Old: All right, we are going to take a brake with the temples. So, I'll just sit back and let you read this part of when I get a date. Catch you on the flip side. Oh yeah, don't forget to r&r.

New: I've been working on other stories and I'm getting back into school. Also, I'm working on my acting career. I'm now a Junior in high school so I'm getting into the point where I have to manage my time. I wanted to finish a story I started on a while back. These are the reasons I haven't worked on this chapter in a while.

Refresh: Last time, Li entered the first of eight temples on a quest to get into Dark Link's Castle and defeat him. Now Li will continue.

A/N: Everything has a purpose in life; if it doesn't make since now, it will later.

Chapter 4: A Trip to the Ranch Version 2.0

Hyrule Field

322, May 7

8:47

A blue light appeared in the field. Li appeared from within, followed by a small blue fairy. Li and Navi had returned to Hyrule Field.

"That was easy," Li said. "Why didn't Dark Link give me something harder?. . .Actually, I hope the other's are just as easy."

"Well, first thing's first," said Navi. "Who are you and what's going on?"

"Well, I'm Li Time, as I said before. I come from the 21st Century Hyrule. I somehow ended up in the past and now I have to find Dark Link. First, I have to find eight key pieces to enter his castle. That's all I know. Zelda has something up her sleeves."

"What do you mean 'up her sleeves'?"

"I forgot I'm in the past. It means she has something planned and she's not telling me. Or she is not giving me the full details. In my time, we say stuff like that. When we say, 'It's raining cats and dogs,' we are really saying, 'It's raining really hard out.' If I remember what it was called, I'll tell you."

"So you don't what this is about."

"Well, when I returned to my school in my time, Dark Link was there. I fought him, he disappeared, I came back and talked to Zelda, and here I am."

"I see what you mean. So now what?"

"I need a horse."

"What about the next key piece?"

"That can wait. Walking will take away time; I need a faster way to get around."

"Well, you go for it; I'm going to talk to Zelda, see what's 'really' going on."

"You do that, I'll get the horse." Navi flies off. 'Yeah, after I get the horse, where will I go next? I guess I'll have to worry about that afterwards.' Li runs off to the ranch.

Lon Lon Ranch

322, May 7

9:37

The ranch was big with a corral in the center, a track surrounding the corral gates, a stable to the right of the entrance, and a house to the left. Not really knowing where to go, Li entered the house. Talon was in there surrounded by cuccos. He was sleeping.

Talon was sitting against a table in front of some stairs. As he slept, a cucco was in his lap and two were on the table. All of the other cuccos were running around on the floor.

"Nope, not here." Li exit and went across into the stable. It had seven stalls in it, two by the door; four on the opposite side; and one in the middle. A man was in here who looked familiar to Li. "Not here neither." Li left the stables' and went to the corral. There was Malon. She was standing in the corral brushing a red horse with a white mane and tail. Li headed inside to join Malon.

"Hello, Malon," said Li as he came up to her.

"Hello, Li," Malon replied. "Nice to see you again."

"How is everything?"

"Oh, fine. And you?"

"Well, let's just say I'm not died yet." Malon looked at him confusedly. "That's a joke, Malon." Malon was still looking at him confusedly. "Forget it. Well, you have a lot of horses around here."

"Oh, yes. My mother and I love horses, so my dad bought them for us. Before then we had cuccos and cows."

"Oh. So, where's your mother. I haven't met her yet."

Malon looked sad. "She died when I was five years old. The only thing I have to remember her by is her song. Singing this song always cheered me up."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"It's ok."

"It's the same with me, exempt both of my parents died. My faster parent said they died in an accident. I lost my memory in the accident. I was only five. I get flashbacks sometimes, but they are hazy."

"Oh, now I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it. So, what's this song you like?"

"Oh, my mom's song. It's a beautiful song. Do you want to hear it?"

"Sure."

