Outside the Temple of Time

"Din, it is impossible to raise Link or Zelda. Something in that temple is blocking them." Oren, along with her friends present, stood on a rooftop overlooking the Temple of Time. Ravio sat down, watching the action between Imperial and the newly arrived Bulblin forces on the ground and the battle between the Resistance and the aerial machines in the sky while Princess Hilda and King Ralph stood aside with Oren. Resistance forces around the square made similar positions as the four, watching the two group of monsters fight on.

Ralph smiled confidently. "They'll be fine. It should not be too long before they come out."

Oren wasn't so sure about that. Something was just wrong, plain and simple. "I have to agree with Oren, Ralph," Hilda interjected, pointing to the northern horizon, now barely visible with the remaining light. "That bird is coming closer. Any moment now, it could begin to fire."

"It could have a long time ago. It hit the capital of Calatia."

"It needed more power. It had to go to Labrynna to attack it. That means the beasts have limited range on its own."

"Hey, don't we have another problem?" Ravio turned to the trio, getting on his feet. "We got to find Midna."

This, Oren agreed with. "I still cannot sense her, but I didn't feel her presence leave the world as death would take her. Riju said Midna disappeared after the Pedestal of Light was activated, correct? That means she's alive...somewhere."

Ravio nodded. "Right. We just have to… Wait. I think I could find her. Oren said Midna's not dead, and as the Sage of Forest, I am more connected to life than any other Sage. If I concentrate hard enough, I could feel you guys' life energy."

Hilda shrugged. "No different than us with magic being able to sense another person's essence."

"True but… Midna can perform magic, yet you cannot feel her now. If Zelda or Oren was depleted of mana, you wouldn't be able to sense either well. Link and I are traceable to you guys due to training, but if you weren't as strong as you were, I doubt you could locate us without assistance. But I, I could do it." Ravio sat down on the roof, closing his eyes as he concentrated. "I could search for a hive of bees, a wild boar, a golden bug if you ask me. I can sense the change of life to death below us...and somewhere, I can feel life being born. So if I can attune myself to one person… There's Zelda, filled with worry and caution… There's Link, furious yet focused, and…" Ravio sat quietly for a moment, hanging on to his sentence with a dreadful silence.

"Ravio?"

"Hey! Bunny Boy? What is it?"

"Great. Now I don't have to deliver the bad news." Riju appeared, having climbed the building to join the others. She stepped passed Hilda, Oren, and Ralph, looking down to the square of fighting Imperials and Bulblins. "The Bulblins are not here by coincidence. They're here because he's here."

Oren crossed her hands over her chest. "Who?"

"The missing piece to all of this." Ravio tightened his hands into fists, staring angrily towards the Temple of Time. "I cannot believe that we missed it. This whole thing… Zelda said Vaati wanted her to get to the temple, we were easily given the medallions, there was resistance here but...all this...was a setup. Remember that song Link and Zelda said the goddesses sang to them."

Hilda nodded. "'Youths chosen by the three, unite north and south and return the light to the darkened land. Show the holy pendants the way to the timeless temple, an age-old war you shall fight.' What's so-"

"'An age-old war, you shall fight.'" Oren turned to the Temple of Time, now understanding what Ralph and Riju were thinking. As she focused on the interior of the temple, she could confirm their suspicions. Two signatures, one of courage and one of power, fought one another tirelessly, a third was unconscious, while the last vanished after a second. Nodding to the Sage of Spirit and Forest, she issued her order. "Ravio, have you found Midna yet."

Ravio nodded. "Oh, I almost forgot to check for her. I'll get to it."

"Good. Riju, you can aid him. Hilda, Ralph, we're getting inside that temple. Zelda had just entered the Sacred Realm. Link is in a battle against Ganondorf. We must aid him."

"Who?"

"Ganondorf?"

Oren ignored her friends' confusion, turning to Riju. "Are the Bulblins against us?"

"No. But that doesn't mean they're with us. Look there, at the doors of the temple. That ax-wielding brute is their leader. If he recognizes me from Parapa Desert, and Ganondorf hasn't changed his orders, I can convince him to let us pass. But we should use the Bulblins to our advantage."

"You mean to escape the city."

"Yes. Address your superiors, call for retreat. We don't want to be in the vicinity of Rauru if the bird does destroy it. Hopefully, you know a teleportation spell."

"Zelda and Hilda do. Ralph, Hilda, you ready?" The royalty of Labrynna and Lorule nodded, stepping up to the others. "Great. Ravio, Riju, you got to find Midna. She's the only one who can make Ganondorf see reason. Your Majesties, let's go!" As the trio jumped off the roof and raced through the square bordering the Temple of Time, the pair left behind watched uneasily. Ravio was more concerned for Midna's whereabouts, while Riju worried about Ganondorf's mindset. She could sense the raging anger within him. But she had a more pressing task to take on, and that was the Bulblin King.

