Hello anyone who is still reading this!

Thank you all for your patience, I'm sorry this took so long. This chapter is longer than the others, review or PM me if you have a preference on the length of chapters. Shorter, or longer?

Also, there are probable errors and inconsistencies, please review and tell me what needs fixing.

Guest Reviewers: Thank you for your support, and I hope I don't disappoint. I had some more specific things I wanted to say, but I forgot what they were.

Last, some things may seem choppy or don't flow properly, I apologize for that. Please tell me if anything is really bad and I'll try to fix it. And Sheik's gender. As this matter is open for debate, I have decided to have Link and most others characters believe she is male, as I may have said, so I apologize if it get's confusing.

Thanks again!

-0-0-0-

Link spent two days at Kakariko Village stocking up on supplies and re-associating himself with the world. In that time, he had also acquired a blue cucco from Anju,* which he named Chris.

Presently, Link was walking through Hyrule Field, humming softly to himself and looking forward to seeing Saria again. He considered playing her song and talking to her in advance, but that would ruin the surprise. He was so excited! Despite the darkness that hung over Hyrule, Link was certain that Kokiri Forest would be the same as ever. It was a place that no matter what the outside world went through, would always remain a haven of unchanging peace and purity. So with more excitement and happiness than he had felt since he had woken up for the first time in seven years, he increased his pace to a jog, determined to see the two trees that marked the entrance to Kokiri Forest before the day was out.

It was almost sunset before Link reached the tunnel leading into the Forest. He slowed down to a walk as he approached. He liked to pretend the tunnel was a portal into another world, and as soon as he walked through, he would be in a peaceful fairy-tale like world. A place with no Ganondorf, a place unaffected by his darkness. Some part of him knew this was childish, and that even the Forest may not be safe from Ganondorf's evil powers, but he wouldn't let himself believe that. If he did, then Link feared he wouldn't be able to cope.

Entering the tunnel, Link closed his eyes. He was afraid of the dark, and the center of the tunnel was pitch black. He took five long steps, then opened his eyes again. A huge smile split his face as he recognized the peaceful green clearing. He was home! He walked two steps, then began to run.

"Wait, Link!" Navi yelled. Link stopped, and instinctively drew his sword, looking for the threat. He heard the tell tale sound of a deku shrub shooting at him, and spun to face it, batting the seed it spat at him out of the air.

"Why are there monsters here?" Link asked, turning in a slow circle to make sure he was no longer in danger.

"I don't know, Link. But maybe since the Great Deku Tree is… You know… Maybe the Forest is no longer protected," Navi said, her blue light dimming briefly before growing stronger again. "That's all the more reason to find the Sage of Forest that Sheik mentioned. And fast!" Link nodded, determination etched into every line of his body. He took off running toward the Lost Woods. Saria would probably be there. She would know what to do.

It did not take Link long to reach the entrance. As soon as he entered he knew something was wrong.

"It's… So quiet…" Navi said softly, as if she were afraid to disturb the stillness of the Woods. Link wordlessly nodded. He was worried. And scared. The Lost Woods had never seemed threatening to him before, but now he felt on-edge. He really wished someone was with him. Well, at least he had Navi. He glanced at the little fairy, bobbing nervously around him, for reassurance, then reluctantly began the trek through the Woods.

Twice he got turned around, and at one point he encountered Mido, who didn't recognize him at all. As usual, Mido had tried to stop him, and Link had almost smiled at the similarity of the past and present. Except this time, Link had to play Saria's Song in order for Mido to let him pass. Eventually he made it to the Forest Temple's gates. As he approached, Link drew his sword, wary of the two White Wolfos that had guarded the gate in the past. He passed through the gates without being attacked, and continued on his way. He was about to turn a corner when Navi's high-pitched shout of "Watch out!" stopped him. Instinctively he flung himself backwards and against the wall, sword and shield in hand. Slow, heavy footsteps approached him, accompanied by loud breathing and the clank of armor. Link's heart beat faster as the creature came into view. It was huge! Nearly three times Link's height, even as an adult. It carried a long spear and had a face like a boar, complete with foot-long tusks.

