A/N: Disclaimer: I do not own the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

A Pair of Time

Chapter 16- Power of the Soul

Death Mountain Trail; Day

Let me get this straight, Link, Navi's voice punctures Link's thought. Before you two met, you just happened to be so carefree, aren't ya?

Our heroes of Hyrule carefully tread up to the summit of Death Mountain, trying to see if the Great Fairy lives up there. Link and Malon wouldn't even look at each other; they are too shock and embarrassed by what went down in that hole.

Yep, Navi. I was just not having a worry in the world.

And then, the Great Deku Tree tells you off, then Princess Zelda asked you to find the three Spiritual Stones. That isn't so bad. But, now, look at you! You're all so… busy at the mind lately.

You can read my mind?

Uh…

That's… that's not right, Navi… Don't tell me. You just happen to see that dream a while ago, didn't you?

Oh… yes… Kokiris can't fly easily, I know.

Navi…

Okay, okay! Hey, I'm not good when it comes to love, okay? I just help you out.

It's NOT love! We're just best friends!

Well, that part where you just kiss…

THAT WAS BECAUSE…

Because…?

She kissed me. What was I supposed to do? I was trapped.

Oh, but THAT didn't matter, did it? You just had to kiss back…

I can't believe that. We kissed, and we DID want to… Best friends shouldn't do that.

Well, then, you two are the most intimate best friends I've seen in my life.

What is wrong with us… We're best friends…

That kissed each other.

Do you have to point that out?

Hey, I'm just clearing the point.

I should contain my feelings very hard from here on out. Nothing like THAT will happen again.

But, you're still thinking about her, aren't you?

Oh, no, don't tell me you can-

Don't worry, I don't care. Think about Malon all you want. I'm just a fairy… It's so interesting to see two people… in their mating moments.

Navi. That completely throws off the point I'm talking about. I'm NOT in love!

Sure, sure. Whatever is your case, it certainly taking up a lot of your mind. We don't want that while we're fighting.

… So, can you talk to the Great Fairy, Navi? You didn't finish your answer the night before.

Because YOU had to tease me.

Hey, I said I was sorry! Can you talk to the Great Fairy or not, Navi?

Oh, she should easily talk to you two like any other people. Just make sure you show your connections to the Royal Family.

Right… Zelda's Lullaby…

"Whoa!" Malon stumbles on a rock, landing on all fours.

"Here, let me help-"

Link pauses, feeling the burning red coming back up again.

No, got to stay focused. Don't be all stuck in… THAT.

"Uh… I'm fine… fairy boy… Thanks, anyway…"

Malon's eyes wander toward his, embarrassment coming up again.

"Oh, um…" Malon stands up, "I can take care of myself…"

"So…" Link walks ahead.

"Uh…" Malon walks beside him, a little distance between the two.

"Nice weather, huh?"

"Yeah, certainly is-"

Weather report for Death Mountain shows that it's anything but fine. The volcano starts to spurt out large rocks from the crater, sending the ground shaking. And those rocks certainly look like they're about to fall-

"Cover with your shield!" Link yells over the rumble, bending over to cover his body with the Hylian Shield.

"Got it!" Malon does the same.

RAM! The rocks fall on and around them like crazy. Their shields, being made of tempered steel, breaks the rocks that head down towards them. In a moment, the falling stops.

"Whew!" Link sighs. "Sure is one active volcano."

"Yaow!" Malon rubs her back. "These rocks are hot! Not to mention heavy…"

"Hurry up! Before another eruption starts!"

After three or more of the eruptions, they pass through the 'hot zone' of the mountain. In front of them is a scalable wall, covered with three Skullwalltulas. Clearing these of their dangerous duty, the two climb up to the top. And guess who's waiting up there…

"You two have done well to come all the way up here," the giant owl greets them.

"Oh… You…" Link said.

"How nice… to see you again…" Malon does her best greeting.

"Link, Malon. Hoot hoot," the owl said. "This is the summit of the sacred Death Mountain! Hoot!"

"I see." Link looks around. "So, we've made it up to the top."

"See these clouds?" the owl turns his head a full 180 degrees.

Malon shudders quietly to this sight.

"It is said that the clouds surrounding this peak reflects the condition of Death Mountain. When they look normal," he turns his head back, "it is at peace."

"So…" Link thinks for a second, "if the clouds look all stormy, or something like that, something is wrong with the mountain?"

"Correct. I see how smart you are now. Climbing all the way up here just proves it. Now, for another piece of knowledge. The Great Fairy lives on this mountaintop, and she will give you a new skill. She is the leader of the fairies, you know. Hoo!"

"Where is she?" Malon asks.

"That's for you two to find out. Wisdom is not without its challenges. I will perch here and wait for you two. When you're ready to go back down, I can help you! Now, get going!"

"Okay, then." Link finds an entrance on his right. "I think the Great Fairy is over there…"

Death Mountain Crater

"If she is here…" Malon said, fanning herself. She sucks in the hot air for refreshment, "it sure is hot…"

"Where… is she?" Link peers around the heat wave, taking deep breaths to steady his focus.

"She's not here!" Navi yells. "Link, Malon, it's too hot in here! We can't stay here for long!"

