A Second Chance

by The Time Stop Corporation

A third and final form; Ganondorf, Gannon, and now Gannondorf. Link, caught unaware, is knocked off to his...death? With a second chance, Link might finally save Hyrule without losing himself and the ones he cares about.

26. Chapter 25

Time Stop: On the interests of updating, we have decided to only post this part of this next part.

Shadow: If you want Nadai's part, you're going to have to wait a little while, we still need to finish it.

Wang: I like what we did.

Shadow: Wang, for once I agree with you.

Wang: Extra long!

Time Stop: We don't own Legend of Zelda.

Chapter 25: Stronger (Link's Edition)

Link looked at the blue cucco in his hands. "Cojiro?" He asked aloud, and the cucco responded by crowing louder than before. Link squeezed his eyes shut, trying to keep the noise out.

Shiek smiled. "Cojiro has the power to awaken any man from slumber."

"This blue bird?"

"This blue cucco is more powerful than you think. With Cojiro, you need to awaken a man. A certain man."

Link leaned against a tree, holding the cucco in his hands. "I can't think of anyone who would fit the bill."

"That may be because you are not well versed in Hylian lore." Shiek stared off into the distance as he spoke. "There once was a man who went into the forest one day for a mushroom to save his wife. But as he reached the end of his journey, he fell asleep by an ancient spell. He hasn't awakened in over a hundred years. This legend is very much the truth, as in the man does still exist, sleeping away the years."

Link looked into the entrance of Kokiri Forest. "He's in the Lost Woods then, isn't he?"

"Yes."

"Then I should know where he is." Link wrapped an arm around Cojiro, and ran into the forest. Shiek smiled, then vanished into thin air.

Link entered his home. There, he was stunned to the point of silence. Zoras and Gorons and Kokiri all bustled about. Archery and any sort of long ranged sport was held where his old home was. Zoras gathered under the waterfall, practicing magic in ways Link knew he could never understand. Gorons practiced fighting one on one in front of the shop. Still others had converted homes into forges or smithies.

Darunia, Ruto, and Saria were close by, and they rushed over to Link as they saw him coming.

"Link! We are running out of room. Kokiri Forest can not hold everyone." Saria started.

"There is no room. Not for the Hylians anyway." Ruto muttered.

Darunia nodded. "We need to move out to a new place. Do you have anything in mind?"

Link nodded, struggling to hold onto Cojiro. "Lake Hylia is the place to go to. The Hylians are already gathering there as we speak. Go there, and begin training. They need all the help they can."

The three sages nodded. Then, of course, Ruto had to ask. "Um, Link, what's with the blue cucco?"

Link sighed. "It's a long story. I need to go." He climbed up the vines with one hand, and entered the Lost Woods, the army behind him hurrying to move.

Once inside the Lost Woods, Link had to gulp. While the woods were no longer Gannondorf's control, they were still dangerous and dark. He tuned his ears to the music, but a large crow from the blue cucco in his hands stopped that plan. Instead, he shook out his legs, and started out on a walk. He wandered through different paths. Some hauntingly familiar, others different. But after a couple of different routes, he made it to the end. In a small clearing by the Sacred Meadow lay a single stump. And there, on that stump, was a man clutching a mushroom that was still deeply embedded in the ground.

"There he is." Link got closer, but before he could move closer the blue cucco crowed. Almost instantly, the man awoke. He shouted in alarm, and twisted the mushroom out of the ground.

"Who are you!" He shouted.

Link dropped the cucco. "Hold a sec," He kept his hands shown and inched forward. "You've been asleep for a hundred years."

"What?"

"It was from an ancient spell. It cursed you to fall asleep."

The man groaned. "My wife is dead then!" He looked at the mushroom. "Why did I go to get this miracle mushroom anyways!"

Link came closer and crouched down to his level. "I don't know. Maybe we'll never know. But let me help you."

He almost got up, but he was forced back down. "My legs won't help me anymore." He shoved the mushroom into Link's hands. "Boy! I don't know who you are, but if you give this mushroom to a Potion Crafter soon and return with the miracle potion, I will be forever in your debt."

Link turned to look at Navi, but his fairy was no where in sight. That's tight, she was with Nadai. He had to trust his own instincts. "I'll do it." He grabbed the odd mushroom, and started to run. As soon as he left the clearing, Shiek appeared next to him.

"You know where to go?"

"Lake Hylia, all the Hylians left to go there to fight."

Shiek nodded in approval. "Very good. But you must hurry. That mushroom won't last long outside the forest."

Link clenched his teeth. "Guess I need Epona."

He passed the large army, still preparing to move out. He passed the bridge connecting Kokiri Forest and Hyrule Field. He took out his Ocarina, and with a few quick notes, played the old song. Over the hill, from the direction of Lon Lon Ranch, came Epona. As she trotted to him, he noticed something terribly wrong. She was limping.

Shiek sounded almost sad. "She must have heard what happened to the ranch, and tried to get in. She can't jump that wall, not at the angle she is at now."

Link wrapped his arms around the horse. "I'm sorry girl. I need you to take me to a couple of places. It'll be hard, but I know you of all of the others can do it."

