Chapter 9: Temple of Time

In Castle Town.

Citizens were screaming in terror, many have packed their supplies, fleeing the town.

"Ganondorf is starting a rebellion!" A male citizen screamed.

Mothers were running while carrying their babies in terror.

"What the hell is going on?" Usopp asked feeling shaken up.

"Ganondorf must've made his move," Robin guessed seeing the destruction and the panicked citizens.

"That stupid jerk, I'm gonna kick his ass!" Luffy shouted in anger.

"Luffy!" Zoro placed his hand on his captain's shoulder.

"What's the deal?" His captain asked wondering why the first mate stopped him. "We need to stay calm, if we just go and rush in recklessly, our chances of saving Zelda and her followers will be zero."

"He's right for once, our first thing is to check on Zelda!" Sanji proclaimed. "Link, Luffy, Usopp, you guys are with me, we'll check on the princess together, as for the rest, Chopper, make sure that there's no other citizens that were left behind, Nami, you with him too, also, Robin, you take Franky and Brook with you, search for any guards that need help, once that's done, all of us will meet at the Temple of Time."

Zoro doesn't like taking orders from the perverted cook, but seeing how dire the situation is, there was no other choice. "Alright, as for me, I'll go along with Nami and Chopper, they'll need some protection, anyway."

"Yeah!" Luffy roared.

"Yeah, sure..." Usopp said with a smile though it showed he was sacred.

Link lead the three pirates up the Hyrule Castle, there was a gate, but it was destroyed.

That wasn't the worse part, there were royal guards on the ground, unconscious.

"This is bad," Sanji winced in disgust.

Luffy got down and held up a guard. "Mr. Guard, what happened here, where is Zelda?"

The guard barely woke up, but he opened his eyes. "Ugh... Ganondorf... betrayed the king... he and his followers are attacking now..." The guard spoke in a low tone.

Wasting no time, the four ran up the main gate, most of the guards they passed by were unconscious or barely alive.

"Sky Walk!" Sanji stepped on the climbing up one of the walls.

"Grappling AAAAHHHH!" Usopp launched his grappling hook which grabbed part of the wall ledges.

Luffy stretched out his arm grabbing part of the wall and wrapped his other arm around Link's body. "Hang on!"

The four made it to the top.

"Zelda!" Link looked down seeing Zelda with her attendant Impa, both were on another tower, both were cornered by Ganondorf.

"Damn you... Ganondorf..." Impa cursed under her breath.

"Where is my father?" Zelda asked fearfully.

The three pirates and the fairy boy listened closely to this.

"The king is sleeping... FOR ETERNITY!" Ganondorf proclaimed in with a dark sinister smile.

Zelda gasped realizing what the dark red-haired man meant. "You monster... my new friends and the Hero of Time will stop you!"

Ganondorf just smirked. "What... a... joke...STUPID LITTLE GIRL"

POW

The evil Gerudo man punched where the princess and her attendant were but luckily Impa was able to grab the princess and jump out of the way.

Luffy was outraged. "You bastard!"

Ganondorf glanced where the shouting came from, as Luffy leaped over to where the dark man was. "GUM GUM STAMP GATLING!" He created an illusion similar to his Gatling Pistol except he used his feet.

"Luffy!" Zelda cried with joy, realizing that the Straw hats and Link must've returned in the nick of time.

The dark red-haired man just smirked, then he jumped upward, and punched the straw hat captain hard in the stomach.

Then Ganondorf grabbed Luffy by his head and tossed him down to the ground.

"How did that happen?" Sanji wondered.

"Isn't your friend made of rubber?" Navi questioned.

"That bastard is stronger than I thought," Link said as he ran down a hallway

Usopp took out his slingshot. "Special Attack: Super Smoke Star!"

Ganondorf saw this but before he could react, the smoke ball exploded creating a big smokescreen.

"Hey, Zelda, you and your grandma get out there now, RUN!" Usopp called out.

Impa was a little offended by being called grandma, but seeing the situation, she had to flee and get the princess to safety.

"Like I'll let you escape Princess Zelda!" Ganondorf roared as he attempted to grab the princess and her attendant.

