a moment, then turned towards the door. To their surprise, someone was there waiting for them.
"So, you decided to journey together, hmm?" Raru asked. "A brave choice, young ones." The sage of light frowned. "You don't know a thing about pokémon battles, do you?" When both kids shook their heads, he sighed. "I thought not. I should teach you the basics before you leave. Let your pokémon out." Link and Zelda followed his instruction, and Raru called out two pokémon of his own.
"This is Machop," he said, pointing to one, "and this is Croagunk," pointing to the other. The purple frog-like pokémon shuddered. "I will not let you pass until your pokémon defeat them. Trust your instincts, and those of your companions."
Zelda responded first. "Tatl, attack Machop, like you did that hedge earlier," she ordered. A small orb of psychic energy shot out from the horns on the pokémon's head, slamming into Machop, who started to flail its arms around.
"Um… Tael, do that same thing, but to Croagunk," Link said, not understanding just what was happening. Nevertheless, Tael waved his arms around, summoned the ball of energy, and nailed Croagunk. Raru's pokemon fell down immediately.
"Very good," the sage praised them, "but now it's my turn. Machop, use Low Kick." Machop ran at Tatl, but tripped over its own feet and slammed face-first into the floor. It didn't get back up, so Raru recalled both his pokémon.
"Well, that was a good introduction to battles," Raru said. "However, I intentionally chose pokemon that would be weak to yours. Future trainers will not be so kind." He looked at the pair of Ralts. "The move those two used is called 'Confusion', and you saw its effect on Machop. Pokémon may be confused by certain moves and hurt themselves in battle."
"Will your pokémon be alright?" Zelda asked, concerned.
"Of course," the sage said, laughing. "They have merely fainted. The professor at Lake Hylia will be able to revive them. In a pinch, red or blue potions will do." He thought for a minute, then added, "Why don't you take them, at least to the professor? He actually owns them, I simply borrowed the pair. Besides, he should be able to help you on your journey."
Link and Zelda took the pokeballs from Raru. "Thank you, wise one." Zelda said, Link nodding his agreement.
Raru stood aside. "Good luck, children. Do not forget that you can rely on each other, as well as your pokémon."
As they recalled their pokemon and left the temple, Link thought he heard the sage mutter, "We're counting on you."