A Race Against Time

"So why would the forest be under attack?" Talon was trying her best to hold on as Epona was galloping at full speed? "I mean, it's just a bunch of trees right?"

"It's more than a forest. It's a crucial part of Hyrule. If it wasn't for the Kokiri, you wouldn't have wood for your houses, or fuel for your fire." Malon looked up and swore she saw a tear form in the corner of his eye. Gripping him tighter she continued, "They must mean a lot to you? They raised you from a baby."

"Yes. Without them, I would have died along side my mother." Now tears were starting to pour down. "Why me, why take away my real family and then tell me to destroy an enemy I know nothing about?" Link pulled on the reigns and slid to a halt. He pulled himself together and got off the horse. "Stay here." And before Malon could speak her mind, he was already through the entrance and halfway across the bridge.

As he entered his home village, he noticed a person resembling himself. The only difference was he looked like a shadow. You could almost see right through him. "It took you long enough." The mysterious figured turned and with a smile added "Let's play a game."

"Who are you and why do you look exactly like me?"

"I am you. Only, I'm just not a goodie two-shoes like you. I was created from the darkness from your heart." He pulled out what seemed to be a sword out of nowhere. "If you can beat me in a one on one battle and find your friends before all of the sand hits the bottom" as if by magic, an hourglass appeared in his free hand, "then I will leave your pathetic village and never return."

"And what if I lose?" Link pulled out his knife and prepared his shield.

"If you lose, you lose your life." The dark Link rushed towards our hero and kicked him, hitting his shield and knocking him over. "Come on, you can do better than that."

Link strengthened his grip on the knife, struggled to his feet and proceeded to charge towards his darker self. He swung the small blade in a downward motion hoping to hit his opponent in his chest. Sadly this was not meant to be. Instead of dodging to the side or back, he seemed to disappear. But before Link could realize this, his dark counterpart appeared behind him, leaned in and gently whispered "How does it feel to have lost your whole family, to have been abandoned in the woods by your own mother?" Hearing, that Link stepped forward out of fear and anger.

"How dare you speak of my mother like that?" Again he tried to rush towards his enemy but yet again he disappeared right before the blade hit him. This time though, he didn't reveal himself. Link scrambled to find a real weapon but he forgot that his knife is indeed a sword in the hands of the Kokiri. He went into his old neighbor's house to see if he could find anything useful. "Nothing" He told himself. Just then he could faintly hear a voice.

"It doesn't matter where you go. I will find you." Outside Dark Link was kicking down doors one by one. "And it seems you are running out of time. I expected so much more from the one destined to destroy the future King and save Hyrule." By now he was only two doors away from finding him.

"Think" He told himself, "How can I defeat an enemy that can't be harmed by normal weapons and can disappear quickly?" He had no time to think. Once again, Dark Link rose up behind him and kicked the middle of his back. The force was so great, that he was knocked all the way back outside, rolled, and landed flat on his back. Now his foe was standing right above him. "Because I'm such a generous person, I'll lend you my sword and give you a free shot." He then shoved the dark and terrifying blade into the ground.

Link rolled over and reached for the hilt. "Come on. Time is running out." The hourglass reappeared and barely any sand was left. "Although there's no way you'll defeat me." Link grasped the hilt and shakily pulled himself up. As he pulled the sword out of the earth, it seemed to change. The darkness looked as if it was running away. "So you have the ability to cut darkness? You're still not powerful enough to defeat me." A smirk ran across Dark Links face as our hero finally stood up.

"I have no idea what this 'ability' is, but I will stop you." With his last bit of strength, he lunged at the other Link, pointing the sword forward. Just before the blade could enter his dark form, he grabbed the tip with his bare hands and pulled the sword from Links weak grasp. "Looks like you're out of time." Like a flash of lightning the blade was flipped and ran straight through his torso. He fell back and the last thing he saw before losing consciousness was Dark Link making his way towards The Great Deku tree.

Outside the Village Malon was getting worried. She then noticed what looked like the trees leading into the forest, dying. "What in Hyrule is going on?" She then started to worry. She jumped off of Epona and darted towards bridge. She came to a halt as she noticed that the bridge was broken. "I guess the bridge was connected to the forest." Quickly thinking she climbed down the half still attached on her side. Luckily she only had to drop a few feet when she reached the end. "I hope I don't get lost." Only thinking of Link, she marched on.

