Yay! First Chapter is up!! This is basically How Rae got to Hyrule and what she does to make sure she stays there.

I don't own anything related to Zelda…

Please Review!!

Chapter One: Down the Rabbit Hole...

"Stupid re-dead."

No matter how many times she played the game, she could never walk out of the marketplace without being caught by a re-dead—it's just one of those things.

Rae Thomas was a teenage girl of approximately 17 years. Her red-tinted, black hair was cut in a short pixie style, and there was an ever-present wicked glimmer in her dark emerald eyes. She was fit, and practiced a master's degree in staff and hand-to-hand just for the simple reason that she thought it could come in handy one day.

Smart girl.

Sure, she was a teenage girl, but unlike the stereotypical 'girl' that was only boy-obsessed, Rae also enjoyed video games. Her favourite games were RPG's and her favourite RPG was The Legends of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

Rae fiddled with her control stick, trying to break the re-dead' s hold on her little mini Link. Suddenly the screen froze and Rae lost all control over her game.

"Great." Rae mumbled, reaching for the reset button. "Just great." Her fingers came down on the reset and a strange ominous clicking noise was heard. "What the—"

A Technicolor flash filled the screen and Rae felt a wave of strange heat pass over her. Her hands tingled and the room spun in front of her eyes. The last thing she felt before she passed out was the feeling of falling. The last thing that she saw was the Link figurine, frozen and down on his knees, trying to pry dead hands from his throat.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A young man sat on the stairs of a temple, the palms of his hands rubbing his eyes. His golden hair was wispy and hidden under the folds of a long cloth hat. He was dressed in a green tunic, white shirt and white tights. Brown boots covered his feet and matching leather gauntlets were upon his hands. A shield hung on his back, partially hiding a long, blue-violet-handled sword. He gave off a proud air that completed the medieval warrior look he displayed. The only thing that could even be considered out of the ordinary were his ears. It wasn't the fact that the right one sported a tiny silver hoop, but rather that they were pointed.

Pointed ears were the least of the young man's problems, if he considered them a problem at all; they were something that was normal for him. After all, he was Hyrulian; it's a normal thing.

This young man something different to worry about at the moment. Seven years ago, when he was only ten years old, he had embarked on a perilous journey to save the land of Hyrule from the power of Ganon, the evil king of the Gerudos. In order to this, he had to collect three Spiritual stones from various places in Hyrule. The Spiritual Stone of the Forest from Kokiri Forest, The Spiritual Stone of Water from Zora's Domain, and the Spiritual Stone of Fire from Goron Mountain. The young man succeeded in doing this and opened the Door of Time in the Temple of Time. This drained Ganon of his power and sealed the Dark King away in the place between realms until the end of time. The young man, who became known as the Hero of Time, returned to the Kokiri Forest and lived the rest of his days happy and content. Or so he thought.

The youth sighed deeply, running his fingers through his hair. Yes, he was the Hero of Time, although he preferred to be called his real name, Link. Yes, he did collect the three Spiritual Stones in order to save the world, and yes, he did go to the Temple of Time to open the Door of Time. What Link didn't do was stop Ganon and send him to the place between realms.

When Link opened the Door of Time, Ganon seized the chance to access the doorway to the Sacred Realm, and was able to get a hold of one of the Triforce pieces, the piece of power. When this occurred, Link was sent into a stationary dream state. Seven years passed and in that time, Link was living his life in an imaginary world. When he woke up, he was in his real body with the mind of a seventeen year old and the memories of a fake life. In the real years that had passed, Ganon had reinforced his hold over Hyrule, leaving no part of the land untainted. Hyrule town had become home to Re-dead and the castle was his headquarters of evil.

Link's main quest was reinstated and he now found himself thrown into a world he hardly knew, making his way across the lands, collecting medallions that contained the power of the six sages of the land. The first sage, Rauru, was the one who released Link from his deep slumber and filled him in on the details of what had happened. He gave Link his power, contained in the Light medallion. Link was then sent on his way to find the remaining five.