Epona snorted. She tapped the ground impatiently, the two men beside her nodded in understanding.

"I'll meet you back at the clearing." Shiek told them, and disappeared from view.

Link shook his head in confusion. How can he do that? Ignoring that question, he climbed upon her. "Epona. To the potion crafter. Lake Hylia."

Epona surged onto her hind legs, before starting at a gallop. The limp she hid well, but he could feel her tensing every moment that she hit the ground. Soon enough, the lake was in view. But, appearing before him as if from some fell magic, fences appeared before the gap.

"Come on girl." Link patted her neck. "You can do this. Easy as...well, hay."

Epona whinnied, and streamlined her body, speeding them up. Link held onto her with both hands as she cleared the fences with ease, only the pain from the injury to her leg giving her the slightest interference.

Link craned his eyes, and spotted the old Potion Crafter entering the scientists home. "That way girl."

Epona trotted through the crowd of Hylians setting up. Link braced himself, and jumped as Epona neared. He rolled on the ground, and stumbled to his feet. "Get some rest Epona!" He checked his hand, and the mushroom was still there. It looked a little paler than before, and he hoped it would still be good to use.t

He opened the door with a bang, and they looked at him. One, an old lady, the other and old man. "Yes?" The old Scientist asked. "What do you want?"

Link held out the mushroom. "I need a potion made from this. I need it now."

The Potion Crafter took hold of the mushroom. "This mushroom, where did you find this?"

Link shook his head. "Long story. Can you do it?"

"Depends. This mushroom is old, its power is fading."

"The guy I got this from asked for the miracle potion."

Both of the older people stopped. "You said miracle potion?"

"Yeah, I did. He called it the miracle mushroom or something."

"I will make it then." The old Potion Crafter said. "It will take some time, but it should be done soon."

Link left them to their business, and spent the time waiting outside with Epona. The horse was happy enough from the attention she got from him. Time passed, an hour, two, and still the crafters were not done. Just as Link lost his patience, they gave him the potion.

"It is done. It is finished. The miracle potion should help the man revert to his normal state."

Link pocketed the potion. "Thank you, we better get going." He climbed upon Epona. "To the Lost Woods!"

Epona snorted, and looked back at him. He could feel as if she was speaking to him. Really? Now? But I was enjoying doing nothing.

Link sighed, and was about to respond to her when she neighed. Rushing forward, she caught him off guard, forcing him to grab her neck and hold onto for dear life. She jumped over the fences with almost no problem, the rest they had did wonder for her leg. But after a few minutes of hard riding, Link started to notice the slightest hiccup in her stride.

They passed the army from Kokiri Forest. They were all about halfway, which was good progress since they were all running hard. Link braced himself, and jumped from Epona as she skittered to a stop before the Kokiri Forest. He landed in a roll, and scrambled to his feet. With long strides, he went through the Lost Woods faster, since he knew where to go now.

In record time he entered the clearing, and stopped in shock. In the man's place was a pile of old bones. Link went to the skeleton's side, and knelt on the ground. "He is gone, time has finally caught up to him."

Link didn't need to glance at him to know it was the Shiekah. "What do I do now with this potion?"

Shiek looked away at nothing, and waited a good long moment. "Leave it here for her. Before he went away entirely, he gave me this saw."

Link turned and caught the saw from his guide. "This?"

"There is a construction team in need of this saw. It will help them greatly." Shiek told him.

Link took out the potion and set it down on the stump. "Wait, 'her?'"

Shiek nodded. "Everything will become clear in time, Link."

Link stood defensively. "I don't get it. First Navi tells me I am not ready for something, and now you tell me it will be known in time."

Shiek sighed. "Just trust me."

"Trust you?"

"We are all on the same side, are we not?"

Link relented. "Fine! Fine." He held the saw carefully. "Where am I to go now?"

"Where haven't you been?" Shiek asked him.

"I've been to a lot of places." Link answered. He looked far out to the west. "Nadai said something about a bridge being taken out a long time ago. That the postman and the master carpenter were trapped on the other side."

"And where is this bridge?"

Link started to move out. "On the west side of Hyrule Field, over by the Gerudos."

Sheik nodded. "Smart. I'll meet you there." With a poof, he was gone from view. Link hung his head.

"How does he do that?" He asked empty air. He started out, leaving the potion behind.

In the trees above, Shiek watched as the Hylian ran out. "Are you sure of this? That potion would have done him wonders."

The ghost beside him nodded her head. "Some things, Shiek, are even out of your league."

The man jumped down and picked up the bottle. "This would have solved a lot of things."

She reached out and grasped the bottle. "And it will. I will visit Navi before the final battle, and she will know what to do."

"And you are sure? How would you know?" Shiek held onto the bottle.

Annie laughed. "Because I am no longer of this world, I know more than you. Navi once said there was a reason why she was still alive, that she hadn't withered and died, that she hadn't become a red fairy. It was because I am still of this world."

Sheik relented, and the contents of the bottle were quickly drained. "After all, I know the ending, Shiek. I know the beginning. I know the middle." A dangerous glint entered her eye. "And believe me, I know the consequences if we fail."

