Link opened the heavy church door of the Temple of Time. Wow was everything different. it was all dark and gloomy. He went up to a time rock, and slashed it with his sword.

"The time is 10:31." The rock rang out, then exploded into space. 10:31? And it was so dark out? Something had to be terribly wrong. Link crossed into the townsquare, and there were these brown men standing all around. Some of them were slumping, some walking, and others just stood still. Something about them gave Link the creeps. He sauntered over to the them, and he realized they were zombies! He pulled out his sword, and began slashing all around him, to protect himself, but they were closing in. There were three zombies all around him, and he felt powerless. He slashed one zombie away, and it fell to the ground, making a groan that sounded like it was a zombie's way of expressing pain. Link felt bad for a second, then realized there were other zombies still after him. He began thrasing his sword around aimlessly until a zombie jumped on his back. He felt teeth sink into his head as the zombie began trying to gnaw through Link's flesh. Link screamed as loud as he could, but it was no use. There were no people, only these brown, disgusting zombies. Link used all of his might and knocked the zombie off. He was bleeding and hurt very bad, so he took off running. Once he was out of the way of the zombies, he went in his pack in search of something that could heal him. He found nothing, so he realized that he had to keep going. He dragged himself close to what used to be the drawbridge that connected the town to the rest of the world. The bridge was broken into little smithereens and things were definitely not how he remembered them. how could so many things happen in only seven years? He realized he needed to take a break because there was no way he could find himself crawling over the broken bridge in his state. But with the zombies around, he was not safe where he was at. The was a small door to his left. He went over to it and wrapped on it lightly. No one answered so he turned the doorknob. This door was familiar, he used to come cause mayhem here when he was younger. There were a bunch of terra cotta pots that he would break open and occasionally find rubies in there. But when he stepped in, things were different. There was an old man sitting on a bed, in a cloak. Link gasped.

"I'm so sorry, I had no idea that anyone was in here."

"It's ok child. You interested in ghosts?" The old man grinned at Link.

Link shrugged. "I used to go hunt them at the graveyard. I never found anything good though."

"Well come over here, I have some nice ones for you to look at."

Link shrugged again. What harm could it do him? He wasn't well enough to fight, or climb over the bridge. And who knows, maybe one of these ghosts could help him heal faster. The old man held out three jars.

"If you want one, they are three ruppees. I can't tell you anything about them though. That's why I sell them so cheap. You buy what you get."

Link picked up the middle ghost jar, and handed the old man three ruppees. He opened the lid on a jar and the ghost flew out.

"It flew away!" The old man yelled. "Poor boy. You'll have to come back when you have some more skill. I can't just have my ghosts flying away. The old man shook his head and pointed Link towards the door. Link dragged himself out, he wasn't feeling much better. But he decided to crawl across the broken bridge this time, because there was no hope for him here. He started climbing across but then a moment of panick struck across him.

Ikkin! What if the zombies got her? He had to go back, but he wasn't in the shape to help her. But then he remembered that the zombies were probably too slow and could not climb up the steps or open the heavy doors of the temple. He had to go on. She was a tough girl, she could protect herself. He would stop back after he got Epona. This would be the best plan. He kept climbing across the bridge. He finally made it across, with splinters in his hands and a busted lip. He was feeling weaker. Once his legs touched the grass he collapsed in the midst of Hyrule field. But he had to get up, he had to keep going. He was everyone's hero, especially Ikkin's, and Zelda's. Oh how long it had been since he thought about Zelda. With her long, blonde hair and beautiful blue eyes. There was no way she would be interested in him though. He was just a forrest elf, like Ikkin; who was interested in him. He pushed himself to get back to his feet and looked around. He saw the barrier that surrounded Lon Lon Ranch. He knew that if he could just get there, that he would have enough strength to go on with his quest, and stop and see Ikkin on the way. He looked up at the sky, it looked as if it was storming. He knew he couldn't make the journey if it started to rain, so he pulled out his ocarina.

He seranded the air with the song of storms, but when he finished it began torrentially downpouring. He clambered away to a tree and sat under it. It wasn't storming, then why was everything so gloomy? He played the song again and the raining stopped. He looked over and there were red clouds every where. Maybe he was in for more than he had anticipated. What did Gandon get into while he was in the temple? He began hiking his way to the ranch, and he finally got there. He stepped into the gate and passed out. It was too much for him. He woke up to the farmer, his daughter, and Epona standing above him looking at him. The farmer had milk in a jar and was holding it above Link. Link reached out and the farmer nodded and handed him the jar. Link chugged the milk, and immediately had the strength to jump up. He felt great!

"Thank you so much!" He shook the farmers hand and mounted Epona.

"Hold on a minute, you have to take a course with the horse first before you take her. You need to know her riding skills." The farmer scolded Link and motioned for everyone to go out into the field. The farmer's daugther showed Link the course and he worked hard, and she told him he could leave. As he was riding out she only had a chance to yell...

"Be careful LInk! You are not invincible!" She yelled as Epona and Link leaped over the giant wall of the stable landing in Hyrule field once again.

"Come on girl!" Link yelled. "We're going to meet someone special." He hauled ass through the field and found his way to the bridge. Epona backed up, scared of the water that was sloshing around under the broken bridge. "Come on, Epona. I really want you to ride through the town." But Epona reared back and whinnied. "Fine, you stay here." Link dismounted the horse and jumped down. He ran across the bridge, past the zombies and to the temple. He tore the door open and ran into the temple. He found Ikkin weeping on the floor. He ran over to her. "Ikkin!" He cried out and turned her over. Her beautiful eyes were stricken with tears. "What's wrong my beautiful?"

"I'm too scared to leave. A zombie slashed my arm when I tried to follow you." She held out her mangled arm.

"You stupid girl!" Link called out, pulling the rest of his Lon Lon milk out. "Drink this and don't you dare follow me this time!" He handed Ikkin the jar, and she sipped, and color came back to her beautiful face, and her tears vanished.

"Thank you." She smiled, and sat up, her arm healed right before their eyes.

"You're welcome. Now promise me that you won't follow me again. No matter how much you want to, or whatever you're feeling, do not leave this temple. You understand me?" Link grabbed her face and looked into her eyes.

"Yes Link. I will not follow you. But I want to fight by your side. You know I was trained to be a warrior like you. We come from the same place."

"I know, but this is my duty. I came into this mess, you're only here because of me. So, you don't have to risk your life. I do, I made promises that I must follow through. But I want you to wait here for me. If I don't come back, I will send someone back for you. I just don't want anything to happen, so please. Just please, listen to me." Link leaned in and planted a soft kiss on Ikkin's lips.

"I promise I'll stay here. But promise to please come back to me." A tear streamed from Ikkin's eye.

"I will do what I can." Link passionately held Ikkin with his lips, and let her go. He started for the door, but she wouldn't let go of his arm.

"Don't leave yet. Please, I want to give you something." Ikkin whipped Link around.

"What?" Link looked at her with a confused face. Ikkin smiled and handed Link a very small flower.

"It was the only pretty thing left outside in the gloomy air. I figured I would give it to you. As a symbol." A blush spread across Ikkin's face.

"A symbol?" Link look confused as he stuffed the little flower into his shirt.

"Of my love." Ikkin said, and she shoved Link towards the door. Link knew what she was talking about, and saw this as more of a motivation to come back.

"Goodbye my beautiful." Link turned around, but Ikkin was gone.