When exiting the Temple of Time, for that is where Rauru had sent him, he was greeted by a strange and yet hauntingly familiar figure. He introduced himself as Sheik, the survivor of the Sheikahs. The Sheikahs, Link knew, were the elite fighting force that protected the Hyrulian Royal family. Sheik told Link more of the medallions and the locations of the temples that housed the sages that protected them. Sheik also gave Link a piece of helpful information; he would need a tool in order to get into the forest temple. He guided Link to Kakariko village where he could find the tool. Link thanked him just as the man disappeared in a flash of bright light.

A little overwhelmed by the load of information he had received all at once, Link had numbly made his way to Kakariko village to obtain the tool, which he later found out was called a hookshot.

Link had been torn out of a reality that he had called home. He had been pulled away from all he knew and all he loved. With this in mind he returned home to Kokiri forest. What he found horrified him and sparked a deep fire of anger. Monsters and creatures occupied the village and plagued the local Kokiri. Look as he might, he could not find his childhood friend, Saria. On the last legs of hope, Link plunged deep into the Lost Woods, navigating the magical passageways with the skill of one who knew them well. He went to a place where he and Saria would often go to just sit and talk.

She was not there. Under the advice of Navi, Link's faerie, he played a song on his ocarina that was always guaranteed to contact Saria. It took a few tries, but Link then heard the soft, musical voice of his best friend. She told him that she was trying to help the forest spirits and that she needed his help. She also said that she was glad to see him and had wondered if she was ever going to see him again.

Fresh with hope, Link entered the Forest temple and vanquished the evil that he found there. When he defeated the evil minion that lurked there, he was once again taken to the Chamber of the Sages where he met Saria, face to face.

With a comforting smile and warm words, they exchanged a short conversation. Saria then bestowed upon him the medallion of the forest, along with her power.

And now he was here, sitting on the white marble stairs of the temple of Time, dizzy with too much information. He was Hyrulian. He had lived the last seven years in a dream. He had to defeat Ganon. He had to save the world. He could go back in time. After finishing the Forest Temple and getting sent back to the temple of time, Sheik had appeared again. He told Link that by placing the master sword back in the pedestal behind the Door of Time, he could go back seven years into the past. Why Link would want to was beyond him, but he remembered the fact none the less.

Link sighed once more. So much had changed in so little time. It was almost devastating to him. Having lived out a dream life, he was never told that he was a Hyrulian. Now he knew the truth, and struggled to adjust to his extra height and drastically changed appearance. It was tough going, but he had to get through it. If not for himself, but then for the fate of Hyrule.

A sudden scream pierced the silence of the Temple courtyard. Link was abruptly jerked out of his brooding thoughts, his hand automatically drawing his sword. A second scream resounded in the air, and Link jumped to his feet.

Who was that? Link thought, running for Town Square. This place is deserted…except for the re-dead. With this in mind, he sped between the houses, leaping over debris and remains of burnt houses. The broken fountain came into view, accompanied by re-dead, it's limbs wrapped tightly around a person. Link could not see who it was, for they were turned the other way. Link hefted his sword, but with a second thought, sheathed it and pulled out his ocarina instead. He didn't want to accidentally hit the person that the re-dead was strangling. Link took a deep breath and put the instrument to his lips.

~*~*~*~

She couldn't breathe! The mummy-like thing had jumped on her with no warning at all, it's iron grip making her scream in surprise. She was starting to see spots and her sight was fading. Rae managed to scream once more, backing into something hard to make the thing momentarily loosen its grip on her, but she doubted anyone would hear her. Sure, she was being strangled to death, but it didn't stop her from thinking; Mummy-like thing trying to kill her, re-dead trying to kill Link. System freezes; she gets a weird Technicolor feeling. Hmm. Common answer here? She must have been transported into the game, but where was Link? Rae opened her mouth, but drew no breath. Were they switched?