Deep in the forest, in the Sacred Meadow, Saria and all the surviving Kokiri were huddled together hoping the danger would pass. "I hope Link get there in time." Saria was taking a quick head count to ensure no one was left behind. "Where's Mido?" She looked around and he was nowhere to be seen. A little Kokiri girl spoke up and told her that she saw Mido heading back towards the village. "Ugh! Does he ever listen?" So she stormed back off to the village. "Everyone stay here, and stay quiet."

Back at the entrance Malon was deciding what to do. The other side of the bridge was low enough to grab, but looked weaker than the side she climbed down. She eyed the ladder that scaled the cliff to her left. "I have to see what's going on, but I don't want to risk getting lost in the woods." She headed to the ladder thinking if something happened there's bound to be someone roaming the forest for protection. She was right. The second she got to the top of the ladder, she saw a small Kokiri boy staring at when she turned around, the broken bridge.

"This can't be true." The boy paced around shocked. "The Deku tree can't be dead" He stopped and finally noticed Malon. He looked up and gave a puzzled look.

"What's the Deku tree and how can you tell its dead?" The boys look turned from puzzled to anger. "The Deku tree is the guardian of the forest. I noticed the forest dying and came here to check on the bridge. It's rotting because the Deku tree is dying." He turned and started back from where he came. "The bridge was made from his branches. He connected us to the rest of Hyrule. If you follow me I'll lead you to safety." He led the confused Malon through the maze of trees. One wrong turn and you could be lost forever. "Many have entered and some have never returned."

They eventually reached the sanctuary. This place looked untouched by death. Everything was flourishing. Bushes rose as high as she could see. Trees blooming fruits without end and what looked like a church in the back. "What is this place?"

"It's a safe haven for us." He walked in front of her and pointed out interest points like he was a tour guide. "Nothing can get in here. Technically you shouldn't even be able to step foot here." He continued forward but at a quicker pace. "The Goddesses must favor you." They finally reached the heart of this little sanctuary.

"Where is Link?" She grabbed the little boy and the worry on her face returned. "If the forest is dying then it must mean something has gone wrong with him as well"

"Get off me woman!" He smacked her arms away without any trouble. "If he's not here, then that idiot is in the village."

"Then take me to him." She began pulling him towards the entrance. "Are you mad? It's too dangerous. Saria can speak with the spirits of the forest; she'll give you an update on Link." He looked around in search for her but she was nowhere to be seen. "She must have gone out to search for me" He shook his head and giggled a little. "Why in goddesses name is she so thick headed?"

Saria had nearly made it to the entrance when what seemed like a little blue bug smacked her in the face. "What the…" A closer look revealed it to be a fairy. She shook her head before flying away. Saria yelled after her "Excuse me. Where are you going?" The fairy turned back around and flew up to Saria's face "I need to find someone named Saria. Link is in danger." She immediately pushed the fairy aside like a fly and rushed into the village. It didn't take long for her to spot Link lying in a pool of blood. She could see he was still breathing but she needed to hurry if she wanted to save his life. She ran to him and kneeled at his side. "Link, don't worry, I'll save you."

With bated breath he told her to go right outside just past the bridge and get the bottle of milk out of the saddle bag on the horse. "I'll be right back." She was gone only a couple minutes before she returned with a look of dread on her face. "The bridge is gone and there's no way else across." The little fairy had caught up and flew right up to Saria's face once more. "He was injured by a man that looked exactly like him." She looked down at Link's wound with the sword still sticking out. "There is only one way to heal a wound this bad. You must ask the Great fairy hidden somewhere in Lost Woods to help"

Saria leapt up and started heading off to find the Fairy "I'll find her, but could you go and grab the bottle from the hoses satchel right outside? He believes it may help. Oh and I never got your name?"

"It's Navi" No more words were traded between the two and they went their separate ways. It didn't take Navi long to get to the horse but she had the problem of carrying the bottle. She got herself in the satchel and rummaged around to see if she saw anything useful. All she saw were what looked link a robe, three bottles, some other sorts of clothing, and a bag of rupees. "That's it! I'll pour out the rupees and push the bottle into the bag. Goddesses I'm smart."