"I'll get to 'speaking' with the brute, then help you find Midna."

Ravio shook his head, taking a seat on the roof. "Don't worry about it."

"What do you mean? Have you already found her?"

"...Yes. Yes, I have. She's alive, and that's all I can tell. We should join the others."


Shade

"This is Princess Oren. The Princess and the Hero have entered the Temple of Time, and the Princess has access to the Sacred Realm. However, Link is engaged in battle with Ganondorf, and the latter's forces are fighting the Imperials. I am calling for a retreat while the Imperials are distracted, and our goal is in sight."

Shade bit his lip after hearing Princess Oren's status report. He was proud of his successor and his daughter, but to have Hyrule's nemesis show up-nevermind the Imperial King on his machine-presented a danger neither was ready to face. If Ganondorf gets the Triforce, who knows what will happen, but if Vaati obtains it, the war is over.

But there was still hope to get Zelda and her friends out the Temple of Time. He knew what he had to do. "Bagu."

"Link. You think we should retreat?"

"Yes. Call the retreat." As Bagu addressed the Resistance and their new allies, Link turned his head to the northwest, in the general direction of North Castle. He had hoped to look upon the castle one more time, but the memory of it in the days before was probably for the best. In the one month since he reappeared on the face of the earth, he had eased many regrets. He found his old friends in Rusl, Error, Bagu, Linebeck, Sheik, and Impa. He was finally united with his daughter and watched her grow for a short while into the blonde image of her mother. He mentored the next generation of heroes, specifically the next Hero of Hyrule, able to pass down his knowledge and skills to the younger Link. Lastly, though when she realizes it he will be long gone, but he had seen his fairy Spryte once more. But, in letting go of those regrets, he still had one more in him, and that was his cowardice.

Had he been the scion of courage he was heralded to be, this war would have never happened. Had he not went to Death Mountain, he could have protected Hyrule. Had he lived up to his title, he could have lived a happy life as a father, husband, and king. Had he not lost himself, his dear Zelda would still be here. That regret he will live with until his dying breath.

He knew Zelda's wish. He knew it before they left Kakariko that she would wish for the last 18 years to be undone, that Vaati and his Imperials would have never taken Hyrule. Nobody except Zelda herself would remember what happened, even if that's for a short while. She could have the family she deserved, the country would be under her parents' rule, and everything the Imperials have done would be undone. Ravio and Hilda will have their Lorule. Link will have both his parents. Impaz would be alive to harass him for a while longer. Shade's friends will have their families. Ganondorf will be the boy he used to be.

Link wiped the tear that fell down his face, then drew a dagger into his hand. He knew what he had to do. Taking the dagger to his face, he proceeded to shave off his brown beard.

"Link? What are you doing?"

Link stopped for a moment, turning to Bagu. He remembered the first time they met, in Bagu's home by Midoro Swamp. Bagu was in charge of Saria Town at the time, and Link needed access to the town to get upon Death Mountain. He was a great friend, a valued ally, and a fearsome warrior. He could trust the bearded man with the future of his daughter, as he could with Error, Auru, and Impa. Link managed to smile, though it shook as his emotions began to overwhelm him. "Bagu, my friend… I am glad that I got to see you again. Please forgive me for what I did not do 18 years ago, and forgive me for what I am going to do now. Once Zelda makes her wish, time will rewind to that day, and in the days that follow, we will not remember the Imperials or this war. But as long as time moves forward, I just want to say I'm sorry."

"Link… You do not need to apologize. Who is to say anything would have changed? Had you died, your daughter would have probably died in Ordon, or the others kids would have found them in that spring. The boy wouldn't have the confidence of a Hero that he has now, and the Princess… I don't think she would be who she is today. We wouldn't be here without you, Sir Link of Calatia… Your Majesty."

Link nodded, then turned to Linebeck. "Admiral. It is good to see you again too."

Linebeck bowed. "Likewise, Sir Link. To see the Hero of Hyrule that I grew up with one more time, and to be his friend, has been a pleasure."

"What are you going to do, Link?"

Link stared at the Temple of Time, then quickly snapped the reins on his horse. "To save a princess one more time…"


Inside the Temple of Time

"GAAAH!" Ganondorf fell on his back as Link smirked a few feet away, catching his boomerang ad placing it back in his pouch. Master Sword held in both hands, the Hero inhaled deeply and exhaled forcibly as he watched Ganondorf flip back on his feet, the latter's Trident of Power returned to his hands. Just as his opponent, the Prince of the Gerudo breathed heavily, weary from the battles of today. However, he was far from giving up to anyone, especially the green-garbed Hero in from of him. He would rather die than submit to the enemy, as his father would want him to.

No, the boy's father would want. Not Ganondorf. He had no father, no mother, no siblings, no lovers. Just him and his goal.