"I ain't going to let you lay a finger on a couple of beautiful women, Epaule Sprawl!" Sanji leaped up and did a downward kick on Ganondorf's shoulder.

"How did that feel?" Sanji asked with a smirk.

His smirk vanished when he saw that Ganondorf wasn't even flinching. "That kinda tickled..." The dark man grabbed the chef's leg with his left hand and tossed him onto the ground.

Sanji coughed as he was slammed on his back.

Ganondorf smirked at the chef. "Stupid kid, did you think you and your friends could defeat me so easily?"

Sanji then started to get up. "Heh, I heard that before, you're not a bad fighter, still I won't you get near princess Zelda or Impa." He stood up.

Luffy then appeared from the rubble he crashed on him. "Ganondorf!" He roared.

There two were trees between him, there was plenty of room to shoot himself up. "Gum-Gum Rocket!" He launched himself up the tower and stopped at the tower's top roof.

"Now Gum-Gum Whip!" Luffy stretched his leg out which almost hit Ganondorf in the face.
"Stupid boy." The dark man smirked evilly. Then the Gerudo King charged towards the rubber man and punched him in the face.

Luffy was sent almost off the ledge again, but he grabbed part of the ledge preventing him from falling. "I ain't done!"

Sanji saw Link going down the stairs. "Link you go ahead, we'll catch up, but in the meantime make sure the princess and her attendant escape!"

"I'm on it!" The fairy boy replied as he continued.

"Usopp, cover us!" Luffy commanded. "Destroy any skeleton guards that come near us!"

"Roger!" Usopp saluted despite he was feeling scared.

Impa carried the Princess while using her sword to slice down nearby undead skeletons that were chasing them.

But more of the skeletons were coming at them still, Zelda had her eyes shut tightly.

"Zelda!" Link called, who was running down a staircase.

"Link!" The princess said feeling relieved.

Link was almost to the bottom until a skeleton blocked his path. "Get out of my way!" He demanded.

The skeleton didn't budge, instead, he pointed his sword and held his shield. "Little shrimp... if you think that I'm gonna let you pass, then think again."

Link slashed through the skeleton into pieces, which the fairy boy was relieved, but before he continue, the skeleton pulled itself or rather the entire bone part together.

"Hee, hee... Not even a scratch," The skeleton laughed with a dark whisper.

Before Link could make a move, the skeleton attempted to slash the boy with his sword, though the fairy boy blocked the attack using the Deku Shield, the force was too strong that he fell on the ground.

It got worse, Link looked where his shield was and it was on fire. "Aah!" He exclaimed. "The Deku Shield!"

The Deku Shield was now nothing more than a pile of burned wood.

Impa came out of nowhere riding a white horse with Zelda in front of her, they attempted to escape.

Link ran off after them. "Zelda!"

The princess was very concerned about leaving Link and his friends. "Impa, wait, what about my friends!"

"There's no time, we have to escape, I'm sorry!" Impa said feeling bad, but knowing what had to be done.

Zelda then took out the Ocarina and tossed it as far as she could which landed in the moat.

"Pant... Pant... Pant..." Link panted heavily feeling exhausted.

He looked in the direction where Zelda tossed whatever she threw, then he heard a horse snort from behind him and turned around.

Ganondorf was riding on his black horse, he was looking down at the fairy boy with a sinister smile. "Heh, heh, you, did you see where Princess Zelda and her attendant went off to?"

Link stepped back a little. "Where are my friends, did you kill them?!" He asked almost angry.

Ganondorf's smile just stayed on his face before he spoke; "Maybe..."

Link sheathed his Kokiri Sword. "Too bad, you ain't getting nothing from me!"

A slight chuckle came from Ganondorf. "You want a piece of me, I like your attitude..." He raised his left hand and dark energy was gathered in his palm which fired a dark light of energy at the fairy boy.

Link was hit in the chest sending him crashing on his back and wincing in pain.

"No!" Navi screamed.

Little did he know that his Ocarina fell out of his pocket, which Ganondorf noticed. "Oh, just what I was looking for."

