A/N: Sorry for that lack of updates for this story. I was mostly focused on my other story, Rescue Me, and it probably be like that for the next several weeks. However, I will continue this story till the end, I promise you that.

Update: Had to change a scene in this chapter.

Everybody was celebrating about the success of the experiment later that day. There were a lot of foods there, like pizzas, chili dogs, soda, chips with salsa, and more. Link met more of Sonic's friends, like Rotor, who was a purpled skinned walrus and a technician specialist, Charmy, a very young bumble-bee, a friend of Vector who always gets himself into trouble, and Espio, a purple scaled chameleon, another friend of Vector and is a Ninja. Link was able to meet all of Sonic's friends in this group called "the Freedom Fighters."

"How does it feel to finally be able to talk Link?" Princess Sally asked.

"It feels…great," Link replied. His voice sounded young, had an air of command. He didn't sound weak, he didn't sound over-powered. His voice wasn't low, but it wasn't high. It was just right.

"Hey Link, can you tell us how about you and your world?" Tails asked as he took a bite from a slice a pizza.

Link drank some of his soda and placed the can down on the table. "Where should I begin?" Link asked himself. He paused for a few minutes as everyone quieted down. When everyone was quiet, Link started to tell his tale of being a hero.

***

When Link finished his story, it was already a starry night.

"Well, that's my story," Link concluded after hours of telling his tale.

Everyone just stared at awestruck and no one said a word. Sonic was the first one to talk. "Wow, you did all that?" Sonic asked.

"Yeah, I did," Link replied, "I have to admit, it was fun while it lasted. Life after being the hero just got boring. If I haven't jumped through that portal, I wouldn't have met you guys."

"So this lady—um…Midna right?—haven't you tried to find a way to see her again?" Amy asked.

"I admit I tried looking everywhere; I looked through every nook and cranny to find a way to the Twilight Realm," Link confessed, "I just don't feel the same without her, but I might have a chance now."

"How?" Amy asked, "I thought you said that the Mirror was the only way into to the Twilight Realm?"

"Well, when I jumped through the portal, I was sent to a Nexus between worlds," Link said, "There were gateways to different worlds—including yours—and I saw a portal leading into the Twilight Realm, but it was blocked by some kind of gate as were the others, besides your world."

"What will you do when you see her again?"

Link felt a bit nervous, he didn't want to continue the subject. Sonic saw it and changed the subject.

"What are Redeads?" Sonic asked, "You said you fought them, but you didn't say anything else."

Link was still nervous, he doesn't want to be reminded of the Redeads, but he's willing to say.

"Well, have you heard of Zombies?" Everyone nodded. "Well, that's what they are. Except, according to legend, they are created by the demonic magic of the Ancient Evil that one of Hyrule's heroes slain. You can tell if one's nearby if you hear the blood-curdling moan. If one's near, you can smell the decomposing flesh, the rotten bandages, the salty-scent of blood, and you can hear the sound of scraping metal as its giant sword is dragged around. If you see them, try not to hear their scream. That scream will instantly paralyze you with fear."

"How?" Sonic asked again.

"It will steal the warmth of your blood and your courage is gone. It will also reminds you of your worst nightmare. Dying, losing a friend, anything that causes the most fear to you is the Redeads' best weapon."

Everyone was shaking with fear. "Wow, I thought Shadow's Evil Eye scares me," Charmy commented.

"Who?" Link asked

"You'll find out soon enough," Sonic said, "Oh yeah, Link, your shield is broken. Once we removed the blade, the shield broke in half. We couldn't repair it, but we made you a better one." Sonic got off his chair and went to a room. When he came back, he carried a shield with the same design but the metal had a tint of golden-bronze. "This shield is made of Orichalcum, our world's strongest and rarest mineral. After it's liquefied, it loses its strength. However, once fused with Trillium, another rare mineral found in the planet's core, it regains its strength."

Link took the shield and was surprised it was lighter than his old shield. He ran his finger on the surface of the shield's edge and was extremely smooth. He grabbed a small dagger from his pack and dragged the blade throughout the shield's surface. Once he removed the blade, the blade left no mark, scratch, or dent; the surface is still smooth.

He put the shield down and said, "Thanks a lot Sonic, this will definitely help." However, he was still a bit sad. His old shield saved his life countless times. Losing it feels like losing a life-long friend.

After eating some pizza, Antoine asked, "Excusez-moi, but I have a question. How come your sword can cut through the armor plating of Eggman's previous robots?"

Link then unsheathed the Master Sword and placed it on the table. "This…is the Master Sword, the Sword of Evil's Bane. According to legend, it was crafted by seven of Hyrule's ancient and wisest sages and only the sword can choose its master. Also, there was a legend that the Hero of Time, a hero that saved Hyrule and supposedly traveled back in time, wielded it. This sword was able to break the curse Zant placed on me."

"May I hold it?" Antoine asked.

"I...don't know," Link replied, "Only the Hero Chosen by the Gods can wield it. I don't know what will happen if I let you hold it."

Antoine shook his head dismissively and said, "What's the worst that could happen?" He reached for the hilt of the Master Sword. When his hand touched it, he felt a sudden and painful electric shock. Antoine jerked his hand back and yelped.

Link laughed at what happened to Antoine. "That could happen, Antoine," Link said between laughs. Soon, everyone laughed at the event, including Antoine,

"So…what happened to Princess Zelda?" Julie asked.

"QueenZelda, Julie. She gained the throne after Hyrule Castle was rebuilt. I was really surprised at the time it took to rebuild it, it was a lot faster when all the species of the land helped. Things got peaceful under her rule, but I have to admit, a bit too peaceful. Nothing exciting happened after that."

Charmy gave a mischievous smile, and started to ask, "Hey Link, who do you like better: Mi—" *SMACK* "OW!" Espio knew what was going on and slapped him at the back of the head. It seemed Charmy wanted to ask Link a personal and embarrassing question. Thankfully, Link didn't get the clue.

"Do you plan to return back to Hyrule?" Princess Sally asked. Link detected a hint of sadness from her and he saw everyone looked a little sad. It seems that they don't want to lose a good friend.

"I might return, eventually," Link replied, "but I'll stay here for some time." Everyone seemed to be happy that he's staying for some time.

Soon Link gave out a yawn and looked for a clock. He found one and checked the time. It was 2 o'clock a.m., of the next day.

"Hey guys, I'm still a bit tired from the experiment; I'm going to hit the sack," Link announced.

"Oh okay, your room is down the hallway, third door on the left," Sally said, "Good night."

"Bonne nuit, Link," Antoine said as he went to the bathroom to get some pain-killers.

"Sweet dreams, pal," Sonic added before he went to his own room.

Once everyone said goodnight, Link went to his room, lied on his bed, and pulled the covers over him. Yeah, I'll get along just fine. Link thought before he went to sleep.

A/N: I originally planned to have Link already back into the fray in the next chapter, but I want to have him some kind of break from all the danger. I'll try to work on it, but High School takes priority, so expect to not see an update for some time.