It was easier said than done. She had to push over a bag bigger and heavier than herself and push a bottle just a tad smaller over and into the bag. "Wait a minute. What if I run the bag over to the bottle" She didn't feel so smart now. All that was left was to find an easier way to dump the rupees. "There isn't much" she thought to herself "I could just pull them out one by one." Going ahead with that idea, she removed all the rupees and swung the bag over a bottle. Luckily it had a string on it so it would be easier to carry. She flew as carefully as possible as not to drop the bag. It took her longer to return than it did to get to the horse.

"Link, I got the bottle. I have no idea how this will help you though." She gently placed the bag next to him. "It won't heal me, but it will give me enough strength until Saria gets back. Anyways, did you see a girl out there? Is she ok?" The little fairy looked puzzled "There was no one out there." Link struggled to sit up. "If she's not there then she must have entered the forest. I have to go after her." He grabbed the blade and slowly pulled it out of his abdomen. He screamed in agony as the tip of the blade reached the end of the wound. He sighed as it left his body and he tossed it to the side. He then grabbed the bag with the milk, tore the bottle out and chugged the whole bottle. With bloody hands he attempted to stand up. He couldn't even get off his knees before falling over.

"Let Saria get the Great Fairy first." Navi flew up and landed on his left shoulder. "Besides I have a feeling she'll be just fine." Link looked over at Navi "Fine. I can't get up anyways." He may not have been able to get up, but he was still able to crawl. He found a nice log to lean against and fell asleep. "Just hold on big guy. You'll be back up and fighting soon enough.

"I never got your name." Malon was sitting on what looked like a bench but was really a bush strong enough to hold anyone's weight. "It's Mido. I hope you understand it's too dangerous out there at the moment." He looked straight into her eyes "I know Link isn't one of us but he is strong. He won't be defeated so easily."

"Please. He saved my life and I owe it to him." Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to a weeping Malon. "If you won't help me, then I'll go myself." She pushed Mido out of the way and ran into the forest. "Women" He didn't want to but he ran off to catch up with her.

Malon didn't get a chance to get far before Mido stopped her. "If you want to get to Link then you have to do exactly as I say. That means no wandering off." She simply nodded her head and then they were off. The forest looked different then when they were walking through it before. "If you're not careful, you can get lost. The paths change every once in a while."

And he was right. The trees seemed to move and new paths would open and others would close. Without proper knowledge of these woods, one could get lost forever. "Don't worry. I'm too freaked out now to wander off on my own." She grabbed tightly a hold of Mido's arm as they rounded a corner.

It didn't take them long to run into Saria. She seemed out of breath, which was unusual. She was very fit and could run great distances if needed. "What are…?" She had to sit down before finishing "…you doing here? And…who is…that?" She looked up at the taller farm girl. "I'm Malon. I was traveling with Link. Is he alright?"

Saria turned her head "He was run through with a sword. He's alive but he needs the Great Fairy's aid." She stood back up as she finished catching her breath. "Now we have to run. Those creatures that attacked the village, is now in these woods." Just then rustling and growling, a nastier growl than that of, what Link called, a Moblin. All three darted off just as they got in sight. They were green, scaly, and wore a thick armor. There were only two of them, but they were not to be messed with.

Mido was the first to speak up "What do you suppose we do now? How do you suppose we lose those guys?" Straight, right, left, and then straight again. They just couldn't lose them. "The only way to lose them is to find the Fairy. She's protected by a barrier. So only we can see where she is." They stopped for a few minutes and were relieved to hear nothing but their own heavy breathing.

"How can you know where the Fairy is? I've never been able to find her myself." Mido was angry at the fact that Saria was able to find her while the self proclaimed "leader" of the Kokiri could barely get through the Lost Woods himself. "And on top of that, what about the farm girl? What if she's not able to enter her layer?"

"Then as a "man" you will stand guard and protect her." He gave her a look of agreement. "Now let's go before the uglies decide to catch up."

"Link" Navi flew around Link's head "Link, wake up." Dark Link was returning from whatever he had planned. Navi whizzed behind Link's head to hide as Dark Link came into view. "What am I going to do? I hope they return soon."