Shiek growled. "So do I!"

"Oh really? So you would rather argue with me about the consequences if we fail instead of preventing our failure. Where is the wisdom in that?" Shiek glanced her a dangerous, murderous look. Annie smiled at him. "You need to be going, oh guide. And...I won't hesitate to reveal your secret if you tell anyone of this conversation."

Shiek narrowed his eyes. "You are one crafty Kokiri, aren't you."

Annie shook her head. "No, I actually am not. I just have good mentors."

Shiek breathed in a deep breathe, and let it out slowly. "We will continue this conversation later. Nadai has ruined this time line, but if you interfere, it will destroy it further."

As Shiek concentrated for his teleportation, Annie shot him a final note. "No, young one. I believe I will end up correcting it."

He landed softly on the ground, the dust rising as he did. The postman was resting on the ground, and the master carpenter held a broken sword, using it as a saw. Shiek looked out to the distance. Link wasn't here yet. Good.

He approached the master carpenter. "Hello."

"And who're you?" The gruff old man turned to Shiek. "One of those Gerudos?"

Shiek shook his head, hands open and in plain sight. "A friend. Nothing more."

"Oh."

"A man wearing a green tunic will be coming by soon. He will offer up a saw for you." the carpenter's face lit up when he heard that. "Just give him the sword in return."

The man smiled. "If he wants this busted up sword it's all his. How soon is this guy coming by?"

Shiek looked into the far distance. The passage out was a bit rockier than he would have liked, but he could spot a faint dust cloud in the horizon. "Soon. Soon. Take rest, master craftsman, until he gets here."

The two men sat down to the postman. The mail deliverer was wrapping dressing and a foul smelling poultice onto his feet. Shiek took one glance, and one smell, to understand what it was.

"For the cut?"

The postman nodded. "I cut myself jumping over here. This should help heal me until then."

"That would work on a horse," Shiek mused. "May I?"

The postman was a little confused. "Alright, go right ahead." He relented.

The Shiekah gathered the poultice, and started slathering it on the bandage. This would clear his mind of all that had happened. This would cool him down until he was ready to talk to Link. He finished his bandage, and waited silently for Link to come. Soon enough, the Hylian was in sight. Riding hard, even from this distance, he could tell Epona was limping harder than ever. Link, he was holding onto dear life.

Link spotted the bridge, and the distance it would take to cross. "Epona..."

Epona neighed, despite the lack of breath. It was getting hotter, and hotter, but now was not the time to do this. Now was not the time to quit. Her rider needed her now, so she had better get over there!

Link shook his head. "No, no, no, no!" He cried out as Epona leaped for the other side. The horse landed with a rolling crash, and Link was thrown from her. He landed on his back by the tent, while Epona lay on the ground, pain evident in her eyes.

"Boy!" The postman and the master carpenter went to him as Shiek rushed to the horse. "Are you alright?"

Link nodded wearily. He stood up, and ignored their offers of help. He stepped closer to Epona, but the Shiekah was already finished putting the bandage on the horse's leg. "Epona..."

"Easy boy, he's got her. Take a seat, calm your head."

"I'm fine." Link refused. "I need to trade this saw to you."

The craftsman held up the saw to the light. "Yes, this will do." He picked up a handle from the ground. "Take this in payment."

Link caught it. Immeadiatly he could tell the weight and balance. "This was once a mighty sword. But now it is broken."

"It's a Goron Sword. One of the best swords out there, except the one I had used broke from the misuse."

Link put the sword in his pocket. "Well, if I know what you're going to say to me," He looked at Shiek as he spoke, "it's to fix this."

Shiek nodded. "Warp this time. It will be faster. The Goron you are looking for is on the very top of Death Mountain."

"I'd better change then. How's Epona?"

Shiek sighed. "I am no healer, but she should be on the mend."

Epona whinnied, and tried to stand, but Shiek laid a hand on her flank and pushed down, forcing the horse to stay.

"You've done good Epona. I got it from here." Link went into the tent to change. Inside, he quickly donned his Goron Tunic. The tough, heat resistant leather was hard to fit on. After a few seconds, Link realized that he was almost too big for the tunic.

He came out, twisting and stretching, trying to fix his tunic. "This tunic is getting a bit too small for me."

Shiek smiled. "You're gonna have to get used to it, you are fighting in it."

Link sighed. Pulling out his Ocarina, he played the Bolero of Fire and disappeared.

Shiek's smile suddenly became grave. "Epona. I know you are hurt, but you need to meet Link at Lake Hylia as fast as you can. He will need your help from there to return to Death Mountain in time."

She nodded.

Shiek took out his harp. And to the astonishment of the others disappeared in a flash of red. He landed next to Link on the small platform. "Where is this Goron?"

"Biggoron is outside the volcano, and the very top of Death Mountian."

Link nodded. He looked out over the bridge, and jumped across. With Shiek following behind him, Link ran out of Death Mountain Crater, and to the summit. Once outside, it was hard to distinguish rock from where ever the Goron was. It was just too dusty.

"Where are you!" Link called out.