Rae blinked rapidly, her hands falling to her sides. It didn't matter anyway; she was going to die. The re-dead froze, its death-grip sliding on Rae's neck. Rae weakly elbowed it and pushed its stiff body off of her. She crawled away as it hit the ground behind her. Collapsing on the stone pavement she vaguely heard the lasting notes of a quick, haunting melody. With the simple six-note song echoing in her ears, she felt a wave of peace glide over her. She didn't care if she died, now; as long as that song held its effect on her, she was fine.

A dark figure appeared in her hazy sight. It kneeled and leaned over her. Sensing it wasn't the creature, she murmured, "Thank-you." There was some sort of reply, but she didn't comprehend it.

Chapter Two: Toto, we aren't in Kansas anymore…

"Did anyone catch the number of the that truck that hit me?" Rae groaned, feeling her body protest at any slight movement. Then she remembered. Rae sat up with a jerk, her back screaming. "Ow."

"How are you feeling?"

Rae's eyes flickered to the side. It was now nighttime, and the stars danced in the sky above. Rae was on one side of a fire, across from a figure silently sitting cross-legged, watching her with sapphire eyes. His hair was blonde and he was dressed in green and white, with touches of brown. His ears were pointed.

Rae stared at him.

"Are you alright?" He asked, after hearing no reply to his first question. She said nothing, and he shifted positions on the ground. "Hello?"

The girl blinked, shook her head, and blinked again. "Link?"

The man's eyes narrowed slightly. "How do you know my name?"

Rae opened her mouth and then closed it again. "You saved me, didn't you?"

"Yes." He said shortly, poking at the fire with a stick. "What were you doing in the town—you could have been killed."

"It wasn't exactly my choice." Rae muttered, glancing to one side.

Link looked sharply at her. "Who are you?"

"My name's Rae." She replied, plucking a handful of grass from the ground in front of her. She then proceeded to pick it apart one piece at a time, conveniently avoiding the man's gaze.

"Where are you from?" Link inquired, watching her carefully. "You don't seem to be Hyrulian." He indicated her ears. "And unless I'm mistaken, you're not Gerudo either." At this he gestured to her clothing.

"I'm not from around here." Rae said quietly.

"That's not what I asked."

"Well, where are you from?" Rae snapped defensively.

Link didn't say anything. Rae looked up to see him gazing into the fire, his eyes glazed over. A million emotions flickered across his eyes, but he didn't express them. Heavy lids fell closed and a small sigh escaped his lips. "I don't even know anymore." He whispered.

Rae softened, feeling compassion for the young man. After all, she had an idea of what could be bothering him. "Look, she said softly, "You saved my life—now I owe you one."

Link opened his eyes. "You owe me nothing. I did not do it for a reward."

Rae nodded. "Yes, I know that, but you help so many people, do so many things and hardly ever get anything in return. You fight countless numbers of enemies—some which are often twice your size, and still stop to help the locals. Doesn't it get tiring after a while?"

Link sat up straighter, suspicion in his movements. "Who are you?"

"I'm just someone who wants to help, Link," Rae appealed to him, "I can help you on your journey. I have information." When Link didn't reply she said, "I want to be your friend, Link. I know what's happening must be confusing, and it must hurt a heck of a lot, but you have to pull through. The fate of Hyrule rests on your shoulders." She paused. "Let me lighten that load—however slightly."

Link sat as still as a statue. The angle that his head was at hid his face, but Rae could tell that he was struggling with an inner decision. He obviously needed a friend, but he didn't want to place her life at risk. Link stood, walking to his horse, which was lying near-by. He pulled a sheet of fabric off her back and turned back to the fire. He tossed it to Rae.

"It gets cold at night; you'll need a blanket."

Rae rubbed the soft cloth between her fingers. "What about you?"

"I'll be fine."

"And your decision?"

Link turned to go sit further away. "I'll think about it. Get some sleep."

"Goodnight." Rae called. He didn't reply.