"Ok." Malon began to sing the song. It had a lovely tune. 'It sounds familiar.' Li didn't want it to end. Just then, the horse behind Malon started nudging her in her back.

"Stop it, Epona," said Malon. Malon started giggling. "Stop it."

Li walked over to the horse and started patting its back. "Nice horse you have here."

"Her name's Epona. I named her after my mom's song, Epona's Song, 'cause she loves it so much she will come running to anyone who sings it. I don't know why my mom called the song that, so don't ask. Epona doesn't really like strangers. I wonder why she likes you."

"I don't know. It's strange, but I think I heard that song before."

"That's not a surprise. That song was famous in my mom's days. You probably heard that song when you were younger."

"Yeah, maybe you're right."

". . .I'm scared, Li."

"Why is that?"

"I'm scared that something terrible will happen to this place."

"What, you think Ganondorf will come and take over this place?"

"Who's Ganondorf?"

"I wish I knew. It just popped up out of nowhere. Well anyway, I have to go. I got a lot of ground to cover."

"Well then, I can help you. I'll let you use Epona for now. You just need to learn the song and how to ride."

'Oh yeah, I came for a horse. I forgot.' "That's ok, I already know how to ride. But I won't be able to sing the song. I'm not a good singer."

"Well then, do you have an instrument?" Li pulled out the Ocarina of Time. "Ok, then just follow along after me."

"That's great. Now, where ever you are, Epona will come to you when you play this song."

"Thanks, Malon. I better go. Lot's to do. Bye."

"Bye." Li mounted Epona and rode off.

Hyrule Field

322, May 7

10:53

Li was sitting on Epona in Hyrule Field thinking, 'I'll go ahead without Navi. Now, where is the second temple? Why don't I try the future. Make sense. Ok, let's go!' Li rode off to the only warp point he knew. Epona could not come.

Hyrule Field Estate

2002, May 7

10:59

Li appeared in the warp. 'Where should I start. . .Wait. I might as well get a horse in this time as well. Ok, back to the ranch. . .except in this time.' Li set off to Lon Lon Ranch, again.

………

Lon Lon Ranch

2002, May 7

11:37

Li entered the ranch. The ranch looked the same as in the past. Li headed to the center of the corral. He soon saw a girl, about his age, there brushing a horse. It was an old friend of his, apart from Zoe. Her name was Tracy. She was always flirting with Li in the past, and Li had a crush on her. Li ran up to her.

"Hi, Tracy," he said.

"She turned to face him and her face lit up. "Li!!!" She ran up to him and knocked him down as she hugged him. "I was so worried!!" She raised up and slapped him. "Where have you been?! And where did you get the clothes and weapons?!"

"A friend let me borrow them. Listen, I need to borrow a horse for a little while."

"What for?"

"I'm going to butcher it and make glue," he said sarcastically. "I need one to get around the landscape. You know I can't drive a car; I'm afraid of them."

"Well, ok, but on one condition."

"What's that?"

"You have to take me out tonight." Li was jumping for joy in his mind.

"Sure. Do I have to come get you?"

"No, I'll meet you there."

"Where?"

"Hylian Restaurant at 19 hundred."

"Ok. It's a date." There was a silence between the two. Finally, Li said, "Well, I best be going."

"Oh, yeah. You're probably in a hurry. Well, I'll see you tonight."

"Same here." There was another silence. "Ah, Tracy?"

"Yes?"

"There's just one problem."

"What's that?"

"You're still on top of me."

"Oh, sorry." She gets up and helps Li up. "Oh, yeah. You need the horse. I'll let you borrow Maybell. She will come to you whenever you play this song." She teaches him a song that sounded just like Epona's Song. Li mounted Maybell. "Take good care of her."

"I will."

"I'll see you tonight then?"

"Tonight, 19 hundred, Hylian Restaurant. Got it; see you tonight." He rode off.

"Be careful, Li," Tracy called to him. "It's more dangerous out there," she said to herself.

To Be Continued. . .

Next Chapter: Let's Wrestle!