"Hrrm, hrrm. Quiet, young master, I was trying to sleep. Hrrm, hrrm."

From behind Link, rose a huge Goron. Biggoron was his name, and there was nothing that wasn't small about him. Link fell over in suprise, as Shiek smiled at the young Hylian.

"Well? Hrrm, hrrm."

Link gulped, and held out the broken sword. "We bring this."

The Biggoron picked up the sword, and looked at it carefully. "Hrrm, hrrm. Damn this dust, it gets in my eyes. Listen, young masters. Hrrm, hrrm. If you get my eye drops then I will be able to fix this sword."

Link caught the prescription card from the Biggoron, and held it up to the dieing light. "I need to get an Eyeball frog from the King Zora."

Shiek nodded his head. "He is at Zora's Domain right now, preparing to move the last of the Zora's to Lake Hylia."

Link grinned at the memories. "I know just the way."

He returned into Death Mountain Crater, and took the short cut to enter Goron City. Once inside, he made his way up a few levels to go to the tunnel. From there, he ran down it, ignoring the pain slowly being brought about in his legs and lungs. He entered the Lost Woods, and made his way a few clearings over to a small spring. Once there, he dived inside. The hole, which was big enough for a Kokiri, was too small for Link. But that didn't stop him. He wriggled through, and clawed his way through the tunnel. Before his training with Wanderer, he would have never tried that, but now it was as simple as pushing through it. A few seconds later and he exited water, and found himself before a waterfall. Jumping across the gap, he entered Zora's Domain. A few dozen Zora's and King Zora were gathered around in the water.

"My lord!" Link called out, diving into the water. He surfaced near the giant Zora. "I need an Eyeball Frog for a prescription."

The King Zora nodded. "Biggoron needs his eye drops again?" He reached into his tunic and pulled out a frog. "Take this to the Scientist at Lake Hylia, he will make the eye drops. But you have to be quick, the frog won't last long."

Link held the frog tightly in his hands. It squirmed and tried to escape, but his grip was strong. The frog was tightly secured in his hands. "Thank you!" Link took a deep breath, and went underwater. The tunnel was still there, and the current was stronger as ever.

Link had a sinking feeling of despair, of the first time he went into the tunnel. The one way trip was dangerous at best, from what he could remember. He grinned, and swam towards it, kicking hard with his feet. He wouldn't back down again from something like that.

He slammed into the walls, and felt the air inside his lungs being forced out. But he tightened his lips, and held onto the frog even harder. He wouldn't give up now! He wrestled through the tunnel, and twisted his body to absorb impacts that would have normally knocked the breath from him. A few minutes later and he popped out. He floated freely in Lake Hylia for a moment, before kicking hard for shore.

He waded until he could run, then he ran between the tents and the bustling people. He passed by Wanderer, talking to Ruto, Darunia, and Saria. He glanced up and saw Link, wet with his red tunic draping from him, rushing past, spraying water everywhere. He couldn't help at smile.

Link turned to the side, and with his shoulder, aimed for the door of the laboratory. Just as he was about to make contact, the door opened by a Kokiri. Link's eyes opened wide, and at the last possible second, jumped over the Kokiri. The Kokiri vanished in a flash, frightened forevermore of running Hylians.

Link jarred his shoulder hard on the ground as he landed. Gritting his teeth, he rolled until he fell into the small pool of water at the opposite side of the small laboratory. The Eyeball Frog escaped from Link's hands, and plopped into the water, floating nearby.

"Well, if it isn't you again." The aged Scientist said. "What can we do for you now?"

Link took the frog and put it into the elder's hands. "I need eye drops for biggoron."

The Scientist put the Eyeball Frog on a plate, licking his lips. "Mmm, I just love Eyeball Frogs. What a lovely treat you have for me today."

Link gasped. "No, no! Biggoron needs-"

"I know." The Scientist cackled. "I will make the drops. Jeez, kid, can't you take a joke?"

Link dragged himself from the water, and watched in silence as the Potion Crafter and the Scientist worked together to produce the eye drops. It took little time for it to be made, and soon enough Link held the small vial in his hand.

"Now, this won't last for long, you have to hurry so the drops can be administered."

Link put the vial in his pouch, and ran out the door. He looked at the sky. It was going to rain soon, it wasn't a good time to be caught outside. The army had different ideas, and they were practicing formations and drills.

Link turned north, and spotted his friend. "Epona?! I thought I told you to stay there."

He ran to his horse. Epona, the white bandage adorning her leg, was still limping, but it was less pronounced than before. She turned around, and waited until Link came over.

"You want to carry me one last time?"

She neighed, flipping her tail at him.

"Alright, alright, I get it." Link climbed atop his friend. "To Kakariko Village. Ya!"

Epona launched forward as an arrow is from a bow. She avoided the Hylians and the Zoras as they went to the forge being set up on the far side of the lake. Jumping over the fence, she landed hard on her leg. She almost tripped and fell. She wouldn't be stopped by something like that. Rising from the dip, she pushed hard against the ground.

Link bent low on her neck. "Come on girl, one last run today. We need to hurry to Death Mountain."

