Sonic was lowered down to the ground in front of the Great Deku Tree that had stood dead for a whole seven years. The portal that Tinker Bell made was still alive. However, Sonic noticed a little sapling right in front of the tree. "Hi, there!" Said the little tree. Sonic was so startled he fell over backwards. But he quickly picked himself up and dusted himself off. "Don't be afraid," said the little tree. "I don't bite."

"Who are you?" Asked Sonic. "I'm the Deku Tree Sprout," said the young sapling. "You're like the new Deku Tree!" Cried Sonic. "That's right!" Said the Deku Tree Sprout. "Because you broke the curse on the forest temple and saved Saria, I can grow and flourish. Thanks a lot!"

"Don't mention it, pal," said Sonic. "But can I ask you something?"

"Of course," said the Deku Tree Sprout. "How come Tails, Amy, Link and I have grown up, but not Saria? Last I saw her, she was still a kid right before she gave me this." Sonic pointed to his medallion. "Ah yes," said the Deku Tree Sprout. "I know why some kids grew up and some didn't. Did you know that the Kokiri never grow up? Even after seven years, they're still kids. Saria is a Kokiri and so are your brother and sister."

"I've got a brother and a sister?" Sonic asked in bewilderment. "Yeah," said the Deku Tree Sprout. "But I doubt they would recognize you with your grown up body."

"So how come Amy, Link, Tails and I are the only ones who grew up?" Asked Sonic. "Because you are Hylians," said the Deku Tree Sprout.

Some time ago, when three hedgehogs were born, a year later, the mother, Queen Aleena, was gravely injured by a dark lord. She used to be Hyrule's queen alongside the first king before the little robot. Aleena was advised by the Great Deku Tree sometime seven years ago to give up her children in order to protect them. So she placed them under the care of the Great Deku Tree. One day later, the injury that was cast a upon her by the dark lord killed her. The hedgehogs were raised as Kokiri but one of them was not a Kokiri. The Great Deku Tree could sense that the blue hedgehog was a child of destiny. And now the day of destiny has come!

"That explains why it was okay for me to leave the forest," said Sonic. "Yes," said the Deku Tree Sprout. "You were always bound to leave this forest because you're a Hylian. And because Amy, Link and Tails are Hylians too, they can leave the forest too. But you are the child of destiny."

"I think I understand now," said Sonic. "Good," said the Deku Tree Sprout. "So I guess you know what you have to do."

"Save the kingdom of Hyrule, right?" Said Sonic. "Right you are, Hero of Time," said the Deku Tree Sprout. "How did you know I'm the Hero of Time?" Asked Sonic. "You're the child of destiny, remember?" Said the Deku Tree Sprout. "Right," said Sonic. "Well, I'd better go. See you later."

"Bye, Sonic," said the Deku Tree Sprout. "Good luck!"

Sonic zipped back to the Kokiri Forest which was now back to normal. "How d'you suppose that little tree knows about me?" He asked Navi. "I'm not sure," said Navi. "But he sounds like a really smart tree. And since Saria is a sage..." she pointed to the green medallion around Sonic's neck. "She might be okay leaving the forest now because she's part of your destiny. Anyway, we should go back to the Temple of Time and see Sheik. She might know where the next sage is." So Sonic and Navi raced off to the Temple of Time. When they got there, they found Sheik holding a yellow medallion. "There you are, Sonic," she said. "I've been waiting for you. EVE the sage asked me to give you this so she can add her might to your own." She gave Sonic the yellow medallion which he carefully placed around his neck, along with the green one. "I would also like to teach you this song that will help you reach the Temple of Time quickly, as you will have to travel very far to find the other sages. Listen to the Prelude of Light." She played a wonderful song that consisted of a simple, yet beautiful tune. Sonic followed along with her very carefully. Before too long, he was able to play the "Prelude of Light" all by himself. Sonic was very proud and loved the pretty tune. "Well done, Sonic," said Sheik. "Now, if you want to find the next sage, you must travel to the Fire Temple which can be found at the very top of Death Mountain, a little farther than Goron City. But, it is very hot in the temple. You will need a heat shield."

"Like this?" Sonic asked in confusion, holding up the Hylian Shield, which was now just the right size for him because he was an adult. "It is true that the Hylian Shield can withstand flame attacks because it is fire resistant. But the kind of heat shield I'm talking about is that you will have to wear something that is heat resistant, to protect you from getting hot in the Fire Temple which is right next to a volcano," said Sheik. "Okay, I get it," said Sonic. "But where can I find something like that? The marketplace? Ganondorf destroyed it."

"That's true," said Sheik. "If you go to Goron City at the top of the mountain, the Scarlet Scorch, who is your next sage by the way, might have something you can wear to protect yourself from the heat."

