Chapter Thirteen
"I can't believe I'm engaged to a fish," Sheik fumed, as they walked Hyrule field. "A fish! A snotty fish at that!"
"I'm sorry," Link murmured, for what must have been the thousandth time that night. Sheik killed a skeleton monster as he muttered on and on about how he couldn't believe he was engaged to a fish at twelve. It turned out the skeletons were a great way to burn energy. But it would be morning soon, and the monsters would hide for the day. Who would Sheik take his anger out on then?
Maybe the person who actually deserved it? Sheik sighed lightly. "We should go visit Malon before we go give the stones to the princess.... I haven't seen her in forever, and I have to apologize for not showing up to help her father with the milk crates... I can be quiet about breaking that one box while trying to sneak in to get to Princess Zelda..."
"Malon!" Link cheered. "I've met her! Very quickly! The first morning we switched bodies! She's super nice!" Sheik nodded meekly, as they approached the ranch. He looked up at the sky. The sun was rising, and it must have been nearly six. The monsters cleared suddenly, and the cuccos at the ranch crowed.
It was six, and it had to have been twenty-four hours since they had last slept. Link was still bubbly as ever, Sheik, on the other hand, was not. Navi was asleep under Sheik's hat.
The ranch was already moving. The horses were being lead out of their stable, and the cuccos were being fed.
"Sheik!" cried a red head as they entered. "How're you feeling?" Malon gave a worried smile. "You weren't quite yourself last time I saw you in the market. And, who's this?" She looked to Sheik, who she didn't know was Sheik.
"It's me, Sheik," Sheik told her. Malon was confused.
"But, that's Sheik!" she snapped, pointing at Link. Sheik sighed.
"I'm Link," Link said happily. "That's what I was trying to tell you in the market! Sheik and I switched bodies!" Malon put her hands on her hips.
"Don't be so silly you guys!" she said, clearly annoyed. "I'm not going to stand you guys fooling around like that. I've been worried about you Sheik, you were a complete nutcase when I last saw you!" Sheik took his hat off, and woke Navi up.
"It's a fairy from the forest!" Malon cried cheerfully. "Oh, look at her! She's so cute!" Navi hissed.
"What was that for!?" she snapped at Sheik. "Sheik, I swear to the goddesses I'll rip off your head and feed it to-"
"Wait, you just called the fairy boy Sheik," Malon interrupted.
"That's because he is Sheik you silly girl!" Navi snapped. She hated being woken up. "They switched bodies and are dedicated to pissing me off!" The red head blinked.
"Prove it then," Malon told Sheik. "If you are Sheik, you should know Epona's song! We always played it together, so you should be quite familiar with it." Sheik shrugged.
"Harp or ocarina?" he asked. Malon shrugged. Sheik pulled out his harp from his equipment bag, and began to play the tune, Malon singing along.
"Oh Sheik! It is you!" cried the girl, throwing her arms around his neck. "What has happened?! You've completely switched bodies!"
"I know! And, because of the idiot that took over my body, I'm engaged to Ruto!" Sheik complained.
"Engaged!?" Malon shrieked pulling back from Sheik, but keeping her arms around his neck. "To that evil fish!?" Sheik nodded sadly. "That's awful!" She let go of him, and gave a warm smile. "How about I get the two of you something to eat? You look worn out. What have you been up to? Never mind, tell me during breakfast, my daddy can take care of the rest of the chores." She led them into her house, and sat them at the table.
"We don't have very much," Malon told them, handing them bread and a bottle of their famous Lon Lon Milk. She took some for herself, and sat beside Link. "So, what's been going on? Tell me everything. I visited the Princess... She told me a bit. We're all best friends... The three of us... Can't you tell me?" Sheik thought.
"How much did she tell you?" he asked. Malon sighed.
"Not enough, I believe. She told me, when I visited her, about her dream... That she thought it was a prophecy. She also told me about the man visiting, not even his name though. She said to look out for him, and to look out for myself. She also said that you and another named Link, are going on an adventure, to stop the man, who she thinks is evil," Malon explained.
