The Winds of Time

By Sonic TH

[Author's Note: I'd like to formally apologize for my significant lack of updating. I'd reached a huge impasse with the idea of maintaining 2 main characters with the exact same name and it stopped me dead in my progress. So I had to take a long break to sort out how I'd do it (and eventually if it was even worth continuing). I finally figured it out and I'm going to pick this up proper. So thanks for sticking with me. If this ever happens again, just know its because of my inability to update would be caused by poor scheduling and not due to something like the previous crisis.]

Disclaimer: Don't own Zelda...yadda...yadda...you get the picture.

[Another A.N.: This chapter is a bit wordy so unless you're curious about the plot, I warn you not much will happen in this one. Wait until I make Chapter 3, where I'll try to pick things up. This chapter is mostly here to elaborate the story.]

Chapter 2: Clues

OOOOOO

"We shouldn't stay here much longer," Link said. "Finding what Gardoc is doing should be of top priority. I believe we should begin in Kokiri Forest. The Deku Tree should be able to aid us in our search. I'm also concerned for Saria and her condition."

The other Link nodded and the two heroes began to make their way out of the Temple of Time.

"Good luck," Zelda called after them. "I shall return to Hyrule Castle and await your victorious return."

------

The two Links walked outside the gates to the Market.

"We need to proceed to Kokiri Village," Link told his counterpart. "I could warp us to the Sacred Forest Meadow; however, I believe we ought to consult the Deku Tree first."

Link took out his Ocarina of Time. He put the opening to his lips and played a short melody. A few minutes later, a brown horse galloped to the gates and stopped in front of the pair.

"This is Epona, my horse," Link explained to the other Link. "As long as I am wandering this field, I can play that song and she will come to me."

Link stroked the horse's mane then pulled himself onto the horse.

"Get on. Epona won't hurt you," Link said as he held out his hand.

WWWWWW

Link had never ridden a horse before. In his time, the sea covered the world and boats were the method of travel. The only horses he had ever seen were kept on Windfall Isle and there were very few. He stared back at the Hero of Time who sat on its back.

What should I do? I know nothing about horses. Link thought. I can't let this scare me! I've faced all shorts of challenges to earn the title of "Hero of Winds" and a horse sacres me? He reassured himself.

Link grabbed the other Link's arm and hoisted himself onto the brown horse.

"Ready?" the other Link called to Link.

Link gave the horse a slight kick and Epona darted forward. The wind whipped Link's blonde hair and floppy cap. He gripped the other Link's waist tightly as they sped across Hyrule Field.

------

A little while later, the two heroes arrived at a large log with its center removed so it formed a wooden tunnel.

"We're here," the other Link said to Link.

They dismounted and walked into the log tunnel. The two Links crossed a short bridge then entered another log tunnel. When they emerged, Link found himself in a village seemingly populated by children. Their homes were made out of hollowed-out trees. The citizens hurried around Link as they went through their daily lives.

"This is Kokiri Village," Link's counterpart explained. "I lived here as far back as I can remember. I was left here during a war and grew up under the watch of the Great Deku Tree. The natural inhabitants of this village are the Kokiri. They are the children of the Deku Tree and forever exist as children as they never age."

Link recalled that during his crusade to defeat Ganon, he had visited Forest Haven Island and encountered the Great Deku Tree. He remembered that the Deku Tree had explained to him how his island natives, the Koroks as well as the Deku Tree itself, had all resided on the land at one point and the Koroks had a different form.

These Kokiris must be the early Korok children the Deku tree told me about. Link thought.

The two warriors reached the other side of the village and stood before a pathway cut out of the overhanging branches of the trees.

"The Deku Tree is found in the grove on the other side of this hedge archway," Link's counterpart told him.

The pair made their way into the archway. When they reached the clearing, they stood on top of a small hill which overlooked the trunk of a massive tree.

"Deku Tree! It is I! Link!" The Hero of Time called to the tree.

"Link?" The Deku Tree responded.

Link looked at the tree. It was as large as when he had first laid eyes on it back at Forest Haven. The huge branches looked down onto Link as it shielded the sun from shining into the grove.

"I am the Deku Tree. Tell me, who are you that dresses like our Hero of Time?" the tree said, now talking to the Link from the future.

"My name is 'Link'," Link began. "However, I have traveled from the future and do not hail from your time."

"Really? Why did you come to Hyrule?" the Deku Tree asked.

Link proceeded to tell the Deku Tree about his time and world. He explained his quest to vanquish Ganon from his realm and how he became the Hero of Winds.

"I have come to Hyrule to aid the Hero of Time defeat the vile wizard Gardoc for he is the one who released Ganondorf and turned my world into the ocean it is," Link concluded.