Ganondorf leaped in the air, firing a volley of balls that Link skillfully batted away before their weapons clashed again. Anger fueling his strength, Ganondorf broke the clash by pushing Link's sword downward, elbowing the Hylian in his jaw. The Hero yelped, dazed as he dropped to his knee. Ganondorf did not stop there. Casting aside the Trident of Power, the Demon King grabbed Link by the throat and began punching him in the stomach. "You think...you can...take my...Triforce?!" Ganondorf powered up a final punch, ramming Link with it and sending him flying into the Altar of Time. The Hero landed with a sickening thud, splitting the altar in the middle. Thinking the Hero finished, Ganondorf walked towards him, recalling the Trident of Power.

Link coughed, groaning as he raised his head up to the approaching Ganondorf. "I will kill you."

"And here I thought you were coming to save my soul."

"No. I promised I would find you, secondary to this mission. I never promised I'll let you live."

"Oh. Don't you owe me one anyway? I saved you on Death Mountain."

Link spit, raising up to his waist, though it hurt him immensely. "No… You owed me for not ending you right then and there. You were a threat then as you are now. The only reason you lived then is because of Midna and those machines coming towards us. But she's not here to save you now, but do you even care?"

Ganondorf stopped, standing over Link, chuckling as he brought the trident over his head. "No. I do not care for her. The person before me did, but she means nothing to the great Ganondorf!"

"Good!" Before Ganondorf saw it, Link stabbed an arrow in Ganondorf's knee, The Prince staggered, shocked and surprised by the Hero's attack, and was unprepared when Link double kicked him in the face. Rolling in his back, Ganondorf was immediately thrown on the defense as the seemingly weakened Link was right on him, the Master Sword the only weapon on him. Disarmed, Ganondorf reasoned to a shielding technique, an orange aura surrounding him as Link battered the blade that seals the darkness against him. The technique didn't hold for long, and the attacker realized that before the defender, seizing the opportunity to spin attack and strike Ganondorf's lower torso, then kick him back. Ganondorf stumbled backward, attending to his wound before catching a late glimpse of a bomb arrow coming his way.

BOOM!

Ganondorf felt his back his a pillar, then his ventral side land on some debris that was formerly pews. He laid there, hearing the footsteps of the Hero of the Resistance coming. Curses! He was Ganondorf, the scourge of Hyrule, and he was being bested by...some forest boy! How could this be?

"Give in, child. Let my true power flow through you."

Great. Now the ancestor speaks. "What?"

"This shell...this human shell, is weak, vulnerable, a hindrance. Assume your true power...as the beast they fear."

Tempting as the offer was, Ganondorf was no fool to let Ganon gain control. He still wasn't sure how the bond between them worked, but if power was at the exchange of sanity and freedom, only a fool would relinquish his mind. "No. You will never control me. You were bested by many a Hero. Why should I heed to your advice? I am my own man. I submit to no one!"

"Talking to Ganon, huh?" Ganondorf looked to Link, now in a similar positioning to how Ganondorf was mere minutes ago. However, the Hero was planning on attacking, his sword charged up and ready to erase his foe. "Tell him in hell I say hey."

"You can tell him yourself!" Link fired the beam but largely missed as Ganondorf was able to move away. However, he was caught on his left oblique, causing him to fall back down again. This time, however, he was angry. While Link rushed in to attack, Ganondorf removed the arrow from his knee and kneel, summoning the trident to him before Link could arrive and block his attack. Both warriors groaned as they tested their strength against each other, but despite his hurt, Ganondorf was still the stronger fighter. "Gaaaaahhhh… HAAAAAAAAHHHH!" Ganondorf rose to his feet, pushing Link away. Link took a few steps back, catching his breath as he and Ganondorf stood in place facing either other. Ganondorf could see that, just as he was, Link was wounded. Blood stained the ripped green tunic in various places, and Ganondorf took some satisfaction from it. However, to see the Hylian still stand… "You are an impressive fighter among your people. To stand where others would have fell, that...is infuriating, but impressive."
Link smirked. "I am the Hero Link. I have to stand where others would have fallen, even if it costs me everything. You, Ganondorf, had the same chance, to stand for justice, for freedom, for the light, but you chose the dark path once you let Ganon seep his malicious words into your mind."

"You know nothing about me."

"I know everything about you because we are one and the same!" Link charged forward, trading blows with Ganondorf as he talked. "We let fate guide us here, to this very moment. The only difference is that I wish to save Hyrule, you wish to place it even under more darkness."

"I do not want to rule Hyrule!"

"Then what do you fight for, Ganondorf?"

"For me, and to kill the king."

"That is it? You fight just for the hell of it?" Link elbowed Ganondorf, knocking him back a few paces. "What about the reason you used to fight for? What happened to vengeance? Did you not want to avenge Nabooru Town?"