"That about sums it up actually," Sheik said. "We were collecting Spiritual Stones. But we've collected all three, and we're about to go give them to Zelda." He took a gulp of milk, and a bite of bread. "Thank you plenty for the food Malon." Malon smiled.
"You're welcome," she said, "you know you can come whenever you like."
"Yes, thank you..." Link said quietly. Sheik looked over to Link.
"You've been quiet," Sheik noticed. "What's wrong with you?" Link sighed.
"It's... Because I can't remember the things you told me I did... Like fighting that miniboss, and that boss... It's like I was asleep or something. It's bothering me. You tell me I've been acting like a different person," Link whispered. "I don't remember a thing. I honestly have no clue what happened in those times."
Sheik was quiet. "This totally different person you act like... You've been saying some pretty weird things while you're 'asleep' or whatever. You told me I'd find out about it when I'm older. You also said that it will come much sooner than I expect, you een talked in your sleep a couple days ago," he murmured. Malon stayed quiet.
"I don't know," Link said, putting on a forced smile. "But, we should ask the princess when we see her next. She might be able to answer."
"Enough of the somber subjects!" Malon said, standing. "How about you two get some sleep, and then I can wake you both up, and we can play with the horses and the cuccos! We could milk the cows too!" Sheik nodded and stood.
"Thank you Malon. We'll sleep in some of the hay," he said. "It should be comfortable enough."
"Don't be silly," Malon murmured. "You can take the beds upstairs!" Sheik nodded and led Link upstairs.
Later
"Nice Epona," Sheik said, petting the pony's red snout. "It's your friend, Sheik, I just look a bit funny."
"Hey!" Link whined. "I don't look funny! My body is perfectly not funny looking!" Sheik rolled his eyes.
"Don't fight you two," Malon snapped, trotting up to them on a large beige horse. "How about we race a bit Sheik?"
"Sure!" Sheik said, getting on the back of another beige horse. "We can let Link be the judge, since he's never ridden before." Link nodded, and walked the white line.
"Line up you two!" he cheered. So they did, and on Link's word, they sped down the race course. Sheik gripped the mane of his horse, and kicked it's side when he wanted it to go faster. He ignored the fact that Link's hat had fallen off, and Navi was failing to catch up. He loved riding horses, it was so much fun.
He crossed the finish line, and pulled back on the mane, to make the horse stop. He jumped off the horse, grabbed Link's hat, and rushed up to Link, Malon slowly following. "Who won!?" he asked, excited.
"What are you doing!?" Link snapped angrily. "You're supposed to be visiting Zelda with the stones! Hurry up! She could be in danger!" Sheik was confused. "Every extra second she waits for you, she gets closer and closer to trouble! And you're just wasting time at this ranch!" Malon too, was confused, as she walked up to Sheik.
"Who won Link?" she asked. Link sighed.
"You did, Malon," he murmured. Sheik snapped, and Malon gave a light smirk. "That's the least of our worries! We have to get to Zelda, Sheik! Don't delay any longer!" Link blinked, and gave a confused face.
"I don't remember anything again," he told Sheik. "What happened?"
"You told me not to delay anymore, and to go see Zelda," Sheik whispered. He turned to Malon. "I supposed we should leave now." He was worried... What could be going on, for it to be so urgent? Whatever was up with Link he had, had extreme worry in his voice. He gave Malon a hug.
"We'll be seeing you... I promise we'll see you again," he told her. Malon nodded, her face solemn. Sheik gave one pat to Epona, and started to leave the ranch. He heard Link said his goodbyes before he caught up to him. "We'd better hurry... You seemed agitated." Link nodded.
They were headed for the castle, running down the hill that lead to the drawbridge. As they walked, it began to pour down rain... Helpful. Looking up at the gates to the market, the drawbridge was closed. That was unusual, it was mid-day. They got closer and closer...
And, suddenly, the drawbridge fell open. A white horse with two people on the back came galloping out, the two of them had to quickly move out of the way. The people were familiar; Impa and Princess Zelda to be precise. Zelda looked at the two of them, who were shocked. She quickly reached into the front of her dress, and chucked a blue object with a small grunt. It flew through the air, and splashed in the water. Sheik and Link watched in disbelief, as the princess and her assistant galloped off, until they were unseen.