Epona snorted at him.

"I trust you girl, you won't let me fall." He leaned back and raised his hands. Only holding on with his legs, Link reached for the air, grasping the fading light. Under him, Epona steadied herself, and kept an even, steady, ground eating pace. As they tore through Hyrule Field, Link shouted out. This, this was possibley one of the most dangerous things he had done, willingly. Yeah, he had fought monsters and bosses and even a shadow version of himself, but that was his job. This, this was something of his own choosing. This was dangerous, and fun.

He liked it.

He lept from Epona and landed on his feet in front of Kakariko Village. Climbing up into the village. Soon enough he was on top of Death Mountain. He patted the small vial. He looked up the mountain to the shadow of a giant boulder, whom he was quite sure was Biggoron.

Clenching his fists, he started up the mountain. Heading up it with a steady pace, he soon found himself halfway up the mountain in record time. He shook his head. What was that rumbling sound? A large ball of fire appeared from the air, and was headed straight to him. Jumping to the side, he landed in a roll, dodging the rock.

"Death Mountain isn't going to make it easy for me." He muttered. He took out his Megaton Hammer, and his shield. "These should give me the best bet if I want to survive those rocks."

Link ran up the mountain, his legs starting to protest the exercise. A large rock came down at him, and bracing himself, he blocked it to the side with his shield. He started up again, and another rock came down, one that was small enough to be slapped away with the Megaton Hammer. Every time he tried to make ground, the mountain spat a rock or another at him, forcing him to defend. There would be no way to do it like this.

Putting away the weapon and shield, he started on a hard run. A rock came rolling down at him, and he sidestepped the large boulder. A rock came from above, and he rolled under it to the safer side. He had to dodge and duck and weave past the hot rocks as they fell at him. He landed hard on his feet from a long jump. It put him almost directly under Biggoron, only a short climb would put him next to him.

The only problem was the spiders that covered it. At least three of the skullwalltulas were nesting on it, and at least a few tektites. Link gritted his teeth, and he climbed. Gripping small juts of rock, he pushed up, and kicked his legs for a foothold. This was a lot easier when it was a vine. Soon enough a skullwalltula spotted him. Racing towards him, he braced himself for impact. At the last second, he twisted his body, letting the shield take the force. The skullwalltula was knocked back from the hit, falling to the ground below.

Link grabbed onto a small ledge and climbed up. The tektite there on the ledge jumped at him, but he rolled under them, coming out in a leap to another ledge a few feet away. The tektites fell to the ground, unable to bother him further. The last couple skullwalltulas were to far away to be a nuisance, so the rest of the climb was easy for him.

He pulled himself up, and sighed. Getting to his feet, he jogged the last few steps to the biggest Goron ever. Biggoron looked down at him, his eyes squinted. "Hrrm, hrrm. You have returned young masters. Do you have my eye drops?"

Link held up the vial, and gave it to the Goron. "Right here."

Biggoron opened the small vial and dumped half of the contents into one eye, and half in another. Instantly, large tears fell from his face, and soon enough the dust was cleared. "Thank you, young masters. Hrrm, hrrm. I will repair this sword for you."

Shiek shook his head, startling Link. When had he shown up? Was he there that entire time? "No, I'm afraid Biggoron we have a different task for you." Link held out his sword. "It is time."

Biggoron's eyes narrowed. "Now? It, it is too soon. Hrrm, hrrm. Death Mountain will not be ready for another four days."

Link watched as Shiek nodded. "I know. But if you were to spend these next days preparing the dust, the Master Sword shall be ready for you then."

Link looked at them. "Dust?"

Biggoron nodded slowly. "Hrrm, hrrm. The dust of which the young master speaks is a sacred dust that we Gorons believe that the Goddesses left behind on Hyrule, a remnant of their power. It is said that it will enhance any sword to something more powerful than anything else ever created. Hrrm, hrrm."

"So, this dust will help enhance the Master Sword?"

"Yes, young master. Hrrm, hrrm. Once the dust is prepared, I need to apply it to the Master Sword in the lava from the very center of Death Mountain. It will be then it will be complete. Hrrm, hrrm."

"Four days?"

Biggoron nodded to Link's question. "Four days, in which I need to be alone. Hrrm, hrrm,"

Shiek bowed. "Of course, we will be in Death Mountain Crater training." Link stuck the Master Sword into the ground by Biggoron, and took out his hammer. He swung the Megaton Hammer experimentally, getting the feel for the heavy weight. He then dropped the Hylian Shield to rest next to the Master Sword.

Shiek waited for him in the crater, by the platform when Link entered the volcano. "These next four days will be a living nightmare for you, Link, if you don't learn to adapt."

Link stretched out his already aching muscles. "I'm ready!"

Shiek smiled, or, at least his eye had a peculiar glint to it. "I won't hold back." He flipped his hands, and out came several long, pointed daggers. With deadly accuracy, he started throwing them at Link. He jumped to the side, but was met by more of Shiek's daggers. He blocked clumsily with his hammer, before jumping to the side.

