Chapter 5 is here, and much earlier than expected! I got quite a few reviews on the last chapter. You guys rock!

But before we go on, there something I want to ask those of you who've read the original version of this story. Do you think my improvements on the story are good so far? If you have any suggestions on how I could remaster any of the upcoming chapters, feel free to message me. I want to keep the spoilers to a minimum, so don't post story-related suggestions in a review for this chapter.

Anyways, on with the story! And remember to leave a review for this one! Feedback on the story will keep me writing!

Chapter 5: Link Goes Alone

After leaving Death Mountain, the trio headed off for their next destination. Link and Sonic climbed onto Epona, who was patiently waiting for them at the village gate. Link kicked her sides, and Epona started galloping across Hyrule Field. Tails flew close behind Link and Sonic.

"So," Sonic asked, "Where to now?"

"Lake Hylia," Link simply answered. "If there was an emerald in the Fire Temple, there must be one in the Water Temple."

Hearing the word 'water' made Sonic feel uneasy. He wasn't a strong swimmer, and drowning was his greatest fear. He only hoped that swimming wasn't required to navigate such a temple.

Before long they arrived at Lake Hylia. It was a huge lake; almost half the size of Hyrule Field. There was a cottage by the lakeshore along with a fishing pond. There were small islands out in the lake, one of which had a tree on it. The two heroes dismounted Epona, and Sonic scanned his surroundings. He saw some strangely familiar-looking totem poles and palm trees. Yet, as far as he could tell, there wasn't anything that one would consider to be a temple.

"Where is it?" he asked.

"It's not visible from up here," Link explained. "The entrance is underwater."

Sonic froze, his eyes wide with horror. "Underwater?!" he gasped.

Link glanced down at Sonic. "Is something wrong?"

Tails joined the conversation. "He never told you? Sonic can't swim."

"Can't swim?" Link questioned. "Why didn't you say so?! Swimming is the only way to reach the entrance. And you'll need to be able to hold your breath; most of the temple is submerged in water."

Link's description was just as Sonic had feared, if not worse.

"At least I have this," Link said as he pulled a blue tunic out of his pouch. "The Zora Tunic."

Tails looked at the outfit in Link's hands. "What does it do?" he asked.

"The Zora Tunic allows the wearer to breathe underwater and swim faster," Link explained.

"Interesting," Tails pondered. "Clothing that allows aquatic respiration and movement? That seems physically and scientifically impossible..."

His thoughts were interrupted by Sonic. "Gimme that tunic!" he said, lunging at Link.

"Hey!" exclaimed Link. "What's the big idea?!"

"I need that thing more than you do!" he answered crossly.

"But it won't fit you!" Link shouted. "It's too big for you!"

"Are you calling me short again?!" Sonic snapped.

"GUYS, STOP!" Tails shouted. He tried to stop their fight.

"STAY OUT OF THIS, TAILS!" Sonic snapped, shoving Tails away.

Tails fell to the ground on his rear hard. He was in utter shock; he had just been pushed aside by his own idol. His partner. His friend. Sonic would never do such a thing to him, and yet he just did.

"You know what?" Link said after much back-and-forth bickering, "I'll go to the Water Temple myself! I don't need your help anyway!"

"Fine!" Sonic scoffed. "Tails and I will wait right here! But don't come crying to me if you can't handle any badniks in there!" He turned away in disgust.

"Fine!" Link sneered. "You'll only get in the way, anyway." He slipped into his Zora Tunic and dived into the lake. He swam to the very bottom of the lake, entering the submerged temple alone.

Back on the surface, Sonic noticed Tails sitting on the ground, almost in tears. Sonic's anger melted away upon seeing his friend, and he approached him. "Tails?" he softly asked. "Are you okay?"

"No, I'm not," Tails sniffled. "You hurt me."

"I'm sorry, buddy," Sonic said. "I didn't mean to."

"I thought you were my friend!" Tails snapped, startling Sonic. "I thought you'd never push me aside like this! Why would you do such a thing?!"

"Tails, please." Sonic pleaded, becoming worried. "Try to understand."

"No," Tails said angrily, standing back up. "I understand completely. You only care about yourself. You don't know how to work with others as a team." He started spinning his tails around. "Maybe you're better off without me."

Tails lifted himself up off the ground and started to fly away. "Tails, wait!" Sonic tried to stop him from leaving, but Tails refused to acknowledge Sonic's pleads. Soon enough he was gone, leaving Sonic all by himself.

Sonic had never felt so alone.

The Water Temple was a deep, damp temple used as a place of worship for the Zoras, the fish people. Fountains shaped like dragon heads and reliefs of the tribe's crest decorated the walls. Some of the chambers were flooded with water, with small sea creatures lurking within the depths.

There were plenty of monsters Link fought within the temple. Tektites, giant four-legged insects, slid across the water's surface; Shell Blades, giant clams with sharp-edged shells, chomped away underwater; and more Stalfos stalked the halls, wielding their swords. Among this mix of baddies, Link came across some of the badniks Sonic had mentioned earlier. Burrowbots, drill-wielding robots, popped up from underground; Jawz, mechanical fish, chomped away with the Shell Blades; and Orbinauts, floating spheres, launched fireballs everywhere. Link had the most difficulty dealing with all these enemies.

As if this place wasn't frustrating enough, Link said to himself. He had remembered hearing tales of the Hero of Time, and how he struggled the most in here out of all the temples he had conquered on his journey. Maybe I shouldn't have been so hard on ol' Sonic. He only wanted to help me. But I turned him down for, what, not being able to swim? He was questioning his own decision on leaving Sonic behind, but eventually shrugged. Eh, I'll manage. He continued onward.

Back outside, Sonic felt very lonely. His so-called 'partner' Link had gone to the temple alone, and his best friend Tails had left him after having his feelings hurt. For a good while, Sonic had remained silent, pondering over everything he had said before. If he hadn't shouted or argued or pushed his friend aside, none of this would've happened. He was so caught up in his fear of water that he mistreated his friend without even knowing he did so. He wondered if Tails would ever come back, and if he would be willing to forgive and forget.

Eventually, Sonic decided to cheer himself up by exploring the lakeshore. He ran multiple laps around the lake at top speed (Not once did he grow tired). He often took short breaks to admire the lakeside scenery. He had to admit, Hyrule was a beautiful land. He would certainly miss this place if/when he returned home.

But among the beautiful scenery, Sonic had an unsettling feeling. While he noticed the familiar totem poles and palm trees, he had just now noticed how the sun's position in the sky had not changed since his arrival. It was as if time stood still.

What could be the cause of all this? he wondered. It's as if Hyrule and Mobius are merging together. But that can't be!

Little did Sonic know that his little theory would be proven right.

Back in the Water Temple, Link came to a large room big enough for a large enemy. When he entered, however, there was no large enemy. Instead, a black figure stood in the center, facing away from Link. The black figure looked much like Sonic, but Link knew this wasn't Sonic at all.

"Who are you?" Link asked the mysterious hedgehog.

The black hedgehog turned around and faced Link. He smirked rather evilly. "You've never heard of me, Link?" he said in an oily voice. "I am Shadow the Hedgehog."

Yay for cliffhangers! Will Link be able to fight Shadow without Sonic's help? Find out next time! ;)