"It's just like my dream," Sheik and Link both muttered, at the same time.
"If the dream is right... Link, turn around," Sheik hissed, and bolted around. Link did the same. Behind them, on a dark, armoured horse was a man. This man had olive skin, and red hair. His eyes were menacing, and his smirk terrifying. This man, was the man Zelda had told them about. Ganondorf.
"Arrrrgh! I lost her!" growled the man is his deep voice. He looked, and spotted the two, terrified boys. "You two, over there! Little kids!" Sheik balled his hand into a fist. "You must have seen the white horse gallop past just now... Which way did it go!? Answer me!!" Sheik and Link both two a couple steps back, and stayed silent. "So, you two think you can protect them from me... You've got guts, you kids."
Sheik's heart beat hard in his chest, as he unsheathed his sword. Link copied, his hands shaking in fear. Sheik never took his eyes off the man. The man gave his low pitch cackle. "You want a piece of me?!" Ganondorf asked, seemingly amused. "Very funny! I like your attitude!" He lifted his hand toward them, and a purple swirling light formed. Sheik knew what was coming next. The light turned white and balled into his hand, and shot toward them. It split into two parts, and hit both Link and Sheik. Both of them flew back, letting out yells of pain. Sheik hit the ground with a moan, and skidded on his butt. Link, the same.
"Pathetic little fools! Do you realize who you're dealing with!?" the man hissed. Sheik gripped his sword, but didn't stand. He was so mad... "I am Ganondorf! And soon, I will rule the world!" He pulled back on his reigns, and galloped off.
Both Sheik and Link got up. Link was stricken with fear, and he looked pale. Sheik walked over to him. "Link," he said quietly, shaking his friend.
"That man..." Navi whispered. "He can't find Zelda!" Both Link and Sheik looked up at her. "I trust you saw Zelda throw something into the water... Let's go look for it. There's nothing more we can do now, except hope Impa was able to take Zelda to safety." Sheik felt a lump in his throat. Navi was right. Even if they did get a horse from Malon, and chase after that man, there wasn't much they would be able to do. They were too weak.
"Let's find what Zelda wanted us to find, okay Link?" Sheik asked. Link looked up to him, and nodded. They walked to the edge of the water, and looked in. There was a blue object that had sunk to the bottom, but Sheik couldn't be too sure what it was.
"I'll be a second," he told Link, and dove into the water. He grabbed the object, and looked at it. He realized now what it was. The Ocarina of Time! He climbed out of the water, and Link and Sheik held it together.
"It's glowing," Link said, in awe... Suddenly, there was a voice.
"Link, Sheik... Can you hear me? It's me, Zelda..." Zelda's voice was coming from the Ocarina? "Link and Sheik... When you hold this ocarina in your hands... I won't be around anymore... I wanted to wait for you, but I couldn't delay any longer... At least I could leave you the ocarina, and this melody... This song, opens the Door of Time..." A soft melody played on the winds. Link still holding the end, Sheik raised the ocarina to his lips, and played softly along. "Now, both of you. Play this melody in front of the alter in the Temple of Time. You must protect the Triforce!" And the voice stopped.
The boys sat there for a moment. "I-I can't believe it... Zelda's... Gone," Sheik whispered. "My life-long friend... She's in complete danger... And there's nothing I can do about it." He let go of the ocarina, letting Link hold it, and raised his hands to his face. "Zelda..." The boy began to cry. Reality was finally sinking in. He would probably never get to see Zelda ever again.
"Sheik..." Link said quietly, putting an arm over his friend's shoulder. "We have to do as Zelda said. We have to open the Door of Time. Maybe, once we do that, we'll get to see her... Once we save everybody!"
"Don't be stupid Link," Sheik snapped, half angry, half just plain upset. "We can't save everybody! We're just children! You're barely ten, and I'm only twelve! What can two kids do to save all of Hyrule?!" Sheik stood, wiping tears from his eyes with the back of his arm. "Let's go to the Temple of Time..." Link stood as well, and without another word, they left into the town market.
Everything was bustling like usual. Were they completely unaware of what just happened?! It made Sheik angry... None of them seemed to care about anything... He ignored them. They walked up toward the temple, Navi and Link following behind him.
