"Wow. It's beautiful."

"Call me crazy again, but this feels like deja vu. I have definitely seen such a beautiful temple before."

Despite the minor destruction, Link, Spryte, and Zelda were still amazed by the interior of the ancient temple made into a modern church. Like the outside, the walls were made with marble, though darkened with soot from the raze of Rauru. Two long columns of pews separated the church into three aisles: two smaller, outer aisles and a large, central one the three traveled upon currently. A burned red rugged lined the central aisle, leading up to an altar underneath a podium. Behind the podium is a pair of doors, imitating a glowing sun with their design. Above that door, and giving away its purpose, was the Triforce. The windows facing north allowed the last waves of light to enter the building, but not enough to totally illuminate the area. Spryte, noticing the torches lining the walls, fluttered to each of them, casting some light in the church. Meanwhile, Link and Zelda continued to walk down to the altar, where three stones were placed equidistant from each other. A red, triangular gem took the center, while a trio of blue gems was placed to the left and a circular green gem to the right.

Link recognized the three stones. "The Spiritual Stones, right? But I thought the Pendants of Virtue were the Spiritual Stones?"

"Then maybe these were placed to hide the real ones, though how nobody questioned it is beyond me. It's quite obvious they're fake if the Doors of Time is closed. There had to be another reason for it… A reason we don't need to know now." Zelda wrung the Pendants of Wisdom from her neck and took out Power from her pouch. "I'm sure the placement of these is the same. Link."

Link removed the "Spiritual Stones" while Zelda put her two pendants in place. In response, Power and Wisdom glowed softly, indicating their correct placement. Next, Link set the Pendant of Courage down, watching it glow. "Great. Now for the song. My lullaby." Zelda took the Ocarina of Time in hand, pushing it to her mouth and softly playing Zelda's Lullaby. It was loud enough to echo across the temple, and as Zelda finished the tune, the sound changed to a booming groan. Link, Spryte, and Zelda watched as the Doors of Time slowly opened, revealing a small room behind them. Zelda pocketed the instrument, then raised her Gossip Charm. "Sages, the doors are open."

"Great," Ralph exclaimed cheerfully, "but please hurry up. Those robot things from Death Mountain are back, and this time, they can fly!"

Riju's voice was next, and it was more alarming than Ralph's. "Has anyone seen Midna?"

"What do you mean?"

"She disappeared after activating the Light Pedestal."

"I can't sense her presence anywhere in the city, not even the power of light."

"Neither can I," Spryte confirmed. "There's no trace of her."

"We'll look for her. Maybe she's alright. Link, Zelda, Spryte, you go get that Triforce. But hurry. The machines can tear us apart, and we're already fighting… What the hell?!"

Link stepped up, taking Zelda's charm. "Oren, what does that mean? Ralph?"

"More monsters, but this time… they're-" The link severed, leaving the heroes inside the Temple of Time clueless to the events Oren had brought up. Zelda, after trying to raise the Sages again, put the charm away.

"I can't even call for them telepathically. I think we're being cut off by another power."

"Like a king?"

"Precisely, Spryte. A king indeed." Zelda was first to step into the multi-windowed, circular chamber behind the Doors of Time, followed by Spryte and Link as she continued to the lone pedestal in the room's center. She stopped short of it, turning to Link. "Link, do you know what this is?"

"Not the Sacred Realm, or the Triforce. Is it not supposed to be here?"

"Link, think harder. Everything we've done since entering the temple… It is like in the stories. You place the three stones, play the song of the royal family, then…"

"Oh." Link stepped forward, drawing the Master Sword. "You remove the Master Sword...or in this case, place it back." Link twirled the blade, pointing it downwards and lowered it inside the pedestal. Light radiated from the hole as the sword was firmly set in place. Seconds later, a staircase of light appeared, coming down from the window directly behind the pedestal. Link removed the Master Sword, then turned to Zelda. She looked at the path along the stairs to the window, illuminating with bright light, with a worried stare. There was also no Spryte in sight. "Zelda?"

"Link… If you could possess the full Triforce, what would you wish?"

Link had never thought of doing such a thing, so he said the first thing that came to his mind. "Umm… Peace, I guess. It is what we're fighting for."

Zelda slightly nodded, then walked up to Link. "Yes, but...what would it be that you would really want?"