"That's Saria's Ocarina!" Link thought.

Ganondorf looked at the fairy boy one more time. "Heh... heh... pathetic little boy, do you and your friends know who you're up against, I am Ganondorf, the man that'll rule the entire world!"

He then galloped his horse and they ran off further into the plains, disappearing from view.

Link was in a kneeling position looking up at the dark sky, feeling helpless. "Damn it!" He cursed slamming his fist to the ground. "Even with my strength, I wasn't able to beat him!"

Images of Luffy and his friends appeared in his head. "Luffy, Zoro, everyone, what should we do?"

"Not giving up, that's what," A voice said.

Luffy, Sanji, and Usopp were in front of him, both had minor injuries. "Thank goodness, you guys are alright!" Navi said in relief.

"Where are the others?" Link asked.

"They're at the Temple of Time, they managed to get the citizens out of the town too, so now's our chance to get the Temple of Time!" Sanji answered.

Link then remembered what Zelda threw into the moat. "Hold on!" He jumped into the moat and dived to look where the Ocarina of Time was.

He looked around holding his breath, eventually, he found and held up. "I got the Ocarina of Time!"

Just then a strange fog covered the draw bridge.

"What is going?" Usopp asked.

"Where'd this fog come from, that's the main question," Sanji wondered looking around.

"I can't see well, it's too thick," Luffy said trying to see through the thickness.

"Link, Luffy, Sanji, Usopp..." A female voice said which they recognized.

"Zelda?" Link spoke looking where her voice was coming from.

"Once you hold this Ocarina, I won't be around anymore..." Zelda said.

"What do you mean?" Sanji asked. "I never got to meet you properly!"

Usopp placed his hand on the chef's shoulder. "Hey, let her finish!"

"Link, I wanted to wait for you and your friends, but I couldn't delay any longer," Zelda said sounding sad. "But, the least I could do, is leave this Ocarina and this song that is needed to open the Door of Time."

Zelda began to play a tune known as the Song of Time.

Link took the Ocarina of Time and played the song himself, in which a blue light of energy shined around him.

Just then the fog disappeared.

"Let's get going!" Link said running back into the destroyed town.

"Yeah!" The pirates proclaimed with determination.

They arrived at the Temple of Time, the other Strawhat were already there, with minor injuries.

Explaining the situation, they all went into the temple.

Link approached the alter and played the Song of Time.

"Such a melody..." Brook said.

That's when the big doors opened.

"That's so cool!" Luffy shouted excitedly.

Nami looked at the three Spiritual Stones. "Too bad, I was hoping these stones would make a good fortune."

"Cut it out," Usopp whispered with an annoyed look.

The group went into the chamber and there in the center was Master Sword.

Zoro was quite fascinated by the legendary blade. "That's quite the sword..." He gazed upon it, observing the blade and the blue handle, even noticing the Triforce symbol close to the bottom.

"That's impressive," Robin said. "I'm not a Sword expert, but to see such a legendary weapon is something."

Link went to the pedestal that held the legendary blade in place. "If I have this Sword... Will I be able to beat Ganondorf?"

"Not time for doubts, pick up already!" Zoro stated.

"I hate to admit, but Zoro is right, this isn't the time to be doubting yourself," Sanji said lighting a cigarette.

"He's right, you must be chosen to wield a blade like that," Usopp said calmly.

"If anyone that can defeat Ganondorf with that blade, it's got to be you," Brook said with a chuckle.

"Right, we'll be with ya all the way, bro!" Franky said with a grin fixing his sunglasses

Robin giggled. "I'll be by your side too, cutie."

"I don't like fighting monsters, but I want to see what the princess will award us with," Nami said with a greedy look that was hoping to get cash or treasure. "So I'll help out any way I can and with my navigating skills, we won't get lost in any dungeon."

"As a Doctor, I'll treat whatever injures that you and the others get!" Chopper cheered.

"That's right, so take that Sword and let's go kick Sanondork's ass!" Luffy stated.

"It's Ganondorf, you idiot!" Navi and Zoro shouted in unison.

Link knew that they were right, so he walked up the top, with the Strawhats in a circle, all of them nodded at the fairy boy. "EEE...EEE!"