Shiek followed his target with more and more daggers. Each throw was somehow never off center, and it landed on him perfectly with every stroke. Or, it would have landed if Link didn't move out of the way. Sometimes he would get lucky and block a dagger, or he would miss and have the dagger stick out of the hard Dodongo hide.

Link managed to hide behind a pillar. Unable to hit him from that position, Shiek waited, gathering more daggers until his hands were full of them. Link breathed in and out slowly, trying to recover his strength. They had been at this for hours, and Link still couldn't get close enough to hit him. The only way to get to Shiek was either by warping, which would leave him vulnerable to an attack, or by charging across the old wooden bridge that was between them.

If he did charge, he wouldn't be able to defend very well against the daggers, and if he didn't he wouldn't be able to get close enough to hit him. He had few options, and it didn't help that the trek across Hyrule was starting to take its toll on him. It didn't help that they fought in the middle of a volcano, and it really didn't help that he didn't have a shield. Last time he fought without one was with Nadai in the Water Temple, but at least Nadai was with him. And before, when he fought her after the Forest Temple, at least that was just practice, and not a life and death situation.

Link made up his mind, it didn't matter about the daggers, he would just have to dodge them. He breathed in the scorching hot air, and prepared himself.

"Link! From now on, where those Iron Boots."

Link almost slumped down in defeat. Why now? Those would make it impossible for him to move at all, but he would have to try. He had to listen to Shiek. Even though in this fight they were enemies, he was still his mentor, and he was trying to improve him. Link dug out the iron boots, which were hot to the touch. He managed to get them on without much dificulty, storing his own boots away in his bad, which he left against the rock.

He made a step, and he clanked out against the rock. Sighing, he gathered himself. He didn't even know what day it was anymore. Readying the heavy hammer, he turned the pillar.

Shiek looked at Link, tired from the fight so far, and almost ready to rest. He had to admit, it was only six hours so far into their training, but his arm was starting to tire. But if he had been able to do it through Impa's training, then Link could as well. Raising his arms, he threw the multitude of daggers at Link, covering a wide area.

Link batted away the daggers directly in front of him, and jumped through the opening he had made. Rolling to his feet, he ran as fast as he could down the bridge. Shiek smiled, though it was unseen through his mask, and threw more daggers at him. This time, Link couldn't ready the Megaton Hammer, and he was forced to dodge. But, his feet, encased in the Iron Boots, wouldn't move as fast as he wanted, and he took the brute of at least five daggers to his chest.

Link growled in anger, and he jumped back. The daggers kept coming at him, following his every movement, until he was forced behind hid protective cover. He went to one knee, plucking daggers from his chest. That had hurt, and it would certainly leave a mark. Dropping them to the ground he noticed that after a few seconds they would fade away, and disappear from sight. Magic, Shiek was using magic.

Shiek concentrated, holding a dagger in his hands. It glowed with a strange blue light, and so did the rest of them. He laughed. "Link, don't even try to block these now." He threw the dagger at the pillar, right at about where Link's head should be.

Link fell backwards as a dagger busted through the pillar, creating a small hole in it before it flew into the volcano wall, buried to the hilt. "Son of a-" But he never got to finish his sentence as daggers tore through the pillar, making holes in it as if it were parchment. Safe on the ground, Link watched as the middle of the pillar was reduced to nothing, causing the top of it to fall straight at him.

He stood up, and hit the pillar with all his might, breaking it. Below, Shiek looked at him in shock. As tired as he must be, he managed to dodge all of those daggers and had enough strength to destroy that pillar with a single blow. Impressive.

Link's short rest was soon disrupted by the presence of more daggers. This time, he had to move in order to stay alive. If they could bust through solid rock, what could they do to him? He was forced away from the bridge, back to where he would be vulnerable at any angle.

And so time passed.

Link was tiring, he didn't know how long it was but certainly time had passed. Certainly it had been four days, right? As Shiek threw more daggers at him, he couldn't be certain, he only knew that he didn't want to be hit.

Below, Shiek was impressed by Link's endurance. It had been a total of one day so far, and since being hit in the chest, he hadn't taken any more hits. But even from this distance he knew Link was tiring. Link would have to do better than what he was doing in order to beat him. He stopped throwing, and started concentrating. The dagger which had a blue hue turned green. Throwing it, the dagger went faster than before and buried itself to the hilt in the rocky wall.

Link's eyes opened wider. They were faster now? He didn't want to be hit to see if they could still puncture rock. All of the sudden, things were kicked up a notch, and he didn't know if he would be able to handle it. He turned to escape, but Shiek's daggers pinned him down. He was trapped.

"Take off the Iron Boots now, Link. Go barefoot." Shiek took out a small bottle and held it up. "If you want this bottle, come and get me."

Link's eyes widened, and he grew new strength from some hidden reservoir. It was a fairy. A fairy would even the odds. Now he had to get there. He kicked off his Iron Boots, and felt the rock beneath his feat. It was hot, but not unbearable because of the tunic he wore. He would be able to do it now.

Shiek smiled as Link had taken off his shoes. He would be able to make it across the bridge now. "Now, come and get me!"

