Time Stop: Okay, this is really fast update.

Shadow: We owe it to the creators of Ocarina of Time though. Sorry, but most of the dialogue for Sheik and Rauru we took from the game.

Wang: But, no more little kids. Now, things get interesting as they get older.

Shadow: Wang, all of these people who don't know what this is losing the surprise because of you now.

Wang: Hormones!

Time Stop: Well, we don't own Legend of Zelda. Read on!

Chapter 12: Rauru

Link felt like he was in a void. No, he was in a void. He could see himself floating in a blue void. Blue purer than clear water, than the clearest sky. He saw himself training, practicing. He felt his body grow strong and tall, felt his body develop muscles and new skills of strength. He saw himself grow stronger than the Goron's Bracelet; that he grew old enough to use the Master Sword.

However, Nadai was a little different. She saw herself using the same weapons, even as she grew. She saw herself as an adult; training in feats of skill she couldn't do before. She too lay in a blue void, but was separate from Link.

Then, the two of them realized their destiny.

Link opened his eyes. He was on solid ground. He looked around the almost familiar blue void; it was as if he was there for years instead of only a few hours. He turned to the front, where he saw an old man. Link blinked in surprise, still speechless. This man was really short, to be looking up at Link's eyes. Beside Link, Nadai also noticed the old man, but level on her height. Speechless, she too observed the familiar void. She felt restless, as if she shouldn't be there.

"Link...Nadai...Wake up you two, awake the chosen ones." The old man spoke. Link and Nadai blinked in surprise. She tried to speak, but her voice was stolen away as the man continued on.

"I am Rauru, one of the ancient Sages...Ages ago, we ancient Sages built the Temple of Time to protect the entrance to the Sacred Realm...this is the Chamber of Sages, inside the Temple of Light." Rauru spoke. To Nadai, he was an old man dressed in yellow robes. Old inscriptions and runes decorated the garment. But, to Link he was utterly familiar. That old sage was all too familiar to Link. He had seen him before, he was sure of it.

"The Temple of Light situated in the very center of the Sacred Realm, is the last stronghold against Gannondorf's evil forces. The Master Sword—the evil-slaying sword that you pulled out of the Pedestal of Time—was the final key to the Sacred Realm." The old man paused. "Link, Nadai, look at yourself...don't be alarmed."

Link looked down. He saw his body, and saw that his dream wasn't fake. He saw his corded muscles lining his arms. Along his back he could feel the familiar Master Sword, and the Hylian Shield he had found a long time ago. Someone had given him a chain shirt, and made his tunic longer in length.

"Link, Nadai, you've grown up! You're big now!" Navi said. She wasn't different, only a little more tired perhaps.

Nadai also had changed. She...was...(Well, considering that we three are guys, and do not know the female anatomy, we apologize for the bluntness-The Time Stop Corporation.) hot. Yes, that was the word to describe her, hot. Her hair was long again, tied into a pony tail that now almost reached the ground. Her clothes were of that of an adult Gerudo, but her blades were of one of a child.

"The Master Sword is a sacred blade evil may never touch.…Only one worthy of the title of "Hero of Time" could pull it from the Pedestal of Time...However, you two were too young to be the Hero of Time...Therefore, you two were sealed here for seven years."

"Seven years!" Link cried out. He clamped his hands over his mouth. He...he had a really deep voice!

"Why that long!" Nadai cried. She was amazed as her melodious voice left her mouth. She too clasped her hands over her mouth.

Rauru, however, continued like nothing had happened. "And now that the two of you are old enough, the time has come to be awakened as the Heroes of Time! Do you understand your destiny? But, Remember...though you opened the door in the name of peace, Gannondorf used it to find the triforce. From the temples throughout Hyrule, Gannondorf radiated his evil that transformed Hyrule into a land of monsters."

"I thought we protected it though." Link said dumbly. "Gannondorf was heading the other direction when we entered the Temple of Time."

"Then, if Gannondorf has the triforce, what does that mean to you guys, the sages?" Asked Nadai.

"My power only has a little influence in this Sacred Realm. But, there is hope...The powers of the Sages remains...with the power of the sages awakened, The Sages' Seals will contain all of the evil in the void of the Realm...I am one of those Sages...and with your power to fight together with the Sages makes you two the Heroes of Time! Keep my spirit with you...And, find the power of the other Sages and add their might to your own!"

"What do you mean?" Asked Link. A light fell from the sky. Two of them to be exact.

The light formed into a medallion. Outlined in yellow spirit, the medallion showed the design of Light. The Medallions shrunk until it was the size of a quarter. The medallion then emblazoned themselves on their arms. Link's left arm was on fire. The medallion didn't burn itself into his skin, but became one with his skin. When it was done, he looked at the yellow tattoo; it shimmered in the light.