Navi silently flew above it's head, providing a target for him. Link gulped and shook his head. There was no way he could fight something that big.

The boar-creature huffed and looked both directions, it's massive head swaying slowly from side to side. Then, much to Link's relief, it turned and began marching back the other way. Navi flew back to his side as he dashed from his corner to the next, doing his best to keep his footsteps silent. He was so relieved to have left that creature behind, he nearly ran into the next one. With a yelp, Link dove to the side and into a small alcove to avoid being skewered on the monster's spear. He laid very still in the long grass, not daring to move. Above him, the monster looked around, searching for it's lost prey. Eventually, the creature lowered his spear, turned around and continued it's patrol. Link sighed in relief, silently thanking the goddesses for the creature's stupidity.

When Link next rounded a corner, he was careful to look both ways. Navi now flew above the tall stone walls and told him where there were monsters so as to avoid another close call.

"Link! There's a really big one up ahead! And I mean REALLY big!" Navi called down to him. Link slowly poked his head around the corner and sure enough, there was a huge monster. This one had a club, and was standing on the stairs leading up to the temple. He was so close.

"How do I get past it?" Link asked his fairy.

"Umm…" Navi flew up close to it, bobbing around and looking for weak points. The creature didn't even glance at her, it's enormous black eyes were fixed on Link. It huffed, as if challenging Link, and raised it's club. Link's eyes narrowed, and he stepped slowly toward the creature, unsure of what he was going to do, but confident in appearance never-the-less.

The monster roared and swung it's club down. The ground shook beneath Link's feet, and he nearly lost his balance, but he recovered quickly. Link was shocked to see that the stairs and the surrounding area were still intact. Thanks to Magic, probably.

The monster raised it's club again, then slowly turned and smashed it down again. Link was ready this time, and he moved quickly to the side, avoiding the brunt of the force. As the monster raised it's club again, Link was struck by an idea. He sheathed his sword despite Navi's shouts of protest, and stood in front of the monster. The club came down, and Link leapt to the right and ran up the stairs towards the monster. He stumbled slightly as the ground shook, but kept going. The monster readjusted for Link's new position, then brought the club down. Again Link dodged and continued running. He was almost at the top! The club came down again, and Link jumped sideways. As he landed, his foot slipped and he was sent crashing onto the stone.

"Link!" shouted Navi. Her voice high pitched with panic. Link looked up as the monster raised it's club above him. The monster was smiling, it's tusks twisting it's lips into a grotesque expression. The malice in it's eyes was accompanied by sick satisfaction. The world snapped back into normal speed, and Link desperately tried to get to his feet.

"I'm going to die!" Link thought frantically. From somewhere above him there was a quiet hiss, then the monster squealed in pain and it's arm flopped uselessly to it's side, the heavy club smashing to the ground inches from Link.

"Sheik!" Navi squeaked.

Link slowly got to his feet, not quite believing he was still alive.

"Come, Hero." Sheik's voice by his ear made him jump. Then he was being half dragged, half led up the remaining stairs. Behind him the monster was still screaming, probably more in anger than pain.

Once they reached the Sacred Forest Meadow, Sheik released his arm and Link slumped to the ground wearily. His heart was still beating frantically in his chest, and he was gasping for breath.

"Are you hurt?" Sheik asked, kneeling in front of him. Link shook his head.

"Thank the Goddesses you're okay!" Navi said, flying next to him and hugging his ear. "I thought you we're going to die!"

Link smiled slightly and gently patted his fairy friend with one finger. "I'm okay," he assured her. Navi smiled and said she was glad, then ducked into his hat. Link smiled as he felt the little fairy burrow into his hair.