Malon runs back up the stairs leading outside. Link is about to go, but he hears a familiar sound of a scuttle nearby.

"Fairy boy! Let's get out of here!" Malon shouts back at him without turning around.

Death Mountain Trail

"Whew! Oh, boy, that sure was hot in there…" Malon wipes off sweat from her forehead. "I'm pretty sure I can cook eggs in there, fairy boy… Fairy boy? Link?"

He's still in the crater.

"Link!" Malon shouts his name down the stairs. "Link! What's going on down there!"

No response. Worry surrounds her mind.

Fairy boy… c'mon! Get out of there!

Link comes out a moment later, his forehead dripping in sweat. He pants from the lack of cool air, inhaling the low temperature into his lungs.

"Fairy boy!" Malon runs up and puts a hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay? Why did you stay back there?"

"I found…" Link pauses for some more air, "a Golden Skulltula… inside the crate nearby…"

"Oh… Well, the Great Fairy's not in there."

Malon gazes up to the owl, anger in her eyes.

"You've coulda just told us the Great Fairy's not in there, you know!" Malon yells at him.

"Remember, child," the owl simply answers. "Wisdom is not without its challenges."

Urgh… Stupid bird, Malon thought. Nearly melted us to death.

"Okay, then, fairy boy. Where would this Great Fairy be?"

"I think that wall over there can be blown open." Link points at a section of the wall that is more lightly colored than its surroundings.

"Anything's worth a try…"

Link sets a Bomb next to the wall, blowing open a hidden entrance.

Great Fairy's Fountain

"Here it is!" Navi flies out to check. "This is where the Great Fairy lives!"

The wall around them is covered with pieces of light. A stone structure up ahead has two torches and a pool of crystal-clear water appearing from and disappearing to an unknown source in the middle. An inscription next to it bears the crest of the Royal Family, the Triforce.

"A bit… divine-like in here, isn't it?" Malon looks around.

"Sure is. That's the Royal Family's symbol right there," Link points.

Link walks up on top of the symbol and plays Zelda's Lullaby, since it's the only thing he can play when the Royal Family's involved. The lullaby echoes through the room, along with a giggle coming from somewhere. Then, a woman draped in ivy soars from the fountain, shrieking in laughter. A woman with three braids of reddish-purple hair flowing behind her. She stops, looking down at Link.

"Welcome, young ones! I am the Great Fairy of Power!"

"Great Fairy… of Power?" Link repeats.

"Yes, Link. I'm going to grant you a sword technique now."

With a brush of her arms, light swirls around Link. He feels it, his mind and body adjusting themselves to learn this new tech. In his mind, he performs it the first time, then more. More until… there, he masters it! He masters the secret sword technique of the Spin Attack!

"Remember, young one. This technique requires the usage of your magic," the Great Fairy of Power instructs after she was done. "Do not overdo yourself."

"Thank you, Great Fairy of Power." Link nods.

"And me?" Malon steps forward. "What about me?"

"You…" the Great Fairy turns to her. "You already have a power in you. A power that is stronger than any weapon, any magic. You may not be able to harvest such power yet, but… soon, it will help you beyond any power."

"But… that means… I don't get anything?"

"You'll see, young one. It will come in time. When you need it the most."

"Oh, fine. I guess I'll have to make do with it, then…"

"You two. You're messengers of the Royal Family, aren't you?"

"Yes, we are." Link nods again.

"A friend of mine lives near Hyrule Castle. She'll surely grant you another new power!"

"Thank you, Great Fairy."

"When battle has made you weary, please come back to see me."

The Great Fairy cries in laughter as she disappears back into the fountain. Malon looks at herself, unsure of what power the Great Fairy meant.

"What do you think she means that I've got an unstoppable power?" Malon asks.

"I don't know. It'll come in time, she said. Just wait."

"But, I don't wanna! I want to see what it is!"

"It doesn't help if you're complaining about it."

"Oh, whatever, fairy boy…"

Death Mountain Trail

"Hoo hoot!" the owl greets them. "Well, it looks like you've grown up a little from the Great Fairy's power… But you two still don't really look like the heroes who will save Hyrule! At least not yet!"

"I don't see you saving Hyrule, mister!" Malon shouts.

"Do not worry. I have confident in you two. Now, if you are going back down the mountain, I can lend you a wing."

"Really?" Link said. "We would really appreciate it!"

"Yeah, sure…" Malon rolls her eyes. "Really appreciate it."

"Okay, then, you two! Come here and grab my talons! And hold on tight! Hoo hooooooot!"

He lets go of the sign underneath, flapping to hover himself. Both Link and Malon grabs on a talon each. The owl, feeling the two weights around his feet, gives the final flap and then soars off the summit. The air blows like the wind around the two, awe by the sight of the mountain below.

"Whoo!" Link yells. "I've always wanted to fly!"

"Me, too!" Malon points down at the mountain. "Look how small the Gorons are!"

The people that was taller than them now looks like light-brown bugs on the ground. One of the Gorons point at them, while another waves. Malon waves back.

Flying is so cool… She thought. Nothing beats the sky…