Nadai also felt the pain, but for her it was almost an agony. She felt it as clearly as if she stubbed her toe. Odd, she could normally resist such pain. But now, even as the tattoo shimmered in the light, she was afraid. It hurt her. Will she ever have the same pain tolerance again?

"Find the other Sages, and save Hyrule!" Rauru's voice sent them down, away from the void. They felt themselves jolt to the ground, in the exact same positions as they had before. Link held the Master Sword in his hand. It felt…right, to have it there. The weapon seemed to be an extension of himself.

He took a step, almost falling from the simple misjudge of the ground's height-no, his height, not the ground's, that he misjudged. Nadai was able to walk with no fault, seeming to Link that she glided over the steps. Where had that come from? Link thought. He scrunched his face up in confusion before taking another step.

This time, he stayed up, and was able to walk and run freely from that point on. Nadai walked to him, and Navi fluttered on Link's shoulder. They almost left the room, to the main hall of the Temple of Time, when a voice spoke.

"I've been waiting for you two, Heroes of Time."

Link turned and saw a boy about his age standing there on the pedestal. Nadai frowned; she didn't hear him come in. Link noticed the man's clothing, unlike anything he had ever seen before. Dressed in a deep blue, bandages covered his chest and face. A single red eye could be seen from his face, and another from his chest.

Nadai shuddered; the one from his chest was one that was frightful at best. It gave her a feeling of insecurity, something she didn't want.

"Who are you?" Asked Nadai. "Well, speak up!"

When the boy spoke, it was soft, yet it carried weight and wisdom beyond his years. "When evil rules all, an awakening voice from the Sacred Realm will call those destined to be Sages, who dwell in the five temples." He stopped. "Mark you, there are five temples. One in a deep forest...One on a high mountain...One under a vast lake...One within the House of the Dead...One inside a Goddess of the Sand."

"How does that help us?" Asked Link. "We don't know where they are!"

"Together with the Heroes of Time, the awakened ones will bind the evil and return the light of peace to the world. This is the legend of the temples, passed down by my people, the Sheikah. I am Sheik, survivor of the Sheikahs."

"But I thought Impa was the last of the Sheikah." Nadai interjected.

"You are wrong. You two are so young to take on such a task. But, as I see you standing there, holding the Master Sword, you really do look like the Hero of Time, Link."

"Hey!" Nadai protested. "What about I?"

"Nadai, your own weapon is on a bridge you passed once long ago." Nadai stopped. She knew where, but she didn't want to go. But, if she was to obtain her weapons...

"One Sage is waiting for you the time of awakening in the Forest Temple. The Sage is a girl you know...Because of the evil in the temple, she cannot hear the awakening call from the Sacred Realm."

Link choked. "You mean Saria?" Nadai widened her eyes. Saria, a Sage? It would make sense…but, Saria?

Sheik nodded. "You cannot enter the Temple, equipped as you are. In order to look for the item you need, go to Kakariko Village, look for Dampé." Nadai cringed at the mention of the grave keeper and his home in the graveyard, where she first saw the ReDead. "He will be able to help. He has what you seek."

In a blinding flash not unlike a Deku Nut, Sheik disappeared when they were temporarily blinded.

"So, do we follow his advice?" Link asked his friend. He turned to look at her, but his voice caught somewhere between his mouth and his heart. He swallowed. This was the first time he saw Nadai since they traveled through time. She was...certainly different. Different didn't begin to describe her. She was...the most beautiful thing he had seen in his life. When he realized he was staring he blushed a deep crimson and turned away.

Meanwhile, as Link stared at her, she stared at him. Long ago it seemed, more than seven years to be precise, she thought him to be the worst thing in Hyrule. But, now watching him, she saw something she had never seen before. Love. She could only describe it that way. There was no way she could love a Kokiri boy. Especially since...she couldn't dwell upon the past! She was a Gerudo, and Gerudos don't dwell upon the past.

She turned, hiding her tears. "Maybe. But, I-I can't deal with those ReDeads."

Link turned to her, no longer blushing, but she had her back to him. "I understand. Listen, once we get free of Hyrule Castle Town, then you can go to the bridge and find those weapons Sheik said. Meanwhile, I'll deal with Dampé. We'll meet in Hyrule Field next to the Kokiri Forest when you're done."

"N-No, I'll meet you in Kakariko Village. I'll be fine. I'll meet you there." Nadai turned back to him, emotions under control. "Come one, we have to go." Leading the way, Nadai left the Temple of Time.

Outside, it was a new world. "What in the Goddesses' name happened here!" Link uttered.

The sky was black, no sun dared to escape, even though it was the middle of the day. Smoke in a fiery ring sat on Death Mountain far to the east. The castle of Hyrule was barely visible normally. But now, it was so visible, as if it stood hundreds of feet in the air.

All around them, the Castle Town of Hyrule was in shambles. It was as if someone or something walked through and fought with the people, killing and destroying. Link and Nadai entered the Main Square quietly. Then, Nadai heard a painful yowl. Fortunately out of range, Nadai jumped in surprise. Even more surprisingly, into Link's arms.