"Once you have rested, you should hurry into the Forest Temple," Sheik said. He was standing again, looking at the large tree stump where Saria always sat. Sheik's eyes were glazed over and looked as though he was remembering something from the distant past. Link looked over at the tree stump too. Saria wasn't there.

"Navi?" Link called quietly. The fairy poked her head out from under his hat.

"Where's Saria?" he asked. Navi came out fully and looked around.

"I don't know, Link. Maybe you should try playing her song?" Link nodded and pulled out his ocarina. Sheik turned and watched him curiously as he began to play the simple notes.

Magic filled the air, and soon Link was entirely immersed in a soft green light.

"Link?" Saria's voice drifted through the air, echoing slightly.

"Saria!" Link cried happily. "Where are you? We came to the Lost Woods to find you, but you aren't here," Link told her.

"I'm sorry, Link. But I can't come to see you right now. Please, cleanse the Forest Temple, then we can see each other again, okay?"

Link nodded, then remembered that Saria couldn't see him and gave a verbal response. As soon as he had, the green light began to fade, and with it, Saria's voice.

"I'll see you soon, Link. Be safe." Then she was gone, and Link was back in the Sacred Forest Meadow with Sheik silently watching him.

"We should hurry and cleanse the temple, Link!" Navi said, bouncing by his ear. Link nodded, and turned to Sheik.

"Will you come with us?" Link asked hopefully. Sheik hesitated, wondering if she should or not. Her orders were to guide the Hero, no specifications were made about how to do it, but Sheik knew most missions such as this were done from the shadows.

"Please, Sheik?" Navi added, "You would be a really big help!"

"…All right. I shall accompany you," Sheik replied. Link grinned, and Navi bobbed up and down and cheered. They turned to face the entrance of the Temple. Link frowned in thought as he took in the crumbled stairway high above.

"You should be able to reach that branch with your Hookshot," Sheik suggested quietly. She was unsure if it was okay to speak here, perhaps the Hero already knew this and was simply verifying the distance? Or had thought of a better way?

"That's a great idea! Thanks, Sheik!" Link said. Sheik looked at him strangely, but Link didn't notice. He was busy fishing his Hookshot out of his Bottomless Bag. Sheik spared a moment to wonder where he had gotten one. Bottomless Bags were incredibly hard to come by.

After Link had successfully made it to the platform, Sheik nimbly climbed up the trees and jumped, just as she had done when visiting with Nabooru years ago.

"Wow!" Navi said, "that was incredible!" Link nodded in agreement.

"Thank you," Sheik replied.

They headed into the temple, Link leading, with Sheik half a step behind. Link was confident, and relaxed, but curious. Sheik guessed that Link had no idea what she and Nabooru had done to the place. He though it was still safe and pure. Guilt stabbed at Sheik, but she stubbornly pushed it away. She had done it to protect the Princess, she told herself.

"Watch out!" Navi yelled. Sheik drew her tanto, and Link his sword. Two white wolfs leapt at them from the shadows. Sheik dodged the one attacking her and stabbed it in the back of the neck, killing it instantly. Link barely managed to block with his shield and cut it's head off before it killed him. Both wolfos crumpled to the ground and disappeared in blue fire.

They flicked blue wolfos blood off of their weapons, and proceeded through the door.

The next room was large, with a square of walls in the middle. In the center of that was something that resembled a bronze elevator. At each corner of the walls was a torch. As they watched four colorful poes appeared, each with a different colored flame. The four poes cackled and flew down each of the four hallways that led out of the room. As they left, the elevator in the center of the room sunk into the floor.

"We're those the four poe sisters?" Navi asked. "I used to play with them when we were young."

Link walked forward a few steps and looked around.

"It looks like we'll need their flames to proceed," Sheik said thoughtfully. When she and Nabooru had come, they had simply used a crystal Ganondorf had supplied them with to manipulate the poe sisters into giving them their flames.

"I can ask them if they'll help us," Navi offered.