"So you survived?" His shadow was kneeling in front of him. He just stared at Link for a few minutes before getting back up. He walked over and took his sword in hand and walked back over to his counterpart. "I hope the next time we meet; you put up a better fight. You still won't be able to defeat me but it would still be entertaining." He took the sword and thrust it deep into the ground between Link's feet. "Consider this a gift from me." Dark Link, with his goal accomplished, set off for his next destination. "Until next time"

With Dark Link gone Navi returned to waking Link. "Come on. Get up." She tried everything, even kicking him in the face. After a bit of back and forth of kicking and yelling in his ear, she was finally able to rouse him. "You must stay awake."

"I...need...to...save...my...energy so...let...me...rest." His head went limp and he passed out again. "I hope you're right."

"We're here." Saria stopped in front of a normal looking tree. "Now let's hope that the Great Fairy will help us."

"But that's just a tree." Malon finally caught up with Mido just behind her. "I thought we would be looking for a cave." Mido began to laugh "Ha ha ha. We told you that she was protected. Why would she hide in an easy access cave?"

"Mido you know she's not a part of the forest. So leave her alone." She turned back to the tree. "Now let's hope that we can all pass through."

Malon looked more confused that she ever had "Pass through?" They lined up together in a straight line. "Well here's hoping I see you on the other side." They grabbed each other's hands and closed their eyes and walked forward.

Inside was a crystal fountain with two large fairy statues facing in towards each other. They were holding up a replica of the Tri-force. The walls were made of a smooth stone unfamiliar to them and it reflected every bit of light that touched its surface. The water in the fountain was as clear as day.

"Is everyone here?" All seemed ok until they noticed Malon's hands missing. "I thought that might happen." Mido looked to Saria and told her to hurry. "Those things may find us soon so don't take too long." With that he headed back outside. But she was nowhere to be found. He stepped back through the mirage. "Umm... She's not out there."

"Who do you think you are to enter my realm?" The voice was deep and harsh. Just then smoke billowed from the water and the Fairy appeared in front of them. She was bigger than even a Goron and her hair was as green as the leaves that grew on the trees. "Well?"

"I am Saria and this is Mido." Saria although nervous, stepped forward. "We have come to ask you for your assistance. And we would also like to know what happened to the other girl that was with us. The Fairy looked down at them both. "I sent the girl to the village. She has no reason to be here." She crossed her arms and sat in mid air. "And what sort of assistance do you need from me?"

Mido spoke up before Sari could think of what to say. "Our friend is in the village about to die. We need you to heal him. I know he's not Kokiri but he was raised as one." Saria just stared in amazement. "Wow. I've never known you could be so nice." Mido just turned his head in embarrassment.

"If I help him, one of you must give up your life in return." Both looked at each other and Saria spoke just before Mido could "I'll do it." Mido shook in disagreement. But before they knew it they along with the fairy had appeared back in Kokiri Village. There they say Malon clutching Link.

"Let him be. I will heal him." She brought her hands together in a praying position and Links body started to glow. They watched as the wound completely closed. Although the blood was still stained on his shirt and smeared were the hole used to be. "Now the matter of your life" She pointed at Saria.

"What?" Malon jumped up in protest. "You can't" But Saria butted in, "This is what has to be done." The Fairy pointed at Saria and she started to glow herself. Then a flash of light and the Fairy disappeared. Saria was left standing there. Everyone was staring and confused. "I have given you my power so that you may aid the destined one. By giving up your daily life, you shall have a new adventure filled one. Now go. Go and help save Hyrule. Time is of the essence." Then there was silence for the longest time. All they could do was look back and forth at one another.

"So…Is anyone going to help me up?" Everyone snapped out of there shock and looked at Link. "I may be healed but I can still feel some pain." Malon reached out a hand and helped him stand. "So what happened to you Saria?" He retrieved the sword that was still in the ground and put it in the sheath that magically appeared around his shoulders. "Do you feel any different?"

"Well I feel a surge of magic coursing through my veins. So that's new." Link took his knife out and cut his palm open. "So let's test it." All at once, almost in unison they yelled "Are you crazy?" Saria Just shook her head and went along with it. She put her hands over top of his open hand. Nothing happened. "Just concentrate" She heard the Great Fairy's voice. She took a minute to concentrate and Links hand was glowing. The wound closed right up. "I did it!" She was jumping around joyfully.

"Aren't you forgetting something?" A little voice sprang out of nowhere. "While you guys were off on your little adventure, I had to stay here and protect Link." A blue light appeared from behind him. "I'm pretty sure some of you met but this is Navi. She was sent by the Deku tree. Why don't you tell them what you told me?"