"I… I don't…" At that moment, Link did know what he would wish for. The events of the Great Palace replayed in his mind. Seeing his father and mother, alive, together for the first time in his memories...that would be his wish. Then his mind swam elsewhere, to a person closer and very much alive right in front of him. He hadn't concentrated on his feelings for Zelda ever since they had left Kakariko (when Spryte lied about him liking Hilda… He has almost forgotten about that), but ever since they left Ordon, he focused on protecting her, putting his life on the line just to place her on her rightful throne. Veran's words didn't hit him then, but now… Maybe it was selfish, but he deserved this one. "If… I had a wish that I truly wanted, I would wish to be back in Ordon, spending days hunting in the woods, taking over my father's blacksmithing shop, and relaxing by the spring. I would wish that every morning, I would sit at the table, and there would be my father and my mother, and for the first time, I can have both my parents at a meal. I would wish that...I could spend each and every one of those days with you, Zelda, as we already had. I would want to spend the rest of my days with you if I could make that wish."

Zelda placed her hands on her chest, tears forming rivers down her cheeks. Her assumptions were right. Link indeed had fallen for her, not Hilda (No offense to the other Princess, but she had her man). In shock "You...you would wish that?"

"Yeah," Link chuckled, rubbing the back of his head, "yeah I would. Or I would wish for Spryte to vanish. I still have to get back at her for lying to you about Hilda."

"HEY! I can hear you!"

Zelda and Link chuckled. Link turned to the glowing window, gesturing to it. "Go get the Triforce, Princess Zelda."

Zelda took a step, then paused. She turned to Link, blushing. "I would make a similar wish if I had the choice. Of course, I would still be a princess. If I was born a princess, Link, do you think…"

Link nodded, grinning. "I think fate would lead us to each other. It has so many times, why would this one be different?"

"Yeah… I know my wish. I will correct the last 18 years so that none of the atrocities that Vaati has committed had ever happened. A lot of things will change. Ordon will be here. Ravio and Hilda won't have to come here. Oren will be with her sister. Ralph will have his mother. It will be as if the Imperials had never existed… So, Link, if fate brings us back together, I would love that. But if this is the last time we are to see each other in this reality, I…"

Zelda never got to finish her sentence as Link captured her lips. She was stunned at first, that Link was kissing her, then she melted into it, bringing her hands up to Link's head and knocking the cap to the ground. She felt Link's hands interlock on the backside of her waist, pushing her closer to him. It was a dream come true, but if this was a dream, someone should come wake her now.

"Ahem." Link and Zelda broke apart their faces, turning to the now-present Spryte. "Yes, this is all good now, but...you know...Triforce."

Zelda chuckled. "Yes. And Spryte?"

"Hmm?"

"I hope we meet again as well."

Spryte blushed herself, her glow turning hot pink. "Ah...well...same Zel. Hopefully, I'll be your fairy, not Link's."

"Right. Whatever." Link released Zelda, stepping to the side. Zelda began her ascent, halting halfway up the stairs to face Link one more time. She smiled, letting a single tear fall. "I'll see you later, Link Koroks, Hero of Hyrule."

"I'll see you later, Princess Zelda Harkinian Hyrule."

Da dumm. Ba bumm. Da dum ba bum dum dum dummmmmmmm. Link, Spryte, and Zelda faced the entrance to the chamber, hearing the sounds of an organ being played before a dark, low chuckle echoed off the wall. Then a form appeared, surprising all three rebels. They expected Vaati, Veran, or both to show up and try to stop them, but it never crossed their minds, or any of their Sages' minds, that he would show up.

Yet… Link gritted his teeth as he remembered Onox's final words. "The Imperials aren't your only threat. There is one more, not as deadly now, but just as potent...end him, you'll end all your troubles… Go...to the Temple of Time...where the fate...of blood...of spirit...and of hatred...awaits you…" The General knew this. Was it his plan? If it was...Link stepped between Zelda and the newcomer in battle position. "Zelda, go!"

"Oh, I don't think so." An orb was fired towards Zelda, but Link zapped it with a beam from the Master Sword. He then fired another one directly at the attacker, hitting and launching him back into the main chamber of the temple. Link turned back to Zelda, annoyed that she hadn't moved yet. "Go!"

"But Link…"

"I can handle it. Just go! Spryte, with me." Link ran out the chamber, Spryte flying right behind. Sheathing the Master Sword, Link turned to the Doors of Time. Using all his strength, he pushed them in, sealing Zelda and the path to the Sacred Realm inside.

"AHHH!" Link heard a little thud beside him, looking to the ground to see Spryte sprawled out unconscious.

"Spryte!" Link bent down, taking a bottle from his pouch and placing her inside. She'll be safer in there anyway, if his upcoming battle was going to be messy. Standing back up, Link looked at the other person in the room with fury. "Ganondorf!"