Sheik shook her head. "They won't help us." Slowly, Sheik was beginning to realize what that crystal had done.

"Why not?" Navi asked. "They're troublemakers, but they're really nice! I'm sure they'll help."

"The poe sisters are possessed by Ganondorf's evil magic, they aren't the same as you remember." Sheik replied.

Navi's light flickered to a darker blue, showing her anger. "Ganondorf!" Navi cursed, her voice full of hatred.

"We'll have to find another way, then." Link said. "Follow me." He began to head towards one of the unlocked doors, Sheik and Navi following.

The inside of the temple was still majestic, with it's bright rooms and colorful plants, but now there were also monsters.

"Link! Watch out!" Navi yelled when a Skulltuladropped to the ground a few feet to Link's right. Link turned and drew his sword, slightly clumsily, then quickly cut down the giant spider. It wasn't the first thing they had encountered, and it was becoming apparent that whatever magic had protected the place was fading. Sheik explained this to them. "Do you know what the source of that magic might have been?" Sheik questioned.

Link thought for a moment, then said, "The Great Deku Tree?"

"But the Forest Temple was fine when we last came here, and the Great Deku Tree was already…" Navi trailed off. Link looked at his feet and seemed to slump.

"If that is true, then the source was not the Deku Tree," Sheik said, breaking the heavy silence that had fallen.

"What else could it have been?" Navi asked, cheering up a little. Sheik considered simply telling them that Saria was the Sage, and that she, Sheik, had been the one to seal her away and corrupt this sacred place, but she didn't. She wasn't quite ready to lose her life yet. She still needed to make sure the Hero was prepared for what was to come. As it was, he was barely good enough with his blade to be called a swordsman. So Sheik said nothing.

"I guess we should continue exploring then, right? Navi suggested. Link nodded, and began to head towards the nearest door. Sheik followed silently behind, feeling more and more guilty with each passing moment. Each room they entered contained monsters, and the occasional trap, at one point, they even had to go down the well and travel beneath the temple to proceed. As they got further in, Link got more and more jumpy. Navi sensed the evil, too, and began to fly nervous circles around the small group. Sheik just felt increasingly culpable. She too, could sense the evil, but she already knew the source. The only question now was what sort of monster Ganondorf had sent this time. After some time, they entered a room with a lone stalfos in it. Sheik killed it without a second though. As soon as it's bones were engulfed in blue fire, two more stalfos appeared. Link ran forward and engaged one, while Sheik killed the other. She watched as Link, with Navi's help, killed the other one. She made a note to teach Link swordsmanship when they finished this temple. Once both enemies were killed, a chest shimmered into existence. Sheik was shocked. She hadn't noticed any shrouding Magic in the room when they'd entered. Whatever Magic inhabited the temple, it was far stronger than anything she had ever encountered, strong enough to trick the Sheikah's Eye. Link didn't seem surprised though, and he opened the chest immediately.

"You got the Fairy Bow!" Navi exclaimed excitedly. Link turned around and held the bow up for Sheik to see.

"Can you shoot it?" Sheik asked. Link considered for a minute, then put an arrow on the string and drew it back to his cheek. He released it smoothly. It thunked neatly into the pillar he had aimed at.

"Wow! You're pretty good for your first time!" Navi said. Sheik had to agree. For an un-trained Kokiri child, he was certainly quite capable. Sheik was impressed with his talent for learning how to use new items very quickly. It had taken her years to become proficient with a bow and arrows.

Link packed away the bow and strapped the quiver to his back next to his sword, then they exited the room through the only other door. They emerged in a long staircase. At each of it's landings there was a picture frame. Two of them were black, but one of them had a blue poe painted into it. It didn't take long for Navi to point out that the poe painting was actually a poe hiding in the painting. Link quickly realized that he couldn't get close without the poe running away, so after a second of thought, he knocked an arrow to his new bow and shot down the poe. At the base of the stairs, the poe faded into visibility. Link drew his sword and Navi flew over the poe to target it. Sheik watched as Link fought the poe. Once the poe was defeated, it's flame escaped the lantern and returned to the main room. The poe cackled, and disappeared completely. Sheik saw it pass through a wall and out of the room. Link sheathed his sword, and they continued on.