The fairy boy pulled up the legendary blade out of the pedestal, but then a blue light glimmered from around the pedestal.

"What is going on?" Link asked.

"Hey, what the deal!?" Franky wondered seeing the light surrounding the pedestal.

"I would like to know that!" Nami shouted looking worried.

"Something is wrong, I feel funny!" Luffy said noticing something was up.

"What do you mean, we're not dying, are we?" Usopp asked on the verge of flipping out.

"Geh, heh, heh, excellent work!" A voice laughed.

Just then Ganondorf appeared out of nowhere. "As I thought, you and your friends had the keys to the Door of Time, all of you lead me to Sacred Realm!"

"What is he talking about?" Link wondered.

"I owe it to all to you and your stupid friends!" Ganondorf began to laugh maniacally before he disappeared.

"Ganondorf, come back here!" Link demanded, but then realized his voice sounded different.

"Man, this sucks, we need to go after that jerk!" Luffy shouted in anger.

"Link... Link...Strawhat Pirates..." A new voice called, which sounded like an old man's. "Wake up, Link, the chosen one...Strawhats, all of you wake up..."

Link opened his eyes, looking around, then about an inch away, was an old man wearing a strange mage outfit. "I am Rauru, one of the ancient Sages...

"He's a sage?" Usopp wondered.

"That's so cool!" Luffy exclaimed with stars in his eyes.

"Let me he finish, Luffy!" Nami said whacked her captain on the head.

The Navigator went quiet as she realized something about her captain. "What the...?"

Rauru decided to continue his speech, seeing the alarmed look on the navigator's face. "Ages ago, we ancient Sages built the Temple of Time to protect the entrance to the Sacred Realm."

"Sacred Realm, is that holy land that Zelda mentioned before?" Robin thought in question.

"This place is the Chamber of Sages, inside the Temple of Light, which is situated in the very center of the Sacred Realm, is the last stronghold against Ganondorf's evil forces." Raura continued. "The Master Sword that you pulled out of the Pedestal of Time was the final key to the Sacred Realm."

Zoro looked at the legendary Master Sword, realizing how important that legendary blade was, but he stopped when he realized something different about Link. "Link, look yourself!"

The fairy boy looked at himself, realizing that he got taller.

"Whoa, you've grown up Link!" Navi exclaimed observing every inch of his adult form.

Robin was quite impressed. "He's become a handsome man." Then she realized something else, she looked at the strange water and looked at her reflection, she's gotten a lot older, but she still looked the same, her face and beauty were still there.

Franky looked at himself too. "I still look the same, I guess," He felt his skin, it still felt the same too.

Luffy looked at himself, his body felt different. "What's this, I got muscles..."

"Whoa, Luffy, you buffed up a bit!" Chopper exclaimed in surprise.

"Chopper, you look like you gotten a lot taller!"

Chopper looked at himself, realizing that was he wasn't the same height as he was when he's in his smaller form. "You're right, I'm almost the size of our kitchen chairs."

Zoro felt like he got a little taller, he felt more muscles too. "Heh, I got more muscular, I bet I got more strength than the perverted cook!"

"What was that moss head?" Sanji roared comically.

Sanji was slimmer than ever and taller, probably the same height as Aokiji.

Brook remained the same thought due to this skeleton body. "I look the same, but then again I died over 50 years ago."

Usopp looked at himself, he still had his muscles, but he felt a little taller, maybe close to Robin's height. "Check me out, I look older, I bet can I be braver than ever."

"Anyway, how can we be older, old-timer, how long have we been here chamber?" Link asked.

Raura ignored the old man part and spoke calmly. "You and your friends have been asleep here for seven years."

"Seven years!?" The Strawhat's minus Robin exclaimed in disbelief.

"I don't get it, we're not chosen by Master Sword, so why did we lock in here too?" Sanji asked.

"It's because you guys wouldn't stand a chance against Ganondorf, despite what powers you all have, without Link and Master Sword, your chances of defeating that evil man, are close to zero," Raura replied with a straight face.

"How can he say with a straight face?" Usopp questioned.