They walked right up the steps, and into the temple itself. The temple was a large one. At the front was a round pedestal with carvings on it. There was an alter, with stairs on either side. In the alter, there were three small indents. Those were where the stones would be placed. Up the stairs, was what looked like a blocked off opening. That must have been the Door of Time. Above the door, was the Triforce symbol.
Sheik stepped forward, up to the alter. "Ready?" he asked Link. Link nodded. They placed the stones in the order: Kokiri Emerald, Goron Ruby, and then, lastly the Zora's Sapphire. Sheik took out the Ocarina, and held his breath. Then, he began to play the "Song of Time'. When he finished, he let his arms fall to his sides. The Triforce above the Door of Time began to glow a brilliant golden. The Door of Time moved out of place, and it was open.
"We did it," Sheik whispered. "We opened the Door of Time."
"Good job." Another voice entered the conversation. Two pairs of footsteps were heard. Link and Sheik both turned around. Eri and Tanner both stood on the round pedestal, feet away from the pair.
"We, like we promised, have been watch thing the two of you," Tanner said. "I must say, the two of you have done a brilliant job... Despite the few errors here and there." Sheik was silent.
"I can't believe you both made it this far..." Eri murmured. "It's impressive." Sheik glared.
"I'm sure you're fully aware of what has happened to Princess Zelda," he growled. "Do you know anything?"
"Yes, we do," Tanner replied "Will we tell you what we know is a whole different question." Sheik hissed.
"You have to tell me! Have some sympathy!" he pleaded. "Please!" Eri sighed.
"We'll see you again, in time," Tanner said. They threw down a Deku nut each, and where gone. Little did they know how cheesy Tanner's last words were.
"Let's go Sheik," Link said, pulling on the sleeve of Sheik's tunic. "We might be able to find some clues with the new path we have." Sheik nodded, and they left up the stairs.
They entered the new room. Light flooded in from the windows, high above them. The roof was so high, they could barely see the ending. And in the middle of the room...
"Sheik, Link! Isn't that...?!" Navi asked suddenly, floating to the middle of the room. Sheik noticed a sword, stuck into a pedestal. He gasped. "It's that legendary blade... The Master Sword!" Sheik was amazed. The Master Sword... He couldn't believe it! He grabbed Link's hand, and they rushed to the pedestal.
Sheik put both his feet on either side of the pedestal, that the Master Sword was on. He gripped the handle of the blade, and pulled hard. But, nothing happened... He stared at it. "Maybe it's not the Hero of Time's body... It's the soul... Link, try pulling the sword," Sheik said, stepping off. Link tried, but, again, nothing happened.
"This is... Not supposed to happen," Navi said quietly. "The Hero of Time is supposed to be able to pull the Master Sword from the pedestal... But, since you're in different bodies..." She began to think.
"I know!" Sheik said suddenly. "Link, we'll both pull. With your soul, and your body combined, it should work." Link nodded. They both gripped the blade, and pulled with all their might. With much ease, the blade slipped out of the pedestal. Suddenly, a blue light surrounded them. They just held the blade, mesmerized by the light.
Then, there was a voice. "Geh heh heh! Excellent work!" it was the voice of Ganondorf. "As I thought, you held the keys to the Door of Time! You have lead me to the gates of the Sacred Realm... Yes, I owe it all to you kids!" He gave an evil laughter.
Seven Years Pass
"Link, Sheik. Wake up... Link, the chosen one... Sheik, the one caught in this whole mess..." Sheik looked around. His felt light headed, as he looked around the overly blue room. The blue walls seemed the dance, and when he looked straight up, he saw nothingness. He looked around more. There was a green spot, with swirl designs on it, and when he looked to the side, he saw a yellow one of the same manner. The difference was, there was a man on it.
This man was elderly. He had a white, puffy moustache, and was dressed in fine, red and yellow clothing. He was large, and had serious eyes. Sheik had never seen him before in his life. He was confused... What was going on? The last thing he remembered was pulling the Master Sword out of the pedestal, and Ganondorf's evil voice... The memory was faint, but it was there.