Many rooms and a red poe later, they arrived at a room with a painting of a green poe. Link shot it down, and it came out, giggling.

"Get back!" Sheik yelled, pulling Link out of the center of the room. Where they had been standing seconds before, large blocks fell from the ceiling.

"You have one minute!" The green poe said.

"Quick, Link! Solve the puzzle!" Link took a moment to get his bearings, then began pushing the blocks around. Nearly twenty seconds had passed before Sheik figured out how to solve it as well and began helping. They finished it with five seconds remaining. Link slumped against a wall, panting. The blocks had been very heavy. The green poe reappeared, and Link turned to face it. He was panting, and the tip of his sword dipped lower than it should.

Sheik stepped forwards. "I'll take this one," Sheik said. Link stepped aside gratefully, and Sheik drew her throwing needles. The fight didn't last long, and soon the green flame had been restored to it's torch.

In the next room, they found the final poe. This one was purple. She cackled and spun around. She seemed to like doing that a lot. As the fight began, she made clones of herself. They surrounded Link and Sheik, taunting them.

"It's the one to your left," Sheik informed Link. She could see through the illusions, and had no trouble finding the real one. Link slashed at the real poe, and it screamed. It took a minute to gather it's magic, then multiplied itself again. Sheik found the real one, and Link attacked it again. The purple poe repeated the process four times before she realized that her tricks weren't working. The next time, Sheik didn't see the real poe in the ring around them.

"It isn't in the ring, Link," Sheik said. She looked around, searching beyond the circle. "Above us!" she warned.

Link stabbed his sword upward, skewering the poe before she could whack them with the lantern. The purple poe, Meg, disappeared, and her light returned to it's respective torch.

Once all the poes had been recovered, the elevator in the central room came back up.

"Are you ready?" Navi asked.

Link nodded wearily.

"We're almost there! Let's keep moving!" Navi said, flying off in the direction of the elevator. Link trudged after her.

"Wait," Sheik said.

Link turned back with a questioning look, and Navi zipped back, hovering next to Link's head.

"We should rest before we go any further. It will only get harder from here on out."

Link nodded and ambled over to a corner before dropping to the ground with tired sigh. Sheik gracefully beside him and pulled some food and water from her bag.

After a brief rest, they moved on. The further they got, the more Link's feeling of dread increased. He hoped Saria was okay. Nothing they encountered gave them too much trouble, and anything Link had trouble with, Navi or Sheik would advise him on how to proceed.

At last, they stood in front of a large door, this one engraved with what appeared to be a representation of the circle of life.

How ironic, Sheik thought.

"Ready?" Link asked.

Sheik nodded.

"Yep! Let's go!" Navi said. Link shoved the heavy door to the side and the trio proceeded inside.

Barely two steps in, the door behind them slid shut. Link drew his sword and Sheik readied her throwing needles. Slowly, they moved forwards.

"Wow, those are some really good pictures," Navi whispered, flying near one to get a closer look. "I didn't know we had art like this in the Forest."

"I don't like them," Link said, "they feel… Sad." They took another few minutes to look at the art, before deciding there was nothing in here and heading back for the door.

"It won't open!" Link said, tugging on the door. Sheik whipped around, all of her senses going on high alert.

"Sheik?" Navi asked.

Sheik hushed her. Link came to join her just as a bone-chilling laugh echoed through the room. Sheik shuddered. She knew that laugh. She knew it all too well.

"You finally made it! I've been waiting for you." In the center of the room, a shadowy figure began to materialize.