"Ah...well, if you carry the Master Sword from your time, then you will only aid in the cause," the Deku Tree replied.

"Deku Tree, I hate to be abrupt, but time is of the essence," Link from Hyrule said. "We have come before you in hopes you can help us find Gardoc. He cannot release Ganon or our efforts will be in vain."

"Agreed, we must act," the Deku Tree's voice grew more focused. "What is it that you seek from me?"

"Have you heard from Saria within the last two or three hours?" Link's counterpart asked.

"I have not, however, try to contact her using your song," the Deku Tree answered.

OOOOOO

Link pulled out his Ocarina of Time and played Saria's Song. The world aroudn him grew silent and he waited for a response.

"Link?" Saria's voice filled his head.

"Saria! You are safe?" Link asked, overjoyed to hear the voice of the Forest Sage.

"Yes. I awoke not long ago," Saria replied.

"Are you well enough to speak with me?"

"I am. Join me in the Sacred Forest Meadow and we can talk there."

The voice left Link's mind and his senses returned to his body.

"Is she doing alright?" the Deku Tree inquired?

"Yes, she said she woke up a little while ago."

"Then go. If I can provide any more aid, I will communicate it to Saria who can then tell you," the Deku Tree concluded.

Link nodded and turned to the Hero of Winds.

"Saria said she wants to talk. We'll warp to the Meadow."

Link retrieved his Ocarina and they both played the Minuet of Forest in unison.

Green balls of light descended onto the heroes and they vanished.

------

The two Links once more landed on the stone circle that stood outside the Forest Temple in the Sacred Meadow. Link saw Saria sitting on her stump as usual, but her face showed more concern than normal. Link walked over to the green-haired girl and the two met with a hug.

"Saria...were you hurt?" Link asked.

"No. Only my mind was seized by Gardoc," Saria replied. She looked behind Link and saw another green-clad boy.

"Who are you? I don't believe we've met," Saria asked the boy.

"I am 'Link'. I came from the future to aid your Hero," the boy responded.

"The future?" Saria said, confused. "Do you represent the Royal Family of your time? I see you have the Master Sword like our hero but there is only supposed to be one blade in existence."

Link shook his head. "In my time, the Royal Family had long vanished. I have only heard of Hyrule in tales and legends until I saw it myself on my quest to banish Ganon."

"Which is why myself and Link are here," Link entered the discussion. "Gardoc is here in Hyrule to take the Master Sword and release Ganondorf from a gap between dimensions. If it is possible, could you communicate with the other Hyrule sages and find where Gardoc may be hiding in Hyrule?"

Saria closed her eyes and concentrated. A few minutes later, Saria opened her eyes and looked at the heroes. "Gardoc's presence is radiating from Death Mountain. However, before I could lock on him, he vanished from my scope. The Fire Sage, Darunia, said that he felt his presence for a split second but then lost him."

Saria suddenly stared forward as if she made a connection.

"The Water Sage has just informed me that Gardoc is at Lake Hylia. I believe he's trying to establish a base of operations there,"

------

Lake Hylia's water sparkled in the light of the morning. A man cloaked in white stood on its shore. He pulled his hood away to reveal his face.

"Such peace and balance..." Gardoc quietly said to himself. "These setbacks have put me in a less-than-desirable position. No matter, this realm will crumble..."

Gardoc raised his arms above his arms to the sky. The blue quickly vanished, covered by a veil of dark purple clouds. Lightning rained down as the ground began to quake. The animals fled as the thunder grew louder. Lake Hylia's waters suddenly were set ablaze with evil green flames. A spire began to rise out of the flame-engulfed waters. Soon an entire castle complete with a bridge emerged.

"Hero of Time...I await..." Gardoc said with an evil smile.

Gardoc walked across the bridge and into the dark structure.

TO BE CONTINUED...

[One final A.N.: I know some people who read this may be concerned with the inconsistencies in here. First off, I should have mentioned I have never played Majora's Mask so I'm unaware of any plot occurrences that may have occurred in there. I'm sorry if I skipped over any plot details relating to that particular story. Next, I know some of you may also be wondering about how this will end since it basically seems like I'm rewriting history. I'd like to say that before I write the next chapter, I'm actually going to compose the epilogue. I'm doing this for the sake of plot-structure. I need to drive the story toward the final events so I'm going to build it so that way it reaches the conclusion that I'll set out first off. I won't release the epilogue until the end but to keep the story flow correct and to reach the point that I myself am going for, I'll use the epilogue as the engine for the rest of the story. Thanks and I hope to update soon!]