"But not able to defeat this bastard with Link and Master Sword isn't good," Robin said understanding the reason for them being trapped in the chamber.

"But, of course, knowing Luffy, he would rush in like he always does," Zoro said in a whispering tone.

"So, old sage guy, what do we do now?" Luffy asked.

Nami whacked the captain on his head. "That's Raura the Sage, you idiot!"

"It's fine, but before I say what is next, I must let you know once the door of time was open, Ganondorf invaded the Sacred Realm using the door you opened..." Raura explained. "Which got him to obtain the Triforce of Power, even now, his dark magical powers continue to spread across all of Hyrule!"

"Wait, what about our flagship, the Sunny!" Franky panicked almost forgetting about the ship.

"That's right, we left it at Lake Hylia!" Usopp added in a screaming tone.

"Don't fret, I heard your ship is doing fine," Raura informed calmly. "At least I hope so."

Zoro could tell that the old man was unsure himself, but he decided to keep quiet.

"Anyway, is there any hope left?" Nami asked.

"Yes, there's one more chance, there are five temples which you must go to and awaken the five sages," Raura replied. "If the Sages, the Hero of Time, and the Strawhat pirates combine their powers, the evil will surely be sealed away."

Link was in disbelief at what he was told so far. "I'm... The Hero of Time..."

"Wow, Link, that's amazing!" Navi yelled in surprise. "I wonder the Great True would be so proud of you!"

"One thing that bothers me," Everyone looked at Robin, who was observing Link closely.

Sanji got jealous. "Link, you fairy boy bastard, you dare get her affections!"

"Huh?" Link wondered in confusion.

"It's not that, I remember Link is a Kokiri and that kind of children don't grow up even after some years that pass," The Archaeologist inquired.

"She's right, Mido mentioned that before too," Usopp added remembering the Kokiri and that their race can't grow up.

"Old man Raura, what do you-" Luffy began to ask, but Raura's body began to fade. "What is wrong with you old-timer?"

"He's fading away!" Franky exclaimed.

"Actual, what you kids see, is an illusion, my earthly body was destroyed years ago," Raura explained. "So I using a little of my power just to talk to you all."

"Aah, a ghost!" Nami, Chopper, and Usopp screamed comically.

"However, the answers that you want about Link, you all will get it after awakening the Forest Sage, so good luck and take this medallion of Light!" Raura continued.

The Sage of Light held his hands up high and from the way up came a golden medallion which Link caught in his hands.

"That's so shiny, it is gold?!" Nami squealed in delight with money signs in her eyes.

"So cool!" Luffy yelled with stars in his eyes.

"One more thing, Link, you will face many trials, even tougher ones from before, but if you manage to get through these trials, you and your friends will be successful," Raura said as he faded away.

A sheer look of determination formed on Link's face. "Right, I've become an adult, now I can fight him as an equal, I will fight and defeat him, and protect Princess Zelda!"

"Right, I can't wait to kick his ass!" Luffy said clenching his fists.

"Good, I'm ready for some more action," Zoro said with a smirk and holding up his Swords.

"With my navigating skills, we can't get lost anywhere in Hyrule, we'll be able to find the temples more easily," Nami stated holding a map of Hyrule.

"As a doctor, I shall treat any injuries you all get!" Chopper declared.

"With my Cyborg skills, I shall smash every enemy we encounter!" Franky said punching his fists together with a grin.

"I shall make meals that'll give us the energy we need to fight our foes, I'll down every enemy we meet!" Sanji said while lighting a cigarette.

"The great sniper Usopp is at your service!" Usopp started putting on a brave face.

Robin just giggled.

"Laboon, once I help Link, we'll return our world and continue our journey through the New World!" Brook proclaimed.

Everyone then found themselves in the chamber where Master Sword was previously.

"We're back in the chamber that's in the Temple of Time," Navi said recognizing the room.

"Right, so, has seven years passed?" Nami asked.

"Only one way to find out is to leave," Robin suggested.

"Right, let's get out here," Zoro said.

Then someone came from the shadows, which made the group stop.