She shivered in fright. With Link holding her, they watched as the postman, no longer with a bunny hood, was being chased by ReDeads. But, now that he was frozen, there was no chance for the man to escape.

"We got to help him." Link said. He drew the Master Sword.

"W-Wait." Nadai stopped him. "Let us play the Sun's Song. It'll freeze them, the we can k-kill them."

Link took out the Ocarina of Time, and Nadai the Fairy Flute. Together they played the song that changed the very nature of the sun. Soon, the Postman, still paralyzed, was surrounded by paralyzed ReDeads. Unable to do much else, Nadai watched as Link waked into the monsters, and using his new sword, masterfully cut the ReDeads into death once more. Once the square was clear, Nadai went and stood next to Link.

"Thanks." She said, she couldn't look him in the eyes.

"N-No problem." Link managed. When she had jumped into his arms like that, well, it was a new experience for him. There was nothing like that he had felt before. He knew that his friendship with Nadai would never be the same.

"Thank you!" The Postman cried. "I was cursed by Gannondorf to send out letters for all eternity, but to all the old addresses over seven years ago. Now that you saved me, I'll be able to deliver my letters correctly. Thank you!"

The Postman ran off, heading for the Drawbridge. Link and Nadai followed. They decided to enter the room where they had seen the rupees, the rupees that were magically filled every time they entered.

When they did enter, they saw an old man dealing with bottles and spirits. "Eh, you brought me a Poe Spirit?"

"Poe Spirit? Those things are just a legend." Link said. "Don't fool us."

"Damn Kids! Where have you been for the past seven years? When our Lord Gannondorf became King, he resurrected the Poes from their graves. Now they, not the Stalchildren, haunt Hyrule Field."

"Gannondorf couldn't have become that powerful," Nadai mused. "He cannot resurrect the Poes without a serious dose of power."

"Wait...I know you. You, you two were the same two kids that set off an explosion and escaped without a trace."

"Wait, you were the guard that the captain told to clean up the mess."

"Yeah," the former guard said. "But, that life is over. Once he killed the King and the Captain, I headed for the hills. I-I want those days back, where we don't have to hide from Gannondorf pretending to be something we're not."

"Don't worry." Link said. He raised the Master Sword in a salute. "If there is anyone that can stop him, it'll be us."

The man stared at the sword. "The Master Sword, sword of Legend. Maybe the legends are true, and someone would save us from the evil. But, if it were true, then it would have happened a long time ago. Kids, whoever you are, save the world. Me, I'm not going to do anything but sit here and be a salesman. Maybe, if you are ready..."

"You'll do what?" Nadai asked.

"I'll contact some of my friends, old guards and men and women not that afraid of Gannondorf. These people here hate him, they just need to be roused."

"We'll make a deal. We'll ready ourselves to attack the castle, when that time comes, I expect you and your army." Link promised.

The man almost smiled. "You got some work to do, Hero." He looked at both of them. "Good luck, Kids." He went quiet. Link and Nadai took the hint, and left. They went out onto the remnants of the Drawbridge. The old bridge lay in the water, and was rotting in places. Link blanched. Zora's River, which was so pure only a little while ago to him, was dry and covered in garbage.

"Gannondorf hasn't left any bit of Hyrule out. He has poisoned everything in sight." Link growled in fury. "Nadai, I'll meet you in Kakariko Village. We have to hurry and help those Sages, and end this evil!"

Nadai nodded. "You know, this is the first time we've separated since the beginning of our quest."

"No, when we were in Jabu-Jabu we were separated."

"Doesn't count, that was forcefully. This one is voluntary."

"Don't worry, I'll see you later."

Nadai smiled...was that sadly? "Link, damn these...I'll see you later." Nadai ran off to the west. Damn these hormones!

Link sighed in relief. Being an adult was harder than it looked. All of these rules and these regulations. Of course, now these hormones added to the mix made everything harder. He turned south. He had a stop to make before going to Kakariko Village. He needed to talk to Malon. Something was different about Nadai as an adult. She wasn't as tan, and her features now resembled what Link would have thought Malon to look like when she was older.

Something was hidden in the past, and now Link was certain to uncover it.

Navi sighed quietly behind Link's hat. She knew, she knew more than she should have. Now, Link and Nadai would have to face reality. If it came to it, she didn't know if she could tell them their pasts.

Time Stop: So, no more childish stuff.

Wang: But they were so cute! Wah!

Shadow: But, that's how the game goes on.

Time Stop: Now, for all of those who played the game before and allowed the variations for Nadai, now it gets even more varied from that. There is going to be more oddness, and more wacky stuff not normally seen in the game. More realistic, and more exciting, that's our motto.

Shadow: As long as they are within the natural boundaries of the game.

Wang: Wah!

Time Stop: Please Review!