Everyone gathered around the little blue fairy as she started to tell her tale. "As the Kokiri and Link know, we Fairies are born from the essence of the Deku tree. He saw danger approaching and gave birth to me. I stayed high in his branches and listened to their conversation."

"Where is the ring?" Dark Link approached the tree and touched his bases. A shadow started to rise up and cover him. The Great Deku tree began to scream in pain. "Tell me where to find it."

"You shall never obtain it." Sap sprang from his eyes which symbolized tears. "No amount of evil will ever be able to touch it." His screaming continued as the darkness rose further.

"You can avoid all this pain if you just tell me where it is?" He pulled his hand away to give the tree a chance to speak. "Even if you somehow got a hold of it, you would never be able to use it." Dark Link returned his hand "Stop wasting time and tell me."

"Before I tell you, I must know why." The darkness receded again and Dar Link just laughed. "Ha! The greatest enemy that Hyrule has ever seen needs the ring to become unstoppable. He has the princess. Now all he needs are the three rings."

"Like I said, you would never be able to use them. The rings will do nothing without the final piece." The tree gave a quick smile at that thought.

"Oh, he already knows. He has known since his creation." For the final time Dark Link placed his hand upon the trees base and with one last scream, he told him where to find it. "It's hidden where those that do not belong, will inevitably perish."

"With his last bit of energy, he whispered to me. He said "Tell Link of what transpired here and find Saria." And then he gave me a seed from the branch above and told me to plant it in the Sanctuary found deep in Lost Woods."

"So he really is dead?" Mido, the last one you'd expect to, started to cry. "What are we supposed to do now?" Navi flew right up to his face "Are you that stupid?" She flew away and returned with the seed. "Were you even paying attention when I told you that he gave me a seed and told me to plant it?" Feeling stupid and a bit embarrassed, he dried up his tears.

"Now let's figure out what we're going to do." Link stepped into the middle of the group. "Saria and Mido, you two can go plant the seed and tell everyone it's safe to return. Malon and I will build temporary ladders until wood from the new Deku tree can be harvested. Navi, well you can…hmmm…not sure what you can do." Everyone once again went their separate ways and set off to do their tasks. Since Link was raised a Kokiri, crafting was his specialty and he finished two in record time. Mido and Saria made it to the sanctuary with no trouble. Everyone greeted them like they were heroes. They planted the seed in the back of the sanctuary and with everyone else, returned to the village.

They decided to sleep that night and Link, Malon, Saria, and Navi would leave in the morning. Malon stayed with Saria, which Saria was pretty persistent. And Navi for some odd reason, slept in a tree. Link had nightmares about this new enemy. He was for once in his life, scared. He almost died with his last encounter. How was he supposed to defeat an enemy that he could not cut? Hopefully heading to Kakariko would yield some answers. It seemed he was asking more questions than those that were being answered.

In the morning, they all gathered just outside the village. They tried figuring out who would ride Epona and who would walk with while wearing the robe. "Seeing as how the robe is too big for Saria, she'll have to ride until we can get her one. And that leaves us with me and Malon." He looked at Malon. "For now, I want to test something so you can either walk or ride Epona with her." He unsheathed his new sword. "This sword was born of darkness and even though I cleansed most of it, I want to see if I can pass through the fields unharmed."

"Are you stupid?" Saria walked up to him and nearly slapped him. Malon caught her hand just before it hit. "I think a little trial and error never hurt. Besides, we need to get a better understanding of that sword. Why would he have left it with Link? I'll ride Epona with you and if something goes wrong, we can just toss the robe over top of him." Saria wasn't happy but she agreed nonetheless. Both got up on the horse, Link grabbed the reigns and started walking. He stopped right where Hyrule field started and looked back. Mido was there waving goodbye. "Well, here goes nothing." He walked out onto the barren land and to his surprise, he was right. He was perfectly fine. "Wait. Where's Navi?" Just then a tiny voice could be heard, "Don't forget about me!" She rounded the corner and almost flew right into Link. Saria just laughed "Serves you right for sleeping in and deciding to sleep alone." The blue fairy stuck her tongue out at Saria and proceeded to rest on Links shoulder. With everyone finally assembled, they could get back to heading to his original intended destination, Kakariko.