Link charged, and to his surprise, he could move faster than he thought he would be able to. The daggers which were super fast now, seemed slower to him. He could spot their movements and was able to dodge them. He smiled, he might be able to do it now.

He ran to the bridge, ducking and weaving to avoid the daggers. His body was moving on its own, the muscles remembering moves they had spent hours learning. He finally made it to the bridge, and he kept on dodging as he assessed it. It would be a hard run, then he would have to make a flying leap in order to get there.

But, the daggers were coming in at a rate which surprised Link, and as he grew tired, he found that he would not be able to press forward. As tired as he was, he would make no headway to Shiek if he was as tired as this. And so, hours passed, and Link remained in the same spot, dodging the daggers until they became something more of a second nature.

Shiek was starting to grow frustrated. Maybe Link didn't have what it took. He threw a large batch of daggers at him, forcing Link to jump back to avoid being hit. Then, he concentrated. Only one level left, and it would be a level Link wouldn't be able to beat if he didn't step up. Green turned to red, and the final level was set.

"I will kill you!" Shiek roared out. His daggers flew at Link, who ducked in contrast. Instead of burying themselves hilt deep, they exploded on contact. Link could only gulp. "If you don't get me, you would have failed!"

Link narrowed his eyes, he wouldn't fall for that easily. He would do this, he needed to be better. Already he knew he was faster, and that he could spot those daggers easily. But now he had to be stronger. He had to do this. No more wasting time, nor more retreating. He would fight!

He ran, dodging them as they came. He jumped, soaring through the air. Then he was hit. The dagger didn't bust all the way through his tunic, but it did move him off center. And so, instead of landing on rock, Link fell off a few feet to the side, into the lava.

"No!" Shiek yelled out. He buried his open eye to the world with his hand. "I've killed him. I've failed."

As Shiek wept, Link groaned. Below him was a scarecrow, and just in reach was another one. They had popped out of the wall to help him. Link felt something in his head, a nagging thought he couldn't get rid of. Why now? What was it? Was it...memories? Something, something important?

"Hurry up Hero of Time." One scarecrow said, moving him from his memory.

"We said we will be there for you when you need it. We are never late." The other said.

Whatever it was, it was gone now. And he took the opportunity to climb up, moving from scarecrow to scarecrow until he reached the top. Climbing up, he saw Shiek staring at him.

"You're alive..."

Link nodded. He strode over and picked up the fairy bottle. Releasing the cork, he felt his body rejuvenated, until he knew he could go in and fight once more. It had felt like he had a week to rest. His muscles weren't sore, his feet weren't blistered, but calloused. The bruises he got from the daggers were gone as well.

Shiek smiled. "Well done. And now time for the second half of our training." Link nodded, his hammer in his hand. "We already improved your speed. Now is the time to improve your skill." Shiek took out a long whip. "Gannondorf will use twin swords against you. We will get to that point soon enough. But for now, we will work on your technique."

The whip cracked against the ground. "You will fight a dark version of yourself, though you can only use that weapon. If your technique is wrong, I will hit you."

Before his eyes came Dark Link. Link's eyes widened. "I killed him."

Dark Link smiled. "You did. I'm only here to do a job."

Shiek nodded gravely. "Defeat him, and you'll be ready. Link, don't fail me now."

Link narrowed his eyes. "I will. Did you learn anything about working together?"

Dark Link shook his head. "That concept is still foreign to me."

"I'm sorry." Link attacked with his hammer as if he would a sword.

And the fight was on. Dark Link had a shield, which proved more than useful against Link's attack. As fresh and fit as Dark Link was, the training Link had received proved to be too much for him. Soon, Dark Link was on the run, with the Hero of Time following.

CRACK!

Link fought back the urge to scream. "Your form is off!"

Shiek had watched for the first few minutes, but now it was time to be nit picky. Using his whip constantly, he picked out minor flaws in Link's attacks and in his defense, and his posture...the list goes on and on. And soon, Link felt the whip taste blood.

With this annoyance on his side, Dark Link pressed the advantage, and could keep up to Link's onslaught. But, as time ticked away, Shiek knew the winner. Link was slowly adjusting himself to this new fighting style, and was correcting his mistakes faster than Shiek could use his whip.

And so, on the end of the third day, Dark Link fell into the lava, dieing once more.

Link ignored the pain in his muscles and back. "Now?"

Shiek smiled. "You fight me."

He drew two longswords he had brought for the occasion. He turned his body to fight as if he were Gannondorf. "I might not be as strong as him, but I have his skill in this fighting style. I will kill you if you don't fight back."

Link raised his hammer, and ignored the pain in his arm and back. "Then let's do it."

Shiek attacked, using the moves that he knew Gannondorf would use, or moves similar. Link deflected and defended. At first, he didn't know how to defend and attack against two different weapons. But his mind returned to Nadai, and the battle they shared back in Kokiri Forest. Shiek's weapons were just extra long daggers. The moves were similar. Not that different. Link knew how to attack and defend now, he had to pretend he was fighting a much stronger Nadai with a longer reach. And so, he did.