~*~*~*~

Link leaned against the uprising of the hill, examining the starry sky without any real thought. His mind was elsewhere. There was so much that had happened recently, and so many things that had changed. There was hardly anything that he recognized anymore, save for the appearance of the Kokiri; they never changed. He felt a pang when he thought of the Kokiri; the only family that he had ever known…one that wasn't even his.

Link sighed. To add to all of this, a strange girl suddenly appears in his life, claiming to want to help him even though they didn't know a thing about each other. Well, he didn't know anything about her. The short conversation that they had had only a few moments ago convinced him that she knew more about him than he did himself. It was strange, but he felt as if she knew his every secret, his every flaw and accomplishment. Her eyes pierced his soul and made him believe that there was nothing he could hide from her.

Rae. He had saved her from re-dead in Hyrule Town Square. What was she doing there anyway? The place had been abandoned for who knows how long. And what about the way that she dressed? Link glanced over to where the girl was sleeping by the fire. A long black coat with a hood was over a blue oval neck shirt. She wore not a dress, nor even a skirt; she wore pants, made of a strange dark blue fabric. Her shoes were black, but they had laces on the top of foot, and were made from a sturdy material. It was obvious, at least to Link that she was not from Hyrule, and perhaps even not from this land.

Still, she seemed to possess an incredible amount of knowledge that could benefit him on his quest. With his being in a dream state for the last seven years, this would prove to his advantage.

The fabric of Link's hat shifted slightly, and a bright blue ball of dust appeared, hovering above his head.

"I don't like her." The glowing ball of light said in a bell-like voice. "I don't think that we should trust her."

"I dunno, Navi." Link said, tilting his head to count the stars. "She seems to mean well enough. We could use her help."

"We don't even know her story!" The little faerie cried, bobbing frantically in the air. "She could be working for Gannon!"

"No." Link said in a firm voice. There was a distant look in his eyes, and his mouth curved up at the sides. "No, I don't think that Rae would even consider working for Gannon—by her will or his. I believe that we can trust her."

Navi gave link the faerie equivalent of a shaking head.

Link sighed. "I'll find out her story in the morning, alright?" Navi snorted, and on that note, Link closed his eyes and went to sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When Rae woke up the fire had gone out and there was a pile of ash and half-burnt sticks on the ground. Link was a few paces away, dozing lightly against the rise of the hill. A faint breeze tousled his deep golden hair and rustled the tall grass around him. Rae walked on all fours to him, quietly sitting down at his side. He looked strikingly like his N64 double and the clothes he wore were identical. Lying in the grass at his side was a long narrow scabbard, with the hilt of a sword sticking out. Rae frowned, not remembering him having the weapon the previous night, and picked it up. With her right hand she pulled the sword out of it's sheath and held it up to the morning light. Its polished, flawless steel glimmered, and the topaz jewel at the hilt sparkled as well. The long violet handle ended at a rounded pommel, and it's thickness felt wonderful in Rae's grasp. She was no expert on swords, but it was definitely beautiful, and there was no doubt in her mind that it was the Master Sword.

"What do you think you're doing?!"

Rae gave out a startled yelp as a blur of blue light flew into her face. "What the hell?!" Rae covered her eyes with one arm, while waving at the blur with the other. "Link!" She cried.

A long arm wrapped around her, pressing her face into the fabric of a tunic. Link waved an arm at the air. "Navi, stop!"

Rae risked a glance upwards. Link was glaring furiously at the ball of blue light, which was now floating in the air at eye level. Rae cursed silently, having forgotten the annoying faerie partner.

"She was taking the Master sword!" Navi exclaimed.

Link took the weapon from Rae's hand, releasing her from his warm hold. "Is this true?" Dipping, Link picked up the scabbard from the grass, and slid the sword into it.

"No!" Rae cried as the hero strapped the sword to his back. "I was only looking at it!"

"Likely story." Navi said. "You were stealing it!" She accused.

"I was not!" Rae said in a low voice. "So you can just shove it up your glowing little—"

"Stop!" Link ordered. He sighed, rubbing his eyes. "Rae—"

"I wasn't stealing it."

