Sonic heard an evil laugh. "Excellent work," said a familiar voice. "Ganondorf?" Sonic asked in disbelief, feeling his own voice getting deeper and a little sore. "As I thought, you held the keys to the door of time," said Ganondorf. Sonic gasped quietly. He wanted to fight back, but his whole body felt too sore to move. He could only see the evil figure in front of him. The hedgehog was surrounded by white light and he could feel himself floating in the air as if there was no floor. "You have led me to the sacred realm," said Ganondorf. "Sacred realm?" asked Sonic quietly. "Yes, I owe it all to you kid!" With an evil laugh, Ganondorf vanished. Sonic coughed wildly. He couldn't move, so he couldn't chase Ganondorf. The white light got so bright that Sonic shut his eyes!

"Sonic, wake up," said a voice. "You… won't… get away… with this," said Sonic. By this time, his voice had gotten much deeper somehow. And he could feel himself able to move again. And the hedgehog could feel his feet touching the ground. Sonic panted. His voice wasn't sore anymore. But when he opened his eyes, he saw not Ganondorf, but a white robot with blue eyes. "I am EVE, once of the anchient sages," said the robot. "What's a sage?" asked Sonic. "You see, Sonic, we anchient sages built the temple of time to protect the triforce from the evil ones. Sages are like allies chosen by destiny to assist the Hero of Time in his big battle against Ganondorf, the King of Evil. The Hero of Time is you, Sonic!" said EVE. Sonic was surprised. "Don't be alarmed, Sonic. Look at yourself." When Sonic did, he saw that he was now a grown-up hedgehog carrying the Master Sword and the Hylian shield on his back. He was wearing a shoulder bag with the Ocarina of Time in it around his shoulder. He really did look like the Hero of Time! Navi was just as astonished to see his grown up body as he was. "Wow, look at you, Sonic! You're big now! You've grown up!" she cried. "I guess that explains why my voice felt so deep."

"You were unable to move because you were sealed in the sacred realm for seven years," explained EVE. "How did seven years pass by so quickly?" asked Sonic. "Your spirit was sealed away in the sacred realm which sped up time," said EVE. "And now, Sonic, you are old enough to be the Hero of Time." Sonic scratched his head. That still didn't explain why Ganondorf would follow him when he had a princess to find. Maybe he wanted to keep bugging Sonic until he told him where to find the princess. "Was I too young to be the Hero of Time seven years ago? Why did Ganondorf follow me? How did I lead him to the sacred realm?" he asked EVE. "Well, Sonic," replied EVE. "Ganondorf's plan was to enter the sacred realm with the keys to the Door of Time. He saw that you had the keys, so he followed you. That Master Sword can only be pulled out of the Pedestal of Time by the chosen one, which was you."

"That's why I could pull it out so easily," said Sonic. "And I thought it was just the goron bracelet Scarlet Scorch gave me seven years ago." Then he realized something. "Scarlet Scorch! What happened to her? And all my friends? Are they alright?" he asked. "You will have to see for yourself," said EVE. "Because the time for you to awaken as the Hero of Time has come. And yes, you were too young back then. But what you have to do is wake up five more sages, defeat Ganondorf and save Hyrule. When all of us six sages are awakened, we will add our might to your own and join you in battle to help you defeat Ganondorf in the big showdown. Do you understand all of that?"

"Yeah, I think so," said Sonic. "Okay, good," said EVE. "But remember, though you opened the door in the name of peace, Ganondorf touched the triforce and became the evil king."

"Oh, no!" Sonic shouted, but he was once again blinded by light and when he could see again, he found himself in the Temple of Time. "Sonic, what do you think happened to the land of Hyrule after seven years have passed? Has it really been seven years?" asked Navi. "I… don't know," said Sonic. "But there's only one way to find out what happened to the kingdom. Let's get out of here." Before they could leave, they heard a voice speaking to them. There was a girl right behind them that looked like a ninja. "Hero of Time, I've been waiting for you," she said. "Who are you?" asked Sonic, turning to approach her. "I am Sheik," said the girl. "And I can sense your destiny."

"It's nice to meet you, Sheik," said Sonic as they shook hands. "The pleasure's all mine," said Sheik. "I can help you find the sages. One sage can be found in the forest. The sage is a girl I am sure you know. But she can't hear your awakening call because she's trapped in the forest temple."

"Huh?" said Sonic. "Did Ganondorf trap her there?"

"I will explain more when you reach the sacred forest meadow which is where the temple can be found," said Sheik. "As I see you standing there with the mythical Master Sword, you really do look like the Hero of Time."

"Thanks," said Sonic. "You're welcome," said Sheik. "But you cannot even enter the temple even though you are well equipped."

"Why not?" asked Sonic. "There have been a lot of monsters in the sacred forest meadow," said Sheik. "Those monsters have invaded the Kokiri Forest. There are giant metal monsters that are made up of suits of armour that will ram into you like a charging bull of you get too close. They are guarding the path to the forest temple which is where Saria is being held captive by Ganondorf's monster."

"More monsters? Oh boy," said Sonic. "Yes," said Sheik. "If you want to stay safe in the forest temple, I suggest you go to Kakariko Village."

"Okay, if you say so," said Sonic. "Thanks, Sheik."

"You're welcome, Sonic," said Sheik. "I'll meet you at the entrance to the forest temple where I will explain in more detail what happened to Saria." And with that, Sheik threw a deku nut on the ground which made her disappear. "Now to find out what happened to the kingdom of Hyrule," said Sonic. "I'm sure Ganondorf must've done a lot of damage to it if he's the Evil King now. So, here goes." With a deep breath, Sonic went outside the Temple of Time and when he did, he was in for a big shock! The skies were dark with purple clouds. And the marketplace was in ruins! "I can't believe Ganondorf did all this!" cried Sonic. But he had no time to waste. He had to get to Kakariko Village quickly. Kakariko Village didn't change very much in the past seven years, except it was a little cloudy, but Sonic didn't mind. "I wonder why Sheik asked me to come here," he said. He found the house where the Tectonic Duo lived, but once more, nobody was home. "I remember where they are," said Sonic as he travelled to the graveyard. He played "Zelda's Lullaby" to get warped under the Royal Family's Tombstone. Sonic found Pushy, but she was by herself. "Pushy?" Sonic asked in confusion. "Where's Pressure?"

"I don't know where she is," replied Pushy with a sigh. "I think Ganondorf captured her, but I don't know where he took her."

"Maybe I could… help?" said Sonic. "Thanks, Sonic," said Pushy. Sonic looked all over Kakariko Villiage but there was no sign of Pressure anywhere. "Sorry Pushy, I can't find Pressure anywhere." said Sonic. "Thanks for trying to help," said Pushy. "I'm sure she'll turn up eventually."

"I have to get to the Forest Temple because someone else is trapped in there, but I was told I should come here first," said Sonic.

"Well, I can help you enter the temple, Sonic," said Pushy. "Here." And she gave him a hookshot. "Maybe, this will help you get in the temple."

"Thanks, Pushy," said Sonic. "I sure hope so." And Sonic hurried away to the Kokiri Forest. Little did he know that there was a disastrous surprise awaiting him.