"Ganondorf!" Navi yelped, clinging to Link's ear. Beside him, Link heard Sheik breath in sharply. Ganondorf himself had come?

Ganondorf laughed sadistically and swung his massive sword in preparation to kill.

"Link! Something isn't right," Navi announced, "I'm not sure, but his aura feels different from last time…" The fairy was right. It's aura felt weaker, but still…

Across from them, Ganondorf wheeled his shadows horse and rode into one of the paintings.

"What?" Navi squeaked. "How? That shouldn't be possible!"

Sheik struggled to focus. There had to be some sort of illusion here, some sort of trick… But she wouldn't be able to see it until she could calm her mind and focus. A flicker of movement caught her attention. She spun around, needles prepared to throw.

"Link-!" She cut herself off. There was a second Ganondorf! Purely on instinct, Sheik flung her needles at the Ganondorf closest to her. Link shot the other with his bow. The one Sheik had aimed for vanished before it reached the end of the painted path, but the one Link had shot at reared and wheeled his horse in the other direction, disappearing back down the painted path.

"The real one will disappear before it reaches the end of the path!" Navi yelled, "Shoot the real one!"

Link and Sheik positioned themselves back to back so as to see all of the paintings. Sheik with her needles, Link with his bow.

"Are you okay?" Link asked softly.

Sheik gulped and nodded.

"You sure? You're breathing is really fast," Link continued.

"No, I am fine, Hero. Please focus on your own well-being." Sheik replied carefully. She mentally berated herself for letting Link notice her fear.

"He's coming!" Navi called. They each picked a Ganondorf and watched it, waiting to see which one would be the real one. Sheik tensed when she realized that it was the one riding towards her. She waited until the horse was beginning to emerge before she flung her needles. They all hit the horse, but she missed the vital points she'd been aiming for. The horse snorted angrily and continued towards her. The sound of hooves, the feeling of fear, it was so much like the time she'd been captured by Ganondorf. Sheik fell to her knees, hands over her ears and eyes squeezed shut. For a moment, she was once again a scared, weak child. In her mind's eye, she saw the Gerudo riding her down and capturing her, she saw Ganondorf atop his enormous black mount, his cruel smile and evil eyes…

"Sheik!"

Her eyes snapped open.

"Sheik! Are you hurt?" Link was leaning over her, an anxious look on her face.

Sheik took a deep breath. "Yes, Hero. I am fine." She stood up, pushing blonde bangs from her eyes. "I am sorry for my failure."

Link looked surprised. "Don't worry about it! I shot him in time, so everything's okay!" Sheik nodded. As they spoke Ganondorf rode back. This time, both Sheik and Link identified the real one at the same time. Sheik took a deep breath to clear her mind. She was calm now. This wasn't the real Ganondorf. The King of Evil had eyes that burned with hatred and cruelty. This thing's eyes were dead. Empty and unthinking. Her eyes cleared and suddenly she could See again.

"He's just an illusion!" Sheik said, flinging her needles. This time, she hit what she had aimed for, and the horse collapsed. Phantom Ganon leapt off his dying steed and resorted to hovering a few feet above the ground.

Link stood opposite him, determined not to lose when they were this close. His fairy hovered by his side.

Phantom Ganon swung his massive sword; a ball of crackling energy arched towards them. Sheik dodged to one side, Link to the other.

"What now?" Link asked his fairy.

"I'm working on it!" she replied.

The phantom swung again, and Sheik flipped out of the way. She glanced back to find Link, and saw him move a second too late. He wasn't fast enough.

"Link!" Sheik yelled. He was going to get killed! Just as the attack was about to hit him, Link swung the Master Sword in a desperate horizontal arc. To Sheik's amazement, the attack was reflected. This surprised Ganondorf as much as it had Sheik, and because of that, Ganondorf was hit with his own attack. He stumbled, little arcs of electricity coursing across his body and stunning him.

"Now!" Navi yelled, "Hit him!"