The man began to speak. "I am Rauru, one of the ancient Sages...Ages ago, we ancient Sages built the Temple of Time to protect the entrance to the Sacred Realm. This is the Chamber of Sages, inside the Temple of Light... The Temple of Light, situated in the very center of the Sacred Realm, is the last stronghold against Ganondorf's evil forces. The Master Sword-- the evil-destroying sword that you two pulled out of the Pedestal of Time-- was the final key to the Sacred Realm." The man named Rauru paused. "Link, Sheik... Don't be alarmed... Look at yourselves!"
Look at yourselves? Why would that-? Sheik looked down at himself. He was shocked to find that it was a much farther trip to the ground. He had on white tights now, and leather gauntlets. Plus, oh wow... He looked so grown up! "I-I'm old!" he gasped. Oh my goddesses! His voice! It was so much deeper! He put his hands to his throat. He looked around, for Link.
When he found his body, he was left even more shell shocked than before. He was tall! Sheik's own body was now tall! He had... Abs! Yes, he had abs! His eyes were just as red, and his skin just as perfectly tanned.
"Sheik! Sheik!" Link cried. His voice was deeper too! "Oh my goddess! Listen to our voices! What happened, we look so different!? Why did our voice change like this!? Why do we look older!?"
"Oh, look at the both of you!" Navi said, flabbergasted. "Look! You're big now! You've grown up!"
"We've skipped puberty!" Sheik called with delight. "No more awkward voice cracking!"
Ruining the moment, Rauru began to talk again. "The Master Sword is a sacred blade which evil ones may never touch... Only one worth of the title "Hero of Time" can pull it from the Pedestal of Time... However, you were too young to be the Hero of Time... Therefore, your spirits where sealed here for seven years. And now that you are old enough, the time has come for, your soul not body, Link, to awaken as the Hero of Time!" Rauru paused, letting Link gasp with shock. "Well, do you understand your destinies?"
"I don't," Sheik muttered. "Where do I play in this? I'm just in his body. I'm not the Hero of Time. That idiot is. Unless he's matured with age..." He looked at Link.
"Sheik, you're wearing white tights? How'd those get on if we were sleeping?" Link asked, cocking his head to look at Sheik's white tights. Sheik sighed.
"Nope, he's still an idiot," Sheik murmured.
"Well," Rauru said, "since Link is split from his body, he can't do everything he would normally be able to do. Some things the two of you have to do together. For example, pull the Master Sword out of the Pedestal of Time. He wouldn't be able to complete his journey without you."
"Or tie his own shoes either," Sheik muttered darkly. "Now, I understand my fate. To baby-sit the hero." Rauru went silent...
"But remember," Rauru continued. "Though you opened the Door of Time in the name of peace... Ganondorf, the Gerudo King of Thieves, used it to enter this forbidden Sacred Realm! He obtained the Triforce from the Temple of Light, and with its power, he became the King of Evil... His evil power radiated from the temples of Hyrule, and in seven short years, it transformed Hyrule into a world of monsters. My power now only has little influence, even in this Sacred Realm... Namely, this Chamber of Sages." He paused for a sigh. "But there is still hope... The power of the Sages remains. When the power of all the Sages is awakened... The Sages' Seals will contain all the evil power in the void of the Realm... I, Rauru, am one of the Sages... And... Your power to fight together with the Sages makes you the Hero of Time! The Hero of Time, chosen by the Master Sword! Keep my spirit with you... And, find the power of the other Sages and add their might to your own!" The main lifted his arms, and a golden Medallion appeared in Link's hands. I shone and sparkled with a mysterious light. Maybe, it was part of Rauru's power?
"Find the other Sages and save Hyrule!"
Wooo! Am I the only one excited this is out? Finally? I hope not, or else it's pointless. But, here you are! Chapter thirteen! This was by far the hardest chapter to write. I copied a lot of the long speeches from the actual game, using video walkthroughs on youtube. So, I'm thinking, though this isn't a popular fanfiction, a Disclaimer is the way to go! I haven't done a disclaimer since chapter one =o. Madness.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter as muc has I did!
Disclaimer: I do not own Zelda, nor do I own the characters. Some of the dialoge was borrowed from the actual game, which I found online. =3