"Who goes there?" Zoro asked placing his hand on one of his swords.

The figure came into view wearing an unusual outfit, though the person seemingly looked like a ninja, the outfit was different. "Who are you?" Luffy asked preparing for a fight just in case.

"I've been waiting for you... Hero of Time and the Strawhat Pirates..." The stranger spoke. "When evil rule all, an awakening voice from the Sacred Realm will call those destined to be Sages who dwell in the five temples."

"Wait, does that mean you can us tell where the temples are?" Usopp asked.

The stranger nodded before speaking;

"That's right, the first temple is in a deep forest..."

"A deep forest, is he talking about the Kokiri Forest?" Robin thought.

"One on a high mountain..."

"On a high mountain, he must be referring to Death Mountain..." Chopper thought with a slight gulp.

"One under a vast lake..."

"A vast lake, does he mean Lake Hylia?" Usopp wondered.

"One within the House of the Dead..."

"House of the Dead, that sounds scary and enough to make my skin crawl, wait I don't have any skin," Brook thought with a chuckle.

"Lastly, one inside a Goddess of the sand..."

"Goddess of the sand... wonder what that could be?" Link thought.

"All of you together with the Hero of Time, the awakened ones will bind the evil and return the light of peace to the world..." The stranger continued. "This is the legend of the temples passed down by my people, the Skeikah."

"Sheikah, isn't that the tribe that Impa is from?" Usopp thought remembering what Link and Luffy mentioned after meeting Zelda.

"If we want to trust you, how about giving us your name," Nami suggested cautiously.

"Very well, I'm Sheik, a survivor of the Sheikah..." The stranger introduced, he was gazing at Link holding the legendary blade. "As I see you standing there holding the mythical Master Sword, you do look like the Hero of Time."

"He does look cool with that Sword, no doubt," Robin giggled teasingly.

Link heard this and blushed red.

Sanji growled in jealousy. "That bastard..."

"Anyway, if you all believe the legend, then you have no choice, you all must to the five remaining temples and awaken the sages there," Sheik said.

"If that's the case, which temple do we start at first?" Zoro asked.

"The first one I suggest is the one in the deep forest, I believe you know the sage, a girl that Link should remember," Sheik replied gazing at the fairy boy.

Link's eyes changed into realization.

"Wait, are you talking about Saria, is she okay?"

Sheik stood calmly. "I'm not sure, but I can tell because of the evil power within the Forest Temple, she can't hear the calls from the Sacred Realm."

"That must mean Saria's in danger!" Usopp exclaimed in great concern.

Sanji growled. "It's Ganondorf's fault, if he hurts that little girl, I'll kick his ass!"

"Calm yourselves," Sheik said calmly putting his hand out. "Also, Link, as equipment as you are now, you won't be able to get in, also, if you want to take one of the pirates with you, you'll be able to take one, so you must carefully."

"Okay, what weapon can I use to get into the Forest Temple?" Link asked.

"There's a weapon in the Kakariko Village that'll be useful to you, if you believe me, then go there," Sheik replied. "For now, we'll meet again soon."

Link nodded and walked away with the others.

They eventually came out of the temple, what they saw next was something beyond horrifying.

The town was destroyed, buildings burned to the ground, some were still standing but were baldly damaged and falling apart.

"Damn... so came to this?" Sanji asked.

"I wonder if the others like Darunia, Ruto, and the Kokiri children are alright," Nami said hopefully.

"First off, we need to go Kakariko Village, once we get there, we can ask some villagers if they know anything, once we get the weapon, we'll leave for the Kokiri Forest," Link reminded his friends.

"Right, let's go!" Luffy proclaimed.

After a fight with Ganondorf and his men, the Strawhats were nearly defeated, but they haven't given up, after getting into the Temple of Time and Link pulling Master Sword from the Pedestal of Time, the group gets trapped in the Chamber of Sages for seven long years, but now that they have awakened, they must go to each temple to awaken a sage, for now, they're on their way to Kakariko Village, suggested by the Sheikah survivor Sheik.

Luffy: in the next chapter: Gravekeeper's Race

I'm going to be King of the Pirates!

End of chapter