Link lunged forward and stabbed at Ganondorf. He stumbled. "What? Link wondered aloud. There had been no resistance. Sheik snapped out of her stunned state just in time to yell a warning.

Get back!" Sheik yelled. Link jumped back and narrowed his eyes at his opponent. Sheik mentally cursed herself again. How could she have missed something like that? This was an illusion, of course there would be no resistance!

Ganondorf stood and laughed. "You surprised me, little Hero, but I don't make the same mistake twice." He raised his sword again and threw another ball of electricity. Link stood his ground, waited until the last second then slashed at it, sending it towards Ganondorf, but this time he was ready, and reflected it back towards Link.

Sheik watched helplessly as the deadly ball of lightening bounced back and forth between the two like a deadly tennis ball. After what seemed an eternity to Link's watching companions, Ganondorf missed and was once again brought to his knees. Both Link and Sheik leapt towards him, weapons poised to kill. Sheik pulled back abruptly as her blade passed harmlessly through, even with the magic she had put into it, there was no effect. The Master Sword also met no resistance, as expected, but it seemed to harm the fake Ganondorf. They leapt away as Ganondorf pulled himself back to his feet, growling menacingly. Link prepared himself for another volley. As soon as the game began, Link could tell that this time the attack was different. If he missed, he was sure to die.

"He's poured all of his power into this one! Be careful, Link!" Navi yelled. The ball flew back and forth, keeping the occupants of the room's undivided attention. At last, Phantom Ganon missed a beat, and stumbled to the ground with a pained grunt. Link yelled and charged forward, driving his sword into Ganondorf's chest.

There was a tense pause, then the phantom exploded into black particles.

Sheik sighed inaudibly.

"Hahaha! Well done, Hero!"

Link and Sheik bother jumped and raised their weapons.

"You have exceeded my expectations. Of course, it would have been no fun if you'd died so quickly. But not to worry, the real me is much, much more powerful. This phantom is not worthy to carry my name. Thank you for ridding me of such a pathetic creation. Goodbye, Hero of Time!" The voice faded away into cruel laughter. Sheik tensed, her breath coming in quick, panicked gasps. That had definitely been the real Ganondorf.

"Are you okay?" Link asked his companion.

Sheik nodded, and took a deep breath, forcing herself to appear calm. She wasn't sure how much more emotional stress she could take today. "Collect the heart piece and step into that portal. I believe someone very important is waiting for you," she said.

Link nodded and jogged over to grab the heart piece, then went into the glowing blue portal.

"Aren't you coming, Sheik?" Navi asked.

"No, where you are going, I cannot follow. Farewell, Hero. We will meet again." Link wanted to ask when, and where, but before he could open his mouth, the blue light obscured his vision and a feeling of weightlessness enveloped him.

-0-0-0-

"Hehehe! Are you awake yet, sleepyhead?"

Slowly, Link blinked. He felt like he was floating. The air, if there even was any, was the same temperature as his body. Not too hot, nor too cold, perfectly synced to his body temperature, and perfectly still, causing him to feel as if there was nothing at all.

"…Saria?" Link asked quietly. He blinked again and sat up, although it felt like he hadn't moved at all.

"Hehe! Who were you expecting?" Saria giggled again and did a twirl. "Of course it's me!"

Link smiled, and tried to go towards her, but found he couldn't move forward.

"It's okay, Link," Saria said, seeing his struggle. "just stay over there."

Link hesitated, then stood still. "Where are we?" he asked, looking around.

"This is the Sacred Realm, Link," Saria answered. Suddenly, Link became aware of a glowing platform below him. It was just like when he had spoken with Rauru, the Light Sage. Saria stood across from him on a green platform.

"Link, I just wanted to tell you… Thank you. Because of you, I could awaken as a Sage! I am Saria. The Sage of the Forest Temple!"

Link gasped.

"I always believed you would come," she said, "because I know you."