"Navi—"

"She was too!"

"Will you both be quiet for a moment?!" Link yelled. "Listen, Rae. Before you come with us—if you come with us—I think I need you to tell us why and how you know all about me."

Rae shrugged. "Okay." She had spent part of her night coming up with an alibi that she knew would be asked for. So maybe it was a little out there, but she was in a video game! That's a bit out there too! "I come from a distant land."

"We know that much." Rae glared at Navi for interrupting. Link waved her on.

"Sorry, please continue."

"That land is called Canada. There, we have…a prophecy." Link looked sceptical, and Rae knew that Navi was about to interrupt again, so she rushed onwards. "Well, actually, it's more like a vision."

"A vision." Neither if them were biting into the idea.

"Yes. You see, where I come from, there's – a deity –called…Nintendo."

Navi bounced around her head. "That's an awful strange name for a deity."

Rae swatted at her. "And Din, Nayru, and Farore aren't? Anyway, Nintendo sent this vision to a gamer-"

"Gamer?" Navi popped up in front of her face.

"A gamer is a type of –uh– oracle, who receives visions. So, this gamer was told the future of a hero –na mely you." She looked to Link, who was stuffing Navi into his hat to shut her up. "This was done in great detail, and to the gamer, it was almost like a story. Nintendo commanded that Canada send a representative –or helper– to Hyrule to help you."

Link's face didn't give any indication of what he was thinking. "So they sent you?"

Rae nodded, sighing inwardly. He was starting to believe her! She could see it in his eyes. "Well, actually, it was sort of a destiny thing. I touched the –altar– of Nintendo, and was given the vision."

"So that's how you know everything." Link said quietly. A bulge in his hat jumped around.

"How else would I have known?"

Link stood. "That's why you were in Hyrule Town? To see the King?"

"To see you. The vision started with you outside the Temple of Time."

"Oh." Link was suddenly looking everywhere but at her. Clearing his throat, he offered a hand, and pulled Rae to her feet. "If you're going to come with me, we'd better get going."

"Going where?" Rae asked, astounded that he had already picked a destination, considering that a moment before he wasn't even sure to their partnership.

"Lon-Lon Ranch." He stretched, walking to where Epona was munching on grass. "We will travel slower with only one horse." He stepped into the saddle, reaching to swing Rae up.

Rae stared at him, rooted to the spot.

"Well, come on." He said.

"You have got to be kidding me." Rae said in a deadpan voice.

Navi popped out of Link's hat. "You can't even ride a horse! Let's leave her beh—"

Link shoved her back in. "Haven't you ever ridden a horse before?" Link asked.

"This is the closest I have ever been to one." She replied.

"Oh." Link slipped his foot out of the stirrup. "It's easy enough. Just put your left foot in here and swing your other leg over." Rae was about to protest once more, but there was something in Link's eyes that made her think twice...made her trust him. She hesitantly grabbed the saddle, following his instructions. She gave a little hop that boosted her off the ground, and Link pulled her into a sitting position in front of him.

"Now what?" Rae asked, nervously gripping the saddle horn tightly.

"Now, " Link said, slipping his arms around her to grasp the reins, "You just let me drive. I teach you later." Making a clicking noise with his tongue, he urged Epona forward. At first they started out walking, so that Rae could get used to the movement of the horse under her, and then they gradually went faster until they were at a light trot.

They didn't really speak to each other, in the few hours of riding, except for the several verbal battles between the Canadian and the faerie. Eventually giving up, Link and Rae rode in silence, thinking and for some reason, completely comfortable in each other's presence.

Rae's head kept on turning from side to side, trying to match the land with what she knew in the RPG game. Finally realising that Hyrule was much larger, and not so compact, she decided that if she were going to see anything familiar, she'd see it right away.

Rae swayed sidewards, brushing against Link's arm. Her skin twitched at the physical contact. He's so real. I can't believe that I'm actually here! How many times had I wished that I could go into a fantasy world like this only to realise that it isn't possible? Right now I can only hope that this isn't a dream… She shook her head.