Despite the new knowledge he had to defeat Shiek, he still was not ready. The Shiekah had enhanced his swords with speed, and strength, so they glowed with a green hue. Link could only assume Shiek didn't use the third level because explosions would just hurt both of them at this point. So, as Shiek went faster and faster and stronger with every swing, Link had to rely more on the defensive dodging he had worked on before.

It was only after a few minutes when he realized that Shiek had prepared him for this. He could see the swords because they were not much faster than the daggers that were thrown at him. His legs could move to match Shiek's strides. His stance was almost constantly in the right position, and he moved fluidly from one to the next. The only thing that was messing with him was his hammer, and that was only because he didn't have a proper sword. Now if he had the Master Sword, then he would've won by now instead of fighting.

They lost themselves in the fight, their movements perfect from one to the next. It was as if they danced instead of fought. As they blended together, they ignored fatigue and pain, they only saw the sword, and openings, and feints, and, well, you get the picture.

"Hrrm, hrrm."

They instantly both stopped, and Link had to wonder how much time had actually passed. He glanced at Biggoron, the Master Sword in his hand. Shiek looked up to the massive Goron. "Are we ready?"

"Yes, young masters. The Master Sword is ready for the final step. Hrrm, hrrm."

Biggoron stepped over the gap and stood by Link. He gazed at the sword, which was covered in a fine dust. "Is that it?"

"The dust of the three Goddesses, ready to be used at last. Hrrm, hrrm. Watch, young master." Biggoron knelt down to the lava, and stuck his hand inside.

"Ah! What are you doing?!" Link cried out.

"Hrrm, hrrm. Don't worry young master. As a Goron, I am immune to the effects of the lava. And the Master Sword, it is stronger than you think. Hrrm, hrrm."

Link waited as Biggoron started to chant. Low, guttural, and incomprehsable at first, it became something more. Something louder. He could only catch the last few lines.

"Baptized in fire, born of flame; the silver dust shall still remain. Wrought from man, forged by light; silver dust now lay inside. Master Sword, made anew; the spirit of the hero be true. Silver sparks, laid within; Farore, Nayru, and Din. Bless this sword, the legend grows; vanquish its evil foes!"

Biggoron raised the sword in a single motion, raising it high above him. Lava dripped down the silver blade, and landed into the pool once again. Biggoron let it down slowly, letting it catch the light from the lava and the fire around it. He turned, and threw the sword to Link, who was watching in astonishment.

As Link caught the sword, by pure reflex. His first thought was, 'Ow! That's hot!' But as he held it, he realized that it was cool to the touch. A silver gleam shown through, as if a hidden light was inside. He swung the Master Sword, and it was light. It seemed lighter than before, but somehow, stronger.

"Link." Shiek stood by Link's bag. "Here." He threw a red glowing dagger at him.

He twisted his sword like so, and cut the dagger in two. Despite it's power, despite it's speed, and despite the explosiveness, he had cut it in two. And there wasn't even a mark on the Master Sword.

"Thank you, both of you." He bowed low. "This is amazing."

Shiek appeared next to him with his bag. "I have helped you to train your body. Wanderer has cured you of your fear. The Master Sword is ready for someone like you." Link nodded, and sheathed the sword, putting on his boots soon after. "You have such an amazing endurance for one so young and inexperienced." Shiek took out his harp. "It is time to rejoin your friends. Go to the Temple of Light. I will meet you there."

Biggoron was already gone, leaving Link alone as Shiek disappeared in a flash of white light. Link picked up his bag, and went outside. Death Mountain was quiet, and the sound of the giant sleeping Goron was the only noise. Link changed out of his tunic, and put on his familiar green one. As tired as he was, Link looked out over the horizon, the dawn easily visible from such height.

"Is this okay for me?" He asked aloud. "When the scarecrows caught me, I remembered something, something hauntingly familiar." He took out his ocarina. A tune? He played the Ocarina of Time until a familiar melody came to being. As he did so, Biggoron woke up and silently watched as Link played on. When he was done playing, Link fell to the ground, his head writhing in pain.

"Augh!"

Biggoron frowned. "Hrrm, hrrm." He whispered. "That song is awakening something deep inside him. That song is used to awaken the sleepiest of creatures, but for him...what is he awakening then? Hrrm, hrrm."

Link rose to his feet, pain filling his head. He tried hard to remember, remember anything. The scene before the blue block in the Forest Temple filled his mind. Fighting Dark Link, only Nadai or her counterpart weren't there. Fighting Gannondorf.

Suddenly it was all gone. "When did I fight Gannondorf?" Link rose to his feet. Gazing out over the sunrise, he felt the few memories that he had gained fade away into a dull ache in the very back of his mind. "I feel as if there is a gate, a door blocking me from going into the past. I remember my childhood. I remember vaguely living with the Great Deku tree. But why can I not remember this?"

Link closed his eyes and fought back tears of frustration. "Why can't I remember?" He put his ocarina to his lips. "Why?" He played the Prelude of light and fell away into white sparks.

"Why?"

Wang: Memories!

Shadow: We will hurry up with Nadai, the only problem is that we forget all about the Well.

Wang: Wait, are we still stuck there?

Shadow: Sigh

Time Stop: Please Review!