Link opened his mouth to say something but Saria interrupted.

"No... You don't have to explain it to me. Because it is destiny that you and I can't live in the same world, I will stay here as the Forest Sage and help you…" She smiled sadly. "But enough of the serious stuff!" She tried to smile happily. "I won't be able to see you in person anymore, but we can still talk! You remember the song I taught you, right?"

Link nodded.

"I'm glad. That makes me so happy!" she giggled. "We don't have much more time before you have to go back, so take this." Saria held her hands above her head and closed her eyes. There was a blinding green light, then a green medallion floated down to Link, just like with Rauru.

"There's so much I wanted to talk to you about, and so much I wanted to tell you, but we have so little time…" she sighed. "I'll tell you this, then: Whatever you do, you need to have faith in your guide. Sheik is a bit mysterious, and sometimes it's hard to understand why… He," she paused, stifling a giggle, "does what he does, but Sheik is a good person at heart. So, take care of him, okay?"

Link had no idea why she would say that, after all, Sheik was more than capable of taking care of himself, but he agreed none-the-less.

"That's great!" Saria clapped her hands together. "Well then, you need to go back now. Take care! And remember, we'll always be friends, Link." With that, Saria waved, and the world around Link began to turn fuzzy and white.

"Wait! Saria!" Link reached out for her, but found his body couldn't move. "Please don't leave! Saria!"

When Link opened his eyes, he found tears streaming down his face.

"Saria…" He dropped to his knees and cried. His best friend had left him. It was hard losing her once, but twice was just too much. Link cried until all his tears were used up, then he fell asleep.

"Link… Link! WAKE UP!"

Link sleepily opened his eyes. "What is it, Navi?"

"We have to go! It's already noon!"

Link sat up quickly and glanced at the sun to confirm what his fairy had told him. She was right, he had slept for way too long. He jumped to his feet and glanced around, getting his bearings.

That's right. He was outside of the Forest Temple. Everything that had happened yesterday flooded back to him, and he nearly broke down into tears again.

Saria was gone. Really gone this time.

"We should go back to Kakariko Village and stock up on supplies. We might even see Sheik again!" Navi said, adding the last bit in an attempt to cheer the boy up.

"…Okay. But first, I want to go see the Great Deku Tree… One last time," Link said. Without waiting for a response from his fairy, he began the trek back to Kokiri Forest and to the Great Deku Tree's clearing.

The clearing was as he remembered. Still frozen in time, with the Deku Tree's lifeless branches, and grey bark.

Link took a few steps forward. "Great Deku Tree…" He reached out a hand to touch the Deku Tree's bark when something popped out of the ground at his feet. Link stumbled back and fell on his butt.

"I'm not the Great Deku Tree!" It said, I'm the Deku Tree Sprout!"

Link gaped.

"Close your mouth, you'll catch flies that way."

Link snapped his mouth shut and blushed.

"Now, I'm going to tell you a story," The Deku Tree Sprout said.

Link settled in front of him and crossed his legs.

"Once, a long time ago, there was a woman. She had been hurt in a great war, and was seeking protection for her child. She begged the Great Deku Tree to protect him, and, sensing the child was destined for greatness, the Deku Tree agreed. Shortly after, the woman died. That woman was your mother."

Navi winced. This little tree was not very tactful.

"The Great Deku Tree raised you as one of his own, and you grew up believing you were a Kokiri, but, Link, you are actually a Hylian!"

Link stared at him in disbelief, a thousand emotions coursing through him.

Navi felt like face-palming. That sprout desperately needed a lesson on tact.

"It's time to confront your destiny, Link!" The sprout continued.

Link slowly got to his feet. He needed some time to think, somewhere quiet would be nice. Link nodded, and turned to leave.

"Goodbye! The Deku Tree Sprout called after him.

-0-0-0-

* That is what her Majora's Mask counterpart is called, so that is what I am calling her here, as in game she has no name.(So far as I know.)