Link glanced down at her movement. She didn't appear to be using the gesture as a comment on anything, so he didn't mention it.

"What's it like, where you're from?" Link asked softly. Rae started at his voice.

"Well…" She paused uncertainly. Should she tell him the truth? No—what was she thinking? He's never heard of electricity and cars, let alone N64's and skyscrapers.

"Rae?" Link asked again, talking into her ear. Rae shivered at his breath on her skin. It was so warm…just like his embrace had been when Navi had attacked her. "Are you all right?"

"Yeah, I'm cool." Rae said automatically. "Just thinking of home."

Link sighed. Home… "Is it nice there?"

Rae shrugged. "Sorta. There are no wars in Canada, right now—we're known as peacemakers. But there's a lot of pollution in my wor---land."

Link slowed Epona to a walk. "Let's stop for a moment." Up ahead there was a small stone well. Link dismounted and helped Rae down.

Rae couldn't help but join the Hyrulian as he drank from the brimming well. There was a soft slap as Link tossed his gantlets on the edge of the well. He dipped into the cool water with his bare hands and carefully drank the liquid from cupped palms. Out of the corner of her eye, Rae noticed a glimmer of gold. She turned to look, wiping wet hands on her jeans, and noticed that Link was wearing a gold bracelet on his left wrist. Squinting, she could make out a ruby design of a three-leafed flower.

"It's a Goron's bracelet."

Rae glanced up to find that Link was looking at her. Rae straightened, leaning back on her heels.

"Yeah, I know."

Link nodded, seeming to expect her reply. He leaned back against the well, his serious sapphire eyes pinning her to the spot. "Do you have any family back home?"

"Why so curious, my pointy-eared friend?" Rae said playfully.

Link slipped his gantlets back on. "You know so much about me, and I wanted to know something about you."

Rae once again felt her heart soften for the young elf-like man. "So you need some security—that I can understand." She rubbed her chin, thinking of her siblings. "Well, I live with both of my parents, and my younger brother." She paused for a moment. "And there was my older brother, but we don't speak of him anymore ."

"You say 'was'." Link observed. "What happened?"

Rae blinked, feeling a mask slide over her face. In the seven years since she last saw her brother, she had perfected a stone mask of casual indifference that hid her emotions about it. "Dunno."

"What do you mean, you don't know?" Rae struggled to answer. Link, as if realising that the question was major personal, apologised. "Sorry, I didn't mean to pry."

Rae shook her head. "No…that's okay." She sighed. "I was ten, he was twenty-one. He had a fight with my parents. Disappeared the next day." Rae looked down at her shoes. "He never came back."

"I-I didn't know." Link said in a hushed voice.

"That's why you asked." Rae replied. "You have any siblings?"

Link shook his head. "I have no family." He said harshly. "My parents died a long time ago. I have no brothers or sisters." Link rose to his feet, facing away from Rae. "You are lucky."

Rae scrambled to stand, a frown on her face. "Hey…" She lightly touched Link's shoulder. "You're not alone, Link." She said in a gentle voice. "Now you've got me."

Link turned to her, one hand covering hers. A shock of electricity leapt from his fingers, quickly igniting hers. He opened his mouth to say something.

"You'd better not forget that he's got me too!" Navi yelled, suddenly very big in Rae's view. "So don't pull anything!"

"And who's gonna stop me if I do?" Rae shot back, jerking away from Link.

"I am!"

"Bring it on Tinkerbell!"

"Who are you calling Tinkerbell!?"

Link sighed, vaguely considering dunking his head in the well. He could already see that Navi and Rae were not going to get along, no matter how long that they were together. He went over to Epona, who appeared to be noticing the same thing.

~*~*~*~

So?? What didja think?? you better tell me and review! No flames please, cuz all that'll do is make things all smoky an' stuff.

Oh! I know that Rae's explanation was a LOT bit hokey, but that's the only thing that will be in this story! I promice! Please keep reading!

*OracleVortex*