"Okay, I'll head straight there," said Sonic. "Good luck, Sonic. I'll see you again later," said Sheik, once again throwing a Deku nut on the ground in front of her and disappearing. But before Sonic was ready to look for a heat shield, he wanted to do something else first. Sonic headed to Lon Lon Ranch. It was a nice peaceful farm. Sonic found a red horse that seemed very captivating to him. In the middle of the horses stood a bright young lady singing to them. The tune she was singing kept the horses nice and calm. Sonic sighed as he took in the fresh air. "Excuse me," Sonic said to the girl. "Welcome to Lon Lon Ranch," said the young lady to Sonic. "I'm Malon. I live here in Lon Lon Ranch with my dear father. He owns Lon Lon Ranch."

"Pleasure to meet you, Malon," said Sonic. "I'm looking for a heat shield because to find the next sage, I have to go to the Fire Temple and it's really hot in there."

"You might like to try one of my dresses," said Malon. "It can reflect heat very well because it has light colours." Then she realized something. "Wait a minute. If you're looking for sages, that means you're Sonic the Hedgehog: Hero of Time!"

"That's me," said Sonic. "Where are these dresses?"

"You can find them in my house," said Malon. "It's just over there." Sonic headed over to the house. Inside, he went into Malon's bedroom where he found more dresses. One of them was smaller than the others and it was pure white. Sonic tried to put it on, but it was too small for him. Then, he put on one of the bigger dresses. He felt a little embarrassed. "Could this be the heat shield Sheik was talking about?" He asked himself. "It's perfect for summer heat," said a voice. Sonic saw a man with a moustache standing at the doorway. "Howdy there, hedgehog."

"You must be Talon. I'm Sonic," said the blue hedgehog. "Howdy there, Sonic," said Talon. "Pleased to make your acquaintance."

"Is it okay if I borrow this dress?" Asked Sonic. "I'm heading to the Fire Temple where it's really hot."

"If you must," said Talon. "But there is something else I would like to offer you, Sonic."

"What's that?" Asked Sonic. "Well, you know the red horse outside in the ranch?" Said Talon. "Well, her name's Epona and she's been our favourite horse for years. If you can tame her and beat me in a horse race, I'll let you keep her."

"Sounds good to me," said Sonic. "But how do I tame her?"

"There's a song that Malon can teach you that'll help you calm the horse," said Talon. So Sonic went outside to see Malon again. "Look at you, Sonic," she said with a giggle when she saw him. "You look perfect for working on a hot summer day."

"But I need it to go in the Fire Temple," said Sonic. "Right," said Malon. "Well, I suppose you can borrow it for a little while."

"Can you teach me a song that'll tame Epona?" Asked Sonic. "I was hoping you'd ask," said Malon. "It goes like this." And she started humming a beautiful tune. As soon as Epona heard it, she came running to Malon. Sonic played the same tune on his ocarina. It took him a few tries to get it right, but when he finally did, Epona came running towards him. Sonic gently patted her on the head. "It seems Epona has taken a liking to you," said Malon. "What a pretty tune!" Exclaimed Sonic softly. "But what do you call it?"

"I call it Epona's Song," said Malon. "Play it when you're having trouble finding this beauty."

"I'll be sure to do that," said Sonic. "Not so fast, hedgehog!" Said Talon. "You have to beat me in a race first and then, you can keep Epona."

"Right, sorry," said Sonic. And so, the race was on. Sonic on Epona and Talon on Autumn Ember. "On your mark, get set, go!" Shouted Malon and the horses took off. It was a close race, but Sonic and Epona won by a hoof. "Good race, son," said Talon. "She's all yours now. Have fun."

"Thanks, Talon," shouted Sonic as he and Epona rode away. "Aw, yeah!" Shouted Sonic happily as they rode across the field. "This is a lot of fun! It'll be a great way to travel if I don't feel like walking. I love you so much, Epona!" Epona neighed happily. Together, they were able to get to Kakariko Villiage in no time. And in they rode.

In Kakariko Villiage, Sonic saw Pushy again. "Hey, Sonic," she greeted. "I see you got yourself a horse."

"Talon and Malon let me keep her. Her name's Epona," said Sonic. "How sweet of them," said Pushy. "Well, I still can't find Pressure."

"Oh," said Sonic, getting off Epona. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay," said Pushy. Then, she turned to Epona. Sonic played "Epona's Song" to keep her calm. "Nice tune," said Pushy. "Malon taught it to me," said Sonic. "Again, that's really nice of her," said Pushy. She turned to a now calm Epona. "Epona," she said. "Would you like to stay here and help me find Pressure?" Epona neighed. "I guess I'll take that as a yes," said Pushy. "If you don't mind that I borrow her for a while."

"No problem. She can stay here," said Sonic. "I've got to head up the mountain. Bye now."

"Good luck, Sonic," said Pushy as Sonic raced up the mountain.