Ganondorf returned the glare, angry that his path to the Triforce was closed. The Princess still had the Ocarina of Time, and without it, he couldn't reopen the Doors of Time. "Link!"

"You attacked my fairy. That's a line you don't cross."

"You are taking my Triforce!"

"It belongs to Zelda, and what use could you have for it?"

"To become stronger. One who wields the Triforce shall have untold power, one that will make the Imperial King's pale in comparison."

Link shook his head. "Zelda is going to wish that none of this ever happened. Ganondorf, she will set things right. You will have your family, your kingdom, all you remember back as the way it was. Would that be better than...ultimate power?"

It was Ganondorf's turn to shake his head. "I care for none of that. You believe Vaati, Veran, and Ghirahim should get away with their crimes like that? They spilled blood, and it shall be repaid. You, Hero, should understand that."

Midna was right. Ganondorf had changed, no longer the way she and the others used to describe him. He had only seen a sliver of that on Death Mountain when they worked together, but that day Ganondorf had saved his life. The man before him was a much darker person… One Link couldn't reason with. One Link will have to put down permanently. "Forgive me, Midna…" "If that is the case, then I will have to stop you."

Ganondorf closed his eyes and smirked, chuckling as he slowly rose into the air. "Fine. Then let me show you how much your precious Triforce is worth! AAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!" Ganondorf flew straight down, slamming his fist into the floor of the Temple of TIme. A shockwave emitted from the point of impact, sending furniture across the chamber, shattering the windows, and nearly knocking Link off his feet. Once he was settled, he spotted Ganondorf back in the air, charging a ball of energy from his hand and throwing it at Link. The Hero quickly drew his shield, using it to block the orb in an attempt to swat it aside. However, the ball flew straight back towards Ganondorf, unexpected for both boys. In his surprise, Ganondorf was struck, howling as his own power excited every nerve in his body.

Once the pain subsided, Ganondorf growling, creating and throwing another ball at Link. Link reflected it back again, but Ganondorf struck it again with so much force it recessed back to Link before he knew what happened. Link released a blood-curdling scream as he fell to the ground. It was over as quickly as it began, but Link had to lay down for a second. How the hell Ganondorf didn't collapse on the ground… Back on his feet, Link displayed some heroic bravado. "That's all you got?"

Ganondorf flashed his teeth. "I will show you more, then. HA!" Another ball was thrown, and the two, to avoid the pain the ball can cause, continued to volley it back and forth. Ganondorf had to switch arms after some time, and Link, deciding to be flashy, switched from the Hylian Shield to a bottle (an empty one, not Spryte's, though he did think about it) to test his luck. As the volley continued, neither noticed to know that the ball's power increased.

Link, however, decided that he wouldn't be able to continue to play this game with Ganondorf much longer. His arms were aching, and he was sure Ganondorf was in similar pain. He just needed an opening… "Midna, forgive me twice." As the ball came to Link, he looked to the entrance of the Temple of Time, yelling "Midna, help!" Ganondorf fell hard for the bait, turning towards the entrance just as Link swatted the ball. He realized it was a trick too late; the ball collided with him a second time, powerful enough to disable him from the air. Ganondorf cried out as he fell, landing with a sickening thud.

As the energy died off, Link leaped down to equal footing with Ganondorf, watching as the Gerudo fidgeted from aftershocks as he tried to get back on his feet. Link's dark blue eyes glared down angrily at Ganondorf, holding his hands by his side. He said nothing, but he communicates at the same time by looking at his opponent. "Give up," his look said.

At the same time, Ganondorf didn't let his sight of Link waver. Golden eyes burning bright with fury and bloodlust, Ganondorf managed to get to his feet, breathing heavily as his look answered Link. "No" was his answer.

Link spoke no more, reaching his left hand behind him, feeling the hilt of the Master Sword, pulling it up and out, letting Ganondorf see the Blade of Evil's Bane. The same sword used to wipe out his ancestor many times over. This was Link's final warning to Ganondorf.

Ganondorf chuckled, outstretching his right hand. From bottom to its three-pointed tips, the Trident of Power came into form. Ganondorf gripped it, drawing power from it. He wasn't going to back down from the Hero, nor his blade. Ganon killed a Hero once. It can be done again.

As General Onox had originally planned days before, the fate proclaimed by the Demon King Demise many millennia ago was to proceed once more. It happened seven years in a future, in a dark world, in a land of dreams, in a ruined kingdom, and 30 years ago within Death Mountain.

Hatred versus Spirit.

Power versus Courage.

Demon King versus Hero of Hyrule.

Ganondorf versus Link.