Ganondorf growled, charging up his trident. "That means nothing to me!" He pointed the crackling weapon forward, releasing a surge of lightning at Link.

Link caught the lightning on the Master Sword, holding it as best he could. "What about your father Malladus? What about your mother Nabooru? What about your sisters Koume and Kotake? What about Aveil? Do they mean nothing to you?"

"They. Mean. Nothing. To. ME!" Ganondorf increased his output, pushing Link back as well as himself. It was getting hard to hold for both of them. "To care...about those that are dead...make one weak."

"No… I lost my father, my friends, and some I didn't know really well back in Ordon. In Clock Town, innocent people died from that battle. In Calatia, innocent people died from an attack hundreds of miles away. In Labrynna, innocent people died. In Lorule, a whole damn country had to die. Here in Rauru, innocents died, and all because of an idea to return the light to Hyrule. I will honor their ideals, and I will remember my father. That doesn't make me weak, it makes me stronger than any power could ever make me!"

"You are a fool."

"No, you're the fool who gave up everything just to become the pathetic man you are. The person who I heard about, the one many for years called 'Gan,' was a hero to many. You once strove to not become your ancestor, yet here you are. You swallowed him up and returned to your true name, but you are not him. The person I see… Midna would be disgusted to know that the person she loved has become the person he hated the most. Ganondorf is dead, you are right about that. You are just Ganon wearing his skin."

"You, of all people, don't get to judge me! You are no hero, not even worthy to take on their title. You ran from your destiny, while Zelda and I followed. You denied your destiny, while us two accepted. I might have become who I always hated, but in many ways, I was always him. You… Link Koroks of Ordon, is just a boy dressed in this ridiculous garb. You don't care for the Resistance, let's be honest. You don't care for the fight for the light. You're here for the Princess, and for her only."

Angered, Link mustered all his strength and ran towards Ganondorf, lightning still zapping his sword. Eager to meet him, Ganondorf rushed as well, and the two met their weapons. The surge of built-up energy as too much once the Master Sword and the Trident of Power made contact, send a huge force throughout the Temple of Time. The building shook, windows burst and parts of the building already in ruins broke apart some more. Link and Ganondorf were sent flying back, Ganondorf landing somewhere near the front of the church while Link landed just in front of the Doors of Time.

Once he regained consciousness again, Link struggled to push himself up, having only enough in him to lean against the Doors of Time. He took out his last bottle of blue potion and drank only half of it. Stamina and physical being somewhat restored, Link stayed in his position, resting and waiting for sounds of Ganondorf moving. He could hear footsteps, but they were distant and, unlike how either should feel right now, energetic. It wasn't just one pair either.

"Link?"

"Hey! Link! Where are you?"

"I hope he isn't…"

"H-he-here," Link managed to say. He raised his hand for a bit before they gave out, but it was enough. Seconds later, he was joined by five of the Sages.

Oren was first to Link's side, immediately tending to his wounds. "What the hell happened to you?"

Ralph faced away, back to the front of the church. "Where's Ganondorf?"

"You knew he was here?"

Ravio nodded, joining Ralph above the crumbled altar. "Yeah. I saw his lifeforce inside with you, and Riju confirmed his forces fighting the Imperials. He's still here, Ralph."

Link grimaced as he got to his feet, feeling much better now that Oren was able to heal him a little bit. "I'll finish him off then."

Oren placed a hand on Link's chest, holding him back. "No. You aren't fully healed. You also promised Midna that we'll find him."

"Promise fulfilled." Link brushed off Oren's hand, walking a few feet and picking up the Master Sword. "He is no longer on our side, and now in the way."

"That doesn't mean we kill him. He's our friend!"

Hilda nodded. "We're not going to kill him. The Ganondorf we knew is still there."

Link shook his head. "No, he is not. The Ganondorf you knew is gone."

Ravio sighed, his fists tightening. "Midna believes he's still there...we all do, Link. If that means we must deny you, we will until we see him ourselves." He turned to Link, a silent plea in his eyes. "But...if you are right, we must end him."

"Aye," Ralph said. "But we shouldn't worry about who lives and dies. I want to know where the hell Zelda is at?"

Link gasped. His fight with Ganondorf had distracted him from remembering about Zelda. He didn't know how long the two had been fighting, but it was enough time for Zelda to get the Triforce. Did something happen? Had she not got to it yet? Had she entered the Sacred Realm yet?

Hilda crossed her arms. "She has been in the Sacred Realm a while. I have been to mine, and the Triforce is well within reach. Could something had happened?"

Riju, who had stayed silent the entire time as she faced the wreckage she assumed her people's king was located, turned to the Doors of Time, "Something indeed has happened." Before anyone could question her, the doors began to be slowly pulled inward. The six combined their strength, pushing the Doors of Time open to reveal Princess Zelda...